Always wanted to ride across the country. Got the opportunity to be voluntarily downsized in '99. Looked at supported tours. They were expensive and had mostly high mileage days. I wanted more time to immerse myself in my surroundings. Decided to do ACA's unsupported Northern Tier tour, having never camped or done any loaded touring. (The first day of the trip was only my second time riding a fully loaded bike and the first time sleeping in a tent.) I knew I would enjoy it so much that I planned to ride home from Bar Harbor, ME, at the conclusion of the trip, which I did. Continued on to the ocean in NJ as party of a charity event.

I was definitely hooked. Because I had the time and resources (No. I did not get unemployment or other government benefits.) I decided to stay unemployed at take two more extended trips the following year--one in Andalucia and one from Seattle to Mesa Verde, CO.

When it was time to return to normal life I hung up my touring shoes for seven years and went back to my roadie roots. Finally eased back into the activity in 2008 and picked it up in earnest again in 2009.