I finally got on the road around 4:30 and figured I'd visit Buffalo, then camp there. However, after sitting in traffic for 45 minutes waiting to cross the border, I opted to push on and ride till about 8 or so, then find a place to camp. Crossing the US border was the exact opposite of the Canadian border. I gave the guy my passport and he asked where I lived. After telling him, he asked if I brought anything in from Canada. I said no and he handed back my passport and told me to have a nice day. Here is a pic crossing into the US.
I wasn't all that tired, so figured I'd ride on a bit longer. Started getting tired about 9:30 so decided to stop at the next exit where I saw a sign for a campground. Pulled off the exit and the sign said "7.6 miles." Okay, that's not that bad. Except for the fact it was 7.6 miles in one direction, then you turned down a country road and it was a few miles back that way, then the sign was hidden and you missed the turn, then you went back and finally found the campground, only to find out it was closed. Ugh. Back on the road after losing about a half hour. Stopped for a red bull, which didn't really help. About an hour later, I stopped for a Snicker's bar and a 5 hour energy, since every campsite seemed to be several miles off the road and I wasn't about to search just to find another one closed.
The 5 hour energy worked great and I was wide awake the rest of the trip. Got home about 3am, jumped online for a few minutes, then headed to bed.
I learned a few things on this trip, and have to say I wouldn't change much about it. First, and foremost, if there are places you want to see along the way, it's best to not do more than 3-400 miles in a day. This will allow you to take your time and enjoy the places you're visiting. Second, if you're camping, you might want to carry along some road flares and/or some lighter fluid because you will not be able to get a fire lit if it's been raining extremely hard.
Third, make damn sure your tent is waterproof before setting off for the trip. I thought mine was, as I'd set it up and sprayed it and the rainfly with Camp Dry two days before getting on the road. Amazingly, the tent only leaked at the screen windows, and not at the fabric, whereas the rainfly leaked everywhere. I will be buying a better tent, with zip up windows, before doing the Cali trip next year.
Fourth, if you decide to stop at a hotel, make sure it's at least an hour away from any tourist attraction. Otherwise, you're going to pay insane prices. And make sure to have an idea of places to stay, or at least have an internet package on your phone so you can look for things while you're on the road.
All in all, I think this was a wonderful trip. It let me get away from life for awhile and I got to see places I've never seen before. While I learned some lessons on the trip, I don't think I'd change anything. Well, except for the fact that I didn't get to meet any forum members along the way.
Total distance traveled was 2004 miles. One final picture.
