Heil Hail

Well now that it seems like I live in the Pacific Northwest going out in the rain is no big deal. I finally got into the Laramie Enduro, but now I am second guessing that decision, as I have felt a bit lazy and unmotivated to get on the mountain bike for some reason, well just this week. Perhaps it was riding 9 days in a row, bad idea. After a week in Houston I was so excited to get back on the bike I went a little crazy. Anyway took yesterday off and, well, felt like I should keep the wheels spinning to get all good and ready for Laramie. Didn't want to drive up to Ned so decided on Heil, which is not my favorite, but it's close and I could get in a short ride. Saddled up the ol' blacksheep and headed out under low clouds blanketing the foothills, reminiscent of my time riding a real horse across the Mongolian steppes. Ran into Bobbie Bensman, on her road bike. She started talking about the Vapor Trail 125 and that got me thinking about entering, but found out it's full and there's a waiting list, that might be a good thing. Luckily I got a late start this morning and avoided the marble size hail that pounded Heil Ranch. The hail looked like snow, and for a minute I thought I had traveled back in time to March. I got rained on the entire ride but I am used to it, now that I live in PNW climate, so no biggy. Along the ride I started to notice all these cacti bunnies and snapped quite a few photos, they were everywhere. I have a strange obsession with bunnies, as is expressed in my art. Art, hmmm, yea need to get on it. I just can't seem to get away from the bike and it's difficult for me to fit in both. Lately I find myself doing more business related to art. Sending portfolios, working on the new website, sending images, securing shows, etc. etc. I have been thinking of new ideas and projects, but at times I feel like I need an army to execute these grandeous ideas. I just got into Art Prize an American Idol type of contest. Catch is that it's in Grand Rapids, Michigan but there is large amount of money being offered to the winners. So who knows, the chances are very slim, but I got into my top choice venue which is an art museum located in the old Federal Building. More to come on that later. Will probably be requesting folks who know people in Grand Rapids to come out and cast their vote for an inflatable rabbit and rubber rabbits.

riding in solitude

Headed up to the hills to get in a solo mountain ride. Felt good to get outside and spin the legs on dirt after being indoors most of last week. Always good to take a break and always good to be back home. Looking forward to the next outing.

Bald porcupine on Neva

Summer is finally here, for me, yea! Sometimes without a fixed schedule it's hard to manage time. Never been good at it, my 1st -3rd grade teachers often wrote "needs to use time more wisely" on my report cards. I day dreamed a bunch in elementary school, guess I still do. Memorial day plans were set to ski up in Mt. Neva with Tracy, Steph, Rugi (dog), and Neva (dog). Unfortunately we did not take the most direct route losing time to summit before 10am. Skiing Mt. Neva never did happen that day, as Rugi and Neva encountered a porcupine who shot its quills, into the dogs' sides, feet, nose, and mouths. Horrible sight to see, dogs yelping, the cries echoing down the valley. Neva ran off after trying to get some of the 500 or so the quills out of her. Rugi was limping and we had a long way to go. Tracy yelled out every minute for Neva, but no sign. We had hoped to find Neva at the car when we finally made it out. No sign of Neva. Steph and I took Rugi out called the vet, called Tracy's husband who left to meet her and find Neva. Steph and I told hikers coming up to be on the lookout for a dog with about 500 quills on its side. Luckily those hikers did find Neva managed to get her to Tracy. This is not Rugi, but a look alike found on google web image search. I just wasn't in the mindset to pull out the camera and take photos of the poor pups in pain. Finally 2 hours after the incident down the canyon and in Boulder, Steph rushed Rugi to the vet and had quills removed. Neva finally found but in critical condition as the quills can migrate into the body cavity. The quills managed to puncture which they Neva's lung. She had a slim chance of survival and was sent to Wheatridge. Thankfully Neva and Rugi are both doing much better. Perhaps we'll get back up there to ski this summer. could have been worse, they could have looked like this poor pitbull. I never thought a porcupine could be so life threatening. I am sure that porcupine is up there wandering around looking like a marmot after shooting all it's quills.