Linking Falls on an Open Mic

Opportunity chooses the high road,
Perception glances down the low.
A heart of gold plays an open mic
Whetting dreams with spinning delight.
Tune the noisemaker, play the chord,
Quickly now before they find the door.
No ties to bind, no hearts to break,
Keep it simple, only music to make.
Melt the vocals, harmonize into one,
Future’s unknown, but for now its fun.

(pics c/o Dreamerskier)

The approach to Tin Can, seen in foreground (Feb, 2009)

TrevO soaking up the sun

Skins off - time to run, fresh pow made it fun... for some.
I'm the world's worst downhill skier and this was a
pretty tough day for me.

Backcountry tracks show off how to carve a turn.
I chose to link some falls.

Babies!

Oh the silly things we do to our kids...


Little Harry the headless horseman


Eliza the Bee


Spencer the Bunny...is he dead!?!


Morgan the Cavewoman

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Celebrate the Year of the Ox

Release your wish to the universe

The Heart of the Sourdough

Ed heading down the lone trail.

check out Ed's blog for the real story of what we did:
http://edplumb.blogspot.com/2009/01/caribou-bluff.html


- by Robert Service

There where the mighty mountains bare their fangs unto the moon,
There where the sullen sun-dogs glare in the snow-bright, bitter noon,
And the glacier-glutted streams sweep down at the clarion call of June.

There where the livid tundras keep their tryst with the tranquil snows;
There where the silences are spawned, and the light of hell-fire flows
Into the bowl of the midnight sky, violet, amber and rose.

There where the rapids churn and roar, and ice-floes bellowing run;
Where the tortured, twisted rivers of blood rush to the setting sun --
I've packed my kit and I'm going boys ere another day is done.

I knew it would call, or soon or late, as it calls the whirring wings;
It's olden lure, it's the golden lure, it's the lure of the timeless things,
And to-night, oh, God of the trails untrod, how it whines in my heart-strings!

I'm sick to death of your well-groomed gods, your make believe and your show;
I long for a whiff of bacon and beans, a snug shakedown in the snow;
A trail to break, and a life at stake, and another bout with the foe.

With the raw-ribbed Wild that abhors all life, the Wild that would crush and rend,
I have clinched and closed with the naked North, I have learned to defy and defend;
Shoulder to shoulder we have fought it out -- yet the Wild must win in the end.

I have flouted the Wild. I have followed its lure, fearless, familiar, alone;
By all that the battle means and makes I claim that land for mine own;
Yet the Wild must win, and a day will come when I shall be overthrown.

The when as wolf-dogs fight we've fought, the lean wolf-land and I;
Fought and held till the snow are red under the reeling sky;
Even as lean wolf-dog goes down will I go down and die.

Ed and Skye

Caribou Bluff Cabin - White Mtns

Inspiration

There are certain people in this world that remind you of the power of love, the resiliency of family and the strength found in friendship. One of my closest friend's father has been ravaged with a rare form of lung cancer - has persevered through countless surgeries, radiation and chemical treatments. Despite extreme suffering, spreading tumors, and all the ups and downs this illness offers, this family continues to pull together and lift each other up time and time again. Regardless of treatment, this family has spent celebrations, weddings, and holidays together; sharing each new moment in life.

Centered here is a die hard fan of the Tour-de-France, who only has 1 lung, and his supporters this summer at first annual Tour-de-Family Fun. As you can see he is one tough character. His wife, has such incredible tenacity, positive energy and goodwill, we could all be more like her. Together they keep their hearts open, through it all.

Their daughter ranks as one of the greatest people on this planet. Her accomplishments cannot be listed in such a simple blog. Regardless of her father's condition she has managed to keep it together - including running a first rate research lab at one of the toughest and finest research institutions in the world, taking time to experience places like China and Africa, and even treating herself to a sabbatical in NYC. She can claim the unique distinction of having had a cocktail on ALL seven continents!! She has more frequent flier miles than anyone I know, as she will be on the next plane to WA, to be there for her family whenever they need it. And through it all she still offers me, little ol' me, a supportive hug and the kindest of words on my worst days.

My friend, I love you.
You are truly an AMAZING woman.
You bring a beauty to this world that is unlike anything else.

Warning: Objects Are Closer Than They Appear

Lost in loneliness.
Reflecting back.
Diminishing horizon.
Car ride for one.
An open road.


Illinois or Indiana or maybe even Ohio

Open road in Montana

North thru Alaska - Dalton Hwy.

AK Northslope - Near Imnaviat Creek.

Peru Pics and Potatoes

Lima! Did you know it practically never rains in Lima.


Yes, I do love a good license plate.


Tasty Inca Kola!


Colca Canyon terraces. Some of these were used by the Inca
and civilizations predating Inca reign.


Some of the biggest papayas I've ever tasted.
Mangoes, too ripe for waiting, w/ passion juicy fruit flavors...



Trivia Pursuit tip of the day: The potato originated in Peru!

see the rest at: Peru Pics

Solo in Huaráz

My Christmas present to myself this year was 5 days in Huaráz.
Here are just a few of the special places I got to know.


Towards Laguna de Palcacocha
6,000 m peaks abound!


The Way Inn


Plaza de Armas, Huaráz

In Lima, I met a guy riding a motorbike w/ his friend from Toronto to Ushuaia, Argentina. He had a glorious ride through the Cordillera Blanca Mtn Range - the same mtns I experienced while in Huaráz. Since my camera was nearly out of pictures, I've included his slideshow here to give you more of a taste of what Huaráz region was like. Spectacular countryside, to say the least! Click here for more: Motorcycle ride travel blog

Sicko in Peru

Sicko in Peru,
Oh what to do?
Not feeling well,
The trip from hell,
If only to stop the poo.

Maybe a hug,
Or some great drug,
Would be a remedy,
To this clamity,
Of feeling like a slug.

A Day on the Jack River

(Jack River ski line-up - Dec 2008)

(Headed into the valley)

Jack River be frozen, Jack Ice be slick
Can't wait to make the ice tools stick
No cape today for Christie's still sick.

Three "buff" gals and two hearty dogs
With temps so warm, it ain't no slog
A day so delightful will go on the blog.

Caribou herds, Penny's got 'em retreating
Hold it...Perfect picture for "Season's Greetings"
With Erin, Amy, Penny and Clem not fleeting.

Where's the ice? It must be a trick
Keep on going through all the thick
No climbing today, light wanes too quick.

For December in Alaska short is the wick
On Mother Goose's ice cold candlestick
No worries, next time we'll use the pick.

(Season's Greetings from Erin, Amy, Penny and Clemson)

(Fun little downhill section - wohoo!)