Go on a motorcycle trip

My first motorcycle trip ever. My first year having my motorcycle license. I went solo, the trip 552 miles total round trip riding my sportbike. Not the most comfortable. But overall definitely a great, memorable experience. Next time, I want to plan out a longer distance trip.

While on my trip I learned of an island in the Atlantic off the coast of Georgia that has wild horses on it. One can take a ferry to the island and camp there. No motor vehilces allowed. Cool, huh?

So, my brother and I planned to take the trip to Key West in January. We were having trouble finding a trailer to rent that could hold two 750 pound motorcycles. I was told the best thing to do would be to buy a trailer for $1000 and sell it after the trip. While we were considering our options my brother said “How about if we rent a convertible for the trip instead of riding?” I said “OK.” So, that’s what we did.

Saturday, drove 1400 miles in 21 and a half hours from Chicago to Naples Florida.

Sunday, I saw a dolphin in the ocean and hung out at the pool and spent the first night in Naples. I saw cool art galleries in Naples.

Monday was spent on an Indian Reservation in the middle of the Everglades. Saw the Seminole Indian Museum, a cool snake show, and alligators. Went through the swamp on an airboat and a swamp buggy. Stayed that night in a cabin.

Tuesday, drove through the everglades, saw alligators in the wild while, en route to Key Largo. Spent the night in Key Largo.

Wednesday, snorkeled in Key Largo. After I snorkeled for about 20 minutes I decided to start vomiting. I snorkeled a short time longer then vomited more. At this point I decided to go back and vomit off the back of the boat. I had forgottten that I get sea sick. Drove to Key West. Walked around Key West, went inside several art galleries, and saw the best art I’ve ever seen in my life. Listened to live music.

Thursday, walked around Key West purchasing souvenirs. Drove to Daytona Beach. Spent night.

Friday, had lunch with my buddy Oscar and his wife Sarah. Oscar and I were paratroopers and best friends while we were in the 82nd Airborne Division. After we got out of the military I was Oscar’s best man in his wedding to Sarah. I met Oscar and Sarah’s daughters Abigail and Emily. I hadn’t seen Oscar in almost five years. The two hours I spent with old friends was the best part of my trip. After leaving Oscar’s house in Georgia we drove 1000 miles back to Chicago. The trip ended at 5am.

Last Saturday my brother purchased a 1996 Honda ST1100. It’s a nice bike with only 8,000 miles on it. Finally, my brother and I both have fast bikes. We are going to have so much fun.

The last trip I took with my brother was down to the Smokey Mountains in the summer of 2005. We were riding along ‘The Dragon’, a well known road to motorcyclists, when we came across a dead motorcyclist. It kind of ruined the trip. Hopefully, we won’t come across any dead people this time.

I didn’t get to go on a trip this summer. So, yesterday I asked my brother if he would be interested in riding to Key West this winter. I said ‘we could trailer the bikes to Georgia and ride south from there.’ He said it sounds like a good plan to him. I will have to see if I could take about 10 days off of work at Christmas time now.