tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122123192024-03-20T07:40:46.056-06:00Slapdash Adventureswith OsmanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger525125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-8027494410963279952017-06-25T15:08:00.004-06:002017-06-25T18:09:40.233-06:00The Lost Coast<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why ride? The call of the open road, a thirst for adventure, and to discover life's meaning; I don't know if any of that happened on this trip, but is sure sounds good. Plus it goes well with this photo of Jose, as he stares out at the vast and endless sea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's called the Lost Coast because the region experienced depopulation in the 1930's. The western edge of the King Range; a land where the mountains meet the sea, one of the most undeveloped and remote parts of California's coast. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>SUNDAY | Boulder to Gualala</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My journey started with an early flight. Leah was kind enough to drop me off at the airport. Early. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVfO8RMFYzP/?taken-by=osmanparvez&hl=en" target="_blank">Oh so early</a>. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">34 minutes driving to the airport, 95 minutes in the air.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the airport, a brilliant white electric vehicle picked me up and whisked me away to my waiting steed. The future is here, people. Like magic (and thanks to the kindness of a good friend), I was soon on the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With a touch of little arm-twisting, compaƱero Jose joined the adventure. Fueled by a spicy plate of tacos and burritos, provided by the resourceful Ana, we tore through Oakland traffic and made our way north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After white-knuckle lane splitting our way through heavy weekend traffic, we arrived at the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That first night, we camped in Gualala. We arrived with some daylight left, so after we set up our tents, we headed back onto the road to explore the area on our bikes. The views over the open water were astounding, and as we watched the sea, a whale breached and puffed spouts of water into the air. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Thar she blows," I bellowed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dinner was at the Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen. Jose proclaimed it was better than the best Thai restaurant in Oakland. We watched the sun set from a coastal access point across from camp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Exhausted from the day's travel, with a belly full of spicy Thai, I went to bed within minutes of returning to camp. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>MONDAY | Gualala to the Mattole Trailhead</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was up and rolling early, just as the sun was rising in a cloudless sky. Jose needed to turn back south, so I continued up the PCH alone. With very little traffic, I made great time all the way through Fort Bragg to Leggett. From there, it was onto the 101, taking the Avenue of the Giants beneath the towering Redwoods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's hard to describe the experience of being in a redwood forest. Imagine a pitch dark understory, with sparse underbrush, and trees so large, the tops are nearly beyond view. The scale is beyond anything I'd ever experienced in nature. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From Founders Grove, I turned west once again onto Mattole Road. This particular ribbon of asphalt wound its way through forests to farm land and then to the sea. It's a delightful section on a bike, with tight turns and very little traffic. Then, just before the town of Petrolia, I turned onto a dirt road called Lighthouse Road. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I almost didn't take Lighthouse Road, and what a mistake it would have been to miss this treasure. It was only the realization that I may not be back again for a very long time that led me down the road. Twice, I almost turned back. It wasn't a particularly good road and it was unclear if there would be anything worthwhile at the end. I kept going, and to my surprise, I discovered a shockingly beautiful black sand beach at the end, with barely a soul on it, and with a small campground perfect for the minimalist traveler. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black sand, blue sky, crashing waves, and almost no other people. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The photo above is the beach at Mattole trailhead, with a cozy little campground just beyond the dunes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> If you ever find yourself so fortunate as to visit the beach at the Mattole trailhead, bring a jacket. It gets cold. Note: This is also the starting point for a 2-3 day coastal backpacking trip, for those so inclined. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset was glorious from the other side of the dunes.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That night, a family with young children shared their campsite with me. They were in the process of moving back east and making an adventure of the experience. It seemed fitting they named their daughters River and Sky. The older one, probably about four years old, exuberantly shared her camping experience with me. It was nice to have the company. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilly but beautiful camping at the beach</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I snuggled into my sleeping bag that night to the haunting sound of crashing surf and wind, and reflected on my ride beneath the giants, and the dance of the machine on the winding road. In the middle of the night, I woke to relieve myself, and stared up at a inky night sky covered with stars, the brightest I can recall seeing since I was a child. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>TUESDAY | Mattole Trailhead to Willow Creek</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the morning, I once again packed and rolled at dawn. After riding out the dirt road, I turned left and passed through the tiny town of Petrolia (pop. 500). Note: About a mile or two out of town, there's a grove of Eucalyptus trees. This is the only spot that had signal for my phone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It soon turned foggy and cold but the road was wonderfully scenic, for a time running back down to the water and then rising back up into the hillside. Paved and with endless turns, the surface was broken and rough. It's passable with any vehicle, but I was glad for the GSA's off road suspension and dual sport tires. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It took about an hour to reach Ferndale, a distance of less than 30 miles. I was cold and soaked when I arrived, glad for a delicious hot breakfast served at the Victorian Inn Hotel. Service was quite poor, by the way, but I didn't mind. The food was tasty, there was a power plug to recharge my phone, and most importantly it was warm and dry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a long breakfast and many piping hot cups of coffee, I got back on the road and made tracks north. I hopped onto the 101 and rode past Humboldt Bay and Eureka. This particular section of riding isn't very good, but at least it was fast. Around the town or Orick, the road starts to get interesting again. A side trip down the Drury Parkway is recommended, another avenue of giant Redwoods, taller than I ever imagined they could be. Sections of Redwood National and State Parks reminded me of Endor, the Ewok planet from Star Wars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After Crescent City, I followed signs for the 199 and rode through Gasquet and into Oregon. Here's the obligatory <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/oparvez/6H1dS1" target="_blank">pic, with crazy eyes</a> from all the miles I had covered. This section is worth the time to ride, again very scenic, with plenty of tight turns to keep you awake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tiny town of O'Brien was the northernmost terminus of my adventure. I stopped at its Country Store for a break and then hopped onto Waldo road. Note: this road is named different things on different maps. Google calls it "Waldo Road", but others label it "Indian Creek Road", "Happy Camp Road", or Rt. 5560. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I followed the road to Happy Camp and then onto the 96 which follows the Klamath River through Orleans, Weitchpec, and the Hoopa Indian Reservation. This section was fast, with perfect roads, and very twisty. The downside was that it was scorching hot this far inland, and after an hour or so, I was nearly delirious. Seeking a break from the heat, I dropped down via a river access road. The plan was to take a break near the cooler water but I nearly got stuck in the sandy river bed. A fully loaded GSA weighs 570lbs before the Touratech panniers and all my camping gear. Not fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had a nice Mexican dinner that night in Willow Creek and then turned west onto the 299. At Berry Summit, I turned south onto the Titlow Hill Road (Rt. 1). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect primitive campsite. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This section of road is a little more similar to something I'd see in Colorado. It runs through Six Rivers National Forest. Twisty, forested, and remote. As the sun was getting low on the horizon, i found my own happy camp spot (40.839221, -123.720258) with plenty of flat ground and views. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the sun set, it reflected back on the blanket of clouds below. It was beautiful, beyond words. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I was happy? What a glorious evening.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>WEDNESDAY | Willow Creek to Manchester</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A morning view to get the heart pumping</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the morning, I rode the remainder of the way down to Mad River. This 53 mile section has no services, few other travelers, and is far from cities and towns. Well forested, but with occasional vistas, I was glad I brought my SPOT and a little relieved when a town finally appeared. I had a delicious breakfast at a roadside stand, right next to the shack-like post office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After breakfast, I took Van Duzen road south, which turned west and merged onto Zenia Bluff Road and Alderpoint Road to Garberville. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lunch at the Bon Bistro was spectacular and reasonable. While wolfing down that salad, I caught up on email and charged my phone. Looking over my Butler map, I realized how close I was to Shelter Cove and the start of the famous Usal Road. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I didn't plan to ride that section, but then again, I didn't really plan to go to Oregon either. Adventure called. I answered. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach at Shelter Cove</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Like much of this trip, there was a little construction and a lane closure on Shelter Cove Rd. I came to look at these moments with excitement. When the stop sign comes out, I filter to the top of the line (never receiving so much as a honk). California's seem to get it. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once the sign drops, ride slowly through the construction zone and then roll open the throttle for the fun stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From Shelter Cove, I rode back up and turned onto Chemise Mtn Road. This section was narrow, winding, but paved. At the start of the Usal, the road turns to dirt. A well stickered and obviously ignored sign announced no through traffic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, the Usal Road isn't a difficult trail, it's an uneven dirt road with ruts, a handful of mud pits, and a few relatively steep sections. In normal, dry conditions, this is an easy trail for a light to moderate weight dual sport. For a heavily loaded GSA on TKC 70's, it required concentration, deliberate line choices, and effort. If the road were wet, it would have been impassable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was expecting lots of beautiful views, but for a full hour or so I sweated along on this trail, disappointed to find that there were no views. Eventually, the trail led down to where Usal Creek spills out onto the sea. Finally, the beach! To my surprise, I found a number of people and vehicles camped out. Most were not 4x4 vehicles. That's when I realized there were far easier ways to get here than the Usal Road. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach off Usal Road</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you're hot and tired, after riding for hours, it feels great to come down to the ocean and into that cold air. I parked the bike on the beach and found my way to the ocean. Stripping off everything but my bike shorts (recommended beneath riding gear), I stepped into the ocean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The feeling was incredible. Video below.</span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oparvez/34643869184/in/dateposted/" title="The Beach off Usal Road"><img alt="The Beach off Usal Road" height="576" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4287/34643869184_db4a664b21_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The rest of the Usal road down Highway 1 was much easier. No ruts, cleanly graded. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It also had a few sections with spectacular views. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although there wasn't anything on the Usal Road beyond my modest skill level, riding a fully laden GSA was a bit of a challenge. A few hours after I turned onto the Usal Road, I was glad to once again be on the smooth asphalt of the PCH. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harbor at Fort Bragg</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next stop was Fort Bragg, with a brief visit to Noyo harbor. A friend told me that the seafood was spectacular. I can confirm. The dinner I enjoyed at the bar at Silver's Wharf did not disappoint. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After dinner, with the sun setting on my right, I continued on my journey down Highway 1. As evening fell and dusk came upon me, for the first time on this trip, I didn't happen upon an amazing camp site. Eventually, I came upon the campgrounds at Manchester. It was already night when I arrived, so there was little to see. Forking over the funds, I secured a tent spot at the KOA. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I strongly prefer primitive campgrounds with no neighbors, but </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that night, I had the first hot shower I'd experienced since Sunday morning. It was heavenly. And once again, I fell asleep beneath a blanket of brilliant stars and the sound of crashing surf.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thursday | Manchester to Boulder</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like every morning of this trip, I was awake, packed, and rolling at dawn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first stop: the Point Arena Lighthouse. Nearly 110 years old, set off 1/2 mile from the coast. You might recognize it as the backdrop made famous as the ending of the movie Forever Young. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back onto the PCH, I stopped at Trink's in Gualala for coffee and breakfast. A perfect light start to the day. From there, it was another 134 miles to Oakland, staying on Highway 1 all the way to Sausalito. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first stop when I hit Oakland was a car wash to hose off all that salt air. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then it was a quick depack, tent dry in the sunshine, and repack back at J's house before calling the Uber. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">p.s. It's HOT wearing your riding gear at the airport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Trip Summary: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- 1,272 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- The entire length of the PCH, from Oakland to Crescent City</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- Thousands of tight turns and spectacular vistas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- Four nights in a tent, no pre-planned stops, just a Butler Map and a list of recommended roads. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No drops offroad, no near misses</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">- Spectacular vistas, deep sequoia forests, remote black sand beaches</span><br />
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Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0Lost Coast, CA 95536, USA40.435533199999988 -124.4026794999999815.800501199999989 -165.71127349999998 65.07056519999999 -83.094085499999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-22069107585882701972017-02-19T16:08:00.004-07:002017-02-19T16:08:55.021-07:00A Perfect Weekend of Training [224 Days to Marathon]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>FRIDAY</b> was an easy day. 30 minutes in Zone 2. I took Jackson with me for the run, which added some uncertainty as we passed other dogs. We cruised CU Campus South again mostly because it's conveniently located only a couple of minutes from the house. It's also flat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I find it hard to stay in Z2. It's just above the pace of a fast walk. According to Garmin, we were out for 38 minutes and averaged a 12:23 min/mi pace, 141 bmp, and 138 spm cadence. <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1578550722" target="_blank">LINK</a> Jackson needed to stop and greet several dogs along the way, hence the gaps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>SATURDAY</b> we hiked up enchanted mesa for fun. The weather was perfect. Leah, Ned, and Jackson joined me (<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NNGdZ-Qr8H2XAgLeV8pxENTe9qYp1Fu0Rw/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">pic</a>). A perfect day. We were out about 2 hours and kept a pretty good pace, although I didn't track it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>SUNDAY</b> was my long anticipated long run. By chance, it ended up being significantly longer than prescribed by Dr. H. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I finished the training several miles from the trailhead in South Boulder, so I ran short fartleks the remaining distance. The total? 9 miles over 2 hours and 20 minutes. Some of that was hiking, but most was conducted in training mode. Elevation change was in the neighborhood of 700'. 144 average BPM, 124 SPM, and a glacial 15:26 min/mile average pace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Again, I was accompanied by Leah, Jackson and Ned. Good company for the run. We ended with a celebration of stout and nachos at Southern Sun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Overall, I feel pretty good but the knee swelling remains. I plan to have it looked at in the next couple of weeks. No real pain from it on the run, but the swelling can't be a good thing. </span><br />
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Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0Boulder, CO, USA40.0149856 -105.2705455999999939.820449100000005 -105.59326909999999 40.2095221 -104.9478221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-20423007880238468352017-02-16T09:04:00.003-07:002017-02-16T09:15:27.601-07:00A Pot of Gold [227 Days to Marathon]<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUHSanHe4VKi_ZNh9hOFBJnUCUGqoQXa5cADlZId7Q9NoMg9-FLs6tuvHYn4ESFZuT1ImFyDwULc4kMACrTFuIQa0kA0ry-09X9RFphkQpu-Ux20FHtWjHRy0VpWeKaM1WWFmcw/s1600/32803905471_145a55ea9c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUHSanHe4VKi_ZNh9hOFBJnUCUGqoQXa5cADlZId7Q9NoMg9-FLs6tuvHYn4ESFZuT1ImFyDwULc4kMACrTFuIQa0kA0ry-09X9RFphkQpu-Ux20FHtWjHRy0VpWeKaM1WWFmcw/s200/32803905471_145a55ea9c_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr H's orders, carried with me</td></tr>
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I skipped last Friday's workout, but we walked or hiked throughout the weekend and Sunday was a ski day. Monday was mostly driving and getting resettled. Tuesday morning, I met up with Serlindsipity at the gym. My lower back was still sore from the previous week, so stretched deeper including back releasing cobra poses and kept the weight low for the squats, deltoid flies, seated rows, and pullovers. The stretching seemed to help quite a bit. </div>
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On Wednesday afternoon, it was harder than I expected to get my running shoes on and slip out the door. The warm weather and blue skies provided extra motivation. The promise of stout with a friend afterward sealed the deal.</div>
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I'm starting to appreciate the slow 10 minute warm up at Z2. It's like a gradual wake-up for my muscles and joints. Just as I rounded the corner onto a busy street, it was time for two sets of drills. There is nothing like a 40 year old doing karaoke and high steps along four lanes of traffic to toughen you up. </div>
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I ran the next 15 minutes of Z3 in CU campus south, an area that I had just analyzed in my real estate blog. It's a mostly flat area with dirt trails and a couple of low hills to provide a few minutes of high intensity. I almost forgot the additional embedded drills as I hummed along. Several times, I had to slow the pace to a walk so I didn't slip into Z4 by mistake. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow</td></tr>
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The following 15 minutes were supposed to be run in Z2, but it was harder still to go slow enough to keep my heart rate in the proper zone. I definitely ran slower, but it was probably on the lower end of the Z3. I might need to get these heart rate zones more dialed in than relying on Garmin's calculation. Again, two more FART drill series. </div>
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The last effort was another two rounds of drills, same routine, and roughly the same place - along the busiest part of the run. I didn't care though, a stout was waiting like a pot of gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow. I ended up adding a few extra minutes at the end, at a comfortable Z3 pace, and a quick sprint for the very last stretch (about a half a block). </div>
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Bonus points: Yesterday was car free. I rode my bike to a downtown appointment and to the So Sun for beers at the end of the day.</div>
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Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-73725306560978328662017-02-09T07:49:00.003-07:002017-02-09T07:49:54.089-07:00A Windy but Beautiful [Training Day 10]<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I woke with lower back soreness. Out came the foam roller. It seemed to help, so I dragged my reluctant body out the door. It was time for training day #10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After several failed attempts, the esteemed <i>E. Saxifraga</i> and I finally coordinated schedules. He's a much faster, more experienced runner, but lucky for me, he's on injury recovery. The pace appeared adequate for him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first 15 minutes were a gradually acceleration from Z2 and into Z3. Another overly exuberant, off-leash dog showed joined us as ran down the trail, his owner yelling for him to stop. In our second lap of the Chancellor's Loop, we accelerated into Z4.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From my perspective, Z4 means to basically run as hard as possible for the prescribed time. Luckily, the mysterious Dr. H had only required 5 minutes. It still felt like an eternity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Garmin later showed that during Z4/Z5, we were running at a 8.5 minute mile pace and my heart rate peaked at 183 bpm. That's probably too hard, but it was fun. I love running fast, even if it feels like I'm about to die. I've had a good life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the 5 minute sprint, I needed to walk for a few minutes until I caught my breath and my heart rate dropped back into mid Z3 territory. We then ran back up the Bear Creek path at a comfortable pace, reached the top of Martin Park, and did a couple of laps, burning off the last 20 minutes on the way back to the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a windy but beautiful day. My back also felt much better after the run than before. </span><br />
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<br />Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-16169453347853944872017-02-08T07:44:00.002-07:002017-02-08T07:44:46.824-07:00The Night Was Dark and Full of [Marathon Training Day 8,9]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Still full, bloated from the previous night's Superbowl party, I pulled myself off the couch and ran off into the twilight for a solid 50 minute training session. A black lab walking off leash at Williams Village thought my quick steps, high knees, and karoke moves meant play time. He joined me for a period with a frenzy of barks and play lunges. The owner tried to talking to me, but I couldn't hear her over the Beastie Boys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I finished up in the dark, a full moon was rising through the trees in the field. I snapped the photo just before a full throttle five minutes of Z4. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weight session the following day was a little sore, but tolerable. Since the rib dislocation a couple of weeks ago, I've added a long stretch session with a roller and slow ramp up to working weight. I stepped up to new weights in the squat, seated row, and lying dumbbell pullover. It was excellent, until the soreness in my lower back hit in the evening. Ouch.</span><br />
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Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-90614350434395820172017-02-02T05:56:00.000-07:002017-02-02T05:56:00.812-07:00Marathon Training [Day 3]Getting out the door was tough. It was cloudy and everything was grey, more of a east coast kind of morning. The trick was to not think about it, just do it. On went the running gear. On went the socks and running shoes.<br />
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When I stepped outside, I was hit by the damp coldness and had to go back for another layer. Brr!<br />
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I started the first Z2 portion of the run in the dark. One foot in front of the other, shaking off the night's sleep. Gradually I warmed up and the day began to brighten. Boulderites were starting to step out of their houses, some picking up newspapers, others heading off to work. A few were doing their own workouts or taking dogs for a walk. Many said hello. Daylight gradually crept in, unveiling low hanging clouds on the Flatirons.<br />
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The first skill Fartleks weren't bad. Dr H. recommended I choose "my favorites." As if any could be a "favorite." Would labeling a skill in a positive way get me to see it in a new light? Cunning. Very cunning. <br />
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I started with skipping for distance and wrapped up with speed steps. As I finished the later, a couple walking a bouncy, young black lab rounded the corner. The dog saw me and pulled the owners over for a greeting, confused and excited by my lightning fast feet. The couple laughed. I did too.<br />
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The second round of Z2 went pretty fast. It was mostly recovery from the skill portion. Now began the second round of skills, this time my "least favorite." Out came the high steps and the butt kickers, arms and legs flailing in odd directions. <br />
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That done, I ran down the bike path and into open space for my last portion of Z2. I ran past one of my favorite social trails - past the CU Chancellor's house, along the creek. I mistimed it and actually ran a little bit too far. By the time I turned around and made it back to the house, I was several minutes past the recommended completion time. I walked the last half block to cool down a bit, arriving just in time to kiss LRM as she left for work. <br />
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Not a bad start to the day.Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-29383129460272431882017-01-30T08:33:00.002-07:002017-01-30T08:33:40.557-07:00Marathon Training Log [Day 1]<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the adventures I've planned this year is running the Wineglass Marathon in October. In preparation, I've enlisted the help of my friend, and freshly minted Exercise Physiologist, Dr. H. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's agreed to provide coaching. I've agreed to do what he tells me to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Day 1 </b> began last night with reviewing the training plan Dr. H provided and scheduling workouts into my calendar. I have a busy schedule, with client meetings and work sessions during the day. Most of the workouts will be in the early morning or late evening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today began with a bang. I had my old GoLite running tights on and was out the door as the sun was rising. Before coffee, before breakfast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The goal this week (and for the next month) is to build "consistency of workouts & skills."</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The skills include various forms of skipping, something I haven't done since grade school. Another skill is to tolerate people laughing as they pass me on the bike path. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The first 10 minutes are a low speed an easy run, followed by 10 minutes of drills, including <a href="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Garth-and-Wayne-Skipping-wayne-27s-world-85283_342_425.jpg" target="_blank">intense skipping</a>, followed by 10 minutes of easy, slow run. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An easy 30 minute workout. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">p.s. I'm training for the half marathon, but I'm not writing "half" over and over again from now until October. I've run a half marathon distance before, but never in a race environment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-69449690341035932722015-09-28T10:02:00.000-06:002015-09-28T10:02:09.916-06:00Fall Colors 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A great way to see the Colorado fall colors is from a dual sport motorcycle. Last weekend, I joined a group of intrepid adventurers on a tour of the scenery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weather was spectacular. The leaves were at their peak. Here's a few of my favorite pics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The full photo album is <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oparvez/albums/72157658770964199" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-38721354623673652152015-08-10T19:10:00.002-06:002015-08-10T19:10:33.153-06:00Arise 2015: What Worked, What Didn't [a REVIEW]<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor Hall and a Dog Woof it Up</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before it all fades from memory, here's my review of the 2015 Arise Music Festival. What works and what needs improvement. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What Works: </span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The mix of artists</u>. From unknown husband/wife drum group that set the people's stage on fire to a stage dedicated to EDM alone. Nice job. The mix of conscious artists was exceptional.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Camping</u>. At first the additional fee required for car camping seemed greedy but then we saw the impact it had. Most people chose to tent camp away from their cars. The result was a much more intimate and friendly campground (plus no opening/closing car doors all day/night). Encouraging people to leave their cars behind is a wise move. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Size of the Venue</u>. It's perfect. Please don't grow any larger. Seriously. We heard rumors of 7,000 participants and zero arrests. Let's keep it that way. Please don't try to become Burning Man. Small is beautiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Host and the Location</u>. Sunrise Ranch and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissaries_of_Divine_Light" target="_blank">EDL</a> were wonderful hosts. The venue is also in easy reach for the entire front range. Although <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissaries_of_Divine_Light" target="_blank">EDL</a> is quite obviously a spiritual or religious organization, their presence was felt as a positive and supportive. An information booth was available for the curious, but there were no attempts to proselytize the festival participants. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Art and the Intimacy</u>. The art was lovely, but not overwhelming. The spaces between installations encouraged people to roam around the grounds. More please. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Cost.</u> Thank you for keeping the ticket cost reasonable and for many opportunities to purchase discounted tickets. Kudos for selecting great vendors who charged reasonable prices for excellent food and merchandise. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What Needs Improvement</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Fake service animals</u>. We encountered several young people with fake service dogs, one of whom thought it was fine to bring her pet right to the front of the Phoenix stage during a concert. We asked one young man hauling around two dogs in the heat about the actual service his animals were providing during a yoga class and he shrugged his shoulders and gave vague responses. These animals are NOT real service dogs. Fake credentials for service animals are easily purchased online for as little as $30 without any training or testing, and without any verification of the whether the person has a real disability. <b>Arise organizers: take this issue seriously</b>. The temperatures were approaching 100. These animals had inadequate shade and water. This is animal abuse and Arise is complicit by allowing it to continue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Animal Rights</u>. In the midst of the event, wild animals are at risk. We witnessed a father carrying a large bull snake to safety at the perimeter. A pair of voles found themselves out of their burrow and exposed in the middle of the vendor area, (possible due to the bass). Festival participants rigged a safe zone for the animals so they didn't get stomped to death. They even provided water in a bottle cap (which we saw the voles drinking). That's cool for the community but Arise needs an animal welfare and/or wildlife officer to take appropriate action. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Outhouses</u>. The pumping and cleaning schedule needs to double. The portable toilets were frequently dirty and filled with human waste. It's unsanitary and needs action. Nasty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Headliner</u>. In contrast to the many professional musicians at Arise, Edward Sharpe must have been drunk or seriously tripping during his performance. It was embarrassing. The artist half-assed and didn't complete the performance of many songs, including their one big hit. Not cool Edward Sharpe. Take it from a fan. We didn't come to the festival to hear you mess up and stop singing half way through your own songs. Try it sober next time, Ed. Did any of the organizers vet their live performances before booking? Next time, please go to a live show or two before booking the artist. Hint: Michael Franti and Spearhead would have been a MUCH BETTER choice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Message</u>. Throughout the event, there were many irregular and impromptu speeches and congratulatory messages from members of various indigenous and social action groups. I understand that this is part of the purpose for the community, but it also felt disjointed and out of place. Tell us more about the results and how to get involved. Spare us the back patting and questionable Native American cultural appropriation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you at Arise 2016?</span><br />
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<br />Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0Boulder, CO, USA40.0149856 -105.2705455999999939.820449100000005 -105.59326909999999 40.2095221 -104.9478221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-12299215096300464322015-06-26T09:38:00.000-06:002015-06-26T09:38:01.353-06:00Into the Rawah<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trip requirements: </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>Backpacking, 2 or 3 nights</b>. Work and life requirements put the kibosh on anything longer. Protecting the days for this trip was a challenge and wouldn't have been possible without friends, coworkers, and family flexibility. Muchas gracias. You know who you are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>3 to 5 miles between camp locations</b>. Both of us were recovering from knee issues. CT was post knee surgery, mid PT. I was dealing with my still torn left meniscus, which occasionally flares up (usually after a cruiser bike ride). We wanted to keep the mileage low, but ended up covering much longer distances than anticipated. On day 2, we covered about 10 miles between camps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>Gentle vertical gain</b>. With knee issues it's usually the downhill side that causes the problems. In theory, the planned loop allowed us to keep the downhill stuff to the very end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>Low elevation</b>. There's still a ton of snow in the mountains and many passes aren't yet open. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <b>Reasonable distance from Boulder</b>. We agreed that less than 4 hours of driving would be strongly preferred. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CT took the lead on trip selection. The planned route was a <a href="http://www.oriconline.org/what_to_do/trails_and_trips/backpacking_trips/cc-west_branch_loop.pdf" target="_blank">19-20 mile loop</a> in the <a href="http://www.backpacker.com/destinations-stories/colorado-s-rawah-wilderness/" target="_blank">Rawah Wilderness</a> with about 3,000 feet of elevation gain/loss. Time to explore the "<a href="http://archive.coloradoan.com/article/20130714/XPLORE/307140009/The-jewel-our-backyard-Rawah-Wilderness" target="_blank">Jewel in Our Backyard</a>."</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Stop: Sandwiches for the Trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the Rawah</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A message from Kathy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water, water everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As night fell, so did our bear bag</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We thought we were lucky when CT found an abandoned bear bag set-up near our camp site. Later, we found out it wasn't abandoned after all. As twilight fell, we rushed to set up our own rig. This aspen branch was a poor choice. The branch came tumbling down when we tested it with weight. Eventually we found a better spot. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high country is in bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need water? Dodge the moose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backpack explodes. Tent appears.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filtering water, round 2. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at camp</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Trip Notes</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- The spring runoff is in full effect. One water crossing was a little challenging (cold!) and potentially dangerous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Dodging moose was fun and a little frightening. If you haven't seen one up close and personal, it's an experience. They're huge! I saw both a female and later, a male hanging out around the lake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Mosquitoes. Dark clouds of mosquitoes near the lakes and throughout the wilderness. Worst I've ever seen them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- According to other hikers we met on trail, Grassy pass was impassable without proper equipment. So we didn't end up hiking the loop. Instead we backtracked and went up to camp lake in reverse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- There are two Camp Lake trails where the trail splits (40.692768, -105.901568). The longer trail which wraps around the hill first to the east and then back to the west along the ditch is obscured by dead fall. On the way back, we tried to take the longer trail but lost it and ended up back on the shorter trail. Both trails are labeled 968 on my USFS map. There's a cairn at 40.697809, -105.911708 where the trail comes back together. Worth noting these waypoints if you want to try it yourself or just stay on the shorter, well marked trail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Setting up your tent within earshot of a roaring (not babbling) stream gives just the right amount of ambient sound to imagine anything and everything. This is particularly relevant at 2am when it's time to face the unseen terrors of your imagination to pee. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Thank you to whomever left us the spotless camp site, clean fire ring, and piles of neatly stacked wood. We enjoyed your hospitality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Belly full, fire crackling and stars begin to appear in the night sky. There is nothing quite as magnificent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Gear Notes:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- My <a href="https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Pad/InsulatedAirCore" target="_blank">Big Agnus Insulated Air Core</a> sleeping pad failed, again. Neither I or CT could find the hole. Consequently, I got only 2-3 hours of sleep on our last night. I took the last one back to REI. This one is going back too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- My old <a href="http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/mens/kestrel_38" target="_blank">Osprey Kestrel 38L</a> was stuffed to maximum capacity. I brought wool long underwear backup, no down vest or jacket. Most of the space was filled with my sleeping bag and the tent was strapped to the outside. It was fine because it was so warm, but is probably too small for an early season trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- The <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/827809/rei-passage-1-tent" target="_blank">REI passage 1</a> continues to work well for solo motorcycle and backpacking adventures. At 6'2", I have just enough space for my frame without feeling claustrophobic. The vestibule covers my backpack or helmet/boots quite nicely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- One of the pics above shows the first use of my new Gravityworks filter into an MSR Dromedary. The system worked flawlessly and is a huge improvement from my old Sweetwater ceramic pump filter. I've never had so much water at a backpacking camp available so easily. 0.2 Micron filtration means pretty much everything but viruses, which should be OK for use in the United States. It didn't filter out the tannin color, however. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- CT brought along a Kevlar bear bag. I think it was <a href="http://www.ursack.com/" target="_blank">an Ursack</a>. This was a huge improvement from the standard bulky and heavy plastic kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- At the last minute, I decided not to cook up the Backpacker's Pantry Huevos Rancheros. Despite hauling cooking oil up and down the mountain, I just didn't feel like dealing with the cleanup involved. On the last day, I fueled myself on Cliff bars, gorp, and black coffee alone. Good thing too. As I was sorting out my gear on the kitchen table this morning, I took the picture above. Can you read the date code? Best by: February 2008. </span></div>
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Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-89863439826257761162015-05-20T14:24:00.001-06:002015-05-20T14:24:05.408-06:00Cycles South <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the midst of our busy lives, between mountains of work and family obligations, it can be hard to get away. Yet as a friend recently reminded me, we're all sprinting to our graves. Taking time to live life fully makes life meaningful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have much appreciation for my colleagues who provide business coverage and understanding clients. Their generosity and understanding enabled me to sneak away for a quick adventure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12 riders on 11 motorcycles: the dirty dozen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This trip took us to remote parts of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. We covered about 1,000 miles and camped along the way. We braved wet and cold weather, saw some amazing things, and had a fantastic time. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy, ready for adventure</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ned, Valley of the Gods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muley Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick and Mark, Valley of the Gods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that white stuff under my tent? Hail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5442/17817286556_1d1e30cdc5_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5442/17817286556_1d1e30cdc5_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument Valley</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A Few Lessons: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Although I carefully planned this trip, and brought adequate rain and cold weather gear, I didn't consider the possibility of <i>persistent</i> wet weather. Sure it rains from time to time in the desert, but it usually dries very fast. Who expects continued rain and a mudpit? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heavy bikes were made even heavier with multi-day camping gear. One of our riders was carrying a passenger. In those circumstances, even easy forest roads are treacherous. Plan B was spontaneous and relied on the wisdom of the crowd. That's how we ended up in NM and Arizona. It was an OK way to make a contingency ride, but not ideal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson: Plan for a route B and even a route C.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. The routing on my GPS didn't work properly. Or rather, I didn't take the time to fully confirm each day's route was properly coded. GPS Visualizer failed to convert a Google Map route into usable waypoints. Google Maps didn't work well for navigation without a consistent signal, it would drop my preplanned map repeatedly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson: Confirm primary and backup routes are fully programmed into the GPS before departure. If possible, download necessary maps into the phone as a backup. Bring paper maps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I didn't think through a strategy for packing a wet rain fly and ground cloth away from the rest of the tent, wrongly assuming the next night would be dry. Although I didn't suffer a night in a wet tent, it could have easily happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson: An extra garbage bag and/or a dry bag or two would have provided a better solution. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. I carried lots of extra, redundant gear. I could have shed several cooking items without any loss of function. The extra weight was not that big of a deal but the bike handles better without it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson: Go through cooking gear carefully and shed redundant items. </span><br />
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<br />Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-86998203988699847772015-04-10T10:45:00.000-06:002015-04-19T10:46:16.482-06:00Moab and the White Rim <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7675/17081302921_bb1467e2e0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7675/17081302921_bb1467e2e0_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The White Rim is about 100 miles of trail through some of the most beautiful desert in the United States. It's a spectacular experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oparvez/sets/72157651966337072/" target="_blank">photo album</a>. </span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-41384950891091358692015-03-31T10:39:00.000-06:002015-04-19T10:40:29.427-06:00The Great Sandhill Crane Migration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/16763359608_e2791f0308_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/16763359608_e2791f0308_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Animal migrations are a spectacle of nature. When we heard this one was happening only a few hours drive from Boulder, we were hooked. Little did we know that it was still Winter in Nebraska. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">36 hours. Half a million migratory birds. There and back again. Here's the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oparvez/sets/72157651609754915/" target="_blank">photo album</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-25886062096328198012015-01-01T08:15:00.000-07:002015-01-01T10:44:33.322-07:00New Year's Eve at the Boulder Star<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Late last night, while Yonder Mountain was between sets, someone asked me a question. He wanted a single word to describe 2014 and another to describe the coming year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a year filled with beautiful adventures; a new business, a new house, road trips, motorcycle travel, a new relationship, and so many positive experiences with friends and clients. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But one word? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some words that come to mind: bliss, love, resolution, passion, adventure, community, service, commitment, and mastery. Looking forward to next year, other words call to me: gratitude, dedication, and depth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My word for 2014 and 2015: Moksha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To celebrate the turning of the Gregorian Calendar, I paid a visit to Boulder's holiday star. I was lucky to enjoy the experience with a two of my favorite people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's are the pics...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Flagstaff</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The approach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steeper than it looks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for microspikes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Boulder</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partner in crime</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-60225463203788655602014-11-18T10:32:00.001-07:002014-11-18T10:32:11.269-07:00Cerberus and Joseph Campbell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dg3BI2cAbo9wEgTWI4lUsu0Va7euE1OgZx_EmSkGYzxJZ4-7Mh43uC7qdxWWtArdzeSsJn_4PZ6ly9L15GAD0athEaucroFFWvQbG6xaIvVohV_WFD72FHqdp2MpJoYu_MBcwA/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+11182014+85445+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dg3BI2cAbo9wEgTWI4lUsu0Va7euE1OgZx_EmSkGYzxJZ4-7Mh43uC7qdxWWtArdzeSsJn_4PZ6ly9L15GAD0athEaucroFFWvQbG6xaIvVohV_WFD72FHqdp2MpJoYu_MBcwA/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+11182014+85445+AM.jpg" height="230" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">How the Adventure Began</span></b> </span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the evening we went down a wooded road in the dark to the mouth of a cave. The cave had a wooden door on it which could be opened. In front of the door was a man wearing the mask of a dog: Cerberus at the gate of hell. He put his hand out and said, "Give me that which you least cherish." When you gave him one of the objects you were holding, he opened the door and allowed you to enter. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Then you proceeded through the cave, an enormous place, holding the six remaining things you most cherished. On five more occasions, you were asked to surrender that which you least cherished, until you were left with one object that represented what you treasured most. And you found out what it was, believe me. You really, really did. And the order in which you gave up your treasures was revelatory: you really knew what your order of values was. Then you came to an exit, where there two people between whom you had to go. Before you could through that guarded exit, you had to give up that which you most cherished</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">-A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU5DB7-Y6ncj5M1kEEZkZPPm31xofSZDfVbzAD8HHiX4kitvvu9VOf7h-1CNPaUNsDfJ9VHJGCQH30EXKCEulDLz2qB5b7qs7v1k-pWIQlTF9iPt5YIGqmyzpsIUKHjwoVjE8eg/s1600/XU7A3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTU5DB7-Y6ncj5M1kEEZkZPPm31xofSZDfVbzAD8HHiX4kitvvu9VOf7h-1CNPaUNsDfJ9VHJGCQH30EXKCEulDLz2qB5b7qs7v1k-pWIQlTF9iPt5YIGqmyzpsIUKHjwoVjE8eg/s1600/XU7A3897.JPG" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In early September, I recreated Joseph Campbell's ritual for a group of close friends in Boulder. Instead of a wooded path and a cave, we used Boulder open space and a secluded cave-like spot on Mt. Sanitas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In our ritual, we spoke aloud about each thing we gave up. The circle of friends stood witness to the act of surrendering. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>My Seven Things</u> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Family and Friends</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well Being</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Joy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Service</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Community</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the ritual, I was surprised how difficult it was to give up any of these things. Even though it was symbolic, I was very resistant. In the end, <b>family</b> was the last thing I gave up; it's what I treasure most. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An evening spent reflecting on what makes life worth living was a powerful experience. Afterward, I realized that I wasn't exactly living my life in line with the order of my values. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It had been quite some time since I'd seen my <b>family</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is what I decided. Instead of booking a backpacking or motorcycle trip across Thailand and Vietnam, which I had been talking about for quite some time, I decided to visit my parents in upstate New York and my brother's family in Connecticut. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As it happens, the trip ended up including all of my seven things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Booking The Trip</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the trip's purpose in mind, I started looking for ways to turn this into an <b>adventure</b>. I considered hopping on my motorcycle, my favorite way to travel, but weather this time of year can be bitter cold and unpredictable. Riding the interstate through Kansas or Nebraska is also awfully boring. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YWJiO-D9nhg0vhhgTCceLTFalVDVBXmrxZQ_7pH6UxBtGjaEFkanYfkIZGAQIr7Us0KCfF4laKXPfZY2buiQvalB79K4z3wFZEoe3318oPXpU2a2QvJ-JB1q0uG8aajT5sKGzA/s1600/miata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YWJiO-D9nhg0vhhgTCceLTFalVDVBXmrxZQ_7pH6UxBtGjaEFkanYfkIZGAQIr7Us0KCfF4laKXPfZY2buiQvalB79K4z3wFZEoe3318oPXpU2a2QvJ-JB1q0uG8aajT5sKGzA/s1600/miata.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1993 Mazda Miata</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's when I happened on an old Miata for sale. Not just any Miata, but a low mileage, carefully preserved first gen with an obsessively documented maintenance history. I called the seller. We discussed <a href="http://kwc.smugmug.com/Other/Miata/44152217_MVQDNX#!i=3515348111&k=V4b64Bh">the car</a>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just one little catch. It was in Indiana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you might guess - convertibles don't sell well in the fall. The price I negotiated was fair. Flights were cheap. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When the seller agreed to pick me up at the airport, we had a deal. I put some money down and booked it. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonding with Theo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Gonzalo</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hurricanes change everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seeking to escape the Hurricane Gonazalo's path, my sister Sadaf and her <b>family</b> had fled Bermuda (where they live) and were staying at a family house in the Poconos. You can read about that <a href="http://www.njmonkey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. After picking up the Miata, I diverted my route and drove to Pennsylvania instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two months ago, my nephew Theo was born. I had hoped to see him this fall, but it didn't look like it was in the cards. Lucky for me, the hurricane had other plans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The visit also included seeing Jeff (my brother in-law), Helene (his mom), Michael (her partner), Jordan (my nephew) and Samina (my niece). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was only one evening but I feel fortunate to have had that time with <b>family</b>. We shared a delicious meal and had great conversation. I'm now regularly texting with Jordan and Samina, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt55xsc_vHm793olT833Kw5Tu4fkcB82VyY-kxPkll926yzo2ylYNmjqx6wlAK1wINbDMnXeQApoju2E81SgE311w63yqZlkB2k4_4HbIXHBnfsSo8wrEYAMWZFpx_vVgOIFIpQ/s1600/XU7A3881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt55xsc_vHm793olT833Kw5Tu4fkcB82VyY-kxPkll926yzo2ylYNmjqx6wlAK1wINbDMnXeQApoju2E81SgE311w63yqZlkB2k4_4HbIXHBnfsSo8wrEYAMWZFpx_vVgOIFIpQ/s1600/XU7A3881.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After saying my goodbye's in Pennsylvania, my next stop was my parent's house in New York. Their house in the Finger Lakes, beautifully nestled in the forest, always makes me nostalgic. I grew up playing in those woods. My childhood friends were fields apart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With my parents ensued more great conversation over shared meals. More <b>connection</b> and <b>family</b> time, the best of which was recording an oral family history from my father (over bread sticks at the Olive Garden). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To be continued... </span></div>
Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-2975496336954129342014-08-26T10:18:00.000-06:002014-08-26T10:19:06.115-06:00Woof! National Dog Day<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just learned that today is National Dog Day! To celebrate, here's a few fun pictures of my favorite pooch, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marley.tyleeparvez">Marley</a>! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising around Boulder</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Scott Carpenter pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuddle time</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-26780776579783743422014-08-07T22:46:00.001-06:002014-08-08T07:59:52.851-06:00Quandary Peak - 14er #11<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ominous warning: There are no easy Fourteeners. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hosting a dinner party the previous evening, frankly - it was a good thing I wasn't driving. My head was still a little furry from a late night of merry making. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, on the trail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My buddies picked me up and we rolled out of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boulder shortly after 5 am. Hiking boots hit the ground and we were headed up the trail at 7:30 am. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note to self: Don't scoff at Boy Scout warning signs.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author at the summit</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The route itself was a nice slog, a bit boggy at points but it didn't take long to break treeline. We took our time, anticipating clear weather and admired nature's stunning display of wildflowers along the way. This has been the best year for flowers in the high country that I can remember. We saw fauna too, including a mama mountain goat and her kid - who came within arms length (sorry, no pic). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Here's Jonathan instead. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly after 10:00, we crested the false summit. There, in front of us were clear and ominous signs - a serious storm was coming. Dark brooding clouds were approaching the peak ahead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Already well above tree line and on an exposed ridge, we faced a difficult choice. Press ahead or turn back? We decided to press ahead. Twenty minutes later, about 1/4 of the way up the final climb, the storm hit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It happened so fast, I barely had time to get my rain coat on. As for the rest of me, the best I could do was squat over my bare legs to protect them from the painful hail bearing down on us. The ice chunks whipped past, hitting the ground and bouncing up. Any bare skin was dealt a stinging blow by the relentless ice fall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not fun. ... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and then the thunder boomed. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time to get the hell off the mountain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scrambling down icy rocks, we (and about a dozen other hikers) moved as fast as possible. Once past the false summit, we found a large cairn to shelter against. Soon the storm past. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thunder and lightning was now in front of us. Looking at the Wunderground Map on my phone (highly recommended), it seemed the storm had moved to the east and nothing remained to the west. After that heart racing experience, should we try again? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some discussion, we agreed. One more try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As it turns out, the storm was an isolated cell. We were greeted by blue skies. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Official elevation: 14,265'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find me <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B023%2750.4%22N+106%C2%B006%2722.9%22W/@39.3973195,-106.10635,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0">here</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14856434095_dde93bb50f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14856434095_dde93bb50f_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bagged it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The way down was mostly non-eventful. A smaller storm cell blew past before we were below tree line, bringing another round of hail and rain. No lightning, this time. Far less painful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended our adventure with a celebratory beverage at the trail head and by scarfing down a few thousand calories at the Breckenridge Brewery. </span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-24938846505881646212014-07-03T14:28:00.004-06:002014-07-03T14:28:40.162-06:00The Fun Way Around <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It all started with a cup of coffee.
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<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14535464036_6585fdd228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14535464036_6585fdd228.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that's not strictly true. It actually started by taking care of some needed service on the bike. Just a little swap of oil in the motor, gearbox, and final drive. Check the valves and lube the splines and you're good to go, right? Here's what that looked like...</span><br />
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<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/14348397319_fc54ff9831_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/14348397319_fc54ff9831_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The route was about 460 miles and more or less followed this map. If you haven't taken the opportunity to ride a motorcycle in the twisty mountain roads (and trails) of Colorado, I highly recommend it. </span><br />
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<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Boulder,+CO&daddr=Morrison+to:Evergreen,+CO+to:39.1913709,-105.5479224+to:Salida,+CO+to:Leadville,+CO+to:Granby,+CO+to:Estes+Park,+CO+to:Allenspark,+CO+to:Boulder,+CO&geocode=FYqUYgId7rK5-SnTr40nTo1rhzFYgBugfDs5yA%3BFd8QXQIdROm6-SnDT0W9F3hrhzFoElgtTVUA7w%3BFanBXAIdofy4-SmhzDKxMXVrhzFYZYmi5ZW3gw%3BFUoDVgIdbne1-Snhaw6rizxrhzHntMRiakLoCg%3BFT_-SwIdypWu-SldLrhRwBcVhzG24a8hAO8rug%3BFYfrVgId1Bqq-Smdlwg7JJFqhzEh7ejfiTCkRQ%3BFVGqYwId_H2v-Snr21I6yyhqhzECfMtvWKk0Hg%3BFXYbaAId_921-SkDGhm71mVphzEMrMqpt5iW2w%3BFX1RZQIdzc61-SnVPS6YsdhrhzHUPUmwXzrIRQ%3BFYqUYgId7rK5-SnTr40nTo1rhzFYgBugfDs5yA&aq=0&oq=EVergr&sll=39.260968,-105.655518&sspn=0.622025,1.352692&hl=en&mra=ls&via=3&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.490841,-105.781591&spn=1.912628,1.199496" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Along the way, we dropped in on some friends known for their considerable musical talent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And rode our bikes to high places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good times, indeed! </span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-28535484620037401982014-06-15T14:59:00.003-06:002014-06-15T15:00:08.768-06:00Thievery in Aspen<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just got back from a weekend in Aspen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few highlights...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke to this view every morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AP had his Kelty up in minutes. Amazing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time I'm in Aspen, I'm shocked at the rejuvenation and construction underway. The owner of this building is creating a gigantic weave pattern facade and a new rooftop patio. No doubt, it will be climbed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thievery Corp experienced in a small venue like Belly Up was spectacular. This experience is in my top five shows of all time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few of you know what this means. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a spectacular week. I moved into a fantastic new place with the help of some of the most amazing friends. I met some new friends. I spent the weekend playing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Seriously, how can you beat campfires, deep conversations, and crooning beneath the stars, a bicycle ride in the mountains beneath a full moon, hiking, stealth hot tubbing, and one of my favorite bands? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can't. </span>Osmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07275842841635282715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-4186804420106450092014-01-14T17:09:00.002-07:002014-01-14T17:09:47.338-07:00Quick Review - New Balance Minimus<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to buy high quality, durable products so how something falls apart, or the so called <i>failure mode</i> is important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of my running shoes wear out from the bottom up. The foam looses it's ability to cushion or the treads wear out. Not this pair of New Balance Minimus trail running shoes. </span><br />
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<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/11955350845_55016ae779_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/11955350845_55016ae779_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mind you, I've gotten my money out of this running shoes so I'm not complaining. I've run in tropical rain storms in Florida and taken them with me for a jaunt around Bermuda, too. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They've lasted two seasons with typically one run a week, mostly street but some trail runs.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's not bad for a minimalist style shoe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The colors look pretty good with a pair of blue jeans, too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only gripe: obscenely long laces. Being a little thick, it took three falls before I finally cut the laces and melted the ends with a lighter. The last fall was on the wooden bridge into Eben G. Fine park. My knees hit the planks with a loud WHUMP, alarming my running mates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see from the pic above, the soles did suffer some wear and tear, but nothing unexpected. I blame Crossfit for the torn circular pad though - something these trail running shoes were never meant to handle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my next pair, I'm joining the Newton cult. </span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-5246393844952361552014-01-09T22:23:00.000-07:002014-01-09T22:23:32.518-07:00The News<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Share Custody of a Golden Retriever</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few days ago, I ran into an old friend at the Mountain Sun. We started talking about our holidays and she mentioned that she was surprised to receive two cards from "us." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's when it hit me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although many already know, some friends are still finding out the old fashioned way - through the grapevine. I suppose I thought it was a <i>need to know</i> kind of thing, not something to be announced publicly - but maybe times have changed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, here's the news: Dallice and I got divorced in 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's a lot I could say about getting divorced but the most important thing is that we're still friends. Perhaps we'll be better friends in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have deep love and compassion towards Dallice. We were together for almost a decade and I'm proud of those years. Most of them were very happy years. I wish her well on her separate journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Divorce wasn't a bitter experience but it wasn't easy either. 2013 was a tough year, the hardest I can remember. I'm glad it's now behind me. I also have a deep gratitude for my family and many friends who reached out and supported me during a difficult period of my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's now 2014. I have a new place, a new business, and after an emotional roller coaster of year - I feel like I've got solid ground beneath my feet again. I suppose you could say, I have a new found sense of adventure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As for this blog, it's time to get the ball rolling again. If you're looking for old posts, you should know that Dallice removed her photographs and writing. While disappointing, I understand why she chose to do so. I have no judgement about it, it was her decision. As for me, I have no interest in doing that. Just like my old journals sitting in a closet, it's part of a history that I can't see erasing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the British Government said back in '39, keep calm and carry on. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-38027129998627233192012-08-08T18:05:00.000-06:002012-08-08T18:05:28.532-06:00Mt. Bierstadt - 14er #10Today, I successfully hiked up Mt. Bierstadt. This marks my 10th Colorado 14er (2nd 14er for this year). Here's a quick trip report.<br />
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I had originally planned to arrive the night before, but client matters demanded my attention and I wasn't able to sneak away last night. Luckily, Bierstadt is on the front range and so easy to access that it didn't even require an overnight stay.
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The route:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My actual tracks (click for a large version)</td></tr>
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I took the Western Slopes route (standard). My GPS said I covered 7.55 miles and ascended about 2,800 feet. The official route description says the round trip should take seven miles. I guess I don't walk a straight line.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my former life, I'd be late leaving for work right around now.</td></tr>
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I rolled out of Boulder at <i>O'dark Thirty</i>, made a quick pit stop at Starbucks, and arrived at the trail head just after 8am. Not too shabby. <br />
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The usual suspects bailed on me, so Mr. Spot was my hiking companion for the day. <br />
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Only a half mile from the trail head to this lovely scene. If you don't see the giant bull moose, click the picture above for a larger version. <br />
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This is what the trail looks like as you're heading up the mountain. Mt. Bierstadt is on the right. Mt. Evans is on the left. <br />
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As you climb, low shrubs and heathers are the only ground cover. You get great views when you start above the tree line (rare). Pikas and Ptarmigans abound...<br />
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This is me at the summit, just past 11am. There's nothing like kicking back and enjoying the view from a 14er. A little haze in the air made me wonder if we were still getting smoke from fires in New Mexico and Arizona.<br />
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As it turned out, Mr. Spot wasn't my only companion. There were plenty of other hikers enjoying Mt. Bierstadt on a Wednesday afternoon. Don't these people have jobs? <br />
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It feels great to kick off your boots at the summit, especially on a day like today. No wind, warm sunshine, and perfect conditions. p.s. Don't let the tape scare you. It was entirely prophylactic.<br />
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Sign in at the top. p.s. who names their kid "Palmer?"<br />
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This was my first trip out with trekking poles. I picked up these carbon fiber babies at Costco a couple of weeks ago and they performed exceptionally well. Look for the full review on <a href="http://www.gearthoughts.com/">Gear Thoughts</a>, coming soon.<br />
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Parting shot from the ride home. The road over Guanella pass was recently paved. It's now smooth and twisty. If you ignore the 20mph speed limit, it makes for good fun on a motorcycle. Not so much with a 4Runner but still a spectacular view.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Mt Bierstadt, Pike National Forest, Colorado 80452, USA39.5827653 -105.668615139.5582898 -105.7080971 39.6072408 -105.62913309999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-45521915107153998852011-05-02T22:11:00.002-06:002011-05-02T22:12:38.283-06:00Everything Rises Must Converge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkLuNwMkBcynM40tlGpo4DeA1mJAhVxqF-1oEU3AAEtkBUHfp2Uo38o8G3G08jcypY5iBWFag8f7OYQ-VTq50UHud9l0qmcwKBQu4831Ypk76E-X52jP5FnZzOof354HtYYgSMw/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkLuNwMkBcynM40tlGpo4DeA1mJAhVxqF-1oEU3AAEtkBUHfp2Uo38o8G3G08jcypY5iBWFag8f7OYQ-VTq50UHud9l0qmcwKBQu4831Ypk76E-X52jP5FnZzOof354HtYYgSMw/s200/cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-That-Rises-Must-Converge/dp/0374504644">Everything Rises Must Converge</a></i> is a conundrum. Here you'll find a collection of well written stories, blooming with engaging dialog and colorful narratives. History comes back to life in O'Connor tales and old prejudices are featured like myths of a long forgotten South.<br />
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Yet I hesitate to recommend this book - to anyone - for all of her stories end in dark, twisted tragedy. This work may have been the inspiration for the Tales from the Crypt. Yes, it's that dark.<br />
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Happy endings are certainly not mandatory for a good story, but nine horrible endings in a row is a recipe for depression.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-57741836666157557042011-04-25T11:16:00.005-06:002011-04-25T11:40:21.951-06:00Road Trip to Santa FeHave I mentioned that I like to take motorcycle road trips? Here's last weekend's jaunt to Santa Fe, NM.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere near Buena Vista</td></tr>
</tbody></table>When traveling by motorcycle, it's usually best to go the longest, curviest way possible because it's not just about the destination. Riding is also best enjoyed with buddies. Cowboy and Greywolf joined me on this trip.</div><br />
Of course, weather can be an issue - which is why I look like the stay-puft marshmallow man in this photo. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heated Jacket Liner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Layers are helpful, but the real secret to staying warm in cold weather is electric gear. For this trip, I stopped being a cheap skate and bought a Tour Master Synergy Jacket Liner. I was reluctant to buy a Tour Master product because the last item I bought fits like a 70's snowmobile suit, but the jacket liner worked great on this trip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginormous Cinnamon Roll </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Road trips are all about eating food you shouldn't.<br />
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I picked up the <i>mother of all cinnamon rolls</i> at a roadside restaurant near Buena Vista. Note to self: When patronizing roadside restaurants, observe the size of the proprietor before placing your order.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalker Van, Bonnie, Hayduke, Cowboy, and Greywolf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The motorcycle adventuring community is filled with people who will gladly open their homes. garages, and pantries to travelers on the road. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewtus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Invite a bunch of hooligans to a party and what do you get? Shenanigans. <br />
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Some shenanigans are more entertaining than others. This is why I don't own a trials bike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to New Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I woke up next to this lovely spider, inside my friend Rick's house. I think it's a Wolf Spider, but I'm not sure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorditas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not everything I ate on this trip was beef jerky and Cheetos. We stopped for authentic Mexican at a roadside restaurant in Taos, NM.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who wired this thing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>No motorcycle road trip on an old BMW is complete without roadside repairs. My K75 held up pretty well but Cowboy's R1100RT (with 108K miles) had a brake light stuck on. We eventually tracked it down to a stuck micro-switch on the front brake lever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Aliens are a curious cultural mix to roadside art.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There and back again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The ride back from Santa Fe was fun, but a long one. We left a little after 10am, taking the <a href="http://taosvacationguide.com/businesses/view/159">high road to Taos</a>. A very entertaining road, slow but filled with tight twisties and historic towns. <br />
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Along the way, we hit some patches of slush and cold rain but it wasn't too bad. After Taos, we kept going north but I split with my buddies at Ft. Garland (they continued on to Salida). I took Rt. 160 over La Veta Pass and then hopped on I-25 to bomb it home. Normally, this is a four hour ride but it took me almost six hours due to wintry, wet conditions for most of the trip.<br />
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Overall, it was an awesome long weekend away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212319.post-1638195695749358432011-04-08T10:55:00.000-06:002011-04-08T10:55:41.867-06:00The Gathering PlaceDallice and I just got back from a little adventure in Hawaii. We had lots of beach time, of course, but we also surfed, snorkled, flew, rode, camped, and hiked our way around the island of Oahu.<br />
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Here's a little slideshow.<br />
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