Saturday, May 17, 2008

Travel companion

Traveling in west Mississppi, I can upon a "trading post" with lots of hillbilly trinkets. This little fella caught my eye and will be keeping me company.

He is, of course, a "JAC rabbit".

JACIII

Friday, May 16, 2008

The Big River

The moutains are prohibited by rain or snow. What's left? The River.
THE river. The mighty Mississipi.

Forgive the lack of photo journalism, but I fear the camera could not have survived the submarine exposure from the 90 MPH, eight hour deluge. It remain buried under layers of "water resistant" travel bags.

So, there is nothing left but the aftermath:




Incidentally, waterproof gear needs to be treated with waterproofing chemicals every so often. Guess how I know.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

I need to go.

But where?

It's premium riding season and I've been a good boy. I've put this trip off for 3 weeks now getting barn doors, stalls built, horses shod, clients catered to, the buildings and grounds and vehicle maintenance caught up. But there is a hitch. Well, two.

All the really choice destinations are still a bit on the chilly side or plumb snowed in and, I know it sounds disingenuous, the fuel prices are cramping my adventurous creativity.

The best riding is in or near elevation changes, the higher the delta the more fun and picturesque. Won't work. The really cool places still got snow. Alaska? Shit. South Dakota the weather is untrustworthy, now. Though, Durango might be doable.... The Dragon - been there done that and it's covered up in fat, stupid, cruiser fags.

The gas thing. Used to be motorcycling was free for all intents and purposes. Fill 'er up, strap on a tent, sleeping bag, and cook stove and the world is at your feet virtually for free. Now, 4000 miles @ 45MPG is about 89 gallons of fuel. Two years ago that was a week on the road for 200 bucks. Chump change! Throw away money! Now, it's 400 bucks and whereas that's not cost prohibitive, it starts lookin' like a sum a father should spend on entertaining more people than just himself. It's supposed to be guilt free. Oh, I can fight any related guilt off by the sheer force of my naturally self-centered ego, but that's effort I'd rather not apply.

There's bikes out there that get 100mpg, but motorcycling is about a passion for more than traveling. The bike has to speak to you. Yours might have things to say, but it will be mute whenever I'm around.

I need to go.