I've toyed with the idea of riding around New York City for several years although I've been in the city a couple of time before. What drove me in the past was a fascination/addiction with National Park Stamps. Going through a 300+ step process has cured me of that addiction and it's time to smell the roses.

I have just two requirements on the trip. One is to eat lunch in Johnston, TN with a few friends who are going to the BMWMOA Rally and the other is to be in New York City on Sunday morning when the sun comes up. Other than that, I've got an open end date at the dog spa for Jesse and no requirements. My intention is to make it up to Maine if the weather is good and see Acadia in dry weather, something I can't ever seem to do.

The weather in Florida is perfect as I head north through the Ocala National Forest. There's lots of critters wandering around here you can often see deer, bear and a myriad of other painful objects when you are on a bike. Today I don't see any and the sunrise makes for a perfect trip through the forest. On the way to Jacksonville you pass over the Cross Florida Canal and hug the St. John's River.

Georgia zips by as I've been on these roads (Hwy 1) more times than I can count and around Greenwood, SC I start to look for a motel. The skies are starting to turn that ugly gray and dark color and I'm ready to call it a day. Carrying a laptop on the trip makes this an easy proposition. Stop in any motel or WiFi spot and make a reservation. You can usually save a couple of bucks online. The first one is a freebie since I have the right number of points from previous stays with this chain.