Harvest

This year has been what I think of as the 'true' first harvest for us. We managed to get a buck, which is taking up much of the freezer, have a ton of tomatoes for sauce, basil for pesto and peppers for pickling. While it's obvious that we will have to go to the grocery store at least a few times throughout the fall and winter, it is plain to see the possibilities. What if we had 10 raised beds? What if we had more sun? A quarter acre? Fruit trees? A plan for winter veg? Lived closer to b-zone and got a second deer? We could do some serious eating!!! I suppose if the dream is sustainability and a sweet garden full of food, the dream got closer this year.

The new bike

Oh my, it's been a long time coming. Actually, it has been over 1 year since I started looking at road bikes at Summit Bikes in San Rafael. I started looking at the Trek 2.3, but it was a little spendy at the time. I decided to get a used bike (Red Dragon-'91 Specialized) and just get fit and ride to work. It's a good thing I didn't set my sights too high with Red Dragon, because ~20miles was all I could do on that slightly uncomfortable very heavy bike. I know Lance says "It's not the bike", but, a 27 lb. bike is a BEAST!!!

Fast forward to this Summer, and I'm excited again to get a new bike. I'm biking to work, on the weekends and running inbetween. It's time to start the research for a new bike. Much to Allison's annoyance, this meant many hours online to try and find the right bike, at the right price, with the right stuff. Pretty much an impossible thing to do in the greater Marin area. Do I go to a small boutique shop and get a $3000 bike? Do I go down the street to a shop that I've been working with, but they don't have good deals? Do I go to.... this was annoying. After consulting a friend about what to look for in a bike I was less annoyed, but still daunted. Finally I went back to Summit Bikes to see what they had. It turns out they had a super sale, and the original Trek 2.3 I was looking at was on sale!!! Boo Yaa shoppers. After a few test rides and some killer people helping me in the store (Will!!) I was sold and ended up riding home on my gorgeous new, 2010 Trek 2.3.

Amped was barely the word, so I decided to that words were crap, and I needed to ride. Lucas Valley loop was the tikcket . I got my ass kicked previously on this ride, but I was back to get after it. Long churning uphills, FAST down hills, redwoods and some amazing homes made the ride from great to excellent. Great bike, Great ride, great coffee afterwords.

More to come, get after it!!!

Mike

Snow, Mountains, Happy

After a weekend of some interesting skiing in Mt. Shasta, which included Gramdma's cooking, free lodging and a killer game of scrabble, it was off to the Sierra for some mid-week resort skiing.

As usual, the Sierras didn't disappoint.  The conditions were spring-like and almost too warm. The crowds were small, the lifts were fast and the snow set up perfectly by the middle of the day. I skied fast, slow, and well, but mostly I just had fun! The mood on the lifts, in the lines (what lines?)  and on the hills were all so chipper. Finding a person with a bad attitude would have been impossible and not a worthy pursuit. I chatted with couples from India, South Lake Tahoe and a couple that had me rolling in laughter with a great head-gear impersonation. Just think, "Shit, just go ski the chutes" but with a sweet lisp via head-gear. It was funny at the time... 

I'm already plotting how to get my hands on some back country gear for this spring, and then again for next fall so I can finally get into the back country and make my own lift :) 

This pic was taken from the top of Sugarbowl, I believe the Mt. Lincoln lift. We do need another few storms, and with any luck we'll get them in the next few weeks. That being said, the Western Sierra looks to be in pretty decent condition for a nice spring and summer. Get after it! 

Been a long time....

Hello All,

Just a quick one, but perhaps more later... Check out this site-> www.dolomitesport.com

It's Dan Pattituci's site all about climbing, skiing, moving and photography. Truly amazing stuff.

Mike

Climbing

Dear Climbing,

It's been a long time since we've seen each other. I've missed you and the way you make me feel-dog tired, achey, hurting hands, sore toes, anxious for more. I'm sorry that I haven't been around more and I've learned that 'sorry' shouldn't have a 'but' attached to it. I have found new things to give my attention to. Mountain biking, soccer, martial arts are all great things and they've filled a void. However, nothing can compare to the hard unforgiving rock and the movement that is needed to climb along your length. Thanks Climbing, I've missed you.

Love,

Mike

Dreams

I had two memorable dreams last night. In one I was about to get a speeding ticket. Not fun. In the other, though, I was dreaming that I was just above the Red Banks on Mt. Shasta and feeling good. I think this might be a sign that I need to check into the conditions and try to blitz the mountain. But, can one actually blitz a mountain? 

Writers and climbers talk of this in a sense of actually sneaking up a line without the mountain knowing of the climber. Is this possible? The mountain knows all, right? Right?

The end is here

Dear School,

This year has been interesting, to say the least. Like every year, it started with hope and activities and 'get to know ya' stuff. The classroom was buzzing, parents worrying, me worrying, kids crying, laughing and running. Sounds pretty standard, and it sounds good! 

My only complaint is that it went too fast (cliche?) and that I am going to be at another school next year. Pretty lame if you ask me. I'm glad to have met all the families, staff and students, though. And in retrospect, I hope that this year gives me a better perspective on education and that I will look back and be happy with all the decisions I've made over the past year. See ya later Neil Cummins :) Happy Summer. 

Well, actually I've got 2 more days. 

Mountain Biking Silliness

Marin County; where it all began. Long ago on these fabled hills, bikers had had enough with skinny tires, skinny top tubes, and skinny roads. They craved the hills, wide trails, wide tires (wide quads?). They craved a progression.

And then there was Mike T. A guy who likes to tinker on bikes, doesn't have a ton of income to burn but wants to give this mountain biking thing a try. 

And then there was the Recyclery. A really sweet bicycle rescue operation in San Rafael that happens to have HUGE sales on some bikes that look like there next stop was here. Do you see where this story is going.... A few weeks back I bought a moderate heap. It's an old GT hardtail that is basically a rigid because of the terribleness of the front fork. Regardless of the late 90's styling, I was determined to make it roll. But how, you might be asking? With as few gears as possible!!! Sounds like a dumb idea, right? Well, about 2 hours ago I agreed. That was the 10th time I had to dismount my bike and walk up a hill that would have been totally ridable with a 21 speed bike. As I cursed my way up another hill, the views of the Bay, Larkspur and endless Redwoods siphoned all of the single-speed hatred out of my veins. It was still fun, and I think if I had gears, I'd still have been going REALLY slow (it was steep), so who cares?! At the top of the climb (hoo-koo-e-koo trail and blithedae ridge) I met another nice biker who, by coincidence, lives about 4 blocks from me. He helped me navigate my way down the trail (so I didn't have to look like a doof at every intersection with my map) and the ride was stellar. With sore muscles and my brain thinking of what random part to get on the bike next, I'm going to go stretch on my new crash pad (woot woot!) and eat a lot of food. I'll put some pic's up soon, but I need to have my camera to do that.... 

don't be a tool,

Mike

Meat and Eggs. We'll only kill the mean ones.

I've been reading several books about food, what we eat, why we eat it (taste and culture) and where it comes from. I've decided that I need to start a farm. I will start with chickens and eat and sell their delicious eggs. When I've figured that out, I'll start chopping some chickens for food. All the while I'd like to have a sweet garden, not huge, just a few acres tops. I have no idea when this is all going to start, but if I get the chop after the shitty state budget comes through, perhaps I'll find an 'in' then! Until then, I'll keep reading 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' and just dream about chickens...

Homeys

I went back to my old stomping grounds yesterday to have some man time with the buds. It was great to see Justin, Ryan, Marko and to climb with Peter. Pulling on plastic never felt so great! It was also great to see Gus and Turtle (even thought Turtle tried to eat me at first). Back in the County, life is life. I'm PSYCHED to go skiing in the next few weeks, then find some weekends to get more climbing in. Happy holidays to all. Don't be a tool. 

Could this change my life???

Today, we bought a book. It was the Zagat's guide to the S.F. Bay Area dining. I think this might be pretty big. I will gladly update on findings as they come up. In other news, not much. Share more soon. Don't be a tool.

The County of Marin

There are some good things about the county called Marin. Let's start with fog. Absolutely great to wake up in the morning to a nice blanket of fog. Even better to stand in our backyard and watch the fog roll in over the Redwood studded hills that make up Muir Woods. Shore birds will be topic 2. I have never seen so many egrets and herons, sandpipers and pelicans in one place. I'm not a birder by any means, but I still dig on birds. I admire their patience and stealthy moves. 3 is Marriage. It's nice. Al is great and life is good. 4 is the VALLEY. Heading down with Paul to work on Middle Cathedral for a few hours/most of a day. Bring your batteries! 

The Tyranny of being Isolated (and lame)

Ok, we got married, moved, started new jobs and are adjusting to a new place and a new pace. This is an interesting place. Not as many smiles, everyone speeds, people are go, go, go, and every road needs to be repaved. It's also a complete drag to not be around people who are psyched to climb. In fact, I don't know what people are psyched to do here because they don't really talk and I haven't met anyone here who climbs. There's my pity party. Done, enough bullshit.

On to the Valley. Soon. October, when it's nice and cool, and the tree's are starting to turn, and only a few are around. No motor homes. It's all building up to next summer and my trip to the Sierra. No bullshit this time. I'm going, it must be done. I've got to figure out if this is me. With or without partners. Solo, 4th class, 3rd class, hiking, with a team of 5, whatever. I want the freedom to look at a wall, walk to it with all that I need, and climb it. If I fail, I rap, who cares?

No bull shit, just climbing.

Don't be a tool.

Oh my JARGON!!!

We're back, with an amazing trip behind us and a huge task in front of us, only compounded by the fact that our luggage is somewhere inbetween Germany and San Francisco... Other than that we made it baby!! Thanks to everyone who checks this blog that came to the wedding, it was amazing. Pic's to come soon....

Don't be a tool.

Mike

Whoa nelly, Mikey's making goals!!!

With this summer washed away in glory as I get married (9 days) and move, and start a new job, I really haven't climbed much at all. I've barely even ran! So, the planning for next year begins. I'm a little hesitant to plan this far in advance, but I figure I can create a guide and then just keep "pullin' the trigger". First of all, I need to get back on El Cap. It is just one of those things and I didn't do right and want to do again. Suffer, get bruised, learn to live in a vertical world are just a few of the reasons to climb El Cap, mostly it's the movement and just BEING on the wall for so long. Second goal, much bouldering in Berkley and circuit work there as well to get strong for the summer. Goal trios- spend a few weeks in Tuolumne and climb A LOT. Mostly back country routes, but here's a rough list.... Cathedral, Matthes Crest, North Peak - Conness link up that I missed last year (red wine is a bitch). The grand finale for the summer season of '09 will be an attempt on the Sawtooth Traverse. At almost 2 horizontal miles of continuous 5th class climbing, it should be a kick in the pants fun as hell ride! Can you spell bivy??

Now, all of this is great and looks good on the web, but the bottom line is that none of it is done until it's done. Time to pull the trigger.

Don't be a tool.

Mike

Holla Holla

Today is going to be the first day I will be working in my new classroom in Marin Co. I'm crazy excited, but at the same time nervous. So far in my young teaching career the Summers have brought both joy and apprehension. I want to teach, and I love to teach. However, I want to climb and disappear in the Summer, also. The Battle of Teaching vs. Climbing Life continues.... Ding Ding!

Don't be a tool.

Mike

11 Days

New Pack

I love gear. I'm basically a gear head, though I don't like to admit it. I've got too much gear, but I rationalize it all sooo well, that none are the wiser (though, I suppose now everyone on the web is wiser). I've grown to like my Patagonia Gritty pack, but not love it. It's kinda wierd shaped, and doesn't have a floating top lid, making it look funny with a rope under the lid, and carry wierd. Perhaps the worst, however, is that I can't look up!! Helmet on and pack full, I just can't look up. So, the new ideas... CiloGear WorkSack 40. Really nice pack. Kind of the new and hip pack out there. The next contender is the Black Diamond Speed 40. This looks like a great pack, too. Simple, not much to break, rope strap, compact and light. Which will it be? Will this pack really make the Sawtooth Traverse easier/more doable (this is a goal I have for next summer or spring). Probably not. But perhaps this new pack will help me look better in the pictures, and also help me keep track of my headlamp...

Don't be a tool.

Mike

New Pack

My EYES! Don't poke my eyes!!!!

The evolution of SEEING CLEARLY... First there was glasses. Just put them over your eyes and BAM, we can see all that nature has to offer. Next there were contact lenses. We actually have to put them into our eyes, with our fingers. Awesome, so I just stick my fingers into my eyes and then I can see. Hmmmmm. Interesting option.

So I tried this option. I'm not going to lie, I was freaked. The only other experiences that I've had with contact's was a crazy woman in Lens Crafters who, I was convinced, wanted to poke my eyes out. The other experiences have been watching Allison put them in her eyes. She's much more graceful. Anywho, as it turns out, I'm actually not bad at it and the crazy things work damn well. I've only worn them once, and for a few hours, but I think I'm convinced. I can wear sunglasses without squinting (bonus!) and won't have to bring my glasses to my own wedding. Awesome.

Don't be a tool

Mike

Less thank 3 weeks...

Damn, it seems like just yesterday that I proposed to Allison with much nervousness and trepidation. I couldn't wait to give her that damn ring! Now, we're counting down the days until we are married. I'm pretty damn stoked, and I know she is too. Hope we see you there.

Mike