Pics at the park

We found some homeless children at the park last week so we took some photos.

Ricardo Reincarnate

Mer has been spending many evenings in community theatre lately, which has given me some free time in the evenings after putting the bambinos to sleep.  What to do with free time?  Chop, weld, paint, and grease of course!

I purchased an 80's model ten speed at DI about a year ago made by an Australian company.  The name of the bike, emblazoned on the piping in white over green was "Ricardo" and this was soon well known to the neighborhood street kids.  After a few months of tinkering, cutting and rejoining, with a few added parts, ricardo became a sleek, lowriding, recumbant, reincarnation.  (The street children have accused me of forcing Ricardo's early passing from this life).

The most costly part of the project was the $24 i spent on 3 ten-speed chains to get the length I needed to circumcogulate the front and rear gears.  Otherwise, I went through parts from two DI bikes, and a steel bar or two from my neighbor Randy and grandpa Al. (Thanks!)

The final product is a 9.5 foot long roadster with about an 18 foot turning radius.  If you want to give it a ride, let me know!

After...

How I felt after the trip to Amethyst Lake in the Uintahs. Notice the eye sparkle and slightly less furrowed brow...

Amethyst & Ostler lakes from Christmas Meadows Trailhead

Less than 100 feet from camp.
Braden looking pleasurably smug, as usual.
Amethyst lake and basin.
Towering cliffs above our camp.

Chris enjoying the view.
Glass clear water on Ostler lake

13 miles with packs, 3 stoves, 1 fishing pole, 3 cameras, 2 tents and at least 1 gallon of water. The views and altitude were breathtaking. All returned with more than was taken. Below is what I found in Amethyst meadow below the cirque where Amethyst lake lies.

Sometimes when your eyes are drawn down to the earth,

you can better perceive what is above, in its reflection.

Before...

This is me before heading out into the Uintah mountains. The pic says it all...

Maiden Voyage

Well, here it is, our maiden voyage into the world of blogging. We'll see if this thing takes off in the busy winds or if it falls by the wayside and slowly melts back into the leafy compost of the trodden ground. If it should succeed, let it be a wonderful success filled with passion and majesty, if it should not, it will not be the first failed venture I have neglected.