The bike is now fully packed, and I leave tomorrow morning early. As you can see from the picture, I have two packs strapped to the back seat - those contain my camping gear and other essentials for when each day is done. The saddlebags contain my clothes on one side and all necessities for the bike on the other side. The top box contains bags for my electronics, a small backpack for my photography gear and other essentials that I'll need when we stop along the w...

With the help of my 9-year-old son, I made a map of my route with pics we borrowed from the Internet. This will be hung in my boys' bedroom, so that my kids can follow along as I call them from the road, and we can update it with my own pics when I get back.

Practicing setting up and tearing down camp.. No other way to make sure I can do it at the end of long days riding with weary body and tired mind. Using a two-person tent so I have room to store my baggage with me for security. Making one bag of tent essentials too - insect repellents, tent lights, etc. Takes about 15 minutes to set up, and the same to tear down and pack.

Sixteen days until I leave on my cross-country motorcycle trip. I'm trying out this app to keep a travel journal and post pictures and video along the way, assuming I have the time, energy and desire to do so. I have all of my prep done except for fine tuning my packing and getting my bike serviced and a fresh set of tires installed. I'm getting excited and yet it all still seems so unreal.. It won't be real until the miles are clicking by...