48 States in Three Summers

I can't remember what inspired the idea. It might have been a picture. Or an article in a magazine for motorcycle enthusiasts. Perhaps it was the AAA travel magazine we receive. Really… I can't remember what started it all. But the vision remains crystal clear: to ride to every one of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia in three summers.

The idea was presented to Annette first, of course. I was surprised at how readily she embraced the idea. We've been blessed to have some dear friends share the journey with us.

The summer of 2012 took us from Florida to California, then to Las Vegas. From Vegas, we visited Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, the north and south rims of The Grand Canyon, and so much more. We were joined by our wives for part of the adventure and enjoyed the company of more friends for our ride through some of the most beautiful national parks in all of America. In 15 days, through 15 states, we rode more than 6,000 miles and shared experiences none of us will ever forget. I called this first adventure Journey 2012.

The road of life twists and turns and no two direction are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.  Don Williams, Jr.

A year later, we set out to ride the northeastern United States. Our route took us north of the border to experience the grandeur of Niagara Falls. We endured rain and cold, abbreviating the route at times to navigate around late-season snows, but achieved our goal. In riding some 5,000 miles, Adventure 2013 took us through 18 states, and the District of Columbia, and even included a couple of days in Ontario. We were able to recall meaningful moments in American history as we visited Gettysburg and other Civil War sites, and conquered some of the most challenging roads in the land.

           Be careful going in search of adventure - it's ridiculously easy to find.                   William Least Heat-Moon 

In Experience 2014, we set out to finish the course. Fifteen states remain. These are the most challenging, simply because this Floridian must make his way to the Great Northwest. That's a long way from home!

We will experience so much more of the beauty and grandeur of this great land we call America. If all goes well, we will ride hundreds of miles of the Pacific Coast Highway. We will visit the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and so much more. This summer represents, by far, the most aggressive challenge of the three… more than 8,000 miles compressed into twenty days or so.

The ride begins in just a few short weeks. We will chronicle the experience here… the journey… the adventure… the challenges… the sights. I invite you to live vicariously through us as we ride.

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.  Eleanor Roosevelt