Posting 43 Days of "Blog Love": Day 4 ~ "The Scholl Bus" ~

 Since Carolyn wrote the last three blogs I was told it is my turn. So here it goes.

Back in late March we were headed from Northern California to Texas. The route that we were taking went through Las Vegas. Now, I grew up in Reno and was not interested in Vegas but we knew that the Scholl family was going to be there.

 

If you follow The Scholl Bus then you might remember their post Vegas Strip Free Shows. What was never revealed (until now) was that we were there that night. The night went well and was a lot of fun. The Pirate show was great fun for the kids, the Bellagio fountan show was amazing and the Mirage volcano show was HOT (pun intended).


We all know the mantra  "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." However I have done some research and found out the statute of limitations is six months, so I am not legally bound to it any more and my conscience will finally be at rest.

After we took the wives and kids back to the campground Jody and I decided to check out some more of the strip. It worked out well as they were tired and Jody and I both had coffee with dinner and were still going.

We got  a cab and went back downtown.We were dropped off across the street from the Monte Carlo Hotel at a club recommended by the cab driver. As we got out of the cab he said we would love it. He smacked his lips and let out a low groan causing Jody and I to look at each other with a questioning look then a shrug of "whatever."

We decided to go have a beer and discuss RV tips and stories. I saw a big sign that said "Every kind of Beer you could Want!" Well, being a "beer snob" I thought cool, maybe I'll be able to get real beer tonight. We walked in and went to the bar. It was your typical club, flashing lights, thumping music, and lots of bodies. It is true, I will put up with a lot for a real good beer.

"OK guys and girls, Its time for the BEAR OFF!" "Lets get all the Bears up here and see what we got."  I looked at Jody and tried to ask, "What the hell are they talking about?" but he was looking around with a look of horror on his face. I reached out to get his attention when suddenly I was grabbed by the arm and pulled toward the stage. "There gonna love you hunny." said the girl that was attached to the iron fist that was dragging me with it. Before I knew what was happening I was on stage looking at a sea of people.

I looked out and around trying to figure out why I was on the stage when I saw the banner on the wall that said "First Annual BEAR OFF! Find a Bear to cuddle with tonight." Down deep in the recesses of my mind I started to recall "Bear." It came to me and I spun around quickly to see about five other men being "escorted" to the stage, along with Jody.

My brain reeled as I looked about and recalled, Bear-A term used by gay men to describe a husky, large man with a lot of body hair. I flashed back to before we came in. I must have had a dyslexic moment outside and saw Beer when it said Bear. Looking out at the crowd I quickly scanned. It was mostly men with a few females, wait, those were Drag queens! A sign on the back wall said "First gay/alternative nightclub on the world famous Las Vegas Strip." I felt the pit of my stomach hit the floor.

The announcer was talking but I couldn't hear anything as I was confused, lost and a little dizzy as I am basically a shy person and don't do well in front of crowds. "Mmmm, Mmmm ,Mmmm, your a luscious one." I heard as my ears cleared out. I looked over and saw Jody standing with a confused look on his face as I am sure mine looked also. The announcer held out the mic and Jody replied "Uh, thanks?" The announcer  then turned to me. " Oh Mamma, What do we have here?"  He looked at me and scanned down. Slowly.
"Is it true?" he asked me.
I couldn't do anything. I stood there in shock.
Is what true? I thought.
"Shall we find out?" he asked the crowd.
As I was thinking "Find out what?"
The crowd roared.
The announcer walked around behind me and I suddenly realized what he was talking about.

You see, I am a Kilt wearer. And tonight was no exception. Not only that, but I had not shaved my beard in over seven months because I had spent the last nine of them behind the "Redwood Curtain" of Northern California. I was wearing my work boots and had a shirt that serendipitously said "Fuzzy Wuzzy" and had an adorable chubby bear on it.

Suddenly I felt a cold sensation creep up the back of my leg. "It IS True Boys!"

The croud roared so loud I thought the walls would crumble.

He moved on to the next three "Bears" then the vote came. Needless to say I won that night. I got fifteen phone numbers, one hotel key and more "kilt checks" than I care to remember. It took Jody and I an hour and a half to get out of there as he won second place. I Think he got a bunch of digits too but I didn't ask, I didn't want to know.

We grabbed the first cab we found and agreed not to mention it to anyone. But, the other day I saw a picture online of the First, Second and Third place winners of the "First Annual Bear Off." I was also invited to come back and crown next years winner. They offered to fly me out and put me up at the Bellagio.

Jody, I have two tickets and a double room. Glen said he was looking forward to seeing you.

As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now you know the rest of the story."

Ok, This was "Liars Post." None of this was true. We were going to meet with the Scholls when they were in Vegas but alas, we could not sync it up and missed each other. 

The Scholl's do have a great blog that we like to read and look forward to meeting up with them and having that beer. Go to their blog The Scholl Bus and give them some love. Tell them the Nomadic Jesters sent you.

Until next time, enjoy the journey.
Rich
"Good day"

Posting 43 Days of "Blog Love": Day 3 ~ "The Edventure Project" ~

So many traveling friends...  If you haven't been following along already, we are on "Day 3" of 43 days of  sharing some "blog love!"  Thus far you have met the Vogel's, aka "Family on Bikes" who have traveled far and wide (globally included) on bicycles!  Yesterday you met "Boyink4Adventure" who have lived their adventure in a fifth-wheel, over the past two years or so, and visited nearly 40 of the 50 states!

Today I introduce you to the Miller's, who began traveling as The Edventure Project in 2008 and since that time have been traveling around the United States, and the world, via "planes, trains and automobiles!"  (Well actually I know that a really cool van -- aka Mama Bus -- was in that mix, but I'll leave that for you to read about later.)

Photo from Edventure Project

Over the years 'mom' Jennifer and I have connected here and there online, but this is one more family that I definitely look forward to crossing paths with, and spending time 'live and in-person!'.  What drew my attention to Jennifer and family today was a post today on their blog titled "5 Things longterm travel is NOT."

Great post, Jennifer!  I really like that you pointed out that all in all choosing a nomadic, or location independent, lifestyle is just that -- a choice!  It's not better, it's not worse, it's just a choice.  I hope that you all will take time to read Jennifer's latest post and take time to share your thoughts about it with her.  (She's really cool!  Just sayin'!)

Photo from Edventure Project

Speaking of "Cool!"  As I was taking a gander at her blog this morning I took time to read a page titled:  "Who Are The Coolest People You Know?"  Now THAT is a MUST READ Page!  (You can add Jennifer's parents to the list of people I want to meet!)  Oh darn!  I gave away the answer to the question!  Well, at least if you ask Jennifer.  After reading about them I concur:  Yes! Very, VERY Cool Indeed!! 

While Jennifer is busy traveling the world, seeing sites, raising kids, writing blogs... she also does freelance writing.  I enjoyed finding a collection of some of the Articles that Jennifer has written for others, listed on their blog -- with links!  I'm noting it for some additional reading that perhaps many of you may find very valuable. And in case you were wondering about their 'take' on Education as they travel... I think you'll enjoy your own adventure in perusing their selection of resources, pics, blog posts, lists, essays etc.

So, there ya go!!  One more friend with another 'awesome blog'!  I've only scratched the surface on what treasures you'll find when you explore "The Edventure Project." You'll also find intros, and a couple of other blogs, by each family member.  So please do leave us a comment and tell us your thoughts thus far on our "43 Days of Blog Love."  Be sure to leave some "Love" for the Edventure Project and let them know your thoughts on their adventures!  And... be sure to tell them that the "Nomadic Jesters" sent ya!

Until tomorrow...  Enjoy the journey...

--c--

Posting 43 Days of "Blog Love": Day 2 ~ "Boyinks4Adventure"

Two Score Two days left...

Sometime back (I'm thinking over a year to be sure... according to their blog it's been over two... Wow! Time flies!!)  We crossed paths, on a couple of Facebook groups for RVers, with a guy named Mike Boyink.  First off, I am compelled to share that I don't know if that is really his last name or if it's a 'nom de plume'?...

 I mean seriously... I have come to know that Mike is a resourceful guy, (you'll see what I mean when you read "About:  Boyink" on their blog) thus a name like Boyink which sounds like: "Boy, Inc!" would be a great pseudonym, don't you think?   Right up there with clever plays on words as our beloved Samuel Langhorne Clemens adopting "Mark Twain" during his days as a river pilot in the mid 19th century.  

As time passed we came to learn that Mike had a wife and two kids  -- thus bringing creativity to the name, and logo, for their family blog:  Boyinks4Adventure.   (I love their logo!)

You'll notice that the tag line states:  "A family of four on the road for a year" -- Ummm... Yeah!  That was the original plan.  Truth be told, it's been over a year!  I won't give away all of the details (you'll have to read their blog...) but suffice it to say after a year on the road they returned to their hometown, sold their house, downsized there 'schtuff' and hit the road again!

In addition to their blog "Boyinks4Adventure" Mike has created a website to share travel blogs by others.  As subscribers we happily receive it in our "Inbox" each day.  Imagine my glee when not only did I find it in our Inbox this morning but we were included in the "Top Family Travel Blogs"!  Thanks Mike!! So jazzed!!  We hope to keep producing blog posts that you'll enjoy sharing!

When you visit their website "Top Family Travel Blogs" (because I know you will...) do note in the right margin is an Editors note.  That's Mike.  He shares:  "We're a family of 4 who started with a 1-year family road trip and ended up with a new life. No house, few possessions, great views, and awesome experiences."  I find it awesome that he shared that little tidbit, because I can't tell you how many people/families who we have met during our nomadic years who have similar stories.

We've known of many families who have started out for a six month or year trip around the country, or around the world, and then... they became nomadic for life!  So cool! While it's not for everyone, it seems to be a growing lifestyle choice lately. There are numerous experiences that are unique to traveling; matter of fact you'll find a great mix of them on the Boyink's blog -- It's awesome!! 

Thank you Mike and Crissa for sharing your adventures!  It's like taking field trips from your computer!  If I counted correctly the Boyinks have visited nearly 40 states thus far!  You'll find a list of "Travel Posts" in a column to the right of each blog entry you view,  if you care to look for a particular state -- perhaps to plan your own adventure?

Photo courtesy of Boyink Family

I do suggest that you peruse the drop-downs at the top of their blog -- LOTS of good info there too!  (From "Affording it" to "Why" with MUCH in between!)   I must say I especially enjoyed the "About Crissa" (MsBoyink)!  My favorite line in her mini-bio:  "I had been ruined for an ordinary life."   (Guess you'll have to read the rest to see what she was referring to.)  Thanks much Mike and Crissa, Harrison and Storybird, for being adventurous souls who are willing to share a bit of the fun as you ... Enjoy the journey!

One last note:  We have a penchant for unique road signs... while visiting the Boyinks4Adventure blog we found this (can't wait to see it in person and perhaps take a whacky pic or something!)

Photo courtesy of Boyink Family

And now Boyink Family I'll share one of my favorite signs with you (thus far...)   You may have seen some of these 'live-and-in-person' when you were on the North Coast of CA...  I do recall that you visited the Redwoods; we almost crossed paths that time!

I seem to recall in your latest blog post that you mentioned something about Texas being on your route?  Perhaps we'll still be here when you arrive!  ;)

Thanks for reading friends!  We hope that you have enjoyed meeting the Boyink family.  We hope that you will visit their blogs and share some "Blog Love" ... Tell them the Nomadic Jesters sent ya!

Until tomorrow... we hope that you too are 'Enjoying the journey!'...

--c--

Posting 43 Days of "Blog Love": Day 1 ~ Meet our friends "Family on Bikes" ~

So... How's your sense of humor???  It has been nagging at me for awhile that we are painfully behind on our blog posts.  At the beginning of the year it was our plan to post at minimum once per week.  What is that they say about the 'best laid plans of mice and men'?? Or is it just that "life is what happens when you're making other plans"? Yeah, yeah, that's it!!

Though our intention was to post 52 entries this year, we have thus far managed to post a whopping nine!!  That is horrible!!  I'm ashamed. But alas we will do our best to redeem ourselves!  All we need to do is post 43 times between now and the end of the year.  Thankfully there are 43 days left in 2013, as long as we start today (well, tonight...) and post consistently one post per day through the end of the year.  Yes!!  We can do this!!! (So what that it was supposed to be 52 posts in 52 weeks and now most of them will be in the last six weeks of the year... It still counts! tee hee hee...)

As it happens, I've been spending a fair amount of time reading blogs by others, as of late (inspiration you know?)  We are blessed to have some amazing friends with much to share, and do so via some awesome blogs!!  So I have this thought -- Over the next 43 days we will share with you (in no particular order) some of our favorite blogs.  Some days we may share a particular post (not necessarily current.)  Other days we may share a bit about our friends and refer to their blog in general.

We'll write a bit too, of course, but our focus will primarily be to share inspirations and friend's blogs.  If I understand correctly sharing blogs is a form of sharing what is referred to as:  "Blog Love."  I am still learning the terminology of social media so I request your patience with me, some things I just learn more slowly than others ... Our boys say it's because I'm old! lol!  I plan to live to a hundred and I'm only half way there so I don't think I'm old... but I digress... back to blogging.
 
We look forward to reading your comments here (please do post below) on the blogs that we share.  We hope, also, that you'll give your own "blog love" in the form of comments to our friends that you visit.  Please do include that you're sharing the 'love' from the Nomadic Jesters!  After all, isn't that part of the reason for the holiday season? Sharing the love??!!  So what friend(s) shall we start with? Hmmm... There are so many!!! (You wouldn't believe our "Inbox" on any given morning...)

We shall start with an adventurous family whom we admire much and are among those that we have been following the longest.  Though we have never met 'live and in person' I believe that if we met today it would feel like we were long time friends!  This family may be known to many of you as they have been on national television and mom, Nancy, has even done a TEDx Talk titled "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" 

Meet our friends the Vogel Family aka "Family on Bikes!"  There are many things to enjoy and admire about this family no matter your interests.  Even though it is not on our 'Bucket List' to cycle the Americas or anywhere else for that matter -- the sense of adventure and encouragement that you find in their blog posts and on their Facebook Page shares something for everyone.  Through the sharing of their experiences Nancy encourages others to identify and take the steps necessary to make your goals and dreams happen!

When you visit their website you'll notice at the top there are many tabs -- one of which is Blog, but we encourage you to peruse the site and not limit yourself to only reading their blog.  Nancy has worked hard on their website for years and has built it into a very helpful resource.  As a predecessor to reading their blog I encourage you to read About the Vogel's; capturing the personality and essence of each member of the family before reading the blog will enhance your experience as you take time to enjoy some of their adventures! 

I expect that the blog posts by "Family on Bikes" will leave you wanting more!  Happily Nancy has written a few books to further expand upon some of their past journeys! Buy one (or all) of their books to learn more about many of the experiences shared thus far by this unique family.  Christmas is around the corner and I believe that their books would make great gifts too!  Of course you can also find out the latest on their Facebook Page: Family on Bikes.

Remember... leave them a comment and share some 'love'!  Tell them that the "Nomadic Jesters" sent ya!  Oh and if you have a suggestion of a blog that we should check out, and perhaps share some 'blog love' with, please leave a link in our comments section below.  Thanks much!

Until tomorrow... Enjoy the journey...

--c--

Liar's Room Read #1

My dad is building a room that will display various objects with outrageous stories. Some true and some not. The job of the visitor is to decide if the story is fact or fiction. So in Honor of that idea I will post stories from time to time that will be "Liar's Room Reads." This will be the first of many (hopefully) to come.

Your job is to decide if it is "Fact" or "Fiction." Which is it?

 -------

The Final Run

 

It was a fairly warm evening at the Top Gun Raceway but was cooling nicely. The Sun had set about an hour earlier and we waited for our final call. Ken and I sat in the pits as the High school runs were being completed.

"Well, guess we should suit up." Ken said. "We'll be called for staging soon." I put down my soda thinking I get to open a beer soon. No alcohol was allowed in the pits until after the last run of the day was completed. I heard a small car launch as the light tree went green for him. Almost two seconds later I heard a big block growl out, then there was the familiar sound of street tires chirping as a Ford truck in the high school class spun his tires fiercely.

Found on web

"When he learns to drive he's gonna do well." I heard from behind. I turned around to see Marcus smiling at me. "You ready?" Marcus asked. "Just keep doing the same thing and you will be fine." "Motorcycles to the stage lines for finals. Motorcycles to the stage lines." The loudspeaker squawked as the bigblock Ford throttled down after crossing the traps at the end of the 1/4 mile run. "That's you." Marcus said.

We walked over to my bike and made sure that my jacket gloves and helmet were all there and started pushing my Suzuki to the Staging lines. It had been a fun day. I had one of the best days I ever had racing. It was also my first time in the finals.

Two years earlier I had been helping Marcus to build a car into a drag racer. I had only been to drag races once, many years before, and didn't watch much as I was there for the car show so I didn't really see the racing.

Found on web

I had not planned on going to the races as I knew I didn't have the money so I was surprised when the night before the race Marcus said. "Pick you up at 6. Be ready." "What?" I asked. "You are going? Aren't you?" Marcus asked. " I guess so."  I said and thought "Cool."

It was a fun day. We were out in the sun. Working on hot engines. Trying not to get burned while tuning and adjusting the engine in time to make the next run. It was a very interesting experience. Then the loudspeaker squawked, "Motorcycles to the staging lines." My ears perked up. "Motorcycles?" I asked. I told Marcus "Be right back!"

My attention was grabbed by the first bike to fire up. He rode around the water box and then backed in until the back tire just barely got into the water. Then the whine of a 1100cc Suzuki pierced my ears. Chills ran up my back and I felt my face flush. "They drag race motorcycles." I said in disbelief. I had been riding motorcycles for close to eighteen years and never knew they did this. "This is Awesome!"

Found on web

The rider inched forward out of the water box. Smoke started to grow from the rear tire as if it were on fire. He cut the gas and coasted forward. The racer came to a stop at the staging lights and adjusted himself on the bike. The bike in the other lane staged and the lights indicated they were ready.

The lights flashed and both bikes roared to life. The one I had been watching jumped forward and took off. The two bikes were doing time trials so it was a head to head run and not actually a race but I still found myself hopping up and down like a toddler when his birthday cake arrived. The two bikes shot down the track. The went faster than any cars I had ever seen. I went back to Marcus and asked, "Did you know they raced motorcycles?" "Of course." Marcus said. "Now hand me that 9/16 box end."

After that night I went to a few more races and would hang out at the motorcycle pits whenever I could. I asked question after question after question. I'm sure that they started to get annoyed with me. It didn't take long before I had found a bike to race. I built it up slowly. Started by stripping it of anything it didn't need, then lowering it, then finally modifying the frame and getting slicks.

"You're up" Marcus said and I blinked out of the past. I was now in my first finals. I had raced all day and was going to get, at worst, second place. It was a good day as I reflected on the bike I had built from an abandon rusty road bike to the missile I was preparing to ride.

[Above images found on web]

Firing it up, I became aware of the intensity of the power between my legs. My fingers tingled as I rapped the throttle a couple times. I sat down and rode around the water box and then straightened out lining up with the track. I backed toward the box as Marcus guided me. "Right there" he yelled over the engine as it idled. I grabbed the front brake and sat down.

I put the bike into second gear and wound the up engine. Quickly releasing the clutch I felt the bike try to lurch forward but with the front brake on, me pulling back and the water, the tire broke free easily. Smoke started to flow out from the tire and Marcus gave me the signal that it was ready. I had other plans though, I always wanted to "Do a Force" like John Force so I just let it run.

The smoke started to billow around from behind. The sweet smell of the race fuel mixed with the acrid smell of the smoke drifted into my helmet. Marcus made a big sweeping motion to me that I could go, but I just smiled. He couldn't see me through my mask, but he understood immediately and smiled back.

Found on web

Finally when I was fully engulfed in smoke and thought I might asphyxiate myself I inched out of the water box. Soon I was not able to hold the bike back as the hot slick grabbed and pushed forward. I dropped the throttle and grabbed the clutch just as the tire started to chew its way toward the starting line.

Those chills ran up my back and my face flushed yet again. I could feel my heartbeat throughout my body. I inched forward to the staging lights. The first one lit, then both lit up as I settled in. My friend Ken was in the lane to my left. I had pestered that guy for a long time before I finally showed up to the races with a bike and he mentored me the whole time. I was finally there. I was racing against the first motorcycle drag racer I had ever seen. Ken staged and I throttled my bike up ready for the green light.

I could feel my adrenaline course through my veins as my heart pumped. I breathed as calmly as my body would allow as all my muscles tensed in anticipation. The three yellow lights lit and I dropped the clutch. Before the bike even had a chance to react the green light flashed. The rear tire grabbed the sticky ground and the bike lurched forward.

My feet, barely touching the ground at this time, felt like they were jerked back as the bike jumped. I felt the wheelie bars slap the ground to prevent me from doing a back flip. Hanging on for dear life I squashed myself down against the tank. Everything turned into a blur as I took off like I had a rocket tied to my ass.

Found on web

I shifted into second gear and felt the wheelie bars roll behind me. My front tire only touched the ground briefly  as I changed gears and I felt the wheelie bars slap again. My vision focused down the track as I listened for the tone of the engine for the next gear change. I started to feel the wind push against me as I accelerated. I shifted into third gear and felt the bike settle back on both wheels.

As much as I wanted to look over for Ken, I knew that could be fatal. He was running a much faster bike and wouldn't leave for almost two seconds. Fourth gear came and I pressed myself tighter to the bike trying to merge myself to it. I focused on the finish line as it got closer; quickly! The RPM's increased at a slower rate with each gear change giving me time to think between them.

All the races of my past came to me. From the very first run on my Shadow where I pulled a huge wheelie. (This was after I said "Don't worry, I'm gonna take it easy." Then the light changed and a monster was born.) To the run on my Magna that I did for Bike Week. I rode a wheelie through first and second gear going the entire length of the stands. That was big crowd pleaser.

I passed 80 mph and I shifted into high gear. The cool air was pushing in through any opening I had as I shot past 90, then 100, quickly approaching my goal. The traps were right there. 110 came and went! I held my breath for the last 50 ft, waiting for Ken to pass me. I shot though the traps as Ken passed me. Who won? I couldn't tell. He passed me at the same moment that we crossed the finish line. It was a perfect match up for us.

Found on web

He had slowed down for me on the return road and we rode back side by side. I asked him if he beat me. "I don't know. That was a close one."

Time for that beer.

Like I did on this day, what ever you do...

Enjoy the journey...

Rich

Oh yeah, I won!

Question: What is the wildest thing you've done?

What are you doing this weekend? ~ What Adventures will it hold??

Yesterday morning I found this inspiring quote in my email - 

"To change one's life: 1. Start immediately.  2. Do it flamboyantly.  3.  No exceptions."  ~ William James 

(Thank you to Debra Lynn Dadd for sharing that!)

I like that! Thus I'll begin with a couple of thoughts on it -- First, I would have added exclamation points at the end of each of those 1, 2, 3...  Don't you think?  I mean really; those are important points if you are to do something really life changing!  So, noting that brought me to my next thought -- a question:  Who is William James?  Thank goodness for Googling! (Ummm... is that a verb now?  I'm thinking so.)

According to Stanford.edu website "William James was an original thinker in and between the disciplines of physiology, psychology and philosopy."  Dr. James is often referred to as the "Father of Psychology" and it appears to me that he had an optimistic nature -- which I too embrace -- I have found MANY quotes by him online that are very inspiring!

He graduated from, and later taught at, Harvard University.  I found it fascinating to read the list of those whom he called family (Godfather:  Ralph Waldo Emerson)  friends (Mark Twain, Sigmund Freud...), as well as those he taught (Theodore Roosevelt, W.E.B. DuBois...)  I'll leave you to the adventure of 'Googling' his name yourself to find out more about the full life he lead.  I will share that he did much in his 68 years; in addition to his studies, teachings and writings he was an artist and an adventurer!!  According to Stanford "some of his greatest philosophical contributions" were made in the last ten years of his life!  How exciting is that?!!

Oh, back to the topic... whether you're nomadic, as we are, or residing in 'sticks n bricks' there's always something inviting about the weekend!  This weekend there seems to be much going on for us so I thought perhaps we would take a few minutes to share and make a few suggestions, at minimum 'plant a few seeds' to help you find some fun this weekend! After all you never know what it could lead to... perhaps an adventure?  Perhaps something life changing??

Go do something with someone you Love.

I know, I know... you're not traveling!  So what could be exciting around home?  I'm sure you've heard the term "staycation"? ... Oh, but you're saying "it sounds so boring"... We can relate and wrote about finding local adventure earlier this year in our post  "Been There! Done That!"  Perhaps it will inspire you!  In a recent post "Am I a Bad Parent? my hubby told you a bit about one of our hobbies, Geocaching!  We shared that this month is "31 Days of Geocaching" ... How many caches do you have thus far?  What's your goal?  We're aiming for 100 for the month!!  (Read about that on our previous post.)

Geodetic Center of North America (NAD27)

So perhaps log on to Geocaching.com and find an event near you, this weekend, there's bound to be one!  Friday we'll be attending a Bluegrass event and enjoying ice cream sundaes, dropping off a Travel Bug and of course picking up a cache or two or THREE!!  On Saturday we'll be joining some 'new Caching friends' for "Tetanus Tacos" -- We'll have to get back to you on what they are exactly -- and yes, grabbing a few more 'finds!'

Have you ever been to Timbuctoo?

Something else that we have enjoyed from time to time along the way is locating Historical markers; an opportunistic addition to our "Roadschool" list, of things we do!  In mentioning that it's a perfect opportunity to say "Congrats!" to our friend Linda as this week marks the 10th birthday of her website "Markeroni.com"!! Wow!! Time flies when you're snarfing!  What? What's "Snarfing?" take a look at her latest blog  and go from there -- More fun to be had... Along the way!!


Hopefully we've inspired you to at least a few thoughts toward an adventurous weekend -- So please do let us know ... What are you doing this weekend?  We'd love to hear all about your adventures and how you're...

Enjoying the journey!

Make it a great one!!

--c--

Am I a Bad Parent?

I pushed through the bushes and emerged from the side of the building.  "Hold it right there." I looked up and was blinded by two extremely bright flashlights. I stood there with my phone/GPSR in one hand and a small container in the other. Ian said from behind me, "What's going on Dad?"

"Turn around and walk backward to me." One of the two men said in a very direct voice.  Having worked in Law Enforcement in my past I knew immediately that I was in a bad, and not so safe, position at that very moment. "Ian, hold your hands out to your sides where they can be seen and do as your told." I said as I turned around with my hands spread apart. I saw a look of fear sweep over him. Ian was told to hold still.

While backing up all I could think was "I knew that caching here at night was a bad idea."  I was told to stop and put the things in my hands on the ground. I was then ordered to interlace my fingers and place them on my head. "Crap" I thought, "this is bad." I was handcuffed, rather roughly, and the same process happened to Ian. Then we were separated and questioned as to why we were there.

"We are Geocaching, Sir." The officer obviously didn't believe me as he looked at me with a slight frown on his face. I told him that my phone on the ground had an app that showed the cache that I was just retrieving. He looked over at the canister on the ground, that I had put down, and quickly spoke into his radio "Dispatch, Tach-2" and switched to another frequency. I thought "Oh CRAP!" "Dispatch, possible 10-89. Send bomb squad."

I then realized that the canister was a tube about 6 inches long and had a slight resemblance to a pipe bomb, as it sat in the grass in the dark. "N-n-no, no, no, wait!" I said "Th-that's not a bomb!  My son and I are Geocaching. It's a game. Someone hides a container and posts its GPS coordinates online and then we try to find it."

He wouldn't listen as he grabbed me and quickly drug me away from the cache. I saw my son being drug away also, getting us back to "Safety." This was turning into a fuster-cluck fast. "Geo-what?!" he asked after we were at a "safe" distance.  "Geocaching," and repeated my explanation. "If you look on my phone there is an app up that has a description of that Geocache."

He looked at me as if he were trying to read if I was telling the truth. "We are not touching anything until the bomb squad gets here" he said. Thinking back, I remembered a similar incident in Geoocaching history, I then asked, "Can you get online on your phone?"

The whole time all this was going on, my son was looking at me for some sort of solace. All I could do was to nod at him gently with my hands cuffed behind my back. Hoping he understood that everything would be okay; I returned my attention to the officer. "Go onto Geocaching.com and you can see. There are thousands of caches all over the world."  In the background I heard sirens.  Dropping my head all I could think is "Can it get any worse?"
                                                            

The next thing I know, I wake up. Whoa!  It was a dream!

We Geocache. We have been doing it for over eight years, though we have not done a lot in the last five years because I was going to school, working, cost of gas....etc.  But this month there is a special challenge going on for the entire month of August --  "31 Days of Geocaching" -- That is thirty one consecutive days of Geocaching.  You get a special 'e-souvenir' for each day that you participate.  (You will find it attached to your Geocaching.com Profile.  Don't have one yet? Registration is Free for Basic Membership.)

So we decided it was time to start Caching again. We started off the first six days with one cache a day. After a couple of days of 'enjoying the hunt' ... we decided to break the month into five 'six day' increments and set some goals!  Thus, we will add one cache per day, per increment (five the first, six the second, and so on...) Since there are 31 days in the month that leaves an extra day (as 31 is not evenly divisible by six...)  the LAST day of the month we are planning to do TEN!! --- Bringing us to a whopping 100 cache finds for the month of August! We apparently, have lost our minds.

As for "Am I a Bad Parent?" (I hope you enjoyed the story... and yes, it really was fiction... It didn't happen.  Sorry.)  It is true, however, that we do a lot of Caching at night -- Just for fun! So is it bad that we take our son out for a bit of 'moonlit adventure' from time to time??  Nah! He'd just be on the Xbox anyway.  After all he IS a teenager.

Perhaps this month will be the beginning of an adventure or two... or three... or???  for you!!  Get out there! Go Caching!!!  But most of all, as always...

Enjoy the journey...

Rich