Gearing Up

I know lots of folks want to know what we are packing and how we are packing it!  During our trip last summer to the Smokies we found out that the two saddle bags on the Wing just did not have enough space for everything if we planned on camping, so now we have the trailer.

This is what we've decided to pack so far in the trailer:
3-person tent (Eureka 3 season) with ground cover and stake mallet
2 sleeping bags, 2 twin air mattresses and rechargeable pump.
2 small 'packable' pillows in stuff sacks
2 camp chairs
flashlight, bug spray, extra clothing and shoes
1 plastic box containing eating and cooking utensils and supplies

Coleman 9940-A55 Roadtrip Party Grill (has a carry bag) and a propane bottle

collapsible bucket and handi-wipes and small dish soap bottle

In the saddle bags up front we have our clothing and toiletries, rain gear, first aid kit, tools and fix-a-flat, paper maps, assorted electronics and charging cords.

The trailer has a nice mount for a small cooler in which we can pack drinks, water, and a small amount of food.  We are not planning on doing a lot cooking.

Planning the Big Trip

About ten years ago my husband purchased a Honda Magna and persuaded me to take a ride on the back, and we've been riding together ever since.  In 2010 we took our Honda Valkyrie on a trailer to Colorado to tour the Pike's Peak area, Yellowstone National Park, and then the Mount Rushmore area in South Dakota. Last summer we decided to try a long distance trip from our home in central Pennsylvania all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee on our Honda Goldwing.  All went well, so now it's time for cross country, Pennsylvania to Seattle, Washington.

     For the last few months we've been in the planning stages.  Kerry purchased a used utility trailer and put a hitch on the Wing.  We tried out our new 'rig' by taking a trip to Skyline Drive in Virginia for a long weekend in May and the bike and trailer performed perfectly.  We even tried out our new tent and stayed overnight at the Big Meadows campground.  We had rain all the way down, which gave us a chance to try out some new riding gear, but the next two days were beautiful and we had a very nice trip with perfect weather.

We planned a basic route to go across PA on Route 80 into Ohio, then north through Michigan to the upper peninsula to intersect route 2.
Continuing on Route 2 until arriving at Glacier National Park.
After a few days at Glacier, continue west on Route 2, then take a more northern route across Washington to Seattle. (Still working on the route back home).

Adjusting the Go-Pro Camera on the trailer

2007 Goldwing 1800 GL with trailer