Motorcycle Luggage & Some Camp Gear Updates 1/24/2026

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Overview

A somewhat, sort of, not really brief overview of my motorcycle luggage and some of the new camp gear.  At present, the only two camp items that are carrying over from my previous motorcycle camping trips is my ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent and camp skillet with a folding handle.  Everything else has been replaced with new gear.

The main driver for the new gear is the quest to pack smaller and lighter.  So far, my loadout for Bruce is substantially less than what I would pack for Dexter.  There are still some luxury items and things I could do without, but I’m getting old and comfort is more important.

There are always those who scream you overpack.  While I have overpacked on previous trips, this is much less.  I am convinced that I could only pack a string bikini and someone would scream I am over packing….to which I reply cool, you do you boo! 😊 

I will discuss more about the electronics I am hauling including the HoverAir X1 PROMAX drone later.

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Bruce Accessories Update – 1/24/2026

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Overview

An update on the installed or purchased to be installed accessories on my 2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special – Bruce.

And as a special bonus, some rambling by yours-truly towards the end about upcoming trips Florida Loop 2026, Alaska 2028, and a little bit about my drop at Bell Mountain Georgia.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 14 Part 2 – Mississippi River Run

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September 14, 2023

Day 14 Part 2 Overview

Part 2 of Day 14, I rode the Mississippi River run rolling south from Prescott, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 35.

When I lived in Minnesota, this was one of my favorite routes to ride motorcycles.  Back then, that motorcycle would have been a Honda VTX 1300C (that I crashed in California in August 2017).   The Minnesota side (Highway 61) of the Mississippi river is also a nice ride.  I do prefer the Wisconsin side as there is more visual scenery, and more sweeping curves.  I often would ride south on the Wisconsin side and cross the river either into Winona Minnesota or across the river into Minnesota from La Crosse, WI and roll north on Highway 61.

Today, there was no crossing back into Minnesota as I was on my return part of this trip back to where I live now near Atlanta, Georgia.

I completed today’s ride stopping in Peru, Illinois staying in a hotel overnight.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 14 Part 1 – Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Day 14 Part 1 Overview

On this day, I started my return trip back to Georgia and take a short tour of Saint Paul, Minnesota.  Included in the video is a tour of Como Park, the Minnesota State Fair Grounds, Summit Avenue, the State Capitol, and Downtown Saint Paul. 

I lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota for 12 years from 2001 to 2013.  I think Saint Paul is a great city to live in, but I am not a huge fan of the Minnesota winters which is why I moved to California in 2017 and near Atlanta, Georgia in 2020. 😊

Day 14 Part 2 will cover the ride on Wisconsin Highway 35 along the east side of the Mississippi River and onto Peru, Illinois. 

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 12 Part 3 – Minneapolis, Minnesota

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September 12, 2023

Day 12 Part 3 Overview

I take a ride into Minneapolis from the north via East Lake Road / Marshall Street.  A quick ride around Nicollet Island and a portion of downtown

Not on camera I also rode down to and around Lake Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun).  I did take a photo of Downtown from the lake vantage point.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 12 Part 2 – Anoka & Coon Rapids Minnesota

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September 12, 2023

Day 12 Part 2 Overview

I ride through Anoka, Minnesota and Coon Rapids, Minnesota.  Anoka is my hometown, so this was really a ride down memory lane for myself.  I take a quick ride (twice) through downtown Anoka on Main Street, have lunch at Riverside Park on the Rum River, ride past Fred Moore where I went to Junior High School (grades 7,8, and 9) and passed Lincoln Elementary where I went to grade school (grades K-6).  I also briefly rode by the home I grew up in and quickly toured the neighborhood.

From there, I work my way to Coon Rapids Blvd and ride through Coon Rapids until I get to East River Road.

USA Midwest 2023 Day 12 Part 1 – Atwater, MN to Champlin, MN

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Day 12 Part 1 Overview

Day 12 starts with my departure from Diamond Lake Count Park near Kandiyohi Minnesota.  I rolled south to US Highway 12 and headed east rolling through Atwater, Grove City, Litchfield, Dassel, Cokato, Howard Lake, Waverly and Montrose.  From Montrose I roll north through Buffalo and then St Michael, Rogers, Dayton, and finally Champlin.

This portion total Miles was about 92 miles.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 11 – South Dakota to Minnesota

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September 11th, 2023

Day 11 Overview

Day 11 starts with my departure from Fisher Grove State Park Campground, near Frankfort, South Dakota.  I resumed my eastward trek on US Highway 212 through Watertown, South Dakota.  In Minnesota, I rolled through Appleton, Granite Falls, Willmar, and end the day at Diamond Lake Park near Kandiyohi, Minnesota where I camped for the night.

Total Miles for today was about 245 miles.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 10 – Devils Tower to Fisher Grove State Park South Dakota

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September 10th, 2023

Day 10 Overview

After raining heavily all night the weather broke in the early morning shortly after sunrise.  With the rain stopped, I quickly took a few photos of Devils Tower shrouded in low clouds, packed up my soggy camp and loaded up Dexter (my 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic) and rolled out of camp eastward to Fisher Grove State Park Campground in South Dakota.

With temperatures hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, this morning’s ride was chilly and damp.  In South Dakota, I had caught up to some of the rain systems that had earlier soaked my camp at Devils Tower.          

Total miles for today = 353 Miles, predominantly riding on US Highway 212 most of the way.

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USA Midwest 2023 Day 9 – Douglas, Wyoming to Devils Tower, Wyoming

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Day 9 Overview

I depart camp from Douglas KOA in Douglas, Wyoming and roll north on Wyoming Highway 59, stopping in Wright, Wyoming for a quick gourmet lunch of Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti and meatballs with Tabasco Sauce and water, pretty fancy! 

After lunch, I continued northbound on WY Highay 59 to Gillette, Wyoming and then head east on Wyoming Highway 51 to US Highway 14 East and finally northbound onto Wyoming Highway 24 to Devils Tower, Wyoming.

Total miles for today = 178 Miles, so a low mile’s day that allowed for some relaxed riding and plenty of time to set up camp and hike around Devils Tower.

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