I Like Coffee, I Like Tea...

It's hard not to notice that many cyclists are also avid coffee drinkers. I guess I am too, in the sense that I am thoroughly addicted and must drink several cups a day in order to function. But I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am okay with most espresso blends. I keep it simple with a French press. I add a bit of milk. And I prefer a nice big mug over a dainty cup. After more than two decades of drinking the stuff, I have never felt compelled to explore the world of coffee beyond this.




Tea, on the other hand, has always been a danger zone - something that I sensed could plunge me into yet another crazy hobby. Perhaps that is why I've mostly played it safe and stuck to grocery-store tea bags. I did not want to cross that line.




That is, until recently. There has been a lot of tea drinking at my house this winter and at some point I was gifted a teapot and some loose tea. Long story short, I now have a small collection of delicious teas, about the properties and history of which I know more than I care to admit. It wasn't long before I began to develop my own masala chai recipe, andpurchased a dedicated Tokoname kyusu for green tea. Right...




Well, at least playing around with this stuff has kept me sane over the past couple of months - althoughI use the term "sane" loosely. Earlier today I was debating the idea of a Mobile Tea Party. Inspired by conversations with Jacquie Phelan and by memories of theXtracycle displayat the last Interbike, I had the idea to install a samovar on the back of a bike and turn it into a neighbourhood Tea Chariot. Say a driver is cranky sitting in traffic - I can offer them some tea. A passing cyclist looks thirsty? Cuppa tea. Pedestrian in need of refreshment? Tea! Heck, I can even drink some myself at red lights.




Sadly, I don't think it is feasible to boil water via pedal power while cycling around the neighbourhood. According to this video, it took11 cyclists on bike generators to boil 1 cup of water with a 1kW kettle! But it's a nice idea. And probably a sign that I should put down the tea (it's Darjeeling tonight) and get out of the house more.




So: coffee or tea? What's you preference and how into it are you?

Palm Friday

A week ago today, this was the view from my window. We were lying in bed watching a World Cup game (atop what we later came to call the bugspread), when we realized that it was an Osprey instead of a gull that kept flying by outside. I never was able to get his portrait. (Serious time lag on the camera - if I manage an action shot you can pretty much be sure it's by mistake.)

I enjoyed this weary-traveller view of Florida anyway. Plus for me, it's got the anticipation of an Osprey written all over it.

After the game, we ventured out. I thought I spied parasitic growths on the palm trees. But no, they were blooming!

Almost all plants bloom in one way or another I suppose, but I tend to think of those with inconspicuous flowers as non-blooming. You never hear anyone rhapsodizing over oak tree blossoms, for example. Before last week I had assumed that palms were the same. Only it turns out that all my previous trips to Florida were just mis-timed to catch them.



They bloom. And this type produced little berries also.



I believe they were Cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto).

-----
* Bugspread = bedspread, with bugs! The Indian River was just at the back of the hotel, and if I'd had a brain at all I'd have realized when I made the reservation that a nice $59 hotel room on the water was too good to be true.

** You never hear anyone rhapsodizing over oak tree blossoms, for example.
Except Dave.

Mt. Hood

Mike and Dennis starting up Mt. Hood going by the jumps at Timberline.






Our campsite and an awesome sunset behind Illumination Rock.
Dozens of climbers on the Hogsback and others traversing to the Old Crater Variation. There was a lot of falling ice on the mountain this weekend. Two climbers were seriously injured and many others had minor injuries. Dennis and I made it part way up the Hogsback when we saw a guy with a bloody face. He had been hit by ice. There was a definite need for speed if we were going to cross the shooting gallery. Dennis and a lot of other climbers called it good at the Hogsback. As I reached the traverse, I decided that I did not want to be trapped behind a bunch of slow moving climbers, so I opted for the Pearly Gates instead.
The Pearly Gates were not being used very much due to their steep, icy condition. I figured it was safer than spending 30 minutes in a shooting gallery. Everything went well until I stopped to take some pictures. Wouldn't you know it, I got smacked in the knee with a chunk of ice while I was taking pictures! I knew better.
I topped out, took some pictures and then turned to head down with the crowds. I discovered that while I was on the top, a guy had fallen off the traverse and tumbled 500'. He was seriously injured and had to be hauled off the mountain. Dennis had already broke camp and we had a nice descent in perfect snow.

Riptide

You can find several of these signs on all the beachs warning about the logs coming in out of the water.

Easy on the Eyes!

After spending nearly six weeks in the dry, mostly brown, desert regions of Texas and California, I left Death Valley this morning. About an hour ago, just west of Tehachapi on California Highway 58, I drove into this wonderful, refreshing area that was definitely easy on the eyes. I didn't realize how much I've missed seeing "green" until I came into this... I stood there alongside the road for abut 15 minutes, just taking it all in. So nice!


I've decided to take a "break" from the desert scene for a few days and am headed for the Coast of California! I'll be joining some friends at the Grand Canyon about the middle of April... For now, I am looking for a State Park near a community with a library with good wifi so I spend some time writing some blog posts and get them scheduled so that I can get caught up. Stay tuned, more posts coming soon, I hope!

This post is coming to you courtesy of McDonalds and AT&T wifi near Bakersfield, California. Moving on now. Will "see" y'all later.

Clear Above, Films Below

Wednesday Morning on the Ingraham

The past couple of days have been absolutely gorgeous on the upper mountain. The sun has been out, winds have been calm and fresh snow covers almost everything. There have been a few climbers who were undeterred by the mediocre forecasts,and three hardy souls braved postholing andgusty windsabove 13,000'to summit via the DC earlier today. Even the climbers who did not make the summit have found some fun making fresh turns on their skis and boards, practicing rescue and ice climbing skills in crevasses, or soaking in the views of volcanotops poking through the clouds.




There is a forecasted low pressure system moving through the Northwest over the next day or two, so some inclement and unpredictable weatheris expected on the upper mountain, but this systemseems to haveenough similarity to the last one where climbers can alsoreasonably expect periods of nice weather to be found on the upper mountain over the coming days. The only way to know what is happening is to come see for yourself. Check out recent conditions updates for more specific information on climbing routes.



Also in other news check out the Rainier Independent Film Festival going on this weekend at variouslocations around the base of Mt. Rainier. It looks like they have some great films selected and the venues(which include a Cine-Yurt!)are as varied as the films being screened.

More Plumerias...

Will my obsession with them ever stop?

It's the End of the Highway!

This morning I was later than usual in leaving the campground. It had rained all night. I think there is something about a rainy morning that just makes you want to sleep in. It was 10 o'clock when I left Tok and it was drizzling. I felt sorry for these motorcycle riders who passed me. It can't be much fun riding in the rain.

To the west, the direction I was headed, the skies appeared to be clearing up a bit. To the east, gray, heavy clouds filled the sky. I hoped that Sue and Fred, who were a little more than a day behind, weren't getting a lot of rain.

About ten miles west of Tok I glimpsed this pond out the side window. It took my breath away! I had to turn around and go back. It was just a few feet off the highway. There was no other traffic at the time and I felt as though I was alone with the universe. It was so incredibly beautiful.

The blue skies lasted another twenty minutes down the highway, then the gray stuff made it's way back. A little rain now and then too.

And then, a little over two and a half hours after leaving Tok, there it was. On a curve going into Delta Junction - the “official” end of the Alaska Highway. 1422 miles (nearly 2500 miles since leaving Roosville, Montana). At times it seemed like an endless highway; going up, down, curving around, seldom straight, but tree-lined with glimpses of far off vistas.

I made it! And in a few weeks, I'll have to do it again (at least part of it).

I've been in touch with Sue and Fred along the way. They are a little over a day behind me but we'll meet up on Sunday at Denali National Park. It has been rather comforting, in an odd sort of way I suppose, to know that they were following me. Knowing that they would be along if something happened along the way.

Just before they left Louisiana, Sue started a blog - Notes from the Cabin....and beyond in which she has been chronicling their fall trip. Sue and Fred are what you might call “planners” which is a somewhat different approach to my method of travel. They have had better internet access than I have and Sue has written much more than I have too – and written quite well, I might add. You might enjoy reading what she has to say about their journey...

I'm currently at the very pleasant public library in Delta Junction, immensely enjoying their fast wifi. Shortly, I will be heading north towards Fairbanks. The Tanana Valley State Fair starts today in Fairbanks so I'm a little concerned with finding a place to stay and may stop just before getting to Fairbanks, making it one of the shorter drive-days. I considered taking the Denali Highway over to Denali but it is a gravel road and it has been raining so it can be a bit slippery. Besides I need to refill my cooler and cupboards as I've eaten nearly everything I brought! So toward Fairbanks I'll be heading.

Photographs taken August 6, ...

Monticello Swans

Swan Park looked truly magical with the trees covered in hoar frost!



This weekend I met up with my friend Roger in Elk River and we headed over to Monticello, MN to see and photograph a somewhat unusual animal gathering. Much like the Eagles that I photographed in Homer, Alaska a few years ago, there is a gathering of Trumpeter Swans along the Mississippi River in Monticello each winter. In Alaska, the eagles were fed for many years by "The Eagle Lady" Jean Keene, who tossed several hundred pounds of fish scraps to the Eagles each day. In Monticello there is a woman known as "The Swan Lady" who tosses food out to the swans each day, only in this case its corn and not fish scraps.



Above: Sheila's neighbor has constructed this photo deck, which can be used (for a fee) by photographers and bird watchers. It gives you a closer view of the birds, and gets you closer to eye-level with the birds on the water. All proceeds go to help Sheila pay for corn for the Swans.



The day we visited "Swan Park" along the banks of the Mississippi in Monticello, every tree in sight was covered in beautiful hoar frost. The previous night had produced some thick fog which froze to all the trees, creating a white winter wonderland! There are a couple of reasons why Swans (and Geese and Ducks) congregate here in the winter. One reason is the power plant that is just a little ways upstream... outflow from the power plant keeps the river water warm and ice-free all winter. The other reason is the food. Several years ago Sheila "The Swan Lady" started handing out some corn to the ducks that wintered on the river. After a while some Swans started to show up. Fast forward several years later and the Swans now congregate in very large numbers on this stretch of river. The day we visited the river there were easily several hundred Swans, as well as a fair amount of Canada Geese and various ducks.





Swan Park is a very small city park nestled in between two home sites on the banks of the Mississippi. From the parking area on the opposite side of the street from the park, you can easily hear the Swans as soon as you get out of your car. As you walk towards the park and get closer the river, the sound quickly becomes deafening. We spent about an hour and a half photographing the birds and by the time we left I swear my ears were ringing!

To see a video clip of the Swans, click here: http://www.travisnovitsky.com/Video-Clips/Misc-Videos/4207197_KrddQ





As the birds wait in preparation for their daily feeding, several small groups fly in one after the other from down the river. This makes for some great flight shot opportunities, as they usually fly right past you then circle around before landing on the river.





One of my favorite things to do when photographing birds in flight is to experiment with slower shutter speeds in an attempt to create artsy blurs of the birds. This takes some practice, though. Too long of a shutter speed and the bird won't be recognizable. Not slow enough of a shutter speed, and the photo will look just like an accidental "out of focus" shot. When you can get the right mix of the perfect shutter speed combined with a well-timed panning motion of the camera to match the flight pattern of the bird, the results can be magical.

If you're looking for a fun way to spend a winter's day, head over to Monticello to see the Swans. It is certainly one of those experiences that will be with you forever!

Bjørn-Eivind Årtun interview with Rolando Garibotti

"We need to allow ourselves room to be more daring. Too often by over-analysing and over-intellectualising climbs we confuse fear for real danger. It is important to learn to distinguish one from the other. There is a big difference between getting intimidated by the steepness, difficulty or length of a climb, and real dangers such as avalanches, rock-fall, limited options of retreat, cold, etc. Venas Azules is a good example, an intimidating line that is reasonably safe, with little objective danger. Being brave and open minded without compromising your safety is the fine line we walk in our hunger for adventure."





Bjørn-Eivind Årtun



Great interview with one of the leading alpinists in the world today. More here:



http://www.planetmountain.com/english/News/shownews1.lasso?l=2&keyid=38981



And the online guide book with more info here:



http://www.pataclimb.com/



Torre Egger, Patagonia Photo by archivio Bjørn-Eivind Årtun

Venas Azules, Torre Egger, Patagonia.







Torre Egger, Patagonia Photo by Rolando Garibotti



The south face of Torre Egger in Patagonia and the line of the route established by the Norwegians Bjørn-Eivind Aartun and Ole Lied in December .





Thanks to Bruno for the heads up on this one!

Ristra Display

I could see this ristra display down the ally way we couldn't get into.

The Monkey on my back!

It is possible to teach old dogs new tricks. If just isn't always easy to teach the trick.



One of the fun things about workingwith Blue Ice from Chamonix is that I get to see their newest designs. (and make a few bucks from my own fun) But while I get to see a lot of new gearthere isn't a lot of "new gear stuff" that gets sorted into my everyday climbing gear. Especially now that I climb like once a week or once a monthinstead of every day.



So back in July when the newest products showed up here in the USA from Blue Ice I immediately ran outside with my Warthog for a show and tell. The one Double Mono was gone the next morning to a anxious wall climber. And the Octopus pack and a tiny (from my perspective) chalk bag sat ignored. Not like I planned to order any of of the chalk bags or the Octopus packs.



When I do use chalk I generally like to dust up to my elbows :)A big chalk bag makes a good place to stash your sun glasses when the thunder showers roll in or your approach shoes if they are smallenough as well. So if I am such a dolt on my chalk bag size image what my first impression of a climbing specific duffel bag is? Let me say I love the color but the whole idea of a climbing duffel? Not so much.





Enter the Blue Ice Octopus pack



I've owned and used a few "climbing duffels". Great bags for throwing your kit into and hauling it around your localrock climbing area or even thegym. Extra clothing, food, water, your harness and shoes plus what ever is required for hardware that day, drop right in. Lucky for you if your duffelhas a tarp to keep everything organised and out of the dirt.



I kinda figure they were a "sport climbing thing" as I generally walk to the rocks with a funky ruck, my sheeteverywhere, impossible to find in 2 minutes and the rope gets immediately thrown in the dirt. That system has been tried and true for years. And it worked.



Of course Giovanni is a smart guy so he decides to make the Octopus. Not that I think the Octopus is a great idea mind you. I'm the only one who thinks I know everything. And I am pretty sure I do most days. So the Octopusthat arrives hereand sits in the corner of my office for months.



Until today.



Couple of usdecided a little exercise is mandatory for today. And I'm surewe'll need most all our kit and hardware to do a little dry tooling in the rain. Boots, ropes, hardware, ice tools, extra clothes go in the bag...you get the idea. Way more junk than you would ever think about bringing on an actual climb. And lot of extra awkward shaped shit to pack around. Itis an hour R/T walk tothe walk may be less. Lee hauls out his huge North Face duffel. I could have used my Brooks Mountaineering version of the same bag. But I am thinking at least the Octopus might be a more manageable size and still not be over stuffed.



So I pull the Octopus out of the corner and strip the wrapper. And thenunzip the back panel. What we are doing today in the rain is kinda like sport climbing. Throw all the sheet in the bag and trundle 20 minutes down the trial and pull it all out, sort through what you might need and get on with it.



Generally is a lot of nonsense and a short walk. But a duffel can suck if you put enough weight in it as can any decent sized well designed climbing pack.



This one didn't suck. Even with unprotected Boreal Fruit boots (my newIce Ninjas) stuffed in the Octopus it was comfortable and nothing poking me in the back.







As comfortable as any of my climbing rucks and more junk in there, all packed poorly and withlittle planning. I thought that impressive and pretty cool actually.









So I was pretty happy with how the thing carried. Some surprising features for me on the actual pack. One good sized zipped pocket on top which ate a couple of the newest full size rain shells. A half panel mess pocket internally to sort the small stuff or may be your rock shoes or chalk bag. Even my size of chalk bag. And then there is the very niftypull out "grocery bag" with all your kit in it...or your rope more typically I suspect.







And then thethought came to mind...this would make a decentpiece of travel luggage. And you could ski and climb with it if you were pressed and not actually be unhappy doing so. Might even make a really nice ski/mo pack if it had a ski carry system. OK, seriously it would, but it ain't made for that. But it could be:) What wasnot to like?



Guess I shouldn't be so cynical. From a piece of gear I "would never" use yesterday to one I'mnow pretty excited toown.Old dog, new trick. But I still have that streak of cynicism.



I suspect I'll sell more of these than any other Blue Ice piece of kit I have here in the US. Once the word gets out...and I actually order a few from France. A little slow may be but I eventually catch on.



Crikey! May be I should rethink those pesky little chalk bags as well.

Washing Day.

No one likes smelly shoes at the crag, so the Caronas took a hit from the front load washing machine, along with some volleys. They look gorgeous again and ready for summer climbing.

Hambleton Peninsula circuit

5 miles. With Terry, Eddie, Barry, Gordon, Carol, Ian, Kate and Jill. From the end of the road round the cycle track anticlockwise. Drizzly at first, then clear and fine - coolish wind. Lunch at Don Paddy's.

Hambleton Old Hall

We paused for a break at the two benches overlooking Hambleton Old Hall. Fishing boats floated on the water. The bluebells were delightful. We saw lots of swifts hunting insects, and Carol assured me the loud birds we we heard were blackcaps.

If you've got it, flaunt it! COG 55 posted!

And man, the Genea-Bloggers have got it!

Jasia at Creative Gene has posted Carnival of Genealogy, 55th Edition and it is the biggest ever! There are 50 posts by 49 authors covering the "Show and Tell" topic. As Jasia says, "Our esteemed group of contributors is sharing special persons, photos, documents, and heirlooms with you today. You will be truly amazed at the collection of articles presented here! No, I'm not exaggerating. You will be amazed at some of the fascinating items people have shared from their family's history."

My contribution for this edition is Indiana Sisley Stem :: Show and Tell and The Sisley Family Bible. Yes, I submitted two posts, but they are related (pun intended).

The next COG will be hosted by Lori Thornton of Smoky Mountain Family Historian. The topic is "10 essential books in my genealogy library." Check out Lori's post for more information.

Due to the explosive growth of the COG, and the amount of time it takes to put a COG post together, Jasia has a request for all contributors to future carnivals:

Due to the recent rapid growth of the COG, and assuming its popularity continues, I will have to make some changes to the way it is presented. I am asking that all future participants use a descriptive phrase in the title of their articles (i.e. "Miss Kate's Autograph Book" as Denise Olson did) and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blogcarnival submission form (i.e. "I loved show and tell in school. Way back then I was only allowed to bring one item. For this edition of the COG I'm bringing a small valise full of items that are all related to A Pink Ball Gown." as Apple did). This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. I will no longer be doing this for the authors. I just can't keep that up with the volume of submissions. I'm also considering other changes to the COG. I'll keep you posted.

The deadline for submissions for COG 56 is September 15th. Use the carnival submission form to submit your post. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the carnival index page.

Carnival of Genealogy graphics created by footnoteMaven.