Photoessay: A ride through Woodside, CA

[fish]

I'm off work all week for bereavement. My mother passed away last Thursday, after a brief, but debilitating illness. Lymphoma, pneumonia, renal failure, and Kaiser. As you can imagine, it's been a very emotional and stressful experience for the entire family. It's kinda like I had both parents die, since mom never did anything with any of my dad's stuff, except for clothes, in the 10 years since he died. Work has sucked hind tit as well. Worse still, my cousin was killed in a car crash two weeks ago. It's been a pretty dark winter/spring so far.

After a set of PM exchanges with ian408, I realized that I hadn't ridden a motorcycle in months. Both of the batteries were dead, so I flipped a coin, and the GS won. As previously posted, it was a long, but relaxing exercise getting the GS back on the road. I actually can't remember the last time I rode the GS. When I've ridden, it's been the R1150RT, primarily because I frequently had to travel over the Dunbarton Bridge, that links Menlo Park with Newark. The GS is a real handful over that span. Anyway, the GS was running nicely, so I polished the tank, dusted the rest, and took off today.

But first, I asked ian408 if he'd like to go for a ride, and he responded back that he thought it was going to be a crappy day, with a foggy haze over the valley, wet roads, low tire pressure, poor lighting conditions, and no subjects to shoot. Plus he said he wasn't hungry. Well...:flip.

Actually, ian said that Thursday would be better for him, but I had to ride. I had to bust out of this funk I've been in lately. It was a good ride, over roads I've travelled hundreds of times, but all seemed fresh and new to me. The acacia trees were all in full bloom, undoubtedly making allergy sufferers miserable. Unfortunately, I didn't find a good place to stop and take a photo by an acacia. But I did do about 70 miles, and it felt good. I think I only cried in my helmet once, as memories of an RD400 I owned when I was 18 streamed through my head and linked to memories of my parents. No crashes, no tickets...it was a good ride. Photography, on the other hand, was completely uninspired. I just couldn't get into it. I took a bunch, and only a handful came out looking okay, and none of them grab my grunion at all, so I'm just gonna post them as a documentary of my ride today. If you don't like 'em, well take off, eh? Nobody is holding a gun to yer head making you read the rest of this post. Ooo...that was grumpy, wasn't it? Sorry.

Anyway...here are my piss-poor images from my ride through Saratoga and Woodside today.


Okay, so one bonus shot from last night in duotone.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204633-L.jpg

I really can't remember the last time I washed this bike. It might have been one time at Santa Cruz BMW, when they replaced a set of tires, then gave it a bath, and displayed it during an Oktoberfest celebration they have there. Yeah, I think that's the last time. Two years ago or more?

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204670-L.jpg

So had the part about ian talking about the fog actually been true, I would have to bow to him. It was fugly. Beautiful weather on Skyline Blvd, but as you can see, Silicon Valley is covered in a nasty layer of fog and haze. I brought my 10-22 EF-S, but never mounted it. The landscape sucked with the fog in the background. On a clear day, especially after a storm, you can see amazing details in the valley, like Hangar 1 at Moffett Field, Hoover Tower on the Stanford Campus, the Dunbarton Bridge, the San Mateo Bridge, and on an especially clear day, you can actually see all the way up to San Francisco from this location. Since I couldn't get any of that, I decided to just shoot my bike. :dunno

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204700-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204736-L.jpg


I dropped by the Thomas Fogerty winery on Skyline, and rode around inside, but just never really stopped to take any pics of the swans in the pond, the various outbuildings, the vineyards. Nope, couldn't get into it. But I got one of the cast ducks on top of one of the front gate pillars.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204767-L.jpg


I rode for about another half hour before stopping for photos. I must have shot 30 images today, most of which just went straight in the trash. As you can tell by the mediocre quality of these "keepers", it wasn't a very productive day.

I stopped in Woodside.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204885-L.jpg


http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204785-L.jpg


Well well well...I suppose if I owned a 7000 sf mansion in tony Woodside on "Why Worry Lane", I'd probably be pretty undepressed too.

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17204840-L.jpg


So...that's all I've got. It sucks so bad, I'm just gonna stuff it down here in the basement (Wide Angle).

If you've gotten this far, thank you for taking the time.


fish out.

[david_h]

Sorry to read about your loss Fish.
I really like the duotone picture of your bike. I've been thinking of experimenting with duotone, you've given me the inspiration to get started.
Take care.

[fish]

Sorry to read about your loss Fish.
Thanks.


I really like the duotone picture of your bike. I've been thinking of experimenting with duotone, you've given me the inspiration to get started.
Take care.
That was done completely in-camera on the 20D. Easy enough to do in PS tho.

[Harryb]

Not a bad ride Fish. You did some miles, worked off some of your funk and took some uninspired pics. Heck I take pics like that when I'm in a good mood.

Next time you're passing that winery tell them that their duck sucks. They could class up their place by replacing it with an egret.

As for Ian what can I tell ya. Guys with jobs just ain't that much fun.

Take care, I'm thinking about you.

[JohnR]

Sorry for your loss Fish. Nice post though...pictures aren't as bad as you say!

37 degrees here...trade ya!

[ridetwistyroads]

So sorry to hear of your loss, fish.

Many times the boring, uninspired rides are the best ones. The steady rythem of that boxer speaks volumes, no? Just the right amount of soul in those engines. It always calms me, no matter how 'off' I am. I ride an r1100r, and the things she's helped me through are more then I could begin to detail.

We're with ya, be well,
Chris

[fish]

So sorry to hear of your loss, fish.

Many times the boring, uninspired rides are the best ones. The steady rythem of that boxer speaks volumes, no? Just the right amount of soul in those engines. It always calms me, no matter how 'off' I am. I ride an r1100r, and the things she's helped me through are more then I could begin to detail.

We're with ya, be well,
Chris

Thanks johnr, harry, and rtr. You're absolutely right. The boxer gets it done. It was running so sweet today, almost as though it had sympathy. Do bikes have souls? This one does. I don't really remember twisting the throttle much at all today, except when I got close to home and punched it as I ran over a gravel patch, getting it all crossed-up. No fear.

[pathfinder]

Thanks.
That was done completely in-camera on the 20D. Easy enough to do in PS tho.

The 20D's in camera B&W capabilities are kind of an unsung jewel I think. I like the in camera direct B&W & duotone it is capable of.

And your GS is MUCH cleaner than mine on the front of the engine. You must be sticking to only paved roads with it...... I've given up cleaning mine - it only gets dirty again anyway.:thumb
When the timing belt needs replacement I'll clean it then. But I do change the oil every 2000 miles. It is clean where it counts - inside.

Get some more sunshine, and shoot some more pictures:clap

[Misery Goat]

Hey Fish,


Sorry to hear about your loss. Hang in there man. :thumb

[rutt]

Fish, trying to find an outlet in expression for the death of a parent is really really hard. My dad died last fall and I wrote a eulogy that I liked and took a lot of pictures that I didn't like. I still have some hopes to put that stuff together somehow, but probably not. It's so hard for me because it's so personal. There are all these bits and pieces and they all mean a lot to me, but either they are very personal and I don't know how to share them, or they are just fragments in need of some sort of structure. Now I'm in London for the first of two memorials for my father. I have a little more distance, but it still hurts. I have to give a eulogy here as well and in order to write one I was satisfied with, I had to tear the scab off the wound more than I liked. Gives me a lot of respect for real writers.

Emily Dickenson wrote:

Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.
And here is a shot from the time just before he died that means a lot to me, but which I don't know really know what to do with:

http://rutt.smugmug.com/photos/8435078-L.jpg

Anyway, please accetpt my sincere condolences.

[fish]

Next time you're passing that winery tell them that their duck sucks. They could class up their place by replacing it with an egret.
Something like this?

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17210304-L.jpg

[ian408]

Well, where should I start? I did say Thursday'd be better but I am not so sure
any more :(

Nice report and glad you got to blow the cobwebs out (you did do that, right?).

Ian

[Andy]

glad you got out, hopefully ridding some of that funk you're probably in, and just got to clear yer head.

you and your family are in our thoughts.

[Harryb]

Something like this?


On the mark. That just reeks of class.:clap :clap :cheer :beer

[slaniac]

Fish,


You've always got a riding buddy up here in the foothills. Sorry about mom. Thinking about you right now. Take care, and good on ya for getting out for a ride.

[Angelo]

Fish, I'll just express my deep sympathy for your recent losses. That you have remained active and consistent on this site, helping everyone with advice and inspiration despite your personal challenges speaks volumns about your character.

[Nikolai]

Hang in there, man!

[Nir]

Fish,


I'm very sorry for your losses!

[kbasa]

see ya sunday, man. glad to see you got out.


helmet time is good for the soul.

[komet]

Nice pics, and again sorry.:cry

[mutineer]

riding alone that day probably served you best


nice report Fish



dave

[Seamus]

Sorry for your loss, Fish.

Shay.

[RocketMan]

Dude, sounds like you're gonna need a *LOT* of riding this summer, my thoughts are with ya. when my Dad passed away I spent 3 days washing and detailing my bike, just so I wouldn't have to face/think about the loss (my loss really as my Dad hadn't *lost* anything, he had just passed away. but I'm drifting a bit here) and did a lot of riding that summer. Go for it, get out away as often as you can, the inspiration *will* return. You got my personal guarantee on that!:D



RM

[ehughes]

Sorry for your loss Fish

[Gator]

Fish,

I would like to offer you a big gator hug and tell you that your memorial ride probably did more for your soul and the soul of that bike than you know. So, sorry to hear of your losses. You needed that time to connect/reconnect and it's good that you took it.

We don't have brain bucket laws here anymore however, I have found comfort in mine on more than one occasion when we did have them. Have to say, I am a Harley lover but, that is a good lookin' ride ya got there.

I think coming across Why Worry Lane speaks volumes. Sounds almost prophetic. The photos weren't near as bad as you let on. I enjoyed reading your words and viewing the pictures.

Take care Fish, keep ridin'! :thumb

[Shakey]

Fish sorry for your loss. And yes bikes have souls, I am sure of it.

Take care,

Tim

[DJ-S1]

My condolenses to you and your family, Fish. Take it slow.

[hutchman]

Fish,

Hutch wife and I send our condolences. I have not yet lost a parent so I do not yet comprehend your pain. It must be one of the toughest times in life.

Ride hard, ride safe,

Hutch

[fish]

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts, kids. I appreciate them very much.

[Steve Cavigliano]

Nice series Fish :thumb :thumb


Nothing like a ride alone in the hills to clear a person's mind. Even better when you bring your camera along :):

LOL @ Why Worry Lane :rofl Livin in Woodside in a huge mansion, maybe they should change the name to "What, Me Worry Lane"......lol

It was good to hear you got out for a ride and some shooting. Enjoying at all the beauty you saw while riding hopefully helped offset some of the recent darkness.


Steve

[digital faerie]

ah, fish I was just about to pm you to see how you were doing with all of that when I stumbled on this post. thinkin' about you.... you said some beautiful things

[fish]

After having my brains sucked out of my ear by lawyers and beancounters today, I got home and found a phone message from the mortuary. Mom's cremains are ready to be picked-up. I'm going to pick her up tomorrow morning on my GS. During my entire 26 year riding career, I was never able to get either of my parents to ride pillion with me. Here's my chance to take mom for a ride to my house. We're going to take the long way home.



http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17265471-M.jpg

In the day we sweat it out in the streets of a runaway american dream
At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines
Sprung from cages out on highway 9,
Chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin’ out over the line
Baby this town rips the bones from your back
It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we’re young
`cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run

Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend
I want to guard your dreams and visions
Just wrap your legs round these velvet rims
And strap your hands across my engines
Together we could break this trap
We’ll run till we drop, baby we’ll never go back
Will you walk with me out on the wire
`cause baby I’m just a scared and lonely rider
But I gotta find out how it feels
I want to know if love is wild, girl I want to know if love is real

Beyond the palace hemi-powered drones scream down the boulevard
The girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in a mist
I wanna die with you wendy on the streets tonight
In an everlasting kiss

The highway’s jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive
Everybody’s out on the run tonight but there’s no place left to hide
Together wendy we’ll live with the sadness
I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul
Someday girl I don’t know when we’re gonna get to that place
Where we really want to go and we’ll walk in the sun
But till then tramps like us baby we were born to run





I think mom'll enjoy the ride...and the songs that run through my head. :pissed

[4labs]

May your ride home bring you some closure and peace...

[ian408]

What a nice gesture fish! I know she'll enjoy the ride. 'specially if you take
her through Pescadero and to the coast. Be sure to stop at the beach for
a bit.


Ian

[Ann McRae]

My condolences, fish.

ann

[ginger_55]

Something like this?

http://coyfish.smugmug.com/photos/17210304-S.jpg

Now that is inspired! I love it. Did you wash your bike, it looked shiny and clean. I haven't washed my car in so long I would be afraid that without the salt and grit and stuff, it would just collapse.

I am so sorry about your mother. All your losses. Death sucks! I have been thinking a lot about it lately, and that is about all I can come up with.

It will hurt always, and your mother will be with you always, but you will eventually have a place you can put the hurt. Most of the time. My mother died in 1987.

I am so sorry, I have missed you, and you have not begun.

ginger

[Gator]

Bless you Fish, and enjoy the ride with your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.