Mojo Monday: Narvik, John Day, Chung King Mansion and the Silver Gate

Hidily-Ho, neighborinos.  Today I was musing on travel.  Exploring has got to be one of the strongest drives we have as human beings.  From the tiniest baby to the most feeble and ancient one we all are constantly exploring.  Even if it is just looking at a dust speck and pondering it, we explore until we die.  Let's Mojo ourselves silly, hold my hand and let's explore together.

When you travel, there are three benefits.  You become Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder.

By GOING someplace, you will learn things otherwise gained only through tedious study.  Once you have driven over the Sierra Nevada, you will probably never forget that they separate California and Nevada.  "Smart" to me is about memory, connections, and conclusions.  Get lots of data you use regularly and you will be "smart" in my book.

When you leave the comforts of hearth and home, you will be forced to do things outside your comfort zone.  It may be as simple as using toilet paper that curls over (or under), or it may be that you eat blood pudding or sleep in a yurt.  It is certain that when you travel things will be different and you must develop patience, fortitude, resourcefulness and stamina.

If you never stir, it is easy to assume that the world looks like you, thinks like you and wishes they could BE you.  Once you travel, whether it is to the County Seat or the Seat of Kings, you will learn that the variety of people is limitless.  I believe that virtually anyone who travels will become more sympathetic and more understanding of that which is unfamiliar.  I have seen even hard-core, hide-bound "LET THE WEAK DIE" folks return from a trip with fond memories and compassion for others.  True, it is usually for "that nice maid" or "that adorable little ragamuffin" or some such.  But even caring for ONE of "them" is a start and shows the power of travel.  As PJ O'Rourke said, "If people were dogs we'd all be the same breed.  The cannibal from the jungles has more in common with the Queen of England than a Doberman has with a Pekinese."  (All errors in that quote are mine.)

So for all those armchair travelers, tell us a strange travel story.  We are all welcome here, let's consider it under the chalice of peace and leave our differences at the door.  I prefer no pictures or You Tube links (try a url address instead), my 11 year old computer is touchy sometimes and I may not be able to Mojo properly.  Mojo freely, and accept the Mojo given with grace and gratitude.

Multiple choice test:  Which of these match up with my title?

Hong Kong
Montana
Norway
Oregon

•  Rodin's Garden is a highlight

  If you are ever in Paris, don't miss it.  I passed up the Louvre (to visit Les Egouts (the sewers) and do not regret it even one tiny bit) but I am glad I did not miss the garden.

  by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 06:53:45 PM PDT

  •  We are stardust

    We are golden
    And we've got to get ourselves
    Back to the garden

    by cmnh on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 06:58:23 PM PDT

    •  We are stardust with sparkles!

      by StormBear on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:10:27 PM PDT

  •  Psst

    We have apparel. It's True. Mojo Friday has apparel.
    I'll be posting a diary about it tomorrow, but I thought I'd tell you guys tonight.
     
    Check it out.
    Mojo Friday Apparel
     
    BTW, the proceeds go towards Ninepatch and her work making sandscarves and cool ties for the troops.
     
    And Markos said it was okay.

    by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:12:38 PM PDT

    •  Thank god...

      no more blogging naked in the basement!

      by Floja Roja on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:14:20 PM PDT

      •  Heh

        by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:14:57 PM PDT

      •  Did you check them out?

        by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:15:22 PM PDT

        •  Yes.

          I will be buying one.

          by Floja Roja on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:27:14 PM PDT

          •  We've sold eight

            so far. And that was with out even spreading the word.

            by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:40:22 PM PDT

            •  I bought two t-shirts this morning..

              They're cool.

              by jnhobbs on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:50:04 PM PDT

              •  I saw.

                On behalf of Ninepatch and the boys I thank you.

                Not to mention I'm way overwhelmed by the idea that someone would create a design of Mojo Friday.

                by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:53:54 PM PDT

                •  I bought one on

                  Saturday, and it's already on its way!

                  by lulu57 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:19:40 PM PDT

                  •  very cool

                    Now I know who you are. There was a name I didn't recognize. My oldest sister shares your name.

                    by TexDem on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:39:49 AM PDT

                    •  Hee

                      Sneaky way to find out who everyone is, eh? :)

                      Yeah...lulu is my pootie :)

                      by lulu57 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:53:07 AM PDT

            •  I just ordered one.

              And I'll check out how I like the fit before I go back for more.

              by Floja Roja on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:12:57 AM PDT

              •  I know there are some who are attending NN

                who plan to co-ordinate colors.

                by TexDem on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:41:18 AM PDT

•  Chung King Mansions, man. . .

  memories.

  by LarryInNYC on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 06:57:17 PM PDT

•  Need Mojo: My Stocks are Going to Plunge

  With Asian stocks are now down by 10% since Monday, a stock market crash is now set to occur tomorrow. I need more mojo for the losses I'm going to suffer tomorrw.

  Please.

  by BlueTide on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 06:57:34 PM PDT

•  East Berlin 1975

  We got off the train in East Berlin, it was a winter evening and I was with a group of Danish students.  We had a layover - on our way to Vienna - and decided to go for a walk.  The town was dark, except for a colorfully lit carnival going on.  As we walked down the street and older man ran up to me - no one else - yelling "American, American!" then said thank you and hugged me.  At 16, with the shadow of Vietnam and Nixon hanging over our country, I truly understood pride in being American. I want that feeling back damnit.

  by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 06:59:39 PM PDT

•  I need a few inches of mojo...

  to match those few inches of more damn snow we're getting up here.

  by blueyedace2 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:00:42 PM PDT

  •  We've got 6-7 inches

    here on the west coast of WI. And it's still coming down lightly. I have to admit, even though I hated driving home, it sure is pretty.

    by 1864 House on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:45:06 PM PDT

•  Tonight's debate summed up in a pic

  

  Otherwise, it's a good debate.

  Happy Mojo Monday everyone!

  by Spathiphyllum on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:00:47 PM PDT

  •  I think they all did pretty good...

    and I look forward to actually voting for who ever ends up our nominee.

    by blueyedace2 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:05:41 PM PDT

  •  Spath

    Check my comment above.

    by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:14:12 PM PDT

  •  Pooties need shirts? Or bags?

    Soldiers need sand scarves.
    I need mojo.

    by deMemedeMedia on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:49:37 PM PDT

    •  Decisions decisions.

      Don't forget the mugs.

      by TexDem on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:56:01 PM PDT

      •  Mugs for MOJO...........h/t

        by deMemedeMedia on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:00:46 PM PDT

•  back in my 20's I drove Hyw 10

  from Jacksonville, Fl to Ca, fell in love with traveling again then. In the last few years I've had a chance to do a lot of Europe and hope (if things don't fall completely apart anyway) to do other continents.

  by tony the American Mutt on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:01:33 PM PDT

  •  and if you can everyone go to paris

    at least once to see the Mona Lisa in person and the Eiffel Tower, before it is priced way out of sight.

    by tony the American Mutt on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:03:04 PM PDT

    •  It is a great city

      so much to see, but all of Europe is tres bien!

      by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:05:01 PM PDT

    •  I heard a story about Paris...

      It's about a girl who had just come to Paris from her home in Oslo. At the house of some friends, she met a man about whom she'd heard her whole life. A very great and courageous man. He opened up for her a whole beautiful world full of knowledge and thoughts and ideals. Everything she knew or ever became was because of him. And she looked up to him and worshiped him... with a feeling she supposed was love.

      by cmnh on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:06:56 PM PDT

      •  Thanks, "Elsa"

        I wish I could give more Mojo for that one.

        I know a story too.  Something about getting kicked in the teeth or something.  I guess mine isn't very interesting after all.

        by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:12:02 PM PDT

        •  Yes, it's very pretty.

          I heard a story once - as a matter of fact, I've heard a lot of stories in my time. They went along with the sound of a tinny piano playing in the parlor downstairs. "Mister, I met a man once when I was a kid," it always began.

          by cmnh on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:13:36 PM PDT

  •  Try driving the 101....

    It starts in Powell River, British Columbia (where I have recently resettled) and passes through some of the loveliest country on the planet on it's way south.

    You can take it all the way to Teirra Del Fuego! ... or at least to California. :)

    by jeremybloom on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:04:30 PM PDT

    •  I live along part of it in Ca, and have driven

      it from San Francisco to Cresent City and yeah gotta agree with what you said. I may do the trip north if Europe is out next vacation

      by tony the American Mutt on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:06:18 PM PDT

•  Oregon.

  I don't care what the question is, the answer should always be Oregon!

  That may just be personal prejudice on my part, being that I live here and all...

  Montana is a close second, though.  And Utah should receive an honorable mention, as well...

  ;-P

  And fwiw - toilet paper should always be set up to dispense over the top.  Over the top!!!  Always!  I will entertain no discussion on this matter to the contrary...

  .................

  I hope youze are all well tonight...

  by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:05:23 PM PDT

  •  TESTIFY!

    Over is the only way to go.  And don't get me started on single ply.  And those people buying tuna packed in oil?  I won't speculate any further here.

    by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:13:00 PM PDT

    •  I once lived with...

      one of those 'under the roll' people.

      It was not easy, and I 'fixed' their mistake more than once...

      Heh...

      by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:15:38 PM PDT

      •  Fix it at parties

        At college parties, after drinkng I admit, more than once I "fixed" the rolls.  Sometimes one way, sometimes the other.  Just opposite of how they had it.  Don't know why that tickled me so much.

        by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:28:24 PM PDT

      •  If you have a cat

        sometimes you have to do under, because it's too easy for the cat to paw the entire roll into a big heap on the floor when you go over.

        by 1864 House on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:47:55 PM PDT

      •  Never complain about someone who actually

        is willing to put a roll of toilet paper on an empty holder.
        Just sayin'.
        hugs.

        by deMemedeMedia on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:56:30 PM PDT

    •  I prefer

      off the spool all together. It's never where you expect it to be when you are in someone else's facilities. Just set it where I can find it.

      by AikoAdam on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:30:31 PM PDT

  •  Go Ducks.

    by nautilus1700 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:23:57 PM PDT

    •  Next year! :)

      Hopefully, the Sun Bowl was a sign of good things to come...

      I'm not technically a Ducks "fan", per se - but I do root for them now as the home team.  I just hope they don't bump into my Rutgers Scarlet Knights in next year's BCS Championship!

      :)

      by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:35:11 PM PDT

  •  Though it does

    make it easier for the cat to unroll the entire roll that way.

    Just sayin'....;)

    by Floja Roja on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:26:31 PM PDT

    •  Well, sometimes we just have to...

      make that sacrifice.

      I mean, what else are we gonna do?  Set the roll up to dispense from under?!

      I mean, come on now...we've gotta separate ourselves from the animal kingdom somehow!!!

      ;-P

      by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:38:13 PM PDT

    •  your cat uses the whole roll?

      Mine cleans herself. huh. Weird.

      by AikoAdam on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:42:35 PM PDT

      •  Someone posted a video

        of a cat blithely unrolling the toilet paper, which was hung over. However, having just gone on YouTube to look for it, it really doesn't matter how you hang it, a determined cat will destroy it anyway. Mine have not yet discovered the stuff that is on the wall, but god forbid you should drop a roll on the floor and they get hold of it.

        Really, just go search YouTube. It's pretty hysterical.

        by Floja Roja on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:00:06 AM PDT

    •  Funny!

      I replied above before I saw your comment... apparently, we have had the same kind of cat. We have a new pootie, who hasn't found the TP yet, so we are still going over.

      by 1864 House on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:52:48 PM PDT

      •  I have begun to think

        that destroying TP is Universal Pootie Behavior. Developing an instinct to destroy something that doesn't exist in nature is, well, typically feline. Like sitting on the book you're reading, or undecorating the Christmas tree.

        by Floja Roja on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:03:12 AM PDT

•  He who travels alone...

  He who travels may leave today.  He who travels with another must wait until the other is ready.  (Henry David T)

  Two quick ones..

  NYC, 1977, on our way to the Jamboree in Moraine State Park.  Stopped in NYC for a few days.  Our hotel was 3 blocks from the Empire State Building.  Out of 75 boys/ leaders, maybe 10 of us took the walk over and went up.  The rest?  Playing cards in the hotel room.

  Driving to Nogales to catch a train for Spring Break.  I had to BEG the rest of the car to agree to stop at the Grand Canyon.  Watching the sun rise over the canyon was amazing.  Seeing Halley's comet at the same time was (words fail me right now).

  by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:05:58 PM PDT

  •  Did you take the train to Mazetlan?

    Spring break? Body sufing? Backgammon? Parasailing? Smoothies for breakfast? Wayyyyy toooo much alcohol? That was my springbreak in"79.

    by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:12:25 PM PDT

    •  yes

      yes, yes, yes, no, yes, and yes

      Then a rental car to Puerto Vallarta, San Blas and ???

      by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:15:41 PM PDT

      •  Must have been there a different time

        I don't remember a rental car - but my memories are a touch on the 'fuzzy' side

        by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:17:23 PM PDT

•  My second vote

  After "Any" I vote for small towns, foreign.

  Remind me to tell you sometime about Pontarlier and July 14th.  Might not mean anything to anybody else, but I will cherish the memory till my death bed.

  by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:07:44 PM PDT

•  HINTS!

  Cold
  Dusty
  Hot
  Wild

  by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:08:29 PM PDT

  •  Answers!

    Cold

    My apartment.

    Dusty

    The general atmosphere in my apartment after I watch "Field of Dreams".  (Those are not tears!)

    Hot

    Me.  Or Gina Gershon.  Or preferably, the two of us together.

    Wild

    Again, me.

    by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:13:51 PM PDT

•  But seriously...

  I don't actually travel much. I'm not quite agoraphobic but I am rather neurotic about many things that make travel difficult for me.

  by blueyedace2 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:14:33 PM PDT

•  Never flown

  so never overseas. Me and my now well retired tour car put on alot of miles up and down the east coast and midwest following my favorite bands, living in the backseat, camping under the stars in fields in unknown towns, making friends with people for a day, or a summer. Being young, having fun, being dumb, exploring the inner workings of my mind. So many stories, some crazy, some funny, some downright scary. Some would say a waste of time, I would say the best of times. Wouldn't trade that trip for the world.

  by AikoAdam on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:21:46 PM PDT

  •  and if you get the chance

    east coast go to Asheville,NC (all around amazing)and Ithaca,NY (gorges!)

    by AikoAdam on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:27:55 PM PDT

•  New Mexico.

  'nuff said.

  And Oregon, for the coastline and wine along with everything else.

  by nautilus1700 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:22:17 PM PDT

  •  inland is pretty nice here too! n.t

    by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:58:53 PM PDT

    •  and I used to live in Chinle

      close to NM, it is a beautiful place!

      by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:14:58 PM PDT

      •  and once, at band camp...

        just kiddin'!

        by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:22:54 PM PDT

•  Bah!

  I voted for 'desert' before I saw the 'any and all' choice!

  :/

  Well, I will choose "any and all" ex post facto!

  And none of you can stop me from doing so!

  :)

  Working on a big reply to the travel question, I'll post it waaayyyy down the bottom later tonight...but for right now, I should mention that I'm reading Ed Abbey's "Desert Solitaire"...and I've been thinking about this alot lately.  I'm planning a week-long trip to "The Middle of Nowhere" (which is, I believe, in Utah...) sometime in April or so...and I intend to bring back many, many pictures; and post as many of them as possible sometime afterwards in a 'photo-essay/diary' here one late weekend-night, as well...

  by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:23:38 PM PDT

  •  Don't forget polarizing filters in that part of

    the world ; also UV filters. You can also quickly fry a camera left in the car during the day. Just in case you haven't been there & done that before......

    by Abra Crabcakeya on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:29:03 PM PDT

  •  "Nothing but nothing"

    The West Desert has a special place in my heart.  Desert Solitaire is one of the most moving books I have ever read.

    Anybody who cares about wild areas, please give to SUWA (can someone post a link for me?)
    If you get NE of Wendover, try to find the sun tunnels.  Giant cement culverts that line up with the sun at solstice.  BFE, in the MIDDLE of Nothing.

    Go hunting trilobites at Antelope Springs if you can.  Vist Fish Springs on your way.  When in Callao, stop at the bend in the road (trust me, you'll know when you get there) and knock at the door.  If they aren't busy they can give you a tour of their Pony Express artifacts.

    Notch Peak near Delta... 3,500' SHEER vertical wall.

    Zion is nice, so is Bryce and Arches.  But the solitude in the west Desert is unique.  Pass by Dugway and look for the chemical weapons depots.  Watch out for the antelope and the black widows.  And always shake out your shoes before donning them.

    Have fun!

    by WI Deadhead on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:34:48 PM PDT

    •  Thanks!

      I'm gonna look up all of your suggestions, and write them all down in a bit, in case I somehow lose this...

      Half of my state is also a (high) desert, and I need to explore out there, too!  But of course, my city is one of the greatest in the world...and I always find some cool new thing here every day, as well...

      Heh...and there's also a check-out girl at the supermarket across the street that I intend to explore one day, too...

      :) !!!

      by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:47:35 PM PDT

      •  so about half the crowd here toningt

        is in Oregon, is that what I'm reading?  

        As an aside, I met Edward Abbey in the late-70's, had a lit class at NAU, all southwestern authors who all came to speak.  He was a very interesting man, talked to him for awhile. My favorite, and I believe I've read them all, was Brave Cowboy.  When you read that, very enlightening in context with his other writings.

        by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:02:42 PM PDT

        •  The best half...

          is right here in Beautiful Oregon!

          :)

          NAU, eh?  I lived in Phoenix for a year back in the early 90's, but most of my life was spent in New Jersey, with a little bit of it in Boston and Detroit...but the rest of it will be spent somewhere here in the Northwest.

          I'm currently working on all of Abbey's books one at a time, but I haven't yet gotten to "Brave Cowboy".  I'll keep your recommendation in mind.  Thanks.

          And maybe it's my 'voyeuristic' tendencies, but my favorite book of his was his collection of letters, "Postcards From Ed", which I picked up soon after it came out.  I remember reading almost like half of it on the train ride from Philly back up to Newark, NJ on the night that I picked it up.

          Now if only they'd finally release Hunter S. Thompson's final series of letters "The Mutineer", which was supposed to come out last October, and then January 1...and now it seems to have been scrapped altogether for the moment...

          :(

          WTF?!?

          by Hardhat Democrat on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:29:21 PM PDT

          •  You have to read Brave Cowboy

            and then when you read the others you'll go, "Ohh, that's what that's all about!"

            by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:42:30 PM PDT

          •  and I feel you pain with regards to HST

            love him!

            by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:45:58 PM PDT

        •  Well, for tonight-

          ass-fricken cold in Oregon! Purty, all clear and a moon you can read by...

          by WiseFerret on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:13:36 PM PDT

          •  It is wonderful

            that is the one thing when the east winds blow out of the gorge, the skys tend to clear out and the sky is incredible!  The winds woke me up at 4 am last night and it was so beautiful. But frickin cold!

            by dansk47 on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 09:29:51 PM PDT

      •  Christmas Valley, Harney Lake

        Lakeview, Ft. Rock...some of my fave haunts when tromping the high desert with my dad as a kid growing up in the willamette valley. It was all so different on the east side of the mountains!!

        by fireflynw on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 08:51:03 PM PDT

•  Water

  is my primary travel criterion, preferably of the saltwater type.  But I voted for "small towns, foreign", since that's where I usually end up when I have the choice.

  With the temperature here below zero tonight, I'm dreaming of a beautiful little coastal town just south of the Equator.

  by maryru on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:34:55 PM PDT

•  went to nat'l aquarium today

  here are some fucking skinks

  

  by condoleaser on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:39:26 PM PDT

  •  Hi, Monday Mojo gang!

    

    by Ekaterin on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:41:17 PM PDT

  •  Why , they certainly are. n/t

    by Abra Crabcakeya on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:42:45 PM PDT

  •  aquarium in Baltimore

    inner harbor...tree frog exhibit.

    by AikoAdam on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:48:14 PM PDT

•  Art Galleries,,,anywhere...........h/t

  by deMemedeMedia on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:57:29 PM PDT

•  Antique stores...where ever...........h/t

  by deMemedeMedia on Mon Jan 21, 2008 at 07:58:11 PM PDT

•  Sidewalk cafes and Beer Gardens....h/t