Still don't want to leave

So, I finished the death defying experience of summiting mount whitney via the mounatineers route and making it back down.

I just rode tonight with some good riding friends while setting up for the poker ride the next day. Afterwards, the usual bar for food and beer. I've got a good group of riding friends. I developed a good group back in VA too. But, the riding is SO much more accessible here. And, I still don't want to leave.

Living the good life

Yes, I'm living the good life. But, on the downside...I know it will come to an end. And soon.

Living in Monterey has been amazing. I get to ride my bike to work every day. I can ride it to run errands too, though I don't as often as I should. I've had some great experiences in Tahoe, Downieville, and Yosemite.

Speaking of Yosemite...H's birhtday gathering was planned around the "moon bow" event at Yosemite Falls May 7th-9th. That friday, in preparation for another trip, I wanted to hike upper Yosemite Falls. If you aren't familiar with it...there are actually two seperate falls. Upper and lower. Distinctly different. Yosemite creek first falls over the upper falls. Then runs again, then falls down the lower fall. Getting to the creek is a 2700ft + elevation gain in about 3.5 miles. I loaded up my new Osprey (great pack by the way) backpak with about 30 lbs of stuff including 5 liters of water to try and train for my next event. I din't think I'd need that much water and didn't bring the fitler. I gave away a liter of water too, thinking...4 liters is more than enough for a hike.

The hike itself was pretty damn neat. The falls were raging with the spring runoff. Thunderous, I shit you not. It was pretty warm too. On the way up, talking with a fellow hiker coming down, we discover some dude is "slack lining" across the mouth of uppper Yosemite Falls. Wow. We can barely see a red speck and a line. Nuts. We got to the top eventually and got to see him walk out on the slack line (he is tied into the line iteself). Still Nuts. We try to hike even further to yosemite point or something like that. About 1000 yards into that endeavour, I cry uncle. I can tell my water supplies are running low and I know my body well enough. It is time to turn back if I am that low on water. My feet thank me as well as I had some really good hot spots on the back of my heels. I ended up running out of water with still about 1000 feet to descend and my legs shake every time I try to stand still. My knee kills me. I am reminded of why biking, and mtn biking specifically is the past time I have settled on after trying many many recrational hobbies/sports. I have tried lots of activities...Mtn Biking is by far the most agreeable to my body with its joints that are much older than my calndar age would inidcate.

So, I made it down. Next day, a shorter easier hike. But, man was I sore. Then we went to see the moon bow. It finally came out around midnight. Spectactular experience. Freezing and wet from the spray of the falls, constantly fiddling with the camera to capture the moon bow image. That in itself made it an epic event...but I don't think it is all that enjoyable if you don't have a camera to play with that is capable of capturing the image. You can't see color in the moon bow very well, if at all. The long exposure time on a camera (I ended up using 13 seconds) allows the collors to come through. So, we got our shots. The next day, and the day after, my calves and quads protested fiercly over the previous days hikes. My right leg was much worse than the other. I think I alterd my gait on the hikes to alleviate the knee pain and ended up using muscles more that aren't used to it.



Anyway, back to the good life. I'm almost completley calling the shots in my schedule now. If I want to work on stuff, I work. If I want to play, I play. I've never had that opportunity in 12 years in the Navy and surely never will again. (with that in mind, I need to pick my next career wisely). Friday, I got in a good ride with Peter. Dairus and his wife Lisa as well as Chris V met Peter and I at Ol'Factory for some food and beer after we rode. Saturady I got up and hiked up some trails at Garapata State Park, just north of Big Sur. Really nice views, and a good hike too. Only about 1800 feet of elevation gain, but again, it was WARM and I went through 3 liters of water rather quickly.

Today, I rode in the morning again with Peter. I good longish route. We even scoped some camp sites for the upcoming 24 hour race. Then, I went home and watched the Wings play pretty well. I liked the desperation they showed at times. Playoff hockey is the best sporting event to watch in my opinion. After the game, I took the Mustang out to run a couple of errands and give her a good flogging. Man that car is so much fun to drive! Temps in the low 80's I'm guessing....tunes blatsing, windows rolled down, and the sound of a 351W through JBA shorty headers and 40 series Flowmasters in a 5 speed car.....NICE! Hitting the curves on reservation road out to Hwy 68...nice. Then, back home. Fire up the grill. Chicken, veggies, and the best summer time grilling...corn cooked on the grill. Throw in a bottle of Chimay. What more could I ask for?

As if that isn't enough...for Memorial Day Weekend, we are going to try the Mountaineers Route to reach the summit of Mount Whitney (the highest point in the lower 48 states). I don't know if I'll make it. But, it is a challenge to say the least. After that is the 24 hour race (I'll be on a team, not solo). Then, I take my 2 weeks off and grab the bikes and the camper and get out and live life 100% on my OWN terms.

Yes, I'm living the good life. I know I am lucky. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of the journey getting here, past and present. Maybe I'll post some of the Yosemite photos later.