A couple days worth...

Well I have actually been doing a few things starting on Sunday with a hike up Humphrey's with good friend Robert who was on his way back from the backcountry of the Sierra heading to Tucson and decided that he had to check Humphrey's off his list since he has lived in AZ forever but never been up to the top of the state. I should have some pics of the hike but he took the photos and I did not get them off his camera before he left. Monday afternoon I went to an interview which is why I took a goofy self portrait of me wearing a tie. I have not been to an interview since college and it definitely showed by how crappy the interview went. It is a fire job that I am fully if not overly qualified for but doubt highly it will be offered to me. I should know tomorrow one way or the other. I decided to start running again to cross-train for some additional leg and cardio strength and I ran yesterday for a total of just over three miles and today I went riding and thought my hamstrings were going to blow out of my legs. Hopefully tomorrow I can get a long ride in and my legs will feel better. I put a photo of Anne and my jackolantern's in to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! We had a bunch of little kiddos trick or treating tonight which is a big change from the 3 kids we had total in Tucson for the entire time we lived there. Nothing like handing out a bunch of sugar (the white devil) to the future of this country. I can't blame em' though because for those of you who don't know me I have a bit of a sweet tooth I just choose not to eat the candy these days. I was over at Steve Garro's house/shop today hanging out talking bikes and giving him some measurements for a bike he will be building for me. He is pretty much a stud being a former endurance mountain bike racer before being hit by a car. He has been building bikes for awhile and after he was hit had all his tools adjusted so he could still weld and build bikes. He seems to always be in good spirits and making the best of everything. If anyone happens to be reading this check out his web site at www.coconinocycles.com.

Salt, Piles and Safety

I was getting ready to go riding on Saturday and I pulled my helmet and gloves out of the closet and I realized that I had been riding a ton but not really cleaning any of my gear. I had begun creating a salt mine on my helmet straps and in my gloves that I probably ought to wash one of these days. While riding the trails in Fort Valley it is very easy to notice evidence of prescribed fire activity from the past and current projects. I snapped a photo of some large burn piles that the trail winds through on the section close to the Snow Bowl road. Hopefully we get some good snow this winter so they can burn these monstrosities. The last item of the days is just something to pay attention to while recreating especially in these fire areas and areas with lots of dead trees. Weakened trees fall down all the time and people get hurt and killed from them. People need to be aware that even though they're having a good time outdoors that it is not a controlled environment. The high winds a couple of weeks ago brought down trees on the trails all around flagstaff including the most popular of the trails, the Humphey's Peak Trail. Be careful in the woods because YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

What in the hell?

So today I rode up the Schultz Pass Road to the Waterline Road and part of the way up I notice a good amount of smoke coming up from a fire to the east and as ridiculous as it seems I took a picture of the smoke. I must not have gotten enough of that over the last ten years. I may need to seek some help for my problem.

Can't beat fall in the Southwest

Well after the cold front of last week was pushed out of here by some high pressure the temperatures have been incredible. Today must have hit about 70 and not a cloud in the sky. I went riding up the Schultz Pass road after my usual connecting route through Buffalo Park. I was on the one speed due to my other bike being in the shop. Once I got to the top of the pass I jumped on the Schultz Creek Trail which is a great trail to descend on (also a good trail to climb but just not today) and took a few photos at the top. One photo of the top of Agassiz Peak and one of the bike. I came across many people out on the trail today enjoying the weather and some riding. Lots of friendly greetings and no sign of any bitter people (except some in cars that I came across later in the day), it just doesn't make any sense why some people on the trail are just crusty. Are you not having a good time out there? Are you really just too cocky or think that your training is going to suffer if you say hello or give a bit of a wave? Lighten up and have a good day!

Retroactive post of fall colors

I find as it get colder and we continue to have very windy days all of the remaining color left in the trees is going fast. I came across this picture from two weeks ago taken on the way to Telluride just outside of Rico, CO. I usually don't stop too much when I am trying to get somewhere but we had to stop and snap a few photos.

Just a couple of quick issues

Well today was a day to fear. Cold enough and windy enough outside that I had to throw the road bike on the trainer for some fun and exciting indoor cycling. I had better get used to it, I am not in Tucson anymore apparently.

This is a photo of the last of the goods brought back from Colorado two weekends ago.

My wife and I had every intent to drink it while we were there and pick up another sixer on the way home but an acute bout of food poisoning had us enjoying Telluride puking in trash cans and spending the better part of three days laying on the couch watching bad television and sleeping. Nothing like paying for that abuse. A little bit about the beer in the photo. It is named 90 Shilling and it is from the Odell Brewing Company which I discovered when I lived in Colorado for three fire seasons. It is not available in Arizona to my knowledge and that is a shame. Odell is overshadowed by the big Fort Collins brewery that sells beer everywhere but Odell's beer is definitely superior especially 90 Shilling.

Shot of the Sunset Trail last week

I was up on the Sunset Trail last week and took this photo before heading down the trail. Finding aspens with color is getting tougher and tougher up high. I fear that the snow and brutal cold is just around the corner.

Obsurd people outside hospitals

I have recently witnessed many people in many different level of poor health as patients hanging out outside of hospitals in wheelchairs mostly and wearing hospital gowns. I would like to think that these people are enjoying the sun light, nature, good conversation etc. but I have come to know better. These absurd people are just attempting to decrease the amount of time they spend away from the hospital by lighting up the ol' cancer stick. It must be rough to not even be able to get through a hospital visit without having to go smoke a few cigarettes.