First Day at Parkway

Yesterday was Thomas' first day of school. He is entering the first grade and recently changed schools from a suburban mega elementary to a very old, very small, neighborhood school in downtown Frederick - what a change! He used to have a 40 minute bus ride each way and now we can walk or he can ride his bike in a about 15 mintues.

Day one there was a welcoming committee complete with Starbucks coffee, pastries, teachers, parents, and administrators interacting with the newbie and veteran parents. The Parkway mascot is a Panda - which I thought was really cool. They have a climbing wall in the gym and the facility was spotless.

Mostly - it was the caliber of the people that impressed us. The parents were friendly, outgoing, confident, and involved. Michele and I met too many people to remember all the names, but had much in common with many of them. One woman, Amy, has a cabin in the woods near Kettle Creek in Northern PA, several Penn State Alumni, other local businessmen and women, several moms are travelling together to Dewey Beach, DE to compete in a triathlon.

Thomas' desk was ready for him and he was ready for it.
They are having a picnic Wednesday afternoon after school. When Michele picked up Thomas in the afternoon on her bike pulling a trailer with Henry and Alex she said it was like a PTA meeting in Boulder, CO - lots of bikes, jog-strollers, sandals, fit people milling around with kids. Oh yeah and Baker park is directly across the street.

Thomas wore a tie (his idea) and still had it on when I got home from a two-hour road bike ride after work. His memorable comment was that his teacher is really nice and when they were waiting to get dismissed after a full day - she let them put their feet up on their desks to relax a bit. That would not have happened in last year's suburban nightmare industrial education complex.

Sunday in Michaux

We had a nice one today from the Totem pole. Frank, David, Todd and Phil picked me up in Frederick and after a wheel-swap and Starbucks run we were on our way to Michaux. Phil's truck is really cool with the club cab, utility boxes, and room for 5 bikes. We were joined in Caledonia by HO from State College, Mike from Harrisburg, and Buck from Chambersburg. Starting from Caledonia State Park we headed South and up the gradual climb we call Secret Trail to Raccoon Run trail. Then we headed over to the TV Cable Line and up a short section of Lee's Rocks to get to Heaven or Hell. HorH was nice. A couple of rock afficianados cleaned The Gate on their first attempt (Frank & Phil) to join an elite group. We sessioned on Dante's Levels of Hell and Mike averted certain disaster on the overgrown lower section. We then climbed, yes climbed, the Lower Narrows to get back up. A quick snack after the hike-a-bike section and we were off on Wayne's Highway over to The Turtle. The top section of Turtle has been hammered by horses the lower section is in pretty good shape. We turned left at the bottom of Turtle and tanked up on water at the Staley Rd Spring. Todd led us up Lower Black Andes and then Buckets. Charcoal Hearth was hammered from the recent enduro event but still took us back over to Staley. Which we climbed up to Rothrock and then up Rothrock and over to the fire tower. This fire tower was originally made of wood and was the second fire tower built in the United States. Fire tower trail down to Crumble and then down Snowy Mt. Road to Raccoon Run. Raccoon run was riding really nice in this direction and David narrowly escaped turning his eyeballs into something akin to marshmallows on a stick at a Girl Scout camping trip. Secret trail just rocks in this direction and I could start all Mont Alto rides from Totem Pole just to finish on that long technical downhill. Back at the Totem Pole the place was packed for one of the last plays of the season. We changed, drank a beer, and headed out. The MD boys grabbing some BBQ on the PA/MD border. The PA boys headed homeward. HO and I crashed a MOMS Club of Chambersburg pool party to hang out with the Mark boys.

22 miles, 2600+ feet of climbing, two flats, no major medicals.

OC Weekend

Refridgerado

The top shelf is for those who are undecided; the bottom, for those who are decidedly committed.

Le Green Machine

Found this gem on the Monday night road ride from Wheel Base in Frederick. Apparently, the Green Machine now comes with a real rubber front tire for traction. We used to add duct tape "treads" to our plastic front wheel for increased speed. Today's kids don't know how good they have it.

White Stripes Redux - it's just so good!

10,000 Fun!

With no real plans for yesterday, we headed down to DC to see what was happening. Most of all we wanted to go to the National Museum of American History to see some machines. After commenting on how far back Bush has pushed the White House security perimeter during his tenure, we found that the American History museum is closed for renovations until September. The place did look a little dated last time I was there. Fonzi's jacket doesn't have the allure that it once did.
We parked in front of the National Museum of Natural History headed out on the Mall. Where the boys found the moon.
To say that there were some festivities would be a gross understatement. There were acres and acres of interactive tents, displays, food, games, educational workshops, concerts, and demos. There was the nation of Bhutan, NASA, and the state of Texas. Not sure what these three have in common, but they were the three featured. Each one had at least a dozen tents over several acres that showcased their missions, life, history, food - you name it. Henry drove a pedal-powered moon rover, we saw monks making incense, watched NASA scientists explain the projects they are working on. Actual NASA and JPL PhD's chilling with the kids. They were suprisingly funny and entertaining in addition to smart. Thomas found a carousel on the way out of the Smithsonian "castle", so we grabbed Henry and went for a spin.
We did a quick spin through the Natural History museum which is largely science-oriented. I couldn't help but wonder how the 50%+ of Americans who believe the earth was created in 7 days reconcile the strong influence of science and evolution. My guess is they don't. Fossils, petrified wood, genetics, dinosaurs, natural selection are on display. It is hard to dispute reality when it is right in front of you labeled with a sign that says: "please touch".

We grabbed an early dinner at the fabulous Thai Tanic (1326 14th St. NW). Even kids like Thai.
BTW Thomas chose the name for this post, 10,000 fun, when prompted to describe yesterday - DC is great!

Boyz in the Shed

Found this critter on one of the trails.
Tussey enjoying her day in the forest.
After hiking 4 miles, we went to a creek to cool off and found some cool waterfall climbing.
Plenty of cool pools, waterspouts, and beautiful stones.
One cool kid!

My friend Larry came to visit from PA with three boys. Thomas and Henry were psyched.

Larry going for a refreshing dip.

The plan was to get out on some trails tonight, but the weather wasn't looking too good. Frank called around 4 to feel things out. I looked outside my office at the lightning and full-fledged downpour and said: "doesn't look that bad Frank, think it's gonna clear up. What are you thinking?" He says: "There's alot of lightning and such down here, but I've got Gore-tex and I'm game." "Ok, call David, he said he's in and let's meet on the way up to the trail."

Frank calls David as David isn't even thinking about coming to the trail. The allure proves too powerful and David gets his gear out of his Jeep in the pouring down rain - these guys have faith.

I grew up near State College, PA and watched Accuweather.com grow from its infancy. Joel Meyers didn't make alot of friends along the way, but he did build a good company with fairly accurate weather predictions. I read only the icons. You know the smiley suns, frowning clouds, etc. My friend, Larry, who has a graduate degree in mapping, or weather, or something reads the isobars. So it's Icons -vs- Isobars.

When I am solo, I always trust the icons - they have never failed me. However, when I have friends driving through DC rush hour traffic to meet me - I call Larry to check the isobars. It's like getting a second opinion from a surgeon. I was already on my way when I called. He says, "What's up?". "Uh, what's the weather looking like in the Shed about 50 minutes from now?" "I'm riding with O in Chambersburg tonight so you should be ok." A quick "thanks" and I'm reassured that things will be fine.

At the trailhead things are improving by the minute, the sun is poking through, and we are all happy about the decisions we have made.

What a night. The mountain laurels are peaking, their aroma sweetening the raw earth smell that you always get in the woods after a rain.

Had a great time walking the trails, some old, some new, cutting through almost all the way to our old familiar friend, the blue. On the way out we talked about a Michaux Man Camp, what David referred to as a "Mancation" My previous experience there was not totally positive, but not totally negative. I did win "Stump", but wasn't quite able to ride my bike home because I didn't have a Camelbak on (that was part of the problem). Hint: wear a Camelbak to Man Camp even if you don't plan on riding a single inch of trail - it's all about hydration and alcohol content.

Anyway, things are looking great for the Wednesday night Shed ride - hope to see you there.

Rockin in the park

Thomas rocks out at his first rock concert. Hit kid rock band, Milkshake, descended upon Baker Park Saturday to liven up historic Frederick. The mosh pit was intense. Afterwards, we watched a thunderstorm destroy Montgomery County and played kickball.

das Berg beauty

Sunday - one mutha of a day.

Lately, my blog has been media rich yet light on verbage.

Is that because the photos can convey beauty better than words?
and pain too?

If you watched the video posted below you know that moving this mutha proved difficult.

The boys where I get my Stihl sharpened suggested this tool (or is it a machine?) after I convinced them that there was no way that I could get a bobcat or mini-dozer near it. Thomas and Henry were moving huge rocks and logs at will.

The 1 ton come-a-long did its job. My wife also came along @ 8 months pregnant and 2 miles into the trail.

Turning this rock catastrophe into a veritable sidewalk.

My regular rock guy was taking a break this weekend (hey, that's my beer!).

And this little rigg'in carries my rigging.

Today was a different matter altogether. After making a mother's day breakfast for mom featuring poached eggs (Gordon Ramsay-style) cleaning up and taking care of the kids I headed up to the mountain. Wanting to make some quick progress, I left the heavy tools at home and took only the McCleod, loppers, and a steel rake. I started where we (the family) left off yesterday, near Vulture Rock (the end of the last Wednesday night ride) and headed South. Very quickly I burned down to the end of the rock spine creating two nice rock moves complete with alternate lines (for climbing) and then began searched for a naturally occurring switchback to get me down to the forest floor. Didn't find one, so I manufactured one (read: benching).

It rained off and on all day long, but I was cozy in my PSU Mont Alto timber sports t-shirt, my synthetic Patagonia pants, and running shoes (Adidas Response trail). The hat and clear safety glasses served to keep me dry and bug-free for the better part of the day. Besides I had my cellphone/camera/mp3 player and I was jamming to Mt. Stage, Gypsy Sun & Rainbows, REM, and the White Stripes (to name a few). At 6 pm things got really wet. What was a sporadic shower here and there become a full-fledged soaker. I had just finished benching and gathered up the tools. There were 8 flags left and I decided to try to shoot a bisecting line to Blue in last ditch effort at reconnaissance rather than retrace my steps back up das Berg. First I donned my TNF Activent jacket from bygone years - it is highly breathable and water resistant and 11 years old (read: leaky).

This scouting proved complicated. In reality, I would need around 50 flags to do the job and would be lucky to find any of my original eight. However, I did get the "feel" of the land - what Ansel Adams would have so eloquently referred to at the "earth gesture". While I may never go that route again, I did find the contours and eventually - blue.

I was completely soaked. What I mean is that had I jumped into a lake - fully clothed, I could not be wetter. The temperature was in the very low 50s so I did a reality assessment: Big guy, mostly synthetic clothes, soaked, no shivering, light on food, mildly dehydrated - cool. I would just run to warm up. So McCleod and rake in hand and backpack on back I began running down blue. Couldn't help but notice that all of the water bars were clogged. Thinking when is the next time a bloke is running by here in the rain with a McCleod in hand? I stopped at each one and McCleoded it clear.

Back on the road, I knew I had less than a mile to go. Still pouring, I ran/walked back to my car. Started it. Turned the heat on max and hit the A/C button - you know that trick.

Put the tools away. Hmmm. What to do about clothing? I removed the running shoes, socks, and then my pants. While standing on top of my sandals, I wrang out my pants. Took off the t-shirt, hat, and gloves and then put the pants back on and donned a cycling jeresey.

On the drive back to town, my pants completely dryed out as well as my TNF jacket. So much so that I was comfortable stopping in at Giant Eagle and picking up some beef tenderloin, shallots, bread, shrooms, and thyme - you know the usual stuff.

I wanted to try Gordon Ramsay's incredible steak recipe. Couldn't help but notice that Ye Old Spirits Shoppe on 7th street was closed. Luckily, I still had some Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard and Brooklyn Double Chocolate Stout in the fridge at home.

Got home, fed the dog, unloaded the car, changed, cracked a beer, checked email, and then got to it. Gordon makes a mean steak - in the skillet not on the grill. In short, it was unbelievable - a stout, thyme, and shallot reduction over a rare to medium-rare filet accompanied by assorted wild mushrooms.

Had a portion left over for when Michele and the boys returned from Annapolis and apparently, it was better than the Mexican they had in Annapolis.

While there is a little more trail to go - Wednesday's ride should be better than last week's.

Adult Fun in the Shed

Fun in the Shed

Saturday trip to the National Zoo

We drove from Frederick to Shady Grove, took the Metro to Cleveland Park, and then walked from there to the Zoo.
Cleveland Park had everything: Starbucks, organic grocery, gourmet grocery, sushi, Medetereanian, Irish, coffee shop, dry cleaner (also organic), etc. A quick jaunt over and we were at the Zoo.
Many cool animals.
Better weather than predicted.

Thomas' picture of a Meerkhat.

Thomas did a little "train surfin" on the way back - no hands style. Here is Thomas on top of the Praire Dog tunnel play thingy. The kids preferred climbing around on top of it rather than climbing through the tunnels.
Good day at the Zoo for folks who really aren't into Zoos.