Paul ([info]ace_combs) wrote,
@ 2005-11-08 10:46:00
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On the way out...
Much has passed since Austin, Texas. I wish that I had time to post all the stories and pictures here and now. Saturday, November 5, I rolled into San Diego. I took I-8 all the way from Yuma to the Pacific, and wound up on Mission Beach. I contacted my family, and left a message with Swinney - uncertain of where I was going to stay, and what I was going to do.

I stood there, facing the waters, till the sun set. My own goal, my personal goal, was to reach the Ocean. I walked out and let the waves lap over my riding boots. It was good.



Austin called back. He was out of town, but he had left a key for me to use. I am now, and have been fatigued. Though I had no net access, phone book, television, etc., I did not care. In a way, it was nice to be able to just relax - to eat the leafy greens and fresh bread that I had been craving while on the road. Leaving everything to chance - as I have done for the whole of the trip - there is always the possibilty that the proverbial ships will pass in the night. I rolled past Swinney in Arizona.

But, Monday, November 7, we connected. Swinney has been tremendously generous. I've just gotten back from sharing morning coffee with him. That's me, shooting while mounted, with Swinney on his BMW, on the left.

It was good to smile and laugh.

I may have overwhelmed Austin Swinney with my hair combing and flexing. But he strikes me as a hardy soul - one likely to survive the encounter.



So, here, now, I update as quickly as I can. Most of my gear is on the bike, waiting. And I am afraid that in answering the motorcycle's call I will be forced to neglect - for the time - the rest of the stories and pictures. My mind is filled with images and sensations - waiting to be translated into some medium accessible to others.

The path that I took brought me up through New Mexico, to the Colorado border. Things happened. Then I headed across the whole of Arizona, to Yuma. And I am now leaving San Diego. I think that I will try the Coast, and make for San Fransisco. I want to share the details, the photographs, and all of the rest of it. But I need to wait. It's already late in the morning...

Thank you for everything, everyone! Call me! (773-592-0943) Paul.
p.s. Sorry if the pics are rough; I did nothing but resize them with MSPaint.
p.p.s. Thank you so much, Austin. Signing off...



(26 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]rhodamine
2005-11-08 07:15 pm UTC (link)
GO PAUL GO!

i love that mirror/motorbike photo, btw...

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[info]elaine4queen
2005-11-08 08:15 pm UTC (link)
it's brilliant, but it frightens me - i mean i believe you survived doing that, and i am sure you knew what you were doing, but i am the sort of granny that winces whenever anyone in a tv show is driving and they talk to someone - i scream (silently, usually) get your eyes on the road!

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:21 am UTC (link)
Haha. I have yet to see the pics (of me) that Swinney took OVER HIS SHOULDER while riding...

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[info]elaine4queen
2005-11-12 10:11 am UTC (link)
AAAAaaaarrrrghghhghghghghggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

don't tell me that!

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:19 am UTC (link)
Peter! Dude! Thank you!

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[info]noromdiam
2005-11-08 07:56 pm UTC (link)
Very sorry that we did not have a chance to meet and you were left to wander around San Diego all by your lonesome this entire weekend. Definitely next time!

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:23 am UTC (link)
No worries! It was totally cool of you to make the effort, and put your number out there. I appreciate it, so much.

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san diego
(Anonymous)
2005-11-08 08:35 pm UTC (link)
pablo
something very majestic about the Pacific, no?
i was glad to see the happy pics.
stay safe and keep enjoying

andree

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Re: san diego
[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:24 am UTC (link)
Andree! The Pacific rules. I know that there is (was) a problem when people continually remark upon the recent (re) appearance of a smile...

Thank you.

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[info]keith_london
2005-11-08 09:07 pm UTC (link)
Oh yes.. I really love your "Arnie" pose! That's who it reminds me of, apologies in advance :-)

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:25 am UTC (link)
No worries! It's all in good fun.

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[info]keyl
2005-11-08 09:28 pm UTC (link)
Awesome photo in the mirror of the bike. Have you read "Long Way Round" by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman? That, and you, make me want to learn to ride a motorcycle all over again [not that the desire ever really left...].

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:28 am UTC (link)
Dude! Thanks!

I think that it was (not so long ago) PT:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/pt/
who linked to it:
http://www.longwayround.com/intro.htm
Though I have not seen the thing in "real" print...



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[info]kazzibee
2005-11-08 10:10 pm UTC (link)
GERMZINATOR V: pacific cruiser

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[info]big_trouble
2005-11-09 12:51 am UTC (link)
Funny how you can pick out real smiles from fake ones.

Let's hear it for the real. I'm really glad you're having such a good time. You deserve it, Paul.

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:32 am UTC (link)
Matt! Thank you. Buddy, I needed this trip. It was (and is) good. Clean air: I had forgotten it. Friendly people. Who knew? Chicago/Detroit/NYC will beat you down, and/or make you mean...while this sort of thing opens you up, again...

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hey there mr postman
[info]kazzibee
2005-11-09 12:52 am UTC (link)
hey pg the armadillo just arrived! thanks! we are now having an education session.

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Re: hey there mr postman
[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:33 am UTC (link)
It is impossible to drive a mile in West Texas without seeing an armadillo (or its parts) on the road...so sad...but there are so many here...

"Little Armored One" in Spanish, lit, I think...

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[info]kazzibee
2005-11-12 08:39 am UTC (link)
it is similar here in the country areas with wombats and echidnas (spiny ant eaters) on the road.

thanks again for the card. heheh i got very excited, which is probably a fairly telling indication of my life right now.

did you get my beep?

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[info]joybon
2005-11-09 01:58 am UTC (link)
*you* are just a little bit fabulous.
keep it coming!
And PLEASE someone - CALL HIM!!!

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:34 am UTC (link)
You are making me blush.
Be more open about your identity...

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!
[info]joybon
2005-11-12 12:22 pm UTC (link)
*shucks*
how so ?

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[info]mjoyce
2005-11-09 02:08 am UTC (link)
pleased to meet you today paul!

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:36 am UTC (link)
Dude! Hi! Keep Austin in line. Flex his mirror. Comb his mirror. Drink his beer.

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[info]fireamazon
2005-11-09 11:08 am UTC (link)
awesome paul! its good to see you look happy.

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[info]ace_combs
2005-11-12 08:37 am UTC (link)
HI! Great to hear from you, again. This trip has been so good for me...

When it warms up, I want to continue to the North - including Canada!

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