missing levon

for some reason, i've been missing the band, and levon helm in particular. the band was a revelation for me (c'mon, music from big pink?!), musically and otherwise. levon helm had a particular place in my heart. it's my opinion that he did the best solo work of the group. robbie robertson still has places to go.

so do i.

looking back is dangerous

as satchel paige is reputed to have said, don't look back, 

something might be gaining on you.

of course, he also said, 

just take the ball and throw it where you want to. throw strikes.

home plate don't move.

sometimes i hike around

for the last couple of weeks, i've been hiking some of the trails in mt. charleston. in the 5+ years i've lived here, this is the first foray i've made up there.
i've been going with jim. he's been plagued with unrelentingly nasty saddle sores, and as a result his cycling and training have been halted. a very sad state of affairs, since he was on track for a stellar racing season. for more on that, go here, if only for the picture!
anyway...
i do not make the best hiking companion. i'm slow on the climbs, blow my nose constantly, rest often,  pant more than breathe, and am prone to singing loudly when i have enough air. i do, however, rock the downhills, and tend to be annoyingly cheerful.
i also bring along treats.


jimmy, on the other hand, has the legs of a mountain goat, and the heart and lungs of a damn sherpa. he's at least a switchback and a half ahead of me on the climbs. i'm usually looking at his butt, when i can see him at all. you know what they say, when you're not the lead dog, the scenery never changes.
i see a lot of this.

in the hopes of doing a backpacking overnight trip to the summit of mt. charleston, we've been testing fitness, boots, equipment, sanity, etc. all are lacking in some dimension. i'm beginning to think sanity is the main issue.


these photos aren't exceptional in any way, other than as a record. these are from yesterday's adventure, to the top of bonanza peak.


did i mention there are wild horses? they sure eat a lot.

on the way up:

and at the summit:

 the ammo box contains a log where you can sign in and comment. it's also how you know  you're in the right place. there is at least one "false" summit.

this is what i sing. until today, i could only remember
 the first verse. 

now, i know all of them!