The Crack of Thunder

The Smell of Ozone. I rise tumultuously from decent sleep. Lightning strikes repeatedly very near the house. A light show rages out the windows. Stark shadows flash against the walls. It's muggy. It's not yet dawn.

The Question is ...

Will there be a Monsoon soon? This is East and slightly south from my house and is the obscured Buck Moon.


This was taken well after dark and is ... very interesting to me. It was taken just after the one above and towards the Northeast in the direction of the Usery Mountains. It reminds me of a painting. To the trained eye, there may appear to be spurious light flare in the upper left. It's from the lightning I guess. I was hoping for the rain itself.

Superstition Wilderness -- Bluff Spring Loop

Desert Tortoise in Miner's Canyon, Superstition Wilderness.

Well -- there's so much to talk about today. This is the hike that started my romance with the Superstition Wilderness. A little over a year ago one of my friends introduced me to the happy hiking guy, because we both were going out to hike on a regular basis in the heat of the Summer.


Near the Dutchman's trail right near the start of the hike.

On one day in July of last year we took a hike together for the first time. The 10.5 miles (despite the map saying it's 8.5, my gps said it was 10.5 last time I went) of the Bluff Spring Loop. We started out at 6:00 AM, just like today, and when we finished at 11:30, it was a respectable 109°F. Today was more like 100°F and we finished at 11:00 or so.

During today's hike we talked about how much my health had improved over the last year. It was clearly obvious during the hike because we could compare it to last year. I really thught I may die (from the heat, or just from exhaustion) on the hike last year, this year I was strong and comfortable for most of the hike.

Since Dale, our mutual friend, also joined us, we could make comparisons to the ill-fated Superstition Ridgeline hike of November last year, which the three of us did together as well. The Superstition Ridgeline hike is 11 or so miles, with about two miles of verticle element. The Superstition Ridgeline hike ended some 12-13 hours later with me barely able to walk. Today's hike contained none of the pain I have had on almost every hike I have taken since then.


Miner's needle from the "front." Superstition Wilderness.


Miner's needle from the "back." Superstition Wilderness.

There is some descepancy in the naming of the trails. The USGS Topo map of the Weaver's Needle Quad dated 1966 clearly calls the route to the right out of the Peralta trailhead Miner's Trail. New maps and the signs on the trail call this the Dutchman's Trail (104), so that's what I am going to call it. To complicate things more, the USGS map calls the Bluff Spring trail the Dutchman's trail. Ever wonder why people keep getting lost? So for the section of the trail from Bluff Spring to Peralta (completing the loop) I am going to use the current name of Bluff Spring trail.


Dale and I in Miner's Canyon.

The hike started uneventfully with the three of us heading out with out much thought, and we traveled the easy 2.6 miles out to the junction with the trail to Coffee Flat, crossing a couple of small streams on the way. Then we made the ascent to Miner's Summit, a saddle next to Miner's Needle where you can find the junction of the Dutchman's trail and the Whiskey Springs trail.


Chris at the Whiskey Springs Trailhead.

From the Miner's Summit the trail heads down into Bluff Spring Canyon to Crystal Spring, and the junction with the Bluff Spring trail, which leads back to the Peralta trailhead. It crosses Barks Canyon before descending into Peralta and the trailhead. Today there was water in most of the canyons along the trail; I was surprised.


There was Running Water in Bluff Spring Canyon, Superstition Wilderness.

There was all this water and everything was green. Despite the heat and humidity, I think the monsoon season is my favorite time of the year to be in this desert. The descent into Barks Canyon is steep and the color was awesome.


The Steep Wall of Barks Canyon in the Superstition Wilderness.

Today's hike is probably the last hike in the Superstitions before I leave for California. It was a great closure to a long sojourn to Arizona. Who would think it possible to see a Desert Tortoise and a Gila Monster in the same day and not be at the zoo. It will take more than a few tears to say goodbye.


Amid Speculation that this is a Mexican Beaded Lizard, I am going with this ID, a Banded Gila Monster, (Heloderma suspectum cinctum) in Bluff Spring Canyon, Superstition Wilderness.

Pay Attention DagNabit. I mean Pass the Advil

Moonlight over Hernandez, Digital Photograph by Shawn Kielty, August 5, 2006, in Mesa Arizona. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty.

I crashed, it's that simple. It was dark and I was trying to escape the road for a bit at a stop light by scooting up the handicapped ramp to the sidewalk. The front wheel made the breach over the edge of the curb (I missed the flat spot because I was too cocky not paying enough attention to details), but the rear scooted out from under me and splat. A passenger in the vehicle trying not to run me over asked if I was ok and I was trying to say no while at the same time saying yes. But it all doesn't matter because the driver went right around the corner and drove away.

If I haven't broken my patella I think I'll be ok.

There some road rash, a dented elbow, forearm and knee. Of all the crashes lately I think mine is the least on the damage scale. Ruby, Gilby, Juneau Jill, and Alberto have all crashed recently.

So I guess it's my turn. Last time I crashed I was about 17. It hurts a bit more these days.

Date: 5 August 2006
Miles Riding: 18.73
Weather: 100°F.
Average: 12.8
Max: 19.7
Bike: Commuter
Ipod: Cream, Crossroads
August Bike Mileage: 78.84

Pass the Advil -- an ice pack and a cold one. I am sure I'll be much better at 5:45 AM tomorrow -- as I leave for an 8 mile hike to Miner's Needle in the Superstition Wilderness. I'll be sure to take a camera.

Y'all pay attention -- cause right now -- I am up for August!

The Move, Day 1

The move has started. The library has grown considerably since I shipped 5 boxes UPS to NH in 1997. There are now 13 boxes of books. And 2 boxes of other media. I think I need to trim down my book budgt because it is impacting my move budget.

The moving crew of Lorenzo and Freddy (and I) devoured the book and kitchen packing, and consumed about $100 worth of boxes -- gadzooks! Jane set us up with a pizza, which we devoured too.

Get Out and Ride!

I was up at 6 this morning. And out on the bike. The weather has been cooler, and there were a ton of people out. I saw the Saturday morning 6 AM ride with Paragon Cycling, and there was a large peloton, so I suspect it is a popular ride. This ride has something of a no-drop policy, so if you like to find a group ride, this might be a good choice.

Date: 5 August 2006
Miles Riding: 13.79
Weather: 83°F.
Average: 13.1
Bike: Road
Ipod: The Cowboy Junkies, Me and the Devil
August Bike Mileage: 60.11

Serial Shooters Nabbed

News Today.

This shooting of a Saturday morning cyclist in Mesa must be related. It occured right where I used to live at Stapley and Brown, near the arrest point.

Shoot the Dog

Bladderpods (genus Lesquerella), near Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Well -- was that the last ride with the happy hiking buddy? I hope not.

I remember once my friend John and I were walking down the street in Flagstaff, and I noticed this marquee said Alison Brown Quartet, $10. I said, "we need to go in here."

What does she do? She reinvents the banjo. And what a banjo.

Date: 3 August 2006
Miles Riding: 12.90
Weather: 100°F.
Average: n/a
Bike: Road
Ipod: The Alison Brown Quartet, Shoot the Dog
August Bike Mileage: 46.32

Looking out over Phoenix from the top of Camelback.

That's Phoenix behind me. From the top of Camelback Mountain. Photo compliments of the Happy Hiking Buddy -- © 2005. 

My ugly desk. 

Me

Wow -- that's me on the phone. Photo © 2005. One of either Nancy Brown or Foster Curry took this photo. I don't know because I was looking the other way.

What is there to say about this? Near Crystal Spring Reservoir in California. 

Ru

Roo -- or Ru was from New Zealand -- he was good -- one of the guides. He took good care of me. Colorado River -- September 2005. 

Kapow! -- Jeff Foote telling a story to Shelly Lake and I. 

Jeff Foott photographs the Patagonia wearing science girl (I didn't get her name -- sorry) , and Jack Dykinga kabitzes. Colorado River at the confluence of the Little Colorado. September 2005. 

The Little Colorado enters the Colorado. The mud is the Little C. that was the last of the clear water. Colorado River, September 2005. 

Shelley Lake hiking over to visit me and look through the lens. Colorado River, September 2005. 

My Notes Suck

This is East of the confluence of the Little Colorado. On the Colorado River. 

Weeping Spring

Weeping spring and Monkey Flowers on the Colorado River, September 2005. 

Big River, Small Boats

Marble Canyon, The Colorado River, September 2005 

Shan Creek near Grants Pass, OR in flood state. I didn't actually realize I was shooting a video.

Cattle Egret. Kern National Wildlife Refuge, CA. 

God Beams, Palm Desert in California.

On the Ipod: Jesse Colin Young, Ridgetop

The Broken Car

So I have a broken car. Everything is fine with the car except the window doesn't quite work right. So it has spent a night in the shop.

Date: 1 August 2006
Miles Riding: 23.43
Weather: 100°F.
Average: 13.0
Bike: Commuter
Ipod: Fleetwood Mac, Homeward Bound
August Bike Mileage: 23.43

Date: 2 August 2006
Miles Riding: 10.00
Weather: 89°F.
Average 14.7
Bike: Road
Ipod: The Ronettes, Be My Baby
August Bike Mileage: 33.42

Open Up Your Pearly Gates

It's official. For those of you that haven't figured it out yet, I am leaving this desert wonderland for San Francisco in about two weeks. I can't quite imagine my life without the wilderness out the front door. But today, I left one of the largest employers in the world for one of the smallest. I've accepted a good position with a startup in San Francisco. It is with a certain sadness that I leave Mesa. I have been here a short two years, yet there is a long list of friends and acquaintances with which I must say goodbye. There are some folks I will miss, the new Jane, grocery store girlfriend, the ever happy hiking buddy, that guy Dan, coffee shop girlfriend, and the Meca Men. There are some I wish would join me. There's a bunch of other folks on this list. It's sad to leave these people behind.

But, then again. It's easy to get excited about San Francisco. I'll be working South of Market -- so I can get a place in the Mission or South of Market -- and ride to work. The food is really good. And there's art and the arts. And then there's the weather. And all the other people with bikes. I'll be able to wear my hair in dreadlocks or wear purple tights under my cutoff jeans, or just something simple like wearing shorts to work. There will be Jazz and open air cafes, and did I mention that the food is good? I could go on.

Ahead -- Options to exercise and hard work to do, all amidst the joyous clamour of a real city. And within miles of my family. Could I live in North Beach, Chinatown, Russian Hill, Japantown? Is there a French quarter? Je voudrais une tasse de cafe, si'l vous plait? Merci!

I know you will recognize this chocolate slurry as the Mouth of the Little Colorado River near the confluence with the Big C. We are hearing a lot of reports that it might flood. 

Oh Baby!

Oh! The outrage. Doesn't make much sense to me. Thanks to the Bike Riding Donut Guy for the link to that.

CM San Francisco

Photo by reinvented, shamelessly stolen.

Critical Mass, last Friday of the Month, 6:00 PM, Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco, CA, be there. Coined the "Dog Turd Fountain" by Herb Caen the Vaillancourt Fountain is one of my all time favorite pieces of plop.

Here are some photos from last week at sfPartyParty.


And then there's the lego version of the fountain. Don't miss the lego photographer risking his life at the top center.

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