LISTS!
Preparing for this trip got a little complicated and, in some cases, out of hand. I needed to organize (and pack) for a moto trip that would START in NM (which would require packing the bike for shipping, packing camping gear to be sent to NM as well as packing for the flight from NJ to NM). I also would need to pack a box to be sent to CA so I could have "normal" clothing, etc... for my 3 weeks of work. I would say that the trickiest part was trying to balance what I would really NEED while on the road vs. the space I had available on the bike. One of the biggest issues was trying to arrive at a sleeping bag that was NOT too bulky, but yet comfortable enough (and properly rated for the areas that I would be in). In the end, I struck a balance. I got a North Face bag that was rated for 40'F and I would pack a flannel blanket just in case this bag got too HOT or if it were too COLD (we'll see if I chose wisely!).
Here's the bike all packed as if leaving Alb. NM:
Perhaps we are still a little "ladened," but this was the best I could do (~75 lbs of gear).
Beyond packing issues, I spent a good amount of time working up my routes using Mapsource (software from Garmin) for my GPS unit (nicknamed Dimwit). Since I had visited the Southwest once before with the wife and kids, I knew that gas stations are often FAR and FEW between. Even though the Mapsource software was useful to ID gas stations along the way, I found that the Google Maps "street view" option (that funny little orange guy on the left of the map area) was QUITE useful in finding gas stations that were not listed in Mapsource - heck, I was even able to find a gas station in Death Valley (though my final route will not be taking me that way)!
I also reached out to family, friends and "virtual-friends" (people on moto forums) requesting contacts for the areas that I would be traveling through (I called them "safe havens"). Many people responded and I was able to build a Google Maps map with all the contacts included. After some funny conversions, etc, I was able to upload this listing to my GPS unit. The below pic shows these contacts using Garmin software (Mapsource). Each red flag is someone who has offered assistance, should I need it (note: this map is just the Southwest, I had requested contacts when the trip was a "cross country" - i.e., many other KIND SOULS are not shown in this map).
Something else that kept me up at night (a little) was trying to figure out the best way to help my family cope with my being away for so long (mainly my son). One thing I did was to get web cams for the house computer and my lap top. This way, we would be able to see each other once in a while. I also put my son in charge of tracking the weather for me; he has a Wii which can send/receive e-mails (I did not know this!) and it has a type of weather channel. I'll be sending him e-mails to have him check the weather for me in the next area (sure, I WILL check the weather myself, but this will give him a sense of "helping me out"). I also produced this blog and a "sister site" for my daughter to update me on their progress in school and their various sports (soccer and b-ball) activities. I also put my daughter in charge of video taping portions of my son's b-ball games - I really HATE missing that (particularly since he is ever so slowly moving UP in the lineup due to his newly surfaced HITTING skills!)! We think we have a reasonable system to get some videos uploaded to YouTube - we'll see if it works out. Beyond these things, I also have a few surprises up my sleeve that will "unfold" while I'm away - we'll all have to stay tuned for that!
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