Motorcycling Across America

 

To read Joel Perlish's Summer of 2005
"48 States or Bust - The USA on 2 Wheels"
from start to finish, feel free to browse the table of contents below. Click the paragraph to read the full day's entry.

 

Table Of Contents

August 4, 2005 - Thursday - Day 40
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today – 401 - Total Miles – 10,836 – Average –270.9 (travel days)
10:45am- 8:45pm – 10hrs. ROANOKE, VA to HAVERTOWN, PA (western Philly suburb)
(-staying at Home! VA,WV,MD,DE,PA (48/48!!)
- HOME! -

August 3, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 39
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 422 - Total Miles: 10,435 - Average: 267.6 (travel days)
11:30am (after Stone Mt. visit) - 8:00 (8.5hrs.) ATLANTA, GA to ROANOKE, VA
(-staying at an EconoLodge-) GA (42/48)
- INTO THE HOMESTRETCH! - A COUPLE MORE CLOSE CALLS -

August 2, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 38
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 440 - Total Miles: 10,013 - Average: 263.5 (travel days)
9:15am-7:15pm(9hrs.) (moving back into Eastern Time)
GULF PORT, MS to ATLANTA, GA
(-staying at an EconoLodge-) MS,FL,AL,GA (42/48)
- TURNING THE 4TH AND LAST CORNER - TOPPING 10,000 MILES!! - A CONVERSATION WITH AN OFFICER! -

August 1, 2005 - Monday - Day 37
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 384 - Total Miles: 9573 – Average: 258.7 (travel days)
8:30am-4:30pm (8hrs.)
SARDIS, MS (south of Memphis) to GULF PORT, LA
(-staying at an EconoLodge-) MS,LA (39/48)
- STREAKING THROUGH THE SOUTH -

July 31, 2005 - Sunday - Day 36
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 290 - Total Miles: 9189 – Average: 255.3 (travel days)
9:30am-4:30pm (7 hrs.)
SIKESTON, MO to SARDIS, MS (south of Memphis)
(-staying a Super 8-) MO,IL,KY,TN,AR,MS (38/48)
- WE TOP 9,000, AND FEELING THE MILES – DIPPING SOUTHWARD – FIVE(!) STATES CHECKED OFF -

July 30, 2005 - Saturday - Day 35
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 276 - Total Miles: 8899 - Average:254.3 (travel days)
HANNIBAL, MO to Sikeston, MO
(-staying at the Country Hearth Inn) MO (33/48)
- INTO SAINT LOUIS – AND THE GREAT GATEWAY THERE! -

July 29, 2005 - Friday - Day 34
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 206 - Total Miles: 8623– Average: 253.6 (travel days)
11AM-4PM (5hrs)
ST. JOSEPHS, MO to HANNIBAL, MO
(-staying at an EconoLodge) MO (33/48)
- CROSSING MISSOURI – A RIVERBOAT RIDE ON THE MISSISSIPPI -

July 28, 2005 - Thursday - Day 33
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 401 - Total Miles: 8417 – Average: 255.1(travel days)
11:30AM-9:30PM (10hrs)
GREAT BEND, KS to ST.JOSEPHS, MO
(-staying at a Super 8) KS,NB,IA,MO (33/48)
- THREE STATES! - A FRIEND FROM THE PAST - INTO THE HEARTLAND -

July 27, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 32
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 444 - Total Miles: 8016 - Average: 250.5 (travel days)
9:30AM-9PM (12.5hrs) (back into Central Time)
SANTA ROSA, NM to GREAT BEND, KS
(-staying at a Days Inn) NM,TX,OK,KS (30/48)
- TOPPING 8,000 MILES – THREE STATES TODAY! -

July 26, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 31
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 383 - Total Miles: 7572 – Average: 244.2 (travel days)
10:30AM-7PM (8.5hrs)
FARMINGTON, NM to SANTA ROSA, NM
(-staying at a Days Inn) NV (27/48)
- STREAKING EAST! – RIDING WITH THE HELL’S ANGELS -

July 25, 2005 - Monday - Day 30
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 370 - Total Miles: 7189 – Average: 239.6 (travel days)
11:30AM-9PM (9.5hrs)
GRAND CANYON, AZ to FARMINGTON, NM
(-staying at Travelodge) AZ,UT,CO,NM (27/48)
- THE BEST RIDING DAY EVER! – VERMILLION CLIFFS – FOUR CORNERS – JUMPED OVER 7,000 MILES -

July 24, 2005 - Sunday - Day 29
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 143 - Total Miles: 6819 – Average: 235.1 (travel days)
BRYCE CANYON, UT to GRAND CANYON, AZ
(-staying at a cabin overlooking the Grand Canyon North Rim)
UT,AZ (25/48)

July 23, 2005 - Saturday - Day 28
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 313 - Total Miles: 6,676 - Average: 238.4(travel days)
8AM-9PM (10hrs - moved back into Mountain time zone)
LAS VEGAS, NV to BRYCE CANYON, UT
(-staying at Harold’s Place Inn) NV,AZ,UT (25/48)

July 22, 2005 - Friday - Day 27
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 66 - Total Miles: 6363 – Average: 235.6 (travel days)
11:00am-Noon (1hr)
PRIMM, NV to LAS VEGAS, NV (23/48)
(-staying at Steve Diano’s home – a former second grader of mine
- CONVINCING ARGUMENTS FROM THE CHESSMASTER -

July 21, 2005 - Thursday - Day 26
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 364 - Total Miles: 6,297 – Average: 242.7 (travel days)
11:30am-9PM (9.5hrs)
PASO ROBLES, CA to PRIMM, NV (23/48)
(-staying at BUFFALO BILLS RESORT & CASINO-)
- CROSSING THE MOHAVE DESERT – CAUGHT IN THE DARK SHORT OF GOAL! -

July 20, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 25
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 84 - Total Miles: 5,933 – Average: 237.3 (travel days)
LUCIA, CA to LOS ROBLES, CA
(-staying at a Motel 6-)
- FOG! - HEARST CASTLE – THE THIRD CORNER TURNED -

July 19, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 24
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles TodayL 173 - Total Miles: 5,675 – Average: 246.7(travel days)
San Francisco, CA to Lucia, CA
(-staying at Lucia Cabins (in a cabin overlooking the Pacific)
- ALONG THE COASTLINE -

July 18, 2005 - Monday - Day 23
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 173 - Total Miles: 5,675 – Average: 246.7(travel days)
10:30am-8:30pm (with serious sightseeing)
Willets, CA to San Francisco, CA
(-staying at June & Neil’s - June, a former 2nd grader of mine -)
- THE GOLDEN GATE – CLANG CLANG -

July 17, 2005 - Sunday - Day 22
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 229 - Total Miles: 5,502 - Average: 250.0
10:30am-xxxpm – 6:30hours – 8 hours
Crescent City, CA to Willets, CA (CA - 22/48)
(-staying at a Best Value Holiday Inn-)
- ELK! - A DROP! - DOWN THE AVENUE OF THE GIANTS! -

July 16, 2005 - Saturday - Day 21
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 278 - Total Miles: 5,273 – Average: 263.7
1:30pm-8:30pm – 7 hours
Corvalis, OR to Crescent City, CA (OR,CA – 22/48)
(-staying at an Econolodge -)
- ON THE LEFT COAST - OVER 5,000! – THE PACIFIC! -

July 15, 2005 - Friday - Day 20
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 278- Trip Total: 4,995 – Daily Average: 262.9 (travel days)
Boardman, OR to Corvalis, OR
(-stayed at cousin Scott’s -) (OR – 21/48)
- THE COLUMBIA GORGE -

July 14, 2005 - Thursday - Day 19
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 342- Trip Total: 4717 – Daily Average: 262.1 (travel days)
10am-4:30pm – 7.5 hours (with time change to Pacific Time)
Superior, MT to Boardman, OR
(-stayed at an Econolodge -) (MT,WA,OR – 21/48)

July 13, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 18
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 0- Total Miles: 4375 – Daily Average: 257.4 (travel days)
Rest Day in Superior, MT
(-stayed at the Budget Host Big Sky Motel (MT– 18/48)

July 12, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 17
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 300 - Total Miles: 4375 – Daily Average: 257.4
12:30-7PM – 6.5 hours
Livingston,MT to Superior,MT (just west of Missoula)
(-stayed at the Budget Host Big Sky Motel (MT– 18/48)
- HEAT AND TRAVEL -

July 11, 2005 - Monday - Day 16
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 232 - Total Miles: 4075 – Daily Average: 254.7
9:30AM-7PM – 9.5 hours
Cody,WY to Livingston,MT (just east of Bozeman)
(-stayed at the Livingston Inn-) (WY,MT– 18/48)
- YELLOWSTONE – ROAD CONSTRUCTION – THE SCARY DESCENT -

July 10, 2005 - Sunday - Day 15
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 183 - Total Miles: 3843 – Daily Average: 256.2
11:30AM-6PM – 5.5 hours
Buffalo, WY to Cody, WY
(-stayed at The Western 6-Gun Motel-) (WY – 17/48)
- MOUNTAIN RIDING - HAILSTORM! -

July 9, 2005 - Saturday - Day 14
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 327 - Total Miles: 3660 – Daily Average: 261.4
11:30PM-10PM (!) – 7.5 hours (time zone change!)
Rapid City, SD to Buffalo, WY
(-stayed at an EconoLodge-) (SD – 17/48)
- THE FOUR BIG GUYS – SPEARFISH CANYON – STURGIS, ND - DEVIL’S TOWER – AND A LOSING RACE AGAINST DARKNESS –

July 8, 2005 - Friday - Day 13
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 217 - Total Miles: 3,333 – Daily Average: 256.8
11:30PM-6PM (MST) – 7.5 hours (time zone change!)
Pierre,SD to Rapid City, SD
(-stayed at a Rodeway Inn -) (SD – 16/48)
- BADLANDS AND A LITTLE BEYOND –

July 7, 2005 - Thursday - Day 12
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 341- Total Miles: 3116 – Daily Average: 259.7
2:30PM-9PM (CST) – 6.5 hours
Fargo, ND to Pierre, SD
(-stayed at a Days Inn -) (ND,SD – 16/48)
- ROADS OUT TO INFINITY -

July 6, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 11
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 309 - Total Miles: 2775 – Daily Average: 252.3
2:30PM-9PM (CST) – 6.5 hours
Superior, WI to Fargo, ND
(-stayed at an EconoLodge -) (WI,MN,ND – 15/48)

July 5, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 10
Miles Today: 362- Total Miles: 2466 – Daily Average: 246.6
11:30AM-8PM (CST) – 9.5 hours
Escanaba,MI to Superior,WI
(-stayed at a Super 8 -) (MI,WI – 13/48)
- Cloudscapes Galore – Into the Icebox? -

July 4, 2005 - Monday - Day 9
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 213- Total Miles: 2104 – Daily Average: 210.2
12:45pm-6:15pm – 5.5 hours
Gaylord, MI to Escanaba, MI
(-stayed at an Econolodge -) (MI – 12/48)
- Across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula -

July 3, 2005 - Sunday - Day 8
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today:194 - Total Miles: 1891 – Daily Average: 236
11:30am-4:30pm - 5 hours
Flint, MI to Gaylord, MI
(-stayed at an Econolodge -)
(MI – 13/48)

July 2, 2005 - Saturday - Day 7
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today:459 - Total Miles:1697 – Daily Average:242.4
11am-9:30pm – 10.5 hours
Erie,Pa to Flint,MI
(-stayed at Don & Krista’s-)
(PA,OH,IND,MICH– 13/48)
- A NEAR-PERFECT DAY – NIGHT RIDING -

July 1, 2005 - Friday - Day 6
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today:203 - Total Miles:1238 – Daily Average:206
Buffalo,NY to Erie,PA
(-stayed at EconoLodge -)
(NY,PA – 10/48)
- About 100 miles in before we got anywhere – Massive Power -

June 30, 2005 - Thursday - Day 5
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today:402(!) - Total Miles:1035 – Daily Average:207
9:30am-8pm – 10.5 hours
Brattleboro,VT to Buffalo,NY
(-staying at Lord Amherst Motel -)
(VT,MASS,NY – 10/48)
FINALLY, A BREAKOUT DAY!

June 29, 2005 - Wednesday - Day 4
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today:69 - Total Miles:631 – Daily Average:157.8 (soooo embarrassing!)
10:45am-1:45pm - 3 hours
Brookline,NH to Brattleboro,VT
(-stayed at the Hampton Inn -)
(NH,VT – 9/48)
- Rain, Rain, Rain –

June 28, 2005 - Tuesday - Day 3
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today: 133 - Total Miles:562 – Daily Average –187.3
11:30am-6:30pm - 7 hours
Brookline,NH to Concord,NH (via Kittery, Maine)
(-stayed at a Comfort Inn -)
(NH, ME) – 8/48)
- Rain and more Rain – An Important Lesson Learned by the first Misadventure of the Trip –

June 27, 2005 - Monday - Day 2
48 States or Bust – The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today - 198 - Total Miles – 429 – Average – 214.5
12:30pm-6:30pm - 6 hours
New Haven, CT to Brookline,NH
(-stayed at Karen's brother's home -)
(CT-RI-MASS-NH – 7/48)
- DISCONCERTING EVENT – WONDERFUL RIDING –

June 26, 2005 - Sunday - Day 1
48 States or Bust - The USA on Two Wheels
Miles Today - 231 - Total Miles - 231
1:30pm-9pm(!) 7.5 hours
Havertown,PA (western Philadelphia suburb) to New Haven, CT
(-stayed at Joel’s cousin’s home-)
(PA-NJ-NY-CT - 4/48)
-FIRST BIKING DAY- WONDERFUL SENDOFF - TRAVAILS IN NEW YORK CITY - HELLISH HEAT INTO WONDROUS COOL OF EVENING - IN LATE

---