Scoot Scoot goes Poot Poot

Okay, it was more of a "sputter, sputter" than a "poot, poot", but it wasn't good, that's for sure. To this point, Scoot Scoot has been a champ; there have been little issues like loose chain, disconnected speedometer, a bolt almost falling out, loose mirrors, etc. but nothing that really influenced my ability to ride or that has been too hard to fix. Well, just outside of Big Sur, CA, Scoot scoot decided he*'d had enough. He just wouldn't start. Finally I got him started by push starting. Picture me running through a dirt parking lot along side Scoot Scoot who is fully loaded with all my stuff, then trying to hop on without slowing down so I can compression start. Hilarity ensued. Trust me. The people in the parking lot watching can vouch for that. Then, once going, I couldn't slow down until I found a mechanic 30 miles down the road in Monterey. $285 in repairs later, I'm back on the road. The mechanic that worked on him didn't have nice things to say about what I was asking from my little city scooter. The woman at the desk, however, applauded my little adventure. Feeling very disheartened by the whole thing, I immediately posted an ad on craigslist looking for a ride for me and Scoot Scoot. Needless to say, there weren't any takers. I guess Scoot Scoot and I will just have to soilder through.

Thursday May 24 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Thu 24th May, 2007 03:55 pm PDT Sarah F said: dragan and i most likely will be celebrating 5 yrs of legal union ************************ on Thu 24th May, 2007 03:58 pm PDT Sarah F said: that's weird, it only posted the first sentance. we'll be in northern CA next weekend if you want a ride to the NW! ************************ on Fri 25th May, 2007 07:04 am PDT Andrew said: Man! First the scooter breaks, now your comments are effed. Rough. ************************ on Fri 25th May, 2007 07:44 am PDT cardboard said: scoot scoot doesnt like deserts, thats my take on things...stick the coast, scooters like meritime climates, its what they like for dessert. ************************ on Fri 25th May, 2007 10:04 am PDT amanda said: sure, take advice from some strange mechanic in Monterey and not the engineer that designs boats, you should ask the same question of him as everyone else, what does he really know about scooters... :) hope you have a fun trip back! ************************ on Fri 25th May, 2007 09:33 pm PDT Jule said: scoot scoot and you have lots in common! well, you don't sputter but... ************************ on Tue 29th May, 2007 12:55 am PDT Ryan Walters said: So what repairs did Scoot Scoot need? ************************

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Joshua Tree NP Revisited

Didn't I say I was going to have to visit Joshua Tree National Park again? Well, like they say, there is no better time than the present. This time around, it wasn't hurry-hurry, go-go though. We had time to see the park in full. We hiked, birded, touristed, pondered, loafed, star-gazed, and basked in the desert beauty (taking care to find shade as much we could.) (Yes, Ryan, we even hiked up your mountain.) For a better write-up and more pics about our visit to the park, check out Emily's post about it. And for those of you who want the full 360 degree tour, check out this.

Tuesday May 22 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Tue 22nd May, 2007 10:28 pm PDT Saxtor said: Re: Emily's post: "Now, let's retake the photo with my shirt off..." ************************ on Tue 22nd May, 2007 10:29 pm PDT Saxtor said: Looks like a great time, though. Great post! ************************ on Wed 23rd May, 2007 08:09 am PDT amanda said: your pondering picture is rather stylish, wren, i'm impressed even if you didn't mean to be all GQ, cuz i know you didn't. :) btw, everyone should write their soldier friend an email. i don't know how hot it is at joshua tree np, but i hear is 103 in iraq ************************ on Thu 24th May, 2007 12:19 pm PDT Sean said: It's a nice thought, but just for the record, it was 108 today and sposed to be 110 tomorrow.And I'm a Marine, not a soldier. At least you didn't call me an Airman though... ZING! ************************ on Tue 29th May, 2007 12:53 am PDT Ryan Walters said: Yay! Ryan Mountain! ************************

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A Lesser-Known Aesops Fable

Once upon a time, two friends went out camping in the desert. Like well-informed desert-goers, they took plenty of water. To keep the water from getting too hot in car and to claim their spectacular camping spot, they left the water containers under the picnic table. Little did they know, the creatures of the desert have grown very smart. Upon returning from a wonderful day of exploring the desert, the two friends returned to camp to find the water containers with little critter holes in them and much of the water gone. In an attempt to save the water, one friend filled his water bottle with water remaining from the critter-holed water containers. The sun went down on the desert and the two friends fell asleep. The water saving friend was awakened in the middle of the night with terrible pains in his stomach. Visits to the privy did not rid him of his stomach pains, so his stomach decide to take matters into its own hands. Under the bright stars of the desert, the offending water, with remnants of lunch and dinner, found its way onto the desert floor. The desert creatures took note of the commotion. Coyote stood close by and watched the action. As the friend slowly made his way back to the tent, Coyote crept closer and closer to the scene of the commotion. The friends watched from the tent as Coyote ran and got his friend to share in this new midnight snack. That just goes to show you that... Can you find the moral in this story?

Sunday May 20 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Sun 20th May, 2007 12:22 pm PDT Sean said: Don't swap spit with desert critters? ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 02:38 pm PDT Andrew said: A fool and his vomit are soon parted? ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 03:16 pm PDT Sarah said: Water is for wimps- drink vodka. ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 05:58 pm PDT Mom said: Either of the following works for me: "One critter's trash is another critter's treasure," OR, "The three second rule doesn't apply to Coyotes in the desert." Or was he that fast? ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 08:23 pm PDT amanda said: are you sure it was water? maybe the coyote was just as fooled ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 09:52 pm PDT Saxtor said: Never allow animal kingdom to swap your water with ipecac. ************************ on Sun 20th May, 2007 10:32 pm PDT jenelle said: some coyotes can't afford regular dental check-ups so they have to concoct elaborate schemes to acquire pre-masticated food. ************************ on Mon 21st May, 2007 07:26 am PDT Jule said: Look before you leap... or... harm seek, harm find.... or....abstain and enjoy...or...don't leave your water out in the desert with a bunch of thirsty scavengers (lesser known moral) ************************ on Mon 21st May, 2007 12:07 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Waste not poop-a-lot. ************************ on Mon 21st May, 2007 01:55 pm PDT Chris said: Two of Aesop's morals jump to mind:Wise men keep gaurd on their tongues.Men argue. Nature acts. ************************ on Fri 25th May, 2007 07:09 am PDT Mark Backlund said: It's not always nice to share! ************************ on Tue 29th May, 2007 12:57 am PDT Ryan Walters said: What kind of critters were these? ************************

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Desert Dispatch

As I find myself in the middle of the desert without water or electricity, much less wifi, for miles, I'm phoning this dispatch in from the road, much like the reporters of yore. Special thanks to Ma for acting as stenographer. O, and once I find some wifi again I'll get up some new pics. Here are a few highlights from week 4 on the road: meeting and hiking for a few miles with some through hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail; Pines to Palms Highway through San Bernadino National Forest; beating the heat with a midday movie in Palm Desert, CA (10 Oscar Nominated Shorts); free promotional Hagan Daaz ice cream cone; another spectacular campsite at Joshua Tree National Park; revisiting recycle man in Indio, CA who is completely boggled by my little adventure. Traveling is fun.

Thursday May 17 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Thu 17th May, 2007 02:08 pm PDT amanda said: i too am boggled by your little adventure... :) ************************ on Thu 17th May, 2007 03:23 pm PDT Saxtor said: Most everyone I've mentioned your adventure to responds with, "......a scooter?!" I'd love to know more about the Pines to Palms Hwy. ************************ on Thu 17th May, 2007 05:10 pm PDT jule said: That post was bloggling! ************************ on Fri 18th May, 2007 01:44 pm PDT Saxtor said: Hmmmm...stop So you're in the scorching desert.stop You're exposed to the elements on the back of a scooter.stop Yet, ice cream doesn't appear to be playing such a pivotal role in your travels as it did in Asia.stop Or maybe you're just not telling the internet about it...stop Did you get all that, Margaret? ************************ on Sat 19th May, 2007 01:48 pm PDT Chris said: I usually don't have to explain the whole scooter thing to people down in Texas, they already think everyone in Washington is a dirty hippie and capable of anything. I've tried to reassure them that some of us do shower from time to time and that I even use non-hemp scented soap. ************************

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EPotM for May

I'm extremely excited about this month's environmental project of the month (EPotM). It syncs so perfectly with this little road trip that I am on. This month, I've decided that I want to recycle enough cans and bottles from the side of the road to pay for my gas here in California. California has a cash redemption law on bottles and cans like many other states (why doesn't WA?). You would think that would discourage people from chucking cans out their window on the highway. Well, as they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. So far, I've earned about $16.00 which gets Scoot Scoot quite a ways down the road. The History Channel's Modern Marvel's episode on canning states that recycling one can saves enough energy to run a T.V. for 3 hours. While I find that hard to believe, it's obvious that there is some energy savings over having to make a new can from scratch. So besides beautifying the highways and byways of California and keep waste out of the landfills, my little project will help save energy. I won't even go into the carbon offsetting that must be happening. Really, I think this is the best EPotM to date. (Oh, and since a picture is worth 1000 words and this post is windy enough, here's a few of this month's project in action: 1, 2, 3, 4 )

Monday May 14 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Mon 14th May, 2007 06:48 pm PDT cardboard said: strong work wren strong work. ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 08:31 pm PDT Chris said: I've decided to follow your lead, however since the van gets, shall we say, slightly less milage than Scoot Scoot I think I'm going to have to skip cans and just pick up stray people. There's gotta be a market for 'em, most of the ones I see could easily power a tv for way more than three hours. I'll let you know how it works out ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 09:02 pm PDT Jenn said: First off, I'd like to say that I in no way endorse anything Chris says and have no affiliation with his weird (and in this case creepy) comments. Secondly, way to go. I, for one, appreciate your effort to beautify our planet. ************************ on Tue 15th May, 2007 03:12 pm PDT amanda said: um, i didn't think you were allowed to crush the cans before returning them cuz the little scanner thing needs to read the bar codes? sounds like you've already had success though, so great job! way to recycle! ************************ on Tue 15th May, 2007 07:17 pm PDT jule said: it is important everyone does something to support Wren's new EPotM. I for one am only drinking beverages in bottles and aluminum cans for the month of May. it is a small price for the environment and my dear brother. ************************ on Tue 15th May, 2007 11:32 pm PDT Saxtor said: Jule, remember that WA doesn't have a redemption program, so please drive your bottles and cans to dump on the OR roadside. ************************ on Wed 16th May, 2007 10:14 pm PDT kriskef said: Hi Wren, your so enthusiastic about life!! Always thinking up fun stuff. Right on about your environmental project for the month of May. Keep up the good work!! ************************ on Fri 18th May, 2007 06:42 am PDT Stacy said: Nice sweatshirt :) Oh, and glad to see you've found a source of income to support your lavish lifestyle ;)....*s ************************

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Ode to Mom

She's got such verve, pizazz, and joy I truly know I'm a lucky boy To have a mother that's so fun With awesomeness by the ton* To match your vervey and joyous way Here's how I wanted to say Happy Mother's Day I figured this poem would do just the trick P.S. Please don't be mad about the pic To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday May 13 2007

File under: poetry, holidays

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on Sun 13th May, 2007 10:23 am PDT amanda said: happy mother's day "mom!" ************************ on Sun 13th May, 2007 10:48 am PDT Punky said: Uma, you look silly ;-) ************************ on Sun 13th May, 2007 09:13 pm PDT Mom said: As I have often said, "parenting is 90% gracious humiliation and 10% blind inspiration"--add to that 100% delight. How's that for math? So here's to all the young and wonderful mothers I have come to know--enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, and some day you too can have a wonderful "Ode to Mom" just like me. ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 02:03 am PDT Siri said: That is quite the. . . er, um. . . carrot you have there.Happy (belated) Mother's Day! ************************

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Schralpin

I had always heard skimboarding was different here in California and now I understand why. For one, skimming smoothly along the beach for long distances at a time just doesn't have the panache needed to make it here in SoCal, so they beefed it up by skimming down the beach into the waves and doing all sorts of surf-like tricks. Another reason they do it differently here in CA is less obvious; their beaches don't lend themselves to long smooth runs. Yesterday, I went out and found myself a skimboard rental shop. In chatting with the folks there, I explained what I was looking for. You could tell they thought I was a little crazy for wanting the flattest beach around, rather than the one with the best shore break. They tried to help nonetheless and pointed me on my way. I got a couple of good runs in, but nothing like that time Smiley's flooded over. Oh well, I guess not everything is better in Califonia. (Oh, and a big thanks to my action photographer Julie who took these action shots.)

Saturday May 12 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Sat 12th May, 2007 05:00 pm PDT Sweet Julie said: Schralpin the Gnar Dude! ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 06:49 pm PDT cardboard said: yea those people down in cali dont know what they are missing man, what do waves have to do with skimboarding...you shoulda taken some pics down with you of what a real beach looks like. ************************

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SoCal

One of the things I like about traveling is seeing places that I've heard about. In China, for example, it was The Forbidden City and The Great Wall. In Italy, it was the Sistine Chapel and the Uffizi. Here in Southern California, there are places and things that fall into the same category; places I've heard so much about and wondered what they are like for myself (Huntington Beach, Orange County, and In & Out Burger just to name a few). But it isn't all education-based, hurry-from-place-to-place, see-as-much-as-you-can travel. In addition to all the educational and cultural destinations, we've had time for afternoons in the park (where I was talked into an improptu juggling show), walks on the beach, geocaches, sunsets, and some of the tastiest homemade Vietnamese food ever (courtesy of Quynh Giao). Also, I've had time to catch up on a little internetting and give Scoot Scoot a little TLC that s/he has been sorely missing.

Friday May 11 2007

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on Fri 11th May, 2007 09:56 am PDT erin said: you should know that when i imagine you on this trip i imagine your face on peewee's body in peewee's big adventure. ************************ on Fri 11th May, 2007 11:09 am PDT Emily said: There IS something calming about a SoCal sunset. Good pic. ************************ on Fri 11th May, 2007 01:18 pm PDT Jule said: how was the surf? ************************ on Fri 11th May, 2007 02:23 pm PDT Saxtor said: While by no doubt you're seeing some great SoCal sunsets, you've been missing some doozies in the Northlands, believe me. There is NOTHING like a WA sunset. And can we assign ScootScoot a gender, already? Aren't vehicles "shes" anyhow? ************************ on Sun 13th May, 2007 10:21 am PDT amanda said: love the long hair! and scoot scoot should be a she ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 02:06 am PDT Siri said: I thought we went to an In ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 02:09 am PDT Siri said: ************************ on Mon 14th May, 2007 02:09 am PDT Siri said: The Blog Gods hate me ************************

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Best. Campsite. Ever.

The road from Henderson to Joshua Tree National Park is a piece of work. First, you cruise on the Joshua Tree Highway (no association to the park). There are joshua trees everywhere, ten times as many as in the National Park. Then you make your way through the Mojave Desert National Preserve, which, as you rise and fall in elevation, you go through strata of dense* vegetation of a certain type (e.g. a nice big cholla patch). Next, you reach a long stretch of road with no gas, even though the map has a number of towns listed. Who ever heard of a town without gas!? Then there is a nice little highway underpass perfectly suited for passing the time until the AAA man comes with a spare gallon of gas. Then you cruise into Joshua Tree National Park. I've been through JTNP once before, but only for the briefest of visits. This time was longer, but only barely. There was time, however, to discover possibly the best campsite ever (pictured above). The campground was nearly empty, and I got in just after sunset. The spot I selected was nestled between two gigantic boulders. The temperature was perfect and there were no bugs around to disturb me and my Little Cesear's Pizza which I picked up in 29 Palms. Waking up, the campsite looked just as good (and the leftover pizza wasn't half bad either). Yep, Joshua Tree National Park will need to be visited again. Then, I might even stay a whole day!

Wednesday May 9 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Wed 09th May, 2007 06:44 pm PDT Jule said: Hey kids, who wants to drive through the cactus patch? (for those of you who don't watch the simpsons, ignore that one.) Nice campsite though! ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 09:06 pm PDT Saxtor said: Thanks for the Joshua Tree pictures, as it is more than I saw when I visited. When I was there, the rain was so heavy, we couldn't see the front of the car, let alone the road in front of us. You've never lived until you've driven in a car with the other passenger in full "WE'RE GOING TO DIE RIGHT THIS SECOND!" panic-mode. Oi. Did you see the cool fence made of junk as you enter the park from the North? ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 10:28 pm PDT Mom said: Oh Geez, I was just going to cancel your AAA because, hey, who needs it with a scooter. So did you send smoke signals to get AAA or what? ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 11:57 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Joshua Tree! Did you visit Ryan Mountain?? ************************ on Thu 10th May, 2007 07:27 am PDT amanda said: mom makes a darn good point. and those towns without gas, isn't that what we are striving for? ;) ************************

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Colorado River Edutainment

The Hoover dam is one impressive structure. I learned all about it one morning (after enjoying a lovely, cheap, off-strip breakfast) as I sat in on the free video offered at a nearby casino. Then the opportunity for a more immersive learning experience presented itself, thanks to my hosts being so well connected. Emily and I found ourselves afloat the Colorado River just down stream of the dam on an oversized pontoon boat driven by the all-knowing, ever witty river guide Rick. We learned about the history of the river and dam, the geology of the area (including hot hot springs), the local flora and fauna, and so much more. We saw lots of big horned sheep, a peregrine falcon (which excited Emily more than should be normal), lizards, vultures, and more. Since I have been in the desert heat all day, my mind-brain isn't working so good. I can't think of a clever way to fit in this picture and this one Oh wait, I just did. Does that count? Anyway, it was a good good time. If you ever happen that way yourself, be sure to do the trip and ask for Rick as a guide. You won't be sorry (except maybe when he gets going on the cow jokes...)

Tuesday May 8 2007

File under: travel, road trip

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on Tue 08th May, 2007 09:28 pm PDT Emily said: A right good time it was. BTW Peregrine Falcons are amazing! To stoop down at 200 mph and snap the neck of your prey on the wing...it definitely IS something to be excited about! For those of you in Skagit Valley, the peregrines are around come fall...the folks at the Padilla Bay Reserve will help you find them!. :) ************************ on Tue 08th May, 2007 09:47 pm PDT Wren said: Emily, you should tell the good people what tour company Mr. Rick works with so they know who to go for for the best river tour ever. ************************ on Tue 08th May, 2007 10:03 pm PDT Jule said: I think the president in the rock looks George Washington...or John Edwards! is he not president yet? ************************ on Tue 08th May, 2007 10:39 pm PDT Mom said: I think it looks like Lincoln laying so the blood rushes to his head. Oh, yes and with a hippie headband on. Who's right? ************************ on Tue 08th May, 2007 10:47 pm PDT Mom said: BTW--is that a new shirt? Nice. ************************ on Tue 08th May, 2007 11:30 pm PDT Horge said: President made of stone? Hmmm... Is he currently residing in a white house?Otherwise, I'd place good money (appropriate since this a Vegas entry) on either William Henry "Hank" Harrison, or good ol' Abe. Anyway to contact a bookie there to make the betting side of this post true? ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 06:03 am PDT Nesbitt said: I say Lincoln. ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 07:20 am PDT Sean said: Looks like legs spread wide with a bright blue dress down below to me. ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 07:34 am PDT Emily said: We went with blackcanyonadventures.com -our trip was the Raft Tour. Wear Sunscreen. ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 10:51 am PDT Sara said: My vote is for Lincoln too. ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 02:33 pm PDT Quynh said: it's def. LINCOLN man! ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 03:56 pm PDT ACC said: Reagan? ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 05:55 pm PDT Kate said: Will you be stopping by San Francisco on your travels? ************************ on Wed 09th May, 2007 06:32 pm PDT Wren said: Well, all you Abe-sayers got Rick's answer. No one, however, got mine (although extra credit for the creativity needed to find Reagan, Edwards, and WHH). It's Teddy Roosevelt. Don't you see it? ************************

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