Discovering America on 2 Wheels

2012-02-06T06:54:00.001-06:00

Test for first photo from IPhone 4s to DA2W blog

Bridge 2 in Freeport

2011-12-11T11:11:00.001-06:00

Bridge over inlet to Captain Elliott's on Navigation Rd - Wind about 30 mph at the top of the bridge

View from the top of the Freeport Bridge over the Old Brazos River

2011-12-11T10:49:00.001-06:00

On a Sunday morning ride

Been a Long Time....

2011-05-15T09:55:00.001-05:00

Since I've been on the Surfside Bridge on my bicycle...

Prince Albert National Park - Saskatchewan Canada - Labor Day Weekend 2010

2010-09-10T07:18:00.157-05:00

Well, I've found myself in Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada with a 4-day break between work weeks and decided to head up to Prince Albert National Park for the Labor Day weekend. It's about 140 miles north of Saskatoon which puts it within reasonable driving distance.

I did a little research on the park before leaving. Here's a link to the National Park website: Prince Albert National Park

Here's a link to the Wikepedia writeup on Prince Albert National Park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Albert_National_Park

I also did some research on lodging in the park and came up with the Kapisiwin Bungelows which is just north of the town of Waskesiu - http://www.kapasiwin.com/

So on Friday, 09/03/10 I got everything packed up ....

loaded up....

and headed out of Saskatoon on Hwy 11 North to Prince Albert - Yeehaw.... on the road again!

I caught some beautiful roadside scenery on the way up to Prince Albert and then on Hwy 2 towards the park... Man - talk about Amber Waves of Grain... this place has it!

Then I got to this point and I had to decide whether to take the South Gate entrance or the East Gate entrance to Prince Albert National Park..... Scenic Route vs Main Access.... you know me.... I'm here to soak up the scenery so I hung a left here.

and entered the park on Hwy 263

and found myself immediately being enveloped in the history, scenery and visceral allure of Prince Albert National Park where the meadows and plains of Canada....

Merge with the streams and forests,

Lakes...

History.... like the Freight Trail which began as a Hudson Bay Company route connecting Prince Albert to Montreal Lake.

and the Poetry of Prince Albert National Park -

I took a little detour off 263 to take a look at Trapper's Lake....

and then continued north on 263. At this point I reached the flagship of Prince Albert National Park - Waskesiu Lake....

I drove through the town of Waskesiu -

Stopped at the Visitor Center to pick up some maps and get some info.

I drove around the east end of Waskesiu Lake to where I was staying at Kapasiwin Bungelows. By then it was about 7 pm MT so I quickly got unloaded and hit a hike and bike trail known as the Red Deer Trail.... it's separated into a Blue, Yellow and Red Loop... I decided to take the outer boundary of this Trail System..

This is a wonderful trail that winds through woods....

On road.... Off road....

Over roads...

Down roads...

Up hills....

At this point, I realized.... I'm here.... I'm in the Boreal Woods of Canada in Prince Albert National Park riding my bicycle on a really cool Hike and Bike Trail.... who woulda thunk it!

I rounded a turn and spotted a beautiful Whitetail Deer fawn...

followed by a lakeside boardwalk....

Before continuing through a Golf Course....

and ending up lakeside where I spent the waning moments of the day enjoying sunset over the beautiful Waskesiu Lake...

Man! What a Day.... and this was just the 1st Day!

Day 2 (Saturday 09/04/10) began early.... I mean... come on - here I am at one of the most beautiful places in Canada.... you think I'm gonna lay around and sleep all day.... Hell no.... first things first.... Breakfast!

The plan for the day is to cycle down the Kingsmere Road from the Kapasiwin Bungelows all the way to the end to the Kingsmere River Trail and back again..... about 60 miles round trip and do some hiking on some trails along the way.

Now that we've eaten, let's get this show on the road!

First stop is an overlook of Waskesiu Lake with the Waskesiu Marina in the distance -

then a crossing of the Waskesiu River -

I rode down the road and into the Waskesiu Marina - the largest marina in the park and disturbed a flock of Canada Geese....

I explored the entire marina all the way out to the end of the breakwater.

I got back out on Kingsmere Road and cycled down to the Point View Picnic Area. These picnic areas in this park are well outfitted with shelters and woodburning stoves not to mention beautiful views of Waskesiu Lake.

There's many of the these small 20 acre lakes around Waskesiu Lake.

Next I made a turn-in at the Birch Bay Picnic Area

And then the marina at the Hanging Heart Lakes....

Coming out of the Hanging Heart Lakes Marina, the Kingsmere Road goes from paved to gravel....

So down the gravel road I pedaled to the Narrows Peninsula Trail... at this point I'm about here on the Kingsmere Road:

This place was kinda remote so I decided to hide my bike in the brush and lock it to a tree.... you know when you're riding a bike, security is everything and locking or chaining your bike is all fine and dandy but sometimes the best defense is to just make the thing invisible.....

and then off we go down the Yellowbrick Road..... oops.... I mean the Narrows Peninsula Trail! What a cool trail that loops out into a peninsula jutting into Waskesiu Lake.... so you get a beautiful descent to the lake and then incredible lake views!

There were a lot of people out fishing this weekend and this guy had a beautiful spot to fish!

By now it was lunch time, so I plopped down on the bank of the lake.... beats the best table in the best restaurant anyday!

The wind was really kicking up by this time as you can see the whitecaps in this pic.

I came out of the Narrows Peninsula Trail and got back on the Kingsmere Road and was tooling along, came over a little rise in the road and what did I see loping along the edge of the woods on the left side of the road..... a Timber Wolf! I mean right there at about 20 yards.... it was going in the same direction as I was and I tried to get the bike stopped quietly and get my camera out without alerting it to my presence but it saw me and took off and I snapped this pic as it crossed the road in front of me.... what a treat to see a Timber Wolf in the wild!

I finally reached the end of the Kingsmere Road and locked my bike up at the parking area and hiked down to the boat ramp entering the Kingsmere River.

This narrow river joins the northern end of Waskesiu Lake with Kingsmere Lake.

You can see this stretch of connective waterway on the map.

So I took off on the Kingsmere River Trail where I came around a turn in the trail and spotted a family of otters...

The otters took off downhill to the river (without me getting a pic).... I seem to be getting slower on my quick draw picture taking!

At this point, I came upon a really cool aspect of the Kingsmere River Trail.... in a nutshell, this trail also serves as a railway portage for boats along the stretch of the Kingsmere River from the end of Waskesiu Lake to Kingsmere Lake.... it's almost half a mile of overland portage.... check this out!

First, you pull your boat up on a ramp with a permanently installed winch and cable.

You load it on a trolley.... there's a small one for canoes and small boats.

There's a larger ones for larger boats that are fully loaded. These guys were about halfway through their portage so I helped them push it the rest of the way. I was running low on water so these guys gave me a water and a Gatorade. These are the kind of friendly, fun-loving folks I met throughout the park.... Man, you really gotta want to go fishing to work this hard!

This pic shows the long railway portage through the boreal forest.

At the other end of the railway there's another ramp where you unload your boat back into the Kingsmere River.

The Kingsmere River trail continues on a little further with beautiful elements of flora around every turn.

The trail ends at the Southend Campground on the southern tip of Kingsmere Lake.

I hiked back out on the Kingsmere River Trail to the southern portage ramp where I met 2 nice couples with a boat load of equipment and supplies for a Labor Day outing on Kingsmere Lake. One of the couples were obviously a bodybuilding pair. The wife had placed 2nd in the 2010 Canadian Provincial Finals and the husband was also nationally ranked. The other lady was a writer who had just published a book entitled "The Saskatchewan Secret: Folk Healers, Diviners and Mystics of the Prairie". Here's a link to her website: http://www.folkhealers.ca/index.html

What a wonderful experience talking to these folks while enjoying a beautiful day along a river in the boreal forest of Canada!

I got back on my bike and cycled back encountering this cow elk along the way.

I made the turn off of the Kingsmere Road onto the Red Deer Trail that led to the Kapasiwin Bungalows.

What a Wonderful Day 2 in Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan Canada.

Stay tuned for pics, commentary and videos of Day 3 and Day 4 in PANP.

On Day 3, I had a run-in with a Polar Bear and a Close Encounter with Alien Beings.... Naaaah! Just Kidding... but I did ride another 40 miles on my bicycle and hike another 4 miles on the southern edge of Waskesiu Lake on the Narrows Road... in a 45 degF rain all day long....

So pull up this same blog post in a couple of days and you'll see the rest of this incredible adventure in Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan Canada..... it's all a part of the continuing lifetime adventure of.....

Discovering ~~America~~ the World on 2 Wheels!

I'm back! It's Saturday, 09/11/10 (Wow! It's kinda scary to write that) and I'm sitting here in the Denver International Airport awaiting my connecting flight that will get me back home from my latest work assignment in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. I have some time so I'm gonna post a few more pics from Day 3 of my hike and bike adventure in Prince Albert National Park.... so without further adieu but with a lot of precipitation, let's see what happened on Day 3.

CHANGES IN THE WEATHER.... CHANGES IN ME!

I woke up on Day 3 to a cold drizzle and suited up accordingly... I mean this is a significant thing... some folks, with previous plans to enjoy a day of adventure, will wake up to a 45 degF rainy morning and decide to just roll over and go back to sleep.... and they'll miss a Great Day spent Outdoors!

One of the things that happens on the first day of a colder change in weather is that wildlife is much more active because they need to forage and eat to adjust to the cooler environment... the 2nd thing is that things look different.... there's less light, colors are more subdued and saturated.... sometimes mist and fog appears.... it's different.... and beautiful in it's own way.

I hope you'll see this in the pictures that follow....

So it was cold and rainy (more like misty) so what's step 1?

Fix a Good Breakfast! I'm talking Pork Chops and Eggs and lots of iron skillet grilled vegetables w/ some wedges of apple thrown in.... this is gonna give me plenty of well balanced nutritional calories to go on for 4 - 6 hours...Mmmmmm Good!

Step 2 is Suit Up for the Conditions!

I mean - come on - if it's falling a flood I ain't going out there either cause it's not safe.... but in this sort of slow drizzle it's just a matter of suiting up for a 45 degF slow drizzle .... which is what I did here!

You 'member I was telling you about the wildlife being more active on this type of day? Well... first rattle out of the box I get out on the road and I see this big ole boy laying up on the ledge above the road with his harem of cows around him.... this is a 7x7 bull.... a royal bull elk....Wow!

I rode back through the town of Waskesiu and had just exited the town on the west side where 263 skirts Waskesiu Lake on a climbing turn when I spooked a Bald Eagle off a lakeside perch and snapped this shop as he sailed across the lake.... now tell me that wasn't worth getting up and out for!

I cycled past the trailhead for the Kingfisher Trail. It's a 13 km (approx 8 mile) loop that leads you along the southern edge of Waskesiu Lake before returning through the woods to Red Wing Bay.

I took a right off 263 onto Narrows Road....

I was glad I had a bike with 700 x 35 cyclocross type tires and fenders on it as I began a long run up the muddy Narrows Road -

I began to soak up some more of the roadside lakes and flooded meadows....

I turned into one of the many Lakeside Picnic Areas - South Bay Picnic Area before....

... entering the Mud Creek Trail - this is an Interpretive Trail that forms a 2 km (1.2 mile) loop. It skirts Waskesiu Lake and then follows Mud Creek with views of an active beaver lodge and dam.... so come on let's take a rainy day hike on Prince Albert National Park's Mud Creek Trail....

I exited the trail and marveled once again at the way the park has provided for groups of folks to stay warm and enjoy the beauties of Waskesiu Lake by providing this lakeside seating area surrounding a fire ring. Up here people adjust to the elements and get out and enjoy the outdoors!

I got back out on Narrows Road and next stopped at a place in the road where the road and Waskesiu Lake literally meet.

Next stop is Ice Push Ridge... a place where you can learn about how ice and wind continue to define and shape the shoreline of Waskesiu Lake....

You can see behind me where a 4 - 5' ridge has built up along the shoreline as a result of the effects of the elements.

Next stop is Trippes Beach... another lakeside picnic area with nice shelters and woodburning stoves!

Back out on Narrows Road I spooked a couple of whitetail does that make a speedy escape across the road in front of me....

I finally got all the way to the end of Narrows Road to the Narrows Marina.... it's called the Narrows because peninsulas from the north and south side of Waskesiu Lake jut out into the lake to create a 200 yard gap between the shores, the narrowest part of the lake. This is one of 2 smaller marinas - Narrows and Hanging Hearts Lake - in addition to the main Waskesiu Marina that is run by a concession company within the boundaries of Prince Albert National Park... the smaller marinas would close on Labor Day.

You can see the Narrows in this pic in the background beyond my bike.

I stopped in at the Marina Store and the manager fixed me a nice strong cup of coffee... I sat and talked with him while eating my lunch.

After lunch I rode back up the road a couple of hundred yards and hit my final trail of the day.... the Treebeard Trail. It's a short 1.2 km (0.75 mile) loop with a steep, winding trail through a white spruce and balsam fir forest. The trees along this path are among the oldest and largest in the park. This is also an interpretive trail with numbered stations and a brochure that explains many of the aspects of the composition, flora and fauna of this section of the park.

After leaving the Treebeard Trail, I headed back on the Narrows Road and encountered this young bull elk feeding on the side of the road..... it was fun racing him down the road.... but it was no contest... I was doing about 20 mph and this dude left me in the dust.... or should I say .... mud!

It was starting to rain harder now and I only made one stop on the way back at one of the picnic areas and saw this adventurous pair out fishing out on the lake.... I'm telling you... these Canadians are tough!

Thus ended a wonderful rainy 3rd day in Prince Albert National Park... a day filled with drizzling rain, wildlife, beautiful trails and varying terrain.... I loved this place!

Day 4 dawned with the same drizzling rain and I had to get everything packed up and loaded and check out of my lodging before 11 am, but I still made time to do a short drive up the Kingsmere Road where I saw many beautiful elk....

Before leaving the Kapasiwin Bungalows

and the incredible adventure of exploring Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan Canada.

I returned to Saskatoon and awoke the next day to a beautiful sunrise over the Saskatoon River -

I really enjoyed my experience in Canada and felt lucky and fortunate to have been there. It's a perfect example of using a work assignment in a new location as an opportunity to experience the culture, food and scenery of a new place.... in this case.... another country.

You see.... Discovery is not just an activity... it's an attitude... you have to keep an open mind to new things and new people and seize every opportunity to expand your horizons.... I mean look at this blog for example... it started as

Discovering America on 2 Wheels

and now maybe I need to change the name to

Discovering the World on 2 Wheels!

A Tour of Saskatoon Saskatchewan

2010-08-29T13:55:00.207-05:00

I've found myself in Saskatoon Saskatchewan by virtue of being a part of a series of meetings to review the Commissioning efforts for an expansion at a nearby potash plant.

Naturally, I've taken this opportunity to discover what Saskatoon is all about.... and first, let me say it is a beautiful city where the Saskatoon River runs right through it.... a city of 7 bridges and a city where folks just naturally get out and enjoy the scenery along the river via the wonderful network of hike and bike trails.

The Meewasin Trail runs several miles along each side of the river and zig zags back and forth across many of the 7 bridges.

So, we might as well get started on this next chapter in the neverending saga of Discovering America and now the World.... on 2 Wheels!

The first thing I did when I found out I was heading to Saskatoon, SK was to do a little research on bicycle shops there..... and found the closest one to my hotel was City Park Cycles at #20 1100 7th Ave in Saskatoon. http://www.cityparkcycle.com/

After arriving in Saskatoon, I got settled into my hotel, which was right on the Saskatoon River and adjacent to a large city park.

I went to City Park Cycles and talked to the owner, Ken, and left the shop with a nice rental bike - an Opus Cervin Commuter bike that was totally set up with a Pannier, lock, bell.... and let me tell you, this was the perfect bike for riding the streets, hike and bike paths and trails around the city.

That evening I around till after dark and ended up at the man made weir north of the College Drive Bridge. It increases the level of the river upstream of it making for better recreational use by boaters, skiers and jet skiers.

The next morning I got up early and decided to ride over to the Broadway Street area and check out some of the cafe's and restaurants Ken at City Park Cycles had told me about. I took a picture of the Circle Drive Bridge from the Broadway Bridge.

I pulled into the Broadway Roastery for a cup of coffee and a muffin.

Then rode south on Broadway east on Taylor and then turned north on Preston. My objective was to ride back up to Bridge 1, the Circle Drive Bridge. Many of the main streets and avenues have dedicated bike lanes on them as shown here.

This part of the country is well known for agriculture and farms and I found myself riding between hayfields and the river.

The Meewasin Trail crosses the Saskatoon River at the Circle Drive Bridge by suspension between the 2 vehicle lanes.... Very Cool!

Bridge 2 is the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Bridge. The bike and hike crossing is even more unique since it crosses the Saskatoon River on the railroad bridge. Note: The bridge is still used for regular railroad traffic.

View of the manmade weir from the CPR Bridge.

Once I crossed to the East Side of the Saskatoon River, I entered the University of Saskatchewan campus.... what an incredible campus with beautiful architecture, research facilities, grounds, museums and scenic gardens. The following pics speak for themselves.

I crossed back over the Saskatoon River at the University Bridge (Circle Drive).

View of the Iron Bridge (Victoria Ave) from underneath the University Bridge.

Then I crossed the Victoria Avenue Bridge (Bridge 5) and explored the west side of the Saskatoon River along the River Walk.

View of the Victoria and Broadway Bridges from the west side of the Saskatoon River.

View from underneath the Idylwyld Bridge.

Skateboarding park north of the Idylwyld Bridge.

The southernmost bridge, Bridge 7, the Grand Trunk Bridge.

The Meewasin Valley Trail is an incredible Hike and Bike Trail System that reminds me of the Greenbelts in many US cities. The US oughta come up here and see how it's supposed to be done!

Nice metal art along the River Walk.

A tree tunneled section of Saskatoon along Idylwyld Drive.

The Historic Bessborough Hotel.

I'm back in Saskatoon now for a 2 week stay and took this picture from my hotel room.

The architecture of each of the 7 bridges is different but each is beautiful in its own way!

Saskatoon continues to expand and improve the Riverside Hike and Bike Trail system. An 8th bridge will be in service by 2013. It will complete a circle of the city appropriately on South Circle Drive.

Saskatoon is a Great City to tour by foot or bicycle and truly a city defined by the River Running Through It!

Back in Saskatoon Saskatchewan and decided to....

2010-08-29T10:04:00.001-05:00

... change it up a little bit by taking a morning run on a footpath on the East bank of the Saskatoon River. I've had 3 flocks of beautiful Canada Geese fly right over my head and land in the river. It's overcast and about 55 deg... perfect for a nice brisk jog!

Don't see that every day!

2010-08-19T21:02:00.001-05:00

A Ski Trail Etiquette Sign on a Hike and Bike Path....hmmm... kinda makes you wonder what this place looks like in December. Last evening in Saskatoon for a while so I'm taking a late evening ride.

View of Downtown Saskatoon and the Historic Bessenborough Hotel....

2010-08-15T13:31:00.002-05:00

... from Bridge 3 - the College Dr Bridge... 3 down 4 to go!

University of Saskatchewan Museum of Natural Science

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This campus is beautiful and has a variety of sites of interest... it is obviously an epicentre of Canadian Govt Research in Agriculture, Biology, Biotech, Energy, Engineering, Geology and much much more.... it has buildings w/ amazing architecture and is set on the banks of the Saskatoon River... what a treat!

Bridge 2 is even Cooler!

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It's a Railway Bridge that they added a Bike / Pedestrian Path to.... and just below a manmade waterfall on the Saskatoon River! Amazing!

Saskatoon was made for Cyclists!

2010-08-15T11:39:00.001-05:00

I'm crossing Bridge 1 aka the Circle Dr Bridge... on a specially made bike / pedestrian pathway suspended between the 2 vehicle roadways - how cool is that?

Taking a Sunday Morning Bicycle Ride....

2010-08-15T09:33:00.001-05:00

... along the Saskatoon River... I hate to tell you this but it's a crisp and clear 60 degF this morning... my goal for the day will be to zig zag and cycle my way through the city of Saskatoon SK while crossing all of the 7 bridges the city is famous for. While doing that I'll eat at "the Yard and Flagan" and tour the campus of the Univ of Sask incl'g the Museum of Natural Science (naturally) and then over to the Mendel Art Gallery and many other sites of interest in between... my pics and texting will be limited because of International charges but it's a new place in another country which calls for a new adventure while I continue the neverending lifestyle of .... Discovering America - oops I mean - the WORLD on 2 Wheels!

You can take the Boy out of the Country...

2010-08-14T20:32:00.001-05:00

In Saskatoon Saskatchewan with the Saskatoon River and 2 of the 7 bridges - the Broadway and Victoria Bridges - in the background. Went to Park City Cycles and rented this fully outfitted commuter style bike for the week for $50... Ken the owner was great and gave me a great rundown of the city sites and food places so I'm just riding the Hike and Bike Path down the river. I'm watching some brave souls water skiing and listening to some live music on the other side of the river.... think I'll mosie over that way...

The Surfside Jetty... fishing the Easy Way!

2010-08-07T08:37:00.001-05:00

No Boat... No Fishfinder... just a Wagon or Cart to haul your gear, your fishing tackle, bait and your fishing skill... got a lot of good memories of this place...

Images of Home... a familiar view...

2010-08-07T08:09:00.001-05:00

... of the Intracoastal Canal from the Hwy 332 / Surfside Tx Bridge. I got my Trek 1500 reassembled yesterday and decided to take a ride down to the Surfside Jetty and see how the fishing is. It's good to be Home!

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Back in the Heat Humidity Mosquitoes and...

2010-08-01T10:27:00.001-05:00

Bats! Well... 1 bat in an upstairs bedroom... removed it to the back yard. It didn't look too energetic. Of course, bats aren't supposed to be in the daylight. If I start gravitating toward nocturnal activities and developing a taste for blood...

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Good Bye Santa Fe!

2010-07-31T16:18:00.001-05:00

Until we meet again....

Buffalo Thunder... a nice little setup.

2010-07-31T09:40:00.001-05:00

How the West is Done....

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New Mexico is one of 7 states w/ the lowest population and the most remote regions that will remain pretty much the same over the next 100 years.... for most people this is a place of wilderness and desolation.... for me its the next frontier.

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Hiking east of the 8th hole at Buffalo Thunder Golf Course

2010-07-31T09:05:00.001-05:00

Last day here at BT so I figured I'd make the most of it.... doing an end to end from south to north following the barrancas... seemed like the thing to do.

Walked to Pojoaque and will eat at....

2010-07-30T10:45:00.001-05:00

... the local favorite... the Roadrunner Cafe.

Don't have to golf...

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... to enjoy a golf course!

Walking the Barrancas to Pojoaque

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Taking a Hike... on the Golf Course...

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Taking a walk around the Buffalo Thunder Golf Course

Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino - Pojaoque New Mexico

2010-07-29T20:56:00.001-05:00

Beyond the Golf Course...

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50 yards off the cart track, the New Mexican Desert reclaims its desolation.... oh to have been here 150 years ago.... a few more Jigowatts please!

Fore! from Hole 1 of the beautiful Buffalo Thunder Golf Course....

2010-07-29T20:22:00.001-05:00

A Golf Course in the High Desert.... I love it!

Heading back down from a great day at Bandelier National Monument!

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View of Bandelier Valley from the Alcove

2010-07-29T17:00:00.001-05:00

Looking down from the Alcove

2010-07-29T16:58:00.001-05:00

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Making the 140' ascent to the Alcove

2010-07-29T16:56:00.001-05:00

Looking up to the Alcove at Bandelier

2010-07-29T16:55:00.001-05:00

I've finished my Giardia meds...

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and am feeling better... hope it stays that way!

Continuing on the Main Loop Trail...

2010-07-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

The many dwellings of Bandelier...

2010-07-29T16:46:00.001-05:00

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On the Main Loop Trail in Bandelier

2010-07-29T16:44:00.001-05:00

Overlook above Bandelier

2010-07-29T11:32:00.001-05:00

2 miles to Bandelier on NM 4

2010-07-29T11:05:00.000-05:00

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Taking a drive....

2010-07-29T11:03:00.001-05:00

From Pojoaque to Bandelier Natl Monument...

On the Plaza Stage in Santa Fe New Mexico....

2010-07-24T12:25:00.001-05:00

Part of a 2-day extravaganza known as the Spanish Market on the 400th Anniversiary of Santa Fe New Mexico... oldest City in America!

Well Done... Miss America!

2010-07-22T14:09:00.001-05:00

Now it's time for you to ride! Gonna stop at a place called Nino's (recommended by the Hertz rental guy) and get something to eat before I make the drive to Santa Fe.

Got 'er Done...

2010-07-22T14:03:00.001-05:00

Thus ends this cross-Colorado Bicycle tour that took me 465 miles over 5 mountain passes and 4 crossings of the CD.... from a low of 5400' to a high of 12000. I'm currently suffering from Giarditis and will likely be for some time... this tour lasted 10 days and started tough and just got tougher.... but those are the days you remember.... so for now I'll just say Good bye Colorado and Hello New Mexico. I'm throwing my bike in the back of a Nissan Rogue and driving to Santa Fe... see ya there!

Entering Monte Vista

2010-07-22T11:40:00.001-05:00

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8 mi east of Del Norte

2010-07-22T11:12:00.001-05:00

Stopped at Adams in Del Norte to pick up my Giardia Rx

2010-07-22T10:19:00.001-05:00

Entering Del Norte

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Leaving South Fork CO

2010-07-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

1st stop... Del Norte to pick up Giardia Rx... next stop Alamosa to pick up rental car... final stop Santa Fe to meet my wife and daughter.

Beautiful Bluff on 149S a few miles north of South Fork CO

2010-07-21T19:21:00.001-05:00

Rio Grande River between Wagon Wheel Gap and South Fork CO on Hwy 149S

2010-07-21T19:18:00.001-05:00

Cool place for a Fire Station... Creede CO

2010-07-21T19:14:00.001-05:00

Mountains Mist and Mining...

2010-07-21T19:11:00.001-05:00

1 mile up the Bachelor Loop in Creede CO

Info on the Humphrey Mill and the Amethyst Vein... in Creede CO

2010-07-21T19:02:00.001-05:00

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On the road up the 17 mile Bachelor Loop to the Humphrey Mine...

2010-07-21T18:59:00.001-05:00

... to the site of the largest silver mine strike in Colorado... the Amethyst Vein... more to come...

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Gorillas in the Mist?

2010-07-21T18:53:00.001-05:00

No... that's the Mountains on the Old Mining Historic Loop above Creede CO.... the next few pics show the melding of mountains and mist on a morning in Creede Co.

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Update on my condition

2010-07-21T18:46:00.001-05:00

I pulled in to South Fork CO earlier today feeling really poorly. I've been suffering from severe diarrhea for the last 3 days. It started after I drank water out of the Lake Fork River on 149S about 20 mi north of Lake City. I treated the water with Emergency Water tablets like I've done many times in the past.... 2 tablets per quart of water.... shake and wait for 30 mins... however this was the first time I'd ever done it with a Camelbak... I suspect that the water treatment tablets didn't come in contact with all the water.... bottom line... after getting a thorough checkup from a Dr at the Rio Grande Health Clinic in South Fork CO, the diagnosis is Giardia - a water borne parasite that can wreak havoc on your lower intestines and causes severe diarrhea... so the Dr wrote me an Rx that I'll pick up in Del Norte on the way to Alamosa tomorrow. Don't know what to say... I've drank
mountain water that's been treated w/emerg water tabs many times but there's always a risk - Noted!

I am so sick I can't even stay on my bike....

2010-07-21T14:21:00.001-05:00

So I'm shutting it down in South Fork at the Spruce Lodge. I've been sick for 4 days now and it's just gotten worse. I passed a clinic down the highway and may try to get in there and see a dr.

8 mi out of Creede on 149S

2010-07-21T12:32:00.001-05:00

Leaving Creede w/ a new plan...

2010-07-21T12:06:00.001-05:00

Taking 149S to South Fork and then 160E To Alamosa... if I get there b4 630 I'll rent a car at rhe Alamosa airport and drive to SF... if after 630 I'll get a motel in Alamosa and do the rental tomorrow morning... Alamosa is 67 mi from Creede but it follow the Rio Grande so it's level or downhill.

In the Rain and Over the Top...

2010-07-21T09:29:00.001-05:00

... of Slumgullion Pass...yesterday

Storm at 11000'.... I love it!

2010-07-21T09:23:00.001-05:00

Here's the beginning of the

2010-07-21T08:18:00.001-05:00

Here's the beginning of the video, pics and posts from yesterday from about 11 - 4 MT.

Another Incredible View from Creede CO

2010-07-21T08:13:00.001-05:00

Good Morning! from Creede CO

2010-07-21T08:02:00.001-05:00

It's cool and rainy and I'm up and battling my stomach disease, but I have a plan. But before I reveal the new plan, I want to send a few pics from yesterday's adventure.

First... let me say...I'M SICK!!!

2010-07-20T20:33:00.001-05:00

I don't know what the hell is wrong w/ me.... I've narrowed it down to a couple of things or a combo of the 2: 1) Severe case of Altitude Sickness; 2) Stomach Virus or Intestinal Bug.... I'm running a low grade fever, head hurts, feel weak, can't eat or drink anything w/out instant diarrhea.... which is a hell of a combo when you're trying to do a cross - Colorado over multiple Continental Divide Mountain Passes cycling tour. So what do you do if you're the Wild Stupid Old Fat Man from Texas.... you pick up your ass, sling it over your shoulder and start pedaling.... over 11530' Slumgullion Pass and 10988' Spring Creek Pass both in the rain and then run the Rio Grande River Valley from where the Rio Grande begins all the way to Creede CO.... 51 miles up 10% grades over 2 passes in the rain.... sick.... stick that on your "To Do" list for the day and mark it DONE! Now I'm sitting under
an umbrella in a steady rain at Kip's Grill; don't care if I sh&t all night, it's Margarita time!

at the Blessings Inn in Creede Co

2010-07-20T19:45:00.001-05:00

Slowly but surely...

2010-07-20T18:41:00.001-05:00

Making my way to Creede on 149S through the Rio Grande River Valley...

Think my bike will fit in this 76 Lancruiser?

2010-07-20T18:34:00.001-05:00

He wants $6500... think I'll offer him $5000 .... and drive it down to Santa Fe.... I'm tempted!

12 miles from Creede CO - fill you in on the details later...

2010-07-20T18:26:00.001-05:00

Waiting out the Rain...

2010-07-20T13:07:00.001-05:00

at the Windy Point Overlook bathroom

Here comes the Rain!

2010-07-20T12:43:00.001-05:00

Trek over Rockies

2010-07-20T12:40:00.000-05:00

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Slumgullion Earth Flow

2010-07-20T12:39:00.001-05:00

Windy Point Overlook...

2010-07-20T12:37:00.001-05:00

Not feeling my best... but doing my best...

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2 miles from the top

2010-07-20T12:22:00.001-05:00

From the Lake San Cristobal Scenic Overlook

2010-07-20T11:01:00.001-05:00

Trying to Sweat Out the Infection

2010-07-20T10:46:00.001-05:00

I'm 4.3 miles into the ascent and so far so good.... I'm sweating profusely which tells me I'm in the final stages of ridding myself of the virus I picked up... I'm monitoring myself closely for signs of weakening or feeling I'm gonna pass out and see no signs. I'm stopping about every half mile in the shady spots. I smell burning brake pads from a lot of the cars coming down which attests to the grade... onward and upward till she blows or I get to the top.

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Starting the ascent

2010-07-20T10:09:00.001-05:00

Leaving Lake City.... heading up the mountain

2010-07-20T09:48:00.001-05:00

I've done everything I can to help my body get rid of this stomach virus si I'm gonna try Slumgullion Pass. I'll likely not have cell phone service for several hours.

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Good Morning!

2010-07-20T07:51:00.001-05:00

Well, what I thought was just heat exhaustion and general fatigue turned out to be a nasty stomach virus which I've been dealing w/ for the last 36 hours. Right now I'm waiting for a couple of places to open so I can get some Gatorade, some breakfast and maybe some Imodium... not a good way to begin a difficult day but nothing about this trip has been easy so why should this be any different.... if I can't make it over Slumgullion Pass in my current state, I'll come back to Lake City. That's the plan of the day.

My cabin at Lake City Resort

2010-07-19T18:18:00.001-05:00

Just got up from a 3 hr nap and cleaned my bike, washing the clothes I wore in yesterday, making more ice cubes, gonna go get something to eat and buy some more Gatorade, having to force myself to eat and drink... plan to get an early night and leave by 8 am MT tomorrow morning.... still weak but hopefully will feel better tomorrow.

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Now that's a Landcruiser!

2010-07-19T12:28:00.001-05:00

Back when Toyota used to make real off-road vehicles, there was the FJ-40... legendary... this one's obviously been restored and equipped well beyond OEM specs sporting a Chevy 350 to replace the Old Iron Maiden Straight 6.... Beautiful!

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Walking over to the General Store to pick up a few things...

2010-07-19T12:17:00.001-05:00

Aleve, bananas. Gatorade, toothpaste.... a new body.... I like this little town of Lake City... not too touristy... got a neat history... met some nice folks.... the lady at Lake City Resorts has taken pity on me bringing me a fan yesterday and putting me in their biggest cabin w/ a big kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms .... all for the price of a single bed cabin... Yep... this is a good place to hunker down and heal up.

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Mountains over Lake City...

2010-07-19T10:13:00.001-05:00

Several 14000' peaks look over the city.

Been sitting here having breakfast... and reading about ...

2010-07-19T09:40:00.001-05:00

... the Silver Thread Scenic Byway...aka 149.... quite a history... especially the section going over Slumgullion Pass... won't go into the details... you can read about it in Wikipedia... bottom line is this section of road has been around since the 1870's and it wasn't completely paved till the 1990's... it's one tough section of road!

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Good Morning from Lake City CO...

2010-07-19T08:58:00.001-05:00

Don't know what to say this morning... I feel like shizzbah... my head is pounding... my breathing is shallow.... my legs feel like lead... guess I red-lined yesterday in the climbs and the heat... that's fine... as Dirty Harry said "A Man's got to know his limitations". I found mine yesterday.... Looming before me is a 2900' climb in 4 miles from Lake City to Slumgallion Pass... If I'm doing my math right, that's an average grade of 13%.... at the Tour de France, they refer to these climbs as HC... which translates to "Beyond Category"... they're so steep they don't even bother categorizing them. I normally take a rest day about now... and that's what I'm gonna do.... I'm staying in Lake City today and will likely try to make it over Slumgullion and Spring Creek Passes tomorrow to Creede CO. 60 miles seems to be my limit in this sort of terrain and that'll get me to Creede... I'll
take 1 day at a time and see how it goes... right now I'm gonna go get some breakfast.

Trivia Challenge for tonight -

2010-07-18T21:12:00.001-05:00

Trivia Challenge for tonight - What 48 year old idiot tried to ride his bicycle across Colorado in the middle of a heat wave in Summer 2010?

8 mi out of Lake City on 149 S

2010-07-18T21:08:00.001-05:00

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And the ranchland of the valley...

2010-07-18T21:05:00.001-05:00

Nice view of Lake Fork River

2010-07-18T21:02:00.001-05:00

With Huge Rock Outcroppings...

2010-07-18T20:51:00.001-05:00

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A Hot Dry Country of Desolate Beauty

2010-07-18T20:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a few pics and comments from today's voyage...

2010-07-18T20:47:00.001-05:00

Ate the 2nd half of my sub here at the entrance to the Powderhorn Elk Ranch

I'm here at my room at Lake City Resort...

2010-07-18T20:01:00.001-05:00

I'm close to heat exhaustion... gonna rest in the room and try to pull myself together... can handle the miles, climbs, descents... but can't handle this heat... and none of the motels in Lake City have AC... had to resupply w/ water out of the Lake Fork River... used water treatment tabs... went thru 2 gals of water today... no stores between Gunnison and Lake City... several 2 mile 8% grades up.... followed by same down... killer downhills... had to intermittently brake to stay below 50 MPH.... 25 MPH crosswinds were sweeping me right to left 10' on the road... first time I was scared on a downhill because I was having to reflexively adjust to the wind gusts... left finger imprints in the handlebar.... but beautiful country... the kind of country that is in Western books... I'm glad I'm here but not sure about tomorrow.... will take it as it comes. Have to cool down and rehydrate
first... then eat... then will evaluate situation.

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6 miles from Lake City...

2010-07-18T18:39:00.001-05:00

I'll fill you in on the details later... gotta pay attention on this downhill.... cell service out most of the way... 149 is a Ball Buster and the descents are scary wicked... See you in Lake City!

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This is Aerobic and Anaerobic... My body's changing... but now how I expected!

2010-07-18T14:21:00.001-05:00

I told you I'm fascinated and amazed by the human body... and I was expecting some changes as I rode across Colorado... namely that I would lose weight and thin out... exactly the opposite is happening... my thighs are blowing up like tree stumps... swollen with blood from these butt busting climbs... speaking of butt... you could set a coke can on it... these steep climbs with load are becoming like the old Marathon squat routines I used to do when I was young... the key in cycling is power / weight ratio... ideally you want to be a skinny guy with a lot of power... or you can be a fat guy w/ more power to move the extra weight.... that seems to be the choice my body is making. Fascinating!

Climbing a High Plains Road...

2010-07-18T13:39:00.001-05:00

Been climbing for the last 10 miles ever since I left the lake.... it's blazing hot and I'm going through water like a fish...

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On a Road trimmed with Gold...

2010-07-18T13:36:00.001-05:00

... Goldenrod that is ...149 S to Lake City

46 mi to Lake City

2010-07-18T12:08:00.001-05:00

That bridge is 149... I'll take it to Lake City

2010-07-18T12:06:00.001-05:00