An Archive of Escapades

Cruise

2010-09-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I set out on the second half of my Vacation: A week long cruise in the Caribbean. Very well earned after the 57 miles on the AT.

In other news, I'm adding a trip to DC for Jon Stewart's Rally to restore Sanity in October. I think it's probably a much bigger deal than people realize. Sure, it's based on humor, but I think that's just how my generation approaches these topics. Just look at the damage Tina Fey's Palin impressions did last election for evidence of satire's effectiveness. It should be a lot of fun.

How do you feel about the Colbert / Stewart rally in DC?

AT Day 6

2010-09-17T22:13:00.000-07:00

The final day. At slightly more than a wobble pace, we decide to skip the last section of the AT and come into Damascus on the Virginia Creeper trail. The Creeper Trail is an old converted train bed. Very slight downhill grade the entire way with flat smooth gravel.

It's 10 miles into Damascus from where we started. My max speed in my current condition is about one mile an hour. Taking breaks at the benches, I slowly work my way into town and stop at the first store. Milkshakes. Allan and My stomaches are both upset, but the ice cream seems to settle them a bit.

It seems I've become mortal. I can't simply rely on my youth to get me through these adventures. Planning and conditioning are necessary. I don't think I could have made it another step.

Lauren picked us up in Damascus and brought us back to eat and lounge for the remainder of the day. My couch has never felt so comfortable. And I never thought I'd be so happy to have fresh filtered water dispensed at the click of a button from my fridge. Not to mention the shower...

I weight in 27 pounds lighter than the weekend before I left. Most of the weight is probably skin from my feet and brain matter. Definitely an extreme experience.

Summary:
10 miles. Slow, but steady. Last day of suffering.

AT Day 5

2010-09-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Elk Garden didn't have any water. Once again Allan and I started off without any water, three miles away from the next source at the top of Whitetop Mountain. Midway up the mountain we find a three inch puddle and fill up a water bottle. One would think we would be better prepared for the water shortages along the trail, but as you'll see we seemed to be a little slow to learn this lesson.

We walked throughout the entire day. We had 14 miles to complete in order to be within a one day range of Damascus. My feet were starting to really hurt after spending another day walking on blisters. I'm also really out of shape and the mountains were taking their toll. Heck, I barely handled the 9 and 12 mile days.

Once again we ran out of water. With streams and ponds littered across our path every 500 feet for the majority of the day, we failed to realize that the last 4 miles involved climbing a ridge of a mountain with absolutely no water.

The sun was starting to set. With no clear idea of how far away the shelter was, no water, and limited day light, we continued to climb the mountain's ridge praying we'd make it in time. At this point I was slowed to what I can only describe as a wobble. Wobbling along, dizzy, dehydrated, Allan says stuff about digging deep and mind over matter. I'm in another world. We arrive at the shelter just as the sun disappears from the horizon. Allan goes for water, I lay down. We didn't eat, the idea of any more ramen or tuna is nauseating.

In the night I wake up long enough to vomit. Unsure of whether it's the pain, exhaustion, or some parasite in our water, I head back to bed and hope I feel better in the morning.

Summary:
14+ miles. Extreme suffering.

AT Day 4

2010-09-17T21:46:00.000-07:00

At this point Allan and I were a little worried we wouldn't make it to Damascus. After studying the map in our ample free time the day before, we found a shortcut on "Pine Mountain Trail" which would cut off about 5 miles of the trail and get us back on schedule after our short day yesterday.

We climbed Pine Mountain and found what should have been the trail, but it was completely unmarked. Rather than take an unmarked trail, we forgo our shortcut in favor of not getting lost. We continue 1.5 miles to Scales, where we find a map and a horse trail which takes us back to the top of Pine mountain and intersects with Pine Mount trail. a 3 mile detour, but the shortcut saved us around 2 miles in the end. The clouds and fog lifted around noon, and revealed beautiful scenic views on top of Mount Rogers.

After walking in the rain yesterday and today with broken shoes, massive blisters were starting to form. At lunch atop Thomas Knob Allan gave me a pair of Smart Wool socks as all I brought were cheap ankle socks. These blisters plagues me for the remainder of the trip and changed my feet into what resembled bloody chunks of raw meat.

We continued on after lunch in hopes of reaching the next shelter 12 miles away. After 5 miles I was slowed to a mere crawl. Hungry for anything but ramen and packaged tuna, tired, in extreme pain from my blisters. We stopped at Elk Garden and camped.

Summary:

12+ miles, the true suffering began.

AT Day 3

2010-09-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Rain. Sometime in the night it had started pouring, drowning out the deafening roar of the tree frogs and crickets. We didn't have backpack covers of course. After taking our time packing up and punching holes in the front sole of my shoe so I could lace it against my foot, we headed out. We trudged 6 miles through the rain with rain soaked backpacks to the next shelter.

We ended our day early, around 1:00. About an hour after we arrived a group of 6 grandmas in their 60's and 70's stop by. They had originally planned to spend the night here, but after getting a glimpse of us decide to hike on to the next shelter. A 14 mile day for them. Maybe it was our smell. Or the Jim Bean. Regardless, they continued on.

Sub-man and Pringles stop by a short time later and share a piece of their sandwiches from Subway. Brining fresh food to share the first night is definitely a great way to make friends. They are also going to continue on to the next shelter. We ended a bit too early, but lets face it, hiking in the rain was miserable.

Summary:
6 miles, rain.

AT Day 2

2010-09-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

We woke up early and hit the trail. The water source at the shelter was quite bad, no more than a one inch puddle with a tiny drip from a pipe. With a single bottle of water in hand, we decide to wait for a nicer water source and head out. It was about a .2 mile climb from the shelter to the actual trail, and at the top we hear Pringles yell out for us as he runs up behind us. Allan forgot his headlamp at camp. A mile up the road Sub-man comes trotting up behind us delivering Allan's jacket. Forgetfulness seems to be a genetic trait.

Two miles later, all up hill, we come across the next trail with signs for "Raccoon campground" 3 miles away which appears to be the water source marked with blue blazers. Unwilling to take a 6 mile trip out of the way for water, we forge ahead. We run out of water as the day approaches the hottest hours. Stranded, confused, a little lost, we take a break and lay down on the trail. Once again Sub-man and Pringles come up behind us, and offer us some of their water since they're getting off the trail in a mile to stay at a nearby town and wait for Pringles' brother to arrive.

Offering a starving hiker steak and wine certainly has it's benefits, and I dare say Pringles and Sub-man more than paid for their steaks with their saving grace today.

My shoes break towards the end of the day. The front half of the sole of my right shoe detaches and flops around. With broken shoes and will, I barely manage to make it up the last mountain; after which I immediately fall asleep at shelter(@ 4:30pm. For those that don't know me very well, I usually go to bed around 2:00am), wake up long enough to eat two packs of Ramen noddles and immediately go back to bed.

Summary of Day 2:
10 miles, broken shoes, exhaustion.

AT Day 1

2010-09-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Most of the planning for the Appalachian Trail Hike happened Thursday, the day we were starting it. How hard can it be? You find the trail and you walk on it.

We picked up a map on the way, found a spot we thought looked like a good starting point and began our journey. It was 6:00 when we got to the trail, and we hiked the 3 easy miles to the first shelter. Serious hikers all have "trail names". Something that identifies them. At the first shelter, we met Pringles and Sub-man who were finishing up the last couple days of their two week hike. We shared fresh steak and wine with our new comrades; a sure way to make a friend for life on the trail.

I forgot to pick up a air mat and spent my first night on the hard wooden floor. Between the hard floor and the significant change of schedule, I slept very little.

Summary of Day 1:

3 miles, easy hiking.

Appalachian Trail

2010-09-16T08:56:00.001-07:00

Planning has never been one of my fortes. As such, I ended up getting a map of our section and decided where to start 1 hours before we embarked. The next several posts will share the adventure with you as it unfolded.

August 15: Devil's Bathtub (almost)

2010-08-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

So I had a big hike planned for Today. I invited all my friends and set everything in motion. We were to hike a trail to Devil's Bathtub, a crystal clear 12 foot swimming whole and small waterfall.

We embarked on our trip from my place around 1:00pm. It immediately began to pour(as it has every day this week). It was raining to the point where you couldn't see anything above around 35 miles an hour. I should have taken this as a sign that we were just not meant to hike, but nonetheless we continued on.

We got lost. We were in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone reception, and the only people we passed were on horseback. After 45 minutes of driving and exploring a deer trail we had hoped might be the path, a young lady on her horse stopped and helped explain where the road was. Despite the cries from my comrades to return home early, we set out again in search of Devil's Bathtub.

As we approached the final road, we were dismayed to find that the torrential downpour from earlier had washed out the road, and it was traversable. Disappointed, we begin the hour long ride back.

So today marks my third day of failing to make it outside. Our hike was replaced with a 3.5 hour car ride through the boonies.

Here's the swimming hole we almost saw.

And here the bathtub where it gets it's name:

I promised my friends I'd at least show them pictures of what we were going to see. Oh well, despite the curve-balls life threw us today, we still had a great time grilling out and watching Futurama at Nick's afterwards.

23 days and counting until my week long Appalachian Trail hike.

August 13 and 14: Lazy

2010-08-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday broke my trend. It was raining(again), and along with prior engagements, I didn't get outside expect for a small walk at work.

It looks like my 5 day Appalachian trial hike is definitely on. I guess it's time to start seriously training. Hopefully we're getting all of the rain out of the way now so we can have a nice, dry hike on the trail.

August 10, 11, and 12: Midnight Walks

2010-08-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Midnight strolls were taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. I tried to go out as late as possible so I could watch the sky for the Perseid meteor showers. It has rained every day since Monday. Disappointing since I was hoping to finish staining the house this week.

August Day 9

2010-08-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Nick and I started a little Mowing coop. I help him mow his yard, and he helps mow mine. It has some advantages, mainly safety. The topography here is very steep. When my sister was visiting, she volunteered to help mow the yard. A short time later, she came in having flipped the push mower as it ran away into the ditch.

It's also more fun to work with someone. Today we mowed Nick's yard. I rely a lot on my friends. Together, it's possible to accomplish much more than one can do on their own.

August Day 8

2010-08-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

August 8th brought another day of work on the house. We finished power washing, and stained the front right section of the house. Another 5 hours outside. The house is starting to look very nice.

August Day 7

2010-08-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

We have lots of parents at our house today. What does one do when so much family comes to visit? Why, you put them to work. We power washed the front of the house and the deck, and began to stain the dormers.

We also weeded our garden beds and pruned all of our bushes. Living in the country comes with certain disadvantages. Poison Ivy is one such disadvantage. This year has been extremely bad for poison ivy, and we seem to be growing beds of it in our gardens. It seems everyone here but me has lots of problems with our three leafed friend.

A lot was accomplished today and with luck tomorrow will be just as productive. It's amazing how much can be accomplished with a group of people working on it. If only my sister were here to put to work as well.

A little over 6 hours outside today power washing, staining, and weeding.

August Day 6

2010-08-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Lauren's parents came to visit today. We power washed the front of the house and deck, mowed the yard and weeded the garden beds. All in all about 2.5 hours outside.

We also had a piece of our wedding cake, celebrating the first year(and 3 months) of our marriage. I was skeptical about eating year old cake, but it was actually quite good.

August Day 4 & 5

2010-08-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I managed to make it outside during a break in the storm. Day 4 & 5 were both midnight walks through my neighborhood. I saw a shooting star, a small fawn with no fear of humans, and was momentarily convinced that a large crashing sound in the woods was a mountain lion ready to make a quick meal out of me. Alas it was just another deer startled by my presence.

August Day 2 & 3

2010-08-04T18:15:00.001-07:00

A 1.2 mile loop between where my wife and I work has been the staple route of my outdoor experiences. On the second and third days of the month the loop. It has a small hill on it, enough to get me breathing hard but not enough to sweat so much I can't return to work. My company is place in the middle of woods and fields on the outskirts of our 3000 person town. There are often deer and turkeys that cross my path on these walks. I work at the top of the hill in the picture below.

Besides these walks, I've also spent time weeding our garden beds in preparation for our guests this weekend as well as a longer joy ride on my motorcycle(if that counts as being outside?).

Today, August 4th, it has been incredibly stormy all day. My workplace along with most of Lebanon lost power. As I write this at 9PM, I still haven't been outside for more than about 10 minutes. Will I fail my challenge already? Can I not make it more than 3 days in a row without staying inside? Stay tuned to fine out.

August Day 1: The Channels

2010-08-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

I started off my August challenge of outdoor activities with a fairly large hike. My friend Nick and wife Lauren accompanied me to the Channels, a hike recommended by a friend at work. It was about 8 miles total.

Everything was very green and wet. Here I'm already exhausted and only about halfway up the mountain.

My two skinny companions waited patiently for me as I trudged along. We pause for a quick break just before the top.

There's an old fire tower at the top of the mountain. As we approached the summit, clouds started pouring over the top of the mountain. You could see the thick mist sweeping around you. I laid under the tower watching it sweep across.

The hike gets its name from the rocks at the top that have been worn into a network of channels.

We explored the labyrinth of tunnels and caves for about 45 minutes, and only saw a portion of it. The further you go the taller the rocks.

They were incredible.

At the end we scramble and climb to the top of one of the larger rocks and peer over the tree tops.

We spent a little longer playing in the channels then we should have, but they were just too cool. We spent the last 20 minutes or so in the dark, lead by a single headlamp.

All in all this was an amazing hike. It was a little more uphill than I was expecting, but it made me realize just how painful this Appalachian Trail hike will be in the September if I don't prepare. This area of Southwest Virginia is rich with natural beauty and wonder, with dozens of hikes that are just as amazing as the channels. I hope to explore and share several of them with you over the next month.

Day 1: An 8 mile hike, 3.5 hours outside.

Plans for August

2010-07-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

I've decided to try something new for the month of August. I will challenge myself to exercise outside for one hour a day through the end of the month. I've always responded well to challenges and I desperately need to step up my exercise routine to prepare for a hike on the Appalachian Trail in September. I thought I'd add the outside part simply to see if being outside has any positive impact on me. Currently I spend at most an hour a week outside. I guess it wouldn't hurt in regards to preparing for the Appalachian hike either. So there you have it, a challenge for 30 days of outdoor exercise. I'll start off a day early with a hike to "The Crevices" tomorrow.

Code Freeze

2010-07-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

Well, the code freeze crunch time is upon me. I have lots of late nights finishing up the more troublesome code in store for me the next few weeks. Part of the flow of work as a computer programmer. I played hard the last couple months with trips to Minneapolis, Roanoke, Las Vegas, and Charlotte, and now it's time to work hard for a bit.

In other news, it appears my E solenoid is having problems in our older camry's transmissions. It has been serenading us with a constant stream of cheak engine warnings today. I'm hoping I don't need a new transmission and can just replace the solenoid(apparently not terribly difficult and possible doable by myself).

Chevelle in Charlotte

2010-07-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

I went to Charlotte, NC with my friend Byron to see Chevelle. They were great, but not in the league with the concerts I've seen from Tool, NIN, and Muse.

It was sad to see them opening for a newer band(Shinedown). Am I getting old? NIN stopped touring, Tool only plays a couple shows, and Chevelle is opening for new bands. It seems most of my favorite bands are retiring or barely playing anymore.

Sen. Mark Warner

2010-07-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

Mark Warner visited Lebanon today and held a Town Hall conference. He briefly discussed rural broadband, a topic I'm very concerned with as I'm in the process of trying to bring high speed internet to my home, as well as a myriad of other topics ranging from partisanship in the senate to the fine print of the medical bill.

Mark and I agree on many topics, but I was disappointed to hear him say he wanted to see increased use of coal and natural gas and that natural gas was key to our energy future. Okay, I understand I live in South West Virgina and no politician can stop by without praising coal, but I was really hoping for a little more.

Hopefully it will all be a moot point and we'll have fusion to grant us cheap and abundant power in the near future. Carl Sagan and a few other scientists have said we'll likely see fusion over the next century. Hopefully we can hold out until then.

What do you think is the future of our energy production?

Pink for Zoya

2010-07-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

Last year at this time I was on my way to Duluth, Minnesota, having just heard the news my sister Zoya had passed away. Zoya was adopted from Russia when I was about 14 years old. She loved the color pink. Her room was pink. Her phone was pink. Even her hair was usually pink. As such, I'll dedicate this pink post to her memory.

Zoya was legally blind, yet through dedicated perseverance was able to accomplish anything she set her mind to. She was a straight A student. She studied for hours to make sure she was always at the top of the class. She even won a state sewing competition with a Pink business dress she made. The little girl that I helped teach English, responsibility, and life to taught me a lot in return.

After college we grew apart. We talked once a month or so and only saw each other on vacations. We failed each other I supposed. Today I'm exceptionally vulnerable as I'm reminded of my time with her.

I hope you found peace Zoya. You're deeply missed.

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

Our trip has concluded. We arrived home safe and sound, ready to pick up life as usual. This weekend I head to Charlotte North Carolina for a Chevelle concert.

Day Five: Finale

2010-07-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

On day 5 we ventured out to explore several of the other famous hotels we were hoping to see.

We saw Ceasers Palace

Flamingos at The Flamingo

A little taste of Venice at The Venetian. Here we catch a glimpse of the rare Skirted Lauren. Skirted Laurens are very rare in nature, and can only be found at night in far away cities.

And the Grande Finale of our trip, Love by Cirque Du Soleil.

Love was amazing. It's definitely worth seeing if you find yourself in Vegas. We roamed the strip a little after the show, and got back to our hotel room around 2:00 am. Tomorrow we head home bright and early. It's been a great trip.