Around the World by Motorcycle 2008

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

On a sheep crap high!! The weather gods bless me and IMAX says hi!

What a difference a day makes. The weather gods cooperated and gave me some decent weather on my way to Myvatn. Cold, but little rain.

Lake Myvatn was a hot bed of volcanic activity and it home to a lot of geothermal activity. I camped at a beautiful spot right on the lake and went around the corner to visit the boiling mud and steaming vents. Much to my surprise the crew of IMAX was there filming their next movie 'Quest for (something or other, I forgot). I chatted up one of the crew who as quite interested in my trip and doing one himself.

I really lucked out on finding this place and have to thank Anna for her recommendation. The local specialty, trout and lamb smoked in sheep shit, is really quite tasty!!

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Regards,
TJ Parrent

Monday, August 25, 2008

Livin La Vida Loca

I just checked the weather. Tomorrow it will be sunny and 80F at home by the beautiful shores of lake Michigan. Where I plan to travel, it will be 46 to 50F, rain and a right stiff wind. Surely I must be crazy?

Alas, traveling to the edges of the planet (so to speak) means dealing with extremes. I have laid out my wardrobe for the morning. On top I will be wearing (from outside in) a rain over-jacket, my riding jacket, a goretex liner, an electronically heated jacket, and a coolmax long sleeve shirt. On the bottom: a rain outer layer, my riding pants, a gortex liner and long johns. On my feet" Goretex 3/4 shin high boots, and socks. I don't wear this much in winter back home!!!

So why do I do this. Not sure, but maybe I am crazy!!

Adventure Travel: What Really Happens!

Everyone thinks that adventure travel is just a charmed life. Blue skies and the wind at your back. But the truth is some days suck!!!

Yesterday, I was heading into one of the most desolate regions of Iceland. An area that resembles the moon with it's black volcanic sands and volcanic mountains. It's a narrow two track road that crosses the country and gives you the impression of being on a different planet. It's also rather remote. That's why when I got not one, but two flats, it was an event. Seems I found the only nails ever spewed from a volcano into it's black volcanic sand. Making things even worse was the fact that it was raining and amazingly windy. The loose volcanic sand became volcanic muck and it was a freakin' mess. One car passed and saw the bike on it's side with my stuff strewn all over and assumed I was in an accident. Surprisingly a Ranger showed up after a while and offered what limited assistance he could. Actually, I had taken care of the problem by then so he more or less just watched as I put things back together.

This means a big change of plans for me though since I was expecting to be on the north side of the country last night. Now that I am running a 21 inch tube in a 17 inch tire I will go looking for a shop to get a new tube or have mine repaired. Unfortunately, that takes me in the opposite direction of where I was to be and the exact opposite side of the country from where I was to pick up the ferry.

Such is the life of adventure travel. Some days are indeed beautiful and some just suck!