Stump Tail Dolly - I've Endured

If you didn't know already, Stump Tail Dolly is on tour in support of their debut EP, "Americonoclasm"!

Here's a live clip from a fan, At Wally's House Of Booze, in Wenatchee, WA on  3-30-16!

Look for them to be in your city too!

Seize The Opportunity To Experience True Freedom

On September 11, this day of remembrance and everyday for that matter, look into the vast expanses of the United States and explore our borders, people and learn of our true history. We have every religion on earth within our borders, along with every nationality and best of all, just about every form of environment. From those tall peaks of Denali in Alaska to those beautiful marshes on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, to the amazing Florida Keys, the United States will always be a place of opportunity, due to our diversity. Reflect on what makes this country great as a whole and reach out to those you care for. Most of all, seize the opportunity to experience true freedom. That particular notion, in our thoughts, is when you hit the open road and simply see where it takes you. Never know who ya might meet at the next gas stop or what new stories are to be made. Our greatest freedom is that we can choose our own path. don't ever take this for granted or let it be taken away.

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land, there is no other life but this.”
- Henry David Thoreau

For all the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, you are in our thoughts.

Solo 3000 mile bike run through California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, August 2006.

Breaking Down Sucks

Do you ever think about the worst place you can breakdown? I know its passed through your mind and surely it has for me as well but to be honest it happened in one of the worst possible locations and at the worst times. This is why I am a adamant about keeping my bikes in tip top mechanical shape and also about chatting with folks along the road, as you never know who might be of some help.

Long story short is that I was on a solo 3000 mile run to go up to the Hundred Years Rally outside of Spokane, Washington while I was living in San Francisco. The whole trip was going great, seeing new sights and the Dyna was purring along through the hot and dusty eastern swaths of the high Sierras, Cascades and through the Palouse of Idaho. I kept thinking that on my way back to the coast I just had to go to the top of Mt. St. Helens and see my first active volcano and damn if that place isn't remote.

As luck would have it, the day was perfectly clear and I walked up to a neighboring peak and was able to watch the volcano spitting out smoke and in be in awe of something that over 20 years earlier turned the top of the snowy peak into an ashen pock mark. I happened to chat with a few fellow riders and then we were all on our way. On my way back down the mountain, I heard a few sputters and then my motor completely died, poof. Luckily I was on a downhill so I coasted into a rest area. With sunset coming very soon and no cell phone service I was royally screwed. Without even noticing, the same guys I had talked to earlier happened to be going in my same direction and pulled over to help. They raced back up the mountain and were able to find a park ranger who was able to call in a tow truck from Vancouver, Washington which was roughly 90 miles away.

As we were all chatting with the park ranger, he then proceeds to tell us how lucky I was to get some help. Not only were we directly in the path of the lava flow, if it were to blow again that day, but bears were thick in this area and he was about to head out for the day. Yep, all by my lonesome with no food, no water, no shelter and deep in bear and volcano country, awesome.

When I got to the local Harley dealership, they found the issue but were absolutely clueless as to how the stator could be fried black but all electrical was fine and still fine 4 years later. I am still convinced it was the volcanic activity that day and potentially the electrical storms around the volcano but who knows. Needless to say I owe a huge thank you to my fellow riders, the park ranger and to Harley Davidson of Vancouver, Washington. Yall got my ass back on the road and only lost one full day of the trip. THANK YOU once again, pay it forward.

Highway 730 in Oregon

Viewing Mt. St. Helens from the East

Looking into crater as it was active

Dusty and hot day of riding in Idaho

Rollin' Through Eastern Oregon and Washington

This has to be one of my favorite photos. Not really thinking about anything except having to piss so damn bad I finally found a spot to pull over on the side of the road. Was able to brush my teeth, swig some water and eat a power bar while admiring the view of the Columbia river right before it cuts north into Washington.

I highly recommend trying out highway 730 if you are driving through eastern Oregon. Traffic is not too heavy as its off interstate 84 and follows right beside the river for quite a few miles before heading up out of the river valley. Follow 730 right up to the junction of highway 12 and go east into Washington wine country of Walla Walla, a beautiful ride for sure.