Jim

I guess you can over-analyze anything in front of the computer once the rain has begun. Common sense goes a long way. Look at the gear, make a decision, act on that decision. Sheesh.

Supplements are little more than wive's tales for joint issues. See these: Omega 3 ---but good for heart Glucosimine - maybe minor effects, maybe. As an owner of chronic SI issues the best advice is - don't run for exercise, or if you really have to, limit it to trails or stair-running. Do cross-fit. This has really helped me keep my back stable. See the workout of the day and modify accordingly - see advice if you are not used to some of the weight exercises. crossfit.com Vary it - ride, hike, climb, swim (ugh!), run stairs, lift. Find a trusted PT for when you need some tweaking. I'm sure everyone has something that has worked for them - this is what has helped me. Persevere - it will get better with work. I had one year where I just could not get out much, but now I'm basically unlimited - but I choose not to run so to extend my other activities as I approach 60. Oh - and drink wine.

Well, plastic doesn't help fish. Plastic doesn't break down, it just gets smaller and planktonic feeders will, well, feed on it. If I saw a bad hanger I'd call for help if I could see the lights of town.

They scared me enough during elementary school, maybe they will shake the tree.

Might be the ACLU's first, but other than that, they are in a long line. The line

I thought the big fail was Jim Lehrer. Man that guy should have stayed retired. Seriously - the most pressing question he could ask was akin to "..he said that, what do you say?". They just bulldozed the poor old guy.

Seriously?

This is it in a nutshell. We could make up a lot of the costs by just moving end-of-life care out of the hospital to hospice.

Thanks for the reply M. Then I'm assuming you have no health coverage now and will be "forced" to either get insurance or pay the tax. I've a slightly different view of it - that if you or any other uninsured person gets hit by the Metro bus or has a major illness - it's the hospital, the insurance companies via cost shifting, and ultimately me the tax-payer who is footing the bill. So I'm ok with this. Given the pluses and minuses of the bill - I think it is a move in the right direction.

Out of curiosity, what did Obama do?

And - while 47% don't pay income tax they put out for payroll tax. Yes, this includes much of the white, low income folks in the SE that back the mormon guy. Good riddance. Too bad we have to listen to this crap until November. By the way Mitt - how much income tax have you paid over the past 10 yrs - oh yea, you will not release those even though you required it of your running mate during the vetting process. Idiot.

I think this is the nail in the coffin of a series of blunders. I don't know if he really feels that way or if he was trying puff himself up for the fat cats. Either way it shows 1) he's an ass, or 2) he's an ass. Out of touch blue blood.

Ditto Blake. No sense staying in town much - just head for the hills. Cerro Solo as a warm-up would be good - from Bridwell Camp. Also Cerro Velluda and Marconi Sur. Not much in the way of cragging. Awesome rock at Bariloche - itis the place to go for pure cragging. Take the longer loop to Frey Hut via the ski area, nice hike. Torre Principal is a must do.

Nice trip, thanks for the photos. I learned to climb there. My favorite crag in the US as well. No bolts, a ton of moderate routes, and some great overhangs at moderate grades. Haven't been there in 10 yrs, hmmmm. Next time try out Shockley's Ceiling and Arrow. Classics. Cheers Oh - and North Conway NH for the ice.

Was over there Friday. Pretty grim from LTown to Chelan and especially bad around Cashmere - Wenathchee. Was decent up around the Chewawa River area though we did see a new fire near a ridge where we were on single track. Made for motivation for me to improve my lame downhill technique.

Nofahquingwhey. Anyone who has worked for the Government would realize that they cannot even accomplish the most menial of tasks; let alone covertly. Look at this shithead SEAL who can't even keep his mouth shut for much longer than a year, about the most profound assassination in our time. True that. Money and 15 minutes of fame. On why the Islamic culture went from leading the mathematics and scientific world, to, well, this, I don't know. The embrace of fundamentalism in the mid-east is as if the southern baptists took over the US. Oh, wait a minute. Anyway, I found this interesting: Islam in the Modern World

Oh, but some dogs bite. [video:youtube]

Great photos. Climbed there 25 yrs ago, haven't been back, but those photos make one want to visit again. Have to ask - what are you shooting with. Thanks for posting.

If only... (CNN) – California Gov. Jerry Brown defended his recent fitness challenge against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Sunday, saying the move was not a swipe at the Republican governor's weight, but a way to show that people his age aren’t over the hill. "(It) essentially says this old retread can beat you any day of the week," Brown said on CNN's "State of the Union." At the Republican National Convention, Christie referred to the California governor as an "old retread." So Brown challenged Christie to a three-mile race, as well as a chin-up and pushup contest. Christie responded Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference that "Brown can have that contest with himself." The California governor, however, stood by his invitation Sunday, saying he got "warmed up" in the speech where he initially called for the face-off. "I'm old. Yes, well, I'm 74. I'll be 74 and a half next month," Brown said Sunday. "But here I am. You know, there is some experience. Hopefully, there's some wisdom. So I got kind of warmed up."

[video:youtube]

Duck version [video:youtube]

Nice report - thanks. On the list. Do you mind clarifying your descent rap - not clear what you did from the summit - thanks.

Thanks for the chuckle. And the reminder that clusterf**ks are not just some of my trips.

Given the state of Congress - I'll vote for this option. [video:youtube]

Internet thrashing. Modern equivalent of the pillory?