All about scooting...

It's been in my blood since I was a kid. It'll suit me just fine.
You lucked out with the classical version. Mine was a $25 steel string with the action about an inch off the neck.

Since we are putting the house on the market after restoration is complete and moving full time to Breckenridge I'm not even putting the rest of the wall mounted shelves backup.

Flooding is not common in that part of Houston. Harvey was a 500 year flood. All of the flooding that has happened in various parts of Houston in the last 5 years didn't come up above the drain in our driveway. So isn't like flooding is a common occurrence. We did have some ceiling mounted storage for bicycles and other items but took it down to paint the ceiling. Those will be moved to Breckenridge.

The shelf above the Vespa is currently being used to store all the extra helmets and other bits of scooter/motorcycle related kip.

My son came over this morning to be there for the workmen since my husband's flight back to Houston last night was cancelled. I told him not to take the BV so either walk or take the RAV 4 he and his brother share. He took the RAV and the workmen scheduled for 8 am never showed, never called -grrr. The one scheduled for 9:30 called and said he'd be an hour late but at least he called. I expect he'll be back on the BV when school reopens tomorrow. For some reason with all the freeways closed this morning so were all the schools. Houston doesn't handle ice on the roads well at all and apparently every overpass was covered in ice so they simply shut them down.

On a side note, I saw a scooter on the road by the grocery store in Breckenridge today. Sadly, too much ice to take one of our PTWs into town. Heck, can't even get one out of my driveway though the roads right around my house are clear and dry for a mile anyway. That's the benefit of being on the bus route but even the plows can't do much about the deep shade areas further down.

Sometimes you have to know when to say when. After the previously mentioned "Harley rolling in the snow" incident, I don't want to be on two wheels if there is even a slight chance of slippery roads. This has been an unusual winter so far in Texas... didn't get out of the 30s today. At latitude 26!

Cheryl, I hope the last of your home repairs go fast and smooth. Getting any kind of service done around here is worse than pulling teeth. We have been fortunate that the contractor who built our house has continued to be helpful if we need anything... but even he can't make subs show up when scheduled. It didn't take long for us to learn that mañana doesn't mean: tomorrow; it just means: not today.

I havent ridden in a few weeks now. its driving me nuts. I should just buy the balakalva and better gloves and go for it..

I can tolerate the cold better than riding in precip of any kind. When we used to ride "no matter what," heated grips and/or Hippo-Hands, a good fairing/windshield, electric vest, and lowers to tuck my legs in would make the ride more pleasant. Sometimes, Mother Nature forces you to take a break. Hope the time passes quick for you and you are riding again soon.

I agree that cold I can deal with somewhat, but wet ... no thanks. That's why they invented cars with heaters and tops. And we don't have ice here except really strange moments so that's not an issue. The Pacific Ocean stays at 52 or so all winter, and warms up to 59 in summer.

Water has a great moderating effect. Working boat jobs in the Pacific Northwest, I often had to "layer up" in the summer (water temps usually around 49 to 55º). Here at home on the Gulf, the water temperatures fluctuate from upper 80s in the summer to the low 50s when we have an extended cold spell (currently). It is a tough situation for the endangered sea turtles (cold blooded) who wind up cold shocked.

It generally keeps our temperatures warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than inland. At 39º this morning... well, so much for that generalization.

Too bad you aren't back up here in the warm (relatively) Pacific Northwest. Of course it is raining!

One more day of the crap weather, and we'll be back to the 70s. At 4 days, the weather weasels are calling this "the longest cold spell since 1988"... nothing to shovel, though.

Do you have an extra bedroom? I'll even bring my banjo! Won't you and "The Blonde" be the lucky ones!

This was the road in front of the man cave yesterday morning. No scootering today. At least not the two-wheel variety.
8 degrees with OMG windchill.

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We built this as a couple's vacation home. What would be the second (very small) bedroom is my guitar room. While a visit might be nice, the entire area has been declared a BFZ (Banjo Free Zone). Considering the culture, you are more likely to find an accordion around here. Do you know the definition of "perfect pitch"? When you throw an accordion into a dumpster and it lands on a banjo. (rimshot)

Scooter idea for you @CaptnJim?



Link

A great big huh-uh from me. Many people think motorcycles/scooters relate well to jet-skis... I would not be one of those people. A bike that you would ride into the water: even worse! All salt water is not created equal; our Laguna Madre (the bay) has a higher salinity than in the Gulf, due to the shallow water and not much flushing action from the tides and the limited openings to the Gulf. No matter how much you flush something like that in the photo, it would turn to rust right before your eyes here. Even without the rust... nope. In years past, I had been known to ride my motorcycle to the marina (or take my scoot to work driving commercial boats).

One of the things I appreciated about operating in the San Juan Islands: a law forbidding jet-ski use in the county.

I rented one once, just to try it. Didn't care for it. The proportion of accidents/injuries/deaths on the water is over-represented by those using personal watercraft (jet-skis).

Well to be honest Jim, I was pulling your leg. You don’t seem much like a jet-ski guy Folks who hang on the tug forum rarely are.

LOL - I have a lot of friends on the tug forum; most are more interested in comfort as opposed to zipping around on "sea lice."

Running commercial boats in the Pacific Northwest, I saw a grand total of one jet-ski... north of the San Juan Islands, in the Strait of Georgia. My first mate said, "I didn't think those were legal here?'"

"Well, we're on the border between US and Canadian water - they may have come down from Vancouver, BC. I would say that driver has more balls than brains, but the water temp out there is around 49º... probably not much in the way of balls, either."

They rent those things around here, and they are a real nuisance.

We are enroute to Phoenix. We left home earlier than first intended - our little furry girl has been having medical issues which turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer. Our local vet suggested we find an animal surgical specialist, since there are none of those in our area. We didn't make it to Phoenix... last night in Tucson, we did the final act of unselfishness with the help of a very kind and compassionate staff at an emergency animal hospital.

Little Izzy (Isabella) has been our constant companion since we rescued her from a shelter nine years ago. She was sickly and frail at that time, but she blossomed into a beautiful longhair with a wonderful personality. She was very adaptable to our traveling lifestyle. She traveled with us by boat and RV, coast to coast to coast.

Truth be told, Izzy and Joan picked each other - when we rescued her from the shelter, I saw the looks on both of their faces when Joan first picked her up... I knew that we'd taking that little furry girl home. I am fortunate to have been along for the ride.

Our hearts are broken. I know all the reminders that hurt right now will eventually be happy memories.

This post has been very tough - truly nothing to do with scooting, but that wonderful little feline was with us to all the great places we have been, boating, RVing, and scooting.

RIP Isabella

Condolences Jim and joan. It hurts losing our furry friends. Sending thoughts your way.

Jim, I'm so sorry to hear of Izzy's passing. It's always so tough to lose a member of one's family. I always enjoyed reading of Izzy's exploits when i'd check into your blog.

My condolences to you and Joan.