Thoughts

I came across this on my computer while looking for something else. I don't know if I wrote it or copied it from somewhere else. I'd like to think I was this eloquent but I can't be sure. Either way the words still ring true.

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I could drown in the dew on my face.

I live in a desert

A drop is like a pool

A cup is like a river

The dew on my face would be like an ocean but I have never experienced either

I would leave but I know no way out.

Waking

I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere anytime

than in the middle of someplace.

I'd rather be uncomfortable in a place that had wonder

than wonder about someplace that was comfortable.

If it was warm, and comfortable, and easy

there would be a thousand gerbils to mess things up.

Steps

The first step is the hardest.

No, maybe it is the 12^th, or the 27^th.

With the first step you have resolve

And with the second you have determination.

The fourth and fifth you greet with elation.

By the ninth you have momentum,

It all looks so good.

But then there is some little glitch,

A reason to break your stride.

A crack in that first resolve,

A waver in your determination,

A loss of confidence.

A beginning of the slide.

You whip up your courage,

And take another step.

But it's no good.

You've broken your stride

It began so well when you said,

I will throw a pebble into the river every day

You were doomed when you said,

I am in a hurry (or was it too tired )

I will throw in two tomorrow

14 Oct 2004

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Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

And now for something a little different ...

Take a perfectly good BMW, add third wheel with a casket and it turns into a beast. Or perhaps I should say, It hardly turns at all.

The sidecar rig means that you have to be aware of the extra 3' hanging off of the right side so that you don't clip cars and pedestrians. There is no leaning into curves, it goes around corners more like an automobile before the invention of power steering. 

Yet I have to say that no motorcycle has recently put a smile on my face the way this thing did! 

It's a 1940's BMW R75 from the German Army in World War II. Not a replica, it's the real deal. For all I know it may have been part of Rommel's Afrika Korps which were all painted that tan color to blend in with the desert sand. To deal with the desert or the rough country on the Russian front it has 2-wheel drive. The wheel on the sidecar can be engaged by pulling a lever so that both rear wheels push the bike forward. It even has a high and low range like a Jeep. I wish there had been time to try everything out.

For more excitement the transmission has 4 speeds forward and 1 in reverse. Push the button on the tank mounted shift lever, pull it back into R, and backwards you go. Move the lever forward and you have 1, 2, 3, and 4 at your command. There is also a foot shifter but I never got the hang of it. Besides, it was too much fun winding up the engine, pulling in the clutch, and then grabbing the lever to move it to the next notch.

I only got about 10 miles under my belt but I can't wait to try it again. I would love to do a little off-roading with it to see just what it would do. They have quite a reputation as a go anywhere vehicle. If it were mine I would ship it to Tennessee and tackle the TransAmerica Trail again.

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Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Getting ready for the next one

My friends Kevin and Diane want to bicycle the White Rim Trail in March and I've offered to use my pickup as the support vehicle. Why anyone would want to pedal when you can just twist a throttle is beyond me but they are good friends so I'll just smile when they complain about blisters.

We are planning on a 3 day trip which means camping out under the stars and eating trail food. There are no stores once we leave Moab so we will need to bring everything we need. I decided to start the prep this morning by getting out the camp stove and making breakfast on it.

The stove worked perfectly and the pancakes were delightful. I admit that I didn't perk my own coffee but I usually just boil water and use Cafe Bustelo instant when I'm on the road. Much less gear and mess to deal with. An important detail when you're on a motorcycle instead of a 1 ton, long bed pickup

The truck, minus the trailer, will carry the bicycles, spare parts, and gear. I'll just follow along and take pictures while they work up a sweat. And cook pancakes ...

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Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Home is the sailor, home from the sea

Travel is fun but eventually it ends and you end up with this. 

Super Moon

Out for a late night walk to enjoy the view.