Cortez, Colorado

Left Silverthorne at 11am, and rode 330 miles in nice sunshine on some beautiful roads through the rockies. Arrived in Cortez, Colorado at about 6pm.
Total trip miles since leaving New Jersey (so far) 3,170 miles.
Averaging 45 mpg, no problems with the bike or the laptop.
Will be staying in Cortez about a week, visiting an old friend.
Took two pictures on the way to Cortez. Simply awesome views of the Colorado Rockies!
Also attached a map of the route I have taken so far.

God's country

We enjoyed sushi and football, then I said goodbyes, and headed west on 34 out of loveland. The route was recommended to me by all who could speak, so I had to take Trail Ridge Road. I have to say, it was likely the most beautiful road I have ever ridden upon. Thinking about all the people I've met on this journey, and looking at pure beauty. When I checked into my Hotel in Silverthorne, Colorado, I saw the sun shining kind of upward through the clouds, and I was lucky enough to capture it on camera. Thank you again to my friends in Loveland.

On a side note - at the hotel, where they post all of the "I really enjoyed my stay here" letters from past guests, down at the bottom, all by itself, was a quote "Life, at it's best, is not devoid of pain and sorrow. It is however, filled with peace and joy." I asked the manager, Steve King (whom I promised not to tease about his name) where it came from. He put it there. I thanked him. I always love it when the exact thing we need, simply appears before us.

There is far more going on in this world than meets the eye.

Hate to go

I want to thank Sharon for loaning me her guitar. I missed playing and her generousity provided me with an old friend. I am spending some of the morning with Aaron and Orie, his dog, who is a good assistance dog, but a better pet. For dinner it was fajitas and good family time with more music.
We took a nice walk around a sculpture park by the Kittel's home, with some beautiful works of art, many with a native american flavor, and it was very cool!
I can't really express how much I enjoyed my time with Joe, Sue, Aaron, Allie, and Mike. I guess sometimes we recieve far more than we could ever give.
It is going to be hard to say goodbye. Heading out tomorrow for Cortez, Colorado, taking two days to get there.
The top photo is Me, Mike, Aaron, and Orie.

The bottom image is an article in the Loveland Reporter Herald, arranged by Joe Kittel.

Music and vicarious family

I am spending some time in Loveland, with folks I know I will always know.
Lost my cellphone at the dump, where mud sticks an inch thick to your shoe, and rumbling bulldozers and trucks dumping waste are cruel to tiny electronic devices. Bought another, but of course all my numbers were gone. I figured, if people care about me, they'll call, and I'll press -save- , if they don't call, perhaps I don't need their number? :)
I enjoyed being welcomed into the Kittel's home, and I had a great time playing guitar while Allie played the harp, our own rendition of Scarborough Fair. Thank you Allie, that was fun.
Nice dinner, and a walk by myself before bed.

Strange coincidences

A couple of strange things today. I was talking with Joe Kittel about the Marine Corps (he was in the Navy), and we discovered, that while he was serving aboard the USS Tarawa, (an aircraft carrier for helicopters) which was undergoing sea-trials, and was not yet fully in-service, I was landing on the deck of his ship, on a Sea Stallion helicopter! Kinda strange that he and I were on the same ship at the same time. We also both remembered the same humorous story about the first man-overboard on the Tarawa. He was a guy in my Squadron, who fell asleep in the helicopter, then it was towed to the edge of the deck, with the end of the rear ramp hanging off the deck, over the water. Well - when this marine woke up (at night) and tried to jump the 3 feet from the ramp to the deck of the ship, he got quite a surprise, as he plummeted about 90 feet into the water! Luckily for him he was hollering on the way down, and someone heard him. Took the ship more than an hour to make a u-turn (these ships are huge, and they probably do a head count before actually making that long, costly u-turn)
The second small world story, was when I went to get my oil changed on my bike, the guy in the Service center saw my NJ plates, asked where in Jersey I was from, and it turns out he is from Long Valley, the very small town I just left. Weird!
Fun dinner and conversation with the Kittels. Enjoying Loveland.

A Tie-Dyed World

Helped Aaron re-arrange his room and computer desk today. Aaron loves anything tie-dyed, and is also a big fan of Yoda, like me. His mom and dad have done a great job raising their children. Aaron, Mike, and Allie are all kind, caring, friendly people. I enjoyed seeing how they all get along and genuinely care about each other, and others.

The picture is (left to right) Sue, Joe, Aaron, Allie, and I, standing in a tie-dyed world.

Loveland, Colorado and the Kittel family

Left Denver around noon, and headed about 30 miles north to Loveland Colorado, to meet the Kittel family, Joe, Sue, Aaron, Mike, and Allie (their other daughter Jennifer lives in Utah). I was introduced to them via email and Mary Caruso. They are really nice, cool, interesting people. I arrived at Aaron's house, and met him and his aide Drew. Aaron is 31, has FA, and is a really good guy. I will be in town here helping (or annoying) the Kittels for a few days. The rockies are about 20 miles west of us, and they are beautiful.

The Colorado Rockies

I left Salina early, and planned to go pretty far today. The wind was blowing from the south, at at least 30 mph, and gusting to 50! I see why they made The Wizard Of Oz here. It was wicked! I am travelling at 70, with the wind hitting me directly from the left at 30mph, then 45, then 30, then 50, then 20, then 40 - my lord! Just an incredible battle with the buffeting for about 3 hours! I found myself, without thinking, hollering some beautiful expletives, when it just got to be too much darn fun . Stopped at a rest stop, and busted out laughing, because I was parked, and the wind was blowing me around as if I was still doing 40mph.
Took two pictures today.
One was at the rest stop, where the wind wouldn't rest. It is a picture of time marching on, of change. There is an very old stone building, and about a half mile behind it is a huge, new wind turbine, about 150 feet blade diameter. I saw many arrays of these turbines in central Kansas. (in the foreground is the Pewter Heart I got from Sam and Alex)The second picture is of the Rockies, as you first see them heading west, about 30 miles from Denver. Every time I cross country, I always love this sight! It means the plains are over, and now the terrain is all 3D and interesting, and the roads actually have some curves in them now. Note that in this picture, the mountains are still 40 miles away!I am sorry, but those Kentucky Blue Ridge things, and those ripples in Pennsylvania, they are not mountains, they are hills. These are mountains.

Got all the way into Denver, despite the wind! 433 miles today.

Salina, Kansas

Left Blue Springs, Mo, and headed west on 70. I had taken a good look at online maps the night before, and understood that between Salina, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado, hotel pickins were slim. So, after only 195 miles, realizing that I am in Kansas, not Maryland, I stayed at a nice hotel, in Salina, and got some rest.

Kansas City, Here I Come...

Coffee and goodbyes to Ron and Dianne, and the dogs, Rocco and Bud. Rocco is needy and follows (or should I say leads) you everywhere, as if you are his shadow. He forever anticipates where you are going (or tries to), and constantly looks over his shoulder to make sure you are still coming. I must admit I intentionally sent him down the hall a couple of times just for fun, once I saw how his mind worked. The look he then gave me was priceless, 'cause he knew how my mind worked too. Bud, was quite different, one of those long wiener dogs, that has far too much torso, and far too little legs. He is about 130 years old, in people years, but just doesn't know it. Thanks Ron and Dianne, for your hospitality.
Departed Eureka, Mo, and took 70 west, towards Kansas City, Mo. I am heading for Loveland Colorado to visit the Kittel family. I anticipate the trip to Loveland will take three days, and I'll likely be staying overnight in western Kansas tomorrow evening. Saw a road-sign sign saying Nostalgiaville USA, 20 miles. Smiled, and stopped 20 miles ahead, to see all the old stuff. The building was pretty cool, and I had to take some pics. I liked the place because it was just so shamelessly tacky, but very interesting. About 250 miles riding today, in good Missouri weather, and stopped for the night in Blue Springs, Mo (about 20 miles east of Kansas City). No offense to the Blue Springians among you, but if this isn't the middle of nowhere, then it sure has got to be close by. Headin' west in the morning.

Gateway to The West

The Meramec River dropped dramatically overnight, as if someone pulled the plug. More than a foot per hour for 12 hours! Ron has his 30 foot backyard back (at least until mother nature needs it again).
Went into 'the city' which in this locale, means Saint Louis, and had a nice dinner at the revolving restaurant atop the Millennium Hotel with Ron and Dianne, then some drinks at a rooftop lounge that they like. The amenities were superior, with polished brass, and flowers everywhere, and cloth towels in the restrooms. Perhaps a little too nice for mere humble creatures, made of clay, but just right for that 'once a year pretend you're a millionaire' night out.

Beautiful views of the Arch! Returned to Eureka and reality and slept out in Ron's Winnebago, where I was bitten by a mosquito that could have airlifted troops, then slept like a rock.

I just want to say hello to Mary, Sam and Alex, and all the FAPG folks who have been so supportive and kind. My best wishes to all of you.

The Lord was willin' but the creek did rise

Stayed in a hotel in last night, and when I attempted to return to my friend Ron's house on the Meramec river, the road, which was dry the day before, was flooded, about 2 feet deep. Could not cross - unless you had a truck or jeep with LOTS of ground clearance. Got accross in my friends truck (he barely made it accross), and helped him work on his house a bit. Then we took a drive down old route 66, and saw these really cool caves, went up to one and took a picture to show how large the entrance is. Tomorrow - a little tourist time in Saint Louis, then Saturday, I depart for Loveland, Colorado, to visit some new friends, Joe, Sue, Aaron, Allie, and Mike. Will be blogging again on Sat night, as I'll have no internet on Friday night.

Portage des Sioux

Took a ride into Saint Louis, and took the obligatory picture of the arch.

Then headed northwest a few miles to Portage des Sioux, Mo, where we lived when I was 6 or 7. Portage des Sioux is right on the Mississippi river and has a long walkway, extending into the river about 300 feet, with a large (50 foot) concrete Virgin Mary at the end, known as 'Our Lady Of The River'. I was not able to get to her, as the Mississippi was also near flood stage, and the walkway is currently under about 4 feet of water. I learned to ride a bicycle here, getting my first taste of the wind in my face, and the freedom that two wheels brings. The roads, which were all gravel then, are now nicely paved, and it was strange to ride through town on the motorcycle on those same streets, with the same smells in the air. It was also a perfect, beautiful day, sunny day!

Took 3 pictures:

1 - My bike with the Gateway Arch about 4 miles away in the background.

2 - Our Lady Of The River, stranded in a flooded Mississippi.

(the road my bike is parked on normally goes out much farther)

3 - The Sign - Portage des Sioux population 351

(gotta wonder - do they really repaint that sign everytime somone passes on or has a baby?)

Life On The River.

Well, I warmed up, had a good night's sleep, and headed past St Louis, to Eureka, Missouri. My friend, Ron Hartle, who I worked for at Samsung in Ledgewood, NJ, lives here now, right on the Meramec River, with his wife Dianne. The river is almost at flood stage, and my friend was making preparations to move his goodies to higher ground. His house is on 40 foot stilts about 30 feet from the water, normally, but the water is now at the footings of his house about 18 feet higher than normal. The current is passing at about 10 miles an hour (very fast) and we saw a refrigerator floating by. Obviously someone upriver did not have a chance to move their goodies to higher ground.

The picture is Ron, and his two dogs, Bud, and Rocco, in front of my bike, which was under the house, as it is elevated. In the background is the Meramec River.

Carlinville, Illinois

Washed the bike a bit in the morning, went into town, and said goodbye.
Back to the farmhouse to pick up my gear, and say goodbye to Bailey, a big rust colored dog, who loves to hang out in the rain, and then wonder why no one is petting her. She was a cool dog.
Tried to wait for some sunshine, but none was coming, so I headed off with Saint Louis as my intended destination before nightfall. A huge barge (actually several barges, attached somehow), was coming up the Mississippi river, as I passed LeClaire Iowa. The weather took a turn for the worse, and I got pretty wet, combined with 60 degrees and 70 mile an hour wind on the interstate, bbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. About 60 miles from St Loius, I said no no no! Thats enough! Checked into a hotel in Carlinville, Illinois, and got some heat back in my bones.

Have Clippers, Will Travel.

A strangely therapeutic day.
Helped Ron trim some trees at a Funeral Home / Graveyard that he manages.
Sometimes when you wake up in the morning without a plan, you can end up in a place, or doing things you would not have expected. Letting things just take their course, seeing and walking around all the headstones was a clear reminder that no one is alone in grief. There is always a purpose to where we are and what we do.
More time with family tonight.

Home Cookin'

A lazy, rainy day. Spent mostly in anticipation of aunt Darlene's Barbeque'd Sausage Meatballs. My aunt's porch attracts friends and neighbors, like nectar attracts bees. The mailman stops to chat. I would not be at all surprised if Andy, Opie,and Aunt Bee came strolling up to the porch soon.

The photo is, left to right, Steve, Jim and Ron. Sierra, Scott, and Darlene, my cousins and aunt.

The meatballs were as good as we had hoped, as was the company.

Family and Friends

Clinton, in a strange way, feels like home.
Not because I grew up here, or ever lived here, but because the relatives here, all through marriage, treat me like family. I am always welcomed into their hearts and homes, with love and generosity, in a manner to which I am unaccustomed.

Went to pay my respects to my (step) mother, Donna, who was laid to rest here in 2002. I will always remember her loving heart, and her hearty laugh. She never treated me in any way other than her own son. Most of her family are here, and they are good people.

The rain looks like it may continue until Monday. Then it looks like five sequential sunny days after that. So I will be visiting with folks over the weekend while it rains, and Monday I will likely aim for Saint Louis, Mo.

Is this Heaven? No, It's Iowa.

Left Perrysburg, Ohio and rode 375 miles through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, to Clinton Iowa. Farms, farms, and more farms. Each doing their daily part in keeping us all fed. I realized two things: there are many more farmers than you might think, and they are unheralded, and undervalued.

Arrived in Clinton, and staying tonight with my very generous cousin Ron and his family (Scott and Sierra). The picture is of the mile long gravel road that leads to Ron and Scott's house. All around in every direction are cornfields, almost as far as you can see. And outdoors you hear almost nothing, perhaps just a few birds and your own breathing. If you enjoy peace and solitude, this is your place.

I am visiting many aunts and uncles here, and the weather is looking bad until Monday, so I am happily a Clintonite, for a few days...

Suzy, Gary, Zac, and Zane

Left Bedford, PA in brilliant sunshine. Rode 330 beautiful miles, through green rolling hills, with clouds just randomly floating about, just enough to remove boredom from a totally blue sky. Went to meet some new friends in Perrysburg, OH, just south of Toledo. (I have a feeling that the term 'new friends' is goind to get used alot on this trip) Suzy, Gary, their son Zac (13) , and his assistance dog, Zane. Nice people who took in a stranger for dinner. I enjoyed the steak and the conversation, and Zac, I hope your cold gets better soon. Thank you for your kindness folks!
The photo is Zac, about a year ago

A silver lining

The abundance of both rain, and friendly people, easily persuaded me to stay another day in Bedford, PA.
While I awaited sunshine, rays of light began to pour into my laptop, in the form of kind, supportive emails, sent by people, many of whom I have never met. They found my blog through a mutual friend, Mary Caruso, and I was touched by all of the caring and support. Thank you all so much.
Heading to Perrysburg, Ohio tomorrow. More to come...

Finally - On The Road

I am in a Quality Inn in Bedford, PA, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. Clean place, nice folks, fast wireless, and there are at least 10 places to eat within walking distance. I opted for two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun.

My laptop survived 200 bouncing miles, inside my jacket, up against my belly. I thought it would get pounded if I try to carry it anywhere else. Only 200 miles (did not get rolling til 2pm), tomorrow may rain...

I want to thank you all for the well wishes, and and yes! I will ride safely. I have a little pewter heart that two new friends Sam and Alex gave me, so that should help to guide me safely down the road.

The adventure begins...

Departure

I had planned to depart Long Valley NJ on Sunday, September 7th.
It turns out that preparing to float upon the wind,
requires far more planning and preparation than
Kwai Chang Caine might have led us to believe.
I will also be trying to raise awareness (and funds)
for FARA as I travel about.