Belated - my coastal trip!

Hi there. I am getting prepared for a big trip to Japan and Asia and I have been getting excited about my travel plans. Plenty of my travel in Japan will be by bicycle and I was scanning photos from my trip almost a year ago, from San Francisco to Portland. In doing this, I decided to make a little movie of my photos and the short amount of salvageable video that I had for user enjoyment. The second video runs a little long but for me helps illustrates travel by bicycle. Travel mostly involves zipping from A to B and then right onto C, snapping a photo and moving forward, bicycle touring, on the other hand, leads to many hours between destinations. This time permits plenty of time to taste what surrounds you, stopping where you wouldn't if you were in a car because it would make you late. Bicycle touring frees you of that constraint.
Anyways, enjoy.

Pacific Coast Bike Tour - San Francisco to Portland from DC Rider on Vimeo.

Goodbye Murrieta

This has been a very instructive last 3 months. I have had to learn how to be flexible, how to continue to make the best out of the situation in front of me, how to adapt, and how I am a cog (a unique one, but not irreplaceable). I was fortunate to work with such great people and really enjoyed getting to know them.
I felt like I had exhausted my entertainment in the area. I was sick of having to drive to san diego or los angeles when I wanted to do something fun. I had hiked/played around in much of the national forest at the back door, had taken a few trips out to joshua tree, and explored the area. I never did go a winery though, not certain if I had wanted to.
It'll be nice to be in San Francisco and not be the only person cycling, not be the only person who values alternative means of transit.
The city is set up at this confluence of interstates and all roads need cross them and must be have an off/on ramp. Vehicles would be flying up to make a partial stop and I was never certain how much they were really looking for people. Judging based upon the number of pedestrians v autos our emergency department serviced, I had not expected drivers to see me. After running the gauntlet of death bridges/underpasses, you would then find yourself in a sea of Model homes ("communites"- all with salad dressing names French Valley - theres 4, Valley Estates...). Only then would you find yourself in a more idyllic scene rolling farmland with barbed wire fences with tumbleweeds strewn across them like a poorly decorated wall all ran into the burgeoning wine industry, and all of the ground was covered in chaparral. You would soon be back into the sea of model communities then again fighting to not be struck by a passing car.
Murrieta certainly reinforced my ideas of what I value as a livable community.
Bon Voyage southern california.

Maddie's Song

it has begun. i met up with katherine for breakfast before leaving town. finished my jam job of packing this morning, i still need the urgency. i arrived into madison before i had expected and kinda surprised emily. we went over to her friends house and did bike stuff to get people ready for the riding season. we then went towards the capital with a few remnants of protests ongoing for dinner. the place reminded me of portland, with its farms listed and presented with the description, very refreshing. the last time i was around the capital building, i may have been dressed as a cheerleader, lost all of my group and was without my phone. this time was a bit better. i enjoyed emily as all get out, and love the midwestern expressions i have forgotten. i am reminded how fortunate i am to have such wonderful people surrounding be, ill find some more when i get to minneapolis.
do you think the people fishing in cities are doing it for sport or necessity?

just about on the road

my final day in michigan is here, and i am happy to be moving onward. i am enjoying my time home and have been able to see some old friends. i get to play softball with my sister tonight assuming the rain stops. i can see myself having my parents life and doing what they are doing and not living mine. i have been unloading and unpacking and trying to repack for the next few months and i find myself surrounded by clutter. too much stuff. i probably only use 15% of what i have weekly. i need someone to sort through and toss out my things. i bet i wouldn't know what was missing. maybe when im back in june for a few days ill be able to donate some items. i need to finish packing.
i have nights planned in madison and minneapolis then i will continue through the badlands for some camping. fortunately my car will be a little more comfortable. ill be out in seattle in 8 days!

stright outta dc

my sleep schedule is still a little tweaked from 4 consecutive night shifts. i have been saying goodbye and see you laters for the last 2 days. it has been really nice to see so many people who i depend on and love, but it serves as a stark reminder of what i am giving up. the doubts are endless. i was happy to wake up so early after my going away shindig last night, i was tired of saying goodbyes. i ended up on the road before the neighborhood woke up. i was tearful and emotional leaving the city i have lived in for nearly 3 years. im leaving many friends, many memories, and many things left undone. im certain that a few days on the road will help me. ill be making it to dinner with GJ, brr, kat, and tracie! time to put some miles behind me.

ill be here more

my final stretch at georgetown is here. ill be working 7 of 10 and then unemployed. it is a bit frightening but also exciting. im ready for what i find next. im happy that i am making this leap, and i think my decision will be reinforced once i make it out west. ill be in michigan for easter weekend then striking out on us 2.
i haven't let everyone know at work because i am not wanting to make a production out of it and really don't want to answer the same questions. im realizing that i may have made it into a bigger production by not having it in the open.
since i was last here, was able to sneak away up to boston, michigan for friday fish fry, then chicago on top of my local exploration. ill be posting photos and musings from my journey though.

ab

Working for the weekend

pedaling so quickly to work while everyone is out bebopping around. i am occasionally jealous of offices.