WTF qoute of the day.

"By prohibiting the open carry of guns, we can now take our families to the park or out to eat without the worry of getting shot by some untrained, unscreened, self-appointed vigilante," Dallas Stout, president of the California chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement.

Link to article on Yahoo

No one has ever been shot by anyone who had a concealed weapon.... right...

*sigh*

16 years!

What's that old saying... time flies? Not sure about that, but it does pass easily when you are enjoying yourself. It's nice to be able to share your life with someone who likes dogs, guns, running, off roading, prepping and being a smart ass. I am trying to think of someplace to go for dinner, but I have a nice pork loin in the fridge that is begging to be cooked. Perhaps some flowers or maybe a new leaf blower (hey, I'm practical and it's that time of year).

I'm sore today. The map I picked up of the running trails that I have been thinking about was a big help. It helped kick my butt for a few hours last night. The run was going to be longer but I didn't have my headlamp as it was an experimental terrain intel evening. 1 mile up, 800 foot elevation gain; 1.5 miles down 1200 foot elevation loss; 2.2 miles up, 2100 foot elevation gain; 3 mile down 1400 foot elevation loss. I actually assumed the 2.2 up would be fairly level but it was gnarly, steep, very cliff edge and since it was following a large stream it was cold and iced over.. this made my shirt really cold since it was wet.

I've got some stuff arriving today for storage so I was working on making some space last night but I didn't really make any progress and instead added another 30 days worth of water.

I need to make a costume for work, $100 prize money is worth the effort, that's another month or more of food storage!

I can't wait to do it again; the run and celebrating another anniversary. Where is my Motrin.

Sugar. Really?

This morning I was out in a flash and had a really horrible run in the snow and cold. I overdressed and once the sun peaked I had to take everything off and carry it/wear it like a cape. I didn't stretch and was just on a mission to pump out some miles... see getting older doesn't mean wiser apparently!

I'm not a buy 10 cases of .223 kind of guy. It's not that I don't have guns and ammo but you can't eat the stuff and it's expensive. I like food, I went to school to be a chef, and I like having a lot of food in storage. I'm seriously close to 3 years worth and could get by with only getting perishables at the grocery store for the most part. I'm once again out of room and will have to purchase another rack in the next few weeks or else I might start to overload the ones I have. I'll keep storing stuff and using it, rotating the stock and trying to plan ahead as grocery prices keep going up.

Today I was on the hunt for sugar, I have plenty but it was on sale so it was time to get some more.. it's baking season after all! Normally it's cheaper at Costco, but today I could save some money and not drive across town. Apparently there was a run on Sugar, the shelf was actually bare minus 1 small bag with a hole in it. I didn't have my phone or else I would post up the silly ass picture of 3 shelves void of sugar. Perhaps I should read the news more, I don't know what happened and the people at the store don't either. The truck will arrive tonight for a restock, and if that truck never showed up I would manage with what I have, but it still seems odd to me.

Everything else was in stock at the store (well I couldn't find any brisket actually but they might not carry it anymore along with sirloin) and I still spent $150 on things (it was more like $200 but I had a couple of coupons and it was NFL day so 10% off for wearing a team jersey and apparently my red shirt looked like a falcons jersey).

Where has all the sugar gone! Anyone?

No place like home!

I love taking time off for various things and I really love getting home after it's all done. Back to the normal, back to things I have control over. It's my Birthday so I was all pumped up to do a 3 hour run this morning only to back out of it since it was a downpour. Instead to celebrate living another year, I have the heat on and the snow is falling.
Beautiful! I try to remain positive even if my plans are ruined, there is always stuff to get done especially after being gone over a week. I have a lot to be negative about starting with my pitbull has swollen glands so his lymphoma is out of remission, but I just refuse. I'm going to let everyone else be negative, I'm alive and doing great.

Las Vegas was fun for 2 days, the 3rd I couldn't wait to leave. I more than tripled my money on some slot machines and got a couple of runs in. Running was nice on the first evening, it was "cold" and it was raining but I ground out some seriously awesome times for a mile, 5k and 10k. I refueled the next day and went at it again this time without the rain and with some sunshine... this meant the sidewalks were covered with people and not just any people, but people who walk 8 abreast, smoke, don't pay attention, and in this particular situation they were occupying Ls Vegas. Christ I can't get away from  negative sometimes, so I turned around and ran up into old Vegas and broke my record for 10k time and then just enjoyed a relaxing run under all the old lights.

Now I'm home, getting together with friends for dinner, have more money in the bank and it's back to normal for a few weeks. I have to catch up on all my blog reading and go grocery shopping since the fridge is looking a little empty. Next up, a week in Rome!

The road less traveled

What an amazing trip, more than I could have hoped for and I think it goes down as my best vacation ever. We ended up with 3 vehicles and 4 people and really took our time checking everything out and having a good time with no real objective. I was really reinvigorated by this trip, even had a killer 8 mile run when I got home this evening. Heading to Vegas in the morning, hopefully I won't be drained when I get back.

We rolled into camp #1 at midnight and were set and asleep by 12:30. It was totally random and we had no idea what was around us, but we were tired. We ended up picking the only flat spot around, for miles, and at midnight it seemed perfect no matter what. We rolled out the next morning about 8am, amazing weather as you can see from the departing picture.

We landed at camp #2 about 4pm on Saturday and got everything ready for dinner and the night ahead. This is one of my favorite spots, the views are amazing and there is a spot to swim. The weather during the day was in the 50's but quickly changed and got down to 28 when we put the fire out for the night. The water was 48 degrees, the air temp was 45 before wind chill but who am I to complain.

It was all I could do to keep my heart from stopping and keep breathing. Nothing like an ice bath before we kicked the fire up.
The next morning everything was covered in frost so we had to wait for the sun to crest the mountains before we packed everything up. Elevation here was 11,250 feet and it took a while for the ice to thaw on our gear but pack up began in earnest.

Camp 3 was another spot, 20 feet from a small river with tall trees all over to keep the frost off at night. A lot of rain on the way here and it only got down to 32 and the sun never hit camp by the time we rolled out.

My tent is a 3 season with screen sides under the rain fly. It was toasty warm without a tent heater, and as usual I was over prepared with all the stuff I brought. I would rather it be that way vs. freezing and/or being wet.
We headed up another trail and into some fresh snow. I had a blast and ran up the tallest peak I could easily get to. Running in baggy jeans and a jacket didn't work out so well, but I made it. My friend from sea level walked up and I thought he was going to die, but he is a champ! I made a snow angel!

Here are some foliage and scenic shots. I have another 1200 to sort over and figure out what I like and then I'll post some more.

Operation woof!

I was on top of my rig this strapping down some gear for the trip tomorrow night, had the gate open waiting for roto rooter to come clean out the roots in the drain line (see, old houses are so much fun!). I noticed 2 dogs coming up the block, but didn't see anyone with them and they looked very happy to be roaming free. I hopped down and went to the gate and the labradoodle started barking up a storm and backing up into the street. Crap. Everyone that drove by went real slow for once, but of course no one stopped to help. The other dog was a bulldog and came storming into the yard sniffing and huffing and.. well British like. The doodle charged in behind it and I closed the gate hoping the dogs were friendly enough for the rescue to be completed.

The family who owned the dogs had just gotten the bulldog from the pound (that's why he wasn't scared of me, he had just been busted out of dog prison) and were very worried when I called their number (and this is why collars and readable tags are a must) but couldn't be here for an hour. They 1/2 mile away so I told them not to panic, the dogs were enjoying the grass and all the dog toys in the yard. My boys were not pleased to be in the house, not one bit. I just couldn't handle 4 dogs in case they didn't get along.

The rooter guy came and left. I managed to keep the rescue dogs out of the basement and the owners came and were really happy with what I had done for them. They couldn't figure out how they got out of the fenced yard so I suggested they lock the gates even if it turns out to be a pain in the ass, you can be sure no one will walk by and open it. Securing your gates is one step closer to having a more secure house.

The dogs got snacks, lot's of grass to play in, pets and scratches, big water drinks (even from the hose!) and they were safely back home after a big adventure. This was probably the 8th rescue operation this year, all with happy endings. Be kind and do unto others seems to still be working out well for me. Loads of good karma before the road trip can't hurt.

Victory lap and some fall colors.

Last night was the end of my 30 day challenge. The miles added up to running from Colorado Springs to Laramie, Wyoming. Yesterday I was exhausted and dreading the last run, but since I knew it would break 200 I decided to make it a victory lap and put my camera in my hydration pack. This was amazing since the camera really didn't fit in well, and I don't like having all that weight with me when running.

I knew the colors would be awesome, I'd been running up there the last few days and wanted to get some shots before I left town for a few days. I'm giving myself some time off, it's hard for me to run and camp for 5 days although I would love to run in the Silverton and Durango area with 14'ers all awaiting my feet. I feel amazing right now, it's nice to hit a goal that was realistically unobtainable for the most part.
Someone asked about using one of my pictures and I really don't mind, it's just a hobby. I can always send you the high resolution file if you so desire.

Smooth portion of the trail with leaf covered toe catchers.

Aspens love the water and follow it for miles.

The trail follows water for the whole 2 hour loop, like this.

No filter on the camera, electric yellow!

Same spot as kilt picture was taken a few posts ago, looking down.

High altitude training, I love running under them.

2nd one swooping around