Jake the Great

2010 BWCA Trip Report

2010-10-29T23:41:00.043-04:00

DAY ONE

We arrived at the outfitters on Saturday, August 21st at around 5:30 AM. The drive up was long, maybe 18 hours, but largely uneventful - and yes, traditional stop at Arby's was included. Upon arriving at the outfitters (LaTourelle's), we shifted our gear from Mike's van into the outfitter's van for about a 60 minute drive to the entry point 16 (EP16). A little tired and groggy at that point, I think we were all ready to get on the water. Many cars at the EP16 parking lot - not a good sign when seeking quiet and solitude.

So we stretched a bit, got things in order, and headed out on our first portage of 2010. First portage was about 160 rods (r), and pretty flat - obviously well used. Came across many people - a common theme for this trip, particularly over the first couple of days. Put into Moose River, a thin, marshy river that took us up to Nina Moose Lake ... a couple of small portages along the way. Passed a few folks on Nina Moose Lake who said they had been catching some large panfish there. A beautiful, clear day. Nice little beach area on the northern end, near the opening that we took into the Nina Moose River. A couple of portages (70r and 96r) along this stretch - pretty spots, with nice rapids (good spot for lunch). Had to work our way over one beaver dam, but made our way into the southern end of Lake Agnes. We were all a bit tired at this point after all the time in the car, so we grabbed the first campsite on the southeast end of Agnes - it was a relatively nice site, but a rough landing area. Got set up at camp and went out to wet a line. Scotty caught a walleye and a pike, positioning himself well for the trifecta award - just needed that smallie.

DAY TWO

Woke up Sunday morning feeling a bit rough, but not too bad. A beautiful morning, with a calm, fog-covered lake. Clicked off a few photos as we got around to breakfast. Nobody moving too fast this morning, and it was late morning by the time we broke camp. We fished our way up Lake Agnes, having a bit more success at the northern end. Eddie and Mike began to chip into Scotty's lead in the fishing tourney. Did a short portage (24r), putting us into Boulder River I believe. Stopped for lunch on a windy point. Caught a pretty garter snake cruising thru the water - always a good sign. After lunch, we did a 65r portage into Boulder Bay --- short paddle, then a 75r portage that brought us out near a couple of buildings (not used to seeing structures in the BWCA). We were working our way to the Bottle River, with the hope of taking that through to Iron Lake. Wellll, that didn't work out too well. Bottle River was not passable, so we had to adjust plans. Because of our late start, and fishing along the way, it was a bit late in the day as we started considering alternatives. We ended up paddling around Tiger bay and Boulder Bay, checking 9 campsites before finding an open one. We were pretty shot by that point, having to battle some winds/waves on the big water. Although most of the campsites were occupied, we did see what looked like some really cool island sites up in this area. We were greeted at our campsite by a grand bald eagle who was standing in the water near the campsite ...a very nice welcoming committee indeed. We were all pretty happy to have found a spot for the night. Tried not to concentrate on the fact that from our campsite, we could see the portage we completed earlier that day right after lunch. So, despite a lot of paddling, we didn't cover much water in the end --- one really big loop --- but still a good day in the overall scope of things. An amazing full moon that night, a constant companion for the entire week.

DAY THREE

Needed to cover some water on Day 3, so on Monday morning we headed east pretty early. Back to the 75r portage we had done on day 2. From there, after much searching (bad map reader - another common theme for the week), we did a 65r portage into a mucky little lake. Bushwacked in there to locate the 240r portage that got us into the western end of Iron Lake. Had heard good things about the fishing there, so we did wet a line briefly ... but mostly paddled on to make up some time. Made it to Curtain Falls later in the afternoon. A beautiful spot - lots of fish, but also lots of people. I believe this is where Eddie wrapped up the Trifecta. 140r portage from there got us into Crooked Lake. "Can't go wrong on Crooked Lake". Ended up grabbing an island site in Sunday Bay. Mike had some shoe issues that resulted in a tumble, but fortunately he came out unscathed. A pretty nice campsite, we were once again treated to an incredible moon.

DAY FOUR

Tuesday morning we awoke and headed east - some big water, and fortunately the Wind Gods had our backs - literally. The winds pushed us along, so we managed a pretty reasonable pace with not too much effort. A beautiful lake. Scotty nailed a really big smallmouth in one pocket at about the same time that Mike caught a monster pike. Continued on, trying not to get lost in the maze of islands and coves, and ultimately settled on an island site in Thursday Bay. A really nice campsite. Good landing area. Elevated fire pit with beautiful views. Saw a buck swimming up the lake - we watched him for awhile - not sure where he was going, but he was making good time. Had a few sprinkles that evening, but then the clouds parted. More amazing moon reflections off the lake's surface.

DAY FIVE

Wednesday called for more Crooked Lake, as we headed east for a bit before dropping south. A really beautiful stretch through here, and we caught some nice smallmouth. Another beautiful day - bright blue sky, with a few fluffy clouds. Very impressive collection of pictographs along the western shore of Crooked just south of Frolic Lake. Grabbed a quick shore lunch at the southern end of Crooked before paddling over to Lower Basswood Falls. Pretty spot where, with water running in at two separate points. All campsites taken. Caught another snake - hooray. Short 33r portage, then paddled up to another area of double falls - Wheelbarrow Falls. Good fishing here, so we loitered a bit. 50r portage and then we continued along, selecting the second campsite. Another great site. Good landing area. Great elevated view of lake. Really nice site. Started the team fishing tourney here, and Team Zig Zag jumped out to a lead - catching smallies in a nearby cove on unweighted plastics. What fun. Followed a beaver around for a bit at dusk - he was curious at first, but then said his good-byes complete with a resounding tail smack. Another great moon.

DAY SIX

Thursday morning. Week is going too fast. Short 30r portage, but not before first grabbing a couple more smallies. Then continue along Basswood River. Had hoped to paddle some of this stretch but had to portage - including one listed at 340r. Scotty and I had help from a Scandinavian Goddess - many thanks! Popped out of the river and entered the big water of Basswood Lake. Headed east, again with the gracious cooperation of the Wind Gods. Stopped for a shore lunch along a beach at a campsite just short of US Point. Beautiful spot. Rounded US Point, and started looking for our campsite. Ended up grabbing the second one after the point. It too was sandy - which we learned had both good and bad aspects. More bugs here than we had seen the rest of the trip. Possible wolf tracks in sand, with nearby scat - pretty sweet. Got to watch a loon going through all its primping. And caught a pretty camp snake (garter). Water just amazingly clear here. Continued team fishing tourney - Zig Zag maintained its lead.

DAY SEVEN

Not a good day for the navigator - #%*@&* - what should have been a fairly easy trip south became a bit more eventful, as I managed to get things turned around a bit. Ended up spending some time in the English Channel, north of Ottawa Island - and that was not part of the plan. Fortunately Eddie was catching lots of smallies, so that helped a bit. Found my bearings a bit at Lincoln Island, but then struggled a bit again working our way into Wind Bay. And we were dealing with some wind then too, so each navigational mis-step meant more paddling. Sorry guys. Paddled to southern tip of Wind Bay and took a portage listed at 130r - felt longer. Pretty marshy. Popped us into western side of Wind Lake. Wind picking up pretty well at that stage. We paddled along and grabbed an island site for our final night. Everybody pretty spent after long day of paddling and map, uh, challenges. Eddie and Mike did pretty well fishing from the shore. Scotty and I hopped into the canoe and fished a shoreline that was protected from the wind. Caught quite a few smallies - nothing very big, but they were cooperative. Wind continued picked up, so we headed for the landing to settle in for remainder of day. Wind really started humming, and we started to wonder what the next morning had in store for us.

DAY EIGHT

Not much sleep that night, as we all listend to the wind roaring outside the tent. Expected the worst when we popped up early Saturday morning --- as it turns out, it wasn't as bad as feared. Yet again, the Wind Gods were with us. Some difficulty getting off the site, but once off, we managed the wind just fine. Short paddle to the 175r portage. Maybe more wolf scat on portage? Completed the portage, which put us into a protected cove on Moose Lake. Not far from the outfitters, but we knew we'd have to cross the lake. How bad would the wind be outside the cove? Well, we paddled out there, and sure enough, it was humming pretty well. We put our noses into the wind/waves, and selected what seemed a reasonable angle. After much paddling and cursing, our canoes touched shore at the ourfitters. Shoulders pretty tired. Phew!
Unloaded. Stretched. Grabbed a pop at the outfitters. Took a very welcomed long, hot shower. Then headed into Ely for stops at Piragis, the Brandenburg gallery, and a good lunch at the Chocolate Moose. Ahhh.

Outer Banks, North Carolina - July '10

2010-08-15T15:41:00.009-04:00

A few shots from this summer's trip to the Kill Devil Hills area ... could have used another week or two out there. Maybe next time ...

Polar bears @ Columbus Zoo

2010-06-20T23:23:00.005-04:00

A few shots of the new twin sister polar bears at the zoo ... born in 2006 at the Toledo Zoo, I believe, these two are really fun to watch at the new Polar Frontiers exhibit.

Noah J - closing in on 8 months ...

2010-05-14T23:37:00.006-04:00

A few more recent photos of little Noah J ...

Kentucky Herpetology Weekend

2010-05-10T20:49:00.035-04:00

Returned from a weekend trip down to Kentucky for the 2010 Herpetology Weekend put on by the Kentucky State Parks (and others). Was a great time, with lots of cool herps and good company. Some photos below --- lots of operator error, so blame the photographer as the critters did their part.

My buddy Steve and I attended the speakers' sessions on Friday and Saturday night - some good info, including an interesting discussion on the status of Kentucky cottonmouth. And we were fortunate to spend much of Friday and Saturday out in the field with some local herper friends who showed us the secret hot spots --- so a big thanks to Joe, Josh, and Jeff for sharing their time and knowledge. Only thing quicker than their ID skills is their wit - like the Three Amigos, but with snake sticks. But they sure do talk funny.

And a special thanks to Jeff and Debbie (and the dogs) for the amazing hospitality at Chez Hohman. Thanks so much, y'all.

A list of critters (other than dozens of ticks) observed over the weekend includes the following, according to my notes ---

Snakes: (1) ring neck, (2) black rat, (3) eastern milk, (4) worm, (5) black racer, (6) garter, (7) eastern hognose, (8) black king, (9) copperhead, and (10) watersnake
Salamanders: (1) Marbled, (2) Spotted, (3) Streamside, (4) Four toe, (5) Slimy, (6) Longtail, (7) Two line, (8) Red-spotted newt, (9) Northern dusky, and (10) Seal
Turtles: (1) Eastern box turtle, and (2) Snapper

Ohio Bird Sanctuary - April 2010

2010-05-05T23:24:00.007-04:00

Swung up to the Ohio Bird Sanctuary (OBS) recently as part of the Mohican Wildlife Weekend. The OBS offered a session for photographers in which they station some of their resident birds in the woods surrounding their facility - a few shots below from the trip. Its a great event, with an ability to get really close to some magnificant birds. Plus the OBS staff is very friendly and cooperative. I would recommend a visit to the OBS if in the area. I believe they will be holding a similar photography session in mid-October --- could be a great time to shoot up there, especially if the timing corresponds with some good leaf color.

Forget the PR Mohican 50K - 2010

2010-04-17T09:55:00.012-04:00

So yesterday was the Mohican trail 50K (31.2 miles) up at Mohican State Park ---

Let me start with the "thank yous", for they are numerous. Em, my "biggest" cheerleader, thanks for all the support out there on the trail. And Jess, thanks a bunch for coming out on a chilly Sunday morning and cheering me on. Chris, thanks for the company over the final 15 miles - hope your feet came out ok after the vibram experiment. And Jen, great to see you at the covered bridge.

And a big thanks to all the volunteers at the aid stations. Friendly and encouraging, they really help to make this event such a positive experience. And a big congratulations to Rob, the race director, for hosting another great event.

OK, as for the race ...

Went up to the park the night before. Got race packet. Got settled in at the lodge. Ate pretty clean. Tried to hydrate well. Went back and forth between shorts and tights for the race. Hmmm. Checked alarm 6 or 7 times. Called and asked for wake-up call for 5 minutes later than I had set the alarm. OK, I might have some issues. Gotta get some sleep.

Popped up Sunday morning - ahead of schedule. Wolfed down a bagel with peanut butter. Sipped on a gatorade. Opted for shorts (was never cold during race). Got packed up and left the lodge, heading for the starting area.

Ran into friends Joe and Jen. Joe was running the 25K yesterday - sounds like he enjoyed it. Attaway Joe!

It was about 32 degrees when we toed the starting line at 8 AM. Partly cloudy. No wind to speak of, a really great morning for running. A gentleman says "go", and ....

Then we're off, easy jog for a couple of minutes until we hit the first hill for some single-file walking as the elites disappear into the Mohican forest. Bye bye, fast people. I was sporting my heart rate monitor, so I settled into an easy pace. Like last year, I figured the heart rate monitor offered my best chance to find a pace that was sustainable for 6+ hours --- with an AT of 165, I was hoping to keep most of my miles in the 140 - 155 range (knowing a consistent level would be difficult in the hills).

Based on last year's experience with the trails, I knew where I would spend more time walking (and hopefully recovering a bit) - and therefore I tried to go a bit harder on the other sections. This strategy put me a bit ahead of last year's pace through the first several aid stations. Really liked the second section - love me some pine trees.

Saw Emmie and Jess at aid station 3 over by the lodge, around mile 16. This is also where Chris hopped in ... he was a good sport, as I'm not terribly good company on the run. I tend to like the quiet. Felt relatively good at this point ... heart rate was in good shape, but left knee was starting to complain a bit.

Worked our way back to the covered bridge aid station (just over 20 miles) at a reasonable pace, then took off along the "green trail" headed up to the fire tower. A fair amount of incline along this segment which is not a great combination with my little bird legs. I cussed and complained. It was fun. I think this is also where I took my first header, fortunately landing mostly in leaves. Feet just not getting as high off the trail at this point, making it much easier for the roots and rocks to sneak up and grab me. Bugger. Nothing hurt but my pride - could have been much worse. Tip of the cap to the running gods.

Made it to the fire tower - phew - like just over 22 miles into the race, so still plenty of distance left but this was a big landmark for me knowing that some time could be had over the final two legs of the race if I could take advantage of these segments. Said hi/bye to Emmie and Jess at the fire tower and headed off for the next segment of approximately 5 miles.

Hit the covered bridge aid station (around mile 27) for the final time - about 4.25 miles standing between us and the finish line. Mostly flat at first, following the meanders of the river, this is a beautiful section of the course. I had hoped to do some good work here, knowing that we'd hit a challenging hill about 1.5 miles from the finish. Managed to wipe out again, again coming away with no injuries. Double thanks. Unfortunately I did more walking than I would have liked here, dealing with some discomfort in both knees, but eventually got into a little bit of a groove as we came upon the final climb. Walked up the hill. Felt sorry for myself. What's that smell? Oh, that's me. Yuk. Sped up a bit once we crested the hill, knowing that the sooner I hit the finish line, the sooner I could get off my feet. Chris veered off near the finish line, as I plodded across the finish line to the applause from Emmie and Jess.

Had two primary goals going in to this year's race: (1) have fun and avoid injuries, and (2) try to beat my time from last year. Accomplished both, so I consider it a success. Certainly room for improvement, but it was a fun day (albeit challenging) on some beautiful trails. Note: the trail shoes will never again be allowed in the house, instead relegated to the porch for the remainder of their useful life.

According to my watch (unofficial), I had a total time of 6:35.14, average pace of about 12:45 per mile, while burning a total of 5,687 calories. My average heart rate during the event was 149 BPM.

Time per trail segment, according to my HR monitor -

Segment 1 = 1:08.30 (avg. HR 144)
Segment 2= 1:02.36 (avg. HR 149)
Segment 3 = 1:03 .33 (avg. HR 150)
Segment 4 = 52.10 (avg. HR 151)
Segment 5 = 39.43 (avg. HR 152)
Segment 7 = 50.42 (avg. HR 152)
Segment 8 = 57.56 (avg. HR = 148)

Time per heart rate zone, according to HR monitor:

Zone 1: 1:28.10
Zone 2: 2:28.58
Zone 3: 1:44.33
Zone 4: 31.33

New macro lens

2010-04-04T20:59:00.007-04:00

Recently decided to add a macro lens to my collection - ended up with a Sigma 50 mm/f2.8, for my Pentax K200. Tried a few shots with it over the weekend - certainly need more experience with it, but initial impressions were positive. A few shots below.

Arizona - Feb. 2010

2010-03-04T20:00:00.029-05:00

Spent a recent week down in the Tuscon (AZ) area, hiking and taking pictures at some of the local state and national parks. Some really nice trails in the area - and of course a nice time of year to flee Ohio.

Day 1: Picacho State park
Day 2: Saguaro National Park (west) & Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
Day 3: Mount Lemon (A.M.) / Catalina State park (P.M.)
Day 4: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Day 5: Tohono Chul Botannical Park
Day 6: Sabino Canyon

Noah J.

2009-12-10T17:16:00.016-05:00

Well, about 14 months after losing Jake the Great, we opened our doors to Noah J. Noah was born on September 21st, so he's like 12 weeks old now. We got him from Sun-Del Labradors, up in the Sunbury area. A little reserved at first, he is now a terror with many, many sharp puppy teeth. Below are a few photos of the beast - lots of the pictures are of him sleeping, which is the easiest time to photograph the little guy.

White Tail Trail Marathon

2009-11-10T22:39:00.006-05:00

Quick write-up on the White Tail Trail Marathon that was on October 25th over at Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville (kind of between Dayton and Cincinnati).

I wanted to have a long race in the fall, and chose this one since I was itching to get off pavement for a bit. My conditioning wasn't exactly where I would have liked it going in, but I tried not to get too worked up about that.

The morning was beautiful - clear and crisp - nice autumn day in Ohio. Em and Buzzy were doing the 5K, so we all headed to the start line together just before 8 AM. About 250 total registrants, with around 70 doing the full marathon.

I had my heart rate monitor on, and I intended to stay in zones 2 and 3 for the first 20 miles or so. I was tentatively shooting for a time of like 4:20 --- turns out that was waaaaaay off, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

We all took off, and I stayed near Em and Buzzy for much of the 5K before the longer courses branched off onto the trails.

I didn't feel too bad at first - the scenery was a nice distraction as we worked our way through the first few miles along the lake shore, with the trees having some good fall colors. The leaves on the trail caused other problems though, as they hid most of the roots and rocks that were scattered about.

Hit an aid station at around mile 6.5, and it was clear then that I was already way off pace. I should have been there around an hour into the race, but my watch showed closer to 1:15. Oops. Might be a long day.

Fortunately I had great support throughout the race. Emmie, Buzzy and RJ showed up all over the place. And Mom and Roger were present at multiple aid stations as well. Thanks y'all.

Continued on, enjoying the trails and trying to maintain a relaxed stride. Alternated between water and G2 in my water bottle. Took in PowerGels about every 4 to 5 miles. Both quads started tightening up around the 3 hour mark. Right ITB showed some displeasure about this time too. Left knee became fairly tender around hour 4, showing particular dislike for any declines. Surprisingly, my calves, which were my biggest concern coming into the race, were cooperating. Bonus.

Was ready to be done when my watch hit the 5 hour mark. For a "flat course", my legs were taking a beating. Maybe just an off day, or perhaps a reflection of my lower mile base over the last few weeks prior to the race as I nursed my calves along. Whatever the case, I was certainly not hammering the trails. Just gotta keep going ...

Saw Emmie just short of the 25 mile mark - she told me I had a mile and a half to go. I think I dropped the f-bomb.

Put my head down and kept shuffling along - reminded myself that I was getting closer with each step - was glad to see the finish line after one final turn. Phew. Not an impressive performance, but I did hit the tape - and it'll be good motivation for the next one!

Thanks to the volunteers who were at the aid stations -y'all did a great job. Thanks for coming out.

My final details for the day:

Total time = 5:20.43

Avg HR = 152
Zone 1: 1:20
Zone 2: 2:20
Zone 3: 1:07
Zone 4: 11 minutes

Note: Doesn't total 5:20 - not sure why the monitor has these periods of inactivity.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

2009-10-21T22:11:00.004-04:00

A few shots from a recent day trip up to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just south of Cleveland.

Clifton Gorge - October 2009

2009-10-14T22:55:00.006-04:00

Took a quick trip last weekend over to the Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs. Nice little preserve, not far from John Bryan State Park. Leaves were showing some colors, but they've got a bit to go yet to reach peak.

Sedona Photos - Summer '09

2009-09-18T23:35:00.032-04:00

... and then there was the Sedona portion of the trip. I hadn't originally planned to visit Sedona at all, and it was a last-minute addition to the itinerary. Sure glad I went though, as it is a beautiful spot with a lot of great trails.

I apologize upfront for the subject matter redundancy in the photos below. Clearly I found the red rock against that great western blue sky really compelling. Oh, and of course the weathered trees too - can't have too many photos of those, now can ya?

Tucson Photos (Summer '09)

2009-09-10T18:13:00.015-04:00

Spent a week recently in Arizona, mostly just hiking around and looking for critters. It was toasty, but a lot of fun. Split my time pretty evenly between the Tucson area and up around Sedona.

The shots below are from the Tucson area, where I explored some of the trails at Saguaro National Park (west and east districts), Catalina State Park, and Mount Lemmon. The diversity was pretty cool, spending one day in the low desert at Saguaro and then spending the next day at about 9,000 ft. elevation near the peak of Mt. Lemmon. Good stuff.

Jake the Great - 12 months later

2009-08-28T21:46:00.005-04:00

It was one year ago today that we lost Jake the Great, the best dog ever in the entire universe. Still miss ya, boy.

Book Review - Being Caribou

2009-08-24T22:23:00.010-04:00

"Being Caribou", by Karsten Heuer, is about about a journey embarked upon by Karsten (wildlife biologist) and his wife Leanne (filmmaker). During this trip, Karsten and Leanne followed the Porcupine caribou herd ON FOOT from the Yukon Territory to the caribou calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and back ... a journey of around 1,000 miles.

Their trip was designed principally to learn more about the caribou's reliance on ANWR so that they could generate a more informed opinion about efforts to open up parts of ANWR for oil development.

Can't even begin to imagine the conditions that they endured during their 5 month journey. From the storms to grizzly bear encounters --- unrelenting mosquitoes and navigational challenges --- and the complex logistics of planning and coordinating such a trip. Pretty amazing stuff.

Overall I give the book about a 6. An interesting read, but not so compelling that I couldn't step away from it from time to time.

Some of my favorite text from the book is actually introductions to certain chapters, where the author quotes from Sonnets to Orpheus (which was new to me). Some good stuff. Mom, you'd like it, its got a Zen-like feel to it. Thoreau meets the Budha?

P. 79 (Rainer Maria Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus, Part One, XII)

Pure attention, the essence of the powers!
Distracted by each day's doing,
how can we hear the signals?

P. 111 (Rainer Maria Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus, Part Two, XIV)

There's a lightness in things. Only we people move forever burdened,
pressing ourselves onto everything, obsessed by weight.
How strange and devouring our ways must seem
to those for whom life is enough.

P. 175 (Rainer Maria Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus, Part Two, XIII)

Be. And, at the same time, know what it is to not be.
That emptiness inside you allows you to vibrate
in resonance with your world. Use it for once.

Inniswood Metro Gardens

2009-08-17T20:01:00.012-04:00

More flower pictures. I know, I know, I might have a problem. Admitting it is the first step, right? "Hello, my name is Stuart, and I take lots of flowers pictures."

These are from Inniswood, a nice little park over in Westerville. Ran over there this past Sunday morning for a couple of hours. Fortunately the weather was cooperative, with little/no wind, so I was able to try a couple of different things. Still working on this depth-of-field (DOF) thing.

Book review - Boundary Waters: The Grace of the Wild

2009-08-12T18:59:00.008-04:00

"The importance of wild places is not that they, unlike other places, are sacred, but that there we find, as Henry David Thoreau said,'our own limits transgressed.' We confront in wild places evidences of powers greater than our own; this evidence humbles us, and in humility is the beginning of spirituality. Wildness matters not because it alone is sacred but because it arouses in us the sense of sanctity that makes visible the sacredness of everything else in life." (p. 201)

Man, I dig that. Its from Paul Gruchow's Boundary Waters: The Grace of the Wild. I just finished reading this book, and I give it a thumbs up. I am, however, a bit biased because a good portion of this book is set in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), which just happens to be one of my favorite places. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, and if you experience a spiritual reaction to time spent in the wilderness, then I think this book would be worth throwing in your backpack the next time you hit the trails.

I found several other selections from this book to be really compelling - here are a few of 'em:

(1) "My face had grown windburned, and when I arrived back at the cabin after my outing, the outer layer of my coat was soaked in sweat. I was healthy, contented, happy, and peaceful. I had time to think, the company of people I liked, lots of fresh air and physical labor, good plain food, and sleep. I could not remember why I thought, most of the time, that I wanted or needed anything more." (p. 130)

(2) "I open my senses. I hear more, see more, taste more, smell more, feel more. The world comes to me like a shock of icy water this foggy wilderness morning. My pores gasp, and the world enters them." (p. 23)

(3) "Still, in the silence of forests, in the austerity of cold, beyond reach of the marketplace, there does seem an innocence of spirit capable of transcending the ordinary pettiness of life." (p. 137)

(4) "Life is always and everywhere manifest in ways that eyes do not see nor ears hear. It lies hidden, waiting to be expressed in attentiveness." (p. 127)

(5) "The silence deep in the wilderness and the one at the center of the human heart are sublime and serene, and they cannot be heard except when alone, and over a broad margin of time and distance. There are some communications, such as those from the stars, that require a greater darkness than can be found at the edges of society." (p. 26)

OBX 2009 Photos - Part 1 (scenery)

2009-08-03T20:07:00.014-04:00

Here are a few shots from our recent trip to the Outer Banks, as well as a few pics from the nearby Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

Franklin Park Conservatory - The Sequel (July '09)

2009-07-14T23:57:00.013-04:00

So I again found myself headed to the Franklin Park Conservatory, with trusty Pentax D-SLR in hand. The FPC is quickly becoming one of my favorite local spots for taking pictures ... plenty of photo opportunities between the flowers and all the Chihuly pieces.

Outer Limits Duathlon

2009-07-12T22:10:00.005-04:00

Did Ultrafit-USA's Outer Limits Duathlon this morning ... its a local race, flat and not too long - like a 2 mile run, followed by a 16 mile bike, then a 5K run. Second run felt a bit short of reported length, but I won't complain. Went fairly well, but I definitely have some work to do if I am seriously considering a half-iron in September.

Wore my heart rate monitor, not so much to dictate pace but more out of curiosity ... according to the monitor, my heart rate averaged 162 BPM during the race which is just below my AT. Max HR was apparently 183. Should probably have my heart rate re-tested, as I'm working off data that is like 2 years old. Hmmm.

Legs feel pretty good now - a big thank you to the Running Gods for permitting an injury-free race ...

Rose Garden - July 5th

2009-07-08T21:12:00.001-04:00

A few pics from a quick trip to the Rose Garden over at Whetstone ...

Olympic National Park - Part 4 (Seattle/peeps)

2009-07-02T22:35:00.000-04:00

And it was brought to my attention that I didn't have any people pictures in any of my prior ONP posts ... so below are a few random shots of "my peeps", as well as a few Seattle pics mixed in here and there.

Olympic National Park - Part 3 (the coast)

2009-06-22T21:36:00.000-04:00

... and then there's the coast. Ahhh. We stayed in a little cabin at Kalaloch Lodge right along the beach. The cabin wasn't particularly fancy, but it was clean, the staff was friendly, and the view was fantastic. Could hear the surf with the windows open, and it had a fireplace for relaxing at day's end. The cabin had neither a TV nor phone/internet connection, which I found liberating but it was not exactly embraced by all in the group.

We hit a few different spots along the coast during our stay, ranging from Kalaloch at the south end up to Rialto, near La Push, further north. I spent most of my beach time at 4th beach and Ruby beach, both of which offered some good critter viewing during low tides. Took a bunch of pictures at Ruby beach, as I found the large sea stacks really compelling. Never did get the sunset right there, but that didn't stop me from clicking away.

www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/coast.htm

Olympic National Park - Part 2 (Hoh rain forest)

2009-06-22T17:59:00.000-04:00

... and we also spent some time in the Hoh rain forest. Hit the Spruce Trail one day, then another day I hit the Hall of Mosses (its real name) and the Hoh River Trail. Very cool. So many different shades of green, it was amazing. The mosses. The ferns. The more than 250' tall sitka spruce. Nice! Almost wanted it to rain while hiking the trail - almost.

It was great getting out on the Hoh River Trail early one day - it was totally quiet. Only sounds were a few birds and the sound of the Hoh River when the trail meandered close to it's banks. Even managed to surprise a few elk. Good stuff, would certainly recommend this trail.

www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/temperate-rain-forests.htm

Olympic National Park - Part 1 (mountains)

2009-06-21T23:04:00.000-04:00

We visited Olympic National Park in Washington state earlier this month. Really sweet spot. It was a quick trip, but we managed to visit some of the coastal areas, the Hoh rainforest, and the mountains near Hurricane Ridge. Gotta dig a park that offers all these different ecosystems.

Below are a few shots from the Hurricane Ridge area . The peaks maybe aren't as high as some other mountain ranges, but they make for a very cool vista anyway. We spent a little time hiking on some of the nearby trails. Dodged a few patches of remaining snow, got to see some black-tailed deer and a really fat marmot. It was a good day and a spot where I'd like to return and spend a bit more time exploring.

www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/mountains.htm

Nerodio!

2009-06-08T17:50:00.000-04:00

Ran up to Lake Erie last Monday to participate in the 2009 Nerodio! What's the Nerodio? Its an annual survey of the federally-threatened Lake Erie Water Snake or LEWS (Nerodia sipedon insularum). A look at the scientific name gives you some insight into the derivation of the name for this annual event. Organized by Rich King and Kristin Stanford, the Nerodio is a fun time - good company and plenty of herping, a sweet combination indeed - but of course it serves valuable scientific and regulatory purposes as well.

The weather in the morning was not ideal, with rains and a cool breeze. We used that as an opportunity to search for some salamanders. Very cool in their own right, these unisexual salamanders exhibit some pretty amazing reproductive strategies (i.e., "kleptogenesis"?). I probably can't explain it properly, but the link below takes you to an article on the topic. Wild stuff. http://biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/158

The weather improved in the afternoon, so we hit the shores with pillowcases in hand. Didn't take long after the clouds moved out for the LEWS to make an appearance. Strolling along the rocky shorelines, we found quite a few snakes. And in typical LEWS fashion, they were a bit feisty - but that's completely understandable given that they were minding their own business, chilling in the sun, perhaps flirting with a neighbor, when something large comes along and grabs them. A couple of bites later, as well as a healthy dose of stinky excrement, and they are in the pillowcase for processing. After processing, which gives them an opportunity to share a bit more of their unique cologne, they are returned unscathed to their homes.

For additional information on Kristin's efforts, check out this link: http://respectthesnake.com/

Or you can check this link for some regulatory information pertaining to the LEWS: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/reynoldsburg/lews.html

Elks Lacrosse

2009-05-25T22:06:00.000-04:00

Went back to Centerville recently to see my oldest nephew play in a JV lacrosse match. Big "W" for the Elks, 3 - 2, in double overtime. Great job Ian and the Elks!

Inniswood Metro Garden

2009-05-23T23:22:00.000-04:00

A few photos from a trip to Inniswood a couple of weeks ago ...

Ohio Bird Sanctuary

2009-05-10T10:03:00.001-04:00

Last weekend was the Mohican Wildlife Weekend, an annual event up near Mohican State Park by Mansfield. The weekend's events include a session for visitors to take photos over at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. This is a fun way to get some close photos of raptors in a wild setting.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary (http://www.ohiobirdsanctuary.com/) is a non-profit organization that focuses on rehabilitation and educational efforts involving raptors. Its a nice place, with friendly and knowledgeable staff/volunteers. Their collection consists primarily of birds that have been injured to the extent that they would be unable to survive in the wild. They have several species of owls, falcons, hawks, turkey vultures, and others. Certainly worth a visit if in the area. And they even have a 5K run/walk in mid-July ...

Below are a few photos from my visit - unfortunately I didn't get any good photos of the turkey vulture or the kestrel. The birds in the photos below include a great horned owl, a red-tailed hawk, a harris hawk, and a peregrine falcon.

Mohican 50K Recap

2009-04-20T23:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the Forget the PR Mohican 50K (or 31.2 miles) trail race up at Mohican State Park (near Mansfield).

http://www.mohican50k.com/

I’ve had a few folks ask about the race and my experience, so I thought a recap might be in order.

This was my first attempt at running a race longer than a marathon. An ultramarathon. This was also my first trail race of more than a 10K. Given that, I was pretty clueless but also pretty excited. I had tentatively set a goal of 6.5 hours based on a very loose extrapolation of my experiences running road marathons.

Em and I went up to Mohican and stayed in the lodge Saturday night. We popped up Sunday morning and headed for the starting area around 7:15. It was cloudy, mid 50s, with rain in the forecast. Em and I walked around at the starting area, nervous energy keeping me from standing still for too long. As a rookie, I wanted to see what others were doing – how were they dressed, what kinds of fluids/foods were they carrying, trails shoes or road shoes, etc. I didn’t feel too out of place based on what I saw.

Pre-race meeting at 7:40. Last minutes instruction, tips, etc. Approximately 135 racers overall. Three bits of advice were running through my mind as I stood nervously by the starting line, half-listening to the instructions:

(1) “Start slowly, then ease off” -- This one appealed to me. Slow-twitch people of the world unite!

(2) “Walk up the hills, jog the flats, then let gravity pull you down the hills” --- Sounds easy enough. Surely I can do that. Right? As it turns out, gravity can be cruel little bugger …

(3) “If the bone aint showin’, then keep on going” --- Oh my god, what did I get myself into here?!?!

8 AM. We’re off. Bye Emmie. This is about the last time of the day that I see the elite runners. Vrrrm, they are off in a cloud of trail dust. I settle into an easy jog – just getting warmed up – then we hit the first hill no more than 5 minutes into the race. Slam on the brakes. Everybody is walking. OK, cool, I won’t be the only one walking up the hills. I hear somebody up ahead comment, and not in a negative way, “This is what ultras are about.”

So we’re started. Using my heart rate monitor, I settle into a pace that I hope I can maintain for 6+ hours. I hit the first aid station at around 9:12 AM. Wow, so much for marathon pace – clearly not in Kansas anymore. This was going to be a long day, but the course was pretty and the volunteers at the aid station were fantastic. Wizard of Oz theme at this aid station, complete with yellow brick road. Other racers were friendly. I get some fluids and take off again.

Finished the orange trail about an hour later and headed on to the blue and purple trails. Some more technical spots here, including the areas around the Lyon waterfalls. Wished I had my camera. Long paved climb near the spillway area. Could have timed me with a sun dial.

Em was waiting around the third aid station for me – I was already behind schedule, but Em was doing just fine as she had made some nice new friends during her wait. About 16.1 miles into the race and I was feeling pretty good. Taking in plenty of fluids and some gels. Right calf, which had me concerned going into the race, was behaving itself so far. I said a quick word of thanks to the running gods.

At about 3:50 into the race my legs were no longer as enthusiastic about the day’s festivities. The knees started aching a bit, and my left hip was tightening. The walking segments helped some, but almost seem to exacerbate some of the stiffness … I actually felt better when maintaining a relaxed jogging pace.

Saw Em again at the 22.7 mile marker near the fire tower. I’m all about being green, but the green trail was not my friend. 2.5 miles, in 41.28? Ouch. My pace, already slow, was slowing even more. Lots of hills on this recent stretch. Grabbed a few fig newtons and more fluids. Who doesn’t like fig newtons? “Newtons” is a fun word. My stomach was feeling good – not upset, like in some other longer races – this was great, as it enabled me to continue taking in some fuels. Heart and lungs felt great. Quads were starting to be uncooperative. Darn bird legs. Tweet! This was where I concluded that the downhill portions were as painful, if not more painful, than the uphill portions. Gravity shmavity, my quads were humming! Two more race segments to go, less than 10 miles. Hang in there. Adjusted overall time goal – try to beat 7 hours.

Got to the final aid station by the covered bridge at mile 27. Hmmm. Just under an hour for the last 4.25 miles. That aint good. Grabbed more fluids and headed on to the yellow trail for the final segment.

Just 4.25 more miles to go. Knees were really not happy at this point. Quads also were rebelling, with some not-so-subtle threats of cramping. Walked for two minutes, jogged for two minutes, then walked again. Continued this rotation for the first 10 minutes or so. Thought about the final segment – 4.25 miles, with a hill over the final mile … the first 3 miles of this stretch were relatively flat though, along a pretty stream. I started jogging again, hoping to take advantage of the flat terrain here … actually ended up getting back into a reasonable rhythm, so I stopped the jog/walk pattern and maintained my jogging pace. Hit the final hill, the North Rim trail I believe, and started walking up that. Quads weren’t thrilled but they were somewhat appeased by the knowledge that the finish line was fast approaching. Dropped down the other side of the hill, I could see the start/finish area now, and hit a flat paved road leading to the finish line. Emmie was there waiting, directing me to the finish line. Hit the line at like 6:50. Ooof. Looked for a nearby bench to sit and get off my feet for a bit. Gnawed on a peanut butter bagel. Took in a few fluids, and inventoried the damage. Some sore muscles and achy knees/hips, but otherwise relatively unscathed. Hooray!

Big thanks to all involved!

Concluding comments: Good vibe at the race – lots of positive energy. Nice course. Well marked – always felt like I knew where I was going. Probably missed a lot of the scenery though, as I was so intent on my foot placement to avoid the many rocks and roots. Race director Rob was nice and generous with his knowledge - as a newbie, I asked lots of questions. The volunteers were excellent … friendly and encouraging, they were a great help at the aid stations. Thanks y’all! I packed too much, and could have done without much of the food that I carried in my backpack. Lesson learned. Em was a great fan throughout the event – thanks, Ms. Smith!

More technical stuff:

Finishing time (unofficial – based on my watch): 6:50.38
Average per mile pace: 13 minutes and 13 seconds
My anaerobic threshold (AT): 163 BPM
Average heart rate during race: 151 BPM
Maximum heart rate during race: 206 BPM

Time in heart rate zone 1: 29.34
Time in heart rate zone 2: 2:24.13
Time in heart rate zone 3: 2:46.45
Time in heart rate zone 4: 52.16
Time in heart rate zone 5: 1.16
Note: some time missing – what gives? Maybe my heart stopped on some of the steeper hills?!?!

(1) Start to 1st aid station = 5.9 miles
*** Time for segment = 1:12.20
*** Avg. HR for segment = 147
(2) 1st aid station to 2nd aid station – 5.3 miles (11.2 miles total so far)
***Time for segment - 1:01.04
*** Avg. HR for segment = 153
(3) 2nd aid station to 3rd station – 4.9 miles (16.1 miles total so far – roughly half way done)
*** Time for segment = 1:05.22
*** Avg. HR for segment = 156
(4) 3rd aid station to 4th aid station – 4.1 miles (20.2 miles total)
*** Time for segment = 53.35
*** Avg. HR for segment = 155
(5) 4th aid station to 5th aid station – 2.5 miles (22.7 miles into race)
*** Time for segment = 41.28
*** Avg. HR for segment = 154
(6) 5th aid station to 6th aid station – 4.25 miles (27 miles – getting there!)
*** Time for segment = 55.41
*** Avg. HR for segment = 148 HR
(7) 6th aid station to finish – 4.25 miles (total of 31.25 miles – phew!!!)
*** Time for segment = 1:01.05
*** Avg. HR for segment = 149

Quick Trip to the Smokies

2009-04-09T21:33:00.000-04:00

Ran down to the Smokies last weekend for a few days - just wanted to get out on the trails for a bit, look for some spring wildflowers, and try out my new camera. Stayed in Townsend, as Gatlinburg is just a bit too congested for me. As it turns out, I was a bit early for most of the wildflowers. However, it was still great to get out - tough to complain when its sunny and 65, and you find yourself hiking along a beautiful mountain stream. Ahhhhh ......

Columbus Zoo

2009-03-22T21:42:00.001-04:00

Here are a few photos from the Columbus Zoo (http://www.columbuszoo.org/), a great spot to visit especially now that spring seems to have finally arrived.

Clear Creek Metro Park

2009-03-01T16:35:00.000-05:00

Well, with my 50K trail race less than 2 months away (gulp!) I figured it was time for me to put in some miles on some hilly trails. So, this morning I packed up some Gatorade, a couple of bagels, and some vanilla PowerGels and headed for Clear Creek Metro Park. If you've not been to Clear Creek, I would certainly recommend it. Its part of the Columbus Metro Parks system, but its actually down along 33 past Lancaster - about 50 miles from my driveway. Perhaps not really the right park if your plan is to play some soccer or softball, but its a quiet, secluded park, with great trails (including a pet trail).

http://www.metroparks.net/ParksClearCreek.aspx

It was a beautiful morning out there today - blue skies, with just a few high clouds ... light breeze, but that was quickly blocked when I entered the woods. Of course the trees haven't leafed yet, so the sunlight filtered through to the trail in patches. All things considered, not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

I wore my heart rate monitor during the run, mostly for curiosity. I didn't think I'd be able to maintain a consistent heart rate given the terrain on the trails, and that turned out to be the case. My heart rate varied from a low Zone 1 up to a few clicks above my AT in Zone 4. For the most part, however, I was able to keep it in a comfortable Zone 3. Today's run wasn't so much about pace, as it was just spending some time in the hills. Overall a good training day, but I've certainly got some work to do over the next 7 weeks!

Here are a few photos from past visits to Clear Creek:

Courtesy Wave

2009-02-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

So what ever happened to the courtesy wave? You know, you let somebody cut in front of you in traffic and they give you a quick wave in the rear view mirror to say "Hey, thanks for the solid."

Sure, the wave is often abrupt and insincere, but really its only a gesture anyway so the technique in largely irrelevant. The key is the gesture, the recognition, the acknowledgement.

But recent experience suggests that the courtesy wave is a thing of the past. Extinct. Like Walkmans. Or customer service. Or tab-collared dress shirts.

Was there a memo that I missed, highlighting the demise of the courtesy wave? Or are people just too busy texting while driving to perform the courtesy wave?

I say bring back the courtesy wave! Carpe wave!

Last Chance for Boston - Half Marathon

2009-02-16T19:39:00.000-05:00

Well, the Running Gods were with me yesterday during the half-marathon, and they allowed me to run the race largely pain-free. Nice! I intend to sacrifice a pair of old Saucony's on their behalf at the next full moon. Right calf is a little tight today, but surely a marked improvement from the past 6 weeks.

The weather was good for running, with temperatures right around 30 and only a light breeze. I ran the first 10.1 miles in a high Zone 2/low Zone 3 heart rate range (avg. BPM like 150 - 155), then picked it up a little over the final 3 miles. My final time was nothing to brag about, but I'm pretty pleased overall.

So now its time to focus on the 50K in April! Gotta get out on the trails and start stretching out my runs a bit more .... this will be my first "ultra" and my first trail run over 7 miles, so I've got some things to learn here for sure.

Also, my friend and sometimes running buddy, Bob, was doing the full marathon yesterday - he ended up with a PR by like a minute, so great job Bob!!!

Everglades National Park Photos

2009-02-10T19:33:00.000-05:00

Mid-February in Ohio. Ouch. Got a wicked case of cabin fever. The past couple of years I'd be preparing about now for a trip down to south Florida to visit Everglades National Park. Nothing fancy, just a long weekend hiking around with the camera, enjoying the peace, and looking for critters (especially herps). Great time of year to visit the Everglades - temperatures in the 70s, its their dry season (so bugs are minimal for the most part), and plenty of wildlife. In fact, if you're a birder, this place is fantastic - birds are not necessarily my thing, but the variety of species present in the park is pretty amazing. They're all over the place, reflecting just what a unique ecosystem Everglades represents. Pretty cool stuff. I like getting to the park before the sun rises, and sitting in the pre-dawn light, listening as the park wakes up. All the animals combine for a pretty sweet symphony. So if you're like me and you're cursing the groundhog for his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter, you may want to consider a quick trip down to south Florida ... there are worse ways to spend a late winter weekend. Here are a few photos from past trips down to south Florida.

Remembering Jake the Great

2009-02-01T22:22:00.001-05:00

Today would have been Jake's 14th B-Day. Sure wish he was still with us to celebrate it. Miss the boy like crazy, but very grateful for all the great times during his 13.5 years.

Super Bowl Prediction

2009-02-01T18:00:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. I'm not strongly in favor of either team, nor am I rooting against either team. Pretty indifferent overall as to who wins. I am just hoping for a good game. Something close, with some exciting plays. Cardinals have been hot lately - defense has played surprisingly well in last few games, and the offense can be explosive. The Steelers have been pretty solid all year, with a dominating defense and an offense that at times is quite capable.

My prediction, which will surely be way off is ---- Steelers 24, Cardinals 17. I'm expecting a TD for the Steelers D which will be crucial to their victory.

Well, that's my guess anyway ....

Harley

2009-01-30T01:33:00.000-05:00

This is Harley, the latest addition to my snake collection. (Hey Elaine, where are you going? E? Come back, its just a photo. Remember, snakes need love too!!!!).

Harley is a captive-born western hognose (Heterodon nasicus), and he's probably about 8 to 9 inches long right now --- no formal SVL measurement so far. Initially fed live pinkies, he has quickly/easily converted to frozen/thawed. I know the photo's not great, but isn't he cool? You can probably tell from the photo that he has an upturned snout - he uses this to dig in soils, and if in the wild, to excavate a toad or two (yum).

So why a western hognose? Well, since I'm a sucker for a list, here are the primary reasons:

Everything I read about them indicated that they are a species that does well in captivity.
They don't get too large, so a huge tank is not necessary.
Their temperament is supposed to be pretty relaxed.
Their color and patterns make 'em a pretty good looking species.
This species has some pretty cool defense mechanism which make them particularly interesting.

So far everything I have read about this species seems accurate. Harley seems to have manged the transition to his new home pretty seamlessly. He is very relaxed when handled, and shows no aggression. He's feeding regularly now, which is reassuring. So, things look good so far.

So what are its defense mechanisms? Well, when agitated it may spread out its head and neck, not exactly like a cobra, but more like a little junior cobra-wannabe. And it may hiss audibly, and false strike repeatedly. Harley did all of this the first time I tried to feed him - pretty impressive display for such a little guy. Now, what Harley hasn't done is play dead ... I think this is a hognose's most intriguing behavior. I've seen it with eastern hognose in the wild, and it is really something. When disturbed, the snake may flip over on its back, wiggle around a bit, flop its tongue out, and maybe even excrete on itself. I'm not sure how effective this is in discouraging predators, but it is convincing ... unless of course you start to walk away, at which point it flips back over and resumes its snake stuff. If you return to it, it may again flop back over and go back through the routine. "Look at me, see how dead I am? And dude, can't you smell me? You should probably leave me alone" Isn't nature cool?!?!

Dornans - Wyoming Photos

2009-01-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

If you're in Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming, and you find yourself getting hungry, I highly recommend a restaurant called Dornan's. Its got a nice relaxed feel about it. The food is plenty good, with healthy serving sizes - but the location is really the key for this place. Dornan's is located near Moose Junction, not far from the new visitor center (which is pretty amazing, by the way). Situated along the Snake River, you are pretty close to the base of the Tetons. The view is just stunning. So after a morning of hiking, you can grab a big plate of pasta and head for the outdoor patio on the second floor --- put your feet up, refuel, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Ahhh, good stuff. Check out http://www.dornans.com/ for more details.

Below are a few photos from my most recent trip to Wyoming (October 2008) to visit my big sister. She was a most excellent host, guide, and photo assistant. Thanks Kiki! As it turns out, I couldn't have timed my trip any better - the autumn colors were fantastic, and the bull elk and moose were quite active and vocal. Awfully peaceful hanging out at the foot of the Tetons, waiting for the sun to rise, with the sound of elk bugling in the distance.

Franklin Park Conservatory - Photos(1/10/09)

2009-01-11T18:35:00.001-05:00

The weather didn't cooperate on Saturday, so I headed over to the Franklin Park Conservatory with my camera. It was the first day of their orchid exhibit, so there were plenty of photo opportunities. As is usually the case, I ended up deleting about 95% of my photos ... but here are a few that made it through the first cut. C'mon Spring, hurry up!

Downtown Columbus - Photos (Part I)

2009-01-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

Went for a stroll not long ago in downtown Columbus with my camera - took a few shots,

but nothing too compelling. However, I think

there is some potential there, so I may need to try again.

O-H -----I-O

2008-11-21T22:35:00.000-05:00

Can't live in Columbus and not be aware of the fact that this is Michigan weekend. The football Buckeyes vs. "that team up north". Woody and Bo. Decades of contests involving two of the more elite national programs. This year's match-up may not have the traditional implications, since Big Blue has, uhhh, struggled a bit this season. But, its still Bucks vs. Wolverines. The blimp will be over the 'Shoe. The Hall of Fame Cafe will be jumpin'. 315 will be a parking lot. Or if you're not interested in the game, its a great time to get some shopping done in town as you'll have all the stores to yourself ... just stay away from the campus area.

So here's my prediction, which will likely not be anywhere near the actual results. I'm guessing closer than expected - I think the spread is 15, but its a big rivalry so I'm thinking it will be tighter than expected.

Buckeyes 27 - Michigan 17. Give or take ....

Sports Flicks

2008-11-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

OK, I love sports and I love movies, so I guess it was only a matter of time before I had a post on sports movies. Highly subjective, of course, but here are my top 10 - in no particular order - open to feedback:

1) Bull Durham
2) Miracle
3) Field of Dreams
4) The Natural
5) Brian Song
6) Invincable
7) Rudy
8) Hoosiers
9) Rocky
10) Seabiscuit

Others receiving votes: Remember the Titans; Vision Quest; American Anthem; Wimbledon; Tin Cup; Breaking Away; Stick It

What am I missing? Kiki, I am counting on you here ...

Winter's Bright Side

2008-11-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big fan of winter. In fact, its probably my fourth favorite season - or fifth, if you include football season. But, in looking for that sometimes elusive silver lining, I find that the best part of winter is the consistent justification for wearing wool socks. Love 'em. The thicker, the better. When speaking on the Wool Sock Lecture Series (WSLS), I am often asked, "Sure, but can they be too thick?" My answer, accompanied with a practiced look of disbelief, is an emphatic "no". If you can wear your normal shoes, then the socks aren't thick enough. You should have to go up at least one shoe size. Heck, you may even have to adjust the seat in your car to accommodate your new height. Too long? No such thing. Heck, I'll pull 'em over my shoulders if I can.

Not only are they incredibly warm and comfortable, but they are also the cure to most any problem. Got a headache? Try some wool socks. Sore ITB? Wool socks are the answer. Vertigo? Scurvy? Having trouble balancing your checkbook? Wool socks. Wool socks. And yup, wool socks.

I believe they may, perhaps, be the key to world peace. Nobody can exude negative energy when wearing big, thick wool socks. Its like peace for your pigs. They are happiness - with a heel. Grab a big pair the next time you have blurred vision - or just if your feet are cold.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T15:46:00.000-05:00

America: Home of the free because of the brave.

Thanks to all past and current members of the armed forces!

PB&H: The Lesser Sandwich?

2008-11-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

I love peanut butter & honey (PB&H) sandwiches. I loved 'em when I was a kid ---- bowl-cut hairdo, red corduroy pants, and PB&H in hand ... and now, with the bowl-cut but a faint memory, I still dig PB&H. But they just don't get the same level of pub that their more famous cousin, PB&J, has historically received.

Why do you suppose that is? Its certainly not a reflection of taste, as PB&H is, hands down, the better combination. Its not like PB&H is any more complicated to make or any more costly. So what gives? How has PB&J cornered the market on PB sandwiches? Can we blame Bill Gates and Vista? After much consideration, I blame the bees and what amounts to a faulty marketing and promotional campaign. Some slogans that might (or might not) be worth considering for future promotional efforts:

* PB&H - Add it to your Honey-Do list
* Add honey - its totally sweet!
* Eat more honey - support the pollinators!
* Vote "nay" on PB&J
* Peanut Butter and Honey? It's money.

Here's a recipe for ya: next time you're camping, try a PB&H over the fire using a pie iron (or pudgy pie maker, if from Allen County). Mmmmmm. Lightly toasted bread, melted PB, warm honey. Dude, it is so good. Totally beats a s'more, but that's a story for another time.

PB&H haiku ---

PB and honey -
Winnie, a visionary;
Joy, between slices.

By the way, did you realize there was once apparently an Earl of Sandwich (John Montagu) in 18th century England for whom the sandwich was named? What do you suppose he had on the back of his baseball jersey? Sandwich? Montagu? Big Earl? Regardless, I'm guessing he caught some grief from his coach. "Hey Sandwich, quit loafing around and get over here!"

Book review - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

2008-11-09T19:22:00.000-05:00

Thought my first post would cover a book I read recently - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Most folks may have heard of this story already, as it seems to have a pretty significant on-line (You Tube) following. Randy Pausch was a Professor, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, who used his participation in a lecture series to record various messages for his 3 young children - messages that he did not expect to be able to communicate in person at the time that they would be relevant and understood by his kids.

I thought it was a good book. Certainly sad at time, but at other times funny and thought-provoking. A little introspection aint a bad thing. Of most significance, to me at least, is when he directs folks to ask themselves if they are spending their time "on the right thing". A great question from somebody painfully aware of how finite life is.

There were several other quotes in the book that I found to be pretty compelling:

(1) "Just because you're in the driver's seat doesn't mean you have to run people over."
(2) "If I work hard enough, there will be things I can do tomorrow that I can't do today."
(3) "Brick walls are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."
(4) "We cannot change the hand we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
(5) "It doesn't matter how well you polish the underside of the banister."
(6) " You can always change your plan, but only if you have one."
(7) "When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you. You may not want to hear it, but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love and care about you, and want to make you better."

Worth a read if looking for a winter book ...