Miami

Its 3:15 am in Miami Florida, Greyhound station, the only other patron here has 3 giant rolling suitcases. Greasy clothing and pony tail, loud whiny voice just screeched to the homeland security guard "you know I've been in prison, well I'm a very intelligent person" Next... the boat to Spain, but first, retrieve my bike (and some of my gear) which ended up in north Miami ... I'm so annoyed,

A gay witch, then a just released convict were my seat mates on the ride south

THe 42 nd street overpass

I stepped across the guardrail on the 42nd street bridge over Lombard street and the train tracks, leaving Ted and Molly to watch the bikes as i climbed down under the bridge to see what the situation was like at this the "traditional" spot to wait for a train, well at least according to Gudrik and his house mate... Ah Gudrik ... He helped on the Harvey house, then moved here, I called him just after i got to Portland and left a message, assuming this was him just returning the call, " I think I just saw you ride by on a bike" the serendipity Overload in Portland is giving me a brain ache... Running into Lali three times, the perfect bike and now Gudrik's housemate who rides freights into and out of Portland at least twice a year.

Down the embankment where Brandan, who introduced himself almost as many times as he asking me to not judge him and saying that he is in Portland for school... And his wife Dana camped/lived, he assured me that they were going into rehab Monday, and were staying here because the FBI raided their squat and they couldn't abandon their big white and black PittBull, Henry who they renamed after rescuing him from people who called him.

Brandan had on a red headlamp and was carefully handling a small silver cup with some goldish brown liquid, tamping it with a small plastic plunger from a small syringe. " this is the best place to wait for a train, to Chicago they come Tuesday or Wednesday between midnight and three. An Evergreen or "K"liner is what you want ,

He put the plunger into the syringe and pulled the liquid back up looked at it and gently put it back, tamped some more, " you can set up right here if you don't mind what is going on, but it's better up there." Dana pointed up to

He slowly drew it back into the syringe, put an elastic around his upper arm. There was one dark spot, a tiny tiny scab on top of the vein that bumped up, it looked exactly like my arm looked after the times I gave plasma. Dipped the needle back in the cup, slowly drew the contentment in it. Fine needle slowly into the dark mark, wait, push a little and wait, almost all the way... It seemed like he was paying attention to something that I could not perceive as he completed the process.

We talked a bit more, I expected him to get tired be I didn't notice any difference in his behavior talkative and a bit fidgety.

Ted had suggested that this 3 or so mile long siding was the perfect place... Gudrik and his friend pinpointed a spot.

I left them to go back and report to Ted and Molly, Brandon came up after me and introduced himself he was wearing long underwear as pants... That exposed .... You get the idea...and repeated the entire conversation again

Molly left, Ted and I took our bikes down and watched trains,

I didn't sleep much because I did not want to miss my train, but only west bounds came through.

Rushed

I'm making progress probably Atlanta in the morning... I'll catch up later

Truck stop

Before the 20 mile bike ride to this Truckstop I'm at, i went to Starbucks for wifi and power for my phone (GPS device) then stood at a on ramp for I-70 till Walmart pharmacy opened i needed blood pressure meds because the ones i had went AWAL at midnight in the Pocatello yard while i was changing train cars and staying out of sight ( thanks Cheri Farms for calling my prescription in)

On the ride, I came across the roar and whine of motorcycles and saw parked trucks dirt burms, motorcycles popping into the air. Racing.

Next Fields at forests and croaking frogs

Next the truck stop. First job, find a driver who would get on the radio to "call out"

Not from the train

Kansas City is the end of the rail line for me, hitching from here. Ate Gates bar-b-q , rode bike through east KC wany condemned and burnt out buildings, sure I saw a drug buy and a car chase, but also saw laughing Thai kids playing that foot only volley ball, Mexican families cooking in there front yards... Death and new life almost next door...Slept wild last night

From a train

I'm somewhere in Wyoming, it hard to know exact location from a freight train I'm riding the unit at the back of the train.
(First didn't post the trains Internet is spotty :-)
I woke up some there in Kansas, thought I'd be in Chicago by now.

North platte was supposed to be 'hot" heard stories about dogs searching and "30 days" was like any other yard, I moved to the stack well traveled through the yard froze till morning then used two sidings to move back to my trailing unit

Still here

Sister 2 Sister 1 next

Meyer Lemon tree in the front yard, so we had to make a Meyer Lemon Pie...  Nieces Mara and Ava, so we had to tie die shirts, Cameron so we had to go surfing, Lisa so we had to talk, cook (said pie), stand up paddle board, and sew (mended my long underwear) Dad so i had to listen to stories that I've heard a dozen times and repair a piece of equipment that he said doesn't work but really was just set up wrong.

I love these people, and feel like i could just stay and contribute to their household.  These little people are just that, people that are little.  in many regards they are among the most competent people i know, specifically Mara, the older one, is so self aware...

But I'm not so sure that being self aware is all that useful, yea the Buddhists in me claims it is the goal, but the neuro geek in me thinks that ignorance brings more happiness... maybe being self aware contributes to the happiness of those around.

in closing a shout out to the three school teachers who stopped and enjoyed the vista of the last picture Boca anyone?...

Day two in Santa Barbara, Surfing and tacos
Day three, botanical garden and stand up paddle boarding along with bonus Shaker Lemon pie.

Tall gifting

I was taking my bike with me to Portland, but my niece and nephew were visiting my sister in Santa Barbara when I arrived... I think Christie will make good use of it

First habit of highly effective hobos ... Hit the road

Growing up again

Just opened a bank account... Feel like I did at 11 years old, when I opened my first, a coming out event.

The steps of becoming a male adult in the USA

1 puberty and acting on it
2 buying and operating a car (extra points in ascending order for motorcycle and airplane)
3. Having a bank account
4. Buying a new couch

Leaving last tuesday

Driving ones home requires money for fuel...hitchhiking, not so much.

Tarot

I'm making the rounds to friends and family, really friends that I think of as family.

Raquel and Oliver threw my tarot. The upside down death card says that I'm not going to die on this journey

a poem

a Text from a friend

This is a poem for you James : 

Here we rest, together. 

Beyond form perceived, forever. 

Let not a thought give rise to fear. 

Let me not into that space to judge, for you have released me, my dear. 

The world shall never deceive me, for we have accepted our treasure beyond perceived pleasure, and no form we cannot leave. 

What dream is it you have?

Swirling intent, questioned lament, loving descent, do you see the moment's end?

You do ask what I see, 

I cannot say, shall I be deceived?

I said I would not, 

Do I judge what is not there now?

I am perceiving in a dream here, 

Will you help me let go of the form I have received now from my hidden intention?

In silent moment of acceptance, past gone, future reflected, light without evil, without good, without the world, within light, the only Delight beyond earthly sight. 

romantic or

The Picture right above is of LaRon, he was returning to LA to check in on the love of his life, a woman who rejected him.  for a time i saw the story as romantic, now it's sad and even pathetic to me.  The sun is setting and potatoes are cooking on a fire.  and i think i'll finish this beer.

Puppy or the road

Building a 30 Kw solar array for a zombie apocalypse fortress, two gates, safe room, anti-ballistic paneled roof, with, dude dog and dog dude as aids, plus bonus puppy for entertainment. For the first few days I could only be productive for a couple of hours because there are no warm gloves in the county that stock gloves that will fit on my hands.

One day at a time

In the spring I"m leaving on a hitchiking trip around the world.   Right now im working out the details i.e how ro pay for it, route, what to take.

When ever I return from a big trip I always proclaim "Next time I'm not going alone" well It's been long enough since my last adventure and... In the spring. 

Falling again

Even though there are people around everyday, I think I'm a hermit, or at least want to be a partial one. While sawing a beveled edge to a 21 inch wide beam with a handheld electric saw that has a 20" spinning blade I stopped to let the saw cool and wondered how to better appreciate my surroundings. I'm surrounded by round yellow leaves dotting and white aspen trunks... In the distance red green and more yellow. And I'm pushing this big saw wishing and planning for an adventure elsewhere.

To hit the road

Last spring I learned about cruise ships crossing the oceans and added them to my dreams that I shared... I'm buying two tickets for the comming spring. In the last month I was asked if new things become harder for me... no... I was then asked why, and the little room concluded that i'm growing younger. which brings me to my frustration, everyone else seems to get older. and back to the opening thought...