I heard about the “Pedouins” a few weeks ago from a tweet by @qbike on Twitter. It explained that the Harrison family is planning on traveling from Kentucky to Alaska on a 5 person tandem bike. Most people would probably think that it’s crazy of them to be traveling with 3 young kids on a bicycle. I would like to commend them on their bravery and their sense of adventure. It appears that they are teaching the kids many different values on this trip. They are shooting to be the first quint bicyclists to ride 7,000 miles to Alaska. Their journey started on August 1st this year. What speaks to me most about them is their desire to achieve their dream of traveling. On an interview Bill was explaining that they’ve heard so many people wanting to do something they’ve always dreamed of and they didn’t want to be those people regretting never to live out their dream.
What was most interesting part that I found was their story about how the couple met at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Seems more like a script straight out from a short film. A southern gentleman who used to live in Alaska buys a red Toyota pick-up truck. Drives it down to the Grand Canyon. He hikes down to the canyon and finds one camping spot. It so happens that he meets his wife there and they hike back up and spend 2 more months on the road. They eventually got married and have several children who are born in various places ranging from Florida to the Netherlands.
This story as well as the past summer’s real life story of 2 geeks riding across America from Pennsylvania to Oregon are a true inspiration to me. I too am looking to do something similar in my life time. I’ve already taken steps to learn more about camping as well as prepare for a potential trip up the coast from south of California to San Francisco. I may even continue year to year up north until maybe even to Alaska. People like this keeps my hope and spirit alive that this feat can be accomplished. Living car free should make this more easy for me to do it physically.
By-the-way, I’m done with my 3rd week of my car-free trial. I had to start my car and get some gas since I was running on fumes. Even though I didn’t use my car, I had to make sure it wasn’t going to be in worse condition than before I started this. I still have to keep it maintained so people would buy it from me in a few weeks from now. 
This past weekend, I celebrated another birthday. It was good to spend time with family and friends. Ever since I bought my house, I’ve been very conscious of every penny I’ve spent. Because of this, I’ve opted to stay home more often. Don’t get me wrong. Staying at home and doing absolutely nothing is enjoyable to me but I realize I need to be around friends and family.
I celebrated by having various different meals. I had the guys over for a much needed poker game. I walked away being the big winner of the night. I still think it was the fact that it was for my birthday. This broke my losing streaks at 2 levels: (1) this was the first time I won with my own poker chips and (2) this was the first time I won at my own house. There’s still one more streak that hasn’t been broken yet and that’s winning with my infamous “Poker Pimp” shirt. I never win wearing that shirt. Maybe next time.
I took time off on Monday to go to Disneyland and California Adventure. I have to say I really like CA Adventure. Maybe it was because it was an entirely new experience. Either way, I really like that park and wouldn’t mind going back again. Only regret is I didn’t get to go on the “Tower of Terror” ride. Disneyland was good too. Enjoyed the interactive Toy Story ride. It’s like being in a video game during the ride. Saw updates on Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was crowded, hot, and humid but I enjoyed every minute of it. Love that “Fast Pass” system.
As usual, I’m still going through the rigor off uploading my photos on Flickr. I’m probably at 80% complete. I’m hoping to get this done by end of this week (fingers crossed). Then I can upload some newer pictures from this year. Till then, I’ll keep chugging away.
I’m back after 2 days and 2 nights of tumultuous family gathering. Thank goodness there wasn’t any vomitting incidents on the way back. It was a good to see my cousin Betty on her wedding day. She seemed very happy. This was a traditional Chinese wedding where red envelopes was exchanged, tea ceremonies was conducted, and a plethora of food was digested by all wedding guests. Being in the middle of our family reunion was also… “interesting” to say the least. Yes, like most families out there, stories and dramatic recollection of events was the talk of the town. But I wouldn’t say my family would be qualified as dysfunctional compared to what I would define as dysfunctional. Lets just say I’m glad to be back in California and getting ready to go to bed.
Thanks to my cousin Lynn for letting our family crash at her place again. Her boy Ethan, has grown quite considerable since the last time I saw him.
You know, the stuff you get after eating a lunch meal at Popeye’s chicken, driving for an hour, and throwing-up all over the back seat of a mini van. No it wasn’t me, but instead my two little cousins, Michael and Leon decided to regurgitate their entire lunch into various crevices of the van and on themselves on the way to Arizona. Boy was my dad pissed. Spent a good 30 minutes cleaning the back seats of his Toyota Sienna. Luckily we got to a rest stop and they got to change out of their tainted clothes and washed off. Felt really bad for them. Leon gets car sick really easily and I think Michael’s reaction was from seeing and smelling his little brother’s vomit. Like nothing had happened, they scarfed down their dinner as if their lunch experience was a distant memory. On the way back, we’re making sure they have bags all around them. Does anybody know how to get rid of the stench of vomit? 
Yeah, I don’t think pictures are necessary for this post.
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