Day: March 27, 2024

Paul’s Visit Part 1

Starting out way too late we did our “usual” arrive at the cabin completely after dark and desperate for comfort. But comfort is not what we found. A broken down stove with wet twigs was about all there was in this tiny shanty. Eventually we made a fire and drifted off to sleep upon mouse infested bunks.

The next morning we awoke to a raging sleet and snow storm. Thankfully the weather was not super cold or that night would of been very miserable. But the weather was at least in the 30s so it all turned out OK. The climb back out of the valley was not as bad as I thought it would be. Wow! We could be back at the car ahead of schedule.

But then I found it necessary to “try” a run down a huge open slope that supposedly would run into our trail again. After a couple hours of bushwhacking our way down the hill we were out. Half the day was done. Now to get to Window Rock Cabin. And to meet up with Paul.

Man, I just crawled back from Lolo Peak last night, rolled in around 10:30 like a deflated beach ball. It was an epic battle royale with Mother Nature – 5,000 feet of elevation gain, snowdrifts deeper than a Kardashian’s weave, rocks more treacherous than a politician’s promise, and wind that could rip the shingles off a dragon. Talk about character-building! My legs feel like overcooked linguine, but I’ll write more when I’m not face-planting into the keyboard.

Honestly, this might be the toughest peak I’ve tackled yet. Up top, the weather went rogue – winds howling like a banshee on a bender. Brutal doesn’t even begin to describe it. But hey, there’s something weirdly satisfying about pushing yourself to the limit, right? Like, even when my brain was screaming “Dude, turn back!”, my feet kept moving. Especially when the sun started setting and I realized I wasn’t even close to the summit. Talk about a motivator! By the time I finally made it down, it was pitch black – I practically navigated by glow-in-the-dark socks.

Now, I just finished sorting through my pictures, and let me tell you, they’re mountain masterpieces. Seriously, the best I’ve ever captured. Stay tuned for an upload tomorrow – they’re so stunning, I might even try to sell one (don’t judge, gotta feed this hiking habit somehow, right?).

Anyway, gotta crash. My body is begging for a truce, but my brain wouldn’t shut down until I said hi and scrubbed my hiking plans off the web. Don’t want anyone thinking I became a permanent resident of the peak!

Until next time, happy adventuring! (And maybe pack an extra layer next time… just sayin’.)

Uploaded new pics at Bill’s Photo Oasis! Walked at Maltby Lakes, capturing swans, geese, water, and island scenes. Added some unique shots too. Check them out, rate, and leave feedback. Your opinions help me choose bestsellers. Thanks!

Good morning. We seem to be stuck in this cold weather slump as it has been the case all winter. When will we see 60 degrees? Everyone is sending me political nonsense, and I wish they would stop. It bothers me. I think that you should not involve friendships into politics as it will ruin them. If you want to argue this with me, ignore that last remark.

My friend Angi has been posting some new works of art on her page. Very good stuff. One of my pictures has been chosen for publication. It is my icy branch one, and it will be in the International Library of Photography’s “A Journey into the Imagination.”

Oh, shoot, better get to work. I was waiting around for my roommate. Thought he needed a ride to work, but I guess not.

Edited 3/26/2024: Sorry, I was not blog-savvy back then. I didn’t mean to offend!

Ah, revenge. It’s like grabbing a quick bite of comfort food—feels good for a moment, but it doesn’t really fill you up in the long run. Lasting peace comes from dealing with our own tangled emotions, not just pinning a “bad guy” label on someone else.

Took a moment to spill some thoughts on my blog, especially since I’ve declared this week a much-needed chill session. My patience was running thinner than my old t-shirt, signaling I’ve been pushing too hard. Managed to set up my new phone and caught up with family and friends, sharing stories during a hike at Sleeping Giant (http://www.sgpa.org/).

The weather’s been on the gloomy side lately, with a steady drumbeat of rain. They say it’s necessary, though.

Heads-up from Ed Smith: there’s a NORBA race at Beartown in Plattsburgh on September 15th. Unless I’m somehow leading the New England Championship Series (big “if” there!), I’ll be cheering from the sidelines.

With moving day looming, it’s time to make those adult calls to utility companies. Hope everyone’s having a great day!

Mountain Bike Site News

Hey, riders! Just a heads-up—I squeezed in some updates on the site before my internet went kaput. Still working out the kinks for a new connection at my new place, so expect a bit of a rocky ride online.

But don’t worry, I’m not going off the grid. Got a new phone number, and if you need to reach me, just drop an email.

Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and stories once I navigate this digital wilderness. Keep riding and stay safe out there!