tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45324629291404664722024-02-22T06:14:29.238-08:00What The Hell is Rose Doing Now?You know you're wondering....Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-29121041003033170652017-11-20T12:14:00.000-08:002017-12-12T11:33:09.044-08:00Migration<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I migrated off of blogger to wordpress. I needed more control!! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Go Here --> <a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.com/">whatthehellisrosedoingnow.com</a></span></h2>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-2218861459570127442017-07-21T15:43:00.000-07:002017-07-21T15:43:07.978-07:00The Internet Ate My BlogI was frustrated with blogger. So I tried wordpress...which had a learning curve that I'm still, um, curving. Somehow it seems the Internet didn't get the memo about the move.<br />
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SO<br />
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I am now at <b><a href="http://www.whatthehellisrosedoingnow.com/">www.whatthehellisrosedoingnow.com</a></b><br />
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Go there! And be entertained! Or go play outside, that is also good.Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-27801671906756551822017-05-17T09:56:00.001-07:002017-05-17T11:16:01.095-07:00Wordpress RetreatSo I got fed up with google drive and took everything off. There were over 13,000 duplicate files. But my photos on this blog also disappeared (because the stupid drive had everything all together). I set up a separate site for "Road to Tevis 2017" thinking it would be a separate blog so the masses (all 3 of you) who read whatthehellisrosedoingnow wouldn't have to endure endless horsey stuff. And I've been trying to set up my blog on wordpress. I'd have SOOOO many more options! <br />
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But it's too many options. It's essentially a full time job to set it up, or I'd have to hire someone. I just want to write! <br />
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So I'm retreating to blogger. The posts that aren't here will be added. I'll re-add the photos for the old posts. And hopefully catch up on writing about South Africa, the Cross Country Horse Acquisition Adventure, the Road to Tevis 2017, and of course the usual collection of random stuff that happens to catch my interest.<br />
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ONE HOUR LATER....Now I remember why I fled blogger. It's the photo management. To add a photo, it has to be in Google Photos...in an album...but then the blog puts it somewhere...OMG. Seriously. So frustratedRosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-91386023301636221892017-03-06T19:09:00.000-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.871-07:00From the Mists of TimeMy teenage years were rocky. If you knew me, you're thinking THAT'S the understatement of the century. It is not an exaggeration to say I barely survived. One of the key things that got me through was horses. But not just horses. Kelly's horses. And Kelly herself. <br />
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I lost track of her sometime in 10th or 11th grade and was ecstatic when she finally turned up on facebook after more than 15 years! We met up in Florida last weekend while I was there for, yup, a horse thing. <br />
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We visited the horses, goat, pig, and cows, painted nails, collected eggs, found a carpenter bee, rode a pony, and generally just didn't have nearly enough time to catch up on 15 years. <br />
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Kelly - I remember riding my bike the 3.5 miles to the farm (apparently, you reminded me, with my cup of quarters to pay for my lessons). I spent so much time at the farm, my memories run together a bit. <br />
I remember wearing 3 turtlenecks and Carharts to muck stalls in the winter. The wheelbarrow would be so heavy I had to get a running start to get up the ramp to the spreader. Sometimes it was icy and the momentum carried the whole wheelbarrow, and me with it, into the manure spreader. <br />
I remember the first time I jumped a 4' fence and the first time we rode off the farm and galloped up the edge of a big field. <br />
I remember asking for lunge lessons so I could ride without my stirrups and reins (I still like this).<br />
I remember learning to wrap legs. And clean tack. And reassemble the bridle I had taken apart.<br />
I remember sitting in the aisle watching the farrier.<br />
I remember my least favorite chore of pulling the dirt covered hose out of the arena after I watered it and recoiling it. A close second was cleaning stalls in the upper barn when the geese were in it. They terrified me.<br />
I remember sitting on Rebel bareback while he grazed after I'd finished my work. And when you would bring me chicken nuggets from McDonalds, or even better, when I got to ride in the truck and go along.<br />
I remember when you started dating Ed. He would put my bike in the back of his truck and drive me home when I was there until after dark. <br />
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I suppose he was a keeper since you still have him and are raising a wonderful, dirt covered tiny human. <br />
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I am so glad to have found you. Without you, Summer, Irish, Liz, Rebel, Harrington, and the rest of the crew, I wouldn't be a (mostly) functional adult human. You also gave me an amazing foundation for my riding. If you do even 1/2 as good a job with your own tiny human, she'll be ready for anything. <br />
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Also, you fed me. Bacon. I will be back.<br />
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<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-46664992503864521532016-12-31T21:31:00.000-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.777-07:00Thanks Universe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So after flying to newark, staying with my parents for a day, driving my truck to virginia, hunting 2 days in a row, having christmas, picking up my trailer, driving to michigan, picking up Stevie and 2 horses, spending a night in oklahoma, a night in new mexico, a night in arizona, and stopping to ride the vegas strip...we are on our way to camp with the horses at Joshua Tree for New Years. <br />
Then Mary Lee, fellow 2014 Mongol Derby Rider messages Stevie...<br />
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And instead of a cold rainy windy night in the trailer, we are tucked in snug and warm at Mary Lee's with the horses in the back yard.<br />
Thanks universe! And Mary Lee!<br />
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Happy New Year!Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-76334839244238761512016-12-15T13:13:00.001-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.848-07:00RTWC - Maps 'n Stuff<div style="text-align: center;">
In addition to photos, I also have GPS tracks!!</div>
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I am now totally engrossed fiddling with Garmin BaseCamp and Google Earth. So you will have to wait for <i>Training Rides Part 2</i> and tolerate my fumbling first attempts to create cohesive, comprehesible maps. If it doesn't make sense, tell me now. The maps are just beginning!</div>
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Start Camp was here.</div>
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From the insane scribble of GPS track, I have a pretty good idea of where stuff was in camp.</div>
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p.s. Assume north is up on maps unless otherwise specified.<br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</span></a></b></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-38350300570919412932016-12-12T19:10:00.000-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.772-07:00RTWC - Test Rides Part 1I really did mean to make "Pre-Race Training" just one blog entry including test rides, the course, and other choice bits from Start Camp. But without making this entry a novel (which you don't have time to read all at once) and without leaving out bits you simply MUST know about...we'll start with test rides. <br />
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<b>Oct 20</b><br />
<u>Test Ride - Inspiration (Group Ride)</u><br />
First order of business, remove ticks. Some of the wounds from these ticks were oozy and weeping requiring some additional clean up. <br />
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Then off for our first ride!! Up through the jungle and out across the hill! Some of these photos are from the Sony ActionCam...you can see my helmet on the left edge. <br />
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When we got to the top of the hill, we stopped to let everyone make adjustments as necessary. I hopped off to adjust my stirrups for the first of many times. In this picture you can see the stirrup strap and girth straps...those black shiny bits. I will be complaining about these later. One of the ONLY bits of kit that seriously needs to be improved for next year.<br />
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After every test ride and every leg of the race, the horse is checked by a vet to ensure proper care has been taken and they are fit to continue. The time we enter camp is recorded and the horse must be presented to the vet and have a pulse of 64 bpm or below within 20 minutes. <br />
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Gut sounds, capillary refill on the gums, skin pinch to check hydration, and a trot away and back to check soundness are also part of the vet check. We are going to be asking these animals to give us everything and then some. It is crucial to care for them and catch any potential issues as early as possible. <br />
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Also, if a horse 'vets out', your race is over. <br />
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<u>Test Ride - Inspiration</u><br />
The rest of the test rides are individual so we ride out at timed intervals. And follow a GPS track...that has just been loaded. The track is quite different from the Mongol Derby where it was just point coordinates for horse changes and navigation was up to you. In reality, we weren't really far enough apart to be totally alone.<br />
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The horses had been living at camp and riding these tracks for quite some time and some were more interested in catching up with their buddies and heading back to camp. Inspiration needed a little bit of extra...inspiration to go well on his own. Particularly when there were people standing in unusual places holding scary things. a.k.a. The Camera Crew<br />
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<u>Test Ride - Eklips</u><br />
The sun decided not to come out. It had been raining a LOT before we arrived, and our arrival didn't slow it down. Since I live in a desert, I was enjoying the stuff falling from the sky perhaps more than the others.<br />
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This was to be a full kit ride. I had my stuff together so strapped my sleeping bag to the cantle, put on my pack, and set off. <br />
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There were two training courses. We were riding the 2nd training course this time. Part way through, I somehow ended up following a dirt track that was close...but not ON, the GPS track...and discovered exactly why Barry was so adamant that, yes, you MUST follow the GPS track. I thought I could just scoot down the steep bit to the beach and be back on track...Nope. Cliff. Lesson learned.<br />
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<u>Test Ride - Klouter</u><br />
Klouter would be my anchor for the last 5 legs (of 12 total). He had a comfortable yet ground eating stride I knew I'd be glad of by day 3.<br />
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By this point, the track was becoming familiar and we cruised along. Until we got close to the swimming spot. Coming across the beach, I saw rider Anthony in the water with his horse...but something was very wrong. He was in the deep swimming area where typically just the horse's head and back are above water. Instead I saw front legs t<span style="background-color: white;">hrashing. And Nicola was</span> wading in. It sort of looked like the reins could be around a leg? But not. Nic told me, and Brent who arrived right after me, to stand on the shore hoping it would motivate the horse to go the right way. Nic reached Anthony and the horse...there was thrashing...Nic got hit with a hoof in the shoulder...and they both headed for shore. There was physically nothing tiny humans in the water could do. The horse thrashed a bit more then tipped over and just floated on it's side. We all called to it and eventually it righted itself and floundered to shore. Apparently this happens. And happened a bunch before we arrived with horses that did not make the cut and were sent home. They panic. Water in their ears disorients them more. And chaos ensues. It was terrifying to watch. But the they end up fine.<br />
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Anthony remounted and Brent, Anthony, and I rode back together in the fading light surrounded by twinkling fireflies. (Ooooo, aren't I poetic in the middle of the night.)<br />
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The next morning, I found out that 13 had become 12. Anthony withdrew from the race. <br />
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And we all immediatly scavenged his kit for anything we might have forgotten. <br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</span></a></b><br />
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In other news, I'm doing this over the holiday. Are you on my route?<br />
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Don't worry, we're professional...crazy people.</div>
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<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-8267211670316916782016-12-05T18:11:00.002-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.854-07:00RTWC - To Start Camp!On October 19, after a van ride from the Durban airport to Wild Coast Sun Casino in Port Edward, we transferred to a slightly different mode of transport for the last few miles.<br />
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Everyone demonstrated their excitement a little differently.</div>
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We came down the hill and got our first view of Start Camp!!!!</div>
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And dinner.</div>
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The first order of business was a tour of camp. </div>
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Super big rider tents complete with cots. Throughout this series of blogs, you will meet many of my fellow riders as well as vets, crew, and other key people. This is Sarah Cuthbertson, a fellow Mongol Derby 2014 veteran and the brains behind <a href="https://eatsleepriderepeat.com/" target="_blank">eatsleepriderepeat.com</a>. Check out her blog! She's waaaaaay ahead of me getting stuff posted so it's a good place to read an overview while you wait for my slow ass.</div>
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Baz then showed us the showers...HOT showers thanks to pumps in 50 gallon drums with fires under them.</div>
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There were even potties! (demonstrated by Joe)</div>
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But seriously, let's get to horses. We all went to the big tent to draw horse teams...and got a first look at...(ominous music)...THE MAP. Don't worry, course details are coming. <br />
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At this point, I was completely blown away by the level of organization. Going into this, I truly had no idea what to expect. I was ready to sleep on the ground, eat anything, and navigate to semi-accurate GPS coordinates based on vague directions of questionable accuracy. <br />
Ok ok, horses. So we drew rider numbers and horse teams and headed out to meet our horses! While the crew was bringing up the horse teams, we got a chance to check out our saddles.<br />
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And here are my horses!!!! From right to left: Inspiration, Eclipse, and Klouter (who ended up being replaced by Pennie - more on that later). All nice and lined up for a picture...<br />
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...until I stepped into the frame and we all got distracted.</div>
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As always, stay tuned for Test Rides & The Course Briefing!</div>
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And if you haven't pitched in for the race documentary post-production...please consider it!</div>
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<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rockethorse-race-the-wild-coast-sport-film#/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></div>
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Yes, I will be plugging this every time :)</div>
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In other news, my parents came out to visit over Thanksgiving! We spent one day playing in the dirt looking for gems at Oceanview Mine in Pala.<br />
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Mom works diligently while Dad eats rocks...</div>
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I LOVE YOU GUYS!</div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-73437186149457197052016-11-22T09:14:00.000-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.837-07:00RTWC - Arrival & Couchsurfing<div style="text-align: center;">
Helloooo Durban, SA!</div>
After arriving, I caught a bus to meet up with my couchsurfing hosts, Caroline & Heyne. They were delayed by a bad wheel bearing on the boat trailer...<br />
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...so I just caught a cab to the boat launch. <br />
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When we arrived back at the house I realized what a HUGE score I'd made in the new friend department...critters, diving, fresh juice? Could I ask for anything else?<br />
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With one full day before Rockethorse Racing would collect riders and take us to start camp, my new friends sorted me out to go diving! Somhow I don't seem to have any photos, but there was an epic surf launch, two awesome washing machine type drift dives including ragged tooth sharks, and then I felt a bit like this...<br />
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The next day, before taking me to the race pick up, we hit up Beach Bums for some R & Rs. We stood in the surf and toasted to Father Neptune for safe river crossings.<br />
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Next stop, Start Camp and Pre-Race Training!<br />
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In other news, I went climbing at Joshua Tree this weekend!<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b></div>
<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-54460117824860238632016-11-16T09:56:00.000-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.791-07:00RTWC - The Beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where do I even begin?</div>
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Perhaps with this picture of me on Eclipse (horse 2 of my horse team) during pre-race training.</div>
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I'm torn between a random collection of, 'OMG, <i>THIS</i> HAPPENED!' in no particular order...and putting things in chronological order...<br />
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For me, it began in Iceland on July 29, 2015 the night before we started the Mongol Derby Reunion Ride.<br />
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I was reading through my journal and found the entry...<br />
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We then went out and did this in Iceland....<br />
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Ok, ok, I kow this is supposed to be about South Africa and Race the Wild Coast....but it <i>started</i> in Iceland. <br />
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I had just moved to California and was wondering how in the heck I was going to EVER be able to train for this thing while working full time. When I did the Mongol Derby in 2014, I was lucky enough to get fired the same week I was accepted to the race...but this new job was awesome (and I wanted to keep it!)<br />
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Enter Linda & Terry Paine, owners of <a href="http://kingswayfarmeventing.com/" target="_blank">Kingsway Farm</a> in Temecula, CA. In the weeks leading up to my Oct 15, 2016 departure for South Africa, Terry kept me well exercised. Some of the other riders may have started to wonder about me when I started wearing a backpack, sneakers, and dousing myself with the hose (to make sure things didn't chafe when wet...)<br />
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Whether you live here or are just visiting - For all your horsey needs from amazing trails to foxhunting to competing or schooling Galway Downs across the street - go here!</div>
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Next up...The Arrival!</div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-11626293729853956542016-11-07T21:58:00.002-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.714-07:00The UnpackeningMostly out of words....stories on the way!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9__3_JaBGc-fs7K6qQY6FrsMdzZhXdcxYHenfbPswGJVOd62FrPbYn22RmXjtjf2hFufdqk_FTniI86z_ZnZ2dPbMGLxvF_zxHvlRrfjDX2UPLTvLfMJh7eVEN__sbWEJIJHq4e2oBLXF/s1600/20161107_203539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9__3_JaBGc-fs7K6qQY6FrsMdzZhXdcxYHenfbPswGJVOd62FrPbYn22RmXjtjf2hFufdqk_FTniI86z_ZnZ2dPbMGLxvF_zxHvlRrfjDX2UPLTvLfMJh7eVEN__sbWEJIJHq4e2oBLXF/s640/20161107_203539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-47693867179246095482016-10-30T13:52:00.004-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.780-07:00Sea Urchins in Disguise & A Race FinishedWalking on the beach in Kei Mouth SA I saw the shells of sea urchins. At low tide while exporing the rock pools I didn't see ANY...at first. <br />
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Then I spotted purple spines.<br />
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It looked like bits of shell where stuck in the spjnes. When I reached to move the piece of shell to see better it was sort of stuck on with other bits of shell.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwsRPw9mc74hP_u_CKiUiWDlwR-uhoI-VHyzRr525C8JGfghq20PSSH2qiSDtKkNN6QPeOawLWkB5chagPqHg4X1TUhFYGo5a3jdk0TfmK27nfybLB72lLPjm04hMx3w0am3VPUDz6izr/s1600/2016-10-30+08.22.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwsRPw9mc74hP_u_CKiUiWDlwR-uhoI-VHyzRr525C8JGfghq20PSSH2qiSDtKkNN6QPeOawLWkB5chagPqHg4X1TUhFYGo5a3jdk0TfmK27nfybLB72lLPjm04hMx3w0am3VPUDz6izr/s640/2016-10-30+08.22.53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
haHA! Now I could see them everywhere disguised! Clever way to avoid predators!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJE8HvOgrkflsMCPDblEN8YhoqSf3HbtI1dJBtbpUL5WuQ7_ofPHwn9RiHWkCtuEvipvDZXk8DErsf-Xiy9a3lXSS2TXztE0upgmXU60lA6P99bLR2wq-d6ZMXfl7jJPGY5QrbnqY9rwc/s1600/2016-10-30+08.45.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJE8HvOgrkflsMCPDblEN8YhoqSf3HbtI1dJBtbpUL5WuQ7_ofPHwn9RiHWkCtuEvipvDZXk8DErsf-Xiy9a3lXSS2TXztE0upgmXU60lA6P99bLR2wq-d6ZMXfl7jJPGY5QrbnqY9rwc/s640/2016-10-30+08.45.40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I also spotted this amazing tube worm. It was startled but did emerge again in time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRbqbNH5Owi-TLxexKZvfZQqVmAkK0EQmXtD6EZvYWzjfJ31WVtE4VpIsFnxeOR3SvRvN_28W-0G7MGYwJ0gFuwKhkNqihaA3BiJdO4SmoWrgA0k2o_Pu5OVuJ5WX-c656i_a_oVXchgK/s1600/PhotoGrid_1477586407851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRbqbNH5Owi-TLxexKZvfZQqVmAkK0EQmXtD6EZvYWzjfJ31WVtE4VpIsFnxeOR3SvRvN_28W-0G7MGYwJ0gFuwKhkNqihaA3BiJdO4SmoWrgA0k2o_Pu5OVuJ5WX-c656i_a_oVXchgK/s640/PhotoGrid_1477586407851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In other news, I completed the first running of Rockethorse Racing's Race the Wild Coast. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVulJyQCWsgeOpA4Wds-bfxFL2DhAWssGN_UVkIDmOomouFLOK604J0L8pcxY5cCK5EKxrjsO08_dTpI4yJHfs_CRT625KIqT1JBe3ooh62BVLDbkbCnd8T7bfegjJbsuL1JKft_ZwqTFM/s1600/FB_IMG_1477585438174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVulJyQCWsgeOpA4Wds-bfxFL2DhAWssGN_UVkIDmOomouFLOK604J0L8pcxY5cCK5EKxrjsO08_dTpI4yJHfs_CRT625KIqT1JBe3ooh62BVLDbkbCnd8T7bfegjJbsuL1JKft_ZwqTFM/s640/FB_IMG_1477585438174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Stay tuned for race stories and post race adventures! Including warthogs, elephants, zebra, SUP at Jeoffries Bay, tasty food, and glamping on an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn.<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b><br />
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-26802007582351376392016-10-15T02:14:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.742-07:00Sorting Gear for the 473rd Time & A REALLY Scary Bug<div style="text-align: center;">
Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh Caaaaa-fination helps my concentration..........</div>
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So I'm sorting my gear for the 473rd time. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7BNNUXJK-c/WAHxLnp3iYI/AAAAAAAAMxs/e90u9vF_9GgKcqvMRt4IizEeYrg26AC2gCPcB/s1600/20161015_015218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7BNNUXJK-c/WAHxLnp3iYI/AAAAAAAAMxs/e90u9vF_9GgKcqvMRt4IizEeYrg26AC2gCPcB/s640/20161015_015218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Charging gadgets.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBIYn-utXU4/WAHwwyFY3YI/AAAAAAAAMxY/fEjxWUHd94Q_I0ulm0YXMr0c5A7ICX3RQCPcB/s1600/20161015_015900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBIYn-utXU4/WAHwwyFY3YI/AAAAAAAAMxY/fEjxWUHd94Q_I0ulm0YXMr0c5A7ICX3RQCPcB/s320/20161015_015900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Beedie is making sure I have a good dusting of cat hair on everything.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uczbD_zy1k/WAHxD0OK6nI/AAAAAAAAMxk/PDmcOVUOWpgOkpBGGX7pmI_pPGAoK_YfQCPcB/s1600/20161015_015755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uczbD_zy1k/WAHxD0OK6nI/AAAAAAAAMxk/PDmcOVUOWpgOkpBGGX7pmI_pPGAoK_YfQCPcB/s640/20161015_015755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also found this in my closet....</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jo07UKXdk4/WAHdBDkNl5I/AAAAAAAAMwc/bBrqXPsz2cYb36XgVRxjrtHuwMieHhnhQCPcB/s1600/20161015_001545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jo07UKXdk4/WAHdBDkNl5I/AAAAAAAAMwc/bBrqXPsz2cYb36XgVRxjrtHuwMieHhnhQCPcB/s320/20161015_001545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a Weta or Jerusalem Cricket or Camel Cricket or just a <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="271" src="//giphy.com/embed/XWgTgS5e6Po5y" width="480"></iframe></div>
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More scientifically it's a <i style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px;">Stenopelmatus fuscus</i><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">. </i></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9;">When threatened, it arches it's back legs together and punches them down or out to stab potential predators</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: inherit;">. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AybqzafePb8/WAHcDZqmysI/AAAAAAAAMwI/hqFsjaS8CGMgoWHpZpAZXm_Fns68N8vNgCPcB/s1600/20161015_001630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AybqzafePb8/WAHcDZqmysI/AAAAAAAAMwI/hqFsjaS8CGMgoWHpZpAZXm_Fns68N8vNgCPcB/s200/20161015_001630.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iV_eHtJceF4/WAHcg5wfGNI/AAAAAAAAMwU/3LqYa5folCAHls8iGxOQs6lSD4OxnEfKACPcB/s1600/20161015_002121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iV_eHtJceF4/WAHcg5wfGNI/AAAAAAAAMwU/3LqYa5folCAHls8iGxOQs6lSD4OxnEfKACPcB/s200/20161015_002121.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They have large powerful mandibles to eat insects and spiders and creep people out. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3h8eN-mD7jY/WAHbv75G5NI/AAAAAAAAMv8/wre_FaNlFasfJ7LFqggbNe3ux7hmetdcACPcB/s1600/20161015_001936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3h8eN-mD7jY/WAHbv75G5NI/AAAAAAAAMv8/wre_FaNlFasfJ7LFqggbNe3ux7hmetdcACPcB/s320/20161015_001936.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Early Halloween!<br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-24823354922132730562016-10-14T10:26:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.739-07:00Departure Imminent!I am insanely excited...so much so that I was up at 1:30 am last night reading this...<br />
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<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Regain-Control-of-a-Spooked-Camel" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO4Syd-c5SvX1CSxYZOLMWbpvU1ODylTkOJW_cIxz_mG7_UU0n0h13auWdtQqGmAsvEJSjhgH_9EN5UuuVUnMwDywGp-gckwTYucGB3MKMvCpBt3G7X0SLRHD9vLXCvJ_folbzso4Bb_1/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The most recent info from Barry & Joe, the <a href="http://rockethorseracing.co.za/race-the-wild-coast/" target="_blank">Rockethorse Racing</a> guys...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"We are also able to finally confirm that there will 13 riders from 6 countries lining up on the 22nd. Numbers have been up and down like a crazed yo-yo over the last few months with people dropping in and out regularly. We are so excited to have found a way to get Stevie Murray back in the race and I hear that she fully intends to leave the rest of you with Wild Coast dust your eyes! Enough of a challenge?? : )</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Joe and I have been debating how much information to give you about race structure and rules before you get here. This race is rather complex due to the tides and rugged terrain and we feel that detailed briefings at start camp with maps and a Q&A format is the best means of relaying the information that you need about how to deal with the conditions and rules. From when you hit start camp you will be immersed in all things Race the Wild Coast; from the rivers to detailed briefings on race structure and the rules. In our opinion 2 days is ample time for strategising and you will have access to the knowledge gained by the crew riders, as well as stud owners, about the abilities of your horses and conditions on the stages. If any of you are feeling left in the dark at this stage this is probably just a natural condition on the eve of an adventure such as this and we will make sure that you have all the information that you need as soon as you hit start camp.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There will be Spot Trackers on both you and your horse. We need you to bring the following batteries to keep your trackers running: x8 AAA Energizer®Ultimate Lithium batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>You will be met at domestic arrivals at King Shaka International Airport in Durban at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1617294659" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:00</span></span> for the transfer to the start on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1617294660" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">19th of October</span></span>. Look for the Rockethorse sign.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>It is cold and rainy here today and we are just about to head out riding which will include swimming practice; a daunting prospect indeed."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm down to my final pre-departure checklist...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://whatthehellisrosedoingnow.blogspot.com/p/test.html" target="_blank">Link to All My Race the Wild Coast Blogs</a></b></span></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-56945943343065424062016-10-11T08:09:00.003-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.805-07:00Voyage to Lanai 2016I had the honor to participate in the 2016 Paddle for Life over the weekend. My crew included 6 cancer survivors; 6 of the toughest, most positive, inspiring, and bad-ass ladies I have the pleasure of knowing.<br />
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The weekend included a traditional Hawaiian voyage ceremony when we arrived at Lanai...<br />
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Some time to hike and see Sweetheart Rock...<br />
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And explore the tidepools...<br />
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And a very pink camping experience!<br />
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To see these women choose to live life; to see the difference it makes to have a community and support is truly beautiful. <br />
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A special thank you to my Aunt Meryl. You are in inspiration. I love you! xoxo</div>
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The rest of my photos are <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/UosYGhTmTdFoC1Vo8" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
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Pictures from Michael Fish are <a href="http://mauiweddingadventures.zenfolio.com/p292459332" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-33190095275781994052016-09-27T22:26:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.769-07:00A Lion DilemmaSouth Africa! Land of the Big 5! Leopard! Cape Buffalo! Elephant! Lion! Rhino! Oh boy!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp5BF9T6wQdCYMTnFdiyO1oaKDLdDP_-0uEJsGbfPJ_88z3ZnN6B3Z4gp88GTH688ypfSwyIo-DLDCqvg6WfigcyGBsi1nT2zeCGZoyq4T_G6c2rgsS88k9Z9-tc2zkoeVXzTT7e8EAsH/s1600/Interesting-facts-about-the-Big-Five.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJp5BF9T6wQdCYMTnFdiyO1oaKDLdDP_-0uEJsGbfPJ_88z3ZnN6B3Z4gp88GTH688ypfSwyIo-DLDCqvg6WfigcyGBsi1nT2zeCGZoyq4T_G6c2rgsS88k9Z9-tc2zkoeVXzTT7e8EAsH/s640/Interesting-facts-about-the-Big-Five.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Wouldn't it be amazing to see them all? And wouldn't it be amazing to interact with a lion? Like, actually pet one?<br />
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But wait. I have questions. A lot of questions.<br />
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Are these cubs going to be taken from their mother so she can be bred again, scrubbed of scent so she doesn't scream for them if they are close, and bottle fed by the paying public to monetize the 'sanctuary'? <br />
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Or starved and kept on a bottle to keep them small and manageable...and profitable longer? <span style="text-align: center;">Some lucky ones are rescued. </span><br />
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Or perhaps the cubs get to grow up a bit. They can keep bringing in cash...</div>
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Until they are sold to a 'hunter' for $50,000. </div>
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But if a 'tame' animal is shot, is that hunting? </div>
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But these 'animal interaction experiences' and 'canned hunts' bring in a lot of money and provide jobs in struggling countries. And if lions are valuable and being bred, we're conserving them.....right? I mean cows aren't in danger of going extinct, we breed them because we have a use for them. They are delicious.</div>
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Is conservation just the prevention of genetic extinction? Why do I feel so differently about farming of non-domesticated predators than I do about domesticated prey? </div>
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And how do we pay for conservation? How do we tell someone in a third world country they can't farm this land because the lions need it for hunting grounds? </div>
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I just spent the last hours researching. Trade in lion bones to Asia. The legality of canned hunts in South Africa. How Ducks Unlimited supports conservation (over 13 million acres in North America) as well as hunting.</div>
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I don't have answers. Just questions. And the choices I will personally make.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”</span></div>
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<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Palatino, Georgia, Baskerville, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><em>adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0156849097?ie=UTF8&tag=mc_starfish-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0156849097" style="color: #5f5f5f;">The Star Thrower</a>, </em><em>by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)</em></span></div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-61577578184677029462016-08-16T18:04:00.003-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.811-07:00Paddle Paddle PaddleAccording to Wikipedia, San Diego is considered a "Dry Mediterranean Climate". In reality, Southern California is a desert. And it's often just stupid hot. Particularly when the sun is out. Which is almost all the time. Except at night. <br />
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So it only made sense to take up a water sport after I moved here a little over a year ago. I chose outrigger canoe paddling. It's great because after a day of work, which requires some measure of thinking and interacting with other people, I just....paddle. <br />
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Paddle paddle paddle...<br />
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But of course, I'm not JUST going to paddle. On October 8-9 I'll join over 175 cancer survivors and supporter in the <a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/3/adbook.htm" target="_blank">8th Annual Paddle For Life.</a><br />
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We will paddle across the 'Au'au channel from Lahaina (Maui) to Manele Bay (Lana'i) in support of the Pacific Cancer Foundation.<br />
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The voyage will be a 'change' voyage; meaning at intervals the chase boat will drop fresh paddlers in the water ahead of the moving canoe. As the canoe approaches the fresh paddlers, the pooped paddlers jump out and the fresh ones grab on and swing into the moving canoe while the paddlers not being changed out keep paddling.<br />
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I think I'm the one in the water with my arm up. Either that, or I'm in the first seat of the boat getting ready to jump out....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJceat3fDCmPAuU_ZwQl5XiVbfUoLamyfNnVf2FSbM7a90Mi4zklAWJDOhaONSCA_1rMqgzUluC4XqLcUY762V1gVbXLB8u1DMc32nsYB_VjICxnttGMpRwyrPbcQ2eqRCj5QxlERrFyba/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJceat3fDCmPAuU_ZwQl5XiVbfUoLamyfNnVf2FSbM7a90Mi4zklAWJDOhaONSCA_1rMqgzUluC4XqLcUY762V1gVbXLB8u1DMc32nsYB_VjICxnttGMpRwyrPbcQ2eqRCj5QxlERrFyba/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In theory, the change time is around 10 seconds. This video clip below is NOT me. But it give you a better idea of what exactly happens.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/86AUHeZkEtI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/86AUHeZkEtI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
HAHA! You've made it this far...now for the hook!<a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519" target="_blank"> </a> I would like to raise at least $300 for the Pacific Cancer Foundation.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519" target="_blank">STOP CANCER</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519" target="_blank">PLEASE DONATE!</a></span></div>
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>52 Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Start Oct 8, 2016</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: justify;">Paddle for Life</b><br />
<a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519/" style="background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: none; text-align: justify; transition: 0.3s;" target="_blank">To sponsor me for the <b style="color: magenta;">Paddle for Life </b>click here!</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>66 Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Start @ Dawn October 22, 2016</b><br />
<b><a href="http://theride.co.za/the-race" target="_blank">Race the Wild Coast</a></b><br />
Sponsorships Available - Email Me!<br />
<br /></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-67253688522549784752016-06-20T21:01:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.825-07:00Canyon Critters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFYYTYJOBO5wnUyAC2pCuTRY-Xw6u6dcD_Rojqf8WRvWPet7qVownbJpY0MfZC9Xszdxxx8FnVY2XqT2TaIUaZEGNiYAHoQSsQ0l6ZdK_T6pDFTBc6EojwaM6dePV1uJsw0tYgwkGuioW/s1600/2016-06-20+20.57.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFYYTYJOBO5wnUyAC2pCuTRY-Xw6u6dcD_Rojqf8WRvWPet7qVownbJpY0MfZC9Xszdxxx8FnVY2XqT2TaIUaZEGNiYAHoQSsQ0l6ZdK_T6pDFTBc6EojwaM6dePV1uJsw0tYgwkGuioW/s400/2016-06-20+20.57.29.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
Today I was lucky enough to view not just one, but three Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. The species was decimated in the early 1900s. In 1975 there where only ~1000 rocky mountain bighorn sheep in Utah. Reintroduction efforts have increased the statewide population to ~3000.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxvWjXVmKYMXfP2ITRMm9i3llY-i-rfhW0m5SkK5qLGkcerl3rchvioI4wvqQMI1BkXfnNw5VVoilfev1r9PwhiOxrkndeRfIltLZam2nMXe0xAoBnKafJdCrOt7dnX4rnXvzR4fZxbld/s1600/2016-06-20+21.12.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxvWjXVmKYMXfP2ITRMm9i3llY-i-rfhW0m5SkK5qLGkcerl3rchvioI4wvqQMI1BkXfnNw5VVoilfev1r9PwhiOxrkndeRfIltLZam2nMXe0xAoBnKafJdCrOt7dnX4rnXvzR4fZxbld/s400/2016-06-20+21.12.48.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
I am in Utah for work and with the long daylight hours of summer, I had time to go for a hike up Rock Canyon in Provo. I was planning a relaxing hike on the main trail when I spotted these guys. Of course they were in a spot where the sun was directly behind them so my hike turned into a climb to get a better angle. Messrs. Big, Medium, and Small Ram proved quite happy to pose.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLhhaFOVjuvsRxeeBvzvWAWz9AmH5Yu27IzJd0FdhYExYT3J2ysFURkqnQ33mclBhzRi-CXEogwnvHQO16WlNAX3hpvGdxwJ5AmoeBOKyeSnwRNVbYJW_3MiEtc2MSaw5UisEfQq3Y9uC/s1600/2016-06-20+21.38.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLhhaFOVjuvsRxeeBvzvWAWz9AmH5Yu27IzJd0FdhYExYT3J2ysFURkqnQ33mclBhzRi-CXEogwnvHQO16WlNAX3hpvGdxwJ5AmoeBOKyeSnwRNVbYJW_3MiEtc2MSaw5UisEfQq3Y9uC/s320/2016-06-20+21.38.38.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvixnIbrsuuIvo1V5eMIst5D_jO_-k9rNBxnHzQbRasnOUENcSpoO1Zymh2cQFA4mikZ3Ua7mDVYY57CpzgzLknxMXKLZUfqy6qhhL_Va1Lix1tkA8rQwP0P_39Wextfp7SQQDSq2A6AE0/s1600/2016-06-20+21.39.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvixnIbrsuuIvo1V5eMIst5D_jO_-k9rNBxnHzQbRasnOUENcSpoO1Zymh2cQFA4mikZ3Ua7mDVYY57CpzgzLknxMXKLZUfqy6qhhL_Va1Lix1tkA8rQwP0P_39Wextfp7SQQDSq2A6AE0/s320/2016-06-20+21.39.39.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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At this point I realized I was was waaay off the trail having climbed/scrabbled from where I took the picture below to about where the star is.</div>
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The view from there was pretty excellent.</div>
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While pondering my route down, I saw this little guy...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I swear he was laughing at me as I skidded down on my butt...</div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-91166336519857055632016-05-23T09:06:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.867-07:00A Santa Barbara ExperienceFirst a warning, I prefer to write stories with pictures. This past weekend, I just....experienced. I didn't pull out my phone every 10 minutes. I just unplugged and lived. So this blog is atypical for WTHIRDN.<br />
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I woke up at 3 am on Saturday morning and got in the car to drive to Santa Barbara for my second outrigger canoe race of the season. I pulled into the parking lot in the marina around 6 am and as the sun was coming up, looked around and thought to myself, 'Dude! I LIVE here! I can drive to a place that is this amazing!' I found my club Hanohano, and helped to get boats off the trailer and ready to race. Then curled up on Rona's blanket surrounded my my teammates chillin' chattin' and getting ready, and took the first nap of the day. <br />
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One awesome nap later, I got up, stretched, and met the 3 men in my crew for the weekend. Hanohano has a men's team and a women's team. In the meets, the coaches mix up the crews of 6 to try to get a boat in as many categories as possible. So I was in the long course, co-ed, unlimited. It was a challenge to get in the groove with a new crew on race day. Everyone was strong, and when we worked out the kinks, we flew! During the race, I found myself getting frustrated when we weren't perfectly in snyc and thinking, 'damn, I wish we'd had a chance to paddle together.' I banished this thought and replaced it with something coach Robin has said to us in practice. You don't help the boat by worring about what other people are doing, you help the boat my paddling the best YOU can paddle. So I started doing checks on myself. Was my body rotating? Where my shoulders relaxed? Was I fully extending my bottom arm? Was I driving my top hand in sync? Was my recovery in sync? Was I engaging my core and legs for power? As I checked, the frustration melted, my timing improved, and I felt the boat respond. I don't have a lot of experience being part of a human team. From riding, I know what it feels like to be totally in sync with a horse. And now I started to get a similar satisfaction from being part of a human team in sync. We finished the race very strong and I was happy.<br />
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The next order of business was to meet up with my couchsurfing host, James. James is an aerospace optical engineer who lives on a 30 ft sailboat in the marina of Santa Barbara. <br />
<br />
A word on couchsurfing.<br />
Couchsurfing is about people. Experiencing new places like a local and experiencing the world in a way money can't buy. As a host, it's having friends visit. As a surfer, it's visiting friends all over the world. There are over 10 million members in 200,000 cities around the world.<br />
Couchsurfing is NOT AirBnB, it is not just a free place to stay. Couchsurfing is NOT a dating site. Hosts review surfers and surfers review hosts. Those true to the spirit of CouchSurfing keep it safe by extending the same respect they want from others. <br />
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Back to James. James had a wedding that evening so he gave me the card to get onto the dock, showed my the kayak on a neighbors boat that I was welcome to use, and helped me get his SUP board down to the beach. Then he had to go get ready for his evening. I lazed around with my club dozing in the sun for a bit then got on the board to paddle down (downwind thank god) around the breakwater back to the boat. At first I found myself thinking, 'What was I thinking? More paddling? I just raced!' Then I got in the groove and enjoyed a leisurly paddle. I couldn't resist paddling around the pier and saw people fishing on the end catching mackerel. When I arrived at the dock, I saw a man on the boat next door, the one with the kayak. I introduced myself and mentioned that my host, James, said I might be able to use the kayak. Bob said, yes, of course. We chatted a bit about where I might fish for halibut and Bob invited me to join him and a friend on his boat for pasta dinner. <br />
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My next order of business was to get squid. A small fish called a grunion comes inshore onto the beach during full moon days to spawn. Halibut follow them inshore. I wanted to try to catch a halibut. I grabbed a fishing rod with a sabiki rig (many small hooks with shiny bits) for mackarel and a backpack and walked to the end of the pier where there was a bait shop. I bought some squid, had a chat with the bait shop guy, and went outside to join the diverse collection of humanity that are the pier fishermen and tourists. Fishing to my right was a man with a bone through his nose who said he was a Hare Krishna. He was very nice and polite. To my left was an asian man and his daughter. And all around were tourists walking, talking, and watching. I heard at least 5 language. At one point, a family stopped and was taking pictures of us fishing. When one of use caught a string of 3, 4, or 5 shining flipping mackarel, they would all applaud and cheer and take pictures. At the fish cleaning table, a mexican man was cleaning a single mackarel while his two young daughters who were facinated by the guts. I had more mackarel than I needed so I gave him a few. And noticed he didn't really know how to clean them. I showed him what I was doing and his girls and I had a bilinual exhange on the english and spanish word for <i>fish, guts, heart, fins, </i>and a few other fish related terms. It was a very enjoyable multicultural community experience!!<br />
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I walked back down the pier and to the marina and the boat. A man was on the boat next door and I said, "Hi Bob!" It was not Bob. It was in fact Bob's friend Meyer, but I'd only met Bob once and clearly didn't know him on sight. I put my fish in a cooler, and got cleaned up a bit and put on fresh clothes. Then Bob returned and came to extend the invite again for cocktails and dinner. I figured, why not! I had no idea of the treat I was in for. So Bob is a physicist at CalTech. He's a Veitnam vet who was part of the insertion and extratction crew for the seals who rescued prisoners of The Zoo. The has travelled the world and been on boats boarded by pirates. His grandfather was an cowboy outlaw turned Texas Ranger. As a physicist, he's part of the <a href="https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/news/ligo20160211" target="_blank">LIGO team</a> that recently developed and used a four pole inferometer to detect gravitational waves and proved Einsteins prediction. Bob also has been to space. He orbited the earth 7 times and got to use robot arms!! Now he and his wife are considering selling their home and sailing up the west coast. Bob's friend Meyer was a true old salt. He understood all Bob's physicist stuff and was clearly brilliant. He is a Santa Barbara native, lives on his boat, and works in the marina fixing everything on and relating to boats. He was also incredibly punny, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Back to dinner, Bob spent two years as a chef somewhere in the bowels of history. A dinner of salad, garlic bread, and pasta with homemade meat sauce was simply perfect after a long day of paddling. <br />
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Physically exhausted, mentally full of experiences, I crawled into the forward V-bunk on James's boat and slept a very satisfying sleep. <br />
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Sunday I woke well rested. James had offered to take some of the wedding guests sailing if they were interested. We walked into town to a place called <a href="http://www.hangarsb.com/" target="_blank">The Hanger</a>. James parks his volvo outside there and as a member can use the facilities. While he showered, I wandered among a collection of the most amazing cars I've ever seen. Think Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt and his hanger of classic cars. <br />
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Next order of business was a massive breakfast burrito followed by a short sail and good conversation. The last order of business was getting home. James needed a ride to meet a friend at the Arboretum in Irvine. We talked of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. A fitting eclectic conversation to end an eclectic weekend.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>137 Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Start Oct 8, 2016</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; text-align: justify;">Paddle for Life</b><br />
<a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519/" style="background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; outline: none; text-align: justify; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">To sponsor me for the <b style="color: magenta;">Paddle for Life </b>click here!</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>151 Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Start @ Dawn October 22, 2016</b><br />
<b><a href="http://theride.co.za/the-race" target="_blank">Race the Wild Coast</a></b><br />
Sponsorships Available - Email Me!</div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-89339689047278310702016-05-12T15:54:00.002-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.861-07:00Race the Wild Coast UpdateThis is reprinted from Race Director Barry Armitage<br />
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<a href="http://www.rockethorseracing.co.za/">www.rockethorseracing.co.za</a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">Under 6 months to go guys!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">Joe and I have recently returned from the dry run of the race. We were joined for sections of the trip by some of our horse suppliers, friends, farriers and vets; all pretty serious endurance riders. We knew that the race was going to be tough but having ridden most of the route more or less under race rules, we are now confident that it is indeed very, very tough! The distance might not look like much but the landscape is punishing and it is difficult to average more than 10km/hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">One of the big issues on this coast is that riding around 80km over 10 to 12 hours takes you through a full cycle of high and low tides so that while we have timed things for the potentially big swims to be more manageable there are a few smaller rivers that are now short but deep swims sometimes with a swift current. Very exciting stuff indeed!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">This is one of the bigger rivers, in fact the biggest, the mighty Mbashe being crossed sunset.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnwHQ_LcSW8ZZs2XX5ZIRKmid_ZBzE2Rcym2wqPstil1U-ReEDlV_BwLW53nNhFewrs9p6vT5cW1QDy6A5o7_d6Qu2tyF1lFJl3v-ZCvRwSW_f4LGA95ugMYbBdnyOEWuo7LVOHjKOCEX/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnwHQ_LcSW8ZZs2XX5ZIRKmid_ZBzE2Rcym2wqPstil1U-ReEDlV_BwLW53nNhFewrs9p6vT5cW1QDy6A5o7_d6Qu2tyF1lFJl3v-ZCvRwSW_f4LGA95ugMYbBdnyOEWuo7LVOHjKOCEX/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">We’ll get posting more pictures and videos this week. Apologies for the delay but our brand new Go-Pro froze at the first river swim (we really hope that you don’t) and Joe (who is in charge of social media) managed to get his phone wet too, which it didn’t much like and took early retirement. I have a lot of experience trying to get i-phones to swim without success so I can’t mutter too much about this. Please make sure that your phones are well waterproofed. We’ll help with this and will harp on about waterproofing a little closer to the race.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">I had to add this one of my horse Curios taking a break, contemplating the descent to cross the Ntfufu River (day 2). It gives a great idea of how hilly the coast is.</span><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="388" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=1f98bb896f&view=fimg&th=154a411cceaa5b55&attid=0.1.2&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ_6vIqORHzNP1OVnrKueiIGCSciIpRDUe8caKcBp45li2TFXzB3IS4cc_BVcv3_tgNdkmGHGwT05XgoJAv2PJwbb6wrSCBnt0WScCrNX4nFtMmFm3f13rdRJPc&sz=w2478-h776&ats=1463073571707&rm=154a411cceaa5b55&zw&atsh=1" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="1239" /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">All stages, vet checks, horse change venues, sites for overnight stops and for the start and finish camps have been finalized. There are some fabulous views to be had framed by the opening of your tent and we can assure you that you will be experiencing the raw beauty of the Wild Coast at its … well rawest! <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">If you are in the leading bunch this will be the view from your tent on the morning of the third day when you haul your aching bones out of your sleeping bag and contemplate another punishing day in the saddle. If things are going really well for you, you won’t see this at all as it will be pitch black and will see the sun rise from the saddle!</span><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="299" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=1f98bb896f&view=fimg&th=154a411cceaa5b55&attid=0.1.3&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ8-RGrZPn9bARbgr4XDvceQQWPMlDt_NOQun0XjpfzQb6l2a8QD_LiPeZfxf0eSaUyV-vT3LfKy4OHmhl5TGhxXB0taQdGE8oHK3GEgm4GASdHscReZ1tOwG98&sz=w2478-h598&ats=1463073571708&rm=154a411cceaa5b55&zw&atsh=1" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="1239" /><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">Ticks are by far the creatures that you should and will be most worried about. I got absolutely munched by pepper ticks this trip with hundreds of bites on my legs that became as itchy as all hell. We’ll do a little research into what is best to prevent the little buggers biting you and let you know but please consult with your GP to see what is available to you in your home country and let us know what you come up with. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We have had a rash of another sort and quite a bad one at that; riders pulling out of the race! Reasons are all sound but we really do need to get the numbers up again. There are 8 places still available. Please share the new release (which will be out in a couple of days) with your network and for those of you who have done the Derby particularly, please share with that network. Thanks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We asked our fellow “dry run” riders if they had any advice for the race riders. There were a lot of hysterical funny unrepeatable comments about how tough it was but that most pertinent was: "When they say you need to be fit. They mean REALLY fit!” You will also be spending a lot of time off your horse, walking over broken ground or running downhill so we would recommend some trail running as good preparation for October. Please make sure that you get fit.</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">Get as light as you can as well as get running fit; the more time you spend off your horse running the down-hills </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;">(like the pic below)</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;"> the more energy your horse will be able to conserve, the faster you’ll travel and the greater the chance of delivering a sound horse to the vets.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14px;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="318" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=1f98bb896f&view=fimg&th=154a411cceaa5b55&attid=0.1.4&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ_IrNoj-tmChzQnUVgvjrkcf0TX-SGDWoyu58ZvqHZNWyQNY22oqRI-HSsys02cEVIMzX-CC3UOZC8vzbAGmPzFHwayBhuqjBZKC-6s8LIVZPRVT6Kb6JZioQw&sz=w2478-h636&ats=1463073571708&rm=154a411cceaa5b55&zw&atsh=1" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="1239" /> </span></div>
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And lastly, this is the first brief sight that you’ll have of the finish before you plunge through the last bit of coastal forrest and across the beach to the line at the mouth of the Kei River!</div>
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I hope the pics have inspired you. </div>
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Cheers for now</div>
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Barry</div>
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<img class="CToWUd a6T" height="347" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=1f98bb896f&view=fimg&th=154a411cceaa5b55&attid=0.1.5&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ_X8bI6NhPOsgKwFGFrl3ooXjn-4FeVo8TiDqCsQbVcjJAhfyxMZOR5w7z9d5p7i3K265clfjCN3F-e3Wi5vqIqWcSjFW0R559ABZ8SpZxU09metlH7cPPS-vY&sz=w2478-h694&ats=1463073571708&rm=154a411cceaa5b55&zw&atsh=1" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="1239" /></div>
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<b>Barry Armitage</b></div>
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In Other News - October 8-9 I'll be doing an outrigger canoe voyage in Hawaii from Lahaina to Lana'i in the <b style="color: magenta;">Paddle for Life </b>in support of the Pacific Cancer Foundation. <br />
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<a href="http://www.paddleforlife2016.myevent.com/participant/363519/" target="_blank">To sponsor me for the <b style="color: magenta;">Paddle for Life </b>click here!</a><br />
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If you're interested in sponsoring me for Race the Wild Coast - email me! </div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-74501823218622801362016-04-10T17:17:00.002-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.844-07:00TUNA! And Rubber Pants.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my first tuna! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4k2amwa-prTwk7AbbiqbBIyYkXpkv_6wlETiUrTKBry1g0oNHpjK40V5seY8ngIixSjXySpz9yYokh5x1tLsYWZsM6OflIKZiz7FLOiVlcmYf-wGmiwpT7mT8VVGQG0NZcry5T_Vaghv/s1600/20160409_122844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4k2amwa-prTwk7AbbiqbBIyYkXpkv_6wlETiUrTKBry1g0oNHpjK40V5seY8ngIixSjXySpz9yYokh5x1tLsYWZsM6OflIKZiz7FLOiVlcmYf-wGmiwpT7mT8VVGQG0NZcry5T_Vaghv/s400/20160409_122844.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
I have caught albacore and bonito which are legitimately a type of tuna. But not a TUNA tuna. This is a Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orintalis) which has been recognized since 1999 as a separate species from the monster Atlantic Tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Still, this guy is about 30 lbs. <br />
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I went on the Dominator out of Point Loma. I was off Friday, and I got to the dock early. Like REALLY early. Like 3 pm for a 7 pm departure. Luckily it was time not wasted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjysL5iCirU3w_-nhojCEWPYgLHHircxz1GrmjwBmudXj3h1yLUlh9zt2Ndw0RMdLgxmbESSKdUYo0keIfjlN9F0ywTh5R7Pfzx20ch6QaS-YGKcw4CQSq9MwRyXNPUMZZn6fzSyYbhd-e/s1600/20160408_162155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjysL5iCirU3w_-nhojCEWPYgLHHircxz1GrmjwBmudXj3h1yLUlh9zt2Ndw0RMdLgxmbESSKdUYo0keIfjlN9F0ywTh5R7Pfzx20ch6QaS-YGKcw4CQSq9MwRyXNPUMZZn6fzSyYbhd-e/s320/20160408_162155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boat left the dock around 8 pm Friday night. First stop was the bait dock to get live anchovies and sardines. Bait is contained in boxes. Getting bait involves scooping....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKbD1SbIpAqhZwzmq9Wn_wrc_ZJ8zgnffeiBkVxw7_BdhAFsdzVJDvYMh-_t3nEtPW8zYN-qf_6PC0QilH2DZyiuYKihYzzoa5P2s4nhZGv3C9vWq4amWV7ks1jhU2qtpIamRhyphenhyphenCTNA2e/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKbD1SbIpAqhZwzmq9Wn_wrc_ZJ8zgnffeiBkVxw7_BdhAFsdzVJDvYMh-_t3nEtPW8zYN-qf_6PC0QilH2DZyiuYKihYzzoa5P2s4nhZGv3C9vWq4amWV7ks1jhU2qtpIamRhyphenhyphenCTNA2e/s640/Picture1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And then more scooping. And passing, And depositing in the live well. And repeat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13__uNHIAWHKpi1plAkpgtwFzQAGuLY__SO-NH_H4jCKdUpGyorBcCqwz0In75DfqkNUxK8DNNk_3ccba64P8eIbasqOkqRSGQkJ0t6e88C7DrCRaotKwjONCRw6uwRwOpocx6tBzKCpY/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13__uNHIAWHKpi1plAkpgtwFzQAGuLY__SO-NH_H4jCKdUpGyorBcCqwz0In75DfqkNUxK8DNNk_3ccba64P8eIbasqOkqRSGQkJ0t6e88C7DrCRaotKwjONCRw6uwRwOpocx6tBzKCpY/s640/Picture2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It took about 8 hours to get to 60 Mile Bank. I was sacked out in my bunk, no worries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnt57IIL8sZaI0cPqO7BfnliWispirJNxCK2-AfTXNYaJFY_XRqu53E0y9eEgpkedVjNll6gUqgMRwpFLTO4QltTNe7IVJKdnYxNv06bdFiJ42XpGJlrwzvFZoghGNUn1mIZsmhEEf0GL/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnt57IIL8sZaI0cPqO7BfnliWispirJNxCK2-AfTXNYaJFY_XRqu53E0y9eEgpkedVjNll6gUqgMRwpFLTO4QltTNe7IVJKdnYxNv06bdFiJ42XpGJlrwzvFZoghGNUn1mIZsmhEEf0GL/s320/Picture4.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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Around 5 am, we started fishing. It was a bit overcast and some rain was on the horizon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCzHr-Vp7qpjmV9__ICHhbTvoMyaZk3LghgDIBzwdHsXHlZh8pttQGfQOqVmhxTcPsB2mFEgfuKxetuDdXYZDO0PROVcPS1zTyMGQQtvoMcVwB9K3Wn_d9YQ3eIkT0x9DI8uk3LPlH9jH/s1600/20160409_063147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCzHr-Vp7qpjmV9__ICHhbTvoMyaZk3LghgDIBzwdHsXHlZh8pttQGfQOqVmhxTcPsB2mFEgfuKxetuDdXYZDO0PROVcPS1zTyMGQQtvoMcVwB9K3Wn_d9YQ3eIkT0x9DI8uk3LPlH9jH/s320/20160409_063147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bluefin are line shy so we used small hooks (#1) on fluorocarbon leaders. Florocarbon is less visible than monofilament. Mono was originally developed to transmit light, so it only makes sense it would...well...transmit light, and be visible. There weren't a lot of fish around. So I kept putting on a fresh belly hooked sardine and letting it swim out...and out...and out...then bring it in and repeat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbEYuvGDXlRlrPi3LN5bB38HJ78gB-73o5OhIIOWD88IQTFSrMj-1JmCzw1XywH2qGHjdm_-FIWbhYZ3EdCm9z20xO2ZaNi7sn-7ALWwaMJMc4QurNj1rDYpRVFAVoPYbW0peUwJ-PnuC/s1600/20160409_160713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbEYuvGDXlRlrPi3LN5bB38HJ78gB-73o5OhIIOWD88IQTFSrMj-1JmCzw1XywH2qGHjdm_-FIWbhYZ3EdCm9z20xO2ZaNi7sn-7ALWwaMJMc4QurNj1rDYpRVFAVoPYbW0peUwJ-PnuC/s320/20160409_160713.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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My turn came after lunch. My line was waaaaaay out. I'd just started to bring it in and felt some resistance. I thought it was just my bait...then I thought I must be tangled with someone....then....I'M BIT! I HAVE A TUNA!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3cfBfgc39cy1lcTEV16FACujFv5GeW5ip6aBKmEewhtrhL7vY_h3kGgiAMRucv98yOQsNRj5zoHy6dLj8zxdM1OEkZATdixx3GBz-epcYim9nYUasTK4gvA5QwQfbhj8-emr1-wupjHQ/s1600/20160409_120752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3cfBfgc39cy1lcTEV16FACujFv5GeW5ip6aBKmEewhtrhL7vY_h3kGgiAMRucv98yOQsNRj5zoHy6dLj8zxdM1OEkZATdixx3GBz-epcYim9nYUasTK4gvA5QwQfbhj8-emr1-wupjHQ/s640/20160409_120752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What you don't see in this picture is the mate coaching me and serving as bodygaurd. With lots of people fishing, you can get other lines in the way and when the fish moves, you have to move. Under people, over people, where the fish goes. You follow. I had a good 45 min fight and landed my first tuna! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dz7oNHBrrHThJ9vZ9p7lenRGBmNWkW-yQdYefMk91kX11mpSnDl2P9Wr9pPz-OrLC3LvZ5BJ4KtR72ubVIA9GmYOcWgsq1ZuzlUthCK-XYuO6uafFBL1P-JlJRGe8HzBd-yoQza63fa4/s1600/20160409_122830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Dz7oNHBrrHThJ9vZ9p7lenRGBmNWkW-yQdYefMk91kX11mpSnDl2P9Wr9pPz-OrLC3LvZ5BJ4KtR72ubVIA9GmYOcWgsq1ZuzlUthCK-XYuO6uafFBL1P-JlJRGe8HzBd-yoQza63fa4/s640/20160409_122830.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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This tuna is brought to you in part by Hardworking Men in Rubber Pants. Thanks guys!</div>
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<b>193 Days</b></div>
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<b>Start @ Dawn October 22, 2016</b><br />
<b><a href="http://theride.co.za/the-race" target="_blank">Race the Wild Coast</a></b></div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-5686953496754472102016-01-21T19:15:00.001-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.802-07:00A Magic Foam ExperienceSo I'm in downtown San Diego on the waterfront last Sunday and happened to see the MLK Day Parade. Lined up for the parade was a fire truck with a wild paint job and a sign advertising Dr. Bronner's Magic Foam Experience...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qqGp8zCmaqMK1pTfDZGUpUw9np9SO9ZFAZuKrcPaUCWeRd_Ha3E5gFHzYpieCP273jjSye4uPKEFwQ7lW0wWR9VP3tY6EU8ECGJPR9uROQWMEj_sdpM4U0TK622B5HrtnKaFR8hlCcpT/s1600/20160117_141141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qqGp8zCmaqMK1pTfDZGUpUw9np9SO9ZFAZuKrcPaUCWeRd_Ha3E5gFHzYpieCP273jjSye4uPKEFwQ7lW0wWR9VP3tY6EU8ECGJPR9uROQWMEj_sdpM4U0TK622B5HrtnKaFR8hlCcpT/s400/20160117_141141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
...then the parade started. And a beautiful black man in white clothes, tethered to a pole on top of the fire truck, started dancing and swinging his waist length dreads around wildly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_OAFHEFC8zIJArIQu7As_CJwnzYqUpInwkj7QKEsveUxxz7uhrJ4mRRqkVhPTHiWlevqtrofzOgPsfW00y_UBnwoLb5QOgLptVFHTh4s_cJV8oeeQXwUi9zx8SZE4ZIz9ajg6EUlJVkm/s1600/20160117_151155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_OAFHEFC8zIJArIQu7As_CJwnzYqUpInwkj7QKEsveUxxz7uhrJ4mRRqkVhPTHiWlevqtrofzOgPsfW00y_UBnwoLb5QOgLptVFHTh4s_cJV8oeeQXwUi9zx8SZE4ZIz9ajg6EUlJVkm/s640/20160117_151155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, you just saw pictures but this video clip is worth watching. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/s_vi/LBul02V5MpM/default.jpg?sqp=CNSqhrUF&rs=AOn4CLAjFzQdpYB3ei0gFXG5KyQ9sHPJuw" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LBul02V5MpM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
Samples of Dr. Bronner's were being handed out. I have yet to try mine to find out if the dancing is a normal side effect.<br />
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While not as totally random as Mr. Magic Foaming Guy, the San Diego Low Riders were super cool.<br />
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In other news, I'm attempting to date again. The reality is I'm mostly window shopping. What I have learned is that tiny dogs are rampant in the San Diego area.*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaSRqEQY0-Lk-JFBlfBFZTB1DzIMOoOj786nGRxWcrvBd8H1LseZWizUB1Ys2XBygtfvr0c62pUoT-Vya5ntccNH0Ygpiay_EccsIn6AdbsuHop20S8hvQoYAL6G00Cn1o9-viS2N-6gX/s1600/tinydogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaSRqEQY0-Lk-JFBlfBFZTB1DzIMOoOj786nGRxWcrvBd8H1LseZWizUB1Ys2XBygtfvr0c62pUoT-Vya5ntccNH0Ygpiay_EccsIn6AdbsuHop20S8hvQoYAL6G00Cn1o9-viS2N-6gX/s400/tinydogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
*Disclaimer: This is not a judgement on these men or their tiny dogs.<br />
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<b>275 Days</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Start @ Dawn October 22, 2016</b><br />
<b><a href="http://theride.co.za/the-race" target="_blank">Race the Wild Coast</a></b></div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-1144986165172236752015-12-20T20:01:00.001-08:002017-03-17T18:09:47.710-07:00Back in TrainingFor those who don't know, I now live in SoCal. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ejZuy-Cf12QQ4OgbWRRDSkPKLaoHqkIiLzvyCYxvxOLsKEayGHqi8QQY1vIEhRYEhJJJ-uVrMpWrz2SU3l-hzAIGXMO6p0JbnVdHOIFae_jARA0BXiIGnv5cb4vOzJ5lkdy_HasN6AY/s1600/North+America.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ejZuy-Cf12QQ4OgbWRRDSkPKLaoHqkIiLzvyCYxvxOLsKEayGHqi8QQY1vIEhRYEhJJJ-uVrMpWrz2SU3l-hzAIGXMO6p0JbnVdHOIFae_jARA0BXiIGnv5cb4vOzJ5lkdy_HasN6AY/s320/North+America.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I moved here to resume being a practicing (and paid) aerospace engineer. While enjoying my job and staying quite busy, I'm not as active as I was </div>
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while training to cross 1000 km of Mongolia on horseback....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDv_XPZMKpdd2WlCsh5Lo2v_d8HYGkhVGuSuw4y8AjgZWaJAAx70j2Jd3LY0ZnfjoUzu1T9gPt1JOdAvqT5T6ROI0szl5Wc_xkCJz66dyvoK6hLfDhX2Gy7ejHHRA9W7pQun-iX1pBRv4/s1600/20141012_095751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDv_XPZMKpdd2WlCsh5Lo2v_d8HYGkhVGuSuw4y8AjgZWaJAAx70j2Jd3LY0ZnfjoUzu1T9gPt1JOdAvqT5T6ROI0szl5Wc_xkCJz66dyvoK6hLfDhX2Gy7ejHHRA9W7pQun-iX1pBRv4/s320/20141012_095751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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or running a 1/2 marathon tough mudder.</div>
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In other words...it's time to start getting back into adventure shape for October. What's October? </div>
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<li>350 km</li>
<li>3 horses</li>
<li>6 major river crossings</li>
<li>5 days...</li>
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On the Wild Coast...in South Africa!</div>
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Click below to check out the teaser video!<br /><ul>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPfwYaEZ6QQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQudMGypMYV43Mi4o6SnZ_qxncxvbFDYloteG2yk_yBdAtaQN9hIyGJsp5rP7wd14gaCqXwG2XWoePatwz7XdXI56yh7D9HsnXs4793XzLpQ8fshMF9o6baiiJypQ5LR9qjJGPYPkjQNWn/s640/VideoPic.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>306 Days</b></div>
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<b>Start @ Dawn October 22, 2016</b></div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-13823092325227188032015-10-18T20:03:00.000-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.717-07:00BONK!<div style="text-align: center;">
Ready?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWemWD3Hofgs3WItFNM7PeQx2-5Yef-5qi9fipydC0lR0wraIaoNxZ0V5GC6INiQd10M7pouzIXlNSN4XROiSYzK54c4ImBkf-A-matFfZrKeJgPM47pulLkIxNiqsr6ccQ9bPXOJYVWGZ/s1600/IMG_9140_e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWemWD3Hofgs3WItFNM7PeQx2-5Yef-5qi9fipydC0lR0wraIaoNxZ0V5GC6INiQd10M7pouzIXlNSN4XROiSYzK54c4ImBkf-A-matFfZrKeJgPM47pulLkIxNiqsr6ccQ9bPXOJYVWGZ/s400/IMG_9140_e1.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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And BONK!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1Vm_sQsli3Q9Ljoouv-y2h7mRX4ydQldq5fZYsqr1c4B4kbtUCJz0xYd_M-0rt9e0PoOeRzlLJlS5qVYLfdJy_ldf4Hcn0_WXNNUIpYUzlwXOnJm8CqnoRA0N1Y_CiLFlXLiE8AhJw9y/s1600/IMG_9178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1Vm_sQsli3Q9Ljoouv-y2h7mRX4ydQldq5fZYsqr1c4B4kbtUCJz0xYd_M-0rt9e0PoOeRzlLJlS5qVYLfdJy_ldf4Hcn0_WXNNUIpYUzlwXOnJm8CqnoRA0N1Y_CiLFlXLiE8AhJw9y/s640/IMG_9178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, these are men in armor. Riding horses in dresses. Carry clubs. And scoring points for each bonk on the head. </div>
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Actually, this is the part of a jousting competition called Melee. In the Middle Ages, lords would host competitions where groups of knights would 'battle' to gain experience and impress the ladies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWojY3WGmcvsJwzl8InmtrYJdASxcsMvAvVsB-Um4W4qi5vAQbLbI2FYpf7v0mJQ_xCU9Kid57lSH_z8zcuU8ITDkSG2MnOszek2zU3TEN6Skd0fxR1NF73xZtBoS07KzM8VFLLWYtrP65/s1600/20151017_100551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWojY3WGmcvsJwzl8InmtrYJdASxcsMvAvVsB-Um4W4qi5vAQbLbI2FYpf7v0mJQ_xCU9Kid57lSH_z8zcuU8ITDkSG2MnOszek2zU3TEN6Skd0fxR1NF73xZtBoS07KzM8VFLLWYtrP65/s640/20151017_100551.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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The jousting tournaments of today include a number of scored events (including melee) in addition to the jousting to demonstrate a variety of skills. All the events require exceptional horsemanship. Horses are often provided at the events as knights often come from overseas or far away so they have the added challenge of an unknown mount. </div>
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For the main event, the joust, first put on 60 - 100 lbs of metal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7vlOm2MQDpr70uzdYOXLoqzv7urAQJjqJ1if1WqkPqWasXsumJxopLedv_CRj9Dp4IanZKlsam3FEJf7_MQY14RKyNPgyVvdrzo9YU4yYpTcG1Qa-jGr8Ag0P5zn6MPV-pjZ4tg9T9Ta/s1600/20151017_121614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7vlOm2MQDpr70uzdYOXLoqzv7urAQJjqJ1if1WqkPqWasXsumJxopLedv_CRj9Dp4IanZKlsam3FEJf7_MQY14RKyNPgyVvdrzo9YU4yYpTcG1Qa-jGr8Ag0P5zn6MPV-pjZ4tg9T9Ta/s640/20151017_121614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mount a horse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxP65NZokPW-O2LDE3q_M6cvK_MZlgP5XxufF4GFmTU2Buc-YZcrt_Rc67REiCrvwNk879ard0TylYxhjtIgO5Ox9X7knUcNhyKQC-oRmDLCB1apLTaACyHTA6pBlnZlBMAkU-SE5tBWa/s1600/20151017_122131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxP65NZokPW-O2LDE3q_M6cvK_MZlgP5XxufF4GFmTU2Buc-YZcrt_Rc67REiCrvwNk879ard0TylYxhjtIgO5Ox9X7knUcNhyKQC-oRmDLCB1apLTaACyHTA6pBlnZlBMAkU-SE5tBWa/s400/20151017_122131.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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Put on a helmet you can barely see out of.</div>
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And somehow manage to gallop your horse down a chute.</div>
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And hit the other guy with a long awkward pole.</div>
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There are so many ways this can go horribly wrong...</div>
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Both knight and horse left the arena under their own power, though not together.</div>
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The Tournament of the Phoenix in Poway, CA included a few non-jousting bits of entertainment. </div>
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Here are a few of the Roman soldiers.</div>
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And the local falconry club with the Lanner Falcon, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Eurasian Eagle Owl.</div>
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And last, what tournament would be complete if I didn't get to wear a helmet!</div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532462929140466472.post-39076487704545407932015-10-09T22:01:00.003-07:002017-03-17T18:09:47.774-07:00No SurpriseWarning: This entry is not upbeat or fun. <br />
<br />
I'm not surprised when a government ageny assigns an incompetent and unwilling investigator to a case.<br />
I'm not surprised when there is no way to report their incompetence.<br />
I'm not surprised when money buys decisions. <br />
I'm not surprised when people lie. <br />
<br />
I suppose I don't really wish I were surprised. Surprises are never puppies or ice cream. Usually someone is injured, dead, or what they've done makes you wish they were.<br />
<br />
I'm angry. <br />
And I try to hide it because it does me no good.<br />
And I've gotten better at hiding. I'm just not sure how to dispose of this hazardous waste now. <br />
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I don't want to play anymore thanks. </div>
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If any of you ever wondered how I found the time to train for the Mongol Derby, you may soon get your chance. Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343481596945981790noreply@blogger.com0