October 8th...What's in a 100 Years?

Much could be said of Boston Red Sox trivia, but I bet you wouldn't have the foggiest on a couple of the following. ..

 In 1912, the Sox would have the privilege to play in their new stadium called Fenway Park and that year go on to win the Fall Classic for their second World Series title. These you may know,  but did you know that the opening of the Park was quite less than the expected fanfare due to a major world event occurring just days prior to their home opener. The event...the sinking of the Titanic.

Friday, October 8, 1915, Baker Bowl Attendance: 19,343,
Time of Game: 1:58 (or 10:58 PST) {Oct 1958}

Beginning in 1912, five out of the next seven years the title would belong to Boston, but one of those was not the Red Sox, but rather the National League Braves.

That both the 1914 and the 1915 series teamed up Boston against Philadelphia. In 1914 the Braves would defeat the Athletics playing their home games in Fenway since their stadium,  'Braves Field' was not complete. The following year, 1915 the Red Sox would defeat the Phillies playing their home games in their National counterpart 'Braves Field' due to a greater sitting capacity in the newly constructed stadium.

That the 1915 Sox had a second year pitcher who would post a 18 and 8 record during the regular season plus lead the team in home runs, yet did not pitch in the series and would only come to the plate for one hitless at bat. The player...Babe Ruth.

Last but not least, 100 years ago today the 1915 World series opened with the Phillies winning their only game of the series. That happens to be 43 years prior to my birth. I'm sure you didn't know that one :) Also, it would be the Phillies last World Series game victory until 65 years later when in 1980 they would win four games against the Royals for their first World Series Championship, becoming the last of the original 16 teams to do so. I'm not even a Phillies fan, but that's a drought :(

So here’s to starting my ‘Heniz’ year. Fifty-seven years old. Forty-three years to 100…hey that’s Richard Petty’s number :)

I Need To...Be Strong For the Other

The car needs cleaned…then I need to put fuel in it. The clothes need washed, the floors vacuumed. The

yard needs mowed and then sprayed for weeds. We need to pick out the flooring and paint in order to spruce up the house, and then it needs someone to complete those tasks. I need to pay those bills then read that book. I need to have lunch with this friend and then help another. I need to go to work, and I need to complete some training. I want to watch this movie and I want to go on vacation. I’d like to move to another, a different house, but I need to be content with the one we have. I want to climb stairs and exercise more, but I don’t have much desire to accomplish that. I’m tired of the routine, but the routine is sometimes the life of the responsible…getting things done that need to be. 

Overwhelming…these are only a few of what passes through a mind or a life, sometimes the responsibility of it all is just so very overwhelming. 

Oh, I have my problems for sure, but how can I help you with yours? Are yours such that they are bigger than mine. Or, are you not even aware that mine are so much more significant and serious than yours. Yet…what you’re living through at this moment, you are not even able to recognize that I’m dying in my own agony. 

Paul writes to the Philippians, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding shall guide your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.”

A Peaceful time for Father and Son at Ollalie Lake

Often we think that our life in this day and this time or this location is so much worse than any other. It’s likely that in reality any place at any time and for anyone throughout the history of man has experienced very stressful moments or periods of time in their lives. The question perhaps is how do we pull through those times when so many within our circle are in the same moment of life? When the truth of Paul in Corinthians, “If one suffers, all suffer together and when one rejoices all rejoice together” is not effective because we’re all suffering. 

Might we be in search of the all surpassing peace…hopefully able to support the other.

ABCity Eastern Oregon Motorcycle Tour 2015 - Entry 6

Post...the 'Center' of Oregon

The two day journey home literally paved the way for even more Oregon beauty. Highway 7 out of Baker City weaved through initial desert into the similar mountain and prairie blend of a few days earlier. A short ride on previously traveled Hwy 26 brought me to 395 South and up to the Summit and 'Starr' campground. As the first two evenings, I enjoyed the site all to myself. 

At dawn I broke camp, headed a couple miles further on 395 before turning west unto the longest 'Lane' that I've traveled on called 'Paulina-Izee'. I never saw any remnant for Izee and Paulina was pretty tiny for sure. All morning my taste buds were calling out for a good three egg omelet. But arriving upon 'Post' known as the 'Center of Oregon' and having a sign stating 'meatloaf sandwiches', I quickly caved. The right choice it was.

Beauty along Paulina-Izee Lane

Fueling up the Yamaha one last time with 265 on the odometer, for a nice 56 miles per gallon. Then a short ride over to a favorite, the 'Sisters Coffee Company'. Asked if I could join an 80 year old gentleman by the name of Larry. His story of both a 40 year history of logging and being a circuit musician out of his trailer was quite fascinating. Within a few minutes a friend of his named Ed joined us in conversation. Ed, a retired LA Police Officer who later worked for a few years as a 'Peace Officer' for Hollywood movie sets. He said, "What a deal". They paid for him to fix his Suzuki to look like a Police bike and would block intersections while filming was under way. "Essentially they paid me to ride my motorcycle at about 3 times the rate I was making for the city and was 'stress free',"

With a couple rumbles of the Cobra pipes I was off unto the final stretch with one last stop into a friend’s new abode in Lyons. What a journey it was, coming in at just under 1800 miles total riding around this great state of Oregon. Nice highways that took me through some gorgeous and diverse scenery, collecting 15 of our ABCity towns, all the while connecting with many new lives and their stories. Now home and ready to plan the next travels on the bike. But wait! It's already set...Yellowstone, Rushmore and Glacier National Parks in August. Here we come :)

ABCity Eastern Oregon Motorcycle Tour 2015 - Entry 5

How can you beat spectacular? When you think that you've seen the most beautiful area of this state of Oregon, you're struck by 'Lower Cove Road' and 'Highway 204'. The first one especially had me thinking,  "I could live here!". And once again I was reminded of a desire to have a 'GoPro' or something similar in order to capture the sites along the way. 

 

Unable to find 'Union Junction', I came upon 'Union Station' in the same vicinity. Hey Curt, does this count? It appears to be an OSU Agricultural Extension. From here less than a mile into my final ABCity town of this ride, that of 'Union'. I was able to find another mural (not as defined as many, but) that told some history about the area of Catherine Creek.

 

The day concluded meeting up with friends in Farewell Bend State Park along the Snake River. A lovely site indeed along this giant of a river. Good conversation, stories and dinner before heading of to my 'Passage 2' tent, safe from what I'm sure are 'Idaho mosquitoes' :), for a nights sleep under a spectacular view into the heavenly stars above. Oh thank you Creator God! 

ABCity Eastern Oregon Motorcycle Tour 2015 - Entry 4

Entering Joseph

Walloa Lake campsite

Happy Father's Day to all you dads, self included. A quiet day for riding as I went about 70 miles into Lake Wallowa. I was able to set up camp before the 'light'...here's for hopefully staying light, rain. So light that in three hours the road is yet mainly dry. A test for the REI Passage 2, I'd rather not, thank you very much :) Opps, no more mainly dry road...

In my REI Passge 2...Comfortable!

As I write from within my tent, sitting on my 'Alite Monarch' chair (perfect for my two-man tent) I am reminded of days of yore when camping with young ones. One cries across the road in his trailer, then a young family just arrived in the site next to me with two little girls. They call to dad to play, mom says "go play in the playground", husband says to wife to hold the tent high, to which she replies, "But I'm not tall enough". "Oh yes you are". "No I'm not!" All in conversation, no real arguing. And I chuckle to myself. I even offered help, but they politely said no thank you. It's just refreshing to hear conversation and not yelling. Again, all of this while it continues to mist. And I considered heading out upon viewing the potential 'rain clouds'. Then, I would have missed all of this. 

Anyway, back to the ride. A stop in Enterprise along the way to attend church service. 'Enterprise Community Church', let's give it a try. It ended up being a United Church of Christ. Perhaps a name in attempt to draw the community. Unfortunately it does not appear to be working. Many would perhaps wonder why and how they're still open, though the world around displays a multitude of expressions of the body of Christ. The message, the power of God demonstrated through Jesus walking on the water; the music, hymns; the fellowship and the heart of this 'community' for Christ is evident. Maybe one or two just under 50, but the average is likely 70 plus. A congregation that will likely struggle to exist in 10 to 15 years, but for now, it is a place of solace, a place that is familiar for 30 to 40 brothers and sisters in Christ. So exist they should and will.

Prior to arriving at the camp I made a stop at Joseph for a couple ABCity photos. A nicely manicured town that surely caters to the tourist. 'If you build it they will come', and they do. The lake and surrounding area, absolutely beautiful! 

 So there it is, the fourth entry of this ride. Tomorrow, Union and perhaps Union Junction, if it still exist. I believe that will conclude the ABCity part of this ride. Afterwards over to 'Farewell Bend' for a night or two to meet with friends. Well, it's 7:30, I've already been in the tent for an hour, having had dinner and a shower. The rain has stopped, I hope for good, but I'm ready whatever may come.