11:30am (MDT) – I need rear brakes. Mine are nearly shot. Scooter Lounge in Orem told me they were bad, but they couldn’t get any in because Vespa (who is incredibly impossible to deal with) couldn’t get them to them in time.

This might be a reoccurring theme, and as much as I love the modern Vespa, an easy to work on vintage might be the way to go (if you’re not crossing the country).

I called two shops in Portland, but neither can help me. I called Vespa Seattle, but they can’t help me either. I’ve got two shops, one in Seattle and one in Portland that I’m about to call. I emailed Big People Scooters in Seattle and they said that they could fit me in for a tire change, but I need to make sure they can do a break change too.

I’ll be calling them when they open.

12noon (MDT) – Called Big People Scooters and they are fitting me in at 4pm on July 2. So it’s looking like I’ll be in Seattle till at least the 3rd. That’s weird, since I was supposed to be home on the 4th.

It’s not that I’m behind schedule though. If you’ve been following me, I’ve added a bunch of stuff, including Seattle, to my trip.

So Big People will be doing a rear tire change and a break change. As for the oil change, which I won’t need by then, I can do that myself in any parking lot, so no big deal. It’s just nicer if someone else does it for me.

Let’s have a song, ok?

How about… “I Lost My Girl to an Argentinian Cowboy.”

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Later

For those interested, here are the routes I’m taking to Portland…

Day 51 – SLC to Jackson, WY
-201 E to 215 N
-214 N to exit 324 US 89
-US 89 (10mi)
-I-84 E to Exit 92
-UT 167 North (12mi)
-RIGHT on UT 39 (50mi)
-LEFT on UT 16 (19mi)
-RIGHT on UT 30 (4mi)
-Turns into WY 89 (4mi)
-LEFT on US 30 (50mi)
-RIGHT on US 89 (80mi)
-RIGHT US 26/89 (36mi)
-LEFT on WY 22 (5mi)
-RIGHT on Moose-Wilson RD
KOA – Two miles

Day 52 – Jackson, WY to Mountain Home, ID
-WY 22 West (17mi)
-Turns into ID 33 (5mi)
-LEFT on ID 31 (20mi)
-RIGHT on US 26 (43mi)
-RIGHT on Broadway ST in Idaho Falls (5mi)
-Straight on US 20 (61mi to Arco)
-44 miles to Carey
-100 miles to Mountain Home
Cross I-84
-Straight on ID 51
-Right on N 2nd ST
-Straight on Main (1/4mi)
-RIGHT on 10N ST
KOA

Day 53 – Mountain Home, ID to Baker City, OR
-Main Street N out of town
Before I-84
-LEFT on Old Oregon Tr (16mi to exit 74)
Cross I-84
-LEFT on Old Hwy 30 (5mi)
I-84 (21mi)
-EXIT 46 / ID-55 (112mi)
-Straight on US 95 (45mi)
-RIGHT on ID 71 (29mi)
Turns into OR 71 (11mi)
-LEFT on OR 86 (67mi into Baker City)
Follow 86 to Clark ST
-RIGHT on Auburn
-LEFT on US 30/Bridge Street

Day 54 – Baker City to Portland, OR
-Auburn to ID 7 S/W (50mi to Austin)
-RIGHT on US 26 (140mi – 25mi to John Day)
-LEFT on OR 126 (46mi to Sisters)
-RIGHT on Santiam Hwy (31mi)
-RIGHT on Cascades Scenic (44mi)
-LEFT on OR 224 (43mi)
-North on I-205?
Need directions from Ashley

Later Still

Here are some maps.

Even Later Still
It’s just occurred to me that this is the 50th day of my trip. I’m well over half-way, but it feels like I just started. Not in a “time sure does fly” sort of way, but in a “I have no idea what I’m doing” sort of way.

I think I’ll be on the road for another month. That’s 30 more days. Maybe I’ll go out after that. Maybe I’ll make it an even 100 days. Or I could make it auspicious and make it 108 days.

Though it seems like I’ve been stagnant, driving in a PT Cruiser or staying with friends in ABQ, SLC, PDX and SEA (ha! airport codes are fun!), I’ll definitely be putting on some miles real soon. It’ll be over 1,000 to Portland, another 250 to Seattle and at least 3,000 to Pennsylvania. You’ve got upwards of 5,000 miles of writing to look forward to! Lucky you!

Let’s have another song, shall we? Here’s “Convertibles and Headbands,” another song-poem. The music isn’t much to write home about, but the spoken part at the end is worth it, trust me.

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Much Later
I decided to go for a ride and get some Chinese food from Long Life Vegi House. What a wonderful place!

I got the Sweet & Sour Chicken sans onions and peppers with nearly raw broccoli on the side. YUM. I love when places will substitute crappy vegetables for broccoli. Love it. Thanks!

Since this is my last night, I thought I’d treat myself, you know?

Mandy and Earl were at a wedding reception, so I milled about and didn’t really do much. I collected my thoughts and loaded up the bike a little bit. Oh, I did some laundry. Fun.

I’m ready to go. Mandy and Earl have been really fun and great – but it’s time to ride, Sally, ride!

It’s been a long time since I’ve really been riding. I’m ready to hit the road. I’m excited! I don’t really know what I’ll be seeing, but I feel like a cowboy! Yeehaw!

And to sing me on my way, here’s a travelin’ song. “Lola” by The Raincoats.

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Oh wait! There’s more! Watch this.

And then watch this.

OK? Good! Now sleep.

Miles today: 33
Total miles: 6.066