Typing to you from sunny California
Just recently I wrote about a philosophical topic regarding my wrestling with curriculum choice for college starting in August. You can read that engaging post by clicking here. The topic of what motivates me now compared to what use to motivate has occupied much grey matter as of late. This fall I will be required to write a longish essay, 20 pages give or take on a topic of my choice, but must contain some aspects of moral/ethics or other philosophy nuggets. I've been spending my afternoons in the library thinking and sketchy many things, among those things is narrowing down an essay proposal to my academic adviser. During my research I stumbled upon this very cool video. It contains some interesting information about motivation, but more so the video presentation is what really captured me. As many know I've taken an interest in video and video editing. In fact I've had a fantasy of making a documentary as my senior project down the road. A little premature on that. But it's a thought.
The video gave me a little perspective on my thirst for monetary rewards taking a back seat to other interests. I can't say I endorse everything contained in the video, for the simple reason that I haven't researched or thought out the counter arguments. I just like the video and thought I'd post it.
Capt Chris
PS: If you liked this post or any other why please leave a comment and let me know. If you like the blog why please become a subscriber!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The BUMS Have Bought Another Boat!
Currently preparing for college In California
Weather is brilliant sunshine, 80 degree's in Marin County
Most bloggers are avid blog readers. I'm no different. In my opinion the true pioneers in the adventuring blogging business have been Pat and Ali from Bumfuzzle. What an inspiration. I have been following them since inception in 2003. While that is only 7 years, as far I'm concerned it is a life-time. I've noted before that there is a high atrophy rate in the blogosphere. It simply takes alot of effort to blog several times a week. After awhile people plum run out of fresh ideas.
Bumfuzzle is rarely if ever short of things to write about. They sailed around the planet at break neck speed, raced a 1965 Porsche across god knows where and then spent two years and 28 countries in a 58 VW Bus.
Then Ali got preggers and so they moved to Mexico and had a little daughter. Now I'm happy to pass along that they bought another boat and will taking to sea again.
I've never met the Bums but am fans none the less. Their website is a cut above, Pat's writing is awesome and the photography is stellar too. So good luck to Pat and Ali from Bumfuzzle!
Capt Chris
Weather is brilliant sunshine, 80 degree's in Marin County
Most bloggers are avid blog readers. I'm no different. In my opinion the true pioneers in the adventuring blogging business have been Pat and Ali from Bumfuzzle. What an inspiration. I have been following them since inception in 2003. While that is only 7 years, as far I'm concerned it is a life-time. I've noted before that there is a high atrophy rate in the blogosphere. It simply takes alot of effort to blog several times a week. After awhile people plum run out of fresh ideas.
Bumfuzzle is rarely if ever short of things to write about. They sailed around the planet at break neck speed, raced a 1965 Porsche across god knows where and then spent two years and 28 countries in a 58 VW Bus.
Then Ali got preggers and so they moved to Mexico and had a little daughter. Now I'm happy to pass along that they bought another boat and will taking to sea again.
I've never met the Bums but am fans none the less. Their website is a cut above, Pat's writing is awesome and the photography is stellar too. So good luck to Pat and Ali from Bumfuzzle!
Capt Chris
Friday, July 9, 2010
Levi Leipheimer GranFondo Cycling Event
Dominican University of California Library
This past February I wrote a blog entry announcing my intention to ride in a big ole cycling event held in Santa Rosa California. You can read that blog entry by clicking here. Over the past week or two I've been taking the road bike to Mill Valley and riding trails leading across the Golden Gate Bridge. Not easy cycling with the constant breeze and remarkably chilly temps on the bridge. But yesterday I was a bit humbled as I road a small portion of the course for the GranFondo. Below is the map of the 65 mile route I will be riding come October 9th 2010.
View GranFondo Medio Cycle Route in a larger map
The beauty is an incredible treat. I am new to cycling and what I found difficult, aside from the killer hills to climb is the simple pounding on the body. The tires are inflated to 130psi and the frame is stiff. Some portions of the road are smooth and others not so smooth. It now is a process of getting my body used to being on a bike for extended periods and then increasing my endurance to go the distance.
I'm pretty excited about my first event in October. I've never cycled in a crowd and certainly not 65 miles. The guy who organizes the whole shebang is Levi Leipeimer, who hails from Santa Rosa and is a big deal in the cycling world. He is Lance Armstrong's right hand man at this years Tour de France and is a very accomplished rider.
I didn't bring my camera on yesterday's ride as I haven't figured out how to carry the dern thang when riding. So I pulled the following pictures off the Internet of the cycling route. Stand by to be jealous because yesterday's ride looked just like these pictures!
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
This past February I wrote a blog entry announcing my intention to ride in a big ole cycling event held in Santa Rosa California. You can read that blog entry by clicking here. Over the past week or two I've been taking the road bike to Mill Valley and riding trails leading across the Golden Gate Bridge. Not easy cycling with the constant breeze and remarkably chilly temps on the bridge. But yesterday I was a bit humbled as I road a small portion of the course for the GranFondo. Below is the map of the 65 mile route I will be riding come October 9th 2010.
View GranFondo Medio Cycle Route in a larger map
The beauty is an incredible treat. I am new to cycling and what I found difficult, aside from the killer hills to climb is the simple pounding on the body. The tires are inflated to 130psi and the frame is stiff. Some portions of the road are smooth and others not so smooth. It now is a process of getting my body used to being on a bike for extended periods and then increasing my endurance to go the distance.
I'm pretty excited about my first event in October. I've never cycled in a crowd and certainly not 65 miles. The guy who organizes the whole shebang is Levi Leipeimer, who hails from Santa Rosa and is a big deal in the cycling world. He is Lance Armstrong's right hand man at this years Tour de France and is a very accomplished rider.
I didn't bring my camera on yesterday's ride as I haven't figured out how to carry the dern thang when riding. So I pulled the following pictures off the Internet of the cycling route. Stand by to be jealous because yesterday's ride looked just like these pictures!
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Monday, July 5, 2010
Recent Trip to Sonoma
San Rafael Yacht Harbor, Marin County California
I recently slipped north to my little diamond in the rough located in Glen Ellen to re-sign my renters for a few more months. It really is a beautiful part of our country. Here are some pictures of the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
I recently slipped north to my little diamond in the rough located in Glen Ellen to re-sign my renters for a few more months. It really is a beautiful part of our country. Here are some pictures of the surrounding countryside.
Enjoy!
Capt Chris
Friday, July 2, 2010
Learning For Learnings Sake. An Outdated Concept?
San Rafael Yacht Harbor, Marin County California
After writing my blog post entitled "What to Do for a Second Career", I got to thinking hard about the topic. I was further spurred along after Mike, formerly of sailing vessel Two Lazy Dogs sent me a long and thoughtful email about the topic.
Am I career minded? I do not necessarily want to proceed through my coming college education with an end state in mind. To attend for the sole purpose of being hired at company X Y or Z has been described as "commidification of a degree." An end state goal may even sabotage my college experience by distracting me from areas of interest that are not qualifications based. If my end state was to earn decent sums of money, I wouldn't need to go to college. I'm confident enough that I could make it happen with my current resume and stock pile of wisdom and life experience. But I do think that learning for learning's sake is out of reach for most.
I absolutely don't look down on anyone who strives to make serious bank. Bank is good. In fact I'd love make some bank myself, but the method for me is critical. The method of earning for me trumps all.
To an extent learning for learning's sake is an outdated concept as it applies to attending an institution of Higher Learning. To attend school is so expensive and only the wealthy can afford to attend just for the satisfaction one gets by learning. Us mortals likely will have to take some of this knowledge and apply it to earning a living. Which means some sort of career focus courses are required. The practicality of the situation demands schools loans to be paid and housing costs met ect.
The shame of this is that to live a richer and fuller life requires knowledge and passion for things that don't necessarily translate directly into dollars. A bicycle enthusiast can enjoy a day long bike ride through surrounding hills and really enjoy it. But someone who has knowledge of geography can marvel at the lay of the land and someone who has taken a cellular biology class will enjoy the burn of the ride that much more having knowledge of ATP transport. The addition of information creates a level of enjoyment not realized by the uneducated. This example applies across the gamet of living a life.
This all sounds pretty highfalutin. And it is. But what's wrong with a little highfalutin? I wonder at 43 does my college purpose differ from someone just entering from High School? In practical terms it does (make a difference) simply due to the difference in financial condition. But in terms of gaining knowledge to live a healthy and flourishing life it should not. But everyone is different. When I graduated from High School I had zero context and the notion that knowledge of art could lead to happiness was as foreign and upsetting as a Boy George concert. While for others it was less foreign, just enough to give a good teacher an opening to let them see the light early on.
I am very grateful that I have seen the light, even if a bit late. Maybe everyone starts to do some deeper thinking when they hit their 40's. My situation allows me an assist from a university environment and hopefully I can find the mean between fulfilling a need for specialized training for future employment and my desire to acquire knowledge for knowledge sake.
Capt Chris
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| Raphael's School of Athens |
Am I career minded? I do not necessarily want to proceed through my coming college education with an end state in mind. To attend for the sole purpose of being hired at company X Y or Z has been described as "commidification of a degree." An end state goal may even sabotage my college experience by distracting me from areas of interest that are not qualifications based. If my end state was to earn decent sums of money, I wouldn't need to go to college. I'm confident enough that I could make it happen with my current resume and stock pile of wisdom and life experience. But I do think that learning for learning's sake is out of reach for most.
I absolutely don't look down on anyone who strives to make serious bank. Bank is good. In fact I'd love make some bank myself, but the method for me is critical. The method of earning for me trumps all.
To an extent learning for learning's sake is an outdated concept as it applies to attending an institution of Higher Learning. To attend school is so expensive and only the wealthy can afford to attend just for the satisfaction one gets by learning. Us mortals likely will have to take some of this knowledge and apply it to earning a living. Which means some sort of career focus courses are required. The practicality of the situation demands schools loans to be paid and housing costs met ect.
The shame of this is that to live a richer and fuller life requires knowledge and passion for things that don't necessarily translate directly into dollars. A bicycle enthusiast can enjoy a day long bike ride through surrounding hills and really enjoy it. But someone who has knowledge of geography can marvel at the lay of the land and someone who has taken a cellular biology class will enjoy the burn of the ride that much more having knowledge of ATP transport. The addition of information creates a level of enjoyment not realized by the uneducated. This example applies across the gamet of living a life.
This all sounds pretty highfalutin. And it is. But what's wrong with a little highfalutin? I wonder at 43 does my college purpose differ from someone just entering from High School? In practical terms it does (make a difference) simply due to the difference in financial condition. But in terms of gaining knowledge to live a healthy and flourishing life it should not. But everyone is different. When I graduated from High School I had zero context and the notion that knowledge of art could lead to happiness was as foreign and upsetting as a Boy George concert. While for others it was less foreign, just enough to give a good teacher an opening to let them see the light early on.
I am very grateful that I have seen the light, even if a bit late. Maybe everyone starts to do some deeper thinking when they hit their 40's. My situation allows me an assist from a university environment and hopefully I can find the mean between fulfilling a need for specialized training for future employment and my desire to acquire knowledge for knowledge sake.
Capt Chris
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Christa Resides Marina Side
San Rafael, Marin County California
I was launched and had the mast re-stepped simultaneously late last week. I've had a great experience using San Rafael Yacht Harbor for all my boating needs. I saved some dough by switching last minute to SRYH in lieu of KKMI shipyard.
I'll wait a bit to give more details on my surroundings and other boat related issues. Suffice to say now, that it is wonderful to be in a slip, in a marina with 3 Starbucks, 1 Peets Coffee, 1 Whole Foods, 1 Trader Joe's and a Border's all less than a mile away. Convenience is well convenient.
Speaking of convenient. I've managed to situate my living arrangements within a mile of Dominican University campus. And what a campus it is. Pictured above is the admissions office. The best way to describe the campus is to say it's like walking around an arboretum. The campus resides among huge Red Woods, with small wooden bridges spanning stream beds and wooden benches sprinkled through out. Large groomed grass lawns circled by restored buildings from the late 1890's, to ultra modern multi-million dollar science and engineering centers.
A student can't help but glide down what amounts to the Yellow Brook Road. The Humanities Chair, Dr Harlen remarked to me during our skull session that the campus is a major selling point. And it is. I felt pretty smart just striding and gliding around.
Since splashing Christa, I've been up to the university several times to meet with my academic adviser to map out my future. Here is some detail on what I have gotten myself into. I have entered a program called Pathways. Pathways is an adult education driven program designed for working adults with more than six years of post high school employment and at least 50 transferable credits. But here is the bonus. Given Dominicans small size (roughly 2500 students total) it allows the school mucho flexibility and one on one instruction and advice. The Pathways program has several paths to choose from. One path involves what they call a cohort. 25 adult students form a cohort and follow a course of instruction that is set in stone, both academically and schedule wise. The cohort stays together for two full years and graduate with an Applied Humanities Degree. Emphasis on applied. With heavy guidance from several Professor's, the cohort applies in the real world things they are taught while in class. The cohort decides on the direction or emphasis in consultation with the PHD people. For example, one of the classes is a Sustainable Communities class. So somewhere along the line the cohort will devise a project involving sustainability and apply it in the community, document it and then give a presentation on the results. While all this stuff sounds pretty cool I have decided to go in a more traditional direction.
I am in the Pathways Flex program, which still is an adult type program, but allows me to take classes during the day with the younger traditional crowd, hence the word flex. I will earn a Humanities and Cultural Studies degree with an emphasis of my choosing in consultation with the academic adviser. What is going on is, the university pokes and prods the student (me) to try and flush out what the career goal is post degree. Armed with this information, a set of instruction is crafted to give the student the most cutting edge information and the degree to go with it; so the student is uber marketable and prepared. But, the university has built in flexibility, so as the student is exposed to multiple fields of study (and in turn future occupations) a course correction is possible. For example, I think I'd like to be a teacher. In the near term I will be exposed to some classroom scenario and if I decide it's not my gig and I would like to explore the world of start-ups in Silicon Valley, a business degree plan is easily implemented. Clearly the earlier things are identified the more expeditious the education and the less money spent.
Having said all that, my initial thought is an emphasis on philosophy and pre-Law or maybe history. It simply is to early for me to make decisions. But I have registered for my first term starting August 23, 2010. My three classes are Foundations of Adult Learning, Advanced Writing and Critical Inquiry and an Art Class for a total of 9 credit hours. But during the term I will also be writing an essay that could be credited as 3 credit hours if it is up to snuff. So maybe I'm taking a full course load deemed 12 credits. Depends on how you look at it. The essay can be deferred and is part of the flex in case a new student is overwhelmed after not being in college for perhaps many years.
This is the culmination of one goal and the beginning of a new one. I have such a deep satisfaction after registering today for my coming program. It was no small step to decide while in the Eastern Caribbean to change direction, apply to school, get accepted, work the financial piece and then journey to San Rafael. It took over a year to accomplish just that aspect. I must continue to plow ahead and make the best decisions with the information at hand.
I'll report soon on the many other things I have been doing or thinking about.
Capt Chris
PS: Fully 3/4 of the student population is female. I may need a course of instruction on how to negotiate that fact.
I was launched and had the mast re-stepped simultaneously late last week. I've had a great experience using San Rafael Yacht Harbor for all my boating needs. I saved some dough by switching last minute to SRYH in lieu of KKMI shipyard.
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| San Rafael Yacht Harbor |
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| Admissions Office Dominican University of California |
A student can't help but glide down what amounts to the Yellow Brook Road. The Humanities Chair, Dr Harlen remarked to me during our skull session that the campus is a major selling point. And it is. I felt pretty smart just striding and gliding around.
 |
| Science Center |
I am in the Pathways Flex program, which still is an adult type program, but allows me to take classes during the day with the younger traditional crowd, hence the word flex. I will earn a Humanities and Cultural Studies degree with an emphasis of my choosing in consultation with the academic adviser. What is going on is, the university pokes and prods the student (me) to try and flush out what the career goal is post degree. Armed with this information, a set of instruction is crafted to give the student the most cutting edge information and the degree to go with it; so the student is uber marketable and prepared. But, the university has built in flexibility, so as the student is exposed to multiple fields of study (and in turn future occupations) a course correction is possible. For example, I think I'd like to be a teacher. In the near term I will be exposed to some classroom scenario and if I decide it's not my gig and I would like to explore the world of start-ups in Silicon Valley, a business degree plan is easily implemented. Clearly the earlier things are identified the more expeditious the education and the less money spent.
Having said all that, my initial thought is an emphasis on philosophy and pre-Law or maybe history. It simply is to early for me to make decisions. But I have registered for my first term starting August 23, 2010. My three classes are Foundations of Adult Learning, Advanced Writing and Critical Inquiry and an Art Class for a total of 9 credit hours. But during the term I will also be writing an essay that could be credited as 3 credit hours if it is up to snuff. So maybe I'm taking a full course load deemed 12 credits. Depends on how you look at it. The essay can be deferred and is part of the flex in case a new student is overwhelmed after not being in college for perhaps many years.
This is the culmination of one goal and the beginning of a new one. I have such a deep satisfaction after registering today for my coming program. It was no small step to decide while in the Eastern Caribbean to change direction, apply to school, get accepted, work the financial piece and then journey to San Rafael. It took over a year to accomplish just that aspect. I must continue to plow ahead and make the best decisions with the information at hand.
I'll report soon on the many other things I have been doing or thinking about.
Capt Chris
PS: Fully 3/4 of the student population is female. I may need a course of instruction on how to negotiate that fact.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
San Francisco Bay....I'm Here. Happy Fathers Day, Epecially to my Father
San Rafael Yacht Harbor, San Rafael California
I spent a delightful 3 days at Joanne & Marks house in San Mateo Silicon Valley awaiting Christa's arrival. They have a beautiful spainish style home that they have re-done over the years. To say they have excellent taste is a huge understatement. Here is just one picture of one spot in their home.
While I was waiting I had a bit of a dust up. To explain. About 9 months ago I contacted the Precideo Yacht Club, which sits in a beautiful cove just north to the Golden Gate Bridge pictured below.
I had lived in this facility a number of years ago. It is a MWR facility for active and retired military members run by Travis Air Force Base. Travis is about two hours away and the place has not been known for its crisp management. This is why I engaged them early to make sure I had everything set. With assurances and my credit card charged months ago, I thought everything was in hand. Well in true PYC fashion, with rule flexibility being the watch word the manager simply told me no livaboards. To say that I'm pissed is an understatement. However I am not surprised.
I put plan bravo into action and have contracted with San Rafael Yacht Harbor. I showed up in a near panic after PYC put me in a very difficult situation. Living aboard a boat is a dying thing. Especially in San Fran Bay. I won't bore you all with all the details. But bottom line is the environmentalists have used the issue to extract money from marina owners via an extensive permitting process. It has become so laborious for marina's that they have simply stopped allowing livaaboards, which is the ultimate goal of the environmentalists. PYC is a Federal property and has been exempt from some of the rules. So I am very thrilled to at least have a place to keep Christa and I can live aboard. The catch is it cost me over $300 a month more than anticipated. But their are some very good things about this turn of events.
The temperature difference between the spot under the Golden Gate and San Rafael is about 30 degree's. San Rafael has no surge, is less than a mile from the campus of Dominican University, has a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Pete's, Starbucks and a Border's all within visual range. Beautiful. But the marina also doubles as a boatyard and is not the most beautiful place, especially compared to PYC and horseshoe cove. So the way I see it is a net positive over this dust up.
In fact, I called the trucker and ask him the night before he arrived to switch the drop off boat yard from KKMI to San Rafael Yacht Harbor. San Rafael Yacht Harbor is less expensive and I estimate I will save almost $500 big ones in relaunching costs. This cost me a day as the trucking permits had to be jiggered and all that. In the end everything is working out.
As far as Christa is concerned, she is very very dirty. The front hatch ripped off and dust and dirt abound on the interior. Otherwise, no damage was done. Yesterday I was a little despondent with the amount of work I have ahead of me. The delayed maintance from this winter is coming due and there is just so much work that needs to be done. But today I feel much better as things are starting to come together. I hope to have Christa launched next week and in her new slip.
Capt Chris
I spent a delightful 3 days at Joanne & Marks house in San Mateo Silicon Valley awaiting Christa's arrival. They have a beautiful spainish style home that they have re-done over the years. To say they have excellent taste is a huge understatement. Here is just one picture of one spot in their home.
While I was waiting I had a bit of a dust up. To explain. About 9 months ago I contacted the Precideo Yacht Club, which sits in a beautiful cove just north to the Golden Gate Bridge pictured below.
I had lived in this facility a number of years ago. It is a MWR facility for active and retired military members run by Travis Air Force Base. Travis is about two hours away and the place has not been known for its crisp management. This is why I engaged them early to make sure I had everything set. With assurances and my credit card charged months ago, I thought everything was in hand. Well in true PYC fashion, with rule flexibility being the watch word the manager simply told me no livaboards. To say that I'm pissed is an understatement. However I am not surprised.
I put plan bravo into action and have contracted with San Rafael Yacht Harbor. I showed up in a near panic after PYC put me in a very difficult situation. Living aboard a boat is a dying thing. Especially in San Fran Bay. I won't bore you all with all the details. But bottom line is the environmentalists have used the issue to extract money from marina owners via an extensive permitting process. It has become so laborious for marina's that they have simply stopped allowing livaaboards, which is the ultimate goal of the environmentalists. PYC is a Federal property and has been exempt from some of the rules. So I am very thrilled to at least have a place to keep Christa and I can live aboard. The catch is it cost me over $300 a month more than anticipated. But their are some very good things about this turn of events.
The temperature difference between the spot under the Golden Gate and San Rafael is about 30 degree's. San Rafael has no surge, is less than a mile from the campus of Dominican University, has a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Pete's, Starbucks and a Border's all within visual range. Beautiful. But the marina also doubles as a boatyard and is not the most beautiful place, especially compared to PYC and horseshoe cove. So the way I see it is a net positive over this dust up.
In fact, I called the trucker and ask him the night before he arrived to switch the drop off boat yard from KKMI to San Rafael Yacht Harbor. San Rafael Yacht Harbor is less expensive and I estimate I will save almost $500 big ones in relaunching costs. This cost me a day as the trucking permits had to be jiggered and all that. In the end everything is working out.
As far as Christa is concerned, she is very very dirty. The front hatch ripped off and dust and dirt abound on the interior. Otherwise, no damage was done. Yesterday I was a little despondent with the amount of work I have ahead of me. The delayed maintance from this winter is coming due and there is just so much work that needs to be done. But today I feel much better as things are starting to come together. I hope to have Christa launched next week and in her new slip.
Capt Chris
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Pictures of Christa in Obscure Places
San Mateo CA, Silicon Valley
Staying with Mark & Joanne
Christa should Arrive tomorrow
My hired man, Thomas Duncan of Thomas Duncan trucking sent me these pictures yesterday. Thomas is making tracks and should arrive at KKMI shipyard in Richmond California. I should be on station when Thomas arrives. It's all happening!
Pretty crazy to see Christa in the interior, especially with a west Texas dust storm bearing down on her!
Capt Chris
Staying with Mark & Joanne
Christa should Arrive tomorrow
My hired man, Thomas Duncan of Thomas Duncan trucking sent me these pictures yesterday. Thomas is making tracks and should arrive at KKMI shipyard in Richmond California. I should be on station when Thomas arrives. It's all happening!
Pretty crazy to see Christa in the interior, especially with a west Texas dust storm bearing down on her!
Capt Chris
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
California Arrival
San Mateo California, Silicon Valley
Staying with Mark & Joanne
In my minds eye I had held the beauty of California. But the reality is a stretch better. I crossed into California yesterday morning and watched the nature of the desert gradually change. The desert is so vast and majestic and so very hot. I was traveling along I-10 for most of my trip westward.
But to avoid the metropolis of Los Angeles I had to re-route myself pretty far off the rhumb line, but was well worth it. I turned north at Palm Springs and climbed into the mountains, and then descended into Yucca Valley. The grandeur is tough to get your mind wrapped around. Certainly not a ideal location for a breakdown. All of this scenery was totally unexpected and really made the long drive pleasant. I would have loved to camp in some of these areas but the temperatures preclude any thing like that.
I guess what I am saying is I really did forget how absolutly beautiful California is. I spent the night in Mojave California not far from Edwards Air force Base. Another desert oasis of a town.
This morning the terrain changed again into mountains, then straight into the bread basket of California. I stopped in Arvin, a sleepy agriculture town south of Bakersfield that felt like Mexico to me. Maybe because the population is 87.8 percent Hispanic according to the 2000 census. I picked up a authentic breakfast burrito from a little Mexican Tacoria and then spent the next 3 hours north bound on I-5 through the central valley. The central valley is a sea of commercial farming operations. Water is a gigantic issue in California. The system of canals that has been created to divert water to the LA basin and the farms is a gigantic political football. With that, I noticed thousands of acres of farming land burned out. Signs abound reading "Congress Created Bustbowl." Something is afoot; not unusal in a state where the government is in a constant state of crisis management.
I've spent the past few months in warm temperatures and air conditioning. But in true San Francisco fashion, as soon as I negotiated Altamont Pass, the temperatures dropped dramatically and the fog started to appear. The Green Hornet felt the influence of the mighty Pacific for the first time. Once upon the San Mateo bridge which spans the south San Francisco Bay, I could see a typical 15 to 25 knot westerly breeze churning up a chop. And once again I had that stupid grin, boy was I happy.
It's nice to be back in the hood. Now I just need Christa to make it safely here. More on that tomorrow.
Capt Chris
Staying with Mark & Joanne
In my minds eye I had held the beauty of California. But the reality is a stretch better. I crossed into California yesterday morning and watched the nature of the desert gradually change. The desert is so vast and majestic and so very hot. I was traveling along I-10 for most of my trip westward.
But to avoid the metropolis of Los Angeles I had to re-route myself pretty far off the rhumb line, but was well worth it. I turned north at Palm Springs and climbed into the mountains, and then descended into Yucca Valley. The grandeur is tough to get your mind wrapped around. Certainly not a ideal location for a breakdown. All of this scenery was totally unexpected and really made the long drive pleasant. I would have loved to camp in some of these areas but the temperatures preclude any thing like that.
I guess what I am saying is I really did forget how absolutly beautiful California is. I spent the night in Mojave California not far from Edwards Air force Base. Another desert oasis of a town.
This morning the terrain changed again into mountains, then straight into the bread basket of California. I stopped in Arvin, a sleepy agriculture town south of Bakersfield that felt like Mexico to me. Maybe because the population is 87.8 percent Hispanic according to the 2000 census. I picked up a authentic breakfast burrito from a little Mexican Tacoria and then spent the next 3 hours north bound on I-5 through the central valley. The central valley is a sea of commercial farming operations. Water is a gigantic issue in California. The system of canals that has been created to divert water to the LA basin and the farms is a gigantic political football. With that, I noticed thousands of acres of farming land burned out. Signs abound reading "Congress Created Bustbowl." Something is afoot; not unusal in a state where the government is in a constant state of crisis management.
I've spent the past few months in warm temperatures and air conditioning. But in true San Francisco fashion, as soon as I negotiated Altamont Pass, the temperatures dropped dramatically and the fog started to appear. The Green Hornet felt the influence of the mighty Pacific for the first time. Once upon the San Mateo bridge which spans the south San Francisco Bay, I could see a typical 15 to 25 knot westerly breeze churning up a chop. And once again I had that stupid grin, boy was I happy.
It's nice to be back in the hood. Now I just need Christa to make it safely here. More on that tomorrow.
Capt Chris
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Could Be Biker Trouble
San Tan Valley Arizona
Staying with my Aunt Cindy & Uncle Joe
Here is a little tid bit regarding my past most blog readers have no clue about. I had a biker phase. And this phase is latent and could surface at any time. Check out stud boy at 24 years old. I felt like the man no doubt. Feeling like the man was the watch word today as I once again climbed aboard a phat Harley for a morning ride in the Arizona desert.
I had the fever right away. In fact I worried about swallowing a bug because I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. It was a Sunday morning, little traffic, long long double lane highways that stretch as far as the eye can see, circled by the arid Arizona mountain terrain. Even better, the temperature was only in the high 80's. Very abnormal for this time of year.
My machine was a 1989 Electra Glide Official Police bike. Big and smooth, with tons of power. Uncle Joe was riding a real classic, a 1964 Panhead. Loud. In fact so loud that I had trouble moving out in first gear on my bike as I couldn't hear the engine on the Electra Glide.
We have some biker history in the family. I sold my Harley in 98. I am well aware of the dangers of bikes and just decided enough was enough. But holy cow did I love today's ride.
I can easily draw a parallel to sailing. Today was like a day of broad reaching in 15 knots and a 3 to 4 swell. On the bike, all alone with just the surrounding hill country, everything dialed, every care in the world simply leaves you. What a feeling. Kind of like the Judas Priest song, "Heading Out to the Highway." A real biker anthem. But bikes are like boats, prone to breaking downs, weather directly affects your enjoyment and the community is cult like. Of course bikes don't readily drag anchor, which is nice, but at some point all bike owners would choose to use the bike as an anchor.
The Panhead can be ruff on the rump, So Joe & I stopped in at San Tan Flats Bar and Grill to cool down. Place was really very cool indeed. Of course pretty soon Joe and I were pestering the girls to "I don't know maybe take a picture on the bike." With the Canon G11 in the saddle bag, I was on the case big. They were all great sports about it. I love these spontaneous small pleasures, that if accumulated consistently really adds up to a great life. Here are some more pictures.
As usual having a great time with Cindy & Joe and my cousin Lauren. As of this writing I plan on leaving tomorrow bound for somewhere near LA and snag a hotel. And then my next stop should be San Mateo just south of San Francisco in the Silicon Valley.
Christa as of this moment is still in Texas. Thomas and I had a deal for him to take his time driving across the country so I could seek adventure. The plan is for him to leave tomorrow for a SF arrival Weds or Thursday. Getting excited to get to my final destination and begin my re-assimilation to the Bay Area.
Easy Rider Out
PS: Would love to hear your comments and please pass on the blog to anyone who may like to follow along.
Staying with my Aunt Cindy & Uncle Joe
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| 72 Sportster, Rhode Island 1992 |
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| Uncle Joe & Me |
My machine was a 1989 Electra Glide Official Police bike. Big and smooth, with tons of power. Uncle Joe was riding a real classic, a 1964 Panhead. Loud. In fact so loud that I had trouble moving out in first gear on my bike as I couldn't hear the engine on the Electra Glide.
We have some biker history in the family. I sold my Harley in 98. I am well aware of the dangers of bikes and just decided enough was enough. But holy cow did I love today's ride.
I can easily draw a parallel to sailing. Today was like a day of broad reaching in 15 knots and a 3 to 4 swell. On the bike, all alone with just the surrounding hill country, everything dialed, every care in the world simply leaves you. What a feeling. Kind of like the Judas Priest song, "Heading Out to the Highway." A real biker anthem. But bikes are like boats, prone to breaking downs, weather directly affects your enjoyment and the community is cult like. Of course bikes don't readily drag anchor, which is nice, but at some point all bike owners would choose to use the bike as an anchor.
The Panhead can be ruff on the rump, So Joe & I stopped in at San Tan Flats Bar and Grill to cool down. Place was really very cool indeed. Of course pretty soon Joe and I were pestering the girls to "I don't know maybe take a picture on the bike." With the Canon G11 in the saddle bag, I was on the case big. They were all great sports about it. I love these spontaneous small pleasures, that if accumulated consistently really adds up to a great life. Here are some more pictures.
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| Thanks Girls |
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| Me & Prof Shelby |
As usual having a great time with Cindy & Joe and my cousin Lauren. As of this writing I plan on leaving tomorrow bound for somewhere near LA and snag a hotel. And then my next stop should be San Mateo just south of San Francisco in the Silicon Valley.
Christa as of this moment is still in Texas. Thomas and I had a deal for him to take his time driving across the country so I could seek adventure. The plan is for him to leave tomorrow for a SF arrival Weds or Thursday. Getting excited to get to my final destination and begin my re-assimilation to the Bay Area.
Easy Rider Out
PS: Would love to hear your comments and please pass on the blog to anyone who may like to follow along.
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