The Gateway to the West

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...

Dinner Out...On the road.

There is no I at the Inn

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.

Sunset at Huffman Prarie

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.

I Am Special Today...

(In case you were wondering.)

More Great Birthday

With the Phelps in Louisville!

Best Birthday Ever

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.

Accidents Happen at Home

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.

Iron Butt Done

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?)

Iron Butt Route

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