Author: randy

I have always wanted to take the train across the Continental divide so here I go. Caught the California Zephyr in Galesburg Illinois heading west. Stopped in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for a few days. Nice town full of friendly people. Been starting or ending my days visiting one of the hot springs. The original hot springs pool is the largest in the world with over a million gallons. Hiked to Doc Holiday’s supposed grave and others like Kid Curry in the local cemetery. Weather has been chilly with low teens at night and day highs in the 30’s.

43 railroad tunnels between Denver and Grand Junction. One took about 10 minutes to go through. A kind fisherman showed us why the area we were passing is called Moon Canyon. 2139 miles in 48 hours.

I have been living in Rock Island for the last couple of weeks. My Aunt offered me her home and it has worked out great. I have been seeing friends and relatives and some of the local sights in between.

Went to Arsenal Island and visited the National cemetery and Museum. It is still an active military base and the second oldest arsenal in America. The arsenal still is very active. Here they upgraded the M14 to modern standards for our troops in the middle east and also make the armor kits for the Humvees. The history here is amazing. They have rifles from the Little Bighorn that they have dry fired and matched with casing found on the battle field. Cannons captured during the revolutionary war and many others. The collection of small arms is huge. The National Cemetery has been there since 1863. There is a Confederate Cemetery also. A very solemn place to pay respects.

I stopped in Wilton at Iowa’s oldest soda shop. I’m a sucker for old soda shops. Lynn and his wife have owned it since 2016. It was a slow day and Lynn and I shot the breeze for a couple hours. He is full of local history and I suggest stopping in if your in the area.

I’m heading back to California soon.

I had a great time in Ecuador. Made some good friends. In total I visited 7 provinces out of 23.

The few days that were between the coast and the Andes were especially beautiful. An hour inland I really liked the area around Jipijapa (pronounced hippiehapa to cool) and south. Lots of orchards and farm land. Nice weather and only an hour from the coast. Lomas de Sargentillo was celebrating 27 years of independence for the province. It was September 5th a Thursday, the whole town and province was shut down for the parade which was huge and great fun. Every school in the province had dancers and marching bands in the parade. Lots of smiles and laughter.

Driving through the village of Pilalo which was just below the clouds was very pictureqes. When exiting the clouds it was so different then other parts of the country I had been in. Small population with mostly indigenous people. Driving livestock down the middle of the road. Pack horses and mules are just tied together after dropping off their packs and sent home by themselves. Through Zumbahau into Quilotoa where the lake is in the crater of a volcano. Spent the night in Chugchilan which is the end of the road. Dark when we arrived and in the morning I watched parents walking their children to school. I could easily spend a month or two exploring this area.

All in all I would like to go back to do some more exploring of this country.

  

When I was here 10 years ago they said they were moving to a bigger location. This is a great museum. The collection is varied and well presented. Had many of my dream bikes. #1 SS-100 Brough, that would be fun on the cannon ball run. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) rode Brough’s and that is how he died. I always wondered how he could afford Brough’s on an army salary. #2 Early Indian scout, #3 Ossa Desert Phantom. I have had 4 Ossa’s but never a phantom. Steve McQueen’s bike awesome. The Von Dutch stuff was super cool. Always saw the poster of Roadog growing up. Picture of Mann on his bike surrounded by his Easyrider painting. Just a fun place to stop in Anamosa Iowa.

So how many pictures can you take of sea lions, iguanas, birds, etc….  So take pictures of people taking pictures.

The blue footed Booby lives on a few islands off the coast of Ecuador.

Adriana our guide did a great job as did the crew. Juan- Captain, Cristian- captain’s assistant #1, Francisco- captain’s assistant #2, Enrique- engineer, Cristian- engineers assistant, Abel-chef, Jorge-chef’s assistant, and Oscar- the bartender.

You all made the trip a great experience, Mucho Gracias!

We had a great bunch on the Boat. From Norway, Poland, Canada, USA, England, Ireland, Israel, and Ecuador. We had some good laughs even though no one else saw the whales when I did. Smiles and hugs when all parted except from one. Ciera if you are reading this you are a big cry baby!

In San Crisobal where I fly out. We visited the tourist center then headed to town to depart. 6 peopled stayed on the island, 4 stayed on the boat for another week, and 4 of us flew back to the main land.

Took a bus into the highlands and visited a tortoise ranch. They are free to go and come as they please.