I feel my guitar lessons and my guitar playing is coming along. That's the magic of learning to play - you can tell that you are making progress. The process is not instant gratification but has enough pace where you can hear and feel the progress you are making. For example, I wanted to learn to play 'Let It Be' by the Beatles. I found a very good song book that would help me learn to play. It's Hal Leonard Fingerpicking Beatles - Revised and Expanded. The description and reviews on Amazon looked very good. Fingerpicking is the style that I focus on the most. This is getting off my point a bit...my point is that when I first got the book in my hands and looked at the music of 'Let It Be' - I was befuddled on how I was ever going to play that with confidence.
The book sat on my bookshelf for a little bit. Then my instructor, Ross gave me a sheet of music for Wildwood Flower in the fingerpicking style. I learned to play that and that gave me confidence to play fingpicking or fingerstyle guitar. I loved the way that song sounded and I worked at it and worked at it. I took me well over a month to learn to play that song with confidence.
Once I had Wildwood Flower going pretty good - I was feeling confident to try 'Let It Be' again. Playing the song was rough at first but now I had the general idea on how fingerstyle works and some of the tricks to play it. Yes, it's all about technique and efficiencies. And of course, practice, practice, practice. If doing things over and over again isn't your thing - then forget learning to play an instrument. You must have that dogmatic drive to do it over and over again and focus on the rough spots one measure at a time. It sounds arduous but if you love music and love playing then this is only a labor of love. The reward is to play that song fluidly, efficiently and beautifully.
I have 'Let It Be' going pretty good now. Not as well as my instructor can play it but good for an 11-month - 41 y.o. student can do it. This process has taught me many things about playing like when playing fingerstyle hold the chord shape - most of the notes in that measure match or are close to the notes of that chord shape. For example, Wildwood Flower (in the version I have) starts off with the chord shape of C. The first notes are E,F then G (played open) then strum the E (open) and C (first finger - first fret) You can see that E and F and C are the notes you hold in the basic C shape chord. Instead of bouncing your fingers all over the fret board trying to catch those notes - just hold the chord shape. After the C and E strum on the second beat on the second measure there is an A note. That is not part of the C shape chord - how do you get that? Easy, your second finger should be on the E note at second fret - third string and A is one string over on the second fret - just lift your middle finger and grab that A note without moving your other fingers. This is not only efficient but beautiful. Ross has been teaching me to hold my fingers down to let the notes ring for as long as I can until I need a finger for the next note - this is what is called polish.
If you are like me and learning to play - keep at it. Play even when you don't feel like it. Getting bored? Try something new or after a long session of playing scales or studies - breeze off with something fun. This is supposed to be fun - yes, there are times to do that nitty gritty grinding technique learning but then let it go and see how far you have come along and play an old favorite of yours. Incorporate what you learned into your playing.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
West Virginia - Lets finish this off
I've tried to write these last two days up and move on with my blog and talk about other things. But, I've made a mistake and accidentally deleted a whole days topic. So much and many other things to talk about.
I'll just make this quick.
Day 6 - Redemption! Finally I was able to get away from the pushers. This trip was called 'The Gable End of Hell' in the guidebook but it should have been called Solace or Redemption or something like that. The day began on Hwy 41 to 55 over to 20 and onto 15. The gateway to 15 is Webster Springs. A town that needs to be explored more fully. I followed a log truck for a ways and that helped keep the pushers at bay. Being on a small vehicle you tend to get picked on. I found this same phenomenon when I drive in small cars - drivers in larger vehicles like to try and push these people around on the road. Explains why I've had five rear-end collisions and most of them involved large vehicles like trucks and vans. The problem was either someone had their head up their ass and usually following way to close with way too big of a vehicle.
The best part of Day 6 was the town of Cass. This is something you really got to see. It's a whole town that was bought - lock, stock and barrel by the state of West Virginia in the 1960s. All of the houses, the railroad, company store - every bit of it. The vintage railroad is in working order and you can take trips to the top of the mountain on it. The sound of the whistle will bring you back to earlier times. I love the sound of Johnny Cash playing Orange Blossom special and I can see where he gets that sound he makes on his harmonicas. Definitely stop and see Cass if you are in the area.
I was able to revisit FR 150 - a highly delectable motorcycle road. Not as many curves but so nice views and very little traffic. Returned to the campsite and began thinking about leaving the next day. Start working my way back home.
Days 7 - Search for the Swiss. Now this route should have been labelled The Gable End of Hell. Day 7 was the most trying and arduous journey on the entire trek. The day started with a decision to break camp and leave the resort. I was getting tired of the place and the latest tenants made the decision final. I was thinking of doing most of this route and the make my final decision in Helvetia.
After leaving the resort, fueling - I began the hunt for CR19. I was able to find exactly this route on the GPS or the maps but between the guide book and some surmising - I finally found this backwoods roads that only the locals seem to know about. CR19 turned out to be a gravely semi-asphalt one lane road. Yet, even this desolate road in the West Virgina back country had more pushers and some nerve-wracking on coming cars. This area is very pretty but wasn't able to take much of the view in as I was watching for pushers, oncoming traffic and deer. Eventually, I made it to 16 in Clay - then followed 4. I missed a turn and some very nice locals offered my assistance in finding my way.
Hwy 4 was smooth, gentle and rolling as it followed the Elk River. The only detraction was the dilapidated shacks that obscured the view. I ended up getting turned around in Sutton and had to pick my way through some road construction. Eventually, I made my way to Hwy 15 - another nice motorcycle road. I found the next road CR22 but this road was closed - thank goodness. It looked like a road more for a dirt bike than a street bike. I motored on and enjoy the rest of Hwy 15.
This eventually led my to CR3.
CR3 is where the comedy of errors began and my bikes dual-sport features came into play. I remember reading the guide book that said avoid this road if you don't want to take the backwoods route. CR3 was not too bad as it started. Mostly asphalt but then gave way to gravel. The smooth throttle and the long suspension on the Versys made all of this possible. After several miles of this I came to an intersection - I wasn't sure which way to go. I took a left and found myself at this beautiful white country chapel. Out in the middle of nowhere - the grass was neatly trimmed and all of the windows had nice little curtains. It was kind of curious to see this out here - I was not sure if I was seeing a vision or not. Still I was not sure where I was supposed to be and the GPS just kept rerouting me and stupidly I kept following it. I followed it through some rough road and through deep water. Finally, I gave up and decided to turn around.
I was in a total freaked out mode at this point and just wanted to get out of this area. I turned around and went back to the original intersection. I almost went back down CR3 but I thought I'd give the left a try and see where it headed. This lead finally into Pickens and I began to see signs for Helvatia. Helvatia was so small that I went right passed it. I did a u-turn and when right into the restaurant. I need a drink (a good hard belt would have been good at that point) but when for an ice-tea and a nice salad. Their menu was mostly meat - the salad was the only vegetarian choice on the menu. It was still good and refreshing.
At this point - I was ready to head for home. Which was was it going to be? Either Winchester, Virginia (the birthplace of Patsy Cline) or make my way to Morgantown - which was more direct path home. I decided the weather wasn't looking good and I had been on the road for a week. Morgantown it was and I'll see Winchester another time.
That is the end of my story about my visit to West Virginia. The remainder part of my journey was just working my way back home - took some super slab and took some back roads. Next year - I'll point my two wheels in another direction for my one week reprieve and see something else.
I'll just make this quick.
Day 6 - Redemption! Finally I was able to get away from the pushers. This trip was called 'The Gable End of Hell' in the guidebook but it should have been called Solace or Redemption or something like that. The day began on Hwy 41 to 55 over to 20 and onto 15. The gateway to 15 is Webster Springs. A town that needs to be explored more fully. I followed a log truck for a ways and that helped keep the pushers at bay. Being on a small vehicle you tend to get picked on. I found this same phenomenon when I drive in small cars - drivers in larger vehicles like to try and push these people around on the road. Explains why I've had five rear-end collisions and most of them involved large vehicles like trucks and vans. The problem was either someone had their head up their ass and usually following way to close with way too big of a vehicle.
The best part of Day 6 was the town of Cass. This is something you really got to see. It's a whole town that was bought - lock, stock and barrel by the state of West Virginia in the 1960s. All of the houses, the railroad, company store - every bit of it. The vintage railroad is in working order and you can take trips to the top of the mountain on it. The sound of the whistle will bring you back to earlier times. I love the sound of Johnny Cash playing Orange Blossom special and I can see where he gets that sound he makes on his harmonicas. Definitely stop and see Cass if you are in the area.
I was able to revisit FR 150 - a highly delectable motorcycle road. Not as many curves but so nice views and very little traffic. Returned to the campsite and began thinking about leaving the next day. Start working my way back home.
Days 7 - Search for the Swiss. Now this route should have been labelled The Gable End of Hell. Day 7 was the most trying and arduous journey on the entire trek. The day started with a decision to break camp and leave the resort. I was getting tired of the place and the latest tenants made the decision final. I was thinking of doing most of this route and the make my final decision in Helvetia.
After leaving the resort, fueling - I began the hunt for CR19. I was able to find exactly this route on the GPS or the maps but between the guide book and some surmising - I finally found this backwoods roads that only the locals seem to know about. CR19 turned out to be a gravely semi-asphalt one lane road. Yet, even this desolate road in the West Virgina back country had more pushers and some nerve-wracking on coming cars. This area is very pretty but wasn't able to take much of the view in as I was watching for pushers, oncoming traffic and deer. Eventually, I made it to 16 in Clay - then followed 4. I missed a turn and some very nice locals offered my assistance in finding my way.
Hwy 4 was smooth, gentle and rolling as it followed the Elk River. The only detraction was the dilapidated shacks that obscured the view. I ended up getting turned around in Sutton and had to pick my way through some road construction. Eventually, I made my way to Hwy 15 - another nice motorcycle road. I found the next road CR22 but this road was closed - thank goodness. It looked like a road more for a dirt bike than a street bike. I motored on and enjoy the rest of Hwy 15.
This eventually led my to CR3.
CR3 is where the comedy of errors began and my bikes dual-sport features came into play. I remember reading the guide book that said avoid this road if you don't want to take the backwoods route. CR3 was not too bad as it started. Mostly asphalt but then gave way to gravel. The smooth throttle and the long suspension on the Versys made all of this possible. After several miles of this I came to an intersection - I wasn't sure which way to go. I took a left and found myself at this beautiful white country chapel. Out in the middle of nowhere - the grass was neatly trimmed and all of the windows had nice little curtains. It was kind of curious to see this out here - I was not sure if I was seeing a vision or not. Still I was not sure where I was supposed to be and the GPS just kept rerouting me and stupidly I kept following it. I followed it through some rough road and through deep water. Finally, I gave up and decided to turn around.
I was in a total freaked out mode at this point and just wanted to get out of this area. I turned around and went back to the original intersection. I almost went back down CR3 but I thought I'd give the left a try and see where it headed. This lead finally into Pickens and I began to see signs for Helvatia. Helvatia was so small that I went right passed it. I did a u-turn and when right into the restaurant. I need a drink (a good hard belt would have been good at that point) but when for an ice-tea and a nice salad. Their menu was mostly meat - the salad was the only vegetarian choice on the menu. It was still good and refreshing.
At this point - I was ready to head for home. Which was was it going to be? Either Winchester, Virginia (the birthplace of Patsy Cline) or make my way to Morgantown - which was more direct path home. I decided the weather wasn't looking good and I had been on the road for a week. Morgantown it was and I'll see Winchester another time.
That is the end of my story about my visit to West Virginia. The remainder part of my journey was just working my way back home - took some super slab and took some back roads. Next year - I'll point my two wheels in another direction for my one week reprieve and see something else.
Friday, August 8, 2008
West Virginia Part IV
Slowly I'm putting all of my ride reports up from West Virginia. Eventually it will all be here. I realized that I wrote about Day 4 twice! Ooops. Here's Day 5.
Day 5
I feel the speed that a few of the locals insist on driving at are taking some of the fun out of this trip. You lose one insane driver to only have another tailgate you. Blowing through a 35 mph curve at 50 mph with a gravel strewn roadway is unnerving. The large number of roadside memorials I feel are attributed to this speed. Everyone is so much in a hurry that they can't spare a few moments to save a life. The first part of today's ride was the best ever. 39 east form Summersville pass through Richwood. A typical backwater town. Seemed nice en ought. Couldn't seem to find the Falls of Hills Creek. I suspect where I should have turned off - but there wasn't a specific sign for it - something to do with 'Overlook'.
Found the Cranberry Biologic Reserve. The solitude that the guide book described was foiled by a maintenance crew cutting the lawn around the parking area. Even in the glades themselves I could hear the screams of the small engine weed wackers and lawn mowers. Ugh - I can't seem to escape these maintenance crews. This is a beautiful spot and good area for photography.
Leaving the Reserve I tried to backtrack to the falls - learning my lesson from the day before. I had more time on my hands and there was no hurry in getting anywhere. I went back a few kilometers but didn't see anything. Then did a U-turn and headed over to the Nature Center but it was closed. I did find FR150 - this is an awesome motorcycle road - very few cars, still have to watch out for those deer. I was able to ride this road in complete freedom without being pushed by a car. The views are awesome and the hiking looks incredible. FR150 meets up with 219. 219 is windy and sinuous - another decent motorcycle road. Very challenging, lucky for me no pushers.
Drove through Marlington. Saw the sign for the museum 1/4 mile ahead. This museum was described in the guide book as being a collection of eclectic objects and worth the hour to peruse the objects. I kept looking for the museum and slowed down a bit, checked the mirrors - no cars, not there, not there - oops there it is, put on brakes - car right on my ass - no idea where it came from. I drove off the road immediately luckily the car did not follow me. Fudge moment for sure - left me in a queasy mood. Trying to figure out how I could have done this better and avoided that car. I just couldn't figure out where it came from!
The museum was a musty collection of artifacts from the local area. Basically, it looked like several families had unloaded their attics and dumped it off at this location. I moved on from this location to the Pearl S. Buck museum down the road. Again, foiled by maintenance crews. I pulled into the parking area and the lawn mowers and cutting crews were all over. I was told by a woman in the parking area to no park on the grass to allow the cruise to do their job. I was frustrated at this point and didn't bother to look for another spot. Between the incident at the last museum and being faced with ANOTHER maintenance crew - I just motored on. Another pusher also soured my mood.
I saw signs for a 'Lost World Caverns' but never could find the location in Lewisburg and gave up. I headed back to the camp site even though it was early. I was rewarded by following a professional pair of HD riders but we were hounded by another pusher. Some rewards in this day but a few lousy moments too - have to look for the bright spots.
Day 5
I feel the speed that a few of the locals insist on driving at are taking some of the fun out of this trip. You lose one insane driver to only have another tailgate you. Blowing through a 35 mph curve at 50 mph with a gravel strewn roadway is unnerving. The large number of roadside memorials I feel are attributed to this speed. Everyone is so much in a hurry that they can't spare a few moments to save a life. The first part of today's ride was the best ever. 39 east form Summersville pass through Richwood. A typical backwater town. Seemed nice en ought. Couldn't seem to find the Falls of Hills Creek. I suspect where I should have turned off - but there wasn't a specific sign for it - something to do with 'Overlook'.
Found the Cranberry Biologic Reserve. The solitude that the guide book described was foiled by a maintenance crew cutting the lawn around the parking area. Even in the glades themselves I could hear the screams of the small engine weed wackers and lawn mowers. Ugh - I can't seem to escape these maintenance crews. This is a beautiful spot and good area for photography.
Leaving the Reserve I tried to backtrack to the falls - learning my lesson from the day before. I had more time on my hands and there was no hurry in getting anywhere. I went back a few kilometers but didn't see anything. Then did a U-turn and headed over to the Nature Center but it was closed. I did find FR150 - this is an awesome motorcycle road - very few cars, still have to watch out for those deer. I was able to ride this road in complete freedom without being pushed by a car. The views are awesome and the hiking looks incredible. FR150 meets up with 219. 219 is windy and sinuous - another decent motorcycle road. Very challenging, lucky for me no pushers.
Drove through Marlington. Saw the sign for the museum 1/4 mile ahead. This museum was described in the guide book as being a collection of eclectic objects and worth the hour to peruse the objects. I kept looking for the museum and slowed down a bit, checked the mirrors - no cars, not there, not there - oops there it is, put on brakes - car right on my ass - no idea where it came from. I drove off the road immediately luckily the car did not follow me. Fudge moment for sure - left me in a queasy mood. Trying to figure out how I could have done this better and avoided that car. I just couldn't figure out where it came from!
The museum was a musty collection of artifacts from the local area. Basically, it looked like several families had unloaded their attics and dumped it off at this location. I moved on from this location to the Pearl S. Buck museum down the road. Again, foiled by maintenance crews. I pulled into the parking area and the lawn mowers and cutting crews were all over. I was told by a woman in the parking area to no park on the grass to allow the cruise to do their job. I was frustrated at this point and didn't bother to look for another spot. Between the incident at the last museum and being faced with ANOTHER maintenance crew - I just motored on. Another pusher also soured my mood.
I saw signs for a 'Lost World Caverns' but never could find the location in Lewisburg and gave up. I headed back to the camp site even though it was early. I was rewarded by following a professional pair of HD riders but we were hounded by another pusher. Some rewards in this day but a few lousy moments too - have to look for the bright spots.
Monday, August 4, 2008
West Virginia Part III
Day 4
I woke early at 6:30 am. This is typical for me during the work week, I was following my natural rhythms. I used earplugs the night before for a restful sleep and they worked great. In these types of campgrounds your fellow campers tend to be noisy as this is considered cheap accomodations. The twenty-somethings with limited funds for lodging but seemingly unlimited funds for beer are attracted to these surroundings. On this morning, I realized that I had not brought camp fuel and thus no warm breakfast or hot tea. Looks like a trip into Bob Evan's for breakfast and tea. A Spral-mart was located nearby as well and I could resupply my larder and my forgotten camping supplies. What would do in this day and age without a big box store nearby?
While at the Spral-mart I picked up a pair of Suspenders for my riding pants. I got tired of the John Wayne look and decided to hitch up my britches. These work great - my riding pants are a bit heavy and the suspenders provide a lot of support. Wish I would have thought of this sooner. Ocean needed breakfast as well and I supplied her with 5 gallons of 87 octane. This morning tour was Greenbrier Valley, according to the tour book this is moderate hills, mostly valley touring along routes following rivers. I started out on 41 and quickly had my first deer sighting - that put my on ultra-alert. Babcock State Park and it's gris mill was my first stop. The gris mill is assembled from several other gris mills and restored here in this park and it still churns out flour and corn meal. It's beautiful scenery and a great photo stop. Lots of good hiking in this location.
The ride through 41 to CR31 meeting up with 20 was beautiful, intense and exhilerating. The destination was the overlook for Sandstone Falls. Took a picture from the Overlook but did not go to the falls themselves. I had more time on my hands that I was aware of - the day was one missed location after another. Hinton was up next and was supposed to see the rows of old company houses but the traffic was 'heavy' in the 'downtown core' and being hot, I just moved on after a few failed attempts at locating this landmark. Looks like a nice enough town once you got to know it. Near Hinton I saw another deer in someone's driveway - they are all over. Had several locals riding my tail all morning - added to my stress levels. I understand that these are their roads and I'm just a tourist down here. I feel the same when they come to visit Niagara Falls and I have to ride behind them at a snails pace.
Missed the John Henry statue as a road crew had taken over the parking lot. It would have been a nice stop for a photo and water. But, felt like I had to push on. Arrived in Lewiston in the afternoon but this town wasn't as quaint and picturesqe as the guidebook had suggested - it was traffic clogged and congested. I almost got wiped out by a cell-phone packing soccer mom in her SUV. This town is close to 64 and is becoming like many towns today - taken over by franchises, strip malls and big box stores.
This day felt like a bust and I came back to the camp site at around 4:00 pm and logged 300 kilometers on the odometer. I was deflated a bit and a little depressed. Still getting used to the pace and learning to work with the locals and their idea of traffic laws.
I woke early at 6:30 am. This is typical for me during the work week, I was following my natural rhythms. I used earplugs the night before for a restful sleep and they worked great. In these types of campgrounds your fellow campers tend to be noisy as this is considered cheap accomodations. The twenty-somethings with limited funds for lodging but seemingly unlimited funds for beer are attracted to these surroundings. On this morning, I realized that I had not brought camp fuel and thus no warm breakfast or hot tea. Looks like a trip into Bob Evan's for breakfast and tea. A Spral-mart was located nearby as well and I could resupply my larder and my forgotten camping supplies. What would do in this day and age without a big box store nearby?
While at the Spral-mart I picked up a pair of Suspenders for my riding pants. I got tired of the John Wayne look and decided to hitch up my britches. These work great - my riding pants are a bit heavy and the suspenders provide a lot of support. Wish I would have thought of this sooner. Ocean needed breakfast as well and I supplied her with 5 gallons of 87 octane. This morning tour was Greenbrier Valley, according to the tour book this is moderate hills, mostly valley touring along routes following rivers. I started out on 41 and quickly had my first deer sighting - that put my on ultra-alert. Babcock State Park and it's gris mill was my first stop. The gris mill is assembled from several other gris mills and restored here in this park and it still churns out flour and corn meal. It's beautiful scenery and a great photo stop. Lots of good hiking in this location.
The ride through 41 to CR31 meeting up with 20 was beautiful, intense and exhilerating. The destination was the overlook for Sandstone Falls. Took a picture from the Overlook but did not go to the falls themselves. I had more time on my hands that I was aware of - the day was one missed location after another. Hinton was up next and was supposed to see the rows of old company houses but the traffic was 'heavy' in the 'downtown core' and being hot, I just moved on after a few failed attempts at locating this landmark. Looks like a nice enough town once you got to know it. Near Hinton I saw another deer in someone's driveway - they are all over. Had several locals riding my tail all morning - added to my stress levels. I understand that these are their roads and I'm just a tourist down here. I feel the same when they come to visit Niagara Falls and I have to ride behind them at a snails pace.
Missed the John Henry statue as a road crew had taken over the parking lot. It would have been a nice stop for a photo and water. But, felt like I had to push on. Arrived in Lewiston in the afternoon but this town wasn't as quaint and picturesqe as the guidebook had suggested - it was traffic clogged and congested. I almost got wiped out by a cell-phone packing soccer mom in her SUV. This town is close to 64 and is becoming like many towns today - taken over by franchises, strip malls and big box stores.
This day felt like a bust and I came back to the camp site at around 4:00 pm and logged 300 kilometers on the odometer. I was deflated a bit and a little depressed. Still getting used to the pace and learning to work with the locals and their idea of traffic laws.
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