High Country

So Ten Fingers, 6 Strings' most recent post hints at his unquenchable desire for the mountains.

It's a love we both share, but most of our trips have been in separate parties being that we currently reside in different states. We have been showshoeing around Bear Lake, and climbing and paddling along the Arkansas River, and I'm sure he'll pull me into this slack lining craze he's unleashing on San Francisco.

We both have plans to be playing in the hills this weekend. I was reading some of his old trip logs the other day. I thought it might be fitting to post a little bit of TF6S mountaineering wisdom. Below is a gem of an exert from his Middle Palisade log that I found interesting:

TF6S: This place used to be off limits, man, 'cause some drunk freshman fell off. He went right down the middle, smacking his head on every beam, man. I hear it doesn't hurt after the first couple though. Autopsy said he had one beer, how many did you have?
Bugle Bum: Four.
TF6S: You're dead, man, you're so dead. Look at the blood stains right there.

Cut to Summit: TF6S takes in the view

TF6S: Would you look at this f*cking town man. It's dead. Imagine how people out there right now are f*cking man. Just going at it.

I don't know if this was a actual conversation. It sure sounds like something from Dazed And Confused, but I can't be certain. We are making plans for a trip to the hill country soon; maybe I should reconsider...

Photos From Destin

Sheri, Kyle, And Destin At Destin Beach
Originally uploaded by From The Still.

For your viewing pleasure, our vacation pictures from Destin, FL. Enjoy!

More here as well.

Runnin' From A Hurricane

I thought that when I updated my "Days To Display" setting in Movable Type I'd be okay with what was set. I'm seriously challenging it right now.

It has been a busy month. Sheri, Destin, and I just returned from Destin, FL (yes, same as my son) yesterday. We were originally scheduled to come back yesterday, Dennis The Menace did not kick us out. However, we will be watching him from our safe haven in the Rockies.

It was an odd thing to see people preparing for a hurricane, mostly because it was first hand and first time in person. We've all seen home and business owners boarding up their windows and taping the seams in their doors on TV. Being in the mix, as it were, was a bit different. Renters needed to be kicked out; cars needed gas; and people needed to get the hell out of Dodge.

There was quite a bit of stress in people's lives; which was an interesting juxtaposition with the breezy mid-80 degree weather. As Sheri, Destin, and I were walking to the beach for one last swim, we saw pick up trucks loaded with plywood; patio furniture being put in pools or garages; and neighborhood pools closing. We reached the beautiful white sand of Destin Beach and saw that a few more people had a pseudo sense of nirvana. The sun was shining. The water was green and cool. Even if there is utter disaster on its way, how you you not enjoy this moment? (It was much, much easier being a non-resident and knowing we were set to depart Ft. Walton Beach Airport at 3:10 PM, approximately 48 hours before Dennis could be reaching the gulf shore.)

None of the emotion was misplaced. You have to protect yourself from these type of natural disasters, and it does bring a bit of stress along with it. People handle that type of stress very differently. Some people are led by their "herd instinct" while others switch to "every man for himself" mode. Which is the recipe for some classic people watching.

We will be watching the progress of Hurricane Dennis very closely. The place were it is expected to hit is very near and dear to our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the Gulf Coast.

On the brighter side, the trip was great. The highlights were relaxing with the family, beach time, and the food. My definition of "fresh" seafood definitely changed. One night, my dad and I did seared tuna steaks on the grill. We ate around 8:00 PM. The yellow fin was caught at 3:00 PM. I don't see how you could get any better then that, unless you have a grill right on the boat. I made a Grouper pasta dish that turned out great. I will be posting the recipe soon.