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.