Quick Denver trip over the weekend to see Dave. Just pics. Loads of fun with my bro.
Full size show here, or........
11/28/11
11/12/11
11/10/11
Santa Fe
So we planned a few nights in Santa Fe as I may have mentioned. Monitored weather until the day we were supposed to leave and had to call an audible the night before due to shitty winter weather. The weather map said the South was to be sunny and 60 for our days of travel. Narrowed down to Charleston and Asheville. Asheville wins. Changed flights and lodging and away we went.
Stayed in a loft downtown. Walked the town, ate a ton, hiked, perused some art galleries, etc.
Bulleted Thoughts
-Asheville dining has a lot of focus on local, organic, and fresh; right up our alley so we didn't go hungry.
-I eat my fair share of BBQ, we generally seek it out when traveling for work. Had a lot from MO, TX, AR, and OK. I found the best. 12 Bones in Asheville wins hands down. Not just for one thing, but everything. Ribs, pork, beef, turkey, potato salad, corn pudding, baked beans, green beans. All superior. I can give specific details if you want, but won't bore you here. I ended up eating two dinners and half of Jess' lunch, and yes I finished the cookie and the beer as well.
-Appalacians / Pisgah National Forest is as beautiful as I remember. We were behind the foliage peak, but still lots of bright red to be seen. Blue Ridge Parkway would be a great bike ride. Waterfalls, rhododendron, blue hills, fog, etc. Could spend a ton of time exploring here.
-Neither of us know anything about art, except what we like. The River Arts District is a developing haven for artists rising out of an abandoned industrial area. Very cool and interesting for us even though we know nothing. (I asked before I photographed)
Full Size Slideshow
Stayed in a loft downtown. Walked the town, ate a ton, hiked, perused some art galleries, etc.
Bulleted Thoughts
-Asheville dining has a lot of focus on local, organic, and fresh; right up our alley so we didn't go hungry.
-I eat my fair share of BBQ, we generally seek it out when traveling for work. Had a lot from MO, TX, AR, and OK. I found the best. 12 Bones in Asheville wins hands down. Not just for one thing, but everything. Ribs, pork, beef, turkey, potato salad, corn pudding, baked beans, green beans. All superior. I can give specific details if you want, but won't bore you here. I ended up eating two dinners and half of Jess' lunch, and yes I finished the cookie and the beer as well.
-Appalacians / Pisgah National Forest is as beautiful as I remember. We were behind the foliage peak, but still lots of bright red to be seen. Blue Ridge Parkway would be a great bike ride. Waterfalls, rhododendron, blue hills, fog, etc. Could spend a ton of time exploring here.
-Neither of us know anything about art, except what we like. The River Arts District is a developing haven for artists rising out of an abandoned industrial area. Very cool and interesting for us even though we know nothing. (I asked before I photographed)
Full Size Slideshow
10/26/11
Current
***This will contain a plethora of the typical "boat bow to scenery" shots. You've been warned.***
Few weeks ago had the itch to get back down to the Current for a solo overnighter. Weather has been amazing, so I made the push.
The plan was for 27ish miles, from Pulltite to Two Rivers, where the Jack's Fork joins up. I wasn't going to be on the water until 1PM so I planned to get through a bit more than half and then set up camp on a gravel bar.
Abundant Scenery.
As I passed under a large tree similar to the one at left below, a Bald Eagle took to flight. It takes them a second or two to start gaining altitude, so it flew right over my head and downriver. I could hear its huge wings beating the air. One of those moments where I actually spoke aloud even though no one was there to listen. It got up near the bluff ahead and circled, catching updrafts until I could barely see it. I'd have never noticed, but there were two more up there as well. I don't know if they were eagles or not. Didn't appear to be Turkey Vultures.
Later on I saw another huge bird flying down the river, looked like a Golden Eagle to me.
Almost stopped at Bee Bluff to camp for the night but I was enjoying the river too much to stop. Once dusk came I realized I was moving pretty quickly and had approx. two hours of paddling to go. The allure of a night paddle was too strong so I bundled up and got out the lights. Never had to use them though, the stars were bright.
Finished up around 9 and decided to roll home.
This may be my favorite float of all.
Few weeks ago had the itch to get back down to the Current for a solo overnighter. Weather has been amazing, so I made the push.
The plan was for 27ish miles, from Pulltite to Two Rivers, where the Jack's Fork joins up. I wasn't going to be on the water until 1PM so I planned to get through a bit more than half and then set up camp on a gravel bar.
Abundant Scenery.
As I passed under a large tree similar to the one at left below, a Bald Eagle took to flight. It takes them a second or two to start gaining altitude, so it flew right over my head and downriver. I could hear its huge wings beating the air. One of those moments where I actually spoke aloud even though no one was there to listen. It got up near the bluff ahead and circled, catching updrafts until I could barely see it. I'd have never noticed, but there were two more up there as well. I don't know if they were eagles or not. Didn't appear to be Turkey Vultures.
Later on I saw another huge bird flying down the river, looked like a Golden Eagle to me.
Almost stopped at Bee Bluff to camp for the night but I was enjoying the river too much to stop. Once dusk came I realized I was moving pretty quickly and had approx. two hours of paddling to go. The allure of a night paddle was too strong so I bundled up and got out the lights. Never had to use them though, the stars were bright.
Finished up around 9 and decided to roll home.
This may be my favorite float of all.
10/13/11
Rat
Talking with Keeven a while back got me thinking about a certain style of motorcycles (and cars and bikes) that I think is cool. The other day I realized that I was a few easy steps away from having my own. Jess' old mtb was just hanging in the rafters, all it needed was handlebars and tires. I pulled off the front brake and lever, inner and outer rings, and front derailleur and shifter. Put on a bash guard from the parts bin. Ran the rear shifter to the seatpost instead, creating by far my most favorite part, the suicide shifter. Slapped on the new bar and tires.
8/29/11
What's in a Name?
Jess and I headed down to Council Bluff this weekend for a night under the stars. The weather has been great here as of late and we had to take advantage.
Paddled the lake....
And hiked to "The Bluff"....
And in true Seagal fashion took in some Dos Primos. It really is good.
You may remember my old boat, which now belongs to someone else, was nicknamed "The Bernard". I need a nickname for the new boat. It's a bit longer than the last so I was trying to come up with a variation on the original, like Bigger Bernard. It doesn't need to follow that, but I think I like having Bernard in it.
Any suggestions?
Paddled the lake....
And hiked to "The Bluff"....
And in true Seagal fashion took in some Dos Primos. It really is good.
You may remember my old boat, which now belongs to someone else, was nicknamed "The Bernard". I need a nickname for the new boat. It's a bit longer than the last so I was trying to come up with a variation on the original, like Bigger Bernard. It doesn't need to follow that, but I think I like having Bernard in it.
Any suggestions?
8/15/11
8/8/11
That Shit's too Shallow for this Lawn Dart
Jimbo, Keeven, and I headed down to the Current for a few days/nights. 51 miles paddled total. Fun stuff.
Full size here or:
Full size here or:
7/8/11
Family Goes to Door County, WI
We spent the past week up north "cooling off". The Door County area is vey beautiful and relaxing. Great paddling, road riding, and quality family time. I'll bore you with the pics if you please.
Or view full size here.
Or view full size here.
7/1/11
Sidetrip
Traveling through Arkansas this past week. Ole Blue kicked my ass.
Having a blast until I got this.
Had to cut it short and do a bit of this.
Was doing some work for the local Sheriff, he let me ride along on a mission with the heli pilot and the lead diver around the local Corp of Engineers reservoir. Those things are agile. Notice the MTB United paint scheme they put on there for us.
Having a blast until I got this.
Had to cut it short and do a bit of this.
Was doing some work for the local Sheriff, he let me ride along on a mission with the heli pilot and the lead diver around the local Corp of Engineers reservoir. Those things are agile. Notice the MTB United paint scheme they put on there for us.
6/13/11
I Missed the Boat
First watch David clean and jerk 245 lbs. Yes, they call him Super. And they call me Special. Not sure that's a compliment.
Watch The Big Jump video afterward for a laugh.
The weather broke this weekend so we did our best to get out in it. Saturday I brought the boats up to Council Bluff lake.
Put the boats in and paddled two miles over to the quiet side to meet up with Jimmy and set up camp.
Ended up pulling Jess' boat as I didn't want to leave it in the parking lot overnight. It worked well as a gear hauler.
We took a few mile hike up to the top of Johnson Mountain which apparently includes the actual Council Bluff. Amazing view from up top.
Did a little feeding and hit the hammock.
Was up at 5:30 the next morning to paddle out.
Loaded up and drove over to Onondaga Cave to meet Jess. We shuttled the boats ten miles upstream to Bass. Six miles on the Courtois, 1.5 on the Huzzah, and 2.5 on the Meremac. The water was clear, crisp, and moving. No dragging, even up on the Courtois. Had an enjoyable float with picture perfect conditions.
Yep, I dumped it. High sided a bit when I slammed the log and the current jumped up over the near side and rolled me.
My amazing view for the entire trip.
Courtois in to the Huzzah.
Huzzah in to the Meremac.
Packed it up and rolled home. Great weekend.
Watch The Big Jump video afterward for a laugh.
The weather broke this weekend so we did our best to get out in it. Saturday I brought the boats up to Council Bluff lake.
Put the boats in and paddled two miles over to the quiet side to meet up with Jimmy and set up camp.
Ended up pulling Jess' boat as I didn't want to leave it in the parking lot overnight. It worked well as a gear hauler.
We took a few mile hike up to the top of Johnson Mountain which apparently includes the actual Council Bluff. Amazing view from up top.
Did a little feeding and hit the hammock.
Was up at 5:30 the next morning to paddle out.
Loaded up and drove over to Onondaga Cave to meet Jess. We shuttled the boats ten miles upstream to Bass. Six miles on the Courtois, 1.5 on the Huzzah, and 2.5 on the Meremac. The water was clear, crisp, and moving. No dragging, even up on the Courtois. Had an enjoyable float with picture perfect conditions.
Yep, I dumped it. High sided a bit when I slammed the log and the current jumped up over the near side and rolled me.
My amazing view for the entire trip.
Courtois in to the Huzzah.
Huzzah in to the Meremac.
Packed it up and rolled home. Great weekend.
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