Cracks in the Concrete: A Motorcycle Odyssey Through Modern America

​I officially crossed the 10,000 motorcycle miles traveled on this trip mark today (total is much greater than that if you include foot travel, car, bus, train, and plane). It felt fitting that it happened on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  25 states (and DC) down, 23 (or maybe 25 - we’ll see) to go. In many ways, 10,000 miles, 25 states, and (almost) 7 months since departure feels like a lot. In other ways - such as when I look at what still lies ahead -  it feels like I’ve barely begun. This journey has been much different than what I envisioned it would be when I started it on May 1, but it’s certainly been a blessing and a decision I’d repeat if given the chance to. 

Greetings from Sykesville, MD, where I'm officially well over a month behind on blog posts. Maybe someday I'll catch up... In Chicago, I stayed with my old college roommate Matt, his wife Emma, and their 22 month old son Francis.   Matt, Emma, and I, featuring a block of parmesan cheese. Matt and Emma are big cheese people - some might even argue that Emma's family is the first family in cheese. Francis doing his best baby Yoda impression in one of Emma's old sweaters. Over the past few months, Matt and Emma have enjoyed seeing Francis develop a sense of humor and outlandish facial expressions. So far, the consensus seems to be that he's more like Emma than Matt so far. Francis's favorite word is agua and he's a big fan of bikes.  Matt, Emma, and Francis recently moved back to the Midwest after 6 years in the Bay Area, where Matt completed his PhD.  Matt is originally from the northern Chicago suburbs. He recently started a new job as an economics professor ...

I took the scenic route from Apple Valley to my next stop, La Crosse, WI. And by the scenic route, I mean the Great River Road. Definitely one of my favorite rides thus far; I'd go so far as to call it a must if you're doing a 48 state road trip. The pictures just really didn't due it justice Eagle Summit March On the way, I stopped at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, where I met Angel, Was’aka, and Latsch.   Latsch - The rowdy one - a male bald eagle that was blind in one eye - he tore the toy he's standing on to shreds shortly after this photo Was'aka - the lil' guy - a male from Florida who is blind in one eye and who regularly made it known that he wanted more food Angel - the queen bee - a large 26 year old female from Wisconsin who permanently damaged her wing when she fell out of the nest as a youngster Here I learned some fascinating facts about our national bird:   1. Eagles tend to get larger the further they get from the equator. Warmer weath...