Final Day: Miami, Florida to Home, USA

Well, this will be my last blog entry.  A number of people have sent emails thanking me for the blog, wishing me well, and I truly appreciate those sentiments.  I started the blog for two reasons, one, to serve as personal diary and two, if I were to go missing, there would be a bread crumb trail for friends and family to locate what was left of me.  It was a pleasant surprise when it started being read around the world.  I am happy that people found it interesting enough to pass around the link and follow along.  

Well, it was one hell of a trip.  Over 12,000 miles (almost 20,000 km) and 14 countries.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and satiated this urge that has been gnawing in me for the past decade or so. I knew very little about South America before I left, and now I feel as though I understand the continent, and all it has to offer a bit better.  Outside of visa requirements and how to get around the Darrien Gap, I did very little research before I left, and that was by design.  I wanted to be able to experience the trip without preconceived notions, without prejudice.  As such, I did not plan a route, and I rarely knew where I was going until the night before.  This approach provided a new experience everyday and some unique surprises.

I met some of the nicest people during my travel's.  There are a number of adventure motorcyclists completing longer and much more impressive trips than myself. One individual I met has been on the road for over three years, visiting most every country on the planet. Others have spent almost a year touring South America alone.  A couple of guys were driving from the northern to the southern arctic circle. Large groups were on a two week guided escape from their daily grind.   All were very excited to talk about their adventures, and share their experiences. As my trip comes to an end, I wish those who are still on the road, and those just leaving on their adventures, the best of luck. Safe travels.

Final Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 338 miles (545 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 12,260 miles (19,774 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 14

Total Countries Visited: 14

Day 100: Buenos Aires, Argentina to MIami, USA

The flight from Argentina was uneventful.  Connected through Mexico City, which is a pain as they make you go completely though customs, out of the terminal, and back in again.  The processing took 2-hours.  I was on a free ticket, so I cannot complain too much, but I think I would avoid connecting through Mexico City in the future.

Arrived in Miami, and after about two hours of phone calls and texts, I found my motorcycle on the other side of thew airport, in an uncleared holding warehouse.  I took my paperwork to US Customs, and as luck would have it, today is Columbus Day and customs was closed.  Seriously?  Columbus Day? Unfortunately, I will not be able to get my bike until the morning, so I will be one more night on the road.  

Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 0 miles (0 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 11,922 miles (19,229 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 14

Total Countries Visited: 14

Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued:  21/0

Shaken Down by the Police/Total Times Paid: 5/1

Visits to a Holding Cell: 1

Countries Following this Blog: 38

Day 99: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Today is my last day in South America, and there could not be better weather.  Walked down to the center of the City and there is a massive festival going on.  La Gastronomica del la Parrilla or "grilled meat competition."  Such genius in its simplicity.  Not sure how it could be improved upon, unless of course they changed the festival to "La Gastronomica del la Parrilla y Motocicletas Gratis," which would be "grilled meat competition and free motorcycles."

I fly out just before midnight, and arrive in Miami around 1:30 pm.  Then the final leg to home, via Daytona Beach, then my trip back to reality.

Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 0 miles (0 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 11,922 miles (19,229 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 14

Total Countries Visited: 14

Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued:  21/0

Shaken Down by the Police/Total Times Paid: 5/1

Visits to a Holding Cell: 1

Countries Following this Blog: 34

Day 98: Montevideo, Uruguay to Buenos Aires, Argentina

How the bike was loaded for the trip.  

48L Pannier (Givi Outback Series):

• 5 T-shirts
• 1 golf shirt
• 5 pair underwear
• 5 pair socks
• 2 pair shorts
• 2 pair lightweight climbing pants (gusseted crotch)
• 2 thermal tops
• 1 thermal bottom
• 1 swim suit
• Prescription meds
• Computer
• Kindle

37L Pannier (Givi Outback Series):

• Waterproof wind breaker
• Electronics (extension cords, blue tooth speaker, adapters, etc.)
• Hygienic supplies (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
• Waterproof riding pants
• 1 pair running shoes
• Regular meds (Imodium, cold relief tablets, aspirin, etc)
• Document folder (orig. title, registration, international drivers license, passport, country specific paperwork, copies of everything, etc.)
• Gloves, 2 pair, winter and summer

Tank Bag

• Sunscreen
• Spare sunglasses
• Eyeglasses
• Spare sat-nav
• Power bricks (2)
• Snacks

40L Waterproof Bag (emergency kit in case of breakdown):

• Tent (Never used, thank god)
• Sleeping Bag (used in the mountains, some hotels have no heat)
• Inflatable mat (never used)

25L Top Case (Pelican): Repair Materials

• Tool Kit
• Spare Inner tubes (BMW has tubeless tires, but the tire bead cannot be set in the field, tube nullifies that requirement)
• Puncture repair kit
• Mini air compressor
• Spare gym bag
• Packing tape
• Jump start battery and cables

Under the Seat:

• 2-weeks prescription meds (emergency backup)
• Spare keys for the panniers
• Spare ignition key (hidden on the frame)

Day 97: Montevideo, Uruguay

Arrived in Uruguay last night.  Pretty city.  Went for a walk today, but it has been pouring all day long, so I came in after a couple of hours.  Managed to make it to the waterfront, the park, and the Harley Davidson dealership for a t-shirt.  Rain is supposed to let up  in a bit so I will go out and grab some dinner and check things out for a couple of hours.

Montevideo, Uruguay

The bike has landed in Miami and sitting in the United Airlines Cargo warehouse at the airport.   I have felt kind of naked without it these past few days.   I hope it showed in one piece.  I will arrive on Monday, walk over, reassemble everything I took apart for shipping, and off I will go.  

I was walking down the street last night and came across the worst store name ever.  They sell upscale women's fashions, and if your wondering, this is not a lost in translation situation, the name translates to English exactly the same.  

Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 0 miles (0 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 11,922 miles (19,229 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 13

Total Countries Visited: 14

Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued:  21/0

Shaken Down by the Police/Total Times Paid: 5/1

Visits to a Holding Cell: 1

Countries Following this Blog: 34

Day 96: Buenos Aires, Argentina to Montevideo, Uruguay

My Motorcycle Flight Track, Source: United Airlines

The dashed line above indicates the proposed flight plan for the plane carrying my bike, MIA is Miami International Airport, the bike's intended destination, and the background image is Hurricane Mathew, the strongest storm to hit the US in a decade,  I think it is safe to say that my bike will not be flying today.

Projected Flight Track, Hurricane Mathew, Source: NOAA

Here is the Hurricane's projected track.  If the projection holds, there will be a very small window that I will be able to squeeze through.  Should be an interesting couple of days.  

Down here, this afternoon I will be jumping the high speed boat to Montevideo, Uruguay.  Check out the city and see what it's all about.

Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 0 miles (0 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 11,922 miles (19,229 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 13

Total Countries Visited: 14

Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued:  21/0

Shaken Down by the Police/Total Times Paid: 5/1

Visits to a Holding Cell: 1

Countries Following this Blog: 34

Day 95: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Presidential Palace, Buenos Aires

Paperwork for the bike shipment is complete, total cost ended up being $1,690.  The bike is scheduled to leave tomorrow afternoon, so it should be ready for pick up when I arrive on Monday. Then I will complete my last leg of the trip.  

I head to Uruguay tomorrow afternoon. In the absence of the bike, I will be going by boat. This will be my 14th and final country of the trip,  The only country that I missed on my plan was Chile.  Kind of bummed about it, but c'est la vie.  

Trip Summary

Today's Leg: 0 miles (0 km)

Total Distance Traveled: 11,922 miles (19,229 km)

Total Borders Crossed: 12

Total Countries Visited: 13

Total Times Stopped by the Police/Tickets Issued:  21/0

Shaken Down by the Police/Total Times Paid: 5/1

Visits to a Holding Cell: 1

Countries Following this Blog: 34