Passing 100 or more guys tooling along in cars today, I had to wonder...are the jealous? Or are they so domesticated that they think two wheels in the interstate is crazy?
For their sakes, I hope they are jealous...
The unpopular way is so much more interesting...
Passing 100 or more guys tooling along in cars today, I had to wonder...are the jealous? Or are they so domesticated that they think two wheels in the interstate is crazy?
For their sakes, I hope they are jealous...
Ten years since THE September 11th. Ten years of travesty. Ten years of lost opportunity. Ten hate filled years. Ten years of fear mongering. Ten years of covering the still small voice of God with cries for blood...and blood we have had...and had...and had.
Ten years of throwing away what it means to be Americans...to say nothing of what it means to be Christians.
How can I be surprised. We take the simple-minded lie over the rich and messy truth all the time. Parrot that "they hate us for our freedoms" rather than consider how our relentlessly, pervasive oppression might impact them. Just like we defame the innkeeper for turning Mary away...rather than saint him for putting Mary in the only clean, private room in town.
How different might the world be if we could put ourselves at the door to the inn and imagine what we would have done...rather than invent a villain to explain what we do not understand... Maybe if we could put ourselves in the shoes of others we could find a way to justice and peace.
Maybe every inn needs an I in it.
Walking the ground where the Wright Brothers actually taught themselves to fly...as well as the first pilots...who got a numbered card signed by the Wrights when they won their wings. Just over !00 year ago. Wow.
Last night Balmorhea and Brother John played The Bishop in Bloomington, Indiana. The sets were wonderful, including a new piece Austin took the lead in co-writing with Travis Jeffords. The show wrapped up at midnight and the party moved to Austin's place where Travis Chapman and the rest of Balmorhea converged for celebration of a job well done and eventually, some well deserved rest. I was more than delighted to be invited to participate. Ashley, Travis J, Molly and Austin were gracious and engaging hosts and a fine time was had by all, particularly me, as you can see. I am a very proud and happy dad.
So...1000 miles in less than 24 hours... Not a scratch. Park the bike for 6 hours and somebody backs into it, dumping it in the street. Jeez...really?
No critical damage. Just a bunch of scrapes and a little broken plastic...and trashed the right mirror. The good news? The Tip Over Bars from Motorcycle Larry did a great job. Not a scratch on the rear bags despite the bike falling so hard the wheels were completely off the ground.
First priority will be a new mirror...before the trip home.
900 easy miles...then the last 100 took almost 3 hours. Thunderstorms...big lightning...curvy wet road in the dark...oh my. Thank God for a smartphone and wireless internet. I watched the storms forming on color radar and parked to let them pass...mostly. (I miscalculated a little and got into about 1 mile of pelting rain before ducking into a truck stop...but was already in rain gear by then.) All's well. (Except 1000 miles on a motorcycle actually does give you a sore butt. Who knew?)
Departed Austin 11am. Warm.
Approaching Eden: 104 - 106
Approaching San Angelo: 106 - 108
Approaching Bronte: 108 - 111
Whew!
Stripes is the local gas station and cafe. As such it is equipped with tables, chairs and talk. It is sadly, predictably, racist and right wing. I wish I could find something optimistic to say about it besides "At least they are old..."
More prep today. Grocery shopping...waterproofed the tent fly...more packing.... The food bag is ready to go. All dried stuff. The First Aid kit is done after the addition of a pouch of QuickClot. It goes in the Camelback...along with other essentials. It looks it is all going to fit. Clothes are in plastic bags...as is bedding...and food. As soon as I get the bike washed it will be time to try loading again.
With my scheduled departure now less than 12 days away, final preparations are becoming urgent...and competing interests are becoming more acute. Is it always this way with big adventures? Perhaps not. I suppose the out of work cowboy who got on his horse with a sack of beans, a box of shells and a bedroll may have found departure a little cleaner. Well, that's not me. Grocery shopping and assembling my kitchen and first aid gear are now at the head of the list...along with getting work down to a dull roar. Working both days this weekend made a dent in it. Let's hope it holds.
DC & STella Exit a Curve |
Departure day is coming up fast. STella is getting a full-on spa day...and then some. I started on Sunday...
- Oil & filter (Mobil1 10w40)
- Plugs (NKG Irridium)
- Air filter
- Final drive oil (Mobil1 gear oil)
- Coolant (Honda)
- Brake and clutch fluid
Brake fluid replacement...wow...so many bleed valves. Glad I got the service manual. When that is done, coolant and final drive will be next. Then STella gets good bath.