Still on da Road

O.k., so it's been a while since my last post. The bike and myself are still on the road and it's almost December. Just recently passed the 16,000 mile mark and the bike's not even a year old. As long as the white stuff stays off the road I'll continue to resort to the greatest form of mental therapy I know of.
The head's been rather clouded as of late. Blame it on the changing of the seasons, the holidays, or maybe what I had for dinner the following evening...NO. I'm the only one that can change my current time and space discomforts.

Home sweet home!

Wow! It's been done and the Crow has landed safe and sound, all in one piece. The rump is a little sore, however all things considered Ruby held up well and the stock seat was more than adequate.

Now, you realize I have no burning desire to hope on the bike....just yet. It'll be good to rest my bones in the comforts of my own bed.

July 31st
Blind River, OT Canada- Massena, NY USA
Total Miles-450

Stayed in one of the shadiest motels in my entire life. Half of the motel were resident apartments and I believe I was the only guest spending the night. Some folks were cooking something completely odd and fowl smelling. However, arriving so late and seeing much deer on the side of the roads, I needed to stop and rest for the night.

Aug. 1st-3rd
Massena, NY-Warren, NH
Total Miles-410

After getting lost and mislead in upper state NY, I went to the use of a GPS. Now, understand me, I only used the GPS to find friends addresses in cities when visiting. However, I don't quite understand how NY consider es East and West to be North and South...perhaps I never will.

Any hoot, upon driving on some roads three times, I made it to my good friend Jim and Bree Sawyer and Illa's farm in Warren NH. It's quite refreshing to see children raised in an old school fashion. Their fears were very limited and their imaginations and spirits plentiful. They truly are country kids: eating veggies straight from the garden, swimming in the river, playing with the farm animals, and treating others close to the clan with love and kindness.
Also got to be around when their cow gave a successful birth to her calf. Of course it happened at night while we were all around the bonfire and suddenly Jim's nowhere to be found. Then we hear a loud Woo Hoo!

Aug 3rd
Warren, NH-BROCKTON MA
Total Miles: No clue, stopped logging with pride.

The trip has come to a close.
I feel it was the right amount of time and distance.
All said and done I logged close to 8,500 miles.
Gained a patriotic spirit of sorts for the people and places I encountered along my travels. Very hard working and honest folks.

Till next time kids!
Stay tuned!

Peace,
Michael G. Conner

I'm such a hoser eh!

Well, I'm back in Canada! Again, it's a true love for all things Canadian, as well as avoiding Detroit and Chicago on the bike. Now, if I were in an automobile-well, that would be another different story all together. As I would have loved to have caught a baseball game in one of those great ballparks.

Beat Street Break-Down.....rrrrrrrurf!

July 28th
Glasgow, Montana- Lakota, North Dakota
Total Miles-420

Highlight- Trains really make me happy. In doing so, as I ride alone down this side road/highway I wave at all trains passing me bye. What makes the kid smile? Everytime I wave they blow the air horn. Simple, yes. Fulfilling, you bet you bippies! EVERY TIME. I wish everything in life were as simple. Maybe it is?

July 29th
Lakota, MT - Ashland, Wisconsin
total miles 440...the kid is back on track!

Nothing worth writing home about.

July 30th
Ashland, WS - Blind River, Ontario CANADA
Total Miles- 433

Stopped at an RV dealer today to see if they had those crazy stickers they put on the sides of RVs. You know the ones, each sticker is an out line of a state. Well, I was hooked up and spent some of the afternoon displaying my war medals inside my hardbags. Next time you see me just ask. Come on you know you want to. If your a little shy I'll break the ice and end up showing them to you anyways.

Stay tuned kids, as more exciting up dates will be pouring in. However, not so many as my trip is coming to a close.

Ok, all evening as I rode into the day turning into darkness I kept singing what song? Go a head and mapquest Blind River.

July 21st-27th

July 21st Eugene-Portland
Total Miles: 120

Very enjoyable day and evening with my friends Eric, Tiff, and Tera.
Coors Lit in the back yard and then down the road for a bite to eat.

GREAT peeps indeed.
July 22nd - 24th Portland-Seattle

Total Miles-170

Off to see yet another old friend from New Hampshire days of yore.
Met up with Jarid and Celia in Seattle and was only planning on spending one night and then set off looking for adventure in the great white north. However, ended up staying until the 24th.
Activities included:
Drinking PBR in the backyard
Hiking
Coffee
Joking
sushi
Coffee
Joking
Baby sitting
Relaxing
Joking
Catching-up
Listening to drag racing albums
Wondering
Stir-frying fun
Late night Ice Cream
Coffee

July 24th- Seattle, Wa- Rock Creek, B.C. Canada
Total Miles- 365 miles

It feels good to be back on the road and putting the miles back on the bike. Ruby continues to amaze me, as she handles and performs so well. My ass is also doing rather well, all things considered.

Well, entered Canada and already felt the difference. Was going to hit Vancouver, however I decided I had enough with city life and really wanted to start wracking up the miles once again. Rode until it started to become dusk…and we all know what happens then. Not only do vampires start to roam around Canada, but so do deer and elk. So, what does the kid do? Pulls in to a convenience store and inquires about local camping.
Again I’m told of a place to camp in town for free….DIG IT!
Setting up camp at the local fair ground I run across several other bikers with the same agenda. After a brief introduction and some talk about the road they send me north the following day as I’ve stumbled upon some of the greatest riding in all of Canada…and it’s just north of me.

Again, I’m going to continue to echo the same message I’ve said before and will most likely say again in this crazy blogging world….the camaraderie among bikers is an amazing thing and comes in all shapes and forms. I never get sick of talking to others on their own journey-this seems to happen daily.

Side note_ While swimming in the river at the camp ground, The kid lost one of his flip-flops and was not quick enough to recover it. I believe it was the flop.

July 25th Rock Creek, B.C.- Creston, B.C.
Total Miles- 367

WOW! What a ride indeed. The bikers were correct. They sent me on a loop and told me where to…get this… hop on a ferry, for free. Free ferries…and then the road continues…crazy!

July 26th- Creston, BC- Lethbridge, Alberta
Total Miles-270

Very late start today-just couldn't’t get my self moving. Didn’t hit the road until 11:00. No worries…where am I going anyways?

Bought a new pair of flip-flops, they say Canada on them, I’m pretty cool with my Canadian flip flops. All the other bikers step back a few feet when I walk on by.

More amazing roads. I started to enter the prairie zone and don’t seem to mind at all.

Stopped at an attraction/historical site that was quite amazing. The place is called Fred Slide and it’s the story of how the side of a mountain collapsed and took out a whole town.

After another costly day/evening of travel, I have come to the realization I need to reenter the states if I’m going to continue. Starting to consider an early reentry. I also feel the need to build up my riding endurance once again. Not that I’m in a rush to get home, but I do like the feeling of putting in a 500 plus mile day from time to time.

Got a chance to catch the Sox beat the Angels at a local watering hole. It’s nice to see the Sox are back on track. Thank God for my crackberry, as it keeps me updated on the scores.

Will also try and do more camping to save money.

July 27th- Lethbridge, Alberta – Glasgow, Montana USA
Total Miles-380

Well, the miles are increasing some and that’s good. It also feels a bit nice to be in the land of less costly items. It was somewhat of a drag in that I really wanted to cross Canada on the bike. Oh well, looks like I need to start planning another trip for next summer. Ha!

While riding along the roads of Montana, I came into Brockton Montana....so I had to stop and ask. There's only one store, no stop lights, and a high school. I went up to the school and had the chance to meet the superintendent of the Brockton school system. We chatted some and then she indicated, "So, your the Brockton High School that always comes up while googling the name." Proudly, I indicated, "But Of course" in my best Peter Sellers. Upon leaving I started brain storming ideas of how I can mix and cross breed some lessons and activities amongst the two school and cultures. Brockton Montana is based on an Indian Res. and the total school population is under 130 students. Now, Brockton High School in Mass has more students than the entire population of the res. However, there is so much in common as well as vast differences that need sharing.

Craziness. In a roadside gas station I noticed this crazy looking van plastered with rappers wearing Red Sox caps…so I had to ask! The rapper is know as Bullet and the only reason he had a Sox cap on was due to the B on the lid. However, he was a very well informed baseball fan. We talked about the Sox, as well as The Mariners (his team). Over all he was a pretty decent guy. Never heard of him, but his promoter was still pushing cds to young girls (mostly Native American kids). Boy was sporting some crazy bling on the grill.

That’s all for now kids. Oh, being back in the states has already proved it’s weight in gold. Stayed at the Starlight Motel. Total cost-$30.00….yeah boy!

Ants in the pants!

July 19th
Total Miles-0

Eugene, OR

Been having an amazing time with close friends, as well as new friends in the freak capital of America. Great going away party last evening for a dear friend of Tami and Dave, as she is moving away from the area. Drinks of many different shades, colors, actions, and outcomes.

Getting the need to hit the road once again. As I stay here parked in the driveway getting weaker, Charley's out there in the jungle getting stronger.

Shit. Eugene.
I'm still only in Eugene.

July 13th-17th

July 13th
Total Miles-204
Butte,MT-Salmon,ID

Left Butte,MT after spending the morning/ early afternoon in uptown and taking in the beauty of all the amazing buildings and history or the copper mines.

Took rt. 38 which turned into a dirt road carved into the sides of mountains (32 miles). I don't recommend this road unless your into 4x4. Ruby did well, in fact she held out better than I did. i had to stop several times as my eyes became agitated. Every time I pulled over several trucks would stop and ask if I was in need of assistance. Highlanders look out for each other, as well as another in need of help.

Made it to Salmon, Idaho and stayed at the Sacajawea Inn on RT. 93. Stay there if your in and about the area. Clean spacious rooms and breakfast is only an additional $3.00.

July 14th
460 miles
Salmon,ID-Juntura,OR

Great riding day. Perfect weather as I twisted along the Salmon river. Stopped at the Sunbeam Hot Springs and took a little dip to relax and chill for a spell. Sun started to set as I made my way into Oregon. The light on the blond hills were nearly blinding, the deer were also starting to come out of hiding for the night so I decided it was time to set up camp.

More and more twisties as much as straight aways.

Stopped at the Oasis campgrounds in Juntura, OR along RT 20.

Dinner consisted of two frosty cold beers and then set up camp. I was in bed and sound asleep by 9:00 PM.


July 15th
320 Miles
Juntura-Eugene,OR

The roads out here scream for motorcycles. More twisties yet once again. The Mackenzie Pass in Sisters,OR is well worth the effort if you see yourself in these parts.

Arrived at Mister Snider's at 2:30

Washed the bike down
Met Dave at 4ish after he got out of work
Drinks and an amazing meal at Belly in downtown Eugene
and more and more drinks....

July 16th
0 miles

Chill time....and it feels sooooooooooooo good.
Went to Sam Bonds to see some music.
Backyard bind fire with D
Awesome nights sleep. Thanks Tami for the fresh bed and sheets.

July 17th
Total miles-0

Heading to Portland with Dave to see his band Pellet Gun play tonight at the White Eagle.

This chill time is well needed.

Stay tuned for more adventure.

Tuesday July 13th 2010...I know!

Ok, I realize I do need to backtrack some dates. The Internet has not been so readily available, or if it was I was not. I've made it to the west coast all in one piece (at least on the outward appearance).

July 12th
Total miles-220
Cody, WY - Butte, MT

Well, upon meeting Kevin and John the previous day, we all decided to embark on this run together. I also can't stress the friendliness and gratitude I received from those guys.

Chief Joseph Highway and Bearstooth pass are the GREATEST highways/roads in this country of ours. Truly spectacular! Talk about twisties, twisties, and beautifully drawn out...twisties. And the fact that your also about 12,000 feet above sea level. It was somewhat wild riding past snow, elk, long horned sheep, and the occasional ground hog. I posted some pics of that run the previous post. Go back and check em' yo!

After parting ways with my new Canadian friends in the town Red Lodge, I made my way through Yellowstone National Park. Sorry to say, I couldn't wait to get out the other side as soon as possible. I went from flying like a hawk to crawling with the reptiles as the tourist and thrill seekers needed to stop and stare at every living plant, animal, and man. On top of that, the temperature increased drastically in the valley.

Found my way out to rout 89 and made my way to a hidden treasure. BUTTE, MONTANA.
In the city that America has quickly forgotten, I rolled around to see what there was to be seen.

Arriving at dusk, the sun was setting on the Montana mountains and discovering Butte took a little time as the new and improved stucco and plastic formations first greet the new arrivals. One has to go uptown to find the gold, or in Butte's terms copper.
It's here in uptown where all these amazing turn of the century brick buildings stand abandoned and holding secrets and stories about a better time and brighter day. Street after street share the same past glory. However as the night was flatly approaching I needed to find a place to lay my head for the evening. Ladies and Gentleman, let me now introduce you to your next stop while visiting Butte. The Finlen Hotel http://www.finlen.com/history.html

This place was has been restored to the looks and check it yo!

so, the next time your in Butte, you may consider buying and restoring some of the old gems there. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Finlen. Tell em' Brockton sent you.

On the side note: It was time to do laundry. Total cost at the Finlen= $1.00....dig it!