In September of 2017, Founder, CEO and Chairman Wade Shealy and THIRDHOME members Miles Healey and Frank Maiorano set out on a motorcycle adventure across the American West. Read how their journey inspired an upcoming motorcycle tour through Europe. The route that they will embark on is considered one of the top routes for motorcycle enthusiasts in the world!
“Miles and Frank have been doing a similar route for the last seven years. They invited me last year and I said, ‘why not!'”-Wade Shealy
Wade Shealy found himself in Whitefish, Montana in early September 2017 with a bag, a bike and some close friends. He’d shipped his Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Road King to Whitefish after being invited on the trip of a lifetime by his longtime friends, Miles and Frank. Wade had been riding since he was 16 but a ride like this had always been a bucket list item. Who didn’t want to make this trip after Easy Rider? There’s nothing quite like skirting the coast on a Harley.
Left to right: Miles Healey, Wade Shealy and Frank Maiorano in Montana
From Whitefish, Montana, the trio rode up I-90 W to Coeur de’Alene, Idaho, cutting West towards the Columbia River. They stayed at The Columbia Cliff Villas in Hood River before riding through the scenic Willamette Valley, through Portland and ending up at Lincoln City on the West Coast.
The trio cruised down the 101 and eventually hit Bandon, Oregon, for their next THIRDHOME stay at Bandon Cottage. The following day they crossed the California border and soon found themselves riding through the great Redwood Forest.
The tall ancient trees soon gave way to coastal views and before long they were in Mendocino. Shortly after, the group ended up in Sea Ranch where they lodged at Prado del Mar. At night, the crashing of the waves lulled them to sleep before the next ride.
Miles and Wade on the West Coast
The next leg took them through the Bay Area, past San Fransisco. The non-stop scenery, the wind blowing past them, the thrill of the engine beneath; it was a sensory experience like no other. This fuel burn in parallel to the Pacific seemed to be the closest thing to freedom any of them had felt in a long time. After they passed San Jose, they were rumbling through California’s interior, the horizon painted with distant mountains.
Wade, Frank and Miles taking a break in California
They rode straight through Santa Barbara and into Los Angeles, where their trip would come to a close. They were exhausted but happy to have taken part in something so special together. The thought of this amazing experience coming to an end was disheartening, to say the least. So they had an idea. Why not share an experience like this with other members? Moreover, why not take this motorcycle adventure to the next level?
Now you can join Wade, Miles and Frank on a motorcycle journey through the European Alps along with other Inner Circle members, witnessing some of the world’s most beautiful country and mountainsides.
Ride through France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a 7-day exploration of Alpine Europe.
Experience Level Required: Intermediate to Advanced Riders
See some of Europe’s most historic castles and landscapes while staying at luxury hotels along the way. All while riding one of Edelweiss Bike Travel’s various motorcycle models. Many of the bikes offer two seats, so bring along your friend or significant other for this extraordinary trip.
When is this motorcycle adventure?
The trip takes place on August 12-20, 2018. But don’t wait to sign up! The deadline to put down your deposit is on January 31st, 2018! If you’re interested in joining this majestic mountain ride, contact our Director of Travel & Concierge, Liz Bates soon before availability runs out!
Check out the bike models and pricing below!
For more information regarding the upcoming Inner Circle Alpine Best of Europe Motorcycle Adventure click here.
Members in THIRDHOME’s Inner Circle recently returned from a river cruise down the Amazon River.
Inner Circle members went on a Peruvian Amazon Voyage aboard the elegant Zafiro riverboat to discover Earth’s Greatest Wilderness. They voyaged deep into the pristine Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, a 5-million-acre labyrinth of flooded forests, lagoons and peaceful creeks; traveled upriver from the inland port of Iquitos aboard the Zafiro to experience extraordinary wildlife, flora and fauna.
See what these THIRDHOME members had to say:
“The Inner Circle Amazon Voyage was an incredible, unforgettable experience. We would ride down the river and see the wildlife in their natural habitat and I was thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m here!’ The staff and all involved in our Amazon trip made it all so enjoyable. From piranha fishing to visiting the village was all laced with a special touch. Even our last night expedition included a glass of champagne and toasting to a great cruise while sitting on the skiffs in the middle of the Amazon river at sunset! It was all absolutely fabulous!! Thank you THIRDHOME!”- Rick and Vikki Desoto
“We would categorize The Inner Circle Amazon Voyage as a unique lifetime experience. To sample a slice of life on the Peruvian Amazon River, aboard the luxurious Zafiro River Boat, was truly a highlight of our forty year travel career. The boat’s amenities, staff, food and service were first quality. The International Expedition team coordinators and naturalists were indispensable in the full educational adventure. Our favorite day was visiting the small village and sharing school supplies with a dozen sweet elementary school-aged children. We can highly recommend this trip to anyone who has (n)ever thought about such an adventure.”- Sherry and Andy Harris
“I’ve just returned from the Amazon trip on board the Zafiro. It was wonderful…Everything and everyone was terrific. I am inspired to go on more trips with my family and the THIRDHOME family. Please keep me in the loop. Thank you! The Zafiro exceeded my expectations, as did the experience of being on the Amazon River. All the sights, the birds, the animals were thrilling. I had no idea what to expect. In addition, the other guests on board were all interesting, well-traveled, and fun to share such a unique experience with. I had such a fantastic time and looking forward to the next Inner Circle trip!”- Ronne Fisher
“The THIRDHOME Amazon trip was terrific—not only an excellent travel experience with all details planned to perfection, it was an opportunity to spend time with a great group of other THIRDHOME members with similar interests. Every experience was enhanced by being with a fun group to share it with. I highly recommend this new THIRDHOME travel program to anyone that enjoys unique travel opportunities.”- Stan Brading
Guest blogger and THIRDHOME member Lawrence Grossman, recently returned from an exclusive Inner Circle trip down the Amazon River, while on the maiden voyage of the Zafiro, a luxury river cruise ship. This trip was made possible by International Expeditions, an industry leader in adventure and travel partner of THIRDHOME.
Check out Lawrence’s Amazon adventure below:
There it was scribbled on our daily schedule: “15:30 Fishing for Piranha.”
It was our second day of exploring the Amazon River on our Peruvian Amazon Voyage and the highlight was certainly going to be fishing for a 5-inch long carnivorous fish whose mouth is filled with razor-sharp teeth. Obviously, the trip planners had never seen the “River Monsters” Piranha episode (2009) or the 2010 campy horror movie “Piranha 3D” prior to arranging this outing. Our bait for this fishing expedition was small chunks of raw steak and we were cautioned to let our guides take the fish off the hook lest we risk losing a finger. 2 hours later we survived with all digits intact and a combined haul of over 35 piranhas were caught and released. Our guides informed us that piranhas don’t feast on humans, but rather insects, worms, crustaceans, and unfortunate small birds or reptiles who linger too long in the Amazon water.
Our Inner Circle Voyage was hosted by THIRDHOME Founder and CEO, Wade Shealy and Senior Vice President of Business Development, Roger Conner and took place aboard the elegant M/V Zafiro Riverboat. For starters, the Zafiro (Spanish for sapphire) was the perfect vessel to cruise down the Amazon River and its tributaries in Peru. With wall to wall panoramic windows, spacious cabins and large public areas inside and out, the boat was comfortable and luxurious. The Zafiro even included a small massage room, an outdoor jacuzzi and an exercise room. With a crew of 22 members outnumbering the 16 guests, we were truly spoiled for 4 days.
What I didn’t expect was some of the tastiest cuisines I’ve ever experienced termed “Amazon Fusion.”
Included were Amazonian fruits such as aguaje and carambola, Peruvian tamales and ceviche that rivals the best Mexico has to offer. There were also scrumptious dinner entrees with quinoa, chili peppers and sweet potatoes. Every meal was a culinary delight and was coupled with Peru’s Cusquena beer and their national cocktail, the Pisco sour.
Probably our most “decadent spoiled guest” moment was when our guides served us champagne on the skiffs while we sat and watched the sun set over the Amazon horizon.
When we weren’t eating and drinking we were out exploring in the 3 skiffs attached to the Zafiro.
You want wildlife? Here’s an abbreviated list of our best sightings while breezing through the Amazon:
Pink (yes pink!) river dolphins
Macaws
Monkeys
Toucans
Hawks
Vultures
Sloths
Cayman alligators
Arguably the most rewarding and difficult sighting of all was the largest rodent in the world, the Capybara, a pig-shaped distant relative of the guinea pig. The Capybara has a face like a beaver, no tail and can weigh up to 175 pounds. That was a big “rat” we watched scurry into the jungle at night.
There were several highlights that made this trip unforgettable including:
1. Our visit to a local Amazonian village where the students sang to us, the Shaman healed us, and the village president welcomed us.
2. Our ride in the tik-tuks (3-wheeled motorized rickshaws) through the town of Iquitos on our way to the animal preserve.
3. The final night on the Zafiro when we were serenaded by our Peruvian band and ended up dancing the night away to melodic music we had never heard before, and very likely, will never have the pleasure of hearing again.
4. Exploring the river at night in our skiffs with more stars in the sky than seemed possible and experiencing close encounters with the Black Cayman Alligator.
I can’t say enough about the warmth, kind spirit and customer service of the entire Zafiro crew and International Expeditions’ staff members throughout the trip. The guides were so knowledgeable and informative about the Amazon Rainforest and the service staff on the boat were professional and helpful in every situation. It is simply impossible to have a better “people experience” than our THIRDHOME group had on this wonderful trip. Special thanks to Liz Bates from THIRDHOME for her organizational prowess and willingness to answer every dumb question I had prior to embarking. Now that this bucket list item is behind me please sign me up for the next Inner Circle adventure!
THIRDHOME’s Inner Circle program allows members (in the Chairman’s Club Preferred tier and higher) to travel with other members on exclusive group trips around the world. Be sure to contact Travel & Concierge Director, Liz Bates for information regarding The Inner Circle Member Appreciation Event on April 27th and 28th, 2018. If you are interested in upgrading to Chairman’s Club Preferred and accessing the benefits of a higher tier of membership, including future Inner Circle events, please contact Member Services.
THIRDHOME‘s annual member appreciation event is coming up! This Inner Circle event provides an opportunity for high-tier THIRDHOME members to join the THIRDHOME team for a weekend of music and fun in Nashville, Tennessee. Headlining this event is one of country music’s most revered songwriters, Kris Kristofferson. Members will get the opportunity to see this legend of outlaw country perform at The Ryman Auditorium on April 28th, 2018. With a legacy of hit songs, including “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” Kris Kristofferson is still heralded as one of country music’s most prolific songwriters.
We bet you didn’t know these 5 fun facts about Country superstar, Kris Kristofferson.
1. Kris Kristofferson could have become a teacher at West Point if it weren’t for Willie Nelson.
After Kristofferson graduated from the University of Oxford, he served in the army as an Airborne Ranger helicopter pilot. “When I was in the army, I was one of the few people outside of his personal friends who knew about Willie Nelson,” Kristofferson recalls. “I listened to a disc jockey who happened to be a Willie Fan. He would play Willie’s songs and talk about him all the time.” In 1965, Kristofferson turned down an offer to teach at West Point, and inspired by musicians like Willie Nelson, moved to Nashville to pursue his musical career. You can read more about Kristofferson’s relationship with Nelson on the Kris Kristofferson website.
2. Kris Kristofferson landed a helicopter in Johnny Cash’s front yard.
In an effort to get the Man in Black’s attention, Kris Kristofferson landed a helicopter in the Cash’s front yard to drop off some songs he’d written. Kristofferson had a job sweeping floors at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville where he met June Carter Cash. He gave her a tape to give to Johnny, but he never got around to listening to it. If June couldn’t get Johnny to listen, Kris figured a helicopter might do the trick, and it did. Johnny recorded “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” in 1970 and Kristofferson won Song of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards as a result.
3. Kris Kristofferson wrote many of his early hits on an oil rig in southern Louisiana.
Kris held down several jobs while trying to make it big in Nashville. One of his gigs put his aforementioned helicopter skills to use. Working as a commercial helicopter pilot for Petroleum Helicopters International, Kris would write songs on his off-time while sitting on oil platforms, including his hit song “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
4. An estimated 450 artists (and counting) have recorded Kristofferson’s compositions.
In the early 1970’s, Kristofferson achieved huge success as a country songwriter. Hits like, “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and “For the Good Times” began topping the charts, and Kristofferson’s life changed forever. Kristofferson has since won three GRAMMY awards, recorded 28 albums (three with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings), has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and was honored with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. But a lifetime of musical achievement hasn’t hindered his work. Kristofferson just released The Cedar Creek Sessions in 2016.
5. Kris Kristofferson isn’t just a country music star, he’s a movie star.
In 1971, Dennis Hopper was given free reign of $1 million to produce a drama film. Hopper shot The Last Movie in Peru, where he flew out many of his musician and actor friends, including Peter Fonda, Julie Adams, and of course, Kris Kristofferson. He’s acted in film and TV movies ever since, including the Blade series, Where the Red Fern Grows, Planet of the Apes and A Star is Born. He earned a Golden Globe for his performance, alongside Barbara Streisand, in A Star is Born. He’s currently filming a film called Abilene and is set to appear in an Ethan Hawke production called Blaze in 2018. Kristofferson has never taken a formal acting class, but his natural charisma has brought many memorable performances into the world of cinema.
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to see Kris Kristofferson in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee this coming spring on April 28th, 2018. His return to the world-famous home of the Grand Ole Opry is sure to be a special performance for THIRDHOME members. If you’re a member of the Chairman’s Club Preferred tier or higher contact Liz Bates to RSVP for this event. If you are interested in upgrading to Chairman’s Club Preferred and accessing the benefits of a higher tier of membership, including this event, please contact Member Services.