Dudley and Jennifer's 10,000 Mile Journey Blog

[Dudley]

Well, the kids are settled in Tucson for their vacation, we're back home getting things together, Spyder is shining, the skies are cloudless, it's a perfect day! The Spyder has new oil, the tires are with proper air, no noticeable leaks anywhere, the coolant is to the full mark, I have a few tools for what I hope is not needed, and we are as jittery as all heck! We will be glad to get this rolling tomorrow morning (6-21) to see if we can complete the journey. We plan on daily postings unless we can't get WiFi at a motel. The pictures will be in our Journey album (Dudley and Jennifer's 10,000 Mile Journey) with captions to help everyone know a little about the pictures.
We wish all of you going to LA a safe and fun-filled trip. We will be checking SpyderLovers daily to check on everyone's LA Blog and enjoy your trip as we do ours.
We hope to complete our Journey, but if something prevents us from doing so, we will have tried. God Bless all of you and always remember to Ryde Safe.

[Dudley]

We plan on getting to Tucson, AZ about noon on 6-21. So far we have one contact from the area. If anyone else would like to sign our banner and have picture taken, please message us or post here. We hope to sleep in Willcox, AZ tomorrow night.

[glynnk]

Hope you guys have a safe start. Look forward to seeing you folks when you get to the Houston area. Suggest taking the Fry Road exit off of I-10. Take a right onto Fry Road heading south. Wendy's down a short distance on your left. I'm not in that area that much and for some reason that's the only place I can think of to meet. So give me a call on my cell (281-686-5433) when you think you might arrive and I'll try and be there. I teach a class from 2:45 to 4:50 on MTWTH, but I may let them go early when you know your arrival schedule.

Glynn K.

[Tom in NM]

Dudley, it would help knowing your route and if you used States when you mention a town.
Probably too late to catch you in NM, I am in the Albuquerque area.

Tom

[Dudley]

Dudley, it would help knowing your route and if you used States when you mention a town.
Probably too late to catch you in NM, I am in the Albuquerque area.

Tom

Thanks. I tend to take too much for granted sometimes. Forget that not everyone knows the places I know. The one day delay kind of put a little set-back on our start, but was necessary to help the kids. Son-in-Law is a junior soldier, so money is very tight. We had hoped to pass near Albuquerque, but now we will just go I-10 East until Houston, TX. Only one date that has to be met is the 27th of June (in Lake Arthur, LA) for a Family Reunion, so I rather be there a day or so early than get there late. Thank you for inquiring. Hope to meet one day on another ride. We hope to be riding through Las Cruces, NM near noon on Monday, 6-22 (I-10) East.

[jimclarkf1]

I know your excitied, and I live in Omaha Ne, if you come N up I-29, we have a extra bed, shower and some grub, and its all clean not sure if it is out of your way, take care and GOD BLESS

[Lamonster]

Get some sleep Bro

[bone crusher]

Get some sleep Bro

[Desert Spyder]

God speed Dudley and Jen.

[Dudley]

Get some sleep Bro

Sleep??????

[igor]

[Roaddog2]

Be safe-hope to see you in CT.....

[Dudley]

Get some sleep Bro

We went to bed about 930 PM and both slept like babies. It is now 510 AM, having coffee and toast. Our leaving time is 700 AM. We will be traveling I-8 East to I-10, to Tucson, AZ by about 1 PM. Our plans are to stay on I-10 East until Houston, TX, then I-45 South to Galveston, TX where we will ferry to Bolivar and on to Louisiana coastal road to Kaplan, LA. Tonight we still plan on our first night in Willcox, AZ or Lordsburg, NM. Our cell # for the trip is 520-400-1671. We hope, throughout this journey, to have as many people as we can, sign our banner and take pictures. I can't answer while riding, but leave a message and I will return your call when we stop.

[dryheat]

Heard from Dudley this AM and plan on meeting at Starbucks (SW corner of Ina and Oracle) between 12 and 1PM. Anyone around, come on by!

[dryheat]

Well, Dudley and Jennifer made the 1st leg of their 10K adventure. And a balmy 97 degrees to greet them! (At least it's not raining!) Happy trails, guys and be safe.

[Smylinacha]

See you soon!

[Dudley]

We rode about 450 miles today. Spent some time with the kids in Tucson, AZ, met dryheat (Jim) in Tucson and had the banner signed and picture taken. Not too much to report. Ambient temperature reached 103F. Spyder was at 4 bars with that temperature on I-10. Met a couple at Texas Canyon (about 30 miles west of Willcox, AZ). They both had dressed Harleys. We are sleeping in Willcox, AZ tonight. Tomorrow, 6-22, we will remain on I-10 going east and probably sleep in Ft Stockton, TX.

[Dudley]

We FINALLY started on the journey; enough talk over the last few months to drive one crazy. It was 64 degrees when we left home in Jacumba, CA at 7 AM and the rest of the day was 95-100 degrees. Met one rider/signer in Tucson ( thanks Jim ); very interesting to actually meet someone who is just a name on the computer.
From there we had lunch with our daughter and her family and in-laws. Left Tucson at 5 PM but only went as far as Willcox, AZ; the desert heat is very draining. Met a couple of Harley riders and landed up spending the evening and hotel area with them. Think we are all heading out at the same time today.
Lots of interested looks as we stopped to tank up. The questions were normal but people seemed to have a genuine interest. Sharon if you read this we even ran into your neighbor Rick in Gila Bend. Will see what today brings; other than heat and glaring sun.

[Dudley]

Today was just long and hard on the body. Before we left Willcox, AZ we went to the museum area and took a few pictures. The day didn't take long to really get hot. By the time we got to Las Cruces, NM it was 100F, but felt a lot hotter. As we approached El Paso, Tx the rain clouds started to look more and more threatening. But as we traveled, with rain on all sides, where ever the road went, the clouds parted...not one drop. We had planned on sleeping in Ft Stockton, but the heat took a toll on us and we are staying in Van Horne, TX. Total mileage driven today was only 375, but i felt like 500. A few minutes ago we heard a few loud thunders and it rained a little, but we are nice and dry. We have posted the pictures taken today in our album. No special plans for tomorrow, just want to put on better mileage than today. We will continue traveling I-10 east and hope to reach San Antonio, TX in good time.

[Dudley]

Well, we'll be leaving Van Horne, Tx in a bit. Weather is clear and hope it stays that way. Don't know what we will see today, as we are following I-10 east until the San Antonio, TX area by this evening.

[orangespydiegirl]

Thanks for sharing, it's great to live the advanture with both of you. Be Safe

[hawkiii]

Sounds like things are going pretty well. Best wishes for the rest of your trip. Ride safe and have fun.

[Tom in NM]

I really like that shot of Las Cruces, NM from the rest stop. Sorry it didn't work out so we could meet there.

I have driven that stretch from Las Cruces to Houston TX at least 50 times, back and forth. I know it is not everyones idea of a great drive, but I love it.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

This is your first long ride with the Royal Purple Oil, have you noticed any difference?

"Carry on!"

Tom

[Trickie Dick]

Hope you are having a great time. I thinks it's great you are taking your time. Those guys going west to LA doing 12-18 hour days are nuts. Not my idea of a good time.
Ride safe and enjoy
Dick

[Dudley]

We left Van Horne, TX about 8 AM and stopped at Ft Stockton to see the old fort area and some parts of the "Old Town". The ride started with a temperature of 83F, but buy mid afternoon it had reached 103F. We are keeping tanked up with Gatorade and water. I can tell you for sure, that stuff works for us! Doc and Ruth left us at Kerrville, TX to go their route. We just might have a couple of future Spyder Ryders from them two. Dropped off to see The Alamo in DOWNTOWN San Antonio, TX! Progress has swallowed it!. It is surrounded with tall buildings, etc. Tomorrow we will continue on I-10 East to Houston, where we will meet glynnk for banner signning and a short visit. After meeting him we are going to travel Tx 6 south to Galveston, TX where we will cross the ferry to the Bolivar Peninsula and on to Winnie, TX. There we will make a decision to stop or go on to Louisiana...we'll probably stop.