Pennsylvania

This is a bigger trip than I've taken on a bike. I got very settled and in the "zone" quickly along. First night's stop in Pennsylvania, on a lake. Excellent weather, local ice cream. Seems like a nice start.





My back had been bothering me. Pulled the lower left side a few weeks before the trip and was worried that it would sidetrack me. Last night, slept great and actually for the first time, woke up with no pain. Wow. Now I know what to do if my back acts up. Take a moto-camping trip.

The morning camp consisted of cooked oatmeal, local figs and coffee. Loaded the gear and proceeded up a road that was very cool, this road had nice twisties that woke me up more than the first daily hit of java, wow!

Got on a part of the Slab that I actually enjoy, Pennsylvania north to Wilkes-Barr. This stretch rolls over mountain ridges and highlands that feel the wrath of winter hard enough, the trees never grow that tall. Whenever I experience these places, the feeling of wide open lands and remote areas is a great thrill.

On my iPod, Jeff Beck wailed his guitar with impossible licks as I sped along. The single cylinder Kawasaki engine settling in around 5,000 RPMs, seems to like this speed, vibration dampens and just purrs along. Also puts me at about 69mph which doesn't seem to set off any radar units.



New York

Cat tails and birch trees always remind me of the Adirondacks. The first sighting was a good indication that I was paralleling that fantastic northern area. I rode up i-81 in high speed though because today I would cross over into Canada, if they'll have me.

Shallow by Porcupine Tree played, I changed the words to Shadow...



Crossing over the Thousand Islands bridge was great, I was getting very excited at this point. Canada was only minutes away.


The Other Side

I've been in the "penalty box" before crossing borders. It's not fun. There are no guarantees. No money back policy. Not that I'm worried about it, but in the back of my mind I always think, they don't have to let me in.



But they did, I bring $ USD! First exit after border crossing, gift shops and currency exchange. Of course, never get currency exchanged at a place like this, go to a regular bank and just get some cash out.





More soon...