Off to Vegas Baby!

I'm leaving early this morning(September 30th) to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada. I am carrying my newest motorcycle with me and will meet up with some fellow travelers in an RV towing several motorcycles. Our shared destination is Las Vegas International Speedway for Inside Pass Track Day. We will be learning how to ride on the race track at somewhat less than race speeds. I'm excited to say the least. More later.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

LOOK TO THE RIGHT. See the little slideshow? I am updating my Picasa Web Albums and will use the feature on the right to let you preview an album. Periodically I will change the album being shown. If you want to see an album no longer showing just visit my Picasa page using the link below the slideshow. I welcome comments on any photos, constructive criticism on how to get a better shot, and allow downloads for free.

Oh, and here is a shot of the Chaho Gang.

Quick Note

Just a quick note to update the blog here: Sabine and her sister Dagmar are in town for their vacation and we plan to have dinner again tonight. Dagmar was tired from jet-lag last night having arrived from Switzerland via New York City just yesterday. Frank and Lynn are riding out to meet me today for a ride. Hopefully I'll have more time for Sabine and Dagmar later in the week.

Oh, a big happy 40th birthday goes out to Heather Walden! I hope you had a big and fun surprise last night.

I'm What?

(September 13, 2008) Today I turned 44. But it was all good. I had a wonderful day because it was a wonderful day. Clear blue skies, family, friends, and good health. I awoke to a dog jumping onto the bed with a balloon attached to her collar! My sister set that up. My sister also got me up to go hiking over in the Prospect Heights area along Grape Creek. Her friend Chris joined us and added some knowledge of the rocks and plants to help us better appreciate the ground we trod. Chris has a dog, too, who came along and kept us safe.

After hiking we visited a local car show and fund raiser for Hospice of Canon City. J.D. and his father both entered their cars and J.D. even won an award. Just the night before we had dinner and dessert with his family. Having grown up in a big family my sister and I really appreciated being a part of this one for the evening. For lunch today we went over to "The Owl" on Main Street and ordered several burgers and fries.


Later in the evening my sister and I built a small fire on the patio and enjoyed the cooler evening air and some smores. It turns out that the first smore I made would be my birthday cake with a candle in it. I did make a wish that I hope comes true, but I can't tell you what it is.

The next day I was visited by some old friends from Nashville. I took them up to a picnic area that overlooks the Royal Gorge and bridge. I hope that was an entertaining choice for them. We did get to see the aerial acrobatics of the local helicopter pilot who knows no fear. I was very glad that they were willing to come down and see the small community I decided to call home.

The Yellow Time Machine

Here I am standing next to my new "death machine". Right now it is not running for some strange reason. But it ran very well the day this picture was taken. Because of the amount of newly available horsepower this bike has brought into my life I plan to attend a track day in Las Vegas in a few weeks. I want learn how to handle this bike with better skill than I currently have. The reason for calling it a time machine is because it has the capacity to make people in your mirror disappear!

On the day this picture was taken I went for a ride through the heart of Colorado with some fellow riders. Up on the high plains area known as South Park(yes, that South Park) I felt almost high, like John Denver sang about. One must remember to keep their hands on the handlebars and not reach up in the air to soar with the eagles! The downside to riding the motorcycle through this landscape is that I don't want to stop and take pictures of it. I may have to go back one day with a donkey or mule so I can slow down and take time to set up some good shots. I shall return.

Last blast for the Blast?

Last weekend I had a full day of riding on my Buell Blast on a beautiful Colorado day. I joined up early with my friends Frank and Lynn and rode along with them for about 100 miles of their trip to Ignacio. Despite nearly running out of gas on the last 15 miles with them I couldn't simply return back home so I headed north to Buena Vista, refueled, and headed up to Cottonwood Pass. Boy, the Blast isn't meant for altitudes above 10,000 feet! It became extremely anemic and I found myself downshifting into first and second gear to make it up the last mile to 12,000 feet. Oh well, it has good brakes and handles like a dream going downhill. This may be the last big trip for the Blast under my care. I bought a 2003 XB9s today and it is a hot rod. More about that bike later, but for now I think this is a fitting picture to remember my Blast by.