tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14853770912258651212024-02-06T21:38:35.553-10:00The Wandering RoadTales and Images From Life's JourneysWandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-8205860181896948802017-03-13T16:40:00.001-10:002017-03-13T16:40:54.060-10:00Venice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg863xOvIjwwpO9ASfaWaLRFgItIzoziUE-cElV4uCtIacLpsqbEv5hh08tthA83WVQY_1N31fuPdbtZ_xh0SRBhtrpAt0odolHmFsno0XYhCngCzI_KX9xfeS7p12Fmi3ayg0vLoXWGU/s640/blogger-image--1780487350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg863xOvIjwwpO9ASfaWaLRFgItIzoziUE-cElV4uCtIacLpsqbEv5hh08tthA83WVQY_1N31fuPdbtZ_xh0SRBhtrpAt0odolHmFsno0XYhCngCzI_KX9xfeS7p12Fmi3ayg0vLoXWGU/s640/blogger-image--1780487350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My first time in Italy and what a way to start!! So much has been said about this city and nothing I could write will add much to that, so I'll stick to the pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ne-XXvvj8OwZaV6P3qoKptZS0DUfc9NpI3MwLEn2Zq5UjzQbQT1o_SRzYpLPIeQp9jIRRQQ3SJFPOU5-fP4PEq9Afvdop9JSAYT8bUI9kh7AWcljguHskSMb_jeSJc5UJwmD02AqYHA4/s640/blogger-image--1064035452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ne-XXvvj8OwZaV6P3qoKptZS0DUfc9NpI3MwLEn2Zq5UjzQbQT1o_SRzYpLPIeQp9jIRRQQ3SJFPOU5-fP4PEq9Afvdop9JSAYT8bUI9kh7AWcljguHskSMb_jeSJc5UJwmD02AqYHA4/s640/blogger-image--1064035452.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everything we experienced in Venice went so far beyond my expectations! Our three days there were a nonstop visual feast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzhyOI4OPGvLgaeg51nsv5SZ8PsnuYgi4zHPWKjZbQkDFnh4JmVsrDnaXWxdU7aiSyi7gK_TTW9AixyT5RkQvWYMfsht35N7ONkldPAtVZrtbb0d7T_w7t0pvLtmfGIyQi6t4r0ykkZm/s640/blogger-image-108915741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzhyOI4OPGvLgaeg51nsv5SZ8PsnuYgi4zHPWKjZbQkDFnh4JmVsrDnaXWxdU7aiSyi7gK_TTW9AixyT5RkQvWYMfsht35N7ONkldPAtVZrtbb0d7T_w7t0pvLtmfGIyQi6t4r0ykkZm/s640/blogger-image-108915741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even our humble AirBnB room was beautiful! Though we tried not to spend too much time there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBt8D-m4OAk1r2O8aZqBKgOalB7e7kJ_JYkoOislv3h9gnQLbkjvT-tFY5sdFvNHIRjNR29bjUGT0fLFTFrKxvivCWpZrdSrb78yrgQoi_u8ShfhykRb7MYot7McfV0fnzQ2nFunIsxZ/s640/blogger-image-989500252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VBt8D-m4OAk1r2O8aZqBKgOalB7e7kJ_JYkoOislv3h9gnQLbkjvT-tFY5sdFvNHIRjNR29bjUGT0fLFTFrKxvivCWpZrdSrb78yrgQoi_u8ShfhykRb7MYot7McfV0fnzQ2nFunIsxZ/s640/blogger-image-989500252.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-38324161117809607682014-09-30T19:56:00.001-10:002014-09-30T19:56:18.562-10:00Grace Ridge Hike<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYybRB5JEpbT42zcdknqF07VYq5QssMtHbmQdNwwDsACxaDYKSEsJQzFoaKhfd24YsfI2AGFxBikJk8Gvi117OyXLLNkNY08lyWOT-BQ0f6oh8ut4FP48epKINZGgGWc4AZmV7MwjJlQ2U/s640/blogger-image--933247419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYybRB5JEpbT42zcdknqF07VYq5QssMtHbmQdNwwDsACxaDYKSEsJQzFoaKhfd24YsfI2AGFxBikJk8Gvi117OyXLLNkNY08lyWOT-BQ0f6oh8ut4FP48epKINZGgGWc4AZmV7MwjJlQ2U/s640/blogger-image--933247419.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a wonderful day hiking Grace Ridge across the Bay in Kachemak Bay State Park a few weeks ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeRyutxmfTCBU8_aLFbyaxjzpnHftSlEjNWvSdG6CBdCY8VNlycb3jWGYqgShdV4N3wYUP4Y_zv23inZKmgP1vUvXqFlzTP1vRsHkJDYIPu2ZPcyW5azx9aMoA4fSwjLn2QX0J41OjPmX/s640/blogger-image--890552742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeRyutxmfTCBU8_aLFbyaxjzpnHftSlEjNWvSdG6CBdCY8VNlycb3jWGYqgShdV4N3wYUP4Y_zv23inZKmgP1vUvXqFlzTP1vRsHkJDYIPu2ZPcyW5azx9aMoA4fSwjLn2QX0J41OjPmX/s640/blogger-image--890552742.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weather was great and we were treated to some outstanding views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttV__bLkoa06fQ59ULAil5KR_Dx_BjXMPTrHMPgzqZdQc3HR24nuXC6HoSUwPsQVyjs1h38TQzohFipa_e_wuINPhFrEakVV1_a9rIHvHbgcpv7dgyHK-71GgzJ4lcVM1DL7GHqHs6eQu/s640/blogger-image--227757741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttV__bLkoa06fQ59ULAil5KR_Dx_BjXMPTrHMPgzqZdQc3HR24nuXC6HoSUwPsQVyjs1h38TQzohFipa_e_wuINPhFrEakVV1_a9rIHvHbgcpv7dgyHK-71GgzJ4lcVM1DL7GHqHs6eQu/s640/blogger-image--227757741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also ended up with a bunch of blueberries. The hills were literally covered in them and we managed to gather up 7 lbs.!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpXfgJxBDVam-cTnJxz0SWQN3tHr9BhBiWqxB-F2NpNOoBhr2mkrAGu8Svh4X2wmNnreGeUM0ysHgQjz7dHUAmdRTg65OetiWg4QNfajxDMLlYi2bN_npXFUn2ZOvw76vJ2S-w4ukbsPo/s640/blogger-image-900474518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpXfgJxBDVam-cTnJxz0SWQN3tHr9BhBiWqxB-F2NpNOoBhr2mkrAGu8Svh4X2wmNnreGeUM0ysHgQjz7dHUAmdRTg65OetiWg4QNfajxDMLlYi2bN_npXFUn2ZOvw76vJ2S-w4ukbsPo/s640/blogger-image-900474518.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-45676370785298284642014-09-18T11:06:00.001-10:002014-09-30T20:00:52.638-10:00Kayaking in Prince William Sound - Deep Water Bay<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H_f52EvNN5f9lKCHU8yr6jnztVCbB7XsdfBGu_lbIhbNY14wjGbEwk-wyTgZ9FIv8VrJ8kolMoTfjQcVqwdLv3qkxEL39N5Huub1QpXVQwsQB79IwBetypupUcInndYtic19dUcsYBwp/s640/blogger-image--1777824748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H_f52EvNN5f9lKCHU8yr6jnztVCbB7XsdfBGu_lbIhbNY14wjGbEwk-wyTgZ9FIv8VrJ8kolMoTfjQcVqwdLv3qkxEL39N5Huub1QpXVQwsQB79IwBetypupUcInndYtic19dUcsYBwp/s640/blogger-image--1777824748.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The last stop on our 8-day kayak trip was Deep Water Bay. We had a really nice paddle to our final camping beach and got there with just enough time to set up camp and cook before night fell. We didn't do too much exploring of the bay until the next morning. We woke up to thick, cold fog, but we could tell right away that is was going to burn off pretty early.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFcLCM_udvRVKzXG-jevhRH3fkWaqjz5JGaXSqPtexy2M_qCBzOZCNyPVKl6JcRwTsJh6yJytp1BS2sq3xSME-5xaKkqfSiQRjsD2F2RSr3ABzdrkaHRCya1rNluSw-W7vKQ38cjQlh2A/s640/blogger-image--924178777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFcLCM_udvRVKzXG-jevhRH3fkWaqjz5JGaXSqPtexy2M_qCBzOZCNyPVKl6JcRwTsJh6yJytp1BS2sq3xSME-5xaKkqfSiQRjsD2F2RSr3ABzdrkaHRCya1rNluSw-W7vKQ38cjQlh2A/s640/blogger-image--924178777.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Photographing in the fog was a lot of fun as we watched the sun slowly peel away the mist. The water was flat calm as well, which made for a really dramatic scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskrw2w4fqlPGb44xWTlv-uWpMdxUh5BQdR0kyrJUYxZNKQ-yuwTwCjnhsw-46ji7ZrmynphPuzoL91i2UZ8-phzGKAkZlA8sapSBM5mo_5zf1ncGhus72jMR8mswgK4KKJYI6N6SFJ4TP/s640/blogger-image--1961594934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskrw2w4fqlPGb44xWTlv-uWpMdxUh5BQdR0kyrJUYxZNKQ-yuwTwCjnhsw-46ji7ZrmynphPuzoL91i2UZ8-phzGKAkZlA8sapSBM5mo_5zf1ncGhus72jMR8mswgK4KKJYI6N6SFJ4TP/s640/blogger-image--1961594934.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once we finished breakfast and got in our boats the fog was completely gone and in its place we're some amazing views of the surrounding mountains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lpGY08YkyLd30bm_RD0cjuR3ZHFIk6Yz65qwCA8e3E-vP5hH83JX6idTxLcVjtdLNhYsDSYE_tENMRryJfFECXLJyIVKMbqPcNxGSDzSjircgVy_ciLRwkV-RNn3MjWHseyGEm-JWTa8/s640/blogger-image-243618323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lpGY08YkyLd30bm_RD0cjuR3ZHFIk6Yz65qwCA8e3E-vP5hH83JX6idTxLcVjtdLNhYsDSYE_tENMRryJfFECXLJyIVKMbqPcNxGSDzSjircgVy_ciLRwkV-RNn3MjWHseyGEm-JWTa8/s640/blogger-image-243618323.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was as if we had woken up in Yosemite National Park (and the park had flooded over night!). Deep Water Bay is surrounded by big granite peaks. They jut up from the spruce forests in dramatic fashion. We were very fortunate to catch this amazing place on such a good day. The sun lit up the granite, crisply defining every crack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvz6vDTqeVbnCYFLWAEuDNLZoPFaAhig9BZFaTcKjhlWsU9UkxPhd7h_oCrkWPL4_mm2b-EJRHVvYyVtjxqobEaNS58dSF5QflfFkEW8d982-TJLm0fASWRUANaqDcjheePLdl4iXgE9h/s640/blogger-image--1124866866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvz6vDTqeVbnCYFLWAEuDNLZoPFaAhig9BZFaTcKjhlWsU9UkxPhd7h_oCrkWPL4_mm2b-EJRHVvYyVtjxqobEaNS58dSF5QflfFkEW8d982-TJLm0fASWRUANaqDcjheePLdl4iXgE9h/s640/blogger-image--1124866866.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We lingered a while in Deep Water Bay, taking in the views but eventually paddled out to do some exploring before our water taxi came and picked us up in the afternoon. The highlight of our little excursion was Greystone Bay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hTIt-tp7ajwXDa7ZhLW_2ctvzy6RD_uOeRvSoTIzwpePCyTu30frogon5ZJpx0YMgQiS_C4FxaRIrUE1KyV3rCd43i5opP_4QAgFXzXrHBLlFztY9JUwgoSlV045FFwZUe4m234Ni1ST/s640/blogger-image-1968996204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hTIt-tp7ajwXDa7ZhLW_2ctvzy6RD_uOeRvSoTIzwpePCyTu30frogon5ZJpx0YMgQiS_C4FxaRIrUE1KyV3rCd43i5opP_4QAgFXzXrHBLlFztY9JUwgoSlV045FFwZUe4m234Ni1ST/s640/blogger-image-1968996204.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-60816544016249413952014-09-14T10:32:00.001-10:002014-09-15T10:26:14.136-10:00Kayaking in Prince William Sound -Nellie Juan Glacier<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0c9nyt4Fy_Vv8BmtZ1ekP3uapc49WFNAI1WpSBzWicWN7neQgvqNfMglJ5QOTs_ddpUiTQd_4SvNoB0aZICVCBNjREnatuoz03TDPJfZUS3MoWT07iaMZsw8tdp0IGdAVnIkR3GsyJs0/s640/blogger-image--1795944403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0c9nyt4Fy_Vv8BmtZ1ekP3uapc49WFNAI1WpSBzWicWN7neQgvqNfMglJ5QOTs_ddpUiTQd_4SvNoB0aZICVCBNjREnatuoz03TDPJfZUS3MoWT07iaMZsw8tdp0IGdAVnIkR3GsyJs0/s640/blogger-image--1795944403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After several days of rain and wind we were so ready to get in our boats and check out the Nellie Juan Glacier. We got extremely lucky and the entire day was absolutely perfect, with blue skies and no wind! This was Clare's first time paddling near a tidewater glacier and she thoroughly enjoyed it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD04T_PpETygdZonsQUJM36elSZQ-ZCEKX8RJv1-VXep2zUZ_Do3lver75m6SCBoy4vgpmxaJ5ii8tj8lyra0gRD4Hl5ieBm1H4cOTmRHZYwzEUwoBa01Eddqa6yQppExGsxmjvNSNGnIE/s640/blogger-image-905772524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD04T_PpETygdZonsQUJM36elSZQ-ZCEKX8RJv1-VXep2zUZ_Do3lver75m6SCBoy4vgpmxaJ5ii8tj8lyra0gRD4Hl5ieBm1H4cOTmRHZYwzEUwoBa01Eddqa6yQppExGsxmjvNSNGnIE/s640/blogger-image-905772524.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We kept a respectful distance from the face of the glacier given the amount of large ice chunks in the water and the narrowness of the fjord, we wanted to avoid being too close if a house sized ice chunk decided to rip off the glacier face. Fortunately that didn't happen and we were able to enjoy the magnificence of the glacier in relative calm (though we did get to see a few smaller chunks calve off).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfaPmCo_dW4X6N46WGbFN7AMTNY_ad3TtWVbe7QZo5JaygQ-wdQFwcqmeaOt5F5oolZ98u7pS3Rec47FsKVrXpjc6oU4RZ-fltCyeG0pdKaXMBPWoHjzoPfrSHdaTeFdP80h4OARdxB2g/s640/blogger-image--678306327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfaPmCo_dW4X6N46WGbFN7AMTNY_ad3TtWVbe7QZo5JaygQ-wdQFwcqmeaOt5F5oolZ98u7pS3Rec47FsKVrXpjc6oU4RZ-fltCyeG0pdKaXMBPWoHjzoPfrSHdaTeFdP80h4OARdxB2g/s640/blogger-image--678306327.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The scale of everything in the fjord was truly impressive. Everything seems so much larger from the cockpit of a kayak!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U04bzFBJdn_0Ge-Z30RT3cV0aLRpoE5hFRMvov8BMXR67ZxRZVm03XuTCgCH6A2LyXGzu_qZs0eI6UJBLoqruGfl5qu7g2vF4PjFJfWm11sCp-2ZCl086Jw48goXy50EAmo-A10p78yu/s640/blogger-image-1753831764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U04bzFBJdn_0Ge-Z30RT3cV0aLRpoE5hFRMvov8BMXR67ZxRZVm03XuTCgCH6A2LyXGzu_qZs0eI6UJBLoqruGfl5qu7g2vF4PjFJfWm11sCp-2ZCl086Jw48goXy50EAmo-A10p78yu/s640/blogger-image-1753831764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then took a hike to get a view of the glacier and rest of the by from a nearby ridge. We climbed up the side of a large granite outcrop that provided great climbing and a fantastic view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O5EcGr3ZWcpz4j8Rk2b1j2JOEh1yfR9MyCJ53k2rJ_cVZ-kSk2rFO-akzKFRUAurgSBS5wtVf7b9OERLzhHgTAwBgGJnEFJlQmrtTlF5rgJ3JrOPn9MuLRKOYNL5-TWjQB0cwBhLtui7/s640/blogger-image--1795874659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O5EcGr3ZWcpz4j8Rk2b1j2JOEh1yfR9MyCJ53k2rJ_cVZ-kSk2rFO-akzKFRUAurgSBS5wtVf7b9OERLzhHgTAwBgGJnEFJlQmrtTlF5rgJ3JrOPn9MuLRKOYNL5-TWjQB0cwBhLtui7/s640/blogger-image--1795874659.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">House-sized ice bergs looked tiny from our perch. For awhile we watched several seals climbing onto one of the flatter ice bergs, while other seals lounged on the ice looking very disinterested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuAS_IFkhHE9w7uhFww8SAWrq4bD_bZzqBXv-ZwMpyDZOFvhOTOKqKPlAKu8YzBWva0cR16gJPH6w6-lToGAdylkeXyhR_3wg2Sp4qDEJiOVsdPYE35-PBycVKZN_vnByVxGZcGmbswK5/s640/blogger-image-1250641479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuAS_IFkhHE9w7uhFww8SAWrq4bD_bZzqBXv-ZwMpyDZOFvhOTOKqKPlAKu8YzBWva0cR16gJPH6w6-lToGAdylkeXyhR_3wg2Sp4qDEJiOVsdPYE35-PBycVKZN_vnByVxGZcGmbswK5/s640/blogger-image-1250641479.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Clare and I decided to toast the occasion with some bourbon from the flask! And then we headed back down the cliffs and to our boats. We still had a long day ahead of us, packing up camp and heading to our next destination, Deep Water Bay.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-2024745471957984602014-09-14T10:18:00.001-10:002014-09-14T10:22:28.191-10:00Kayaking in Prince William Sound - Dereksen Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKJBk982-a-XNCVx9CKCuMuvjRs0y2GRYDAXScUCG6aGXxhZTDSBXNlsSDdIKl0-qKKM8SKAEr0EQW6ho4wlh1ixoxQy8SBrrTb9xDb9lc6pgNFwFFGNN-tRv_k8W5og-4SPui83AET9O/s640/blogger-image-259854273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKJBk982-a-XNCVx9CKCuMuvjRs0y2GRYDAXScUCG6aGXxhZTDSBXNlsSDdIKl0-qKKM8SKAEr0EQW6ho4wlh1ixoxQy8SBrrTb9xDb9lc6pgNFwFFGNN-tRv_k8W5og-4SPui83AET9O/s640/blogger-image-259854273.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We took our time making the transit from Picturesque Cove to our next camp spot in Dereksen Bay. Along the way we explored Mink Island and popped into several little pocket coves, including one that had a white sand beach! With the clear water and white sand it felt very tropical.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsgjhdrIfUnO27_yuJWzxuAMjsWaqGGiV-iixGQGfYjwvEt0CHJnSPn9YTI7LSRyVMN4ZBVwjmlbt5fsqtt8KF1ETXj7bI49gbXy7AYQDRQvR92azo1Ub068xrxvRflZw40AgnoSNyzia/s640/blogger-image-1384653236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsgjhdrIfUnO27_yuJWzxuAMjsWaqGGiV-iixGQGfYjwvEt0CHJnSPn9YTI7LSRyVMN4ZBVwjmlbt5fsqtt8KF1ETXj7bI49gbXy7AYQDRQvR92azo1Ub068xrxvRflZw40AgnoSNyzia/s640/blogger-image-1384653236.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unfortunately we took a bit too much time to get to Dereksen Bay, and the tide switched on us, so we went from having the tide and a nice stiff breeze pushing us, to fighting the out rushing tide from the bay. It was a tough way to end a long day of paddling but it was very worth it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5gAFs5wK4jTj9eIXhDnE_6DSfi8n3pHsd1v4cFMFKZG2RDFXgLRZnw2zsHLj6xjX8RyLIHRDTl0gyifN_U8yCz_d4BWYG-TstKuFDoQFvOP7aqUcubtmqhX4ujlMYXRSNHKbGOEBbAbP/s640/blogger-image-40201696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5gAFs5wK4jTj9eIXhDnE_6DSfi8n3pHsd1v4cFMFKZG2RDFXgLRZnw2zsHLj6xjX8RyLIHRDTl0gyifN_U8yCz_d4BWYG-TstKuFDoQFvOP7aqUcubtmqhX4ujlMYXRSNHKbGOEBbAbP/s640/blogger-image-40201696.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our campsite in Dereksen Bay was on a spit of land that until recently (in geologic time that is) had been the terminal moraine of the Nellie Juan Glacier. The glacier has long since retreated up the bay, but the spit was a very nice, convenient place to camp. We had a teaser view of the very top of the glacier from our camp and that was enough to get us excited for paddling up to the glacier later in the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4a8lY85IG2ToX10nbfJKLaGWUPO3wVhvP2cPV_Qk5nO2LIh0i8hzSj-NO4edsq2bmaZ-zDfaLT26DAvQgOcECwrTBizZhkB4Yq-XnvRPNYCmfop4e9X3dOOPzo2o2GaTwatCYZ-PRilF/s640/blogger-image--752144500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4a8lY85IG2ToX10nbfJKLaGWUPO3wVhvP2cPV_Qk5nO2LIh0i8hzSj-NO4edsq2bmaZ-zDfaLT26DAvQgOcECwrTBizZhkB4Yq-XnvRPNYCmfop4e9X3dOOPzo2o2GaTwatCYZ-PRilF/s640/blogger-image--752144500.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We managed to make some friends while we were camped on the spit. A family of marmots were busily munching away at anything they could get their paws on. They seemed largely unglazed by us and approached to within a few feet of our cook tent, busily snacking on beach greens and pushkie seeds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgvxuYPcQ1nlT1A4FZExodxSvvBha7g6akyBy9vIDSQazG9DuHepdSmrOAVR3OqFmlOTaStHUsyakmFwfXrUvmcR2_FRxZtfZURbh_Yipz4tPwwRwacFsJka8zOHsWLV5Iaf2jbsQ1jkL/s640/blogger-image--1122288826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgvxuYPcQ1nlT1A4FZExodxSvvBha7g6akyBy9vIDSQazG9DuHepdSmrOAVR3OqFmlOTaStHUsyakmFwfXrUvmcR2_FRxZtfZURbh_Yipz4tPwwRwacFsJka8zOHsWLV5Iaf2jbsQ1jkL/s640/blogger-image--1122288826.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Unfortunately the weather turned crummy on our first full day in Dereksen Bay and we were forced to postpone our kayak journey up to the Nellie Juan Glacier. We endured two days straight of pretty constant wind and rain, though we managed to get out and take a nice hike behind our camp. There is a large waterfall that was running really hard with all of the runoff, and we climbed up past it to access the large granite outcrops behind our camp. On the third day though the weather cleared and we hastily got our kayak gear together and headed for the glacier.</div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-12502445294809287822014-09-10T10:52:00.001-10:002014-09-10T10:52:24.698-10:00Kayaking in Prince William Sound - Culross Passage<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP0T0IRsPARTk2JZbX8-DcmQWuiTqhDENaVClPdbPAMSXXJ1vwzBZEgp8De77lbXNLI36u4dUTuLWPCiHTO0tX-DiFOOQTkh3nHWc0oio4Ky7n-2mtxIHLQEIMO4j4eZ8RHAbfavoRMyT/s640/blogger-image-1243439453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP0T0IRsPARTk2JZbX8-DcmQWuiTqhDENaVClPdbPAMSXXJ1vwzBZEgp8De77lbXNLI36u4dUTuLWPCiHTO0tX-DiFOOQTkh3nHWc0oio4Ky7n-2mtxIHLQEIMO4j4eZ8RHAbfavoRMyT/s640/blogger-image-1243439453.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been over 20 years since I first visited Prince William Sound, and 10 years since I last visited, so Clare and I decided to plan a seakayaking trip for the end of August. We knew we wanted to cover some ground and spend several days exploring, so we scheduled an 8-day trip in the Western Sound, starting in the north end of Culross Passage and finishing down south in Deep Water Bay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTrzYVahDUGmQXra-04zIqcGHroY6BO3xBuy9xU5qudu_Io9HRXuSx593edgy3u4ELNFPdZZdmORd1FlF7YMRQSd-bVtAMrB94e3UL_LpunggWVPjPdlW-Ov8FmJhe3siNAwhn9ZC_aTx/s640/blogger-image-867153966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTrzYVahDUGmQXra-04zIqcGHroY6BO3xBuy9xU5qudu_Io9HRXuSx593edgy3u4ELNFPdZZdmORd1FlF7YMRQSd-bVtAMrB94e3UL_LpunggWVPjPdlW-Ov8FmJhe3siNAwhn9ZC_aTx/s640/blogger-image-867153966.jpg"></a></div>Although the first few days were pretty rainy that didn't stop us from getting out and seeing the sights. The paddling in Culross Passage was really good and the wildlife was abundant. Picturesque Cove was the highlight of the first few days, particularly when the monsoon-like rains ended and the sun popped out to provide a rainbow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiSkjM0IInxuCyro4FDDN0DSj5eiW1xG5QZu1k4p8_hamnaQq8XOCb6iO6Vo5gzC4oPF9DciSXeGaTT8aQGAK8ajToSdkJiU8aDq4JuJHEEPPQ6aAutIAyOq8aE9EL0Dy7bqPM-kLTUOZ/s640/blogger-image-1250818393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiSkjM0IInxuCyro4FDDN0DSj5eiW1xG5QZu1k4p8_hamnaQq8XOCb6iO6Vo5gzC4oPF9DciSXeGaTT8aQGAK8ajToSdkJiU8aDq4JuJHEEPPQ6aAutIAyOq8aE9EL0Dy7bqPM-kLTUOZ/s640/blogger-image-1250818393.jpg"></a></div>The camping beaches in Culross Passage were perfect for kayak camping. The sites were well protected from the strong east winds that were blowing at the time and most of the beaches were composed of small, rounded gravel or sand, which made landing our fully loaded fiberglass boats much easier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUyapECSoEk73P5vmDksiL8AEli8eD9d8rz5kNteImNsIDU9u14aoc5huvGPjKj3KMoeqUVfkHg_pNjY56NM_N5ZOOCPgua1dc4zrZYv7Aeu6pqh0S-9irtHHDRsOphE-gfT7ww_fLScr/s640/blogger-image--359457224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUyapECSoEk73P5vmDksiL8AEli8eD9d8rz5kNteImNsIDU9u14aoc5huvGPjKj3KMoeqUVfkHg_pNjY56NM_N5ZOOCPgua1dc4zrZYv7Aeu6pqh0S-9irtHHDRsOphE-gfT7ww_fLScr/s640/blogger-image--359457224.jpg"></a></div>Several of our nights were spent camped in close proximity to salmon spawning streams. Chum salmon were spawning at the time and their carcasses littered the beaches and mouths of the spawning areas. The dead and dying fish also drew in a number of predators including lots of gulls, harbor seals, and bears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcoYmwcLuaTbXHGybLH7ANZL-vFGsHB3GM9lfTJGQnFf6riMTVw7c8VzWeh_d8ooVxDa4SFCE7MZ_5HUCWqyIEF1o4cYrFJDcM7gktDmg024EQt8XmkmoAZHhZ7qEzhndkWnOi562cKov/s640/blogger-image-2033389086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcoYmwcLuaTbXHGybLH7ANZL-vFGsHB3GM9lfTJGQnFf6riMTVw7c8VzWeh_d8ooVxDa4SFCE7MZ_5HUCWqyIEF1o4cYrFJDcM7gktDmg024EQt8XmkmoAZHhZ7qEzhndkWnOi562cKov/s640/blogger-image-2033389086.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a few days in the mossy rainforests of Culross Passage we made the transit down into the glacially carved fjord lands of Port Nellie Juan. We had perfect weather for the 14 mile trip from Picturesque Cove to Dereksen Bay and we took our time to enjoy the scenery. </div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-62584691059224188862013-09-23T10:46:00.001-10:002013-09-23T10:56:35.071-10:00Summer Visit to the Pribilof IslandsJust got back from another great trip into the field. As always, the Pribilof's did not disappoint. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHbl5mjxKR8A4cs2mTn9uarBlOA828Oy7L5KB9ye77hLpFasEJGcUSS4tWm2kqG29e9wUb41IL-6NnyvXoLWUnsLlJR9TKys8V5F-VZi35gUobZuBolm1QhwdOaUCAbM7kJjHwEWwuuPs/s640/blogger-image--1237926245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHbl5mjxKR8A4cs2mTn9uarBlOA828Oy7L5KB9ye77hLpFasEJGcUSS4tWm2kqG29e9wUb41IL-6NnyvXoLWUnsLlJR9TKys8V5F-VZi35gUobZuBolm1QhwdOaUCAbM7kJjHwEWwuuPs/s640/blogger-image--1237926245.jpg"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a nice close-up shot of a least auklet. They are extremely striking, particularly when you see them this close. We were collecting diet samples from them as part of a long-term study of seabirds diets in the Bering Sea. Getting the sample is pretty easy, w<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">hen we catch them they typically puke, and we scrape the puke up off the rocks and let them go!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFjYdlmMdLK1jYDZ5eLDdTbHGj5LoTE9mcCOMVeY8hHxffpkRUeFDst6scLdQGfFSMwShhPTXxkWVHqxMK63PMUNz9Kb_6woVGbWBFfC7stFeW9U6ztZenDbojOiMvgWQDggc7WJQ7jSR/s640/blogger-image-162286155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFjYdlmMdLK1jYDZ5eLDdTbHGj5LoTE9mcCOMVeY8hHxffpkRUeFDst6scLdQGfFSMwShhPTXxkWVHqxMK63PMUNz9Kb_6woVGbWBFfC7stFeW9U6ztZenDbojOiMvgWQDggc7WJQ7jSR/s640/blogger-image-162286155.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This surly young fellow is a sub-adult male fur seal. He is letting us know that he's there, and that we should not leave the safety of our observation blind! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lQei1d5UtVHC0uM5SV8u4Le8segnkc2o_eQe2bAVsO5Ehsr42ADthGfZvsqlmiPOIOykfmCnyGiVglpTWZRjJ66bbs6TWqGtK69-RwhDttIM8bwxyY6HFuR54JohINoITDceJN4O1d9f/s640/blogger-image--1353845372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lQei1d5UtVHC0uM5SV8u4Le8segnkc2o_eQe2bAVsO5Ehsr42ADthGfZvsqlmiPOIOykfmCnyGiVglpTWZRjJ66bbs6TWqGtK69-RwhDttIM8bwxyY6HFuR54JohINoITDceJN4O1d9f/s640/blogger-image--1353845372.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had the great pleasure of meeting three Japanese colleagues that are conducting research on St. George for the Japanese Polar Institute. Dale, Nabuo, and Taka (from left to right) are putting tags on a sample of birds to track their movements, both during the summer (fine scale) and over the winter (broad scale). I'm looking forward to seeing their results.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09-YohXHQ0UmlYF5BQuWp70-e9nwq1_ITeU3R6-sJPf7GKwhXreDqMQRnhf8Xc4S5Gi9mc-Eg2Ib3CTxe6g7B5DIE9LgkiasfnNJXKnj3h1i9hspaHLTl8_9XziI0AJr7qXpoKdinnpVp/s640/blogger-image--1379100882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09-YohXHQ0UmlYF5BQuWp70-e9nwq1_ITeU3R6-sJPf7GKwhXreDqMQRnhf8Xc4S5Gi9mc-Eg2Ib3CTxe6g7B5DIE9LgkiasfnNJXKnj3h1i9hspaHLTl8_9XziI0AJr7qXpoKdinnpVp/s640/blogger-image--1379100882.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When the sun comes out, the picture taking can be pretty awesome. This was on my last day, right before I flew out. Later that day the clouds rolled in and stayed around for over three weeks!</div><br></div><br></span></div><br></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-24803436051522408312013-09-22T19:45:00.002-10:002013-09-22T20:13:24.894-10:00Telluride to Moab by Bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the climb out of Telluride Colorado, heading up into the San Juan Mountains. This was our first day on the route so having a nice paved road for the start of our first long climb was welcome.<br />
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This is my favorite picture of the entire crew. Although I only knew three of them prior to this trip (and two of the three I had only met once or twice), I had a fantastic time with them. It was a great group of folks and we had a blast together.</div>
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Here is the view from our hut for night #1. The road below doesn't look like much, but it was a tough grind on the way up the previous afternoon. We had a thunder storm move in on us and we got pretty wet and had some lightning strikes touch down pretty close to us!<br />
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This is another view of the San Juan mountains. Our hut for the first night was located on the right hand shoulder of the ridge at an altitude of 10,200 ft.<br />
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Here I am with my rental bike. Most of my gear is in the saddle bag and handlebar bag. I did carry a backpack but I tried to keep only water and my rain gear in that to reduce the amount of weight I was carrying on me!<br />
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The scenery at the huts we we're staying at varied considerably. One of our huts was located on an old ranch, and it was probably the most picturesque. The sunset that night was incredible, and the place actually had a shower, which was very welcome after four hot, dusty days on the bike.<br />
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This is my old friend Martin riding on the Porcupine Ridge trail just outside Moab Utah. Just to the left of him is an amazing view of the valley AND a 400 ft. drop!!! Several miles of this trail paralleled the cliff edge and gave us some spectacular views.<br />
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This butte is located in Gateway Colorado, which was one of our stops. Our cabin was located just to the left of this picture, in the trees.<br />
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This is Robbie striking his best yoga pose overlooking a spectacular valley outside Moab.<br />
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This is Heike dropping down some slickrock on our final day of riding.</div>
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This is a dinosaur track (and Timmy's hand).</div>
Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-71292638764468803512012-04-24T05:50:00.001-10:002012-11-24T10:44:28.803-10:00Headed to Alaska - the Ferry to Haines<br />
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What a whirlwind the last few months have been! I have taken a new job with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Homer Alaska and my life has been busy with preparing to head north and start working. Clare and I loaded my little Toyota truck and left Portland on Friday the 13th, headed for the Alaska State ferry terminal in Bellingham. We hopped on the ferry Columbia for a three day sail to Haines.<br />
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The trip was really nice! We had a big stateroom (with little, tiny beds) that fortunately had a big window for watching the scenery roll by. The ferry has a lot of places on board to hang out and read a book, and we took full advantage of the down time.<br />
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The ferry route follows the inside passage through British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. There are a bunch of little towns and lighthouse stations along the route that seemed very peaceful in their isolation.<br />
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As we got closer to Haines, Alaska the scenery got more dramatic! The peaks around Haines are steep and appear even more dramatic because they rise up right from the water.<br />
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After three days of cruising we were excited to get off the ferry and continue the journey to Homer.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-66537400451486213942011-12-12T20:00:00.001-10:002011-12-12T20:02:34.471-10:00USGP of Cyclocross, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FFtxlVnxl-f_SziP0ThKNki5yNGmj0PUb0l7vPgmx7IhR6bQBgRkxq8iJcyskmV4vJvD2q-7NEHm2LoHEQMLRmDNfL30eGw-9-2MCGgYFWVpu_x3dL4BjofTFm5hdO33tWrjrNfiD3Hl/s1600/BunnyHopBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FFtxlVnxl-f_SziP0ThKNki5yNGmj0PUb0l7vPgmx7IhR6bQBgRkxq8iJcyskmV4vJvD2q-7NEHm2LoHEQMLRmDNfL30eGw-9-2MCGgYFWVpu_x3dL4BjofTFm5hdO33tWrjrNfiD3Hl/s640/BunnyHopBW.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The USGP races this year were awesome. Here are some pics to prove it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QD3jTQCxMmuXTwKIpImbrvw5_5N7COeTagrtVQTryySk0oaNAgKKYIBej2oPw2OT8XBtQrBavELhfdXVmYmPCIWFeLh5QKUPqPXCx0iv4saVrW-jeYyS4OyWmkW7JIPv2DzH6k5rnlAo/s1600/ButlerBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QD3jTQCxMmuXTwKIpImbrvw5_5N7COeTagrtVQTryySk0oaNAgKKYIBej2oPw2OT8XBtQrBavELhfdXVmYmPCIWFeLh5QKUPqPXCx0iv4saVrW-jeYyS4OyWmkW7JIPv2DzH6k5rnlAo/s640/ButlerBW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqtbG1AgUq0JVaDPWsa62F1mAT9CVATLVRscicPyAdQACvF80-ZlRzXwt-3faFzax-yTafL0k0XAMBJtqQ5yKbFd3sLYHqoDZ7oon7ATL-0JPgi9gUkg9CMOV2_X4GYSotLFR-1QyHaXE/s1600/Summerhill_cornering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqtbG1AgUq0JVaDPWsa62F1mAT9CVATLVRscicPyAdQACvF80-ZlRzXwt-3faFzax-yTafL0k0XAMBJtqQ5yKbFd3sLYHqoDZ7oon7ATL-0JPgi9gUkg9CMOV2_X4GYSotLFR-1QyHaXE/s640/Summerhill_cornering.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQgPxnqyGaUy8mAlq899cHspHrNBU1RfpbkOt5N5Hr8cgk-Ce8c3KmGDJ6otMdrlkekcqcfCBZ5ezA1Mb7WXob_kkMdZfGgorQFojYN5WRw4Cy_az-JvxQsMESnVhTBChLdffRAu8HsM9/s1600/Power+leads+JPow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQgPxnqyGaUy8mAlq899cHspHrNBU1RfpbkOt5N5Hr8cgk-Ce8c3KmGDJ6otMdrlkekcqcfCBZ5ezA1Mb7WXob_kkMdZfGgorQFojYN5WRw4Cy_az-JvxQsMESnVhTBChLdffRAu8HsM9/s640/Power+leads+JPow.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQKnZF6C3JAvS_eM-n-3_xjQiyJnjBkxzlkD_3V6RAZgIs3BAu5pFYjOc0Wubj8Pwq-OevgShVpdNZ3eJnA8jot7K4jZljL0OPSWD2EHOZEx-4-5GcRi1-Y8l9qs7wjuY0ZJK2jDq131D/s1600/Elite+Womens+Start2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQKnZF6C3JAvS_eM-n-3_xjQiyJnjBkxzlkD_3V6RAZgIs3BAu5pFYjOc0Wubj8Pwq-OevgShVpdNZ3eJnA8jot7K4jZljL0OPSWD2EHOZEx-4-5GcRi1-Y8l9qs7wjuY0ZJK2jDq131D/s640/Elite+Womens+Start2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B4gEX-o1LMker13-BHh6YZF2E08m3_EpjqYuXQIi3qWS8rJjC_34Ii4dfWLUjAnLXp84jx-GZEToJxMqez0X1RLbYLRRWJRc9yt8m_d31Gi-2vSkw1jS3A2R0IMPdClqo-Tl3hv08lnT/s1600/Krasniak_remount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B4gEX-o1LMker13-BHh6YZF2E08m3_EpjqYuXQIi3qWS8rJjC_34Ii4dfWLUjAnLXp84jx-GZEToJxMqez0X1RLbYLRRWJRc9yt8m_d31Gi-2vSkw1jS3A2R0IMPdClqo-Tl3hv08lnT/s640/Krasniak_remount.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvUukqRKLL_q6Y_zAawbAZeuImU35TaPRWl3FyVkwbiZp5vGUx1lYxruo0uzhTSoERlSEsargtoJy7-wWuDAXmn1M_Qbxl_fBgvLfl5I8lfrewWi_W_FefbMoQUPJD0WnYUpyR2tXXuk8/s1600/Rocklobster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvUukqRKLL_q6Y_zAawbAZeuImU35TaPRWl3FyVkwbiZp5vGUx1lYxruo0uzhTSoERlSEsargtoJy7-wWuDAXmn1M_Qbxl_fBgvLfl5I8lfrewWi_W_FefbMoQUPJD0WnYUpyR2tXXuk8/s640/Rocklobster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeooY3OVp2YhW2irCJxSXyL-hBNAh6dwnEzdMuoQq7j5W6sx2hRZhrLcFTRZGvsu4rVwXJN-oRMCb6zQldCaL4JzbRl1yZsI_UwSeJsiGEznl16cz1HnMKVQBtahuhpFFtmIdCMqcHANIp/s1600/JonesBW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeooY3OVp2YhW2irCJxSXyL-hBNAh6dwnEzdMuoQq7j5W6sx2hRZhrLcFTRZGvsu4rVwXJN-oRMCb6zQldCaL4JzbRl1yZsI_UwSeJsiGEznl16cz1HnMKVQBtahuhpFFtmIdCMqcHANIp/s640/JonesBW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmzD_xjzd_SxvuFhdqyu-h-g-gneJq9N4WoZeP_GD5DIT92gYe2hFaCOdiiNtYWgu6D8PhTMkQ8wO48Ea7lrTYlmjsbZIpCogF-hTH9QDH8riAaZah7mj-EEqWRRozQeqGkn7d2ecvLB2/s1600/McDonald+Wheelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmzD_xjzd_SxvuFhdqyu-h-g-gneJq9N4WoZeP_GD5DIT92gYe2hFaCOdiiNtYWgu6D8PhTMkQ8wO48Ea7lrTYlmjsbZIpCogF-hTH9QDH8riAaZah7mj-EEqWRRozQeqGkn7d2ecvLB2/s640/McDonald+Wheelie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJGPJ4ZgHtULMr02V1z6IuZvwpgmSiwXA4AWVkfJs_-P809TKRJbMQWA8ray1L-H8DssWoOQGx4FER79mlsVO7m1eaxWWOj83UhfXzg7WnoXOOykjeQeBUcrPWv4UMuN78ZtVDsJTm3Pl/s1600/crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJGPJ4ZgHtULMr02V1z6IuZvwpgmSiwXA4AWVkfJs_-P809TKRJbMQWA8ray1L-H8DssWoOQGx4FER79mlsVO7m1eaxWWOj83UhfXzg7WnoXOOykjeQeBUcrPWv4UMuN78ZtVDsJTm3Pl/s640/crash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-85294347898472097452011-08-29T20:24:00.000-10:002011-08-29T20:24:01.231-10:00Mt. Hood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnEXbNny0iRgM9pO6zbHMdJGhkNXVsaouG7OL8CF1-RbZfVQ317vzACbacBnhhUmo53qTRS_HryK8d2AEkYGZQQlW4atEtzCEWvffG1CWjL5i-g-8vyVVRqvShB9cohZjlWGT9X78-SU7/s1600/P1020938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnEXbNny0iRgM9pO6zbHMdJGhkNXVsaouG7OL8CF1-RbZfVQ317vzACbacBnhhUmo53qTRS_HryK8d2AEkYGZQQlW4atEtzCEWvffG1CWjL5i-g-8vyVVRqvShB9cohZjlWGT9X78-SU7/s640/P1020938.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Due to the late snow lingering on the slopes of the high peaks here in Oregon, Bryan and I were able to sneak in a late season run up the southside ofMt. Hood this past weekend. The weather forecast was nice and settled for the entire weekend so we opted to head out of town on Friday afternoon, and begin out climb in the early evening. The alpenglow was fantastic on the mountain as we headed up to about 9,500. At around 11:00 PM we found a nice flat spot and settled into our bivy sacs for a short nap.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhOhWuEzpio3L4NtgxpsmOJd5ep2sJCQKKIr_s2DFUHhPVSjKCu3rVlApwnfmd8cdoSNKVFQ4HsCwgHUa7Lt7VPX3XjKWM2hOXXPfYpieBzK3H7bkaKpVUiUd6LDyE32fa3fcrJn5C5iz/s1600/P1020949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhOhWuEzpio3L4NtgxpsmOJd5ep2sJCQKKIr_s2DFUHhPVSjKCu3rVlApwnfmd8cdoSNKVFQ4HsCwgHUa7Lt7VPX3XjKWM2hOXXPfYpieBzK3H7bkaKpVUiUd6LDyE32fa3fcrJn5C5iz/s640/P1020949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Around 3:00 AM we woke up and continued our climb to the top. One of the advantages of sleeping on the mountain is that it put us above of all of the other parties that left the parking lot at Timberline Lodge at midnight (which is what most people do when climbing the southside).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VsxMkwE26au8Ja5478mXHQ3c_xy5DXtMvKxt8qDdIH6E8ZQnG8uUcpPBQVUGsKF3eSnC1P9ukNkHWuyuubwZbstS43_VuZsTuLLUgMk8JppoSxHhO8EhFL34w0yqVQQJGFduqUSIl2eq/s1600/P1020960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VsxMkwE26au8Ja5478mXHQ3c_xy5DXtMvKxt8qDdIH6E8ZQnG8uUcpPBQVUGsKF3eSnC1P9ukNkHWuyuubwZbstS43_VuZsTuLLUgMk8JppoSxHhO8EhFL34w0yqVQQJGFduqUSIl2eq/s640/P1020960.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final pitch to the summit is pretty steep and exposed but the faint light preceding dawn was inspiring us to get to the top in order to catch the sunrise from the summit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOkKKuWhD4J71Hj8fC-hrskQhZejJZJ3A49UceX7gnShVkLGE7L7Z68LNRCOTL9MRfdbeGZYfQ1lhe28lv1EtBwKAM9ACkuvPq0IAoyp6D5Z97m3OVObJNdyQgmcbFJfFXfUny2O5IMxp/s1600/P1020986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOkKKuWhD4J71Hj8fC-hrskQhZejJZJ3A49UceX7gnShVkLGE7L7Z68LNRCOTL9MRfdbeGZYfQ1lhe28lv1EtBwKAM9ACkuvPq0IAoyp6D5Z97m3OVObJNdyQgmcbFJfFXfUny2O5IMxp/s640/P1020986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were not disappointed either! The views from the summit ridge of the rising sun were incredible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7Ce0TmrG84dagO4LjqrQ_xUabjxuhH70vb0nTRTP-_qjpHN9COFJgNeDWeNfBq5CxFk8yU-eUa2EQUvyctbDpta85l87rtCrSCsctO1KV0s_V51WwIdCJW0IRhE2czTQRnFQVQv92xZS/s1600/P1020981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7Ce0TmrG84dagO4LjqrQ_xUabjxuhH70vb0nTRTP-_qjpHN9COFJgNeDWeNfBq5CxFk8yU-eUa2EQUvyctbDpta85l87rtCrSCsctO1KV0s_V51WwIdCJW0IRhE2czTQRnFQVQv92xZS/s640/P1020981.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the views down to the Elliot Glacier weren't so bad either!! The cracks on the glacier are really big, and the low angle light made them look even more impressive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpEFU3nvS2bZhSUmPzNoZFWtYG4zY58TBOKsdkugEJ5ytRxtWHHinSOg8cdOHZJh891ycSIDB_2PxTYrm26p7X5ehyLlvvbVhjTaD58yWaDGJeuboeg4S0OjzQXJHPWKyFU4d6uNRgyvW/s1600/P1020970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpEFU3nvS2bZhSUmPzNoZFWtYG4zY58TBOKsdkugEJ5ytRxtWHHinSOg8cdOHZJh891ycSIDB_2PxTYrm26p7X5ehyLlvvbVhjTaD58yWaDGJeuboeg4S0OjzQXJHPWKyFU4d6uNRgyvW/s640/P1020970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spent about twenty minutes on the summit by oursleves and then began our descent just as another party was making their way up. I'm glad we were first on top that morning. The two black dots on the snow below us are the other folks coming up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4lk924pMgThguoOmVqGb021qKI5pVGrmhOGhM6sFbAb08AQAtkfRx95Rfsp8ATjqBp8bR4PTZxli26lKwf0TRP9WAlpFxxURqvAD3ergbkEJQJPGF2UPM5wGF5GAC8ec3ejPnND8OkRi/s1600/P1030022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4lk924pMgThguoOmVqGb021qKI5pVGrmhOGhM6sFbAb08AQAtkfRx95Rfsp8ATjqBp8bR4PTZxli26lKwf0TRP9WAlpFxxURqvAD3ergbkEJQJPGF2UPM5wGF5GAC8ec3ejPnND8OkRi/s640/P1030022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And one last look at the mountain after we made it back to the truck. Round trip with a nap on the mountain of about 14 hours. Great trip for sure!!</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-63416839336157638032011-08-13T19:39:00.003-10:002011-08-13T19:56:49.497-10:00Middle Sister Climb With Bryan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoDh_QH0F5FdPmL5WvE0kEoLVPiZDR45LZ1xet9qvDjKRbgR5EoCv2Br86rz37fyaxAntaKZ2XPVmLZaSHumig7GhVMxWKGkkGzYPjsYyv3TsgtH05reS8c3Eu433CY0zwYEKAyYyyJve/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoDh_QH0F5FdPmL5WvE0kEoLVPiZDR45LZ1xet9qvDjKRbgR5EoCv2Br86rz37fyaxAntaKZ2XPVmLZaSHumig7GhVMxWKGkkGzYPjsYyv3TsgtH05reS8c3Eu433CY0zwYEKAyYyyJve/s640/IMG_1280.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Well, after talking about for a while, Bryan and I finally got out into the mountains this summer for a climb up Middle Sister Mountain, in the Three Sisters Wilderness of central Oregon. Three Julys ago I climbed South Sister with My friend Sarah, and last July I climbed North Sister with my buddy Mike, so I figured it was high time to complete the trio.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXaZ4VDwuE71oIqabvLWQFMekWLXlUpQZQ2WKRv6Re_4YKESHxsecIE2hVidKHoCYAGLiLzXRF9HZpdTh2UiV-nwLjPxhBItLFmFRCmlpTyQ_fxgJqwy3jdtZ-rD9eHRjYkS9DFUVymDD/s1600/P1020860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXaZ4VDwuE71oIqabvLWQFMekWLXlUpQZQ2WKRv6Re_4YKESHxsecIE2hVidKHoCYAGLiLzXRF9HZpdTh2UiV-nwLjPxhBItLFmFRCmlpTyQ_fxgJqwy3jdtZ-rD9eHRjYkS9DFUVymDD/s640/P1020860.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We met up in the town of Sisters, Oregon and hiked into the appropriately named Camp Lake on Saturday night, and set up our camp on the edge of the lake. After a good night of sleep we set out for the top of Middle Sister via the southeast ridge. The climbing was pretty straight forward (although it ramped up a bit in a few spots) and the weather was flawless.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK764f9FEGxbyJiQJpxhP6zwlVKpdiI1wC0iIM3uGFqSZ2Gd17vpMICgtgcoeKU4xnzdcdBB-zg_WpIyM3SaHPrhXCD-lNFnjItWNp1xTGc5jY4YGMhKXEy4e_zTEsg4EWXsj40JtG8wCE/s1600/P1020866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK764f9FEGxbyJiQJpxhP6zwlVKpdiI1wC0iIM3uGFqSZ2Gd17vpMICgtgcoeKU4xnzdcdBB-zg_WpIyM3SaHPrhXCD-lNFnjItWNp1xTGc5jY4YGMhKXEy4e_zTEsg4EWXsj40JtG8wCE/s640/P1020866.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>We topped out in the early afternoon and had the summit to ourselves. The views were fantastic! All of the major peaks of the Oregon and southern Washington Cascades were visible including Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Rainier. And of course we had spectacular views of North and South Sister, and Broken Top as well. The hike down was quick, due to about 3,000 feet of glissading. It was pretty warm when we made it back to camp so we cooled off with a swim in the lake. It was damn cold but it felt good to cool down! The hike out the next morning was nice and easy, and the beers at the end of the trail were good and cold. All in all a great trip.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-15738700043261592882011-08-01T23:00:00.001-10:002011-08-13T19:06:14.959-10:00Short Track Finale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74PcKuRwC6sgCS_VjSaVHZvGL2To7fDPYo1Qw5En1InADQr4oR9WhftHMWxpY5IkZYjfi-RG9mWtIVY2akG-_7qSt6eUhCP77TXZgT_1H-5yER4s2EGEnYbpFxI9auGUAfKuYxAs0yJes/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74PcKuRwC6sgCS_VjSaVHZvGL2To7fDPYo1Qw5En1InADQr4oR9WhftHMWxpY5IkZYjfi-RG9mWtIVY2akG-_7qSt6eUhCP77TXZgT_1H-5yER4s2EGEnYbpFxI9auGUAfKuYxAs0yJes/s640/IMG_1304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Tonight was the final race of the Short Track XC mountain bike series here in Portland. The last race of the night, and the season, was a 10-person relay race contested between 25 different teams of riders. It was an absolute blast. Here is a shot of our team, with our Directuer Sportif, Aaron Adams with us! Thanks to everyone who participated in the relay and everyone who raced during the short track season. Now we have a few weeks to rest, gain some fitness, and get ready for the cyclocross season.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-24933344078649664752011-07-13T19:21:00.001-10:002011-08-13T19:25:07.576-10:00My New Favorite Drink!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4YPaKbkSSQ68NZ9gze_p52T1j4c51vbwaG8YmFWHwFxG22EU07TvxZWLDijnt886QD15cB30zL6hoSncbB8O4QLjlh22arA8YBccpX51VWQRwUEOwNAGLqjYnWRQHxTwo2CnvlpEgLPB/s1600/IMG_1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4YPaKbkSSQ68NZ9gze_p52T1j4c51vbwaG8YmFWHwFxG22EU07TvxZWLDijnt886QD15cB30zL6hoSncbB8O4QLjlh22arA8YBccpX51VWQRwUEOwNAGLqjYnWRQHxTwo2CnvlpEgLPB/s640/IMG_1118.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>Now that it has FINALLY warmed up here in Portland, I have discovered my new favorite drink. The cold-pressed coffee toddy from Heart Coffee Roasters in Portland is an awesome coffee drink served over ice. I put in just a dash of cream, mainly because it makes these cool psychedelic swirly patterns!Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-13804727778343879362011-07-10T19:07:00.001-10:002011-08-13T19:20:42.263-10:00Oregon Country Faire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguArZfJptAmqfXhsmBOnPnlg_M65POv4JnXRY2s9ynNuYtNzTnrFAjABZXZY5WZM35jAZFb1tOUuiHtTu16V-t8850kIVhSzwep_rfSWOcDrJRZlxdBdLhn3NLys_mFqydx2vlrWRbOxiT/s1600/IMG_1153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguArZfJptAmqfXhsmBOnPnlg_M65POv4JnXRY2s9ynNuYtNzTnrFAjABZXZY5WZM35jAZFb1tOUuiHtTu16V-t8850kIVhSzwep_rfSWOcDrJRZlxdBdLhn3NLys_mFqydx2vlrWRbOxiT/s640/IMG_1153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Well, its the second weekend in July already and that means it's Oregon Country Faire time! I haven't been to the Faire in several years so I decided to head back to Veneta this year and check in. Clare and I headed down with my cousin Nicole and her husband John. We met up with Bryan and had a great day wandering around the faire, eating great food, and getting our feet dusty!Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-43620352014177127872011-07-05T19:25:00.001-10:002011-08-13T19:28:52.950-10:00July 4th on the Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM9caiuX1k761V6758d4O76e7zv68KzKiL_rYWB6QdV-Wj2XMp_0y_jn5VyzmjjmGbfHShvCEddauklPDfrWAnXnMjlz0LCB8q5lZor5FuzbP1ktg-bx2t5yNcydR6lDVcZOLhY-aZn89/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM9caiuX1k761V6758d4O76e7zv68KzKiL_rYWB6QdV-Wj2XMp_0y_jn5VyzmjjmGbfHShvCEddauklPDfrWAnXnMjlz0LCB8q5lZor5FuzbP1ktg-bx2t5yNcydR6lDVcZOLhY-aZn89/s640/IMG_1002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Clare and I spent the July 4th weekend at the beach, at her place in Netarts, Oregon. It was a beautiful weekend and we spent it walking on the beach, riding bikes, and doing a little work around the house. The views of Netarts Bay from the road to Oceanside (above) were awesome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmKutlXu68NTrBd11PNmwtsmCDcKdh1DbNf4h17hFvNaBKzkCAwpQpMGmzCfVeou3eiNVHzv20e15I3Xfd6zitvTJRjaIpaw0AdYcAImqvsbOm_euGamo0mgsUa5o2raCtsCysw02539J/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmKutlXu68NTrBd11PNmwtsmCDcKdh1DbNf4h17hFvNaBKzkCAwpQpMGmzCfVeou3eiNVHzv20e15I3Xfd6zitvTJRjaIpaw0AdYcAImqvsbOm_euGamo0mgsUa5o2raCtsCysw02539J/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>And the sunsets on the beach weren't too bad either!!Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-30436421445175313422011-06-23T19:15:00.000-10:002011-06-23T19:15:52.127-10:00Stage 3 - Horner Takes Control!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAXuScCsm4_DOXuAvcNM675pzAP296SWRcsdVeP0-n8JP0A5bDitB4Jkm04P1a9pWrinOU-9a_phk2Z4yIqMwsPJovE3CENftmWuM0lbgMQKBlKVgkOKeHeyEJ97_GV7Y5Xou6a078fj9/s1600/Greg_Henderson_16_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAXuScCsm4_DOXuAvcNM675pzAP296SWRcsdVeP0-n8JP0A5bDitB4Jkm04P1a9pWrinOU-9a_phk2Z4yIqMwsPJovE3CENftmWuM0lbgMQKBlKVgkOKeHeyEJ97_GV7Y5Xou6a078fj9/s640/Greg_Henderson_16_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
Although the Tour of California was a week-long race that stayed exciting right up to the final stage, the most decisive moment of the entire race occured on Stage 3, and Clare and I were there to witness it. The Day started out mellow enough, in the town of Livermore, California. Greg Henderson of Team Sky had taken over the leaders jersey the day before and he was flying the gold jersey before the start.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-Vt6FBfaUA-xrecSNZ8geo7eIiaoBqCcfcITykTUcDWwruAaGGIR4bHSCmxDST4U2bfpGUPnvDQF2tQTCzayv831ceOz7YZk1b6vLVaCyc32MvKJhKzIvMHl-3L9QqIRlWKZ7WTwxCM/s1600/DSC_5506_2_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-Vt6FBfaUA-xrecSNZ8geo7eIiaoBqCcfcITykTUcDWwruAaGGIR4bHSCmxDST4U2bfpGUPnvDQF2tQTCzayv831ceOz7YZk1b6vLVaCyc32MvKJhKzIvMHl-3L9QqIRlWKZ7WTwxCM/s640/DSC_5506_2_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The peleton rolled out at a pretty slow pace under cloudy skies that were threatening to rain. Although Stage 3 was the shortest stage of the race, it had some serious climbing in it and the riders didn't seem in any hurry to get to the climbs in the second half of the stage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmNRb4IL9X7wO-hLO-PA2FbBVg3hy-QZ0m0699AYwxMbiaDf5q_VAU-vvLKWMW1-uytwkrSVZBQSgH8mRKw6IbqGuzTXpBw9IgdgMcv5vLfuZtWux3HMh22LkFet8rLP1x_ptZcN3tPFK/s1600/Ryder_Hesjedahl_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmNRb4IL9X7wO-hLO-PA2FbBVg3hy-QZ0m0699AYwxMbiaDf5q_VAU-vvLKWMW1-uytwkrSVZBQSgH8mRKw6IbqGuzTXpBw9IgdgMcv5vLfuZtWux3HMh22LkFet8rLP1x_ptZcN3tPFK/s640/Ryder_Hesjedahl_small.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
We drove into San Jose and walked up the Sierra Road which was the final climb to the Stage 3 finish. We expected it to be epic and we weren't disappointed. Ryder Hesjedal came through first, looking like he was in the red!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xxCaGxftVSL6AlcF9wBm4SarVNlVQN4a3eSxp60wqBvVbs2JXN7OokGAWMzUZekhtqprDCKc2n2gSek4Lhxr9dkwfSXQ5R1wvuttOQYpymKZ8H0J7OPjCwnak_RFUbklxJsvHZnuPH4C/s1600/Horner_Levi_Andy2_23_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xxCaGxftVSL6AlcF9wBm4SarVNlVQN4a3eSxp60wqBvVbs2JXN7OokGAWMzUZekhtqprDCKc2n2gSek4Lhxr9dkwfSXQ5R1wvuttOQYpymKZ8H0J7OPjCwnak_RFUbklxJsvHZnuPH4C/s640/Horner_Levi_Andy2_23_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
But right behind him came Levi, Chris Horner, and Andy Schleck. Right as they were passing us, Horner started to turn the screws a bit and he began to open up a small gap (above). Just beyond us Horner passed Hesjedal, and by the time he hit the finish line at the summit he had pushed the gap to 1:15 over both Levi and Andy! Hesjedal slowed way down and finished 1:36 back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhN3IyFlW-Mudu00Hg-ZaoS9YaRIq1vVNC_HUz7EPoa-tAzpbbev9WsL7pE6tmfR5JP0AyvVAj7deHOb_EAW4D4Z_smQI9zh0ioRt4NGKd8cMQXJMjtofIS_3UiwJ6-IvkODIInCJu5F/s1600/DSC_5604_12_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKhN3IyFlW-Mudu00Hg-ZaoS9YaRIq1vVNC_HUz7EPoa-tAzpbbev9WsL7pE6tmfR5JP0AyvVAj7deHOb_EAW4D4Z_smQI9zh0ioRt4NGKd8cMQXJMjtofIS_3UiwJ6-IvkODIInCJu5F/s640/DSC_5604_12_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The rest of the field filtered by in small groups behind the leaders. Peter Velits of HTC looked strong as he passed, but he would wind up 8:14 behind Horner!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45a3QIZBElwofOOCC7AsBKe7ZMId-1nZK5o2Xtwv4NCsdJoHHMVyzkZQJ7qHSFdxC7D0v4FbEZ3vX7wr062FJIOvpqnYs_eAH6e5mRt0UHJUp9oVBXnlxplS7qKo_NOL45EudOVjB7hwN/s1600/DSC_5594_8_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45a3QIZBElwofOOCC7AsBKe7ZMId-1nZK5o2Xtwv4NCsdJoHHMVyzkZQJ7qHSFdxC7D0v4FbEZ3vX7wr062FJIOvpqnYs_eAH6e5mRt0UHJUp9oVBXnlxplS7qKo_NOL45EudOVjB7hwN/s640/DSC_5594_8_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Brent Bookwalter of BMC is an up and coming American rider who finished a respectable 14th on the stage, 2:33 back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqSiv9jCHzDwfIYpArHsmjLh4XYLUJXupprZxvChrvbZKWQvLRMhQ3Civr5yC3VelVWTmKnpUAkyQ6WFbfNcGNrSy_Wl9dE66GlPpn75utmM-a26624SkCFn0tJ3Kfs5JjqABo6sVdMGY/s1600/Ben_King_0_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqSiv9jCHzDwfIYpArHsmjLh4XYLUJXupprZxvChrvbZKWQvLRMhQ3Civr5yC3VelVWTmKnpUAkyQ6WFbfNcGNrSy_Wl9dE66GlPpn75utmM-a26624SkCFn0tJ3Kfs5JjqABo6sVdMGY/s640/Ben_King_0_.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br />
Ben King is another young American who rode well on the stage. He has a few years ahead of him before he will be a real dominant force, but he is headed in the right direction.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-67152076816387478612011-06-10T17:41:00.000-10:002011-06-10T17:41:09.786-10:00Tour of California - The RidersAlthough the Tour of California is not a Pro Tour race, it still manages to draw some of the best teams in the world of professional bicycling. And even though the Giro D'Itlaia is going on at the same time (drawing many top riders), the Tour of California manages to get a solid field of the sports top stars.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe669I3qcZO3wjW1wU153tnVW05vWO0lv2-exIs40cZp77r9o35WN_MNqKawFn6TVD75iaq7IFA1kbGoR7fcGmJ_qS7yz9nhmyhWtzOm25KA50uQ_DOU5V0eeukWtQwTohQ2GSq6BuQH_Z/s1600/Thor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe669I3qcZO3wjW1wU153tnVW05vWO0lv2-exIs40cZp77r9o35WN_MNqKawFn6TVD75iaq7IFA1kbGoR7fcGmJ_qS7yz9nhmyhWtzOm25KA50uQ_DOU5V0eeukWtQwTohQ2GSq6BuQH_Z/s640/Thor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Every edition of the Tour of California has featured world champions and this year is no exception. Thor Hushovd is here with the new Garmin-Cervelo squad. He is the current road race world champion and he was easily recognizable in his world champions rainbow stripes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjykzoVDkynXK8bkW3m6AAqXIpxYVkbXV8U8wjFFn1xrFOfLFUOnux8gpUp-R6FBUCIh-khReBDQ9wMHvdi_gFjriIsLTtvmGEd0a5dBuyvomr76fYxQ9YSIG5m6y2BnUHX02sqKw9BGIE/s1600/Thor_Stage2_Start_20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjykzoVDkynXK8bkW3m6AAqXIpxYVkbXV8U8wjFFn1xrFOfLFUOnux8gpUp-R6FBUCIh-khReBDQ9wMHvdi_gFjriIsLTtvmGEd0a5dBuyvomr76fYxQ9YSIG5m6y2BnUHX02sqKw9BGIE/s640/Thor_Stage2_Start_20_.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br />
I was able to get a few good pictures of Thor and the rest of the Garmin-Cervelo squad before the start of Stage1 and Stage 2.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QnWfQqZGi1dx7gvuqRtqrtQHxzv-msdrtBzT2CKcALIMHE2EEpRzmBqNdmWnBS-r4fJCGgSUNdHCu25ZThElPWgI3EZJM7fS2ETHluQhZ0sSmfhtZEm9sYy3aDFG8FwpLe2XrfKtc3ja/s1600/DSC_5631_13_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QnWfQqZGi1dx7gvuqRtqrtQHxzv-msdrtBzT2CKcALIMHE2EEpRzmBqNdmWnBS-r4fJCGgSUNdHCu25ZThElPWgI3EZJM7fS2ETHluQhZ0sSmfhtZEm9sYy3aDFG8FwpLe2XrfKtc3ja/s640/DSC_5631_13_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The other world champion racing in California this year is Oscar Freire. I believe this is his first time racing the Tour of California, and although he didn't win any stages he really animated the break during Stage 2 and almost held out for the win.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DB1DsJkhNnpQZ128gAbYG-nfymNyEZeUEy5qSENC3xjRHfhOQygX0eINj7dhLq2UQWfM4_rBWigGvRUbUj5-Yx-aSfDNb8bLv6-p9x_xtR9ZaFCHvYbICrkAUuOOLu7MuOJiUNceaYKw/s1600/Nick_Nuyens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DB1DsJkhNnpQZ128gAbYG-nfymNyEZeUEy5qSENC3xjRHfhOQygX0eINj7dhLq2UQWfM4_rBWigGvRUbUj5-Yx-aSfDNb8bLv6-p9x_xtR9ZaFCHvYbICrkAUuOOLu7MuOJiUNceaYKw/s640/Nick_Nuyens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Many of the winners of this years classics are racing here in California. This is Nick Nuyens, winner of the Tour of Flanders. And below is Johan Van Summeren, the surprise winner of Paris Roubaix.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JJju8XerNAeAi3GfB8zpxHk-tScvPYouzoZn0iOWxx80a6CjbJ2Q_XcUYijfNOo3Rv2NxJjzobR4yq5vnGsRfDSmepTRPr8x0WoG4KGUVEYCntT6anCW2Bv7sD-5CqqltTP5gG-q2fVk/s1600/DSC_5109_8_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JJju8XerNAeAi3GfB8zpxHk-tScvPYouzoZn0iOWxx80a6CjbJ2Q_XcUYijfNOo3Rv2NxJjzobR4yq5vnGsRfDSmepTRPr8x0WoG4KGUVEYCntT6anCW2Bv7sD-5CqqltTP5gG-q2fVk/s640/DSC_5109_8_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br />
To round out the classics winners, Matthew Goss, winner of this year's Milan San Remo is also here racing for HTC.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y5lFVKijtKzUhBFykbq5HRTXDdI7BVQFcR-xvKXHtXmruOLdIMOJ7gHxItUaGxddTinHcBQWfk8tI6NIlP0SUbVe6xzGb7uMn4mVcmKTSbbLk08GmwQSZh1NeeN9PLKNuxpkCTjBRpj0/s1600/Ben+King_0_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y5lFVKijtKzUhBFykbq5HRTXDdI7BVQFcR-xvKXHtXmruOLdIMOJ7gHxItUaGxddTinHcBQWfk8tI6NIlP0SUbVe6xzGb7uMn4mVcmKTSbbLk08GmwQSZh1NeeN9PLKNuxpkCTjBRpj0/s640/Ben+King_0_.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br />
This year there are some new faces in the peleton represent some of the up and coming stars of the sport. Ben King, the current American road race champ is here with Team Radio Shack. Ben is wearing his stars and stripes kit.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-90182315856328355042011-06-09T18:34:00.001-10:002011-06-09T18:37:29.208-10:00Tour of California - The Bikes!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vk9HXlOReXwcV9DS4xab7hXebWdXonbqK-ifSx8MiMnfLDSssC0F9nT6jPJiQR_lZGXI2C3y8SMBN6vjsRwhUdvxSMbbMjnXKebppNDE8wJofV3Du7hwoqKXTDnKKqbDE1RBMjwDmh8H/s1600/DSC_5302_3_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vk9HXlOReXwcV9DS4xab7hXebWdXonbqK-ifSx8MiMnfLDSssC0F9nT6jPJiQR_lZGXI2C3y8SMBN6vjsRwhUdvxSMbbMjnXKebppNDE8wJofV3Du7hwoqKXTDnKKqbDE1RBMjwDmh8H/s640/DSC_5302_3_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>So, one of my favorite parts of going to a professional bike race is getting a chance to see all of the absolutely cool bikes and bike paraphernalia that is at the cutting edge of the sport. The first bike to really catch my eye was the Pinarello Dogma ridden by Team Sky (above). I'm partial to Pinarello, being Italian, and they are extremely cool too. This one was ridden by Stage 1 winner Ben Swift.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4zsSyquWHewOHxc66OO1-2mJvmLltflg1qH8IDTLn0wAnQKQcKy6xLulXUqROL-Y64a28lTtDfPWE8JdFMKK5v8PXf7gjY7FrDsDx1E6Tz4Xc1dpF3bWYGDxR-92aBb1PRUqWl-w4cN/s1600/DSC_5306_3_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4zsSyquWHewOHxc66OO1-2mJvmLltflg1qH8IDTLn0wAnQKQcKy6xLulXUqROL-Y64a28lTtDfPWE8JdFMKK5v8PXf7gjY7FrDsDx1E6Tz4Xc1dpF3bWYGDxR-92aBb1PRUqWl-w4cN/s640/DSC_5306_3_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>The Dogmas ridden by Team Sky are very different than the ones ridden by Bissel that I posted pictures of last year. Just looking at the fork and head tube of the Team Sky bikes you can tell that these bikes have something really funky going on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI41PpfZDsaJ3bL5Pk4SjnOn-7tzQt-5UT7KTkxPEJQKzGp_sIGwwRg2xiBvsOtUK3bPZP94j9DHPTiljcvF1PcOopj_INoHAInizGdN4jr-6Kph_cMHR61aiNROLKtKnSt43tdPOC13p/s1600/DSC_5297_0_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI41PpfZDsaJ3bL5Pk4SjnOn-7tzQt-5UT7KTkxPEJQKzGp_sIGwwRg2xiBvsOtUK3bPZP94j9DHPTiljcvF1PcOopj_INoHAInizGdN4jr-6Kph_cMHR61aiNROLKtKnSt43tdPOC13p/s640/DSC_5297_0_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Next on the absolutely sweet bike list is the Cervelo S3 of Thor Hushovd. Personally, I don't care what bike you're riding, if you're rocking the world champion's rainbow stripes the bike just looks so much cooler.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoq3MaFsPsx3d4ijTwkH4RQFHr3y0NmO3AIloHSFJvbkhtymoTrG9gNLhy-_PnBaidClTFywRCb5J_O2vq3_HilXRG-Ut9sTQAs9CXAAobgIWI3UjZ41htSmjaC_aH8T8Rh5xl7eWxZly/s1600/DSC_5321_9_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoq3MaFsPsx3d4ijTwkH4RQFHr3y0NmO3AIloHSFJvbkhtymoTrG9gNLhy-_PnBaidClTFywRCb5J_O2vq3_HilXRG-Ut9sTQAs9CXAAobgIWI3UjZ41htSmjaC_aH8T8Rh5xl7eWxZly/s640/DSC_5321_9_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not a huge Trek fan, but the Radio Shack Madones look very cool. For pure aesthetics alone they are one of my favorite bikes in the pro peleton. This is Jason McCartney's ride parked in front of the Shack bus. I dig the bear graphic on the bus, and it is also one the bikes, at the top of the seat tube.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e1eYEwgE1P9ePjbM9lPWh7qH_LGJUg1pp8WI5r1fx_LRa6bh2cGqKiW0Ag69TtXQKxBjbtpxf11CLdyrA52aJrWc7ZkZy0nveQ9Zqa91kRtDifVcmewrhXuGv0OqCW_uWSs7i8yHAIyQ/s1600/DSC_5320_8_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5e1eYEwgE1P9ePjbM9lPWh7qH_LGJUg1pp8WI5r1fx_LRa6bh2cGqKiW0Ag69TtXQKxBjbtpxf11CLdyrA52aJrWc7ZkZy0nveQ9Zqa91kRtDifVcmewrhXuGv0OqCW_uWSs7i8yHAIyQ/s640/DSC_5320_8_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the newest and sexiest bikes of the pro peleton is the Specialized Venge. HTC was rocking them for the first time in the U.S. They are done up in a matte black finish that looks super stealthy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVvhACoXm4QJ5-fzdExDkCjCOt7G1F0TjVtSalY34t9b0__sWHx2Tag9hjB_PNA0mO1hTVOQGZKh831cE30NuUT-mYX_2UnQr_WdKpelzUmDZMI5VVIDOa9fSCW-YSodOeVftyO0K5T8/s1600/DSC_5314_7_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVvhACoXm4QJ5-fzdExDkCjCOt7G1F0TjVtSalY34t9b0__sWHx2Tag9hjB_PNA0mO1hTVOQGZKh831cE30NuUT-mYX_2UnQr_WdKpelzUmDZMI5VVIDOa9fSCW-YSodOeVftyO0K5T8/s640/DSC_5314_7_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BMC is a company that doesn't really excite me as far as bike design is concerned, but like Radio Shack, BMC really does have a great look. From their kits, to their bikes to their team cars (above), I love the way they roll.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoewPmJOzcpe0rj5pAqGqfj_MiIRi8367tv1ITy5MQcBkxz7y_3tpzbe3fdPPyVkhCByeOLWBtJYRtJjEt4w_tD_E_0danT2uE_879AEDLOxmMkXyZaCs1lsAqK5r1bUKXdhlJWpUVo37/s1600/DSC_5468_0_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoewPmJOzcpe0rj5pAqGqfj_MiIRi8367tv1ITy5MQcBkxz7y_3tpzbe3fdPPyVkhCByeOLWBtJYRtJjEt4w_tD_E_0danT2uE_879AEDLOxmMkXyZaCs1lsAqK5r1bUKXdhlJWpUVo37/s640/DSC_5468_0_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could go on for a long time raving about all of the great bikes from this years Tour of California but I'll hold myself back. However, one bike that has to make it in is the Focus Izalco of Team Jelly Belly. They might not be a Pro Tour team, but they sure do ride Pro Tour quality bikes. The paint job of course just seals the deal for me. I love it!</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-26926538993032409082011-06-08T17:26:00.000-10:002011-06-08T17:26:26.024-10:00Team Leopard-Trek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TyusP82fou-Zfq9TqCk5d5YMMuYVsF9XeqHwXEtfSHh3NkSbxfzTaI_eeHOZ0tm1VER9EfqqPauwIIs4DJvGHWD1rtqF3luZ85FYJrEkUYVymip5GC_EDYAwN6_zO-oKe4RI327qNxLd/s1600/Andy_Schleck_0_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TyusP82fou-Zfq9TqCk5d5YMMuYVsF9XeqHwXEtfSHh3NkSbxfzTaI_eeHOZ0tm1VER9EfqqPauwIIs4DJvGHWD1rtqF3luZ85FYJrEkUYVymip5GC_EDYAwN6_zO-oKe4RI327qNxLd/s640/Andy_Schleck_0_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>Andy Schleck, Jens Voight, and several other riders from Team Leopard-Trek are here to contest the Tour of California. There is definitely a somber mood surrounding the riders, following the death of their teammate Wouter Weylandt in the Giro D'Italia. Andy Schleck (above) seems particularly distant from the fans and the media attention, compared to last year when he was all smiles and very accessible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHsNHBvWDP4QMMprQD4eMDJt7-9V44wvuzP5d4DCStRlUzOTK3IwtWuOodcmkHONkaDO0nVBrbsjdR5Cvl2AH1IjkdWt6QD_yQzJWvtlE6LZwM4fpyNjdPqsTrhGNIGS4YwXk0upJ5LUN/s1600/DSC_5097_6_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHsNHBvWDP4QMMprQD4eMDJt7-9V44wvuzP5d4DCStRlUzOTK3IwtWuOodcmkHONkaDO0nVBrbsjdR5Cvl2AH1IjkdWt6QD_yQzJWvtlE6LZwM4fpyNjdPqsTrhGNIGS4YwXk0upJ5LUN/s640/DSC_5097_6_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>Jens Voigt was his usual, affable self though. He conducted several interviews before each stage and spent a lot of time posing for pictures with fans. No wonder why everyone loves Jens!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRU-zcOiT9PX60E9s7h1A1YglqGNQmL0wvTVUwtDhWErOd0okOmGTNjHsviChezeyHG2KBhhLeOKbD5KNHMMvpAHla-4hSn1cFrkBxJGnjo0qQ9Ph-H7NZzlqFOiN3yrArExfXYJKhL1f/s1600/DSC_5237_15_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRU-zcOiT9PX60E9s7h1A1YglqGNQmL0wvTVUwtDhWErOd0okOmGTNjHsviChezeyHG2KBhhLeOKbD5KNHMMvpAHla-4hSn1cFrkBxJGnjo0qQ9Ph-H7NZzlqFOiN3yrArExfXYJKhL1f/s640/DSC_5237_15_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, the team is here to race, and they are carrying on as best they can. Linus Gerdemann (above) was in the mix for the sprint on Stage 1 in Sacramento.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ulPtP7A4DWbADYP-vbtyhJfLyOgGy-PB4CHhIMUSYiJC02Ay_pE_Lwdyy8or9ykXfSsNjhZkgcQ6tBTeXn86gYhEEfcIYtMIWl9DrlYBwqGh5cYYIRhN9AYivpLfJMxkXq75K4j_yAn/s1600/DSC_5131_13_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6ulPtP7A4DWbADYP-vbtyhJfLyOgGy-PB4CHhIMUSYiJC02Ay_pE_Lwdyy8or9ykXfSsNjhZkgcQ6tBTeXn86gYhEEfcIYtMIWl9DrlYBwqGh5cYYIRhN9AYivpLfJMxkXq75K4j_yAn/s640/DSC_5131_13_.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The team has brought a number of young riders here to get experience in preparation for the Tour de France and other stage races to be held throughout the summer. It is doubtful that a guy like Stefan Denifil (above) will make the Tour de France squad, but a good showing here might help his chances to get on for the Vuelta or the Tour of Switzerland. He actually had a pretty good scare on Stage 5 when he crashed pretty dramatically. But, he survived it relatively unscathed and was able to finish the race. More on that here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/denifl-escapes-with-only-cuts-and-bruises-after-dramatic-crash-on-stage-five</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgG5CsfPdzAlMPpMw0kZsvROb9wbqwwxz0wYFSB4N0C0qGLpjBGZCP1uXtvEYwNZ5nY9ITJfOTLw5C62OuuJ_iMutSpOmpdHnrK8L6YJe26Kobaxc88aof3MlyJxwJA06U-F0OSelPanT/s1600/denifl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgG5CsfPdzAlMPpMw0kZsvROb9wbqwwxz0wYFSB4N0C0qGLpjBGZCP1uXtvEYwNZ5nY9ITJfOTLw5C62OuuJ_iMutSpOmpdHnrK8L6YJe26Kobaxc88aof3MlyJxwJA06U-F0OSelPanT/s640/denifl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a picture from Cyclingnews of his Stage 5 crash. Whoa!! That is the Leopard-Trek team car nearly running him over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH8MejshLzhLL3ZMnozRSGfGd8p5Ca0ujaUQLNgi82jeu-_Bp1_w7KSsS0PAvs38sjm8jWMKbin1nK35LuKiPqaqRUZtneSgEedBpIKlLXU5eDKeSAKhAbvcgqYXg_vN9xccchFBVk_Ga/s1600/DSC_5324_10_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH8MejshLzhLL3ZMnozRSGfGd8p5Ca0ujaUQLNgi82jeu-_Bp1_w7KSsS0PAvs38sjm8jWMKbin1nK35LuKiPqaqRUZtneSgEedBpIKlLXU5eDKeSAKhAbvcgqYXg_vN9xccchFBVk_Ga/s640/DSC_5324_10_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many of the teams are choosing to remember Wouter Weylandt in their own way. Team Radio Shack are all carrying stickers memorializing Wouter on their bikes (WW 108). This one is on Haimar Zubeldia's Trek Madone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU93OnFLBD1EcUbSGz5QZa-eWrj5yUYGu7A6EoUW-vku-NqZmsM9tZWYq6RteLlcbii4qSHQR04j0_gZ2qxtzAw0lEg1gu-mA28k6xKC7G3P1b0EXzyrpMgbFmb7f8DlHKpOcgW5KEctT/s1600/Leopard+Madones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU93OnFLBD1EcUbSGz5QZa-eWrj5yUYGu7A6EoUW-vku-NqZmsM9tZWYq6RteLlcbii4qSHQR04j0_gZ2qxtzAw0lEg1gu-mA28k6xKC7G3P1b0EXzyrpMgbFmb7f8DlHKpOcgW5KEctT/s640/Leopard+Madones.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Team Leopard-Trek had some nice looking Madones of their own. The one on the outside belongs to Martin Pedersen. That is a really small frame with a really big crank!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlYabpQawby1OL82etguyTFlulbvlVdm-XAhn65qlhWgKAhkRn2S_M_vS8OWBJ6zdvZzjAeiUKtXVY6BRCS8xHy4VQcW0s-3bMruDBssOw-ELpJ4wPMn9R54z1X4UffQZ2882g1Oe1tsB/s1600/Jakob_Fugslang_18_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlYabpQawby1OL82etguyTFlulbvlVdm-XAhn65qlhWgKAhkRn2S_M_vS8OWBJ6zdvZzjAeiUKtXVY6BRCS8xHy4VQcW0s-3bMruDBssOw-ELpJ4wPMn9R54z1X4UffQZ2882g1Oe1tsB/s640/Jakob_Fugslang_18_.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Jakob Fugslang giving it everything on the climb up to the summit of Sierra Road on Stage 3. Andy Schleck had already passed by with Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner. Shortly after they passed us, Horner dropped them both to solo for the win and take a commanding lead on the GC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-18587466691760230012011-06-01T16:51:00.003-10:002011-06-01T19:13:06.116-10:00Tour of California 2011 - Stage 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, after having the first stage cancelled because of snow, the Tour of California is set to go. So what we are now calling Stage 1 (originally supposed to be Stage 2) was shortened from the start in Tahoe, to a start in Nevada City due to snow. The finish was in Sacramento as planned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsulD3KaHjy3xoL66vEHbjkqCPG7yozShNDqBpCQ9V1uIRWa9qyn3qPBnPl7syqbD58ouIWvxhxvTU7448dQs4cKpQchGAtHuQrkuKU-QgZJBlSej3f6iUHaDPLt9_j0F86oCppD21w8mk/s1600/DSC_5163_5_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsulD3KaHjy3xoL66vEHbjkqCPG7yozShNDqBpCQ9V1uIRWa9qyn3qPBnPl7syqbD58ouIWvxhxvTU7448dQs4cKpQchGAtHuQrkuKU-QgZJBlSej3f6iUHaDPLt9_j0F86oCppD21w8mk/s640/DSC_5163_5_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a nice shoe of the neutral roll out through Nevada City, California. Levi, Dave Zabriske, Andy Jacques-Maynes and Jens Voigt are on the front.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2rOz7GHYfufhweweRzW5ORWNadIsmUMsg_bFgnBzKiYUqNoCNKtYTCebJ8T1wDTsFISOb1norMAYWlvOEQYDthQpt_64NZUqiVLR_GYU08EnjyNWWH9jTj0BXwg-HKGBdnK6Yq9PWqSt/s1600/Oscar+Friere_17_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2rOz7GHYfufhweweRzW5ORWNadIsmUMsg_bFgnBzKiYUqNoCNKtYTCebJ8T1wDTsFISOb1norMAYWlvOEQYDthQpt_64NZUqiVLR_GYU08EnjyNWWH9jTj0BXwg-HKGBdnK6Yq9PWqSt/s640/Oscar+Friere_17_.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A great field is on display here in California. Oscar Freire was pretty calm before the start of Stage 1. He looks relaxed and ready for a sprint stage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwYejXEKTAwl2KMCzYsJotZazsr4ZU9Kx6t_ZIHA0OI49CfXtRp08s6xwvXRCX_Sv5Jwa-QDT7tE7EXU8rUCS8MLp7yOZekBA5EBfkNuSPJjzSwQw1rZJSdl7ab05FMs0kTYxyV1e878_/s1600/Andy+Schleck_1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwYejXEKTAwl2KMCzYsJotZazsr4ZU9Kx6t_ZIHA0OI49CfXtRp08s6xwvXRCX_Sv5Jwa-QDT7tE7EXU8rUCS8MLp7yOZekBA5EBfkNuSPJjzSwQw1rZJSdl7ab05FMs0kTYxyV1e878_/s640/Andy+Schleck_1_.jpg" width="640" /></a>Andy Schleck racing through the streets of Sacramento. Obviously, he didn't contest the sprint, he just hung out in the back of the peleton where it was a little safer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp-BFJ4gFq1Cj8cVsqCcGWAQdKJj0ChQyta6MmDKuoWYlF28IcYk1wSAaWmnRL2uRcB9IjovcaJNJ4a0zn4O_dO7DAgSyBZoBGJX3yOHxpjr9NwRosS00kUC7biultZF1uxyBdRH2stSJ/s1600/Lars+Boom_22_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicp-BFJ4gFq1Cj8cVsqCcGWAQdKJj0ChQyta6MmDKuoWYlF28IcYk1wSAaWmnRL2uRcB9IjovcaJNJ4a0zn4O_dO7DAgSyBZoBGJX3yOHxpjr9NwRosS00kUC7biultZF1uxyBdRH2stSJ/s640/Lars+Boom_22_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lars Boom rode a pretty conservative race today. He stayed in the peleton and took it easy over the three finishing laps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yfeTTjpr0ItNrgb5bRnrcP0dQed5VkMfkjDNxM2NiOKK5CQiK5XhDi9D0tpYHUOGEe0NjlLxh_Cv78C7GliUDGd7DQZ6fc0YPSYrflLr2sJZZrxaUiM8XGqgla-9s_1qdwNldX-qyBs9/s1600/DSC_5286_20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yfeTTjpr0ItNrgb5bRnrcP0dQed5VkMfkjDNxM2NiOKK5CQiK5XhDi9D0tpYHUOGEe0NjlLxh_Cv78C7GliUDGd7DQZ6fc0YPSYrflLr2sJZZrxaUiM8XGqgla-9s_1qdwNldX-qyBs9/s640/DSC_5286_20_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Sergio Hernandez of Jelly Belly taking the corner nice and fast, despite the conditions. I love the Focus Team bikes. Looks a lot like my Focus cross bike!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuptCwjTB06HrxWtL2L9UU8ZZrmyL1NIpJCXsPGqL6rYEd-3L7wf8VkY6BV9n1PXblNIVBHlWh3pyuEONnZP9yazJMfZqkcozB5C5MJJPhLeTo16f8xJHliEw4GeRYjsYCGTg3pklM7MC/s1600/Dmitriy+Muravyev_2_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuptCwjTB06HrxWtL2L9UU8ZZrmyL1NIpJCXsPGqL6rYEd-3L7wf8VkY6BV9n1PXblNIVBHlWh3pyuEONnZP9yazJMfZqkcozB5C5MJJPhLeTo16f8xJHliEw4GeRYjsYCGTg3pklM7MC/s640/Dmitriy+Muravyev_2_.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
This is Dimitry Muravyev taking a tight 90 degree turn in the rain on the final lap around downtown Sacramento. From here it is a straight shot of about 500m to the finish. Ben Swift of Team Sky ended up taking the win in a close finish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjromEa4waoUav5L_HyqZC0gk-WjixKPd5dSVUEQPRXrdt5mbwGN8QPeG_2dKW1n_CumkJ_ocrTd0t4XtyZZq7s3IcpWEdQJRFg_cbfJiXS5l-tKcH4PwvxZPdJ8ZDJkoy3uXxUqzLhDBww/s1600/DSC_5286_20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjromEa4waoUav5L_HyqZC0gk-WjixKPd5dSVUEQPRXrdt5mbwGN8QPeG_2dKW1n_CumkJ_ocrTd0t4XtyZZq7s3IcpWEdQJRFg_cbfJiXS5l-tKcH4PwvxZPdJ8ZDJkoy3uXxUqzLhDBww/s1600/DSC_5286_20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjromEa4waoUav5L_HyqZC0gk-WjixKPd5dSVUEQPRXrdt5mbwGN8QPeG_2dKW1n_CumkJ_ocrTd0t4XtyZZq7s3IcpWEdQJRFg_cbfJiXS5l-tKcH4PwvxZPdJ8ZDJkoy3uXxUqzLhDBww/s1600/DSC_5286_20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-83635933451155118942010-12-31T23:21:00.000-10:002010-12-31T23:21:15.944-10:00Mexico!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic11m-gK0eWkXSaKKHQIuwCYcvmtTXewqcAuYJ8PFvDfvKroOx5ydhOUNXMWrgfedHEnNG4Oo4n_OV98FQw8veXO-xBvWjbOFxYXIfoPD5k-v3wUoQfW0UZi_3sYZPvvpHkjo4pojDG2j7/s1600/PB030111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic11m-gK0eWkXSaKKHQIuwCYcvmtTXewqcAuYJ8PFvDfvKroOx5ydhOUNXMWrgfedHEnNG4Oo4n_OV98FQw8veXO-xBvWjbOFxYXIfoPD5k-v3wUoQfW0UZi_3sYZPvvpHkjo4pojDG2j7/s640/PB030111.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clare and I just got back from Puerto Vallarta and we had an amazing time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR03Top6ilP1Nt4ZEBmFa3O5cX8n2iziQqxKRlvrorhkdAcVBHNnEHD5hEKweM-mmpEXeclUliSKOiBXa9PcBLrm72BKByDlN6ivDRoGQyAxltSIgX-ZaYYNPftzAo1T7RZVIQMhCmnbg/s1600/PB020089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR03Top6ilP1Nt4ZEBmFa3O5cX8n2iziQqxKRlvrorhkdAcVBHNnEHD5hEKweM-mmpEXeclUliSKOiBXa9PcBLrm72BKByDlN6ivDRoGQyAxltSIgX-ZaYYNPftzAo1T7RZVIQMhCmnbg/s640/PB020089.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dia de los muertos! Dancers performing in the old town of Puerto Vallarta on the day of the dad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzL1ydoy9qM3PZB1sJ-eJ77AmMZ_7fkgADK_8v5nYdO1suq8qNdLmza6KUrl4wXJ5ZVpjHdXrFPcgjOei6i-BinT8Z7wRvnJ7Y8o9D6DW-OvfdlgxskwdDiuQELxxm0SfcdHF6f2b5azs/s1600/PB020060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzL1ydoy9qM3PZB1sJ-eJ77AmMZ_7fkgADK_8v5nYdO1suq8qNdLmza6KUrl4wXJ5ZVpjHdXrFPcgjOei6i-BinT8Z7wRvnJ7Y8o9D6DW-OvfdlgxskwdDiuQELxxm0SfcdHF6f2b5azs/s640/PB020060.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beautiful old church in Downtown Puerto Vallarta.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBUYjJcwmTOSuBwPLAAXYMgC1Mji-Wkq187x8jato-hWtc0bczjXlWc3-K9EctJhg7UCoiRcIRQADYqNslPAheJKqRWh8TMgtyYo-0OQ-Ll_OpuJtyxLV2mqw6e2ZAflS1wcoxbrqsMJy/s1600/PB030108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBUYjJcwmTOSuBwPLAAXYMgC1Mji-Wkq187x8jato-hWtc0bczjXlWc3-K9EctJhg7UCoiRcIRQADYqNslPAheJKqRWh8TMgtyYo-0OQ-Ll_OpuJtyxLV2mqw6e2ZAflS1wcoxbrqsMJy/s640/PB030108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from our room in Yelapa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewyUG2lGl1t4gG0dVW29gEafh3EsM86H9eZupmXWaK-GI3NrnP72vJ7n78cIc0e9mWww7uSMeXFekzpzUsINHiNW9KzN1-gyfVR71ijkOSAgM9VpnF75CsgfsLoxSwTBr7s9bnnAE0hV/s1600/PB020046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixewyUG2lGl1t4gG0dVW29gEafh3EsM86H9eZupmXWaK-GI3NrnP72vJ7n78cIc0e9mWww7uSMeXFekzpzUsINHiNW9KzN1-gyfVR71ijkOSAgM9VpnF75CsgfsLoxSwTBr7s9bnnAE0hV/s640/PB020046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from our balcony in Puerto Vallarta.</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-17760905323031168922010-07-31T12:28:00.002-10:002010-07-31T12:30:23.305-10:00Rafting the Deschutes River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyHWStKUvAr2j3cbk6Q55vEJm6LueSoAataeUmy7pa1QlYk5hBCs28ABjob8rvosrhH8F0I3f9RPPjCH0F9Ew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;">Clare and I just returned from a long weekend in Eastern Oregon. We left town on Friday and spent two days camped in Camp Sherman, Oregon. taking it easy. On Sunday we drove over to Maupin, Oregon to meet up with some of Clare's co-workers for a rafting trip on the lower-Deschutes River.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZx3gy77Ke5EUepJe91fAvUpJRHvoIeRuzj5Qgl0AZo6GPTeMOdX2UUNn_-ORnlibl75wuLVGjHZ4pbFhFKA6G9Sc3eSWmhHBfgFN_S0jRB-hxWBbZ0x_0YXtlo0iz0qOvXG3aKYJxeNK/s1600/P7240323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZx3gy77Ke5EUepJe91fAvUpJRHvoIeRuzj5Qgl0AZo6GPTeMOdX2UUNn_-ORnlibl75wuLVGjHZ4pbFhFKA6G9Sc3eSWmhHBfgFN_S0jRB-hxWBbZ0x_0YXtlo0iz0qOvXG3aKYJxeNK/s640/P7240323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The section of the river that we floated was pretty mellow but we did have a few decent rapids that managed to get our blood pumping a bit. Everyone had a good time and it was an excellent way to beat the heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-6557933956697283662010-07-06T18:06:00.000-10:002010-07-19T18:10:09.996-10:00North Sister Climb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_DF3ouM1fpEsIs0Nlb4yb9uH9B59hZMPiWfvPdcWsTD9HJwhFznEv80UWIkA0oKZTXVGPLdym6JLLwlUUx7TW_Iv_TiuM11loFzCMqzr5HjwaHh3ScW4GivbVvRp5zRazDkUzYc40J_0/s1600/P7030255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_DF3ouM1fpEsIs0Nlb4yb9uH9B59hZMPiWfvPdcWsTD9HJwhFznEv80UWIkA0oKZTXVGPLdym6JLLwlUUx7TW_Iv_TiuM11loFzCMqzr5HjwaHh3ScW4GivbVvRp5zRazDkUzYc40J_0/s640/P7030255.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Buddy Mike Smith and I just got back from a great climb of North Sister in the Sisters Wilderness of Central Oregon. We had a fantastic but grueling time heading up this wonderful mountain. We made it to the trailhead on the west side of the mountain at 5:00 PM on Saturday and began the 6 mile slog into the base of the climb. We we're traveling with split snowboards in the hopes that we would get some turns. Unfortunately the snow down low was really patchy so we ended up having to hike almost four miles with the boards on our backs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwiDuW2cAHUqmZPvr5DHHTCuiuoyEb6pAg6tmnm-xlZEGPHddrQEbuKZuQcWAaEujvyEuyoKXhVjBZodOlffDGNbgJxd5FuJfrGByJTJSFkwXl7m2RJ87ZYzBpk22kFHF396mJYF-nKnU/s640/P7020232.JPG" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Mike finally enjoying a bit of skinning on the snowboard! We ended up pushing on to our high camp in the dark and making camp at the terminus of the Collier Glacier. After a brief nap (it is hard to consider four hours actual sleep!), we got geared up and began the climb.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G3q34SJPOM38KDa8lPj9yrAwmJXXkoqkrlqjS6nuu8ThyPaKL3LQsnennUzvi2aHK0mUCZ90s1-K2LEOvenBA_PfxG_skz3U5hkLAczvvMw-Xzbm-uN5W8tDiqKmm2TyvqWL0Fnpk4Re/s1600/P7030262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G3q34SJPOM38KDa8lPj9yrAwmJXXkoqkrlqjS6nuu8ThyPaKL3LQsnennUzvi2aHK0mUCZ90s1-K2LEOvenBA_PfxG_skz3U5hkLAczvvMw-Xzbm-uN5W8tDiqKmm2TyvqWL0Fnpk4Re/s640/P7030262.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we climbed up the Northwest Ridge of the mountain we we're treated to some great views, including a fantastic look at the east face of Middle Sister (at the top of the post). Once we hit the ridge it was fairly straight-forward climbing (see the picture of Mike above) until we made it to the traverse beneath the summit (picture below).</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA8aELpyxWdKayUsPmzA0Xry94mDkF-yC5oR3SlLTwGLXi6KhgqWvLCQEm8Vxq0WtdzQFHC4W1_-54N6BbNKt6u5je2W_HJNgFBvqgotEonKgrNmBgHIPxrOd7sFEnxZAk6nPYo268ACF/s1600/P7030267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA8aELpyxWdKayUsPmzA0Xry94mDkF-yC5oR3SlLTwGLXi6KhgqWvLCQEm8Vxq0WtdzQFHC4W1_-54N6BbNKt6u5je2W_HJNgFBvqgotEonKgrNmBgHIPxrOd7sFEnxZAk6nPYo268ACF/s640/P7030267.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
The traverse to the gully in the center of the picture above was steep and exposed but the snow was generally pretty good (albeit a little icy). We opted to forego the rope, despite the exposure, because we felt that moving fast through the traverse was our best option for avoiding the potential rock fall from above.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQRo3WYwp0Xe_CRZ8DX_zVXrcvzuyg5oqAgVO-DyLLJ_eBRvvXCeBHtgllNRVGIFXQPuwzN9GfieMbyx7-bZZgar_oF5FtdrqIgP1YWGXGbPdEJGCkRcG1nz_wWwrTUMSXFn99BDXTrRj/s1600/P7030274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQRo3WYwp0Xe_CRZ8DX_zVXrcvzuyg5oqAgVO-DyLLJ_eBRvvXCeBHtgllNRVGIFXQPuwzN9GfieMbyx7-bZZgar_oF5FtdrqIgP1YWGXGbPdEJGCkRcG1nz_wWwrTUMSXFn99BDXTrRj/s640/P7030274.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>North Sister actually has two summits, one is just a few feet higher than the other, but the route to the top of the highest summit was melted out and sketchy (as seen in the picture above) so we swallowed our pride and were content to get on top of the lower of the two summits. We managed a few thousand feet of snowboard turns in the slushy snow of the lower part of the mountain on our decent, and then had to hike the boards out for the final push to the car. We made it back by 5:30 PM on Sunday for a total of 24.5 hours.Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1485377091225865121.post-27760312341671868742010-06-28T15:20:00.001-10:002010-07-19T18:10:51.766-10:00Irem Shrine, Wilkes-Barre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ry0I1dZ51hQ1pAOiSAtt67itP8EUvsZuVPMsL5TU6SI0lToEr6T0IfRwuljRjwn6WhTWt4rM7aJYTwRjKWCn28Ebrs8XeNPcwB0PSPXXu0f-zxa1WhJv5sIapZg5GPkbucI1xv-WGnCO/s1600/P6260189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ry0I1dZ51hQ1pAOiSAtt67itP8EUvsZuVPMsL5TU6SI0lToEr6T0IfRwuljRjwn6WhTWt4rM7aJYTwRjKWCn28Ebrs8XeNPcwB0PSPXXu0f-zxa1WhJv5sIapZg5GPkbucI1xv-WGnCO/s640/P6260189.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This absolutely magnificent building is the old Irem Shrine, in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It was built as an auditorium for the local Shriners group back in the early 1900's. Appaerntly the building is in rough shape and the city is not quite sure what to do with it. Maintenance on a building of this size and vintage must be extremely expensive and the local Shriners don't have the money to upkeep it. What a shame.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4XK0c0_5uMmzKxHzAaNi0xYaESMNuDoeyp4puVszgsajPmJoL6VlE6f6-8MalH-rvktOcobfpIWGXfWo06-uaOF7i7GpsyuFPfAoJFCpPJmhe_JFWbFc57vEcfpAeGVUv0qC4t6gbu13/s1600/P6260194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4XK0c0_5uMmzKxHzAaNi0xYaESMNuDoeyp4puVszgsajPmJoL6VlE6f6-8MalH-rvktOcobfpIWGXfWo06-uaOF7i7GpsyuFPfAoJFCpPJmhe_JFWbFc57vEcfpAeGVUv0qC4t6gbu13/s640/P6260194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4XK0c0_5uMmzKxHzAaNi0xYaESMNuDoeyp4puVszgsajPmJoL6VlE6f6-8MalH-rvktOcobfpIWGXfWo06-uaOF7i7GpsyuFPfAoJFCpPJmhe_JFWbFc57vEcfpAeGVUv0qC4t6gbu13/s1600/P6260194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qu4y_Zej7oXGj12FFcJTxB0n6LVw0gRVgaXi_dtmSWn4g7IyWYGyQgYaWaqdLvCtfhr-5KLWf7qkultufVPru2yrQHpgNgMAgJ8D3YfegGeCQOj-CYEci0qVyJb2ZQvRtngS28K6tEUZ/s1600/P6260195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qu4y_Zej7oXGj12FFcJTxB0n6LVw0gRVgaXi_dtmSWn4g7IyWYGyQgYaWaqdLvCtfhr-5KLWf7qkultufVPru2yrQHpgNgMAgJ8D3YfegGeCQOj-CYEci0qVyJb2ZQvRtngS28K6tEUZ/s640/P6260195.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Wandering Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950477244189946259noreply@blogger.com0