tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59882712024-03-12T21:03:18.357-10:00TakealotofdrugsAn Amerikiwi family living the American dream...in Hawaii.Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.comBlogger686125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-90671947862221412222023-11-07T07:42:00.000-10:002023-11-07T07:44:03.901-10:00The long road home
I was going to meet friends at the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market and then more friends in Auckland, but by Sunday morning, there is no denying that I have finally caught a southern hemisphere cold. I am hopelessly sick. I cancel all plans and load the rented tank with my bike and luggage.
I am struggling to stay awake on the windy drive to Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-41755609102112548382023-11-07T07:18:00.003-10:002023-11-07T07:28:47.352-10:00Day off in Hawke's BayI meet my oldest Kiwi friends, Norm and Vee (actually oldest Kiwi friend, Norm is American, but both are the first people we met on our first trip to New Zealand) in Havelock North for coffee. I again forget to take any pictures. I head over to Arataki Honey because everyone at home wants New Zealand honey. I again forget to take any pictures.
Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-19383802217877159072023-11-03T07:42:00.000-10:002023-11-03T07:46:48.174-10:00A little Hawke's Bay CyclingDistance cycled: 45 km, I didn't keep track of the drivingTime: 1 hour 58 minutes
I have big plans to ride from Napier to Havelock to Clifton and back to Napier, picking up some cycling friends along the way. My schedule doesn't quite fit anyone else's so I end up driving to what I think is Clifton, biking towards Havelock the hard way, running out of time/turning around Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-6239347525966532112023-11-03T07:17:00.001-10:002023-11-03T07:21:29.404-10:00I lost count of daysDistance travelled: 980 kmTravel modalities: Bicycle, Airplane, New Zealand's biggest SUVTime: 11 hours
I'm dreading this morning as I know it's bike packing day. I force myself to wait at the hotel until 8AM, so I can time my arrival to the opening of the Boat Shed Cafe in Frankton, convieniently located on the way to the airport.
Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-72359503762081379442023-11-01T22:47:00.001-10:002023-11-02T17:23:04.122-10:00Day off in Queenstown
The majority of this trip was about the journey. Queenstown was about the destination. I can't remember why we never scoped it out prior to making New Zealand our home. Probably because even in summer, it's pretty cold. Also, way too many Americans.
After a laundry ordeal that put me into full caffeine withdrawal, I finally sit down to the best flat white I've Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-88300608799024150142023-10-30T21:41:00.000-10:002023-10-30T21:45:35.170-10:00Day 10 Wanaka to QueenstownDistance: 90 kmTime: 6 hours 13 minutesTravel Modalities: Cycling, a few hundred meters downhill gravel walking
Gradual uphill out of Wanaka and I reach a closed Cardrona Inn. I head across the street to the Cardrona General Store. I am majorly letdown. After coffee and banana bread, I discover the Cardrona Inn closed sign was from yesterday and I'm just a few minutes early. I poke my Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-65477104679174309752023-10-30T18:30:00.001-10:002023-10-30T18:30:36.495-10:00Day 9 Haast to WanakaDistance: 150+ kTime: 9 hours 18 minutes +Travel Modalities: Cycling, maybe 30 m of walking when death seemed imminent.
Not quite as cold as yesterday, but still incredibly uncomfortable for anyone hailing from Maui. I stop to photograph the full moon because once again, I've left too early.
My bike gets pushed to the left by some invisible force. I look around to see what'sMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-64134748684048035402023-10-28T18:13:00.003-10:002023-10-30T07:37:37.650-10:00Day 8 Fox Glacier to HaastDistance: 120 km (+ a few to get to and from town)Time: 6 hours 12 minutes (plus a few more to get to and from town)Travel Modalities: Cycling
I seem to have twisted an ankle on a glowworm walk in the dark last night in Fox Glacier. I didn't see any gloworms, but I did see a possum carrying a baby on her back. That was cute. I'm impressed with how well the phone takes photos in the Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-55430210995258624132023-10-27T18:56:00.005-10:002023-11-06T19:13:50.103-10:00Day 7 Harahari to Fox GlacierDistance 97 kmTime 5 hours 30 minutesTravel Modalities: cycling, walking as mandated by law.
My windows are frosty when I depart. I am reminded of living in Napier.
I make the foolish mistake of wearing my regular socks. I am afraid I have frostbite, so I stop to change. It is even colder during the 10 seconds I am barefoot. I wish I had non-waterproof warm socks.
Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-35884980364042976092023-10-26T21:05:00.000-10:002023-10-26T21:05:44.429-10:00Day 6 Greymouth to HarihariDistance 122 kmTime: 7 hours 30 minutesTravel modalities: bicyclingThe first weather forecast on television this morning is in Maori. I don't understand any of it, but the pictures and numbers look bad. I haven't sailed in so long, I can't remember if SW winds means out of the south west or into the south west. I decide not to check, but assume it will be bad for me. Hail accumulates on the hotelMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-8156173219704526652023-10-25T17:01:00.000-10:002023-10-25T17:04:11.890-10:00Rest DayHad I remembered to set my Garmin watch, I would have called this day 6 and maybe clocked 5 km of walking. But since I didn't, let's call it a rest day.The weather did not disappoint this morning. I struggled with choosing between hotel coffee and venturing outside.
This gem of a cafe takes advantage of their leaking roof to water the indoor lemon tree.
I Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-25491921028862647532023-10-24T15:47:00.001-10:002023-10-27T20:45:09.719-10:00Day 5 Reefton to GreymouthDistance: 77 kmTime: 3 hours 48 minutesTravel modalities: bicyclingThe forecast called for severe rain and thunderstorms today and tomorrow, with a possible window of not raining from late morning to early afternoon.
I sat in a cafe for an hour waiting for the cold drizzle to stop. Locals recommended I stay in Reefton another day or two.
Most of my photos are taken while I'mMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-54238859663678128532023-10-23T17:57:00.001-10:002023-10-27T20:43:39.832-10:00Day 4 Murchison to ReeftonDistance travelled: 122 kmTime: 7 hours, 4 minutesTravel modalities: Mostly bicycling, with a few steps of walking
Left Murchison at the crack of dawn as AccuWeather warned of a severe weather alert starting at 1 pm.
More cows than I remember.
Here's my bike before a bridge. Theres a climb coming up so this seemed like a good place for a break.
ClimbingMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-74039518401300302372023-10-22T22:56:00.002-10:002023-10-27T20:42:40.286-10:00Day 3 Nelson to MurchisonDistance traveled: 163 km, mostly gravelTime: 9 hours, 50 minutesTravel modalities: Mostly bicycling, maybe a little walking
A crack of dawn start meant nothing was open in Nelson. Nothing was open in Richmond except McDonald's, so I pressed on. Everything in Wakefield was closed, save the bakery. So I had pie for breakfast. (That's a vegetable pie with a potato top.)
One ofMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-39060828112797105632023-10-21T17:33:00.003-10:002023-10-27T20:41:31.680-10:00Day 2: Havelock to Nelson the hard wayDistance Travelled: 53 kmTime: 4 hours, 40 minutesTravel modalities included bicycling and more walking than I'm willing to admit.The day began with the realization that I'd lost my sunglasses. Fortunately, it wasn't very sunny so I didn't need them.
My first time riding any appreciable distance on gravel. I thought it would all be like this: smooth, well maintained, flat. I Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-77773702298999419692023-10-20T21:05:00.003-10:002023-11-06T16:12:43.036-10:00Really Day One, Picton to a lodging inconveniently past HavelockDistance covered 144 kmTime: 9 hoursTransport Modalities: Bicycle, Bluebridge Ferry, automobiles x2
Up at the crack of dawn to a view of my next door neighbor. Navigated the streets of Wellington mostly from memory and arrived on time to a delayed ferry.
I survived about a minute and a half at the front of the boat. I am seriously questioning my warm clothes packing Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-82033970601517920432023-10-20T02:08:00.000-10:002023-10-20T02:09:32.540-10:00Day 1 and 2Distance covered 4650 milesTime: 18 hours (rounded down)Transport modalities included: 2 automobiles, 3 planes, and a whole lot of walking (mostly pacing around airports).
The Maui airport is unique in that TSA makes you stand around while they inspect your oversized luggage for anything illegal.
I think this is the device that tortured me for nearly nine hours. They all Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-60580230974156421172023-09-18T07:29:00.000-10:002023-09-18T07:30:47.220-10:00One night in ChicagoActually, 4 nights in Chicago. Let's start with food. Pizza #1 was from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. Pretty much as I remember it, including the 90 minute wait. They take reservations now, but I had not expected everyone to be hungry after 12 hours of flying...
Donuts from Stan's Donuts and Coffee. Note to future self: In the future, just buy six of the same donut to Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-1047658643601672652023-06-28T18:46:00.001-10:002023-06-28T18:46:55.674-10:00New Phone DayNothing fancy, but I've switched to Android, which means there's a blogger app, which means I can write short stupid posts like this one.
Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-78448243967783440652022-10-03T09:57:00.001-10:002022-10-03T09:57:55.406-10:00Things to do While You're Still Young Something like 113 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing. I don't even want to talk about how long this ride took. I wish I had a GoPro, as most of the best views were during white knuckle descents so I couldn't easily pull out the cell phone and shoot pictures. I had considered the Auwahi Wind Turbines my final turnaround spot in case I wasn't feeling up for the whole loop. I had Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-32357894930410493542022-05-08T04:38:00.013-10:002022-05-08T18:44:14.214-10:00Jet lag usually prompts me to blog and a 12 hour time change is about as bad as it gets. I'll start with something easy: favorite bars. [Combining a bicycle tour with children who do not often want to bicycle made this a necessary category.] Note: these are just bars. If I get around to it, I'll write about restaurants that might also have bars later.1) In de Karkol We had a couple of hours Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-7953118983509689822021-11-08T15:27:00.010-10:002021-11-12T10:57:59.421-10:00So we're getting near the end of the year, and I've yet to post anything at all. The lack of posting is in part due to covid. Covid is boring and not worth writing about. The lack of posting is also due in part to a "site not secure" warning that has been appearing every time I typed www.takealotofdrugs.com into a browser for the last two years. You see, when I first started this website, I was Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-32617719857313734552020-12-02T10:56:00.002-10:002020-12-02T11:10:55.313-10:00First Quad Tandem TourLoaded for touringA little before the toursists came back, we woke up early packed up the bike and set off for Kaanapali. In our prime, this would have been a very easy tandem ride, but with a few years, a couple of kids, a super heavy bicycle, and 30 pounds of gear, I was a little concerned. Note to self: I will never honk my horn through that tunnel again. The Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-68273136293189171862020-12-01T16:44:00.002-10:002020-12-01T16:44:36.181-10:00Play ethnicky jazz to parade your snazz on your 5 grand stereoWay back in high school, I used to have a job selling speakers. Most of the speakers I sold weren’t exactly great, but after a year or two in the business, I had put together a pretty decent sound system (particularly for a teenager). The speakers and aging components made several cross-country (and at least one international) move(s) Michael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5988271.post-1465137209550806592020-06-23T19:26:00.000-10:002020-06-23T19:26:03.214-10:0015 more minutes
Photo courtesy of ex-girlfriend who must have
been a recipient of one of my father’s 30 copies.
When I was in the third grade, I learned to solve the Rubik’s cube in a little under a minute. Don’t be too impressed, I was in a couple of competitions and my old nemesis won in under 20 seconds. But my father, who was hoping I’d be smarter than I am, was impressed and called up someMichael Laskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05473923168935019271noreply@blogger.com0