After breakfast Pistol Pete will meet the other riders on the way.

Map and routing compliments of Google Maps maps.google.com The map shows the approximate route check the daily trip itinerary at the right.

Shoney's gang

We stopped at the Trussville exit and meet Jason and Mikey. Thanks guys for coming.

On the road again and about 50 miles from Hattiesburg.

On Sunday morning (July 5th) we got back on the road and headed for Interstate 12 West. As the day progressed it got hotter and hotter (97 degrees) When we got to the Texas state line the temp rose 20 degrees (or at least it sure felt that way)

We arrived at Jim and Sina's 11 minutes late. They were very happy to see us and the Texas Bar-B-Q was the best that I and the Coastal group has had. Thank you Jim and Sina for your gracious hospitality. I picked up my Granddaughter Amber at the dorm and she and a friend (Kim) joined us at the pool for Bar-B-Q and fellowship. Love you Amber, see you in August.

The Gulf at Galveston, TX

On Monday we left the motel in Galveston and crossed the Bolivar Ferry for a grand view of the Gulf shoreline and inlet. We are currently (1:30 PM CST) having lunch at a Cracker Barrel in Lafayette, LA.

We arrived at New Orleans in the late afternoon. We traveled to a few places but I wanted to send this picture of Bourbon St.

Going through Mobile Alabama

Heading to Pensacola Beach

Across the bridge to the beach

Smile for the camera

Here we are

Going along the white sandy shoreline

Cracker Barrel food stop at last. L. to R. Ken, Tim, Ben, Sam, Me and Nick.

Leaving in the rain. Nick and Ben

Tommy is ready to go

Then more rain

The rain let up while we were at Savannah, GA

Cool old buildings here for sure

Got to check in with the boss. Hi Venita

It started raining as we left Savannah

Suiting up again

A break in the weather to check Maggie Mae's fluids.

Rest stop after another rain near Lumberton, NC. For the gang at Bell County Clinic; See, Chris did get to go with us. She say's Hi to all of you.

Finally the sun.

On to the Cedar Island/Ocracoke Ferry in the morning.

Arriving the city of New Bern, NC. This little town is filled with early historical buildings and history. I will come back one day.

Almost to Cedar Island and the Ferry to Ocracoke Island and Hateras Island.

In line and waiting for the ferry boat. As you can see we had the pleasure of meeting new friends at each stop.

Loaded on the ferry boat and out in Pamlico Sound. Now I know how a sardine feels in the can.

Man this is really comfortable. There ought to be a way that I could ride like this.........Hey wait, maybe if rigged a couple of bungee chords to the handlebars......

Loading onto the next Haterus Ferry for the 40 minute ride to the big island.

Leaving Haterus and on to Kill Devil Hills and Norfolk.

Sun set over Kill Devil Hills.

The next morning we left for New Jersey.

Sunrise over the Chesapeake/Bay/Bridge Tunnel.

A cool chart of the bridge layout in the bay.

Entering the Thimble Shoal Channel tunnel. What a cool engineering feat.

One of the many bridges that we crossed to get to East Brunswick, NJ.

We arrived at the Motel around 5:30 PM Saturday. It was about 350 miles from Norfolk.

Tomorrow we will head to Ground Zero and on to the New England states.

We awoke early after an overnight thunderstorm to find a beautiful day waiting our trip to Ground Zero in New York City. This pic is us traveling through the Holland Tunnel connecting New Jersey and the Big Apple.

Being Sunday morning the streets of NY City were very quiet. In this shot we had just exited from the tunnel.

This is the new construction site where the Twin Towers stood before 9-11. It was hard to pass this place without thinking that we had just passed hallowed ground. I said a silent prayer for all of those souls who perished that terrible day.

As we left the city north bound, we passed the George Washington Bridge.

As we passed a small lake where many were fishing, Chris snapped this pic of Maggie Mae and me.

Later in the day after traveling through or into 7 more states we pulled into the parking lot of Warrens Lobster House in Kittery Maine.

Tommy was unsure of himself and the art of eating lobster. But fortunately the instructions were written on the place mat.

At the culmination of our journey, here we sit; rested, full of lobster and ready for the remaining trip home.

I am a fortunate man to have ridden with the good folks sitting at this table and I cannot thank them enough for helping me fulfill this dream. Special thanks to Chris and Ken who were our tireless navigators. Ken's route planning was flawless and the three times that we got lost, it was because either Tommy or I had the lead.

Also there was not a day that went by that Tommy failed to lift our spirits with a great quip about the trip or his wonderful sense of humor. This trip was worth more than money as I had the joy of being with these fantastic people. I love each one dearly. I remember a time that we were traveling through an area that was quite malodorous. Tommy lifted his foot to check if he had stepped in something foul.

Thank you Chris, Ken and Tommy for putting up with a grumpy old man.

When we get home I will post some more pics of the last two days and the cool country we went through.

This is a great shot of Chris and Ken taken by Chris while traveling in MA. Chris was our photographer and all of these great shots were a product of her inspiration. Thanks sweetheart.

What a beautiful day for a ride home.

We encountered some construction but all in all the miles clicked off pretty easily.

At a fuel stop we encountered yet another friend, a VTX owner. He had never seen 3 old Goldwing's traveling at the same time.

Our morning chores before dawn at the Motel in Carlisle, PA.

Sunrise just before getting onto I-81 south and to home.

We met with Larry Gyger (inside right) and his son, Brenton at the Cracker Barrel at exit 14, I-81, PA. Larry's 75 GL1000 is a fine example of his personal work and innovative spirit. Nice job Larry and thanks for joining us on a portion of the ride.

Here is a self made image of Chris while on Ken's bike. Very nice shot.

....and a really cool pic of Ken and his 77. This bike ran like a clock for the entire trip. Nice job of maintenance Ken it was a pleasure having you and "Whoopie" along for the ride. Thanks Ken for the expert travel navigation, we could not have made the trip without you.

A high sign from Tommy riding his 75 GL1000. Tommy personally restored this gorgeous bike from the frame up and named her "Dotty May". Nicely done Tommy and thanks for the humor.

......and me. "Maggie Mae" had only one problem and she lost her Temp switch in NC. I jumped it with a manual toggle switch and we were able to run very well for the rest of the way. I cannot imagine trying this journey on any other 30 plus year old motorcycles and it is a tribute to the longevity of the Honda Goldwing's past and present.

Thank you, the fans of Pistol Pete's Services for following along. You made every bit of the trip well worth doing.

Pistol Pete