The DRZ Chronicles

 Today pretty much sucked. Not really up to long rides yet.

 Well, like my buddy Al tell's me: "Stop fatbacking!" Leaving West Virginia in the morning and heading for Renfro Valley KOA, near Mt. Vernon, KY. Not sure if I can actually ride that far, but guess I will find out. Feeling a bit sore. Gave the bike a better inspection yesterday. Little bending on the side bag mounts but nothing serious. Right side bag is dented. Don't see any problems with the sub-frame or the swing arm. DR isn't even mad at me! What a bike!

 Getting t-boned is never good. Wasn't good today either, but could have been much worse. Tusk cases are really tough. DR is really tough. I'm not so tough. Think I am going to make my way to St. Louis for some R and R.

 Some views of the Cheat River valley from an overlook in Cooper's Rock State Forest

 US 50 starting at Grafton, WV and heading east to Shower Bath Road, head north to Tunnelton Road, to Kingwood, WV for a cup of coffee. Good roads. Cheat River from WV 26 bridge Coopers Rock Forest Ride Link in Rever

 Site #16 at McCollum Campground. Very nice. Arrived here this afternoon. Staying for 2 days. There is a road nearby that I want to ride.

 After a nice, brisk ride from Vernon Twp., NJ, I have landed at the Williamsport, Pennsylvania KOA for 2 days. Very nice campground with unique covered tent sites available. Nicest tent site ever😁 Clear and sunny, 57 degrees, getting down to 44 tonight. Wind was crazy riding through the beautiful Pocono mountains but has calmed down now. For my railroad buddies that have wondered where all those Vic seals come from: Eastern Pennsylvania, not too far from the New Jersey state line

 I left the campground in Connecticut at 0800. I pulled onto the highway, hit second gear and the sky opened up. Got to Vernon Twp., NJ at 13:30. Lady had a room so let me check in early. I am soaked and very cold. BUT! New Jersey was the last eastern state I had not been to on a motorcycle. Have to decide what to do from here. Still need to visit Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota before heading towards Nebraska. Had planned on going to the Upper Peninsula but that will depend on the weather. Some New York humor:

 Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut today. New Jersey tomorrow.  I need a beer before pitching the tent...

 Two nights in Durham KOA waiting to get the bike serviced at Street Cycles. All work completed today. Tomorrow, departing for Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Hoping the rain holds of for the trip.

 

 At Fisherman's Wharf restaurant in Lubeck. Had to try their fresh sardines. Delicious!

 Lubec, Maine. Camping at Sunset Point Campground. This place is beautiful. The lighthouse is the first place in the US the sun rises on in the morning.  Here 3 days. I am going to have a hell of a ride to Falmouth Tuesday morning to get the bike serviced.

 Here for 2 days. Will ride around Acadia National Forest. Then, it will be off to Lubeck, ME. Hip, ribs and shoulder still not doing too great from crash in Pennsylvania. Have full range of motion but joints are painful when I lay down. Getting better, but slowly. Daily riding and sleeping on the ground probably not helping.

Finally hot a New Hampshire sign...  

 It is raining and expected to rain until Thursday. So, I will get wet on my ride to Maine tomorrow. Part of the game. New Hampshire has been great. Interesting to think that Lubec, Maine will be my turn-around point for the trip, but that is still several days away. I have covered over 12,000 miles since departing Missouri in June. Lot of distance and a lot more to go. 

 The road is pretty nuts. Road rises about 4,800 feet in 7 miles. Average grade is 12%. I noticed two switchbacks. Its pretty much straight up (and down!). Weather was nuts, raining, leaves on road, lots of wind. DR and I were in our element.