Getting High at work

Get your mind out of the bong water, its not what you think.

Mission Complete, Time to Eat

So if you've read through the right post on Tiffanie's blog you've read about Bagel Dogs.

What you don't realize is just what you're missing out on. So to help you out I did my best

to reproduce these little pieces of heaven.

First prep your dough with the add in's you want, such as sesame seed, poppy seeds and garlic

Next you must boil your risen dough.

Then wrap your pre-cooked German style dogs in the dough and sprinkle with a little cheese, and bake.

Mission Complete, its time to eat!

Last ride of '08

It was really mild day in early December when I jumped on Aphrodite for the last ride of 2008. Heading south on highway 101 I turned around as the sun dipped behind the hills of the west coast. The following are a couple of the shots I took along the ride

The tiny dots on the waves are surfers. Yes, even into December we are crazy enough to plung into the surf in hopes of a few good waves.

Recoil

So a friend of mine came over the other last night and we got in a heated debate.

When you pull the trigger of any firearm you without a doubt feel its recoil. This much in known, But our debate was not over this simple fact, it was over whether or not you ever felt the true power of the projectile. The brute force of the gun powder unleashing its strength. The searing pain as it takes a life.

As a true hunter I lean towards the side of one who says yes you do. It is present in the strength we gain from eating our harvest. Warming us as we wrap our persons in its hide.

As a true pessimist my friend took the side of one who uses a firearm as not a tool but as a weapon. Reasoning that the criminal who guns down the innocent does not feel the truth of what he does but rather dismisses it and plays into his own greed. He selfishly takes what is not his and moves on.

Then rebutting with the the grief and regret that must catch up with someone who lives a lifestyle above the law I made my case that these were not the reasons for which our forefathers created such firearms.

To which my friend countered such conditions were the same reason our new president elect, and vice president elect wish to raise ammo and firearm taxes FIVE hundred percent!

So at the end of the night it was a draw between the two of us.

So I ask you, when you take a life is it in respect for a creature that you may prosper from its lose of life or is it greed upon which you act.

The photo that spawned the debate.

This blog is in part due to my good friend who finally came to visit

Sailor Jerry

A woman of Intrigue

I can not explain this woman in the words of our language. I'm positive there are plenty of ways in other language to compliment her beauty, to draw words from her spirit, or to do her figure justice. In those languages the words needed may even flow from the pen.

Forming poetry in the purest sense.

In our language though I can only find one word that begins to come close.

She is a woman of intrigue.

Fun with Helicopters

So over the last few weeks I've been on a number of flights. Here are some of the Photos

from my adventures

Home for some Turkey

This adventure began like many do, in an airport. Not so much the departing airport but the arriving one. Tiffanie and I were flying into Grand Rapids on different carriers from different cities yet we were arriving within 3 minutes of each other. Tiffanie at the A terminal and me at the B terminal, So we met my parents who were there to pick us up in the middle.

After introductions we were off to see grandma.

Taking fun photos at the Fredrich Meijer Gardens

Where do you find a wreath that gigantic

Is the bear smiling because he's happy to see us or because he sees his next meal?





Desert Flowers

Riding the Merry-Go-Round at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

For those of us lucky enough to have seen some of Tiffanie's photos, most have wondered how she does it. Well here is a little insight as to how she captures some of those awe inspiring shots.

First step is to find you subject. Make sure the lighting is right.


Get right up close. Select your focal point.

Then laugh at the goofball your hiking with as he just points and shoots.

For those of you who haven't been lucky enough to see her work yet check out the link to her site at the top right of mine under Field Days

Tristen the Explorer and I

My cousin Tristen, Little sister Marya and I

Towards the end of our stay in Michigan we got about 2in of snow. Sadie talked Tiffanie and I get out and enjoying this snow for a few hours

The Most Beautiful Woman

Hiking the short trail from the parking lot we came to the beautiful Young's River Falls. As Baylee investigated the area for things that may be food, we picked our way over to the rocks. Finding a nice perch we sat a while and watched the small fish jump at the base of the fall.
As I had only know this wonderful woman a short time I could only speculate as to what was going on behind those deep blue eyes of hers.

What ever it was, I knew no I wanted to share more moments like this with her!

How to make squirrel soup

The first and hardest part is to get the little bastard in the pot

Then Add your veggies and cook 'till tender

The Beginning of the End and Start of a Beginning

One early July morning I loaded my Harley onto a south bound ferry out of Kodiak. Shortly there after I help my friend Chad load my truck loaded with our dogs and camping gear. This would be a five day trip on the ferry then up to nine on the road, and the start of a new adventure in life. And it was as close to a vacation as I had been afforded in a long while.

Five days of pulling in and out of sleepy little coastal Alaskan towns, catchin up on the latest in Hollywood garbage is just what I needed.

On our last leg of the trip we pulled into Ketchikan and drove to the end of the road to hike up one of the mountain trails. Along the way we crossed a few glaciers.

Seen here are two intrepid explorers trying to figure out why their human counter parts are blindly descending into a glacial cave. In the back ground is one of clearest and coldest mountain lakes in Alaska

Loaded back on the ferry we were off for Prince Rupert, BC, Canada. The short one day hop was just long enough to finish packing my saddle bags, double checkin my ride, and get some sleep before the long haul to Jasper. Stopping in Jasper NP long enough to rest and realize it was more of a tourist trap than Jellystone we headed south on Canada Route 93 also know as the Icefields Highway.

This was an awesome ride. Slowly climbing into the Columbia IceFields the mountains just growing larger all the time. Stopping for a late lunch we also decided to take the last tour to the heart of the ice fields that day. An interesting ride to put it mildly, you load up on a standard bus to take a sort ride to the tour loading station, where we jump on to these behemoth tour buses that could have been the parents to any monster truck. There are only 28 rigs like these in the world, 27 here in the Columbia Icefields and one in Antarctica.

In case your wondering Yes I asked, and No they wouldn't let me drive. First you have to have a Canadian commercial passenger licence, then get hired by Brewster Tours Inc. Then start your 3 month training on how to handle such a beast on ice. Oh did I mention this tour starts by riding that beast down the steepest passenger grade in continent, a mere 16% grade on ICE!

Finishing Dinner we continued south to Banff, Canada.

As we had plenty of time to knock out the rest of out trip, we chose to stay here for two days and hike some of the trails it had to offer. The first was down into a canyon that had some spectacular water falls.

After we returned to town and had a great meal at a great German restaurant then hit some shops in search of great deals on gear. Once the food settled we hiked up a switch back trail to the top on the mountain to the south of town

As you can see here hiking up was not your only option.

The ride up took 28mins and the hike took a bit more

Birds eye view of Banff

A local family enjoying a picnic lunch atop the mountain


So as in all great trips we saw plenty of wild life. Most at close range. We saw everything, beavers, moose, elk, brown bear, black bear, deer, whales (while on the boat), mountain goats, eagles and big horn sheep.

Shots from the Handle Bar Camera!

Are we there yet?

Welcome to our new home! You just got to love the west coast's sunny beaches

Updates and Additions to "Hikin the Ozarks"

Hello all,

Just note to all that my post "Hikin the Ozarks" has some new additions.

California Redwoods with the 'Rents

The plan was my parents were going to fly in on Friday and we would have the holiday weekend to spend together. Then uncle Sam called and said hey son, "Semper Gumby." You see all branches of the armed forces have a Latin motto, Semper Fidelis, Semper Paratus, and what have you. But the one we all have in common is Semper Gumby. The Latin word Semper means "always," and gumby is not Latin but I bet you can figure it out. So Friday I hopped on a Coast Guard H-60 and flew into SeaTac airport in Seattle for the Seafair as my parents flew into Portland. Not being able to meet them, they rented a car and drove to my place to watch my dog they had never met.

So I spent three days in Seattle standing by to rescue the hydroplane boat drivers or the Blue Angels. Fortunately I did not have to. Upon returning to Astoria I met my parents at the Astoria Column, from there we hiked down to the Cathedral Tree. So as we stared up at this magnificent tree my mother pipes up and says we should run down and check out the Redwood National Forest.

My "Minnie Mom" and I at the Cathedral Tree

As my father and I looked at each other in disbelief we were both mentally trying to do the math as to whether we could drive down, see all we wanted to in the park and then drive up 101 and hit all the light houses in Oregon in three days.

The explorers and Baylee on the trail to Boy Scout Tree

No really, the tree was thiiiis big! This is a great shot of my father and I at Boy Scout Tree. So far is the biggest tree recorded in North America. As dad recalls it is just a short .3 miles from the road. In actuality it is about 2.8 miles.

Seen here are two rarities, a squirrel with no fear and a very self controlled dog

A few moments later I told Baylee "free" and dropped the leash in my hand.

The events that ensued were fast paced and funny.

No worries the little guy made it under that fence about thirty yards later

A sampling of the west coasts finest seafood.

Mom, Baylee and I at Ecola Park, at Cannon Beach.

The day before they left for their tour of Washington my parents came to visit me while I was on duty. BIG IRON

The H-60 taking off on a Law Enforcement mission with the Astoria-Megler bridge in the back ground. The same bridge I Jogged across a few weeks later, see my post entitled The Great Columbia Crossing.

Have you ever seen a 53 year old kid in a candy store. Reports have been confirmed that is what is seen here. Love you dad!