Is this the end. Or, a new beginning

10/14-10/29/10

This is also the brand of our bike

It’s done, over, fin‘.

We are now in San Diego!

It’s hard to describe how it feels to be done after 3 months. It’s like, this rhythm, a beat that you develop, that has now been interrupted. I think that for the both of us we feel a little bit lost, and you cant help but feel a little melancholy.

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Touring is a great way to detox the mind and soul. In the course of a day, every day, you have only 3 things to deal with. Food, shelter, and getting from here to there. These are the basic instincts that have guided us and all other creatures for ------well, ever. At first it’s hard. It’s like you feel that you are supposed to be doing more. You are still guided by the clock. Got to get up and on the road in a timely manner. Get 20 miles in by noon. Camp by 3:00! Quick, set up camp, cook dinner, bed by 9:00 and be on the road by 9:00 the next morn. We live by the clock and the calendar, so we can stick to our schedules, be on time; Get er done!!!

The studios Mr hills

For me I’d say that it took at least a 4 to 6 weeks to let all that go. The first thing that went was the schedule, with the realization that you are getting there. But, the schedule kinda goes with the calendar, cause, before to long, you begin to loose track of what the date is. Then, what day of the week it is. It no longer matters. What time is it? It’s day time. Where you goin to day? Where ever we get to. Then……you begin to loose track of where you’ve been. Not so much where you’ve been cause that runs through your mind like a favorite movie. But, it’s the names of the places, and the time line of when you were there that becomes fuzzy. That’s when you know….. That’s when you know you’re in the rhythm. You’ve been overcome by the ebb and flow. The tide. Natures flow.

tele mon! made from the wires of a duvell beer top

Another aspect of the detox is the utter removal of all that is----Media! No radio, papers, t.v., No connection what so ever to what we now consider reality. Reality T.V. Are you kidin me! We live and die by this stuff. Our moods swing according to what the politics of the hour is. Two weeks later. It’s the same old thing, 3 months later it’s still the same old………..Same old,……..Same.!!!!!!!



As that goes, so does the noise. It seems were addicted to the noise. It’s like we use it to distract us from the noise in our heads. But, after not having the distraction, the noise, the noise in your head, it empties out. It becomes quiet. Meditation. Rolling meditation. The road.



Not just us. All the long haul riders that we spoke to seemed to be sharing the same experience. That disconnect to time.



What time is it?? Time to ride. Time to eat. Always time to eat. Time to sleep….A lot!!

The collage crew and hosts in SLO

Looking back, for me, the ride was over at San Simeon, the end of the Big Sur section of Highway one. From there north, all the way to Canada, the road and all of it’s towns, maintain a rural character. Because of the geology and the nature of the road it maintains a sense of adventure. But after San Simeon the hills are behind you. That winding, twisting, climbing,---------all that is fun on the one. Is gone. The road becomes flat, straight and easy, and with that; takes on an urban nature. Busier, more lanes. More people. More noise. The one joins the 101 and is no longer all that much fun.

For Mr. Flynn

We strolled into San Luis Obispo and really enjoyed that town. Had a Salida feel if you will. I played some Guitar on the street. Was well received, as Terri cruised the Thrifts and Consignment stores. Santa Barbara was cool too but had too much of that; Well, Ken and Barbie feel. If you will. Like really expensive sunglasses, if you catch my drift.



We’re over the campground scene now. Too many professional bums . So we’re riding from cheap motel to cheap motel.

reflections of the past

Now were in Ventura. We also like this town. A little more blue collar. More Real, for whatever that’s worth. There is a cool downtown to this place with a soul (we’re always looking for the soul!) and of course a brewery,they have one and we go! The Anacapa Brewery (this is for one of the islands off the coast that you can boat to). We decide to stay an extra day and enjoy. Some good folks invite us to their home We meet their Family (Tim, Carol, Paul and Rebecca). They cook us dinner and give us a bed. Super nice of them. Thanks. Thanks a lot. We really, really appreciate it. Thanks Carol for the extra snacks you stuck in our pack!

santa barbera mision

We decide that riding thru Los Angeles does not appeal to us in the least!!…it’s a madhouse of cars, people, noise that becomes mentally draining just thinking about it!…200 miles of it…..we come to the conclusion that renting a car and getting ourselves to our destination to relax at the beach sounds like a way better plan…..soooo 3 months and 2000 miles later here we are in San Diego!! it’s a sad/sweet ending to our $%^&ing awesome, spectacular, groovy trip! WooooHooooo!! Yeeeeeeeaaaahhhhh!!! Heres to my strong, amazing “captain of the MULE”, husband & best friend

santa barbera

And to the “MULE“ an extraordinary machine, a beast, a rocketship ! And heres to “simple”, “slow” & savoring the moments on a bike…. We would of course highly recommend this trip to everyone who loves to ride! If ever the chance don’t even hesitate…just jump on and go!



San Diego is a favorite place of ours….as we get to visit son Andy and family (wife Misty, grandkids Alicia, Lily and Drew)…and do a little sailing!

our hosts in ventura. thanks again!

We like to sail. Like cycling, it’s pure, simple, pleasure. With a little adrenaline thrown in for good measure. This place, Seaforth boat rentals sits at the mouth of Mission bay and they’ll rent you a small boat with out any kind of license. They ask if you know how and when the last time was you sailed. I lie. They give me a test. I probably fail it but they want my money so----We sailed! And once again Terri and I both have shit eat’in grins. She’s a natural. Sailor that is.

The adventure?? It’s not over. It never is. It begins with life and ends with death. Maybe??? So I think that I/we will continue to blog. We have lots to blog about. What it’s like and the adventure that comes with living off grid at the end of a road that leads to nowhere, making soap, building straw bale. So stay tuned. Will keep you informed. In the mean time it’s been fun and we’ve enjoyed your feedback and support.



Peace out, and Kirk out, And beam me up Scotty, and This does’nt look like Kansas any more. Now does it, and, thank god.

G&T
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Grandson Drew and daddy

waz up

Grand Doughter Lilly