The Big Trip

Last August when I was at the SMSA conference in Buffalo, I found out that this year's conference would be in Billings, MT. While there I had met a really nice guy named Ken who is from Montana and is president of the Montana BMW Riders. He is the one who originally told me about the Beartooth Pass (which I mentioned in a previous post), and spoke with a genuine passion about it and some other places he's ridden to. As we sipped our Scotch whisky, I began toying with the idea of riding to the 2008 conference in Billings. This is no small undertaking - from my town in Maryland to Billings is just over 2000 miles one-way. I've never taken a motorcycle trip of this magnitude.

It was like a seed had been planted in my brain. When I got home, I started looking at my bike a little differently. Thinking about what I would need to do and pack to make a journey like this successful. I started looking into camping gear, with an eye to what could be carried on a bike. What would I need? I've never been much of a camper, but to me that would be a big part of the trip and is probably also a necessity to make it economically feasible. I see pictures of motorcycles and tents on the internet, and they inspire me (from my nice dry, warm seat at the computer =P).



So the dream of The Big Trip was born. I've begun gathering some basic camping gear - a decent tent, sleeping gear, campstove, etc. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it by any means, not yet anyway, but it's always in the back of my mind. Last week I went to see a live band play. It was enjoyable, but as I sat there, I found myself wishing I had a map of the US spread out on the table so I could plan my route :). As I look at maps I see more places I'd like to visit, and have started putting together a google map of "Great Destinations". Google is a wonderful thing.


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It's going to take an effort to protect that timeframe and make it actually happen. That's always a very busy time of year, and this year will be no exception especially with Katie heading off to college. If you know of anyplace I "must" go to between here and there, let me know!

CMW Cheerleaders go to State Finals!

Well, here's the long-overdue update on the girls' competition: they placed second at States! Being as it was Coach Ali's last competition with the squad, all the girls felt a tremendous amount of pressure to perform well for her. They basically just left it all out there, not holding anything back. It was a fantastic performance, among a competition full of fantastic performances, so it was a thrill for all of us to see them do so well! Congratulations to all the girls and the coaches, with a special THANKS, again, to Coach Ali.

On a disappointing note, there was a team there who, before the results were announced, were bragging that they were so good they were going to win first and second place. They were not pleased when they finished fourth, and felt that CMW must have paid the judges. Good grief. Competition definitely has it's ugly side.