Frank Campbell

by Frank Campbell, MOA 43430

"... And in his brain,
Which is as dry as the remainder biscuit
After a voyage, he doth strange places cramm'd
With observations, the which he vents
In mangled forms."

William Shakespeare

Day 1. Home: near Tampa, FL. 82W, 28N.

Without weekday traffic I zip across Tampa onto I-75N on my F650. This route is our usual weekend club breakfast run, but this time I am alone. Today I have set off to ride around the globe. Hurricane Season has been on for a month. Along I-75 dark thunderheads pour buckets full of water that test the limits of my Kalahari suit. Lukewarm rainwater has seeped ankle-level into my boots, but the rest of me stays dry.

Day 8. Seattle, WA. 47N 122W.

The GPS brings me to within 60 feet of Chris Poland's backyard. A timely arrival: there is an Independence Day cookout on. Before you can say unpack, I am heaping roast turkey and all the trimmings on my plate.

I am only about 11% of my way around the globe. Hope the other 89% will be as easy.

Day 12.

Helge Pedersen and I commandeer Chris' truck and haul my F650 to the Sea-Tac airport. The Aeroflot Ilyushin 62 sits on the tarmac being readied for tomorrow's flight. From across the fence it looks rather small, but everyone has assured me the bike will fit. The battery is packed in a separate box that could safely hold Plutonium.

Day 13.

Lucky day. The Il 62 taxies out right on time. Takeoff is smooth; we climb out steeply and head W across the Pacific. There is no in-flight movie; I doze off thinking I hear my Funduro rattling around under the floor.

Frank Campbell and F650 at AvtoSalon BMW dealer in Ekaterinburg

Next - Eastern Russia

Frank Campbell's Home

Travel Stories and Photos

Part I - Eastern Russia

Part II -
Western Russia and Europe