Yea, work s*cks. I actually took unpaid leave on that first trip. Amazingly the trip itself was extremely cheap, KOA's, national parks, and great mom and pop eats. Time off work is the bigest constraint to these trips, but I've done 2 all around the US, I don't remember how many East of the Mississippi. Do yourself a favor and do ride down to the Blueridge, maybe down to the Smokeys. Should eat up a week (again hit all the little spots on the maps). As far as the CA sportster goes, fly out and rent a Harley in CA, or set up a N.Y. version of the ralley. Had a great time years ago at a Rider rally in New Jersey (western parts in the mountains, old playboy hotel or something, if I remember right)