I was lucky enough to be included on a motorcycle trip with a few other journalists last week. We explored the roads (and vineyards and restaurants) of Napa Valley on Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles. We also made our way through Marin County, Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
I can go on a real tear, and read book after book on a given subject. As a result, I've got shelves groaning at the weight of books about motorcycling, so I thought I'd share a little bit about some of my favorites.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If you haven't been, this really needs to be on your "places to see before you die" list because it really is one of the most beautiful places on earth...at least it is to me.
As you may or may not know, Jackson Hole is actually the ski resort located 12 miles outside of the town of Jackson and many people mistakenly refer to the town as Jackson Hole. However you care to refer to the area, it still remains a great summer escape to experience what the valley surrounding Teton County, Wyoming has to offer.
I remember the first time I traveled alone on a plane with both of my kids. My daughter was a toddler and my son a baby--and somehow I lugged a stroller, two car seats, a portable crib, a backpack carry-on and two rolling suitcases from the departures curb, where a taxi had dropped us off, to the ticket counter.
I attached one of the car seats onto my backpack while I carried my son in a front-carrier on my chest. I pushed the porta-crib and the other car seat in the stroller with one hand, and pulled the suitcase with the other hand. My 2-year-old daughter rolled the second suitcase.
Pop. Boom. Bang.
Every community, large and small, seems to have their own fireworks tradition. Some our slick, choreographed events, timed to music and others are just plain old-fashion pop and bang affairs. Either way, fireworks are fireworks and have a great way of reminding us of the joy of simple things (not trying to suggest that putting on an elaborate pyrotechnic display filled with enough explosives to do real harm if improperly executed is a simple affair, but the watching part is pretty easy). So, wherever you find yourself this July 4, take time to find a fireworks display. My guess is there is one near you. If you are looking for a big-time celebration, here are a few that will not disappoint.
Although not a big Civil War buff, I do seek out battlefields from that conflict whenever there's one nearby. So it was fortunate that I was in Prince William County, Va., recently because the first major battle of the war occurred there. On July 21, 1861, enthusiastic volunteers in colorful uniforms representing both the Union and Confederacy took up positions on the rolling hills near the small town of Manassas.
We can't be on our bikes all of the time. In fact, you're in front of your computer right now, aren't you?
The website has replaced the workbench as the prime location for exchanging motorcycle stories, travel tales and bike knowledge. Think of your computer as an extension of your garage - a place to work on your bike, hang around with friends and waste a lot of time chatting about trips you want to take on your motorcycle.
July 1st marks the 142nd birthday of our great nation and for you a great chance for a short, fun getaway. This year Canada Day falls on Wednesday, at first blush this seems kind of disappointing, but if you reframe it, it provides a perfect chance to get a five-day mini-holiday and only cost you two days vacation.
My 40-plus years as a newspaper reporter played a big part in my desire to tour the Newseum, a new exhibition hall located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street N.W., between the White House and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. I was a bit hesitant at first, unsure of what to look for because the media aren't normally subjects for a museum. But what I found went far beyond my expectations.
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