A time to reflect

26 November 2011Hello everyone. Thanksgiving in the USA always helps me reflect on the wonderful things I have. This year was like the rest...a year of abundance and joy. From Frances being saved in February when we were in Antarctica, to the Ride Across America, to raising nearly $20,000 with the help of dozens of friends around the world. Abundance...something magical about that word, but so true for me as I sit here and think of what I have, what I have been given, and what I can give back. So cool!

I have gathered a few of the photos of the Ride For Kids event that was held on September 25 of this year. The generosity of our friends, family and colleagues allowed Frances and me to raise enough money to be the second highest fundraiser at the event. Bob Henig, the #1 fundraiser for the event, was my mentor and got me involved. But the real deal was that over 400 motorcyclists raised nearly $200,000 for the event. it was an amazing demonstration of generosity, and love. Remarkable.

But the celebration was really about the 6 survivors who came, were honored, and who spoke about their journeys and what their lives were like. They talked of being present, alive, having fun, being grateful, and being centered. Kids being kids...no victims on that stage, only survivors. So humbling that they were so grateful...so thankful. It reminded me of the need to always recongnize my life as filled with abundance, opporunitities, gifts...never to look at it as filled with challenges, road blocks, deficits...abundance only.

Well, I did say it was about motorcycles, and the cool part were the side car rigs where most of the survivors rode, in front of the cavalcade of 400 plus riders through the countryside of Maryland. This little sweetheart has riden with Bob Henig for 5 years...and has been a survivor for each of those years. In the right photo, she is suited up and ready to with her riding buddy in Bob's Yellow side car. On the left, she is with her VERY happy Mom.

So, I am very grateful, for the opportunity, for the abundance that I and over 90 others shared to help Frances and me bring nearly $20,000 to the party, to help create a longer list of survivors. Now for the encore...

More to follow for sure.

Home at last!

Yes, yes...home at last. I arrived Wedenesday afternoon, around 3 pm, soaked to the bone. Even with rain gear on, and supposedly "water proof" boots (I think I felt a dry spot on my left ankle), I believe I carried my weight in water in all of my clothes. I will admit that my jacket, under my rain jacket was dry. But everything else...sheesh, soaked.

However, it didn't diminish the great ride that I had across America. I and my BMW R12GS became one...kind of a "zen" thing. I love that bike. It is a war horse, and a sprinter, and a cruiser. Great all around bike. It has met all my expectations and then some. The bike is really dialed in well. It is great for cruising. Rugged, yet comfortable, and when you have the need for speed, it has plenty of "wick" to twist. Plus the storage capacity was great. It allowed me to carry a bunch, for any condition or problem. Very good indeed.

Funny thing is that this bike ride took on a life of its own when I got the bug to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The ride and PBTF became one and the same. The reason I got the bug was Bob Henig, of BOB'S BMW in Jessup, Maryland. He has been a decades long supporter of the Foundation, and throuigh his efforts, his customers, and the other members of the Baltimore Washington Chapter, have raised thousands and thousands of dollars. He is filled with passion about this foundation, and from that passion, got the bug. So, thanks Bob.

So, what did I get out of this monumental ride across America? Heh...Frances has asked me that. But there are many answers. First of all, I left on this journey to have fun, but also to dedicate my time and commitment to raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. I have raised more than $13,000 so far, and have committed another $3,000. I am still working it and hope to reach $25,000. I dedicated the ride to Julie Havlik, the cute 15 year old from SE Pennsylvania. She was the one that was diagnosed with a brain tumor on her 15th birthday but never got to reach 16, and drive a car, or go to college...she was lost to us. So, I was motivated and kept her and the 80,000 kids afflicted with brain tumors throughout the USA.

I had an amazing interaction too about the continuing generosity of people involved with PBTF. Yep, it was Monte, Marcia and Susan from Asheville who reached into their pockets, sitting in front of Old Faithful, waiting for it to blow, and pulled out money to contribute to my ride. They had been involved for 10 years in Asheville, home for the PBTF offices. I read today that the RIDE FOR KIDS events in Asheville and Ann Arbor, Michigan together raised $180,000. Amazing huh?

And then the reunions..I stayed with old friends. On the way out, We stayed with Jane in Tulsa. That was fabuloso. A very late night catching up, reminissing, and just plain talking. Heading west, we stayed with Ken in Albuquerque. Really great to see him. He was the wonderful host, and the great mind he has always been. I met them both when i was with CSI...we shared alot then, and have shared much since then. It was great to see them.  Then of course Rebecca and Joe, two of the most interesting and "in the moment" people I know. We shared memories of the millenium new year, and the week on 9/11/2001.. and fun, and bike shows. Then there was Beth and Vern, two Harley riders, colleagues, and friends...ready to have fun, creative, always inquisitive about...well, just about anything that stimulates their thinking. Took me to the new Harley museum. Sooo cool. And then my very good friend, Paul in Milwaukee. So close to him...never enough time.

Ah, and the great riders who joined me...Mark in Fresno...a great friend and Harley rider who has such a wonderful family. Gordon from Australia...always ready for a ride. Been riding since he was 5 years old, and seems to be a ballet dancer on a bike. Like my oldest and dearest friend Murray, who joined us in Atlanta to kick off the first few hundred miles. He rode an Older GS airhead, and is a dedicated air head rider. And, Nathalie and Thomas...who accompanied me for the entire iniatial leg across country to San Francisco.

Yep, a great ride...but most of all to Frances for puttin up with me, worrying about on the ride, but not showing it...even when I rode the last four days in the rain. She is the best...love her. All of you too. Thanks for a great ride!

Oh, it isn't over yet either. I saw Bob Henig this week at Bob's BMW and got caught up on the ride coming up for the Baltimore-Washington RIDE FOR KIDS on September 25. Frances is going to come and shoot a bunch of photos so you can see these wonderfully, strong, and hopeful children. Yep, very cool, and definitely more to come.

Beth and Vern            Nathalie

Oh, Joe!

 

   Mark and Gordon                                                           Nathalie and Greg



"old" Greg and Murray                                                   Wonderful Frances!

Why I do it.

Just waiting to leave...

What a day. I spent a couple of hours this morning wondering if I was going to fly home and come back later this week, stay the night and leave tomorrow, or leave out today. Turns out I have the motorcycle back and I am leaving tomorrow morning...rain or not. Specific mileage is 300 miles...so the closer I get, the easier it is to get home. Within 150 miles, I can have a friend pick me and the bike up if a problem arises. Sheesh, how weird is all of this...just a few days ago, my trip was uneventful. Shows how we don't control much...just need to live correctly, in the moment, and enjoy the things we like.
One funny story was the motorcycle shop I used to fix the bike. It was called the European Motorcycles of Pittsburgh (www.bmwpgh.com). Lee, the service advisor was joking with a delivery man about being a motorcycle mechanic. The guy said, "Gee, I would love to be a motorcycle mechanic." Lee turned to him and said "Sure...if you want to be poor your whole life." However, as soon as I said Bob's BMW was the bike shop where I took my bike in Maryland, his eyes widened and he asked "They have like 7 or 8 bays, don't they? It is a bike shop, huh?" I said yep, and he wanted to go there immediately. Motorcycles...it gets in the blood, and like anything, you climb the tree to find the right limb to hand out on.
I spent the afternoon fundraising. I am just a few days from the goal (25 September) and want to reach my goal of $25,000. I have received, or have committed, a total of around $17,000, so I am close...but no brass ring yet. If you are reading this and haven't had a chance to contribute, please go to:
(http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/greg-balestrero/2011-BaltimoreWashington-Ride-for-Kids). Check it out carefully and give as much as your heart will allow.

It is hard for me to believe that 80,000 children can have brain tumors, rapidly growing, threatening their very lives, and there isn't massive amounts of research being done to cure them, or find a way to fight and survive them. I understand the issue of facing other forms of cancer (i.e., lung, breast, colarectal, and others) with very large demographics. There are other childhood diseases too such as diabetes that pulls attention. the result is no funding for the brain tumor victims.
I met a great doctor in San Francisco, Dr. Nalin Gupta, that spoke on my behalf at the PMI Chapter meeting. He was the Director of the Pediatric Neurosurical Unit at University of San Francisco. He spoke of the work that the USF Medical Center was doing, and how they were desperately trying to find immediately transferable cures.
But he was a practical guy. He said that an admin to track test results and fill out reports cost any clinical trial upwards of $50,000...he said the minimum amount of money for an adequate research project was $500,000 to $1,000,000. That is why they have their own foundation, and he was also a Research Center for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. It took combining resources and working hard at sharing results.
Funny, I have seen many towns with Populations of 50, 75, 100, 250, 3000...throughout the country. 80,000 children and their afflicted families make up a very sizable community...one that would fill a good size city. Yet being scattered about they disappear in the crowds.
It is our job to raise the visibility. Kind of like seizing a moment of clarity whenever it arises, and doing what we can to fix those that don't have the resources to fix themselves. Moments of clarity...very important to be vigilant and to act on them.
Ah, philosophising too much...time to rest.
More later.

Down...but not out!

Whew! It has been an incredible few days. I guess I left you off in Milwaukee, with a great couple of days with my friends, Beth and Vern. I followed that up with a couple of days with another great friend from Milwaukee, Paul. It was a really a spectacular way of continuing the journey around the country.

First a bit about Paul. Paul is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Our Friendship spans a quarter century. In the early 80"s I actually accepted, and then turned down, a staff position with an association in Milwaukee (I will always keep a bit of the blog, like last names, private). My gut said wait where I was, since it was expected that my boss at that time would be leaving soon and I had a shot at his job. Well, it was Paul that took the job in Milwaukee. And, we both ended up as CEO's of very good organizations.

Paul, by the way, is the smartest guy I know. I really developed a keen respect for his intelligence, humor and common sense. However, I also developed a great fondness for and friendship with Paul, and his wonderful family. Paul and I have shared many good times and bad. We were together on the Pacific Crest Trail, backpacking, the week of September 11, 2001. The year before, we were on a backpacking trip in North Carolina with a very close friend of ours who passed away not two years later. Needless to say, getting together for the weekend was wonderful.

Ok, now for some news. I have spent three days trying to get home. Because of a severe weather front, I had to spend an extra night at Casa Paul's in Milwaukee. Yesterday, I left out in absolutely beautiful, cool weather. However, the weather front was really slow, and I overran the front and rode for nearly 90 minutes in horrible rain.

I stopped in Wauseon, Ohio, soaked to the bone, dripping from every limb and orifice. I pull into a Holiday Inn Express in the rain and saw a huge bus...I had a sense of dread thinking it is 70 German tourists seeing the heartland of America, and they have taken all the rooms. The lady at the front desk says "No, that bus belongs to the the band that is playing tonight at the County Fair". "Oh", I say, "Anyone I know?". She says "REO Speedwagon". REO Speedwagon! At the Fulton County Annual Fair, with all that goes with it!. Which explains why the two lane road had a line of traffic that was as far as the eye could see. Amazing!

Anyway, I get up this morning to an overcast sky. Undaunted, I set out with my rain suit over my riding clothes. No problemo! I ride in and out of rain, all the way past Pittsburgh, where I stopped at the Oakmont Service Plaza for lunch. With a full tummy, and a dose of confidence, I make a reservation for a room about 100 miles down the pike...knowing  I will be riding through the rain.

Ah, confidence...that word sometimes sound like a four letter word. I go out to the bike, stick the key in the ignitioin, hit the starter button....and NOTHING! Another electronic idiot switch gone bad...the one that tells the ignition I am in Neutral, and let's me start the bike. It thinks I am in gear...oh, am I stuck, in the rain, tummy full of a 1/4 pound hot dog (man was it a good dog!). So, I call the Turnpike wrecker service, and 45 minutes later "Bob" shows up and we load the bike up, and take it to the BMW Bike dealer in Wexford, PA.

I am now in a Comfort Inn in Cranberry, PA (not kidding...CRANBERRY!), which is a suburb of Pittsburgh. I am exhausted. 350 miles short of my 8,000 mile goal, I am stopped. However, I will go to the shop tomorrow and find out what needs to be done.

I am down but not out. I will persevere. I liked old "Bob" though he was a bit rough around the edges. He has a son that is 6'5" tall, 266 lbs, and hits a baseball a mile, and has a 90 mph fastball...at 16! They grow them big in PA.

So, for tonight, let's call this a pause, rather than the end of my trip. Not sure about tomorrow. The prognosis is that heavy rains are likely tomorrow and Wednesday. We shall see.

Tune in tomorrow for more in the continuing saga of Greg Balestrero and his Ride Across America.

More Later.

In the Brewer's Capital of the World...Milwaukee!

Well, I am here in beautiful Milwaukee. I have much to tell, so let's start with one of the reasons why I am here: Beth and Vern. Ok, I know I have said that the folks I have visited with are very cool, and different, and creative, and...well, just plain great. Well, it's true and Beth and Vern are no different. They are standing next to one of the passions which brought us together - motorcycles. For them, it is Harley Davidson motorcycles. They are both long time riders, and have 3 Harleys between the two of them. The one in the photo is a dream machine (CVO) sitting in front of the Harley Davidson Museum...we visited today and had a great time!.

Now, Vern and Beth have their own museum...actually it is a "toy store"!. They have several wonderful toys: boats, trailers, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, and mint condition cars. The photo at left is Beth's 1977 MGB...in really mint condition. Triple black, and ready to crank up and ride. I swear, it looked like it had just rolled off the assemply line. The other photo below is Vern's 1983 Camaro. It too is in mint condition and never has been restored...he is just meticulous in maintaining it.

I will say that the "gem" in the garage is the 1950 tractor that I am sitting on in the picture on the right. It is really amazing. Vern hoped up on top and cranked the old diesel up and it ran like a sewing maching...pop stack and all. It was great. I enjoyed seeing all of their toys. Oh, and Beth's second bike! Check it  out! It is a Rusty Wallace special...Miller Brewing sponsored Rusty in NASCAR, and had 3 Rusty Wallace specials, and she bought one. Now Beth is also the same person who occupies the other room in their toy stoy where she experiments with various mediums of art, including stitched, painting, hand crafts...she is an architect by degree and Vern is an engineer. What a pair...like I said, very cool people.

Oh, so we spent the day at the Harley Davidson Museum. It opened on the 105th anniversary of Harley Davidson. You should check out the book "More Than A Motorcycle", by Rich Teerlink and Lee Ozley (http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Motorcycle-Leadership-Harley-Davidson/dp/0875849504). Really an amazing story. We managed to sneak in and get through the museum before the thousands of riders come in for the Labor Day Rally. The museum is truly one of the most content-rich museums I have ever seen. There were hundreds of motorcycles on the floor and in the "archival storage".

My "dream" was to suit up in some leathers and look very cool. However, I took a second choice and "suited" up in the Evil Kneival look...Quite nice, huh? Tell me you don't like the hair...man, what I wouldn't give to get some of that back on my head! Ok, so I don't put all of the photos on the blog, I will limit to a few that really impressed me. The bike on the right is mostly make of clay, wood, etc. It is out of the integrated Production Design Center (I think that it what it is called) on the site of the factory in Milwaukee. That is the mock up of the V-Rod, and shows the design creativity that goes into the rides. All amazing...great museum.

Ok, so I had one memory of the museum today that stayed with me. I saw a young man in a wheelchair. He was a quad, and had no use of his arms or legs...his manner of mobilitiy was his breath tube that guided him through the museum: forward, back, left, right. Each movement by carefully blowing into the tube in just the right way. He was never going to get the opportunity to drive himself on a ride like an H-D bike...he won't feel the rumble of the motorcycle, the vibration from tire hitting road...cover great distances  on two wheels, except those that are attached to the wheelchair. Yet he was engrossed in every exhibit, and every interation. How lucky we are...we can ride or not...our choice. A choice he doesn't have. Gratitude...never let it slip away.

More tomorrow, after my visit with Paul and his son, John. Great friends again...warmth, and friendship. So good.

More later.

Back on the road in Minnesota!

Well, I just clicked over 2500 miles on the return journey, which means about 6400 miles total for the Rida Across America...and raising money for the PBTF. Going good. I am staying in Austin, Minnesota tonight, and off to Milwaukee tomorrow, for a brief stay with my fabuloso friends, Beth and Vern.
Had my usual share of life today, and another good samaritan. Yep, I found the bike out  in the Sioux Falls, SD, airport parking lot, just as I left it. Was careful to repack, dress, and crank up. I paid a remarkable $30 for one week of parking...$30 is what you pay per day in DC. Sheesh, what a bargain. So, I give the man my credit card, driver's license, and ticket. Pay and leave with the credit card...but unknowingly didn't get my driver's license back. 28 miles out I stop for gas and I have a brain flash...NO DRIVER'S LICENSE!
After looking through everything at the pump (and I mean everything), I left out and came back to the pay booth, and the man...I swear...nearly cried. He was so upset he didnt' give it back. I wanted to hug him...but, then thought I would just say, no problemo and go. So, another samaritan taking care of me.

I passed through 175 miles of corn...north and south of the freeway...corn, and corn, and corn. Also, there were dozens and dozens of new wind generators in Southwest Minnesota. I would guess in the hundreds, these towering wind generators are the newest plan to reduce energy needs for farmers, and to sell back electricity once they are paid off. Apparently they cost about $1Million each...but the farmers use projected revenues as collateral to build them. Amazing...really amazing initiative.

I loved two of the towns I drove through...Blue Earth and Welcome. The latter of the two has a great sign...Welcome to Welcome. Like I former president of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) that I worked for...George George. Always interesting.

Oh, I had two more individuals pull me aside at the airport to tell me they rode BMW motorocycles. I wore my M/C jacket, and carried my helmet, and they were like magnets. One guy rode a K1300S, and was a pilot of Air Canada. His name was Claude, but pronounced it "cloud", very specifically! Kept his motorcycle in Atlanta, and flew there every chance he got to ride through the USA. And another guy named Steve...kept his BMW in Miami, and did a bit of riding like Claude did. Very nice to meet them.

Also met a great young lady who was an upper classman at University of South Dakota and was a double major in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science. She was returning from the NY State Fair in Syracuse, NY, where she worked as a BEEF AMBASSADOR. (www.nationalbeefambassador.org). She was really passionate about her studies...She has alrleady attended two lectures by Temple Grandin(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin), had done two internships, was already planning her career...just a great young person. She was the kind of young professional that you would want in an organization. Always cranking at 110%.

Anyway, another great day in a very great adventure. Grateful, grateful...sleep all of you that read my blog.

More later.

Readying for continuing the great adventure.

Well, life is finally back to normal for us. We have power, since last evening, and the food is back in the fridge instead of in the cooler in the boat. Thank goodness the boat was not damaged...it was our temporary home! Really happy that I was here with Frances. I was gone to much during my career...I wanted to be home. All in all...it was good.

Tomorrow I fly to South Dakota and pick up my bike. Assuming the kindness of the Mid-Country folks, my bike will be in fine shape and I will be on my way. East, east, east...keep on keeping on. I will visit my great friends Beth and Vern, Paul and Judy, and Karen in Milwaukee. That will be fabulous. Unfortunately, Beth, Vern and I were to go to the Brewers-Cardinals game tonight. But, they are there and I am missing the game...an awesome match up, though I expect the Brewers will kick butt...they are the hottest team in baseball right now.

The downside is that I won't get to see Paul and Linda in Canada. Great friends...we were to stay in their cottage in Northern Ontario, but schedules are not in sync now. But, that's ok...they are wonderful friends and we will see them soon.

Oh, Frances and I saw THE HELP tonight. It was a fabulous film, an amazing story based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett. Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard drove an incredible cast. I knew the south intimately from the 60's, and Mississippi remained frightening, threatening. I can't imagine the courage it took for individuals like Martin Luther King, Medgar Evars, Rosa Parks, John Young. The Civil Rights movement forever changed this country...I watched it change in my lifetime, I was part of the change. the line in the movie that stuck with me was "Sometimes courage skips a generation". I can't describe why right now...

The music for the film was a real mix of 60's and current contemporary tunes. But my favorite was sung by Mary J. Bilge: The Living Proof. Beautifully sung...great lyrics.

Well, I will catch up with all of you on the road.

More later.

Surviving the big blow!

Here we are, waiting for the big blow to hit its stride. it is 4:39 pm ET, and the speeds are steady around 35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph. The big issue is the storm surge tides. Down at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the storm surge is 4-8 feet...translation? That is 4-8 feet above high tide. Not good. The boat is tied up and looking like it may be unscathed through the big blow.
I am going to review the maps again tonight to see how my ride home needs to be altered. Sometime early this week I am back to beautiful, downtown Sioux Falls, SD. I haven't decided when to go, but Wednesday at the latest. Only half way home...total mileage now for the entire trip is 6200 miles so far. Amazing places, people and things to see. My good times are the result of the great friends that joined me along the way and put us up, so a big thanks to:
1. Murray
2, Nathalie
3. Thomas
4. Mark
5. Gordon
6. Joe
7. Rebecca
8. Jane
9. Ken

Ah, let's not forget Frances...she has been the best. I have so much to be grateful for.
There is more to come in this trip, more places to see and more friends to connect with. Can't wait.

I will attache photos of the hurricane zone on the next blog.

More later

Time out for a hurricane!

Well, I made a decision at 8 am CT, sitting on the East bank of  the Missouri River...actually sitting on a bench at the Super 8 Motel, near the East bank, in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The decision was to take a break and fly home to weather the storm with Frances (and Jazz). I have been gone enough in my career, leaving Frances to handle the snow, hurricanes, etc., etc.; so I am home. And, what better use of my 2.5 million miles with United than to fly round trip from South Dakota.

When the ride resumes, I will try to patch together a visit to Milwaukee and Canada...and of course, Cooperstown, NY, and the Baseball Hall of Fame. It really has been an adventure, and catching up with Friends like Paul, and Beth and Vern and Karen and Paul and Linda and on and on...is fabuloso!

Ok, one more anecdotal story. Traveling across Wyoming and South Dakota, there is abundant land, most of which is untouched. The small towns that litter the roads, population under 250. A few of them, more than I would like to see, have disappeared with bordered windows, and closed up service stations. The ones that are surviving, like WALL, have something that is the magnet, the attraction: the WALL drug store, dude ranch, saddle store, free coffee for vets, or something.

There are miles of barren land, interrupted periodically with a series of road side signs hawking the the special attraction. I stopped at many, just to see what it was. Today, as I was speeding to Sioux Falls, some 140 miles to the east, I saw two signs over and over that were...well, bipolar somewhat. One advertised UNUSUAL RHINOS FROM AFRICA, and the other said OLIVIA'S ADULT SUPERSTORE. Both were in the same small, population 175, town...pitching both sides of the libido. Very weird....maybe too much time alone in my helmet.

Oh, well, many more miles before I sleep...more later.

At the Missouri River...2200 miles and counting

Hey there. Well, more heat, more mileage and more WOW's. I had a great day again. Left out early, and got into South Dakota, and the Black Hills. Passed through motorcycle Mecca at Sturgis, South Dakota, just north of Rapid City. I was expecting to be struck by lightening there, or pick up a few points in IQ...but, no, just saw more "STURGIS 2011" baseball caps, suspenders, t-shirts, underwear (yep, underwear) and other stuff than I have ever seen.
The big ride was through Needles and onto Mount Rushmore. Needles is a fabulous ride of twisties in the mountains in Custer State Park. My bike does so well there...loves to breath at altitude. The views were spectacular. But back to Mount Rushmore.

I was pretty well amazed with the carving by Gutzon Blorgum. The carvings just leap out at you when you come up from Keystone. They are a bright white compared to the grey background and green trees. Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln...staring off in the distance. However, the site itself has really been made into a remarkable visit. It has two museums, two visitor centers, bookstores, gift shop, cafe, and a large amphitheater. Hundreds of visitors from everywhere were at the exhibit.

So here is the amazing part: Blogum began carving in 1927, at age 58, and it took 14 years. Chisels and jack hammers...and a vision. Amazing vision. He was an amazing guy. Summer temperatures in excess of 100 F, and the bitter winters of snow, ice, and wind...and 14 years of work. He also had the basic design for Stone Mountain, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. He started but didn't finish the Georgia carving. they are different...the Georgia carving covers a much larger surface area, but it is a relief, not a full sculpture like Rushmore.

Oh, one more good samaritan story. I pull up at Rushmore, and roll up to the gate, armed with my National Park senior pass, with a big grin on my face. I give the young woman my best "old fart" smile, and she says "Sorry, we don't take passes here.  We are a private company that runs the facility." Well, good for the country...entrepreneurial spirit and all that. So, she says "$11 please". I hand her my credit card...and, guess what? Cash only, and I hadn't been to an ATM in nearly 2 weeks. So I was cash short. Ah, but she is a good samaritan..."go on in and have a good time. There are two ATM's and get some money, spend it here, and bring it to me when you leave". So I did...nice people all over.

the rest of the ride east was along I-90. I thought about taking other surface roads, but they just parallel I-90, and they have similar speed limits. So, I was on the Interstate, pushing east. The temperatures exceeded 103 F, so the ride was tough. I stopped every 90 minutes at most for hydration. The last one was funny....I poured a bottle of water over my head, spalashed water on my face...and looked up at these little kids staring at me...thinking that I was taking a shower...I would have if I could.

I stopped in Wall, South Dakota, to see the WALL DRUGSTORE. For nearly 100 miles I saw these billboards for free water, 5 cent coffee, airconditioning, buffalo burgers, and more. So, I  counldn't pass it up. Well, WALL DRUG, since 1931, was a huge stop...buses, cars, bikers, hikers, bicyclists...all stopped into see this massive tourist...well, trap. It was interesting though. Neat little burg. Reminded me of SOUTH OF THE BORDER, a massive tourist trap on US 301, at the South Carolina border that I saw as a little kid when we did our big road trip from Miami, Florida to New York to see our family every summer. It was a real milestone...and invested the same amount of money in billboards as did WALL DRUG.

I spent last night on the east side of the Missouri river, looking at green trees and a big working river. Nice "sight for sore eyes". Next stop: Rochester, Mn.

More later.

A day of surpises, and a night of gratitude!

Well, you know what they say about good plans...yep, it happened to me. I slept in, had a hardy breakfast in Cody, and headed out for a great ride to Rapid City, and Mount Rushmore. Had a great ride on US14 through the Big Horn National Park, up to 9600 feet through a great series of twisties. Then, after being "gaga" over the view at 9600 ', started an amazing 11 milel down hill (8%) ride through another series of twisties, beautiful vistas, and great weather. About 6 miles into the 11 mile run, my engine quit...just said "Yep, I am done". So I coasted the remaining 5 or 6 miles down, and stopped. Actually, coasting down was almost as much fun as a powered descent.

I was perplexed but had an idea of the problem,. I was sitting there, on the side of the road with my helmet off, when the first of a series of wonderful people stopped to help. They were motorcycle riders, part of a Gold Wing Riders group from Chicago. Waited while I got the bike started again and followed me into Dayton, a tiny town, with more friendly people. they invited me to join them for lunch, which I did.

We parted company, and rode off separately. About 25 miles later, again in the high desert, I broke down again. Again, good samaritans began to swarm. First a rider from British Columbia on a US cross country trip. We diagnosed the problem together and agreed on a solution. He had to go...but up comes another couple on a bike like mine and bingo...he is a bike mechanic and temporarily rigs a fix, to get me going. But not before a Wyoming Highway patrolman stopped by and chatted with us. He was great...another motorcycle rider. He waited until a tow truck came....was not sure of the temporary fix, and insurance paid for the ride.

Off to the Honda (yep Honda, and I have a BMW) shop in Sheridan. The mechanic drops what he is doing and fixes me up in 30 minutes. All fantastic guys. Great people.

So hear I am in Gillette, Wyoming, feeling grateful for all of the nice people around, everywhere, just waiting to help others. Oh, did I tell you? Someone donated $1000 today through my site to the PBTF. How about that? Amazing generosity. There are good people everywhere, just looking for an opportunity to help others. I can't be any more grateful.

Well, time to put these buns to bed and get up early tomorrow. I get to see Mt. Rushmore, and an Underground Missile museum. How's that for a combination? Oh, and my first time in South Dakota.

More later.

Buffalo Bill Rides Again...in Cody, Wyoming

Very cool to be in Cody, Wyoming. It is what I thought it might be...lots of gift shops, stampede rodeo, and a big bunch of tourists. But, it is still cool. The IRMA is Buffalo Bill's original hotel and I, of course, ate Meat loaf in the IRMA restaurant. I am forever bonded to Buffalo Bill!.

Great day today. The weather was much cooler, and the roads were fabulous. Went to the West Yellowstone, the small town in Montana, at the extreme west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Taking full advantage of my senior pass, my motorcycle was allowed in at half price...so very nice to aging...heh.

The park was beautiful. Lodgepole pines are incredible...straight as an arrow. There is vast evidence of the 1988 fire when nature took its course and cleansed the park of several hundred acres of lodgepoles...apparently a normal process to cleanse the forest, then the remains decompose and new growth comes back. Quite something.

Of course, the big deal was Old Faithful. So, of course, I enclose a photo of the geyser popping off. I sat there for 90 minutes, faithfully waiting for the big event. I have nine other photos of it, just in case someone wants one. So interesting...there were probably 600-700 sitting in the sun, preparing their cameras and cell phones, getting ready for the vent. A water spout...not a rocket launch, but a natural water spout...and people cheered and kids ooh'd and ahh'd. So simple a pleasure.

Going back to the beginning of the national park, when the hotel was built, this simple pleasure was the source of all attention of the guests of the lodge. The photo at right shows the platforms made from Lodgepole pine that allowed guests to climb stairs and stand and watch the gieser out the window. That is the sole purpose of the stairs and platforms. Simple pleasures...we all need simple pleasures, the same sense of wonder that made the kids ooh and ahh. No doubt about it.

Oh, I almost forgot...the people. During the 90 minutes, I spoke to a group of folks about many things, including the earthquake in the Washington area. It was great. Folks from Abilene, Asheville, Detroit, Louisville, and of all places, China. I sat next to the three folks in photo to the left: Monte, Marcie, and Susan, from Asheville, N.C. I talked to Monte about motorcycles. He had to stop riding about 2 years ago because of health. We were close to Old Faithful rearing its spout, and it got quiet. Monte then leaned over and said "Do you know anything about 'RIDE FOR KIDS''. Now, the chance of he and I being involved in the same small charity is astronomical. I told him the story of my fundraising efforts...and Marcie reaches in her purse and hands me $20. Can you imagine. We shook hands, embraced. He has been involved for 10 years in Asheville...the home of the PBTF. Simple pleasures, and simple people...doing extraordinary things. What a wonderful experience.

The roads were incredible. For the bikers out there, it was over 100 miles of twisties as I drove through Rockies. I went over the Continental Divide, and played all afternoon as I rode and stopped and rode and stopped. The Sheshoni River followed me all the way, shifting left and shifting right. I saw deer, elk, bison...and the wonderful road. So cool.

Well, it is late and I need to sleep. I miss home and Frances and Jazz. Glad they are ok and the big "shake" back home didn't affect her. More later.

From Idaho Falls - 1300 miles down and a few to go!

Yep, made it to Idaho Falls today. Unbelievable ride from many perspectives, not the least of which was that I rode the entire day (about 450 miles) in high desert. For you novices, that means high elevation plains, with dry, arid desert like environments.

The first 130 miles was through remarkable territory continuing in the Oregon Badlands. I rode the Central Oregon Highway, with Miles and miles of two lane sweeping turns, with a few "twisities" thrown in to keep me on my toes. But it was fabulous. It was early in the day so the temperature was moderate.

Now I have to confess...I didn't ride alone today. I rode side by side with the Malheur River. It is a very long, winding river, and sometimes I rode on its right, and others I rode on its left. Very cool. It was beautiful, and was the primary source of irrigation for the area. I rode through 3 brush fires, due to the very dry conditions in the desert.

Into Idaho and into the furnace. The ride through the high desert in Idaho was wicked...around 100 F or higher in places. The wind already wicks out your moisture; add to that incredibly low humidity. I had to stop every 75 miles or so to hydrate! Sheesh, it was wicked hot.

The ride has been incredible...it has slowed down my riding, made me more patient...not doubt the distances are so great that speeding up doesnt' get you there much sooner...just a speeding ticket if you are not careful. It is about pacing yourself...an intermediate city or goal in mind by the end of the day, and the time to observe, stop, engage....very cool.

How great can this be? I am sooo very lucky. But miss Frances and Jazz and our home...but needed to do this.

Again tomorrow. More later.

More about the motorcycles

Ok, so I should have included more photos on the Extreme Custom Bike Show. All I showed yesterday was the replica of the bike Peter Fonda rode in Easy Rider. Ok, ok...here are some more photos. Both  photos are extreme bikes built by Thunder Struck Extreme Custom Bikes. They are awesome.( http://www.thunderstruckcustombikes.com/) They were the sponsors of the show. Between the bikes in the show, and the bikes belonging to riders who came to see the show (like Joe and I), there were probably 500 motorcycles in town.

What I loved though was the graphic design on the bikes. The paint, symbolism, and graphics were no less than spectacular (as they should be on $40,000 bikes!). Both of these bikes had paint that seemed with such depth that it was hard to capture. Really beautiful. I wish that I had some magic camera to pull this off better!  Oh well, you can imagine right?

Anyway, I promised to add a few more and so I did. Now back to the ride...more later.



Heading east, but still in Oregon

Wow, what a weekend. I spent the weekend with my dear friends, Joe and Rebecca, in Ashland, Oregon. Joe and I started our relationship when he was a board member at CSI and I was the Executive Director. But since then, we have built a strong relationship....spending the Millenium New Year together in Alexandria, and then backpacking the week of September 11, 2001...never forgetting  the impact both had on us.

But the trip, let's start with the weekend. Ashland is quite a fabulous place. It is the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Southern Oregon University. Beautiful city, lots of young people, fantastic art, community, theater and music. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is one of the top in North America, running from February through October every year. (http://www.osfashland.org/).  More than 250,000 tickets are sold for the performances. We attended a festival on the Green in the center of the city....one performance each night ALL SUMMER LONG. It was great!

Joe and I rode over to Medford for the Extreme Motorcycle show. It was an open street show of custom motrocycles, mostly Harleys. It was fabulous...lots of tatoos, and as Joe said, many Harley riders attempting to look solemn, or sullen, or something, instead of over the top with joy because their ride was in a competition. The show was really beautiful industrial art...amazing designs, and technology.

I left this morning and rode to Crater Lake. Whew! Never saw anything so beautiful. The lake is an extinct volcano...a caldera (Mount Mazama). It is nearly 2000 feet deep and has been fed only by rain water for nearly 8000 years. And yet, natural cyclical evaporation ensures that the depth varies no more than 3 feet each year. Fish and animal life did not exist in the Lake; it is now stocked with Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon. I can describe it all. Check out the site. (http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm).

I had a great ride, through Natioinal Forests for more than have the day. They were amazingly pristine green lands. Now, I am in Burns, Oregon, just east of the Oregon Badlands. I turned east at Bend, and clicked into130 miles through high plains desert. It was long strips of two lane blacktop, with endless desert and basalt rock. The bio-diversity is amazing.

Well, I am exhausted..need to rest for another 350 miles tomorrow through Idaho, and more beautiful country. Stay tuned.

More later.

In Oregon...at last

Whew, what a ride yesterday. Left Pleasanton, CA around noon and connected with Joe just north of San Rafael. His beautiful Honda Goldwing looking beautiful in all of its red splendor. We rode up 101 for about 100 miles then across Upper Clearlake. An amazing and beautiful ride with gorgeous scenery.

Then we connected to I-5 and headed north. We crossed Lake Shasta, and managed to be in time for the beautiful sunset behind Mount Shasta. Shasta was striking...the only peaks in any direction with snow, pushing through the clouds. It soared above the tree line, both majestic and imposing at the same time. The late sun painting the clouds with hints of lavender and gold.

We ate in the Black Bear Diner in Shasta, for an omelette the size of a suitcase. It was enormous! A great discussion with Joe on the challenges facing our country.

Finally arrived at his home here in Ashland at around 11:45 pm. Very tired...bed by 1 am, and out like a light. I woke this morning to see a beautiful site of hills and farms, and deer in his back yard.

Great trip, great people...great life. Oh, and if your wondering about my thinking of home, I miss it, Frances, our life, and our puppy. I think that is the great thing about this ride...I am reminded of the magnificent country we live in, and what I have at home.

More later.

Anticipation!

I am finished and ready to ride out. I have been out at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Lafbs for 3 days. Funny, I felt like the Village Idiot at the NIF. I was surrounded by brilliant engineers and scientists, some of the most brilliant in the USA. I have always said it is projects like this are led by ordinary people do extraordinary things. Well, it couldn't be more real than at NIF...yeah, I know that they are brilliant...but they are parents, and grandparents, backpackers, sailors, bicyclists, motorcyclists, coaches, husbands and wives....and yet they come together to accomplish an incredible task...building potentially the first full scale Fusion Energy Reactor...and potentially revolutionalizing the production of electricity, safely, and without the use of any carbon fuels. And they are not seeking any big recognition. Everyone I met just can't get enough of the challenge. Sheesh! And me, the village idiot, gets to learn from them and see a miracle happen. How grateful I am.

I meet a great friend tomorrow to ride for the first two days of the ride home. Joe and wife Rebecca are from Medord, Oregon. (http://www.ci.medford.or.us/) They are wonderful people; I have known Joe since 1995, and worked with him when I was at CSI. He was a board mentor, and a muse to some extent. He stimulated my thinking on leadership as a strategic competency for associations...and the creatioin of a universtiy without walls to develop the leadership. Oh, and did I say friend?

He and Rebecca spent the Millenium New Year together, and the following year, Joe and I and 4 others backpacked the week of September 11, 2001. We were together on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, on the Pacific Crest Trail, on Mount Hood. The 6 of us were forever bound together for the week while we wrestled together with what it meant. 10 year anniversary coming up...amazing.

I miss home, esecially Frances. I miss her very much...but still excited about the trip. We will meet up in Northern Ontario and spend a few days off the grid, with Linda and Paul, our friends....we met through PMI.

I am blessed to be the village idiot...in a village filled with brilliant, ordinary people, doing extraordinary things....like my wife.

More later.

AND SO THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!

Well, I am at Baltimore/Washington International airport in, you guessed it, Baltimore, waiting for my delayed flight to San Francisco so I can start my journey home on my motorcycle. I have a short visit at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), where I serve on an advisory board. Very exciting place...source of an experimental from of Fusion Energy which could make the US independent of fossil fuels for generating electricity. Check it out. (https://lasers.llnl.gov/).

I leave out on Wednesday on the ride north to Oregon. On Saturday, I plan to leave Oregon for the East Coast. The trip should take about 2 weeks, through some of the most beautiful country in the world. I am looking forward to Going to The Sun Highway in Montana. It brings you over the continental divide, and across the Rockies. Supposedly one of the most beautiful rides in the world.( http://visitmt.com/virtualvisitor/biking/rides/going_to_the_sun.html)

From there, I plan to go east to the Dakotas, and then south to see the Black Hills Reservation, and of course, Mt. Rushmore. It may be just a tourist attraction but the ride to and through it is still good, and since I am out there, I have to see it!. Then across South Dakota, and onto Minneapolis to see some old friends, where I will stay a day or so. Afterward I head on to Milwaukess to pick up two riders, and see the Brewers play the Cardinals.

After Milwaukee, it is on around the Great Lakes and onto Ontario. I am going to bypass Toronto, and go to Northern Ontario, to meet up with my wife, Frances, and our puppy, Jazz. We will be staying with great friends at their solar powered, off the grid cabin. Very cool.

Then a couple of more riders should hook up with me in and around Syracuse and head through the Adirondacks. It is a lovely time of year to go through there. I haven't been in the Adirondacks since I was 7 years old, but my memories are crystal clear. As I head home, I plan a stop in Cooperstown for the Baseball Hall of Fame, and then on to home.

I am amazingly grateful for the life I have. Frances, our home, our friends, our freedom. It is all such a gift. I pray I will never wake up ignorant to the riches around us. it is fleeting, and it is only today. So thank you for that. More later.

Tacopa Springs

Yep, Tacopa Hot Springs is very small, remote, and yet very cool. Mark, Gordon and I rallied up at the 4 way stop in Tacopa, and then rode over to Delights Hot Springs Resort. Don’t get your hopes up…this is not a 4 star resort with flat screen TV’s, day spa, and 5 star dining. It was a spa of 75 year old concrete cabins and very old trailers, with 4 private, jumbo hot mineral springs’ tubs. Frankly, we kind of balked when we saw it, but it turned out to be a perfect stop for all of us.

Dodging the scorpions, we each picked out a private tub, and submersed in butt-reddening hot mineral water. It was fabuloso! It warmed me to the core and took the edge and tension out of our muscles after so many days and miles on the bike. The mineral content was so high that the water felt "silky". Remarkable water, with great healing powers. Took a shower in the room (no showers in our rooms or cabins) and then made it back to the rooms to dress for dinner.

After the baths and slipping on some walking shoes, we strolled the ¾ mile to a wonderful little bistro. We listened to Sade, drank lots of water, and ate a fabulous dinner….and consumed vast amounts of cooking vapors when the vent fan above the stove stopped working. Oh, well, can’t all be perfect. All of this was in the middle of…well…absolutely nowhere.

Our walk back allowed us to befriend a Scorpion passing across the road, while a few steps further up the road we saw our first snake road kill. Lightening fast reflexes prepared me to run like a coyote in heat, but I saw it was truly dead…and truly flat!

 But the best part was when we returned to the resort. You see, it is a resort for alternative medicine too. There are two resident folks who can administer acupuncture, traditional massage, Rie Ki, and more. Gordon and I got a seated shoulder, neck and hand massage from Kay, and he and I trailed off to our respective rooms (watching carefully for Tarantulas and Scorpions) for a great night’s sleep. It was an extraordinary, remote, aging resort. 

The next morning, Mark, Gordon and I were up and out at 0700. We were ready to hit the road and head for Death Valley. Before leaving, we had a few photos to remind us why we are together again, as friends, as "buds", sharing the good times together. Very special. Members of our little group have ridden together now, in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Nederlands, Germany, and Italy. Many wonderful memories.

Shoshone

       
Things really began to change once out of Henderson. We zipped through the desert and bingo…Pahrump! www.parhump.org Nope, we didn’t hit a coyote, nor, perish the thought, an armadillo. Pahrump is burgeoning metropolis about 50 miles NW of Vegas, and has not particular mission in life except to provide entertainment for the gamblers and, hmmm, for those seeking companionship from legalized brothels. Oh, yes, it is also the closest town to the famous Chicken Ranch Brothel. Ah, well, we can’t all be puritans.

Then another 25 miles and we were in beautiful downtown Shoshone, Nevada. Listed as an old Ghost Town, it is a blooming town of 100 hardy folks, at the south end of Death Valley. We rolled into town and tied our steeds up at the Crowbar café. We were preceded by a group of some 50 Germans on a special cross country tour, on rented Harleys, and led by a van with a mechanic and luggage. They were all on a month long ride across America, clothed in even Harley regalia to keep the motor company open for another year. Amazing that they were all in leathers and were about to descend into the depths of Death Valley and a bout with 104 F weather! Man, they had to be sweatin’!

We ate well, used the internet, browsed through the Shoshone Museum and Tourist information center, stared at the gas signs showing $5+ per gallon, and then bid our farewells. Nathalie and Thomas headed north through Death Valley, while I headed south about 15 miles to meet up with Mark and Gordon, in Tacopa Hot Springs, population 50. I will miss Shoshone, and hope to get back there soon so I can revisit the museum and the Crowbar Cafe. Good stuff!

Nathalie and Thomas were great riding partners across the country, and though sad to see them off, we would be together again in a few days when we connected up in San Francisco. These rides are about the world around us, but when the evening comes up, and we are all at dinner, it is always about the Friendship.The ride down to Tacopa Hot Springs was smooth, and awesome, seeing the beginnings of salt basins, wetting my appetite for the upcoming ride through Death Valley.

Leaving New Mexico and Arizona Behind

I had to write about those two states. They are extraordinary lands. First New Mexico…I remember it from when I used to pass through eastern NM in 1973-74 in my awesome little 68 Beetle. My first look was shocking…it was ancient, stark, and insanely rugged. The views were infinite, and the ride was wonderful. This past trip didn’t disappoint. When we hit the TX-NM border, the terrain changed, even though we were still in the midst of endless grain farms and vast cattle ranches. The rocks came, and with that, Native Americans and their history.

We rolled up on long, straight two lane roads, which begged for open throttles. A brief, but very friendly stop by a county Sheriff to help explain the intricacies of not getting tickets (REALLY!), we managed to stay at a moderate speed...and dodged a ticket. Up into the Sandia mountains, and down into the valley of the Albuquerque, brought a whole new vista. My wonderful friend Ken told me about the great state and the work of their recent governors, especially Bill Richardson. He brought great prosperity to the state. They are brimming with art, science (a new commercial space flight center at http://www.spaceportamerica.com/ ) and culture.

But Native American Casinos, billboards begging awareness about drivers running around intoxicated and domestic abuse….and the country took a turn in meaning. The Native Americans struggle hardily in the countryside. Yes, they have their own lands, self-governments, and revenue streams. But I couldn’t help but wonder what our wonderful mid-19^th century leaders were thinking when they took away the pride, courage, and land of the Native Americans. The land begged for cliff dwellers and nomadic tribes seeking water and arable land. White men weren’t destined to bring millions and millions to live there. Yes, there are many lands now that belong to the Navajo, Jemez, Apache, Zuni….but they were “returned”, given back, begrudgingly.

My friend Ken told me the story about the Long Walk of the Navajo in 1864, an attempt at ethnic cleansing of the Navajo from those territories.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Walk_of_the_Navajo )It was startling…they hid in the cliffs and valleys near Canyon de Chelly in eastern Arizona, and in western . When they were captured, they (men, women, and children) were forced to walk in moccasins and bare foot all the way to eastern NM and Basque Redondo into internment camps. The line of Navajo walking stretched some ten miles long. Having read extensively about WWII, and the Bataan Death March, the plight of the Navajo is quite similar. In the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum in Oklahoma City, there is a large bronze sculpted by James Fraser, called The End of the Trail. It is an emotional and moving sculpture depicting their resolution, despair, and surrender of Native Americans. A must see….

The ride up US 550 against a howling wind, with gusts up to 30 mph, was an interesting challenge. Lining up for the gusts brought a rude surprise as soon as the wind abated…you kind of lean the bike into the wind at an angle, and when the wind stopped…POOF!..You could cover two lanes in a New York second! Had a tendency to tighten the old round muscle we sit on! But the terrain became ever more ancient and majestic. Farmington was the home of the SAFETY CORRIDOR, the place where there was “zero tolerance” for one mile over the speed limit. Billboards abound with the DWI warnings, and domestic violence vigilance. It was the last night in NM, and it was a restful night. I love New Mexico and what it is today. It is ancient and modern all at the same time.

Arizona opened our eyes to more unending black top, two lane roads that passed through high plains desert, carving out the veins of the countryside. We saw the magnificence of the “monuments” of the eroded land. Thomas diverted from us to see Monument Valley, I am sure a great experience. Nathalie and I rode side by side until we departed at the road leading to the Grand Canyon. However, there was no doubt we were in Canyon Country. The lands began to open up to valleys, and the roads began to move in sweepers, and up and down. I headed south to Flagstaff, and Nathalie and Thomas headed West to the canyon.

My ride to Flagstaff was reminder of the many sites to see in Arizona. There were tourists everywhere, at every overlook, at every rest stop. At my hotel in Flagstaff, I ran into many folks migrating back north for the summer, like Canadian geese finding their way back home for warmer weather. I even talked to a guy towing a 1969 Dodge Charger, beautifully restored. I asked if he was showing the car. He said “Nope; I just don’t want to be without  it when I spend the summer in Michigan”. Cool. Most people would bring along their favorite picture or amulet…he brings his muscle car. Welcome to America.