MotoRomania has landed back in the U.S.!!! What a week it has been. The motorcycle took only three days to make it from Budapest to New York City. We picked it up a week ago at Berklay Cargo's warehouse. The bike arrived completely wrapped in plastic and in great shape. The guys in Hungary did a fantastic job of shipping it. It took them a long time to figure out the process and the paperwork, but the execution was first class.





Thankfully, the weather was sunny and fairly warm for this time of the year in NY. We took off from JFK through Brooklyn, over the Verazzano Bridge onto Staten Island, and then into New Jersey. The Verazzano turned out to be cheaper for the bike at $4, but quite the trip for a car at $9 (!) The views of lower Manhattan were quite stunning, though.



The first day, we made it through Pennsylvania, almost to Maryland. The next morning, it was 30 degrees when we woke up...not fun! So, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and after layering, we took off.





The fall colors were in full bloom as we crossed Maryland and West Virginia. And despite the sunny weather, the temperatures were looooow... Riding the bike proved painful at times, particularly for the extremities. The views did make up for the experience--I-68 and I-79 are quite the twisty roads for being interstates. I could not help myself while trying to keep warm on the ride and kept humming John Denver's tune: "Country road, take me home... to the place where I belong... West Virginia, country momma... take me home..."





West Virginia was also the warmest point of the day, with temps reaching in the mid-50s. A couple of stops to thaw and replenish fuel for both bike and rider were more than welcome.




Approaching Kentucky, the skies turned grey and cold. By the time we had the state line in sight, it started to rain--what a soggy welcome home! But, we had made it. A few more hours and we arrived, wet, cold and hungry. The greeting party was embracing, the warm shower was fantastic, and the food was delicious!





And our journey had come full circle. We had started in Kentucky, rode the bike to NYC to have it placed on a plane and flown to Europe. We had journeyed through Hungary and Romania, had the bike flown back to NYC and rode it back to Kentucky. The bike odometer recorded our journey at 10,600 miles for the six months.



What a life-changing experience this has been! I am sure that it will take time to fully realize the impact this journey has had upon our lives. But, we realize that it could not have been possible without the incredible support and dedication of our families and friends. We can only extend you a sincere THANK YOU! While realizing that we can never repay your generosity, we hope this journey has spoken to you as well in some way. -- BGR & HSR