myfriendlenny

Lenny Sales, My Friend Lenny, at The Alternative Cafe, Seaside CA

2011-02-09T03:54:00.000-08:00

MY FRIEND LENNY - London Bridge Pub, Monterey CA

2010-10-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Lenny Sales - Kissing My Love (Bill Withers)

2010-10-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Lenny Sales, Live at the Blue Fin, Monterey CA

2010-07-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

CatchMe_LennySales_MusicVideo_14.mov

2010-07-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

myfriendlenny

2010-03-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

O.K. the ball is rolling once again.God it feels good to be back in the business of making music.It has been a long journey to get to this point, but it was worth it.I am as happy as a clam.The music is once again pouring out of me.Two new songs in the last weeks and gigs up the wahoo! yahoo! I dare you to follow your hearts desires and manifest those things in your life that you always wanted to do!

Back in the saddle, not really

2010-02-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

O.k. yeah I rode my bike across the country and started a band in California.Here's the video to prove it.This year has been about doing what I want.Life is short live hard and like you mean it.

Here we go again!

2010-01-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

My buddy Gavin suggested I get back to the blog, so here goes.The past few months have been crazy.Running around to open mikes all over the county. Meeting musicians and just lots of people in general.For the past month I've been rehearsing with the musicians who are going to back me for my first show.January 21st. at the Alternative Cafe.On Sunday morning I'll have my first radio appearance on //www.kpig.com/ You can listen live or check in later to hear the performance.That's at 10a.m. in the west or 1p.m. eastern time.Photo shoots, press releases,and shameless self promotion. let's see what happens.I am very well indeed.Stay tuned...

2009-10-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Playing in the river
A beautiful day for a ride through Big surI'm still trying to get my head around the fact that I rode my bike out hereJesse and Kody riding the big sur riverkissing catfish I spent last weekend camping in big sur. Still playing open mikes and searching for a gig.Been to the dentist and spent some serious cash on a new front tooth.The DMV got me for a thousand as well. It's been a very expensive week, but I was getting nowhere walking around looking like a toothless hillbilly crackhead without a California drivers license.

The honey hole

2009-09-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is Jesse's mom JocelynA bench for the gardenjust a cute little tableA table I made for outside the front doorThe garden bench I'm building

As you can see I've been keeping myself busy building things.I've also been spending time in the garden tending to the lettuce,beets,and radishes I planted.The weather here has been beautiful.This weekend is the Monterey jazz festival,I'm going to try and catch some of it.I did an open mike night in Monterey on Wednesday and even took part in the poetry slam.

It's always a trip moving to a new place and getting yourself intigrated.I forgot how lonely it can be when you don't really know anyone and your trying to find a place to fit in.I'm not drinking to deep from the well though.Soon I'll find the honey hole and have both paws in it.For now, it's me, myself, and I getting to know one another all over again...

2009-09-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

The sunset view I get every night from the motorhomeThe guitar man
My little table
The workbench I built
Left hand techniqueThe staircase I rebuilt for Jesse

Sorry, I got so caught up in what I was doing I forgot to post. I've been busy building stuff and playing guitar and checking out Monterey.This place is really growing on me.I got no plans to go anywhere right now. I'm getting used to the California lifestyle.

Whats next?

2009-08-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Low ri der
This is the sink and counter top project that I spearheaded

Just been keeping myself busy around the house with weeding,planting,and fix up projects.

It's weird coming off the road when your not really sure if your coming or going anymore.Jesse said it best,Lenny you came all the way out here for a reason why would you go back.Did I come out here for a reason? I mean, well, I guess I always wanted to live in California.Doesn't everyone? Right now, I'm taking it one day at a time.I'm playing the guitar again.Who knows? I might even go get me a gig.
Peace Love and happiness

2009-08-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

Jesse tending to the compost pileLots of garden work hereThe house at noche buena
Plenty of theses around

Spending my time helping out around the house.Gardening,cleaning and straighting up and doing a bathroom tile project.Fresh veggies in my belly from the garden, yum.Life is simple and good.

Living in a motorhome

2009-08-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's a lot like living on the sailboatOh yeah, complete with guitarThe bedroom

Jesse and I rode our motorcycles to Monterey today.He put me up in one of his motorhomes on the property where his mom lives,then he took me out and showed me all over town.Nice!It looks like I'll be helping out around here with the garden and the homestead.

Life is good

2009-08-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jali and Jesse hamming it upThrowing down in the kitchenJali and Jesse in the bay window

Spending my days helping out Jali and Jesse with work around the homestead building rock walls and cleaning up.The afternoons are reserved for jaming and hanging out.Lots of fresh vegetables from the garden are being eaten up for dinner. Life is good here up on the mountain.We've been having some serious jam sessions.Both Jesse and Jali play guitar, we've got a keyboard and congas as well.

Open mike at Big sur

2009-08-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

I went to the open mike lastnight with Jali in Big sur at the Henry Miller.What a perfect out door setting, great sound,and a wonderful crowd.I got to play three songs and I killed it.It was sweet.Baby on board, If you love somebody, and daughters by John Mayer.Afterwords we drove down the coast to thirteen pines and star gazed.Wow! I've never seen so many stars.There was a meteor shower as well, so we saw tons of falling stars.We got out the guitars and jamed until 1 o'clock in the morning right there on the coast.What a night!

waiting for the future to reveal itself

2009-08-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

The view from Jali's balconyDeejens guest house
You can't see it, but the guy in this picture is playing guitarThis is a art gallery in big sur

Today is my fifth day in Big sur.It looks like I'll be heading back to Monterey soon to meet up with Jesse.My stay here has been very nice.I mowed the lawn and did some weed whacking yesterday for Jali.Other than that, I've spent a lot of time sitting on the balcony playing guitar and taking in the mountain and it's view.The place is magical.I've also checked out some of the local hangouts.I've got no signal up here,so it's tough to get a hold of me by phone,but my email is working just fine.I didn't write any songs yet Daney, been too busy thinking about my next move.My buddy Jesse has been laying the ground work for me to stay in Monerey.It should all unfold here in the next few days.I don't want to speak prematurely, but I could be calling California my new home.

Not surly in Big sur

2009-08-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

This puppy loves me
The house that Jali builtSome beautiful flowers up hereBig Sur

This is something else up here.It's so peaceful and quiet.I'm in healing mode.Jali and I played some music the first night, rocking out on guitars.Other than that, I've had the place to myself.There is a garden out back with plenty of fresh vegetables,A hot tub and an outside shower,even a friendly fluffy kitty cat.

Yesterday I explored the coast and some of the local hangouts. Seems to be an open mike close by on Wednesday nights.I might have to stick around for a while.

The Big Sur welcome

2009-08-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

I'm in Big Sur staying at Jesse's friend Jali's house.High atop Peifer ridge in a house that overlooks the Pacific.Oh man,did Jesse come through on this one.Through a Private gate 2 miles straight up a steep mountain.Jali's been here since 1968 with his family, It's sweet! Jesse by the way is in L.A., he's hooking this all up with phone calls. My man.

I met Jesse in Miami in 1985, I was working at Carlos n Pepe's Mexican restaurant.The first time I ever performed with Tyrone was at Jesse's birthday party.We both lived on south beach in 1991, and I worked with him several times on carpentry jobs.It's been a long time, I can't wait to see him. In the mean time, I'll be staying here High atop Big Sur.Man, do I just fall into some shit or what? It's beautiful, sunny,breezy and in the 80's.

Never in a million years would I get up this way.Can you say jackpot? Wow, I'm just chilling here playing guitar and taking some photographs plus doing my blog thing.

Getting the Mom's hook up

2009-08-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

I called my friend Jesse Muson yesterday from Monterey.He hooked me up with his mom.I went over to her house for dinner.I pulled up to this sweet house surrounded by a vegetable garden.Jocelyn is a hippy from back in the day.She spent many years living in Big Sur.That's where Jesse is from.She made a lovely salad from the garden.I picked some kale from her gigantic kale bush.She said she felt guilty for not eating it up.I marinated the kale in olive oil,soy sauce, garlic and sesame seeds.We shared a bottle of Merlot and had a wonderful dinner talking about Jesse and what he's up to and how much of a great guy he is.She lives in a beautiful old house on top of a hill that overlooks the pacific.After dinner I played and sang her "I'm for real" on Jesse's guitar and she sang me a song in french and sang one of her own songs, it was great.Then we had to watch "So you think you can dance".She's hooked,but it was cool.Amazing dancing and choreography.

I had never met his mom before, so it was one of those situations where you just never know what to expect.It was a pleasant surprise. What a great visit.

Yosemite Sam

2009-08-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

The view from the top of the valley in Yosemite National ParkMono Lake California
I have seen the mountain topPat from New York cityRoute 89 from Tahoe to Yosemite

Wow... What I experienced yesterday riding from Lake Tahoe to and through Yosemite National Park was the most amazing motorcycle riding ever.It was so beautiful, pictures don't even come close to capturing the magnificent landscape I have seen.If you have never been out west to this part of the country you are missing the most amazing beauty in nature.It was like being on another planet.It was jaw dropping awe inspiring bliss.Right in the middle of it all I came across Pat from the west 30's in Manhattan.I was like, can you believe this? He is on his 2nd cross country tour and had some really helpful tips.We visited for about a half hour trading stories and bearing witness to the beauty.It was great to be able to share it with somebody.The fact that he was from N.Y. and touring on his motorcycle made it all the better.I look forward to seeing him in the city when I return.

After riding clear back across the state, I'm in Monterey,CA.Tomorrow I'm going to ride along the coast to Big Sur. I've put 2000 miles on the motorcycle so far, and covered 6000 miles and 10 states in total for my travels this summer.Wow, what an adventure.I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Lake Tahoe

2009-08-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, this place is incredible.I'm in south Lake Tahoe right now.The weather is beautiful.I scored a $60 hotel room that is off the chain.It's about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, so I'm gonna go do some exploring.I'll check in a little later.

California

2009-08-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

Camping out
I'm in Crystal lake California.I'm on my way to Lake Tahoe.I've had a wonderful ride down the Pacific Coast Highway.Last night I was in Crescent City California.This morning I rode through the redwood forests of northern California.It was amazing.Winding roads and these huge redwoods everywhere.The road was mountainous with many winding turns.It was crazy fun.Northern California is really rugged with lots of mountains,I had no idea.

There is nothing wrong with my ribs.Absolutely no visible sign of trauma.No bruises, no scratches, and no swelling.However, I am still experiencing discomfort.It is getting better with each passing day.I haven't taking any pain killers, because I don't want to mask any pain that I should be aware of. Now, it just feels like I got elbowed really hard in the boob.Don't worry,I'm paying close attention to whats going on with my body.I'm also riding with caution.

Humpty Dumpy

2009-07-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Mt. Hood

Today started out promising.It was about a 60 mile ride up to Mt. Hood.By 10 o'clock it was in the 90's.After snapping off a few pictures and taking in the mountain with all it's glory, I packed up and started on my decent back down the six mile timberline road.I was now going to ride on to the Columbia Gorge.I was indecisive as to which way it was out of the parking lot and in the last instant I turned left, but I was on a steep incline.It was so steep my left foot couldn't touch the ground as I made a sharp left turn the bike began to lean further and further and my foot still wouldn't touch.Soon I was past the point of no return.When my foot finally touched the weight was too much and the bike just slammed me to the ground, HARD!

My left arm remained on the handle bar and was trapped between the road and my rib cage.The whole force of the spill went right to my upper rib cage.I laid there for ten seconds or so trying to get my wind back and reeling in extreme pain.I thought to myself,oh I just broke my fucking ribs.I've never felt anything like that.What a smack down.I crawled out from under the bike and picked it up.Just then this guy came over and asked if I needed some help.I said yeah,just grab the front brake.I got the kickstand down, and immediately checked the bike for damage.The left mirror was smashed, other than that,not a scratch.

Now I could focus on the pain in my chest.Ouch! That fucking hurt.Ooh Damn, I just fucked up my mirror, I said. It was all over but the crying.I got back on my horse and rode gingerly down the mountain.Damn, I thought, Mt. Hood just kicked my ass.

I'm laid up in a super 8 motel sore as hell.There doesn't seem to be any swelling or bruising as of yet,but getting in and out of bed is painful.I bruised up my ego pretty bad and beat myself up all the way back to Portland.I'm taking it easy til tomorrow and we'll see how I feel in the morning.Sorry for all the profanity,but I didn't want to pull any punches in my description of today's festivities.

There, I got that off my chest.

Portland

2009-07-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm in Portland right now, it's as hot as bejesus! I rode back up the coast and got the first 600 mile service done on the bike,then rode to Portland. I have to say I'm noy very impressed.For one thing it's just too damn hot.Yesterday it was 102.I think I'm better off staying away from cities.Today I'm going to ride up to Mt. Hood, then over to the Columbia Gorge.It sure is nice being able to cover some ground.I've seen tons of bicyclists and in this heat it's got to be tough. Alrighty then... see ya

Motorcycle Heaven

2009-07-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sunset city
The money shot
Bandon beach lighthouseBandon beach

I spent the night in Bandon beach, Oregon.A beautiful little town with lots of rocks on the coast.I just kinda tooled my way south, taking in all the beautiful sights.Fish taco's were on the menu last night.Yum.The weather is amazing and I'm feeling pretty good. Lucky to be alive...

Que: Eye of the Tiger music here...

2009-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

My new mode of transportationI am just beachy keenSeal rock is where I camped for the nightWhat a wonderful coastThe devils punch bowl

Sometimes in life you just have to do what you want to do, and this is one of those times.I sold the bike with some of my gear at a bicycle shop and bought this Husquavarna. Nice.Now I'm going to leisurely tour the west coast pacific highway.Last night I camped at Seal Rock in Oregon and met some great people.We hung out by the bonfire till around 11:30 drinking beer and telling stories.The weather is beautiful on the coast,but really hot inland.It's in the 100's in Portland.

The adventure continues...

Changed my mind

2009-07-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

high above the Oregon coastNice beach

After much contemplation I decided to resume my journey on land. Last night I told Marvin I wanted to abandon ship.Life on the ocean was a little too slow paced.It was great when we had wind, but boring when we had to motor at 2 miles an hour.Marvin took it well and was just as nice as ever.We had coffee together this morning and bid each other farewell.Ever since the sand bar incident I tried to convince myself it would be o.k.,but in the end my land loving self convinced me to get back on solid ground.Now I'm headed down the Oregon coast in search of winding roads and beautiful landscapes.I hope to get back to Portland as well, to meet up with Jamie and Cece in the first week in August,then head to California and see my old friend Jesse Muson and a much anticipated reunion with my dear friend Christi who also resides in California with her husband and two children.Stay tuned for some exciting new developments in my quest to travel, discover and experience life on the go.

Hungry to get going

2009-07-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

An interesting view from the docks in AstoriaThe view from my cabin this morning

The next leg of our trip is an 112 mile run from the Columbia river to Coos bay.It looks as though we're going to have to spend another night at sea.With such a distance we don't have much of a choice.The forecast for Friday is 35 mile an hour gale force winds with 8-10 foot seas.Um, I don't think we'll be leaving with those kind of conditions.Saturday looks much better.

The controllers for the motor should be here today. Marvin will install them and we should be ready to go.The weather here lately is typical, rainy and overcast.Not much for sightseeing or riding my bike around.I'm spending most of my day in a cafe getting wired, wireless of course.Last night I cooked up some spaghetti with meat sauce and served it with sourdough.We chased it down with a bottle of white Merlot.

We need to get some food and do a load of laundry before getting out of here, oh yeah,and gas up and change the oil on one of the generators.Other than that we're good to go.All this sitting around just makes me hungry.Well, actually bored and that makes me want to eat.I think tonight I'll do Mexican... Sounds good to me.

The will to thrive

2009-07-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

We can all learn something from Marvin

So, we need two controller's for the motor and they'll be shipped out today from Minnesota.They should be here by the weekend.Things are looking pretty good.Last night I grilled up a couple of rib eye steaks with some corn on the cob sliced tomato's and garlic bread.We drank a bottle of Merlot and properly celebrated Marvin's 69 birthday.

Last night I was lying in bed wondering how is it that I can all of a sudden have a 69 year old stranger as a really good friend? You know, it's not that big of a boat and we're living in close quarters.There's a lot of getting out of one an other's way.Not to mention some severely stressful situations we've encountered.I don't know about you,but I tend to get a little surly under stress.Through it all we've managed to keep an even keel, and our friendship is a testament to that.While stranded on the sand bar I was seriously considering moving on, and Marvin even said, If you want to leave the boat and get back to riding your bike, I understand.But you know what? The fuckers got heart.And at 69, with two titanium knee replacements,and two shoulder operations he is one tough cookie.Not to mention, a wonderful human being,father and friend.Yeah, I'm learning a lot about sailing, but more important,I'm learning a lot about myself and how I relate to others.I'll come out of this experience a better person.I'm committed to sailing with Marvin to San Fransisco, so he can see his 18 month old granddaughter and get back to warmer weather where his bones wont ache.I've never felt more alive than these last 82 days on the road and sea.If at 69 I can be as much alive as Marvin,then I'll truly be living life to the fullest.

Recovery is a success

2009-07-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

That stump in the middle sure looks like a giant squid

It's Tuesday,I'm in a coffee house in Astoria, Oregon. Marvin hired a Salvage crew to pull the boat off the sand bar Sunday night around 10:30 p.m. at high Tide.It took a 68 ft. commercial fishing boat and a 20 ft. skiff, with a crew of five guys.The first attempt riped a cleat off the bow, so they tided a line around the mast and it pulled the boat over on it's side and slid it over the sand bar.By 12 o'clock midnight we were in a bar drinking a beer with the guy who managed it and celebrating Marvin's 69 birthday.He couldn't ask for a better present.They towed the boat to Warrenton marina, just outside of Astoria.

Yesterday we spent the day pumping out the bulge. It had about a half a foot of water in it.We also cleaned her up. Everything was strewn about and soaking wet, but we managed to get her back in livable condition and spent the night on her.Today Marvin is diagnostic testing the electric motor to pinpoint the problem.Until that is fixed we can't safely go anywhere, but he's confident that it shouldn't take too long, unless we have to order parts and have them shipped from Minnesota.I'm on the hunt for a fuse that was blown during the fiasco.

When the coast guard dropped us off in Astoria there wasn't a vacant hotel room in town.I contacted a hostel, but they were closing in 10 minutes and we still needed to call a cab and cross town to get there.It was looking pretty grim.Somehow we made it in the nick of time. We spent the night eating a pizza and watching the comedy channel and laughing like girls at a slumber party as if what we just went through never happened.The cab driver gave us the tip about the salvage co. and by mid morning the next day Marvin had it all worked out.Not without a serious price though. Ouch!Nothing like getting kicked when your already down.

Astoria is a beautiful town on the shore of the Columbia river with lot's of coffee houses that serve stumptown coffee,restaurants, and museums.We couldn't have found a better place to be laid up for a while.We're moored next to a fish precessing plant where the commercail fishing boats unload there catch and it stinks to high heaven.We'll make the best of it though.On Sunday there was a great farmers market with live music and vender's galore.My buddy Jamie and his girlfriend Cece are gonna be in Portland soon, hopefully I'll get a chance to to spend some quality time with them.Until then, see ya when I see ya.

Shipwrecked

2009-07-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

stranded on the sand barMarvin and I sailing buddys

Well here we sit aboard Le Perle Bleue stranded for the last fifteen hours on a sand bar in the Columbia river.Yesterday, after a promising start coming out of the bay in West port marina things were looking quite different.We caught a nice wind at 8:00a.m. and cruised out into the Pacific ocean in no time at all.We only had 40 miles to sail into the mouth of the Columbia river and strong northwest winds were forecast for the day.No sooner did we get into the ocean and the wind just died.Surrounded by fog with about 100 yards visibility we were dead in the water.We used the GPS right from the dock because the fog was as thick as pea soup right from the marina.So we turned on the motor and began a slow crawl south.We never saw land all day and the fog stayed thick.My highlight of the day was a giant blue whale about 20 yards off the starboard side.It surfaced twice and spouted as well.I screamed for Marvin but he was too late to witness the massive mammal.I on the other hand was overjoyed to see her so close to the boat. From what I could see she was at least twice as big as the boat.
We ended up motoring for most of the day, but the wind finally picked up about 26 miles from our destination and we sailed right into the mouth of the Columbia river.It was 10:30 p.m. when we arrived at the jetty's.Now we had to sail another five miles up the river to our destination,the Astoria boat dock.After finding the course on the GPS I handed it off to Marvin and went down below for a little rest.It was dark and foggy but the wind was blowing and visibility was better than we had all day and I was confident Marvin would get us well up river.About an hour after I laid down I suddenly felt some jolts and ran up top to see what was happening.We had run a ground.Feverishly, Marvin tried to put the engine in reverse and back us off, but it didn't work,in fact it blew up the engine.As I looked around to survey the situation I could clearly see the buoys marking the channel and we were nowhere near them.We had just run a ground on the most infamous sand bar on the west coast the Des demona.We were now a statistic. One of 2000 vessels who have at one time or another come to this same fate.In the next few hours that followed, the tide proceeded to go out and the boat began to lean further and further on the boards until it was completely on it's side.Things started falling of the walls, out of the cabinets,off shelves, and water began to seep in.We could barely walk around in the cabin now and every couple of steps was hard for me, and almost impossible for Marvin.The waves were beating the boat around pretty good as well.All we could do is try to get some sleep and wait for the 10 a.m. high tide in the morning.To make matters worse water started running out of the sink faucet because the water tank was on the high side of the boat and gravity was taking over.Every half hour I had to bail water out of the sink and into a bucket to throw overboard and with the boat on it's side this became a major task.On top of that all I wanted to do was get some sleep.
I got up and crawled out of the boat at 5:00 a.m. and couldn't believe the predicament we were in.When Marvin awoke he began calling towing company's to see if someone could help us out. At 11:00 a.m. when it was high tide and the boat would right itself, hopefully...but no towing company came. The Coast Guard did show up but could not get past the sand bar to assist us.When high tide came in at 11:00 a.m. the water level was 6 ft. 9 inch's but our keel sticks down 7ft. below the water level and she was in at least a foot of sand.We had some decent wind and raised the main sail and the jib and for an hour we tried to break free under sail power as the Coast Guard looked helplessly on from a safe distance.She was inching forward but just didn't have enough depth.It is now 4:30 in the afternoon and once again low tide and we are getting battered and beaten by the waves crashing in the sand bar and the boat is once again on her side.It's not pretty.Now we are waiting for 11:00 p.m. when the tide will once again be high, and actually 3 feet higher than the last high tide and hoping we can break free.Of coarse we wont have the ease of daylight to navigate, and or, the power of the motor to break us free.The Coast Guard is coming back to assist and hopefully give us a tow to the marina.For now, it's just weight and sea.

We're checked into a Youth Hostel in Astoria Oregon.It's 12:20 a.m. The Coast Guard could not pull us off the sand bar and we had to abandon ship.Marvin has been living on his boat for the last two years. If you could have seen the look on his face as the Coast Guard motored us away without her it would have broke your heart.We could only take necessary items with, so my bike is still on the boat,as with most of Marvin's possessions.Tomorrow we'll see if we can find a salvation company to tow the boat off the sand bar, and figure out what's next.For now, it's good to be on solid ground.

2009-07-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Dew drops
Need I say more
Seascape
These little guys were screaming, look at us

Just a few reminders of the little things in life.I hope everyone is well and thriving.Thanks for the comments I look forward to your responses.It is truly a highlight in my day.Just knowing someone out there is paying attention and in someway moved by what I am trying to express. Live it up til we meet again.

A night on the Pacific

2009-07-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Leaving Makah marina
Coming into Greys HarborThis is what 5 miles off shore looks likeThis morning in Greys Harbor

I’m sitting at the jetty's in Greys Harbor Washington, it’s 7:30 in the morning and I’ve just had some coffee and a wonderful raspberry fritter.There is a thick blanket of fog covering the harbor and visibility is next to nothing.Marvin and I sailed 32 hours to travel the hundred plus miles to get here.We left Makah marina at 6:00 am Monday morning with thick fog and calm waters headed for the end of the straight and south into the Pacific ocean

It took about two hours to get around Tatoshe Island and a few dangerous rocks that line the shore in these parts.We kept a steady southwest course to keep far enough away from the coast and by mid afternoon the wind picked up and away we went.The wind stayed fairly strong until late afternoon, then it gradually died out. It was now apparent that we would not reach our planed destination and would be spending the night at sea. By 8:00 p.m. we were a good 10 miles off shore and the wind all but died. As darkness came upon us I took over the helm for the first watch. Marvin would get some much needed sleep and relieve me at 12:30 a.m.
As the light faded out my only reference to land was a small town with a few lights I could see in the very distance.I was huddled in a sleeping bag armed with a hand held GPS unit and tried to hold a steady course.Talk about eerie…Marvin was now sound asleep and it was just me and the pacific ocean, a light wind, some fog, and these little sea birds who seemed to be laughing at me.Already exhausted from the days sail I was fighting off the urge to fall asleep and keep my barrings straight.That’s when the delusion set in. My mind began playing tricks on me.What little wind I had seemed to be changing directions and keeping a steady course was becoming more and more difficult.The boat spun around and very soon I didn’t know what direction I was headed.I could still make out some lights on the shore but now they were on the wrong side of me. Just when I would get the boat back in the right direction,she would spin around and once again I wouldn’t know what the fuck was going on. I started changing the sails around because of the changing winds and pretty soon panic set in. Marvin called out from inside the boat if I was alright, and I sheepishly replied yeah. But I was now at the mercy of the mighty Pacific.Two hours into my night watch I was at the end of my rope. This was some scary shit. Marvin finally emerged from his sleeping quarters and took over the helm . I was spent emotionally and physically.
The boat spun Marvin around a couple more times before he got his barrings straight, which made me feel less incompetent.None the less I was happy he took over and I could finally get some sleep. At about 3:30 in the morning after some sleep I emerged to take over the helm to discover we were now much further from shore. Marvin looked like a weary sailor ready for a break. Night time at sea is lonely and scary. It wears on you.With the fading darkness my confidence grew but was kept at bay with the with the though of Destruction Island somewhere out there and I needed to avoid it. We were now motoring along at about three miles an hour with no wind and it was boring knowing what its like to be humming along with the wind. Marvin relieved me about 8:00 a.m. and I headed straight for bed.Two and half hours later I relieved Marvin to find out we were even further off shore.What the *%#? I thought where is he taking us? For the next six hours we motored along with no wind and moral was low. At about 2 o’clock in the afternoon the wind finally picked up, and picked up it did. By 4:00 p.m. it was a steady 20 knots and we were cruising along nicely. We still had a long 40 mile sail ahead of us to make it to Greys Harbor, but the wind stayed strong and we made good time and it eventually blew us right into the marina, and by 8:00 p.m. we were dock and ready to get some much needed food. Finally we could get back to joking around and reveling in the experience we had just gone through.It took us 32 hours to get from dock to dock and it was quite an adventure.We found an expensive restaurant at the marina and had a couple of beers and some fresh seafood pasta, and were happy to be back on solid ground. At 10:30 it was lights out and we were down for the count.

sittin on the dock of the bay

2009-07-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

One of the many Bald eagles I saw this morningMakah marina

Just killing time here at the marina.We have to stay here another night as the weather system blows over.This morning I went to get coffee and saw about 10 bald eagles.This place is a haven for them.The marina is full with commercial fishing boats.It's pretty cool here.We're at the most western part of the country in Washington.Tomorrow we'll make our way out into the Pacific if the weather and wind are in our favor.Marvin and I had breakfast this morning at a local hot spot where they serve all local organic food.Farm fresh eggs, home made bread and home made strawberry jam.It was quite nice.This is a Indian reservation and everyone is super friendly.We have a resident sea loin on the dock.Marvin saw him yesterday while I was napping.I sure would like to get a picture of him.Right now we have the heater cranked up in the boat because it's quite chilly.The forecast looks good for the next four days.We should be able to make some good time.

Ain't it foggy outside

2009-07-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

Catch of the day King SalmonLe Paley Bleue safely tucked away in Neah BayThat's the fog bank in the distanceNeah Bay
I'm sitting in the sailboat docked at Neah bay right at the mouth of the Jaun De Fuca straights and the Pacific ocean. The wind is howling outside at least 20 knots.Our belly's are full from Indian Taco's that we had from a little trailer that was perched in the parking lot of a country store.Indian fried bread with ground beef, lettuce, tomato's, and cheese topped with salsa.We also had a piece of Three Berrie pie.I'm stuffed and ready for a nap.We left Seku this morning around 6:30 a.m. and slipped out through the fog and into the straight.We motored for about two hours before the wind picked up.The whole straight was covered with a thick fog bank.visibility was about 100 yards and we had to keep our eyes peeled for small fishing boats.At one point we heard a large tug boat blow his horn several times and I could just make out the giant silhouette off the starboard side.Two minutes after it had passed this huge barge that it was towing what seemed liked 500 yards behind it emerged out of the fog 100 yards off the starboard side.Whoa!That was scary.I was at the helm and turned sharp to the port side to avoid being run over by that mammoth thing.We were nowhere near the shipping lane because of the fog and this tug was not where you would expect him to be. The winds picked up considerably and we were sailing along between 7 and 8 knots but the fog would not burn off.So we ducted into Neah bay and will spend the night and try again tomorrow.Marvin made a good call by getting us into that bay.We would have had our hands full if we were in the Pacific right now.It's 4 p.m. and the thick fog bank is still looming out there, combined with the strong winds and chance of a thunder storm.

Sailing from port to port is alot like riding a bike from campground to campground.It's nice to have a place to rest and reflect on the events of the day.Marvin is out like a light in his bunk, and I'm not far behind.Sailing makes you hungry and tired,But it sure is fun.

37 feet of waterline nicely making way

2009-07-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

The first sign of lightThe orka's were too fast to captureMyfriendmarvinMorning has broken

After a full day of getting the ship in shape,crossing our T's and doting our I's we pulled out of the marina at 9:00 p.m. Heading into the Juan De fuca straight we had light winds allowing us to set the main sail and unfurl the jib.It took about an hour to clear the spit and we set our course west with a beautiful red moonrise at our backs. We picked up a nice northwest wind and cruised at about 7 knots as the moon slowly rose over the next four hours guiding us with her beautiful shone light.Surrounded by dark mountains on each side of the straight we danced across the water effortlessly.Keeping a Kean lookout for freighters and giant cruise ships coming in from Alaska.As the night wore on the winds began to subside until they finally laid down to rest.We turned on the generators and for the remainder of the night motored our way toward our first port of call.Both of us we're tired and weary just before the dawn, but we're given a burst of energy as the first sign of light appeared out of the east.In the distance we spotted what appeared to be dolphins until suddenly they began racing all around the boat.Like lightning they crisscrossed under and along side the boat as if they were greeting us and showing their incredible speed.Killer whales,dozens of them zigzagging all around us. It was amazing.They looked to be about a thousand pounds each just babies curious to see what had entered their feeding grounds.At about 9:00a.m. we finally reached Seku, docked the boat and got some breakfast.We'll spend the day here, get some much needed rest and leave at high tide tomorrow afternoon.Marvin was great.I have total faith in his abilities to sail Le Paley bleue to our planned destination.Me? I'm along for the adventure,companionship, and education of a lifetime.

Getting ready to set sail

2009-07-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

The mighty pacific

Wednesday, July 8th 2009

Today it’s raining for the first time in a couple of weeks.I walked into town and spent the morning at the coffee house on line.They have a really nice piano there, so I asked if I could play it.I spent the next couple of hours entertaining the folks coming in and out of the coffee house with some old lenny sales classics.I tried to wait out the rain, but it’s one of those days where it just keeps coming down.I stopped at the health food store and picked up some food staples for the journey.Fresh fruits, oatmeal, chocolate soymilk,and some chips and a chocolate bar.Now I’m back at the boat waiting for Marvin to return from gathering some electic supplies to hook up the two back up generators we have to motor us when there is no wind.Marvin took out the diesel motor and installed an electric motor that runs on twelve, 12 volt batteries. We have two Honda generators to recharge the batteries, as well as 10 gallons of gas to run the generators.Today we’re going to take the boat out and test the motor to see how long it takes to run down the batteries, and see if we can simultaneously recharge them with the generators without losing power.Other than that we’re watching the weather closely and plotting our course from Washington to San Francisco. It looks as though we’ll be sailing some 50 miles off shore and making 3 or 4 stops at ports along the way. We figure it will take us eleven days to get to San Francisco.Soon enough we’ll find out just how sea worthy I am.50 miles off shore on a 37 foot boat. Oh boy! Gulp.

Getting the ship in shape

2009-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

A misty morning
Marvin and I spent the day working on the boat.I did some fiberglass work on the bow while Marvin took care of some rigging.At 3 o'clock we had an appointment to have the boat lifted out of the water so we could clean the bottom of barnacles and installed a new cotter pin on the rudder.Everything went smooth and we had it back in the water and docked in about an hour.Tomorrow I got some sanding and priming to do as well as painting.It's looking real good to get out of port by Friday.We're going to sail at night out of Port Angeles cause during the day it's just too windy.We'll leave port around 9 p.m. and have to sail about 60 miles to get out of the straight of Juan De Fuca and into the Pacific ocean.Sleeping on the boat has been really nice.I have my own quarters in the bow, complete with drawers for all my cloths and bike stuff.It just so happens that everything I brought along for cycling is great for sailing, like my rain gear and flip flops.We have about 50 gallons of fresh water on board a fridge, microwave,gas stove and even a barbecue grill.I'm starting to get real excited about sailing.Marvin and I are getting on just great he's a real sweet guy.He's in constant contact with his family and everyone one here in port just love him.They're all happy that he has me as his sailing partner.I got to know everyone at a 4th of July barbecue a few boats down.This is a real tight knit community here in the marina they look out for one another like family and they are all so nice.I'm at the itty bitty buzz coffee house right now.This town is real nice.They have two bike shops and at least three good coffee shops.What more could you ask for?

2009-07-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

Port Angeles Harbor my new home for a weekMarvin Geer "The old sea dog" Le Pale bleau

lenny sails

2009-07-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

Well I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July.I'm back in Port Angeles Washington with a story to tell.I was here about 6 days ago and while cruising around craigslist I came across and ad looking for a sailing partner.I answered the ad but never got a response, so I left town the next morning and didn't think too much about it.On Thursday I got my email returned saying that this person had tried to call me and left a message on my voicemail and if I didn't return his email he would consider me not interested. I Shot him back an email and said I was still interested and kept heading south.Later that afternoon I finally got network coverage on my cell phone and saw that I had a voicemail.It was Marvin Geer and he left his telephone number so I called and he wanted to meet with me. The only problem was I was 150 miles away in Aberdeen.I managed to hop on a bus with my bike and made my way back to Port Angeles a little after eight that same evening.I met with Marvin. We went out to this Mexican restaurant which I had been to last time I was in town.To make a long story short.Out of five people interested in the position Marvin selected me to be his sailing partner.So somewhere around next Friday we will be sailing his custom built 37 ft. sailboat out of the straight of Juan De Fuca down to San Fransisco.If we get along and everything works out I have the option to sail all the way to the Panama Canal, back up through the Caribbean and up the east coast to North Carolina.I am currently living aboard the boat and Marvin and I are getting to know one another. He is 69 years old, retired and describes himself as an old sailing dog.He's a really nice guy and I'm about to get an education of a lifetime.This is something that I've always wanted to do, so when the opportunity showed up I was all over it.The adventure continues! Oh, my bike fits on the boat so I'm bring it with.Sorry I don't have any picture at the moment. I left my camera on the boat this morning.

The North West Pacific Coast

2009-07-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

The end of a great dayScott,Dewhite,and Sarah all on solo adventuresCamping on the beach
The biggest piece of driftwood everHoh National Rain ForestRuby Beach
Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

Yesterday I made a big left hand turn and started heading south through Olympic National Park.Early in the morning I came across a gem of a beach called Ruby Beach.I also rode through the Hoh National Rain Forest.Then I passed four more beach's before checking out South Beach.Upon arrival I met Scott from Seattle.The first thing he did was put a cold beer in my hand,It was 11:00 a.m.Three beers later I had no choice but to stay.Sarah from Colorado showed up sometime in the afternoon and Dewight rolled in on His motorcycle from Montana around six, and the party was on.Four solo adventures converging on a tiny camp ground right on the beach.Everyone had a story to tell.We drank beer and exchanged stories long into the night around a camp fire.Scott was into his jeep,kayaking,and fire lookout stations.He was very generous with his extensive selections of good beer. Dewight was on a week long motorcycle jaunt through Olympic Park. An avid camper he was.He even used to work at Yosemite National Park.Sarah just finished her Masters in Colorado and was camping alone all over the place all by her lonesome.We were impressed to say the least.She had a trusty miniature hatchet in case anyone gave her any shit.There was lots of talk of bears and other critter encounters.Everyone was on a self discovery trip.
It was really nice being around like minded individuals and sharing our experiences.
It made me realize how much I miss my friends.I'm sitting in a coffee house on Pacific Beach counting my lucky stars.

Day 61 on tour

2009-06-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Fox gloves at Crescent Lake

Today was a nice bike ride to Crescent Lake.The weather has been great and looks like it's going to continue through the weekend.I'm working my way around the Olympic Mountains and headed south to to the Pacific coast.Washington is fast becoming my favorite state.It smells like Douglas fur and wild flowers.I love the landscape,the forest's are beautiful and the mountains are majestic.I can't wait to make it to the coast.Let me know how you're doing...

He'll be comming around the mountain when he comes

2009-06-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Bikerboy in the mountainsI came from down there this morningLying in the road to get this oneDungeness spit
Deer meadowHurricane ridge

Top of the world

I went to dungeness Spit yesterday and spent the night in Sequim.This morning I rode to Port Angeles on the bike path then rode up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic mountains.It was over 6000 ft.It was awesome.I'm so glad I did it! Just chillin on top of the world.

2009-06-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

This part of the country is beautifulAlan,Susan, Eric, and Liz told great stories of the history of these partsI spent the night here with the FamilyEric and I went sailing in his uncle's sailboatEric showing off the bounty of clams we just dug up

Saturday morning started out with a 20 mile ride to the Port Townsend ferry.While waiting for the ferry to arrive I met Eric who was on his way to his uncle's to go sailing. I decided to follow him for the next 27 miles only to be punished by the back road hills that led us to his uncle's place.Eric is a high school teacher in Seattle and has raced sailboats in Tanzania.Upon arriving I met the rest of the family,and we went down to the beach to dig up clams for dinner.Now that was fun!After that, Eric and I went for a quick and adventurous sail in his uncle's boat.
When we got back I scrubbed clams While the rest of the family prepared dinner.Fresh clams over pasta, sauteed vegetables,salad, and rhubarb pie with ice cream.Another amazing encounter with the people and places in this incredible part of the country.Thank you for sharing these times with me. I am humbled by your kindness.

unbelievable kindness

2009-06-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Cynthia and David take me inThis is where I stayed last nightBambi
The Washington coast and beyond

Well, I rode to the coast of Washington and jumped on a ferry to Whidbey Island.I found a nice coffee house and met Jessica.then I headed to South Whidbey state park to check out the camp ground.It was really nice, but I didn't feel like spending alone time in the woods.I rode six miles back to the coffee shop.Jessica was showing my blog to Cynthia who invited me to come stay in her and her husbands studio.That was a no brainier.We packed up my bike in her car and drove to the west side of Whidbey where they have a charming house.After getting cleaned up they had me over for a wonderful dinner.We shared stories and had fresh strawberries with ice cream for dessert.David is an avid astronomer complete with an observatory. He showed me Saturn and the moon through his amazing telescope.Wow!The deer and rabbits are plentiful here, and so was Cynthia and David's kindness.They called me in Saturday morning for Breakfast, and now I'm getting ready to ride up to Deception pass.Encounters like this make me feel so blessed.I am truly grateful for the unconditional love they have shared.With a giant leap of faith comes unbelievable rewards.Never be afraid to take that first step.There is a world of opportunity out here just waiting to be discovered.

up and over the Cascades

2009-06-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

My little Germany
The river shot
The Cascade Mountains

Yesterday I rode 71 miles over the Cascade mountains.They are very rugged and gnarly I ended up in a small town 30 miles east of Seattle Called Gold Bar.I made it up to Stevens pass in about 3 hours.By the time I got to Gold Bar I was spent, so I stayed at the only motel in town,did some laundry and had hot chicken wings for dinner.

Getting to know the locals

2009-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

The Columbia River

Yesterday I ended up playing music at the Red Bird coffee house.I met Zack and he turned me on to Gorden And his Wife Nicole and we all ended up at their house getting baked and having dinner. A fresh salad that she made entirely from her own garden.Super nice people and a great time.I could stay here for a while. It's an adorable town with a German theme.It's like being back In Frankfurt all over again.The people are amazing, and I got to wow some folks with my musical skills. I got my mojo back!

No shame in my game

2009-06-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Just east of Leavenworth, Washington
My first big rig experienceChris gets top billing today

Tuesday morning started out challenging.I got about 3 miles out of town on this bike path and my rear tire split right down the middle.It went flat so I tried to pump it up and it actually held air.There was a piece of wire stuck right in the tube.I managed to find a bike shop 5 miles back into town.I replaced both front and rear tires with new ones, and saved my old front tire as a spare.I got back on the road at about 11:00 a.m.About 25 miles down the road I started to get a real sense of danger because there was absolutely no shoulder to ride on.Cars were whizzing by at 70 mph.And for the first time on this journey I was scared.My intuition was me telling to get off the road.I couldn't stop thinking I was going to get run over.Just then a semi was coming in the opposite direction and I could here another one right behind me and all three of us were about to converge at the same point.I could here the truck behind me brake,so I bailed off the road.He gave me a friendly beep as if to say thanks.I just shook my head and said that's enough.Up the hill about a half a mile was a gas station and I pulled in frazzled.This guy comes out of the store and says, hey thanks for getting off the road, most bikers would have just kept going.I said oh, that was you.Yeah he said, this is a real dangerous road Lot's of people get killed out here.I told him how I felt and said,I need to get of this road, I'm ready to start hitchhiking.This is nuts and I'm terrified.So he offers to take me 70 miles to Libby where I was trying to get for the day, and I say sure!I strapped my bike onto the empty flatbed and away we went.Chris and I get to talking and he is just the nicest guy.We're the same age and had a lot to talk about.We talked non stop for hours.He was picking up a railroad truck in Troy which was just the other side of Libby and bringing it about 350 miles away to Leavenworth Washington, which is only 100 miles east of Seattle.To make a long story short he offered to take me as far as he was going, so we picked up the truck in Troy and drove 350 miles out of Montana thru Idaho and into Washington.We had a blast stopping for dinner shooting the shit and telling stories of our adventures.We stopped and shared a hotel when it got dark.Two perfect strangers getting on like old friends.We got up this morning had breakfast and drove the rest of the way to Leavenworth droped off the railroad truck and said our goodbyes.Man, I could'nt make this shit up.He was happy to have some company and I was thrilled to escape that dangerous situation, get to ride in a big rig, and most of all be 400 miles closer to Seattle avoiding some serious mountain passes.Tomorrow I have to climb some 4000 ft. over Stevens pass and then coast 50 miles into Seattle.Right now I'm in a coffee shop drinking dancing goats alive and well thanking my lucky stars.I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid. See ya in Seattle!

Good looking out

2009-06-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

I didn't do shit today.It's been raining all day.So let me send a shout out to Dave, Steve, and Keri.Thanks for putting my brother up on your couch.I've been there I know what it's like.Just make sure he cleans up after himself.Ha! Ha!

The 67 mile smile

2009-06-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Flat Head River
Me posing pretty One of the many cutbacks

Oh my god! That was incredible! My day started out in a little breakfast joint with two other cyclists in East Glacier.We shared experiences and had a nice breakfast.Evidently I have been climbing for the last two weeks and didn't even know it.I started my ride at 9:00 a.m. and only had to climb 10 miles before I reached the Continental divide, which is Marias Pass, some 5000 feet above sea level.Then it was all down hill! 67 unbelievable miles of down hill!Wow!That was a once in a lifetime experience.I saw three cyclists going in the opposite direction and I can't imagine having to do that.They looked miserable.I on the other hand was over joyed.The first thing I did when I got to the bottom was get a tooth pick to get the bugs out of my teeth, cause I was smiling the whole way.Talk about beautiful.Glacier National Park is wonderful.The pictures are not even close to the real thing.I wish you all could experience what that was like.There's nothing like it.Sending my love and zest for life in these beautiful times.Your friend lenny.

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T04:49:00.001-07:00

Last night I thoroughly enjoyed the company of a couple from Wisconsin.They were in the cabin next to me.We ended up going out to dinner and I had a fantastic steak.We sat outside the cabin and drank beer and exchanged stories all afternoon.It was a good time.I think the people from Wisconsin are some of the nicest folks in America.There must be something in that cheese.

Here we go

2009-06-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

Riding into East GlacierNow that's a cold one

I'm staying in East Glacier tonight.Tomorrow I'll start my trek through the mountains.The locals tell me there are more than 300 grizzly bears in the park.Don't feel bad if I can't get a picture of one.I'll be too busy climbing anyway.I might not have a wifi signal for a couple of days as well.Hmm, imagine that.The Rockies are amazing, and the beer is really cold.Wish me luck.

Somewhere in the middle of america

2009-06-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Amber waves of grain

I'm in Cut bank,Montana,44 miles from the Rocky Mountains.I can see them in the distance looming with snow drizzled on top of them like frosting on a giant jaged cinnamon bun.The forecast for tomorrow is rain,and the wind is gusting up to 30 miles per hour right now.I'm so excited!I've come all this way to see this amazing sight.I think I'm in pretty good shape to tackle these puppies.In a few days we'll see just what kind of shape I'm in. I was on my bike at 6 a.m. this morning and had a beautiful 44 mile ride to Shelby, where I ate eggs and french toast for breakfast,then I rode 22 miles to Cut Bank.I scored some free muffins at a coffee shop and milked the owner for information about the road ahead.She also recommended a cheap hotel.So, here I am at my base camp trying to imagine what lies ahead.It's crazy never knowing what the next day is going to bring.It's been like this the whole way.Every time you crest a hill your trying to get a glimpse of the road ahead.Most of the time it's another hill.But other times the landscape just explodes and it's like, Wow! I wish you could see this.Pictures can't express the feeling of being in the middle of this amazing landscape.Montana is everything you've ever seen in a cowboy movie only your surrounded by it. It's like being in the middle of an ocean of land. I love it!

A much needed rest day

2009-06-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is how far I've come

I woke up this morning to some nasty winds out of the west and decided to stay put right where I am.I tossed it back and forth till 11 o'clock before I made up my mind to stay.I haven't had a rest day since coming over the ferry into Wisconsin and now feels like a good time to take one.I spent the morning disassembling my bike and cleaning and tuning it up for the next leg of the tour.The owner of the motel hooked me up with some rags and a bottle of degreaser, now it's like new money.People are so nice,I'm amazed at how they go out of their way to help me out.Meeting new folks everyday is one of the highlights of being on this adventure.The couple that owns this place also have a cafe and laundry facility so this is the perfect one stop shop.The cafe has really good ice cream and coffee.Last night I had a pizza that was pretty good too.I wouldn't normally vacation in a town like this, but I'm going with the flow.Tomorrow it's back to work though.Yeehaw! ride em bikeboy.

snake rattle and roll

2009-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Morning in Montana

I was on the road at 5a.m. this morning after last night's festivities.I was trying to avoid traffic on a bad road, and get going before the wind started.I rode 82 miles to Chester, Montana.I saw 5 dead rattle snakes on the side of the road today. Yikes!This is some major rattle snake country here.Needless to say I'm not camping out.I've had great weather for the last 3 days.Tomorrow looks promising as well,although it's going be a hot one. After tomorrow I should be within striking distance of Glacier National Park.I'm going to bed early tonight like a good boy.I've got my work cut out for me in the morning.

five fat tires

2009-06-17T03:29:00.000-07:00

The wind changed on me overnight so I had a battle on my hands again today.I did manage to put in 65 miles and ended up in Chinook, Montana.I got cleaned up and crawled into a local watering hole called the pastime lounge.I tried my first fat tire.For those of you who don't know, it's beer.Fittingly with a picture of a bicycle on it.It didn't take long for word to spread who the new guy at the bar was.The beers were on the house and so was my cheeseburger.I left the place with 13 dollars in poker earnings a new hat and a education in cattle ranching.Great people, great night.I'm drunk...

114 miles yeah baby!

2009-06-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

I won't be riding down this roadWolf Point
The road ahead is long

Today I rode from 7:30 till 4:00 114 miles! It was amazing.The wind is my friend. Just me, the road and the beautiful wide open Montana.

Flying high in the big sky

2009-06-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a 96 mile day, it was 87 degrees and hot.I had a nice tail wind and I rode through some wide open country in Montana. I'm in Wolf Point right now.Today looks like another nice day with the wind at my back also.The pictures I took yesterday just don't translate. It's as far as the eye can see.I met some really nice Indians, I'm on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation learning all about the history around here. It's really interesting. What an education.This is great,I'm having a blast.I saw two bikers coming from Seattle. They complained about the head winds, so that looks good for me.Montana is beautiful and I haven't even got to the good stuff yet.I hope everyone one is well.I'm flying high in the big sky.

Lookout Montana here I come

2009-06-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Western ND turned out to be quite niceSomewhere in the middle of NDNot the best conditions

Here I sit on the boarder of North Dakota and Montana in Williston,ND.With 2,200 miles behind me I'm looking at another 1,200 miles to Seattle,with three mountain ranges to cross.This past week was a real test of my will.I'm happy to have prevailed.For me one of the toughest challenges is the weather.I am through and through a fair weather cyclist.As long as it's sunny and warm I'm good to go.The cold, wind, and rain is a whole different story.

I've met some really nice people bellying up to the bar after a long day in the saddle.Last night I learned a lot about the booming oil business and cheap real estate in North Dakota.It's amazing what you get for 30 grand.Good paying jobs are also plentiful.The only problem is the 40 degree below zero winters.I couldn't even imagine that.

My legs are so much stronger than when I first hit the Catskills.I don't even use my granny gear any more.The butt muscles are also getting tougher. Not quite where they need to be, but I'm getting there.We'll see what Montana has to offer over the next week.I feel much better today, I just ate some great Mexican food.Today it got up into the 80's, luckily I got an early start this morning.Tomorrow it's onward and upward. Lookout Montana here I come.

Hershey squirts

2009-06-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hey, It's Friday morning I'm in Minot,North Dakota. Yesterday was a 68 mile ride in the rain, nice.This morning the sky is beautiful,and it looks like the temp is in the 70's.I did some bicycle maintenance this morning after riding in the rain the chain was pretty gritty.I'm good to go now.I haven't had a decent cup of coffee in a week.The food in this part of the country is also horrible.Greasy!! Everything is fried.It's given me a nice case of the runs.That's always fun out on the road on a bicycle.At first I thought I might have Lyme disease,but I looked up the symptoms on the web, I'm o.k. I'll be moving on shortly.I met some nice guys in Rugby the other day and hung out at a bar with them and learned all about wind farms.The folks around here are really nice.I miss the farmers market in Union Square.Oh yeah, and Maya's cooking. See ya!!

2009-06-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

Finally some blue skyNorth Dakota

Don't let the sunny sky fool you.This morning it was 37 degrees with the wind chill,but hey at least the sun came out.North Dakoda looks much better with a little blue sky in the picture.So far this is the toughest state to conquer.The wind is kicking my ass and the grey skys are just plain depressing.It looks like the tide is turning in my favor though.If I can make it out of this state in 3 more days I'll be lucky.I just keep hacking away at it.Yesterday was sort of a rest day for me I only rode 26 miles and chilled in a cheap hotel all afternoon.Today was a 57 mile day to Rugby. The next town is 68 miles away. So that's what I'm shooting for tomorrow

I miss Brooklyn

2009-06-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Check out this wild turkeyTurtle River SP
Just a nice bridge

After two tough days and five ticks I'm in Lakota, North Dakota.Last nights camping was great, but it started raining and didn't stop till 11a.m.The weather has been rainy the last two days and cold as well. I got my first flat tire two days ago.Not bad considering I got a flat once a week in N.Y.C.I had this nice turkey pecking around the woods at my camp site, she had three little babies too. I got infested with ticks gathering fire wood. They were in my tent, sleeping bag, panniers, even on me, luckily I didn't get bit. Today I washed all my cloths so hopefully that's the end of the ticks!There is nothing in North Dakota for miles.I need some nice weather to bring up my spirits.Riding in the cold rain sucks, but I'm still having fun. Just not as much.I miss Brooklyn.

Saving grace

2009-06-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Timber wants to play
This morning looked grim.It was cold, rain was threatening and I was on the wuss out fence.I got on my bike, and said ouch!Then I noticed the wind direction.East!For the first time on this trip I had a wind at my back.The first 20 miles was like taking candy from a baby.I averaged 18 miles an hour. Awesome!I kept my breaks short so I wouldn't tighten up, and put the peddle to the metal.83 miles later I'm in a Mickey Dee's hijacking a signal from the Inn next door.What a turning point.What an advantage.These people going west to east have a huge advantage.I'm only 20 miles from North Dakota.I feel great.This was a good day.Sorry there are no pictures, it would have been ugly anyway.You can't imagine what it's like to look up the unfamiliar road with dark clouds looming, 48 degrees and you have the will power to maybe make 20 miles.And you know there is nothing on the map to save your ass.Then to discover the wind of all things wants to be your friend.Yippee Yahoo.I'll be in my cheap hotel watching T.V. thank you very much.

One tired biker

2009-06-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a 70 mile ride to Bimidji, Minn.Today I'm tired and sore.My butt hurts!My legs started getting cramps by the end of yesterdays ride. I think I need a rest day.It's getting tough let me tell ya.We had a frost warning last night. It was only 50 yesterday.I stopped at a coffee house yesterday, with super tasty treats.I had the best biscotti ever!Today I'm gonna have to bite the bullet.It's time to buckle down and get r done.Yeah right, I just want to curl up in the fetal position. I'll let you know how it goes.One tired biker.

If you got one, ride it!

2009-06-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

Looking back on Duluth, after climbing outThis is Hunter coming from SeattleThey don't make em like this no more

Yesterday was an 82 mile day to Grand Rapids Minn.The towns are starting to get far apart.I have to load up on food in the morning and haul it with me.I don't want to get hungry and have no food.The riding is pretty tough. The wind is constantly blowing in my face,but I'm getting used to it.It's been like that the whole way from Brooklyn.In the morning I met Hunter coming from Seattle.He was really nice. He's been on the road for two months,and he's on his way to Maine.At one point yesterday I took a break and there was nothing around me for miles. It was pretty cool to turn 360 degrees and be the only human being around. I like that feeling of wide open spaces.Once I get to North Dakota it's all wide open.Today I'm going for a bike ride.If you have a bike I think you should too.

Happy summer

2009-06-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Mitch took this shot
My route so far
View from the $32.00 crest motel

I'm in Duluth, Minn. after a 72 mile ride from Ashland Wisconsin.It's nice to be in another state.Yesterday I met Mitch coming from the opposite direction. He's on his fourth or fifth crossing. too bad he wasn't heading in the same direction. He would have been some good company. His daughter was following him in a car.That would be nice too.

Today is sunny and in the 60's, perfect biking weather.I just got a map from Minnesota, it looks as though there are lots of camp grounds in my path. So is the Chippewa Nat'l forest,and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation.It's was nice to see Lake Superior. I'm glad I came up this way.As long as the weather stays good and the winds aren't too strong I should make some good time heading west.As for my plans about how I'll return after I reach the west coast. I simply don't know.I'm taking this one day at a time.I can't project that far into the future. It's too overwelming.Anyways,I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.Or make promises I can't keep.Happy summer!

What's up with the friggin weather man?

2009-06-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

Loony bean coffee shopUpper Wisconsin
Time for a new chain

Everybody in upper Wisconsin is complaining about the cold weather. What a bunch of babies. I'm at the tip pity top of the state. Finally! Today I'll start heading west on highway 2. It runs all the way across the top of the country.Last night got down in the 30's.Yesterdays ride was quite cold as well.Gees, maybe I came a little too far north. Ya think? I got a late start Yesterday. I had to have my chain replaced. I wore that mo fo out. That's what I'm talking about.Ride your bike so dam much you need to have the chain replaced.I talked to my brother Rick, and Maya yesterday.That was nice. I also spent some time in this super funky coffee house.Gavin whatever you do don't put a bear head on your wall.I'm about 100 miles east of Duluth, Minn. The weather is not so nice. It's cloudy with a chance of rain today, tomorrow will be sunny with a high of 60. Oh no, I sound like the frigging weather man.

1 month on the road

2009-05-31T09:29:00.001-07:00

Wolf country
Sunday morning lake shot The camp ground shot

It's Sunday morning,about eleven. I'm sitting in a log cabin eating an amazing Sunday brunch, complete with wifi. $8.99 all you can eat and surf. Nice! As you can see I camped out again last night. I'm about 200 miles north west of Green bay in the state forest.Getting ready to ride up in the Indian reservation.I had to put the slow down on the checks mix, but Rick I found me a box of mike and ike's. Yikes!Beef jerky is my new found friend.Yesterday I found a farmers market, and in the same parking lot was a natural foods store.I loaded up on fruits. I am craving a nice salad.Kyle, the riding is absolutely beautiful.You would have much fun. I had stumptown today before I broke camp. I miss you's guys.Don't be hitting it too hard now I got my eyes on you all. keepin it real

Into the wild

2009-05-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

Imagine that
This is what I came here for Campsite heaven

It's Saturday May 30th, Happy Birthday Mom.

I'm sitting in a Arbys with wifi. Its the last big town before the wilderness.I've een camping for nothing the last two days. The first night was in a wayside off route 45 in the middle of Wisconsin. Did I here someone say pickle park. Dooh! Needless to say I didn't sleep too well that night. I had no option, it was a 97 mile day and the sun was setting. Yesterday I stumbled upon this gem of a campsite. Nobody was around so I took it over like I owned it. I spent the whole day there. Listening to the rapids was soothing. I Built me a nice fire, and cooked up some grub.It was a really nice day in the woods next to that river.Where I'm headed there's sure more of that to come. Don't worry the map is comming. I just need to find one to mark up

I'm outta here

2009-05-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

My ship has come in
bikercizing
Found me a nice coffee house

Been waiting out the rain for two days now. It's time to move on today, even though the weather is not cooperating.I've had my fill of the Econolodge.There is a gentleman's club conveniently located right next to the hotel.Eh em! That was fun.Nothing but something to do. It's about as much fun as cardboard crack.You know playing the lotto.My bike is all cleaned and tuned up and the laundry is done. I'm ready to hit the road for some more adventures.I hope I don't get too wet. Oh, last night I hit the all you can eat Chinese buffet. You eat tooomuch.

Run Forest Run

2009-05-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

This is where my head is at

The ferry ride across Lake Michigan was 60 miles, cold and rainy but the water was relatively calm.Right now I'm in Manitowoc, Wisconsin it's raining and I'm in a holding pattern.Rain is forecast for the next two days, so I may end up chilling here. We'll see what it looks like tomorrow.

I've got a new map and I'm plotting my course through Wisconsin.I'll be heading in a northwest direction to Duluth,Minnesota.It's time to tune my bike and do laundry in preparation for the long haul through Wisconsin.This leg of the journey will take me through some beautiful country. There are several national forests in northern Wisconsin as well as Indian reservations, and State forests.It's going to get wild here real quick.This will be the biggest forest I've ever seen.I won't see another beach until I get to Lake Superior.I should encounter all kinds of wildlife though. Gulp.

Golden in Silver lake on Memorial day

2009-05-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

Silver lake

Silver lake from the dunes

Silver lake sand dunes

This morning I did some exploring around Silver lake. The dunes are amazing. Lots of people with 4x4's drive all up on them. They were all camped out at the campground last night.It was 4x4 city. I had a short ride to
Ludington this afternoon.Dean a biker,rode me into Ludington. He kind of startled me as he rode up from behind and started talking to me.We rode together what seemed like 15 miles, talking and getting to know one another. It was great cause he showed me the way. Once in Ludington I bought my ticket for the ferry to cross into Wisconsin. I leave tomorrow at 9:00a.m. Theres only one trip a day and it takes 4 hours.It's gonna rain tomorrow so I got a motel room close to the ferry right in town. Now I have the rest of the day to explore Ludington.I'm excited about the ferry ride tomorrow, and then being in Wisonsin. Wow! I'm in a cute coffe house right now drinking french press and eating a piece of mocha pecan pie. Don't hate me.

A camping fool

2009-05-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Lake Michigan

21 mile long bike path heaven

Another campground

Stimulating the local economy

Off to see the wizard

2009-05-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at a picnic table at a campground in Silver lake Michigan, with Internet access mind you. Beautiful weather, a wonderful ride, and memories to spare.Last night I camped in a state park on lake Michigan. I had Great time with great people.The skeeters were on the obnoxious side though.I'm kinda exploring this part of Michigan cause I've never seen it before. There are tons of camp grounds over here and I'm checking some of them out.I feel like the luckiest guy in the world tramping like a gypsy around the country on my bike.My legs are getting strong. To date I've covered 1120 miles.I can't believe It's been 24 days already. That seems so long.Time is flying by. I just want to thank you all for the comments it's really fun to log on and see the encouragement from you all. It goes a long way following this yellow brick road I'm on. Off to see the wizard!

On the road again

2009-05-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a coffee break and catching up. I've got 30 miles behind me. I left Kim,Bill, Matti, and Sammi this morning after a killer french toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon breakfast. It was really nice to spend time with Kim and her family. They are the best! What a riot. Kim by the way looks great. She's really camera shy though.Bill was really nice too, he kept feeding me beers. Matti and Sammi kept me entertained and are just as sweet as can be. It was great to be lost in a five and seven year olds world. Daney, I got to play guitar,and even the piano. It's all good out here in La, La land...

2009-05-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Matti

Sammi

The house

The car collection

Blast from the past

2009-05-22T05:35:00.000-07:00

This mornings ride to Holland Michigan was hot, sunny and 80 degrees. I called Kim Watson in the morning and told her I'd be in town. So, after riding 62 miles she came and picked me up in her husbands truck and saved me 15 miles in the heat. I never would have found the house anyway. Nice! Now I'm chilling at her house with the the family. I haven't seen Kim in 24 years. I'm about 1 mile from lake Michigan. It looks like tomorrow I'm gonna take the ferry across lake Michigan and be in Wisconsin in two hours. Giddy up! Her mom and dad are here and Rick and Mike live close by. Kim has two daughters and a son, and is happily married to her husband Bill.They have an amazing house and his and her garages. Bill has a incredible car collection in his garage some 48 cars and motor cycles, Schwinn bikes... I've never seen anything like it. Kim has 4 week old German Shepard puppies in her garage. Quite the contrast. I'll check in later with some pictures. See ya!

2009-05-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

Finally I got one to smile

Stumptown coffee from Variety for this mornings festivities

Harrison lake in Ohio

The road from Bowling Green to Harrison lake was indeed a treat. 20 mile an hour wind right in my face, the tractor trailers were blowing me all over the road, and I had a two foot shoulder. I did stumble across a nice bike path for about ten miles. I'm starting to realize there are a lot more roads out here than my map is showing. Both yesterday and today I started improvising my route to my planed destination. By asking strangers for directions I get a local spin on the ways to get from one place to another. That combined with a state map is how I'm plotting out this journey.

It was a hard fought 57 miles to Harrison lake state park, but the reward was awesome. As you can see by the pictures , it was beautiful. I find my self wishing that you all could experience this with me. A wonderful camp ground is good for the soul. I got up the next morning ready to go dashing through the Ohio country side. And that's what I did. 84 miles later here I sit in Marshal Michigan about 20 miles east of Kalamazoo! Too bad Daniel is not in town yet, we could have hung out, brother. It was 80 today, and not a cloud in the sky. The riding was good and hot. I'm in a cheap hotel plotting my next move. Isn't this fun?

Butt butter

2009-05-19T05:44:00.000-07:00

the butt saver

I got two words for you, butt butter. It's like putting cream cheese on your ass, hold the bagel. Not that anybody cares, I'm developing some callouses on my hoo hoo. All this flat riding through Ohio has me sitting on the saddle for hours, and it's starting to get a little tender, let me tell ya.

I'm in Bowling Green Ohio, next to the University. Yesterday I rode 72 miles through Ohio farm land, flat flat flat. The weather is beautiful, sunny and in the 70's. I am having the time of my life. The riding is going great.I'm in my little zone on the road. Sometimes I feel like I'm having too much fun. So far I feel real comfortable doing around 70 miles a day. I've come 785 miles total.

I don't know where I'm going next, I'll plot a course in the next couple of hours. Indiana or Michigan? It's a coin toss. God I love the spontaneity of all this.

Chillin on lake Erie

2009-05-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

This is my tv for the night

Oh, I'm chillin alright

The beach at the cottage

It's monday morning and I thought I might send a few more pictures of the cottage on lake Erie. We made a fire last night and spent the evening hanging out around the fire pit. I could stay here for a week. No problem, but I'll get back on my hobby horse and venture west today.What could possibly happen today? We'll see...

Day 17 let the magic begin

2009-05-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

My free cottage back on the left

The Sales boys together again

Laura, and Dennis who just finished running the Cleveland marathon

OK, I could not even make this up. After spending four days with Rick in Eastlake Cleveland, I set my sails west this morning around 10:00 a.m. I can't even begin to express how nice it was to spend time with my brother. We had the best time just hanging out and working on that boat. We cooked and ate 6 t-bone steaks in three days. I slept on his floor next to the dog on my air mattress and sleeping bag. Nice! Last week when I was in Lakewood I went out with some friends of mine Laura and Dennis. At the time he told me he was running in the Cleveland marathon next week, and I told him if I was in town that I would come by. In the meantime I had forgotten all about it. This morning when I was riding through Cleveland I start to see all these runners. I realize that it's the marathon and I call Laura up and she says Dennis just finished. I'm sitting on my bike at the 25 mile mark and she says come on down to the finish line and say Hi. So I did and there they were. I only missed him running by about 7 minutes. It was crazy unreal! After congratulating him and spending a little time with small talk I was on my way. A nice flat ride on the south of lake Erie was on the agenda maybe trying for Sandusky Ohio.

After about 50 miles or so I started noticing these cottages all along the lake for rent. I rode by about 4 or so, then I decided to stop and ask what they were renting for. The lady took one look at me and asked if I was riding my bike across the country. I said yes. And she said for bike riders it's free! I said what? She said yep. I used to ride cross country too. She said people were so nice to her when she did it, and now it's time to pay back some of that generosity. It is the nicest cottage on the lake with the best beach and view. I am floored. Can you imagine, it's really unbelievable. I can't get over it. Now I'm sitting at my picnic table out front of my free cottage on Lake Erie inVermilion Ohio blogging my ass off. It does not get any better than this.

Big brother

2009-05-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Star of the show himself Rick Sales

Little man

Rick riding his motorized razor bike

It's Thursday afternoon and I'm chilling with my long lost brother Rick. It's been 25 years since I've seen him, and what a treat it is! God I love Rick, I always have. I forgot just how funny he is. He's a one man show. He just keeps me entertained for hours. I feel so lucky to have this chance to spend sometime with him. I rode 80 miles to Eastlake Cleveland with no address I called him when I got into town, and I ended up two blocks away from his shop and home. He's still a body man working and living out of a big shop. Right now he's painting a boat. He's got a dog named Little man, oh, and he bit me, the little shit.We've been hanging out working on the boat. I helped with the taping. We've enjoyed a few meals together and last night we cooked steaks in the electric skillet. I am enjoying myself thoroughly. Right now I'm waiting out the weather and it looks like I'll take off on Sunday. That will give me a least five nice days to start riding on west, and give me some more quality time with my brother. This is the first time I've had to hunt down a wifi signal. Sorry for the late post. But I've got some serious catching up to do with Richard!

Back in the saddle

2009-05-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Chautauqua lake

George and Mary

Lake Erie

Leaving Lisa and Kimme's this morning was almost too much. I had a wonderful visit and adore them both. I was really sad this morning before I left, but as the miles wore on my spirit came back. With beautiful weather and a really nice ride behind me, I'm sitting at a Inn in Presque Isle Pennsylvania right on lake Erie. I met George and Mary just outside of Westfield N.Y. They're from Colorado. We had a nice talk and compared stories and went our separate ways. They invitied me to come stay with them when I come through the rockies. I just might take them up on their offer. It was really neat meeting them. Right off the bat you have so much in common and in no time at all you're hitting it off. Today was a 65 mile ride through wine country. I'm back in the saddle baby!

2009-05-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

The perfect camping spot

I love me a state park

Today I rode 50 miles around Chautauqua lake without my panniers. I stopped at Long point state park and had lunch with this beautiful view. I caught up with the rest of my family in these parts and visited with some old friends. I'm starting to get antsy about moving on. Yesterday I took the day off and felt guilty. I'm looking to head over to Lake Erie and follow it through Ohio. It looks like I'm going to visit my brother Rick in Ohio. I just got off the phone with him, he's about a two days ride away.My visit with Lisa and Kimme has been wonderful. I could easily stay here and wear out my welcome, but that's not my style. Kimme sewed up my pannier that the rodent in wellsville destroyed. Now I'm good to go. Yesterday I even played some guitar around the campfire just like my buddy Daney ordered. tonight I'm cooking dinner for the girls, so I gotta run to the store and pick up some food. See ya later.

On day 9 the biker rested

2009-05-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

Kimme and Lisa's home

myfriendtimber

Honky tonkin with the girls

so far so good

2009-05-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

440 miles in seven days

I spent the day on friday riding down memory lane past all my old stomping grounds. This is where all the dreams started. As a kid I entertained the idea of riding my bike off into the sunset, and 35 years later here I am finally acting on those instincts. It feels good. Lots of people ask me why I'm doing it. The short answer is because I can.

Today is Saturday and I'm really taking the day off . Lisa and Kimme made waffels and bacon for breakfast. We're just kinda being home bodies today. There's talk of a bon fire and some beer and chips and salsa. Last night we did some honky tonkin with the girls and had dinner at the Rio. Just busy catching up with my sis. It's been a while.

Home on the range

2009-05-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

A lunch spot in the country

Kimme and my sister Lisa

Home sweet home

2009-05-08T05:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning started out fun. After a night of rain, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. My tent was soaked on the outside, but I stayed nice and dry on the inside. It got cold too last night. It must have been in the low 40's. I was warm in my sleeping bag though. So I'm packing up my stuff and I go to unzip my pannier and there's some kind of animal inside. All I could see was a brown hamster like rodent, and of course it startled me. Come to find out I had acquired a stow away in the night. This field mouse or brown rat had been snacking on the two pieces of bread I had left in my pack. buried in the bottom now he finally jumped out and scurried across the lawn. upon further investigation I see that the little rat bastard chewed right through my zipper and of course destroyed it in the process. I'm gonna fix it with safety pins or something. I broke camp and was on the road at 7:00 a.m. The first 10 miles it started raining pretty good. So I ducked into a country store for some coffee and shelter. I met some nice local folk sitting around playing cards at a table. We chit chatted for about 45 Min's. till the rain let up and I was on my way. They liked me and payed for my coffee. The next 40 miles were cold and windy with a little rain, not my favorite riding conditions as you folks in Brooklyn know. By 1 o'clock I was 40 miles from my hometown of Lakewood N.Y. I decided to go for it. The sun came out and the closer I got The idea of being back home made me push even harder. At 5 p.m. I arrived at my favorite coffee shop in town. I am spent! but it feels so good. 92 miles today, 440 miles for the week. I can do this. I've learned that my body will do pretty much what I ask it to do. As long as I stay hydrated and stay fueled up. My sister Lisa picked me up an hour later and I'm staying with her and Kimme and timber, in they're lovely home in Jamestown. We went out for cheese burgers and drank some cold beers. Stage 1 complete. I think I'm going to stay off my bike today.

camptown races do da do da

2009-05-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

lastnights cabin

tonights camp

Honky tonken at the Seneca lodge in Watkinsglen

2009-05-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Spent the night at the Seneca lodge drinking beers and trading stories with a colorful group of people. It's been around since 1948 and it has attracted all sorts of race car drivers and fans alike.I was rubbing elbows with the two brothers who had it handed down to them from there father.Lots of Watkinsglen racing history in this old place.I heard all about it. Got to bed late and slept great in my cabin. Packed up this morning and was out the door by 8:30. 72 miles later, I've got my camp set up and I'm hijacking a wifi signal fron the hotel next door. This super nice Indian couple insisted that I camp in they're garden next to the hotel. The owner gave me a coke and asked if I wanted a pillow. Cereal, milk?Not bad for just showing up. Looks like rain tonight I'm going to batten down the hatches. and ride out the storm. I'm about 45 miles east of Olean on route 417. With a good nights rest, and luck with the weather, I should be in Salamanca by tomorrow evening. I just cooked up two packs of ramin noodles for dinner, and I have a couple of oranges for a snack. My thighs are stiff and sore, I'll sleep like a rock.

Day 5 on the road

2009-05-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Debra, aka granny for hire

Granny and I sit down to a serious breakfast

Last night granny got on the chin up bar and started busting them out

My stay in Ithaca New york was short but sweet. I was treated like a guest of honor at this woman's humble abode. Granny was a kindergarten teacher for 20 years, and she is as fit as a fiddle. Four times a week she gets up at 6 a.m. to go swim laps at the YMCA.This morning she went swimming then came back to make us scrambled eggs with toast, steamed broccoli, and stuffing with mushrooms and red peppers. French press coffee, orange juice and fresh fruit. We talked and had a leisurely breakfast. I didn't get on the road untill 10:30 and headed straight for Watkins Glen state park. Now I'm sitting in a cabin with wifi up in the woods it's around 3 in the afternoon and I'm good and tired. I only rode 30 miles today, and to date I've covered 280 miles.

I picked up some pepper spray for the next angry dog attack, thanks to my friend Daney's suggestion. Peace out, from the cabin in the pines.

Day 4 Long and hilly to grannys

2009-05-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

70 miles of this

My own personal campground

Up at 6.a.m making cowboy coffee and oatmeal with raisens, oh yeah and I had a leftover strawberry pop tart too. Just as I was leaving my site the park ranger rolls up and asks if he can open the bathroom for me. He did'nt mind at all that I camped for free and he was willing to open the bathroom, nice. Today was a long 70 mile up and down ride through farm country. Yikes! No dogs. I reached 40 mph. on one down hill. Thats hauling butt on a fully loaded bike. By the time I got to Ithica it was 5 0'clock. So I'm chillin in the Gimme coffee trying to get my blog on, but the wifi's not having it. I strike up a conversation with Bob, the guy next to me. and he starts telling me about these places I can camp for free. He even invites me to his place to use his wifi, but I tell him kindly no thanks, Im just gonna chill here. He leaves and comes back 5 mins. later with a business card from Grannys, some nice old lady who runs a bed a breakfast in town. I pack up my stuff and head right over and score a room for 30 bucks complete with shower and organic eggs for breakfast. She is just as sweet as can be. Let's me put my bike in the basement. Shows me my room and here I sit on the internet catching up. Life is good.

Day 3 pictures

2009-05-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

Cannonsville reservoir

White lake sunrise

Day 3 Crazy excitement

2009-05-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

I was on the road at 7a.m. and recovered well from yesterdays climbing fest. Cue music for eye of the tiger here... ready for more hills I'm feeling good. It's now 6p.m. Sunday night and I'm sitting at a picnic table in Oquaga State park having just eaten two packs of the best rice noodle soup ever. Thank you, Cece! The camp ground doesn't open till May 15th so I've chosen the nicest spot to set up camp. Not a person in site. I had a roller coaster ride from Monticello to here. 73 miles and by the time I got here my tank was empty.. So about thirty miles into my ride I'm cresting a hill and out of the corner of my eye I spot a not so happy dog, and I think oh shit! I turn to check him out and I can see he's on a chain and I think, thank god. Then the chain breaks from the brute force of this angry beast. Bark bark bark! I, in turn start peddling my ass off. Now I'm thinking oh shit. It take take him 5 seconds to catch up with me. and he is not happy. I shout from the top of my lungs GO HOME! GO HOME! But the 150lb German Shepard is not phased. He starts moving in for the kill getting snappy, and I take my left foot out of the toe clip and kick in his direction a couple of times to stave him off. Now he's barking and mad. GO HOME! GO HOME! I shout. He lets up for a second, and I think I'm off the hook. Then he comes barreling back mad as ever right on my heals and I'm peddling and shouting but he is not letting up. This Dog chased me for 3/4 of a mile before he finally gave up. I about had a heart attack. Wow! About 20 miles later I come across the Cannonville reservoir, a 96 billion gallon drinking water source for New York city residents and I take this great picture. Then I take off again riding around this reservoir and up ahead I spot what appears to be a big black dog climbing underthe guard rail about 60 feet in front of me and I think oh no! Here we go again... But it's not a dog at all. Its a freaking 200lb. black bear! Holy shit, holy shit I'm thinking get the camera, and in the same instant I'm thinking turn around, turn around. What's he gonna do when he see's me? All I could picture was this black bear chasing me down. So I circle around thinking I got get a picture, But, oh my god it's a freaking black bear.Nothing prepairs you for a moment like that. I was in shock.He crossed the street and ran up the ravine thick with pine trees, so I ride by very cautiously watching to make sure he's well out of the way. I am now beside myself. I still got 20 miles to go to get to this campground. I'm tired and emotionally on edge. I finally reach the state park and It's beautiful, and I have it all to myself. I ride through the whole park, pick out the best camp site, and start setting up camp. I can't beleive what happen today.

lets do it again tomorrow

2009-05-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Day 2 heading west thru the catskill foothills

2009-05-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

Today was a really hard day. Seven hours in the saddle and I only covered 45 miles. It made yesterdays ride feel like a spin in the park. I spent the day climbing one hill after another, it never let up. Every time I crested a hill, I could see the next one just up ahead. I got my ass handed to me. The locals tell me the next 60 miles on 17 b are more of the same. So, that's what I'm doing tomorrow. I'm in a Budget hotel in Monticello N.Y. 90 miles east of Binghamton licking my wounds.

Day 1 climbing out of the Hudson valley

2009-05-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Myfriendscott the mule

The reward just north of west point

This was the climb

This is where I'm going

72 miles later... Just south of Newburgh, I'm holed up in a $49 motel satisfied with a good days work behind me. Wifi, a six inch hard salami, and some peanut butter with seven grain bread, I'm golden. This touring stuff is fun, I think I'm gonna like it. At 6:30 it was still raining and I was on a busy 9w with darkness soon upon me, the motel felt like the smart choice. Day 1 went well. I'm looking forward to tomorrows adventure. Asking directions from the weed whacking, tobacco chewing redneck, was my good fortune of the day. He directed me around a big mountain on 9w and kept me close to the Hudson on 218 for the scenic route in these photos. It's amazing how life unfolds with each choice at 10mph.

Radegaste send off

2009-05-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

Yes! we scored free breakfast riding out of town

A much better picture of Adam than I could of taken

The send off last night was a hoot

Thank you

2009-05-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm chillin at the coffee house 2 Alices in Cornwall New York reflecting on the wonderful send off last night. It was really nice of you all to come out and support, encourage and celebrate with me. Thank you. I'm reveling right now. Kyle and Jamie, thank you for the escort up to, and literally over the GW bridge. You two guys are amazing. Maya, you are the best friend any one could ask for. I'm already experiencing riding through the Hudson valley. Lots of climbing out of the city on 9w.I rode rain free right up to Westpoint, then it started pissing at bit so I ducked into this coffee house and catch up.With 60 miles behind me I feel great. It's just drizzling now, so I'll be off ridding in a bit looking for a place to set up my tent. I just wanted blog this thing!