CHARLIE MIKE (C-M) means “Continue Mission” using the military phonetic alphabet. It is a command given to keep moving forward and complete the mission objective after an operational military unit experiences delay, obstacles, or adversity. For veterans, it’s a call to continue service beyond the uniform. I’ve posted many times over the years about my... Continue Reading →
So many good things came out of my road trip last summer – gorgeous scenery, impactful history lessons, amazing riding (despite ever-present road construction), and most-importantly, human connections. I’ve been incredibly fortunate that many of the interactions from my trip have resulted in continuing friendships, including from a chance encounter with fellow CVMA (Combat Veterans... Continue Reading →
Cutting a 75-mile wide, 180-mile long path, extending from Gettysburg, PA to Monticello, VA, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area covers “400 years of multicultural American heritage.” According to the National Parks Conservation Association, this swath of land includes hundreds of African-American and Native-American Heritage Sites as well as battlefields and historic sites... Continue Reading →
I woke up and checked the weather on my phone. Hmm, thunderstorms in the afternoon. Whatever, I’m gonna check out a couple of scenic byways anyway. If I get wet, I get wet. Famous last words. . . Just a few miles from Annapolis, I crossed the Chesapeake Bay via the William Preston Lane, Jr.... Continue Reading →
When I was in the working rat-race, I used to think that attending big-life events like graduations, funerals, and retirements were somewhat of an inconvenience. I mean, it’s gonna happen whether I’m in attendance or not, right? But, age and a lot of time in my own head on a motorcycle, has helped me to... Continue Reading →
I recently took a 10-day, 1,800-mile roll-about (kind of like a “walk-about” but on two-wheels!). I’ll give more specifics in my next post about what prompted me to jump on the bike and head north, but for now, I’ll share my first couple of days on the road with y’all. Sticking to two-lane backroads as... Continue Reading →
The twisty mountain roads were calling, so when I found out that my Bunk-a-Biker hosts in California last summer were on their own cross-country trip this year and heading east, I jumped on the “excuse” to ride out to the Smokey Mountains to meet them! If Larry and Shannon couldn’t make it all the way... Continue Reading →
Like most travelers, I’m fascinated by nuanced differences in items and slang between countries. Some of the differences in New Zealand households reminded me of things that were part of everyday life when I lived in Spain. For instance, tiny washing machines and refrigerators (relative to those common in American homes), heated towel racks in... Continue Reading →
“It’s YOUR vacation, so what do you really want to see while you are here?” I’ve been a guest in new-to-me cities enough times to appreciate that you can’t saddle your hosts with the expectation that they will function as a professional tour guide. It’s unfair to expect someone to magically know what you are... Continue Reading →
It’s hard to believe that it had been nine years since I’ve ventured outside of national borders. I have been so busy exploring the contiguous United States after limited time off while I was working, that I just hadn’t made overseas travel a priority. But when a friend I had not caught up with in... Continue Reading →
FitHippie Adventures 