Finally left - despite the previous post - Finally Leaving - I did not in fact leave Atlanta until yesterday.
The delays were comical and too numerous to mention here but, I have started.
Drove thru Montgomery, AL where I stopped at Chris's Famous Hot Dogs on Dexter Ave - just down the street from A. The Capitol Building and B.  The Dexter Ave. Church that Dr. King preached at all those years ago.  The dogs were great and pictures on the wall of famous people who once ate at Chris's fun to look at.
Good first ride - 351.8 miles.  Not bad for a rookie.
Hit a pretty good rain just as it was getting dark.  Stopped at a Shell to take cover and met another solo, cross country rider - Keith, who was waiting beside an old Honda while the storm passed.  He's heading more or less the same way so we agreed to meet up somewhere b/n New Orleans and San Antonio.

This is the HD Crossbones model with special order accessory bungee cord luggage retainage system - please note the color coded straps and double redundancy (safety first).

 I wonder what handsome, young, go-getter is hiding under that helmet!?!

 Proof that I'm not actually in Atlanta anymore - or at least my bike is enjoying itself!

2 dogs with the works, fries, and a large coke - $7.98.   Yes, Please.
What a great country!