Hearts to Heros Rally

Cyclerides sponsored a ride to show support to our troops stationed around the world. The turnout was amazing. We met at Christ Church of the Valley for a satellite link up with some local soldiers stationed in Baghdad and was simulcast on the Armed Services Network. It was a lot of fun listening to some of the soldiers talking about riding. One asked some of us if we would take a ride by Lake Pleasant so that he could see the pictures. Another told how whenever he called his dad he had him fire up his bike so that he could hear it over the phone. Most of these men and women had volunteered to go back and were on their second tour. Truly impressive!

We started from CCV after the broadcast, did a lap on the track at Phoenix International Raceway, cruised past Luke AFB and ended up at the new quad area next the football stadium in Glendale. All along the way people gave us thumbs up and some got out of their cars and waved while taking pictures. Some were waving American flags and no one seemed put out. The police had blocked portions of the 101 and even I-10 so that we could have it to ourselves as well as all of the connecting streets. Amazing!

Barry, who runs cyclerides.com, said that we don't want to call it "the annual" ride because we all hope that those who are in harms way are only there as long a they need to be. His father served in Vietnam and this whole idea was because of the terrible treatment our troops got on their return. He doesn't ever want to see that happen again.

I spoke with a member of the Patriot Guards while at the rally. That organization was formed because some of those same misguided 60's throwbacks are still out there. They show up at the funerals of soldiers to heckle. The Patriot Guard stands between them and the family and runs their engines if necessary to drown out the heckling. There are so called Americans out there who hate America and would never lift a finger to defend it. I can't think of an appropriate expletive.

Check out the Watch TV 5 video link at cyclerides http://www.cyclerides.com/

Enough to make you puke

This political correctness is beyond belief. Imus made an insulting comment about some college basketball players. So apologize to them. What the hell is all of this hand-wringing?

Has it gotten to the point that nitwits like Al Sharpton and the Reverend Jackson are now providing moral guidance to us all? Besides being too funny for words, what a crock of shit. Anybody who buys into this stuff deserves what they get.

I have never listened to Imus and judging from what I've heard would find him on the opposite side of the political divide. But is being rude or a bore now criminal? Apparently, the wrong ox was gored and someone has to pay. So long Imus. If we must spend time fretting about stuff like this it should at least be incidents in which people were actually harmed. The fiasco at Duke comes to mind. Where does the apology line start for the damage done there? And who should be in it?

The Grand Canyon

The weather should be perfect. They say a high of 52 on top and usually the bottom is about the same as Phoenix, 76. Supposedly there is a 20% chance for rain. We'll see.

Everything is packed and the car is gassed. Up at 3:30, on the road by 4:00 and on the South Kiabab Trail by 7:00. I love these trips!

As many times as I have hiked the Canyon it never ceases to awe me. I never get the feeling that I master it, instead it puts me in my place, clears my mind and lets me know that one day I won't be able to meet it's challenge. But until that day .....

Like baseball in the speech by the character James Earl Jones played in The Field of Dreams it has been the one thing that has been constant. In my life everything else has been measured by hiking the Canyon. "Success requires gutting it out like climbing out of the Canyon." "Don't look at the top, it will only depress you, look back to see how far you've come." "You think the pain will never end, but it does and you will want to do it again." "Don't sit down, it will make it harder to get moving again." This one place has taught me more about life than anything or anybody.

Castle Hot Springs

Years ago (early 70's) some of my dirt riding buddies and I took a road behind Lake Pleasant to a wreck of place called Castle Hot Springs. It was a resort built in a remote canyon for those who used the springs for therapy. There was not much left.

What I saw today shocked me. The buildings had been rebuilt, the lawns replanted and fences repaired. There could not have been a more stark contrast, not just with what I remembered but with the desert in all directions.The road up to the resort (some riders I met said it was now a private residence) was primative and inhabited by what can only be described as survivalist camps (though they may not have been). There were more "Keep Out" and "No Trespassing" signs per mile than I have ever seen. There was even one with a picture of an M16 on it that read "If You Can Read This .... You're in Range". I didn't see any mailboxes, street signs or even a kid pickin a banjo.

The road was easily passable with a two-wheel drive truck but there were a lot of blind turns and it was quite narrow for autos, especially in places where there was no where to go but down.The dirt road ended back at the Carefree Highway and the whole trip was just a little over 100 miles round trip from Phoenix. Another great ride!

Out With the Guys

Bob gave me a call the other day asking if I wanted to take a ride Sunday morning. The conversation went like this:

"Well yeah! So where are we going?"
"Let's meet at the Chevron station at 43rd Avenue and Union Hills at 9:00."
"But where are we going?"
"I don't know, we'll figure that out when we get there.

Bob had his ST1100, me the Nomad, Jim (Jimbo?) another Nomad, and Mike and his ST1300. The conversation continued at the station:

"Where're we going?
"I'm hungry, let's get something to eat."
"Ok, how about that Country Kitchen in Wickenburg?"
"Sounds good."

After breakfast (about noon):

"Let's go up Yarnell hill and over to Prescott."
"OK."

Sitting at a gas station in Peeples Valley (just past Yarnell about 1:30).

"Hey how long we going to sit here jawing? I told Vicki I would be back by 3:00."
"Well I don't think you'll make it."
"Maybe if you go back the way we came ... if you really fly..."
"See you guys, got to go!!"

I pulled in the driveway at 2:58. Vicki asked if I went over the speed limit. No way!

Why in the world did I say I'd be back at 3:00 and let her plan a barbeque?

By the way, you have got to see the movie Wild Hogs. Very funny! Cycle Rides put on a ride to see it opening day and over 600 riders showed up.

Bumper Sticker Ideas

Before the next election we need to see some bumper stickers (or tee shirts) that clarify the issues. A few that seemed on target to me were:

CUT AND RUN
not just a slogan a
POLITICAL PARTY


or maybe,

WINNUS INTERRUPTUS
time to pull out
VOTE DEMOCRAT







or,

SUPPORT THE TROOPS
ELECT A DEMOCRAT
where
SURRENDER IS ALWAYS AN (the) OPTION

There, now I feel better.

Free Choice

It is just so American to have a choice. Should I ride the Nomad today or maybe the KLR? No I haven't run the truck this week. This is great!

Today it was the Nomad and yesterday the KLR. The day before it rained so time for the truck. Tomorrow will be beautiful so the KLR and Friday it's supposed to rain so back to the Ford. Weekends are all cycles though.

I was reading Peter Egan's books, Leanings 1 and 2 (condensations of his Cycle World articles) where he describes the motorcycle riding season in Wisconsin and the anticipation felt waiting out the winter. In Phoenix there is no season but riding season. Sometimes I wonder if it's just too easy. Maybe nasty cold would make me savor a warm spring day even more. Naw, don't think so.

Crown King - 50 Miles of Dirt Road

I had to take the KLR out for a test drive. It was good, really good! I started out nice and clean but it was dusty out in the desert and muddy in the Bradshaws. Riding off-road comes back all of a sudden. By the end of the ride I was skimming along the top of the sand and gravel at over sixty mph and feeling comfortable. The KLR seemed stiff at first but it was when I was poking along. A little velocity and she rides like the Nomad on asphalt.

The road was paved for a about a mile coming off of I-17 but it was still dirt all the way into Crown King. I wish I knew the ratio of paved road to dirt road in Arizona because it has to be a very small number.

Cleator was still barely inhabited but downtown Crown King was bustling. (Not to mention a slushy mess with melted snow) I watched one guy get some gas, before heading to the packed saloon, heck, it was only 10:30 in the morning. All the riders of those vehicles are not at the curio shop (curio shop??) but the bar next door. The view off the mountain is breathtaking as are the drop-offs should you miss a turn. The trip was 144 miles and used 2.7 gallons. That works out to over 53 mpg. The 6 gallon tank gives it a range of over 300 miles. I love this bike!

Fun With the Camera

The Phoenix police department called me in class the other day to see how it was going with my little doper neighbors. "They haven't been seen for three weeks", I told them. My class was listening in on the conversation and were in awe.

Apparently the officer approached the dad and told him what was going on and unless it was straightened out a search warrant would be issued for the premises. He painted over the gang tag on his building and put an end to the smoking, at least none of the kids has been seen since.

It looks like the Phoenix PD has some clout in the neighborhood, with the help of a person with a camera.


While I was working in my room on Friday the principal of our school stopped by and noticed that I had my cameras running on my work computer. She was amazed that I could watch the condos over the internet. The school has had a lot of problem with vandalism over the weekends so she wants to check into getting a camera or two so that she can monitor the campus from home. Can't wait to help out.

This is some fun!

Got It!

I found one for a reasonable amount (what I budgeted) in nice shape maintained by the dealership I bought it from. After driving it home 30 miles mostly by freeway, these are my impressions.

First of all, I'm too short. Just getting on it in full leathers (it was the coldest day so far in Phoenix, 28 degrees this morning and in the forties when I rode it) was a laugh. I had to have someone balance it so that I could get my leg over the seat. Once astride the vibrating monster I could see for miles and miles. Stopping at a light to make a left turn made me feel like Edith Ann in the rocker, legs just out there.

The foot controls are typical dirt bike minitures, compared to the Nomad. The brakes will stop you but feel like abs, no chance of skidding (an exaggeration). The steering is light and the grips feel thin and numbing.

At 50 to 55 mph 4th gear works but above that 5th is the ticket. It hits 70 mph at 5,000 rpm. I took it over 80 and it has no problem accelerating beyond that. 105 mph is where the red line would be but 85 seemed fast enough. There is plenty of power, no hesitation.

It will take some getting used to.

The next new toy?

One can never have too much of a good thing and in the case of motorcycles it is kind of like shoes. You don't wear your dress shoes down the Grand Canyon and hiking boots are not what is worn for a 10K. So it's time to look at a new bike, not one to replace the Nomad, one to complement it.

Off road riding is the only way to get to some places, unfortunately to get there it usually takes a road. Either the bike is transported or driven. I prefer driven. So a dual sport is the only way to go. There are very few good tested ones in my price range ..... except for the KLR650. It has been around so long that Kawasaki is planning on updating it. So now is probably the time to get one. Not the new more stylish one, the one that has all the bugs worked out and the reputation for being bullet proof.

It is referred to as the poor man's Dakar. Besides the standard 6 gallon gas tank and 9 inches of suspension travel there are a lot of accessories to make it perfect for backcountry touring. On top of that it can be picked up new for about $5,000 or used in great shape for around $3,000. So I'm starting the search.

New Toys

There are just too many cool toys around now! My wife got me a Magellan Roadmate for the Nomad. What a great idea. It's fairly simple to use (and that's a good thing, very good). I had to put a cigarette lighter on the Vulcan but found room right next to my cupholder, you know next to the ash tray and cell phone cradle.

Using it is a blast. I don't know what criteria they decide on for the quickest routes calculated but turns are always the choice. I programmed in a very simple task, to go to my inlaw's house. It can be done with 4 turns, 3 90 degree lefts and 1 90 degree right using all major roads. Oh, that isn't imaginative enough. Would you believe 8 90 degree turns, 4 left and 4 right. They did save about a half mile but making all the extra turns burned up any advantage.

On the way back I ignored the suggested route and every time I did it recalculated a new one. Magellan could have really had some fun with a "back seat driver" mode. You know, since it talks to you anyway why not just for laughs have it make diparaging remarks about missing a turn or "not ever listening to me".

Phoenix is too simple a place to drive for one of these because all but one street runs North-South or East-West. She got it for the road trips that we plan to take as far away from an interstate as I can get.

The other cool toy I got (no one gave it to me, I got it) was security cameras. These things have 22 power optical zooms (and 2X digital which I turn off) and night vision without IR. What a hoot! I have a couple of neighborhood delinquents next door who think that smoking dope in the dark and tagging buildings at 3:00 AM is safe. I already have video of them smoking in their little clubhouse. These things light up the street like daylight. It will be great catching them tagging.

Too much fun, too little time!

Christmas Time

The last month has been so busy that I haven't had time to write. Not that there has been nothing new or worthy.

What can I say about the election? Have the majority of voters decided that it is time to lose in Iraq? Sure hope not, it would be a gross misunderstanding of success. Even if nothing changed for the next ten years the war has kept the terrorist tied down in the middle east, our losses have been low, progress is being made if not in Baghdad then the rest of Iraq, recruitment goals have been met and all without people who would make reluctant soldiers (draftees) being involved. Consider the alternative. Pictures on the news of some blast site in Baghdad that make some think we aren't "winning". How about a blast site in, say, downtown Manhattan. Sound familiar? Real life is not a 30 minute sit com.

Bike riding weather has been nearly perfect around here. Just a little chilly in the morning (mid 40's to 50's) to mid 70's during the day. Wish I had time to take advantage of it.

Here is a nice little video of a ride through Sedona and Flagstaff. Schnebly

Anniversary in Tombstone

It is strange that people born in Arizona never seem to make it to the well known places in their own state. I don't know how many Zonis I've spoken to who have never been to the Grand Canyon, but it's a lot. Well now I can say, "Sure, I've been to Tombstone." We even stayed in the Bordello and got a complimentary rubber inside what looks like a pack of matches. On the "pack" it reads, "Tombstone Bordello- Where the customer always comes first."


We took the Nomad and the weather was perfect, mid seventies. The sky was so clear that, as usual, the visibility was over 60 miles. Traffic was light and bikes were everywhere. There were even border patrol agents in plain view and what looked like "the mother ship" hanging in the sky. Very strange sight.

The town was much better than I thought it would be. There is enough to see and do that we plan to come back. The people were great, in fact, the families who own the Bordello also have a western theme place in England that they share time running with the other couple. As soon as I heard Rusty speak I knew he wasn't from around here. Pretty savy, huh?



We also did a little side trip to Bisbee and took a few pictures. The Copper Queen is a very nice hotel that has become a tourist attraction and was on "Ghost Hunters", a SciFi channel series, last month.

Livin' the dream....

It looks like this is the week that it all starts to come together. Saturday Vicki and I suited up for a drive in the rain to go out for breakfast at the "Hog Pen". No kidding, I guess that appeals to Harley riders. There were only two couples that braved the weather for an early morning buffet. It was great, we had the place to ourselves so we sat on the deck watching the rain. In Arizona that is a treat!

In the afternoon I went for another ride and again on Sunday morning a quick trip to Morristown and Sunday night another ride. This is almost like heaven.


Monday morning I watched the sun come up from the top of North Mountain. Yeh, time to hike again too. Between riding, hiking and being able to sit outside and visit, it is almost like real life again!

Finally Moved In

It has been a long time coming but the construction is far enough along that we have qualified for a certificate of occupancy. Brad got Cox hooked up and finally I have my computer on line again.

There are still a few loose ends but at least I can start getting a life back.

What should Bush do? Nothing

I just love the wringing of hands about the "violence" in the Middle East. Somebody, please, stop the killing. Put pressure on Israel to not over do it (but never expect anything of the terrorist ... after all, everyone knows they follow no rules). It's all Bush's fault! Why doesn't he do something? He is. He's letting Israel give the terrorists what they so richly deserve. And it's working.

Mission Complete

Over 5,000 miles total and 1,779 one way from Nashville to Phoenix. That means I put in about 1,500 miles while in Nashville. It doesn't seem possible but the odometer says so.

The learning curve was steep. I got rained on in every state on the trip; Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. Curves, poor visibility, wet roads, wind, crazy drivers (I watched a truck crash into two cars that had spun out), bugs so thick the windscreen looked like a kaleidoscope (Texas) and even a pissed off bee in my helmet made it so (yes, it stung me).

By the time the trip ended my confidence level was high. A friend asked, "Would you do it again?" "Absolutely!", but there are things to do differently. I made it each way in two days, far too much time spent speeding down the highway. It is more interesting and fun to take back roads and sightsee. The slower paced trip from Nashville to Deal's Gap was much more enjoyable. Meeting the locals and viewing the scenery comes naturally on a bike because of the frequent refueling stops and riding in the open. You feel like you are actually there as opposed to watching it on the car's windshield big screen. All in all, a most excellent adventure.

Dragon, Hellbender, wet curvy roads, and friendly people ... what a weekend!

"Wow!, let's do it again." Shawn couldn't get enough of fast curves but I wasn't nearly as comfortable. There is nothing like looking backward over your left shoulder while plunging into a 180 degree turn with nothing but trees or a cliff ahead of you. It is very difficult to remember to, "Keep your eyes on where you want to go, not on what you want to avoid." Remember Magnum P.I., "Don't look at the dogs, don't look at the dogs..."

The trip to Deal's Gap was green, curvy, and layed back. The way back was wet and fast.

We sat in a fast food restraunt to get out of the rain and called anyone we could think of to check the radar of the area. After sitting for an hour and being told by two friends that rain went all the way across the top of Georgia to Chattanooga it was decided to suit up and punch through to clear weather. We rode in the rain until crossing the Tennessee state line and then peeled off the raingear. There was a downpour on the bridge over Nickajack Lake and then clear skys.

I-75 and finally I-24 were great. The traffic was fast, smooth, and sparse. There was some concern about the downhill at Monteagle but it was probably the best stretch on the trip. We arrive on the outskirts of Nashville with plenty of daylight, Shawn headed for the barn and I followed J through some backroad twisties that he wanted to compare with the Dragon while it was still a fresh memory. They seemed very tame but were a perfect way to end the trip.

Thanks for the clay pigeon

North Korea wants to test a long range missile capable of hitting us. Let's test our missile defense.

Click here to read the whole story

If God had wanted me dead ... or Welcome to Tennessee

I was right and way wrong. My dad used to tell me that flying was hours of boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror. If only it had been just moments...

I was right.
The trip through Arizona was great. At 4:30 in the morning I had the road to myself and the drive to Payson was beautiful. It even got so chilly that by the time I reached the top of the rim it was cool enough to put in the jacket liner. Cool but not cold. Coming in to Holbrook was like one of those car commercials where they show an empty curvy road that is all yours. Even the switch to I-40 was pleasant and as I said before, boring as to driving challenges. One rule, keep up with traffic. It was fast but very smooth.

New Mexico was like a postcard. The miles of high desert were broken up by outcroppings of low monolithic red rock mesas like those in a Roadrunner cartoon. The weather was perfect and the road was full of motorcyclists ..... all going the other way. I was planning on making it a three day trip and spending night one in Tucumcari but by the time I arrived it was only 3:00 and I wasn't too tired. Another Vulcan Nomad rider I met suggested Amarillo as a close alternative.

Texas was flat. I don't mean that as an insult but after seeing other states that was the one thing that really stood out. After arriving in Amarillo I found a motel and asked the clerk where a good Mexican restaurant could be found. She said that the best was Tacos Garcia and she was right. Everything was perfect even the 3 sauces they brought out for the chips. I had shredded beef tacos, an enchilada and 4 large glasses of water. When I got into my room I took a shower, flipped through the channels, found nothing interesting and went to bed while it was still light outside. I woke up at 3:00 after asking for a 4:00 wake-up call left at 4:15. I forgot about daylight savings time so instead of getting light at 4:30 it was still nighttime. Oh well. I did what I thought I wouldn't do, drive I-40 in the dark but on a Sunday morning it was all mine. No traffic! By the time I crossed over into Oklahoma the sun was in my eyes.

Oklahoma was green and beautiful. I recently watched the movie The Grapes of Wrath. Things have changed. My first view was of green rolling hills, farm houses and cows. They have cows! I would have sung the title song to Oklahoma but I couldn't remember the words. I stopped for fuel in a little town either in Texas or Oklahoma (right near the border) and started talking to the clerk. He asked how I liked my bike and mentioned that he would like to get one. Then came the stories. It wasn't bad enough that he told me about his friend that helped cleanse the gene pool by killing himself while doing a wheelie on a highway at 120 mph but then he had to show me his scars that he received in a crash while illegally riding his quad on the street weaving around medians. "I don't know what happened but she flipped right over on me." He was from Georgia.

Arkansas was very green too. Maybe it's just because I'm from Arizona that green stands out. I've heard people say of Arizona, "It's brown and rocky here." Yeh, that's desert. Arkansas was like Oklahoma but with more trees. The sky started to cloud up and I remembered that weather was supposed to begin at Fort Smith. In Arizona we kind of look in awe at clouds, having seen so few. The trip was uneventful except for the sore butt and apprehension about what lay ahead.

Way Wrong!
I called ahead to ask my son, J, what the weather looked like in Memphis and beyond. Well it's raining but it's supposed to clear off by 5:00. There is no rain in Nashville. In Little Rock a lady I spoke to at the gas station said that she had just come from Memphis and she said it was raining so hard cars were having to pull off. "You be careful now!"

I took off my leathers and jacket and put on the rain gear. Next time I don't care how warm it is the safety clothing stays on! Almost immediately it started. A light drizzle is all it takes to clarify the problems. Semis doing 80 mph throw off a swirl of mist that is as thick as fog and there goes the visibility (no wipers on the helmet, you know). Drivers here are like drivers everywhere, road conditions change, no problem, keep driving as usual. So there are cars off the road, gee what could have caused that? The only bright spot was that the crosswind was so strong that the mist thrown off by the trucks didn't stick around long. Of course, the crosswind was strong enough to keep me leaning 10 - 20 degrees also but with the trucks passing every few seconds since I had "slowed" to 65 there was always the opportunity to straighten up periodically. This went on right up to Memphis where things settled down and I thought, "Whew, that will be something to talk about."

Welcome to Tennessee. I called J again and asked how it looked. "Not raining here, you may be able to outrun it." I found out later that as soon as he got off the phone the rain started in Nashville. I didn't outrun it, I ran into it. The visibility was so poor that I had to pull off under an overpass but I knew that time was not on my side. It was going to get dark soon and then I would be living my worst scenario, driving on an unlighted curvy highway at night in the rain with fast (80 mph) very heavy traffic and terrible visibility. If my number was up there were thousands of opportunities.

I drove nearly 100 miles under those conditions luckily without the rain falling and didn't get into Nashville until 9:30 that night. But if one's mind has been burdened by the cares of life, an exercise like this will allow a crisp new perspective. Whew!!

OK, time to try something new ....

I wasn't going to. Several people convinced me that I needed to get away. That was an easy call. My vocabulary had sunk to four letter words and my attitude was going to get me into trouble.

So the plan is to get away for a decent length vacation. A road trip to Nashville by motorcycle and then a ride on a few select highways in Tennessee followed possibly by some hiking. Sounds like heaven!

The Nomad goes in the shop on Thursday morning, packing Friday and leaving early, very early on Saturday. I think I'll go the back way to Holbrook through Payson instead of I -17 to Flagstaff. There will be enough miles on interstate. I hope traveling on I-40 won't be too monotonous. Most people I've spoken to don't use that as the descriptive word, more like frightening or scary. You know, big trucks, heavy traffic. My past trips down I-40 were boring.

We'll see.

Back in the Saddle

I decided to take a ride rather than putting in the early morning at the condos. So when 5:00 struck I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed and fired up the Nomad.

The sun hadn't yet crested the horizon and the temperature was probably about 75. I had on my light jacket that breathes and was almost cold. Incredible for Phoenix in June.

The freeway was empty. Even the backroads were deserted. Usually there are Mexicans all over the place waiting for a job. It was eerie. The place looked abandoned.

The Vulcan felt smooth and strong. It was great. By 6:30 other riders began to show up. The desert sped by and after 2 hours the air finally began to change temperature. Not uncomfortable but enough to remind me of where I was. Time to head back. There is nothing like Sunday morning and an open road.

Waiting and Hoping 3

Today was not good. She was nauseated and did not eat. Her mental faculties are still there but ... her body is so thin and she only weighs 72 lbs. as of a week ago. It may be less now. She once was down to 58 lbs. several months ago, so it has been worse. Unless something turns around immediately this may be it.

As I sat and talked to her and stroked her hair as she slept memories came back. Here was the lady who was so strong and in control. Taking charge was what she did. My pastor, Jeff, came to see her the other day and he commented that it was him who felt blessed by the visit.

The doctors said that they could do no more. Maybe it is time to start over.

Bush's Poll Numbers .... this article says it all.

No it's not Iraq or Afghanistan, both operations have been amazingly successful. (Regardless of what the MSM says the violent death rate is much greater in several US cities than either of those "war zones"). With an economy that is so great we can absorb millions of illegals and still have an unemployment rate at 4 point something and eveyone benefitting, what's the problem? If someone were to ask me if I was happy with the president, I, a strong supporter, would balk. It's the border. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/05/base_doesnt_trust_bush_on_ille.html

Waiting and Hoping 2

It was another good day. She seemed even more alert and cognizant. She looked good, her color was coming back, and whenever I mentioned it she asked if I was being honest. Dale, my brother, was there and they were having a conversation when I arrived. Since she has been in Hospice I have not heard one word of complaint.

The weekend chaplain came in and introduced himself, Tom. Nice guy, and Mom liked him. He seemed intent on getting her to talk about what the future might be. She said again that she was ready for whatever the Lord had ahead. On days like this it is easy to see her recovering.

Waiting and Hoping

I’m sitting at the foot of my mom’s bed in a hospice in Phoenix. The view through the picture window is of a lovely patio with Mexican tiles and a gated round pool surrounded by a variety of plants and trees. Only in Phoenix can you see a pine tree growing next to a mesquite.

She hopes that being free of the tubes and wires of the ICU will allow her to recover. We all hope so.

I had a dream a few nights ago, before the ICU and before the meetings with doctors and the case manager. I walked into the room and it looked as though she had died so I shook her and tried to wake her up. Her eyes opened and she said, “You know I’m going to die, don’t you?” End of dream. It woke me up and I told Vicki, but she made no comment.

My mom, Helen, has lived on borrowed time since uterine cancer in the 70’s. I couldn’t even tell you the number of times she has visited the hospital. Our hope has been to fix up a place for her so that the last few years of her life would be comfortable, active, and worry-free. We may only succeed for the last few days.

Right now she is relaxing on her air bed, alternately dozing off and talking to me. Sometimes what is said makes sense, sometimes not. “It’s really beautiful here,” and then, “I hope the girls are getting a nap.” “What girls?” I ask, followed by silence. It may be the morphine, at least she isn’t in pain and she is right about it being beautiful here.

Watching the sun come up and sipping hot coffee.

Early morning is the best. It's 4:30, the eastern sky is just beginning to trend from navy to light blue, and the coffee is brewing. There are no sounds except for Lucy, Brad's dog, changing positions, and the hiss of the coffee pot. The palo verde tree's branches are outlined by a darker shade of blue and there is no wind. No sounds of traffic, no barking dogs, no TV, no talking. Early morning is the best.

What's it like to sleep all night?

Here it is 2:00 in the morning and I'm wide awake thinking about all the stuff that needs to be done. I'm not going to list anything, that would be just too depressing. It's at moments like this that the movie, Shawshank Redemtion, becomes a real inspiration.

I had dinner with some friends the other night one of which was retired. As the rest of us went on about work Virginia just glazed over and a Mona Lisa smile came over her face. When I pointed it out she said, "Yes, I really don't miss any of that stuff at all. Have you noticed how many times I have stopped by work to see you?" The answer is that I can't remember her ever stopping by. Hmmm.

I quizzed her about what a day was like now. She said that she wakes up when she wants, often not even knowing what day it is, has brunch with a few friends, get things done at a relaxed pace, and doesn't care if it doesn't get done at all. God, could I handle that! Six Saturdays and a Sunday.

A few years ago Virginia and I used to have a morning greeting, not, "How's it going?" or anything like that but in the tradition of the ancient Christian, "He is risen." followed by the reply, "He is risen indeed." It was a race to be the first to say, "Where would you rather be?" followed by the reply, "And what would you rather be doing?" At first she couldn't even imagine it because of being "institutionalized" but when her father died and left her and her family his cabin in Greer I could predict her reply. Well she has escaped Shawshank and I'm still chipping through the walls.

Night Rider

Last night Vicki and I went with some friends for a motorcycle ride out to Carefree, Bartlett Lake and Scottsdale. The weather was perfect and there was a quarter moon so when we got out of town it was fairly light.

I have to say that I don't particularly feel comfortable riding two-up on curvy dark roads with blind turns and occasional gravel. We kept the speed down to between 40 and 50 mph but it was still a little unsettling when a car would appear right in the middle of a curve with blinding headlights and no clue what was ahead.

The new Chatterbox communication system I purchased worked very well. Vicki even called our granddaughter on the cell phone which can be played through the intercom. It took a little bit of adjusting to get the VOX to work right, it changes depending on the speed and wind noise but is convenient because the sensitivity knob is mounted on the left side of my helmet. Some reviews I have seen were critical of how well it worked at highway speed but even in excess of 80 mph it worked great. (We both wear helmets that block the wind, Vicki's a 3/4 with a visor and mine a flip -up which I keep closed at over 60 mph. The Nomad has a windshield that cuts down on a lot of noise at higher speeds.) The Chatterbox also has a jack to connect a sound system of darn near any kind. So while we weren't talking to each other, another bike, or answering a phone call we could listen to music on the Creative Zen or Ipod. Communication overrides the music. One of the people we were riding with said my helmet looked like a storm trooper's. Pretty cool, I guess.

Favorite Toys

Have you ever owned something that you dream about even years after it's gone? I owned a black 1954 MGTF sportscar while in highschool. It had a red interior and chrome wire wheels with knock-offs. It was neccessary to sell it for moving expenses after joining the Air Force way back in 1973 and sometimes I wake up thinking that it is still parked over in my parent's garage just waiting for me to fire it up.