"Cruisin' For A Cure" Leukemia & Lymphoma Society U.S. Motorcycle Tour

Many Have Asked About Trip Pictures

2009-06-24T09:37:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

For those that are still following my travel blog site for Cruisin' For A Cure, many of you have been asking about pictures. I have added many more pictures to my Photobucket.com website and all you have to do is click on this link. On the left side of the screen, you will see links to other albums that I have uploaded. I have not necessarily titled all of the pictures but you get the idea from the picture.

http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq158/pwestjr

Also, some people have been asking about video. As many of you do not know Nathan (owner) at Moto Liberty motorcycle gear store donated a Motorsports Hero wide angle camera to me for the trip. I was able to take a little bit of video but it was quite cumbersome to get it mounted on my bike in particular. It wasn't the camera's fault at all as much as me trying to figure it out and test it at the last minute. The problem I'm currently having is getting it uploaded because the files are so big and it takes over two hours to upload. I have been trying to upload it to my "cruisinforacure" YouTube.com website but it is painfully slow. So as you can probably tell this may take some time. I realize that many of you might find this rather boring as well.

Pete West
PO Box 380001
San Antonio, TX 78268
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
pwestjr@gmail.com

"Cruisin' For A Cure" U.S. Motorcycle Tour to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (trip was completed but you can still donate)
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com ("Cruisin' For A Cure" travel blog site)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (donation website)

Day 30 (El Paso, TX back to San Antonio)

2009-06-15T20:46:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning (June 15, 2009) in El Paso, Texas with a sense of relief about being home around 4:30 – 5:00pm. I was so looking forward to being home but it also gave me some time to think about my journey around the country. I was going to be going 545 miles to make it to my front door and I thought after riding 828 miles one day that this is nothing. Well that is not allows the case because it always seems to take longer when you get closer to your final destination and the drive from Ft. Stockton to San Antonio still seems like it takes forever.

Luckily, there was nothing real eventful but I knew I was back in Texas when I had to go through the Border Patrol inspection station where they ask you where you are going and are you a U.S. citizen. How come they never ask you that along the roads up north where you are real close to the Canadian border? But then I never saw Border Patrol checkpoints either. Interesting!

I have to say though this eventually turned out to be a really hot ride during the afternoon hours. I had to pull off more times than normal just so I could cool my body temperature down and of course Texas is loaded with Dairy Queens so that always helps with heat reduction.

As I had said earlier, I had some time to think about what I had done and I felt somewhat depressed that I was not able to raise very much money, let alone anything near the $50,000.00 that I had hoped to raise for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I had to face some real hard realities in my journey and yes, I finished going around the country (minus four states, due to schedule changes) but I just didn’t feel like I accomplished what I really set out to accomplish which was raise more money. Despite what some people may think, this trip really wasn’t about me at all. It was more of an honor to ride for people that have been stricken with cancer (remission or died) and for their friends and family who supported them through these tough times.

I did finally arrive back home sometime between 4:30 and 5:00pm. I couldn’t believe it at all. And today I spent a number of hours cleaning my bike because it was driving me nuts.

I hope that if you have not been able to yet, that you will consider donating to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on behalf of “Cruisin’ For A Cure. This is not over yet despite my arrival back home.

http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure

Note of Interest:

I am behind in some of my previous postings and will work on telling you about the travels I have had prior to my arrival back home. Stay tuned shortly as I need some time to go through my notes and pictures. I start back up at work tomorrow as well. I have some really neat stuff to share with you so I'm not posting previous blogs

The photo albums are located in my Photobucket.com website at:
http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq158/pwestjr

I still have photos from a while back that I need to upload so please be patient with me.

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
http://www.active.com/donate.com/cruisinforacure (donation website)

Day 23 & 24 (Montana to Seattle, WA)

2009-06-10T23:46:00.001-05:00

I know I'm a little behind on my postings but the trip has gotten a little more difficult due to scheduling coordination and last minute changes.

So I started my day in Idaho and eventually got a little bit of a treat. I happen to be looking over in a big marsh off of Interstate 90 when I noticed a young moose strolling through the marsh. I immediately pulled over very quickly to get my camera out of my trunk and I noticed someone else saw what I was looking at. It really was pretty cool to see a moose in Idaho.

I continued on towards Washington State where Lisa and I lived for many years before we met and eventually I was there for a total of 16 years. I had been driving all day when I arrived at the state line but I wanted to continue on through the night so that I could go to my former church to watch a very special young girl (Emily) get baptized on Sunday. So I sucked down a 5-hour Energy drink and headed west to Brier, WA where my friends Doug and Mary live. I think I arrived around 1:30am and who came to the door but the shirtless zombie (Doug). So he got me settled in at his place and the next morning I woke up and went to church to watch Emily get baptized. It was so great to see everyone there. It made me miss being back in Washington but I like the ability to be able to ride my motorcycle year round and to have a better cost-of-living.

I did take some time to drive around to see if much had changed. Some things were new but all in all, it was as Lisa and I left it back in September 2006. Unfortunately, I was not able to see everyone and I ended up leaving a day early because of needing the travel time to Tuscon, AZ. I went to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle on Tuesday (2:30pm PST) and met with Kit Herrod who gave me a very thorough tour of the main facility. I was really impressed with the three people that were Nobel Laureates. (Noble Prize winners). These individuals are still very active doctors and scientists.

After my visit at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, I wanted to visit the Seattle Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I met with their Executive Director, Anne Gilliam (hope I got her name correct). Pretty much everyone was gone after working a big campaign fundraiser but I was glad to meet her. I decided to get a bite to eat and then headed southward and finally got a hotel in southern Washington State. I'm just amazed just how easy it is to have a hotel drop there rates when you can see that hardly any rooms are occupied (curtains opened on vacant rooms). Yes, I was working it for all I could. This is on my dime and not anyone elses.

Day 21 & 22 (Wall, SD to Three Forks, MT )

2009-06-08T23:01:00.000-05:00

OK, I'm going to go ahead and post this (6/9/09) even though I didn't get it done last night. I need to head out and get onto the Pacific Coast Hwy. down in California. Busy schedule coming up. I will complete this tonight.

Started this the evening: 6/8/09:

Wall, South Dakota sure felt like a long way to what ended up being a small town in Montana where I actually found a very reasonable hotel that actually turned out to be better than I had thought...for the price. I had hoped to make it to Helena, Montana but with all of the rain that kept me company, I thought it was time to call it quits. I was actually warned by some ladies at a local store/gas station that the pass is not something I want to do on a motorcycle because of deer and other wildlife up there. But that was before they realized I was riding a Goldwing. :)

You know, I just realized that I left something out that I think was very important. I have traveled across the country three times in my life and typically never stopped to smell the roses and see some of the significant landmarks that are along the way. One in particular is Mount Rushmore so I finally said to myself that I was going to see Mount Rushmore. I love history so this was way cool to me. It was about 28-30 miles off of the freeway and I am so glad I stopped to see it. It was amazing and if you have not seen it and are anywhere near Liberty, SD then you have to go see it. It feels different being there as opposed to seeing it on TV. So I bought a T-shirt, magnet, and a pin for my leather vest. I did not have enough time to stop at the site of Custer's Last Stand (The Battle of Little Big Horn). I wold have loved to do that as well.

There really was not anything eventful in my ride from Wall, SD to Three Forks...and a Spoon, MT., other than a miserable amount of rain and 37-40 degree temperature and of course, Mount Rushmore.

Now the next day was nice because it was nice and cool as I was packing up the bike with all my gear. It basically stopped raining and made it a little more pleasant but that didn't last long. As I was about 70 miles east of Helena, MT, I encountered a bit more rain. Even though I was pretty dry, I felt a slight chill in my journey to Helena. I did finally arrive and decided to get something hot to eat and drink before calling someone that Lisa knows indirectly through her work. There is a company in Helena, MT that merged with her company and one of the guys that heard about my trip wanted to have me come to their office to meet everyone. What I discovered is that this gentleman (Tom) that I was to meet was diagnosed with leukemia a few years back as well as his own father around the same time. I will tell you that they are both in remission and have a fantastic oncologist in Helena that treated them both with a great deal of success.

So to get back to the story, I called Tom from the Burger King that I stopped in at and he came out to meet me. We decided to go to Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee there which always works for me. I really enjoyed talking with Tom. Because it was morning time, I decided to have my oil changed at the local Honda shop (Outdoor Motor Sports) and Tom offered to show me around Helena while we waited for the bike to get serviced. He showed me his company where he is the Director of Tax and his wife Patrice works there as well. As a matter of fact she will be visiting the parent company in San Antonio so Lisa will get to meet her in July. So Tom took me to the local catholic church that was incredible. This church looked like one of the really old catholic churches in Europe. It has an awesome display of stained glass windows. I didn't take any pictures, out of respect but believe me, I would have loved too. If any of you ever visit Helena, this is a place you have to go to. So did I mentioned that it was snowing really big? Oh, I must have missed that part. It was not sticking to the ground but the flakes were real big and it was rather cold.

After this we went to Tom's home to chill out and I noticed he lives extremely close to work. Now that is convenient! After I bit we eventually worked our way back to the Honda shop and the bike was sitting in the back and I noticed it looked really dry even though it was raining. Well the shop pressured washed my bike off and cleaned it up for me so that it looked a little more presentable. Great customer service! The bad news though is that it rained again and eventually got dirty again. Great job Outdoor Motor sports!

Anyway, after much appreciation for Tom's hospitality, I head up McDonald's Pass and discovered that it was clear and I eventually made it after a long cold and wet night and found a hotel in Idaho.

Day 19 & 20 (Rochester, MN to Wall, SD)

2009-06-04T22:40:00.000-05:00

First of all, no pictures this time. As I hope, most of you probably read my last blog posting about me losing my wallet when I was getting gas in Rochester, MN, on my way out. I somehow forgot to put it back in my back pocket and left it on the dashboard of the bike. So you'll have to read the previous blog posting to get the details but I'll update you on what has happened since then.

So Lisa had to wire me some money to hold me over in Rochester, Minnesota for two days extra until my financial institution sent my new ATM/debit card with a Thursday (today) delivery day. After going through a lot of hassle, as you can imagine I thought things were back on track again and that I would have my new debit card and I would be on my way, right? So very wrong!

So I call USAA today to get a tracking number that they apparently could not provide yesterday. That seemed odd to me if you are overnighting a package of some sort. So, I speak with a completely different agent and discover that they don't have a tracking number for some unknown reason and the agent found that very off himself. I then ask to speak to an supervisor and after two lengthy on-hold sessions, I discovered that the original agent never processed my ATM debit card correctly and that it never got sent out to Rochester, MN as I was promised.

Well, for those that know me I was not at all happy but I had to keep my cool because other people were in the room. So now, I'm being promised by this supervisor that they will overnight it to Seattle for me to receive at a friends house. We'll see how this plays out but it is not going to be good when I get back to San Antonio. I personally find this unacceptable when they knew what my situation was from the beginning. I should say that I did file a report with the police department in Rochester which someone at the Brentwood Inn & Suites recommended. They were awesome and even let me hand wash my bike on site.

Again, Lisa wired me enough money to hold me over until Seattle. So I decided to leave Rochester and head west and it felt so good to get back on the bike. I was originally going to go through North Dakota but since all this put me behind, I decided to take I-90 through South Dakota, Wyoming (corner section), Montana, Idaho, and to Seattle, WA where I will tour Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on Monday morning. I am currently in a hotel after driving eleven and a half hours. I'm in Wall, South Dakota where the famous Wall Drugs is located. If you have ever been through South Dakota you know exactly what I'm talking about. In short...a tourist trap. It has definitely grown though since I went through here back in November 1990, when I first moved out to Washington State.

Apparently a major thunderstorm is coming through from the west according to another biker here at the hotel. He drives a touring Harley-Davidson and apparently they are thinking about heading back to Minnesota instead of going through it. I'm not surprised though. I'll be going through it no matter what. No, not arrogant...just confident of my Honda Goldwing's capabilities and it has already been tested a few times during this trip.

I will tell you that there was nothing eventful in my trip from Rochester, MN to Wall SD other than a rather funny thing that happened. I ran into this guy at a gas station in Minnesota and he was gassing up his BMW GS1150 (just another bike) and we chatted briefly before he left and I finished up and then went over to McDonald's (give me a break...there was no Starbucks nearby) and then I left. So quite a ways down the road, I decided to take some "personal time" at this rest stop. As I pulled in, guess who I saw? Yes, this guy named Dave from West Virginia. So no big deal right? Then much further down the road in South Dakota, I pulled into this tourist trap gas station with an old western town (1880 Town) in the back (houses were real but moved to this location from throughout the state) and after getting gas and having a Dove ice cream bar, I was talking to Lisa on the phone and guess who came around from the back of this place? Yep, Dave. He leaves after saying hi again and that was it.

Well as I stated, I came into Wall, SD and as I'm looking for a reasonable hotel (OK, cheap), guess who I saw pulling around to this hotel. OK, this is on the border of stalking now so I had to drive over and Dave and I just busted up. Well come to find out, the rooms were only $53.00 a night so of course, I'm sold. He is going back to drive through the Badlands of South Dakota tomorrow and working his way up to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska where a friend lives. That is adventurous now.

Well enough for tonight, it is 10:20pm (Mountain Time) which means 11:20 in Texas and that is too late for me.

Pete West
PO Box 380001
San Antonio, TX 78268
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
pwestjr@gmail.com

"Cruisin' For A Cure" U.S. Motorcycle Tour to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com ("Cruisin' For A Cure" travel blog site)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (donation website)

Day 17 & 18 (Mayo Clinic & Lost Wallet)

2009-06-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

I'm going to go backwards on this blog posting because of what happened this afternoon and then I will work my way back to when I left Milwaukee, just morning.

Let me start by saying what a wonderful visit I had today at the world renown Mayo Clinic. Apparently, people like the King of Saudi Arabia have come here to be seen by the Mayo doctors. I think what impressed me the most was the actual history behind the Mayo Clinic. I would encourage anyone to Google "Mayo Clinic". My hotel stay was not all that great because the hotel that I stayed at was old and had thin walls so I had a TV playing through the night on one side and then two elderly ladies chit-chatting on the other side. I wasn't going to make an issue of it though. Did I mention that the hotel room door had an opening at the bottom of about 2 inches as well? I should have known better but wanted to try to keep the cost down.

So I got up at 5:00am and packed up all my gear and checked out of the hotel but they did let me stow my gear in their office until after my Mayo Clinic tour was over. I took the shuttle over and you definitely see a lot of people that are sick in one way or another or they are family members who come along with them. Rochester really is a busy town with all of the people that come to the Mayo Clinic. It is my understanding that they saw over 500,000 patients last year alone.

I finally got to meet Nicole Engler and she was so nice. I really felt very welcomed to be there and I must say I felt overwhelmed by the Gonda building on the Mayo Clinic campus. It was incredible and it even had a walking subway system (no, not trains but feet and lots of them) under the city within the buildings. In the winter you literally never have to worry about getting out in the cold weather to find almost anything you need. You will notice some of the pictures with the walking subway entrances.

I got to meet and talk with Jeri who I believe oversees the "Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer Education Center". You know for some reason, I never thought to ask her. See the education center was the first one of this type that I had seen and I was so very impressed with the various resources that they have for patients and family members. It amazed me how much is available to people and these folks are here to help in every and any way they can.

My public tour started at 10:00am in the Judd Auditorium where we watched a film on the Mayo Family and how the Mayo Clinic started. We started on the walking tour and I really was intrigued by the history of this facility. This visit was mainly about the history behind the clinic as opposed to visiting research labs and I found it very highly interesting.

So, after my tour, I took some more pictures and then went back to the hotel to load up my motorcycle and head out. I must confess that part of me wanted to see so much more, such as the St. Mary's Hospital which along with the Rochester Methodist Hospital is part of the Mayo Clinic as well.

So as I stated in the beginning, I somehow lost my wallet and was completely stressed out. I wasn't worried about the money as much as all the work that Lisa and I had to go through to cancel and renew my debit cards and get cash to me through money wire. So I had to check into another hotel and have my bank FedEx my new cards in the next day or two. I suppose I can go visit some of the other facilities now and check out more of this walking subway system they have.

Great news in regards to pictures. Below is the link to the photos that I have taken since I left. They are not necessarily identified so you'll have to figure it out until I can label them. Looks like I have some time now. My trip from Milwaukee to Rochester, MN was uneventful but it was nice and sunny.

Since I am going to be behind a bit, I have decided to make up this time by driving non-stop (via a brief stop over in Helena, MT) to Seattle with little catnaps along the way and a little boost of energy drinks.

Posted Pictures (not all labeled yet)
http://s443.photobucket.com/albums/qq158/pwestjr

Pete West
PO Box 380001
San Antonio, TX 78268
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
pwestjr@gmail.com

"Cruisin' For A Cure" U.S. Motorcycle Tour to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com ("Cruisin' For A Cure" travel blog site)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (donation website)

Day 15 & 16 (Pickerington, Ohio to Milwaukee, WI)

2009-05-31T19:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning (Saturday) was a real treat for me!

As I had said in a previous posting, someone from "The James" at The Ohio State University told me about the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum being just down the road from them (about 15 miles) and for those that know me nowadays, I could not pass this up. This was worth all the rain that I have already run into. I am a member of the American Motorcycle Association which, is in the same parking lot at the museum but they were closed of course because it was Saturday.

I will be posting most of these photos on my photobucket.com website once I figure out how to share it out with everyone (make public). I'll probably get that done tonight and will post an update. So the museum was incredible and I wish I could have stayed longer. I met an old time motorcycle rider and enthusiast by the name of Ken Baumgarth who actually donated an old chopper to the Hall of Fame Museum quite some time ago. I really enjoyed hearing about his past travels back in the 60s and 70s in particular. He even told me about a women who was a friend of his by the name of Marla Garber. She was one of the pioneer women in motorcycling but Harley-Davidson refused to acknowledge her accomplishments as told to me by Ken. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame acknowledges her though. The museum was also exhibiting some of the Arlen Ness motorcycles that were just crazy, such as Mach Ness.

Well that is enough about the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. So it was probably 10:30/11:00am by the time I pulled out of there and I head west by northwest towards Chicago. Now, I should tell you that my plan to stop in Chicago at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (Northwestern University) was cancelled only because of a scheduling conflict and since I didn't make it to Chicago until Saturday it really was not fun at all. That day that would have been tough for them since it was Saturday. It did save me from having to travel into the city since I did arrive in the outskirts (Interstate 90) of Chicago during rush hour.Let me tell you how much fun that was. No, never mind it wasn't fun at all!

So, I decided that since I wanted to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the first place, I drove north towards Milwaukee. I must also say that Milwaukee really was a nice city and it has Lake Michigan next to it and a really nice downtown area. For those that do not know, they have the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, and of course the original home of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle factory or shed as it was originally. I have to make a confession here in front of all of you. I was not really that much into Harley-Davidson motorcycles but I do love motorcycles anyway and they do make some good looking bikes. So my confession is that H-D intrigued me from a nostalgic perspective and their support of our military in the past and present. How could you not appreciate that. I'm fairly sure though that many H-D owners and enthusiasts don't have the same perspective of metric or Asian market motorcycles. I see that when H-D riders pass me on the road and I extend the traditional "motorcycle waive" and many do not even wave back. That is OK though because I know my motorcycle will rarely see the side of the road unless I'm stretching out or getting something out of my luggage trunk and I'm also riding much more comfortable during my rides. Just remember, those of us who ride do it for the love of the ride and the freedom. It is something that you just can't explain unless you have had the bug yourself.

So, I have bored those of you who don't get into motorcycles yet? I'll get back to more of that upon explaining my visit to the H-D Museum. After a very stressful ride through Chicago, I made it to Milwaukee and after finding a hotel in town around 8:00pm, I called my wife and she reminded me that my next appointment is in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Cancer Clinic which I knew but I did not realize that it is not until this coming Wednesday so I decided to stay in Milwaukee one extra day (Sunday) and do some sight seeing. As many of you probably don't know, doing this ride and making sure I make it to each cancer center visit, as well as doing e-mail and telephone follow-ups with others, and finally updating the blog site here, I get very tired and no time to really see things along the way and these two sightseeing trips were well overdue for me and a chance to rest up as well.

So, the visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum was very impressive and any motorcycle enthusiast should take this opportunity to visit here, if you ever get the chance. It is funny pulling up on a Honda Goldwing and parking next to all these Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They know I'm getting a comfortable ride compared to what they are use too. I'm not going to bore you with all the motorcycle stuff but to say this was really cool! I wonder if some of my H-D friends would visit the Honda Museum (I don't even know if there is one).

This evening I'll be busy posting as much as possible for all of you and getting my bags packed for tomorrow's journey to Rochester, Minnesota. "Keep the rubber on the road" and don't forget, i need your help with this fundraiser, if you have not already donated.

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (secure donation site)
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com (travel blog site)

14 (Cleveland & Columbus, OH)

2009-05-29T21:07:00.000-05:00

Today was another really good day!

This morning I was up at 5:00am and was very eager to get over to the Cleveland Cancer Clinic but of course I had a 9:00am appointment and had to wait around for a bit. I stayed at the Cleveland Cancer Clinic Guesthouse across the street. This is where patients and their family members can stay before and after treatments as many travel very far to get treated here. I really enjoyed being there because I got to meet some really nice people and they asked about my trip around the country. So of course, they were very appreciative for what I was doing and it really gave me a sense of worth in what I’m doing.

So it was finally close enough to my appointment time and I headed over to The Center for Hematological Malignancies at Taussig Cancer Center to meet up with Allison Vellani and two of her other colleagues and since I wasn’t able to get a business card from them and after a very long day, I have completely forgotten their names. I’m so ver sorry about that ladies! Allison, please e-mail me everyone's name/title so that I can update this blog. I'm so very embarrassed. But I will say that they were so very nice to me and I was really impressed with the work they are doing at Cleveland Cancer Clinic. I did discover that CCC is the number one medical facility in the United States for organ transplantation and the site of the very “first” face transplant. Even kings and other diplomats (I don’t mean the Sacramento Kings either) come here as well.

So after figuring out the parking situation for my motorcycle (with my luggage on it) with the help of a Cleveland Cancer Clinic police officer (who, apparently was considered a hotty by the ladies as I could see it in their faces) I was able to get started on the tour of the facility. Before I forget though, I did want to mention this super cool fountain that was in the front of the building. I saw it the evening before and until I saw it today, I had no idea there actually was real water in it because it looked so perfectly still. It wasn’t until this morning when there was a little bit of wind this morning and it was just incredible to watch the way the water was moving around on the top of it.

I also was introduced to one of the social workers from the bone marrow program, who gave us a tour of the treatment area where patients sit in a private room and get their various drugs or bone marrow administered to them under direct medical supervision. Patients can be in these rooms with family or friends during the treatment which makes this process a lot more comfortable for them. I noticed patients in these rooms at the time and found this difficult to watch people go through this process. That is bravery if I ever saw it. I also learned some things myself about the donation of bone marrow and plan on signing up on the National Bone Marrow Registry myself, once I get back. A simple donation of your own bone marrow could be the difference between life and death for others. It is a lot easier than I had even heard and you don’t actually donate it until your bone marrow is a match for someone else. I simple swab of your cheek can determine that after it is tested.

So after completing the tour, I loaded back up onto my bike to try to make a 2:00-2:30pm appointment at The Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute down in Columbus, Ohio. The weather turned out to be awesome on the way down there but there were a lot of speed traps as well.

Upon my arrival at “The James” (as many people know it by), I was greeted by Alison Vellani (protocol coordinator), Eileen Scahill (media relations), and Danielle (from the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). I want to thank them again for the nice gift bags that they gave me. This was so very thoughtful. It was interesting because there I was at the largest university in the country, The Ohio State, home of the Buckeyes. Talk about feeling really impressed!

Once we got inside, I got to meet Dr. Joseph Flynn, D.O., who was very nice and very informative about what is going on at The James. Unfortunately, I did not ask for a business card so I have no details to offer other than this hyperlink. I’m such a slacker! During the tour I was introduced to a young lady who is a Ph.D who is one of the researchers/scientists. She gave us a tour of two of the research labs and then upon taking us into the offices where the administration side is performed, had me look out the window to see The Ohio State football stadium. What an incredible view! Of course, I took this picture and then a few more later after I drove around the stadium. It just amazes me to see things like this that I would normally see on TV. I will say though, it would have been nice to have Lisa with me and especially at Niagara Falls.

During my tour of the research labs, I met a gentleman who also owns a motorcycle (Suzuki V-Strom) and he told me about something I may want to go see which, is only 13-15 miles away. It is the home office of The American Motorcycle Association and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. I about died since I am a member and love motorcycles!!! So I decided to go and stay at a hotel that is located right around the corner from the AMA office and come 9:00am, I will be over there. It was closed when I arrived this evening. It is rather odd because it is located right next to a housing development. Odd location, I thought. This is a real treat for me and makes up for all the rain. So after my visit to the AMA, I will b e heading up north to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The visit to Chicago fell through because of scheduling conflicts.

OK, it is 10:30pm so I'm going to bed! These early mornings, long days, and late nights are very exhausting.

Day 13 (When Lightening Strikes)

2009-05-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a day today was!

I got the day started off right with a little rain. Then to add to that, as I pulled up to the toll booth (at every town off of Interstate 90) to get back on the interstate, the light in the signal indicator said "Contact E-Z Pass". Great, I'm going to get pulled over by the state troopers now and they are going to hassle this guy with Texas plates. But alas, I asked the toll booth attendant about this and he gave me the telephone number to E-Z Pass for New York. Did I mention the nats (Mayflies or also known as Canadian Soldiers, so the notice in the hotel room says) that were flying around my face while trying to call them as well as the rain. As I got a hold of them, I discovered that I needed the New Jersey E-Z Pass people because that is where I bought it. Apparently, I had not registered it on the Internet but I needed to reload it with money anyway.

So, with that out of the way, away I go! As I journeyed through central and western New York State, my goal was to briefly visit the infamous, Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, NY which is the oldest U.S. National Park. Prior to getting there though, I needed to become more familiar with more of that wonderful rain. I had very few breaks in rain, of some sort. So, I finally took I-90 over to I-190 north towards Niagara Falls and upon arriving there it looked "touristy" at first. I'm officially inventing this word and claiming it as mine. It's not in the dictionary yet so why not. Anyone know the number to the U.S. Patent office?
No really, it was beautiful but yet powerful and just incredibly amazing. I didn't see it on the Canadian side but I was pressed for time so these are the pictures of what I saw. I bought a DVD and a book though, at the gift store. Yes Lisa, I bought a magnet. It is our thing when we travel. I even bought a Niagara Falls sticker for my trailer. I should have been doing this all along the way but guess I didn't give it much thought before.

So now, I'm finally heading towards Cleveland with about 115 miles to get there. Speaking of which, I'm watching the Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game on the TV. I'm pulling for Cleveland though since my Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs didn't make it.

OK, you guys quit getting me side-tracked! So today was interesting with all the rain but I have to tell you though, I cannot think of any other motorcycle I'd rather be on during these down pours. Visibility is probably the biggest issue if anything because it drives right through the rain just fine. I have a Tulsa windshield that I had recently purchased from a friend in my Goldwing Road Riders Association chapter (TX-H).

Now, I've got a funny for all of you here. I have a CB radio in my Goldwing and off course I can hear it through the helmets intercom system with microphone. So at one point when I was still in New York State, I had just pulled back onto Interstate 90 and I could see a storm just waiting to let loose. Moments later, a full fledge storm with thunder and lightning ensued. I'm thinking this couldn't have started before I got back on the interstate? But instead, it waited for little ole' me to come out and play. So of course it was really heavy and the lightening was making me just a tad nervous, so I pulled under an overpass and got off the bike and sat underneath the underpass for a couple few minutes or so then I decided to man up and get my rain suit (Frog Tog) on and ride. This was a "suck it up buttercup" moment. My mother-in-law would have been proud of me. She is a “suck it up” kinda gal. During my brief time under the overpass the cars and truckers were all passing me with my bike on the side of the road. By the way, I didn't see any Harley's on the road. Hmmm, interesting! Ok, I'm just picking on Jeff Y. at work. At least I did visit the World's Largest Harley Dealership in Daytona Beach, FL.

So when I got back on the bike, I'm eventually chatting with the truckers and when I identify myself as a biker and not a trucker, they are blown away that I'm riding along side them in the massive rain. One trucker was stunned when he discovered that they make a CB for a motorcycle and that I could talk with him. These guys are great but I can't tell you everything they say because this is the wrong rating for a blog site. All I know is that the stories are apparently true. Eventually, it started raining hard again and even they recommended that I find a dry spot until the rain died down. I did meet a really nice couple at a McDonalds in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is actually a professional Muskie fisherman. Now that would be an awesome job! Get paid to go fishing but he did say it only lasts six months. So, what is the problem with that?

I finally arrived at the Cleveland Cancer Clinic and was stunned by how beautiful the front entrance was. I'm not kidding, this was incredible! Those pictures will be on tomorrow night's blog along with my second visit down in Columbus, OH at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. I'm staying at the Cleveland Clinic Guesthouse across the street since I have to be there no later than 9:00am. This hotel accommodates cancer patients and their families that come with them for their treatments. I met a couple out front that I really liked and we had a nice conversation while I was unpacking my luggage from the bike and trailer.

Despite the rain which really wasn't a gloomy issue for me anyway, I enjoyed today's adventure. I will say that I'm very excited about tomorrow events and look forward to meeting all of the folks that I will be meeting. By the way I'm waiting to finish this until the basketball game is over. I know you all want to know.

Oh, before I forget I got the pictures of Dr. Tom Shea, Holly, and I at the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Cancer Research Center. Feel free to go back and check out that posting (Day 7, 8, & 9). OK, I'll tell you now. The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 this evening and I was here.

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (secure donation website)
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com (travel blog site)

Day 10, 11, and 12 (Change in Itinerary)

2009-05-27T05:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Every,

By the way Adrian, thanks for that Wild, Wild West, not! A little insider joke between colleagues. They must miss me at work! Yeah right.

Well, I made it to the Boston area but with much frustration. The onboard GPS that comes with the Goldwings is very unreliable when in the big cities like New York and Boston. It would literally not let me out of the cities before it would keep saying "Off Course", even though it would send me in that specific direction. This is actually a known issue for Goldwing owners. So, I have decided to start use my external GPS system (TomTom 720) and give that a try instead. The other one gets me to the city but that is all that it is good for. I'll never buy a Garmin, that is for sure. don't fbe fooled by them. Yes, I could pay $200 for the updates but my TomTom 720 updates for free through the Internet and you have to wonder why it won't find roads that have been around forever as opposed to paying for the updates.

I'm currently in Farmington, NY (western NY State) and will be heading to Cleveland, via Niagara Falls, NY. I figure I may never get out here again so I'd better do it now.

I spent Tuesday evening at my Uncle Roly and Aunt Kirsten's home in Medfield, MA. It was so good to see them after 16 years. I even got to see my cousin Christian who is really smart, good looking, and working on his MBA. By the way Christian send me the pictures you took of us. I forgot to take some. Well I was scheduled to visit Dana-Farber Comprehensive Cancer Center here in Boston but did not hear back from them and waited around until 11:30pm when I had to head west. They sounded like things were really crazy for them right now anyway, so I didn't mind. OK, I didn't want to get lost in the Boston area, again. The ride to Massachusetts was really nice though. After leaving the White Plains, NY area where the home office for The Leukemia & Lymphoma office is located the scenery was beautiful. I saw the best looking old and newer homes/mansions that I think I've every seen in my life. There were some very old colonial mansions in Connecticut that I so wanted to stop and take pictures of but being behind schedule deterred me from doing so.

As you will notice in this update, I'm actually having to go backwards in telling you everything. Yesterday after I checked out of the hotel in White Plains, NY, prior to my visit to the LLS home office up the road, I got a returned call from them and was very disappointed. So much, that I thought I was going to have to end this trip and come home. No, seriously! After explaining my legitimate frustrations about the major communications issues or there lack of, between LLS and the cancer research centers that I had already visited, I was basically told that my expectations were higher than the support that LLS could offer. I almost felt like I was wasting mine and everyone else's time and effort. Not what someone who is traveling all the way around the country, wants to hear but there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Basically, when I had showed up to a few of the cancer research centers along the way, they had no idea who I was and what I was trying to accomplish. Luckily though, after explaining it to them, they were very gracious and gave me a tour of their facility and explained to me about some of the research that they are involved in. I will say though, it is amazing what strides researchers and doctors have made over the years when it comes to leukemia and lymphoma. It is a tremendous amount of dedicated time, effort, and most of all money. What I really want to do though is get the cancer research centers to e-mail me what they have been doing because so that I can put something together for those of you that are reading my blog site. This way would be much more effective and I won't hack it apart in trying to explain.

So anyway, I went to visit with Nancy Klein (Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer) and Pamela Edelstein (Director of National Media Events) and after discussing what had happened they offered to help me fix the situation and move forward. Do you want to talk about a big stress relief or what? Nancy had me working with Pamela on re-doing my itinerary to work with what we have confirmed already. So this means not going up into Maine and working my way around and down and cutting out some of the originally planned visits. Pamela called the LLS chapters directly to have them help coordinate my visits with their designated cancer research centers which, is how this normally works, as I have also discovered. This seems to be working very well and after my visit to Dana-Farber Cancer Research Center, I will head towrds Cleveland, OH. and then Columbus, OH. After working with them, I felt so much better and that I was getting the specific support I needed to accomplish this trip. I should also say that I met Andrea (misplaced her business card) who interviewed me for their June E-News letter that goes out to people that I don't know at all but the interview will be in there. I'm sure to cancer clinics and local LLS chapters.

I'm really not going to bore you with my journey through each of the states as I was just riding and trying to make as much progress as possible. I did get smart in New York and was told about the E-Z Pass which is good in most of the east coast states. This way I don't have to stop at each of the toll booths and dig out change for the toll roads. Basically, I attached this electronic device on my windshield and make sure it has enough money and I can go through the toll booths without trying to dig out money from my pockets on the bike. Motorcycles really get ripped off though when it comes to the toll roads. Yes, I'm pulling a one axle (two wheeled) trailer but they are charging motorcycles twice the amount of a car and how many wheels does a car have? 4 How many wheels do I have with my trailer, 4. Someone please explain the logic behind this thinking. I will be contacting the American Motorcycle Association's legislative group to bring this up and see about having it changed. I understand about tractor trailers and counting the axles but my bike is not a tractor trailer either. OK, enough of me whinning.

By the way, I want to give a shout out to my awesome wife. Lisa has been behind the scenes and helping me with the itinerary and coordination as well with the cancer research centers. I could not do this without her. Because of her job and our zoo (two dogs and a cat) Lisa was not able to do this trip with me but I'm glad that is the case because this trip would have put her over the edge in many ways.

OK, there really isn't much more to tell. I'm working on my Photobucket.com account to allow all of you to see all of my pictures. I still have some uploading to do though. And I'm working on the video but it really isn't turning out the way I'd like so more to come soon.

Oh, before I forget. Below is my new itinerary as well:

Revised itinerary

Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

Date City Cancer Center Contacts

Wednesday
May 27 Boston Dana Farber (cancelled)

Friday
May 29 Cleveland am. Cleveland Clinic
Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus pm Ohio State James Cancer
Hospital & Solove Research Center

Monday
June 1 Chicago Robert H. Laurie Comp.
Cancer Center

Wednesday
June 3 Rochester Mayo Clinic & Comprehensive Cancer Center

Monday
June 8 Seattle Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Cancer Center

Thursday
June 11 Irvine Choa Family Comp.
Cancer Center

Friday
June 12 Tucson Arizona Cancer Center

Tuesday
June 16 San Antonio

Contacts: LLS Home Office - Pamela Edelstein
914-821-8848
edelsteinp@lls.org
Pete West Cell : 210-563-0509
pwestjr@gmail.com

Travel blog: https://crusinforacure.blogspot.com/

Donation site: https://www.active.com/donate/crusingforacure

Day 7, 8, & 9 (Wow, I'm Behind)

2009-05-24T19:59:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

I'm going to start this off with a somber moment. I'm actually feeling emotional right now as I watch the Memorial Day television program that is taking place in Washington D.C. As a military veteran and American, I sit here thinking about our men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and places unknown and it saddens me that they have to be there. But most of all, it saddens me to think of the ones that were severely injured or died. I think of the pain and the loss that the families have. I hope on this day and tomorrow you will all remember all of our past and present military personnel and the ones that either died or injured.

OK, now where do I start? I must apologize for being so late with this. Hopefully, I can catch up and get back on track with my journey. These last several days have been busy trying to make up as much time as possible. So I made it through South Carolina with a quick peek at the "South of the Border" tourist trap but it didn't get me. I did find Interstate 95 in South Carolina to be very bumpy and I was ready to get to North Carolina.

Again, I will say that my conversations with the truckers as well as between themselves has helped my days go by much faster and it definitely keeps me awake. I do want to tell you about a gentleman that I met at a KFC in Georgia. I know, your thinking he hasn't said anything about Georgia but this stood out to me and deserves a mention. I was talking with a gentleman by the name of Dr. Alfred L. Howard Sr. (Ed.D) who thanked me for what I was doing and he handed me the only cash he left left in his wallet after getting his meal and this really stood out to me. He wanted to give more, as he told me but he gave what he had left. I'm always taken back by people that give without any thought behind it, just because they want to help in some sort of way. I want to thank Dr. Howard for this special gift of giving to help others. He didn't know me from Adam (as they say) but gave me cash to help towards the trip since I told him that my wife and I are funding this entirely. God bless you Dr. Howard!

My trip through North Carolina was beautiful and the roads were maintained quite well as far as the interstate was concerned. Don't get me wrong South Carolina was just as beautiful though and this had to do with a bright sunny day without rain. After all of the rain in Florida, well lets just say it made me appreciate the sunny states that much more.

Now, my next official stop was the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. I was greeted by Holly Rio (Program Assistant) and Mary Rice-Seagrooves (Special Events Coordinator), and Dr. Thomas C. Shea (Director, Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation). I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with them and what a warm reception. We did have a photo op on and around my Goldwing and even had Dr. Shea sit on it. I know he got the itch to ride. Don't let him tell you any different. :) I should have just given him the keys.So anyway, Dr. Shea toured me around a bit and showed me the new hospital that the state legislature approved.

My next stop was about 18-20 miles away at the University of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center but because of the weekend holiday, they let there staff go home early and there was one no to tour me around their facilities so I proceeded to briefly visit with a friend in Durham, NC. I was absolutely amazed by how close the two universities were which explains the rivalry.

Now yesterday was probably the most difficult day I had yet, as far as exhaustion (due to heat) and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Yes, I made it to the Virginia/Washington DC/Baltimore, MD area. My next stop was two visit with three friends of mine in Burke, VA and then Baltimore, MD. Well because an e-mail came into my cell phone late, I didn't get the message that no one was home at the first stop and so I was a little frustrated but this was not any one's fault. It just was, what it was.

So I headed to Baltimore to visit with buddy, Richard "Dennis" Kernan (aka...The Boy) and his wife, Michelle. Long story behind the aka name but I had to put it in here to try to embarrass him. Now I should tell you though, that my onboard Garmin GPS (built into the motorcycle) was pretty reliable until I got into this metro area. It kept saying stay right during a road split and when I did that, it would say, Off Course". So because of this happening so many times, it took me much longer to find Dennis and Michelle's home. I literally thought I was going to pass out when I got stuck in a bumper-to-bumper traffic situation. I felt very dehydrated from having to wait so long for it to clear up and the temperature was really hot on the road. This was the first time this has happened to me but I managed to get through it and pull off in time.

I finally pulled into an Exxon gas station which is something I would not normally do as I will not support Exxon by purchasing their fuel. Long story so I won't get into it and Lisa is probably saying thank God right about now, as she reads this. Not another conspiracy theory. So I topped off my gas tank and got a big bottle of a particular sports drink. Hey, if they aren't going to pay me to mention their name then why put it in there.

Eventually, I arrived at Dennis and Michelle's home and we immediately went to Ruby Tuesday's because we were all starving. I stayed with them for just a couple of hours before heading to my hometown of Dover, Delaware. I should mention also that on all of the toll roads, (several states) they charged me twice the amount they charge a car because I have a one axle (two wheels) trailer, even though though I have the same amount of wheels that a car would have (4). What moron wrote that law? Let's see, a car weighs how much compared to a motorcycle and small trailer? I felt like they were treating me like a tractor trailer.

So as I got closer to Dover, DE I realized that I didn't recognize the area where the exit was in south Smyrna, DE. It took me a minute. I decided to go down my old street where we had our house (built in 1899) on Governors Ave. and I was in shock with the neighborhood. It had gone to hell and back compared to when I lived there. I proceeded to downtown Dover which looked virtually abandoned. OK, I being somewhat dramatic but not much. There were a lot of abandoned buidling that use to thrive on Loockerman Street. The part that really bothers me was that the Dover Downs Casino, Hotel, and Spa. I would think that it should be bringing in a lot of extra revenue for the city but apparently not or they are putting the money towards other things and letting the downtown area fall to the wayside. Some politicians screwed up here. And this is supposed to be the capital of the state. Huh?

So as I sit here in the Comfort Inn (Oops, I mentioned there name) in Dover, I think about my journey and how fast all these states past by me. So when many are thinking about all the stuff that I apparently get to see, I can tell you that I'm really seeing a lot of freeway and rest stops instead. And by the way, I didn't get to visit with my three daughters and grandson after all. This was rather disappointing but alas, tomorrow I move forward knowing that every dollar I raise during this trip will possibly help people in some small way, who are suffering from cancer which is what my own mother died from.

If you have not been able to donate (http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure) yet, I hope you will consider donating what you can to help me, help others. I cannot do this alone. I need your help.

OK, it is really late and I need some sleep so I can get an early start and beat potential rain. Tomorrow, I will be heading up to Wilmington, Delaware to visit with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapter office, then Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles stadium), and New York City (Columbia University, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), and possibly straight to the corporate office of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Great Plains, NY, given enough time.

Pete West
(210) 563-0509
pwestjr@gmail.com
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com/

2009-05-21T22:06:00.001-05:00

Day 6 (Port St. Lucie, FL to Walterboro, SC)

2009-05-21T20:49:00.000-05:00

Well, let me first say I love having the CB radio on my Honda Goldwing. I have been chatting with the truckers left and right and before I know it, time flies. They also let me know when "Smokies/Bear" (police radar) are in the area and I return the favor to others. I gave myself the call sign "Wing and a Prayer" because that is how I am doing this trip, On a Wing and a Prayer. Get it??? Arr arr, earth humor.

I got to stay overnight at my parents house in Port St. Lucie and I did the old, "I'm home from college mom" which many will know means I have laundry. I did it though but they did help me fold them up this morning when I was trying to pack everything up and get the bike loaded. For those that are curious, yes my parents are Mr. & Mrs. Claus. No seriously!

I almost forgot. I got to visit the worlds largest Harley-Davison dealership in Daytona, FL. It really is very impressive. I took a lot of pictures so I will share that out on my Photobucket website once I figure out how to share it out to the Public. I know, I know, they still aren't Goldwings though. Until they can have a Harley that has all the extra features that the Goldwing has, Goldwing will always rule the touring market. I also got to visit J & P Cycles which is in the same complex. I actually get their catalog. I did find out some very sad new though. The lady at the cash register told me about a supervisor (Tami) there that just recently found out her 13 year old son was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease. I would like people to include him (name unknown at this time) in your prayers. As many people know, this is very difficult for the child but also difficult for the parents and they will need our prayers. I hope to hear from Tami soon as I left a message and my business card with the lady at the register.

I did run into quite a bit of heavy rain today in Georgia but I pulled over and put on my rain gear (Frog Tog) and then continued on. Today got a little tricky because I was getting e-mails on my phone about my visits in North Carolina and I just was not able to follow back up with the people concerned until quite sometime later. Its not like being in a car and picking up the phone. Thank God Lisa has been able to be a go-between for me when communicating with the cancer research centers.

I'm in Walterboro, SC now at a Motel 6. I got in at 9:20pm. Long day but then again I couldn't get out of Port St. Lucie until 8:45am because I was chatting with a really nice gentleman by the name of Dean Gallupe at Starbucks on my way out. He works for Treasure Coast Hospice in Port St. Lucie, FL. I also met his friend Harry Butsko who is a chaplain for hospice. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them and time got away from me but then this is part of what this trip is about meeting people and telling them about what I'm doing.

I should be in Chapel Hill, NC at the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center tomorrow and then at Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Duke, Durham, NC. Unfortunately, I'm still a ways out from Chapel Hill so I might not be about to meet Dr. Thomas Shea but I'm not giving up on the yet. Guess, I need to twist the throttle a bit more tomorrow.

Note of Interest:
I do want the various facilities that I am scheduled to visit know that I am probably one and a half to two days behind on my current itinerary so please be patient with me as I deal with the weather issues that are causing the delays currently here in the Southeast part of the country.

Day 4 & 5 (Severe Rain Delays)

2009-05-20T20:12:00.000-05:00

Day 4:

Sorry I'm a little behind on this folks. I arrive in Miami much later than expect, last night after a heavy downpour about the last 11 miles on Alligator Alley. Talk about a little nerve wrecking with semi-tucks speeding past me.

As I previously stated, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Brooksville, FL the third evening and the next day, I took off to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Bay, FL. I should tell you that we did not get a confirmation on my visit from the person that we had as a point of contact. So being the persistent person that some of you know me as, I went there anyway and surprised some of the folks that I met. In a nut shell they were wonderful and I really enjoyed meeting many of the people that I did such as Odalsys Capote (Executive Director and Chief of Staff-Office of the President/CEO & Center Director), Cody Northrup (Coordinator, Institutional Advocacy) who along with Terri Hewitt (Coordinator, Public Relations) who came over from the public relations office to give me a very thorough tour of the facilities. Actually, I was very impressed and even got to see one of the actual research labs where doctors, scientists, and lab people try to find a cure and to learn more about the cancers and what causes them. This was my first tour of an actual lab. I also met two other people that are key to Moffitt such as , Alan F. List, M.D. (Clinical Sciences, Physician-In-Chief) and Gary Reuther, Ph.D. I thoroughly enjoyed Gary explaining what is going on at Moffitt from a research prospective.

Unfortunately, because of the unannounced surprise visit to H. Lee Moffitt, this took a little while to coordinate once I got there and to complete the tour so it did put me behind by about a half a day but I am so very glad that I did decide to give it a shot. I should tell you that H. Lee Moffitt is the states primary comprehensive cancer center and very well renowned.

So, back on the road! As you might already know from the weather reports on Weather.com it did rain periodically throughout the trip but nothing like when I arrived at the beginning of the famous Alligator Alley which is 100 miles long. Apparently before the state installed fencing along the everglades and swamp land, alligators would actually be seen right up on the highway which is a problem for vehicles and especially motorcycles but alas they installed fencing. The first 5 miles or so was pretty rainy but then it dried out until the last 11 miles when it dumped mass amounts of rain and then having trucks speed by me made it more even more knuckle-busting for me. Thank God I own a Goldwing with a larger Tulsa windshield and new tires. My motorcycle performed absolutely flawlessly unlike a particular persons bike, that I work with would have in this situation. Hi Jeff Y! Oops, no name dropping. :)

So, I finally made it through Alligator Alley which I did enjoy, overall. I then headed to Miami, where I had a room waiting for me with compliments from my brother-in-law, Greg. I cannot begin to tell you what incredible service I got at the Courtyard by Marriott. The restaurant was still open until 10:00pm and so I took a real fast shower, changed and proceeded to have dinner. I finally went to bed at around 12:00am because I had some e-mails to catch up on and other work to do but I woke up at 4:30am and could not go back to sleep so I got all of my gear ready to depart and after breakfast, pulled out. I want to thank my brother-in-law, Greg Presnol, the evening staff at the Miami Courtyard, in particular to include people like Gregory, Rudy, Jim, and a few other names that I forgot. They really made me feel welcomed and interested in my trip as well.

Day 5:

As I write this, I'm so tired but alas, I will move forward for those of you waiting on an update. I left Miami at about 8:10am and headed towards The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. They knew I was scheduled to arrive at some point and made me feel so welcomed. The ladies all introduced themselves to me and I spoke quite thoroughly with the ladies that are heading up the Team In Training season. They were so nice and eager to find out about my trip so far. I almost forgot that they even gave me a Team In Training t-shirt that I know I will wear during the trip. GO TEAM!

As I proceeded to move north on US I-95 towards my parents home in Port St. Lucie, FL I noticed that another storm front was moving in from the east very quickly so I decided to stay overnight at my parents instead of pushing onward. Because I got behind schedule from the day before, I was contemplating just visiting for a couple hours and then going north toward Jacksonville, FL. It was so nice to see my parents as well as my sister, brother-in-law (same guy), and my niece, Ellie.

Tomorrow morning I will be pulling out by daylight and trying to make up some lost time so I will be out there much longer.

Quick Note:
I realize that I will be arriving at a couple of the facilities later than anticipated but please be patient with me. Riding in really bad weather is not worth rushing. I will make contact with you as quickly as possible.

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com
(210) 563-0509 (cell)
http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (secure donation website)
http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com (travel blog site)

Day 2 & 3 (Stop the Rain)

2009-05-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Greetings from the Brooksville, Florida Holiday Inn Express!

I suppose I should start with yesterday. Yesterday was definitely wet but my Goldwing and Frog Tog rain gear kept me dry for the most part. The bike really has a lot to do with that though, in the way it is designed. Now, this doesn't mean I'm not sick of the rain though. Rain always delays things.

I crossed the 18-mile Henderson Bayou bridge (Louisiana) in the rain and had to actually stop where a convenience store has a real Bengal tiger captive in a cage as some sort of side show. Apparently someone is trying to do something about this tiger being locked up in a small cage. I put in over 540 miles yesterday which really was a lot considering the rain but I had to keep plugging forward.

So the bridge crossing was wet but it was fascinating to see all those trees under the water or partially sticking up. I was not able to take pictures though as it was raining and unsafe to pull over. My trustworthy Honda Goldwing held up quite well in the rain and I made sure to take it easy.

Anyway, I made it to Pace, Florida where one of our (Lisa and I) dearest friends lives. Marcy Roche and her son and daughter-in-law put me up for the night and it was so good to actually she her and finally meet her son (Eddy), daugther-in-law (Mindy), and granddaughter (Mariah). It was so awesome to catch up with Marcy and see her little dog Joey. We were all housemates back in Bothell, Washington where we use to live.

So day 3 and I left Pace, FL a little later than normal but I got to sleep until 6:00am. Wahoo! I think given that it is now almost 11:00pm (EST), I'll try to take advantage of a little extra sleep tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll sleep until 6:10am. wouldn't that be exciting. So I headed east on Interstate 10 towards Tallahassee, FL (around the city) and then south on Highway 19/27. Today's trip was not very exciting at all and was actually quite boring but it only drizzled, off and on today so there is a positive in everything. So I made it to the Holiday Inn Express here in Brooksville, FL and it is pretty nice compared to the Howard Johnson's (IH-610 and Main) in Houston, TX.

Now the problem I have for tomorrow is that we (LLS San Antonio and I) still have not received a confirmation invitation from a cancer center in Tampa for tomorrow. I'm hopeful that we will now, though. If not I head to Miami (via Alligator Alley) and probably stay over and visit my brother-in-law, Greg and possibly stay at his hotel, if he'll let me. :) He is the General Manager for the Marriott, Courtyard Hotel. It depends on what time I make it down there. Personally, I have stayed at Courtyards and absolutely love them and the service. No, that wasn't a plug, really. :)

Well folks, I thinking I'm up-to-date and I really need some serious sleep. I bid you good evening.

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com

(210) 563-0509 (cell)

http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (secure donation website)

http://cruisinforacure.blogspot.com/ (Cruisin' For A Cure travel blog site)

Day 1 (Ride to M.D. Anderson CRC)

2009-05-16T20:19:00.001-05:00

Today went very well. I want to thank those of you that came to the send-off party/gathering. This really meant a lot to me in preparation of my departure. We had a small crowd but I was excited to see everyone there. I want to thank the two Goldwing Road Riders Association chapters (H & U) for coming out with your Goldwings and giving my moral support. Also, I wanted to thank Cammie, Hannah, and Jeremy for helping Lisa and I setup this morning.

This morning we left at about 11:30ish and I led the group out on our way to Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center. Patrick & Mary Browning came out to San Antonio from M.D. Anderson to escort me to Houston. Both Patrick & Mary work at M.D. Anderson and Patrick is the President of the "Riders For the Cure" motorcycle group which is also current and former employees of M.D. Anderson. Last year alone I believe Patrick told me that they helped raise $18,000.00 towards the cure for cancer.

By the time we reached Buckee's (famous rest stop in Luling, TX) the last two Goldwing riders headed back because of an up coming storm that was heading to San Antonio. So Patrick, Mary, and I pushed forward to Houston. We did get some rain (enough to put on rain gear) but the combination of rain and gusting winds made the ride a little tense. Nothing like being pushed off the road when it is wet.

We finally arrived at M.D. Anderson at about 4:15pm and were greeted by the clinic security to keep watch over our bikes and also Tee Couch who took us on a tour of the main clinic. I have to tell you, this did not even feel like that hospital feel. It felt like a really nice (not five star but nice) hotel and very calming atmosphere. I was impressed with the decor' and love the big fish aquariums in the main lobby area. I wish I would have take more pictures but was very interested in what Tee and some of the staff were telling me about what is going on at M.D. Anderson. I'm not going to do this justice by trying to remember everything that these folks told me but M.D. Anderson definitely sounded like cutting edge technology in research and patient care. I would recommend to anyone to take a tour of this facility and find out exactly what is going on there.

As I sit here in the Howard Johnson hotel (not overly impressed but a place to lay my head for the night) my thoughts are with people that have been stricken with cancer. I can't help but think just how scared someone feels when having to deal with cancer. I got a little nervous when we went into the pediatric ward of the clinic because as my wife can tell you, I struggle with kids suffering and dying. That is a quick way to get a tear check out of me.

Well, I'm going to cut this short and get ready for bed. Tomorrow, I head towards Louisiana and hopefully, if I can make contact with this other motorcycle group, they will escort me to the Texas/Louisiana border. If not I continue on by myself. I'll post pictures tomorrow as I'm really exhausted right now.

First TV Appearance on Great Day SA (San Antonio)

2009-05-15T09:34:00.000-05:00

Hello!

Wow, it is hard to believe that I'm one day away from heading out around the country on my motorcycle. I guess it is still hard to believe and unfortunately it requires me to fold my laundry and getting my clothes pack. I just can not get out of doing my chores. Everything else is packed and the bike is clean and ready to go.

Yesterday, Deborah Barker (South Texas Chapter of LLS - Deputy Executive Director) and I were interviewed by "Great Day SA" at the KENS 5 TV station here in San Antonio and it was really fun to do. It looks weird to see the video on their website and think, is that really how I sound. I was shooting to look skinnier and better looking but that didn't work out for some reason. I was a little nervous though thinking that people that know me here in San Antonio are seeing this let alone the people I send this link out to. I did flub the donation website address when asked but they posted it as well so I have been redeemed. I do want to thank Eileen Teves (co-host) and Andy (camera man) for helping me through the interview.

Interview on Great Day SA

So it looks like everything is in order and ready to go. I will be escorted by other motorcycles to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, Texas tomorrow after the send-off party at the South Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you are in the local area the address is 431 Isom Rd., Suite 125, San Antonio, TX 78216. You can use one of the online map searches for directions.

I wanted to thank everyone that was involved in helping me with this event and trip and especially those that sent/submitted donations. That really is the goal here which is to raise money to help researchers, scientists, and doctors cure cancer. Know this...cancer effects everyone of us in one way, shape, or form at some points in our lives which could be directly or indirectly so help me and many others in this fight against cancer. This is a national fundraiser so please do not think it is just a fundraiser for Texas just because I live here now. It is for the country and I need everyone's help.

One Week Left!!

2009-05-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

Good morning everybody! This is Lisa, Pete’s wife. I’m going to give you an update on what’s going on because Pete’s in “focus” mode getting everything ready for the trip. Right now he’s in the garage doing a packing dry run for the trailer, hoping everything he needs to take will fit. Now I hear the air compressor so he must be taking the trailer tires off to replace. This past week a lot of very positive things happened. Kudos to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Erica Badu for really making things happen. She started making calls to all of the cancer centers on the route trying to get confirmed appointments for Pete for tours and introductions. Pete had already coordinated a media event at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Erica tells us that Arizona Cancer Center, part of The University of Arizona in Tuscon, also wants to make theirs a media event which is awesome! In addition, they are trying to coordinate the local Goldwing Road Rider’s Association chapter to come out and ride with Pete on his way out town. On day one of Pete’s trip he’ll be stopping at MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston. With the assistance of LLS and MD Anderson’s own Patrick and Mary Browning, a meet and greet has been coordinated for Pete’s arrival. Patrick Browning is not only the Clinical Business Manager in the Cancer Prevention Center but he also is the President of MD Anderson’s Motorcycle group, Rider’s For The Cure. (http://www.meetup.com/Riders-For-The-Cure). In addition, Carolyn Hensarling from LLS, our Campaign Manager, sent out a press release to the local news media about the Send Off Party on Saturday, May 16^th. We’re hoping we have some media presence during the party.

Also, Pete and Deb Barker, Deputy Executive Director of the local chapter of LLS, were invited to be interviewed on Great Day SA (San Antonio), a local San Antonio television morning show, about “Cruisin’ For A Cure”. Very cool! They’ll be interviewed on Thursday, May 15, 2009 (http://www.kens5.com/greatday). I’ll be in attendance for moral support. Finally, we had our monthly Goldwing Road Rider’s Association dinner meeting at which all of the members in attendance gave Pete one piece of advice for his upcoming long mileage trip. All of the tidbits were great including almost everybody who said “Drink Water!”. This will be hard for Pete since he doesn’t drink water so I’m hoping he heeds their good advice. Anyway, that’s it for now. We’re off to Costco to get bottled water and some final supplies. I appreciate your continued prayers for Pete’s trip, for safe roads and clear skies. Don’t forget that Pete will be updating his blog while he’s on the road. Well, not when he’s ON the road, but in the hotel in the evening. Safety first!

Final "Cruisin' For A Cure" Projected Itinerary

2009-04-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

Wow, I'm a month away now! (May 18, 2009)

Hello Everyone!

I’m finally one month away from my departure date and feeling pretty excited about my journey all the way around the country. But this journey is not for my personal enjoyment, although I’m sure to have a great experience. Rather, this long journey is for all of those that have been affected by cancers in a variety of ways. Obviously, my journey is for those who have been stricken by blood cancers but also for the family members, caretakers, and friends. I want them to know that there are a lot of people who care about them and the emotional and physical battles they endure on a daily basis while bravely fighting their cancer. Thank YOU for all of your support and love to those that are struggling. In a simple way, I feel that this is what we are all called to do. Care for one another.

I have never been diagnosed with cancer but I have had family members and friends that have so I want to do my part to help in my own way and that is to raise money to help doctors and scientists find a cure for cancer and find it now! Also, know that this money also helps families in difficult times with various forms of direct support from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I would encourage you to visit their website at http://www.lls.org/ to learn more. I personally have learned a lot from just reading the discussion board on the LLS site. It has been a real chance to hear what people are saying and what their struggles are.

These past few months have been very busy for Lisa and me as we have been working out all of the logistics of this trip that I am undertaking by myself. People keep asking me how many people are going with me. I tell them me, myself, and I. Yes, by myself! So, with that in mind, I’m asking one thing of you and that is to help fight cancer by donating to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through, “Cruisin’ For A Cure”. Seriously, I need your help and even though times are tough on many of us, think about how tough it is on children and adults affected by these blood cancers. I want to thank those that have already donated towards this cause. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this means to me.

Thank you and please keep me and especially those in need, in your prayers!

Quick Facts:

Send off party --- Saturday, May 16th 2009 at the South Texas Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (all are invited but an RSVP would be helpful)
Distance --- Approximately 11,000 miles, if I don’t get lost! (my wife said this)
Duration --- Approximate 4-5 weeks driving 7 days a week
Stops --- Approximately 31 scheduled stops consisting of prestigious cancer research hospitals and LLS Chapter offices
Purpose --- To put blood cancers to an end once and for all!!

All Proceeds Benefit:The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – South Texas Chapter

431 Isom Road, Suite 125, San Antonio, Texas 78216

Tel: 210-377-1775

FAX: 210-344-3717

Toll Free: 800-683-2458

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/

Erica Badu - Campaign Manager & Deborah Barker – Senior Campaign Manager

Below, I have updated and locked-in my itinerary/route. Many people have been asking me, "Who else is going with you?" and I answer with me, myself, and I and you would not believe the looks on there faces. No, seriously! I guess it is hard to imagine taking an 11,000+ (yes, it was calculated out finally, thanks to AAA and my wife) motorcycle trip all the way around the country by myself. I have faith in God and my Honda Goldwing though. If your in the area of my stops at the places listed below, I'd love to hear and possibly even meet you if coordination is not too difficult.

Day 1- Saturday (5/16/2009)
- San Antonio, TX - SEND OFF PARTY!! (All are welcome!)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, South Texas Chapter
431 Isom Rd., Suite 125
San Antonio, TX 78216

- Houston, TX
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (212 miles, 3hrs 19 min)
1515 Holcombe Rd.
Box 91, Houston, TX 77030 (end of day) modified this layover on 4/22/09

Day 2 - Sunday (5/17/2009)
- Beaumont, TX
- Lake Charles, LA
- Lafayette, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Biloxi, MS
- Mobile, AL
- Milton, FL – visit with friend, Marcie R. (possible layover)

Day 3 - Monday (5/18/2009)
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
University of Florida
12902 Magnolia Dr., MCC-CEO
Tampa, FL 33612-9497 (end of day)

Day 4 - Tuesday (5/19/2009)
- Sarasota, FL (unconfirmed possible visit with cousin) no layover
- Naples, FL
- Miami, FL (visit brother-in-law)
- Palm Beach, FL (LLS visit)
4360 Northlake Blvd.
Suite 109
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
- Port St. Lucie, FL (layover)

Day 5 - Wednesday (5/20/2009)
- Jacksonville, FL
- Savannah, GA
- Florence, SC (end of day)

Day 6 - Thursday (5/21/2009)
- Fayetteville, NC
- Goldsboro, NC
- Chapel Hill, NC
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Attn: H. Shelton, M.D.
102 Mason Farm Rd, CB 7295
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295
- Durham, NC
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC 27710
- Richmond, VA
- Fredericksburg, VA (end of day)

Day 7 - (5/22/09)
- Burke, VA (friend - brief stop)
- Baltimore, MD
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
John Hopkins University
401 North Broadway
The Weinberg Building, Suite 1100
Baltimore, MD 21231
- Towson/Baltimore, MD (Richard Kernan – possible one day lay over)
- Dover, DE (my hometown) (end of day)

Day 8 - Saturday (5/23/2009)
- Wilmington, DE (Interstate 95 ) (brief stop)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Chapter
100 West 10th St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(800) 220-1617

- Philadelphia, PA (brief photo stop and maybe a tour)
Lincoln Financial Field (Home of Eagles)
One NovaCare Way
Philadelphia, PA 19145

- New Brunswick, NJ
Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
195 Little Albany St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2681
- New York City, NY

- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University
Attn: Director, Riccardo Dalla-Favera, M.D.
1130 St. Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10032

- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Attn: President & CEO, Harold E. Varmus, M.D.
1275 York Ave.
New York, NY 10021

- Great Plains, NY (event)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Headquarters
1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 949-5213 (end of day)

Day 9 - Sunday (5/24/2009)
- New Haven, CT
Yale Cancer Center
Yale University School of Medicine
Attn: Director, Richard L. Edelson, M.D.
333 Cedar St. Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520-8028
- New London, CT
- Providence, RI
- Walpole, MA (visit brother)
- Medfield, MA ( visit aunt and uncle)
- Boston, MA
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (16.3 miles, 31 miin.)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney St., Boston, MA 2115
- Portsmouth, NH
- Portland, ME
- Augusta, ME (capital)
- Bangor, ME (end of day)

Day 10 - Monday (5/25/2009)
- Gorham, NH
- Lancaster, NH
- St.Johnsbury, VT
- Montpelier, VT
- Burlington, VT
Possible ferry crossing into New York from Burlington, VT or go north from Burlington, VT to Rouses Point, NY on County Rd. 2
- Watertown, NY (taking Road 11 from Rouse Point) (end of day)

Day 11 - Tuesday (5/26/2009)
- Rochester, NY
- Niagara Falls, NY
- Buffalo, NY (Interstate 90 southwest)
- Erie, PA
- Cleveland, OH
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Case Western Reserve University
Attn: Director, 1100 Euclid Ave., Wearn 151
Cleveland, OH 44106-5065 (end of day)

Day 12 - Wednesday (5/27/2009)
- Columbus, OH
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ohio State University
320 West 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
- Findlay, OH (I-75)
- Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Michigan
6302 Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0942
- Lansing, MI
- Battle Creek, MI (end of day)

Day 13 - Thursday (5/28/2009)
- St. Joseph, MI
- Chicago, IL
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
303 E. Superior St.
Suite 3-125
Chicago, IL 60611

- Milwaukee, WI (Visit Harley Museum)
- Madison, WI (capital)
Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Wisconsin
600 Highland Ave., Room K4/610
Madison, WI 53792-0001 (end of day)

Day 14 - Friday (5/29/2009)
- Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Rochester
200 First St. SW.
Rochester, MN

Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455 (end of day)

Day 15 - Saturday (5/30/2009)
- Fargo, ND (I-94)
- Bismarck, ND (I-94)
- Dickinson, ND (end of day)

Day 16 - Sunday (5/31/2009)
- Lewistown, MT
- Great Falls, MT (end of day)

Day 17 - Monday (6/1/2009)
- Helena, MT (I-15)
- Missoula, MT
- Coeur d’ Alene, ID
- Spokane, WA (County Road 395) (end of day)

Day 18 - Tuesday (6/2/2009)
- Colville, WA (Hwy 20/North Cascades Hwy)
- Okanogan, WA (Hwy. 20)
- Twisp, WA (Hwy. 20)
- Sedro Woolley, WA (I-5)
- Seattle/Everett, WA (layover)
Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, WA 98109-1024 (end of day)

Day 19 - Wednesday (6/3/2009)
- Portland, OR
- Salem, OR
- Eugene, OR
- Medford, OR (end of day)

Day 20 - Thursday (6/4/2009)
- Redding, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Francisco, CA
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California San Francisco
2340 Sutter St., Box 0128
San Francisco, CA 94115-0128 (end of day)

Day 21 - Friday (6/5/2009)
- Monterrey, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Duarte, CA
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute
1500 East Duarte Rd.
Duarte, CA 91010-3000 (end of day)

Day 22 - Saturday (6/6/2009)
- Los Angeles, CA
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California Los Angeles
Factor Building
10833 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1781

- Los Angeles, CA
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
1441 Eastlake Ave., NOR 8302L
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181
Orange, CA

- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California at Irvine
101 The City Dr.
Bldg. 56, Route 81
Orange, CA 92868

- La Jolla, CA
Rebecca and John Moore’s UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
3855 Health Sciences Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92093-0658

- La Mesa, CA (visit daughter & grand-son) (end of day)

Day 23 - Sunday (6/7/2009)
- Yuma, AZ (interstate 8)
- Florence, AZ (I-8, visit friend, Clint) (end of day)

Day 24 - Monday (6/8/2009)
- Tucson, AZ (Interstate 10)
Arizona Cancer Center
University of Arizona
1515 North Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85724
- Las Cruces, NM (end of day)

Day 25 - Tuesday (6/9/2009)
- Roswell, NM
- Lubbock, TX (end of day)

Day 26 - Wednesday (6/10/2009)
- Sweetwater, TX
- Abilene, TX
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (end of day)

Day 27 - Thursday (6/11/2009)
- Waco, TX
- Austin, TX
- San Antonio, TX -- FINAL DESTINATION!!

First Media Interview For "Cruisin' For A Cure"

2009-04-02T09:59:00.001-05:00

Today our local community newspaper ran the article of my interview with the San Antonio Northwest Weekly. Two weeks ago, a reporter interviewed me and it was finally posted today. I thought it was going to be run in the San Antonio Express News but apparently not. Maybe soon though!

There was some important facts left out due to space, as I was told but you can get the additional information from my comments below the article. The journalist did apologize but much of the important facts of the interview was edited out which was beyond her control.

This is very exciting to get some sort of media coverage for "Cruisin' For A Cure" and hopefully that will expand into regional and eventually national news coverage soon. I hope you get a chance to select the link below to read the article.

Leon Valley Man Riding For Bucks (I discovered that as of April 18, 2008, the article was removed from their website).

"Cruisin' For A Cure Update (March 23)

2009-03-23T20:18:00.000-05:00

A former fellow Goldwing Road Rider Association (GWRRA-chapter H) member, Gene Williams, passed away in December 2008 of an unknown form of cancer that even his doctors could not completely diagnose. By the time I joined GWRRA, Gene was very ill and unable to ride with our Chapter. I never met Gene but was honored to ride my Goldwing with other chapter members in his funeral procession.

Gene’s wife, Raguell Williams, is selling his 2004 Honda Goldwing and other items. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the trailer and hitch that Gene and another GWRRA member built with their own hands. I plan on having a small plaque made in honor of Gene and installed on the trailer for my ride around the country.

The trailer that I will be pulling will make my journey a bit easier because I’ll have enough room to carry essentials including Leukemia & Lymphoma Society brochures and other informational packets. I was recently able to purchase the CB radio and antenna for my Goldwing so that I have an alternate form of communication in case my cell phone looses reception in certain area of my journey.

One last item to mention. This past Saturday, the South Texas Chapter of Team In Training invited to me join them in participating in their annual city wide Team In Training Garage Sale. I was invited to raise money for "Cruisin' For A Cure" (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and I was able to display my Honda Goldwing next to the table that Lisa and I, along with Libby (friend) setup. I want to thank Libby for her efforts and support during the garage sale as she was instrumental in helping us sell $240.00 worth of items.

A Special Message From A Survivor

2009-03-13T14:05:00.000-05:00

It seems that people everywhere these days are having a hard time finding the resources they need to keep going. Imagine, then, what it's like to be diagnosed with a blood cancer on top of everything else. That's what happened to Jim Walton, who learned how important information and support can be when a cancer diagnosis comes out of the blue.

I had been miserable for days and thought it was the flu. But when I just couldn't shake it, I went to the hospital and was waiting for results when I learned, rather abruptly, that I had acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). I was alone and terrified. Hospitalized for six months, I had aggressive chemo, nearly died more than once and dropped from 210 down to 130 lbs! My wife left me and there was no one to advocate for me with busy healthcare professionals. I thank my laptop computer and resources, starting with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's website ( www.LLS.org), for arming me with the information I needed to survive.

By the time I left the hospital, I felt well enough to be angry, and clear-headed enough to realize that anger wouldn't help me or anyone else. So I turned my anger into action. Because LLS was there for me when I needed them, I became an active volunteer with my local chapter, participating in Light The Night Walks last year and becoming an Honored Teammate for Team In Training. And I've applied to become a First Connection volunteer as well..

Having cancer has taught me things I might never have otherwise learned. Two weeks before my diagnosis, I felt like a million bucks. You could never have made me believe I had cancer. Now I realize that this can happen to anybody and I believe that, whether you're a cancer survivor or perfectly healthy, all of us are responsible to help people going through what I did. I'm so grateful that now I'm in a position to be giving back.

--Jim Walton

I wish you and your loved ones the blessings of hope and good health.

Sincerely,

John E. Walter
President & CEO
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

10 Weeks and Counting!!

2009-03-08T07:14:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I'll be on the road officially for "Cruisin' For A Cure" in just 10 weeks. Time has definitely flown and there is still so much to do. You may not know but this is the first fundraising that I have ever embarked on and I know I set a high goal. This part of the trip has proven to be very humbling. I guess I just expected everybody, specifically companies, to just open up their checkbooks and ask me "how much?" but that's not what is happening.

I don't have to tell you that the economy is a little tight and folks are just being more conservative about how and where they spend their money. I totally get it, believe me. All of the out of pocket expenses related to the trip so far have been paid for by me and my wife. It's not a cheap endeavor but it's one that we feel strongly about. Even though the economy is a little strained, my goal hasn't changed! I'm still shooting to raise $50,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Because this is a national fundraiser, I'm hoping to not only raise money in South Texas but also while I'm riding around the country. There are too many people who need help to stop now. It might take a little longer than I originally thought but I'll get there....with your help!

On a positive note, I have accomplished several tasks from the last time that I updated you, namely I purchased my helmet headset and intercom system (from J & M Incorporated) and will be purchasing the Goldwing's CB radio and antenna so that I can communicate with other bikers and truckers in case of emergency and to warn me about road conditions. Both allow me to communicate hands free while riding which is a big safety issue.

Since I was unable to secure a corporate donation from my two local Honda shops for a tune-up, safety check, and installation of front and rear tires, I will need to pay for these items myself. I have scheduled to bring the bike in to Gary at Cycle Rider (San Antonio, Texas), who worked on my previous motorcycle. I have full faith that he and his team will do a great job on my Goldwing.

Lisa has arranged, with the help of Team in Training, to have a couple of tables at their upcoming annual city wide garage sale. It will be on Saturday March 21st at a location to be determined in the San Antonio area. My thanks and appreciation goes out to Pat Hilburn of Team and Training and the local chapter for inviting us to join their garage sale. "Cruisin' For A Cure" isn't part of Team in Training but we're both raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and they were my initial inspiration for this ride. We're gathering items to sell but definitely need folks to show up to buy stuff.

In a new section I'm calling "Unconfirmed Possibilities":
I ran into a reporter from the San Antonio Express News at a local city council meeting that I was attending last week (City of Leon Valley) who saw my motorcycle and the "artwork" on it advertising the ride. She asked me about "Cruisin' For A Cure" and whether she could interview me about it. Seriously?? Of course, I graciously accepted. Again, unconfirmed at this point.

I stopped by my favorite motorcycle gear and accessories shop, Moto Liberty (San Antonio off of 281), to purchase something and started chatting with Nathan (owner). He said there might be a chance that he could get some motor oil and a filter donated through one of his vendors. In addition, another vendor of Moto Liberty may be able to donate a helmet / motorcycle video camera. This would give me the opportunity to share my journey with you. I want to thank Nathan and the Moto Liberty team for their help and support. Obviously either or both of these donations would be awesome but again, unconfirmed at this point.

In order for me to refocus on why I'm doing this ride, beyond all of the technical and logistical issues that I have to deal with, I thought it would be helpful to revisit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society website and more specifically their discussion board. What comes through loud and clear when reading the discussion boards is that regardless of the diagnosis or treatment that it is very hard on families and patients and that they need a tremendous amount of support to get through it. I'm hoping that funds raised through "Cruisin' For A Cure" will help lessen the burden on these folks with the ultimate goal being a cure.

We still need your help! I was thinking about budgets the other day, which is something I try to avoid, but thought it might be more manageable if people donated a little over time, rather than one large donation. Kind of like a payroll deduction if you will. I know for Lisa and me that would work out a lot better for our personal budget than writing one large donation check. Anyway, something to think about.

February 7, 2009 – “Cruisin’ For A Cure” - Slight Setback

2009-02-07T05:33:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

First, remember to select “Follow This Blog” on the right side of the blog site or at least select the “RSS Feed”. I really would like to know that people are at least curious about what is going on. It kind of motivates me and especially when things are not going the way I had hoped; like this week. ---------> ----------> ---------> -----------> ----------->

Well, this week did not go as I had hoped. I have been trying to find a local motorcycle shop in my area to be a corporate sponsor and help me out with tuning up my motorcycle, a safety check, and possibly throw in a front and back tire before I depart on my journey. Unfortunately, both of my local Honda shops turned me down and now I’m struggling to find a shop that can help and also get some advertising for them. Yes, I’m stressing but I know that whatever is suppose to happen will happen for the best, I hope.

I’m home sick today and thought this is a good time to update the blog site. I really wanted to go for a ride today but maybe tomorrow, if all goes well. As it stands I have the “Cruisin’ For A Cure” and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society logos put in my Honda Goldwing. It didn’t quite go on the way I wanted it too but given what it cost me by the time it was completed, I’ll stick with it. I also have the http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure website in four different locations on the bike.

I have started a new contract job recently and have not been able to devote the same amount of time that I was putting forth before but it is time to get rolling again. I’m still trying to get some corporate sponsors as that has been a real struggle given the economy but I’m determined to raise the goal I set of $50,000.00. If you have any business contacts, friends, family, or just people that you meet along the way that can help out, please let me know. I’m running out of time and certain things need to be in place before hand.

I did order my headset and microphone system yesterday so that I can communicate easier after I purchase the very expensive CB radio that I "need" as well. Cell phone reception may not work in certain areas and in case of a break-down; I need to be able to communicate at least with other motorcycles or truckers in the area (within range). This is also where I hope my Goldwing Road Riders Association (GWRRA.org) membership will help out so I’m bringing my new GWRRA Gold Book directory to be able to call other Goldwing Riders for help if need be.Well, I as well as some of you know I get long winded when I’m typing so I’ll end here. If you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns please feel free to select the comments hyperlink below this message. I really would like to hear from you. Seriously!

Please visit the donation website at http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure . We need your help!

1/16/08 - Logistical Updates

2009-01-16T08:05:00.000-06:00

I have been extremely busy working on the logistics of the "Cruisin' For A Cure" motorcycle tour around the country and the Send-Off Party at the South Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society office parking lot. We are still awaiting the final approval from the building manager on having this location as the Send-Off Party site but at this point, we don't think this is going to be a problem.

Yesterday, I made e-mail contact with approximately 16 different motorcycle riding groups from San Antonio, Austin, and the Houston areas, to invite them to attend the send-off party and either escort me from San Antonio to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research in Houston, TX or from M.D. Anderson to the Texas-Louisiana state line. So far I'm getting really positive results and it sounds like there is going to be a good showing of motorcycles as well. There is nothing like a whole bunch of motorcycles riding (and rumbling) down the road. It is enough to make a grown man cry. :) Now, it looks like I have to work on getting a police escort to get us out of San Antonio safely. Hopefully, I "may' have some connections there.

While I'm mentioning all this stuff that has been going on, I want to take a moment to thank three people in particular. Anne Temple (LLS Campaign manager)and Deb Barker (LLS Sr. Campaign Manager) and my wife Lisa, who have been my biggest supporters and I can't thank them enough. Thank you ladies!

OK, this morning I ordered my "Cruisin' For A Cure" business cards so that I can hand them out to people around the country to show them the donation website and the travel blog site. I have to wait 7 days for them to come in but it will be well worth it. I'm also having a "advertising vehicle wrap" installed on my two side saddle bags that will have Cruisin' for A Cure" and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society logo on them. If you have ever seen a public bus with the wrap on type advertising, that is what this is. I will have the donation website installed on the left and right bottom side of the trunk so that people will see it. I'm having this done by a company called Fast Signs on Wurzbach and I-10, here in San Antonio. Byron has been working really hard to make this look nice on the bike and the owner, Larry is going to donate a banner for the Send-Off Party on May 16th. This will have "Cruisin' For A Cure" and the LLS logo as well as corporate sponsors logos. If you know of any potential corporate sponsors, please let me know. I also hoping for a gas/fuel company to help cover my fuel costs for this trip. As you can see, we are seeing gas prices rise again. Once I get my local AAA office to do my trip tickets, I can calculate the cost of fuel that I will have to cover, if not sponsored.

The Corporate Sponsorship packet has been completed as well as the Individual Fundraising letter that I will be sending out to "everyone" that Lisa and I know. An e-mail will also go out since I don't have every one's address so you may get duplicate requests. Sorry but it is hard to get all that info.

What I'm really hoping for now is a sponsorship from a motorcycle shop that will be able to help me with things like a good tune-up and to check my Honda Goldwing out so that it is safe for the trip. I'm hoping for a new front and back tire as well so I could use all your prayers on this issue in particular. I'm just waiting back for a response to this corporate sponsorship request. With all of the items that I need to get like the Honda authorized CB radio/antenna, intercom system, highway pegs, and possibly a trailer that I might have to purchase and build, the sponsored tune-up and tires would really take a big load off of what I have to pay for.

I do have to tell you about a donation that "Cruisin' For A Cure"/The LLS received yesterday. I was stunned when I received a $200.00 donation from one person on the website. No, literally I was stunned. I have not even met this person yet and to receive this just made me feel like I'm doing a good thing here. Now I know exactly what Lisa felt like when she was fund raising for "Team In Training". It really makes you realize that there are very caring people out there who think of others without any hesitation. We have people suffering with cancer that need our help and I personally think that cancer should be one of this countries top priorities to cure. My own mother died from ovarian cancer and to be there with her and see what she was going through was very difficult. All I could do was make her comfortable and wait until God would finally stop her pain. We can all make a difference by helping fund the research that doctors and scientist are performing to fight this battle on cancer.

I'm asking for every one's help here. Please reach down inside yourself and help me, help others that are suffering. Visit the donation website at http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure . All proceeds go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and your donations are tax deductible but don't just do this because it is a tax deduction, do this because your kindness can make a real difference to children and adults that are sticken with these blood cancers.

Logistical Update on "Cruisin' For A Cure" Trip

2009-01-08T15:01:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone,

I figured I should update the blog site with what has been going on with me and the trip logistics. I'm really getting excited about the trip now because things are starting to fall in place. Yesterday and today, I have been working on getting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society logo and the "Cruisin' For A Cure" (new) logo put on my Honda Goldwing. If you have ever seen public buses driving around with fancy painted-on looking advertisement (vehicle wrap), that is what I'm doing with my Honda Goldwing.Both of my saddle bags will have the logos on them and the lower sides of the trunk will have the donation website. (www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure).

I thought to myself, why not have it put on now and start advertising the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, "Cruisin' For A Cure" ride around the country. Unfortunately, only the San Antonio folks will be able to see it initially but if all goes well, we will all see it on CNN or some national news program(s) around the month of May or at least at the Send-Off Party. So I'm pretty excited about all this and it should be done in the next week or two at the latest.

I'm also working on getting business cards so that I can hand out to people when they ask about what I'm doing and want to know what the website(s) are. My wife Lisa, along with Anne Temple, who is a campaign manager at the South Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, have been doing an incredible job in helping me complete the fund raising letters that I will be sending out to individuals and the corporate fund raising packet that will go out to hopeful, corporate sponsors. If you know anyone that you think may be interested in being a corporate sponsor, please let me know. It is going to take a lot to raise $50,000.00 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I need your help!

Anyway, I won't bore you any longer but please keep this event in your prayers as well as myself when I get on the road. I hope you will subscribe to my travel blog site as I could use all the encouragement I can get to complete this 9,000+ mile journey. Select the Follow This Blog, option on the right side.

One last piece of advice to all. Please watch out for motorcycles and use those turn signals. Those are apparently optional here in Texas. :) That is a bikers only way of knowing what you are going to do on the road around us. We need as much warning as possible.

"Cruisin' For A Cure"

2008-12-29T12:03:00.000-06:00

This blog was created to journal a new journey that I'm taking in mid-May until mid-June 2009. I hope you enjoy this blog site and feel free to add you own comments as I'm sure I'll find them encouraging during this long journey.

I will be traveling via motorcycle (07' Honda Goldwing GL1800), around the United States to raise $50,000.00 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. When I say around, I literally mean around the country. I will be driving to each of the four corners of the country which include Florida, Maine, Washington State, and California. No, this is not the official "Ironbutt Tour" for all of my fellow motorcyclists.

I was actually inspired by several people. My wife Lisa, has participated in two "Team In Training" 1/2 marathons in both Nashville, TN (Country Music Marathon) and and San Antonio, TX (San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon) to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team In Training is endorsed/sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. After talking with her about my idea, she was very supportive and is helping me with the logistics of this trip. The other two people that have encourage me are two children that had these horrible blood cancers. The first is a little girl by the name of Madison Suggs who is an Honored Hero for the South Texas Chapter of Team In Training. Thank God that Madison is in remission and we wish her and her family good health and prosperity. I was honored to have met Madison and hope to see her at the send-off party in May.

The other individual is a little boy from Bothell, Washington which is the area where Lisa and I use to live up until September 2006 before moving to San Antonio, TX. Many of you may have recently heard about Brenden Foster on the national news (CNN). Brenden was well aware that he would not have much longer to live but his focus was on another cause. That cause is homelessness. Brenden wanted to do something to help a specific group of homeless people that needed food in the Seattle, WA area. Recently because of Brenden, there has been a national effort from people all over the country that wanted to start gathering food up for homeless people throughout the country as well as the Seattle area. All of this because of a little boy who was more concerned about others, than himself. It is times like these that I feel ashamed of myself for complaining about certain things when my situation is so much better than others. It took Madison and Brenden to remind me of this. Writing this is beginning to get difficult for me because a few weeks ago, it was reported that Brenden passed away.I would have been so honored to have met him but since his passing, it is my hope to meet his family when I arrive in Seattle, Washington.

As it stands right now, I'm looking at a departure date of May 16, 2009 (12:00pm) from the South Texas Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (parking lot). We are trying to set up a send-off party with anybody who wants to attend but I'm hoping to get people that have been affected by these blood cancers such as patients, family, and friends. I'm also hoping that friends from the San Antonio area motorcycling community will come as well to help support this effort. There will be local news coverage and hopefully some national news coverage so we can spread the word and get the entire country involved.

Please, help me, help the victim s of these horrible blood cancers। Do or did you have family members or friends that were stricken with these cancers? If so you understand what they or you have been through. We need to find a cure now!

Meeting with South Texas Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymhpoma Society

2008-12-29T11:43:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone:

Lisa and I recently had our initial meeting with The South Texas Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I met with Deborah Barker (Sr. Campaign Director) and Anne Temple (Campaign Manager) from the South Texas Chapter to discuss the "Cruisin' For A Cure" motorcycle fund raising ride from San Antonio, TX and all the way around this great country of ours. The trip is intended to bring awareness but most of all donations to help cure leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. If you know of someone that has or had one of these horrible diseases, you know how hard it is/was on them. I’d appreciate you sharing their story (click on comments section below) if you feel prompted. I really want to honor these people and their families as part of my trip. I’ll keep a list of their names with me so I don’t forget why and for whom I’m doing this.

Our meeting with The South Texas Chapter of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society went better than I could have anticipated. Lucky for me, Lisa was with me to take notes and help me remember everything. I have a lousy memory. I couldn't do this without her. Deborah and Anne were so very helpful and I finally feel like this journey is starting to roll forward. Hopefully soon, with the help of my personal campaign manager Lisa West, we will have an official Leukemia & Lymphoma Society endorsed website up and running. I'm also working on getting vinyl stickers that display the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society logo that I can stick on my Honda Goldwing and possibly a borrowed motorcycle trailer for the trip as well as an LLS flag that can be displayed with the U.S. flag on the trunk of my bike.

My goal is to raise $50,000.00!! I'm looking for family, friends, people throughout the country, and corporate sponsors to help me achieve this. I hope those of you that read my blog site can help out in any way possible. I know times are economically tough right now but can you imagine how tough it is for the cancer patients, both children and adults, and their families that are affected by these diseases. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps support not only research to cure blood cancers but also supports the patient and families during their treatment. This is a huge relief for them both emotionally and financially.

The current itinerary of my trip is now final as of December 23, 2009 and has me going through various cities and hopefully we can meet up if time allows. I'm taking a month’s leave of absence to do this so I should be able to complete it within 30 days. My route will also include stops at cancer research centers, clinics, that the LLS is affiliated with and meet with patients who are going through treatment, if permitted. This will really be the tough part of the ride for me eotionally. I hope I can provide at least a little glimmer of hope in their lives and let them know that we are trying to help them find a cure.

The official "Cruisin For A Cure" website is officially activated: http://www.active.com/donate/cruisinforacure (as of December 29, 2009)

Start: Reposted new and final route 12/23/08

San Antonio, TX
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, South Texas Chapter
431 Isom Rd., Suite 125
San Antonio, TX 78216

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
John Mendelsohn, M.D.
1515 Holcombe Rd.
Box 91
Houston, TX 77030

Beaumont, TX
Lake Charles, LA
Lafayette, LA
Baton Rouge, LA
Biloxi, MS
Mobile, AL
Milton, FL – (brief visit with friend)
Tallahassee, FL

Tampa, FL
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
University of Florida
Attn: CEO & Center Director, William S. Dalton, M.D.
12902 Magnolia Dr., MCC-CEO
Tampa, FL 33612-9497

Sarasota, FL

Naples, FL
Miami, FL

Palm Beach, FL (LLS visit)
4360 Northlake Blvd.
Suite 109
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Port St. Lucie, FL (I-95) (family visit)
Jacksonville, FL
Savannah, GA
Florence, SC
Fayetteville, NC
Goldsboro, NC

Chapel Hill, NC
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Attn: H. Shelton, M.D.
102 Mason Farm Rd, CB 7295
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295

Durham, NC
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
Attn: Director: H. Kim Lyerly, M.D.
Box 2714
Durham, NC 27710

Richmond, VA
Fredericksburg, VA

Burke, VA (friend visit)

Baltimore, MD
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
John Hopkins University
Attn: Interim Director, Stephen B. Baylin, M.D.
401 North Broadway
The Weinberg Building, Suite 1100
Baltimore, MD 21231

Towson/Baltimore, MD (possible layover)

Dover, DE (visit with family and friends)

Wilmington, DE (Interstate 95 ) (brief visit)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Chapter
100 West 10th St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(800) 220-1617

Philadelphia, PA (brief photo stop-personal mission)
Lincoln Financial Field (Home of Philadelphia Eagles)
One NovaCare Way
Philadelphia, PA 19145

New Brunswick, NJ
Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Attn: Interim Director, Joseph R. Bertino, M.D.
195 Little Albany St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2681

New York City, NY
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University
Attn: Director, Riccardo Dalla-Favera, M.D.
1130 St. Nicholas Ave.
Room 58
New York, NY 10032

New York City, NY
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Attn: President & CEO, Harold E. Varmus, M.D.
1275 York Ave.
New York, NY 10021

Great Plains, NY (visit with staff)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Headquarters
1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310
White Plains, NY 10605

New Haven, CT
Yale Cancer Center
Yale University School of Medicine
Attn: Director, Richard L. Edelson, M.D.
333 Cedar St. Box 208028
New Haven, CT 06520-8028

New London, CT
Providence, RI

Walpole, MA (brief family visit)

Medfield, MA ( brief family visit)

Boston, MA
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Director, Edward J. Benz Jr., M.D.
44 Binney St., Room 1628
Boston, MA 2115

Portsmouth, NH
Portland, ME
Augusta, ME (capital)
Bangor, ME
Medway, ME (back towards New Hamsphire)
Millinocket, ME
Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Rumford, ME
Gorham, NH
Lancaster, NH
St.Johnsbury, VT
Montpelier, VT
Burlington, VT

Possible ferry crossing into New York from Burlington, VT or go north from Burlington, VT to Rouses Point, NY on County Rd. 2
Watertown, NY (taking Road 11 from Rouse Point)
Rochester, NY
Niagara Falls, NY
Buffalo, NY (Interstate 90 southwest)
Erie, PA

Cleveland, OH
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Case Western Reserve University
Attn: Director, 1100 Euclid Ave., Wearn 151
Cleveland, OH 44106-5065

Columbus, OH
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ohio State University
Attn: Director, Michael A. Caligiuri, M.D.
320 West 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210

Findlay, OH (I-75)

Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Michigan
Attn: Director, Max S. Wicha, M.D.
6302 Cancer Center
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0942

Lansing, MI
Battle Creek, MI
St. Joseph, MI

Chicago, IL
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
Attn: Director, Steven T. Rosen, M.D.
303 E. Superior St.
Suite 3-125
Chicago, IL 60611

Milwaukee, WI (possibly visit Harley Museum)

Madison, WI (capital)
Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Wisconsin
Attn: Director, George Wilding, M.D.
600 Highland Ave., Room K4/610
Madison, WI 53792-0001

Rochester, MN
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Attn: Director, Robert Diasio, M.D.
200 First St. SW.
Rochester, MN

Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Attn: Director, Douglas Yee, M.D.
MMC 806
420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Fargo, ND (I-94)
Bismarck, ND (I-94)
Lewistown, MT
Great Falls, MT
Helena, MT (I-15)
Missoula, MT
Coeur d’ Alene, ID
Spokane, WA (County Road 395)
Colville, WA (Hwy 20/North Cascades Hwy)
Okanogan, WA (Hwy. 20)
Twisp, WA (Hwy. 20)
Sedro Woolley, WA (I-5)

Seattle/Everett, WA (layover/visit)
Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Attn: President & Director, PO Box 19024, D1-060
Seattle, WA 98109-1024

Vancouver, WA
Portland, OR
Salem, OR
Eugene, OR
Medford, OR
Redding, CA
Sacramento, CA

San Francisco, CA
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California San Francisco
Attn: Director, Frank McCormick, Ph.D.
2340 Sutter St., Box 0128
San Francisco, CA 94115-0128

Duarte, CA
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute
Attn: Director, Theodore G. Krontiris, M.D., Ph.D.
1500 East Duarte Rd.
Duarte, CA 91010-3000

Los Angeles, CA
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California Los Angeles
Attn: Director, Judith C. Gasson, Ph. D.
Factor Building, Room 8-684
10833 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1781

Los Angeles, CA
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
Attn: Director, Peter A. Jones, Ph.D.
1441 Eastlake Ave., NOR 8302L
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181

Orange, CA
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California at Irvine
Attn: Director, Frank L. Meyskens, Jr., M.D.
101 The City Dr.
Bldg. 56, Route 81, Room 216L
Orange, CA 92868

La Jolla, CA
Rebecca and John Moore’s UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
Attn: Director, Dennis A. Carson, M.D.
3855 Health Sciences Dr., Room 2247
La Jolla, CA 92093-0658

La Mesa, CA (brief family visit)

Yuma, AZ (interstate 8)

Florence, AZ (I-8, visit friend)

Tucson, AZ (Interstate 10)
Arizona Cancer Center
University of Arizona
Attn: Director, David S. Alberts, M.D.
1515 North Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85724

Las Cruces, NM
Roswell, NM
Lubbock, TX
Sweetwater, TX
Abilene, TX
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Waco, TX
Austin, TX
Home: San Antonio, TX

Cities that are in bold are either brief visits or possible lay-over. Most travel will be during the day time but subject to change pending the weather, time constraints, and/or other factors.
If you are anywhere near these cities, let me know. I'm always looking for someone to talk to, a home-cooked meal and/or an overnight stay during the trip. This course will be approximately 9100+ miles.

Thanks for your support!

Pete West
pwestjr@gmail.com
http://petewestjr.blogspot.com