2010-05-28 Oreygun a trip to see Pop's

... in the retirement home  

Posted 24 May 2010 - 06:05 PM

Ok, I'm going to try my hand at a live RR. It'll probably suck since I'm a CBAR ^tm and prezident and will be stopping every 50 miles or so, in hope of finding things worthwhile..

My SpotWalla I think it's working now. If not, I'll link the SPOT page. More later. Got to get packing, lots of loose work/personal ends to attend to.

..but, by this time mananna, I'll be far, far, faaar away from Kreston, Kali - like maybe even Salinas!

..to be continued

Thanks, SportsGuy!

I get to go Riding
I get to go Riding!

neener neener neener

While you're at work working..

I get to go Riding
I get to go Riding!

oh, I think you get the idea!

(how bad IS it, when a forced march up I5 is the highlight?)

then again,
I get to go Riding
I get to go Riding!

Hugs n Kisses

..to be continued

Posted 25 May 2010 - 11:30 AM

Not off to an auspicious start.. picked up a migraine at 1000, and now a late meeting. But I'm going. Will stop if I feel unfit to ride.

Woot Woot!

..to be continued

Posted 25 May 2010 - 07:49 PM

LOL, great comments one and all! I'm in Corning, just south of Redding. Lots of rain before, through and after Sacramento. The migraine started fading right about Sactown and the vision/hearing/weirdness is now gone. I'm off for some Mexican food and a cerveza! Will post pix in a bit.

..to be continued

Thanks Ray, I appreciate the offer. I'll be in Keizer tomorrow, at the old folks home. Really, I'm renting a room in the 'Independent Living' section for 50 bucks a night + breakfast and wireless! Sure hope they let me out..

..to be continued

Posted 25 May 2010 - 09:01 PM

Day 1
As posted earlier, I was the recipient of a fine migraine right about 10:00 AM. First one in a long time, I blame it on trying to accomplish too much in too short of time, all of which had to be perfect, from a professional and personal point of view. Nevertheless, here she is, and the vision is wavy, hypersensitive to noise, and just the 'aura' of weirdness.

Perfect. Also, it's been heavy on my mind - the last time I visited an 'old folks' home was for my Grandma. I was maybe 18 or so. And the place left an indelible bad imprint on my fragile child egg shell mind. The stench of urine, old folks with gaping mouths drooling spit and snot everywhere, the smell of impending death choking the very air... and I had a dream/nightmare about it last night. I wonder how it will be this time?

Leaving Cal Poly, and of course a UPD had to stop to tell me not to park there... I played like a dumb tourist, told him I was *thinking* of having my daughter attend, and all of a sudden he was joe nice!

In true CBA style, I made it all of 5 miles before stopping for gas. I wanted to run a tank of Techrolene through to clean the injectors. I've not done that in +100k miles and remembered sage advice about 'run it through the tank, don't let it set, it may damage the copper shellac on the fuel pp windings or something like that.." Of course I could not find the bottle I purchased yesterday anywhere in my baggage.

My next CBA stop was only 35 miles up the road, near Paso Robles. I was having difficulty with vision, and decided to stop, get some lunch, take stock of my condition - e.g. decide to continue or not. My mantra is something about he who rides the longest in a lifetime, not in one day... (see the sagging bag strapped on Joe's aux tank? Yeah, that's where the extra bottle of Techrolene is!)

and inside I saw an old friend, whom I've not seen for over 15 years! Mike and Wendy are great folks, used to race MX with them, and by pure chance, here she was!

Right about here the weather started getting iffy. I decided to NOT take a chance, so pulled over under an overpass and got the outer rain gear on.

From 30 miles south of Stockton to about 50 miles north of Sacramento, it rained. Sometimes just a drizzle, sometimes a lot.

So I stopped - regroup time, again. Actually, though, I'm feeling better, stronger, as the ride goes on. Maybe it's the rain diverting my attention. Maybe riding is just good for the body and soul? Here's a pix from a nice warm n' dry MickeyD's -

Finally, the weather broke, so stopped and cleaned my face shield, did some stretching, took off the outer upper rain jacket.

I was hoping to make it to Weed, but the weather once again turned. And it was getting dark. And wet. And I'm a wimp. Uhh, I mean my CBA membership only allows so many miles per day - and I was bumping up against the limit..

So I found a clean and nice home de home on de road in Corning, CA, about 50 miles south of Redding. Not bad for 44 bucks.

And, of course, the requisite hotel room drying the clothers pix!

All in all, I did OK. I stayed within the Safety Zone while pushing my Comfort Zone. And tomorrow is a brand new day!

..to be continued

Posted 27 May 2010 - 11:11 AM

"There goes any chance of an early start" I thought as I mashed the alarm button to OFF. "No need for ALL of us to be up early *and *wet". The little $44 AmericaInn room was very nice - thick walls, lots of hot water, a very comfortable bed, and a heater that could heat the entire town of Corning.

Next stop, Weed, Ca. It's a force of habit to stop a Weed, and grab some good food at Silva's. Paradoxically, Silva's is owned by a Korean couple. The lady owner, Silva? (yeah right) really warmed up to me when I blubbered Komsehomada, my bastardadization of 'Thank You' in Korean. I told her of my adventures in Seoul, Pusan, then WalleyWalley sp? She said she had retired but got bored, so they bought the restaurant. Some retirement I thought.

It was raining up the hill into Weed, but I only had 20 miles to go. "You should stop and put the outies on" said the angelic voice of reason. "No, you wimp, just keep riding, it's *only* another 18 miles. How wet can you get?" asked the voice of Satan.

Evidently, one get really wet in about, oh, say, 15 miles or so.

Silva's restaurant in Weed, Ca

Shasta Lake is full! Last year, this lake was so dry I could see dead dinosaur bones at the bottom.

After breakfast, just kept toodling up I5. At least the scenery is actually 'scenery' once north of Redding. Most mountain passes were shrouded with cloud layers, disppersed by the warming, rising air. Don't see that everyday, and I said a grateful Thanks for the day.

Five things I've learned on this trip so far:
1. STP added to an oil change *really* helps smooth the FJR shifting process. RadMan was totally right.
2. Running a bottle of Chevron Techron through once in awhile will now be a regular agenda item. CrZy8 has *noticeably* smoothed out at idle, under full load, and when just cruising.
3. Use hotel room shampoo on the visor to help disperse rain drops. Not as good as RainX, which attacks the plastic, but it sure is better than nothing! Nothing to this rain-riding stuff after a feller has a chance to try a few things..
4. Extending the 'warm-air' flaps really DOES bring more heat onto the rider. In 40F temps, mesh gear and light pants, it was noticeable. It was cool weather, low 40's to 50's.

Flaps out!

5. The warmest air flow around the plastic is lower, rear, on surface outside!

It's always fun to hi-jack your own thread!

Why do so many people in Oregon smoke? Good grief, it seems like 70% of population smokes, at least when driving.

Check out this guy's new ride - I'm not sure if the trailer can handle the load...

Oregon rest stops have turned into Beggers Ally. They position their location right by the restroom and accost you as you enter. If you don't give some money, you'll receive a muted 'fuck you, bastard'. At least I did.

You know you are in OryGun when you see logging trucks!

Eating and Riding isn't for sissies. Especially when eating salted goodies and reaching into the bag with an exposed finger. A grinder got me 2 days earlier, and the band aid had fallen off. I'm a rough tough CBAR!

This pix for my niece. When she was little, she thought this paper mill was a 'cloud maker' when she saw the steam billowing out of the stack. Today, no steam. I wonder if the enviro's or economy has killed it? Near Albany, Or.

I only saw 3 moto bikers on the road today! What a bunch of wimps live here!

Dad's old house - it still looks good. Seems weird to not pull into the driveway, use his tools and WD40 and what not..

I arrived in Salem about 1500, found an Arby's. We don't have them where I live, so it's always fun to have a very unhealthy Arby's Roast Beef Combo. But it's ok, I sprinkled some Lipitor right on top of it, so all is good now..

The Aux Tank? Completely not needed on this trip. But nice to have. I found fuel for $2.71 per gallon, Chevron, and filled up the tanker. On day 1, it was nice to not worry about stopping, that I *could* have kept going if not for my CBAR sickness.. Come to think about it, traveling with an Aux Tank ROCKS!

I'm writing this in Arby's, no WiFi. I'll need to find a hot spot somewhere. I'm a day early for my Old Folks Room (OFR). Guess I should get several things done.. like find the place, find a RiteAid for band-aids, possibly get a hotel room. More later!

...to be continued

Posted 27 May 2010 - 11:13 AM

Day 2, Later

Reality check. Let me die young or least relatively healthy. I don't want any of what I've seen in the last 6 hours. None of it. The staff here at Avamere are very friendly and helpful, my $50 per night apartment is very nice, although decorated for someone in the 70-80-90 range. I need to take pix. But... the smell of urine. Is everywhere. Perhaps I'm hypersensitive to it, but it just is. It reeks. The old folks in the 'Independent Living' section look at me like some hellion from the Hells Angels. I commented on this to Pops, he just laughed, heartily. Bless his soul.

On the elevator, a couple joined in. After pleasantries, I asked "So how do you like it here? Do the staff treat you with dignity and respect?"
They could tell I was a 'young visitor'. The old man scowled a snarl, then looked away. Little did I know.
What followed was a 3 minute, ions long eternity lasting diatribe from the old woman.
"I hate it here. It's not my home. They made me move. None of my things are here. My family and kids never visit. I'm a nobody. I wish I were dead."
That folks, is Readers Digest condensed version.
The old man seemed like he still had some juice left in him.

I should have snapped a digital pix, but just could not.
Her last words, spoken while exiting floor 2, were chilling - "Don't become us."
Ok then. Freak level running at 8 of 10 - I still have not seen Dad and Mom, I'm still wet n' cold and hot n' sweaty from two days on the road, and already the heavy-leather overhand right has landed square in my fragile old folks home psyche.

Seeing Dad, and Mom, was especially good. Dad still has is indomitable spirit. Bless his heart. He can only see bright lights now, so like a ship at sea under duress heads to the lighthouse. He as 4 lights to navigate in their small living quarters. Mom seems to have relaxed a bit regarding Dad's blindness. She used to very curt, almost cruel. Tonight, she offered helpful clues to locate his chair - "Just to the right Walt, and back somewhat'. I wondered if it was just show for me or if a new leaf has been turned.

Soon enough, 2045 rolled around it was time to say goodnight. I hate to see my once proud, strong father in this way.
Then again, I'm simply overjoyed I can still talk to him, and he is still mentally sharp.

So many conflicting emotions.

Let me repeat the opening statement. I NEVER want to be here. Death, for me, is better. We all have values and choices in life. This is mine. Maybe, in the long run, Tim (TwoWheelNut) had it right, jes sayin,

I need to prepare life statements now - to end it with dignity and grace. Oh my God, this shit sucks. I will make sure this never happens to me. Take that last sentence and use it at my funeral in an upbeat, fun, and gracious manner because I sincerely mean it.

I have to go now.

...to be continued

Posted 27 May 2010 - 09:26 PM

Day 3

I'll start todays RR with some pix of an old folks home. There are 2 buildings, one for 'Independent Living' the other 'Assisted Care'. Some IL pix. Pops lives in AL, which is even smaller. Think of one room, maybe 25x30, with half walls dividing the bed/living area and a bathroom.

Time to take Pops to his Doc. He had colon cancer surgery in 2001. His friend Leon drove us to Salem Hospital.

Pops looking concerned

Time to give some blood

Then finally, home sweet home.

Everyone eats dinner in a common dining area. It's cute, everyone has their place, with names under the clear table glass so no gets confused. Four old farts at the table back of Pops are a hoot. One guy was very interested to talk bikes,. He had ridden for years and years, just stopped 4 years ago at age 84!

Here's the highlights... see you future gents and ladies.

I snuck out to ride around downtown Salem at sunset, the good color time. Found this motorbike friendly gas station!

Very interesting buildings in Salem.

Finally, sunset.

Good night fellow peeps. Thank you all for words of encouragement and support. I love you all for them.

Don

...to be continued

Posted 27 May 2010 - 09:30 PM

I'll be at SP Suspension next Tuesday early (0900 IIRC) for fork/shock rebuild and linkage/swing-arm pivot grease job. If any of you retired out folks have a moment, stop on by - I'll be the guy looking bored. After they finish twisting wrenches, I'm southbound and hammer down - Thursday is work day.

...to be continued

Mike, the table behind where dad sits at consists of 4 guys - as different during their 'productive' years as day and night. One of the guys, John, looks EXACTLY like you, just older. I say this respectfully, and not full of my normal shit. He was in construction, wears fun shirts, has your hair color and length, an easy smile.. Tonight he was wearing dark sunglasses, not the old folks style, but modern surf glasses. The guy is a total crack up. After everyone left the the dining area, I remained and talked with him about life and love and wealth and philosophy.. much like you, a man wise beyond comprehension....

...and this my friends, is what and why one should force ones self to remain open, even when the stench of urine and imminent death is all around.. life is primordial and what you make of it. Like John exhibits every day in his life (as it is) in Assisted Living.

Having said that, my earlier post still stands. Tim had it right.

...to be continued

I'm at GP Suspension having magic done, front and rear!

...to be continued

Update - bad needle bearing in linkage. To remove, have to remove headers, front lower plastic, centerstand. Not worth fixing here. 4 or so needles gone. Greasing it back up and soon out of here...

...to be continued

Currently in Weed, CA, collecting some final thoughts and organizing a few pix / videos. Life is good. Home tomorrow, need to find a route other than I5..

...to be continued

Posted 02 June 2010 - 07:46 PM

Home safe n' sound.