Sharing is good

The rest of the world decided to share some good weather with Grand Forks somewhat consistently the past week. I've heard rumors of seventies coming to town this weekend. Going outside without grimacing is a priveledge not to be taken for granted. Summer is good, and I will be playing.

Finally.....

Hey all. Sorry I have not posted lately. Spring has come, and I've been either out of town or running around here in GF. I finally posted some shots from the Moab trip this year. Hope you enjoy them.

Edward cleaning "Siebernetics", (5.8), on Wall Street, after I made the mornng's lead of it. Edward and I are finally each growing a pair and starting to lead trad.  

On the way up into the La Sal mountain range on my Buenos Aires. One of my riding partners called this climb "heinous", and I'd have to agree. I didn't quite make it all the way up, being as I was sick.  

Riding down the Portal Trail, after riding up Poison Spider Mesa. Quite exposed- some sections require walking if you're smart about living.  

Back again

Well, as expected, UT was spectacular. Rocks were climbed. Bicycles were ridden hard. Sand coated every piece of gear and everyone of the trip by the end of the week. Things did go a bit lighter paced than previous years, however, as several of us Moab-goers came down with sicknesses upon reaching the wonderful town. Unfortunate, but we pushed hard in the desert despite it all. I was quite surprised at exactly how far one’s body can be pushed with the simple fuel of fun, even when sick. Fun is a necessary element to everybody’s lives. Too many of us try to skip it in the name of productivity. I think playing hard at the hobbies you enjoy and spending time with the people you care about makes you more productive in the long run. Take a break. Go have fun.
I’ll post some shots and highlights of the trip as soon as I get pictures developed and scanned.

Treadin' South

Hey all. The UT trip has finally shown up, so I will be out until the 20th doing fantastic things in the sun, not freezing. I'm sure there will be pictures and tales upon my return. I'll be sure to post some of the highlights. I'm rearing to go, especially after it warmed up here a couple days ago and I snuck in the first road-ride of the season. I forgot how nice forward progress is after many dark days of riding my indoor mag-trainer. Anyhow, I must go pack for happy days. More later.

Official Residence of Cold

I've decided that Grand Forks must be the official residence of Old Man Winter. For the past few days, it's been -10F or lower when I wake up to drive my bus, while the rest of the state is sitting around 20F. Cold is hovering over this town. The Badlands out in the western half of ND have been hitting the lower fifties on a semi-regular basis, yet Grand Forks remains in the pipe-cracking, freeze your nosehairs together bitterness. My van is getting angry that I make it operate in this stuff all the time. It deserves the upcoming trip to the desert, where it will escape this horizontal version of Mt. Everest.

I'm pleased to tell you all that a congratulations is in order for Edward. He has graduated! Great job man! No more school. After a long battle with flight courses that wouldn't die, it's time to share your 100% wool cycling shorts and mountaineering jacket attitude with the rest of the world! Congrats Edward!  

Not Norse ENough

So I tried to cross country ski yesterday after not taking part in the sport since about high school. I don't know if I had fun or not. It seemed like a whole lot of work to not get very far. I think I'm much more efficient on foot or bike. Didn't seem to get my heart rate up either, but that's just cuz I'm not skilled enough on skis to get a good grove going. Yes, I'm afraid to say the old men around town were passing me. Slightly embarrassing, but I know I can take them to singlespeed school. Anyhow, it was a decent way to pass a northern Sunday. Moab is making me Mr. Anxious!