Ready to Roll!

Sorry for the delay in a new post! It has been a very hectic few weeks. I hope to launch either the 1st or 2ND of June. Today was my last official day of work, I still have a small consultation in the morning, I just can't say no to my customers.

I feel so very fortunate to work in an industry, where my clients become my friends. Many of my Realtor friends are just like family. Many of them, I have known since they first started in the industry, I have seen their families grow and have seen them prosper. While it will be nice to get away from the stress and strain of the work world, I know that as in the past, I will miss by labor, and feel guilty for being away.

Details; for those of you thinking of taking at trip of this magnitude, be forewarned about the number of little details that seem to take for ever. I learned from my Appalachian trail trip, that it can be very difficult to handle things from a great distance. More importantly, it is important to have most things buttoned up, so that loose ends will not distract from the adventure at hand.
Advances in technology do make things easier. Most of my financial obligations can be handled via the Internet, as well as communication. But the most crucial element is the human element.

I would never be able to take a trip like this without the support of my family and friends. A special thanks goes out to my Mother, I cannot list all of the things that she is doing for me. Also to my father, not only is he my direct advocate and legal figurehead, he is the one who insists that I follow my dreams, and tells me not to worry, as he will handle what ever will arise. I am sure that as the "Pangs" of homesickness hit from time to time I will expound upon the love for my support system.

My to-do list for today seemed pretty short, but it is amazing how much time such simple thinks can take. Let it be known that I am a great multi-tasker, but even the best of plans can go haywire at times.

My day started out pretty simple, I had an appointment for over a week to get a new tire installed on my motorcycle. I was there at the appointed time, even early, but as luck would have it one of the techs' did not show up for work, so I was delayed at the dealership for an extra hour to get my new tire. In all actuality the delay was okay, as I spent 2 hours on my cell phone in contact with 2-credit card companies and 2-banks, informing them that I would be traveling extensively for the summer and not to put a hold on my accounts for charges out of the area. It is amazing to me that it took almost 30 Min's with each account to get changes made. I believe in the redundancy, as I have on more than one occasion have had a hold put on a card because I was just a few hundred miles away from home. It is a hassle, but I appreciate the steps taken to protect my accounts. Called my insurance agent and made some coverage changes, a few legal changes, so that if my ass gets killed on the road, my meager finances will go were intended.

I took my dog to the local dog wash and cleaned him up, that was easy, and he enjoyed it. We even cleaned his special areas! I hate to say it, but I will probably miss him more than anything. I had to chase down a couple of Realtors to pick up Radon tests, and the next thing I know it is 5:00pm.

The last big event of the day was writing a check for a speeding ticket I got Monday in Paola, KS. I was and still am completely pissed off! Last Monday I rode down to the farm for the day to do a little mechanical work, and on my way back, I took a little tour of the country side, and visited a few of my favorite places and haunts from when I was a teenager. Just a little trip down memory lane! On the way back to KC I made my way back through Paola, KS, took KC road out the back side of town on a road I have driven thousands of times. I had left town, and kicked back on the seat, put my feet on the high way pegs and was cruising along at a leisurely speed of 45mph. I said to myself, this is exactly what I am looking forward to, seeing the country side, going through small towns and cruising along slow and easy. As I was lost in a feeling of euphoria, I was awakened by a screeching siren in my ear, I looked in my mirror and there was one of Paola's finest behind me.

To make a long story short, I was speeding 46 in a 35 and got a ticket for $170.00. If it were not for the fact that I was leaving shortly, I would raise a little hell and go to court, but such is life!

That is pretty much for now. For a little taste of things to come, on our first day on the road, I plan to ride to Pratt Kansas, (Why Pratt) it is a few miles outside of "Greensburg" I am going to ride around, take a few pics, make a little donation, then head to Mount Sunflower, the highest point in Kansas, if allowed, and weather permitting I will camp on top of mount sunflower, I hope I can handle the altitude. The next day I plan to ride to Cripple Creek, Co, spend the night in town, do a little gambling and the next day ride to the top of "Pikes Peak".

That is all for now.

Vienna