Bill's Blog (Web Log)

Peace

This is part 15 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Lakes" photo album is "Peace". I took this photo July 28th, 2009 at 4:07 PM with my big Canon SLR.

Could I use a little Peace today. Current events have me unable to sleep and I am contemplating giving up relationships, societal requirements, and my job to go to this place of Peace.

I was trying to get back to the lodge last July when the sickness I had required me to stop by the roadside to take a break from concentrating on the road and the consistent nausea. I found a little turn out and refuge. This scene made me feel better actually and I was able to continue shortly after taking this shot.

I took a mandatory break last night on my training ride out to Clinton. The one time I put a tube in my tire (to lazy to run Stans) I got a flat. Only 9 minutes down the road. Welcome back to tire/tube life again … hate it.

Tomorrow I get to see two things that I also saw in Canmore. Bob W. (Mr.. Thirsty) TRP head honcho and the Queen of Pain … "What! I have to do another lap … WWHHHHYYYY?" … Rebecca Rusch. Wonder who else I will see … Sten … Rich maybe. Never know. Yea, its a long drive and Montana can be quite nasty in the passes.

Why the ramble … 5 hours of sleep dudes.

Perfect Place is Being There

This is part 14 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Creeks Streams and Rivers" photo album is "Perfect Place is Being There". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 4:27 PM with my Canon EOS 10D.

Another photo taken after the 24 Solo worlds on my sightseeing day (http://goo.gl/oJa4). This place was truly magical. This is actually a rest stop just down the mountain from the Ptarmigan Cirque. Numerous hiking trails went from this place and when I return I want to hike them.

I remember this was where I realized that my day was over and that I must turn around and head back to the lodge. I really really wanted to stay but I was feeling weak and getting sicker by the moment.

There was this family playing Frisbee in the parking lot. I remember them well because they were so happy. Here in the states you see families on vacation and they are always bickering and arguing.

Alberta Meadow

This is part 13 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Meadows" photo album is "Alberta Meadow". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 2:45 PM with my trusty Canon PowerShot SD1000.

It is the same area as the last two days but believe me if I had time, health, and tripod at the time I shot these I could of spent the entire day just in this meadow. Some elements I like are the foreground silt laden creek and the moose and its little mooselett in the mud hole. And of course those majestic mountains. What a place to build a homestead.

So on this Monday if work is really getting to you just go visit this meadow.

Thrust

This is part 12 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Mountains" photo album is "Thrust". I took this photo Jul 28, 2009 at 1:40 PM at the same time as yesterday's photo. I know, posting the same photo twice is boring but it really isn't the same photo. This one was shot with my  Canon EOS 10D because I wanted to get across that meadow to capture the mountain.

Another photo taken after the 24 Solo worlds on my sightseeing day. I really wish I could go back but not today. It is sunny here in Missoula and the skies are blue. There is no need to find a better place as this is it. I don't know how I will utilize the day but I am sure I can come up with something.

Yesterday I did my 20 minutes threshold test up route 12 from Lolo. I warmed up and noticed that riding was effortless. i was really going to have a great time trial. About 30 minutes from Lolo I launched my effort.

I flew and I covered more ground then ever before. I swear I averaged 28 miles an hour uphill in full knobby tires. I cooled down and stopped to turn around at the 20 mile mark. I thought, "Wow! Nice! 40 miles in 2 hours, that's cooking on this cross bike". Then I turned to head back and it hit me.

Rarely does the wind blow from Lolo West. Yesterday decided to mix things up and fool anyone out on route 12. I passed a flag completely unfurled and whipping in the wind. I knew my return trip would be a slow one.

Then I met up with my friend Ross and he towed me back into town. Damn wind always humbles me. Better get used to it because the upper plateau at the Devils Slide is windy and the best effort through the wind will win the race.

Meadow Of Giants

This is part 11 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Meadows" photo album is "Meadow Of Giants". I took this photo July 28th, 2009 at 1:39 PM the days after the 24 Hour Worlds with my trusty Canon Sd1000 point and shoot.

I took this short drive (http://goo.gl/oJa4) taking photos and now that I look at them I truly want a re-do.

Although I was sick I did enjoy the loop. I cant imagine to travel this tiny tiny bit of what western Canada has to offer while healthy. It would be fun to do it as a camping trip.

Anyone up for another trip to Canmore, maybe for the 24 hour race (no longer the worlds).

Canmore Elk

This is part 10 in a series of blog posts that I am dedication to my favorite photos of 2009. Today's inductee and now a resident in my "Animals" photo album is "Canmore Elk". I took this photo July 28th, 2009 at 11:43 AM some just down the street from where I was staying in Canmore Alberta. This one I took with my Canon EOS10D SLR. 

I was so sick after the race because of a severe sinus infection that I was not feeling like doing anything but lay around. It took me until 11 to get out of bed but I knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get out and do some sightseeing which was not possible before the race.

The crew was gone and I forced myself to go out and take some photos so that when I did feel better I could enjoy the beauty I was surrounded by. I did a all afternoon jaunt that the helpful desk attendant and I conjured up. Looking back now as I sit here on the verge of the weekend I am enjoying and wishing for a road trip. That will come I suppose.