i've never blogged before. well, that's not totally true. i suppose i have blogged before on myspace, but myspace is some alternate reality that bears no resemblance to actual happenings or human interactions, so i feel safe in calling this the first. in addition, this is the first blog from my travels. if you don't know, i've packed up my car and taken to the road, equipped with a few articles or clothing, more books than i can possibly read in three months time, the essential toiletries, a couple cameras, my bike, mild apprehension, spicy excitement, sweet emotion, and salty potato chips.
don't be jealous.
my first stop landed me in tualatin, oregon (about 19 miles outside of portland, the trip's place of origin). apparently alternator belts are not supposed to be shredded. however, cabbage and cheese and good when shredded. six hundred dollars later, i was on the road, headed for humbolt county, california, where crow and fidget (my first travel partners) spend a few months every year. making it to eureka and our sleeping quarters for the night by twelve a.m., the first day was completed with only a minor, very expensive bump in the road.
day two was wonderful. spike's house, where we stayed the night, was a party in the morning. eve made breakfast, crow made coffee, fidget and spike caught up, which gave me a glimpse into the world that is humbolt county, ali showed pictures of queeruption, brooke bounced in with the energy that i imagine can only be generated from living in such a sustainable, off-the-grid kind of place, and i took it all in. i hope my quietness didn't appear rude. i truly appreciated every moment of my brief stay there, and especially appreciated the hospitality. after breakfast i took crow to garberville (gawbawille, if you're german) and would have spent the afternoon enjoying that quaint little town if i didn't have such a long drive ahead. drive drive drive. about ten p.m. i made in to san luis obispo (slo) and had dinner with my dear friend, smead. after sleeping on his couch, i took in some of the changes in slo that have occurred since i left in 2001, and then took off for l.a.
and here i am, in l.a., at a cafe with pretty good coffee, art on the walls by local artists, and only one bike parked out front (mine). in a way, l.a. is part of my journey. it is hard to consider it as such though, since i know so many people, and spent about 20 total years here. ah well, i guess i'll have to wait and see what is to be discovered for me in l.a.
