road trip

Blog Cancelled

mikemjensen kayaks, lake powell, Road Trip, Shame on Me, Writing Tags: , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Hey Kids,

I know that the rule of thumb is to do it every day.

The true professional, or the person most wanting to succeed, must put in the time, put in the practice, or punch the clock as it were; every day whether you feel like or not. I’ve adopted this approach to writing and especially in writing this blog.

Every day I put effort into this blog to bring something thoughtful, humorous, or to share my own ideas, values, or personal achievements. But today I’m not going to do my blog. I’m sorry but I can’t. You see after traveling the two-thirds length of Utah and arriving for our maiden voyage on our houseboat, I did something really stupid.

We arrived at the lake, unpacked all of our equipment and loaded the boat docked in the slip, I returned to our vehicle to release the kayaks from their roost on the roof. Although the same wind that blew against us the entire road trip continued to howl, I removed the ties from one of the kayaks and turned to tend to the strap I had just removed.FHD1839

The kayak, carried in the wind, much like it would on the water, landed straight onto the top of my head and nearly knocked me down to the ground.

The blood flowed. My wife and her daughter came to save me from bleeding to death and we got the other kayaks unloaded and transported to the boat.

Since then, my head gash, my neck, and my pride are going to keep me from writing my blog tonight and sharing what could otherwise be seen as a rather stupid and embarrassing event.

Please accept my apology and continue to think I’m as cool as I try to portray within the posts of this blog and to believe that I never do the same things as stupid people do.

 

Post 3-134

55

mikemjensen History, Road Trip, Useless Observations Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

Remember when road trips took forever? Whoever thought 55MPH was a good idea, never had to drive across Nevada. Especially between Reno and Salt Lake City. We did it at least once every year.

I-80 was the name of the road, but it wasn’t finished for years. When the Interstate approached the small towns of Lovelock, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, and Elko; the road ended and all traffic was diverted through the middle of town. In addition to the slower speed limit, these diversions made the trip go even longer. What now takes maybe 8 hours, used to take 12-14 hours.No_55

We covered 300 miles today in 5 hours. Mostly 2 lane roads, some with passing lanes, we still traveled faster than the old 55.

And with air conditioning. Good air conditioning. I’ve crossed that desert a few times without it but I can do without that merit badge.

Traveling has changed a lot in my life time. Some of it I miss, like actually seeing the small towns you zoom pass now, but most of it do not. I think on this subject, progress has served us well.

What’s the line from the Billy Joel song- “The good old days weren’t always that good, and tomorrow isn’t as bad as it seems.”

Because, in the words of another song, but this time by Sammy Hagar; “I can’t drive 55.”

 

Post 3-106

“What’s on Your Mind?”

mikemjensen lake powell, Road Trip, Utah, Vanity Tags: , , , Leave a comment

OK, this might seem more like a Facebook update than a blog post but here’s the story.

The day started out early, around 4:30. I got up did the morning routine, got me and my bike to the day job, did my full day there, got back home, packed the 4Runner, and got out of Dodge, er, Salt Lake.

Most of my pontificating will be done within the echos and cobwebs of mind as I watch the little dotted lines of the 300 miles of roadway fly past us. I’ll sing a little, cuss at other drivers a little more, and count down the miles as we roll through each town on the way.

In the morning, I’ll wake up floating atop 100′ of liquid happiness, other wise know as Lake Powell.

I love being where I belong.

Post 3-104

Didn’t Give in to Sunday

mikemjensen Road Trip, Vanity Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Hey kids,

It would’ve been so easy to just wake up today and call it a rest day at home. But we didn’t.

With the Friday night bike ride, the street fair yesterday, and the late night waiting up for the kids to return from the concert with possible car troubles; it would’ve been easy to just pack it in.

Instead we got up, made some pancakes, and got our butts to the lake.FHD1643

My kayak is still out of commission but we grabbed our life jackets, the inner tube from my fishing float tube, and a picnic lunch. We made it for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.

I work overnight tonight and we’ll have to leave well before I will want to, but I feel accomplished, like I didn’t give in.

To me that’s everything.

 

Post #50-61

Travel Day

mikemjensen Motorcycles, Road Trip Tags: , 2 Comments

Hey Kids,

It’s a bittersweet day today.

I left work early. = good!

Rode 140 miles to the south on the Yamaha, letting the 1900cc motor do what it was made for- chewing up the highway. = good!

The rains had surrendered to mostly sunny skies and warmer temps. = good!

Started out with a good tail wind. It seems like the past few times out, I’ve only had head winds. = good!

No cop entanglements. = good!

Reached my destination at a family gathering. Met some people I had never met before. Saw others I wish I could see more often. = good!

Uncle Lamaun

Uncle Lamaun

With so many things going good, how can this be a bittersweet trip?

My uncle’s funeral is tomorrow. = bad.

And a big bad too.

 

Day 206