Archive for April, 2007
As any of you with a television, internet connection, or radio know; the massacre at Virginia Tech today was a senseless tragedy. When I heard the word on how many people were killed today (33 is the count at the present hour) my heart got heavy. My chest literally got tight and I felt upset at my stomach. “Senseless violence” is an oxymoron in itself, but it seems the only appropriate description.
Personally, I understand that some people feel they have a right to bear arms. So here is my proposal; Why not ask our politicians to write a law requiring a person applying to buy a gun to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. That psychiatrist recommends whether or not the person is allowed to purchase a gun. Yes, they could still get a gun, but it would be much harder and would put just that much more time between the thought and the action. Yes people can kill with other weapons, but guns have such great potential to do mass harm, it seems like we would hold gun ownership as a privilege, not a right.
April 16th, 2007
No, it’s not the newest Marvel Comics movie about Sherpas that wear capes made of prayer flags who put rich Americans on their backs and fly them to the summit of Everest and back.
Super Sherpas is an effort to put the two Sherpas with the most summits of Everest on the summit again for a combined 30! summits. Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa are the stars of this climb. The whole climbing party will be comprised of Sherpas. Cool, it’s about time some Sherpas got to take a trip up without customers to worry about.
April 16th, 2007
Money Magazine released it’s Best Places to Retire Young recently. They were places in the US with a semi-affordable cost of living and plenty of things to do. A few places like, Coeur d’Alane, ID and Logan, UT look like really sweet places to hang your hat. But they also included places like Manhattan, KS and Ames, IA… I’ve been to those places and well… I think I could have picked a few better spots for outdoor activities specifically.
SO, without Further Adieu, here are my Top 10 Best “Outdoorzy” Places to Retire Young, and why I think so. (Please comment if you disagree or have any honorable mentions…)
10. Port Angeles, WA - this town lies just across the sound from Canada, has the Olympic Mountain Range at it’s back door, the Hoh Rain Forest a hop away, and enough water activities to shake a paddle at.
9. Klamath, CA - Go there and you will understand. This North Coast gem boasts a placid river spilling into the pacific where majestic redwoods, black bear, and Roosevelt elk are your neighbors.
8. Buena Vista, CO - Like 14ers? Take your pick here, you have at least 10-15 within an hours drive of your crib. Not to mention an excellent whitewater river running through the middle of town, a nearby hot springs, and a kick arse burger joint.
7. Asheville, NC - An amazingly open community for the South, mixed with resident artists, the Biltmore, and natural beauty, this town has been the rave recently. Not to mention Smokey Mountain NP, premium whitewater, the blue ridge parkway, and epic mountain bike trails at Tsali and Pisgah.
6. Portland, ME - Acadia NP, Moose, Lobster Rolls for lunch, an art school providing plenty of canvas and two-legged visual distraction. A great music scene, unstoppable seafood, lighthouses around every corner, and microbrews. It’s almost enough to endure the winters.
5. Taos, NM - They say the air “hums” there. Seriously, they don’t know why. But the buzz I hear on Taos is that you have snow covered peaks, a cool hippy culture, and Wheeler Peak.
4. Kona, HI - This is where the Ironman Triathlon happens each year. But while you’re not training try a fruity drink, surf the world-class waves, or hike through the lush jungle and strange volcanic world on the slopes of 13,679 ft Mauna Loa.
3. Estes Park, CO - The resident elk herd roams through your front yard as you decide which mountain stream to go pluck trout from this morning. Or perhaps you want to try a new route on Long’s Peak? Maybe take a drive on the scenic trail ridge road?
2. Monterey, CA - Sea life is crazy here, it IS life. There’s a greenway through the middle of town teaming with bikes, walkers, etc. Great wines. The bay is always full of kayaks. San Francisco is a short drive up the amazingly beautiful coast if you want city life. Mountain bike trails abound. It’s an outdoorzy paradise.
1. St John, US Virgin Islands - Well, for number one this better be pretty good, right? Here are a few things to get you interested in googling this place… Virgin Islands NP, Coral Reef Natl Monument, pristine Caribbean waters to paddle, miles of jungle to explore, plenty of beach bars, warm ocean breezes, perfect sunsets, and 80 average temps.
April 12th, 2007
It was reported on the blog Climb Mount Kilimanjaro the other day that a Canadian climber died while climbing for charity.
“Marcel Bujold, a 65-year-old Canadian from Carleton, Quebec, died on the mountain on 23rd March. Mr Bujold was climbing with his wife and a group for the charity Care Canada. Also on the trip was Canada’s former deputy prime minister John Manley, though he was in a separate group to Mr Bujold.
Mr Bujold was being evacuated from the mountain after suffering problems as he climbed. On his descent he was supplied with oxygen and was accompanied by a medically trained guide and four porters. Nevertheless, he died before reaching the foot of the mountain.
At the moment the precise cause of death is still unknown.”
I climbed Kili back in ‘05 and a climber died a few weeks after my return. It is hard to hear and makes a summit bittersweet. Climbing has it’s great rewards as well as it’s dangers. It is always important to know the risks and be prepared for any circumstances. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bujold family.
Our good luck wishes also go out to our member Kung Fu Jedi, who runs the Adventure Blog, as he makes his summit bid as we speak on Kili.
April 11th, 2007
Martin Strel of Slovenia has completed a swim of the 3,272 mile long Amazon river.
He has averaged 50 miles per day since he started on February 1st. The 52-year-old has already conquered the Danube, Yangtze, and Mississippi. He continues to break distance records with each swim.
When asked if he would be swimming the world’s longest river, the Nile, anytime soon, he replied, “It’s long but not challenging enough. It’s just a small creek.”
April 9th, 2007
What does a blogger do when no wisdom flows from the keyboard?
Why, provide interesting links for your surfing pleasure of course.
Google Maps - Directions from NYC to London (check step 23 out)
If you think you camp extreme…
Like Wieners?
Shameless Promotion
Coyote in Quiznos
Asparagus Pee - I told you it was true Troy
April 4th, 2007
Some of you may have noticed that our blog links to the Winehiker. What is a Winehiker you ask? Well, if you like drinking good wine and enjoy traveling on foot and soaking up the central California landscape, then you need to check out California Winehikes.
They’ve just released a list of their multi-day winehiking tours for 2008. Breathing in the fresh air of wine country, taking in the incredible views, and learning about and drinking quality wines is what this is all about. Now be aware outdoorzies, from the prices I’ve seen, the multi-day winehiking isn’t for the budget traveler. But perhaps one of the winehiker’s shorter trips would suffice for the more “frugal”.
I’ve toured Sonoma, the Russian River Valley, Napa, Santa Ynez, and the like a few times, but always by car. Gazing out the window I always wonder what it would be like to experience these beautiful places on foot or by bike. I read the Winehiker’s blog from time to time and I have to say, I’m interested in joining him one day. If nothing else, to figure out how he got such a sweet job! Now pass the Grenache and let’s hit the trail!
Check out the Winehiker in our business directory as well.
April 2nd, 2007
I met this guy today in my side yard. My wife and i were cleaning out a flower bed so we could put some fresh mulch down when she yelped, “OH!”
My first reaction was to grab the shovel and pin him down. Once we took a look at him we saw that he wasn’t a poisonous snake and we scooped him up with a rake and took him over to the wooded area near our house. Basically we didn’t want him sneaking back up on us while we were working in the flower garden this afternoon.
It’s important to remember NOT to kill snakes that live in your yard. They are a very crucial part of the ecosystem. This may seem like a crazy statement at the moment you meet up with one of these guys, but they will save you quite a bit of trouble with pests. For instance, the snake we saw today is an Earth Snake. They live mainly on worms and grubs. Worms and grubs are also the main diet of moles, which we have had a major problem with. So if “earthy” sticks around and has a few babies with “mrs. earthy” this year, maybe we can create some competition for “mr. mole”. I should write a childrens book. 
Poisonous snakes are an important part of the ecosystem too. But I have to say I’ve killed my fair share of Copperheads. I don’t want to share my yard with them. Sorry snake lovers.
By the way, there are only four poisonous snakes in the U.S.
1. Rattlesnakes (28 species, diamond shaped head, rattle on the tail)
2. Copperheads (usually tannish with coppery brownish red saddle shaped markings, wide bodied as an adult)
3. Cottonmouths - also called a Water Moccasin, freshwater snake, aggressive)
4. Coral Snakes (2 species, brightly colored with red,yellow and black rings, BLACK NOSE)
April 1st, 2007
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