Introduction

Hey my name is Pat.  This is going to be my attempt to document the experiences and photographs of my 2012 motorcycle trip around the great state of Florida.

History:

Sometime around August 2011, an idea to take a month off from work and ride around the United States was suggested by my co-worker and friend Mike T. Originally, we were supposed to ride approximately 5300 miles.  Leaving Jacksonville Fl,. and traveling 450 miles a day north through Tennesee, Missori then west to Kansas and north through South Dakota then back through Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and returning through Mississippi. The original riders were going to be 4-5 co-workers who rode often together on our days off.

Here's a map with tthe proposed trip in white.

 The idea of riding what we were calling the "Odessey" appealed so much, that I immediately began to make plans. I had to sell my classic 1967 Triumph Chopper and buy a motorcycle that would not only make the trip, but also make it comfortably. I also had to try to save money for the trip, despite all the bills, obligations and expensive hobbies I had (ie, sailboat and RV)

Here's a pic of me on my '67 Chopper.

Here's my baby the day I traded her in....she looks lonely!

After trading in my chopper at St. Augustine Harley, I happily rode away with my very first Harley! A 2008 Road King Classic. This bike had everything I wanted and expected for a long distance ride. The previous owner not only took very good care of her, but I could tell that he had upgraded everything needed for long distance rides. It's a comfortable and quick bike.

Fast forward to April 2012..... The trip is a wash! Due to money, family and scheduling issues that everyone is having,  the trip is scubbed. I'm dissapointed but figure that things happen for a reason.

While out riding the backroads with my buddies I have an epiphany....a moment of clarity. Everyone dreams of hopping in a time machine and going back to their highschool selves. What would you tell yourself??

"Don't date/marry that girl.....she will only bring you grief"
"Buy stock that stupid Microsoft company, trust me"
"nobody is gonna give a crap about parachute pants and break dancing, so dont even try to learn"
"go hang with Dad more, your gonna miss him when he's gone"
" do yourself a favor, get yourself a motorcycle and go ride. Explore before it's too late"

So I decided to do exactly that....I had already set time aside from work. The kids were going to be taken care of and I saved enough to at least pay for gas, so why not!? So I decided to take the backroads of Florida and see what people missed sitting in 4-wheel cages on the interstates. Along the way I could document my experiences and thoughts so that my kids would have something to laugh about " when Dad took that trip".