K11 Owners Group

[Shoganai]

It all started here August 15th, 2010 >>> http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9187


July 15th, 2011 - I posted "I'll see your gauntlet and raise you one
Iron Butt 50CC and one or two Bun Burner Golds!

Take that my feathered friend :razz"


The 50CC is the same ride I almost died on in 2007. I wanted to re-attempt it and this is the first year I'm physically and mentally ready to try again.


In 2007 while attempting an Iron Butt 50CC to raise money for A Special Wish Foundation I crashed at over 70 mph that resulted a severe concussion, burst fracture T6 and T7, and fractures of T5 through T10 left lateral spinus processes and a left clavicle fracture. I got a chopper ride I don't remember. I lost 9 days time and still suffer from memory issues and the damage to my spine causes me chronic pain, esp. with riding. It's still a small price to pay to give a little something to dying children and I raised $12,900 none the less.


The only explanation for the crash that was witnessed was that I had fallen asleep. In 2007 I had over 300,000 miles of riding experience and still I missed the clues that I needed to get off the bike and stay off.


The witness was Angie Bowen and I owe her my life and eternal gratitude. A year after the crash I contacted her to tell me what happened because I still couldn't remember.

This is what she sent me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It took me a couple of days to find it, but this is what I wrote in my diary the night after it happened.


This morning on the way to the dairy we witnessed motorcycle / semi accident. I guess that isn't a fair evaluation, the semi didn't have anything to do with the motorcycle going down, and it didn’t hit the biker, nor she it. I was driving immediately behind the semi and it swerved, overcompensated and rolled one of the two trailers he was pulling. Then the bike was in front of us, half in the lane and I had to swerve to miss it. We stopped immediately to help (well, I did, I guess my poor students were just along for the ride by virtue of having no choice). One of the undergrads in my van managed to flag someone down to get a flare and cross the road while I called 911 and Kelly looked for a flashlight in the van.


Carrie and Camry found the biker but didn't touch her and were afraid of getting close. Being the “do now, evaluate later” creature that I am, I tore across the highway (probably not a great idea in the daylight, let alone when it is pitch black) with my emergency blanket and immediately started to try to evaluate her. There was no bleeding and nothing terribly crooked, which is always a good sign. She was not in good shape but had all her gear and a helmet on. She couldn’t say anything intelligible at first, just shrieking and moaning and trying to thrash. I pinned her head to the floor with one hand via her helmet and held her hand with the other and kept her talking as best I could when she was responsive and from thrashing. I got her name, birth date that she was on a cross country charity ride, her fiancé's name and where she was going.


She gave me her name after asking a couple of times. At first she couldn't remember and it was hard to restrain her without hurting her. She asked me over and over to make it stop hurting when she wasn’t able to answer any questions. She was so scared and confused. No one else really wanted to come near, but maybe it was better for her to not come to and have a bunch of people standing around her. I can't even describe the horror at knowing there was nothing more I could do for this woman in pain and confused and terrified than to hold her hand and tell her help was coming and keep her from moving. It felt so completely inadequate. The look in her eyes when she was pleading with me to let her up and make it stop hurting will never stop haunting me.


Help got there and everyone assumed I was a nurse or an EMT from the way I handled it and since I "did everything right". I did what any other human being should do, but there must have been 20 cars that drove by before the highway patrol got there and ONLY ONE of them stopped or asked out the window if there was anything they could do. I hate people.


It was a while before the highway patrol got there and I was so relieved that someone was there to take over I almost laughed. Highway patrol decided I had everything under control when I gave the woman's name and so forth and updated her on pain and such as the woman described it to me and went and started directing traffic and confirmed for air evac. I instantly felt nauseous from feeling like someone who could help she be sitting there with her. Part of me had expected the woman to be dead when we found her or that she would die with me holding her hand on the highway.


I felt horrible that no one had gone to check on the semi when it was all said and done, but apparently I sent someone to look for him before I ran across the highway. I can't remember doing it but they said I was directing people the whole time from the time we stopped until the paramedics got there, and didn’t have any qualms telling the police and highway patrol and paramedics and emergency operator where to go and what to do when they got there either. Turns out the first aid and leadership training pay off in a crunch I guess. It is also probably a good thing that none of them took offense to some critter they didn’t even know who had no obvious authority bossing them. I am still nauseous from coming down off the adrenaline.


I called Dr. Ax as soon as we were done filling out incident reports, of course being an avid rider himself he was horrified to hear someone going down on the 10. He was great about not getting any data that day and took care of everything with Frank and what not. By the time I got to my classes, the whole department knew and kept wanting all the details. Thanks to Michelle, who was there this morning, they decided to leave it after she said she wasn’t sure we were allowed to talk about it.


The skid marks on the highway and median and damage to her helmet were unreal. I can't imagine ever going down like that and sincerely hope she doesn't remember any of it. It is haunting me, but to live through that? No thanks.


I just hope everything is ok. Kelly sent some flowers from the group of us, but the hospital won’t tell us anything or let us talk to her. She has the right to her privacy, I just hope she is ok.


Time to find something to calm myself. Like a drink perhaps. Or a bucket of them."


I hope this helps. It was hard to read again but great to know it all ended as well as can be expected!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn't know it in 2007 but I had sleep apnea. I most likely had it for the prior 10 years but wrote off the chronic fatigue, the need for long naps, the falling asleep if I was still for shortest periods, and the need to pull over when driving or riding to nap as being a old, fat nightshift worker.


I've been using a CPAP for the last year and I can't tell you what a positive change it's made in my life.


There was something that worried me though; I wasn't sure Steve would approve of the 50CC re-attempt. I had failed in the past and he had to live through the following year. I was in a lot of pain for most of that year and it was hard on him.


I would not attempt it if he said 'no' in any way, so I was prepared to get to the west coast slower if need be.


One of the founding principles of our relationship is "I'm not the boss of you". We're both adults and love and respect each other, but we strive to not tell the other what to do or not. This is hard sometime, especially with the stakes are so high. Steve agreed to not stand in my way about the 50cc. I would be traveling with a Spot Tracker so he could keep close tabs on where I was.


I also wanted to pre-riding the DustyButt 1000 route which is a 1000 miles on dirt in less than 24 hour ride, weather permitting. Since I'll be on my 1996 K1100RS for this ride, 1000 miles solo on dirt in both day and night will be entertaining. I set aside 48 hours for this and had made contact with Rod aka old2wheeler to be my backup should I have any problems.


As for pre-trip prep, there wasn't much. It's covered in the last pages in this thread http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408937&page=6
Basically basic maintenance and a way to charge a special battery that would power my CPAP if I couldn't find AC power, no fuel cell and just an extra watch to keep Eastern Time. My plan was to change the bike clock to local time. That didn't work out.


I also made an evap. cooling shirt 'cause Texas in August was going to be hot. http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10602


What's that stupid little saying...'if you love something set it
free...' I've always said Steve is the wind beneath my wings.


[COLOR="Yellow"]Day 1 July 29 Fri Culpeper to Jacksonville Beach[/COLOR]
I packed the bike the night before of all but a few things and Steve saw me off in the morning. I got to the second stop light and I notice a LOT of smoke coming off the bike. I was thinking, “I don’t think I wasted THAT much oil or transmission lube, WTH”. I rode to the first gas station, about 7 blocks up, pulled in and got off.

Let me tell you something; there is nothing to prepare you for seeing your bike on fire AT THE GAS PUMP!! I start stripping off my helmet and jacket. (I don’t have a clue why) And as God as my witness I can’t believe what I did next.

Yes, I tried to blow it out.

Holy shit Gwen!
What the hell were you thinking!!!
Well, obviously you weren’t thinking.

Idiot!

I grab the windshield cleaner thingy and start soaking the exhaust header hoping to cool it down enough that whatever was dripping on it wouldn’t catch fire.

It worked.




Ok…calm down and think Gwen…what is that dripping on the exhaust?
What did you do or NOT do to cause this?

I assessed the bike and watched to make sure it doesn’t light up again.
All I could conclude was that I had over filled the transmission.


Right next door was a tire shop so I push the bike over there, put it on the center stand and went inside. I explained my situation and asked to borrow an oil pan and a plastic bag. They provided those and I went about draining the tranny oil. My plan was to keep the oil clean, find out exactly how much SHOULD be in there and then refill it reusing that oil.





I called Steve to let him know where I was and what was going on and he insisted that he would bring the trailer, load the bike and take it back home to sort things out there. So that’s what we did.


Basically I “thought” I knew how much to put in and was wrong. Does RTFM ring a bell? After putting the right amount in and cleaning all the oil off the bike, I once again gear up to leave.





Steve said, “It’s all part of the adventure” as he could tell I was a bit flustered by the whole affair.





The ride from Culpeper, VA to Jacksonville Beach, FL went smoothly. Along the way I sorted out some things and tried out the cooling shirt which worked well. I found a hotel and ate my left over chicken nuggets I bought hours prior, a mushed banana and a yogurt bar.




[COLOR="yellow"]Day 2 July 30 Sat Depart Jacksonville Beach at 1800 for 50CC[/COLOR]

The next day I slept in late on purpose because I was planning to start my 50CC at 1800. I showered and then did the difficult and uncomfortable business of inserting an 8F Foley catheter, securing the connection to some small tubing down my left leg and then securing that tubing to my leg in a manner that would allow for good range of motion but keep it from pulling on the inside. I then cut a hole in the left pocket of my jeans so that I could discretely release the clamp when I needed to void.


I contacted Larry Meeker who had agreed to be my IBA witness to confirm the starting time and location, then found a Panara Bread for my last sitting still meal for 24 hours.


It was over the next couple of hours as I sipped my coffee that the weight of what I was about to do settled heavily on my mind.
I worried I would let Steve down or worse, crash again.
Was I up to this mentally?
Would I be able to deal with the pain?
Is the bike sound?
Did I forget anything?
Why was I really doing this?


The last stuck with me awhile. I guess it was that I didn’t want to be laying on my death bed regretting I had not at least tried to accomplish what I started.


A great ER Doctor once asked me, “What’s the first rule of medicine?”
I said, “First do no harm”. He replied, “No, first don’t fear it”.


To quote Rafiki, “It is time”.


And with that I ride to the starting point. Shortly after I get there, Larry rolls up and asks, “Are you going somewhere?” We chat a bit, do the paperwork and takes some pics. I get my fuel receipt and write in my log book. And then Larry kindly escorted me out of town and as he waved off I realize I’m on my own.











I start singing in my helmet… http://youtu.be/IAfI1YFA1w0

[COLOR="mediumturquoise"]It's my time to fly
Proving ground tonight
Try to be the best that I can
I've grown to be a man
Only human can understand
I fill my lungs with fear and I exhale

It's my time to fly
Father, be with me tonight
I'm right on target
Keep the dream alive
It's my turn to fly
Gotta prove this tonight – Urge from TitanAE[/COLOR]

Now it’s confession time.

I really enjoy riding without music because it allows my mind to sift through all the things I see and trigger snippets of songs. I would sing 3 or 4 different songs an hour on average. So I’ll share a few with you in this report but just be thankful you can't hear me sing, just sayin'. (They’ll be blue if you want to skip them)


http://youtu.be/6QP8UfCxMJI

[COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]The sound of strangers sending nothing to my mind
Just another mad mad day on the road
I am just living to be lying by your side
But I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road

Made a rag pile of my shiny clothes
Gonna warm my bones
Gonna warm my bones
I got silence on my radio
Let the air waves flow
Let the air waves flow

Oh I'm sleeping under strange skies
Just another mad mad day on the road
My dreams is fading down the railway line
I'm just about a moonlight mile down the road - Moonlight Mile Rolling Stones[/COLOR]


And the night start slipping behind me as I pointed her nose to the west and with a flick of the throttle we were off.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

For me, numbers have no meaning. I could tell you I rode x-number of miles per day, and used x-number gallons of fuel and so on, but that will not express the meaning of the ride. As I rode, I recalled memories and stories of places and things I’ve seen and done.


So I’ll share some of those with you.


As I rode through Lake City, FL I recalled swimming in Ichetucknee Springs and being amazed at the free divers, looking fish in the eye and the feel of water grasses on my legs as I swam in the shallows looking for critters I might catch.


The first time I ever swam there I jumped right straight in the deep part. It was a 90+ hot summer day and the moment I surfaced I was so shocked by the 72 degree water I couldn’t breathe. I mean bronchospasms so hard I couldn’t exhale or inhale at will for what felt like a minute. But once I ‘numbed’ out I had a wonderful time. However, from then on, I waded into the springs.


Years ago, somewhere outside, of Tallahassee I tried to catch an armadillo. They’re faster than they look and darn near blind so it was like chasing a near sighted, hard-shell piglet. I finally laid both hands on it’s back and then it jumped so hard it dislodged my grip and startled me something bad. I had no idea they could jump and by the time I regained my composure it had made it under the fence. I never tried to catch another one.


As I rolled past New Orleans, Don’t Mess with my Toot Toot by Buckwheat Zydeco came on in my head. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBm3aTW9ek4


[COLOR="mediumturquoise"]Don't mess with my toot toot
Don't mess with my toot toot
Now you can have the other woman
But don't mess with my toot toot

When she was born in her birth suit
The doctor slap 'er behind
He said you're gonna be special
You sweet little toot toot

So you can look as much
But if you as much as touch
You're gonna have yourself a case
I'm gonna break your face

So don't mess with my toot toot
Don't mess with my toot toot
Now You can have the other woman
So don't mess with my toot toot[/COLOR]

Damn! I love me some Buckwheat! If that don’t make some part of you start tappin’, youz deiad.


I remember eating at Ralph & Kacoo's and having my first crawfish étouffée and it was delish. I then went to the Cafe Du Monde and drank my first cup of chicory coffee. I still order it today mail order. I’ll never forget the gold statue of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans and watching with delight as a second line band went dancing and parading by.

[COLOR="Yellow"]Day 3 July 31 Sun 50CC continues[/COLOR]

As dawn is softly breaking, I approached the Texas border. Christopher Cross steps in…

[COLOR="mediumturquoise"]It is the night. My body's weak.
I'm on the run. No time to sleep.
I've got to ride.
Ride like the wind to be free again.

And I got such a long way to go.
To make it to the border of Mexico.
So I'll ride like the wind.
Ride like the wind.[/COLOR]


Texas holds a lot of memories for me. I remember traveling with my parents when I was 12. See, my Mother had/has an aggressive form of Retinitis Pigmatosa and was going blind quickly. So when I was 12, my Dad built a little wooden trailer and I helped paint it orange to match our Datsun 510. He loaded it with two kids (me and my Sister, age 9), and medium sized black, curly haired dog, and near blind woman and with nothing more that a Rand McNally, went off to see America before she lost all her sight.


[COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]"Let us be lovers we'll marry our fortunes together"
"I've got some real estate here in my bag"
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs. Wagner pies
And we walked off to look for America.[/COLOR]


We camped and ate our fill of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 2-1/2 months.

An especially poignant memory was standing knee deep in the Rio Grand in Big Bend National Park and watching a herd of wild horses running on the other side in and out of the river’s edge. I picked up a rock to remember that moment.


Mike Berlien aka Mike Butt was my friend though we never met on this side of the River. He was going to be my IBA Witness in San Diego in 2007 but I didn’t make it. So I wanted to honor him on this ride. I chose the rock I picked up as a child to carry with me to Gerlach, NV.


It felt right, this rock, on many levels. It was round like a motorcycle wheel, a rolling stone, with gray and white lines that looked like they were painted on it. It made me think of Mikes tattoos.


By the time I slipped smoothly through the still sleepy Houston the sun was starting to rub my back.


(There will be pictures later, I promise)
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

Being in Texas reminds me of sitting on my Mother’s lap watching
Westerns Saturday night before bedtime on a small black and white TV.




[COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]From this valley they say you are goin'
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are takin' the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway a while

Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the old boy that loved you so true[/COLOR]


I thought Bonanza was the best show ever!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfP0Uf1n88o




People weren’t complicated and the clarity between good and bad was a
seductive lie that I wanted to believe. To this day I believe that people are basically good, but I also feel that belief crumbling around the edges.


In my best Fox Moulder…”I want to believe.”


By the time I tucked San Antonio in my back pocket the Sun was trying to talk me out of my riding jacket. The evap system has doing it’s job and I had worked out a process where by at each fuel stop I’d toss out any hot drink left on the ground where I was fueling up, this would hide the urine. All I did was slip my hand in my pocket where I had cut a hole in the bottom, released the clamp and …*sigh*


The only issue was this caused bladder spasms and I was a little worried I might have caused myself to get a urinary tract infection. That would SUCK on a long distance ride.


I seemed to be drinking enough so all I could do was push hard for the coast so I could get rid of it as soon as possible.


I bought two orders of chicken nuggets and a cheeseburger before making the stretch to Van Horn. If I could make it there in 24 hours I could grab another Bun Burner Gold. (1500 miles in 24 hours). FWIW, chicken nuggets make pretty good tank bag food.


As I leave Fort Stockton I’m surprised I don’t feel the least be sleepy. And when I reach Van Horn, the suns still shining and I don’t feel like stopping so I don’t. I know as I pass the 1500 mile mark Steve would start really worrying about me. He knows that anything beyond that will be more mileage than I’ve ever done in a day. I was now in uncharted territory but instead of intimidating me, I was excited.




I asked Steve one day ‘what makes a good rider’ because I know I’ll never be as good as he is.


I don’t remember the whole answer, but I remember ‘someone who pushes the limits a little and strives to learn’. I want to make Steve proud of me and I want to be a better rider in whatever capacity I can. So now I can push those limits and see just how far I can go in 24 hours.




As I’m riding through Las Cruces I started seeing a huge, dark bank of clouds occupying nearly the entire northern horizon. It looked like a super cell and it promised to give my bike and me a bath. By the time I was approaching Deming, NM it was within striking distance and my mind was weighing the growing desire to sleep against what was sure to be one hell of a wet, cold ride that may have had the added joy of hail to keep things interesting.


One last glance at the storm and said, “Done, I’m done for today” and exited into Deming. The very first thing I did was look for a steakhouse. I was starving for protein because after a while granola bars just don’t satisfy. I found Rancher’s Grill and went it and ordered. While waiting for food I called Steve to let him know I was safe and would be sleeping in Deming that night.


The steak meal included a trip to the salad bar where they had a food I’d never seen before. It was longing, white sticks with a dusting of some red powder. I had no idea what it was but I put some on my plate, and then bit off a chunk. It was crunchy, light and slightly sweet with a mild potato flavor. I liked it, and put four more on my plate.




When the steak was brought to the table I asked what it was. She called it Jicama. That was cool…something new.



I was so hungry I ate the steak as well as the fat, grizzle and all in real short order. It was an effort not to pick it up with my hands. I’ve had better steaks but I as I look back, that was the most satisfying steak I ever ate.





I found a Motel 6, and from the time I parked the bike and unloaded it to the time my head hit the pillow was less then 20 minutes.



_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Ernie-NH]

Hi Shogs....

""I want to make Steve proud of me and I want to be a better rider in whatever capacity I can.""

You already have, a long time ago... and as for the rest of us, there has never been a doubt !!

Yours as always..........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

[Scott_Anderson]

[Phil Marvin]

Hi, Gwen,

x1
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[Shoganai]

Part 4

Day 4 Aug 1 Mon

About 5 or 6 hours later the alarm yells in Pink Floyd’s voice…”Time to go, time to go, time to go”


I wolf down a granola bar while loading the bike. About every third stop (about every +/- 600 miles) I check the oil and top off. I was doing that when an old man, maybe 70, that made me think of Mr. Bojangles came over to where I was. He asked the usual questions and made the usual surprised looks to my answers. He seemed really nice and must have been a rather good looking man in the past.


He asked if I had any more granola bars left and if he could have one. Of course I did and I dug through my tank bag and pulled out two packages and pushed them into his dirty, calloused hands. He thanked me and turned to walk away. I told him to wait, and opened my saddlebag where I kept a stash of drinks and grabbed one out. “Here”, I said, “Those things are pretty dry”. He bowed slightly and thanked me again.


I looked up in time to see the hotel cleaning lady shake her head and roll her cart towards my room. I quickly finished loading and checking out the bike and was on my way. We were if fact all on our ways; never to see each other again.


On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won't understand
"Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of others' suffering
Or you'll find that you're joining in
The turning away"


By knocking out so many miles the day before, I was completely relaxed. Well, except for my back. I was getting a little sore from putting it on the center stand at every stop, then pulling it off without dropping it. It didn’t bother me near as much as the neuropathy from the old injury.


While riding I was constantly seeking a position of comfort and I probably made a funny figure going down the road. It seemed the best position was lying nearly flat on the bike with my feet hanging off the back in the air and my head level with the tank bag. I would prop my helmet chin on my left forearm across the tank bag and look through the gap left of the fairing and the mirror.


Even so, I was never pain free for more than a few minutes at a time. I didn’t take any pain meds because I didn’t want risk the effects of narcs while riding and nothing else touches neuropathy pain.


I decided since it was going to ride two with all the way I would use it to stay focused on the moment. The ER doc I mentioned before told me another thing that has stuck with me; it was about pain. He said something like, ‘If you can tell me you can’t take it any more, that’s not true. When you pass out from pain, THEN you can’t take it any more. Before that you can take if you control your mind, because that’s where the pain really is’.


I’m sure that he was simplifying the concept, and wasn’t saying that pain shouldn’t be treated but there was some truth in there.


Don’t misunderstand me, despite all of the above I do feel pretty good over all.


The wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And he was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind

In a lonely shack by a railroad track
He spent his younger days
And I guess the sound of the outward-bound
Made him a slave to his wand'rin ways

And the wayward wind is a restless wind
A restless wind that yearns to wander
And he was born the next of kin
The next of kin to the wayward wind


Passing through Tucson I remember driving up to the top of the mountain in the Santa Catalina Natural Area through the Sabino Canyon. I recall the extreme climate differences between the bottom and the top. The road was narrow and winding with dry low water bridges. If you are ever near there, I would recommend you go. It’s worth it.


I took my son to Kitt Peak for the nighttime tour and star watching years ago and to this day it was the best big telescope tour I’ve ever been on. At one point they had us all outside and the leader pulled out a high powered green laser pointer. I had never seen one before, but I promised myself to get one. It was amazing how he could point to a star then lead our eyes to another point then another thus showing us how to find objects in the night sky.


The drive down off the mountain without headlights was really cool though Johnathan was VERY worried we’d drive off the mountain.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

Thanks dear.
By the time I got your text message I was 100 miles down the road.

I love you Phil.

It did my heart good to see you again and your daughter was totally awesome, but you know that already.

[Shoganai]

Phoenix. The mythical bird who is consumed by fire only to rise anew from it’s own ashes.


I'm a slave of Karma
Spin the Wheel and I'm a King reborn
I'm a slave to Karma
I'm coming back, yeah, I'll be coming back
But for the last time

Who's at the center of the Wheel
The inventor of the Wheel
or another spinning servant
I'm the Master of my Wheel of my very own Wheel
Universal and recurrent


I really don’t remember Tucson with the clarity of other places due to the crash.
I told Steve when I got home that as I was riding the same route I rode in 2007, I had no memory of the road. I could recall leaving Jacksonville, staying at the hotel in Van Horn with Tony aka STriderCC, pulling over to tell him to go on without me because I needed a nap, and the ramp getting back on the interstate.

There was the dream-like feeling of laying flat with the heartbeat of the chopper blades cutting the air and lights in me eyes and then there’s nothing until being in the ER with AZstrommer at my side. He was a great comfort. He made me feel safe and he made me laugh. You know that stupid fade in/fade out effects they do in movies, well it was like that for the whole time until I was back home.


I think I was refusing a CT or x-rays and telling them to let me get up and I would be fine. Then Tony, who had gone on ahead was there and then Hoagy gave me the shirt he was wearing for the ride.


I have no memory of eating or drinking. There were moments I remember being in pain. They documented I was clearly hurting but refusing pain meds.


I feel more than remember that people were visiting me and even Bert rode all the way from his home to see me. And G-dog was there too. Timmr handled dealing with salvaging stuff off my bike and AZstrommer handled keeping everyone informed. 100mpg stayed with me at AZstrommers home. I remember the ride in the truck but I don’t remember where we were. There were others there I know but I can’t recall any faces.


Here I lie in my hospital bed
Tell me, Sister Morphine, when are you coming round again?
Oh, I don't think I can wait that long
Oh, you see that I'm not that strong

The scream of the ambulance is sounding in my ears
Tell me, Sister Morphine, how long have I been lying here?
What am I doing in this place?
Why does the doctor have no face?

Oh, I can't crawl across the floor
Ah, can't you see, Sister Morphine, I'm trying to score


AZstrommers post about the ER http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5268615&postcount=2038

What Steve posted about our friend Jeff
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5264987&postcount=1971

Someone on ADV gave me his airline miles to fly home as well.



I wrote this about my time in the hospital

---------------------------------------------------------------
First, I feel I let Steve down. I also let those down here that placed their faith in me.
I let Hoagy down.
I let myself down on levels I can’t express here. My personal failure is brutally hard to bear.


While in the hospital I broke down and cried out loud and was almost yelling as I struggled to clean myself and was I in so much pain I had to have the nurse to wipe me off. I started my period 2.5 weeks early and I couldn’t manage a kotex so I asked to wear a diaper so I would quite soiling the bed and chair. I was so embarrassed and ashamed. I was so demoralized I find I lack the vocabulary to convey it properly.


There is nothing that can steel a spirit against the loss of independence and nothing like having lost it to truly empathize with those that have. I know I’m different and more compassionate nurse because of what I’ve been through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

There are also no words to convey my continued gratitude to everyone, so thank you will have to do.


The Pheonix in me lept from those ashes as the miles glided benieth the old K-bike that carried me past that town. I bathed in the balm in Gilead and my spirit was healed. I had overcome that which I feared to face. I stood up on my bike and jumped up and down thrusting my fist at the sky! My heart was pounding so hard.


Across the street the river runs
Down in the gutter life is slipping away
Let me still exist in another place
Running under cover of a helicopter blade

The flames are getting higher in effigy
Burning down the bridges of my memory
Love may still be alive somewhere someway
where they're downing only deer
a hundred steel towns away

Oh rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum
with the words "I love you" rolling off my tongue
No never will I roam for I know my place is home
where the ocean meets the sky
I'll be sailing
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

Where the ocean meets the sky is where I was sailing at 85 mph with
the sun in my face and the wind at my back.


Riding from Yuma and Ocotillo was sobering. A line in the sand.
Poverty and Prosperity. Have and have not.


Down and Out
It can't be helped but there's a lot of it about
With, without
And who'll deny that's what the fightings all about
Get out of the way, it's a busy day
And I've got things on my mind
For want of the price of tea and a slice
The old man died


From Ocotillo the road started it’s long, curvy, tractor trailer
killing, RV over heating climb over the mountains. The natural terrain
was beautiful as seen from the sweepers on the back of my blue steed.
But I couldn’t quit thinking of what an absolutely pure hell it must
have been to cross on foot by native and white men only a few hundred
years ago.


As I started my descent out of the mountains it’s ALL I could do not to go
as fast as I can. I said to myself I’ve gone all this way without a
speeding ticket and I MUST back it off. But like a barn sour old nag,
my bike just keeps going faster and faster and I keep pulling on the
reins and rolling off the throttle.


The radio's playin' some forgotten song.
Brenda Lee's coming on strong.
The road has got me hypnotized,
As I spin into a new sunrise.

When I get lonely and I'm sure I've had enough,
She sends comfort coming in from above.
Don't need no letters at all.
We got a thing that's called radar love
We got a line in the sky
Radar love

No more speed I'm almost there.
Gotta keep cool, now, gotta take care.
Last car to pass, here I go.
The line of cars drove down real slow.
The radio plays that forgotten song.
Brenda Lee's coming on strong.
The news man sang his same song,
One more radar lover gone.


I didn’t have quite enough fuel to make it to the end so I stopped
about an hour away. I was really hungry but wanted to push on so I
drank a box of chocolate milk then went to toilet. I needed badly to
get ride of the foley because the bladder spasms were horrible. I
wrapped it in many layers of paper towels and stuffed it in the big
trashcan.


Damn! That was a great relief!


The approached to the landing strip is lined with the tallest palms
I’ve ever seen.





Let me tell you about Garry. I joined the LDR List to find IBA
witnesses for my ride and many stepped up like Larry in Jacksonville
Beach. There were several in the SD area as well but Garry really
wanted to do this. I didn’t know it at the time but he’s followed my
motorcycle posts on ADVrider and wanted to meet me.
He rode three hours one way from Arizona for this! How can I thank him
for such a kindness?





He followed my SPOT tracker and did the math was there just before me.
I pulled up to the fuel pump but not quite in the right place. The
owner of the station had just walked out to the pumps to do something
as I turned the wheel sharply left to move into position and then the
tankbag hit the horn button.


(The dual stock Stebel-like horns are LOUD!)


He jumped and I startled and I started apologizing and tried to
explain what happened and that I wasn’t being an ass. He seemed ok
with it but I felt bad.





[img] http://shoganai.smugmug.com/Travel/So-Duck-Threw-the-Gauntlet/i-bVSgVF4/0/L/IMG6916-L.jpg[/img]


Garry and I went in the store where it was cooler and I bought three
Gatorades and tried to catch up on the hydration curvy. We talked and
talked like old friends catching up after being long parted and yet we
had never met before that day. I’m truly proud to say I met Garry IRL
and happy as all get out to call him my friend.


While Garry and were talking Steve called to say he could see I made
it. What a sweet surprise! (It wouldn’t be the last surprise Steve
pulls on me)


[img] http://shoganai.smugmug.com/Travel/So-Duck-Threw-the-Gauntlet/i-RTKqQnv/0/L/IMG6914-L.jpg[/img]


Johnny Dakar called me to say LA Woman was on her way to where I was.
WOW!! I couldn’t wait to meet her. I love her like a sister and feel
close to her through our exchanges on ADV. This was too cool for
words.








This says it all.








Very cool!





Chick bikes.





I offered to buy Garry a meal but he said he had to head home, so we
hugged and like Knight on big black steed he was gone. Lisa and I
walked across the street so I could get my sand and water sample only
to learn why they call it Sunset CLIFFS. Duh!


Lisa leads me to a park nearby and at a stoplight I took this then
shoved the camera in her hand.





She took this.




I saw my first dog beach. What a wonderful thing. I never knew such a
thing existed. This is NOT the dog beach





I couldn’t find the little sample container I brought so I used my
empty drink bottle.





Lisa had to go to work and I head to their home. I follow the GPS to
where it says I have arrived and I can’t find their home. I start
driving around looking for it and make a couple loops around the area.
I end up right back where I stopped the first time, turn off the bike
and just as I take my helmet off my phone rings.


It John. He says he’s been following my tracker and can tell I can’t
find their place. After a few “what do you see” questions I learn I’m
parked RIGHT across the street from their home! *blush*


I let myself in and three dogs greet me. One who reminded me of Sir
Didymus from the Labyrinth; quite energized and vocal and one who
didn’t seem to care if I was there or not and my favorite was the
cat-like-thou-shalt-not-pass-without-petting-me couch rug.








I WANT one of these!




Went there, did this in 45 hours.





My stomach reminds me that I’ve not eaten in a long, long time and I
scrounge a can of tuna, add a little bit of mayo and eat it right out
of the can. Now all the sudden I’m the most interesting person in the
house as all three dogs gather at my feet on the couch. Sir Didymus
looks at me and says, ‘hey, don’t take the barking personal, it’s just
my job, you understand don’t cha. Now about that tuna…”


I finish off the last of the tuna and let each take a lick of the
remaining tuna juice out of the can. To quote George Thorogood…


“I tell the landlady I got a job, I'm gonna pay the rent
She said "Yeah?" I said "Oh yeah"
And then she was so nice,
loh' she was lovy-dovy.


I start feeling the miles heaping up on my shoulders like a thousand
pounds of wet sand and I have just GOT to lie down. I set my CPAP up
and lay down on the dog beds by the fireplace.


Boom boom O-U-T go the lights.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

I woke up to Lisa coming home and the failure tapping of dog toes on hardwood. I was still in a slight fog and wishing I wasn’t so muddled so she makes us some great coffee.


One of the things I found myself doing for most of this ride was what I call ‘concentrated info sharing’. I feel I talk fast and ask a lot of questions because I know the face-time with all the people I met on this ride precious.


Tomorrow is not promised to any of us and I am always, ALWAYS acutely aware of this. Maybe because of what I do for a living? Maybe it’s because of the crash in 2007? Maybe it’s because of Adways and Mike? I really don’t know. I replaced my cell phone weeks after I got home and checked my voice mails one day. It was painfully sobering to listen to my Mothers frantic, worried voice asking if I was ok and to please call her back the night of the crash.


It felt like I had died that night and I was listening as a ghost might, helpless to change the events and forced to have to know the harm I caused.


I live in a near constant state of knowing in the back of my mind that I will never pass this way again. Here and now is all I have and I want desperately to suck all the life there is out of it.


I love the way the Rolling Stones said it.

Let's grab the world
By the scruff of the neck
And drink it down deeply
Let's love it to death
So button your lip
And button your coat
Let's go out dancing (riding )
Let's rock 'n' roll


We talked about this and that and laughed and sipped coffee until John
came home. Then it was debated which take-out to get and Chinese won.
Lisa went on and on about a dish called ‘salt and pepper chicken wings’ and I was thinking ‘ok, it’s just chicken wings’. She and I drove over to pick it up and when we got back we all shared the entrees.


Let me tell you that was without a doubt the BEST damn chicken I have ever had. And that’s sayin’ something coming from a long family history of southern fried chicken Diva’s.


Of course there was pictures, but not of the food, sorry. The dogs of course were also given some table nibblin’s and the petable couch rug had an especially effective nom nom procurement technique. The whole meal was great and the company and conversation better but it was getting late and weren’t on vacation, so Lisa insisted she fix up the couch for me to sleep, which wasn’t necessary, really. Thank you dear.


I slept great and in the morning we all get ready to leave. Lisa has to be to work easily so is out the door first but not before more hugs all around.











A little bit later she opens the door downstairs and hollers something like John get down here and her voice said something was wrong. John heads down first and I finish putting my socks on and follow.





Lisa was so distressed and upset. I told her it’s just a bike, it’s just stuff don’t worry about. I’m not sure what happened but I think it had something to do with getting it off the center stand. No biggy. t wasn’t the first time my bike had been on its side and certainly wouldn’t be the last.


John and I pick it up my bike and move it out of the garage then address Lisa’s bike.





After she was calmer and with time pressing she heads off to work.





John and I talk for a while but I have to make mileage so one last hug and I’m gone.


As I ride off I concentrate etching the memory of their laughter and voices in my mind.


Never forget, always never forget.
(I did this with everyone I met on this trip, even Mr Bojangles)
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[drikko]

Awesome stuff shogs, BTW it looks like Lisa's bike was the culprit!
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

[Shoganai]

My next destination was to meet Double Entendra so I headed north to Huntington Beach. I liked riding in SD traffic. People were really moving and I found the flow entertaining to play in.


I found his home without near the drama of my last stop *blush* and knock on the door. We hug and chat for awhile and he offers to take me to lunch so I leave my bike there.


He takes me here and tells me this is a fairly popular and sought after place.
It was cool. He signed a clip board near the door and we stood around out front waiting for our names to be called. It didn't take too long and we were seated.





It was a real cool place to just hang out. We had some time to talk and I shared with him that one of the things I noticed was there were fewer fat people in California than ‘back east’. I also noticed more bicycle paths and even bicycles were allowed on the interstates in some places. My impression was that outdoor activity was encouraged more there.
Back in Culpeper there is extremely poor sidewalk placement if at all. There are places where it's there then not forcing you to walk in the street and it's not consistent with whether there a sharp drop off onto the street or a ramp. It is the most anti-pedestrian, anti-bicycle town I've ever seen.








What a striking young man.





My favorite sandwich of all time is a patty melt and I never miss an opportunity to order one if its on the menu. This was a great patty melt, let me tell ya!





As much as I wanted to stay and talk, we had to go back home so I could continue heading north.





We walked back to where we parked and I snapped these shots.


I loved the railing because things that flow please me.







We arrived back at his place and I thought this was a handsome plant. I must find out what it is and I hope it will be one I can grow at home.
Then back at his home (cool plant)








He then took me around to his garden in the back yard. It was really cool and the variety was engaging. He offered me some of the tomatoes but they don’t travel well in the tank bag unless you want to throw some onions and peppers in there so you could have salsa by the time end of the day.








These may be the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen.





Back inside there was this painting. I couldn’t stop my eyes from wandering back to it over and over again. There are things that speak to us on a level no one else can hear and to parts of us we are only vaguely aware of.


To me, this is probably the greatest painting I have ever seen because of that voice. Looking back on it, I think I would do almost anything to find the artist and beg him or her to paint me one.





Well, as much as I want to stay, I have to go and with a hug and a wave, I’m back on the road. Thank you Bob for everything It was wonderful to meet you and thank you for making the time.


The next stop was going to be a little tough on me. While planning this trip the ADV member DSM8 PM’d me and said I would be passing right by Mike Berlein’s parents home and wanted to know if I would like to stop by to visit them. I didn’t feel I have the right and didn’t want to intrude on them, after all, I’m nobody to them. He said he would ask and as it turns out Gail Mike’s Mom said she would like that very much.


On the way there I didn’t know what I was going to say, all I could think about was I didn’t have the right to be there. I had brought gifts and hoped I wasn’t being too presumptuous even in that.





I pulled up outside the house under the shade of a large tree and started taking my gear off when I turned to see Gail coming out to meet me. I finished getting my gear off and ask her how she knew I was there. She said she had been following my SPOT tracker. I was surprised and honored.


She escorts my into there home and I meet Mr. Berlein briefly. His pleasant but curt manner made me doubt I should have come. Gail leads me to this room where she and then I sit on the small blue couch. Gail is bright eyed, lithe for any age and flows with grace when she moves. Her voice not in the least bit cracked with age to measured and calming. I feel quickly at ease in her presence.





She points out the mantle where Mike’s boots and helmet are enshrined with a framed plaque with many signatures.





She asks about mike and myself and I shared with her how Mike reached out to me in PM’s. I told her how he was able to make my me laugh after I crashed in ‘07 and how he was so supportive of my long distance ambitions. He was not a nay-sayer and he always treated me like any other rider, not a female rider like so many others. I really respected that.


She got down on the floor and sat cross legged by the blue table and opened a large book with Mike’s picture on the front. Inside is every letter, every PM and every email they received for all Mikes friends near for a half a world away. She saved every one of them. She talked about how she and her husband didn’t really know a lot about Mike’s motorcycle life and always thought social networking was a waste of time and meaningless when compared to ‘real’ friends.


She said she no longer believes that and what Mike had was a real as anything you could hold in your hand. She said she now understands the bond that fellow riding have for each other and she is glad Mike had that in his life.
She went on to tell me many other things and that she misses him but is content his spirit is at ease and that he can still feel how much she loves him.


Of that, I’m sure.


I gave her the gifts I brought. The shell I got in the Bahamas some 27 years ago and the gold necklace I got while traveling in Nova Scotia on my first solo motorcycle trip. I show her the rock I was going to place in Gerlach and she liked it.





I ask if I may have my picture taken her and she seemed delighted. Her husband took this.





She then produced a small patch of neatly folded cloth, “I want you to have this, I think Mike would like that.” I unfolded it and started crying. It took me some time to pull myself together and thank her without blubbering.


On a whim and without any thought I asked if she would like to sign the rock and I would hand deliver it Mike’s marked stone in Nevada. She really liked the idea and found a sharpie.





She asked Mike’s father if he wanted to sign it and at first he said no and walked out of the room, but then came back and drew the simile face and the word “Love”.



I’ll tell you this, the man is grieving, the hard brutal grieving of a man that has had the most precious person in his life stolen from him and my heart was pained to have born witness to that suffering.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

Gail walked me out to the bike and we hugged once more, one last time for all time for I know I'll never pass this way again in her life time.


Now I know I'm running last to make it to exwingnut's placed and I still had two obligations to fulfill before I got there. One was to FINILLY meet velvtride and the other was to stop in at Off the Grid's place for a quick hug and a peck on cheek.


Let me tell you something about me. I'm the kind of person that if I'm late for the lights going down at the movies I panic. I really, really hate being late. It drives me like rented mule and I will do damn near anything to not be late for places I'm expected to be.


So I ride north on I-5 then take 99 north. I see the name of the next town on a sign and laugh loudly. "Bakersfield" I say aloud then wished I had a radio that I could tune to a 'colored radio station' and better yet it was Sunday.


How unbelievably fitting it all was, like a perfect nexus.


Rolling Stones *Mick! :smooch*

I was driving home early Sunday morning through Bakersfield
Listening to gospel music on the colored radio station
And the preacher said, "You know you always have the
Lord by your side"

And I was so pleased to be informed of this that I ran
Twenty red lights in his honor
Thank you Jesus, thank you lord


There weren’t any red lights but there were cars and trucks that needed passin’
(say that with a Southern accent like, "He just needed killin'," )
So I passed them in ways that would probably have pissed Steve off and was anything but a good representative of the motorcycling community.


The road surface was rough and at times jarring. The first thing I noticed was the smog. This is smooth stretch, at least it’s all the same level.





Come Monday, I'll be holding you tight
I spent four lonely days in a brown L.A. haze
And I just want you back by my side





And then there’s the burlap hills.







I was thinking that it must grow brown instead of green because every time I’ve
been here it’s always brown.


The ride to Clovis was uneventful, if a bit energetic, and without too much angst on my part. I had been in contact with VR aka Heidi and the only was I was going to get to see her was if I went to where she was working.


Heidi has a good, kind heart. She is upbeat and tries to look for the good in others. She started the “Ninja Skillz” thread in 2008 and it’s still going strong today thanks to all the people that continue to post there. It’s like “The happy Place” thread. Laugh out loud funny and I totally love it.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299225


And the “wax” thread. I was laughing so hard when I read that I had tears in my eyes.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184597


(Oh geez...I read it again and it was JUST as funny the second time.)


I pulled up, parked out front and went inside. I quickly slipped to the back of the store to use the bathroom then started making my way up front. I asked an employee if he knew where Heidi was and he said “up front”.


I casually made my way there while keeping my eyes open for her. I spotted her and ducked down behind a display near where it looked like she was about to pass.


Then the employee I asked earlier came by, “Hey Heidi, somebody’s looking for you”. Then I jumped out an surprised her.


My goodness it was so darn awesome. She too, felt with a sister to me. We have spent years chatting across ADV, PM’s and phone calls. We already loved each other, or at least I can say that’s how I felt and it was like long lost family to be in her arms.


Hugs galore and some excited conversation and then some pictures and it was all over WAY too soon. :cry








I head out on the highway and haul gluteus maximus northward towards OTG aka Dave.


Get your motor running
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
In whatever comes our way

Yeah, darling
Gonna make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once and
Explode into space

I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racing in the wind
And the feeling that I'm under
Born to be wild


It would be no understatement to say I love Dave. We are both nurses and have each been in the trenches a long time. We can talk about things only medical professionals can with others like us. Dave is most likely the most chivalrous man I’ve ever known. Kind to animals, treats all women like ladies, believes in standing up for and fighting if need be for the down trodden, weak, simple-minded and sick. He even still opens doors.


He may very well be the last knight in shining armor.


It was dark-30 when I got to his house.


Dave and I shared a few miles together in Sept. 2010
It was some of the most fun I’ve had on two wheels.
I’d riding to the ends of the earth him, but that was going to have to wait for another day.


http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4158&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=120


Tonight, I barely had time to chug down the Monster energy drink he stuffed in my hand and when I finished that he offered his that was already open. I drank it too because I had not been drinking enough on purpose so I wouldn’t have to pee so I could make better time.


We talk kinda quickly and catch upon our lives, friends and bikes. But as much as wanted to stay, I really had to go. As it was I was hours behind schedule and exwingnut had already had to change plans a few times because of how late it was getting. I felt bad I couldn’t stay longer and I felt bad I was running late.


Dave gave me more to drink for the road and some snacks and we hugged a couple of times. He then insisted her turn my bike around in the pea gravel driveway and get me safely pointed in the right direction.











I texted exwingnut aka Steve to let him know what was going on and got on the road. I was thinking I didn’t have any other stops and gave him what I thought was a fairly firm ETA.


WELL...no sooner do I get rolling hard the traffic comes to a sudden and complete stop. Well crap!


NOW I’m really stressed. I’m so stressed I can hardly form complete sentences when I call Steve while sitting in traffic. He keeps trying to calm me down and I am just not capable. Every strand of my DNA is screaming in my ears. He suggested lane splitting and I told him I didn’t think I could.


After we hung up though I had to at least try because sitting there was killing me.


You and me we're goin' nowhere slowly
And we've gotta get away from the past
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere, baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast

Everybody's goin' nowhere slowly
They're only fighting for the chance to be last
There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere, baby
But we should be goin' nowhere fast
It's so much better goin' nowhere fast

Ah...

Stalkin' in the shadows by the light of the moon
It's like a prison and the night is a cell
Goin' anywhere has gotta be heaven tonight
'Cause stayin' here has gotta be hell
Dyin' in the city like a fire on the water
Let's go runnin' on the back of the wind


In the end, it was more nerve wracking than it was worth, and consigned myself to slugging it along with the rest of the traffic. When hell finally froze over or about that time I was able to get past the crash in a construction zone.


It was a very full day both emotionally and physically by the time I arrived at exwingnuts home.



_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[abreeze]

i like your lyrics.....seems music helps capture the moment in your head.

great read....keep safe....

[Shoganai]

I arrived very late at exwingnut's place in Antioch. He was ready for me with the garage open and he directed me where to park. I apologized for being so late and thanked him allowing me stay at his home.

I was tired but at the same time totally buzzed to finally meet Steve. Again the magic happens and it's like we've been friends for years. Steve fixed me a wonderful salad and gave me a really good piece of bread to go with it. It was unlike anything I'd ever had and it was all marvelously tasty.

He offers me a seat at the table to eat but I had been sitting for many hours that day and I have a habit of standing to eat from years of nursing and eating on the go, so we stand in the kitchen.

I remarked on the interesting interior and he told me something about the prior owner was a witness of a crime and the prep tried to burn her house down, he failed but the smoke damage required extensive repair. There were many things and pictures around that told me I could spend many days with him and have a lot in common.

After an hour or so I starting fading and he has to work in the am so we hit the hay. In the morning I realized I didn’t take any pics of anything and nab these two before he leaves.






Steve master-minded a breakfast met in Pleasant Hill to recover from me arriving too late the night before. He leaves and I do some pre-trip/daily servicing then head that way.

When I arrived, Steve was already there.



We then see this.



It none other that Nixels!!



We all gathered and placed our orders. There was a lot of sharing and Nixels had a REALLY cool invention he got patented that when placed between the pages of a wet book it would dry the pages. I'll let his tell you more about it. I thought it was ingenious.

There was so much talk I can’t tell you was said but it was a happy gathering and I was SO happy everyone made the effort to make it. I love all those guys! Even more so that I’ve each of them.

exwingnut



Mountain lion





Monkey Boy





The breakfast club



skwidd was there as well and the dear heart tried to sneak a shirt into my luggage. I caught him red handed. What a sweetheart.

Again, I’m the only one on vacation and the guys have to go to work but it seems no one really wants to leave so we stand around outside awhile and hand out for just a few more minutes.

I’ll say this, that place had the BEST bacon I have EVER tasted!!!
























It was over too soon for me but I was so grateful to meet each them.

Since I was so close to The Darth Peach I tried to contact her but wasn’t able to hook up :cry so I head toward Humboldt Bay where Summerinmaine was my next couch surfing spot.

I ride straight up 101.

This was an Enya day.


When there's a shadow, you follow the sun.
When there is love, then you look for the one.
And for the promises, there is the sky.
And for the heavens are those who can fly.

If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.

When there's a journey, you follow a star.
When there's an ocean, you sail from afar.
And for the broken heart, there is the sky.
And for tomorrow are those who can fly.
http://youtu.be/4PAwN5IbroM




The ride was pretty unevetful. I stopped on the side of the road to check my messages and a GS pulled over to see if I was ok. I said I was and he started to pull away when I saw an ADV sticker. I yelled Hey are you on ADV? He stopped and stepped off his bike. He said he was but doesn’t post much.

He tells me his final drive was just replaced in San Francisco. He was on his way back to Alaska where he worked a few months a year from Argentina where he was visiting his family. WOW!

He was nice to talk with. He said he was a mechanic and as we were standing around my bike he noticed the oil leak. I thought it was precious that he almost instinctively checked the fill cap for tightness. I explained the leak was from the oil pan gasket and that oil higher up was blow by.

We both have places to be and part ways but it was a nice encounter.



Pilgrim, how you journey
On the road you chose
To find out why the winds die
And where the stories go.

All days come from one day
That much you must know,
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go.

http://youtu.be/86QykTK9rFI


Several miles up the road I was just cruising along when all the suddenly I see Redwood trees!!!

SWEET!!!!







He stopped here as well but wasn’t around.







No picture I could take would do these giants justice so I took a few as I rode along.









I was like a child again; awestruck and my soul was stirred and by the time I was out of them I also had a sore neck.

Approaching the bay. I was intrigued by the cloud back hovering over the mountains.










I find his place with difficulty and I also meet his daughter and S.O.

That right there is one handsome devil.



They take me out to eat in town. I’ve treated to a grass fed beef hamburger. It really did taste better than I expected. I didn’t know there was that much difference.



The waitress was a hoot!





The night is young was we all go to the town center where Jim tells me all about the towns history. He points out buildings one at a time and each had a colorful story to tell and Jim was the one to tell it.





He said a town law mandates that all bars must be on that side of the square.











It was a beautiful night and Jim was a joy to listen to. We then all head back to his home where we sit up and talk a bit then all go to sleep.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

I woke up very early with a chill and made a mental note to buy a long sleeve shirt within the next two days. No one else was up so I didn't take a shower so as not to wake anyone up.

I gathered my things quietly and jotted a thank you note before slipping into the fog. I do my daily pre-trip, top off the oil, pack up and set my sails to tack north.

As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin man
I have chalked up many a mile
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I learned much from both of their styles


As I was traveling 101 I saw a sign that read "Old 101" so I turned around and took the side road. I've learned that any road name that starts with "old" is bound to be worth riding. I'd put behind me a lot of high speed miles and was feeling the need to slow down and explore.

This looked VERY promising!!

















I could hear the fog dripping off the heavy leaves and the traffic on the “new” 101 down below. There were so many different fragrances from wet, old grass to the regenerating collective that only deep, old forgotten woods hold close to their bark. I had a little time to reflect on how far I had journeyed to be in that place at that time.

I wondered how many twists and turns of my life had lead me here and what lesson did it want me to learn.


Oh, the power to be strong
And the wisdom to be wise
All these things will come to you in time
On this journey that you're making
There'll be answers that you'll seek
And it's you who'll climb the mountain
It's you who'll reach the peak

Son of Man, look to the sky
Lift your spirit, set it free
Some day you'll walk tall with pride
Son of Man, a man in time you'll be













I reluctantly re-join the “new” 101 but knew I would always remember the feeling of that road.



I stumble on The Avenue of Giants take the detour. I haven’t been there since I was 12 and with my parents.

Went out walkin' through the wood the other day
And the world was a carpet laid before me
The buds were bursting and the air smelled sweet and strange
It seemed about a hundred years ago

As I start down the road I’m overwhelmed with tears. Thankful tears for the gift of an adventurous spirit my parents instilled in me. Tears because I wished Steve could be at my side right then to share that with me. Tears of joy for having lived long enough to be here again.











I stop to walk into the woods so I can touch the trees and ferns and linger awhile.
Before leaving I pick up two redwood sticks to take home with me; one for me and one for my parents.

I sigh, smile and stuff my hands in my gloves. It was restorative and I was readily to move forward, both spiritually and physically.




Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light

Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

He was something to observe
Came in close I heard a voice

Standing stretching every nerve
I had to listen had no choice

I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom-boom-boom
Son, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home


http://youtu.be/eMwn_hnoS5Y
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[merlin geikie]

Thanks Shoganai for all the goodly pics showing your meandering and moesing along

Glad you enjoying your life on the hoof and the folks you come across on the journey.

All good to you and trusting you are well

[Shoganai]

As I was riding north I approached the Klamath River and it was there I noticed many people were standing on the bridge looking over the edge. I slowed down and pulled over to ask what was going on? Someone said there was a whale in the river.





A whale!!


I had never seen a wild whale and jumped off the bike to have a look.








Great Googly Moogly!


There it was! I got back on my bike, rode to a parking spot, grabbed my big camera and trotted back out on the bridge.














The gray whale was swimming back and forth under the bridge. I asked about it and I was told it had been there about two months. I watched it for over thirty minutes and took lots of pictures but after awhile I started thinking it must be hungry. Surely there was no food for it here and I wondered how long could it last.














Someone was out on the water on a paddle board close to it and the whale seemed to linger near him before continuing it’s sad, confined figure eights.








It made me think of a tiger mindlessly pacing in its cage.
Maybe it felt trapped?


I bet it felt lonely.





My excitement faded into an empathic sadness. I stood surrounded by others and I watched it a little while longer but it felt like I was watching it slowly die. Death as a spectator sport; I couldn’t stomach that and walked slowly back to my bike.


I had a lot of mixed emotions and I was in a somber mood for about the next
hour.


Exile, is there any word that that feels more lonely?





Exile
Cold as the northern winds
in December mornings,
Cold is the cry that rings
from this far distand shore.

Winter has come too late
too close beside me.
How can I chase away
all these fears deep inside?

I'll wait the signs to come.
I'll find a way
I will wait the time to come.
I'll find a way home.

My light shall be the moon
and my path - the ocean.
My guide the morning star
as I sail home to you.

I'll wait the signs to come.
I'll find a way.
I will wait the time to come.
I'll find a way home.

Who then can warm my soul?
Who can quell my passion?
Out of these dreams boat
I will sail home to you.


http://youtu.be/eE3YQqMCPT4
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[Shoganai]

The ride to Grants Pass was fairly fun and as I shifted through the gears I was shifting form melancholy to joy. I was looking forward to meeting Wibby aka Scott for lunch.


As I rode through the tall evergreens I swear I couldn’t help but burst out into several refrains of…


Oh, I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay,
I sleep all night and I work all day.

He's a lumberjack, and he's okay,
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees, I eat my lunch,
I go to the lava-try.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

He cuts down trees, he eats his lunch,
He goes to the lava-try.
On Wednesdays 'e goes shoppin'
And has buttered scones for tea.

I cut down trees, I skip and jump,
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing,
And hang around in bars.

He cuts down trees, he skips and jumps,
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing
And hangs around.... In bars???????

:lol3







I had been in contact with Wibby and he had picked out a Mexican restaurant for us to meet at in Grants Pass. I got close but couldn’t find it, nothing new there * blush *, so I called him. We went through the ‘what do you see’ Q&A and as it turned out I was almost with in sight of it. I turned down the right street to see Wibby standing in the road taking pics as I rode up.


After I de-geared we hugged and went inside. I have long wanted to meet Scott and this was yet another cool meeting of long time friends that had never met. The ceiling was hung with many piñatas and around the walls were shelves covered with imported treats.


I wasn’t very hungry and tried to order something small. They didn’t have cheese sauce or carnitas which are two of my favorites. I’d never really thought of Mexican food as having local differences but in after thought it must. I settled on a burrito.


While waiting for the food Scott and I talk and joked around. I think he is a little shy by nature and the timbre of his voice very pleasant and his laughter hearty.


When the food arrived the burrito was HUGE!
I thought I was on woman vs food!
But it was real tasty and I ate more than I expected.





When we finished eating our fill I wanted to get a our picture taken
and I thought it would be funny if for once I could be as tall as
someone else in the picture.





When it came to go Wibby rode out with me a little bit.




Wibby, thank you so much for riding out to have lunch with me. I really enjoyed it. You’re a sweet heart.


Para bailar la bamba
Para bailar la bamba
Se necesita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia pa mi pa ti
Y arriba y arriba
Ay arriba y arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan, soy capitan

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba



My next destination was Mista Verns home and on my way I saw this.





Well, you don’t see that everyday…unless you live near by.
I was trying to make time so I didn’t linger.


When I arrived at Mista Vern home MortimerSickle aka Ken was already there.

Whoot!

Two of the sweetest folks on ADV in the same place.
I thought I was going to be in sugar over load.





Hugs all around, well not all around … Ken and Vern didn’t hug.


Mrs Mista Vern joined us and offered cool drinks. I gladly accepted her offer and we all walked to the back yard patio to relax. I wish I had taken more pictures of their garden of beautiful plants and flowers.


The patio was just a wonderful place to just be and to be among friends made it just perfect. We must have talked for at least an hour and as my friend Walt would say, ‘We passed a good time’.


But Ken and I needed to get on down the road to Mr. Fishermans home where he was hosting some local ADV’s so that I would be able to meet them. As we reluctantly start tearing ourselves away from their hospitality I take a few pics.


Tell me how cool is it to still own the first motorcycle you ever bought!





Out in the carport was this sweet little bike and it’s sidecar.





That was a REALLY cool sidecar!





Mrs. Mista Vern took our picture.





Mista and Mrs. Vern, it was a great, heart warming joy meeting you both and thank you for making the time for me.





Ken had ridden there so we could ride together to Mr. Fishermans aka Ray home, so off we go. Now, if I’m riding alone I ride far more aggressively through traffic than if I’m with someone else, especially if I’m leading.


Traffic was slow and compact in places on the two-lane road and passing for two bikes at the same might have been difficult, and I had never ridden with Ken.
With all that said, I was fairly conservative and cautious. (Sorry Ken) But honestly it was killing me!


Go on & write me up for 125
Post my face, wanted dead or alive
Take my license n' all that jive
I can't drive 55!

No, no, no, I can't drive...(I can't drive 55!)
I can't drive... (I can't drive 55!)
I can't drive 55!



_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki