HipMF Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Okay, not really, but I always wanted to start a thread with that title.Not sure where to begin this story, because it's been a long time in the making. Basically, my life has gotten to a point where I've been stuck in the same rut for far too long. I've always suffered from anxiety and depression, but the past 5 years or so has been particularily hard on me. I've lost touch with some good friends, been through a crap-tastic relationship. My job was boring me to death, and being on 2nd shift has a way of sucking the life out of me. The time that I've spent hanging out at the shop has helped get me going again, so I decided to follow one of my old dreams. I quit my job, put the car back together, packed everything I own into a storage unit, and hit the road. I'm planning to end up in Colorado, to surf an old friends couch for a while, but right now I'm in Kentucky on my way to Deals Gap (tail of the dragon).I've got the e21 loaded with gear and I'm going from one campground to the next. I would have posted something earlier, but this is the first time I've had reception at a campsite.Photobucket are suck, as usual, so I can't upload any pics right now. This post is getting pretty long anyway, so I'll save the travel-log stuff for another day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaiserRolls Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Tail of the dragon is awesome. Rode Supermoto on it a bunch. Don't forget to hit up "the snake" and cherohala skyway as well. The skyway is super scenic and would make for some awesome cruising in the e21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Stay safe out there and have a blast=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Interested to see what happens! Dont end up with the clap!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suspenceful Posted August 3, 2015 Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 Was nice meeting you and hanging out at the shop. Glad you're going out on a limb and doing something awesome! Glad you got the E21 together. I wish I could just quit my job and venture across the country... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2015 When I left on Friday, I wasn't sure whether this was going to be the best thing ever, or the biggest mistake ever. So far it's been awesome. This morning I found an awesome road that winds down into Red River Gorge in Kentucky. It was like a rally stage, except without the co-driver, so you have no idea what's over the next crest. Even at legal speeds I feel like I'm driving at about 70% of my abilty. Once you get off the main roads, everything is like that out here, except with houses and traffic (and churches... lots of churches)Stopped at a mediocre Mexican resturaunt (the best kind of Mexican resturant) and had one too many dos equies. Life's good. Data reception is still crap, so no pics yet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Best of luck with your adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorman Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Safe travels my friend!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 firstly, i'd make a terrible therapist. secondly, life is only depressing if you let it be. have fun. be bigger than your circumstance. never forget someone has it worse. CMart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Okay, as soon as I crossed into Tennesee, I finally got some data. My laptop battery is dead, so I can't get the pics off my camera, but it's mostly landscapes, and those pictures are never as impressive as being there anyway. Here's the first day at Kettle Moraine's Whitewater lake campground. Nothing too special, but there's a nice scenic overlook there. When I got up there, I talked to an older couple for a while, and they suggested Brown County State Park in Indiana, so that's where I went the 2nd night. Very nice place. Great scenery, hiking, lots of things to do there. Highly recommended if you're looking for somewhere to stay in Indiana. Last night's campgrounds was... interesting. High Knob campground in Virginia. Very quiet. Super quiet. Almost had a deserted feel. Grass growing on the beach, moss growing everywhere. I found a bag of garbage that was apparently dragged out in the woods by a bear. Not recommended at all. The road up there was super steep. On the way out of there I went the opposite way I came in, because it went south, which is where I'm heading. After a few miles the road turned to gravel. A couple miles later it turned into a nice descent with lots of switchbacks and such. I was having a blast, so I just kept going. Made it to the bottom, and drove until I got to the next crossroads and parked at a produce stand, where I discovered..... Yep, broken oil pan. Luckily, I brought a spare pan and oil. Got it changed right there in the parking lot. The owners were very nice and helpful. I tried to clean up as best I could, but i felt bad leaving a big mess behind. If you're ever in southeast Virginia, stop in, get some fresh produce, and tell them you know the guy who changed an oil pan in the parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerdown Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Nice to see the car on the road again. I can imagine the people at the vegetable stand thinking, " carries a spare oil pan?". Godspeed in your travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 This is awesome! I'm kinda hoping to do a trip out west this winter as I plan to quit my job and go back to school, so this gives me more inspiration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 The Snake was awesome. If you can dream it, you can do it. Edit: Here's the link to the chit-chat post from back in May for anyone who is totally confused by this post: B C and YoungCR 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted August 4, 2015 Report Share Posted August 4, 2015 Nice work with the oil pan! Glad you had a spare. How many spare e21 hazard switches did you bring? Bassboy3313 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 From what I hear, even the brand new one have a tendancy to break if you sneeze too loud. Stayed at Dennis Cove last night and hiked the trail this morning. Cool creek crossings amd waterfalls. Chalenging enough hike for me. Nice spot for a day trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 When you get back, we should have a WiBimmers camping/hiking outing=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 that's some beautiful country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 If anyone knows any good travel destinations between Tennessee and Colorado, I'm all ears. Haven't planned anything yet for that part of the trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Go to Southern Utah B C 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I can't think of anything that would be of any interest to anyone going through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri or Kansas on your way to Colorado. You could always detour down to New Orleans or hit up Austin but they're both big ass detours. andyhundley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HipMF Posted August 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I was thinking about doing exactly that. I like your style Pat. Found some nice twisties on hwy 221 heading west out of Blowing Rock, NC. Currently I'm stuck in a tourist trap called Maggie Valley in the Smokey Mountains, and it's rainning pretty hard. Looks like this will probably be my first hotels stay of the trip. I need a shower... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I was going to recommend hitting up Lynchburg, TN and visiting the Jack Daniels distillery then heading back into Kentucky and visiting Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Bulleit, Makers Mark and Jim Beam bourbon distilleries but that's not really "on the way" to Colorado and heading back into Kentucky is definitely back tracking... and I didn't want to look like an alcoholic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorman Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I was going to recommend hitting up Lynchburg, TN and visiting the Jack Daniels distillery then heading back into Kentucky and visiting Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Bulleit, Makers Mark and Jim Beam bourbon distilleries but that's not really "on the way" to Colorado and heading back into Kentucky is definitely back tracking... and I didn't want to look like an alcoholic.A trip about finding yourself.....and finding booze!!Drove from Chicago to Colorado as a kid. Pretty boring ride. The worlds largest truck stop is on 80 just into Iowa from Illinois. Missouri is pretty scenic. Drove thru on my way to Az a couple years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 I ate at that "Iowa 80" truck stop a year ago. I cant help but think that all the truck drivers get so excited to stop there. Giving credit where credit is due: its probably the coolest place in Iowa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 I ate at that "Iowa 80" truck stop a year ago. I cant help but think that all the truck drivers get so excited to stop there. Giving credit where credit is due: its probably the coolest place in Iowa Dubuque isn't a bad town. There's a great burger place there called Lot One that has bison burgers and a decent beer selection right downtown. Other than that, Iowas sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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