AGirl's Blog

AGirl's Blog http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog An internal & external journey with "AGirl" Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:54:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 en An update from Moab, UT http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=238 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=238#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:53:56 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=238 I’ve only posted 1 update since Scott and I rolled out of Nashville 4 days ago. Many of you have reminded me of that fact so I thought I’d try and shoot up at least a brief one here in Moab, Utah this morning before we head out to Arches National Park this morning. I think there is a good chance Scott is on sensory overload given all the sights we’ve seen and memories we’ve created! Even though I’ve covered every road and place we’ve been to (several times in both directions actually), it’s been different with someone else; watching and listening to Scott’s experience has been quite interesting and at times down right hilarious. We’ve bagged quite a few National Park Passport Stamps as we scampered through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. We were forced to changed our original route from Durango through Telluride to Grand Junction yesterday due to heavy snow in Telluride. During our re-route, which took us to Mesa Verde Nat’l Park and Hovenweep Nat’l Monument, we hit a brief period of light snow pellets but then the sun came out and our heated gear came off! Both of us agree we have been extremely lucky with weather during this entire journey. Aside from yesterday’s frozen stuff, we’ve had clear skies and simply great riding conditions. We’ll be going to western Utah later today and tomorrow then shoudl be in Phoenix by Thursday night. I’ll be posting the full Journey Reports and a zillion photos once we’re there. I’ll try and put a few pics below for now.

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=238 The journey is underway! (Nashville, TN to Little Rock…Day 1+photos) http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=237 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=237#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:11:05 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=237

Scott has survived his birthday as well as the first day of our cross country adventure on two wheels today! We made great time today covering the 350 miles to the home of a friend of mine (who also happens to own an Yamaha FJR, the same motorcycle I am riding) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Superb weather (low 70s, dry), which made for perfect conditions for the first day out of the gate. We had a wonderful evening visiting with my friends Reggie and Teresa and exploring Little Rock’s revitalized downtown district (along with crazy good pizza!). Scott is sleeping (um, recovering?) while I’m uploading a few photos from today’s ride. I’ll post a Journey Report and the rest of the pics when I can!
AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=237 FJR Fall Full Circle continued…. http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=236 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=236#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:41:14 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=236 <meta content="OpenOffice.org 3.0 (Win32)" name="GENERATOR" /><style type="text/css">  </style><img src="http://www.seizethejourney.com/images/smilies/Various3/s9.gif" />Time again to awaken the blog that I rarely use! I’ve been on the road since mid-Aug on an adventure I’ve called the “FJR Fall Full Circle”. I’m guessing most people landing on this page have followed my journey, but for the unknowing you can get caught up at this link: <a href="http://www.seizethejourney.com/rideinfo/fullcircle09_01.asp">HERE</a>. I’m currently in Nashville, TN read to roll West in the morning with <a id="more-236"></a>both my bikes (Yamaha FJR1300 and Suzuki V-Strom DL1000). My friend and webmaster Scott will be piloting my Suzuki to Phoenix and then fly back to Nashville. Since he will be on the road with me, um behind me, the “SeizeTheJourney.com” website will likely not be updated until he returns to Music City. So, I’m going to try and post updates here on the blog. I know at least one 87 year old who will be most appreciative.</p> <p><img src="http://www.seizethejourney.com/images/smilies/Various3/16.gif" />Here is what our scheduled route looks like…:<img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd232/YouGoAGirl/FFFC2009-2/00-TNtoAZmap.jpg" /></p> <p>…more details can be found at the link above. When we pull out of the driveway in the morning it will be Scott’s birthday as well as his first cross country ride. It should be a memorable journey though I’ll have to adjust to seeing my V-Strom in the rear view mirror of my FJR!</p> <p>AGirl </p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRSS>http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=236</wfw:commentRSS> </item> <item> <title>CouchSurfing ROCKS!! http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=235 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=235#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:19:00 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=235 ***An excerpt from a Journey Report posted on my website (SeizeTheJourney.com) explaining CouchSurfing :

In yesterday’s report I mentioned I would be utilizing another option for accommodations (aside from camping and hotels) during this 7 week journey to the East Coast. Well, it’s called “CouchSurfing” and it’s something I’ve been involved with for the last few months while I’ve been in Phoenix. The “official” description (from the CouchSurfing.com website) is: “CouchSurfing is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit. CouchSurfing is not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it’s about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!“

My girlfriend Kobi and I have hosted a multitude of varied travelers (aka “surfers”) such as a bicyclist from Vancouver BC riding the Southern Tier of the US, a couple from Finland, a woman from Hawaii, and travelers from Germany & London just to name a few. Meeting these folks has been an absolutely, positively, wonderful experience and I can’t say enough about CouchSurfing!! Some may choose to see Couch Surfing as a free place to stay, but I’d be willing to bet anyone involved would say it’s much, MUCH more than that. Connecting with people especially locals of the area you are visiting is invaluable. My personal philosophy is WHO we meet along the way is far more memorable than the miles (or kilometers!) we travel in this life. CouchSurfing offers an opportunity to connect with others; you can “search” the profiles of other “Surfers” by a multitude of parameters (like location, age, interests, philosophy, etc) in the area you are traveling then send a request to “surf” their couch (or bed, futon, etc). The most often asked question I hear is “How do you know it’s safe?!?”, which seems obvious. However, CouchSurfing offers a verification process for those that register as well as a “Reference” system similar to that of eBay’s “Feedback”. Suffice to say, any bad apple would be quickly weeded out. ( For FAQ’s click: THIS). CouchSurfers are located all over the world (over a million people are registered) and I’ve never come across a profile that had a negative reference. In fact, it’s quite the contrary as endless references can be found from folks relating what memorable experiences they had while hosting or “surfing”.

*Full report found: HERE

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=235 Said good-bye to my best friend today ;-( http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=234 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=234#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:52:23 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=234 Despite the fact that we out live our pets and we all know this when we welcome them into our lives, it still doesn’t make it any easier when the time comes to say good-bye. After spending 16 incredible years together, today I gave my last kiss to “Nike, Jr”, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi and closest companion over the last 16 years:

Rest in peace my little buddy - I’ll miss you dearly.
AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=234 Pics from “Webmaster Goes West” http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=222 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=222#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:26:20 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=222 Webmaster Scott landed safely Friday evening at Sky Harbor airport here in Phoenix. Within 9 hours we were on the road along with my friends Russ and Ron heading towards California where we toured the Hearst Castle, spent time riding the glorious Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1), touring Joshua Tree National Park, and having an overall blast. Arrived back in Phoenix where I’ve taken Scott on some of the more popular day rides in the area. We’re headed for Tucson in the morning to visit the Pima Air & Space Museum and also swing by Saguaro Nat’l Park. We’ve both taken literally hundreds of photos, here are a few: (click on photo to enlarge)

Full Journey Report to come after he returns to TN and gets a few days of rest!

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=222 Webmaster goes West! http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=221 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=221#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:35:41 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=221 Let the adventure begin!

I must say though that getting both my long distance bikes ready has been a rather unusual challenge! I’ll try and post updates/photos of our journey to this blog during the week he’s here.

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=221 A shout out to 2 of my two wheelers! http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=218 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=218#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:58:53 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=218

This past week a friend from Vancouver BC (”Alex”) rolled into Phoenix after being on the road since late September. If you’re wondering how it could take someone over 3 months to cover that distance on a bike, well, you’re likely thinking of a different kind of bike than the one Alex rode. Here’s his ride:

Sweeeeet! It was great to spend a day or so with another adventurer and share stories. I was amazed to see how similar his bicycle packing and gear (clothing, camping, etc) is to that of my motorcycle (of course, sans the protective armour I wear). I really enjoyed hearing Alex’s review of the various gear he elected to carry, and especially his demonstrations:

(If you’re wondering why we’re both wearing rather odd attire, I had just finished running and he was in the process of doing laundry.) Alex pulled into Phoenix after riding over 2,600 miles on the “Pacific Coast Route” (starting from his home in British Columbia) and with the intentions of riding the North American perimeter. Unfortunately, he developed some issues with his knees recently and decided to call Phoenix the end of the road… for now. He said he’ll be back later this year to restart his journey. GO, ALEX, GO!! Rehab, reload, and you’ll be back better than ever! (Alex’s blog during his journey can be found: HERE.)

Now, for those of you who followed me during my journey in Alaska, you will likely recall the two guys I befriended at a hostel in Fairbanks who were riding their bicycles to Argentina (the Journey Report when I met Matt and Scot can be found: HERE). Well, over 17 months and 13,000 miles Matt is still on the road and has crossed into Argentina. WOOT! That is some journey, huh?! His website (Panambikeride.com) and blog (where you’ll find some incredible stories and photos) can be found: HERE. Keep rollin’ Matt!!!

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=218 *** Happy 2009!! *** http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=216 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=216#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:17:56 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=216 Yeah, so I’ve been AWOL for awhile. I needed a break… not from riding, but from writing. I’m really not all that in to writing, as strange as that may seem given all the things I’ve posted on my website. Anywho, I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone a great New Year.

AGirl

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=216 “California Cruising (On An FJR)” http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=215 http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=215#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 16:22:14 +0000 AGirl Uncategorized http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?p=215

Just got back from an 8 day, 3k mile motorcycle jaunt from Pheonix to California’s mountains, valleys, and coasts. It ended up being a rather spontaneous journey (pre-departure plans were for 3-4 days of 1600 miles) that certainly included a few surprises along the way. I’m going to be working on the Journey Report (especially since it’s 110 outside!) and should have it posted on the SeizeTheJourney.com website in a few days. All the photos are already up and can be found: HERE.

If you’ve sent me a direct email and are awaiting reply, standy by. My in-box is currently out of control.

AGirl�

]]> http://www.seizethejourney.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=215