Massive Attack's Angel Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygw2zmEVsvc&feature=related

My own "Gaurdian Angel" video

Amazing Video Pulled fom the Archives

I just found about about this amazing short film shot days before the earthquake of 1906. It shows a very different time, cars, horse and buggy, trams and pedestrians moving around before traffic rules and stop lights. If the video does not play go here.

Africa Djolie Performance at Rhino Fest 2010

By the way... that's me on the left back stage and Ainaka at the front center!

Bog River - Part 2

So... thus far we have spent basically one full 24 hour period in Bog River, set-up camp at two locations about 4 miles apart, paddled about 12 miles, drank two warm PBRs, been bitten by dozens of mosquitoes and leaches - including a large family of which Bill took a liking to and wanted me to just let them suck my blood in peace (no way!). Now we are into day three. The weather is nice, not great... just nice. Cloudy but warm. A day trip further up river and lunch on a little peninsula. The kids are having a great time! We arrive back at site 11 and start dinner... chili. Dinner tastes great, add some wine and the last of the PBRs and off to bed. Oh, mixed in there is a wood gathering trip across the river by Bill and I. We absolutely fill my canoe and are forced to but, are more than willing, swim back dragging the canoe. The cool fresh water is so nice after all the sweaty work.
So, back to the end of the evening... all are in bed and the rain begins. All night, all day and all night! It wasn't all bad. I had enough scotch in my coffee by noon to be comfortably numb. I battled the rain and managed to get a fire going (try finding dry kindling after 16 hours of rain!) which lasted into the night. The fire was such a necessary source of warmth and entertainment for the adults and the kids. I think we all would have gone a little crazy. I reached my ropes end at about 8:30PM. As we are starting the tarp the rain picks up our tent fly had reached saturation point and was dripping inside, the floor was leaking and a puddle was forming in the corner. Shelly helped me string up a tarp over our tent but, water was running down the inside of my sleeves, that was it! It was all too much. We had run out of warm PBR's so there was little left to numb the nerves. I was definitely into leaving the next day regardless of the weather. We had talked about staying if the sun came out but, I don't think any amount of sun would have dried out everything and EVERYTHING was soaked!

The next morning was easier. The rain had slowed to an occasional drizzle and after the 30 hours of downpour this was nothing. We packed up everything not caring too much about dirt and pine needles. I think our tent had doubled it's weight when bagged with all the moisture and organic material. Luckily the alcohol(well, maybe not so lucky) and water had been consumed so we evened out the weight gained and lost to balance the canoe. We made it to the dam, portaged and then a quick stop for lunch, cold of course. Didn't even bother taking off the rain jackets and life jackets. We finished with a leisurely paddle back and off to Rochester. Whew, what a trip.

Bog River - Part 1

Now that we are back in society visiting friends in Rochester I can look back and reflect upon the five days of canoe camping. We left VT on Thursday only 4 hours later than our intended departure time. Not too bad I think. I did drive to Dick's Camping goods and Home Depot half an hour away for some last minute supplies: an inflatable mattress; lantern; 100ft of rope. This trip had already been turning into the trip of delays. The day before I, with some help from Bobby, were finishing mounting the new gunnels and seats in the canoe. I would not advise doing this kind of work under the lights from the outside of the garage at 10PM. We hit the road by 2PM and arrived at the put-in around 5:30PM. By six we were on our way. Bog River is not as quiet and private as we had hoped so, we take the first empty site, number 2, on a small peninsula with a fire pit and one good tent spot. Not really ideal for two families. We set-up and spent the night with a nice campfire, smores and a good night sleep.
The next day we set off for some exploring and found a new site, number 11. Very beautiful and several good tent sites, private and good water access. The trouble is, 4 miles and a portage away from site 2 and it's 4:30PM. Group consensus is to make the switch. One parent stays here with the kids and the other three adults paddle back, break down camp, load up and paddle back. I have my reservations but, I agree to go along for the ride. Well, after Shelly and I managed the portage just as dark was taking over it was warm PBR time. After you get the first one down the next is much easier. After all the work the slow paddle for the last mile and a half is amazing. The moonlight and the stars provide just enough light to navigate. The water is like glass and our paddles are the only man made sounds above the crickets and frogs. This is what I came here for.

Nature is undeniably erotic.

This is one of the beautiful and erotic forms nature takes... the closed flower of a cucumber plant. I love the rich colors and the lack of straight lines. I'm looking at my garden again with fresh eyes and a new energy.

Peppers of passion.

I love peppers. Hot peppers, sweet peppers, long peppers, stout peppers, red, green and orange. I've got a real mix in the garden. Chepe picked a few and made this yummy looking (haven't tasted it yet) pepper marinade. It's been cooking in the sun for a few days now and the aroma is divine!

I love the colors and textures behind the glass. I really need a macro lens.

Lego Family.

From left to right(Namid, Mama, Papi, Tata, Koz).

Inspiration from a friend...

I don't often see my friend Molly but, when ever I do she sends me, if unintended, a little spark.

Here is what the spark produced. Appreciation for my garden and a reminder that beauty is all around us. I harvested this garlic just three days ago.

I, at times, drift and forget what pleasure I receive from beautiful objects, especially the simple ones. Thanks Molly.

Finally! I'm imortalized!

Our dear friends Chepe and Olga visited on the weekend. Always a good time of food, drinking and much spanish. While I sat still and Namid bounced on the couch Chepe pulled off this portrait of the two of us. I'm trying to help him with his iWeb site but, turns out once you break the tightly bound iApple software bundle all hell breaks loose.. or should I say stays locked up. Lesson: even my beloved Apple Computer is far from flawless.

You can see more Chepe art here.

Apocalyptic Dream

Was just recounting this dream I had last night about an apocalypse. Myself and friends were at my parents house with a huge storm brewing outside. Inside was calm except for all of us. The storm was very dramatic. The wind was stirring up dirt, trees and anything else it could. It was so strong it was moving stacked firewood into new stack patterns much like the patterns wind creates on sand. Neighbors lost and confused pets starting showing up and we would let them in the house. One pet was referred to as a skunk but looked more like an oversized badger. Maybe this came from watching Princess Bride in the park last night - remember the ROUS's (Rodents of unusual size)? Finally the storm calms down and we go outside to inspect the damage. Shortly after an earthquake begins. The ground cracks open and earth rises and lowers around us in great slices of rock and dirt. The house seems to be the only solid ground but some of us, including me are forced to scramble up and down rock faces to get back. The earthquake ends and we are all standing there wondering what to do next. We set out to try and find others who have survived the storm and earthquake. After a short while we come across a village. This is a very strange place. Statues and art very like what the Mayans and Incas may have created are displayed everywhere. For a few moments, no one appears to be around but, we soon realize we are being surrounded. Very tribal looking people who appear to be in a trace and trying to throw some sort of dust on us which causes a reaction to become zombie like and they are then able place a black cocoon like net over their victims. At this point it was no longer a group effort to survive. I manage to push my way through and escape only to enter another village with more comatose like people, this time dressed western style. As I was trying to break through this group I woke up.

What does it mean? Probably that I feel like my parents house is a safe place but, not a place to rely on forever. Also might be feeling a bit trapped. Anyway... just wanted to get it down before I totally forget it.

I love espresso!

I think the pics speak for themselves. It was soooo nice to have great espresso in France and Suisse. Why can't this exist here, without requiring Starbucks all the time!? FYI - Express means fast, Espresso is coffee!

Heading to the airport... back to USA

Letting you all know I am heading back today. I'll complete the travel log when I get back to VT.
Thanks you all for helping to make this awesome journey!

Ahh, my first Espresso en Paris!

Here is my first morning and first espresso en Paris. This awesome corner restaurant is on a great people watching street. TONS of pedestrians with an expected high ratio of tourists.

Here is my special cup of Joe!

Half star accommodation, by Citroen.

Before we started this trip we thought we could save some cash by sleeping in the rental car whenever we could. Well, that ended up being a little too often. The space available for two grown men is limited. Lucky, or unlucky, the space was just about exactly 5'10" long. Among other issues, heat. We were in the middle of a heat wave so, by 8AM it would get a bit too hot. We tried to keep the bugs to a minimum at night by only cracking the windows, MISTAKE! In hindsight, a tent would have been a good idea and every other night in a hotel. Shower-in-a-can only works for a day or two. At one point we had to restock our underwear supply at the local Carrefore supermarche. Th Citroen Picasso was a cool car. Our only had 5000 kilometers. Some neat features apart from the GPS: auto headlights, wipers and AC; the headlights turned to face into corners; the front window extended above our heads with shades for a bright day; widow shades for all the back windows; seating for 7. If they were available here I would buy one.

Making our way back to Paris - Dijon

Well, this posting took a while, eh! Let's see what I can remember...

We left Annecy planning to stop in Dijon. When we left the weather was great, sunny and clear. As we got nearer to Dijon the weather began to turn for the worse. Heavy rain had begun to fall and dark clouds. Too boot we were still in Bastille Day... nothing open. While navigating through part of the city we drive by an impressive cathedral and I jump out for some quick photos but, difficult to get a good shot with all the rain. The obvious choice for us is to start making our way back towards Paris. Too bad because it's pretty obvious that Dijon is full of amazing architecture! Here is the one cathedral we saw, d'Eglise Notre-Dame de Dijon. The remainder of our sight seeing here is through blurry windows. Sadly not much else to report from Dijon, not even a chance to taste some real Grey Poupon.

Chamonix, Part 2

Not really sure what else I had say about Chamonix. I did have more photos I wanted to share of the mountains and the town later on that evening. It would have been great to have a better view but, I had to settle with 'in town' vistas. Off to Annesy tonight to find a parking space to sleep in.

Chamonix, France - Part 1

This place is breath taking! The drive in on this winding narrow road passes increasingly larger mountains the further we drive. This is the first time I have actually seen glaciers! Not in pictures but, actually seen! After the all-powerful GPS sends us into tailspins because it doesn't actually know where the center of town is, we use Travis's own internal GPS as he has been here before. The town is busting with activity. There is a rock climbing competition going on in the center of town, a concert stage being set up a few blocks from there and plenty of others leaving or returning from some extreme outdoor activity. Travis points out the gondola to the top of a nearby peak. We have to go! We find the station, a very new building looking all modern and simple. I guess it use to be a small funky building that was now having trouble accommodating all the would-be mountaineers like us. $35 or so later and we are being lifted to the mid station. The terrain rapidly loses vegetation and becomes a rocky landscape with the spaces in between filled in with grass. Onto the second gondola and the grass dissapears leaving solid rock. The other gondola zips past us going down. I don't know which one is traveling faster but, it's the only real sense of how fast these move along. The landscape is so huge our large gondola feels tiny.At the top I quickly realize I am not ready to move at my normal pace at this altitude. Walking slowly and not looking down at the same time are very important. The exterior stairs are all grated with a view down of several hundred feet along sheer rock faces. Holy shit! This is high! It all feel strange to be here. On the mountain side we can watch mountaineers heading off single file along the ridge. I suddenly feel like I shouldn't be here. This isn't really 12000 feet high. I'm at Disney World watching some virtual reality film like IMax or similar and it's so well done I feel actual vertigo and seriously thin air. The only thing to distract me is... espresso!

Birthday Dinner in St. Gallen, Suisse

I already wrote about my birthday dinner in Suisse but, I thought I had lost the photos. Found them! Had to show them because I had such a great time with Marlen's parents. A table full of salami, cheese, wine and Swiss Army knives. Note to self - never challenge a local with his own national product, you'll always lose! Hint - a cork screw trumps all.

St. Gallen, Suisse

The drive to St. Gellen was pretty easy thanks to the great all powerful GPS! The mountains were awesome! The effort to get a road up, through and over these mountains was no minor endeavor. At one point the cliff literally hangs over the road, another point a cork screw tunnel. I am watching 200 ft waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and glowing green lakes.Seeing Tao and the fam is great fun. We stroll around town, have schnitzel and checkout shops. Marlen takes us to a great swim spot (Tao is still getting to know the place too). The twon use to be known for its cloth and at one time constructed and series of ponds for washing. Now they are swimming ponds. It feels so good to get in the water and cool off. Later we head to Marlen's parents place for a few local beers. Mind you the size on one beer bottle is about a pint and a half. I was a little happy to say the least. FYI - today is my 40th birthday so, I'm in the mood to be social. I finally get to drink this bottle of Makers Mark I've been dragging around - thanks Katina!A great evening with plenty on salami, cheese and bread. All a mix of some French samplings I brought from Morzine and some local fair. Needless to say, the Makers Mark was finished all too quickly but, plenty of wine and beer. After comparing Swiss Army knives with Marlen's father I had to forfeit even though I have more tools I was lacking the ever essential cork screw. Wins hands down every time!

Interlaken, Suisse

I was hardly here. One of those in-and-out stops. We arrived in the dark of night, ate and slept. Then in morning I awoke before Travis and slipped out the door and into the car to hit the road for St. Gallen. Had to take a few shots of the Funny Farm hostel and the surrounding mountains. Just a reminder that this grand hotel which houses the current hostel was once the most prized accommodation in Interlaken. family owned for some time it became overwhelmed by the larger pop-up hotels such as the Hilton. Too bad because this place has some real vintage style and charm. It's very apparent that this place was a very classy joint!

On the road to Interlaken, Suisse

The day in Morzine was great but, time to head to Interlaken, Switzerland. Travis has a date with adrenaline and I have one with Edward, Marlen and Samuel in St. Gallen. On the way there we drive through some amazing scenery and towns. The lakes here glow green, almost like some toxic waste dump. I'm not sure what makes then green but, I did find out they were excavated by the glaciers in the last ice age about a brazillion years ago. Port Valais was the most impressive. A very glamourous looking place with an amazing lake side hotel, a casino and tons of restaurants. I'm guessing it is a popular vacation spot. Aside fromthe town the drive over is generally scenic. Did I mention the tunnels? There are tons of tunnels here.

We arrive in Interlaken at around 9PM and lucky for me the hostel lets me pay a nominal fee to sleep on the floor in Travis's room. The place is booked out solid! The Funny Farm is the name of the hostel localted inside what use to be one of Interlaken's most prestigious hotels. Once all the big chains came to town it was reduced to a hostel, not a cheap one though. Travis's room was $90 a night for a single room. Hardly what I'd call typical budget hostel travel rates. We found a local pizza joint, headed back to the hostel and watched the last 40 minutes of the World Cup final, Viva España! Great finish to watch.
Sleep time. Tomorrow is an early start to drive solo to St. Gallen.

Wine, Wine, Wine!!!

On the road anywhere in France and in some places in Suisse grapes grow en mass only feeding our thirst for more wine. It seems as if only sloping land works for grapes. Everything that is flat is left for wheat, sunflowers and anything else.

Morzine

After waking up and moving the car into a better locations for a quicker departure we head into the main village for some sight seeing. Morzine is a very picturesque mountain town. Nestled in a small saddle before the climb to Avoriaz, itself visible from the town is perched on the edge of a cliff. Chalets galore here. Travis is soaking up the timber frame work documenting all he can. This is kind of like Stowe, Vermont x10. Everything is built to impress and it does. The scene here is a buzz. There is a sprint point in town before the final climb so there is a lot of activity here. Right now we are hanging for some coffee.
Juiced up and ready to go we check out the shops and more architecture. The riders are not expected until 4:30PM so we have a good part of the day to relax. Come three o'clock and time to head for the climb for some tight corner action.

On the road to Morzine

Leaving Lamoura behind we get our first taste of tour traffic. Only one way off the mountain and thousands wanting to get to the next stage. We are sitting still for about half an hour before the traffic starts to move. Luckily, once it's moving it is steady. So far the days have been blistering hot but, today we get our fist rain and boy does it come down. Not just a little storm but lightning too. We are one small part of a large snake of cars, campers, cyclists, motorbikes, and tour buses weaving our way down this very narrow twisty road to the valley below. At one point a dozen or so tour vehicles are escorted by moto-police down the other side of the road. Now we have two full lanes of traffic heading down this road. Then mayhem as a camper is coming up. Oops, everybody squeezes just a little bit closer for a moment. Whew. We make it off the mountain, through Geneva and back into France. I forget where we have dinner but, it's somewhere in Switzerland before going through Geneva, if I remember later I'll add it in.
Morzine is a bigger stage in terms of the size of the mountains so we need to get there ASAP. More people will be gathering on the climb. This finish is a HC climb, highest classification. The actual finish is at Avoriaz but, we are not interested in being trapped on the mountain all day, tomorrow night we are due in Interlaken, Switzerland.
We drive around Morzine for a while trying to find a spot to camp. Tonight we have to settle for a slope amongst a crowd of others doing the same.

Lamoura

Waking up in Lamoura wasn't so bad. The trucks stopped going by at about 1AM but, the cows seemed to eat all night long. FYI - all the livestock here wear bells and not just some little ding ding thing but, these honking huge things. More like dong dong. I have to admit that when they are a few hundred meters (When in Rome...) they sound quite nice. Wondering wind chimes. We wander into town, only about half a kilometer away. Coffee, croissants, and some fixings for lunch and we are back to the car. The crowd grows steadily. Crews are fixing banners and barriers through town. Marketing people are handing our flags and hats. We grab a few to help shade the car, can't let our Beaune wine get ruined before it makes it back to Vermont.
At the car, there are already people camped on either side of our very small patch and the riders don't come through for another 5 hours. These are dedicated fans! A little lunch of baggettes, a selection of local cold cuts (cured meat and salami) with wine, what more do you need! This is the only day I get a nap in, could have used one everyday!

Here come the riders! Even better viewing today! They are climbing so they come by slower. Better opportunities for photos too. Of course my card reaches full capacity right when Lance rides by!! I did get to see him.

On the Road to Lamoura

It was hard to leave Beaune but, we did come here for Le Tour so we must go. Next stage is a mountain finish at Station des Rousses. The road starts to change here from rolling farms to narrow mountains. There are an increasing number of sheer cliffs providing a dramatic change of landscape. Rather than follow the route the riders will head we put our trust in the GPS to get us there faster. Part way up the twisty road we realize we are in need of gas. One of the biggest hastles we have encountered on this trip is our credit cards. Every country I have been in on this trip, England, France and Switzerland, are using credit cards with computer chips in them. Gas stations here are greatly unmanned and will only accept cards with chips. We arrive at Champagnole, a good size town in the mountains. I think we hit every gas station in town until we find one with an attendant. Very very lucky considering it's about 8PM. By the way, the daylight lasts till nearly 10PM every day and we eat at about this time most days. Getting to bed before midnight doesn't occur once the entire trip.
After finding fuel and filling up we find a nice little restaurant and sit down to eat. A very nice meal with wine a espresso of course. Maybe that's part of the reason we go to sleep so late, espresso at 10PM. We finish and hit the road finally finding a small pullover about the size of our car on the climb out of Lamoura. Not much curb so less spectators.