We Need More Guns

Woman killed after car, motorized wheelchair bump

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20121205/US.Gas.Station.Shooting/

Father shoots, kill son 7, at Pa. gun store

http://www.kgw.com/news/Police-Boy-7-shot-to-death-at-Pa-gun-store-182683031.html

Cooper Spur hike - Oct. 3, 2012

I took a vacation day and joined David Kern on his day off.  We decided to check out Cooper's Spur and especially the area where the Timberline Trail was wiped out in a flood in 2006.  We drove up to Cloud Cap campground but were dismayed and awestruck at how the Dollar Fire had burned out the area.  The Cloud Cap cabin and above were spared but the whole area has a completely different look to it.

Ramona Falls Hike - Sept 16, 2012

  We're having a glorious, warm and bright Fall and today was a perfect day for a nice hike.David, Greer, Jim, Bruce and Rufus joined Leslie and I for the 7.1 mile hike to Ramona Falls.  The temporary bridge across the Sandy River was still in place and the smoke from the Mt. Adams fires wasn't too bad.

  

High Pass Challenge - Packwood, WA 9/9/2012

High Pass Challenge - 110 miles, TZ=3:56

Bruce Allan and I drove up to Packwood, WA on Saturday afternoon.   We took Bruce's trailer which was a good idea because we had thunder, lightening and rain for most of the night.

    Sunday morning dawned misty and with light rain.  The route was modified a bit because the road between Cascade Peaks viewpoint and Windy Ridge is being worked on.  The original route was 114 miles and 7500 ft but the modified route ended up at 110 miles but less elevation.

   The route is beautiful with lots of trees, little traffic, lots of climbing(including a sustained climb of 25 miles) and the stark landscape of Windy Ridge.  I didn't take an images because it was a pretty gray day and there weren't too many vistas.

   I broke a chain but thankfully had a repair link and then right before the top I had a flat tire.  But I still made it back before the cut-off.

Vista Ridge from Parkdale 2 Sept 2012

39 mi. +4716 (at least)  TZ=60" Ride time about 4 hours.

Bruce/Teri, Sharon, Leslie and I rode Vista Ridge from Parkdale.  The weather and temperature were perfect, sunny but not too warm.  NEW PAVEMENT OVERLAY going up Lost Lake Road!!!.  The only wrinkle was that they had been cutting brush all along the downhill section and left the sticks and logs in the road which kind of took the fun out of your downhill.  Next time we'll start at Dee Mill and do it clockwise to maximize the downhill on Lost Lake Rd and use the bad pavement for the uphill.

Beers at Solera in Parkdale afterwards.  The Hedonist IPA is ok but Sharon(our resident beer critic) only gave it a 4 out 10.

Bruce+Teri w/Mt. Hood somewhere in the background

Mt. Hood from Vista Ridge

Mt. Adams from Vista Ridge

McNeil Point Hike - 26 August 2012

Hiked McNeil Point with Bruce & Teri Allan and Leslie.
13.5 miles and 3300ft elevation gain.

Morgan Family Reunion- Livingston, MT July 27-29, 2012

Rachel Wrigley organized the Morgan Family in Livingston Mt.