In the early summer I spent a week in the suburbs of Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota. Checking out one my employer's wireless customers operations; we climbed up water towers, replaced wireless nodes, spliced fiber lines into wireless backhauls, visited customers with problems, and worked on policies and relations. Nothing spectacular here in the pictures (but all the people I met and worked with were great, and treated me like a worthy guest - truly Minnesota Nice!), save the heights I had to climb, the lush greenery, not to mention lots and lots of trees. Some of you have asked what the place looked like, so here goes... 
December 07, 2006
August 17, 2006
Travelogue: Back to the Pacific Northwest
Well, folks - I've played the part of lazy dude lately - as far as my Blog and other creative writing pursuits are concerned. But after my rejuvenating trip to the Northwest (August 1st through 9th) I think I'm ready to share a little snippet of the finer things.
Trips are great for me, because I'm reminded of all my dreams and goals in life, and that I've got to work hard to get more of these types of trips accomplished in the future (i.e. making and saving cash, finding time off, and reading about new destinations, etc.). When I get back from a trip I try to hit the ground running, as far as study for furthering my career goes: work hard and play (travel) now and later, that's my motto as of late.
Oh, and by the way, there should be a little bit of 'Three Discouses on Imagined Occasions" to be wrapped up here in the next few weeks. It seems that since I lost the book, I also lost my fuel for writing anything... so I guess its nice to have my magic Dumbo feather back - of sorts. Treading through some late summer cleaning, I found the worthy publication hiding behind several bits of outdoor gear on a shelf (used for temporary storage) from my Teton trip on February.
Its time to put on my typing boots and pack away the camping gear....
Tuesday, I landed in Spokane, WA late in the morning... and enjoyed the winding drive down to Moscow, ID - a delightful little College town nestled amidst rolling farm hills and bulbous, picturesqe lower mountains. There my friends Sean and Jess (with son Peter) and I made preliminary Trip plans throughout the rest of the day... discussing proposals over a scrumptious late Lunch at Swillys in Pullman, WA; followed by grabbing some gourmet cheese and sweet stuffs (idea food) at a local cheese and ice cream factory. That evening we booked campsites and hotel rooms on plush couches in the cigar room a family owned coffee shop, followed by a clever supplies run to the local CO-OP (micro-Whole Foods store)... ending the evening with personal pizzas roasted over Sean's back porch grill. Who can beat that type of trip planning???
Early Wednesday morning we catapulted ourselves over the Bitteroot Mountains into Montana, and worked our way through two-lane roads (with several construction stops) all the way up to Kalispell... a nice area of a western Montana valley, full of lakes, golf courses, tourist traps, and great vistas (we had lunch at 'Norm's News' - an old style Soda Fountain spot with lots of bulk candy bins for the kid at heart [recommended by of Veronica K.]). By mid-afternoon we'd made it to Glacier National Park - where we found several patches of scenic beauty (after making our way up and over 'the road to the sun') that one might call Paradise. The temperature up in the those mountains was at least in the upper 50s that August afternoon, which made the whole venture utterly worthwhile, even though there were some fires in the North-Eastern portion of the park which had to cut our planned circumnaviagation of the park short. As the sun passed on to the distant Pacific coast, we made our way down to Missoula to visit Jess's sister and her husband: Kim and Dave.
Thursday we wound our way back through the lower Bitteroot Mountains back into Idaho via the Lost River (Mountain) Range... crossing over to the Sawtooth Mountains. Missoula, MT was a nice budding town that had a fresh, intelligent feel. We lunched at a small bistro in lovely Sun Valley (Bruce Willis territory), and jetted down to Boise via a large grassland fire... 
We dumped our goods at the local Holiday Inn and walked around town through the Basque District, and other night spots; ending with varied Salmon dishes and local beer brews. Boise is bustling, clean, attractive town with lots of places to find jobs - and lots of things to do (especially outdoors); its on my list of places to move. 
Friday afternoon we bounded towards the curvacious upper Columbia River areas of Central Washington... winding down with an outdoor dinner at 'the Depot' (a restored train depot building - now a night spot) in Yakima, WA... followed by a final leg of road to our camp destination in Ellensburg, WA.
Seattle was in view at around 9am on Saturday; where we drove to the heart of the downtown/wharf district and hopped the Bainbridge Island/Olympic Penninsula ferry for destinations superb. 
We made our way to Port Angeles around noon, where we also hopped the Coho Ferry to Victoria, BC - Canada - staying at the Royal Scott Hotel (I think I spelled that right) - which was a great spot: both by its instant walk to the harbor, and by its comfort and ease. We toured the downtain area, had High Tea at the Empress Hotel, and later grabbed a Taxi to Oak Bay area to eat at the wonderful dinner bistro - 'Paprika.'
We decided to stay an extra day in Victoria, which turned out to be 'BC Day' (British Columbia) - which was kind of like a 4th of July celebration witnessed in the states. After another tour of the city, and an afternoon local brew, we finished the evening with fireworks and an outdoor concert in Victoria Harbor (1812 Overture).
Monday we grabbed a tasty breakfast at the Swans Hotel restauraunt, and then took the ferry back over to Port Angeles: the gateway to Olympic National Park. By early mid-afternoon we were on 'Third Beach' within the park boundary... spending a few hours climbing on rock crags, playing in the surf, or just chillin. 
By late afternoon we were touring the Hoh Rain Forest - Hall of Mosses - a pleasant place to wind down into an evening.
Tuesday we were back in Seattle (via the Bainbridge Island ferry again - how we do love to ride the ferrys), and had a seafood lunch at Ivars (on the Wharf)... followed by a quick T-shirt trip to the Patagonia store, and a short stop at the R.E.I. Seattle Flagship store. By 3:30 PM we were on our way out of town to pass through the Cascade Mountain range, followed by a short 'looking over' of the German-esque town of Leavenworth, WA... meandering our way to an overnight stay in Wenatchee, WA. There we had found the fabulous 'Cloud 9' Ice Cream Parlour... where your dessert starts in liquid form, and is frozen by liqued nitrogen/gas techniques in just a few seconds; any flavor you want: fresh and sumptuous.
Wednesday we crossed the Columbia River again, past orchards of many flavors, into the wheat fields of the western Spokane region... We toured the Spokane heart to see the falls, the outdoor parks-and-integrated-shopping-mall-area while munching on yet another Whole Foods type picnic lunch ('Rocket' something or other market, a small old time gas station turned CO-OP/Whole Foods style grocery). There we said our goodbyes, and I was off to the Salt Lake and eventual Dallas/Fort Worth airports... and the trip had come to an end... or did it? - Because I was quite lazy (other than working the very next several days) at home, and did indulge in a few more good meals here in TX - because I was too un-inspired to cook anything after being on the road again for so long. 
February 25, 2006
Arcosanti: Neccesity, Pretentious Science, or 'Brave New World' smoke in your eyes?
(click on the pic)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcosanti
Ok, has anyone heard of this place in Arizona called Arcosanti? When you read about the concept, it sounds like an urban development chocolate cake of sorts... But the fact that approximtely only 100 people can be caught 'living' there at any time (when it was originally conceived for 3000+ persons); the fact that they haven't produced many scientific results/observations/upbuilding-trends over the years since its initial developement - to further buffet overpopulation problems (including the fact that it may take several decades to complete construction); and the fact that they use MACs... all lead me to critically scrutinize what's going on at this place.
My second thoughts are that this little village (built for studying urban issues) is cranked up for sophist-minded sociologists/scientists who think they've created an socialistic 'eco-ivory tower' of sorts for themselves (basically, an upscale commune).
Does this place grow its own food? Because where do they 'renew' all of the water that they use to keep biological lifeforms perpetuating themselves (in the middle of a god-forsaken desert)?
One thing is for sure, I plan to visit the physical site, if I'm ever in Arizona again (which would be a waste of this author's time if I were there for any other reason than visiting a national park/monument area). I'll make a whole new category for the blog, just for that trip - entitled: The Strange and the Superfluous.
But oh well... When I read their 'job opportunites' section for a network administrator, I was suspicious of their true scientific credulity when I saw that MACs were the primary OS!
To learn more about Arcosanti theory, read this clip about SOFT!
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What is School of Thought?
It is a weekly open dialogue with Dr.Paolo Soleri examining his writings and philosophies. The main purpose of School of Thought (SOFT) is to study and seek to define "The Lean Alternative", especially as it manifests itself in Arcology Theory and Soleri 's hypotheses. It is also intended to provide both people passing through and those living and working at Arcosanti with a foundation to think about and discuss Arcosanti, Arcology, and Paolo Soleri. The ongoing nature of SOFT will allow the group to cover a range of topics, return to central ideas on a regular basis, and delve more deeply into these dense and complex concepts and writings by Soleri. The continuing exchange with Dr. Soleri will provide clarifications for what is being attempted at Arcosanti.
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Hmmm, the whole concept of SOFT is starting to sound like bologna to me.. gourmet bologna.
For further tangent thoughts, check out what the Japanese are cooking up:
February 12, 2006
"Between January and March, it practically never stops snowing"
Ok, I think I've found it... my dream Snowboard Vacation! Japanese backcountry, were from January to March, it practically never stops snowing. Guaranteed Powder! Ok guys and gals, for those of you reading, we've got to create a sign up list and go some day, sooner or better (with a hired guide of course)... Seems to be about $2000 when all is said and done.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0602/sports/ski-japan.html The Place
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0602/sports/ski-japan2.html How to get there
February 11, 2006
All Quiet on a Night in Fort Worth: 9:30 PM
During the end of January I caught a couple of early evening movies at the AMC Palace in down-town Fort Worth... During the middle of a winter week, the city can be beautifully quiet. I tried experimenting with different camera light levels, and here's the blurry outcome. Anyway, I think they capture the clean, pristine, and peaceful mood of downtown - if you look beyond the particulars, hehe.
TRAVELOGUE: Jackson Hole/Targhee (Alta, WY) -- Feb. 2006
TRAVELOGUE:
MONDAY - Luckily the moon was out as we descended into the white powder pocket of Jackson Hole... in a slalom like movement, the plane made gentle twists and turns along the jagged mountain ridge to alight in the seeming sub-zero temperatures in the area known at the National Elk Refuge. After arriving at the hotel via an Alltrans airport express shuttle, we made a 10 minute walk to Subway to load up on the necessary calories for the next day's snowboarding rampage. I adjusted the boards, and made sleep right around midnight.
TUESDAY - We (Adam, Phil, and myself) scuttled out of our rooms around 6:30 AM in preparation for pickup by the Targhee Express bus, taking us on an hour and 10 minute ride to the opposite side of the mountain Range; a resort called Grand Targhee (Alta, Wyoming) (www.grandtarghee.com). We hit the lifts at 9:35 AM, and had some good runs until 3:30 PM, not including an hour lunch break. Sticking mostly to 'Blue' runs, I learned I like boarding down a mountain to the right (versus left) direction (being goofy foot), and that 'strap' bindings give you more stability, but less micro-control of the snowboard; when compared to 'step in' bindings. Even though it was under 30 degrees farenheit, we had to stuff our coat pockets with clothing layers as it got too warm rambling all over the mountain. In fact, pockets came in handy for all modes of town travel... skinny gloves, heavy gloves, scarves, hats... all for the right temperatures, etc. Dinner at the Snake River Grill (http://www.snakerivergrill.com/) was certainly an expensive treat, but very tasty. I have not had such a variety of scrumptious and diverse tastes on my pallete in a long while (orderinig Elk, a spinach dish, a potato dish, sample of buffalo carpaccio, a sort of maize-cake, and their bread). The buses start thinning out in town around 9:30 PM, and we were lucky to get on the local S.T.A.R.T line without having to wait too long in the cold. We were contemplating a taxi for the 3 mile trip...
WEDNESDAY - Sleeping in until 7:45 AM, we took a slower start getting ready... and made it to the Jackson Hole 'Teton Village side of the mountain' (http://www.jacksonhole.com) lifts around 10:15 AM. There, we perfected our skills on the 'Blue' runs of the Apres Vous lift. I'm starting to read the snow path (bumps, tracks, piles, etc) better, and find it quite enjoyable to navigate the mountain without undue vibrations and jarring made by the wrong choice of turn, etc. At 5:30 PM, I had my first full-body massage (http://www.peakbodywork.com/), and I can definitely say it helps to relieve the soreness accrued by two days on the slopes (not being in as good of physical condition as I should be). Later that evening, tried the house bottle beer at the Million Dollar Cowboy Saloon while waiting for Adam to meet me down town at the square... We then tarried over to Burke's Chop House, a very fine place to eat a variety of mountain meats, beef, and gourmet style food (and cheaper than the Snake River Grill). Caught the next-to-last bus just in time, and got to bed just before midnight.
THURSDAY - Decided to take a day off from the Mountain... slept in until 9:00 AM... scrounged the remaining breakfast stuff that the Super 8 had to offer... and made our way into town around 11:00 AM to check out the shops and find a Valentine's gift for my gal. Found a good vintage style poster remastered by a local artist/photographer circa 1930s/1940s for promoting the Teton Forest/Mountain area. 
Ate a buffalo burger at Jebediah's Original House of Sourdough, a tasty little food stop that I like to make a tradition of visiting when I'm in the area. Later that afternoon, Adam and I knocked out a rough sketch for a thinking man's film screenplay... though it might even be a good play for theater at some point. While sipping organic latte's at 'Harvest' (somewhat like a small Whole Foods grocery), we got into a small and polite political conversation with another traveler. Pretty pretensious way to spend the afternoon I guess, as I was sitting in a high-backed plush armchair, and Adam and the tourist were in the leather couches. We decided to catch a film, 'Capote' - which was excellently executed, though not my favorite film of the year. 
Around 7:00 PM, we walked over to the Snake River Brewing Company (http://www.snakeriverbrewing.com/) via one of the great Antler Arches... splitting a few personal pizzas, a sampler plate, and some beers for two hours... followed by catching yet another bus back to the hotel, etc. Asleep around midnight again...
FRIDAY - Woke up at 5:30 AM to get ready for the airport shuttle. Had some sourdough pancakes at 'Jebediah's at the Airport...' Since the plane was a 'walk on' type out of the 1950s, I stole a few pictures of the mountains while walking on the tarmac. 
See especially Adam's 'Dr. Gonzo leaving on the plane' (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) pic! Included are pics of the Burton Cascade 168 I rode during the trip [$130.00 - a great deal]).
February 03, 2006
Xocoatl: A Master Chocolatier
http://www.chocolatecartel.com/
Ok, for all of you amateur hot chocolate drinkers out there, you met your match... Click on the 'Drinks and Desserts' section, and find out just what you've been missing - Mayan Hot Chocolate Mix 1lb.! My friends and I found this place in Taos, New Mexico just off the square - a few years back... Over the course of time, they've moved shop locations - just ask a local art shop owner how to get there the next time you're in town.
A cup of their hot chocolate is truly magical, and there other desserts are delicious... an afternoon hour well spent. Order the hot chocolate online, and you can have this royal gem of a beverage in just a few days. No, I'm not getting paid for advertising.
Taos is a great little community... I'll be writing more about it as the weeks go by. I've been a dozen times or more, and I'd love to have a vacation spot there someday. Give me Patagonia Clothes, Chaco Footwear, Xocoatl hot chocolate in my hand, a vacation home in Taos (or the Rockies, or the Pacific Northwest), and (best of all) some close friends - and I am in heaven!
January 31, 2006
The Taos Plaza Murals: Depression Era
The next time you in north-central New Mexico, check out what's on display at the Old County Courthouse in Taos... Depression-era murals by early Taos artists. Just look for the Taos County Film Commision at the Plaza, and you'll find these unique murals in a wonderful little upstairs niche! 
(Click on the Pictures for More Details) 
January 27, 2006
Snowboard Emergency: Targhee Level
A state of Snowboard Emergency was declared a few weeks back… Adam stated that he was going to go on a Snowboarding trip with or without me… and I try not to turn down a vacation challenge. I was planning on a trip during the traditional spring break period in March, but I’ll have to be training (work) instead. To accommodate for said crisis... cheap airline tickets, transportation, and lodging were found for the destination of Jackson Hole, Wyoming/Grand Targhee Resort. For a direct flight (from Dallas), room, and the cost of getting around for 5 days, its under $500 (not including actual lift ticket and food)… You just can’t beat that for a ski/snowboard vacation. Adam’s recent boss will be accompanying us out of Denver. The trip is from Feb. 6th through the 10th, and I’ll be able to fly back into Dallas that Friday, just in time for work. Pure Genius, you can’t beat it!
(The Picture is taken from the last time a Targhee Level of Snowboard Emergency occurred (declared by The Dave)… back in early 2004…)
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