Bill (aka Primemover) Loops the Southwest

FINAL POST - It's times like these you learn to live again!

2009-06-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

We have now reached the end of the road. This last post will “automatically” be posted on Monday, 6/15 just as my plane takes off from Alb., NM (2:20pm; well, assuming the flight is on time!). Once I get back to NJ there will be very little left to discuss, at least via this medium. My brother-in-law Mike will pick me up at the airport late on Monday eve (my flight arrives at ~11:30pm), my bike will arrive back in NJ sometime around July 4th and my boxes from CA and NM will arrive and they will be unpacked and all the gear and clothes will be put away. After that, things for the Wallace’s will slowly get back to “normal.” That word “normal” however is something that needs to be considered, addressed and, hopefully “redefined.”

Being out on the road for so long you get the chance to have many (many!) deep thoughts. This sabbatical (time away from day in/day out work responsibilities) and this trip in particular (on the road away from home responsibilities) have made me realize how much time I have NOT given to wife, my children, my family! Spending the last ~20 years building a career, with my dear wife shouldering many aspects of child rearing and household responsibilities, has indeed allowed me to focus my efforts (often like a laser) on work. This “division” of labor, particularly over the last 10 years (ever since I started my faculty position) was without question the single most important factor in allowing me to achieve what I have in my life (earning an MS and PhD degree while married and becoming a tenured college professor). However, these professional accomplishments really, in the end, matter very little. In the end, what do you have?

Sure, I have job security (as I have tenure), sure I have a reputation (though meager!) within my field of study, but when the day is done…. it is my family that I care most about! Not my work! I did not spend these long hours on the road thinking of ways to better my career, I spent the time reflecting on my family life.

I’m not saying that I have ignored my family or that I have brushed them aside. I just have not made them a priority (at least some times) in my life and have simply let life roll on by, without really thinking about how best to spend my “life” with them. This became abundantly obvious to me when I was reminiscing about our time in CA. Sure, I was focused during my postdoc work (while in CA), but I did make time for Jen and Erin - William was not born yet - (we’d go on Saturday day trips on an occasion – but not NEARLY as often as we should have). However, over the past ~10 (ever since moving back to NJ), there have been embarrassing few “day trips” (and this was during the first 10 years of my son’s life).

I’m ashamed by this, as I almost lost all three of them (Jen, Erin and William) ~9 years ago in a car accident. They are all fine, but I should have treated the past 9 years (and the next ?) like a gift. I have not! (and quite frankly, you should NOT have to almost lose your family to view your time with them as something precious!).

Do not misunderstand. It is certainly true that the aforementioned “focus” on work was required to put me and my family in a “good place,” however, over the long-term, that level of focus is unsustainable and perhaps at this stage, unnecessarily. We are in a “good place” (and some might even say a GREAT PLACE), but my daughter is now ~16 (soon to go off to college) and my son is now 10, on the verge of being a teenager himself! Sure, I’ll have work responsibilities, and I will do the best I can to fulfill them, but I have realized that I need to strike a much BETTER balance between my work and home life. [Assuming of course that the Mrs agrees that a change in the “day to day” of our life is palatable (we have both fallen into a “routine,” so any change on my side of things will necessitate a change on her's as well)].

While riding through NV, just at the border of UT a song by the Foo Fighters came on through the Ipod. I have heard it before, but this time, at this moment - with the blue sky and white clouds above and in front of me, the trees and shrubs on my left and right, mountains on the horizon, as well as in my rear view mirror, the wide open, empty road in front of me and these thoughts that a SEA CHANGE in my life was unfolding; new views about how to approach my work responsibilities, new ideas on how to approach my relationships with my son and daughter, ideas about how to be a better father, husband, a better person! - the lyrics of this song hit me like a TON of bricks! I realized in that very instant how truly lucky of a man I really am and how much I have taken for granted!

Taking this trip has given me a new outlook on life. Sure, it sounds like a cliché (tough!) to have some guy in his forties who takes a long trip say that he has come back as a changed man. Maybe it is not cliché at all. Maybe it is simply an artifact of having the time and opportunity to seriously reflect on one’s life. I’m not saying that I’m a changed man. It is not that easy (if only it were). What I’m saying is that I WANT to be a changed man and to publically state this (rather than just keeping these thoughts private) may just be the impetus that will help me through the metamorphosis.

Some people have suggested that I purchased a motorcycle (~4-5 years ago) because I was having some kind of mid life crisis. I take issue with that. I simply made the time and found the “resources” to support an interest that I had had (on and off) for quite some time. Some might also suggest that these thoughts of “a changed man” might also be “mid-life-crisis-ish.” I would not phrase it as a “crisis.” A crisis is a bad thing, a calamity, a catastrophe. This is quite the opposite; an epiphany, a revelation, or, quite simply, an opportunity - an opportunity to reinvent myself, an opportunity to refocus my energies on things that REALLY matter and an opportunity to force a CHANGE for the better in my life.

Being able to take this trip was certainly a once in a life time opportunity. However, the perspective it has given me, the realizations that I am indeed a very lucky man (to have such a wonderful wife, daughter and son), have given me something more meaningful, something more significant and something more (I hope!) long lasting – The realization that I have the opportunity to have a new life time.

As the title to that songs says (listed and linked below)

IT’S TIMES LIKE THESE YOU LEARN TO LIVE AGAIN!

Thanks for following this story… I hope you enjoyed that trip as much as I have!

Jen, Erin, William…. I’m coming home!

Until I see you all again…..
Best Wishes…

-Bill, Dad, Primemover, The Toxic Avenger

Foo Fighters: It's times like these your learn to live again

I am a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away
then follows you back home
I am a street light shining
I'm a wild light blinding bright
burning off alone
it's times like these you learn to live again
it's times like these you give and give again
it's times like these you learn to love again
it's times like these time and time again
I am a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
to hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?
it's times like these you learn to live again
it's times like these you give and give again
it's times like these you learn to love again
it's times like these time and time again

(note: perhaps the change has started - this is NOT a RUSH song!)

:)

Recap of Trip and Routing (Leg 1 = NM, AZ, CA; Leg 2 = CA, NV, UT, CO, NM) and Beyond...!

2009-06-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well it is now 12/09 (will be 2010 in a couple of days!) and I'm only now getting around to finishing up this blog! Recall that I did post it in real time, but i had wanted to clean up some of the posts.

Anyway, I do have one more final post (which is not very "moto" relevant - more of a refection on life, etc...), but i did want to say some closing words to my "moto" family prior to wrapping this up.

First off, the below links simply contain the actual routes that I took (on leg 1 and leg 2) as oppsoed to the planned routes. In the end, I'm quite happy with the miles/terrain/venues I covered. Sure, not as "off-roady" as other's may have done, but, for me, it was just right!

I will say that, at least for me, taking a trip like this REALLY spoils you for riding! I mean, once you ride through a desert (Amboy, CA area) and up to the highest drivable road in US (Pikes Peak, CO) and the wonderful twisties of the Santa Cruz Mts., how in GOD'S NAME are you supposed to be happy with commuting between NJ and NY!!! This is the one thing that i did NOT expect!!! The post trip BLUES!! and really, it runs sooo deep for me! I've recently picked up a couple of other hobbies (drumming is one) and i'm left deciding if i want to spend that nice afternoon riding a moto around NJ or jamming at the drums (the drums are winning! and OFTEN!).

I'm not saying I no longer enjoy riding, but i'm not cetain if i'll ever have a chance to ENJOY IT like i did on this trip! I do not know what that says about me as a person and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. But it is kind'a like reaching a goal and then, once you are there you say "...now what?..." Like claiming a mountain and once you get the peak you look around and say "...GREAT!!! i DID IT!!!... (now what?)..."

When i first started riding I always hoped i'd be able to log a trip like this and now that I have, i'm not sure how i can top it (or if that is even possible!).... Anyway, some may have noticed my great reduction in posts (be assured it is simply a result of a change in my mindset regarding riding - and nothing more than that!). I will still frequent the forum (and try my best to get to any jail breaks that mesh with my work/home sched.), however, i now have my sights set on a new mission - I think i'd like to get good enough at the drums to perform live (perhaps with my brother-in-laws band, if he'd let me!)... This new mission will most CERTAINLY "eat" into the time that i used to give to riding... We all grow, change, evolve... I just now have 2 mistresses to steal my time away from real responsibilities; riding will likely fade into the shadows (though i do not think it will EVER go away!)

Anyway, I have been feeling a little bad about not having released this blog to the forum as you were all so helpful! Even in times of contriovies, I valued the input and suggestions....

Be well.... I will see ya around (just not as often as i used to)...

- Prime

Final Route for Leg 1 (NM, AZ, CA):

View Larger Map

Final Route for Leg 2 (CA, NV, UT, CO, NM):

View Larger Map

Videos of Leg 1 and Leg 2

2009-06-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of videos that i tossed together based on footage from both legs of the trip.

ENJOY!

Leg 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRtGvzF-dU

Leg 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRtGvzF-dU

The return of Wallie (ma Bike!)

2009-06-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

well, my bike returned safe and sound (mostly) about 1 week after I got back to NJ. The horn was missing, but Keyboard sent me a check for a replacement (plus a little extra from the trouble!).

Here are a few picks of the bike coming off the truck:

Here is a video (they use this neat little rolling rack that keeps the bike safe and sound!):

THANKS!

2009-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

There are many people who helped make this trip possible (and added value and fun to the event) or worked in the shadows to help out my family back home...

you know who you are.... but here are just a few faces!

Thanks again...

- Bill

Day 40b (Leaving for NJ this afternoon)

2009-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, that is ALL she wrote.... (though there are 2 more posts coming)...

I fly to NJ later today...

BY DEE (and family)... thanks!

coming home!

Day 40a (so, after 5400 miles what have we learned)

2009-06-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting here (this was typed a few days back; on fri) at a starbucks (uploading pics/videos) on a sunny afternoon in Alb., NM. Nothing major was planned for today (beyond organizing the bike for shipping tomorrow and a dinner out with my sis dee, etc..), so I have some free time to get some thoughts out of my head before my life (and the rest of your lives – well, at least my wife and kid’s and sister’s get back to some semblance of order).

Being on the road for a combine ~13 days of travel (via bike; 5 days on leg 1 and 8 on leg 2) in conjunction with being away from home for an additional 26 (some of that at my sisters in NM and others in CA for work purposes) you have LOTS of free time on you hand (and in your head).

There are many little tidbits I’d like to include in this blog before it comes to a close,
however I will likely not have the chance to cover them all before things go dark.
Here are just a few (in no particular order):

- The Southwest: This is a beautiful area of this country, everyone should travel to the area to get a real sense of the OPEN SPACE that we have available in the US! The variety landforms, colors, terrains, ecosystems, etc… that exist in this area are simply breath taking. A part of me wonders if my wife and I made the best decision to move from CA back to NJ ~10 years ago (but I know we did – that was where our families were). Never-the-less, visiting CA as part of this trip was so much fun that I do want to DRAG my family back there for a visit; willingly or not, no matter to me! – I’m sure they will enjoy themselves once we get there!.

- How did they ever do it?: I am awe struck at the idea that our ancestors settled these areas and more impressed by that fact that native Americans lived in these harsh habitats. Water is often scarce and I cannot imagine how life most have been to be part of a wagon train heading west without real knowledge of what was over the next hill. People in our generation owe so much to those who came before us. I know it sounds cliché, but we take so much for granted (clean, safe water, electricity, etc…). We have it GOOD!

- Do not take things for granted: My wife and I (and daughter erin) lived in CA for ~3 years. WE DID NOTHING!!! Well, nothing is probably too strong a word, but we saw few, if any sights when we were there – we did not take a single vacation trip in the 3 years that we were in CA (well, besides Dis. Land)! We missed out on SOO MUCH (CA has sooo much to offer!)… it is a shame and I am embarrassed for not seizing the moment and taking advantage of what we had access to).

- Camping vs Hotel: I had planned to split the night stays between camping and hotels (50/50). However, once I could not get over Tioga pass (which added a full day and ~300 miles to my trip) the plan book was out the window. I had to get back to NM by thurs (6/11) so that I could meet deadlines on shipping the bike, etc… I did plan an extra day in the second leg of the trip (and left 1 day early), but I was still playing catch up all the time. In the end, I found that I did not have the time to set/break camp on the way back to NM. I did stay at a few KOA (cabins) and I think that if I ever take a trip like this again (solo), I might opt to NOT plan to fully camp (only use cabins or hotels). The extra gear (tent and bed roll) and extra time (to set and break camp), IMO eats into good travel time. If however I’m with a group and the plan is to camp, then I’m game. But going solo and trying to make good time, camping (with setting a tent) is not something which I think I’ll do again.

- Friendly People on the road: A few of my relatives were QUITE concerned that I would meet a terrible fate by being out on the road alone; they thought I would get mugged, etc… etc… I did not have a single incident in which I felt vulnerable to the “human” element (natural elements was something else, rain, snow, wind!). Quite the opposite. There were many times when strangers would offer to take my photo (or agree once asked) or would simply come over and comment on my map (with states). People are nice!

- My Bike: This machine performed with EXCELLENCE!!! Not a single issue needed to be resolved on the road (no need to knock on wood this time!). Even though I had loads to repair gear, I was HAPPY not to have to use any; though if I make a trip like this again, it will all come with me (no reason to tempt fate!).

- So, how much of the gear that I brought was actually used?: I’d have to say (excluding the repair stuff, which I did not WANT to use), that I used ~98% of the stuff that I brought along. Things that come to mind that were not used were: playing cards, some food (will pack less next time – but had I had more tent/cabin nights I suspect I would have used more), reading material (never really got the chance to read much – this blog kept me pretty darn busy). There is nothing else that I can think of that I did not use.

There are other things I want to say, but… i got to go to bed!

Day 38 (dropping bike off at shop to be shipped back!)

2009-06-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today (beyond some family stuff) i went over to the BMW shop where i dropped of the bike to be shopped back to NJ (via Keyboard motorcycle shipping).

Here are some pics from the day...

--------- (some of these descriptions are out of order - tough to fix)
- dropping bike off at the dealer
- wally's all ready to be picked up!
- This bike COULD be Wally's replacement (someday); sorry Wally, no offense!

---- pics...

Day 37 (prep bike for return trip to NJ and prairie dogs)

2009-06-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Only a few days left (and even fewer things to do) between now (fri) and my flight back to NJ on monday.

I spent a little time today organizing the bike for shipping back to NJ and when i was done with that, i ran off to the local starbucks to have some "quite time" and to access wifi to upload some videos and pictures (those were the Pikes Peak, etc... pics). On the way back from S.bucks, i stopped by a Walgreen's to pick up some odds and ends and stummbled upon a camera crew from Animal Planet who were taking some pics and video of the local prairie dogs. I had wanted to get my own pics and video, but i did NOT want to ruin their shots (so i took my pics/vidoe on the otherside of the parking lot). Look on Animal Planet (a few months from now) for a show called "Prairie Dogs: Talk of the town"

anyway...

here are some pics from today

-----------
- their faces have faded in the UV, but they were always with me on the trip!
- 24531 miles (~5k since leaving NJ!)
- gear piled high, ready to get reorganized
- boy, that is a bunch of dead bugs!
- well, Ichy stayed around for the whole trip (he is now saved in a zip lock bag!; with Splatter!)
- another pic of Toxy and the map
- a close up of the map
- the Animal Planet camera crew (see, i was not pulling your leg!)
- my own prairie dog photo shoot
- tom, here is your donkey... (but where is the ass?)

(videos are listed below - i could not put in a line break, not sure why...)

Day 36b (some videos between CO and NM)

2009-06-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

just a few videos...

Day 36a (Finding my way back home: CO to NM)

2009-06-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Sorry, a day late...

--------
Today (thurs) was simply business! I needed to get back to Alb, NM. I was in Salida CO and really did not have any real "venues" to visit today. That did NOT mean it was a boring ride! It was just not broken up by side trips. It was ~a 300 mile day and i forced myself to head towards Pagosa Springs CO, as that would send me through some twisties (curved back roads). The ride was quite enjoyable!

here are the last set of pics form the road (i will prob have other pics from my days in NM with Dee and her family, so if you care, stay tuned for them)...

--------
- the sun setting in Salida CO, on weds day (my last night on the road)
- the last morning pack up... we're ready to roll
- my friend SO MUCH wants to drive today (sorry Toxy, you do NOT have a license!)
- this was a neat statue at a gas station (horse)
- some clouds rolling over the mountains
- more wildlife (bison)
- one of 3-4 tunnels today
- what more could you want, a winding road through some mountains!
- back up where the snow is (various pics); my last high elevation pass! :(
- let's a nice twisty down the mount.
- what a view of the valley down below!
- one of the last pics of rockies (well, at least the high ones, i'm headed to NM now)
- what's that funny arch in the sky (on the left)? (just looking in rear view mirror, that's all
- erin, some horses for you..
- pics of rockies through ranch gate...
- i always (at least) have one eye on the road!
- we're now in NM! (red/white cliff face)
- bike in front of red rocks..
- look closely, you can see at least 3 (but there were 4) Harley Davidson riders taking a rest (bodies in grass, heads on gravel)... They did NOT have the ride that i have had.... why the heck are THEY sooo tired?
- at my LAST gas up!!! i guess that is a smile
- i've seen this (gassing up) at least 50 times in the last 39 days (~every 100 miles or so)
- last leg of the trip on the GPS (~115 miles to dee's!)
- erin, thankfully that dog IS chained to the truck, but i STILL think it is too dangerous!
- last venue on the trip (camel back rock in NM)
- a grandfather ans grandson helped take this pick of me (the little boy ~11 was making me laugh!)
- i think i look just a little tired in this self portrait...
- Alb, NM!!!! here i come!
- safe and sound in Alb, NM!!!!!!!!!!!
- my main mascot is EQUALLY PROUD of our accomplishment!
- we're done!!! thumbs up..... ~5000 k miles (including the miles in CA)

Day 35b (videos from Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass)

2009-06-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

here are just a few videos (jen, turn away... do NOT look at these....)

i just realized... i did NOT take any videos on the way down!

:(

(guess i have to go BACK!)

:)

---------- Day 35 videos

Day 34b (vidoes from Can. Lands to CO.)

2009-06-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well, here i am in Alb, NM (at a starbucks). Dee does not have wireless and i had no way of getting these vids off my computer and to her's (no jump drives avail)... Anyway, it is a good excuse to get a ice coffee!

so, here they are...

--- Day 34 videos (Can. Lands and heading to Denver)

NOTICE: the end is near, but there is more to come!

2009-06-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

This trip is slowly coming to a close.... i lost a few days of "net" access, so i'm a little behind on posting, however, once Day 39 hits (when i fly back to NJ), there will be a few more posts dealing with such things as:

- what gear was useful, what not
- reflections/deep thoughts about life, the southwest, etc...
- Thanks to (many people to thank)

so, if you are interested, stay tuned to this station for a few weeks past Day 39...

i'll "close it" with a final post when my head is cleared of all the things I wanted to "off load"

Day 35 (my head in the clouds; Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass)

2009-06-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

i'll try and keep this one short (it is in the am on thurs and i need to get on the road!)...

left Denver on a cloudy, overcast day (headed towards Pike's Peak and Monarch Pass)... i KNEW rain was in my future... when i got closer to PP i stopped and put on ALL rain and cold weather gear that i had... glad i did!!! but i was a little "over heated" when it was all said and done...

well, i could explain how the trip up to PP went, but the pics will tell the words.... i did (at one point) almost turn around saying... the HECK with this!!! (it was pretty bad at one point), but i got a sense that there was not much more left (i was right).... anyway, after PP i headed off to Monarch Pass (and cont. divide)...

ok, now for pics....
( WARNING - viewer discretion is advised; mothers and wives may NOT want to see these)

-----------------------
- Pikes Peak in the back ground
- at ~11k feet, yes... that is a dirt road!
- we CLAIM CO under fog and light snow at the top of P.P.
- just a photo op (could NOT come here without getting this pic); yes, that is snow falling!
- it would not have been fair if i did not get HIS picture as well...
- the view on the way down (yes, those are ice crystals on my wind screen!)

- just looking across the valley

- ice on wind screen, dirt under my wheels, pavement just beyond... i MADE IT DOWN off the peak!
- a nice veiw of the pavement the is below!

- i offically have my head in the clouds (well, above them)!

- back down to a more reasonable elevation!

- gassing up and heading to Monarch Pass (bye PP)

- some nice green mounts in CO

- a view of my mirror

-what a view of CO!

- i keep finding these long an dlonely roads!

- just another view from M. pass

- more wildlife

- just some mounts..

- heading towards monarch pass

- reached it! (various pics)

- how fitting, the sun comes out at monarch pass and the image # clicks to 2112! (did not know it at the time)

Day 34 (Canyon Lands and getting to CO)

2009-06-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

I'm COOKING with GAS this eve.... look what you can do when you a have reliable "net" access at a hotel!!!

Today (well, it was a couple days back, but you get the idea) i had a mission... get to CO (come hell or high water); my original goal was to get to Montrose CO (as I had planned to get the Monarch pass the next day). However, mid day i recalled an additional "venue" that was (perhaps) worthy of my time/effort...

Pikes Peak (the highest drivable road in US - i think that is what it is; the term "drivable" is up for debate - stay tuned)...

Anyway, what this meant was that my short/easy riding day became a HIGHWAY SPEED RACE!! as i needed to get in some GOOD miles to get to the Pikes Peak area... Ultimately i simply took 70 east... it really was not that bad, pretty fun.... high speeds (oh, did i just say that!?) and nice sweeping curves.... it was a nice change from the back roads i've traveled for most of this trip.... Weather turned on me a few times (some snow!!! and rain), so i decided to head straight to Denver, rather then go into the moutain, back roads late in the day...

anyway... i arrived safe and sound (and tired and wet!) in Denever...

now for some pics

--------------- (again, pics will show up in reverse order)
- just doing some luandry!
- i do not want to ride through t-storms today (for wed)
- left hotel and headed for arches (only a photo op, we went there a few years back)
-road leading into Canyon lands (Island in the Sky)
- we claim UT (at the edge of Island in the Sky!); various pics
- getting gas outside Can Lands
- donna, this one is for you (i saw these at a parking lot near a Wendy's)
- after PLOWING through rt 70, i got to some nice green mountains!
- then some SNOW CAPPED ONES!
- WE MADE IT TO CO!! (who are "we"?)
- Wally's shadow kind'a looks like a bunny!
- well THAT is a new perspective (with gear)
- now the "unladened" version
- my veiw from hotel

Day 33 (heading to Moab UT)

2009-06-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

ok, this post is a few days late (am still trying to get on track), but it will be pretty straight forward to recall the day... got up, got organized... left the bryce area... headed towards the Cap. Reef area. I had originally planned to take a "trail" type road that lead to a ferry crossing, but i was uncertain of the weather in that area (T-storms were in the area) and i was also WAY behind on where i needed to be.... so i only went down the road a few miles, just to see what all the fuss was about...

anyway....

got to Moab and stayed at the same hotel Jen (& kids) stayed at when we were in the area a fews years back. I had planned to split the night stays 50/50 between hotel and camping, but once i got closed out of tioga, all those plans got tossed out the window...

------ pics...
- my camp in Bryce area in the sun light
- my camp side office! (the KOA has wireless!)

- heading towards cap reef

- more open spaces

- that is a LONG way down!
- ah.... a place to "rest" (thank goodness!)
- a few pics of that road/trial i did NOTtake

- oh look... TREES AGAIN!!!

- and here is a cow eating by the side of the raod!

- in cap. reef area

- Erin and William, remember these dinos?

- that is a long, long.. FREAK'N long road!

- one of these things is NOT like the others... one of these things does NOT belong!

------ some videos

>>> PLAYING CATCH UP (Days 31 and 32; Yosemite & Las Vegas & Zion, Bryce posted) <<<<

2009-06-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

ok... i will NOT post any more TEMP days until i get caught up with what is below... otherwise, i may NEVER get back to it...

so.... for now.... i'm safe in MOAB UT.....

more to come...

- just upload Yosemite day pics...
- just uploaded Las Vegas day pics...
- just uploaded Zion, Bryce...

i'm now caught up, at least with the "temp" posts... i still have 2 more to plow through (may stay an extra day in MOAB... am getting tired!)

Day 32 (Aliens and Zion and Bryce - Oh MY!)

2009-06-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

so sorry... but today was MUCH longer than i wanted it to be... only about 300 miles, but some were slow... (while others were FAST - but officer, i really DESERVED THAT TICKET - but thanks for being a good sport about it!)...

:)

i also lost 1 hr of sunlight (as i'm traveling east now)....

hit Extraterrest. Highway to take a pic with my brother scott and his kids (you'll all see!)... then ZION... .then BRYCE... a busy day...

Am still fighting with making up for lost time re: tioga pass (rt 120 being closed on me)... looks like that added ~300 miles to the trip (~1 day of riding)... only ~130 miles behine now (see note above re: ticket!)... but weather in CO looks "iffy"...

anyway.... got to run....

no worries... am safe... just all turned about.... i'll try and have a light riding day tomorrow and then just relax in the eve (cathup on all this business!)...

:)

----------- pics! (note: these pic descriptions are in reverse order)
- rolling through NV
- at the intersection of the ET highway, etc...
- My friend Toxy at the ET highway
- a hot spring and various aquatic things (fish and shrimp! or cray fish..)

- near ET highway
- yum! Aliem Jerky!
- is THAT a sweet pic or what (road level)
- somewhere between ET and UT
- NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES!
- not ME ta-ta, not you ta-ta, but Utah!
- a very lonely road!
- heading for Zion (someone took this pic of me); Erin, i added this as a venue as i KNOW you liked it sooo much!

- "Would love to spend a night in Zion..." (who can guess that song?); Digital Man!
- misc Zion pics
- my GPS (Dimwit) tells me this is a windy road! (after spending so much time with him, perhaps i should have named him Wilson ala Tom Hanks and Castaway)

- more Zion pics
- tunnel (it was dark!)
- Bison just north of Zion
- between Zion and Bryce

- looks like Bryce to me! (note: this was when i had that run it with the "Man" - he had me doing 55 in a 35.... in the end, he did NOT give me a ticket... but man oh man, did i EVER deserve one today.... all those open roads....)

- misc bryce pics

- some deer near bryce

- sun setting in Bryce area after a LONG!!! but fun day....

----------- some vidoes (lots!)

Day 31 (Vegas Baby!)

2009-06-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

OK... i'm doing this from a very fuzzy memory...

-------

Sat was a long crazy, rainy, sunny, windy day!

~400 miles but i'm almost back on track from not being able to get across rt 120....

Left bakersfield going torwards Las Vegas... was not really sure how far i would get, but i ended up in Alamo NV (parts of the ride were, well... unsettling!..... rain on and off, huge storm looming on the horizon - causing my brother scott and kids to get SNOWED out of a hike in Great Basin Park in norther NV)...

the first hour of the days ride was the best... the last hour was the worst! you start thinking, ok.. it is late in the day, i'm tired.... sun will be setting soon... where the HECK am i? where is that next town? and how come i have not seen another car in WAY too long?!?!

what if i get a flat here and now? what if something else (worse) happens... will there be enough sunlight to reslove the problem....

long hours on the road make you wonder about such things!!!

and on this day.... while riding through the rain towards an unknown hotel, in an unknown town, with sun light soon to fade... well, i was THRILLED to put my head on a pillow that night!

anyway... the ride from L. Vegas to Alamo, NV was long, cold, windy, rainy and i was not 100% certain there was a place to stay once i got there!

anyway... all was well... (thanks to the Mrs at home running logistics!)

------- pics (oh, i have figured out that the pics get uploaded in revser order - perhaps some of you already figured that out!! ----

- heading towards some foot hills (had to put on rain gear!); yup, those are rain clouds!
- erin, you like wind turbines!!!!
- stopped in a ghost town near barstow (not really ghosty! more like TOURIST TRAP!)
- William, you like rocks? how did these get all bent up? (i grabbed a little one for ya!)
- looking towards L. Vegas (out skirts).... not staying here, need to power on ahead

- this is when i started questioning the wisdom of heading further north towards Alamo* (those dark clouds were in MY future! and apparently in SCOTT'S PAST); speaking of "past"... scott and i passed each other, him heading south, me north, along some lonely highway on sat... he saw me.... well, who could MISS ME (and my color pattern! Blue, Red, Yellow - i wonder what countries flag is b,r,y?); * i could have just headed north east for bryce, UT... but scott and i had a "plan" and i was NOT going to let him down! even if it was the DEATH of me! (see... scott... i take my commitments VERY seriously!)

- all settled in at my hotel that DID exist and that the MRS!!! FOUND!!! thanx jen.... otherwise i would have been sleeping by the side of the road (in the rain!); sure... i would have survived, but i would not have had a very restful sleep! i hear that there are DINGOS out there!
and the next morning we (me, ichy, his new friend "splatter" and the Toxic Avenger; yes my split personallity has now bifurcated into multiple forms!) were able to celebrate us claiming NV on our map!

---- couple vids

Day 30 (wow! 30 days of this!)

2009-06-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

Just realized that i have been away from home for a month now.... It has gone by so fast... yes and really do miss my peeps!

Jen, Erin... William.... see ya soon....

DAY 30 (Yosemite and ROAD CLOSED!)

2009-06-06T00:21:00.000-07:00

My internet has not been reliable, so i'll keep this short!

long and short, went to Yosemite.... OH MY GOD!!!!! what a place!!! HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!!

and this was when it was rainy and foggy... i can only imagine how wonderful it all looks in the fullness of sun!

I was raining this am and rain at "my level" = snow at altitude! Rt 120 (a high elevation pass) got closed ~2 hrs before i got to the park.... no regrets.... Yos. was great.... just had to spend 1/2 the day spinning my wheels (sort of) trying to figure out what i should do... head north? wait another day? head south?

decided to head south as "locals" were saying weather up north was just as bad (or worse); since i had no reliable "net", i could not check weather for myself...

so here i am, in good old Bakersfield CA...

:(

heading to L. Vegas tomorrow... NO!!! no gambling for me!

will post pics next chance i get.... just too tired now (~12:15 am) and need to get some sleep... am living "off the play book" now..... need to make up some miles tomorrow!

------------ pics
- a river runs through it
- poor bears
- good thing there is a hole in that rock... (so the road can go through it!)
- that is a BIG ROCK!
- water fall...
- a mount. emerging from the fog (oh, is that my bike in the foreground?)
- look closely, there is a waterfall beyond the fog!
- another waterfall, this one also has a bike!
- another mount. coming out of the fog (bike in foreground)
- two mounts, fog, bike... - prob the BEST pic i'll take on this trip!

- what is looming behind and above those trees, within that fog?
- a wet bike and a confused ME back at the KOA (rt 120 closed, i need to regroup; head south)

---------- couple vidoes...

Day 29 (Leaving CA for Yosemite!)

2009-06-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry... yest. was very busy! and the "net" was not very reliable...

Left Ben Lomond, CA ~12:00 headed towards Yosemite (had 21927 miles on the bike)... Ride went well (sure is a lot of agriculture! between the Santa Cruz and Serria Mts!)

Weather was pretty good (but i KNEW i was dancing with the devil - re: rain was coming my way - stay tuned for the consequences of that!)...

Finally made it to a KOA (took a cabin) and settled in...

here are a few pics...

-----------------
- bike ready to go
- Boxes going BACK to NJ! (thanks again Jeanie and Terry!); jen, do NOT open if they arrive before i do!
- od. at 21927
- Bye Santa Cruz Mts. (you were pretty fun!)
- Erin, for you... Wind turbine farm!
- HELLO Sierra Nevadas!
- Getting closer to Yosemite!
- Settled in at a KOA
- Made some dinner!

----- a video

Day 28C (Bye CA!)

2009-06-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that Jen and I lived in CA between 1996 and 1999 (William was born in CA!). The night before we left CA (to fly back to NJ) we went to a local Park (Central Park in Santa Clara - where Jen, Erin and I used to take walks, etc...) to release some balloons (an orange one for Erin, a purple for Jen, 2 blues for the "Williams" and one yellow for our dog honey). As we watched these balloons float away, we said goodbye to CA. It was a bitter-sweet moment. Eventhough we really enjoyed our time in CA and knew we would miss it, we were happy to be moving back to the east coast.

There is a funny story about erin finding the same "set" of balloons in our back yard in Piscataway once we closed on our house (she was ~6-7 at the time), but we'll save that story for another day! Indeed, "God" knew what house was supposed to be OURS!

anyway... among the various other missions i had here in CA, I wanted to capture a few pics of this balloon release (kind of a "reenactment" as it were).... jen, erin, william... this is for you!

Love Dad.... I'M HEADING EAST!!!!!!!

See ya soon-ish... (~10 days)

-------- some pics ---

---------- video

------------

and for those of you who wonder how i transported balloons with a motorcycle, i give you this ODD picture!

YUP! i got some funny looks! (where there is a Will-iam, there is a way!)...

Day 28b (Weather for Leg 2)

2009-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Plans are coming together for the return trip to NM. The weather is NOT as nice as I would like it to be (nor as nice at it was on the way out or the ENTIRE time here in CA), but... it should be fine.... (though i WILL get wet - good thing i packed for all types of weather!)

Below are some listings of the extended forecast for the areas I'll be traveling though...

The plan right now is to leave on Thurs (6/4) early morning and head towards Yosemite
(double click the images to get a better view)
------------------

Day 28a (The Final Route for Leg 2: CA, NV, UT, CO, NM)

2009-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'll be leaving CA a day early (6/4, rather than 6/5) for the second leg of this trip (the trip BACK to NM!). While CA and the Howards, Browns (and countless others) were fun, it will be nice to start heading home! On this leg I will travel from CA to NV, then UT, then CO and then south to NM. Sites will be "case by case" and could include Yosemite, the Little Alien Inn (in NV - near area 51), Bryce Canyon (Zion, perhaps), perhaps Canyon Lands/Island in the sky (though not all that likely), then, if the weather agrees, I'll head into Glen Canyon and take a ferry across Col. River. After that, i'll head towards CO and perhaps get my way to Pikes Peak (which I'm told is the highest "drivable" road in the US). After that, it is down towards NM and DEE! (which will be my last stop before getting HOME!!).

Below is a Google Map of my route. If you click on the "view larger map" link just below each map, you'll be taken to the full Google Map of the route. If you know how to use "street view," (by dragging that little orange guy onto a road), you'll see "through my eyes," as it were.

View Larger Map

Day 27b (Last Prize was found)

2009-06-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

If i do NOT say so myself... i really know my family!

there were 9 prizes in total.... 8/9 were found within my window of +/- 3 days... sure, some would say that THAT gave me ~1 week window... true, however most were found within 1 day of the expected date and one (at least one) was found the the EXACT day...

that AINT so bad!

anyway, today they found a gift card to Aunt Annes Pretzel shop (jen likes these), it was taped to the back of the box of dish detergent (those who know my dad's "3 washers" joke will NOW get the hint!)....

:)

enjoy...

Day 27a (Last day at USGS!)

2009-06-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it is finally here... the end of the road for the "west coast" of CA (will have another day or 2 of prep and travel in CA - but things are drawing to an end)...

Today I gave a seminar to the lab group at USGS (they seemed to apprecaite an east coast perspective on all things NASTY in the NY/NJ harbor)....

I also had to bit farewell to Cindy Brown (she was such a great host!) and say my good byes to other USGS-types (i.e., Dan and Marie).

It was certainly a productive 2.5 weeks and was, at least the way i see it, WELL worth the time and effort!

We'll see if any BIGGER projects develop out of my visit, but I'm hopeful that the Bay Area has NOT seen the last of me (and even MORE hopeful that the next time I visit I'll have Jen, Erin and William with me!)....

I also had to take one more photo opt... this is an ice cream shop that erin and i used to stop at on our way from USGS to picking up Jen at Sun Microsystems (just south of Menlo Park) on the way home from work...

:)

---------------------
- Me talking about how BAD things are in the Arthur Kill
- The USGS lab group (thanks again for having me!)
- Ice cream shop (yummy!); no... i did not have a chance to stop... nor did i make the time to get a cup of coffee at starbucks (for shame!)

Day 26 (Final sample analysis and AMES visit!)

2009-06-02T16:04:00.001-07:00

Today was a quick and dirty day... I ran in to USGS to watch while some of our samples were being run on a instrument that measures various stable isotopes (Marie ran our samples... THANKS!)... After that i made a B LINE to the AMES research center at Muffet Field... This is where my cuz Jeanie (her husband and his brother kevin all) work!

Anyway, got some real neat pics of labs, instruments, space suits, HUGE HANGERS!! air craft, etc... etc.... etc... I also helped with one of their projects (will explain below)...
-------------

- Dan and Marie at the instrument
- Jeanie in her lab (MUCH bigger than mine!)
- Jeaine in front of some silver bomb looking thing that they use to collect air samples on the space shuttle! (now... THAT is a cool job!)
- One project that Jeanie, Kevin (et al) are working on is a system to purify urine on space missions so as to reuse the water... well, it sure is gross, BUT... it could save LOADS of money by not having to SEND up as much water as they need to now... so, well... i felt compelled to "contribute" (as they need the REAL THING to test their system on!)- yeah, yuck! but heck, they needed my help... and they were so helpful and kind to me! ANYTHING in the name of SCIENCE!! Heck, my pee might be what helps them with that NEXT big break through! The people in CA were so gracious that they even think my PEE is "valuable"
- Me and Jeanie, yeah, yeah... i KNOW i cannot smile properly!
- various pics from around the air field...
- various pics from inside the AMES visitor center

---- videos

Day 25 (last full lab day! - almost time to start riding!)

2009-06-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well, dan and i had some GREAT success in tha lab (got to love it when a plan comes together!)... anyway, here are just a final few pics of some lab work...

----------
- snails before...
- snails after.... (being all smushed up!)
- me doing some lab work
- our test tube racks.... they served us well! (and kept us on track!)
- toxic avenger visits the rad lab!

Day 24 (Kayaking in Santa Cruz)

2009-05-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today Jeanie and I did some kayaking in the santa cruz harbor (then very BRIEFLY out into the bay - too choppy so we made a B line right back in!)... It was fun though.... Little sad.... beyond meeting them for lunch on tues my time with the Howards is winding down....

:(

BUT that means:

- i start RIDING AGAIN
and (most importantly)
- i'm getting closer to getting home (i do misss my PEEPS!)

-----------------

- misc pics of us in the harbor
- doggie looking for a fish (i guess!)
- jeanie making EYES at a boat that she and terry would like to get!
- jeanie SAD that the day is over (she'd stay out there all day, i'm sure!)

Day 23 (A walk through some Redwoods)

2009-05-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Today Jeanie (my cuz) and I took a walk though a local state park (Henry Cowell). There were some nice redwoods and we had the chance to spy a little deer (he was not concerned with us at all!)...

After the walk we went over to a BBQ at Jeanie and Terry's friends (Paul and Lanora?)

------------ pics

- various pics of me (or jeanie) near redwoods
- the interior (looking up) inside one redwood that was used as a "hotel"!

Day 22 (What have i been doing in CA?)

2009-05-29T21:37:00.001-07:00

WARNING, this post is NOT moto related!

ok... as some of you know, i have been conducting some research with people at the USGS (Menlo Park, CA) as part of my sabbat. This work involves (among other things), smushing up snails and isolating various internal bits (cells, protiens, etc... etc...). We basically make a MILK SHAKE out of the snails and then process the snail-smoothie! Here's a few pics of the lab and the process...

--------------
- Dan Cain (my PIF; partner in fractionation!)
- lab work space
- centrifuge (closed)
- close up of cent. tubes
- samples in small vials
- another pic of lab
- the fish tank that holds the snails
- the flow chart for the lab prep
- more vials (some on ice, some just waiting for the next step)
- another shot of cent. (with lid off)
- cent. with lid closed
(i prop opened and closed this instrument ~100 times or more over the past few weeks!)
-----------------

Days 21b (some house keeping - more San Fran Pics)

2009-05-28T21:41:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks back when i went for a ride to San Fran, a buddy rider (Ed) was taking pictures as well.... he recently sent them to me...

------------
- misc me and bike
- Ed (behind the red bike)
- Kevin (thumbs up!)

Day 21a (We're really accelerating now!!)

2009-05-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Was heading back to San Jose (from Palo Alto) via rt 280 today and came upon the Stanford Linear Aceelerator (that runs under the road).... had to take a pic... i guess they study atoms, etc.... with this thing, but i'm not really sure!

Day 20 (An oil change)

2009-05-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

I've been removing some "text" from the original posts (that occured back in the spring) as the content is either family or work related... In this post, i simply retain that fact that i did an oil change!

i know, not very exciting, but it is moto related!

Anyway, i also decided to change the oil on the bike today (i've already put ~2k miles on the bike and will put ~1.7 k on the way back to NM; figured i'd change in now, at the brown's in CA, rather then trying to do it some where in UT!)...

----------------------- pics
- Just changing the oil...

Day 17-19.5 (The Halfway mark!)

2009-05-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

well, I have been away from my wonderful family for ~19.5 days now (in total, it will be ~39 days). Eventhough i have been busy, living out of a suitcase and being away from Jen, Erin and William is starting to take its toll (on me and everyone else - i suspect)...

It is particularly difficult when "tough times" hit and i'm not around to lend a hand (or there to help shoulder some of the load) or simply give a hug to whom ever might need one for whatever reason...

Here's the hug you sooo much need....

I love and miss you all....

- Dad

Day 16 (Red Woods)

2009-05-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

(sorry a day late - was too tied last eve to post)...

Ok, so on Sat i took a ride to Big Basin State Park (lots of redwoods!). The ride through the park was great! But the road was very narrow and the ON COMING traffic was treating the entire road as their own... let's just say a few "cagers" (people in cars) got some nasty looks (and hand motions!) from me!!!

When i got back from that, Jeanie and Terry had a couple of their boys over (Matt and Brendon, and Bredon's GF, Sammie) for a BBQ. Dinner was great and teh company was fantastic!

:)

but man, oh man... did it get chilly!!!! So Terry sparked up the deck fireplace!

ok, now for the pics

---------------------------
- Big Basin sign
- a BIG ole cross section of a tree
- OLD!!! dates back to ~500 AD!!!
- pic of hollowed out Redwood (the pole is ~3ft tall); note the green road sign to the bottom left
- redwood and windsheild
- bike below tree
- view while riding through park
------------

Day 15a (I saw GOD today!; and my new best friend)

2009-05-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

I had a busy day, will post more pics tomorrow, however.... i would not be able to sleep if i did NOT post this pic....

this was taken on Mt. Hermon road heading to Ben Lomond (from rt 17 out of San. Jose). The fog was running in (just ~7:15 or so) and the sun was setting beyond the mt. i HAD to stop! i had to take a few pics!

-----------------------

Ok, some other business... let me introduce you to my new best friend "Linus" (the Brown's kitten). He's ever present around me when i'm at their house (even to the point of hopping up on my bed in the middle of the night!)

i am a "dog" person (never liked cats), but this little guy is starting to change that!

dee.... i have a NEW "punch line" for that dog/cat joke!

Day 14b (logging some miles! 21120 to be exact!)

2009-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today was a good lab day, Dan (my fractionation buddy at USGS!) and I made some real progress! On the way it i happened upon a "noteworthy" odometer reading, so i just HAD to pull over...

-------------
- the Toxic Avenger reachers 21120 on his odometer! (just had to snap a pic!)

Days 11-14a (not much going on; funny Youtube video - funny, but only if you are 18 years or older!)

2009-05-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days i'v just been going into the lab, working, coming home, etc... not much else really....

However, i did get this funny video that is worth showing!

Kevin Howard (Terry's bro) is working with AMES research center trying to make a system to "distill" urine so that astronuts have clear water in space... yes, sounds Yucky, but... it could be "do-able"...

anyway, he sent me the below link.... seems as though they are making progress...

WARNING... if you are under 18 years of age (ERIN!!!) you are NOT allowed to access this link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-4BFfdGufo

:)

Day 10 (Hanging with the Howards)

2009-05-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

Today was a slow and easy day... hung out with Jeanie, Terry and their boys (Ray, Brenden?, Matt) as well as Terry's bro Kevin.... had a great brunch (for Ray's 25th B-day) and then just got organized to head to San Jose (where i'll be staying with Cindy Brown and her family)....

Kevin invited me (well, after i kind'a invited myself) to head to the movies with him (to see the star trek movie - was pretty darn good!).... we headed up rt 9 again (what a SWEET road!)....

tomorrow the FUN stops (well, at least it changes focus).... i'll be heading to USGS to start the work that was (is) the REAL focus of coming to CA....

for this point forward (for at least a couple weeks), neat pics might be far and few between as my days will be filled with smushing up snails and other sorts of lab work....

missing you all....

- bill

Day 9b (vids); Golden Gate Bridge

2009-05-16T23:07:00.001-07:00

(those are lady bugs flying by!)

Day 9a (Gold Gate Bridge, etc...)

2009-05-16T22:17:00.001-07:00

Got to take a GREAT ride today (with Kevin, Terry's bro, Terry is my cuz Jeanie's husband). Ed, Kevin's friend joined us. We first made our way up to a BMW car show, then off to the Golden Gate bridge and Marin Headlands, then hit rt 35 (skyline?) and end up at Alice's Resturant (the local "place to go" if you ride a motorcycle, apparently)..... had a good burger for late lunch/dinner... weather was great, but was really hot and SUNNY!!! got a little sun burned on my neck (guess you can now call me a "red neck")...

ok, now for the pics...

----------------
- BMW car show
- wallie (i guess) in front of GGB
- me and bike in front of GGB (yes, that is a smile, wow... how did that ever happen?!) - Kevin and Ed (great guys!)
- our bikes near an old army fort
- our bikes and the GGB
- kevin (and ed behind)
- crossing the GGB (do not worry, traffic was moving slowly and "in order")
- erin, those little white specs (above the lawn chairs) are lady bugs! hundreds!
- alice's resturant
- bike in redwoods (i think)

------------ pics

Day 8b (vids); Long Marine Lab

2009-05-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Just some vids at Long Marine lab (you know, i AM a "Marine Biologist"!)

sorry, this one is sideways...

Day 8a (Long Marine Lab) - though i'm lossing track of the days...

2009-05-16T07:20:00.001-07:00

Jen, Erin and Will. found the next treasure.... movie gift card hidden in DVD player..... so far we are right on sched. Let's see how the rest of the treasures go....

but they are starting to LOOK for the treasures, which is NOT how this game is supposed to be played!!

-------------------

Now for the MOTO stuff:

went for a ride to Long Marine Lab (in Santa Cruz), my cuz works there....

and took a few pics...

(not in this exact order)
- a dolphin
- a whale
- some fake amphipods (erin, almost like ISOPODS); small shrimp like things...
- a cliff
- a whale and a bike

-----pics...

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW [Leg 2 (CA->NM) in a few weeks]

2009-05-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for the rest of the show!

;)

Leg 1 is complete (NM->CA)! Here's a Little Video

2009-05-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Just a video I made from the various clips I took during the trip:

(if there is no video above, here is a direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRF_jUIsm64)

Day 7b (Bakersfield to Santa Cruz: just some videos

2009-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

note: no husbands, fathers, sons, cousins or friends were in danger during the taping of any of these vidoes (it just looks dangerous!)
------------------------------------

Day 7a (Bakersfield, CA to Santa Cruz, CA: A GLORIOUS!!! A GLORIOUS DAY!!! - leg 1 DONE!)

2009-05-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Now that I've had a good night's sleep, let me upload some more pics...
The ride from Bakersfield to Santa Cruz was, in a word, WONDERFUL!!!

weather was great, views OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!

(again, no order to the below pic notes and the following list of pics, i'll clean it all up some day)

--- These pics are in reverse order - not worth the time to reorder them ----

The TOXIC AVENGER CLAIMS CALIFORNIA!!!:

I finally reach my destination (Ben Lomond, CA):

Where my great cuz (Jeanie) welcomes me with open arms (and house!):

We're now at 20615 miles (1500 miles for leg 1 - thought it would be ~1300):

A small reward (milk shake!) for my efforts:

Ssome local wildlife (sea loins!):

Some more local wildlife (starfish under the water on boardwalk pole):

These would be "good eats"

Arrived safe and sound in Santa Cruz:

Now that is a nice cliff!

Here's a nice twisty road (with a bridge to cross):

And here's another!

The seagulls were happy to see me!

We're here (the pacific ocean)!

See Jeanie, I told you I would bring locusts (I'll be calling him "Splatter" let's see how long he stays with me):

First glimpse at what COULD be the Pacific (though fog covered):

Another long, lonley road:

No, this "drop off" is not a dangerous as it looks:

Some nice rolling hills:

Day 6b (29 Plams to Bakersfield; just a couple of videos)

2009-05-13T22:26:00.000-07:00

Day 6a (29 Palms, CA to Bakersfield, CA: Joshua Tree and WIND!)

2009-05-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, while yesterday's ride was, well.... unnerving due to vast open spaces, today's ride was 100x MORE unnerving due to the WIND that I had to fight. I had to lean so hard to the right (to keep going straight) that had there NOT been any wind, I think I would have just gone in circles!

Anyway, the day started off pretty neat (and fun) with a trip through Joshua Tree state park (with a little dirt trail). Then I worked my way towards Lancaster, CA (looking for the "music road" - never found it) and then up to Bakersfield, CA (not the best venue, but.... it had to do)

---------------
Joshua Tree State Park:

Yes, this is a dirt (rather SAND) road!

Found this guy (tortoise) while in JTSP. The coyote and lizards I saw were TOO fast for me and my camera:

Figured I take a pic of the bike while taking pic of tortoise (he is in bottom right):

More open roads (with funny rocks in the background):

A single wind turbine. I wonder how much of a difference THAT really makes?

They call me "The Sheep Whisperer":

I coudl not pass up this photo op:

And this is the REAL SCARY PART (TRAFFIC!!):

Some nice CA foot hills (I guess I missed the "green" season):

It was SOOO windy today that this lake had WHITE CAPS!:

Day 5b (Grand Can., to 29 Palms; just some videos)

2009-05-12T22:45:00.000-07:00

Day 5a (Grand Can., to 29 Palms, CA.; like riding on MARS!) - warning: not for the faint of heart!

2009-05-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

WARNING, some of this images may be disturbing to my wife!

(I know I find them distubring!!!)

---- DID I REALLY DO THIS???-------

Ok, this was a long-ish kind'a day (~350 miles) and I wrote this when I was pretty darn BEAT! I covered some really EMPTY and FORIEGN territory today and parts of it were WAY too hot!!

I left Grand Can and headed towards Rt 66 (in Stegmen, CA) and the plan was then to stop at Needles, CA. (at a KOA and do some camping - for real!). However, with a speed limit of ~75 mph (I has thought it was ging to be ~65 mph) and the COMPLETE absence of other cars and particularly cars with LIGHTS on the top of them, I made REALLY GOOD TIME! (cough, cough, turn head to the side and look up). By the time i got to Needles, it was still early enough in the day to decide to PUSH ON (but the prob was that the next leg was through the desert (just below death valley - along old rt 66 - through Amboy CA) towards 29 Palms, CA (near Joshua Tree State Park).

It was a tough call as it was HOT and was ~3pm (hottest part of the day). But I had my cooling vest and camel back, so, I loaded up with liquids (gas, water, gator aid) and made a run for it!

(in the end it turned out ok, but I'm still not certain it was a WISE decision).

-----------

Roadkill Cafe (in Stegmen, CA) - my family and I stopped there a few years back (had to get the kids some shirts this time!)

the moment of trurth (deciding to push on through to 29 Plams over a Sonic's lunch):
nice shot of rt 66 above my windscreem (this is heading down towards Amboy CA):

What the HECK have I gotten myself into? NOTHING BUT DESERT IN ALL DIRECTIONS!

Is there any water (or GAS!!!) along this road? NOT!!!

Does this one look familar to anyone? Only the MOST "faithful" of fans will know:

Mean while, back on MARS, sand dunes are forming:

What the HECK is the lake of funny blue water?

Ah oh... have to clean my windsheild, appears that there is a MOUNTAIN ON IT!

I WANT MY MOMMY!!! that road looks WAY toooooo long..... loney.... and HOT!!! (good thing I have Geddy, Alex and Neil to keep me company! - jamming with Ipod)

Day 4b (Gallup, NM to Grand Can., just a couple videos of today's trip)

2009-05-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

Day 4a (Gallup, NM to Grand Can through NO MAN'S LAND!)

2009-05-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

There was a LOT of wind today and for some sections of the ride (from Tuba City to Grand Can.) the wind was HOT and DRY as HELL!

----------------
The Toxic Avenger claims NM!:

A Long empty road (headed towards Tuba City):

This could have been REALLY BAD (a strap got loss and got caught in my chain); thank goodness there was no real harm to me OR the bike!:

Some twists and turns up a messa:

I guess they DO have "tummble weeds" out west (its all collected up in that fenced area to the left- it blow right up there!):

Made it to Grand Can.:

Moose (or mule deer?) at Grand Can (pretty much the ONLY wild life I saw on this trip):

Red feather hotel (same hotel my family and I stayed at a few years back); I had planned on camping at one of the camp grounds in Grand. Can., but decided at the last minute I would take a hotel instead:

The Toxic Avenger clams AZ!:

Day 3 (Leaving Alb., NM on Mother's Day for Gallup NM)

2009-05-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

I'm off! As I leave for my trip I find myself behind this car* (apparently they were sent to help guide me on my journey's)

(*truth be told, I took this pic in NJ while I was out for my final ride before the trip - it was TOO Good to pass up, so I had to pull out the camera)

----------------------------------

But seriously, I left Alb. NM ~3:30 pm (on Mother's day) and my sister's kids helped see me off!:

I made my way to rt. 40 and just headed west. It was HOT, DRY and WINDY!!!:

I soon found myself at the cont. divide:

Today was an "easy day" (only ~3hrs of riding) - this was the plan, as I wanted to get to the Grand. Can. tomorrow (doing Alb., NM to Grand Can. in 1 day was a little MORE than I had wanted). I spent the night at a KOA in Gallup, NM (used a cabin, rather then tent camping for a few reasons, but mainly the cabin had AC!!! and there were NO TREES to shade a tent!):

Day 2 (a little prep and a quick ride)

2009-05-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Well, today was spent putting the bike back together (in terms of loading it with gear and all). Once I was done with that, I took a quick ride up to Sandia Peak, NM (thought it was WISE to get in a local ride ALL loaded up before I leave tomorrow morning).

Here are just a few pics and videos.
-------------

Me prepping the bike:

Up at the Peak:

My sister's kids helped me put on my FIRST Southwest State (NM)!:

And here's a video of a humming bird at the Peak

humming birds at Sandia peak, NM

Day 1b (The planets were all in alingment!)

2009-05-08T21:03:00.001-07:00

Well, everything came off without a hitch (for the most part). The Mrs. took me to the airport, I jumped on the plane, and that was that!

I arrived in NM at ~5:15pm and my sister (and kids) were there to pic me up. We then made a B-line for Alb. NM BMW dealer and got there JUST as they were closing (~5:53pm). I got the bike. DONE!

Can make a plan or WHAT?

:)

I spent the evening visiting with my sister and her family, then I hit the hay! Will prep the bike tomorrow.

---------------
Here are a few pics...

My last "job" before I left for the airport (I put this family sticker on the back of my wife's car):

Me and the Mrs just before we left for Newark airport:

The Mrs. waiving good bye (oh, she will ENJOY the "quite time"):
My mascot (the Toxic Avenger) enjoying the flight (oh, he is SOOO excited!):

My welcoming committee at the airport:

Picking up the bike at Alb. BMW shop (just in the nic of time! They were closing at 6:00, I arrived at ~5:50pm) - my sister took this pic in "mono" (wish it was in color!)

My first encounter with something ODD out west. I guess ET did land in NM!

Day 1a (Let the Treasure Hunt begin!)

2009-05-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

There is no escaping that fact that I will most CERTAINLY have some fun on this trip and some might even suggest that taking such a long trip might be somewhat “selfish” of me. Indeed, having ~40 days to motor around on a motorcycle (though I will be working some of this time) is certainly a great opportunity, so to “give back” to the ones who will be impacted by my being away (wife, son and daughter), I have concocted a little game for them (the rewards will abound!).

Below is a listing of “hints” for eight treasures that I have hidden around the house. If I know my family well enough, and I think I do, these surprises (all welcomed mind you, no pretend spiders, etc… - though that would not be a BAD idea) will be uncovered on or about (+/- 3 days) the dates as listed*. They are spaced ~6 days apart and we’ll see how close I am with my estimates as a couple dates were really tricky to pinpoint. It is important to note, however, that only the most helpful of children will “uncover” all the treasures!

[* if perchance a prize is NOT found within the estimated due date, and if no OTHER prize was found out of "sequence," I'd consider giving additional hints!]

Let the HUNT begin (though you should NOT waste your time searching, they will find YOU)!! Once I am informed of their discovery, the treasures will be listed below as well.

NOTE: because all of this has ALREADY taken place, I have retained the listing of prizes and dates found below

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hint #1:

On day 1, after the dog barks, a ball will bounce!
[will be found on Day 1 (5/8)]
<< found on 5/8 - new ball for dog left in dry dog food bag>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #2:

When you rest your weary bones, the Candy Fairy will appear!
[will be found on Day 1 (5/8)]
<< found on 5/8 - Candies left under their pillows>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #3:

When mom has scraped the bottom of the barrel, she will find the fruits of her labor!
[will be found on Day 6 (5/14)]

<<found on 5/13 - gift card to Applebees, hidden at bottom of laund. basket>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #4:

After you have already decided, the phantom will provide a new choice.

[will be found on Day 9 (5/16)]
<<found on 5/16 - movie gift card hidden in DVD player>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #5:

On this day, digging deep will reveal arrows and coal

from which a new life form will emerge

[will be found on Day 15 (5/22); note: THIS IS THE BIGGEST TREASURE]

<<found on 5/21 - gift cards (Aeropostal & Kohls) and video game ("Spore") hidden in bottom of dry food food bag - I'm batting 1000 right now, all treasures found as expected!>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #6:

Caring for God’s creatures is a noble task.

[will be found on Day 18 (5/25)]

<<found to the DAY!!! - gift card to Barns and Noble - hidden within the jug used to add water to the fish tank>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #7:

When all the machines fail, S. Atir will provide the much needed energy.
[will be found on Day 24 (5/31)]

<<found on 5/30 - gift card to Rita's Ice hidden with the gas can to fill the lawn mower; do I know my family or WHAT?>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #8:

If you only rely on 3 washes, you'll never see your Aunt.
[will be found on Day 29 (6/5)]

<<found on 6/3 - gift card to Aunt Anne's Pretzel shop - taped to the back of the dish deterg. box - those who know the "3 washes" joke, will NOW get the hint>>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hint #9:

The end is near, so break bread with your friends and enjoy!

[will be found on Day 36 (6/11)]

<<found on 5/30 - gift card to Friendly's - hidden in a bag of bread in the freezer; oh well, this was a tough one to predict as there were 4 loafs of bread in the freezer when I left; but so far, 7/8 is NOT bad! Do I know my family or WHAT?>>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THAT'S IT!!! All treasures were found within the expected window and MOST were found within 1-2 days of when I thought they would be!

I think i know my family pretty darn well!

BLAST OFF! (The Adventure Starts)

2009-05-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

What's a "count down" without a BLAST OFF? (note that this post is time stamped 5/8 12:01 am - the clock now starts at Day 1 = 5/8)

The rest of this blog will cover the period of time between 5/8 and 6/15 (the dates that will encompass the trip).

If you are only interested in "motorcycle" type things, ignore posts prior to 5/8, otherwise, feel free to scroll around.