Good Pursuits – Page 22

Four Gems Against the Odds

Post author By TravisGood
Post date January 24, 2010
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My plan was to drive west along the far north of New Mexico to Farmington. The remarkably useful NMroads.com showed snow had closed many roads. I couldn’t do the Enchanted Circle. I couldn’t drive north from Chama. Neither could I go along a key stretch of scenic route as I had hoped to. However, as evidenced by the fact that I’m typing this in Farmington, with patience and lots of detours I arrived and the day was a success.

I drove through snow, hail, rain, and sun. I drove over ice, packed snow, slush, and dry pavement. The changes in weather and elevation and sunlight brought delight to the photographer in me. Never did I feel endangered but I always remained cautious. Today I drove through a picturesque New Mexico Weather Wonderland!

Animal Bridge Mountain Road Travel

The High Road to Taos

My visit to New Mexico is to try to figure it out. Unlike other areas of the country, it’s history is seeped in a Spanish and Mexican experience and doesn’t appear to have later been overwhelmed by the British or French influences. Mingled with the ways of the indigenous, a distinct character emerged.

You see this character everywhere in the form of an aesthetic. Adobe is everywhere. The native style touches everything from architecture to landscaping to art and to anything that can be given a local touch. Even national brands adopt the local look. McDonalds has adobe restaurants, Starbucks adopts a local art theme, and Best Western takes on a rancho look.

Today was only a start but tootling around Santa Fe and Taos is giving me a sense. The snow storm reduced my day’s agenda but I still managed to come away feeling pretty fulfilled … and in one piece!

Road Summary Technology Travel

Summary: Toying with Tech

Post author By TravisGood
Post date January 22, 2010
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My goal was to spend time getting to know New Mexico but I had to get there first. On this trip I chose to ease up on my pace, experiment with new blogging tools, and carry a bicycle with me. This provided me with the opportunity to learn, the luxury of taking bike rides, and the time to keep pace with my blogging. A mixed bag but a decidedly pleasant change.

The posts which together capture this ride include:

Road Travel

Route 66 in the Open West

Post author By TravisGood
Post date January 22, 2010
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Route 66 Open West

Dueling museums, competitive car art, tributes to barbed wire, rattlesnake dens, and much more are on display along the southern stretch of Route 66.

For example, as you get to know the Road you learn there is a Cadillac Ranch, a Bug Ranch, and a Rabbit Ranch. These aren’t animals I’m listing, these are cars. In these “Ranches” a series of cars is planted nose down into the ground: seven Cadillacs, five VW Beatles, and three VW Rabbits. Crazy!

A large part of the fun of driving Route 66 is finding these gems from days gone by. Today I revisited a bunch of places I knew would be fun to share with you. Scroll down through the pictures below. I hope you enjoy them.

Technology

Showcase of Expression

Tinkering with technology: that’s what I do, that’s what I’ve always done.

I fiddle with this stuff all the time and there’s no reason I shouldn’t put my knowledge to use. Furthermore, I could expose these techniques to my friends, family and readers. That’s what this ever-changing post will be about. Newest items will be at the top of the list.

Museum Road Travel

Back onto the Mother Road

Post author By TravisGood
Post date January 21, 2010
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Today began a two day jaunt down Route 66. As many of you know, this road is a favorite of mine which I’ve traveled many times. Not having the time to loiter this trip, I just popped into some of my favorites for a quick visit. Below are a few choice examples for you to enjoy.

Back on Mother Road

This old service station is located in Galena, KS and it’s become quite famous. Executives from Pixar who made the movie Cars stopped here and developed one of the movie’s main characters from the truck you see at the left. Some of you may remember the character Tow Mater? Well, you’re looking’ at him!

Road Travel

Touring Cherokee Country

Passing through the Cherokee Nation was my way of getting to the second leg of my trip. Given that it was not a primary attraction I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The northeast corner of Oklahoma is hilly, and green and due to Tenkiller Dam it’s also a great place for water sports. The path I took is being turned into a State Scenic Route. Good choice!

The next segment of my trip is along a six-State stretch of Route 66. It’s such a wonderful trip back to 20th century Americana that when I get a good excuse to drive it, I drive it! A special stretch can be found in Miami, OK but I’m afraid it’s falling apart. After driving it today, I made the following video.

Bike River Road Travel

Picture Taking while Bike Riding

Post author By TravisGood
Post date January 19, 2010
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I know, I know. Walking and chewing gum at the same time. What a talent!

Seriously, this first stage of my road trip is about distance punctuated with bike rides. It started with a couple of rides in Virginia. The following day I rode along rivers in Knoxville and Nashville. Today my river rides were in Memphis and Little Rock … and they were the best yet!

Bike River Road Travel

Riding the Rivers

I woke up this morning wondering “Why the heck did they name this town Johnson City?” Odd thought for first thing in the morning! Maybe I had a sense that answers would be coming.

On my drive to Knoxville I visited Johnson’s Early Home, Johnson’s Homestead, Johnson’s National Cemetery, Johnson’s National Historic Site … have you figured it out yet?

Bike Mountain Road Travel

Roanoke and Blacksburg

The first leg of this trip is a series of long driving distances broken up by periodic bicycle rides. Yes, this time I’m traveling with a folding bicycle which I rode today in both Roanoke and around the Virginia Tech campus. It was fun! It sort of fills a space between walking and driving. I could cover ground faster than by walking and yet still get closer to things than I can in my car. Today was a good first test of the bike’s value.

“Folding bicycle?” you ask? Watch the video and learn more!