You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February, 2008.
Another week at the office. Another week at school. Another week that flew by me way-way too quickly. Another month gone.
Someone told me years ago that life speeds up (perceptively) as we age. My age must be moving pretty fast because the last two months were blurry.
Thinking of far away places like Hawaii consumed a few hours over the months of January and February – but not nearly enough. There were too many anxious moments dealing with things that were distractions … such as … 1) people who lack manners, 2) assholes who felt like proving they are indeed assholes, 3) people spending way-too-much time piddling in the kitchen with nothing to show (not even a few pounds of extra weight), 4) driving to and from the TH/CH and work, 5) time spent going to the store I HATE, 6) time spent trying to help a loved one who doesn’t want help, 7) time spent repairing reputations damaged by assholes who do push people under the bus, 
dealing with people who lie to avoid being real, and various other crappy-crap things. Venting done.
On the positive side, I set aside time to feel good about my relationship with Ames, time to contemplate racing, time to prepare for my students – and interns, time to care-take of my body, time to care-take of my home, time to reach out to my family, time to dream, time to relax – but certainly not enough of that, and time to build my music library. Along with many other things – - –
March rolls in like a lion and I intend on rolling in with it – but with more smiles, more laughter and more thoughtful allocation of my time. Because as we age – and because time passes quicker as we age – I’m calling a board meeting with my advisers to reallocate the available time. I’ll get back to you about it.
Oh. The scene for today represents an important component of time: vacation. Ahhh.
The Hawaiian name for dolphin is nai’a, and refers to most all dolphins found in the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Spinner dolphins (pictured here) are shaped and colored somewhat differently from other species of spinner dolphins. With 13 species of toothed dolphins (nai’a) swimming in the tepid waters of Hawaii, the most common are the Hawaiian spinner, spotted (kiko), bottlenose and rough-toothed dolphins. When you spot a dolphin you escape with the animal because their ability to move and move quickly is instantly “freeing.” On each journey to Hawai’i I’ve been fortunate enough to experience dolphin sightings – while on boat excursions (off Maui, Lanai and Kauai) and while swimming off Oahu. The best word to sum up the feeling is “kewl.” Who’s up for a boat ride?!
It was cold today. Snow blowin’ – wet (early) and slow moving traffic. Schools were out … some because of “mass illness” and many others due to weather conditions. Work-related topics were stressful. Students were needy. The folks I trust … Queenie and DJ were the bright spots in the day. Mostly because they are honest, “real” and the energy they produce feels very positive. Even my friend Amy – in the midst of conference call was all smiles! A new client graced our offices today – and she was delightful, fun and another person I put in the genuine/real category. If you’re lucky to know people like these – or have some of them in your life – you know what I mean. I feel pretty fortunate.
Conditions in the Pacific were much less snowy, cold and required (several) less layers of clothing. Maybe even none at all. HA! Soak up the view and place yourself in a beach chair, pull out the SPF30 (you’d be in this location for a while), grab the book and your bottled water. When you get a little warm, stroll into the clear water and refresh yourself. Then imagine you do this very same ritual on a weekly basis. I do.
Aloha.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands was first settled in about 1,000 BC by people of Mayo/Polynesian stock. It was visited by Spanish navigators in the 16th century seeking a westerly route to the Spice Islands. In the span of – let’s say more than a 1,000 years – the people of the Marshall Islands voted to keep their secret quiet. The secret – it’s a damn lovely place to live and the rest ‘o the world had best find another square inch to reside.
In 1788, British sea Captain John William Marshall sailed through these atolls and proclaimed them Marshall Islands, while en route from Australia to China. (Ergo the name.) In the 1800s German traders, Missionaries from Hawaii and British and American whalers visited the islands. Many didn’t leave because the secret of her beauty would be shared.
In a back and forth table tennis volley between Germany and Japan from the late 1880’s through the late 1930’s, the Marshall Islands landed within the “Pacific Islands Trust Territory.” Today the Marshall Islands became a republic in free association with the U.S. What a place: Storied history, beautiful waters, blue skies, and warm weather. The right mix for a killa’ vacation. When do we leave?
Before my day unfolds, isn’t that a beautiful view?! What would we do if that were the view each day? What if. I’ll have lots more of these the day I start living there – physically – not just mentally. Now let’s get on with it.
Today was an interesting day. I had no idea of how I’d get it “all” done but I did. First, the decal for the license plate. CHECK. Then I pitted for some fuel. CHECK. With a nice morning at the office, I went to Free Service Tire and had my tires balanced. CHECK. One of my closest friends picked me up at FST and I bought her some lunch at Gourmet Market. CHECK. Well-well, now isn’t that nice. Meetings, more meetings and getting the interns ready for our Tuesday client meeting. Well, we met and met … and met some more. Meetingful as I love to say (HA@!). Near the end of the day, I talked with an intern to say, “I’ll be at the pool next Monday to learn flip turns.”
I came home – I cleaned the bath, hand scrubbed the floor, washed some clothes, cleaned the car, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the kitchen floor by hand and helped make dinner. Umm. I prefer working out – at least the working is out.
Now the Hawai’i part. Just a photo for our eyes. A way to connect with the ocean … a source of life … and certainly a source of happiness for many, many people. Maluhia.
I set out for the Foothills Parkway and it rained from my house to the launch point. BLAH. I went anyway. I went because there is no whining on the road to winning. About 3 miles up the Parkway (the first climb is a Category 3 climb), the sun came out and I removed my gloves, my helmet, the skull cap and unzipped the jacket. Warm was an understatement. After reaching Highway 129, I turned and climbed back to the top — turned around and headed back down to 129. I climbed again – a little faster. When I reached the top I enjoyed the first two miles downhill …. then I turned around and climbed back to the top. With a little more than 3 hours of climbing it was time to return to the drop point. Yeah. I realized the post-ride protein drink was sounding yummy. As was the P&J sandwich (my fourth meal of the day). Life rolls on.
It’s going to be a long day. 11AM is a weight workout with a focus on legs. Then I pack my lunch and head out for the Foothills Parkway. I’ll eat while I ride (can you imagine the dedication!) and go climb for about four hours.
Now where the hell is that coming from? I mean, where will I get the shiznet to manage that kind of workout??? Who knows, but one thing is for sure: the Amgen Tour of California is wrapping up later today and those guys are doing a much harder, longer workout than me – after 6 days of racing – so I suggest no whining.
I drove 200 miles (one way) for a race at Donaldson Center Industrial Air Park in Greenville, South Carolina today. Sponsored by Hincapie Sports (that’s George Hincapie, Lance Armstrong’s chief lieutenant for all of his seven Tour de France wins), this is the fifth year of the series. A few years ago the fields were small and tight. Bicycle racing popularity has dramatically influenced field size – meaning more racers for each category.
Even the women’s field was full today.
Alright – the loop around the airport is six-something miles. Lots of wind and a couple of decent climbs make the course tough … with wind, but not so much if the wind isn’t blowing. Today it was howling at 20+mph. Blah. I started on the line at the right and quickly moved my happy ass to the first corner in the front. I had no intention of dealing with a full field, navigating the first turn of the first race of the season. Oops, the freakin race computer didn’t work. Ergo – I had only my heart rate monitor to refer to for “data.”
Somewhere nearing the 3/4 portion of the first loop a couple of guys jumped — I did too. The peloton picked us up quickly. The race continued and three guys went — I did too. The third surge was met with more guys than the last. The fourth surge and two of us were away … swept up within a 1/2 mile. Again the field surged (each time into the wind, not with the wind) it was becoming harder because there was no true recovery between surges. Near the section where the wind switched from “in your face” to “at your back” a group of two went hard. They moved away very quickly.
Ok. We’re (the field) now shooting it out for third place unless we catch them. (I doubted that because David Grice from Hearn’s Smith Barney was one of the two).
The field pushed hard on the second loop near the first climb … and the front of the field surged again. With the wind howling in our faces – someone kicked it one mo’ time near the top. Thanks goodness I was near the front otherwise I would have been dropped. (Yet another reason to be in the front!) I had very little ump in my thump, but somewhere in my heart rate monitor I saw some room to go with them. I’m glad I did. We were first a group of four – then five – then six – and me seven; we time trailed into the wind and within one mile we had a :40 gap. “FuckinA!”
I think we wanted to break away – more so because it was safer – and secondarily because we knew we’d have a better chance of placing if we gapped the field. I kept looking at the heart rate monitor, and it read ‘high’ numbers. At 92% (of max) there wasn’t much room. I wasn’t breathing hard, but the lactic acid in my legs made them feel like lead. I kept telling myself it didn’t matter … this was a first race … “it doesn’t matter!” i.e., no points for USCF ratings, so I dug in way deep.
On the fourth lap, the two guys in front of us were 1:20 and the field behind us was 1:20. The time gaps (front and rear) stayed pretty much the same for the remainder of the race. Three guys attempted to gap from the field to us but we re-grouped and rotated pretty hard for a couple of miles before they got sucked back into the field. It was a hard race – especially because I had not trained (yet) in those heart rate zones (90 to 95% of max).
My mind kept struggling with WHY? And WHY was I doing this – how crazy is this??!! I mean, you can be fit by riding your bike and hitting the weights a couple days per week. BUT you will not be super-fit if you don’t train to race – and then race when you can. And the real answer to WHY is this: the season is VERY long. It starts in February and we continue racing through September.
RECAP First race: Donaldson Center Road Course — average speed 23.8 — average heart rate 154 — touched the max heart rate twice — finished 8th. Out of 54. (and it was a three-way tie between 6,7,8 and I was on the outside of the camera so I got the number 8. The guy on inside got the 6 and the guy in the middle who truly was 6 got 7 — so I’m way-ok with where I finished. We dropped the damn field and that felt good.)
Good day, good first race. Ride on.
Nuaailua Bay – along the route to Hana is beautiful. It’s on the windward side of Maui and accessed via the scenic Hana Highway. There are many, many terrific views – sites – sounds and fresh flower smells along the road to Hana. If you have the opportunity to travel via a convertible you’ll enjoy the trip even more so. Primarily because the lush vegetation overhead is fully visible and with the trees you also enjoy cooler temperatures. Mostly – that is. Aloha.
Its hard to imagine that Waikiki was a hot spot for royal Hawaiians … a place for them to hang out in … let’s say in the 1800’s. The fact is, the area was well known for its swampiness and marshlands. Can you say hot and moist?
The first recorded history of Waikiki involved the chief of Oahu named Kalanikupule. In 1790 he hijacked a ship with the intent of attacking Kamehameha I. The famous battle of Nuuanu Pali began and Kalanikupule was defeated. Because the ship was hijacked at Diamond Head, the area became an important part of Waikiki history. As time passed, rulers brought many guests to Waikiki and some parts were known as private beaches.
In 1901 the famous hotel Moana (pronounced “moe-anna”) was constructed and instantly became a sore spot for natives. The locals began to see their land change, and with time, Waikiki was transformed from a swampland to a place of beauty. While the area had been called unsanitary and dangerous due to the mosquitoes (a plenty), the landing strip for them wasn’t added in last year (I just made that up). Actually the mosquitoes were large enough to require a landing strip!
It was ruled that the swamp be replaced with a canal in order to drain it completely. The Ala Wai canal was constructed in 1921 that lead to a number of hotels being built. With such, wealthy guests started flocking to the island. Today, Waikiki is the exclusive hot spot for Oahu. Beautiful. Full of bodies. Lots of beach front and yes, it’s a lovely place.
Once Hawaii became a state of the union, hotels and resorts popped up like someone wanted to make money. The hotels and businesses clustered on the waterfront offered many cultural activities and the entertainment venues were endless. And this holds true today.
When you visit Oahu, please know that you’ll find shopping options similar to any top 10 city on the US mainland. If I remember correctly, there are two Tiffany stores on the same road. Plenty of bling-bling with the tan you bring home. Gotta run – Aloha.
On August 12, 1898, Hawaii was formally annexed as a territory of the United States. At this point there was no question of Hawaii becoming a state; the whites were outnumbered ten to one, and had no desire to afford the natives the protection of US labor laws, let alone to give them the vote. Consequently, Hawaii was for the first half of the twentieth century the virtual fiefdom of the Big Five, conglomerations started by the missionary families and rooted in their massive landholdings.
By controlling agriculture, they also dominated transportation, banks, utilities, insurance – and government. The inevitable integration of Hawaii into the American mainstream was hastened by its crucial role in the war against Japan, and the expansion of tourism thereafter. The islands finally became the fiftieth of the United States in 1959, after a plebiscite (direct vote of all members of the electorate) showed a seventeen-to-one majority in favor.
The only group to oppose statehood were the few remaining native Hawaiians.
Support has been growing over the last couple of decades for the concept of Hawaiian sovereignty, on the basis that those of Hawaiian descent should gain at least the rights already held by Native American nations on the mainland.
In 1993, the US Congress and President Clinton issued a formal apology to native Hawaiians “on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii.” Debate rages as to what form restitution might take, with some campaigners arguing for a complete restoration of independence.
With a long and storied history, not unlike Native Americans, we owe them a great deal more than a Presidential apology. I vote for what Hawaii wants. Should she enjoy a state of independence – so be it. On virtually every front Hawaiians and the islands of Hawaii deserve our respect and appreciation.
Hawai’i is so diverse … its culture, scenery, landscapes and weather … all of which are unique. So much so that you may never want to leave. Ergo the reason that some folks visit and never leave.
When you do visit, you’ll know what I mean. I’ve been to Hawai’i four times and each time the reasons to stay are greater than the reasons to return to the mainland. Other than a mortgage and some other financial commitments – a career – a teaching career – a BGE and proximity to family (whoa, I thought it was a small list!), I’d just stay. After all, when you live on Hawai’i more of your family looks for and then finds a real reason to visit you!
Today the flower is part of the Big Island’s landscape – proving that where new earth is created – so is new life. Again – Aloha.
Makaleha Mountains is a mountain range in Kauai County in the state of Hawaii (HI). Makaleha Mountains climbs t 3,071 feet (936.04 meters) above sea level. Makaleha Mountains is located at latitude – longitude coordinates (also called lat – long coordinates or GPS coordinates) of N 22.120278 and W -159.413611.
To me, these are the mountains of Kauai. One of my most favorite trips to Hawai’i was to the island of Kauai. Wet – dry – hot – cool – this island (like each island) has it all. I suggest that if you visit Kauai, rent a Jeep and see the entire island.
Aloha.
Yep, with the wind blowing it was easy to think about the winds on the leeward side of Oahu, or Lanai, or Maui, or Kauai (all of which I’ve visited). The rain pouring this afternoon reminded me of what it’s like to visit the “wet” side of each of those islands. And yes, each does have a wet side and a dry side.
I’ve included some historic photos today – to remind us all that Hawai’i has a history long before becoming a US State. In fact, the history is rich and vibrant. Modern Hawaiian history begins on January 20, 1778, when Captain James Cook’s expedition made its first contact with the Hawaiian people on the islands of Kauai and Niihau. Captain Cook was not the first man to “discover” the Hawaiian Islands. He was the first known European to arrive.
The first time you visit, you feel as if you’re about to discover something that few people have seen, felt, smelled, heard or experienced. You are right. Considering the world’s population and the ultra-small percentage of it that has visited Hawai’i, you can bet that you will indeed discover something special in Hawaii.
The Foothills Parkway is a favorite of mine and many, many other local cyclists. And for many cyclists who live in our region. For those who enjoy the views of the mountains, this is a wonderful stretch of road. Sometimes I wish it were much longer. Certainly I’m thankful it’s so close to my home.
When I moved year a few years ago, prior to getting back into riding, I had no idea that I would spend time on the Parkway riding the climbs and enjoying the views. I did so in college (a few times), but Townsend seemed so far away from UTK. Now, it’s 20 minutes.
On Saturday I spent a little over four hours on the Parkway. More time on the bike than anticipated. While the intensity was high, so was the duration. I captured some fun images while riding – and a great mountain view on top. With lots of mountains, climbing and no store – best bring your own food (which I did). Peace.
This weekend marks the first full week of Base 3.
My Saturday workout calls for a day of full-on climbing. A real workout. I like steep climbs. The accomplishment of dragging me and my bike up a road that most people wouldn’t walk is kewl. The feeling stems from a combination of many things – mostly from a willing spirit that suffers gladly.
Staying focused when the searing pain is burning my lungs and legs is a challenge. I like it because the roads on steep climbs are usually void of heavy traffic – so suffering is worth the quietness and solitude. Ahh.
Relaxing while in pain is an interesting combination that borders on something sadistic. I suspect most cyclists who race are considered to be in that elk – as it requires mental tenacity to overcome the body’s overt white flag to surrender. Yet we keep going.
Tomorrow will be mostly climbing. 2.5 hours or more. Of the workouts during this week, I’ll enjoy this one the most.
Photos to follow.
Third on my list of favorite drink mixes: Juicy Ginger Ale. 1″ piece of ginger root, 1/2 cantaloupe peeled, 1/2 pint of strawberries, and 1 orange peeled. If you add some sparkling water to the mix, it will zip a little louder in your mouth. When juicing, make sure to save the pulp and cook with it. It’s highly nutritious when combined in with a brand muffin. Mix on.
Think healthy and my favorite drink comes to mind: Hawai’i Sunrise. Simple, tasty, and healthy. It’s been a few months since I’ve crafted a batch of my favorite juicy-juice. I’ll work on mixing a full bottle for consumption during the Daytona 500. Best add rum to give it a kick –
1 Papaya (peeled, seeds removed and cut into spears)
1 Guava (skin removed and peeled)
1 Pineapple (top, skin removed, cut into spears)
If drinking at night – add clear rum, 1 oz per drink
This mix is a smooth blend to give you the feeling of island life, and with a little slack key guitar, the feeling you’re on Hawai’i proper.
Aloha!
My dad gave me the “Juicer” for Christmas this year. It ROCKS. The best drink, and his favorite, is the CAG. 2 medium carrots, 1 crisp apple, 1 inch of fresh ginger and ergo the drink: CAG. It’s zesty, tasty, tangy and if you add just a touch of cranberry juice, it’s even better. Heck, I’ve added limes, lemons and sports drink to it. This is the versatile base drink with which you make a tons of other juicy-juices.
The BGE and I have taken a notion to use the pulp in making muffins. Not yet, but we’re close!
Yes, the Tuesday workout began at 6AM – at TREC and it was a good ‘un. The workday unfolded with my class at UTK, meetings, and more meetings. Then a final workout of the day which included pain. Sixty minutes of fun and excitement. Not really. The wind was howling again but the temp was fluffy-warm. Blah-dity-blah-blah. Two hours, forty-five minutes of working out.
Tomorrow’s workout is basically 2.5 hours on the bike. I’ll watch some Tour DVD-action during the AM and if it’s raining (predicted) I’ll do the same after work.
Today’s photo is from the early years when riders in the Tour were not athletes. They were not sports figures. It was a method for making a living … “smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em.”
The last two days (Sunday and Monday) have been comfy. I rode one hour on the trainer on Sunday and a half hour this morning. Ahhh. I’m rested. I’m ready and my coach says be prepared for what’s to come. (Hard work.) I’d use the f-word but there is no need to emphasize the motion, pain, suffering, and shiznet coming with the next four weeks or the next six months. No need. If you read this blog you’ll hear about it.
Jump ahead. This blog is about racing. I’ve tried to show some cool photos and yes, some are kewl. However, the real reason for this blog is to depict the true suffering of a bicycle racer. Hopefully I’m not talking car accidents, road rash or other crappy-crap. What you’ll see, hear and read over the next six months on this site is a real-world perspective of amateur racing. I’ll share the prefacing work … then the racing season from a couple of vantage points. The first – from the saddle. The second – from a camera at the races, during the race, after the race and from the road.
Whatever. It will be full of photos and messages about the adventure. Ride on.
Yes, I’m resting today after a lengthy cruise to the Smoky Mountains yesterday. Actually it’s a rest day because I’m in the fourth week of the cycling period, “Base 2.” I rode an hour – just to recover – and to stretch my legs. It was nice.
Base 3 starts on Tuesday and the intensity builds for the next month. My mileage goes up and so does the number of hill climbs. Oh boy. And I mean that too – I’m looking forward to making the hill work the best it can be … it will pay off later in the year. And yes, tomorrow is a day off too. I’ll ride for an hour as well but with very little intensity.
Why ride on a day off? Good question. The answer – to keep fresh, eliminate lactic acid and stay fluid. Heck when the Tour de France is in motion, the Pro Tour riders will ride 4 to 6 hours on their two days off during the race. I’m NOT a Pro Tour rider, but my coach has me more than convinced of the benefits. Rest on.
PS – I’m using my name in the blog post because it helps me with search rankings. I’m normally on page one of a google search for my name and lately I’ve been bumped to page two. None the less, I’ll find a way to endear a friend or two or three to add a page about me to their sites and my presence will expand on the web. Again, rest on.
Yes. I did it. In spite of a sustained howling wind of 25mph, I visited the Institute at Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park twice today. The total trek was 85 miles. Since I road the route by myself, “group ride math” would re-calculate the ride to 121 miles. As the BGE said, “that’s a long way in the car!” Right on.
Interestingly, the ride to Tremont was easier today because of the wind. Normally the slight-increase in road elevation makes you work a little. Today I was cruising at 28 on Highway 321 … moving fast enough that cars actually stayed in the other lane. The return leg toward home wasn’t so lovely. The same howling wind was in my face the entire time. Rather than enjoying the ’slight down hill’ ride from Tremont to the house (except for a couple rollers), the wind made the trek HARD!
T-1: The arrival home was interesting on many levels. First, I was halfway home even though I was at home. Umm. Second, normally I take the needed fuel with me – and returning home allowed me to roll a little lighter. Prior to leaving for T1, I had made my lunch. So – I grabbed the sandwich, protein bar, two bottles, dry clothes and a fresh attitude. I knew the wind was going to encourage bigger gears and mentally worked very hard to resist. But I couldn’t. I mean, when you can big-ring it traveling toward Tremont and scoot along at 28, 29 and even 30mph — without (!) a peloton paving the way — you had best enjoy it.
T-2: The first leg of T2 (my arrival at Tremont) was exciting. What an accomplishment and what a thrill to capture another photo of my personal mecca. Funny, the moment I crossed the bridge as I turned around to return home I grimaced at the thought of the wind. And yes, it was still howling. I just did my best and actually took the bike path through Townsend rather than riding on the road. It was easier to stroll – versus struggle to crank out painful mph numbers.
When I returned home the second time, I was whooped. Stiff legs. Coughing. Shoulders dropped. Fuzzy. Aching. The flat tire I had earlier in the day (while at Tremont on the first leg) wasn’t even on my mind. All I could think about was a 30 minute hot shower and FOOD! I drank a Coke and my blood sugar came up quickly. This along with the food (double helping of chicken, green beans, asparagus, pretzels, sports drink and several hunks of chocolate) helped.
At some point I’m doing a T3. I’d like to take it slower, but I envision a threepeat before the race season is underway. Peace.
Wow. While attending a conference at UTK, during lunch, I sat beside the PR director at Tremont: Meredith Goins. As PR Director and Development Director, she has her hands ultra-full. With a Master’s of Information Science she is armed with the right tools to help take Tremont to the next level. (As long as the traffic to the site doesn’t get out of hand.) More about the luncheon and our talk later – but it was really kewl meeting her. Meredith was aware of this blog – and we both enjoyed a hearty laugh about it.
Tomorrow, I’m set for the ride I call “double-T” – twice to Tremont and back home for a total of 85 miles. I’ll see the sign (herein) twice. Ride-on. Ride-on.
About a year ago a larger group assembled and actually road together. The Knoxvelo group and folks from the “Zoo” saddled up and took a winter training ride together. Somewhere along the way these folks (who like each other) decided to pursue other winter riding options. I for one enjoy group rides on Saturday when it’s supposed to be ‘winter tempo.’ Otherwise, I’d best go alone. The season is VERY long and there’s no need in attempting to burnout mid-May by riding too hard in February. We’ll see.
The bike pictured here is a Spanish-made Orbea that I ride just about everyday. In the configuration seen herein, it weighs just 15.6lbs. That doesn’t include the water bottles but the total weight does include the pedals, cyclometer, and heart rate monitor. Pretty light – and very stiff. It’s outfitted with Campagnolo Super Record and Reynolds DV46 wheels. This is “Tour issue” equipment. Even the bottle cages are made of carbon – as is the handlebar, the stem, the brake levers, the crank arms and seat post. LIGHT – light – LIGHT.
Later this year I’m starting a project to build a sub-14lb bike. Yes, less than 14lbs. Roll on.
Recently I was asked by a colleague to assemble a photo gallery of images. I embarked on assembling my ‘best’ 10 shots and created a poster for the event too. While talking with the fine folks at Thompson Photo, I realized the event wasn’t going to take place. The cost for enlarging my images totaled more that $1,200.
No framing. No matte. No nothing.
Well, a large image, but nothing more. If there were room on the walls of my home for more artwork, I’d move on this. But where the heck will these large pieces be placed, hung or displayed?
Alas the images are stored and gathering a little digital dust. In the meantime, I’ll share the 10 images over the next few weeks. Keep in mind I’ve exported each photo so it will fit on the computer screen.
Today’s image was taken on Oahu last year – just as a storm was rolling into Honolulu. Diamond Head is clearly visible – as is the Pacific. This is a great spot – a great shot – a neat moment. The file is more than 5,000 pixels in width. Enjoy.
The four hour+ ride on Saturday was really nice. I saddled up with my buddy Tony and we went – somewhere. The route, for the most part, was familiar but many roads I didn’t know. With a blue bird day and warming temps, it made for a great day biking through Blount, Monroe and Knox counties. Four hours is enough – especially this time of year. Longer day are ahead. Yes, longer days – like 6 hours+.
The photos you see herein are taken at a feed mill somewhere in Blount County. Real signs, real deal, real old. If you need lawn services – you see the phone number. Ride on.
Getting to Indian Gap makes for a great hike. It’s an enormous, rock-ribbed peak looming above Newfound Gap. Lots of technical routes, it seems, to the summit. But no trails can be found. I think there is a negotiable route connection between the ridge of Clingman’s Dome/Mount Collins which leads over to Mingus. Otherwise, I think it would qualify as one of the few horns in the Appalachians.
This Dutch Roth photo is wonderful – taken on Indian Gap (the side of Mingus) – depicting the snow in a year when it fell heavily. I’d love to enjoy a hike in this weather!
What a beautiful photo – it’s a Dutch Roth photo to showcase the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was taken at Abrams Falls in wintertime. While the trek is fairly easy (5-miles round-trip), plan on roughly three hours, depending on your pace. Since the departure point for this hike lies within Cades Cove, you will find little solitude unless you are hiking very early in the morning or in the “off” season before May or after the last pockets of Fall color have disappeared. However, even if the circumstances are not ideal, the hike to Abrams Falls is more than reward enough for the effort.
The name Abrams is a shortened reference to Abraham, the Cherokee chief of a village on the Little Tennessee near the mouth of what is now Abrams Creek. The hike allows you to climb to approximately 1,800 feet at one point, but when you arrive at the falls you are actually 300 feet lower than when you started.
The trail to Abrams Falls parallels Abrams Creek most of the way, except when Abrams Creek twists left from Arbutus Ridge to form a nearly one-mile loop resembling a “horseshoe,” a stretch of the creek that has always been populated with trout fishermen when we’ve passed. At mile 2.5 you will cross Wilson Branch and take the short side trail to the falls. Have the camera ready – it’s really nice and highly secluded. Enjoy.
