Short History of the Ford Focus, 2000-2007

The Focus died today. This is a short history of its life. If you have memories of time in the Focus, please leave a comment.

- June 2000, purchased focus from lamdmark ford in portland, oregon.

- 3 days later, solo hiking trip to Flat Top Mountain Oregon. The voyage was a trip up a dusty rough road to the trail head. Brand new car, quickly became dirty.

- Fall of 2000, trip to vancover, bc. carey, kirsten, and I. Touched her boobs while Carey was drunk in the other bed. All three of us drove at different points.

- New Years Eve 2000, drove to spokane at the last minute for new years eve party.

- Summer 2001, trip to the coast for the 4th. last time i hung out with Sheila Erickson for an extended period of time.

- 2000 to 2004, numerous trips from Portland to Spokane and back.

- Summer 2002, camping trip to Northern Idaho with Carey & Dan. The Focus was forced onto some rough roads by using an old and inaccurate 1985 hiking guide for Priest Lake.

- 2001-2003, 3 or 4 trips to the Gorge at George for some concerts.

- 2000-2003, mentoring 3 youth they were constantly in the car. Bunping music, telling stories, and sometimes being quiet.

- Summer 2003, hiking trip to Eagle Creek with Carey, Dan, Stephanie, and Chris.

- Summer 2003, road trip across country with Dan. Stops in Boise, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Philly, DC, and ending in Baltimore.

- Summer 2004, move to Boston, solo drive, fully packed car.

- Nov. 2004, Drive to end of Cape Cod with Robin.

- March 2005, Dan, Carey, and Andy visit Boston, drive to Plymouth Rock.

- June 2005, trip through New England with Ryan & Nicole

- 2004-2005, numerous trips south while in Boston to see Robin. Usually met halfway.

- August 2005, drive back to Baltimore, fully packed car. Start new job and grad school on the same day.

- September 2005, trip to Western Maryland with Robin. Passed on roadside action, relationship doomed.

- November 2005, break up with Robin, drive to McNeils in Virginia the next weekend and got drunk.

- March 2006, Southern Spring Break road trip with Carey & Dan. Stops in Knoxville, New Orleans, Panama City, Savannah, Charleston, back to Baltimore.

- Summer 2006, "summer of Ross", trips to Virginia, West Virginia, and New York for camping/backpacking.

- November 2006, Thanksgiving trip up to New Jersey to spend the holiday with Armins family.

- April-June 2007, dating RaeLynne. Trips to Bethesda. Drive-in movie. Fun times.

- June 22nd, leave Baltimore for good.

- June 28th, RIP, 115,000 miles, 2000 to 2007, Jamestown, ND

Road Trip Day Two

Yesterday was my final day in Baltimore. Honestly Im not too sad to leave the city behind. It had some cool things, but I'm not sure I was ever suited for the East coast. The only thing not included in that is the people I got to know. Coworkers and friends. I wish I could take them all with me and we could all be happy in Portland.

Right now we are about halfway to Cleveland. As we struggle up these large hills in a car, I cant help but think that I will be attempting this on a bike very soon. Than I think about how I didnt train at all this last week because I was sick and busy with getting things together for the move. I need to get my ass into the hotel gym tomorrow morning.

For those of you reading this, the best way to reach me the next few weks is to email: rjonak@pocketmail.com

Cleveland

Cleveland isn't that bad of a city. When I told people it was one of our first stops on the cross country road trip they would give me a crazy look. But I thought the city was nice. Friendly people, clean streets, really cool rock & roll hall of fame. Two thumbs up!

With it being Saturday night we really hit the town. Started out at the Great Lakes Brewing Company. A place I highly recommend. Good food. Great beer. I recommend the IPA for taste and the nice 8% alcohol level. After dinner we went to a few bars in the area, we all had fun and got pretty drunk at the ABC Tavern and Garage Bar.

Today the morning was a bit slow after the late night. We eventually made it to the Rock & Roll Museum and spent the rest of the day their. Right now were on the road to Detroit, but won't have any time to do anything but grab dinner.

Bicycle Trip Card

My Riding Partners

This is who I will be riding with. Armin and Julie. Trip starts July 10th!!









ARMIN

















JULIE

Momentum Is Your Friend

This is a passage out of Momentum Is Your Friend, a book by Portland author Joe Kurmaskie. It sums of perfectly the same feelings I have, "there might be a real chance I could grow brittle and hollow...old before my time. If I didn't do something like ride away, then I might live bored and not know any better." Perfect!!

Training

Since December I've been training for the trip across country. I started off using a trainer and riding indoors 5-6 times a week. Once it warmed up enough I hit the road on most weekends. Here are some of the rides I did to prepare:

• Chesapeake City Loop (twice), 40 to 55 miles


• Maryland's Wine Route starting at Linganors Wine Cellars, 22 miles


• On the Trail of John Wilkes Booth, 52 miles


• Baltimore & Annapolis Trail (twice), 30-45 miles


• Eastern Shore to Assateague Island, 53 miles


• Gettysburg Loop, 40 miles


• Capital Crescent Trail (three times), 14 miles


• Rock Creek Trail, 25 miles


• North Centeral Railroad Trail (numerous), 20-60 miles


• BWI Trail (numerous), 11 mile loop


• Delaware Loop, 50+ miles


• Taneytown, MD Loop, 33 miles


• Baltimore City Rides (numerous)