when to be where on a round Americas tour?
 

Hi: I am a bit puzzled making my plans for Punky & Lew's Americas Motopaseo departing May 1, 2001. First I will go north from Florida, USA to Newfoundland/Labrador, NW Territories, Canada and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, then head south through 24 countries to Tierra del Fuego and round South America. I have no problem figuring out when to be where in North and Central Americas and down to the equator avoiding winter weather and rainy season. What puzzles me is the difference in seasons south of the equator and how to avoid rainy season in the southern tropic zone and winter weather in Patagonia. It appears to me that the rainy season I avoid north of the equator will put me in rainy season when I cross it southward. The timing is such that it looks like I will have to diddle around a lot in middle South America before continuing on down to Patagonia if I want to avoid winter there. I want to be in Ushuaia for Christmas 2002 and Rio for Carnival in February either 2001 or 2002. I don't mind taking 2 years to do this tour and it seems I will have to in order to avoid the worst weather and motorcycle travelling conditions. Anybody have better ideas for how to maximize the pleasure of this travelling experience? I realize this sort of tour is bound to yield pain, suffering and hardship. I just want to minimize it as much as possible. Thanks for any tips.

Lew Waterman
Punky & Lew's Americas Motopaseo
Greenacres, Florida, USA