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My flight was delayed due to the typhoon.
I started to ride from LA.
This year's adventure theme:
Meet friends, make friends.
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I met Earl and Nancy 15 years ago.
We're still good terms with them.
Everybody gets old.
We can't remember what we did just 2 days ago.
We still remember what we did 15 years ago.
I feel comfortable.
Today's lesson:
Good memories will never go bad forever.
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Johsyuan Tree Nationa Park |
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I went to national park.
There were nothing but big trees and big rocks.
Because of the flood, I couldn't go through the park to the next I-10 exist.
On the I-10, it was 115 F.
It was too hot.
This road is hotter than I had expected.
Once I let my hand off the break lever, I could not touch it again.
What is worse, I almost ran out of gas on the road.
I thought of the free dial number which Nancy had given to me.
I managed to stop at a service station and get some gas.
After that, I learened from this experience.
I had to stop at every 50 miles for my bike and for myself.
To tell the truth, I wanted to quit this jounerny.
But when I called Dawna, her usual kind loud voice made me soft and strong.
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I succeeded in getting to David and Dawna home.
They had waited for me to come.
They had the same kind smile and loud voice.
I was very exhuasted from long ride under the sun but their heartful hospitality made me relaxed.
Today's lesson: I am not a lonely cactas. |
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Dawna introduced me to a Harley Enthusiast, whose name is Rick.
He has a big body and he rides a Harley like riding a kid's tricle.
And he has a big heart.
He talks to anybody and become friends.
Being with him, something good came to me.
Can you see a T&A touching his big one? |
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Native American Wildland Firefighters |
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Rick and I rode through Arizona secret scenic byway.
I noticed soon Arizona has many faces.
It was a beautiful state.
We met Native American Wildlland Firefigters, the Golden Eagles Hotshots.
They are an elite group of high skilled fighters.
They are cool and kind.
We got along with them soon.
They gave me water and their special T-shirts.
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We went to natural bridge.
Here was cool enough to take a nap.
I looked up to the ceiling and thought of the ancient people who had looked up to the same ceiling.
I felt as if I could hear their voice. |
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We saw a beautiful lake in the evening.
This riding was tranquil as well as exciting
I stayed at his home.
His wife, Nancy, was kind enough to prepare for my sudden visit.
I really appreciate her consideration.
Today's lesson:
If I wasn't hard, I wouldn't be alive. If I couldn't ever be gentle, I woudn't deserve to be alive.
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I went to Sedona.
I felt red rocks have something special.
I suppose that people reading this jounarl now will win the lotto.
Today's lesson:
There is no better time than now. |
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I went to Saguaro National Park.
Few people came here.
I supposed this is because anybody watch the same cactuses near their house.
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Big Summer Afternoon Shower |
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On the I-10 I saw a bid afternnon shower ahead of me.
The road curved left that's why I escaped getting wet.
I was really lucky this time.
Today's lesson:
We should enjoy the here and now. Don't lose the forest from the trees. |
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At Shierra Vista I visited Mark and Evelyn home.
When I home stayed several years ago, they lived in California city.
She moved this summer and raised horses as well as their sweetie, Destiny.
I worried that she would urged me to play house.
But now she knows better.
She grew up to be a beautiful princess.
We went to Toumbstone.
Before I left Japan, I watched Western movie, the Magnificent Seven".
It is worth my while to see it.
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When I am exhausted at a I-10 gas staion near Las Cruse, a gentleman came up to me.
He is the owner of this gas station.
He invited me to his house and showed me his cool truck.
He said, "Beer? ...Tequila?"
His pronaunciation made me really want to try it.
Next time he promised that he would kill his goat and throw a party.
Today's lesson:
Good things come in small packages.
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I went to White Sand National Park.
This scenery is difficult to understand.
It looks like a land covered with much snow.
I just played like a kid.
I ran on the dune and dived into the sand.
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I visited UFO musium in Roswell.
Streetlumps are very cute.
Today's lesson:
Step-by-step is the true goal of your final scene in the picture of life.
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I headed for Durango.
I enjoyed this nice road, US-555.
On the way to Durango, I visited Zui Pueblo Musium.
Some pottery look like Japanese one.
Human beings may be the same at the bottom of heart.
Today's lesson:
Everything happens for a reason.
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad |
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I took a Durango and Shilverton Narrow Guage Railroad.
It is so gorgeous but too slow.
Bicycle guys came up to us and went far away soon.
This rail road reminds me of good old days.
When the train ran along the river, some boys playing in the river gave us moon shot.
Passengers, especially ladies, exclaimed for joy.
Only me, standing and taking pictures.
They looked at me.
This is America.
Today's lesson:
We learn from history that we do not learn from history. |
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I went to Mesa Verde.
There are many people coming.
I sat and thought...we were in such a hurry that we left our souls behind. Now I am sitting here waiting for our Spirits to catch up.
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I went to Gooseneck Canyon.
It was strange landscape.
How and why water ran through this land. |
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I went to Monument Vally.
Here is a place I had wanted to ride.
I wanted to show this magnificent view to my best friend, who was killed in the accident 12 years ago, .
That's why I bring a stone, which I picked up from his cemetry, with me.
According to the movie, whose title is "Forest Gump",
Here is between a real world and a heaven?
I showed him this scenary.
He gave me some message, I felt.
Today's lesson:To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our day.
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This is sunset.
I came near to crying.
This sunset touched my heart.
It is different from the one we saw in the TV program.
I really think I made right decition to ride in the U.S.A.
Today's lesson:
The great end of life is not knowledge but action.
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I succeded in being hooked up by a rider, whose name is La Rue.
He looks like an ordnary gentleman, but he becomes a superman in case of need.
Anyway, I have company.
The more, the merrier.
Today lesson
Good company on the road is the shotest cut and the funniest ride.. |
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La Rue and I went to Arche's National Park and Canyonland National Park.
When we had a thunder, I said to La Rue,
"Did you hear that?"
He said,
"It's talking to us."
He was funny.
It revealed who he is. |
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Canyon Land National Park |
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La Rue and I rode around the Canyon Land National Park.
In this park, there were few guests.
But the scale is huge and dymnamic.
Here is better than Grand Canyon, if you ride a motorcycle.
As you know, at Grand Canyon we had to use a shuttle bus. You can't have your own way.
We rode almost all of the sight seeing spots. |
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Senset at Arches National Park |
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La Rue and I returned to Arches National Park in order to see sunset.
Sunlight reflected red rocks.
It was gorgeous and mystelious.
I came near to holding his hand. |
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Thanks to La Rue's help, and his GPS bought at Wal Mart ($200 ), We didn't lose our way.
We rode from Moab to Jacksonhole. about 550 miles
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From Rockspring to Jacksonhole |
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But in Jacksonhole, we couldn't get a room at any motel.
We had to ride to another town where it is 100 miles away.
We rode through dark and silent forest and got a room at 12:30.
La Rue was tired but he wouldn't sleep until I fell asleep.
Maybe he thought of me as a gay.
Today's lesson:
Life is an exciting business and most exciting when it is lived for others.
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Grant teton National Park |
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It was hard to say good bye to La Rue.
Wiping tears, I rode around Grand teton and Yellowstone National Park by myself.
In the park there are many families.
I missed La Rue as well as my family a lot.
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Yellowstone National Park |
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This pool is very beautiful.
This red is made by a kind of microbe.
Many kinds of species live thier own life.
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I saw a beautiful sunset again.
I closed my eyes, breathed a deep breath and thouhgt about what I had done and what everybody had been done for me.
I am here thanks to everybody.
I noticed that I had to appreciate my friends' kindness and consideration.
Today's lesson:
Sometime we need to shut our eyes in order to see. |
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The weather was not so good today.
I got dressed in rain gear and put it off over and over again.
I tried to get to the house where Pat, Pennie, Ann, Frank had been waiting.
But I couldn't get there due to the bad weather condition.
I had to stay at Gillet.
At the laundry at motel 6, I saw another Sturgis Rally.
Lady riders were waiting for their own laundry turns.
I hesitated to cut in thier conversation but it was funny.
"Every year my husband urgeded me to go to Sturgis. Every year! Can you believe this?"
I really enjoyed overhearing their conversation.
Today's lesson:
Every house has a skeleton in the closet.
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What a beautiful sunrise on the road!
That's why I'm on the road again.
I managed to get to Sturgis.
I felt as if I were home now!
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Pat & Pennie's RIDICULOUS TOY |
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Pat and Pennie used an awesome toy.
It is as big as my house.
They promised that they would take me and my family anywhere.
I have to write down what they said now in case they should forget the word.
Now everyone knows what they said. |
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On the road with crazy friends! |
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"On the road with crazy friends! Ann said.
The same voice, the same smile,
Surounding my Harley family, I really feel at ease.
We went to Harley Owner's Group show.
When we got out of the show, big black clouds approached us.
"Let's get wet, it make me wake up!" Pat said.
I had to obey his order.(laughing)
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On the way back home we had a heavy storm.
We got more wet than we had expected.
When I get off my bike, I couldn't walk straight.
"You walk like a John Waynn" Pat said.
"Whenever we rode to the show, we had the same shower. Do you remember three years ago?"
Pennie said.
Frank made "Jelly Shot" Jelly with Vocka.
It was delicious but it made me crazy.
I love this atomosphere.
Today's lesson:
Treat your friends like family and your family like friends.
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In the morning Pennie was looking for her comb.
"It is no kidding" she said.
Finally she found it in her jeans' rear pocket.
In the evening Ann was looking for her cell phone.
"Somewhere over the rainbow" she said.
Anyway, we enojoyed riding around Hot Spring.
I really like to ride with them.
This road is like my hometown road in my heat.
Before we had an evening shower, we succeeded in safe return.
I thought we learned a little from history.
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At lunch time, Pat said to Pennie.
"Haji wants to go to Sturgis at night to see..."
He expressed what he wanted to say using his hands.
We could see the meaning.
"T & A "
He always uses my name when he wants to go.<laughing>.
At Sturgis, Pat said, "I forget to bring memory card of my camera. I have to rely on you."
Of course, I did my best.
Today'slesson:
We can't help getting older, but we don't have to get old.
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In the morning, I went to Nemo to meet Arizona Rick.
I rode around Nemo area but I couldn't find him.
I was so disappointed.
I wanted to see him say thank you in person.
I also want to ride together with him.
Maybe next year? |
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A traffic sign "Sturgis 28 " led me to Sturgis easily.
In the afternoon I enjoyed myself at Sturgis.
I am sure, "Pat, you should have come with me."
I could see his favorites T & A. |
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I took many pictures of nice and cool bikes.
This bike is designed like a bike, Captain America, in "Easy rider".
"CAP10 A"
What a cool licence number !
I like to find this sense of humor as well as cool bikes themselves. |
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Feast for your eyes from Sturgis with love |
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This is the feast for eyes of California Dick, Arizona David, New Hampshire Pat, Frank, and Kevin.
I am the last person to take these pictures.
But I would like to see my friends smiling.
I got many e-mails from my girlfriends, Carol, Lynn, Francosis, Jannette, Eve, Dawna, Sanae...
I had intended to take beef cake's pictures for them but I was unwilling to take it.
Sorry, some other time.
I was devoted to taking pictures.
On the way back home, I got drenched to the skin again.
At home, Frank said to me,
"Haji, successfully hanting."
I was glad and relieved.
Today's lesson:
The free conversation with a friend is what I would prefer to any entertainment.
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I left Sturgis this morning.
Pennie tided my baggage to my bike.
Ann wiped my bike.
Pat said " I already miss you."
Ann said, " We are friends but Harley family."
Frank said, "Don't fall again."
This is exactly Frank.
It makes me laugh.
See you next year!
I enjoyed country side touring. |
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I got to my freind's home.
In 1992, I homestayed at Roxxane's house at Paso Robles, CA.
She was a teacher cordinator and I was a school escort.
Now she lives in Fort Collins and aims at next goal of her life.
She wants to be a sewing teacher.
Always she moves forward.
Her aggressive attitude encourages me a lot.
Steve is a professional photographer as well as a manager at a IT infrastructure company.
He is kind enought to give me a photo lesson.
We lay down watching slideshow of my pictures.
After Steve went to bed, Roxxan and I talked far into the night about the rest of our life, not about love.
We looked like teenagers.
Today's lesson:
We should think of what we have now before we say what we want.
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Today I overslept.
Steve said," Your trip is whirlwind tour."
Roxxane made me a cup of coffee.
Today was cloudy and rainy day.
I couldn't ride as far as I wanted to ride.
I stayed at $27 motel room at Eagle Nest..
I couldn't go up to Taos but I found a deserted ranch.
Today's lesson:
We should enjoy the here and now. Don't lose the forest from the trees. |
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Sunrise at a resonable motel |
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I got up early.
When I am preparing for today's ride, a gentleman gave me a New Mexico map.
He took the trouble to get it early in the morning.
His name is Dennis who came here from Okrahoma.
He rode the same Wide Glide as mine.
The same Harley leads us to get along well. |
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Sunrise on the Eagle Nest Lake |
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The sun is on the lake, not in the sky.
Nature is by far the best artist.
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I went to Taos pueblo.
I get along with a Toas lady.
She is an artist.
She is kind and honest.
Talk with her made me feel like Toas was my hometown.
We could feel good relationship.
She told me a story about the secret Toas world. |
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I visited Santa Fe.
Here is very sofisticated town.
This town is for couples, not for riders.
A good belt that I wanted to get was $400.
"Some other time", I said to my self. |
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Petrified Forest National Park |
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I visited Petrified Forest National Park.
What a beautiful color!
I was excited to see fossiles and petoriographs.
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Today I tried escaping getting wet.
I rode between black clouds.
I rode on and on.
And I spent some time watching railroad.
Today's motel is $33.
No TV, No Bath, but I am happy.
This is a kind of adventures.
Today's lesson:
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. |
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I went to Metio Creator.
It's a kind of a swelling on the earth.
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I took route 66 to California.
On the way to Kingsman, there is a stright road.
Nothing but a straight road, yellow flowers along the road and a house.
I thought it was a beautiful point.
That's why I stopped to take some pictures.
I noticed a gentleman coming up to me and said,
"May I take your picute?"
And he invited me to lunch.
I had lunch with Warren and his friend Richard.
We also had a nice chat. |
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Rote 66 was tough road for me.
I rode fast like a child goes back home till his curfew.
I managed to get to Bill and Jannette home.
Bill and Jannette, Earl and Nancy were waiting for me in front of their garden.
I am glad to see them.
Today's lesson:
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. |
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Today I had to return the bike.
At Bill and Jeannette home, I felt so relaxed that I rode the bike on the other side (Japanese side) for half a mile..
When I returned the bike, I rode 7202 miles these 3 weeks.
"Where is the best place?" I was asked.
I couldn't answer it.
Because each had its own good experience and precious morment. |
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Bill, Jeannette and I went to Lingerton beach to find foxy ladies (T&A).
On the beach many young people were there.
We also enjoyed finding route 66 signs and driving along the route 66 in California.
Today's lesson:
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. |
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Yesterday we ate out at a good resturant.
I ate Hot chickens and two glasses of beer.
At night I had to wake up three times.
This morning, I confessed to Bill, "Yesterday my mouth was hot. Today my asshole is hot."
I was so busy with my stomach. that I forget to set battery in my camera.
No photo today.
We went to Manzanar.
I saw a man visit Manzanar National Historic Site.
He was in this facility when he was a young boy.
He said," I didn't notice here was a prison."
We learned how wrong the war was.
Today's lesson:
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
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