Hello! I'm coming to the Rock

Emmett

New Member
Hello, let me introduce myself. My name is Emmett and from New Orleans and I am planning a trip to the Rock this summer on my Tiger 800.

I am also a member of the ADVrider forum, and I go by the same name over there. This will be my third long road trip this year on my Tiger. My first one was 3,700 miles from New Orleans up to northern NH and VT last Sept/Oct.

My second trip was a 4,330 mile tour of western states from New Orleans, TX, NM, UT, AZ, and back doing a loop that took me down into the Big Bend.

I don't know how long this third trip up to the Rock will be, but before heading out on July 16 I have a few questions for any of you who care to answer.

I've been looking at the N.Sydney to PaB ferry schedule and it gives me two choices; noon more or less, or midnight approx. Any thoughts one way or the other? And how long in advance do I need to make a reservation if I want to cross sometime between July 26 to August 2?

I'm thinking of the late night ferry so that I can catch a little sleep if possible. I also see that I should take a short ride to the east once I land so as to allow the ferry traffic to thin out.

Even though I would arrive early in the morning I'm not planning on doing a full day of riding the first day. I'm thinking of staying close by, and it looks like there's a camping place called Doyle's not terribly far from the ferry. Does anyone have any experience with camping at Doyle's or do any of you have a different recommendation for camping not terribly far from the ferry?

One more question for now; I am a bread snob. I really like good fresh bread. Yes I know that I cannot live "on bread alone" so I wash it down with beer; no problem. But while beer is readily found, good bread can be elusive. Are there any good bakeries on the west coast of the Rock that I should check out?

Once I get to the Rock I plan on touring the west coast to the top, and if I have time I will head east. So much is weather dependent on long trips. Last year on my trip north I was racing ahead of Hurricane Irma for two days out of New Orleans, and the highway was full of Florida license plates, it was a major evacuation of the sunshine state and they were all heading to NYC. This spring I got delayed in New Mexico for a little over a day when snow blanketed everything from Gallup to Farmington. It was only 3" but those desert people don't know what to do with snow. [I've seen Albuquerque lose it when only 1" of snow fell! Seriously, schools closed, and so did government offices.]

Anyway, your info tips on the best time to take the ferry, how much lead time to make a reservation, camping and bread are most appreciated.

Emmett
 

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