Yup, Aug 28th is fast approaching and I still have all kinds of things to do before I leave. SOME even having to do with the trip. ;=} Visas, plane tickets, reservations (for when I arrive), suitcases, and motorcycle bags, are just a few of the additional things I have to be concerned with this time unlike last when I just threw everything in the boxes on the bike and rode away. Rounding up all the things I will (or might) need on the ride in Australia is becoming a big job. I didn’t take any camping gear to Alaska or South America but I will on this trip so that is a whole new area of “things” I need, plus it adds to the overall size of the load. I really hope those DR650’s are sturdy because the pile just keeps expanding. I am going to work on the problem “part time” since I will be working at the Ventura Harley Dealer until the day before I leave (a good thing because I DO need the money). :=)
You may be thinking “what about the Good News/Bad News bit (then again, maybe not). The bad news first. Julia has realized that her busy schedule will not let her come over at the end of the trip for some “together touring”. That means I will have to suffer two more weeks before I see her when I get home. I’ll try to occupy myself doing a little more bike touring and a LOT more taste testing of the local beer and wine! :=) Now the Good News! My friend, Cory Larsen (that I rode with to Panama City on my Prudhoe Bay to Tierra Del Fuego trip) has decided to join me for the last half of the trip.

We will meet in Darwin on the 6th of October and finish the west coast, southwest peninsula, Ayres Rock/Uluru, Alice Springs and back down to Melbourne together. Cory should make MY trip much more comfortable since he knows all about camping out, cooking over an open fire, washing dishes with sand, working on motorcycles, AND he is a doctor. :=) Seriously, I am looking forward to riding with Cory again because we had a great time riding through Mexico and Central America (plus he is into taste testing adult beverages as much as me).
The next installment should be from Australia (unless I wind up on that "Lost" island or something). I hope you enjoy tagging along!