Born to Wander

When I was 19 years old, I realized we live in a fantastic place and time, where, with a tank of gas, a map (yes, a real map), and a general direction, were all that was needed to go adventuring. I wanted to share some of my motorcycle travels, hoping to inspire young and old alike to go out and spend some time touring around the country or just in their own backyard. You will see that you don’t need to spend a lot of time planning or a lot of money, and in many cases too much planning takes the adventure out of your trip. All it takes is a little wanderlust and enthusiasm!

I like maps, and I’ve had this one of the USA for some time. I’ve marked some of the main trips and routes I’ve travelled so I can remember where I’ve been. It doesn’t show the smaller roads, the Yukon, the east coast of Canada, or multiple trips covering the same route, but I enjoy looking at it, remembering where I’ve been and trying to find new places to explore and wander. As of 2025 I’ve finally completed all of the United States after visiting Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware on my motorcycle trip east to Newfoundland.

All You Really Need

I thought I would do a piece on all you really need to show what I pack for a day, week, or month on the road. Since you have a fixed amount of space available, you pretty much take the same stuff no matter the length of your trip. The fun part is figuring it all out and remembering that this includes camping gear.
I prefer to camp whenever possible, it is cheaper, more affordable and often it adds to the adventure. I am comfortable, and have learned to pack everything I need. I don’t typically cook lunch and dinner on the road, I prefer to go out and meet the locals. I can cook if necessary with what I bring, if there are no decent places to eat, or if I arrive late. If I stay in a motel, I look for small, privately owned ones that allow me to park right outside the door. Like most riders, I like to stay close to my bike, and I don’t like hauling all my gear up elevators. I think it’s also worthwhile to support small businesses whenever possible.

This is what I pack for days or weeks on the road. Large Zip Lock bags work great for packing clothes. I take a larger sleeping mattress now.

A simple breakfast plan allows me to get on the road earlier.

Fresh brewed coffee of course. That small table was a great find.

You have a lot of gear on a bike so a three man tent works better and I don’t leave home without my Kermit chair. What more do you need.

I’ve learned a few things along the way

In the early days, my kit wasn’t quite as polished as it is now, but it worked, proving that you don’t have to have the latest and greatest equipment to hit the road. On my first two-up cross-country motorcycle trip on my trusty 550 Four Honda, it took some imagination, improvisation (due to budget constraints), and the availability of aftermarket parts, but a little creativity goes a long way. You can get by with what you have. If I had to do it over again, I think I would lose the yellow suitcase! If you’re wondering what that grey material around the bike is, it’s ash from the Mount St. Helens eruption in Washington. This photo was taken near Spokane on my return trip.