tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15286069935002609072024-03-08T15:35:35.594-08:00Desert GeocachingGeocaching adventures with NevadaWolf, all around the Silver State.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-12972834547328200452013-01-29T14:40:00.001-08:002013-06-12T05:22:07.280-07:00A Diabolical JourneyHurm,<br />
<br />
I realize I detailed out the first of these two caches, but never got around to telling about the second. At least I don't think I did... Anyway, here goes.<br />
<br />
Stage one,<br />
<br />
From the parking coordinates, the Cacher would begin by sweeping their flashlight around until the fire tack in a nearby tree reflected back. Moving to that position and repeating let them to a second fire tack in a sagebrush. Hidden on the other side of the branch with the tack was a small red push button. It was set in such a way that cachers needed to bend over to push it and as such would miss the string of LEDs behind them in a mid sized bush. This was accomplished through the LED strips at wal-mart and simply lengthing the wiring supplied in the packaging. Once they did see the lights, there was a PVC pipe attached to the truck with a pill bottle at the bottom. The trick on this one was the bottle was not magnetic from the top. A strong magnet needed to be slid along the outside of the pile to lift the bottle (two two earth magnets on the bottom). I supplied the magnet in the lid of the pipe cap and after a few folks there was a noticeable scrape mark along the outside of the pipe. Coordinates for stage two inside the pill bottle.<br />
<br />
Stage two,<br />
<br />
Parking was along the road beside an empty cheatgrass field. Shining the flashlight around revealed a trail of fire tacks leading out. The trail circled around to the only bush where a large flat board was placed with a faded stenciling stating Do Not Remove and the GC number. Lifting the board showed nothing underneath and shining a white light on the backside also gave nothing. But once the white light was turned off or a UV light used, the clear UV paint lit up and revealed the next set of coordinates. This idea had some issues, the paint wasn't as invisible as hoped (it's a pale white) and over the winter, critters used the board as shelter and ate away at the wood.<br />
<br />
Stage three,<br />
<br />
Park and shine the light around for the fire tack. At the base of the bush was a clear UV reflective fishing line. Using paper clips, the line snaked across the ground and led the Cacher in a meandering path around the sage brush. At the end was a black ammo can with an altos tin and three holes. After while, cachers realized if they shined a light into one of the holes, the bottom of the Altaic tin lit up and revealed the next set of coordinates. This was accomplished by using mirrors to direct the light andante cutting out the bottom of the tin. Foam allows the light to shine through from the bottom but prevents the text from being seen from the top.<br />
<br />
Stage four,<br />
<br />
This is the simplest, yet most wicked, stage. Coordinates led to a small clearing at the top of a low ridge that provided a nice overlook of south Carson. There were a ring of larger rocks/boulders surrounding an spares about 10 feet wide. The coords led to the dead center where some smaller hand size rocks were scattered. Given the accuracy problems with handheld GPS units, the entire area was open for searching. Most cachers, upon finding ground zero, will set the GPS down and expand. After several minutes of searching, they come back to the gps to check. They may notice a slightly larger hand sized rock near their GPS. Some might pick it up, and find one of groundspeaks fake rocks. The coordinates have to be dead on for this to work. I left mine to average for about five minutes.<br />
<br />
So there ya go. My second diabolical cache.<br />
<br />
And for a bonus treat, here's how my three night school caches out in Fallon worked...<br />
<br />
Elementary: simple follow the fire tacks stuck onto sticks.<br />
<br />
Middle: go out at dusk and follow two fire tacks to a hidden valley. WAY off in the distance is a very faint light. I used solar lawn lights and blacked out the globe except for the direction I wanted it to shine. Follow about five of those until you get to a stick with a button. Push it and a wireless doorbell rings about 15 feet away. Shine your light in that direction to reveal another fire tack and the ammo can.<br />
<br />
High: coords take you right to the locked ammo can. Shining the flashlight around reveals four fire tacks in the cardinal directions. Each tack is on a lawn stake with a small black box. If you put your fingers in the box, you'll feel the stake has been notched into the shape of a letter. The four posts have the letters O P E N which s the combination to the lock on the ammo can.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-89001667758754896512012-10-28T23:04:00.003-07:002012-10-28T23:04:40.556-07:00PaintingGot one cowling painted, played games, hung out with buddy. Travel next weekTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-41609967596153046402012-10-23T07:27:00.001-07:002012-10-23T07:27:16.790-07:00Just want to sleepLazy weekend, looked at the 300, bought Negima!? 2 and Tsuro, hung out with buddy.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-55460222639179138242012-10-15T09:01:00.000-07:002012-10-20T09:02:17.008-07:00VolunteeringMuseum scanning, UFC fighting, heavy sleeping, escalator conquering.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-82481623012023727532012-10-10T11:09:00.001-07:002012-10-10T11:09:17.460-07:00Vegas boundwedding and Catan via skypeTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-11328208310109635462012-10-03T15:50:00.003-07:002012-10-03T15:50:52.189-07:00Puppy sittingRude service, new tires and idler arm, yard work, watched Max, off-roading, lake walking.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-61319230106429951522012-09-28T15:13:00.000-07:002012-09-28T15:14:16.581-07:00Seiryu's FBIf anyone is bored out of their mind and wants to follow along with the rebuild, I'm posting updates on Seiryu's FB account. I think I have it set so where you can simply subscribe as I still have no interest in FB whatsoever and won't be reading it unless I am posting something there.<br />
<br />
I'm on Twitter and I like that a LOT better.<br />
<br />
Anyway, linky: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/seiryu.otobai">http://www.facebook.com/seiryu.otobai</a>Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-79227814647007920702012-09-25T12:58:00.001-07:002012-09-25T12:58:54.819-07:00Nevada Rock ArtInterview and sanding experiment.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-70912225349064625552012-09-21T08:56:00.001-07:002012-09-21T08:56:29.825-07:00Knew it'd happen eventuallyWreckedTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-40730313124115153142012-09-14T11:33:00.001-07:002012-09-14T11:33:06.002-07:00Hike and bikeSierra hike and bike loop along TahoeTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-70959612832418735672012-09-04T15:37:00.001-07:002012-09-04T15:37:07.539-07:00UticaCamping, kayaking, off road, and lowsideTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-76967908472384247652012-08-27T12:24:00.000-07:002012-08-29T12:25:15.626-07:00AnimalsNew camera and Animal ArkTerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-52493849211635670612012-08-20T12:23:00.000-07:002012-08-29T12:24:31.524-07:00Hanging with MomAnnual Yard Party and ride to Walker.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-84061759222396995812012-08-13T12:22:00.000-07:002012-08-29T12:23:36.240-07:00Trackday!First trackday at Reno Fernley Raceway.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-1785837126158611342012-08-06T08:29:00.000-07:002012-08-06T08:29:24.524-07:00LumberjackThis weekend had a common theme through it.<br />
<br />
Friday got off work and decided to finally take care of the mop that had grown on the top of my head. So got it whacked off in what the stylist calls a "high fade". Basically, number two clippers all the way up to labored my ear line, then a trim on the top. I like the look so far. Headed home and crashed on the couch to watch Sam Neill's Merlin on Netflix. Ended up falling asleep and heading into Carson late. I had intended to have dinner with Dad before meeting up with my buddy. Instead, bought fast food to go, delivered the burger, and crashed into bed exhausted.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning woke up and we headed up to every motorcycle shop in Reno looking for a pair of real race boots for me. My motorcycle boots work, but since I am going to be starting to head out to track days, I want real protection for my ankle and shin. While everyone was very happy to order me any pair I wanted, I did not know the size I would wear and so wanted to try them on. Aside from BVH, NO ONE carried boots in stock. BVH had only a size 13 which was way to large for me. Eventually we made it to Sierra BMW who not only carried Sidi boots in stock, but Tom was simply an awesome sales dude and ended up outfitting me with a pair of Sidi Corba Air boots. On order and should arrive on Wednesday. Afterwards, headed back home and again crashed on the couch waiting to go meet up with friends at tonight's UFC bout. Long and slow fight so just hung out and had dinner while yacking, before going over caching plans for Sunday.<br />
<br />
However, as exhausted as I was, Saturday night had that weird insomnia of can't/don't want to sleep. So laid awake all night reading Hunger Games, and then Catching Fire, and started Mockingjay. I like the books, though the same issue I had with Peeta in the movie was in the book so I'm just discounting him as a decent character all together.<br />
<br />
Once the sun rose, was picked up by Puzzleman to grab coffee and ensure all GPS units were loaded up. Up to Truckee to get him the 20 needed for a milestone then over to Tahoe City to show him the Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park. Finally we went down to Blackwood Canyon for the Powertrail there. Unfortunately, by this time the exhaustion caught up with me and I crashed out in the Jeep. Next thing I know is we're heading down the hill towards Carson. Stopped long enough to upload field notes to the server and grab dinner with my Dad. Then I packed up and took off towards home.<br />
<br />
As I watched the moon rise over Lahontan, red through the smoke of the Chip fire, I couldn't help but focus on just how exhausted I was still.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-9784844614983262392012-07-30T09:37:00.001-07:002012-07-30T09:37:43.943-07:00"Watch out for that tree!"I'll start with the fail of the social-era Olympics in that on Friday, despite a rather lengthy search, I could not find the opening ceremony online (unless I was a cable subscriber, which I'm not). So, ended up watching a few hours of it at my Dad's before going to hang out with a friend and had a good time just talking.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning started out way early, but that left me time to head out with Dad to the soft opening of the new I-580 connection between Reno (Mt Rose Highway) and Washoe Valley (at the former Bower's Mansion exit). I took the motorcycle while Dad took the Jeep and we crept our way along the 8.5 miles of new interstate. Very scenic up there and even ran into a few friends while standing at the center of the huge arch bridge. The big concern continues to be the wind, with as bad as it gets on the valley floor, a bridge stretched across a canyon to just channel that intense force seems ... Foolish? We'll see how often it becomes closed due to the wind racing down from the Sierras. Later went over to the bike demo setup for the AMA International Women and Motorcycle Conference. Not sure what was open to just public attendance, so just drifted around looking at the bikes set out. Then went home where the exhaustion finally caught up with me and I crashed hard on the couch. After I finally woke up, did some minor maintenance on the bike (and cleaned it) before heading up to the truck route again to get some pics of me coming around the corner. I'm looking further into the corner so my head's turned right, now to just get my body in line with the bike. Ran to grab dinner then met up again with my friend for dessert (for me anyway, grabbed the last chocolate chip cookie).<br />
<br />
Sunday had zero plans and overslept anyway. Dad suggested going up to Tahoe to see what the Tree Top Adventure Park at Granlibakken, just south of Tahoe City, was all about. We got there, managed to get partially lost in looking for the ticket booth, got back on track, and found out the next session started in 45 minutes. I took the adult course (though the kids course looked very fun) and climbed, balanced, zipped, and cycled my way through the pine trees. I had so much fun, and surprisingly was able to do all five courses in the time I was there. It was truly a cool experience and I would definitely go back to play some more. More details can be found here: <a href="http://ziplinetahoe.com">ziplinetahoe.com</a>. Had a yummy dinner at China Jade Horse before gearing up to head home. Short stop at a coffee shop to ensure I was awake enough to ride and then off I went.<br />
<br />
Overall fun weekend, hands and legs are sore, I have mystery bruises that I'm not sure when or what caused them, and got to hang with family and friends. All good!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-28127503302475565622012-07-23T11:34:00.000-07:002012-07-23T16:09:58.927-07:00Climbing highThis weekend was an interesting one in that quite a bit happened, but mostly it was a quiet weekend.<br />
<br />
Came in on Friday and enjoyed a dessert with a friend while chatting about what we each were doing this weekend. None of us noted the tragedy of the massacre in Aurora. Nothing here we can speculate about, let the police do their job and the families heal. <br />
<br />
Saturday helped Dad with the drip system and weather station. Stupid juniper bush gave me a rash that I dealt with all day. But got the ground cleared around it and water flowing again so it stops turning brown. Weather station wasn't transmitting so had to crawl up to it and give it a good solid whack to get it working (as well as push the reset button). Afterwards, Puzzleman swung by and it was time to go hiking. The plan was to go around the Kingsbury North section of the Tahoe Rim Trail and pick up the numerous caches along there. The first one was about three miles from the trailhead and knowing how freaking slow I walk lately, I suggested driving up then back to hike the closer ones. Well, we ended up driving all over up there and grabbing several outlying caches (with two DNFs) before going to dinner. My buddy has a neat thing he does with the waiters and this time ended up with a gumbo dish that reportedly was good. I'll stick with my steak thank you! We then went back and set up camp to stargaze and just chat about stuff.<br />
<br />
Then the coyote hunters rolled in. Yeah, that was interesting to say the least...<br />
<br />
Sunday morning we drove back down trail a bit and took a bushwhack short cut down to the TRT. The third cache we went for left a bitter taste in my mouth and almost had me truly quitting right there. It was a small pill bottle tucked up under a rock overhang that created a small shelter. The problem was it was several hundred feet up the mountain side, pushing through thick manzanita, fallen pine trees, dead branches, and slippery rocks. About a hundred feet away I was silently complaining about the placement. I mean really? What's the point!? (mental version had a few more choice words as colorful as the rainbow.) I was happy to get back on trail but afterwards had really low interest in even bothering to look for others. We did stop at the ones along the trail, but I was more focused on keeping my pace steady, my breathing regular, and my knee functioning. I think the best part of the day was when we ran into a family with kids and introduced them to the fun of geocaching. (See, I can promote how fun and exciting this is even if I am personally getting to hate it.) Then it was back down the hill to grab lunch and a drink while talking about the weekend before going to clear a few DNFs that he had. A lightning storm had started a big fire in the Pinenuts so I watched the smoke billow up into the clouds while he looked and signed logs.<br />
<br />
Homeward bound through the monsoon was entertaining, but it was good to get home and crash on the couch with the kitty kat. Been watching Eureka and borrowed season 5 since its not on Netflix yet. Sucks knowing this is the last season. Why do the good shows cancelled? Damn! :-/Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-86075597941043834412012-07-18T08:49:00.001-07:002012-07-18T08:49:54.334-07:00A whole lot of pavementWeekend started early as I met up with a friend at Olive Garden for dinner and a wander around Scheel's before heading back home. My eye sight is really starting to concern me as it's becoming difficult to see clearly at night. For those I haven't told, imagine a nice crisp morning where a thin layer of fog has settled and all the lights have a nice circular haze around them. The lights, signs, buildings, cars, whatever are all clear but just surrounded by a halo. Yeah, that's what I see daily (nightly, actually).<br />
<br />
But Saturday oh Saturday!! Got up early and headed out with my bike to the Reno Fernley Raceway where I sat and watched some truly fast bikers take off around the track. And when noon rolled around, it was my turn! Though I had to wait while a spill and two bikes were cleaned up from the "Bowl" (I think), an area on the back side of a huge horseshoe turn. Led by Chad and followed by Mary and Jerry, I got to go around the track three times at a nice controlled speed. OMG THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!! I even dragged my foot peg twice on the same corner! Must find me a leather suit so I can go back out next month and ride for real.<br />
<br />
Afterwards, seeing as it was only 1 o'clock, Dad and I grabbed lunch, filled up the Yaris, and headed all the way out to Pony Springs off Hwy 93 to replace a cache of mine. 8 hours later we arrived and got treated to a BEAUTIFUL lightning storm that was having a fit over eastern Nevada. The return trip was uneventful, having grabbed dinner at the Hotel Nevada in Ely. My eyes were bothering me so I had been keeping them closed most of the drive ... Which resulted in my body thinking it was bed time. Ugh, I got so sleepy I wasn't able to help drive and my Dad brought us all the way back to Fallon to stop at my place. 3 am makes for a LONG day!<br />
<br />
Sunday, we were both whipped, so headed back into Carson where I met up with Puzzleman to head to Tahoe (quick bite at Wendy's first) and hang out for awhile. Had a blast up there chilling over a couple Starbucks drinks and surfing around on the Internet. Good way to spend the afternoon.<br />
<br />
Dad brought me back to Fallon where we went out to a nice dinner for his birthday. Since it fell out a weekday, figured a weekend celebration would be easier. Yummy dinner and another good chance to sit down and talk.<br />
<br />
All in all had a wonderful weekend with a LOT Of driving in it. This week will be a short one for me as I am taking Tuesday off. Hoping to take care of a few things that have been bothering me for a long time.<br />
<br />
Until next time! (hikes and a possible overnight up on some Tahoe trails.)Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-43925861083892251512012-07-09T10:00:00.000-07:002012-07-09T10:00:27.368-07:00Hiking Nine to FiveWhat happens when you:<br />
<br />
1) Don't drink enough water?<br />
2) Don't eat enough beneficial food?<br />
3) Walk too far after not hiking in a LONG time?<br />
4) Carry too much weight for said hike?<br />
5) Sleep poorly afterwards due to hot house?<br />
<br />
Answer: feel crappy on Monday morning. Ugh.<br />
<br />
Anyway, so Wednesday hung out at a friend's house to have BBQ burgers, sweet potato fries, caesar salad, and my candy sushi. Then got to play Settlers of Catan for the first time (and WON believe it or not! Yay!) before we all went out to watch the fireworks. Fallon seriously needs to boost the oomph on their show as most of the explosions were below tree level for the rest of town. Grrrr<br />
<br />
Friday, went into town early and just reviewed maps and hung out. Saturday, dad and I got my truck squared away with an oil change and rebalancing the tires. Had breakfast at the new Zen's Cafe (which shows the UFC fights with no cover!) and managed to get a hold of Greg's copy of Twist of the Wrist. It's a book that spells out the techniques and reasons why doing things on bikes works the way it does. Then we ran up to Reno to drop in at 2 Wheel Custom Performance. They were holding a Bikini Bike Wash so a lot of people were there. I walked in and was asked what they could do for me. So I blurted out I'd been on Precision Trackdays website and was wanting to do that. Oh Boy! Talk about helpful, informative, great folks who just gave me everything I could ask for! The owner is even one of the instructors and he joined the conversation. The next track day is next weekend and there is a free Try the Track thing. Plus I can wear my own gear for it! Yay. Steve offered to find me a race suit if I wanted to borrow one for awhile until I committed to buying my own. That was freaking awesome! I am so going!! We then headed around town and I bought a new helmet that was more aerodynamic than the one I own so I wouldn't have anything whipping my head around at excessive speeds. Next stop Carson, where I met up with Tarry to compare gear for Sunday. We're both carrying 30 pounds and feel ready for the hike! (I'll refer you back to the opening of this post ... I was optimistic).<br />
<br />
Saturday was the night of a big fight between Silva and Sonnen. Several of the early fights were over fast! But the main fight was interesting. Usually there is some dancing around and getting the feel for the opponent. Nope, Sonnen dove right in and had Silva on the ground early in the first round and kept him there. Silva defended well enough that Sonnen couldn't do anything, but they stayed down the entire round. The second round again had Sonnen dive straight in but a missed spinning backfist sent Sonnen to the ground where Silva took advantage and sent a knee straight into his chest. The fight was over and Sonnen declared Silva a true champion. Good fight!<br />
<br />
Sunday we all met up at Ash Canyon to carpool up the mountain to Hobart Reserviour. The plan was to hike down to that lake, then out a bit farther to Marlette Lake Rd before turning south onto the Tahoe Rim Trail and continuing out to Spooner Summit where I had left my truck overnight. 12 miles total. We were getting along great (me, naturally, dragging up the rear) and seemed to be going at a fairly decent clip of between 1.5 to 2 MPH (that's good for this asthmatic gimpy turtle). That was until the initial climb to the rim and then the climb up towards Snow Valley Peak decided to remind me I am seriously out of shape to be doing this. The asthma was causing my throat to tighten despite me trying to reserve oxygen and keep my pace steady and my body wasn't cooling off effectively (spiking at one point into a flash rage that I feel terrible about ... Good thing I can bite my tongue and not say evil shit when no one around warrants or deserves it). Tried continuing on, but my body was beginning to hurt and my throat was closing painfully. Yeah, asthma attacks for me aren't sucking air through a straw, it's a pain radiating from my throat to my chest leaving me a sobbing weeping mess of a person. GAH, I must be so lovely! :-) <br />
<br />
We stopped just shy of the Snow Valley mountain saddle to have lunch and it was decided that my idea sucked (go back to the Scout alone) and the group would split with me hiking back under the watchful eye of Greg. Probably a good idea as Tarry was already chewing my ass for even suggesting going alone, once he saw how bad my knee was I would probably never hear the end of it (yes, I know you read this). Everyone headed up to the peak after lunch and I was eyeing the ONE SINGLE benchmark that is up here.<br />
<br />
Topic break, long ago I had noticed that all along this section of the Sierras, there was only one benchmark indicated on the map. It's called Overlook, http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=KR1674, and was originally set in 1897 as a drill hole. Along in 1951 the next crew set a disk into the original hole and also placed two reference marks and an azimuth nearby. Just a half mile away from Snow Valley Peak, it has always been a curiosity to me. Why there, why no other marks, why?? So, back to the story...<br />
<br />
While everyone else was bagging the summit, I was looking out and debating contouring over to go recover the survey mark. But, when I dropped by pack at the junction and pulled it up on the GPS I was a mile away. Figuring the side to be bare (we were above tree line) I pointed my hiking poles in the direction I went and set off. Rounded the one grove of trees blocking my direct view and saw that the tree line was higher here and I couldn't see the peak I was aiming for. I'm not stupid enough to go wandering off trail in a vague direction when the rest of my friends don't know exactly where I am headed and how to find me again, and I can't see my destination nor around me enough to spot them. So I went back to the junction and waited.<br />
<br />
Turned out to be the best move. Once I was rejoined by Greg, we headed down Snow Valley Road back to the Hobart parking area. 4 miles and two hours later, we made it back at the Scout and began heading down Ash Canyon. Tarry had picked up my truck at Spooner and we all met up within minutes of each other. Started hiking at 9:23am and finished at 5:10pm 9+ miles for Greg and I. Not bad!!! Then it was off to dinner were I got a nice waitress to just serve me two chicken breast patties (need protein!!!) and headed home. I was really running on empty so caught a quick nap at Dad's before making the long drive back and literally falling into bed once I walked into the house. Left the swamp cooler on because man it was hot! My poor kitty was stretched out on the floor meowing at me how miserable she was. Glad she's a short hair!<br />
<br />
And now today I am feeling all gittery and sickly. Think I am going to go fall into bed. :-(Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-9984971072237428942012-07-02T08:13:00.000-07:002012-07-06T08:35:39.540-07:00Canyon adventuresSo, Saturday I had made arrangements to hang out with Ana all day since I hadn't had a chance to in forever! But first it was a stop at Verizon to deal with my battery. Blasted thing kept dying way to quick and refused to charge half the time. Unfortunately, it wasn't in stock and they needed to order one.<br />
<br />
Now the only other complaint I have is while yes, I do know about pushing other products or services to "help" the customer... GOOD GOD VERIZON! No, you do not need to look up my account activity to see if I qualify for your new Shared Plan. That thing is FAR more expensive than what I pay right now. No, you do not need to suggest I add a line in case my main phone dies and I need a backup. No, you don't need to follow that up with a suggestion for your home telephone service. No, I don't need to consolidate my phone and Internet bills. No, I don't want your any of your home services at all. GVIE ME THE DAMN BATTERY! I even told the guy that after the third "No, thank you." I was like, "Look, all I want is a battery. I am happy with my plan, I am happy with my service, I am happy using Charter for my Internet. Stop now because all you will hear is a No."<br />
<br />
After that, we popped down to Michael's to check out their customer appreciation sale. Wandered through the bikes and gear and looked at all the shiney. I picked up some gauntlet gloves and asked one of the sales guys about Bluetooth helmets (he recommended just getting the Sena headset) and also about heading out to Reno Fernley Raceway for track days (he recommended talking to Steve at 2 Wheel Custom Performance).<br />
<br />
Have I mentioned that here? I WANT TO DO THIS: http://www.precisiontrackdays.com/<br />
<br />
By that time it was time to head to Reno. I met Ana outside the college where she was taking a nursing test. We then swung out to REI to shop and pick up my new zero degree down bag that was on sale. Ohhhh toasty warm! Next stop was Cabela's for some more price comparisons and drooling over hiking stuff. It's summer and I want to go backpacking! For real, not just car camping while living out of the backpack. Got most of my gear already, though my full pack still weighs 30 pounds (and that's withOUT the tent, sleeping pad, or Jetboil!). Must bring that weight down some.<br />
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We picked up a few caches along the way and then it was time to head back into Carson.<br />
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Sunday, dad and I went to breakfast at the Red Hut before heading up the hill to go replace my King's Canyon Adventure cache. Road was great until just east of the cache site. A land slide had dropped some large granite boulders all over the road. I was navigable but without a second rig there as support and backup, we just didn't feel comfortable trying it. After that, we headed down the mountain then back up Ash Canyon to go for Puzzleman's new cache, A Bolder View. It's way at the top with a great overlook of the valley below. Took my Dad awhile looking around at everything before he asked for a hint. He was pleasantly surprised with the camo job. It really does just sit right out there in front of you and you don't see it. Then back down the mountain and we met up with Tarry to go over how to do a route in DeLorme's Topo program.<br />
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I like the GPS, I love the integration with SPOT, but you know ... I really really dislike their mapping software. To the point I don't even bother with it anymore. I just load the GPX file straight onto the GPS and go, using the phone to log caches. If I do want the tracks, I download the file and load it into Garmin's MapSource. But, my Dad seems to have some success so the guys went over a few things.<br />
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Final results: Tarry's GPS will load caches into any other Topo except his own. His Topo will load caches from any GPS except his own. Routes are doable as long as you live with the fact that it cannot combine "Roads" and "Trails" into the same route. Though it is possible to convert one to the other, but you have to select every single little segment of the path you want and there are MANY of them.<br />
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All in all, I like the Topo less and Tarry is more convinced than ever to go back to Garmin only.<br />
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Next weekend we're planning on a hike into the Sierras (hence all the shopping) and there's a major UFC fight on Saturday that we'll be watching. Looking forward to the short week (got invited to a BBQ on Wednesday and I am taking candy sushi!!) and then next weekend should be awesome!<br />
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Stay tuned!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-14238974854631179212012-06-25T11:37:00.000-07:002012-06-25T11:37:48.406-07:00Cuddle buddy!Technically, the weekend started early for me. Had intended to spend Friday hanging out and getting a few errands done. However, shortly into the day I was feeling like crap and really wanting to do something I would probably regret. So mentally, I'm blocking out everything up until 5.<br />
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A good friend of mine, Shawn, is visiting his mom this week. I originally met him way back in the days of playing Vampire; The Masquerade. But, like most of the great people I know, I can't quite pinpoint exactly when I met him as it blends and feels like I've known him forever. (Tarry is kinda the exception, as I met him at an event that I can identify, but ask me when we started emailing... Errrr, I draw a blank). Anyway, so I went out to his Mom's place and we packed up to head out for a camping trip. First stop my house to pack the gear, then we grabbed gas and munchies before heading over to his Dad's for some socializing. I figured we'd camp in Dixie Valley to take advantage of the darkness and remoteness for some epic stargazing!<br />
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Those who don't really know me might think of me as remote, indifferent, withdrawn, whatever. But for some very few animal-type folks, I am one huge cuddle bear! And Shawn is certainly a fantastic pillow. Yay, I got to cuddle!! First time in a very long time, me was a happy wolf!<br />
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That night was chilly but my sleeping bag kept me warm and the dawn woke me up. We hung out at camp for a few hours just chilling before heading out to go visit the Den's waterfall, the earthquake faults along Fairview, the old settlement in Dixie Valley (including two of the tanks along the Tank Trail), the down to Grime's Point for a walk through of the petroglyphs. Home to get cleaned up to go hang out with friends at Bully's for the UFC fight. For some reason the fights were boring me and I found myself watching the baseball game on the next screen. Afterwards we went to CommRow where Shawn turned into a spider and crawled up the outside wall before we played around on the boulders. Made for a very long day when I finally got home around 1 or 2 ish.<br />
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Sunday I hung out with Puzzleman for a caching trip to Fernley but we got distracted and headed to Reno to go shopping at Scheels and REI. He got cocoon sunglasses and I seriously scored on a pair of Keen boots. Back home, few more caches, and then I just crashed. Tried loading some heavy music into the Zune to attempt to get tunes on my bike. I think I may give up on the Bluetooth idea and just either hooked up my phone to hear the various audio coming out of it (love the DriveSafe.ly app!) or just listen to the MP3 player I have.<br />
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Gots to save money!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-47727895018556961822012-06-19T15:34:00.003-07:002012-06-19T15:37:15.564-07:00Long distance sightingSo, once again it's Father's Day weekend and my Dad and I are looking for somewhere to go play. Do we go to Lamoille Canyon and play in there, or to Fort Bidwell to see places we both grew up around (him for his childhood, me for my summers with the grandparents), or what? I also have this request from my friend up in Canada about their game that I have previously helped with.<br />
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Well, we decide on heading out to Ely to see if we can help him out again. Turns out the position was for a sighting spot to locate another object in the far distance and calculate how far point A to B was. We get there and there is one obvious object that it has to be. So we snap a lot of pictures and then drive closer along a segment of road labeled by Google to be the old Lincoln Highway. And what do you know there are signs along the road indicating just that! So we bop around out there and as we round a corner there appears a herd of ELK right up the hill. Oh WHY did I just turn my camera off!! First time we've seen elk in the wild.<br />
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After that we went over into Ely to check in and grab dinner before heading to Great Basin National Park. I needed my park passport stamped and they were having their annual Astronomy Festival that weekend. So we watched a movie on the loss of the night in urban areas before I wandered down to the telescopes. They had set them so far away from the parking lot and it was on a sloped road that Dad wasn't able to make the walk. DAMN! I looked at a few binary stars and clusters and Saturn before I started feeling weird from a numb hand. Back to the Jeep and on the road to Ely.<br />
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Something funny (in hindsight) happened too. I had texted my best friend my plans for the night and used the poor phrasing of "Hotel, dinner, then park" to explain. He understood it to be we'd park for the night, not going to the National Park (my bad). So when he texted later and got no response (ZERO signal out there) I ended up with a flood of messages once I got near Ely again. First a text or two, then an email, then a voicemail, then a threat of Pony Express, and failing all that smoke signals. Guess I will choose my wording better next time to not worry folks checking in on me.<br />
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Sunday we dropped a bug off at the TB hotel near the high school and grabbed breakfast at the Hotel Nevada. Then off towards home, with a short detour of trying to see the Dry Creek Pony Express Station (private property). Once home, I got the bike out and rode into Carson to treat my Dad to a nice Father's Day dinner at the Olive Garden. Afterwards met up with my friend to chat for a bit before heading home again.<br />
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Got an email that we had correctly identified the object and now the team we are assisting is just bouncing up and down with excitement. I hope they win their contest, it'd be a neat ending to that story.Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-65577175346252004572012-06-12T09:46:00.000-07:002012-06-12T09:46:15.281-07:00The big blue privacy invaderMy stepdad has an account for their Harley, Sydney, used to post pics and trips.<br />
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Wow, I think after all this time I might agree that's a good use for Facebook. I mean, really, I had an account and hated it. All it was duplicates of Twitter and twitter can do the same thing I need it to without all the grilling as to who I am or what I do, etc.<br />
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But, to use it as a history and journal for my motorcycle adventures and changes? Now that would be a cool idea! Especially if I can get it looking like a travelogue (maps, pics, impressions, etc). So, yeah, I'll do that. Though since the account is new, I can't get the Timeline option for another month to fill in the older stuff. Hence, this entry to keep track of what I do until that feature becomes available.<br />
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(why am I agreeing to this FB account vs my own? I can make up BS about the bike and they'll have ZERO information on me. HA!)<br />
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May 12: Kurt loaned me his white Honda Ascot 500 (1980's bike) and Jim and Mom, Kurt, and I rode up Monitor Pass and back before having dinner in Markleeville just to get me back into the riding habit.<br />
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May 13: joined the Tahoe Blue Riders to cruise out to Quincy for lunch.<br />
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May 18: the itch got to bad, BOUGHT SEIRYU!! 1857 miles on her already, and one drop resulting in cracked and holey left fairing.<br />
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May 22: removed the MPG Growler exhaust and replaced the stock one. (Willing to sell the Growler!)<br />
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May 23: look! Got both the truck and bike into the garage!!<br />
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May 27: joined the Tahoe Blue Riders for a lunch trip to Downeyville.<br />
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May 31: got the title! Also cruised up 722 for some curves and an attempt at filming the ride.<br />
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June 1: ahh, baby got her first bath!<br />
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June 2: installed the frame sliders received during purchase. Almost look like highway pegs, but way to high and tiny.<br />
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June 4: installed a 12 volt plug under the passenger seat to power my phone and iPad.<br />
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June 8: rode into Carson and got pics of me and the bike for ninjette.org<br />
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June 9: joined Jim and Mom for a ride around the Lake to Tahoe City and then down into Washoe to visit a friend of theirs.<br />
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June 10: Dad agreed to stand on the side of the road and take pics of me cutting through the tight corner so I would have some great action shots!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-84619942034186131402012-06-11T09:38:00.000-07:002012-06-11T09:49:23.023-07:00A Lake Tahoe adventureI love wind, really I do. It just never seems to stop and keeps letting you know that it is going to be here forever! :head desk: and take out the power just as I am working on a project! So, went home, headed to Radio Shack to grab some parts, and Dad and I installed a 12 volt plug onto the bike. I can plug my phone and iPad in now! Yippee!!<br />
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Tuesday I did get to see the transit of Venus. Both through Slooh.com and also through the solar shields we had bought for the eclipse earlier. Thursday was the Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social at the Churchill County Museum, so I swung by there and listened to all the announcements and wandered through the aisles of artifacts. My kind of hang out.<br />
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Before I installed the plug, I wandered the internet looking to see what I needed to do. During the course of that, I signed up for ninjette.org, a forum for 250 owners. So now I am stumbling through there reading the different threads and seeing what's going on with other owners. One thread asked for the women riders to post their pics so I got a few taken of me and uploaded them. All the while playing Minecraft on my iPad. I know the blocks are limited on the pocket version, but while digging down for stone and looking for coal, I came upon Redstone, Gold, Diamond, and Iron Ore!! So Dad came up with the great idea of mining the hell out of the area and saving the game in hopes a future update will allow use of those blocks. Cool!!<br />
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Saturday I had planned on trying to go to Valhalla, the Renaissance Faire held annually at Camp Richardson. But when I texted Mom to see if she wanted to join me, I was asked instead if I wanted to join them riding around the lake to go see a friend of theirs. Sure, I'll go! We cruised along the west side of the lake, around Emerald Bay, over to Tahoe City, then on around towards Mount Rose where we stopped and had lunch. Then down into Washoe to visit their friend who is moving to Texas (and is also a new Cacher!). We chatted before continuing down into Carson to grab dinner. Later I hung out with Tarry for a bit just to chat and catch up.<br />
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Sunday, neither of us really had any plans so, after I got the swamp cooler reconnected for Dad, Puzzleman and I headed up to Tahoe to grab some caches along Highway 50, then a few in South Shore, before heading to a new park I heard about along the state line. Beautiful place with a great trail going from behind the casinos up to the Tahoe Rim Trail. The TRT has realigned the whole area around Kingsbury Ridge to get the hiking trail out of the neighborhoods. And so there is a mess of new trails all along Daggett Summit and the link through the Van Sickle Bi-State Park connects it to the basin. Overall great hike though a) I need to be able to breathe better and b) I really need to learn to drink water! Once we got back down to the valley I had enough time to ask Dad to go take pictur of me while I cut around one of the tight corners of the truck route to Virginia City. THAT WAS FUN!!<br />
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Home then to watch Thor, argue with my wifi, and crash hard after a long weekend. Love it!<br />Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1528606993500260907.post-60447206928838485332012-06-05T07:30:00.000-07:002012-06-11T09:39:06.058-07:00Two and Four wheel funBeginning to wonder if I should break this into two separate blogs? One for my adventures on the bike and another for general? I dunno, but we'll see how things progress in the coming months.<br />
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So Thursday I finally got the title to the Ninja. Yippee!! She's all mine! To celebrate, I rode straight out to highway 722 to play on the short segment of twisties and the oh so nice s-turn. Even managed to wedge my cell phone into the vest pocket and film a portion of the ride. Course, the long flat ride back to Fallon was bleh.<br />
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Friday after work I took the bike to get it washed from all the bugs and road grime that had built up on the plastic. Wanted her to look all shiney for her new installation. The prior owner had bought frame sliders and never got them installed. That was the Saturday project. Stripped off the front plastic body panels and carefully installed the tough bolts designed to support the bike in the event of a crash. The key bolt was actually a reinforced replacement of the one that held the engine in place. That was tricky. Later we went to go see Men in Black 3 (good movie and it's been HOW LONG since the first??). Later, I got a call from Puzzleman about some FTF chances up the hill. We raced up to see two rigs already at the site. Bern and Castledwellers were chatting, which is odd as they usually leave after finding it. So why we're we all reliving the grand FTF parties of years ago?<br />
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Bern had driven his front tire off the road and his truck was sitting on the front bumper. Oops. Good thing he knows someone with a tow truck! (his own, for those who don't know.)<br />
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Sunday, Puzzleman and I again met up but this time it was got go explore options for his new hide. We headed up Ash Canyon, looking at a few good possibilities. But when we reached the top, it was explore time as he'd never been up there and there was a new road leading to an overlook. We found the cache site and it had one hell of a view down into the canyon and valley below! Placed the cache and headed down again to grab lunch and maybe meet up with Dr. Boom. But timing didn't work out so instead we found a new area to play in where Puzzleman came up with an absolutely wicked evil idea for each stage of a devilish Multi. I love it and can't wait to see it come together.<br />
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Uneventful ride home after that. Highway 50 really needs some character other than being simply flat and straight, up down flat, up down flat. Snore!!Terihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00861349933611308070noreply@blogger.com0