LibertyRide - A Grassroots Journ3y

[ronpaulhawaii]

[h2]The Nevada Desert Pt 4[/h2]
July 23rd, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Edit

Tonopah to Hawthorne - 104 miles. Longest distance to date, of both trips. Started out great. 24 miles of mostly downhill cruising. Two problems with that is that, until I reach the coast, there is always another hill to climb on the far end of each downhill, and the heat in the valley flats is intense.
At the bottom are drylakes

where I watched a mairage shift for miles and got this pic

It was kinda mesmerizing. At times I could see the peaks behind reflected.
I saw some feral burros

Came across a most unusual sign (with a story behind it)

There actually is a lobster farmer in the Nevada Desert. And that’s kinda the beginning of the story. You gotta love this guy. From the article,
“A lifelong resident of the Mina area, Eddy raised cattle for decades. Tired of federal rules and boom-and-bust market prices for beef, the 59-year-old went searching for a new career seven years ago.
He found he could sell lobster for $14 a pound. Just as important, nobody in the federal or state government had dreamed up regulations to hinder such an endeavor.”
We had lunch at his place; at this time, the state has figured out a way to “regulate” him and his operation is temporarily shut down. He said an interesting thing about tyrants, “They may control the cities, but the country is much bigger than that, and the redneck rules the hinterlands.” And that is why I think it is so important to bring the solutions we have out there…
Anyway, if you notice in the last pic, clouds were moving in a a storm was brewing. While the clouds provided cool shade, the storm brought strong winds which made the rest ofthe day quite… interesting. I dodged this duststorm

which went into the mountains

These things can be quite ominous… I pedaled through one and the wind was buffeting me around like a balloon on a rollercoaster. Everytime I saw a new squall approaching I would grit my teeth, brace myself, and pedal into the maelstorm. To say the least I was stoked to finally see Hawthorne (and Walker Lake - not a mirage) in the distance.

And it looks like the desert will need one more post to finish…
pedal pedal

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Comment on the blog from Dave. Thought you all might like the part I bolded... haha

To: Mike “The Liberty Rider” Maresco [aka LR1]

Thanks for the opportunity to accompany you across the badlands of Nevada [my home state]. I’ve known; lived and served with [as a soldier]; patrolled with [as a deputy sheriff] pursued bad guys with [as an LVMPD motorcycle sergeant] and team-worked with about 600 years of experience [20 retired cops from all around the country working as special deputy U.S. Marshals] in-other-words a whole lot of “TOUGH GUYS” but Mike what I personally saw you accomplish in the six days and 470 miles (sixty-seven increments of seven [7] miles each) that we were together takes the CAKE! Any one of the aforementioned men I spoke of would be honored to have you as his partner. In addition to all that you’re honest as the day is long/HOT!) you’re also Fruuuuuuuuuugal [thrifty, prudent, economical, careful, penny-wise, parsimonious, tight, stingy, meager] as a Scotsman with your supporters donations [I believe you’d spend the night in a two dollar covered wagon if it had Wi-Fi!] Luckily, I found you a benefactor for our last night in Carson City (Nevada’s state capitol) at a plush motel (with Wi-Fi).

God speed and may He continue to surround you with angels (like the one I took the gun away from even though he said it was just a toy – better safe than sorry).


In Liberty and Fidelity,
Dave
Oath keeper since 1960

 

[Cowlesy]

//

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

[h2]The Nevada Desert Pt 5[/h2]
July 24th, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Edit

OK, it is time to leave the desert. Mapping my way into SF is taking a long time and cutting into my blogging time.
After the 104 mile day into Hawthorne I had a short (haha) 50 mile pedal to Yerington. It included a long climb, here is the top, with Dave smiling out the window at my comments on this last fairly steep bit

The best part of this day was pedaling through a Paiute Reservation and meeting/chatting with a native artist. I have traveled enough to know that when entering a different country/culture to be very respectful. As I pulled up to a trading post I saw him sitting in the shade, drawing. I simply nodded a greeting as I pulled up, he answered with a classic native accent, “I don’t know how you cyclists do it” I smiled and said, “we just keep pedaling”. As I was going into the store I asked if I could buy him a drink. He said, “no beer for me”. I said, “Wasn’t thinking beer, would you like a water, or soda or something?. He said, “I would like a small Pepsi, please”. So I brought him one. We chatted for a while about desert crossing and routing. He was happy to learn that Dave was with me, “very good, very smart. The desert can be very dangerous” I was not interested in giving him the whole spiel as I did not know how much he felt to be an “American”. So I gave him a card and a short version of my mission. He knew all about Alcatraz and its history. We chatted some more and I started to take my leave. As I was getting the bike ready a car with tourists pulled up, so I gave them the whole spiel. My new friend was obviously listening because as I got ready to go again he said, “Hoy!, come.” I went over and he said, “I would like to give you a gift” He then took off his hat and gave it to me. I can’t tell you how overwhelming this small act was to me. A hat is a valuable thing in the desert, and this one was hand decorated. He literally gave me the hat off his head. Tears welled up in my heart, (as they are now as I write this.) He looked at me with the kindest eyes and said, “I am a Christian, and I go to church, and I am also a spirit dancer, according to the old ways, I will pray for you. Have a safe journey across our lands, and beyond, any of my people who see your hat will know you have a blessing.” I don’t know if this simple description can relate how that made me feel…
So, with that, seeing as he had no hat, I offered him mine. He graciously accepted and with smiles on both parts, we parted company. Thank you, my nameless friend. I treasure your gifts…

Pedaling on into Yerington was pretty uneventful. We stayed the night and stopped at the sheriffs leaving town the next AM. The undersheriff was very attentive and appreciatve of the visit. (Dave was funny, as we were going in, “…I speak their language” - haha - and he does

) It really was neat visiting Sheriffs with Dave, certainly increased my credibilty…
The receptionist was listening in as well and got up to see the RP book, both were very interested, and thankful. A great stop. And to top it off, I got my 5th star (unsolicited) from him, so I guess the sheriffs I have met have given the ride 5 stars - A 5 star ride - hahhahhahhaha

With that it was off to Carson City. The wind in the afternoon was particulary brutal and I was stoked to reach town where a mysterious donor had gotton us a nice room at a place I would normally not have stayed. Dave had arranged a dinner with a local deputy he knew and we ahd a great meal and time. On the way out I said the line about “how people will wonder why we didn’t do anything, like history looks at the Germans”. That hit home, he looked at me and said, “good point”.
The next day, Dave and I had to part company. While he was hoping to stay with me till at least Sacramento, he had surprise visitors at home and had to go. I can’t say enough about this kind man. Everyone I met who knew him saw it as perfectly normal that he would go out of his way to help someone. It is just his nature. A more honorable, kind and generous man I have rarely (if ever) met. Thanks doesn’t quite do justice for what he did for me. He made a very dangerous section of the road much safer and infinitly more pleasant. God bless you, Sir. Aloha

Then, with a full load, I pedaled into the mountains…

onward…

 

[acptulsa]

Thank you, Dave, for seeing that man through that damned desert!

126 miles to Sacramento? Looks to me you'll be done by Monday! Epic.

Great tale about the Paiute gentleman! He sure did a nice job on that hat. That one's a keeper.

Well, summer has been a pain in your ass, but at least the road over the Sierras won't be closed with snow! Beautiful country, those Sierras. Be sure to enjoy that view!

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

[h2]The Sierras[/h2]
July 24th, 2009


Not much to say about this. I absolutely love mountains, always have. Grew up close to the Catskills and was a serious rock-climber till I moved to Hawaii. I did have a great visit with a Deputy in this building,

When I left asking him to please pass the materials on, he said he would make it into a little gift pack and deliver it himself
I took an extra day in Tahoe, resorting and trying to catch up. Jumped in the lake, was amazing to feel the water after the desert. Leaving Tahoe I had a large climb then a looooooong downhill run. If I could have stayed on 50 it would have been glorious, but had to get off and onto navigate through Placerville to Green Valley Road (hilly, but mostly down). It was basically along the Pony Express route and that was kinda cool. Anyway, it was a 96 mile day (with a full load) to the west side of Folsom, where I sit right now.
Here are the pics

I came on this sign

which is the second one (saw one on the RP ride in Louisiana) which kinda hits my funny bone.
was stoked to reach the top

where I rested in the shade of a towering pine

Then started down to the lake where some nice Asian tourists asked to take a pic with me, then asked if I wanted them to take one of me on my cam

I pitched a cute lady cyclist (sorry no pic) and continued on finally reaching CA, the final state

The climb to Echo Summit had some tight sections

I just kept pedaling and finally made it

And from then on, (except for a climb to Pollack Pines) was all downhill.

I descended over 7000 feet in the course of the day (there is a massive waterfall in the above pic)
I laughed at this sign

One of the stores I stopped in was fun. I asked if I could leave some fliers, he said sure, when I came back in with them he was relieved when I showed him the F2F and Obama Deception vids. He said, “Great, this will go over well around here, I was hoping you weren’t going to bring in some pro-Obama garbage…” haha
Anyway, was long day so I did not take all that many pics. Today I will go through Sacramento and onto Davis (The Bike Capitol of the US). Then a 50+ mile ride to Vallejo where I will take the Western Express trans-con bike route into SF (a ferry - hahahahhha) The locals have been quite adamant that taking the cart the long way into town is both dangerous, and stupid, for a cross country cyclist. “Take the Western Express, dont risk a problem this close to your destination, tha Napa/Golden Gate run is not worth the risk”
It is always good to heed the advice of locals and must say that I don’t mind the shorter distance. So tonight, Davis. Tomorrow Vallejo, and then Alcatraz. Right on schedule

pedal pedal

 

[Cowlesy]

bump for the best thread in Liberty Forest

 

[Danke]

What day will you enter San Fran?

 

[acptulsa]

What day will you enter San Fran?

Tomorrow, looks like.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

bump for the best thread in Liberty Forest

- seeing as you donated so much for this, I am REALLY glad you approve...

What day will you enter San Fran?

I will be in Vallejo tomorrow night (Sat). SF on Sunday...

Tomorrow, looks like.

I'll be just about done pedaling tomorrow. Just from the pier to a motel on Sun. Then if all goes well, I'll head out to Alcatraz, (otherwise Monday AM). Will spend one extra night in SF, unwinding...

 

[disorderlyvision]

Congrats on almost having your mission completed!!!!

I almost sad though, as I am going to miss all of these awesome updates from the road

 

[AdamT]

What are your plans after you finish?

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

What are your plans after you finish?

Heading to NM to help http://www.kokeshforcongress.comwww.kokeshforcongress.com and planning the next ride

[h2]Getting close now[/h2]
July 25th, 2009

A series of “last”s… A few days ago I entered the last state. Today I pedaled through the last capitol. Tonight I have been mapping the last legs. A friend on Ron Paul Forums asked if I was sad to be ending this trip. Truth is I am sad to have had to make it. While I remain optimistic, the fact that I felt the need to make such an ardurous journey speaks volumes. The country is at a crossroads. This great experiment in self-rule is being attacked by tyrants and if we don’t stop them now, there will be hell to pay.

I know that, eventually, liberty and justice will win. It always does. Liberty is the natural state of man and, as such, empowers us with a natural moral authority that tyrants can only dream of. Their temporary successes are lies built on lies. Like blowfish they puff themselves up to scare the meek, but the sea is big, they are small, and their ruse will only work for so long. Friggin tyrants…
Truth is, I feel sorry for them. I know that they too will face judgment and imagine they will be quite surprised to learn that the universe, and history, wont look kindly on them. This will be remembered as a dark time in America, and they will be reviled, like Benedict Arnold is now.

Sad.

But, no time for mourning their lost souls, their plans MUST be defeated, sooner rather than later. Each moment we let up on the pressure is one more moment a child will live under tyranny. And that is completely unacceptable to me. There will be plenty of time to pray for their souls after liberty has been restored and the next gen has been educated.

Anyway, it’s late and I have given up on mapping the last leg. Google maps and all the software in the world is not a match for California roads. I learned that today. There are reports of new bike paths that are not on the maps and will save me 20 miles. I found one today (not on any map) that was a breeze, unfortunately, the destination (this motel) was misplaced on the map and I pedaled 5 miles past it before calling and finding out I had to go back. (aarrrrgggghhhh) So, I’ve got a rough outline and a few reports to go on. I will stop at bike shops, and ask other bikers, as I approach. It worked today. Mostly farm roads, I’m avoiding heavily traveled ones. People drive pretty crazy out here… Maybe I’m just a bit jaded cause I spent most of the day in city traffic, but it was a bitch. Had a nice bike route for quite a while, but then got sucked into making a turn that was not on my map (to stay on the bike route), big mistake, ended up circling on endless one-ways to get to the capitol, but got there eventually.

It took a bit longer to find the Sheriff Office, but I did,

The gentleman I spoke to was alright, I couldn’t tell if he was just humoring me, but, no matter, it’s a numbers game. I certainly have no illusions that my visits will be effective everywhere, immediately, but I know I have planted a fertile seed.Lately, when I give them the Constitution, I’ve been mentioning the bit about crime not changing and adding that the only people who are pushing to scrap it are tyrants who know it is in their way… I could tell he heard that…

As Coolidge said, “… perseverance and determination are omnipotent…”

pedal pedal…

 

[JoshLowry]

Three cheers for the Ron Paul Rider!

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

[h2]1st Sight of San Francisco Bay[/h2]
July 26th, 2009 Goto comments Leave a comment Edit

and I was so excited I forgot to snap a pic… - haha.
Well, I’m just about done pedaling. Less than 5 miles left to go. Hopefully will be easier to navigate than yesterday was, California roads are not easy for a stranger on a bicycle.
It started out fairly easy, mostly farm roads. I had to do a lot of stopping and checking to make sure I kept on track. The central valley, where I was, seemed pretty much a drained swamp, lots of creeks, canals, freeways, and train tracks. My main concern was getting on the wrong side of one and having to head south rather than southwest and having to find a way back. So I just took my time. I found myself on Rt 40 again, after a 2ooo mile detour

I had left “The Mother Road” back in Illinois. Was neat to be back on it. I stopped in a bike shop to double check my route. Their first reaction was, “Hmmm, that’s kinda tricky” But they confirmed a new bike path and gave me some pointers on transfering off the path and onto McGarey Rd. (a frontage road for the hill pass into the Bay Area.
I stopped at the Solana County Sheriff Office

but they were closed and I couldn’t find anyone to take the bookset, so pedaled on.
I finally found my way to McGarey Rd and found it closed and gated… (eeek). That was a bitch because re-routing was through canyon roads and miles out of the way. I pored over the g-map on my phone and finally decided to ask some Paramedics who were having lunch. To my great relief, they said to go around the fence, “bikers do it all the time, much safer…”
Of course, most bikers do not have a cart. Luckily the gate was high enough that by removing the wheels on the cart, I was able to drag it underneath

This road led to a “dead end” street that was purported to have a bike path at the end. I had to go up and down a hill and was relieved when the path appeared, and that is where I caught my first sight of the bay.
I need to pack up and get to the ferry, so will close with this pic I could not resist taking

“must be getting close” - lol
pedal pedal…

 

[disorderlyvision]

must be getting close

LMAO that was funny.

 

[AZ Libertarian]

Greetings from Arizona!

After a week of 'recovery' (mostly catching up on Wife requests and peeling skin LOL) it took me two days to upload several HUNDRED photos of the nine days on the road with Michael:

http://www.meetup.com/Ron-Paul-and-his-Campaign-for-Liberty-R3VOLUTION/photos/

I'll post links to the videos once thay are up.

I think of all the pics up, this one says it best for me - at the "Welcome to Nevada" sign after Michael and Thomas have departed for Las Vegas, and I was done:

http://www.meetup.com/Ron-Paul-and-his-Campaign-for-Liberty-R3VOLUTION/photos/#9801527

Five days across Arizona in July. Cooked my skin until it bubbled. Spent money that should have went for food for my family.

But it was worth it. All in the name of LIBERTY. For AMERICA.

For my Brother Michael.

For you.

Ed

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

[h2]Today is the day I will call this trip done[/h2]
July 27th, 2009 http://libertyrider.com/today-is-the-day-i-will-call-this-trip-done/#comments


One more journey to make…

and a bit more to say…

 

[torchbearer]

are you swimming the final leg?

 

[disorderlyvision]

CONGRATS on completing the journey!!!!! My hats off to you good sir