Random Things

Meet the Lewises:  Stu, Jill, Dixie and Smooch.  Oops, Ferdinand is there too!
Ferdinand joined Stu on the 4 Corner ride in Tombstone, Arizona.  
They completed that ride together making quite a couple.
Perhaps what attracted Ferdinand to Stu was the fuzzy buffalo chaps, that's all I'm going to say about that.

It appears that Ferdinand is going to Alaska!
This bike looks like it belongs in an Old West Medicine Man Show.

Joe, David and Mike in the midst of a serious planning discussion.

Fred's motto is "Hakuna Matata".  He will definitely make sure his travel companions adopt this too.

Ron recently joined the Indiana Patriot Guard.
He has participated in four missions since the beginning of April.

Trip Preparation

A quick look at the countdown clock this morning reveals that it's less than three weeks until the departure from Indianapolis for us.

The guys have been busy at home trying to finish up all of the projects they want completed before heading away from home.

They have also been busy getting their motorcycles ready for this run.  All six of u s will be putting two new tires on the bikes, as well as, a fresh oil change with complete service.  They have been going over their riding gear and clothing.  Most of the group has purchased electric jackets and gloves.  A couple have even splurged for electric pants and socks!  They'd better hope that stuff doesn't short out in a rain, that could be a shocking experience.
this trip requires clothing with a high UV rating for protection from the sun.  Traveling in the mid-west and western states will also require that the garments are light weight enough to be fairly cool in the summer heat.  We are also going to need plenty of cold weather gear for crossing the Canadian Rockies and for the travel into northern Alaska.  Good rain gear is also essential.

The guys have their route all planned out and loaded into their GPS devices.  They have been studying various publications  from Visitor Bureaus along their route.  One of the publications being heavily used is the Alaska Mile Post Guide.  This will greatly help them find services and lodging along the way.  No reservations for lodging will be made.  They are thinking that it will be difficult to fully plan and stick to an exact schedule.  In order to see as many of the sights and attractions along the route they have been gleaning information from those guide books too.

During one of their trip planning sessions the guys compiled a large list of tools and commonly needed spare parts.  This list was divided up between the group with each guy bringing specific things off of that list.  Most of the riding in Alaska will be in remote areas where services and motorcycle parts will be limited.  Everyone knows how reliable those Harleys can be on a long trip, good luck!

Ron's latest invention - The Powell Super Screen
Made from hardware cloth this is designed to
protect the oil cooler and lines on the front of the motor
from rocks and other road debris 

Tow Strap
Because we all know how reliable those Harleys can be.
One question remains - who uses this first?

Capturing all of the beautiful scenery that the fellows are going to encounter is important to them.  Of course they are planning on creating another photo journal to commemorate this adventure.  In order to accomplish this they will be using a variety of digital photography equipment.  Two guys will be sporting the Go-pro video camera.  This video camera can be helmet mounted or hand held, whichever they prefer.  Rumor has it that Stu has committed to making a DVD of this trip.  Everyone will of course have their favorite digital camera on board.

Well, that's the latest for now.  Be sure to stay tuned, it won't be long now!