Around the World with Forrest and Franky

[frank wheelbarrow]

Video would of been sweet for sure, Less then a month after we decided, not counting all my time from the year before. No planning just prepping and talking over a few concearns. Money is a sore subject, and way more then we ever imagined, still with no regrets.

Forrest and I have known each other for some fifteen years so we didn't know what to expect, two of those years we were still in our teens so we have more stories, all in all very pleased. Heres a quick one, Forrest coming back to the car on a little trip we took to Cabo San Lucas, finding the car and me gone, after a couple hours of searching calls his Dad, who simply new us and me better then we thought, says just go to the jail and check, and sure enough there I was. opps better finish that one in JO MOMMA.

Coming right up sir. Thank you very much...

And to my brother in Sweden thank you as well, keep your eyes open Europe this is a world wind that stops everywhere.

[frank wheelbarrow]

Another person with open arms takes us in and treats us like family. Oh you can just sleep inside if you want with me theres plenty of rooms or I have some rooms in the barn he says. Did you say you were hungry. Before Forrest could get his tent set up he was back on a four wheeler with a waiter on back holding two plates out to the sides of him, As he yells I didnt have room for your drinks and forks Ill be right back and leaves us with the plates of food, and a cloud of dust, almost loosing the waitor hes gone.


After the dust settled I talk Forrest into taking a picture. Yummy!!!
Double thumbs up imagine that.


I love tenting it up.


Watch out there not poty trained yelled someone. They say they our good shots with number one and two. Its a monkey I forget what they were calling them.


This guy here was the only one we didn't see in a damn cage. He was raised in one so they say he sticks around, but at least by choice now.


"Was that a cloud or smoke coming out of that volcano" we ask each other about the same time?

Oh we've been keeping in touch with our other KLR buddy from Norway Alex, he was the guy we were going to ride with clear back in Mexico, but then Forrest bike did the no start thing, damn beamers. Well thanks to the internet we figure out hes just right over the border in Nicaragua so were off. With our kind host no where to be found we leave a note with an invitation to come visit us and our contact info, and thanking him one more time. Were off to find the wizard. Who according to his emails was learning how to surf in a town called San Juan del Sur.


Playing the very old game of I can go higher then you.


Opps lost my wheels.


Not knowing I was looking at a beach off in the distance, where our Norwegian friend Alex is learning how to surf. Only five hundred yards a way or so, no worries... We go back into town to meet up with him in a bit.


Did you see that boat?


I missed this story sorry.


Is there something I don't know?


We found him, and every other damn gringo in Nicaragua so with Alex and all his surfing rashes were off to explore an active volcano and her sleeping brother next to her. Ummm....

[frank wheelbarrow]

Wrong way.


Its on a island by the way and I did say active right....that is just not a cloud happening by at the same time I'm shooting this shot that is smoke, hey I'm from Utah remember.


Rumor has it that the spanish use to come from the Carribean side pull their boats up river to lake Nicaragua sail across it and then just have a thirty mile trex to get to the pacific. Hey just passing it on.

[YOGOI]

Originally Posted by livingintron

Wow Guys Awesome Trip!! Wish You Guys Had Video Of The Trip. So How Much Time Did You Guys Plan For The Trip, How Did You Start Planning, And How Much Moola Did You Plan?

. Yah, Franky, how'd ya plan that all out????

Good to see the report finnaly make it to ADVrider. Nice job.

[frank wheelbarrow]

All a board!


A tired thumbs up.


Alex your my hero.


The mystery cloud again in the back ground.


SCARY!!!!


Forrest looking for the wind in the hair action.


Home on the island. Making more friends, and trying to not right our names in the drying coffee beans.


Looking the other direction.


Looking the other direction just out of order.


So we do have brains, and all decide to go up the one that is not active. Imagine that.
We find signs someone has been here before.


The mountain creates its own weather, and like promised we would get wet.


Tarrrrzaaannn!!!!


This is us and a bunch of other people doing the same thing, up on top theres a lake in the crater of it. We could hardly see the shore closest to us let alone the other side.


One, two, thee, draw.


Lets get off this mountain.


We had the old whistle blown at us and the hand jesture to pull over as two cops our trying to make a living while we were on the island. This is after Alex has told me all his ( to use the word adventures) adventures of one hundred dollar tickets and such, and just like for us, it almost seemed to of only happened in Nicaragua. Well we just wave back at them and play dumb at this point the locals that saw it happening, our just laughing their heads off.. So not thinking anything else about it we keep on crusing, next thing I know were all being pulled over by two cops on one bike. Now they say theres power in numbers and Alex with a little smirk on his face watches as I begin to lay into this cop explaining to him that were going to go to the tourist police with his badge number and name. I never have bluffed someone and had them look so scared in all my life. Feeling a tad bit guilty using this new information that Alex had found out about after being scamed by two other seperate ocasions, I give them a warning never to pull someone over for no reason or I would be back, in my best Arnold accent, and with Forrest and Alex holding back their laughter we watch as they leave. Aparently it got so bad they made a special police force to cater to the tourist, hey someone was trying.


With the news of three warrants out for our arrest we catch the last ride off the island, and just in time as it blows up, and burys all trace of our warrants... free again we ride.


Forrest making sure no survivors left behind.

[frank wheelbarrow]

Thats right scuba diving, leaving the past in the past we leave Ometepe and Nicaragua and head for a island off the coast of Honduras. Another island can we take our bikes again.
Waiting for paper work on the border with Honduras. And telling the locals it would be cool if we all could just go where ever we wanted to go with no restrictions, they got a kick out of that, and I'm sure didn't know what the hell to think. Oh well I couldn't resist.
This border crossing sits in between Ocotal Nicaragua and El Paraiso Honduras.


Best deal of the whole trip two dollars and fifty cents. I could even shut the door.


Some thing was going on because this town was going off and all the hotels were full its called Catacamas, the town that is, and we were so special like they say we got a police escort all over to hotel to hotel, with him putting his hand out and stoping other people, so Forrest, and Alex, and Franky here could rally on by. Just so Forrest could say nop two expensive lets try another one.


Now you can see them, well finally they said no more hotels and we ended up taking the nicest and most expensive one we had looked at, hey it comes with breakfast I say to Forrest, while hes trying to get rid of our new friends I made the mistake of saying that he could ride my bike, realizing after he probally wouldn't even be able to climb up on it even if it was on its center stand.


He had to settle for a ride, and still happy as can be... climbed up on, as I ask him if he minds if I pull a wheelie.


He smiles even bigger.
The mystery blur and Forrest says they still have to go into the slideshow, because of the smile.


With scuba diving on our minds we take off thinking were in the mountains above our home town, at least I was and then, I was day dreaming about Mae and thats not the month spelled wrong.
Dirt Alex yells, he now takes the time to admit he had a bullet bike back in Norway I've never really done dirt. He stood up for over a hundred plus miles I saw it with my own eyes, he said he felt more comfortable. I love standing up but, for as long as he did. Wow!!!!


Never know when you'll need a spare. I like your style Alex.


You know me. Just making sure we can't assist in any way.

[frank wheelbarrow]

And this was what was causing the traffic jam you should of seen all the cars backed up. No acually these were the only cars we saw during this hundred mile stretch or so and they had seemed to have found each other. Everyone O.K.


We even get the bus by. Thanks to Franky here.


Coca Cola any one? Our tired horses.


Memories.........


On the road again. We've pretty much just chose one of the smallest roads on the map to cut across Honduras to a town called La Cieba, were getting close.


Watch out for that one. Thanks for the stick with the plastic on it who ever.
Mental note don't travel at night.


Deep as well.
Oh yeah new tires for both of us, and sprockets and a chain for Forrest in San Jose CR.


Another break why not, were on vacation.


A swim, thank you very much.
The trail down loaded up was fun for everyone and the way up was even funner get that green thing out of my way, Alex...BEEP...BEEP!!!!!


It was a race to get in, but after we all end up taking our time to hit the road again what a refreshing little pit stop.


Birds nest?


I saw this and flipped around to get this shot.


Can one person make a diffrence?


Alrighty then he says, as he spins around and heads down the path walking faster then some people can run, "got places to go and things to do, and Mom can't cook me supper unless she has this here firewood"!!!!!


Theres those pine trees, that keep making me thing of Mae.


Not even a mark on the KTM, but sent Forrest a flying. Some one with no taillights let alone break lights, gave him the option hit them or go into those bushes. He said he felt good and the gear saved his fanny.
Over fifty percent south of the border do not have working brake lights.
Study done by F&F thats Franky and Forrest if your a little fast like me.


With the word careful we let the KLR lead us out down one of the last stretches before we pull into La Cieba. (The Clouds)
Pavement or Dirt its all the same, but I know someone who was excited to see it.


Scuba Diving, Wait for me.


With our bikes in a Hotel room we rented just for them we choose the island Utila off the coast of Honduras, on the carribean side and shove off, no return for three days. Sure wish I had my bike.

[frank wheelbarrow]

BEWARE you will not see any shots of bikes for a few pictures sorry. I sure like this guys style.


Look Forrest....four wheelers, golf carts we would of ruled this island.


Forrest waiting for his class to start, so he can get certified. LIttle warm up.


Where did I'll the water go?


I guess I better go out a little deeper. To all fareness to Forrest, there were Sea Erchants galore I mean they were thick I did't even dare go out.


Me still laughing from watching Forrest snorkel. And the view.


Did someone say Alisons restarurant.


Who me you can't prove it.
Just catching a ride back to the other side of the island.


I told you why we sleep in a tent right. Scary Monster.

[frank wheelbarrow]

Around the world by sail boat hmmmm.


Going to church on Sunday. Forrest met his twin.


Lets scuba.


Forrest graduating with his classmates and instuctor.


Nop...One more test.


Good one Frank.


Wheres my bike dude.


Hey thats how they do it in Norway so the shirt wont get wet from your shorts. I think its a good idea.


Time for fun dives as they say in the industry.


Camera could never catch what our eyes have seen, yet I still try what a sunset.


We say goodbye to a true friend, and send him on his way with his own plans and schedules he rallys on. Until we ride again!!!


And we go for more fun dives.


Were off the island and enjoying Honduras.


We just realize that the only county in Central America was Belize that we had't had the oppurtunity to visit, Captain set a course for Belize. Talk about blowing in the wind.


From Honduras we cross into Guatamala I'm racking my brain on the name of the border crossing, but the course is set and were on route.
Usefull information hopefully: you can cary a gun around in Guatamala.
"Forrest look at that gun." I yell very very quietly!


And another one under the hat.


Yep, with the extended magazine. Boy oh Boy!!!

[frank wheelbarrow]

And Belize it is, having left amazing Guatamala behind.


Where to next Forrest?


Yucatan, sounds good.


Bringing us up to speed this young man tells us all about the people who once lived in this land.


Forrest pointing towards the sunset.


No take a picture of me Forrest.


Thankyou!!!


speechless


Talk about craftsmanship.


Forrest had been nursing a slow leak which finally gave, so I catch a ride to go take care of business.



We went almost to Cancun before we finally cut west across to Campeche.


Thanks for the lift.


Still not as cool as the people before them, but still worth a stop in its on way.
Did someone say home...Heres the scoop we've rounded the corner of the Gulf of Mexico and now have a clear straight shot north to the border of Mexico and the USA called Reynosa, still a long ways off, but it hits us almost at the same time I joke with you not. And the MAD dash begins. I can't explain it I just remember Forrest saying Yucatan, Guatamala, Honduras its all close we need to save something to see next time.
Money is a real trip killer as well.


With one day including the border crossing, a new front tire for both of us, and..........over a thousand miles. We fall asleep thinking of the Darien Gap, and of the best way around, among many other things zzzzzz were out cold.


Only if I could have those packages from Az. Its not suppost to be cold in Texas.
Did I mention new tires, and dont forget pinetrees.


From San Antonio where we got the new tires, we keep on truckin until Green River, Utah. Where exhaustion, cold, and the white stuff got the best of us. The only thing that made me feel good is that my good brother, accompanied by Mae made a six hour trip, that which was suppose to take three or so to come get us. In a bad bad storm, He had to even use four wheel drive, which I dont even have two wheel drive yet I say.
This is us loaded up for a slipery ride home and thats with four wheels. I woke up the next day to hit the slope with everyone saying best day of the year, man what a storm first good one all year. Can you say face shots?


Thank you Brother............


Leaving certain loved ones is not so easy, so I just consider this world exploring trip on pause, and when it starts again it will be Frank and Mae traveling two up. Thats not even starting to talk of the money aspect even a bigger problem. Hopefully we will have some stars returning a long for the ride with Mae and I. And anyone else who has a desire to ride jungle trails fron central to south America. And every where else.................. the jungle still calls.

[selkins]

...and it sounds like you two had a great experience. Congratulations on letting inspiration and chance take you where they would. I look forward to the next installment.

[winterhk]

A W E S O M E ! ! !

I love your style, very funny. Thanks for taking the time!

[ktmnate]

Very nice



Nate

[frank wheelbarrow]

TROUBLE MAKER!

Thank you Selkins

GREAT....I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reading.

Thank you Sir.

Well of course were really doing it.
And it's my pleasure to be able to share or show it all off as some would say.
Well big learning curve with the gas tanks, but its hard tellin sometimes not knowing.

[DarinB]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. I just spent some quality work time sucked into reading it and really enjoyed it.