Kim and I have been on the road for about month so far but are just really beginning our trek. I've been wanting to travel for a while, unencumbered by deadlines and responsibilities as in the past where all my solo trips had to come to an end to return to "reality". Kim and I met about two years ago and she came on board for a travel period of life. Over the last couple of years I divested myself of most of my possessions, as well as my home, to be able to fund time on the road. My plan had been to explore Mexico, Central America and then south for Tierra Del Fuego, taking a year or so in the process. Kim's riding experience has been on dirt bikes with some street riding, so when she decided to get her own bike after a couple of two-up trips with me to Mexico, I pushed her towards a BMW GS so that we could travel together. She first bought a lowered F650GS to get comfortable riding again, then when the decision was made to do this trip, she purchased an F700GS for the smoother highway vibes. I too decided it was time for a new chapter in life and sold my faithful 1998 R1100GS Anniversary to go with a newer 2012 R1200GSA. In a bit of coolness we both bought our bikes on the same day!
New bike day!
Kim's "new" 2013 F700GS being relinquished by Peter from Colorado
My "new" 2012 R1200GSA with previous owner Dan
My beloved 98 and the new beast side by side
Kim's life and travels had been mainly in the eastern U.S. and I felt it would be good to explore the western US a bit before heading south - a chance to air out untested bikes and gear, giving her some time to adapt to a taller and heavier laden bike on some dirt as well as a chance to see some amazing land. Though we are traveling by motorcycle, after I sold my home and Kim dropped her condo, the reality of being literally "homeless" set in and I bought a used Sprinter van to have as a base upon returning. In three weeks we outfitted it to carry both GS's and all necessary gear, tools and ramps in the rear, as well as all our remaining belongings - literally a tiny house for the future.
The decision was made to park the beast somewhere out west as a base camp and return to it after the motorcycle travels. That said, we make our plans but God guides and we are enjoying each day for what it is and setting no deadlines. I hope you will join us in our journey... good times, bad times, warts, farts and all. We don't know where we're going, we don't know when we'll get there, but we do know why we're doing what we're doing :D