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quote:

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Originally posted by FS:
Wow, I can't believe I'm agreeing with FS on this one

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2x ~ Take up an instrument and smoke some hash. No, it's just that us East coast guys aren't as laid back..we're more high-strung than the rest of the people in the country. Don't stress it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by doublefresh:
I never have deep thoughts, I rarely have an original idea, I can't spell or write for shit, I don't appreciate fine art or poetry, I've traveled the world but don't remember the names of most of the places I've been. I've read many of the "Classics" while in college but was never moved by them. I have close to zero interest in politics or world events. When I do read it's usually a "how to" manual. I know I'm not utterly stupid because I am able to grasp many concepts that my friends find difficult and I have experienced insane adventure and travel that many people could not begin to comprehend. I must be lacking a culture gene.

Cac, What was it from your childhood that made you turn out the way you did?

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Just after highschool 6 friends and myself bought a beat to hell Chevy van and drove to Montana where we spent two weeks in the back country and climbed the states highest peak. In the early 90's after graduating from college I moved off the grid for 4 years. I worked at ski resorts and was one of the guys you saw jumping off 30 ft cliffs on skis, I did one summer as a Mt. Bike guide in Moab Utah riding some of the most demanding bike trails on the plannet on a daily basis. In 94 a friend and I drove from San Francisco CA to Alaska and found work on commercial fishing boats. I've driven my Honda CBR 1000 from Michigan to California and also from Delaware to Utah. I've spent the night camping in Colorado with a windchill of - 40 sleeping in a sleeping bag rated for +20 degrees with no tent Brrrrr... I've rented a boat to a remote Island near Sitka Alaska where a friend and I were dropped off with two Honda Quads two 454 Pistols (454 Rounds are as big as your thumb)and a case of cheap whisky. We spent a week dodging the bears, driving the 50 miles of trails through mud and rain. I survived three weeks of USAF survival school eating bugs and being chased by enemy forces armed with AK47's And most lately my honymoon was a bit of an adventure renting a 34 foot boat in the Brittish virgin Islands and sailing from Island to Island for 10 days.

IF I could drop everything I have right now and do some of that stuff I would give it a try but there's too much other interconnected stuff that prevents me. There is so much of the world that I would like to see e.g. Africa and South America and maybe Japan (I'm being deliberately vague for brevity). Will I see those places? Hmm, I dunno, maybe when I retire (which I hope is NOT when I am 60).

So don't sweat it 2x, you're plenty deep enough.

Edit: and I am positive you have taken a bite out of a live fish and, maybe, even eaten raw animals that you killed yourself.

[ 02-01-2005: Message edited by: Mad Max ]

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Real Estate has made many of my dreams come true. We can now afford nice trips and we have a lot of time off.

We liked the Virgin Islands so much that we are working on another trip this Summer. Last time we took a 34' Power boat. It was great because I could single hand it pretty easily. (Wife has no boating experience). This summer however We plan on bringing 8 - 12 friends on a 47' catamaran. It will basically turn into a drunken orgie, scuba, sailing trip. Half of my best friends are rockstars, the other half are groupies.
The powerboat with 2 people was rather pricey at about $3500.00 each The Cat with 10 - 12 people will be less than $800 each.

As far as long cycle rides, my bike needs a new rear tire but other that it should be ready for another long trip. I've mellowed significantly over the years on the bike. I used to drive balls out 110 mph average speed with burst to 140 mph every half hour or so. These days I average about 75 mph with burst up to about 120. I'm the only person I know who has been riding for almost 20 years with Zero accidents. I've got about 50K miles on two bikes. Don't laugh but I've been thinking about a monster sized cruiser, again it's the wifes fault. She hates the CBR but likes the idea of crusing slow on a fat boy.

Mt. Biking and I may never seriously happen again. Last time I was at Moab the trails that I once mastered kicked the living hell out of me. I puked a few times and spent half a day in bed with the dry heaves after trying to do a trail I used to have no problems with.

and you say you're not deep...

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Thanks for the compliments. We all have our individual traits and your traits are very cool too. You are very athletic and adventurous and I wish I were more of both.

It’s not drugs or autism.

Although light drugs like weed can help bring out some creativity for me. I’m not saying it does that for everyone.

I was always creative/artistic even as a child and of course did not do drugs back then.

Ellen is partially correct since my parents (my mom more than my dad) supported me when I wanted to be in a band and/or draw/paint, etc. I think I was born this way but they (my parents) did not try to discourage it.

Anyway 2X with your military experience and other adventures, you sir are a role model for me.

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I'm sorry to hear your mountain biking days are few lately. I have a hardtail and an FSR, too. Got into dirt jumping last summer. This summer I want to actually put some distance on my hardtail and see if I can really get in shape. Bought some street tires for it and have been riding it on my trainer lately.

Good luck with that cat, btw. My friend's family owns a 47 footer..I would never want to be in charge of such a large ..thing.

It all depends on how much time you have and what the purpose of your trip is.

My first two trips were high speed stop for nothing until you hit Colorado drives. I think we had a day where we drove almost 24 hours and covered over 1700 miles. Both times my trips were about 2 weeks long. Once I hit Colorado I slow down and enjoy the scenery traveling only a couple hundred miles a day. I've been a bit of everywhere out West and could certainly plot a route that would blow your mind. We found roads with signs that said next gas station 250 miles and only made it by coasting downhill in neutral :-)