Continued from first day

I'm kinda new at this but I had written more on first day but some how it was erased when published

 

The statue you see is of the man himself ...Garibaldi Torino...or Baldi as his friends knew him. I used to be able to read the Roman numerals but have since forgotten but what ever the number beside it I'm sure it's old!

I often wonder when I look at all these statues whose idea was it? Did Baldi go to a local artist and say " hey. Cast a bronze statue of me that I can put on the river so people can look at me for a long time! Oh...and put a sword in my hands and make me look serious..."

And then I wonder if when its done they ever look at it and say" hey....does this statue make me look fat??

Anyhow. Along the way to check in i came across a castle. I thought it was cool how they lay stones in the courtyard to make designs you can walk on

After wondering around looking for the check in center I finally found it, stood in line for about 45 minutes and got my credentials thanks to mom for having all my insurance and note from doctor in order for me :-)

Surprisingly made it back to hotel without getting lost and was in bed by 830. Long day

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Italy bound

Well it's been an interesting trip so far. I think I spent maybe 30 hours trying to learn some Italian. Got to disk ten of the pinslers Italian one. Disk 1 is all that has been useful. I can say good morning. Good bye. Thank you and your welcome. The other bits I learned have yet to be useful. I know how to say "I'd like to eat something" I've determined that when I sit down at the restaurant they probably have figured that out. I can also say " I'd like to drink some wine" ...here in Italy that's a given. Things I would have liked to have learned are " where am I " but actually I know that.... It's " dove eo" or close to that. But I am clueless to the response to that question so why ask.

I got lucky on plane ride. Row behind me was empty and the stewardess must have sensed this was going to be a long ride for the geezer so she moved me back before anyone else could get it!! So I had a decent nap. Arrived in Rome and that place is crazy. Went to check on flight with gate attendant and she was less than interested in talking to American about how I'd like to drink some wine but did explain in a broken English I was in the right place. Just because the flight number above the gate did not match mine sit down and shut up and get on when we board....not in exactly those words but I got the idea with her pleasant facial expressions. Finally arrived in Turin and $50 later for taxi ride and I'm at hotel.

Once I checked in thought I'd lay down for about 30 minutes .......woke up 2 hours later. That flying will wear you out!!

 

Decided I'd go ahead and venture out and try to get checked in for the meet. These big events like this were there are multiple sports going on always make you check in at someplace that is never close to the track. In this case it was about 2-3 miles from hotel.

 

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Get up.....got a long day!

Woke up at 5 to have coffee with mom before meeting Bre for breakfast. Met Bre at 630. Cracker Barrel. Eggs and split pecan pancake. My favorite. Got a big hug from Bre then hit the road for Nashville! Traffic wasn't bad at all. But I did notice an unusual amount of motorists were pulling over out of my way and letting me by! Black and silver bike.... Light color helmet.... Black gloves... Flashing front lights ( they are legal!). Kinda felt bad but what the heck they needed to get over anyway. Did feel bad for one guy. He was in a red clunker doing about 60 in the fast lane. I came up on him and he put on his blinker and pulled off the shoulder. Looked like he was a through back from the 60s. Long hair in a pony tail. Probably used to getting pulled over. Probably scared him a little. I'm sure he was pleased when I kept going by :-)

When I go on these trips I like to read the signs... Look at the different small towns...Along I30 I saw a town called Fate. Probably home to ill and sister city of destiny.

Little further along a went through New Boston. My dad went to high school there. It's close to Texarkana When dad was in high school Texarkana had the real "chainsaw massacre". I remember dad saying "you couldn't hardly get a date because everyone was afraid. If you got a date you had to have them Home before dark!"

I noticed a lot of states have the same town names. How come the people in charge of naming a town can't be a little more original!!! I always thought Brownsville was a good name for that town in south Texas. Very flitting. Then I see another state with that name and I wonder what is it about that town that would make some think of brown??

I30 through Arkansas and into Tennessee is very pretty. Lots of tall trees. I think Tennessee has the most cops per mile. There was one about every 3-4 miles. Probably looking for my moon shining buddies!!! Made it to Nashville about 6 ish. No rain. Nice drive. Day started out great and ended great.

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Freedom 13. In the beginning

 

Got up early Sunday morning after a full day Saturday of taking care of the things mom wanted done before I left. Washed bike so that I can tell which bugs are freedom 13 bugs and headed out for the big mom birthday bash in Mansfield. Had a great time playing games with the kids. Funniest part was Britt forgetting her OWN clue in a charade type game. Got to bed early in anticipation of an early breakfast send off with Bre. It's becoming sort of tradition that Bre meets me for a meal prior to freedom ride takeoff so I can receive last minute instructions and a big hug!

For those freedom ride followers notice the new edition to the bike. A "pacrac" on the back. Provides a little more storage so I don't have the bags in the back seat. Should work out nice.

 

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Hitch hiker?

So I decided since To go down to the local sporting good store and check out their selection of USA track warm up tops since it is supposed to be 55 degrees morning of the jump. They had some nice stuff butt for $65 I'll suffer through it

As I was leaving my bike was parked next to a park bench and on the bench was an older gentleman around grandpas age80-85. It was a Sunday and he looked like he had on his Sunday go to town clothes on. Nice button up, slacks, and shined shoes. As I approached the bike I noticed he was watching me carefully and I anticipated the usual " nice bike". Instead he stood up and came over and asked " excuse me but could you give me a ride 6 blocks down the road? Kinda caught me off guard. I explained to him I would be happy to but california was a helmet state and I only had one. He had a disappointed look on his face as he said..." oh..ok...thanks anyway ". So I thought ...downtown....speed limit was 40... any cop that would give me a ticket for giving grandpa a ride to what was obviously an importannt meeting for him that he was willing to risk his life with some stranger on a motorcycle ....Ill take that chance! So... I told him .." hop on!". Ten minutes later we were hooking em down J street at 35 mph. He leaned forward and said "it's been 30 years since I rode a motorcycle". Took him right at 6 blocks to a local breakfast place and dropped him off. No cops..no problem...and maybe one day when I'm 80-85 , 30 years from now, and Im in need of a ride some guy will let me ride on the back of his bike!!

Last day in paradise

Last day at olympic training center was a good day. Legs felt better and I had a much better workout with Ty. Once again I was the only one out there so I got plenty of jumps in. Then went over to the weight room ( imagine pic of weight room that is on my computer but Bre hasnt taught me blow to post it yet HERE). Ended up with windshield wipers that Ty couldn't do so I beat him on something! Pretty worn out so got to bed early.

Since I got to bed early I woke up at 430 am and decided in would attack LA traffic early on a Saturday morning! Got on the road by 530 and there was still traffic! I think california has one of the highest unemployment in USA. The reason they don't have jobs is because they are all on the highway!!

Pulled in to get gas and as I was paying I heard a little boy say "daddy can I have some of those, pointing at some candy. Daddy said "no". Little boy said "why not?". Daddy said ...."because". Little boy...said nothing!!! I wanted to pull him aside and say " c'mon man....sometimes you gotta fight for it!!! don't just except "because"....I never did...you gotta ask "because why". How else are you gonna get the " because I said no!!! ". This kid will never make it big. He will go through life excepting defeat without question. But with that in mind I know you guys are going to one day have your own kids. When you do and they want something like candy...or a motorcycle ... Don't just say "no.....because I said so!!". That is nothing but a mean answer...that's a no because I'm mean!! Which we all no your not. So instead tell them no...then follow it with the reason. " to close to supper time for candy ....you might wreck that motorcycle and get hurt". Kids are a lot smarter than you may think. My dad use to say " no... because I said so....once I said " that's not a very good reason..." I got in trouble.

Just another day in paradise!!!

Wake up every day to about 75 degrees and sunny with low humidity. Ty said it gets to mid 60 s in the winter and it's been in lower 90s during the summer but it's nice! Wish we could move texas here

Not much happen today. Went down to the training center and watched Stacy Dragila work out about 5 young vaulters. Some how she swung a deal that she pays the center $10 per kid to workout here. I guess if I won gold in the first ever women's vault at e olympics they may treat me nicer. Then watched Ty coach his javelin thrower for a session. He won nationals two weeks ago and is headed to Europe next week. From Texas. Moved in with Ty back when he lived in college station. Got to eat at the center. Food was good but these bozos gripped about it. Then just hung out watching video of mike till it was time for dinner. Took Ty and his pregnant wife out to eat in old downtown San Diego at a Mexican food place. Must have been 5 mexican restaurants in a two block run. Crowded with lots of little shops the girls would have loved. Also a haunted house with tours. Didn't take one but thought that might be neat

Anyhow, took ice bath and hopefully I can have a more productive practice tomorrow!!
Then head to sac. About an 8 hour drive. May wait till early Saturday morning so I don't hit Friday afternoon LA traffic.

I'll write tomorrow and let y'all know how practice goes

Olympic Training Center

Sign read "NO REFUNDS"

Got a massage thIs afternoon. Been looking forward to it all day. $40 for an hour. Can't beat that! At the "Shang Hi foot and body massage"in a strip mall. Hmmm Shang Hi...orientals...they know all about relaxing the body,,count in.

So appointment is at 6 ... I get there and the sign on the wall read "NO REFUNDS"...hmmmm wonder if they make you pay first...esscusse me sir ... Would you like male or female ( in a deep accent). I'd like a female please. That is $40....pay now.

I pay and they take me to a room and prepare for what I've been waiting for all day ..... Anise relaxing massage. Problem was....I asked for a female....I did not specify homo sapien..I'm laying flat only stomach when what has to be a female panda bear slips in and then jumps on my back! Grabs the skin around my neck with the strength of obviously a full grown female panda and tries to separate it from the bone. Then it crawls on the table and begins to push from the top of the shoulder all the way down the back about every 6 inches with all the wait it had and some. Then it took it's elbow and dug into the muscle to a point where I finally said "EASY".it laughed and continued to tenderize the kill for the kids!! I have never told a person to go easy on me because I felt if they can give it I can take it.....but I gotta try and jump on Friday and this thing is tearing me up. I must of told her easy 6 rtimes and each time I would hear her giggle like " this is gonna be a tasty one if we can just get it tenderized" and if that's not bad enough each movement was fast and hard. The sign on the outside of the shop read " we relax you from head to toe". Some how I remembered that one about the time she dug her fingers into my temples. Slightly fals advertising. I have never been slo close to getting up and leaving as today. At the end of this abuse I thought " I would like to explain to these people that if they are going to employ panda bears to do their work they might send them to panda bear massage school.....but I don't think they would listen even if they understood me....so...going to just walk out and not complain". As I am leaving the receptionist calls out " excuse me sir......Bingo....the female panda...would like a tip. Well.....no....no tip for Bingo...sorry to say this but that was by far the worst massage I've ever had.....and fortunately panda bears are not that quick and I turned and ran outthe door before Bingo could grab me!!!!

So, previously I got to go out to training center and try to jump. Beautiful day. Nice tail wind...Staci Dragila and a couple of other stud girl vaulters are out (staci won first olympic gold in women's vault). So. Warmed up pretty well. Then they left and the adrenaline of " don't make a full of yourself" went away and I guess fatigue set in. So...took a short ice bath tonight and plan on jumping with Ty again Friday

Forgot to mention. When I was in Vegas one morning I was on the elevator going down when an older lady got on. Something about her demeanor incould tell she was friendly so I asked " headed down early so you can get a jump on those tables?". She said " no.....my husband is waiting on me in a rental car....we flew here some could rent a car and go see the hoover dam...it's on his bucket list". Kinda caught me off guard but I told her thatnwas great and I hope they really enjoy it. Turns out she was from Freeport Texas

Made me think....everyday you should contemplate your "bucket list"....update it...add to it....and try to cross them off at every chance you get....I'm trying!!!

Update

Well I broke down and payed $3 dollars to get online at motel 6 in San Diego. Thought about getting on in Vegas but it was $13 a day. I don't think anyone is so excited to read about my trip I need to spend $13!!!

Day 1

Took off last Friday headed to meet Bre for lunch and let her teach me the art of blogging. I figure this is my forth or fifth freedom ride. I've never been ticketed and I think I probably have logged 200k miles or more on these trips. Guess where this is going... Outside of Ft. Worth there were two highway patrol cars...not one...so they shot my rabbit...then they shot me!!! Bad thing was there was more rabbits than just one. He chose me. My lucky day. So mom.....got my first ticket on trip...sorry. On the safe side the helmet has not bothered me so I have had it on since I saw Bre and I have worn long sleeves so I have not been burned

After seeing Bre leaving Ft Worth traffic was terrible. Bumper to bumper....really hindering my getting to Albuqurque. As I drive along I like to check out signs. One billboard said " PASCHE (or something like that) we sell direct....pay today.....pick up today. That was it. I want to k ow what I could buy??? I might want some. Whose in charge of that advertising program? Fire him!

(imagine pic of buried Cadillacs in Amarillo ). Her is the daddy standing by buried Cadillacs in Amarillo some guy thought was a good idea. Lots of people checking it out. I'm thinking...if this is art.....BB needs to get busy burying stuff!!

Made it to santa rosa ...motel 6..my home away from home that night. Woke up next day and went for a jog. Ate at Denny's older lady came up and said "is that your bike.. We have that gold wing trike out there and we are headed to the 2011 wingding...are u? Uh no.....sounds like a bunch of old people standing around talking about riding...I just wanna ride thank u. She was very friendly and her husband hardly said a word.

Made it to Vegas. Went over new bridge for Hoover dam. Never had to slow down like used to. Walls are so tall you can't see over. Kinda disappointing I thought. Got a work out in. Fell asleep after calling mom. Woke up at 10 went to tables and had a losing round and went to bed

Next day went back to golds. Then played enough to catch back up. All n all left Vegas down a little but no where near where I was so it was a good trip

Leaving Vegas I see a sign " $1000 fine for animal abandonment ". I'm thinking anyone dropping off an animal in the desert like that should have the same thing done to them!! With a sign on there back " don't pick me up...I abandoned a puppy!!". Like 200 miles from the closest town

About 20 miles south of vegas traffic comes to a stop... 3 lanes...on a Tuesday....in the middle of the desert....bumper to bumper,!!! What the heck!!! Some trailer rig and a pickup had a wreck... How they did I have no idea...
Put me a little later getting to San Diego than I had hoped so I just checked out the facility and had dinner with Ty .

So.....that brings you to today. It's 78 degrees. Got a tailwind every day...and I jump at 2. I'll try to take some pics and post tonight.

Lunch with Bebe!

He met me (Bre) for lunch today on his way to Albequerque. I was suppose to teach him how to upload pictures to his blog from his Iphone/Ipad but I couldn't figure it out. I will keep trying to figure it out but in the mean time, I will post for him. Here is a picture of us at lunch! I can't wait to get more updates from you, Dad. He is much funnier than I am!

Freedom Ride 2011 Has Begun

Dad's Freedom Ride 2011 has begun!