Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Monday was a music and food day with Rich McKay with whom I played in college.  He has a couple of really funny movies:

Cathy and Bob Celebrating with Rich and Jeanne

Frobisher Bay Volunteers Practicing at Marist College 1966

I hope you enjoy them as much as we.

When you take on a project that is bigger than you've tried before the most important resource to have with you is your emotional commitment to stick with it through thick and thin, and equally important, learn how to dance.  The square dance, which I do not in fact know and have not and will not try, despite some encouragement from Cathy, is a good example of the circling we must do and the in and out and out and in actions of the entrepreneur executing a plan.   Be flexible.  1966 was a good year for me - I ran successfully for the Student Government President position on the platform "New Flexible Ideas".   My opponent, with whom I later became a room-mate and good friend to this day, was a few years older than I and it seemed like a good theme, even then, there were the 'you don't understand me' difference among the ages.  But Walter Maxwell was a huge help to me personally and politically.  He help me grow up before graduating in 1967.  He had been in the service and had more discipline in his little finger than I had in my entire being.  So flexibility if an important characteristic of the successful business person.  Set the goal, and move with the environment as it changes.  And remember that a foe today can be a friend and ally tomorrow.  

I had to walk some tight ropes on this ride - shoulders that consisted of a white line while dump trucks whizzed by.  Same in business.  There are times when all is well and on track and then there are others.  I always followed the golden rule of business - control your expenses and yourself (or business) when times are good.  Control can mean lower them, or, broadly speaking, know where your money is going and why it is going there so that you can make decisions knowledgeably when the time comes to conserve.

At one point in the rain on US 1 in Key Largo - it was pouring as in tropical pouring - and on the south bound side the shoulder was six to 12 inches outside the white line, but it was jagged and dropped off 4 or 5 inches due to erosion.  I would never ride this shoulder even in good weather.  In these cases I put myself in the roadway and ask cars and trucks to accommodate my situation; they all did on this trip.  So I switched to the north bound side and road south, a no no for bike riding (always ride with the traffic so you deduct your speed from their speed if you get hit)  which was fine for a few miles but then became a construction site.  So I walked for two or three miles over the junk, around big holes and twice into the roadway running around barriers.  But I was walking.  The situation demanded that I change my tactics and required some concessions to the 'market'.  My day was a bit longer as a result, but I got where I wanted to go.

Likewise, I've had love affairs with banks and I've had long drawn out battles with banks.  Which is fine since the bankers do not share our business objectives and don't reap the same benefits we do when risk turns into rewards.  Eventually we reached an accommodation.  This required an emotional commitment and flexibility and a willingness to sacrifice all I had in order to stay the course of my business.  We have all been there in one way or another.  Sometimes it is difficult at home or hard on our families, but to succeed you must be prepared to play hard and long and it is good to have allies at home who can take the smoke and noise.  On this ride Cathy was willing to support the goals and my objectives.  She worked very hard to help make it happen.  In business over the course of 20 years she did the same, working  and investing so our family would benefit in the end.  I worked hard for Cathy too.  Both of us had the emotional commitment to making it happen and we both remained flexible as the business unfolded, expanded and gained strength and endurance.

Most texts will discuss the details of good planning and the myriad alternative actions business people can take.   I have tried to stay completely away from these issues since knowledge is a resource that you have to acquire in order to go forward in business.  Some times its simple and sometimes complex.  Just watching other businesses that are successful is a good place to start.  It helps if you have some business training, but I think in hindsight it is just as important to have the personal stamina.  I bet there are plenty of folks who have been unwilling during difficult times to say pledge the house or borrow more on credit cards when the situation demanded these actions.  I understand this completely as ones home is something very special.  I think too that the unwillingness to take aggressive action like plunging into credit card debt  when needed (for good reasons like buy a needed replacement machine or buy a booth in a trade show that leads to more relationships) leads to the unraveling of the business.  There will be times when you will face sleepless nights and hand ringing so be prepared emotionally.  "Spend" your emotional currency as best you can.

So we are off today to plan the return trip, which has a bit more time since I got to Key West a few days before we planned.  Our broad approach is to take more internal routes home so we can visit more towns and relax in more downtowns and see the south that I have come to love dearly.  We both share an interest in history and hopefully we can learn more as we go.  Although a bit arcane, we now know the difference between alligators and crocodiles, a fact that eluded me for 61 years.  Ok, here it is: alligators prefer fresh water and crocodiles salt.  And the alligator has a pointed snout while the crocodile has a square snout.  If you want to add to this give me a ring.

I'm lighter now, with miles to go before I sleep.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Speaking of 1000 words, here we is.   And there were another 1000 people speaking 1000 different languages waiting in an informal line to have their picture taken.  America must be a very desirous place to come to for every place we visit there are many vacationers.

Cathy met me at the bridge into Key West and I got a big kiss welcoming me.  She had ridden ahead to scout.  Then we headed to Rich McKay's so he could join us for the final three miles to this monument commemorating the southernmost spot in the USA.  Funny thing is up the block there is a house on the corner with a sign that reads "southernmost house', and to its right facing east is yet another house with a plaque that reads "southernmost southernmost house' and still to its right is yet another house that I had nothing to state or commemorate.  So too Rich says that there is another place now that is further south than the monument, which by the way stands some twenty or so feet from the water so it shore is not as far south as it has to be to make a statement about being southernmost.  Cathy is off to visit Fort Zachary Taylor while Rich and I make music and while there may in fact cross the southernmost spot.  Here is Rich and Bob before Rich gets to do some doctoring on the picture: The old thumbs up in this case is not only for the trip but for the many years we have been apart.  Rich has been living in Key West for a long time - he moved here after getting his Masters.  Rich is one of the few pioneers left in the country that chose first what he wanted to do "be in music" and then found a way to support this choice.  He has six CD's published and if you want to hear some good stuff he wrote and sang you can reach him at richinspirit@earthlink.net.  By all means he would like you to buy a CD or two.  He has dedicated his life to bringing peace to this world and getting a CD or two of his will assist in this process.

For Weight Watchers

About Signs in Business

A sure sign of a problem in a retail business is any sign on the door that announces the owners preference in regard to bathrooms, solicitation or language.  Come on in is the only acceptable sign and you might add 'we do what you want or in the case of bathrooms, 'we happily provide this service'.  Come on now, go take them down or put them up.   Think like a customer, think like a customer, think like a customer.  Go out side your store, close you eyes, run your hand from your hairline to your chin thereby changing characters and come on in like a customer does and critique the owner.  Critique the owner.  Then have five glasses of water and two cups of coffee, all 12 ounce, go back out side and come in while evaluating the efficacy of the 'Bathroom is for Customers Only" sign.  I know this a fair amount of time and effort spent on early training, but it still slays me to see so many 'no this or no that' signs on doors.

Another sure fire sign to Cathy and I that the owner is unhappy with the income of their business is a sign not working properly.  If there is any maintenance that you are putting off for lack of money - maintenance, not rebuilding - then this is a sure sign that some kind of change is needed to get revved up again, and restart building momentum..  Read the section in this site about Keys for Success or go to Sell More Coffee for starters.  If that does not get the juices going, then go again to How To Open A Coffee Store for more fat for the fire.  And if there is not a supply light bulbs in the store to immediately replace one that stops working, or a person to change the light bulb, then you have required reading on this site and the two above.  Your store must always look inviting.  Like it or not, money spent on light bulbs is a sure fire way to keep the light bulbs fired in your imagination.  

End of Sign Sermon

The Final Day

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Perfect Day to ride, clouds, tailwind some bike path and seven mile bridge.  This bridge was like a wind tunnel, the tailwind pushing and the passing cars, buses and trucks and motor homes pull you along.  I switched to the third ring up front and slowly built momentum to 21 mph, then pushed to almost 30 mph on level ground, then up a rise and down the rise at 30 ish - I was too focused to take more than one look at the speedometer.  It was fast.  Then I held 25 for a long time with the help of the momentum coming down the rise and all the other little help from my friends.

Long Key last night was right on the Ocean.  Look out the left front window, the front window and of course out the right front window.  The wind was blowing all night long at 15 to 20 and it was a grand night to just stand outside and feel the surroundings, which I did twice, once at 12:15 and once at 4 am.  The tide was low around 4 and it looked like a blowout tide in New Jersey or like the draining of the ocean when you are about to get hit with a tsunami.  Despite this morbid thought it was a beautiful thing to behold and feel.  The moon was about half and bright the first time.  Clouds were rolling in at 4.

Cathy woke me around 6:30 to join her watching the sun rise out the front left window which is east.  So we are facing South South East.  I took some good pictures of the shore line to our right and if you look very closely at this picture observe the house on the far left point.  Then look at this   which is the house with my zoom lense.  You can see the man on the front porch from a very long distance away.  I took some movies of a sailboat way out there.

And then took some movies of the actual ride along a path over a channel.  I focused the movie camera over the fairing and talked and shot away.  Here is a sample.  (Sample to Come when I get home because the movies take a long time.  Next rainy day I might try it again here.  I have to convert them to a microsoft format so I can edit them.)

Seven mile bridge comes right after Marathon which they bill as the midway point in the keys.  Marathon I'll bet has some nice area's, but I didn't see much from the bike path or in the center of town on US 1.  To give it its due, it was cloudy.  I liked a lot the small town, Layton, on Long Key, a general store, food mart, Italian Restaurant and a gas station and 15 real estate offices.  But it was still almost quaint.  The Long Key State Park was terrific and the first time I remember camping on the ocean.  

I've seen too many horror movies in my life and was thinking of the one where there is a fog on the ocean and a clicking sound, like someone running a stick along a picket fence, and then your friends start to disappear.  Or the one where the family is riding along a bridge at night and the giant squid reached over the bridge and removes the people from the car, then spits the car out on the bridge.  Or then again there is Moby Dick with whales chasing you.  We passed Whale Harbor in Islamadora, where our friend Nick Ruemeli fishes with his friends.  We passed the Hampton Inn too where he stays. 

We had pizza last night from one of only two stores we saw on the ride back from picking up the lost phone, and stopped because it had two stolen Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike signs.  I thought if he went to that trouble his pizza must be pretty good - obsessed you know.  It was to me, but not to Cathy.  Thin crust was a bit 'cardboardy' but good sauce and the cheese was browned on top.  I like it like that.  So Cathy had one piece, I had four, and we threw two away, which is only seven so who had the other piece?  Could it be Shadow Warrior?

Right now we are sitting at the laundry in the Sunshine Key Encore RV 'resort', that costs $68 a night, has 500 or more sites and has us about three feet from US 1.  We looked at changing but did not since they have a large group in and they brought there own band and have permission to play 'til they drop, which last night was 1:30.  I certainly don't think this resort  is worth the money for us, but the position on the route is perfect for a push off tomorrow, the final day.

The final day?

Holy mackerel, the final day.  I'm going to try to film the entry into Key West and the touching of the Southern Most Point.  

I guess in business, with determination, foresight and farsightedness, planning and execution you can do just about anything you set out to do.  If I can do this ride, you can do what you do. 

I have a magazine about the internet elements for a business to improve its internet sales including blogging, key word optimization, search engine optimization,  podcasts, movies through YouTube and social networking to mention a few.  I think it is good to become well versed in these tools, and I plan to do so.  This ride has been telling for me in terms of a semi-blog, this log.  I needed to have your input more and had a form but not a way for you to post directly, which the experts say is appropriate so that you don't get vitriolic kind of stuff.  Not everyone likes your ideas or the way you present them.  

Its like my thoughts on Fair Trade and American workers and Coffee Pickers.  I'm afraid that the concentration of money increases the likelihood the pickers will become extinct in time, like cotton pickers.  And my thoughts about flavored coffee bean sales.  There are a lot of roasters out there who are obsessed with the idea keeping it 'pure', in re origins and straights.  I don't share this view as I love the business of coffee and I see the product line much broader.  Remember we are all at this to make a living.  Sure we love coffee, but it would be really good to have enough customers to share that love, kind of like the sixties.  

There are many good causes out there and all we have to do is find the one that fits our personalities and purposes.

So Tomorrow Is The Last Ride of This Leg.  Far Out.

"Lost and alone on some forgotten highway, traveled by many remembered by few.  Looking for something that I can believe in,  my life is worth living, I don't need to see the end"; Sweet Surrender, John Denver, before he forgot how to Fly Away.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Morning, Afternoon Ride

Raining like crazy and no riding yet today.  This is a first for the trip, so it hard to feel badly but cabin fever is setting in at the moment.  My body is revved up for riding not sitting.  I did encounter a few downpours and fast moving storms along the route but nothing in the morning before riding out.  I'll wait it out as the chances of it going on all day are slim.

You can hear far off rumbling but no lighting yet while www.weather.com warns to watch out for lighting.  I was wondering if they gave directions for watching out for lightening.  Perhaps the old method of holding a golf club.  I read yesterday another book, Shadow Warrior, by Gotcher.  In it, Doc, the hero and the man who became known among the Apaches as Shadow Warrior,  is running for his life in the mountains when he feels the hair on the back of his neck go  up followed by a tree coming down right nest to his head.  He was not watching out for lightening.  He recalled his wagon train days on the prairie where there was no shelter but in this case he was in a forest surrounded by fir trees that I bet blocked the view of the lightening.  He said he heard it either, just the static and hard wood on his head.

It is a good read, Shadow Warrior.  It takes place in 7 days beginning with a random meeting of Doc and Gunsi's War Party, where they just happen to be shooting the same deer simultaneously.  They both hit the bugger, Don on a horse gets to the deer first when he first sees the blood on the arrow protruding from the dear deer.  He reins in the mustang he is riding and heads back to the woods but two young Apaches appear suddenly and attack.  He reluctantly kills them both which is really bad since one of them is Gunsi's younger brother.  Doc lost his mustang in the encounter and runs now on foot with the Apaches, 19 of them at this moment in hot pursuit.  But it turns out Doc was a runner in his prairie days and he can out run them for a while.  Seven days later there are two Apaches, Gunsi is gone, six decided to give up the chase and rest were dead from gunshots, arrows or landslides and cliffs.  Doc is one heck of a mountain man and in the end he got the horse.

The folks next to us are living in the cuddy cabin of a short speedboat, with a bimmani set three feet above the windows, on the boat for sunny days not rain, so there is a wide opening through which the rain is blowing.  Four adults, we think, and a very large boxer.  They all smoke and it is just hard to understand how they can take it.  I'm sure they like scuba diving, which is what draws people here, and I'm wondering why they are sitting here in camp and not on the water or in the water where they can stay dry in a scuba outfit.  My friend Nick Ruemelli would be out at the reef  or deep diving a wreck.

While we folks in 2007 stop everything when it rains, Doc and the Apaches just kept going and going.  I don't think their dogs had red raincoats and muzzles.  I was just thinking the Ruby looks so dainty in her red raincoat and muzzle.  Muzzles have a way of putting people at disease.  It works every time.

We are hoping that mail and Coffee from Heaven reach us in Key West.

Afternoon Ride

The rain never did stop, nor did it look like it was going to stop, so it was either ride in the rain or drive south today and drive back tomorrow to continue riding from Largo.  I opted to ride in the rain.    This one is taken just before kicking off.    Squinting, sitting on a towel on a rubber backed rug, garbage bag to protect my back, hat to keep drops off my glasses.  None of it worked.  

Kelly at Florida Greenways and Trails told me that the bike trail in the Keys would take me from the state park in Largo to the State Park in Long Key.  Technically she is correct.  But for a very important couple of miles there was very heave construction going on and I ended up walking a few miles.  The highway is divided by a wide green area here with intermittent turnarounds.  I'd reconnoiter every once and while but the south bound lanes had no shoulder and what was there was jagged, and about a 2 inch drop to the grass and glass.  Much too dangerous in the rain.  So I opted to walk and ride on the packed corral where possible.  I figured if I a lost a tire I'd call for assistance.  www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com or 877 822 5208 is the info to contact them.

The trail from Plantation Key to Long Key is superb.  There are places that use it as a driveway for bay front home and in some places it has drainage problems.  But I guess this is true of Florida, period.  Only once did I find a hole in a puddle the hard way.

On one reconnoiter I took the bike and myself to the center of the highway in a turnaround.  The south bound lanes are higher by a few feet than the north bound lanes so I could see a bit of a way.  I fell in the center of a turnaround.  I have no idea how, but in a flick the bike was on its side and just missed being under me.  Lucky.  And unlucky.  I dropped my  iphone and did not realize if for 15 miles.  Too late to go back for I figured it was at the spot the bike went over.  Later that evening Cathy and I did return and found it just about at the spot.  Too bad that it still works.  I would never ever buy one again.  Hear that Steve.  It has pizzazz but it is fragile.  Two days ago I dropped it on its face, in the case they give you and the glass cracked.  I'm holding it together with scotch tape.  Hear that Steve.  And it does not take short movies.

And holding it while speaking is awkward, and the speaker is not nearly loud enough.

The rest of the way was just wet.  Nothing wild.  

The absent phone was a real bother to me for if Cathy had a problem, or if I one there is no way to communicate.  I will not ride off without a phone.  And I'll write down in my head and wallet Cathy's cell phone so that if by chance I can find a old land line I can call.

The keys below Largo are very nice.  Lots of big homes on both sides of the road.  Tonight we are in Long Key State Park and I'm guessing the land here is no more than 100 yards wide and includes the park, the highway and some greenery.  

The motor home is parked literally 3 feet in front and 2 feet higher than the Atlantic.  Clearly there are reefs that protect this area in normal weather.  But it must get swamped.  I also wondered where the Flagler Railroad was located as there is not a sign of it here.  You may know that it was demolished in a hurricane and a train full of people were lost.

My legs were heavy at the end of today ride.  I'm not a walker.  I should probably take a days rest but I am anxious to get to Key West.  So tomorrow I'll peddle down to Sunshine Key and the Sunshine RV Resort.  They have 500 or more sites and its supposed to be a pretty nice place for $68 a night.  

So goodnight all.  "Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine, in".  

I hear they have a parade planned for me tomorrow, something called Fantastic Festival where everyone paints up their bodies.  But I'm going to miss it by a day.

Two more rides.  And, to more rides, salute!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Key Largo, Florida.   A big day, but still more to come in Key West.  I'm splitting the keys into three more rides of roughly 30 miles each.  Next to Long Key, then Big Pine Key, then Key West.

Walk In The Park Ride

Key Largo is really a very busy place.  I had to walk my bike across two lanes of traffic and waited at least five minutes to get across.  I was hoping some kid would stop traffic for me, but lo, no.  So another person took the plunge and I followed him.  

I left Homestead after stopping at the Raceway Convenience Store where Salvador made a superb Cuban Coffee.  Its the first I've had in years, other than my own.  He is from Mexico and this store is clearly dead center of a Spanish Neighborhood.  I tried to bring my Spanish up but it failed me in the short time I had.  He was keenly interested in the trip, and he was only the second person to offer my the coffee at no charge.  Dan at Jumpin Java did so as I was leaving you may recall, and Salvador did it without blinking.  I think it is clear that Rodney King had the right idea - getting along with each other.  If so, then I've got to get to speak again Spanish.  A great big part of this nation is Spanish now, and although America has always insisted upon learning English, this may take a few generations because of the size and scope of the Spanish speaking population.  I'm thinking if the kids can speak it at home and then everywhere they go, it will take some time to speak English, perhaps a few generations.

One of the customers of Raceway took a real interest in the bike, and gave me a few No Way's when I told him what I'd done.  He knew the days route and he was concerned about the riding along the expressway to Key Largo.  He was right for the first 10 miles.  The second 10 is under construction and some really nice blacktop is down and much wider.  With the tail wind it was a blast again.  There is nothing like riding a bike downwind.  This is especially true of mine with the fairing acting as a sail.  At one point I stopped pedaling and was continuing along at 8 miles per hour.  I had momentum so its not quite right to say its an 8 mph wind, but It helped me mostly cruise at 18 mph.  What a ride.  And the customer from Raceway was a real delight to speak with, he was excited for me, and wished us well.

The first ten miles had raised reflectors in the shoulder, and at the very beginning there was a very large sign announcing the yeat to date there were 14 deaths on the road.  Then came signs telling the drivers to be patient, there was a passing zone coming up in three minutes.  For the amount of traffic today 14 seemed pretty low to me.  Who knows how many are in the water and never found.

Salvador in the shop was also excited about the ride and he face lit up when he realized what I was talking about and he immediately provided the coffee free.  "Never Take What you Cannot Give" is a saying an old friend of mine repeated many times.  So I'm sending a thank you to Salvador from KMO.

We are staying on Key Largo in the State Park for 30 dollars.  Its a weekend and so made reservations ahead at Long Key in a state park for 30  and then on Saurday at Sunshine RV resort on Pine Key.  This one cost $68 which is the most we have spent along the way and I hope it is worth it.  My rides each day on the Keys are only 30 odd miles, and the final day will be 39 or more to the goal post at the southern most point.

Rich McKay offered us his front yard for camping and we will take him up on the offer.  Its been a long time since we saw each other and he is going to put some new strings on his Martin so he must be anxious to sing too.  He sounds just like he used to, and it is hard to see him over 60.  Rich is a real free spirit and has lived his life like that.  

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Jack the Hustler and I had a few good laughs.  On the way down from Kendall to Homestead I was stopped by a light.  This very tall, trim shabbily dressed black man was sauntering toward me with a big grin on his face and a few singles in his hand.  He also had a spanking new Fed Ex box.  I figured I'd been panhandled before and if ever I had seen a setup, it was this.  So I beat him to the punch.  As he got nearer I ask "Buddy can you spare a dollar".  Old Jack with wicked smile said, "I prayed hard today  for sixteen dollars  and I got seventeen.  I tried to give one back but they would not take it".  He finished, "so you can have a dollar", and he handed it over toward me.  He laughing by this time and me pretty hysterical.  We were putting on the style for the crowd of ladies at the wheel of the BMW's and assorted Japanese cars, many of whom had just handed over a dollar or two to Jack, who opened up the inside of the Fed Ex Box to reveal his prayer for the Final Sixteen.  I could not take his hard earned money and the back of our hands touched lightly and knowingly as we passed  each into our own memory.  I have the feeling that I was in the presence of a master who could change color, character and context as fast as a chameleon changes color.  He was a man of means by all means, and "King of That Road", for sure.  Its the Busway along US 1 from Kendall to Homestead.  

I no longer ask people their names.  It seemed to get in the way of a good exchange.

I just made it into a gas station/convenience/deli/clothing/repair shop today and only one of six employees spoke 'ingles'.  After a few futile efforts I was able to translate towel to Towal, and I got one.  It was then raining like a hackneyed Niagara Falls, which is to say loud.  I don't understand how all that water can disappear so quickly, but it does - makes the alligators happy I suppose.  

I was starting to tell you about Tim the Thinman who approached with the ordinary and normal now, Nice Bike conversation.  He was about five foot six or so, dirty t-shirt and pants to match.  Its noon now so you'd expect that for an outside working man as it was raining (like Niagara Falls) and it was time to gather at the old gas station for lunch, and people were coming out of the woodwork, but in this part of the country there is no woodwork, its all concrete block work, so I use the term very loosely.  But you know what I mean.  I'm guessing they were all spanish speaking people because in order to order anything inside you had to speak the local lingo, which is not, by any stretch, English. 

I might have said before that I was gleeful as I left Georgia; for in the bottom half of the state Cathy had noticed that the signs were all in English, and not a one, even in the state park, was in Spanish.  I asked the guy at that gas station if it was true and he gave me big knowing grin.

So Tim the Thinman wanted to know about the bike and I told him and then told him I had come all the way from Upstate New York.  At first he just kept talking, but then he let out, "on that",  "on that" quizzically.  I told him I was well over, well, the limit, and had lost plenty of weight on the trip, which was one of my purposes.  He found this hysterical and I think he did not believe it.  He then told me not too long ago he was over two ten, and I guess he meant overweight, but had lost some in the last six months.  He did not look sick, so I'm thinking he was without job, home and food.  In any event he got his can of beer in a white bag here and was on his way on foot.  He left me wondering how all these brown or white bags are so obvious but still thought of for cover from the police and law against oven alcohol containers.

I got my ice cream today at the Alamo, the day before the Mexican's attacked.  It was a stronghold with bars on the window and one inch glass, slid to the side, I guess to protect.  The ride on the bike path today was also a fortress.  Fences topped with barbed wire were on both sides of the road and bike path.  The road today was a road for only buses, nothing else could legally drive on it and there were at least three passing police cars and one police car stationed behind a service station but on the busway to keep it that way.  I was tempted at first, but then realized the bike path was pretty good, not much glass, flat, and pretty smooth.  Written on a concrete block wall, about six feet tall was the word 'hint" like this 

--------------------- hint ---------------------hint     (no line)                     hint.  I figured some kind of gang warning.  And the people I did see at the bus stops were not at all friendly, and one little girl of about eight walking with her mother jumped a foot in the air when I rang my bell.  She turned and looked at me in fear of her life.  She was startled, and that was on me, and she was scared.  There are a fair number of places south of Brooklyn fortified like this,  But I gotta say I never felt I was threatened directly, except as otherwise noted before.  Something must be going on in Southern Florida for Cathy thinks the local people are not at all friendly, which means they don't know when to make or not make contact with anther human or non human.  And there was a billboard she saw that pictured a man in jail and the statement "I'm 38 and my gang ain't helping me".  Or something like that.

I try to smile at everyone I pass, with some exception, and I find here that about half acknowledge it.  The young men will have nothing to do with it and they are busy holding up there pants.  They studiously ignore me, but I see glances at the bike.  I get anxious when they ask how much it cost before anything else.  So this must be a very poor area and the need for money great, or, the cost of drugs substantial.  It would be better they go back to cleaning windshields than packing six guns.  But in truth the area, in places, feels like what I would think a western town without a sheriff is like.  Not immediately a threat, but walk fast, keep your head down and don't stop for anything and don't ride an Easy Racer Tour Easy bike that no one has ever seen before.  But  you know what I say to that.

Hail to the King.

Tomorrow I'll hit the Keys.  Man oh woman I'm sure it will feel good.  Cathy was telling me she thinks it is amazing, and when I asked what she meant by that, she said the amazing thing is that it seems so normal and that I am not exhausted and just keep going.  This is the energy I was trying to define the other day.  Today I realize that my Brother Bill,  Doctor Johnson, or Dr. J for short,  who is a superintendent of schools in Rockville Center, Long Island, a wealthy district with demanding constituents, has at least this much energy.  He's been there for twenty five or thirty years which is unheard of in the education business.  In my home town we go through Superintendent's every three years or so - they don't finish their contracts.  He once told me they love him because he has created a good solid district, with a high school rated 40th in the Nation, and the result has been a higher than average growth in the price of homes.  So he has single handedly raised by billions, the portfolio's of the locals.  And he jogs about six miles a day, at 11 o'clock at night after school board meetings and other community affairs.  He runs in marathon's and 5k's and the like.  I'd say he works his butt off at least 15 hours a day, and he seems to love it, and has achieved a very good reputation in the State of New York.  And he is not the only other family member to have the energy.

My Brother Paul for sure has it in spades.  He says he was given challenges and overcame them and that it is different from creating challenges to meet.  I disagree.  He has the energy.

Brother Gerry goes the distance every day too.  He was a chef, trained at the CIA in Poughkeepsie, NY and opened a couple, or worked at a couple of restaurants in NYC.  One was Jane Street Seafood, where he ran a kitchen that served several hundred patrons a night.  He said the kitchen is like a sawmill, big buzz all night with people going in every which way.  Very distracting and intense.  So he left for Kauai after he married Barbara and honeymooned there.  They sold everything and moved.  Now he builds cabinets from Koa  wood and builds houses.  He has constructed a couple of his own and all of them withstood Iniki, the pacific hurricane that blew all the greenery away and put 2 x 4's through houses like bullets through butter.  He and his family had an inside room for this purpose and with mattresses they survived as did his house, and the others he built.  Gerry did great and wonderful things for me in my life and I miss him; he is a strong man in every way.  He has faith in himself and the future and just keeps going.  He also, says Paul, will make three appointments on any given day all at 10 AM.  No kidding.   See you at 10, so he too must be one of a few who can be in three places at the same time.  Go Gerry.  He has the energy and focus and drive.

So too my sister Mary, but she would kill me twice and dance happily on my grave if I wrote about her, so I will not.  She lost a twin sister many years ago and I think that this is the worst kind of thing that can happen to a person.  Identical twins are not alone.  But now she is.

My Daughter Jennifer has the energy, and My Son Paul has the energy and my wife Cathy has the energy.  So I think it runs in families.  When challenged at a young age to perform in ways you might not like or can not actually do initially, you develop this energy.  Some too are born with it.  And some get it both by trial and error and by birth.

And I think too Jack has the energy and displays it in an extraordinary way.  So too do entrepreneurs who are successful.  We are a bunch of people blessed with certain obsessions that we will not give up.  We are blessed with drive.  We are blessed with vision and we are blessed with the back-handed strength of never being satisfied.  We must always find or have a better way.

Yesterday I passed Hiatus Ave in Pembroke Pines.  It struck me.

Bye for now.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Not 10 minutes out of Delray Beach I ran into Gizzi's Coffee.  

The ride today was very nice - Delray Beach, Boca, Pampano and then even Fort Lauderdale was pleasant.  I rode through the historic section of Hollywood which is very nice and then rode West to the nearest campground in Pembroke Pines.  This is off 820 on Flamingo Dr.  Its a Broward County park that is huge, and the sites are beautiful and large.  

In Fort Lauderdale US 1 goes through a short tunnel, which I chose to go through.  It was a real thrill.  Only one person chose to honk like crazy as and after they passed me on the  upgrade at the end of the tunnel.  At the opening to tunnel there is a sign "Share the Road with Bicycles", which led me to believe it was bike friendly.  While the downhill was a trill, the uphill required great exertion to get the hill out of there.  It is not at all bike friendly and I should have known better.  

I spoke with Cathy at mile 31 or so when she told me the closest camp was 10 miles out of town, all the way on Hollywood Blvd.  Knowing that this was downwind made it a no-brainer.  Off I went.  There a three or four roundabouts on Hollywood Blvd. and its a pleasure known only to bikers to ride around them in traffic.  I would love to try Rome.  Perhaps Tuscany is more my level.  A nice remote village.  The historic area of Hollywood was very nice and the other end of 820, which is Hollywood for a long way but is straight as an arrow and renamed in the suburbs, is really very modern and growing.  The malls out there are all new and there are more under construction.  The only thing lacking is an ice cream store.  Even the Dunkin Donuts did not have its Baskin and Robin's

US 1 exits Fort Lauderdale at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport so in addition to the tunnel I ended up on a six lane superhighway with a large shoulder.  Its the first large shoulder I've had in perhaps a thousand miles and brought a smile to me face as we say in Ireland.   And the city threw in jets flying directly overhead as they took off.  Nice piece of work.  Not bad though since the time was 1:30 and the traffic was very light.  If the shoulders were cleared once and while of debris, mostly glass, then it would in my opinion be ok to ride these monsters.  I've ridden Route 55 in Cumberland County, New Jersey several times and it seems to be ok for an experienced rider.  You don't get much warning as cars approach from the rear at high speeds, but it gets you there faster sometimes.  I sure would not do it as part of this ride.  US 1 and Route 17, while not your backwoods kind of roads, do get you to many towns and in my case coffee houses.  Of course Florida is not Georgia or the Carolina's, but their grass is green and sky is blue and the clouds are white and the Sun is the hottest I've ever experienced, including my sailing days, which is another story, for another time.  

Cathy and I were talking about renting a Trawler type boat to come down or go up the inland water way.  That was on our list when we were active chartering 40 foot sailboats, but the sailboats have very slow hull speeds which would make the trip onerous.  I can go faster on the bike.  But one day...

I am really close.  Tomorrow I plan to be in Homestead, the to Key Largo, Marathon, Pine Key, and Key West.  I will probably rest a day in Key Largo, I need to get to the Keys, so that the ride down will be more enjoyable.  

There are a lot more scooters out there folks.  They get 65 mpg I'm told which is just a touch about the Prius I owned before this trip.  But they are lot less expensive than the Prius, which cost me $25,000, way over priced for the size vehicle, but I bought it for other reasons.

America in Florida looks an awful like America in NJ.  All the drug stores are here not counting ours, Rite Aid, and I wonder why there are so many drug stores in this country.  It is a sure sign that the price we pay for drugs supports expansion and the requisite capital.  Macy's in Pembroke is huge, the whole mall takes a long time to drive around.  A long time.  Applebee's has the same appetizer we love, Veggie Pizza and the steak was pretty good too, NY strip with garlic herb butter sauce spread liberally.  With French Fries.

I forgot Florida was THE state of hanging ballots until I saw a sign for Bush Real Estate, which I doubt is theirs, but this is hallowed ground.  I only had one senior citizen looking down when she went by me and darn near forced me to spread myself liberally around the pavement, which would not be good.  She must have been preparing for 2008.  Boy it is grand to forget about CNN and the Daily Journal, and Newsweek and Time and the Sunday Morning shows with coffee and Danish.  Every once in a while I buy USA today, and I think I rode by one of theirs and Gannett's printing plants.  I should have stopped in to their plant, and to the other papers and radio stations I saw along the way in order to get some publicity.  But I think this trail will have to be thought through and a plan devised to maximize the available exposure.

In one sitting I read the story of Trapper Nelson, a colorful guy who went wild, kind of for the camera's, in Jupiter.  He lived in the outback along the Jupiter River amidst alligators, black widows, and rattlers.  He started a zoo and a jungle habitat and folks went out to see him and his 'ranch' for many years until he got fed up and quit.  Its an interesting story.  In 1968 he died while in the midst of selling the 1000 acres he amassed by paying back taxes and taking the properties of other less fortunate people, for $1500 an acre.  The author claims houses in Jupiter were selling for $25,000 then, but this doesn't ring true for I purchased in Kingston, New York for $17,000 my first modest home and Kingston is a far cry, meaning less expensive, than Jupiter, and, it doesn't have alligators.  The funny thing is that a nephew of Trapper's lives, or lived, in Waretown, New Jersey, just south of Tom's River.  Waretown to those of you readers who may not share my love of bluegrass music, is the New Jersey concert and jam capital of bluegrass in NJ and has been written  up in the New York Times which makes it a true story.  Right?  or is it Left?

Did you know that alligators live only in America and China?  My sources are generally reliable.

What am I gonna do when I get home and don't have a ride to do in the morning?  Cathy and I were talking tonight at dinner at Applebee's that cost us ten dollars more than our housing for the evening,  and I realized that this is my kind of ride, I love it.  Every day is an adventure into new territory.  Some folks drive to their destination and and then ride home.  I prefer this. Yet, because of the weather I had planned to drive to Oregon and head East to pace the change to winter.  And am I glad I did not do that.

I guess in business we all have to decide to go forward or go back every day or to stay were we are every day.  Cathy said 'fantastic' when we talked about being only four day's from Key West, yet it seems quite normal to me.  Just a bunch of consecutive 40 or more mile rides.  It sure beats riding in circles in South Jersey, more properly called Loops by bicyclists.  Its get a bit boring after awhile.

The thought occurs to me that this ride could be made into a business that is indeed a help to people.  That is, lead rides like this for people who looked like me at the start.  I bumped into a scooter rider at a traffic light and we had the regular nice bike nice scooter conversation, when he asked me why I was doing what I am doing.  To him I responded "to loss weight" and told him the before and now story.  He told me he would love to do it but he doesn't have the time.  This fellow was easy 290 and not trim like Trapper Nelson, who was compared in the fifties and sixties to Tarzan, I guess Johnny Weismuller.

Another regular conversation goes, "What is that?" and I reply "a bike" and they say "is it electric?", me, "nope", just pedals.  Then with a big smile they say "well don't break the speed limit", which I did today.  

At a high school the limit was 15 while the light in the center of route 820 was blinking.  It was blinking.  A huge 18 or so wheel cement truck and I were stopped in front of about 100 kids from this school when the light changed to green.  I gave the truck a head start and then pounded away in 29, which is the center front ring and the rear smallest.  Its a slow start since you have to really push to get the bike going at that gear ratio, but once it gets going, it goes really fast and in no time I was breaking the speed limit at 18 and I easily trashed the cement truck.  Cheers.

Then Joe Smoker, again at a light, starts the usual 'nice bike' conversation and we get around to what I'm doing.  He is incredulous and all he can say between puff's is "aren't you inhaling a lot of exhaust", and this said with a pained expression.  I simply could not resist explaining it was a lot less painful than the cigarette he had in his mouth, and I told him the before and now story of how I smoked 5 or more packs a day, nothing in moderation, or, in other words, I was the character who gets off the phone and looks around and finds three cigarettes going in three different ashtrays, all near the phone.  When I smoked, I smoked.  I never put one down.  Put it out, light it up.  I quit at $1 a pack I think.  I can not imagine today having to explain to the kids why they can't go bowling with a cigarette in your mouth.  So Joe Smoker then tells me he is going to quit next year.  Off I went with a cheerio and good luck exchanged by both of us.  He was a nice fellow.

"Sometimes I live in the country.  Sometimes I live in the town,  Sometimes I take a great notion, to jump in the river and drown", Verse 2, Song, Goodnight Irene.  Goodnight all, and Joe.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Between Palm Beach, West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach I was propositioned again, and had  three local folks in cars telling me to get on the sidewalk, and one just shouting something obscene.  One man wanted to know how much my bike cost, and I think he was trying to decide if it was worth the effort to steal it.  I told him it was a gift and I thought worthless.  Another dude riding thankfully in the opposite directions and on the other side of the street with dreadlocks blowing in the wind, shouted "nice bike', lustfully. There were more to feed my paranoia.  Lastly, there was not a single police man or woman to be seen anywhere, except Delray Beach.  I can understand why they aren't there.  Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach were, on the other extreme, very nice.  People walking around in suits and cocktail dresses at 2 pm.  

In Lantana I met Vince, a weathered man of perhaps 65, retired and mightily proud of his decision 30 years ago to salt some money away in the union pension plan that now pays him 650 dollars a week.  At first I thought he was a threat, but the owner/manager of the convenience store, from New Delhi, told me "Vince is a good guy, he will be there if you ever need help".  So I talked a bit with Vince, mostly listened and it turns out he does know a lot about the Hudson Valley as he helped build the major highways up there.  Route 84, the extension connecting the Massachusetts and New York Thruways were two he mentioned and knew about the high security prison along route 84 at Fishkill.  

The fellow who was pondering my dropped helmet in Delray Beach was starting to call someone as I drove up to retrieve the helmet, which I foolishly left on the seat of the bike on the bike rack of the motor home as I drove away.  We chatted briefly and he coined the phrase Helmet Without A Head, a possible title for a treatise on War.  The War would be a good beginning.  Not to get into this again, but not only did the German People kill six million, 6,000,000 Jews, they also murdered 4,000,000 Russian POW's and 2,000,000 Poles, and another 1,000,000 or so people who were 'different' or forced laborers.  This does not include the other 40,000,000 people who fought in other Armies or civilian deaths.  So Helmets Without Heads seems like a good way to think about this obnoxious thing we call war.  The Helmet Man and I laughed a bit and he said he didn't know who to call, but he was going to call someone, and he was serious.  I did not ask who he had dialed.  The helmet was sitting the gutter so I'm thinking he might have thought an accident, perhaps unreported took place there.  We'll never know, but his phrase may live on and he could have made off with the Helmet easily.  Thank you Helmet Man of Delray Beach.

I stopped at Bicycle Wayne  for a new helmet and tubes and to see if there new types of pumps, which there are not.  So I'll stay with the jury rig I have for my big standup pump.  The Giro Helmet fits well and has a few technological improvements, like Velcro holding the pad to the top so they can be cleaned and the straps have a device that exactly fits the helmet to your head, which is good.  Then I almost gave it away.  Left it on the seat after loading up the bike on the motor home and knew then that I should not leave it there to do anything.  But I did and we made a successful return trip to Delray Beach to find it in the street with a fellow I'm sure was about to claim it as salvage.  A helmet without a head attracts attention.

I was very interested in the changes that had taken place along US 1 since the last time I was here.  Most of stores along 1 after North Palm are shuttered with concrete or closed.  There a slew of them for rent and empty.  Wayne told me that if I survived the Hood in Riviera Beach I'd probably survive anything.  He actually did not say this, but I think it characterizes accurately my take on it after talking briefly with him.  This emptiness continued in Palm Beach and then into W. Palm as well.  I can tell by the gas stations.  If they are shuttered, the indication is its an iffy neighborhood.  If they are open but shuttered or covered with steel you can draw your own conclusions.  If they only have bulletproof glass and a bank drive-in draw it is probably a good neighborhood to ride through.  Cathy actually called me from mile 31, I was at 25, and wanted to come pick me up for safety reasons, but I declined.  I did however begin to pedal faster and raised the speed to 14 and 15 into the wind for about 5 miles.  I also choose not to stop for groceries.

I'm pretty sure I saw at least one drug deal go down.  And for sure a young working girl wanted attention so things have changed big time along 1, aka Federal Highway and at times, ironically, Dixie Highway.

In Palm Beach proper, and I believe it was downtown there is an explosion of condo's going up.  In one two block stretch there were four monster buildings being erected in concrete I guess to protect against the occasional hurricane.  They look to be beautiful.  Delray Beach was quite something, with people actually sitting street side in the cafe's.   It was very pleasant, and if I liked real Philadelphia Cheese Steak I'd have stopped at 5th and Atlantic, at Al's Famous Cheese Steaks, but I don't.  Besides, there is a Starbucks being outfitted there and it makes me sick to see so many of these things going up.  My Darling picked me up a few minutes latter at this intersection.

So a few sprints were added today and it felt good and I'm beginning to think I'm goldbricking a little when the old headwind rears it nasty head.  Perhaps it is self pity.  Tomorrow I'll try it again and maybe get a few extra miles.

I'm getting close to the Keys.  Tomorrow we will camp in Hollywood and the next day, after driving around Miami, I'll bike from Coral Gables to at least Homestead.  We received a copy of a book with RV camps in Florida and it will be a big help in planning the rest of the trip.  The lady manager of tonight's campground, which was the third we tried (no dogs allowed at the other two) is from New Hampshire, has been down here for 13 years but in May is going Home.  She misses the four seasons and Christmas.  Christmas, she said, is just not Christmas without the cold.  I'm getting excited about reaching Key West and I'm beginning to wonder What's Next?

We will be going home for the holidays and then in January we are planning a scouting trip to North Central Florida.  Then I've got to gently discuss the rest of the legs of the possible trip around the country.  Mixing the coffee stores and the biking is logistically unfair to Cathy and I will have to I think separate them.  Right now she is basically driving, shopping and picking me up.  Both of us would like to have more time together and more time to actually see something beyond tarmac and concrete.  1 is not the route to see coffee stores.  And I'm thinking that to really get to a lot of independents you need to drive, not bike, and cover states, not just a route like this.  And I'm convinced it is a worthwhile endeavor for me, KMO and the independent store owner.  Perhaps too we could make this an annual event where I lead or anther person leads a ride down the coast to celebrate independents, with publicity so the independents can take advantage of it.  We also need to build a big book on how to best compete with the giants as the giants are growing rapidly.  Clearly the concept of community involvement and knowing your customers is critical and so are the basics of the right product line, food, drive-in, wi fi, and big smiles.  I have to ponder this for I'm not satisfied at all with the Keys to Success section.  Help from you would be appreciated.

Remember the Donkey too.

So, Hollywood, Homestead, Key Largo, another key and then bingo.  Bingo is big in this area as are Arcades which I'm beginning to think are legal gaming halls.  Not sure.  Perhaps on the way north we can check it out.

I drank 10 large bottles of cold water today and kept up pretty well.  I ate less - one honey bun, my obligatory p and j sandwich, and an orange.  I was starving at 4 pm.

Also wearing the new dress shoes I purchased.  They are brown and it looks a bit dorky.  But they are far more comfortable on the bike for song periods.  Can you believe it, my feet, which never, well almost never touch the ground.

My left foot did hit the ground when I was riding into Titusville.  I was approaching the bridge into town and my wheel got stuck in a groove between two slabs of broken and cracked concrete, which is not good at all,  A very fast left foot dropped instinctively let me recover.  I was going perhaps 15 mph and the cars to my left were going at a good clip and I'm sure breathed a sigh of relief when the foot hit the ground.  I think this is a case where the recumbent I ride with low center of gravity and very low pedals saved some warlike wounds.  Bravo Easy Racer Tour Easy.  Any other bike, recumbent or upright I fear would have gone down as it would have taken too long to get the foot down, and in some cases like the lay down kind of recumbent, impossible.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Mush, Mush, Crack -  Mush, Crack - Mush Mush, Crack - Crack Crack Crack.  We are in a Florida State Park just north of Jupiter and Juno Beach,  And the highest point in this area is claimed by this park to be Hobe Hill, just a drive and a nine iron from here.  It is 86 feet above sea level and with its 27 foot observation tower is over 100 feet.  I think Mike's Mountain in the pine barrens is a bit over 120 feet without the tower.  Remember Mike was the fellow, a real piney we met on a back woods trip to the pine barrens, who showed us around the back woods and then brought us to the highest point in the barrens.  We named it Mike's Mountain.  Today, riding on US 1, up and down what I guess used to be sand dunes was a blast from the past, at least a month since I've encountered such hills, not counting bridges, some of then so steep it made me weep.

I left late again, waiting out the rain we had this morning, and had cloud cover most of the way.  That is really good.  Only one downpour this time and I'm in civilization and got cover in a new mall that had no tenants.  This was about ten minutes after I had fixed the first front flat, which took no more than 15 minutes.  The timing of the rain was really good.  It lowered the temperature a bit and for a short time the wind died.  Headwind all day today.  Wind out the east and I'm headed south, not due south, but south east along the coast.  

The forecast is more of the same this entire week and I'm a happy camper looking for cloud cover again.  I love rain and I love clouds.

Cathy just smacked her funny bone - why do they call it the funny bone?  Its the size and form of this motor home.  Every once and a while its gets real small.  We must close cabinets and put every item we use back where it came from or we will be black and blue.  Which we are.  And my legs have grease permanently engraved.  I can't figure out how it gets from the chain to my leg since I'm not aware of it happening.  

I am dying for a good cup of coffee and even though it is past six we are going to make a pot to have with some muffins.  I did not get to stop in any independent stores today and  I am concerned about Starbucks because along this stretch of US 1 they stand out like a sore thumb.  Sure they helped us get going, but now it seems they are trying to corner certain markets.   I suppose one reason they get the great sites is that they have the money and resolve to be willing to drop $500,000 to a Million on these sites.  I'd think an awful lot before doing the same, and as laid out in Up the Organization in the chapter on  Decision Making, while I toss and turn, or, since I am not a retailer, while you toss and turn, they act and take the site.  

Lets remember always that they have a limited product line and don't serve the local folks and there is no way the CEO of Starbucks is involved in your community.  They want only big money and big education.  So we can end run them.

John Chrisham has written a new book about an NFL football quarterback who gets named The Goat, the biggest goat in all time in the NFL, and then joins an Italian NFL team in Parma, Italy.  It is both hilarious and serious, and an easy read.  I picked it up around five  yesterday, took two hours off to watch another chapter of Burns' The War, and then finished it around 3 AM, and still got up and rode 39 miles.

How? my brothers ask.  Where does Bob get his energy? they ask Cathy.  I am at a loss to even understand the question but I can tell you all that I'm not always energized.  There are periods that I believe we all have when its hard to get up to do what ever it is we are doing, again.  I look back and see that there are clear two and three year cycles in my behavior.  Golf is a good example, I wanted to improve and did get to a respectable 9 handicap.  Then I went to Ireland and Scotland, played the British Open courses, played bogey golf and in one case shot 80 at Carnoustie, or 82 or 84, and then came home and stopped playing.  I reached a goal, and thereafter it did not seem to be the same.  The down side of this is that I was playing the game for a specific reason and a specific goal, not for the love of the game as the PGA wants us to believe.  I was driven by a force I don't really understand.  In business I'm a better innovator than administrator.  If it takes longer than a few years, I am not the person to do it.

In my banking career I remember a fellow who was the marketing VP for the bank, Grant Lewis was his name.  He was a scratch golfer by the way.  Really good.  But he and I had a heart to heart one day and he said he saw that I stayed only a couple or three years in the different jobs I had in the organization and he frankly told me he thought he was a better marketing person than I was when I filled that position before him.  I gave him the opening to be frank, and he took it, but he was wrong.  Another fellow became VP: and controller after I left the position, and he too thought he was a better controller (some call it Comptroller, the money guy).  He may have been right since my training was more in marketing than controllership, but I had the broad picture pretty well and I thought of myself as a Marketing Controller, a person who could see how profits were made and expanded, and while I was in that job we changed the accounting systems, got new computers and had much better information systems and planning.  After a few years, I had to move on.  I had to move on or I would get crazy out of boredom.  So I did move to another position, this time running a region.  The point here is that there are certain personalities, like mine, that seek change and change is the engine that drives us.  Perhaps fear of failure then kicks in and we immerse ourselves in the new work to compensate.  I'm not sure of that idea on fear of failure, but I am sure that I love to work on new things.  It is exciting to me and I love it.  It is the reason I love business.  I love too the business of coffee.

I think we make good entrepreneurs.  Changing, adapting, moving left and then right and then around again, is what we do.  Administration may not be our strength.  Some folks start businesses and then their administrative instincts kick in and rules become policy and I think these are the folks who believe in earnest that restrooms are for customers only and that employees do not have to clean up after other people.  This is not to say they don't succeed, but in the end the more rules and policies you have the harder it is to do business.

I have always been in trouble with my wife Cathy who knows more about personnel management in her little finger than I do in my whole body and mind,   But for a long time I resisted putting a policy manual in place and in fact I never did.  The reason was that it took away some of the flexibility the company had.  This did create some issues, like folks not sure of their vacations, but we dealt with those as they came up.  I'd rather spend my time on marketing and expansion.  So in my judgment you and I must beware of the trap of good work on issues that are not relevant to the business of the business which is getting new and satisfying existing customers.  

Say it again Sam.  The business of the business is getting new and satisfying existing customers.  Give the Customer What They Want, always.  And don't dare say, "its not the policy'.  When you hear this said, jump up, jump up and then down, and do it again until everyone is listening or at least watching.  Then say it again, Sam: Give the Customer What They Want. 

Always give customers what they want.  Never say We don't do that... find a way to do it.

And if you are too tired to do this, than get away for a while and come back and do it.  Always.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Great riding day, cut short by a flat tire.  I'll tell you a secret about the Secret.  I was thinking flat all morning long, and knew I should not be thinking flat because then it would happen, and, it happened.  Can I say s...  Well s....  It wasn't so bad changing.  I was across the street from a campgrounds so had plenty of safe space, and my bike is supported by the back of the seat and the fairing so its easy to access and remove tires, even the back tire is not a problem.  I found the source of the leak, but no debris, and checked for penetratioin, and there was none so I just changed the tube, not the tire.  I'm carrying a couple of extra tires and wheels, just in case.  So Cathy came  back with the air pump and I was on my way again in about an hour.

I guess my legs are getting stronger and I'm not really pressing for distance.  I thought I'd get fifty today and would have had I not had the flat.  At mile 36 heavy rain fell and Cathy was sitting there with motor home and I could not resist cutting it short.  I no longer am concerned about getting to Key West by the end of the month.  My to go mileage has been off by at least a hundred miles which I realized when I saw a sign Miami 166 miles (now less)  I know its 165 from Miami to Key West so the two add to 320 miles less the distance from the sign.  Today is the 20th and all I need is 30 a day to arrive by month end.  

Some of my daily routines are filling up the tires first thing, getting food and water together, wallet, camera and telephone and two pairs of shoes.  The bike is carrying a lot of weight, which has been offset by my weight loss.  I think I'm still losing but I'm afraid to go get weighed for fear I have not.  

Today was along the inland water way, known here as the Indian River and it was magnificent scenery.  I was surprised at the absence of large expensive homes and the large number of mobile homes and smallish homes but Cathy pointed out that in this area there is not much to do and very few restaurants.  I think too the water is very shallow as there are virtually no boats in for 20 odd miles.  Clearly it will change over time as the citification of Florida continues.

I bought the Ken Burns documentary, The War and we are watching it a disc at a time, each about two hours in length.  Last night there was a film strip of a patrol along a mountain side somewhere in the Pacific.  Suddenly, the lead soldier was hit.  He momentarily looked surprised, stunned, then looked to his right at what appeared latter to be a severe drop off.  He collapsed to his right and then pitched head long into the brush.  It was horrible.  This is I believe the first time I've seen a person get shot and know it's real.  I may have seen one on television during the Vietnam War but it would be a distant memory if I remembered, which I don't.  This was a real shock it was so real, which sounds lame, but you could see the soldier die in a second or two.  I've been very close to death of a loved one, my brother Doug, who died in my arms after a terrible accident and it isn't something you forget, ever.  (Unfortunately Paul and Gerry were there and witnessed the whole thing too and I'm sure endure the same feelings.)  The men who fought WWII must have suffered greatly to see so many comrades and friends and enemies die.

Last night the film described as a howl the reaction of a wife to the dreaded telegram telling her of her husbands death.  My sister Mary howled when she drove up the driveway to my fathers house and was faced with the news of Doug's death.  I'll never forget that either.  His funeral was surreal, with the Army supplying men to shoot  - I can't at this moment recall the name of the Salute they give, but they fired rifles.  And his hearse was a Fire Truck from the East Rockaway Fire Department and for some reason I remember a piper.  My parents were very well known in East Rockaway and there were very long lines at the funeral home wrapping around the block.  Doug had fought in Vietnam, was a popular fireman and he had been wounded in Nam and had a purple heart.  And he died doing my Dad a service.  So it was a bit tragic and attracted a great deal of attention.  There are some things that leave an indelible mark, and the men of the second world war have them in spades.  I owe them plenty and so do we all.

There are humorous stories too about Doug.  One story I may have related already but I'll repeat.  Doug was on R and R in Hawaii, Honolulu I think.  So he and 100 other GI's are waiting in line to use the single phone they had access to.  Doug finally gets to the phone and calls home and my Brother Gerry answers.  You have to know to get the humor here that my folks had seven children and we lived on three floors in an old Tudor home in East Rockaway Long Island.  We were not rich, but had what we needed.  The way we communicated in the house was with telephones.  Before cell phones we had lines on each floor (this had something to do with the kids creating large telephone bills), which may not be entirely correct as we may have had just a couple of lines on the first and second floors.  But that is not important.  What is important is that we all hated getting someone to come to the phone and would call upstairs from time to time and use the phone as an intercom.  So back to Hawaii and Doug and Gerry.  Gerry answers.  Doug says "hi Gerry get mommy".  Gerry, forgetting where Doug is, says "get her yourself,       and      then      he     hangs     up".   I can see Doug  incredulous, holding that phone and hitting with it anyone who made any attempt to take it from him.  No way Jose.  I'm still laughing and it brings tears to my eyes.  Its a classic Johnson story that I hope my grandkids will tell their children.  Doug was a good guy, big hearted and stubborn.  Served his country, served the community as a fireman and other ways and was just a good 'ole likeable guy.  There were a lot of people there because he did right by them and served them well.  Hummmm.

The burns documentary is well worth the time and the money.  Paul, I'll send  it when I'm done.

The only coffee I had today Cathy made in the motor home, and it was great coffee, my original blend of South American, Indonesian and African coffees.  Well balanced and well roasted by the folks at the plant.  Nice work.

Ruby has a problem.  In Florida there are these 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch sticky things that are seeds for some plant or tree and litter the ground.  They stick to anything I guess to get traction and travel to new lands.  Well they stick to Ruby's feet and after a few moments she can't walk it is so painful on her pads.  And Cathy spends a ton of time pulling them out.  So we are going to get her shoes, to go with her red rain coat.  She is at heart a good dog and we love her and she is a fantastic traveler, staying in place, or standing and looking out the window for hours.  If someone comes close to the vehicle, believe you me we know it.  She is very protective.  But that is what the Standard Schnauzer was bred for.  Protect and defend, and she does.

Tomorrow the forecast if for scattered thunderstorms so I'm not sure if I'll ride.  The wind is from the east at a good clip.

If there is an idea today it is: do your homework and serve the community well.  People will come.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Good ride today, made up for a shorter distance yesterday.  Today was 51.  So I'm at 1,168 miles which surprises me.  And I'm sure I'll be in Key West before the end of the month.  Its less than 200 miles to Miami, and then another 165 to Key West.   I was saved too from dehydration at a Kangaroo station and I have to say the best service of late came from two of these stations.  If you want more on this please read here. 

Better coffee day too.  I had a double espresso at Krysti's Koffee and Smoothies got some good pictures and stumbled on what I think is a really good promotional idea.  Christine of Krysti's has a truck with her stores information on it.  I've searched my memory banks and can only think of one truck that had this information, and that's a truck with a mobile drink bar.  But I think this should be a prerequisite for all coffee retailers.  Its a perfect opportunity to get your name out there, and your web site out there every day, plenty of times.  I think this is a just do it kind of idea.  And to get a bit carried away.

Better, get a mule and  use it to get to work every day (ha ha, fat chance).  

If I were retailing I'd do this immediately, something unusual to get some buzz and press.  Like a mule (painting on the car).   I don't want to get carried away with this idea, but if you want press and buzz why not go to work using the same transportation Juan Valdez used?  Just for a couple of days anyway.  I know I know this is a bit extreme, and I'd not want to go too far, but can you see it?  Think of how Virgin Air announced it was going to compete with British Air for the transcontinental business in England.  Branson drove a Tank, an Army tank up to the headquarters of British Air and pointed the big gun a the headquarters. He made the front page of every newspaper in London.  

Now if you are thinking the way I'm thinking perhaps we should rent some tanks and Visit Starbucks. ... Sure it is a grandstanding kind stunt, but Branson owns an island in the Caribbean and it never hurts to follow good business techniques.

I rewrote My Brother Paul, Paul.  I'm realizing that some of my late night writing needs proof work and a rewrite and I'll do it time permitting.  I'm sure Al Caltabiano will like that.

Krysti's was a very good experience and look at the idea that came from it.  I hope some of you will share with each other and maybe form an informal alliance to talk ideas for promotion.  It will help you gain traction and confidence in your actions.  

I keep running into stores without a major commitment to selling whole bean coffee, with bins and grinders and scales.  And more important, I keep running into coffee bars that think flavored coffee beans are not to be seen in a real coffee store.  No way, says Juan.

Flavored coffee was my first introduction to "Gourmet" coffees many years ago.  Friends of ours had it and served it after dinner at a big to do kind of dinner in my life before coffee.  It was a hit with the folks at the table.  Little did I know then that one day I'd be writing this paragraph extolling the benefits of giving customers what they want to independent coffee entrepreneurs, who don't want to sell flavored coffee.  That is, don't want their customers to get the best flavored coffee they can for home consumption.  What will we do, have take out syrup or Syrup Delivered to Your Door 24/7?  

People want to drink flavored coffee at home, for dessert, for morning, for lunch, when entertaining.  Get a job to cater coffee a the next political event.  Have caraf's of  your favorite blend and then add Hazelnut and Jamaican Me Crazy, which many folks I've met with have not heard of, and it is the best selling coffee that I know of.  Beyond any other coffee.  I am not saying abandon the expertise you have developed over the years at barista, or fancy drinks prepared with pizzazz.  Just that there are a lot of people out there who want to get to your stores to enjoy flavored coffee with syrup.  And they want it for home.  Go to your supermarket and see how many flavors they carry.

If your roaster is honest, they will concur with what I say.  Unless they are so committed to espresso drinks and origins that it is against their interest sell flavored coffee.   But you will know better because you have read this, and you I hope will do some homework and go to supermarkets and ask the folks there.

And a word on single origins.  Some of these new origins are just fantastic in the cup.  I remember the first auction some years ago, and we bid on a couple of new origins and the one I wanted went for 21 dollars a pound, way more than I was willing to pay.  This is well and good for the auctioneer and George Howell who I have the utmost respect for as a roaster, a consultant and a cupper.  But ... Blends and Flavored coffees outsell single origins by a mile.  You may love Brazilian coffee, but I dare say there are not many who do.  That is, served by itself.  But in blends it is fantastic.  

I'm going to assign myself some homework to watch more and read more of what other roasters and consultants are saying and selling.  More to come on this most important topic.  I'm going to create a page in the site for this topic at the top l level and add to it as I go.

Let us not loss sight of the basics of this business.  The first objective is to stay in business and be happy doing it (happiness with money and freedom).   Single Origins and getting more money to farmers with Fair Trade is fine, and many cup well, but they are a single mindedness.  Blends like my original blend of Centrals, South American and African coffees have, in my opinion, a much broader appeal.  And flavors are wonderful to many of your customers who are buying them from a competitor of yours.  

Thursday, October 18, 2007

We received really good career news from Jennifer, my daughter, but we can not share the specifics until she says.  But nice going Jennifer, we are super happy for you, and Jeff and Ingrid.

I switched to US1 today and it was pretty good most of the way.  Early clouds were a big help.  It is fine with me if we had clouds for the next month as the sun is limiting the miles I can do.  I was thinking of just relaxing on the bike and riding pretty much 9:30 to 4.  When Cathy and I rode the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany, NY, we rose early, got on the road around 8 and had fixed end points we had to get to if we wanted to eat dinner.  They were always 70 and really 90 mile days as we had then to ride to hotels.  So I've done that before, in 2000.  It was cooler up there, but hot.  It would be great to get to Key West before month end so we more time to hang out in coffee stores on the way home.

The bikers pulled into Daytona in spades, yet, I'm told this is a fraction of the number that show up in March for a big humdinger.  The variety of bikes and bikers is a surprise.  I've not seen anyone in a tux yet, but I'll bet some wear them.  Three wheelers are pretty common and some that look like my bike are here.  Long, low and stretched out bikes are the ones that compare to the bike.  Virtually every restaurant or bar along US 1 from this town tonight, Mims, back to Daytona has the sign "We love Bikers", or "Bikers Welcome", or "Biders welcome just don't trash my place".

I have not seen the clubs like Hells Angels.

We rode into  Titusville earlier and I spotted two coffee stores that I'll visit tomorrow.  The city is a mixture of old Searstown Malls and Miracle Mall, with JC Penny and some newer strip centers with Winn Dixie, a nice well stocked store.  The two older malls were not doing business on Thursday evening.

A launch of the Space Shuttle is scheduled for Tuesday and the folks in this park are excited, as I would be if I had time to stick around and watch.  I thought about it, but four days is too long to stick in one spot.  Cathy and I many years ago watched a night time launch of a rocet from Cape Canaveral and it was pretty spectacular, very sci fi.  Sure have watched a few on Television, but they are nothing compared to the real thing.  I'd love to see the shuttle take off and our only option is to drive back up to watch on Tuesday, which is possible.  I should be 120 miles at least down the road so we will have to see.  As I think about it, not likely.

Soon we'll be hitting the New York and real Snow Birders.  It continues to be rare to talk to local people.  I've done it, and I've heard some at the convenience stores where I buy water, but that is it.

Citgo up the road was brewing Beans Coffee, not sure who that is and did not ask.  I was a mess from the heat, and I felt it.  But it is certainly and extension of what we were writting about last night.  Competition is showing up all over.  In New Jersey I'll bet the WaWa stores do a thousand or more cups a day, and the coffee is too weak.  But their reputation in the market is that they carry a good cup of coffee.  It may be an extension of Kona and Kenyan charades they play. 

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Still in Florida, and still headed south from St. Augustine down A1A to Flagler Beach where I bailed out of the Sun.  Route 100 appeared with a sign to 95 and while I rode about 1/2 mile past it at first thinking the manly thing is to just tough it out, I finally let reason make the decision to head West to the mainland in Bunnell and a place where my savior and wife could pick me up off the pavement.  it was another 7 miles, but the wind was now at my back and the much ballyhooed cloud cover I expected suddenlly appeared.  This drops the temperature dramatically and makes riding bearable.  The sun was just too much for me today so I clocked 36 miles when I set out to do 60, although my original plan for today was to rest and have a slow day of say 20.  Campsites influenced the o utcome as did a Motor Cycle Fest in Daytona this weekend.  We didn't know it was coming and the campsites are all booked.  So I wanted to get further south today.  

Even the Laundromats are filled up.  You know that Cathy picked me up at the intersection of 100 and US 1 and she spotted a Laundromat down the street a piece.  We headed for it, Cathy went in to scope it out, thought it ok and began to get the laundry together when four motor cyclists, with ladies on back pull in to the parking lot.  Instant running to get to the washing machines first, and then the dryers.  It worked because we will be leaving in just a few minutes after an hour or so of work.  but you get the point.  There are 'bikers', not my kind, all over the place.

Some of these dudes wave, some just look at my bike, and some ignore me.  No problem, my fuel costs are less than theirs.  We were lucky to get a site to camp in Port Orange, just south of Daytona off US 1.

More to come.  Right now we are running for the hills.  Hills?  Not here. 

Each Day has taken on a character of its own.  I wrote the earlier part of today's log while waiting for the wash to dry.  We were still 30 slow miles from the campsite and had not eaten dinner,  so we stopped for some spaghetti and meatballs, for which I'm paying right now.  And when we pulled in after dark the site we had would only accept 50 amp cords and of course I could not find and now don't think I carried the proper conversion line that would convert the 50 down to 30 amp.  So Cathy called the office and they sent down a converter.  So I hope tomorrow can be a more normal day, but neither of us really know what a normal day is now.  Cathy had to drive over 100 miles today to find telephone service, come and pick me up in Bunnell, find the campground, then come get me and go back.   Not as bad as sitting in a desert though.

In Bunnell I spoke with a 72 year old bike rider who proudly explained he got his bike from a person who threw it out and then fixed it up and it sure looked good to me.  His was balloon tire bike and he used for local errands and he said he still loves to bike.  I'd seen him watching my bike and I took the initiative to start up the conversation with a comment that the bike is sure comfortable.  One thing led to another.  He spoke with a 'southern' accent but is local to Daytona.  He had just returned from a cruise to Nova Scotia, flew up to NY and he commented that the traffic up there was wild and he would never live there, but at the time we were speaking the traffic at the intersection of US 1 and 100 was thick as Progresso's Barley Soup.  The bikers convention has stirred up a lot of traffic and a lot of business and a lot of police and directors of traffic in the Daytona area.  I wish I had ridden the bike through the congestion for it attracts all kinds of attention, some good, some not so good.  But it would have been fun.  My friend the biker saw Cathy come in with the motor home and as he was leaving said " I see you have a place to sleep too".  Nice fellow but I've decided not to ask names.

I've got some thinking to do for Dan and Sara of Jumpin Java who have returned from vacation and would like ideas on how to deal with the McDonals threat of latte's and mocha's.  Mc D's has a big breakfast sandwich crowd and Dan's concerned that some of his customers will pick up coffee at the same time.  I believe in reality the McD's of this world and every cafe serving breakfast and lunch and diners and the list goes on, are competitors.  Some in the industry say they are not competition with the demographic of specialty coffee.  A Coffee House Latte drinker would not go to McD's they say, but I think they do.  Not all of America has coffee at the corner of 42nd and Broadway.  So it is all competition in my opinion.  Dunkin Donuts is certainly competition.

I'm thinking that a broad coffee line, including flavors, especially at strip center locations with food stores, or freestanding building on the way to and from food stores, and food are essential elements to success in the long run.  All suggestions are welcome and sort.

We purchased The War, Ken Burns new show, on DVD and I'm having a hard time not getting glued to the set.  I've not watched any television since we left, and I love the extra time.  It helps to with the TV food.

Tomorrow Titusville I hope.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

If I can do 40 a day it will take another 11 or 12 days to get to the southernmost point in the US.  Tomorrow I was going to rest up, but will do a 20 mile day or the mileage to the next State Park.  We are holed up in St. Augustine Beach in a KOA to receive mail tomorrow, and we needed to be in St. Augustine at 2:30 for a doctors appointment for Cathy.  Nothing serious.  So I got 29 free miles today, and have no plans whatsoever to go and start back at the Ferry.  I avoid Jacksonville, which is now my custom.  That is, avoid the big highly populated areas.  

A head wind on A1A did nasty things to my power source.  I was beginning to think about my tendons and then decided to slow down.  I went as low as 9 mph for a couple of stretches which kills me, for some reason.  But it is what the road gave. Only take what you can give, and only give what you can take.  

In Fernandina, Florida I came across a sad situation.  A local coffee store with great lettering on the front window which got my attention in the Historic District sat next to a Seattle's Best Coffee, owned by Starbucks.  When I stopped to fill up with espresso, I found the local store had closed.  SBC was going gang busters.   Please take a look at the write up on this situation.  SBC is a foil for Starbucks and they can scout out local markets without the risk of opening a store.  If you use SBC your sales data goes to the Giant Starbucks and they can pick off winners without hesitation or risk.  They know the market because you told them.

This is also true of local roasters that can compete in your market.  It is always dangerous to give them your sales data, which you do every time you order coffee.

I'm biased for sure, but it makes sense to use a regional roaster that is not interested in retailing.  Even if the roaster is a couple of days away from your location.  Two days planning is not hard to manage, but you want to make sure that the regional will ship overnight if needed, at their expense.  Our KMO motto, one of several, is to Never Let a Customer Run Out of Coffee, no matter what.  Get it out, get it to them.  Nothing hurts your sales like a stock out.  All of our key people have been in the retail coffee business and we know what it is to be in your shoes.

A1A in Jacksonville through to St. Augustine is not a bike friendly trek.  It does have a bike lane which is great to see, but pack lots of water.  There is a stretch of 25 odd miles without service, unless you knock on one of the waterfront homes for assistance.  This time of year most are not occupied.  It is hot and the sun is strong.  It is the sun that is getting to me here in Florida.  I've always had the constitution to work, run or bike in the heat for long periods.  Perhaps it has shortened my life, but I won't know that ever, so I keep doing it.  If you can do this, then go at it.  If not, go to the mainland and use the services or carry enough food and water for a long, hot trip.

The islands south of Fernandina carry the same warning from me.  Headwinds prevail, and water is scarce and unless you carry a refrigerator with you, warm.  So be prepared and the Boy and Girl Scouts leaders will be proud you retained the motto, "Be Prepared".  You know, this is probably the source of my backing up most of what I do.  In business I always had a back door.  That is, a way to unravel and restart projects should I hit an unsolvable obstacle.

Most of my customers and none of the stores I've stopped at have two espresso machines.  Perhaps they have two boilers so they are not out of business if the espresso machine goes down.  I had three single group Rancillio espresso machines that I could, and did, move around when needed.  This was true too when we expected a big event to flood the store.  A parade at Thanksgiving is what I think of.  Our in town cafe got lots of business in a very short period of time, long lines dominated.  So bringing in the second group was a plus and limited the investment in this store as it did not need 15,000 dollars in espresso equipment.  If I had one store I'd have a two group machine.  I also used the single groups at carnivals and festivals and special events where we had a booth.

Tomorrow is a light day, I hope twenty or so miles, and then I'll move to 40 again.  Its the heat that limits the miles.  If it cools down, as I planned for, I might get to 50 or more again.  This has been great fun, difficult, but it sure tells you that a 61 year old overweight person can do this ride and get back into shape for the last third of THE race.

In business, do what you want to do or you won't be happy.  If you are not happy, watch out.

Bob

Monday, October 15, 2007

Florida

Made it.  I actually felt pretty good going across the border to Florida from Georgia.  To boot it was a very narrow bridge with a grate so it took some walking, so technically I walked into Florida, but you and I know the truth.

Nice sign, but it reminds me of the old Miami.  I am happy I was riding a bike and not carrying any produce.  Good forbid you purchased food in a Georgia Supermarket.  The agricultural police and signs were all over the place, which, given the fruit fly problem in California some years ago, I guess, makes sense.

I left Brunswick, Georgia expecting to have a 20 mile jaunt to the border, but I miscalculated and it was more like 35.  The weather turned Florida on us and rose to 85 or 86 and this days ride was difficult, especially after I ate a positively wonderful meal at Creative Catering and Deli, Woodbine, Ga.  If I was giving out prizes for the best shop, I've seen this one would get it, and I have to apologize to the other folks who run top draw coffee houses.  Please take a look at the write up here.

Well the ride was straight as an arrow.  I remember a few bends in the road, but basically it was straight from Brunswick to Florida.  I think the RV park, billed as the first in Florida, which it is, on Rte. 17, and presumably there are not too many more within a mile of the border, is in Yulee, Florida.  Sun took its toll on me today, not the heat, but the sun.  I was anxious to get out of it.

And I walked slowly into the Swimming Pool.  Now this was not rehearsed, or thought about or planned.  But here we are in Florida and it is the first pool I've been in.  What?.  Why?  It must be Freudian because it was on my mind as soon as I crossed the border.  I got a free ice cream here from Phil the person who has owned this RV Park for the past two years.  He seems happy.  

Met Gary, a 70 year old retiree who rides a motor scooter, which I thought was more a motorcycle than scooter.  It is a Suzuki and is permitted on the super highways because it has the strength to go fast, up to 90.  Gary came down from West Virginia, he has family in Fernandina, Fl, a short ride on the islands of Florida.  I expect to get on A1A tomorrow and ride through it to St. Augustine, where Cathy has resaved a spot in the KOA.  Should be about 65 miles and I hope like crazy that the off shore wind is at my back.  Today it was head on most of the way.  We have to get our mail at this spot - we stopped looking for KOA because they charge $10 more than the other private sites, and I guess we are starting think like retired folks do.  So Gary can carry his wife, and plenty of groceries in his Suzuki and I can see my next toy.  Maybe, as our machine is perfect for this kind of travel.  No bothers.

This is  a delicate matter since Cathy would kill me if she reads it.  We had a discussion last evening about the trip and how it has gone and how much time Cathy spends in the motor home doing all the things she does, which is a lot.  The meal last night took two hours including set up and cleanup.  So we have to make some changes to accommodated the increased functions we are attempting.  I'm definitely getting healthier and lighter, and we have seen many coffee shops, and I'm getting to write this site, which I love to do.  But we are not getting any site seeing or much together time, x being in the same space a lot.  So we will adjust.  Both of us are committed to getting to Key West, although my original goal was to get to Florida, then I made it Fort Meyers, and then did a Bob and changed it to the furthest point south.  

If all goes well I could be in Key West playing folk and bluegrass with my old friend, and pirate ship entertainer, and love song writer and singer Rich McKay, also a member of the Frobisher Bay Volunteers, the College singing group I had the great pleasure of playing with.  This link is to a YouTube video we did in 1989, but Rich is not there because he was hung up in Key West.  

I'm uncertain in re the route to take.  17, with all its ups and downs has proven to be a good route.  I'm going to try A1A for the first time tomorrow, and then will take a look at US 1.  So please tell me what you think.  What I think.

While in the RV Park Harold Curtis, 75, came by and chatted a bit.  He was a long distance trucker for his entire career, 1952 to 1992, when he retired.  His son he trained to drive and is now driving long distance.  Harold spends the winter here in Yulee, Florida, and in April heads to Spencer NY, where he drops anchor for the summer.  His boat is a large trailer with multiple slide-outs and he and his wife and dog live in it full time.  Not a bad idea.  Gary also lives full time with his wife in his fifth wheel.  I like the idea and I especially like the weather down here and I like the mobility.  I also like the trailer as it is much less expensive than a motor home.

But I too need mobility beyond the scooter range.  

My thoughts for the day have to do with housing.  I've ridden now 1,000 miles.  Along much of this route, 17 to be precise, there are thousands of small homes - trailers, old small buildings of perhaps 200 to 300 square feet, many falling down buildings of 400 to 1000 square feet, and a ton of mobile homes, which I think make a lot of sense for a person who wishes to put their money in places other than the great American Money Pit, AKA, a house - and it sure looks to me like there is a lack of living funds in the area bordering 17, with some obvious exceptions where the other extreme exists.  I began to get angry today and had to remind myself that this has nothing to do with me, my business or is anything I can control.  

The creative me says this might be called a neighborhood, a 600 0r 700 mile long by 100 feet deep neighborhood, of folks in similar circumstances.  Low income is the dominant demographic.  Many of the homes are well kept, lawns mowed, gardens growing, houses painted.  Others are deplorable, and still others are termite food.

In stark contrast we toured the ruins of the Huntington Homestead just below Myrtle Beach.  They were rich, but, anyone who came to their homes and gardens looking for work, got it.  They got good wages and rumor has it that the Huntington family made sure they had medical care as well as adequate housing.  Good example they set, but when they moved they gave away the house, and left no money to continue this grand tradition.

So where are the philanthropists now.  It would be so easy for them to pick single families and help them get things together.  No grand gestures,  No grand programs.  Just take a bike ride down Route 17, and start with the first house you see.  Get to know the family, understand their position in life and then make appropriate recommendations and fund them.  Perhaps there is a way we could get something started in the coffee industry.

I wrote before about issues with the Fair Trade process when so many American Families need help.  So perhaps we can put something together and start down route 17 in your neck of the woods.  Just pick one family to start with.  Understand we can not control what they want and what they need.  We certainly can influence there opinions, but the receiver of the 'funding' or help must themselves decide how to use the resources we can make available. Or, we could stick to housing.  I will do some work on this and have ideas I hope as I go along.  Lets see what Florida brings.

If you have ideas on this subject please write to me at bob@gtc3.com or 'Contact Us Now' form through this log and site.

I'll bet there are a lot more route 17's in this country and that one family at a time we can bring change and improvement here at home.

Boy did I feel good going over the border into Florida.  Its a bit hard to believe I've come this far.  And I'm looking forward to meeting up with some friends along the way now.  Colleen Kelly and friend and associate from the banking days, Diane Marlowe from High School, and with great anticipation and I hope a chance to play good music for others, Rich McKay.

Salute.

Almost.  I hope the heat is the reason so many of these homes I speak of have windows covered completely.  All the windows.  I have a suspicion that some of them just don't want others in their lives for whatever reason.  

A word on white lines.  The old painted ones are preferred.  The new tape or something that is put down has ridges that grab bike tires.  In some places there are several layers which makes it dangerous.  Shoulders are needed especially if the price of gas keeps going up.

I can not imagine America without sufficient gasoline to move our cars and out butts around the country and around the town.  America is on the move and I'm thinking that if there was a credible threat to gasoline supply (how's that for a government sponsored term) the country should deal with it.  Not on a price issue, but on a supply basis, which would in term effect price, but the point is to maintain the supply of energy to keep us moving.  I think that if Americans could not move where and when they want it would create sure havoc in the country.  There is a tremendous amount of energy expended driving around and moving from place to place and I'm not talking about gasoline