wyrld o schmarkolus

the joys and multiple uses of homers all-purpose bucket

2007-04-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

the joys and multiple uses of homers all-purpose bucket
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Well I started acquiring Homers all-purpose buckets from
the Home Depot a couple years back with the sole purpose
of growing tomatoes....two years later...the tomatoes seemed
a little less than happy in Homer's all purpose bucket...I think they are just limited in volume and do not allow or promote proper root growth...

But man....lemme tell you the other uses
of Homers all purpose buckets......they make nifty gravel haulers....i found me a pile of county crushed granite that I fill Homer up on regularly.....sans the walk way between me and Smittys

Homer's all purpose bucket makes
for a mighty fine cooler when the snow and ice are a plenty...
And its cheaper than a sack o' ice at Rudy's according to the doctor, you just have to have the Colorado Rockies handy...or Central Texas the day before Easter....

And finally I know...this is the one you've been waiting for.....well seems
as though we had oodles of rain a couple of weeks ago and
I came beebopping down the stairs to get the Itchy and Scratchy up an about.....when Scratchy reports the Lou is all
a gurgle and bubble.......well in the words of cousin Eddy from Christmas Vacation...this means yes...The ShItter is Full! Damn the torpedo's and call the septic sucker outer..

Oh yes the bucket....well twuz still early dawn and all the locals are still a sleeping or soon to be awake, so I venture to the back porch to to do what a man has to do after coffee and the lack of running water or should i say an over abundance of it

It is with much appreciation and with humble heart I want to thank Home Depot and Homer for I whole heartedly endorse Homer's All Purpose Bucket as port o can....there's no walls, just you, your bucket and the great wide open.....remember only when it's dark and the neighbors are sleeping, and when all else is a bubblen crude......just to remember to rinse

Protecting your northern Texas Border...

2007-04-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Protecting your northern Texas Border...
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

A long time since last June has come and went since the family
protecting the Southern borders ventured north.....so off we went...
to the great beyond of Forney, Texas.....you know..North that is, east of Dallas.....land of the Cowboys, Mavericks, and the Stars.....well my
posse' don't really know about the Cowboys, Mavericks, and Stars...but can darn sure tell you about Pokemon, the latest in Nintendo, and Cartoon Network.....so this was a trip to Grandma and
Grandpa Raby's....or as Joseph says...you know the Grandma and Grandpa with the really cool house.....and cool it is.....for me its laid back..no phone traffic...no schedule..agenda's....so i have the good grace's to get hooked up with my Brother-n-law Stewart, my sister Tracy and nephew Mason and niece. Girly Girl (aka Molly)

Stewart has some good fun cooked up and we set off across the great divide of the Dallas metro plex...Good God...Austin does not have nothing on Dallas as far as highways and traffic....so dream on....

So off we go in search of clay flying pigeons.......as in lets go let off some steam shoot guns!

Darn fine idea!....And better fun yet by Nathan....shooting guns with live amunition is all the more fun.....I think we wizzed off
about 10-12 rounds of clays at the range.....enough that Nathan and
I both had bruises in the arm pits on Sunday....and just enough of a taste of it
that it will cost me a Shot Gun, well there's a many a clay spent so a trip to the Bass Pro shops, and a visit to the Cotton Gin for Pork Chops and turnip greens, twuz a most excellent finish to fine Saturday.....and as all ways...its just good to see and visit my family.....and by the way...i think it finally rained in Forney, Texas.....Happy Easter!

"nice day"

2007-01-17T18:11:00.000-08:00

"nice day"
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the 5 day holiday began with drizzle, acompanied with fried chicken,
collerd greens and turnips, and garlic mashed potatoes....followed
by heaping helping of more rain....

i've been saying us texans will recieve our rain in either epic or biblical proportions...much similar portions were handed out but
in the form of the greens and turnips....lordy i swear...mr pittman knows his way around the turnips....and as a warning everyone should be discerning about his or hers distance within his proximity,
he can be odiferous in a really foul way....

that being said i had to say/make pennance for my indulgence of fried foods, and starch.....so with the impending rain event...i marched myself up to the local ymca and inflcted some hurt upon
thineself...followed by three mangarita's and fajitas with
roasted corn and peppers and onions with of course black beans....

sunday brings lesser quanitites of the wet stuff and a need for me to do something ....anything...so i disasemmbled blossom and begun an overhaul of the front end, drive train, and linkage....she was due.....an boy howdy..

.sunday brings cold drizzle and i swing a leg over the fixie and ride for about 45 minutes...the drizzle is cold....and so am i...i concede defeat ....off to grandma's for soup...

monday....damn the torpedoes...its early and i'm pulling the trigger on
a work stoppage due to an ice event, so that being said no work, or school for our house..

in our world little bit of frozen precip brings the fair metropolis to a grinding halt....so a lap
on the elipitcal for good measure...stretched out the doggies.........and took
the puppy out for two and a half hour stroll.....man its 4 pm and its quiet..
no road noise....its almost surreal its so quiet....and its really nice....the southern comfort food binge is now in second lap...tonight its chicken fried steak, mash potatoes n gravy, corn, collerd greens and turnips.....with g/t chasers...ahhhhhhhhh

tuesday.....did i mention we are now on day 4...and no worky.....again..
the problem with this is that being the point guy...its forcing me to
review the newscast late and again way stupid early in the morning to formulate an opinion whether or not we are a go or a no go.....i make the call at
5:30....no work.....know its time for a second lap of slumber... trying to get back to sleep is another story.....seems as though the kiddos are all giggle...................well after morning duties such as word search and second pot of coffee...i have decided i needs some balance in the day by slipping off to a local haunt we normally ride bikes on...todays icy conditions are by no means conducive to cycling....especially here....intresting, video worthy yes....just as long its not me being the pixels......so in lieu of said slickeryness i did myself a little 3 hour hike up, down, and back. i ventured off to lesser known trails and have found another little piece of goodness worthy of wheels...the hoofaging of this loop also graced me with some time viewing some of flora/fauna in and around the grottos off the beaten path...after a few slips, stumbles, duff busters i return back to home plate and freshly sleeted upon 6 pack soon to be 4 pack of broken halo ipa's. tonight...pork chops, and you guessed it.....more greens....with the customary g/t's..

today day brings day number 5 of the holiday.....officially we are closed again but the lingering work unnatended to leaves myself and other work mates a little anxious so we all gather and pound away at what each of us will try to minimize in days to come.....in the new world economy we refer to this as more with less...so the next few days will be trying to squeeze 3 days into 2.....i really do not care for this new math they talk about...god save the queen....

so after my feable attempt at lessening my anxiety regarding work i report to the ymca for some additional self inflicted drubbing...but today a little sauna and post hot tub therapy to sooth the back side after yesterday's little excursion

....its a school night..one boy was horizontal at 6pm...wudja expect..he wuz up at 4:30...ready for biddness...boy two is hot, bothered and pissed about returning to school.....oh the humanity.... what else? well tonight is a school night so its....left overs...............

where i am and where i am not...who i am and what i'm not part 2

2006-12-20T07:59:00.000-08:00

wyrld o schmarkolus

recieved this from my good friend this morning....i really need to have this tattoo'd to my head...

Tom's 10 "Facts" of Life
By Tom Hoobyar
Article Word Count 1029, average reading time 4.1 minutes.
1. YOU ARE THE CENTER OF YOUR UNIVERSE; STAY THERE.
As a young sailor I learned that when you're in a strange town, you take your corners wide and keep your hands out of your pockets. In other words, you need to stay balanced. You need to be alert and ready to react to surprises. Come to think of it, that's a pretty good rule in ANY unfamiliar situation.
Personal balance. There's a reason that every spiritual work throughout history urges prayer and meditation -- it's an antidote to the confusions of life. Protect your personal boundaries and respect those of others. Pay attention to where you stop and others begin.
Human beliefs about reality are either arbitrary or accidental. Choose to be arbitrary when possible. It's wise to choose beliefs that support health and happiness, so, whether or not things happen for a reason, I choose to believe that they do. It consoles me and makes me more resilient in dealing with life's inevitable ups and downs.
2. YOUR EXPERIENCE IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS EVERONE ELSE'S EXPERIENCE.
We all have aches and pains, joys and fears, and we breathe the same air, sit in the same traffic, see the same television, and walk the same earth. Although we're fed a lot of junk about our differences, people everywhere have MUCH more in common than in difference. If you focus on commonalities you'll get along better with everyone.
3. YOUR ACTIONS ARE IN SERVICE OF FEAR, OR OF LOVE. CHOOSE.
Our actions are driven by either fear or love. Fear of consequences, real or imagined, accounts for a lot of human progress, and a WHOLE lot of human tragedy. Love, on the other hand, drives us to invent, to create, to give and to grow. Think about which quality you want to govern your life.
4. NOBODY WAKES UP DECIDING TO BE THE VILLAIN OF THE STORY.
Everyone thinks they're the "star" of their movie, and has reasons for what they do, even if it sucks or doesn't work. So don't waste time complaining about others -- figure out how to manage, tolerate or avoid them.
5. "NOBODY DOES NUTTIN'."
This means that most people are so distracted and disorganized that they only attend to the most essential, critical or familiar things in their lives. Your priorities are not theirs, so don't take it personally when you're overlooked, un-thanked or your call is not returned. Everyone listens to their favorite internal radio station -- W.I.I.F.M. -- standing for, "What's In It For Me?" Self-interest is natural and healthy, and you can use this understanding to persuade and influence. Selfishness carried to an extreme, however, is a vice with a price.
6. MOST PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT THEY'RE "UNZIPPED".
Are you self-conscious? Most people are. They're walking around, worried that people may notice their missing button, their bad hairdo, their poor credit, and their general shortcomings. And they will appreciate the person who makes it clear, in word and deed, that they're just fine as they are. Nobody's perfect. The biggest pretenders are the most insecure inside.
7. YOU MAKE YOUR HABITS -- AND THEN YOUR HABITS MAKE YOU.
The biggest and most significant acts in life are little daily habits, not huge efforts. The prime values in life are created just like gardening or regular saving -- little daily acts. Floss, save, exercise, meditate, say thank you, smile. Doing the right little thing at the right time can make more difference than a grand gesture performed too late. The most important qualities in life are managed by these regular acts done on a daily basis -- spirituality, health, wealth, relationships, and the building of your personal character. All are created by daily habits -- not some dramatic one-time act.
8. THERE IS A HELL, AND IT STARTS EARLY.
People build it with moral shortcuts, regrets about lost opportunities, with resentments and with guilt. Then add jealousy and envy, and they've entered Hell's suburbs and are starting to lose all joy. Those who avoid doing anything that requires effort -- physical exercise or forgiving or doing something for someone else -- grow more narrow and less flexible day by day.
By the time they get to "downtown" Hell they've got a pretty bad attitude about almost everything, and now others are getting the message that they're a downer and it seems like the world doesn't love them. And they're right -- it doesn't, because they're toxic to be around. Pretty soon their immune system gets the message and their afflictions begin -- their relationships are desolate and life becomes a drag. When they look ahead, their future looks just like their past. On and on. Bleak.
9. THERE IS A HEAVEN, AND YOU CREATE IT ON EARTH.
when you adopt this approach, your life gradually turns Heavenly, bit by bit. It doesn't take much, just some daily attention. You invest in good memories, choosing your behaviors so that you can enjoy looking back on your life.
You do it by small acts of generosity to others, making them smile and feel better. You do it by little acts of courage -- doing the right thing when no one but you will ever know you did it. That brings self respect. You do it by telling the truth, even if it's inconvenient or embarrassing. That brings credibility and trust. And makes you careful about what you do, or commit to doing.
You do it by noticing the amazing number of things in life there are to be grateful for, even if your thanks are silent. You build Heaven by stretching sometimes, to try something new or a little scary, and learning that you are more flexible than you thought. Humans are the most flexible beings on this planet, and it feels good when you fulfill your nature.
10. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE. DECIDE!
You can turn your life around in a moment by simply deciding to make it better. You can learn something life-changing at any time, and begin changing your life immediately. Experience comes in moments -- and the moments will keep coming for you until they finally stop. How do you want your next moments to be? It's up to you. Each moment is a gift, and a chance to make a different choice comes to you each second. So choose, and let your life become a celebration.

2006-12-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

wyrld o schmarkolus

hate the holidays....always get to that point where i internalize on where i am and not where i wanna be....nor am i what i
should be....wishing the holidays would come and go, so all this
rigormoroll would subside....seems as though everyone gets all
worked up about this christmas thing....it forces us all to be busier than we really need to be...because would'nt the time spent
doing something you really enjoy be more of a gift than christmas shopping? how many of us has what we need and then some....how many of has stuff never used from last year....i say
save yourself the time, money, energy, traffic congestion and regift it to someone whom would really need and appreciate it...as for me...i want nothing....

solo

2006-10-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

trail work
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

got out of the house late today...so i rode solo....got to say...riding solo means no motivational smack from anyone else....so poked and picked along...stumbled on old trails, new trails....then i decided
to perform a little trail beautification project....i think i'll have to
come back and add more....today was beautiful..

buena vista

2006-09-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

colorado fall 067
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Yes, Buena Vista. Both town of and the area's surrounding. I unplugged and removed myself from the confines of work, hugged the kids, cat and dog...Kissed the wife and headed west. With many
a thing to ponder while I seek mental solitude from the trappings of
the grind back home. Seems as though these trips are needed on
a quarterly basis....I would love to find a Doctor or Therapist that would right a mandatory prescription for these type of get aways...so
I finally resign myself not to give anything other than my surroundings
and the day to day scenario that will or will not possibly play out..you
know take it as it comes, no concrete plans of having to be at any given place at any given time. I'm just going to roll with it especially
the mental Monopoly game that has been currently played....so with
get out of jail card and 200 bucks I find myself in the confines of the
Collegiate range of the Rocky Mountains. As a parting gift one of my
close friends at work presented me with a small piece of mental solitude. The instructions were simple, find a place in time on this journey and break it out read it.....this is message...

Like the way the desert opens up its sweet mouth and laughs
When someone melts pearls in the sky
And rain, rain
Returns like a divine lover
With a hundred wonderful gifts
O, the words from the the true teacher
Bring my mind and the cells
Such sacred nourishment and life.

When the moon is full
It gets gregarious and likes to chat.
I have heard it say,

"Look what can happen, dear seeker,
When you lean your graceful arms toward God in prayer,

Look at all the amorous light you can catch
That will help the night musicians and your
soul get loose."

The post is on the back side of Monarch Crest looking down into
Fooses Creek. This trip was truly wonderful. I came back with a
Spider bitten buttock and a broken bicylce frame. But as usual my
friends shine on me like the God's....I'm furnished a wonderful loaner
by the name of Gravel, and daily company of a cast of award winning
characters. I should seriously consider chronicling our escapades via a video log....it would truly be comedic documentary of stupidity,
lunicy, and a little mayhem alamode...oh..did I mention Mantrum?

Thanks to Dave, for his never ending quest to abolish and quash any
idea of planning.....

To Jim whom is approaching 60 and his continuing relaxed pace

To Buck ....who rolls with just about everything...finally disc brakes...we just have to get him tubeless.....

Jesse....god only knows what, where, and why he's talking of what...

Wendall...my first time to spend any time out and about...and overall
a person I'd much have the pleasure to visit with again...

Anthony...whom was'nt able to journey with us, but with large heart, and an attitude of mi casa su casa connected me with the love and care of Gravel no strings........There is defenitely some 'pay it forward' due for you....many, many thanks!

Thanks to all of you My trip was excellent and would have been imcomplete without you

I raise my glass to the Buena Vista Social Club...

Cheers...

A little pictorial....http://www.flickr.com/photos/schmarkolus/sets/72057594136177550/show/

Grace

2006-08-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

Grace
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

My Brother from afar sends greetings and salutations........and
news of.Grace

A beautiful little girl born in Guatemala City, whom will join the family.

August 6, 2006
6 lbs 4 ozs, 18.5 inches long.

She's beautiful....

Mom and Dad are no doubt a giggle....

Dioses apresuran, oramos para la seguridad y el pasaje rápido a su nuevo hogar y la familia...

do i like this party hat...why yes, yes i like that party hat

2006-08-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

party hat
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the mrs has a birthday...and we ushered her and the birthday in
a little early...as two days early...seems as though its taking most
everyone that was present the day before yesterday some time to
recover from the festivities...a whole passle of neighbors, family, and
the inner circle graced the mrs. with their attendance as well as the
boys from a band name sue..(.http://ablognamedsue.blogspot.com/) or (http://www.myspace.com/bandnamedsue) fine job to Andy, Jonathan and James for their fine, fine work and excellent job
at pleasing the masses......an otoberfest block party?...

keg floating, toe braking, mr.d's jed clampet dancing were the fair of the evening.....such a fine evening for friends,family and the inner circle....lamp shades were tossed and closet doors opened....upon
surveying the grounds on sunday morning...i new the only way to
achieve the goal of reclaiming the yard was to purge the keg containing the ipa...so i filled the nalgene and got back on the horse
giddy yap!

all fun aside...to the mrs...we met 20 years ago this month...blind date...some of the folks that get to visit this blog often comment that how in the world do i get to pull off some of the tom foolery and
baffoonery i do and still remained betrothed?....simple my mrs is
the bubble the level....seems as though i go right/left of the sights in
the level and she can always bring balance....for as unbalanced as
i am...she's good ..hell great....here's to my mrs...happy birthday barbara...

love your husband....

schpitt n polish...

2006-08-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

wyrld o schmarkolus

well sir...today was the first day of the new school year for itchy n scratchy....itchy celebrates day one of the fifth grade...
and every hair had its place...new shooz...shortz..shirtz..and god forbid yes we were sporting ankle socks...in black..shoulder pack....ready steady go....

scratchy...slow to bed and even slower to rise...day one of the eighth grade...fried eggs..two cups of coffee and he's good to go...no worries on hair or apparel with this boy....

for me...steady ole grind...14 days and i'm out of here for some
high mountain tom foolery..but in the mean time i'm preppin the digs and the yard for a lil ole hoe down....with these guys
on saturday night....http://ablognamedsue.blogspot.com/
i had the opportunity of seeing them at north by northwest
a few weeks ago and commented to self ...huh..wunder if the
boys would strike up the band sans the front yard? i tellied
the band...and loe we have an accord....so got to get buzy pimpin the yard for the neighbors, friends, and posse....for
saturday night.....the mrs has been jonzin to dance...so why
not the front lawn in front of god and country...stay tooned...

muddslobber

2006-07-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

muddslobber
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

spreadin out my own version of democracy......makin my own
way....all though my mrs seems to differ on the type of democracy i'm spreadin....kind of resembles dubyuhs...all slurried and a mess...

got 6 of the walls muddslobbered and ready for my own version of
paint my wagon!

i'm not a fan of dubyuh....kind o like my mrs is'nt
a fan of muddslobber...well i hope calmer heads prevail with all the turmoil amongst the world...theres a lot of hate and discontent with people that think obliterating one another being the answer...end all it will at the pace they currently are killing one another

how about a little harmonic balance.....

please?

"The Moag"

2006-07-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

moag
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

This is officially known as The Moag! In simple terms The Mother of All Gords! Well yes she's a Watermelon of large proportion hand picked from garden of Ms Magic Fingers......

Ms Magic Fingers has added a green thumb to accompany her magic digits...

The melon of large variety is appropriatly poised with the Mother Goddess herself...howbefitting! I do believe The Mother oF All Gords is currently in cold storage will soon be out to pasture.....

....

screwed

2006-06-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

screwed
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

my man vino got the ultimate in back door treatment....the man lobbied his mother land to pick up where the liberty dropped off....and
defied the tour brass and showed....but the tour goonz say foul, five of
your nine are tainted......doh! go fish!

shame is...vino has the heart of nine....more than the 5 he lost...he would have probably had to carry the 5 at a minimum...i say screw the
goonz and let vino ride!

wyrld o schmarkolus

2006-06-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

wyrld o schmarkolus

i'm just sayin....

2006-06-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

I found this profound...I was driving home Monday when the
following on NPR was broadcast.....

Human Existence Is in Peril
by Whitney R. Harris

Photo courtesy of Whitney Harris
Whitney R. Harris was a prosecutor for the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg following World War II. His 50-year legal career included government, corporate and private practice as well as teaching. Harris lives with his wife in St. Louis.

“The challenge to man is to establish and to maintain the foundations of peace and humanity upon the earth for the centuries to come that God has allotted him to live upon this planet.”

All Things Considered, June 12, 2006 · If we attempt to comprehend this vast universe with its millions of fiery stars and frightening dark holes, and say for comfort that only God could have created it, and therefore, there is a God, we default in our reasoning, for we are unable to answer the further question, "who created the God who created the universe?"
We do know that we live on Earth, spun off from the sun and, therefore, on a planet with a beginning. Moreover, we know that, once a fiery ball, the Earth has cooled and gained life upon its surface -- static, nonthinking plants and mobile, thinking animals. We do not know whence came the first manifestation of that life -- the tiniest amoeba -- capable of discernible thought and movement. To ignite the spark of life requires the hand of God. Never mind the universe. Here on Earth, we find the quintessential role of God.
Hence, I believe first, that God exists.
Until this time at least, man has evolved far beyond any other animals on Earth in comprehension and intelligence. The carnivores exceed his strength on land; the amphibians surpass his power at sea. But man has the gift of reason, which enables him to dominate life on Earth -- and the chance to survive as long as the solar system remains hospitable to him. That chance, alas, is not eternal.
And, thus, I believe human life is finite.
Within these limits of survivability man holds his destiny in his own hands. He has yet to prove his worthiness. In the last century, he destroyed more of his own kind in war and in merciless murder than in any other time in history. He is fated to acquire the capability of obliterating himself and all other life upon this planet. And he seems unable to appreciate the consequences of that power. The life that God gave to him may be by him destroyed.
And so, I believe human existence is in peril.
The challenge to man is to establish and to maintain the foundations of peace and humanity upon the Earth for the centuries to come that God has allotted him to live upon this planet. He must learn to end war and protect life, to seek justice and find mercy, to help others and embrace compassion. Each man must respect every other man and honor the God who made this incredible mystery of human life a reality.

I believe there is God,I believe God is merciful and just,But if man desires to destroy himselfI believe God will not save him.

2006-06-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

visited my dad this weekend...it was the first time
we have visited in 4 years....man time flys...and i'm an
asshole...i fail to remember regardless at how horrible i
am at communicating and or vice versa...its always my move,
or 40-luv service...and of course i double fault...well all said
the pact was made...at least an attempt once a month by
either or....i'm seeing my dad like i have never imagined...and
it makes me feel bad, that i have not done what i could have, should have, ...needless to say lets call it do it over....
i came home last evening and thought about his life, past, present, future..i can only hope i will own up to my promise and be present for the future......

a day in the life

2006-05-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

sunflower
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

this blossom came up out of nowhere...well not exactly nowhere but
a little birdy deposited the pod from the feeder adjacent to her and up
she sprouted...its currently in competition with the beef master tomatoes...i do say blossom is more the treat to view...but the anticipation of the beef master on sour dough with chipolte mayo and garlic pepper is really seductive....ooh lah lah

thanks

2006-05-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

desert
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

for today....early morning troll of the bcgb...mid ride swim @ the dam..
and noone present within exception of traveling companions and one
furry canine....god awful beautifl day...thanks god...

i'm looking forward to the summer....bring me more of today...

and i'll be content...

table for one no waiting

2006-05-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

table for one no waiting
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

felt the allergic crud today...in lieu
of calling the ear,nose,and throat dude..i swung by whole foods picked up
the monday special..chipolte chicken
pananni,granny smith apple and a bottle
of mint mineral water and headed down
to bull creek crossing #11 and made the
clark kent clothing exchange and meandered down stream for my table of one. once the chicken had been consumed
i proceeded to a deeper spot in the creek for a rinse.....ahhhhhhhhh that made this afternoon tolerable...thanks
to #11.

tu madre'

2006-05-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 068
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

personnel reflection...thanks mom..and
to my departed sisters of whom if not for short existance mine would most certainly been possible. i think of you
often, and need to remember i'm here in
your behalf and for that i'm grateful...to you and tu madre'

happy mothers day....

its not just for breakfast anymore

2006-05-12T01:27:00.000-07:00

colorado and utah 06 041
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

after a windy night atop rabbit valley
i find myself above the valley of the
kokopeli trail...i'll find myself here
again within a few....i'm sitting here with not a care or worry,

kind of like christ in the desert for 40 days when the devil says "all this can be yours...just toss yourself off and the angels will save you"...

my monster is my angel today...for this is all his...as longs as he's granted reprieve from the confines of closet...

for this leg of the journey we will be heading into the horizon of this photo and onward to the foothills of the la salles' to ride a line in above the top of porcupine rim and in to moab, utah...

this could easily become the monsters
primary food group!

flux

2006-05-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

usgs @ bcgb
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

tide is out and low...feeling adrift and awaiting a blow of wind to get the
drift out of the wake....had a suprise visit from my father of whom i've not
seen in 3 years...was incredibly happy
to seem him...today, i'm in a state of
flux...not sure if i'm happy,depressed,
or pissed...kind of feeling like a track set on repeat...on a real bad sound track...from a real bad movie

blow wind blow....

and now for some more fun

2006-05-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

colorado and utah 06 111
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Thursday we awoke at the casa mtb for a round of cazadores and huevos con papas....ahhhhh....

A quick inventory and all bags and bikes are tucked in and we are on our way west out Grand Junction...stop 1 on the westward slope tour, destination Loma and the Kokopeli loops...
Standard issue of Mary's, Horse Thief, Steve's, Rustlers, Handcuffs in a new improved direction aka..the right direction (thanks doctor)and the KremeBroolay More Fun!

Our start time is much later than anticipated due to a large truck being
tusselled on IH 70 at the head of the Glen Springs Canyon....

oh well..could'nt pick much worse digs than the Rockies to be stuck on the highway...

well late start an all the trail is all ours for the taking.. Seems everyone here has had there fill and there party is getting wound up as we begin to roll out of the parking lot for Mary's.

The beauty of the start time was as we progressed throughout the network of loops the sun light was doing its magic on the canyons and mesa's of the western slopes...

More Fun was a fine finish to see the sun set...twas a little sketchy on the descent
seem's i really need to respect and observe the 3x5 post card from the eye doctor....but no
worries, a little kerfuffle here an there.and alls well...

the customary post ride imbibe in the parking lot was enhanced by all followed by streetside pizza and mockery of all whom graced our presence....little troll via the city market and off we go for slumber in the confines of rabbit valley.....

whats left of the monster

2006-05-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

whats left of the monster
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Well its been been 6 months give or take since the monster has been let out
of his closet....and of recent the monsters been beating on the door....every morning and evening i frequently passed the monster was given as he patiently awaited a stay of confinement...

Hangin in the closet for 6 months requires perseverance, and just a little bit of insanity...the monsters pass was granted he set coordinates
north by northwest to the front range of golden,colorado and the digs of casa mtb....with an outline of visiting
the likes of grand junction and fruita,
colorado to ride bikes outside the colorado national monument, kokopeli loops at Loma, and onward to Moab,Utah to ride Porcupine Rim and at that time
a trail yet determined..

So the monsters bags were packed and Blossom was serviced and delivered for
the drive up...not to worry Blossom was
left in the compitent hands of the Kaiser whom would deliver her in lieu of her last mistreatment via the hands of NTSA...Bastards!

So Buck and I meet at aero puerto and
consumate the trip with the first of many imbibes to follow for five days.
We land in the middle of the Front Range in Denver and are quickly whisked away to Casa MTB where a mandatory towny ride on the 'ladies' to
requisition the first of many 12 packs of the Colorado's finest beers....funny
Casa Mtb is in spitting distance of Coors....and believe me you will never find a Coors in the fridge of Casa Mtb!

Beers Iced...Blossom's tires aired and
chained lubed....and the crew begins to
arrive for the initial softening of the
lowlanders....you'll have to come back
again for the follow through!

Toodillz

the other half that makes my wyrld

2006-04-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

baboo
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

boy howdy...i really forget about how
uncomplicated this lil girl really allows me to go through life...
i on the other hand can be the equation and or variable that can make her wyrld overly complicated.... be it my lack of showing empathy,compassion or offering a needed compliment, or repairing the washing machine..(arghhhhhhh! damn money pit...)
my wyrld would totally suck without her
good days or bad....smoochy to you poody...

a river runs through it

2006-03-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

a river runs through it
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

and the skys opened up and brought upon the land water....much needed for
a summers swim...a sandwich on a rock
in weeks to come...this place was looking skimpishly dry in the past weeks...my prayer for rain has arrived...there will be spring swims
in the immediate future...thanks

searching

2006-03-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

the lights on
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

theres a light on...but theres really
no illumination brain wise....no matter..only white noise...and a steady
persistant ringing in my ears....thinking the time is drawing nearer for a top secret mission to
the western slopes for four days for
some ride, recharge, recolor my world...oh and no trip out west would be complete without a little bit of colorado's finest....

daffodillz

2006-02-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

daffodillz
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

goodness these guys were high an might today...but i think tomorrow spells the
beginning to their end...high 87...welcome to the first day of march!
can we at least finish winter prior to
elcisping spring and launching into summer! oh hell...they have really enjoyed the last day or two of sun and
mild temps...the moisture we have received is good....we still need more...i'm sorry if the glass seems half empty...but i'm looking at the creeks in and around some of my local play area's and the swimming holes are in need of a rinse and refill...please!
thanks for reading.....spring has arrived!

flat n happy

2006-02-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

put on a happy face
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

ahh...sunday...started way to early with the phone at 5am....ouch...but up
and out and about....thought about riding...but the impending slickies from saturday nights icing of everything left me pulling the pin on wheeled adventure for 2 legged hoofing
of the four legged variety....i met my
new good friend ko at an entrance of the bcgb i'd yet to enter from...thus
leading into a loop of ed's bowl...ventured off into never never lands for ko an ms piggles an we schtummbled on flat n happy man...on the way...oh did i say it was gray n cool....did'nt take long to figure out
i was glad i ditched the long sleeve prior to hoofing....cuz i schwetted myself under the fleece thoroughly!
amazing what hoofing provides in the manner of scenery not scene due to the normal route of rolling by at schpeed...i'm kind of liking the hiking thing...and i think i'll expand upon it further....my puppie most certainly likes the work....czech out the photo stream to see his prize....on the finish out...kind of grizzly looking up close....oh ms piggles was definitely in her element with the chill!...until

blossom

2006-02-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

blossom
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

oh the joys of bike ownership...and the joy and happiness that can be gifted, on the right day they become an appendage of oneself...somedays not...but always good times are brought by this two wheeled wonder...all it requires is some rider input and coaxing ones large backside upwards at least that is in my world....
blossom graced me with an
afternoon of thursday bliss....she went where i led ...much to my suprise
in a taller gear than the norm...she did request more obstacles and distance covered and with those requests met she left me with a larger than normal smile and an attitude of not really coherent to the world outside of hers and mine......
i hope everyone can find a little bit o blossom....i have!

dementia

2006-02-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

jarlsberg swiss
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the defefintive...'Dementia is the decline in the memory and other cognitive functions in comparison with the patient's previous level of function as determined by a history of decline in performance and by abnormalities noted from clinical examination and neuropsychological tests'.

A diagnosis of dementia cannot be made when consciousness is impaired or when other clinical abnormalities prevent other adequate evaluation of mental state. Dementia is a diagnosis based on behavior and cannot be determined by brain scan, EEG or other laboratory instruments, although specific causes of dementia may be identified by these means.'

oh shite clinical schminical....and i've been in mental overdrive leaving me in physical low gear...so i did
lttle of this and not much of that..and reserved the right to do not much of
any..and accomplish not much of a lot...and and i really did'nt mind nary
accomplishing much of this or that nor being here or there.....sometimes i think it is very healthy forethright and salutary we freekin just unplugg and do nadda.......you know...kinda o like cheese in the deli case....wait for the deli dood or doodress squeegee the cheezee schlime off the top.....

ok dementia has arrived...ahhhhhhhhhhhh

those thinking....and those thoughts not thunk

2006-01-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

thoughts thunk
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

i pulled this from my my sundee folder...was just thinking there are folks somewhere tonight not feeling good..not feeling right...feeling hurt,
left behind, not loved, less than zero,
confused, tossled, spent, spat upon and
just plain kruddy....

well i'm looking at mister monarch and i'm hoping he is going to deposit a little bit of his magic dust from the lil flower he is feasting upon into your world, and cancel out some of things and thoughts that can make us all feel less tossled!

make of it what you want or will....just enjoy..

2006-01-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

rain day
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

sunday...ahh..the sound of thunder early...roll over, rotate the pillow to the cold side...face down...ahhh
cold pillows are oh so wonderful.....ok its raining...its sunday...what to do? nothing! or at least nothing really big, at any kind of break neck pace, no agenda, schedule etc..its a fine day for eggs over easy over fried potatoes and onions..add some green chile..coffee and jooce a stroll through the sunday rag..then i think we'll clean and service the hurd...scratchy says he'd like to help...i accept gladly...teach yir children young! he cleand blossom and in the pic he's airreeng out
the stick bike...he'd clean one...while lubed the other...we popped in the latest south austin jug band for some atmosphere....you really need a sunday like this sunday....rainy days are made for backing up...slowing down...something about rainy sunday's are really nice...they give the perception that your not really meant to do a damn thing....or whatever you choose to or not to do...its really what you want to make of it....pure n simple....

going my way

2006-01-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

floaty
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

i was lying on my back trying to get the old hips and back ready for a little tour of the northwest hills area..when i became smitten with the whispy clouds...so in lieu of not sneaking a pic and regretting it...got
snappy and sneaked one off...the clouds
seemed to invite me for a ride...anywhere i wanted to go...but they mentioned they could not guarantee nor secure a return trip...oh
well i invited these clouds to invite other clouds and send some precip our way...here's to saturday, and clouds...

green

2006-01-17T20:03:00.000-08:00

green
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

leaving my lil foray from the hills of
never never land today i waited at a traffic light and really became reacquainted with a color i have not seen alot of at present day and time....i noticed the deep rich inviting color of green...yes it was
only a manicured entry into a business
park...but it said "come lay down and feel the cool texture and oh...watch out for the dog pooooooo...damn it..poochy owners sack yir pooo!

and for you green lovers...i googled 'the color green' and here is the result...its nice change of pace from parchment....

http://www.csh.rit.edu/~jerry/green/

au revoir

soloscipade

2006-01-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

soloscipade
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

after week of being in a self induced
antibiotic steroid haze....i took my
venomous self out back into to natural
enviro's of the bcgb....this time no
takers, i ventured out solo...probably
just as well because i could not have heard a word spoken...my hearing this
week has been hampered by the fish bowl
effect of a allergic fog....its really
more like mud between my ears...so out i go..i stop on one of cute lil ditty's
of trail and try to regain vision and squeege the snot off of my gloves and shoulder that i blew upon...i could have bottled this stuff and sold to the bike shops as latex tire sealent...
man bikes are such a joy and pleasure..the simplicity, the silence, and you know being solo helped amplify
those attributes to a 10 on a Marshall Stack...noone to keep pace with other than myself...sat in some rocks and found this one....i felt like i rode the antibiotic blur and have killed any
bacteria growing.....lord knows if the
meds don't kill it or me...my snot will! toodillizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

a bucket and a cleaning woman

2006-01-10T19:28:00.000-08:00

a bucket and a cleaning woman
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

snotts ahoy! good god i'm on the second box of tissue....i'm a steady
drip...hey watch it....not that you did'nt know that already....but lord my
schnooze is in need of a stay of execution....maybe the future judge alito will grant me or my noze a stay....lord the cedar count hit 30K+ today...or as my good friend buck says...the pollen counts elevated because i'm looking....in my world probably yes....you know i called my
good neighborhood physican of choice yesterday and commentented that i would save him the time and me the visit ...look at my chart an call it in...damn the torpedoez....i get a call from his nurse goodbody and sheez telling me sheez already called it in to the local growdruggery....yee haw...i load up the fanny pack an jump
on the big wheel an motor over...thinkin all along the way i'll brake up the head an chest 90wt thats accumilated....that works as long as i'm mobile....i get to the growdruggery and i'm in insurance purgatory....well long story short i'm here today....breathing a little better and thinking tomorrows even greater...and the bonus is my 9 year old has an a average and made honor roll...the 13 year old has a b average both are heading into semester 3.....dinner an drinks on dad thursday night!! woohoo!!! god this is fun!

my eyes are growing hair

2006-01-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

oh my...the cedar is in full bloom....the red dust is everywhere....i feel as though i have a herd of nats stuck
in one nostril....and my eyes are growing hair....but then
there's titos vodka and cranberry juice....seems to stop the steady drip drip drip of my schnout....send some postive thoughts of rain our way...its krispy dry and the precipitation is the only thing that can kill the dry and the killer red dust....hope your wyrld is shyygy!

wyrld o schmarkolus

all the worlds a stage...

2005-12-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

man o man...what a week...holidays, christmas, expectations...especially ones not met....nor meeting expectations of my own....all i can really focus on is where i'm not and where i wanna
be....but you know what ? this ole epectation gig is both over and under rated....and you never really hit at what your aiming for or at....so why the hell try ifn your going to walk away somewhat ass in hand?......but that being said 06' is on sunday...so damn the torpedoes and full rudder....i think it is time to post up a monster off road excurtion for sunday...and you know what...who the heck cares ifn any the heck the showz or blowz? i believe my agenda is what is to be met and adhered too....oh hell the same goes for polictians ehh? hope all iz well in what ever spectrum your traverising, reveresing....

happee happee

2005-12-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

from the wirld of schmarkolus to the world of blogg....i hope
your holiday finds you healthy and happy, and surrounded by
people you love. I spent the day doddling on the bike for half the
day...and it was good...the weather today is far from winter...
high 60's...lots of wind....shorts and t shirt day....not bad at
all for the 24 of december.....again thanks to those who view
the roller coaster circus wirld of schmarkolus....this venue has
been therapy....and allowed me an avenue to explore, create,
and learn from you, and a whole host of others....a huge hug
to you wirld...your not all bad....we just need to scrape off the
moldy spots....happee happe!

wheel o fortune

2005-12-19T17:31:00.000-08:00

wheel o fortune
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well, i loaded up me...(really) and itchee and scratchee minus the mrs. and headed south for an annual stroll down the trail o lights....but not without a customary visit to the shady grove for bad dogs, queso catfish, and burgerage feed. multiple root beers, diet cokes and g/t's and we were off...
hiked across bsprings to the d shamrock
to purge the atm...oops no moe atm...sorry boys..all i got in green backs is a abraham lincoln....works fine for a funnel cake split three ways...alls smiley...till me being the victim of a 9 and 13 year old with adult humour...seems itchee n scratchee
have learned the art of setting moving picks....on there good ole dad...OuCH...they about drop 3 times on our stroll through the lights and zilker tree....back to shady grove..ride the stick horse..view the moon and stroll the fish marked and view the choclate fountain at the downtown whole foods...seems scratchee likes the smell of the fish market...oooooohh what have i created....stoopid fun for all...we sleep in...life is good...

back seat with kris klauz

2005-12-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

back seat with kris klauz
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

gotta wunder type o meds this guyz on
to pull this lil stunt off...?
and how hungover does he git when the jobs done?

happe happe

2005-12-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

happe happe
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the twelve daze o krissmiss....ok herez
no.1....i'm skeemin on no.2...

tangled up in bloo

2005-12-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

tangled up in bloo
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

yep...its that chrismiss thing...again...lotsa of stuff being flung about....expectations yet to be
made...don't really know if i can or if
i'll even try...seems thats the problem....regardless of how hard an effort is made to meet or exceed expectations....one lands flat on his/hers back of the front...so i'm adopting a new expectation...don't!

saphire smile

2005-12-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

saphire smile
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

attitude adjustment...do adjust your set....do not change channels....just
add 2 parts saphire 3 parts tonic...squeezee o lime....an now i'm
in a happy place!

The continuing search for what

2005-12-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

I continue to search, for answers, a plausible solution for the frustration that continues to plague the masses of humanity within
the work enviro's.....

I had my head handed to me on a skewer Friday,
followed with heaping helping of anger and resentment. The only
problem with this display was I myself am equally perplexed as to
how I can offer some sort of resolve......I have offered personal
assistance, compassion, but I have only encountered miniscule gain..

I have seen the faces of these people and their looks of despair are starting to take there toll....on the hearts and the minds of many..

An equally frustrating position is that when any form of help, assistance etc is offered and or deployed...it is always met with apathy, and a non-willingness to look for a brighter side or light at
the end of the tunnel.....this mindset is burdensome and debilitating

Well I'll hitch up my britches...put one in the chamber and shoot from another angle tomorrow.....

People and their individual minds are tougher to keep fine tuned, and in working order....far more complex and requiring routine maintenance...I'm thinking the heads should have zippers that can open up with the cerebrum and remove the contents for a cycle of
wash, rinse, and spin and set up on the window ledge to get some sun and fresh air.....repeat as needed frequent and often!

Skewed

2005-11-27T19:22:00.000-08:00

alls a blur currently...tosselled round about...upside and downward.
thinking yet of thoughts yet thunk...dreaming of dreams yet dreamt..
riding in places yet traveled...foregoing the current and moving forward...how to go down without going up? how not to say what
we mean and feel but mean it...? how to work but really play?
how to play and get paid but not really need it? thats it today...

Trail #33E32

2005-11-17T04:45:00.000-08:00

cannell carve
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Stage 3 of the Tour Day Ca.

Trail #33E32

The Cannell Plunge,

Kernville, California

Sequoia National Forest

Today I awake, like really early…the mission if we so desire is to pack our digs within the Discovery an head to town to rendezvous with a local shuttle
Company for the trek to the top of the pass and descend the Cannell Trail.

I awoke round about 5:30am feeling kind like I’d been run over by a herd of
Elk….well really I was…El Cazadores pummeled me thoroughly. I originally felt
Ok…but as time lapsed I felt myself plummeting…

We packed, I kept the coffee, and intermittently inhaling it through my nose for therapy on cerebrum….it needed resuscitation desperately…but to no avail
No amount of resuscitation, manipulative therapy was going to make the noggin tick….we slid into the ‘Another Damn Café” in Kernville. This place reminded me of the old Mother Goose story of the ‘old woman in the shoe” with the exception this was a really big woman in an old broken down diner.
She was more than pleasant…she greeted us hi honey…and how are you sweet heart, Can I get you more coffee sugar…..God dripping, oozing niceness…and here I am schlobberknockt and just want the lady to shut up!

I paroosed the menu with no success, no appetite, and all I really want to do
Is curl up in a corner and turn to pudding. Not going to happen today says
The monster…all you need is a mountain of biscuits and gravy and your well
On your way to recovery…..the mountain of biscuits and gravy are slid under my mug….this is the Mt. Everest of Biscuits and Gravy…
Gravy is oozing over the sides and if I move the plate left/right, forward/aft
I’m making trails all over the counter. I can only muster putting down 1 and a half….and I’m cooked. The huge drippy nice lady in the diner offers more niceties and offers a box…oh hell no…and I’m off to the loo to make what else other than poo…..

I emerge from the room of poodom and find Dave outside the diner…I have
Nothing to verbalize other than I’ll return….back to the room of poodom
And I make yakimus…ooh that hurt….but surprisingly I’m feeling better after purging….so off to the shuttle……small tasks like changing lenses in the shades prove incredibly difficult with my disabled small motor skills….thank god for Velcro shoes! Well dos equis are secured to the back of the shuttle van and off and upward we go….I’m layed out in the back
Trying to make as much quite time as possible…unfortunate for me the ride up is a twist meylay of turns and switch backs, a nagging side window leak
That’s irritating the bajesus out of me….oh well…El Cazadores shoots and scores another…We arrive at the pass and unload dos equis and make small talk and look at the range mountain tops on the horizon…the sky is blue and clear and my mind is feeling like the biscuits n gravy I left behind at the café….ok pee for me...oh Dave is making mountain scamper across a slope….oh now I know…he’s making poo….he returns a grin…number three and all is good!

Packs strapped on…and off we go…man I’ve got the shakes….and have no
Skills nor the mind to comprehend what skills are to resemble. We immediately encounter big sharp broken rocks…the soil is grainy and very loose with more jagged rocks…and I’m way shakey! Finally we start our first schlogg and it’s a mother of a hump…off the bikes and a pushin we go.
I’m beginning to sweat and my head is beginning see things much more clearly..so I continue the schlogg in hopes of burning off the remainder of El Cazadores evilness.

We finally reach the top of our hike and sit atop a log and I’m actually beginning to feel much more humane. We remount and head downward into one of the first meadows of the day. I’m thinking California is one of the first places I have ridden alpine type terrain that actually has meadows…and man there gorgeous, we cruise from one to another finally popping out on to a park service road in search of the leg of trail. It takes a little bit of tracking to pick the trail back up but we eventually succeed. The next meadow we encounter isn’t as dry as the previous…this particular meadow is full of squishy goo and water and tall grass…we finally have to dismount on the last few yards…and mush through the goo…it goes right through the shoes….off with them and I wring out the socks….and eventually retrace my last few steps to take a few pictures only to retrace my path back in to path of goo….oh well…time for a snack while Dave works some kinks out the front wheel….time for a fig newton…The El Cazadores delirium has vanished and I’m back on the wheel…good thing now we have 2-3 miles of double track upwards…I’m actually glad I could ride this…but its still a painful schlogg up…again we pick up trail and from this point forward its looking like a major descent…

We ride old burned up stands of forest and eventually end up in a meadow that has a huge pile of boulders of which we proceed to have lunch….god the day has really become beautiful ….and I can’t think of another place I’d rather be. We stumble around snap some photos and proceed down into
A small valley and come to meet 5-6 guys on four stroke motorcycles…there laboring through some nasty rock sections (not so nasty on the mtb’s.) and we eventually get past them….and holly gwakomolle….talkin about vista’s we arrive at a bend in the trail to view the
Valley below…beneath us is Lake Isabelle and the surrounding hills. The hills
All have a halo or a shoal around there crowns and there’s a light fog drifting up from the southwest…I really thought at first it was the bay area.. but you continue to descend and the terrain isn’t that of the bay area due to the topography. The trail in some areas has developed a rut
Due to the grainy particulate and sand mix and staying in the rut or jumping out is a little bit on the hairy side due to the rate of yall..And speaking of yall..the rate of speed you have constantly regulate..my fingers ache from holding the brakes for such a sustained amount of time. Good thing I upgraded the x’s brakes! Had I been on the spot with small rotors they would have most definitely been smoked, and smoked rotors on this trail would have surely been a travesty and a tragedy.

The sun and light on the hills around us are simply beautiful and the trail and slope are subsiding and opening up to more of wide double track affair promoting a lack of brake dragging…we approach the end and the gate…
The altitude in which we launched from read 9200 feet…at our final resting spot we are parked at 2372+- over 28 miles….of pure trail goodness…thanks for detour south Dave!

prescription refill

2005-11-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

prescription refill
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

yes its been a week since the tour day ca. and i'm still noodilling about...
man o man....what i'd give to have some
california weather today! well the closet thing is the photos....and the snp...ok i pick up the pace again tomorrow...thanks for watchin...

lounging in the alabama hills

2005-11-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

feets up to whitney
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Stage 2 of the Tour Day Ca.

We completed the first stage by venturing out of the local town of Lone Pine Ca. ….Lone Pine is somewhat of tourista mecca….folks come from all walks of life to launch their own mini epics up through the Whitney Portal Trail to ascend a rougly 10 mile route up the 14k+ peak of MT. Whitney….there are all sorts of tourist trappings….the customary shirt story with bragging rites to scaling Mt. Whitney in a day….lots of machismo etc….

We rolled in the Alabama hills at the base of Mt. Whitney late Thursday evening…having just acquire two six packs of some of the local fare….a six pack of Mammoth Mtn. IPA…and the other I’m lost on….but both are up to the task!

A lil Tom foolery…and its nighty nite under the stars…and man I mean a pallet full of stars, galaxies…counted back from a hundred and I’m down an out…

We awake to crystal blue sky’s and a very pleasant temp…and lite winds…I stroll about to take in my new surrounding….if you remember the Lone Ranger episodes or old black and white westerns with all the shoot outs in
The rocks or crags…this is the place! I’m of the opinion that some had a load of rocks…and through out of space and here is where they landed…its surreal…and the bonus is the moraine of Whitney and a host of other craggy type peaks as a back drop….

We have decided today is a rest day and no bikes are unleashed from the Discovery…which means we roll Discovery to the base of some of most prolific boulders within the Alabama Hills and meander up the top to take In a larger helping of the arena….its really not at all difficult to sit do nothing here…its simply gorgeous!

After a few hours of pure sedentary relaxation we venture down to Discovery
To 4x4 the area….we then venture back into Lone Pine for more provisions and begin the trek to Kernville…home of the Cannell Plunge….our course continues south on 395….when alas and low and behold a brewery…free samples..and six packs for purchase! The bonus? Gourmet Atomic Frog Balls!
Frog balls you say?...we consume a half jar with a six pack and we arrive in
Kernville to negoiate a shuttle up Mt.Sherman for the Cannel Plunge…arrangements are made via the cell…and we’re signed up…7000 feet of descending…should be easy…..oh wait…there’s the little issue I’ve forgotten
About….and his name is El Cazadores!....stay tooned!

greetings from the tour of ca.

2005-11-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

greetings from the tour of ca.
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

Well after a long summer of pissin in moanin….I finally was fortunate enough to launch my own lil grande boucle…

Welcome to the Tour Day Ca.

Stage 1

Reno, Nevada to Hot Creek in the Inyo National Forest, Ca.

The plan if you do so was originally to bomb into Reno, Nevada and
Head westward towards the mining town of Downieville, Ca. With DaveM already feet down on the Sierra headlands he had a most successful recon of the Silver Lakes and Downieville area’s the week previous..sans..

http://www.davidmorse.us/2005/RoadTrip/Cali/Downieville.html

With much anxiety for the impending weather fast approaching the Sierra’s it is with much wisdom a different course was plotted.
And the finest of routes yet for me to experience, and as a bonus I
Had a fine Director Sportiff.

I arrive in Reno round about 9:30 p.m. and whisked out of a blustery hub of the Reno airport with a stifling Sapphire buzz…easy now…gotta keep the plane on a level playing field….so a rack of
Chico’s finest is served and its south bound 395…destination Hot Creek.

After an ever so small detour of the upper South Lake Headlands we
Redirect for Carson and further south…and the winds a howlin….I’m thinking campin in the Gold Hills above Downieville would have been just a bit on the frigid side…glad we’re beboppin south….well over multiple racks o SNP…an mandatory winky tinks
We arrive at Hot Creek….a lil recon via the double tracks to find
A spot to lite for the nite….middle of the double track right here, right now..works mighty fine like……

And know for the unveiling of the Ronald Reagan….oh baby! Ron’s not just another Mac daddy…he’s long tall and wide….the Ronald Reagan is the Aircraft Carrier’s of camping cots….ooh man and he
Provided the a sweet landing…..I tucked into the bag listened to
Wind shaken big pines, and desert grass….nighty night….

Oh man it’s cold…I can’t seem to make my fingers work….two of five digits on the right are stone cold….I give up trying to strap the
Ronald Reagan and stuff the carrier into the sack..call it good!
Fire up the truck and a cruising of Hot Creek area we go……man Cali’s big….like on EPO/Meth BIG…we end up back on pave’ and into the parking area of the Hot Creek Springs….okey dokey…grab
The trunks and a towel and off to find a bubbling pool of naturally heated water….ooooh the signs says ‘Scalding Hot Water’….just what the back, legs and digits need after last nights venture through the airports of America….(they still suck, and I hate now more than ever….more on that later)..well strip down jump into the
Swimming shorts and venture off into the waters of Hot Creek….first step is cool…like Barton Springs cool…but considering the ambient air temp the water is still warmer…and with slow migration toward the bubbling area’s the water changes temps in waves…thermal waves…tepid, cool, luke, scalding….oh man it’s so good….we soak up the multiple temps of the pool and just amazed no one else is here….and that’s all right! A quick dry and re-robe and its uphill to the lot and unload the truck the reconstruction of Blossom, a pot of coffee and the most wonderful breakfast of eggs sunny side up on a bed of potato’s with onions and poblano’s…spicy Italian sausage and Austin Green atop…what’s this a car? Two women pull into the lot view the breakfast with much envy…and also go Hot Creek Bound…I know they truly envied our feast!

With Blossom reconstructed it’s now time to figure out how the loading of the USS SELF DISCOVERY is to be loaded…and man’s she’s loaded…very well engineered load ensued. and we were off to Rock Creek just down the road a spell….Rock Creek is a MTB specific trail that runs off of 395 south…the trail starts in a high meadow that has just recently been the victim of a forest fire…the
Trail is 8 miles in length one way….and 25 miles on the return all up hill….man the roll down was jiggy! Big sun, glacial views of the Sierra’s….babbling brooks, golden crunchy leaves..rolly polly rocks…and an Albuquerque turkey…..followed by Sapphire n Tonics…
The legs were spent on the return trip back up Rock Creek….maybe
A lil return trip for some Hot Creek therapy is in order….not likely. we’ve got ground to cover..and we’re bound for the Alabama Hills below the Whitney Portal….not without a stop in Bishop for some Pork Green Chile and rounds of Rita’s…..stay toned for stage 2….mana~

sunday sunday

2005-10-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

sunday sunday
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

oh to be a dog....i wondered yesterday
what does a dog see when they get scent of something..anything...what
color do they see when the nose knows...?

rebel could and can sniff a row a parking lot poles for days each independently and it is necessary for
him to make a full rotation of the pole...one by one...funny rebel had
never been in a public place off the leash with other dogs....and i was somewhat skeptical of him....but as
ms.karen stated...dog and other dogs in
public places are on neutral ground...
i have to agree with that statement...
i would debate that humans are entirely
the opposite..some go bonkers..some
cave....me..just depends on the enviroment, peeps etc.....that the quantity and quality of libation...ha!

toodillz..

loitering

2005-10-24T19:38:00.000-07:00

loitering
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

yep...lounging,loitering about the taco deli on saturday afternoo....such
a fine day of mountain biking on this paticular saturday...many a flat...many
a plunder...the weather was especially
cooperative saturday....really mild...almost cool in the shade...i'm not complainin....kind of had that good ole achey feelin in the legs after saturday...so that set me up for
a stroll through st.edwards park with
the mrs. and puppy...ms karen n piggles..a geocaching we went...verticle was the chosen route...
found a cache that was'nt on the prescribed coordinates...but with a little diligence and fortitude alas
we found the christmas cache....sauntering stroll down the ridge line with canines in tow....cross the creek and through the woods and a beer in the lot...ah...the
weekend twaz good...

dazed n confused

2005-10-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

dazed n confused
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

no doubt...lots on the daily day to day
mush n grind....grind n mush....lookn at the calendar and feelin short on time....kids,wife,work,school...and crap that grind n mush thing....o hell
its a pay check and the mortgage is up on the 10th....so i'll just shut the hell up and order another an smile..thank you sir may i have some more...ok halloween...bikes, beer, trick or treat, kids, wife, dogs n cats...an a tire to change...ooo baby
i did see the monkey today...all sheez needn iz a headset an she rolls...and damn if she aint livin large! freekin hugomungus big...wheelz....god sheez gonna eat and schpitt lil ole 26"r's owt and make soop out of em....we'll find out on the maiden voyage next wenzdee...ok lookn like a possible foray out to either the sierra's or western slopes...we'll see what developes in daze to come...bakery schlogg tomorrow morning pde (pretty damn early)followed by grind n mush and mush n grind....cooler temps prevail tomorrow with a bcgb launch saturday with the hood....gonna role
buckee's new canyon loop....hopefully
pic's to follow.....well since a pde tomorrow...good nite all...

how to get from here to there

2005-10-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

how to get from here to there
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well i've got the travelin bug in first term....but really i think i'm 5cm...

the weather here is really beginning its summer slide off the charts..it twas 90 today but with little or no humidity resemebling more like 80ish...
i'm looking back and wondering where has the last year gone? and in turn looking at what can be eeked out in the
next 2-3 weeks...? eeked out elsewhere is the issue...here the horizon is really turning to almost perfect...we
could use a spot of moisture..its really dry...and today i noticed that
the outboard lines on some of our finest trails are breaking down....with any measurable precip i'm afraid we'll need to perform some much
needed maintaining of the network of the inner circle...i really need to hold myself accountable and perform some sort of prescribed public service trail service on a really poopy weather day....pack a sandwich..a trail key, and some light weight yard implements and spend the afteroon prooning, and shoring up some of what i
viewed today.....oh man...i came home and had what was left of my Atoofay and
brown rice and two gin and tonics...such a fine finish.......until tomorrow....

mirror pond

2005-10-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

mirror pond
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

ah...damn fine way to spend the remaind of saturday, and sunday....me
the wife, and friends rolled down
to leakey, texas and holed up on the
frio river...and did a lil road schlogg
through the river region....big hills,
big vistas....better sittin in the frio
kwaffing chico's finest.....a great therapy for the torcher i submitted unto thyself for not riding road.....roads ok...river is better...i'll keep my road bike...but my troo love is still good ole terra firma.....the frio was mighty fine for mid october...she treated us well...thanks to one of the eleven hundred springs.....

well the times they are a changing..

2005-10-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

dave's back yard
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

yeah baby....what a difference 30 degrees less means....i felt
fully dipt today....lunch with a good friend i have not visited with
in a while...a couple of cocktails....some chocolate covered expresso beans to set me back on path...a six pack for the post ride...
some green chile chicken...king ranch tofu.....damn today was
really nice....my good friend dave continues to bombard me with
photo's o the day....from driggs...an man talkin about georgeous...we spoke via the phone about the time he took that...i was cluing him in on the current conditions...ie.weather....flavor of beer and the roll call of whom showed up and who did'nt for first thursday....
i'm really hoping this weather is here to stay a spell....because its just so
pleasant not to feel totally knackered
after riding....i really do believe between fall and early spring these are
my favorite times of year....thanks mother nature for the change in channel
and frequency...its well timed....i've
set anxiously awaiting your arrival.....well its off to beddy bye..
windows open....breath it in....its good....

moooovin on over

2005-10-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

bored
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

yes we are all waiting for summer to move on over to the right hand side of
the calendar...give me something 20 degrees less than the present....and
40 percent less hayooooooooooomid!
lord i waste away in lahweezeanna....
all tho i could be easily found...look for the large grease spill, thats me!

well they say summer is leaving us the latter part of this week...i'm anticipating a commute to work on wed/thursday....i tried mounting up some 35c's on the milwakee but they would clear the brakes...thats the breaks i suppose...

wander-lust

2005-10-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 082
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

man o man....got that travlin jonez beginning to develope between the toes..the doctor called arriving on
the front side of laramie wy....and
driggs,id. in the cross hairs...theres
rain and powder developing in driggs...
but that being said its a far cry better than the 90+ we still are writhing in here....the barometrically
challanged say that we have fall on the horizon come Thursday...looks like
a little rain, and highs of 80...and lows of 60....bring it...i'll pay now!

my fever induced traviln jonez started with watching this evenings sun/cloud/extravaganza...i always get
some what introspective...and think about times, places, when the horizon is producing certain colors...this evening was one of those...oh well i'll
fertilized the itch..search,seek..shop...until tomorrow...toodillz..

a lil cooler pleez!

2005-09-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

god save us from this oppresive heat we have now endurred for
about 6 days.....the vegetation has turned crispy....word has it
we have cooler temps tomorrow....i'll gladly welcome a change in
the thermometer....maybe good ole dave will put some of that in
his rearview and blow it our way on his way out to the high country....ok ...back to figuring out how to kill whats killin my pc
at the house.....seems as though a lil ole ugly thing called elite.trojan
has got my payooter on the disabled list...and seems i can't
the fixez from microsoft to kill it.....oh to be techy dumb....

a room with a different view

2005-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

a room with a different view
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well, the time is drawing near. but time aside what i can view in hind site
is time past....most excellent, moments in time here and abroad. what am i speaking of you ask? well my friend of 3 years and it seems longer than 3 is moving onward to higher ground. although its goodbye, i'm really trying to view this as only temporary. my 3 short years and many hours, minutes, seem only a prelude to
much larger scale adventures. each adventure however large or small have
always left me smiling requesting another spoonful please....from the first trip to colorado...getting drunk in a holiday inn...to dropping off the back on the last day to play leap frog and taking pictures of one another or just to breath and taste the surroundings. this was beginning of the end of tripping across the country as i have previously known it, now i've
been exposed to another level, a much more intimate, and far more pleasurable experience. i seem to come home and within days seem to have a certain jonez..after these escipades....from simple moments sipping coffee watching sunrises...to the almost automatic snore that emmits from the doctor once horizontal.....i think my most memorable moments spent on any trip would have to be this past years trip to big bend natinoal park. i came home
feeling a little different, whatever was transpiring in the remainder of the world seemed relatively small. you know come to think of it...i think i slept on a thermarest for about a week after returning....i really enjoyed myself, on this trip. the sun rising in the morning really seemed pure. the night sky from the view point of my cot
was epic. the sleep each night has yet
to be repeated. this was the first trip
i went on, where i truly felt comfortable with myself, never imagined
what was happening at home, and was'nt considering when i would get home. i don't think i could ever have experienced this without my good friend dave enlightening me on how....and from a better instructor i think not...i can only hope these trips
are small and pail in comparison to those yet traveled....cheers and thanks
dave, i look forward to many, many more...your a good friend and thanks....

land of enchantment 028

2005-09-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 028
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

ahem...okey dokey...poo's now past
and we are loaded liked salmon in a tin...and we lumber up to angel fire...its really a georgeous morning if you have not been tosseled three nights straigh with each nights tossling be larger and grander in overall scale and magnitude....o jesus,
mary, and joseph i feel really bad...i'm in the out board seat with my
bum half on half off the seat and really need the inboard window to pass out on...damn...i'm now feeling like the straggling remnant of poo that did'nt manage to make the exit with rest of the gang...and i'm spinnning aimlessly round and round.....i look at the little bitty log cabins strewn up the high way belching smoke....god i
wish i was inside on of them fully horizontal for about ...less see...a day...i'll start over tomorrow..sorry sam...you done the deal...you gotta play the hand you been dealt...

well off the highway and up this god for saken double track...actually the double track was good...the van blew...
i think i've ridden rides at the roadside carney that were smoother riding.....finally we creak to a stop and begin to unload...ooh and its nippilly....time for a jacket...and god
i still feel poo'd at and upon....oh damn the torpedoes...up and away...we ride for about 1/2 mile maybe...then it
hikeapalooza time for about a mile give or take....i'm takin the slow and methodical route...the airs thin,cool and brisk...when i finally arrived at the hikey stop and bikey start...bartmans got a brake job going on....and...low and behold..just when i thought there could not be any possible way....yes more poo!

brakes braked, poo spewed, its time to
see what trail 164 has in store....we drop off in to a rocky field and then into an old growth stand of furr trees
and the trail turns to a chocolate ribbon shiggyness with no effort needed
to turn a peddle over....the trail is the consistancy of velcro....just enough to hold but not stick to the tire...its literally perfect...the storms that we endured on day one have
graced trail 164 !

we descend further man the speed you can rack up.....we finally descend into
a beautiful valley of garcia park...the
boys thought it'd be cool place to camp...yes indeed ...until day one like conditions dropped in....i'm thinking garcia park in the late summer
afternoons could be really dicey, and
potentially bitter cold at night....pretty place all together though....we ascended through a couple of meadows and split up at a fork...jody was in schredd mode...myself, davey, bart,jim,kieth...hiked up to don fernando peak....and a hell of hike it was...my calves resembled the aftermath of an iraqi insurgent attack...but once atop...it was really quite nice with a 360 degree view of the hole valley, angel fire, taos, garcia park....bart,dave and i lunched here...kieth and jim went on to catch up with ian and jody...we sat atop don fernando a good 1/2 hour plus....it was hard to leave...but damn..somebody's got to ride this trail...and there is beer to be drank....bart, dave and i played leap frog for quite aways down the remainder of the trail....its really stoopid not to take advantage of the conditions...and its hard to want to get in hurry.......we diced with some
locals on the bottom end of 164....i might add that the varying degree of different trail and soil types on trail
164 is impressive...from chocolate ribbon to pecan sandy...to chunky monkey...the last 1-2 miles were really
techy fun with big square edge rocks embedded into the soil.....with switch backs.....i had to stop and bleed water out of hydration pack to get feel back in the lever....well all said and done we sit on the side of the road and quaff many a beer...and debate what should have been done different? outside of maybe doing it a second time i don't think i know..other than i'd sure love to have ridden the ride i have now down it.....
ok ...i'm out o gass....tomorrow the f.r.438 militia....

trail 164 and being torn down

2005-09-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 070
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

sunday started sadistically....oh jesus, kieth was an evil, and i'm sorry kieth your an evil bastard

i awoke and stumbled about still feeling really drunk from the night of camp fire stoopidy...really it seems as though we just went nighty night and got right back up......well i stammered,staggered and stumbled into
my riding toggs and lehtargically loaded god knows what into the truck...
and i sat down and was offered coffee from whom i still don't know....i'm hunkered down in a camp chair really feeling bad...and what the hell..? dave's climbing in his tent to go back
to bed...it is at this point i realize
what the time is...it's 5ish...we are to be at the bean in taos at the opening bell (6:30) with breakfeast pre-arranged for 7 people......all i can do is look befuddled at the site of
dave's back side climbing back into a
sleeping bag...i can't muster the want
to and try stuffing my arms into my fleece vest and half hang my ass out of the camp chair to become fully extended...it works only for thiry second intervals and my ass can't stand
supporting the remainder of my carcas......damn kieth...foo on dave...
and foobar with everyone else...all happy and un-hungover...i'm up well before my time and i'm not well...and fixing to launch on the premier trail of this little excursion....god give
legs, more like the scarecrow in the wizard of ozz...god grant me my brain back.....well up everyone finally is ...and off to taos we go.....as wonderful a breakfeast as the bean prepares its still much to early to even consider pounding down eggs over easy with green chile....i muster to put the majority down but not without intermitent departures to the community loo....oooooooohh seven guys
producing poo at 6:30....that'll make the green chile come uh bubblin up like
crude........the looks of everyone with
a pre'ordered breakfeast was certainly photo worthy only if i'd brought the camera....some of the boys did'nt know what to make of eggs and green chile....the look was intriguing...more
poo...and time to load...dave's makin
fumes, the shuttle driver's way to happy..an i gotta make mo poo....i'll
continue mana~...stay toont..toodillz

numero dos...Devisadero Loop

2005-09-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 012
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

wooooooo..feeling last night for sure..
we turned the screws on the camp last night with extra dilagence in a counter clock wise rotation....la familia has been dredged of it contents, eggs were scrambled and chile's were stewed....god save the queen....we headed back into taos today
to venture up the devisadero loop...upwardly we go...as in march..its a schlogg this old fat man
could'nt muster the powwah to get up..
tis ok tho...the rest of the possee has
assumed the same stance...once you have
ascended the first 3/4 mile or so you can ride sections off and on...and just
resign to hiking what you...well i'll speak for me...just was'nt, could'nt, and did'nt have reserves for...the views from the sides and upper portions
offorded you a glimpse of taos pueblo
and taos proper..the weather was as always in the morning very nice...once
we gained the top we offloaded gear and
lounged in a pair of rock lounge chairs
constructed by bikers,hikers, whomever, and just took the time to soak up some new mexico without being harried....some of the crew took advantage of the height and connected back to the real world to check up on the home front ....i think i refrained...i'd find out sooner or later...and it could wait in my humble
opinion....well time to launch downward...oh man this is when this loop really becomes fun...tekky switch
backs with rock out croppings, ledge drops, more switch backs with some ripping fast descents forcing some hard
braking...and bam...we are back at the truck...who wants more? i've decided i'd like to spend the remainder of the day doing much of nothing other than
confirm the shuttle on sbt and lounge in the little's hot tub drinking saphires/tonics..and of course watching
clouds...big ole puffy clouds...clouds
that slowly build up and turn grey,blue,black..and wad up and dump some rain on something somewhere...well
todays a bore..hoe hum...sep for the pair of homer lawmen that about took us out in down town taos...jees...all
dressed up and nowhere to go...4 cops
1 kid cuffed....you'd thought he was
caring wmd...oh well...until tomorrow...

down through the shadow of the valley

2005-09-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 001
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well we we've all be assembled with the exception of one....we awake some
what dented from the night before but no more for where and tare...uh little
joe, a combination of eggs,green chiles,chorizo,onion,potatoes and jalepeno to set you right!

the wayward travelers wander up forest road 438 through the valley via the forest service road for about 3-4 miles
and hit the trail....and upwardly mobile we become....our trek began at about 7200 feet above sea level and the
gradient is far more gracious than that of other treks....over creeks, washed out bridges old growth forest..
an we meet up with f.r.440 and two hunters on the prowl for grouse...their both quite amazed at our
ambitious quest....yet not envious..we
venture onward up f.r440 cross the creek and really begin the upward ascent to the saddle of cerra vista...we stop briefly to recounter bearings, and snack briefly...jody's schredding the route up...i'm taking the s & m route..(slow and methodical)...no need to blow up and out on the first day....the weather is
really gorgeous...home its 100...here its 65-70 degrees f. at best...perfect
in my eyes...we break out of tree line on an old double track on to a slope roughly 400-500 feet below the saddle of cerra vista...its at this point things really become bafoonic....in the three years i've known dave, logic,reason,rational are qualities i have never really witnessed...granted i
have not really based or formulated an
opinion on these atributes....most of the folks i work with daily live by this code...and sometimes these qualities become a little stale and worn out...so i like that dave keeps the screw turned somewhat out of alignment....well the god of moses must
of wacked dave with a stick on the saddle of cerra vista because he voiced
logic,reason, and positive rational...and voiced concern and counseled us on heading back the route in which we had ascended due to the impending weather fast approaching...i had to do a double take to see whom was talking....
equally amazed was i when the president of the
republican national committee and card caring member of nra Bart said 'ah its ok it will blow on over'....well to
hell with logic, reason....the voice of the nra, the prez of the rnc has spoken.....how could he be incorrect?

well the forward ho meant a pretty steep hike up an old double track of which merged on a ridge of which dissapeared into forest....well as soon
as we crested the ridge the weather literally sat upon our heads...big weather....lets see we are maybe 11-12k above sea level...in a thunder storm pushing aluminum framed sleds at an exposed elevation....damn...we continue to ascend and the rain is coming down in torrents..riding upward has become somewhat futile...so eventually take cover in some old growth forest awaiting the passing of the cloudburst....well we are sitting at the base of an old fur tree, Jody begins trying to shave a block of magnesium for a small fire....this is quite humorous...in the latter sense...simply because as he is trying valiently to start a fire...in rain,hail,sleet....we are all watching,
wishing it would light....Bart's got a lighter in his pack of which he offers Jody...not on the mountain in the time of need...but in camp when he's practing after the fact much later...god it was funny...you had to be there....needless to say we all became somewhat chilled...and we decided conditions were deteriorating much more rapidly...and we had better get on with descending....only problem now is everyone's wet, freezing cold and we are going to have to cross the saddle again....the trail, double track has multiple tributaries running through it....my fingers, toes, extrimities have virtually gone on vacation to another climate......i cannot get feelings on my controls other than hail mary full of grace and hang on....as we are dropping the saddle of cerra vista...incredible lighting strikes are pummeling the entire area in which we are to traverse...all i can do is roll down and through and descend as fast as in control as i can....i duff it over the back side of one of the many high berms
meant to impede atv traffic...right in the slush and mud....i briefly stop and think about changin my gloves but
can't get my sternum strap unclasped...my fingers have no feeling...all i can do is continue until i have become a little less exposed to the elements...i'm equally amazed at the amount of sleet accumulated on the ground at this particular altitude...it almost resembled snow...Ian was behind
me a distance with god i pitty...open finger gloves....god he had to be miserable...we finally get on the downward slope of 440 and i get my soaked gloves off and slip into some wool glove liners....finally begin to warm...but i'm looking behind me and what was on top is now coming to the bottom...time to light the fires and kick the tires....poor Ian has to stop and secure his seat post...finally we come upon forest road 438 and let go of the brakes and schredd the road down....roll into camp...stupid laughs abound...way stupid laughs....then we
counter what if.....a beer, a pull, another and then dinner....the day has been washed clean of serious moments with stupid laughs a wonderful dinner,
more beer, and great friends, a camp fire, a creek on the rise, slumber on the mack daddy.....then keith woke up...ouch...4 freakin thirty......ok...end of the line...until tomorrow....toodillizz...

day one in the land of enchantment

2005-09-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

land of enchantment 015
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well its purty tough sleeping in the down town parking lot of sam waltons
in taos....i regretfully parked next to
a large vehicle of which was unloading
god knows what...(dave seems to think
stolen merchandise, contriband etc.)into another large vehicle..periodically whatever would be
thrown,dropped etc..from one to the other resulting in drubbing my head into the window..thus waking up...oh man i wish i would have found a nice
dark spot...probably could have slept
in a little or more than likely a lot
longer...okey dokey time to rise an shine...shine, i don't think so...myself and dave i think are feeling more tossled..so off we go to
the bean...for some joe and huevos rancheros over easy on a bed of blue corn tortillas, smothered in green chile...man its so good...too bad its
sooooooooo sadistically early....i think we both feeling the all night drive, the schwerve to the badlands, and just in general lack of slumber. so
after the bean we tour the town..in search of bike shops, maps, shuttle itinerary etc...low an behold its time
for lunch...what do tell...oh yeah..
green chile burrito sans the local mesa
pale....two please...cruise over to the
raley's for schpinn thru the grocery...
1 case of beer...12 pack of snp, 6 pack
o roswell alien, 6 pack o some sort o
ipa....now time to set camp...off to
forest road #438...yep that schpott looks good...erect an easy up...unfurl
a cot or two...bam..big thunder...lots o hail...smells like, feels like its time for lil ol nap....bam 2 hours of
pure unadulterd sleep filtered with mountain creek trickle, thunder, hail,
cool temps of 60 degrees, pull up the
fleece blanket and sweet schnooze...oh
man what wonder nap...naps need to happen in more in my future...especially with the above conditions....we awoke thinking we'd launch a recon of a local trail to stretch the legs..but visitors arrived..beers were cracked and seal
was broken....the remainder of the party arrives and the circus has come to taos....tomorrow...the beginning of
the cerra vista epic...toodillz...

three shots over the bow in the land o enchantment

2005-09-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well...I ventured off to the land of enchanment to lounge about
in the cooler temps and climates of the SandeeKristoz...aka
in an around Taos....hooked up with the good doctor and met
the chairman of the republican national committee aka Bart, plus
some of his posse , Ian, Jody, and Keith from Dallas...Mr and
Mrs met us as well...our trip started out on a sweltering
hot afternoon last Wednesday....sans three beers, 2.89 unleaded,
and bottle of familia...good start.....well 9 beers 8 hours later we're
heading north on 84 towards Santa Rosa when low.....lights abound
in the cab....when behold...an inbound vehicle in our lane has tone
and a lock....no worries...the good doctor has the battle ship galactica and contents getting jiggy in the waste lands o' nuevo
mexico.....well we are still 'tits up' and north bound.....oh man
what a site...big ole lighting on the horizon of sandeez..the good
doctor takes a well deserved schnooze...and i take the dawn the
patrol...in bound to Taos...evil type early...like 5:30 tejas time...think i'll find the local house o joe and chorizo...uh oh...its
like i said 5:30 tejas time...oops we've made the leap to mountain
zone...making it 4:30...another 1:30 before its huevos and green
chile.....so its nighty night in the land of the sam walton lot
in down town Taos.......this ends the prologue.....stay toont..
toodillz...oh yeahs it duz git epic in grand proportion....heaping
big....and lil skarey...

vision

2005-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

looking for a star
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well damn it was as far as i'm concerned sweltering hot today....today
was the first time i had to pack it in do to just being way to hot.....my back began to ache...say hello to mr.kidney...he'd like a little more fluids please.....oooooh it hurt so good...a fine ride in deed...you know
i really like the folks i ride with....
they'll lieu into your own poison of which you trying to avoid only to laugh
at you...ah damn good fun.....well
the mrs. was tit's up horizontal when
i got home...migrane headache and leveled for the day....i'm thinking its
this heat....cause i can tell you during today's ride i had more than one
occasion i got all dizzy-n-schpinny...
well wednesday is something i'm truly looking forward too....off to ride somewhere new...heading up with doctor dave to taos new mexico for some gaspen in the aspens...according to bart the temps are like 67 for highs and 36 at night...oh mac daddy....(thats a cot/of which i can cop some of the best z's on)....oh well i stink
an i want a 'cold' shower....toodillz...

imploding

2005-08-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

man o man....the wirlds schpinning today at rate that i can hardly
keep pace with.....work is nuts, the natives restless...yet the natives
take no action to correct what needs correcting other than point out
whats not working......

school is tuff on the boys, and we're all struggling to become aclimated to good study habits and routines....i have to instill
in to my boys study...be attentive....but look at who's preaching...Ouch...

i'm really trying to be there for the both of them and the mrs...i
really think my youngest is struggling with some pyscological things
that only a professional can help with...all his buddies have move
out and or abroad......the kiddoz he's got at school don't like school and i think he feeds upon it.....got to get him distracted from whomever these kids are or equip him with the no how on how to
discern good from evil....oh hell parenting....can't dodge it...

and damn the torpedoes i haven't been on a bike since saturday....i think its time to fix that....and today!

sorry for the dribble...but it is what it is and as the good doctor said last nite ...gaddahdu wada ugaddahdu

toodillz

babooz b'day

2005-08-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

babooz b'day
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

happy happy to my wife....she's stuck...and how an why i'll never know...we've been schtikking it out for
17 years of marriage, and 21 years of
knowledge of each other...well can't
imagine what the world for me would be
like without her...happy birthday barbara...love you always....toodillizz

so this is how this feels

2005-08-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

so this is how this feels
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

i've been absent for about a week...writers block, work drudgery, and pondering a 3 beer a day limit...well lets see...i still have
the writers block, the drudgery and i'm
in to thursday beer..yesterday! all though i have not touched a drop today...my picture is of last thursday night...i must say i pulled into the driveway about 1 am after my first week of 3 a day limits....i really don't know what hurt more though...having gone to bed at 2 am and having to get up at 6:30 groggy with no coffee in the house..damn know
that was really painful, painful with a big frickn ouchee...

tonights the last night of summer vacation for itchee and scratchee...scratchee's scared of tomorrow...and more painful to listen is his fear of getting older at the age of nine...fearful to the point of tears......on the other hand itchee was
his dopey self...full of its another adventure in a new year...man i have to
adopt his phylosophical view on life at thirteen he really suprises me.....

my largest client and i had a lil ol heart to heart...they met with me in semi private to discuss my lack of being happy, smilely, touchy feely....and i decided its time to level up and give them both chambers full...i unloaded about 6 months worth of poo,doo, and just plain ole truthfullness on the boy...i don't know how it'll shake out, down etc..but i purged the system...well hopefully this block thing will become unblocked, and i'll have something a lil more of substance to write about..as me an my boys talked tonight on the tramp...tomorrows a new beginning in a new adventure in a new year....toodillizz

hat trick

2005-08-09T20:27:00.000-07:00

on the road with jose and juan
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

wishin i had a hat trick like mi amigo
josue'...not jose' but josue'..its enunciated joesway...i like joesway...or is it joes way...either or
call it what you want..

well spot's been repaired by the doctor and he's going out for second loop with bolts glued.....going to go
to an old favorite tomorrow evening for
a little troll in the woods...we've had
about 2+- inches of precip in the past
twenty four making this an exceptionally nice august to date...

i made a whirlwind tour up to big spring, texas late sunday...wish i'd had packed the camera...came across some big ole texas thunderstorms sunday afternoon...big puff daddy clouds all purple and black spitting lightning...the sunset across the llano
area was really eye pleasing...i picked
up an unwanted speeding ticket due to my visually intoxicated state of big roads lard foot with anticipation of beating the closing dinner bell of 'cooper's bbq' in llano...i came to
into llano and coopers at the ripe ole hour of 7:58....pits were cool but the doors open....'sorry mister we ain't got nuthin left'...oh the humanity...oh
my palate....i dreamt of granite slabs of pork chops fully dipped...beans,potatoe salad,cole slaw,jalapeno .....nada, zero, an that
was just all kinds of bad...you know its a big ole piece of country out there round about burnet, llano, brady..with many a fine places to explore ifn the land owners would let down there fences to let you in...well
hell welcome to texas pardner...until another day.....

from my point of view

2005-08-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

asooming the position
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well i've not blogged in upwards of five days due to lack of conections south of the border...of connections found the price per session leaves here
home again....

in my excursion south...and mind you this trip was more for tailored for my
mrs. i practiced the fine art of noodilling...doing nothing, the most extreme activity of this trip was the
labourious trip of refilling a drink glass,....of which i say in mexico...at
these resort type establishments, nice they are...but the quality of libations
are let me say...dreggs? i found myself surveying the bars of the beach and interior of this resort for recognizable fluids i may have known of or possibly heard of...the closest i
observed was jim beam, bourbon man i'm not....or beefeaters, i will, and i did..these establishment within serve said libations in small plastic containers with not enough volume inside to supply small birds...so being one of substance and belief in bigger is better i packed a travler...i.e. a large plastic cup...sans a big gulp in the form of local bbq joint....the young local working the bar at the beach became familiar with my cup and my libation of choice, and the ratio of gin to tonic and quanity of lime....a fine job
he did...salute to jose luis ricardo avazado...well that behind us...i also indulged in completing a jack kerourac novel...'on the road'...a very fine read in deed...in addition to many an hour slipping off into sultrey naps under palapas, and lumber off into the surf for a troll through the reefs..on one afternoon i snorkeled with a dozen or squid very strange...transluscent almost holographic....hard to believe i ate some of their kin via tacos at lunch...oh life goes on.....this was by
the most european group of humanity i have ever experienced.. and i will say i think i like them....the attitude, the way they carry themselves, there uninhibited by there looks, how they dress etc....there seemed to be a large
contingent of french and germanian folks present.....very pleasant people and oh and the language of the french...it sounded almost edible.....enunciation of words were so fluid and graceful...well between listening and observing the european set and their dialect and my napping,
and noodilling i think i have had more than my share from my horizontal view point....so i'm home, north of south and starting another book...edward abbey's desert solitaire....until tomorrow...lah tee dah..

this time next week

2005-07-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

quatro boracho's
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

i just my have a party hat....oh yeah
baby....i surfed last nite and i've
qualified 3 out of 5 on the mid life
crisis criteria.....bored, wantin sompn
different, go some place different....but the other two...well i
did'nt make...no affairs needed or on the horizon (thats just f'd up...)and
i don't see or have a ferrari on the horizon...(bike lust most defenitely)...

well all that aside...me
and the mrs are headin south on monday to rid ourselves of some of mundane day to day that seem to have us both hunkered down an dodjin shots over the bow.......
figure i can load up on mojhitos to combat the mosquitos...tour some ruin and comptinplate Cortezs pillage and plunder of the mayan empire....maintain
a constant buzz....and plan the ramp!

oh crap...i still feel last night..and good ole davem has some masochistic plan for early friday and sunday...hard trainin baby....

megan...this photo is all for you....toodilliz...

trippin suburbia

2005-07-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

opening doors
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well after stirring some today all i
could come up with was ...once i got home...i felt the need to schpinn la najranja up the hill...especially after getting word on the august alley
cat stage race...i thinkin i'll get fully dipped to quote bobke...check it out...http://onechick.com/alleycat/auguststage/

well while i was testing my climbing skills..i cheated and flipped from fixed to spin...my kneez and hip thanked me most gratefully...i croozed on over to strip mall hell picked up some necessary materials to aid my dream scheme....after finishing my last book, i decided i needed to put my
nose to print frequent and often to in order to have an escape route when the roads closed....if not open up some roads that have been closed..ie. my noggin....you know if and when your mind says theres no chance in hell, maybe it needs a little primer or tickle...in order to see the launching ramp over the road closed sign...well enough of the that...i picked up copies of edward abbey's desert solitaire (read brave cowboy i liked it) mark twights kiss or kill and jack kerouac's on the road....and a eurotrash mtb magazine...figure all of these would work fine in aeropuerto next week....got the green lite on puerto morales today...i'll be sittn somewhere amoungst mosquitoes,mojitoes,
an some fine anjeo next week....oh the troll through suburbia was improved by the ride quality of la najranja...the lil out and back seemed to do everyone just fine....ooooooo and one last thing..vinoez jumpt from tee-bobbill to
libertee soogooroez...i pity heras,beloki, i'd have to say if their vuelta showing is anything like the toowir....heras, beloki will become vinoez puppies...

flower of power

2005-07-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

flower power
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

had to add some new phlash to schpott..
i think i should add a flower per ride...kind a like knockin off zero'z...all tho that soundz to administration like.....speekn of administration....i sent vice.president.gov a little calling card today requesting a date for insanity on the quest for democracy and freedom....this was prompted by an
email i recieved from the wife today saying that a member of her church groups youngest son (20) was killed in
iraq on friday by an i.e.d......
my question to vice.president.gov was at what expense were we going to continue this maddness...seems to me the populace of iraq really does not have the same value for one: life, democracy, liberty....whose agenda are these boys we're sending over really working for...america the land of the free? or is it the administration of our current polictical leaders?

"adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant"
_Horace

steven where ever you are your talents were not dormant...peace to you and your family...

coasting...as the world turns

2005-07-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

as the world turns
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

just returned to a dryer climate...and
by the standards in of the gulf coast area...austin is by far dryer..as in less humid...could'nt really get all wound up about the beach thing....i rolled out of bed early friday morning with a cup o joe and strolled up the beach...funny i like the smell, just not the feel....i think the smell i like is the area in and around the dunes....i think i know what kramer meant when developed the fragrance 'the beach' on a recently view seinfeld episode...well i napped,
pondered, viewed lots of beached and pooled humanity....and finished a book..calculated some future risks...whether or not they'll be taken or not is yet to be determined...oh damn the torpedoez...vino snagged the final stage of the tooowir today....man that
guy rages hell of that two persons...i'm thinking if discovery wants a guy who will give, sacrifice,
until he blow...vino's their man...
looks like lance has sakoed numero siete'....hunny i'm home!

upload now please

2005-07-20T03:24:00.000-07:00

from the old star trek beam me up scottie.... upload me now
and get me out of this funk.....please....its to thick, and i do not
like the feel...its got bad spin, and funky rotation...kind of like
of like a pysco carnival ride that you can't get off....oh..thats right
its that time again...middle of the end of summer...kind of like
that section of interstate 10 between ft.stockton and el paso..highway hell..i think everyone has one...a little rummble strip
to top the apple cart?

guess whos coming for dinner

2005-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

lil miss emily
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well lil ms emily's been reeking havoc over the carribean, yucatan, and now
is in bound for the gulf...i'll be trampin around the gulf on Thursday, so
maybe i'll get see some of her handy work.....i kind of like the idea of
seeing surf pounding....especially the sound...hopefully though she'll have not reeked to much havoc on the residents of all in her path....you
know when you look at her I can get the
concept of 'circle of life' and 'rotation'....

rolly polly

2005-07-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

rolly polly
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

good n plenty...man o man...i really do not believe i've ridden anywhere that has the drops of the size and variety of dk....you want hard, you want nasty, you want to soil yourself?
Its there..at least for today....

shyyggeeness

2005-07-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

down with it
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

you should of seen the rocks i was getting pinged with as the doctor shredded by....o good fun.....

hole in the rock

2005-07-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

hole in the rock
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

more of dk's hidden gems...

goodbye dk

2005-07-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

goodbye dk
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the beginning of the end....well it was bound to happen sooner or later, its really sad that sooner has finally
arrived....we rode dk as a farewell
saturday and sunday morning...and we
left it rain fall, i think she was crying....its a shame the folks we elect, see this as a means of preservation....preservation for whom?
good bye dk...you've served us well...

my own grande boucle

2005-07-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

my own grande boucle
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well theres the toowir day france...and then theres the toowir the pct.....vive le seee air uh!

looking for good in all places

2005-07-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

looking for a good time
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

the infinite search of good livin, and
large times is in full bloom....its
thursday and i'm anticipating the future
calendar of events....lets see...next
week the agenda is bluerunners at blues on the green .....bomb down to port aransas with the family a few days.....
playa end of the month with the mrs...
colorado end of august...i'm gonna have
to get with the training......and yes
i am up too the task....

nacho ordinary tuesday night

2005-07-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

finger lickin
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

man o man...really startin to like the groove of townee ridin...start with a lil ol dip in springs sans a sip...presto chango...bike o...hookt
up with dave, megan, and who showz unannounced..but good ole buckee....we
sip anuther and then anuther...then roll on up town experimenting with towneez in the fixed mode...quite enjoyable! gotta remember no quick stops...OucH...oR unannounced change in directions...well the destination was to be opal divines....and a date
with liberation...that an a couple plates of nachoez and giddyness with the camera....made for quite a nice evening....i wanna extend my friend megan and her husband gregg some positive rotation with the passing on of their friend Raymond, ..here's to Raymond and may your future days be
always epic....

phils view of north loop

2005-07-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

phils view of north loop
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

dam phils are jiggee!

sunday evening mass

2005-07-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

sunday evening mass
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well i wound down sunday evening with a
lil ol alley cat....inaugril o the peddlers shop.....aubrey hosted...and i
was thouroughly rosted, toasted, and left behind as spam...or the congealed stuff in a can o spam...oooh gotta get more gear on the front or less in the back or no...repeat "no beer" before the ride...i figured i'd warm up by riding down too the walgreens on 45 and gwadaloop for some lighter floowid aka..noze spray...i kind of knew coming back up gwadaloop my legz were sacks of stone....oh well it is about
fun....so i went....and so i went from the backside of the front to underside of the back damn...it hurt...i had made
my mind up i wood finish...praise jesus
austin's finest show'd up in time to put an end to my crucifixshin....i had
know problem or shame rolln to the side and tossin la naranja n the bak of
the truck and nabbin a tecate'....shuk the shooz...and wiggle the toez....so that this alley cat az i knowz...

spacely sprockets

2005-07-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

spacely sprockets
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

needing sumthing to do...so i purged the junk droor in the garage and made
me a lil spacely sprocket...it even
sings.....kind of fitz the theme for this eveninz alley cat....

wishphul thinking

2005-07-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

wishphul thinking
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

i would simply delight waking up sunday
morning to the sound and smell of rain...a little troll on porch with a cup o joe....ah makes all kind of dreamy and such.....had a very nice
non epic type of troll from the taco deli with the doctor and beth today...slow,croozy little roll up owt and back....i think i could really learn to like this saturday morning ritual....(the earliness duzz hurt)...
the donna sauce at taco deli will inflict beer pummeling to commence...i
think i quafft 2 beerz in less than 15 minutes...this stuff is good but sheesh ahmeyetee itz HoT....droppt in below the pool at the springs to keep
rotation correct for the afternoon....
looks like things are heatn up for the
gc boyz in the toowir....vino and co.
thru the wood on the fire and burned down discovery....eyem bettin LA and his director in turn took the team to the wood shed after dinner...OuCH!....
discovery can't afford to do that anymore specially with big mtns ahead...looks like thairz a hole sloo
ov people ready to try and lay waste to
LA and Co...Vino'z freekin a monster...
i hope the feed'n jan enough stroodle
at night to stay on vino'z wheel....
alley cat tomorrow night....got own bit o slay'n and layn waste to do...
until sundee...i think the Frencheez say it ar ree var....

friday's fix

2005-07-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

fridays cure for thirsty thursday
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well after my solid pummeling of first thursday....i needed a meal thats meant
to set all thats wrong back right! so the ticket is "it"..."it" is a combination of poblano, onion, orange bell pepper, portabello's, sweet corn
tomatoes, and a lil chicken....schpoon
some up in a corn tortilla and your on
the road to recovery....and ah yes i'm
feelin right and get my schwirve back.
looking forward to a troll on the green
belt...and some mojo fish tacos post ride and dip in the springs to put the right rotational spin on saturday!

ouch

2005-07-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

ouch
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

oh man...from the blog above....i can tell i had way too much last night...
and i should'nt blog buzzed...my god spelling is all kinds of bad...i can only imagine my bike riding through
town last night....i'm feeling not like
the red fish but a dead fish....but man
it rained...and it was so nice to hear it, see it, feel it..and the smell of it....

perky melons...

2005-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

perky melons...
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

oh...damn..springs were closed today...but made do with deep eddee until the sun godz prodoost thunder! they askt everyone to bail fromt the poowill du to thuder...i made my own and diverted the following i had to
opals.....it was good....followed by howill phoods....then weh got rain....
and more rain...thanks god!

boomer to the east

2005-07-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

boomer to the east
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

had to just sit and watch this thunder head evolve and dissapear...i'm sure someone recieved some of its fruit...i wish we would....its chicken fried as of now...104 today....startn to sound
like velcro ....

blooz on the green

2005-07-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

blooz on the green
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well hit the trabajo hard...and bailed
about 4, and slugged my through the Y..
and packed up lanaranja and skrammed for the back side of opal divines. From
there me and lanaranja headed over to rock island for blues on the green....(not much on crowds like this but this is an exception)..30th anniversy of Antones...and the show tonight billed
Pine Top Perkins of whom came from the Delta to tickle the ivorys for Muddy Waters, Lightnin Hopkins and host of others....along with him also on the bill was Hubert Sumlin...also a Delta guy who played lead for Lightn as well..Pine Top is celebrating his 92 birthday and is working magic....Hubert
Sumlin I would imagine is easliy 70 something....the band (house band from Antones was superb and very solid)....
i'm glad i went....these guys are a credit to their craft and piers...

tooozdeee half baked

2005-07-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

tooozdeee half baked
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

pheeling phulle dipt again today...schpott (my bike) started schpoogin oil owt ov the right leg..so i took him in for some tlc and a lil make over at todd's.....you know schpotts gotta git reddy for either a troll on friday or saturday....man o man...the sun gods rained down fire today....keep lookn at noaa site for cloudee thatill prodooce sum precip...
its gettin krispee ....ok...tomorrowz
wenzdee...gonna take the mrs down to
rock island to catch hubert sumlin and
pine top....crooz the streets and find
a post show eatery/drinkery....ciao...
oh..hell fire...mahnsoowir armstrong iz
bak in yehloe...poowir zabriskee...he
made a big ouchee...hiz quadz gonna be
like tortilla crust catfish at about
the 100k mark...OucH!!

spinnincin pre'dab on the grunt

2005-07-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

spinnincin pre'dab on the grunt
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

you know monday being the fourth of july and all is kind of over rated....monday's not over rated but i think the fourth is...but a day off from work scores high on my lets not make waste a day off from work with work and lets make play...so that being sed i drug my panza out o the sak at the painful early hour and snagged some coffee, cereal with bloobaireez..(oh baby bloobaireez are so today)....and off i went to zilker to launch a ride from the pool with spinnincin....what nice change of pace...you i don't often get the chance
to ride with other folks and spinnincin
was a most excellent prospect of doing
a monday morning toowir with...not an ill word can come this girl....sheez a trooper and seemed to enjoy just about
anything i through at her...i'd pick a trail, she'd just keep on gowin...smiling all the while...best of all was her anticipation of not finishing, but it's time for a beer at the finsih....i was provided a fourth o
jooleye lunch courtesy of my labor (how could i call that labor...and if i can get a job doing that, hell sign me up!)at the shady grove....well the pic is spinnincin retrying one of the lines on what i refer to as grunt....
what a trooper...she would double back and try sections she dufft on the first pass...i like seeing grit...especially in girlz....you know
come to think ov it...riding with the ladiez is just plain ol good phun!
thanks cindy!

back porch joolip

2005-07-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

back porch joolip
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

well well well....sundays blog is being
posted toozdee....as you can see i've
become distracted by mayngareetahs and lil j.douglas...kind of ironic title for this record and is synonomous on where i'm at...'restless on the farm'....this is diverse (for me)and works just fine...after to mayngareetahs and a couple of fish tacos it was off to the porch swing....
kind of a cruisy swingee way of finshing off sunday ...kind of prescamming monday...well now on to monday...

caught up in a web

2005-07-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

caught up in a web
Originally uploaded by schmarkolus.

of heat and hottness, getting messages both phone and photo to come elsewhere...ohh damn...wishin i could..but daddeez got tu du the right thing....o and did i mention its hot?

great god almighty its the 3rd of july and if this any indication of things to
come we've got serious trouble brewing...its 102 today...is this the peak? oh please let it subside to lower
temps....or else i'm gonna have to pack
and go elswhere...my dog said it was hot....he got in the car from a lil shoppn trip and just laid under the a/c vents in the car....summers hear and so is the opressive heat that comes with it...please send rain asap!

its hot

2005-07-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

ooohh baby it was hot today....launched from the spyglass entrance
today with some older cast of characters that i haven't ridden with in a while.....from the looks and sounds...they had a miserable time...the heat seemed to take a toll on rocky...and mr clarke just plain did not like the rocks....unfortunately for him rocks are a steady diet on the bcgb...there good and plenty, both in size and variety....
we just need to ween him off his rode riding and re-introduce him
to the more fun induced side of cycling...and that is off road....i think
uncle larry was a no show due to a mechanical...but i think ( and if your reading this ha!) he was leary of whom and what we would ride today...well uncle larry you can redeam yourself by showing up monday morning bright and early...joining us!

well seems as tho there's a mass exodus taking place for the next
couple of days, there's a whole slew o people headin for the rocky's
and i'm not one of them....i hate you all! (not really)....i'll be
there eventually...

please send rain.!!! i sure would not mind sitting on porch tomorrow
morning having coffee and listening and smelling rain.....

toodillz..