This is Sandra, Marilyn and Amber --
We have reserved time at The Boat House in Nice for Sunday afternoon, July 26th, 3:00 - 7:00. It is a NO-HOST party. Come by and congratulate Arnold on his amazing achievement!
We will provide some appetizers, but if you are hungrier than that, The Boat House has a full menu of food and bibes :-)
We know it's short notice, but Arnold is really making tracks on home!! He should be here late tonight or sometime tomorrow. We'll crack the whip over Arnold to get his pictures ready to share. I'm sure they'll be fantastic and really add to his stories.
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone!
xoxo,
Sandra, Mare and Amber
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
7-18 Where Am I Now????
Please, Please forgive me (sounds like a song to me) we had so much fun in Saco,Ma. And Old Orchard and I did absolutely nothing. I called my kids and that was about it and I never called the folks I should have but the mystery of the trip still hangs about me and I could not face up to the fact that I did it. We did meet some really great folks there and I will tell more about each of them at another time. We did manage to eat several lbs. of Lobster and did a number on some excellent bibes. Gail made a very cool chef’s cap for Allan, the super chef at the breakfast bar at the KOA where we stayed. He and his wife, Jan, are super folks and I do believe that we have made more life long friends. Jan is into weaving and she let me ‘try’ to so some spinning on the wheel but I’ll tell you now before you start to laugh, I made a terrific mess of things and she did let me keep a bundle of my masterpiece just so I could show the world that them rug makers know something I don’t know, Ha! Ha!. Soooo Muuuch fun we have! But like good wine, things came to an end on Thursday morning and after hugs and tears etc. we got underway at 1100 hrs. After so much rest I was feeling gooooood so I put in 13 hrs of road time and we beat feet to somewhere in Illinois and pulled into a truck stop a zzzddd out. We picked our way across Maine, N.H., Vermont, N.Y., Penn. And almost to Cleveland before my eyeballs cried out, I give!!! 600+mi. At some town in N.Y. we experienced something I had not been in before. It poured down and hail stones the size of golf balls and horrific wind, wind that went east to west. We were on intstate 90 and it was the 5 o’clock hr and the traffic was citified. The storm was so bad that as many cars that could fit under the overpasses just pulled over and parked along the road. We got on thru though after creeping along as fast as some of them ants I saw along the road during the trip and the rest of the day was in cloudy and rainy weather. We beat feet to westeren Iowa,wa,wa and last nite we finally stopped at a rest stop. 800+ miles for day 2 and my butt is feeling it. Bed felt sooo gooood though. Picked up some time too as we started crossing the date lines. Yahoooo! Let her go!!!!!!!!!!!! Skywalker, Skywalker good buddy, sure miss you and love you, should be home in a few days. Over and out.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Can' believe it
Well I was going to sign off for the night but just had to let everyone know that last night it rained on us after we went to bed. Guess what we are having dinner and here it comes again. It think the rainmaker just wants us to remember her. Old Chief over and out.
7-13 Chapter One, Done.
I put off doing the Ocean Ceremony until today as it is now 2 months since I left Lakeport. My cyclometer shows 3,211 miles. Last nite, after we finished crying, we went to Ken’s for the big dinner of Lobster and we toasted several times at camp and at the restaurant. This morning we slept in till 0730 then cleaned up and had strawberry waffles at the campground restaurant. We lazed around till about 12:30 then geared up and set off to do the official ending. We finally found the beach area that would allow us to have Lady on the beach and it turned out to be the same beach that we did our ceremony at while we were here last fall and I think that was too cooooool!!!!! It was 83’ and clear and there were many beachers enjoying the day but we went ahead and I rode my bike up the street and Gail got the camera set and so we have the last digit on record. I have been able to keep my cool so far, but again I think that I have not fully felt the ride is done. As I talked with my girls yesterday, I had a very hard time to keep from crying like a baby and I feel the same now. The messages I have gotten from some of you are just so awesome and I will still have to reach deep down inside to come up with the right and honorable response. We will stay in this KOA until Thursday morning before we start west and as each day goes by I will still comment on the blog so all can keep up with us as we head for home. Two different couples talked with us as we were at the beach and the one couple is also at the KOA but we have not seen them as of yet. The young couple we met as we were leaving the beach was very interested in what we were doing and we talked for quite awhile. Tim is a teacher and has taught around the Chicago area for seven years but now going to Law School in Portland, Ma. He is a tri-athlete and is training to do an Iron Man tri later this summer. He was interested in what I have done and hopes to do the same thing at some point in his life. Bridgett is from the Chicago area also and they both were so glad to have left the city life behind and now live in Portland. We will remain in touch thru the internet. Bless both of you and may your dreams become realities. We went to Bailey’s for the Lobster and Gail came out with a arm full and so the evening meal will undoubtedly be Lobster, French bread and Downhill Dave Bibes. Thanks Dave. Words are sure hard to find right now so for this evening, good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite, if they do beat them till they’r black and blue, love you, see you in the morning!!!! Skywalker, Skywalker good Buddy, today is the end of the bicycle part of this journey and I am looking forward to seeing you when I get home. Love you and miss you, over and out.
7-12 Are We There Yet?????
The morning at Hillsboro was warm and humid but clear and I was very slow at getting up and out. We fiddled around and took a short walk around part of the grounds. The parade was starting to form downtown and we escaped as the folks were lining up along the parade route. I think that in my heart I was seeing the end of this great ride and I was a little reluctant to face up to it. Flashes of the trip went thru my mind again and again like clips in a movie. I know now what some of the Old Folks meant when they would talk about the old days and you could see in their eyes the vision that flashed by and they would get tears and get chocked up. I did that very same thing and at times it was hard to just keep from crying. As I write these things down now, I have to keep the Kleenex box close by. I picked up hwy 9 at some point and the remainder of the trip thru New Hampshire was history as there are not that many miles across it and then the traffic got more horrendous as we snaked our way along the narrow and rough roads. We had made reservations at the KOA campground in Saco, Ma. And the road there was very similar to those in Iowa,wa,wa. narrow, rough and to add to it, the traffic was very heavy, fast and unfriendly as people flashed their lights, honked horns and passed on double lines and hills, very much like being in Ca. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a Sunday afternoon and people were going someplace but there were as many going our way(sounds like a song, again)as there were going the other way. The cops were having a field day too as they were out in force and every one we saw was handing out them little yellow tags. Another oddity that we are not used to is a toll road and as I crawled onto interstate 94 we had to pay $1.50 to careen along with hundreds of speeding machines that were hell bent on going somewhere and this was only for 10 miles. I believe that just because we were from Calif. And was towing a trailer every one of them figured us as being out of sink with their world and should be somewhere else instead of being in their way. Just my own thoughts, but I, being an old trucker from the west coast kept my cool and knowing that I have survived the rigors of driving thru Stockton, Ca. was able to peel off the thru-way and landed at the KOA like we knew what we were doing. Wow! Whew! We got parked just across from where we stayed last fall and as things got settled down, I took a short nap and Gail got the lap top into gear. I read over the notes she wrote and told her to go ahead and post it as I was still not ready to accept the fact that I am just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. We both had a good cry as she sent the words out to the world. I called my three daughters to let them know that I am ok and that the end is near and I got to talk for quite a while with my good Buddy. He asked if I was going to ride my bike back and when I said no, he said, good then it won’t take you as long to get home. Skywalker, Skywalker good Buddy, I finally made it to the East Coast and tomorrow I will finish my Bicycle Ride Across America. I love and sure do miss you, see ya soon. Over and out.
July 13, 2009 HE ENDURED
ONE JOURNEY ENDS ANOTHER BEGINS
[from Gail]:
How do you say a journey has ended? Is it just because you have reached a destination? What makes that journey end, or does it? Old Chief had traveled over 3000 miles to complete a bike trip that was supposed to be just that. Ride his bicycle across America. Well he did it and it turned out to be more than he thought. But yet it isn’t. He had no expectations on what this trip was going to be except doing the ride. He started out raising funds for the American Cancer Society, World Foundation for HIV, and a local church youth group. Boy it turned out to be that and more. He has since met people he will never forget and hopefully they won’t forget him. He doesn’t know what it means or if he will ever find out but I have seen and heard him. His passion for what he was doing showed all the time. People listened and were not only impressed but I felt the awe from them when he talked about what he was doing. For the past two months we have traveled from California to Maine. The creator challenged him with some of the hottest weather and humidity no person should have to endure and he did. Then there was the wind that would seem to want to push him backwards, that he could count the ants walking on the road. He endured. Then there was the rain, thunder and lighting that was enough to make anyone want to quit. He endured. We traveled the same roads and passed the same scenery yet we both saw different things. At the end of the day we would share what we saw and the pictures we took. Not always the same, but all wonderful. Then he would talk about someone else who was riding in another direction or someone he met and the light in his eyes and the enthusiasm are contagious. He says he doesn’t know if he made a difference or touched anyone else’s life but I know he did. Mine was one of them and I know those he talked to will remember him for a long, long time in the future. His compassion and inner strength shows thru as he talks to people and in his presentations to groups. He will always be on a journey be it just to the park with his grandson Beau or on a trip to Washington to see family his life will always be full and looking for that one thing that will be different and wonderful.
I couldn’t have been prouder of him than when we got to Maine. It made us both cry just to say he did it.
Thank you to all of the wonderful people who were so dedicated to follow the blog, you made him want to do it and it made the trip a blast to do. To those of you who would call on a regular basis even as you followed the blog that always brightened up his day. Hearing from home, family and friends was awesome. To those we or I called at all hours of the day and night to report on something that was a WOW factor to us thanks for answering your phones you made the trip some much fun and it made it like you were here with us.
Again our thanks and love to everyone who followed the blog in any form, you were always on the trip with us and in our hearts.
Today the ceremony of riding the bike into the Atlantic and exchanging the sands will be just as emotional as every thing else on this awesome trip. We have missed our families and friends and will be home before August.
We love you all.
Yes the blog will continue till we get home.
[from Gail]:
How do you say a journey has ended? Is it just because you have reached a destination? What makes that journey end, or does it? Old Chief had traveled over 3000 miles to complete a bike trip that was supposed to be just that. Ride his bicycle across America. Well he did it and it turned out to be more than he thought. But yet it isn’t. He had no expectations on what this trip was going to be except doing the ride. He started out raising funds for the American Cancer Society, World Foundation for HIV, and a local church youth group. Boy it turned out to be that and more. He has since met people he will never forget and hopefully they won’t forget him. He doesn’t know what it means or if he will ever find out but I have seen and heard him. His passion for what he was doing showed all the time. People listened and were not only impressed but I felt the awe from them when he talked about what he was doing. For the past two months we have traveled from California to Maine. The creator challenged him with some of the hottest weather and humidity no person should have to endure and he did. Then there was the wind that would seem to want to push him backwards, that he could count the ants walking on the road. He endured. Then there was the rain, thunder and lighting that was enough to make anyone want to quit. He endured. We traveled the same roads and passed the same scenery yet we both saw different things. At the end of the day we would share what we saw and the pictures we took. Not always the same, but all wonderful. Then he would talk about someone else who was riding in another direction or someone he met and the light in his eyes and the enthusiasm are contagious. He says he doesn’t know if he made a difference or touched anyone else’s life but I know he did. Mine was one of them and I know those he talked to will remember him for a long, long time in the future. His compassion and inner strength shows thru as he talks to people and in his presentations to groups. He will always be on a journey be it just to the park with his grandson Beau or on a trip to Washington to see family his life will always be full and looking for that one thing that will be different and wonderful.
I couldn’t have been prouder of him than when we got to Maine. It made us both cry just to say he did it.
Thank you to all of the wonderful people who were so dedicated to follow the blog, you made him want to do it and it made the trip a blast to do. To those of you who would call on a regular basis even as you followed the blog that always brightened up his day. Hearing from home, family and friends was awesome. To those we or I called at all hours of the day and night to report on something that was a WOW factor to us thanks for answering your phones you made the trip some much fun and it made it like you were here with us.
Again our thanks and love to everyone who followed the blog in any form, you were always on the trip with us and in our hearts.
Today the ceremony of riding the bike into the Atlantic and exchanging the sands will be just as emotional as every thing else on this awesome trip. We have missed our families and friends and will be home before August.
We love you all.
Yes the blog will continue till we get home.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
7-11 Was That Vermont?
This day is for Miranda Cleveland, Spencer’s Sister.
The spot along Hoosick Creek was 5mi. from the N.Y.-Vermont state line on hwy 7 N.E. of Albany. I thought that this road would be quiet and not too much traffic but it turned out to be the busiest little road that we have been on. There were trucks that worked all nite long and the traffic was like Santa Rosa at 3P.M. The shoulders along 7 were very tight and as I pulled up some of the grades, I really sucked it up but the traffic was friendly and pulled over or slowed down. At the Vermont line the shoulder got very wide and smooth and I was able to relax and kick it along. The ups were long and steep and the downs were long and fast. A few times I was able to keep up with the traffic and the looks on their faces made for a good smile and a wave and some finger pointing. At the Vermont line I left hwy 7 and picked up hwy 9 near Bennington, Vt. The trip across the Green Mt. Forest was all up and down and the last long pull was 5 mi from Marlboro up to Hogback Mt. that topped out at 2,400ft. It was a good, long downer from there to Brattleboro on the New Hampshire state line. Across Vermont in no time at all. Wow! This road is the same one we came home on last fall as we left Maine and started west so some of the places were like seeing old friends as we stopped and visited them again. I lifted thru Brattleboro and past Keene as the big roads do not allow bikes on them and at one point we found a very large pull out and decided that it would be a good place to camp out. As we got settled down we noticed that a patrolman was sitting on the road along the pullout and was ticketing the speeders as they zipped down the hill. He tagged at least half a dozen of them as we walked around and then he came over to us and politely informed us that this was a private area and no overniting, Sooooooooo!!! We beat feet on to the city of Hillsboro and found the Oxbow Campground located thru a maze of streets and there was one pull thru left so we settled in for the nite. There is a hot air balloon festival going on this weekend and so the place was very busy. A band was playing somewhere as we settled down and then, of all things, the rain started and then the fire works show started and Lady turned into a vibrating machine as she got all worked up at the noise. As we drifted off to the music of Mr. Cash, thunder crashed and the lightning flashed and Lady was up on the bed with us in one leap. I guess it rained most of the nite but again I missed most of the action, oh well!!!!!!!!!!!
Miranda is a quiet, layed back gal and has everything under control. She is Spencer’s older sister and very organized and neat. She can hike forever and loves the outdoors and the hunting and fishing trips. She has picked up on beading and is into the Native crafts and is ready to start dancing. It is always great fun to be with her and the rest of the family as they really enjoy life. She also loves to kayak and can handle that machine like a pro. A very cool gal. See you next trip.
The spot along Hoosick Creek was 5mi. from the N.Y.-Vermont state line on hwy 7 N.E. of Albany. I thought that this road would be quiet and not too much traffic but it turned out to be the busiest little road that we have been on. There were trucks that worked all nite long and the traffic was like Santa Rosa at 3P.M. The shoulders along 7 were very tight and as I pulled up some of the grades, I really sucked it up but the traffic was friendly and pulled over or slowed down. At the Vermont line the shoulder got very wide and smooth and I was able to relax and kick it along. The ups were long and steep and the downs were long and fast. A few times I was able to keep up with the traffic and the looks on their faces made for a good smile and a wave and some finger pointing. At the Vermont line I left hwy 7 and picked up hwy 9 near Bennington, Vt. The trip across the Green Mt. Forest was all up and down and the last long pull was 5 mi from Marlboro up to Hogback Mt. that topped out at 2,400ft. It was a good, long downer from there to Brattleboro on the New Hampshire state line. Across Vermont in no time at all. Wow! This road is the same one we came home on last fall as we left Maine and started west so some of the places were like seeing old friends as we stopped and visited them again. I lifted thru Brattleboro and past Keene as the big roads do not allow bikes on them and at one point we found a very large pull out and decided that it would be a good place to camp out. As we got settled down we noticed that a patrolman was sitting on the road along the pullout and was ticketing the speeders as they zipped down the hill. He tagged at least half a dozen of them as we walked around and then he came over to us and politely informed us that this was a private area and no overniting, Sooooooooo!!! We beat feet on to the city of Hillsboro and found the Oxbow Campground located thru a maze of streets and there was one pull thru left so we settled in for the nite. There is a hot air balloon festival going on this weekend and so the place was very busy. A band was playing somewhere as we settled down and then, of all things, the rain started and then the fire works show started and Lady turned into a vibrating machine as she got all worked up at the noise. As we drifted off to the music of Mr. Cash, thunder crashed and the lightning flashed and Lady was up on the bed with us in one leap. I guess it rained most of the nite but again I missed most of the action, oh well!!!!!!!!!!!
Miranda is a quiet, layed back gal and has everything under control. She is Spencer’s older sister and very organized and neat. She can hike forever and loves the outdoors and the hunting and fishing trips. She has picked up on beading and is into the Native crafts and is ready to start dancing. It is always great fun to be with her and the rest of the family as they really enjoy life. She also loves to kayak and can handle that machine like a pro. A very cool gal. See you next trip.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
7-10 Mohawk Connection.
This day is for my great nephew, Spencer Cleveland, from Beau.
My sights were set a little high as I overshot the crossroad and had to backtrack just a short distance to hwy 29S. I had remained a good, law abiding citizen and did not cross over the line that the kindly gentleman had reminded me about and at the same time I could not help but think that only a few years ago the Natives could have moved about and enjoyed this great country without this threat of great harm and incarceration and spiritual negation but then I figured, what the heck, this is now and not then so I bit my lip and drifted on down the fine path ahead of me. I read signs that noted that the great armies of the Americans used these old Indian paths and cut the trees down just low enough so that their wagons and cannons could go over them. As I came to the Mohawk Museum and Cultural center along hwy5, just out of Fonda, N.Y. I stopped to visit as Gail and I had stopped their last fall on our way home from Maine but the place was closed. As I clipped up and was ready to leave a little pick up pulled up and a young lady by the name of Amanda Holmes greeted me and we had a long chat about my trip and her connection with the Mohawk Tribe. She is a college student at Tucson, Ariz. And working on her PHD. She works for the Mohawk Tribe for the summer and I hope that she will continue her education before settling down on her dreams As you read this, Amanda, the history will always be there and it is us elders that always push education onto our young ones, so get that education first and the rest will fall into place. Your travels may take you to different places but it all has a purpose. As Gail picked me up in Glenville, we decided to grab a bite at Pasquariello’s, Pub and Restaurant. A taste of some of their beers, some Filet Migon and we talked briefly with Kim and Cathy who both work for a school district. She is a teacher and he is the Director of Maint. Same job I retired from, but we had a good chat and hope them the best. They had their honeymoon in Old Orchard, Maine. Very Cool. We had to boot for several miles before we found a place to stop over. These states are not traveler friendly, for sure. Along a cool little creek again and Skywalker, Skywalker I love you buddy and sure do miss you. Over and out.
My grandson, Beau, whom most of you probably know by now, is a great fan of Spencer and I think that it is mostly because of Spencer’s BIIIIIIIGGGG collection of toys. Beau thinks of Spencer as his most favorite cousin and I can’t blame him cause I think he is pretty cool too. Beau has spent several visits with Spencer over the years and every time that we are going on a trip up north, Beau has to be sure that we are going to visit his most favorite cousin, Spencer. Beau loves you Spencer and so do we. See Ya!
My sights were set a little high as I overshot the crossroad and had to backtrack just a short distance to hwy 29S. I had remained a good, law abiding citizen and did not cross over the line that the kindly gentleman had reminded me about and at the same time I could not help but think that only a few years ago the Natives could have moved about and enjoyed this great country without this threat of great harm and incarceration and spiritual negation but then I figured, what the heck, this is now and not then so I bit my lip and drifted on down the fine path ahead of me. I read signs that noted that the great armies of the Americans used these old Indian paths and cut the trees down just low enough so that their wagons and cannons could go over them. As I came to the Mohawk Museum and Cultural center along hwy5, just out of Fonda, N.Y. I stopped to visit as Gail and I had stopped their last fall on our way home from Maine but the place was closed. As I clipped up and was ready to leave a little pick up pulled up and a young lady by the name of Amanda Holmes greeted me and we had a long chat about my trip and her connection with the Mohawk Tribe. She is a college student at Tucson, Ariz. And working on her PHD. She works for the Mohawk Tribe for the summer and I hope that she will continue her education before settling down on her dreams As you read this, Amanda, the history will always be there and it is us elders that always push education onto our young ones, so get that education first and the rest will fall into place. Your travels may take you to different places but it all has a purpose. As Gail picked me up in Glenville, we decided to grab a bite at Pasquariello’s, Pub and Restaurant. A taste of some of their beers, some Filet Migon and we talked briefly with Kim and Cathy who both work for a school district. She is a teacher and he is the Director of Maint. Same job I retired from, but we had a good chat and hope them the best. They had their honeymoon in Old Orchard, Maine. Very Cool. We had to boot for several miles before we found a place to stop over. These states are not traveler friendly, for sure. Along a cool little creek again and Skywalker, Skywalker I love you buddy and sure do miss you. Over and out.
My grandson, Beau, whom most of you probably know by now, is a great fan of Spencer and I think that it is mostly because of Spencer’s BIIIIIIIGGGG collection of toys. Beau thinks of Spencer as his most favorite cousin and I can’t blame him cause I think he is pretty cool too. Beau has spent several visits with Spencer over the years and every time that we are going on a trip up north, Beau has to be sure that we are going to visit his most favorite cousin, Spencer. Beau loves you Spencer and so do we. See Ya!
7-9 Where The Heck I Am??????
For my old and good friend, Pat Renick, Pomo Renegade.
The fog really got my mind in a spin this day as I changed routes more than once. Poor Gail was very distraught by the time we finally connected in Fairmont shopping center. I eased along hwy 20/5 till they split and I stayed on 20. Then I met Barry and his wife and a friend going the same direction. Barry and I chatted for a time and he gave me some info that I figured would really benefit me so I changed my route again and that’s where the fun began.
I zipped along merrily thinking I was one cool dude on a bike and as I came to the end of 175 I began to think differently. I chanced upon another local biker that as we talked, found out that he had been on several cross country rides and was very familiar with the local routes. After some phone calls, Gail and I got our s?!’ together and just decided to get the heck out of Syracuse but even that was a chore. The detour signs were very poorly placed and as we drifted around the back streets and side streets of somewhere Syracuse, N.Y. we finally bounced on to hwy 81n out of the city. We floated around the east end of Oneida Lake and careened off at exit 32. We were both so upset by then that we decided we needed some lunch to calm the insides and that was a good thing.
After a good time out, I managed to bag a few more miles across hwy 49 and by then it was getting time to hunt for a landing spot so I lifted thru Rome, which turned out to be another fair sized township. Along the way we chanced upon a part of the old Erie Canal and we made a short stopover at the Erie Canal Village and checked it out. That was very cool and we got some history and artifacts and movies and pics and I learned that there are many miles of these old canals and you can ride the old pull trails. In fact, in about another week there is going to be a biiiiggg bike ride from Buffalo to Albany, like 500+ riders. Very cool if I do say so!!!! Turns out to be about a 400 mile trip. WoW!!!
We found a pullout along Hinkley Reservoir and decided to set up camp and as we settled down a very kind member of the New York Port Authorthy reminded us that it was a great sin to step over the railing and onto the Dam Property and we assured him that we were only staying for the nite and had no intention of violating their posted property. Joe talked for a time and told us some stories about his military career and that he trained attack dogs for the service. He said he would let the other patrolmen know that we were here for the nite. Thanks Joe. I am going to try to stay up long enough to see if there will be any lightning bugs as Gail bought me a small net to try and catch some??????? Think I’ll make it??? Tune in for the end of the story.
In 1976 we had a serious water problem on the rez at Big Valley and it was then that I met Pat Renick. We took on the Ca. State Dept. of Health and several other agencies and after a few years we got on the County system and the sewer system. Pat is a most remarkable guy and if it were not for his tenacity and wealth of knowledge, I believe that we would still be living in the dark ages on the rez. We became great friends over the years and he loved to stop by any time and have Judy cook up a big meal. A very robust fella but he could move around the basketball court like a globetrotter and to this day, his big smile lites up the whole room. He had a stroke a few years ago but has been able to continue along life’s journey and he settled in Willits, Ca. and I manage to stop in and visit but not as often as I will in the future. His daughter, Hillary, has a unique history all her own and I hope to cross paths with her again sometime. I knew her as a small child but over the years lost contact with her. Come to find out that she is now connected with one of my relatives from the Yakima Nation. Small World. There are a lot more stories about Pat and I and a few other Native Pushers like Dale Riesling to mention a few and I hope that Pat has written down many of his exploits as they are historic in their own right. We will get them abs this year, Pat, I know this to be true. Kudos Brother!
View Old Chief Bicycles across America in a larger map
The fog really got my mind in a spin this day as I changed routes more than once. Poor Gail was very distraught by the time we finally connected in Fairmont shopping center. I eased along hwy 20/5 till they split and I stayed on 20. Then I met Barry and his wife and a friend going the same direction. Barry and I chatted for a time and he gave me some info that I figured would really benefit me so I changed my route again and that’s where the fun began.
I zipped along merrily thinking I was one cool dude on a bike and as I came to the end of 175 I began to think differently. I chanced upon another local biker that as we talked, found out that he had been on several cross country rides and was very familiar with the local routes. After some phone calls, Gail and I got our s?!’ together and just decided to get the heck out of Syracuse but even that was a chore. The detour signs were very poorly placed and as we drifted around the back streets and side streets of somewhere Syracuse, N.Y. we finally bounced on to hwy 81n out of the city. We floated around the east end of Oneida Lake and careened off at exit 32. We were both so upset by then that we decided we needed some lunch to calm the insides and that was a good thing.
After a good time out, I managed to bag a few more miles across hwy 49 and by then it was getting time to hunt for a landing spot so I lifted thru Rome, which turned out to be another fair sized township. Along the way we chanced upon a part of the old Erie Canal and we made a short stopover at the Erie Canal Village and checked it out. That was very cool and we got some history and artifacts and movies and pics and I learned that there are many miles of these old canals and you can ride the old pull trails. In fact, in about another week there is going to be a biiiiggg bike ride from Buffalo to Albany, like 500+ riders. Very cool if I do say so!!!! Turns out to be about a 400 mile trip. WoW!!!
We found a pullout along Hinkley Reservoir and decided to set up camp and as we settled down a very kind member of the New York Port Authorthy reminded us that it was a great sin to step over the railing and onto the Dam Property and we assured him that we were only staying for the nite and had no intention of violating their posted property. Joe talked for a time and told us some stories about his military career and that he trained attack dogs for the service. He said he would let the other patrolmen know that we were here for the nite. Thanks Joe. I am going to try to stay up long enough to see if there will be any lightning bugs as Gail bought me a small net to try and catch some??????? Think I’ll make it??? Tune in for the end of the story.
In 1976 we had a serious water problem on the rez at Big Valley and it was then that I met Pat Renick. We took on the Ca. State Dept. of Health and several other agencies and after a few years we got on the County system and the sewer system. Pat is a most remarkable guy and if it were not for his tenacity and wealth of knowledge, I believe that we would still be living in the dark ages on the rez. We became great friends over the years and he loved to stop by any time and have Judy cook up a big meal. A very robust fella but he could move around the basketball court like a globetrotter and to this day, his big smile lites up the whole room. He had a stroke a few years ago but has been able to continue along life’s journey and he settled in Willits, Ca. and I manage to stop in and visit but not as often as I will in the future. His daughter, Hillary, has a unique history all her own and I hope to cross paths with her again sometime. I knew her as a small child but over the years lost contact with her. Come to find out that she is now connected with one of my relatives from the Yakima Nation. Small World. There are a lot more stories about Pat and I and a few other Native Pushers like Dale Riesling to mention a few and I hope that Pat has written down many of his exploits as they are historic in their own right. We will get them abs this year, Pat, I know this to be true. Kudos Brother!
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
7-8 Downhill Dream
This day is for my sis-in-law, Lisa(Brutus) Bermudez.
I really tried to stay awake last nite long enough to see if there were any fireflies and to enjoy the really cool creek that ran just behind our tepee on wheels, but, after a clp of cool ones and a good shower and a very good dinner, I drifted away to the sounds of Johnny Cash. The next thing I know, it was lite out and the ringy, dingy was saying that it was time to get the heck on down the road and so I did just that.
The cool thing about this day was the looooong, downhill runs as we dropped down from the hill country to the lower valley and the breeze was at my back also and lent a big helping hand, a bike riders dream and to boot, the shoulders were very wide and very smooth, man, this is what it’s all about.
I stopped at a couple of rest areas to pig out on a energy bar and slam down some gator aid and read the sad stories of them early settlers that them rascally Indians kept pestering. But in the end, 5,000 soldiers destroyed all of their crops and burned down their villages and I guess that taught them a lesson!!!! The great Six Nations were living in the area at the time but there is no indication of this now. This piece of history is well depicted in the documentary by Kevin Costner, 500 Nations.
At Avon I again picked up on interstate 20 and 5 as #39 ended. Gail flagged me down at the 45-mile post and after a brief map check I booked on down to the outskirts of Canandaigua, N.Y. I lifted for a ways and we found Wal-mart where we spent some time as Gail did some shopping and I started tracking my route thru N.Y. and on east. Man! It’s getting closer and closer and I can start to smell that Atlantic Water. We slid past Seneca Falls and finally tracked down a campground several miles off of 5. There are fewer and fewer campgrounds as we get further east, at least where we are. I talked briefly with my daughter, Sandra, and it may be that we can meet up at the end of my journey as she has to be in Boston for her work so we are getting this lined out. Sure sounds good to me. Skywalker, Skywalker good Buddy, I am getting closer to the end of this trip and I love you and miss you, over and out.
Brutus was the Cardinal Bird in high school and is still as full of energy and laughter as she was then. She is Judy’s sister and has lived in Lakeport all of her life. She is a one-of-a-kind sister-in-law and works for the County and if one ever needs something done or a good ball player, call Brutus. I’m glad you are there Bruty.
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I really tried to stay awake last nite long enough to see if there were any fireflies and to enjoy the really cool creek that ran just behind our tepee on wheels, but, after a clp of cool ones and a good shower and a very good dinner, I drifted away to the sounds of Johnny Cash. The next thing I know, it was lite out and the ringy, dingy was saying that it was time to get the heck on down the road and so I did just that.
The cool thing about this day was the looooong, downhill runs as we dropped down from the hill country to the lower valley and the breeze was at my back also and lent a big helping hand, a bike riders dream and to boot, the shoulders were very wide and very smooth, man, this is what it’s all about.
I stopped at a couple of rest areas to pig out on a energy bar and slam down some gator aid and read the sad stories of them early settlers that them rascally Indians kept pestering. But in the end, 5,000 soldiers destroyed all of their crops and burned down their villages and I guess that taught them a lesson!!!! The great Six Nations were living in the area at the time but there is no indication of this now. This piece of history is well depicted in the documentary by Kevin Costner, 500 Nations.
At Avon I again picked up on interstate 20 and 5 as #39 ended. Gail flagged me down at the 45-mile post and after a brief map check I booked on down to the outskirts of Canandaigua, N.Y. I lifted for a ways and we found Wal-mart where we spent some time as Gail did some shopping and I started tracking my route thru N.Y. and on east. Man! It’s getting closer and closer and I can start to smell that Atlantic Water. We slid past Seneca Falls and finally tracked down a campground several miles off of 5. There are fewer and fewer campgrounds as we get further east, at least where we are. I talked briefly with my daughter, Sandra, and it may be that we can meet up at the end of my journey as she has to be in Boston for her work so we are getting this lined out. Sure sounds good to me. Skywalker, Skywalker good Buddy, I am getting closer to the end of this trip and I love you and miss you, over and out.
Brutus was the Cardinal Bird in high school and is still as full of energy and laughter as she was then. She is Judy’s sister and has lived in Lakeport all of her life. She is a one-of-a-kind sister-in-law and works for the County and if one ever needs something done or a good ball player, call Brutus. I’m glad you are there Bruty.
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7-7 A Shortcut ha, ha, ha, ha.
This day us for my brother in law, Pedro Landeros.
From the Stateline Campground on Lake Erie, at Ripley, N.Y. on hwy 5, to Wood Creek Campground on hwy 39 in Castile, N.Y.
The Stateline Campground was kinda like being at Ft. Bragg as there was a stiff breeze all nite and there were white caps on the lake. The lake is so big that you can’t see the shore on the other side. As I went on down hwy 5, I could not help but see that the mansions all along the roadway were absolutely awesome, if you like that kind of huge lawn and landscape, certainly a lawn mowers paradise. Ever since we tootled along the lakes, the homes were absolutely perfect pieces of landscape. I would not even think of walking on the lawns as they were golf course perfect and the only thing missing were people. I never once saw the folks that owned these places out enjoying what they had. Hummmm! Another thing that we noticed is that there are no fences. A few places had a little fence but for the most part they are not to be seen. I wondered how they knew where to cut the grass? It was hard to tell just where the property ended and the golf course started.
I have spent several hours trying to map out a route and today was interesting to say the least. I looked at hwy39 out of Dunkirk and thought that it would be a cross cut instead of drifting on to Buffalo and then east and it was, but, the flatland and distance was traded for some humpy hills and I got a heck of a workout, like being back in Nebraska. Steep, long, ups and some swift downs. It has been awhile since I had the hill work and my legs were letting me know it but I still kicked down 75mi. There were hundreds of them wind generators along a ridge and I knew that I had gone over the summits so I whipped on down some longer runs and as we got into Castile we started looking for a place to camp. We finally found Wood Creek Cmpgrd, a very pretty place, right on a creek. As I do this blog we again got rained on. Not too heavy but enough to get things wet and now the sun is again shining. ????!!!!
This morning as I sped along Lake Erie was the first time I felt tangs of missing home. I talked to my daughter, Marilyn, and she mentioned that she was missing me and I think that the feeling was mutual. I still have the desire to ride each day but as the coast gets closer (on the map at least!) I think more about the end of this journey and I just want to keep booking. Skywalker, Skywalker I hope your summer is going good and I am looking forward to seeing you again, love you and miss you, over and out.
Pedro Landeros is Judy’s brother and he is one neat guy. He is deaf and went to the Berkley School for the Deaf. He was an outstanding quarterback for the school and a very good athlete. We used to go visit him and enjoyed the times together. After school he worked for me in the packing houses. He learned to operate my labeling machine and spent several years doing that. He eventually ended up in Sacramento and had some good jobs. He moved back to Lake Co. and has worked for the Konocti Vista Casino for several years now and is liked by many people. He has a colorful history and is still as cool a guy as when I first met him. Keep up the great work Pete.
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From the Stateline Campground on Lake Erie, at Ripley, N.Y. on hwy 5, to Wood Creek Campground on hwy 39 in Castile, N.Y.
The Stateline Campground was kinda like being at Ft. Bragg as there was a stiff breeze all nite and there were white caps on the lake. The lake is so big that you can’t see the shore on the other side. As I went on down hwy 5, I could not help but see that the mansions all along the roadway were absolutely awesome, if you like that kind of huge lawn and landscape, certainly a lawn mowers paradise. Ever since we tootled along the lakes, the homes were absolutely perfect pieces of landscape. I would not even think of walking on the lawns as they were golf course perfect and the only thing missing were people. I never once saw the folks that owned these places out enjoying what they had. Hummmm! Another thing that we noticed is that there are no fences. A few places had a little fence but for the most part they are not to be seen. I wondered how they knew where to cut the grass? It was hard to tell just where the property ended and the golf course started.
I have spent several hours trying to map out a route and today was interesting to say the least. I looked at hwy39 out of Dunkirk and thought that it would be a cross cut instead of drifting on to Buffalo and then east and it was, but, the flatland and distance was traded for some humpy hills and I got a heck of a workout, like being back in Nebraska. Steep, long, ups and some swift downs. It has been awhile since I had the hill work and my legs were letting me know it but I still kicked down 75mi. There were hundreds of them wind generators along a ridge and I knew that I had gone over the summits so I whipped on down some longer runs and as we got into Castile we started looking for a place to camp. We finally found Wood Creek Cmpgrd, a very pretty place, right on a creek. As I do this blog we again got rained on. Not too heavy but enough to get things wet and now the sun is again shining. ????!!!!
This morning as I sped along Lake Erie was the first time I felt tangs of missing home. I talked to my daughter, Marilyn, and she mentioned that she was missing me and I think that the feeling was mutual. I still have the desire to ride each day but as the coast gets closer (on the map at least!) I think more about the end of this journey and I just want to keep booking. Skywalker, Skywalker I hope your summer is going good and I am looking forward to seeing you again, love you and miss you, over and out.
Pedro Landeros is Judy’s brother and he is one neat guy. He is deaf and went to the Berkley School for the Deaf. He was an outstanding quarterback for the school and a very good athlete. We used to go visit him and enjoyed the times together. After school he worked for me in the packing houses. He learned to operate my labeling machine and spent several years doing that. He eventually ended up in Sacramento and had some good jobs. He moved back to Lake Co. and has worked for the Konocti Vista Casino for several years now and is liked by many people. He has a colorful history and is still as cool a guy as when I first met him. Keep up the great work Pete.
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Monday, July 6, 2009
7-6 Three States in One Day! Jeez!
This day is for Matt and Carlene Yacinich.
From Geneva, Ohio to N.Y. State Line all on hwy 5.
Again Gail told me that the nite was filled with lightning and thunder and rain but I did not hear all of that. I did hear some rain drops thru the nite but to me it seemed like they were just the soft rain drops falling softly against the window. (Sounds kinda like a song) I didn’t even know that she got up and closed the vents and some windows but I guess I was building my energy up for the days ride, Ha! Ha! A good excuse I think.
I sat out for awhile last nite just watching the cool fireflies. They are just so neat, flashing little lites flipping all over the bushes and trees.
I lingered this a.m. for some unknown reason and finally got going at0730. The road was good and the traffic lite and I clipped along singing a song, I Hear a Train a Coming, etc. In the township of Ashtabula the signage got a little confusing but I finally got on track and before I knew it I sneaked up on Pennsylvania. The breeze really kicked up and it was all at my back and it steamed me along and before long I was going thru Erie, Pa. The signs were lacking and I ended up on a dead end street but not as dead as Gail went through later. I back tracked about I mile and finally found the path. Gail side tripped and went over some cobble stone streets that were tipped rather sharply and crossed a different bridge but we both got thru. Later thru the town of Erie, we both wondered if we would get thru. The bike path wound around and along some crazy routes but eventually we did meet at some side road tavern and just by luck I think. Makes for good laughs though. Ha! Ha! Ha! I kicked along and as I come over one small hump in the road, there was Gail parked near a golf course. I was at 76mi. so we decided to seek shelter and after I racked my bike we drove about ½ a block and there was the State Line Cmpgrd. The Lady got us a spot and we are beered, showered, fed, bloged and ready for dream land listening to our new co of Roy Orbison.
Skywalker, Skywalker good buddy, I went through 3 states today. I am in upper West New York now. Love you and miss you, over and out.
Matt is my nephew and is the second son of my sis, Janice. He is a journeyman electrician but he and his wife, Carlene, own and operate a road flagging business in WA state. He spent several years as a millwright in a packing house before getting into the electrical field. They both are very hard workers and will always succeed in whatever venture they may get into. They are proud grandparents now and I know just how they feel about the young guy. We will see you when we get back up there!
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From Geneva, Ohio to N.Y. State Line all on hwy 5.
Again Gail told me that the nite was filled with lightning and thunder and rain but I did not hear all of that. I did hear some rain drops thru the nite but to me it seemed like they were just the soft rain drops falling softly against the window. (Sounds kinda like a song) I didn’t even know that she got up and closed the vents and some windows but I guess I was building my energy up for the days ride, Ha! Ha! A good excuse I think.
I sat out for awhile last nite just watching the cool fireflies. They are just so neat, flashing little lites flipping all over the bushes and trees.
I lingered this a.m. for some unknown reason and finally got going at0730. The road was good and the traffic lite and I clipped along singing a song, I Hear a Train a Coming, etc. In the township of Ashtabula the signage got a little confusing but I finally got on track and before I knew it I sneaked up on Pennsylvania. The breeze really kicked up and it was all at my back and it steamed me along and before long I was going thru Erie, Pa. The signs were lacking and I ended up on a dead end street but not as dead as Gail went through later. I back tracked about I mile and finally found the path. Gail side tripped and went over some cobble stone streets that were tipped rather sharply and crossed a different bridge but we both got thru. Later thru the town of Erie, we both wondered if we would get thru. The bike path wound around and along some crazy routes but eventually we did meet at some side road tavern and just by luck I think. Makes for good laughs though. Ha! Ha! Ha! I kicked along and as I come over one small hump in the road, there was Gail parked near a golf course. I was at 76mi. so we decided to seek shelter and after I racked my bike we drove about ½ a block and there was the State Line Cmpgrd. The Lady got us a spot and we are beered, showered, fed, bloged and ready for dream land listening to our new co of Roy Orbison.
Skywalker, Skywalker good buddy, I went through 3 states today. I am in upper West New York now. Love you and miss you, over and out.
Matt is my nephew and is the second son of my sis, Janice. He is a journeyman electrician but he and his wife, Carlene, own and operate a road flagging business in WA state. He spent several years as a millwright in a packing house before getting into the electrical field. They both are very hard workers and will always succeed in whatever venture they may get into. They are proud grandparents now and I know just how they feel about the young guy. We will see you when we get back up there!
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7-5 Rock and Roll Forever, Yes Sir, Yes Sir.
This day is to Bill and Angie Baker.
Sandusky, Ohio,o,o,o on hwy 5 to Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio,o,o,o on hwy 5 just miles apart. I do not care for the city travel so I lift through the bigger cities. We left the KOA in Sandusky and beat it on to Cleveland (Hummm! That’s a familiar name!) Man! What a large place that one is but we cruised on to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame like we’d been on auto pilot. The traffic was really lite and we left camp at 0800 and parked next to the Hall at 0930. 1000hrs the doors opened and we were in and going for it. Wow! What a place. The first thing we saw parked out front was the Tour Bus of Johnny Cash! He traveled in that rig for the last 20yrs of his career. The JC1 was black and polished alum. After we went thru the museum we were able to actually tour through the bus and I had my picture taken sitting in the drivers seat. What a thrill. Made me feel like singing a song. John sold the bus a couple of months after June passed away and the folks that bought it donated it to the hall of fame after John passed away. Sooooooooo Coooooooooool!!!!! We spent 5 solid hours in the museum and scurried thru 6 floors of neat stuff. There were just about all Gibson and Fender guitars that all of the groups used. Could have spent a lot more time if you wanted to read every detail, Man, so awesome.
We followed the Erie Lake on hwy5 to Geneva-on-the-Lake and found a state campground where we landed for the nite. Tom Gimmarro and his sons, Nicolas and Bryce, were riding their bikes by and we started chatting and I adjusted the cables on their bikes so that they would shift a little better. Tom and his wife work for the Ford Motor Co. in Mich and he is looking forward to being able to retire next year and do a lot of traveling. Hope all works out for you Tom. We exchanged blogs so that we can track each other. More rain through the nite but before we sacked out I sat out and watched them fireflies. They are soooo coooool.
Angie is my niece via my sis, Janice, and her husband is Bill Baker. Bill is a retired sheriff from central Ca. and works at the Mill Bay Casino at Manson, WA. Angie works for her brother Matt and his wife Carlene who have a flagging business. They have a home in Omak, WA. They like riding his Harley and Bill is into gold panning. They are fun to be with and we enjoy them when we are up north.
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Sandusky, Ohio,o,o,o on hwy 5 to Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio,o,o,o on hwy 5 just miles apart. I do not care for the city travel so I lift through the bigger cities. We left the KOA in Sandusky and beat it on to Cleveland (Hummm! That’s a familiar name!) Man! What a large place that one is but we cruised on to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame like we’d been on auto pilot. The traffic was really lite and we left camp at 0800 and parked next to the Hall at 0930. 1000hrs the doors opened and we were in and going for it. Wow! What a place. The first thing we saw parked out front was the Tour Bus of Johnny Cash! He traveled in that rig for the last 20yrs of his career. The JC1 was black and polished alum. After we went thru the museum we were able to actually tour through the bus and I had my picture taken sitting in the drivers seat. What a thrill. Made me feel like singing a song. John sold the bus a couple of months after June passed away and the folks that bought it donated it to the hall of fame after John passed away. Sooooooooo Coooooooooool!!!!! We spent 5 solid hours in the museum and scurried thru 6 floors of neat stuff. There were just about all Gibson and Fender guitars that all of the groups used. Could have spent a lot more time if you wanted to read every detail, Man, so awesome.
We followed the Erie Lake on hwy5 to Geneva-on-the-Lake and found a state campground where we landed for the nite. Tom Gimmarro and his sons, Nicolas and Bryce, were riding their bikes by and we started chatting and I adjusted the cables on their bikes so that they would shift a little better. Tom and his wife work for the Ford Motor Co. in Mich and he is looking forward to being able to retire next year and do a lot of traveling. Hope all works out for you Tom. We exchanged blogs so that we can track each other. More rain through the nite but before we sacked out I sat out and watched them fireflies. They are soooo coooool.
Angie is my niece via my sis, Janice, and her husband is Bill Baker. Bill is a retired sheriff from central Ca. and works at the Mill Bay Casino at Manson, WA. Angie works for her brother Matt and his wife Carlene who have a flagging business. They have a home in Omak, WA. They like riding his Harley and Bill is into gold panning. They are fun to be with and we enjoy them when we are up north.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
7-4 Bang,Bang,Boom,Boom. Sounds like distant drums.
This day is for our Veterans!
The Family Campground became a memory as I wound them pedals and wheeled on down 66. It did rain again though not too much. The short distance I went today made me feel sorta short-lived but I really wanted to get to Sandusky, Ohio,o,o,o.
Gail pulled up behind me as I received a small flag from a guy getting ready for the day. I loaded the bike and we careened on down 66 to Ohio,o,o,o and jumped back on interstate 20. At one of the rest areas I met Richard (Smitty) Smith. He enjoys biking and we spent several minutes talking biker talk. He lives in Clayton MI. He still works so when time permits he will do more and longer rides.
I thought it would be interesting to tell about another guy at a station where we were filling up one of our propane tanks. A young, very robust dad -- waiting for ma to change the baby’s diaper -- saw me getting ready to ride. They had American and Southern flags tied to their rigs and flying in the breeze. At first I kinda thought I should not say too much to them but as I was reeling my bike out to get going, he axed me in that drawl, “how fer ya’ll ridin dat dere bike?” I told him, Maine, and he bobbed his head a couple of times and said “Where?” and I told him, southern Maine. He said “ya’ll mean out o’ state Maine?” and I replied, Yes sir. His tobacco-filled jaw opened wide and he said “Why man, that’s a fer distance to be going. Where ya’ll from?” When I told him, he really got big eyed and a large smile on his face and said “Why man, that is totally awesome. Ya’ll have a great trip.” Whew! Had me going there for a bit. Pretty cool though after all.
My biggest thought today was that some celebrating fellas might go by and throw a cracker or two but the ride was quiet and good. There was a lot more cars on the hyws today as I thought most everyone would be where they wanted to be but!!!!!!! Also, there were more yard sales than I have ever seen along any hwy. I’ll have to admit that today was the longest distance that I have lifted but I wanted to get out of dodge, if you know what I mean. We found the largest KOA that I have ever been in at Sandusky, Ohio. It has over 600 sites for campers and tents and lots of kids. Very cool place. We are buckled down for the nite and ready for the fireworks. Lady is sorta yancy, but I think she will survive.
Skywalker, Skywalker I think this is the first 4th of July that you and I have not been together. Sure do miss you and love you. Hope you have a great 4th. Over and out.
All veterans should be thanked this day. We have offered to put ourselves on the line to keep this country great and give each of us the freedoms that we have. A special thanks to all of the Native Veterans. Keep America Singing!
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The Family Campground became a memory as I wound them pedals and wheeled on down 66. It did rain again though not too much. The short distance I went today made me feel sorta short-lived but I really wanted to get to Sandusky, Ohio,o,o,o.
Gail pulled up behind me as I received a small flag from a guy getting ready for the day. I loaded the bike and we careened on down 66 to Ohio,o,o,o and jumped back on interstate 20. At one of the rest areas I met Richard (Smitty) Smith. He enjoys biking and we spent several minutes talking biker talk. He lives in Clayton MI. He still works so when time permits he will do more and longer rides.
I thought it would be interesting to tell about another guy at a station where we were filling up one of our propane tanks. A young, very robust dad -- waiting for ma to change the baby’s diaper -- saw me getting ready to ride. They had American and Southern flags tied to their rigs and flying in the breeze. At first I kinda thought I should not say too much to them but as I was reeling my bike out to get going, he axed me in that drawl, “how fer ya’ll ridin dat dere bike?” I told him, Maine, and he bobbed his head a couple of times and said “Where?” and I told him, southern Maine. He said “ya’ll mean out o’ state Maine?” and I replied, Yes sir. His tobacco-filled jaw opened wide and he said “Why man, that’s a fer distance to be going. Where ya’ll from?” When I told him, he really got big eyed and a large smile on his face and said “Why man, that is totally awesome. Ya’ll have a great trip.” Whew! Had me going there for a bit. Pretty cool though after all.
My biggest thought today was that some celebrating fellas might go by and throw a cracker or two but the ride was quiet and good. There was a lot more cars on the hyws today as I thought most everyone would be where they wanted to be but!!!!!!! Also, there were more yard sales than I have ever seen along any hwy. I’ll have to admit that today was the longest distance that I have lifted but I wanted to get out of dodge, if you know what I mean. We found the largest KOA that I have ever been in at Sandusky, Ohio. It has over 600 sites for campers and tents and lots of kids. Very cool place. We are buckled down for the nite and ready for the fireworks. Lady is sorta yancy, but I think she will survive.
Skywalker, Skywalker I think this is the first 4th of July that you and I have not been together. Sure do miss you and love you. Hope you have a great 4th. Over and out.
All veterans should be thanked this day. We have offered to put ourselves on the line to keep this country great and give each of us the freedoms that we have. A special thanks to all of the Native Veterans. Keep America Singing!
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Friday, July 3, 2009
7-3 Back In the Saddle Again (sounds like a song to me, Aye?)
This day for my nephew Mike and his wife, Sharon.
I think that the few days off gave my bod a new lease on the bike life as the 70mi melted away like snow in the sun. I was wet and very cool the first 20 miles and then the rain eased off and the drizzle let up and at the 35 mi post, it actually started to warm up.
I happened to see the trailer at the junction of 10/66 where there was a Huge flea market in progress and there I had Gail buy me a burger and coke. She checked the place out as I kept the wheels turning and about 12mi down the road there was another flea market and I’ll be darned if I didn’t find her looking around there. She had been good up to this point and never even stopped at an antique shop but she was making up for lost time I guess. Good thing the pickup and trailer are stuffed or else who knows what would be going along with us????
At Six Lakes I loaded up and we looked for a lay over spot but our first attempts were not successful and the signage along the roads was meager or non existing. As we were backtracking Gail spotted a sign and we found The Family Campground at 2851 Edgar Road, Edmore, MI. 48829. The grounds are set around several small ponds and there were many children swimming and fishing and running around and riding bikes and it was a very neat place. We were let in by Cindy Stratton and Carole Nevills talked with us for some time. They were very pleased to hear about my ride and opened the grounds to us. They own and operate the campgrounds. Mr. Nevills started the camp several years ago and daughter Cindy worked with him and when he was taken by cancer she continued to run the grounds and has done an outstanding job with it and our thanks to all of you for your hospitality.
Mike Yacinich is the son of my elder sister, Janice. In high school he was an outstanding swimmer and collected many ribbons over the years. He can consume a hefty meal to this day but also works at the level that he burns these calories to zero. He is one neat guy to have on your side and when we go hunting he always has the snacks to fill everyone around. He has some very cool acreage on the Rez and really enjoys going out and being in and with nature. His wife, Sharon, faces some health problems that slow her down some but always has a smile and a welcome. Her son, Ryan, is in college in the Spokane area and is an outstanding golfer to boot. I enjoy being with Mike and he always checks on me to make sure I can keep up with him. "Hay, Unc. Are you alright?" as we hike along the ridge in the snow and wind and cold. Pow!! "Wow! That’s a great shot!" Love You Guys.
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I think that the few days off gave my bod a new lease on the bike life as the 70mi melted away like snow in the sun. I was wet and very cool the first 20 miles and then the rain eased off and the drizzle let up and at the 35 mi post, it actually started to warm up.
I happened to see the trailer at the junction of 10/66 where there was a Huge flea market in progress and there I had Gail buy me a burger and coke. She checked the place out as I kept the wheels turning and about 12mi down the road there was another flea market and I’ll be darned if I didn’t find her looking around there. She had been good up to this point and never even stopped at an antique shop but she was making up for lost time I guess. Good thing the pickup and trailer are stuffed or else who knows what would be going along with us????
At Six Lakes I loaded up and we looked for a lay over spot but our first attempts were not successful and the signage along the roads was meager or non existing. As we were backtracking Gail spotted a sign and we found The Family Campground at 2851 Edgar Road, Edmore, MI. 48829. The grounds are set around several small ponds and there were many children swimming and fishing and running around and riding bikes and it was a very neat place. We were let in by Cindy Stratton and Carole Nevills talked with us for some time. They were very pleased to hear about my ride and opened the grounds to us. They own and operate the campgrounds. Mr. Nevills started the camp several years ago and daughter Cindy worked with him and when he was taken by cancer she continued to run the grounds and has done an outstanding job with it and our thanks to all of you for your hospitality.
Mike Yacinich is the son of my elder sister, Janice. In high school he was an outstanding swimmer and collected many ribbons over the years. He can consume a hefty meal to this day but also works at the level that he burns these calories to zero. He is one neat guy to have on your side and when we go hunting he always has the snacks to fill everyone around. He has some very cool acreage on the Rez and really enjoys going out and being in and with nature. His wife, Sharon, faces some health problems that slow her down some but always has a smile and a welcome. Her son, Ryan, is in college in the Spokane area and is an outstanding golfer to boot. I enjoy being with Mike and he always checks on me to make sure I can keep up with him. "Hay, Unc. Are you alright?" as we hike along the ridge in the snow and wind and cold. Pow!! "Wow! That’s a great shot!" Love You Guys.
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7-2 See Ya, Friends at Traverse, Mich
The day is for all of those that made our visit a great experience!
0822 Del and Sharon stopped by our camp and we had another good visit with them and they gave us 2 cases of water for the trip and their daughter, Dana, also left us 2 cases of water and some neat going away presents. Thanks! We said see ya later to Tom and Phyllis and after getting our truck and trailer in order, we slowly got on down the road and made a stop in Traverse City to shop and then on down hwy 31, cross 44 to 66 and south to Lake City.
We found a neat state campground at Goose Lake and holed up for the nite. It stayed overcast and slightly drizzly and the breeze kept up most of the nite but it made for good sleeping. It was still raining in Kewadin when we left there but had let up a little along the way. The loons on the lake were again very neat to listen to.
Lady has been getting spoiled as we travel along and the fire crackers going off really get her heart rate up and so I let her lay on the bed with us but lo and behold, sometime during the nite she did the same number that she had done before and so it was down on the floor again with her. Dang! Gail was upset as she had to strip and wash all of the bedding again along with the rest of the laundry. There was a laundry mat in Lake City and Gail said the gentleman running the place was very nice and was a bike mechanic and was very interested in our bikes. He is 74 years young and his wife has had a stroke and he takes care of her and runs the laundry mat. She had a great visit with him and he gave her plenty of info on places to stay.
I dressed for the ride and left from Lake City and I think the few days off really gave my old bod a rest as the next 70mi. slipped away like the contents of a cool Bud after a long day in the saddle.
I cannot think of the words to express our visit to the Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. It was a very moving and lasting connection and the friendships made during this time will always be with us. This is the first time in my life that I have had an opportunity to express my feelings and the experiences of a journey in the way that was given to me at the gatherings. I have played a lot of venues but it was just set up, warm up and play. These meetings were totally different and to be able to convey the journey and play the music was a most rewarding and heartwarming time. My most gracious thank you to each of you. You will always be in my heart and prayers.
View Old Chief Bicycles across America in a larger map
0822 Del and Sharon stopped by our camp and we had another good visit with them and they gave us 2 cases of water for the trip and their daughter, Dana, also left us 2 cases of water and some neat going away presents. Thanks! We said see ya later to Tom and Phyllis and after getting our truck and trailer in order, we slowly got on down the road and made a stop in Traverse City to shop and then on down hwy 31, cross 44 to 66 and south to Lake City.
We found a neat state campground at Goose Lake and holed up for the nite. It stayed overcast and slightly drizzly and the breeze kept up most of the nite but it made for good sleeping. It was still raining in Kewadin when we left there but had let up a little along the way. The loons on the lake were again very neat to listen to.
Lady has been getting spoiled as we travel along and the fire crackers going off really get her heart rate up and so I let her lay on the bed with us but lo and behold, sometime during the nite she did the same number that she had done before and so it was down on the floor again with her. Dang! Gail was upset as she had to strip and wash all of the bedding again along with the rest of the laundry. There was a laundry mat in Lake City and Gail said the gentleman running the place was very nice and was a bike mechanic and was very interested in our bikes. He is 74 years young and his wife has had a stroke and he takes care of her and runs the laundry mat. She had a great visit with him and he gave her plenty of info on places to stay.
I dressed for the ride and left from Lake City and I think the few days off really gave my old bod a rest as the next 70mi. slipped away like the contents of a cool Bud after a long day in the saddle.
I cannot think of the words to express our visit to the Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. It was a very moving and lasting connection and the friendships made during this time will always be with us. This is the first time in my life that I have had an opportunity to express my feelings and the experiences of a journey in the way that was given to me at the gatherings. I have played a lot of venues but it was just set up, warm up and play. These meetings were totally different and to be able to convey the journey and play the music was a most rewarding and heartwarming time. My most gracious thank you to each of you. You will always be in my heart and prayers.
View Old Chief Bicycles across America in a larger map
Thursday, July 2, 2009
7-1 Two Neat Gatherings
This is a new day and the start of another month and the year is now half over. The anticipation for the holiday coming up is growing and the town of Traverse is having their annual National Cherry Celebration and it feels like it is going to be one big event. I would rather not be caught in the throngs of celebrants so we are going to try to be down the road. The rain has been around every day and so the folks have been happy for that as it has added to my reason for lingering.
The elders’ picnic gathering at the Traverse Center was another very special event and the food was great. There were elders from several of the outlaying communities and once more I was given the floor and I made the most of it. It has been a good feeling to be able to tell the stories and play the music for such appreciative folks. The time flew by and as the footsteps of the folks leaving, echoed down the hall, we visited with several of them and then it was time to pack ‘em up.
We met Del and Sharon at the Leelanau Sands Casino for diner and as we gorged ourselves, again, on the great buffet Pat and some other members joined us.
1800 hrs. had us at the Museum for the Wed. evening jam. I got to join George on the keyboards, Jack on guitar/mandolin and Ruby on Fiddle and mandolin. The ladies set up their craft table and beaded and created to the rhythm of the music and others kept beat to the music with their foot, hands, head and some got up and danced up a storm. Another good acoustical gathering. Some gifts were exchanged between us and them and again the evening was coming to a close. After 2 ½ hrs of great jamming, we headed for the nest and around midnight we put our old bods to rest. I would like to thank these musicians for the great circle and the young lady, Ruby, has a musical career ahead of her as her talent is very good and I know that she will do very good things. Jack, her mentor, should be proud of her as he has given of himself to help her grow. Bless all for the very great stopover we have had here in Mich. It will be sad to have to move along but I know that in the future we will see each other again. See Ya.
The elders’ picnic gathering at the Traverse Center was another very special event and the food was great. There were elders from several of the outlaying communities and once more I was given the floor and I made the most of it. It has been a good feeling to be able to tell the stories and play the music for such appreciative folks. The time flew by and as the footsteps of the folks leaving, echoed down the hall, we visited with several of them and then it was time to pack ‘em up.
We met Del and Sharon at the Leelanau Sands Casino for diner and as we gorged ourselves, again, on the great buffet Pat and some other members joined us.
1800 hrs. had us at the Museum for the Wed. evening jam. I got to join George on the keyboards, Jack on guitar/mandolin and Ruby on Fiddle and mandolin. The ladies set up their craft table and beaded and created to the rhythm of the music and others kept beat to the music with their foot, hands, head and some got up and danced up a storm. Another good acoustical gathering. Some gifts were exchanged between us and them and again the evening was coming to a close. After 2 ½ hrs of great jamming, we headed for the nest and around midnight we put our old bods to rest. I would like to thank these musicians for the great circle and the young lady, Ruby, has a musical career ahead of her as her talent is very good and I know that she will do very good things. Jack, her mentor, should be proud of her as he has given of himself to help her grow. Bless all for the very great stopover we have had here in Mich. It will be sad to have to move along but I know that in the future we will see each other again. See Ya.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
6-30 See Ya June, 2009
Many feelings and thoughts were in my mind as I tried to get to sleep during the nite as the events of Tue left an everlasting impression in my memory and I thought about what would transpire today. I must have drifted off ‘cause the next thing I knew, it was 0830 and time for a cup of go juice. We had a 1030 time to be at the Sutton Bay Casino and we met Pat there and got set up and ready for the members. There was a great turnout and again I had the opportunity to divulge the essence of my journey. The gathering again was most receptive and as most of them were the Elders of the Tribe I did my best to address them. Some drumming, flute music, and a few songs with my guitar and a few laugh making lines and then it was time to end the set and, it is true, time sure goes by when your having fun. I amaze myself at these times as I seem to be able to get long winded and to think that in school l never got through one class of public speaking! Over the years I have always had a poor memory for names and so it remains the same today. As my grandson, Beau, tells me, Hay Arnold, you need to go to memory school. We have met many and I could not name them all, but those that I can, I will. Bro. Louie’s’ aunt Frieda was so happy when I gave her one of my cds and she said to tell that Louie hello and come and visit sometime. Cousin, Sandra, presented Gail with one of her handcrafted Indian Angle pins, Phyllis passed a bracelet on to Gail, Mary Ann hosted the group and took great care to see that all of us had drinks etc. Del and Sharon left a present of the Grand Tour they took us on, Tom and Phyllis shared some moving stories with us and I them, the elders were most respective and put out a collection box that resulted in a neat and heartwarming response. The veterans were glad to hear some of the old songs and as I looked out over the crowd, I could see and feel the energy and the spirits and it was hard to keep the tears back. A big, special thanks to Pat Putney, Elders and Cultural Department Manager, for all of her care and concern as she put events together and got us into their very nice museum and Strongheart Center. The eagles, locked in flight, in the museum was one of the more awesome things we have seen. The story is even more moving. The two eagles were locked in one of their ritual flights when they fell in some power lines and were electrocuted and died. They were found by a young tribal lady and after some finagling with the powers that be, the birds were given to the Tribe and they are displayed in the same manner that they were locked in flight. A totally awesome sight. After agreeing to be at the gathering on Wed evening, Gail and I had diner at the “Tuscan Bistro” 12930 S. W. Bay Shore Dr. Our waiter, Daniel LaBonte, was most helpful in our selections of bibes and food and the food and presentations were excellent. Chef and owner, Mickey Cannon, visited with us briefly as he had heard about my journey and this was the first time that I can remember that the owner of any of our eating stops came out to meet us. Thank you. Daniel also rides and we were able to talk briefly about things that bikers talk about. Keep riding!! We are invited to another picnic at the Traverse Center @ noonish, so off we go. Skywalker, Skywalker good Buddy, it is still raining but in the next day or two I will be moving on down the road, Love you and miss you, over and out.
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