I'm glad to be home!
Thanks for all the feedback - I'm glad you enjoyed my write-ups. It's easy when you have a topic like this.
I've finally uploaded all my pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/brandonjhuff
Enjoy!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Day 13 - New York City NY to San Jose CA
Total miles: 0
Route: N/A
Another morning of sleeping in. This might work out well for me when I get back home. The time change, while slight, could wreak havoc with my insomnia. We'll see...
I grab breakfast downstairs and read the Times. I've caught the major headlines each day but I feel very detached from the financial crisis and the multitude of layoffs back home. Things aren't going well for many friends and I hope I'm able to make it the next 18-24 months unscathed. I have to remind myself that this is a cycle but we're seeing some unprecedented actions/reactions. I'd feel better with a couple hours reading online to get a better grasp of the latest happenings.
I catch a late shuttle and walk to Penn Station to catch a train to JFK. I pay $5 to get to Jamaica and another $5 to get to the airport. It was fast and easy. BART could learn a think or three...
It was almost 2pm byt the time I got through security and I see there's a sushi bar/ club in the middle of JFK. Weird. Cool. A beer and a few sashimi later I'm feeling much better and pass the time people watching. All I had to do was wait for my flight so I had a chance to reflect on what I've seen the last two weeks:
- I was reminded, once again, that I have a charmed life
- I was wrong - the rest of the US is beautiful. CA just has most of it a few hours away.
- People are people - assholes in San Francisco are assholes in Memphis are assholes in New York. Manners still exist but the generalizations didn't apply.
- I didn't check work email and it felt good. I do worry about opening my inbox over the weekend but I'll wait until then. But I need to get off the grid and get work out of my head. Mission accomplished.
- Despite spending almost 10 hours a day thinking, nothing is any clearer. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and women/relationships still baffle me. Ah well, maybe expecting an epiphany was a bad expectation...
- I need to get away more. Short weekend trips would be good. I need to revisit NYC, Boston, and DC.
- This trip should be repeated but it needs a couple more people. And shorter days.
- Good planning goes a long way
- we got lucky with the weather - good planning didn't make that happen
- Make sure you know how to work your rain gear *before* it starts to rain.
- More cold and hot weather gear would have been nice.
- I'd do it again.
Next summer I ride to Alaska. Who's in?
Route: N/A
Another morning of sleeping in. This might work out well for me when I get back home. The time change, while slight, could wreak havoc with my insomnia. We'll see...
I grab breakfast downstairs and read the Times. I've caught the major headlines each day but I feel very detached from the financial crisis and the multitude of layoffs back home. Things aren't going well for many friends and I hope I'm able to make it the next 18-24 months unscathed. I have to remind myself that this is a cycle but we're seeing some unprecedented actions/reactions. I'd feel better with a couple hours reading online to get a better grasp of the latest happenings.
I catch a late shuttle and walk to Penn Station to catch a train to JFK. I pay $5 to get to Jamaica and another $5 to get to the airport. It was fast and easy. BART could learn a think or three...
It was almost 2pm byt the time I got through security and I see there's a sushi bar/ club in the middle of JFK. Weird. Cool. A beer and a few sashimi later I'm feeling much better and pass the time people watching. All I had to do was wait for my flight so I had a chance to reflect on what I've seen the last two weeks:
- I was reminded, once again, that I have a charmed life
- I was wrong - the rest of the US is beautiful. CA just has most of it a few hours away.
- People are people - assholes in San Francisco are assholes in Memphis are assholes in New York. Manners still exist but the generalizations didn't apply.
- I didn't check work email and it felt good. I do worry about opening my inbox over the weekend but I'll wait until then. But I need to get off the grid and get work out of my head. Mission accomplished.
- Despite spending almost 10 hours a day thinking, nothing is any clearer. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and women/relationships still baffle me. Ah well, maybe expecting an epiphany was a bad expectation...
- I need to get away more. Short weekend trips would be good. I need to revisit NYC, Boston, and DC.
- This trip should be repeated but it needs a couple more people. And shorter days.
- Good planning goes a long way
- we got lucky with the weather - good planning didn't make that happen
- Make sure you know how to work your rain gear *before* it starts to rain.
- More cold and hot weather gear would have been nice.
- I'd do it again.
Next summer I ride to Alaska. Who's in?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Day 12 - New York City
Total miles: 0
Route: N/A
By the numbers:
1 - srtipper to fall in love with
4 - minutes the shuttle left early
I decided to catch the later shuttle downtown to ship some of my motorcycle gear. Breakfast sounded good so I head down to the cafe downstairs. The shuttle driver was grabbing coffee and my watch said I had 15 minutes. No problem I thought. The waiter understood my rush and everything was quickly at my table.
I finish as fast as I could and rushed out to the shuttle only to see the tail lights as it drove away. I look at my watch and it says 9:26. I tell the guy outside that its early. "Not according to my watch", he says. I tell him its early and to look at my watch - it's atomic. It's met with a blank stare and I ask if its too late for him to stop them before they leave the parking lot.
He catches one of the drivers and I rush a quarter mile away with my motorcycle suit and boots under my arm. The driver opens the door and says, "You're late". I retort, "You left early, just look at my atomic...nevermind". I have a seat and think about what I want to see today.
A few minutes later and I was on Broadway and 42nd. The UPS shop was just steps away and $50 later my gear was boxed up and on its way back to San Jose. I wander out and staart looking for luggage for my flight home. I check my home to see that I had missed a call. I check my messages and learn that the shipping truck is a few hours away. So much for a 24 hour notice. This threw a wrench in my plans for the day. I hope I make it to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
Coffee sounded good so I stopped at a small cafe across from the Late Show. I call Travelocity to reschedule my flight. Ouch - $330 to move it forward and get a non-middle seat. Ah well...
I decide I should get some food before headed back to the hotel. "Street Meat" sounded good. I walk towards Times Square and find a chicken gyro. Delicious!! I hope I don't regret it.
There's another hour or so before I need to be on a bus, so I head down Madison towards the little park I saw yesterday. The weather was much nicer so the walk was nice.
I have a seat next to a gorgeous woman at the park. It was lunch time but hardly anyone was out yet. We start talking and I realize 30 minutes was quickly gone. It's easy talking with a woman who looks like Jessica Biel. Elizabeth was from St Paul and was as smart as she was good looking - studied in France as well. I had an instant infatuation.
I ask if she had to get back to work and she laughed and said, "I don't work until later this evening". Of course, I ask what she did. My heart sank as I learned that my dream girl is a stripper. Now would be the time to queue J Giels Band 'Angel is a Centerfold" as background music.
Simultaneously, I'm crushed and drawn to my muse now less than an arms length away. An interesting feeling, to be sure. We chat for a bit more and the realization hits me - strippers never share their real information. Too many stalkers out there. I wonder if anything she told me was true. Was she really as interested as it seemed? I've been to enough strip clubs to know better than to think that a stripper really likes me. They only like my wallet.
She invites me to come see her tonight and I make a non-commital comment about making it. She assures me I won't be disappointed. A stripper indeed.
I rush back to my hotel to put all the luggage back on my bike. The shipping truck shows up and we load it up. 15 minutes later my bike is back on its way back to San Jose. I won't be using this company again.
This trip has exhausted me. So I take nap for a bit and rest my feet. I wake up with a jolt and get my head on straight before heading back to the bus stop back into town. I really need some luggage if I'm going to get my crap home tomorrow. Off to negotiate with some touristy shop off of Times Square. I see nothing I want - at least nothing I was willing to pay for.
But all that's on my mind is that stripper. Damn her smooth talk, tight pants and sweet smell. Against my better judgement I head towards Rick's Cabaret.
Now, I don't like strip clubs. They reek of desparation and make me feel bad for the strippers (and humanity). At least in my experience (sorry, Mom). So as I walked in I had a bad feeling about it. But why not? I'm on vacation :-)
I grab a beer at the bar and I'm acosted by every stripper in the place. Interestingly, they too assured me I wouldn't be disappointed. Uncanny, huh? :-) I'm trying not to stare at the great looking half-naked women around me and I get a hug from behind me. Sure enough, Elizabeth is right behind me holding on tightly. Apparently this was a signal to the vultures to back off since they scattered immediately.
She wasn't "dressed" like the rest of the girls. Keep in mind, it wasn't something you wear to church but it wasn't the usual uniform. Classy - if that's possible in this joint. I'm smitten. With a stripper. Why am I here? What was I expecting? What am I thinking? Well, she answered those questions a few moments later. And she was right - I wasn't disappointed.
Time passed quickly and I'm headed out to get cheap luggage and make sure I catch the shuttle on-time. But, before I can get to the door, Elizabeth grabs me, hugs me tightly, and kisses me on the cheek. I was hoping to quietly escape and put all this behind me but she made sure I won't soon forget the stripper I met in Madison Square Park. The background music at this point should be "Private Dancer" by Tina Turner.
I now have 30 minutes to settle on some crappy luggage and get a very quick bite to eat. Pizza sounded good and I hadn't had a real "pie" since being in NYC. And boy do they know how to do a meat-lovers pizza. Yum!
I find some crappy tourist joint with $30 luggage and I talked him down to $22. Knowing the shuttle might show up early (again), I hustle to the rendezvous point.
I hadn't been at the bus stop long enough to put my headphones back on when it pulled up. Its packed and I end up next to a Brazillian woman and an old couple from Bathe UK. Nice folks.
I'm glad to be back in the hotel - I'm beat and my feet hurt. I'm going to bed.
Route: N/A
By the numbers:
1 - srtipper to fall in love with
4 - minutes the shuttle left early
I decided to catch the later shuttle downtown to ship some of my motorcycle gear. Breakfast sounded good so I head down to the cafe downstairs. The shuttle driver was grabbing coffee and my watch said I had 15 minutes. No problem I thought. The waiter understood my rush and everything was quickly at my table.
I finish as fast as I could and rushed out to the shuttle only to see the tail lights as it drove away. I look at my watch and it says 9:26. I tell the guy outside that its early. "Not according to my watch", he says. I tell him its early and to look at my watch - it's atomic. It's met with a blank stare and I ask if its too late for him to stop them before they leave the parking lot.
He catches one of the drivers and I rush a quarter mile away with my motorcycle suit and boots under my arm. The driver opens the door and says, "You're late". I retort, "You left early, just look at my atomic...nevermind". I have a seat and think about what I want to see today.
A few minutes later and I was on Broadway and 42nd. The UPS shop was just steps away and $50 later my gear was boxed up and on its way back to San Jose. I wander out and staart looking for luggage for my flight home. I check my home to see that I had missed a call. I check my messages and learn that the shipping truck is a few hours away. So much for a 24 hour notice. This threw a wrench in my plans for the day. I hope I make it to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
Coffee sounded good so I stopped at a small cafe across from the Late Show. I call Travelocity to reschedule my flight. Ouch - $330 to move it forward and get a non-middle seat. Ah well...
I decide I should get some food before headed back to the hotel. "Street Meat" sounded good. I walk towards Times Square and find a chicken gyro. Delicious!! I hope I don't regret it.
There's another hour or so before I need to be on a bus, so I head down Madison towards the little park I saw yesterday. The weather was much nicer so the walk was nice.
I have a seat next to a gorgeous woman at the park. It was lunch time but hardly anyone was out yet. We start talking and I realize 30 minutes was quickly gone. It's easy talking with a woman who looks like Jessica Biel. Elizabeth was from St Paul and was as smart as she was good looking - studied in France as well. I had an instant infatuation.
I ask if she had to get back to work and she laughed and said, "I don't work until later this evening". Of course, I ask what she did. My heart sank as I learned that my dream girl is a stripper. Now would be the time to queue J Giels Band 'Angel is a Centerfold" as background music.
Simultaneously, I'm crushed and drawn to my muse now less than an arms length away. An interesting feeling, to be sure. We chat for a bit more and the realization hits me - strippers never share their real information. Too many stalkers out there. I wonder if anything she told me was true. Was she really as interested as it seemed? I've been to enough strip clubs to know better than to think that a stripper really likes me. They only like my wallet.
She invites me to come see her tonight and I make a non-commital comment about making it. She assures me I won't be disappointed. A stripper indeed.
I rush back to my hotel to put all the luggage back on my bike. The shipping truck shows up and we load it up. 15 minutes later my bike is back on its way back to San Jose. I won't be using this company again.
This trip has exhausted me. So I take nap for a bit and rest my feet. I wake up with a jolt and get my head on straight before heading back to the bus stop back into town. I really need some luggage if I'm going to get my crap home tomorrow. Off to negotiate with some touristy shop off of Times Square. I see nothing I want - at least nothing I was willing to pay for.
But all that's on my mind is that stripper. Damn her smooth talk, tight pants and sweet smell. Against my better judgement I head towards Rick's Cabaret.
Now, I don't like strip clubs. They reek of desparation and make me feel bad for the strippers (and humanity). At least in my experience (sorry, Mom). So as I walked in I had a bad feeling about it. But why not? I'm on vacation :-)
I grab a beer at the bar and I'm acosted by every stripper in the place. Interestingly, they too assured me I wouldn't be disappointed. Uncanny, huh? :-) I'm trying not to stare at the great looking half-naked women around me and I get a hug from behind me. Sure enough, Elizabeth is right behind me holding on tightly. Apparently this was a signal to the vultures to back off since they scattered immediately.
She wasn't "dressed" like the rest of the girls. Keep in mind, it wasn't something you wear to church but it wasn't the usual uniform. Classy - if that's possible in this joint. I'm smitten. With a stripper. Why am I here? What was I expecting? What am I thinking? Well, she answered those questions a few moments later. And she was right - I wasn't disappointed.
Time passed quickly and I'm headed out to get cheap luggage and make sure I catch the shuttle on-time. But, before I can get to the door, Elizabeth grabs me, hugs me tightly, and kisses me on the cheek. I was hoping to quietly escape and put all this behind me but she made sure I won't soon forget the stripper I met in Madison Square Park. The background music at this point should be "Private Dancer" by Tina Turner.
I now have 30 minutes to settle on some crappy luggage and get a very quick bite to eat. Pizza sounded good and I hadn't had a real "pie" since being in NYC. And boy do they know how to do a meat-lovers pizza. Yum!
I find some crappy tourist joint with $30 luggage and I talked him down to $22. Knowing the shuttle might show up early (again), I hustle to the rendezvous point.
I hadn't been at the bus stop long enough to put my headphones back on when it pulled up. Its packed and I end up next to a Brazillian woman and an old couple from Bathe UK. Nice folks.
I'm glad to be back in the hotel - I'm beat and my feet hurt. I'm going to bed.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Day 11 - New York City
Total miles: 0
Route: N/A
By the numbers:
0 - smiles from any of the 3512 gorgeous women I saw
1 - guy with 1 eye
2 - NYPD cops that look like supermodels
3512 - gorgeous women
No riding today - too much trouble to get back on the bike. Besides, my ass hurts and, after briefly seeing the city last night, I can tell parking the bike will be too much trouble. Not to mention worrying about the luggage. I'm waiting for a call from the trucking company to narrow down the pick up time...
I barely make it down stairs for the 8am shuttle from the the hotel. This time it only took 20 minutes to get in.
I wonder if I'm wearing enough warm clothes since the jackets and scarves are on all the new yorkers. I start walking and think I'm gonna freeze. I again wander into Times Square and duck into the Starbucks. Ahh - warm coffee.
I pop back out on the street and head where ever the crowds go. I end up peering into the Good Morning America set where Sara Evans is getting ready to play. Its just me and three other people watching and Ms Evans looks out and locks eyes with me. She gives me a barely perceptible smile as I stare back wondering who she's looking at. I looka around and it had to have been me, right? At least that's my story. I'm sticking to it.
I wander on to the Fox news set and wonder what story they're spinning at the moment. But I couldn't focus - every third woman is gorgeous. Stunning. Beaufitful. I think back on my comment to Hillary the night before. I should live here at least once. What's the old saying? Live in Northern CA but leave before you get too soft. Live in New York City but leave before you get too hard. Or something like that...
I keep on walking down fifth before realizing I wasn't really going anyware. So, 15 blocks back to seventh so I can grab a tour bus. I choose the southern route and hop on. We head down broadway and before I know it were in Greenwich, then SoHo, then Tribeca. I hop off at tribeca - I freezing and hungry again.
I keep walking south and end up at Wall St. The place is a mad house with all recent market crash and talk of the bailout. I head to Bravo Cafe for some food. I'm shoulder to shoulder with brokers and all I can hear is, "that bullshit bailout".
I finish lunch and keep going south. I find the bronze ball from the WTC in Battery Park and I can smell the water. I walk through the park and see the amazing view - the statue of liberty is right in front of me as is Staten and Govenors Islands. Luckily, the weather was gorgeous.
I head back through Tribeca nd quickly realize I'm practically homeless compared to the folks in this neighborhood. The rich must live here. From Tibeca, I go east to the WTC site. As I approach it, the size hits you. The site is massive. I see a number of memorials - some official, some not. They're all so personal and sad. You can't help but be moved by the site.
I decide I need a break and grab a coffee and do a little people watching. I don't think I'll ever get sick of it in NYC.
Headed back towards SoHo for dinner plans I start noticing all the cool bars. So, I have to check them out. I'm on vacation so why not indulge a little? Four cool bars later I've made friends with most of the bartenders - one in particular. She had the same name as an ex and looked almost exactly like her. This uncanny realization leeps me from getting sober.
I finally check my watch and figure I better start walking. I have 20 blocks to go if I want to make it to dinner in SoHo on time. I stop mid-stride down Houston - "The Beer Store"? I thought this was Whole Foods? I quickly walk into beer mecca. This made BevMo look like a frat boys fridge. I start chatting with Maggie the manager to get the scoop. It was supposed to be a wine bar but they couldn't get the permit and The Beer Store was opened. It was such a hit that they plan on opening it up across the country.
I find a seat on the corner to wait for Natali and take in the scenery. This section reminds me of the Haight and the Mission districts in SF. I see Natali and we head into a cute little French restaurant. Nice. We catch up and laugh about high school. She's handling her semi-fame (Correspondant for CBS/CNET) about as well as a shy girl from CA could. She offered to bring me to a taping of Fox's Red Eye on Friday evening. I wonder if I'll be here...maybe I'll stay.
I catch the F Train uptown and try to find cheap luggage that will work for getting home. I guess its good I'll have (at least) one more day here to wander around. Looks like I'll need to get familiar with the subway...
The shuttle couldn't come soon enough - I'm beat.
Route: N/A
By the numbers:
0 - smiles from any of the 3512 gorgeous women I saw
1 - guy with 1 eye
2 - NYPD cops that look like supermodels
3512 - gorgeous women
No riding today - too much trouble to get back on the bike. Besides, my ass hurts and, after briefly seeing the city last night, I can tell parking the bike will be too much trouble. Not to mention worrying about the luggage. I'm waiting for a call from the trucking company to narrow down the pick up time...
I barely make it down stairs for the 8am shuttle from the the hotel. This time it only took 20 minutes to get in.
I wonder if I'm wearing enough warm clothes since the jackets and scarves are on all the new yorkers. I start walking and think I'm gonna freeze. I again wander into Times Square and duck into the Starbucks. Ahh - warm coffee.
I pop back out on the street and head where ever the crowds go. I end up peering into the Good Morning America set where Sara Evans is getting ready to play. Its just me and three other people watching and Ms Evans looks out and locks eyes with me. She gives me a barely perceptible smile as I stare back wondering who she's looking at. I looka around and it had to have been me, right? At least that's my story. I'm sticking to it.
I wander on to the Fox news set and wonder what story they're spinning at the moment. But I couldn't focus - every third woman is gorgeous. Stunning. Beaufitful. I think back on my comment to Hillary the night before. I should live here at least once. What's the old saying? Live in Northern CA but leave before you get too soft. Live in New York City but leave before you get too hard. Or something like that...
I keep on walking down fifth before realizing I wasn't really going anyware. So, 15 blocks back to seventh so I can grab a tour bus. I choose the southern route and hop on. We head down broadway and before I know it were in Greenwich, then SoHo, then Tribeca. I hop off at tribeca - I freezing and hungry again.
I keep walking south and end up at Wall St. The place is a mad house with all recent market crash and talk of the bailout. I head to Bravo Cafe for some food. I'm shoulder to shoulder with brokers and all I can hear is, "that bullshit bailout".
I finish lunch and keep going south. I find the bronze ball from the WTC in Battery Park and I can smell the water. I walk through the park and see the amazing view - the statue of liberty is right in front of me as is Staten and Govenors Islands. Luckily, the weather was gorgeous.
I head back through Tribeca nd quickly realize I'm practically homeless compared to the folks in this neighborhood. The rich must live here. From Tibeca, I go east to the WTC site. As I approach it, the size hits you. The site is massive. I see a number of memorials - some official, some not. They're all so personal and sad. You can't help but be moved by the site.
I decide I need a break and grab a coffee and do a little people watching. I don't think I'll ever get sick of it in NYC.
Headed back towards SoHo for dinner plans I start noticing all the cool bars. So, I have to check them out. I'm on vacation so why not indulge a little? Four cool bars later I've made friends with most of the bartenders - one in particular. She had the same name as an ex and looked almost exactly like her. This uncanny realization leeps me from getting sober.
I finally check my watch and figure I better start walking. I have 20 blocks to go if I want to make it to dinner in SoHo on time. I stop mid-stride down Houston - "The Beer Store"? I thought this was Whole Foods? I quickly walk into beer mecca. This made BevMo look like a frat boys fridge. I start chatting with Maggie the manager to get the scoop. It was supposed to be a wine bar but they couldn't get the permit and The Beer Store was opened. It was such a hit that they plan on opening it up across the country.
I find a seat on the corner to wait for Natali and take in the scenery. This section reminds me of the Haight and the Mission districts in SF. I see Natali and we head into a cute little French restaurant. Nice. We catch up and laugh about high school. She's handling her semi-fame (Correspondant for CBS/CNET) about as well as a shy girl from CA could. She offered to bring me to a taping of Fox's Red Eye on Friday evening. I wonder if I'll be here...maybe I'll stay.
I catch the F Train uptown and try to find cheap luggage that will work for getting home. I guess its good I'll have (at least) one more day here to wander around. Looks like I'll need to get familiar with the subway...
The shuttle couldn't come soon enough - I'm beat.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Day 10 - Boston MA to New York NY
Total miles:278
Route: all over the place - too much to list
By the numbers:
0 - motorcyclists on the road in MA and RI
1 - WTF are you talking about
moment
48 - temperature for most of the day
I slept in again this morning but got ready quickly. I hit the road and chatted with the bell hop about how best to get to Harvard Square. It was only a few miles away so I figured I didn't need to put all my cold weather gear on. I hit the road with the bell hops directions clear in my head. Three turns later I'm on the freeway headed south out of Boston. Damn it!
I figure I'd just suck it up and keep riding a bit but 10 miles later I'm freezing and staving. I start looking for a place to eat. I pull off and end up at another McDonald's. Oh well - at least I know what I want.
The two black ladies behind the counter are a riot! "Hey sugar - how you doing? Yes, I'm flirting with you." I order my usual with a few extra hashbowns (how I love them so) and try to warm up.
I'm almost done eating and I'm enjoying the live act from Lois and Kim when I notice a guy outside checking out my bike. Not the first time. He's probably never seen anything like it.
I get all my gear on and head out. To my right I hear a thick Boston accent, "Hey! Nice fucking bike!". I laugh at the comment and he gets out of his truck and we start chatting. I comment that its been a long ride and motion towards my license plate. "Holy shit I you rode all the way!?!? You got balls man!". I laugh and say, "Nope - just a sore ass."
I hit the road to Hyannis and appreciate every ray of sunshine that shines through. I'm glad I brought all my gear but I curse that heated vest for not working.
Hyannis was only an hour or so away and it was fairly uneventful. I expected to be in an area like Sausalito - Senatorshave vacation houses in Cape Cod right? It looked like a beach town with nicer beat up homes. Nothing like I expected - no tourist value, just a small town to get away to.
I punch in the GPS coordinates for my hotel in Union City NJ (North Bergen really) and realize I have 232 miles to go. I better ha ass if I want to beat traffic. I got a hold of a motorcycling buddy who lives in Manhattan and we were meeting at 6:30 near the Port Authority. Ok - time to show 95 south to a little 101 south driving.
First up on 95 S is Providence RI - I think I should check it out when I'm out here next. New Haven and Bridgeport CT fly by as I pass most everything in sight. I keep a close eye on my rearview for any Troopers.
I make it to the outskirts of NYC and 30 story buildings start popping up like weeds. I must be getting close. Sure enough ~15 miles out I can see the famous skyline...and I hit traffic. It's stop and go for 5 miles before opening up as I pass the usual turn off (George Washington Bridge). A few minutes later I'm at my crappy hotel in New Jersey.
I quickly check in and hit the shower hoping to not be late for drinks. At the front desk, I ask again where the bus stop is, what bus I should take, and how much it costs. Check, check, and check. I wait at the bus stop only a few moments before a suitable bus arrives.
Then I the bus waits in traffic getting to the Lincoln Tunnel. We wait. And wait. And wait some more 45 mintues to make it through the tunnel and into Port Authority. Fortunately, I snapped a few choice pics of the skyline as we slowly passed by.
I get off in Hells Kitchen which is not the slum it used to be. I quickly lose my orientation and head towards 7th Ave instead of 9th. Hmm - this could take some getting used to. I quickly make it past the mass of people and meet Hillary. She recommends the Irish Rogue as we pass up another crowded bar. We grab a drink and quickly catch up while realizing we needed some dinner. She suggests a sushi joint and I quickly agree.
We head to Haru and we have to go through times square. Wow - impressive but it looks bigger on TV. It reminds me of the Shibuya in Tokyo. I grab a few pics before we hit Haru.
We order and the sushi us great. Some of the best I've ever had. Even in the Tsukiji fish market. Impressive. We continue to catch up and I ask where I should go. She recommends Hogs 'N Heifers ro blocks away. I pay the $200 bill and we hug goodbye. I'm off to the famous bar. I grab a cab and I'm there.
I wander to the door and I'm greeted as expected - a blonde in a bra and tight jeans says, "what the fuck are you looking at?!?" Welcome to New York. As I get my I'd checked, the two bartenders start dancing on the bar. A nice sight, for sure.
I pull up a seat and have a black and tan. Erin and I start chatting and she drops the Dick's Last Resort act. Turns out she lived in the Oakland Hills for a year and we make small talk between her insults to the recent patrons. I have another beer and enjoy the free shows.
I turn around for a moment and survey the hundreds of bars of unique bar "art". I turn back and see a third black and tan... I may not be from NYC but I can tell when I'm being worked by scantilly clad women. I might as well have been at a strip club.
I push the beer to the side and head out the door. I head some commotion but I dont look back. I start walking up 9th Ave intending to hail a cab since it was 30 blocks to the Port Authority. I snap a few pics every couple blocks and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of New York.
I look up after one pic and I'm at the Port Authority. Cool - way less than a cab. Once out of the tunnel I walk the 6 blocks back to the hotel and call it a night. I'll be back in the morning NYC...
Route: all over the place - too much to list
By the numbers:
0 - motorcyclists on the road in MA and RI
1 - WTF are you talking about
moment
48 - temperature for most of the day
I slept in again this morning but got ready quickly. I hit the road and chatted with the bell hop about how best to get to Harvard Square. It was only a few miles away so I figured I didn't need to put all my cold weather gear on. I hit the road with the bell hops directions clear in my head. Three turns later I'm on the freeway headed south out of Boston. Damn it!
I figure I'd just suck it up and keep riding a bit but 10 miles later I'm freezing and staving. I start looking for a place to eat. I pull off and end up at another McDonald's. Oh well - at least I know what I want.
The two black ladies behind the counter are a riot! "Hey sugar - how you doing? Yes, I'm flirting with you." I order my usual with a few extra hashbowns (how I love them so) and try to warm up.
I'm almost done eating and I'm enjoying the live act from Lois and Kim when I notice a guy outside checking out my bike. Not the first time. He's probably never seen anything like it.
I get all my gear on and head out. To my right I hear a thick Boston accent, "Hey! Nice fucking bike!". I laugh at the comment and he gets out of his truck and we start chatting. I comment that its been a long ride and motion towards my license plate. "Holy shit I you rode all the way!?!? You got balls man!". I laugh and say, "Nope - just a sore ass."
I hit the road to Hyannis and appreciate every ray of sunshine that shines through. I'm glad I brought all my gear but I curse that heated vest for not working.
Hyannis was only an hour or so away and it was fairly uneventful. I expected to be in an area like Sausalito - Senatorshave vacation houses in Cape Cod right? It looked like a beach town with nicer beat up homes. Nothing like I expected - no tourist value, just a small town to get away to.
I punch in the GPS coordinates for my hotel in Union City NJ (North Bergen really) and realize I have 232 miles to go. I better ha ass if I want to beat traffic. I got a hold of a motorcycling buddy who lives in Manhattan and we were meeting at 6:30 near the Port Authority. Ok - time to show 95 south to a little 101 south driving.
First up on 95 S is Providence RI - I think I should check it out when I'm out here next. New Haven and Bridgeport CT fly by as I pass most everything in sight. I keep a close eye on my rearview for any Troopers.
I make it to the outskirts of NYC and 30 story buildings start popping up like weeds. I must be getting close. Sure enough ~15 miles out I can see the famous skyline...and I hit traffic. It's stop and go for 5 miles before opening up as I pass the usual turn off (George Washington Bridge). A few minutes later I'm at my crappy hotel in New Jersey.
I quickly check in and hit the shower hoping to not be late for drinks. At the front desk, I ask again where the bus stop is, what bus I should take, and how much it costs. Check, check, and check. I wait at the bus stop only a few moments before a suitable bus arrives.
Then I the bus waits in traffic getting to the Lincoln Tunnel. We wait. And wait. And wait some more 45 mintues to make it through the tunnel and into Port Authority. Fortunately, I snapped a few choice pics of the skyline as we slowly passed by.
I get off in Hells Kitchen which is not the slum it used to be. I quickly lose my orientation and head towards 7th Ave instead of 9th. Hmm - this could take some getting used to. I quickly make it past the mass of people and meet Hillary. She recommends the Irish Rogue as we pass up another crowded bar. We grab a drink and quickly catch up while realizing we needed some dinner. She suggests a sushi joint and I quickly agree.
We head to Haru and we have to go through times square. Wow - impressive but it looks bigger on TV. It reminds me of the Shibuya in Tokyo. I grab a few pics before we hit Haru.
We order and the sushi us great. Some of the best I've ever had. Even in the Tsukiji fish market. Impressive. We continue to catch up and I ask where I should go. She recommends Hogs 'N Heifers ro blocks away. I pay the $200 bill and we hug goodbye. I'm off to the famous bar. I grab a cab and I'm there.
I wander to the door and I'm greeted as expected - a blonde in a bra and tight jeans says, "what the fuck are you looking at?!?" Welcome to New York. As I get my I'd checked, the two bartenders start dancing on the bar. A nice sight, for sure.
I pull up a seat and have a black and tan. Erin and I start chatting and she drops the Dick's Last Resort act. Turns out she lived in the Oakland Hills for a year and we make small talk between her insults to the recent patrons. I have another beer and enjoy the free shows.
I turn around for a moment and survey the hundreds of bars of unique bar "art". I turn back and see a third black and tan... I may not be from NYC but I can tell when I'm being worked by scantilly clad women. I might as well have been at a strip club.
I push the beer to the side and head out the door. I head some commotion but I dont look back. I start walking up 9th Ave intending to hail a cab since it was 30 blocks to the Port Authority. I snap a few pics every couple blocks and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of New York.
I look up after one pic and I'm at the Port Authority. Cool - way less than a cab. Once out of the tunnel I walk the 6 blocks back to the hotel and call it a night. I'll be back in the morning NYC...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Day 9 - Haverford PA to Boston MA
Total miles: 379
Route: too complicated to list
By the numbers:
FF1 - the license plate of the Boston Fire Chief.
31 - the cost of parking my motorcycle overnight in Boston
45 - wait in minutes to get into any bar or restaurant near Fenway
I slept in a bit this morning and I'm glad I did. It looked cold out but it was nice in Haverford. Tim, his Aunt and Uncle see me off and I hit the road with only coffee in my stomach.
I pass by Villanova and realize its colder than I thought. Thank God for heated vests. I'll just turn the knob up a little more. Hmmm - thay doesn't seem to do anything. Oh well, only one more day after this...
A buddy I used to work with at PayPal went to MIT and he made a number of recommendations for my route but, when I added them up, it was over 650 miles! I made a few adjustments and brought the total to ~375.
Northern PA is very pretty as I approached NY. But while it was sunny out, I noticed water on the road and fog in the distance. At least it wasn't rain. But I rode into the fog and the temp dropped like a rock. It became very clear that the lack of a heated vest would be a major problem despite the low mileage for the day.
I got a shiver and immediately looked for a place to grab some food and gas. Unfortunately, all I found in the aptly named twon Wind Gap was a McDonalds. But it sounded like an oasis of warmth at the moment.
After warming up I hit the road again with the New York stateline as my goal. As I ride, I convince myself that The Beach Boys are actually warming me up with their sunny lyrics. They were not. The road the GPS put me on way pretty but not fast. At least I got some good pics. Fortunately, my stubborness is an asset in this sort of situation and I made it to NY anyway.
With the sun gone, things went from bad to worse. Turns out that fog was actually rain and I was riding straight into it. Damn that heated vest!
I finally make it to CT and realize I still have a long way to go. Time for another stop at an East Coast joint - Dunkin Donuts. The coffee is good.
Alone I-95 the views are picture purfect. The more North I rode, the more the colors had changed. Add to that some lakes and rivers and my pics are unbelievable.As I approach Boston, I stop one last time to warm up and hit the road again.
I ride into Boston and and wonder if there's a Sox game tonight. No traffic so I must be OK. I ride past my second well known college of the day - MIT.
Boston is gorgeous. I was told to take an earlier exit to ride through the area and I'm glad I did. The buildings and trees are stunning - unlike anything I've seen before. Its proabably most similar to older, nicer parts of SF like Nob Hill or Russian Hill. And equally expensive from what I'm told.
I arrive at my hotel and gasp when I learn that parking will cost $31 for the night. Yikes.
I head out after a shower to run an errand for a friend (drop off some pics at a local bar for some regulars). As soon as I get in the cab I realize there is a game and this will not be a short (or cheap) cab ride. We wander through traffic as best we could and we end up next to a black goverment sedan with the a custom fire fighter license plate that reads "FF 1". The ruddy Irish man next to us was the fire captain for all of Boston. We exchanged feigned smiles as the light turned green and we zoomed off to sit in more traffic.
I could see Fenway in the distance and our cab came to a stop gridlocked 30 before the game. I pay the total and hop our a few blocks before and wandered into complete chaos. The streets were swarmed with Red Sox fans. I contempated going to the game but the only tickets left were from scalpers and they wanted $150 each.
I hit the bar as intended and drop off "the package" and quickly get out of the Fenway area. The wait at any restaurant was 45 minutes or more. I wandered around and happened to stumble onto Cross Roads Irish bar -- one of the places my buddy had recommended. The bar was practically deserted and I saddled up to the bar and tried a local brew.
The place quickly filled up and two guys sat next to me and chatted about phones. I couldn't help but chime in with a few key points and they laughed. Jeff and Jeremy were from Minesota and Jeff was getting married next weekend. His fiancee is from Boston and Jeremy will be his best man. We chatted about my trip, their jobs, and the game on the big screen directly in front of us as I tried not to stare at the barkeep - she was cute.
One nacho plate and a few beers later I'm off to Cheers for another beer. I meet two Russian women on vacation. You couldn't help but notice one of them - a red, skin tight dress way above the knee, knee high zebra striped boots, and hair as red as katsup. What a look. Fortunately, Boston seems to have lot of good looking women so this didn't phase me.
Exhausted and full of beer, I wander back to the hotel to get some sleep. I want to get up a bit early and checkout Harvard Square...
Route: too complicated to list
By the numbers:
FF1 - the license plate of the Boston Fire Chief.
31 - the cost of parking my motorcycle overnight in Boston
45 - wait in minutes to get into any bar or restaurant near Fenway
I slept in a bit this morning and I'm glad I did. It looked cold out but it was nice in Haverford. Tim, his Aunt and Uncle see me off and I hit the road with only coffee in my stomach.
I pass by Villanova and realize its colder than I thought. Thank God for heated vests. I'll just turn the knob up a little more. Hmmm - thay doesn't seem to do anything. Oh well, only one more day after this...
A buddy I used to work with at PayPal went to MIT and he made a number of recommendations for my route but, when I added them up, it was over 650 miles! I made a few adjustments and brought the total to ~375.
Northern PA is very pretty as I approached NY. But while it was sunny out, I noticed water on the road and fog in the distance. At least it wasn't rain. But I rode into the fog and the temp dropped like a rock. It became very clear that the lack of a heated vest would be a major problem despite the low mileage for the day.
I got a shiver and immediately looked for a place to grab some food and gas. Unfortunately, all I found in the aptly named twon Wind Gap was a McDonalds. But it sounded like an oasis of warmth at the moment.
After warming up I hit the road again with the New York stateline as my goal. As I ride, I convince myself that The Beach Boys are actually warming me up with their sunny lyrics. They were not. The road the GPS put me on way pretty but not fast. At least I got some good pics. Fortunately, my stubborness is an asset in this sort of situation and I made it to NY anyway.
With the sun gone, things went from bad to worse. Turns out that fog was actually rain and I was riding straight into it. Damn that heated vest!
I finally make it to CT and realize I still have a long way to go. Time for another stop at an East Coast joint - Dunkin Donuts. The coffee is good.
Alone I-95 the views are picture purfect. The more North I rode, the more the colors had changed. Add to that some lakes and rivers and my pics are unbelievable.As I approach Boston, I stop one last time to warm up and hit the road again.
I ride into Boston and and wonder if there's a Sox game tonight. No traffic so I must be OK. I ride past my second well known college of the day - MIT.
Boston is gorgeous. I was told to take an earlier exit to ride through the area and I'm glad I did. The buildings and trees are stunning - unlike anything I've seen before. Its proabably most similar to older, nicer parts of SF like Nob Hill or Russian Hill. And equally expensive from what I'm told.
I arrive at my hotel and gasp when I learn that parking will cost $31 for the night. Yikes.
I head out after a shower to run an errand for a friend (drop off some pics at a local bar for some regulars). As soon as I get in the cab I realize there is a game and this will not be a short (or cheap) cab ride. We wander through traffic as best we could and we end up next to a black goverment sedan with the a custom fire fighter license plate that reads "FF 1". The ruddy Irish man next to us was the fire captain for all of Boston. We exchanged feigned smiles as the light turned green and we zoomed off to sit in more traffic.
I could see Fenway in the distance and our cab came to a stop gridlocked 30 before the game. I pay the total and hop our a few blocks before and wandered into complete chaos. The streets were swarmed with Red Sox fans. I contempated going to the game but the only tickets left were from scalpers and they wanted $150 each.
I hit the bar as intended and drop off "the package" and quickly get out of the Fenway area. The wait at any restaurant was 45 minutes or more. I wandered around and happened to stumble onto Cross Roads Irish bar -- one of the places my buddy had recommended. The bar was practically deserted and I saddled up to the bar and tried a local brew.
The place quickly filled up and two guys sat next to me and chatted about phones. I couldn't help but chime in with a few key points and they laughed. Jeff and Jeremy were from Minesota and Jeff was getting married next weekend. His fiancee is from Boston and Jeremy will be his best man. We chatted about my trip, their jobs, and the game on the big screen directly in front of us as I tried not to stare at the barkeep - she was cute.
One nacho plate and a few beers later I'm off to Cheers for another beer. I meet two Russian women on vacation. You couldn't help but notice one of them - a red, skin tight dress way above the knee, knee high zebra striped boots, and hair as red as katsup. What a look. Fortunately, Boston seems to have lot of good looking women so this didn't phase me.
Exhausted and full of beer, I wander back to the hotel to get some sleep. I want to get up a bit early and checkout Harvard Square...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Day 8 - Durham NC to Haverford PA
**No pics until I get home and upload them all**
Total miles: 403
Route: 95 to 295 to 495 to...does every Interstate end with 95?!??
By the numbers:
1 - overly delicious cheese steak
2 - sore asses
859 - good looking women whizzing by us in traffic
We left early again and it was cold - 46 degrees cold. On goes the heated vest, balaclava, and the winter gloves. They all worked OK but I'm not looking forward to the ride tomorrow. Free coffee was downstairs so we downed some as we got ready to face the cold. We decided to skip breakfast for a hundred miles or so and just hit the road.
NC is pretty too - we're in a very lush part of the country. Some of the trees are just starting to change colors but it seems I'm a few weeks early. Next time I'll have to start a bit later in the fall...
The highway is different than anything I saw in the rest of the country. You can't see any of the businesses from the freeway and the signs are right at the off-ramp so you better act quickly if you decides you need to get off. The upside is that the freeway is uncluttered and pretty.
The cafe in Virginia we stumble upon was new compared with the old places in the area. Rumorz Cafe is a bar, a nightclub, and a cafe. The waitress offered up the daily specials but I stopped her short when she offered a breakfast buffet. I felt cheated visiting Vegas without engorging myself with a buffet but I wanted to make sure I made up for that mistake. I asked where the buffet was and she corrected me and said they just make me whatever I want. A broad smile crept across my face and I ordered one of everything. She laughed and went in the back. Yet minutes later I had a few plates of great breakfast food.
We hit the road again and start rolling through the states - Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and finally Pennsylvania. Our asses weren't pleased with us by the end but we made it to Tim's aunts house with time to spare. The area is gorgeous - like each house could be it's own Kinkaid painting. It has a small town feel with kids playing outside, police officers that wave as you ride by, and friendly folks at the supermarket. A real change of pace from CA where you don't know your neighbors...
His Aunt had ordered us some Cheese Steaks and I was in heaven after the first bite. Nothing in CA tastes like this. Nothing. I'll be back from more (with Tasty Kakes) as dessert.
To account for the shipping gaffe, I've decided to skip upstate New York and go straight to Boston. A buddy that went to school there concurred. I'm looking forward to it! So, I'm off to bed to grab some much needed sleep. As it turns out, sitting on your ass for 10 hours a day is hard work...
Total miles: 403
Route: 95 to 295 to 495 to...does every Interstate end with 95?!??
By the numbers:
1 - overly delicious cheese steak
2 - sore asses
859 - good looking women whizzing by us in traffic
We left early again and it was cold - 46 degrees cold. On goes the heated vest, balaclava, and the winter gloves. They all worked OK but I'm not looking forward to the ride tomorrow. Free coffee was downstairs so we downed some as we got ready to face the cold. We decided to skip breakfast for a hundred miles or so and just hit the road.
NC is pretty too - we're in a very lush part of the country. Some of the trees are just starting to change colors but it seems I'm a few weeks early. Next time I'll have to start a bit later in the fall...
The highway is different than anything I saw in the rest of the country. You can't see any of the businesses from the freeway and the signs are right at the off-ramp so you better act quickly if you decides you need to get off. The upside is that the freeway is uncluttered and pretty.
The cafe in Virginia we stumble upon was new compared with the old places in the area. Rumorz Cafe is a bar, a nightclub, and a cafe. The waitress offered up the daily specials but I stopped her short when she offered a breakfast buffet. I felt cheated visiting Vegas without engorging myself with a buffet but I wanted to make sure I made up for that mistake. I asked where the buffet was and she corrected me and said they just make me whatever I want. A broad smile crept across my face and I ordered one of everything. She laughed and went in the back. Yet minutes later I had a few plates of great breakfast food.
We hit the road again and start rolling through the states - Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and finally Pennsylvania. Our asses weren't pleased with us by the end but we made it to Tim's aunts house with time to spare. The area is gorgeous - like each house could be it's own Kinkaid painting. It has a small town feel with kids playing outside, police officers that wave as you ride by, and friendly folks at the supermarket. A real change of pace from CA where you don't know your neighbors...
His Aunt had ordered us some Cheese Steaks and I was in heaven after the first bite. Nothing in CA tastes like this. Nothing. I'll be back from more (with Tasty Kakes) as dessert.
To account for the shipping gaffe, I've decided to skip upstate New York and go straight to Boston. A buddy that went to school there concurred. I'm looking forward to it! So, I'm off to bed to grab some much needed sleep. As it turns out, sitting on your ass for 10 hours a day is hard work...
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