I'm a Grandpa!

This a few days late but I became a Grandfather for the first time on Wednesday. Isabella Paige Endsley was born at 12:44 pm weighing 7 pounds 6 ounces and 19 inches in length!

Susan G. Komen

I want to thank all the people that contrubuted donations to the Susan G. Komen organization. We raised $1000.00 in cash donations and another $570 in direct donations. This is an organization that has helped millions and the money is well spent. Thanks again!!!

Those that have not donated it's not to late! Just go to www.LetsRideForTheCure.com. You have the option of donating $20.00, $40.00, or $60.00. A $40.00 donation will get you a post card sent to you from every country I pass through, a $60.00 donation will also get you an very nice screen printed underarmor long sleeve shirt, and all donations will let you enjoy this adventure while knowing your helping with such a deserving cause.

The First Day

I've finally left and what a first day. A snow storm was coming through and the temperature dropped. It was snowing and in the 20's. The roads were slick and covered in ice. I had to hurry to leave before the full blizzard hit so it was all about rushing. This bag wouldn't fit on the bike or that bag was in the wrong place. The straps were too short or the bags too full.
I could only go an hour and a half before stopping to thaw out my hands. I learned that nothing makes your rear end pucker like having an 18 wheeler fly by and force you to within a few inches of the curb at 70 miles an hour on an ice cover freeway where it would mean a certain crash, or having the back tire go sideways on an onramp at 50 mph! What a ride!
However, it was still an AWESOME first day, I lost count of the number of people that pull up along side and gave me a thumbs up, a few even rolled their windows down to cheer me on (the bike has huge stickers saying "South America or Bust") one guy even stuck his head out to take a picture!
I made it 270 miles and finally stopped in Louisville , KY. for the night. I should make it to Atlanta, GA. tomorrow. My bike is being shipped to Argentina on December 28 and my flight is on December 31, so I still have a schedule (kinda like a job.)

Por fin he dejado y lo que es un primer día. Una tormenta de nieve que venía a través y la temperatura bajó. Estaba nevando y en los años 20. Las carreteras estaban resbaladizas y cubiertas de hielo. Tenía que darse prisa para salir antes de la tormenta de nieve pleno éxito por lo que fue todo acerca de prisa. Esta bolsa no cabían en la moto o que la bolsa estaba en el lugar equivocado. Las correas son demasiado cortas o demasiado llena las bolsas.Sólo pude ir una hora y media antes de detenerse a descongelar mis manos. Aprendí que nada hace fruncir el trasero como tener un camión de 18 ruedas volando y te obligan a pocos centímetros de la acera, a 70 kilómetros por hora en una autopista cubierta de hielo en el que supondría un accidente de determinados o con el neumático trasero ir de lado en una vía de acceso a 50 km / h! ¡Qué viaje!Sin embargo, todavía era un día extraordinario en primer lugar, he perdido la cuenta del número de personas que tiran a lo largo de lado y me dio los pulgares para arriba, algunos, incluso rodó sus ventanas abajo para alegrarme el día (la moto tiene enormes pegatinas diciendo "Sur América o Bust ") incluso un tipo sacó la cabeza para tomar una foto!Lo hice 270 millas y finalmente se detuvo en Louisville, KY. por la noche. Quiero dejar a Atlanta, GA. mañana. Mi bicicleta es que se envía a la Argentina el 28 de diciembre y mi vuelo es el 31 de diciembre, así que todavía tienen un horario (un poco como un trabajo.)

A very sad goodbye!

Although the excitement of finally starting the adventure was high it couldn't overshadow the sadness of leaving some of the nicest people I've meet. After spending 10 months in Michigan the people of this wonderful area have made it seem like home. From the employees at the Twin Cities Inn, to the sweet lady that serves me Lattes at Espresso To Go, to the bartenders at the Livery Brewery, to the waitresses at Isabellas resturant, to the great co-workers at the Cook Nuclear Plant, ,the've all become friends that I'll remember with a warm smile. Leaving this area is indeed very sad!!

Aunque la emoción de por fin comenzar la aventura fue alta, no podía ocultar la tristeza de dejar algunas de las mejores personas que he cumplir. Después de pasar 10 meses en Michigan, la gente de esta maravillosa zona han hecho parecer como en casa. De los empleados en el mesón de las Ciudades Gemelas, a la señora dulce que me sirve Lattes en Espresso To Go, a los camareros en la fábrica librea, a las camareras en el restaurante Isabella, a la gran co-trabajadores de la central nuclear de Cook, the've a todos los amigos se que voy a recordar con una cálida sonrisa. Saliendo de esta zona es realmente muy triste!!

Finally!

After a full year of planning and dreaming, the adventure has finally began! Last night was my final nightshift so today was all about making arrangements for the trip. It's not going as smoothly as I thought mostly because of the holidays. Coordinating the shipment of the bike and my own flight is a PAIN! First the bike must be crated up (being done by Maimi BMW dealer) then. an indepentant company must inspect the bike to ensure it has no gasoline. then it has to be transported to the airport where I have to pay $2,500 in CASH to the airline. Then, it's off to customs for more papaerwork. All without transportation and every office is closed half of the next two weeks! It's lookin like the first week of January for arrival in Argentina.