NomadGal: sorry I didn't click on your links before. I notice you are having quite the adventure. I don't think I could do what you are doing SOLO. I get tired of being by myself for long periods. I like to meet up with people on the road too. I have started reading your blog from the beginning . . . keep the photos flowing . . . bob
Totally understand your mild level of enthusiasm for the Keys. In their favor. 1. They are islands. 2. Easy to get to. 3. ? My history of islands is pretty short. First the Keys, several times. Then some of the Bahamas. Then several of the Hawaiian Islands. Nothing else I've seen comes close to Hawaii. I need to get out more but, Hawaii is what I want in an island chain.
Esther did spend decades in Hawaii - off course the Keys won't do it for her. And honestly, I never got the fascination about the Keys either (or Florida as a whole).
Great ride report It has taken me a couple days but I have finally got to your last post. I hope you can still have some adventures while you are working. Ben
Looks like I won't start working at the store till next week, so instead of getting bored I keep myself occupied doing stuff for my friend, like: Jacking up her daughter's car trying to find out why the window wiper fluid container is leaking. Of course in order to get to the darn thing the wheel needs to come off, and the cover underneath removed. Honestly! who designs these things? Turns out the water is literally squirting out of the hoses where they connect to the container. Easy fix, couple of new clamps and some silicone around the end of the hoses, and she's as good as new! Next job, spicing up the yard a bit, and having fun with the big rock, planting some succulents in the holes. We went for a walk and "borrowed" some of the excess plants along the road and planted them in the yard :) And of course the little things around the house that need attention, like putting in a screen door in the back, fixing door knobs etc.. LOL, and my new boss would like for me to install a new ceiling fan at her home. Yep! Keeping busy.
Hmmmm, I think everyone could do what I am doing. Just got to believe in yourself and be open to possibilities coming your way. I guess I never tire of my own company I do enjoy meeting people though, but all in all, I am most comfortable being out in nature by myself enjoying the peace and quiet.
Hi bk brkr baker, Cuttle is right, I did spend 23 years in Hawaii on the island of Kauai. My son still lives there. I am not sure though if I wish to live there again. The cost of living is so high! When I left a gallon of milk was almost $8! Not to mention the high rent and gas. Beauty comes at a price! Hey Silke, any snow yet? I wished it was closer by, I would love to be in it for a few days!
LOL! I have to agree with Cuttle, it's just way too crowded here. I see you also live in NC, now that's some pretty country right there!
I hope so too Ben! Gonna google some dirt roads and ride them on my time off. That of course depends on how many shifts I got, and on how tired I am. :huh Lol! I am actually surprised to see how many Europeans, Canadians, and Michiganans there are here!
we had about 8" a couple of weeks ago - all is gone now... just frost at night. snow is a total hit and miss here, some winters we get snowed in for days, others we barely get any.
I camped in the Long Pine campground about 6 mi from the entrance to the park near Homestead. I went down to Flamingo but decided it was too far to town (I was waiting for a chain and sprockets to be sent)
I have bought almost every bead tool made. Most of them don't work. However, if you lay the wheel on the ground and put the kickstand on the tire very close to the bead and then rock the bike up on the kickstand so that it is pressing down on the bead, it works every single time. Easy Peasy. Very much enjoying your trip..... Dave
That doesn't make sense! How is one supposed to rock the bike kickstand on the tire, if one wheel is missing? If I did that then my handy dandy little jack rod that keeps the bike up, would fall down, and oh boy, what a pickle I would be in then!! The skinny rod is the tool I use for keeping Spirit up while I take the tire off, it seems to me putting the kickstand on the tire is not really ideal! The tool only supports the bike's weight, but will not stay in position if I I move the bike off it. :) It would be a great idea if I had a spare tire and I was in a garage, but on the road this will not work
\Thread-jack on. Well, the MP BeadPro bead breaker and spoon combo actually works well on everything I've tried them on, except the 150 on the back of my 950. And no, the side stand trick doesn't work well if you've only got the one bike.... /thread-jack off