Down to Four Days and check list complete

We are getting down to launch time and it has been a busy time of prep. Had to get a couple of things out of the way. The most significant was to get the 80,000 mile crash out of my system. I crashed pretty hard 6 years ago this past weekend and it came at about the 75,000 mile point in my riding. On 8 September of this year had another hard crash. It had been about 80,000 miles since the 2004 crash. I went down the asphalt at 45 mph for ab out 80 ft. while the bike went 150 ft. Fortunately, x-rays said nothing was broken, but sure have a sore left thumb and right shoulder. Not road rash or bruises. Thanks to good riding gear which took the brunt of the abuse along with the bike. Now that this is off the check list we are ready to go.

Roger and I met on 21 September to compare loads and to eliminate duplicates of tools where we didn't think we would need two of the same item.

Gary's baggage

We have bought our Mexican liability insurance and started or malaria pill routine.

Here is a map with the general outline of our trip. Where the lines join in Chile we will basically return on the same route we took down. We are still undecided whether to fly from Panama to Colombia or to take a sail boat to by-pass the Darien Gap.

Latest news this past week from areas of expected travel: Floods in Southern Mexico and Guatemala wash out the roads, 20 tourist kidnapped in Acapulco, coup attempt in Ecuador with borders being closed. Middle of rainy season in Panama with travel agencies not recommending travel during October or November.

Is this going to be a fun trip or what?

Gary