Article By Charlie Weisel
Photos By: Aaron Sylvester, Charlie Weisel
Map Art And Photo By: Kayla Koeune
Originally Published In The February 2018 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
Tour Guide For Hire! That’s right, I’m looking for a tour guide. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while so here we go. I have some homework for you and maybe an opportunity for all Cycle Source readers. Anyone who has ever read one of my articles should know that I certainly don’t hide my affinity for small towns, the smaller the better. Recently I’ve been on a bit of a ghost town kick, but any tiny town or odd location will do. Ultimately, I just thoroughly enjoy the relatively unknown oddities and the left behind tiny communities and ghost towns of the world. I know that the United States has no shortage of them. The assignment is this; I would love to hear from you guys, the readers, about tiny villages, unusual places or ghost towns hidden in your neck of the woods. My hope is that you will reach out, make plans to meet someplace and show me an interesting or unusual place that most people would not know about. It may be a place of natural beauty, an abandoned village or a small town with unusual history or simply a place that you enjoy and would like to share with the other readers of this magazine. The important thing to keep in mind is that it does not need be monumental or one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The location can be as simple as a place you enjoy retreating to after a long week or a quirky little town with an interesting history. The main objective is to visit places that are off the beaten path, the forgotten corners of our country, the towns that are fading away but don’t want to be forgotten. Also, don’t shoot down your own idea without talking to me first. Don’t think that I don’t want to see someplace because most people can’t appreciate it the way you do. Know an interesting place 40 miles up a dirt road in Oklahoma? Let’s go see it! You know an off the map road to the top of a mountain in Montana? Sounds great! How about a picturesque swimming hole or hot spring in Utah? Sounds amazing. You get the point, nothing is out of the question and all offers will be considered. The whole endeavor can be as simple as a onehour tour or we could spend a night camping under the stars. Whatever you feel is appropriate is fine by me. As simple or as adventurous as you want to make it, that is up to you.
In return for your time and energy spent dragging me around I will feature your favorite place right here on the pages of this magazine. Photographs will be taken, conversations will be had and lies will be told. Upon completion of the adventure I will write a full story about the experience including both photographs and the story about what we experienced, what we saw and how that particular location was chosen. Also, keep in mind that nothing is required in return. Nothing beyond a guided tour will be asked of you. I truly want this to be a fun and exciting time for all that partake. Hell, we can even go explore a place that is new to both of us. Maybe there is a place you’ve been hearing about that sounds interesting but want a travel companion; let’s go have a look. It is the weekend explorers that keep these quirky places alive and keep them on the map.
I believe the stories should remain alive and be told for generations to come. I feel that experiences should be shared to inspire others to branch out and see the world. I believe that natural beauty should be photographed and made known to others. If this is something that is important to you as well, or you know of a place that should not be overlooked or forgotten about, I highly encourage you to extend that knowledge and give it the opportunity it deserves. Please don’t hesitate to contact me and get this adventure started. I’ll be honest and say that I really look forward to hearing from you guys and experience these places the way you do. On that note, the best way to contact me is either on Facebook under Charlie Weisel or on Instagram @charlietravelingchopper.Happy riding and see you on the road!
