That's why they call it Thanksgiving

This weekend was Thanksgiving, and my friends always go to the desert, this year was no exception.
This year I was able to attend…

On Friday morning after spending Thanksgiving with family we left for Red Mountain in the Mojave Desert.
On approaching our destination there are these little cities of motor homes and trailers that pop up in what would be the middle of know where. It’s really weird to see.
I guess that’s the desert might of looked like when the first settlers made there way out west. Upon our arrival our driver, Mr. Pete was stricken with what we suspect was food poisoning. This was our diagnosis because prior to our arrival we stopped at Jack in the Box. Mr. Pete took refuge in his brothers RV while we did the unpacking of the Buggy and dirt bikes. Night came quickly and we all gathered around the fire to keep warm. Some of the kids made this fire thingy’s. They put gasoline in a booze bottle, put the cap back on and then put a little hole in the top of the cap for the gas to escape, it kind of makes a volcano effect, then as the bottle melts it then turns into this big fire ball, or I forgot to mention you put the bottle in the fire. The next morning, or I guess it was the afternoon by the time we got started. We were off on our ride to Randsburg, I rode Rickys ’87 CR250 and Christina rode Mr. Petes Quad. Poor Mr. Pete still feeling the effects of the food poisoning could not make it on this days ride…Bummer for sure!
Since I don’t own a dirtbike and maybe only go once a year if I’m lucky I have to borrow somebody’s very used dirtbike, which is usually too tall or hard to start for me. Any way I was able to make due with what was loaned to me. (Thanks! So much Ricky…you’re the best!) It was a fun ride to Randsburg, I really enjoyed myself and so did Christina. I only needed help starting the bike once (Thanks again Rick). Once we got to Randsburg we where met with a mass amount of other off highway enthusiasts, their were thousands of people! After kicking back for a while we head back to Camp. The sun was already starting to close in the tops of the near by mountains. I was starting to get concerned because it would be getting dark soon, and I didn’t have a light on my loaner dirtbike. WELL the sun went behind the mountains and the dirt was not very well lit, I borrowed another pair of goggles because mine were more for when the sunny is shining. For some reason I had a really hard time dealing with the sand on the way back, guess I was getting tired. With about 2 miles to go it got really dark. I and Christina were doing our best to keep up when she stalled the Quad going though some sand. She was having trouble starting the thing so I laid down my bike and went over to where she was and started it for her. I then got back on my bike and tried to start it, since I didn’t turn the gas off it was gunna be hard to start. After what seemed like 10 minutes of trying to kick the thing over I was starting to really get tired. By this time it was pitch black and me and Christina were all alone in the desert, when our savior Brian came back to look for us. He was able to start the bike for me and I was able to keep moving forward in the dark by riding in between the Rhino and Christina, since they had lights. I was doing pretty well up until the point I was lead into a deep wash with steep walls on each sides. At this point I was at wits end, the bike stalled again and I couldn’t get it started. When along came Sean, he started the bike, rode it out of the wash, and handed it back over to me. It turns out we were only about a mile from camp because Ricky could see Christina’s light in the distance. As Gumby once said “I was on the moon, but I’m sure glad to be back”.
Once back at camp I removed my gear and once again was back at the camp fire. After another night of more of the same as the previous we went to bed.
The next day Mr. Pete was looked a ton better and was able to take me for a ride in his car, a souped up VW with a lot of suspension travel. Boy BOY what a kick in the pants, this thing soaked up the biggest bumps Mother Nature could throw at it. What a blast, I really don’t know how to describe it. I also don’t know how the people that race these things can do it for a thousand miles! I was beat after a half hour ride. Anyway. What a great time I had in the middle of nowhere with my good friends. I guess that’s why they call it Thanksgiving.

Thanks to all the KIDS who helped me and Christina this weekend…Your all the best!

SFO

Went to San Francisco this weekend and down in fisherman's wharf there was this arcade of sorts inside of this warehouse on the pier. It had a few old school video games, but the real attraction for me was these old arcade games (although there is not much participation for whomever was supplying the coin) from the 40's and 50's. Back then Arcades must of been more geared towards adults than kids because a lot of the games subject matter was all about boozing. After inserting a penny, the things just wiggled around for about 20 seconds or so... good times! Folks, since of amazement must of been different back then. When you think of it, arcade games really haven't evolved all that much in the last 50 years.

New Refrigerator

We just got a our new Refrigerator and after hooking up the water to it we received our first harvest of ice. Since no pesticides were used I guess you could call it Organic Ice. I can hardly wait to taste one of those little suckers, Because everything always taste better when it's organic...Right?

Todd Rundgren - HOB

I saw O.H. the other night at the House of everything but Blues and boy oh boy was it a great show. I wish I’d seen the other shows on this mini tour. Todd played a lot of my favorite songs, No.1 lowest common denominator, Back and white, Black Maria…

Too bad for those other venues along the way, they missed TRAPPED which totally rocked! I love the part where they trade lyrics, it was spot on. The duel guitars of Jesse Gress and Todd where totally in sync.

Kasim and Prairie Prince provided the back beat, which was very tight indeed! What a great show, too bad for those who missed it. Todd and band could have easily stood up to today’s Hard Rock revival bands….i.e. Wolfmother ETC…

I've Relocated

I have moved my base camp to higher ground, fearing that one day a great tsunami would pick me from my perch upon the bluffs. Standby for party invites soon…

Random stuff

Are you one of those people who photograph random stuff. Ever since I got a digital camera I'll shoot anything and everything, I guess it's because I don't have to pay for processing of film...Yeah that's it.

Back in the USA

I'm back what a great trip! Here are a few things I'd been thinking about.
1. The newsstands at the airport sell Porno magazines, who's buying these and taking them on the planes, I've never seen anyone with one, or maybe there just good at hiding it. If anyone has seen these mags on the plane please comment.
2. Why do they call them "suit cases" when nobody wears a suit on a plane anymore, they should call them t-shirts and flip-flop cases.
3. Red bull is the cure for Jet lag.
4. The GPS is the greatest invention since sliced bread.
5. Slovenia is still cheap, better hurry and go before the EU takes over.
6. I got these backpacking underwear which came in handy because it was humid as heck. They really do work.
7. The US can't grow a proper Tomato...Why?
8. The Opel Corsa is a piece of crap, with a 1.2 displacement I could barely make 80MPH. When everyone else is going about a 100MPH
9. United Airlines is the worst airlines, just ask anyone.
10. Why is it that the best part about traveling is coming home to a cozy bed.

That's all I can think of right now, but I'm sure their will be more, when I'm lying in bed wide awake because of the time difference.

Ciao for now

Flying back home to America

The drive to the airport was easy peasy. Check in to Austrian Airline was a breeze, the flight to Washington DC was nice. Austrian Air was one of the best Airlines I've ever been on, really good food, nice service and free beer! Big TV screens in the back of the head rests as well.
United Airlines was a whole different story.
We where delayed for three hours because they did not have enough crew to fly the plane, Once on the plane we where told there was not going to be any movie because the movie thingy was broken, what also sucks about United is when they fly domestic you have to by your meals, Lucky for us we stuffed our selves at one of the places at the airport.
Arrival LAX.
After standing at the wrong baggage claim for an hour(United posted the wrong Baggage number) we finally got our baggage. Now we are waiting outside with all the other angry United Airline patrons. Since our flight was delayed, and probably a few others, the United terminal was Chaos! it took another
30 minutes for our ride to make it's way over to us, and after been up for about 36 hours my patients was hanging on by a very small thread.

Zagreb

Since we weren't planning on being in Zagreb for too long we spent a half day there before we took off for Vienna. We only had time for the Gothic Church and the Dolac Market. The market was very bustling with folks buying the groceries for the week. It was very fascinating, to say the least.
After the market we departed for Vienna, a 3 1/2 hour drive...we thought. 30 minutes out of Vienna we are in this traffic which came to a complete stop, for about 3 HOURS! This was due to a major highway being rerouted. This must happen all the time because people where outside of there cars playing cards, Football(Soccer for you Americans), Picnicking, and just running around having a good time. Since we where not prepared for this it made the journey all that longer. Once though the Border( this was another cause for the traffic by the way) we made our way to Vienna at a very slow pace, it was kinda nice travel though Slovina and getting to see it, although though the cars window. Finally we make it to Vienna, Hungry and Euro less. Checking into our little hotel they did not take Credit cards, so we got back in the car in search of a cash machine, this hotel was in a little town outside of Vienna so we weren't very confident . Being very hungry we saw a light on in this little restaurant and asked if they were still open, lucky for us Europeans eat very late. After woofing down a plate of pasta the owner showed us where to find a ATM...then everything was alright until the next day.

Dubrovnik to Zagreb or The Polizie look very closly at your pass-a-port

Our holiday is coming to a close, today we made the long trek to Zagreb. On the way we have to cross the Bosnian border. We did not know what to expect, well nothing. All we do is drive by this guy and flash our passports, no big deal. En route to Zagreb we stopped in Omis for the Best pizza in town...and it was. Upon our arrival Zagreb we consulted Frommers for a place to get a bite, well the snack turn into a four coarse meal complete with an complimentary glass of Honey Brandy.
Tomorrow we well be returning to Vienna...The last day, so sad.

A/C included

Croatian A/C...

More about Mljet

Mljet, is an hour and forty minute boat ride from Dubrovnik. It is the eighth largest island in the Adriatic, and the most beautiful. It has two salt water lakes and a Island that has a monastery that was inhabited until the 91-92 war...the monks never returned.

Follow the Butterfly

Today we went on one of those guided tours to Mljet an island of of Dubrovnik and it was fun.

BFN

Split to Dubrovnik

Greeting!
After partying all night in Split we made our way to Dubrovnik, the Nuvi lead us right to the front door of our three star hotel..BTW I'"m thinking of having one of those navigation devices implanted in my brain so I know where I'm at at all times...Just makes Life easier. Our hotel is very 1970's Eastern Europe Chic. We've spent the last day and a half walking around the Old City of Dubrovnik which takes about 10 minutes. Dubrovnik is kinda like Venice, narrow streets lined with shop and drinking establishments. Oh and a lot of Pizza places...our food of choice , you always know what your getting. The main street in Dubrovnik is kinda like 3rd Street promenade but less ghetto. It is amazing that this place took such a big hit during the 91-92 war. I know it's been 15 years but it's been totally rebuilt back to stock.
Let me take a moment to talk about the fashion.
During the day at the beach, for men it's those really small brief swim suits, and for women it's kinda the same. At night waking around town it's all about White, women in tight white pants that reveal the type of under garment that they are wearing that day, and for men it's White Capri/Clam digger type pants , usually accompanied with a man clutch, and or fanny pack/waist pack thingy... Outta Site!!!
It's been very hot and Humid though out Croatia, my special underpants are really worth their weight in gold or Kunas...the local currency.

This 3 star hotel has wireless internet so no accompanying picture

Ciao

Spilt!!!!

Today we just hung out at the beach in front of our hotel, but before doing that we need to replenish our funds and the nearest cash machine was in this five star hotel about 20 minutes away...anyway after getting cash we sat down at the bar for a refreshment before heading back.
The bartender asked where we were from, and we told him , a little port town just outside of Los Angeles, and he said SAN PEDRO. He has cousins that live there...It's a small world after all.

Opatija to Split, by the way of Plitvice

The drive from Opatija to Plitvice was supposed to take 2.5 hours according to "Via Michelin".
It ended up taking about about 4 hours. Anyway this is a National Park with these hiking trails that go up and around these little lakes. The lakes then spill into one another and there are all these beautiful water falls. You really need to spend a whole day there. We arrived at our hotel in Spilt about 10:00PM, because of the size of the hotel we were worried that there would not be anybody to greet us, but luck was on our side. Not only was someone there, but we were also able to eat a delicious meal with a beautiful beach as a back ground.

Free Drinks!

Many thanks to Tony the mixologist at the Hausbrant Bar Kiosk for all the free mixed drinks, your awesome DUDE!

Opatija

Thanks to the Nuvi we safely arrived in the sea side town of Opatija, which looks a lot like Catalina...NOT! Ok maybe a little. Our Hotel is once again very nice so far we are 3 for 3 in the Hotels not a bad one yet. It's very humid here my special under pants are really working overtime. After a day on the beach I haven't seen to many topless women. There are a lot of really fat men walking around in those little bikini briefs though...which is nice. OK I'm outta here for now, I'm on my way to the farmers market to get a potato for my new swim suit.

Find a tourist imformation center get a map...

The GPS navigation thingy I brought is the BOMB! It sure takes a lot of the stress away from the passenger who is usually giving directions. Even though we have directions printed as a back up the Nuvi360 really shines.

Cheap as old chips

Can't believe how inexpensive beer is here in Slovenia. The hotel in Ljubljana, The Domina is cheap considering what you are paying for awesome views, Giant TV, a beday. Leaving for Croatia today, Opatija. We'll see how cheap that place is.

P.S. Fisheye wide angle lens courtesy of Mr.Pete, he's from Finland!

Travel Day - Vienna to Ljubljana

After a short taxi ride back to the airport we picked up our rental car, a Opel Corsica .
Our first stop on the way to Ljubljana is Lake Bled. After we could not find it on the GPS we "winged" it. After making a few wrong turns we made it there in about 4 1/2 hours. Oh did I mention it was raining...bummer because this place was awesome!!! We had a few beers at some outside cafe thingy, then walked around for a bit. After a short walk we slipped into a Pizza joint.
Breaking News!!! Spotted at the table across from us was no other than the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson stuffing her face! After our star sighting we arrive at our Hotel in Ljubljana, what a awesome hotel. It has a Projection TV! Sweeet!!!

Second Day - Second Blog

Greetings!
Walked around the Old City of Vienna with Rick Steves guide book in hand, took in the sites as well as the local cuisine . This was the first day of wearing my "Special" underpants, the kind you wash in the sink and wear the next day with no nasty odors. It's pretty hot and humid here so they did there job well. Next we are off to Slovenia but first we need to rent a car from the airport...nice! I can hardly what to get on the road and drive in a foreign country.

First Day - First Blog

Well, first off United Airline SUCKS!!! delayed over an hour at LAX, which caused us to miss our flight to Vienna, arrived really late into Vienna, then our luggage was lost, then there was no place really open to eat except, the good ole GOLDEN ARCHES , thank God they serve beer.