The Long Ride North

http://youtu.be/4xBXwVO4EkA

Here's a link to a video of our first planning session for the Long Ride North.

In June of 2014 I will turn 66 years old. At that time, my wife and I, and others, will leave on our Harleys and ride in a northerly direction for 15 days and then turn around and head back home. We’ll be gone for a month. So far we have four of us on three Harleys.


We started talking about this last summer in a rather casual manner, wondering how far we could get and what we might see along the way. All winter long this has been gnawing at me, so I booked a room at the Box Canyon Lodge in Ouray, CO (highly recommended by the way) and this past weekend we met with some of our traveling companions, got the maps out and plotted a possible direction. By the end of this initial session we had developed a route, a little over 7000 miles, and dubbed the upcoming adventure, The Long Ride North. It is now official, complete with T-shirts in the making and a resulting DVD and book filled with paintings and photos. WooHoo!

Turns out it is quite likely we’ll to get to Alaska. The plan is for me to document our travels by video and daily blogging as we go, so all of you good folks and others can follow along on this great adventure. When we return, I’ll edit and compile all the video into a releasable DVD. I’ll also edit and compile all of the daily blog posts, add after thoughts and anything else that won’t fit into the blog, go through all of the photos taken, include watercolor sketches done on the ride and compile it all into a book. Whew!

Sounds ambitious. Of course many others have made the ride before us and most without the fanfare we are planning on but that was their trip and this one is ours. It may be the trip of a life time for me…or, it could just be the jumping off point for a new career. I kind of like the idea of that.

While the idea has been rattling around in the back of my mind ever since brother-in-law Steve and his wife Loann made the ride a couple of years ago, it became more than a passing interest after watching the DVD set of Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor who rode their motorcycles around the world in The Long Way Round. Of course they were gone for three months and traveled almost 20,000 miles and they had sponsors and were much younger than yours truly.

Hmmm, sponsors. I hadn’t thought of that until now. What a great idea. I wonder if AARP would be interested? Sounds like a little fund raising is in order. I’ll have to look into this. I'll put this on the list of things to do, which is growing almost daily.

What we have planned for this trip is a little out of the usual because of the video and blogging to be included. This alone requires far more planning than I had realized.  Thin I'll use this summer's rides as practice.

Stay tuned folks and thanks for stopping by.

March First Friday Art Walk

It's approaching that time of month again. Each first Friday of the month we have an art stroll here in Montrose. It's a great opportunity for folks to get out and about and see what the local artists and artisens have been up to.

This Friday, from 6 to 8 I will be offerring this fullsheet framed watercolor and ALL other watercolors in the gallery at a 30% discount off of the retail pricing. Some great buys to be had if you are in the market for a Mike Simpson watercolor. For those of you who aren't in the neighborhood and/or not able to attend, check out my website at www.mikesimpsonart.com to see what else I have and you can search through the posting on this blog to see more. Please contact me if you have any interests or questions and I'll give you the scoop.

Spring Cleaning

I came across this 10x8 oilpainting I did of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. It's a bit of a hike to get to the arch but well worth it. I find Arches N.P. and the surrounding area of Moab to be a great place for dramatic and colorful subject matter. This little painting goes to auction for a very reasonable starting price. If you are interested click here.

This is a little 6x8 oil painting I did of a scene in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. The low, early evening desert light makes for some wonderful pastel colors. Nice quality brush strokes enhance this little painting. It also is going to auction here.

...and finally I have this little 7x10 watercolor I painted en plein air (on location). There is a little red roofed gazebo in one of our town parks that is a very restful place to visit. I have painted at this spot many times. Often, the geese in the pond will come up and investigate what I'm doing, quacking their approval or disgust depending on their attitude at the time. This little watercolor will also be for sale here.
The starting prices for these little gems is very reasonable at only $9.99 so if you are interested, there is little excuse not to pick one up. Good luck on the bidding and I hope you get the one you want. Thanks for stopping by.

More Gold

Just finished up this reversed glass 23kt gold leafed framed sign to go in the front window of the shop. I did this all by hand...no computers involved here. I'm luvin' it.

Headed Home

All good things must come to an end. I left Bakersfield this AM and got as far as Beaver, UT. Good progress considering the time I left and a good place to call it quits for the night. Windy, snow, getting dark with conditions deteriorating rapidly. Got a room and am comfortably writing this with assistance from an adult beverage. Long drive but it went quickly as my mind was filled with what I experienced over the last several days. Lots of good information and ideas. Looking forward to getting home and putting some of it to use.

28th Conclave of Gilders

Here's a short video of what we're doing in Bakersfield, CA. A bunch of really talented people and a wealth of knowledge being shared.

http://youtu.be/2JupFOIfqA4

Hollywood California

Visited son Jim in Hollywood. He's got a great office in a great old classic building right across from the famous Egyptian theater. This photo is looking down the hall.

Another photo of where we had lunch at Musso and Frank's in Hollywood. You should look it up. Pure classic.

Lastly a link to a video I took out on Hollywood Blvd.
http://youtu.be/Zkm04bKnA_o