Friday, April 24, 2015
Blankets for protection
My favorite line from Jake for tonight. Brad told him he couldn't watch Lord of the Rings with him because it would be to scary. He replied, "Don't worry Dad! I have my blanket to cover my eyes during the scary parts!"
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
What is a "Tree hugger"?
So I was having a conversation after school with my 9 year
old son, Riley. He was talking about his
day and he said to me it was an efficient way to waste a day. I asked him why.
He said, “Well, we went to DNS.”
DNS is our cities nature studies.
I said, “That sounds like it would be fun to
me, not a waste of a day."
He said, “Yeah,
but we were taught by a bunch of tree huggers.”
“What’s a tree hugger?” I asked teasing
him.
“You know, someone who loves the
earth and doesn’t want to destroy it.”
“I
love the earth and don’t want to destroy it,” I replied. “Does that make me a
tree hugger?”
His answer, “Well, a tree hugger is a DEMOCRAT who loves the
earth and doesn’t want to destroy it.”
I see I’ve taught my son well.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Silverton Mountain
Jordan has officially turned into a teenager. His behavior has deteriorated to the point that dad has started making efforts to sell the boy to a foster family some place far away, like maybe North Korea. Attempts thus far to relocate the boy have failed so dad has decided to get rid of him another way.
Silverton is a unique and special kind of place that happens to be located a little over an hour away from our home base in SW Colorado.
http://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/mountain/stats
There is not another ski hill like it in the United States. The level of difficulty here and magnitude of the place has to be seen to be appreciated. They decided to pick the easiest looking run for starters to see of Jordan was up to the task. The picture only shows the lower half of the run, with a massive slide just to the left. It is a spring day and the sun has yet to soften the icy slope into what they hope will develop into a soft snow corn as the day progresses. One run down, 3 more to go.
After a full hour round trip they are back up to the chair lift and having a look at the trail map to see what they should try next. The warning on the sign seems hopeful for dads underlying efforts to rid himself of the boy.
They decide to go big and make the 1/2 mile trek from the top of the chair lift at 12,300' to somewhere above the 13,000' mark. Doesn't seem so bad at first, like a stroll in the park.
Dad is stoked because he got there about 10 minutes ahead of the boy.
From this vantage point you get a view of entire ski area which sits astride a large horse-shoe shaped bowl. Some of terrain to the right is accessed by foot. The rest of the background requires a heli drop for additional cost from the top of the chair lift. They are standing at the top of their second run 2 hours into the day. The far terrain on the left is a reflection of what they will be dropping into on this run. Jordan smiles because he still doesn't believe his dad is actually trying to kill him.
Jordan scouts his line as they exit the chute from where they began this run. Note the massive slide in the upper left of the photo on the far side of this particular bowl.
Jordan is trying to point out the line they just skied. There are 3 different avalanche slide paths in this photo that ran all the way into the creek at the bottom of the canyon. The avalanche danger is significantly reduced at this time of the year which is why they are not with a ski guide. But a full array of avalanche rescue gear is still required to be on the mountain. The lift operator scans their beacons several times throughout the day when they get on the lift.
Run three, dad skis to low before crossing over the ridge and misses the gate to drop into the lower half of a run called Hogsback. Jordan yells down, "DAD, YOUR STANDING OVER A CLIFF, YOU CAN'T GET ON THE RUN FROM THERE." Dad has to hike up a bit to follow Jordan into the lower bowl. Jordan starts working his way down and dad feels a little bad for trying to kill the boy when he has just made an effort to keep him safe.
A breather to take in the scenery. Again, terrain to the left is heli access, and the right is chair lift and boot access. From here they ski down a mile or so to the "Silverton Correction Facility" bus that will pick them up and ferry them another mile or so back down to the lift.
The pair have eaten a bit on the lift and drank all they carried to push on through the day without taking a lunch break. After a 30 minute hike, here they are at the beginning of their 4th run. The sign reads, "Mandatory" at the ski gate. Apparently the ski patrol didn't have room to include the full name, "Madatory Air" on the little sign. Air to what? As they get ready to drop in a couple of guys hike by on their way to another run and warn, "don't go that way, it funnels down into a cliff and you have to repel down about 50-100ft, it is super scary." The guys hike on, dad and Jordan drop in hoping for another adventure.
About half way down the run chokes into a gully thick with trees and seems to drop off into nowhere. If you lean out and look down a tree can be seen about 15ft down with a large diameter rope hanging off it. From there no more can be seen. Dad loads up his skis and grabs his poles just above the baskets and down climbs slowly to the rope station. From here he could hold onto a tree to secure himself and spot Jordan while he does the same.
At this point dad has his best chance to really be rid of the boy, but has started to second guess his efforts. In the absence of a harness, belay devices, crampons and ice axes dad instructs Jordan how to wrap the rope around his arm for friction and how to toe kick his way down. The picture of course does it no justice. It is about an 80 degree slope down about 60 feet, then around a corner and out of site for the last 30 feet beside a frozen water fall to where the rope still comes up about 20ft short of a safe landing. A fall here would result in devastating traumatic or fatal injuries. Jordan is informed of consequences of failure and encouraged to overcome his fears and make NO mistakes on his descent.
"Like this?" he says . . .
Down he goes and disappears around the corner on the right of the chute. Dad takes his turn and is impressed on the way down to see how tough it really is and and how well the boy coped with his own fear.
By this time another couple of guys are watching dad work his way down from the top. One of them is older and very nervous about the process dad coaches him down a bit since he was dropping right into the ice falls and struggling. This view shows the bottom half of the descent that is hidden from view until you turn the corner about half way down the rope.
They have made their way out to the fire road get a better view of what they just came through. The line of descent is directly down the the rock band right in the center of the photo from the solid line of pine trees at the top of the cliffs. The ski out from there is through another slide debris field. This run turned out to be the biggest adventure out of an already adventurous day. Dad is glad to have survived a repel route that probably should have been accomplished with alpine mountaineering gear appropriate to the setting. He is even a little proud of the boy and does not regret that Jordan survived as well.
They made it down to the lift with only 5 minutes to spare for a fifth run. They started the day with a goal of 4 runs and had no intention of doing any long hikes. A fine performance for a 14yr old novice, first trip to Silverton Mountain. Dad is really starting to feel proud. Last hike of the day is only about 15 minutes and they actually have to rest a bit before making the final run.
Last run down Riff Raff, a regular old run so steep that moguls can't even properly form on it.
Through the last chute and out to the fire road. What a wild experience for dad and the boy. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SKI SEASON STARTS UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
Silverton is a unique and special kind of place that happens to be located a little over an hour away from our home base in SW Colorado.
http://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/mountain/stats
There is not another ski hill like it in the United States. The level of difficulty here and magnitude of the place has to be seen to be appreciated. They decided to pick the easiest looking run for starters to see of Jordan was up to the task. The picture only shows the lower half of the run, with a massive slide just to the left. It is a spring day and the sun has yet to soften the icy slope into what they hope will develop into a soft snow corn as the day progresses. One run down, 3 more to go.
After a full hour round trip they are back up to the chair lift and having a look at the trail map to see what they should try next. The warning on the sign seems hopeful for dads underlying efforts to rid himself of the boy.
They decide to go big and make the 1/2 mile trek from the top of the chair lift at 12,300' to somewhere above the 13,000' mark. Doesn't seem so bad at first, like a stroll in the park.
Part way up Jordan complains that he can't breath and feels like his ski boots are cinder blocks on his feet. Dad kindly points out that they would be almost half way up Everest at their current elevation, and that 30-40 lbs of gear hiking up a 40 degree slope in snow and wind can take ones breath away. The top of the chair lift can barely be seen back down the mountain to the left side of the photo. This hike takes about an hour.
Dad is stoked because he got there about 10 minutes ahead of the boy.
From this vantage point you get a view of entire ski area which sits astride a large horse-shoe shaped bowl. Some of terrain to the right is accessed by foot. The rest of the background requires a heli drop for additional cost from the top of the chair lift. They are standing at the top of their second run 2 hours into the day. The far terrain on the left is a reflection of what they will be dropping into on this run. Jordan smiles because he still doesn't believe his dad is actually trying to kill him.
Jordan scouts his line as they exit the chute from where they began this run. Note the massive slide in the upper left of the photo on the far side of this particular bowl.
Jordan is trying to point out the line they just skied. There are 3 different avalanche slide paths in this photo that ran all the way into the creek at the bottom of the canyon. The avalanche danger is significantly reduced at this time of the year which is why they are not with a ski guide. But a full array of avalanche rescue gear is still required to be on the mountain. The lift operator scans their beacons several times throughout the day when they get on the lift.
A breather to take in the scenery. Again, terrain to the left is heli access, and the right is chair lift and boot access. From here they ski down a mile or so to the "Silverton Correction Facility" bus that will pick them up and ferry them another mile or so back down to the lift.
The pair have eaten a bit on the lift and drank all they carried to push on through the day without taking a lunch break. After a 30 minute hike, here they are at the beginning of their 4th run. The sign reads, "Mandatory" at the ski gate. Apparently the ski patrol didn't have room to include the full name, "Madatory Air" on the little sign. Air to what? As they get ready to drop in a couple of guys hike by on their way to another run and warn, "don't go that way, it funnels down into a cliff and you have to repel down about 50-100ft, it is super scary." The guys hike on, dad and Jordan drop in hoping for another adventure.
About half way down the run chokes into a gully thick with trees and seems to drop off into nowhere. If you lean out and look down a tree can be seen about 15ft down with a large diameter rope hanging off it. From there no more can be seen. Dad loads up his skis and grabs his poles just above the baskets and down climbs slowly to the rope station. From here he could hold onto a tree to secure himself and spot Jordan while he does the same.
At this point dad has his best chance to really be rid of the boy, but has started to second guess his efforts. In the absence of a harness, belay devices, crampons and ice axes dad instructs Jordan how to wrap the rope around his arm for friction and how to toe kick his way down. The picture of course does it no justice. It is about an 80 degree slope down about 60 feet, then around a corner and out of site for the last 30 feet beside a frozen water fall to where the rope still comes up about 20ft short of a safe landing. A fall here would result in devastating traumatic or fatal injuries. Jordan is informed of consequences of failure and encouraged to overcome his fears and make NO mistakes on his descent.
"Like this?" he says . . .
Down he goes and disappears around the corner on the right of the chute. Dad takes his turn and is impressed on the way down to see how tough it really is and and how well the boy coped with his own fear.
By this time another couple of guys are watching dad work his way down from the top. One of them is older and very nervous about the process dad coaches him down a bit since he was dropping right into the ice falls and struggling. This view shows the bottom half of the descent that is hidden from view until you turn the corner about half way down the rope.
They made it down to the lift with only 5 minutes to spare for a fifth run. They started the day with a goal of 4 runs and had no intention of doing any long hikes. A fine performance for a 14yr old novice, first trip to Silverton Mountain. Dad is really starting to feel proud. Last hike of the day is only about 15 minutes and they actually have to rest a bit before making the final run.
Last run down Riff Raff, a regular old run so steep that moguls can't even properly form on it.
Through the last chute and out to the fire road. What a wild experience for dad and the boy. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SKI SEASON STARTS UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Moab 2015
2015 marks the 20th year dad has been making the pilgrimage to Moab for sun, fun, and pink sand. The little boys make their first trip this year, they are all smiles and dust free at the beginning of the first day.
Ready to ride out from camp with Determination towers in the background. That picturesque pink sand would come to haunt the little green bikes before the end of the day.
After 40 + miles they recoup fairly well with smores and a camp fire. A little tired and dirty from the days labors, but no worse for wear. The one boy who actually shed tears earlier in the day is already looking forward to tomorrow. Through suppressed sobs he made the most memorable statement of the day, "HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS STUPID SAND WASH?!!!"
They were even excited to sleep in dads RV/camper. Ok, it wasn't exaclty the posh living of grampas Executive Diplomat II with rhino liner floors instead of soft green shag carpet but it kept the scorpions and frost out.
Breakfast prepared by our infamous chef. And yes, even after being told multiple times the Beninator still managed to walk right through the kitchen and kick over an entire dish of food into the sand.
Day two, Devils Race Track. TWO boys would cry and beg for mercy by the end of this day. And, an all time record of 55 desert miles was set on the KX65 . . . after siphoning a bit of gas out of bigger bikes. But a record still for the little rider on that machine.
Yes, that is the trail or correct direction at least. Our rider is so focused on the rock in front of him he doesn't notice the 500ft drop into the canyon to his right. We all cheer him on and hope he doesn't deflect the wrong way, bounce off the cedar tree and plummet to his death. He just wants to keep up with the group.
Stanley running sweep in the wash. Sweet roost Riles, finally getting the hang of that sand.
Day 3, Dead Cow Wash. No tears this day, they are too distracted by the deep pools and their first ride in a slot canyon, pretty cool.
Rilers taking a stab at the first major obstacle going back up the next slot canyon. Dad was nice enough to put that little rock in front of the step up since the smaller boys are not quite able to wheely on command yet.
The man/child in the hand-me-down bionic suit makes short work of the next technical feature. Wet tires to three foot vertical stone step up, no sweat.
BRAAAAAAAAAP . . . Nicely done.
Classic Benners. "Go slow into this next one" dad says, "it's deeper than it looks." Maybe he heard wrong, something like, "PUT HER IN 1st AND PIN IT." At any rate, it makes for a sweet picture.
Stanley still running sweep.
Classic woop section coming out of the slot canyon heading over to ten mile wash makes for a good bit of racing.
Having forgotten how he broke his arm last time he rode here Jordan has a go at Shaner, everyone's favorite desert race legend. Doing about 50-60 mph here.
Not quite there yet, a few more years and at least another 50cc . . . then maybe.
Ben is always willing to try the next obstacle. Please note that everything in this photo is solid sand stone. No soft landings here. Ben really uses his HEAD on this one.
Tis a lesson you should heed:
Try, try, try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, try again.
No shortage of guts here. Sharp corner (out of frame) to a 2ft wide ledge from which one must make a sharp right turn and jump. That might look like some stylish riding but please note the unnatural position of the back tire (in the air) and the pre-eject posture. He may have been knocked cold on this one as he claims to have no memory of the landing. It was about an 8 foot drop to another stone landing where he slid to a stop under his bike.
Question, "Are you ok?" Response, "everything hurts." Question, "can you still move your parts?" Response, "yes." Reply, "then get up, it is still a long way back to the truck."
It was Albert Einstein who said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
It was dad who said, "SWEET SKID MARK."
And Stanley who said, "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T JUMP UP AND DOWN."
After 40 + miles they recoup fairly well with smores and a camp fire. A little tired and dirty from the days labors, but no worse for wear. The one boy who actually shed tears earlier in the day is already looking forward to tomorrow. Through suppressed sobs he made the most memorable statement of the day, "HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS STUPID SAND WASH?!!!"
They were even excited to sleep in dads RV/camper. Ok, it wasn't exaclty the posh living of grampas Executive Diplomat II with rhino liner floors instead of soft green shag carpet but it kept the scorpions and frost out.
Breakfast prepared by our infamous chef. And yes, even after being told multiple times the Beninator still managed to walk right through the kitchen and kick over an entire dish of food into the sand.
Day two, Devils Race Track. TWO boys would cry and beg for mercy by the end of this day. And, an all time record of 55 desert miles was set on the KX65 . . . after siphoning a bit of gas out of bigger bikes. But a record still for the little rider on that machine.
Yes, that is the trail or correct direction at least. Our rider is so focused on the rock in front of him he doesn't notice the 500ft drop into the canyon to his right. We all cheer him on and hope he doesn't deflect the wrong way, bounce off the cedar tree and plummet to his death. He just wants to keep up with the group.
Stanley running sweep in the wash. Sweet roost Riles, finally getting the hang of that sand.
Day 3, Dead Cow Wash. No tears this day, they are too distracted by the deep pools and their first ride in a slot canyon, pretty cool.
Rilers taking a stab at the first major obstacle going back up the next slot canyon. Dad was nice enough to put that little rock in front of the step up since the smaller boys are not quite able to wheely on command yet.
The man/child in the hand-me-down bionic suit makes short work of the next technical feature. Wet tires to three foot vertical stone step up, no sweat.
BRAAAAAAAAAP . . . Nicely done.
Classic Benners. "Go slow into this next one" dad says, "it's deeper than it looks." Maybe he heard wrong, something like, "PUT HER IN 1st AND PIN IT." At any rate, it makes for a sweet picture.
Stanley still running sweep.
Classic woop section coming out of the slot canyon heading over to ten mile wash makes for a good bit of racing.
Having forgotten how he broke his arm last time he rode here Jordan has a go at Shaner, everyone's favorite desert race legend. Doing about 50-60 mph here.
Not quite there yet, a few more years and at least another 50cc . . . then maybe.
Ben is always willing to try the next obstacle. Please note that everything in this photo is solid sand stone. No soft landings here. Ben really uses his HEAD on this one.
Tis a lesson you should heed:
Try, try, try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try, try again.
No shortage of guts here. Sharp corner (out of frame) to a 2ft wide ledge from which one must make a sharp right turn and jump. That might look like some stylish riding but please note the unnatural position of the back tire (in the air) and the pre-eject posture. He may have been knocked cold on this one as he claims to have no memory of the landing. It was about an 8 foot drop to another stone landing where he slid to a stop under his bike.
Question, "Are you ok?" Response, "everything hurts." Question, "can you still move your parts?" Response, "yes." Reply, "then get up, it is still a long way back to the truck."
It was Albert Einstein who said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
It was dad who said, "SWEET SKID MARK."
And Stanley who said, "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T JUMP UP AND DOWN."
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Spring break
This last week was spring break for our school district. I love any time the kids are out of school. It makes things slow down just enough to feel like my life is actually normal.
Kenzie, Jake and I went to visit my sister and her family. It was fun getting to see her.
Just some silly pics we took
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