Yesterday wasn’t exactly stress free. Getting all my stuff together for the next two weeks and then catching a flight was difficult. I think I’m more beat up from the Iowa roofing experience than I had anticipated. I wasn’t working crazy hours. At least not crazy hours for me. But I was doing manual labor for 14 hours a day for 3 full days. I wasn’t used to it. I did feel better waking up on Saturday morning than I did on Wednesday, so at least I was getting used to it.
I got to watch most of the World Series game last night, which I didn’t expect. I was surprised that the Royals won, coming back again in the 9th inning to tie the game. Seems like that is their modus operandi. Anyway, it was big celebrations going on in Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Lots of fireworks, etc. There is going to be a big parade, which seems kind of strange, but that is the way cities do that nowadays. I guess always. They haven’t won in 30 years, so it is sort of a big deal.
The Mike Nosco Memorial Ride is tomorrow morning in Newbury Park, Ca. I’ve done the ride for the past 5 or so years. I love the route, riding along the ocean then zigzagging up and down canyons. It is wonderful. Plus, seeing old and new friends, getting to ride with them is super. The ride was created by Jack Nosco, Mike’s brother and it is a beautiful tribute to him.
I’m heading up to Jimmy Mac’s house this afternoon. I don’t see Mac anywhere nearly enough. He has been travelling the country the last month, so he is probably travelled out. Mac is in the Levis team photo from a couple days ago. I’ve know Mac nearly a quarter century and like I said above, don’t get to hang with him near enough. It is supposed to rain later today, in SoCal, so I hope it doesn’t screw up our one day of riding a year we have.
Okay, that is about it from LA so far. I think I’ll go stick my feet in the ocean before I head up to Somis.
The pilot said this was the grand canyon. I’m not sure it is, but it is dramatic. I love looking out the window flying.
But, in reality, the midwest is more interesting to me.
There are lots of beautiful flowers in Socal in November.
Looks like the Grand Canyon to me! Not much else in this country would look like that from cruising altitude.
Todays post hits on some things pertinent in my life…
Not much better than staring out the window on a clear day at 37,000 feet, and that would be over any continent. The planet and its physical geography never ceases to amaze me.
Manual labor is something that requires training.; ie you need to do it everyday. Or else it hurts. Physical labor is a younger mans profession. As a general contractor, I see that the guys still in the field in their 50’s are few and far between, and are the ones who learned to be super efficient with their physical output. That is to say they work smart. For the dummies like me who hit the project with unbridled physical gusto; well I and the rest have worn themselves out. Once in awhile I try to play in the field, and it always crushes me. Im not OK with that, but alas that is the process of aging and I am powerless against it.
Enjoy Socal and the memorial ride…Today is the last day of the three day celebration of the Dia de Los Muertos. In the US we call it the Day of the Dead. Sadly, I have quite a few good folks to remember, but right now Im thinking of my Dad. My family set up a small alter in memory of my Dad yesterday, a boy from Brooklyn who loved the Dodgers, and then the Mets. But foremost he loved the blue collar man and the blue collar sports team, so he would have been OK with KC’s win. Congrats!
What is that old rider saying: ride instead of walk, sit instead of stand, lay instead of sitting, do roofing instead of sleeping? Something like that, may be tired but you paid it forward.
wish i could do only 3 hard days of work then take two weeks off.. lol..my crappy life= add 2 shitty commutes in there. cut the hours to 11-12 daily. then go work at a bar at nite.. oh, then try and cram in training.. and repeat 5-6 days a week. for years…
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2. Nothing better than flying in a plane and seeing God declare His handiwork from 32,000 feet
I believe the Royals tied the game in the 8th?
You forgot: and an hour/day to read and comment on this blog.
Nice post.
Why would the pilot lie about the scenery below??
Say what now? Seriously, your pilot wasn’t kidding–it’s the Grand Canyon. You were almost directly above GC Village on South Rim. That’s Sublime Point on the end of the green, center right, on north side. Was just hiking Kaibab Trail from North Rim last month, just out of the picture to right. Great trails, unparalleled scenery from above and below the rim.
Planning a rim-to-rim next fall, so I’ve been reading about the run/walk/jog/wog. Get this: the fastest ultra runners do the 22+ miles from S to N in under 3 hours, and the S-N-S, rim-to-rim-to-rim, out-and-back record is under 7 hrs, starting and ending on South Rim.
Start with 4400 ft drop in just 7 miles = quads are already hamburger. Then run a trail marathon with 6000 ft climb and descent. Then, after running almost 34 miles, climb back out = another 4400 ft climb in 7 miles.
Unless you do it N-S-N. Which leaves the steepest part, on North Kaibab, for the very end. Bonus.