tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73619755296684188982024-02-20T12:02:45.519-06:00The Eclectic Adventures Of A Modern Day SwashbucklerRandom thoughts and stories from the life of an adventure seeker.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-14264130264010019772012-03-16T05:15:00.000-05:002012-03-16T05:15:16.016-05:00StarkbierfestStarkbierfest is sometimes referred to by Bavarians as the "Fifth Season". It's three weeks dedicated to drinking strong dark beer. Essentially it's a mini Oktoberfest with beer that contains almost twice the alcohol! It's amazing! The smooth malty texture, the sweet carmely smell, the delicious taste! I had 3 Maß (1 liter each) and it just about knocked me on my ass due to the 8.1% alcohol content. Here's some more info on the history. <a href="http://www.bayerntrips.com/starkbierfest.html" target="_blank">Starkbierfest</a><br />
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Gerri and I in traditional attire. Lederhosen and Dirndl</div>
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I bought Gerri a balloon and everyone followed suit</div>
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The suspenders make great beer holders!</div>
<br />Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-56066630245628891522012-03-15T12:53:00.000-05:002012-03-15T12:53:28.919-05:00Skiing AustriaOne of the coolest things about living in Europe is that everything is so close. The public transit system is pretty amazing and there's never a shortage of things to do. Case in point:<br />
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I'm from Minneapolis, MN. If you drive 150 miles in any direction from my home you could arrive in such amazing and culturally stimulating places in Minnesota as Alexandria, Worthington, Brainerd, or Duluth. You could get to Wisconsin and places like LaCrosse, Hayward and Eau Claire. Or you could, if you wanted to torture yourself, make it to places like Emmetsburg, Iowa or Charles City, Iowa. <br />
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Now that I live in Munich, if I drive (or take a train as the transit system is AWESOME here!) 150 miles (242km for the rest of the world), I can make it to similarly boring small towns in Germany such as Garmisch, Nuremberg, or Stuttgart. Except they're not boring small towns; they're freaking AWESOME, culturally rich places with things like super-car test facilities and ski resorts in the alps! In fact I can get to four different countries in the same radius; Switzerland, Italy, Austria & The Czech Republic! <br />
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So of course I'm going to take full advantage of my weekends in close proximity to such amazing sites. For example we went skiing a couple weekends ago in Austria. We stayed in a quaint little town in a traditional hotel but then drove 20 minutes to Axamer Lizum where they held the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. It was amazing. The idea that I can go from home to 2340 meters (7680 feet) in two hours is awesome! Anyway, here's some pics. The scenery was fantastic and I'm grateful to be able to experience this. <br />
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This is the view from our balcony at the hotel</div>
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The line up the hill is the train from the bottom to the top. It carries over 120 people at a time</div>
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The indoor/outdoor eating area with live music</div>
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Gerri and I at the top</div>
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Here's another pic of the train</div>
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After the ski lifts close they have an after ski party complete with DJ, dancers and drinks</div>
<br />Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-68218037347760598892012-02-22T05:59:00.000-06:002012-02-22T05:59:21.301-06:00A Weekend In ParisSo for Valentines Day my awesome girlfriend, Gerri, got us a trip to Paris for the weekend. Pretty sweet huh?! Yeah, I thought so too! We planned out some fun things to do and tried to cram in as much as we could in 3 short days. The list included drink wine, eat cheese, see some sites, drink more wine and walk around and just take it all in. <br />
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Paris and I didn't get off to a good start though. The plane was delayed due to weather and then on the train ride into the city it just stopped, for like a half hour on the tracks. WTF?! And the view on the way into the city was less than stellar. There was graffiti along every inch of the tracks and the amount of garbage strewn about was unreal. Maybe I'm a bit spoiled from living in Munich and Minneapolis, two of the cleanest cities around, but this was ridiculous. Then the underground rail stations stunk and the trains were packed with people. Our first stop after dropping our stuff at the hotel was lunch. We had read about a cafe, <a href="http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/flash/us/index.html" target="_blank">Le Comptoir du Relais</a>, that was supposed to have the best croque monsieur around. Well, keeping with the theme of the day I was underwhelmed at best by the sandwich. In all fairness, my expectations were a little skewed and I didn't have the best attitude at the time. It was a really good sandwich, I was just expecting magnificent.<br />
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After lunch we walked through some great little neighborhoods. We found a cool shirt shop with some very unique fabrics. The one I really wanted though was out of my size. Bummer. On the bridge across the Seine to the Louvre I was surprised to find thousands of locks attached. I had never heard of this before but apparently couples write their names on the lock and after locking it to the bridge, throw the key into the Seine. <br />
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The Louver just got a quick walk by as we had many other things to see. Plus, it's immense! I don't think you could get through it, and do the exhibits justice, in a long weekend. <br />
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We walked all the way down to the Arc de Triomphe along the Champs-Elysees. With a couple of detours for wine and cognac of course. But we eventually made it just in time to miss a ceremony around the eternal flame. Had we known about the ceremony we probably would have picked up the pace a bit.<br />
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Then it was off to have an amazing dinner. Just how amazing was unknown as we were eating truffles for the first time. Black truffles were in season and Gerri wanted to try them out. She had made reservations at <a href="http://www.terresdetruffes.com/la-societe/nous-contacter/index.htm" target="_blank">Terres de Truffes</a>. We arrived to find that we were the only people there. We literally had the entire 20 table restaurant to ourselves until a trio of retirees showed up a half hour after us. It's hard to explain what a truffle tastes like and how amazing it is. I can only compare it to bacon. Our waiter, Alex, told us that truffles are best experienced with simple ingredients and directed us to order as such. We started with a carrot and pea soup with truffles. Then had poached egg in a cream sauce with truffles and scrambled eggs with truffles. They were both out of this world! The reason I likened it to bacon was because with the eggs it added a savory, salty, somewhat smokey taste that went so well I could only think of bacon and how amazing it is with eggs. We then moved on to the main course of jack potatoes with truffles and a fettucini alfredo with truffles. They were equally as amazing but very rich. We could barely finish them but couldn't find the will to stop because they were so decadent. For dessert we had a hot cheese with truffle and a truffle creme with chantilly lace and berries. All in all it was an amazing experience but I think going forward I can only handle one course with truffles. They are outstanding and I think everyone should splurge on a truffle dinner!<br />
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The next day we went to check out Notre Dame and the view from Sacre-Coeur Basilica. We stopped for some amazing fromage crepes as well as some vin chaud (hot spiced wine).<br />
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Later that night we headed over to see the Eiffel Tower. It's quite a site to see at night. I knew it was impressive but didn't know just quite how much until I saw it up close. We decided to climb the 670 stairs to the second level and the plan was to take the lift to the top from there. Unfortunately we arrived at the second level a bit to late and they had closed the lift so we weren't actually able to go all the way to the top. The view was still pretty impressive from the second floor though. Check it out!<br />
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The last day we just kind of walked around and enjoyed the city. Had some drinks and tried the local cheeses. The last day was gorgeous weather. Sun and 40º, perfect for seeing the city. And even though Paris and I didn't get off to a great start, we made up in the end. It's a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. Oh and one thing that I was very struck by; everyone always says that Parisians are extremely rude, I couldn't disagree more! There were plenty of opportunities for people to be rude to us but I found the people to be extremely pleasant and friendly. Even at places that had received poor reviews from other travelers. I can honestly say I didn't have one bad experience with the French. It was a pleasant surprise.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-18947458648273905532012-02-14T12:45:00.001-06:002012-02-14T12:45:53.260-06:00Cultural Differences Part 1Sundays:<div>
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Usually a day I reserved for doing the crappy things that I didn't like doing the rest of the week. You know, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, long runs for training, that kind of stuff. But I never really felt restricted on what I could do. Unless of course you ran out of beer. In Minnesota there were no liquor sales on Sundays. </div>
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In Germany though, they are serious about their Sundays being a day of rest. Grocery stores, department stores, fast food chains, they're all closed. The only thing that's open are locally owned restaurants and cafes. Recently a German court upheld the law to restrict trade on Sundays as sacrosanct. </div>
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So instead of hiding in their houses behind TV's and piles of laundry, the Germans really get out and enjoy the day! My girlfriend, Gerri, and I recently went to meet some friends to go ice skating by a <a href="http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/ny_schl.htm" target="_blank">palace</a>. I was expecting a few people as it was a sunny day but what I found was surprising. There were thousands of people outside enjoying the day. Families, couples, friends, singles, young, old, canine all just out having a great time being together. There was ice skating, curling, hockey, sledding, and if you didn't like any of that there were plenty of people just walking around and watching. We stopped at one of the outdoor stands to get a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine" target="_blank">glühwein</a> and a bratwurst. </div>
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It was awesome to see everyone out enjoying the day. I know we do this kind of stuff in the States a little bit but this is on a totally different level. There was no special event or movie being filmed, just thousands of Bavarians enjoying a Sunday afternoon. And it's like this every Sunday. I love it! </div>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-91926511439907786172012-02-10T03:33:00.000-06:002012-02-10T03:33:25.949-06:00Why Munich?That's a legit question. And to be honest, <a href="http://www.monocle.com/sections/affairs/Web-Articles/Most-liveable-city-Munich1/" target="_blank">Munich</a> wasn't anywhere on the wish list even for cities to visit. But in early 2011 our annual <a href="http://bolderoptions.org/" target="_blank">Bolder Options</a> marathon destination was announced and it was Berlin. The race was on September 25th. Well I had heard of <a href="http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/" target="_blank">Oktoberfest</a> and thought I'd check dates to see if it would be possible to catch it on either side of the race and wouldn't you know, I was going to be there smack dab in the middle of it! Well, being the aspiring professional drinker that I am, I wasn't about to let an opportunity to visit the drinking Mecca pass me by! Some of my geography aficionado readers might point out that Berlin and Munich are nowhere near each other. In fact they are 600km (372 miles) apart. But never fear, my love of beer runs deep, and a mere 1 hour plane ride (or 6 hours on the <a href="http://youtu.be/hTlhUhZB3jg" target="_blank">autobahn</a> as it were) wasn't going to keep me from the most epic beer festival in all of history! So I promptly phoned my friend Chris and told him that he needed to come with me. We booked flights, hotels and alerted our friend Thatz in Munich that the Dynamic Drinking Duo was on their way.<br />
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Some may question my judgement in booking Oktoberfest prior to my marathon in Berlin. Fair point. But aside from my comedic reasoning that I was using Oktoberfest to "<a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-300--12434-0,00.html" target="_blank">carb up</a>", there was another reason. I had registered to run the <a href="https://www.tcmevents.org/" target="_blank">Twin Cities Marathon</a> the weekend after Berlin and I wasn't about to run a marathon, party for a week and then run another. I wanted to have a rest week in between. <br />
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We arrived in Munich on September 16th. We got settled and went out but kept it pretty low key as we were saving our strength for the marathon drinking session that is the first day of Oktoberfest. It's an sight to behold. 14 tents that hold 10,000 people each with overflow seating outside each tent for at least another 2,000. 6 million visitors come to Oktoberfest over the course of 17 days. 7 million liters of beer are served. On the first day there is a parade with horse drawn carriages to bring in the first kegs of beer. At noon, the first keg is ceremoniously tapped and a canon is fired signaling the start of the festival. <br />
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Some people arrive at 6am to wait for a table. Chris, Thatz and I showed up right at noon and met up with some of his coworkers. The first person we were introduced to was Gerriann, and that's where this little adventure of mine really begins. I immediately asked Thatz if he was interested in her because it's not my style to come as a visitor and <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cock+block" target="_blank">cock block</a> my friends on their home turf. He said I had the all clear and at that moment my trip changed. We had a great time hanging out during Oktoberfest that day. Later on in the night we ran off to explore the Wiesn together. They have carnival games and rides and we tried to hit up as many as we could.<br />
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I had such a good time I asked her out on a date for Monday. We wound up doing a happy hour with a few other people and this time I asked her if she wanted to go to Prague with me in the morning as I was going to stop there on my way to Berlin. She said "absolutely" and we went to Prague on Tuesday! On Wednesday she had to return to Munich and I had to be on my way to Berlin so we said our goodbyes not knowing when we were going to see each other again, if ever. She sent me an email on the ride home saying that we needed to meet up again soon. I invited her to Berlin but she wasn't able to make it but suggested I come down to Munich for the last 3 days of my trip. It took me all of about 5 minutes to book a flight back to Munich. I bailed on the marathon (partly because I sprained my ankle at Oktoberfest) and went back to hang out with Gerri. <br />
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So in a nutshell that's why Munich. I met a girl, fell in love, <a href="http://youtu.be/av64gOA9nXM" target="_blank">yada yada yada</a>, and now I live in Munich. It's been amazing so far. I've been here a little over 4 weeks and I'm really happy I wound up in such a cool city. My maternal grandfather was 100% German which makes me 25% German. There are definitely some cultural differences that I'm getting used to but all in all I feel pretty comfortable. And I'm super pumped to be in the center of Europe and have the opportunity to travel. Next weekend Gerri and I are off to explore Paris along with French wines and cheese. I'll post some interesting stuff on that when we return. Ciao! <br />
<br />Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-52884648842735160302012-01-29T07:01:00.000-06:002012-01-29T07:05:28.363-06:00Holy Lederhosen!Let me start out with an apology for totally going MIA on this blog for almost a year. I promise to be much better with it this year!<br />
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So welcome to 2012! I'm kicking off my year in grand fashion... I moved to Germany! Last year I visited 8 countries. On that list was Germany. I came here to run a marathon in <a href="http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/">Berlin</a> and experience <a href="http://www.oktoberfest.de/de">Oktoberfest</a> in Munich. Well, I wound up meeting a girl and falling in love. After a long courtship (three weeks on <a href="http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home">Skype</a>) and some very careful contemplation I started the planning process to move... And by that I mean she said "you should move here" and I said "okay, see you in two months!" I've always wanted to live overseas but I never had a compelling reason to do it. Well, this is about as compelling as it gets. But I'll tell you more of that story later.<br />
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As of today, I've been in Munich for just shy of three weeks. Oddly enough I don't feel as displaced as I thought I might. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I already know a couple people here from back home. <a href="https://www.allianz.com/en/index.html">Allianz</a> is based here in Munich but their US headquarters are back in Minneapolis, MN. So some of my friends are here on projects which is really cool. The other night I played poker with 5 guys from Minneapolis. It's kind of weird.<br />
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Germany is great though! At least <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria">Bavaria</a>, which is what I'm experiencing. The city is clean, the food is good, beer is considered a food (I'm going to be well 'fed'), and everyone bikes and/or walks everywhere. Crime is kind of an issue though... I mean they had an assault like three years ago. No, seriously, this is one of the safest cities I've ever even heard of. The cops have to set speed traps for bikers they get so bored!<br />
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Another amazing thing is how well behaved the dogs are! I rarely see a dog on a leash, they never bark and they will wait outside grocery stores and cafe's for their owners like dudes waiting at Macy's for their wives. They just sit there. Walkers, bikers, kids, other dogs, nothing phases them. It's like the whole dog community has a sense of decorum. It's quite nice.<br />
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I'm still getting used to the idea of being an expat but it's been fun so far. I'm excited to travel around Europe and expand my horizons and my knowledge base even further. I'll keep writing as I keep exploring. You can subscribe to updates on the right side of the page. Here's to new adventures! Cheers!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apQ_fva2mbA/TyVDM-FFP4I/AAAAAAAABFM/yCPPhZ8Gqv4/s1600/Dog%2BBeers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apQ_fva2mbA/TyVDM-FFP4I/AAAAAAAABFM/yCPPhZ8Gqv4/s320/Dog%2BBeers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-16577284059064857472011-02-13T16:00:00.000-06:002011-02-13T16:00:18.519-06:00Relaxing In HawaiiMonday December 13th was the first day that I didn't have to rush to do anything. No biking to do, no marathon to run, no plane to catch, it was just a day to have fun. I got up at 6am and grabbed some coffee and headed down to the pier behind the hotel to watch the sunrise over Diamond Head. Truth be told, I actually wanted to hike Diamond Head and get some sunrise pics from the top of the crater, however, they closed the road for repairs for the week I was there! Grrrr! Oh well. So my plan for that day was to meet up with Shelly & Beth and do some sea kayaking. After a litte fiasco at the rental car place (apparently Shelly was on the 'do not rent to' list - LOL!) we got our car and headed to Kailua. We got our kayaks and decided to grab some sandwiches on the way out so we could have a little picnic on one of the islands. The people at the kayak place told us it would take 1 1/2 hours to paddle to this island... I did it in 30 minutes flat! BOOM! <br />
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We set out on a little exploration trip of the island and found some really cool stuff. There was a tide pool and some interesting rock formations. We found a shady part of the island and had a little picnic before heading out. On the way off the island I paddled out to sea a bit and tried to surf some waves in my kayak. It was a lot harder than it seemed in my head. We then went on to do a little snorkeling and headed back in to shore because Beth had a plane to catch. <br />
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Later that night I went out for a nice sushi dinner at <a href="http://dorakusushi.com/">Doraku</a> with Marie & Shelly. I ordered "omakase" for us which is basically chef's choice. The chef, Hide Yoshimoto, apparently didn't get to do that much. He was so impressed that I knew what it was that he came out to speak with me, brought everything out himself and explained exactly what it was, how it was prepared and how it should be eaten. The food was spectacular as was the service!<br />
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Here is one of the dishes he made for us. I think this one was red snapper with deep fried ginger chips.<br />
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This is the view from the restaurant. <br />
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Back at the hotel, this is the view from my balcony.<br />
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The next day I tried my hand at surfing. I got up the first time which was awesome but apparently that was beginners luck because I fell a ton after that. It was a ton of fun though! After that I decided to just chill for the rest of the day. I had to figure out where I was going to stay the next night because my plane didn't leave until Thursday but my hotel reservation ended on Wednesday. Technically it ended on Monday but I was able to crash with two different people on Monday and Tuesday night. No such luck for Wednesday though. I also wanted to drive up to the north shore to see the big pipeline surfing competition. So what better solution than to rent a Jeep, drive to the north side of the island and sleep in the Jeep?! I wound up getting a soft top Jeep Wrangler (I've always wanted one of these) and cruising around.<br />
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Here's my ride!<br />
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The surf competition started early so I woke up at 5:30 and got some coffee. There were a ton of locals out surfing before the competition began at 8am. <br />
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The last 3 pics are of <a href="http://www.kellyslater.com/">Kelly Slater</a>. He's freakin' amazing! He's won Pipeline Masters like 6 times since he started. <br />
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After I saw Kelly surf it was off to cruise the island in my Jeep with the top down! <br />
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Here's the Dole plantation. Those are all pineapples. <br />
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This is a spot over on the east side of the island. Just gorgeous! <br />
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As my time on the island was drawing to a close I was reflecting on the trip and comparing it to others. In all my travels I've seen some amazing things but I've always been ready to come home. For the first time, I felt like I could stay. I had no desire to leave whatsoever. I've heard people say that time and time again about Hawaii but now that I've been there I totally understand! If you haven't been... GO!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-57177779586266717742011-02-13T14:42:00.000-06:002011-02-13T14:42:23.969-06:00The Honolulu Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMezOfBPLl9b6tDkQi3EM_1PMo-ki_2t-l-gRqH76hYXwwnJb8i_SPeleLHhySKca4vUG3JYW0-S_2vRpEegdhY6bDMR5KnzSLZXU2-fm4xVIsee2csx359J5RyUQ6k3ASyMvMjd5KhPg/s1600/Picture+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="157" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMezOfBPLl9b6tDkQi3EM_1PMo-ki_2t-l-gRqH76hYXwwnJb8i_SPeleLHhySKca4vUG3JYW0-S_2vRpEegdhY6bDMR5KnzSLZXU2-fm4xVIsee2csx359J5RyUQ6k3ASyMvMjd5KhPg/s320/Picture+9.png" /></a></div><br />
Marathon Day - Sunday December 12th<br />
Miles - 26.2<br />
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The Honolulu Marathon was my 6th marathon. There's always something a little different about each one with regards to how it's run, food, water, start time etc... This one was start time. The race begins at 5am! That means I had to get out of bed at 2:45am to get ready, eat, hydrate and walk from my hotel to the start line. It sucked getting up, but if you've ever competed in anything before you know that you're usually pretty anxious and therefore don't sleep the best so it's not the end of the world. We had a little breakfast down by the pool and took a group photo. <br />
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Then it was off to the start of the race. I was told it was only about a .5 mile walk to the start. It took 45 min. I suspect it was more like 2.5 miles. Then I had to use the restroom... that was another 45 min. wait because apparently some half-wit was in charge of logistics. I would think anyone with a 3rd grade education could figure out that if you have 30,000 runners, you should probably order up more than 16 port-a-potties. I watched the fireworks for the start of the marathon from the bathroom line. <br />
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Then I had to rush to catch up to the very back group of runners... the 6+ hour people and just barely got in front of the walkers. I crossed the START line 12 minutes after the gun went off. Then Mary, Graham and I had to fight our way through the sea of people at the back to get to the group we wanted to be with. I have to say it was quite interesting. As we passed masses of people we got to see all sorts of crazy costumes and groups of people. There were people dressed for getting married with full dresses and tuxes. There were people running in traditional Hawaiian outfits like grass skirts and barefoot. I even saw a dude in getas, those traditional Japanese wood sandals, and a kimono. He ran the whole race in that! There were actually a ton of cool Japanese outfits because like 70% of the people that run the Honolulu Marathon come over from Japan to do it.<br />
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I was a little worried about how I was going to feel. I hadn't really trained for the race and I had just biked 242 miles that week so I didn't have high expectations. I ran the first 1/2 with my friend Graham in about 2:03. I was feeling good so I told him I was going to take off. The sun was coming up and it was getting warm but I was still feeling pretty good. I've never run a negative split (where your second half is faster than the first) but I was feelin' it today. At mile 24 I felt good enough to stop on the side of the course and slam a beer that some guys were handing out. It was awesome! Then I headed out and came across the finish in 4:01:00. I was really shooting for sub 4hrs but no biggie. I was super stoked to run a negative split and I felt really good at the end. <br />
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The nice thing about having a race that starts at 5am is that I was done by 9am and had the day to relax. I went back to the hotel and took a nap and then me the group for a luau later on. Let me just tell you, if you feel the need to go to a luau in Hawaii, make sure you go to the <a href="http://www.polynesia.com/">Polynesian Cultural Center</a>. We went to another place and it was pretty cheesy. The food was mediocre at best and the drinks were hella expensive (the 'included' drinks are crap). <br />
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This drink I had to use one of my drink tickets plus pay $12 for! Crazy! On the upside it was good to hang out with the team and celebrate another awesome Bolder Options destination marathon. It's hard not to have a good time with a great group of people! Right cousins?! LOL!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-17792876103150520692011-01-30T09:57:00.000-06:002011-01-30T09:57:05.751-06:00Hawaii Trip Day 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TUTUKpicXNI/AAAAAAAAAj8/95rqtYh0AQc/s1600/Day%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TUTUKpicXNI/AAAAAAAAAj8/95rqtYh0AQc/s320/Day%2B5.png" /></a></div><br />
Day 5 - Friday December 10th<br />
Miles - 40.6<br />
Climb - 1043<br />
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Today was the last day of our ride around the big island. I had a mix of emotions about it coming to a close. Excited because of what we had accomplished but sad because I wasn't ready for it to be over. Riding around the island was amazing. It was a little chilly in the morning and kind of gray. It looked like it might rain so we were all ready to go with the rain gear. As we set out for our ride I left last but quickly caught up with the front riders Chris, Jeff & Kim. We were riding pretty close together and the shoulder on the road was not very wide and in not very good condition. We were frequently swerving into the road to avoid debris and potholes. The order of our line was Jeff, Chris, Kim and myself bringing up the back. When you ride in a line like that it's a little nerve racking. The rider in the front calls out and uses hand signals to let people know what the road is like. If there is a debris in the road the front rider points. If they need to stop, they yell "stopping" as well as use the hand signal. The people in the back have to pay close attention as well because they have less time to react to something. At some point Jeff swerved to miss a pothole and Kim didn't. Her front tire slammed into the far edge of the pavement and sent her flying. I immediately swerved and locked up my brakes to avoid running into Kim. It's like time all of a sudden slowed down for me. I saw, in slow motion, Kim wabble, then fall, then still clipped into her pedals slide across the asphalt and come to a stop. I did a little endo with my back tire coming up off the ground from me riding the brakes. I quick clipped out of my pedals and luckily landed on my feet unscathed. Unfortunately I can't say the same for Kim. She cracked her helmet and had some pretty gnarly road rash. She wanted to keep riding but neither her or her bike were in any condition to keep going so she was forced to sag in. What's kind of crazy is we later found out that her husband, Nick, crashed right around the same time but 15 miles back or so. They had some sweet matching rasberries to show off in Maui. <br />
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Not too long after that it started to rain. First a mist then full on downpour. We arrived at lunch totally soaked!<br />
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At lunch Kim found herself another helmet and a backup bike and decided to ride the rest of the way into Kona. Impressive! She's pretty bad ass! So the rest of the ride was a little nerve racking. It was pretty much all downhill. With the rain, cold, narrow shoulders, decreased visibility and heavy traffic it made for an interesting ride. My right hand went numb and both of my forearms were cramping from riding the brakes for 20 miles. I was actually kind of excited to be riding in the rain though. We had 4 great days of riding weather and it was nice to experience the rain. I could have done without the cold. It was absolutely freezing being soaking wet and cruising downhill on a bike. We weren't really having to work very hard so our bodies weren't generating any heat which just compounded the effect. We arrived at the hotel in Kona and had a little celebration that included pool towels. As much as I enjoyed the experience of riding in the rain I equally enjoyed a piping hot shower and dry clothes. That night we were supposed to go to a luau but with the weather they cancelled it and we went to a local bar/restaurant called <a href="http://www.jackiereys.com/">Jackie Rey's</a>. <br />
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Outside the restaurant is this sweet Mercedes ??? custom station wagon thing. <br />
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After the restaurant we went out. When we were riding everyone was in bed pretty early. You were tired from the day of riding and then had to get up early to do it again so there wasn't a lot of partying out on the ride. This was our chance to celebrate and blow off some steam. On our way to the next place I stopped at an ABC store to purchase a new Hawaiian shirt for the nights festivities. I was ready to roll now!<br />
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So we went from Jackie Rey's to a bar called <a href="http://www.humpys.com/kona/">Humpy's</a>. <br />
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The Mai Tai's not only tasted great, they look awesome too!<br />
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After a few drinks I thought we should all go sing karaoke so I found a local joint that had it. When I say local, I mean townie bar. It was awesome! I'm pretty sure our hotel rooms were bigger than this bar. It was filled with bikers and people with lots of "character". We closed the joint down and then piled into a cab like we were trying to break a Guinness World Record for most number of people in a midsize sedan. I sat in front with someone on my lap. <br />
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Here's some of the girls showing off their flowers. You wear it on your right side if you're single and on your left side if you are taken. <br />
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At first glance this photo is just another drinking pic. Upon further examination you will find it's a fairly accurate snapshot of the character of the bar and it's patrons. I love the lady to my right with the reindeer antlers on!<br />
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This is Beth dancing on a chair.<br />
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All in all it was a great end to a great bike ride!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-23731770850097496982011-01-22T14:19:00.000-06:002011-01-22T14:19:29.012-06:00Hawaii Trip Day 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPChjgpw5mqvuT3CTre7QvknbmZpVhFWMtiELfOVHxjw1WrBlDSV2PFc1EJIgV64wURB1sxEP2pbCqWF2ZD_UFmSGbqlrTYNnERIXaW3IocWYcA3fE-qFi-6Vq1spLpejXVfD4p9zfF95s/s1600/Day+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPChjgpw5mqvuT3CTre7QvknbmZpVhFWMtiELfOVHxjw1WrBlDSV2PFc1EJIgV64wURB1sxEP2pbCqWF2ZD_UFmSGbqlrTYNnERIXaW3IocWYcA3fE-qFi-6Vq1spLpejXVfD4p9zfF95s/s320/Day+4.png" /></a></div><br />
Day 4 - Thursday December 9th<br />
Miles - 57.7<br />
Climb - 2523<br />
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Today started out a little cool. It was a beautiful morning though. Once on the main road we ran into an elevation sign and had to stop for a pic.<br />
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That was the top of the hill and for the next 28 or so miles it was all downhill. Nick promised us that the uphill at the end of the ride today wasn't too bad. So we had a nice little pace line going downhill to lunch. We rotated riders about every 3 miles or so. I had started out towards the back and by the time I got up to the front to pull, it was only 9 miles to our next stop at a little coffee place. I was feeling really good so I decided I was going to pull us all the way to that stop. It was one of those rides where everything just clicks. My legs felt fresh, my mind was clear and all I wanted to do was get into a low hear and just crank! And that's exactly what I did. Upon arrival at the coffee place a couple people mentioned that they had to break going uphill. I'm not a big guy but I'm big for a biker and apparently I create a nice little wind block. It was a great ride.<br />
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Here's us at the self serve coffee & macadamia nut sampling. <br />
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These are coffee cherries.<br />
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And this is inside the couples home that owns the <a href="http://kaucoffee.com/">Kau Coffee</a> plantation there. She was bagging up fresh beans for us to take home. It was a lovely little place with a phenomenal view of the ocean. And she was a very interesting lady. Definitely drank a TON of coffee! She sells it online and will ship to the US also if you are interested. It was delicious!<br />
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After our stop at the coffee place it was on to our lunch stop. It was only another 6 or so miles. We were headed to a black sand beach for lunch. When we arrived it was absolutely breathtaking. This was the first time I'd ever seen black sand. It was awesome!<br />
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After lunch we started our climb that Nick had said was no big deal. Maybe one long hill. Well the one long hill was in fact an 11 mile long, category 2 climb (there are only 2 levels above it). It seemed to be the never ending climb! But we all made it through and arrived in one piece at our bed and breakfast for the evening. <br />
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The B&B was pretty cool. There was plenty of space and some really cool open areas. This whole patio area was covered and screened in.<br />
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Later that day we ventured out to South Point, the southern most point in the United States. We also attempted to find a green sand beach but it was too far of a walk to make before dark. Darrell and Chris and I just threw rocks into the ocean for an hour while the rest of the group tried to make it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TTs7R45oZhI/AAAAAAAAAjo/mWMOlySDJl8/s1600/IMG_7085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TTs7R45oZhI/AAAAAAAAAjo/mWMOlySDJl8/s320/IMG_7085.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is South Point. If we had made it there before dark you could actually cliff jump off of these 40'+ cliffs. There was an old rusty ladder that you would climb up from the water and it just looked like to much fun for me to pass up climbing down it. I discovered a cool cave at the bottom, and that it was a little nerve racking being on an old rickety ladder above the water.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-61914026687651740232011-01-22T12:07:00.000-06:002011-01-22T12:07:09.439-06:00Thanks For A Great 2010!!I've got a ton of stuff to post but for my first post of 2011 I wanted to just take a minute to say how grateful I am to everyone in my life. 2010 was a phenomenal year and it was all about great stories and great friends. I was able to do a lot of travel from weekend trips to Vegas to a bike ride around the Big Island of Hawaii and everything in between. I've seen more parts of the U.S. in 2010 than any other year in my life. <br />
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A lot of people come up to me and say things like "Oh, that's so awesome! I wish I could do that." or "You're so lucky, how do you do it?" Well, the short answer is I just did it. I took a page from all the sales training and self-help books I've read and just made a decision. I decided that I wasn't going to sit around and let life pass me by. Every opportunity that has presented itself I've made my best effort to say yes to. I've discovered that unless you make it a point to get out of your comfort zone and go do something you probably won't ever. I don't want to wake up when I'm 40, or 50, or 80 and say "What the hell happened? I haven't done anything!" <br />
<br />
And so will go 2011. I'm off to a great start with a trip to Kenya & Tanzania. I'm planning on visiting my niece in Seoul, South Korea hopefully in May. Then off to Germany in September for a little Oktoberfest action and the Berlin marathon. <br />
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I'm excited to have you all as friends, acquaintances, colleagues & family. I hope that I can continue to entertain you with great stories and adventures and I invite you to make a leap and create some adventures of your own!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-75331486351329449572010-12-20T23:44:00.014-06:002010-12-21T00:20:07.473-06:00Hawaii Trip Day 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEzKg4cUJPQz4m2-RI5jrMCeIVqQ5gKtxU4LPZPre-eLwNOE3aocdYNSHCGKHRiE6DBRh8I74MDxfA_JTfsDD7KgHlelhWDNgLwmrCL6d_g0MgpaZMI-OG8eeuFJjABde0UQDnXUpe_QW/s1600/Picture+5.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEzKg4cUJPQz4m2-RI5jrMCeIVqQ5gKtxU4LPZPre-eLwNOE3aocdYNSHCGKHRiE6DBRh8I74MDxfA_JTfsDD7KgHlelhWDNgLwmrCL6d_g0MgpaZMI-OG8eeuFJjABde0UQDnXUpe_QW/s320/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553007794083831410" /></a><br /><br />Another Drunk disclaimer.... I'm up to like 7 or 8 drinks now and still writing. I can't be held 100% liable for my thought process now... : ) Sorry... Okay random side note: It's 11:48 on Monday December 20th. The Vikings just got the crap kicked out of them at TCF Bank Stadium by the Bears and I'm pretty sure I just saw some fireworks going off downtown Minneapolis. Not even kidding!<br /><br />Day 3 - Wednesday December 8th<br />Miles - 31.66<br />Climb - 4170<br /><br />Today we were prepared for a climb. It's a short day miles wise but after an easy 10 mile ride out of Hilo the road turns uphill and doesn't stop for 20+ unforgiving miles. In fact, now that I look at the map it looks like it turns uphill around mile 7.5. I just want to put my head down and ride. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE_0Xf5DjCPGxwUEMPauzq6kAWU37QEajWMg1nLzLzOoP55xMOdv-k5JvRvivkti_TP7FGYqFeBelW-GwDciYM-_Vmnf-H8IJsiQN5c7E6_f0hYwt0JyY-6WOctchmeKoU-DLRTPS-_s1/s1600/100_1288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE_0Xf5DjCPGxwUEMPauzq6kAWU37QEajWMg1nLzLzOoP55xMOdv-k5JvRvivkti_TP7FGYqFeBelW-GwDciYM-_Vmnf-H8IJsiQN5c7E6_f0hYwt0JyY-6WOctchmeKoU-DLRTPS-_s1/s320/100_1288.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553009832302345250" /></a><br />Here's the only picture I have of the morning. It's the view from my room in Hilo. Not too shabby eh?!<br /><br />So today was a total hill climb and a lot of people were psyching themselves out before the ride even began. I knew I could do it and I knew I could do it fast so I jumped out in front of the pack with Jeff who is clearly the strongest rider of the pack and we just hammered that hill. We had a nice little chat over the next three hours and just ground it out. We only stopped to refill our waters twice and other than that we just rode. Mile after grueling mile. To be honest it wasn't actually that bad. Jeff and I made it up the 4000+ ft climb in under 3 hours and we felt awesome! It really helps to have someone to ride with and to talk to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBCKqQqciI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_eKGRZx76yk/s1600/IMG_6871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBCKqQqciI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_eKGRZx76yk/s320/IMG_6871.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553011091458126370" /></a><br />This is what we arrived to. A beautiful home out in the country in Volcano, HI<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBCYXgkEtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/STMY7784x1o/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBCYXgkEtI/AAAAAAAAAgk/STMY7784x1o/s320/IMG_6879.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553011326942712530" /></a><br />They had a really nice lemon tree out in the front yard! Yum! Fresh lemons!<br /><br />Jeff and I were the first ones to arrive so we had the luxury of sitting around and exploring the place before everyone else showed up. We also had first dibbs on the beer in the fridge! : ) Yeah baby! I cracked open a couple of Longboards and celebrated my speedy mountain climb! After everyone arrived we had some lunch and then headed out for Volcano National Park. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBDEa21zpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/9dJknsPLj7w/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBDEa21zpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/9dJknsPLj7w/s320/IMG_6886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553012083755699858" /></a><br />This is one of the lava tubes that we were able to explore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBDQEDSIXI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fKLl9qnBh4o/s1600/IMG_6889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBDQEDSIXI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fKLl9qnBh4o/s320/IMG_6889.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553012283792302450" /></a><br />Then we went down a totally unlit lava tube. We didn't have a light, only our cell phones and camera flashes. It was erie and totally awesome! This is one of the shots from the end of the tunnel.<br /><br />Then we decided to move on to the crater rim trail. The trail was a little more than a .5 mile hike but was supposed to have some really cool views. We all headed out to see what we could find. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcq8tdzEjZS2Xdg3Neo2R1sze3zTp4S0Sz0F4E8GHHOQW-OFKMgBBDbQPdIzfRGz2Hv_O1oQy6RxRdONwAnxYVRRNASRjO6XZv-9F9J2NBdDT0njb7bSyQu9-JlQv_2g9vQfaF-ZndoPT/s1600/IMG_6903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcq8tdzEjZS2Xdg3Neo2R1sze3zTp4S0Sz0F4E8GHHOQW-OFKMgBBDbQPdIzfRGz2Hv_O1oQy6RxRdONwAnxYVRRNASRjO6XZv-9F9J2NBdDT0njb7bSyQu9-JlQv_2g9vQfaF-ZndoPT/s320/IMG_6903.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553012686249666626" /></a><br />This is the crater. Pretty amazing when you think about it. This is all active volcano. It hasn't erupted for a long time but it's still steaming from the heat below.<br /><br />Then... you're never gonna believe this... I was walking along the trail and who do I run into? My cross country coach from Augsburg! Dennis Barker! Are you f'in kidding me?! I mean I knew he was coming to Hawaii but he wasn't supposed to be on this island. They decided to take a day trip over to the big island and I ran into him! I mean what are the odds that we run into each other? This island, this park, this trail at the same freakin' time? It's astronomical! Anyway, it was pretty cool! Oh, and he almost didn't recognize me with the big ass 'fro! : )<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr9oiBlRt3A4dODD_DV7JjwBwK5IF9hMwgDxaV3gnV-wkths3ltI9tUmSqH9le1iixYeS2GnswEgpKcUBnRJSI-b42nTU_UpFc9Qs2ytovbqtlYOsYPltDKCvJle9elxVdx9sAnt53gfx/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr9oiBlRt3A4dODD_DV7JjwBwK5IF9hMwgDxaV3gnV-wkths3ltI9tUmSqH9le1iixYeS2GnswEgpKcUBnRJSI-b42nTU_UpFc9Qs2ytovbqtlYOsYPltDKCvJle9elxVdx9sAnt53gfx/s320/IMG_6909.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553013297536516770" /></a><br />Me and Dennis Barker. And yes, that is my real hair! <br /><br />Then it was on to see a different view of the crater. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBFR7TKUbI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/MSDO0X3eF_A/s1600/IMG_6922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBFR7TKUbI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/MSDO0X3eF_A/s320/IMG_6922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553014514825974194" /></a><br />I kind of like the lei's in the foreground. I'm not sure what they are for but it adds a nice shot of life to an otherwise desolate landscape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lHe0AdvUOx5wpEFB7tH_Zim8VUf0W1kuPibpNBl_H-dSbzCw30WsMtg1RiPyykBLSxw88ji6saVw9s9GDa05suWMrsfAl35PaoobCY6eta_4ygwk8ZFG1E3Mhejoaok7ZcKCc8J9CX2e/s1600/IMG_6943_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lHe0AdvUOx5wpEFB7tH_Zim8VUf0W1kuPibpNBl_H-dSbzCw30WsMtg1RiPyykBLSxw88ji6saVw9s9GDa05suWMrsfAl35PaoobCY6eta_4ygwk8ZFG1E3Mhejoaok7ZcKCc8J9CX2e/s320/IMG_6943_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553014928513272610" /></a><br />Ooops.. Excuse me! : )<br /><br />When we got back to the house it was time for dinner. Darrell decided he wanted a fire so we built them up in both of the fireplaces in the house and got them going. Due to the high humidity neither of them really wanted to burn despite our best efforts. We made the best of it though. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBF5nfu0pI/AAAAAAAAAhg/zobAS3g9Ljo/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRBF5nfu0pI/AAAAAAAAAhg/zobAS3g9Ljo/s320/IMG_6951.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553015196704756370" /></a><br />We got them going for a little bit but they didn't last.<br /><br />I really liked this style of housing. All of us were together and we had a great meal and great conversation. It felt like we were able to hang out and connect and it wasn't a chore. I really enjoyed this night and all the great chats I had with everyone. It was the first night I really felt the group gelling together. We were no longer 22 different people riding together, we were a team, a family, riding for a common cause. It was something awesome!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-54410292306539915822010-12-20T21:24:00.025-06:002010-12-20T22:39:59.225-06:00Hawaii Trip Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8ft1kI58o57Y04eIl5oYeELwA-RXUDSO-dACgO8FTdKhcxMXV72NAxDzkkEeC2R9iXx_xI3QYCFcxl6_V9o2un1QJh1FRUDBu5PmFH9VcWQ3uJ4OyqvPrAPGnKvzjHAKUacOytb6am9O/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8ft1kI58o57Y04eIl5oYeELwA-RXUDSO-dACgO8FTdKhcxMXV72NAxDzkkEeC2R9iXx_xI3QYCFcxl6_V9o2un1QJh1FRUDBu5PmFH9VcWQ3uJ4OyqvPrAPGnKvzjHAKUacOytb6am9O/s320/Picture+3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552973939705635954" /></a><br /><br />Drunk disclaimer... I've had more than 5 cocktails prior to writing this post. Please forgive any spelling and punctuation errors. : )<br /><br />Day 2 - Tuesday December 7th<br />Miles - 63.07<br />Climb - 1759<br /><br />Today we started out in Waimea. It was a beautiful morning and we had a wonderful breakfast prepared by our master chef, Meg. After downing some fresh pineapple, oatmeal, yogurt and hard boiled eggs I was ready for our 60+ mile day. The great thing about a sick climb the day before is that we get to go downhill the day after!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKw0Def_9Wiez-9G4e-wcEQQpVzcPk8bwFRVto8tP6OKGNd53fas2wbQwc1WmhdUhf4QiFr7t1waKq9H1Ig5XHadKOmGF0Aw1EObQNwjZdY2fE29IDpdkkg2pdzEC0fEhvhxk4lK7w7XY/s1600/100_1162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKw0Def_9Wiez-9G4e-wcEQQpVzcPk8bwFRVto8tP6OKGNd53fas2wbQwc1WmhdUhf4QiFr7t1waKq9H1Ig5XHadKOmGF0Aw1EObQNwjZdY2fE29IDpdkkg2pdzEC0fEhvhxk4lK7w7XY/s320/100_1162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552973679864069810" /></a><br />This is outside our motel at surise<br /><br />So we head out from our motel at like 8:00am. It's a little chilly, maybe 60º, but not too bad. Nick said the first few miles are downhill so it's going to be kind of fun and not a ton of work. Holy crap was he underselling!!!! We got out of our parking lot and it was all downhill! The countryside was beautiful! We saw pigs, cows, chickens, trees, fields... you name it. It felt like I was in the middle of rural Minnesota, save for the fact that the landscape was punctuated by palm trees and other tropical vegetation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFs2fdz0zus2dgSeMVV3PHo3BkoyvKOnDmkWwaeXzPYya27VQrGqoMyhaJtubIGIUo7l36T2cA3Dt1IidJmRT4WyH0n6pWoMRr3CBeFCjI6iPqvj-I_13hZIcSMhwIa7iwEDur1bcfcBX/s1600/100_1168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFs2fdz0zus2dgSeMVV3PHo3BkoyvKOnDmkWwaeXzPYya27VQrGqoMyhaJtubIGIUo7l36T2cA3Dt1IidJmRT4WyH0n6pWoMRr3CBeFCjI6iPqvj-I_13hZIcSMhwIa7iwEDur1bcfcBX/s320/100_1168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552975327378083634" /></a><br />After a couple miles we ran into a road block. They were doing some work on the highway.<br /><br />After that though it was all downhill! Seriously! I've never had so much fun on a bike in my life! We came flying out of the mountains down Highway 19 at speeds I never dreamed I could hit! We had a pace line of like 10 people going down this hill and we were flying! I was holding on for dear life, praying that I didn't blow a tire because I knew that would be the end of me if I did. It was exhilarating! I saw some of the most beautiful scenery but was too afraid to let go of the handlebars to take photos. I was just hanging on for dear life and enjoying the ride! 19 miles later we stopped at the SAG wagon for a break. We had covered over 22 miles in just about 45 minutes. Our average speed was 25 mph and our top speed was 39 mph and I think a small group of us may have even hit 42 or 43 mph. It was freakin' amazing!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO_MEXbwQoPqeaj4O6wwetEw5TnhIBFNhHywX1T7KJCRoP1lfOVdkoPTKg2_fUOhobDgEFlycBtEH8CTnnikAR-539LhA5XgM8yXkr9KFDs8pMGCPfcdSwJl_3LQtNhSy-IVJau6ihqyu/s1600/100_1171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO_MEXbwQoPqeaj4O6wwetEw5TnhIBFNhHywX1T7KJCRoP1lfOVdkoPTKg2_fUOhobDgEFlycBtEH8CTnnikAR-539LhA5XgM8yXkr9KFDs8pMGCPfcdSwJl_3LQtNhSy-IVJau6ihqyu/s320/100_1171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552977098312116146" /></a><br />Here's us at the rest stop!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVhA4wKMkuDH65i8m4vkzBhewepU2TH31CuXZ0HRKhy6cBJJ2Pg5ugq1O0pOUXP2Qyy16CiwR44I96zSMIyizKQloAi2G821rewprT7_ple6pOYJJuyCDCTbdAI48gRlRcoTezBR_k6vj/s1600/100_1173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVhA4wKMkuDH65i8m4vkzBhewepU2TH31CuXZ0HRKhy6cBJJ2Pg5ugq1O0pOUXP2Qyy16CiwR44I96zSMIyizKQloAi2G821rewprT7_ple6pOYJJuyCDCTbdAI48gRlRcoTezBR_k6vj/s320/100_1173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552977277526077970" /></a><br />This is Darrold, a guy that is more man than I can ever hope to be! He's rode coast to coast in the U.S. TWICE!! And he kept up with us down that hill. Oh, did I mention he's got a heart condition... yeah, he's fuckin' bad ass!! No Joke!<br /><br />After our rest we continued on down the road. We were still going downhill which was a ton of fun. Then we passed through a small town that had a cookie shop and we had to stop to check it out. Not only did they have a cookie shop but they also had some sweet old buildings. I was really excited to see this kind of stuff because this is the side of Hawaii that normal tourists don't get to see. This is the side of Hawaii that I was interested in. Where the real people of Hawaii live and work. Not the Waikiki B.S. but the every day, I make a living selling cookies to tourists kind of stuff! Jackpot!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAkyqpsTDI/AAAAAAAAAds/oOtyfpWtT5c/s1600/100_1184.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAkyqpsTDI/AAAAAAAAAds/oOtyfpWtT5c/s320/100_1184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552978793409039410" /></a><br />Donna's Cookies... I found out later that she's kind of a big deal. I'm just happy I saw her operation before I saw the cookies in a store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpUxcf4ebn6P9LARDN6IUfyYSlcnovjuiYttoWnZnDE2ZEDW3fzWi4FZ-BCngC10S_fElGrPaqJLo1mFL8Zb2iYTJy33C2Ne-v5bCqFhrwoCix6mtXLYGWZG1xea7j25hG05Zj21PKVhb/s1600/100_1180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpUxcf4ebn6P9LARDN6IUfyYSlcnovjuiYttoWnZnDE2ZEDW3fzWi4FZ-BCngC10S_fElGrPaqJLo1mFL8Zb2iYTJy33C2Ne-v5bCqFhrwoCix6mtXLYGWZG1xea7j25hG05Zj21PKVhb/s320/100_1180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552979118036681810" /></a><br />Look at this place! Isn't it freakin' cool! Not the touristy B.S. you see in the brochures...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKVLk8-s5l1AXkvd4By14NkHKW74Z3FedjYGk2gE43nVRpAY6oy0kCYYVC_JCGr6QDwXtTViUwg-xL2BsFQMzA5HV4ZvQ3J_OZzl2l0qhSRdBpMB3lengK6LEHTg5erLa1X6C7xjrIAZx/s1600/100_1183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKVLk8-s5l1AXkvd4By14NkHKW74Z3FedjYGk2gE43nVRpAY6oy0kCYYVC_JCGr6QDwXtTViUwg-xL2BsFQMzA5HV4ZvQ3J_OZzl2l0qhSRdBpMB3lengK6LEHTg5erLa1X6C7xjrIAZx/s320/100_1183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552979369448023346" /></a><br />Here's me on the bridge over this little town. I love this place! It reminds me of Taylors Falls... only warmer!<br /><br />After our stop for cookies we carried on. It was nice riding with a group of people that were interested in stopping to smell the roses so to speak. We weren't necessarily in a hurry we just wanted to take in all the sights and sounds and smells of the Hawaiian Islands. A few miles from our lunch stop we came across a little farm on the side of the road. There were cows and bulls and trees all with a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean! Amazing! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAmLX7gcpI/AAAAAAAAAeE/0BsDjz3DmSU/s1600/100_1193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAmLX7gcpI/AAAAAAAAAeE/0BsDjz3DmSU/s320/100_1193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552980317391843986" /></a><br />Here's me with some cows!<br /><br />Not more than a mile after the cows we came across a Christmas Tree Farm! Crazy! They have the most beautiful Christmas trees you've ever seen! I totally wish I could have brought one home for my place! And it's super trippy to see a Christmas tree farm with a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean! It was so surreal!<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsOeGwx2a8GwgEa9qUxZslhEpSp6jjj0wQKShd21npJey8BV-X2qQOt75PeLb1gMi27Bb2KRkRwaOYL2cC0HoZZiybyw4uKtVWq8eKkyCfrW2zHCXx49-XgEn-Ldk1rWOhfS32U9D-bFv/s1600/100_1194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsOeGwx2a8GwgEa9qUxZslhEpSp6jjj0wQKShd21npJey8BV-X2qQOt75PeLb1gMi27Bb2KRkRwaOYL2cC0HoZZiybyw4uKtVWq8eKkyCfrW2zHCXx49-XgEn-Ldk1rWOhfS32U9D-bFv/s320/100_1194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552980874304282354" /></a><br />Christmas Tree Farm!<br /><br />After that it was on to lunch. Lunch on day 1 was amazing so I was expecting something similar but what I got was... <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNeBMK-QIg0nt8cBxCM6pl2IRvd8AvoY4pwb24IRLi0waD0lgCWqTfOcd8603Xl9x0EZx6naVq4TLFTWRvHarKYG4OITX34oZj5PsxYlzuOLbTwD1ABwJxI-nR9hIzH1FXw6ChvH9H056/s1600/100_1199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNeBMK-QIg0nt8cBxCM6pl2IRvd8AvoY4pwb24IRLi0waD0lgCWqTfOcd8603Xl9x0EZx6naVq4TLFTWRvHarKYG4OITX34oZj5PsxYlzuOLbTwD1ABwJxI-nR9hIzH1FXw6ChvH9H056/s320/100_1199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552981578152431490" /></a><br />Unbelievable!!!<br /><br />I was speechless! The view from the road that led down to lunch was absolutely breathtaking! There are no words to describe it. It was simply amazing! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7pXAa1i6doi0cB2ULzbarsMNKa04eIgP9bYQx99TElRE2S5x3iThQyctx56fCy2WgQQzOwfXdNYlfy9uAvtEVOAguO96nmToDJ2Op8aRXzuhK1zrqzf7LdFjERoQ6Pkt3gPmBvYYq6aG/s1600/IMG_6828.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7pXAa1i6doi0cB2ULzbarsMNKa04eIgP9bYQx99TElRE2S5x3iThQyctx56fCy2WgQQzOwfXdNYlfy9uAvtEVOAguO96nmToDJ2Op8aRXzuhK1zrqzf7LdFjERoQ6Pkt3gPmBvYYq6aG/s320/IMG_6828.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552989466089088322" /></a><br />Another view from lunch.<br /><br />After lunch we continued on our path to Hilo. I was riding with the front group of Paul, Shelly, Jeff & Myself. We were clipping along at a really good pace when I had to pull off to take a pic of this. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAoNYgGELI/AAAAAAAAAec/wjmHXfYMRHA/s1600/100_1204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAoNYgGELI/AAAAAAAAAec/wjmHXfYMRHA/s320/100_1204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552982550928298162" /></a><br />It's a tiny little post office in the middle of nowhere Hawaii. My dad is a mailman and I thought he would like it so I got a shot.<br /><br />Now I needed to catch up with the group that was well in front of me. We had been clipping along at 20-22 mph and I stopped for at least 3 minutes which means that I was about 1+ miles behind them. I would need to ride ridiculously fast to catch them... thank god I'm ridiculously fast! : )<br /><br />So about 5 miles later I had them in my sights... I knew I would be catching them within a couple minutes. But then I crossed a bridge, and the view from that bridge was one of the most beautiful things I'd seen since arriving in Hawaii! Well I guess I'll need to ride a little faster, because I have to stop for a photo. After a couple shots I continued on. A few miles later I finally caught up with them as they had stopped on a bridge to take some photos. It was amazing how many scenic overlooks there were on this road... literally every bridge was another photo op. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAqBvDTyQI/AAAAAAAAAeo/jAsuf1ueCXQ/s1600/100_1216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAqBvDTyQI/AAAAAAAAAeo/jAsuf1ueCXQ/s320/100_1216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552984549846403330" /></a><br />Here's one of the bridge stops...<br /><br />We pressed on and not long after that stop Paul got a flat. It was the first flat of the day in our group of people. Luckily we had a pump and 4 experienced riders that could change a flat. Since they knew what they were doing, I decided to be a clown and fan down Paul as he was changing his tire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlFh8kw8KASnhvcuVV6G5YfgvCWh02bNU_XEpSlew7_WZ5CLC0a9mSsq2JISoFRQ4Gv2mEWFMJrixWPpPzwqu7tCqVvcNDGmqibYcPmg7S5sxd_Y0B4jRI41SmwGRtSr6f0I2HL373i3R/s1600/100_1219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlFh8kw8KASnhvcuVV6G5YfgvCWh02bNU_XEpSlew7_WZ5CLC0a9mSsq2JISoFRQ4Gv2mEWFMJrixWPpPzwqu7tCqVvcNDGmqibYcPmg7S5sxd_Y0B4jRI41SmwGRtSr6f0I2HL373i3R/s320/100_1219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552985215964828242" /></a><br />I thought it was pretty funny!<br /><br />After the flat Shelly, Jeff and myself kind of dropped the others. We rode on and decided to take the scenic route. We thought more people would follow but they didn't...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAsDj9AkAI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mCqaKncKB_w/s1600/100_1229.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAsDj9AkAI/AAAAAAAAAe8/mCqaKncKB_w/s320/100_1229.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552986780250181634" /></a><br />This was in the shop at the Botanical Gardens. We almost pissed ourselves laughing at the "Very Old" part! Seriously? If you're going to display something in a museum at least have a freakin' date to go with it!<br /><br />Then we decided to go on the Botanical Gardens tour. It was $15 each and thankfully Shelly was nice enough to spot me the $15 because I didn't have any money with me on my bike... Thanks Shelly!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbH75741uMAAVm50Hd6Ntbrgn4wbNW4JN9asFDhM6cZfnpLs7niP28xhp_lwMAZbfZyRT_KHgHuYxIJWPY8RPYj2WdZsExP2L8L9NpL5pHLuqH9DhsRDzyh6qbp1SuKj6deldhVzpKLEl/s1600/100_1244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbH75741uMAAVm50Hd6Ntbrgn4wbNW4JN9asFDhM6cZfnpLs7niP28xhp_lwMAZbfZyRT_KHgHuYxIJWPY8RPYj2WdZsExP2L8L9NpL5pHLuqH9DhsRDzyh6qbp1SuKj6deldhVzpKLEl/s320/100_1244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552987443982991922" /></a><br />Not sure why but this is one of my favorite pics!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKK2nFRC4Fw6zQdggUq70bVBnsUPr8dC6m06Dt6UK4_cOraNFiUvd4PS_8kC1ke-KamC5GohSp_qo8KZ7iHa5nArxZGdGN-vVY5vw37Flb_m3LkEqYwpvcyI7vbC-I-fujYS3r12AMinO/s1600/100_1265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKK2nFRC4Fw6zQdggUq70bVBnsUPr8dC6m06Dt6UK4_cOraNFiUvd4PS_8kC1ke-KamC5GohSp_qo8KZ7iHa5nArxZGdGN-vVY5vw37Flb_m3LkEqYwpvcyI7vbC-I-fujYS3r12AMinO/s320/100_1265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552987650640429298" /></a><br />We all had a nice giggle about this one! It's called a Screw Pine! Hehehehehe!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtikffTYtTjiNTSsa6mh4B0NscTZ0iXdh_pxWAp6Bdo02JeGCE09IxryCk_smOphZlqRP4za2P4SRLPbJwhJ54Jaehl9oRe2E3j-ZP9XOrzJtB38x46DoEl9aivPDZNmDorProh3rjR2MG/s1600/100_1270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtikffTYtTjiNTSsa6mh4B0NscTZ0iXdh_pxWAp6Bdo02JeGCE09IxryCk_smOphZlqRP4za2P4SRLPbJwhJ54Jaehl9oRe2E3j-ZP9XOrzJtB38x46DoEl9aivPDZNmDorProh3rjR2MG/s320/100_1270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552987917364840146" /></a><br />This is KU and he gives wisdom, strength and courage in competition! He was definitely with us on our journey around the islands.<br /><br />After our little tour through the Botanical Gardens we headed out and biked into Hilo. We had to make a quick stop at the bike shop and then on to our hotel. It was a really nice ride today and I really enjoyed they company. Once we got to our hotel I showered quick and went on to a little excursion to Akaka Falls! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF14L6tc-hQSNOrXTHlEIJWE2RVfXVMysNC1w9U_l7KRirdbYRSjeeoJCeYmKwRNy7m9JVQTun7fIJfwnpAt2RW-4ml27PTDSlS17D-PCa9e17fffZnLK2E6Zh12u1Hg8_jDC6tLLxhdg4/s1600/IMG_6834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF14L6tc-hQSNOrXTHlEIJWE2RVfXVMysNC1w9U_l7KRirdbYRSjeeoJCeYmKwRNy7m9JVQTun7fIJfwnpAt2RW-4ml27PTDSlS17D-PCa9e17fffZnLK2E6Zh12u1Hg8_jDC6tLLxhdg4/s320/IMG_6834.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552989822890820018" /></a><br />Quintessential road trip paraphernalia <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7eyp5WZfve-v5-PPFkYZUZCFVpgFYQrIXajC_YwWgOcXvr06KgaiPnNE-EqRbSAmJhXeGwXdcfesW4KSzYOZag9kq29uBeAqj7MaQIDFW5Tto8ZGlr8wqcFzG8sY1JzgboOHEo9VTsMq/s1600/IMG_6852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7eyp5WZfve-v5-PPFkYZUZCFVpgFYQrIXajC_YwWgOcXvr06KgaiPnNE-EqRbSAmJhXeGwXdcfesW4KSzYOZag9kq29uBeAqj7MaQIDFW5Tto8ZGlr8wqcFzG8sY1JzgboOHEo9VTsMq/s320/IMG_6852.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990192780902498" /></a><br />Akaka Falls<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAvUw3w4XI/AAAAAAAAAf4/N1tNrg1z0r0/s1600/IMG_6856.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TRAvUw3w4XI/AAAAAAAAAf4/N1tNrg1z0r0/s320/IMG_6856.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552990374310502770" /></a><br />Akaka Falls Group Shot!<br /><br />What a beautiful day! Absolutely blessed to be on this trip!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-14860972586993564132010-12-19T21:35:00.014-06:002010-12-19T22:28:25.052-06:00Hawaii Trip Day 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7PGgUwi6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/oXAp_Mwo4Y4/s1600/Picture%2B4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7PGgUwi6I/AAAAAAAAAbM/oXAp_Mwo4Y4/s320/Picture%2B4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552603101257567138" /></a><br /><br />Day 1 - Monday December 6th<br />Miles - 49.26<br />Climb - 3264<br /><br />Last night when we got in it was already dark so I couldn't really see anything. This morning when I woke up I realized why everyone raves about Hawaii! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Q7N6ofTI/AAAAAAAAAbY/9f_grxmuqS4/s1600/IMG_6784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Q7N6ofTI/AAAAAAAAAbY/9f_grxmuqS4/s320/IMG_6784.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552605106360843570" /></a><br />I mean look at this view! <br /><br />So Day 1 of our trip begins in Kailua, Kona and takes us all the way up to Waimea. As we were getting instructions for the ride I got a phone call from home and excused myself from the crowd. I was looking out at the ocean while talking and saw a Humpback Whale jump out of the water!! It was freakin' amazing! Right after that we loaded up our gear into the vans and set off on our ride. I had low tire pressure so I was the last one to leave and not more than a couple miles in I passed our first person with a flat, Shelly. No biggie, it happens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7VhlHMjyI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hQptBf50Jf4/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7VhlHMjyI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hQptBf50Jf4/s320/IMG_6789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552610163469094690" /></a><br />Our first stop was to take a group shot at the start of the Ironman swim course. <br /><br />After that it was smooth sailing on to lunch. A straight shot down highway 19, also part of the Ironman course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7XGIhJDrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/SSXqNV_Wn9U/s1600/100_1124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7XGIhJDrI/AAAAAAAAAbw/SSXqNV_Wn9U/s320/100_1124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552611890960076466" /></a><br />About 12 miles later Shelly got her second flat. Kind of crappy but it happens... Then after changing that one she got her third about 300 yards later. Not so fun : (<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Xf6ptOPI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kPeT_QJ9_uU/s1600/100_1127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Xf6ptOPI/AAAAAAAAAb4/kPeT_QJ9_uU/s320/100_1127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552612333914503410" /></a><br />This one was funny. I didn't expect to see a donkey crossing sign. I guess some people saw a goat around this sign too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRTA0bodqNBoXwikIb0IlaxD8P2IrB-L4PoYx228sL4WOB3AwMxDWS_HuafUj19VbMWpbUe4-cRzYjOfAlxhMMhTJNNp7K_ptjx7SyZl3fasBZEG3LQSlfl3k06chzTm1gFggxcT-RWbF/s1600/100_1130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRTA0bodqNBoXwikIb0IlaxD8P2IrB-L4PoYx228sL4WOB3AwMxDWS_HuafUj19VbMWpbUe4-cRzYjOfAlxhMMhTJNNp7K_ptjx7SyZl3fasBZEG3LQSlfl3k06chzTm1gFggxcT-RWbF/s320/100_1130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552612648581192850" /></a><br />I managed to get a few shots from the bike. There's a big lava field between that road and the ocean and that's about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YFYBgFmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/1QCt7p8Cm3o/s1600/100_1134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YFYBgFmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/1QCt7p8Cm3o/s320/100_1134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552612977454093922" /></a><br />Here's a nice little pace line we had going. Check out those sweet jerseys we had too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YTUMWxLI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/5HntL_1h1I8/s1600/100_1139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YTUMWxLI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/5HntL_1h1I8/s320/100_1139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552613216944047282" /></a><br />I was amazed by all of the beautiful flowers that were growing on the side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Ylg9lZqI/AAAAAAAAAcY/2nBI0gT95Bw/s1600/100_1140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7Ylg9lZqI/AAAAAAAAAcY/2nBI0gT95Bw/s320/100_1140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552613529609397922" /></a><br />Here's some more<br /><br />Around 11ish we arrived at our lunch destination. We were stopping at Hapuna Beach. It was absolutely breathtaking. The kind of scene you envision when you think of Hawaii. Beautiful sand, palm trees, turquoise water and lots of tan people enjoying themselves. It was amazing and I had to go for a swim! After a delicious lunch prepared by Meg, our very talented chef for the trip, I decided to go cliff jumping. It wasn't much of a cliff but it was still fun to jump into the water. I think it might have been 10 feet high or so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YwN9kauI/AAAAAAAAAcg/44sg8rDbx_Q/s1600/100_1145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 85px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7YwN9kauI/AAAAAAAAAcg/44sg8rDbx_Q/s320/100_1145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552613713487620834" /></a><br />Here's a panoramic of the beach. Pretty amazing isn't it.<br /><br />After lunch we had to hit the road again. We had 12 miles left to ride and 10 of it was straight uphill. Fun stuff I know! It was hot and there wasn't much shade up that hill so it made it even more difficult but most of us got through it okay. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7aLj3g02I/AAAAAAAAAcs/bqY7UKx-WSU/s1600/100_1154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7aLj3g02I/AAAAAAAAAcs/bqY7UKx-WSU/s320/100_1154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552615282735895394" /></a><br />I finally made it! Woo Hoo!<br /><br />We stayed at the Waimea Country Lodge. It wasn't super swanky but it was quaint. We went out for some ice cream and then off to dinner at a Korean B-B-Q place. I thought it was fantastic! After that I tried to stay up and hang out with some people but we were all so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open. I think I went to bed at like 9 or 9:30! I suppose that means it was 1 or 1:30 back in Minnesota but still...Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-68392778149538804962010-12-19T21:00:00.005-06:002010-12-19T21:34:21.892-06:00Hawaii Trip MSP to KOAAfter a year of talking, planning, fundraising and anticipation the day is finally here!! For those of you that don't already know this trip is a destination fundraiser for <a href="http://bolderoptions.org">Bolder Options</a>. Bolder is an activity based youth mentoring program that I've been involved with since early 2007. Every year they do a run trip and a bike trip independent of one another. This year they happen to both be in Hawaii so I decided that I was going to sign up for both of them. The bike trip is up first. 242 miles around Hawaii's Big Island in 5 days. Then off to Oahu to run the <a href="http://honolulumarathon.org/">Honolulu marathon</a>. After that I've scheduled a couple days to just relax and enjoy <a href="http://www.gohawaii.com/">Hawaii</a>. <br /><br />I wake up at 6:30am on Sunday December 5th and look out my window. It's a brisk 5º outside! What a great day to go to Hawaii! So I grab my bags and head off to the airport. Not wanting to carry too much stuff around in Hawaii I only wore a long sleeve shirt and a wind breaker. I decided to cab it the 6 blocks to my train stop. Once on the train it's all inside until I get to the islands. At the airport I met up with Chris & Becky, two other Bolder Options people that will be on the trip. We had a pretty uneventful flight to LA where we stopped to have some drinks. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7L4vzv6NI/AAAAAAAAAag/HfKBVyV4uSQ/s1600/100_1103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7L4vzv6NI/AAAAAAAAAag/HfKBVyV4uSQ/s320/100_1103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552599566361028818" /></a><br />I pay for the Delta Club so I always try to get my moneys worth when I travel. It's nice to bring in some friends once in a while as well.<br /><br />Once we arrived in Kona it was quite a trip. You fly into this lava field right on the ocean. They they tell you they don't use jetways so you'll be going down some stairs and walking across the runway to the airport. As you deplane you notice that the airport is basically just a bunch of huts. There aren't really any walls to speak of. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc8GTXYha55mfsBZ8xAQuGTKg6pPps3MXsb7fnTLB2xUraiTCAuPJD4kbM07ifendz25UTdkdfFqgnuba8To-1OUhTsHAdtn61zwaqDck6cVpDN-2CIIEruHhg5P8dJPSTW3FTst9q7Zu/s1600/IMG_6773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc8GTXYha55mfsBZ8xAQuGTKg6pPps3MXsb7fnTLB2xUraiTCAuPJD4kbM07ifendz25UTdkdfFqgnuba8To-1OUhTsHAdtn61zwaqDck6cVpDN-2CIIEruHhg5P8dJPSTW3FTst9q7Zu/s320/IMG_6773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552600706103487090" /></a><br />Here's a stray cat just chillin' out in the middle of the airport<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7NzdbJ25I/AAAAAAAAAa4/y3qa-Py6zrE/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7NzdbJ25I/AAAAAAAAAa4/y3qa-Py6zrE/s320/IMG_6776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552601674549943186" /></a><br />This is baggage claim<br /><br />We got picked up and headed over to our hotel. We got a drink and some dinner and then had to make sure our bikes were all set up because we were riding in the morning. As far as travel days go this one was pretty good. The flight was nice, I had cabin bulk heads on both legs so plenty of room and Kona was beautiful. Good way to start the trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7OnHbfjvI/AAAAAAAAAbE/2ekGXPbJGKU/s1600/100_1105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TQ7OnHbfjvI/AAAAAAAAAbE/2ekGXPbJGKU/s320/100_1105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552602561998982898" /></a>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-79334966251443577492010-08-02T09:59:00.013-05:002010-08-02T12:32:16.671-05:00Ragbrai 2010<div style="text-align: left;">Let me start with a disclaimer for this post... it contains R rated material and strong language. Proceed at your own risk. Okay, for all my friends who will just laugh at that, here you go.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://ragbrai.com/">Ragbrai</a> is an annual bike ride across Iowa. This year somewhere between 17,000 and 20,000 bikers participated in the ride. I've been hearing about it for years from my friend Chad and how crazy it was yadda yadda yadda. Much like many stories told between friends I assumed about half of it was true. So this year I had the opportunity to join him and the rest of Team Mosquito for a portion of the experience. Team Mosquito has been riding this for 20 years so it was nice to be with some veterans. The ride goes from Sunday through Saturday but I only was able to ride 3 of the days, and to be honest, that was enough for my first time. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFbjzRA7BDI/AAAAAAAAAXI/VOzK2e9fPZU/s320/Mosquito+Bus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500834464759743538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">
<br /></span></div><div>Now there are two ways to experience Ragbrai. There are the serious riders that my team jokingly calls "the jerseys". They get up early (5am) eat their power breakfast, drink gatorade and stay well hydrated through the day and just cruise to the overnight. They might go out for lunch and have a couple of beers with dinner but they're in bed early so they are fresh for the next day's ride. Then there are the people that those people wish they could be.... US! The back of the pack riders. We wake up at 9am and crack a beer, hit the road at 10am and stop at the first bar we can find. Around lunch time we may have made it 10 miles and it's about time for some greasy tacos and some Black Velvet. We might still have 60 miles to go for the day but why hurry? We have until tomorrow morning to make it to the overnight! And if we don't, any ditch will do just fine. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>This is the kind of stuff I heard prior to the trip, and much like yourself I thought 'that's insane'. And it is... but man is it fun! So I've compiled a few pictures to help tell the tale of Ragbrai 2010. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFbh5k7LyJI/AAAAAAAAAW0/PSmmphH7oSE/s320/Phil%27s+Fro.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500832374160345234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">
<br /></span></div><div>When Chad was telling me what to bring he only said don't bring a nice bike, don't dress like a biker (lest I look like a "jersey") and don't bring anything you care about keeping and/or not breaking. I thought the afro was a nice touch. It's actually over the top of my helmet so it's both groovy and safe.</div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZd8nOPmnhXLWtfvakdUdMTfaWwqvVmpr4R5_KB-jDqoxc1L2OAj2MsQukwA-p-QmNIIdZW6cUyIOVmKTLnS2x05nhC6rRzNuUvvVPQJi4tk7XGvTwE8tMi09KEeJWvSW8EvCbtPZecfE/s1600/Team+Bad+Boy.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZd8nOPmnhXLWtfvakdUdMTfaWwqvVmpr4R5_KB-jDqoxc1L2OAj2MsQukwA-p-QmNIIdZW6cUyIOVmKTLnS2x05nhC6rRzNuUvvVPQJi4tk7XGvTwE8tMi09KEeJWvSW8EvCbtPZecfE/s320/Team+Bad+Boy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500834462905849170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a>
<br /></span></span></div><div>This is a picture of one of the other teams "Team Bad Boy". In this picture you have on the left a full bar, complete with blender. On a bike out of frame to the left is a gas generator that will power that blender. In the middle you have a full sized cooler with beer, mixers and steaks for grilling on the FULL SIZED GRILL attached to the bike on the right! These guys literally will grill steaks as they are biking! Then in the foreground you will notice a kitchen sink. In addition to all of this stuff is all of their clothing, tents, sleeping bags etc... they carry it all!!</div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD1HT6KW4IupMfu6tnXRyvGcMF6f8AQZ-hhwT4_laCnkOGNBHVJcFVTvwv4A-mI4eG9GjCr1OqKLyo5QCo69RwAviAV9pL6z6t7700h7M2GSa0dQ8Y39ovjln2G87h4Fy3mcw7TvtvivJ/s320/Slip+n+slide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500834481018314194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">
<br /></span></div><div>Part of the fun of Ragbrai is all of the activities that are planned along the route. For the people that ride the regular schedule there are bands and tents with food and other entertainment. This party was at someone's farm and if you look close you will notice that there a slip 'n slide set up that is about 200' long. There was also a band playing earlier. We came through this town too late to see the band but all these people are "back of the pack" and are hangin' out to party.</div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAlxqqdD2kn_pLOMmZgbfTlpS-_MkjSF9SZT97x0xuSZmuKn4A4uYl1CJtopbNOcwM-GjyWKLjqeG0iiziGfvtm8TAeK9ONRIIx5Uqd4ZooQhn2LuqTrLlEnYbvIuOhuGDNzu5lOdJXTo/s1600/Grotto.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAlxqqdD2kn_pLOMmZgbfTlpS-_MkjSF9SZT97x0xuSZmuKn4A4uYl1CJtopbNOcwM-GjyWKLjqeG0iiziGfvtm8TAeK9ONRIIx5Uqd4ZooQhn2LuqTrLlEnYbvIuOhuGDNzu5lOdJXTo/s320/Grotto.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500834496443111602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a>
<br /></span></span></div><div>Around 7pm we rolled into a town called West Bend, IA. We had a bunch of drinks at a local bar and on our way out of town we stopped to see a landmark that I had never heard of. It's called the <a href="http://www.westbendgrotto.com/">Grotto of the Redemption</a> and it's quite impressive. This photo doesn't do it justice. It is absolutely amazing. It was built by one man over the course of his lifetime and it is made of very small stones that he collected from all over the world. Check out the link. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>After this little stop things got a little wild and I don't have any more photos from the rest of the night. I know there are some floating around because everyone wanted a picture with the crazy dude with the afro but I haven't seen any yet. Maybe check the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=103214673045003">Team Mosquito Facebook</a> group to see if any surface. But here's the gist of it. We made another stop in Whittemore, IA and things got crazy! The party was in full swing and we started drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Team Mosquito controlled the juke box and thus the mood in the bar. It was an epic party! I was dancing (which I don't do often) and fun was had by all. At some point we decided it was time to move along and go to the next party which was at a golf course. There was a live band and karaoke contest. Now for those of you that know me well, you know I can't resist an open mic or a karaoke contest so I jump on stage and rocked some Journey! Apparently everyone loved it and they voted me into the finals. The prize was free beer for your team for a year so I had to bring my A game. I was all over the place, jumpin' around, singin' my heart out, but in the end a dude named Monkey Boy from team Emu beat me out (I got second). I still think it was rigged. The good news is I made quite the first impression with my team and some of the other teams. I have proven myself as a true back of the packer. Anyway, so we are still like 4 - 6 miles from the overnight so we make like a baby and head out. I can't ride in a straight line to save my life and about 3 miles into the ride while going about 20mph I jumped a curb and crashed my bike into a street sign. Luckily I was okay and so was my bike. It looked bad enough for a number of people to stop and see if I was alive though. I wish I had a HD video of that crash. I'm sure it was hilarious to see a guy in biker shorts rolled up to his balls and an afro wig just slam into a street sign at full speed! That would have been a YouTube hit for sure! Again, looking on the bright side... my afro saved my life! When I got back to the bus, I passed out in the street. Apparently many people tried without success to wake me up but eventually I made it on to the bus where I spent the next 8 hours. All in all it was a great first day and I think I popped my Ragbrai cherry in style! 75 miles, probably as many drinks, some great stories and I didn't die! </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Day two was considerably less eventful mostly because I sagged out the first half of the day. I was in tough shape in the morning and decided to ride the bus to the 1/2 way point for the day and meet up with everyone there. I waited around FOREVER and finally caught up with them at the VFW in Garner. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFb0mV6ownI/AAAAAAAAAZA/kF9re03h0Sg/s320/Naas+%26+Phil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500852934434931314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>We hung out there for a long time and finally after dark decided to head the next 20 miles to the overnight in Clear Lake. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmBPUvLeb04SO0DMLzsRnGPz91M6-t50zokjKmV19Z7rC8ACMHzg9r0KdEYoCjfvbXBs7jd5BN75O5DibrYg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div>
<br /></div><div>About 1/2 way we stopped on the side of the road for a second and all of a sudden it was a party! First a few other bikers showed up, then the Team Duct Tape bus which was handing out beer like candy at a parade! Then a bunch more bikers with a super loud stereo! It was awesome! </div><div>
<br /></div><div>We finally moved on and after one more stop along they way, we made it to the overnight where we promptly set up our tents and headed out to another bar. The bar was kind of lame but this was pretty funny.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFbj1jKFEFI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-_1OGDOP0XI/s1600/Writing+on+front.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFbj1jKFEFI/AAAAAAAAAXg/-_1OGDOP0XI/s320/Writing+on+front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500834503989727314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAlxqqdD2kn_pLOMmZgbfTlpS-_MkjSF9SZT97x0xuSZmuKn4A4uYl1CJtopbNOcwM-GjyWKLjqeG0iiziGfvtm8TAeK9ONRIIx5Uqd4ZooQhn2LuqTrLlEnYbvIuOhuGDNzu5lOdJXTo/s1600/Grotto.jpg"></a></div><div>This dude was totally wasted, and passing out at the bar. So Monica decided to do some body art on him. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WnWbliCwHi0bgsC7qM_5FehywZ2uFE50rxggel_aOn9uIsUeUksJ9HVCRvYICRDfqR4HL5dxFzNXRLYPqu2BQ1BbECOehmyf09YRmU1OZL7Dz87YQ6yzxjMFBadXDn_3z6hBnozoKR9m/s320/writing+on+back.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500851058785508178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Then someone else got his back and arm.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Day 3 started out awesome! We woke up and had a beer or two and then biked a whole 2 miles into the town of Clear Lake and stopped for some breakfast. It was the best food I ate on Ragbrai. I had a big omelet and a bunch more drinks! As we were leaving we came across this.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFb2CnnheLI/AAAAAAAAAZM/I2P5DwA7lMo/s320/the+quad+bike.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500854519734565042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>This is a homemade contraption called the quad bike. It's two tandem bikes welded together. There is a full bar in the middle and a bunch of other stuff. The canopy has solar panels on top of it to power their lights and stereo and underneath the canopy is all of their gear like tents and clothes etc... It's pretty awesome. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Our next stop was at the American Legion in some other town. Same-o same-o so I'll just show you the pictures. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFb3qBmCj-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/c_V9gQuthYg/s320/budweiser+bus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500856296234192866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>This team is sponsored by Budweiser. They have an awesome bus! </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-xDGJGZMHeOqzYIe5Qtwi7-DT68bSg7IF4dbYNR-enxple6Cawy1P1rIC2kFhgAl08U4j5j_6shp3T_S1sDndP-0KGUfz5DvOudupKmn5L6qCpxF9Qyk4bYSoBYBUqu4ZSPA3wxpXS29/s320/free+rides.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500856308286922754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Kyle is talking to this dude that has a handlebar mustache and yes it says "Free Rides" in the back of his head.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghc59Bgedr-Zv5D4H_na2_dicT5j_8HUMqMy2NwQ8Zo0OdeCUQWRx8PK8UEjTjEOeC0nPDa_w0712rIKhuH_Drhy5SSjhx3l0_9tnNXAj0IKQ3kORGSyM-Ije3spBdeH7ccHSNGVfESj-j/s320/Kyle+behind+bar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500856320860990338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>Kyle somehow talked his way behind the bar. He had strict instructions not to touch anything. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for him! LOL!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>After leaving this town we heard there was a party out in the country somewhere so we set out to find that. We came across a town of 12 people that had been turned into a big stop for the bikers. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Cp0s7asPsNc4D0I50o3tSosBylWNDoN9a0Z1spPOemkN_N1AB6ZTEzjnkn45PGpvJsnM2rZlHqGC3UjQl0JilanboKwmagNxsLVD8SwvyOQrZVgF_53EMblzKUKaR7MSwF1ziyNBWqcp/s320/chicks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500857729777562914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">
<br /></span></div><div>These are some ladies that were hangin' out at the party.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ve0S7CsEsuReXp7aII3U3HGy6m-Q1RYHqxy0-DM0SWfwQD9SVY-tc8EW6EX5ZI3JX5ud8-8sMTs5GayYvsU1B2LPS8ExgZcc9m9pcdk-XFHuosUgpEIhd75JhgXLyHo47hyzdX_icKZ4/s320/the+rope+swing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500857746488458306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>They had built a man-made pond and put a massive rope swing on it. I was confused though because here is this awesome rope swing and no one was using it! WTF?! Some guy told me they couldn't figure out how to get the bar back to the platform. Well this made no sense to me so I had to go fix the situation. There was a rope and a weight and after about 3 tries I was able to toss the weight through the handle and retrieve it. PARTY ON! Apparently they had been charging for this earlier but by the time we showed up no one really cared. They even gave us 3 for 1's on beer! I love the back of the pack!!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here's some video of the swing.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFb498ed3pI/AAAAAAAAAaE/iEuCS-U-twA/s320/scissor+lift+up.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500857737969262226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/TFb49px8n8I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/8JuAoC8Y3iU/s320/rockin+the+scissor+lift.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500857732950695874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div>After that we found some dude that was giving rides on this scissor lift. Weird... but why not. We're in Iowa and we're drunk. It sounded like fun.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So we pretty much shut that party down and then the group parted ways. Half of us rode to the bus and the other half rode to and off route party where they spent the night. This was my last night on Ragbrai and I was spent from the days activities so I found a nice spot on the roof of the bus and passed out for the night. All in all it was an excellent experience and I will for sure be coming back next year! Anyone brave enough to join me is welcome!</div><div> </div>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-21906234697944433932010-05-23T17:05:00.009-05:002010-05-23T23:14:10.979-05:00Day 13 - Yellowstone to Home!<div style="text-align: left;">This morning I woke up in my car at a gas station in Norris, MT. I drove another 20 miles and had to sleep again for a couple more hours. When I woke up again I put on some warmer socks and got myself some coffee and a big donut! (love those donuts) I still had an hour or so to go until I got to the entrance of Yellowstone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ7snLk9r9mEblvH3CKraB9tcneIg9QEWJ_XucCOYjhIIrqaxkOtYNn7Jf1sCrgUYfNO8yHVo7zRkdtZesA9PJw5F5Xe2Y0z4JCKtoF1IFM6S3ws-Dqd-0-rb4kZshK8_D_bXVzd9pGrw/s320/Morning+in+MT.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474684336021922866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>On the drive there I saw a fox running in this meadow and I slammed on my brakes to see if I could catch a shot of him. I did but it was a little dark. Then I noticed that I was standing in front of this sweet pond that was dead still and the mountain was reflecting in the water. I love shots like this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made it to Yellowstone at 6:45 in the morning. I thought I was really early but there were already a bunch of people driving in. I paid the lady at the gate my $25 and was on my way in. Never having been here before I didn't really know what to expect. All I knew was there were 2 shots that I needed to get in the park. One of Old Faithful and then one of a bear. Obviously I can't really control whether or not I see a bear but I was hoping and praying (and maybe talking out loud to myself) that I would see a bear.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_mn4NjjmJI/AAAAAAAAAUU/Xu_ZbGIGUgA/s320/1st+pic+in+yellowstone.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591406198855826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 152px; " /></span></div><div>This is the first shot I got after entering. It was a chilly morning and there was a lot of steam coming off of all the water around. I'm not sure if you can make it out in this pic very well... Right after taking this pic I saw a bald eagle but didn't get a great shot of that.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCjaRp3fM1RLC5E2HyDcJrXMBPK2DmR-vmOX8m0opN3t8tinnflQSE7bYYPWuymqe39nN_cBX7BwCfev9vMkol_ZY0zjLunAdS61ErQzVmwhoD2qsI7Q3O2m49Ke3C0K5IEU0sJ52cHUm/s320/Buffalo+by+road.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591423274718722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Then about a mile up the road traffic was slowing down and I was wondering what for. There were only a few cars and a bus on the road but they were all stopped. Then I saw these guys. There were like 5 of them just walking down the side of the road. I've seen buffalo before but not this close. They are freakin' huge!!</div><div><br /></div><div>So I kept moving toward Old Faithful. Once you enter the park it's like another 30 miles to get to Old Faithful. I guess I never knew just how big Yellowstone is. The crazy thing is the middle of it is one massive caldera that is 1350 square miles!! The fuel behind all the geysers is magmatic heat! It's really amazing when you see it in person! </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_moLa9vZ0I/AAAAAAAAAVc/yafJ2lW8AQY/s1600/Old+Faithful+Benches.JPG"><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_moLa9vZ0I/AAAAAAAAAVc/yafJ2lW8AQY/s320/Old+Faithful+Benches.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591736215856962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 153px; " /></a></div><div>When I got to the geyser it had just gone off so I had a little time to wait around. I scoped out the site for the same location my grandfather would have taken the photo. A few things have changed I'm sure like the buildings and these benches. But the geyser itself and the hills behind it have remained unchanged since the last time this volcano erupted 640,000 years ago.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_moJ4ATdQI/AAAAAAAAAU8/Hw9dy2sCImk/s320/Chipmunk.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591709651498242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>This little guy was just sittin' around staring off into space. I got about a foot away from him before he even looked at me and then he just turned for a second and went back to staring at the geysers. It looks like his calm attitude has served him well in charming food out of the hands of tourists.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJG_IsYwTSFwbVC_awXgTvuAcBAGKEkKr2jT3mWh2vDwIAbxVeO6EM8DC8KjN0oFmwQHyihU5_5P9zHBFdciMOCiVyHSKQW9IZM3Cip_nM3_J1kU9IZDZp25tEgHGqh02-7oRfwyi1Jug/s320/Old+Faithful.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592007464670578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>So here is Old Faithful from the exact perspective and approximate distance my grandfather saw it in 1937.</div><div><br /></div><div>After getting that shot I was headed out of the park at a leisurely pace hoping to catch a glimpse of some more wild life. A bear in particular. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_mn5oXORYI/AAAAAAAAAU0/hf9O7Pkvwd0/s320/Buffalo+profile.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591430574753154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " /></span></div><div>First I ran into some more buffalo. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgUQ_xczX5nbAEFaIs8rLwHiHD_3529vAfBACSKjtXjOqNUZF1WouTBu2NarXM2rdmCplTr1BgjacqCUvzHDzpI6QEVJ_Y0nsne1nTqqp-AIWq2LW20Ygf3QJn6YvyP7M-Kvz3TkacCO0/s320/Buffalo+by+car.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591418774298482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>They were all over the place! It was insane. They have buffalo in Yellowstone like we have geese in Minnesota. </div><div><br /></div><div>I entered through the west entrance of Yellowstone and I was leaving through the north entrance. From Old Faithful it was 51 miles to the north entrance. It's one of the rare times in my life where I intentionally drove slow so I wouldn't miss anything. About 1/2 to the north entrance I noticed a big traffic jam. Now I'd learned through the morning that when a car is pulled over or stopped in the road there is usually some sort of animal off in the distance. The more cars you see, the cooler the sight. The traffic jam in front of me was massive! I'm talking buses, vans, cars, trucks, bikes and whatever else you can think of. They were parked on both sides of the road and traffic was having trouble getting through. There were even park rangers out directing traffic. I rolled down my window to ask what was up but I already knew I wanted to go see for myself. The lady I asked was almost out of breath. Apparently there was an enormous gray wolf that had attacked an elk. It only wounded it and then backed off. It was sitting on the edge of a pond... waiting... I found the first open spot I could and grabbed my camera and rushed over to the edge of the tree line. I saw an elk, but no wolf. DANG! I was too late. But I got some cool shots while I was waiting. I wanted to stick around and see if that wolf was going to come back to finish the job! How sweet would that be to see?! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JfBnCwx8lG0Aupb2HWDCvsqDFuxCQYxyxFAfL0TnCRwE3gZb7RodKx9Sd-4hD9cc0JRsu0oMYSH47pkOQbiouNbZoX7YfxH0QZSXCgksTI6UWeG_vTuJ-ikUstTQHg2Oi5Y127Dzcu9i/s320/Wounded+Elk.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592029161401906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /></span></div><div>Here's a pic of the elk in the pond. It's back right hind quarter was bit. </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_mobnse40I/AAAAAAAAAVs/GJVr1h_IYEY/s1600/Photographers.JPG"><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_mobnse40I/AAAAAAAAAVs/GJVr1h_IYEY/s320/Photographers.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592014511039298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div>Here's one of all the other people that were waiting around for the same thing. I wish I had camera lenses like these guys! Look at these things!</div><div><br /></div><div>After about 30 minutes of waiting around I decided the wolf probably didn't want an audience and I took off. I still had a ways to go and some more wild life that I needed to see. I was still hoping for a bear... and maybe a wolf now. As I was pulling back onto the road a guy told me he saw a bear up the road about 1/4 mile. BINGO!!! So I buzz on up there and see only two cars parked. I get out with my camera and walk up to this couple that is standing on the edge of their door frames looking around. I'm on the street and I ask them if they've seen anything. Just as I get the last word out I look to my right and in the trees, not more than 5 feet from me, is a grizzly bear!!! Holy s*&%t! I back up closer to my car and this bear walks out of the woods and stands up on her hind legs with her front paws up in the air and growls! I think maybe she wanted to say "Hey BooBoo, how about a picnic basket?!" Hahahaha! It was freakin' awesome! That bear was like 15 feet from me! Unfortunately I had a zoom lens on my camera and I didn't get a good pic of her standing up. Then she walked out into the street and I got this.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_moK-55WQI/AAAAAAAAAVM/k8wmx9rHbGU/s320/Momma+Bear.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591728683538690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>I don't know bears well enough to know if she was big or not, but she was big enough! Look at the claws on her!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHAydTHm16vPgRUWSq4jIx-kW8ygrDXTzhRfw3wisbZqFjfd58FIsR4Sd-Zx8UgS81jVeHneo5dqBm0Jk9UbR9uyEqEc2iaK0F3VUZOo-0Rl4BiUPwlRBBtpfiTDmhSMUC30iuQMfmR6L/s320/Bear+%26+Cubs.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591409765725458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></span></div><div>And this is how I know that it was a female... The babies were super cute. I would have tried to follow them into the woods for more pics but those babies could tear me to shreds and I don't even want to think about what that momma bear would do! </div><div><br /></div><div>After that I was happy! I got all the shots I wanted and then some. I was just going to enjoy the scenery on the rest of the way out of the park. As I was passing through Mammoth Hot Springs I saw a bunch of elk just chillin' in a park. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnMYoSt0OJLMLAAkBdnizs1tGmmOfz6yMxK9IQAn_IJd0O2Hs5799ajIExVbGOPvSQtWLDnOpFVQjEVzL_k4VcQEQSOP2EkLe7aeiHufjX55QlCXumIRKi3UTEmvdY-ROy4M4t8vo-ITr/s320/Elk.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474591719402180274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div>People all around, cars, stores... these elk were just grazing away without a care in the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I got out of the park I started to head north to meet up with Interstate 90 again. I realized that there was really nothing left for me to see on my trip. There was only highway between me and home. Eastern Montana and North Dakota didn't interest me that much so I decided to drive straight home. I got some coffee and a 4 pack of Red Bull and set the cruise control. 15 1/2 hours and 991 miles later I arrived home! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AZIlqnDWMed6PddzJMZsZkKm3wq24A9ClhroKyJllDyJhxhadGTLVSchYt0MQ_z-_YY7acwdWSlvaPvEzVp2p10e11xXmfcMPJaUsWa3q79ag0uSeKEt4nPXp0oS4w-OXpRCgTcZy5TA/s1600/Sunset+in+back+window.JPG"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AZIlqnDWMed6PddzJMZsZkKm3wq24A9ClhroKyJllDyJhxhadGTLVSchYt0MQ_z-_YY7acwdWSlvaPvEzVp2p10e11xXmfcMPJaUsWa3q79ag0uSeKEt4nPXp0oS4w-OXpRCgTcZy5TA/s320/Sunset+in+back+window.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592017984986466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px; " /></a></div><div>I didn't want to break stride to take a sunset pic on the way home but I got this pic in western North Dakota. I think it's kind of cool. The sun setting for the day and for the last time on my trip just over my shoulder in the rearview mirror.</div>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-51372686436223920172010-05-21T14:57:00.004-05:002010-05-21T15:39:44.314-05:00Day 12 - Seattle to NorrisIt's a beautiful Monday morning in Lynwood, WA at my aunt and uncles home. I woke up at 5am to beat traffic through the city and they were nice enough to pack me a lunch! Thanks guys! I took off at 5:30am and drove through to Portland where I met back up with my grandpas original course. I needed to find a pic in downtown Portland and didn't really have anything to go on as I hadn't been able to contact the historic society. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmFYW-LNI/AAAAAAAAATo/_FOVloyDA5U/s1600/Voo+Doo+Donuts.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmFYW-LNI/AAAAAAAAATo/_FOVloyDA5U/s320/Voo+Doo+Donuts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815377227951314" border="0" /></a>I pulled over to see if I could find the historic district and stumbled upon a crappy looking building with a sign that read VooDoo Donuts. I had heard of this in Seattle from someone and here I was in front of it! I had to check it out... plus if you know me, you know that I have trouble passing on donuts! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YJNHfnG_1obMccSDHAFUOHoE0hhdAWIiAJpYUjRp0t5DrfweaWtC_SS33jXmtuN3fwyK4sTlvCqaLyGadzvkJEdyWNr4W7TPY_hUaA2AU8npXt40dvh-otqAsP2fCgt7ssDlI5V5khPK/s1600/Bacon+Donut.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YJNHfnG_1obMccSDHAFUOHoE0hhdAWIiAJpYUjRp0t5DrfweaWtC_SS33jXmtuN3fwyK4sTlvCqaLyGadzvkJEdyWNr4W7TPY_hUaA2AU8npXt40dvh-otqAsP2fCgt7ssDlI5V5khPK/s320/Bacon+Donut.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815367783085090" border="0" /></a>I asked the skinny, tattooed punk girl that was behind the counter if they had any signature donuts. BINGO! Behold the Maple Bacon Donut! Look at this thing! It's beautiful! And it tasted 10x better than it looks! So for whatever reason I decided to ask this girl about my quest. I didn't think there was a chance in hell that she would know where the pic was taken (she was all of 22) but to my surprise she looked at the photo and said I know where that is! WTF?! Really?! I just about dropped my coffee! She told me the cross street she thought it was at and I headed off. Upon arrival at her coordinates it did indeed look like the background save for one thing... the street was too narrow. But I knew I was close so I started driving around. After a few frustrating stops, I ran into a gentleman, Christian, that was driving a sweet old car. After a little chit chat about his ride I asked him if he knew where this photo might be. He said that there use to be light rail tracks that ran up Burnside and he also directed me to a famous bookstore called Powell's that would have a book with old photos of Portland. As I was walking away he said I should come check out his restaurant <a href="http://chezjoly.com/index.html">Chez Joly</a> which I happened to have parked in front of. I unfortunately didn't have time but I looked it up and it looks super cool. I hope I can make it back there. Thanks for the invite Christian! Anyway, so I went to the bookstore, found the book and the photo and then found the exact intersection that the photo was taken on. It was taken on the corner of W Burnside and NW 6th Ave. One of the buildings is still there. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJizdVQmtKc-ow0uOj_hvUyhn-XLMMxPQ8N77Vp1fiMmAz_vrPFkAnpzHWCZULdDGzxeItuRdQuFqc5WReLSli-wDzAWuUx1b0p6C5BUdS3HHU3Fj2LaL40H9WtfhT76rC16-oCZAcJA/s1600/Multnomah+Falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIJizdVQmtKc-ow0uOj_hvUyhn-XLMMxPQ8N77Vp1fiMmAz_vrPFkAnpzHWCZULdDGzxeItuRdQuFqc5WReLSli-wDzAWuUx1b0p6C5BUdS3HHU3Fj2LaL40H9WtfhT76rC16-oCZAcJA/s320/Multnomah+Falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815391687010002" border="0" /></a>Back on the road I was headed east on the Columbia River. Just outside of Portland I drove by Multnomah Falls and stopped for some pics. This thing is amazing! I wish I had time to climb all the way up to the top. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRLWbSlCO3SOOcXDbA-ApYAwo5wv-bKfw-pfYdmZDVH_XA4HnSW9ASN8iMDwLA91FW7LkLinDc1D65MYHgy-C2LMl7jKXOdiMuFSyUAEhDI_uykFIG4-xmSKXSa7z1_e2uyhv3GqXQ39-/s1600/Bird+Flying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRLWbSlCO3SOOcXDbA-ApYAwo5wv-bKfw-pfYdmZDVH_XA4HnSW9ASN8iMDwLA91FW7LkLinDc1D65MYHgy-C2LMl7jKXOdiMuFSyUAEhDI_uykFIG4-xmSKXSa7z1_e2uyhv3GqXQ39-/s320/Bird+Flying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815379558825394" border="0" /></a>After the falls there was some great river scenery for a while and then I headed into Washington. As I was driving I got a pic of this bird flying over the highway. Not quite sure what kind it was but it was huge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmGoLjSRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/2tnj3587h8I/s1600/Washington+Vinyard.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 145px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmGoLjSRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/2tnj3587h8I/s320/Washington+Vinyard.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815398654888210" border="0" /></a>Around Walla Walla, Washington (I'm serious, look it up) I started noticing some sweet vineyards. I've tried some Washington and Oregon wines before and it was cool to see all the vineyards on the side of the road. Not a bad drive. After that the drive got pretty boring. There is literally nothing for miles between Walla Walla and Spokane. Spokane was okay and then I hit Idaho which was actually pretty cool. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmVWFR_tI/AAAAAAAAAUI/LWaqfRdrF14/s1600/Montana+Sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_bmVWFR_tI/AAAAAAAAAUI/LWaqfRdrF14/s320/Montana+Sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473815651494788818" border="0" /></a>Then on to Montana where I got this beautiful sunset. I kept driving until I couldn't anymore and crashed in my car for a couple hours in Norris, MT. I think I covered like 900 miles today. In the morning... Yellow Stone! Yeah!Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-66296689776171334842010-05-19T14:53:00.004-05:002010-05-19T15:33:27.204-05:00Day 11 - Free Day In SeattleToday there wasn't really anything on the agenda so I slept in. When I woke up I found out that my nephew had met Apollo Ohno in the elevator last night. Apparently he was staying in our hotel as well. I didn't believe him until he showed me a pic he took with Ohno on his cell phone. Very nice Brandon. After that I got a call from my dad and step-mom asking if they would give them a ride up to my aunt and uncles house in Lynwood. I agreed and then they told me how much luggage they had. When my dad rolled the cart out of the hotel it looked like gear for a touring pop star and her entourage! I was half expecting my step-mom Sue to come walking out with a little dog and body guards. Anyway, we got it all packed in there and thankfully didn't have to strap anything to the roof. On the way to my aunt and uncles house is the Lakeview cemetery where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried. I've always wanted to visit Bruce Lee's grave so we stopped by. Bruce is arguably the most influential person in modern martial arts history and I always wanted to see this place and pay my respects. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCFPoxTvrpiq2RWYLPGh0OudJWvkwGAg_fPoA9H4ydz71T2MSpdoFRkkn3C1TOf35rrZFi7CLRDk1-pUKcSTESHsNImTMowk3lzPP1XUhxRaNlqGvDpB-0Bux2BLdV9k3Bkw0tcomO6qD/s1600/Bruce+Lee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCFPoxTvrpiq2RWYLPGh0OudJWvkwGAg_fPoA9H4ydz71T2MSpdoFRkkn3C1TOf35rrZFi7CLRDk1-pUKcSTESHsNImTMowk3lzPP1XUhxRaNlqGvDpB-0Bux2BLdV9k3Bkw0tcomO6qD/s320/Bruce+Lee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473074154143273250" border="0" /></a>Here's Bruce Lee's grave.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_RD8ZIfOtI/AAAAAAAAATE/rirWrjiJmr4/s1600/Brandon+Lee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_RD8ZIfOtI/AAAAAAAAATE/rirWrjiJmr4/s320/Brandon+Lee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473074151979694802" border="0" /></a>And Brandon Lee. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAcy3aEvVqvTU3JpGVEQ44rhQNzMCjr6g7EJ_ZYorVDUtdZ_qK2vLBgDDx56FJ-_Tv2KqZDgFukvMmL0usBz1Db5ARad_SHg-Szz9f78k3-ClT_GWZS8GYGNfT-ViW9YFvKKhDU1qYveq/s1600/Father+%26+Son.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAcy3aEvVqvTU3JpGVEQ44rhQNzMCjr6g7EJ_ZYorVDUtdZ_qK2vLBgDDx56FJ-_Tv2KqZDgFukvMmL0usBz1Db5ARad_SHg-Szz9f78k3-ClT_GWZS8GYGNfT-ViW9YFvKKhDU1qYveq/s320/Father+%26+Son.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473074158726523522" border="0" /></a>Father and son, side by side.<br /><br />After that it was on to the families house to hang out with my aunt and uncle and cousins. It was nice to have a day to just relax and have a good dinner with family. It's my dad's side of the family so they were extra interested in the road trip and how that was going. I also got to meet some new second cousins and my cousin Trevor's fiance Melissa.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-85652778653730835622010-05-19T14:21:00.006-05:002010-05-19T14:49:35.365-05:00Day 10 - The WeddingWhen I started planning this trip last year I knew I wanted to do it on the same days that my grandfather did it. It just so happened that the days of the week lined up so May 5th was a Wednesday both in 1937 and in 2010. Pretty cool I thought. Then I found out that my sister Lynn was getting married in Seattle and it was going to line up perfectly with the schedule for the trip. So perfectly in fact that my grandfather stopped for 3 days in Coos Bay, OR over the same time I would be stopping in Seattle, WA. This trip was suppose to happen! <br /><br />Anyway, in Seattle I agreed to photograph my sisters wedding. It was a small intimate affair on the water. She got married at Ray's Boat House. It was pretty amazing. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNRXZMi_whnn_gnOKLSDd3jXxuS2vN5p8trzJtKbfzpdC2G0IKE1AJGhUOBJThsSIhx8Gn8TwRSZNkDSJ3fcEdRtGZhDiQ-FbKvqSN7JDtSgSIL5NPCjTBoTkhhh2X_E5PiikSGM9-7Ok/s1600/Deck.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNRXZMi_whnn_gnOKLSDd3jXxuS2vN5p8trzJtKbfzpdC2G0IKE1AJGhUOBJThsSIhx8Gn8TwRSZNkDSJ3fcEdRtGZhDiQ-FbKvqSN7JDtSgSIL5NPCjTBoTkhhh2X_E5PiikSGM9-7Ok/s320/Deck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063768903510802" border="0" /></a>Here's the deck that she got married on. It overlooks a bay in the sound. I got many pics with boats coming in behind the wedding party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQUWxf1lzAH7xgFM4HbFqNz4FfxCusp7ggdAS6ViBKFj_NDKxex8iwO8uUCSCNt3CtyrkwFnm3rL9-_EMkGtQ-zYwTWeT-03fqNhS_oyZlurXr_bvIYXb3JP98_7fhu6EAFfZF-LgII8e/s1600/Lynn+In+Mirror.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQUWxf1lzAH7xgFM4HbFqNz4FfxCusp7ggdAS6ViBKFj_NDKxex8iwO8uUCSCNt3CtyrkwFnm3rL9-_EMkGtQ-zYwTWeT-03fqNhS_oyZlurXr_bvIYXb3JP98_7fhu6EAFfZF-LgII8e/s320/Lynn+In+Mirror.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063994352530770" border="0" /></a>I was having a little fun here and shot a pic of the reflection in one of the mirrors they were using to get ready.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6ggOKMmI/AAAAAAAAAR4/kDYKAnJW5zM/s1600/Lynn+%26+Taylor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6ggOKMmI/AAAAAAAAAR4/kDYKAnJW5zM/s320/Lynn+%26+Taylor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063777241543266" border="0" /></a>Here's Lynn and Taylor walking over to the venue after getting ready in the bridal suite across the street.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6ywsZ5gI/AAAAAAAAASw/yK43IZ6SlOg/s1600/Unity+Candle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6ywsZ5gI/AAAAAAAAASw/yK43IZ6SlOg/s320/Unity+Candle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473064090901014018" border="0" /></a>The wedding was perfect. It was an absolutely gorgeous day! The venue was amazing, the people were awesome, the food was phenomenal... you just couldn't ask for anything else. Here's Lynn & Dan after lighting the unity candle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi8aCEZpE2bkO1xXpTx1IrznmUquW12MJJ_xMI0G6bK-GDKQ_WaN_7uqs1WL637gG6ZahBZMDjtd1vSg2rd92LOkby_BNwdGGfSEBrlFi0rr7fm3pCbpDBUiAW7ZEG1hwY_nPkvWrTtgc/s1600/Rays.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi8aCEZpE2bkO1xXpTx1IrznmUquW12MJJ_xMI0G6bK-GDKQ_WaN_7uqs1WL637gG6ZahBZMDjtd1vSg2rd92LOkby_BNwdGGfSEBrlFi0rr7fm3pCbpDBUiAW7ZEG1hwY_nPkvWrTtgc/s320/Rays.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473064247626971730" border="0" /></a>After the ceremony we went out to the dock where they still launch boats and took some pics. This is the iconic RAY'S sign. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6fde6MhI/AAAAAAAAARo/RpP4zNh1EOo/s1600/Boat+Launch.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6fde6MhI/AAAAAAAAARo/RpP4zNh1EOo/s320/Boat+Launch.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063759326622226" border="0" /></a>Here's the happy new couple swinging on the boat launch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wHxHPrKEuDfv6NVGmlsROYIYbChXfImUqf8eEXILxRcbrgOzS6Zj02A-LDZQWzQH68tIl3bo5no9wMd0hUStRvWb8lEAz28mM9bnXtV3zv_zogOq06wvm1u7uKPnXKvkDQYeIbOz7mTb/s1600/Phil+Lynn+Dan.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wHxHPrKEuDfv6NVGmlsROYIYbChXfImUqf8eEXILxRcbrgOzS6Zj02A-LDZQWzQH68tIl3bo5no9wMd0hUStRvWb8lEAz28mM9bnXtV3zv_zogOq06wvm1u7uKPnXKvkDQYeIbOz7mTb/s320/Phil+Lynn+Dan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473064016365815026" border="0" /></a>And of course one of the photographer with the new couple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXKYi73Wa89dGQ2t9cXNApGygv53_sNAlZoYHWeqI77FamjqZbAkhL8MmII9h1hZyA0CZcp9lECKJ5RBQ5nBiMfVwnBWBXs-naywdhUvQFaNZOLu842gi7auJxPgI5Bz_SIHHG69Ve8CC/s1600/Lynn+Dan+Brandon.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXKYi73Wa89dGQ2t9cXNApGygv53_sNAlZoYHWeqI77FamjqZbAkhL8MmII9h1hZyA0CZcp9lECKJ5RBQ5nBiMfVwnBWBXs-naywdhUvQFaNZOLu842gi7auJxPgI5Bz_SIHHG69Ve8CC/s320/Lynn+Dan+Brandon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063788050128802" border="0" /></a>On the other side of the deck was some wisteria that made for a great background. This is Dan & Lynn with Lynn's son Brandon. Brandon was on the road trip with me out to Seattle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOdpum2Kq2BOls9-djKyqkXD6YZnVrMxeC1O0g87KPxJTnl0NiIuzOpVJN9l6HA4t0OjObzk-L7MvwJiQ8mUIy0Z0iURSmj4ztcS2_YI8daosrBe7LpiAGR2n6eKY_8N7B-UcPoyJwHDQ/s1600/Phil+%26+Dad.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOdpum2Kq2BOls9-djKyqkXD6YZnVrMxeC1O0g87KPxJTnl0NiIuzOpVJN9l6HA4t0OjObzk-L7MvwJiQ8mUIy0Z0iURSmj4ztcS2_YI8daosrBe7LpiAGR2n6eKY_8N7B-UcPoyJwHDQ/s320/Phil+%26+Dad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473064006872029842" border="0" /></a>For a fun evening activity after the wedding we all went on the ferry to Bainbridge Island. It was a quick ride but provided some great views of Seattle. Here's a pic of my dad and I with the city in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQLhUSMcd05efn7VADRHAMFnifVk4U5Jezf33p9S6p_hpg4u9BPgnmnxMUvDkk-RtwSs5K_hk-3Alrk9HPW3s4BmQC47urBzhOqzyK_wuQMcNcxtGTWDk_BbhLKjgFix0uzeFyFI2q5wY/s1600/Bainbridge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQLhUSMcd05efn7VADRHAMFnifVk4U5Jezf33p9S6p_hpg4u9BPgnmnxMUvDkk-RtwSs5K_hk-3Alrk9HPW3s4BmQC47urBzhOqzyK_wuQMcNcxtGTWDk_BbhLKjgFix0uzeFyFI2q5wY/s320/Bainbridge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063752516319730" border="0" /></a>This is on Bainbridge Island. It's a pretty chill village with a lot of little shops and restaurants. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3tEUGuXMmJIBmRWypptpxc3zjkqC_c1X8XCc2RZ3t0NyqyqCQlKuvO9oN0ZJPW7HI94hmdsUhD-JMP7vnP2Q-NVT1IM4XVWu5823G5zpPU75x5bkdyqxE7oUm-nokoERqZSAR7qEJjli/s1600/Mexican+Phil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3tEUGuXMmJIBmRWypptpxc3zjkqC_c1X8XCc2RZ3t0NyqyqCQlKuvO9oN0ZJPW7HI94hmdsUhD-JMP7vnP2Q-NVT1IM4XVWu5823G5zpPU75x5bkdyqxE7oUm-nokoERqZSAR7qEJjli/s320/Mexican+Phil.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063996620842642" border="0" /></a>Of course we all found a great little Mexican watering hole and proceeded to celebrate the new couple as well as the grooms mom who was also celebrating a birthday on the same day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6uhO3cTI/AAAAAAAAASo/v4ltLNFw6hM/s1600/Seattle+At+Night.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S_Q6uhO3cTI/AAAAAAAAASo/v4ltLNFw6hM/s320/Seattle+At+Night.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473064018031112498" border="0" /></a>All in all it was a fantastic day! I had a great time at the wedding. I think I got some great shots that the new couple will like (at least I'm hoping!) and two families got to celebrate the union of two great people. I think my grandpa would approve of the slight detour off of his route.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-59997452096695804202010-05-15T02:49:00.005-05:002010-05-15T03:11:28.913-05:00Day 9 - Day In SeattleToday was kind of a free day with a rehearsal dinner for my sisters wedding tomorrow. I'm not sure if I mentioned that in the earlier posts but I took a slight detour north to attend the wedding and do the photography. After breakfast we headed down to Pike Place Market to check it out. There is so much stuff to take photos of and I got a lot of good ones. Here are a few of my favs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2R19hE43t18ZkaSrHfZjkv8m92Zwt7m27k8R3zbz8K6yDNSap4z6-MVO251_L1SixLh3lpgcqrdoeRQLS6JIkGhN6TDgB8X6Z_-cMyUo5Zw9-cHVn3nKn25yRmlNzxCtyHQqbQ7439lH/s1600/Pike+%26+1st.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2R19hE43t18ZkaSrHfZjkv8m92Zwt7m27k8R3zbz8K6yDNSap4z6-MVO251_L1SixLh3lpgcqrdoeRQLS6JIkGhN6TDgB8X6Z_-cMyUo5Zw9-cHVn3nKn25yRmlNzxCtyHQqbQ7439lH/s320/Pike+%26+1st.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403757629667378" border="0" /></a>The address<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjYr4o7bAt0Q-uAUG-cKrzI-qyeswcbrzQidB6yi7xbC85fsoUsrjr6aWJm2eK3imS5G7Whhx3q1PcLb27pEDeKrdt1c5ODzluAhpnHavqfKUcjYAOTK6Pygc_yN0j0hc56zkcz2mN7cy/s1600/Taylor+%26+Max.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjYr4o7bAt0Q-uAUG-cKrzI-qyeswcbrzQidB6yi7xbC85fsoUsrjr6aWJm2eK3imS5G7Whhx3q1PcLb27pEDeKrdt1c5ODzluAhpnHavqfKUcjYAOTK6Pygc_yN0j0hc56zkcz2mN7cy/s320/Taylor+%26+Max.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403773486104210" border="0" /></a>We of course had to get some shots with the fish guys. Max has a very weird set of rabbit ears! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UgJdDetI/AAAAAAAAAQk/2KbjoxXzvjw/s1600/Max+%26+Bird.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UgJdDetI/AAAAAAAAAQk/2KbjoxXzvjw/s320/Max+%26+Bird.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403508572060370" border="0" /></a>Max also found a street performer with an African Gray Parrot. He was 15 years old and his name was Finnius. Very intelligent bird and Max had a ton of fun with him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UfqUwI6I/AAAAAAAAAQc/elfcqgXnkGs/s1600/Handful+of+luv.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UfqUwI6I/AAAAAAAAAQc/elfcqgXnkGs/s320/Handful+of+luv.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403500215739298" border="0" /></a>I agree!<br /><br />Later in the day we had to go do a run through of the wedding ceremony. The location is absolutely beautiful. It's right on the sound and the ceremony is going to be on a covered dock. It's pretty sick. I'm not sure if it's bad luck to post pics of the bride and groom the day before so I'm not going to, but here are a couple of my niece and nephews. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Uganfx5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/lzoh-fxTC2c/s1600/Max.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Uganfx5I/AAAAAAAAAQs/lzoh-fxTC2c/s320/Max.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403513179260818" border="0" /></a>Max trying to be serious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Ufdrxu8I/AAAAAAAAAQU/bg2FAcU0zqg/s1600/Brick+%26+Taylor.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Ufdrxu8I/AAAAAAAAAQU/bg2FAcU0zqg/s320/Brick+%26+Taylor.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403496822651842" border="0" /></a>Taylor and Brandon with their sweet sunglasses (they were cool before you were born FYI) <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHs4KTRaBvtFqcXQozeeKug-2Wx_IciT7YndhDXzcCOiQJQ5iZ1pQGYmqVTE4ubOit_Phn4XZmvSxn0_x_ZeOTOVsoev6JfKLy8vXBbjo8mChPDoBXX0CPHaJBg4SWl5_qMCVTmOuymaB/s1600/Nate+%26+Jen.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHs4KTRaBvtFqcXQozeeKug-2Wx_IciT7YndhDXzcCOiQJQ5iZ1pQGYmqVTE4ubOit_Phn4XZmvSxn0_x_ZeOTOVsoev6JfKLy8vXBbjo8mChPDoBXX0CPHaJBg4SWl5_qMCVTmOuymaB/s320/Nate+%26+Jen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403520018989794" border="0" /></a>Here's a cool one of Nate and Jennifer (my dad and sister). This is where the ceremony will be. Pretty sweet huh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UvYo7JJI/AAAAAAAAARM/iv0coTTpe38/s1600/Space+Needle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5UvYo7JJI/AAAAAAAAARM/iv0coTTpe38/s320/Space+Needle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403770346415250" border="0" /></a>And I didn't get any of the sunset today because I was at dinner but here are a couple cool ones after the sun went down. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Uu8DWdVI/AAAAAAAAARE/Bz1k95Y94kM/s1600/Pikes+Market.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5Uu8DWdVI/AAAAAAAAARE/Bz1k95Y94kM/s320/Pikes+Market.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471403762672629074" border="0" /></a>This one reminds me of a Dick Tracy scene. <br /><br />Well, it's now 1:10am and I need to get some sleep so my pics of the wedding tomorrow are in focus.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-44288324151937137502010-05-14T17:24:00.006-05:002010-05-15T02:47:45.226-05:00Day 8 - Cape Lookout to SeattleThis morning I woke up to the sound of the waves on the Pacific Ocean. It was pretty amazing. This was going to be our shortest driving day but we had a lot to see so after a short walk on the beach it was time to hit the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K8k3JBtI/AAAAAAAAAOw/A3bQsy1OI8M/s1600/Campsite.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K8k3JBtI/AAAAAAAAAOw/A3bQsy1OI8M/s320/Campsite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393001849292498" border="0" /></a>Here's a pic of where our campsite was.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LdxA3EQI/AAAAAAAAAQI/_Kz9bX2L_c4/s1600/View+From+Campsite.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LdxA3EQI/AAAAAAAAAQI/_Kz9bX2L_c4/s320/View+From+Campsite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393572046967042" border="0" /></a>And one of the view from just behind the bushes of our campsite.<br /><br />So our mission today was to find star fish and sea lions on the Oregon coast. There are plenty of both but to find the starfish you need to catch them at low tide when the water reveals these little pools. Our first opportunity was at Oceanside. There were some really cool rocks that had some holes in the middle of them. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K97wbqPI/AAAAAAAAAPI/G_d1cQ_sA0Q/s1600/Hole+In+Rocks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K97wbqPI/AAAAAAAAAPI/G_d1cQ_sA0Q/s320/Hole+In+Rocks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393025175038194" border="0" /></a>Here's a pic from a little further up the coast. You can see one of the openings better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54P3x_5pqNVO4kxMMeqyF2RG1H5UWn1JT7Vz0aCkbaNDhYM4e5PzQ6bVKILJ38LmSpkFP9Cb9GO1uN_2MwtT3yfP29pq7I8iUNVJG7sjJJCGdPvnxZ8MdUHHzF7jfN1rv1WoISG5ewHR_/s1600/Brandon+In+Tunnel.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54P3x_5pqNVO4kxMMeqyF2RG1H5UWn1JT7Vz0aCkbaNDhYM4e5PzQ6bVKILJ38LmSpkFP9Cb9GO1uN_2MwtT3yfP29pq7I8iUNVJG7sjJJCGdPvnxZ8MdUHHzF7jfN1rv1WoISG5ewHR_/s320/Brandon+In+Tunnel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393011214826146" border="0" /></a>This is a pic of Brandon heading into a tunnel that leads through one of the big rock formations from one alcove to another. It was pretty cool.<br /><br />We didn't find any starfish at the first stop so we headed to the next opportunity just up the road. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6cuHHk5GwEOuroaDeNg7cEnjMeinjS7CNn_MPIQErmD98jNASDCW8Y6SwcW2F3bQa55q5oiD6Yfz8XKu4oXWkeIF-0mm8iqUumKl2fEBP9pVUXNaVPo6gCujnNNFmZ90qwu4iP5dFjtT/s1600/Muscles.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6cuHHk5GwEOuroaDeNg7cEnjMeinjS7CNn_MPIQErmD98jNASDCW8Y6SwcW2F3bQa55q5oiD6Yfz8XKu4oXWkeIF-0mm8iqUumKl2fEBP9pVUXNaVPo6gCujnNNFmZ90qwu4iP5dFjtT/s320/Muscles.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393029222758658" border="0" /></a>Again no starfish, but I did find a ton of little muscles. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LRbw083I/AAAAAAAAAP4/4kYIjBu-HHk/s1600/Phil+On+Rocks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LRbw083I/AAAAAAAAAP4/4kYIjBu-HHk/s320/Phil+On+Rocks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393360184144754" border="0" /></a>Also got a cool pic with some of the big rocks in the back.<br /><br />Our next stop was Cape Meares where Brandon wanted to stop to see a lighthouse. The lighthouse was okay but we found this sweet tree called Octopus Tree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4TS3a5ALJHbrp4m37FUZqJahvVNxtOxS9aSrzhwqlKfFd5Y4iQI9Yp-IpYcO4N8B85_kU4uYG5nwIQAedwpEutXbKBAtXTkBeDTtfxx7T7Bxbo9woZLc3Nhp-XKmuNobUoEW-UEINrWI/s1600/Octopus+Tree.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4TS3a5ALJHbrp4m37FUZqJahvVNxtOxS9aSrzhwqlKfFd5Y4iQI9Yp-IpYcO4N8B85_kU4uYG5nwIQAedwpEutXbKBAtXTkBeDTtfxx7T7Bxbo9woZLc3Nhp-XKmuNobUoEW-UEINrWI/s320/Octopus+Tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393333957262050" border="0" /></a>Here's the Octopus Tree.<br /><br />Then we ran into some girls that were from Minnesota. Amanda and Nikki (I think...) Nikki lives in Oregon now and said that we could for sure see some starfish at Hug Point, so that's where we headed. Hug Point is like 45 miles up the coast and when we get there, who do we run into again? Amanda & Nikki! So we bust their chops about stalking us and then get a pic with them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K9YX_erI/AAAAAAAAAPA/2F73AGJYz3Y/s1600/Fellow+Minnesotans.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5K9YX_erI/AAAAAAAAAPA/2F73AGJYz3Y/s320/Fellow+Minnesotans.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393015677287090" border="0" /></a>Here we all are.<br /><br />The tide is too high to walk around this point so I'm trying to find a way around via climbing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQmB4p2I/AAAAAAAAAPo/CKrGGZKzPWw/s1600/Phil+Climbing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQmB4p2I/AAAAAAAAAPo/CKrGGZKzPWw/s320/Phil+Climbing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393345760175970" border="0" /></a>That idea was abandoned when I grabbed a chunk of rock that came right off. I don't need to die.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQ4WDFVI/AAAAAAAAAPw/hdSG2NPHoQc/s1600/Phil+On+Ledge.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQ4WDFVI/AAAAAAAAAPw/hdSG2NPHoQc/s320/Phil+On+Ledge.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393350676583762" border="0" /></a>Then we tried the up and over route but when we got to the other side we realized there was no way down. So this was as close as we got to the starfish pools that were right behind me.<br /><br />Our last stop before Seattle was at Ecola State Park. There should have been a ton of sea lions there but for whatever reason they weren't out. I can't imagine anyone or anything not wanting to be in the sun on this beautiful day but whatever...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQUf5KrI/AAAAAAAAAPg/EQy4ww0pQo0/s1600/Phil+%26+Brandon+At+Overlook.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-5LQUf5KrI/AAAAAAAAAPg/EQy4ww0pQo0/s320/Phil+%26+Brandon+At+Overlook.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393341054200498" border="0" /></a>Here's Brandon & I at one of the overlooks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGQHpnTs4tXmSlU1q32TUlhcS9_eNJcJayK9CZqgDFvu-xJJ6imAGVv-LEccELUxnR6Lu1xDXr_zS9uBZtyGoquF8UtP-OEueVf4fEd-060tCfolt-dxqZwCKFV-fNKRwLIfLFJ7AOd9g/s1600/Sea+Lion+Rocks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGQHpnTs4tXmSlU1q32TUlhcS9_eNJcJayK9CZqgDFvu-xJJ6imAGVv-LEccELUxnR6Lu1xDXr_zS9uBZtyGoquF8UtP-OEueVf4fEd-060tCfolt-dxqZwCKFV-fNKRwLIfLFJ7AOd9g/s320/Sea+Lion+Rocks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471393568255598578" border="0" /></a>And here's one of the rocks where the seals should be.<br /><br />That was the end of the site seeing for the day. We made a B-line for Seattle so we wouldn't be too late for dinner. I think we made a couple people sweat but at the end of the day it worked out fine.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-3767581351703560692010-05-14T10:11:00.004-05:002010-05-14T10:41:07.002-05:00Day 7 - Eureka to Cape LookoutSo we woke up in Eureka, CA and headed north up the 101. If you haven't driven this highway I HIGHLY recommend it! It is absolutely beautiful! We ran into some kids that were at our campground and they were biking all the way from L.A. to Vancouver on the 101. They said it was 2000 miles and they were taking 3 months to do it. Crazy! Anyway so we got a few miles out of town and saw a really cool beach. Brandon wanted to go run around, check out the water and collect some sand. I wanted to sleep, so I took a nap on the beach. <br /><br />Now on to find some Redwood Trees. There were a couple of pics in particular that I was looking for. We stopped at some place called the Magical Trees but when we realized they wanted $14 to walk through the forest we decided to leave. 2 miles up the road we pulled off and walked through the forest for free! It's amazing what people will pay for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFgnDEOXUx9AZOksag9viQ_FlH3gROyiuTZK0IFBCju_DurVj1OzGmVdyZBl5Tpg8xmm3myjDr7T2BO4LSR8rYZXkbaElrXdK73hUNkEYaREj0kUa53kgdkgD8qFq5PzntLbqIyPy5TYI/s1600/Brandon+In+Redwoods.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFgnDEOXUx9AZOksag9viQ_FlH3gROyiuTZK0IFBCju_DurVj1OzGmVdyZBl5Tpg8xmm3myjDr7T2BO4LSR8rYZXkbaElrXdK73hUNkEYaREj0kUa53kgdkgD8qFq5PzntLbqIyPy5TYI/s320/Brandon+In+Redwoods.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145496557209026" border="0" /></a>Here's Brandon walking into the forest on a fallen Redwood. It's hard to explain the size of these things. You just have to see it and let your mind sort of absorb what it's seeing. These things are gigantic!<br /><br />As we drove up the coast it seemed like there were endless scenic vistas and parks to pull off and monkey around. It would have been great to stop at all of them but we tried to hit the ones that looked the coolest. This one was pretty amazing. There were tons of birds and squirrels for Brandon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1n4tFjYmYmhVRfFAm1Av-E2qYQemwAJNzljNS2-Aar5Hy2BqgHPvCUWqVhSDcqNYlmn7GjJUAWcd0KmkMa6OlDfxUdnAWkeCJhkzLj3Nl32olS9Z4PpQxueizO7K77irjegQqksWX4ek/s1600/Brandon+w:+Squirrel%232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1n4tFjYmYmhVRfFAm1Av-E2qYQemwAJNzljNS2-Aar5Hy2BqgHPvCUWqVhSDcqNYlmn7GjJUAWcd0KmkMa6OlDfxUdnAWkeCJhkzLj3Nl32olS9Z4PpQxueizO7K77irjegQqksWX4ek/s320/Brandon+w:+Squirrel%232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145511364208146" border="0" /></a>Here's the "Squirrel Whisperer" working his magic again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1p3Pe5_1I/AAAAAAAAAOM/v6PVAC5gpno/s1600/Seagull.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1p3Pe5_1I/AAAAAAAAAOM/v6PVAC5gpno/s320/Seagull.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145520094904146" border="0" /></a>I really like this pic of the sea gull. I only wish that truck and car were different colors so it didn't blend so much.<br /><br />One of the things on Brandon's list of things he had to see were Sea Lions. We stopped at the largest Sea Lion cave in the world but they were closed. We drove up the coast a little way and found some hanging out on the rocks. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xgI6kvAE6b-chPIWDpuSUDvsEScv_sZuu-RK08lML23-yFyvfLDtrS37vCJjPrOXf5CfQn2hZYMJWbhijNDiRFxoKuLvDvGrqUrNL1omcCwg1bZMoty1xI8z7mBUd1eFTux8kDZitkhyphenhyphen/s1600/Sea+Lions.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xgI6kvAE6b-chPIWDpuSUDvsEScv_sZuu-RK08lML23-yFyvfLDtrS37vCJjPrOXf5CfQn2hZYMJWbhijNDiRFxoKuLvDvGrqUrNL1omcCwg1bZMoty1xI8z7mBUd1eFTux8kDZitkhyphenhyphen/s320/Sea+Lions.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145521302954642" border="0" /></a>Sea Lions sunbathing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1p34LkUDI/AAAAAAAAAOc/5dNgDD0t864/s1600/Sea+Birds.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1p34LkUDI/AAAAAAAAAOc/5dNgDD0t864/s320/Sea+Birds.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145531019644978" border="0" /></a>Sea birds<br /><br />After that we were back on the road to Cape Lookout where we were camping that night. I thought it would be a super quick drive and we would make it there with plenty of time to spare but the 101 is the slowest part of our trip so far. Partly because of the winding roads and partly because it's so beautiful you don't want to go fast, you just want to creep down the road and take it all in. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFS7HmiEK7HCIbGgoH9h69493RBy-0CiB5cSGz7fJvFh1kQMp_dwsZxJOb3F-exNuHPaeJCQgSCWfHRA_axCiIg3cDnEKlNHREhqbfQ6fMER2iP9rEHlWHpiF0zppszO5EnW_Y7LQ2sAf/s1600/Sunset+Day+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFS7HmiEK7HCIbGgoH9h69493RBy-0CiB5cSGz7fJvFh1kQMp_dwsZxJOb3F-exNuHPaeJCQgSCWfHRA_axCiIg3cDnEKlNHREhqbfQ6fMER2iP9rEHlWHpiF0zppszO5EnW_Y7LQ2sAf/s320/Sunset+Day+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471145656716617714" border="0" /></a>This is the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. It's quite a site to behold.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-6612913366107578062010-05-14T09:39:00.003-05:002010-05-14T10:06:38.280-05:00Day 6 - Reno To EurekaAhhhh, internet again!! It's been 3 days since I've been on my computer so there's a ton of work to be done on this. Day 6 took us from Reno, NV to Eureka, CA. Leaving Reno they told us there might be snow in the mountains and to drive careful. Apparently the amount of snow that makes them nervous is substantially lower than what makes me nervous because the drive was a breeze. It did snow all the way to Lake Tahoe though. Coming over the mountain pass and seeing Tahoe for the first time was amazing! Surrounded by snow covered mountains the teal blue color of the water pops out of the landscape.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kJhQHZZI/AAAAAAAAANo/ijfaPuJjiWQ/s1600/Tree+At+Tahoe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kJhQHZZI/AAAAAAAAANo/ijfaPuJjiWQ/s320/Tree+At+Tahoe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471139237032584594" border="0" /></a>Here's a snow covered tree right on the shore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kJPNKKjI/AAAAAAAAANg/S-cbov2EYrs/s1600/Tahoe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kJPNKKjI/AAAAAAAAANg/S-cbov2EYrs/s320/Tahoe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471139232188344882" border="0" /></a>A clear view out into the icy water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kI38XznI/AAAAAAAAANY/qWUOcyasFmw/s1600/Phil+%26+Brandon+at+Tahoe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-1kI38XznI/AAAAAAAAANY/qWUOcyasFmw/s320/Phil+%26+Brandon+at+Tahoe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471139225943920242" border="0" /></a>A pic of Brandon & Me on the shore.<br /><br />In the original trip my grandfather took they didn't go to Lake Tahoe but it was only a 12.5 mile detour off the route and I think it was totally worth it. So back on the road again we drive through California on some super twisty roads that were a ton of fun to drive. We passed through the outer suburbs of Sacramento and then cut north to Chico. On the way to Chico we stopped at a roadside stand to buy some fresh cherries. They were awesome but I think I was more impressed with the fact that I could buy something other than corn on the side of the road. Chico was an amazing city and I definitely want to go back to visit. We wandered around the city for a little bit and visited the library to look into old records to find where one of our photos was taken. After getting the shot we headed out of town and continued on. After more hairpin turns and mountain passes we were just about tho Eureka when the sun started to set. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjIo48GMPd3AsCl2CXHH4Q0vFGuefw9-czlE3kSEi9xITnMdxDftpfdUFpV5jwHeO2i4ZeSj7WvdcSpHXPY-FLGF0ACrcXxe8BwybU-Gv9vOqCKVPvbHqTYjQp5g5epLKf8TuC5R4ytIy/s1600/Day+6+Sunset.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjIo48GMPd3AsCl2CXHH4Q0vFGuefw9-czlE3kSEi9xITnMdxDftpfdUFpV5jwHeO2i4ZeSj7WvdcSpHXPY-FLGF0ACrcXxe8BwybU-Gv9vOqCKVPvbHqTYjQp5g5epLKf8TuC5R4ytIy/s320/Day+6+Sunset.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471139220208882034" border="0" /></a>Here's a pic of the sunset about 40 miles inland from the west coast.<br /><br />We got to Eureka and set up camp in the dark and then went back into town for some food. All in all it was a great day but nothing too crazy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAREX1Ya8Go26_FHMeNEmhV9GPYJxNyhAlbgX_t6QvNXVl5P6nFibp8-u2HBbuPk8FmWWZWD5zi6IMdRaoAV4MtrruJFXoj02qP4Wf3s4lD_gh44lkLq27iTO4uPth5FyCCxhwEkizE_TK/s1600/Our+Campsite.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAREX1Ya8Go26_FHMeNEmhV9GPYJxNyhAlbgX_t6QvNXVl5P6nFibp8-u2HBbuPk8FmWWZWD5zi6IMdRaoAV4MtrruJFXoj02qP4Wf3s4lD_gh44lkLq27iTO4uPth5FyCCxhwEkizE_TK/s320/Our+Campsite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471139244941964690" border="0" /></a>Here's a pic of our campsite at the KOA in Eureka.Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361975529668418898.post-41745507333720680512010-05-11T09:07:00.002-05:002010-05-11T09:20:24.822-05:00Day 5 - All Day In RenoLast night we were supposed to stay in Salt Lake City but we decided to drive through the night and crash in Reno. We got in at 3:00AM, slept in and then bummed around the city for the day. There was only one picture that we needed to take of downtown Reno and I knew exactly where it was. What's interesting though is that we stayed at Harrah's Reno and they have 2 towers that are 30+ stories each. Of all the rooms on all the floors we got one with a perfectly clear view of the old building that I needed a picture of. What are the odds? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-lk3DXeoEI/AAAAAAAAAM8/QJr70-tjHLI/s1600/St.+Francis+Old.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-lk3DXeoEI/AAAAAAAAAM8/QJr70-tjHLI/s320/St.+Francis+Old.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470014119377543234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-lk3YO0OVI/AAAAAAAAANE/xU3xsbRbiTI/s1600/St.+Francis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z9fF3cwhkqI/S-lk3YO0OVI/AAAAAAAAANE/xU3xsbRbiTI/s320/St.+Francis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470014124978354514" border="0" /></a>Philiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666217159507480815noreply@blogger.com3