Oh home bittersweet home

Alohas so this is probably going to be my last post for a minute or two. I finally made it home. The last post I had made it past las cruces to deming new Mexico. I understated the generosity if the guy who gave me a ride to las cruces, mainly because I was trying to be quick. Anyway he ended up putting me up in a hotel and bought me breakfast and a couple new tubes. Unfortunately those tubes did not hold up but it did help. From Deming I got a ride to Lordsburg. I got the ride when a guy pulling a trailer with a dog house passed me. Right when he passed the dig house got caught by a strong wind and flew off the trailer and landing in the middle of the road. I quickly ran out after it since there was a long string of semi-trucks coming right for it. I managed to pull it out if the road just as they were passing. I helped him load it back up and he offered me a ride all the way to Lordsburg. He then bought me some food at McDonalds which was very kind of him. He hooked it up. After that I found a place to sleep and crashed out for the night.
My trip home started off really good getting a ride to Tucson. Once in Tucson I found it hard to get a ride. I ended up being stuck in the Tucson for about 10 hours! When I finally got a ride to Phoenix the guy who picked me up dropped me off right on the side of the freeway at I-10 and baseline. I was stuck until an angel named Tiffany came and saved me and we some how managed to fit my bike in her small car.
And so I was home and have remained there. I will be back for a bit and then move on again. Until then though I will probably let this blog sit in wait. I have some projects to do, also looking for work if anyone in AZ wants anything done or knows people that might need help with anything I am happy to help and work hard! Thank you all for your support doing this crazy adventure! Much love and alohas to all of you!
Carl

So close but so far....

The past few days have been awesome. I have met amazing people on the road that have been so willing to help. I am a little sun baked so I will probably leave this short. I last was in eddy Texas... Since then I have made it to Demming New Mexico. It starte out slow on the back roads of texas. Moving maybe thirty miles a day for a few days. While sticking my thumb out just west of Burnett I got a little bored and decided to play my uke a bit. I will admit I was a bit stir crazy and was dancing a bit... Anyway I guess i scared some folks because I had the cops called on me... Next thing I know three cops pull up. The first one gets out and I walk toward him pulling out my I'D because this was routine now. Immediately he shouts "just stay where you are! Keep your hands where I can see them.
I am thinking "oh shit am I being arrested?" no luckily he was just a little skiddish. I handed him my ID but he read the number wrong to dispatch and they couldn't find me.
"you know why we cannot find a drivers license number for you?"
"Uh no this is the forth time this has happened in the past couple of days and each other time it's worked. I have my passport too."
"let me see it."
I pulled it out, he looks at it. "well I suppose it's alright what's the trouble?"
"flat tire sir"
"oh." then he walks over to the tire and checks it like I was lying.
"Well you have to understand son, what you're doing ain't normal. I mean sitting on the side of the road waiting for a rise playing the geetar is a bit... different."
"I understand sir I don't want to cause any problems."
"well then it's probably best you moved on. I can take you up the road but your bike has to stay here.
"thanks but I dont leave my bike anywhere."
I ended up limping it down the road a good ways. Till I got to Buchanan damn. I was there for a little while when this guy pulled over with his wife and daughter and ended up taking me to their restaurant where they had a shed they let me stay in and clean myself off. They also fed me brought me a tube and gave me a couple of dollars. They were just genuine people. Unfortunately my bike ate the tube and eventually it went flat.
My next ride was from a guy who ended up driving me all the way to Mason. He also gave me beer and food and it was just perfect. Then I managed to get the i10 and make it to fort Stockton, where I met some hitchhikers who had been there for five days... It didn't look good, but I ended up getting a ride all the way to las cruces by this gentleman who was equally as nice. Just so many good people.
I am now in Demming NM and will hopefully be home soon. Anywho much love and alohas!

Well poop biscuits.

Well these past few days have been topsy turvy and full of awesome. I tried Hitchhiking at one point but being on back roads I couldn't get a ride. So I ended up riding. I managed to make it 80+ miles. It was a he'll of a day though. It was hot and very humid plus I was riding up some crazy hills. Being in the hill country of Texas I found out exactly whatbthat meant I was expecting rolling hills. Noo they were much more than that. It was hell on a bike to say the least. When I finally rolled into Centerville I was pooped, I could barely move my legs and was just about to collapse. I was out of money so I stopped at the gas station to fill up with water and then move on. While gathering myself a woman came up and started talking to me I told her the basics of my story and she eventually offered to buy me dinner, I at first declined but she insisted. I couldn't say no twice and she came back with a glorious spread of barbecue and even a slice of pie! Then as if that were not enough she slipped me a few dollars and a bag of oranges!!! It was the sweetest thing I have experienced so far, especially because her husband looked none to pleased. After I thanked her as much as possible and ate I rode a little ways down then road and made camp for the night.
The next morning I was greeted with another cop, who again ran my name and checked to see what I was doing. I mean really it gets old but oh well he was nice enough. I then started riding and made it 54 miles before my back tire decided it did not want to hold air anymore.
I must explainmy tire situation, as you know I have had my issues, I decided to stop writing about them but now I have to. I started out with two spares. The first one went on my back tire after I hit a pothole in Louisiana which cause the tube on there to burst. The second went to my front tire after I got a nail through it. I held on to that tube with hopes I could patch it. That leaves me with no tubes left. Then yesterday for no explained reason my back tube decided to not hold air anymore. I took it apart looked for holes. I have done this threes times but there is nothing it just will not hold air. It goes flat rather quickly too. Sometimes it will last a mile other times it will be flat it just a quarter to a half mile. It is making riding impossible. I have tried to patch the tire that got a nail through it to no avail. That one is done too. So now I am stuck in Eddy Texas. Between Waco and Austin on the 35. I spent the money the woman gave me on fruits and veggies, which were delicious last night. But does not help my tire hold air haha. I think I will hitchhike from here. We will see.
Oooh almost forgot I stopped at one gas station to charge my iPod that died last night and the attendant came out and told me I had to move on. I pleaded my case saying my tire was flat I am trying to charge the iPod since it is my only way to communicate with people but it was all in vain. He obviously had something up his butt and threatened to call the police. Glorious. So that added to my awesome day of riding 11 miles on a flat tire and realizing I am now basically stranded. So good. I really cannot wait to get home and spend a whole week working and making money and sleeping in a bed! Ah it will be glorious. Anyway. Good days bad days it is all a part of the adventure now I get to hitch it home and see how that goes. Woot. Wish me luck!

These days are full of wonder.

Alohas so my last post was short and sweet and to the point because my battery was dying. This one will be more fun.
I neglected to mention my first run in with the cops which happened my last night in Louisiana. It was like a sign from god that it was time to get the hell out. I had just left Kinder a pleasant enough little town and was heading towards the Texas border. However it was starting to get late so when I came across q nice looking place to camp I went for it. It was a clearly abandoned road and I walked down it to make sure and it turned out to be s telephone pole service road. Great I thought that means it's state property no one should have any issue. So I went down it a good ways and set up camp. I made my dinner and went into my tent. Suddenly I felt an unpleasant presence so I peeked my head out the door of my tent and sure enough there was a cop sitting by the side of the road. He sat there for a good while I figured he was just killin time. Nope, he eventually gets out and starts making his way down the dirt road. So I get my shoes on and go to meet him.
"aloha" I of course say.
"what are you doin back here?"
"I am traveling by bicycle and decided since it was getting dark to make camp for the night."
"traveling or homeless?" he asked with a pretty bitter tone.
"traveling sir."
"you have I'D on you?"
"of course" I grab my wallet and hand him my drivers license which if any of you have seen is pretty damn glorious and looks nothing like me.
"this you?"
"yeeaaah it really is." I couldn't help but laugh a bit. So he calls it in and runs my name.
"it's not that I don't trust you, I don't trust anyone."
"yeah I bet" eventually it comes back as me and of course my name us clear.
"well now I still am going to have to say that you need to move, cause this is Uh, still town limits and we have Uh... City ordinance... Besides which this is private hunting land and well you will have to leave."
"I will be out in the morning early, it's just getting dark and I don't like riding at night..."
"yeah no younger gonna have to leave" he said more sternly.
"alright I don't want to cause any issue..."
So despite it getting dark quickly I packed up my camp and moved down the road. It was another four miles till I found another place to camp.
I got the he'll out of Louisiana the next day riding about 100 miles.. I got lost though and had to loop around at least 15 of the 100 miles. But it was still a century ride even if only 89 or so were in the right direction.
Yesterday was a day for wild life. I saw all kinds and not just dead ones on the side of the road. The highlight was seeing what I can only say was a chupacabra. No joke, it was a dog like creature with basically no hair, it was about the size of a coyote. Large pointy ears that were somewhat tear dropped shaped. It was most definitely wild and when I stopped to try and catch a picture it bounded off. Almost like a deer. I know I know likely story... But I have no reason to lie and unless Texas has a species of wild dog I do not know about this was most definitely a chupacabra.
Then last night happened. I was feeling pretty good yesterday having made it almost 70 miles after my century ride. It looked like it might storm so I set up my tent and put the rain fly on. Then at about 12 o'clock the heavens opened up, and I found out that my tent is no longer water proof... It stormed until 3:30 in the morning with lightning and thunder and rain pouring down. By 1 my tent was thoroughly flooded and everything including me was drenched. Sleeping bag sleeping pad, everything. I managed to shield the uke and case which held my itouch but that was it. I swear if Jesus does come today he picked a very fitting day. I was almost certain it was the rapture that is how intense the storm was. At 5 at the very first sign of light I packed everything up. It turns out that not only is my tent no longer water proof but my saddle bags are not either, all my clothes are wet, I am wet, tired, and really just want to be home. It's funny, but at the same time I just want to be home. I might just resign myself to the thumb today since everything is wet I won't be able to sleep well tonight and I only got 4 hours of sleep last night... Meh we will see how that goes. This is already mighty long so I will leave it at that... My days are glorious full of adventure and wonder, and my nights are a fury of the rapture! Haha. My life rocks. Much love and aloha

On the road home

Alohas! So I have started my way back home. It has been interesting. I fixed up my bike in baton rouge and headed out. Unfortunately my right shoe no longer clips in. This has made riding difficult. But I am pushing through it!
When leaving baton rouge I had to hitch a ride across the bridge because I didn't feel like risking my life. It took me about two hours to do so! That was lane but I eventually got a ride. The next day was a weird one, people were rather rude, which really drains your spirit. But I ended up riding a good distance I suppose. The day after that was good, people were much more cheery, I met a "certified coon-ass" who owned a gas station I stopped at and he gave me some food which was awesome. Though it did not settle well in my stomach and before long I started feeling not so well. That was good motivation to make it to thence town
As quick as possible! When I finally found a restroom it was true salvation.
Upon the following day I rode over 100 miles and made it out of Louisiana. I got lost a couple of times because I was taking back roads that were not very well signed. But I found the right way eventually and made it a good distance. I also finally found the hills of Louisiana. Turns out they hide them in the north west of the state. But hey it made for a more interesting ride thank just riding straight. Anyway I am on the right path now and making decent time. My battery is dying so I must leave this short. Much love and aloha!

Letting this thing get away from me again...

Alohas everyone. So I am back in Baton Rouge now. My stay in New Orleans was full of music and drinking... As much as I do not drink often it is quite hard to avoid when you are there. Most of the time while busking people will give you alcohol instead of tips. It's like saying here get a little more fucked up so you play worse. Though of course it is a pretty awesome time none the less. I met some really good people and that made my stay better. At first I was having a hard time with it mainly because of the large amounts of drinking which makes it harder to talk to people, unles you are drunk too... I feel I left at the right time though, and now my plan is to haul ass back to AZ.
First however I need to spend a minute getting my bike worked on, then from there it is off back through Texas and New Mexico and a on to Bisbee Arizona. I am thinking I might just push myself and see how fast I can make it because why not? I am excited for this, as much as I am also dreading it! I have about 1400 miles to ride and I will be shooting for two weeks to get back. Though I will not be afraid to take a little but more time, it will be interesting to see if I can make it. Mainly I want to do this because it took me so long to get here so I want to prove to myself I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. Which if you know me you know I usually succeed in these endeavors... Cause well let's face it I am superman.
Alright enough gloating. I am going to leave this short because I am not feeling terribly inspired but i will be updating on my ride back just to keep you all up on my progress. I will be back in AZ soon enough and I am thinking maybe a little get together when I do?! We will see. Much love and alohas to all!

Nola the broke way.

Alohas, been too long since I last made a post. I have spent my days playing music for the most part. It is tough being one guy on a uke here, because you are competing with full bands who gain peoples attention more than you. But I have been able to string myself along. I have spent most of my time playing with other people and gaining that experience. That part has been good and despite being broke I have managed to have a really good time down here. Many people instead of giving you money will just give you alcohol which is pretty cool I suppose. I haven't had to buy many beers, actually in total I think I have bought two beers! As well I was able to see Toubab Krewe last night for free which was incredible. But I ended up getting a little bit messed up and I also hadn't slept much so I left early and passed out. The show was pretty incredible still though.
I am getting a little tired of New Orleans though, it is a lot to deal with. The way I see it it is everything that is good and bad in the United States packed into one city. But it is still very fun and cool, I just think it is definitely a place to see in small doses. It also wouldn't hurt to have more money. Oh well. My plans are leaning towards heading back to az for a minute. I have I a few projects I would like to be able to focus on and finish, plus I have a lot of video and pictures to take off my itouch and do something with. With all that I think heading back to az wouldn't be so bad. Plus maybe make a little money too, cause I could really use it.
Highlights from new Orleans have been the night I got to play music with Brown Chicken Brown Cow, I spent one night cruising around with this English gent I met and two girls from Canada and we ended up in a hotel on the roof swimming in the pool and soaking in the hot tub, then of course Toubab Krewe, they were incredible! Then all the good people I have met here, most of them have been awesome. I even met Ani Difranco. Which was pretty damn cool.
The hardest part about new Orleans is people are more apt to look at me like a hobo, there are a lot of street kids here and they spend their days getting shitfaced and bugging people for money or their left overs. Which gives us travelers a bad reputation here. I get some dirty looks and some rude comments, but oh well. Life is good... I am ready to setlle down somewhere comfortable for a minute so going back to az will be good. Well that is all for now, much live and aloha.