Happy New Year!

Happy New Year All!

I hope your day was as great as mine, mainly hiking with new friends at the Elfin Forest.

Much love

I am going to sign this one Cloudbuster, just because I miss it.

Big Body Benz's

My new west coast ride:

1980 Baby Blue Mercedes Benz, runs on waste veggie oil. Mad hippie points :)
Help me with a name... I would describe her as squishy and slow.

So Chris and I drove all the way to LA to pick up her Surly Long Haul Trucker, so jealous..... but I roll hard with the Jamis. 

I am stuck on the phone, ebay, and amazon most of the day. I need to get my gear together for this bike trip, its just moving so slowly. 

Anyone know of a rear rack that is reasonably priced? I have been looking at the Surly Nice Rack and the tubus, but might have to settle for a planet bike,etc.

Anyhow, I found this company on Amazon called Green Guru. They make a bunch of different products out of upcycled/recycled bike tubes:

 http://store.greengurugear.com/high-rolla-bike-tube-pannier-p-881.html

I was going to give them a call, see if they could help Chris or I with some bike panniers. Cross your fingers for me. 

Anyhow, this photo surfaced on facebook:

NO HAM SANDWICH

Start the revolution :)

Poison Moon

"Cut loose in a nightmare, cast off in my dreams
If home is anywhere that I can hang my hat
Then it's coming apart at the seams
My luck is hanging upside down
I try to hold on tight
But money's rolling out of town
And love slips right out of sight And these bones, they don't look so good to me
Jokers talk and they all disagree
One day soon, I will laugh right in the face of the poison moon
You look in the mirror
I'm sorry, but it can't be replaced
You're thrown straight out in that cruel parade
Buttoned down and laced
It starts like fascination, it ends up like a trance
You've gotta use your imagination on some of that magazine romance
And these bones--they don't look so good to me
Jokers talk and they all disagree
One day soon, I will laugh right in the face of the poison moon
One day soon, I will laugh right in the face of the poison moon"

By Elvis Costello
album: My aim is true

This is one of those albums that just appeared on my Ipod years ago, I think I have M@tty M@tt to thank for that one. It took me years to stumble across this album, sad since Costello is considered by many to be a father of punk. The bonus album with the demos/honkey tonk version of 'Poison Moon', and 'Blame it on Cain' rate in my 50 favorite songs. I also hope one day to sing those songs with some degree of confidence like Costello.

 I am off to drop the rent a car, and bike back to my aunts.

In French or in English

       It looks like I am heading south of the border, much love to all my fans back east, but I can't have a repeat of last winter. I have picked up a partner for my cycle tour down the Baja peninsula, and her name is Chris. I know Chris from the Baja Ha Ha, she was once a crew member of the ill fated 'Easy To Grin'. I am excited to have Chris join the team, she has minimal experience in cycling, but her passion for an epic adventure is what really matters. Wish us luck!

I am still mourning the loss of my Ipod, a real friend for almost 5 years. Boy do I miss the escape of my little black friend. I would just blast off to a place far away, just Elvis Costello, Captain Beefheart, and I. Just another possession I lost in San Jose.

I wasn't asking much Papai Noel, just a itty bitty chrome chain saw....I like this one:

Its only 15,000 grand you fat bearded bastard

Why is everyone so goo goo ga ga for Mumford and Sons? I don't get it. But then again I think Danzig is god, so forget my music taste. 

"MOOOOTTHHHHHERRR, 

tell your children not to walk my way,

tell your children not to hear my words, 

what they mean, what they say.

MOOOOTTTTTHEERRR."

You know what I like? Looking up lyrics for song I have know for years. Songs I have sung over and over again, and realize I royally corrupted the lyrics. My mind lyrics are better anyhow.


Another birthday has passed, it was a good one, nice and peaceful. I found myself at the hospital with my newly born second cousin, Yasdin. We have the same birthday Yasdin, but I hope to hell you have better taste in music, and less of a chemical imbalance.

Chemicals

I have discovered the strike-through button, look out.

I have been to a few shows here in San Diego, and they have been entertaining. I visited the West Coast Tavern on Thursday and had the privilege of hearing two musicians:  Josh Damigo and Jesse LaMonaca. I have nothing but respect for performers, especially when they are playing to a crowded self involved bar. The other show worth mentioning was Los Maricones de Rock, a Rolling Stones tribute band. I have been told this band gets together once a year on Christmas eve, I was fortunate enough hear them play.  

I made the trip down to the USS Midway museum, to pay a visit to a plane. Yes, a plane. My grandfather, Webster McPherson flew a SNJ on June 26, 1945 out of the USNATB Corpus Christi, TX.  That same SNJ is currently on display, so I made the pilgrimage to honor a man I never knew, and to fulfill a promise to my uncle.

Oh, and you know what I hate? Poorly maintained arcade machines, especially when they are multi-cades.

Family

So they say you can't choose your family, but you can choose whether or not to spend time with them. I am severely regretting that fact right now. The petty chatter between said family, makes my hair stand on end, and I put my hands in the universal mundra and just breathe breathe breathe....

I don't have enough gear to keep me alive, but I am about to get on my bike and just start riding....

Saddness

What a depressing place, this sunny city of San Diego. Rain Rain Rain go away. I would love to be watching the lunar eclipse, but looks like I am out of luck.

I just watched two Documentaries:

The Cove:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYKNCN1ESZM

And 180 degrees South:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK3TOHLFL50

These are both great films, both inspiring and depressing. Unfortunately I feel more depressed after watching these films, hopefully the inspiration will come in the morning.

San Diego

I am back in San Diego! I arrived last night after an 17 hour drive from Mulege (Baja California Sur). I want to publicly thank the gentleman who gave me a ride, Thank You Wayne. I met Wayne through the owners of 'The Shack' in Mulege, a great shack under the highway with 10 peso draught and great food.

http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=the%20shack%20mulege&init=quick&tas=0.8486303676621555#!/pages/Mulege/103791776326275

So I had my touring bike sent to San Diego... I have been very excited to get to this bike. I have been shopping for a touring bike for the past two years. Since Surly bikes turned down my proposal for a sponsorship earlier this year, I have been looking for the right bike for my budget. I picked up a bike for around $400 off ebay. I was so excited to see the bike, but my aunt sent me straight to bed like an excited child on Christmas eve. This morning I woke up and the first thing I wanted to see was the bike, what I saw made my spirits drop. The box was quite beat up, chunks of the box were missing, and parts of the bike had punctured the box.

So I am looking at a bent derailleur hanger, a few bents spokes, missing hardware, bent fender, and a lot of cosmetic blemishes. Ups really worked a number on the bike, but it really wasn't packed very well, so thank you American Cycles. I am waiting to hear back from the seller, hopefully something will happen, but I don't really feel like dealing with it.

The other package is my new Jetboil.... Thank you Jetboil for sending me all of this:

I also spoke to Jesse from Primal Foods, the makers of Primal Strips. Jesse is putting a team together for Primal Person travel campaign/documentary. He is also putting together a team for the Wild Canyon Games, check it out here:

http://www.wildcanyongames.org/Overview.php

Tonight I am looking at a 1966 VW Beetle to either drive east or back down to Baja California. I have been looking for a VW bus, but I think I might have to settle with a teal '66 cali bug. That or I found a cool 1922 Ford model T Rat Rod. That would be serious cool points.

Nima

These feeling wont go away...

I like wearing my hair down recently, I am not sure why. The blonde highlights are quite defined, telling me I have spent to much time in the sun, that and all my arm hair is blonde. Blondes really aren't my deal, I'd rather worship a dark haired women with soulful hazel eyes... the kind of eyes that make you howl at the moon.
I am about to turn another year... but I am ok with it. Last year I wasn't content, turning 25 and doing it alone. I don't know why 25 was such a dreaded accomplishment. I would joke when I was younger; I joked that I was a 25 year old model, that I would leave a young beautiful corpse. Joke. Time will tell, I still have a week.

I jacked the above image from my friends blog: http://motherswit.tumblr.com/   J, you have a way with words, I am truly jealous, but I am working on it. You are my friend and I am sorry I haven't been around for you through your dark times. You were certainly there for me last winter. Thank you.

 I left San Jose Del Cabo a week and a half ago, unsure if I was making the right decision. I live my life with to much regret, I still can't recognize that the past is the past. I started walking at midnight up the highway towards San Lucas. I took the afternoon off from La Semilla to pack up my few belongings, and I went out with the only person I ever felt truly close to in San Jose. The hoochie coochie man... a 54 year old street performer with few teeth, hips like Elvis, and a heart of gold. I will miss you Roberto.

Around midnight I returned to the place I was staying.... and had to witness a woman I cared about take someone else into her bed. A bed I spent more then a few nights in, one that I hoped I would share one last night. I tried to sit and read, but really that was just a cover up. You walked by me, not saying a word, but so much was bouncing back and forth between us.

I watched as you went to your room.
I waited for his return.
He sat across from me and had a smoke,
 I shook his hand at the end
His eyes full of innocence and love
Mine full of the most remote saddness
I watched as he walked to your room
I heard the sound of the doors closing,
one after the other
I watched as you closed the curtains
Do you know how that felt?
these feelings wont go away...

The desert is good medicine, as that night I went to a very dark place. I walked for hours, lost in deepest tar pit of hatred and self loathing. Simply put, I can't keep taking hits like this, I am just simply too involved. I wish I could go back to my mind eye at age 19, I need that right now.

The other night I had a breakdown of character... it was late and I stumbled on an old link to someones photo account. Why I clicked on it, I don't know why, maybe I am a masochist. Next photo, next photo. It won't happen again... I wish I could restrict who has access to my blog. But that is what happens when you have a public blog...words are easily read. I know you are reading this right now, you know what the difference between you and I is? I am discovering what it is to fight this alone for well over a year, and you are not. Does he know you send text messages to me? I am afraid not, but sometimes I ponder how he would feel if I told him the truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8cMy-Jmoso&feature=related

Mulege. I am in the town of Mulege. I am couch surfing with a 70 year old man who I believe has turrets, which is truly entertaining. He is so kind, and truly has the greatest laugh. I noticed that I need to get out of Baja for a little while, it to much of a party. Where is the intellectual exploration? Its just like JC said about San Jose, but it seems to involve most of Baja.

So I am hitch hiking my way up to San Diego. Time spent in La Paz and Cerritos was fun, all good stories for the book, but I need to get my bike.

Breakfast of Champions

"Here was the plot: a flying saucer creature named Zog arrived on Earth to explain how wars could be prevented and how cancer could be cured. He brought the information from Margo, a planet where the natives conversed by means of farting and tap dancing.
Zog landed at night in Connecticut. He had no sooner touched down than he saw a house on fire. He rushed into  the house, farting and tap dancing, warning the people about the terrible danger they were in. The head of the house brained Zog with a golf club."

I read that today on a hill overlooking San Jose del Cabo, and it brought warmth to my heart. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut is one of my all time favorites, and conversely the first book I had read by Vonnegut.

I am heading out of Baja... and I have mixed feelings about it. The weather is great, and the community is amazing for the most part. I think more then anything, I need my own place to be myself. I am living at Raices y Brazos, and though it is amazing, I feel awkard a majority of the time. I feel like most people are so open, and ready to be social. I feel the opposite, I just want my time to write, read, sleep, meditate, and so on without interruption. I do know of a squat in town, its being occupied by a street performer friend of mine, the Hoochie Coochie Man. I am going to check it out tonight.

My plans are to ride the touring bike (not a motorcycle) back east from San Diego, or buy an old VW bus/Baja bug and drive east, stopping and seeing friends along the way. I could just as easily ride from San Diego to Baja. I have a lot of farting and tap dancing going on in my head. :)

Type 2 detectives vw van, photo by Jonathan Mold

I want to give a HUGE shout out to JetBoil, the manufactures of you guessed it: The Jetboil stove. Here's the scope, if you have been reading my blog, as I know you haven't. I lost most of my hiking gear in a boat wreck a few weeks ago. I was really attached to my gear, especially the stove, as it had been with me for 5 years. I contacted Jetboil customer service after spending an hour or two typing up an email, explaining how much I loved there stove, and in the end its watery grave. Well, A rep named Whitney is sending me all the pieces to put my humpty dumpty stove back together, which is 90% of a new stove. I have nothing but good things to say about Jetboil, I will never own another stove. Take that you ultralight facists!

http://www.jetboil.com/

My next tattoo...

Yeah, I was wearing blue capri pants, you can't wear a kilt everyday!

San Jose del Cabo

I have been staying at this community center called Raices y Brazos after we left Ericks and Chris home in Gringo Hill on tuesday. Thanks again Erick and Chris for putting us up for a week, I know Dave and I really appreciate it.
Anyhow here is the link to the website:
http://raicesybrazos.com/category/sabor-de-amor/

This place is beautiful, Dave and I have been helping at the organic farm they are establishing, and I have been assisting in the organic cafe they just opened. I have been taking advantage of the studio: mediation, salsa, and yoga just to name a few.

I think Dave and I will stick around until the grand opening of the restaurant this saturday, and then the full moon party on sunday. I am considering flying back to Maryland, as I don't feel anything pulling me to stay in Mexico. I was hoping to get a ride from Arizona, but my cousin informed me that they will not have space. That or I am not welcomed my said partner of the infamous cuz. Oh well, nothing new in that part of the world.

Blah blah, talk to you soon.

RIP Easy To Grin

So, the boat is gone. Gone Gone. It drug anchor at night and washed up on the rocks. The loss I am feeling, even though it wasn't my boat... it fucking hurts. I put a lot of time and energy in that tri, and I didn't want it to end like this.

I just spent the day helping remove the remains off the beach, and the remainder snorkeling trying to find my few and precious belongings. I am left with a my ULA backpack, one trekking pole, a few tent stakes, the stove portion of my jetboil, and my sleeping bag. It could be worse, but my Wild Oasis tent, Arcterxy rain jacket, my beloved green Patagonia vest, all my thermal layers, and my cherished Thermarest Neo Air are all floating around in the Pacific. We are going back out in the morning to see if any of it comes back in with the tide. It funny that I hadn't snorkeled this whole trip, and now I am searching for the pieces of my life. At least, my hiking life. Those items kept me alive for over six months, 2,665 miles.

But I still have my life and we all walked away. We were sleeping on shore, at a friends place. What really sucks is when we got off the boat, I was going to take my entire backpack. It was calling me, and for some reason I just tossed some clothes in a smaller pack, and abandoned my duties to my gear. Somehow I think of Edward Norton... "That was not a bunch of stuff that got destroyed, it was me."

And its true, I can't survive without that gear. It was my home, my kitchen, my means of mobile existence. This shit doesn't happen in the mountains, I should have known better. :(

I told you an upbeat blog was coming your way, only not in this post. Please keep the skipper in your thoughts, he lost a lot more then I did. Sorry Dave.

Where should I start this entry? Up and downs recently, it seems that everytime I get to one of these loud in your face touristy places, I die inside. Everything is too loud, the drunk americans, street vendors, and fisherman asking if you want to go out an hook some poor fish. We spent the weekend in Cabo, because we couldn't clear customs or immigration until monday. We left Cabo San Lucas yesterday, with intention of sailing to La Paz, but we ended up 16 miles east at San Jose de Cabo. The reason, a fellow Ha-Ha 'er gave us a place to stay, and a tour of the local area. We are still in tourist heaven, but Erick who owns the house, is an old school surfer and has a really nice quaint place. We are heading out shortly to go snorkeling and surfing, the first of the trip. We were in such a rush to keep up with the Baja fleet, that we didn't get a lot of time to enjoy the sailing life style.

I am feeling a bit down and unsure of which path I should take. I have the opportunity to keep heading on from La Paz to mainland Mexico, but Easy to Grin will have to be in town for a few weeks for sail repair/upgrades. I have been traveling for 8 months or so, and I am feeling a bit worn out. I can continue on, or catch a bus up to San Diego from La Paz. From San Diego, I know of a free single speed Raleigh. My cousin Mike D is supposely driving from PA all the way to Arizona on a climbing trip. I thought a single speed bike ride to Arizona to San Diego would be trying, so I am trying to keep my options open. I know I mentioned going south to South America, but I might go home for a month or two, and rejoin the boat in El Salvador or Costa Rica. We will see.

Oh, and why can't americans cook? It seems to odd that people can't do more than make some toast. Three people, and none of them can figure out how to make potatoes? Especially after I made them potatoes numerous times, how hard is it to take a mental note? Onions, oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and add some heat, not rocket sience. I need some good vegan company, not that I really know anyone who has kept with it. :(
Ho hum

More upbeat blog to come soon, or so I hope.

Peace,
Nima, aka linus cloudbuster

Cabo!

We are in Cabo, Easy to Grin pulled in last night around 10pm, followed by a dingy ride to shore. Beers and cheapo mexican strip bars were in order. Just had some late breakfast and it is time to wander.

Viva la mexico
Nima

Turtle bay

Quick update

Easy to grin made it to turtle bay last night right around none pm. We had a great voyage even though we had many crew members jump ship the morning we left. Yesterday consisted of naked sun bathing, whales, good food, great company,and dolphins swimming next to the boat at night. It was one of the most magical scenes, the dolphins were disturbing the plankton as they surfed the wake of the bow. I wish you all could have seen it. Catch you on the flip side

Life

Life is good, it sounds so corney to say but it is true. So many people I know fully admit how much they hate their lives, or maybe just the direction. It saddens me to hear it, especially since i feel the complete opposite. My life is great, I am typing this blog from the cabin of "Easy to Grin", my vessel to baja Mexico. I got to san diego three days ago after a unusual rideshare from Arcata. I want to give a shout out to my two chickens Liz and Zoe, thank you for everything. Don't forget: "Get money, Get paid".

San Diego has been wonderful especially the skipper Dave. The crew is a faroginous group, but it seems like it will turn out well. Plans are possibly changing especially since several crew members are continuing to central and south America. We have a few surfboards on board, so here we come Costa Rica! I am sorry my md friends looks like I might not see you until next year :)

Great Shot...

 Drugstore sent me this group photo, and we all know I am vain, so I had to upload it. 

Spirit Hands

Hot Mess, DrugStore, Yours truly, Green Mile

I am in Eugene with Double Check and Tahoma 29, we are heading towards Sisters to make up the Ollalie Lake fire closure. Wish us luck. 

Walking South

Time is flying these days, like the pelicans we watched at the Oregon coast yesterday. It was good to see the Pacific, as the last time I saw it was in San Diego... nearly six months ago. Anyhow, Double Check and I had an amazing time in Vancouver, B.C, but like all trips, it was just not enough time. Double Checks brother gave me a ride over the border to Bellingham, which again was an action filled adventure.

 I spent the day in Bellingham and caught the bus to Seattle. I met little Clive Dasek, aka baby long legs. Nick you have a beautiful wife and son, thank you so much for sharing your life for a few days.

I jumped on a city bus for eight hours (three hours by car) to Portland a few days ago. I have been hanging out with Toothpick, Spoon Man, and Princesss. We took a trip to the coast yesterday, hoping to camp out on the beach, but the rain made us run back to the city. We did get to go bouldering at the gym, which is always amazing and frustrating at the same time. Someday I will be in an area long enough to see real progress....someday.

So the big news is I am going to Mexico! Yes Mexico, another stamp for the passport. Deeg you are losing, and losing bad. Anyhow, I am sailing out of San Diego Harbor on Oct 25, heading for Cabo San Lucas. I found a vessel, a 31' trimaran, which is super exciting.  LETS GO BAJA HA HA!!!

Anyhow, itinerary is to hit up Eugene tomorrow, then south to see Liz and Zoe in Arcata. If anyone in San Fransisco wants to put me up, I would love to see the city.

Cloudbuster

Two trails/Two years

I am done! I just walked from Mexico to Canada... Oct 6th at 6:15pm. We had a week of fanastic weather, not a single cloud in the sky. This was a welcomed change from the near three weeks of cold rain that tested me every mile.

So... Double Check and I are exploring Vancouver for the next few days. Pictures and stories to come.

I am done! I just walked from Mexico to Canada... oct 6th at 6:15pm. Double check and I are exploring Vancouver for the next few days. Pictures and stories to come.

Take down the 40, look who got a 60...

Sixty miles in 23 hours! Double Check and I started at 6:30 am and finished up at Snoqualmie pass at 5:30 am this morning. We are now resting in the Howard Johnson's hotel. A terrible let down; expensive, broken hot tub and sauna, and an absolute anemic continental breakfast. To make it worse, Double Check is snoring louder then the traffic on I90! In conclusion, two words...

^^NEVER AGAIN^^

Never again will I try and hike that many miles with a pack... but I got my 60 :)

2,240 Miles and a buddist retreat..

Loyal Servents,

I am in Washington state! I got back on trail on the 8th at Hwy 20, where I had left off. I stopped off in Bend and saw Manimal, followed by a tour of the local speak easy. Thanks manimal for putting us up on short notice, you rock. Anyhow, I parted ways with Greenmile, he was taking it slow and finishing at Cascade Locks. A shout out to you Greenmile, you a hella cool dude. Anyhow life is good and my phone browser sucks and i cant see what i am typing hjwsdhhsdhsdjdscxsh.

Burning Man Decompression

 

I need coffee

As my aussie friends would say: I am rooted. I am so tired after the 5 days at Black Rock City, that I have taken two days in Truckee. Greenmile and I are trying to find a ride back to Oregon to finish up the trail. We may be driving his vehicle up to the Bend or Portland area, and I may pick up the trail at Cascade Locks. I will be skipping 150 miles of trail, but I will make it up. My reasoning is that it is getting late in the season, and the weather is starting to turn. Two of my hiking buddies, Sneezes and Hot Mess are heading north from Cascade Locks on Wednesday, and I really enjoy hiking with them. The plan is to visit Portland after the hike, so the section I am skipping can be made up quite easily.

Sadly, I haven't heard from Surly bikes.  I sent them my proposal several weeks ago, which I thought was quite strong, but alas no response. I will be calling them tomorrow, and hopefully I will get some more insight. If they say nay, I will just keep sending them more unfortunate missives....
I hope to post up some burning man stories, but I am tired, and I am on a Mac. Macs are cool if you know how to use them, and I do not.

Your truly,
L.C.

A Dream...