Sunday, September 28, 2008

THE PLAN

Dave, Paige and I (mostly Dave) have begun planning the trip south. We will start from different locations as I have decided to revisit Ross and Patti in Thorp next week. Our planned date of departure is the sixth of October. Most of the trip will be made on Hiway 395 though California. Currently planned stops on the way to Apache Junction are: Moro, OR; Klamath Falls, OR; Reno, NV; Lone Pine, CA; Needles, CA; Quartzsite, AZ. The hiway and the rv parks have to meet the size requirements of the 65' circus train that Dave and Paige call home.
My drive to the Phoenix area last March was a speed run to escape the rain, with very little time taken to smell the roses along the way. This trip should be much more leisurely with time taken for exploring and riding, happy hours and pupus. The temperatures in Apache Junction are still hovering above 100 degrees, so there is no hurry to get there, but the nights are getting chilly here, so it is time to go.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Baby, it's cold outside.

I'm normally an early riser. It was easy to lay in my rack past 6 this morning, it was so warm and snug. There is a freeze warning for eastern Washington. Areas of western Washington dipped in to the thirties last night. My outdoor thermometer reads 47.
You know where this is leading.
I'll be making visits to say "See you next summer!" to family and friends over the next few days. I visited Erica on Sunday, Thom dropped by yesterday. They are the hardest ones to leave. One last visit with Mom later this week and maybe start my trip by driving to Thorp to thank Patti once more for her hospitality.
Speaking of saying "Thanks" - Forrest and his Mom (Phyllis) have been great hosts here in Bremerton.
Thom's birthday is Monday. Hard to believe he'll turn 25. Happy birthday Buddy!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Grey

No sun, no warmth - it's time to go south - or at least east.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Not much to report

I rode up to Marysville yesterday to visit Big Tom. He came thru his AAA surgery with flying colors. Still some pain, but improving. Mary fusses and worries and takes good care of him.

The rv got new front shocks and Les Shwab is mounting two new tires as I type. Hopefully the trip to Arizona will be uneventful.

The poker run around Hood Canal on Saturday was very enjoyable. I rode with Dave, Forrest, JD, Ken, Jim and Triva. Our pace didn't match the prescribed schedule and one stop was closed, but when we returned to the Harley shop, they let us draw cards for that stop, too. I got a queen high piece of junk, but didn't even win worst hand.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Moved


I'm in Bremerton, staying at Forrest's shop (for those of you that know Forrest). I have to find a coffee shop or visit the library to access my blog/e-mail, so bear with me.

I bought an "N Wireless USB Adapter" which is a fancy way to say powered antenna and am able to access Forrest's wi-fi network - sometimes.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Top 10 places to retire

Forbes put out a list of the ten most affordable cities for retirees.
  1. Columbus, OH
  2. Dallas, TX
  3. Minneapolis, MN
  4. Houston, TX
  5. Salt Lake City, UT
  6. Indianapolis, IN
  7. Denver, CO
  8. St. Louis, MO
  9. Atlanta, GA
  10. Nashville, TN

They are all larger cities, so they don't really appeal to me, but I suppose the attraction of larger cities is conveniences, entertainment, transportation, hospitals, etc.

Been to any of these towns? A good friend told me that she didn't like Houston at all.

A good weekend

I got to see Erica on Saturday and Thom on Sunday night/Monday. Throw in a quick visit from Dave and Paige at the Thorp fruit stand as they drove by on their way to Bremerton and it becomes extra nice.
Erica recently moved in to a new apartment near the north end of Greenlake and needed a few things from my storage unit to make it cozy. She's healthy and happy and adjusting to living by herself again. The day after she signed the lease for the apartment she was offered the lead HR position at Honolulu airport. While many of us would have jumped at the opportunity, it held no attraction for her. I should mention that she has also been offered similar positions at the Anchorage and Edmonton airports. She likes Seattle, her friends and family are here.
Thom was in Ellensburg to look at apartments/houses for rent in preparation for his return to Central for the winter quarter in pursuit of his Masters in cognitive psychology. He has requested a shift change from his employer to fit his class schedule.
Paige and Dave are squatting at Forrest's shop. It was good to see them again. I've been following their adventures on their blog (see the link on the right side of my blog). I think I'll join them later this week. It will be nice to see the old stomping grounds and say "Hi" to friends before I head south again.
Summer is over, even on the east side of the mountains. The sun is still bright, but lower in the sky. Mid seventies during the day, low fifties at night. I guess I'll buy that bum warmer in Bremerton.