Oakland 6.25.2013

We woke up fairly rested in Lee and Cassandra's house.  It was the best sleep I've had since Portland by far.  Their house is decorated with chopper parts and memorabilia.  There was actually a '66 Genny Shovel in a '48 molded frame with a '47 tranny in the living room instead of a coffee table.  I could wake up to that every morning!

After everyone was showered and packed up, we headed out to an old school looking diner called Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe off 18th and Telegraph.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a few tofu dishes on the menu and probably drank my weight in coffee.  You have no idea how much I love these family breakfasts!  Everyone swapping road stories and rattling off part numbers as we stuff our faces.  Even if it's the first time I've met someone, when you're in to bikes and ride the piss out of them, you're almost instantly family at a breakfast table.  Lee and I got knee deep in a conversation about the San Diego music scene from the 90's that changed our lives and I could hear bits and pieces of everyone's conversations.  There's no place I would've rather been at that exact moment.

After breakfast we headed back over to Digger Darren's to finish up any work we had left on our bikes.  Dalen and Thom jumped right back in to the Knuck.  They spent all day on it and, to Dalen's misfortune, they realized they wouldn't be able to get it back on the road in time for Born Free.  Thankfully, Biagio was generous enough to loan Dalen his Dyna so he could ride with us.  Thus, the nickname "Dyna Dalen" arose. 

Ginger showed up and everyone had to take their turn on her Yamaha XS400.  It's a bitch'n little street tracker that she rode down from Portland.  She literally finished building it the day she left for this trip.  There's nothing like a 1,500 mile shakedown run to test your wrenching skills.  This is actually the bike she got hit on just over two years ago as well.  You know, people can knock on small bikes all they want, but, in my opinion, it's all about weight to horsepower ratio.  Ginger, Kyle, and I rode the entire way to Long beach together and not once did Ginger have a problem keeping up with us on our 883s or with the boys on Shovels and Knucks. I will say this, Dalen could have smoked all of us with a flick of the wrist at any point on the Dyna though. 

The sun finally came out around noon and any of us that weren't wrenching were taking the afternoon off to relax.  It was surreal almost.  I kept looking around with a such a shit eating grin.  I mean, here we are, bikes lining the street or on benches, camping gear and tools everywhere, the beer was flowing, and people were genuinely stoked on life.  We've all talked about it a lot this whole trip, but, it reminds us of all those pictures we've seen and stories we've been hearing for years about the glory days of choppers in the sixties.  

Even as I write this, hiding from the blistering heat in Phoenix Arizona, I almost still can't believe this is real.  It's like I'm going to wake up to my goddamn alarm and have to get ready to go back to making cardboard boxes for minimum wage.  That is my definition of hell.  

Carey and Ben showed up at some point in the day.  Between our crew that rolled down, Digger, Ginger, Carey, Ben, and Biagio, we were going to be rolling twelve deep down to LA.  Talk about rolling thunder.

We all spent the rest of the day at Digger's and as the day turned to evening, we headed back to Lee and Cassandra's where they were preparing a feast for all of us bastards.  They had a fire pit in the back yard that I camped out next to before dinner.  

One of my dearest friends from Portland happened to be in Oakland visiting family at the same time as we were, so after dinner, I hopped on the bike and picked her up to grab a drink.  Lee told me about a decent dive bar in her neighborhood and after throwing Alex on the back of the bike, we headed to The Avenue.  

I parked the baby girl and we took off our helmets.  Lee was right.  Even from the outside this bar looked like a place I'd go to in the NW.  It almost felt like I was back in Portland checking out a new bar for the first time.  Especially since I was with Alex.  Some random mid twenties looking guy came up to me to tell me how rad my bike was.  I said thank you and then he began telling me about his bikes and asked if I knew anyone that knew how to wire his bike.  I told him I wasn't from here and said sorry that I couldn't help.  Motorcycles remind me of the skateboarding scene so much.  It's such a conversation starter.  even with my social anxieties, I rarely mind people coming up and shooting the shit about bikes.

After a bit more small talk, Alex and I went inside, grabbed a drink and found an open table.  I felt like I was at home.  We caught up a bit.  She asked my plans for the trip.  I asked how her vacation was going.  The usual bs.  It was the perfect amount of comfortable.  

We talked about how the gravity of my trip really hasn't hit bottom yet.  In fact, I didn't think it would until I left San Diego and would be riding alone for the first time.  So far, this whole adventure has felt like a vacation that I would be heading back up north with the boys once Born Free was over.  It doesn't feel like I sold almost everything I owned to just rip around the states like a vagabond with no back up plan and no destination.  

After our drinks were dust, we got back on the bike and I took Alex home.  At this point, I still haven't gotten used to saying goodbye, even though it seemed to become the trend for me these days.  Hugs are different when you don't know the next time you'll see a person.  There's always that awkward look in each other's eyes as if there is something more to be said, but, you're both at a loss.  It tends to end with the other person telling me to be safe or something of that nature and me saying I'll try.

She went inside and I checked my phone for directions back to Lee and Cassandra's.  I made it back with only a couple one way road mix ups.  I got the baby girl in the gated driveway that was literally full of bikes and headed inside the house. 

I've slept on countless couches and floors in my day between traveling and tours.  It's always the same in a sense, no matter who you're with.  The house was full of all these road worn boys and it's almost like summer camp.  We just talk shit and laugh at the stupidest things as we get our beds ready in a state of borderline delirium.  These are the moments we almost take for granted.  I mean, how many people in this country have never experienced this?

I unrolled my air mattress in the kitchen, stripped down to my gindies, and fell asleep to the laughter of five grown men. As cliche as it might be, it's like Never Land...

Redding CA to Oakland CA - 6.24.3013

It was 6:15 am and the sun was up, but you couldn't have found it in sky.  The storm clouds had taken the heavens hostage the day before and had no intent on setting the sun free, no matter how hard we prayed for it's exodus.  I don't know what it is, but, I always tend to wake up first these days.  Goddamn that blue collar time clock!  I tried to go back to sleep once I noticed everyone was still crashed out in that vending machine building, but, the anticipation was too great.  I also hate being the guy to wake everyone up.  I feel so rude.

I rolled my stiff and sore body off my mini air mattress on to the cement and did my best to stand up. I really should start stretching.  Especially since I've got a jacked hip that likes to cramp up in the most in opportune times.  Generally while I'm full throttle on the freeway or walking next to a pretty dame.   

I figured the shuffle of me deflating my bed might wake the boys in an unobtrusive way.  No luck.  I slept in my wet clothes that night with no sleeping bag so my pack up time was relatively quick.  My jeans were still damp as I opened the door to our roadside sanctuary and took a few pictures while putting my first nail in the coffin of the day.  I would've killed for some coffee. 

Dalen slept in the car so I went over to see if he was up.  He was awake, but, I wouldn't say he was alive.  We decided he'd be the one to rattle the cage.  Thom said he wasn't leaving until the sun was up.  Obviously he hadn't opened his eyes.  It was almost seven in the morning, and, although there was heavy cloud cover, it was technically day time.  The rain was still coming down pretty heavy, but, we'd decided the night before that we had to leave as early as possible since we had already lost too much time.  

Everyone got up and was slowly packing up their bikes.  Our spirits weren't as high as yesterday by any means.  It almost seemed pointless to put on rain gear since our clothes were still soaked.  Nothing had even come close to drying out and as far as we could tell, there was no chance of sun for days.  There's nothing like putting on wet gloves.  From what we saw on the interwebs, Ginger and Dennis didn't get hit with one raindrop their entire way to Oakland.  They were only a day ahead of us.  

Now it was time to see who's bike wouldn't start.  Of course Thom's knuck kicked right over.  If I remember correctly, Kia and Todd's started rumbling with little effort as well.  Kyle and I try to wait to start our "modern" bikes until everyone else's steeds are growling so they can focus.  

Nick's oil spitting girl wasn't wanting to run.  We gave him two bump starts and she still sputtered in rebellion until she'd finally call it quits.  Mind you, it was fucking dumping so pushing a bike in full rain gear through running water isn't exactly the way any of us wanted to start our mornings.  We'd much rather take a cup of warm coffee with a side of breakfast.  

Todd, Thom, and Nick pushed his shovel under a tree and debated about the potential reason it wasn't wanting to run. I think it was something to do with points.   Thankfully Todd had a spare set.  While they worked on that, I tightened and lubed my chain.  It only had maybe 500 miles on it at this point so it was still stretching out.   

Nick finally got her running.  Stress levels were at level red by this point and there were a few words exchanged.  Again, I won't go in to detail on here since this isn't fiction.

Finally, with all our gear covered in garbage bags and electrical tape, we were all running and ready to get back on the five.  Not stoked by any means, but ready.  We were roughly 240 miles from Oakland and on a mission to get there come hell or high water.  At this point, we'd prefer hell.  

We rode at a speed that everyone felt comfortable with to Redding.  It was about thirty miles from the rest stop.  We pulled in to a gas station for fuel for both the bikes and our bellies.  Our blood sugar was far lower than our tanks.

Thom and Dalen had to hustle to Oakland so they could get Dalen's baby running again.  We all decided we'd do our best to keep up, but, if anything, we knew where we were going, and would meet them there.  Thom swapped his carb out with one that Dalen brought down from Seattle right in front of the gas pump then ripped around the block a few times to get it tuned up a bit.  That gave the rest of us time to eat and chug some caffeine.  Gas stations were beginning to feel the most like home to me at this point.  We spent more time in those parking lots than in the saddle it seemed.

After everyone had their breakfast and loaded back up, we hit the road again.  It was raining a bit, but, nothing like what we'd just gone through.  While riding down I-5, we lost Thom and then Kia.  We new that Thom was on a mission to get to Oakland so we weren't worried.  None of us were sure how long Kia been missing though.  Kyle pulled up next to me to let me know and then I tried signalling to Todd, but, he didn't understand me.  We pulled over for gas and checked our phones.  Kia had ran out of gas.  As we were pushing our bikes out of the stalls, we heard a chopper and looked up to see Kia rip by on the freeway.  We started our bikes and got back on the freeway as quick as we could to try and catch up. 

We were facing a pretty strong head wind.  Most of the time we were all tucked low and drafting off each other with maybe four inches between front and back tires.  Todd had to pullover due to a leg cramp and we waited just up the freeway.  We never caught up to Kia or Thom.  In fact, we figured out that we were probably riding basically side by side Kia the whole time, missing each other at gas stations.  He got to Oakland maybe fifteen minutes before we did.  

Once Todd, Kyle, Nick, and I got on the 80 towards Oakland, traffic started to slow down.  This was my first time splitting lanes legally and I was pretty stoked.  Even with the wind and rain.  After twenty plus miles of riding the white dotted line, we got in to the city, checked directions and made it to what we thought was Lee and Cassandra's house.  We parked the bikes next to a giant palm tree, which I secretly peed on while Todd talked to Cassandra on the phone and figured out that we gotten street and ave mixed up.  Again we were back on the bikes and splitting lanes through downtown Oakland.  That thrill almost makes you forget that your ass is bruised and you're throttle hand is numb.  Not completely, but, almost. 

We got to Lee and Cassandra's where Kia was rearranging his load.  The garage was open and there was Lee working on one of the few bikes inside.  He and Cassandra greeted us with a peaceful and warm handshakes.  I noticed a Sporty in the back of the garage that I had seen countless photos of on the internet over the last few years.  I looked at Cassandra and realized that I had been following her blog, dustdevil.tumblr.com, for years.  I forget how small the internet makes this world seem. 

Kia, Kyle, and I swapped some quick stories about riding through the city while Todd figured out where Thom and Dalen were.  Again, we threw a leg over our seats, let the kickstands slam, and we rode ten or so blocks to Digger Darren's shop.  It was a cement building a full city block long with big orange roll up doors down the entire north side.  One of them was wide open with a few chops outside.  Obviously we were in the right spot.  Dalen's Knuckle head was already on one of the two benches and Thom, Dalen, and Digger were all elbow deep in troubleshooting and pulling the tranny.  I guess Thom had been there for a couple hours already.  He is a ruler!  He straight mobbed that Knucklehead to Oakland.

We back our bikes to the curb and kill the motors.  I swear to god my girl has gained 100 lbs.  It seems more and more difficult to maneuver her around. Who needs a gym when you push a fully loaded Sporty around all day?

Introductions were made, beers were passed around, and the relaxation began.  I laid down on the sidewalk to stretch my back and legs with my leather under my head.  It's funny how we adapt as we travel.  I've never been opposed to posting up anywhere, but, I've gotten even more comfortable any piece of pavement or cement I decide to rest on.  However, I was warned to not sit in any corners since they've most likely been pissed on a million times since the last rain. 

Kyle got ahold of Alicia, his old roommate, who recently moved to Oakland, and we decide to go grab dinner with her.  We all talk shit and shop while we're waiting for her to show up in a car to head downtown.  The reason I even bring up her car is, I've been on two wheels for for days and almost 900 miles.  Usually I despise cages, but, at this point, sitting in a comfy moving chair protected from the elements didn't sound half bad.  Plus, at some point along the way Kyle's exhaust had burnt through his jeans,boots, and socks and left a nasty bite on his ankle.  He wasn't too in the mood to ride.

Alicia picked us up and we headed downtown to some fancy hot dog joint.  Kyle and I had a beer with dinner and listened intently as Alicia told us about her first few weeks in Oakland, finding a place, getting held up at gunpoint, etc.  You know, the usual.  It's great to see a familiar face in a very unfamiliar city.  I don't think I've ever been to Oakland and although I've gotten pretty comfortable in the unfamiliar, it's always a little unnerving to be somewhere completely new. 

Kyle and I were doing our best to keep our eyes open as we headed back to Digger Darren's shop.  Sabbath was coming through the speakers as everyone was still hustling around to get their bikes ready for the ride down to LA.  Thom and Dalen were still focused on Dalen's Knuck.   Kia was rewiring his Shovel.  Todd was sitting in the middle of the shop getting pictures off his camera and on to his computer.  I can't remember what Nick was wrenching on.  I was in and out of nap land on the sidewalk when Kyle and I found the motivation to ride that excruciatingly long ten blocks back to the house to shower, throw out the bed rolls, and get some much needed sleep.

We had all decided to stay an extra day in Oakland so as to wait for the storm to pass and be able to enjoy some of that California sun. 

Eugene OR to Redding CA - 6.23.2013 (Continued)

We headed back on the I-5 with sore asses and full tanks with hopes of making it to Oakland.  Shit damn were we wrong.  

The ride was beautiful from that gas station near Hornbrook until maybe forty miles outside of Redding.  Fantastic switchbacks with an incredible Northern California sunset as a backdrop to the rolling hills.    

Time for a disclaimer...

I loathe Yreka with so much of my being. No offense to anyone that lived/lives there, but, on my first tour when I was seventeen with Pheado, our van broke down there two days before christmas on our way to LA.  Four of us had to hitch hike and sneak on busses to get to Compton in time to track while a shop fixed out cracked block in that shit brown Chevy we lived in for god knows how long.  One of the worst and greatest experiences of my life.  

Back to this trip, just outside of Yreka Kia's electrical decided to take a shit.  Kyle and I pulled over to see if we could help, even though we don't really know that much about pan shovels.  Thankfully, Kyle had a spare ignition switch and that seemed to do the trick at first. 

As we were doing our best freeway fix, Dalen rolled up in Thom's rig with his knuck on a uHaul trailer.  It was beautiful sight!  

Kia was able to get his chop running and  nursed it to the next exit with Kyle and Dalen while I ripped ahead to find Todd, Nick, and Thom to show them where Kia was so we could all put our heads together to get the pack back on the road.  

Thom, Todd, and Kia finally got it figured out.  I couldn't tell you what was wrong.  My brain was fried from lack of sleep.  

The sun was completely gone by the time we all hopped back on the road with the intent on making it as close to Oakland as we could, despite our late start and minor set backs.  I absolutely love me some freeway night rides.  It's almost surreal.  I don't know what it is, but, there's something exhilarating when you can only see what the headlights, taillights, and street lights allow you to see.

We'd had dry pavement during this somewhat short stretch in California.  It's as if we'd been racing the storm.  Although, as we continued south down I-5, the drops started coming down.  Nothing to worry about at first so we powered through.  Although, as the water started collecting on the road, Thom pulled the pack over to make sure everyone had their rain gear on.  I had my pants on, but, was just rocking the leather up top.  I threw on my rain jacket.  Kia hadn't had any rain gear on yet so he was soaked.  

We had a pow wow and decided to keep a safe distance from each other, slow down, and have Dalen follow us with his hazards on so the semis that were blasting by us, would have an actual vehicle to see before six bikes with chopper lights and pedal bike blinkies flashing like a UFO.

Mind you, only one bike out of the six has a front fender.  Two don't have front brakes.  Only two have disc brakes while the rest have drum.  Kyle and I are the only ones with modern head lights and I'm the only one with a true full face helmet.  None of us have speedos or turns.  Basically, we weren't prepared for what was ahead of us. 

I swear the gods decided to take a piss right on us for the next twenty miles.  I guess we were barely going twenty five miles an hour.  I was trailing Thom on his right side so he could see better.  Semis were blasting by us at full speed, spraying us with water off the road.  Pretty sure we all caught the hep or something.  Who knows where these Cali highways have been?  

We finally pulled over at the next stop after what seemed like hours.  Thankfully it was a rest stop.  We killed the bikes under any cover we could find and took off our gloves and helmets.  It was obvious that we were all beyond tense.  I've ridden in some rain, but never six deep on the freeway in that gnarly of a downpour.  Looks like we didn't beat the storm.  

After some mildly tense conversation, we decided to pull out our sleeping bags and crash in an empty vending machine building.  It was the only dry ground we could find.  At this point we didn't give a fuck if the cops showed up.  We were soaked to bones of our white knuckles and there was no way we were getting back on the five.  I'd like to see them try and kick us out.

To be honest, I was actually a little thrilled.  I set out on this trip with adventure at the forefront of my mind and saw this building as providence.  I didn't plan on sleeping in hotels.  My home is strapped to my bike.  In all actuality I've probably got more than I actually need for the next three months with me.  All we were missing was some whiskey.  

We passed out within fifteen minutes waiting for the sun to rise. 

Eugene OR to Redding CA - 6.23.2013

I woke up before my alarm went off despite having gone to sleep just over two hours prior.  This seems to be the trend these days.  If sleep is the cousin of death, I'm more alive than I've ever been.  

I texted Thom before I even threw the covers back.  I wanted to make sure we weren't holding back the Seattle boys.  Thom, Todd, Kia, and Nick all stayed in a hotel that night in Eugene, and we were finally meeting up with them that morning.  It felt like I'd been waiting forever for this!

I got up and tried to figure out how to use the coffee maker while flipping Kyle shit about still being in bed.  I'm horrible with drip machines.  I couldn't tell you how long it's been since I've owned one.  Even with my brain all scrambled, I figured it out and paused as I watched those first drops of black gold hit the bottom of the pot.  Hail satan for coffee!  

Kyle and I took showers and got our gear together to load up the bikes.  Thom texted back telling us to meet them at Cabella's.  I finished the rest of my coffee and we were there in fifteen minutes.  

It was so good to roll up and see six choppers filling parking spots.  Especially these chops.  It's the first time I've seen The Dragon, Thom's newest build, in person.

They all finished supply hunting and we headed to the nearest Denny's for some fuel.  Coffee filled every one of our cups and the stories began.  We've all only been on the road for a day, but, a lot has already happened.  I swear half the fun of chopper trips is the stories we get to tell as we're stretching our legs and filling our bellies.  

To everyon's dismay, Dalen's knuckle went tits up on the way down to Portland.  Thom was still racking his brain to figure out the problem since, as we were eating, Dalen was loading the White Light White Heat on a trailer to bring it down to Oakland so Digger Darren, Thom, and Dalen could get it back on the road so he can ride with us to LA.  We talk some more shop and shit as we finished our food and take those last sips of that black nectar of the gods.  

After paying our tickets we suited back up and one by one, the motors turn over, kick stands come up, clutches grabbed, shifters got kicked down one click, and we're of like a prom dress.  With high spirits, we're on our way to Oakland.  

All the Seattle boys have chopper sized tanks, so we had to stop every hour to fuel up.  It makes for a much longer trip than in a car, but, I don't mind one bit.  It allows more room for shit talking and what not.  

We crossed in to California just before sunset and pulled in to a gas station.  I needed caffeine.  We all simultaneously decided it was a good time to take a break and enjoy the sun.  The ride from Eugene had been all gloom and scattered rain drops.  We all took off our rain gear and soaked up the Cali weather.  

Some dude our age asks us to help him push a car up on to a trailer.  We walked over to give it a shot.  There happened to be a hole the perfect size for a tire to get stuck in on the floor of the trailer.  Of course we pushed the front tire right in.  To our dismay, we were unsuccessful in getting the car out of the hole.  Kia suggested two people lift on the wheel as the rest of us push from behind.  Thom swore it wouldn't work, but, Kia convinced him to give it a shot.  To Thom's surprise, the wheel popped right out and we got the car all the way on the trailer.  Laughter and more shit talking commenced. 

We walked back to the bikes and got ready to ride out as the the owner of the car offered to buy us a six pack.  There were six of us so, why would we turn down this guy's hospitality?  

We drank our Bud Lights and suited back up.  Again, we were hopeful since there was barely a cloud in the sky.

To be continued...

Portland OR to Eugene OR 6.22.2013

I spent the day wrapping up some minor details; put taller shocks on, repacked, got some last minute supplies, and said some goodbyes.  I don't really want to get in to some of the details of my emotions on this public of a site. 

Thanks to Alix for running errands with me all day and to Steve for letting me throw the bike up on his jack to swap out shocks.  They seem to work just fine.  They're taller than I like, and I'm mildly bummed on the bikes stance, but, I have to go with function over fashion for this trip.

I met Kyle at Sizzle Pie on the west side of the river and drank a coffee while waiting for him to clock off. Kyle didn't get off work until 3:00 am and we headed out I-5 south directly after we got gas and put our rain gear on.  We were prepared for the worst.  Thankfully, we only hit some mild sprinkling.  The road was wet though and with no front fender I was definitely wet.  I'm not complaining though.  Like I've said over and over aging on this trip, "at least I'm not headed to work".

We stopped a couple times to rest our asses.  Both of us have fresh seats from Ginger at New Church Moto.  They definitely are NOT broke in yet.  

Both bikes ran like a dream and we made pretty good time.  This is the first time I've ever ridden a bike this loaded down.  It takes a while to get used to it.  Especially when backing her in to parking spots.  Who needs a gym when you're pushing this much weight around all the time. 

Kyle had some friend's that let us crash at their apartment.  We rolled in post sunrise.  We unloaded the bikes and got ready for a couple hours of sleep.  I was so amped to be on this trip that it was difficult to pass out, no matter how tired I was.  

I've already lost all sense of time at this point.  Little did I know, soon our only focus will be exit numbers, converting hours in a car to hours on a bike from what the maps app tells us, quick food and caffeine, how many miles until the next gas station, and where we're going to be sleeping next.

Yakima WA to Portland OR - 6.21.2014

"You're on the road"

That's the text I woke up to from one of my best friends this morning.  

It's true.  I guess I am on the road.  It doesn't really feel like it though.  I mean, I just rode to Portland.  I've made that ride fifteen times in the last couple years.  Once on my goddamn Vespa with a pedal bike strapped to the back rack for crying in the night.  

The ride went well.  I probably had the best weather I can remember.  The Columbia Gorge can get real nasty, between wind and rain.  The river looked fantastic yesterday.  

Saying goodbye to mama and James actually went pretty decent as well.  I think we all acted like I was just going to Portland for the weekend or something.  It's funny how we even lie to ourselves to relieve the pain sometimes.  Shit.  I think goodbye so many times lately that it's getting almost common.  

I'm trying not to think about not seeing mama for god knows how long.  I'm not ready for that breakdown.  Plus, it hasn't quite yet hit bottom as to what I'm about to do.  I mean, some of the posts on the interwebs definitely pulled on the heart strings.  

James rode to the edge of town with me as a send off.  I really couldn't have asked for anything else.  

The only hiccup I had on the trip was, with my bike fully loaded, my tire would hit my brake light over the big bumps.  I'm trying to figure that out today while I'm somewhere familiar.  Might have to throw taller shocks on the old girl.  I'm also going to repack everything and try and move some weight to the front of the bike. 

It was strange riding with no gloves.  Getting your knuckles tattooed the day before you head out on a cross country motorcycle trip is something only this dumb ass would do. 

The sun is out in full force this morning.  Rare for pdx.  Too bad we all know that it's going to dump tomorrow as we head south.  

You know that feeling where you don't want to go to sleep because it means you'll wake up and tomorrow is today and yesterday is a memory that can be forgotten, distorted, and even manipulated?  

Yet, you've looked forward to tomorrow...  

Burnt every goddamn tree down in it's path, leaving a forest fire in your footsteps with a trench of sap engulfed like napalm trying to catch your heels.  

So, you look ahead, with only the light of the flames on your back guiding you towards tomorrow's tomorrow. 

What else can you do?

Can't turn back now...

In all the hustle I forgot to order my Born Free ticket.

Thankfully, Lowbrow has got speedy shipping on lock!  Talk about feeling like a bone head...

11 days left...

It's coming down to the wire.  It feels like I've still got so much to do.  It's really difficult to be at work.  I know I need the money, but, it feels like I'm wasting precious time.  I've been spending almost every free moment going through all my possessions and getting them ready for a yard sale this weekend.  I'm only keeping my records, some books, music gear, and a few keepsakes.  The rest will be stored here in Yakima until I find a home base to ship it to. 

I'm hopefully selling one of my scoots to a guy in Portland this week.  Trying to sell some music gear I don't plan on using until I post up and start playing music again.  I did find my harmonicas.  Those are most definitely going with me!  

I've also got to dig out the button maker and whip up some supporter buttons to make some beer money. 

I've got almost all my supplies in order.  Cam hooked me up with a sleeping bag, pillow, and air mattress.  I basically just need a tent and a tarp.  A few little things like sunscreen as well.  Ginger from New Church Moto is almost done with my seat and then the bike is damn near ready to go.  

I'm beyond stoked!!!

I doubt anyone reads this shit..

I'll write it anyways.  

It's been a mentally taxing week.  It hit me that I'm leaving in just over two weeks.  I've decided to hit the road with absolutely no back up plan.  I have a gut feeling that I won't be back in the NW for quite some time.  

I'm selling almost everything I own that won't fit on the bike.  The way I see it, there's no point to pay for a storage unit full of possessions that I might never use again, and if I do, I'll most likely have to rent a truck to haul them across the country to wherever I decide to post up.  It just doesn't make financial sense to me.  

As of right now, I just need to get to Savannah GA.  One of my oldest friends is kind enough to let me stay with him and his beautiful pit as long as I need to. I might make that home base for the winter or even pick up some work to recharge the wallet so I can keep traveling.  I really don't know.  

I do know that I'm picking up my tent and sleeping bag from a brother here in Yakima today or tomorrow.  That's a relief for me.  Less money I have to preventively spend.  

A lot of shit has yet to fall in to place, but, I'm feeling a bit more at peace about it.