Frank
Frank Spychaj-Fridlund is a 30-year old single parent who is right now enjoying life. Frank is also an avid computer fan, ever since the right old age of 8. He also enjoys playing games, as well as programming, and even web design. Programming seemed to take the stage early (around 12), Web design since 18.
Travels
His life is full of places visited in his life. The earliest was at 1½ when his parents moved him from Buffalo, NY to Thornton, CO. Since most of his relatives lived in New York State, there were plenty of car trips between the two states. In fact, Frank has been known to travel to many places, considering he came from a non-military family.
Car
This is where the bulk of his travelling comes in handy. Early in his life, there were several trips between Colorado and New York state (that total about 48 hours drive time.) Several states were seen (and usually visited as pit stops along the journey.) Variations of this trip involved RVs for part of another trip. Later on, the trips were local, or regional. This usually involved family members, who were active atheletes, participating in regional track meets in other states, like Arizona or Utah. Sightseeing was usually involved as well. Travelling after his 19th birthday usually meant visits no more than 3h away, though there were a few exceptions. As recently as April 2009, Frank drove a 20-hour trip between Kentucky and Colorado (and reverse).
Bicycle
Biking is usually thought of as local transportation. Ft. Collins, CO is a great biking city. So, there were plenty of bike rides getting across town (and this was well before the energy peak of 2008). Frank did a cross-country bike backpack trip with his scout troop from Ft. Collins to Pawnee National Grasslands (midway between Ault and Sterling) in the early 1990s.
Rail
Rail systems seem to be lacking in most of the US (and definitely in the areas Frank has been.) The only times Frank has taken a rail system in the US was usually short-term transportation, like airport light rail, or the RTD light rail system (Denver). He's also been on the Ft. Collins trolley, a legendary city railcar still in use in Ft. Collins long after the streetcars were discontinued from their transit system.
In Europe, it was a different matter. Frank has seen the subway system in Stockholm as well as London. Also in London, he's been on their lightrail system (aka Docklands Light rail or DLR). In Sweden, he's been on their inter-city rail system known as SJ and their regular intercity trains as well as the (supposedly) faster X2000. He's also been on the Gothenburg trams/trolleys.
Bus
No, forget the school bus--although from K-8 he rode one because he had no choice. Starting at the end of his 8th grade year, Frank took the public bus system, known as Transfort in Ft. Collins. Buses were usually local transportation choices, though a commuter bus has been taken on 2 occassions, and a regional bus was taken a few times. Frank has also been on the double-decker buses in London, and even on the original Routemaster, before they were pulled from service.
Airplane
Being the only form of transportation not on the ground, this is also not something Frank experienced until later in his life. Frank has taken an flight around 6 to his grandma, but after he turned the age of majority (21), that's when Frank experienced several flight trips. Several flights between US and Europe, as well as a few short and medium flights.
Family
Frank is considered single, and has his only 3-year old daughter with him. Twice he has encountered relationships, with the latest ending up in marriage. Unfortunately, Helena, Frank's last wife ignored her family by having several affairs. Family means a lot to Frank, and his daughter means the most to him.
