“What attracts them is fun, friendship and the call of the open road, said Judy Pirillo of Altoona. She and her husband, Joe, 58, head the Des Moines-area chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. The Pirillos travel aboard a Honda luxury touring motorcycle that cost about $25,000, including add-ons. Their organization, like ABATE of Iowa and others, emphasizes motorcycle safety education.”

They're actually thinking about biking across the country to visit Gretchen and myself here in San Francisco. I'm not sure how far in the future that will be, but I'd like for them to digitally document the trip when they come. Right now, my Dad says he wants to retire – but he's got far too much to offer the world to just sit back and relax.