On To LA - May 15

First off, Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl, Lauren. Sorry I'm not with you, for the first time in your life. Only this big trip could have come between us.

Both of my beautiful girls at Lauren's graduation from college on May 6, 2007

I spent the night with twin brother Jim at his place in Belmont, CA. He kindly loaned me a compact sleeping bag and a bivouac tent for my journey, and gave me some very cool tools. My nephew Sean lives in Belmont, also, so got to see him, too.

John,Kathy,Ginger,Lauren,Geri,Jim,Sean

Jim had to get to work early and I needed to get rolling, so we got up and got on with it. I headed south on 101 to Gilroy and then headed east on 152 to get over to I-5. Highway 152 is a 2 lane job going through hills and farm country with a lot of truck traffic on it. It was a nice ride after several days just rolling down the freeway. About halfway to I-5 I passed a sign pointing to Hollister which made me think of the Wild Ones. I was tempted to make a detour just to say I'd been there, but that will have to be on another ride.

News from Belmont California - May 14

I am in Belmont, California after two days on the motorcycle headed for Ontario, California. Ride thus far has been very educational about the subtleties of riding. Taking clothes on and off to respond to temperature. Remembering to run through the mental checklist while gassing up or packing. Is the top box locked and key put away? Are the straps tight that are holding the camp bags to the back seat? Have I fastened the strap of my helmet? Did I zip both pockets on my leather jacket? I have also rearranged my packing job as I figure out what really needs to be in the tankbag and what can be put away. My face is windburned, I have more trouble getting an ear plug into my right ear than I do into my left ear, and when I loosen the straps on my pack job I have to avoid letting them touch the hot exhaust....or they melt!

I started off from Seattle at 4 p.m. with the goal of reaching Portland. I stopped at Tacoma to meet my sister at Sbux and she gave me some really cool traveling clothes. Lightweight nylon pants and shirt that are SPF 50, cool, and quick drying after being hand-washed. Then, I froze my ass off riding in the evening cool to Portland. At the end there was the lightest rain. My friend Ananda bought me a cool history book about Lincoln's Cabinet. Spent the night at Lauren's house. She was up early to open her Starbucks at 6 a.m. I slept in, then went over there for breakfast before heading south. Once I got started, I just kept rolling.....all the Redding California.

Going over Siskyou summit was scenic and a riding experience that was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. Mt. Shasta was glorious as usual. From Roseburg, OR south the sun was out.

The ride from Redding to Belmont was easy. Flat and straight until I got to Vallejo when I ran into a wall of cold air...ocean air being pushed inland by the fog over San Francisco. Also, there were wind gusts and the pavement surface on I-80 is for shit. So, a bouncing around, sort of cold, tense ride into the city, but coming over the Bay Bridge towards San Francisco was a big thrill. Tomorrow, I have to ride to Ontario, CA. The Run For The Wall starts on Weds. the 16th.

More later when I access to a computer. So far, I am reminded that adventures are necessary even though they are work, can be uncomfortable, and scary in the strangest small ways. My rear end gets tired but the expensive saddle seems to be worth the money. I am having a good time.

Redding, California - May 13 evening

I stopped in Ashland, Or after ripping off 110 miles without stopping. Pulled into The Coffee Bean, an espresso place that we have previously been to on family vacations. Really makes me feel like a West Coast citizen to be so familiar with Portland, Ashland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc. Also, just an indicator that I've been around a long time.

As I sat drinking coffee I noticed that everyone was in short sleeves and shorts. The day was sunny and maybe in the 60's. I was wearing long underwear! Wind chill at 70 miles per hour is a real thing!

Thanks to our long northern days I rolled into Redding about 8:45 p.m. Mt. Shasta was beautiful, but now it reminds me of Seth. We stopped there at the freeway rest stop on a driving trip in 2004 to admire the mountain. I drove by there on Thanksgiving weekend of 2005 with Ginger and now on this trip. I guess it will always be a reminder, but I hope to make it a reminder of the nice drive Seth, Kathy and I had to Sacramento.

Found a Motel 6 in Redding. The clerk booked me in and then, at last second, I remembered to inquire about a AAA discount....to which she replied: "oh, I gave you the senior discount.." Ha ha. After unpacking I went into town and found the Black Bear diner where I ordered off the senior menu and to my disappointment the waiter never blinked. However, my old rear end and back were in fine shape and I had a good night's sleep.

May 13 - Southbound from Seattle to LA

Riding up and over the Siskyou Summit was easier than my anxious expectation would have it. Weather was sunny, road was dry, and I just kept my mind in the game. That's a big element of safe motorcycle riding: staying here and now mentally and staying within your skill level. I took it easy, mainly stayed in the right lane, slowed down when passing the big trucks laboring up the grade, and stayed alert. It's always a great feeling for me to cross into California....particularly when it is as scenic as it is laid out before you from the top of the pass. Not far down the road I had the presence of mind to pull off and take this picture.

Mt. Shasta

The day before, after spending night at Lauren's house, I went to her Starbucks to see her at work and get some breakfast. Here's a picture of her ignoring her silly Dad with his camera out in front of line of caffeine hungry Sunday morners. Shortly after taking this picture I got the bike and headed south for a long day that would end in Redding, CA.

Lauren at work at Starbucks

So It Begins - May 12, 2007

Sometime in the past 3 or 4 years I ran across a website about riding motorcycles from LA to DC to honor vets, etc. I am not sure what about that caught my fancy other than some obvious cool factor about motorcycles and going all the way across the country....plus I had never been to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The fact I didn't own a motorcycle never slowed me down....in January of 2005 I took the motorcycle safety course and in March I bought a 2005 Honda Spirit 1100.


10 Minutes from Departure

My decision to go ahead and sign up for the Run was partially driven by the death in an auto wreck of my 23 year old son, Seth. I needed to do something that might make me feel better or at least feel different. Plus, I was turning 60 and if not now, when? After I got to the Wall, I discovered a different reason to go on the Run related to Seth, but I'll save that for later down the road.

Kathy was not interested in going with me, but she and Lauren will be meeting me in D.C. on May 27 and we'll be tourists for a week.