As I said, landfall.
Le Duc.
The route to Jacksonville was facile and somewhat scenic. For a start to an unprecedented long journey, it was certainly welcomed over slicing through mountains with caution.
The long roads offered ample time to make adjustments to the luggage set up. Initially the saddlebags were sloshing one way or the other after every maneuver. But a few selectively placed zip ties remedied that issue.
Out and about, frolicking in the fields
Water.
Soon enough, the Desmoquattro's engine soundtrack reverberated through Jacksonville's city walls. The city was surprisingly desolate and quiet, but my ADVRider host was warm and welcoming.
Ah, the relief of having shelter and a warm shower for the first night.
Interested in seeing the city, I told my host I'd take his invitation to a bar gathering after I was done snooping around town.
Look, Jacksonville!
Chillan'
Bridge
Another bridge
To be honest...Jacksonville isn't all that.
Many businesses shut down at 600PM. And besides a band playing at the harbor, the city was dead. The only other thing lively about the place were the homeless folks asking my sexy ass for money. Still, some of the bridges were a nice sight.
I think that's enough research.
Later on I joined my host who narrated his ADV tales of riding around South America and discovering the ADV community in the area was quite tamed. For a guy I met off of the internet, he was real cool. Definitely not a serial killer which eased my mind.
But I did notice there was already a connection over our passion for motorcycles and involvement in the ADVRider community. And when parking my 748 next to his newly acquired XSR900 that sentiment was reaffirmed.
Bunk Buddies
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Ah, 5AM.
Time to get out of this shit hole.
My host was preparing for work and I was preparing to do work. We said our goodbyes and my Ducati roared to redline out of the less than enthralling arena known as Jacksonville.
Early morning hustle
Panama City Beach was the destination and the coastal highway was the yellow brick road.
The legwork of getting there involved riding through the real boonies of Florida...there was jack squat of civilization in those areas. I'll just say I would not want to break down around the houses I saw...
I'm a cartographer
The boonies
Dawn
A little sprinkle of water
Wasn't until St. Theresa, FL that the scenery presented itself.
It was sunny, warm, and mesmerizing. Finally, a taste of serenity. A reward of the miles put down on these journeys.
The roads weren't technical whatsoever. Perfect for traversing with a cruiser, not so much with an Italian superbike. But who cared, it was too enjoyable basking in the coastline beauty to criticize the choice of vehicle.
Some areas ravaged by the hurricane
Duc and some water
Let's take a break, shall we?
I love bee-ah-ches and beaches
Finally here, Panama City Beach. Another sense of accomplishment to build confidence.
Tomorrow's destination was New Orleans and would mark leaving the first state of the trip.
As evening fell, wind chill brought lower temperatures. Lower than what was when I entered the IHOP nearby.
The reality of it being a winter trip set in. And it would become time to suit up.
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