The Worst Day Begins

Okay, so here (6:30am) I am getting ready to start what's probably the toughest day of the trip.  T - 1, the day before the trip begins.  Sorting and packing day.  This is the day were I have to pair down what I want to take to what I have to take.  On a motorcycle (hither to referred to as simply "the bike") it is even more important to carry only what you need and take very few "extras" along.  Space is at a premium and packing must be done with forethought.

Today's chores include running to REI to pickup a waterproof bag to strap to the back of the bike.  Although I have recently installed heated grips, I still need some winter riding gloves (waterproof also).  Gotta sort and pack:  Clothes, camera gear, and electronics.  Can't forget my passport and AirTran ID.  The former incase I go into Canada, the later to hopefully get some discounts on hotels.  Then there will be the actual packing of the bike, always a good time.  What goes where....The phrase, "Mmmm, this just isn't fitting," comes to mind.  As always, no matter how carefully I pack, I'll always have to leave something behind, and I'll always forget something.
Okay, so here was the proposed route.  That was before my car decided to throw a fit and chew up it's serpentine belt yesterday.  Pretty aggressive route, but doable I thought. The longest day was scheduled at 490 miles.  That's a LAD (long a$$ day) in a car not to mention a bike, but what else am I out here for anyway.  Ah, perhaps another time.  The trip now has been shortened to allow me to get back and start shopping for a new (at least new to me) car.  Not sure what I'll be getting. Any suggestions?


So now for a route I'm thinking about  cutting south through the lower Michigan peninsula hitting the area around Mackinaw and through Saugatuck Dunes State Park.  We'll see what happens.


Outbound to run those errands.  Stay tuned to this same Bat Channel.