The KLR650 Motorcycle: Ride America

[ace_combs]

Somewhere outside Los Angeles, near a place called Temecula, I decided that I couldn't deal with Southern Califonia anymore. I found myself sinking into the same depression that had caused me to flee Chicago. The multi-lane, traffic-filled, concrete super-highways flowed through a seemingly endless suburban strip-mall landscape.

"Watch the

Comments

[ravieslave]

Creepily, you are hitting all of the places I was for April of this year...

I am reading with sand-goggles on...!

[ace_combs]

Thanks for calling me creepy, dude!

I sort of stumbled into everything, proceeding west from Texas with nothing more than the vague impression that the northern parts of New Mexico and Arizona would be prettier.

April? I can't imagine the desert earlier in the year - and I can't imagine the mountains later in the year. April-May, October-November sound like good bets.

Sigh. I don't know how I'm going to deal with Chicago, again.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

[ravieslave]

No, no, you're not creepy; the fact you've been to aforementioned places like following my own sinuous past-route is creepy. Creepy is a compliment, trust me.
And I'm less a dude.
Ah, Arizona. It's warmer in Arizona. Not a fan of New Mexico.
Cold early-year desert has a piece of my left ventricle.
Chicago is large and cold and about one hour away from where I currently reside.
And no problem on the reading/commenting. Apologies it took so long to respond.

[bandraoi]

Thank you for sharing this, Paul. It stirs up the faintly warm embers of my wanderlust. You never realize how alone you are until you set out on the road by yourself. When I hit a dog coming home from MS last month on I-57, it really unnerved me, really made me feel like maybe I was tampering with my luck, like so much worse could have happened and that the dog's death was just a warning.

Of course, that's ridiculous, I suppose. But it underscored just how unprepared I really am should anything as challenging as what happened to you in CO transpire. I'm glad the Jacarilla Apache were there when you needed them. It's people like that that make all the dangers worth it.

[ace_combs]

You are so right. And seeing the animals on the road has been one of the worst parts of the trip. Somehow, too, on the motorcycle it is even worse - because you're about the same size and shape as the deer: four limbs down, head up, moving quickly through space, not trusting the humans in their cars and trucks

.

[owlcatowl]

i am glad the sky told you what to do.

that part of america, the south west, is so beautiful.

i love california, but it has this slight pretense. it felt like every time i showed up, she was either going to put out or not. and it hurt when she didn't. it leaves you high and dry and alone. but when you find yourself in the south west, she would welcome you with open arms. it feels like home no matter what time of day or night, rain or sun.

deserts don't lie.

* *

Re: .

[ace_combs]

Yep: I found a new love for the desert when its warm, dry air would rush up to meet me as I descended from the mountains. I am so sick of being cold and damp! On the bike, wind, vibration, humidity and elevation conspire to chill the rider...

In the big picture, those are small worries. Hope you're feeling well!

[mojokat]

Sounds like you're ready to hit the playa at BM. ;-)

[ace_combs]

I can't believe that it's still so popular. That (BM) is always a late-80's art school reference, in my own mind. It (BM) has become a sort of institutionalization of anti-institutional modes. Not knocking it, at all (though I will be accused of that) just saying

[rainyk]

Wow...

[ace_combs]

Thanks Kyla!
It's not NZ, but it's pretty good.
Hope you're doing well!

[wilddaughter]

Damnit, I knew I should have gotten my number to you when I finally got a phone a couple weeks back...

Thanks for sharing the stories and pictures. Amazing as always; I'm so glad that I get the chance to see things through your unique view and to tag along on your journeys.

[ace_combs]

No worries. Maybe, if I had contacted someone in AZ, then I would have missed the Apache and Navajo...or something/someone else.

It all worked out. AZ was really impressive. I can only imagine how much hotter it gets...

Thanks for the compliments!