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.