Still in Coldwater...

Goldwing Owner
This is Randy, the owner of the Goldwing. He is selling it to put the money towards restoring a 1947 Ford and to finish the Corvette. Cool. The insurance company has not come through for me yet and I am still here in Coldwater. I was really disappointed because I am losing valuable cruising time. However, if it doesn't come through today, I will hire a car ($15 a day!!) and go touring for the weekend

Meeting Michigan

22-July 2004
I have met some great people here in Coldwater. Just want to name them and say thanks for being friendly. Pictures may appear soon!

The guys at the Big Boy- Star, Kelly, Sam, Jay and Ricky (hope your arm gets better soon- keep the faith.


Also, Tony- great cooking


Then there was Linda and family (Mike, Matthew, Rachel and Drew and Peter). Thanks for your hospitalilty and a great meal- my first experience of American family life. And John, IT manager at the Library. Thanks for lunch and maybe we should have talked some Russian! Also Jim of Jim's Boots and Shoes Inc. Great guy, amazing strength through painful times. If anyone wants a pair of waterproof HiTec Magnum tactical response boots- he's the man - and at 45 GBP it's a steal. Lastly but by no means least, Randy and Donna, former owners of the Goldwing. Thanks for the ride from the airport. You have been a blessing to me.

Also, CADET MOTOR LODGE- clean rooms, good service, great value. Thanks

NYC to Coldwater, MI

I arrived in NYC and spent the first day seeing some sights and doing some shopping.
Here are some picutres (with links) ...

A New York Scene


NYC - home to New York's finest, land of the brave an' all...


Sky High...


I bought an air ticket to Lansing, MI and flew out on the Sunday to find my Goldwing. The owner came and picked me up which was great, except I wanted the challenge of finding Coldwater Cadet Motel myself. Turns out that would have been impossible since there is no public transport. Everyone has a car. It is now day five (third day here) and I am waiting for insurance documents to be faxed before I can ride away. I haven't got the bike yet but have seen it and sat on it. It's amazing. I did try out the reverse gear and it revs like a monster. Before I leave this area I intend to find one of the few remaining open air drive in cinemas and see a film on the Wing. Apparently you have to have a radio and tune in to the soundtrack. Lucky then that the Wing has a stereo and surround sound (four speakers, 2 front, 2 rear). I have met some great people and am enjoying the slow pace of life, reading Bill Bryson 'Made in America' (excellent book to be reading on this trip) but I am getting impatient to start the journey. There is a chance that I may only be able to register the bike for 2 weeks on temporary plates so the road trip may be cut short. However, I will surely stay and maybe even get a second bike- who knows. Intended route- undecided. Fuel is $1.94 a GALLON, which is a little over a quid. That's about 25 pence a litre.