Day One And Two

After repeated delays, I was beginning to doubt myself, it was time to - Get Off the Pot!
And so, ready or not, I was on the road. It didn't take long to decide that, if this trip was to be for enjoyment, it was necessary to try to avoid the interstate highways whenever reasonably possible. Therefore, I took old US-27 towards Fort Wayne, Indiana. It been a few years since I had traveled on old highway 27 and I was pleasantly surprised by the light traffic and how much more scenic the route was than interstate I-69.

It was painfully clear that some of small towns, like Waterloo, Indiana, were having a hard time coping with today's fast pace economy. Waterloo had more empty store fronts than open businesses; and yet, only a few miles to the south, Auburn (the city famed as the automobile manufacturer of the Auburn, Duisenberg and Cord) was still, a mostly, vibrant community. Auburn's success is, in no small part, due to it's ability to capitalize on the historic value of its past automakers. The museums and annual Memorial Day car auction are all worth the visit.

Motorcycle travel offers a lot more value than travel by car, but to fully enjoy it you must, for the most part, travel in the light of day. However, having gotten a late start and since I traveling mostly familiar territory, I decided to continue into the night, finally stopping (about 10:00 PM) in Lancaster, Ohio about 50 miles from West Virginia.

The next day began with the ominous signs of impending rainfall, and it wasn't long before the rains began in earnest. Riding in the rain, aside from begin unpleasant, represents a serious "health" risk. A panic stop on a motorcycle is always a risk, but in a driving rain - FORGET IT! Then too, I am now traveling in what is for me, mostly uncharted territory that was too good to pass by - sight unseen in the driving rain. And so, with some hesitation and only after a few short hours - I gave it up for the day.

Now It Begins

Five days have past and - "I'm Still Here".

I stated earlier that I am no authority on the civil war; and then proceeded to prove it by proclaiming that Shiloh marked the beginning of the civil war. I knew that the many battles had been fought before Shiloh, but I reasoned that they must have only - skirmishes.

After more reading, I was quickly corrected. Most historians record Fort Sumpter near Charleston, South Carolina, as marking the start of the civil war.

And so, plans have changed again, and I have now mapped a new direction (courtesy of Map Quest) for Fort Sumpter, via West Virginia. The West Virginia is mostly an attempt to skirt the rains (probably a vain attempt).

Now, I must - "hit the road".

Still - Getting Started

My original plan was to go "North to Alaska" via my Harley. However, there were too many things to get done before leaving in order to be able to meet a departure date and return before the winter weather hit.

Alternatively, I considered Quebec to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, but after considerable thought - that too, seemed unreasonable. I needed a more moderate and sensible plan as a first venture, in order prove myself.

Okay, in order to provide a framework, why not (I asked myself) start a campaign to visit various civil war battle fields on the Harley. I reasoned that in that way, the weather was more favorable, the trip was shorter and more suited to a trial plan and the civil war would provide a historical back drop for writing blogs.

I am not an authority on the civil war by any stretch and this site is not and will not be - all about the civil war. As I said before, this site, is a work in progress, and the hope is that it will always remain just that. Subjects, can and will change as the situation warrants. Future plans are not limited by the Harley and include Indian archaeological sites, Mayan and Inca archaeology, Easter Island and Galapagos Islands; just to give you "a feel" for the sites intent.

So, that's the plan, as it presently exists - on to Shiloh (the start of that - awful war).

Getting Started

This is a startup Blog, and a work in progress (I'm mostly just trying to get a look at the site.) Have patience friend - "There's Water Down Below".