Above: A dramatic view just south of Alpine, TxBelow: Scenes from the River Road
Map with Points of Interest from this trip.
View the slide show of the entire trip.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Pictures from the River Road
Here's a sampling of photographs taken during my recent West Texas ride:
Above: A dramatic view just south of Alpine, Tx
Below: Scenes from the River Road
Map with Points of Interest from this trip.
View the slide show of the entire trip.
Above: A dramatic view just south of Alpine, TxBelow: Scenes from the River Road
Map with Points of Interest from this trip.
View the slide show of the entire trip.
Fortune Cookie
"Practice an attitude of gratitude."
No kidding. That's what the fortune says. It even says my lucky numbers are 2, 5, 14, 18, 23, and 50. In Chinese, Fish is Yu.
Remarkably, gratitude is a very healthy practice. It keeps us focused on the positive, helps us get along better with others and generally speaking, makes life more enjoyable.
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my wife and family - that we are all there for each other. I'm thankful that I can ride my motorcycle and all that entails. I'm thankful that we live in a free society and that we strive and struggle to keep it that way (not to mention the people who dedicate their lives to that end).
For what are you thankful?
No kidding. That's what the fortune says. It even says my lucky numbers are 2, 5, 14, 18, 23, and 50. In Chinese, Fish is Yu.
Remarkably, gratitude is a very healthy practice. It keeps us focused on the positive, helps us get along better with others and generally speaking, makes life more enjoyable.
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my wife and family - that we are all there for each other. I'm thankful that I can ride my motorcycle and all that entails. I'm thankful that we live in a free society and that we strive and struggle to keep it that way (not to mention the people who dedicate their lives to that end).
For what are you thankful?
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Pleasant Returns
I'm back from my little voyage. It was wonderful in many ways, and I intend to share pictures, experiences, rides, my thoughts about motorcycle travel and personal insight over this week and the next.
In general, I went to West Texas and toured the area around and north of Big Bend. I stayed in Davis Mountains State Park (which I heartily recommend to anyone) for two nights, using it as a base camp for visiting the surrounding areas.
I traveled down the infamous (and remarkable) River Road, the scenic loop around the Davis Mountains, did a "star party" at McDonald Observatory and hiked in Guadalupe National Park. I did swing through New Mexico, but for the most part I found it dissatisfying and probably will not take the same path again.
View Larger Map
My accessory lights paid for themselves on the way back home. A deer and been hit and then hit again as it was split in two on the highway. (I saw an immense amount of roadkill throughout the trip.) Thanks to the lights, I was able to see the obstacle and make evasive maneuvers to avoid a disastrous impact.
I squeezed in a little reading - something I rarely accomplish at home nowadays. But the major idea I brought home from the reading and camping (and even the riding) occurred to me on the way home: when you take care of life first, you will enjoy it more. It seems bizzare that it needs mention, but I needed to vocalize it. I've been in the process of rearranging my priorities (especially since I'm going to be a new father) and this simple idea helped clarify and focus that process.
This is also the first trip where I greatly missed my wife. Usually I enjoy getting away so I can recharge and "refresh my batteries" but this time I really wanted her to be with me to share my experiences. So I'm working up in the back of my mind a plan for such a voyage...
I'd like to thank the many friendly and largely anonymous people that I met along the way for making this trip so enjoyable: The guys who rode in from SA, Rex on his R80, the biker from Houston, the friendly staff at the Davis Mountains State Park and the older couple hiking in the Guadalupe National Park. I'd also like to thank my wife for letting me go (see I came back - no leash necessary!) who I love very, very much. I thank God for a safe trip.
Later!
In general, I went to West Texas and toured the area around and north of Big Bend. I stayed in Davis Mountains State Park (which I heartily recommend to anyone) for two nights, using it as a base camp for visiting the surrounding areas.
I traveled down the infamous (and remarkable) River Road, the scenic loop around the Davis Mountains, did a "star party" at McDonald Observatory and hiked in Guadalupe National Park. I did swing through New Mexico, but for the most part I found it dissatisfying and probably will not take the same path again.
View Larger Map
My accessory lights paid for themselves on the way back home. A deer and been hit and then hit again as it was split in two on the highway. (I saw an immense amount of roadkill throughout the trip.) Thanks to the lights, I was able to see the obstacle and make evasive maneuvers to avoid a disastrous impact.
I squeezed in a little reading - something I rarely accomplish at home nowadays. But the major idea I brought home from the reading and camping (and even the riding) occurred to me on the way home: when you take care of life first, you will enjoy it more. It seems bizzare that it needs mention, but I needed to vocalize it. I've been in the process of rearranging my priorities (especially since I'm going to be a new father) and this simple idea helped clarify and focus that process.
This is also the first trip where I greatly missed my wife. Usually I enjoy getting away so I can recharge and "refresh my batteries" but this time I really wanted her to be with me to share my experiences. So I'm working up in the back of my mind a plan for such a voyage...
I'd like to thank the many friendly and largely anonymous people that I met along the way for making this trip so enjoyable: The guys who rode in from SA, Rex on his R80, the biker from Houston, the friendly staff at the Davis Mountains State Park and the older couple hiking in the Guadalupe National Park. I'd also like to thank my wife for letting me go (see I came back - no leash necessary!) who I love very, very much. I thank God for a safe trip.
Later!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Beginnings...
The journey of a thousand miles... begins by rolling the bike out of the garage.
I'm heading out today. Back in a few. I'll bring pictures!
I'm heading out today. Back in a few. I'll bring pictures!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Updates on Stewart
I finally came across a link to the news story about Stewart's death:
LINK
Our shop is arranging a collection for Stewart's family. The shop will match the donations made. It won't bring him back, but it will help the survivors with their loss. Post up a response or email me if you're interested in donating.
LINK
Schertz heist victim is identified by police
Web Posted: 11/06/2007 09:17 PM CST
A 45-year-old man killed during a failed robbery of a gaming business in Schertz has been identified.
The Schertz Police Department said Stewart Edelman was working at 500 Schertz Parkway at 3 a.m. Monday when three men entered and demanded money.
After their demands were not met, one attacker used the butt of a gun to hit an employee in the head. Shots then were fired, killing Edelman. The men fled in what witnesses described as a dark sedan. Edelman was declared dead at the scene, city spokesman Brad E. Bailey said.
Schertz police are investigating and ask for anyone with information about the slaying to call (210) 619-1200.
Our shop is arranging a collection for Stewart's family. The shop will match the donations made. It won't bring him back, but it will help the survivors with their loss. Post up a response or email me if you're interested in donating.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
R.I.P. Stewie
One of our delivery personnel was shot and killed earlier this week. I have no other details other than I will miss Stuart and his sense of humor. I enjoyed his presence whenever he came by. He was on the mend from a broken arm and should have been returning to work soon. I know everyone who knew him at the shop will miss him. I know his family will feel his loss deeply.
Goodbye Stewie. Godspeed. Keep the rubber side down into eternity.
Goodbye Stewie. Godspeed. Keep the rubber side down into eternity.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Loud Pipes Annoy Sleeping Neighbors
The other day I asked my wife, "does my bike seem loud?" She replied, "Your bike is loud. I think all bikes are loud."
This really dampened my spirits. The FJR has a sewing machine sounding exhaust, which I happen to enjoy because it's not nearly as noisy as most of the obnoxious aftermarket exhausts out there. I even put the stock muffler back on the XT not only because the Supertrap that preceded it was not only too lean, but obnoxiously noisy. To have the FJR thought of as loud seemed a like a stab in my "quiet bike as a courtesy to my neighbors" heart.
I thought about this as I went walking this morning. A Harley Davidson with loud, farting pipes ran up the street with his stereo blasting (no doubt due in no small part to that rumbling noise machine between his legs). He was a full block away and I could hear in detail the talk radio he played, despite the bike's noise. I kept walking and heard a baby crying from a house. I bet this bike startled the baby and woke it up. I wondered how many other people he woke that morning. To top it off, he apparently forgot something and had to return to his house, grab the forgotten item(s) and head out again.
But cruisers aren't the only guilty party. I hear sportbikes a mile away on Loop 1604 banging through the gears to merge with traffic. I hear them cruising on that highway, too. Then they whiz by my house in second gear leaving the traffic light with the kind of noise only a sportbike makes.
But with all that said, bikes aren't the worst offenders regarding noise pollution. Instead, far more commonly cars and trucks use loud, offroad exhausts, blare their stereos with far-travelling bass and "peel out" getting onto the main road.
I cannot believe that "loud pipes save lives." But I know they destroy the positive image of the friendly neighborhood biker.
This really dampened my spirits. The FJR has a sewing machine sounding exhaust, which I happen to enjoy because it's not nearly as noisy as most of the obnoxious aftermarket exhausts out there. I even put the stock muffler back on the XT not only because the Supertrap that preceded it was not only too lean, but obnoxiously noisy. To have the FJR thought of as loud seemed a like a stab in my "quiet bike as a courtesy to my neighbors" heart.
I thought about this as I went walking this morning. A Harley Davidson with loud, farting pipes ran up the street with his stereo blasting (no doubt due in no small part to that rumbling noise machine between his legs). He was a full block away and I could hear in detail the talk radio he played, despite the bike's noise. I kept walking and heard a baby crying from a house. I bet this bike startled the baby and woke it up. I wondered how many other people he woke that morning. To top it off, he apparently forgot something and had to return to his house, grab the forgotten item(s) and head out again.
But cruisers aren't the only guilty party. I hear sportbikes a mile away on Loop 1604 banging through the gears to merge with traffic. I hear them cruising on that highway, too. Then they whiz by my house in second gear leaving the traffic light with the kind of noise only a sportbike makes.
But with all that said, bikes aren't the worst offenders regarding noise pollution. Instead, far more commonly cars and trucks use loud, offroad exhausts, blare their stereos with far-travelling bass and "peel out" getting onto the main road.
I cannot believe that "loud pipes save lives." But I know they destroy the positive image of the friendly neighborhood biker.
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