The results are in...

Team Creampuff (Minus Commish, Insert Monty) competed in the 1st Annual Blood Rock EX Duathlon last weekend. It was a perfect day to be out at OMSP, and fun was had by all. We finished in 9th overall, and 2nd in the Men's Relay division. I'm ready to do it again...

While teasing the Commish for not competing with us in the BREX, it seems a new challenge has been given. Some time (soon I hope) in the future, Brain, Commish, and I will be tackling the Rails to Trails from Anniston to Smyrna. More to come...

My Apologies

I've noticed that I haven't done a very good job of keeping this site interesting - lack of posts, not too many photos, not nearly enough jabs at the Commish. I'm starting today in an effort to do better.
A couple of freinds and I are running a race this weekend at Oak Mountain State Park - the Blood Rock EX Duathlon. I'm pumped about it and I'll post a pic soon.

While you wait in sticky anticipation for the photos, check out this little dandy: http://www.80ozoffury.com/.

Next big adventure...

This is a snapshot of the John Muir Trail, part of the Pacific Crest Trail. It is said to be some of the best hiking / backpacking in North America, if not the world. Traveling through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Forest, somehow I don't think that's an exaggerated statement...

Adventure for 2009? We'll see...

Hard-to-reach Plants

I was looking for a clever quote the other day and stumbled upon a list of Mitch Hedberg quotes. Freakin' hilarious. Enjoy.

I think Bigfoot is blurry, that's the problem. It's not the photographer's fault. Bigfoot is blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There's a large out of focus monster roaming the countryside. Look out, he's fuzzy, let's get out of here.


http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg

(The Daily Sasquatch) Hoax

It appears as though this mass of hair in a freezer is not, in fact, Bigfoot.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/19/bigfoot.hoax/?iref=hpmostpop

Lake House Trip

Any chance the Lake House will look like this on Labor Day '08? I'd say no...

What a trip!

We have returned from Colorado! This trip was one of the most amazing, challenging, and rewarding things I have ever done. I would rank the challenge on Mt. Harvard right up there with a 1/2 marathon. We came back with tons of pictures and memories!












Jarkko, David, and I on Huron Peak (14,012 ft.)

Peaks are chosen. Let the fun begin...

Our trip to Colorado to enjoy the outdoors and some good, honest altitude is coming together. We've decided to try our hand at Huron Peak on Friday 25 July, and Mt. Harvard (to the right) and Mt. Columbia on Saturday. These are all part of the Collegiate Range in the Sawatch. I can't wait!

I'm gonna climb that mountain...

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Colorado, I am trying to decide whether or not to invest in some trekking poles. I'm having a hard time deciding because I've never used them, but everything I read suggests they are needed. So, check the poll here and let me know what you think...

Gratuitous Auburn Post

Anyone else love Auburn Football? I sure do.

At the request of a reader, I had to suspend my streak of consecutive posts regarding the world's game. So, here' your opportunity to comment and let everyone know how much you love AU!

As if they needed the help

On this past Sunday night the US Men's National Team took on FIFA #1 Argentina in a friendly match leading up to World Cup qualifying play. The US had played England and Spain in the weeks before, and had really looked sub-par at best. In contrast, they played a powerful, energized game against Argentina's A-squad.
It was a back-and-forth game until the 70th minute when Pablo Mastroeni was inexplicably given his second yellow card - and sent off. What's the explanation? Is there one? Apparently, after a foul and booking of Maurice Edu, Mastroeni picked up the ball and through it to his teammate. This was apparently in an effort to waste time. The fact is that Argentina was making a substitution and wouldn't be playing the ball for about 1 minute anyway. Once again, a referee tried to make an example and ruined a game. Thanks, Joel Aguilar.
On another note, the US team started a center back named Califf who played very well. I would actually say the game ball, for a field player, goes to Heath Pierce. Very impressive.

VP Warriors Moving up...

The Vickery Park Warriors of NTPSA fame have concluded another season. After victory and a championship last fall, they moved up 3 divisions to Div. 6. This proved to be a challenge as they finished in 6th position this season, but I'm sure they will move on to even more glory next year. Great season!

Broccoli. (Sorry, I don't know what that means, but Jeff seems to like the phrase...)

-B

After much deliberation...

I have to announce that Team Torres will not be entering this years Blue Ridge Relay. That is to say, I won't be entering or organizing the team. I've made the choice between the BRR and heading out to Colorado, and chose the trip to Colorado. It was made easier by many of the folks who were going to be on the BRR team not being able to participate. I didn't want to go all that way and spend 30 continuous hours with at least 1/2 of the team made up of people we didn't know. But, there is always next year for me. I'm very sorry to those of you who are still interested to bail on you; but, I hope you go ahead and do the race and I hope you have a great time! Let me know if you need contact info for anyone who is still interested.
I'm off to begin obsessing (insert: preparing) about the trip to Colorado in July. I'll keep you updated!

B

Happens to the best of us

Here's a link to a story out of Utah involving a track meet, a camera man, and a javelin. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. But, you should probably check your stomach before checking out the photo...

http://www.standard.net/live/news/133306#

Trip to the Poky Mounsains...

We have returned from yet another successful McCallen trip to the Smoky Mountains. This continues to be one of my favorite places to go. You can have the beach; get me to a trailhead in the Appalachian mountains, and I'm on my way.

We marked two more trails off of the 850-mile long list this trip: Forney Ridge trail from Clingman's Dome parking lot and Alum Cave Bluffs trail. Both of these were spectacular walks, and both were very different. Forney Ridge trail was more steep and much more technical with lots of roots and rocks. But, once you get to Andrew's Bald, all of the looking down at your path stops and you get to take in the clear view of Fontana Lakes and beyond. Alum Cave Bluffs trail is somewhat more simple to trek, but the outcome is no less incredible. The Bluffs are a sight to behold and I would recommend the 3.5 hour round trip to anyone.

Some extra excitement from the trip included a powerful thunderstorm bringing sideways rain, quarter size hail, and lightning on Friday night. We also witnessed a charter bus becoming stuck on Ski Mountain road on the way up, and, yes, on the way down. I submit this as the greatest act of ignorance of the weekend, no offense to the driver. Finally, we saw 3 black bears in Cades Cove (And about 80 deer). On the way back to the cabin after Cades Cove Saturday night, we also got up-close and personal with ole Smokey. A 300lb + black bear tried to make a break across the road in front of us, but luckily for all of us, he thought better of it...

When are we going back???

This and That

In a landslide, the voting public says I should go to Colorado to climb a mountain. I am easily swayed into great opportunities, so I will take this in to definite consideration.
On to matters of the BRR; I have no update as of today. I would like to make a definite decision and sign up in the next 2 weeks, so we need to come up with the remainder of our team by then. Or, we could each run 5-6 legs. I vote no on that one...
Finally, I would like to ask a question:
Is Jason Clark Mike Rowe? Are they the same person? Have you ever seen them in the same place at the same time? I submit that they are, in fact, one person.

-B

What is a 14er, you ask?

Well, from wikipedia:
"In mountaineering terminology in the United States, a fourteener is a mountain that exceeds 14,000 feet (4,267.2 m) above mean sea level. The importance of fourteeners is greatest in Colorado, which has the majority of such peaks in North America. Climbing all of Colorado's fourteeners is a popular pastime among peak baggers."

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteener

Points of the Day

1. The mountain bike trails in the Trussville Sports Complex are great. Very tight and technical, though. Luckily, we had our trusty guide Passinout to be sure we didn't meet too much harm.

2. I am seriously waffling on the trip to Colorado and need a motivational speech. Please, feel free.

3. I'm not sure what state our team is in for the BRR as of now. I think there are concerns (reasonably) about running at night, local wildlife, etc. Somehow we need to collectively decide on this. Me personally, I am willing to try it. I think if we all try to recruit, we can come up with 12 crazies. There is also a possibility of finding teammates on the message board for the race - there are lots of people looking for teams/teammates.

4. The Alabama State Senate will be voting on the HB196 (beer legislation - will allow higher content beers in the state for the short explanation). Shoot your local statesperson an email to show support because, hey, everyone likes options.

5. Ryan Perilloux has been kicked off of LSEAUX's American football team for acting too much like an Alabama player. Look out, Bama, your recruiting class might pick up a transfer bonus!

BRR Update

Ok, so far these folks have said they were interested in the race:
Adam
Brandi
Clark
Jarkko
Laura
Shaina (maybe...)
Ben
Jeff (Jarkko's coworker)

That's 7, maybe 8. We need 4-5 more, and maybe a couple of alternates in case someone has to back out. The race costs $900 per team, or $75 per person on a 12 member team. We have to supply 2 volunteers to work an exchange point or an additional $20 per team member.

I also had an idea last night of trying to recruit a couple of folks to ride along and document stuff. This person or persons would have to love the mountains, enjoy little sleep, and be a good scribe. Now accepting applications...

Get to recruiting!

Question of the 15 minutes

Why is orange so delicious?

The inaugural installment of The Daily Sasquatch

First things first: the initial point to this little deal is to put together a team for the 2008 Blue Ridge Relay in September. So, if anyone is interested in a little run, or knows someone who is, lemme know.
Secondly, I just wanted to try out this whole blogging thing. We'll see how it goes...