It is been too long since my last road trip. Natural disasters have hit my life too close, too soon. A global pandemic has affected all man kind. I receive a call from the good people of Arizona Motorcycle Towing, where My Ladie has been well kept for the last three years. I receive a call from the management: “we are closing down our storage, we need to move your bike”…. That was it for me!!! I need to pick this baby up!!
There are no words to describe the service Michelle and her husband offered me at Arizona Motorcle Towing and Storage. They took the bike to the shop, got her ready and delivery to the hotel so she was ready by the time I arrived, at Midnight…. 3 o’clock my time!!!!!!!
Day one. Phoenix AZ to Albuquerque, NM
Sunrises and sunsets are amazing in Arizona. Sunday morning is the best day to start your adventure.
The first gift of the trip, hot air ballon spectacle. A quick stop is needed to appreciate the scene.
Riding in 50 degree weather makes you stop to adjust at the circumstances. The heated grips are not enough to keep my hands warm. Full gloves and full face covering are what the doctor orders.
Sedona, Arizona. One of the most beautiful places I have seen. As I approach town. I can start to see the change of colors around the mountains. I feel something great is coming.
Sedona’s Chapel of the Holy Cross… a peaceful place to be grateful of all the things in life, and put my 2,500 miles that lyes ahead in God’s hand. But most importantly, I needed to send a prayer to a couple of good friend of mine:
Hon Phon, my college friend that had reunited with me just couple of years ago in Tampa, to share the same passion in our elder years… riding motorcycles. He was with me in my last trip to Biketober Fest, Daytona., one of my last post.
He passed away a couple of months ago due to a heart complication. Just 50 years old. Too soon, too sudden. We were just planning a trip to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to celebrate our 50’s birthday. He will always ride with me, in my heart, in my soul.
Carlos Rodríguez, my partner in crime my entire life was diagnosed with prostate cancer. All procedures has gone well, but still, is something that goes with you everywhere I go.
Luis and Samuel, to other classmates from elementary school are fighting for their life.
I send a prayer for all of them and ask for Hand of God to put his Greatness into work.
The last candle I light is for someone special, Ana Paulina, my forever young little cousin. She was diagnosed with brain cancer just after her high school senior prom. She passed a few month later. This candle is for her to look over my shoulder, guide me throughout this journey, the ride with me in the journey of life. Soon after her passing, I found the perfect tribute to include Ana Paulina in all my journeys. I have somewhere in my bag. As soon as I get to destination for the day, she will be join me and be present forever in all of my journeys.
Seems like I am not the one sending a prayer. Even in the parking lot of this enchantment place, you see the beauty, the mystery, the sacred of this place.
The town of Sedona is a spiritual place. I can feel the good vibe as I am riding along. This is a town to spend a good 4-6 days. Golf, hiking, sunsets, cigar, or just relaxing. Spectacular place.
The magic continues. First time riding with snow around. This place got hit hard with a rare winter storm two weeks ago. It caused major damage to the area. I can still see the snow around the road.
The Mother Road, Route 66.
“I am standing in the corner os Winlow Arizona, such a fine sight to see….”
I don’t see a flatbed Ford with a hot babe, but I see a nice musician that agrees me take a picture me! I don’t see no Eagles, but, Of course, Take it easy.
There are many “Kodak spots” around Route 66. I am making the last stop of the day in Grants, NM before I head up to Albuquerque, NM.
Day 2. Albuquerque, NM to Lubbock TX
Finally, I am completed. This is the small tribute I made for my forever young and beautiful Ana Paulina.
Soon after her passing, I was at bike event in Tampa, FL, found this guy, John Mottola with his small business on wheels offering these tribute coins to bikers. I had the logo of the “Fundación COCO”, a foundation her parents made on her behalf, to give hope to children fighting cancer.
I asked the guy if he could make a custom coin for my bike. Of course, he said, but I had to prepaid the order. I was in no rush, so I gave it a shot. A couple of month later, I received this magical piece. I could not believe how perfect it came out. It took three years before it landed to it’s final destination. My Ladie. The slogan of the coin company is , “Ride with Pride”. From now on, I am riding with pride….. and Ana Paulina!
I continue my journey East, and find a lot of traffic on I40. As I detour thru the back roads, I cross the small town of Billy The Kid, Fort Sumner. I stop at the Billy the Kid graveyard to find out a few interesting details…..
Billy The Kid, shackled to his feet for life!
In New Mexico, I rely on the old West most important piece of clothing, the bandana. The dust starts to get into my brain. Thank God I had a good set of googles to go along!
Day 3. Lubbock TX to Lewisville, TX
The Texas backroads are long, then they get longer. I had heard tha everything is Texas is BIGGER… It’s a fact. Not only that, everything is longer. I hear that 1 mile in the Texas Country is equivalent as 2.75 miles in any other state…..
After 357 miles of riding, dust and endless roads, I get to my final destination, Lewisville, TX. I am glad to see a familiar face. Iced cold Heineken, a nice Texas Prime Rib and mashed potatoes. The perfect dinner!
Day 4. Lewisville, TX to Center TX
Like any other big city, the day stars with a lot of traffic. Dallas is the ever growing city. I try to get my bearing and figure out where the hell I am going. A take at least 3 wrong exits before I get to the I get the I30. I hear the trucks on my CB radio going nuts about the 45 minute delay.
I take the first exit I can. I takes me to a nice pit stop in LaRue, Texas.
As I am riding an I feel Texas is never going to end! Probably the thousand beers I had with my cousin, a hell of a dinner, and a smoke that I hadn’t had in years… yes the one that makes you cough….. makes me look for a place to stay, faster than planned.
Day 5. Center TX to New Orleans, LA
Finally I am out of the desert! I enter the state of Louisiana through the Toledo Bend, to learn that they have the largest man-made body of water. A nice welcome to civilization!
All of the sudden, I arrive at New Orleans. It was not in the original route since that was my first road trip in My Ladie, but what the heck, it NOLO is always a good stop!
The Pandamic has changes everything, but the vibe of Burbon Street is intact. I walk the street and I feel safe. Most of the people there are keeping their distance, wearing their masks and having fun! Bravo NOLO!!!
NOLO
Day 6. New Orleans, LA to Quincy, FLORIDA!!!!!!
After a good night sleep, I take I10 to find, like in any other big city, lots of traffic. I doesn’t take me long to detour the Interstate and find a scenic route, Hwy 90. A very nice ride along the shoreline of the Gulf Coast.
And just like that, I am in Sweet Home Alabama!! The Mississippi / Alabama shoreline is a nice ride. I find the signs for the Dauphin Island and the Mobile Bay Ferry.
I spend an hour waiting for the ferry. It is just a 30 minute ride to cross the Mobile Bay. For me, it is worth the wait. I get to relax while saving to ride around Mobile, Alabama.
Welcome to the Sunshine State!!
I jump to Florida through the coastline of Alabama, and Floridabama!! A nice beach town. I start to decide if I take the route going across the beaches of Florida, or just taking a straighter route in I10. There is a detour after Pensacola, redirecting all traffic to I-10. I guess I am talking the straighter route.
Finally, I make it to Florida!!!! Most of the hotels in the Pensacola area are pretty expensive. I push my boundaries a little further, ride into the night to get to the final destination of the day, Quincy, FLORIDAA!!!!!
Day 7, Quincy FL to Tampa, FL
Morning shower.
A nice welcome to Florida!! Of course, the humidity is waiting for us. An early rise is well rearding to get a good jump start of my final riding day. It is 6:30 in the morning, and I am ready to hit the road. Sunrise is at 7:30 am. It gives me the chance to see the sun come up as I tackle the road.
Believe it or not, the morning ride in Florida is the coldest I have felt all trip. I need to cover my ears for the first ever riding.
Beacon College is located in Leesburg, FL. My son Carlos Jr is a sophomore there. I make a surprise visit to the kid before I set the GPS for my final destination. A couple of years ago, I was in college getting my degree. A couple of days later, I am visiting my son in his second year in college. Where did the time go? Life is too short, indeed. Work hard, play hard and enjoy life!
The final destination is in sight. No need for back roads at this point. Cruising on a one way street, south bound I75. I crank my radio up and follow the band Stranger lyrics I’m on my way to Thunder Bay!!!!
Finally I make it home. It is early in the afternoon and I make plans to go for a cigar smoke at the Blue Torch, Tampa. It’s my favorite place to unwind the spirits. This time, I am taking Uber. I can’t put a single extra mile to the motorcycle, nor my body!
Sunday Funday, The Aftermath.
After 2,517.20 miles, a good Sunday at home is needed. I start to realize the trip is over. I made it!!! Most of my friends told me at the beginning of the trip if I was nuts….. Maybe I am, but there is nothing more challenging, relaxing and rejuvenating than to be on the road… Just you, and your thoughts. It is a wonderful thing.
A good day with the ladies is well deserved. I am preparing the babies for our next adventure. I do a deep detailed cleaning to both my bikes. I apply the Ultimar exterior protection to both of them. After they are all done, they look like brand new bikes, coming out of the dealer. The Ultimar interior-exterior protection is an amazing product. It will protect your ride for years to come!
The trip was fantastic, even though I was on a mission to burn miles and make it home as soon as I could. Still, I saw lots of great scenery, events and rode through great weather. Being a Hilton Honors Member has its privileges for sure. All my stays were paid off by points accumulated. Hampton Inn was the hotels of preference. VIP parking for Diamond Members were always available. Of all the pictures taken, I most say that this one sums it all.
Expenditures for the trip
| Gas | 262.20 |
| Food | 29.10 |
| Beer | 48.56 |
| Cash | 120 |
| Uber | 49.90 |
| Cigars | 28.52 |
| Ferry | 10 |
| Plane Tickets | |
| Hotels | 22.49 |
| TOTALS | 548.28 |
See you next time! Thanks for stopping by.