Evening at Esther Lake

Last Sunday night we went for a drive to a local lake to check on a tip that I had gotten about a Loon nest. We did not find the nest, but we did see the Loons out in the lake. We were also treated to a beautiful sky over Esther Lake. I thought the sunset was going to be spectacular but by the time the sun went down the clouds had moved in too far and the sky was completely gray. Oh well! The pre-sunset show was just as nice :-)

Photos

Laura and I spent the day at Upper Meadow Run last friday. The weather was beautiful, the ice was soft and everyone there was smiling. It was a fun day out climbing...

Tool demo day at Upper Meadow Run

Checking out the creek side boulders

Dr. Bob climbing U.M.P. (upper meadow pillar) WI5-

I Got the Elbow Blues

(Photo: Elbows.)



Just a week ago last Thursday, I was feeling like I'd settled into a reasonably good place from which to start the season.



There were a bunch of new problems on the "Highball Wall" at Brooklyn Boulders. I love seeing the new problems. I know we are just talking about the gym, and that it isn't a big deal. But I always get a little bit excited when I see a wall full of new routes. Judging from the ridiculous crowds that always surround the new problems, I'm not the only one who feels this way. True to past trends, the newly set wall was utterly mobbed last Thursday.



I jumped in, despite the crowds.



After speeding through many of the easier climbs I was feeling pretty good. I made quick work of a couple of the V5's and then with a little bit of concentrated effort I sent a V6. This was by no means a great accomplishment. Anyone can do it. But for me it was not a trivial thing. All winter long I've been trying to get myself into a new mindset in which I think of every V5 as a climb I will send (as opposed to a project for some other day) and every V6 as a climb I can do with some work (as opposed to a climb reserved for someone better than me).



As I finished the V6 and dropped to the floor I heard an onlooker say "that was awesome." It took a second for it to sink in that this person was talking about me! I wasn't accustomed to hearing such exclamations about me. And it's true, it was a little bit awesome. I'd never scoped out a V6 and put it all together so quickly before. A year or two ago I might have been that same onlooker, thinking the same thing, in effect saying "that looks so hard, it is surely out of my league."



But now with the new mindset I was approaching just about any climb as if I might be able to do it.



And maybe this approach was working.



Or maybe this was just an easy V6.



Afterwards I sat down and watched a very strong climber tackle a V9+. This problem involved a series of long reaches between awful slopers. He'd been working the route for a while and shortly after my victory on the V6 he finally sent the V9+. He was ecstatic about it, and with good reason. The climb looked terribly terribly hard, much too difficult for even my new hard-charging persona to consider attempting.



I listened as he talked to another super-strong climber.



"I must have been here for six hours yesterday," he said. "My tendons feel like they could explode at any moment."



The other climber gave him a concerned look. "Do you use ice?" he asked. "I ice my arms after every hard session."



I wondered if this made sense. I'd read conflicting advice about using ice. In any event I empathized with these super-climbers with the sore tendons, because I was growing more than a little bit worried about my own.



Over the last few months I'd gradually noticed that my elbows seemed to be sore a lot. There would be some pain on the inside (medial) edge of both elbows when I warmed up, and then the soreness would go away while I climbed, only to return later at random times. Sometimes the elbows would throb while I lay in bed at night, or while I sat at my desk at work. It was more of an occasional annoyance than an impediment to climbing. I was concerned, but not enough to do much of anything about it.



Until recently, that is. As the outdoor climbing season approached and the problem seemed to be getting worse, I looked to the Internet for answers. I soon found a nice piece by Dr. Julian Saunders, the sports doctor who writes for Rock & Ice Magazine. In the article he describes my recent symptoms pretty much exactly and says they suggest a condition called tendonosis, a degeneration of the tendon cell at the elbow.



Dr. Saunders prescribes some exercises with a barbell to strengthen the tendons. It seemed like a reasonable approach to me so I ordered a set of barbells. I hoped that if I followed Dr. Saunders' program the problem would gradually disappear over time. The best part of the doctor's advice, from my perspective, was that he said nothing at all about taking a break from climbing. The last thing I wanted to do was to stop climbing. The season was just about to begin. I was already planning to go to the Gunks with Gail on March 10, when it was supposed to be 50 degrees in New Paltz.



While I was at it I decided to order a massage tool called The Stick. I came across a testimonial to its effectiveness for sore elbows and decided it might also help.



But I didn't get a chance to start either of these new therapies. Before my packages arrived I realized I had a new, more severe elbow problem.



I went back to Brooklyn Boulders on Sunday, just a few days after my little V6 triumph. As I warmed up I gradually realized my right elbow was sore in a new way. I really felt it when I pulled on holds and the pain wasn't going away as I warmed up. There was something wrong. Eventually I abandoned the session and went home.



Where did this new injury come from? I have no idea.



Once I was aware of the pain, I noticed I was feeling it all the time. It hurt to yank open the refrigerator, or to squeeze a water bottle. I detected noticeable swelling on my arm near the elbow right where the pain was. This was bad, worse than just tendonosis. I feared I must have torn something, somehow.



So I went to the doctor. I got a referral from my GP and luckily could get an appointment to see a specialist within the week. I met with him yesterday. He seems like a good guy, young and smart; understanding of the climbing mindset. I told him the whole story and he agreed with Dr. Saunders' diagnosis. He took an x-ray (which looked fine) and did his own examination. He made me an appointment to have an MRI done so we could get a better sense of the damage. He strongly suggested I stop climbing, at least for a few weeks while we sort out how bad the immediate trauma to my elbow is and start some physical therapy.



I am really bummed out.



And the MRI this morning didn't help matters. Have you ever had an MRI? This was my first. I imagine the procedure would be bad enough if you could lie on your back. Even in that relatively comfortable position, the experience of sliding into that narrow tube and remaining perfectly still as the machine screams like an invading alien army for half an hour would be enough to induce existential terror. Add to this nightmarish scenario a position on your stomach with the bad arm outstretched, the other one pinned to your side, both arms falling asleep... and you get the picture. Not fun.



I still hope to have a climbing season. Maybe in a few weeks I can get back to it, taking it easy. I haven't been climbing outside since November and I am as desperate as a man can be to get out there. But I want to be smart and give myself the best chance to heal. I have a climbing trip planned to Squamish in June and I really want to be able to go. I must take care of myself until then.



I will keep you posted.



Getting old is a drag.

a private conversation?....Mont Bell Mirage

"Jer,

The first bit of ouralaska kit is on the way.

Mont Bell Mirage down jacket, 15 oz in a large

fully box baffled...

Nelson was right, nothing like it on the market at that weight and warmth..we save 1/2 # easy in the pack and a good bit of space with comparable warmth to the Mtn H. Nilas and 150 less coin.



Be sure to remind me of all that when we are freezing our nuts off as the sun goes down @18K feet."



MB Mirage Large 14.7 oz/420g on my scale

3.5" loft at the shoulder

900 fill down



http://coldthistle.blogspot.com//03/more-on-mid-weight-down-jackets.html
















I will eventually be doing a full review of the Mont Bell, Mirage and Permafrost. But I wanted to add this picture first. Shown are the Mirage, Permafrost and the Mtn H. Nilas. The MB jackets both retail for $350. The Nilas $500. Lots of info that will need to go into the full review but leave the basics at this. The Permafrost has almost and extra inch of loft at the shoulder,the Mirage virtually identical loft at the shoulder by comparison to the Nilas. Permafrost is within 90g of the Nilas with hood and 12g less than the Nilas with out a hood. The Mirage? Yes?..almost a full 1/2 pound less (210g) in weight than the Nilas. Just say'in, looks to me like Ueli went to work at thewrong company ;)



More here:

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Down-Jacket-Reviews/MontBell-Mirage-Parka

The Estate of John Rupert :: The final “Final Account”

The will of John Rupart dated October 17, 1828 was admitted to probate in Columbiana County, Ohio in August of 1831. The final account was prepared on March 29, 1842.



I thought it was more than a little strange that the only papers in the microfilmed estate file that were dated between the time of the Widow's Allowance in May 1832 and this document was a previous “final account” dated August 5th 1832.



I don't usually like making assumptions, but based upon this statement in the will of John Rupart: “after her decease I allow my real and personal property to be sold by my executor” I think we can assume that Barbara Rupart passed away prior to the sale of the land on August 1, 1842 (the second deed discussed in this post).



Sadly, from my point of view, even though there was a balance of $1,369.68¼ in the estate, there was no “final distribution” document in the microfilmed file. It probably would have listed the names of the husbands of the daughters and that would have made locating them much simpler and in several cases, even possible!



= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + =



First page of Final Account March 29, 1842.

Estate of John Rupart. Packet 1439. Family History Library microfilm 2032592.

The final account of Conrod Yerrien and David

Ehrhart as executors of the estate of John Rupart, late of

the county of Columbiana, deceased



These accountants charge themselves with the following sums received.

1836 July 14th

Cash for rent of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - $62.56 ¼

Interest on same to 11th Augt 1842 - - - - - - - 22.67 ½

Cash for rent of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - - 34.60

Interest on same to 11th Augt 1842 - - - - - - - 12.54



1837 Apl 1st

Cash for rent of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - - 34.60

Interest on same to 11th Augt 1842 - - - - - - - 12.54

Cash for rent of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - - 57.00

Int on same to 11 August 1842 - - - - - - - - - 17.95 ½



1842 Augt 11th

Cash on sale of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - 1200.00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $1407.33 ¼



These accountants claim credit for the following sums

1842 Jany 31

Paid Wm B. Morgan Printer - - - - - - - - - - - 1.00

Paid Pierce for coffin - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5.00

Paid John Robertson for shroud &c - - - - - - 3.25

Paid On the above note of $57.00 - - - - - - - 9.40

Paid David Ehrhart for repairs &c - - - - - - - 24.00

Paid Fisher A. Blockson Atty - - - - - - - - - - - 5.00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $27.65



To the Honorable Court of Common Pleas for the county of Columbiana

The undersigned Master Commissioner of this court to whom was refered the account of the executors of the estate of John Rupart late of said county, deceased. Reports – That in pursuance of the Rule of this Court he has examined said account and finds that said accountants have received

Rents of real estate with interest thereon - - - $207.33 ¼

From sale of Real estate - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1200.00

Making the whole amount charged

against accountants on the account - - - - - - $1407.33 ¼





Second page of Final Account March 29, 1842.

Estate of John Rupart. Packet 1439. Family History Library microfilm 2032592.

I do find by proper vouchers exhibited that said

accountants have paid debts owing

by said estate to the amount of - - - - - - - $21.65



Costs of administration, exclusive of the

sum to be allowed accountants for their

services - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $6.00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $27.65



Leaving in the hands of accountants for

distribution - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $1379.68 ¼



Out of which the accountants compensation

for his services and masters fee to be

allowed by court to be deducted.



All which is respectfully submitted

March 29th 1842 - - - - - - - - Fisher A. Blackman

My fee - - - - - - - - $2.00 - - - - Mast Comm



April 5th the accounts having produced vouchers

No 4 & 5 amounting to $8.00 which being deducted

leaves - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $1371.68 ¼

F A Blackman

Mas Com



No 6 of $2 being duducted leaves - - - - $1369.68 ¼

Fork vs Frame

At the D2R2 last weekend I met a cyclist who was riding a hastily assembled spare bike, after breaking the fork on his custom randonneur just before the event. Riding off road, he'd hit a log at full speed and the forkcracked from the impact, right at the Grand Bois crown. However, the frame and front wheel appear undamaged.








His experience reminded me of a conversation about fork vs frame strength the guys at Circle A Cycles were having when I visited them a week earlier. They brought out an older racing frameset that had suffered a similar impact as the D2R2 rider's bike. However, in this case the fork was fine while the front triangle of the frame had buckled from the impact.






Apparently, when a particular stye of Cinelli sloping fork crown came out in the 1980s with its corresponding straight, short fork blades, some framebuilders complained that the resulting forks were too strong - causing frames to suffer damage on impact. A less rigid fork would be able to absorb the impact and save the frame. And it is easier to make a new fork than a new frame.






I just thought all of this was interesting, because the relative strength of the frame vs fork is something that even framebuilders don't always think about. But these dynamics are worth considering. A super-lightweigth steel frame paired with a super-rigid, strong fork may not necessarily be a great idea. The Circle A customer will be getting their frame rebuilt around the intact rear triangle. The D2R2 rider will most likely be getting a new fork made. I am curious and will follow up on both framesets.

Mount Rainier :: Perfect Timing!

Tuesday, September 14th - - It was mid-morning when I finally entered the southwestern side of Mount Rainier National Park. The morning had not been hopeful, awakening to cloudy skies once again. But luck was with me and as I drove toward the park the sun appeared and burned away the clouds. Quite a welcome change from my previous visit of a week ago, which was basically a drive-thru since I couldn't see anything at all due to the clouds, the fog, and the rain!

I forget the name of this creek but it was only a few miles into the park and it was the first view I had of Mt Rainier. Breathtaking.

This is a little further into the park. When the roads were constructed through the park the engineers took into account the “viewing pleasure” of the public and I must say they did an excellent job in selecting the sites for the viewpoints.

A couple of close-ups of the top of the mountain.

Probably the most visited area of the park is in the south-central part. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon when I arrived in Paradise and, as you can see, the clouds had moved in. I spent some time in the visitors center at Paradise - looked at the exhibits, viewed the park movie, then looked through the telescopes and saw three climbers halfway up the mountain.

The mountain played peek-a-boo with the clouds, but they eventually completely blocked out the view. I joined some of the other visitors on a short walk along one of the many trails in the area.

Mount Rainier and me!

Tuesday

Another early morning frog encounter!



This little Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor or possibly Hyla chrysoscelis), hiding in a crevice on the porch, was cold and not about to move.



After reading Swamp Things lately, I thought that's what he was, but wasn't sure.

So I pried him up to look underneath, to make sure he wasn't a Bird-voiced Treefrog (he was orange, so he wasn't). He didn't seem to mind much.



What a wonderful bird the frog are!
When he stand he sit almost;
When he hop he fly almost.
He ain't got no sense hardly;
He ain't got no tail hardly either.
When he sit, he sit on what he ain't got almost.

-Anonymous


Of local note:
We'll be at Springfest at Homestead Hollow in Springville Friday - Sunday, so come buy some handmade soap.

Also, the Golden Temple Natural Grocery in Birmingham (Five Points South location) is now carrying our soaps. I love it - they're such a Birmingham tradition.

Christmas at the Golden Gate

Well, I wasn't sure where I would be for Christmas... as luck would have it, I found myself in San Francisco on Christmas Eve. I spent the evening at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. I love the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was one of the things I was wanting to photograph again on this trip. Much to my surprise, when I arrived at the area overlooking the bridge I could see a few stars in the sky! I was certain that the city lights would be too bright to be able to see any stars, but thankfully I was wrong. I managed to make an image of the bridge with the constellation Orion visible in the sky above. It was the perfect Christmas gift.



Even though I was "alone" on Christmas, I felt like you were all with me. I received many emails from my friends, followers and supporters wishing me a Merry Christmas. Thanks to you all who took the time to send me a message. Your wishes were much appreciated and made me feel like I was home. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well!

Tombstone Tuesday :: Phend Family at South Park

The Phend plot at South Park Cemetery, Whitley County, Indiana.

Henry and Susie Phend, my great grandparents, with their infant son Richard Lincoln.

Virgil Gilbert Phend, son of Henry and Susie.

Rolland Victor Phend, my grandfather, son of Henry and Susie.
My grandfather was 22 years old when his brother Richard was born. He once told me that he was holding little Richard at the time of his death.

Virgil was married to Heneretta Nelson on November 5, 1930. They were divorced six months later. Heneretta then married Virgil's brother, Don Phend, on September 5, 1931. Virgil graduated with the 1922 class of Columbia City High School. Like so many boys and young men, he worked for a while on the Aker onion and potato farm that was then located west of Columbia City. Later he attended an electrical engineering school at the University of Chicago. For a number of years he was associated with his father and brother, Gerald (Dufty) Phend in the building contracting business. Many of the downtown store fronts were renovated while he was an associate of the firm. In 1963 he began working as an architect with Roy McNett Designs, Inc. with whom he was employed at the time of his death.

All photographs taken May 4, .. by Becky Wiseman

Shroom

At the bottom of the crumbling, rotted tree that woodpeckers and moss had assaulted and transformed into a pyramid of decaying wood chips, grew this tiny, tiny mushroom.