August 5, 2011

Twin Cities Minnesota

Looking to cross off another state off of my list of states to visit I head to Minnesota and the twin cities.

Not one to Miss out on all the hype I head to the famous Mall of America!

I feel patriotic just coming near this place. Big things and Shopping all in one place! How American...

But guess what? this isn't Just a big mall, no no no!

It's A big Mall with a theme park inside!



Sioux Falls, SD

After the twin Cities I head to Sioux Falls the city where I spent about three weeks digging through trash for the city. Not gonna lie, I miss it sometimes.

After doing some reminiscing about town I meet up with my old sponser Aimee and her husband.

Most definitely one of the best parts of this journey has been all of the people I get to see both old and new friends!

August 4, 2011

Barron, WI

Easy and relaxing ride up to Barron today. and got relax with another Americorps Friend currently working as a Vista for the town of Barron WI.

Had a few drinks by the river and then time to move again.

my plan hasd changed about 67 bazillion times by now you just gotta roll with it.

July 29 - Aug 4, 2011

Madison WI

Okay I'm back in Madison enjoying some time with my sister before I hit the road again.

It was a pretty easy ride from Grand Rapids to Madison and It was cool to see the Chicago skyline, though I wasn't quite prepared for how much noontime traffic there would be on the freeway.


It's good to be back in Madison. This time in the summer!

My sister and her boyfriend were excellent hosts as always, constantly making sure that I was entertained.

Madison from the State Capitol

We went hiking out on Devil's Lake one day. (I have never met a natural place with "Devil" In it's name that I haven't liked)

Devil's Lake





yeah It's like that

July 26 - 28

Grand Rapids, MI

So I'm in Grand Rapids enjoying some time with a bunch of my old teammates and friends back from my AmeriCorps Days.

Checked out the Sweet J Band (an offshoot of an awesome local band called Sweet Japonic.. check them out!)


Fooling around at the museum:

Now I just have to decide where I'm headed to next...

July 24 - 25, 2011

Cleveland, OH

After the poor day that I had yesturday, I'm happy to be staying with a friend here in Cleveland OH.

Got to do one of my favorite hobbies, Exploring!

Got to check out the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, The science center and the Ohio River



I thought Cleveland was pretty funny as most Ohioians and Clevelanders didn't really seem to care much for Cleveland. You could really see that home town pride with many people rocking pins, that say, "Cleveland, It's not that bad!"

I got to go the Great Lakes Brewery & thier Burning River Fest, Which is apperently named for the fact that The Ohio river is so Polluted that it caught fire in 1969.

In addition we went to the Melt Bar & Grill, featured on Man Vs. Food a little ways back.

We were gonna attempt the Melt challenge but due to time constraints I had a "Dude Abides" sandwhich, filled with Mozzerlla sticks and Meatballs.

Good times!

July 23, 2011

Kentucky

Okay so it's been 600 miles since I got my bike back which means it's time for an oil change. Looking to learn a bit more about my bike maintenance I attempt to do this myself.

Yeah, always make sure you have the right tools before you get halfway through a job....

But, with the help of some kind strangers I manage to get the job done.


    -Speaking of strangers, I have experienced numerous times what I like to call "Road Magic." People see my loaded up bike and my  Massachusetts plates and see to be willing to help me out along the way, many times just in exchange for the story of my adventure. It's an awesome thing and I'm gonna try to do the same for people throughout my life.

- One thing that's kind of a bummer on this trip is the fact that I can't pick up Hitchhikers on my loaded up Motorcycle. I would love to help a fellow traveller on the road and I often stop to talk to them. oh well when I get back to car riding someday.


So today was a rough day. I had lost my rain pants along the highway sometime ago and today was one of my first days facing a storm without them. I got pretty wet and was pretty tired and miserable. I was gonna try to make it up to Columbus, but it just wasn't in the cards.

I spent a couple hours at a Laundromat, drying my clothes and napping. and I ended up camping out on a trail in some state park in Kentucky.

July 21 -22, 2011 & #201 - Slide down a natural waterslide

Asheville, NC

Haha I'm back in Asheville. I guess I can't get enough of this place. I'm sticking around for two days, enjoying the local culture scene. Check this stuff out!

Hundreds of people!

So apparently every Friday, the town of Asheville has this huge free drum Circle down on the common. A lot of people bring drums or you are free to bring your own. Or else you can just enjoy the beats (as most do).

You can hear the circle from blocks away.

Maggie thought it was a bit cold

There is an abundance of rivers, waterfalls and mountains in the area. but while exploring we came across something a bit more unique.

A natural water slide!

Thus I got to cross off #201 - Slide down a natural waterslide
Boom!

July 20, 2011

Savannah GA

FINALLY, FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY  Back on the road!

time to work up those butt muscles again. Got my bike back and loaded up by 2:30 today. First goal of the day... get out of dodge... err Florida yeah!

Hello Georgia, nice to meet you!

had some time to check out the pretty sweet college town of Savannah today.

This pretty much sums up what I'm feeling like right now