The Usual Suspects

We are only a few days from starting our epic motorcycle adventure to the Himalayas.  The feelings that the prospect of visiting new lands, meeting new people, seeing new cultures creates is always one of the most amazing things about exploring the world on a motorcycle.

The week before departure is always a great time for a little introspection. A time to gain some perspective, a time to be grateful for life, for family, and for friends ... and to just plain be thankful for having the opportunity to experience something like this.

Preparations have been going on for a while now.  Visas, gear, survival stuff : ) ... Traveling through mountainous terrain, in temperatures that will range from 40 to 100 degrees, climbing from 1,000 to 17,500ft+ and down again, in very tough terrains and paths will prove to be an interesting challenge.

We need to not only go through all of this but we also need to be able to keep out motorcycle running and going through all of this.  Helmets, boots, gloves, riding gear, hydration packs, GPS, satellite tracking devices, tools, cameras ... all tested and readied.

Passports, visas and permits for the Kashmir region are all ready.  Airplanes, land transportation, lodgings is mostly all secured.

Just a few more days.

One last thing.  Alexandra and David congratulations!  The universe conspired to get the 2 of you to this point ... two amazing, good-to-the-core people, were always meant to find each other.