From Humble Beginnings...

 

"Are you talking about your upbringing on the west side of Sioux City?" you ask.  Thanks for asking, but no.  That was, indeed, humble; but I'm talking about the precursor to this blog.  Starting back in the early 90s, when it was very expensive to make a cell phone call (we carried one - a bag phone - for emergencies), if Joan and I were out traveling, we stayed in touch by standing in line at an RV park to use the pay phone.  To keep Stephanie and my Mother in the loop, we would occasionally send out what we called: a travel newsletter.

For the earliest of those newsletters, we didn't have a digital camera, so I would use "cut art" to sort-of illustrate what we were doing...

 

I tried to keep things humorous.  It evolved into "The Traveling Enquirer" where I may have tried to sensationalize what we were doing...

 

By 1996, we bought our first digital camera and were able to include actual photos into the newsletter.  There would always be a Christmas edition that went out to more family and friends.  Then came requests to be included in the weekly (or so) newsletters that went out.  Printer ink got more expensive while cell phone costs dropped.  By the turn of the century (that's 2000 not 1900), a PCMCIA card in the laptop meant we could send an electronic version of the newsletter.  I continued making the printed version, mostly for my Mom, Steph, and a copy for ourselves.

In 2008, off to Yellowstone for the first of our "fun summer jobs," I started this blog so Steph could see, daily (or so), what we were doing.  I continued with the printed newsletters... until 2012.  My dear ol' Mother passed away in 2011, so the printed newsletter was just for Steph and us.  The newsletters were still once-a-week (or so), where the blog was "same day" updates.  In 2012, I discontinued the printed newsletters in favor of this blog.

Over time, the blog developed a following.  It went from a few views a day to a hundred views a day to several thousand.  Probably had something to do with writing the book about our travels with Molly the cat and using Facebook to link the book and this blog.

Not long after that, I decided Facebook had gotten overly weird for my tastes, so I tightened my account down to just people I actually know (going from "public" to "friends").  I stopped linking the blog or even talking about it on any social media.  Most days, the number of visitors here is between 200 and 500.  I think most folks are just interested in what Molly, then Izzy, and now Rufus are up to.  ;-)

Yesterday, I started making digital copies of years worth of images.  Towards the end of that task today, I came across some of those very early newsletters.  Humble, indeed.

And this birthday edition for my Mother's 75 birthday (in 1996)...

Cinco de Mayo...

 

It is the 5th of May and everyone is Mexican for the celebration.  Much like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  Seems that a lot of people don't really know why the 5th of May is a day of remembrance in Mexico.  Allow me to explain...

Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England .

In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.  This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico.

But, as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York . The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss.  Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as -

Sinko De Mayo. 

 

 

Going My Way...

 

If you said, "Wow, Jim, you are really reaching - that is an old musical (1944) staring Bing Crosby," you get 50 bonus points.

On the way out to our storage unit (the big one, with the motorhome in it) this morning, we had a discussion.  In my mind, it was a very serious discussion.  Right up there with deciding to make this move to Arizona.  (Yes, that was a very big deal to me.)  The topic: I want to go north this summer... to get out of the sub-tropical heat and (most importantly) get to some good motorcycle riding.  For me, that means: Hart Ranch in the Black Hills.

Hart Ranch allows you to make reservations 60 days in advance.  Today being the 4th of May (Star Wars Day - "May the Forth be with you."), that would put me making a reservation starting on the 4th of July... good luck with that.  Joan didn't want to leave here until mid-July (due to all this moving stuff, which we continue to work at)... I would prefer to go much earlier than that.  She compromised and said, "See if you can get us in there around the end of June."  I called immediately, got through to Reservations, and was told: "There are two sites left in the pet area during that time..."

"I'll take one!"  You can only reserve for 21 days at a time.  That time puts us there over the 4th of July.  They have a policy now that you have to pay for the whole reservation in advance if it spans a holiday... and no refunds.

This is a commitment.  The nice lady in Reservations asked, "Do you want me to go forward with this reservation?"

"Absolutely!"  An executive decision on my part, as Joan was out loading stuff into the car while I was in the motorhome, with a calendar and a site map.  Done!  Less than two months, and I get to do some truly fine motorcycle riding!

With that done, Joan asked me to book something in Phoenix for November and December.  That is tougher to pull off... the places we have stayed in the past don't take reservations for monthly stays until June 15th or July 1st.  I gave it a go.  I had a plan: be willing to pay more for a weekly rate, and skip past the "you can't book until ___ dates for the monthly rentals."  The lady at this RV park told me she would "get in trouble" for doing that.

I said, "You will get in trouble for making the company more money?  That doesn't make sense."  She had to think about that for a minute.  I continued, "You will get almost twice as much rent from me, and I will be in a site that I know you have space in, since these are the less desirable sites."  (The sites are at the far back end of the park and are close together - they use them mainly for overnighters, or (as of last year) weekly rentals.  I was using my best combination of persuasion and desperation.  She had to go talk to someone there about this proposal.

She came back to the phone and said, "The manager OKed it."  I booked the dates and gave her a deposit.  Joan will be relieved that we have a place to say in Phoenix until the new house is finished.

Things are going my way.  Ducks are lining up.  Leaving the big storage unit, we drove to the new small storage unit (we are paying a lot of rent these days) to drop things off that will eventually go into a U-Haul Cube.  On the way there, Joan asked, "How would you like to do pizza - we can pick it up after we drop off stuff at the thrift store?"  Another big score for me!

One painful moment at the small storage unit: I had to toss a couple of night stands that Joan had made for us in 1978...

 They have been sitting in storage since we left Spearfish in 2006.  I have a sentimental attachment to them, because Joan made them.  Really, she took a cabinet-making class, and the pair of these were her project.  They are built solid, but would need to be "rehabbed" to make them usable and would still likely be too small (short) for our bedroom in the new house.  I said, "Keep," she said, "Toss."  We compromised and I tossed them.  It hurt.

But... Hart Ranch and pizza!  I'm calling today a win.  We have places to be when we want to be there.  I got Russo's pizza.  We picked up the pizza on the way home from the thrift store... the lady there was delighted to get a portable ice maker and an air compressor (with a tank) to resell.

Two more bins came home for us to go through, as time allows.  Pretty sure it is mostly RV stuff.  As of today, the only things left in the big storage unit are the motorhome and a few RV related items that we will load into the motorhome.  That was another big "done" today.

We are definitely "beyond the hump" with this packing stuff.  Oh, there's still more stuff in the house, but most of it is stuff we will use until the day we leave.

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Memories...

Yeah, a zillion artists and songs by that name.  One of the boxes for me to go through is old photos.  My goal is to get these copied digitally, so when my time comes, Steph and Joan don't have to sort through them.  My old band days (several different bands).  Three airplanes.  Photos of Joan and Steph when we were all young.  Several photos of my Dad that I don't remember seeing before.  A VW bus.  A Dodge Street Van that I converted into our first "Class B Camper" (that term didn't exist back then).  Our first house.  Our first studio.  Scads of contracts from band gigs.  The contract that I signed with American Management Enterprises that gave them the publication rights to any songs I wrote back in the day (when I was in the Flippers).  My birth certificate (proof that a Gypsy didn't throw me up on the porch and then ran like hell... as my Mother and sisters used to tell me.  Yeah, that's funny because people were afraid back then that Gypsies would steal their babies - apparently, they didn't want me.).  Ski trips (see, I used to be a "winter person").  A Mustang II (yes, I am still embarrassed by that one).  My dog Bonnie that I had as a kid... yeah, the dog that bit the neighbor and my Mom told me "Bonnie is going to the farm"... when what she meant was: Bonnie bought the farm!!! (I didn't find that out until I was in my 40s.)  

Hundreds of images and papers.  I shot until the light gave out.  My back was close behind (on giving out).  I made it about 2/3 of the way through that box.  This may be the toughest part of packing all this stuff up.  This takes a lot of time... probably because I would say to Joan, "Hey - look at this!"  Frequently.  ;-)

It's a Wet Heat...

 

We've all heard that "it's a dry heat" description when talking about the Arizona weather.  Here in the Tropical Tip, it is very different.  I was up early this morning, and just before 6:00, it was 76º and 83% humidity.  Didn't change much by the time I got out for a bicycle ride at 7:30... I opened the door and felt the warm, humid air.  I like it!  I took in a deep breath of that salt air.  Vitamin Sea.

Looking to the east while on my ride...

Those clouds aren't a sign of an incoming storm - that is typical low clouds that come with the humidity.  Being right on the water keeps our temperatures more moderate; from that low of 76º, today's high is expected to be 81º.  I'm good with not having big temperature fluctuations from day to night.  When that move to Arizona happens, I will miss this climate.  And this time of the year is quiet - we're between the winter and summer crowds.

If you see a dot in the sky, at the lighter part, in that photo above, that is the aerostat that the Coast Guard has up there, keeping an eye towards the border.

After my bicycle ride, I got out on the CTX.  No need for a jacket today; I geared up with my summer riding pants (mesh panels) and the mesh armored over-shirt...

I took a photo of just the CTX, too...

I enjoy my morning rides, timing it before the beach crowd gets out, and after the workers roll in.  The causeway is blissfully uncrowded.  Riding through town is relaxed with the light traffic.  And the breeze moving through my mesh gear feels good at this temperature and humidity.  Nice way to start my day.

The Differences...

 

Bike content coming up.  For those of you who just look in here to read about Rufus, here you go...

I got out on Joan' Xmax today.  I know I have compared the two bikes here in the past, but each time I ride it, it drives home how very different they are (between the Xmax and my CTX).  The Xmax is a sporty scooter; good power to weight ratio, nimble handling, and fun to ride.  My CTX: good handling, good power to weight ratio, and fun to ride.  Well, that kind of sounds about the same, doesn't it?  That's the thing with scoots and motorcycles: they should be fun to ride.  And if it isn't fun, why would you do it?

Oh, sure, some people will tell you that they are more economical than a car.  And for going from here to there, that is true.  But, if you need to take stuff with you, or bring a couple people along, the two-wheel conveyance loses out.  I don't have to tell you about the difference when the weather turns to crap; too hot, too cold, or anything falling from the sky.

That said, there are so many different kinds of bikes: off road, adventure, commuter, cruiser, crotch-rocket... most people would be hard pressed to give you reasons why bikes (and I put scooters in that category) are practical.  But, those of us who ride do it because it is fun.  If it stops being fun, that is when a bike becomes a "garage queen."

Joan's Xmax and my CTX are both powered two-wheel conveyances.  Hers is lighter, sits taller, has smaller wheels, and has great native storage (that under-seat storage area is impressively large).  Mine weighs more, has more horsepower, sits lower, and only has nearly the same storage because of an after-market trunk on the back.  The Xmax gets its power to the rear wheel via a CVT transmission (Continuously Variable Transmission); it doesn't have gears in the traditional sense - the CVT is always trying to keep the bike at the right amount of power to the rear wheel.  My CTX has gears, but you shift them with the Dual Clutch Transmission... some people call it an "automatic" transmission, and it is, but not in the same sense as a typical car transmission.  This uses a computer to determine when to shift (instead of a torque converter like most car transmissions), and is programmable to make it more sporty or to go for the best fuel mileage.  You feel each shift on my CTX; you don't feel it on the CTV transmission on the scoot.  I can up or down shift manually, as the situation warrants; you can't do that on a scooter.

Both bikes have a tube frame, with body work over that.  The CTX is a bike you throw a leg over; the Xmax has a lower portion in front of the seat that you can put your foot over.  The CTX has a twin cylinder engine that sits in the frame, with the cylinders canted forward about 60º; the Xmax is a single cylinder engine with the engine and CVT sitting on the swing arm.  Both engines are relatively smooth, with the CTX having a 270º crank that gives the "throb" of the engine some character.

The CTX is a motorcycle - it just comes equipped with that DCT transmission that allows you to "twist and go."  Or shift manually (up or down).  The Xmax is a scooter (which is another category of motorcycle in most states); also a "twist and go," but you don't get any choice with a gear, whether for better acceleration or engine braking.

There are some (OK, a bunch) in the riding community that think a scooter is "less of a motorcycle"... that it doesn't take the same skill/knowledge to operate.  Both of these will take you to illegal speeds, if you choose.  The Xmax will get better fuel mileage doing it.  The CTX has bigger, wider wheels and tires, giving you a bigger contact patch where "the rubber meets the road."

One isn't better than the other.  They are more alike than they are different.  I got sold on the whole scooter premise when my hip got to the point that I couldn't throw a leg over the motorcycle I had at the time.  Smaller, lighter, and easier to mount scooters kept me riding.  Truly, I enjoy riding both of these bikes... but, the CTX is a better fit for me.  Just like the Xmax is a better fit for Joan.  Ergonomics and weight matter.

Yeah, that's a file photo above.  The CTX looks bigger, because... it is.  Weighs 100 pounds more, longer wheelbase, bigger engine (by more than twice the displacement).  I look taller than Joan because I am closer to the camera - I'm about 3" taller.  She is "sleeker"... it's that displacement thing again.  ;-)

 

Progress...

 

"Are you talking about Artificial Intelligence, Jim, 'cause that stuff seems pretty creepy to me?"

No, and I agree with you about AI.  You can't trust video or audio anymore because that can be faked with AI.  Load in a couple samples of someone's voice, and the AI can spit out a song in that voice; or fake a phone conversation.  I saw a piece over the weekend, where AI can write a song - you give it the style you want, put in a few key words (broken heart, trucks, my dog, beaches, etc, etc) and it will give you a melody/chords in that style along with lyrics.  That is beyond creepy.  There have been reports where people have been scammed by creeps who call your phone and say they have kidnapped your kid and put on someone who is crying who sounds exactly like your kid... they can get the "voice print" from a TikTok or YouTube video and the AI makes it sound "correct."

Enough about that.  The progress I am talking about doesn't rely on Artificial Intelligence.  I have mentioned that we are "pooling resources" with Steph and Dan to build a NextGen home.  Separate, but attached by a couple adjoining walls.  Separate entrances.  Separate garages.  Think: duplex(ish), but one side smaller.  Patios that open to different directions, but a shared yard.  Separate living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.  We are comfortable that we have the details worked out so we will all be happy.

Since we are no longer in the Phoenix area, Steph and Dan have been sending us weekly progress photos.  Two weeks ago, the developer broke ground.  Last week, the "footprint" of the house was staked out and utilities put in place.  This week, the foundation (slab) is being built...

Progress.

And as far as Artificial Intelligence goes, I have little concern that it will "take over," because there will always be more Truly Stupid out there.  Remember: half the population is below average in intelligence.  There is an upper limit to intelligence, but there is no bottom for stupid.

May Day...

 

When I turned the page on today's cat calendar, Joan said, "May Day."  Of course, she was saying that because it is the 1st of May.  As a former pilot and boat captain, when I hear "May Day," I don't think of gift baskets and dancing around a pole... no, potential bad situations come to mind.

Typical late spring day here: warm, sunny, and breezy.  I think I'll get in a motorcycle ride before the wind pipes up.

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Out for a ride, and an "Oh, shit!" moment.

No, no one pulled out in front of me.  As I was heading off our island, our bridge was out, so I got to wait for a couple minutes...

I was tentatively planning on riding inland, but I could see the traffic on the causeway was light; the SSE wind would make it a crosswind while riding across the causeway, but it hadn't built, yet.  So, a right turn and onto the causeway.  A beautiful morning, the water is a nice shade of blue, with whitecaps just starting to form on the bay.  Traffic was very light as I rode up Gulf Blvd.

I decided to take a cruise past my favorite mural: the Wyland Whaling Wall on the sides of the SPI Convention Center.  Such a pretty morning, I stopped to get a good profile of the CTX with the stock seat on it...

To my eye, the bike looks more sleek with that seat.  Stepping back a bit, I could see just a piece of the Whaling Wall beyond the greenery...

I decided on another lap around and a photo stop at the wall...

I turned off the main drag through town to see how the road construction was going on Laguna Blvd, the road closest to the bay (Laguna Madre).  It has been torn up for over a year, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the portion to the north now looked like Gulf Blvd, with two lanes and a separate bike/walking lane.  Looks nice... until it didn't... the portion in the middle is still tore up and gravel.  Back to Padre Blvd.

Rolling back onto the causeway, the wind had built - more whitecaps on the bay, and the wind gusts were moving me a bit.  And then, the "Oh, shit" moment.

No, nothing that threatened life and limb - as I was starting up the raised part of the causeway, I could see a seagull out of the corner of my eye.  I flinched, expecting impact.  I could hear the sound of his wings flapping wildly over the engine on the bike and wind.  Pretty sure, the bird had more of an "Oh, shit" moment than I did... not to be overly graphic about it, I was glad I had the face shield closed on my helmet.  Bird excrement.  On my helmet, my jacket, and the bike.  Now, it was my turn to say, "Oh, shit!"

Nothing I can do about it until I get home and can use some Clorox Wipes to clean things up.  As I came up to the bridge to our island, the stop gate came down - looking east, I could see a barge coming, so this is going to be more of a wait...

After a few minutes, the barge got close...

And his turn through our bridge opening...

Followed closely by a Homeland Security pursuit boat...

With 4 big outboards across the back of that boat.  Now, the wait for the bridge to swing closed.

Back home, I got the Clorox Wipes and went to work cleaning the bike, my helmet, and my jacket.  It was fresh, so it came off easily.  Just before putting the bike away, my neighbor Jack (who rides a Harley) came by walking his little dog (named Harley).  We had a good mostly-motorcycle visit. 

With a good ride in, I can now take on my day.  I sat down to write this post and Rufus jumped up on the chair, giving me a firm good-morning head-butt.  He turned his head towards my shoulder, sniffed, and did the "open mouth cat sneer"... a good portion of the bird excrement hit me in the shoulder... the jacket has some mesh in that area... Ruf could obviously smell the remnants, even though there was nothing to see.  Time for a shower.