Ahoy! New day, new vessel, same old me. Coming to you, for the first time since Jacksonville, from a home! I’m posted up in Ryan’s double wide, feeling like royalty. If you scroll down to the picture of my hand, you’ll notice that it is clean for the first time this entire trip. I took what seemed like a 2 hour shower this morning. I was well on my way to dreadation, and now my hair is feeling so fluffy and vivacious.
After the great sinking of the H.M.S Herbie, the crew was able to scrap together a small percentage of the remains. Boat technicians have been working in shifts for the last week and were able to put together a new vessel from such. In loving respect and memory of Herby, I have decided to call this new vessel THE H.M.S. HERBY JR.
Of course I received permission from her majesty, to avoid legality issues. I took him out last night for his first voyage. We sailed from Redmond, Oregon to Corvallis, Oregon, which is right next to Eugene and the coast. It was a beautiful moon last night and Jr. only got about 35 on the big hills…He takes after his father. Included with the free van was that one tape, which is Willie Nelson’s Greatest Hits. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have to listen to that one tape or cd for an entire trip. I found my answer: Willie and all his romanticism gets old, quickly. Needless to say, Jr. put in 3.5 hours and he sailed like a charm. When John handed me the keys he said, “I can’t tell you if this thing will run for 10 miles or 10,000…
I have found the secret to success. We were pouring way too much negative energy in Herby Sr. The theme for this second part of the voyage is “POSITIVE VIBRATIONS”. I had a long talk with Herby yesterday while driving and I told him he will make it. “I think I can, I think I can.” I told him I’d give him love and take him to all the old climbing spots he hasn’t been to in years. I can see this turning into a classic symbiotic relationship.
Someone is watching out for me. I have a feeling that this someone was skilled in carpentry, compassionate, and liked hanging out with prostitutes. I am still in awe of meeting John Pinckney. We went to The Citadel 20 years apart. Same battalion, same corner, same division. Both of us graduated with the same high rank, as the best and brightest SENIOR PRIVATE to walk across 3rd battalion! It wasn’t an easy job, but somebody had to do it. Both of us never saw an air conditioner. If any of you Citadel dudes are reading this, back when I was in the corps we had it so much tougher ;) In all seriousness, John’s treatment to me, a total stranger, is the epitome of what that school represents and it is the true meaning of brotherhood.
Well how nice of you to ask about the old crew. They are doing fine. Adam made his way to the coast and didn’t waste a minute. He’s getting a couple of waves. When Doug left in his rental car the other day, he said he was going to drive non-stop because it was $100 a day for the car. Haha, right. I got a call from him two days ago and apparently he made a little stop by Yellowstone National Park. He hiked into the most primitive area without any people and had a strange encounter with a group of Moose (Moose’s?) Enough about the past. The future. As I peer out into the Oregon hills past Ryan’s garden, I have decided that even though I want to explore the Oregon coast, I need to get to the valley as quickly as possible, before this van dies. Wait, no. Positive vibrations. I need to get to the valley as quickly as possible before this van starts performing like it’s the year of 1984. Also, I have no money.
This evening, Herby and I depart for Reno, Nevada. My good buddy “Strullman” resides there. Strullman holds a special place in my heart. If it wasn’t for him and his “drive to survive” car in New Zealand, I wouldn’t be a climber. Period. Scary to think about. The man also makes a strong, strong coffee. We will get into his vehicle and drive to Tuolumne Meadows on Friday morning. While many climbers flock to the granite walls of Yosemite summer after summer, a little valley hides just around the corner called Tuolumne. Some of the best climbing in the United States. Our buddy Jacob is a Tuolumne SAR (Search and Rescue) and has been living there in a tent since May. Let the climbs begin. After the weekend, Strull has been so kind to let me crash on his couch for a week or so he also might be able to get me short term work for me at a climbing gym. After that, off to the valley from Reno with Herby to WORK WORK WORK. I will get a job with the park service where they need the help. If you need a job, come play with me.
Oh, check this out. Vintage alert. I figured since I have a van from 1983, I might as well play the roll. I snagged a briefcase full of old tapes from the bus that belonged to a Canadian couple, ret. They ditched it at Pacific Power Products when the engine died.. I feel for them. The mechanic, who I have since become friends with, said I could take anything from the bus. Who needs an iPod when you have Barbara Streisand, Elvis, and Canadian Country hits. I also got a free umbrella hat, umbrella, candles, lanterns, and a cooler. One man gather’s what another man spills. I do believe the Grateful Dead said that…
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