FINAL DAYS OF TX

The Lone Star State...

Passing through Athens, TX, I called my buddy Jack, who I knew from work up in Alaska. He's been retired from the AMHS a couple of years now. Just so happens he was heading up the road with his gal Marlo to a cook out and invited me along -- perfect timing!

Buddy Jack Grill Master Jay

We made our way out to the Sturgess ranch where I met Jay and Lori and their kids, Cooper and Bailey. Jay is a cowboy and has been working the cattle here for years. Now these folks are some of the nicest most hospitable people you can meet. Beers were on ice, and chicken was on the grill. After I got out of the swimming pool, (can't remember the last time I was in a swimming pool! Haha!), it was time to eat!

Good eats!

After dinner and sun went down and we were good and drunk, it was time to go hog hunting. Riding around in the truck we went out to see the gator. I had no idea there were gators in this part of the country. Anyway after driving around the 2000 acre Sturgess ranch Jay got us onto the hogs. A whole herd of ‘em runnin’ for their lives I managed to squeeze a couple of rounds off but missed. Them little buggers are fast! Shortly after I fell off the truck and rolled down the hill, I guess it was a sight ‘cause everyone was laughing their asses off – including me. I'm a little sore this morning.

Jack, Marlo, Bailey, Cooper, Lori and Jay

& Little Jack Russel TAZ

Thanks to my buddy Jack and the Sturgess family my last day in Texas was a memorable one!

Thanks y'all!..

Sponsored by Lake Weir Living.

The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider Friction Zone Warrior, Brody McNeill, is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information call 352-304-0027, or visit www.LakeWeirLiving.com

A Day to Honor Fathers and Soliders...

Bill McNeill on the Big Dog Coyote in Hill Country.

We got started at the crack of dawn. To get down the road before the heat comes up is the thinking. We met up in town with some of my Dad's friends.

Darrel blessed our bikes, and James smudged the bikes with sage in a traditional Native American ceremony to keep us safe. What a great way to start the day…

Darrel blessing bikes. James smudging.

Ever since I reconnected with Bill (my Dad), I wanted to get a motorcycle and ride with him here in Texas – and today was the day!

We tore across the hill country through towns like Camp Wood, Laekey, and Vanderpool – awesome riding through this country. We sped down these roads, and folks would pull over to let us pass. In one county the Sheriff even pulled over to waved us through. We blew past him faster than the legal speed limit. We smiled and he waved back.

A sheriff is an elected official, so it just goes to show that the folks in this part of the Country are the kind of people that you just might want to have as neighbors.

Ahhh,..Good times!

I will remember today forever. It touched my heart deeply to ride with my Dad in my birthplace. It was a dream come true, and one of the highlights in my journey. He heads back to Midland now, and I head northeast. I will miss him. Time to ride…

Ode to Dads and their Brothers...

Bill McNeill is a life-long Texan and Viet Nam Vet. When the fighting started he opted to join rather than be drafted. He chose the Navy to serve his country. (I probably would do the same, seeing how I'm a sailor too.) That should have been a safe place to spend his time through his commitment and it was for most. However for him, after basic training, he discovered that his tour of duty would not be spent on a ship or even on a river patrol boat. Nope. He would be on a PBR boat a small fiberglass jet boat that patrols up the canal system of the Mekong Delta. For those of you who are familiar, this ain't no picnic. I'm lucky he made it home alive. If he hadn't -- like so many of his fallen brothers -- I would not be here. My Father is very active here in Texas. He, with his fellow vets, help organize and speak at events. He dedicates a lot of time making the Viet Nam Memorial a reality in Midland. He and his fellow vets have done a lot for the Country, and they continue to give of themselves everyday – keeping the American spirit alive!

As I ride out today, my heart is filled with love for my Texas family. I am so happy that I got to see everyone. Thank you. Liz, Paul, and Larry (my Dad’s beautiful wife and her two sons: my new brothers). And thank you, Aunt Martha and Uncle Buddy. Great to see y'all! Even got to see my Grandparents in Beorne, Helen and Jim. Grandma even helped me get my 5000-mile service done on the bike. What a sweetie! A shout goes to my sister Aislinn and my cousin Cassie in Austin. Great seeing you two too! My brother Bret couldn't make it, but we'll catch up one of these days.... Thank You, Texas!!!

Sponsored by Lake Weir Living. The 2010 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge Rider Friction Zone Warrior, Brody McNeill is sponsored by Lake Weir Living/Live Where You Ride. For more information visit www.lakeweirliving.com, or call 352-304-0027.

It's Gettin' Hot, Hott, HOTT...

"It's gettin' hot in here, I think I'll take off all my..."

Riding south from the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, AZ, was a windy experience. Higher the sun climbed into the sky, the hotter it got! Imagine that?! Before I rolled into town, I pulled into Sunset Crater National Monument. What a strange place?.. Trees growing right out of the dead black soil.

A quick stop in Flagstaff and I’m off. Take the Mary Lake Road south, and you soon find yourself out of the desert and heat, and into the forest and cooler air. I wish I could tell you more in detail what I saw, but at this point the places and experiences are starting to blur together. Made it to Silver City, NM, for the night -- somewhere around 640 miles for the day.

Waking up I saw this place for the first time, high desert with surrounding mountains. I made my way to Las Cruces and the San Andres Mountains. 100°!..Ahhh, but it's a dry heat. Whatever, I live in Alaska and this shit just might kill me! I promise never to whine about the cold again…I Swear!!!

I rode over the mountains and dropped into another valley with Alamogordo, NM, and the Sacramento Mountains in the distance. (Funny thing, Flagstaff, AZ, sits at the base of the San Francisco Mountains. I think NM and AZ must really love California because they named their mountain ranges after its cities. Hmmm?..Maybe not.)

A bit later…

The Red Roaster visits Las Crucis with the San Andres Mountains in the background. White Sands, NM

This is my, "It's gettin' hot!" Or, "Look, I just shit my pants!" look.

I rode the bike into White Sands National Monument and had a look around. It’s quite a contrast from the black volcanic rocks of Sunset Crater that I visited yesterday. After I soaked my shirt and drank my weight in Gatorade, it was time to ride up the Sacramento's and out of this fire-pit. Climbing up the air became cooler and cooler, and by the time I made it to Cloudcroft I was thinking, "Hell! I could live here."

The San Andres with lava formations in the foreground and cinder cones in the background.

The road that connects Cloudcroft to Ruidoso is awesome; beautiful forests and green pastures, and super sweet twisties go right through the middle of it all! This is Apache country, and they have some of New Mexico’s most scenic land.

The road was so fun, that I almost turned around just to ride it again.

Getting closer to Ruidoso, I was surprised to feel the temps climbing again, yep about 97 or so, in Ruidoso? Time to soak the shirt again. Down to Hondo, and soak! Then to Roswell, and soak! I'm red as a lobster and not thinking clearly. Can't wait ‘til the sun goes down.

Mostly every small town I passed through West Texas tonight was broiling, long after the relief of night came -- the towns were still cooking on high! Made it safely here at my Dad's place in Midland, TX. Eureka! Over 1200 miles in 36 hours!! Think I'll sleep in… G’nite!

This shot explains everything!

(Ride safe. Go with God, and keep cool!)

Grand Canyon,..Pretty Sweet Spot!

Brody is super lucky and scores a sweet camp.

After cruising through Monument Valley, I threw in the towel in Page, AZ. Got up early to try and score a campsite in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. T-shirt all the way!!!

It was dinner with a view, and lights out. I still couldn't believe I was lucky enough to score this campsite, and have it all to myself.

The next morning caught the sunrise, brewed some coffee, broke camp and hit the road again. Need to put some miles down to build my endurance. Hoka Hey!!!

Park the bike, go for a hike!!

The rangers were cool enough to let me store all my bike luggage at the Station. My license plate is on one of the saddle bags, and the Ranger told me not to worry about it. Gotta love cruising the park, riding it like I stole it!!!

View from my camp site,..Beat that!!!

(Enjoy the ride, Warrior! May the wind be at your back, and the sun be upon your shoulders.)

Give way to Rocks, Arches, and Deserts…

Bikers in Monument...(Play video)

I haven't put on the rain gear in days!..and my jacket isn't getting much use either.

The mountains and snow to the North give way to red rocks, arches, and deserts. The temperature is steadily rising. I know it's only going to get hotter. This bike is kikingsumeass!

(Lunch in Moab & Lone Arch)

More and more, I understand what my father told me about road trips on secondaries on a bike. You can't beat the experience!

(Award-winning shots. Impressive little iPhone.)

Seeing, feeling, smelling!

It’s all just cruising without a box to separate you from the world. Leaning with a bike on the corners instead of being pushed to the side of a four-wheel container: the planet spinning on its axis by the force of your wheels. The scenery flying by and you centered within it. Yep!..I’m right where I should be!!

(Love this shot!! I planned it the day. I had the sun right where I wanted it.)

Be safe, Warrior!..Enjoy the ride!..

Don't try this at home

Our Hoka Hey Rider is a NUT!!

(Through the Grand Canyon.)

SLC, Yes! From here, I'm thinking warmer weather...

Well. Okay, then… After riding through wind and rain, and yes a little snow, I made it into Salt Lake City. The snow-capped Wasatch Mountains towering above the sun-lit valley is always an impressive sight! Oh!..

Did I mention warm and sunny?.. YES!!!

After sitting on the bike for a couple of thousand miles, I was in desperate need of exercise. A good friend Hillary offered to show me one of her favorite hikes in the front-range to Grandeur Peak. A short hour and 45-minute hike to the top, and you get a kick-ass view of the Great Salt Lake and the City, as well as other peaks in the Range.

"From down there you can only imagine, from up here you know. So get off your ass!!!"

It was very nice to lay back and have a well-earned bask in the sun. Thanks again, Hilly!

SLC was great! But it's time to head south for a bit. I think from here on-out, staying cool is going to be more important than staying warm. (You can say that again, Brother! It’s 90s in the Keys! Welcome to the Equator! We’ll be waiting with a cold Land Shark Lager, Jimmy Buffet’s brew.)