Personal assistant

Definition: someone who assists in daily business and personal tasks.

I've discovered that my multi-tasking ability to manage the blog and manage the trip is not adequate. This is a combination of two things: finding time to manage the blog, and also managing the logistical tasks of personal care and riding. Perhaps I will get better at it, and I apologize for not keeping the blog current. I knew the first leg of the victory lap would be the shakedown criuse and I would learn how to manage a trip on the road. This first leg is giving me a valuable opportunity to learn what does and does not work. The main area of concern is my luggage. I've probably said this more than once, but not only do I have way too much stuff, but the soft canvas bags I am using are consuming too much time to make sure they stay secured on the bike, because they are not rigid, so they tend to lean and slump over a little.

And because I'm not the micro-manager-control-freak-over-the-top-travel-planner-kinda-guy, every step of the trip is not choreographed so that I can present a polished product on the blog. But the main reason why I've not been blogging every day is that it takes time to write, and I've just been too tired to write, edit and post photos. I've been staying at each location one day and that's just not enough time to do everything. I seem to have started riding more at night, and this is because it takes time to unstrap my bags when I get somewhere, and then restrap them before I leave so I'm usually late getting back on the road.

I had planned to camp, but so far, I've stayed at a motel three of the four nights I've been on the road. Once I start camping, I hope to have more time to make entries on the blog.

I can tell you that this trip is amazing. It is everything I had expected, and more. I've talked with some very interesting people along the way, and I've had some interesting experiences. As soon as I get more time to write, I will give details and post some photos.

I am posting mini-updates on facebook, so stay tuned there, too for my whereabouts and comments.

For those of you following me on instamapper, I thought of trying something later on my trip that may be fun. On the prepaid phone that I am using for the GPS signal, I only see the numbers for the coordinates. There is no map on he screen as with a typical GPS device, so I can't use it for directions. I didn't intend to use it for my GPS. It is for you to follow me around out here. If I wanted to find my way, I would have to call someone who is watching me progress across the screen, and ask me where I am and give me directions. If I used GPS out there I would never have talked with some interesting people when I ask them where in the heck am I.

But here's my idea for the instamapper: I could call you on the phone, and as you saw where I was online, you could pick a location you wanted me to visit, give me directions, and then watch me make turns on the map. I could be your remote motorcycle robot. Anyway, something to think about.

I want to mount a bracket on the bike for the flip phone camcorder, but will have to do that when I get back home. It will be fun to take videos while riding around. I have discovered that trying to hold a video camera and steer the bike at the same time is kind of tricky. But I have taken some shots this way and I will post them soon. Oh, the video files are too large for the blog, so I will post those to facebook.

Well, I better start loading up, and get on my way to Camden, Maine. I may stay there for 2 days. I will probably spend a few days in Maine looking for moose. I hope to find the time to write more and post photos. I have many more stories to share, and I hope you will stay tuned for them.