Header Ideas

What I hear is that the new header isn't quite right. So, here are some different ones:

So which one is better, #1 (top) or #2 (bottom)

Poor St. Paul

Apparently there is next to nothing to do there. Here's an article called:

What to do in Minneapolis/Twin Cities while you’re waiting for the Republican National ConventionFive Popular attractions in Minneapolis-St. Paul:

1. Walker Art Center

2. Frank Gehry’s Weisman Museum

3. Midtown Global Market

4. Cathedral of Saint Paul

5. Mall of America

Notice that 4 out of 5 are in Mpls (or Mpls suburb.) Man, I'm glad I don't live in St Paul. (Plus, they leave out the Number 1 reason for going to St Paul: VE.)

We're Going Here

Barb & I are going to Tanzania in mid September for about 3 weeks. We're going to volunteer at the Peace House School.

This is Mt Meru just outside of Arusha, Tanzania. We're staying at a school right near the foot of this mountain.

 

 

Then we're going to the Ngorongoro Crater. 

 

 

 

To see large herds of animals like this

 

 

 

 

 

with large herds of tourists like this.

 

 

Then we're going to Zanzibar. Then we're coming home.

PS Lisa can go to Tanzania to do yoga. But I can't do yoga; so I won't.

Labor Day- Black Hills- She Plans

Mel-lo, Amy and I are headed out to the Black Hills for the final weekend of summer. On Saturday we plan to go to the Beans and Beaners Event hosted by the Black Hill Climbers Coalition. Then on Saturday, we plan to climb Sprire #4 and Station 13 in the Cathedral Sprires Area. So, what are the He plans? We at least want to buy you a beer and listen to your manly tales of conquest. Ward? Mike? Who else is going?

Highpointers, Through Hikers & Loopers

I've heard of the highpointers - people who climb the highest peaks of each state. As well as through hikers - people who hike the full length of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, etc. But "Loopers" was a new one to me. Boaters who circumnavigate Eastern North America by water are known as loopers.

I learned about this from a friend of mine who is traveling the length of the Mississippi by boat.

Ron Climbing Sleeping Bat

No animals were hurt in the videotaping of this climb. (Ask Ron.)

Ward Climbing Cyclops

Watch his moves and learn how to do this hard climb. It's a ballet on rocks.

Ward, This Is For You

Here's an article about using baking soda to improve anaerobic performance. A few quotes:

"A study from British researchers at Loughborough University shows that sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, may improve anaerobic performances. The mechanism, the study reported, could be in baking soda's ability to reduce the acidity of blood pH and thereby cut muscle burn from lactic acid produced by anaerobic activity.

The most recent study, published in 2004, concluded that baking soda reduced fatigue and followed the same dosage of 300mg per kg of body weight taken one hour before testing. To put that in easier terms, a 150-pound person would need to take 20 grams before a workout or race."

A Snow Day in August!

Last week while it was raining in Estes Park, it was snowing at 12,000 feet at the "Cafe in the Clouds". They closed Trail Ridge Road (good idea, that sucker is scary) and all the workers got a snow day and then another. They were very happy. Maggie and I were hiking when the clouds cleared and we got a very pretty surprise.

Red Wing Thursday

A group of us is going to Red Wing Thursday - 9ish. Be there or be

TF on Tuesday

Lisa showed up just in time to clean up after some thoughtless climber who left junk all over the rocks. Even on her days off, she's gotta work.

Look at all the junk Lisa cleaned off the rocks:

South Seas, Rushmore & Keystone

For those of you going to the Beans and Biners climb, here's Gooogle Earth image of Keystone, Mt. Rushmore, South Seas and Wrinkled Rock.

Taylors Falls Tuesday

We're climbing at TF on Tuesday early afternoon. Doing some trad and top ropes.

Beans and Biners- Labor Day Weekend

Richards says: This is the Black Hills Climbing Club that set up all the top ropes for us to climb when we were out there 2 weeks ago. If you guys are going to be there this day, it'd be worth it to attend this.They love it that people from MN go to these events. They were very safe and very friendly.

Beans & Biners is coming early this year on Saturday, August 30, starting at 9 a.m. at the South Seas at Rushmore. Park at the Wrinkle Rock trailhead. Beans & Biners is a free climbers gathering with top ropes put up on a variety of climbs from 5.7 to 5.12. No matter your climbing abilities, the BHCC invites you to come out and enjoy the day. We will have a potluck food table, so bring a food dish, drink, or something share. In case of serious rain, Beans & Biners will be Monday, Sept 1.

Mel changed our plans a bit for Labor Day Weekend so she and Amy and I can go to this. Anyone else interested?

Muddy Buddy- Boulder

What a fun event! 2 friends, 1 bike, 7 miles, 4 obstacles. 2 days of rain made for more mud than anyone anticipated. Jake and Levi were in the first heat , Maggie and I ran the last. We were busy running and didn't have time for any photos but before and afters, from pre dawn cleanliness to afternoon muddy delight. Running and biking in 12 inches of mud is a challenge, climbing a 6 foot climbing wall is not, I have skills in that area. I hope this event comes to Minnesota someday.