RTTMS June 15, 2011 Lost in Paradise

I spent yesterday at the home of Barbra and Nathan Holloway and two of their 4 children finishing up some of my blog stuff and getting laundry done. I had sent a package via US Postal Service to Nathan's with extra clothes to wear while I'm here but it has not yet arrived. I am now stuck wearing a small selection of riding clothes for a little while but hopefully the package will arrive shortly. If it doesn't, they sell clothes here in Fairbanks.

Nathan's youngest daughter, Abigail, was kind enough to offer to wash my motorcycle since it was very dirty from the highway travel and getting into the rain. She did an excellent job and now my bike is looking good once again and ready to ride.

Their son Caleb is very interesting and quite a conversationalist. Likes to engage in strategy games.

Today I woke up in a strange mood. I realized that I am over 5000 miles away from my friends and family, across 4 time zones and almost a continent away. Part of this may be that it is my Grandson Christopher's birthday and I will not be there to see him and cannot for several days.......a little unhappy with that but I will call him later so that I'll get a lift from that. Usually I have a riding companion on these trips or I am going to someones home that I know and this is a very different situation and a little uncomfortable.

Nathan and Barbra have a home on 3 acres outside of Fairbanks. They have chickens, pigs, a horse and cat. They also have a wonderful garden which has moose fencing around it so they get to eat the veggies instead of the wildlife.

The Holloway's have been wonderful hosts and I want to thank them for letting me stay with them and making me feel at home.

A friend of mine from years ago at Sprint, Buff Chagnon, has a sister that lives in North Pole, Alaska, which is about 15 miles away and I am going to try and contact her today to say hi.

The weather today is a little gloomy with gray clouds and intermittent rain. This adds to the somber mood.

I am going to search for a rear tire to be installed Anchorage so that I am sure that the tire will last the entire trip home. I still have some good miles left on this tire but there is not enough for me to feel safe for the return trip.

I want to say Thanks to all of the folks that have added comments of encouragement to this commentary. I also have received several emails and phone calls adding encouragement to me. Thanks to everyone for your time and interest.


This is about it for today. More tomorrow.

Mike