Memorial Day

Well, I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend and an easy Monday off.  I know Kris's Monday was a good one, as her chemo was scheduled for Tuesday - giving her an extra day to hang with the family and relax.  I had to work the weekend, then had my one day off on Monday, but so it goes.

In continuing my trip logistics over the past week, my main accomplishment was arranging the dates I will be meeting up with my brother Matt in Idaho and riding to the Canadian border with him. We decided to change the route and ride the Idaho back-country instead of Wyoming and Montana. This suits me just fine, as Matt has lived in Idaho many years, and having flown a helicopter over most of the state during that time, he is certainly familiar with where the "good" roads are.

I've decided to try and maintain the current route on the map for the ride home - down through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, then Utah.  The route in Utah should be very cool with mostly dirt roads and very scenic remote areas. I can't wait to get out there, shoot some nice video, snap some nice pictures, and share with everyone at home and those following along via the site. 

I wonder what thoughts are going to roll around my head while riding alone for most of the trip...?  I'm ready to see if I make it to Alaska and back in one piece.

And in donation news, we are doing great with just over $2,600 for Susan G. Komen Foundation.  But... the Komen foundation updated their website over the weekend and my donation page does not reflect the dollar amount nor the names of my supporters. I will be spending tomorrow working that kink out and trying to get the info back up and our progress meter in correct and working order.

New News

Last Monday marked the last treatment in the first round of chemo for Kris. Now she gets a bit of a break until the first of June, when it is back to fighting once a week. I have been going to visit her on my days off from work during the weeks she has had chemo, and last week was the first time I went with her to a treatment and watched it all happen. I must say the whole experience was something I would never wish for anyone, but it was amazing to see how the nurses kept such a positive attitude. They all did such a great job of keeping things “light”, and were so friendly and cheerful. It was an amazing place, and yet at the same time, it was a very difficult place to understand.

With the end of May practically upon us, I find myself running out of time. I continue trying to get the logistics straight – trying to touch base with all of the people I plan on meeting up with, trying to finalize my route, etc. Which leads me to a question… who out there can help me along the way? There are definitely areas of the country and especially of Canada with which I am not very familiar, and could use any info you have to share. I am also in need of some help as far as places to stay. Even if you are not in the direct path according to my route, if you know of a good, safe spot to stop and rest, please let me know. At this point, my route still isn’t set in stone, so if you have advice or know which direction to point me, please do!

Please know how much everything is appreciated… I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the support and donations. I am so happy and proud of the donations we have raised thus far and I know the funds will help in finding a cure. They have to.

More to come from ATL. I just can’t wait for the Arctic part.

Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, but you will always find good people. Just be patient...

Monday, Monday...

So lots of excitement over the past week... a plug on Creative Loafing's website (check it out here), and an interview with a local TV station. However... you'll have to stay tuned to get more details on that!

This press has added an increased ability to spread awareness for my breast cancer charity in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen foundation. This whole project has been a hugely positive force for my sister during her fight. She has very much enjoyed the short comments that friends and family have been able to leave for us, and the site is becoming a great communication tool. Please know how much your comments are welcomed and appreciated!

Over the past week, I've been really contemplating the return trip. The focus has been on getting to Alaska and the Arctic Circle, yet as I got to thinking, I've decided that if I'm going to be that far North, I might as well take it all the way to Prudhoe Bay - the end of the Dalton Highway. I'm realizing that at that point, the trip will only be half way over. I will have to turn around and ride home to Georgia, and that is going to likely be the hardest part of the trip physically.

There are so many questions bouncing around in my head... Will I reach my goal of $5,000 in donations for Komen? Will I successfully spread awareness for all those who have gone through such an ordeal as breast cancer? Will I make it there and back? Just a few of the things to consider as we continue to get ready for this journey.

Monday marks the last of the first treatments in a round of very harsh chemo my sister has to go through. She gets a few weeks "off", then it's back at the fight to restore herself to a cancer-free life. I'm headed to her house Tuesday and Wednesday to help out and hopefully make her laugh as much as possible.

We all need help sometimes. It never hurts to ask for it, and it never hurts to offer it up...

Photo courtesy of Brady Stribling

My Purpose.

More and more friends and family are sharing our story, and we're getting more and more visits to the site! My whole intent in keeping the blog is to provide a "bright spot" in Kris's days. Yes, of course, her five little bundles of joy provide plenty of excitement, laughs, and happiness, but I'm hoping this site will give her yet another outlet as she follows my journey while going through her own.

As I ride to Alaska, I will write along the way - sharing pictures with my sister and family, but also my readers. I sincerely hope my adventure will keep people coming back to the site to check up on both of our progress, and with that, raising awareness of breast cancer education and raising money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. My wish is that Kris's and my story will inspire others who are going through similar situations and inspire the people they love.

Kris is doing well, and is continuing her first round of chemo. There is plenty of buzz around the house as the kids are winding down the last two weeks of school. Everyone is ready for summer vacation and all of the activities that come with it.

Once again, thanks for the support and donations thus far. We are well on the way to supporting the cause and reaching our goal.

Two's Company, Three's a Charm!

So I got some great news today... for two sections of the trip, I will have some company!

For the stretch from Swan Valley, ID to the Canadian border, Kris's and my oldest brother Matt will be joining me.  Matt lives in Idaho and has been a helicopter pilot for 20 years.  In the summers, he flies a fire helicopter for the US Goverment fighting wildfires, and in the winter he performs air rescue with Portneuf Life Flight in Pocatello, ID.  Here's a pic of Matt in action:

Matt has ridden motorcycles most of his life, and will be renting an adventure bike for this ride with me.  I'm looking very forward to seeing Matt and his very cool wife Alicia.

Equally as exciting, our first cousin Kevin is flying to Alaska, renting a motorcycle (a BMW GS like mine), and meeting me in Fairbanks, AK for the homestretch of the journey.  I am really stoked to have someone there with me to share this incredible achievement, and possibly even more excited I won't be riding the Dalton highway by my lonesome... it is one of the most remote areas of North America.

Here's a pic of Kevin with one of his hooligan toys:

Kevin and his wife Jenny are avid Ducati fans, but he is willing to "rough it" on a non-Italian sport bike for a few hundred miles.  After all, it is in the name of charity, right? 

Kevin knows first-hand the rigors of cancer, as his father (Kris's and my uncle) lost his battle with colon cancer over twenty years ago.  In some ways, making it to the Arctic Circle will also be a tribute to Uncle Mike's legacy.

IN OTHER NEWS... the first box of "Long-Distance-Adventure-Touring" bits and pieces arrived today.  Just a few items from TouraTech to carry spare fuel, oil, and drinking water.  Here's Broccoli and me with the loot:

                                   

That's the excitement for Monday here in the ATL.  Stay tuned... more big news coming soon!

Thought of the day...

More Preparations...

So our site is officially live and word is spreading thanks to family and friends.  I can't tell everyone how much the support, encouragement, and advice is appreciated!

As the plans continue to come together and the trip gets closer and closer, I'll admit that I've been feeling a little anxious over the adventure I have ahead of me... But any doubt I may have had in the back of my mind was washed away when Kris saw the site "live" for the first time and I could literally hear the excitement in her voice.  What started as a crazy idea is now a concrete plan and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what I'm supposed to do.  Now I'm anxious just to get started.

The few pieces of gear that I needed have been ordered and are on the way.  Here are some pics of the bike as of today:

You can see I removed the rear seat, as I have a new HappyTrails top box coming.  Also, two new boxes of various small parts from TouraTech are en route.

Next will be hard-mounting the GPS, getting some final bits and pieces from Blue Moon Cycle, and changing my windscreen.

Keep the comments, suggestions, and advice coming!