tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68367342989371885942011-10-08T16:31:45.435-05:00Mitchell Aiken's travel journal began when he left Texas in August of 2007. He remains "on the road" and may never settle down.Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comBlogger1881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-10651660696065001892011-10-08T16:31:00.000-05:002011-10-08T16:31:45.445-05:00

"Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-22065746596217185282011-10-02T21:05:00.000-05:002011-10-02T21:05:49.431-05:00

The plan is to move to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art University and enter the Master of Fine Arts program. A lot of things need to be worked out, but my goal is to make the move in the Summer of 2012. So, a new Road Adventure begins.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-74537566083638207702011-07-21T10:56:00.000-05:002011-07-21T10:56:54.666-05:00

  Happy Birthday (yesterday). I thought about you all day. I miss you, of course.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-19904231257926646202010-12-24T16:32:00.002-06:002010-12-24T16:32:57.753-06:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-86489128010212733592010-12-24T10:18:00.000-06:002010-12-24T10:18:10.445-06:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-80379390257552936652010-11-02T09:29:00.000-05:002010-11-02T09:29:23.026-05:00

Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall :: Homepage

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-89900159986595785702010-10-19T15:50:00.001-05:002010-10-19T15:50:58.738-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-31565413674186334482010-10-19T15:44:00.002-05:002010-10-19T15:44:16.578-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-78866242800632290792010-10-11T18:15:00.000-05:002010-10-11T18:15:15.873-05:00

New TAI Album has pretty good song. Thanks Scalzi for the tip.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-26584933746632776202010-10-05T22:25:00.000-05:002010-10-05T22:58:07.085-05:00

The Texas Rangers are on their way to the MLB playoffs tomorrow at Noon, and that has resulted in my traveling down Memory Lane to a beautiful Spring day in 2007. I was attending the Rangers training camp in Surprise, Arizona.I remember this guy named Josh Hamilton and how everyone was talking about his story. Would he make it in the majors with all that baggage on his back? Will he remain

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-76976417290571293472010-02-27T08:46:00.000-06:002010-02-27T08:53:35.515-06:00

A Harry Chapin song is in the back of my mind this morning. Let me see if I can remember the words: "All my life's a circle, sunrise to sundown...etc., etc." Life does seem to go round and round and I feel like a skater on the rink in a roller derby contest.I am back in Texas after more than two years on the road. MyRoadArt is by no means complete, my travels continue. But for a time I've

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-49518744870649291782009-08-09T11:07:00.000-05:002009-08-09T11:50:27.142-05:00

(RSS feed from MyRoadArt.com)Day 125 in Las VegasI'm trying not to waste time. I'll turn 51 next month, breaking the half-century mark and I'm skittish enough to worry about the time I have left. I want to accomplish so many things in my life but time seems to be slipping away.I work a 9-5 job weekdays to pay bills. My passions are located in other places: the card rooms around Vegas, an art

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-60348223174699381792009-07-18T16:50:00.000-05:002009-07-18T17:48:06.075-05:00

RSS Feed from www.MyRoadArt.comDay 103 in the Las Vegas ValleyI got my library card the first week I moved to Las Vegas. I was in Summerlin, and found the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (clumsily referred to as the "LVCCLD", like some undecipherable Roman numeral). The Summerlin branch of the LVCCLD was undergoing a facelift at the time, but was a nice enough place tucked neatly inside a

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-90788460990448664612009-07-11T14:31:00.000-05:002009-07-11T14:34:53.724-05:00

RSS Feed from www.MyRoadArt.comMy fireworks video from Green Valley Ranch Casino this July 4th, "in support of the troops" as its theme, along with music by Leonard Cohen.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-31871972842960780402009-07-04T11:21:00.000-05:002009-07-04T11:39:15.901-05:00

Day 89 in Las Vegas ValleyJust a few things on my mind today, while I sit here and sweat on the patio drinking coffee:Governor Palin is resigning. So what. I don't really care, though I'm a conservative and have voted Republican my whole life. I don't think she, nor Mitt Romney, are the future for conservatives. But we can't seem to find a GOP candidate who can keep their pants on, so the 1012

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-16447026303776919982009-06-27T08:46:00.001-05:002009-06-27T09:17:50.878-05:00

(RSS feed from http://www.myroadart.com/) Day 82 in the Las Vegas valleyI choose to remember these two icons as young and full of life, as I was when we first met. Both are now gone. And I have to wonder how much longer I have before I join them. Just a reminder that life ends for us all. It's up to us to make the best of it.Michael Jackson was born the week before me on August 29, 1958 (I was

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-57880228443711445502009-06-23T19:59:00.000-05:002009-06-23T20:14:17.278-05:00

Day 78 in Las VegasGod, it's hot. Yes, Lord, it's very hot. This must be what Hell is like. And it's not even July yet.Having found a job I'm thankful. Having found a job that is primarily an INDOOR job, I'm ecstatic and overjoyed with glee. While the unemployment rate continues to skyrocket I'm aware I've received a miracle. Thousands looking for work and I landed a pretty good job. I was told

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-89976900807447650662009-05-17T20:34:00.000-05:002009-05-17T20:50:42.401-05:00

RSS feed from http://www.MyRoadArt.comDay 41 in Las VegasWith temperatures above 100 this weekend, the main goal is to stay in the shade. Hanging out on the patio at the local Coffee Bean is like a game of musical chairs, shifting your seat and table around as the sun moves along. "Staying in the shade is my purpose in life," I said to a fellow coffee-drinker. "Today I vow to stay out of this

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-26613336133527383092009-05-10T18:29:00.001-05:002009-05-10T18:43:27.970-05:00

RSS feed from http://www.myroadart.comDay 34 in Las VegasThe Red Rock Resort and Casino were packed with Mothers today, all standing in line to get their freebies: a rose, cookies, champagne, and other odds and ends. People, most husbands, were carrying around foot-massagers and kitchen items, including something that looked like a food-smasher of some kind. The line at the give-away counter was

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-36164601850907666062009-05-01T12:32:00.000-05:002009-05-01T12:46:12.313-05:00

RSS feed from http://www.MyRoadArt.comDay 25 in Las VegasStarbucks, Cheyenne at Hwy. 215It's a beautiful morning in Summerlin, light cool breeze and mild temperatures. I know this will change as Summer arrives. I grew up in North Texas, so I can handle the heat. I bet 110 degrees here is easier to take than those 110-degree days I spent as a kid in Wichita Falls. At least here the humidity won't

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-82060018492415298162009-04-29T12:14:00.000-05:002009-04-29T12:31:38.380-05:00

rss feed from http://www.MyRoadArt.comDay 23 in Las VegasStarbucks, Cheyenne at Hwy. 215The two women were talking about real estate, so my ears perked up. Real estate talk is among my favorite hobbies. As a real estate broker myself, I spend half my time reading and learning all I can about short sales, wholesaling, selling, marketing, investing, Realtors, brokerage, and finance. Most recently

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-77320320104078773832009-04-25T11:18:00.000-05:002009-04-25T12:35:22.907-05:00

rss feed from http://www.MyRoadArt.comDay 19 in Las VegasThe Coffee Bean's black couchThe walk through the lobby is no problem. I know where I'm going so the maze of carpet and tile don't confuse me. The furniture does, however. I'm early for my meeting so I sit down in a very weird looking chair in the lobby of the resort. The frame is made of wire mesh, the cushion not that soft. When will

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-39525455911972460182009-04-20T15:40:00.000-05:002009-04-20T20:11:48.136-05:00

RSS Feed from: http://www.MyRoadArt.comDay 14 in Las VegasThe Coffee BeanI've been putting this off for while, but now it's time to "get-ur done": order a certified birth certificate and replace my social security card.Now at first glance it doesn't seem all that important. I've lived most of my adult life without a wallet-sized social security card, and I've never seen an official copy of my

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-79971492291979950132009-04-18T15:15:00.000-05:002009-04-18T15:50:28.338-05:00

(rss feed from http://www.MyRoadArt.com)A look back over my shoulder at this past week:1. Watching people salivate over a drawing at the Red Rock Casino has me laughing...because I'm just like them. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights we all stand around and wait for our club card number to appear on a video screen. Ten people receive $1,000 each, plus there's a drawing for a new $75,000

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-88864132395187324722009-04-17T20:01:00.000-05:002009-04-17T20:25:07.840-05:00

To Freeze or Notby Mitchell R. AikenWarm days, cool nights here.The weather can't seem to choose.Freeze them, or sizzle..The ying and yang ofIt all makes me long for aSummer of pure heat..I'll get my wish soon.Hundred degree days will come,Melting my yingyang.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-58175117220891129422009-04-16T20:36:00.000-05:002009-04-16T21:22:30.069-05:00

Day 10 in Las VegasThe Coffee Bean, on my favorite black couchI walked through the Hooters Casino this afternoon. It's a rather casual, no-frills, kind of place when compared to the glitz of the MGM across the street. The word for Hooters that comes to mind is "unkempt", like a child's room that is messy and needs a good cleaning. I suppose that's an unfair judgement since Hooters doesn't claim

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-67128730176271959622009-04-15T19:08:00.000-05:002009-04-15T19:23:24.084-05:00

Spent three days this afternoon navigating the nightmare traffic east of downtown. Every street is under construction or being widened or is just too backed up with traffic. Seems like traffic east of town is far worst than west of town, so I intend to avoid the area north and east of UNLV.There's also construction near downtown and of course the area around CityCenter is horrible. For a city

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-34028638464609053882009-04-15T09:22:00.000-05:002009-04-15T09:31:10.006-05:00

Day 9 in Las VegasStarbucks near the Red Rock CasinoIt's cold in the desert this morning. So cold, in fact, by the time I made it to Starbucks it was snowing. Pretty white flakes, floating above the hood of my car, melting on the windshield, making me think I was still asleep and caught up in some weird dream.I'm the first to admit that seeing it snow in Las Vegas in April was a little shocking.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-5718406753833413042009-04-13T20:08:00.000-05:002009-04-13T20:09:42.358-05:00

"Traveler's Haiku #2"by Mitchell R. AikenOn the road again,watching each mile pass beneathme like a cold snake.Striking the town lightsafter dusk, snapping at scenes,slurping gas and oil,as the wind blows eastinto the desert sands anda Red Rock Canyon.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-44168133359497647062009-04-13T19:41:00.000-05:002009-04-13T19:53:27.665-05:00

Checking online I discovered that the so-called "art district" is located downtown near Charleston and Fourth St. It's sometimes referred to as "18b", a clever name that comes from the idea that the original "arts district" comprised 18 blocks of dowtown.But I drove there earlier this week and for the life of me could not see an "arts district". I saw two, maybe three, industrial buildings that

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-56626703985831560682009-04-13T19:24:00.000-05:002009-04-13T19:40:20.360-05:00

Day 7 in Las VegasStarbucks, near Red Rock CasinoAs a newcomer to Vegas, I've learned that three basic work permits are needed if you are looking for a job in a casino, driving a limo, or pursuing dozens of other jobs.1. The gaming card is issued by the Sheriff's office and is basically a criminal background check. If you have killed someone recently, you may want to try Laughlin for a job.2. The

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-71544195165277339122009-04-12T20:52:00.000-05:002009-04-12T21:14:03.143-05:00

Day 6 in Las VegasStarbucks, somewhere west of townCan someone tell me why Starbucks must keep it so cold? I know it'll be handy when it's 113 outside, but today was very nice. I walked around The Trails Park in Summerlin and enjoyed watching some fathers teach their kids the finer points of baseball. But now I'm freezing to death in a Starbucks walk-in meat locker and wishing I had stayed and

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-77384713535904944412009-04-11T12:17:00.000-05:002009-04-12T12:16:06.545-05:00

Day 5 in Las VegasThe Coffee Bean, near Red Rock CasinoI have discovered I like it here, so far. The area around Town Center and Summerlin Parkway is especially nice. Close your eyes and you could be in northern Tucson, Scottsdale, or any number of nice suburbs around the southwest. Out here, you can easily forget that The Strip is located a few miles east. Look west toward Red Rock Canyon and

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-46199617500557131022009-04-07T21:30:00.000-05:002009-04-07T21:47:07.364-05:00

Day 1 in Las VegasStarbucks, near Red Rock CasinoMade a long drive to Las Vegas yesterday...525 miles. I don't think I've ever driven that far in one day without stopping before. I felt relieved it was over, but dog-tired. I left Carmel at 9:30 a.m. and arrived last night at sundown in Sin City, around 7:30 p.m. I made the drive with just two stops to stretch my legs and grab a Quarter

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-75725988775102513842009-04-05T12:53:00.000-05:002009-04-05T13:39:53.139-05:00

Day 279 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose Cafe, Carmel ValleyI'm packed and ready to go, and spending today saying good-bye and resting up for the road ahead that will lead me to Las Vegas. I'll be leaving in the morning, after exactly 280 days on the Monterey Peninsula. I'm sure I'll be back some day. The area is just too beautiful to ignore.The beach at Carmel is among the most amazing sites

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-19703080192292523072009-04-04T15:31:00.000-05:002009-04-04T15:48:48.242-05:00

I'm at the Starbucks in the Del Monte Center, Monterey, saying good-bye. I've spent a lot of time here over the last nine months. It's crowded as ever, being a Saturday. The weather is prime, just right, and people are enjoying sunning themselves as they walk their dogs and children along the outdoor retail shops. Seagulls land here and there, reminding me I'm near the ocean.I'll miss the

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-33974902643166529512009-04-01T14:48:00.000-05:002009-04-01T15:05:59.078-05:00

I'm about ready to leave the Monterey Peninsula. After 275 days enjoying paradise, it's time to get back to the real world. I'll be heading east toward Las Vegas, and should be there next week if all goes according to plan.I've enjoyed my time here. But California just has too many problems. The state is all but broke, and they figure to get back in the black by adding more taxes on top of the

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-79952266628976084822009-03-29T13:52:00.000-05:002009-03-29T14:26:54.253-05:00

The Wild Goose is crowded this morning. I can barely move my hands to work the keyboard on my laptop, kids running amuck like rats in a maze. One thing I love in life is a morning cup of coffee and a muffin, with some peace and quiet if I can find it. Not today. At times like this I'll stick the iPod in my ear, which helps.I've arisen from three days of hell fighting one of the worst colds in

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-71405291304955012702009-03-27T17:58:00.000-05:002009-03-27T18:41:13.716-05:00

Last week I drove to San Jose to check out the Bay 101 Casino. The final table of the World Poker Tour was to begin Friday afternoon, so I made sure to drop in to check it out. After leaving the Bay 1o1 I drove across town to the Garden City Casino and watched a final table there from a daily tournament.The Bay 101 is a nice enough place, and certainly one of the larger card rooms you will see in

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-2345625103348548402009-03-27T17:40:00.000-05:002009-03-27T17:55:38.617-05:00

I've been fighting a cold and flu-like symptoms for the last couple of days. I hate being sick. The weather has been great and I can't see missing it by staying in bed all day. I've not been sick, really sick, in years. This is probably the worst cold I've had since I left Texas back in the summer of 2007. I bought some NyQuil, however, so tonight at least I'll get some rest.A person really

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-4073435744534861142009-03-16T13:32:00.000-05:002009-03-16T13:49:29.975-05:00

One thing I've sorely missed the last few months is a good card game. I've asked around and no one has invited me to a local game, so I guess I'm not speaking to the right people. California and various local laws concerning card rooms and poker are difficult to figure out, but I'm learning.The closest public card rooms are in Marina, just up the coast from Monterey. Mortimer's Card Room and the

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-91287410536205205472009-03-12T16:13:00.000-05:002009-03-12T16:15:34.413-05:00

I'm sitting at the Starbucks in the Del Monte Center watching a steady stream of latte drinkers basking in the glow of all the goodies in the display counter. This particular Starbucks is among the busiest I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot of Starbucks locations around the Southwest (see the sidebar at left). Whenever I have visited this location it's always been busy.It's easy to get a glimpse

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-18193333510508092442009-03-05T16:18:00.000-06:002009-03-05T16:50:54.264-06:00

While I know California needs the rain, I was nonetheless a happy clam to see the sun break through the clouds this morning as I drove to Monterey. January was entirely dry, so it's a good February has been a very wet month. But enough is enough already.After visiting the Monterey Public Library, I had lunch at the Del Monte Center. I noticed three military soldier-types, still in fatigues,

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-42056526644572103202009-03-03T15:31:00.000-06:002009-03-03T15:51:17.439-06:00

I drove to Carmel Sunday afternoon and attended the “Author to Author” lecture series hosted by the Carmel Public Library Foundation. The CPLF schedules these events throughout the year. This presentation involved three published authors and the topic was “Fiction: Writing the Novel and Getting It Published.”The three authors presenting the program were Alex A .Vardamis, Cornelia Read, and Robert

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-74311880415571996492009-03-01T14:03:00.001-06:002009-03-01T14:05:31.121-06:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-22340547495175563832009-03-01T12:50:00.000-06:002009-03-01T13:54:48.054-06:00

Carmel Valley, CASpring is coming. I love this time of year. I feel like a black bear that's emerging from a few months of hibernation. I'm ready for some warm weather, sunny days, and lots of outdoor action.I suppose Springtime is God's way of saying, "Okay, enough's enough. Time to bring you back to life." Although Winter is leaving, I'm not sure it's actually ever arrived here. One of the

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-39048385065407247002009-02-27T18:21:00.000-06:002009-02-27T18:40:55.539-06:00

Wild Goose CafeCarmel Valley, CAOkay, let me see if I can get this straight. Roy Blount, Jr., current president of the Author's Guild, is lambasting Amazon's Kindle 2 release because it converts the text of a book into computer-speak.Says, Mr. Blount:"The Kindle 2 is a portable, wireless, paperback-size device onto which people can download a virtual library of digitalized titles. Amazon sells

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-59456451304101889122008-12-26T16:04:00.000-06:002008-12-26T16:14:45.236-06:00

Day 179 on the Monterey PeninsulaCarmel Roasting Co., CarmelThis is ridiculous, I know. I haven't posted here since back in September for goodness sake. I haven't been quiet, just not posting here. I've been spending my time developing my online art studio at www.SolaSendero.com and write an art blog there. That's the reason for my silence here.But for the New Year, I'll be posting here and at

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-63642535197408770432008-09-30T15:38:00.000-05:002008-09-30T15:47:06.266-05:00

Day 92 on the Monterey PeninsulaOutside the Stirrup Co. Pizza restaurant, Carmel ValleyWe've been experiencing an Indian Summer of sorts...been warm, almost hot. But the Fall is coming, along with cooler temperatures. It is lovely this time of year, I'll admit it. I enjoy sitting outside and doing nothing. Especially doing nothing.Now that I've been off the road for over three months, I'm getting

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-50101855572548151992008-09-26T15:15:00.000-05:002008-09-26T15:20:22.249-05:00

This week a wine-bottling truck has been parked nearby. Local vineyards bring their wine, and these guys bottle it up for them. The wine goes in one end, and it comes out the other fully corked and ready to go.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-54185300538376765092008-09-05T15:26:00.000-05:002008-09-05T15:33:36.310-05:00

Day 67 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose Cafe, Carmel ValleyIt's hot today in the Valley! The entire summer was very mild and then out of nowhere, the past few days around here have been almost setting new records for high temps. I'm not complaining. Things could be worse. I could be back in Texas.I turn 50 today. Happy Birthday to me. Thanks. Now to survive the next 50 years.I've been trying

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-24937875100151107632008-09-03T00:12:00.001-05:002008-09-04T15:32:48.827-05:00

Day 66 on the Monterey PeninsulaCarmel Coffee Roasting Co.On Saturday of Labor Day weekend I spent the day on the Peninsula. I started out at the Del Monte Shopping Center for lunch and to listen to some jazz music. Each weekend for a few weeks, a jazz concert will be held there. It was a little cool, but the sun finally broke out and it turned into a beautiful day.After lunch I drove to

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-26420417880850143262008-08-24T15:07:00.000-05:002008-08-24T15:20:22.368-05:00

Day 55 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose Coffee HouseNot much happening today. The weather is warm and locals are out walking their dogs and enjoying the nice warm weather. I began a part time job last week. I'm working a couple of nights a week and the location is near my home.Yesterday I drove to Carmel to attend the Carmel Art Association BBQ and Auction. Read about and see some photos on my

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-1090039362706553752008-08-20T12:34:00.000-05:002008-08-20T12:48:27.660-05:00

Day 51 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose CafeI've been really busy getting settled into my art studio and working on my art web site at www.SolaSendero.com. Therefore, I've not had much time to do much in town. Many places I have yet to see. But as time goes on I'm beginning to get familiar with the area.I'm looking for work in a local art gallery, and that's been a lot of hard work. Looking

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-86396839662151855352008-08-04T14:42:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:40.808-06:00

Day 35 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose Cafe, Carmel ValleyI've settled in the Monterey Peninsula area quite nicely, actually living in the Carmel Valley area. I've been here just over a month and don't plan to get back on the road anytime soon. Having been on the road for almost a year, I need a nice, long, break.I've opened an art studio above a small grocery market and have named it "Sola

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-76122756617057165872008-07-05T18:22:00.000-05:002008-07-05T18:39:08.172-05:00

Day 5 on the Monterey PeninsulaWild Goose Cafe, Carmel ValleyThe picture at right was taken yesterday while I was strolling down the boardwalk at the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. It was quite a spectacle as thousands gathered to enjoy the 4th of July.Fireworks were scheduled for later on, but I decided to leave early. The crowds were enormous and I was afraid that it would take me days to get

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-80453111959766326442008-07-02T16:51:00.000-05:002008-07-02T16:56:49.300-05:00

Day 323 on the road...not so fast.Day 2 no longer on the road.Wild Goose Cafe, Carmel Valley Village, California.Well I've done it. For now, I'm off the road. After almost a year of traveling the Southwest, I've landed in the beautiful Carmel Valley, 10 miles inland in a southerly direction from Carmel and Monterey.I'll be posting more in coming days on the reasons for leaving the road and what

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-16569458603636249232008-06-24T03:35:00.001-05:002008-06-24T03:38:30.070-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-87899235587434083982008-06-24T03:30:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:34:01.300-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-8374373998718647212008-06-24T03:25:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:29:26.774-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-75947495171248193812008-06-24T03:19:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:23:33.050-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-1595698366883423402008-06-24T03:15:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:19:20.895-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-16653418032711619392008-06-24T03:10:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:14:26.308-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-23475773796668361632008-06-24T03:05:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:24:17.388-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-59167462161951395992008-06-24T02:58:00.000-05:002008-06-24T03:04:46.303-05:00

If you are ever in Carmel, you must have lunch on the patio at the Hog's Breath Inn and Pub. Once owned by Clint Eastwood, the small eaterie offers a nice and affordable menu, including a tasty "Dirty Harry Cheeseburger."

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-6617039074168389542008-06-24T02:52:00.000-05:002008-06-24T02:57:57.465-05:00

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-30013416739593446982008-06-21T16:55:00.000-05:002008-06-21T17:21:28.861-05:00

Day 312 on the road.Starbucks, Del Monte Center, Monterey My last update was from Solvang. I left there over a week ago to take the scenic California Hwy. 1 along the coast to Carmel and Monterey. I'm glad I did. I found Paradise. Scenic Hwy. 1 is famous for a reason: the unbelievable beauty of the coastline and mountains. After leaving San Luis Obispo, I passed the small beachside communities of

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-11974836194573635382008-06-12T16:21:00.000-05:002008-06-12T16:40:56.561-05:00

Day 303 on the road.Bulldog Cafe, downtown SolvangI spent most of yesterday at the Bulldog Cafe in Solvang writing and trying to get caught up on things. I have been driving around the area so much the last few days, I needed a day to just sit and rest for a while.Late in the afternoon, a side street was closed off and locals began to show up for the regular market that takes place here. Fresh

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-38239408517361688722008-06-12T15:33:00.000-05:002008-06-12T16:00:39.014-05:00

After leaving Palmdale last Sunday, I drove the scenic route back toward Santa Barbara on Hwy. 150 going through small towns and the Los Padres National Forest and the wonderful mountains in that area.The Ojai Valley is paradise, one of those areas that truly could be described as "heaven on earth." The small town of Ojai was ending a musical festival that had been ongoing all weekend. I walked

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-70479797237208259442008-06-11T13:36:00.000-05:002008-06-12T15:31:27.214-05:00

Day 302 on the road.Bulldog Cafe, SolvangThe Santa Ynez Valley is a charming place. How could you not love this place? The small communities of Santa Ynez, Buellton, Los Olivos, Ballard, and Solvang each paint their own picture of charm and beauty.As I sat outside a small coffee shop in Santa Ynez yesterday (photo at left), an American flag was blowing in the cool breeze and a young local girl

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-22072748620223074872008-06-10T14:47:00.000-05:002008-06-10T15:59:10.816-05:00

Day 301 on the road.Bulldog Cafe, downtown, SolvangI'm sitting outside the Bulldog Cafe in Solvang enjoying the beautiful weather. The breeze is keeping me cool on this warm day.I left Palmdale on Sunday afternoon and drove to Buellton, just a couple of miles from Solvang, to spend the night. Yesterday, Monday, I returned to the Kronborg Inn in Solvang to stay a few days. I'm trying to figure out

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-24610096416840458912008-06-08T12:00:00.000-05:002008-06-08T14:23:31.501-05:00

Day 299 on the road.Starbucks, downtown Palmdale, CaliforniaHow did I end up in Palmdale, just north of Los Angeles? Well, it's the end result of taking a "day tour" of the Pacific Coast Highway (commonly called the PCH around here). When I awoke yesterday in Lompoc, I had not decided where I was driving my old SUV next. After looking at my trusty Rand McNally Road Atlas, I made the decision to

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-35764487194047013712008-06-07T10:38:00.000-05:002008-06-08T11:56:22.885-05:00

Day 298 on the road.Starbucks, H Street, Lompoc, CaliforniaI'm sitting in a crowded Starbucks in Lompoc, California trying to recover from a couple of days of traveling through central California. I made the drive to Bakersfield on Wednesday after surviving a sandstorm and 60-mile an hour winds in the Mojave Desert east of Barstow.The winds calmed a bit after I left Barstow. I drove past Edwards

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-72175141455372972772008-06-04T14:36:00.000-05:002008-06-04T14:57:06.267-05:00

Day 295 on the road.Starbucks, Main St. in Barstow, CaliforniaI left Vegas at 9 a.m. and began the drive west. I stopped by Primm and paid $4.26 for a gallon of gas! I'm discovering that gas in California is going to be very expensive. The station across the street here in Barstow is selling gas for $4.79 a gallon. Give me a break!The drive here to Barstow was interesting, if you like sand storms

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-46832039100079902792008-06-03T15:35:00.000-05:002008-06-03T16:09:56.907-05:00

Day 294 on the road.Starbucks, Boca Park Shopping Center, Charleston at Rampart, west Las VegasAfter running a few errands in Laughlin, I drove in to Vegas yesterday and checked into my room at the Palace Station Casino Resort. I will be here two nights before moving on west.I spent the afternoon at the Amazon Room at the Rio Casino Resort Hotel watching Event 2 of the World Series of Poker. (

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-47491052956356223492008-06-01T18:51:00.000-05:002008-06-01T19:16:37.240-05:00

Day 292 on the road.Starbucks, Aquarius Casino, LaughlinAfter 292 days on the road, it's become apparent that Las Vegas is not the end of my journey. I left Texas almost a year ago with no plans. All I had was a tank of gas and the desire to travel. The idea was to make my way to Las Vegas. I was in no hurry to get there, nor did I have any particular reason to target Sin City as my destination.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-8428424306530697082008-05-31T15:27:00.000-05:002008-05-31T15:55:26.125-05:00

Day 291 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co., LaughlinIt's hot outside and so today's main goal is stay inside. The Firehouse Coffee Company is quiet today with just a few folks eating a light lunch. I'm enjoying the time trying to catch up on some planning, writing, reading, and resting.I've put in more than 160 hours of poker this month in eight different poker rooms, including three trips to Las

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-31332518667558831742008-05-30T11:31:00.001-05:002008-12-09T16:42:41.324-06:00

Day 290 on the road.Starbucks, Aquarius Casino, LaughlinMy Memorial Day weekend was like a scene from the movie, "Marathon Man." I'm just now getting over it."Marathon Man", one of my favorite movies, starred Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier and was released in 1976. Directed by John Schlesinger from the screenplay by William Goldman (who also wrote the novel), the story features Olivier as a

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-67575690698486469652008-05-21T12:21:00.000-05:002008-05-21T12:55:21.028-05:00

Day 281 on the road.Starbucks, inside the Aquarius Casino Hotel, LaughlinUnfortunately, the River Palms doesn't have a decent coffee shop with internet access so I'm forced to go somewhere else for a morning brew. On most mornings I'll travel into Bullhead City and hang out at the Firehouse Coffee Company. This morning I wanted to avoid the drive. So I came here to the Aquarius Casino Hotel, just

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-53570815190200947482008-05-20T11:15:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:42.204-06:00

Day 280 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Company, Laughlin.I'm back in Laughlin for the week, after spending the weekend in Boulder City, Henderson, and Las Vegas. Mid-May weather in the area has become very hot. Today's temperature in Laughlin is expected to be 112 degrees. But a cold front is moving in mid-week and will drop the heat back to a more humane 82 degrees..This past Saturday morning I

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-79629825492153160232008-05-15T14:40:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:42.427-06:00

Day 275 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co., LaughlinI'm sitting on a comfortable couch at the Firehouse Coffee Company in Laughlin enjoying a cup of coffee. After 17 days straight of playing poker for at least 6 hours a day, I've decided to take a day off from the poker room and relax. My brain needs a break from figuring pot odds and keeping track of player tells. The truth is, I'm exhausted.I

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-44773404693890839622008-05-13T12:09:00.001-05:002008-12-09T16:42:44.133-06:00

Day 273 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Company, LaughlinI'm back in Laughlin for another week. Last weekend's trip to Vegas was a successful. I played poker at the Bellagio, Mirage, and Red Rock casinos. I also utilized the monorail system on the Vegas strip to get around.On Saturday I left Laughlin for the 90-minute drive to Vegas. I arrived at the Sahara Hotel and Casino on the northside of the

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-60656101543264184372008-05-07T11:59:00.000-05:002008-05-07T12:41:07.514-05:00

Day 267 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Company, LaughlinThe drive to Laughlin from Boulder City last Sunday afternoon was uneventful. It's a quiet trip going south on Hwy. 95, with little to see but mountains and flatlands which follow a straight course as you make your way to the cutoff going east to Laughlin.The drive to Laughlin is beautiful once you veer east from the cutoff at the intersection

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-53057301342861461412008-05-05T11:09:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:48.385-06:00

Day 265 on the road.Starbucks, Boulder City, NevadaI'll be driving back to Laughlin this morning after spending the weekend here in Boulder City. After checking in at the Western Inn (thanks, Vincent, for the nice room), I saw that a festival of some kind was underway in the park near downtown Boulder City.The Annual Jamboree in Boulder City was underway on Saturday, so I spent time walking

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-18869824939433962582008-05-04T14:29:00.001-05:002008-12-09T16:42:50.726-06:00

Lake Mead and Hoover DamApril, 2008A video clip of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam.Lake Mead, looking north, in Boulder City driving toward the Hoover Dam.Lake Mead and the RV and camping area, far in the distance. A road leads to a guard shack, where you pay for an overnight camping spot. The walkway at the entrance to Hoover Dam. A restaurant is atop the dam, along with a gift shop and visitor's

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-46451818899333284802008-05-04T14:26:00.000-05:002008-05-04T14:28:50.147-05:00

The 26th Annual River Run in Laughlin was last weekend. Here's a video clip I made of the shopping area and vendor booths.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-23994282996304046922008-05-03T14:38:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:52.869-06:00

Day 263 on the road.Starbucks, Boulder City, NevadaIt's been a wild and wacky week since my return to Laughlin from Vegas last weekend. I find myself today, Saturday, in Boulder City, 20 miles east of Vegas.I spent last weekend at The Orleans and on the Strip, with the goal of getting to know the place. It was my second trip to Sin City, the last time being over 10 years ago. This time around I

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-24789175203601909832008-04-25T14:21:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:53.136-06:00

Day 255 on the road.Starbucks, near UNLV, Las VegasWhen Hunter S. Thompson first visited Sin City, he was drunk and remained drunk for most of his trip. I arrived entirely sober yesterday to begin a three day visit before returning to Laughlin on Sunday.I'm aware of how Thompson felt about this place. My "fear" is having car trouble in the middle of the Strip where traffic is non-stop not-moving.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-21626116385004057342008-04-23T12:30:00.001-05:002008-12-09T16:42:53.699-06:00

Day 253 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co., LaughlinThe 26th Annual River Run begins officially today in Laughlin, with bikers from around the world riding into town for a weekend of shows, contests, and general mayhem. I'm glad I'm leaving for the weekend.I walked the strip yesterday afternoon to see vendors getting ready to open their booths for selling everything from T-shirts to motorcycles.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-44365042709504768532008-04-22T12:14:00.001-05:002008-04-22T12:53:47.540-05:00

I guess it's a milestone. I just posted my 100th blog ("Biker Mania"). I hope it won't take 252 days to post a 100 more.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-4931046408264208422008-04-22T11:54:00.000-05:002008-04-22T12:54:56.355-05:00

Day 252 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co., LaughlinLaughlin is going crazy this week due to 60,000 Harley bike riders coming to town for the Laughlin River Run. The parking lots are full of white tents set up by vendors selling biker junk: t-shirts, hats, glasses, leather gear and clothing, even bikes. The casinos are having various contests and shows, including the "Best Fat Belly" contest, which

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-69112726436598738572008-04-18T18:56:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:54.702-06:00

Each morning I take a walk along the Colorado River on the "River Walk" that winds its way along the river's edge behind the casinos along the strip. Each casino has an entrance to the River Walk, and some restaurants have patio seating available on the water. A "water taxi" also will transport you up and down the river, each casino having a dock to receive you. I walk from my room at the River

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-20068727882373330262008-04-18T18:29:00.001-05:002008-12-09T16:42:54.945-06:00

Day 248 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co.I'm drinking some coffee, surfing the net, catching up on some writing, and just trying to catch my breath after 17 straight days of poker. I'm sitting at the roomy tables in backroom area of the Firehouse Coffee Company, my favorite hang out since arriving in Laughlin.The Firehouse is actually across the Colorado River from Laughlin in Bullhead City. The

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-81215139820138208272008-04-16T21:02:00.000-05:002008-04-16T21:13:33.427-05:00

Day 246 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Co., Laughlin, NevadaNothing much happening this week...just the same old routine. I sleep late, then play poker for six or seven hours, afterward catching a nice meal before watching "Mission Impossible" reruns on TV. Some nights I might venture down the strip to another casino or watch a movie at the cinema located in the outlet mall.Tonight I'll be visiting

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-52593348404862320422008-04-08T12:09:00.000-05:002008-04-08T12:37:35.059-05:00

Day 238 on the road.Starbucks at the Aquarius Casino, LaughlinYesterday I played cards at the River Plams and earned two more free nights, so now I'm paid up through Monday, April 14. I may decide to extend my stay even longer. I'm not sure yet. As long as I'm having fun, making a little money, and have free room and board, it's tempting to just hang around for a while.Last night after "work" (if

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-34283310282326026242008-04-06T10:48:00.000-05:002008-04-06T11:04:04.284-05:00

Day 236 on the road.Starbucks, Aquarius Casino, Laughlin, NevadaI'm at the Starbucks inside the Aquarius Casino looking at the long line of gamblers waiting to buy a latte and a muffin. Just outside the entrance are rows of slots and the pit containing tables of blackjack and other various table games. Unfortunately, the Aquarius has no poker room. For whatever reason, this casino doesn't care

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-3487046504867383102008-04-05T11:17:00.000-05:002008-04-05T11:41:18.488-05:00

My stay at the Tropicana is over. I moved across the street to the River Palms yesterday and my room is in the west tower overlooking the Colorado River. The room is entirely comped by the poker room at the Palms, so I can't complain.I had a problem with the the TV when I first moved in. Someone ripped out the cable connector from the back of the TV, and therefore when I turned it on I got snow

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-22690285413381500272008-04-03T13:01:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:55.704-06:00

Day 233 on the road.Firehouse Coffee Company, Bullhead City, ArizonaI left Prescott Monday morning and drove north and caught I-40. Then a few miles west I took the scenic and historic Route 66 to Seligman, the beginning place of Route 66. A strange little town…I need to read up on the history of Route 66 and see just how Seligman fits in to the story.I shot this video in Seligman. It's posted on

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-90104176424318278162008-03-31T10:16:00.000-05:002008-12-09T16:42:56.007-06:00

Day 230 on the road.Wildflower Bread Company, Gatewall Mall in PrescottI'm enjoying my cup of coffee and bagel this morning at the Wildflower Bread Company at the Shops located in the Gatewall Mall shopping development just east of downtown Prescott. They have free internet access, so I've got my laptop and thought I'd do a little work before leaving town.I've enjoyed my visit to Prescott. I

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6836734298937188594.post-68769573523548720042008-03-30T14:47:00.000-05:002008-03-30T14:53:44.913-05:00

I've made reservations through TravelWorm to stay four nights in Laughlin at the Tropicana Express. Reading reviews of this place on TripAdvisor makes me a little nervous, but the price is right. I get four nights for $89, using a "two nights booked, two nights free" promotion available since I'm coming in on a Monday.

Mitchell Aikennoreply@blogger.com0