I have noticed that I still get a few hits on this site now and then. I should have mentioned that I am now back home and not really traveling. You are welcome to still drop by and read some of the old posts for nostalgia sake, but there will most like not be any new posts, unless I stumble accross a fortune and retake to the road. Thanks for reading.
Daniel
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Friday, September 4, 2009
SpaceX Tour
I had a rare opportunity yesterday. I had a chance to tour the Hawthorne, California SpaceX Facilities. Some of you may know that I am a big fan of the company. For those of you who don't know who they are.. Look them up. They are very cool.
My aunt got me the number of a nice man who works there. I called him up, asked him some questions and got a tour out of the deal. I also got swag. In this case SpaceX swag consists of mints, post-its, a notepad, rocket shaped paper clips, a mission sticker, and a 64Mb rocket shaped flash drive.
It is a neat place. All of the engineers and support staff work in the same cubicle farm. Even the owner / CEO / CTO, Elon Musk, has a cubicle. They are building a big control room there as well. From there they will launch all of their vehicles whether they are physically on a small island in the pacific or in Florida.
Everywhere there are rocket engines. Most are Merlin engines being prepared for Falcon 9 launches. I was surprised to see how small the engines are. They are not much taller than I am. They are one of the most efficient kerosene / LOX engines ever built though.
The whole building has a cool energy about it. They are practical and doing some big dreaming at the same time. The people there looked like any one of the people I have worked with over the years, but they have a bit of an extra spring in their step because they are working on rockets.
One further point of interest, a small tidbit for my less geeky acquaintances, they have a full size mock-up of the 'Iron Man' on the production floor. Apparently Iron Man 2 was filmed in the building. Coming next summer to a screen near you.
Sam's Summary
My aunt got me the number of a nice man who works there. I called him up, asked him some questions and got a tour out of the deal. I also got swag. In this case SpaceX swag consists of mints, post-its, a notepad, rocket shaped paper clips, a mission sticker, and a 64Mb rocket shaped flash drive.
It is a neat place. All of the engineers and support staff work in the same cubicle farm. Even the owner / CEO / CTO, Elon Musk, has a cubicle. They are building a big control room there as well. From there they will launch all of their vehicles whether they are physically on a small island in the pacific or in Florida.
Everywhere there are rocket engines. Most are Merlin engines being prepared for Falcon 9 launches. I was surprised to see how small the engines are. They are not much taller than I am. They are one of the most efficient kerosene / LOX engines ever built though.
The whole building has a cool energy about it. They are practical and doing some big dreaming at the same time. The people there looked like any one of the people I have worked with over the years, but they have a bit of an extra spring in their step because they are working on rockets.
One further point of interest, a small tidbit for my less geeky acquaintances, they have a full size mock-up of the 'Iron Man' on the production floor. Apparently Iron Man 2 was filmed in the building. Coming next summer to a screen near you.
Sam's Summary
- I visited Space Exploration Technologies Headquarters
- I planned an hour driving time
- It took 15 min
- I was early
- So I got to sit in there ultra modernish lobby with a connector saleswoman.
- The tour was good
- They gave me water and swag
- I asked a ridiculous amount of questions.
Friday, August 21, 2009
A bit of excitement
My uncle and I rode road the street of Santa Monica after Dark a few Days ago. By 'road' I mean upon our bicycles. It is an interesting habit of his. The road are clear and it is nice and cool. Not a bad idea really. We loaded up the bikes with flashing lights and hit the streets.
The real story begins when we got back. We were hanging out in the office (me on the couch feeling sick, don't ride hard before warming up.) My uncle heard a noise from the front of the building.
"That does not sound right" he said or something like it and got up to go check out what was going on. In the mean time someone tried several times to start a car. A couple unsuccessful times. The engine turned over but would not start.
A man climbed out of a car directly in front of the apartment and started walking away. My uncle asked him if he needed a jump. The man did not answer and just kept walking. Immediately five police cars turned on their lights and swarmed into the intersection. The jumped out of their vehicles with guns drawn. A police dog was barking viciously.
At this point my uncle slowly backed up the side walk and came back inside. He had been behind the suspect and in the line of fire. Enough to make anyone nervous.
This all happened slightly after midnight. Needless to say we were up all hours peeking out doors and windows trying to figure out what was happening. The forensics unit even showed up to lift finger prints and tow the getaway car off.
Twice policemen came to the apartment to take statements from my uncle, a valuable witness to we are not sure what.
We may never know what really happened. It looked like a failed car theft, but how did the cops know to be there? Well that's all I have for now.
Sam's Summary
The real story begins when we got back. We were hanging out in the office (me on the couch feeling sick, don't ride hard before warming up.) My uncle heard a noise from the front of the building.
"That does not sound right" he said or something like it and got up to go check out what was going on. In the mean time someone tried several times to start a car. A couple unsuccessful times. The engine turned over but would not start.
A man climbed out of a car directly in front of the apartment and started walking away. My uncle asked him if he needed a jump. The man did not answer and just kept walking. Immediately five police cars turned on their lights and swarmed into the intersection. The jumped out of their vehicles with guns drawn. A police dog was barking viciously.
At this point my uncle slowly backed up the side walk and came back inside. He had been behind the suspect and in the line of fire. Enough to make anyone nervous.
This all happened slightly after midnight. Needless to say we were up all hours peeking out doors and windows trying to figure out what was happening. The forensics unit even showed up to lift finger prints and tow the getaway car off.
Twice policemen came to the apartment to take statements from my uncle, a valuable witness to we are not sure what.
We may never know what really happened. It looked like a failed car theft, but how did the cops know to be there? Well that's all I have for now.
Sam's Summary
- Someone tried to steal the car in front of mine.
- It would have certainly made pulling out easier if he had succeeded.
- The cops swarmed him like he was in a movie.
- There were gun drawn.
- I stayed up half the night peeking out my window.
- I got to do flips in a padded gym for the first time in ages (thanks to my cousin who is not really my cousin)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
St. Louis Wins
My uncle and I went to a merging cars contest this evening. While everyone was stuck there in the parking lot trying to jockey their way to a chance to get stuck on the freeway, the Cards and Dodgers showed up and decided to play a little pick up game.
The game was a pleasant diversion from the sounding car alarms and ladies screaming at parking attendants. They played 4 and a half solid innings (we may have showed up late). I forgot to take my camera. My apologies on the lack of physical or digital evidence of this highly true, if hyperbolized story.
All in all a nice evening. Good seats too. Upper deck on the rail, down the third baseline. To top it off someone up top made a terrific paper airplane that made it almost to the field. Great game.
Sam's Summary
The game was a pleasant diversion from the sounding car alarms and ladies screaming at parking attendants. They played 4 and a half solid innings (we may have showed up late). I forgot to take my camera. My apologies on the lack of physical or digital evidence of this highly true, if hyperbolized story.
All in all a nice evening. Good seats too. Upper deck on the rail, down the third baseline. To top it off someone up top made a terrific paper airplane that made it almost to the field. Great game.
Sam's Summary
- Baseball
- Parking lot
- aggressive maneuvering (is this word too big for dyslexics?)
- The Saint Louis Cardinals won (as may be deduced from the title of this post)
Friday, August 14, 2009
The extended stays
I have been visiting folks at length out here on the left coast. That is the main reason for my long hiatus from this mode of communication. I spent over a month with my good friend in Washington, then it was two weeks with my sister in So cal (I went back to visit my brother who was also visiting), and now I am holed up in Santa Monica with my aunt and uncle.
I have been hopelessly applying for engineering jobs. So far no takers. There are lots of cool things going on out this way, they just don't seem to be able to pick a good resume when they see one. There are rocket companies and electric car companies and everything in between. Back home there are Applebees and Walmarts.
Time is running out though. I should be back on the road soon. I have a wedding to make. A good friend is getting herself all hitched up back in Roanoke, VA. Remember Roanoke? Great bike rides. I have about 40 days to make it there. I will probably leave this weekend, swing a bit north and then head to my sister's in VA.
While this is the same sister I visited in VA before, it is not at the same location. I have been gone long enough to miss the effort of moving. Nice of me. I may have a bit of babysitting to do in order to make up for my laziness. The madness should be over by mid october. I will have been on the road for two thirds of a year by then. I will also be leaving my carefree twenties behind and entering my carefree thirties.
Thanks for read to all you wonderful people who still seem to check this site even though I am MIA most of the time.
Peace
I have been hopelessly applying for engineering jobs. So far no takers. There are lots of cool things going on out this way, they just don't seem to be able to pick a good resume when they see one. There are rocket companies and electric car companies and everything in between. Back home there are Applebees and Walmarts.
Time is running out though. I should be back on the road soon. I have a wedding to make. A good friend is getting herself all hitched up back in Roanoke, VA. Remember Roanoke? Great bike rides. I have about 40 days to make it there. I will probably leave this weekend, swing a bit north and then head to my sister's in VA.
While this is the same sister I visited in VA before, it is not at the same location. I have been gone long enough to miss the effort of moving. Nice of me. I may have a bit of babysitting to do in order to make up for my laziness. The madness should be over by mid october. I will have been on the road for two thirds of a year by then. I will also be leaving my carefree twenties behind and entering my carefree thirties.
Thanks for read to all you wonderful people who still seem to check this site even though I am MIA most of the time.
Peace
Monday, July 20, 2009
Happy anniversary Appolo 11
Some of you may not know that today is the fortieth anniversary of man's first steps on the moon. Well, it is. July 20th 1969 A.D. It is mind boggling to consider. 10 years before I was born, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin had walked on the moon.
Mankind has accomplished many things. There was the outright bravery, sacrifice, and daring of D-Day, the discovery of America, the circumnavigation of the globe, and the invention of the burrito, but all of it pales next to the story that is Apollo 11.
The trip to the moon did not take as long as Columbus' voyage across the Atlantic, we knew where we were going to within a a handful of miles, and only stayed a few hours, but for the first time in human history a nation came together to build and accomplish something monumental and beyond comprehension, not out of fear or hope of personal gain, but raw and passionate desire an curiosity.
Sure the the politics were motivated by the cold war, but for the people involved it was the challenge it's self and the reward of having succeeded that motivated them. Whenever has the impassioned work of hundreds of thousands of people been joyfully given for two men to place their boot on a distant shore?
For this, Apollo 11 and the following flights stand as the greatest achievement of the human spirit at the same time being the pinnacle of our engineering.
Most of the world is happy to take pride in the fact that man has stepped on the moon, but few are willing to push on to give further such triumphs to their children. For them social security it more important than hope. Myself I will take the risk of losing everything to gamble on a world where anything is possible.
Mankind has accomplished many things. There was the outright bravery, sacrifice, and daring of D-Day, the discovery of America, the circumnavigation of the globe, and the invention of the burrito, but all of it pales next to the story that is Apollo 11.
The trip to the moon did not take as long as Columbus' voyage across the Atlantic, we knew where we were going to within a a handful of miles, and only stayed a few hours, but for the first time in human history a nation came together to build and accomplish something monumental and beyond comprehension, not out of fear or hope of personal gain, but raw and passionate desire an curiosity.
Sure the the politics were motivated by the cold war, but for the people involved it was the challenge it's self and the reward of having succeeded that motivated them. Whenever has the impassioned work of hundreds of thousands of people been joyfully given for two men to place their boot on a distant shore?
For this, Apollo 11 and the following flights stand as the greatest achievement of the human spirit at the same time being the pinnacle of our engineering.
Most of the world is happy to take pride in the fact that man has stepped on the moon, but few are willing to push on to give further such triumphs to their children. For them social security it more important than hope. Myself I will take the risk of losing everything to gamble on a world where anything is possible.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Heading out
Nothing terribly important to say at the moment. My friend and I are heading out to the Cascades to do a couple days of backpacking. We are pros, so much in fact that we had to go out yesterday and purchase backpacks and nose cream. If you are looking for us we'll be the two tall guys with price tags still hanging of our sunglasses.
Sam's Summary
Sam's Summary
- Goin' Campin'
- Got me a pack fer the haulin O' things
- Sleepin' bag a mostly
- Bags is huge!
- Shore hope dem bears don't show.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Seattle... area
The thick smell of smoldering marijuana hung heavy over the woodland trail. Green light filtering through the lofty ceiling of evergreens played upon an empty path. Only glimpses of color flashed between the massive trunks of the stately trees ahead. But, there could be little doubt, the youngster in the red dreadlocks was burning green.
The imagery above, while not typical of the Seattle area, does fit an entertaining stereotype. The strange sureness that when hiking in the mountains of the pacific northwest you will chance upon a lad of Irish descent burning leaves of dubious legality.
I myself take daily a dose of prescription medication. I do so, however, at home as it is a rather inconvenience to be popping pills while strolling beneath the trees and sky. I would like to remind any of you folks out there that the presence of dreadlocks does not in anyway imply that the careful dose, being self administered by the lad, was not strictly medicinal.
My only concern is that, like estrogen in my glass of water, I would prefer if I were not the secondhand recipient of someone else's "health habits".
Humorous encounters aside, day hiking in the Cascades can be quite rewarding.
Sam's Summary
The imagery above, while not typical of the Seattle area, does fit an entertaining stereotype. The strange sureness that when hiking in the mountains of the pacific northwest you will chance upon a lad of Irish descent burning leaves of dubious legality.
I myself take daily a dose of prescription medication. I do so, however, at home as it is a rather inconvenience to be popping pills while strolling beneath the trees and sky. I would like to remind any of you folks out there that the presence of dreadlocks does not in anyway imply that the careful dose, being self administered by the lad, was not strictly medicinal.
My only concern is that, like estrogen in my glass of water, I would prefer if I were not the secondhand recipient of someone else's "health habits".
Humorous encounters aside, day hiking in the Cascades can be quite rewarding.
Sam's Summary
- I have taken several hikes in the cascades.
- A very very low percentage of the other hikers smoke pot on the trail
- ......So breathe deep when you get the chance......
- It is a lush rain forest out here.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Hawai'i
When there is not much to blog about I usually don't write very often. When there is much to write about I don't have the time. Thus I apologize for not keeping you, my gentle readers, up to date. Truth be told I could have written yesterday, but alas I was recouping from the rigors of my last adventure (read lazy here if you must).
Ah Hawaii! They call it paradise. Honestly it is no more paradise than Nome is. It is, however, a reasonable approximation. If you like ninety, sunny, and a bit humid then the weather was perfect. If lush jungle covered mountains are your thing then the terrain is superb. If azure blue seas tickle your fancy then you are in luck. And if happiness to you involves tearing your feet up on the coral, well they have that covered also.
I spent the greater portion of the time in the pleasant company of my friend from Washington, his sister, brother-in-law and parents. Most days involved a short drive, a long hike, and a bit of sun on the beach. I my limited experience I declare the north shore of Oahu the better swimming area during the calm summer months. The beaches are a bit sandier, and there are more inlets and coves.
The best hikes on the island involve mountains. If you neglect to schedule a mountain on your path you will, in all probability be going for a "sweat" rather than the intended hike. The views from the mountains are magnificent. The sides are shear so it is almost like flying. The most entertaining hike we took had rock faces that we had to scramble up using ropes that were handily affixed to the trees.
The rest of my time with my friend and his brother-in-law consisted of good food, losing at poker, and a healthy dose of the video game 'Rock Band'. All-in-all Their house in Ewa Beach has to be the best stay on the island. Where else does friendship flow so free?
My friend, being an important engineer living at the beck and call of the Boeing Corporation, had to fly out a few days early. Thus I found myself, for the last two days, in the company of my cousin. For those of you outside my family, I do indeed have a cousin on Oahu. At least for another week or so. He just graduated. For the moment he is living in grand style in a luxurious, to my humble eyes, apartment building.
From his swanky pad I struck out into the tourist jungle of Waikiki. It is a fine array of hotels, towers, and merchandise. Anything money can buy, if only anyone could come by enough money. Not my style but it was fun to see.
On my final full day my cousin took me surfing. Very nice of him. I got a nice huge beginner board and hit the surf. I would happily report that was haning ten in green pipes all day if it were not a lie. The truth be told I never got fully standing and for the most part was pummeled by the waves. I became exhausted in ver short order. The push of the wave is exhilirating though. I will return. The last time I fell, I got into some rocks. The water was quite shallow and I did a number on my feet.
The gaping hole in my foot convinced me to find other pursuits for the remainder of the session. Luckily the pretty girl sitting on the rocks turned out to be a friend of my cousins. She became both tour guide and free taxi service for the rest of the day. We had a nice hike. We ate lunch, A big happy shout out to my cousin for picking up that tab before I even knew there was a tab. Then we toured a few of the blow holes along the coast. The most amazing was "spitting rock" a feature that when a wave hits it, it spits hundreds of gallons water horizontally 40 or so feet away from the cliff face.
That is probably enough for now. Hiking about the Seattle area has resumed and I need to start more serious contemplation fo where to go next. Thanks for reading. I will try to get pictures up later.
Sam's Summary
Ah Hawaii! They call it paradise. Honestly it is no more paradise than Nome is. It is, however, a reasonable approximation. If you like ninety, sunny, and a bit humid then the weather was perfect. If lush jungle covered mountains are your thing then the terrain is superb. If azure blue seas tickle your fancy then you are in luck. And if happiness to you involves tearing your feet up on the coral, well they have that covered also.
I spent the greater portion of the time in the pleasant company of my friend from Washington, his sister, brother-in-law and parents. Most days involved a short drive, a long hike, and a bit of sun on the beach. I my limited experience I declare the north shore of Oahu the better swimming area during the calm summer months. The beaches are a bit sandier, and there are more inlets and coves.
The best hikes on the island involve mountains. If you neglect to schedule a mountain on your path you will, in all probability be going for a "sweat" rather than the intended hike. The views from the mountains are magnificent. The sides are shear so it is almost like flying. The most entertaining hike we took had rock faces that we had to scramble up using ropes that were handily affixed to the trees.
The rest of my time with my friend and his brother-in-law consisted of good food, losing at poker, and a healthy dose of the video game 'Rock Band'. All-in-all Their house in Ewa Beach has to be the best stay on the island. Where else does friendship flow so free?
My friend, being an important engineer living at the beck and call of the Boeing Corporation, had to fly out a few days early. Thus I found myself, for the last two days, in the company of my cousin. For those of you outside my family, I do indeed have a cousin on Oahu. At least for another week or so. He just graduated. For the moment he is living in grand style in a luxurious, to my humble eyes, apartment building.
From his swanky pad I struck out into the tourist jungle of Waikiki. It is a fine array of hotels, towers, and merchandise. Anything money can buy, if only anyone could come by enough money. Not my style but it was fun to see.
On my final full day my cousin took me surfing. Very nice of him. I got a nice huge beginner board and hit the surf. I would happily report that was haning ten in green pipes all day if it were not a lie. The truth be told I never got fully standing and for the most part was pummeled by the waves. I became exhausted in ver short order. The push of the wave is exhilirating though. I will return. The last time I fell, I got into some rocks. The water was quite shallow and I did a number on my feet.
The gaping hole in my foot convinced me to find other pursuits for the remainder of the session. Luckily the pretty girl sitting on the rocks turned out to be a friend of my cousins. She became both tour guide and free taxi service for the rest of the day. We had a nice hike. We ate lunch, A big happy shout out to my cousin for picking up that tab before I even knew there was a tab. Then we toured a few of the blow holes along the coast. The most amazing was "spitting rock" a feature that when a wave hits it, it spits hundreds of gallons water horizontally 40 or so feet away from the cliff face.
That is probably enough for now. Hiking about the Seattle area has resumed and I need to start more serious contemplation fo where to go next. Thanks for reading. I will try to get pictures up later.
Sam's Summary
- I was in Hawi'i
- I am not any longer
- 'tis a hot, humid, green place
- I learned how to surf
- I just didn't execute
- I cut my feet on coral
- I hiked quite a bit bot before and after slicing my toes
- The guards at the stores for rich people always stand just to the left of the entrance and slightly out of view.
Friday, June 12, 2009
20 th State
Yesterday found me skimming through the air; suspended above thousands of miles of sharks, orcas, and fearsome giant squid prowling the depths far below the gentle waves. The world was a giant deep blue clam shell with only a band of pearly white clouds to mark it's middle. Between up and down there is no difference. The sky a flattened blue dome above and the sea a curved blue basin below.
By some good fortune and better planning my 20th state is Hawaii. The sun is just now climbing above the rooftops I can see from my window. I can't claim that Hawaii is a wonderful state, or beautiful, or friendly. I have not been, done, or seen as of yet. If you give me a chance to stop typing I will be off finding adventures soley so I can relate them here.
Sam's Summary
By some good fortune and better planning my 20th state is Hawaii. The sun is just now climbing above the rooftops I can see from my window. I can't claim that Hawaii is a wonderful state, or beautiful, or friendly. I have not been, done, or seen as of yet. If you give me a chance to stop typing I will be off finding adventures soley so I can relate them here.
Sam's Summary
- I am in Hawaii
- I have not done anything yet
- I just thought you should know that I made it here
- Staying with my friend's sister and her cats
- I am mildly allergic to cats
- So don't be envious
- I guess I wil have to spend my time at the beach
Monday, June 8, 2009
General Laziness
I seem to be getting very lazy in my posting. Sorry about that. At last check I was in Santa Monica California. I am no longer in Santa Monica. In fact I am no longer in California. I am not even in a State that borders California. For the past four days I have been in the Seattle area. I happen to have a friend up this way.
Now how did I get here? Well, I drove. I drove the Pacific Coast Highway. I recommend it for anyone who has the time, the car, and skill necessary to navigate such a convoluted route. It is flat out awesome. The road takes you all the way from the urban desert that is L.A. to the lush rain forests of the pacific northwest. In between are rocks, mountains, seas of flowers, a red bridge, tight curves, and the most majestic trees ever planted by the hand of God.
I can't describe every feature that took my breath away or every hairpin turn that gave it back, but I can say that every place on earth that I have so far seen has it's charms and the pacific coast is not remotely in the running, as the exception. I camped at dunes, inlets, and lush jungles. I drove through sun, wind, and driving rain. I visited an aquarium and wandered amidst the trunks of stately redwoods. I marveled at crashing waves and hillsides awash in wild flowers. I have now driven the PCH and would very happily do it again, but there are other wonders to see yet and I am on my way to see them.
After a brief hiatus in Seattle that is. As I said, my friend lives here. He works so he is leaving me in charge of his fifty odd inch HDTV, Playstation 3 and impressive movie collection. Other than that, we climbed most of a mountain (We sort of lost the trail beneath the snow), and we went to the horse races. Luckily I know that I was not born to gamble, having taken statistics in college, so I only lost $4.00 before quitting. My friend came out $4.00 up so I could have just given him the money and stayed home. It was fun though. Carefully reviewing the horses with a practiced eye and selecting the one with the best name or coolest coloring and then watching your horse come in dead last.
I actually only had one pick come in last. My other pick came in second to last. Now I am spending my days working on a top secret project and planning for thrusday when I depart for my next top secret location. Check back friday for details.
Sam's Summary
Now how did I get here? Well, I drove. I drove the Pacific Coast Highway. I recommend it for anyone who has the time, the car, and skill necessary to navigate such a convoluted route. It is flat out awesome. The road takes you all the way from the urban desert that is L.A. to the lush rain forests of the pacific northwest. In between are rocks, mountains, seas of flowers, a red bridge, tight curves, and the most majestic trees ever planted by the hand of God.
I can't describe every feature that took my breath away or every hairpin turn that gave it back, but I can say that every place on earth that I have so far seen has it's charms and the pacific coast is not remotely in the running, as the exception. I camped at dunes, inlets, and lush jungles. I drove through sun, wind, and driving rain. I visited an aquarium and wandered amidst the trunks of stately redwoods. I marveled at crashing waves and hillsides awash in wild flowers. I have now driven the PCH and would very happily do it again, but there are other wonders to see yet and I am on my way to see them.
After a brief hiatus in Seattle that is. As I said, my friend lives here. He works so he is leaving me in charge of his fifty odd inch HDTV, Playstation 3 and impressive movie collection. Other than that, we climbed most of a mountain (We sort of lost the trail beneath the snow), and we went to the horse races. Luckily I know that I was not born to gamble, having taken statistics in college, so I only lost $4.00 before quitting. My friend came out $4.00 up so I could have just given him the money and stayed home. It was fun though. Carefully reviewing the horses with a practiced eye and selecting the one with the best name or coolest coloring and then watching your horse come in dead last.
I actually only had one pick come in last. My other pick came in second to last. Now I am spending my days working on a top secret project and planning for thrusday when I depart for my next top secret location. Check back friday for details.
Sam's Summary
- I have been shirking my duties as a travel blogger
- that does not mean that I have not been traveling
- I have in fact been traveling
- Up the pacific coast since you asked
- It was cool
- You should do it too
- but only if you are cool
- I am in Seattle
- I am horrible at picking horses
- I am busy doing vacation type stuff
Sunday, May 31, 2009
A nice start in Santa Monica California
Yesterday I braved the drive from San Diego to Santa Monica to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousin. Today I had the time of my life.
My cousin had events going on all day so my uncle and I decided to set off to find some adventure. The alternative being hanging out at a grade school fundraiser. Earlier I had put google to work finding the nearest Tesla Motors store. My uncle had never heard of the company but it turned out that these amazing all-electric super-cars were being sold not 3 miles from his front door.
We found parking in a side alley and hoped that at least one of the rare beauties would be on display. It may or may not be important to note, at this point, that upon getting out of the car my uncle found not one but two pennies on the curb. They had not one but about 10 or 11 of the Roadsters laying about.
We where looking over a particularly nice copper red specimen when a salesman came out and inquired as to whether or not we had any questions. We did. He gushed on about the car at length even though is was fairly obvious we were not about to drop 109 grand on an afternoon's whim. fourty-five minutes or so later he had shown us under the bonnet and given us a tour of the facilities.
On the way out we thanked him and exchanged a few further pleasantries, which exposed my Michigan origin. Since I had come all that way, the nice man inquired as to whether I would like a ride.
I almost fell over. I stammered. I agreed because I am nice...... So yes Tom, I have gone zero to sixty in four seconds on a side road in a white electric super car. (Tom is the guy I know who will probably experience the most envy while reading this. Alex is a close second and any other guy with red blood in his veins will be in a tight race for third) At first the acceleration feels hohum, then exhilirating, then alarming, then downright frightening. It just does not quit. Pretty soon one is almost wishing that they had not told the salesman "sure go for it". Almost. It's ok to die happy.
I am not the proper person to review the vehicle. There just arn't many comparisons that I can draw between the Tesla and my Escort. I do know that my car can't make a hard right hand turn at 40 mph and survive without even a bit of squeal in the tires. Although I can fit my bike in my trunk. That would never happen in the Tesla without the cooperation of a hacksaw and I would never do that to my bike.
My uncle got a ride as well. I actually have to give him alot of credit. I probably would not have gotten anywhere near that narrow seat with out his sincere interest and people skills.
Here he is, with the nice saleman. I think if you click on the image you get the full effect. Keep a napkin handy to wipe the corners of you mouth.
Sam's Summary
My cousin had events going on all day so my uncle and I decided to set off to find some adventure. The alternative being hanging out at a grade school fundraiser. Earlier I had put google to work finding the nearest Tesla Motors store. My uncle had never heard of the company but it turned out that these amazing all-electric super-cars were being sold not 3 miles from his front door.
We found parking in a side alley and hoped that at least one of the rare beauties would be on display. It may or may not be important to note, at this point, that upon getting out of the car my uncle found not one but two pennies on the curb. They had not one but about 10 or 11 of the Roadsters laying about.
We where looking over a particularly nice copper red specimen when a salesman came out and inquired as to whether or not we had any questions. We did. He gushed on about the car at length even though is was fairly obvious we were not about to drop 109 grand on an afternoon's whim. fourty-five minutes or so later he had shown us under the bonnet and given us a tour of the facilities.
On the way out we thanked him and exchanged a few further pleasantries, which exposed my Michigan origin. Since I had come all that way, the nice man inquired as to whether I would like a ride.
I almost fell over. I stammered. I agreed because I am nice...... So yes Tom, I have gone zero to sixty in four seconds on a side road in a white electric super car. (Tom is the guy I know who will probably experience the most envy while reading this. Alex is a close second and any other guy with red blood in his veins will be in a tight race for third) At first the acceleration feels hohum, then exhilirating, then alarming, then downright frightening. It just does not quit. Pretty soon one is almost wishing that they had not told the salesman "sure go for it". Almost. It's ok to die happy.
I am not the proper person to review the vehicle. There just arn't many comparisons that I can draw between the Tesla and my Escort. I do know that my car can't make a hard right hand turn at 40 mph and survive without even a bit of squeal in the tires. Although I can fit my bike in my trunk. That would never happen in the Tesla without the cooperation of a hacksaw and I would never do that to my bike.
My uncle got a ride as well. I actually have to give him alot of credit. I probably would not have gotten anywhere near that narrow seat with out his sincere interest and people skills.
Here he is, with the nice saleman. I think if you click on the image you get the full effect. Keep a napkin handy to wipe the corners of you mouth.
Sam's Summary
- Boo-
- Yah
- !!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Vista Experience
No this post is not about a Microsoft product. It is about my past week in Vista, California. At last look I was about to go Kayaking in the pacific ocean. It turns out that I actually did Kayak in the pacific. We started in the little town of La Jolla. Apparently "La Jolla" is pronounced "La Hoya" as in Oscar De.
After we had paid our $23 and selected the blue personal flotation device (or PFD or Life jacket if you are a normal person) we headed to the beach. Getting out on to the water is great fun. You pull your kayak out into a foot of water, get in, and then.... the water disappears and you are on dry land again. All you have to do is wait until the next big wave and you are free. Free to try to get through the breakers dry.
I failed in this regard. I got quite wet getting through the breakers. I blame it on the silly open kayaks they gave us. Eskimos would never approve. Once out on the waves it was pretty easy going. Sure the ocean rollers are huge, but they are far apart and not very steep. Lake Michigan is actually much scarier. We paddled about and saw seaweed, sharks, and the famous La Jolla "sea caves". These caves are not at all impressive and I can recommend that anyone waste a neuron thinking about visiting them. They certainly are not worth the $50 for a tour.
The Sea lions were cool though, if a bit smelly. They were piled up on the rocks sunning themselves. Don't they know the dangers of over exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays?
The highlights of the trip were, my sister's friend falling in, and riding the waves back into the beach.
Other fun stuff? My nephew turned one. It was a great party. There was basketball, volleyball, a beanbag toss, a tiny pool, and cake.
For Vetrans day I left my phone where a sprinkler could get it. It no longer works in any capacity other than a chew toy. A new one is in the mail. That does mean that, whoever you are, I no longer have your phone number. Feel free to call me at random over the next week or so.
Sam's Summary
After we had paid our $23 and selected the blue personal flotation device (or PFD or Life jacket if you are a normal person) we headed to the beach. Getting out on to the water is great fun. You pull your kayak out into a foot of water, get in, and then.... the water disappears and you are on dry land again. All you have to do is wait until the next big wave and you are free. Free to try to get through the breakers dry.
I failed in this regard. I got quite wet getting through the breakers. I blame it on the silly open kayaks they gave us. Eskimos would never approve. Once out on the waves it was pretty easy going. Sure the ocean rollers are huge, but they are far apart and not very steep. Lake Michigan is actually much scarier. We paddled about and saw seaweed, sharks, and the famous La Jolla "sea caves". These caves are not at all impressive and I can recommend that anyone waste a neuron thinking about visiting them. They certainly are not worth the $50 for a tour.
The Sea lions were cool though, if a bit smelly. They were piled up on the rocks sunning themselves. Don't they know the dangers of over exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays?
The highlights of the trip were, my sister's friend falling in, and riding the waves back into the beach.
Other fun stuff? My nephew turned one. It was a great party. There was basketball, volleyball, a beanbag toss, a tiny pool, and cake.
For Vetrans day I left my phone where a sprinkler could get it. It no longer works in any capacity other than a chew toy. A new one is in the mail. That does mean that, whoever you are, I no longer have your phone number. Feel free to call me at random over the next week or so.
Sam's Summary
- I went Kayaking
- 'twas great fun
- I visited an old friend
- I ate cake
- My volleyball team won.. most of the time.
- My phone is no longer a phone.
- More like a perfect skipping stone really. Too bad I have to send it back.
- I hiked Torrey pines
- I am headed up the coast this weekend.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Back in the Saddle
Wednesday brought me back. Back to California and ,more importantly, back to my car. It was good to go home. I did, however, sleep too much when I was there. Thus it is good to be back to work. Work being the act of employing the U. S. of A as a play ground.
I did not get any exit row seats on my flights back out. The planes were chock-a-block full of travelers. At least no one tried reclining their seat into me.
One odd thing was that while I was most certainly wedged into coach class seating the guy next to me was enjoying first class amenities. He was laying back with his feet up, elbows out, and reading a novel. Ah to be five foot nothing again! He was a Vietnamese transplant. We had hours of terrific discuss wherein I pretended to understand his accent and even replied at appropriate times using context clues to guess roughly what he was talking about.
I did learn that in Vietnam the fish live on top of the trees, at least that is what I think he said.
Anyway I am back and the plan is to go kayaking in the pacific this afternoon. Should be fun. I will attempt to take my camera, but that could be inviting disaster.
Sam's Summary
I did not get any exit row seats on my flights back out. The planes were chock-a-block full of travelers. At least no one tried reclining their seat into me.
One odd thing was that while I was most certainly wedged into coach class seating the guy next to me was enjoying first class amenities. He was laying back with his feet up, elbows out, and reading a novel. Ah to be five foot nothing again! He was a Vietnamese transplant. We had hours of terrific discuss wherein I pretended to understand his accent and even replied at appropriate times using context clues to guess roughly what he was talking about.
I did learn that in Vietnam the fish live on top of the trees, at least that is what I think he said.
Anyway I am back and the plan is to go kayaking in the pacific this afternoon. Should be fun. I will attempt to take my camera, but that could be inviting disaster.
Sam's Summary
- I am back in California
- The flight was good
- One pilot did, however, enjoy turning the plane on it's ear.
- I think he confused a flight to Minneapolis with the Le Mans
- "If you look out of the left side of the plane you can see Minneapolis and to your right is the Orion nebula"
- I am going Kyaking
Friday, May 15, 2009
Of airplane seats and greener grass
It was a Wednesday afternoon. The pain in my knees was becoming a blessed numbness. Having rammed into the seat in front of my for the past two and a half hours I was beginning to wonder if I would need to amputate.
Please understand that I am not too tall for coach class seats. In fact when I sit up straight my knees only lightly brush the seat in front of me. As long as I don't demand comfort I am fine.
I am fine, that is, until the bozo in front of me wants to recline his seat by that whopping 2 degrees. At this point one or the other of Newtons various laws states that I will not be moving an eyelash until the captain demands over the PA that everyone return their seat to a more upright and humanitarian position. How the over large fellow, who sits in front of me on every single flight, finds comfort in having my knees boring into his spine is beyond me.
Fortunately a couple hours and a big burrito later, I found myself on a plane that was half empty. ("Half empty" is the optimistic view for tall airline passengers) I was able to talk my way into an empty exit row. I had no idea flying could be so wonderful. I could have been happily on that flight for days. Legs stretched out to full length, slouching in my seat with elbows out as far as I liked, Wonderful!
At any rate, I am back home for a few days. It took me all of five minutes to rectify the situation that brought me here. It was even cheaper than I thought it would be. I felt just a little like I should have to do some kind of heroics to get my license. They had me come all the way back in person so I could what? sign my name on a little piece of paper and frown at a camera? I suppose they did do a five and one half second check of my eyes. It turns out that they are still in my head.
On the bright side. My new picture is better than any I have ever had before. That alone is worth every penny I am sure. I also got to see my niece Ava, who can walk now even though she does not admit it. I also got to win at Catch Phrase. This can be difficult with you little brother trying to embarrass you at every chance.
Since the title of this post says something about green grass I should mention something on that. Michigan does not simply have greener grass than most places I have been. It actually has grass. I am looking at you Aridzona. It is amazing to see so much green and so little brown and tan. Water, what a concept.
Sam's Summary
Please understand that I am not too tall for coach class seats. In fact when I sit up straight my knees only lightly brush the seat in front of me. As long as I don't demand comfort I am fine.
I am fine, that is, until the bozo in front of me wants to recline his seat by that whopping 2 degrees. At this point one or the other of Newtons various laws states that I will not be moving an eyelash until the captain demands over the PA that everyone return their seat to a more upright and humanitarian position. How the over large fellow, who sits in front of me on every single flight, finds comfort in having my knees boring into his spine is beyond me.
Fortunately a couple hours and a big burrito later, I found myself on a plane that was half empty. ("Half empty" is the optimistic view for tall airline passengers) I was able to talk my way into an empty exit row. I had no idea flying could be so wonderful. I could have been happily on that flight for days. Legs stretched out to full length, slouching in my seat with elbows out as far as I liked, Wonderful!
At any rate, I am back home for a few days. It took me all of five minutes to rectify the situation that brought me here. It was even cheaper than I thought it would be. I felt just a little like I should have to do some kind of heroics to get my license. They had me come all the way back in person so I could what? sign my name on a little piece of paper and frown at a camera? I suppose they did do a five and one half second check of my eyes. It turns out that they are still in my head.
On the bright side. My new picture is better than any I have ever had before. That alone is worth every penny I am sure. I also got to see my niece Ava, who can walk now even though she does not admit it. I also got to win at Catch Phrase. This can be difficult with you little brother trying to embarrass you at every chance.
Since the title of this post says something about green grass I should mention something on that. Michigan does not simply have greener grass than most places I have been. It actually has grass. I am looking at you Aridzona. It is amazing to see so much green and so little brown and tan. Water, what a concept.
Sam's Summary
- I got stuck in an airplane seat
- The captian demanded my release
- I ate a Burrito
- I got to Luxuriate in an exit row seat
- Turbulance
- I have my eyes
- I have my license
- I do not, however, have the $25 they charged me
- I visited the above mentioned "Sam"
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Arizona
In case anyone was wondering I did make it to the Grand Canyon. I suppose that it is called "Grand" simply because it is huge.
My initial plan was to drive out Tuesday evening, camp at the rim of the canyon and then hike down in the morning. It is a mile deep so I wanted to give myself plenty of time. My car had other plans. As can be seen from the previous issue of V.V. my car broke down. This forced me to have a good time at Zion on Tuesday then drive down early Wednesday morning.
I needed to be at the bottom of the canyon by 5:00 P.M. for dinner. The drive was slated to take five and a half hours and the hike down, four to six hours. Needless to say I left early and in a bit of a rush. I need not have worried. Arizona, it turns out, aside from being a desert, is one of those rare and wonderful states that don't use daylight savings time. As such I had an hour extra when I showed up.
The extra hour was quite nice, which you may know if you have ever tried to find parking at the grand canyon at 10:00 am on a Wednesday morning. I would hate to try a Saturday in the summer. Anyway they have a nice slow set of "free" buses (it costs $25 to get into the park). By noon I was on my way down.
The trail just falls into the canyon. The path I took in is about 7.5 miles long. It descends 4600 ft. I really should not have worried about getting to dinner on time. As some of you may know, I am tall. What this means in practical h
iking-down-a-canyon terms is that I can use the ties across the path as steps. They are about three feet apart and are placed to keep the path from washing out. Assuming it ever rains. It takes most folks two or three steps per tie. That means I can go at a leisurely pace that is about twice as fast as your average bear. I arrived at Phantom ranch at about 2:30. With all that extra time before dinner I was able to hike around the canyon floor. Take a nap and eat a snack. The bottom of the canyon is 20 - 30 degrees hotter than the rim. It was about 100 degrees. It was thus a good thing that I packed shorts. It was not, however, a good thing that I packed a long sleeve shirt and a sweat shirt. Completely unnecessary, both of them.
I hear that if you ever visit Phantom Ranch you should order the stew. I wouldn't know, I ordered the steak. It was big and fairly rare. I normally like my steak fully dead and thoroughly brown. When civilization has to be packed in each day by mule, you don't complain about the food and you enjoy it. It really was good. The meal was huge and I needed every calorie for the following day.
Dinner was also delightful for the company. I ate with a Danish couple who envied our not-yet-socialist government and two women from New York who envied Denmark's socialist government. Myself, I am perfectly content to pay less than 50% in taxes.
Hiking back up is supposed to take twice as long as coming down. It didn't but I can see why it should. My legs will be weeks in the healing. I took a longer path out. 11 miles long, 4600 ft up and somewhere between 100 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature depends on altitude and where along the path you are.
Most folk left the ranch at 4-5 am. I know because they thought everyone in camp should be awake and made sure that we were. I left at 6:30. Now I know why they left so early. It gets hot. Going up is not bad until you get there.
Once back on the rim.... 4.5 hours later.. I realized I could no longer utilize my calves, my legs were caked a solid 1/8 in thick with the finest red dust you ever did see, and eating french fries was the right thing to do; to replace my lost sodium and depleted energy reserves.
After climbing out and cleaning up I headed to this little place in western Arizona. That's right. The London bridge. It's on lake Havasu. It was a mere 104 degrees there. I took a drink and it came right back out of my forehead. Oh but it's dry heat. I think that means that it is still hot. The bridge was nice though. The little tourist trap of a city around it was kind of hilarious. Texicali with a nice English flavor.
Sam's Summary
- I stepped into the grand canyon.
- It was quite a drop
- The heat at the bottom is amazing.
- The deer are spooky friendly
- I ate a rare steak
- I spoke with a Danish
- He was a doctor
- I hiked back up
- It was not a race, but well you know me, I made it into one.
- I passed all the 4 o'clock hikers
- I ate at Wendy's
- I saw the London bridge
- I camped in the frying Mojave desert.
- I am at my sister's place in Vista California.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Drive to the Grand Canyon
The idea upon leaving Fort Collins, was to work my way to the Grand canyon over the course of a few days. I was hoping that I could find some interesting places to stop for the night. Thankfully things rarely go as planned.
The first night I wanted to simply drive to Grand Junction, CO. I got there well after dark. I was hoping to find any ol' campground for the night. I followed signs for something called Colorado National Monument. It looked promising as there was a little green tent marked on my map.
After a few hours of driving in circles I found the self help booth for late arrivals. I found a nice uneven camp site and set my tent just in time to duck out of the rain. It was 11:00 and I was exhausted.
Since any ol' camp ground would have done just fine you might imagine my surprise to discover that my campground was within a few hundred yards to the edge of ...
...........This!!!
I spent a "Just wow" morning driving about and taking photographs.
In the afternoon I set off accross Utah with a mind to stay Monday night at Zion national park. I expect Utah to be desert and little else. a hundred miles of beautiful desert did little to change my mind. Then I ran into "The Reef"
Please keep in mind that these little boulders are actually over 500 ft tall. There is a chain of these things running north to south for a hundred or more miles. The road had to cut straight through them. Utah kept throwing new surprises at me. Canyons, Mountian ranges and what ever the heck a "reef" is. They even had a bit of green here and there.
I spent this afternoon at Zion and was forced to expose my eyes to wonders such as....
This is just a little taste of Zion which is to date the most awe inspiring place I have been. On a grand scale anyway. It is a green garden set at the bottom of a deep canyon in the southwest desert of Utah. If you want more pictures.. ask. I have plenty.
Tomorrow is the grand Canyon. I am hiking to the bottom so I need to get some sleep. Hopefully it is not anymore awesome than the things I have seen the past two days. My head might actually explode. It's not just a cute metaphor. I really am in danger of overloading my perceptions of what is awesome.
Sam's Summary
The first night I wanted to simply drive to Grand Junction, CO. I got there well after dark. I was hoping to find any ol' campground for the night. I followed signs for something called Colorado National Monument. It looked promising as there was a little green tent marked on my map.
After a few hours of driving in circles I found the self help booth for late arrivals. I found a nice uneven camp site and set my tent just in time to duck out of the rain. It was 11:00 and I was exhausted.
Since any ol' camp ground would have done just fine you might imagine my surprise to discover that my campground was within a few hundred yards to the edge of ...
...........This!!!
I spent a "Just wow" morning driving about and taking photographs.
In the afternoon I set off accross Utah with a mind to stay Monday night at Zion national park. I expect Utah to be desert and little else. a hundred miles of beautiful desert did little to change my mind. Then I ran into "The Reef"
Please keep in mind that these little boulders are actually over 500 ft tall. There is a chain of these things running north to south for a hundred or more miles. The road had to cut straight through them. Utah kept throwing new surprises at me. Canyons, Mountian ranges and what ever the heck a "reef" is. They even had a bit of green here and there.I spent this afternoon at Zion and was forced to expose my eyes to wonders such as....
This is just a little taste of Zion which is to date the most awe inspiring place I have been. On a grand scale anyway. It is a green garden set at the bottom of a deep canyon in the southwest desert of Utah. If you want more pictures.. ask. I have plenty.
Tomorrow is the grand Canyon. I am hiking to the bottom so I need to get some sleep. Hopefully it is not anymore awesome than the things I have seen the past two days. My head might actually explode. It's not just a cute metaphor. I really am in danger of overloading my perceptions of what is awesome.
Sam's Summary
- I left Fort Collins
- I admired the Rockies (very nice by the way)
- I got lost in Grand Junction, CO
- I was found by Colorado National monument
- I achieved over 35 miles per gallon driving 80 mph across Utah
- I broke my timing belt
- It cost money to replace.
- It's all better now.
- I spent the day in Zion National Park
- It's very cool so I am posting some Sam's Summary Bonus pictures (don't get used to it)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Everything is going smoothly
Everything is going smoothly. It's just not going according to plan. I intended to do a lot of biking in the Fort Collins area. That was before I caught the plague. The plague consists of running a very slight temperature, a mildly scratchy throat, a light cough, and a general feeling of blahness.
I am still going to do some biking. I will be leaving in a half hour or so to pit myself against Rist Canyon Road.
The big thing that I did not plan is a flight back to Michigan on the 13th of May. I will be back home for a week. No, it's not because of a funeral or even a court date. Really it is more an effort to avoid a court date. What I have known for two whole days before you is that I am driving around the country on an expired drivers license. It took a highly trained security guard at Intel to discover that.
Thankfully Michigan gives out of state residents a six month extension in order to give them time to get home. Unfortunately, six months expired three days ago.
One would think that the State would have sent me a letter letting me know it was time to renew back in October. Well, they did. Trouble is the envelope looks exactly like the "Renew your license plate on your car" letter. I distinctly remember wondering why they sent two of them within a week of each other. Like a good absent minded professor with a touch of ADD, I was quite proud of myself for going into the secretary of state, in person and on time, to renew my plate. Mission accomplished and expelled from my memory.
So the car is good to go, but I am not. Should I get pulled over, they can let my car go on without me. I want to avoid this as my car really has no ambition and would probably just sit around without me there to push it's buttons. So I am going to drive somewhat carefully to San Diego so my sister can watch my vehicle whilst I fly home to take care of this little issue.
I know it sounds a bit extreme, but it's better than the rash a stickler like me would get sweating every second I am out on the road. In all truth it will be good to spend a week at home. I need my spine adjusted (Hi dad), I could use another round of prolotherapy treatments for my wrist (Hi again dad), and I really should catch one of Tim's baseball games, baby sit Ava (My niece), and give a certain Brit a big pat on the back for surviving both high school and the family household.
I do have reservations to stay at Phantom ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon next week. I am thus, not exactly rushing off. I have been a bit illegal for six months, whats another week? I will be quite happy to not have that to worry about though. I figure with the (hopefully free) medical treaments and weeks worth of home cooked meals (I miss you mom) this unplanned bit of smoothness will pay for it's self.
Now to find a way to board an airplane without a valid photo ID...
Sam's Summary
I am still going to do some biking. I will be leaving in a half hour or so to pit myself against Rist Canyon Road.
The big thing that I did not plan is a flight back to Michigan on the 13th of May. I will be back home for a week. No, it's not because of a funeral or even a court date. Really it is more an effort to avoid a court date. What I have known for two whole days before you is that I am driving around the country on an expired drivers license. It took a highly trained security guard at Intel to discover that.
Thankfully Michigan gives out of state residents a six month extension in order to give them time to get home. Unfortunately, six months expired three days ago.
One would think that the State would have sent me a letter letting me know it was time to renew back in October. Well, they did. Trouble is the envelope looks exactly like the "Renew your license plate on your car" letter. I distinctly remember wondering why they sent two of them within a week of each other. Like a good absent minded professor with a touch of ADD, I was quite proud of myself for going into the secretary of state, in person and on time, to renew my plate. Mission accomplished and expelled from my memory.
So the car is good to go, but I am not. Should I get pulled over, they can let my car go on without me. I want to avoid this as my car really has no ambition and would probably just sit around without me there to push it's buttons. So I am going to drive somewhat carefully to San Diego so my sister can watch my vehicle whilst I fly home to take care of this little issue.
I know it sounds a bit extreme, but it's better than the rash a stickler like me would get sweating every second I am out on the road. In all truth it will be good to spend a week at home. I need my spine adjusted (Hi dad), I could use another round of prolotherapy treatments for my wrist (Hi again dad), and I really should catch one of Tim's baseball games, baby sit Ava (My niece), and give a certain Brit a big pat on the back for surviving both high school and the family household.
I do have reservations to stay at Phantom ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon next week. I am thus, not exactly rushing off. I have been a bit illegal for six months, whats another week? I will be quite happy to not have that to worry about though. I figure with the (hopefully free) medical treaments and weeks worth of home cooked meals (I miss you mom) this unplanned bit of smoothness will pay for it's self.
Now to find a way to board an airplane without a valid photo ID...
Sam's Summary
- Sam already knows all this
- However, there is some delightful word play here that was not in the phone converstation
- He would have to read the whole thing anyway to appreciate it
- I actually have already taken care of the ID for the plane problem
- I am pretty good at taking care of problems when I know what they are
- As this is my most embaressing post I am sure all of you will find it the most entertaining
- Meanies!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Here are the pictures that I promised so long ago. It is a bit of a mishmash.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Garden of the Gods and seen from above and northwest
At it's center is this little neat formation
It really is very garden like
There are many cool formations in the surrounding hills. These have fewer climbing restrictions.
I spent the afternoon at Pikes Peak. Here it is seen through a formation at the Garden.
This is the tree line. I personally know people who have never been above it.
The View to the west
The View to the east.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the Garden of the Gods and seen from above and northwest
At it's center is this little neat formation
It really is very garden like
There are many cool formations in the surrounding hills. These have fewer climbing restrictions.
I spent the afternoon at Pikes Peak. Here it is seen through a formation at the Garden.
This is the tree line. I personally know people who have never been above it.
The View to the west
The View to the east.
Sam's Summary
- I took a long while to post these pictures
- I was sick so lay off me
- It was not avian flu
- It was not bovine Tuberculosis
- It was not chicken pox
- or cow pox
- or horse tranquilizers
- or any other animal related sickness
- It was, however, similar in symptoms to swine flu, just not really swine flu.
- How's Ava?
Friday, April 24, 2009
Colorado Springs
This is going to be a long one. It amuses me how I will sit around for weeks with very little to write about, then in one day I do enough to justify a few more weeks of sitting around.
Thursday, April 23 2009 AD. I did it all today. At least I did all that could be hoped for, short of falling in love, and I am not sure I didn't do that as well. It all started with the most important part... sleeping in. I could not find a campground in the Colorado springs area so I got a cheap hotel. The Colorado welcome center even gave me a nice coupon for it. I am not complaining. I have not slept in a real bed since Virgina, nearly a month ago. Thus I slept in.
The next item on my agenda was to come to a screeching rubber laying halt at a stop light. I needed to test the break job I did before leaving home. What actually happened is that I was trying to find the Garden of the Gods. You try driving an unfamiliar road in the mountians while trying to filter out tourist trap signs. I can hardly be expected to see every red light with all that foolishness assaulting my senses.
Well the good news is that I did see every red light, if perhaps a bit late, and my breaks work splendidly. Highway 24 does have a nice new set of 40 ft matching black rubber marks now.
I did find the park. It was, and I presume still is, awesome. It is a big naturally formed play ground. It features endless Daniel sized climbing opportunities. That simply means rock formations that if fallen from would result in serious injury but remain short of death. It also sports numerous larger formations that are good for other, crazier people to climb, and me to look at.
The "Garden" is enclosed by three giant stone walls sticking sever hundred feet out of the ground. In the center there are perfect juniper trees (at least I think they were some sort of juniper) placed artfully about as it by some wild genious. It really does look like a garden. It just has a bit of a wild feel to it.
I hiked all about and around the park and played on all the rocks. I took every trail, a few things that were decidedly not trails, and a few other places that were not, strictly speaking, sanctioned visitor areas. I probably put 6-7 miles of hiking, wandering, and bouldering. I some times (not often) wonder what all the other genteel tourists think of the tall skinny guy skipping about like a mountain goat.
The afternoon found me driving up Pikes Peak. They charge $8.00 for the chance to test the first 2-3 gears on your car. The top of the mountain is over a mile and a half above the city. Quite the rock. At about 8,000 ft I stopped a turn off and noticed a horrible boiling sound from my hood area. A check revealed that coolant was bubbling into my resevoir and some was flowing out the over flow vent. A few calls to a coworker, my dad, and my mechanic verified that since my fluids were topped off at 600 ft they were over flowing at 8,000ft. Other than that one panic moment my little car performed beautifully. I did not even get blown off the mountain when the wind picked up. Man that was a bit freaky.
I had to stop a few miles short of the summit. They recently had 19ft of snow dump on the peak and were blasting through it with TNT. I did however get above the tree line. Which is more than some people I know can say. I am looking at you Mr. Otto. The trip down was quite exciting. Basically you just put your car in first gear and coast. Using the breaks too much will cause them to over heat and fail. I am sure the guy that found that out must have had a lovely trip.
Back in town I treated myself to dinner, watched an episode of Cold Case, and prepared for one mare adventure before the sun set. What I did not mention about the Garden of the Gods before is that they have a lovely road weaving in and about the park. That road has a ten foot wide bike lane.
I won't go into much detail, but suffice to say that I biked it... twice.. It was the first time that I had ridden since I burned my breaks on Roanoke mountian in VA. I noticed that my breaks had way too much play in them this time. I really did smoke them in the mountians. I used them liberally again this time. I really need to get some beefy breaks if I am going to continue on like this.
If you made it this far you are a champ. Thanks for reading. Next up, Fort Collins CO.
Sam's Summary
Thursday, April 23 2009 AD. I did it all today. At least I did all that could be hoped for, short of falling in love, and I am not sure I didn't do that as well. It all started with the most important part... sleeping in. I could not find a campground in the Colorado springs area so I got a cheap hotel. The Colorado welcome center even gave me a nice coupon for it. I am not complaining. I have not slept in a real bed since Virgina, nearly a month ago. Thus I slept in.
The next item on my agenda was to come to a screeching rubber laying halt at a stop light. I needed to test the break job I did before leaving home. What actually happened is that I was trying to find the Garden of the Gods. You try driving an unfamiliar road in the mountians while trying to filter out tourist trap signs. I can hardly be expected to see every red light with all that foolishness assaulting my senses.
Well the good news is that I did see every red light, if perhaps a bit late, and my breaks work splendidly. Highway 24 does have a nice new set of 40 ft matching black rubber marks now.
I did find the park. It was, and I presume still is, awesome. It is a big naturally formed play ground. It features endless Daniel sized climbing opportunities. That simply means rock formations that if fallen from would result in serious injury but remain short of death. It also sports numerous larger formations that are good for other, crazier people to climb, and me to look at.
The "Garden" is enclosed by three giant stone walls sticking sever hundred feet out of the ground. In the center there are perfect juniper trees (at least I think they were some sort of juniper) placed artfully about as it by some wild genious. It really does look like a garden. It just has a bit of a wild feel to it.
I hiked all about and around the park and played on all the rocks. I took every trail, a few things that were decidedly not trails, and a few other places that were not, strictly speaking, sanctioned visitor areas. I probably put 6-7 miles of hiking, wandering, and bouldering. I some times (not often) wonder what all the other genteel tourists think of the tall skinny guy skipping about like a mountain goat.
The afternoon found me driving up Pikes Peak. They charge $8.00 for the chance to test the first 2-3 gears on your car. The top of the mountain is over a mile and a half above the city. Quite the rock. At about 8,000 ft I stopped a turn off and noticed a horrible boiling sound from my hood area. A check revealed that coolant was bubbling into my resevoir and some was flowing out the over flow vent. A few calls to a coworker, my dad, and my mechanic verified that since my fluids were topped off at 600 ft they were over flowing at 8,000ft. Other than that one panic moment my little car performed beautifully. I did not even get blown off the mountain when the wind picked up. Man that was a bit freaky.
I had to stop a few miles short of the summit. They recently had 19ft of snow dump on the peak and were blasting through it with TNT. I did however get above the tree line. Which is more than some people I know can say. I am looking at you Mr. Otto. The trip down was quite exciting. Basically you just put your car in first gear and coast. Using the breaks too much will cause them to over heat and fail. I am sure the guy that found that out must have had a lovely trip.
Back in town I treated myself to dinner, watched an episode of Cold Case, and prepared for one mare adventure before the sun set. What I did not mention about the Garden of the Gods before is that they have a lovely road weaving in and about the park. That road has a ten foot wide bike lane.
I won't go into much detail, but suffice to say that I biked it... twice.. It was the first time that I had ridden since I burned my breaks on Roanoke mountian in VA. I noticed that my breaks had way too much play in them this time. I really did smoke them in the mountians. I used them liberally again this time. I really need to get some beefy breaks if I am going to continue on like this.
If you made it this far you are a champ. Thanks for reading. Next up, Fort Collins CO.
Sam's Summary
- I am really and truly out of Texas
- I left rubber on highway 24
- I had heap good time at Garden of the Gods yah!
- I drove my li'l car from 6,000 ft to 13,000 ft
- my coolent expanded
- I got above the treeline
- I feared for my life
- Gaurd rails are apparently for sissies
- I road my bike. Yeah!
- I have mixed feelings about continental breakfasts.
- Pictures to follow, since I have to check out now.
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