The site will be archived in all of its glory to be replaced by other content, but as this Scooter Quest site 08′ draws its last breath, I know that it was a blast. A true adventure.

Here are some links to the content we recorded

and here is a link to the photos taken!

See you in another time everyone!

With all of the turmoil of this trip, I’ve grown as a person, gained knowledge of the east coast culture, hung out with my adventuring brother, Dustin, met alot of interesting people in both Provincetown and Minneapolis, and I’ve gained a new friend. Though Mike and I butted heads alot, I would let him into my home any time with welcome arms!

As far as the last leg went, We had….An interesting time.

The morning of the last leg, Dustin and mike had been quite worried talking urban legends about how the last leg of the trip is the hardest because last years ended in an endless trial of carnage. But me? I had faith that the last day would end with us riding into a town that was soon to explode from our awesome arriving inside it.

We started off great with fun riding, good eats, and of course the Bean Bozzlers challenge in Baraboo, WI…. Then Michael waved. Now, you may be thinking, “‘So what? He waved. Who to? Why would a wave affect the outcome of this last leg into the finish line?” Well let me tell you. This hand attached to Michaels’ wrist, was forced by his own impulse to wave at a police officer (or Rozzers as I like to call them). The fine men in Blue took notice. In fact, enough to pull me over as well as the scooter, Shirley.

$186 fee later, we were off on a local road (The Rozzers said to keep off the interstate even though the scooter is perfectly legal ON it.) and the worst thing that could of happened, did. Shirley screamed as her engine seized and left a strip of black rubber at least 30 feet on the road. It was almost a murder scene as I flipped the support car around to see Shirley on the side of the road with Mike to the side of it. We all thought it was almost fitting as we pulled Julia off the trailer to finish the last thirty miles considering she broke down on the FIRST 30 miles into the trip.

As Dustin and Mike were excited to almost the point of tears when they saw the skyline of the twin cities. I fought through the city on Julia as she was wounded. (The throttle was stuck open thanks to a broken seal.) A brand new engine and I was forced to push her as she was the last scooter fully working. But guess what. Go on. Guess… That’s right, we made it from Minneapolis, to New York and back with at least one scooter on the road at all times. And to me, that’s a mission accomplished.

Let me begin by stating: I’m not certain how we all survived. As with any road trip, there were moments of pure joy and extreme rage. Oddly, those “rage” moments are the ones I remember best… But I think I had a good time.

While it may not be totally apparent, this trip was the embodiment of friendship. Sean, Dustin, and I worked together — in some fashion — to overcome: Wisconsin State Troopers, Pennsylvania, some asshole debating when Feel So Good was released (it’s 1977, asshole), road crazies, three busted scooters, and missing our friends and family at home.

Further, let Scooter Quest be a testament to my friendship and my word given to Chris and Joanne Campo. I said I would arrive in New York on a scooter and I delivered. I love those guys and couldn’t be happier that they allowed me to share in their special day.

(The wedding was amazing! Literally. I was amazed. Also, because Chris and Joanne had talked up Scooter Quest for weeks leading up to the wedding, when I arrived and introduced myself as, “A friend from Minneapolis,” immediately everyone asked: “Are you the scooter boy?!” I felt like a mini-celebrity. Chris and Joanne, thank you for that.)

But there were difficult moments…

Like when I almost hit Sean. Or almost hit Dustin. Or almost left the group and ventured to New York on my own. Or discussed gay marriage with Sean. Or driving 500 miles alone through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio over the course of 18 hours. Or when Sean’s scooter seized 30 miles outside of Minneapolis on Day 1. Or when Dustin’s scooter seized in Ohio. Or when we got terrible sun burns. Or when all the bars in Indianapolis close at midnight on Sunday. Or when I got a $186 ticket in Wisconsin. Or eating at the Colossal Buffet in Wisconsin Dells. Or when Sean got a $120 ticket. Or sitting in rush hour traffic for 2 hours on the George Washington Bridge in New York City. Or getting lost in Manhattan. Or coming face-to-face with the Amish. Or getting lost in Wisconsin and fearing for our lives. Or when my scooter broke down…

Without adversity, the trip would have been too easy. Anyone could have done it and that would have made our 12 days on the road less than worthwhile.

Dustin sent me a sweet email this morning which sums things up:

We’ve had a run of adversity lately but I think that’s what makes us the manly men we are. We’re very much like kites, sometimes we don’t really have any control over which way the wind blows us. But, kites rise against the harsh wind, otherwise they’d never leave the ground.

And he’s right.

Like I said earlier, I’m not sure how we all survived, but we did. And we’re stronger for it.

I think next year for Scooter Quest we’ll take Harley’s instead…

Walk | On | Red

And then my scooter died…

Walk | On | Red

All three scooters ended up breaking down. Ironically, Mike’s scooter broke down just 30 miles from Minneapolis (Sean’s broke down just 30 miles outside of MPLS when we started). So there is some repair to do in the future. I’m not much of a blogger so I hope the other fellows will weigh in with some of what happened since I don’t really do that as well.

At any rate, heres to the good times and the bad times, and all the memories burned into my skull along the way.

-Dustin

I regret that I didn’t get your name. I regret that I didn’t introduce myself.

Before I left from Minneapolis on August 23, I knew that somewhere between New York and Minnesota I would experience something or meet someone that would give this trip meaning… You were that someone.

The long and short of all this is — I genuinely enjoyed speaking with you and would like to continue our conversation.

You can reach me here: michaelvenske@gmail.com

I hope to hear from you.

Michael

The latest updates from me:

-Bob from Tru Imports is a life saver for fixing Julia.
-Dustin loves to argue.
-Mikes scooter, Shirley, is a trooper.
-We met up with Andy!
-I’ve had a ton of fun even in a`car
-Mike can be very emotional/angry after being on scooter in traffic.
-I can’t wait to get home to my other scooter, The Albatross
-I’ve almost fallen in love with someone from each city we have been through.
- P town is amazingly awesome.
- I can never leave my food or drinks next to Dustin and Mike without it being destroyed
- I want to meet up with my friends in Utah.
- Most importantly, thanks to everyone for supporting us on this trip!

I’ll talk to you all then at the finish line!

Mike drove over 760 miles in 2 days on Shirley. We did about 1100 in the car, and caught up with Mike in Columbus Ohio. From there we rode into Indianapolis IN just in time to miss Andy’s show. Today, we head for Chicago.

I’m exhausted, but I can’t wait to chill in Chicago. I will eat a hot dog.

-Dustin

Total Fuel Expense: $114
Total Miles Traveled: 1,497
Total Cost Per Mile: $0.07

Please keep in mind that New York is a half-way point on our trip…

It is my full intention to ride Shirley back to Minneapolis. Granted, I have fears regarding (possibly excessive) heat that’s being generated from the engine and an oil leak, but I have faith in my guardian bell and the preventative maintenance performed by Scooterville (Nick, Steven, Steve — all wonderfully skilled).

It’s slightly difficult for me to comprehend traveling from Minneapolis to New York on a scooter. Likewise, it seems just as difficult for everyone we’ve met on the road. We’ve received loads of encouragement, but overwelmingly the phrase I hear most often is:

“You didn’t drive that thing all the way from Minnesota, did you?”

It’s understandable, I suppose. Yet, we’re not doing anything great. Let’s be honest for a moment…

We’re not walking, running, biking, crawling, or driving a lawn mower across America. We’re riding scooters from Minneapolis to New York and back because scooters are fun and fuel effiecient. That’s pretty much it. If you want to be amazed by a cross-country scooter trip, check out Peace Scooter. That’s amazing. (Granted, she’s not on a Stella, but that’s not the point here.)

In a few hours I’ll be attending the wedding which sparked this trip. This wedding is the reason I’ve traveled nearly 1,500 miles. Honestly, it isn’t the wedding so much, as it is my friends, Chris and Joanne. They are both amazing people and I’ve been blessed with their friendship. I would do anything for them. I feel exceptionally proud that they’re allowing me to be present at such a day in both their lives.

Other thoughts about the trip thus far…

–Pennsylvannia, New Jersey, and New York are a lot more beautiful than expected. A lot of trees and a lot of friendly people.
–Sean and I had a fight. That’s all I want to say about that.
–Fast food is pathetic. Restaurant food is pathetic. Know what I miss? Cooking for myself.
–I miss my cats.

This afternoon Sean and Dustin are driving up to Providence, Rhode Island, for a party. Tomorrow I’m leaving New York alone on my scooter. If there’s a time I’m going to certainly break down, it will be tomorrow.

I’ll leave without “seeing the sights.” Some of you may find that odd, but I rest assured knowing that Times Square, Broadway, and all the other “must sees” will be here when I triumphantly return one day. This trip wasn’t about getting a picture in front of the Statue of Liberty or attending the Late Night with Conan O’Brien… It’s about the love that’s bringing people from all over the country together and bearing witness to that love. Again, I’m lucky to be one of them.

With that said, I think I’m done writing here. I’m not sure what else I can really say. If my scooter blows up, I’ll say something. But at this point — I miss my co-workers, my neighbors, and my life in Minneapolis. And I miss my home. It’s hard to have a home when you’re on the road…

I look forward to rolling back into town…On my scooter…

If you’d like to continue reading my thoughts after this journey, you can check them out at walkonred.blogspot.com.

Thank you for reading everyone,

Michael James
Walk | On | Red

I did find a set of photo’s that I think describe our trip so far though:

Party on,

-Dustin