I suppose eventually we will get to South Africa. I am thinking of these other issues that lead up to my state of mind that gave me the courage to go to South Africa. I have a cousin Deborah who has travelled the world quite extensively. In 2012 the submarine I was on, the USS Bergall, was going to have a reunion in Norfolk. I thought it would be cool to ride my motorcycle up to Norfolk, spend a week at the reunion and Submarine Veterans Convention, then take a week riding home via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As I was planning this trip, I was hemming and hawing because I must admit I was afraid of failing. In February of 2011 I had a non cancerous Worthin's tumor removed from a salivary gland in my neck. Through the rest of 2011 and 2012 I was afraid to take risks, that something bad would happen. For the motorcycle ride I was afraid that I did not have the stamina, that camping would be uncomfortable, flying would be easier. The kind of stuff that takes a hold of you preventing you from getting out of your comfort zone.

I spoke to Debbie and told her of my plan. She was very supportive, actually beyond supportive. I decided to do a ride from home around lake Okeechobee and back in one day, about 350 miles. It would be practice for a long day on the bike. In my planning most of the days were between 250 to 300 miles so I figured if I could do Okeechobee I could do the full trip to Norfolk and back.


This is the outbound route

The route home

This is Mr. Happy Puppet. This is sold by Aerostich an adventure motorcycle equipment company.

Just North of Yeehaw Junction

The Heartbreak Hotel has nothing to do with Elvis. The owner was an Elvis fan.






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