Dudley and Jennifer's 10,000 Mile Journey Blog

[Desert Spyder]

What was wrong with the tire Dudley? How many miles on it?

[Dudley]

Today started out leisurely enough. Sun was out shining and Don was waiting for us. After breakfast we rode over to Easton, MA to get the tire taken care of at Don's dealership; I know he and Dudley posted about that. Got the dealer and his wife to sign-very nice people.
Off we go to Plymouth to see the boat and rock. Boat was a replica but still, think of those tight quarters with others and being sea sick and tired and.....The rock is a rock, I wonder if it's really THE rock? Beautiful around the water: the colors, the smells and the sounds. Food was good too. Ate ALL of the fish on my plate. Could have shared with Dudley but he is not big on fish and I couldn't take it with me and I don't like to waste things, so, I ate it ALL and enjoyed every bite!
After leaving Don, THANK you so much for being our guide! we headed off. Can't really say where we are going, just that we head in that general direction. Don't like night driving, super scary. Lots of trees, traffic and sun.
Met up with Tatt2er (Jamie) who came to find us at the NH welcome center and escorted us to a hotel. Then we went to his tattoo parlor for coffee and a general look around. Oh, and banner signing. Sorry we missed Dee, but sure understand some of what is occupying her mind right now. Hope to catch her on our way back from Nova Scotia. Loved Jamie, kind of like Lamont to me; big teddy bears.
Great day and I hope we continue to bring sunshine wherever we go.
To son Aaron, sorry I totally forgot we hadn't put the D.C. pictures up due to no WIFI.....will try to make an album just for them, time pressures mainly. Put some in the general trip album. LOVE you so much. Be safe.

[vt228]

Glad you two got there ok we are all family and always well be .
I wanted to go with you two but have to do stain glass for a 46 x 46 window for a new home .
hope to see you soon if you need my help call I'll come with trailer for a friend anytime Don VT 228

[tatt2r]

great visit with two awesome people hope you can stop by on your way back,,,

[Dudley]

What was wrong with the tire Dudley? How many miles on it?

Had almost 17,000 miles and could have ridden many more if we had been in our home area. But, since we are far away we didn't want to push things-cheaper and safer to have it done now.

[DynamoBT]

Dudley posted the previous post from my computer as he and Jennifer sat having coffee with Ron (my husband) and me. What nice people they are!!!

Wow, we sat and had a relaxed chat about lots and lots of stuff. Talked the morning away. I escorted them out to Rt 95 North at around 12:30pm. So they are on their way. Doubt they will make the border in New Brunswick today as Maine is lo o o o ong going north.

Signed the banner including pictures taken before we set off. I really can't get over what these two are doing in making this trip!! Kudos to them. They have such a relaxed laid back attitude about traveling. Ryde till they are tired then find someplace to stay. No GPS, no planned stops at night or even knowing where the gas stations will be. AMAZING!!!!!

I wish them well the rest of their trip. As I told them, "It's a trip of a lifetime!". I congratulate their adventurous spirit!!!

[vt228]

like the wagons train going cross country . west coast to east coast and back stop when they want to stop sleep when they need to rest .they meet people from all across the United States .
they love people and love the hug she gives everyone she meets no one no's where they well pop up till the next reading. on the web. you must let us no when you are going to come bye and we can ryde with you till you get to RI ...
your friends Sue & Don vt228

[Dudley]

Today was kinda short...just a bit over 200 miles, but it was nice traveling. The visit with DynamoBT and her husband was really enjoyable. Got to see her Avatar dog...he's a dog show prize winner! Had a great cup of coffee and talked and laughed for what felt like a short time, but I guess it was longer than that. I have no idea what time we got there or when we left. She showed us a new addition to their house. WOW! The wood decor is awesome!
We are in Bangor, ME at the Ramada Inn (very nice! flat screen TV, even). Not too many pictures today. Could have taken a bunch, but would have been just different trees. Lotta green here!

[Dudley]

Now in Bangor, ME at Ramada Inn. Next to airport where son flies in/out of on returns from deployment. King bed, even a jacuzzi in the room-and at a great price although they don't offer breakfast! Subway meatball mariana for supper. Could use a few links of boudin and some cracklins about now too.
Short day this was. Met up with DynamoBT (Marilyn) and her husband Ron. Lovely couple living in the country with there dogs and peaceful setting. Enjoyed chatting away with them. Not sure how much time people have to give to us, we can chat the day away most times; no rush getting anywhere. Still, after banner signing we departed. Didn't get far. No rain, just overcast and not quite gloomy but not real sunshiny and cheerful. Very tiring doing the moose watching duty too! Hope to catch up on the internet and actually get to bed before midnight; it's been a while since that happened.
Thanks to all who give us the pleasure of their time and spaces. Interesting meeting all and putting faces to the names.

[Dudley]

Woke up this morning with a smooth cover over the sky, aka fog, but it doesn't seem to be ground level. Weather says scattered showers in afternoon, so we will see. We will travel north on I-95 until we get into New Brunswick, CA, then travel Canadian I-2 to Nova Scotia. Looking forward to NB and NS because that's where our ancestors, the Arcadians (Cajuns) came from.

[NancysToy]

Today was kinda short...just a bit over 200 miles, but it was nice traveling. The visit with DynamoBT and her husband was really enjoyable. Got to see her Avatar dog...he's a dog show prize winner! Had a great cup of coffee and talked and laughed for what felt like a short time, but I guess it was longer than that. I have no idea what time we got there or when we left. She showed us a new addition to their house. WOW! The wood decor is awesome!
We are in Bangor, ME at the Ramada Inn (very nice! flat screen TV, even). Not too many pictures today. Could have taken a bunch, but would have been just different trees. Lotta green here!

Jennifer, we have to get you your own screen name! I have to reard halfway through your delightful posts to see what the writing style is like, to know who's talking. C'mon, you've certainly earned a place of your own here on SpyderLovers. We know you are one. How about a handle just for you?
-Scotty

[bjt]

Woke up this morning with a smooth cover over the sky, aka fog, but it doesn't seem to be ground level. Weather says scattered showers in afternoon, so we will see. We will travel north on I-95 until we get into New Brunswick, CA, then travel Canadian I-2 to Nova Scotia. Looking forward to NB and NS because that's where our ancestors, the Arcadians (Cajuns) came from.

Time to break out the Canadian Provinces Visited map and add that to your sig line.

[bjt]

Jennifer, we have to get you your own screen name! I have to read halfway through your delightful posts to see what the writing style is like, to know who's talking. C'mon, you've certainly earned a place of your own here on SpyderLovers. We know you are one. How about a handle just for you?
-Scotty

[vt228]

need your own title so we can say hi ladyblue hows dudley doing lol hope all is well had a great time with you 2 and the ryde was great short but good lol Don ....VT228

[Roaddog2]

Jennifer, we have to get you your own screen name! I have to reard halfway through your delightful posts to see what the writing style is like, to know who's talking. C'mon, you've certainly earned a place of your own here on SpyderLovers. We know you are one. How about a handle just for you?
-Scotty

[Smylinacha]

Hey you working tonight?

[Dudley]

Once again we have evaded (or it has evaded us) the rain. We left Bangor, ME about 11 AM after going to Walmart for some munches for our son in Iraq and the USPS to mail it. The day remained foggy overcast the whole time from Bangor to Fredericton, NB except for a couple of tease breaks of sunshine. Several miles out of Fredericton the fog really got moist...collected on the windshield...but this is not a complaint...it DID NOT rain! So tonight we are in Fredericton. The passage through the border checkpoint was smooth...we had our passport card and answered a few questions about the Spyder and we were on our way. The road from Bangor to here is one really loooooong, dreary, drab piece of slab! Saw a number of Moose signs, but, alas, no mooses (I know, moose)! Tomorrow will be Nova Scotia. I think we will forgo Newfoundland...would be a bit over $300 just to say we did it. That's a lot of gas for the Spyder so we can do many other things with that money.

[Smylinacha]

Sounds like you guys are doing just fine! Hope you get to see a moose!

[Kjen]

This is Jennifer. Seems there is a problem distinguishing me from Dudley; come on, I have longer hair, geesh.
Speaking of hair, Dudley has a no-doo rag to protect his helmet, no hair needs a no-doo and I have a pink one and a black/white one in case someone sees us and can't tell us apart.

Woke up to overcast sky (Bangor, ME) and we had coffee and I had a mint in my pocket. This hotel had internet but no breakfast, so....no food. We went to Walmart then the post office to mail the stuff bought at Walmart to Iraq because poor Aaron is hungry (he must get that from me).

Finally on the road around 11 AM headed down/up I-95 toward the CA border. I know trees and such are precious things, but man, seems there is no end. As soon as there is a clearing on the sides to be able to look and see something else, wouldn't you know it, there are MORE trees! These look like different types of pine or spruce or some such. Misty in the hills and damp. No rain, just kind of moist; least I don't need to worry about my face drying out. A few moose signs, but no sighting although we were looking-would have been kind of cool to see at a distance.

Got to the New Brunswick border around 1:30 with no trouble. Real nice young man asked us the usual do you have.....questions then wished us well and sent us on our way. Stopped at the first rest/welcome area just a few miles from the border and I'll be darn if we didn't lose another hour, now it was 2:45 and we hadn't done much. Made it a few miles in the mist and gloom (honestly the sun did shine for a few seconds in a few spots) until we made it to Fredricton, NB. Mind you we were wearing our windstopper jackets plus our leather jackets and I saw people walking in shorts and tank tops-what's with them? Even saw swimmers in Maine, brrrr. Having been in the desert for the past 20 years I am very spoiled; could use a random hot flash now and again while riding to help warm up.

Took a walk after putting our stuff in the hotel (prices are funny here) so we could see what there was to eat. Dudley wasn't hungry; I guess the few mints and the handful of Nutter Butter bites worked for him. Saw lots of eating places but we settled on the grocery store and landed in the frozen foods. We go all the way to New Brunswick to eat TV dinners. Have to admit they were good. I have noticed when truly hungry everything taste good and these sure did. Sitting having coffee after shower and eating. Oh and talked to son Aaron again. Still no rain so tomorrow will be another adventure. Thanks for listening, this seems very disjointed tonight. Later.

[NancysToy]

This is Jennifer. Seems there is a problem distinguishing me from Dudley; come on, I have longer hair, geesh.......

First, how about an official welcome Hated to shame you into this, and yes, we were actually able to distinguish between the two of you, but you are one of us now, and deserved to be recognized. Your posts are delightful. BTW, anybody's hair is longer than Dudley's!

......I know trees and such are precious things, but man, seems there is no end. As soon as there is a clearing on the sides to be able to look and see something else, wouldn't you know it, there are MORE trees!.....

Don't have many of those there in the desert, do you? Got a kick out of this. I feel the same way when I drive through the plains or desert...somebody stole all the trees! I suppose they are boring, but they make for a tranquil view. BTW, we are a bit short on cacti up here, so it all evens out.

......Mind you we were wearing our windstopper jackets plus our leather jackets and I saw people walking in shorts and tank tops-what's with them? Even saw swimmers in Maine, brrrr. Having been in the desert for the past 20 years I am very spoiled; could use a random hot flash now and again while riding to help warm up.

I couldn't top that if I tried for a year. I'll quit while you're ahead.

Again, Welcome Jennifer. Looking forward to meeting you both in person real soon.
-Scotty

[Smylinacha]

Jennifer - you can have all my hot flashes! I get by on about 3 to 4 hours of sleep - night sweats - sick of them - you can have them!

And I'm growing my hair like yours!

[ataDude]

Jennifer and Dudley... tell your son "Thanks" for me, would you!

Keep up the posts. This sounds like something I could do... no schedule... no long days... just ride and have fun!

Have fun.

[Big Arm]

welcome

[Kjen]

Woke to fairly dense fog; least guessing since it's not something I am that familiar with; should burn off. Ate breakfast and thinking of packing up. Maybe once we clear the trees it will have burned off enough to see something different. Heard tell there is rain in the near future. We have had a few spyder comments while eating breakfast. Breakfast was boiled egg, cinnamon scones and coffee. Will see what the day brings.

[Desert Spyder]

Don't get in too much of a hurry for that desert weather Jen. Yesterday it was 115 in Barstow. Spyder temp showed 120 in the shade. Nonetheless, Joy & I went with my motorcycle club (American Cruisers) to dinner in Apple Valley and met up with some other Spyder buds. I made sure I hydrated myself real good before leaving home. And here's a tip to my Spyderlover buds: DO NOT TRAVEL ACROSS THE DESERT IN SHORT SLEEVES. You will dehydrate yourself too quickly. Fortunately, I follow my own advise. I also bring a quart of ice water with me in the trunk. Needed to throw the dog out first though.