All Things Cain
Archive for the ‘United States’ Category.
Things I’ve done too much of -
Worn the same two changes of clothes over and over again
Sniffed my clothes to see if I can wear them again. More often than not, I ended up with a plaque clearing, head shaking “woah.”
Eaten dinner alone. ( I wonder if it’s related to wearing the same clothes over and over again. )
Watched bad, mindless TV in my hotel room. I knew it was time to go when I came across a Fran Drescher (The Beautician and the Beast) movie, and I WATCHED IT!!
Took the bus into downtown Santa Fe, about five miles away. It was a pleasant enough bus ride, cheap and short wait. It was a nice enough time, but Santa Fe isn’t really the place for me. It’s pretty and historic, but I don’t think I’m their demographics. Had I been here with someone or interested in shopping, that might have made a difference. There is a church from 1610, with the current building built in 1886. Out front they have a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, who was the “First Indian of North America to be Promoted a Saint.” She is apparently the patron saint of large ankles.
Finally got out of Denver, later than I should have. I spent about 30 minutes in a hardware store trying to find a lock for my newly attatched camera case (yesterday I found a nice Pelican case to attach where my passenger seat goes - this way I can step off my bike, and easily take pictures.) I went through 8 different sets of locks, and never found one that worked. Frustrating. An indication of what was to come.
South of Denver, around Colorado Spring, it was raining hard. When I pulled over to put on my rain gear, I discoverd it at the very bottom of my bags. By the time I got it on I was soaked. Colorado Springs ended up getting 3 inches of rain that day, and there were several flash floods. Luckily I missed most of _that_ rain.
Once I got out of the rain, it was once again 1000 degrees. Pulling over to take off my gear
Continue reading ‘Leaving Denver’ »
Today was a pretty good day. I had several things I wanted/needed to do, and nothing but time. I’ve updated my blog that you read now. I also did a valve job on my bike. It’s only been about 3K since my last valve job, which is too soon. I know how to do them, but I’m not good at it. There is an art too it - minor adjustments you have to make (moving your wrench just enough to get .030mm, but not .031mm or .029mm, and make sure it’s the same after you tighten down the locknut) - a “feel” that has to be just right for it to work. This is one of the things I wish Dewey (my father - a long time biker and excellent mechanic) was able to come to Seattle while I was preping my bike. I still don’t know if it’s right or not, but it’s right now. If it goes out of alignment, I’ll just do it again in a couple thousand miles. I’ll get it right sooner or later. One thing I really like about riding a motorcycle
Continue reading ‘Nothing in Denver’ »
I’m going to be in Denver for a couple of days. Why? Well, I decided to have Peggy ship my Nikon D100 SLR out. The camping gear takes up too much space, and I decided I’d rather take pictures than hike. I wouldn’t be able to go on a multi day hike with my expensive camera gear on my bike, and, well, I think I’d just rather take pictures. I’m not sure it’s the right answer, but I had to make the call. So, I await my camera in Denver.
Jay and Chris are selling their house
Continue reading ‘Denver, CO and a change of tact’ »
Got up early thinking Tequila isn’t my friend. Got my crap packed up again, and hit the road somewhat early, as I wanted to be in Denver for a Dinner party my friends Jay and Chris were throwing (and I was crashing.) I took Highway 220 out of Casper, then 487 south to Medicine Bow. 487 was a great, desolate road. Not a lot of cars, not many people, but more dead animals than I’ve seen anywhere. Maybe since there isn’t much traffic the animals get complacent. Or maybe it was just a death trap, a suicide rap. When I got to Medicine Bow, I didn’t see anyone in the town. It was odd. No children playing, no people out front. Seemed like something out of a horror movie.
Continue reading ‘Casper, WY to Denver, CO’ »
Slept a little later than I should have, and managed to leave in the heat of the day (10 a.m. - ish) Went to a place called Pompey’s rock, which has the odd distinction of being the only place Lewis and Clarks left physical evidence of their passage. Old graffiti eventually becomes history. I wanted to see it because it was supposed to be this rock jutting out of the flat lands around, like Uluruh/Ayers Rock or Devils Tower, but much smaller. Not that interesting. When you are on top, you can see for quite a ways, and the river running beside it was gorgeous.
Next stop was Custers Battlefield.
Continue reading ‘Billings, MT to Casper, WY’ »
Thursday 7/30/4
Left Helena pretty late. I spent part of the morning getting this blog working correctly, or at least more correctly, and part of it sleeping. I didn’t hit the road till it was late and warm. Since I’m not on a schedule, I should try and take my time, or so people keep telling me. Travelling in the US is more expensive than I’d like. Need to get to Mexico to save some money.
Continue reading ‘Helena to Billings’ »
Got an early start today, since the guy in the room next to mine was deaf. I give him credit for trying to live a normal life, to do the things that we all take for granted, such as watch TV. His can-do attitude didn’t stop him. Nope - he just turned the TV up loud enough to feel.
Continue reading ‘Lolo pass’ »
Tuesday, July 27th, AKA Day One..
Today I did 352.9 miles, after a late start (11:30 a.m.) I had to take care of a few personal task before I left. It wasn’t easy doing these last minute task, as it finally hit me what I’m doing. Got no job, no house, not much of a plan for the future and on the downside of 38. I’m lucky that the last few months I’ve been too busy to realize this. Once I was on the road, the shock wore off.
Continue reading ‘Finally on the road’ »
