Let's make a musical about it

I, as many know, like to think of myself as somewhat of a Frank Lesser. Meaning that I make poor quality musicals spur of the moment. It's similar to free style rap, but a little more Broadway. The one from the past couple of days is about going to Colorado. It was short-lived and only Amanda heard it, but we had a good laugh. Yesterday we started the 600-mile trip to Boulder, Colorado, and the home of my brother and his girlfriend. We ran into problems as we were heading out, as usual. The most unsettling: we had arranged to get oil from a restaurant in downtown Lawrence, but as we were pumping a man came out from next door, frantically telling us the cops were on their way and we should leave as quickly as possible. I was confused about the situation since we had gotten permission. Then, their oil wasn't even usable. Hours later we found another source and started off.

In other news, we continue to promote our paddles. We're looking forward to creating more business relationships as we travel across the country.

Our little home is now much cleaner after being in Kansas, where we were fortunate to be able to build a cabinet and spice rack. What was once a crowded RV is turning out to be almost spacious. We have updated the website as well -- http://www.pandapaddles.com/ --and have more pictures of the bus in progress. Estimated time until completion....never. Thanks to Dad, Megan, Erin and Ethan for hosting us all week.

Bison and Kansas

Since Sunday we've been in Lawrence, Kansas, enjoying time with Justin's dad, stepmom, brother and sister, and working some with his dad on their bison ranch a few miles outside of the city. We've fed the bison medicated food and we're working on clearing a 3.4 acre area for pasture, using chainsaws (a first for me) to cut down small cedars and some trees with ridiculously sharp spines. The spines are leaving abstract art, red lines and dots, on our limbs. We pull the felled trees into a row and then Daniel, Justin's dad, scoops them up with the tractor. The work leaves my limbs weak like jelly. Daniel killed a copperhead that Justin rustled up with the chainsaw, pictured here around his neck.

The bison are beasts, big and small, furry, noisy eaters. You can't cuddle them, unfortunately. They're taking their meds like good bison.

We had to take the bus to the shop to repack the bearings in the front wheels, and we're getting the inside more organized by building cabinets, a spice rack, and the creative use of bungee cords. I had a good time shopping with Justin's 11-year-old sister Erin, and it turns out we like the same stores-- funky second-hand clothes shops, Urban Outfitters-- and Lawrence has 'em.

Last night Justin and I stayed out at the farm in the bus. We grilled some bison, Justin found a good use for his machete. We caught a great sunrise and kayaked in the Clinton lake refuge before coming back to town.

Bad boys bad boys

Our first and last night in Missouri, tired from a 12 hour drive, we drift over to the side of the road into a nice quiet lot. Amanda and myself put up the curtains and get ready for a good nights rest. Fifteen minutes go past and I catch some neighbors out of the corner of my eye staring at us. I get a bad feeling and drive off. Next thing we know we are being pulled over. Woops. We had nothing to worry about since we had not done anything wrong. Amanda and I give the officer our ID's and title. He asks for proof of insurance, which is not required of New Hampshire to register a vehicle. He does not understand so finally I say, you can't get the vehicle registered without proof of insurance. The officer warns us that the area we were pulled over in was used by dopers. "They all know better than to come here when I'm on duty. They know I'll give'em a thumpin'," stated the officer with a look of chagrin on his face. "I'll take ya to a nice place where no one will bother you". "Thank you" I said and I shook his hand. The officer proceeded to escort us through a maze of roads driving much faster than our bus could manage. The area he put us in was safe but somewhat loud from the highway and the other trucks. At least we managed to get some sleep.

Sunday morning we started our day with coffee as usual and headed west for our final 4 hour drive to Lawrence and the Bison Ranch. Halfway there we pull over for a quick stop and a coffee. While I was paying the cashier noticed the Euros that I had from my recent trip to Spain. She told me how much she loved foreign money. The mere fact that I had been to Spain at all seemed to amaze her. I knew that this was my chance to try to score more fuel. "Do you mind if I take some used oil from out back?" No answer. "My car runs on it" I quickly said. "Faris I know." With that I suited up for the fill (which means I just put on work clothes). Full tank and we're off. Next stop Lawrence, KS.

I Heart GPS

We visited Pittsburgh for two days, staying with Carrie, KK and baby Margot, fantastic hosts. Enjoyed the Warhol museum, with its tasty cafe and chatty cooks, and walked around the city for hours. On our way out of town yesterday, we brought the paddles over to the folks at Exkursion Outfitters, major outdoors outfitters for the Pittsburgh area. We spent a half hour with them, and we're looking forward to getting them specific information about pricing.

When we stopped to refuel later in eastern Ohio, it looked like there was a problem with the fuel pump/filter, or with the oil we were using, but at the end of a long day of replacement filter and fuel reconnaissance, we realized that the pump is fine, the settings are just misaligned. We found a place to pull over for the night, late, and stepped out the door of the bus this morning into a cornfield.

Later, some Amish people passed near us while we were on the highway and they almost fell out of their horse-drawn carriage peering at our bus around their carriage cover. We were just as curious about them.

Then, in one of the best moves ever, we bought a GPS. Sweet, sweet, GPS. It's much better to get mad at a computer for giving you poor directions.

We bolted through the rest of Ohio today, as well as Indiana, Illinois and most of Missouri. Heading to Lawrence, Kansas, where Justin's dad and family have a bison ranch. We've officially been 1,300 miles. And we're 1 hour younger.

Break down, go ahead and give it to.....

Imagine going down a steep hill, in the middle of nowhere PA. All of a sudden the engine starts to buck and it sounds like a jack hammer. We pull over to the side of the highway and Justin gets out to inspect. No visible signs of anything run amok. We switch fuel tanks to see if that fixes the problem and we're off and running. Justin deduces that the noise was caused by a clogged fuel filter. We pull over change the filter and the engine turns over, but does not start. After getting out the wrenches and some tinkering under the hood The Wander Bus starts. After a quick trip to the gas station we fill the fuel filter with diesel and switch back to our primary fuel tank. Total cost of repair eleven cents and over an hour repair.

Next post Pittsburgh...

Wheels down

We're on the road! So far we've driven 400 miles. Spent our first night in a Walmart parking lot in Chicopee MA, after being rejected by a Springfield Walmart, and last night we stayed at the delightful Francis Slocum State Park in Wyoming, PA. In the morning we biked on the trails and almost got plowed down by two large, black beasts -- Rottweilers, that is, owned by a chipper Dutch woman. The Wander Bus is sucking down the right fuel, the kayaks and bikes are staying strapped down, and all is well.

The Wander Bus and Panda Paddles

We'll be leaving the East Coast soon to promote Panda Paddles across the country in our sustainable RV, the Wander Bus, a converted school bus that runs on bio-fuel. As of today, the Wander Bus is complete, with the installation of a custom built roof rack built by Matt Koestner http://www.bobsmetal.com/.