Apparently an odd slew of relatives and family friends couldn’t access my blog via the index page of my website. I’m not totally sure, but I’m betting they were using Internet Explorer on Widows. It’s the only browser/OS combo that I can’t check.

So I changed some stuff around and my page is now officially Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional! Everything should now work¹.

Also, just this morning, I have installed Sw’as Footnote Plugin for Wordpress. This gives me the ability to easily and pointlessly add footnotes². I’m pretty thrilled about this and if you check yesterday’s post, you’ll see that I added no less than FOUR footnotes.

Today is a pretty easy day. I think I’ll have a lot of spare time. I’m sort of worried that I’ll be ahead of schedule if I went at my normal pace. I need to slow it down a bit.

Day Six is an alleged 165 mile junket³ from Joliet, IL to Springfield, IL. There are definitely some fun stops along the way, but we’ll see if it’s enough to overflow my day.

I’m still unsure about the camping situation. I really do want to start such things, but I’ve gotten very spoiled with the hotel/motel thing and it’s been cold.

Tonight in Springfield, it’s supposed to be 52 degrees. How could is 52 when you’re camping? I can’t remember. Maybe I should just do it and if it totally sucks not do it again till it warms up.

There are people who camp in the snow in the arctic. I’m not sure why they do this, but it’s definitely colder than 52 degrees there. My sleeping bag is rated for temperatures down to 20 degrees. But am I?

There is a man with very heavy feet in the room above me.

1. Please use Firefox [↩]
2. see? [↩]
3. Ohh! Look at me and my sassy words! [↩]

For some reason the comments on yesterdays post were turned off. Meaning that nobody could comment. That has been fixed. Those responsible have been sacked.

Day Eight is just beginning and there’s storm clouds everywhere.

I don’t think I’ll be getting rain just yet, but the hills are such that you really can’t tell until it’s right upon you.

This morning, I woke up at 6am and it was cloudy. I grabbed some clothes and toiletries and headed up to the showers. As soon as I got there, it started to thunder and pour. Literally, one minute after I got into the bathroom. So I did my thing, showered, etc and by the time I was finished, it had stopped. Joy!

I walked back to the campsite. There’s a lovely stream next to it and a big cliff behind it. The cliff is tall, so I can’t see the clouds coming at me. Suddenly, everything was sunny and beautiful. I looked out over the park and it looked like it were to be a very splendid spring day.

Feeling it was a good time to load up the bike, I started strapping things down and putting things in little pockets¹. And right before I struck the tent, the sky filled with deep gray-purple clouds and the wind shifted and a deep thunder rolled down from the cliff.

What do I do?! Do I unload everything not waterproof from the bike? Do I quickly stuff the tent into where the tent gets stuffed? There wasn’t time to think, there wasn’t time to do anything. So I sort of froze, prayed for no rain and waited to see what it was going to do.

Two minutes later, it was sunny again.

Oh Missouri, you tricky lil rascal!

So now I’m in a Panera Bread – the internets were wonky at KOA. Panera is nice, but right across from me are two people having an amazingly pompous conversation which includes such phrases as “post-consumer culture” and “yes, that is true, however I have always believed…”

They are now talking about Segway Scooters and about someone who rode it across the country while making a documentary. You can have no possible idea how happy I am that they are not trying to talk to me. So so so SO amazingly happy.

Ok, real quick before I go, let’s talk about the weather.

I’ll be hitting some thunderstorms today and I’m pretty alright with that. However, they’re also predicting the potential for tornadoes in the next few days over the places where I’ll be riding. I’m fascinated by tornadoes, but I really don’t want to be involved in their goings ons.

Strong storms will erupt later in the day from northeastern Texas to southwestern Missouri as daytime heating increases the instability in the atmosphere.

The strongest thunderstorms will produce widespread tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, hail and drenching downpours. The Severe Weather Center lists the storm-related watches and warnings that are in effect across the southern and central Plains.

The South Regional News story reports the threat of severe weather on Thursday will shift to the Tennessee Valley. By Thursday night, severe thunderstorms will spread across the Southeast into Georgia.

To the north of the severe weather, heavy rain today and Thursday will renew the threat of flooding in the heartland. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain is forecast today from the Texas panhandle to the mid-Mississippi Valley, while locally higher amounts are not out of the question.
-From Accuweather.com

I’ll be buying a weather radio, but that’s all reported by county. I don’t really know which county is which. It’s easy to find out which county you’re in, but about what is surrounding you? Not really. I’ll have to figure something out.

The route I’ll be traveling today is from St. Louis to Lebanon, MO. It’s along the I-44 corridor. For those who know my number, feel free to text message me (or leave a voice mail) if you find yourself looking after where I am. Tomorrow I’ll be in Springfield, MO. The next day, in Tulsa, OK and the next in OKC. All along I-44.

Ok! Here I go!

1. I spend most of my day doing this. [↩]

You know, I really like doing these updates. I won’t always be able to do them, but while I can, I will.

There is nothing that makes me happier on a stupid, rainy, evil day than tofu. There wasn’t much hope for tofu last night since all the Chinese places were on the other side of town, it was raining and everything that was riding gear was drying out.

So while talking to my dad, I told him this and decided to look it up in the phone book. Turns out there was one on the street where I was staying! I got off the phone and ran a few blocks in the dark, wet night. I ran until I realized that I must be running the wrong way.

And then I turned around and ran some more, passing the motel and then spying the Chinese place through my foggy, dripping glasses. I crossed the road, flung open their door and tried to explain that I was a strict vegetarian and couldn’t have chicken broth in my sauces. It was rather incomprehensible, but we figured it out. They even told me that I couldn’t eat the fried rice because there was meat juice or whatever in it. Yay!

I got Ma Po Tofu to go. Got back to the room and ate myself happy. It was wonderful. Not the best Ma Po I’ve ever had, but most definitely the most deserved.

Isn’t is wonderful?

And now I’m at Panera Bread, my new home. This morning I talked to the owner of the Rustic Motel, Papendra (not sure on the spelling, but “endra” means “god” – “pap,” if that’s how it’s spelled, defines a quality of god). Anyway Papendra and I talked about the scooter, the road, religion and a few other things. It’s weird how I don’t really get to talk to a lot of people while traveling. It’s just not how I travel.

I’m more like that lone stranger who rides into town. Oh yes, I’m a cowboy. On a steel horse I ride.
And I’m wanted.
(Wanted)
Dead Or Alive.

And here I go!

My original plan was to be in Mena, Arkansas to night. No, Route 66 doesn’t loop back around and head into Arkansas, I just figured that I’d want a nice little side trip. Turns out that I’d love a little side trip. But I’d like a day off a bit more.

This particular side trip was two nights, three days. From Mena, Arkansas, I’d head into Texas and stay at Bonham, just west of Paris. The next night, I’d be back here.

Now, what’s happening is that I’m here, in OKC for another night. Tomorrow I’ll pack up, head down to Paris, TX (unless someone has a better idea) and then head back – on a different route – to OKC. The day after that it’s back to Route 66.

Last night, the wind here in OKC was 30mph sustained. Gusts had to have been double that. The tent was being blown in on top of me (but since I staked it down properly, it bounced right back). I was convinced that the wind would blow Ruby on her side.

But I “woke” up this morning, getting maybe three hours rest in total, and was cranky and didn’t want to go anywhere, so I didn’t. Who needs Arkansas?

On another note, I read this today:
Hail measuring 4.25 inches (11 centimeters), about the size of a softball, was reported near Baxter Springs, Kansas.

It was also reported that a tornato was spotted south of town. I was just in Baxter Springs a couple of days ago. I’m glad I missed it.

The horrible storms seem to have shifted eastward, so I shouldn’t have any troubles. For now anyway.

And in closing, Calder sent this to me yesterday.

-

And a little addition to the update. Turns out I might have a little problem. My rear tire, the one I just got about 2000 miles ago, is nearly shot. I’ve got about another 1,000 to go before I get a new one.

Not sure what to do. Hm. I guess I’ll visit the Vespa shop tomorrow and see where I get with them.

It’s 44 degrees right now. 44.
I’m in Amarillo, Texas and the rain has finally stopped, but everything is cold. And wet. But mostly cold.

There’s this chunk of rain that just sitting there over Albuquerque. It’s not going away. It’s supposed to move east a bit to rain on me. Probably all day.

I’ve been glued to AccuWeather.com and their prognosis isn’t a good one. I’m going to get rained on today. And it’s going to be cold.

Is it too much to ask for a hot dry day in Texas? This is just weird.

Oh, and why is vice president Dick Chaney doing the weather? Has he finally eaten all the babies?

Hi from SUNNY Albuquerque!

I’ve alluded to the trip changing a bit, so here goes with what that means.

Firstly, I’m staying an extra day in Albuquerque. I’ll leave for Gallup on Tuesday afternoon.

I’ll roll into Flagstaff on Thursday (5/22).

As for the four-day loop trip through AZ, UT, CO and NM, I’m saving that for later, wanting to do all of 66 at once.

I’ll be heading into LA on Monday (5/26) afternoon, which is not something I really wanted to do, but so be it.

Berkeley will happen from 5/28 (a Wednesday) to the morning of 6/3 (a Tuesday) when I leave for Donner Pass on my way to Salt Lake City, which will happen 6/6 (a Friday). I’ll be stationed in SLC until, I believe, Sunday 6/15.

Now, why so much time in SLC? Well I won’t be in SLC all that much. On 6/10 (a Tuesday), Sarah is showing up and we’ll be seeing the Spiral Jetty just north of SLC. Then, on Wednesday, we’ll be doing most of that AZ, UT, CO, NM loop in a rental car. So yeah, not on a scooter, but by that time, I could probably use a break. She’ll leave that Saturday, I think and then that Sunday I’ll be heading off to …. SEATTLE!

Yeah, it seems dumb to do Portland and Seattle *after* SLC, but that’s how it’s going to work out.

I should get to Portland around June 18, a Wednesday (at this point the dates are fairly tentative). I’ll spend a day or two there and then ride up to Seattle around June 20, a Friday. I will probably be in Seattle until June 27 (a Friday, I figure about a week – and the Portland thing could happen somewhere in between all of that).

So if I leave Seattle around the 27th, that would get me to Wheeling around July 9. Which brings me to central PA in mid-July. Again, at this point, it’s wild speculation.

I also have thoughts of New England to visit Jen and Ned. And South to visit Michael. I’ve done the math, if I do all that I want to this summer, I’ll have hit 46 of the lower 48 (Nebraska and Wyoming would be missing). So it’s possible that I’ll even ride out to Nebraska and Wyoming before all is said and done (though I’m doubting this last part).

Because of this, Scoot 66 has taking on a whole new perspective. It started with just Route 66, but has turned into what could possibly be a tour of the entire country.

But for now, let’s just make it through Albuquerque.

I awoke to this sight of the scooter dusted in snow and more coming down and I’m unsure what to do.

It is supposed to snow until 9am, though it could last throughout the day, dropping three inches. At nine in the morning, it’s supposed to be around 36 degrees in Flagstaff. However, in Williams, roughly 35 miles away, it will be ten degrees warmer.

I am not equipped to ride in such cold temperatures. I wasn’t expected much under 45 degrees. But near-freezing is just not possible with what I’ve got.

Staying here another night is an option, but I would much rather move on. The high in Flagstaff is only going to be 40.

Before getting to Williams, I have to climb in elevation. 7400 feet, to be exact. This is the highest point on the post-1937 Route 66 (Glorietta Pass in New Mexico is the highest overall). So basically, it’ll get worse before it gets better.

Between Flagstaff and Williams lies mostly dirt roads that used to be several different alignments of Route 66. Oh, and interstate. And not much else. All of the dirt roads will be off limits today. The snow, which mostly melts upon hitting the ground, has soaked them.

And while that makes the trip to Williams a lot quicker, it completely defeats what I wanted to do on this trip. This sucks. It was one of the stretches that I was most looking forward to. Even if I stick around till tomorrow, it can’t happen, they’ll still be too muddy.

I’m using two books as guides. One says they are gravel, the other says they are dirt. Gravel would actually be perfect in the snow. Dirt, not really.

Gravel would slow me down to the speed of a brisk walk, which, as opposed to the interstate, would be much warmer than trying to do 65mph in 35 degree temps (which, if you were curious, is a wind chill of 17 degrees).

Check out time is at noon. I’ll take advantage of that and see what the weather brings.

I’ll update this before leaving.

-

It’s 10am (1pm, for you east coast folks). And it’s sunny. So off I go! Wish me luck. Here’s hoping there’s no wind (so far, there’s not) and here’s hoping the trucks aren’t SO bad on I-40. And here’s hoping that it’s gravel, not mud. Woo!

… since starting Route 66, I mean.

Today is the start of a new leg of Route 66. This leg lasts only two fully days of riding and then I have a much-deserved week off.

During that week, I’ll still have daily updates and will hopefully be riding as much as possible.

If any scooterists out in the Bay Area want to show me around, feel free to let me know.

Next week – The Loneliest Road in America (till SLC)…

The blog will probably change a bit. There have been SO many things that I wanted to talk about concerning riding, but have left them out in favor of Route 66 stuff. My philosophy was that Route 66 stuff is happening NOW. The random stuff about riding will happen again, so talk about it then.

Random stuff like – yesterday I noticed that my headlamp was blown. The day before that, it was the highbeam, now it’s both. I’ll be stopping at an autoparts store and fixing it on the road today (or tomorrow). The running light still works, so I do have some protection.

I should have carried a spare. Lesson learned.

Ok folks, it’s nearly 8am on the left coast and that’s when I’m hitting the road.

Big Sur tonight!

Today was a day off in pretty much every respect of the word. We didn’t do much at all, really. I showed Sarah around ABQ for a bit, we got some semi-ok Indian food and then came back to Cortney and Sabra’s.

I’ve started to plot out my trip from Seattle to Pennsylvania via the Yellowstone Trail, it’s sort of like Route 66, but not nearly as well traveled, researched or kitschy. I’m pretty excited about it. It goes from Seattle to Plymouth Rock, Mass.

Just how long that will take me, I’m not sure. I should be in Portland by June 23 and in Seattle by June 25. I’m not really sure how long I’ll stay in Seattle, but I assume about a week.

I also don’t know if I’ll do the small “southern” portion of Scoot 66 or not. Basically, that trip starts in Wheeling, WV, heads south to North Carolina and then north up the Blue Ridge Parkway.

If I do the southern trip, I’ll only be doing the Yellowstone Trail to around Cleveland, Ohio. If I don’t do the southern trip, I’ll do the Trail to somewhere in New York State, taking US 15 south to Lewisburg. I hope to complete the Trail on my way through New England.

I’ll be home by the beginning of August, either way. Then it’ll be time to think about New England and possibly The South. After that, it’ll be time to think about moving.

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