Sunday, September 20, 2009

Suzuki GS450 EZ


Work on the bike: Changed rear wheel. installed a new battery. Adjusted foot brake. Changed the oil. Adjusted chain tension. Torked the rear axle. Shined the chrome with Mother's polish. Painted the Suzuki name signs. Bought paint for the gas tank. I'm debating doing more because she's a 1981--a little worn. I'll use her as my training bike and hope for a bigger and better model in the near future. To my great surprise, She actually started up yesterday!
Posted by Picasa

Eleanor

She started kindergarten a couple of weeks ago and although we call her Kawailani, she decided to be Eleanor in school. That's my mom's name! Mom never liked it, but Eleanor Joy, pictured here, is taking on school with enthusiasm!
Posted by Picasa

Ele Joy-joy

Posted by Picasa

backyard trampoline

Posted by Picasa

Friday, September 11, 2009

Roadtrip-Klickitat Canyon

Posted by Picasa

Klickitat

Posted by Picasa

on the road-Klickitat

Posted by Picasa

Sun on Columbia River

Posted by Picasa

Glass Shop, White Salmon

Posted by Picasa

Columbia River

Posted by Picasa

Sand bar-Columbia River

Posted by Picasa

Washougal

Posted by Picasa

Transitions

I always wanna take off and go someplace. I love riding at night, just into the sunset when the sky is in it's glory and then turns dark as the stars begin to twinkle their light. I took off early, having mapped what I was going to do with a tentative and flexible time frame and little kala (cash money). I figured it would take a tank and a half of gas--and I didn't use that much, but DID cover over 500 miles. The Beetle is SUPER on the road, except I tried a logging road in the canyon to catch a picture but turned around early on as the music in my head sounded like "The Dueling Banjos". Note to self, when hearing this music, head back towards civilization! The plan was to cover the longest part of the loop and the most traffic congested I-5 south in the beginning of the day, take my time and hit the desert at sunset then fly through it with the roof (sunroof or moonroof?) open and gaze at the stars! Doesn't work too well if you drive too fast! Speed limit is 70 but I hit higher mph at times. The only way to improve on this is to do it on a bike!

This is a good way to think about life. I loaded the cd player and sometimes I sang out loud and at other times I drove in quiet. I said a few prayers and asked for protection and clarity of thought and mind. This is a crazy time. So be it. It's always crazy in one way or another.