There Is Always Something To Look Forward To

Mountains are an inviting and challenging place to visit. The feeling of being vulnerable to nature brings about a feeling of being alive. Rather than be protected by the technologies of modern society, placing yourself into a way of life regarded by many as foolish gives a sense of strength. Add to that a group of good friends, some Redrum, and a couple cameras and you have a mix for a fantastic time.

37 miles per my gps

The 3D version

Seth and Mike with a brew at Wallowa Lake

Horsing around never gets old

Almost to Glacier Lake. The eyes were treated to much beauty.

Glacier

A campfire somehow mesmerizes one into a calm

My lil' beagle Lucy had to stay warm too! A sleeping bag's bag turned into a dog sleeping bag

Ride the wave out of Glacier Lake

Nothing wakes a guy up like hopping into a cold mountain lake.

Mike, Seth and Sady at Glacier Pass

20+ footer at Mirror Lake

Seth, Mike and I at Mirror Lake

Mike on the way up to Eagle Cap

The view from Eagle Cap! Top notch!

Lucy enjoying the view too

Moccasin Lake

Tree, Daisy, Red

Last Sunday, I earned my first concussion at Moscow Mountain Madness. After multiple rides on the new mountain bike, I decided that going back to my origins and racing would be alright. A little prior to the mid point, my chain decided to break and send me to the ground. Not that I remember exactly what happened, but given that when I came to I had a broken chain, that's got to be what happened. For around 15 minutes, Ted Chauvin walked along the trail with me and I only remember the last little bit of it. He told me that we had walked around one and a half miles, but it seemed more like a few hundred yards. Coming to felt very much so like waking from a dream. As for the title of this blog, I was asked to remember the words tree, daisy, red and then randomly required to recite them after the race. Sure enough, I remembered it waaay too well.

Before downhilling at Brundage on my 30th birthday

Bry, Tim and Jim going through the easy stuff

Me, Jim, Bry and Tim

Hopping a log along the Fischer Creek Trail

Matt Hibbard going over the same log

Me, Jason, Derek and Matt

News And Rambling

September 11th, a group of guys are going to take off on a trip in the Wallowa Mountains and venture through some amazing terrain. Fish will be caught, booze will be consumed, and tales (fibs) of greatness will be told around campfires far from the civilized world.

A few other peaks and lakes will have to be visited as well while we're near by.

Of other news, the State Time Trial went alright. I was satisfied to have posted my first sub 52 minute 40K (24.8 miles) time trial. It was close to 29mph average, but how cool would 30 be?!
Up next, the Bogus Basin Hill Climb. I'm not expecting anything more than a good hard effort and catching up with friends, although I wouldn't turn down a good result.
Outside of that, I just thought that I'd mention that I don't want the summer to end. Fresh fruits and vegetables at their peak can't be beat. Enough sunshine to make a lot of the happy drug, vitamin D. It doesn't take half an hour to put clothes on to go outside. The mountains are venture-able (feel free to use my new word). Rivers are tube-able (I did it again, but it's not patented either). Please, speak with your local congressman about making a new law that winter does not come around but for a select few locations to ski/board at.

Better Pictures Than Results

Nationals was too hot. I melted down and didn't finish well. Some kind of stomach bug got me the Sunday before and felt to be gone by go time, but who knows. Excuses are like A-holes, everyone's got one. Luckily, I produced a 19:29 Thursday night TT (course and personal record since the chip seal was put on in 04) before the fan and the poop met.
Immediately after Nationals, I met up with my Dad and Raina for some backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains.

A campfire at Redfish Lake

The next morning at the lake

After hiking into Alice Lake, we were treated to this view

Heading from Alice Lake to Toxaway Lake, we saw Twin Lakes from the pass.

Toxaway Lake

Laying down once at a mountain lake and dropping pack is always a good thing.

A Seven Devils And Hiawatha Break

A break from the real world is a great way to keep an even keel. The same ol' same ol' gets old and everyone knows that the spice of life is variety.

Charlene and I met up with my Dad and took off to Echo Lake in the Seven Devils

Echo Lake at sunset after a solid eight or nine mile hike in.

The following day, Triangle Lake lost a few fish, one by hand!

Charlene caught two of the three biggest fish. Thanks for feeding pops and I.

Echo Lake before heading to bed as a few thunder clouds veered away from our camp.

We followed up backpacking with a ride on the Hiawatha Trail. My long lost lil' Sis Tara decided to come back from Kazakhstan for the summer and join us and have a good time.

Many trestles needed crossing and big mountains gazed upon

and a few big tunnels were ventured, including a 1.3 mile behemoth

A fitting end shot.