Homemade Smokebombs

Finally here is what one of the smoke bombs looks like at night.

We Almost Went Bike Camping

Gear packed. Bikes loaded. New tent ready. Then, rain appears as my niece from Taiwan, daughter, son and I arrive at the trail head. The forecast had been for dry weather, but now it looked like it would rain on and off for the next 24 hours.

Let's go! We have fenders, rain gear and don't want to be wimps. If we're going to be bike campers, we can't let a little wetness stop us from having fun. This will be an opportunity for the kids to see that we can't wait for the right weather to enjoy nature. My niece agrees to go despite the rain too.

I spent hours preparing bikes and driving to the trail head; I don't want to waste that effort. After all both my kids have done early spring, 30 mile rides in hills, wind and rain . They can take it.

But would they enjoy it. Still raining after lunch. Thinking of my niece who had never camped out before, I wondered if my desire to soldier on wasn't affecting others willingness to go. On past trips, I carefully made sure the kids' experiences with bike camping were positive. Would this outing bolster their love of the sport, or make them less apt to go in the future?

I suggested we drive the hour home and come back another day. I could tell my niece was relieved. My son said he was glad because he thought it might be a "death march." My daughter protested my decision, but quickly fell asleep in the car.

Turns out it was a beautiful night. We roasted marshmallows in the back yard before the kids slept out in the new tent. I discovered I'd rather be a dad than hardcore biker.

Dusty Car Art

Two photos, 6 months and 133 Degrees

It was so hot, 103F/39C, on Tuesday, June 7th that the sidewalk at my neighbors' house expanded until it cracked and buckled. The sidewalk is about 4" thick, so I estimate it pushed up 7".

6 months earlier, on Dec. 11th, I posted the following picture. It was taken standing right where the sidewalk cracked looking across the street. The forecast was for -30F/-34.5C and 20" of snow with this storm.

Although, 133 degrees apart, I felt the giddy excitement of extreme weather both days; I love living in a place where the weather isn't monotonous.

Bow Fishing With Steve

A friend, Steve, called on Fiday night offering me a chance to try bow fishing on Saturday morning. I needed to decline the invitation so I could fulfill fatherly obligations, Chinese and soccer. I love my children, but longed to use a reel and fishing arrow I ordered a couple of months ago. I'd shot with this gear a few times in the back yard; no fish, just dirt and strange looks from neighbors.

When I heard Steve was thinking of going again on Sunday morning, I called. We had a great morning standing beside a bridge on and outlet of Medicine Lake.

I saw fish right away and shot shooting well over the fish like the rookie I was. I knew about refraction making the fish look farther than they are, but couldn't get my excited self to add brain to my instinctive shooting. Missed a few more, but then took my time to line up the shot and consciously aim low. Hit a bowfin right in the center. Bowfins are mean predator fish that have been around since dinosaurs. Badass, mean looking fish that will intentionally try to bite you . I, however, was not the one bitten. Tasty.

The next arrow aimed at a large carp. A long shot in deeper water hit the fish top center. Turns out a 25 lb fish can put up a good fight with an arrow in his back.

The pictures are of the big carp and bowfin I shot and of the carp Steve shot. I fried up the smaller carp with the bowfin, delicious. What a fun morning. After a day of shooting and eating rough fish, I think I'll go see if NASCAR is on.

Matt Dillon and Kwai Chang Caine Thanks and RIP

Today, June 3rd, 2011, marks the death of actor James Arness. His character Sheriff Matt Dillon taught me to be a man. His seminal sense of justice, duty, respect and wisdom inspire me. Sheriff Dillon got his man with constant, gentle toughness.

In high school I stayed up late Sunday nights to watch Gunsmoke and Kung Fu. A friend would do the same. Monday mornings were spent discussing the fine points of the shows while feigning interest in Mr. Adair's Sophomore English lessons. Gunsmoke was also my crusty Grandfather's favorite show. He even looked a bit like James Arness.

Coincidently David Carradine the actor playing Kwai Chang Caine of the Kung Fu series also died on June 3rd two years earlier.

These two characters helped form a young man's moral compass.

My New Old Bike 1989 Vintage Touring Steel

I know these to be great bikes, and saw one on Craigslist for $100. It shows some wear, but still has nubs on the original radial tires. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it, but a sweet bike nonetheless.

From Sheldon Brown:
Miyata touring bikes, including the 1000 and the lesser (but still extremely nice) 610, came with very unusual tires, Panasonic radials. These may be the only radial bicycle tires ever sold.

What Wikipedia's says about this model:
Miyata 6xx : A quality touring model, one step down from the 1000, with slightly different frame geometry and lower level components. Mid 1980's 610's have triple-butted splined Chromoly frame tubing, an unusually high quality tubing and construction for its price level. This bike is slightly lighter in weight than Trek 520/720 touring bikes, but of similar quality.

Childhood Memory

I wonder what ever happened to this lamp that sat next to my bed for years. Good night Puss in Boots.

Claire's Quiver

Claire designed and made this quiver. Friday night. She started by making a paper pattern. I helped cut out the leather to her specs. Then she played around with a stitching system until she came up with this one incorporating some beads we picked up in Taiwan. It works well and looks good too.

"Dad, I feel like a full grown man today"

I took Harris to Harmond Park to try mountain biking today. I wasn't sure how well he could pedal the Schwinn Moab, as it's still a bit big for him. After having no problems on the North Loop, we rode the entire course.
Harris was amazing. I could see him using both his biking and XC ski background on the trail. He skillfully rolled the down hills and handled more technical stuff easily. I enjoyed watching him ride.
The title quote comes from a chat we had while sharing a snickers blizzard after the ride. I'm proud of my kids.

Altered Esthetics Bike Art VI

Jim Walsh - Bike Pot

Altered Esthetics’ 6th annual bike art show brings together some of the Twin Cities’ largest communities…artists, cyclists, and those who love both! Join us in creating another amazing exhibit of bike-themed photography, painting, sculpture and interactive art.

Opening Reception
Friday, June 3, 2011 - 7pm-10pm


Arty Garage Sale
Saturday, June 18, 2011 - 7am-12pm

2nd Annual Bikini Bike Wash


Artists' Discussion
Saturday, June 18, 2011 - 1pm-3pm
1224 Quincy St NE, Mpls MN 55413 • 612.378.8888 • contact-at-alteredesthetics.org
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 1pm–7pm, Saturdays 1pm–5pm

New Bows For The Children

Harris' bow (above) is a Ragim Matrix Jr. Youth Recurve. The bow is 48" long with a 16# pull. The Matrix Junior recurve take-down bow is the lightest bow for beginners available on the market.

Both Kids are getting pretty good with their crappy red fiberglass bows. But, it's time for an upgrade. They'll be reinforcements, as we face down small stuffed animals in backyard battles. The alien below will never phone home again.
Claire's (below) is the Greatree Mohegan Take Down 48" youth recurve bow. It is manufactured of an attractive layering of maple and oak woods. Her lefty bow is 48" long with a 20# pull.
I ordered these and a bow fishing kit from Quality Archery Bows. I place the order Sunday and they should be at my house Wed. Not bad for free shipping.

21st Annual Traditional Bow Shoot Coon Rapids, MN June 18-19

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Hakuna Matata.

Only foam animals were hurt making this blog post.

Harris/Insideous Rat Boy

In celebration of finalizing his plans to take over the Universe!

Tall Bike Joy

Claire and Harris conquered the tall bike today. Dismounts were not graceful, but they were able to get off without too much assistance from gravity.

With snow melted alley biking is on.

The bike is homemade out of two boulevard bikes and a section of black pipe. Total cost $5 for handlebar grips and 1/2 a can of spray paint. Q, a friend of mine is the master mind. We built this bike and two others one night in his So. Minneapolis Garage. Good times.

Skunk Cabbage is "Warm Blooded"

Thanks to all the people who helped identify this fascinating plant, symplocarpus foetidus or skunk cabbage. Wikipedia says,
Skunk cabbage is notable for its ability to generate temperatures of up to 15-35°C above air temperature by cyanide resistant cellular respiration in order to melt its way through frozen ground,[2] placing it among a small group of plants exhibiting thermogenesis. Even though it flowers while there is still snow and ice on the ground it is successfully pollinated by early insects that also emerge at this time. Some studies suggest that beyond allowing the plant to grow in icy soil, the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air.[2] Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe because it is warmer than the surrounding air, fueling pollination.[3]

Strange Plant Along the Minnehaha Creek

Harris, Claire and I found several of these plants growing in a wet area about 1mile down stream from Minnehaha falls on March 31st. At first we thought they were some type of shoot, but it appears to be a flower of some kind. (Click on the picture to make it larger for a better look.) I also thought it maybe some type of pitcher plant. I didn't see any images from a web search that looked like this. Anyone know what this is?
Some were singles; some grew in clusters of green or red.