tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52786019613895329802024-03-12T19:02:11.771-07:00Rangi's WorldRangi's World! Party Time! Excellent!Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-75997311349570041802018-04-15T01:11:00.000-07:002018-04-15T10:25:58.607-07:00Truth talk- Starting a Total Nuclear War because your batteries are low.<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we moved into our current house, the previous owners the Smiths, had put in a nice alarm system. We used it for a little while and then decided to stop paying the monthly fee. We were left with all of the equipment but no service from the company. The alarm controls were at one entry to the house, they still glowed and appeared to be working but without the service there was no way to actually engage the alarm. It was just a glowing wall decoration. Fast forward a couple of years...One night after a long week day in the trenches of parenthood and after finally having gotten all the kids to bed, a random beep started to come from the alarm. It was loud enough to keep parents from falling asleep but not loud enough to wake up the 4 sleeping children. Too tired to want deal with it that night Sara and I actually tried to lay down and fall asleep for about five minutes until we realized something had to be done that night. Without service from the Alarm company the best idea I could come up with was to force open the alarm and try to disable it myself. I got a flat head screwdriver and pried off the plastic covering exposing a mess of colorful wires. Green wire, yellow wire, red wire, black wire… I told Sara “I guess I’ll have to cut one of them and see if that stops the beeping.”</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2fea3f2f-c84d-8560-0078-1fc56042eb1a" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you sure that you should cut those, it doesn’t seem like a very good idea.”</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t really see any other choice.”</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Maybe you should google it?”</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Nah, It’s not like its gonna blow up.” </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I snipped the green and nothing appeared to happen… the screen was still lit up I waited for a minute to see if maybe the beeping would stop but it didn’t. So I snipped the yellow and the same result followed. Only the black and the red wires were left. I’ve seen enough bomb defusing movie scenes to know not to cut the red wire, so I decided to go with the black wire. I snipped the black wire and instantly the screen turned off, for one split second I thought I had fixed my problem, but the very next instant the full fury of the house alarm went into what I can only describe as “ full nuclear mode.” It wasn’t only loud enough to wake up all four of our peacefully sleeping kids but on “full nuclear mode” it was loud enough to wake up people all over the neighborhood. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Are you kidding Rangi? I told you I didn’t like that Idea.” Sara was justifiably heating up. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t worry babe I’ll hurry and splice the black wires back together.. the kids probably won’t even wake up.” I worked quickly to get the wires back together. When I did the screen turned back on but the alarm did not turn off. By this time we had two of our waking kids starting to cry. It was about this time that my wife went from a little hot to what I can only describe as “full nuclear mode!” The next 20 or 30 minutes it took me to figure out how to get the alarm </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">off felt like an eternity. I had to get into the attic and break into the box where the actual ringing was coming from and snip some more wires. Finally the alarm was silenced, but as soon as everything was starting to calm down again, I heard the original beep again. I went back down to the original control panel. The wires were still hanging out. Knowing I had permanently disabled the alarm in the attic I confidently cut the black wire again. The screen went black and there was silence. I walked away triumphant over the alarm at last. I was halfway up the stairs when the alarm beeped again. Not possible I said to myself I must be imaging it. I walked back to it and sure enough within seconds I heard it again the same beep that had started this mess an hour and a half ago. In total bewilderment I stared at the box and tried to figure out how it could still be making noise. There wasn’t even power going to it. Then I heard the beep again but this time it seemed to come from a different direction. I looked up at the ceiling just above where the control panel was and noticed for the first time a smoke alarm and suddenly I was enlightened. Enlightened to the fact that I was an absolute idiot. The house alarm wasn’t beeping. It never had been beeping, the smoke alarm was simply giving its warning beep that its batteries were low and needed to be changed. Yes I started a full nuclear war in my home because I misinterpreted what a 9-volt battery was trying to tell me. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2fea3f2f-c853-be97-09de-96989f151c62" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This story though somewhat humorous now, shows the danger of jumping to conclusions based on limited information, we are all human and we all make bad decisions. Often these decisions are based on what we believe is the truth but often the “truths” we tell ourselves are merely fragments of the truth, and sometimes as was the case in my story they’re not really the truth at all. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today my talk is based on a talk by president Uctdorf titled “What is Truth?” If I say anything intelligent it is credited to him as most of this talk is paraphrased from his if not completely plagiarized. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of the internet we have access to more information than any other time in history. Much of the information is true, much of the information is false and much of the information is somewhere in between. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consequently, never in the history of the world has it been more important to learn how to correctly discern between truth and error.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President Uctdorf,</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shared a story that illustrates how some of the errors of men originate.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well over one hundred years ago, an American poet put to rhyme an ancient parable. The first verse of the poem speaks about:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Six men of Indostan</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To learning much inclined,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who went to see the Elephant</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Though all of them were blind),</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That each by observation</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Might satisfy his mind.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the poem each of the six travelers takes hold of a different part of the elephant and then describes to the others what he has discovered.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the men finds the elephant’s leg and describes it as being round and rough like a tree. Another feels the tusk and describes the elephant as a spear. A third grabs the tail and insists that an elephant is like a rope. A fourth discovers the trunk and insists that the elephant is like a large snake.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each is describing truth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And because his truth comes from personal experience, each insists that he knows what he knows.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The poem concludes:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so these men of Indostan</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disputed loud and long,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each in his own opinion</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exceeding stiff and strong,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though each was partly in the right,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And all were in the wrong!</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng#note1-" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all know what an elephant looks like so the story seems silly but it resonates with us because we can see the qualities of the blind men in people we know, but if we are honest and look a little deeper, can’t we also see these blind men in ourselves? </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In some ways we are all susceptible to such strange thinking. Each of us have our own unique personal experiences and they shape our beliefs and make us who we are, and it is really hard to convince us of anything else. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know whenever I have found myself involved in missionary work I always am saying to myself “If these people would just give this a chance, it would change their life.” But this error in thinking is not just on potential investigators, we as members are also guilty of it when we hear truth that would require us to make changes in our life but we write it off because we simply don’t want to make those changes.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President Uctdorf explains it like this:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Part of the reason for poor judgment comes from the tendency of mankind to blur the line between belief and truth. We too often confuse belief with truth, thinking that because something makes sense or is convenient, it must be true. Conversely, we sometimes don’t believe truth —because it would require us to change or admit that we were wrong. Often, truth is rejected because it doesn’t appear to be consistent with previous experiences.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the opinions or “truths” of others contradict our own, instead of considering the possibility that there could be information that might be helpful and augment or complement what we know, we often jump to conclusions or make assumptions that the other person is misinformed or even intentionally trying to deceive.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A tragic example of this tendency is the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician who practiced medicine during the mid-19th century. Early in his career, Dr. Semmelweis learned that 10 percent of the women who came to his clinic died of childbed fever, while the death rate at a nearby clinic was less than 4 percent. He was determined to find out why.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After investigating the two clinics, Dr. Semmelweis concluded that the only significant difference was that his was a teaching clinic where corpses were examined. He observed doctors who went directly from performing autopsies to delivering babies. He concluded that somehow the corpses had contaminated their hands and caused the deadly fevers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When he began to recommend that doctors scrub their hands with a chlorinated lime solution, he was met with indifference and even scorn. His conclusions contradicted the “truths” of other doctors. Some of his colleagues even believed that it was absurd to think that a doctor’s hand could be impure or cause sickness.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Semmelweis insisted, and he made it a policy for doctors in his clinic to wash their hands before delivering babies. As a consequence, the death rate promptly dropped by 90 percent. Semmelweis felt vindicated and was certain that this practice would now be adopted throughout the medical community. But he was wrong. Even his dramatic results were not enough to change the minds of many doctors of the day.</span></div>
<b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thing about truth is it exists beyond belief, It is truth even if nobody believes it. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And also true, if something is false, even if the whole world believes it, it is still false. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truth is different from belief. It is not dependent upon public opinion or popularity. Polls cannot sway it. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For this reason we should not give value to popular beliefs without close examination. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Satan loves to use popular beliefs of the times to confuse us.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He offers the belief that truth is relative; appealing to our sense of tolerance and fairness, he keeps the real truth hidden by claiming that one person’s “truth” is as valid as any other.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some he entices to believe that there is an absolute truth out there somewhere but that it is impossible for anyone to know it.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But satan’s favorite attack on us as members of the church who already embrace the truth is </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to spread seeds of doubt. For example, he has caused many members of the Church to stumble when they discover information about the Church that seems to contradict what they had learned previously.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you experience such a moment, remember that in this age of information there are many who create doubt about anything and everything, at any time and every place.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will find even those who still claim that they have evidence that the earth is flat, that the moon is a hologram, and that certain movie stars are really aliens from another planet. And it is always good to keep in mind, just because something is printed on paper, appears on the Internet, is frequently repeated, or has a powerful group of followers doesn’t make it true.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes untrue claims or information are presented in such a way that they appear quite credible. However, when you are confronted with information that is in conflict with the revealed word of God, remember that the blind men in the parable of the elephant would never be able to accurately describe the full truth.</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now allow me to draw a gospel parallel to my alarm story that I started the talk with</span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Satan’s tactics to deceive and confuse are getting the best of us there is nothing he would like better than to take a small thing, possibly a piece of doctrine that we doubt or a perceived mistake that we believe a church leader made, We start with something small and then satan who is the great deceiver works on us to become so annoyed by this small thing that we make it out to be a big thing and we let it bother us and bother us until we cant sleep and we decide we must act and satan would like nothing more that to make us feel that our best option is to cut the power wire to our membership in the church and in turn start a full nuclear war when really the control panel was never the problem at all in fact it was functioning fine, but now that our screen on our spirituality has gone black we have a much bigger problem on our hands, We may think cutting the power wire was not that big of deal we can always come back to the church if we decide, but when we splice the wires back to the way they were does the alarm actually turn back off. And when you finally do silence the alarm what damage has been done to your posterity. Have your kids been awakened to a different life style that is outside the standards of the church, you may find that you want to return to the fold but it is not so simple to bring your posterity back. And in the end you realize you tried to fix something that wasn’t broken. You thought your whole alarm system was to blame when really all you needed to do was replace the batteries on the smoke alarm. And take it from me although you figured it out eventually when the story ends you do not feel smart, regardless of what your name is. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now this gospel analogy may seem like a bit of a stretch but we all know many people that have left the church for something we perceive as small. And I would bet that many of us know someone who has later in life decided to come back but has not been able to convince their posterity to do likewise. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our world is full of confusion, The Apostle Paul said that in this world the light is dim and we see only part of the truth as though we are looking “through a glass, darkly.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng#note2-" style="text-decoration: none;">2</a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We simply don’t know all things—we can’t see everything. What may seem contradictory now may be perfectly understandable as we search for and receive more trustworthy information. Because we see through a glass darkly, we have to trust the Lord, who sees all things clearly.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually all of our questions will be answered. All of our doubts will be replaced by certainty. And that is because there is one source of truth that is complete, correct, and incorruptible. That source is our infinitely wise and all-knowing Heavenly Father. He knows truth as it was, as it is, and as it yet will be.</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng#note14-" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">14</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “He comprehendeth all things, … and he is above all things, … and all things are by him, and of him.”</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng#note15-" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 6.6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">15</span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I close by sharing my testimony that I believe this to be true, I know that we have an all knowing heavenly father and his plan requires faith on our part and if we had a perfect knowledge of things there would be no need for faith. </span></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-36231601587654678962017-09-26T22:32:00.000-07:002017-09-26T22:32:14.790-07:00Trip of a Lifetime!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
In July of 2015 I went on a trip that was so amazing that everytime I have sat down to blog about it I have been totally overwhelmed. A trip to the Cordillera region of the Andes that included my first time seeing the Southern Cross, an up close look at the high Bolivian people, climbing mountains as high as 20,000 feet, swimming in the highest lake in the world, being gifted a hat from off the head of Bolivia's most famous boatsman, and a side trip to Bogota Columbia. Where do you even begin? So finally a two years later I am completely tapping out by offering the lowest form of blogging... simply posting some random pictures from the trip that I didn't even put in order. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLZXxHOx9t5TGsy8BKQ1NgdWzizgo4hv7J2vieUIvw_v3RZYDSqHfh5FlsAydFFfjMez8SQcmiSlozz8jOxU6dCVnw-OYJ4s_SGjpirogK8wnuQqBY6KcvJ5u7wRxlgZ1DaJNAO3n0_Oi/s1600/IMG_9030.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLZXxHOx9t5TGsy8BKQ1NgdWzizgo4hv7J2vieUIvw_v3RZYDSqHfh5FlsAydFFfjMez8SQcmiSlozz8jOxU6dCVnw-OYJ4s_SGjpirogK8wnuQqBY6KcvJ5u7wRxlgZ1DaJNAO3n0_Oi/s640/IMG_9030.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSiPqPefgS56VEp0kqQUIgbBSkHplQ0I6XLFQ3fa6O7NcTJIHtLwyKt6l7_hLSsEE7QzWCT6vHos75AB98HfYT2K_dl0HU7vU3bNIikG3mNDNunaRQjFvBSIAzcLQL42VQT9eW5C6oLBU/s1600/IMG_7836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSiPqPefgS56VEp0kqQUIgbBSkHplQ0I6XLFQ3fa6O7NcTJIHtLwyKt6l7_hLSsEE7QzWCT6vHos75AB98HfYT2K_dl0HU7vU3bNIikG3mNDNunaRQjFvBSIAzcLQL42VQT9eW5C6oLBU/s640/IMG_7836.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EDnYKWXx8va-LOOj465_ZmhNmCRRHJDQXFO4YbY97tvucSnRmP5jdZa6z4_DMaNgcYVnwI2HDJMZXuJc7N0_yslAVq02E85hJ0is4SU1zDUg0NgTS2SefAY96PQzaVNw3GIzJPGI9J0_/s1600/IMG_1022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EDnYKWXx8va-LOOj465_ZmhNmCRRHJDQXFO4YbY97tvucSnRmP5jdZa6z4_DMaNgcYVnwI2HDJMZXuJc7N0_yslAVq02E85hJ0is4SU1zDUg0NgTS2SefAY96PQzaVNw3GIzJPGI9J0_/s640/IMG_1022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf7Jga6wEml56xIMR4QpSGwPzDRE8dZuNeTJsX9oE2UicAx6BJuHZkgHrU2eiqlQVM5SLRRo8KJ90RFfk6xqbzdvA5EyvD_ZxZEzCXPHa0Xt0dSeR_ZQnkRy6SNVbVAegL1kk2VH0JkL3/s1600/IMG_1286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf7Jga6wEml56xIMR4QpSGwPzDRE8dZuNeTJsX9oE2UicAx6BJuHZkgHrU2eiqlQVM5SLRRo8KJ90RFfk6xqbzdvA5EyvD_ZxZEzCXPHa0Xt0dSeR_ZQnkRy6SNVbVAegL1kk2VH0JkL3/s640/IMG_1286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhx6lNntoUxEUwmIznbSuQTjlNSGvy0_eeh7zH-VE5ZSFw306JW5zz4CxcEnEZqYf3XLlXkAsvcwfqv97hT9PIURQ_wymaLHEps1Juof33jXRpKYrxzlv9n56nQS3zd4uLRzZ8MBjZjXj/s1600/IMG_1288+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhx6lNntoUxEUwmIznbSuQTjlNSGvy0_eeh7zH-VE5ZSFw306JW5zz4CxcEnEZqYf3XLlXkAsvcwfqv97hT9PIURQ_wymaLHEps1Juof33jXRpKYrxzlv9n56nQS3zd4uLRzZ8MBjZjXj/s640/IMG_1288+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX56Zv9sgjAzMY0I1G755CKd1lV40VY4D2fuWzNCxkPsdsm8bJcajFhgWj1p-KJUW6D-2hI6aezv6s7M-wZUdpLJ6IJA6P4zT3SAbVeLCmkRo5MhAeK2EvntEL-kjehLTebUq1OyoA0sWo/s1600/IMG_7873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX56Zv9sgjAzMY0I1G755CKd1lV40VY4D2fuWzNCxkPsdsm8bJcajFhgWj1p-KJUW6D-2hI6aezv6s7M-wZUdpLJ6IJA6P4zT3SAbVeLCmkRo5MhAeK2EvntEL-kjehLTebUq1OyoA0sWo/s640/IMG_7873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8L4uJOAG5PtlNTnDgpgbFAHqkvjFyEReGtbyqAmGbJb0wTwhVxYucEXBQlwiWPOU3M33OiShBzW2KuNkAeksfbk8CXNr5Ezd5K6CM-fQZ5MAnhKOKP1d-VY8T48WAxUvRqDqJsYcl-y/s1600/IMG_7883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8L4uJOAG5PtlNTnDgpgbFAHqkvjFyEReGtbyqAmGbJb0wTwhVxYucEXBQlwiWPOU3M33OiShBzW2KuNkAeksfbk8CXNr5Ezd5K6CM-fQZ5MAnhKOKP1d-VY8T48WAxUvRqDqJsYcl-y/s640/IMG_7883.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUMd0VkeWECA_6eppYux7e0V2lu00cB1mklS5JMTE5xW27IUh4SCuWXRsBT3-I_MXLuxN7lTv4i6YC-u5ewtW0PJi5HOqpCwFnYsptSpnAj7s4yunVycUPw0uIFad17aO7ZQ1Vu1cX7jv/s1600/IMG_7907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUMd0VkeWECA_6eppYux7e0V2lu00cB1mklS5JMTE5xW27IUh4SCuWXRsBT3-I_MXLuxN7lTv4i6YC-u5ewtW0PJi5HOqpCwFnYsptSpnAj7s4yunVycUPw0uIFad17aO7ZQ1Vu1cX7jv/s640/IMG_7907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSejVqc8_NtnBZvbZYCnVsSD5g4IH_c_Td_5qYL2ebxbGbEd3R4d8AR-lTsZG5lmHMn4tJijF6nAi_RM_7PxsyjUDD7l-2r72s1NPcFCFuCekLtSoLHGJa5Yr0GsoIWE52HCyVRC7L5KN7/s1600/IMG_7945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSejVqc8_NtnBZvbZYCnVsSD5g4IH_c_Td_5qYL2ebxbGbEd3R4d8AR-lTsZG5lmHMn4tJijF6nAi_RM_7PxsyjUDD7l-2r72s1NPcFCFuCekLtSoLHGJa5Yr0GsoIWE52HCyVRC7L5KN7/s640/IMG_7945.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEylHxN-KJn7Rrk6vhnsSmKhk97XtDHrZXMpZ8DJdrt5u5tJq2wZlnC924Rjv8rg-9t0v9iU9iWFl5qPbViABqFrxznXlNDGWZYjMeyz5IE-S3F7NVVcH603P3ZN0mNs5vOMuLlexF3QW/s1600/IMG_7951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEylHxN-KJn7Rrk6vhnsSmKhk97XtDHrZXMpZ8DJdrt5u5tJq2wZlnC924Rjv8rg-9t0v9iU9iWFl5qPbViABqFrxznXlNDGWZYjMeyz5IE-S3F7NVVcH603P3ZN0mNs5vOMuLlexF3QW/s640/IMG_7951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB45o83kdPxOM4DFfCrDJ1m3BF0otjqUZVbEakd7mWmXcUBEeMR-90SvKF001vkreWesc_Bp9AP7PRl9DfogDl30OlGxryRZuXr-Grt1_zQ242Lhmw2kjGtRS_1_ay1ErquO6YXkC3ygJd/s1600/IMG_7970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB45o83kdPxOM4DFfCrDJ1m3BF0otjqUZVbEakd7mWmXcUBEeMR-90SvKF001vkreWesc_Bp9AP7PRl9DfogDl30OlGxryRZuXr-Grt1_zQ242Lhmw2kjGtRS_1_ay1ErquO6YXkC3ygJd/s640/IMG_7970.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdgtU5IVkizfG-eHWBK4d6UX2-jjcb-ilq7-BGghcRHbUtvAQ5FIfUxXFPD4dVMrDOkDeOx6elMvRpJhMrNdj4nvaWqSImG014oQCponoiL6S2gAoVrshcXm-m3pQlOpFf4GQjmtnBdNW/s1600/IMG_7975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdgtU5IVkizfG-eHWBK4d6UX2-jjcb-ilq7-BGghcRHbUtvAQ5FIfUxXFPD4dVMrDOkDeOx6elMvRpJhMrNdj4nvaWqSImG014oQCponoiL6S2gAoVrshcXm-m3pQlOpFf4GQjmtnBdNW/s640/IMG_7975.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtt7Clv-BDLKlRCNuKQPrrwmjZb-eC9ALAUE8VtBPYUxvCfY_wP_X-EO1adj7n4wBANfj58ThMW7onx0ZeGWwdwLyIPNuY0MlMPpYSF6_jNZyT7g5ztuqW1WvBwc7APNqmoKUaNHnqabo/s1600/IMG_8004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtt7Clv-BDLKlRCNuKQPrrwmjZb-eC9ALAUE8VtBPYUxvCfY_wP_X-EO1adj7n4wBANfj58ThMW7onx0ZeGWwdwLyIPNuY0MlMPpYSF6_jNZyT7g5ztuqW1WvBwc7APNqmoKUaNHnqabo/s640/IMG_8004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfB7TxKY0jOGp6l89TSGWaJdtWWUjXAaqBHlc21o0VCXtx1gZ0AUoZRdmAq5gjze6fY3hzOcGTCTpM3ZBo7ajOYbEvxF0bKvisZv1x4nG6Rd_y2XZFnAAeyOt1oQS3TRq724P1dmTSLx5/s1600/IMG_8027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfB7TxKY0jOGp6l89TSGWaJdtWWUjXAaqBHlc21o0VCXtx1gZ0AUoZRdmAq5gjze6fY3hzOcGTCTpM3ZBo7ajOYbEvxF0bKvisZv1x4nG6Rd_y2XZFnAAeyOt1oQS3TRq724P1dmTSLx5/s640/IMG_8027.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8QnhRX8r5ikUKTpO8pJd2HcYUldkSllbRmGdR5C_DS06-reSUdLWEctruIuiOxL8HbefujG8DtgLDvXoEj_3IlpyqvGujj-ZBSwgKHWXTNI7xaRr0Fdk5eM7PSfgXj-cD0SEc0vo69LI/s1600/IMG_8067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8QnhRX8r5ikUKTpO8pJd2HcYUldkSllbRmGdR5C_DS06-reSUdLWEctruIuiOxL8HbefujG8DtgLDvXoEj_3IlpyqvGujj-ZBSwgKHWXTNI7xaRr0Fdk5eM7PSfgXj-cD0SEc0vo69LI/s640/IMG_8067.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ4ML8m0hVO1MNUgB-b-tRFwmlI7Ya0YPGaih7Kb1oO6oc6RL1ZuPP4QsqcGR4XlL8a-JKqgQZtpSdoNl8Qg_ZYOog90bikr1huDm3jibUrw_fKqkSwyuOCq3v5FlaLEg83jL-5Oy-oCI/s1600/IMG_8086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ4ML8m0hVO1MNUgB-b-tRFwmlI7Ya0YPGaih7Kb1oO6oc6RL1ZuPP4QsqcGR4XlL8a-JKqgQZtpSdoNl8Qg_ZYOog90bikr1huDm3jibUrw_fKqkSwyuOCq3v5FlaLEg83jL-5Oy-oCI/s640/IMG_8086.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE_W8i5RPYR5AMvAYGYr4xp9Tg4vfzi85DtkhXNSA4z479-JMQen9qSgyssQi14hbKoRDskWYmxXCA59JcaEjA7MVAmoM5XkGzr6WwmOVeY_06Davw87Q7rq_pnz1FrKy_72u1rITU679/s1600/IMG_8088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE_W8i5RPYR5AMvAYGYr4xp9Tg4vfzi85DtkhXNSA4z479-JMQen9qSgyssQi14hbKoRDskWYmxXCA59JcaEjA7MVAmoM5XkGzr6WwmOVeY_06Davw87Q7rq_pnz1FrKy_72u1rITU679/s640/IMG_8088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3skRk3hzOr1LbHnIL5v-y-yUx9V7-FEgTGZcHTjFU81OD19SFvkeYE7TnQ7sLxfpIFiclU66x1ona85LfivRMgAOEUuxefV1t2LhyCvld_JUllHMhlFUXy7h9UDQSPLIgtCZ1CfysfbY/s1600/IMG_8090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3skRk3hzOr1LbHnIL5v-y-yUx9V7-FEgTGZcHTjFU81OD19SFvkeYE7TnQ7sLxfpIFiclU66x1ona85LfivRMgAOEUuxefV1t2LhyCvld_JUllHMhlFUXy7h9UDQSPLIgtCZ1CfysfbY/s640/IMG_8090.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqlC-7FHJHoYLpIN0m-MfM19mmdGa7ehut7f1sNMRlhGuPduGAghxzZSUwM0Uvfabv3RcDx6XjbjfOzz1lyH0W3F5sKs5IPui8ttBapFe_-xawoZS-0OpXszwTsNQStMGIZQ83BfocSvw/s1600/IMG_8096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqlC-7FHJHoYLpIN0m-MfM19mmdGa7ehut7f1sNMRlhGuPduGAghxzZSUwM0Uvfabv3RcDx6XjbjfOzz1lyH0W3F5sKs5IPui8ttBapFe_-xawoZS-0OpXszwTsNQStMGIZQ83BfocSvw/s640/IMG_8096.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguChODO692VKzUQT91keuoGkJSGG56uLPRGEKAT-gaWL7zc563k3x2Bw4DCETSTNTr-BHEgtwsl-tWifCxkotOxuYUL0VGEsUGUuRTbSCmW2IGPV-hLrOvbCouRF7fLrTRswcUU2IOxRGI/s1600/IMG_8101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguChODO692VKzUQT91keuoGkJSGG56uLPRGEKAT-gaWL7zc563k3x2Bw4DCETSTNTr-BHEgtwsl-tWifCxkotOxuYUL0VGEsUGUuRTbSCmW2IGPV-hLrOvbCouRF7fLrTRswcUU2IOxRGI/s640/IMG_8101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoLU5t82BhPUMtqbd37ZtwJQf_a-GF5tjZqUT0SBYAYy1aU3ZfL2QJn2lJV1P15nsH6q2GmJ9y70QXiDAFQ-wH9gtMcEmQbjG4UWbRTp-eTGGYrKZ8j8TaP0PjK7khBE0OLejAgzCkFDI/s1600/IMG_8102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoLU5t82BhPUMtqbd37ZtwJQf_a-GF5tjZqUT0SBYAYy1aU3ZfL2QJn2lJV1P15nsH6q2GmJ9y70QXiDAFQ-wH9gtMcEmQbjG4UWbRTp-eTGGYrKZ8j8TaP0PjK7khBE0OLejAgzCkFDI/s640/IMG_8102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTXhItl5yDyVqp7jFIFcBapeYY-3q2Rk_E_isjz2S2RpsjjU5OjKD8pqy_zhKsCGQ6HTKixFZwR5NoUUyhM6c5XLMw9NNURKKkje-BHQVuGS5hyphenhyphenJjeFq9B-p4aoBtGRdsBUC1KZBijVgB/s1600/IMG_8107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTXhItl5yDyVqp7jFIFcBapeYY-3q2Rk_E_isjz2S2RpsjjU5OjKD8pqy_zhKsCGQ6HTKixFZwR5NoUUyhM6c5XLMw9NNURKKkje-BHQVuGS5hyphenhyphenJjeFq9B-p4aoBtGRdsBUC1KZBijVgB/s640/IMG_8107.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9jfOmXSSDXmsfUbQ6uBiv7Rz18RYYG_vMpkN0YHQ9_j03to6Z6Y7UFUkjUedxiHnBv6lnuWvOPRxxnb93scNiUaSAb3K8Z1aC1VcTaW4FjGe2Gj59GuJJq3DUrkosR2MSV_2xISPC4tq/s1600/IMG_8183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9jfOmXSSDXmsfUbQ6uBiv7Rz18RYYG_vMpkN0YHQ9_j03to6Z6Y7UFUkjUedxiHnBv6lnuWvOPRxxnb93scNiUaSAb3K8Z1aC1VcTaW4FjGe2Gj59GuJJq3DUrkosR2MSV_2xISPC4tq/s1600/IMG_8183.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxYXniCnbwPCSw5E351sFJpqehxzPn_KpwPa2yWgUD8XGYpt0x9YSTfwa_VO4WqvtMoLvopiNgVBAZZi7IfcRlB93OU24M1wMRwzSYNHaYNks6wICEBe90B4HSzKrWD3KSdJrDWSl5CyC/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxYXniCnbwPCSw5E351sFJpqehxzPn_KpwPa2yWgUD8XGYpt0x9YSTfwa_VO4WqvtMoLvopiNgVBAZZi7IfcRlB93OU24M1wMRwzSYNHaYNks6wICEBe90B4HSzKrWD3KSdJrDWSl5CyC/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJjiAUpy8gTSW96m0ihfk6IQCiQ1xqnZcbTgQvCSnh3SjxmorVdqFMBdBQMsN3SEml_Uh8f9RVCExEM_BqC_ORCyPe_50Ha-MkdcQuzjTtjls9D8dJH0IVwvytNE6tNsJzJZYPjMcIlpD/s1600/IMG_8203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJjiAUpy8gTSW96m0ihfk6IQCiQ1xqnZcbTgQvCSnh3SjxmorVdqFMBdBQMsN3SEml_Uh8f9RVCExEM_BqC_ORCyPe_50Ha-MkdcQuzjTtjls9D8dJH0IVwvytNE6tNsJzJZYPjMcIlpD/s640/IMG_8203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfh0lWLy_EQ26WGlZUwgi7-jssyG-qFH7x3dfHoqtkG1AIk_VWmlFGzanT_Rls3DQUTKQpnZcRZ765hOn3WRtahjs-n2sNTVGTGfAC5vebZL06rU4M_jW_0CMO_WZc7G5XB41KcLfaWo8/s1600/IMG_8230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfh0lWLy_EQ26WGlZUwgi7-jssyG-qFH7x3dfHoqtkG1AIk_VWmlFGzanT_Rls3DQUTKQpnZcRZ765hOn3WRtahjs-n2sNTVGTGfAC5vebZL06rU4M_jW_0CMO_WZc7G5XB41KcLfaWo8/s1600/IMG_8230.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqDMv16jwfNV09ci3s5WdgLr0uTyegGrNRhsay3lC1IWsUyUV1W49M4gtlmy2suehpdb-14L70U5bbHR6w35EnFDH91gqzwGKQP-2t731FjHuKUJKXWldR5ZAjC1ye_Ze1jj7gTd4lOMB/s1600/IMG_8246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqDMv16jwfNV09ci3s5WdgLr0uTyegGrNRhsay3lC1IWsUyUV1W49M4gtlmy2suehpdb-14L70U5bbHR6w35EnFDH91gqzwGKQP-2t731FjHuKUJKXWldR5ZAjC1ye_Ze1jj7gTd4lOMB/s640/IMG_8246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh8AQ8y4O8HyJQiui7PhQpXDEo_5j4iUiaEfdAdN2ULix4l-S0l5y08pXyYqnXe-JKWgnKHQ2gSn4sZaDBBui6qZcHXUbJZkvPNLpEEXMuJUM1Ob3LFnTXLu8667a83Wj8VL5JPbnMxKq/s1600/IMG_8264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh8AQ8y4O8HyJQiui7PhQpXDEo_5j4iUiaEfdAdN2ULix4l-S0l5y08pXyYqnXe-JKWgnKHQ2gSn4sZaDBBui6qZcHXUbJZkvPNLpEEXMuJUM1Ob3LFnTXLu8667a83Wj8VL5JPbnMxKq/s640/IMG_8264.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGwMEh3ZO83cuOlJo3JKgs3pAW08UDGVfpvh3paSZWHBExv3cvoyuWiaV7Flq8Xg1xRAzrA8V99EwyPuOxok43rY53yvilGUmjEpg5nbP-MZVVXAxQg8Z7XrdStNux6I7VEz1EsJrDrzT/s1600/IMG_8281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGwMEh3ZO83cuOlJo3JKgs3pAW08UDGVfpvh3paSZWHBExv3cvoyuWiaV7Flq8Xg1xRAzrA8V99EwyPuOxok43rY53yvilGUmjEpg5nbP-MZVVXAxQg8Z7XrdStNux6I7VEz1EsJrDrzT/s640/IMG_8281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscwxqw3TCBLJjwur56SYxVW8IkEJOtp6cCZf5RXz2JejKkGzFYOkBufo-CbVsUWxz_JXzV-QCHJMUlpJpPaBxaedWj1oBn8NUIdE35VfABAEnDGIvI4IknkeiUQEZaQr5YE7WWyNeRclj/s1600/IMG_8294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscwxqw3TCBLJjwur56SYxVW8IkEJOtp6cCZf5RXz2JejKkGzFYOkBufo-CbVsUWxz_JXzV-QCHJMUlpJpPaBxaedWj1oBn8NUIdE35VfABAEnDGIvI4IknkeiUQEZaQr5YE7WWyNeRclj/s640/IMG_8294.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpryu1P8gUlel7eGq2XpdW9midZLSJMuTDH4W0_UwwTfa5Li3w2p1JogUrWZHJKm2WjBFbUuBkVo1bBV1jgwJqaa1ilCsOBnM_u8-0i9speVnsD6TDu4gAkn8An6xnxH0YcQCNVxg8gSh/s1600/IMG_8307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpryu1P8gUlel7eGq2XpdW9midZLSJMuTDH4W0_UwwTfa5Li3w2p1JogUrWZHJKm2WjBFbUuBkVo1bBV1jgwJqaa1ilCsOBnM_u8-0i9speVnsD6TDu4gAkn8An6xnxH0YcQCNVxg8gSh/s640/IMG_8307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2UH4E-NZiFwUz90ed8oh2BLKtdgmagJHMT6dUWWfZBhJ7UDQa_uWjmGwWvIoJ6BjLVde2Pi6BbUqgFnvRk6-8XhwSSnkZEFgSt2rmivolKpeQ6i1mibNzOQPncqd7h3o_pAFGQJdWNbq/s1600/IMG_8309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2UH4E-NZiFwUz90ed8oh2BLKtdgmagJHMT6dUWWfZBhJ7UDQa_uWjmGwWvIoJ6BjLVde2Pi6BbUqgFnvRk6-8XhwSSnkZEFgSt2rmivolKpeQ6i1mibNzOQPncqd7h3o_pAFGQJdWNbq/s640/IMG_8309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3gYJF0ZCSCX41OISV83eLnuwgdaIt_m23PixK0O_IGFh4GI4JrwzLWc13nwdtXaFkSx-GshbzOCnJ_cxf6iouHZLpkZZA5nAG_2v3ZkeZoOvFoFglrjKPIcnPfvYMhFdQqU1V7goCjgG/s1600/IMG_8336+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3gYJF0ZCSCX41OISV83eLnuwgdaIt_m23PixK0O_IGFh4GI4JrwzLWc13nwdtXaFkSx-GshbzOCnJ_cxf6iouHZLpkZZA5nAG_2v3ZkeZoOvFoFglrjKPIcnPfvYMhFdQqU1V7goCjgG/s640/IMG_8336+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0y4aen2LIGHUQz77i_4nFIlvslkXHl1-PZaOE_z-phH7FZZXtJ43oEdhh2VKzoK3HxDFJPtaTRZx9YPeLlGiCnkjMGzVMNwcUe3YXpBeSabSFRtAg3FnFTxc_S9EQ4v0xEq3juCMTEPp/s1600/IMG_8338+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0y4aen2LIGHUQz77i_4nFIlvslkXHl1-PZaOE_z-phH7FZZXtJ43oEdhh2VKzoK3HxDFJPtaTRZx9YPeLlGiCnkjMGzVMNwcUe3YXpBeSabSFRtAg3FnFTxc_S9EQ4v0xEq3juCMTEPp/s640/IMG_8338+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0yLmPaJLGXHp6eSZTZCV52yu6jWLC1_cUiWPSdmiooO9xcjrhie9rLKQ3roxctU27f-mTTHPkcPRiTEYJMKxad3d19hqNj8LfYNT_a2XCxkC7d6Pd7Pp7N-D3fu1XYESu8-U4nnvpEqX/s1600/IMG_8353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0yLmPaJLGXHp6eSZTZCV52yu6jWLC1_cUiWPSdmiooO9xcjrhie9rLKQ3roxctU27f-mTTHPkcPRiTEYJMKxad3d19hqNj8LfYNT_a2XCxkC7d6Pd7Pp7N-D3fu1XYESu8-U4nnvpEqX/s640/IMG_8353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eCStxuIgr-1E1wi6LoziMvcZNHWZtb8MqHhknTTCoX4y5jZjvbxusJQLwN7BkopjetNPqB0K2IIhVewRhCIoY3LXyJnNTtt6pvKTjuyMxQV8yIUSMzxQAFHPzwGMq3cJZrxotJdkh0-X/s1600/IMG_8359+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eCStxuIgr-1E1wi6LoziMvcZNHWZtb8MqHhknTTCoX4y5jZjvbxusJQLwN7BkopjetNPqB0K2IIhVewRhCIoY3LXyJnNTtt6pvKTjuyMxQV8yIUSMzxQAFHPzwGMq3cJZrxotJdkh0-X/s640/IMG_8359+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUrBCmh7ph2CzzwdoAyoa95ivCOQVU8WZCHFWx5TP5ktOQICn3DQtsg_73r4hCgyfgimnNa4Ifz6tT1NhODOfuwppJoxHGfELngVgnWQenfIccN90C_dr-FgbDlaH5NdCAeOfFyDWyUDY/s1600/IMG_8369+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUrBCmh7ph2CzzwdoAyoa95ivCOQVU8WZCHFWx5TP5ktOQICn3DQtsg_73r4hCgyfgimnNa4Ifz6tT1NhODOfuwppJoxHGfELngVgnWQenfIccN90C_dr-FgbDlaH5NdCAeOfFyDWyUDY/s640/IMG_8369+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8dVFAdfQrH9gMJYnBCB1HLYHUINo9u2c1Vx-0wCwwcFvDr_DPnAD3NlNSG7OxVqb8aTbOzQDS7Iq2OMQ1jm6gbakGJO8hxmV5sHg_Mg1JRICiCgg-MWRnm1bNRTGUtUJ7MDltylgAJ9z/s1600/IMG_8412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8dVFAdfQrH9gMJYnBCB1HLYHUINo9u2c1Vx-0wCwwcFvDr_DPnAD3NlNSG7OxVqb8aTbOzQDS7Iq2OMQ1jm6gbakGJO8hxmV5sHg_Mg1JRICiCgg-MWRnm1bNRTGUtUJ7MDltylgAJ9z/s640/IMG_8412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU56w06TUHhgyQ3nfELpwG5zE5y6NCT-M6yZlshensbnISTyQB6iAcH_yH2w631UAu5mMBeE0yB2rhQYS7Az3z433KAjZwxk9VNgP9D5H78E41_tKZ48e_qz_37w39cgZm1P0hUIabP9I/s1600/IMG_8477+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU56w06TUHhgyQ3nfELpwG5zE5y6NCT-M6yZlshensbnISTyQB6iAcH_yH2w631UAu5mMBeE0yB2rhQYS7Az3z433KAjZwxk9VNgP9D5H78E41_tKZ48e_qz_37w39cgZm1P0hUIabP9I/s640/IMG_8477+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIHEPq6pXuGQl_ww1YLKajAoU8Q267Bz3O5CMrfHFxfGbHuY-8733J2z5Hjh59IXhYtG0Psc-RCSqWvVYl53OcnPl38NPso5NI03ulJ7jG3HMxHcAGowjOENqU_Bjmg17c-Q6KD15wPRV/s1600/IMG_8485+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIHEPq6pXuGQl_ww1YLKajAoU8Q267Bz3O5CMrfHFxfGbHuY-8733J2z5Hjh59IXhYtG0Psc-RCSqWvVYl53OcnPl38NPso5NI03ulJ7jG3HMxHcAGowjOENqU_Bjmg17c-Q6KD15wPRV/s640/IMG_8485+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1wLGZaUgQz0JtE_6PjTA0K_zUBsgwIzLXtqygaA6ffM6FuPxD55UyooLMT_5AapRMl6VvvPP2EHf_OwAvUv3zo5yrhld5VM64rF77fCTtbfmEgxqg7oIN8s0Zf7_Wblor6p6rU5eqo_j/s1600/IMG_8552+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1wLGZaUgQz0JtE_6PjTA0K_zUBsgwIzLXtqygaA6ffM6FuPxD55UyooLMT_5AapRMl6VvvPP2EHf_OwAvUv3zo5yrhld5VM64rF77fCTtbfmEgxqg7oIN8s0Zf7_Wblor6p6rU5eqo_j/s640/IMG_8552+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81JZT3i6-lLGJ0mr5AboEWopVi1RJRSfu9_c6-D4dF8SVwVvv3g-XCotBwlngK_89Oq-iF23o9FGb97_hmCV44oI7kzQQl4m0Nq_Td3gmK-cUen0gixnK0HCmdosMxUSvMPWKR7Cu5-F_/s1600/IMG_8576+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81JZT3i6-lLGJ0mr5AboEWopVi1RJRSfu9_c6-D4dF8SVwVvv3g-XCotBwlngK_89Oq-iF23o9FGb97_hmCV44oI7kzQQl4m0Nq_Td3gmK-cUen0gixnK0HCmdosMxUSvMPWKR7Cu5-F_/s640/IMG_8576+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9g6jZZNIfKQZSuP-YyAsASt9pLZrDyAncxXhu2uwuwkdJqlTkWCxznrzbKzKP1ml8hf2CTVmJJVcz8f4rdQQmD0bJDZ2Hmq53JOa-36G1WfXJ4NtW2Urm2Q3N-UP4Bu0Hy2LsLAC5An/s1600/IMG_8589+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ9g6jZZNIfKQZSuP-YyAsASt9pLZrDyAncxXhu2uwuwkdJqlTkWCxznrzbKzKP1ml8hf2CTVmJJVcz8f4rdQQmD0bJDZ2Hmq53JOa-36G1WfXJ4NtW2Urm2Q3N-UP4Bu0Hy2LsLAC5An/s640/IMG_8589+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVx2iHRfkLZwCOeaUFyJNt4jLnZYEH7sK2UbcdOULVPAe4hU5vQhZ9sJEwW3f9rLanOkOS5VeWgrzNctYi8KgJeGhUHlmo2bFINWip0LoXAl-rsY34pwTmKxZh2OJJ6xRcavzUKiMr2Ga/s1600/IMG_8593+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVx2iHRfkLZwCOeaUFyJNt4jLnZYEH7sK2UbcdOULVPAe4hU5vQhZ9sJEwW3f9rLanOkOS5VeWgrzNctYi8KgJeGhUHlmo2bFINWip0LoXAl-rsY34pwTmKxZh2OJJ6xRcavzUKiMr2Ga/s640/IMG_8593+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BYFTDM907sSrbeoqAdyD9Ayu7AJ0Ty5T_6EuhkNly8JxbU8PgiIO7AoqhFGRzrvq2R5R2QrJg3jY2FEocv6TRc5M-oDynqTt6l1bWSmwS_yotRBrwQ3ooOkBjehYPOp8C8F4_4Nw-UN6/s1600/IMG_8638+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BYFTDM907sSrbeoqAdyD9Ayu7AJ0Ty5T_6EuhkNly8JxbU8PgiIO7AoqhFGRzrvq2R5R2QrJg3jY2FEocv6TRc5M-oDynqTt6l1bWSmwS_yotRBrwQ3ooOkBjehYPOp8C8F4_4Nw-UN6/s640/IMG_8638+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84f1yrethGIbFT4mbEE6McMXqeX3wVaHQMglFwWqgdfj0-jvqN9Na-pa7fs3uoDA85XvMeVQ5xeUKTBeunNy0-wReWEkSUGxfsjDFAgpJrlcP4FZx9j7ChHxJs5e-a_A4HMo-I6drium9/s1600/IMG_8651+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84f1yrethGIbFT4mbEE6McMXqeX3wVaHQMglFwWqgdfj0-jvqN9Na-pa7fs3uoDA85XvMeVQ5xeUKTBeunNy0-wReWEkSUGxfsjDFAgpJrlcP4FZx9j7ChHxJs5e-a_A4HMo-I6drium9/s640/IMG_8651+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEAKlDLeHyU5wZ8vWgnLbEg_q7NoKQVc_Js4MpQlKQIE9PEGagTdIWJqmLUU5ACoFmxcNKOYZ88ByGC8WFgoMaWCg9nUyaWHRcgw71kA4_SFeV5ERuRSZjZEQGNHi48Skjqw3GIFES-iy/s1600/IMG_8656+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEAKlDLeHyU5wZ8vWgnLbEg_q7NoKQVc_Js4MpQlKQIE9PEGagTdIWJqmLUU5ACoFmxcNKOYZ88ByGC8WFgoMaWCg9nUyaWHRcgw71kA4_SFeV5ERuRSZjZEQGNHi48Skjqw3GIFES-iy/s640/IMG_8656+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97mVQRJmn0Q7dU6406QICl_uuID_4TTO38FmBc3u6395knA9ll4SyX69KIZSKVJXWU9lcKPJlIDsDzE7XKvMPFrZScN4_q9-87011SavLcUnTAsOPupNeO1k2f37q4-k91_rvPFO5Pyua/s1600/IMG_8659+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97mVQRJmn0Q7dU6406QICl_uuID_4TTO38FmBc3u6395knA9ll4SyX69KIZSKVJXWU9lcKPJlIDsDzE7XKvMPFrZScN4_q9-87011SavLcUnTAsOPupNeO1k2f37q4-k91_rvPFO5Pyua/s640/IMG_8659+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWACMfF1a6G8o0_n1zKbU-KfSYSQR7KHN8ZiREp-r9_GOHsHcAELmYzSfXWzC-1hUgmgOqu6uUlGHDFWdU1XE4zCFmfm8_5HO1GaGRRBLaZiKUapfwf7jjiJOuw1fBIXFaSzoEOMiyGClH/s1600/IMG_8670+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWACMfF1a6G8o0_n1zKbU-KfSYSQR7KHN8ZiREp-r9_GOHsHcAELmYzSfXWzC-1hUgmgOqu6uUlGHDFWdU1XE4zCFmfm8_5HO1GaGRRBLaZiKUapfwf7jjiJOuw1fBIXFaSzoEOMiyGClH/s640/IMG_8670+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3WfkuGZYvYXmZ317NnFuEbfmjef7viTAv-VIwHnF6ECcOiOvkcWXH3-Al2Ea9s5mZX6wJI9FxLfY0m908RP0Yx5BaW0IyNhQz_iVCdUVvYVi4i7b5dZMAdfhLMjcU9tljWiu3nG1AUNu/s1600/IMG_8675+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3WfkuGZYvYXmZ317NnFuEbfmjef7viTAv-VIwHnF6ECcOiOvkcWXH3-Al2Ea9s5mZX6wJI9FxLfY0m908RP0Yx5BaW0IyNhQz_iVCdUVvYVi4i7b5dZMAdfhLMjcU9tljWiu3nG1AUNu/s640/IMG_8675+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWQ6GqbKfo3wRb4QpgDLlbq1n_uq6vUHEtfU390BONUodW0WCmp3toWN40WV73cMe4YrB722olUDmxsoADFpXEsnA9-Bk8Y9tXrmVfGZtjtZrYeDzcF_S9g0imtQKwm2rEMsaH82uQQFR/s1600/IMG_8681+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWQ6GqbKfo3wRb4QpgDLlbq1n_uq6vUHEtfU390BONUodW0WCmp3toWN40WV73cMe4YrB722olUDmxsoADFpXEsnA9-Bk8Y9tXrmVfGZtjtZrYeDzcF_S9g0imtQKwm2rEMsaH82uQQFR/s640/IMG_8681+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYobMfWwXICKGyJBPnHVC1Eq0Li1kPUIZB7ThT7YXnCTH-R60BasNuS4dhOk4NWUjPwFrk6gzLw46t8uUo3lNJ_let9K5jMwCWpPRU5lyY1IuQKjHrQReIlGVIQsBIxNA2YJTDG0KAcon7/s1600/IMG_8687+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYobMfWwXICKGyJBPnHVC1Eq0Li1kPUIZB7ThT7YXnCTH-R60BasNuS4dhOk4NWUjPwFrk6gzLw46t8uUo3lNJ_let9K5jMwCWpPRU5lyY1IuQKjHrQReIlGVIQsBIxNA2YJTDG0KAcon7/s640/IMG_8687+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_z2NFMCtfqLALLe8jgRBLVyfYosjENpwsUwKyMLzTK8kpJBpqGH9DB-a8I7iLhQoxb0JbkmD3oE49E9vXr7t4xkFHsgJQZnRfrxbFKXOe4buy8hirO5Uxk1yp4rAHAtlR5N7I2ch4A-o/s1600/IMG_8701+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_z2NFMCtfqLALLe8jgRBLVyfYosjENpwsUwKyMLzTK8kpJBpqGH9DB-a8I7iLhQoxb0JbkmD3oE49E9vXr7t4xkFHsgJQZnRfrxbFKXOe4buy8hirO5Uxk1yp4rAHAtlR5N7I2ch4A-o/s640/IMG_8701+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmlZxMMa3kd2bwP3zl3qWRo8OqMbcm7cApaOBSBsXSvstGsSBUuq7xUr4L_iRESEXNAJubKxNIJokkA4Zi0ulOs-C6VI3Yo6R5sjzTIFLTRzy1-cXRwxSIO8lihqc7ZcPKmpYNsUBMEAJ/s1600/IMG_8711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmlZxMMa3kd2bwP3zl3qWRo8OqMbcm7cApaOBSBsXSvstGsSBUuq7xUr4L_iRESEXNAJubKxNIJokkA4Zi0ulOs-C6VI3Yo6R5sjzTIFLTRzy1-cXRwxSIO8lihqc7ZcPKmpYNsUBMEAJ/s640/IMG_8711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zaUGB_rWQ5W_ecdvcBW8oG-JJo0W_UwN_wC5ABC7cgjA59HKOWvxBHWsjJFNEy1u3CJWdXWTiQ2pvLP5uf2yYB_7Z3x5BulAhTffNK2GVoMwAaOKUZ_uPvEA2S6POzwlukokZfrwHBTo/s1600/IMG_8723+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zaUGB_rWQ5W_ecdvcBW8oG-JJo0W_UwN_wC5ABC7cgjA59HKOWvxBHWsjJFNEy1u3CJWdXWTiQ2pvLP5uf2yYB_7Z3x5BulAhTffNK2GVoMwAaOKUZ_uPvEA2S6POzwlukokZfrwHBTo/s640/IMG_8723+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR5CrJfMLZIiaTmmk3W7reVutrjas7GWipv7Eqpils9KrDSb3jnZiNsKiAzfiFzf294TkkxsN_l8s1Gt3CEJNSnfpzzQe8cJpdzAQ4b6NpnsMKHsozzGYUSk_gG0Zbhy-ze9moLHFJC0C/s1600/IMG_8762+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR5CrJfMLZIiaTmmk3W7reVutrjas7GWipv7Eqpils9KrDSb3jnZiNsKiAzfiFzf294TkkxsN_l8s1Gt3CEJNSnfpzzQe8cJpdzAQ4b6NpnsMKHsozzGYUSk_gG0Zbhy-ze9moLHFJC0C/s640/IMG_8762+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQIUjKCUjbrxJ0bt2JYSGjZziSkotD_P8h2mDd0D0wm3PscLNqQs29WFgUhIhAUu1_L8KFHJqUoo_lQEOClowA-ohpND3_QDTlmto537ShH6-cnhXb-3eQRQE1hWv_-20VuM1Q8w77ioT/s1600/IMG_8878+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQIUjKCUjbrxJ0bt2JYSGjZziSkotD_P8h2mDd0D0wm3PscLNqQs29WFgUhIhAUu1_L8KFHJqUoo_lQEOClowA-ohpND3_QDTlmto537ShH6-cnhXb-3eQRQE1hWv_-20VuM1Q8w77ioT/s640/IMG_8878+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZoRuUkLbEp02y9j-pV-l0wk8WNg7GiYOsTG2ZtN9npARb9IsTMVHhjeiB9VhcRCgFf3EsNDsPRpZ1ZPipJ_RVX4cOYrx-97bOPaZ1-nQYa9UTHy1jhrCq5xPyIAFG-Y6z_7Z3LpQEVMq/s1600/IMG_8910+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZoRuUkLbEp02y9j-pV-l0wk8WNg7GiYOsTG2ZtN9npARb9IsTMVHhjeiB9VhcRCgFf3EsNDsPRpZ1ZPipJ_RVX4cOYrx-97bOPaZ1-nQYa9UTHy1jhrCq5xPyIAFG-Y6z_7Z3LpQEVMq/s640/IMG_8910+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6J1Q9knxkzdqNV7JBO0_IGjGID5oWNzuvX0uOCPaewSv7-5P5caj-13NT7TtKhJ36S8N25qSPZGWRhyANcevr2nbMfw17UZRUa95p0RKLI3axW5aRBWZDSGjhVdONeClDqEgsEZ4RIug/s1600/IMG_8916+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6J1Q9knxkzdqNV7JBO0_IGjGID5oWNzuvX0uOCPaewSv7-5P5caj-13NT7TtKhJ36S8N25qSPZGWRhyANcevr2nbMfw17UZRUa95p0RKLI3axW5aRBWZDSGjhVdONeClDqEgsEZ4RIug/s640/IMG_8916+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXNzhkyhLl7ChCJZb2lsKsAZwGKmelhE7L0h2lB_UGVTJCpLuE5oLNE7U4Rz8fBOfwu0xk8tDXHy6udmiuDGxxaXhvk11gIVJFl9CJFvXItWN2Rb92Y9I4aMD8M-DXnz14fEsTsIzpzyt/s1600/IMG_8921+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXNzhkyhLl7ChCJZb2lsKsAZwGKmelhE7L0h2lB_UGVTJCpLuE5oLNE7U4Rz8fBOfwu0xk8tDXHy6udmiuDGxxaXhvk11gIVJFl9CJFvXItWN2Rb92Y9I4aMD8M-DXnz14fEsTsIzpzyt/s640/IMG_8921+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotnPOOpRmirlA8h8pStjz8Cozv1wmoQQX_wvzTQ28tjtWi-4ztjNJOYVVkneRmfyMyg3QvylejPRrcvIu6zPyEDrkWe-vh0VtUB7TSG6v1N5tEPEqV4XMd6H7SEf4Km5sLHv8MxPpzhFP/s1600/IMG_8922+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotnPOOpRmirlA8h8pStjz8Cozv1wmoQQX_wvzTQ28tjtWi-4ztjNJOYVVkneRmfyMyg3QvylejPRrcvIu6zPyEDrkWe-vh0VtUB7TSG6v1N5tEPEqV4XMd6H7SEf4Km5sLHv8MxPpzhFP/s640/IMG_8922+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMH9gAKQH-H8s3p4rgBE_QdlJBtnkI51_ScI8g2KpWFaFnl3w_kWfaGzadNKjE3MEqkuFIbaYVLAsxNacL323OaqyM_YIyRzBBwAZhVI4kYvt_VbhbI6NgehSL3nt9ZdUlTYUkm0_23pO/s1600/IMG_8934+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMH9gAKQH-H8s3p4rgBE_QdlJBtnkI51_ScI8g2KpWFaFnl3w_kWfaGzadNKjE3MEqkuFIbaYVLAsxNacL323OaqyM_YIyRzBBwAZhVI4kYvt_VbhbI6NgehSL3nt9ZdUlTYUkm0_23pO/s640/IMG_8934+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifABYCdUi1VIoHvllzE3FzeYoT1G2XWGZIuYJuGFFXzWEvinRuftzHOaIWLXQixudQU6lAjsq764lBAB_nVR9hKlh7DdJ_Xl8Lkgosm16um-gnm6zii4CmH-ailZwM3HlAkCR4yMz0XCTD/s1600/IMG_8938+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifABYCdUi1VIoHvllzE3FzeYoT1G2XWGZIuYJuGFFXzWEvinRuftzHOaIWLXQixudQU6lAjsq764lBAB_nVR9hKlh7DdJ_Xl8Lkgosm16um-gnm6zii4CmH-ailZwM3HlAkCR4yMz0XCTD/s640/IMG_8938+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin07p84lmsVJUhOYERNWCXUyp23WX87Sv993HGsNi5w9h-Aiw2UF60RWhffceBm9-2_5lp0Mu2MiCwanKl13mRJKSSjzxPBKP7RGHm7Z5IZRLPvj8P_ORXSbJJsOMlrs6BWQP2dDVHrrZd/s1600/IMG_8950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin07p84lmsVJUhOYERNWCXUyp23WX87Sv993HGsNi5w9h-Aiw2UF60RWhffceBm9-2_5lp0Mu2MiCwanKl13mRJKSSjzxPBKP7RGHm7Z5IZRLPvj8P_ORXSbJJsOMlrs6BWQP2dDVHrrZd/s640/IMG_8950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQzl1eKKIR9wNwxCx-bz2CF0FKDWLNEhAhqG-eM1h3DVeyr9XXUoSl6COYPEMaioQbgYq2yXfGR3wvQF__HbKeGk5r39A7b2WPMceJG-nzSABq5EhDiAv0UEWonPjNKjSPhjHHDfuDM8x/s1600/IMG_8951+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQzl1eKKIR9wNwxCx-bz2CF0FKDWLNEhAhqG-eM1h3DVeyr9XXUoSl6COYPEMaioQbgYq2yXfGR3wvQF__HbKeGk5r39A7b2WPMceJG-nzSABq5EhDiAv0UEWonPjNKjSPhjHHDfuDM8x/s640/IMG_8951+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvzH51MT5Z3gAIBipxTCLqGqgh_OOPyXIzubNdHgcYgMomianLAJNzA3ac7_mBxqP0upljCI0oOu08I1dsq29vloTLRXL5P5cwuPzJyaI39uGeMTfVsMogOR6vV-UQLXO00FmfhlY2xrl/s1600/IMG_8954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvzH51MT5Z3gAIBipxTCLqGqgh_OOPyXIzubNdHgcYgMomianLAJNzA3ac7_mBxqP0upljCI0oOu08I1dsq29vloTLRXL5P5cwuPzJyaI39uGeMTfVsMogOR6vV-UQLXO00FmfhlY2xrl/s640/IMG_8954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPw6lEqJh_bW-EbwjCB2gDASkZokeeIWTKsdOXK5TDOo1RCxbe1fvU5Au1pS6ax_8ZQ_2fUjyWuxP0hjBco3UzgQTMMAO-cWkJ0crxelhlGJD18Ur5_l0dzXzvBAG7ZO4cKZ7zHj6m4Yu/s1600/IMG_8956+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPw6lEqJh_bW-EbwjCB2gDASkZokeeIWTKsdOXK5TDOo1RCxbe1fvU5Au1pS6ax_8ZQ_2fUjyWuxP0hjBco3UzgQTMMAO-cWkJ0crxelhlGJD18Ur5_l0dzXzvBAG7ZO4cKZ7zHj6m4Yu/s640/IMG_8956+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQrEbkHR1gYL60phu82zSI10qNooi58yRhC4yGfzcD4aEA_2dBcoYepE0l7v45ZiZYsCuy1cvZ-Lb0yYgyud0Cql-jCzmBr3ApAvbh2S-yB0vX0uzBQaOK-zUBnOPwykRJ0dKxTXKNOQQ/s1600/IMG_8958+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQrEbkHR1gYL60phu82zSI10qNooi58yRhC4yGfzcD4aEA_2dBcoYepE0l7v45ZiZYsCuy1cvZ-Lb0yYgyud0Cql-jCzmBr3ApAvbh2S-yB0vX0uzBQaOK-zUBnOPwykRJ0dKxTXKNOQQ/s640/IMG_8958+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24yQpq7XHExmMzgQC0F8K9VzB8N1BzIIY-8AHoKGNuHCLq3vZZhz4wfR5yw3hArMycG9YVOEWUn8hfWifb7zNrfX2QkT01iop5rKtLZF0G9zWn0QwTGty7w2Pp_kEjyR8PMlFRz3a3W7Z/s1600/IMG_8964+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24yQpq7XHExmMzgQC0F8K9VzB8N1BzIIY-8AHoKGNuHCLq3vZZhz4wfR5yw3hArMycG9YVOEWUn8hfWifb7zNrfX2QkT01iop5rKtLZF0G9zWn0QwTGty7w2Pp_kEjyR8PMlFRz3a3W7Z/s640/IMG_8964+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sfbSxBfSOERiOvJme0utd3RuhM5VKUa_zI_2vhzofGvfPX93oDvfJ5TBE5MzozST7_-xklFfdZe54YCFT5mvQjJq8Fz14cHtIp03NucIg3DfQmNR1dNr2Q36vGoGefMAiU-sZKEazjfn/s1600/IMG_8980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sfbSxBfSOERiOvJme0utd3RuhM5VKUa_zI_2vhzofGvfPX93oDvfJ5TBE5MzozST7_-xklFfdZe54YCFT5mvQjJq8Fz14cHtIp03NucIg3DfQmNR1dNr2Q36vGoGefMAiU-sZKEazjfn/s640/IMG_8980.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJBQu83SRGGR2OoRf0Ga8y7esoZj-tiLE8FioVjMeYaCj0yc-eCHVhKtapwKkqUmAw-kqIWqki9rj0H77eamxRnzC5XSjg-KIHnniar3Prmva3KXDOhiDpLQ10OP0qlDZ4QZ3LscL4sk2/s1600/IMG_9018+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJBQu83SRGGR2OoRf0Ga8y7esoZj-tiLE8FioVjMeYaCj0yc-eCHVhKtapwKkqUmAw-kqIWqki9rj0H77eamxRnzC5XSjg-KIHnniar3Prmva3KXDOhiDpLQ10OP0qlDZ4QZ3LscL4sk2/s640/IMG_9018+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-ap8PpIonkZB5574vzAsqvRJZl_1j5HU2SXRQAOnmNGuOqmbXHuwn-eLiPhSxxYZMnbXN7_88XWBwqK_hlCDwSfsz3m0eMQfwxIAKImlREb7Scmrn5SSPt7D6JayAgXAa6MKK3eVY0Dm/s1600/IMG_9019+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-ap8PpIonkZB5574vzAsqvRJZl_1j5HU2SXRQAOnmNGuOqmbXHuwn-eLiPhSxxYZMnbXN7_88XWBwqK_hlCDwSfsz3m0eMQfwxIAKImlREb7Scmrn5SSPt7D6JayAgXAa6MKK3eVY0Dm/s640/IMG_9019+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6EX6bg5qecccaV1ImgUsaMSbaXX7O1DRp7vKJSiykOHrA2e-Zh-QhRYp1uSE-IeSlhJpGlniSMpfciel9ZTgDQ4FaICNUVCvGqOtiuYyIfzoP6Uk_9Ls-GrS44DsVLNH0BUpFyiLMbTd/s1600/IMG_9020+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6EX6bg5qecccaV1ImgUsaMSbaXX7O1DRp7vKJSiykOHrA2e-Zh-QhRYp1uSE-IeSlhJpGlniSMpfciel9ZTgDQ4FaICNUVCvGqOtiuYyIfzoP6Uk_9Ls-GrS44DsVLNH0BUpFyiLMbTd/s640/IMG_9020+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ22xb7S_Um19UFTiybqriL8MSf1Ekl8XuR36oUq0uiF8pM9QG5DAmz6B0NNKltaAu_6U5z5ISyAkKE4N4epUcYydmzoBg7ynK2GM3v5SEhnCEQe2Gbuf2zQX63mtttHlTw6Fk6DOjZTM/s1600/IMG_9023+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ22xb7S_Um19UFTiybqriL8MSf1Ekl8XuR36oUq0uiF8pM9QG5DAmz6B0NNKltaAu_6U5z5ISyAkKE4N4epUcYydmzoBg7ynK2GM3v5SEhnCEQe2Gbuf2zQX63mtttHlTw6Fk6DOjZTM/s640/IMG_9023+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTRoovuv6XYxJI-0WSBkrMA0OhCENdjrfiOvZpjp1nkaMSajo9XOym8XEEgvXm2ZzIyjz-Ky-KeOI-rBQZ4bCxOjHWFCU21JsbSsANoQ0hI7AsiPqv10rx9EV0q0w3lnckctVIQtIMb2s/s1600/IMG_9025+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTRoovuv6XYxJI-0WSBkrMA0OhCENdjrfiOvZpjp1nkaMSajo9XOym8XEEgvXm2ZzIyjz-Ky-KeOI-rBQZ4bCxOjHWFCU21JsbSsANoQ0hI7AsiPqv10rx9EV0q0w3lnckctVIQtIMb2s/s640/IMG_9025+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xO7aEfM_QRSuAA3yPAKc9clxLrNtOb_K_-oRRVLrjmuVUVOzSeNgq0nEeAiaRXXGeP3OawlzpebiwQJnIQKpqPcyYoibPtWoTDYWWRnnetYFeq-EEPcU6ORCadrKPVPEMydh8ckSe0yw/s1600/IMG_9026+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xO7aEfM_QRSuAA3yPAKc9clxLrNtOb_K_-oRRVLrjmuVUVOzSeNgq0nEeAiaRXXGeP3OawlzpebiwQJnIQKpqPcyYoibPtWoTDYWWRnnetYFeq-EEPcU6ORCadrKPVPEMydh8ckSe0yw/s640/IMG_9026+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v-VhH5fFibK_TGvpegtWmn6gwz1TskfeTcAl-M6qLjoM56l6F_wI-x2wldMBYMu9Dv_1dzstSBJb8N2yNvE4rCTKUoDg8q4IUDsPu_mNQJ5rdeEdYCtIyG0WTX1i-Et6_GcN9K4zCQcm/s1600/IMG_9039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v-VhH5fFibK_TGvpegtWmn6gwz1TskfeTcAl-M6qLjoM56l6F_wI-x2wldMBYMu9Dv_1dzstSBJb8N2yNvE4rCTKUoDg8q4IUDsPu_mNQJ5rdeEdYCtIyG0WTX1i-Et6_GcN9K4zCQcm/s640/IMG_9039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VYzqGC3CTBkIXcFoj6Q_CTnZ7Gd5NiU1Mhift2cQ7TLK198VbaSmsHGYSwsw1Te2j_2mEsSJ4yfa1y97YQ68e9z-9ybRFDnZO5g7r1K5UVJ1nyeS3wGbkkz5C_Tnubiqzd6LBfIqbiri/s1600/IMG_9040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VYzqGC3CTBkIXcFoj6Q_CTnZ7Gd5NiU1Mhift2cQ7TLK198VbaSmsHGYSwsw1Te2j_2mEsSJ4yfa1y97YQ68e9z-9ybRFDnZO5g7r1K5UVJ1nyeS3wGbkkz5C_Tnubiqzd6LBfIqbiri/s640/IMG_9040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqWMXxHWg4HCul3WqhdoLK1sjUzHAOoeb5jp9kVVBwwnCbwGOdOAT41ZWnv0I9qmB6MVBQtdRVEXli4x5_c2_YoIGzdNEJY_jmyhZltKa_1N1e66xR2Asi29fcnWCqwNG26XBXvTv9x87/s1600/IMG_9049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqWMXxHWg4HCul3WqhdoLK1sjUzHAOoeb5jp9kVVBwwnCbwGOdOAT41ZWnv0I9qmB6MVBQtdRVEXli4x5_c2_YoIGzdNEJY_jmyhZltKa_1N1e66xR2Asi29fcnWCqwNG26XBXvTv9x87/s640/IMG_9049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
That was one amazing trip but I did miss this little girl!!!Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-29914387816783323482015-05-24T01:21:00.000-07:002016-03-29T10:10:20.991-07:0040th Birthday Party in Yosemite!<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white;">The talk of planning something epic for mine and Rhett's fortieth birthdays began a few months before the event. By default I have always been the trip planner. It's always a lot of work and a bit of pressure to plan something cool that is going to be worth everyone's valuable time. As a birthday present Roman took over as the planner for this trip. His skill as a planner singlehandedly inspired this blogpost.
We all wanted to do some climbing in Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows to be more specific. We set the date of May 1st and 2nd. When Roman realized we had a picked a weekend in which the roads would be closed, he didn't call off the trip like "normal people" would. After all the Dawn Patrol would be offended to be classified as "normal people." Instead he realized that the increased logistical challenges would likely give us the chance to have some ultra classic climbs to ourselves. </span><span style="color: white;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">This blogpost chronicles Roman's trip plans exactly. </span></pre>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRLhqlclcIeCoTiJybVofon4fQeUyb8WYX-H7_kw0kgjts7K4eKz31sUjnz72j86pGTqDfrtdNYZqSPzVimV5xi0oohP7LsNMc8BPwfUsru13hIv8seW1sBwiJetFzVIlRKrm3-QeobN4/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRLhqlclcIeCoTiJybVofon4fQeUyb8WYX-H7_kw0kgjts7K4eKz31sUjnz72j86pGTqDfrtdNYZqSPzVimV5xi0oohP7LsNMc8BPwfUsru13hIv8seW1sBwiJetFzVIlRKrm3-QeobN4/s400/IMG_5953.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">I want you to come climbing for my 40th in Tuolumne Meadows!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Rig and I left Rancho Cucamonga a little after 9 pm on Thursday night with backpacking gear, climbing gear, bikes and a bike trailer. The rest of the team had left Salt Lake about five hours earlier with all the same gear. We both arrived at the closed gate to Yosemite's east boundary at about 3 am. We were surprised to see a park ranger's truck outside the gate and a light on inside the cabin next to the gate. We had hoped to sleep a little at the gate before starting a big day but the park was still closed to both cars and bikes from that side and we couldn't risk a ranger shutting down our plans before they even got started. So we drove back down the road 2 miles until we found a parking lot, got all the gear loaded up and started into the park on bike around 4 am. </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FW0l0PjLkHIQNEfBy553JBq3TohKSyIYF87s9D4hhMTbwPZfV4ZERmVo8sY4TakSH8NF6JBtOBwTr-YheBMBHkf-C2l0exTRIoTDxidQ64Mvhc67Vo7R8pzmjkhMrVZPdmSg3P3yvt3I/s1600/2012-11-23-number-1-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FW0l0PjLkHIQNEfBy553JBq3TohKSyIYF87s9D4hhMTbwPZfV4ZERmVo8sY4TakSH8NF6JBtOBwTr-YheBMBHkf-C2l0exTRIoTDxidQ64Mvhc67Vo7R8pzmjkhMrVZPdmSg3P3yvt3I/s1600/2012-11-23-number-1-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FW0l0PjLkHIQNEfBy553JBq3TohKSyIYF87s9D4hhMTbwPZfV4ZERmVo8sY4TakSH8NF6JBtOBwTr-YheBMBHkf-C2l0exTRIoTDxidQ64Mvhc67Vo7R8pzmjkhMrVZPdmSg3P3yvt3I/s320/2012-11-23-number-1-light.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white;">When we got about a quarter mile from the gate </span><span style="color: white;">we extinguished the headlamps and went under the cover of night. Let's face it breaking </span><span style="color: white;">rules is exciting. It definitely felt cool sneaking our bikes and gear around the gates. Once we were in we had 8 miles of all downhill to Tuolumne Meadows. As we whipped down the steep canyon road, I think every single one of us winced at least once as we thought of what the ride out would be like. It was a frigid ride in as we rarely pedaled but it was exhilarating. We kept looking at each other and saying "Can you believe we are doing this? Sneaking into Yosemite?" </span></span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"> </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We got to Tuolumne meadows right as it was getting light. It was just as we had hoped, completely deserted. The gas station and visitor centers were still boarded up for the winter. There was a set of port-a-johns that must had just been placed for the summer because not one of them had ever been used. They were cleaner than any of our toilettes at home. We each took the unique opportunity to break one in. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviMhhG94I7Dp6FrlP3wDkewH3FDw9qHx8VWFoZVfZD3uiHJg5C515ybHmbRKcEGZbm3eDdNf7YXxjGO4Ai9_hDx-QOIRed2v4wAOE8y5j88qu2Q6QdEnbJYgwrSc__gihFlUOSZOEinT8/s1600/IMG_6095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviMhhG94I7Dp6FrlP3wDkewH3FDw9qHx8VWFoZVfZD3uiHJg5C515ybHmbRKcEGZbm3eDdNf7YXxjGO4Ai9_hDx-QOIRed2v4wAOE8y5j88qu2Q6QdEnbJYgwrSc__gihFlUOSZOEinT8/s640/IMG_6095.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
We found a river bed to stash the bikes in, checked Roman's GPS to verify we were at the right trailhead and started towards our first objective, Cathedral Peak.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnLpyLfBqYWIn2bmFp1dopF6l_tg_o-R7qugtynh6nesK7rZF2ay1Xa_N18uV6BgaKePcVU8nf7mhnDSJEWTIsjduwZMQU2G2Bto-cUccg-xW1g5_mDxAhC9wSrM3phTokvrMNfXUfyn6/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+7+15+12+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnLpyLfBqYWIn2bmFp1dopF6l_tg_o-R7qugtynh6nesK7rZF2ay1Xa_N18uV6BgaKePcVU8nf7mhnDSJEWTIsjduwZMQU2G2Bto-cUccg-xW1g5_mDxAhC9wSrM3phTokvrMNfXUfyn6/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+7+15+12+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">It was a perfect morning. We hiked as the sun rose, occasionally stopping to take pictures of the stunning surroundings. It only could have been a better morning if Rigdon was big enough to carry his own share of the gear. Since he wasn't my pack ended up being about 80 pounds. I carried it about half way and then dared Roman to carry it for a while. </span></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHNsVfVXruJZOyP3FtgDg9J3bAU7DcCsiHooGwRyjpOgQvv3n3jYK8N0eLFPF1mp5tW8oABiCPso1C4_ew8YA1LvMwWYl8Ry3Ri2Wxc2Wfpi5dlZMSPud5aBz6laigHWnRnm7J_HtN4Bb/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+8+00+29+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHNsVfVXruJZOyP3FtgDg9J3bAU7DcCsiHooGwRyjpOgQvv3n3jYK8N0eLFPF1mp5tW8oABiCPso1C4_ew8YA1LvMwWYl8Ry3Ri2Wxc2Wfpi5dlZMSPud5aBz6laigHWnRnm7J_HtN4Bb/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+8+00+29+AM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">"Hey Roman how would you like to try walking a mile in my shoes or at least a mile with my pack." That was sheer genius on my part because that led to everyone carrying my pack for a while and I never had to put it on again until it was time to pack it out. We hiked the 4 miles in a leisurely 2 hours. </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXWtGMXMECcl_Z12E06DlJK_DrObBDuXT_bz0xMXx9Vi5IbRDSThMaJTq-M_nfj_-t3XJaEpt6xLKG_rM3jGZpnC3YTlZIYrUHZoxRDX0IdifWsR7lNXdyEXnlGyTPedUeBmUxkMOKMRx/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+8+08+10+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXWtGMXMECcl_Z12E06DlJK_DrObBDuXT_bz0xMXx9Vi5IbRDSThMaJTq-M_nfj_-t3XJaEpt6xLKG_rM3jGZpnC3YTlZIYrUHZoxRDX0IdifWsR7lNXdyEXnlGyTPedUeBmUxkMOKMRx/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+8+08+10+AM.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The scenery is a lot prettier with a lighter pack. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">That put us at the base of Cathedral at 8ish. We set up camp and everyone took a nap except for me and Bram. Looking up at the perfect granite face of Cathedral and seeing no one around made me too pumped to be able to sleep. </span></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvGtcaFYUlOiYPqFFntafvWqvtxjX0JBfOfcvCBf5C2WILcDXS2xWcTkz1vkdhrLbV9laruH-Tzpyq5A2COpXOEoO4rreo_96EdFTs6FiL39bP5EtTaPE-_l9iBozzVZFwoL0pshV-C2l/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></a></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUAiXr8Gebi40nW38Ne76BSyOqBjgoLl6nO_XflcLnUsu9HRCQvRxEVExYpoUUCGdYBKUWBEK8QgCjI7fJm12DEMpxPJyZF32UEF3H8ba0RM7rGatfJsK7xoEmZR0HXGK6-Npc5ZAuUA/s1600/IMG_6142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUAiXr8Gebi40nW38Ne76BSyOqBjgoLl6nO_XflcLnUsu9HRCQvRxEVExYpoUUCGdYBKUWBEK8QgCjI7fJm12DEMpxPJyZF32UEF3H8ba0RM7rGatfJsK7xoEmZR0HXGK6-Npc5ZAuUA/s640/IMG_6142.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Roman and Rhett racked and ready!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">In a recent survey done by Mountain Project they found Cathedral Peak to be one of the most popular climbs in America. Bram and I woke everyone up at 10. We racked up and started climbing around 11 with not a single soul in site. </span></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ezHQNJzbxqqFlZuquKfBkVyQgV1vMeaYgLUFdnXwYHQIQItX17BF6iuPW96CuGqYdwLgHyfafyW6_Iv6uIMUOoKs6CFesQvCJ7Bm_z8eetICMXlpfql1fZTPbEH0z7z3tsrPe2w3h__F/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+12+39+55+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ezHQNJzbxqqFlZuquKfBkVyQgV1vMeaYgLUFdnXwYHQIQItX17BF6iuPW96CuGqYdwLgHyfafyW6_Iv6uIMUOoKs6CFesQvCJ7Bm_z8eetICMXlpfql1fZTPbEH0z7z3tsrPe2w3h__F/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+12+39+55+PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Starting up the first pitch.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIKyrgTIFPtfPfWdiVN0gtHBwXfQ2E6TEyZcRItE6NoF5JvRhq8enXH90kDHNqXAFP7mqlcvNl2axbWCs6QfEdLhapjfwULsngvlc2dyGa5hm3BFmfxl3sDtlcDmbAIJwzkfPQA-orP9y/s1600/IMG_5894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIKyrgTIFPtfPfWdiVN0gtHBwXfQ2E6TEyZcRItE6NoF5JvRhq8enXH90kDHNqXAFP7mqlcvNl2axbWCs6QfEdLhapjfwULsngvlc2dyGa5hm3BFmfxl3sDtlcDmbAIJwzkfPQA-orP9y/s640/IMG_5894.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Belay ledge selfie.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zh7fEetabaoHg6EON2e7p0L9OUInvZr3h4EsRYkdRMrBB2v-Q3fU-Ed0FznApbowNSBWkQOSVy4McgDHbQRLae1sG-j7CwDDHtnZ2WHlESOMQI3RshtaG7L6Cu3shd-40Nf8H5TRunBl/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zh7fEetabaoHg6EON2e7p0L9OUInvZr3h4EsRYkdRMrBB2v-Q3fU-Ed0FznApbowNSBWkQOSVy4McgDHbQRLae1sG-j7CwDDHtnZ2WHlESOMQI3RshtaG7L6Cu3shd-40Nf8H5TRunBl/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Rig pointing out tomorrow's objective. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmrwNrrLjGNKo4zXvhOWEGmr3tuACFWBQXApU8A52YKet01G2R7_h-T0B5_W_p3fMjccwZfbGch73KHDV3r3YEDDn4G_xfudyZ92dhB1j_D-C34o6U1_ns_jGiDU0s6Qfvy4PeC9QyG4i/s1600/IMG_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmrwNrrLjGNKo4zXvhOWEGmr3tuACFWBQXApU8A52YKet01G2R7_h-T0B5_W_p3fMjccwZfbGch73KHDV3r3YEDDn4G_xfudyZ92dhB1j_D-C34o6U1_ns_jGiDU0s6Qfvy4PeC9QyG4i/s640/IMG_5928.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL8MpADK0zwZkTFJWP8k6bBth5yV7tDJ-km1HBL74K-B7K2fhTYJQAPtW0O_xHBelHLd8z0YLIz3ruJeEXuFYq9tQ256f-Wd55zKVCWcVlAo_sw04v90WC24Nrk2Rco6X03K4EgkfAo4W/s640/IMG_5873.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Rig brought his A game. I put him in a couple of spots that were a bit more difficult than the grade but he managed just fine.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL8MpADK0zwZkTFJWP8k6bBth5yV7tDJ-km1HBL74K-B7K2fhTYJQAPtW0O_xHBelHLd8z0YLIz3ruJeEXuFYq9tQ256f-Wd55zKVCWcVlAo_sw04v90WC24Nrk2Rco6X03K4EgkfAo4W/s1600/IMG_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWN9nUIG1lKDwbdw7LUWB_G21MWcKp50MgTLBccqZosUewFX3SK79GpfHHpcHyRKgJpb1dL__HPX72nPdMzcpOgsNa2GZ4n01ojtkIZRcrBP2w4K3JF7D-JPXitbwZ9I7Ie42BVqxvf68/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+2+59+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWN9nUIG1lKDwbdw7LUWB_G21MWcKp50MgTLBccqZosUewFX3SK79GpfHHpcHyRKgJpb1dL__HPX72nPdMzcpOgsNa2GZ4n01ojtkIZRcrBP2w4K3JF7D-JPXitbwZ9I7Ie42BVqxvf68/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+2+59+10+PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The climbing was spectacular. Six full pitches of impeccable granite with a couple of very epic belay ledges and an amazing summit that was only about 4 feet in diameter. I smiled the whole way up and never once felt like I was dragging from being up for 36 straight hours. </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LUahzs94Az7VMS78vnCsittM9eKqbilIhtuw5T7ND3-XriHErtFKsb0FsEBTOpY_DpoSYl4b7oopjWFBSlEjLOXrksgLrjQbrab1KO1IL0d8TVxc4l5vBpeNl4ls3J5i0d0txqd0nLF_/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+6+10+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LUahzs94Az7VMS78vnCsittM9eKqbilIhtuw5T7ND3-XriHErtFKsb0FsEBTOpY_DpoSYl4b7oopjWFBSlEjLOXrksgLrjQbrab1KO1IL0d8TVxc4l5vBpeNl4ls3J5i0d0txqd0nLF_/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+6+10+29+PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Wayne on the summit block.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1bKGwG-TamLWwH2ln80g6v1hpejU8uecAFsn9b23WxhdnQJbmOSg76iITSxe2lNdsP-y_3HhSxWfBu7EIpNor4JOoVsZMN_jmJEnw129crIZsUyVTYhKz4j0XIagibt8wNUw2mZSMAfK/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+7+03+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1bKGwG-TamLWwH2ln80g6v1hpejU8uecAFsn9b23WxhdnQJbmOSg76iITSxe2lNdsP-y_3HhSxWfBu7EIpNor4JOoVsZMN_jmJEnw129crIZsUyVTYhKz4j0XIagibt8wNUw2mZSMAfK/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+7+03+05+PM.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Ain't no way I was leaving this picture out! Stoic brother, stoic! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We had originally hoped to nab Eichorn's Pinnacle and we had plenty of time but the snow made </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphKhfLNPTRvb5bPLW5rGuydqsQEpsI7jF33PBedaRfcmTK2AVxBmRBA9R_OMmp4fgfwaAc0ORQXOrRYRz1KYls1D15ERmSSA2QIYvyIe2OgO3fFoebg359u_sHnN04iEtUMfoNldbdk8O/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+7+05+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphKhfLNPTRvb5bPLW5rGuydqsQEpsI7jF33PBedaRfcmTK2AVxBmRBA9R_OMmp4fgfwaAc0ORQXOrRYRz1KYls1D15ERmSSA2QIYvyIe2OgO3fFoebg359u_sHnN04iEtUMfoNldbdk8O/s320/Photo+May+01%252C+7+05+03+PM.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bram on the summit looking towards Eichorn.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
the traverse over sketchy and without crampons we decided it wasn't wise to try.
</span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We did one rappel that probably wouldn't have been needed without snow and then had an easy hike back to camp.
Rig and I shared a mountain house and I then had the best night of sleep I have ever had in the backcountry. I think it was mostly due to my sleep debt but also in part to the new sleep pad that Bram got me for Christmas. </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TgSnGBqKxJNIGofPqWkf4dgK2tLKOg7uds2WKrCHNKgx0SbMdOqt5bIBd0inc7dKejXQvHV_pGelObF7WrR-_SNwQLIYfWO28ac3qEFUE8S4VEM2gS4XxWcz9EMJLuTLzkKQClxPyyh0/s1600/Photo+May+01%252C+7+01+26+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TgSnGBqKxJNIGofPqWkf4dgK2tLKOg7uds2WKrCHNKgx0SbMdOqt5bIBd0inc7dKejXQvHV_pGelObF7WrR-_SNwQLIYfWO28ac3qEFUE8S4VEM2gS4XxWcz9EMJLuTLzkKQClxPyyh0/s640/Photo+May+01%252C+7+01+26+PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">That helmet of Bram's has seen many a technical peak.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "times"; line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavlFPZH1AlY5UKlMCprmJpJNFyjz1wSGNtFaJycn7QdC02cYeMk4TFaW4Z416Kmp1BTqItR3nUyyVf9n3xvGuVNATEm-ByXdKNxzX-E68zJqEtX7ZrdzhAdslW_yzpLyEbIq04MosxWS2/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavlFPZH1AlY5UKlMCprmJpJNFyjz1wSGNtFaJycn7QdC02cYeMk4TFaW4Z416Kmp1BTqItR3nUyyVf9n3xvGuVNATEm-ByXdKNxzX-E68zJqEtX7ZrdzhAdslW_yzpLyEbIq04MosxWS2/s640/IMG_6071.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">With Cathedral Peak conquered, the team was on to Matthes Crest.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We woke up at 6ish the next morning. Re-racked the gear and headed out. </span></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-Cw10pLscHWneAJlTls3rWI-ty6YOZSYk4a-_MggHrzC-umlR2VpKfSgyfohxmUmz_G479bjF79_mSmxkCR2RlFjKSbOxONtvkQjW7wWwMfYToKavajjLnUQizYnZLCudZIbSL637t8N/s1600/IMG_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-Cw10pLscHWneAJlTls3rWI-ty6YOZSYk4a-_MggHrzC-umlR2VpKfSgyfohxmUmz_G479bjF79_mSmxkCR2RlFjKSbOxONtvkQjW7wWwMfYToKavajjLnUQizYnZLCudZIbSL637t8N/s640/IMG_6066.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">After a full night's sleep I was feeling about as good as any 40 year old can.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXZX2bltD4I045MycQpnBvis7kqWnrSqAKSeF50jcB6SNDikGs1T1oIubplai_UA6Ap27_F4x5LjQy_GeGeP0KZGT5QJLlRnj-RYEwbDZEXB2ef31PV8Z3oaRrFNTwN-X62Eep0SfFlzE/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+10+53+10+AM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">It felt like there were enough features in Tuolumne to keep climbers busy for a life time. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web regular" , "segoe ui symbol" , "helvetica neue" , "bbalpha sans" , "s60 sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">The hike over had plenty of awesome scenery and picture opts. </span></span></span></pre>
<pre><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj0v3AbD6rqX9wDLpSJCxiGtLLAVUNw-YAxsXDKPXtgTEG65cqnp_50vOOeE-gC4iYEXQLO4QQD6egefGabYQrVhGj7-FB_pzB-N1vXSI4rX_qvsMP2dOeX4D_FZ1vcE8Br4xWlF_kioV/s1600/IMG_6096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj0v3AbD6rqX9wDLpSJCxiGtLLAVUNw-YAxsXDKPXtgTEG65cqnp_50vOOeE-gC4iYEXQLO4QQD6egefGabYQrVhGj7-FB_pzB-N1vXSI4rX_qvsMP2dOeX4D_FZ1vcE8Br4xWlF_kioV/s640/IMG_6096.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">If it seems like there is an overabundance of myself in the pictures that's just because the full </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">body orange suit photographs really well. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web regular" , "segoe ui symbol" , "helvetica neue" , "bbalpha sans" , "s60 sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: white;">When we started to near the base of Matthes we realized that we were going to have some snow issues to get onto the rock. We had only brought three pairs of crampons between the six of us. Three of us went up and then passed the crampons back on a rope to the other three. </span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlPaQ8QSIoUUdlaRZlhYvKIiFyttcxVhgUfqTIoPmVX7LyWa-9ZX2ZMPHnP5aiyT4iAQVJFlBf4DWm5SoB05ZY8UPJcT5-yIN7X4FsI_v1O6bGEFTsLK7Om3B5_KKudYc9wka8-i6IFcE/s1600/IMG_5982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc7Z493nB6LdeOQlSD0pdCigScs00dxQFo-aSfsEMqIKJ7LL6cuZszKByGovQfghb28fB4XDDKWuhwctmUcSRlVotrQluefHRqfHJXrqPffc_2AvzB2YW-8MDC_0c4V1VpdvX6VDfsa4K/s1600/IMG_6073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc7Z493nB6LdeOQlSD0pdCigScs00dxQFo-aSfsEMqIKJ7LL6cuZszKByGovQfghb28fB4XDDKWuhwctmUcSRlVotrQluefHRqfHJXrqPffc_2AvzB2YW-8MDC_0c4V1VpdvX6VDfsa4K/s640/IMG_6073.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Now tell me the orange pants weren't worth 16 bucks. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We thought we had identified the start of Matthes but after one pitch of dirty loose rock it was obvious we were not on route. Rig and I climbed up an arête next to Wayne and Roman. Rig and I's route was more difficult than anything we had climbed the day before on Cathedral. </span></pre>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlPaQ8QSIoUUdlaRZlhYvKIiFyttcxVhgUfqTIoPmVX7LyWa-9ZX2ZMPHnP5aiyT4iAQVJFlBf4DWm5SoB05ZY8UPJcT5-yIN7X4FsI_v1O6bGEFTsLK7Om3B5_KKudYc9wka8-i6IFcE/s640/IMG_5982.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Rig with some gritty climbing ahead of him.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web regular" , "segoe ui symbol" , "helvetica neue" , "bbalpha sans" , "s60 sans" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: white;">The first two pitches were more stressful than anything we had done the day before.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPGl9mlbNGoQNzkX_ajjWaznVAMbfROSxHl4tqrrfro2TZDIvimemAJK7YpGJJC20K2kVDVGEqRd_GVe3kFyl32i2K589fG7QIsgX7sCBY6irTVez9pkJL90lvefoESoYuhAYaCQwmM9R/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+3+54+19+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPGl9mlbNGoQNzkX_ajjWaznVAMbfROSxHl4tqrrfro2TZDIvimemAJK7YpGJJC20K2kVDVGEqRd_GVe3kFyl32i2K589fG7QIsgX7sCBY6irTVez9pkJL90lvefoESoYuhAYaCQwmM9R/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+3+54+19+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPGl9mlbNGoQNzkX_ajjWaznVAMbfROSxHl4tqrrfro2TZDIvimemAJK7YpGJJC20K2kVDVGEqRd_GVe3kFyl32i2K589fG7QIsgX7sCBY6irTVez9pkJL90lvefoESoYuhAYaCQwmM9R/s640/Photo+May+02%252C+3+54+19+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">After three pitches we were on top of the crest. </span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web regular" , "segoe ui symbol" , "helvetica neue" , "bbalpha sans" , "s60 sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; white-space: normal;">We simul-climbed the whole traverse. A few times I felt like racking the rope and soloing in the interest of time but we were prudent and stayed roped up. </span></span></span></pre>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY9xbAEPr8EBpHlgiE-fcFmefwMOY3HxETskZXx4mTLW3697Cs3GeoQYHPxW84ist-xt0lg7VkXF8-akfno5_zegpgk2L2ZD6dbdWQu8sJLNsRC0Nf0_-ANFIWsbs29TIkkzs9lnpFaDO/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+4+51+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY9xbAEPr8EBpHlgiE-fcFmefwMOY3HxETskZXx4mTLW3697Cs3GeoQYHPxW84ist-xt0lg7VkXF8-akfno5_zegpgk2L2ZD6dbdWQu8sJLNsRC0Nf0_-ANFIWsbs29TIkkzs9lnpFaDO/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+4+51+03+PM.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Now for the fun part, the long exposed traverse. (Wayne on lead)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span></pre>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzfjhUZ3r9lr9VLCDZ4W1hjzGgPbU6M_uAvJeYtLjkr_ePMtaDPAny7uFu7WSiWBESmaAnq3gI4ei_EkoEQhr82FLR4KArk7Co7q5i1wQDrZS1adMiH8X0a12SjvaojoBG9YJtEPbdSXL/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Rig on one of the parts I was glad we were roped up for.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
<br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6X3YmmkBdB78q_zPn3hXb7h9IqRu1iUySlRzFT5o5DFCAVuqjyTu6Kmy7o9sCNXqHM_vq1Zxp9YY42nAiPwD6j-eo1ortwkW0EMbw1AsNxdirWEdtJaraqecJKdJwbk_eub93ck0A7KW/s1600/IMG_6075.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The traverse had a couple of awkward down climbs but nothing too bad. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6X3YmmkBdB78q_zPn3hXb7h9IqRu1iUySlRzFT5o5DFCAVuqjyTu6Kmy7o9sCNXqHM_vq1Zxp9YY42nAiPwD6j-eo1ortwkW0EMbw1AsNxdirWEdtJaraqecJKdJwbk_eub93ck0A7KW/s1600/IMG_6075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphWnqYa1elZ81_S1vxDQxls4tMGO0YepjlWLIr7dXVi0Cz3fE_pm5w9iN_a5RmnVmexBF8ysokMoOluawTmLNhYiHQ6UVsAzLBUSRPbi5i2kc_uOrdH527WFflAE2NgeBQy4H5WTC6Fv6/s1600/IMG_6036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Sunset between the notch of the North and South Summits. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphWnqYa1elZ81_S1vxDQxls4tMGO0YepjlWLIr7dXVi0Cz3fE_pm5w9iN_a5RmnVmexBF8ysokMoOluawTmLNhYiHQ6UVsAzLBUSRPbi5i2kc_uOrdH527WFflAE2NgeBQy4H5WTC6Fv6/s1600/IMG_6036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm088QkBRZ-rRPsfjBWn0VgX59HiYIsPZnlxkuCEpiLq0Aa0qyx8Xw-yU_7E5rZ8OFPDXPlJSC_c7gwWO9lsJXalB3tWxE-YBKuk2kEZhqfDT-rsr_oYW3tGQ4zWfOVruamfnmtYCXKA1j/s640/IMG_6047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Racing the sun to see who could get down first. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm088QkBRZ-rRPsfjBWn0VgX59HiYIsPZnlxkuCEpiLq0Aa0qyx8Xw-yU_7E5rZ8OFPDXPlJSC_c7gwWO9lsJXalB3tWxE-YBKuk2kEZhqfDT-rsr_oYW3tGQ4zWfOVruamfnmtYCXKA1j/s1600/IMG_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white;"></span><span style="color: white;">We hiked back to our camp by Cathedral Peak in the dark. We arrived back around 10 pm. Rig and I had hoped to get a text off to Sara and tell her not to expect us to be home until later the next day but we never got a cell signal. Previously I had told Sara we would probably get off the mountain very late that night and not to worry unless she hadn't heard from me by morning. No one else had been as optimistic about getting off that night. Everyone tried to talk Rig and I into staying another night and hiking out with them in the morning but when you have a track record like I do you don't do anything that might cause your wife any undue stress if you can prevent it. I knew she would be very worried come morning, which really left me and Rig with no option but to get to the car and drive to somewhere we could send a text that night. It was going to mean a long night. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We ate a hot meal and cleaned up camp. By the time we we're all packed up to hike out it was 11:15. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wisqp-_EwE5Lska9O7TXd8fN_X2c1jAgeBz0KOeM3HcxLF9digblo_cosN-lD694X7Xw_pv9A1h0DEaB6pVCdOvgH91_JjF7kD9eeF_Z82SmjX-eQ8Rt2Cpp_-f3vHYpUoCMLJxAZN9g/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wisqp-_EwE5Lska9O7TXd8fN_X2c1jAgeBz0KOeM3HcxLF9digblo_cosN-lD694X7Xw_pv9A1h0DEaB6pVCdOvgH91_JjF7kD9eeF_Z82SmjX-eQ8Rt2Cpp_-f3vHYpUoCMLJxAZN9g/s400/IMG_6050.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Bram insisted on taking this pick before we set out.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white;">We lost the trail quite a few times in the dark and backtracked to find it, but when we lost it the last time and I knew we were close to the road we decided to just head north and walk until we hit the road. We found the road no problem. The problem was that we didn't know where we were on the road so we didn't know which way to hike to find our bikes. We went with my gut instinct which was of course wrong. We walked for 10 minutes before I realized it was wrong and then we had to walk the ten minutes back plus another five until we found the port a potties which was our landmark to find the bikes. In the back of my mind I kept wondering if maybe a ranger had caught onto us, found our bikes and confiscated them. It was a pretty</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">irrational fear but in the middle of night my mind has imagined fears much more irrational than that. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk2z7A1e_UMgF1i0n9OgvWvmCnz_tP8p5BwrVjLMrQEsvWO8hZ4HtU7onZFsfPF2enkr_g6YMokutl9-6_u1E8LT5vcKNCK1gVCR35aeDcE5G-e3SsZMyf2xBOwjp06D_IZ7jmVisSUzP/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk2z7A1e_UMgF1i0n9OgvWvmCnz_tP8p5BwrVjLMrQEsvWO8hZ4HtU7onZFsfPF2enkr_g6YMokutl9-6_u1E8LT5vcKNCK1gVCR35aeDcE5G-e3SsZMyf2xBOwjp06D_IZ7jmVisSUzP/s400/IMG_6054.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The bikes were exactly where we had left them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">It was now 1:00 am and we still had the horrendous 8 mile bike ride that was going to gain 2000 feet and between mine and Rigs packs I was towing close to 100 pounds of gear. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9wmQKw-ZQOjPOTO3nAqAqQmqF_WKoci7LGWG1zh7TVUu7XLmDB-JqoKYw6W38moWp5bVeZmGoTFws71ao0QVw-mK6rszz9Tr-u_5W7aiQAlpiPW5Pk3l4U9gzbG0Gwb0RTPljqdASEE/s1600/IMG_6059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_9wmQKw-ZQOjPOTO3nAqAqQmqF_WKoci7LGWG1zh7TVUu7XLmDB-JqoKYw6W38moWp5bVeZmGoTFws71ao0QVw-mK6rszz9Tr-u_5W7aiQAlpiPW5Pk3l4U9gzbG0Gwb0RTPljqdASEE/s400/IMG_6059.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk2z7A1e_UMgF1i0n9OgvWvmCnz_tP8p5BwrVjLMrQEsvWO8hZ4HtU7onZFsfPF2enkr_g6YMokutl9-6_u1E8LT5vcKNCK1gVCR35aeDcE5G-e3SsZMyf2xBOwjp06D_IZ7jmVisSUzP/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">It was going to be a punisher. Rig would be graduating from Dawn Patrol before he had even finished the eighth grade. What really made it impressive was he did it without a single complaint. After about 2 more miserable hours in which I pushed my bike a lot more than I rode it, we finally got to the gate again. We silently celebrated and snuck around it. It was two easy miles of down hill from there. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Wisqp-_EwE5Lska9O7TXd8fN_X2c1jAgeBz0KOeM3HcxLF9digblo_cosN-lD694X7Xw_pv9A1h0DEaB6pVCdOvgH91_JjF7kD9eeF_Z82SmjX-eQ8Rt2Cpp_-f3vHYpUoCMLJxAZN9g/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #444444; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">We arrived at the car at about 3:00 am. It only took us 15 frigid minutes to rack the bikes and load the gear. We drove straight to the 24 hour McDonalds in Bishop and sent a text to Sara at 4:25 am. She responded to it immediately and I knew it was a darn good thing we hiked out. We drove straight home getting back to Rancho Cucamonga by 8:40 am and practically to 9:00 church on time. I didn't even need the can of 5 hour energy Wayne had lent me. A Coke and sunflower seeds was all the energy drink I needed. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">In our two days in Yosemite we did two of the most iconic alpine climbs the park has to offer and didn't see one single person, not even a ranger, actually especially not a ranger. Nice planning Roman! Consider yourself commissioned to plan my 50th and all the ones in-between. </span></div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-81748804048902733552014-03-12T09:53:00.000-07:002014-05-29T00:05:52.384-07:00Bram The ManFor 20 plus years now I have been blessed to have the best friend a guy could ever ask for. I wish I got to spend more time with him but given our distance we do as well as we can. He is as selfless as he is adventurous and as fun as he is humble. Guys don't come any better than Jared Bramwell. For his birthday I am sharing one of my favorite stories of the Brammer. <br />
<br />
Both of us being adventure seekers at heart, we spent many high school and college nights looking for trouble and usual finding it, but on this specific occasion it found us, and we were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I swear. <br />
<br />
It was Christmas break at BYU and the roads were a snowy mess. I was only recently dating Sara. She had gone home for the break and I had been left with the charge of her beloved 86 Jetta.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlXv5vnQ2dgV8CUUNtc1Jgh1Xkpste9UWabB51xaoq3tSu_m-D2V1N-IIRxaY10rYcalrChJRdvQhM-TLoJ060X8G7lIu3ngQkRUF5EPw5TG53hHrJ8aGi2Q24myaauS9ohJPDAjiNqD/s1600/snow+jetta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlXv5vnQ2dgV8CUUNtc1Jgh1Xkpste9UWabB51xaoq3tSu_m-D2V1N-IIRxaY10rYcalrChJRdvQhM-TLoJ060X8G7lIu3ngQkRUF5EPw5TG53hHrJ8aGi2Q24myaauS9ohJPDAjiNqD/s1600/snow+jetta.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I had taken Bram, my other two roommates, and Roman to the mall to do some Christmas shopping. We were returning on the snowy roads to our house near UVU. To get to our place you had to go down a steep road and make a left hand turn from that steep road onto our street. When it was snowing, navigating that turn could be tricky and sometimes you would end up having to go all the way down the road and turn around at the bottom and head back up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOuMXGI38b4hD648H-9NOylPaWzksELFQNeWUVRU2ExeAmuh1pk3pwv6gKoBwVG6a4i2hLzD_srWFMvll7aFWH44DNcs_ownAO7L26Bj1NMJiryPnITEBh8stxIaBM_vz7JOnaLNLY9Uw/s1600/Mk3_Jetta_VR6_Snow_Fun_-_Semi_Drifting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOuMXGI38b4hD648H-9NOylPaWzksELFQNeWUVRU2ExeAmuh1pk3pwv6gKoBwVG6a4i2hLzD_srWFMvll7aFWH44DNcs_ownAO7L26Bj1NMJiryPnITEBh8stxIaBM_vz7JOnaLNLY9Uw/s1600/Mk3_Jetta_VR6_Snow_Fun_-_Semi_Drifting.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I got to the hill in question, I tried to slowly creep down it hoping I could make the left hand turn and avoid going to the bottom and back up. There was a car behind me that for whatever reason found my slow driving too conservative, and as a result was driving very close to me. <br />
<br />
The order of the following events isn't known exactly by either Bram or myself, but at some point either the car behind us started to honk and that inspired the middle finger from our back seat passengers or the middle finger from our back seat passengers came out and that inspired the honking from the car behind us. Bram and I will never know what came first. It doesn't really matter. What is to be noted, is that regardless of when the flipping off happened, it wasn't done by me or Bram and therefore we maintain our innocence. <br />
<br />
I heard the honking and was a little perturbed but not to the point of blinding road rage, however the driver behind me saw the finger and was perturbed to the point of blinding road rage. I got to the bottom of the hill and started to pull off the road so I could flip a u-turn and head back up. Until this point I had no idea that someone in my vehicle had flipped anyone off, but I should have caught a hint because as the guy behind us drove by he yelled some belittling words and left us with an open challenge. I will still claim that I am not a guy who went around starting fights and I really am not much of hot head, but I rarely walked away from a fight either.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGChaFlCFyXJja-oCZ4F59ptoFYFfIvcSe9OAve2mPQJJT2XJVHcADlVi8ekSTPkfj7ogTrl6SmFkX-_pZBgcYat723tR_s-c9U-67uciTKv6LRlvB61o5h5rbwd0NURymhcAY8m4CZgh/s1600/6a00d83453c98769e2019b0243b59f970b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGChaFlCFyXJja-oCZ4F59ptoFYFfIvcSe9OAve2mPQJJT2XJVHcADlVi8ekSTPkfj7ogTrl6SmFkX-_pZBgcYat723tR_s-c9U-67uciTKv6LRlvB61o5h5rbwd0NURymhcAY8m4CZgh/s1600/6a00d83453c98769e2019b0243b59f970b.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As he drove his teal Saturn coupe past us, I made a quick assessment of the situation. It was difficult to see through the snowy windows but he appeared to only have a girl riding shot gun with him. There were five guys in my car, granted they were not the first five guys I would pick if I was going in to a street fight, but still five beats one every time. (In Roman's defense he was only 14 at the time.) <br />
<br />
His car pulled off the road about 100 feet in front of ours. I didn't have time to consult with Bram, he was already getting out of the car. I jumped out pretty confident. First of all we had the numbers heavily in our favor but second of all we were fighting a guy in a teal Saturn. Again I liked our chances. We parked right next to an elementary school and we moved into the parking lot to await our challenger. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-n1ke3WYb3QZZTkBqnJgykm-QxjVvNb-0h_38SYrQt6HlA7NiWfZV55hx0T3I60xnxYkzpEoAUI_uyin_wOw0VwSy6bZHIsllnMCP8jxf1e-8ftbjehv1Hhp9jj6da356LP7XFbNdRBw/s1600/saturn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-n1ke3WYb3QZZTkBqnJgykm-QxjVvNb-0h_38SYrQt6HlA7NiWfZV55hx0T3I60xnxYkzpEoAUI_uyin_wOw0VwSy6bZHIsllnMCP8jxf1e-8ftbjehv1Hhp9jj6da356LP7XFbNdRBw/s1600/saturn.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe the car was his girlfriends but it was not very intimidating that's for sure. </div>
<br />
When the guy jumped out of the car I was greatly surprised by what I saw. He was a monster! He was at least 6' 4" and had to weigh 250 or more and he was ripped! How could I know he was ripped? Because despite it being a blizzard he was honestly wearing a neon green Gold's Gym tank top! Picture Brian Bosworth but with a better mullet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA0OwUg_rgWH2imwMAq6CvD7AeHL778JzSQ1TBpYTniJQfAew8Od49QdEskTQcWmbRWncRo7FRojCy5c24tPb_N8uCZfSbhLcHE8CA6Sli2SoWs0FXjAvRdMF9cnFJIxLcqRekY7MvA7K/s1600/land+of+boz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA0OwUg_rgWH2imwMAq6CvD7AeHL778JzSQ1TBpYTniJQfAew8Od49QdEskTQcWmbRWncRo7FRojCy5c24tPb_N8uCZfSbhLcHE8CA6Sli2SoWs0FXjAvRdMF9cnFJIxLcqRekY7MvA7K/s1600/land+of+boz.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk_qCUA0h9uhNE1N5-6nGO8LAL0vdZqm_DEqxsiLXoy4nSmeSG19s6boYhxOUXYR1Ec7CmEyy7YaDr0MhHdby4ZL4eVeO4iGFkiMRBcMUlU4u3j0i6aC359KToR439QOAFfIHFvEI2cGM/s1600/boz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk_qCUA0h9uhNE1N5-6nGO8LAL0vdZqm_DEqxsiLXoy4nSmeSG19s6boYhxOUXYR1Ec7CmEyy7YaDr0MhHdby4ZL4eVeO4iGFkiMRBcMUlU4u3j0i6aC359KToR439QOAFfIHFvEI2cGM/s1600/boz.jpg" height="400" width="340" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> The guy had a style that said "the teal Saturn is mine" and a body that said "I pull over for fights even if I am out numbered 5 to 1."</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was just thinking to myself, 'I glad we outnumber him 5 to 1' when I realized that Bram and I were the only ones who had gotten out of the car. The Boz approached us in a very fast walk and the look on his face was one of uncontrollable rage, my confidence was dwindling fast. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
Some people believe that when you spend enough time with someone you can sometimes communicate to the other one without even talking, almost like mental telepathy. It turns out this is BS, because I called on this power and flashed Bram a look that said, 'Maybe we should see if we can talk ourselves out of this.' Bram either didn't catch my message or his manliness just chose to ignore it.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When The Boz had closed about half of the distance between us and him, he yelled, "Do you guys have a problem with me?!"</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought to myself, "No Mr. Bozworth." I was ready to jump back into the car with the other 3 of our fearsome 5. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again Bram wasn't thinking what I was, Bram replied fearlessly and without hesitation, "Yeah I've got a problem with you!" That moment will always be one of my favorite memories of Bram. It is to this day maybe the manliest thing I have ever witnessed in the flesh. I knew right then at least Bram was fighting the Boz. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Up until this point the Boz had been on a path split between the two of us, but now he headed directly towards Bram for which I was glad. He walked fiercely up to Bram and just as he was arriving made a motion like he was going to push him in the chest. Bram braced himself for the push but didn't raise his arms. Just at the last second the Boz turned his open hands into closed fists and sunk both of them into Bram's unprotected face. It was a cheap shop even if he was outnumbered. My fear instantly left, replaced with my own rage. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am not sure exactly what happened next. The ground was covered in snow and very slick, all three of us slipped around but soon I had the Boz in a front head lock. The Boz and I were both on our feet but his head and arms were trapped below me where he could do nothing. I held him incapacitated and Bram returned the initial cheap shot and then a few more. I felt warm blood start to run down the front of my pants, but he seemed like he still had way too much fight in him to let him go. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At this point the Boz was obviously losing the fight, and it wasn't going to get better for him. He didn't feel like a real athlete just like a big guy who had spent a lot of time in the weight room. Turned out he was no Brian Bosworth. I could have held him in that front head lock forever and apparently his girlfriend realized this because she decided it was time to intervene. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She jumped into the driver's side of the Saturn and threw it into reverse. She pointed the car directly towards us and gassed it. The car recklessly popped up a curb and she slid out a little. She retargeted us and gassed it again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTizMdPXrGL6I4xQi9Dufhh91r4a9MMqcv7UIyj3r2mBpzw7dfvQD5sDBAfNYFd0lCKTDpOsnMw_1KMkD4nTWGkM1D3zwr-Uv8OQJlRkbykmRmzWqdvBur6fDMKVoV8XC6IQAiU3bEgi1n/s1600/barrier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTizMdPXrGL6I4xQi9Dufhh91r4a9MMqcv7UIyj3r2mBpzw7dfvQD5sDBAfNYFd0lCKTDpOsnMw_1KMkD4nTWGkM1D3zwr-Uv8OQJlRkbykmRmzWqdvBur6fDMKVoV8XC6IQAiU3bEgi1n/s1600/barrier.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time the car rolled over a concrete parking barrier that was hidden by the snow. The left pair of tires went on one side of the barrier and the right side went on the other. The result was the car's oil pan slamming into the barrier and sparks flying off the bottom of the teal machine. The car slid towards us and I was forced to release the Boz and get out of the Saturn's path.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The car slid to a stop. The Boz gathered himself. He was bleeding from his nose and had a good cut under his lip. I was surprised how much he had bled. The whole front of my pants were covered in blood. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bram had weathered the Boz's best sucker punch and only had some redness on his face to show for it. I was still unscathed. Boz didn't look good. He definitely needed stitches. In my estimation the fight was over. Boz did not feel the same way.</div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He started towards me this time. I backed up in a circle keeping about 20 feet between us. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbyvCuehwwqn3lB7R6UdczyclOolipGo-SWYdFNC6zczd74YZ52DIDvpYuoMdHF7MhC3OISj13DpWNzltMPOY9aTZOItQjVSsV5sS2CyuJcxO66scbtc_YGmexa66AYdNKBQQPt011f2x/s1600/brian-bosworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbyvCuehwwqn3lB7R6UdczyclOolipGo-SWYdFNC6zczd74YZ52DIDvpYuoMdHF7MhC3OISj13DpWNzltMPOY9aTZOItQjVSsV5sS2CyuJcxO66scbtc_YGmexa66AYdNKBQQPt011f2x/s1600/brian-bosworth.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Pointing to me he said, "I want you this time."</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
"You just got me. If we do this again, it isn't going to go any better for you, there are two of us and one of you."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He still followed me in a circle, "I want you."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Dude the fight is over. You lost. Look at yourself. Look at us. You're bleeding all over. Neither of us are hurt. If this keeps going you're just going to get beat up worse. Plus we've got 3 more guys in the car who are just waiting for the signal." (wink, wink)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Up until now I don't think he even realized he was bleeding. He felt the cut below his lip and saw the blood running down his chin. I don't know if it was the thought of a scar marring his 1980's good looks or the blood ruining his neon green tank top but his demeanor changed almost immediately. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He stopped following me and walked towards his girlfriend. Luckily for him from the vantage point of the headlock he hadn't been able to see his girlfriend's display of driving skills and didn't know yet that he was likely going to need a new oil pan to go with his stitches. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
His girlfriend cleaned him up a bit and they got in the car to leave. When they started to drive away his girlfriend gave a statement that put her in the same league of delusion as the girlfriend from Wayne's World. She said, "Next time you boys better be careful who you flip off!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bram wasn't going to let her get away with that, "Are you kidding? Your boyfriend just got beat up. He's bleeding all over, neither of us are even hurt. He's on his way to get stitches, and then he's going to have to fix whatever damage you did to his car when you were rescuing him! Be careful who you pull over to fight next time!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That quieted both of them and at the same time I'm sure gave them something to talk about on their drive to the hospital. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjsdyjJGj28sAOc7UC8matxNwH7FEyeBARJ5iT0ByY7XlZ54eLBE-ZtkpOCsvQkT33eYqRY0PGRV8SsqCTKZXxDdfh_H9wf3m9xHUnAZu9omlfbAf70offc2CR8759KbajdH4J4oxrDZf/s1600/charging+boz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjsdyjJGj28sAOc7UC8matxNwH7FEyeBARJ5iT0ByY7XlZ54eLBE-ZtkpOCsvQkT33eYqRY0PGRV8SsqCTKZXxDdfh_H9wf3m9xHUnAZu9omlfbAf70offc2CR8759KbajdH4J4oxrDZf/s1600/charging+boz.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Birthday to the only guy I know who would look a charging Brian Bosworth in the eye and say "Yeah, I've got a problem with you!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SZbxTt0d4pI" width="420"></iframe>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In case you forgot who I was referencing with the girlfreind. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-6045835256707015032014-01-30T13:29:00.001-08:002014-03-31T21:39:08.519-07:00BRo-Man Goes BigThere aren't a lot of thing in life better than having a brother. I am lucky enough to have three. Roman is unlucky enough to be the youngest of the 4 of us and as a result has probably had to prove himself to each of us more times than is fair. For his golden birthday today I am posting my favorite story of littlest bro proving himself to biggest bro.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago Roman and Michelle were planning a trip to visit. Roman called me to make some trip preparations.<br />
<br />
"Hey do you know if that jump you did when you were on the <a href="http://www.thecleanestline.com/2009/01/the-year-of-big-ideas-2009-mr-smart-goes-big.html">podcast</a> is still there?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah, it's there."<br />
<br />
"If I brought my bike down when I come, would you have time to take me over so I could do it?"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1bddPLDnSlJQ0wY0FStL9KbCIdyrdL8u5ixh3kn9o3jTeofy3HwAdWPNhYYlFdr5pSw1OfRmBnLz0-0F4iwH6XvwhQSARwahwomiGLui32N58AAlGAIC7o6NWYVQSN6Pw3Oi0XYNRw-/s1600/jump2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>"Heck yes I would!"<br />
<br />
I was pretty surprised by this phone call. Not that I didn't think that Roman could easily do it, he has always been the brother who has excelled in sports of the X-game variety. He is by far the best snowboarder and skateboarder in the family and at least as good of mountain biker as me, but he wasn't going to be in town for very long and this jump had taken me months to work up the confidence to finally do. Roman was only going to be in town for a couple of days so it was a pretty ambitious idea, but no one was more excited about it than me.<br />
<br />
Roman had just purchased a new bike and I knew that had something to do with his decision but what I didn't know about at the time was a relatively knew social media called Instagram. Yes in hind sight, I think IG may have influenced his decisions at least a little bit. At the time I wondered why he wanted me to take pictures and not video but it all makes sense now.<br />
<br />
Roman knew that having the bike on top of the car would cost him some gas mileage, and apparently it was more gas mileage than he calculated because somehow he managed to run himself out of gas somewhere in the desert. It was his third time running out of gas in the previous two weeks. We had all thought it was pretty funny when it happened the second time but this was really getting comical and any brother who really loved him was going to give him a hard time about it for at least a while. (I guess a while isn't quite over yet.)<br />
<br />
We really only had one morning to make it happen and it was going to have to be before school at 7:30. I had a pretty good idea that Roman wasn't going to just roll up to the jump, take a look at it, and huck himself off it. I knew it was going to take some time to work up the courage. So we were at the trailhead when it was still dark and at the jump right at first light. We had a full hour for Roman to check out the landing, take a few practice runs, do a few speed checks, draw some starting lines in the dirt and convince himself that the end result would not be catastrophic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1bddPLDnSlJQ0wY0FStL9KbCIdyrdL8u5ixh3kn9o3jTeofy3HwAdWPNhYYlFdr5pSw1OfRmBnLz0-0F4iwH6XvwhQSARwahwomiGLui32N58AAlGAIC7o6NWYVQSN6Pw3Oi0XYNRw-/s1600/jump2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1bddPLDnSlJQ0wY0FStL9KbCIdyrdL8u5ixh3kn9o3jTeofy3HwAdWPNhYYlFdr5pSw1OfRmBnLz0-0F4iwH6XvwhQSARwahwomiGLui32N58AAlGAIC7o6NWYVQSN6Pw3Oi0XYNRw-/s1600/jump2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Everyone that I have taken to the jump has been pretty shocked the first time they see it. You come around a corner and all the sudden out of nowhere is this totally gnarly wooden jump that looks like an unfinished bridge. I know Roman had seen pictures and watched people do it on video but we all know that everything is 10 times scarier in real life than it is on a computer screen. I could see by the look on Roman's face, he was wondering what he had gotten himself into.<br />
<br />
I kind of like the feeling of being in a little over my head and getting to see how I respond but I really like seeing one of my brothers in over their heads and watching their response. I rarely get to witness it but when I do it is probably my number one form of entertainment.<br />
<br />
Roman looked at the jump. He looked at the landing, smoothed it out a bit, did some speed checks, asked for some advice on his trajectory, picked my brain over how fast he would have to go to clear the rocks below it, etcetera, etcetera. I had done it a few times and was able to break it down pretty simple for him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd-SB8yzqIRwA5aNSD3YgmW9d-KmC4wmJhq2gl9jFt9a5k_YTF0NJ2EL2oLS7mEbo3mGMepFQwbhoaSqRhhXFKMoW84oFKE6ck1IN44w77VZX4pPNbsNz2Z61dFh41Cej7u-Ujdoorr7O/s1600/jump3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd-SB8yzqIRwA5aNSD3YgmW9d-KmC4wmJhq2gl9jFt9a5k_YTF0NJ2EL2oLS7mEbo3mGMepFQwbhoaSqRhhXFKMoW84oFKE6ck1IN44w77VZX4pPNbsNz2Z61dFh41Cej7u-Ujdoorr7O/s1600/jump3.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
"Start at this bend in the trail, don't pedal at all, just coast and gravity will set your speed perfectly, pull up on the handle bars slightly as you leave the wood and enjoy the ride. It's that simple."<br />
<br />
I knew he wasn't going to enjoy the ride, at least not the first time. I had been so scared the first time that there was absolutely no enjoyment until I safely landed on the ground.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZsoepu8lKbqRb4FeW08mxGp8lswgPyRnkV-l_1tHz0yAvNPRicNoIsuTXpm9aJLj9QRR8MEyc-wZj8TQMdP15Ug1OrtWoJFyqmeLW6lsychk0WaELC2rnxL8RAsmFahQEve61FT29qfu/s1600/jump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZsoepu8lKbqRb4FeW08mxGp8lswgPyRnkV-l_1tHz0yAvNPRicNoIsuTXpm9aJLj9QRR8MEyc-wZj8TQMdP15Ug1OrtWoJFyqmeLW6lsychk0WaELC2rnxL8RAsmFahQEve61FT29qfu/s1600/jump.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roman started to make test run after test run. After he had made fifteen or so I started urging him to go for it. We finally got down to only having about five minutes until we needed to leave for me to get to school on time. None of his test runs really made it seem like he was going to do it.<br />
<br />
"Alright Rome this is the run."<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"OK"</div>
<br />
Roman did one more half hearted run.<br />
<br />
"I don't think I want to do it anymore. Let's get you back to school."<br />
<br />
"No you can do. You've got to do it or you won't forgive yourself. I'll skip my first hour of work."<br />
<br />
"Are you going to get in trouble if you're late?"<br />
<br />
"Maybe a little, but it will be worth it if you do the jump."<br />
<br />
I secretly had already made arangements to miss the first hour but made Roman believe I was just ditching it to put more pressure on him.<br />
<br />
The second hour was more of the same but it definitely had a more serious feel and at least 10 times I really thought "the next run" was "the run" and he was really going to do it and every time he would hit the brakes at the last second.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdQgD3T9t3utmlwTBnkXRm-PG2BH9N8UUo3TIcKee2w0kivUD-8R92DsD0i1WIML6BVVQa3ktFxLfTyDyfo1Bla7fF-sDrsY_tG1W5eNYfE92TH97ShD5xDfizEVSIjQhy1WbTt1kI-OS/s1600/roman5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdQgD3T9t3utmlwTBnkXRm-PG2BH9N8UUo3TIcKee2w0kivUD-8R92DsD0i1WIML6BVVQa3ktFxLfTyDyfo1Bla7fF-sDrsY_tG1W5eNYfE92TH97ShD5xDfizEVSIjQhy1WbTt1kI-OS/s1600/roman5.jpg" height="400" width="143" /></a></div>
Finally after probably the fiftieth "warm up run" and with about fifteen minutes left in the second hour Roman again said he wasn't going to do it.<br />
<br />
"No way man! You're doing it! Think about what we have invested in this now. I missed my first hour of work, you ran your car out of gas getting your bike here. We could have gone on a really cool bike ride this morning instead we have been here for two hours drawing lines in the dirt and it will all be for nothing if you don't do this stupid jump."<br />
<br />
"Yeah that's true."<br />
<br />
"Not to mention you need to prove you are worthy of that new bike you got. And really the biggest reason is I know it is going to ruin your whole weekend if you don't do it."<br />
<br />
"Yeah you're right."<br />
<br />
"Think about it for a second. Realistically what is the worst thing that is likely to happen, you have that big fat shock and as long as it hits the ground first it is going to absorb most of the impact. If it does it's job and then you wreck you're probably only going to end up with scrapes and bruises. Broken bones are pretty unlikely and paralysis…. well….you've got a better chance of being hit by lightning."<br />
<br />
Not that Roman was arguing with me but I was winning the argument. If only I would have known to throw in something about how bitchin' all of his Instagram followers were going to think he was, he probably would have done it ten minutes earlier.<br />
<br />
"You're right, I've got to do it."<br />
<br />
Roman took five more runs and every time I thought he was going to really do it, but he braked at the last second.<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I knew he was going to do eventually he just needed a tiny bit more pressure to close the deal. I was forced to act the part of the annoyed older brother now. I would have waited all day if I had to, but neither of us wanted that.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I said, "That's it man, I've got to go, I really don't have one more minute I've got to get to school."</div>
<br />
"No I'm going to do it. One more time."<br />
<br />
"Hurry one more time."<br />
<br />
Roman went back to our line in the dirt.<br />
<br />
"Just take your fingers off the brakes and tell yourself that no matter what, you are not going to put your fingers back on them. You've got it this time."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I had made that statement 50 times, and it hadn't worked yet, but I had a pretty good feeling this was the time.<br />
<br />
The next ten seconds was one of my favorite things I have ever witnessed in the flesh. Roman finally coaxed himself into the unthinkable. He shot off the end of the jump. He went huge, definitely bigger than I ever had. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE09VxFQnYlPgDAsl2CufOvjq6i0BWS6vJ-uSkAlY_O9uXQKLqr2F2SmNGmUo7x7VKPy-txVq5tezMWt1UvHClYb7ApK0jtZFteiXJ-B5AtSIeDm6HH2AwIrOUgMl79hnK86GjCSHLtdDz/s1600/roman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE09VxFQnYlPgDAsl2CufOvjq6i0BWS6vJ-uSkAlY_O9uXQKLqr2F2SmNGmUo7x7VKPy-txVq5tezMWt1UvHClYb7ApK0jtZFteiXJ-B5AtSIeDm6HH2AwIrOUgMl79hnK86GjCSHLtdDz/s1600/roman2.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdQgD3T9t3utmlwTBnkXRm-PG2BH9N8UUo3TIcKee2w0kivUD-8R92DsD0i1WIML6BVVQa3ktFxLfTyDyfo1Bla7fF-sDrsY_tG1W5eNYfE92TH97ShD5xDfizEVSIjQhy1WbTt1kI-OS/s1600/roman5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdQgD3T9t3utmlwTBnkXRm-PG2BH9N8UUo3TIcKee2w0kivUD-8R92DsD0i1WIML6BVVQa3ktFxLfTyDyfo1Bla7fF-sDrsY_tG1W5eNYfE92TH97ShD5xDfizEVSIjQhy1WbTt1kI-OS/s1600/roman5.jpg" height="640" width="231" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is the actual time he finally rode off of it. The zoom reveals some serious apprehension.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGBFMYexEUudguBi14gyEWK3W_lygPbx-u-hOGXEv1oENeclLCyIF4VstqUi8_uCIIlq7c-80ZBovPRBPRQfCvwUaaT-UQ1UPKMbdbWPbJ3iW2dNMc1jq12jtOrIUX8c4-6QdgxXhPCv7/s1600/roman6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGBFMYexEUudguBi14gyEWK3W_lygPbx-u-hOGXEv1oENeclLCyIF4VstqUi8_uCIIlq7c-80ZBovPRBPRQfCvwUaaT-UQ1UPKMbdbWPbJ3iW2dNMc1jq12jtOrIUX8c4-6QdgxXhPCv7/s1600/roman6.jpg" height="640" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That is a pretty bitchin' picture. I'd follow him on Instagram.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MhwdaPXFsH1WsMTc9n31-RKvkDdJiSBkDgpJ5827flYlWTaDru6Cv9M66TPUEZeacKPzdmMT4-2bM5TSGoKtyvhyphenhyphen6J5MsyT72VBfMjnq-1PiSW6rv9qorY_OaTJcK8dK7oUo8DV6ESCO/s1600/Roman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MhwdaPXFsH1WsMTc9n31-RKvkDdJiSBkDgpJ5827flYlWTaDru6Cv9M66TPUEZeacKPzdmMT4-2bM5TSGoKtyvhyphenhyphen6J5MsyT72VBfMjnq-1PiSW6rv9qorY_OaTJcK8dK7oUo8DV6ESCO/s1600/Roman.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The zoom in is better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsO2CJor2GJTTIZH8AyMaExGFOXRO8TFn8pISZ2sph4K84vLzuHLgo-ntj_hz1TwchI9DxntWFBiHsEDqmLrrqfaF1MZ011rogYyN2hTruQkihNOUQMr4kXeDM-AVIkPqoVZHOYz4U5Cf/s1600/Roman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsO2CJor2GJTTIZH8AyMaExGFOXRO8TFn8pISZ2sph4K84vLzuHLgo-ntj_hz1TwchI9DxntWFBiHsEDqmLrrqfaF1MZ011rogYyN2hTruQkihNOUQMr4kXeDM-AVIkPqoVZHOYz4U5Cf/s1600/Roman1.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The double zoom is even better than that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That is exactly the same way I felt the first time I did it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhcmTc4F98P1cthr_tCd1l9DvWcRR1UMewjmZzuTTVYRtwFv3gmUtgsqt1_7CVmyM9-tJl_sbzNMn0qk_dQTfrP9FG6JNvrnDoquR2LOFSyfgYxTxv1tCNo5alU-RzwSmEP3rqM3WAAip/s1600/roman7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhcmTc4F98P1cthr_tCd1l9DvWcRR1UMewjmZzuTTVYRtwFv3gmUtgsqt1_7CVmyM9-tJl_sbzNMn0qk_dQTfrP9FG6JNvrnDoquR2LOFSyfgYxTxv1tCNo5alU-RzwSmEP3rqM3WAAip/s1600/roman7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The landing may have left a little to be desired, but just like I promised him that beefy shock absorbed the brunt of the force, his wrists absorbed most of what was left over ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVMK6M41wtROcgDrZa2TcBupwIo2jXLiQqKzTxCi80Z7vygZMxjlft5CozwZK7t8ltQhHA064KMmOXTWjLWAE3HmlCzW3lDl89E2BZLf2QSWu883rIhlZy8vpiGpJRnTEAGp5mXxtEYrK/s1600/Roman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVMK6M41wtROcgDrZa2TcBupwIo2jXLiQqKzTxCi80Z7vygZMxjlft5CozwZK7t8ltQhHA064KMmOXTWjLWAE3HmlCzW3lDl89E2BZLf2QSWu883rIhlZy8vpiGpJRnTEAGp5mXxtEYrK/s1600/Roman3.jpg" height="400" width="338" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
….and his cheeks absorbed the rest.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roman appeared as if he was going to ride it out unharmed but the end result was Roman celebrating in some scrub oak and a large cloud of dust. It was an awesome moment and I am so glad I got to witness it. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roman came away from the experience with some cuts and bruises but he was completely satisfied with himself and that alone is always worth some cuts and bruises. Plus he probably picked up some Instagram followers along the way. Call it a win/win.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Birthday BRo-man!!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGBFMYexEUudguBi14gyEWK3W_lygPbx-u-hOGXEv1oENeclLCyIF4VstqUi8_uCIIlq7c-80ZBovPRBPRQfCvwUaaT-UQ1UPKMbdbWPbJ3iW2dNMc1jq12jtOrIUX8c4-6QdgxXhPCv7/s1600/roman6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MhwdaPXFsH1WsMTc9n31-RKvkDdJiSBkDgpJ5827flYlWTaDru6Cv9M66TPUEZeacKPzdmMT4-2bM5TSGoKtyvhyphenhyphen6J5MsyT72VBfMjnq-1PiSW6rv9qorY_OaTJcK8dK7oUo8DV6ESCO/s1600/Roman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MhwdaPXFsH1WsMTc9n31-RKvkDdJiSBkDgpJ5827flYlWTaDru6Cv9M66TPUEZeacKPzdmMT4-2bM5TSGoKtyvhyphenhyphen6J5MsyT72VBfMjnq-1PiSW6rv9qorY_OaTJcK8dK7oUo8DV6ESCO/s1600/Roman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2d_fiJ-reyU%2FUuoi2qAwqQI%2FAAAAAAAADbI%2Fmf9LwCthoRs%2Fs1600%2Froman6.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGBFMYexEUudguBi14gyEWK3W_lygPbx-u-hOGXEv1oENeclLCyIF4VstqUi8_uCIIlq7c-80ZBovPRBPRQfCvwUaaT-UQ1UPKMbdbWPbJ3iW2dNMc1jq12jtOrIUX8c4-6QdgxXhPCv7/s1600/roman6.jpg" -->Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-76587913065087251702013-10-29T22:24:00.002-07:002013-10-30T09:36:25.238-07:00Search and Rescue Mission ReportThis is the link to the Inyo County Search and Rescue Mission Report detailing our rescue from their perspective. Those guys were awesome and are all my heroes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://inyosar.com/overdue-climbers-on-whitney-east-face/">http://inyosar.com/overdue-climbers-on-whitney-east-face/</a>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-60626759514977951942013-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:002014-05-29T01:02:28.007-07:00Helicopter heroics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the conclusion of my previous post. If you missed it and you care to read them in order scroll to the the bottom of this post and start there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuJfbYd-grZiP717W21Y9yaLi8ZJQuKgvq2N6ueqpntgnK8SZHYtCLlkyM4icoIAiuxN4YSCg4AZs5RLEcB7HJ1kIf_UaZsSSTlQDMeIzpr5Udz2lGUF-OBrgySnIV17DEp2HcNG6PLxE/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuJfbYd-grZiP717W21Y9yaLi8ZJQuKgvq2N6ueqpntgnK8SZHYtCLlkyM4icoIAiuxN4YSCg4AZs5RLEcB7HJ1kIf_UaZsSSTlQDMeIzpr5Udz2lGUF-OBrgySnIV17DEp2HcNG6PLxE/s400/IMG_0245.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Inside our cubby, the temperature was probably close to 40 degrees, I only can guess that because our slushy water was slowly getting less slushy. Forty seems warm considering the night before it was in the teens, but there was no way to avoid touching the cold rock and we were still shivering more than we weren't. It was still cold enough that when Roman peed into a empty bottle he chose to snuggle with it until it lost its heat. I'd like to say I thought it was gross but I was jealously wishing I could pee as well. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">We got in the cubby at 1:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday. It was a long uncomfortable night of wondering how many days we might need to stay in there and how long we could make our food and water last. We passed the time by trying to get someone on the radio. We could hear other people clearly talking back and forth but for some reason they could not hear us. Hoping for the smallest cell signal we prepared a text to our wives that had our GPS coordinates and said that we were going to need helicopter rescue. At 5:00 AM on Thursday, after 16 hours in our claustrophobic cubby, Roman turned his cell phone on to check the time and saw he had a signal. He immediately sent our text. Within minutes we got a text back. It said that a search and rescue team had already been assembled and that a helicopter was available weather permitting. We started to celebrate. Roman's signal turned in to 2 bars so he called Michelle. Michelle had to pinch herself to make sure she was not dreaming. Like most wives would, she had been fearing the worst. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">Roman and I's anticipation of the sun to rise now was like that of kids on Christmas morning, except our Santa was going to be flying a CHP helicopter. We talked about happy things like helicopter rescues, Churros and Disneyland, but mostly helicopter rescues. We wondered how exactly it would go down. Would a search and rescue guy be lowered to us? Would they simply lower us a rope and harness? Would they lower us a stretcher of some sort to strap into? It seemed we were only hours from being reunited with our families and we couldn't think of anything sweeter. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwwzr6-8xo5TjmLAQoq3B9kQFKB_TK2KyU9vmYvTl345By9et51l2mF5UZTjJp51J97w5ux3OF0cfvB00Y_HfCis_NZcWTRB0tqCh4D20OOShKIzZjVFVjp9sbyynor0jTnR1UUXb8Dhn/s1600/IMG_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwwzr6-8xo5TjmLAQoq3B9kQFKB_TK2KyU9vmYvTl345By9et51l2mF5UZTjJp51J97w5ux3OF0cfvB00Y_HfCis_NZcWTRB0tqCh4D20OOShKIzZjVFVjp9sbyynor0jTnR1UUXb8Dhn/s640/IMG_0250.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Around 7:00 the sun started to shine onto our little doorway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNreNb1jm_bqilZYH44VjzJNbhjZ3KouSKX_q-i3bJb52pS4ozY6Wn7Xw79qxCZ653g59Mgmbg-0A-KEnmxZI7VSDcEt70gmW7RBDZFzUKK5XirzYsrgFDEO9kvHJQb4AXJVrtSuCjUPq/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNreNb1jm_bqilZYH44VjzJNbhjZ3KouSKX_q-i3bJb52pS4ozY6Wn7Xw79qxCZ653g59Mgmbg-0A-KEnmxZI7VSDcEt70gmW7RBDZFzUKK5XirzYsrgFDEO9kvHJQb4AXJVrtSuCjUPq/s640/IMG_0260.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I immediately broke out a window to see a glorious sunrise. It looked like perfect conditions for a helicopter rescue. Our rope still hung outside from the last rappel the day before. It was frozen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q6ycjj-1dG0" width="420"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">This is a short video I took upon realizing our good fortune.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">At around 8:00 the helicopter started buzzing around. I was hanging out the window of our cubby waving Roman's red backpack. I was naive enough to think he may have seen me on his first pass over us. I had no idea how hard it must be for them to spot us on the huge mountain face, but after watching him buzz past us 10 or 20 times I started to realize. Luckily we had a signal again and I called the search and rescue team. They</span><span style="text-align: left;"> put me through to the helicopter copilot and I started giving directions as to where we were.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFTPzbWmMJrFCqnpGEEXMlzmonvlRYUrrIAo5xIKmeeMhDBDq4wvmObGH7l8hyphenhyphenTW6BNDKpE0NGWPcFqdJHPYYPdzYXpsJl9yY95kmK7YTEzBH9514jD1gKAIbJpaGlLopb4853A0nvUXI/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFTPzbWmMJrFCqnpGEEXMlzmonvlRYUrrIAo5xIKmeeMhDBDq4wvmObGH7l8hyphenhyphenTW6BNDKpE0NGWPcFqdJHPYYPdzYXpsJl9yY95kmK7YTEzBH9514jD1gKAIbJpaGlLopb4853A0nvUXI/s640/IMG_0278.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">It seemed like it took longer than it should have but I eventually guided them to just about 100 yards in front of me exactly at eye level. I was furiously waving the red backpack. They still could not see me. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">"I'm looking straight at you! I am waving a red backpack!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ37y3iWJ4BCTRLBGFHkRY8ataUUrJ5L0WF1soH42nFWocMyAvuYN34w4vn6vXbuAwBLw6K-g9uu9w7AT30DYiMuwezuicl6w1RskyJrsfCVLTpA4bHcNyUjKUg_ec9lru95ebociI7PIK/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ37y3iWJ4BCTRLBGFHkRY8ataUUrJ5L0WF1soH42nFWocMyAvuYN34w4vn6vXbuAwBLw6K-g9uu9w7AT30DYiMuwezuicl6w1RskyJrsfCVLTpA4bHcNyUjKUg_ec9lru95ebociI7PIK/s640/IMG_0280.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The pilot could sense my frustration. Finally when they were only about 50 yards in front of us, the pilot spotted me. I realized that if we didn't have cell phone service it might have been days before they actually spotted us. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once the helicopter did find us the pilot immediately told us we were in the worst possible spot for a rescue. He told us there was no way he could get close enough to rescue us from our current location. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AlPFV2GgpLo" width="420"></iframe></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In this video the pilot is surveying the cliffside for a location in which he could rescue us from.<br />
<br />
The pilot found an finger of rock that stuck out from the cliffside far enough he could get the helicopter in for a rescue. It was only enough room that he would barely be able to put one skid down but it was the only real option to get us off the mountain. The spot was about 3 pitches away from us. He flew the helicopter to it and asked if we could get to it. My immediate response was no. Two days ago, when the cliffside was a rock face it would have been no problem, but now the face of the mountain was 70% snow. We didn't have any gear to protect ourselves on snow and I didn't really have much experience on it. I was definitely scared at the thought of going out on the exposed snow. <br />
<br />
Search and Rescue had a team ready that had all the proper gear for protecting the snowy pitches. The pilot said he would come back, drop them off at the pick up spot, they would then come to us and then guide us back to the pick up spot. He figured the whole process could take up to 8 hours. Which didn't seem that bad until he explained to me that the morning was the best time for a rescue, often in the afternoon the wind picks up and they can't do the technical flying that would be required to pick us up. Basically there was a decent chance we would be spending another night in our cubby this time with two more guys. I knew there wasn't room for anyone else in the cubby and I really didn't want to be there another day. I talked it over with Roman and called back the pilot. I told him not to bring up the Search and Rescue team we were going to attempt to get there ourselves. <br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I have been asked by everybody, "Did you have enough food and water?" The honest answer is we took enough food for one full day of climbing and after being up there for 3 days we still had 3/4 of it left. The stress was so great that I never once thought "I'm hungry, I'm going to eat something." instead a few times I thought "I should try to eat something" and was never able to actually stomach much. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">The water was similar. We took enough to go up and down the technical sections only, but after 3 days still had about half left. The reason for that was it was either frozen or slushy and we were so cold already that neither of us could bare the thought of drinking ice cold slush and making our body temps that much lower. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="text-align: left;">This combination of not eating or drinking had to be taking a toll on our bodies </span><span style="text-align: left;">ability to cope with what was now to be required of us for the rescue. </span><span style="text-align: left;">In the cubby I didn't care about our bodies weakening states because once we got in there, I was planning on staying in there until rescue came.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span>I had shut it down mentally and physically. Now we had to get it going again for one last push. <br />
<br />
We started to organize our gear. Our rope was frozen and I was wondering if we were going to be able to pull it down or not. I remember secretly wishing that we would not be able to get the rope down and I could call back the pilot and tell him he needed to bring up the rescue team. The rope was stubborn but we worked it down. <br />
<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-0BQD1ncLEcqMjoodNjYoQnIOwPL9C5TO_UEM2Q3F08wn5c20_Ky1cK8yoejxAQY3Fvp5spplhjPf5H2Bq0HolZKCcIPn09wU45jz0AsMQVuyLb4Par1zMWT9p3-_Fw6JSX5Fs58AcP8/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-0BQD1ncLEcqMjoodNjYoQnIOwPL9C5TO_UEM2Q3F08wn5c20_Ky1cK8yoejxAQY3Fvp5spplhjPf5H2Bq0HolZKCcIPn09wU45jz0AsMQVuyLb4Par1zMWT9p3-_Fw6JSX5Fs58AcP8/s640/IMG_0304.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first pitch was a horizontal traverse along the shear face. I set it up as a rappel and managed to get in only two pieces of protection in the hundred feet. I was about half way through the pitch when Roman yelled to me, "I can't find my belay device."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Are you kidding?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"No I can't find it."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I'm not coming back there. You better find it!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roman is notorious for misplacing things, however this was not the time to lose your most valuable piece of gear, but he had lost it nonetheless. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I finished the pitch and fixed the other end of the rope so Roman could traverse across the fixed line with just his personal anchor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEqP_M3EcGLlENu0VARi9qTsYfrnY8FhI_YWQ4AorQQ1zjkI6AVdksXp4tH17jjD2lwPBPYWvwRaDkEu4lLSLCo1dja9Y6XGu4znBcy2dOKuaUFNcmUVcd3WoEAarO_uluXuV7vKjtaGB/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEqP_M3EcGLlENu0VARi9qTsYfrnY8FhI_YWQ4AorQQ1zjkI6AVdksXp4tH17jjD2lwPBPYWvwRaDkEu4lLSLCo1dja9Y6XGu4znBcy2dOKuaUFNcmUVcd3WoEAarO_uluXuV7vKjtaGB/s640/IMG_0284.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next pitch was a straight forward rappel. Or at least it would have been straight forward if we had two belay devices. I have read a million different ways to rappel without a belay device but never actually done any of them. Of course they had all run together and I was having trouble coming up with just one legitimate way. Roman rigged up some kind of triple rope wrap of his locking biner and it was going to have to do. During the rappel Roman knocked his radio loose and it fell. I was expecting to hear it hit against the wall a few times and then here it explode when it hit the bottom, but the wall we were on was so shear and so tall that I heard it hit the wall one time and then nothing, I waited for an explosion but nothing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7kzyvXnGiwpW8dFSO-bYupSeP_e5UWwUSvvcQD6JG99NWX4s_JaqCSK9zzWpxYycq0EdFNT2GNe8Kfw7dSZ1hMB_TaPJkvD6d-SEeaX8R1mski0Cnm_m470JM8sniA47wwsBxOg0DdsI/s1600/IMG_0305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7kzyvXnGiwpW8dFSO-bYupSeP_e5UWwUSvvcQD6JG99NWX4s_JaqCSK9zzWpxYycq0EdFNT2GNe8Kfw7dSZ1hMB_TaPJkvD6d-SEeaX8R1mski0Cnm_m470JM8sniA47wwsBxOg0DdsI/s640/IMG_0305.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here I am on the rappel. Notice the helicopter in the top of this picture. Like myself, Search and Rescue wasn't convinced I had what it took to do the pitches in the snow, so the helicopter stayed constantly near us in case something went wrong. You would think that would have given us a sense of reassurance, but really it made the situation feel like a Hollywood production and definitely added a level of stress. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7xzlk120dvPvPzCgRtzG07iTpOJUVaTsoojhcs4Mx98Ylqm_mElRCF5m4aiXdoVV_ZCtiSm9GcCpHCMciSjfENS-wjymrU2hK6joUaa9SUnHpRrJPEDwtfhTP1A1mqxvvFC1dyAPcj8n/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7xzlk120dvPvPzCgRtzG07iTpOJUVaTsoojhcs4Mx98Ylqm_mElRCF5m4aiXdoVV_ZCtiSm9GcCpHCMciSjfENS-wjymrU2hK6joUaa9SUnHpRrJPEDwtfhTP1A1mqxvvFC1dyAPcj8n/s640/IMG_0306.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second rappel deposited us about 80 feet below the pick up spot. The finish line of our epic was finally in sight. Eighty feet of what was easy climbing before the snow was now going to be a formidable test. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roman was light headed and having dizzy spells. My hands had been painfully cold and now didn't have much feeling left in them. I was far from 100 percent, but the best thing about climbing is the challenge it presents. If it were easy there would be no reason to do it. Most climbers favorite climbs are the ones that push them closest to their limit and Roman and I were getting very close. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Starting the last pitch the first move just to get off the ground was very steep. As I did it I wondered if I still had enough in me to get up it. The pitch had some good old fashion climbing stress, very different from the "lost on a mountain in a snow storm stress" we had dealt with the day before. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even in the stress of the last pitch, the beauty around us was undeniable. The fresh white snow, the crystal blue sky, the gorgeous alpine peaks, then throw in the drama of a helicopter circling over head and you have probably the most memorable pitch of climbing I have ever done. I am embarrassed to say I loved the last pitch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamnnkL5jynTrEol9RG_812g_p4orJekZ6KFIQqdob-jyrTeXmsMQKC3y5DKUMhXm46bcpX7jn5mApSl4Fm-E4p13C161WcRtU-RvSJ6dh4DO3dKWT7BMRXyzJcb3vrzXw9xC80jKjRg0U/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamnnkL5jynTrEol9RG_812g_p4orJekZ6KFIQqdob-jyrTeXmsMQKC3y5DKUMhXm46bcpX7jn5mApSl4Fm-E4p13C161WcRtU-RvSJ6dh4DO3dKWT7BMRXyzJcb3vrzXw9xC80jKjRg0U/s640/IMG_0307.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Finally we arrived at the rendezvous point. It felt like I had just finished an ironman. It wasn't quite over we still had the unknown of jumping into a mostly moving helicopter. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYCle2dkDd8oqc5MaBILQkzRlICFL_84-Gp5JjhKzFePYT4TPkx2d5_2foVMgsnIpVBoohmAhp9HDymDCWiWx_khviqYZPsBc5QKP2i2JKmBfuFi7jPBwlIfi3NErsaeMRaMGIbXbUXWc/s1600/heli+pic+arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYCle2dkDd8oqc5MaBILQkzRlICFL_84-Gp5JjhKzFePYT4TPkx2d5_2foVMgsnIpVBoohmAhp9HDymDCWiWx_khviqYZPsBc5QKP2i2JKmBfuFi7jPBwlIfi3NErsaeMRaMGIbXbUXWc/s640/heli+pic+arrow.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The pick up was everything we feared it might be. Roman said it was the scariest part of the whole ordeal. We crawled out 3/4 of the way to the end and hoped that was as far as we needed to go. The pilot made a pass and signaled to us that we needed to go all the way to where the arrow is pointing. He told us to lay flat and hold on as there would be gusts of 120MPH that could blow us right off the snowy rock to a certain death. We laid there in the snow for about 20 minutes waiting for the pilot to burn off fuel and then we heard his siren and knew it was go time. We tighten down our grip on the rock. To add a little more Hollywood flare the pilot came up from the below us. It felt like he magically appeared out of thin air and our environment turned instantly violent. He went up about twenty feet above our heads and then lowered back down ever so slowly. The wind was too fierce to watch what was happening and we could only peek every couple of seconds. Finally he put his skid down just barely onto the rock. The door already open, the copilot yelled for us to go for it. I jumped in and scooted across to make room for Roman. I looked back just to see Roman land safely in next to me. We were safely inside. During our 3 days I had wanted to break down crying at least 3 or 4 times but had managed to kept it together. Neither me or Roman could refrain any longer and both of us let our tears of gratitude flow freely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCGyYcelqmpM7OkgDAOJ435TO7Wq-jA9FKoQHAy5-50eJpolTEOStNU9PNZpSGK7ZjfV6nexU_rLvhoMyWUbvnV1xXt_dc3eQxJhJG0uCIxrzSeMa034xMDdppF2PHC4-RrCtn7ZSyr88/s1600/IMG_0296.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCGyYcelqmpM7OkgDAOJ435TO7Wq-jA9FKoQHAy5-50eJpolTEOStNU9PNZpSGK7ZjfV6nexU_rLvhoMyWUbvnV1xXt_dc3eQxJhJG0uCIxrzSeMa034xMDdppF2PHC4-RrCtn7ZSyr88/s640/IMG_0296.PNG" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
After getting checked out for frostbite by the paramedics we were released to go and take a picture with our rescuers. We will be forever indebted to them both for their great skill and their willingness to risk their own lives to save ours. <br />
<br />
We also got to meet and thank our would be rescuers, the Search and Rescue Team. Who despite being simply volunteers were also willing to risk their own lives to save ours if they had been asked. <br />
<br />
Needless to say there were more than a couple of heroes there that day.<br />
<br />
Thank you California Highway Patrol and Search and Rescue! And a special thanks to the taxpayers of California who make helicopter rescues free for boneheads like myself. I promise not to need another one. </div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-2993459149952171592013-10-13T08:54:00.001-07:002014-06-07T13:40:40.545-07:00In need of a helicopterWhen you have resigned to wait on a cliffside for a helicopter rescue, you have a lot of time to think about what went wrong.<br />
<br />
When Roman was coming to town and thought he could spare a day of his trip to go climb a mountain with me, I was tickled. We both really wanted to do the East Face of Mt. Whitney. Having two or three days to do it would have been better but we knew we could do it in one long day. It would be 20 hours or so but we could pull it off. We had done a similar outing on the Grand Teton and it had turned out to be one of my best days ever in the mountains.<br />
<br />
The East Face of Mt. Whitney is a long route of 13 pitches with a rating of 5.7 (a grade we were both comfortable with). What got us in trouble was the commitment level of the climb. Once you get about half way through the East Face there is no longer a retreat option. The only way off the mountain is to finish what you started. The other problem was the route finding, which had been reported by many as difficult and had rendered many climbers lost.<br />
<br />
We got to the trailhead at about 1:30 AM got our packs together and laid down for an hour before our 3:30AM start time. The hike in was a little longer than we anticipated. We got a little lost in the dark and that cost us about an hour of light. We had planned to be to the technical climbing around 7 but it was closer to 9.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7lf1mcC-CN98THMwXcvcGhDZ_48VSnWXaOhUPuYmpYBpwt1RCvbZO5YNQvl4iHD0hzgjnXPrU_gvAWXCt6H4gpdhfjG65fa9SVAc72UBveCBUQi9_2R8BH6-zCTJb0TxpWoYj_GrVzxc/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7lf1mcC-CN98THMwXcvcGhDZ_48VSnWXaOhUPuYmpYBpwt1RCvbZO5YNQvl4iHD0hzgjnXPrU_gvAWXCt6H4gpdhfjG65fa9SVAc72UBveCBUQi9_2R8BH6-zCTJb0TxpWoYj_GrVzxc/s640/IMG_0309.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
During the last hour of the hike we could look up at the face we were planning on climbing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is an intimidating looking face. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUo8-j_YP-FX5nXLUz5r9w2IG4THXaFXmsyNsf9zxBk16UwO5mN59A6a-SMM2epESVQIV6h6bh9unXVtTq6rOHLNLDbuqUkmaBdqAAt7GLsMaWUSbWo5ehqDDDtZpiF7SzpjxnlUGn-Xr/s1600/whitpic-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUo8-j_YP-FX5nXLUz5r9w2IG4THXaFXmsyNsf9zxBk16UwO5mN59A6a-SMM2epESVQIV6h6bh9unXVtTq6rOHLNLDbuqUkmaBdqAAt7GLsMaWUSbWo5ehqDDDtZpiF7SzpjxnlUGn-Xr/s640/whitpic-1.jpeg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
The first pitch was exciting with lots of exposure. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRRtHzW5cM0pRUv7rMd9rvvSsk5EBGjKr5RbFAEOjSvFBBOD69ct0nsioL1S9gmuKHehuXURRj05jAi0I0X2YBT9V_WjHw-vm5aqWrxzlowcrTcC2c6iAv_0trAapCWwVeyZolRu9I6IG/s1600/GOPR0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRRtHzW5cM0pRUv7rMd9rvvSsk5EBGjKr5RbFAEOjSvFBBOD69ct0nsioL1S9gmuKHehuXURRj05jAi0I0X2YBT9V_WjHw-vm5aqWrxzlowcrTcC2c6iAv_0trAapCWwVeyZolRu9I6IG/s640/GOPR0006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a beautiful day and we were both enjoying the thrill of having such a classic climb to ourselves. The climbing seemed more difficult than we had expected which made the climbing all the more enjoyable. After the fourth pitch we realized the reason for the increased difficulty was we were off route. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAL_furBuuW5RpwXOtOg_JvdBPn2Y8PEA_3D6ZaWiXDrbgj-RmxAM8X3N0Ehrm4i3Z3UVeW6NXOxU7PBnImZiIHKvRHrAVb_vnq7Y3cjlqTRbQacr_UXXVc1FEUDA1lC6ib-KsUpa8DdK/s1600/IMG_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAL_furBuuW5RpwXOtOg_JvdBPn2Y8PEA_3D6ZaWiXDrbgj-RmxAM8X3N0Ehrm4i3Z3UVeW6NXOxU7PBnImZiIHKvRHrAVb_vnq7Y3cjlqTRbQacr_UXXVc1FEUDA1lC6ib-KsUpa8DdK/s640/IMG_0241.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
It took us two traversing pitches to get back to the route, and cost us more precious daylight. <br />
<br />
We were to the famous Fresh Air Traverse pitch where the guidebook said was the easiest place to get lost on the route. We could not afford to get off route again. It was getting late in the day and we were worried about possibly having to spend a night on the mountain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQIp4yZHIOVtFkdtaBTICmCskybPxNyMh_kwjdXoUY5iLVbO_Cgb34Xq_wbUntpcZ-G8bCaNktQXX5uN8AKC6IaNiwf6fAhdoE1fgpJJgVCYbKUnM8qo5zrXZBkC8tQ5ImpzEx4nEZDQn/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQIp4yZHIOVtFkdtaBTICmCskybPxNyMh_kwjdXoUY5iLVbO_Cgb34Xq_wbUntpcZ-G8bCaNktQXX5uN8AKC6IaNiwf6fAhdoE1fgpJJgVCYbKUnM8qo5zrXZBkC8tQ5ImpzEx4nEZDQn/s640/IMG_0308.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We took a good look at the guidebook and were pretty convinced we could see the Fresh Air Traverse. We went for it. It required a rappel that we could no way go back up on. If it wasn't the Fresh Air Traverse we were certainly going to be spending the night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdZWcU5iGGSMfgWvGvgwC5dYx1WsHUF-uhqwv6WOEL47YDQ8O6fQYwXeRk-WZfIvx9YcF2gh65NmRb1Pzx8BGY0yH-XWtUOs6AZXUIeQjVsOTo8cpGo_Ya2OS3JDcJm-aw-Wx_ZRuRakP/s1600/whitpic4-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdZWcU5iGGSMfgWvGvgwC5dYx1WsHUF-uhqwv6WOEL47YDQ8O6fQYwXeRk-WZfIvx9YcF2gh65NmRb1Pzx8BGY0yH-XWtUOs6AZXUIeQjVsOTo8cpGo_Ya2OS3JDcJm-aw-Wx_ZRuRakP/s640/whitpic4-4.jpeg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wanted to record the Fresh Air Traverse with the GoPro so I got it out and turned it on. When I realized we were not at the Fresh Air Traverse I hit a new low in Mountaineering. The stress of the situation was tangible. I never would have recorded it on purpose but turning off the GoPro was the last thing on my mind. Below is some high mountain drama. Warning: my wife says it is boring and could be rated PG-13.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ptcG1cn9VBM" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
After finishing the plan formulated in the video above we had time for one more pitch before it was mostly dark. We talked about trying to continue on with headlamps but decided it would be safer to man up and wait for morning. It was time to put on our thermals (thank goodness we brought them) and get ready for the longest night of our lives. <br />
<br />
We were on a small sloping ledge, too little to dare sleep without being harnessed into the rock. We dressed, tried to eat and drink a little, and sent a text off to our wives that said we were going to be out another day. Remember we had only slept one hour the night before, so I figured we would get some sleep despite the horrendous conditions. By 8:00 it was pitch black and we were getting into our warmest position. I fell asleep and woke up 50 or 100 times. I snuggled with Roman. I spooned with Roman. I went through cycle after cycle of "shiver, violently shiver, shiver, violent shiver. I felt Roman do the same. I dreamed I was falling off the edge 10 times. It had to be almost morning. I finally dared to look at my watch. It was 9:45!! How was that possible? It had already been the longest night of my life and it had only just started. The rest of the night I never dared to look at my watch, I couldn't have handled that kind of disappointment again. <br />
<br />
Oh how we were looking forward to that sun coming out and warming us up, when it finally got light there was no sun to be seen. Clouds had rolled in during the night. We forced ourselves to get up. Roman couldn't feel anything in his feet. I didn't realize that he had slipped into the river the day before and his shoes and socks were still wet so he had only had his climbing shoes to wear that night. Despite the daylight my body still just wanted to stay in the fetal position and shiver. It was very difficult but we forced ourselves to rack up our climbing gear. We were both so cold that our bodies were barely working and we wondered if we even could climb.<br />
<br />
We climbed one pitch and my body started to work again. I warmed up to the point that I wasn't completely miserable. During our second pitch it started to snow. I simply ignored the snow and kept climbing, refusing to admit that it was really happening. The climbing was more difficult than it should have been and I didn't know if it was because of the snow or because we had never really gotten back on route after missing the Fresh Air Traverse. We climbed a third pitch and the snow continued to fall harder and harder. The snow was impossible to ignore now. Drifts were gathering at the top of the wall and every few minutes the drift would get blown off the top and we would watch it roll down the cliff face and then brace ourselves for it to hit us. The barrage of snow drifts would push the snow down even the tiniest of openings between clothes and skin. I was getting wetter and wetter. I was climbing in a light pair of belay gloves and my hands were freezing. The thought of spending another night on the mountain, this time wet, was enough to scare the heck out of me. I had seen enough episodes of "I Shouldn't Be Alive" to know the misfortuned mountaineer is most likely to lose his fingers, toes and nose. It felt like that fate could realistically be ours if we didn't make good decisions. The pitches were getting increasingly more stressful, and the snow was making them harder and harder. We did a fourth pitch and I got to a point that I should have been able to climb but with the snow it wasn't happening. I wanted to cry. I was getting scared enough that it was hard to think straight. I lowered off on a cam and started up a different crack. After another 70 feet of climbing I was right in the same predicament. I really don't like wasting gear but our situation was getting desperate. I lowered off on another cam. Roman had noticed a small hole in the rock he thought we could take cover in at the start of the previous pitch. He suggested we go back and take cover from the storm. It was the right thing to do and I was glad he suggested it. I am a little bummed that we were so stressed on day two that we didn't take a single picture. The conditions were the gnarliest mountain conditions I had ever witnessed, by a lot.<br />
<br />
We rappelled back to the shelter. I was the first one down and when I saw it I didn't think we could both fit in it, but we cleared some rock out and it barely housed the two of us. It was only 1:00 in the afternoon. It was going to be another long night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lqJvn9wQxKxpmaSqxbh4CwC-v5akkz8tD7N5cmDJrYlV5-VlDC3BFMnR-6xVk2B3wBEebn-Hj5QTKiihmsLjZ19ngLpbdv-XbvNcjJi8601GeBO4-l8eKWHmGMoMtz-v7Sxbne-FxgqO/s1600/IMG_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lqJvn9wQxKxpmaSqxbh4CwC-v5akkz8tD7N5cmDJrYlV5-VlDC3BFMnR-6xVk2B3wBEebn-Hj5QTKiihmsLjZ19ngLpbdv-XbvNcjJi8601GeBO4-l8eKWHmGMoMtz-v7Sxbne-FxgqO/s640/IMG_0265.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
One guy would have to lay in sideways and jam himself in as far as he could so that the other guy could sit in the fetal position at the front of the door way. Both positions were bad and we debated which was worse. We took turns switching every two hours. It was miserable, but it literally may have saved our fingers and toes. That hole in the rock was a tender mercy of the Lord. <br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">It was embarrassing but we knew with the amount of snow that was falling we were going to need to be helicoptered off the mountain. We had no reception on the cell phone. We tried to call out an SOS on the radio, but could not get any one there either. I assessed our food and water supply and figured we could hold up in the "crack</span><span style="text-align: left;">" for at least a week if we had to. </span><span style="text-align: left;">We figured we would get reception on the cell when the storm broke whenever that was.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqAclMEVgksbiFkWNurxhfMEZxmWfchzUBYmyMf5Mm42smHH7v7BCyKuB8dHxyGLY0Aw_qtF3uOTyQUlfZmAgAfO4O46_mQX4Joc5rJ5lR_CDFhIhx8W-NNCVi80S-aSQBiR4umtd5ktj/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqAclMEVgksbiFkWNurxhfMEZxmWfchzUBYmyMf5Mm42smHH7v7BCyKuB8dHxyGLY0Aw_qtF3uOTyQUlfZmAgAfO4O46_mQX4Joc5rJ5lR_CDFhIhx8W-NNCVi80S-aSQBiR4umtd5ktj/s640/IMG_0251.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We watched as the doorway filled to the top with snow. The snow made it like a little igloo. <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It wasn't warm but it was a lot less cold than we had been the night before. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFZXjVBDq8f7hvtBm21_VyxhvFZtoZXEzrG9ucphMZ8eG0QiABCyeT-6kC4exX3j2ScfTjP5yXlUbvVfi6wdj0vNXGZiiwKnetFQVC33RgC0YXtDOTnRWqW4Bc_Yt-lRPqhSlbDTqN6xu/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFZXjVBDq8f7hvtBm21_VyxhvFZtoZXEzrG9ucphMZ8eG0QiABCyeT-6kC4exX3j2ScfTjP5yXlUbvVfi6wdj0vNXGZiiwKnetFQVC33RgC0YXtDOTnRWqW4Bc_Yt-lRPqhSlbDTqN6xu/s640/IMG_0245.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We finally manage to sleep some while we waited for the storm to break.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Story of the rescue to come. </div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-41344127615324598122013-05-27T17:34:00.000-07:002013-05-27T18:18:15.168-07:00Don't Tell Mom!Sadly enough these days I mainly watch the SuperBowl for the commercials. This year our family's hands down favorite was this one below.<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BJSvOSE-oIM" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is now one of our favorite phrases when I am alone with the kids, probably when Sara is too. Usually I am joking but not always.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last summer me and my good friend Aaron took our three oldest kids canyoneering. When Aaron's youngest Macie chickened out on the rappel we had to fudge our usual safety standards. We invented what I now call the Daddy Daughter Rappel. It was successful in getting the whole team to the ground safely, but maybe not something you want to tell Mom about. I waited a year and hopefully now the statute of limitations is up and Mom can enjoy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G5LIrbTv1xI" width="560"></iframe></div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-76321134845967420052013-05-14T00:18:00.000-07:002013-05-14T10:25:11.687-07:00Salt Flats 100 Race ReportRhett and Bram and I had signed up for the Wasatch 100 trail run. It is without a doubt one of the toughest races in America and maybe someday I will do it. <br />
<br />
I jumped into the training full bore and within a month of dedicating way too much time to running Sara had had enough. I had asked her permission before I signed up and tried to warn her of the amount of time I would be spending training, but until we were living it neither of us really understood the amount of time dedicated to doing something like running 100 miles. <br />
<br />
Neither I nor Sara could handle 8 months of legit training. Sara thought I should just run the 50 miler I had already signed up for and call it an ultra marathon career, but I had started this training to run 100 miles and would be disappointed in anything less. So I found a race that was only a month after my 50 and promised Sara that I wouldn't need to train much in between them.<br />
<br />
Enter the Salt Flats 100.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2SXRXrZybu0jzCHV_p4Ckc73Qcs0-qzNr_hj_7diV2sI9CdgLMRZBqWs7opYUBDe0zxXDf5-Nb_49k-XAYTSEysEgrMGH9HEvxzmHv9s5gBp0B238bIVyNmsk2J-3SLf3zDIDFQo5T3Q/s1600/sff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2SXRXrZybu0jzCHV_p4Ckc73Qcs0-qzNr_hj_7diV2sI9CdgLMRZBqWs7opYUBDe0zxXDf5-Nb_49k-XAYTSEysEgrMGH9HEvxzmHv9s5gBp0B238bIVyNmsk2J-3SLf3zDIDFQo5T3Q/s400/sff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">The Salt Flats is a really cool backdrop for a race. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3L1wzXl_obUNGFTDB01rLCWCZyFPMVdIiSro-zz3Qrhazvro6QyLoKi3Lqao4MyS1hVsgggsLZpfgc66ZCyo-1cFspqXE1iqo6gmdAldwBggUliGNehkPKPStM-DkVhbm4wbyEwh_SYB/s1600/sf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3L1wzXl_obUNGFTDB01rLCWCZyFPMVdIiSro-zz3Qrhazvro6QyLoKi3Lqao4MyS1hVsgggsLZpfgc66ZCyo-1cFspqXE1iqo6gmdAldwBggUliGNehkPKPStM-DkVhbm4wbyEwh_SYB/s400/sf1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bram and Rhett and I spent the night before the race carbo-loading at Pizza Hut and talking race strategy. The best thing about getting together for any challenge is always the build up and the aftermath. We had a blast imagining what the next day would bring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3govLbblIZFyWs1X1RpC2XM0RQqljH990dZXRTlHcVgq6o6GJ_a1zVd3ZwU9Vv6kdQ24-i7_SGGIPBbx_cTYPOB2njXLkv34ZJzOipJG36-y9ge-SrLM67l3D1DIp3wAFrAAngbDTWH7/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-89-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3govLbblIZFyWs1X1RpC2XM0RQqljH990dZXRTlHcVgq6o6GJ_a1zVd3ZwU9Vv6kdQ24-i7_SGGIPBbx_cTYPOB2njXLkv34ZJzOipJG36-y9ge-SrLM67l3D1DIp3wAFrAAngbDTWH7/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-89-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 7:00 am the next morning, in a totally surreal landscape, on a perfect April morning 54 runners set out to tame the Salt Flats 100.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM69DvzBMheihp-gDPnW-JSonR0pd4lMWGEzJDvdz1Vc7lF251h9d53Z3hP12UGuWWkYAPEsplkZIkDSNvyeyU115xZM_VzIf1TPL8hhVdlBsK6BdigtdXT91BN8RrloBo1wCfCf1ETi_/s1600/sf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM69DvzBMheihp-gDPnW-JSonR0pd4lMWGEzJDvdz1Vc7lF251h9d53Z3hP12UGuWWkYAPEsplkZIkDSNvyeyU115xZM_VzIf1TPL8hhVdlBsK6BdigtdXT91BN8RrloBo1wCfCf1ETi_/s640/sf2.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started out with ten miles of straight salt. It was smooth sailing and we were all feeling good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwERNF83Z2KAeOYHcd3lpBcI_c3BS76exXMdT2Mafl4sH48n43R2Mk4slho-VWsS7zqr_F206rj_tDK9Js7fOMEPuGtmvVYq1fYL24lfSCbViFYyYc1Z28MgFEfaaxny62pXtKqFSPyMV/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-207-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwERNF83Z2KAeOYHcd3lpBcI_c3BS76exXMdT2Mafl4sH48n43R2Mk4slho-VWsS7zqr_F206rj_tDK9Js7fOMEPuGtmvVYq1fYL24lfSCbViFYyYc1Z28MgFEfaaxny62pXtKqFSPyMV/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-207-X3.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here are the three of us running in formation. This is around mile three. Notice the smile on Bram's face and the grimace on my face. It is freaking mile 3! I should not be grimacing yet! The bottom line is I am just a miserable runner and I can't really hide it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKwju8m7xO6I6TzuXHp9BLjw7NDZcvjFIw__JODCGOUMrS-k_s46hvD48ZNDu5ZPuB_K2akd7V0zayxQ1FJSlJOfPxAkkkT4WO5iwF4rBT_bcR-NmMJ4MBMxJ8P-JgKhU708-Yq-Iqsk9/s1600/sf4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKwju8m7xO6I6TzuXHp9BLjw7NDZcvjFIw__JODCGOUMrS-k_s46hvD48ZNDu5ZPuB_K2akd7V0zayxQ1FJSlJOfPxAkkkT4WO5iwF4rBT_bcR-NmMJ4MBMxJ8P-JgKhU708-Yq-Iqsk9/s640/sf4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When we got close to aid stations I always made us walk into them to get us ready to stomach some calories. My 50 miler had taught me the importance of continuing to put calories in.<br />
<br />
The three of us ran together for the first 25 miles. That was the best part of the race for me. Being with my good buddies and feeling strong all while being in a totally unique setting was about as good as running can get. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZUvwblLqmCmdExL0Cm3bUNWCHtIKhhQTawrOrxILMVSc9HroL-MaPf5kyIF_dgfdrKMUQd00Ux5T3FIyfkV-zKa_3unXBFzD4-CV7TvcAtJW6Plbro34HHDL1_AXT47tCcUOHIJ01MMJ/s1600/ssff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZUvwblLqmCmdExL0Cm3bUNWCHtIKhhQTawrOrxILMVSc9HroL-MaPf5kyIF_dgfdrKMUQd00Ux5T3FIyfkV-zKa_3unXBFzD4-CV7TvcAtJW6Plbro34HHDL1_AXT47tCcUOHIJ01MMJ/s320/ssff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At mile 25 we were at the top of our first mountain pass. My knee had been bothering me for the previous 10 or 15 miles. (Now I know it was my IT band, but at the time I didn't know what it was.) I only knew it hurt less when I ran faster than when I ran slower. So I told Rhett and Bram I was going to run at a little faster pace for the next 4 miles as it was all downhill. That was the last I saw of Rhett and Bram.<br />
<br />
From there it was a lot of easy miles on nice rolling dirt roads through mile 35 or so when we had our second significant climb over another mountain pass. I got another good burst on the downhill but when the trail got really steep my knee was starting to bother me enough that I would have to hobble down the trail. Not a good sign considering I still had over 60 miles to go.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRY8yvRrhKFB90q6Y0Cn85XRWruoeONrZ3KUTGAUYh8L7PeYyfrz6quqbGxHtBqwhyphenhyphenMt428aGAbEyAwIxb4ZKnpG5gQ_eo17ltZhRFjO5xMEV-I_fOUhC0IoaM8iiKlQ-6OinC0xJ2MO8/s1600/sf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRY8yvRrhKFB90q6Y0Cn85XRWruoeONrZ3KUTGAUYh8L7PeYyfrz6quqbGxHtBqwhyphenhyphenMt428aGAbEyAwIxb4ZKnpG5gQ_eo17ltZhRFjO5xMEV-I_fOUhC0IoaM8iiKlQ-6OinC0xJ2MO8/s640/sf3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
At mile 40 the elevation chart showed a long 7 or 8 mile flat section. I think most people were anticipating some easy miles, but that was not the case. The dirt was really weird and crusty and every time you stepped on it you sunk in 3 or 4 inches. It made running difficult and not getting crap in your shoes impossible. The landscape made you feel like you were in a Mad Max movie and the endless straight desert line started to play with your mind. When the race was all over I heard the most complaints about this section. I was actually enjoying it quite a bit until my ipod died.<br />
<br />
Around mile 46 I noticed a hot spot on my left foot from some of the dirt that had got in my shoe. I didn't want to stop to get it out because I had been jockeying back and forth with some girl and I was finally opening up a little more distance on her and I knew she would pass me again if I stopped. I pushed it to mile 48 and finally decided to clear my left shoe of debris. It was too late I could tell I had a blister started right on the ball of my left foot. To make it worse the girl passed me again at mile 50 anyways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIB8xe5bmQsi42KzcrT1Be1L2BdGJtyAxjK6-dLyHfsNzbV5spEeBD3SST-4K12H0PvuZMQ8VVM4GopuDyy5UKwlwkqaCZcHUBNNFjt-T083xLkEQqlHZgX7ly0w3vKf5q6es2UbcqiMB/s1600/sf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIB8xe5bmQsi42KzcrT1Be1L2BdGJtyAxjK6-dLyHfsNzbV5spEeBD3SST-4K12H0PvuZMQ8VVM4GopuDyy5UKwlwkqaCZcHUBNNFjt-T083xLkEQqlHZgX7ly0w3vKf5q6es2UbcqiMB/s640/sf5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was around mile 53 when the sun set.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLWCMRBI_i69mw-weI3tl5xwyWWoHbZAeiMGNhxKRwnTPXe5w_cdH1VrLPeuThYf9RruRr5Jj22Fw9rPgihQeP3Kj2v3TgYU_FZE1CfoOgEz3ogMzTAH3RbdgHnjm7TYQEaJZvvjgvrjO/s1600/sf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLWCMRBI_i69mw-weI3tl5xwyWWoHbZAeiMGNhxKRwnTPXe5w_cdH1VrLPeuThYf9RruRr5Jj22Fw9rPgihQeP3Kj2v3TgYU_FZE1CfoOgEz3ogMzTAH3RbdgHnjm7TYQEaJZvvjgvrjO/s640/sf6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was about the same time I picked up my first pacer, Roxanne. It was great to have someone to run with after being alone for the last 25 or 30 miles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BfB3w4xNYvxVIJyO-YSDLDzGHbgS-IVqD7nEBubgUNOQQfcpP6VpU5U3F_NEshZH_22qm4L0nODm-MGnuj93h0zPhAfxd31zYYwSRbyu4ckY0Jqcg98Ah80CyFDr4HU3Yj6Qib4shoFk/s1600/sf7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BfB3w4xNYvxVIJyO-YSDLDzGHbgS-IVqD7nEBubgUNOQQfcpP6VpU5U3F_NEshZH_22qm4L0nODm-MGnuj93h0zPhAfxd31zYYwSRbyu4ckY0Jqcg98Ah80CyFDr4HU3Yj6Qib4shoFk/s640/sf7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her first question for me was "Do you feel like Forest Gump?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Roxanne and I made good time and I passed the girl responsible for my blister again for the last time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGISNr8SgU2QwybmdD9mEANnVpfhA0gOt2TDdd1k3CVgH6BD7r2CUfMNjZFJ3-YSlbaB6Wy_q-XSzSHmys6OLZQo-kkwlo-nvbKFs6D8YtnL1x2oA9_2O-gUVhCZrxQ-fQO0GuQXxg7h-1/s1600/sf9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGISNr8SgU2QwybmdD9mEANnVpfhA0gOt2TDdd1k3CVgH6BD7r2CUfMNjZFJ3-YSlbaB6Wy_q-XSzSHmys6OLZQo-kkwlo-nvbKFs6D8YtnL1x2oA9_2O-gUVhCZrxQ-fQO0GuQXxg7h-1/s640/sf9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At mile 57 I picked up Danny and put on a head lamp. I think up until mile 50 I was towards the back of the pack, but I felt much better than I had at the end of my 50 miler and my confidence was high despite my knee which was bothering me more all the time. Danny and I kept a good pace and we started to pass a lot of runners. I kept my stops at aid stations short and when Danny and I finished at mile 75 I had moved up to be the 21st runner and was on pace to be under 25 hours. I was tickled especially because I was just hoping to finish in under 30 hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl7l4E8Wjzhb5EmmOx3QxIbsrPA-261tM28qQFqQJv22NuXLWFPXuhcjAqKRx8-wosNcR-qezmJhr2J8R_AWELSE94o3jir87-CqNbcp2cKYnFLLxAqOZKMppjYGa5CPT6uloIbuZxlQ2/s1600/sf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFl7l4E8Wjzhb5EmmOx3QxIbsrPA-261tM28qQFqQJv22NuXLWFPXuhcjAqKRx8-wosNcR-qezmJhr2J8R_AWELSE94o3jir87-CqNbcp2cKYnFLLxAqOZKMppjYGa5CPT6uloIbuZxlQ2/s400/sf8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the aid station workers at mile 67 told Danny and I we had a beautiful section ahead of us but this was all we saw.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At mile 75 I picked up Roman and we got on the trail quick. Every leg after mile 75 felt long. I would be looking at my watch wondering why we weren't at the next aid station yet. In hind sight I had obviously dropped my pace but my mind was not sharp enough to realize that and instead I just complained about the mileage not being accurate.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The mile 80 aid station finally came and I had moved up to be the 16th runner. I was excited about that but not excited to still have 20 miles left to go. I was still hoping to be under 25 hours but could sense it was slipping.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At mile 81 I felt a rock in my right shoe. I knew my sense of distance was warped when I thought to myself, 'You don't need to get it out, you only have 19 miles left.' Then I really didn't get it out. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After the mile 80 aid station the next station was mile 90. That was a heck of a long way to go without an aid station at that point in the race. Seven miles of it were uphill and I was running on empty. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Around mile 85 we passed a runner who was literally barely moving. He actually looked more like a zombie than a runner. When we passed him I asked him if he was alright. He looked at us but didn't appear to see us. It was like he was staring right through us. We asked him again if he was all right. He finally said, "If you see my partner will you tell him I had to take a rest."<br />
<br />
I asked him, "Are you talking about your pacer?"<br />
<br />
"No my partner, will you just tell him I had to take a rest."<br />
<br />
After we left him I turned to Roman and said, "There is no way we are seeing that guy again. I'm not doing that good but I am doing a lot better than him."<br />
<br />
I was sure that he was going to lay down for a rest and be on the side of the trail at least until the the sun came up.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We came around one bend in the road after another and I just kept expecting to see the mile 90 aid station. Finally when it was just barely starting to get light enough your eyes could play tricks on you, we came around a bend and I saw it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYKJFy3mys5LUU34P7nrO7lx3c2vixBK5OTQ1x2XaP8nAn1pj6x6bj_oNYE1q5979YzxBhfCXCLNZ6aKftJaV9FYcTj-44Itc_3hsaOZ0HTREEYNYFLzFnn6S8ymLLw6cZQvG48xF_SNh/s1600/sf123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYKJFy3mys5LUU34P7nrO7lx3c2vixBK5OTQ1x2XaP8nAn1pj6x6bj_oNYE1q5979YzxBhfCXCLNZ6aKftJaV9FYcTj-44Itc_3hsaOZ0HTREEYNYFLzFnn6S8ymLLw6cZQvG48xF_SNh/s640/sf123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Yes, we made it!'</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Roman's reply "What?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Right there see that black thing over there that's a trailer, we'll be at the aid station in a couple of minutes."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"That black thing right there?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Yeah."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Uh.....that's a bush."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I looked a little closer, "Dang it..... that is a bush."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We went five or ten more minutes and came around another bend. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Yes, we made it!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Roman, "What?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Right there straight ahead you can see the shape of a tent right across the way."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Umm..... I don't think that is a tent."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"No it is totally a tent. Stand where I am standing look were I am pointing that is definitely a tent." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Uh......that's not a tent."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Yes it is man. I can see it. You will see it in a second too."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Five minutes closer it was obviously not a tent. Roman was smart enough not to give me an 'I told you so', I was probably pretty volatile at that point. I was pretty much at rock bottom. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
We went another five or ten minutes and came around another bend and the dirt road we were on just looked like it went straight up forever with no sign of the aid station. Turns out I was pretty volatile because at this point in the race I said some not very nice things.<br />
<br />
Roman lightened things up by saying they should have a camera set up right there to get runners reactions as they come around.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After an eternity we made it to mile 90. During the ten mile section I only passed the zombie guy so I was now in 15th, but as we were arriving we saw runner 14 leaving the aid station. I was trying my best to put in some much needed calories when all the sudden another runner came in to the aid station, to my astonishment it was the zombie guy. I said "Man you made a heck of a recovery." To which he gave no response.<br />
<br />
I tapped Roman and said "Let's hurry and get going I don't want him to pass me." We got out of the aid station and I figured he would definitely need to spend some significant time there and get some calories in him after the 10 miles without anything. I thought at least five or ten minutes maybe fifteen or twenty.<br />
<br />
We had gone about 100 yards when Roman said, "Man your not going to believe this but the zombie dude is leaving the aid station."<br />
<br />
"What? No way!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-D1YaDhjpCoB5xaK3HoiqIULhkL6_rh1em9a2d0hcl1f71Bv6SCqAqkoOASu616zv19GvAW29-0dVxP5Zzl0KY5z6XIYqXMEn-G1Xw33iEiN7rkN4HpIunsdfgx_G4LqN04pFHYoBedZ/s1600/sf12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-D1YaDhjpCoB5xaK3HoiqIULhkL6_rh1em9a2d0hcl1f71Bv6SCqAqkoOASu616zv19GvAW29-0dVxP5Zzl0KY5z6XIYqXMEn-G1Xw33iEiN7rkN4HpIunsdfgx_G4LqN04pFHYoBedZ/s640/sf12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Out of the aid station we had a long downhill. I usually tear up downhills, but my knee was not going to allow that. I was trying to hobble along as fast as I could, but it was not fast at all. Meanwhile Roman was continually looking back to keep a watch on the zombie guy. <br />
<br />
"Is he gaining on me?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah he's definitely gaining on you. In fact you better scoot over and make some room for him."<br />
<br />
He honestly passed me like I was standing still. He was running like I would have been 80 miles ago. It was pretty disheartening to see him crushing the downhill, and myself being reduced to a hobble. We could see the trail forever in front of us which made it that much more painful to watch him go. I was back in the 16th spot and losing my motivation. I obviously wasn't making it in 25 hours and just a mile before I was envisioning moving up to the 14th spot but now was back in 16th after having been destroyed by a guy who I seriously doubted was going to finish just 5 miles ago. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9-vVLKlMsQCAGphKdaAKrgtYVGb35LP_gUwfKOtLUWOQARkMUx5encgMkMnXiQOVXkJo5SvL_On-buSqK07l35p71hlpaetFURgZw7LFGX9QH7M0uyvF1GOmEm3mZK0mCh-k7njK5gCo/s1600/sf10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9-vVLKlMsQCAGphKdaAKrgtYVGb35LP_gUwfKOtLUWOQARkMUx5encgMkMnXiQOVXkJo5SvL_On-buSqK07l35p71hlpaetFURgZw7LFGX9QH7M0uyvF1GOmEm3mZK0mCh-k7njK5gCo/s640/sf10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting to mile 95 aid station was probably the most miserable part for me. Everything was hurting. The blister that I felt start back at mile 46 now felt like it covered my whole foot. My joint pain had been limited to my right knee, but now my left ankle was hurting and swollen. I had been told by many people that I would feel better when the sun came up but that turned out to be a lie. I just needed this to end. Around mile 94 runner 17 came into the picture. I did not want to get passed again. Finally some much needed motivation to pick up the pace.<br />
<br />
When we got to the mile 95 aid station, runner 17 was closing and I didn't have much to hold him off with. In NASCAR fashion I told Roman I was going to gamble and not make a pit stop and see if I could lengthen my lead a little. Roman refilled my water and grabbed me a piece of fruit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b1Wbo6jIlHWkToq-CKaV_jXNE6_KWXuGo-vREwKhvZW7WFtsT-vbd5UmjeGvl9uLWbmzgXCnV54kwLZ1-wongXaUlSi2DO7R8T4cMMFwbQislyICo8Mn5H7UDilmlDzWig65xP8sVg_4/s1600/IMG_5804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b1Wbo6jIlHWkToq-CKaV_jXNE6_KWXuGo-vREwKhvZW7WFtsT-vbd5UmjeGvl9uLWbmzgXCnV54kwLZ1-wongXaUlSi2DO7R8T4cMMFwbQislyICo8Mn5H7UDilmlDzWig65xP8sVg_4/s640/IMG_5804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The last 5 miles was completely flat and just like the race had started. You could see the finish line forever but it just didn't seem to get any closer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7eiWer6Ka8sxYiEnLGbMdeXiDb74pGFEftAwE0z3qt32cdECof5vQ0axPqEZrPz8VMstMdlFt2xZdrHim0Q1l7QutXc9JKM7SJGel2-erwUwykjseXsb2x1Oe_wXuwX682yavy-2X1Vj/s1600/sf14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7eiWer6Ka8sxYiEnLGbMdeXiDb74pGFEftAwE0z3qt32cdECof5vQ0axPqEZrPz8VMstMdlFt2xZdrHim0Q1l7QutXc9JKM7SJGel2-erwUwykjseXsb2x1Oe_wXuwX682yavy-2X1Vj/s640/sf14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Don't be fooled by these pictures I was strictly power walking and only managed to get this run going because Roman wanted to take some pictures. I just kept asking Roman to check on runner 17 and see if he was making a move. If he did, I was going to try to hold him off but that could have gotten ugly very quickly. It is really pretty pathetic how competitive I am. Luckily he didn't ever make a move.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQstp4ApPmHF8lfKoqOuWO7WO5Flu70dkqIA28VNuwcuFNkSO3zsukX8bISDkHPuEUSgPip60JVzAY7ZZnPOsYJmtFklxYFzdn0QBZYMi767NUvZ8t754Nv3F9wGKym8x8pAs5Fr6zj9t_/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-848-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQstp4ApPmHF8lfKoqOuWO7WO5Flu70dkqIA28VNuwcuFNkSO3zsukX8bISDkHPuEUSgPip60JVzAY7ZZnPOsYJmtFklxYFzdn0QBZYMi767NUvZ8t754Nv3F9wGKym8x8pAs5Fr6zj9t_/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-848-X3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally after 27 hours and 8 minutes, the long awaited finish came. It was a very rewarding moment. I ended up in 16th out of 54, with number 17 only 3 minutes behind me and the zombie guy finishing 48 freaking minutes ahead of me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRq0-PzlvZjITPZLgwFbwfeewxDBtEJr-cvX7Pk5gVg-ggLwC8BjPlP75J9UaxVVqIIgKssP3amiVWgvKULPHwgMaTPiqGnzlrESCYt7YzV5tz1lXvus1MOALfaX9Ndj7069skJRx1_Xh/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-852-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRq0-PzlvZjITPZLgwFbwfeewxDBtEJr-cvX7Pk5gVg-ggLwC8BjPlP75J9UaxVVqIIgKssP3amiVWgvKULPHwgMaTPiqGnzlrESCYt7YzV5tz1lXvus1MOALfaX9Ndj7069skJRx1_Xh/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-852-X3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sara couldn't be there to hug me but I got the next best thing, Cher. She cried for both of us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWFHZRF17P8eKX0Y4fGwh3TENMCxx1pnKxF4p41r58BtRZWYdrSrBXTHHsJ0FnkgRYmYEW028GjI8xZGIA_AuWDEtvdTrEe3xuubCo54Ue8Vh73FKUC_pPOLspLXS-19yXcTb1jVRKi4m/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-854-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWFHZRF17P8eKX0Y4fGwh3TENMCxx1pnKxF4p41r58BtRZWYdrSrBXTHHsJ0FnkgRYmYEW028GjI8xZGIA_AuWDEtvdTrEe3xuubCo54Ue8Vh73FKUC_pPOLspLXS-19yXcTb1jVRKi4m/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-854-X3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Smart family never disappoints in supporting each other. It meant a lot to me to have them all there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrCzdhPszUNc6v7Zf-PcWkDbre1Yh6jmPlb5zuVUQw2D8gn8J6L6RZKu5Asaa6Ah9j-wuxcQrvnakK3EVPUAe7sdpQ4wY7PsV2EUdThevIgBfwQS_Jii4yukC-M1oPq4wimyJpFcpKQhG/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-932-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrCzdhPszUNc6v7Zf-PcWkDbre1Yh6jmPlb5zuVUQw2D8gn8J6L6RZKu5Asaa6Ah9j-wuxcQrvnakK3EVPUAe7sdpQ4wY7PsV2EUdThevIgBfwQS_Jii4yukC-M1oPq4wimyJpFcpKQhG/s320/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-932-L.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had not sat down once the whole entire run. Towards the end of the run I think if I would have sat down it would have been impossible to get going again. Once I finally sat I could not believe how fast the soreness set in. Within ten minutes my legs were literally rigid. I could not stand up. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told my supporters to come check out the bottom of my feet as I took my shoes off, if they wanted to see some serious carnage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQowzrz-lNi9KDG87mSg8r-Us60FNd6W_of8MvfJ_QUui9j-siaTRk_Q470HwooALzWttyOqPeSJRviRXSd3bubATXaNvz7YpUArWAa0Opr7NrVG8a9JKd5QgyohA-tTTwO3fyTioTx0-G/s1600/blisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQowzrz-lNi9KDG87mSg8r-Us60FNd6W_of8MvfJ_QUui9j-siaTRk_Q470HwooALzWttyOqPeSJRviRXSd3bubATXaNvz7YpUArWAa0Opr7NrVG8a9JKd5QgyohA-tTTwO3fyTioTx0-G/s640/blisters.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The feet did not disappoint. One of the other runners asked if he could take a picture of my foot and post it as his. "Sure, knock yourself out."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFd9c9PP2vUCfYoQZv4P54kXg7RPhySjzEbWjKEaYTxZASrdLzbpyH5BvcNjZva8uEZbp27uQFOst6EEssIwRJW2KSaRZsM89zBlSq7mGQOvTEKUyUArtEVjmZofn9XUA0gg0He8l5c2N/s1600/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-1029-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFd9c9PP2vUCfYoQZv4P54kXg7RPhySjzEbWjKEaYTxZASrdLzbpyH5BvcNjZva8uEZbp27uQFOst6EEssIwRJW2KSaRZsM89zBlSq7mGQOvTEKUyUArtEVjmZofn9XUA0gg0He8l5c2N/s640/Salt+Flats+100+Mile-1029-X2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One hundred miles is a long way. It is exponentially longer than 50 miles. I was shocked at how beat up all the runners looked as they finished the race. It wasn't just me. Rhett and Bram were no exception either. If you look close in this picture you can see how swollen Rhett's right knee is in comparison to his left. Rhett and Bram finished the race together like real buddies should.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_d55BJ0C5A5H9aqhlRQDLmm4P5PpQbJ8DRwcL7DoEQ9FZPGdctHpT2lBXjaZLbLFKt12mKV8ksGiVyqkRLdSqsUusS-6lICxSIvz6_5G8WZOKo28dLc5MB5dDrDkcy0Gys1uGszvcYDw/s1600/sf+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_d55BJ0C5A5H9aqhlRQDLmm4P5PpQbJ8DRwcL7DoEQ9FZPGdctHpT2lBXjaZLbLFKt12mKV8ksGiVyqkRLdSqsUusS-6lICxSIvz6_5G8WZOKo28dLc5MB5dDrDkcy0Gys1uGszvcYDw/s640/sf+finish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The race was quite an experience. Though I didn't enjoy the last 20 miles much, the end result brought me a lot of satisfaction.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I keep getting asked the same thing now, "Are you ever going to do that again?" To which I always give an honest answer, "I hope not."</div>
</div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-17297453808789540462013-04-22T02:19:00.000-07:002013-04-22T07:07:25.881-07:00Ultra-Mistake?I have confidence issues. Don't believe me, let me give you a few examples. <br />
<br />
Exhibit A- "Double Molar Off"<br />
<br />
When I served in France as a missionary we had a challenge known as a "Molar Off." This challenge was a right of passage that existed among missionaries long before I arrived in France and hopefully still does today. To successfully complete a "Molar Off" a missionary only needed to eat 50 chocolate covered granola cookies and drink a liter of French milk without blowing chunks. Often times the cookies went down easy enough but once they mixed with the milk, they expanded in ones stomach and the result was good for a cheap photo and boosted the missionary's district's morale. Who doesn't like to see their peers get sick and loose their lunch. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbeMvx3RMf1kORDe4cD24f5xzfmEEvDx0U6WFoCeEj5grF0jwB-L3l2Z0fF0AVpl7GL3gtYFnzoCGoQvslOst9wkrd8jnmR-tmfe6WkzcWK8sYxIRkOTX0X4kCKNJaFV_hYOHD_guANkr/s1600/LU_Granola_chocolat_au_lait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbeMvx3RMf1kORDe4cD24f5xzfmEEvDx0U6WFoCeEj5grF0jwB-L3l2Z0fF0AVpl7GL3gtYFnzoCGoQvslOst9wkrd8jnmR-tmfe6WkzcWK8sYxIRkOTX0X4kCKNJaFV_hYOHD_guANkr/s200/LU_Granola_chocolat_au_lait.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
As a new missionary, I heard a few of the others experiences and was asked when I was going to try the Molar Off. I saw some of the guys who were successful and just figured I was capable of more than them. This is the kind of confidence issues I am talking about, instead of just being content to be successful in the traditional Molar Off, I announced that it was too easy for me, I would instead attempt to be the first person in the mission to complete a "Double Molar Off": one-hundred cookies and two liters of milk in two hours time. Word of my announcement traveled fast and soon I was scheduled to do it with my whole district there to witness.<br />
<br />
When the day came I was ready to bring it. For the 24 hours previous I had not eaten anything only drank large quantities of water to stretch the stomach. I was starving and couldn't wait to get going. The first 50 cookies and liter of milk were a breeze. I downed them in 30 minutes and was all smiles. I started right into the next 50. I was at 70 cookies before they started to taste less appealing and was convincing most in attendance I was going to pull it off. I ate five more cookies that I did not enjoy, 75 cookies in 45 minutes, then the wheels started to come off. In the next 15 minutes I willed myself to eat 8 more cookies. I had an hour left to go. I had finished 83 cookies and 1.5 liters of the milk, but I had hit a wall like none other. Seventeen cookies did not seem possible. I calmed myself with the following self-strategy. "You have a whole hour left, relax for 30 minutes, let your stomach digest a bit of that and then the 17 cookies will be a cinch." <br />
<br />
For the next 30 minutes my stomach was not my friend. I sat in my chair sweating and squirming from the violence going on inside. Before I knew it the 30 minutes was gone and I felt worse than when it had started, but I knew I had to get going on the last 17 cookies. I suffered through 4 more cookies and then during my 88th cookie the moment came that everyone, except myself, was hoping for. <br />
<br />
Exhibit B- Ultra Marathons<br />
<br />
When I got invited by Rhett, my superhero cousin, to try my luck in one of the toughest 100 mile Ultra-Marathons in America, it didn't take me long to decide I would fork out the 225 bucks to see if I could do it. I should have instead remembered the absolutely horrendous experience I had in my only marathon (that is worthy of a blogpost itself) and said are you kidding me, no thanks, but that is not what happened, and instead my confidence has led to me being in way over my head, like usual.<br />
<br />
I luckily had an Ultra-Marathon acquaintance at school and he was happy to have me start training with him and all of his buddies. I soon realized I was in with a group that was far more dedicated to this cause then I was, not to mention had a lot more free time to train than I did, but really our biggest difference is they like running and I don't. Regardless of our differences I have been grateful for their help. I have trained with them when I could and lied to them about the mileage I was putting in when I couldn't. <br />
<br />
They told me I really should at least do a 50 before I attempt a 100, and having learned a lesson from the "double molar off" I decided they were probably right. So they signed me up for the hardest 50 around, 50 miles of trail with over 26,000 feet of total elevation change. That was a long day. At mile 20, I thought there was absolutely no way I could do 100 miles and wondered how in the heck I was going to do 30 more miles. At mile 40 I actually felt good and started to think I could really do 100. I finished the last 10 miles strong and passed a bunch of people for good that I had been jockeying back and forth with all day. I crossed the finish line, hugged my wife and kids and within 10 minutes of being stopped sunk to a physical low that I hadn't felt for a long time. The thought of putting on a headlamp and starting out in the night to redo what I had just done was literally a terrifying thought. For days I really didn't think I had what it took to do 100 miles. I again probably should have just been happy with a being a "single molar off" Ultra-marathoner, but when you have confidence issues like I do this isn't what happens. Eventually my stupid confidence toppled my doubts and I started to believe I could do it again. <br />
<br />
The time to find out if I can do it has now come, and the only good thing is I have two friends that have just as big of confidence issues as I do. That's right, Rhett and Bram will be standing next to me on the starting line.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63wpryrLir-w6CW_bMgofwM3E35WWyfIHIfz36_TDVNq71AFK6GCMvE5ns1PgqS4LMDIjMJCe27YmFLB28GLMKfBg1dj2-NOnNr_WVVLTmHKPFFiqH71Whom-_ROEiYbijTe5u_wikhbr/s1600/old+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63wpryrLir-w6CW_bMgofwM3E35WWyfIHIfz36_TDVNq71AFK6GCMvE5ns1PgqS4LMDIjMJCe27YmFLB28GLMKfBg1dj2-NOnNr_WVVLTmHKPFFiqH71Whom-_ROEiYbijTe5u_wikhbr/s640/old+g.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here I am finishing my 50. One of my goals was to not need a head lamp. I barely made it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Notice the banner above the finish line. It is hard not to like a sport with a slogan like that but I don't.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67OHZRy5kSzEAZdvZ3IBc-gUPqj7bzDjTEOjQ9OQhbjXpUg2i620w7MaEQ-d78_fiPCNZ4woMGQh9PFRo6FTL6mDEudanFW6k5sLrLXtHkW2lW3j_v82vcs2bnChVwprYZgUaup_HUpZq/s1600/old+goat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67OHZRy5kSzEAZdvZ3IBc-gUPqj7bzDjTEOjQ9OQhbjXpUg2i620w7MaEQ-d78_fiPCNZ4woMGQh9PFRo6FTL6mDEudanFW6k5sLrLXtHkW2lW3j_v82vcs2bnChVwprYZgUaup_HUpZq/s640/old+goat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are the stats:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finished 82nd out of 120ish that finished. I think there were about another 40 or 50 that did not finish. Thirteen girls beat me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi628KMEQ3XQf77I5IoBWdsah-16dOwEKjrbqpVhYRxBDZD91aUGLCR4GB1hW0QvQ37SKCx0pjz07xKLpGb6Mi_2i5cdgHnOizTlkeC2voNZjR6ysKeCXX364FZCahuI73s4XmCC03D6L96/s1600/og.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi628KMEQ3XQf77I5IoBWdsah-16dOwEKjrbqpVhYRxBDZD91aUGLCR4GB1hW0QvQ37SKCx0pjz07xKLpGb6Mi_2i5cdgHnOizTlkeC2voNZjR6ysKeCXX364FZCahuI73s4XmCC03D6L96/s640/og.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Does it look like I have 50 more miles in me? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually, don't answer that question I need all the confidence I can get. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-3985357589503201442012-12-12T00:02:00.000-08:002012-12-12T16:31:07.439-08:0012-12-12 Day of the BEETLEIt would be fitting that the last triple digit day of the century would be my brother Beetle's birthday. He is probably the most unique guy I know, and definitely one of the most fun to be around. I wish I could be there to share 12-12-12 with him today but instead I am sharing one of my favorite stories of him.<br />
<br />
Growing up he was always the guy willing to do the most wild and crazy things of anyone I knew. As his older brothers, Rocky and I were always dreaming up something off the wall for him to try and he rarely disappointed us. Here are a few of my favorite Beetle feats: Acid jumping off a 10 foot retaining
wall into 1 foot of water, snorting a package of green Kool-Aid,
swallowing a flaming marshmallow, taking on a Belgian Malinois police
dog, consuming bacon until the microwave overheated, and breaking a frozen burrito on his head. Most of these events
are deserving of there own blogpost and all of them are true except
the frozen burrito. Beetle did not break a frozen burrito on his head. He broke a partially frozen but
mostly thawed burrito on his head, but masterfully passed it off as a
fully frozen burrito. This is one story when Beetle got the last laugh on big bro.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFsfRynKiIG7Vzmp4H5BXNIszUUulogK_YGW3WIu3PpzeELJ5LEyNTGIxGDgMec2z9qE1l6SDwe6IqJQMRH90lfsTLIK6a3_0z75c9KeytfxFGq4e5M9SBt_uZT5PSxtyF9ciY0zKShiU/s1600/burrito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFsfRynKiIG7Vzmp4H5BXNIszUUulogK_YGW3WIu3PpzeELJ5LEyNTGIxGDgMec2z9qE1l6SDwe6IqJQMRH90lfsTLIK6a3_0z75c9KeytfxFGq4e5M9SBt_uZT5PSxtyF9ciY0zKShiU/s1600/burrito.jpg" /></a></div>
When we were growing up, Costco boxes
of Lynn Wilson burritos were a staple in our house. Arriving home
from school, they were often the snack of choice. We would grab a
burrito out of the freezer and fight over who was the next to use the
microwave. We quickly learned that if you didn't break the burrito
in half before cooking it, your burrito came out hot on the outside
and cold on the inside. There was a nice brick corner by the wood
burning stove that was sharp and perfect for breaking the frozen
burritos on. You would have to unwrap the burrito grab it on either
end in the palm of you hands and slam it against the 90 degree angle
of the brick. It usually didn't break on the first time, just a
little piece of frozen tortilla would chip off. On average it
probably took three good hits before the burrito would succumb to the
solid brick.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One day after breaking a particularly
stubborn burrito, one brother said to another, “How cool would it
be if you could break a frozen burrito on your head.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This comment started an argument that
went on for weeks about whether or not it could be done. Most days
we agreed it wasn't humanly possible, but everyone agreed it would
be awesome.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One lazy Saturday afternoon Roman
rushed into where Rocky and I were watching TV, “Beetle says he is
going to break a burrito on his head.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What?”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Is he crazy?” (We all knew the
answer to that.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We hurried into the kitchen, on the way
Roman yelled up stairs “RACH, ROX.... Beetle is going to break a
frozen burrito on his head!!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The big brothers simultaneously
reacted, “SHHHH!!! Don't let Mom hear.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the kitchen we found a confident
Beetle. Sure enough Roman was telling the truth. My first thought
was 'WOW, This is going to be ugly!'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beetle made sure we were all watching
as he went to the freezer, pulled out a burrito and unwrapped it. Then the con was on. He began with his 'pump up routine.' You know what I am
talking about, pacing around the kitchen, breathing hard, some
muffled words under his breath, a snort now and again. It was quite
an act for a 7<sup>th</sup> grader and Rocky and I were both buying
it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rocky whispered to me “Beetle is
going to kill himself.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah, It's going
to be awesome.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally he took the burrito in both
hands and with a scream slammed it into his forehead. To mine and
Rocky's disbelief the thawed burrito broke right down the middle. Beetle followed his amazing feat up with another yell for style points.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I thought to myself, 'Holy crap, did I
really just witness that?'</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If it had been Rocky doing the same
thing, I think I would have seen through it, but Beetle was crazy and
we all knew it. If I knew anyone capable of breaking a frozen
burrito on his head it was Beetle. I bought his con completely.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My train of thought that followed went
something like this, “My brother who is almost five years younger
than me just broke a frozen burrito on his head. I know he is a
little bit crazy but I am bigger and stronger than him, surely I can
slam something into my head with as much force as he can and if my
head is as hard as his head then I must be able to break a frozen
burrito on my head as well.” It makes sense, doesn't it?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I quickly announced, “If you can do
it, then I can too.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beetle was the first one to agree,
“Yeah you can totally do it. You just gotta totally commit.
As long as you hit it hard enough to break it, it won't hurt, but if
you don't fully commit and the burrito doesn't break, you're going to feel it.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again it made sense. I just had to
fully commit and I could do it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I started to get myself pumped up. My
'pump up routine' had pretty much everything Beetle's did but add in
some nostril flaring and a little less talking to myself. I was
fired up and it wasn't an act.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Beetle gave some last words of
encouragement, “You just got to fully commit!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I nodded my head and muttered to
myself, “Fully commit.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Roman whispered to Beetle, “Rangi is
going to kill himself.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Yeah, It's
going to be awesome.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A couple more big nostril flares, my
best mean face, a rebel yell, and I slammed the burrito into my
forehead as hard as I could.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This time the burrito did not break.
There wasn't even a dent in the tortilla.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the next few minutes this was all I saw: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
?!!*?/#$%@*!!!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was not knocked unconscious, but
there was blood.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luckily for Beetle I was stunned enough
that I still didn't see through the con for a while. Once I did
figure it out, Beetle swore he didn't have any malicious intent but
was only trying to impress his older brothers. When I decided I was
going to duplicate his feat, he couldn't come clean, he just had to go
with it. I don't know if I totally believe him but I think he owed me one regardless of his intent. Plus it makes for a good story.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Happy B-day Beetle!!</div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-53342231237842574702012-10-21T00:11:00.000-07:002012-10-21T12:35:30.903-07:00Sara gets her Whoa-Man status!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rig and I had committed Grandpa Steve to come on our annual Fourteener trip far in advance, but the week of the trip Sara expressed some disappointment with always being left at home. So I talked her into coming along with just a few days notice. She was a little apprehensive about her lack of training and experience but once I convinced her I wouldn't leave her alone in the wilderness the first time she asked for a break she was in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2DxITYiito0giDed_d9zC3La7gKIkOscbDKvHIkLCvR4fnZ9JD4KLW2Ydli5XLJRtuPDFKH1MAzu_PgNe22Dw0SNhfKLjRlgRUn5MafluMPOfw-F9r7u2EiPCCyYqKTyMUY9vN3876L6/s1600/IMG_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2DxITYiito0giDed_d9zC3La7gKIkOscbDKvHIkLCvR4fnZ9JD4KLW2Ydli5XLJRtuPDFKH1MAzu_PgNe22Dw0SNhfKLjRlgRUn5MafluMPOfw-F9r7u2EiPCCyYqKTyMUY9vN3876L6/s640/IMG_1462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: #f3f3f3;">Originally we were planning to climb Mt. Tyndall but since we had Mom as our celebrity guest, we decided we would let her have a crack at the Big Dog, Mt. Whitney.</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_vOZGaoq_Yhuwk0rcRLHDkpNtqkRl2p_ovw1TRC15J2AVabQUEs18Z32pIjpjnZHH2BqOoqocgdqFjRXfqKTf83-RdEnRiXvEJg3crzWTzaPe9nRsCbMzSSjphYNn4R7o8hnxx_rbyhS/s1600/IMG_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_vOZGaoq_Yhuwk0rcRLHDkpNtqkRl2p_ovw1TRC15J2AVabQUEs18Z32pIjpjnZHH2BqOoqocgdqFjRXfqKTf83-RdEnRiXvEJg3crzWTzaPe9nRsCbMzSSjphYNn4R7o8hnxx_rbyhS/s640/IMG_1463.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had more sun in the first 10 minutes than Rig and I did in two days on Rig's first trip up Whitney. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXD3-FG7jI4EFpEMdY8gWIWzm6lGsBlGeKulEUA0uopmfo-jGCk0nBwXyIzNBixF6AyLVW993zqEeowtyd9yEJEoaxYEmORjT4qOkHE-_SxJHeQnEje4N3PKZv0CTClwxfAMLBW9ohpFy/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXD3-FG7jI4EFpEMdY8gWIWzm6lGsBlGeKulEUA0uopmfo-jGCk0nBwXyIzNBixF6AyLVW993zqEeowtyd9yEJEoaxYEmORjT4qOkHE-_SxJHeQnEje4N3PKZv0CTClwxfAMLBW9ohpFy/s640/IMG_1465.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During our last guys trip someone raised the question of which one of our wives would be most likely to climb the Grand Teton. Sara's name was mentioned but I don't think she was put on the top of many people's list. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ2gN8-6_ocNeUo4JJDmMUudfBNjxOK5SXRSBQ05AZxCDX5A4-m3OwKpiK1X70xRTt5pX9mv9IImDfWnVK4Iq49nIhiCDwSlaWMyQhE_Zo6AFjqbcpXUhdxzsQzH_d3JLm63fPoaG1SW8/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ2gN8-6_ocNeUo4JJDmMUudfBNjxOK5SXRSBQ05AZxCDX5A4-m3OwKpiK1X70xRTt5pX9mv9IImDfWnVK4Iq49nIhiCDwSlaWMyQhE_Zo6AFjqbcpXUhdxzsQzH_d3JLm63fPoaG1SW8/s640/IMG_1469.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rig and Sara viewing some deer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR-SY1cBrtypeRdPj7qp4GzKWm8P2S_uKyPUaB5gr_QWi5HqkhRLn_gUCzc6R7kv9uJfCZDmk7TUIOuZkhHdXI2D57dsTYjr6zgULr9CoakXw1MuzkQlFnMEWGyclaWtM9m-vEhesEpfx/s1600/IMG_1480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR-SY1cBrtypeRdPj7qp4GzKWm8P2S_uKyPUaB5gr_QWi5HqkhRLn_gUCzc6R7kv9uJfCZDmk7TUIOuZkhHdXI2D57dsTYjr6zgULr9CoakXw1MuzkQlFnMEWGyclaWtM9m-vEhesEpfx/s400/IMG_1480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQcISy_JNXgSdaWJEOsqnFMlLoyvXb7sMWXtiUzaqkA4LQkfKnXNaQ3PNPKKciNrjqANZJo-Twp1hefYQKgE1lDteld68oObICZnTmj7M5Zex3yt8b2oJPr0zJ08lEm6bcFGZBKs0qoy-/s1600/IMG_1477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQcISy_JNXgSdaWJEOsqnFMlLoyvXb7sMWXtiUzaqkA4LQkfKnXNaQ3PNPKKciNrjqANZJo-Twp1hefYQKgE1lDteld68oObICZnTmj7M5Zex3yt8b2oJPr0zJ08lEm6bcFGZBKs0qoy-/s400/IMG_1477.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This guy let me close enough I thought about jumping on his back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaRN05TeT3CS8x1P3rlXLYQMkrsRq5naMaLoJDz-BhDE5vfztgtpEo5PX6uyETED8O_orwrMstDlsWZaY2yWJ_YLLNdNljQoeX8Ni7XM4Sg0rGAuEfctzvY5iwgo-DcxAyCQ6CCUle5E5/s1600/IMG_1492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaRN05TeT3CS8x1P3rlXLYQMkrsRq5naMaLoJDz-BhDE5vfztgtpEo5PX6uyETED8O_orwrMstDlsWZaY2yWJ_YLLNdNljQoeX8Ni7XM4Sg0rGAuEfctzvY5iwgo-DcxAyCQ6CCUle5E5/s640/IMG_1492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hike was beautiful and I felt spoiled to be sharing it with my wife.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1PGwLDVFBrTICTTK983IJUgWS9qkjfcphn0r9eU60yDq_WE0nSByqfUD3UMC6acj7CJ6B2pAapeHdeSEYY2jSdjqYnDHPLy_LsEORE0YttPO7WJf5ADuiKyiAQcFfTWXxly_3FUoyzTR/s1600/IMG_1487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1PGwLDVFBrTICTTK983IJUgWS9qkjfcphn0r9eU60yDq_WE0nSByqfUD3UMC6acj7CJ6B2pAapeHdeSEYY2jSdjqYnDHPLy_LsEORE0YttPO7WJf5ADuiKyiAQcFfTWXxly_3FUoyzTR/s640/IMG_1487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of our group I figured Sara to be the weakest link, but Rig was struggling more than usual.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxGO0AXWVIbKYNEgyKRL7fAHH6hpP5aBcxzZd8qYck2ODvdUyg6FkZxf6GbfF0rusBlueHtcdZv2uNWEVFYeoO3X-ZjJgnmdPRITIomn6dIHW2Sgz5dhXPPmETVCXV8tctNRiYImsrcTP/s1600/IMG_1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxGO0AXWVIbKYNEgyKRL7fAHH6hpP5aBcxzZd8qYck2ODvdUyg6FkZxf6GbfF0rusBlueHtcdZv2uNWEVFYeoO3X-ZjJgnmdPRITIomn6dIHW2Sgz5dhXPPmETVCXV8tctNRiYImsrcTP/s640/IMG_1494.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I turned around to see this. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What the heck? Are you seriously letting Mom carry your pack?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After giving Rig a hard time, he insisted on taking his pack back from Sara but it was too late. I already had this photo and video proof.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRgIXQgBN3OFb4TnTh0wqyJtMBiw-Q2mCG0eI-p0IgIzQYyuniwSG_7DXJvdljGWBEg_Uy1nDdRNPoQ9RrQ0b-tOA5JxCqtT6eK7pvS92mdbeCji-pp1eH_SuLv4FGpK-qQFvW1BJQDqM/s1600/IMG_1498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRgIXQgBN3OFb4TnTh0wqyJtMBiw-Q2mCG0eI-p0IgIzQYyuniwSG_7DXJvdljGWBEg_Uy1nDdRNPoQ9RrQ0b-tOA5JxCqtT6eK7pvS92mdbeCji-pp1eH_SuLv4FGpK-qQFvW1BJQDqM/s640/IMG_1498.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We made a little over half of the elevation on the first day.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxgsxaDnOloff4TZwZP4pr_IH0snLATXLsEb_AbuD4lFGh8x7r2jnzXX_8tERaIISbMe8dnvWO4TgRK5t0mbkW1Fj8IIvViYIsaxwKoJHPfBo84cVSFSEpVuhEKp66XzYu0UfqV818Bkl/s1600/IMG_1500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxgsxaDnOloff4TZwZP4pr_IH0snLATXLsEb_AbuD4lFGh8x7r2jnzXX_8tERaIISbMe8dnvWO4TgRK5t0mbkW1Fj8IIvViYIsaxwKoJHPfBo84cVSFSEpVuhEKp66XzYu0UfqV818Bkl/s640/IMG_1500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rig, Sara and I all squeezed into a two man tent. I gave Sara my nice sleeping pad. That and the cramped sleeping quarters made for a long night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACmnM26fW6fiQbKgNLMnJ2wpfGyVipbC1Fx4Kfb6CUlFZkUgGcpB1DRDGa-Ql1lH261vRYYjXNveoIayOK3AY2s3qrcKx88KwjYsyv0i7l4pdj46WvGFobP0N8braf0gKJmrhPM1xu_yp/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACmnM26fW6fiQbKgNLMnJ2wpfGyVipbC1Fx4Kfb6CUlFZkUgGcpB1DRDGa-Ql1lH261vRYYjXNveoIayOK3AY2s3qrcKx88KwjYsyv0i7l4pdj46WvGFobP0N8braf0gKJmrhPM1xu_yp/s640/IMG_1496.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Grandpa Steve left us all in the dust on the first day but a short bit into the second day his back had had enough and he sent us onto the summit without him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJpYfkXUjrQGG7nw813LvNKOcy0oOAnCaFQA9JlBBckkRV0r8CGxDmcm9fiVwAB71eymKoOdfCsOJUPHcDxA6fv2b2x82JaKFLehd-sFYRUH3NjIP70iZcj_GiklRJ2g331zQeOnVkguG/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJpYfkXUjrQGG7nw813LvNKOcy0oOAnCaFQA9JlBBckkRV0r8CGxDmcm9fiVwAB71eymKoOdfCsOJUPHcDxA6fv2b2x82JaKFLehd-sFYRUH3NjIP70iZcj_GiklRJ2g331zQeOnVkguG/s640/IMG_1506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I carried all the gear for Rigdon and Sara including the pringles. They were free to get their hike on and I was free to get my snack on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntVlJvQpueOzo_EL47AQU9hHxoW0a161clONpuTXfAt7sXposBf-XboVgdcWyMcYKhhzJKRpFvkRb70_VU19ZsNmx_V8JxuVAZEjnrHM4NPrWk_dhSCBnVX6sLJj7TaQz3aBG7NgYTvn4/s1600/IMG_1505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntVlJvQpueOzo_EL47AQU9hHxoW0a161clONpuTXfAt7sXposBf-XboVgdcWyMcYKhhzJKRpFvkRb70_VU19ZsNmx_V8JxuVAZEjnrHM4NPrWk_dhSCBnVX6sLJj7TaQz3aBG7NgYTvn4/s640/IMG_1505.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whatever Rig was missing the day before, he found for summit day. He motored to the top waiting occasionally for me and Mom to catch up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFae1OTDvXduI5L9DCIBLXLP268AiyHbvD3m6ClrKhoeV0LUdp5xCkfVm3OaFzcCu5i2hkNijYMnQBj4PQJNJFpNUQQqrshU5NYmkPs6NHTD3uaLLJkfPXoD04t0eoFrIuaztK-nYiUEKU/s1600/IMG_1534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFae1OTDvXduI5L9DCIBLXLP268AiyHbvD3m6ClrKhoeV0LUdp5xCkfVm3OaFzcCu5i2hkNijYMnQBj4PQJNJFpNUQQqrshU5NYmkPs6NHTD3uaLLJkfPXoD04t0eoFrIuaztK-nYiUEKU/s640/IMG_1534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Sara was very impressive, especially for cold turkey. She passed group after group on her way to the top. I was only a little bummed because I always assumed Rigdon got his hiking prowess solely from me. That is obviously not the case.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYTQIT6nFynRPrzXfOlI0aSQm3yrRsyOuBRdwdzo6zeevG2Qz8fRzgtRd-4SYT_GDX-umkf9aRBo_K0l86Z4XUrUfRHwc0fIpm5Hr4ZL0FfdxN6po9avtLJ-Xyyzz1ByWVM1fDdDyIAY_/s1600/IMG_1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYTQIT6nFynRPrzXfOlI0aSQm3yrRsyOuBRdwdzo6zeevG2Qz8fRzgtRd-4SYT_GDX-umkf9aRBo_K0l86Z4XUrUfRHwc0fIpm5Hr4ZL0FfdxN6po9avtLJ-Xyyzz1ByWVM1fDdDyIAY_/s640/IMG_1520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Sara on top of the lower 48.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjmLUxvzfthv79WMoe1Nb4jiO9QUeh9CuprXsVrRArOp1rNrUfczSoim0kalMs_sc8C6aqT-A6ywJJ0H-5xjwd2ilu1HB8-HgrFwQJPjfnt8t4YH9OimdIA5SOAJfUJpIFDko8WuU_C7d/s1600/IMG_1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjmLUxvzfthv79WMoe1Nb4jiO9QUeh9CuprXsVrRArOp1rNrUfczSoim0kalMs_sc8C6aqT-A6ywJJ0H-5xjwd2ilu1HB8-HgrFwQJPjfnt8t4YH9OimdIA5SOAJfUJpIFDko8WuU_C7d/s640/IMG_1513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Last time Rig and I were here it was white out conditions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0_R0dRMUbNTz1Muny7sCAWiiEhrSRfSg9qBaKE78FjE4FBEX1jYF8yrnGHdSAIYDZegFgJKfXYBIwHO3u1fSDgUuNPTot_cy7484__uToeQX5BCFnM4qFXSEzwHaMna-098h0pmbtpD/s1600/IMG_1515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0_R0dRMUbNTz1Muny7sCAWiiEhrSRfSg9qBaKE78FjE4FBEX1jYF8yrnGHdSAIYDZegFgJKfXYBIwHO3u1fSDgUuNPTot_cy7484__uToeQX5BCFnM4qFXSEzwHaMna-098h0pmbtpD/s640/IMG_1515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This was the first time Rig got to see the view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgUwjcZzx5RQ_y0vcSzDshg-4Nq2FnsualVk4zBOVmyxLhYtsRAn-adbGC4oL752VXeg-7Dv7FMOuNHU-UprxCZZpsLuU7IUeK5dEqGCDyAGyzMl_-TBjF81_OcyaHJaOR97rh2VB06mO/s1600/IMG_1519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgUwjcZzx5RQ_y0vcSzDshg-4Nq2FnsualVk4zBOVmyxLhYtsRAn-adbGC4oL752VXeg-7Dv7FMOuNHU-UprxCZZpsLuU7IUeK5dEqGCDyAGyzMl_-TBjF81_OcyaHJaOR97rh2VB06mO/s640/IMG_1519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Rig and Sara both represented well for the blonde portion of the family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGftS3baLTtTwZj5fxM3RSsCo1cX-RRdN17YSY-_eXkhFEWP9x3apsbXXBBSDC1Xh4Rbo66t2E4BzoZUVcBmPRgfAFfY_pyOxMFWnLVO3kgfctQKP8VmZjZPd8dz4DoiL2rWW6iCz2MqN4/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGftS3baLTtTwZj5fxM3RSsCo1cX-RRdN17YSY-_eXkhFEWP9x3apsbXXBBSDC1Xh4Rbo66t2E4BzoZUVcBmPRgfAFfY_pyOxMFWnLVO3kgfctQKP8VmZjZPd8dz4DoiL2rWW6iCz2MqN4/s640/IMG_1524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
On the hike back Rig and I had to get our 14er count up so we scrambled up Mt. Muir.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGGgWXizrz0xLXEIfhd1o_tHAdhacftgbrJKKloMe4g69_spXBvbTB0KO-58x9p97x3ziDi9xQVm3oRLFHCtAaCvARRkj66ZJRv9_xxsolSDM_Gq_PhgxzWz1LkzSAV-eSO7Ocj2Fqtj4/s1600/IMG_1532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGGgWXizrz0xLXEIfhd1o_tHAdhacftgbrJKKloMe4g69_spXBvbTB0KO-58x9p97x3ziDi9xQVm3oRLFHCtAaCvARRkj66ZJRv9_xxsolSDM_Gq_PhgxzWz1LkzSAV-eSO7Ocj2Fqtj4/s640/IMG_1532.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
It was scarier than I thought it would be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaqbwSdPuUAnaidbqiRaF4q2PizgtMJ99s4nopHungmn5JguR85egw6NmdEx4B7ttGY2dliYrxrfhYeABpHdMHH4jVZIjh-crqxEctA7LRW2FNg3cjtoHRWGCy6YDQMQqyzZGa_KcgaXO/s1600/IMG_1526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaqbwSdPuUAnaidbqiRaF4q2PizgtMJ99s4nopHungmn5JguR85egw6NmdEx4B7ttGY2dliYrxrfhYeABpHdMHH4jVZIjh-crqxEctA7LRW2FNg3cjtoHRWGCy6YDQMQqyzZGa_KcgaXO/s640/IMG_1526.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Rig did good but I had to spot him a couple of times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5lYlqbOrB5jZxGtTzJUapOxQ3qJIhOn7qL8B6QIPpzTKraWbqBHEJcDwA-5HZVR53-5snXUDVbzJ24ZiGu-i3qcfCylq_gUujX1H62q5GFfOmriEBdmfKwnDvlKG_xLkYhJPKTs7Y_Sq/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5lYlqbOrB5jZxGtTzJUapOxQ3qJIhOn7qL8B6QIPpzTKraWbqBHEJcDwA-5HZVR53-5snXUDVbzJ24ZiGu-i3qcfCylq_gUujX1H62q5GFfOmriEBdmfKwnDvlKG_xLkYhJPKTs7Y_Sq/s640/IMG_1529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The summit had only about a 5 foot diameter. It was pretty erie to stand on. Rig did it for one picture but both of his eyes were closed in it as opposed to this one where one is still open.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5HfGdGkZLxfSWqvGvMzwJc56KWGZq9NbJl5ibl14O0kaZco8OD1020zYmnYT7GWBBIhxDuOBCC7m5HPWxW_okD2N6y1i8uWuHk81Ro3jmlf6gf4dMVaaiKp-CNtQtDMCLfx-sFbkn97v/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5HfGdGkZLxfSWqvGvMzwJc56KWGZq9NbJl5ibl14O0kaZco8OD1020zYmnYT7GWBBIhxDuOBCC7m5HPWxW_okD2N6y1i8uWuHk81Ro3jmlf6gf4dMVaaiKp-CNtQtDMCLfx-sFbkn97v/s640/IMG_1549.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We hiked all the way out that night. The last hour of it in the dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYTQIT6nFynRPrzXfOlI0aSQm3yrRsyOuBRdwdzo6zeevG2Qz8fRzgtRd-4SYT_GDX-umkf9aRBo_K0l86Z4XUrUfRHwc0fIpm5Hr4ZL0FfdxN6po9avtLJ-Xyyzz1ByWVM1fDdDyIAY_/s1600/IMG_1520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYTQIT6nFynRPrzXfOlI0aSQm3yrRsyOuBRdwdzo6zeevG2Qz8fRzgtRd-4SYT_GDX-umkf9aRBo_K0l86Z4XUrUfRHwc0fIpm5Hr4ZL0FfdxN6po9avtLJ-Xyyzz1ByWVM1fDdDyIAY_/s640/IMG_1520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Next guys trip when we are discussing which wife is the most likely to be able to hack it, Sara will at least have earned herself some serious consideration. Nice work babe!!</div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-28399940936174952952012-08-30T06:59:00.001-07:002012-09-01T11:06:53.574-07:00Guys Trip 2012--The Grand Teton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To any readers I still have I apologize for my lengthy hiatus. Losing a dear family friend (Lola) took my blogging mojo and only a guys trip could get it back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY8xfFHoYTX19eEW3C7m60HXRTL4ghFXZ5-9O4trMW1IsWfy6WVM795laYHHV4-alE8nd3zMhWiXdRPG_Gww98AAnao37DsxRD1Oq6HzvO8PgWbxYufyBYVo67yaR724ygbyMl1JHvdrd/s1600/grand+teton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY8xfFHoYTX19eEW3C7m60HXRTL4ghFXZ5-9O4trMW1IsWfy6WVM795laYHHV4-alE8nd3zMhWiXdRPG_Gww98AAnao37DsxRD1Oq6HzvO8PgWbxYufyBYVo67yaR724ygbyMl1JHvdrd/s1600/grand+teton.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
The Grand Teton, a mountain that needs no introduction. Even by it's easiest routes it is a technical mountain. Its jagged 13,775 feet of rock make it perhaps the most famed mountain in American mountaineering. We had vowed to come back after a failed attempt of the Middle Teton four years ago. This time the plan was simple. A one day summit starting up the peak at 2:00 am and hopefully finishing by night fall. We carried all the gear necessary for 12 pitches of technical climbing that would be required for the Upper Exum Route.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the bonuses of going back to the Tetons was having a chance to go back to Alpine WY and visit my favorite restaurant The Cheeseburger Factory. Theirs is a burger you don't forget easily. None of the guys had forgotten it either and everybody was stoked for a return trip. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyu2woMMF_XnRHdrStM3ADTGNBtFbspQ3lJJsN2eVhdUcRiBGdET4Zpf_k2vrD3DmpUoJFI8iWY9FtP9ltMhyphenhyphenCWy7_WMRyKN3OcOzGsP3bPgqEqwJRWT6XLtNkNo9OSFZGRlJ3zAZ3gD_/s1600/IMG_4389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyu2woMMF_XnRHdrStM3ADTGNBtFbspQ3lJJsN2eVhdUcRiBGdET4Zpf_k2vrD3DmpUoJFI8iWY9FtP9ltMhyphenhyphenCWy7_WMRyKN3OcOzGsP3bPgqEqwJRWT6XLtNkNo9OSFZGRlJ3zAZ3gD_/s320/IMG_4389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the drive up there we googled the Cheeseburger Factory. It was no surprise to see that it had 11 reviews and every single one was 5 stars. The 5 hour drive was long as we salivated at the thought of what was ahead.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lSJMf5WlhUZfmtUySa0poICZC-sR1wDG_gluXNx4bXKv1ThauPb2cPUuwro9qsz_PGUfF_OnPBuqvb20yi81x5OHnN1IvDiPUjdsPi1euwjHc-iQiqaixVpetgdtxBWNsDxeGvOjZrFy/s1600/IMG_4390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lSJMf5WlhUZfmtUySa0poICZC-sR1wDG_gluXNx4bXKv1ThauPb2cPUuwro9qsz_PGUfF_OnPBuqvb20yi81x5OHnN1IvDiPUjdsPi1euwjHc-iQiqaixVpetgdtxBWNsDxeGvOjZrFy/s1600/IMG_4390.jpg" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
I took this picture of my meal back in 09 and when I posted it on my blog originally I had been accused by some of photoshopping it. It is a beautifully proportioned burger, but I would never sink to photoshopping.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3ESUJ0lA9zhSdA-5wlA4yAVmTc7lOiipOa1DsHiW25lTWCn6E38hpPbiZ3LN8lNzOq5F9YljKIV3IHSAey7_HA-3dGTEoHjnmJWLFVVO79h59ZxJ30TGO4YQ0IRPUSd0KBxvXfTnsCra/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3ESUJ0lA9zhSdA-5wlA4yAVmTc7lOiipOa1DsHiW25lTWCn6E38hpPbiZ3LN8lNzOq5F9YljKIV3IHSAey7_HA-3dGTEoHjnmJWLFVVO79h59ZxJ30TGO4YQ0IRPUSd0KBxvXfTnsCra/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" /></a></div>
Here is the group prepped for a joyous reunion of Man and Burger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPyearZQwtqMAQplZWTZUYPNgGRIgsYjs_gEkr_vI0M1Umep0sPm7PylWv92vG2si1yyHw3uVT_pBEYzYoltjc2u-kuf_gj7t9QqjlhyphenhyphenstSRJg-PVHtk0KdbJuydD3XnB-ectXotWldlq/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPyearZQwtqMAQplZWTZUYPNgGRIgsYjs_gEkr_vI0M1Umep0sPm7PylWv92vG2si1yyHw3uVT_pBEYzYoltjc2u-kuf_gj7t9QqjlhyphenhyphenstSRJg-PVHtk0KdbJuydD3XnB-ectXotWldlq/s320/IMG_1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You can imagine our disappointment as we got to the door and saw the place was empty. Not empty of people, out of business. To say I was bummed was a huge understatement.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85AUHDHjUV44cqo9W5tuQfW44I4tS5nTlLFnNL6HxXZBEP3c8ar1gcF6YjnWwky0iyC172tjF_InExA1BmxzXmFBlT0CH0jDNiuHuO7shYPo6o4F1HPDbnezVUtCYMwsiFAOBzbfZ_Hec/s1600/IMG_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85AUHDHjUV44cqo9W5tuQfW44I4tS5nTlLFnNL6HxXZBEP3c8ar1gcF6YjnWwky0iyC172tjF_InExA1BmxzXmFBlT0CH0jDNiuHuO7shYPo6o4F1HPDbnezVUtCYMwsiFAOBzbfZ_Hec/s320/IMG_1182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When the adventure started it was dark and unfortunately dark again when it ended. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J8hpY6BXcZOFNxYrxYnHK1oqRghlsa8u0s7wQ3MP6cCDPieLEd2Qh6FYRE0sBBj0vAkXuYAN6lGsPWMJqPwKL26yozNryY9doimwC6jeyct-ixZ8MFU5s27Pp0D49dVJZA4TRYKnJi3Z/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J8hpY6BXcZOFNxYrxYnHK1oqRghlsa8u0s7wQ3MP6cCDPieLEd2Qh6FYRE0sBBj0vAkXuYAN6lGsPWMJqPwKL26yozNryY9doimwC6jeyct-ixZ8MFU5s27Pp0D49dVJZA4TRYKnJi3Z/s320/IMG_1185.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what most of us saw for the first four hours of the hike. If you can't tell, that is the back of Rhett and it looks like he might be texting as he hikes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGNxjvNQj-fPyWKJwFvM-ITUI0u-ZBARcIMxrseqAVkzrj7ZtdIXyExx1tgJjBN8yU4xZnQmoGAmbPjdU5jUK2CPjmJI_Lxz1xVSR0QoELGsvrZlKYhe5TiD1yBr79XrfLVUZmB-D8HCn/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGNxjvNQj-fPyWKJwFvM-ITUI0u-ZBARcIMxrseqAVkzrj7ZtdIXyExx1tgJjBN8yU4xZnQmoGAmbPjdU5jUK2CPjmJI_Lxz1xVSR0QoELGsvrZlKYhe5TiD1yBr79XrfLVUZmB-D8HCn/s1600/IMG_1209.jpg" /></a></div>
Towards sun up I got ambitious and started leading the group. As the sun fully rose I stopped to look around and realized I had led the group up the wrong wall of the canyon. We had climbed about 700 feet that we were going to need to descend and re-climb. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbeiGl8mim5Yo8inv8wqoElA95xExxhmZL8zYJ2gRI164tV3UEfbw8VrQHirpAkkj7xfednhR47BYW4zADP8Z1z7NBDxStqmwxvt9S_gkbs1xBZSmZQuUe8XAv721FuAti-hiKJW8FHJm/s1600/IMG_1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbeiGl8mim5Yo8inv8wqoElA95xExxhmZL8zYJ2gRI164tV3UEfbw8VrQHirpAkkj7xfednhR47BYW4zADP8Z1z7NBDxStqmwxvt9S_gkbs1xBZSmZQuUe8XAv721FuAti-hiKJW8FHJm/s400/IMG_1188.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I then got the pleasure of breaking this news to the team one by one as they caught up to me. Bram smiling before the news.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXJtisfBFHrsB3g8_A__R9diRhyphenhyphenHuUNfHhqr9FEFKsR-8za273oIBq8JvriYli96ConfeDfxeMcEm4yH2TVf8k3vw-mvK1f8xl-fhihGVdtJhiBwWgQButDL00dTNVt3pFiLWh_LmIBx7/s1600/IMG_1189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXJtisfBFHrsB3g8_A__R9diRhyphenhyphenHuUNfHhqr9FEFKsR-8za273oIBq8JvriYli96ConfeDfxeMcEm4yH2TVf8k3vw-mvK1f8xl-fhihGVdtJhiBwWgQButDL00dTNVt3pFiLWh_LmIBx7/s320/IMG_1189.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Bram's reaction after.<br />
I could have been lynched and had it been later in the day maybe I would have, but everyone either laughed it off or cussed it off depending on how tired they were.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzebrRI29cwwWvH-UNii9CTnjNv-fOOe_MUd_1Y0u9qM6Xm05fb2ULyI4dMk-ylh5Wo311Us78_LRbviy4eN4tl7S5TujG9IIR6J0MRE3U7zquiEsMRtiC8uxPLgYaphNkv9cnJyb6dB32/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzebrRI29cwwWvH-UNii9CTnjNv-fOOe_MUd_1Y0u9qM6Xm05fb2ULyI4dMk-ylh5Wo311Us78_LRbviy4eN4tl7S5TujG9IIR6J0MRE3U7zquiEsMRtiC8uxPLgYaphNkv9cnJyb6dB32/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" /></a></div>
Bram found his smile again for this picture as he was the only member of the group who had summited the Middle Teton.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqvnIBvfUTqqhnzXhOjpq_z8cxBiYvHy2mYeuhyezQKK6aBLSMUnmJrnX8GE81H5zIdqotuZnHrcuYHc_4qZ2uqPVjOdx78VakH_Lx0s_-zd4XomZzQhsMVmCYOKStUhBtcCT5HZgMFx5/s1600/IMG_1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqvnIBvfUTqqhnzXhOjpq_z8cxBiYvHy2mYeuhyezQKK6aBLSMUnmJrnX8GE81H5zIdqotuZnHrcuYHc_4qZ2uqPVjOdx78VakH_Lx0s_-zd4XomZzQhsMVmCYOKStUhBtcCT5HZgMFx5/s400/IMG_1192.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Soon enough we were back on track and to the fixed ropes before the Lower Saddle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
The first time I saw this picture I thought that couldn't be me, the butt is to big. Unfortunately it is me and my "powerful" rear end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS44wY0XD3lt3TLUcJVmDBOr_XZbeNR93zeJGZPXU4LombPS8xvNKIKnOlf-s3cdIR0d1LOGzvagFFqkhAPakzVA7AUB6gWBu20itRPb6ay_FDfjOheVlUqbnXddIwCNfz89339-qqjX4T/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS44wY0XD3lt3TLUcJVmDBOr_XZbeNR93zeJGZPXU4LombPS8xvNKIKnOlf-s3cdIR0d1LOGzvagFFqkhAPakzVA7AUB6gWBu20itRPb6ay_FDfjOheVlUqbnXddIwCNfz89339-qqjX4T/s640/IMG_1198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Rhett on the lower saddle. At this point we were two hours behind our planned schedule and starting to have doubts as to whether we could pull the Upper Exum off with the large group we had. It was here that Danny decided he had enough. He was doing the whole thing cold turkey. We were all impressed he did as well as he did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AZ4fZGjnEfJzsD-JrjGcWLUTYgTKV5_mSnX0UFbdkuGeDeakaJN5jfoqqrRlIjWD9b3k87mjI6X7XTc2yGIFjo8GC0yMH1DRULHwKMLelp-6V56DYnBxEIeELtiHjuDsgfnPR6ejoXsM/s1600/grand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AZ4fZGjnEfJzsD-JrjGcWLUTYgTKV5_mSnX0UFbdkuGeDeakaJN5jfoqqrRlIjWD9b3k87mjI6X7XTc2yGIFjo8GC0yMH1DRULHwKMLelp-6V56DYnBxEIeELtiHjuDsgfnPR6ejoXsM/s640/grand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
The rest of us started up towards the technical climbing ahead.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACgFKpD7o3cWnb-ZEJb7AVfdttP_ZYWIxD6y9QqcqFgVOP5uK5gVsmZqr7PGo4rx8SUudyDrmDaIK9_adUi-6n0l3gEzHaeEn4Jmd-kvOCUlmzg5Hx_63poLbes4JMr5KcGNn-PXnlH8P/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACgFKpD7o3cWnb-ZEJb7AVfdttP_ZYWIxD6y9QqcqFgVOP5uK5gVsmZqr7PGo4rx8SUudyDrmDaIK9_adUi-6n0l3gEzHaeEn4Jmd-kvOCUlmzg5Hx_63poLbes4JMr5KcGNn-PXnlH8P/s640/IMG_1202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Nobody in the group wanted to summit more than Bram, but he was not having his best day. He was sick and coughing and sounded horrible from the very beginning of the hike. He was obviously not himself. At this point he begged the rest of us to leave him. He gave us some malarkey about how he was slowing the group too much and sabotaging the chances for the rest of us to summit. None of us believed it or wanted to go to the top without him. If it wasn't for Bram the guys trips would have never began. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Luckily I know Bram's weakness. You're probably thinking....Kryptonite, actually it lies in his inability to turn down any challenge. I pointed to a large rock high on the mountainside ahead of us and said, "Just see if you can get to that rock in under an hour." That was all the coercing it took to get Bram to keep going.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI_gD7hthqKmJET2JTNqiSOJ9ieaDTEmUPnVShahr5eKVq6lEnJKpBMTAS_v3hNBHayMHXl9sTIhcFgAD2Uto42jh6bahmLGjYvC7Gyn5LsOhSilYbj2saoPa56Y-3mW2gGdkmhUdVwqY/s1600/unexposed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI_gD7hthqKmJET2JTNqiSOJ9ieaDTEmUPnVShahr5eKVq6lEnJKpBMTAS_v3hNBHayMHXl9sTIhcFgAD2Uto42jh6bahmLGjYvC7Gyn5LsOhSilYbj2saoPa56Y-3mW2gGdkmhUdVwqY/s640/unexposed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
At this point we decided to save the Exum Ridge for another day and just take the easiest route up the mountain the Owen Spaulding Route. This would not require us to rope up until the upper saddle where there is only about 600 feet of climbing left. The climb to the upper saddle is a bunch of scrambling. Though it looks exposed in this picture if you stay on route it isn't too bad, of course we didn't but we managed eventually.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJHbwGO1m1aD4SNNPlFHCRHB2YkYnf-2ATvmWzO76izXcXuNN6aaFHcY0GvOCD7UEsXvMX4m2qLHHjlWYCSfBSF2WnIpl3MzNMtZvhvaO6xuBxdcwfpZ5VauuW272SxFYnmr08QbefZ1S/s1600/IMG_1218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJHbwGO1m1aD4SNNPlFHCRHB2YkYnf-2ATvmWzO76izXcXuNN6aaFHcY0GvOCD7UEsXvMX4m2qLHHjlWYCSfBSF2WnIpl3MzNMtZvhvaO6xuBxdcwfpZ5VauuW272SxFYnmr08QbefZ1S/s640/IMG_1218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Finally making it to the upper saddle. Rhett definitely on his phone this time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORHhmhvpO1alEv6gBz2-Y3TKry-nDfLNxjcJOWVvapgpRBRQa_Mkh387RK7BQ17hm0Uhf-XrKLNMtZhI4k_ZtYZwk0IA4wHAym3YWABESkNU7GU56dirPFcVtKE4I4Vj5QLvzFL2XR6Iy/s1600/IMG_3175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORHhmhvpO1alEv6gBz2-Y3TKry-nDfLNxjcJOWVvapgpRBRQa_Mkh387RK7BQ17hm0Uhf-XrKLNMtZhI4k_ZtYZwk0IA4wHAym3YWABESkNU7GU56dirPFcVtKE4I4Vj5QLvzFL2XR6Iy/s640/IMG_3175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
This is the rope up spot where the technical climbing begins. The first pitch is the famed belly crawl pitch, however it was backed up with a group of climbers already on it. I had read about an alternate route that the guide book called a "spicy finish" to the Owen Spaulding. It was a vertical crack that started just to the right of the belly crawl, it had the same wild exposure but more difficult climbing. We talked it over and decided we felt like the team could pull it off. I was lucky enough to get to lead the pitches. I had Bram and Roman on my rope. Rhett and Rocky followed us with Rhett leading their pitches and Rocky cleaning off the gear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QFbcNwa-dpk-Vb6crQTqhrPHWhspHG6Ex8TyZ0KDx20rDUlAeFMKWzeyOV0p6XoYXn_IPyvFnKk_fO2FLJ8Q2nEClDX9gJo8AwPlY1Expq228-YYjhsZBn_Q4oddDUwsX9-XcIHzux62/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QFbcNwa-dpk-Vb6crQTqhrPHWhspHG6Ex8TyZ0KDx20rDUlAeFMKWzeyOV0p6XoYXn_IPyvFnKk_fO2FLJ8Q2nEClDX9gJo8AwPlY1Expq228-YYjhsZBn_Q4oddDUwsX9-XcIHzux62/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
This is me heading up the first pitch. I put in one piece of protection and kept climbing and before I put in my second piece of protection the guys yelled up to me that my first piece had fallen out. Don't worry we had a solid anchor that Roman was belaying me from but still it isn't how you want to start your technical climbing when you literally have thousands of feet of air below you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaoAoyi7HBGop0CeJJFPzlsdn5HSlZabsgYIRy4jCjDpaTIHu-ztDGHQ9sRkUZRm2e65qIkAkuTJVW5c2cML9yisj-yde_QMGBuSYkspKo12nUI_OAsfrCc1s2Xe_jSvbnjnlePLTioMC/s1600/IMG_1219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaoAoyi7HBGop0CeJJFPzlsdn5HSlZabsgYIRy4jCjDpaTIHu-ztDGHQ9sRkUZRm2e65qIkAkuTJVW5c2cML9yisj-yde_QMGBuSYkspKo12nUI_OAsfrCc1s2Xe_jSvbnjnlePLTioMC/s1600/IMG_1219.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
This is Bram topping out on the first pitch. I sabotaged him by telling him to drop his climbing shoes on the way up and I would let him use my climbing shoes when we got to the technical climbing. This would have been fine on the regular route but when we opted for the "spicy finish" and I was leading I reneged on my promise and left Bram to climb in his boots. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw40uH8od57Ayi4dwTJ6ckFOG99lWDB3xH8q2evIT8MdzLmdj-FDLbdIB1YzNs173R9Mh6-t8k9XFUHWKWKFKpBlmgvG3d3np3-a6hMpAWElwhPiX9SbyxZbymoQwaP2ZvGx-4Qj1YfCmK/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw40uH8od57Ayi4dwTJ6ckFOG99lWDB3xH8q2evIT8MdzLmdj-FDLbdIB1YzNs173R9Mh6-t8k9XFUHWKWKFKpBlmgvG3d3np3-a6hMpAWElwhPiX9SbyxZbymoQwaP2ZvGx-4Qj1YfCmK/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Bram is still all smiles despite being sold out by his best friend.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuviYTccNaRtr7GTCaHcu4roUgj5XFhYLcK3btMtD9QWoGgb-eQ3h0G7W1nDsbLnNqSX0AxHtaJAq4o280Oj1lZOFMr7TwNJL_bAuWoWiZTxB0P-oAXVEuehKmtu2SFNcGK-OxoPDaa9lz/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuviYTccNaRtr7GTCaHcu4roUgj5XFhYLcK3btMtD9QWoGgb-eQ3h0G7W1nDsbLnNqSX0AxHtaJAq4o280Oj1lZOFMr7TwNJL_bAuWoWiZTxB0P-oAXVEuehKmtu2SFNcGK-OxoPDaa9lz/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
This picture doesn't look like much but I titled it, "Living the Dream." Yes my dreams are probably different than yours. There are four of us uncomfortably crammed in a little belay station with Rocky still waiting to come up. Webbing is running every which way from the anchor I had built. Notice the chalk on Rhett's hand and the overhang above us that we were going to have to traverse out around. Not to mention we were over 13,000 feet. It felt like legitimate mountaineering and I was contributing as a leader. I was living the dream. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx4_VKyG3NVGXmbkfCrRiWgXjfY0DlNHECpyHvhV-r0HR7y_FQOCO5RjZoJRLpfTzGrFqdEtQ3gSXcMvH373K_fTBTJAEqUp9WPw7rMk-rP2ekZeD5PZdpT1Twg1NGm0uLfncq-WstfzZ/s1600/IMG_1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx4_VKyG3NVGXmbkfCrRiWgXjfY0DlNHECpyHvhV-r0HR7y_FQOCO5RjZoJRLpfTzGrFqdEtQ3gSXcMvH373K_fTBTJAEqUp9WPw7rMk-rP2ekZeD5PZdpT1Twg1NGm0uLfncq-WstfzZ/s200/IMG_1225.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
The next move was the crux of the climb. The traverse out onto the face wasn't that far but there were almost no foot holds and the crack was awkward to hold with nowhere to put your head.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjn7bb579hRSzfuR44KqcID2nwYO10JO-0mrQoansQomTkGvVo0xEeP41P8yGTbEJJaCVVzwSvjYTYxdb1-vlfFu-EAzHwt7gBSiHW3MopZINwnfGdh8iD-phgQsmtgw0Q9RmwkYg8hfe/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjn7bb579hRSzfuR44KqcID2nwYO10JO-0mrQoansQomTkGvVo0xEeP41P8yGTbEJJaCVVzwSvjYTYxdb1-vlfFu-EAzHwt7gBSiHW3MopZINwnfGdh8iD-phgQsmtgw0Q9RmwkYg8hfe/s400/IMG_1232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
It felt like a solid 5.9 move. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QMj86X7hQsswI2WY_05wuMmNoZNZgvksF-YBzM5fCHB_TPUukGRlKspRiazAAggo74vrH8TXPhSbXRspcW3kdvYDKBwg6Sm5MlTXiPWVlE1ygL8FytkftQT-WG9FikI4c4uOmJeumuSq/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QMj86X7hQsswI2WY_05wuMmNoZNZgvksF-YBzM5fCHB_TPUukGRlKspRiazAAggo74vrH8TXPhSbXRspcW3kdvYDKBwg6Sm5MlTXiPWVlE1ygL8FytkftQT-WG9FikI4c4uOmJeumuSq/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Pulling back out onto the face was glorious. Look down and there was air forever below you and above were big holds and easy climbing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg758KHcU2rRRjftwfsUJ80HYvJCpmYVr13dLu-RL-kkGzCJxo9XF73fmN8NogjPlM7P5hcZxK3tjlP6XKCup4iuzsAfv2L3r0UlWxQDdh37IURYWLRQR8lpQkbOWqhbxad1Zi26aWZvHSl/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg758KHcU2rRRjftwfsUJ80HYvJCpmYVr13dLu-RL-kkGzCJxo9XF73fmN8NogjPlM7P5hcZxK3tjlP6XKCup4iuzsAfv2L3r0UlWxQDdh37IURYWLRQR8lpQkbOWqhbxad1Zi26aWZvHSl/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
This is Rhett coming up the next pitch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcVBPs0Clf5I0nEp_HNIrP1wUdzpy7l6jpos5BEHXhg1rv6XttGPgILBP57hTMTKxhQ5V5oI9Z0jtWahQghVXJ86YFobhep7rhriLoC24uNWxvolXLfiGxYjeXAIAylCKGR4N6caJj3Gd/s1600/IMG_3186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcVBPs0Clf5I0nEp_HNIrP1wUdzpy7l6jpos5BEHXhg1rv6XttGPgILBP57hTMTKxhQ5V5oI9Z0jtWahQghVXJ86YFobhep7rhriLoC24uNWxvolXLfiGxYjeXAIAylCKGR4N6caJj3Gd/s1600/IMG_3186.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Roman with Bram on belay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
This pitch took forever because with the wind it was impossible to hear from one belay station to the next.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDnoNj5QOYDyp8z2s-0_5IL_Wmlv0A7Bs0FF6pkJeKVYn-rVTYVsogxjcP8nACbzrhBPYH8fmYzfGdifzOyU-2rfogPMuYVUBhwrs6O3NbP0naf1YMZy1vVndBhjfaPMrbbarFjCccp5e/s1600/IMG_1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDnoNj5QOYDyp8z2s-0_5IL_Wmlv0A7Bs0FF6pkJeKVYn-rVTYVsogxjcP8nACbzrhBPYH8fmYzfGdifzOyU-2rfogPMuYVUBhwrs6O3NbP0naf1YMZy1vVndBhjfaPMrbbarFjCccp5e/s1600/IMG_1246.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rocky making his way up the last pitch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAya9KQHv5hw49toG-y5o1eEqqR7qPxCjGePSI1rP4lP_m6PM05AcQvguuKf7lZGih2Du_vBEEDwbuBlIJ18FvV8kM5Sp6ukIl1LB5w7vDC7Cp8hVY1LMEA0Gb9Eh56hIUWY0fn8buSMTq/s1600/IMG_1247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAya9KQHv5hw49toG-y5o1eEqqR7qPxCjGePSI1rP4lP_m6PM05AcQvguuKf7lZGih2Du_vBEEDwbuBlIJ18FvV8kM5Sp6ukIl1LB5w7vDC7Cp8hVY1LMEA0Gb9Eh56hIUWY0fn8buSMTq/s1600/IMG_1247.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Topping out on the technical portion. There was actually one more pitch of 5.4 climbing but in the interest of time we elected to put the rope away and solo up that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zMoKCjIJ-4F8A_m06VNVvbeDSqv6DXLma1UhjETASvDD726altLQp6JFxkhemt6ZDxcuQgAMYAakXperpDL97KBeySGznsDYJuGlwhKBbmMpaJD5ysBPCk9fbPMtcoNmyKKoH39YYOFR/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zMoKCjIJ-4F8A_m06VNVvbeDSqv6DXLma1UhjETASvDD726altLQp6JFxkhemt6ZDxcuQgAMYAakXperpDL97KBeySGznsDYJuGlwhKBbmMpaJD5ysBPCk9fbPMtcoNmyKKoH39YYOFR/s1600/IMG_3212.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Three hundred feet later we were celebrating on the summit. Unfortunately our celebrations were cut short as we saw a thunderstorm approaching.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBAaXRsHaxxnTvBpPyNF0_fCITznpM6YBykorlW8yHMbJHVcrezK4C42YECAVsFtWO7qocgm7f9OtPZVx72Q5U_56cDHlHN2ALn0I_my5KMoFePgnjoGRTqcU5Qw3i3IAbePH_n7pCREp/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBAaXRsHaxxnTvBpPyNF0_fCITznpM6YBykorlW8yHMbJHVcrezK4C42YECAVsFtWO7qocgm7f9OtPZVx72Q5U_56cDHlHN2ALn0I_my5KMoFePgnjoGRTqcU5Qw3i3IAbePH_n7pCREp/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
We had to make two rappels to get safely off the summit and wanted to do it before the storm got to us. We didn't make it in time and it started hailing on us right as we started the 2nd and more technical rappel. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UadEmg-_aQgNDaiDEccylYwx24Q988K9eYH2_wxdeSygNotMtz8ue40vJv1ftHut835yqArO6GlhZ-SK38C5d90dUafixqjaNvfpcJAms7Lac-yctio2p0diQrLIO_Q_VXu7c0EyJpsn/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UadEmg-_aQgNDaiDEccylYwx24Q988K9eYH2_wxdeSygNotMtz8ue40vJv1ftHut835yqArO6GlhZ-SK38C5d90dUafixqjaNvfpcJAms7Lac-yctio2p0diQrLIO_Q_VXu7c0EyJpsn/s1600/IMG_1263.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
I was surprised to hear that Roman and Bram had never rappelled before. They picked a fine time to learn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyNFuAXKeM0tWvRpXRZeO6EabcsQyaBKeRX6Dp0MUiCpN50NzwtVadkSLlFhbBfaPzEBG6okSW4UXEt9Y5MYvDMUq_eCxtYrzXT4c4vjSaEIDO7vj4ruXnfwqUMkz3EgIxAm8zfAHOb4l/s1600/IMG_1278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyNFuAXKeM0tWvRpXRZeO6EabcsQyaBKeRX6Dp0MUiCpN50NzwtVadkSLlFhbBfaPzEBG6okSW4UXEt9Y5MYvDMUq_eCxtYrzXT4c4vjSaEIDO7vj4ruXnfwqUMkz3EgIxAm8zfAHOb4l/s1600/IMG_1278.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The hike down was as long and miserable as they usually are. Rhett had a few more chances to check his phone. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We made it down at 10:00pm for a 20 hour round trip. Not setting any records but goal accomplished none the less.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQRbtOvhOH5ps44QaPydRuB2yoHNid348ZzFdw-sZK30rlxmViZ_stz0KMhil6UYI0k-Y0mrMbhmUPK8uyj5Clx7-7eAMAIGg4nwHsJCM8MPvn0wgZBbqAhewFeu8XD9QnJn2tnUC9Xrm/s1600/DSC_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQRbtOvhOH5ps44QaPydRuB2yoHNid348ZzFdw-sZK30rlxmViZ_stz0KMhil6UYI0k-Y0mrMbhmUPK8uyj5Clx7-7eAMAIGg4nwHsJCM8MPvn0wgZBbqAhewFeu8XD9QnJn2tnUC9Xrm/s640/DSC_0809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
The whole team the next morning with The Grand in the background. What a blast.</div>
</div>
Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-61966859049567318882012-04-12T22:07:00.002-07:002012-04-22T13:21:26.388-07:00A Sad Sad Day.Below is my first time listing anything on craigslist:<br />
<br />
It is with a pit in my stomach that I list my 1970 VW bus. LOLA as she is affectionately known is a not your average VW bus. Not only is she a looker but she is loaded with personality and always the life of the party. She has a hightop and sectional seating inside. She was once a full on camper version and still has a bench that folds flat in an instant and the stove that stores under the seats and hooks up to a propane tank on the undercarriage. She has a 1776cc motor that I recently spent $2200 to have rebuilt and now my wife won't let me forget about it. She has dual carburetors and really has good power for a bus. It has seat-belts for seven but has carted a record 18 high schoolers to school, two of which were Tongan.<br />
<br />
If you want to make your high schooler the coolest kid in school this bus is the ticket. Trust me I teach high school and the kids love it. Or if you just want to be the coolest dad on the block, it will do that too.<br />
<br />
She runs great but the clutch is going out. She is still drivable but it is getting hard to get her into first. My mechanic quoted me 455 to do the clutch. The alternator is weak and so I throw her on the charger once a week. With those two fixes she is a daily driver.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsE6XePbAPiovW60Cqdtpz90Ibn-WpQHCy0_NQpAFO2Tx-I9lTF5bCYlDVVlOa1c9Mmt8v2m0PunxAJMN3626dp1IiNVcRzzCbSpa_ABI6O0oVC6b_SQzdw6PlPXUOnS4E9R02v1jgG0X/s1600/lola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsE6XePbAPiovW60Cqdtpz90Ibn-WpQHCy0_NQpAFO2Tx-I9lTF5bCYlDVVlOa1c9Mmt8v2m0PunxAJMN3626dp1IiNVcRzzCbSpa_ABI6O0oVC6b_SQzdw6PlPXUOnS4E9R02v1jgG0X/s320/lola.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To begin an online relationship with Lola click below.<br />
<a href="http://rangismart.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-cow-woman.html">http://rangismart.blogspot.com/2010/10/8-cow-woman.html</a>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-57625736276223134062012-03-15T23:04:00.012-07:002012-03-16T01:02:20.899-07:00Sharing the Stoke!<div>We spent last weekend doing one of our favorite family activities, beach camping. The waves were a little small for my taste but they were perfect for the kids.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caroline never misses a chance to go out and get some waves with Dad. It is one of my favorite forms of Daddy-Daughter dates.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9nDREQVE3mBoGBPKQ8UDE-FRyaFIHa7VgolnXycUl5HrFdED9QhFEph1jgsNVEMBu3UrF2vy1rRsVZ_RaWvjcWbA-mAcPcYj8O_gT_Sfo2TcNLuD_r_CdcNWy3NXAQUTmYsWuSHTHf7F/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720373274640358866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Me extending an invitation to get a dose of "the stoke."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAo52viTq1bPe5k5bgqnVwaA0sYW4XeYu_o81n3bN1h-q8aqJzpK93G4rjmdTiPJFs9LvyRXfVqrfXWKX8daQpTJ0ImX8gwUt57ikJWbWKfaNBAeRSrCtnR5EltLGkSVxMn7md0oGK_Gf/s400/DSC_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372322520154258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Caroline has a lot of trust in me. Carrying her out through the rocks and shore break makes me more nervous than it makes her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TGGmCTrphMyg2uBDQlZZfxtc1yY9m5J5kNF1GWVCfkaiXBnMmxxKEWkJCLLHOzNwQb1UqaNUTC6U00Js4PsIFkNuKhzJHqua1uWWT9hTpBmfo0CCfW7VpNNIQtou4z9YvA3Axt3dJGaq/s400/DSC_0119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372669533209954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The water was freezing. Caroline hasn't grown into the garage sale wetsuit I bought her yet, but she doesn't let that wipe the smile off her face. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the sequence of our best wave together. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Notice the similarity in our facial expressions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpueYu_aSlXYR9LDWyHMZhmmE2VJczf8F7sKSiA89NJwav3W3stJGOi2NS-gzLtSeKESdCjoGTci8J2YH57Z_7TuABcbO8aqN7VoZbkVOv8BvPvYs3DlB03XKz8y7BQwnQWtrGK9DFU8_j/s400/DSC_0123.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372957769145026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Taking off on the wave.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYN8noTz6ZSLZal098HUCjT2QvoXKYB7abUhyphenhyphenKTyM3SZ5pfXhCCj1J17zfuaigfr6sLbuehsm1djAGiLuYbbOBtYXr2HdJY_JfuYqtCQcSR87MsFlI8_zcpXqbmKKsYyvXk4_rDiYlO5Lu/s400/DSC_0122.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372672244380642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Lips sealed and eyes closed battling the white wash to get to the wave face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlIaNqgFN0uz4qrnt2mCkAMj0iFKlcESljDZmiXZBnDfIbdmHlMSzDEo05d6DpQXc2c0YEByMsCDzKUa-I5Hm-EscsBiOoNx4qPPWyI8Xy1KaoqGa-1NDd7gqV0AL8ZKwAQo4nqpXAti-/s400/DSC_0124.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372962364995810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Emerging victorious on the wave proper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MguJ4BpjE8Yk52g1njeUNvzxXPEVGeIJtZF5ydPVRtKgRUI0XJEfVIj1GOE9KIqsFkZxx-D68fecenHH7Wisb1EezE0e_uqXOLyAYREQoV0syEu-mS46QXSrBMZcph5xs8Wu62BYgynW/s400/DSC_0126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372983354715314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Adjusting the trim to get lined up with the wave face, anticipating the best to come. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVx-kqpxaUgCDsSaC_APtBFVUs_enZrLt3wIxn9MBQihB9qoE7AtV33MXB34D-msgHBI9J155gTlhptI6cQEplPID1VOglNONNnDWgyKRN5jxJrZJmOgXuQj30L5zTbvzL_bzX3z1KsEn/s400/DSC_0125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372968554172610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smiles on, sharing the stoke! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IPdObriGBxz8cypOqVMPYBONq9vYJV-_MBWN-Q0I8AX3sQqEJiyYk4iq1nybtzIcrM3g42-471hisdNMeOlFHg87Z8xQMBbbJQd7zjTkdCz1m95hCVf-JbLH0F_YCpq4mqQDJ5Vufgvn/s400/DSC_0128.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720373274907985570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Pulling out of the close out, lips and eyes sealed again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Caroline got out of the water she boldly declared, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"When I grow up I am going to be the best surfer in the family!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big Bro had to disagree with that statement.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeooRbcsrbNFJBzPf4p2CaxsBmKXMbdU446vcLNey14BAeUyQxSk4t3vjb2E1sbWwm9_BYr8ZqH-UJxNwK9tTSR2Jj7giTGRLLkGrA9LutOgCJStIwmajKY7nz-ODhB98r9tbgFxy4I1A/s400/DSC_0098_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372344360960562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 400px; " /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIarzeXAwRZGbuPxoq4M7KeUXve5XSIv_GyvIaIXy9mXpFmCnSxwrIbnELPkejUvCI_7CjtYPTV_bEqvCAzJGF-ozd5xhhiD9HKCDnxK2Zl5HLWXfkQeDVzPfFvTM93sXuH3PFul5zdc1T/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIarzeXAwRZGbuPxoq4M7KeUXve5XSIv_GyvIaIXy9mXpFmCnSxwrIbnELPkejUvCI_7CjtYPTV_bEqvCAzJGF-ozd5xhhiD9HKCDnxK2Zl5HLWXfkQeDVzPfFvTM93sXuH3PFul5zdc1T/s400/DSC_0099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372333145388098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 380px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEWDfPYXkix53ajgWWVTouXBRy2UxJG72VVH3rP20afFvLbxmdXn-JLfznus7YYpyPv9KE6k0lHW4HfM5cJ_YIvmA2A6FdII21wT3aOT3izjWn7PLCDrMZkiR-47wCWBAgfgqHqEIumam/s400/DSC_0100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720372323469522482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 405px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are his best arguments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_5NZOjG6DZA5AWckB3i7Da8Bq1VKdJ9yrSV-J4HU3RDUaqDp4mGeYG0bfcu24Li21Qgl7c29iRKBplYjuuaWIomalItkDAyAVuw8p2IUP3H0C2b11ziBzBw_-taoGnup0XVBI3sZpzyY/s400/DSC_0105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720373445367031810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 437px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have bad news for both of them: The old man is still planning on being the best surfer in the family for a while yet. </div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-19127548024752281142012-03-05T20:35:00.012-08:002012-03-06T00:13:17.513-08:00Finding a Climbing Partner<div style="text-align: left;">Since I started climbing a few years ago the most challenging thing about it has been trying to find partners to go with. Other outdoor activities I don't mind going alone but climbing solo isn't a very wise option.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recently I was out climbing with someone I had recruited to the sport just for the sake of having a partner. As I impatiently watched him struggle up the first pitch of our two pitch climb I thought to myself, "I bet Rigdon can climb as well as this guy."</div><div><br /></div><div>When you are picking a climbing partner there is one thing that is a non-negotiable, trust. You have to trust the person, as your life is going to be in their hands. I already trusted Rig as I was the one who talked Sara into giving him a chance to babysit. If I could trust him with the lives of my three little girls I could trust him with my own.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is nice if your partner lives close. Downstairs is perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a bonus if your partner has a similar schedule as you and since Sara does both of our schedules they usually come out pretty similar. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is also nice if your partner has a sense of adventure along with an appropriate fear of danger to keep the team safe. Rig has always had a good sense of adventure but only recently was I convinced of his appropriate fear of danger. It was well documented at Magic Mountain. You can see for yourself below. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HkD1tK3EjMgOsAs8MqPkdr_9lv822L2sHQGMMxdWKXBy55lIxBUHyBMtKiG0pt-IiSvwY3xqedlGM4aTEvz-D6QA_fXs2owDUtGtCYI8znlG-RuubUWKiyRPAG_L9ry_yPSEQQdTzlxH/s400/IMG_0411.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716638718045958546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">For Rig's B-day we took him to Magic Mountain, just Sara, Rig and I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYX7f0BYwqFIY04PTZo5NWOzdNLxCuWf0uTfOXuZI5jitUk_3TaPJ_SYCSkuDt2unPuxhNlRfVn1fFMygbxDUMGihv3hzWoiYyMSmm_p8YuW8sqIVgFhonUIa_Yv8TOZfu4R79mcMGNljo/s400/Scan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716665738941858626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can honestly say I thought I would never buy one of these pictures, let alone two in the same day, especially one where I look like a totally idiot but they were priceless.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6Hj2YdXW4BapezNLlT-EEsIBxGj5CQIKjCaFX3AE-_yVlVL7uMzE9z4BS1Ci-vSGcqjSWjOKGB0Ihm-rfAQKKCjOW8RuA09lrrcWg73skgPP15Ofnq44O9w8gBcbYRvUO5BdjZHdF6p2/s400/Scan+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716665729822837714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 327px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">In this one Rig is clutching for dear life. In his defense, it is a freaking scary ride. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>So Rig and I went out on the climbing wall and he practiced belaying me and catching me on falls. Pretty quick I was convinced that Rig was ready. and was going to be even a better climbing partner than he was babysitter. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJQpzOD4h6JSxPsZb-vT7ZhWOjuKxfkYb1k2uzXV5C4uLWf2E6h0uKxDuGKoNKaH2a4u4WNdP0nUtDoXSPKUVdVnr9-bdSdpiZf4ta0M94WdEIEUuaJUZVhpzzNJZHpCCj1S8tu-dPhwu/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJQpzOD4h6JSxPsZb-vT7ZhWOjuKxfkYb1k2uzXV5C4uLWf2E6h0uKxDuGKoNKaH2a4u4WNdP0nUtDoXSPKUVdVnr9-bdSdpiZf4ta0M94WdEIEUuaJUZVhpzzNJZHpCCj1S8tu-dPhwu/s400/IMG_0263.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716659300599508178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig and I started our climbing partnership with a nice easy two pitch, 200 foot, 5.5. I anchored Rig to this tree to offset the weight discrepancy and we were ready to go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxjsSSuj3RDbipUaNyQUjAVVWHF2CjYJwomOgzQQzj_uHPj3cjpQGYTLlejA5eDRiNNhZxsSoA9-QEBpG6OeLq4prS6hK5K31f1Sj5hiWh2l0eMmxVuStwuWkrr7T8FPqAppLmkPCXr_W/s400/IMG_0268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716659310345662706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Rig cruised up the first climb with only some very mild trepidation. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ6Vj31CO2AoXXrnO7V1ht694dh97pfgtHjtAcOQi8WoRpv0ZMbzBSNO08A-XfJZYTrfCfj7jh5gbse8Leewefo_H1GmfqjYfp98OGMLgMUyiTFKDNBVQUIPUtlwhPiDfl5-4yeI715vf/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkig_jR13vnuvxtJDf9DY-kDkKu-qevgDA3pCDxCOutzqhZWgktAduinArRPrT1nP5X6U3jJcF-FQbklOTYNEnh-FsBUtSzsmgJhWHzlbv0fKSS2aTc437zLBQ2WW-4tVNIQyHC-a-52ve/s400/IMG_0275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658844564769138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily he was already well practiced in clinging for dear life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg7L6fFh-gkdX0YRfJIt3cl7dl2C5Og5zjLbOw9ySbYBQoE61toA-6zYu6vsUxms2FZwfZ9VXTxQJtl4-no0v6RkMkfUeRRPsh7-8Ozc1Pi4AOpK9ggCegSI94NEfbONWMvBaEryQRwU7/s400/IMG_0280.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658885296071746" /><div style="text-align: center;">The picnic tables got pretty small when we were approaching the top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkig_jR13vnuvxtJDf9DY-kDkKu-qevgDA3pCDxCOutzqhZWgktAduinArRPrT1nP5X6U3jJcF-FQbklOTYNEnh-FsBUtSzsmgJhWHzlbv0fKSS2aTc437zLBQ2WW-4tVNIQyHC-a-52ve/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zr3K7JH2dn7PaA-qUBR02-vJ3tcN2rP2IXPEJSKw1Mb4rTGt6Namsp0ItUuz_9wEhFeAJiTRE_YWAEyv3mAryIWx1kslyWQq3vHk9Wn4uOBzLQm_Da_uwEn4f-pAOoFt3j4gpuD-PRK6/s1600/IMG_0282.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Zr3K7JH2dn7PaA-qUBR02-vJ3tcN2rP2IXPEJSKw1Mb4rTGt6Namsp0ItUuz_9wEhFeAJiTRE_YWAEyv3mAryIWx1kslyWQq3vHk9Wn4uOBzLQm_Da_uwEn4f-pAOoFt3j4gpuD-PRK6/s400/IMG_0282.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658835723230882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But the view at the top was cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our next climb I found another 2 pitch, 200 foot, climb. This one rated at 5.8.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJztZ0tH-7Ub5rbnNkPaG1oLZ-8M8itWF6mcu1FT7DVZQJ6-krvrkFMcv92YjkRPP38ywXo9zacSinjJZON0d8-oYNdBRWdHtaEKseIijBfTB8yfQEmynpYXvbxSqbIbuJj4GM8v3_RTij/s400/IMG_0346.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658392520155650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">I might have jumped the gun in letting Rig lead climb but we practiced it at home and I think he was pretty keen on wearing all the gear. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxdu9AlsW_rrOtBHxMny7es-lLhBfeyIm8Af9lj9fNUQkruEwXXZYfI2nv3L7arsWZPtUiFeqgPhmow4WtbLGOiU2JeTUo2NpS3oh_Ni4UoAUnQnHjjutJM6DauP2hnSXU5rqBbA3u7q6/s400/IMG_0349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658392280550482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">He clipped two bolts and then in between the 2nd and 3rd he slipped and decided he had had enough of leading for that day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTxSR0Rhkp0aHGnZuDps63Qi_wVgdYHHVJ2nlq4P_WBQwUij5DCfrb4Vwnoz0cNq9odbEzaEGasffY7qXFrOEm-y_Kr06EUGzjZzJUmoHPdui55wlXOdwxzq7A_Bf55IKWp25zdDwpSDM/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTxSR0Rhkp0aHGnZuDps63Qi_wVgdYHHVJ2nlq4P_WBQwUij5DCfrb4Vwnoz0cNq9odbEzaEGasffY7qXFrOEm-y_Kr06EUGzjZzJUmoHPdui55wlXOdwxzq7A_Bf55IKWp25zdDwpSDM/s400/IMG_0354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658431001074802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The climb was windy and cold. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr5PZ2Zp0fHyNPZpqi6777f1uq2exVpatekyRz3EEypj1cjg2qDt_NvYYzxWApt2Wx_8XdGadA1-9Zk7vKDnaZ1oroKIgaFamc4XTRDgqaDPduv1fS_-UhS5D3zMqPSh7wkzDkIfb8jSq/s400/IMG_0357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658029725360498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We had a tangle in the rope that Rig had to deal with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-J4OyGDNpiyfRHoc6jfxi2TLTanwomBbmr12TKoZlV34VATxg5nlXuBl3CQJ4JHkj4LlaRrGaIlr_7vERolpAKvx09jDA6fenwQksMiUMu0fTO__f-5T5Vqs8B4H6CKBQKRQJPAGavl5/s400/IMG_0365.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658035283348626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">But we finally made it to the top of the climb.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytkSTUV8gMeU5QeEcoG1kW1FncxRz8iV8qzPR5ULzs7Uy-jaKcNOYeopEZxUvbO1TtZxAvcSzWWCo2FOlykDgzaSi7SKB143SLf_Kyo10UetegsNZZplJTDbZRjxiIKVMFCckwItrvjmd/s400/IMG_0367.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658054392910882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">No matter how much you trust your son it is a little nerve racking watching him rappel over an edge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnwCoF9aSCDCB_R8EyRQPB7gJ80k-1X0UwRvbhBfn45lQGx86SoR6AESCr906ga1HDs38VjIXeOadlRZgqnKIHH07RTDQN23dPbHL701FrDrzF1b8a7eaQNc5EIHGATU179PA60-X8MyC/s400/IMG_0368.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658020796178578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We set up what we thought was the last rappel, but the rope didn't reach the ground. We had already been on the rock for over 3 hours and we were cold and ready to get back to the car. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClIWEmt9nz1ei11oQsfUDgnH3Q4cxoXNFMbsGfOKXD6MawSQfXglEL8XgLYnpSa4Z0t4gs_-wlwWUg3JsU1Q6ncIQHugwFTNxTwN4oCCO9M1-y5jFEu5vVyi9aTyn3sMdfONaNdgFdwxX/s400/IMG_0369.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716658014260287026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">It made for an interesting problem where I had to switch places with Rig on the rappel. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We were both relieved to finally be back on the ground after a cold 4 hours.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizma-lwnS7BsyDZ-G6MrZcfd9U4JSsu5o6tnxRaEw9b2GeBfIF378gpmazBEmU3maKBg0JyFq61hq5Q0sEpwNc1AdDIRCVrCKKRx1k5ESvNsQvuMiqbaU-YrjQiqV5Ve_tUVftVP_I-JR7/s400/IMG_0455.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716638511761597906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Our most recent climb was called Hercules Finger. It is a 60 foot tower in the middle of nowhere. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAI2xf0_RilHbVUgt0tqsLUnw2MXYNh9heZZtcu77XkS5k0HUn7LKg7LqlhfxiysytVCeG_0NZVec7nUDa1432W9lyuoRdKrQLbk7dENEMp4vfl-j0EoJBRnPGK1MCjxusDupLc6AW8ci/s1600/IMG_0439.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAI2xf0_RilHbVUgt0tqsLUnw2MXYNh9heZZtcu77XkS5k0HUn7LKg7LqlhfxiysytVCeG_0NZVec7nUDa1432W9lyuoRdKrQLbk7dENEMp4vfl-j0EoJBRnPGK1MCjxusDupLc6AW8ci/s400/IMG_0439.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716638535440203378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like from the base looking up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf2kV0F15AziLSZf0DCdtA1rzce1ETPpu3MX7YYQLpcQXrWVioVRWIcEKtz2m4V-SqlBBSgnGvgG1WuErK_wWqiy4U9V-SuGUvPW1zLuvrZoS1U4Ix-ID6Qllry59g2VCc4VNy2tWdrPv/s1600/IMG_0440.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf2kV0F15AziLSZf0DCdtA1rzce1ETPpu3MX7YYQLpcQXrWVioVRWIcEKtz2m4V-SqlBBSgnGvgG1WuErK_wWqiy4U9V-SuGUvPW1zLuvrZoS1U4Ix-ID6Qllry59g2VCc4VNy2tWdrPv/s400/IMG_0440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716638528488991554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This picture of my shadow is the only proof that I made it to the top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx8FRN5vGe_AhimyF8Qs5YuyILvnpt5ApNklKxwG8LoQVINv-NBWTwVH0goeubaOIfA7A0_w-lWgMAcG1VkfoVzZ-AJTA9zKGZ5Qmvil4AF9pGNNdkAl5HoP92R8ah_U24Jy75pADohht/s1600/IMG_0453.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx8FRN5vGe_AhimyF8Qs5YuyILvnpt5ApNklKxwG8LoQVINv-NBWTwVH0goeubaOIfA7A0_w-lWgMAcG1VkfoVzZ-AJTA9zKGZ5Qmvil4AF9pGNNdkAl5HoP92R8ah_U24Jy75pADohht/s400/IMG_0453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716638520331911090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig made it about two thirds of the way up, ran out of holds and decided he had had enough again. I offered him an "uppy." He didn't take it and he didn't make it to the top but at least he still has his pride. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Having a climbing partner is awesome. So far I do not know which has been more liberating, Rig starting to belay or Rig starting to babysit, but they are both awesome. </div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-44257218900039915882012-02-22T21:43:00.002-08:002012-02-23T18:58:19.403-08:00Livi's New Year's resolutions.I know it is a little late for New Year's resolutions, but I couldn't let these go undocumented. These are the New Year's resolutions that Livi brought home from activity days a little over a month ago. I didn't have anything to do with them.<div><br /></div><div>1. Reading the scriptures more.</div><div>2. Saying my prayers.</div><div>3. Serving others.</div><div>4. Climbing more mountains. </div><div><br /></div><div>My gosh, does that girl know how to make her dad beam or what?</div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-29496882334951217072012-02-09T22:47:00.000-08:002012-02-10T06:33:24.413-08:00Breaking the SilenceYou would think a trip to Europe would spark a blog post or two. Unfortunately it has put me into blogging funk. Not because I don't have anything to blog about, but because every time I sit down to blog about the trip there is so much to tell that I am overwhelmed and give up. I am not usually a quitter but I am finally throwing in the towel on this one. <div><br /></div><div>This is my only offering, a slide show. </div><div><br /></div><div>My French could have been better. My driving could have been much better. In only three days of car rental I had a hat trick: a parking ticket, a speeding ticket and a "fender bender."</div><div>That said, the trip was awesome, better than awesome. It was the trip of a lifetime. To call it anything less would be an insult to not only my trip planning skills but especially to my credit card bill. As long as I keep making my minimum payment I will have it paid off in a mere 23 years, but I promised to take Sara back within 5 so I might have to open another one then. </div><div><br /></div><div>I uploaded it in HD so it's probably worth expanding it to full screen. (bottom right corner)</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/llxGfTlRP7o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-6319281051918972762011-11-06T08:01:00.000-08:002011-11-06T15:24:09.086-08:00My most popular Halloween costume ever!<div>This year when the family was tossing around Halloween costume ideas, Rig threw out one he was excited about and I quickly shot it down. </div><div><br /></div><div>"I want to be the Grim Reaper this year!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"What, that's lame. Every fifth grader is the Grim Reaper, you should be something cool."</div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately realized that I had hurt his feelings. I tried to change my tune and convince him that his idea could be cool, but the damage was done. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Dad you always think up cool things I never do."</div><div><br /></div><div>So I let him in on the secret of my inspiration- the internet. We went googling together and we came up with the inspiration for this:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ1FBzLREiJqR9gEn2EkK0DsKV0G4ojB-2RCFtKGpMoI58K-_A1qDjXvmYHQPEGvDuH-RYyN_ggUaIbr7DqCqa3wS82a-OXk0P1bU-kQsxfVBs-47Cx4nsYbZjqR30hewJWNeCQUX8ExS/s400/DSC_0299.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672009082789386450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> An external frame backpack, some of Dad's clothes and a jar of pretzels from Costco and we had a masterpiece on our hands. I call it "boy with head in jar" and it is pretty creepy. I have never seen a costume get more attention than this one did. He easily won the costume contest at the Ward party. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpNDjW7fXHVfXLQZwHErPp9mWJq73vwJxQ-e-HJzQYbSvrjITyBUIGtiJwkM7bwU7waIzzbBrtT2Jj3BqEs_BwF9qp9xZsrk_byRGMH0fQ-acewFYuvLfOAflXxIyJ2YILbM1JXzIVGA/s1600/DSC_0309.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpNDjW7fXHVfXLQZwHErPp9mWJq73vwJxQ-e-HJzQYbSvrjITyBUIGtiJwkM7bwU7waIzzbBrtT2Jj3BqEs_BwF9qp9xZsrk_byRGMH0fQ-acewFYuvLfOAflXxIyJ2YILbM1JXzIVGA/s400/DSC_0309.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672009073286649570" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; ">When it was time to go trick or treating Rigdon got stared at, gawked at, poked and prodded, and had to take pictures with complete strangers.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq0O8ggAg8EELRa1BJ0xZBaunnmfAxOJjEs5af_O3gB5XLoI8BuIt-8cU94ixzAMC0CKKEUTJaHLgljCqFHObuEBt3U28o9j4hyHY_Fn0aC3mHrFYOQkH4VsL3QDQErpAmz6IenHhxrrh/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq0O8ggAg8EELRa1BJ0xZBaunnmfAxOJjEs5af_O3gB5XLoI8BuIt-8cU94ixzAMC0CKKEUTJaHLgljCqFHObuEBt3U28o9j4hyHY_Fn0aC3mHrFYOQkH4VsL3QDQErpAmz6IenHhxrrh/s400/DSC_0308.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672009068028970130" /></a></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">After 3 houses of which Rigdon had been invited in to all of them and posed for pictures at two of them, he turned to me and said "This is going to be a long night." But just like his Dad, he is a ham and loved it almost as much as I did.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUWyVSwuIyW7PqAriHtF_vCojuu_bF5aNdnp44nrBy_YfHhFChJYvIqRMcqZFdmCeKFrV485CC887cdnGyZaXTcnw7JRXNx06wKbGFvPp0txP5H608BQkPibCKLpid8b2AIEtx21ohNrD/s1600/DSC_0305.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUWyVSwuIyW7PqAriHtF_vCojuu_bF5aNdnp44nrBy_YfHhFChJYvIqRMcqZFdmCeKFrV485CC887cdnGyZaXTcnw7JRXNx06wKbGFvPp0txP5H608BQkPibCKLpid8b2AIEtx21ohNrD/s400/DSC_0305.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672009064026209810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The costume is pretty hot and doesn't exactly excel in breathability. So after about half of our normal route he was ready to call it a night, but I wasn't. I was still enjoying the praise that each new doorstep brought. (For the record I am totally OK with living vicariously through your kids once in a while.) I compromised with Rigdon and let him take the lid off the jar to get some fresh air circulating and he finished off our neighborhood. It was a great night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. Sara is in charge of posting the cute pictures of the girls.</div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-88534979602811155232011-10-16T21:09:00.001-07:002011-10-21T17:07:18.062-07:00More High Sierra Action!<div style="text-align: left;">I invited Bram and his boys out to do Mt. Langley with us in September but he couldn't make it. So we picked a different weekend and tried to find a different 14er to do. If you are only going to do one California 14er you might as well make it Whitney, but we didn't have permits. So I dug through websites and guidebooks until I finally found a route that was 34 miles and would give us a chance to bag 3 14ers; Whitney, Muir and Langley and most importantly didn't require a permit. Two thirds of the milage would be back country (no trail) and there would be some class 3+ scrambling, not to mention a lot of route finding. It seemed like a lot to bite off with the group we had, which included an 8 year old, two 10 year olds, and a 71 year old (Bram's Dad Ernie). However Bram and I are adventurers and so getting in over our head is part of the fun.</div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoMewW0pb9idpKfB-q5oou4PK3TSm-Pv4tNZ4wH5FFPW_kb98JEiOiRGV4fepLxOVmZEjrsJQkcIGH4Ny4IVrgHzQoG30Yi4i-zhCqaIHLEUQEmEKUUlo8Wp2kNTxILEWa0c_Xusk-rq5/s1600/IMG_0852.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoMewW0pb9idpKfB-q5oou4PK3TSm-Pv4tNZ4wH5FFPW_kb98JEiOiRGV4fepLxOVmZEjrsJQkcIGH4Ny4IVrgHzQoG30Yi4i-zhCqaIHLEUQEmEKUUlo8Wp2kNTxILEWa0c_Xusk-rq5/s400/IMG_0852.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315408945461778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Same trailhead we had been at just a month ago but a totally new adventure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOevGc4lgcf-RtRYXqCGaX8_hDEYBO6Jj01kGKc7a8wcWlgmfS1JqB8KwEgBi-B6MDmt1967L1nESK9IX8i7BY0tJCq1RGIIKfLlzV-RnghTTxDnUzhzI-B9AcyBD4ghyphenhyphenf0kG8bK2gyLlc/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOevGc4lgcf-RtRYXqCGaX8_hDEYBO6Jj01kGKc7a8wcWlgmfS1JqB8KwEgBi-B6MDmt1967L1nESK9IX8i7BY0tJCq1RGIIKfLlzV-RnghTTxDnUzhzI-B9AcyBD4ghyphenhyphenf0kG8bK2gyLlc/s400/IMG_0855.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315409184110818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bram and I have a lot of things in common including good looking offspring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd1mz90c5N-XgZRpLJcldhMI_QUpXebBUJ3zKhwZ9BXDThwetxE3qEj-HlYmwkfUKeGCz3Vx-tGMDM8Q7gbgecne1FAOnafzqcTrx7oT_d0wyFnkH8duUc5tDwINFJ3_10FNk4t1I6YWs/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd1mz90c5N-XgZRpLJcldhMI_QUpXebBUJ3zKhwZ9BXDThwetxE3qEj-HlYmwkfUKeGCz3Vx-tGMDM8Q7gbgecne1FAOnafzqcTrx7oT_d0wyFnkH8duUc5tDwINFJ3_10FNk4t1I6YWs/s400/IMG_0860.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315120391025394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The boys were stoked for any wild life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxI8HoZrCUkzD7JrrraaWlF4IQJi6BSkPp3jFpx2UXkqAeJnjm8rl6d6ehqCwRs8pV1j4tM8CxI65_A_Hwv2wTcZhDZ9eGv1fnQ8A3UFq9TUPbd-q3lJUAg6XFEEr68JMuUMFqwhtWvpt/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxI8HoZrCUkzD7JrrraaWlF4IQJi6BSkPp3jFpx2UXkqAeJnjm8rl6d6ehqCwRs8pV1j4tM8CxI65_A_Hwv2wTcZhDZ9eGv1fnQ8A3UFq9TUPbd-q3lJUAg6XFEEr68JMuUMFqwhtWvpt/s400/IMG_0861.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315121476313154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The first day we carried our packs right past Langley and down the back side. It was a brutal day up over 12,000 feet and back down. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9coo_j3Vd2DnPA-XBXXo5gpC86bJTLliJHDZ3s03yz_ToE62wFQR1HzieQEwOFSeYU0ebwhq5fjS4z3KfFhQ4rRLwnVxCKZTfA9HKMzUfttTg6PL8XOMvWGcOYLE2wVSUj415zUpBmO4/s400/IMG_0865.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315110463778434" /><div style="text-align: center;">Rig posed with Upper Soldier Lake where we descended to spend the first night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbww5GxTGKccY6UIErt0draDtrri__dbbUnooxwb3Elc5t38jvoDPBM8eHevS1U_LzBcd9fl5jG5C68JQOBzxvLlM0l2FT2DDnp1BVBkkKNJDc9992WMSKJrLQ3glbRxKi081cJS7cwsMw/s400/IMG_0942.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314026695304690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The meadow by the lake we camped at was beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSya4VIa17TpzFqCtYBSZHZrQ-ChUgup3A4HL9VQpQgwaE0Fe4lDYlctrJkgFoLGKIztfI7gWpfN0tCQITbJUabbkldkYp4-4TXy-e-k4QerwPPlzOvRT3Kbx1UVg56vKIDdgqqwRIgGH/s400/IMG_0896.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314662904793986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span>The next morning we set out early in hopes of making it to Whitney and back.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqGyuFv0YGBKXywMfyw8n6o_EnY5F7aqzEkgvwRXAFyGh53B40tjjXi7AKUMcdIK1pIhh4WPnZYPkpaF4b5aj7pqmweZpOseuIUvbHMHx3mTYqmoe3hN6JOEcCx8S-xtPCkC1tSGks0VO/s1600/IMG_0882.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqGyuFv0YGBKXywMfyw8n6o_EnY5F7aqzEkgvwRXAFyGh53B40tjjXi7AKUMcdIK1pIhh4WPnZYPkpaF4b5aj7pqmweZpOseuIUvbHMHx3mTYqmoe3hN6JOEcCx8S-xtPCkC1tSGks0VO/s400/IMG_0882.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314909687567170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After only hiking with us a short ways Ernie showed his 71 years of wisdom and decided to let us fools adventure out on our own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Sd_mwcMkVNtt_Jo_sj_v0ecjgiaB_X4WmPL8JmQ8i_V99ENtm__2OR2uDyM4iuKnov8Zj2sW5XLPYFYnib922U3SYK-k7ADB3F_KBfBmAGXd_jgxs0YSP43ad-ZwIol4eY1CSj9PMZe/s1600/IMG_0884.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Sd_mwcMkVNtt_Jo_sj_v0ecjgiaB_X4WmPL8JmQ8i_V99ENtm__2OR2uDyM4iuKnov8Zj2sW5XLPYFYnib922U3SYK-k7ADB3F_KBfBmAGXd_jgxs0YSP43ad-ZwIol4eY1CSj9PMZe/s400/IMG_0884.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314907225139410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I think we were all enjoying the freedom of not having a trail in the beginning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOvySn0t2e2ng8EJSsl2_L62NKRUvBDkWlYQKrn1RrXA5PcabTiuOmfsso4PKZQgS4cfCrwFIx91Ckn7QSv7uAup7RWb-KMSBybNMX_Czk_A4eaZaQcZPbpXM-LL3r9EtfTJ37Y-rDBui/s1600/IMG_0895.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOvySn0t2e2ng8EJSsl2_L62NKRUvBDkWlYQKrn1RrXA5PcabTiuOmfsso4PKZQgS4cfCrwFIx91Ckn7QSv7uAup7RWb-KMSBybNMX_Czk_A4eaZaQcZPbpXM-LL3r9EtfTJ37Y-rDBui/s400/IMG_0895.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314891802339042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">The boys seemed to have plenty of energy especially since dropping their packs. Here they are stopped to throw rocks at a marmot.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W_mXnkO1lHwSa0ZbyXUpUe9TOce2ZD0yfq_iIkfv6P9SoTdMA9KnwhWRHvV2SccLHriWgQFPRzPvyX94xx5fYKKcu0mc_RkHfY4o63EmBRe-mU1vwviSnjjeGw4j6eTEGqxKnsY3EQke/s400/IMG_0898.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314657299696242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center; ">The first part of the route finding had proved easy and we made the first 4 miles relatively fast.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><div><br /></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1wwZSlCEeCPboBMbB_pbB25t4I05UkmOIg9gDXWPPbbMJcwjXOKhcFDJVfzqijWhz8_AU9CgGg9ey8069vi5tN34nqnU1jTFaBZmi5gEQiHYLIuye35V6VAtvs-668xSLUbLVdzSth2y/s400/IMG_0928.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314054518736578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually the terrain got less friendly and the route finding less obvious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzLsIx0cP2pe8hknxPE8yFqlvKLzwr6NeYgb-bel2mRhmM2bUAyckRJ-kicvEfkWg5naItmCoViF7dFa7Jq9UXpqfb87DaUr3H4uRXMNyqLErpzGpBU8s7HZJzAP1xQorKaThSEvQjKg_/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzLsIx0cP2pe8hknxPE8yFqlvKLzwr6NeYgb-bel2mRhmM2bUAyckRJ-kicvEfkWg5naItmCoViF7dFa7Jq9UXpqfb87DaUr3H4uRXMNyqLErpzGpBU8s7HZJzAP1xQorKaThSEvQjKg_/s400/IMG_0890.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314900014394082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bram and the rest of the group trusted me to lead us as I was carrying the guide book. That was a mistake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2i1erJ-VFBL8RWct5Nod9jGwoAFQERaPpDDilD3tAwe50rBmZxsScZXLVaRgQbNJqYmVvvdUBlWqJh8FZEHGoHDoa9TwKn662z2eD_uV1Z40RfF9zhoKX66p9m0WjYMrrwZZc0eBNkzD/s400/IMG_0906.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314651997367842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I made a horrendous orienteering error that led to me not being able to figure out why these lakes were not on the map. </span>According to my poor route finding skills we needed to climb up what looked like an impossibly steep ridge. <span class="Apple-style-span">Forget me reevaluating our course and trying to determine if we were really where I thought we were. Instead I looked the direction I believed we needed to go and told the boys it was time to man up. I needed Bram to slap me upside the head and say "Are you retarded?" but that is not Bram's style. If Bram is faced with a challenge, he always accepts no matter how heinous it appears. People like that are not easy to find. Trust me I am always looking for them. This is one of the many reasons I am lucky to have a friend like Bram. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKJplFTC14zTWensqnoiMgYEw-RsBGfxed6tIozFBM3oZVhSJLtka3OUhyphenhyphenwvYdhCc3zhWdsmz12FQh5YsVeORReXeMJx4at3NK_n9XQfpsqBLyReS2lzOf57BOQKb7XE0QtCbWdzBS2-1/s1600/IMG_0903.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKJplFTC14zTWensqnoiMgYEw-RsBGfxed6tIozFBM3oZVhSJLtka3OUhyphenhyphenwvYdhCc3zhWdsmz12FQh5YsVeORReXeMJx4at3NK_n9XQfpsqBLyReS2lzOf57BOQKb7XE0QtCbWdzBS2-1/s400/IMG_0903.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314652799426626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With no one to put me in check the group started up the ridge. It was soon steeper than class 3 which wasn't that bad until the rock got very loose. Then we all got pretty scared. Soon we were in over our heads. There were some tears that followed and those of us who weren't crying wanted to be. Despite our dyer situation it still didn't dawn on me that I had made a mistake reading the map. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQffj4Q29SA3pk9KBjpQJ4Xczf8E2kSD2B0lip3r6K6txJd2oU16Ah8QkzfQ-BslAi3x6NlurEevS-MdpY6TkWqrYGw_ebgshN2zYfxEb9OKj3YxKADapPcZZpWY6izFh4InxhlREgCDJa/s1600/IMG_0910.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQffj4Q29SA3pk9KBjpQJ4Xczf8E2kSD2B0lip3r6K6txJd2oU16Ah8QkzfQ-BslAi3x6NlurEevS-MdpY6TkWqrYGw_ebgshN2zYfxEb9OKj3YxKADapPcZZpWY6izFh4InxhlREgCDJa/s400/IMG_0910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314650551535826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We finally made it to the top of the ridge that was just over 13000 feet. We got our first view of Mount Whitney.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zRq21ZbQdGmtr7bWEfWob8Ullrhn_PnMH_Wi2IeGfQUwpSazZ6xPdKVKp8jaofz_AZOwAAJg751eFV1bchK77l6SMbRN-K4ghKlZQGn8DfBNXPYcSz4uSqSFxq0BDfllsaCPeKY03gzs/s400/IMG_0913.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314378076452082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It was here that I broke it to the team that we were not going to make it to Whitney that day. For the record I still didn't realize I was lost. I just thought we didn't have enough time with the terrain that was still ahead of us. </span>This was Rig's first time failing on a summit attempt and he did not take it well, <span class="Apple-style-span">there were more tears. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXJo7u8lfVHideXoglLJv8Lqj9wzCUVkGQ2e7EiG4r0Vx_4CGlOvL1MZIdYu0RTR_jc9UVcMw9IAB7wB9g1P6a8QMCOvu7U5cD7oBcljLLUD2aBj9xUvjL550yu-NLCQ8gwbPGC_6AYF/s1600/IMG_0919.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYXJo7u8lfVHideXoglLJv8Lqj9wzCUVkGQ2e7EiG4r0Vx_4CGlOvL1MZIdYu0RTR_jc9UVcMw9IAB7wB9g1P6a8QMCOvu7U5cD7oBcljLLUD2aBj9xUvjL550yu-NLCQ8gwbPGC_6AYF/s400/IMG_0919.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314389281602770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span">It was too steep and loose to descend the way we came up. We had to scout around on top of the ridge to find a portion that was a little less steep.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYFoIklF51bIBqaHWP8xkqBp_GAs8j1STXdtPejbTYxd2IbQRCZTez5iwF1Ee7FaH-RCS9W2_oTokea-cnP_N0f7lcu3dF1dHYnFmFu-SDxAzCX5f-pkZ4pA0be10FsS0C0bV2w9HLXJP/s400/IMG_0916.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314383875822098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; ">Everyone was pretty disappointed as we descended back to camp.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae_ulX0gQwHFy8I-ywi0NJVJBW2w7NHyCmOXim6teaZ5pA39UV5HPEy6EHP7qRqRTGUjvVVGjqXdW9uNbElEKOx9F062nqBraE3KBf6HiAworCQyL90CoY-nYVDsN3ee8bHUrBj4bVE4_/s400/sno.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666081553489998098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; ">But we crossed this snowfield and the boys had a snow ball fight and that cheered things up.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qFyzdBgLUk8yGGNVqI94m1w_QoEq2GXjzVFRCyneN-0hD25bqCSx179MZNoPhyphenhyphenunVkRfum-WA9Vp65APSauXfQp7-DA4UQILtGPjG4xSMTM0o6ZvpvfS196rFTJNf_wugDE4GRzST8uS/s400/IMG_0930.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314049253943858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; ">Somewhere in our hike back my horrendous orienteering error became clear in my head. I stopped the group got out the map and came clean with them. This was again a time when I would have expected a normal person to slap me upside the head and say "Are you retarded?" but Bram didn't. Another reason he is a keeper.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn3GqiJA2ZEHKWTid4hGxKlmC3XrvUTGa3GIGDGlGpknUb16iJcdUwF4Gvyd8n2j_pXfs0rUmZ0qsM-7CqFtvaJm8bA8lPzOpKIGUA4e0wr8h9flLp3aM6vkHrOPws2ohOweBkyP1i8xV/s400/IMG_0932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314037185200386" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Harry is a little daredevil. He is always finding something to challenge the older boys to.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtlblHQ9juNXKIeOMQZK32HS0qJGaeE3F0wml6hciSgBmLvrXbGYE_wjco7LoXFgolGG03xLHljH9ZCdkqzKkxgCcTJG5_jBVH216N0oGZ8mEq1Y1r27DWnsvOtQFxyCNYBlYbPtzPGQ_/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtlblHQ9juNXKIeOMQZK32HS0qJGaeE3F0wml6hciSgBmLvrXbGYE_wjco7LoXFgolGG03xLHljH9ZCdkqzKkxgCcTJG5_jBVH216N0oGZ8mEq1Y1r27DWnsvOtQFxyCNYBlYbPtzPGQ_/s400/IMG_0935.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664314034262134882" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Bram felt bad that Rig and I had been up in that same area just a month earlier but I could go there every weekend.</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-sbnA_3P7pYMy64G4rmlFuuY_c986Ylpq18OFxUS1Yp2OBERRNjg8Z67vdoyok2L1lC1HX6GdvW-iL9zXKIFy9FuqEohhxzOisv9CzMiRHj7HYzm1HGkzEY-Li51pnA2O3DV5IiqRrkR/s1600/IMG_0878.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-sbnA_3P7pYMy64G4rmlFuuY_c986Ylpq18OFxUS1Yp2OBERRNjg8Z67vdoyok2L1lC1HX6GdvW-iL9zXKIFy9FuqEohhxzOisv9CzMiRHj7HYzm1HGkzEY-Li51pnA2O3DV5IiqRrkR/s400/IMG_0878.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664315111981372658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">By the time we made it back to our camp that night, it was so dark that we hiked right by our tents and couldn't see them.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we broke camp and carried our packs to 12,000ft. We dropped them and headed up Langley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRmTwNiNmoCCyL0hFLALgKswsCdyPXcIFs3_NdhRHPvlno2-Ljy2-61Gb5epS7-sk3qdu4CShZ-HQT73GlvJpLfXTKDGd-PKY9QE70VxRguY6Szrn3sl5wBWCKasrxU0u_0-8j_1V17oU/s1600/IMG_0944.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRmTwNiNmoCCyL0hFLALgKswsCdyPXcIFs3_NdhRHPvlno2-Ljy2-61Gb5epS7-sk3qdu4CShZ-HQT73GlvJpLfXTKDGd-PKY9QE70VxRguY6Szrn3sl5wBWCKasrxU0u_0-8j_1V17oU/s400/IMG_0944.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312521888313874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig can be trudging along, barely keeping up with the group and then when he senses the summit is close, he is like a shark that smells blood and all the sudden he just wants to get to the peak.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJefQEeT7WGRA800164oRnnVhgq8aSs-2JdPqkXY5kPesAb4hBmfl6FSe5an4nOuJjwd6ntXVVYJ4T9ZdAujfoRgZUc7GcLB4x-QcFnJ1WyqmkTD8kt5L_F1GXzqLEn33qmRuOS3RSdvd/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJefQEeT7WGRA800164oRnnVhgq8aSs-2JdPqkXY5kPesAb4hBmfl6FSe5an4nOuJjwd6ntXVVYJ4T9ZdAujfoRgZUc7GcLB4x-QcFnJ1WyqmkTD8kt5L_F1GXzqLEn33qmRuOS3RSdvd/s400/IMG_0948.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312520221949154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">First one to the top again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUskmmp3qovrGx3UeIntUqt4ql4qLnaUwht1v2UGqGHxZwqFhAV5DrIg8OgWzazdR7tDL0epn4XYP0GnG-ymhCViKAS1x5dZzS7Lqnc5vLSckOhpsy5Ia2zJFOwtjpJX3WrHy6nc0NkC9F/s1600/IMG_0949.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUskmmp3qovrGx3UeIntUqt4ql4qLnaUwht1v2UGqGHxZwqFhAV5DrIg8OgWzazdR7tDL0epn4XYP0GnG-ymhCViKAS1x5dZzS7Lqnc5vLSckOhpsy5Ia2zJFOwtjpJX3WrHy6nc0NkC9F/s400/IMG_0949.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312514094797298" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Back again exactly 4 weeks after our last trip up.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYMk6CH3s2XQlDr8M8Gl_kNXorpGeOw9hS29vReIms3yX62prACUoAtAhD6WipPMDqlQx6bov8LtPG6791djVCIjQZtHR9k5kBCCzzJ0dVeDVPnIdEgokSctRi4HzwzBB2h5EmWR9le5L/s1600/IMG_0955.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYMk6CH3s2XQlDr8M8Gl_kNXorpGeOw9hS29vReIms3yX62prACUoAtAhD6WipPMDqlQx6bov8LtPG6791djVCIjQZtHR9k5kBCCzzJ0dVeDVPnIdEgokSctRi4HzwzBB2h5EmWR9le5L/s400/IMG_0955.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312509387478146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The whole group made it including 71 year old Ernie, who actually did it twice. Once with us and once while we were all lost on a cliffside. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am convinced there is not a more fun mountain to descend than Langley.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupFDTUBejflCKDrPqNSSqBpBhPDGYNUBiDBWERtp6ql_iuDrsvBaI-QV2JNa5MrUryIR-QCIfZM9Jd1LXM7sbwH_Sefe5GkZufxj2yi4PqGqQDIquG0FNejIFfE-lJGMJROqVlb1H_pZe/s1600/IMG_0958+-+Version+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupFDTUBejflCKDrPqNSSqBpBhPDGYNUBiDBWERtp6ql_iuDrsvBaI-QV2JNa5MrUryIR-QCIfZM9Jd1LXM7sbwH_Sefe5GkZufxj2yi4PqGqQDIquG0FNejIFfE-lJGMJROqVlb1H_pZe/s400/IMG_0958+-+Version+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312507865682514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig getting ready for the base jumping merit badge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl88ntSwqYBqNHcdI0nG17vrT7UgVqkonofwUcSqlgN6o46cfKeFXlWdmYYGfO-26aoUiN3vafy5xMQkYThIhpB6dCbj31wt5ZSmaDUayTp-6H_bK3co2Ibe0ckTxDvQkBfoY4rUUUS-e/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl88ntSwqYBqNHcdI0nG17vrT7UgVqkonofwUcSqlgN6o46cfKeFXlWdmYYGfO-26aoUiN3vafy5xMQkYThIhpB6dCbj31wt5ZSmaDUayTp-6H_bK3co2Ibe0ckTxDvQkBfoY4rUUUS-e/s400/IMG_0960.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312286405753058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Stockton going huge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc3E6dUJKLM0hqe2v7Cnk0BcEGZtt-8sXJjrTX3VJ_8itRdwGFKUIE7iFBIyTGx1t2wPgguWOeUfzr7PUme75ODKPHTb2ZGL-ZjyB77DrPktGv_pq13DeL6ImChTBrPzykCUHsgH4NVHj/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc3E6dUJKLM0hqe2v7Cnk0BcEGZtt-8sXJjrTX3VJ_8itRdwGFKUIE7iFBIyTGx1t2wPgguWOeUfzr7PUme75ODKPHTb2ZGL-ZjyB77DrPktGv_pq13DeL6ImChTBrPzykCUHsgH4NVHj/s400/IMG_0961.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312281733864738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Harry with some Kung Fu flavor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFF1scW9PZQ0eUPRBAaftK1bGNM0tFUsMVYUQjnyFaBYWNithDqEgR8lZPcT5HMiUaM02WibGLWE_akNCaJR8_76MaRB_Vs5UNQNHUStIbjALhsGNu5ZuRTTCAIpXYHt7_XxWZ93gUm4t/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFF1scW9PZQ0eUPRBAaftK1bGNM0tFUsMVYUQjnyFaBYWNithDqEgR8lZPcT5HMiUaM02WibGLWE_akNCaJR8_76MaRB_Vs5UNQNHUStIbjALhsGNu5ZuRTTCAIpXYHt7_XxWZ93gUm4t/s400/IMG_0962.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312271991237138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig with the method.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the record Bram wanted to get a picture of me jumping off the rocks and after two mistimed attempts I finally said, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"Dude I am 36. I don't need a picture of me jumping off a rock!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A_VnJCRRx_A8yAdAL3ZKMhtptOi3v1mO2RareA_PnISdDwN6d0TAdiLCPWoUKCJ_Uu_h8-76Kx9-o3P5PCE5CxRiN-DFPFA2VQjGMziCP8gu8hjD5O4VmaTrjP6KnaDYi97J52OnY5zy/s1600/IMG_0972.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A_VnJCRRx_A8yAdAL3ZKMhtptOi3v1mO2RareA_PnISdDwN6d0TAdiLCPWoUKCJ_Uu_h8-76Kx9-o3P5PCE5CxRiN-DFPFA2VQjGMziCP8gu8hjD5O4VmaTrjP6KnaDYi97J52OnY5zy/s400/IMG_0972.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312263687862770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We finished our 3rd day by hiking all the way out. It was our biggest day and it really tested the boys. I was impressed with all three of them and with Ernie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBdwiFue-eR3ePEuxktYjb1DeHfOecOjb7TFsX-1I5bw7w4p_IJsqfWUGkNzWN9X9oygUqyp357Nf6KIuxwq_PVPmA4zuMzZizLnK_SNSzL15Ku2BnDbwvS5nEyaF8eRXTaC4wQDJBIhf/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnBdwiFue-eR3ePEuxktYjb1DeHfOecOjb7TFsX-1I5bw7w4p_IJsqfWUGkNzWN9X9oygUqyp357Nf6KIuxwq_PVPmA4zuMzZizLnK_SNSzL15Ku2BnDbwvS5nEyaF8eRXTaC4wQDJBIhf/s400/IMG_0974.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664312262256935106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It was a treat to have Bram and the boys adventuring with us. I am sure we have many more adventures to look forward to.</div></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-37985149323018122752011-09-17T21:45:00.000-07:002011-09-18T00:43:22.021-07:00Rig bags his 2nd 14er!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcaQ68isuFjPjxc7mcGhyphenhyphenB14K4c3V9H7kd3OJcARJybdIVuTtqo6nmGP9cxlpc1TGKFqP-VstOoqOloz51zlC33OJ-OlzWkv-P8mC9xTvud2ZYSACmVGOldXdW7HWbtCOix4sOcOtaasP/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">This year for our annual father/son outing we were shooting for Mt. Langley, another California 14er. We invited our good friends the Hills, who just moved to Reno to meet us for the hike.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWQ5CV0N-SC2INt6Q_Yz3hpMx9p3HJTBs9Hg0a1A-LN5yJZx2ZiKQtiMqLk-hiqo8B9GKy-GWynBJZNFH9pUeJBkvm74q3yRTodPDf_4_W1uh9sklz7mo8gDg2bsa_8BosJyjZlKi8gxQ/s1600/IMG_0626.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWQ5CV0N-SC2INt6Q_Yz3hpMx9p3HJTBs9Hg0a1A-LN5yJZx2ZiKQtiMqLk-hiqo8B9GKy-GWynBJZNFH9pUeJBkvm74q3yRTodPDf_4_W1uh9sklz7mo8gDg2bsa_8BosJyjZlKi8gxQ/s400/IMG_0626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559468933081058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was Rig's first time carrying his own pack.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBb4qYqeshMc-rcYdtl60EwNLWlD2V8oC4QuxKHAxECvmuG1nrSKXyzSn3TRt9pyAw_2hNP1LW8eY0awIoCjhfolhTwVbrsfErW_Mc8hm-U6vlMLFnlQxDFgt1v85QR60IjJ5ZL2Dm0uz/s1600/IMG_0630.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBb4qYqeshMc-rcYdtl60EwNLWlD2V8oC4QuxKHAxECvmuG1nrSKXyzSn3TRt9pyAw_2hNP1LW8eY0awIoCjhfolhTwVbrsfErW_Mc8hm-U6vlMLFnlQxDFgt1v85QR60IjJ5ZL2Dm0uz/s400/IMG_0630.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559466874043426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig was really looking forward to spending some time with his best friend Micah again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVbyscpXv3LBkUXF5ieyFvU7WOGY4CxbLt2s7T3QqMXSY-UlUJbuzbxUwqZ4y38mKIJlkGP5KlLfOPNyONtCFEtmbj6U1qx2H0ZtGkIURMeTDyDDgAjrs-NuNX8162og0h90ogiTt-tvF/s1600/IMG_0635.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVbyscpXv3LBkUXF5ieyFvU7WOGY4CxbLt2s7T3QqMXSY-UlUJbuzbxUwqZ4y38mKIJlkGP5KlLfOPNyONtCFEtmbj6U1qx2H0ZtGkIURMeTDyDDgAjrs-NuNX8162og0h90ogiTt-tvF/s400/IMG_0635.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559464560942178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They insisted on hiking together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ok0TEiyqoNMBTBRFAH05WlqGlsnoTvfGWXN7I_oSvzwv0RfVYGoqxU0APTltCFvecBFp_SJN_xZ4PguDxQWAl04Vlyhsg_Zxe4JfVLxRm9ePc36pYez4skVqAB7XICJ0orkqiSX90zHp/s400/IMG_0711.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558176108264786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">There were scattered thunderstorms that we were hoping not to fall victim to.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9EuHMyShC1ytaLg3v3HF4lceUEu3pZzl8aojM56ECBPRuaF08x4lGmv1Qu8BpYZPn4KcL_4OpmyHvXDMMaNzBzCDqXJR3JiURPHFS_qVB-kbSw1C37I6vG6qXY_E5dBbEQcfjmBUw2O-/s1600/IMG_0640.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9EuHMyShC1ytaLg3v3HF4lceUEu3pZzl8aojM56ECBPRuaF08x4lGmv1Qu8BpYZPn4KcL_4OpmyHvXDMMaNzBzCDqXJR3JiURPHFS_qVB-kbSw1C37I6vG6qXY_E5dBbEQcfjmBUw2O-/s400/IMG_0640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559460986824226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">But the rain came, and it came hard. We tried to take shelter under a tree, but to no avail. We were all soaked to the core. It was a little scary how fast the trip went from nice and pleasant to cold and miserable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7D-TsoZpjJLTxlKSKJ9gwzonVndhQL1MeaAQOBosnt8A2qNBR9jK8dv0zs_qLFqMvV6njxENa4gAs-FvBrZHXy9GjmTw9-sZ4ueYXHi0KVAtrl0I2CTdC8aEQ4xRM6j30g1hx2Q2lG8n/s1600/IMG_0643.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7D-TsoZpjJLTxlKSKJ9gwzonVndhQL1MeaAQOBosnt8A2qNBR9jK8dv0zs_qLFqMvV6njxENa4gAs-FvBrZHXy9GjmTw9-sZ4ueYXHi0KVAtrl0I2CTdC8aEQ4xRM6j30g1hx2Q2lG8n/s400/IMG_0643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559459509698450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We had hoped to make it a little further the first day but the boys were shaking uncontrollably and we decided it best to set up camp and get them in something dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhJH5yUWxU308hJshrRRaZrl9ilXi20Zb4X-Mi8xGNJR4p1uHoCb-J2pfMDvsYHmOFpN67Hn0F366K-dWdCyK1PgWmIFaW5xPw09xNVdN1mDDr-6a2n0VlbfksIF06gyiTrjJ-w894WHP/s1600/IMG_0648.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhJH5yUWxU308hJshrRRaZrl9ilXi20Zb4X-Mi8xGNJR4p1uHoCb-J2pfMDvsYHmOFpN67Hn0F366K-dWdCyK1PgWmIFaW5xPw09xNVdN1mDDr-6a2n0VlbfksIF06gyiTrjJ-w894WHP/s400/IMG_0648.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559241267181826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The boys were fine once we got them in something dry and fed them some hot chocolate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS69aai5IZHixlXRaM3dPe3HEDqW3fCMHNIoeRNb_I-98wQ-z2vtfESS6SY18JffSeuKJxMEL0EcdTGiflh8TAc9spiU1iGeqUmK6gdvFKyYc_N_E7hV8zE_ntnYOoHD1xcTnpnIUDVt4J/s1600/IMG_0657.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS69aai5IZHixlXRaM3dPe3HEDqW3fCMHNIoeRNb_I-98wQ-z2vtfESS6SY18JffSeuKJxMEL0EcdTGiflh8TAc9spiU1iGeqUmK6gdvFKyYc_N_E7hV8zE_ntnYOoHD1xcTnpnIUDVt4J/s400/IMG_0657.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559241903001554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We woke the next morning to sunny skies and views of Mt. Langley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq5QJBvxqdBjaU3FDHZTKWk67evMfB64DGF-nOl_qm_zreRd7mFUjvexmh96R5Rbt6YBHX-ZDQxbCDwgiN8f7-BRwoDV6FsNOV0XGcaEu43yodzda4AUmq5QtB2aYX6yS0Nq2_M_4aJ54/s1600/IMG_0659.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMq5QJBvxqdBjaU3FDHZTKWk67evMfB64DGF-nOl_qm_zreRd7mFUjvexmh96R5Rbt6YBHX-ZDQxbCDwgiN8f7-BRwoDV6FsNOV0XGcaEu43yodzda4AUmq5QtB2aYX6yS0Nq2_M_4aJ54/s400/IMG_0659.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559239296758466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It was only 4 miles and 4000 feet away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJuponHa4Ghwy2uTIGnvjMdX3DDbfZW8eFR4N4Gs8z9e0_TGwsmRz4hMk-uRP8t6egt_PX8ru1nMRTc4K15XYDoqQSdRGMy93qoBX5ppS6hA4mj07LGXc400dXPwdlYIwsZoUShZkmHVb/s1600/IMG_0665.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJuponHa4Ghwy2uTIGnvjMdX3DDbfZW8eFR4N4Gs8z9e0_TGwsmRz4hMk-uRP8t6egt_PX8ru1nMRTc4K15XYDoqQSdRGMy93qoBX5ppS6hA4mj07LGXc400dXPwdlYIwsZoUShZkmHVb/s400/IMG_0665.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559237789569234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The boys with a view of Cottonwood Lakes where we had camped.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CWNapXgLa5ISzb6ywHnTp_MnQPu2kcARC3zFiBRFVnNQ5kxxlXfKtncMlUEXL-kDWUf0r5QAVyXs3FM_M7QFyWAnIfCSXeIFI6_8R7KEm8enkvX4JSQS-7TuEM7Jx-VdwKFhbI4s4EFn/s1600/IMG_0668.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CWNapXgLa5ISzb6ywHnTp_MnQPu2kcARC3zFiBRFVnNQ5kxxlXfKtncMlUEXL-kDWUf0r5QAVyXs3FM_M7QFyWAnIfCSXeIFI6_8R7KEm8enkvX4JSQS-7TuEM7Jx-VdwKFhbI4s4EFn/s400/IMG_0668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653559232894526850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The hike was a class 2 scramble with a lot of sand that is not much fun to hike up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONINrRNqpYc0cbRf8bcSU5DcBBrpO2NZqachFUIQY76sZuNJTA-KYygeQZ6alPpRAwE51B6C47Nm5fyh1QPtncaaKMfVAeWBjiTe3HizBpqwb7ef03Ol0pXHseJ6l-mtP4qY2fyngXI3D/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONINrRNqpYc0cbRf8bcSU5DcBBrpO2NZqachFUIQY76sZuNJTA-KYygeQZ6alPpRAwE51B6C47Nm5fyh1QPtncaaKMfVAeWBjiTe3HizBpqwb7ef03Ol0pXHseJ6l-mtP4qY2fyngXI3D/s400/IMG_0672.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558750334797394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It had a couple of fun little bouldering sections.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj9aaD_k9Yy94QGqOWPb1KKhGj3bf7bAVluMLYhJyI_ghNROtIpWHtvbakNk2Eq7KvYLdqWgnq6by_XEmM0_GSTjAyUxwO1vl0foWKHuPvGwGhKOvNY05SAdf8J5UrlElV2dpY7FxQMJy/s1600/IMG_0674.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj9aaD_k9Yy94QGqOWPb1KKhGj3bf7bAVluMLYhJyI_ghNROtIpWHtvbakNk2Eq7KvYLdqWgnq6by_XEmM0_GSTjAyUxwO1vl0foWKHuPvGwGhKOvNY05SAdf8J5UrlElV2dpY7FxQMJy/s400/IMG_0674.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558743597063362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig zoomed right up them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOAj6maf9HqzMuTUwnKHAAChc3RHUo99BjUsHVcOymHRTUTdTJsWfiZkLITpzPkFhhF8m7d27oqJAzBaZkl05rUVyOI8UUPaJbGGuZi3ktt8SLXLqquQ1GGHlM9lt64tbXfUsGjNGyjq2/s400/IMG_0679.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558742338623074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">After the struggle we had on Whitney last year I expected Langley to be tougher than it was, but Rig made it look like a piece of cake. He was the first one to the summit to claim his second 14er.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd80LVRDEcRQEnoApV4YVubd6m_khAku5PFtWHU6K8dl6ivX4Q08wTTvLvbt7bCoqI0fTzLcpxEEV8IQdTRv6jYAEgJ2Mk2u1qkBZQr9zS9zmc-eYv4yjtp5AvVqgJWwAuYbykz9aSVr8/s1600/IMG_0683.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd80LVRDEcRQEnoApV4YVubd6m_khAku5PFtWHU6K8dl6ivX4Q08wTTvLvbt7bCoqI0fTzLcpxEEV8IQdTRv6jYAEgJ2Mk2u1qkBZQr9zS9zmc-eYv4yjtp5AvVqgJWwAuYbykz9aSVr8/s400/IMG_0683.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558734578419714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">His buddy Micah was not far behind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX4DdRWT-OdMKrkKFTZ3FaH42LeIUfStwWrrZqVnTv8mGK8eQtrEq2fCXYCX8ep1BvQWzaqfsn8ASoHhQ6P8RiVDJtL11zeFucNipauAHqBnj60M9FOL1NEnjTtvpuQ23QW_KJhmRJdeu/s1600/IMG_0684.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX4DdRWT-OdMKrkKFTZ3FaH42LeIUfStwWrrZqVnTv8mGK8eQtrEq2fCXYCX8ep1BvQWzaqfsn8ASoHhQ6P8RiVDJtL11zeFucNipauAHqBnj60M9FOL1NEnjTtvpuQ23QW_KJhmRJdeu/s400/IMG_0684.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558443161340754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Soon we were all enjoying the summit together. I look pretty silly in me pirate hat but unfortunately the way the Cougars are playing, I would have to say Damon looks more silly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3n6kByoACoabpt7jgIeGvOd-fNqHMbvje7N4mttkHNv4RKZtSGLRvz23aQfbvt1TWNxDySpFQlruCj8zCbraWdWmkkAdVe_Cyv114Fy1WU6Dk7vGqwWGrU986Kayq9EwxGvozC3drQLK/s400/IMG_0688.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653589780477991138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The sand that made things slow going up made things fast coming down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOv6gQJ1IaAUguDKwRwMk49fkwKX5sI5ShkUoXaQ8iAMFrcBQVZzTUQbvw-bwmIGH_q7HVpFvOCqVr9LorTR3fkhiSGLRKzvk7Ju6ztXetEyOdx59XtkAFm83cVwImIGah7wtam2mvHGzt/s400/IMG_0693.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653589786564597874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">You could launch off the rocks with reckless abandon and land in the soft sand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEPDBxQ_bKsrooX6yp96jMxNPofj6ZQbQWCsNEc1evQbCuq_UkNVVudVxd-InmW5W14C2y9FR1E_WrcHpBDnq3fyS5xxik0BpdR9-5aRVvz3w6Xs2GtVQU24FSVyi56naBrLLDGtl4ToW/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEPDBxQ_bKsrooX6yp96jMxNPofj6ZQbQWCsNEc1evQbCuq_UkNVVudVxd-InmW5W14C2y9FR1E_WrcHpBDnq3fyS5xxik0BpdR9-5aRVvz3w6Xs2GtVQU24FSVyi56naBrLLDGtl4ToW/s400/IMG_0692.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558444032088610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Micah getting some air.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOOsgNCLS4tf-iV8vMlFDetL2oTn0fmprFqLpaD4MCBrbui1BhhtYxYsSvdZJa03Mn4Vp186jqxc8-zs74XOLoKMPGQ_0ixHmNRXUPu1bETATbbJc7JTeJQ8EJoOBvXVlTiKBNOnVVzaL/s1600/IMG_0694.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOOsgNCLS4tf-iV8vMlFDetL2oTn0fmprFqLpaD4MCBrbui1BhhtYxYsSvdZJa03Mn4Vp186jqxc8-zs74XOLoKMPGQ_0ixHmNRXUPu1bETATbbJc7JTeJQ8EJoOBvXVlTiKBNOnVVzaL/s400/IMG_0694.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558426652991890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rig with a little something he picked up from Mr. Miyagi.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l651vVxTHw-xZlFC8_twL23h1GwpluwVJ3ci1bfrLv7ehwJMhJfXKnJxBHd_BAHs469Sa1DrGnrJQl_q6STfW9RN__u791DA1TmsaTKJSIQ7Flwc7n0bn8d8_VB_xdevt833FU5key5x/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l651vVxTHw-xZlFC8_twL23h1GwpluwVJ3ci1bfrLv7ehwJMhJfXKnJxBHd_BAHs469Sa1DrGnrJQl_q6STfW9RN__u791DA1TmsaTKJSIQ7Flwc7n0bn8d8_VB_xdevt833FU5key5x/s400/IMG_0701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558422969050578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We saw a bunch of marmots.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuZG83nuOBrYokv-3W38fKRuujXQfxF1vlbehBlDv1RVEzlUKf_e6XgRj0ztsHx1ka0WC99y1aTwWz4GQRHuYhQnr6L0U4udTRtIjr39oUdMM6xyieo-zaa2sKVGPJEv1MUmCGYobbPCI/s400/IMG_0709.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558179148416530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Descending the snow Rigdon couldn't resist trying to ski it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yx2N73ODCiHYUjBEerbyVFATM8WUG1Mrx-vq8S0aTxYm-X8HiqNDEhEtYp8mZnjUf-QTNDqZIHOjWBQ-Jtt8ZzZN6_WluDGRyvkqU8bccP8OZrcHxeRae8PLEmJRJeCKZzSP-7Zwomze/s1600/IMG_0708.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yx2N73ODCiHYUjBEerbyVFATM8WUG1Mrx-vq8S0aTxYm-X8HiqNDEhEtYp8mZnjUf-QTNDqZIHOjWBQ-Jtt8ZzZN6_WluDGRyvkqU8bccP8OZrcHxeRae8PLEmJRJeCKZzSP-7Zwomze/s400/IMG_0708.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558424132404066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">He had mixed results with that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhnhJXW5AnAetX9GjLqXodoQ6ksM31XeaH3Q83biXUAMCG_VIjp_cREezCPDtmlEEeKmk-oMyKPUE0RSl6F8Sj50ObYI3d8WLD49Iwd7nwqlDRvNSPunfaFc7mn3bGPOtbDPAbu9riqqp/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhnhJXW5AnAetX9GjLqXodoQ6ksM31XeaH3Q83biXUAMCG_VIjp_cREezCPDtmlEEeKmk-oMyKPUE0RSl6F8Sj50ObYI3d8WLD49Iwd7nwqlDRvNSPunfaFc7mn3bGPOtbDPAbu9riqqp/s400/IMG_0712.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558173775103618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We got back to camp with plenty of time to hike out that day but our friends talked us into staying one more night and we were glad we did. It gave us a chance to do the things we rarely have time for.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TpN-g9xH4oWxPAQ_QV_CivCFfEY_2mQg5x5ppDiE-fziJgviMgM_7KbP4JhAK7WIYYc6gVanlSEAtKJNV3m-UAKD3CP5KnV2p4fvBA4OYz3zUCHLc0kGahDVlaSnM1RBbMGW2zJATFok/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TpN-g9xH4oWxPAQ_QV_CivCFfEY_2mQg5x5ppDiE-fziJgviMgM_7KbP4JhAK7WIYYc6gVanlSEAtKJNV3m-UAKD3CP5KnV2p4fvBA4OYz3zUCHLc0kGahDVlaSnM1RBbMGW2zJATFok/s400/IMG_0719.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558171236795602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We ran through the beautiful meadow,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvd1zf7In28uS4H-hcYQoCebFDGYzF8xl7tBMWq239Z8zvtDOQfWTvkzS_hU9-b75aHBega-uq8zCDXud6uiy52dPoKPcVAA1V03vzjlcFH49CmmkbJ01Ric6ISb4dQN4VBF0DfJnkzIK/s400/IMG_0723.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653557936656599746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">climbed on rocks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShXaVdIjHQqMJA7nYJEdBt49Ocd2afvQU6U7BF73cCq_pasC4QYOMTJKEsa0VQC2JRC671NtLPuzkDBebrxHaaG9JXfBd-oAQ5LzwGK3p7RiD0mhYESKQO57fKRUp4SCHV76kzkU56T8u/s400/IMG_0724.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653557933305658322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">and logs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioau-xXjYrPJSJb7y-SJJQSmnWZGpiQKG-qJEeNWUobykeOUiEqoTKaUdRd3FsopiBRDH9oVz1Df_aPknyY1vRDE3jI3yvsOfLnTKjj9oWPvCOYQ6kzVA2QZKV5fFfcmpHGHl7EMIJ1xha/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioau-xXjYrPJSJb7y-SJJQSmnWZGpiQKG-qJEeNWUobykeOUiEqoTKaUdRd3FsopiBRDH9oVz1Df_aPknyY1vRDE3jI3yvsOfLnTKjj9oWPvCOYQ6kzVA2QZKV5fFfcmpHGHl7EMIJ1xha/s400/IMG_0715.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558172552394066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I even took a swim in the frigid mountain lake. Luckily I am microscopic in the picture because I am wearing my all white board shorts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5lD-iH7ntBDfTmMsT4KuKa1CAIdkgHWkle7xaYHHWSbTgH-FirgI2tHF2bzHvqDfabKQbTgTlVnG4kcSnMq42AixF_V07fo8HPiDTNkEDe2hpPrQSHX9rY3_m7vm_YQUle6cdzvLkqkg/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5lD-iH7ntBDfTmMsT4KuKa1CAIdkgHWkle7xaYHHWSbTgH-FirgI2tHF2bzHvqDfabKQbTgTlVnG4kcSnMq42AixF_V07fo8HPiDTNkEDe2hpPrQSHX9rY3_m7vm_YQUle6cdzvLkqkg/s400/IMG_0743.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653557935179955154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We even got treated to a beautiful mountain sunset. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ16P7JrfbTMSag5hAXwZaZ-0Z1-7JWmWHm7HtCYusDzs7KBe8zmg5GGnHICFZfwCUTMgk-VwC8_iMlKySt4XC-tUtaWJkrXnt0__sDVdJMEgRGkqVU-ajB7FQhnaMDdhxjB9aG1to9Cdp/s400/IMG_0746.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653596929471359570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning we had 6 miles to hike out. We got up early and skipped breakfast in attempt to make it out and to McDonald's for breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcaQ68isuFjPjxc7mcGhyphenhyphenB14K4c3V9H7kd3OJcARJybdIVuTtqo6nmGP9cxlpc1TGKFqP-VstOoqOloz51zlC33OJ-OlzWkv-P8mC9xTvud2ZYSACmVGOldXdW7HWbtCOix4sOcOtaasP/s1600/IMG_0748.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcaQ68isuFjPjxc7mcGhyphenhyphenB14K4c3V9H7kd3OJcARJybdIVuTtqo6nmGP9cxlpc1TGKFqP-VstOoqOloz51zlC33OJ-OlzWkv-P8mC9xTvud2ZYSACmVGOldXdW7HWbtCOix4sOcOtaasP/s400/IMG_0748.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653596937667421378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We were on the trail by 7:00. To our car by 10:00 and to McDonald's by 10:40,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it was 10 minutes too late. I asked the lady if there was anyway we could get a couple Egg McMuffins and I was swiftly denied. We were stuck eating McDoubles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZj7ZQEmOCGM_hytktsBTlkbX6suDyrcc4aELJDWvetSEy8y24q_Ef855jyV3pRBUirp7WCTeBCKWJOkKV5I3BjKKilRbyWMGxStirWCPBtOTVIueanbEMrM74XtfAyz3j4qFee-BtL8u/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZj7ZQEmOCGM_hytktsBTlkbX6suDyrcc4aELJDWvetSEy8y24q_Ef855jyV3pRBUirp7WCTeBCKWJOkKV5I3BjKKilRbyWMGxStirWCPBtOTVIueanbEMrM74XtfAyz3j4qFee-BtL8u/s400/IMG_0678.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653558740383909874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Two California 14ers down, thirteen to go.</div></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-86798204233335502372011-09-07T22:30:00.000-07:002011-09-09T15:27:23.737-07:00Adventure Week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoMgSFxB9ZEQQxoVqhX03nit5sNjCJPuFA_b0zMKAZBDHXqflqwV2Tx1IAI_aZthFWYK6ki2SUGIfbwQrUUwxZRtii45YfOhYscLwJE3sHsViE0aww9a0LKqQgIOCCk_cl_-iuJslhtjS/s1600/DSCN1306.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sara will tell you I have a problem with over booking our summers. My motto is: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Better to have too many things to do and not enough time to do them, than to sit home and watch TV."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I<span class="Apple-style-span"> hate letting free time slip away into nothingness. So</span> this summer when we had a week at home with nothing on the calendar I got nervous and decided to<span class="Apple-style-span"> formulate a plan. I picked out 6 activities that I had been wanting to get around to and I boldly declared I was going to take the family to do one each day of the upcoming week. I dubbed it "Adventure Week" and the kids (and Sara) were immediately on board.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslUnib6H6w9jB0EYMhAZ-OscC7hcIomi-BJxyrtb6Nbx-xdOVesAqfwyFe05K7qgIMd43X7fzN8NRJh4M77gujSm_uUr9xCyNfhExlQbbm6GLyNVwuEqwWe6STkooginhLD4l6xivKcCD/s400/DSCN1221.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649874174779784050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monday was a trip to Crystal Cove to go snorkeling.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeEdUxEDxVBOSmQErTtN4dEmbrTrabO8pzRW4Io-aroDPPnKNLcWk8kilpG_6Q9aZP8OilvRVmMCBVmDi0WaLdhCaScRBKffzoDYqN8MPw5auHgAa3FkhdfmSMpIbCq9scwm-U-fAkWJg/s400/DSCN1216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649874166997751682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we got there the surf was too big to go snorkeling so we played in the tide-pools and let the shore-break pummel us in the sand.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxKf4x2ocwm9V1A7BR3WTkcdajNBhuWDmrt_gk3PuD1IyWptgPER2IrEHAiTvxfp-8AqIoFfH0TeiJspK0ih9t4UYLyxWqU4zTGUHOJpFNvBnzz9K1jVSaR0Nc6bpLAZDLHH4MAw6Kfgy/s1600/penny.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxKf4x2ocwm9V1A7BR3WTkcdajNBhuWDmrt_gk3PuD1IyWptgPER2IrEHAiTvxfp-8AqIoFfH0TeiJspK0ih9t4UYLyxWqU4zTGUHOJpFNvBnzz9K1jVSaR0Nc6bpLAZDLHH4MAw6Kfgy/s400/penny.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649874938199019042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">If you count one too many redheads in this picture it is because Jessica and Penny were staying with us for Adventure week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRPCUdQXBr9VCzWcchtN7ep_RaGgfP8Yrix2bmXrfh1UPFC3IlUJrBKKhsgcR7vrgUECtcTl_9Isr8edaSoI6bgzXcwfyL2iCKQcPEQpJQrmqFHXfCBACusJoE2m9Fnkujv6J1dZB7l1V/s1600/DSCN1229.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRPCUdQXBr9VCzWcchtN7ep_RaGgfP8Yrix2bmXrfh1UPFC3IlUJrBKKhsgcR7vrgUECtcTl_9Isr8edaSoI6bgzXcwfyL2iCKQcPEQpJQrmqFHXfCBACusJoE2m9Fnkujv6J1dZB7l1V/s400/DSCN1229.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649874175577345266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Never a bad time to do a handstand. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBd8L8KZhnLYn5KShhBKSC7ZG4_GpFG9t08HwqCJ3iwsLtrFYBxwhG7IJQRcajFVk5VNipLDQBH1n5-5lu0Gi0BLMoa9nT5r-1Dn6M0N7PYSRaVmeMteSMI4Xwxwr0s4gI9fu4BYdPXI2/s400/DSCN1238.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649872700389418578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>Tuesday was only for the older kids. We went Canyoneering in our own Cucamonga Canyon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXi5yLoM9w1ptCjdiTvO9Kt23ykae8pX8wsG3nvJlOMDvPN2DmuLUEiMm6ZOs6cZj9iDYnEM2zsn6HWCs3Mzgvi1GMEwFxsO2g6B7i-u5h7UVnl0sVL4zLcj-6cPNlwtm8JWoTxEOqbXXX/s400/DSCN1235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649872699742316402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">It started with a 3 mile hike around to the top of the canyon.</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; "><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGL9GRuj3X0LjaSBBfQoUKW6KGCFLiPCJwikPInk8oFZ_UD7t-9JF-hcptw-R_f_TNli5DsACxszbR_LTsMJzAmP-JX6VHK1GKKe-K1s-8xT0C4abT3LDmfS6KVNFKcUDum3PONkucF-B/s400/DSCN1241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649872704958975298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span>Descending the river was a piece of cake until we got to the first waterfall. It was going to require a rappel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEQ_PDihmhW7KnUdTdTiu5GTEiujuWonx-XMFTjR56eYRRlvTjpMinbsGjHjz4h4dGoc_fUZ_xV1S6H6h86FAktu0Pvo8rYswiFfnUTYPo-u1R95QToAxQ2w72JNkV7u-A9jO1bN1Cj8L/s400/DSCN1251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873795903848162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">With great confidence in Dad's anchor setting skills, Rigdon was the first one to take the plunge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiB_XrhudVkpMKZWLmafSLkXpdjoQB5CH3C1XqvAi8Mytpl8u2XBm1TCt7VDPT3eN-AIDM5BXgg79QxqI_oG0YPMobLpflYNvdmeWlxOrjT8MmRjOj84Sidhn7AubmVgDGgwhKfArDl-k/s400/DSCN1253.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873816842739666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">It was Rig's first time rappelling but he lowered himself down in a flash.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpocz4M2C4wljRroKgRnxKiqC9yr7MLCEVjGQMpjYy2oiNryPJNRzDWgsN64XPlGkuLXP9UajlwGzd5Z8PzlFzPWAkBPVCQSgBZWUb2yoGEEsWBKITxIRFhcHIF9zigOYtq-MrKMdbNyb/s400/DSCN1258.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873822585492306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Livi watched nervously for her turn.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpm2B5pdSWDkjBQIk4nZ9UDy66f7sQSKFnhL9qktCr_gEZqd11ha0-2Rif1Xm3kNTndAr0JEeMaY0LNGZwkaI9msw686WJdYxTxyMz9s_CsJcvuU0T4xr_1M6qNDWviUx_Atm7rqP-qJn/s1600/DSCN1261.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpm2B5pdSWDkjBQIk4nZ9UDy66f7sQSKFnhL9qktCr_gEZqd11ha0-2Rif1Xm3kNTndAr0JEeMaY0LNGZwkaI9msw686WJdYxTxyMz9s_CsJcvuU0T4xr_1M6qNDWviUx_Atm7rqP-qJn/s400/DSCN1261.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873826874285394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Livi was excited but cautious. It was a 50 foot rappel and it took about that many minutes for me to lower her off. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJP4ho9syUh4BRSjZTy94KYQcA4L-frwfZ9e66dK7H8V6V6PeTGBlTUltVfSw79q5ftFKh_DyYIP_SUM0zZp455NnZcIpLYdtOYmw_rzEJl19iLHKUcMPPcnhWirlRVNGbj1pNlLPayRf/s400/DSCN1275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873182866220690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">When we finally got to the bottom it was time to dawn the swimsuits as the canyon had narrowed enough that staying dry was no longer an option. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Nnoy7b48nBPgWJ0eZF_Tk8DCFCUzd77ct0JKhIRKH43_gVMAeTqBwu7TxBooh0WuUI-6Vp8UHWZl5h-H154GQh7LYxQWTMJYI0SjEPRJQg4WiG0xkVV1FYbjqrAFJWdjbT2O_49vyqX/s400/livi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650223236180057970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Our dry bag became a flotation device. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRk92hvQSIVICVhHYs-uzyrN3igiBQbGbHgg2IU3gT_5ZgwxijFsXjwY0xcG26grfeKFnp_XjyGXn_cPdn_EuXO3-R6HOhi9ahVdfI_w5v0qsQOSiPz8P4I5pydOMHtnPml0evh0bz1Bs8/s400/DSCN1273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873178398891298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The cool water felt awesome on the hot day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6IiUbYrgqGFjv765DxZCHDHY4gBb2s9g-deSYpqdYTbq4XozBC4IjjW20Wypo1bvbD0IhVfdICcqPW1xUD4i8RvzmK3jVTcCSE9ElKUsp9NN_1RD9OxsWFBOIiCsYCCG_K7rK20JGVKh/s400/DSCN1281.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873181341877394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Finally we reached the natural water-slide. Again Rig was the guinea pig and agreed to go first.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJgawVzAdfmzR7CuXOdUoULT6Rw4GlOLWXLbNzFx2U2ThO6cTUJY_ngb0CXMKQCYxjNFvzs2I5lFe7m0lMvP4rv1fz9ZgAwBAtq5LzmiWxZmOz_fy-AWr7TD0F5_vOYJmR7KUT_B1sFCi/s400/DSCN1285.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873188946209378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The hike back to the car was hot but we managed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8NYCzCpYmqgxaTeEg2bhv3zRhdH2wi-uAH5pTz0M0o5EINaOsPq6iN6otxXZ-hg9GgaZndiZ1IJZMPaKHII4OOJi_tLl_2sVBL34wHpeZONw6eznwxcYl55hIxfCZxtXvJSC5zBOtChj/s400/DSCN1288.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649873192779150178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">It was an awesome outing and definitely one of the highlights of the kids summer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98pLx0HfM-ZzC2S9RozYnWrXQ9iSn-qkv-SdGmUCbgkKSPBdhCcv2lDODIJDbMBpHDqfKjAfaKP0Ur04XPEwXSfOeMayZLjEJEtfFTfNWhdZzl8jzF-GyI-Kz0a6my17LaxFxx5xCL9Vx/s400/IMG_0341.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871874952055714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Wednesday was surfing lessons at Doheny.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigBxg1342SuOdIaLmtUIAR_B4LyFzwY01Os_ri4T8m-4qIdst8jnrN0RBbnzpn78WAW4yBytIP3e3h7v02p-I19wbCk_x3hoE4eCWixVffi0HLC4Fq91d6gSOAnh8RLYhdjtuTFTJPF49/s400/IMG_0339.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871695961786082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Like everything Rig does, Livi is not far behind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwi7HDkUOCTF_sDROSkxoY9iOYQUbMx38WBTtknLjPPuVrwD-Jgp7cvqFXN4FKtCiPbuN9zWQP-Y9b9j-OmGga-GBYsd1zcER8Dz1ZP9h5y66CpgvMuJ8my1ztSDhCu4AkWUfR2w7sZX4/s400/IMG_0340.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871700272012322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Here they are paddling for the same tiny white-wash. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35j5tG7aA218wZWTGhFzuS5zyeAxsAnR8WIx1WHBZ4IT8gn4kwUrmoGcARt4wHgHh3_UJd6LEl4pOmcr4K116SK-jSx8fPuy_7MhTnJJ-58W38ynOr8ac3Sa81jBb_F8itzgzaik6ZcR3/s400/IMG_0353.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871213561725074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Rig has really improved this summer. Though this is a cool picture, it by no means does him justice. He has started paddling out with Dad where all the waves are overhead for him. Sometimes he gets hammered but he always comes up smiling. To say I am proud of him is a huge understatement. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPzUQK33qPHXJvA0U0mVRO6ZoUXca3m6_gvvjlV2BOOXcqImWxFIaT8KM8tQBy-DzFLqi-I6hpJnICQj1_Cwh81IejYmFGchZqynpU3-0luChFuoP33IaKvm7nQEfNNu9xS3gvV-MxNQ_/s1600/IMG_0335.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPzUQK33qPHXJvA0U0mVRO6ZoUXca3m6_gvvjlV2BOOXcqImWxFIaT8KM8tQBy-DzFLqi-I6hpJnICQj1_Cwh81IejYmFGchZqynpU3-0luChFuoP33IaKvm7nQEfNNu9xS3gvV-MxNQ_/s400/IMG_0335.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871705439567282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A surfer without a leash inevitably becomes a surfer without a board.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNXm7LLPaM-8T20cC3Ig36YvsHuKFmploohJnpY27f-UM_9gq9qa7GfUUuyQQkENdHrsOnUL5xPwgfMQyc6zWts2YCyu45yok3vLFSin_QvL6dvG_WtLKb2ZdlyCpwFAzEnsrReoCf9xh/s400/IMG_0326.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871208723201442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Livi manages to stand up on most waves. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBryr6mby7-bQtYyDv84G1QDj0RFui7rsKfo2EdrTc-jvW5mUCxbH3kYiDCMhVXUowS60gRyERxmWRliENT2Pxi7_Sg_dSRxIDhyphenhyphenixVm1KvBop5ETdPlZDgWTv3JYCAtsYNj9FLFGRrJr9/s400/IMG_0322.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871205795817634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">And when she does she always waves to the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVflcGyuWBALkHv8Su09EJcTsd10ZDHSZhglWX_qCae0MM_5pUqEnGAegD2zpyfGzyP_RQ35lPEeGmlJ1roi3-buY9-QWTqL0wMVUY_x5ncw9H8d8nBp1CAQpDQLkWlvvwW9HH01y1Krt/s1600/IMG_0327.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVflcGyuWBALkHv8Su09EJcTsd10ZDHSZhglWX_qCae0MM_5pUqEnGAegD2zpyfGzyP_RQ35lPEeGmlJ1roi3-buY9-QWTqL0wMVUY_x5ncw9H8d8nBp1CAQpDQLkWlvvwW9HH01y1Krt/s400/IMG_0327.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649871210579936626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Past Dad and keeps on going. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_2G5McWuGUjRKwPnV9RQWe-qXqmCAT8A2TeL-wKeBpjXVw_veMTsXQDH10CneflKF3Bkq31fnvDHUpg5TZe4GNJm1nsbP0dcXTqBlObCDBvHnbAuoo76yGv78N2_r0_y9yK_MAiorQca/s1600/DSCN1301.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_2G5McWuGUjRKwPnV9RQWe-qXqmCAT8A2TeL-wKeBpjXVw_veMTsXQDH10CneflKF3Bkq31fnvDHUpg5TZe4GNJm1nsbP0dcXTqBlObCDBvHnbAuoo76yGv78N2_r0_y9yK_MAiorQca/s400/DSCN1301.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650227510292000946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Caroline is too little to paddle out by herself but she still paddles out with Dad and gets some waves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaWv0l0ksnRCqWo-skruHAXCuuJ_Zx8gul4dRrQ6bWf0tpJw0QpVepOLmM8dFlEJi5n3OWLFvkkGr9wV87WLbuHzOSSOzpefNlGvJ1Vxz4ZM_ZE8_Xvugf9FLH4lwppY29TBsuMFGoNmb/s400/IMG_0310.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649870724442558178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">When everybody gets tired of surfing the boards double as benches in the tide pools.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHlNwwHeTF45ZKm9MKQKXxMv_hiqik1jU_orEydA9uuJEtMbZKRAaS8Rhhe4GWxBP-4xpnroYCHEp7g1Lio4J9XdaoMQuqSim-GIMBNFIae8iWsPJV_oRtB0J7sEKDnU4LZZwgse7Ptx0/s1600/IMG_0312.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHlNwwHeTF45ZKm9MKQKXxMv_hiqik1jU_orEydA9uuJEtMbZKRAaS8Rhhe4GWxBP-4xpnroYCHEp7g1Lio4J9XdaoMQuqSim-GIMBNFIae8iWsPJV_oRtB0J7sEKDnU4LZZwgse7Ptx0/s400/IMG_0312.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649870724384396274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mom loves when she gets some free time to read.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBq6a5WV-q1OIYzGvUezBXcm7dk-q3Hluw9M0YR97o2e2THUUGwrid-dOCA1Ezhyphenhyphen97JxvrGdb8kAhMVffNGBj8nD5C84GfzuvQLqPYN5c_uDbGYlR8Df24dWJxo2BYlUAT-z4UWGEfVwto/s400/IMG_0294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649870722231749154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Jilli with an eternity of crabs to catch in the rocks in front of her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaWv0l0ksnRCqWo-skruHAXCuuJ_Zx8gul4dRrQ6bWf0tpJw0QpVepOLmM8dFlEJi5n3OWLFvkkGr9wV87WLbuHzOSSOzpefNlGvJ1Vxz4ZM_ZE8_Xvugf9FLH4lwppY29TBsuMFGoNmb/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN12ffW3t3VR9hAsW-VZPTGS3RYgmsgJf92li-Iv0D4x_ajR53r7VmDGAh6FHPHrCiQI6wHJw8Rknzxikv4w-OUXZBTUb8sJopj1dXc2QkI6gavxDnwkfq7jMN_MwxIkQSF0HGHlU4kwJa/s1600/IMG_0298.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN12ffW3t3VR9hAsW-VZPTGS3RYgmsgJf92li-Iv0D4x_ajR53r7VmDGAh6FHPHrCiQI6wHJw8Rknzxikv4w-OUXZBTUb8sJopj1dXc2QkI6gavxDnwkfq7jMN_MwxIkQSF0HGHlU4kwJa/s400/IMG_0298.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649870722516883954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A cheesy grin after she catches one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-FtBT_8s4SwRONI6Al9Hub51gMDstORmfBY4JrTdlGSWPFq5YR4O7sNdAwZ5tONCneIIXhtkDQMTnpJ86HXBdw-N9k49dmx3-1QD9n5MXOHSgyMYh4vI40weSLBW4uV9ZGJdDoBGVYjV/s1600/IMG_0290.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-FtBT_8s4SwRONI6Al9Hub51gMDstORmfBY4JrTdlGSWPFq5YR4O7sNdAwZ5tONCneIIXhtkDQMTnpJ86HXBdw-N9k49dmx3-1QD9n5MXOHSgyMYh4vI40weSLBW4uV9ZGJdDoBGVYjV/s400/IMG_0290.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649870715364562914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The two cutest girls on the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Thursday was a family hike to a waterfall that we never found and eventually ended up lost in the San Gabriel wilderness. (I knew the way out the whole time I just couldn't find our way back to the trail.) This was perhaps our most adventurous day as we forded the river too many times to count and then eventually bushwhacked our way back to the van with 5 kids, two of which were in backpacks and another two who were begging to be in backpacks. It was family bonding at it's finest. Unfortunately we forgot our camera and have no pictures to share.</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoMgSFxB9ZEQQxoVqhX03nit5sNjCJPuFA_b0zMKAZBDHXqflqwV2Tx1IAI_aZthFWYK6ki2SUGIfbwQrUUwxZRtii45YfOhYscLwJE3sHsViE0aww9a0LKqQgIOCCk_cl_-iuJslhtjS/s1600/DSCN1306.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoMgSFxB9ZEQQxoVqhX03nit5sNjCJPuFA_b0zMKAZBDHXqflqwV2Tx1IAI_aZthFWYK6ki2SUGIfbwQrUUwxZRtii45YfOhYscLwJE3sHsViE0aww9a0LKqQgIOCCk_cl_-iuJslhtjS/s400/DSCN1306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650227516617832514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Friday was suppose to be a trip to a mountain lake but everyone was pretty tired so instead I stayed home with the kids while Sara, Jessica and LeeAnn had an adventure at Nordstrom's. (LeeAnn was out shopping only 3 weeks after her lung transplant, now that is true love.)</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIQYD0_WByQT3FxLWeY32UqEqISW_Y0JmWaR0mx1aGgCgNAR5GaFF1M0jzxeFkPsvqQknZCNoC64N97ZKGBCbZPDCnnZNTfDMfY1TfB-0hthIvGmX-ZGUv4yslhKRN7XfuB6m2LAUGgCA/s400/DSCN1308.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868854308992978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday was the coup de grace. We were climbing Mt. San Antonio (Baldy) the tallest peak in LA county at just over 10,060 feet. We talked about it being a family event but decided it better just me and the older kids. It would be Livi's first summit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx0A9vNV6xJ4x9hav4y7UU-3tAb6hu3DuYGGLEhj9Y0zabxyCfeIw1Pv9hy3PQTgAS-Fm-02u7n4XOR6_jgHCIzZAyVMdMr3XLIz96-GXdlWkRyTg4WKW5NskkQvPVNnDos3AC2m4o_GQ/s400/DSCN1333.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868358766823058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">It was originally a sixteen mile round trip but Dad knew a couple of short cuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsb27LAYy5T18sbGuQ6ivQAjmKdrIX0QckmYFf60GpC-XWKLJXILHvRdopbJ5f34AkdEG_myY5DjB2bn7L3_NPPkXDxtoiob56Qd7qPX9MoQG3PH9sbZS1T_3joQIJuDTbh19cZGBVQCK/s400/DSCN1318.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868354458254626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">However there was no way around the 4,000 vertical feet we needed to climb. Livi and I had to fight to keep up with Rig.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUiVmG32XDqNCmDpW0iGuONHxDMtHsmOUV6-NpwAPalGsjGOmtauy8wgRUOx3Mz392uEjbwe7r3VVG7qq0fBdAJBbZNatcT9YjonDLIAiav7NgNNaE5fzg6bz_hAmv6rliFgbU_eNz_yV/s400/DSCN1315.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868850894609122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We took our fair share of breaks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSX0dFJ9CYqaZupVy6S2Q-HuJZdj8YWpNn-j7d7H2-neF060BhON9mUGAxv4aAHCk2lNbSGCTfHyAms-3QMS4uyxpTW-_8NHjPyCPWFv0EXQMi7ZCux8KU-hP8O9Rnbh2f8IQyCRgvFAA/s400/DSCN1378.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868894645870898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Despite the steep climb the kids never complained (on the way up.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKiLNLHms3DDNP29MZlaip-4Xsx8udMHkkuIFizQJ5zguR5XNxvYh2j3aqZ_UFHrcFwxwKt1MdOjU4D-nKY7Bm64ksasQb9SLK9dzAoJXSxY8kATDLx2uUGQxOVzlx3IuznuZk4sBUMxb/s400/DSCN1369.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868896548937970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">You know you are getting pretty high when you find snow in July in sunny SoCal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVNPtV_P2s3xN_UK6ffIROMUUGk8elbZ8yPLQLHqAR7TRijS3h4Cp58RqUazfwJ4tF7gaKBjvsvoPMSldPYzEs-FxtqBC3hSB1Ek8A7fZJqZ9cOyqe0rhWFIeK1BfxdNGTqpm12hni8CE/s400/DSCN1355.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868348182309714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">When we finally neared the summit the tortoise had overtaken the hare. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Livi was the first one to the top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaitHCjOzTSXziY3-IrsjuXZ8vSNENuIaDvq8lkBs-v-dTF34ASAvOGzEjUkZ5n__EAN8vpT39fzRu-A1N_d6m1cW_RcZDdRiLVf4SRhIWtHF7P4ndeftftai3Ul2uNZkE479F3QgHcs1/s400/DSCN1349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649868348185036962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Rig wasn't far behind to bag peak number 4.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX11DMoacp4rmlUzTbLbbrvVANTJ7JJYpCK2NQ4xgPbFeTUnu-vc3skwjlGsQZz_2vdavtM60TmLFC-hETt-jUGu6XSE7vGAZ_HNNNKs1SILMrcNsH44dBtmRYvfslq3VLo2vDYWXGRR7d/s400/DSCN1392.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649869253519025074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone who climbs mountains knows there is something special about the whole experience.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Livi is no exception. This summer she only had one journal entry and it was on climbing Mt. Baldy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaMciCWqHF-a9tBPY5E-SUUG7GHWMIpDe-wXlULP1khvVTGujr4XS2YWNo1MClP8IRDb7rxvMk7D1AwYCwK_GEeFCkewgtPt9wRawsy6t_D0FqGjs5yenzZlJ6AjO_4XfPw-FselTsxAe/s400/DSCN1396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649869251297171474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">The hike down was a test of toughness for both of them, but it was especially difficult for Livi. She responded to the challenge in a big way, and I was just as impressed with her as I ever have been of Rig.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngbeC1YtbeYlR2JRMUAzox0bTmVzbGdtkIOABq2jYJ3aAzDLqahiUAXUtDhq9aqS0bL0J11RGOdR9ZbcAcu89EUpQfx7GRvuvD23l6lIVCVs-twDMfl8xGiLUpClo7cFvZwm-dWrNgmgM/s400/DSCN1397.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649869256883679794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>One full week of Adventure left us all feeling a little like this, </div><div>but it was a big hit and if I have anything to do with it, Adventure Week is going to be a new summer tradition in the Smart Family. </div></div></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-26106254989948086962011-07-17T14:26:00.000-07:002011-07-22T23:09:07.078-07:00Are we there yet?<p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">I love a road trip. One of the bonuses of climbing Rainier was it made for a good excuse to take the family on our longest road trip yet. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">In the months leading up, we took a short road trip up to visit Dave and Robyn in Berkley, only a little 6 hour jaunt, but by the end of it Sara had vowed that there was no way she was riding in a car all the way up to Washington.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">“Come on Babe, this is the trip of a lifetime. Think of everything we are going to see. All the things we will experience. It is certain to be an epic.”</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">After a couple weeks of sweet talking her I had re-sold her on the long journey.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We blocked out 3 weeks on the calendar for the trip but actually made it home in 2. There were highs and lows along the way but there always are in anything that epic.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Here are some of the highs and a couple of the lows. </span></p><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ri39ir5gxpcyoxZn3GgFisjOaVDvSpytVLcrLJ5KKbdzi12NmYVF12Y6uZAo2riHVLLJWUtUuIDCFJyoAMAHAdOe4F6CFj_knCoOfnOfPp_xe-0Fj7CV3X4nlk0_j69vRLWUnOeVd14_/s1600/DSCN0556.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442880510725554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ri39ir5gxpcyoxZn3GgFisjOaVDvSpytVLcrLJ5KKbdzi12NmYVF12Y6uZAo2riHVLLJWUtUuIDCFJyoAMAHAdOe4F6CFj_knCoOfnOfPp_xe-0Fj7CV3X4nlk0_j69vRLWUnOeVd14_/s400/DSCN0556.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Our first stop was in Reno to visit our friends the Hills.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQzz9R26FJmq0MuhAlwPeXs_4QmOtEVxNjCiLNQXby_jikDMJNSsDsupUE4nYni41f_tjsntL9vR0KttHMC4Yl_QWoMx4qzq6HrHHVocFmSwF1excAAmqR4apjnT8lpSOckay5uzqc4rI/s1600/DSCN0561.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442873896089666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQzz9R26FJmq0MuhAlwPeXs_4QmOtEVxNjCiLNQXby_jikDMJNSsDsupUE4nYni41f_tjsntL9vR0KttHMC4Yl_QWoMx4qzq6HrHHVocFmSwF1excAAmqR4apjnT8lpSOckay5uzqc4rI/s400/DSCN0561.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We spent a day at Lake Tahoe. It was beautiful.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfad5ZEIHJVT_CzKB4VDdV_cYBSyleK8xCAKzXTakys7nnnzbXIrqbkAxrVXCDhBFkvUPKUSRbgxAvbAkFtnRw7P86sHzmrbMWcIL6w6MZTgdA5udh2MohD2mIEmri16Tb2wVeZumTRJ1h/s1600/DSCN0565.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442872332766482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfad5ZEIHJVT_CzKB4VDdV_cYBSyleK8xCAKzXTakys7nnnzbXIrqbkAxrVXCDhBFkvUPKUSRbgxAvbAkFtnRw7P86sHzmrbMWcIL6w6MZTgdA5udh2MohD2mIEmri16Tb2wVeZumTRJ1h/s400/DSCN0565.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">It is the second deepest lake in the US after Crater Lake which we would see the next day.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEeGL82cuHrXxNzyfzTQrD0-yxz45WGeItQBG4tHJldLqR17qgJoWoBUHpBQh0-I0hIWvYahAe0dOPZJJTl3wCivjgwYt5lsrVTliqiUefGLNIW-DeCad3e4-UCiAR9GOJjGdyfPiXvV6/s1600/DSCN0579.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442670804339842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEeGL82cuHrXxNzyfzTQrD0-yxz45WGeItQBG4tHJldLqR17qgJoWoBUHpBQh0-I0hIWvYahAe0dOPZJJTl3wCivjgwYt5lsrVTliqiUefGLNIW-DeCad3e4-UCiAR9GOJjGdyfPiXvV6/s400/DSCN0579.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">This place in Aden, California had fresh strawberry shakes to rival those of Taco Amigo. Not that we had a choice of where to eat. It was the "Oney" place in town.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomBLJTRvXKF16Kk9UjQpPWovNHElJl0iE2hTGPJkCuir3vKmYRidGAicmfKUuwvMB-d74RA9nZVSljBxndOX1U11cVUf3KRxwi2RTTF2NXxTTwExMg9u6JKntpyf5eyZDqQM4SP6n59sL/s1600/DSCN0583.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442664367493426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomBLJTRvXKF16Kk9UjQpPWovNHElJl0iE2hTGPJkCuir3vKmYRidGAicmfKUuwvMB-d74RA9nZVSljBxndOX1U11cVUf3KRxwi2RTTF2NXxTTwExMg9u6JKntpyf5eyZDqQM4SP6n59sL/s400/DSCN0583.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We all were looking forward to a hike at Crater Lake but all the trails were still covered in snow. Thats a lot of snow if you are from SoCal.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ezSiUws7rFcrjcNTMZIvFFfTgUvN9CJKjt6WPONYLKdq73DgbatB4MaCjt-DNmQ4AH9U_qshmHWdSTJwX2BIWYVBrzWAQZk-XNvz11RkzuqJRJWgiTRwsJrQsfu43gT6SAr9Q1iADx0U/s1600/DSCN0585.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442662827877234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ezSiUws7rFcrjcNTMZIvFFfTgUvN9CJKjt6WPONYLKdq73DgbatB4MaCjt-DNmQ4AH9U_qshmHWdSTJwX2BIWYVBrzWAQZk-XNvz11RkzuqJRJWgiTRwsJrQsfu43gT6SAr9Q1iADx0U/s400/DSCN0585.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Rig practiced kicking steps so he can climb Rainier someday.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoOnpaGyeCwE6DeJlV3hRWWmLKntr2MLxUL1f7qRTjpSyK6aHdZqJU8-N2Pm6wBX1VQxpW2gMj_ZMhAKmxGqem4DhIvDBTDz6WQRHEcVI2F_1LmdAFc8SkxDHdKMy6WPsJ_avomTo03c2/s1600/DSCN0595.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442659049652322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoOnpaGyeCwE6DeJlV3hRWWmLKntr2MLxUL1f7qRTjpSyK6aHdZqJU8-N2Pm6wBX1VQxpW2gMj_ZMhAKmxGqem4DhIvDBTDz6WQRHEcVI2F_1LmdAFc8SkxDHdKMy6WPsJ_avomTo03c2/s400/DSCN0595.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">No one makes an RCHS beanie look as good as Caroline.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkui4KPOigmHX7KJC-k2_z4ZakXyBF-ABTiTVWCxWcfwteCflWYi2j7ShDYI4hdvtG43fwMVyIn9oKrOET5txtGVNq3-pQzNU8Dnapv-MGK5o2uVJe4pVWNNNabxBWiq2sAImSDLvGtfOC/s1600/DSCN0602.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442660977921570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkui4KPOigmHX7KJC-k2_z4ZakXyBF-ABTiTVWCxWcfwteCflWYi2j7ShDYI4hdvtG43fwMVyIn9oKrOET5txtGVNq3-pQzNU8Dnapv-MGK5o2uVJe4pVWNNNabxBWiq2sAImSDLvGtfOC/s400/DSCN0602.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Rig at Crater Lake.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnkR7ndRcEt76_u9mom5GgiKNAZNGW2rpJniEe_Hu6jDy3o0GO1pG06IC9y-JHk-xHSWuvjj3iakdq12EbfgUCe71Q-Df96ACjOSeblEmq2bJMp2GrjW-niFv-xa-cxGK8LnwpwvYi-FQ/s1600/DSCN0614.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442119715275522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnkR7ndRcEt76_u9mom5GgiKNAZNGW2rpJniEe_Hu6jDy3o0GO1pG06IC9y-JHk-xHSWuvjj3iakdq12EbfgUCe71Q-Df96ACjOSeblEmq2bJMp2GrjW-niFv-xa-cxGK8LnwpwvYi-FQ/s400/DSCN0614.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">As soon as we checked into any hotel the first activity was always Bed Gymnastics.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEifnDmDmNadvT76JreD0TE-JAQ9Zng4Jft4PAcG1GicHce8IvW5UEi-Xo9AqUtrBFGZ4ILlGarGzUGxKpK3eipA-CFWCGJOkP-mGV4RXn8LXMAh9SyfUNbSFcQFJxmnVUlFiayfgXJOrm/s1600/DSCN0619.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442113667986178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEifnDmDmNadvT76JreD0TE-JAQ9Zng4Jft4PAcG1GicHce8IvW5UEi-Xo9AqUtrBFGZ4ILlGarGzUGxKpK3eipA-CFWCGJOkP-mGV4RXn8LXMAh9SyfUNbSFcQFJxmnVUlFiayfgXJOrm/s400/DSCN0619.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">One pair of beds did fall apart and I had to reassemble them.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5P_m8ki7h-Nn16EAT9h0zqPfAKPLyXGVev3UjhwKjh1TJzRF2zb9U6gNgxA8GV4wrVtqmIJmWqI7gsUWcO4FZvuqj3qw78YjFTxZ-yrBmRw2KflNtw06vduyfmFklhRNltSMHHJa18iB/s1600/DSCN0616.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442116488706306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5P_m8ki7h-Nn16EAT9h0zqPfAKPLyXGVev3UjhwKjh1TJzRF2zb9U6gNgxA8GV4wrVtqmIJmWqI7gsUWcO4FZvuqj3qw78YjFTxZ-yrBmRw2KflNtw06vduyfmFklhRNltSMHHJa18iB/s400/DSCN0616.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Jillian couldn't jump across the gap but that didn't stop her from participating. Most nights she would get rough-housed off the bed and end up in tears but that didn't stop her from participating either.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHS3WjoeF5Bo-a6rllSDAlI2IIt5glqXUbZz-V-oA7ylTBsUkXCQkLN9dEWk5dGDq8jaOyULOwJJ_EaIWgjDRqkinDZyEFCOjuQtu0RIFuF_2TGZ5-PZeKHlEkiBnKEK2y1F5_Hm8He8o/s1600/DSCN0624.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442110377696610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHS3WjoeF5Bo-a6rllSDAlI2IIt5glqXUbZz-V-oA7ylTBsUkXCQkLN9dEWk5dGDq8jaOyULOwJJ_EaIWgjDRqkinDZyEFCOjuQtu0RIFuF_2TGZ5-PZeKHlEkiBnKEK2y1F5_Hm8He8o/s400/DSCN0624.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The trip was the hardest on Jillian. When we finally crossed the Columbia River into Washington everyone cheered except her.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436303413962786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWiCUG3fgEdlnae832KUubKZ3R1nSz2TZV8U4p_gOmQ-BMa1B7-9TUSLVNYxR1Ksril20yViq1Iptyg52gIKR8P8IUmoJqfaik6jx8fOvGMNuvpggtCwSq1MRNhKyfvAhqFIq-BKkogKM/s400/DSCN1083.jpg" /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"I hate Washington!"</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The kids tried to cheer her up. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"Here Jilli, you can play with my doll."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"I hate dolls!"</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"Jilli you can have my happy meal toy."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"I hate toys!"</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"Jilli you can pick out the next movie."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"I hate movies!"</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"Jilli you can..."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Jilli cut off the next sibling with a line that became an instant family classic, "I HATE EVERYTHING!!!"</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Everything got better when we finally got to Sheila's house. We got spoiled for 4 night's in Yakima. It was much needed respite for more than just Jillian. Swimming, relaxing by the pool and feasts that rivaled the Ricker's 3 times a day, it was just what the doctor ordered. For the rest of the trip Caroline and Jilli both kept asking if we could go back to Sheila's house. Sara only asked a couple of times.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441014840182946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjZOt1Wx_NoCf2eJtlwtACFSFmVd9LdQXB3zTZ8zz-L6Mmf6Dekd3_Tzv7DWdq840Fam14SgSn2_kGZBomm5-jN_VL81VaGMRXsqVlevpqHmpasMm9fB9qmmebl6dOytT3ozzbkBCkZC9/s400/DSCN0785.jpg" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">My only regret of the whole trip is that Sara lost her camera in Seattle. So the only pictures I have of Sheila's house is a photo shoot of the girls with these bunnies. </span><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTxdgfvTi8SWStj-0825_Nznvwk486JZura6TobOugH3XJDow5MIYKnuov4VsGAsxdX081Yns10RUE43wPyMucuHMGjDN2bNBf7t0x1_JqOkKyGp1EBWAl3_xN8EPjWn6FDxyNtLqcFL1/s1600/DSCN0763.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX4Tk6gpUCpE9QBE4iBOoCBspzHskMEKQj-aPATn45yl9NwbZ0Y4D3UtHu2TdbYLahzj9-6F0Teei8VVfmNv9M6QjxFRspw0MsuFbatSYi7xuOHWxDs_9a0o48x75UVALgFGsuYVGnBRF/s1600/DSCN0764.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441747335049746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX4Tk6gpUCpE9QBE4iBOoCBspzHskMEKQj-aPATn45yl9NwbZ0Y4D3UtHu2TdbYLahzj9-6F0Teei8VVfmNv9M6QjxFRspw0MsuFbatSYi7xuOHWxDs_9a0o48x75UVALgFGsuYVGnBRF/s400/DSCN0764.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Darrell took the Rainier clan and their families on a hike to do some mild spelunking.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrxy50NOHTDDZ3rueqHX-d8UdEhRP14OXGOnQapFvOVcXctkE2iOKKcsyt8t895JVeodZbkOwRa8mPJYJFGZQKAyOcqcd_jmrYr15szCPvmqZQdGRX6gqj7VbzyKoNTlxHkQpOwoux6NA/s1600/DSCN0767.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441750417235714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrxy50NOHTDDZ3rueqHX-d8UdEhRP14OXGOnQapFvOVcXctkE2iOKKcsyt8t895JVeodZbkOwRa8mPJYJFGZQKAyOcqcd_jmrYr15szCPvmqZQdGRX6gqj7VbzyKoNTlxHkQpOwoux6NA/s400/DSCN0767.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">It was beautiful.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630442103537090722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTxdgfvTi8SWStj-0825_Nznvwk486JZura6TobOugH3XJDow5MIYKnuov4VsGAsxdX081Yns10RUE43wPyMucuHMGjDN2bNBf7t0x1_JqOkKyGp1EBWAl3_xN8EPjWn6FDxyNtLqcFL1/s400/DSCN0763.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">I traded my Rainier hiking buddies in for these two.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jfO6qT64nBKBs8Zo3TPM62mXBJHZQWQDvt33Eop2pbreh-1GG4mjuN_ebehtXyy0-OXtmrSvu-8CJsMwTgDWFuZ_T28Qw9i4fMytp0-TQJynSe-HBTQIWsJBcklVOWF7IEvSXc2fzd-1/s1600/DSCN0771.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441742733462226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jfO6qT64nBKBs8Zo3TPM62mXBJHZQWQDvt33Eop2pbreh-1GG4mjuN_ebehtXyy0-OXtmrSvu-8CJsMwTgDWFuZ_T28Qw9i4fMytp0-TQJynSe-HBTQIWsJBcklVOWF7IEvSXc2fzd-1/s400/DSCN0771.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">I used red-eye reduction on this photo and I don't know if it is better or worse.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We posed with the same piece of scenery for a cutest couples contest. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">You pick the winner.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The contestants are:</span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441016328794882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg2Ki81wTzG4GDn5fMJKN65zpPfg66YtBlz818HhDRHMRJgzxdmTykkdYI4c07Aikz1DkjvABpi4RzOpj_9C0zTpwbVIZyLyRV2lfaavTOkxe-LOxv6LCHCR91Cd4cyXTrB-qkR6VnwIB/s400/DSCN0777.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Me and Sara.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441732592711186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CaboDxfX-0z4bPezJnpEDuAQKXXEgvs94qaZFgDTREjP5o8Cm1f145Hc6svZ9aCNw6_6ApQN8Y3sxng2xWbmmczdXbBQJfKrW4NE3_3UDozcj2KMcCmtf4u-vBC1ueOhOembLT033nB0/s400/DSCN0774.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Roman and Michelle.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K_WtISQXu6QZ-F8SIhyphenhyphenPfYTqXWUtAgvR9tYwtnVTZQNQTJxW6RD1a3cDDHJcBB-yAUYhd2kmiKWD3R21aeALaT0qDl82kohAQUTu3EVHIMo47ZT92mjKMxJM_uenih3AzM-JM2HSQ1W0/s1600/DSCN0773.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441737945006082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K_WtISQXu6QZ-F8SIhyphenhyphenPfYTqXWUtAgvR9tYwtnVTZQNQTJxW6RD1a3cDDHJcBB-yAUYhd2kmiKWD3R21aeALaT0qDl82kohAQUTu3EVHIMo47ZT92mjKMxJM_uenih3AzM-JM2HSQ1W0/s400/DSCN0773.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Or Jillian and Rhett.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440668357706002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8RjKPrL1VOZKD7Eyto8Ignc4DYDQYONYHVH9TOG7uahmxCe9ZcZ6uDkh6YlfIGegR1EDO5IhTlkHUcCMyybRVLUMqPnC2pm5Embg2ql-MrjDA9pn5bQLjg9Ey1rJMP_2gHs-rXWl7l_O/s400/DSCN0799.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From Yakima, it was on to Seattle.</span></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440667883675026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFbF73-XZmAyG5NYWKSwDcHbMatHFsSiGH0ERWVOQ33ZuiWGX_txFMfNcqW2IniC2eevt_XVQvabOKrx4C7j7FBnZCzpu0pajCAyd_A-BEUXIOiE-WAmNphCsJcjpkFPRfKNKOxYRnTNO/s400/DSCN0808.jpg" /></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There are lots of cool things to see around the Space Needle.</span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><u><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEg2Ki81wTzG4GDn5fMJKN65zpPfg66YtBlz818HhDRHMRJgzxdmTykkdYI4c07Aikz1DkjvABpi4RzOpj_9C0zTpwbVIZyLyRV2lfaavTOkxe-LOxv6LCHCR91Cd4cyXTrB-qkR6VnwIB/s1600/DSCN0777.jpg"></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarVEm5du5gOffAwJ1bG4qBqb7-L6QcNP9MX889LmCGhoD6U6pFb8m1EdjBnPhKAH-VeR33AM7Il9EiIG23CDxhWLlOCGlTz25ctceNsaQWDtH2reg0CCIYCAm2SxkOp5aqGjlGyDCeIRQ/s1600/DSCN0789.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441006692335458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarVEm5du5gOffAwJ1bG4qBqb7-L6QcNP9MX889LmCGhoD6U6pFb8m1EdjBnPhKAH-VeR33AM7Il9EiIG23CDxhWLlOCGlTz25ctceNsaQWDtH2reg0CCIYCAm2SxkOp5aqGjlGyDCeIRQ/s400/DSCN0789.jpg" /></a></span></u></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Look Mom another homeless hippie!"</span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440996876753426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjPgj2C3n7S88rk3cZVIsx1RHm3PkfcXTulv9wBJ2jmIFGLJqlqzRxTathTafnEtArWjovUrzzzmXITWEIk4tPYOuYD4Amn9e_qIRvnzQTyPXHCZ4n1qpcIemrbq7NJjmOF1wdVOTY1yF/s400/DSCN0795.jpg" /></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We ate dinner at Ivar's and fed the pigeons.</span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630441002927632866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cnYL372gHOtpk7UP7_sQJRez56dOe_pmUPnqfHQNZm0udpwLGENDNCKVn7Q-tNj2rcrPz38vRsTZ03NJOuACWx6xgHKp58Ihql9tY-fyZcxwRtPZ6RCgsCUrYVOg8rnlzzidqAqMkObO/s400/DSCN0793.jpg" /></span> <br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jillian ran out of shrimp so I told her to fill up on ketchup packets.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><u><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440662573690562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQR0_yZcME-bqx14y8AsellJu8TfYura6lSrpZdg8ZicmbmWXxHdDWoD3CNJSZ6mSURjbEulpuQWDbOiVEaRC60EB5BhMUqdGpXxOmyc8ODeGS24jnvFlVD9bF7gLVtTCkwLSm4084HLmO/s400/DSCN0822.jpg" /></u></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We went to the public market and watched them throw the fish around.</span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440654389376018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-_sdapGXmFJwyQmwNoNHAd4WmskpA3odMYRbhXj9W0PtOAkyxGWBIpVbhKXKRs-lxVROdrRkDBHjrq5baFEcO59eMhmEzYTNr_XsXybbxkqcRNVq0gsBCYivzbl78TRZCq_jXO-hgCqd/s400/DSCN0834.jpg" /></span> <br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was going to be about 70 bucks to take the family up the Space Needle. We saved some money and went up the Columbia Building for 1o bucks instead. At 76 stories it is more than twice as tall as the Space Needle. That is some good value for your viewing dollar. </span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440657055312818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC25DEo7uJvhc3kuFL9JxcPfZZjAOxITk1FAA7ERbYJLpk5QE8LBMyKZQIeSfwLyJTXGnpLlJn2tk0zbgAuPoyTDQwjepLxXeFyJRMwlasOil6EWrvg9dSch6bqhiESLAp9HIIHZ84Rbc/s400/DSCN0833.jpg" /></span> <br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you look close you can see the wimpy Space Needle in the skyline.</span></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440278755356274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT5pqkIhqabMGCEejxDVZ5ueeBgOgZPhpliyo5YdmR71CMBL8rsMyEyR5O340jmwLxZhrriUMKZTT3kfgzxDzBUmIOFyxAbLKujlTH_zFWOlmfaysbOvAxNSjdfJpAq9DRf-WVJ3mGgdu/s400/DSCN0841.jpg" /></span> <br /><p style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in" align="center"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We left Seattle via the ferry across the Puget Sound. We are all smiling because we haven't realized yet that Sara's camera is still somewhere over there.</span></span></span></p></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDGzgS3dq0U9P4liXSJlhFhoMuN4Qu-SItHIgRoW8dY9ifv0ndYkQznBTM12UQzPSDxJxXZvy5_6J2CqKV8wxMGS10g6rr52vsYNlMaUXnQJ2nSe4dQSEci5PM7rI1jIPuydmyyRorrkd/s1600/DSCN0845.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0tvbZ00JTWhd_R3C4l11aA3SYTDaHcvFhk739Q-PxOxZfy8fxlIEq5hHT6B0GJHsq5NlXa8g0hwp63Kch78qOrkXK3NE3ayA8uAcp8sLEZwC9GTYcKkG3oozNQh5iKpZhx7IGkjX3Yz/s1600/DSCN0848.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440275222750130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan0tvbZ00JTWhd_R3C4l11aA3SYTDaHcvFhk739Q-PxOxZfy8fxlIEq5hHT6B0GJHsq5NlXa8g0hwp63Kch78qOrkXK3NE3ayA8uAcp8sLEZwC9GTYcKkG3oozNQh5iKpZhx7IGkjX3Yz/s400/DSCN0848.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Port Angeles was as close as we got to Canada. It was only 18 miles across the channel.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdwiZJ0tzLEwmOfTq_odvTIJdZlg1-igOZuTdHRnGs81F4qOvgXZHEtOqBD6R1AYGs7HpJsfhgPPA6x8uh9WTkfP4SzeqggaLZ86osCQSIQLZ6HudQZ22hzxkhSGA8QguzeoKkwlgMsHG/s1600/DSCN0849.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440272838877154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdwiZJ0tzLEwmOfTq_odvTIJdZlg1-igOZuTdHRnGs81F4qOvgXZHEtOqBD6R1AYGs7HpJsfhgPPA6x8uh9WTkfP4SzeqggaLZ86osCQSIQLZ6HudQZ22hzxkhSGA8QguzeoKkwlgMsHG/s400/DSCN0849.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Port Angeles is the gateway to Olympic National Park.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0SA7ttKpqJY4ptoFj1vuQKq4Zy_JaOXQkd3lkk3F-VimUzFAsnlnpTfNoLMwOy8vpBD3BWDnCVdNbB3BQcZywuxj5xj7z2hEMo1GOscu0ob4KFFszGGOTV7hjD5JScWPwZXE-frE58yk/s1600/DSCN0851.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630440273361223922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0SA7ttKpqJY4ptoFj1vuQKq4Zy_JaOXQkd3lkk3F-VimUzFAsnlnpTfNoLMwOy8vpBD3BWDnCVdNbB3BQcZywuxj5xj7z2hEMo1GOscu0ob4KFFszGGOTV7hjD5JScWPwZXE-frE58yk/s400/DSCN0851.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1kM02hGQioqdmKpGsMOTgae3OCOgDOOBzFHxNNbWvZ0pF-pNKG8hO6zktZSFvkKTcewQKuelJNuyk2Uap-pZ1Y1XHeSuIKAtqXUT3nrUYtKzYfEcGDt_ajJ9-BqpZrYLRztqF-Jqywyx/s1600/DSCN0854.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630439821203023986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1kM02hGQioqdmKpGsMOTgae3OCOgDOOBzFHxNNbWvZ0pF-pNKG8hO6zktZSFvkKTcewQKuelJNuyk2Uap-pZ1Y1XHeSuIKAtqXUT3nrUYtKzYfEcGDt_ajJ9-BqpZrYLRztqF-Jqywyx/s400/DSCN0854.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">This beautiful lake in Olympic NP is where we realized we didn't have Sara's camera.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbQsnAzyx_ueMzO13W8NFn3rn0J55QC6zW3zJwMlotZ40D_Q0tp8AoqFwsFp8do8HeCB56P3vc9EOkz0E4HK3t4-ojIfW6L5OqTL8ZVFoDuZuQpslthmFtsDMYfT1B7rdxvkB9yqPMG70/s1600/DSCN0859.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630439815093199474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbQsnAzyx_ueMzO13W8NFn3rn0J55QC6zW3zJwMlotZ40D_Q0tp8AoqFwsFp8do8HeCB56P3vc9EOkz0E4HK3t4-ojIfW6L5OqTL8ZVFoDuZuQpslthmFtsDMYfT1B7rdxvkB9yqPMG70/s400/DSCN0859.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We did some awesome hikes in Olympic.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX9lIN5kRFsss0PZfWS1Ggj9kZLlpdmjrshljfZISKSjgjSrY1pOkn2JpeBROPn62tc_pi-i_WH3jmsbxM5VxRu8E52C3CfE4xlau7KZPDpw-HZHL3IxmkOcHb4FXZIHNSVq3xE8F_UvI/s1600/DSCN0864.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630439806178398386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX9lIN5kRFsss0PZfWS1Ggj9kZLlpdmjrshljfZISKSjgjSrY1pOkn2JpeBROPn62tc_pi-i_WH3jmsbxM5VxRu8E52C3CfE4xlau7KZPDpw-HZHL3IxmkOcHb4FXZIHNSVq3xE8F_UvI/s400/DSCN0864.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Jillian does not appreciate the sound of a rushing waterfall.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438982391041458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBzgSGxkZMczfsYcFM02BGdgYlYYi7gHr0UeE3AzmMClDEeTX_QIdMIXQa_qwoV30ftoDn7c5uhnpbggcyF27W9CT3OINSDqY-p3E0-lo-xA6du9obwao9vqqJ88ZTuskW0fIdhS9utvT/s400/DSCN0886.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">This is Rialto Beach in Olympic NP.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438984907009154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnxwp9kcAJ0PE7msl-aZvkgFRSh4n3CtI9XWKN4UuOuuCQBl4Af6K84VPiVvi64PqNbjOvMr5zySw9xacteskEQpCauX5lTCJFEIRgir605u4aEZNmeD2WUhjCvdskzEXbPOL3oZzACU0/s400/DSCN0875.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">These giant trees get washed up on the shore and it gives the beach an eerie feeling.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438987185215778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8VZaQTfLpthgiPxi6Qo6MKSRtMxRdpxDWpdG5xzXVedW03HoyDZR3aU8vR2YDfoU2XtKrgljc-Kz6xrb83SU3Uv0R2aj5MJtSbkdLVpXM9m6PRI2F74jyOYRUcC0NJfs4xT7Faw7E8Qt/s400/DSCN0873.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">It feels like you are in the book "Where the Wild Things Are."</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438501781778178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-Y67tUIJvNgLQJxmmFcbWpQcTSqnPfyD8ikXDTY3N4oX2WpLZ0EH52b8kSEa0oTqN9CjNuV3nTvVzSujICpVJY_R4OHwtnGiYvbyio7da3T7pTm6m7ybZmTHYrTdA0AKS0YtAxJWEge7/s400/DSCN0897.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We saw a bunch of Elk up close in Olympic NP.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438978950217602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs47tR_-Qt7-MlKLG9Yt4XOjMhmk_oqXrbJ5HtiYZb7j-e_G-qkIe_KyROi0mqFU-fzSkkYTDUhjSghId6nxkYeTimtZH-a2GmTaTNVbhiF6dtkzMhlVtzpfcG3Uub0zkEEfTEC1lTidy/s400/DSCN0892.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">This is one of the few times Sara actually drove on the trip.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438499644368002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw4lX5_GrKygZKr9PW6WmHmpe3WM2BKWMAEKx_iuNjfyU0ylsIHOYpOwm5Xh9lDeBjIhRmvMruqciH7EMG8OJ7Q5ipDl2uuds19ry4KqKqUaHNJbLRsORQ3BpnRsE4tSJrplx7IG9S1t_/s400/DSCN0901.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Olympic NP is incredibly diverse: mountains, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, wildlife, even a rainforest. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438488386316642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfbqqFzyWwI3Uqt_Sg2IfSB3LbqhMegk0KKcgolP20ki2rPxDfjr14LkUwDWikC8dyj9gU2U1oQ7yJuH6wNbk0buedr2ZKg2H8P58mpZLHWe9oMaoqbU9qt2XJAomwwJS9uT3qseId3q3/s400/DSCN0906.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Everyone told us it will be raining on the peninsula. It always is. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438485980560834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SpAi14agyEbVnsI-SC5wXkhuZqLGjftbvKzJi2VAf3YBVn_bE7nJSrviV3WFXa4Cj2Gzhd8Gvo9KtNQsHu4-L0ETNLY90SWrhhLOaHsmRJ0-C8_lewV4BhfrUyrkNsWd_BHUKYGVKhkx/s400/DSCN0907.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">So we borrowed umbrellas from Darrell and Sheila, but we must have brought the good weather with us from California because we never saw any rain not even in the rainforest.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437816008055938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjsCyEcgyNuZNgQaLMkHMMc9J2eWW-F3_prAXCKJoc2n_Gs5qFYxhxSYZG9JlnnHF_qN5ghNlQybjtB3Iu1yVymKHgH-uYBp_7j5V0uLfP1U0YrUkiBNM7Pio5bDMrH_VkvA_3iYKQA8A/s400/DSCN0922.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Last stop in Olympic NP, Ruby Beach.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437800830504002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF1AJLPKR-tJNpByj3mKAprI_maeH3qvbXkcnTCRiLeE5CwWDIlZFliAFRa45NzyEstafAAnSDxpRSsyjcAbb0xB8HHU8L_4kY-uCN8rwykcDpvhLsg5eoLM9WayG5cT2Bcwi0xv20rAD/s400/DSCN0923.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Livi said this was the coolest beach she had ever been to and that is saying a lot for a Californian.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437801063195426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mGizZJn0xyNpdeQVTpMGVJuxRTHOVAy7wynHItMHNyRIk9wKtBZGGVzNBFAlym1i7MZu7LFEt2gr869uwtagJivbWZzhyphenhypheng-X2m5AptJ5RMU0HwYRhQ_ndrdYewmRmh0YihjRvQUIXcRx/s400/DSCN0925.jpg" /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">There were tide pools, sand and cool rocks to climb on. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438979931804562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ptLxXZrDfUQyrPPyx099hQXDPbvzrpHNXduXrjZMmSiFg11-8gSsZ9__qpo3-taOgdqKpj4h9vqd805q1II5wTwtlj_6C5Wiv9TF9CUuw_N5a1Chg4tSoDi-VvP6MgMwXb9rFSe0dOrk/s400/DSCN0887.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Finally it was time for the visit to Forks. The rainiest city in America and it was sunny. Talk about Sara's bad luck. You can't spot a Cullen in Forks if it's sunny because they have to stay inside.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630439798890651762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UGRTXtReCeWNI5fW9UxnQtKkiaocA2W9fsoDzFQsWx1dvzudqEZRPra_WAgY14bW_nlcmaZ0m7GKqfkyD4RvFXC89wCUZRfwkT8vf-81axfuB74YGtvSvfDbK7lwLZXlTRmMpY2FaBLm/s400/DSCN0872.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We found the Vampire Threat to be high.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630439803417047058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuevMN0O3idcdZyhE_oLYZ_HFTgDc2AU0DLM_wRGQfVUFL7160nF6kRDMj43vZXykIpZP0k5wa31k_8WgD7lkLkkUgGfGk6v9PZSSyl6LebjRThVpuMSdIzEpzYYtHayMU-lhUU8bgYFJ/s400/DSCN0871.jpg" /></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We made the drive down to La Push and crossed the treaty line.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuevMN0O3idcdZyhE_oLYZ_HFTgDc2AU0DLM_wRGQfVUFL7160nF6kRDMj43vZXykIpZP0k5wa31k_8WgD7lkLkkUgGfGk6v9PZSSyl6LebjRThVpuMSdIzEpzYYtHayMU-lhUU8bgYFJ/s1600/DSCN0871.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuevMN0O3idcdZyhE_oLYZ_HFTgDc2AU0DLM_wRGQfVUFL7160nF6kRDMj43vZXykIpZP0k5wa31k_8WgD7lkLkkUgGfGk6v9PZSSyl6LebjRThVpuMSdIzEpzYYtHayMU-lhUU8bgYFJ/s1600/DSCN0871.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2qEnVs_ECirKYz4FDE9k4C2zsR2K982P2bnhObE15g1yjjjfIUoYdVzq7mSJcHRCnygzzqu1Jo4_XvvFQl5Ne5bBgjLAS6MIEeTQ-hssi1N4KCNF0tDFw8Xo4zKTRUTiLWwc2_XXXL3q/s1600/DSCN0909.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438484832389138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2qEnVs_ECirKYz4FDE9k4C2zsR2K982P2bnhObE15g1yjjjfIUoYdVzq7mSJcHRCnygzzqu1Jo4_XvvFQl5Ne5bBgjLAS6MIEeTQ-hssi1N4KCNF0tDFw8Xo4zKTRUTiLWwc2_XXXL3q/s400/DSCN0909.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">For dinner we had to get the Bella Burger.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Yhr0FNfzThyNR8r241B7_PPLCRcQR55ToYP7fY612q51GyXveOoHiWxaYKvYnpkKT1KRP_tqgEqBocHvNhkZv-BJSIJpY9kION_-8bKSDe6Me4zBuEjE3-e5THJO7M1wyH7b23vcv9rh/s1600/DSCN0910.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438151090322370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Yhr0FNfzThyNR8r241B7_PPLCRcQR55ToYP7fY612q51GyXveOoHiWxaYKvYnpkKT1KRP_tqgEqBocHvNhkZv-BJSIJpY9kION_-8bKSDe6Me4zBuEjE3-e5THJO7M1wyH7b23vcv9rh/s400/DSCN0910.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">It came with a complementary set of Vampire teeth.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"Look out Jilli, she's coming for you next!"</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438135913856434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Y4MaSjWuJWchyphenhyphenAFRZ0S0WJiCxc4yRzEIL9YZas8Rf3QlMtR7VsKBXVvwd2y7nfCzZq1vwHLqGYB640iYESPA1fX88VsKD9tbs-C1uNe_daeFTOWl3jP5y9bdJZVcMT3OshpGoGDunqo-/s400/DSCN0918.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We spent the night in Forks and luckily in the morning there was at least a little bit of drizzle, unfortunately we woke up with some dental abnormalities.</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rpDBp5smwmFURLwY5jNgoWjTSICLHcTZq3qMfxs_If2FTrKgQUMd6D5H8-bgmFJECcASKukGR0BrkLe1O-SbARUhqxgFjg1p_1-tMR_mJ4pUrVQkPs3GxpWNxnTFK7W2AoWbsazKcP72/s1600/DSCN0913.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438142319651218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rpDBp5smwmFURLwY5jNgoWjTSICLHcTZq3qMfxs_If2FTrKgQUMd6D5H8-bgmFJECcASKukGR0BrkLe1O-SbARUhqxgFjg1p_1-tMR_mJ4pUrVQkPs3GxpWNxnTFK7W2AoWbsazKcP72/s400/DSCN0913.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We did the full Forks tour. It took about 2 minutes. In other words the town is tiny.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpELbcH3moMhsybKYWWTopJPodI4x1qF1eF204hKm_139oO1wAZnj9FqVi3xMfXjQaafs6jNS-06j6BGwSJGYwpCCZHLUXSE9MpJRcLKK7FiZ_PvjkCOmYRa9WYqvgbKxKZq9tq8MBGFU3/s1600/DSCN0917.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438141081195538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpELbcH3moMhsybKYWWTopJPodI4x1qF1eF204hKm_139oO1wAZnj9FqVi3xMfXjQaafs6jNS-06j6BGwSJGYwpCCZHLUXSE9MpJRcLKK7FiZ_PvjkCOmYRa9WYqvgbKxKZq9tq8MBGFU3/s400/DSCN0917.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Sara posed with her boyfriends. For the record I am totally Team Jacob. Edward seems like a pretty boy. </span></div></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo33dnoSbtCfvs4tjafVyOx9n7lgZ_4X1SIkxZcDa24EF0QC5oWhgicIT_dpUqZWlLyzzTud1RGnp9poRYAD2AdwKz1rNghyphenhyphendZmfctvG2ZhIVUObj3VXKDM7td5P6ozReOpwpdQLRfWy3u/s1600/DSCN0920.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437818519332274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo33dnoSbtCfvs4tjafVyOx9n7lgZ_4X1SIkxZcDa24EF0QC5oWhgicIT_dpUqZWlLyzzTud1RGnp9poRYAD2AdwKz1rNghyphenhyphendZmfctvG2ZhIVUObj3VXKDM7td5P6ozReOpwpdQLRfWy3u/s400/DSCN0920.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Last stop in Forks with Bella's truck.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtDdFz5iCbs-Go0j-fx3VEwMOq-V4Jo0SmvHPbSNsZxkj-ZDiG4fR97-bIbiA2QOCJ2f8IavUcCmD1IT-zEaI8Yg7qcSYnJ1EZU9z3YsXs4Y8CUIhxrDz91g2Z6YYnwVsH9bY3a7ucWD4/s1600/DSCN0911.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630438147061723410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtDdFz5iCbs-Go0j-fx3VEwMOq-V4Jo0SmvHPbSNsZxkj-ZDiG4fR97-bIbiA2QOCJ2f8IavUcCmD1IT-zEaI8Yg7qcSYnJ1EZU9z3YsXs4Y8CUIhxrDz91g2Z6YYnwVsH9bY3a7ucWD4/s400/DSCN0911.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We did most of the trip off the interstates, which meant lots of small towns with a Forks type feeling minus the vampires of course. We had a couple of sections where we went days without seeing a McDonald's. It was awesome.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvgWUhzAFOiLBmExFxkDhgFu7qFzwVi4qYFqg7_TA1O2bGLQl1EaXiW4VixRJBtwlhdD3TRRjcM2Elmddojl4edEsdTwmZKysCVQoTuYR9ldI8HdQNYPhZyaSFtAM9xaenq_icT8_KwDI/s1600/DSCN0930.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437799248119570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvgWUhzAFOiLBmExFxkDhgFu7qFzwVi4qYFqg7_TA1O2bGLQl1EaXiW4VixRJBtwlhdD3TRRjcM2Elmddojl4edEsdTwmZKysCVQoTuYR9ldI8HdQNYPhZyaSFtAM9xaenq_icT8_KwDI/s400/DSCN0930.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">You can only eat so much fast food. So we had to get a little creative with some of the lunches on the trip. This was our cheapest. We fed the whole family for 4 bucks at the dollar tree, two boxes of cereal and two cartons of milk. So I splurged and let everyone pick out a toy. Just what every family with 3 daughters needs, a couple more stuffed animals.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436301795254738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrwhybbZYZkboziIp9DVTXBXyNXFCbbnFv7pnaPLBr9G74-m6TY5o610OiFDLqorGkDFFKIXhDlhQbk3lRM5pPJBFfcOWBbywYRh5ZGerDKq_gOtlWY2sQpBDTxt3U1IFxwjZ5dwxbUxh/s400/DSCN1081.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The kids were pretty good travelers. Most the time they kept their seat-belts on. As you can see from this picture Caroline was the most likely offender. Luckily Jillian couldn't undo her own seat-belt, but she was relentless in requesting help from anyone else. This was her most common phrase of the trip. "______, Dit me out!!!" (Insert family member in the blank.) She would yell at one person over and over for 5 or 10 minutes then without a break switch to the next family member. We are a pretty hearty family but everyone has their limits. Eventually someone would give in and unhook her. I knew we had lost total control of Jillian when I turned around and she was bouncing around the backseat totally naked and someone had drawn tattoos all over her body. It was one of the lows.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienqT9OK86eBYDwuaNkTBxDBtT8ccV-CD8w0-F1EzJLYzRS_oYy92vr3kahF_VJLtG-T67TE8FccmvLAf5oL96tZdVwY1DHZS4o7idfOK0PCX2iYM8AvOL2-jY4QBisjCbSBKe3LGQ_AyJ/s1600/DSCN0947.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437467844749346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienqT9OK86eBYDwuaNkTBxDBtT8ccV-CD8w0-F1EzJLYzRS_oYy92vr3kahF_VJLtG-T67TE8FccmvLAf5oL96tZdVwY1DHZS4o7idfOK0PCX2iYM8AvOL2-jY4QBisjCbSBKe3LGQ_AyJ/s400/DSCN0947.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We were all excited to be back in CA.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437464688236642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwKAsm1WxVTjrhj2cLYgNOj2OWfbtmMCXlsT8rERxBIeXXazOfIRnn1IJzpdsW29r_OoK_ifD4lIZM6ep9npLlgotzq6sFQPp_44aGfMB2e1q2APRpxvmhUP9cF370rAenciikd_fLTBl/s400/DSCN0965.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We had seen amazing beaches but somehow when you get to California they just get sunnier. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTFDxRt_wC_LCl5mCf-ljlRtWVfNlPj7FNZ0sbPafIDmLhEysVjiTFDQKm6yIndcb4c1CtbAxb0hNleENdMfASATivLakoBnxrAmjEiOliEVeI_3EzsVc5_ozGFtd296sW9srKmGbSnhy/s1600/DSCN0963.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437462680324386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTFDxRt_wC_LCl5mCf-ljlRtWVfNlPj7FNZ0sbPafIDmLhEysVjiTFDQKm6yIndcb4c1CtbAxb0hNleENdMfASATivLakoBnxrAmjEiOliEVeI_3EzsVc5_ozGFtd296sW9srKmGbSnhy/s400/DSCN0963.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The next major landmark was the Redwoods.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436582013092610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleH9oCD3gBGTFw45XKxbmMYDUok-nSZfnEuuGF1k3qudK-y4uDJb9YKOGAfsuiHIvqYI4IEcnrKulDqmr8wowoX1eYKoIPVHWXYyXk_nNMVKdv__S4vV83Pi0oeog-oBtv-Txs1xsKsrH/s400/DSCN1066.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The tallest trees in the world.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436589569754578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJHtxkLtTrh1zt7X1318Bor8GNXBIEtw3AK8PMv93poPS-1-NrZccnOChv63UyIUYiZ70N1vdUfsPfrGERz2J3S5sTjNDhUT8xpHi9LaZehzxWvrthNVlVgh0_XXWVR8-F51Nbar3rkJo/s400/DSCN1039.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">They are pretty special. I am by no means a tree-hugger but I loved walking amongst those trees as much as any part of the trip.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436585510548754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBYscsDkG-neEOViC8SFRmzXLZF_pjHCXZIoRnuEDtQBST80CTwqEPFljhzM3CWGugEbCc90HseI0NS08AjABKhOeEISvjovkfn_M0BazQvoyIbdZkXRjKTZs2vSuHrBkBx4CzPr7OOgQ/s400/DSCN1062.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Check out the size of the base when they fall over.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Ridiculous!</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436316261620866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLZToSl5YiUxGaw3Gll_BPKu7zWrONF8WVusmNXGn_cNn8mjq4gKztLdsw8_N9vIWLB5AywgaubkagN78wx3OTOHadI92YKMAFzUbA9tfAlfJiz6ZSjMZXXFaxccr_GOu1xOwPH4RdZh9/s400/DSCN1072.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We couldn't go all the way to the Redwoods and not drive the car through one.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437045098432786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjun5rmJkiRmnZbNo51ty5vXVds7jJhGNtt-wthheg_jfX57aE5X2vJKqL9tk6NxnGJGnZupJwzqjPuOMt9O9ljbLmdRkeIR7JYaJfP-viPbeDzHtSTYVKB_pc-4vUQWt7Clb36t5vEvntO/s400/DSCN0971.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We were all stoked to see Paul Bunyan and Babe.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437042185129538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkvif_E3eGgTiwqbsn7mU_dCPH1bTJfYqlBdKSdOxswe9c5oXYjBChzosZLP082eJTrYqzVbPkB_wW0elGUaRd7yAk1xkRh1_Yrlb0BoQ-4XB0cYd7EE_CbqJJJHZrnXb0yQwc8txrM8K/s400/DSCN0975.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Never was I more happy to see a gas pump than this one. I had pushed it a little too far and realized that if the next tiny town didn't have a gas station we were not going to make it to the one after. We drove into the town and saw a Chevron that was out of business. My heart dropped. I was thinking I was going to have to ask a farmer if I could buy some gas and then we saw this at the other end of town. I had to wait for the tractor to finish pumping his gas but I wasn't complaining. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436597790950994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxANSMu4s4s70Khb5oxb8q7ZJUbTcClcEb08bLed9JjoIsuGb8WEaK4Q928U8-3XlraQv7t12DWvTluj_TmZQ0U6IymOMHKhj_T1IdKNoTt9-bxoMx3wzajZsifWFJm5aBvDp0Y5xl7gga/s400/DSCN1023.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">I had seen a family hike on TV called Fern Canyon and it was a non-negotionable. We were doing it. It required a pretty good distance on a dirt road and we had to cross a small river in the car.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437037132353714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm81KCqMO_Kh2oHWimVsCfGgvaJqPqkipMHG0Sr9xv-fDpRzlioSYvQfmWKrvF5sch-1uDnvIAsX54MyCogy8X-hAgUn6THWGruZ8EDNYVR4sOJMe-Hd2HkOonNala4UJA9ZU-auP6eP1D/s400/DSCN0991.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The check engine light is on now, but it was totally worth it. </span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437038493361874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9Rd5dofGdgprWZgNJsskoXPGmqxrva4hyphenhyphenSECmtTKvpI5iTCNQmg_yQE-DUV5SmdIiTF_LfXscGvX0NeyBPA_HIhM1oC8ugt8cr8Eb5rU0JXvW8IBiR5KCJcOkHNlGApGbHl_jVmsH2zv/s400/DSCN0988.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The kids all said it was their favorite hike of the trip.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437032206373266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtW2YOxLsGWWJhh2ybVRZrPimu3tEQJakBCgb2OSC-GEVeI1fywTm7btEaOgWkVFkX0acK4aeAjoS06YVzfFA70050BwTNfJjVxIHyjqdV1eBn9L98xnVHHwcUaMUcGa2Geljnh5VhxTr/s400/DSCN1016.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Livi is turning into quite the adventurer.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRksnudkBsNOF0u-vKxohkzShnpWOoTrQgn7p0yhUPrY6XMjIWevMIoi1gPGL0TAlwWGLZhQASPcmF7uvThfdVcGX17Qm-BfnZewsRRSeP2O9KbKujZK625ZjExzr4bpldLkNyGdeB7sY/s1600/DSCN0968.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437458786274322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRksnudkBsNOF0u-vKxohkzShnpWOoTrQgn7p0yhUPrY6XMjIWevMIoi1gPGL0TAlwWGLZhQASPcmF7uvThfdVcGX17Qm-BfnZewsRRSeP2O9KbKujZK625ZjExzr4bpldLkNyGdeB7sY/s400/DSCN0968.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Whenever there was something to explore she was the first one out of the car.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline" class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436305743545650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XsaDDVA0xs0PvyWK3hiNcmSXiG4Rt9TtonHamuqnLzpl7ROwgu8w18I28AQ9bgT6d9NKGc8XEWEEZYvKmexWjRabbBePMXxaZ03LqyxTCl2vaBoPvZ4GsimxVXe4oDbKK6gMScDrgTzz/s400/DSCN1077.jpg" /></span> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We stayed at some nice hotels, some average ones, and one very poor one. This was the very poor one. We were having trouble finding any vacancy and didn't want to push on to the next town. I came back from the lobby to report the price of the room to Sara. </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"It's only 60 bucks but the lobby stinks...bad." </span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"How bad can it be, we can handle it for one night."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">"I can handle it, if you can."</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">We probably would have extended the trip a few more days had it not been for the Motel Garberville. It was bad enough to make Sara and I both decide to wake up early, find the interstate and bolt for home.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP62H7MtI1SPSDCXFBhfqkDX_BbrQsYzyJlnCVxBSAe__az2kW-G_yoFg3TPOORUmlaYxbNwafFj7wk9k6H8MdJn9sFzd5N4ouFQIO_w3wGa1VmOLAibOrxsp0FzwLVzs4BOAPUMoihRV/s1600/DSCN1075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630436309967930370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVP62H7MtI1SPSDCXFBhfqkDX_BbrQsYzyJlnCVxBSAe__az2kW-G_yoFg3TPOORUmlaYxbNwafFj7wk9k6H8MdJn9sFzd5N4ouFQIO_w3wGa1VmOLAibOrxsp0FzwLVzs4BOAPUMoihRV/s400/DSCN1075.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">The kids didn't seem to mind. Sara wouldn't let Rigdon sleep on the floor but it looks like there was plenty of room in the bed anyways. Heck it looks like we could fit another kid or two in there.</span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbwoaVH9R0WoHI3O84lgRVMlsYg-uzHjDDQRevNANfxIWii1wDUOtbZMQF-6OJvxfEye5RaAOOF2MewIGBcS-b2rjshTD1I4JxMvuWMIqhuMZayVJQvibeJXtqF8QwE84m8oI-V8-Jq7M/s1600/DSCN0954.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630437466977447410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbwoaVH9R0WoHI3O84lgRVMlsYg-uzHjDDQRevNANfxIWii1wDUOtbZMQF-6OJvxfEye5RaAOOF2MewIGBcS-b2rjshTD1I4JxMvuWMIqhuMZayVJQvibeJXtqF8QwE84m8oI-V8-Jq7M/s400/DSCN0954.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#cccccc;">Despite the ending, the trip was awesome. I asked Sara if she wanted to do one to New York next summer and she said that is going to have to wait a few more years, but if I start sweet talking her now you never know.</span></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5278601961389532980.post-72620449667643384762011-07-07T22:16:00.000-07:002011-07-08T08:15:48.730-07:00Guys Trip on Mt. Rainier<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Two years in the waiting, this year's guys trip was perhaps the most anticipated yet. Mount Rainier is the most prominent and most glaciated peak in the continental U.S. At 14,411 feet it is the 5th tallest and certainly one of the most dangerous mountains in the country. Needless to say we were all pretty stoked to give it a go. Bram put it into perspective when he stated in an email "I am as excited to climb Rainier as I was for my honeymoon."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwxVrPSiRaGy8Bxk3mhmgr48oTbSeu9qqUlZCbnpr1H4_eqxlYfoKHLvB1fIyieEcWsvHCaQCwkIb-FwlAdx5MRt-53Z8hyphenhyphenHxL9Me6l4tkG7wBCgM-c5qv69jOCIU6gnRrNAIyDCPITtq/s1600/51966.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwxVrPSiRaGy8Bxk3mhmgr48oTbSeu9qqUlZCbnpr1H4_eqxlYfoKHLvB1fIyieEcWsvHCaQCwkIb-FwlAdx5MRt-53Z8hyphenhyphenHxL9Me6l4tkG7wBCgM-c5qv69jOCIU6gnRrNAIyDCPITtq/s400/51966.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626855822530047090" /></a></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">his years group included the regulars, myself, Rocky, Roman, Bram, Rhett and then we also picked up some locals Nick and Derrick and then of course the person we are all indebted to for making the trip possible our guide Darrell. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMTuUyllXyf3NJJLBBHwNzt6jLMAwesiP-VsuDGE5fEVULnKyR5MAJifh3aRGfj8lVwoSLnUJ276D6oRO8O5wzuwYdnGnm090Y4VDzM8YJe253YzzxD64G_U6dnrIyIMI2rXT0P0IPzPb/s400/DSCN0628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851952073202930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In an attempt to ward off blister as long as possible, Rocky and I wanted to start the hike in running shoes, then when the terrain turned bad we would put on our boots. We asked Darrell how soon we would be encountering snow on the trail. "As soon as you leave the parking lot." We thought he was exaggerating a bit and so we wore our running shoes to the trailhead.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;font-size:13px;"><div style="line-height: 17px; "> </div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOjqkITWf8kSDKnvxCmMD3lnk2F0J7jIdxQQMCPlHY5IPLozNIT6quQMbafjh8hqw3gTjMY39zt3LerlrpDjYFHxtliSEQSA0fXYvZFU5Y2JuiWSm0mJUkvgE-uHTN9A4fUHNfnzixOfe/s400/DSCN0625.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626852919098132114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When we got to the parking lot and saw the trucks parked next to 35 foot high snow banks we quietly changed our shoes.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ82dqnVjRtpflBclW0EuFg9rpgGjlmPgVqlUrv71XnEJ6ZG6kji6P8Tv0yEsX851PvW70oz9wmYs5XoFLD4xbHJcAM2-VQkbgWM9RXrHNOy_nqWby-cj_kYkkF6OR2b_pQL9Fo_erOK3/s400/DSCN0629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851940670688594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we started the hike there was thick cloud cover and no sign of the summit. Within a couple of hours we started to clear the clouds and almost instantly we went from gray skies to blue and spectacular views of Rainier and the clouds covering the valley. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HNXy2kyvBnYup9hIvW5h3DWTJT3J8WySUjBsbLcUlC2OKCwZaXKtnAJAQBWhaBrqiODiaymtc4061lQRw80a6XssLNk7xq-RkyzRuSNYFCR6ek5Fz5CPVOGpBTCC5T8pOCEgNIvy6dER/s400/DSCN0631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851804901836514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Emerging from the cloud cover.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnEozIohknumxOQ2Y1Zeo6enWOSLztznrVSuTmCfeN_SkPh0t1oeCXJUe7KjWf3b3-mC6truUg2mU4YK1YJx48hejJ6P__lT7_CIEj3wEKC5jSjW32vdYYfeXeDrxDYfQmU-gi3pooCvK/s400/DSCN0637.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626859729740542754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Roman with the summit in view. The summit didn't look that far away and distance wise it wasn't. It was just that darn elevation.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8unTjzNSK9MlKvE2h-KRx76zwqjertOW2QIkRc0wg0Lurr3nACAStXJOxTV4XWRRsL96lwTZTLs3QrN7Fcu5N2xbNX9WxFr4r86EWJctxyQlLKth_O3SxkRf8reSpgIH8ey03q0o8G5Lg/s400/DSCN0642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851799838318754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blister break.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The climb requires a staggering 9000 ft of elevation in 9 miles. That is 3000 more than Mt. Whitney requires in 11 miles. Basically that means it is steep and for the Smart brothers that means blisters. Try as they did to spare their feet, Roman's and Rocky's both got hammered. My were spared thanks to a generous gift from Bram. He got me the Air Jordan's of hiking boots and my feet never faired better. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU78rd6Tc9xYdMLsjShtXlJBgdAjKFcXrpDclBZy6EVjXZ4EE26ZNob6uWQv_4hp0ddevVyBV4nMHvaDKPmjJWzA9JfT3XO3_O_fp4WndDzaINreGqV-kCnI2m3hG2jA_RgUTi76SydPi/s1600/DSCN0634.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU78rd6Tc9xYdMLsjShtXlJBgdAjKFcXrpDclBZy6EVjXZ4EE26ZNob6uWQv_4hp0ddevVyBV4nMHvaDKPmjJWzA9JfT3XO3_O_fp4WndDzaINreGqV-kCnI2m3hG2jA_RgUTi76SydPi/s400/DSCN0634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851802238562386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Darrell leading the charge. He was impressive to say the least. Despite being 18 years my senior and exactly twice Roman's age, he kept right up with everyone. After the weekend was over I didn't know whether to be more impressed with his pharmaceutical hook-ups, his patented water basketball "flying hook shot" or his mountaineering skills. OK, I guess it was his mountaineering skills.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqpUMt-lEKkaHJHlIQ4jZB3-3XwjgX0Ym09Zv0zki-Zq1BXKHACZWGzQYYO0CaaWHdwNYTLFDBUM63jrueFDxgUe7_UKHTRPv9ejxU9lGvdBy1R_ZJdGcAr4yaFLTO9_2v26rkou3rkJD/s400/DSCN0646.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851796067336786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Darrell gave Rocky a chance to lead the charge for a while. Slowly the clouds were getting further away.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOGJZ8x5ypyiNOC34vPNPW13p-9Ybd3YepPrptBaf87KLx-5qsXu1GJjETYkjqKj6Iul-2syqO_h4XID6VKCYj7OAHOb49-kVqjb_lGCG6dx1ny7H8slRHElwqbcSWTgK2Vw0iN8Bjg-B/s400/DSCN0651.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851794210449602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Finally at Camp Muir 10,000ft, I found a bored and lonely Rhett. He had already staked us a sweet spot and set up a tent. He's also not a bad photographer and he's available. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg597VdRvwrr371ZgMdk5b0LnD8k718zcds1XrHhbzjILrNC_XlmBQKhtB7-2MjFKfQBeuDRV4PDemXUJy0NU-8D1vCZjVzEoIV_QDgZ7QC6fMgN16BBf8GjW_Qa4IkEJW3QCNNs8tBT1G3/s400/DSCN0661.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851568167711474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We spent the evening melting snow for the next days climb and eating a smorgasbord of Mt. House dinners.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB5XINegffPqyMaN9nWHIPU_f1UoqU7DoNMcombCRRqgIN0UJvNArF6pUrzgvn9mjnPopvh2uE6qOpLMUCo-oqQ-NU5eX3PuHLyPqVFG0eJMxCHTiO-AlBPosXZ-MkHd9HXzdUuTiL5R8/s400/DSCN0659.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851569770492706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Roman enjoys a Mt. house. I had two other pictures of Roman in this exact pose looking much less photogenic. It was hard for me to refrain from posting them, but I did.</span></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpUrqw8V7Fyi6_cTJUYDvIB27YLYudJir_yz-88TPEOFocwurKm1y9AWPMbxwLRmAmcIsxrtyjS4zDuXtuw99rS4kk3zh69v4OGa3OstJfCgWXRUY_Gu6fvdQNVYS_1jiKO9rdDySjhY0/s400/DSCN0662.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851565551942786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pictured right here is the Walrus. It doesn't look like a 4 man tent does it? But Darrell claimed it was as long as you are all short and not scared of touching the person next to you. I usually fit that description no problem but Darrell and his pharmaceuticals were making me a little nervous. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We turned in at about 9:00 to get three hours of sleep before the Midnight wake-up-call. The best conditions for climbing Rainier is when the weather is the coldest so you start at 1:00 in the morning so you can summit and get down before the snow starts to get soft.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxCax75JBkjORdDrjdtEoWoounWzH5idqI6U2zKzN9BAeyEk9Sn0vLxZD-NeD633KeqAUUKx3bu99o7e1J1Nrn5KT4cLaJxxZIPdRz_0rWlTnv4U_HUOoaC9qsWGE5SxU13LUvwS80he8/s400/DSCN0710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850365699804578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At midnight I put on my crampons for the second time ever, got roped up and we started climbing in our two teams under a full moon bright enough that a head lamp was optional.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "> </div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97cUY7exWLiCUNKJs_y1ZWe9eqvacL9XZymowftvSE9sizkdaqC-qYYu9FBbv8H6Ht0LZiD0D8MgneglkbrBj2gfgQTka7mD-iAfOvLlVsLxy0RJPH_LQc1RU82Ao4XcH_sbUCupeAm3J/s400/DSCN0668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851325121086946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The 3 hours of sleep wasn't quite enough for Roman,</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPpSmtbbyz6uDnqUnYfsU_gf4vAofIN81cw8KZu84fJ8O5lbJJCrSoU8DqdoeO0wsGmqeUXyXjt0ugjlAb1XvHTNo2g4Y8IhPvjRX8rQ_RhclcJIyLorF_8c5EjD7pzVkUXbapvUTao-M/s400/DSCN0669.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851318508875362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or Rocky.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJauj9PMK4jnURvD-YZ6qpGX6t5JIh9TiHypUdtokkZBHxTc_vr-1xoUVRQ2lWC_YWYJmHfxtVXowd_sQdrxLY054BvHMYjtZ87ZEi4XQTEGIOA8N8j9RsLonTLuMplPrWMNWbak-DiLy/s400/DSCN0670.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851310558119810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the first time most of us had done any technical climbing on a big mountain and it was in the dark.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "> </div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Despite the darkness I still noticed enough live threatening hazards to get my attention on the way up. I will admit it I was a little nervous more than once. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "> </div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56mwUVn5TgSLMzTUz16mggD_A_xsVyokhy3LHH9BsOck4-c-iW6_6xY57odqiTMrCDe4vV3qOj3zEiBqlTfILmJ9_q1IaK9RuRb4HsoU6PqnS98Ps9F-dRhGjj_rMiEb_ZDyYFVv_5-LA/s400/DSCN0676.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851300939277954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Everything was going without a hitch until we got to about 12000 ft. We had just made it through the most technical section. That is when most of us started to feel the effects of the elevation. But have no fear our wise leader had his pharmaceutical hook-ups on hand. They had been the butt of every joke the night before in the walrus. A prescription drug that starts with a V and is meant to rekindle the love life in relationships. Yes that's right, Viagra. Darrell's secret weapon against altitude sickness was a bottle of Viagra that he rushed out to the pharmacy for the night before the trip. He claimed some Himalayan study had been done to prove that Viagra allowed you to do more work at higher elevations. Basically those desperate enough or adventurous enough partook. I was not one of them, but Nick was and about 1 minute later he hurled. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV71ZA92PGdzo0lJGIF0zCFacz9UyzZwH3wJf0uaQkI9-CGH3PL52nDZN-iTy39MkRFT4BGwTxU27uLo0wkWmWmip2s_L1hwlipN0Bm7DUj9xNvk68IbZviJZS_OaQ6rqp856w7QkplQB/s400/barf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626883066832751426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was a barf with a pretty sweet view. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is where some doubts started to creep in. Nick had just spewed and Derrick was not feeling good either. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFChzp7uNCLit5RKxWuJHHmknluu1PjSf2hoyFbT_j7XYjZ1kqJqLbNhEacP6GG66Mgx0vWxvVuLnWOxiJgtz7V4987g_6hzlqwCbZ9CC4fkDmXUGxFL-NDnC1NaesiSlbyb1h2cVfFCLu/s400/DSCN0684.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851062196531090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We climbed another 500 feet and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nick barfed again. (I had the courtesy not to take a picture of it this time.) I thought to myself "Two-thousand feet to go and he has already barfed twice. He is not going to make it."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwoclP9bnC0b5NvTB1rdq5SFuxn48194SnelSV_CvkNyLB-Q2jMm65UVKky26LjbmNC-SIzcGiJlyEDKtPgQ0evKNNHW6704zs_i0FtiL6wrGdpV4id2iqKBWBOL3ep07-svCWQhOGFeN/s400/DSCN0695.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850752290884450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Derrick and Nick.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> As you can see Derrick was not looking much better.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfDlDoKEd7WBaDAeMcSVYDdhjJYy23z_CAsZF3O4FvwjglEkXrHXF6vUNO3datAkKDgngiS7t_svUF9yVV8hBFWWXO55zwty7ge7pn80LksD1zRx2wtYN4d-nj6x3jt7svNCpipysHtaP/s400/DSCN0680.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851070798399634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rhett was constantly wanting to push the pace. If the Viagra had any adverse effects on him you couldn't tell. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtezq20gxABfhd4UBPlrVSp3PDt3ZPUmAQI490hvYaiy33iHjGGuwQZcojiQJFl3yJ-Wt-fDc4A1BCLfPnNDo6L2RJguTBqziP1VSky0fYKizrukY-A3d_hlo2IfJ3HpA-pcy0vMEZOUqd/s400/DSCN0693.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850771875342146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We went to 13,000ft and stopped again. This picture isn't big enough to tell but the look on Darrell's face is screaming, "I wish I hadn't taken that Viagra." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_QUGnvyTGxuYV4C_vcTO_3kIEqD3eiIVALpgKyLkq_eua0hRZt03PhCQSq7QW-zX1ZbSNb5ghDKOF4TeygaqnZDhS92U7aqsilj4omNfRbNPLr6Hlq8gHEENNx0_vQrgApI_fFzq7e82/s400/DSCN0697.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850747781092050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We choked down enough Cliff Bars we should have all been sick.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4mqTua7BCM8Td7Q8XdSB6n7OLuhvxwuzg6Oi46nOByqnTJXog8FeRlWPt-HZKQM1QDVmm5ASbDp0msEPxxFTLtkLUckwEAkwTxNUSXwlMzd9a8vPe5gdPSkh2-x1AyNCNxoQ1z12MQfx/s1600/DSCN0687.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4mqTua7BCM8Td7Q8XdSB6n7OLuhvxwuzg6Oi46nOByqnTJXog8FeRlWPt-HZKQM1QDVmm5ASbDp0msEPxxFTLtkLUckwEAkwTxNUSXwlMzd9a8vPe5gdPSkh2-x1AyNCNxoQ1z12MQfx/s400/DSCN0687.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626851059399818402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had never been on any mountain that felt that high. We were so high it felt like we were going skydiving. Throw in the cold wind and the it felt like we were climbing Everest.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Finally team Viagra had to relinquish Bram as he had not partook and put him on our rope. Our new 5 man team struggled up to the crater and from there unroped and climbed to the summit.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQByuMHmcWxbuAs3GHSXzMarBg7Fb4LRpgSPkhXdRXoWIO0u82sgMZENB1GB3TShIC9hr90Yx9gHjEtY9ZkpLCIO0kgiQsw2owo7gSka3CeVJmH7YUdr19JxWo0yZX0h0ze4ZqwtCFtLaG/s400/DSCN0700.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850744947369906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bram and Rocky just about to take the summit. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuk25r2_YNT_0sGY9bpSgGB1WvsdLZtaF4DnxBRqr1y-A45MZvU9vsvWp-Er6ymVtcMgOxDoBnHmpA-4yKo23e9pAZth_CIiUEUqQKVG-Tt3TxSOia2cO0fg49RtcrsWb5B84p8yZjMqG/s400/DSCN0703.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850385156080162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Me on top of the state of Washington.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8ImIEcahY_Gkv9CbcPQSFJyGbtzv0sqwhrfr5Fhna6xfiIvaP7Y0Kb1mIGQ7a5CLtCws7qTRTFsQTZEpV5xrumKYya8G2tJoKPjNswnlX2B5ysIMP9hyIyrVAboRGlP6RiHqF8xYbfeh/s400/DSCN0705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850374217692786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After our hike back across the crater, this is how we found Team Viagra. Fast asleep on the summit. They had gutted up and made it. The effort by each of them was inspiring, but Nick's effort was superhuman. To throw-up twice and still have 2000 feet of tough climbing to go and suffer through it. That was pretty tough.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnWMSzuyprH0xSaLuG-yfHYRgakAnK6z3evvq9qb7h1iRuKPUOMdgE3J3bl2crz7pyfh0Lx9wI83J36XEbSRdOSyl6hV1bA92nDbtN4SP2rklWFV0p2NoP67fwiHjGWP8CjWBT48-94VQ/s400/DSCN0706.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850371720044706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We let Team V have a nap while we relaxed on the summit. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ-BsKyZ-PydpDD7KVOGfU7iY74MEnrNavLbsRjZCku0Mgbub4IitzpM2pceHGMRhzE1qjgLJa6M0_vVcWmn0OXnuB8M1gWPtzCkMfbvpcA_dpm6ccsI41FjS_vEmU6lB_pohE2AmIfnq/s400/DSCN0709.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850368765190962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rocky re-taped his blisters.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjRa7f_jaU6kJYYi0qdLUPuL8xTa8bAirh5jdcZdEKdsBB6TS05nIwVquxz4eK5VFGOjz_lrORRNOpPjuLJJUeaKVWjp6sAz3PU5v9UWO0y7CTUGkl0GYFa1NH9naOM63Wp3nxJ7xbKf-/s400/DSCN0713.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850017245592722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eventually we all got a picture on the summit together.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTliOxt542vsrpfX8zgGJDqAWuQjQ72bAUM0J3fl2Tqxiax3ldE3qOok5RIe_ApvXrE-HKcfJGjS1XxyEZLjn_6bg-CSylBp2VkPp81GPmRlhbVP-DaVfwGn8M5OM6d6neB8xslW0xdde/s400/DSCN0730.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626849440113909410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The trip back down wasn't as physically demanding but probably more dangerous.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyma8GgiNbz3qaJGA1k1QBPwJ2meyFVOXaj40R6RlUHiKKn1nk1FVExZiT3rW75L7bMSQ7sUXR6FZ0hQA8-_4bnXzdiGd0FxXYnVirfTf5v3WUZqHPoLVCajjn1R9S_v14BsCgDCEFthMq/s400/DSCN0733.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626849430176856866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most accidents happen on the descent as the snow has turned soft.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMAK_BU0kwEH4a10gki7sbWZBo5ZXr18pNVCNHX0s9IXjdTybpw9Y7seXtZUO44kgA5AyUEsJnTqvjQYlptkDWWEOW0DK55qaExcdlEjzJ5TdRia_kucLdGQsWCYoje_p7mAF7z31Dl-t/s400/DSCN0716.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850006254962274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is where you don't want to end up. We crossed 4 or 5 crevasses. They were all small ones that we were able to just jump across.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK_0Ds32Ms0RPzGTuj_tZEop49IePJGNc4F3a1e-vu0OGBCugeCafKejJOaYITWzW98CctoeFaBgwqnR6XapjH0mmPOmATR7MaxAhLboiyzVlsFIHuUeD9wQRpNyBwTnL0Rjl9isNJj1j/s1600/DSCN0729.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK_0Ds32Ms0RPzGTuj_tZEop49IePJGNc4F3a1e-vu0OGBCugeCafKejJOaYITWzW98CctoeFaBgwqnR6XapjH0mmPOmATR7MaxAhLboiyzVlsFIHuUeD9wQRpNyBwTnL0Rjl9isNJj1j/s400/DSCN0729.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626850001692938226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rhett led us up but I got to lead our team down. The unobstructed view was sometimes a little nerve racking. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__gjUnrIPlgG4THkNuLhBdkr5yW7fMLIpUBqq51fAg2Vte5cUCfVrgAdAp03_uq1EeEKOk2Q7nXZ1B0BfE8zlqAY3HwmCbI-jjQTN1Cu9tEliCXe1E8tMZfXWnht_hSRfVkA3zQWLrrPb/s400/DSCN0738.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626849425493525762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If Roman falls here there is a giant crevasse below him and if we can't stop him then we will all end up there together.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The good thing about climbing in the dark is I didn't notice a lot of the most dangerous parts as we were going up, but you couldn't miss them as you were descending.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv2V9D0vLQmXmZldQTpwfTJd2DcLLUGoC7mufmQJ7EnyREh8xXYLk55osBqWDTVwdJds7lGYsQqWfm9IBrMOcJsUHml6rnNF0-y-Fz_SoKjWPDswp0-Nytm2vKzMn5TCq5TpKNuLc9gth/s400/DSCN0748.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626849414047795058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Team Viagra plus Bram posed with a crevasse big enough to swallow a house.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When we finally got back to Camp Muir we couldn't believe we still had 5000 feet to descend, but we were able to glacade a good chunk of it and that got the spirits up. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3EzmAvlOkdDHg9_EKGYSxRankgk5-AxOTFH97gCIe1WqsRn-aAlm6pYbrU6iTRpR5HTRxywK_45Ae9_NM2h32Zm7BGSsHNfUU3PwwfvYNVtbZKiijmG2htZ954MDI95835iWqdndcgxn/s400/DSCN0752.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626848904812642418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Roman going into a tail-spin.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtjz-r8R6Gx-MW4n3FJKBIGEkBzBI_F-TmyQqYXN4z2O-c7yNW0t43fcK-BAetEwmBcvn0CDB402yPC5Vl4atejS0PDSTt08N-LhhPah8QFto7_c3lH-IAUHv9nT7oOYlkyb4RU59rehE/s400/DSCN0761.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626848894277216882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-family:Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Finally back to the parking lot. Rocky pledged to never put on his boots again. He made a memorial to them and left them in the parking lot.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmkqFtH3h7oeyfiLVCdTlCnL5S0hnpD30dJ5G8Fi-JicwvFmhDcFO7kdeAg1v4acjuMlF1pLX6PxvH47gnSmKxdClxg2IgHoOTlOrBCsX1QgzSPDkq89rchG7o83oKSpH9-pCfiQQrEdZ/s1600/DSCN0760.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmkqFtH3h7oeyfiLVCdTlCnL5S0hnpD30dJ5G8Fi-JicwvFmhDcFO7kdeAg1v4acjuMlF1pLX6PxvH47gnSmKxdClxg2IgHoOTlOrBCsX1QgzSPDkq89rchG7o83oKSpH9-pCfiQQrEdZ/s400/DSCN0760.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626848898093967074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The trip didn't officially culminate until we got spoiled a few more times by Sheila's cooking and then our two climbing teams had to face off in a vicious game of pool basketball that actually resembled UFC more closely than basketball and that is no exaggeration. Bram led all scorers and Darrell got voted most inspirational. Darrell is awesome to be around because he somehow shows no signs of getting old. His game of water basketball is still as violent and lacking in finesse as ever. You think "Dang if Darrell is still this big of stud I don't have any excuse to let myself get old." I hope I can still play a sport who's only rules are no eye poking or fish hooking when I turn 54. That sounds like a pretty good life goal to me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All in all Mt. Rainier was as epic as it gets and well worth the wait.</span></span></div></span></span></div></div>Rangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00263359035251643688noreply@blogger.com3