The personal writings and photos of Jonathan Smith.

A few months ago I met Alisa (MotoAdventureGal) when her and a friend stayed with me as they were traveling from Connecticut to North Carolina where they would start their ride across the United States on the Trans America Trail. Alisa is an inspiration. She quit her day job to live outside the box and get out of the “comfort zone”. Now she gets paid to do what she truly loves, ride motorcycles and write about her experiences.

Alisa is now on her way through Mexico as she heads for South America. She is currently riding for cancer awareness and raising money to try to beat this dreadful disease that strikes so many people we may know. I’d like to ask my readers to follow Alisa on her site as she updates us on her travels. And if you can, please donate to this cause. Every dollar goes straight to research as she is paying for her own travel expenses.

My vacation time was just approved so now I’m going to start planning my two motorcycle vacations.

First I will be going to the BMW Finger Lakes Rally in Watkins Glen New York over Labor Day weekend. I’ve heard good things about this rally and have been asked for two years to attend. This will be my first motorcycle rally. The BMW Dutch Country Riders will have a cabin but I’m planning on taking my tent and sleeping bag in case some people are too loud and obnoxious. Can’t wait to ride into this part of New York!

Next I will be attending the Rally in the Poconos being held by the Black Diamond Beemers from September 25th to the 27th. This rally will be held at Indian Head Camp near Lookout, PA. Again, the BMW Dutch Country Riders are planning on having a lake side cabin here so I will take advantage of that.

My first motorcycle trip of the year will be to the Great Smoky Mountain Thumper Thaw which will be held in Cruso, North Carolina from April 23rd to April 26th, 2009. It will be a fun time camping at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground and finally give me a chance to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s currently 21 degrees outside and mind is racing of thoughts of riding around the Smoky Mountains with a bunch of other inmates from f650.com. I’m choosing to stay in a cabin for the simple fact that the weather can still get mighty chilly at night and the elevation will play into the nighttime temperatures as well. Plus I’ll lighten up the bike a bit by not having to strap on the tent. Spring can’t come soon enough!