Wednesday, August 31, 2005

inventions

Current music: Poets of the Fall - Shallow

Rapex is one of the funniest and most awesome inventions I have ever seen!

bike bike bike work work work bike bike bike

Current music: The Kinison - You'll Never Guess Who Died

Last night Elena and I went to a jazz concert at Samana. It was fun, but she was tired so we left after about an hour.

This morning I had plans with Dan to go mountain biking. We decided to ride Mill Creek Road up to Joint Point. I thought that sounded great because the last time I had tried to do that ride it started lightning and hailing on me and I had to turn around.

Just before the bottom of the South 6 trail Jeff met up with us. He had already been riding somewhere on Vail. He rode with us up to Joint Point and they both wanted to do more. I was so tired at that point, but agreed to go on. We rode up to the top and then down the service roads all the way to PHQ where we took the Grand Traverse over to Eagle's Nest and the Liondown to Gitalong Road back to the base. Before we got to PHQ I had fallen twice just from exhaustion. On the Grand Traverse I fell again. Not sure if this time it was a rock or what, but my front wheel is taco'd a little bit. My back brake is all screwed up now too.

Tomorrow there will be no riding. I need to recover before Jeff and I hike Quandry on Friday. I think I will work on my bike tomorrow and see if I can get the front wheel true again. I think I just need to adjust the pads on the rear brake. I hope that is all...

Monday, August 29, 2005

work sucks lately

Current music: The Get Up Kids - Mass. Pike

I am sick of the math. I am sick of not understanding what I am doing. That is pretty much how I feel about work lately.

Oh well. Yesterday was cool. Megan and I took Scout for another bike ride then Ryan and I had lunch at the Vail Farmer's Market. Elena met up with us and we went for a hike up to Booth Falls.

Good hike, but I really need to prepare myself for the ass-kicking I am gonna get when Jeff and I do Quandry this weekend. My first Colorado 14er and I can't wait.

Today I slacked around and read a book. Went for a quick 4 mile bike ride. Now I am working. Back to it I guess...

Saturday, August 27, 2005

big day for the scout

Current music: The Flaming Lips - Fight Test

Yesterday was a fun day. Got up early and did some work, then took and break and went for a mountain bike ride with Megan and Scout...


I worked for a while more after the ride then went up the gondola to FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) at Eagle's Nest with Jeff, Nick, Ryan, and Elena. Ryan, Elena, and I met their realtor, her boyfriend, and Megan out for dinner after that at Blue Tiger. Oh... the sushi was awesome.

After dinner I went over to Ryan and Elena's new place and checked it out. Cool place. Then we went out to Samana and hung out there the rest of the night.

This morning Jeff and I went over to Ryan and Elena's new place, then went with them to get some lunch at Red Lion. They are up checking out Game Creek for their wedding. I am just gonna be big chillin' and reading a book for a while then probably hanging out with them later.

What a great life up here in the Colorado high country...

PS - if you haven't noticed, I am trying to put links for things in here so that you can see what these places are... Have fun with them.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

good day so far

Current music: Sublime - Santeria

I woke up this morning and had an awesome email from Marjo, so I called her. First time I have talked to her since I have been back in the States.

I went for a bike ride up Vail Mountain. It started raining just before I got to Mid-Vail so I pedalled a little harder and took shelter there. After about 10 minutes the blew over so I rode the rest of the way up to Eagle's Nest and took Liondown back to the village.

When I got home I read a little more of Tokyo by Mo Hayder. Excellent book so far. Hard to put it down. I am glad Johanna recommended it to me in Fiji.

Now it is time to do some work. I have a lot to do in the next month, so I better get cracking like the lightning happening outside right now.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

yea! new book

Current music: TV on the Radio - Don't Love You

My new book Tokyo by Mo Hayder finally got here today. This morning I took a bike ride around the village a little bit then came home and read for a while before starting work. So much work. So little time.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Finally... Sky Chutes

Current music: Modest Mouse - Doin' the Cockroach

Hulsey and I have wanted to hike the Sky Chutes out of Copper for several months now. We finally did it today. After the long hike my body is tired. Much of the hike is over 12,000 feet (3636m). After coming back to a lower elevation Jeff made a comment about feeling like we had been walking on the moon. The highest elevation we reached was at the top of Peak 8 of the Tenmile Range, 12,987 feet (3935m).

Here are a few pics...

View from the saddle betweek Peak 8 and Peak 9 looking up to Peak 8:


Breckenridge from Peak 8:


Looking south on the Tenmile Range from Peak 8:


Lenny, Jeff, and Tasha on Peak 8:


Jeff descending towards Peak 7:

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Indy Pass

Current music: Jurassic 5 - A Day at the Races

This morning I headed up to Independence Pass to do some hiking. Unfortunately, my hike was cut short only 15 minutes into it because of rain and lightning...


I stopped at the Melanzana store on my way home through Leadville and picked up a new shirt.

When I got home I fell asleep watching the Little League World Series qualifiers. Jeff and Dan picked me up about 7 to go to Bagali's for dinner with a bunch of people then we all went out to the Sandbar after dinner.


Nicole's sister Veronica just moved here and she came out with us too... I am gonna go hiking with her tomorrow up on top of Vail.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

rode riding

Current music: Massive Attack - Bumper Ball Dub (Karmacoma)

This morning I got up and rode my Bianchi the 6.1 miles down to Pedal Power to get a new computer for my mountain bike. I got a CatEye Micro Wireless.

On my way home I remembered that the Minturn Market was going on today so I rode over there and wandered around and bought a bag of freshly roasted nuts coated in brown sugar... Oh so good.

Now I am working to make up for not working earlier in the week when my parents were here...

Friday, August 19, 2005

Sigma sucks says Jeff

Current music: The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

I need a new computer for my mountain bike because I broke the cable on the one I have on there. I am going to purchase a wireless model. I looked around the village
,but was unable to find anything but Sigma. Jeff says they suck, so I didn't buy one. I think I will head down to Pedal Power tomorrow and get a CatEye.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

finnish

Current music: Queens of the Stone Age - Long Slow Goodbye

Heading back to Finland for work in late September. Pretty cool. Actually, very cool. I get to see this stunner again:

Dang weather

Current music: Rainer Maria - Ears Ring

This morning I got up and waited for the ground to dry up a little bit after the overnight showers then I went mountain biking. I tried the Village Trail up to the Mill Creek Road to Joint Point, but never made it. I was only one switch-back away when the hail, lightning, and rain came in. Of course, I bought a jacket two days ago at Pearl Izumi, but didn't bring it...

Here is a shot looking back towards the front side of Vail Mountain from Mill Creek Road:

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

work will never end this week

Current music: The Sounds - Seven Days a Week

Denver was fun yesterday. Went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory and Dan met us there and we went to the Rockies game. The Rockies lost, but they did make a run for it at the end.

Dan and I had to drive back to Vail after the game, but I-70 is closed due to a large rock slide near Idaho Springs. We took CO-285 to SH-9 to get back here. Long drive and we got back at about 1:30am. Took about 2.5 hours.

This morning I slept in then rode into town to get some chain lube for my bikes. Washed and worked on both bikes. Both of them have been shifting a little funny lately. The Bianchi was really bad and I had to adjust the cable, but the Specialized just needed a little barrel-adjuster adjusted.

Hulsey's parents got here today and I think they are going to stop by my place a little later. It will be good to see them.

Well, back to work since I really didn't do anything the past two days. I will need to bust my ass the rest of the week and probably the weekend too...

Monday, August 15, 2005

back from Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park

Current music: Poets of the Fall - Stay

Well, since I posted I hiked Berrypicker with my parents. We took the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain and hiked down. Good fun.

On Saturday morning we left for Rocky Mountain National Park. It was raining up there, but I did manage to win $35 in one of the Blackhawk casinos. We went to Dukes of Hazzard at night because of the rain.

In the morning it was beautiful. We did a hike up to Emerald Lake:


and up to the top of the mountain next to the Alpine Visitor's Center:


Today we drove back to Vail and stopped in Blackhawk to go to the casino again. I lost $5 this time overall... Oh well, in the end I made $25 this past weekend. When we got back here to ate lunch at La Cantina and then my dad and I went to the Sonnenalp Golf Club with Dan and Spencer to play a round. That is very hard course.

Tomorrow I am heading down to Denver with my parents and going to a Rockies game with them. Dan will meet up with us to go to the game too after he takes his girlfriend to the airport.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Tim goes to Vegas

Current music: Burden Brothers - Beautiful Night

Yesterday I worked all day while my parents went to Leadville and Aspen. They said they had a really good time despite the weather. Last night we went out to dinner with Hulsey to the Red Lion.

Today Dad is golfing and I met Mom to have breakfast at DJ McCadam's with Tim and his dad.

This evening when I finish work I am taking the gondola up to the top of Eagle's Nest with my parents and we are hiking Berrypicker down to the base. I hope the weather holds... It is sunny and nice today and we have had one shower, so hopefully that is over.

Tim is moving to Vegas and he stopped here and stayed at my house on his way across the country from Buffalo with his father. Here is a shot of Tim and me on Red Sandstone Road overlooking the Vail Valley:

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

golfin in da rain

Current music: Ben Folds - Narcolepsy

The weather sucks today. I have seen so few crappy days since I have been here in Vail, but of course, when my parents come to visit it is crappy. My dad and I went to the Vail Golf Club to play a round. On the back 9 it really started raining and we quit after 12. Got rainchecks though!

Tomorrow they are heading to Leadville and Aspen through Independence Pass, then to Glenwood Springs and back to Vail through the Glenwood Canyon. That will be awesome. I will be mountain biking and then working in the afternoon.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Rents have arrived

Current music: Massive Attack - Radiation Ruling the Nation

This morning I got up and cleaned the house. Started work about noon and my parents showed up at 3pm. Didn't go for a ride today because my legs are so done for after the past 3 rides...

In about half an hour I am meeting my parents in the village to get some dinner. Not sure where to take them... I am positive we can find something though. All there is down there is food and shopping.

My contract is being extended again until the end of October, so that is pretty sweet. Work is going well. I am making a lot of progress on my project. Hmmm... why am I rambling so much?

Monday, August 08, 2005

Sweet week so far

There has been a lot of mountain biking so far this week. I am really enjoying have Hulsey's friend Jeff Lapp here to ride with in the mornings. Yesterday we did the Grand Traverse through Vail's Back Bowls. This morning we did the Davos Hill Climb.

Grand Traverse pictures:




Davos Hill Climb:

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Apparently

Tor proposed to Leslie this morning and they are now engaged... Sweet...

Here is my favorite pic of Tor (he is the one in the orange shirt):


And a great shot of Leslie:


And the lovely couple:

So much mountain biking

Let's see... On Wednesday I rode up Vail Mountain to Eagle's Nest, then worked in the afternoon. Exciting huh?

Thursday I drove my roommate Megan to Denver to go to the airport. We had a good time. Hit up the mall, went out to dinner with Ryan and Elena, and had ice cream. I stayed overnight at their place after taking Megan to the airport at night.

Friday I went to REI in the morning and got a new bike seat. There are so many things in that store I want to buy. I think a tent and a sleeping pad are next on the agenda. Came back to Vail and Comcast came again to finish fixing my internet problems.

Today Jeff, Jeff Lapp, and I rode a big loop that went up to Lost Lake:


Then over to the top of Buffher Creek:


Then all the way back to Red Sandstone Road:


It was a fun ride and really scenic. After the ride we went into town and Jeff had to go to work so Jeff Lapp and I went to the Covered Bridge Cafe and had burritos. Now I am at home just relaxing...

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Photos as promised

Grand Traverse:


Jeff finishing the Ultra 100:


Tasha paid-out during a La Cantina pay-out session:

Monday, August 01, 2005

missing her

Amazing weekend... Saturday Jeff and Jeff Lapp rode the Ultra 100. While they were doing that I rode the Grand Traverse trail on top of Vail Mountain. It was over 22 miles of riding. I loved it. Later that evening I went down to Beaver Creek to see them cross the finish line.

When I got home Ryan and Elena had come up from Denver and were in town. I met them in town for some dinner at the Bully Ranch. They stayed at my house Saturday night.

Sunday morning we went to Edwards for some lunch, then walked around the Vail Village in the Farmers' Market for a while then they had to head back to Denver.

This morning I rode Vail Mountain again today. I rode up to Eagle's Nest then took the Liondown trail down. Such a fun ride...

Photos coming soon...