Blog 1

This is my first post on my first blog. It was suggested that I start blogging about the preparations for the "Alaskan Adventure." This sounded like a good idea, first I could begin learning how to navigate my way around the blog site and second I could start developing an effective communication style and become comfortable with blogging. In any event this represents a beginning of the journey and it's all about the journey.

The preparation for the adventure officially began on Sept 30, 2011 in Asheville,  N.C. where I purchased a new 2012 Triumph Tiger 800 XC  http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/range/adventure/tiger-800/2012/tiger-800xc  from Myers Motorcycle http://www.myersmotorcycles.com/. I was 5200 miles into my first motorcycle adventure that was dubbed the "The Appalachian Adventure."  At that point I knew that this type of adventure travel was going to suit my style. But the idea of a motorcycle trip to Alaska began in September of 2006.  In May of '06 my oldest daughter Allison called and asked if I would drive her and my grandchildren from Andrews AFB in Maryland to Elmindorf AFB in Anchorage, AK which was to be her new assignment. In late August I flew to Washington D.C. and the next morning we were off to Bellingham, WA where we boarded the Alaska Ferry for Haines, AK. From Haines we drove to Haines Jct. in the YT and took the AlCan Hwy. into Alaska and onto Anchorage. After getting Allison, Julia and Tyler settled I took about three weeks and just hung out in and around Anchorage. I met English speaking people from all over the northern hemisphere who had come to Alaska to explore and experience what is billed as "The Last Frontier." Many of them had ridden motorcycles from other areas of North and South America there and many had traveled here and rented motorcycles for their experience. I have always considered myself an outdoorsman and the opportunity to experience this frontier was intriguing to say the least but to experience it from a motorcycle had never dawned on me. Well when I returned I purchased a new Suzuki DL650 Dual-Sport motorcycle and learned to ride with the idea of returning to Alaska. I got distracted for a couple of years and now I have finally returned to the beginning of this paragraph.