March 23-28th The gateway back to the east‏ March 23, 2009 Los Angeles, CA Well, hello everyone! I do apologize for the lack of details through my LA trip. It was kind of my reboot into the ride and boy did I refuel. Monday topped the cake when Taylor and I went up to Big Bear and skied all day! It is just jaw dropping to see the difference in terrain and weather in just a short while here in Cali. The weather and conditions were perfect at Big Bear. It was cold enough to keep the snow there, but warm enough to slush it up and not even really need a jacket. Once again I met all types while I was visiting – from Arizonians to business men and women – just a great melting pot of caricatures. I must say – for not getting to ski much I was proud of my runs and I had a blast. The ride up there really rallied my spirit to get back on the bike and keep moving. There is a certain passion and itch I get now driving through the mountains and moving forward overwhelmed me. I must say that a day on the skis is quite the exercise and I had no idea how good a snow boarder my brother was. It was just a blast and on the ride back I knocked out like a sleeping baby. Alex, Taylor and I had our last meal and I knew it was time the next day to move on. I also had another happiness that night before I left - knowing that I was to become an uncle and godfather to a kid that is a mix of two of the greatest people I know, so I slept well that night. March … [Read more...]

March 15, 2009 Los Angeles, CA The day started when my brother informed me of my week long visit and boy did they make it relaxing. I have to give them a standing ovation for how much kindness and care Alex and Taylor have bestowed on me. From my start in Los Angeles at 197 they have brought me back to 210, plus let me run wild in the hot tub and pool which is not as cold as my brother would like to think (thanks for that ten bucks bro). March 16, 2009 It was another day of food and hot tub action! I really like LA! First off it has made me realize the true similarities of city living. I now truly disapprove of the silly classing that we all do to make our life better than others. From just one coast to the other I have truly found joy and beauty in every town I have been to and one fails to even come close to any of the others. We are all in a big wave pool and when some are up, others are down, but if you blink an eye, it all changes back and forth. I love all this land and one thing LA helped seal in me is the excitement to see more. March 17, 2009 Since the beginning of the trip it was the first day that my only outfit seemed ok to wear. That’s right I was decked out for Saint Patty’s Day and had a ball. We had a traditional Irish meal of potatoes and corn beef and partied till late in the night. Not to mention my killer drive in the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible –  just cruising because I was the DD. March 18-22, … [Read more...]

March 9 –10, 2009 Phoenix, AZ The rest of my stay in Phoenix was very pleasant and very relaxing. I had dinner with all of Tracy’s friends and got a lot of computer stuff done. Had some laughs with the post office about their ghost. This is my thing about ghosts. I have no opinions on whether they exist or not, but if in fact they do he is my peace. I would love some face time with one of these mystical beings or what is left of them. I truly feel that the ghost would end up being a friend of mine and secondly, its powers are to fly through me and if that is the worst that can happen then sell me that cheap home no one wants to live in and give me a book and some tea because those big bad flying through things can be my friends till the end of time or at least their time. Tracy and I also watched “10 mph” which is about four guys who rode a Segway across the USA coast to coast. It really got me excited about my trip, but I also just smiled at the freedom I truly have being alone. It’s a lot like going to a family reunion and being adopted – which I am you know – that you know the craziness is not yours but you just love it all the same! This movie really reassured me how happy I was going solo knowing that my attitude was the only one I had to worry about. It’s like wrestling if you lose there is no one else to blame but you. I walked around Phoenix some and really got a good feel for the city. It is a great growing town. All the … [Read more...]

Everything’s new – even the state: pedaling to New Mexico‏ Feb. 25, 2009 San Angelo, TX Boy was I feeling so much better after my brush with death. I called my mom and made sure Servando Amaya got a t-shirt because that was all he really wanted and words couldn’t express how thankful I was for him. If he had not stopped his 18 wheeler to help me, I don’t want to think what would’ve happened. Ultimately, I reloaded on water and vitamins (electrolytes) to replenish myself. Patty met us and picked me up and took me to her house. I was still a little sore from the lack of really everything, but a shower also helped. Bailey, Patty’s daughter, a girl that I know will achieve great things had had a flat tire, so I offered to help. We all looked like chickens with our heads cut off, but we got the car to the shop and Bailey went to school. Not even knowing me, Patty gave me the keys and asked if I would pick it up because she had work, so of course, I agreed and did my daily computer stuff that I try to keep up with and got the car back to Bailey by lunch. Once again I am having a hard time controlling my hunger and ate at Whataburger again, but who am I to deny myself what my body or my mind (I am not sure which) sometimes wants. That afternoon Becky, Patty’s best friend, came by and asked if I wanted to be on the San Angelo news. Of course I was so down and jumped at the chance thinking it was so funny that people would even listen to me … [Read more...]

March 2, 2009 Alamogordo, New Mexico By the end of the day my wish came true. I got to meet Joe who practiced tribal traditions and has a spirit of a wild horse. Her smile was infectious and we talked for awhile about everything. She was from Australia and had come to America to learn traditions about native medications. Just by chance her teacher became her partner and the rest is history! We had so much in common and yet I felt I had so much to learn. I asked her if there was a way how I could find “my animal” and she said just listen. I then told her about the skunk that tried to sleep with me. Her reply was that the skunk was about respect and that was my lesson and still I take that with me. Our time felt too short, but one day I hope our paths will cross again. Later that night Verna and I went to see the movie that swept the awards, “Slumlord Millionaire” and although excellent it left me a little sad about the state of our population and the sadness so many can bring. After a midnight snack on some local pachuca. I headed for bed for I was off again tomorrow. March 3, 2009 Alamogorda, NM to Las Cruces, NM I left about 8am not  wanting to say goodbye to my generous host, but I also had a childish excitement because I knew there was a mountain pass ahead. After the farewell I was off and flew through the flats of the white sands. It was like “Top Gun” for a second, as I saw the new F-22 flying over the dunes and … [Read more...]