Get the "Lead"ville Out

TOP: Mt Massive on Leadville approach

2nd:A typical leadville house

3rd: Hiking our way up towards mosquito pass

4th: Mt Elbert, highest peak in CO

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After a hearty breakfast our favorite Durango diner, CJ's, we drop bob at the airport and hit the road. Goodbye Durango!

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We get as far as Leadville today, one of our favorite little mountain towns. Leadville is way cool, 10,200' high, surrounded by the highest peaks of the rockies, snow every month of the year, and great food. We hit Quincy's, our favorite $9.95 14oz filet mignon place where we have a serious beefgasm. You can't beat this place anywhere...filet, fresh bread, homemade blue cheese dressing, and a great atmosphere. It would hold it's own anywhere in the country.

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Since we were here, we decided to hike the next morning towards mosquito pass, at 13k+. We ask the desk clerk about the conditions, and she says "Well, a guy was in here over the weekend who got trapped up to his hips in mud from the snow melt". So, we were ready to hike...

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We headed up the pass but soon encountered heavy snowpack, and ditched the car. As we started hiking up, the snow kept getting deeper and deeper..until we were both in up to our knees. Ok, now we're morons, but we knew then to turn back. Rochester had taught us SOMETHING about winter!

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We dried out, warmed up, and hit the road. Next up...Wyoming!

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"OK, enough with the snow now" Lumpy out

Durango Addendum

TOP: The hiking crew monday morning...Gill, Cliff, Kathy, Bob (rear); Karen, Val, Posh, Flash (font), Missing Lumpy (photographer), Emily (off somewhere with internet date guy), Michelle (doing time trial), and Tyler (watching time trial or perhaps banging head on yet another rock)

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Looking north towards silverton from our Durango hike. Surprisingly, the snow was still there...

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Although the race never officially transpired, I do get credit for beating cliff up to Silverton. After all, I DID get to Silverton first (albeit in a car)!

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Sunday bob, flash and I rode to Mesa Verde while posh, kathy, and gill drove there to meet us. The rest of the crew went hiking there. The ride started out innocuously enough, if you consider a 4,000 foot 8 mile climb right out the gate inocuous. And if you do you're an idiot. We climbed for what seemed like forever, until flash finally kicked into his "I live in colorado" gear and left bob and I in his dust. Not bad for a 60 year old guy, even if he does weigh 92 lbs. By the top I had sweated out my 8 margaritas from the night prior. Bob said that he could smell lime from 100 yards away from me. I got my revenge on the major downhill following, as I went by the two of them at 52mph, just missing the speed limit. It took them miles to catch me...

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When we got a few miles from Mesa Verde posh pulled up in the can to check on us. By this point, I was toast and happy to get in the van...to which she said "suck my exhaust athiest guy" and drove away. So, I had to do a death march another 10 miles to the "proper" pickup point. When we got there the girls were eating cookies and laughing about what morons we were. See if we buy them any more expensive baubles...not that we have before or anything, but we definitely won't in the future.

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Monday morning Michelle and I registered for the time trial. Upon awakening at 5am for the 7am start, I decided that the 6 margaritas the night prior (14 in 2 nights, perhaps a new personal best!) had taken their toll and bagged out, in lieu of the planned hike. Michelle was a trooper however, and she went and banged it off. Unfortunately, she left her back at mile 12 of the scheduled 14 miler, and was wrecked the rest of the trip. Advil and margaritas make a good combo however.Even without her spine however she still beat a highlander...one tough chick.

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The rest of us went hiking for a few hours, with Posh mountain-goating us off trail, over hill, under dale, and scrambling up rocks. I'm REALLY beginning to hate the two of them...act your damned aged and sit around and watch Oprah or something. She hammered us all. During the hike val came upon some pretty colored rocks, which she deemed that cliff had to carry down for her. Lucky for him, 'cause you want nothing more than 50 lbs of rocks on your back when you're climbing a mountain.

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We got off the mountain, a bit weary but doing ok, and ran into a woman with (a) baby strapped to her chest, (b) a 2 year old in tow, and (c) a puppy in the other hand in tow. She told us how the 2 year old - let me repeat that, the TWO YEAR OLD - had just done an 8 mile hike the weekend prior at Moab. Ok, now that's going too far...bionic children. Must be, as no human kid could do that. That's incredible to even think about. What could we do to beat that? Well, the only thing that we could...go ingest $300 of sushi and saki.

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Oh, and I have to tell this one story. We're gathering in the hotel, when desk clerk Stacy comes into the lobby. She takes one look at bob's hot pink bike, and says "huh, is that yours?". When he says proudly "yes, yes it is", she break into laughter and runs down the hall, laughing the whole time and calling out for all the mexican cleaning ladies to come see the hombre-mujer (the man-woman). I think we made her day. Bob still refuses to put a manly color on the bike however...

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One fun weekend, great friends, and good stories. What more can one ask for. Off to Wyoming tomorrow. Why, I don't know...

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"I can't walk 7 miles now" Lumpy out

"No Can Do" Rango

TOP: Looking towards Silverton from durango. Guess why the race was cancelled?

2nd: The pro Criterium in downtown Durango. I didn't win this either...

3rd: Cliff playing the piano at a local bar. Emily joined him later in the set with some show tunes.

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Well, we finally got to Durango today, and even though the race is still 3 days away, the news is talking about a "major snow event" on friday into saturday. Good for a snowshoe race, not so good for a road bike race.

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By friday our crew had all arrived into town (along with about 3,000 of our closest cycling friends) and we were all busy getting things ready. We drove a car up to Silverton where we met Larry (AKA "Flash") and Peggy (AKA "Posh") so that we could leave 2 cars there with warm weather gear for when we finished. THAT was a good time, as it took over 2 hours to go the 35 miles up the mountain behind a tanker truck. I could have rode it faster...OK, NOT!

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The mountain is very imposing, roughly 35 of the 50 miles of the race are uphill, most a a very significant grade, topping out at about 11,000ft. This is a serious ride. I'm thinking, hmmm, why didn't I take a pass on those tuesday night abbotts custards with jan. Instead, they have made a home around my waistline.

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We were all psych'd and ready to go, at 6am saturday when they cancelled the race. Seems silverton got over a foot of snow (this a week before june!), and the passes even more. The highway patrol would not let us race...turns out for the better as we attempted to get back over the pases to collect our cars and gear. Another few hours driving up the hill in snow, slush, and rain.

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On a positive note, we got to go lunch at the "Handle Bar", my favorite little place in Durango. Famous for their bumper stickers all over the walls, their taxidermied animals (mountain lions, bison, deer, mountain goats, democrasts...), and their waitresses with handlebar mustaches (I think they're all Italian). Great food, cheap drinks, baudy atmosphere, and hairy waitresses...who could ask for anything more.

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We spent the rest of the weekend in Durango drinking margaritas, cycling in the "lowlands (the 6,500" of Durango", hiking, and eating at Durango's many exceptional restaurants. Although disappointed by the race cancellation, we had a heck of a good time anyways, and would definitely do it again.

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Other weekend highlights:

- the marble size hailstorm that caught us while we were out walking the town. Kathy had dents in her head from the ice

- the river kayakers doing all sorts of flip-de-doodles in the animas river. These guys were awesome, and we watched them for several hours one afternoon

- the incredible durango community center, which was as good or better than any workout club I've ever been to...10 lane pool plus massive kiddies pool complex, cybex setup, spin center...free for residents, and only $5 for guests. What a bargain!

more to come as the tequila drains out and I get my memory back...

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""Snow in July'd out" Lumpy

Cycling "High"

LEFT: Ski slopes atop Santa Fe Mountain (NM)

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Once we got to Albuquerque, I started to get some cycling in. Now, cycling at altitude is a whole lot different than cycling at sea level. The first day out I did a modest 6 mile hill...it took me about 4 hours (I think), and I had to nap immediately afterward. Plus I had a massive nosebleed.

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The next day, as I'm cycling through the town, I pull up to a light in the right hand lane. A pickup truck pulls up behind me. Now, in NY, in this same situation, he would have either (a) laid on the horn and yelled expletives at me to move, or (b) just run me over, then laid on the horn and yelled expletives at me.

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This guy waits patiently. As I see him, I move my bike a bit more towards the center of the road, so he can make his right hand turn around me. He pulls up, rolls down his window and says "Sir, I want to thank you very much for taking the time to move your bike over to let me pass. I really appreciate it". Needless to say, I almost dropped over from the shock of it all. What a town!

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As we left Abuquerque, we spent a night in Santa Fe, and I rode Santa Fe mountain (15 miles uphill) on monday morning. About 2/3 of the way up I encountered "first snow", and by the time I got to the top, the temp had dropped probably 20 degrees, and the ski slopes were still deep in snow. But, on a positive note, I did get up the mountain, even with my extra 40 lbs and sea level lungs. From the top you could see all the way to Sandia Peak in Albuquerque, probably 80 miles away...Well worth the pain of the climb.

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Later today we head up to Durango to rendezvous with the crew and get ready for the Iron Horse classic bike ride. THAT should be a doozy!

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"Pickup truck drivers are my new best friends" Lumpy out

Like Father, Like Daughter...

No commentary Needed...

I Made a Left at Albuquerque

TOP: Chicks just dig the Lump. Especially when they can pound him into submission.

2nd: Sara was later found 2 states away after the "Lumpy Launch"

3rd: Find the Lumpasaurus in this picture. Hint: It's the smaller of the two

4th: The same way we spent most of our baseball careers.

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This morning we finally got to Albuquerque for a long anticipated visit with our friends the Vianco's. Oh my god, we've know Paul for probably 25 years, were there for his wedding to his lovely bride Karen, and somehow had a hand in the birth of their 3 girls...Maria, Sara, and Ana. But I've blocked that out of my memory.

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The visit was filled with fun memories; we first attended the girl's "moving up" ceremony from brownies to girl scouts (Paul just loves these cult organizations, being a member of the gun club, the swim club, and the catholic church). It was actually pretty cool, as the young brownies walk across a wooden bridge, and the older girls scouts remove their sashes and give them a new girl scout sash. And, oh my god, they only lost 2 girls to downing, so that was a pretty good track record.

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Later we went down to the local church parking lot to bike ride with the kids. Oh my god, these kids were fast. Of course, they beat me up most of the hills. Kathy however was able to pull off a win in a bunch sprint. Their bikes were really cool, all frilly and colorful. They were the same ones that Paul rode as a child. Now I see why he got beat so much as a kid.

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Speaking of "old stuff", Paul is the master of keeping things alive FOREVER. He still has his 1978 Taurus (now without paint), has an 8 track player, no cable TV, a dial up computer running DOS, rotary phones, and oil lamps throughout the house. The poor girls would get more technology if they lived in that Texas fundamentalist sect. Luckily Karen is around to keep them aware of the modern world.

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Paul also has the "Midwest collector" problem that I've been espounding on in earlier posts. His collection however is piggy banks, where he keeps his "early nickles". He's got every single one of them that he ever earned, all in numerical sequence by date and mint, and all shiny. In fact, he takes some out each week and shines them...while he's watching "I love lucy" on his Admiral B&W TV, and sitting under his oil lamp :-)

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Anyhow, it was an outstanding weekend, great to see how much the girls have grown up, Karen's doing a great job compensating for Paul, and everything is copacetic in Albaquerque.

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Why isn't Mexico called "Old US" Lumpy out

Texas...Enough Said...

Well, hey, if he was a good christian...

The Answer My Friend, Is Blowing In The Wind

All throughout OK we saw large scale wind farms. Very heartening, good for the farmers and good for the country. Unless you're a Texas oilman who sucks up to Arab shieks however.

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It was interesting to note all the "old time" windmills we saw also, many for irrigation or low power production. I guess retro is back!

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"Big Windbag" Lumpy out

And One More 66ism

More on the "Collector's Thing"...How boring does your life have to be to have a car jack or a barbed wire collection....get out and live a bit....even if you're in Oklahoma!

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More Route 66 and 66 Museum Pix

TOP: Find the Bull in this picture. Hint: It isn't wearing a camera case on its belt either...

2nd: The Hiroshima nuclear bomb kid's scooter. You know, to get the kids friendly with the concept of nuclear holocaust

3rd: How hair was curled in the early 1930's. I think Judy might still use one of these.

4th: Kathy displaying her outstanding augering skills. If anyone was meant for farmwork, it was her.

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"Still Getting Kicks" Lumpy out

Getting Our Kicks...On Route 66

TOP: Route 66 museum, surprisingly on Route 66

2nd: A 1940 Indian Chief, the motorcycle that my dad owned. Now, it's a museum piece, even if it's the Route 66 museum and not the Smithsonian

3rd: Find the steer in this picture (hint, it's NOT wearing a camera case on it's belt)

4th: A beaver hat...don't make me go there, but imagine how many beavers you have to shave...

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Now, in my book there's nothing better than a 2 day meander along route 66, the "Mother Road". This is the road that really opened up the American West to the masses. And let me tell you, Kathy was beyond thrilled. We could have cut across Oklahoma on I-40 in about a day, but clearly spending 2 full days wandering the small towns on Route 66 was a way better way to go.

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The highlight was the Route 66 museum in East Bumfart Oklahoma. Here in the middle of nowhere (probably fitting) was an outstanding collection of roadway memorabilia...turn of the century farm implements, tractors, motorcycles and cars, frontier stuff, etc. And all kinds of stories and films about Route 66 and it's impact on the expansion of America. Very cool stuff, and we spent hours there...well, I did anyways. Kathy pretty much just slept in the car muttering "Why Me, Oh Why Me...".

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Drivin' the Mother Road Lumpy out

Gilcrease Museum Pix

OKLAHOMA...Oklahommmmmmaaa...Yeah!

TOP: Mural in downtown Tulsa. It literally stretched for some 10 city blocks.

2nd: Roland OK, where I go for all my 4 star dining experiences

3rd: My new favorite road (OK, childish, but funny)

4th: Webers SUPERIOR root beer, a Tulsa institution, and a most excellent root beer.

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We just made the Oklahoma border today, and stopped for breakfast in Roland at the 4 Star diner. That rating was probably in the "Diners of Roland OK" tour guide, relative to the other diners there. Certainly not Michelin, but they actually made a pretty fair omlette. I just loved the grandiose thinking however.

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Next we scooted up into Tulsa for an afternoon. I really didn't expect much from Tulsa, but it was actually an interesting, albeit rather boring, city. They have literally every single road downtown under construction, either ripped up down to the substructure, under paving, or looking for dead bodies. You could not get around downtown...at all...any time of day or night. So we drove around for a bit, got a root beer at Weber's, a big Tulsa institution (I'm a root beer affictionado), and came upon a Native American museum. So, we stopped in to visit. Man, were we ever surprised...it was incredible. Literally thousands of article from natives, all cataloged, many priceless. Seems this guy Gilcrease made some coin in oil early on, and spent the rest of his life collecting native "stuff"...tomahawks, mocassins, arrows, etc. Thousands and thousands of them...imagine what his living room must have looked like! Some pics to come next post. Most impressive, and a must-see if you're ever in the neighborhood.

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"Glad I don't have the collecting personality quirk" Lumpy out

At Least He Could Pronounce "Nuc-u-lar"

TOP: Our favorite new restaurant in all of Arkansas

2nd: Miniature white house at the Clinton library. I never found a miniature Monica

3rd: Lumpy "riding" Lance's Tour de France victory bike at the Clinton Library

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After a great night with Clarence and Kay, we awoke to a brilliant Memphis morning. As we headed over the river towards Arkansas, our next destination, we noticed a hubbub down at the Mississippi River wharf. Turns out that the Memphis World Rib Championship was happening this coming weekend. Man, did we blow the timing on that one. Definitely goes on to the "To Do" list for one of these years!

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We headed across the river, and had our first "near death" experience of the trip. Driving along, one of those highway trucks with the big flashing arrows stops dead on the bridge where they are going to do some bridgework. And, I mean STOPS DEAD...60 to 0, in the passing lane, abruptly. We (and the other 20 cars alongside us) just miss plowing into him. I guess it was "his bridge". Maybe he saw our New York plates...

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We drove to Little Rock, walked the downtown (surprisingly nice and deep into a major rehab from when I was last there in '98) and toured the Clinton Library. This was on Kathy's "must see" list, and pretty far up mine. Remember the days when our president wasn't an utter moron, other countries actually looked up to us, and we all had jobs. We didn't, as it had been 8 years since that time. The library itself was nicely done, certainly not on the "President as King" scale of the Reagan library which we had visited in February, but nice nevertheless. Interesting things included gifts to the Clinton's (now US gov property) from other nations, pictures of the younger Clintons (college, growing up, early Arkansas politics), and of course, the "Constitutional Crisis" that nearly ended his presidency. I was kind of bothered that they sugar-coated the whole Lewinsky thing, but I guess you probably don't have a wing filled with pictures of ugly chicks and sperm coated jackets. Certainly a huge blemish on an otherwise outstanding presidency.

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We drove katy-corner across Arkansas following the library, and came upon an outstanding little buffet-diner. Normally we try to stay away from buffets, as we both struggle with weight issues and they certainly don't help things. But, when we pulled off the highway, this one little place, the Ole Sawmill Cafe, caught out eye. The parking lot was STUFFED with truck after truck. And if there's nutin' that ain't true, it's that truckers know good food. We went in, sat down, and helped ourself to an absolutely outstanding southern buffet...fried chicken (awesome), deep fried everything you can imagine, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade pies and cobblers, and on and on. The food was just outstanding. Not that I'd run off to Arkansas for it, but if you're in the neighborhood, definitely look them up.

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While I'm on the subject of freeway's, one of the unique things about Arkansas freeways is that the exit ramps are 180 degrees...as in you're going 75, and the ramp is a VERY tight switchback with no run-up. Near-death experience #2 for the day!

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"Ole Sawmill stuffed" Lumpy out

Blue Suede Shoes

TOP: Dinner in Memphis...my first though when thinking of cullinary excellence

2nd: Clarence, Kay, Lumpy, and Kathy hanging with the rich folks at Erlang restaurant

3rd: A current police cruiser in Mississippi...really

4th: The highpoint of Kentucky

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Today we got an early start for our first big drive of the trip...Dayton O-H-I-O to Memphis, Tn. We're crossing half of O-H-I-O, katy-corner through all of Kentucky, and katy-corner through all of Tennessee. A long drive, but some beautiful countryside. Kathy went immediately into "deep space corpse mode"; about mid afternoon she finally awoke, and took a good drive for about 3 miles through Nashville.

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In Louisville we stopped for breakfast and drove over to Churchhill Downs, where they have the Kentucky Derby. Now, I'm not a big horse racing fan, but you have to appreciate something that has been a national athletic spectacle for over a hundred years. The track was far bigger than I imagined, sited astride the U of Louisville campus, and numerous cheap smoke shops.

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Nashville has grown substantially since we were last there some 15 years back (the year the STOLE my beloved Houston Oilers....). We also swung though Mississippi as Kathy had to get that state yet in our quest for "50 by 50". Mississippi was kinda sad, just endless cotton fields, RV stacked up at the local gambling joints, and very poor looking people. Probably won't be spending a lot of time hanging out there anytime soon.

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We made Memphis in time for dinner, and hooked up with old buddy Clarence and his lovely wife Kay. I had not met Kay before, and she was not only a lovely gal, but quite the entertainer. You have to love a wife who relentlessly breaks her husband's chops. For some reason, she and Kathy hit it off...wonder what THEY had in common????

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The restaurant (Erlanger?) was absolutely outstanding, certainly nothing that I expected from the BBQ capital of the nation. I had wild boar chops, and they were incredible. We spent probably 3-4 hours over dinner, catching up on lives, discussing the world at large, and listening to the wild boars being slaughtered out back. The boar-screams were quite something.

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We bedded down with our bellies full, and visions of Little Rock in our heads....how's that for a Yankee nightmare!

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"Love Me Tender: Lumpy out

O-H-I-O; The Closest You Can Get to Michigan!

Al, Irene, and Katie Driver at dinner
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Today we made Dayton O-H-I-O, one of the greatest cities on the planet. Well, OK, it's quite a backwater, but we have some good friends there that we wanted to catch up with, the Driver's.
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Al and I worked together back at SAIC. He's a bear of a man, 6'4", 300 lbs, big bushy beard, deep voice...think Andre the Giant without the flexibility.
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Irene was just recovering from cancer, so we were looking forward to checking on her progress, and catching up on old times. Joining us for dinner was their granddaughter Katie, a really great young gal. She's only in high school, but is studying to be a pilot, and all the coolness that comes with that.
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Al raises dogs (rottweillers and french bulldogs and some other breeds) and exhibits them on a national basis...shows all the way up to Westminster Kennel Club stuff. He has a barn full of "doggie treadmills" (I swear this is true!) where we goes out every night, cracks his bottle of scotch, and watches the dogs do their daily exercise run. It's quite a sight to behold...made worse by the fact that the dogs are way more athletic than I am....Al probably is too nowadays...
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We had an outstanding dinner at the downtown fish restaurant, and caught up on lives, loves, and aerofoils. The whole flying thing has always intrigued me, and I even took some lessons when I was younger...but then ran out of cash and gave it up. Maybe SOMEDAY I'll get the opportunity to go back and get my pilot's license and fly again...ah, we all have a dream.
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Orville and Wilbur Lumpy out

On The Road Again!

TOP: Jamie, Gill, Jerry, Lisa, Lumpy meet for the ride start to Alfred U. Heather and Tom will join us in progress. It was designated "Yellow Day" in honor of the hatching of the yellow-bellied sapsucker this week.

2nd: Aunt Kathy with Niece Britany at her senior art show

3rd: The art is bigger than her back!

4th: Some of Brit's print art.

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This morning we started our Spring Road Trip '08 with a long ride from Rochester down to Alfred U, about 70-80 miles. A bunch of my cycling buddies met me at the start and along the way to escort me out of town. The idea was that I could get a few "wheel sucks" from them along the way to ease the trip, and get me there intact.

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That concept went to hell about 2 minutes into the ride when Lisa sprinted ahead with a shout of "Catch me if you can fat boy!". We chased her for about 5 miles, until she finally stopped to color her hair at the beautician. Then, Gill, overdosing on her daily dose of testosterone, HGH, steriods, and chocolate malted milk balls took off like a cannon shot. We probably would never have caught her, except for the fact that she saw a farmer roadside and tried to mate. We've really got to teach her some protocol one of these days. We rode to Lakeville together (~ 25 miles) and had stories to tell and lives to catch up on. Thereafter, Tom, Heather, and Jerry rode another 10 miles or so with me, and then I was off on my own...just in time for the wind to shift to a headwind, and two very large climbs to impede my progress.

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Hours later I showed up looking like a wet dog on my niece Brittany's doorstep, but ready to checkout her senior art show, have dinner, and meet some of her friends. After a quick shower, we went over to the art show. Now, if Lumpy knows anything, it's art...NOT! But, I have to say, some of the stuff was quite interesting to look at. There was paintings, ceramics, statues, and all manner of artworks. Probably something like several hundred artists in all. We spent a few hours there then headed over to the bustline metropolis of Hornell for an excellent outstanding dinner at Marianos...try it if you're every in the neighborhood. Why you'd be in the neighborhood, I don't know...

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Kathy and I drove a few hours after dinner, then bedded down for the night. Tomorrow....Dayton, O-H-I-O to see our old friends the Drivers.

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"Artwork'd Out" Lumpy out