Notes from the Road

It has been an eventful week, but we have returned home after a restful vacation in New Jersey. After nearly 2,000 miles and countless hours in the car, we are back where we belong. It always feels great to be home after time away, even after an enjoyable journey. I made a few observations along the way that I would like to share.

First, having been born and raised in Illinois, I am always amazed at how much better things are done in other states. For instance, in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, there are several convenient travel plazas along the interstate. Most of these are very clean and have a lot to offer weary travelers. Illinois has very few of these, and the ones that are available are nowhere near as nice. Where does the money go from the tolls that motorists pay when travelling through Illinois?

Second, there are still a lot of good people in the world, despite what you may see on TV. Amanda and I met lots of kind people in New Jersey that were willing to take a few minutes out of their day to talk. Sitting outside a donut shop in downtown Asbury Park, we were greeted by several friendly people just out for a stroll. It costs nothing to be kind, other than a little time.

Third, it is always good to be with family. We may not see eye to eye on everything. Likewise, we may get on each other’s nerves from time to time. However, there is nothing like the love of a family. I am proud to say I have a great family both near and far.

Finally, can we stop putting gumball machines inside every travel plaza across the country? It seems like in every plaza we visited there were gumball machines just inside the door. At each machine stood kids who were much too young begging their parents for a quarter. Whoever came up with this idea must be making millions! On second thought, maybe Illinois could use some of these. Perhaps our schools and other essential services would then be adequately funded. If not at least we’d keep the dentists in business.

July 9, 2022 0

On the Road Again

If you have followed this blog for a while you know that I ride a hand-powered trike. It is something that I enjoy quite a bit. However, I’ve not been out for a while, as I have had some back pain. The problems with my back have greatly limited my mobility over the past few months.

Fortunately, I am beginning to regain my strength. Today, I went for my first ride since last August, or so the app that I use to track my rides tells me. It is difficult to imagine that it was the end of August last year when I stopped riding. I struggled today to get back into a rhythm. However, muscle memory is a great thing. It was not long before I was gaining back some of my momentum.

It was a short ride today. I did just under 4 miles. Last summer my average ride was about 10-12 miles. It will be a while until I am back up to those distances. I think for now I’ll just focus on building up my endurance. These last few months have not been kind to my body. I’ve not focused on my health in quite some time. Working from home and leading a largely sedentary lifestyle is what led to my back problems, I believe.

I hope today was the start of turning things around and becoming more active. I know my mental health could use a boost. Plus, it is fun to watch all the people stop and just watch as I go by, like I am some being that has landed here from another planet. I am just a guy who pedals his bike with his hands. If you see me out, give me a honk. Although, I may not hear you, as I usually am wearing my headphones. After all, I do have to be on standby in case the Mothership calls me back to our landing site.

July 1, 2020 0

Nowhere Man

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you probably have noticed that I am a Beatles fan. I’ve enjoyed their music for quite some time. My favorite Beatle was John Lennon. I have always appreciated his wit, and I can relate to his cynicism. These two things combined made his songwriting something that speak me on a very personal level.

I often have a very cynical view of the world. I believe that things will turn out all right in the end. However, sometimes I just need to convince myself of that fact. In order to deal with a world that can seem like a rather dark place at times, I try to use wit and humor to lighten the mood. Sometimes all that you can do when life throws your a curveball is laugh. I feel as if I have had my fair share of curveballs.

One thing that I have had trouble dealing with recently is a sense of isolation. This is something that most, if not all, can relate to as we look forward to the world once again hanging out its “Welcome-Come On In!” sign. I just want to go to a public place without wearing a mask. However, I must say the Chicago Cubs mask that Amanda made for me is pretty cool, but I digress.

With warmer temperatures and sunshine here now, it is even more difficult to “social distance.” I want to be in the bleachers at Wrigley Field with a hot dog in one hand, and a cold drink in another. I want to hear the sound of the pipe organ between innings. Most of all, I just want to be able to travel again to the places that I love.

This week I have been perusing my “Facebook Memories” quite a bit. I’ve been able to look back on trips I have taken together with family and friends. Nearly a year ago Amanda and I were in Washington D.C. enjoying Memorial Day weekend. Eight years ago we were in New York City visiting the Statue of Liberty. Finally, my brother Shannon and I were in Alaska twenty years ago this month. May apparently has been a great month to travel. I long to have more adventures and to make more memories.

Until then I will remain a “Nowhere Man.” The opening lines to this John Lennon penned Beatles tune sum things up for me perfectly for now:

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

May 29, 2020 3

Suggestions Please…

I must admit, I have not been out of my house much since March. It not so much fear of getting ill. I just have been working from home, and have not had much of a reason to go out. While I have been in my self-imposed exile, I have done some blogging. I have also enjoyed listening to podcasts, watching Netflix, and doing some reading.

When it comes to reading, I generally enjoy historical works, biographies, and some fiction. The other night I started reading American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. He was a theoretical physicist who was known as “the father of the atomic bomb.” So far I have enjoyed reading this book. I love that it blends biography and history all into one. Plus, I enjoy reading anything related to World War II, as this is one of my favorite periods in history.

I also enjoy reading about the Vietnam War, and about the music and culture of the 1960’s. I think I have read every book there is about Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles. However, I know there is more out there I haven’t read.

Also, as noted above, I enjoy podcasts. My favorites are those having to do with history, true crime, and comedy. Some podcasts I enjoy are “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” “The Conspirators,” “Ridiculous History,” and “American Scandal.” At this point, you might be asking, “Why is he telling all of this?” That is where you come in actually.

I’d enjoy it if you sent me some suggestions on books you think I might enjoy, or some podcasts you think are good. Leave me a Facebook comment if you are reading this from my page. You can also send me a comment through my blog page. I am curious to see what you all are reading and listening to these days. You might help me discover some hidden gem I never knew was out there.

April 29, 2020 0