10 posts from 2007

The canoe was loaded heavier than it's ever been, as we trekked across the lake at 7:30 pm Friday for the weekend. Union Reservoir, 30 minutes east of Arnold on Highway 4.

Daytime temps were in the 80's. Nighttime probably 40's. We were up at 8000 ft. The view of the stars were unimpeded by clouds. They were so close that the Milky Way was within eyeshot.

Wind speeds were not as severe as the reservoir is known for. We were cheating with a trolling motor on the back of our canoe, so we didn't have to paddle it all by ourselves. 

I had smores with pink marshmallows for the first time. For the record, pink marshmallows DO taste like Strawberry Quik.

It was weird being back at Union with such vivid memories of time spent there with my own family. But the company kept my mind off things; until The Shins played all the way home. Then there was no escaping it.

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Isn't it weird how art (music, movies, paintings....all media) can really bring you back to various times in your life? Like you're instantly transported. Sometimes it's great, sometimes gut wrenching.

Zen Meditation

When: Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Where: UOP Campus, Morris Chapel.

What: Two 30 minute meditation sessions, with some walking meditation in between the two sessions. Beginners are welcome to these informal classes. No $$ cost.

Message me for more specific directions or info.

Just got back from the greater area where my buddy Michael and I lugged our packs up 3,723 feet of elevation.

The trip turned out to be more like two days in the gym on the stair-stepper, rather than a beautiful trip through the woods. Don't get me wrong it was BEAUTIFUL, but the elevation gain was so extreme and switchbacks so relentless that nearly all my attention was focused on hiking rather than the scenery. 

I started the day waking up on a hammock in my friends back yard, which is also the Stilliguamish river. It was serene with fresh air and the sound of the water flowing by until he woke me saying 'Adam; time to get up, it's raining'. I agreed- probably not the best way to start a day of hiking, with early morning thundershowers soaking me to the bone. So we went inside and collected our gear and headed to breakfast.

is definitely a trucker/meth-head town, but that also comes with trucker diners, which always have kick ass breakfasts. So, before heading to the woods I started with biscuits and gravy, and then we walked down the street for some espresso. Now we were ready.

We headed up towards Verlot in Michaels 67 Volvo wagon. We cruised in style past Verlot, Silverton and Redbridge. At last we came to our trail head at the base of Mt.Dickerman .

After loading up our packs we headed up the hill. The switchbacks start at the bottom and never really stop. I'm hoping somebody could do the math for me on this one and calculate the slope-  3723 feet of elevation in 4.3 miles.

The forest was considerably lush for mid-July, streams still trickled across the trail, moss still damp on the sidelines. We climbed up through the evergreen forest, punctuated with Cedar and so many varieties of ferns that I totally lost track. We stumbled across some strange yellow fungus in the middle of the trail- I thought that someone had thrown up some marshmallow Peeps, but Michael touched it to confirm it was just fungus and not vomit.

We waged war on that trail, but the trail kept winning. After crossing an enticing waterfall that bounced off rocks into silver splatters below, our boots hit snow. We crossed melting snow field after melting snow field. 

Soaked and ready for camp we reached the alpine meadows just a mile below summit about 3 hours before sunset.

Setting up camp was a cinch after we found a snow-less spot that was relatively flat and rock-less (which was no easy task to find at that altitude.) After the tent was up and food was eaten, we pushed for the summit.

More switchbacks, more snow. At this point on the trail though, we were above the tree-line so the views really started to open up.

Once we reached the top the view spread out 360 degrees. Peaks above clouds in every direction. Visibility fresh enough for a look a . We took about 30 minutes to take it all in as the bugs consumed us. We figured that the bugs would run out of steam once we hit the top, but no such luck. The damp mountain seemed to be the perfect breeding ground for those little buggers.

On the descent, survival became more of a factor as the sun began to set. We hoofed it for a rocky ledge that we had passed on the way up, where we could take in the peak of the sunsets pinks and reds that splashed the ends of the horizon.

Night eventually fell so we donned our headlamps and focused on a careful descent to camp. Aside from sore ankles and legs, the rest of the way was uneventful in the dark. Exhaustion set in quick at camp, sleep came fast.

The next morning I woke up early. After milling about a bit, watching pre-dawn bring up the sun, I started some coffee on the stove and got to hiking back down the mountain for water. I figured I might as well get it taken care of so we’d have enough for breakfast. Since Michael was still asleep it would be a good way to kill some time.

Water was A LOT further away then I remembered it being. I probably hiked 2 miles (roundtrip) for it. And given the slope of the trail, this was no easy task. I finally made it to the water fall and filled up; but not before cursing the idea a thousand times. Why didn’t I just go without coffee? I guess it just didn’t seem right to spend all that time hiking and get no coffee.

After making it back to camp, eating, breaking down camp, and sun bathing for awhile, we finally headed back down.

Lots of people coming up the mountain; pain all over their faces. With gravity on our side this time we were able to go a lot faster, enjoying the scenery a little less so we could focus on staying on the trail a little more.

We managed to make it down with no major accidents, and only one stop for drinking water.

Arriving at the trailhead felt like euphoria, finally safe from the pains in my legs and feet. Plopping in the Volvo, we coasted leisurely back into town.

Up for some medical q&a?  I have a question about a supplement I'm currently taking, and whether it can be absorbed through the skin.

The supplement I take is called L-Glutamine, the weight lifting pundits say it aids in the regenerative process of muscle tissue. I believe that it is a chemical the body naturally produces. I don't think they harvest it from humans though, don't worry, still Winks. :P

Currently consuming powder orally, 5 grams at a time (mixed in 1oz water), for 10-15grams a day. This powder is well refined, tasteless, and crushed to a very micro-powder texture. I've been told that it may have a negative impact on Kidneys.

Instead of consuming orally I'm wondering if I could absorb it through the skin (NOT via injection) for the following hypothesized improvements:

*Faster transference of glutamine to muscle tissue.
*Decreased negative impact on Liver&Kidneys.

If this type of absorption is available: what liquid should I base it in (lotion, oil, water, other liquid medium), and with what portions of liquid medium to powder should be used per 5gs of powder?

My buddy Jose had a blowout party on the 4th, complete with swim up bar, soccer game viewable from the pool, and all the bbq you could ever hope to see.

It was hard to tell who was having more fun in the pool the adults or the kids, and it was nice to see our friend Bobby's daughter Mia take her first jaunt in a pool. She's definitely hooked on the water now, even jumping in with a little help from her friends.

When night finally came we broke out the ladder and headed onto Jose's roof to take in all the Modesto fireworks. It was a pretty good show after all was said and done,

Hi ya'll;

Been getting into Chris Isaack (and another band The Elected) lately.

I like the occasional falsetto, the tempo, the steel guitar.

Looking for recommendations to similar artists....

Have a safe Fourth,

-Adam

We got to the spot around 1130pm. About 20 minutes north of Tracy, CA (the delta).

It was colder than I thought it'd be so I went for my jacket. Which I forgot back at home. Bummer.
So I started considering my options; pacing, circling the car, as my buddy triggered the lantern. It was low on propane or spark, not sure which, so he was clicking away at it trying to get light. Finally it burst the seams of dark and lite up our area. I came around to his side of the car to find a white sweatshirt, perfect fit, relatively clean waiting for me on the ground.  Perhaps it was my lucky night.

 We fished until 3am!!! I caught 2 bass and 2 cats. All were to little to keep, but it was fun bringing 'em in. At around 1am I told him we should probably get going since I had to drive back to Modesto but then he invited me to stay in his guest bedroom so we could keep fishin. I'm not much of an angler, I was mainly there for the chillin'. Having a line in the water was just the excuse we needed to get away.

It was awesome, and this morning his wife fixed us a huge breakfast fit for kings, Grits, Sausage, Eggs, Toast and Coffee. TASTY! Apparently the trick to grits is sugar and cheese. They had no cheese so I couldn't try that, but I can't really imagine how that would be so super. Next times I guess.

Wink out

Not sure on this new Wilco album... Or were the last two albums just a fluke?

Going out fishing tonight with a buddy. Not sure if I'll drop in a line. Maybe I'll just sit there. The moon is supposed to be at its fullest of the year around 10. We'll see how big.

Looking to join or startup a meditation sitting group in the Modesto, CA area. Let me know if you're interested too!

Music fiends, find your commercial free fix here:

www.kexp.org

Nearly every genre imaginable, show's archived for 2 weeks or listen live.

-wink