Climbing...

 Rachael and I started climbing about 4 or 5 years ago and fell in love with it. We were members at PRG and climbed there 2-3 days a week. When we moved to Delaware we quit that gym and tried Delaware rock gym, which we didn't really like. Then we both managed to dislocate our shoulders and stopped climbing completely. A year and a half later we went back to PRG with Marc and Diane. None of us climbed well, but we realized how much we all missed it, so we went back again tonight and even signed up for memberships. I am excited to be climbing again, I just hope it doesn't take a long time to get back to where I was.

Cheers,
Buddy

Been A Long Time...

 So, here is the long and the short of it. I haven't updated in forever. So, first off, I got my Ventana fixed and I am loving this bike. To make it sweeter, I threw a SRAM 2x10 drive train on it. After several months, I have to say, it is the most awesome drive train I have ever used.

 I also have a review on my Osprey hydration pack. It is everything that a Camelbak isn't. I would recommend one of these to everybody.

 On the home front, we have had our share of issues. I had to replace our water heater. We found termites and had to have a termite treatment done. Way more expensive than I thought.

  My friend Al and his wife Teri, took Rachael and I to the Symphony as well. I have to say it was awesome. I just hope we have the opportunity to go again.

 Well, I hope to stay updated a bit more in the future.

Cheers,
Buddy

Dolly Sods...

This past weekend Bob and I made our way to Dolly Sods for a few days of backpacking. We hit the trail head around 3:30 PM Friday. Bob had a campsite in mind, which we would have to make good time to get there before dark.

We made good progress and were even able to take in a nice lookout.





It was  a great view of Canaan Valley. A short while later we hit our first campsite. Bob had stayed there before, so we knew it would work.

After we got a fire going it was time to lighten our packs a bit.



We were back on the trail early the next morning. We had an area we wanted to camp near but no real plan, so we just hiked and enjoyed the awesome scenery.

 we hit a trail called Rocky Point, and it was aptly named.

 The trail went on like this for a while, it was hard going, but some of the views were well worth it.

 After a while we found our next campsite. A nice spot well off the trail right next to a stream.

 

The next day we were set up for, what I thought would be an easy hike back to the car. It wasn't too bad until we hit the Beaver Dam trail, which was flooded, by, you guessed it, a beaver damn. The only way through was across the top of the damn. It was wet, but not awful, that part came when we hit the bog. This was really wet and muddy, plus it went on for ever. By the time we finally got through it, we were both pretty wet.  I was actually praying for the rock trail again.

 It was a couple of little climbs later and we were back at the car. It was a great weekend. the weather was perfect, and the hiking was awesome.

You can see more pics here. 

Cheers,

Buddy



Quick Peak...

Awesome  long weekend of backpacking with Bob.  More to come soon...

Cheers,
Buddy

Out With The Old, In With The New...

I have had this pair of Merrell hiking boots for about 15 years and they have served me well. They are still very comfortable, but they aren't very stiff any more, and they have lost there traction.

  I am heading to Dolly Sods for some backpacking with Bob this weekend, so I upgraded.

 Just like my last pair, they felt great right out of the box. Hopefully no blisters this weekend.

Cheers,
Buddy

Another Car Camping Weekend...

This weekend Rachael, Brian and I made our way to the Blue Rocks Campground for some camping and hiking. We loaded up Friday afternoon and hit the road. We got there a couple hours later and managed to find our campsite. We chose the most isolated one we could find, and it was, isolated, and the road in was pretty rough.
  We started to unload the car, then I realized, I had forgotten, of all things, the tent. We found one at the camp store, but it was way too small. So we went into town and found a very large comfortable tent and we were back on track.

Rachael and Brian on Pinnacle

 The campground is right next to the Appalachian Trail, with access to the Pinnacle and Pulpit lookouts. It was a great view.

 The hike left from right behind our campsite, which was way cool.





 Pulpit Lookout

  Our total hike was around 6 very pleasant miles.

After we got back to camp we had a couple beers and checked out the boulder fields.

This boulder field is a mile long and 500 feet wide. It is the result of a glacier millions of years ago. It was pretty cool to walk out and see it close up. You can't tell from this picture, but these rocks are the size of a refridgerator and were probably 20-30 feet deep.

 It was a nice weekend, and we are already planning  a spring trip to West Virginia.

Cheers,

Buddy



A Great Ride Indeed...

   Sunday was my second Livestrong Challenge with Liz. The weather was not looking good, but our spirits were high. We rolled out with the first group and settled into a nice pace. It was very humid, but the rain was holding off. About 20 miles in it rained a little, but it didn't last long. Our early goal was to make it to the 70 - 100 split before the cut off. The problem was 1) we started late, 2) they moved the cut off up a half an hour, and 3) they stopped us about a mile from the split to try and relieve traffic. We got to the split and the 100 mile loop was closed. We were both bummed, but that didn't last long, we set out to enjoy the rest of our ride.

  At about the 50 mile mark we hit a stop and Liz's parents and brother and sister in law were waiting for us. Her dad even had a beer for me, boy that hit the spot. We rolled out for the last 20 miles. Liz was doing great. I am so impressed that she can ride some of those hills with basically 1 lung. Some people would be walking, but Liz never got off the bike. She is truly an inspiration to me. I am honored to be able to ride with her at the Livestrong Challenge. It is a very special event, and if you ever get the chance you should, run, ride, or volunteer.  You will be impressed.

  I am already looking forward to next year, and I have some pretty ambitious goals as well. Thanks to all that donated this year, you helped Team Tough Cookie raise nearly $10,000.00 this year.

 Cheers,
Buddy