Time for the Big Adventure

It’s been a few weeks since I had a chance to catch up. There is SO much going on. In addition to helping with my friend’s start-up company, his upcoming TV show and my own start-up company it’s been a busy time. I’ve been enjoying every minute of it too. That is not to say we haven’t had time for a few adventures. We are still chasing waterfalls; some of them have been in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. This is an absolutely beautiful part of the country and if you go, be sure to visit Watkins Glen. Here you will climb 800 stairs and see more beautiful waterfalls in one area than you can imagine. While Watkins Glen is certainly a must see, it’s not the only great waterfall in the area.

Andy and I also had a chance to skip over the border into Canada and visit my Grandmother’s childhood home. I walked around the old farm house, spied through the windows as the current owners were away. (Although I was ready to introduce myself and they have met other family members) and even have my photo taken on the porch in a reenactment of a photo I have of my Grandmother in that very spot. The visit affected me more than I expected, and I can feel her presence with me even today even though she’s been gone from this earth for many years.

I’m off for another adventure soon to Kentucky. We are planning a ride through the Daniel Boone National Forest, which includes stops at the Red River Gorge, the Natural Bridge, and Cumberland Falls to name a few spots. Our history buff sides will also visit some historical place and I will be sure to have an update on our adventure so come back and check from time to time. You can also visit my new company website; Sojourn Publications. You can use the contact form at the new website to let me know what you think.

For now, instead of a lot of words describing the last month or so, enjoy the photos below.

Best Motorcycles for Women

by Guest Blogger Kiara Wilson

When it first came about, motorcycling was a typically male-dominated pursuit. Though far from being an accurate statement by today’s standards, I like to think this fact about the conception of our much loved passion is more akin to a comment on the times, rather than on the nature of motorcycling itself. Our collective world history is one that has greatly favored male dominance and superiority, so it was only natural that something as macho-enabling as motorcycling would be kept for some time before being made available to females.

While the majority of the archaic and borderline superstitious reservations that men have had in relation to women motorcyclists over the years are ridiculous, it can in some cases be true that certain bikes- and in turn the riding jackets and biker vests required in order to ride them are unsuitable for women. This opinion is based entirely on the subject of dimensions and science as opposed to capability! Here are some of the bikes best suited for the modern day she-biker.

Kawasaki ER-6n
The original run of this extremely voracious and capable bike was issued with seats at a height of just 785mm, though an even lower ‘factory-fit’ option is available which measures in 30mm lower and 10mm slimmer. As suitable for a hardened road veteran as it is a shaky beginner, the ER-6n is in no way a bike designed solely for women- merely one overly accessible to them.

The market for accessories in relation to this bike is huge, making it a prominent choice for the most hard-to-cater-for female riders.

BMW F65OGS Low
A single cylinder model for many years until German manufacturing giants BMW decided to revamp it in 2008- adding a second, the F65OGS is a bike with a particularly low chassis suitable for the frame of riders both little and large.

An extremely efficient bike (it is German after all), you’re unlikely to have many problems with the function of this bike, or for that matter- its dimensions.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Padded riding jackets at the ready, it’s time to see if we can find any truth in the Ninja’s now legendary reputation as one of the most dangerous road bikes available today.

Though the Ninja is by and large a massively powerful sports-bike, the 250r is a little tamer underneath. Suitable for beginners and those who rank cruise comfort (slightly) above speed and power, the Ninja 250r certainly provides that unmistakable image.

Suzuki Marauder GZ125
A beautifully versatile 125, the marauder is as equally suited for the ranks of the sports riding jackets faithful as it is for the leather clad, biker vest toting outlaw biker wannabes.

With a seat height of 680mm and a weight of 140kg, this bike is overly suitable for female riders.

Victory Hammer S

For the ladies out there who crave the full on ‘road hog’ experience, the Victory Hammer S supplies you with all you could ever need, but with (slightly) less in the way of height (673mm seat) and weight (still a rather hefty 319kg).

Dig out those leather biker vests of yours.

Discoveries and Challenges in our Waterfall Hunt or The Price for the 5.0

It’s going to be hard to encapsulate the adventures we had hunting down a couple of high rated waterfalls on my list. Let me just say that “taking the road less traveled” lead us on one excellent adventure! On this day we decided to head out to Pioneer Valley in western Massachusetts for two waterfalls I wanted to experience; Tannery Falls in Savoy and Twin Cascades in Florida. We headed in the general direction avoiding of course, as Andy is prone to do, the most direct path. Along this route we stumbled first upon the homestead of a John Adams (relation to past presidents undermined). This is located on Russell Hill in Ashburnham MA.

We arrived at Black Brook Road for our first waterfall in Savoy, Tannery Falls, to find the road was closed. There was another biker sitting by the stream having a smoke who turned out to be a local. We learned the road was severely damaged by hurricane Sandy, and he described the damage to us. We would have to go around the long way to access the falls. He was heading there himself, but since he had a dirt bike, getting across the barrier was not a problem. As we watched him squeeze by with ease we thought we could do the same. Andy got his bike through, and then he took Blaze as I was unsure of my skill in such loose gravel. He almost got the girl across too! Maybe if I had been pushing instead of filming she might not have suffered a bruise to her left saddle bag. I pushed the second time and we got her across. I turned to look at the barriers we had just conquered, to discover a message scrawled across them. Well, you can see for yourself below. Also watch the video as I traverse Black Brook Road.

Black Brook Road

Click here to see Blaze take a tumble.

This was not the end of our trials. The dirt road to the falls is not maintained and with the recent rains was in an even more deplorable state. In addition it was all downhill riding; no car tracks to follow only a narrow slightly more solid middle and nothing but washed out gravel left and right. I didn’t think I’d make it all the way staying upright, but managed to do so through sheer will. We arrived finally and parked the bikes. Our next effort was the long climb down. At least the trail has built in steps as you zigzag your way to the bottom. We were rewarded with not only Tannery Falls, but Parker Brook falls too. Both are at the bottom, one coming from the left and the other from the right. There are also several falls in the area along the route, so this place is well worth a trip for a number of falls all in one place. Check out the videos I took.



Click here for Parker Brook Falls Video.

After managing the climb out of Savoy Mountain State Forest, we took the longer route back out. Along the way we discovered Susan B. Anthony’s birthplace. See photo. Our next destination was Twin Cascades. This was easier on the bikes, since it was paved all the way, with only dirt parking near the entrance to the hike. This is along a set of railroad tracks at which sits the longest tunnel this side of the Rocky’s . The Hoosac Tunnel is 4.75 miles in length and has a long and interesting history of its own including numerous ghost stories. With 195 deaths in its construction, I’m not surprised.

Hoosac Tunnel



The climb to Twin Cascades is not for the faint of heart. The trail is narrow, muddy and slick and runs along the ravine. All I could think about were those donkeys in the Grand Canyon and wished for the sure footedness they possess. One mishap and down you go. There is some climbing too; one being over a large man-made concrete barrier probably as old as the tunnel. We arrived at the base of the falls where there is another manmade dam. Here I could get video of the falls to the right, but for a better view of the cascades to the left, I had to cross the stream. While it was not deep, I feared slipping on stones and getting my book and phone wet. Andy added a few more stones for me to step across. (See both videos below of the falls left and right.) I did do some hand over hand climbing along the rock face to reach the top of the dam. Once there the water is fairly shallow and I could walk from one side to the other enjoying the falls. While we survived the hand over hand climb up and down, don’t try this unless you have good traction shoes. If you have fear of heights as I do, just don’t look down.





If there is one thing I’m learning, it’s to expect the unexpected. It’s difficult to put into words the feeling of being in the presence of such power, and the wilderness in which you find these falls. The scent of the forest, the damp of the earth, the babble of a brook or the thunder of the water leave one breathless not only at the majesty but from the exertion itself. But every step is well worth it!