COLORADO

Made the decision today. Got to see the snow covered mountains once more this winter. Leave Wed., it's going to be snowing Thursday. This will be an exploratory trip. Get in quick and get out quick, be home Sunday night. Hit Wyoming Thursday and maybe Colorado Friday. See about Saturday, go with the flow. There is still up to 12 - 14 feet of snow up high.

Later

Adversity is Good

This is the difference a year can make. The big challenge of an injury is to maintain some form of fitness and repair. With the roof of my mouth broke and my teeth totally rattled, along with my jaw being broke. The fact is a soft food diet. A person can't take in enough calories. The body has to repair itself, but you are not as active. I lost about 15 pounds. Plus my energy level was down.

One of my intake of calories and nutrients was the protein drink and carbohydrate drink that Jeff and I use. Also the Power Bar gels. We use them for bike racing and I use them for my winter activities, snowboarding and snowmobiling.

The great thing about the energy drinks and Power Bar gels, is that they are full of the nutrients that a body needs for rebuilding and repair. I added some soups, yogurt and peanut butter. Also, beer can be a part of the liquid diet...ummm, beer.

I gained back some weight and have regained some of my fitness. I want to get on the bike here soon and get in better shape than I was.

Life can be like athletics. Adversity is a factor that can help the drive and one can learn from those experiences that are tough. Then keep in mind your larger goals that will help you maintain your cycle back. You just have to react along the way and adjust.

Mountain Cat

The Arctic Cat sold this week. It was a good sled, we had a great first year exploring the Snowy Mountain Range in Wyoming with the Cat and the 800 RMK. I had the Cat for 3 years, went out West 5 times each of the first 2 years, so we spent some good time out there.

The above pictures, were before the Minnesota Northshore hit. The below pictures, were with replacement parts, hood and seat.

There hasn't been any big adventures since February. With the face on the heal, it has been recovery time. I had 3 sledboarding (snowmobiling into the backcountry with the snowboards) trips planned in March and April. Had to put them on hold. I have never in my life, been injured for this length of time. Two months..."Knock on wood".

I want to keep up my fitness. Did some good hiking in the woods, swamps and hills of my youth. Several 3 - 4 hour outings, used the time to set up my GPS unit. With this extended Spring it was still snow and ice covered, here in Minnesota. I still have 5 weeks of vacation, so there will be trips and adventures to come. The snow will last for a couple more months out West and there is always mountain biking in the mountains and around here.

GOOD TIMES!! Keeps ona Snowing

The face is on the heal and I will be coming out of "retirement" for one last year at the plant. Time just keeps on, I missed 2 trips out to the mountains that I had planned. It was annoying but, this is the way it is. I'll get back out there. From what I have been reading, winter is going to last till June in some areas. You are hearing it from here, Global Cooling, I've got the gear for it. Maybe I should keep the Arctic Cat Mt. Sled. It might be worth alot more next winter.

Having this time off gave me a chance to see the grandkids in action.

Gota have a good backpack this snowy winter.

I saw this in a snowmobile add clip, they made the snowmobile disappear beneath the rider. J. is actually riding a bike next to Jr., I just made it disappear.

Have not even ridden it yet, pick it up soon. Going back to old school mountain biking for my flat-land swamp bike. The full-suspension bike will get some time off till the mountains.

Rigid fork, 9 speeds / 1 sprocket in front and 9 in rear, steel frame and 29" tires. Looks like a great mud bike. Back in the day that was the best part. On a rainy day, grab the bike and head for the woods. Get back, hang the bike from the front wheel and let the mud drip off and dry. It might be 40 degrees, but I would use the garden hose and spray down the dog and all my clothes with me in them. Everybody has done that a few times, I'm sure. Then before the next ride take a quick brush to the chain, brakes and derailleur, knock off the big chunks of dried mud. Squirt the moving parts with WD-4o and go do it again.

I'll never forget the time down by the Minnesota river, by Chaska, it was in 1984. The river had flooded and the backwater was running through the woods by the old railroad bridge. I started across with my dog, well by the time I was half way across, the dog and I were both swimming and I had ahold of the bike behind me. Well we made it across, but I remember taking a different way back. It was about 35 degrees that day, GOOD TIMES!! That wasn't the last time I had to cross backwater in that river bottoms.

Picture of the green Arctic Cat.

Transformed into the black Arctic Cat. This sled is for sale. It is a mountain sled with 144" track and 2" paddles. A 2004 / 600 cc, 114 HP machine. 1550 miles EFI. It is the extra snowmobile, we still have the 2 Polaris RMKs.

Spring Fling 08

Spring Fling 08

What the Heck Ya got in That Pack, Man?

The pack with snowboard attached, after hike to the top of the mountain. In Montana, over New Years 08.

Triple collapse poles from Black Diamond. So easy to pack.

BCA Companion avy shovel, it is a short handle. The avalanche probe fits right in the handle. I like having the probe and shovel together. Very handy, don't have to hunt for either.

Shown apart, probe slides into handle of shovel.

Odds and ends, compass, also reads slope angle. Knife screw driver tool, whistle, orange flashlight, razor blade, carabiners, small pulley, electric tape, pepper spray(critters out in those mountains).

It was up north of Bozeman, MT, Jan 07. I was up in the backcountry and there were Mountain Lion tracks in my tracks from the day before. I kept my eyes open as I snowshoed up higher that day.

Tracker avalanche transceiver, must have and know how to use. The top transceiver is set on transmit. The bottom transceiver is on search. The signal waves travel in a curve, that is something a person has to learn and practice. That is why one needs to take an avalanche course. I have taken a course every 2 years, Level 1, Level 2 and took a refresher level 1 again this last fall. It is like refreshing on my Ski Patrol skills. It keeps you sharp.

Sleeping bag liner, I used one during the wait for Search & Rescue in my accident. I draped it over my head and back to conserve body heat.

Fire starter kit I put together, Small fire starter sticks, matches and lighter.

Munchies, Mix of carbs and protein. Beef jerky, peanuts, energy bars, Power Bars. Energy gels Power Bar Gel and Accel Gel for quick energy.

This is a 2.8 pound 1 person tent for an emergency shelter. I carry this on the sled in a water proof bag. After being caught out in a blizzard 3 years ago it always travels with me.

Rope, high quality climbing rope, about 120 feet of length. Rope is always good. I also carry 130 feet on my sled.

Lightweight climbing harness, ya never know. There's cliffs out there, man.

Headlamp, extra batteries. Extra silk head, face mask. It does get dark and cold out in them there mountains, Vern.

First Aid Kit. I'm sure I carry more than most people. I see what can happen out there, anywhere.

Walkie talkie, that even sounds cool. They are handy when we might get separated, I keep them on a neck cord to throw on quickly. You could put them on scan to pick up a signal.

Clear goggles for dark or an extra set in wet conditions, bandanna use it for any thing, tie a splint, cover face, sling with tape over shoulder. Soft gloves to use when not sledding or boarding. Map of Wyoming, cause that's where the snow is.

All packed away in nice little stash sacks, Each picture of items is in a separate sack. There is room to throw in an extra vest in case.

This is the Dakine Poacher pack. It is very well designed. It rides on my back very good. I can wear it all day. The compartments are well thought out. The best large pack I have owned, and I've had a few. It is too large for, in resort. A backcountry pack it is. I use a smaller Dakine Heli pack in the resorts.

Lighten Up

So relaxing, little fishy.
Thanks to my Wife for the: Painting of the Sea.

Everybody having a great time!

Did I say, Snowy Mt Range in Wyoming.

Now close my eyes and click my snowboard boots together.

It worked, I've transported my mind to Wyoming... I knew I could!!