tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86795722024-03-13T17:19:51.805-06:00Alex's World.A collection of short weekly blogs from Alex's brain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger477125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-70435339752485716952011-12-10T09:59:00.001-07:002011-12-10T10:01:54.228-07:00Christmas Time in the Canyon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR0VQuCwV00/TuOQF1a3eQI/AAAAAAAAHK4/T0Cxs4bVL34/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR0VQuCwV00/TuOQF1a3eQI/AAAAAAAAHK4/T0Cxs4bVL34/s400/DSC_0008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684545584585210114" /></a><br />A crackling fire, a full moon and Christmas lights, yep it's Christmas time in Coal Creek Canyon. <br /><br /><object width="420" height="40" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="gsSong2471142478" name="gsSong2471142478"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=24711424&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="420" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=24711424&style=metal&p=0" /><span>Christmas Time is Here by <a href="http://grooveshark.com/artist/Charlie+Brown+Christmas/163454" title="Charlie Brown Christmas">Charlie Brown Christmas</a> on Grooveshark</span></object></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-89403023715621794042011-12-04T20:35:00.003-07:002011-12-04T20:38:49.002-07:00Yard's ridin.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBhuBpDLwsU/Ttw8K957w-I/AAAAAAAAHKs/ba0m7u7R3Ig/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBhuBpDLwsU/Ttw8K957w-I/AAAAAAAAHKs/ba0m7u7R3Ig/s400/DSC_0078.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682482988948636642" /></a><br />Trax snowboards down the backyard. Game on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-19538212006396489132011-11-27T19:35:00.010-07:002011-11-27T19:59:30.059-07:00Change a coming.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkR4TtxCiEU/TtLzfdx0vQI/AAAAAAAAHKg/LLVqL-cCszM/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkR4TtxCiEU/TtLzfdx0vQI/AAAAAAAAHKg/LLVqL-cCszM/s400/DSC_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679869801962716418" border="0" /></a><br />Brown scrambles down a snow covered road.<br /><br />I'm going to retire Alex's World at year's end.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-11989351283430195952011-11-23T16:40:00.012-07:002011-11-23T20:06:22.023-07:00Man Cave, It begins.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtzlZsUHRTg/Ts2E32qHi9I/AAAAAAAAHKI/-ifOdm7vuVg/s1600/DSC_0453.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rtzlZsUHRTg/Ts2E32qHi9I/AAAAAAAAHKI/-ifOdm7vuVg/s400/DSC_0453.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678340800283904978" border="0" /></a><br />Man Cave before picture.<br />This is the space after tearing down a couple of walls that formed a small bedroom and hallway the previous owner envisioned. Over the next few months I hope to create a man cave in the space. My goal is to spend less time staring at a monitor and more time in the man cave.<br /><br /><object width="420" height="40" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="gsSong2358135962" name="gsSong2358135962"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=23581359&style=metal&p=0" /><!--[if !IE]>--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="420" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=23581359&style=metal&p=0" /><span>The Cave by <a href="http://grooveshark.com/artist/Mumford+and+Sons/658595" title="Mumford & Sons">Mumford & Sons</a> on Grooveshark</span></object><!--<![endif]--></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-8290823205528029702011-11-15T19:00:00.002-07:002011-11-15T19:15:54.826-07:00urban sprawl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlndBSTmSUA/TsMZspu2JlI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/FCA6fzTsNao/s1600/DSC_0422.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlndBSTmSUA/TsMZspu2JlI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/FCA6fzTsNao/s400/DSC_0422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675408210324235858" border="0" /></a><br />Brown Dog knows we are not in our hood when he is leashed to a fence post. Sorry DB... burbs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-49393647119286905662011-10-17T15:02:00.006-06:002011-10-17T15:33:55.235-06:00Colorado High School Mountain Bike League<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GoB19nNbnc8/TpyY4Jxn5UI/AAAAAAAAHFU/ew4bM6NRNbc/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GoB19nNbnc8/TpyY4Jxn5UI/AAAAAAAAHFU/ew4bM6NRNbc/s400/DSC_0241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664570521789392194" border="0" /></a><br />Trax races in last week event at Peaceful valley Ranch in the Black Forest, Colorado.<br /><br />Colorado's newly formed High School Mountain bike league has been taking off in the last couple years. It saw 100% growth this year with kids from all over the state forming teams at their high schools, or groups of high schools (so called composite teams). Powered by local sponsors and enthusiastic volunteers the race series has us driving to some of Colorado most beautiful destination for the competitions. The guys (and girls which the numbers has quadrupled in a year) really take pride in the sport and I can actually see the camaraderie being built. Some of these kids can ride! No doubt laying the roots for a collegiate or pro level career.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zen9t9BV6OE/TpyYc3z37sI/AAAAAAAAHFI/41LBgOSW1A0/s1600/DSC_0179.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zen9t9BV6OE/TpyYc3z37sI/AAAAAAAAHFI/41LBgOSW1A0/s400/DSC_0179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664570053110525634" border="0" /></a><br />Trax's Buddies Wyatt(Boulder High) and Griff (Monarch High) are neck and neck during lap # 2.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-72055976524971956942011-10-12T20:04:00.002-06:002011-10-12T20:06:54.640-06:00Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fNzMrVEbZY/TpZGwZLhNAI/AAAAAAAAHEM/LVRB_aIzj1s/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fNzMrVEbZY/TpZGwZLhNAI/AAAAAAAAHEM/LVRB_aIzj1s/s400/DSC_0096.jpg" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />Photo:Nell<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K75F2ssazq0/TpZG72_ZrYI/AAAAAAAAHEc/JoFq8iQLiTA/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K75F2ssazq0/TpZG72_ZrYI/AAAAAAAAHEc/JoFq8iQLiTA/s400/DSC_0150.jpg" border="0" height="226" width="400" /></a><br />Photo:Nell<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtJSMN2Zdmk/TpZHJUJkwDI/AAAAAAAAHEk/UpqHXVencvQ/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtJSMN2Zdmk/TpZHJUJkwDI/AAAAAAAAHEk/UpqHXVencvQ/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" border="0" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-5466717395845421812011-09-21T21:20:00.001-06:002011-09-29T07:13:35.715-06:00Music from Austin City Limits 2011<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhO72W_m9nM/Tnqp2Fxt0pI/AAAAAAAAHDs/75Ud1szvHDQ/s1600/DSC_0266.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655019028845810322" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhO72W_m9nM/Tnqp2Fxt0pI/AAAAAAAAHDs/75Ud1szvHDQ/s400/DSC_0266.jpg" style="height: 225px; width: 400px;" /> </a><br />
Manu Chao
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<span class="st"><i>Damian</i> "Jr. Gong" <i>Marley</i> </span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA30.2669295 -97.772911530.2532155 -97.7926525 30.2806435 -97.75317050000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-66737706435516041022011-09-11T11:56:00.001-06:002011-09-12T12:00:38.425-06:00John and Joe, A story on 9/11<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28750995?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/28750995">John and Joe</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/storycorps">StoryCorps</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />This is an animation base on a story told by Joe Vigiano, Sr. about his two sons – one a fireman, the other a policeman - who were killed during 9/11.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-77373820858406512462011-09-02T07:58:00.015-06:002011-09-02T08:32:49.426-06:00Smoked Slamon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmFmjKvwQP4/TmDjWc9pZSI/AAAAAAAAHDk/nJ6dHT7bYAU/s1600/DSC_0289.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmFmjKvwQP4/TmDjWc9pZSI/AAAAAAAAHDk/nJ6dHT7bYAU/s400/DSC_0289.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647763907593987362" /></a>
<br />Before: The Labor Day weekend salmon. Alaskan Sockeye from the Kenai River.
<br />De-rib and sprinkle liberally with sea salt.
<br />Let meat achieve room temperature just before it goes on the smoker.
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<br />Remove from cookie sheet and place in the 'cool' part of the smoker.
<br />Smoke over an Alder fire for 5+ hours.
<br />Make sure to keep a constant temperature.
<br />I like my heat right around 200 F with a light, lacy smoke from the Alder combustion.
<br />Do not soak your wood in water before hand, let a small pile burn in the fire box. Add wood as needed (every 30 mins). You'll probably need a few beers for this process.
<br />The Alder actually burning, instead of smoldering, will ensures a smooth smokey flavor, not bitter or ashy.
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<br />After: Alder smoked to perfection Kenai Sockeye.
<br />Let cool, wrap in foil and refrigerate and/or enjoy.
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-63795409934375886072011-08-28T21:21:00.018-06:002011-08-28T22:34:52.417-06:00Rocky Mountain Airshow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FsXS-g5PDk/TlsW5oofXsI/AAAAAAAAHDM/Amr7oREiLds/s1600/DSC_0262.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0FsXS-g5PDk/TlsW5oofXsI/AAAAAAAAHDM/Amr7oREiLds/s400/DSC_0262.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646131737254649538" /></a>
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<br />more to come.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FooLjWQNiPY/TlsG0qtd03I/AAAAAAAAHB0/7qjW2WBno64/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FooLjWQNiPY/TlsG0qtd03I/AAAAAAAAHB0/7qjW2WBno64/s400/DSC_0247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646114059727000434" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXIv3-klok/TlsOOtnHKaI/AAAAAAAAHC8/y7sodEdNrJ8/s1600/DSC_0201.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXIv3-klok/TlsOOtnHKaI/AAAAAAAAHC8/y7sodEdNrJ8/s400/DSC_0201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646122203763648930" border="0" /></a>
<br />Photo:Nell
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-19438536860938427442011-08-22T08:26:00.006-06:002011-08-22T08:38:34.856-06:00Forest lakes & Smoked Salmon Butter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fCazG_RxtnM/TlJogH6wryI/AAAAAAAAHBk/3IJPhU1PfQg/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fCazG_RxtnM/TlJogH6wryI/AAAAAAAAHBk/3IJPhU1PfQg/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643688184139263778" /></a>
<br />Beautiful summer day up at Forest Lakes
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSBTnzlzsRM/TlJnjCio2WI/AAAAAAAAHBc/O2__5L0UYko/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kSBTnzlzsRM/TlJnjCio2WI/AAAAAAAAHBc/O2__5L0UYko/s400/DSC_0088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643687134723889506" /></a>
<br />I can practice my Double Haul cast here.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mUdFqwDAP8/TlJnH9s5lqI/AAAAAAAAHBU/yZI4entf_P0/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mUdFqwDAP8/TlJnH9s5lqI/AAAAAAAAHBU/yZI4entf_P0/s400/DSC_0009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643686669568284322" /></a>
<br />Smoked Salmon Butter, great on toast.
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-1913788789910232662011-08-18T11:20:00.002-06:002011-08-18T11:26:13.547-06:00Incubus at Red Rocks!<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://cdn.livestream.com/embed/incubus?layout=4&color=0x000000&autoPlay=false&mute=false&iconColorOver=0xe7e7e7&iconColor=0xcccccc&allowchat=true&height=295&width=480" style="border:0;outline:0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><div style="font-size:11px;padding-top:10px;text-align:center;width:480px">Watch <a href=http://www.livestream.com/?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks title=live streaming video>live streaming video</a> from <a href=http://www.livestream.com/incubus?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks title=Watch incubus at livestream.com>incubus</a> at livestream.com</div>
<br />Saw Incubus at Red Rocks with my Bro last night! Here is the stream.
<br />What an amazing venue and band, they killed. We got clear skies and temperatures in the 70's.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-84529209021116654432011-08-16T07:39:00.021-06:002011-08-24T21:21:53.900-06:00Utah Green River Trip 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHVZ9U4qLrA/TksNJosAyPI/AAAAAAAAHA8/ptU37WQ0Xvg/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHVZ9U4qLrA/TksNJosAyPI/AAAAAAAAHA8/ptU37WQ0Xvg/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641617417403681010" border="0" /></a>
<br />Our visit to Crystal Geyser in Utah.
<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Geyser">via Wikipedia</a>
<br />It is a rare example of a cold water carbon dioxide driven geyser; geothermal activity does not play a role in the activity of the geyser. The ground water near the geyser has significant quantities of dissolved carbon dioxide, along with substantial underground gas accumulations in the surrounding area. Saturation of the aquifer with CO<sub>2</sub> creates enough pressure to force groundwater through the geyser and out on to the surface. <p>The geyser erupts sometimes to a height of 40 meters or more. During 2005, a <span class="external text">study</span> of the timing of the eruptions found them to be <span class="mw-redirect">bimodal</span>. About 66% of eruptions in the study occurred about 8 hours after the previous eruption, and the rest about 22 hours after. The geyser erupts for an average of one hundred minutes a day, with eruptions either lasting 7–32 minutes, or 98–113 minutes. The bimodal distribution of eruptions is not a well-understood pattern, but is found in other geysers, both cold-water and otherwise. Between eruption events, the water level is approximately seventeen feet below the surface of the geyser—at the level of the water table. In the preface to an eruption, water surfaces, fills the pond around the geyser, and begins to bubble.</p><p> The current form of the geyser was created by an exploration well drilled in 1935 in attempt to locate oil. The well was originally 800 metres deep, but an earlier owner of the land partially filled it in, meaning that the well is now only a couple hundred metres deep.</p> <p>The area surrounding the modern geyser is covered in a thick layer of orange <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine" title="Travertine">travertine</a>. Near the river, adjacent to the modern orange travertine, are substantial deposits of white travertine, perhaps reflecting the original depositional environment of the geyser (before the exploratory well was drilled.)
<br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C64X4wraqZc/TksMTjMbv9I/AAAAAAAAHAg/yo_Hd_XpPyw/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C64X4wraqZc/TksMTjMbv9I/AAAAAAAAHAg/yo_Hd_XpPyw/s400/DSC_0020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641616488216117202" border="0" />
<br /></a>Travertine deposits near the Crystal Geyser.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkGYqYKNWQ0/Tkp0EszsEUI/AAAAAAAAG_8/2kyVx95Dk-E/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkGYqYKNWQ0/Tkp0EszsEUI/AAAAAAAAG_8/2kyVx95Dk-E/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641449107331223874" border="0" /></a>
<br />My bro Will and Brown Dog taking in the spectacular canon features.
<br />This year's float was nothing like <a href="http://coloradoviaalex.blogspot.com/2008/04/floating-utah-green-river.html">2008's</a>.
<br />No this year's trip down the labyrinth was a little more than a gentle and relaxing paddle down one of Utah's gems. One word: mosquitoes! I know what you are thinking, its Utah, what's the big deal?<a href="http://images.the-scientist.com/content/images/general/aedesaegypti-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 263px;" src="http://images.the-scientist.com/content/images/general/aedesaegypti-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Female <i>Aedes aegypti</i> feeding.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em> Photo: James Gathany
<br /></em></span></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hXNAaFI0DU/Tk0j8KzdsXI/AAAAAAAAHBE/l-nMBvvReQ0/s1600/USGS.09315000.03.00060..20110420.20110818.log.0.p50.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hXNAaFI0DU/Tk0j8KzdsXI/AAAAAAAAHBE/l-nMBvvReQ0/s400/USGS.09315000.03.00060..20110420.20110818.log.0.p50.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642205424764432754" border="0" /></a>
<br />This year's Green River flow (blue line) via U.S. Geological Survey station recordings. <a href="http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_default&period=120&site_no=09315000">USGS</a></p><p>The Green River flowed well above normal this season. Utah has not seen water like this since 1983-84. Many areas along the river including ponds, wetlands and farms, flowed for several months completely flooded. When it finally receded, much later than usual, it left sediment, mud and standing water. A path of soaked destruction. This had people cleaning up , digging out and repairing infrastructure. Access areas, roads, bridges and as we found out camping along the river were affected by the tremendous discharge. Wetlands were left with warm standing water, aka, mosquito marshes.
<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yt8KCQrOpE/TksK1XuBbTI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/-0_5_ui3Q4I/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg"> </a><a href="http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwisweb/local/nwis_host/nwisdutslc/local/site_text/images/09315000.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yt8KCQrOpE/TksK1XuBbTI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/-0_5_ui3Q4I/s1600/DSC_0033.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1yt8KCQrOpE/TksK1XuBbTI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/-0_5_ui3Q4I/s400/DSC_0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641614870228069682" border="0" /></a>
<br />Trax and Nell navigate their Canoe down the Labyrinth.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WUIkwQWWN0/TkpzrvWZFxI/AAAAAAAAG_0/aHqumc-oVbc/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WUIkwQWWN0/TkpzrvWZFxI/AAAAAAAAG_0/aHqumc-oVbc/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641448678516922130" border="0" /></a>
<br />Will and Trax float on by...and babushka Brown Dog.</p><p>Poor Brown Dog got a little heat and sun exposed on day one of our float. He had a rough night. His body temperature was boiling hot, showed signs of dehydration, and his eye were irritated(sunburned). He just wanted to lay in the cool sand and was not himself. We kept him covered with damp towels and Nell flush his eyes with saline. He came out of it in the wee hours of the morning as the canyon temperatures cooled.
<br /></p><p>The sun exposure on the river is no joke for humans, I can't imagine it is much different for dogs. We used Nell's <a href="http://www.buffusa.com/">Buff</a> to provide some cooling and sun protection during the day but realized this is a problem. We do tons of things where there is sun exposure and your eyes can get cooked.
<br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Military_dog_in_Afghanistan_being_prepared_for_a_helicopter_hoist.jpg/545px-Military_dog_in_Afghanistan_being_prepared_for_a_helicopter_hoist.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 439px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Military_dog_in_Afghanistan_being_prepared_for_a_helicopter_hoist.jpg/545px-Military_dog_in_Afghanistan_being_prepared_for_a_helicopter_hoist.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Doggles on a service dog.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O5JYLM/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000G85V5U&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BHE910YXK4D2JT0TFHD">We might get Dudley some Doggles.</a>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v7n8zlLZyaI/TksLQdHjTrI/AAAAAAAAHAY/C6tqDa3mBp4/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v7n8zlLZyaI/TksLQdHjTrI/AAAAAAAAHAY/C6tqDa3mBp4/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641615335533792946" border="0" /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a>
<br />Bara, Nell and Will chill out in the Green River, UT 2011.</p>
<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lKO7vFR9d2Q?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="500" frameborder="0" height="405"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-14139711011607263972011-08-04T08:09:00.006-06:002011-08-04T08:26:30.242-06:00Sweetgrass Productions SOLITAIRE Trailer<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27216372?portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />The Sweetgrass Crew released a new trailer!<br /><a href="http://www.sweetgrass-productions.com/">Via Sweetgrass Productions...</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">WORLD PREMIERE SEPTEMBER 15th, 2011 in Denver, CO Gothic Theatre 7pm</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">For the DVD and Ski Film Tour info head to:</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);" href="http://www.sweetgrass-productions.com/">Sweetgrass-Productions.com</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Patagonia and Dynafit present...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">SOLITAIRE: A Backcountry Skiing, Snowboarding, and Telemark Film from Sweetgrass Productions</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">In the high desert of South America, winter takes hold, devouring bleached bones and abandoned shacks. Into these most inhospitable of lands, a handful of drifters emerge from the whiteout, ready to cast their lot on forsaken peaks both merciless and magnificent. Venturing beyond the frontiers of most mountain films, Solitaire is backcountry skiing forged in the tradition of Western cinema. Born in the spires of Argentina’s legendary Las Lenas, a lonely two-year journey begins through an abandoned world, wandering the length of a continent from Peru’s Cordillera Blanca to Chilean Patagonia.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Lost in the winds of snowbound badlands and the blizzards of primordial forests; seen from a horse’s saddle and a paraglider’s wings; ridden on ski and board and telemark...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Solitaire fuses western-inspired tales of backcountry gambles into landscapes never before visited on film.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Shot on location in: Las Lenas, Argentina; Portillo, Chile;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">Nevados de Chillan, Chile; Patagonia, Chile; Bariloche, Argentina; Caviahue, Argentina; Huaraz, Peru; Iquitos, Peru; Uyuni, Bolivia; and Sajama, Bolivia.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-75169226782479707602011-08-01T21:45:00.005-06:002011-08-02T11:15:12.293-06:00Costa Rica Sound Clips<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoMIPRRxW24/Tjdm_zBY9LI/AAAAAAAAG-E/39rQWSMdCpw/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoMIPRRxW24/Tjdm_zBY9LI/AAAAAAAAG-E/39rQWSMdCpw/s400/DSC_0233.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Nell and I have been working on putting together some sounds from the trip.<br />Close your eyes and enter a morning in the rain forest.<br /><embed src="http://www.box.net/embed/5eegnrz0hkqinlm.swf" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="30" width="420"></embed><div style="clear: both;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09-XT2ox--M/TjgueXWN66I/AAAAAAAAG-g/SnbaB9zFIxc/s1600/DSC_0563.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09-XT2ox--M/TjgueXWN66I/AAAAAAAAG-g/SnbaB9zFIxc/s400/DSC_0563.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636306032852331426" /></a><br />A bird walk with Omar and Nell. Photo:Nell<br /><embed src="http://www.box.net/embed/xdpnpkbibkc3kvl.swf" width="420" height="30" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-54039098333278671302011-07-27T22:47:00.046-06:002011-08-01T10:50:56.840-06:00Alaska's Clam Gulch & the Kenai River Fishing Trip<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtPUnu6qmDo/TjDsgNVSMbI/AAAAAAAAG7U/aCt05tq-7RQ/s1600/DSC_0021.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtPUnu6qmDo/TjDsgNVSMbI/AAAAAAAAG7U/aCt05tq-7RQ/s400/DSC_0021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634263171919393202" border="0" /></a><br />Jason and Keyrock dig for clams during low tide at Alaska's clam gulch.<br />Headed up to AK for the Sockeye run this year. Jason, Eric(Keyrock) and I toured the Kenai river area in a 28 foot RV that included all the comforts of home in a 1980's style rolling base camp. We often fished 5 to 8 hours a day with processing (cleaning, vacuum packing and freezing) the days catch usually keeping us up till the wee hours of the morning.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8r_CBoj3PPA?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="500" frameborder="0" height="314"></iframe><br />Keyrock demonstrates using a clam gun to dig for clams.<br /><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "MS 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }</style>This was my first experience clamming. It is a skill that requires a little practice and knowledge of the clam’s position in the sand.<br />Note: The dimple recognition step, the first step, was the key for me.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><br />Here is how to dig up a clam.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">1. Look for a small (about the size of a US nickel) dimple on the beach. This is the clam’s “show” and is the result of water moving vertically to the surface as the clam siphons sea water (at low tide) for substrates while feeding buried about 6 inches in the sand. If you pause the video at about :01 you can see the dimple of a Butter Clam.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">2. We used a clam gun most of the time but shovels work well too, the second step is basically digging up the clam.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">With a clam gun: Position the end of the tube centered over the dimple. Slowly press the tube into the sand until it reaches a hard layer. Making sure to avoid rocks and clams by rocking the gun back and forth and side to side in the mud. This was the tricky part. Many clams were crushed as the gun slid into the sand. Is that a rock or clam?</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"> Crack!<br />It takes a few times of slicing the clam in half to feel the clam with the gun and make sure to include it in the core. There is an air hole at the top of the gun that is plugged with your thumb making the tube air tight and able to pull a core of sand from the beach. Hopefully including the clam. Shuffle through the core of sand looking for the clam and/or finish digging up the clam by hand. Some of the clams were deeper than others.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">With a shovel:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Dig a hole in the sand just above the clam starting from the dimple and working slightly diagonal toward the shore. This was about 5 to 6 inches usually. Go slow at the bottom as to not damage the clam. Reveal the neck and shell of the clam by digging with your hands back on the diagonal. If you dig directly down you can accidentally</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"> crack or crush the</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"> clam</span>.<br /><br />Note: Crushed clams are just as delicious, just more difficult to clean.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Hurry they can dig surprisingly fast to escape. Once you start digging it is a race, you vs. clam. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Yes, they win sometimes.</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JxIrA59HO8/TjD0W-rxsQI/AAAAAAAAG70/n87_XqR4yS0/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JxIrA59HO8/TjD0W-rxsQI/AAAAAAAAG70/n87_XqR4yS0/s400/DSC_0016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634271809461399810" border="0" /></a><br />A family digs for clams.<br /><br />One of the things I had on my short list for this Alaska trip was to enjoy a home-made clam chowder after clamming all day at the gulch. A dream clam chowder that was like nothing I'd had before. A clam chowder that instead of being mostly void of clams, like we get here in Colorado,watery, mostly potatoes; is a chowder that is completely choked was clams, a ridiculous amount of fresh caught clams. Where every bite is a heaping pile of clams and buttery chowder drips from the spoon. You might ask, "did we forget the potatoes?" kind of clam chowder.<br /><br />Well, we nailed it. A dream come true.<br /><br />Here is the clam chowder recipe we enjoyed that night.<br /><br />1.5 cups of clams per person (really)<br />4 slices bacon, diced<br />1 cup chopped onion<br />2 cups diced potatoes<br />1.5 cups clam broth/juice<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspoon pepper<br />3 tablespoons flour<br />2 cups half-and-half<br />1 cup milk<br />1 tablespoon minced rosemary, thyme, oregano (equal parts)<br /><br />Dice and boil the potatoes for fifteen minutes, strain, set aside.<br />Cook bacon until crisp in a large, heavy sauce pan. Remove bacon to paper towels, dice.<br />Add onion to bacon drippings; sauté until softened, then add potatoes, and herbs and breifly saute. Add clam broth simmer for 10 mins. Next add the clams and the diced bacon simmer for 5 more mins. Whisk the flour into the milk and add it with the half and half simmer for another 10 mins or until the chowder thickens. Server with torn baguette bread.<br /><br />Eat two bowls.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGzup_vnKHU/TjD1tjdKYxI/AAAAAAAAG8E/Ko4uzykV7GQ/s1600/DSC_0041.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGzup_vnKHU/TjD1tjdKYxI/AAAAAAAAG8E/Ko4uzykV7GQ/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634273296800965394" border="0" /></a><br />Hauling ass up river in the 1985 <a href="http://www.remarkablervs.com/usedrvsforsale/image_gd/imagelarege_IGD.php?89976514_2thumb_550x410.jpg">Class C Ford Suncrest Honey</a> RV.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxHHnFzWi9o/TjD098ugt_I/AAAAAAAAG78/GrGm0Vii9l4/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxHHnFzWi9o/TjD098ugt_I/AAAAAAAAG78/GrGm0Vii9l4/s400/DSC_0053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634272478950897650" border="0" /></a><br />The halibut charters leaving for the morning tours. Seward, Alaska<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edpiZrzCPv4/TjD_oh8AwaI/AAAAAAAAG9E/YaZP8vWhAyw/s1600/DSC_0205.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edpiZrzCPv4/TjD_oh8AwaI/AAAAAAAAG9E/YaZP8vWhAyw/s400/DSC_0205.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634284205610418594" border="0" /></a><br />Combat fishing at Bings Landing near Sterling, Alaska.<br />Fishing shoulder to shoulder was a new experience for me. If another angler got within a few feet of me on a river at home, in Colorado I'm sure I'd have some choice words for the guy and/or at least a stink eye. But here in Alaska during the salmon run anyway it is pretty much the norm and all popular fishing spots are usually teaming with fishermen...lucky for us they are also teaming with Salmon and everybody was light hearted and friendly. <div>You could see a steady stream of fish heading up river day and night. On July 18th of this year over 225K were counted by Didson sonar heading up river, this was more than 4 times the average for that day.</div><a href="http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Sonar/Charts/11krsock.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 592px; height: 384px;" src="http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Sonar/Charts/11krsock.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We got an AMAZING run this year!!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxG7MItSrlk/TjD2PYxI8DI/AAAAAAAAG8M/cdmWK7Hv-8c/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxG7MItSrlk/TjD2PYxI8DI/AAAAAAAAG8M/cdmWK7Hv-8c/s400/DSC_0062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634273878047518770" border="0" /></a><br />Bits!!! This what we called all the left overs from the filleting process.<br />Jason and I were new to filleting salmon. It takes some practice to get good at, I would say probably about 10-12 fish. Our first attempts had us cleaning up the bones getting every missed sliver of meat after the fact, very time consuming but worth it. We called these pieces "Bits". We would include them in the next mornings breakfast usually sautéd in bacon grease, peppered and served with scrambled eggs and toast.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ppg6ASUVwqo?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="500" frameborder="0" height="314"></iframe><br />A few clips of the fishing.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTs1tn2wdVk/TjD4MJiWSII/AAAAAAAAG8k/rgzKdN8OHZc/s1600/DSC_0331.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jTs1tn2wdVk/TjD4MJiWSII/AAAAAAAAG8k/rgzKdN8OHZc/s400/DSC_0331.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634276021442594946" border="0" /></a><br />Keyrock hooks a sockeye a few feet from the waters edge at our backcountry spot.</div><div>This spot requires a short bushwack through the forest to get to, hints there is no people here. We carried a fire arm, bear pepper spray and made plenty of noise on our walks in. Bear tracks and scat were everywhere. Packing up the day's catch in our backpacks had us walking double time back to the RV. Keyrock threaten my life, if I give the exact location...sorry Blogosphere, my lips are sealed.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAdTn56-2iU/TjD5dUkM0pI/AAAAAAAAG8s/Gn7oCLZv_U8/s1600/DSC_0366.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAdTn56-2iU/TjD5dUkM0pI/AAAAAAAAG8s/Gn7oCLZv_U8/s400/DSC_0366.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634277415972557458" border="0" /></a><br />Up near the Russian River and Kenai River confluence.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOfHUPVVXZ8/TjD3zahcKmI/AAAAAAAAG8c/_6dtsplmMok/s1600/DSC_0328.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOfHUPVVXZ8/TjD3zahcKmI/AAAAAAAAG8c/_6dtsplmMok/s400/DSC_0328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634275596505459298" border="0" /></a><br />This dog has it made floating down the Kenai.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGte6w0jLTA/TjF5N6i-tkI/AAAAAAAAG9M/vHOQAg4_IkE/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGte6w0jLTA/TjF5N6i-tkI/AAAAAAAAG9M/vHOQAg4_IkE/s400/DSC_0392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634417888778434114" border="0" /></a><br />A cleaning station with the morning's catch and beverage.</div><div>The sign reads "Help keep Anglers safe and Bears wild. Chop! into numerous pieces & Throw into fast current."<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDpQhFqoDnA/TjD6j9HxvCI/AAAAAAAAG80/d4CHiTjwocA/s1600/DSC_0428.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDpQhFqoDnA/TjD6j9HxvCI/AAAAAAAAG80/d4CHiTjwocA/s400/DSC_0428.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634278629450038306" border="0" /></a><br />Our campsite pit smoker made with heavy aluminium foil, our grill, and the site's fire pit.</div><div>Another thing on the short list was to smoke a salmon that was just a few hours old with fresh cut green Alder from the river. We smoked a fillet for about 4 hours using only Alder in the fire.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jr7oWIhUus/TjD7TuSGnwI/AAAAAAAAG88/9QWjZilreuk/s1600/DSC_0432.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jr7oWIhUus/TjD7TuSGnwI/AAAAAAAAG88/9QWjZilreuk/s400/DSC_0432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634279450100539138" border="0" /></a></div>The finished product lasted about four minutes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-40570974311331089522011-07-11T10:02:00.008-06:002011-07-11T12:29:16.892-06:00A staw bale in Cedaredge.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzSFUrpcyBM/ThseigPnliI/AAAAAAAAG5o/jHKxV7t1sZ8/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EzSFUrpcyBM/ThseigPnliI/AAAAAAAAG5o/jHKxV7t1sZ8/s400/DSC_0481.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Nell shapes the bales on the assembly line. <br /><br />We headed to Cedaredge this weekend to help out with the construction of a straw bale home our friends Jamie an JP are building. This life long dream home will eventual accompany a small organic farm they will plant. The property is surrounded by water and even has a spring feed swimming pond. <a href="http://www.nellsventures.blogspot.com/">Nell</a> did a great slide show from the weekend.(below)<br /><br /><div><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=1826249&k=S85660492&hk=1&ns=1&ob=1&origin=share"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://pf.kizoa.com/sflite.swf?did=1826249&k=S85660492&hk=1&ns=1&ob=1&origin=share" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" width="420" height="315"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1826249k5592707o1/raisin-bales">Kizoa slideshow: Raisin' Bales</a></b> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">Slideshow</a></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-76966624968394774432011-07-01T15:41:00.002-06:002011-07-04T18:34:13.512-06:00That guy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg3zIVRS9po/Tg4-PM5F9LI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/2pOUPG9MC7E/s1600/DSC_0458-1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yg3zIVRS9po/Tg4-PM5F9LI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/2pOUPG9MC7E/s400/DSC_0458-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624501415511979186" border="0" /></a><br />Yep, Never thought I'd be that guy.<br /><object width="420" height="40"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=10161607&style=metal&p=0" /><embed src="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="40" flashvars="hostname=cowbell.grooveshark.com&songIDs=10161607&style=metal&p=0" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="window" /></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-77460340755292929242011-06-27T17:33:00.032-06:002011-08-15T21:59:43.492-06:00Twin Lakes and the Canoe RackI started sketching my canoe rack weeks before I plugged in any power tools and built it for last weekend's trip to Twin Lakes. The problem was getting an 80 pound canoe on top of a 10 foot Skamper for transport. The rack had to be strong yet light enough to be removed during outings.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2uEo-JSxOg/TgqjfLoiyFI/AAAAAAAAG3c/_RXiDck_rCs/s1600/DSC_0292-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2uEo-JSxOg/TgqjfLoiyFI/AAAAAAAAG3c/_RXiDck_rCs/s400/DSC_0292-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623486840819599442" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is the basic mock up on the deck.
<br />The rack combines two mechanical advantages:
<br />The first is a 6 pulley system that lifts the canoe from the ground to a vertical bracket above the camper. This bracket is the width of the canoe and pivots on hinges to load the canoe horizontally. The bracket is swung on the hinges by using a 6 foot steal rod to lever the weight of the canoe into the vertical and horizontal position.
<br />The pulley system reduces the force needed to hoist the canoe into the air to about 8 pounds. It is possible to load the canoe on the camper by myself.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkGOZnVRhKU/TgqiiWVSOMI/AAAAAAAAG3M/v5j6yqlC2Qo/s1600/DSC_0301-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkGOZnVRhKU/TgqiiWVSOMI/AAAAAAAAG3M/v5j6yqlC2Qo/s400/DSC_0301-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623485795719592130" border="0" /></a>
<br />The pulleys I made from 4" Clothesline pulleys, a U-bolt, a chunk of oak, and a coated steal cable loop.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl-Zj_Ngekc/Tgqi2wjgkCI/AAAAAAAAG3U/QXUF_SNn5lM/s1600/DSC_0296-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl-Zj_Ngekc/Tgqi2wjgkCI/AAAAAAAAG3U/QXUF_SNn5lM/s400/DSC_0296-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623486146355957794" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is the proof of concept before I finished the rack.
<br />This picture shows the front 3 pulleys (half of the complete system) suspending two cinder blocks (~80 lbs) about 3 feet into the air. Blue straps secure the rack to the Skamper. A yellow strap centered on the canoe bracket supports the weight of the canoe during lifting. The yellow painters extension in the proof was replaced with a 6 foot steal rod for levering the canoe into the horizontal position... mainly because it bent to shit.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsRdXd-Qw5k/TgqhgFxeBLI/AAAAAAAAG28/M31Gb48Gnyo/s1600/DSC_0452-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsRdXd-Qw5k/TgqhgFxeBLI/AAAAAAAAG28/M31Gb48Gnyo/s400/DSC_0452-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623484657403036850" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is the completed rack with canoe loaded.
<br />A single black straps secure the bow of the canoe to the truck.
<br />I still have to seal the wood with a protective waterproof finish then I'll be done. It functioned as expected and for about $200 in parts (damn near half in straps!) helps lighten the task of putting the canoe on the Skamper to a one person job.
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkGq0LDDxVo/Tgqg7KdZ-HI/AAAAAAAAG2s/Kkwm_elGk8o/s1600/DSC_0331-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkGq0LDDxVo/Tgqg7KdZ-HI/AAAAAAAAG2s/Kkwm_elGk8o/s400/DSC_0331-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623484023005902962" border="0" /></a>
<br />Our Old Town Discovery 169 at the lake. The solar panel charges a deep cell battery during our hikes. A little electric trolling motor uses this battery to quietly push us around the lake. Even in windy conditions this setup did just fine.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xw84YW3Bzco/TgqhInrtIuI/AAAAAAAAG20/PogpleMR4X8/s1600/DSC_0242-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xw84YW3Bzco/TgqhInrtIuI/AAAAAAAAG20/PogpleMR4X8/s400/DSC_0242-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623484254188806882" border="0" /></a>
<br />Brown and I stroll down the trail. photo: Nell
<br />We used the Canoe to explore different areas of the lake's shoreline that take a while to hike or bike to on the trail. Last year we hiked along this same stretch of trail after a 3 hour bike ride. Today about 20 minute Canoe ride got us here.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cOhsiSTet8/Tgqhytlcr8I/AAAAAAAAG3E/3KhKP2NP1jY/s1600/DSC_0399-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cOhsiSTet8/Tgqhytlcr8I/AAAAAAAAG3E/3KhKP2NP1jY/s400/DSC_0399-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623484977327681474" border="0" /></a>
<br />Brown Dog and I don't play with sticks so anytime you see him with one he is being a wise ass. On this occasion he was running by every few minutes with things I don't approve of.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tqn6O18ovk/TgkTsT07SrI/AAAAAAAAG2I/kSRBVx9vEu4/s1600/DSC_0426-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tqn6O18ovk/TgkTsT07SrI/AAAAAAAAG2I/kSRBVx9vEu4/s400/DSC_0426-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623047261706209970" border="0" /></a>
<br />Nell and I found a fishermen's lean-to shelter and used to escape the intense mid-day sun.
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrWkVpwOpvs/TgkUk4QBFfI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/cuGhkO6oxK8/s1600/DSC_0421-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrWkVpwOpvs/TgkUk4QBFfI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/cuGhkO6oxK8/s400/DSC_0421-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623048233556186610" border="0" /></a>
<br />Brown dog peers through the shelter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-37005551915532998652011-06-15T22:21:00.001-06:002011-06-22T10:24:58.327-06:00Sunset 06-15-2011<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XlhaxRz7QAo?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="314" width="500"></iframe><br />Tonight's sunset to Lopseyed's Dead End Vista.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-12476983572360292522011-06-05T22:17:00.017-06:002011-06-30T20:26:53.307-06:00Manzanillo, Costa Rica Part IV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qTEiAiAjVT8/Tg0vw75XVSI/AAAAAAAAG4M/8CvN-BHUtHQ/s1600/DSC_0103-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qTEiAiAjVT8/Tg0vw75XVSI/AAAAAAAAG4M/8CvN-BHUtHQ/s400/DSC_0103-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624204027414140194" border="0" /></a><br />Inside a ceremony hut deep in the rain forest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJI7jzYBzh0/TexTO252WZI/AAAAAAAAGzc/wFPbz0XtZnk/s1600/DSC_0184-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJI7jzYBzh0/TexTO252WZI/AAAAAAAAGzc/wFPbz0XtZnk/s400/DSC_0184-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614954350145591698" border="0" /></a><br />Hand-made chocolate!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzyrSAauyME/TexP2Ub5nQI/AAAAAAAAGzE/egmTtHgi2as/s1600/DSC_0171-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzyrSAauyME/TexP2Ub5nQI/AAAAAAAAGzE/egmTtHgi2as/s400/DSC_0171-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614950630041427202" border="0" /></a><br />Josh getting the picture I wanted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi--IM1dOOg/TexQjoDRv0I/AAAAAAAAGzU/vkv6vLaYfLg/s1600/DSC_0255-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi--IM1dOOg/TexQjoDRv0I/AAAAAAAAGzU/vkv6vLaYfLg/s400/DSC_0255-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614951408400973634" border="0" /></a><br />Multiple ecosystems living on pretty much everything. Photo:Nell<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN0oMSRgVHE/TexQMqorvII/AAAAAAAAGzM/e3-3B32YSBQ/s1600/DSC_0227-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YN0oMSRgVHE/TexQMqorvII/AAAAAAAAGzM/e3-3B32YSBQ/s400/DSC_0227-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614951013957745794" border="0" /></a><br />The Red Winged Black Grasshopper. X6, can you see them?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x16LiU5ELjE/TexPftPmjvI/AAAAAAAAGy8/xU5Aj7rCIFM/s1600/DSC_0214-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x16LiU5ELjE/TexPftPmjvI/AAAAAAAAGy8/xU5Aj7rCIFM/s400/DSC_0214-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614950241563741938" border="0" /></a><br />Children play with toy trucks in the rain forest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAWN7Z8Pbjc/TexPRWA8S_I/AAAAAAAAGy0/UnnJvpfJSN8/s1600/DSC_0050-2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAWN7Z8Pbjc/TexPRWA8S_I/AAAAAAAAGy0/UnnJvpfJSN8/s400/DSC_0050-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614949994810067954" border="0" /></a><br />A Golden Orb spider poised in her web.<br />These spiders were everywhere in the rain forest. You can not miss them suspended on their webs in more open areas of the forest. A big thick web supporting a large brightly colored spider. This one is palm sized with a body about as thick as my thumb. <span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;" >The silk is so strong that it can trap small birds, which the spider doesn't eat. </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;" > In the South Pacific </span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:100%;" >tribal people have long used the webs to make fishing lures, traps and nets. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgNhUnievgE/TexYtJhvMWI/AAAAAAAAGz4/jSkWbK83Ows/s1600/DSC_0456-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgNhUnievgE/TexYtJhvMWI/AAAAAAAAGz4/jSkWbK83Ows/s400/DSC_0456-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614960368098947426" border="0" /></a><br />Can you see me? A small octopus perfectly camouflaged.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-53147144217926279112011-06-02T06:37:00.003-06:002011-06-05T22:17:53.691-06:00Manzanillo, Costa Rica Part III: Terraventuras Zip Line Canopy Tour<iframe width="500" height="314" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RsGLiuEQ7AI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-30807566488548963022011-06-01T11:07:00.006-06:002011-06-05T22:17:04.737-06:00Manzanillo, Costa Rica Part II: Jaguar Rescue Center<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Njv9yBi0vRA?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="500" frameborder="0" height="314"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8679572.post-86854668692829088532011-05-22T14:17:00.024-06:002011-05-23T18:51:32.258-06:00Manzanillo, Costa Rica Part I: Journey from San Jose.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhGwqn9vQss/TdrFHMF6riI/AAAAAAAAGyA/Gj3o7zX75gE/s1600/DSC_0003-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhGwqn9vQss/TdrFHMF6riI/AAAAAAAAGyA/Gj3o7zX75gE/s400/DSC_0003-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610013013139172898" border="0" /></a><br />San Jose, Costa Rica from our room at Hotel Presidente. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRk23Qb_lWo/TdrE4SpS_4I/AAAAAAAAGx4/Y44WYVNTF7c/s1600/DSC_0007-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRk23Qb_lWo/TdrE4SpS_4I/AAAAAAAAGx4/Y44WYVNTF7c/s400/DSC_0007-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012757200142210" border="0" /></a><br />Our lucky Pigeon hangs out under our hotel window in San Jose. Our trip goes nearly without a hitch from day one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3deQQjSoKdY/TdrEtL3wh_I/AAAAAAAAGxw/RdEdhAgLmp8/s1600/DSC_0011-2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3deQQjSoKdY/TdrEtL3wh_I/AAAAAAAAGxw/RdEdhAgLmp8/s400/DSC_0011-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012566403188722" border="0" /></a><br />We piled into the short bus, aka the Golden Egg, for our journey through the mountainous jungles of inland Costa Rica, to the white sands of Manzanillo. We took the direct route to the coast (HWY 32) which was not recommended by the hotel staff in San Jose due to frequent mud slides and adverse driving conditions. The rainy season tends to make traveling over the passes difficult. They warned it was unsafe and recommended a route that added another hour to the drive.<br /><br />We made the call to push ahead on the direct route, our original plan, after checking the weather forecast and researching recent trip reports from the blog-o-sphere. Making great driving time with maps, a travel guide, a GPS, Colorado tested drivers, and a little luck we were relieved to make it over the passes safe and with no problems.<br /><br />Their mountain driving conditions have nothing on ours in Colorado at least on this trip. We did see evidence of massive mud slides and mangled guardrails from accidents just like at home from our own mud slides or avalanches and douche-bags in SUV's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQIoOOSUvlM/TdrEl9J01QI/AAAAAAAAGxo/eBbXlg1lm4c/s1600/DSC_0015-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQIoOOSUvlM/TdrEl9J01QI/AAAAAAAAGxo/eBbXlg1lm4c/s400/DSC_0015-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012442193351938" border="0" /></a><br />Captain Dave with first lieutenant McCracken as navigator. <br />Along the way we passed a local going extremely slow on the highway. He gave us the "you should be slowing down" look after we flew by him with disgust . We realized why he was driving so slow after getting the Golden Egg completely airborne on a road-seam at a bridge junction. I'm sure that was a sight to see.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ga86McQeybo/TdrEc3lDdwI/AAAAAAAAGxg/vh6U0-myNS0/s1600/DSC_0036-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ga86McQeybo/TdrEc3lDdwI/AAAAAAAAGxg/vh6U0-myNS0/s400/DSC_0036-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610012286078121730" border="0" /></a><br />Our first morning at Congo Bongo felt like waking up on another planet.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oWxuO_ITrMY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="314" width="500"></iframe><br />One of three videos I'll be posting. With each one I learn a little more about filming, editing and story telling.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1