tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42243595928441657942024-02-21T23:34:55.175-08:00Adventure NickelThe blog of a nomadic travel nurse and family.Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.comBlogger547125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-5746259241475397112020-08-05T18:55:00.003-07:002020-08-05T18:55:37.369-07:00The Peroxide Experiment. One of the goals I have in starting a mushroom farm is increasing my knowledge base and sharing that with anyone else who is interested. There is a lot of information about mycology out there. Hell, I only live a few miles away from Paul Stamets. <div><br /></div><div>But I have trust issues. I can read all the studies and understand all the chemistry, but there is just something about performing experiments yourself that seals the deal. So, I have a few ongoing right now and plans to share all those here and on my eventual website. The first I'm going to share is about peroxide.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe R.R. Wayne, PHD pioneered much of this research and I do owe quite a bit of gratitude to that. But again, trust issues. I've read a bit of his material. </div><div><br /></div><div>The theory is that hydrogen peroxide will not damage healthy mycelium, but will kill the bacteria and molds that will cause contamination in your grow. I recently bought a golden oyster kit from Root Mushroom farm and had one of my kids grow it out. The boy, who shall remain nameless, grew it less than enthusiastically. So it grew out pretty poorly and ended up contaminated. I tried to salvage things by creating a liquid culture so I could try again, but my technique was a little lacking that day or whatever and the culture was contaminated too. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqPp8P_NJmrpphDtH_da8lGYOkKvDHeUc33G-6DLE15PJdyV2s9FsBB8TwURw_2OEw7Ljr5hIoE7AOX5O6iy3O0oCMrIXJvun1EGC7gL8WfyfHGbnIHcG4p6vrzBca9YjL-Xkg9U4m_E/s2569/20200724_183135_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqPp8P_NJmrpphDtH_da8lGYOkKvDHeUc33G-6DLE15PJdyV2s9FsBB8TwURw_2OEw7Ljr5hIoE7AOX5O6iy3O0oCMrIXJvun1EGC7gL8WfyfHGbnIHcG4p6vrzBca9YjL-Xkg9U4m_E/s640/20200724_183135_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Eww.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, if I'd have thought about it, I would have performed an experiment with that, but I didn't do you get this one. </div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as I saw mycelium growing, I inoculated a couple of grain jars and waited. I checked the grain jars before I checked the liquid culture and spotted the contamination. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4WcASJvQ7xXgo7HhnVgg3k_u760Nsk6zQbA5RNwKJuDbBvtVO2cYcKaNTiKBHiEciup8lRkgS-bJR4OYkT7Zz0u1Z9-PcAagvv17tof1-dwSaEaK7sZ7Afgd_rGDMG0NXxqRqHqREMA/s2569/20200728_083248_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4WcASJvQ7xXgo7HhnVgg3k_u760Nsk6zQbA5RNwKJuDbBvtVO2cYcKaNTiKBHiEciup8lRkgS-bJR4OYkT7Zz0u1Z9-PcAagvv17tof1-dwSaEaK7sZ7Afgd_rGDMG0NXxqRqHqREMA/s640/20200728_083248_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Again... eww. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was not happy about this. So, I decided to try to salvage the spawn. That picture on the picnic table was taken July 28th. Shortly after I took the picture I poured in some peroxide. Without getting too scientific, I poured in "enough". It was enough to see that the peroxide had contacted the major spots of contamination. Then, I waited and watched. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took the next picture August 1st. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8jXRmw3fdGVdSmPMcO0N0k-T82nEWEEkPU44lHmfYl5za3w39XkwgpLJymh4SeF8-9hD2F96u9mf7ZRgQlP-Jb3-vTodkbk5q2cexRv5-mJhtJ8lR2aGtlJJyeBtb-GA8F3nNU6UFbg/s2569/20200801_082238_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8jXRmw3fdGVdSmPMcO0N0k-T82nEWEEkPU44lHmfYl5za3w39XkwgpLJymh4SeF8-9hD2F96u9mf7ZRgQlP-Jb3-vTodkbk5q2cexRv5-mJhtJ8lR2aGtlJJyeBtb-GA8F3nNU6UFbg/s640/20200801_082238_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can see that the mycelium has greatly overtaken the contamination. I was still a little unsure and waited some more. I took another picture today August 5th.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGjOAUNoSkLt95vnWMBY1MTlu0Ikpmtfn-4iNdLsAyO_Us_dPeIVZZJO6pAlZkxjK3rfJ-wLZVHzHFyj5F8CTTKyPeOBtRRUo5jF9L4V1wJM7bGJem6G85_4VSGWolNuko6l6dNAbIPo/s2569/20200805_182949_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="2569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGjOAUNoSkLt95vnWMBY1MTlu0Ikpmtfn-4iNdLsAyO_Us_dPeIVZZJO6pAlZkxjK3rfJ-wLZVHzHFyj5F8CTTKyPeOBtRRUo5jF9L4V1wJM7bGJem6G85_4VSGWolNuko6l6dNAbIPo/s640/20200805_182949_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It appears as though the mycelium has almost completely forced out the contamination, but not entirely. I plan on fruiting this bucket away from my main grow area out of a sense of caution, but I think it might make it. Just because science, I dosed again tonight with peroxide. Again, I used "enough." </div><div><br /></div><div>Time will tell. Hopefully this will be enough evidence for me and I can start using peroxide as a saving factor in contaminated grows in the future. Of course, using a flow hood instead of a cruddy still air box would be nice, but I ain't made of money. </div><div><br /></div><div>Someday. </div>Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-6834915775254273232020-08-02T17:57:00.001-07:002020-08-02T17:57:30.496-07:00So... I mean yeah, but why?Why a mushroom farm? Why would a successful blogger/entrepreneur/nurse/playboy want to settle down and start a mushroom farm?<div><br /></div><div>Believe it or not, a lot of it is about waste and helping people. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's weird. I'm a nurse. I worked emergency room for years and now I work in pre and post op. Yet, I frequently don't feel like I'm really helping people. I help some individuals now and again for sure, but mostly it feels like I slap on a few bandages and toss you back out there with a chuck on the chin and a see-you-next-time-around-champ. </div><div><br /></div><div>But creating fresh, local food that is good tasting and good for you? That sounds like something everyone could use. Mushrooms are tasty and filled with good stuff that helps keep you healthy. It can serve as a wonderful accompaniment to meat helping people reduce their meat intake and still enjoy their food. I love eating meat, but it is problematic on a lot of levels. So, if I can help with that I think of it as a win. Also, many mushrooms, like lion's mane and reishi have medicinal properties that can help people with the quality of their lives without having to spend a lot of money. And, on top of that, creating food locally helps reduce transport costs and reduces the pollution burden of getting necessary food to people. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of pollution...</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things that I hate about working in the medical field is all the waste. Everything has to be single-use plastic wrapped and sterile. Since it is all corporate controlled and geared toward the most profit we tend to waste a ton of packaging and plastic because it is cheap to produce. The huge pile of plastic refuse I leave in my wake on a normal work day is not sustainable. I feel guilty every day that I am a part of this system. But, I have to eat too.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, most of all, I decided a long time ago that I would never be happy working for someone else. The idea that the product of my labor supports a huge administrative and executive structure irks me. When I ask a supervisor or boss a question about what I do, I shouldn't get an answer about policy. It's done that way because it's the smartest way we could figure out to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Over the course of the next few blog posts, I'm going to describe what I have planned and how it fits within the above framework. I'm trying to build something here that is useful, healthy, sustainable, and beneficial to the environment. Hopefully it can turn a profit too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Only time will tell. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOy-2CLX6PjOIksIyA-uQA0mMQyY-2BFWivvoCXTyeeL3aG-SG5oF95cbAfWPBlcjmLisJ4Rpntus_I1ytmVZnwbvbNfR8cbG5_lZVn_yAVhgJBqNfNIH5CbYnXhtG2e5fas6FyYGmD8/s1152/Adventure-Nickel-Farm-Logo-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOy-2CLX6PjOIksIyA-uQA0mMQyY-2BFWivvoCXTyeeL3aG-SG5oF95cbAfWPBlcjmLisJ4Rpntus_I1ytmVZnwbvbNfR8cbG5_lZVn_yAVhgJBqNfNIH5CbYnXhtG2e5fas6FyYGmD8/s640/Adventure-Nickel-Farm-Logo-Final.jpg" /></a></div> </div>Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-86922492211719939162020-07-28T17:35:00.000-07:002020-07-28T17:36:16.795-07:00Adventure Nickel FarmObviously this blog has not been active of late. Neither you nor I have been here. But, since this place does exist and has some history, I might as well use it. <div><br /></div><div>We are starting a mushroom farm. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNehYS2FPGCI7U55vmP-pWnjYq0iGqCueYwX0PCC89iadCHsSUNAdYw7IgwxlghH67J7sGYldIJQi5pHRTfHawz0r_dO-USRYFdB37gT-NddnXchFsmgAigOVBOxtitwWADY5lY-ETgo/s1152/Adventure-Nickel-Farm-Logo-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNehYS2FPGCI7U55vmP-pWnjYq0iGqCueYwX0PCC89iadCHsSUNAdYw7IgwxlghH67J7sGYldIJQi5pHRTfHawz0r_dO-USRYFdB37gT-NddnXchFsmgAigOVBOxtitwWADY5lY-ETgo/s320/Adventure-Nickel-Farm-Logo-Final.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to use this blog, at least until I get the website up anyway, to talk about all things mushroom farm. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've been mushroom geeks for some time now. I <a href="http://egad-ybnormal.blogspot.com/2014/12/salt-point.html">have the receipts </a>too. If there is even a small chance I can make a go of mushroom farming, I should at least try, right? Besides, it's an adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm starting with oyster mushrooms, because they are easy, and lion's mane because they are cool. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've had some success so far. But I'm still learning. I have some experiments that I want to share with like-minded mycophiles. But for now, I will settle for getting an announcement done. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm telling the world. You just get to be one of the lucky first few to hear it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-29470511109612272752018-11-27T16:41:00.002-08:002018-11-27T16:41:57.141-08:00TravelZoo $399 China trip review<div id="yiv3754342782yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1543000608733_18125" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is the TL:DR summary of the $399 trip to China we booked through TravelZoo. If you want the full daily breakdown, go here. (Link will be live when the article goes up.)</div>
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It's November of 2018. I want to say we booked this trip last February. Someone at work told me about a crazy good deal on a website called TravelZoo.com. It was a $399 per person, including flights, to China. It was a limited time offer that would take place in the off-season, stayed in all 4-star hotels, and would have an English-speaking guide the whole way. We could book for either February, too soon, or November, which was just far off enough to not seem real. It looked too good to be legitimate but, after some research, we went ahead and booked it.</div>
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It didn't take long for us to find out the $399 price tag actually was a little too good to be true. There was a $100 gratuity for the bus driver and tour guides that wasn't included in the initial price. There was also a fee for the visa and an optional fee for the courier service to hand-deliver your visa application to the Chinese embassy for processing. All in all, it amounted to around $786 per person for the barebones tour plus the excursions we pre-booked, including flights, all breakfasts, most lunches, and lodging. So yeah, it was still a really good deal.</div>
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Each day of the itinerary had at least one excursion option and frequently had more than that. The prices ranged from $35 to $79 per event and went up to multi-day extensions costing a lot more. We decided to pre-book the Forbidden City and Tiananmen square option and the Great Wall of China climb. We ended up signing up for more while we were there and I'm glad we did. If you don't book the excursion, you end up sitting on the tour bus for endless hours while everyone else goes off and does stuff. But, then again, there were times we would rather have just sat on the bus. We were able to bargain a little discount for a few excursions once we were there and ended up doing a few more things than we pre-booked. You can check out the full report to see everything we did. </div>
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There were some problems with the booking company Nexus Holidays. Communication with them was spotty at best. Since there were five of us together, they decided to save us money by putting us on a group visa, which did save us around $400, but led to some sketchy moments in the airport. They had emailed us the visa the night before we left and it somehow ended up in a spam folder. The tour group had only told us to show up at the airport and it would be fine. So we showed up for our flight and they wouldn't give us a boarding pass without the visa we didn't know we had. The airline counter staff was very patient and helpful, but poor communication with the booking agent was something that we heard several others on the tour complain about as well.</div>
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Speaking of the airline, the flights and hotels for this trip were very good to excellent throughout. Hainan airlines was top notch with roomy seats even in economy. Every seat had a screen in the headrest that played music, games, movies and other distractions that helped eat up the long flight from Seattle to Beijing, the shorter flight from Beijing to Shanghai, and the long flight back home. The meals were good too.</div>
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The hotel accommodations were pretty outstanding too, not that you'll be spending much time there. Our first hotel room in Beijing had a hot tub in every room. It was billed as a warm springs hotel, but was actually scalding hot with no real temperature controls other than time and entropy. Didn't matter though, in three days we used the tub around 15 minutes. They get you up early and don't let you back to the hotel until it's been a long enough day that all you want to do is crash out and get some sleep before the next early start. Jet lag doesn't help. All of the rooms were clean and well appointed. Of particular note was the Merchant Marco hotel in Hangzhou. The shower set up in our rooms was awesome. Breakfast each day was included with the hotel and was pretty consistently prepared if somewhat inconsistently labeled. A few of the mistranslations were hilarious. We had salad sauce, butterhead, stair vegetables and thousands of pages of bean curd. It was all pretty tasty though. Except for the coffee. The less said about the coffee, the better.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunhuiyuan Hot Spring Holiday Resort</td></tr>
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Our actual tour was about half bus ride. Can't be helped really, China is huge and they probably didn't take tour routing into account when they arranged all the palaces 700 years ago. In Beijing we saw the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City (and Tiananmen Square), and we took a rickshaw ride through a neighborhood to a local family home. They also had us walk around the old Olympic facility for some reason. I would have skipped the Olympic facility (Bird's Nest and water cube) if that had been an option. We didn't do the optional Golden Mask show or the Peking duck lunch (we have pet ducks, it seemed a little traiterous). Those who went on those parts seemed to have good opinions of them.</div>
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China is a communist country, but apparently capitalism is catching on. On of the local tour guides spent some of the bus ride explaining how capitalism is flourishing in the areas where it is allowed and we got to experience plenty of that on the tour. Every day except the first had at least one, and sometimes two, stops at a special shopping experience. In Beijing we went to a jade factory, a cloisonne enamel pottery factory, a street market, and an herbal medicine center. In the southern part of our trip (Shanghai, Souzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou) we went to a pearl factory, a silk factory, an embroidery museum, a tea farm, and another jade store. We spent a lot of time trapped in rooms with high-pressure sales people attempting to sell us their wares. I was waiting for the time-share pitches to start. From my somewhat uneducated perspective, the deals offered at these places appeared to be pretty good when compared to what you could get back in the U.S., but were not as good as the deals you could get at the places where locals shopped which we somehow never had time to get to.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing green jade horse</td></tr>
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The goods were generally of pretty high quality and at a reasonable price for what you were getting. If shopping is your thing, this tour will provide you with more than enough opportunity to shop and haggle forever.</div>
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The southern part of the tour followed the same form as the northern part with better air quality and somewhat more modern amenities. Yes, the air in Beijing was polluted enough that we bought filter masks. Our sore throats and lungs started improving the same day we bought them. We visited a museum, walked along the Shanghai waterfront marveling at the architecture and light show put on by the city, and visited the set of some Chinese television show I know nothing about. IT turns out that the itinerary is really a bit of a suggestion. We didn't see things in the order listed on the itinerary and some things were changed for reasons that weren't really explained to us.</div>
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Oh yeah, and don't drink the water. There is no potable water at the tap in China. You will be on bottled water rations the entire time. But, it was easy to stay within the amount of water they supplied so no real worries there. It's important to stay hydrated with all the walking you are going to do, but most people weren't eager to spend any more time in the bathroom than necessarry though. The toilet facilities were frequently of the trench variety, AKA the squatty potty. Yeah, it's essentially a trench in the ground you squat over. Toilet paper and something to dry your hands with after you wash them are all in pretty short supply as well. They even have a rating system about what style of toilets are present and the like. It's a thing.</div>
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Overall it was an incredible experience. Once we added on the optional tours and shopping, the price was well over what is listed on the brochure, but it still seemed to be a solid value. We brought our two boys with us and the chance to show them a totally foreign culture was priceless. The tour was family friendly. It was also valuable to us adults for the same reason. There is nothing that makes me appreciate the place where I live so much as seeing the rest of the world and trying their coffee. Oh yeah, and not having to wear a filter mask. There's no place like home. In the end, it was a great idea to book the tour. I don't think it would have been a meaningful experience had we tried to do it on our own. The language, culture and government were too different from out own and we would have floundered. Even if we were to do a second visit, I would strongly consider another guided tour. But we would be much more capable now if we decided to try it alone. Happy travels. </div>
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Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-88984877070412873022018-10-13T10:57:00.005-07:002018-10-13T10:57:56.687-07:00AWLSLast week I had the opportunity to attend the A.W.L.S. class put on by Backcountry Medical Guides at Lake Tahoe. Today I want to put up a review. For those who aren't familiar with me, Hi! My name is Eric. I'm an emergency room nurse and have been for the past ten years. I've done lots of these medical classes from ACLS and PALS to TNCC and so on. I even taught PALS for about a year. I also got my EMT-basic right before nursing school.<br />
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My hospital provides nurses with a stipend every year which can be used for a relevant class. I was able to convince them that this class was relevant and I'm glad I did.<br />
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I was initially going to go to a version of this class at Mt. Hood, but I didn't get enrolled in time. These things fill up so register early if you can. Instead, a co-worker and I went to the Lake Tahoe class. It's hard to argue with Lake Tahoe as a setting and the weather was pretty perfect.<br />
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Our class went Friday through Sunday. For those of you who are going to have to justify the class expense to some corporate entity, much of the curriculum was about sharpening your patient assessment skills. Who couldn't use better patient assessment skills, AMIRIGHT?<br />
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Sorry for shouting, I get excited.<br />
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Much of the information I got out of this class is stuff I have encountered elsewhere previously. What is invaluable is putting it in proper context. Since I became an ER nurse, I have come across accidents in the field, had neighbors and family members come to me with reports of traumatic injuries and all sorts of other things of that nature. I always get off to a slow start. I struggle because I don't have my monitors and my co-workers and all the endless supplies that I need. This class tackles those injuries and incidents with nothing more than you might have in a backpacking first-aid kit.<br />
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Oh yeah, and it goes over what is good for first-aid kits in different scenarios. That alone is worth the price of the course damn near. How many times have you packed for something and tried to figure out what would be a good kit without packing bags of NS and two cubic feet of kerlix?<br />
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The information in the course is fantastic and is delivered, in this case anyway, by people that really know what they are talking about. John, the lead instructor in this case, was EMS in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons as well as a flight medic. The other two instructors were equally as experienced and proficient.<br />
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So, if getting better and more confident at patient assessment and treatment of patients in an out-of-hospital setting, specifically the waaaayyyyy out of hospital setting of three days out into the wilderness, sounds good to you, sign up now. Classes fill up fast.<br />
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I would give the class an A+.<br />
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Enjoy some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvised litters with a sleeping mat and climbing rope</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to concentrate with the beach outside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warming a trauma patient in the field</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvised c-collar with a SAM splint</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YF9fUjmKuCDwYb0kR6x7ReVou8T0j5juYbZJ264ZDhJfG4eqRDK9OHGxKTh4fVZLZXVs5ioG9yNqU4G1-80oCPJuGrPN1M_u3OowC5jnkyLUsswDHF2M9VC9EJwyeB8FNHSnNTb-QUk/s1600/20181006_114115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YF9fUjmKuCDwYb0kR6x7ReVou8T0j5juYbZJ264ZDhJfG4eqRDK9OHGxKTh4fVZLZXVs5ioG9yNqU4G1-80oCPJuGrPN1M_u3OowC5jnkyLUsswDHF2M9VC9EJwyeB8FNHSnNTb-QUk/s320/20181006_114115.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just another mass casualty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvr06rJ4O5qwqF5wZPKTKE2mB06D7zIcRE8NuRoJf7X2Gyh50H2R0AoNVp-j38o1X8uAyaUXlYcFH7hAnsabu34EuPIRc11_J1kQLdDEvY78fTnEkpQGuub8l3whyphenhyphenUgbz6HlohX4oEXw/s1600/20181006_120629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvr06rJ4O5qwqF5wZPKTKE2mB06D7zIcRE8NuRoJf7X2Gyh50H2R0AoNVp-j38o1X8uAyaUXlYcFH7hAnsabu34EuPIRc11_J1kQLdDEvY78fTnEkpQGuub8l3whyphenhyphenUgbz6HlohX4oEXw/s320/20181006_120629.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improvised splints</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqZhNwqFIY-6K8vK2Vl71OU2iAdufk-nb50ebIw823Nyq_6qVNhU1c5It6ZDQAlB1acN27NalcjKEZ38dIu7ZP8jyPZJN895Y8hVk1IX9e-a2iDYMREA6X-Ci6bLT-bDDwm18O7TRNw/s1600/20181006_150350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqZhNwqFIY-6K8vK2Vl71OU2iAdufk-nb50ebIw823Nyq_6qVNhU1c5It6ZDQAlB1acN27NalcjKEZ38dIu7ZP8jyPZJN895Y8hVk1IX9e-a2iDYMREA6X-Ci6bLT-bDDwm18O7TRNw/s320/20181006_150350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenarios in the woods</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwgQPpDvrIhUQ5ORehXvNsrzep7yumsvcXWEdXlefZ7s55Vmx4FkvZNO-qvNkLlEqFzL38laSTrKidXngQH59T7Yql8uuP6j1Morq6BjWkE85gTAGrASc2mjE_aaq65Qh84d2aCNP5Mo/s1600/20181006_153927_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="1600" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwgQPpDvrIhUQ5ORehXvNsrzep7yumsvcXWEdXlefZ7s55Vmx4FkvZNO-qvNkLlEqFzL38laSTrKidXngQH59T7Yql8uuP6j1Morq6BjWkE85gTAGrASc2mjE_aaq65Qh84d2aCNP5Mo/s320/20181006_153927_Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoom in, five scenario groups</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt8JFQX60jF5ednCiQeLenhk69bfIwe8CkVEkCSk7q7FHygiTkzrJSdkEGTTQ1wZysKYG4TvU8-aq97yjKMrGf_1b48iP7QimnVQPWmsfLzWzE4tCwPGyZJTrpBgjpGmDusUSBWxo_qo/s1600/20181007_143229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt8JFQX60jF5ednCiQeLenhk69bfIwe8CkVEkCSk7q7FHygiTkzrJSdkEGTTQ1wZysKYG4TvU8-aq97yjKMrGf_1b48iP7QimnVQPWmsfLzWzE4tCwPGyZJTrpBgjpGmDusUSBWxo_qo/s320/20181007_143229.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor John, we "fixed" him</td></tr>
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As an aside, we were at a small conference center with room for another conference. The other group was a group of clairvoyants. Seemed really ironic to me that one room was filled with people who thought they could see the future and one was filled with people preparing because they knew they couldn't predict the future.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F75-McZ68y3XETCii8NEIrQVg6bEtzEGT7a0eX9asrg6K-cRkesnAP6jSzZ6_FhNLNFCjaD6_da7SAFhpTNemrLKyF52TTazTCfCkk7d8hXLtyXBii8B-9fM9sqq1JVtdl41dBJNVnI/s1600/20181006_142503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F75-McZ68y3XETCii8NEIrQVg6bEtzEGT7a0eX9asrg6K-cRkesnAP6jSzZ6_FhNLNFCjaD6_da7SAFhpTNemrLKyF52TTazTCfCkk7d8hXLtyXBii8B-9fM9sqq1JVtdl41dBJNVnI/s320/20181006_142503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also, why hold a raffle with people who can see into the future?<br />
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-34831114526164805602018-08-22T20:39:00.000-07:002018-08-22T20:39:16.759-07:00Walkies with BusterI took Buster for a walk down some forestry roads behind our place. It's a great place to let him off leash. Of course, I can't let him off leash until we are well out into the distance because I have enough problems with the neighbors already, thanks to Buster.<div>
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As soon as we got past the gate, I started getting him used to the idea of listening to me. I ask him to stop, he usually does because we've worked on this before and he's a smart dog. Sometimes he doesn't though because he's only seven months old and still a puppy -- despite how big he looks.<br /></div>
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I get him to stop and stay stopped long enough that he no longer shows interest in going anywhere. Then, I make him wait for me to catch up to him before we both proceed forward. It usually only takes a few repetitions and we're in a good place. </div>
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After two or three of these, as I catch up to him I undo his leash and we're having walkies. </div>
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For the first mile or so, Buster runs along the dusty, gravel road and disappears into the scrub layer or the forest only to emerge a short distance later with a look on his face that says "Can you believe that?" only to run forward a little bit a repeat the process. Then we come to the first major road junction. </div>
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I didn't teach him explicitly, but he waits at each trail junction until I catch up. Only when I make a turn down one of the forks, does he leap forward and zoomie past me. The big one is the turn that takes us down, through ATV trails, to the river. </div>
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We drop down into the valley and get off the dusty gravel road. The ATV trails are shady tracks well, worn into the pine needle-covered earth. As we walked along, I reached down and picked up a smooth stick around a foot long and loudly decreed to Buster that this was the stick of destiny. </div>
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We sometimes play a simple fetch with whatever stick of destiny is at hand, but I was trying something new today. Instead of fetching me back just any old dry stick, I was going to try to teach Buster to get me <i>the</i> Stick of Destiny. </div>
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Down by the river, Buster sticks closer. I think it's because the ATV trails have so many intersections, he stays close so he doesn't get lost. If he does though, trails don't mean much. He gallumphs through the ferns in a straight line from wherever he is to where ever I am anyway. </div>
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Since he was closer, I decided this was the time. </div>
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I held up the Stick of Destiny and called his name. Buster turned and looked back at me. I lifted the stick to my face and loudly snuffled at it. There could be no mistaking. I was smelling it. </div>
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Buster looked at me like I'd gone crazy. But, interested, he came back to check out that stick. I let him smell it too, but when he opened his mouth to take it, I pulled back. Attentive now, he watched as I threw the stick down the trail. </div>
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Familiar with the game, Buster tore off after and promptly picked up the nearest stick and raced back. Rather than stand their and wait for his return, as soon as I threw the stick, I ran after. When he turned around only to see me race past, he hesitated only a second before turning around and following. As soon as I got to the stick, I started celebrating and then I let him sniff the stick. When he tried to take the stick away, I repeated the game. </div>
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It only lasted a few rounds before he lost interest, especially when we got close to the river. Every thought of a game swept right out of his head as he tore off at top speed to splash into the river. He romped and played for a minute and then we were off again. There were several places where a big, strong dog could get into and out of the river and he wanted to splash in to each of them. Along the way he tried to steal the Stick of Destiny out of my hand which prompted another round of search. This time, though, he picked out the Stick of Destiny from a bunch of other sticks! I rewarded him with all the praise and enthusiasm I had. Great dog! A couple more successful searches and we were close to the next river entrance. He started off again at full speed, but this time he had the Stick of Destiny in his mouth. </div>
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Buster isn't real good at drop it yet. He understands, I think, but just doesn't really want to drop it. </div>
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He stopped when I told him to, about three feet from the river. He turned and looked at me with the stick hanging out of his mouth. It took several repetitions, but he dropped the stick and plunged in to the river. </div>
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What a good dog. We spent an extra minute or two as a reward and then started home. The final third of the loop is mostly uphill and back on the dusty gravel. The day was hot and I was sweating through my shirt. Buster obviously liked the river better. He stayed close all the way up. As we hit a slight down hill section, Buster trotted out further ahead. I heard the sound of a dirt bike in the distance. They fly down the logging roads fast and a loose dog is dangerous to everybody. I called for Buster to stop.</div>
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He turned and looked. Then he kept on trotting ahead. </div>
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Shit. </div>
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I kept calling. Each time, he turned and looked, smiled, and dept right on trotting away. </div>
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I tried cajoling voice, commanding voice, demanding voice, all to no avail. </div>
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Frustrated, I threw the Stick of Destiny at him hoping he would start to play the game. But he ignored as it landed off the side of the road in the brush. The motorcycle sound had faded, but he had to get leashed up again anyway. We were nearing the end of the hike and we couldn't have another Wetlands Incident. Besides, he had to learn. I warned him and yelled a few more times. He continued to trot farther and farther down the road. </div>
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I was angry. So I turned and started back the way we came. I fully intended to reverse the last four miles instead of finish the last mile of the loop. This trick had worked once before. I hated to used it again. Too many times and he would be on to it. </div>
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I made it about three-hundred yards down the road before I heard the tinkle of Buster's name tag come up behind me. Instead of running past me, allowing me to grab his collar like last time, he set up a few feet behind and fell in. I stopped but didn't turn around because I was angry and didn't want to scare him away. </div>
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As soon as I stopped, I heard something fall. I turned around to see him standing two feet behind me with <i>the</i> Stick of Destiny on the ground in front of him.</div>
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I swear he smiled. </div>
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He had to go back on the leash, of course. There was no way I could be mad at him though. I told him "Let's go home." He trotted forward and we finished our walk. </div>
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Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-45854644390996379392018-07-21T15:57:00.001-07:002018-07-21T15:57:45.672-07:00A fairy taleI'm transitioning this site to be about writing. I suppose I should start putting up some writing.<br />
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Here is a little fairy tale.<br />
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Winning.<br />
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By me.<br />
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There once was a boy who loved winning. </div>
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Silly, isn't it? Everyone loves winning. </div>
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But this boy loved winning quite a lot. Much more than the other children. </div>
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The other children loved winning too, but they equally loved other things like flowers, and music, and chocolate.</div>
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The one little boy thought they weren't very smart. After all, if he won, he got rewards too. Especially when they played games for chocolates. And when he won, he would sing a song too, but about himself and how great winning was. </div>
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The other children didn't like to play with him. When they told him they didn't like playing with him because he took all their chocoaltes, he said he didn't care. They just didn't like winning as much as he did. </div>
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So the boy looked at the other children and said, "You're all too easy to beat anyway." Then he clapped his hands together and walked away. Besides, they never sang the songs about him, even when he won. </div>
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He went into the world in search of people who would play with him. Maybe they had chocolates, and other things he could win from them. He thought of the great songs he would make them all sing. </div>
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He met many other people and it turned out they like to win quite a lot too. They were very good at winning. The boy couldn't beat everyone anymore. Some would beat him and he grew very angry. Then, one day, he met a man who said he knew why all these other people were beating him and he would tell him if only he would give him all of the chocolates he had left. </div>
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"My boy," The man said, "The reason they are beating you is because they are CHEATING!" </div>
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The boy thought hard about all the times he lost and became convinced they all had cheated him. Of course they had! They could never have beaten someone who loved winning as much as he did without cheating. </div>
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The man walked away laughing because he had won all the chocolates, but the boy left laughing too. For he knew how to win better than ever before. And winning was better than chocolates. </div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6342">
The boy went back and cheated and began beating all the other people. He grew so good at cheating that he could even beat the best cheaters. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6343">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6344" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6345">
Eventually he grew to be a man. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6346">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6347" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6348">
The man went back to the children, who were also grown, to show them how good he had become at winning. It wasn't long before he had almost all of their chocolates and other things too. Because he had gotten so good at cheating that he had invented games where he could win even if the others didn't know they were playing. And the man laughed and made them sing songs about how wonderful he was at winning. But eventually he got tired of even that. He had won all the things he wanted from the people and rode a chariot high above them all. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6351">
So again, he went off again in search of someone else to win against. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6351">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6352">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6353" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6354">
But not just anyone would do. He wanted to find the most difficult thing to ever win. If he could do that, he wouldn't have to make up his own songs, others would make them up for him. They would have to. He would have won everything. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6355">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6356" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6357">
No matter how many people he asked, none of them knew the hardest thing to win that he hadn't already won. So, one day, while walking down the street, he saw an old man and an idea came to him. Maybe if he asked a different question. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6358">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6359" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6360">
"You, old fellow... What is the most powerful thing in the world?" He asked to a humble man pushing a cart down the road. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6361">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6362" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6363">
The old fellow squinted his eyes up and answered him, "Why, nature is." </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6364">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6365" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6366">
And the man knew it was so. He set out to find nature, and everywhere he could, defeat her. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6367">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6368" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6369">
The man had become quite powerful and was able to do much damage to the workd before Nature herself heard about the man and set out to meet him. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6370">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6371" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6372">
She came to him in the remains of a forest. He was chopping down the trees to make musical instruments upon which would be played all of the songs about him.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6373">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6374" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6375">
Nature became the largest tree in the forest. When he walked up to her with his ax, she introduced herself. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6376">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6377" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6378">
He smiled. For he had been waiting for this moment a long time. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6379">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6380" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6381">
"Why would you try to defeat me? I am everything you are."</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6382">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6383" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6384">
He spit on his palms, picked up his ax and said, "Because I can win at anything, against anything." </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6385">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6386" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6387">
Then he started chopping. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6388">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6389" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6390">
Nature shook and cried in the way of the tree. Her leaves fell down around him. She had seen this before and knew how it would end. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6390">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6390">
She cried out, "You cannot win. For I am you and all your children and their children after that, forever until there is nothing more." </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6391">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6392" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6393">
The man just laughed at her nonsense and kept chopping. He was almost through the tree. He could hear the smaller cracks growing louder. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6394">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6395" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6396">
"You must stop now. For when you are done, it is forever. There can be no turning back."</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6397">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6398" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6399">
"Of course you would say that," He screamed at her, veins bulging out in his neck. "That is what anyone would say if they didn't want to lose!"</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6400">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6401" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6402">
And with one last mighty swing, he buried the ax into the tree. A loud crack sounded in the forest. The tree began to fall. He had done it. He had defeated to most powerful thing in the world. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6403">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6404" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6405">
And there was nothing left to win. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6406">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6407" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6408">
He sat down next to an old tree stump with a smile. He'd beaten everything, but he felt strange and knew that death was upon him. Looking around, he realized that, even though he had chopped down the tree, he was dying and Nature still remained.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6409">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6410" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6411">
For Nature was weakened. But, like the stars, she could not be defeated. As she weakened, all the creatures of the Earth weakened with her. For they relied on her for everything. She was them and they were her. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6411">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6411">
The children of the man and all the people of the Earth did not sing songs about him. They tried not to speak of him at all but, when they did, it was to frighten little children into going to bed. The damage was done and Nature had been made too weak to nourish the people and they died. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6415">
<br clear="none" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6416" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1532197439349_6417">
Then Nature grew stronger and returned.<br />
<br />
<br />
The END.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-65253286695996854942018-02-18T16:43:00.003-08:002018-02-18T16:43:50.237-08:00Let's wrap this up, shall we.We are no longer full-time travelers.<br />
<br />
Obviously.<br />
<br />
The lack of blog posts reflects that. Pictures too.<br />
<br />
Sure, there are other things going on and I've tried to touch on those from time to time here. I'm still working on the house. We still have chickens and goats. We still try to do some epic hiking and we have some big plans for the year. Don't worry, we'll get to those.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3saezTZIL59v8JrigKggmYORcV_o50vAOTgluhfVi1efi84h50EPP9Thi-9hpYt9Xg5ChLbq-HkeVqJn3zYWZ3qmdvxfZvoVublXgw_TyaW-SpB_TEqc_HHXY6vS1Z4g03oqnlK84Z0/s1600/20171205_170527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3saezTZIL59v8JrigKggmYORcV_o50vAOTgluhfVi1efi84h50EPP9Thi-9hpYt9Xg5ChLbq-HkeVqJn3zYWZ3qmdvxfZvoVublXgw_TyaW-SpB_TEqc_HHXY6vS1Z4g03oqnlK84Z0/s320/20171205_170527.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen needed some work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuUfNVRsehiUY6IAvBux53fHu0l3-Q6MLbmTWUbmiuC8PihzPsmFs20NxB159wTA4-WLkLXUG7W1x4Onw4xpSuWVF_GL3tCW_UqeCotoq2O2odj1FALbt_vn0OsD6xibyShhUk6HhYKE/s1600/20171206_175401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuUfNVRsehiUY6IAvBux53fHu0l3-Q6MLbmTWUbmiuC8PihzPsmFs20NxB159wTA4-WLkLXUG7W1x4Onw4xpSuWVF_GL3tCW_UqeCotoq2O2odj1FALbt_vn0OsD6xibyShhUk6HhYKE/s320/20171206_175401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It got some work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLsCaqeo14WZVrkuLa4wmYQXRhBclI3Q3gSR3p8jccW6Uh3iXGO2kmzlKesPv5GKT9_NRcCpCrixob9gJ8Z0cRaOmT5-VDqDla_I5AkvcGgtUbwceZsBe-eOL07DVjv8hhmt13Q8w0bE/s1600/20180107_162440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLsCaqeo14WZVrkuLa4wmYQXRhBclI3Q3gSR3p8jccW6Uh3iXGO2kmzlKesPv5GKT9_NRcCpCrixob9gJ8Z0cRaOmT5-VDqDla_I5AkvcGgtUbwceZsBe-eOL07DVjv8hhmt13Q8w0bE/s320/20180107_162440.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm trying my hand at cabinets. They are cheap, but functional. Just like me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkXFUXWB5ESCFFSWTuG6mMaAtsGLzSty-cSUklc43KWdVIfRRyF8t7HcZR2IHHpiIO9R20BX5boxZDCsaAac22QCWdFVdHZfCZh-rFpXvxiNWzgEl4isBcMuu9EiU9VAjl8L9PjwN7w8/s1600/20180108_215612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkXFUXWB5ESCFFSWTuG6mMaAtsGLzSty-cSUklc43KWdVIfRRyF8t7HcZR2IHHpiIO9R20BX5boxZDCsaAac22QCWdFVdHZfCZh-rFpXvxiNWzgEl4isBcMuu9EiU9VAjl8L9PjwN7w8/s320/20180108_215612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even installed a dishwasher which we worship every night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
But the Adventure Nickel adventure has pretty much concluded. I think we can call if officially closed with this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2j_ULLOmi8XRSkyjKlXjT2tzfUxewig7WZl521k1kHolAxhbWAnyRJJatIRcFhyphenhyphenN4IUO2ir8OAeoXMCjhyphenhyphenJ9-28s1xlNZAP0nRJZgfn-o2ynT-Z29ym2jKhRUp5sWBajQLvu2DfhZIg/s1600/20180209_152605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2j_ULLOmi8XRSkyjKlXjT2tzfUxewig7WZl521k1kHolAxhbWAnyRJJatIRcFhyphenhyphenN4IUO2ir8OAeoXMCjhyphenhyphenJ9-28s1xlNZAP0nRJZgfn-o2ynT-Z29ym2jKhRUp5sWBajQLvu2DfhZIg/s320/20180209_152605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting: Our Memories</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
That is what we left behind. These boxes were filled with the things we just couldn't bear to part with. Oh yeah, and one box randomly filled with empty plastic Easter eggs and dollar store decorations. I submit we may not have been in our right minds when we stashed all this stuff up there.<br />
<br />
We recently went back to Houston to visit family and took the opportunity to go back to our stash and get it out of the recesses of the attic. Now that we had a permanent home, it seemed like we should.<br />
<br />
And, in true Adventure Nickel fashion, there had to be an incident.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso8rr1W-owMHteGMcGVK2qy0ahOJRClfzkTS5Rxec1wk3FcTE2v4VP3cY2cOzSWF3R6h9z78-g9xoLW1ArSf_6s7UUhN-I9KyKE0AmQDj9Xcdh4A8iimfeGclqARkOIbcQY9PC_i3dVY/s1600/20180209_154333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso8rr1W-owMHteGMcGVK2qy0ahOJRClfzkTS5Rxec1wk3FcTE2v4VP3cY2cOzSWF3R6h9z78-g9xoLW1ArSf_6s7UUhN-I9KyKE0AmQDj9Xcdh4A8iimfeGclqARkOIbcQY9PC_i3dVY/s320/20180209_154333.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may have partially fallen through the ceiling. Maybe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now that our traveling adventure life has concluded, what do I do with all this? <br />
<br />
It seems pretty cozy here, in my little corner of the internet. Maybe I should keep posting things here.<br />
<br />
So, what am I doing that is exciting enough to share about? <br />
<br />
Writing.<br />
<br />
Yeah, another book. This one's different though. I'm not saying there won't be an Adventure Nickel Pt 2. There might, but I had to try an actual novel. I'm probably greater than halfway through the rough draft and I'm finally starting to believe I might finish this thing. So, I'm going to start treating this place like the blog of the author I would love to be.<br />
<br />
So that's what this will be for the foreseeable future. The blog of a hopefully emerging author. I'm going to be talking about different projects and writing and all the other things that go along with it.<br />
<br />
If you are interested, follow along. I'll still post pretty pictures from hikes.<br />
<br />
Time to get back to work.<br />
<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-63261980476209371942018-01-01T14:24:00.002-08:002018-01-01T14:24:21.166-08:002018<br />
I guess you can see that blogging wasn't a big goal for 2017. Ha.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure where it will end up on the 2018 list either, but I can surely start out right.<br />
<br />
I could fill you in on all that happened since my last post in June, but really, who cares?<br />
<br />
Let's do what new years are for and start fresh.<br />
<br />
What am I going to do with 2018?<br />
<br />
A friend of mine, Annika, ran her first marathon last year. While accomplishing that goal she achieved a total distance run over the year of 1004 miles. That seems like an awesome goal. I'm going to try to run 1000 miles this year.<br />
<br />
I checked the calculator and that is an average of 2.7 miles every day. I ran 3.3 today so, WOOT, I'm beating the average. Of course that will last, right?<br />
<br />
Amazing out there today panting and wheezing along in 32 degree temps. It feels like I never ran more than 5 miles in my life. Every tiny incline is like a mountain climb and my legs feel rubbery after 2 miles.<br />
<br />
Sigh. Good goals are never easy. If awesome was easy, everybody would do it.<br />
<br />
What else?<br />
<br />
I want to install a dishwasher. First time in like 9 years we will have a dishwasher. That's a big one.<br />
<br />
I want to finish the book I'm writing.<br />
<br />
I want to weld something.<br />
<br />
I want to build that pizza oven I've been daydreaming about. Sarah tells me I have to build a back deck first, sigh. This goal thing is going to be hard. Sounds like I will be busy.<br />
<br />
Oh well. If awesome was easy...<br />
<br />
Better get busy. Only 996.7 miles to go<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-80201888273520068732017-06-24T20:35:00.001-07:002017-06-24T20:35:30.484-07:00Comet FallsIt's been a long time. I know.<br />
<br />
Uhhh, I've been busy?<br />
<br />
Crappy excuse, but true. Real life sometimes keeps me from promoting this fantasy idea that all we do is go to amazing places and see amazing things. But, alas, I still have to shovel out goat poop. I still have a regular job, I still do all the normal things normal people do. This blog hasn't made me independently wealthy.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
Today we took a trip though. A good one.<br />
<br />
There is a picture that hangs in one of the corridors of the hospital where I work. I have studied on it for quite some time. I finally thought I figured out where it was and today was the day we went to find out. Today's hike was a year in the making.<br />
<br />
Today we went to Comet Falls. Sorry for the pictures, I haven't been adventuring with the big camera in a while. Again, real life intervenes.<br />
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On to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5YWEC3xjldxajBmaMlxaqwek1Wdfah15C5nP3ZGEd-MbMqM0ZFGfTwX9LESVHMkCHwNQTQzsDSaXI9PKttaYHGVraRYB_kaj1blZTzTPnODyKZ1tYYVigHsxrRyPMqJyT7kD2Zo7nzA/s1600/DSC_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5YWEC3xjldxajBmaMlxaqwek1Wdfah15C5nP3ZGEd-MbMqM0ZFGfTwX9LESVHMkCHwNQTQzsDSaXI9PKttaYHGVraRYB_kaj1blZTzTPnODyKZ1tYYVigHsxrRyPMqJyT7kD2Zo7nzA/s320/DSC_0386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign is blurry, I haven't been using the camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtPwHV8gMQJ1PnnwoShqA5Ht1LTJGPDgIAd2cNFLBtO4fnZC10j9Di3h2qjWINiR4O5uSduaw_VTqM8V9tDeJlPmCr70yarNiC83znh8R2MBUZ7Vd69ipd8MZMvBGa623X_iSt5F7xZA/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtPwHV8gMQJ1PnnwoShqA5Ht1LTJGPDgIAd2cNFLBtO4fnZC10j9Di3h2qjWINiR4O5uSduaw_VTqM8V9tDeJlPmCr70yarNiC83znh8R2MBUZ7Vd69ipd8MZMvBGa623X_iSt5F7xZA/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael called himself "Gandorf the Mauve."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MMZlMpnPGqSkVDypao6shsP-ASa2C2VxWu41W39a-PSWo8x5a4nJoF0hTMXU0mpkMwK54JdhANNkEjOfzOn0v-34jhu8Tbok7p2R874zMbbxpS48X7MPU0Yq4r-uwGouitRHXqjJBzQ/s1600/DSC_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MMZlMpnPGqSkVDypao6shsP-ASa2C2VxWu41W39a-PSWo8x5a4nJoF0hTMXU0mpkMwK54JdhANNkEjOfzOn0v-34jhu8Tbok7p2R874zMbbxpS48X7MPU0Yq4r-uwGouitRHXqjJBzQ/s320/DSC_0388.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shortly after we started, we saw this beautiful spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC74IxNg3dEcnTN4SLR4xNmfwAhuer1xQbDpb0GOXcCCgYJXU-SYbgX9s1Hmao31e9f6PLeCjUataOXla6blNq7xWs81yeiXaIOK5ZX3Zf67UJX3BvxhnvnELRazX4GA4cHvu_DPIzhjA/s1600/DSC_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC74IxNg3dEcnTN4SLR4xNmfwAhuer1xQbDpb0GOXcCCgYJXU-SYbgX9s1Hmao31e9f6PLeCjUataOXla6blNq7xWs81yeiXaIOK5ZX3Zf67UJX3BvxhnvnELRazX4GA4cHvu_DPIzhjA/s320/DSC_0390.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah. I'm still me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaQJRvc-9OG6OT2AR4QVmq6hdI7QG6sfF3bAlgtUzmTKDRHMa-EOJheGpTZloRfrsna9coexEOzMGJ2BWaElPOljnYUMkITYQ5ORFUarT4A2-dWJOhlnOURJcfRUEr23pf5ELwCVfCY/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWaQJRvc-9OG6OT2AR4QVmq6hdI7QG6sfF3bAlgtUzmTKDRHMa-EOJheGpTZloRfrsna9coexEOzMGJ2BWaElPOljnYUMkITYQ5ORFUarT4A2-dWJOhlnOURJcfRUEr23pf5ELwCVfCY/s320/DSC_0397.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking the other direction off the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYCo248nAWFhIR5dm0Z5DarCCkkUCEPkeWBzYnQfElcH-7wVkk-R7A1cyGgSjm8tTFHn_QYeddVE4QMyLhQh_eUx_lJz2YjZW1GQYx5udVByuGxgb1H5KOEW5JDGq9puO2H4kM-DmwKw/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYCo248nAWFhIR5dm0Z5DarCCkkUCEPkeWBzYnQfElcH-7wVkk-R7A1cyGgSjm8tTFHn_QYeddVE4QMyLhQh_eUx_lJz2YjZW1GQYx5udVByuGxgb1H5KOEW5JDGq9puO2H4kM-DmwKw/s320/DSC_0408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, Gandorf had a thing about "You Shall Not Pass!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V6WyWBiNjsVIGD-G96ouLju2fB1dsMKjv_4CrotDVdUd77YO_8Jewf7_jy3jr1R07MuoAtUTYBv3ih2-hKb2aHgpBcvXhqaLxwZCi2qE7MGP8RjZDdJWnqp2cBamz35QCHNBenm14MY/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8V6WyWBiNjsVIGD-G96ouLju2fB1dsMKjv_4CrotDVdUd77YO_8Jewf7_jy3jr1R07MuoAtUTYBv3ih2-hKb2aHgpBcvXhqaLxwZCi2qE7MGP8RjZDdJWnqp2cBamz35QCHNBenm14MY/s320/DSC_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trillium in bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C1T7qvSEDCqnLXhsnhZCDnYhKUc_flZzSH6qqkry0crlQfSs2dWQu8u9VXMX91LJYMcKC3HG_DsHebaUxQimRcz1AnPWPzl-1WeIPKhqihjKzu_nf3v-9WfCDG8M0sFx4wlQk6yKlqE/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C1T7qvSEDCqnLXhsnhZCDnYhKUc_flZzSH6qqkry0crlQfSs2dWQu8u9VXMX91LJYMcKC3HG_DsHebaUxQimRcz1AnPWPzl-1WeIPKhqihjKzu_nf3v-9WfCDG8M0sFx4wlQk6yKlqE/s320/DSC_0418.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was some up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TzKiYLB5EDtkwPzDb6p4aFo-q92xbe9s22yTD1gGWE8jD10kq4bA3b95kolhuHlqzjAO1J-cXSRSEJxMmSCWOU_OkQ4mXR7tfC1ANqYhznsnHc2icapcX1m5EKAZ06BRINajFi_Belw/s1600/DSC_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TzKiYLB5EDtkwPzDb6p4aFo-q92xbe9s22yTD1gGWE8jD10kq4bA3b95kolhuHlqzjAO1J-cXSRSEJxMmSCWOU_OkQ4mXR7tfC1ANqYhznsnHc2icapcX1m5EKAZ06BRINajFi_Belw/s320/DSC_0420.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't take long to reach snow. After all, it's only late June.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DAUx7ATP0RRhFR71mqI78rfnwm3LaJ35_0iABuHF34qYVr4i-ZQ_veHFEGASENDCBW02WZb0Sj6xy8VoVXqarwvap4LHFdWVZS702939ROJ4MorBzgzIR90M_fAy7XeIMHLhjoUWpoA/s1600/DSC_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DAUx7ATP0RRhFR71mqI78rfnwm3LaJ35_0iABuHF34qYVr4i-ZQ_veHFEGASENDCBW02WZb0Sj6xy8VoVXqarwvap4LHFdWVZS702939ROJ4MorBzgzIR90M_fAy7XeIMHLhjoUWpoA/s320/DSC_0421.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some smaller waterfalls along the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIvtEDemTXEuQF9VS1nIsAzLVYDhvdKGs1xj7gJEr8WuAsg3cGa3ztkV_RvmDFygK15JeX_ys3xZnLFdlBq8pSTsKCv6A6Ym8-f5_xR2JwguVRhj6A54KJNB3poZrCaHclJKWqyxuW4o/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIvtEDemTXEuQF9VS1nIsAzLVYDhvdKGs1xj7gJEr8WuAsg3cGa3ztkV_RvmDFygK15JeX_ys3xZnLFdlBq8pSTsKCv6A6Ym8-f5_xR2JwguVRhj6A54KJNB3poZrCaHclJKWqyxuW4o/s320/DSC_0422.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier lillies?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQ5j09YPqPeHurxJZcMQuy7x-povIvesi68ipByP4oTNfvR8vSHfvxTYsbADLw2K2LFTVGZi2R1KdDapoF-yRAoWk-5tYz4a_2nh5CouHNEdyEfHjySEgU1la78j9I5bAttXCaJmdnc/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQ5j09YPqPeHurxJZcMQuy7x-povIvesi68ipByP4oTNfvR8vSHfvxTYsbADLw2K2LFTVGZi2R1KdDapoF-yRAoWk-5tYz4a_2nh5CouHNEdyEfHjySEgU1la78j9I5bAttXCaJmdnc/s320/DSC_0423.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creek was very scenic and we stole views along the way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfOMsDIFOzr8UvyvzJeBldKwTVIvoy5YT8tJzWF4yIzHP7ZOqb22UstM2sw7scTSp4A_5Y7t34v-VFEL1xyPRd2Z-W-QevnOacNjyql45OFHZWUt2fXzzwFdnOuARaGDM4nBq6p0CPRY/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfOMsDIFOzr8UvyvzJeBldKwTVIvoy5YT8tJzWF4yIzHP7ZOqb22UstM2sw7scTSp4A_5Y7t34v-VFEL1xyPRd2Z-W-QevnOacNjyql45OFHZWUt2fXzzwFdnOuARaGDM4nBq6p0CPRY/s320/DSC_0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were plenty of waterfalls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D0wsMmxI-AyasuXhNQB76Tha4bzGiMsNyaGI_l4nXpNUmKRWIrwCrBE8QS6YgG5Rfy3qdury4OH5071hueHyC3XK77cz2y_Lws_KSMbwITCib7ZNolkmTovRx5nwSB2Oy7bStrBvQz8/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D0wsMmxI-AyasuXhNQB76Tha4bzGiMsNyaGI_l4nXpNUmKRWIrwCrBE8QS6YgG5Rfy3qdury4OH5071hueHyC3XK77cz2y_Lws_KSMbwITCib7ZNolkmTovRx5nwSB2Oy7bStrBvQz8/s320/DSC_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was wildlife, like this pika</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33cb_dUqUgo-JXl562bWpXzrwBNLu27DumFgQ1R7I9sjez2wuO0hcrg4h7wY868Wcoq-GasZQIBKQeUwU5bmgc3mGb9kSa1BujeZtALSwmIQYfs8Ki112w1W6P8OzpyLI_D9BqH3lr0/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33cb_dUqUgo-JXl562bWpXzrwBNLu27DumFgQ1R7I9sjez2wuO0hcrg4h7wY868Wcoq-GasZQIBKQeUwU5bmgc3mGb9kSa1BujeZtALSwmIQYfs8Ki112w1W6P8OzpyLI_D9BqH3lr0/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this Max.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFbQX2PuxV_im9JhmxEbkM2RTXTkrMUQ9i0PlQN5AgZ8c2WGStyh2hQiXqLTP3LyScrQE8xjcr3T2Vylaj8XHajjgLzw2LDTFEx02ji_SYmO6eH5CjjziDWxVeb7XHIMKi7EM2y3FEMc/s1600/DSC_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFbQX2PuxV_im9JhmxEbkM2RTXTkrMUQ9i0PlQN5AgZ8c2WGStyh2hQiXqLTP3LyScrQE8xjcr3T2Vylaj8XHajjgLzw2LDTFEx02ji_SYmO6eH5CjjziDWxVeb7XHIMKi7EM2y3FEMc/s320/DSC_0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a big landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbidCDXa4_5TTS8ZYzvJB0ULzULnz1R27RK6sGGekoj5JyJLoWsth5X5jVP5L45HLYx11vK8BNZISHFjMuXzr8u889vOflypdZpeZFn6jdx9VdJ6rCpzL4uTHe7Lpqzpa268HdRteCSlY/s1600/DSC_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbidCDXa4_5TTS8ZYzvJB0ULzULnz1R27RK6sGGekoj5JyJLoWsth5X5jVP5L45HLYx11vK8BNZISHFjMuXzr8u889vOflypdZpeZFn6jdx9VdJ6rCpzL4uTHe7Lpqzpa268HdRteCSlY/s320/DSC_0436.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He got tired of waiting to prevent passage.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDKNOGzlycvhFif5Yar_uA7nF0ot_6lQ7QaKr9tXT9T9tGo9hqFe-704YMa8qf_RxG_8Mq5QP6rl7bhuXz_aYLpnJNPQRMid0YXMOWD7ynbDbbAzQ2rRVhRknhAsx9eFTXqiMYTQlXxM/s1600/DSC_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDKNOGzlycvhFif5Yar_uA7nF0ot_6lQ7QaKr9tXT9T9tGo9hqFe-704YMa8qf_RxG_8Mq5QP6rl7bhuXz_aYLpnJNPQRMid0YXMOWD7ynbDbbAzQ2rRVhRknhAsx9eFTXqiMYTQlXxM/s320/DSC_0439.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVXbg_kYQj-pnxWrB1SpTchFaa6ptRMq0SDtXd3nBgdDG8-xnQlqysz7_jMwJddIHzr-OdTfGRQN_sdrN2YFB0t4o4a7K25Y-RSchVkUkahxIVelAaY70Ume4MiJzw8oI013B-EZZtzg/s1600/DSC_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVXbg_kYQj-pnxWrB1SpTchFaa6ptRMq0SDtXd3nBgdDG8-xnQlqysz7_jMwJddIHzr-OdTfGRQN_sdrN2YFB0t4o4a7K25Y-RSchVkUkahxIVelAaY70Ume4MiJzw8oI013B-EZZtzg/s320/DSC_0440.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the end of the hike. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVseFPyqnUt_NzwPOofLkWBy0hPv5vFygEPybrxNODmK3Hc6BK2BuxJnL7VLE8THTCe1MrR-CMBlnwiCHOOTgwXVREW7VGxof1waNFldLitf2_SUzWy_KOmbPkRRsZ5Px87QiOiH8u8U/s1600/DSC_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVseFPyqnUt_NzwPOofLkWBy0hPv5vFygEPybrxNODmK3Hc6BK2BuxJnL7VLE8THTCe1MrR-CMBlnwiCHOOTgwXVREW7VGxof1waNFldLitf2_SUzWy_KOmbPkRRsZ5Px87QiOiH8u8U/s320/DSC_0441.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our target appears. What a huge place.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">300 feet of falling water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTQwqqq1vq2MVo-YsId-To2I_vMhttgNphUfROPur6-9R2FL1n5P-HUDIwY8_2TfT4FAj_GrZl4VFoTrW8Uy00KP9pm6HKWgxyOmvoA-zaGA3ndwiJc32s82AR59jN2k-WaXNPBrMLSE/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTQwqqq1vq2MVo-YsId-To2I_vMhttgNphUfROPur6-9R2FL1n5P-HUDIwY8_2TfT4FAj_GrZl4VFoTrW8Uy00KP9pm6HKWgxyOmvoA-zaGA3ndwiJc32s82AR59jN2k-WaXNPBrMLSE/s320/DSC_0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to refuel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this point, our guests - Rachel and Chris from <a href="http://itsawanderfulrvlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It's a Wanderful Life</a> - decided they were done. This worked out pretty well though. Sarah and I continued hiking down toward the waterfall and Rachel was able to take the picture that I wanted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn5UxdsihyphenhyphenvpIc98UdaWSV-ky4eluUu7WmnwIh75gnVpSC6Yd2b_gWLqWDw8DkfpgezUROB59W_MqqVgOJkq3htf61xm-Xr-Keb8D5F69zuFDX0v03lPyjCkzsoNhuKMMeNpkAtrG8IQ/s1600/DSC09768+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn5UxdsihyphenhyphenvpIc98UdaWSV-ky4eluUu7WmnwIh75gnVpSC6Yd2b_gWLqWDw8DkfpgezUROB59W_MqqVgOJkq3htf61xm-Xr-Keb8D5F69zuFDX0v03lPyjCkzsoNhuKMMeNpkAtrG8IQ/s320/DSC09768+%25282%2529.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find me? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right?<br />
<br />
Pretty stinking awesome if you ask me. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZd3v33bMOE4-Mpq3E-ADX0i6GEaQMj-66ypkK7J-fUda5bxoS4DF31t7yDBw3u5WOf-_TWcjFIZXD3xPHsuEWyplmg8sv4zN7A91TI3bPmpJVz0gNxF7Y-Q_jhH5OymSz_Ls3vzKasE/s1600/DSC09765+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZd3v33bMOE4-Mpq3E-ADX0i6GEaQMj-66ypkK7J-fUda5bxoS4DF31t7yDBw3u5WOf-_TWcjFIZXD3xPHsuEWyplmg8sv4zN7A91TI3bPmpJVz0gNxF7Y-Q_jhH5OymSz_Ls3vzKasE/s320/DSC09765+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm petite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I managed to take a few pictures while I was down there. They aren't as cool as Rachel's pictures, but I try.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQPtHpcoZG-6FrTYFb312n6ao6QGGqMx4xAv4eU9m4MjHOQ-Hy_WuDeZQlJnF4tVXZLrOpLJx4rw_GCEjVE4vUZzaqThyphenhyphennvbSYg1hHPI0uPdyNNb0GS21V2eI_Px4Qd26CzKlS7CfGH0/s1600/DSC_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQPtHpcoZG-6FrTYFb312n6ao6QGGqMx4xAv4eU9m4MjHOQ-Hy_WuDeZQlJnF4tVXZLrOpLJx4rw_GCEjVE4vUZzaqThyphenhyphennvbSYg1hHPI0uPdyNNb0GS21V2eI_Px4Qd26CzKlS7CfGH0/s320/DSC_0459.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path was a little slippery in spots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianFVOKd9WqNWoxfMCm_gp-H-QQns73ftLybEd5zwx-2WWHRI2GDYUr_oaojZrZ86Z-K2UGUrGnMU4Ipxe2tJZEzmSL7dINWqzelYiFR1tmclt86690vwM_aiiqqYesHXqeTHoScz_xYA/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianFVOKd9WqNWoxfMCm_gp-H-QQns73ftLybEd5zwx-2WWHRI2GDYUr_oaojZrZ86Z-K2UGUrGnMU4Ipxe2tJZEzmSL7dINWqzelYiFR1tmclt86690vwM_aiiqqYesHXqeTHoScz_xYA/s320/DSC_0460.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty though</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KoF5S_O4Mz0Q9T1eDW9IfTG_Zr9zxfCHWum3WgHuqIfemVH43k-nirhLUOhk391upTvdM9_qpd1pJtA483yNU_364hQtfJX3y0y8LFBartNTeO5pk50vwxtBsGCULWGKPMQZqf__C7s/s1600/DSC_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KoF5S_O4Mz0Q9T1eDW9IfTG_Zr9zxfCHWum3WgHuqIfemVH43k-nirhLUOhk391upTvdM9_qpd1pJtA483yNU_364hQtfJX3y0y8LFBartNTeO5pk50vwxtBsGCULWGKPMQZqf__C7s/s320/DSC_0473.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Then it was time to head back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84jyvwOOcSyx2tUXdl8oG6NPbIInZn6xC4KI9MVs35lKVG3XJquX98idmcqoSqayrRhjNNYpfrwuHhxpkt4pZeNVFXb5-Wb1czvVEBhaUwphtkIOYniTU52n_kB3q8N6aMENhIH_ckOQ/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84jyvwOOcSyx2tUXdl8oG6NPbIInZn6xC4KI9MVs35lKVG3XJquX98idmcqoSqayrRhjNNYpfrwuHhxpkt4pZeNVFXb5-Wb1czvVEBhaUwphtkIOYniTU52n_kB3q8N6aMENhIH_ckOQ/s320/DSC_0481.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gandorf the Mauve led the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UeY7V2l1ygjhDpZM_gWmAOpGXC80QPtW02PZTzi-_xWBQXzhN0RVRfh2p5WoMhwuIdTWx9I1_fmqSkhXZU7OvUiFtlgGK64OHvAAvjkQbukRXpz1Ww69E3wsY63BMhdxwcRZVGvsY7k/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UeY7V2l1ygjhDpZM_gWmAOpGXC80QPtW02PZTzi-_xWBQXzhN0RVRfh2p5WoMhwuIdTWx9I1_fmqSkhXZU7OvUiFtlgGK64OHvAAvjkQbukRXpz1Ww69E3wsY63BMhdxwcRZVGvsY7k/s320/DSC_0483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He got so far ahead, he stopped to rest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZADhJLmhCtlDdK1tQVIk4bjL2oQG93YpVWF1olSpiYbyhZc_v9LmAKyQ8EnXQKjJNlotik_WLJnw2JHzo2ke-sbBkEAkPdZ0O9dzkUXKEoD4wf_YyZ6dyzZVY0XdIDLPDs4H-mkpuCzI/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZADhJLmhCtlDdK1tQVIk4bjL2oQG93YpVWF1olSpiYbyhZc_v9LmAKyQ8EnXQKjJNlotik_WLJnw2JHzo2ke-sbBkEAkPdZ0O9dzkUXKEoD4wf_YyZ6dyzZVY0XdIDLPDs4H-mkpuCzI/s320/DSC_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not to be outdone... Max.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The hike was a round trip of about 3.6 miles with an elevation gain in the 1200-1300 foot range. We might have to go back later in the season when there is less snow.<br />
<br />
Good trip, I recommend it.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and go check out <a href="http://itsawanderfulrvlife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">It's a Wanderful Life</a>. They're pretty cool.<br />
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-88366673492705902682017-06-01T15:58:00.001-07:002017-06-01T15:58:15.599-07:00Mt. St. HelensI texted my sister Michelle.<br />
<br />
<i>Want to climb St. Helens with me?</i><br />
<br />
She replied simply: <i>Yep!</i><br />
<br />
And with that, it was on.<br />
<i> </i><br />
We arranged our schedules, got time off, and bought some necessary supplies. Sarah didn't go with us and we tried to get another sibling to come, but he wasn't interested enough. It was just us. She bought the permits.<br />
<br />
A guy at work advised us to go up the winter route when there was still snow as it made for better hiking. Apparently it can be a pain to hike up the slope in summer as the ash is loose and you end up sliding back quite a bit on each step. That meant we were taking the Worm Flows route.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the Marble Mountain Sno Park the evening before and set up the tent. Miche wanted to sleep in the truck, but we brought the tent and I though stretching out to sleep would be better. We went to bed around 10.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRgvqxmqR3Bquw8Xy3KhlSsFUZ3qiZk2Ia4CGWyNw0u5RYXWAVE88xLGmH1JYZ9oKBGFX0h2VoMnCCYyTDYlMI9v0MlTXbmpEFsETGHV-TNc36gDyxphyphenhyphen5nc_o6ZTrG1zOm_MQLeSfWE/s1600/20170529_204208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRgvqxmqR3Bquw8Xy3KhlSsFUZ3qiZk2Ia4CGWyNw0u5RYXWAVE88xLGmH1JYZ9oKBGFX0h2VoMnCCYyTDYlMI9v0MlTXbmpEFsETGHV-TNc36gDyxphyphenhyphen5nc_o6ZTrG1zOm_MQLeSfWE/s320/20170529_204208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was excited to be there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27StQSzONR_kM6BQWfd4SrXvQrv6e8valRmXuIRhm1yCPANtzku2epz7yVHOzm7pbTKt7f0-AuvZaL1N81gOJPyj9B-vQwqvym9BF_xzxHiHKnEQx7QmX1gO8H4_IByYcp2sVt5FJrr0/s1600/20170529_204213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27StQSzONR_kM6BQWfd4SrXvQrv6e8valRmXuIRhm1yCPANtzku2epz7yVHOzm7pbTKt7f0-AuvZaL1N81gOJPyj9B-vQwqvym9BF_xzxHiHKnEQx7QmX1gO8H4_IByYcp2sVt5FJrr0/s320/20170529_204213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently she was too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The alarm rang at 0400, or Oh-Dark-Thirty. I managed around 4 hours sleep total. The combination of nerves and discomfort kept me from sound sleep. Miche slept a little better, but not much. We rose, packed up the tent and made sure our gear was together. Then, we started out. We hit the trail head at 0507. Girls take so long getting ready. :-)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkijvTKtjtvkkStC3NWnZBFYTZGPNzC-QyO-FKC-vEcY9wla2sRq5lZivFux3MvcvVOpYj0gObEB2AlP6gr8ni8aMf3X2PuNk6ALBKtAZ-0DtYgAEDLDvc02BCtU_m214HU6uWsjbdqY/s1600/20170530_045838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkijvTKtjtvkkStC3NWnZBFYTZGPNzC-QyO-FKC-vEcY9wla2sRq5lZivFux3MvcvVOpYj0gObEB2AlP6gr8ni8aMf3X2PuNk6ALBKtAZ-0DtYgAEDLDvc02BCtU_m214HU6uWsjbdqY/s320/20170530_045838.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing in so they can rescue us later. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The trail starts out in the woods. It was damp ground, but no snow. That lasted all of a quarter-mile. We started hitting patches of snow and by about the half-mile mark, it was mostly snow. The slope was gradually upward, but nothing strenuous at all.<br />
<br />
A couple left a little before us, but were a little more conservative with their energy than we were, so we passed them and ended up leap-frogging them all day. The sky grew lighter, but there was no sunshine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-M2NNRMgzvo2Wx5kYGiQs1I7xYBcZqoJf3nJweg0C7gdbFYHUw3T0OY82p5m2L_Wych-jJlzSij3I0P1kmzfcssB4Yvl9LI2sD8MiRB536ayUguTN36CRItmvBsUOG2nGO4ln1uMNGQ/s1600/20170530_061322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-M2NNRMgzvo2Wx5kYGiQs1I7xYBcZqoJf3nJweg0C7gdbFYHUw3T0OY82p5m2L_Wych-jJlzSij3I0P1kmzfcssB4Yvl9LI2sD8MiRB536ayUguTN36CRItmvBsUOG2nGO4ln1uMNGQ/s320/20170530_061322.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soggy, foggy day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We climbed up and watched the sky get lighter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYWPhmQyi0NpwrCxLRJNn9iqkQ8v7SP5hHS8scm_JcOvh9c-TWhtBz6u57zCSi08n6XGnSVnyTtzOg_zqZGMuINQmLq9m8EccaJKWzA0svVdmRXkuCQWj7dK1I-2hcZc-CAVTmYOhQZs/s1600/G0291190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYWPhmQyi0NpwrCxLRJNn9iqkQ8v7SP5hHS8scm_JcOvh9c-TWhtBz6u57zCSi08n6XGnSVnyTtzOg_zqZGMuINQmLq9m8EccaJKWzA0svVdmRXkuCQWj7dK1I-2hcZc-CAVTmYOhQZs/s320/G0291190.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up a little.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAOAk0ZK_4McyR-AwWZ7QG94B6U_0__V8q-gR3wv0px1siziZFSVu1yMm-0HOEJ8HL8s73bKXLfhDdxYzNEHSPHnT_vJjVL_KzAwlHKf2B1NflcUs14hkRqz60AVkgtAsEX8DVSUvTEs/s1600/G0341594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAOAk0ZK_4McyR-AwWZ7QG94B6U_0__V8q-gR3wv0px1siziZFSVu1yMm-0HOEJ8HL8s73bKXLfhDdxYzNEHSPHnT_vJjVL_KzAwlHKf2B1NflcUs14hkRqz60AVkgtAsEX8DVSUvTEs/s320/G0341594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And up some more. Stop checking out my butt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The trail kept wandering up through the woods. I tried to get my GPS/running watch to track us, but I didn't think about it until about 1.5 miles in and then it had trouble hooking up with the satellites through the clouds. We just followed the tracks. A couple miles in we reached Chocolate falls. I think it is named that because it darkens with sediment when the melt starts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1JEwNdRLkLjm2Q7M7gqFF7w-Ht8WRD0Ahnfq5YDPZrcL8_EN29AS98DRdGBZdOKFv31xAi1SL0PkQrPKdWzjuxvzYPVAbwqNMcTRzYFNXpSkpOxGmg9fEyRoIIl7Xjj2KTZajuqymNE/s1600/G0382051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1JEwNdRLkLjm2Q7M7gqFF7w-Ht8WRD0Ahnfq5YDPZrcL8_EN29AS98DRdGBZdOKFv31xAi1SL0PkQrPKdWzjuxvzYPVAbwqNMcTRzYFNXpSkpOxGmg9fEyRoIIl7Xjj2KTZajuqymNE/s320/G0382051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sky peeked through.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKvXUN9gnCJ4sWiddNiyoMYnGJ0SksFkqqMyZgnGZUImV3ZeSqgOJ6_rl4BBTRQSUSgjXuoylkhnIKTqN6pDebxShtdQSemSB82klKrW8tgnrzg8xY_6qELEba64buIUqfLYzA97XoNA/s1600/20170530_062252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKvXUN9gnCJ4sWiddNiyoMYnGJ0SksFkqqMyZgnGZUImV3ZeSqgOJ6_rl4BBTRQSUSgjXuoylkhnIKTqN6pDebxShtdQSemSB82klKrW8tgnrzg8xY_6qELEba64buIUqfLYzA97XoNA/s320/20170530_062252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The melt hadn't started yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
About this time is when I realized I had made a mistake. I filled the bladder in my backpack with water from a jug in the truck. It was horrible. I don't know how long it had been in there. I filled Michelle's from a different jug and hers wasn't great, but wasn't too bad I guess. Mine was essentially undrinkable and I didn't have any other liquid.<br />
<br />
Oops.<br />
<br />
I started eating the cleanest snow I could find and we trudged on.<br />
<br />
Eventually we started to get above the clouds and the sun tried to show up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotOzJ_amTDiK5AorqTEUrGRrRzZBwz1Nk4ftWJLmrNJpa3W-7yy2701CAMxfl0SP3N4MpRLsxfGZa1KPiZmmXu1tk5EQzZ2lIncvG_mafHgAPRf2elFH7vCEm3PwYJqKDQYbxA6JIwv0/s1600/G0412389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotOzJ_amTDiK5AorqTEUrGRrRzZBwz1Nk4ftWJLmrNJpa3W-7yy2701CAMxfl0SP3N4MpRLsxfGZa1KPiZmmXu1tk5EQzZ2lIncvG_mafHgAPRf2elFH7vCEm3PwYJqKDQYbxA6JIwv0/s320/G0412389.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying hard to shine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmMOS57b9Dr_kzPH97M4qEpHFdBVkCtJtG5ecSS6mcdfs0Fb6WzmIxXElcVFRAmGoF-3uQkSEWQ_DYh6l7MZj8yKuCfOdiJnPhkuaGiFhJZjQLTDrHf2kJs1T8VQRuL6OC_-xv9YSSvU/s1600/G0412375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmMOS57b9Dr_kzPH97M4qEpHFdBVkCtJtG5ecSS6mcdfs0Fb6WzmIxXElcVFRAmGoF-3uQkSEWQ_DYh6l7MZj8yKuCfOdiJnPhkuaGiFhJZjQLTDrHf2kJs1T8VQRuL6OC_-xv9YSSvU/s320/G0412375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the mountain made an appearance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The trees thinned out more and we followed a ridge above Swift creek. Eventually we saw a sign that meant we were on the right path.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCZBZPx3qnYq1Z_1j_xnv69I8itPzL697b7Ghfi7kxC_YZO3qCxHzenaj_ctjZJ9xYoIn_WfNE5UNnAm55zGjWEn0lGz1Sc2NEBg7HWeWIAlBW4wRwxZUHsiwm034yZEhXbD5NW6MATs/s1600/20170530_063356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCZBZPx3qnYq1Z_1j_xnv69I8itPzL697b7Ghfi7kxC_YZO3qCxHzenaj_ctjZJ9xYoIn_WfNE5UNnAm55zGjWEn0lGz1Sc2NEBg7HWeWIAlBW4wRwxZUHsiwm034yZEhXbD5NW6MATs/s320/20170530_063356.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally. There was a sign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMVLNyInpsgVCNrTH3L6-Xk1xWHQ9Wp4kp21hnzXEqmvGNe3QhitMwX8vHrLXuRzJ9JEjnEebV1lGdZtGvjimcEnmjhPsSrQoia-4yK4VksFy0WTdQ5rBpWrHRcwazZ6yf0ctV3pjqgo/s1600/20170530_064223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMVLNyInpsgVCNrTH3L6-Xk1xWHQ9Wp4kp21hnzXEqmvGNe3QhitMwX8vHrLXuRzJ9JEjnEebV1lGdZtGvjimcEnmjhPsSrQoia-4yK4VksFy0WTdQ5rBpWrHRcwazZ6yf0ctV3pjqgo/s320/20170530_064223.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a few signs really. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The trees grew thinner. Then, we hit the ridges called the worm flows. These are made of scree and boulders. It was nice on one hand to get off the snow for a minute, but the rocks were unstable in places and it made for less snow to eat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWXQi54sbW2sYNymD00zA75OBRVFLcOEPoVrJeIC-ie0hsFNakwpm5d05m9A8UDn9PEjI3FffejzmgU2RFrHgxPdW4W5Ws0JAgNd5NCZRISwtb29G-pgUGHl8t-EaCZNjwbNnAxRl0XA/s1600/G0502973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWXQi54sbW2sYNymD00zA75OBRVFLcOEPoVrJeIC-ie0hsFNakwpm5d05m9A8UDn9PEjI3FffejzmgU2RFrHgxPdW4W5Ws0JAgNd5NCZRISwtb29G-pgUGHl8t-EaCZNjwbNnAxRl0XA/s320/G0502973.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I put on the headband for inspiration. And perspiration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHca3VvU_Q9u-cA8N6tGs-LPZuYsSw-LXcgo1cl6XXKTSSomZsFpAGLIHP-C7KDQmZdDYU1jifyJPlYh8E2-J-2h9wY1JLhOcFgvnFMdETViEin9gfdM-ML51NjF4KezxDycHu9kBtnQ8/s1600/G0533220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHca3VvU_Q9u-cA8N6tGs-LPZuYsSw-LXcgo1cl6XXKTSSomZsFpAGLIHP-C7KDQmZdDYU1jifyJPlYh8E2-J-2h9wY1JLhOcFgvnFMdETViEin9gfdM-ML51NjF4KezxDycHu9kBtnQ8/s320/G0533220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally broke above the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnqeL5uxxNySLKm6WOk-0ypob0VN0DkX4p2PAKat1htBiWjkAgfUfcDu31k5Iw_CWFKavZI80E803fnYdW94eI8DwjSQu0kAYeCChlJ0ms0Q6Kcx2P3OlI6wbrUUeI9lyTUNLyXWvWaY/s1600/G0553373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnqeL5uxxNySLKm6WOk-0ypob0VN0DkX4p2PAKat1htBiWjkAgfUfcDu31k5Iw_CWFKavZI80E803fnYdW94eI8DwjSQu0kAYeCChlJ0ms0Q6Kcx2P3OlI6wbrUUeI9lyTUNLyXWvWaY/s320/G0553373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And time for a snack. Om. Nom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We picked our way through the boulders and kept climbing. The view was incredible. When I wasn't searching for the next footstep, I was watching the shadows of the clouds on the tops of the lower clouds. It was pretty awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pfyQ6VU8OWWSPmRuordypboTDyVKzqMK_1PdP1b8ztc1nGw9zXkx1NlA9BERn4edpdBmKoIL-C89PLq8JQYcp3w9JeM54dHDz5TPCICMacfYJwQgdQYyWkkO1tWPZ39KA5eM_qlTTRc/s1600/G0563438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pfyQ6VU8OWWSPmRuordypboTDyVKzqMK_1PdP1b8ztc1nGw9zXkx1NlA9BERn4edpdBmKoIL-C89PLq8JQYcp3w9JeM54dHDz5TPCICMacfYJwQgdQYyWkkO1tWPZ39KA5eM_qlTTRc/s320/G0563438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O51wvETe0h97UhTADNY0KsX0VHk-3wG2biCfJG6HCqHNh2i_L97D4YXWz-uHL6HRh0JJDBKchRWy6gzIBxucS5Rivyu2MdT4yfywltR2TPHpPm3SUkDyRwhCbAjPCrzTPqrcwqfMzP0/s1600/20170530_082851_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="1600" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O51wvETe0h97UhTADNY0KsX0VHk-3wG2biCfJG6HCqHNh2i_L97D4YXWz-uHL6HRh0JJDBKchRWy6gzIBxucS5Rivyu2MdT4yfywltR2TPHpPm3SUkDyRwhCbAjPCrzTPqrcwqfMzP0/s320/20170530_082851_Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watched the clouds lap against the mountain like waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The worm flows went on and on. It seemed like we scampered up those rocks for a long time. But, eventually, they ended and we had to put the spikes back on and hit the snow. We could see the snowy mountain rising above us, it couldn't be far.<br />
<br />
Right?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwCVwD6DZvZzmqZRloOzxmjGMWofzKVq7dQRbFhBdDPbvmo3OiVIDFOFY47TpS9siar7SvVyZUkMIjXEambv0QSEAjYqxPeTgPuAbLo-INj8wmb3Itq26f3ER7QEkZOACFWy5-K0aios/s1600/G0674424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwCVwD6DZvZzmqZRloOzxmjGMWofzKVq7dQRbFhBdDPbvmo3OiVIDFOFY47TpS9siar7SvVyZUkMIjXEambv0QSEAjYqxPeTgPuAbLo-INj8wmb3Itq26f3ER7QEkZOACFWy5-K0aios/s320/G0674424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was pretty steep. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi933S1pZB6FkqoZqm8LJ66NU0JdI_RAnzjaMItlfPi93Wc4fIaxYyRUccksQPpnoPUhu28Hb7KHwwFgclE181I_IJD34jQP7ds81os-UldTu0bBK5RN1R4UdlReXbUKuDflR3o1tGBiow/s1600/G0674461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi933S1pZB6FkqoZqm8LJ66NU0JdI_RAnzjaMItlfPi93Wc4fIaxYyRUccksQPpnoPUhu28Hb7KHwwFgclE181I_IJD34jQP7ds81os-UldTu0bBK5RN1R4UdlReXbUKuDflR3o1tGBiow/s320/G0674461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surely that rise up there has to be the peak. I'm getting a little tired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD_LDSwUVSGoyT6iGkQPq6flQ9KEmqeXRXm3AIaayKyhXVhijx0XCktfCbfmU3uajjBSct3a8RK_zO8z5jBYsd0CBc9UxazsdVH49l1IP6mhmc1kEH6xZNFtw_yGDYMeomFP7D6tOFuw/s1600/G0704819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD_LDSwUVSGoyT6iGkQPq6flQ9KEmqeXRXm3AIaayKyhXVhijx0XCktfCbfmU3uajjBSct3a8RK_zO8z5jBYsd0CBc9UxazsdVH49l1IP6mhmc1kEH6xZNFtw_yGDYMeomFP7D6tOFuw/s320/G0704819.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like some demented stair master.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The cool thing was we could see Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood out above the clouds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tkKYiRCk4BmPxEbJH38xzdCgrlUl3uP6cRTx2HXf_BiFu28rH1OYhh4HWwGtdCUYa4YD6m6ENTONz2ocYf3OU2qZBvBUMM5oUAYXtx8kDzb66gqKw5DjFkun5E1K-4rSqoXbsESDqG8/s1600/20170530_082903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tkKYiRCk4BmPxEbJH38xzdCgrlUl3uP6cRTx2HXf_BiFu28rH1OYhh4HWwGtdCUYa4YD6m6ENTONz2ocYf3OU2qZBvBUMM5oUAYXtx8kDzb66gqKw5DjFkun5E1K-4rSqoXbsESDqG8/s320/20170530_082903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Adams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QMV6Q8owUymTZfnijYMi4oLlhjN-7FWU-MrUbgBmomjP-T2TMyynh5cATUx7NJ5Ll7HsdLWeZYrPXE7za30NkHVNHLKjkCBB0AVulvDW52ZEy8KMgMFuN6loXsrr76Sf0SEjMlsyfrM/s1600/20170530_082909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QMV6Q8owUymTZfnijYMi4oLlhjN-7FWU-MrUbgBmomjP-T2TMyynh5cATUx7NJ5Ll7HsdLWeZYrPXE7za30NkHVNHLKjkCBB0AVulvDW52ZEy8KMgMFuN6loXsrr76Sf0SEjMlsyfrM/s320/20170530_082909.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hood is out there, promise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSErT_LgW8dRZdfqiLdZqI8MBsqHJFLaMRxN6v5cCM766BfKuhtgHri60Yx3B4prmHML6f4Qyb7fC21LtYx6dTCIi9xdfBHwnX2R6L-Jl3o4REVYkCg6nVnAPzscK6Z2iWDnvE7qPKXo/s1600/G0714861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSErT_LgW8dRZdfqiLdZqI8MBsqHJFLaMRxN6v5cCM766BfKuhtgHri60Yx3B4prmHML6f4Qyb7fC21LtYx6dTCIi9xdfBHwnX2R6L-Jl3o4REVYkCg6nVnAPzscK6Z2iWDnvE7qPKXo/s320/G0714861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was starting to feel the strain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The dehydration was starting to get to me a little bit. Somewhere around here, I dumped all the water out of my camelbak and replaced it with snow. It cooled down my back and gave me the occasional sip of not terrible water. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrFsxN_KT3DLWSN667hCHWwY515wTj9Ahr4nRAK1ZKifyMFbYwT-SDPQSJ_ZwU96ycAdcshMpp64FGOIkQVhNhSyJDXRm6FzZPODUuUjMgCSKMpbZYHLcOf6QdSmq_IZOw7_lC7vJfLI/s1600/G0714894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrFsxN_KT3DLWSN667hCHWwY515wTj9Ahr4nRAK1ZKifyMFbYwT-SDPQSJ_ZwU96ycAdcshMpp64FGOIkQVhNhSyJDXRm6FzZPODUuUjMgCSKMpbZYHLcOf6QdSmq_IZOw7_lC7vJfLI/s320/G0714894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surely that's it right up there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started up the slope. The path now seemed to be just go up until there isn't anymore up.<br />
<br />
So we went.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2lYHpUxQw5HqxUxHgBnG_adK9IM8RzunmkoXF5VVFBHs1YxloMPE9mffLOZ9kl0PKyr6hRVkzUFXiXFjQmbRmoZfkgy62jODAS7yX9yhLp73c4i-L0BTtjgr8uTgmfAGEgZ3vZPLLPI/s1600/G0734947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2lYHpUxQw5HqxUxHgBnG_adK9IM8RzunmkoXF5VVFBHs1YxloMPE9mffLOZ9kl0PKyr6hRVkzUFXiXFjQmbRmoZfkgy62jODAS7yX9yhLp73c4i-L0BTtjgr8uTgmfAGEgZ3vZPLLPI/s320/G0734947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still steep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This weird thing kept happening. I would get so used to walking forward and up that when I looked to the side and saw the horizon, it looked unlevel and I would get a little disoriented. It was discombobulating.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeU0P8-7HixpmFueP-IT8ce0yGKt4u4lTNUWcpP7D_M7Y64jiVialCEZhxZLc0bhsQL3_pKC9vqKQYMhrYnjzfVfLhUiGadwyp8xQN0OY5eibcPe05_zRYdz8qDMSnts2xOyqfpn_XO4/s1600/20170530_084221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeU0P8-7HixpmFueP-IT8ce0yGKt4u4lTNUWcpP7D_M7Y64jiVialCEZhxZLc0bhsQL3_pKC9vqKQYMhrYnjzfVfLhUiGadwyp8xQN0OY5eibcPe05_zRYdz8qDMSnts2xOyqfpn_XO4/s320/20170530_084221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weird angles and just wrong</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTb1PZdNAbiAn1CpJwnehUotLfqxb0Qw-9mYmBpZUg6JNvVwzJSr3VFO3L0AoHHVpuOMQlddOUN77ScB1NaQqOORl6sMsTkVSQjcpvd03XxB59SgDFlDCFrGwkA_GSSXGC_VM5KWAjS8/s1600/20170530_084239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTb1PZdNAbiAn1CpJwnehUotLfqxb0Qw-9mYmBpZUg6JNvVwzJSr3VFO3L0AoHHVpuOMQlddOUN77ScB1NaQqOORl6sMsTkVSQjcpvd03XxB59SgDFlDCFrGwkA_GSSXGC_VM5KWAjS8/s320/20170530_084239.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably should just stick to up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4fjsJ12ZUnid2Jnup3pcyWg5N-Oa2RjV6bkEvg0QX-tXa-TxymSod4JDWJTDOmU0DrhRw1jvGviGhncJSx5h6forceQbb43KtkxenUsA2mJ7g2ipLDzzDp_LS00kd8EpiMN0VnNPH8w/s1600/20170530_102642_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="1600" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4fjsJ12ZUnid2Jnup3pcyWg5N-Oa2RjV6bkEvg0QX-tXa-TxymSod4JDWJTDOmU0DrhRw1jvGviGhncJSx5h6forceQbb43KtkxenUsA2mJ7g2ipLDzzDp_LS00kd8EpiMN0VnNPH8w/s320/20170530_102642_Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But I had to look around if only to see the shadows of clouds on lower clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It turned out the rim we saw wasn't the top. There was another one beyond that one. And another and so on.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_3QyV4QKGiun7C8_-lAbwIc0ujUAOCTXl1enoI4ploMVsHDJjdav8mG8SRtgCQhzwxpi33ETKNUH4NAzqMLbXQc8F7kqXrliB3aP6VIKL4LSC4f225L1WNC5BXhizlV6AU6MXJHAz5s/s1600/G0755174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_3QyV4QKGiun7C8_-lAbwIc0ujUAOCTXl1enoI4ploMVsHDJjdav8mG8SRtgCQhzwxpi33ETKNUH4NAzqMLbXQc8F7kqXrliB3aP6VIKL4LSC4f225L1WNC5BXhizlV6AU6MXJHAz5s/s320/G0755174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And on...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It started to get a little depressing. Each time I would look up and see people so far away they looked smaller than ants and I would think surely they must be near the top. Then, when we got to where they were I would look up and see more people so far up they looked smaller than ants. I started to believe the mountain was still growing just to taunt me.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was better just to watch your step.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZobfyptdp4zmBLbBpOhaHFgjDqnEJhWKUnLrGdDEC9QgzGGpca0RDcO0qg6yyWn4ZAdxjE7KsaTKKaNr7jhgeozd3nhbMI86PWedQNHSkMslcd0FMpwfj8jZc1zDu-9pdL_coqWjoTvI/s1600/G0755249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZobfyptdp4zmBLbBpOhaHFgjDqnEJhWKUnLrGdDEC9QgzGGpca0RDcO0qg6yyWn4ZAdxjE7KsaTKKaNr7jhgeozd3nhbMI86PWedQNHSkMslcd0FMpwfj8jZc1zDu-9pdL_coqWjoTvI/s320/G0755249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the day looked like this. Except with my shadow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had been eating a little as we went, but it was time to break out my secret weapon.<br />
<br />
Trader Joe's sour gummies.<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure, by that time, what the question was, but the answer was Trader Joe's sour gummies. The sugar rush was instant, but short-lived. Miche and I shared them and kept on trekking.<br />
<br />
We lost the will to take pictures it was so bad. There aren't any pictures of the approach to the rim because we were never sure anymore if it was actually the rim or just another fake out and we didn't have the energy to fiddle with the camera. <br />
<br />
We just walked up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCvMJkjw6TIDs1Ua_CeMCp30cmZkWJG1ocgkfzr8xb4ZFdTwko_D32FhQBh_L9KHEAdKaMwQri7yTZWSskpA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyKGQ7zmi0ZZ1VSNWXTtxO_jRhX4nYKA-jjmhDqtoIeRFx6WbI1a8YahZDys9WB8_MOmq4d1K3w669hSLkRkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Sometime after noon, we reached the top. The up finally ended.<br />
<br />
And it suddenly got cold, like really cold. Wind whipped across the top and my hands and face grew numb. I got a good snot-cicle going. We watched in horror, along with everyone else, as a guy started to chase a dropped trash bag out onto the corniced edge. Luckily, he let it go. I hate litter too, but damn. We watched as the others started their descents. One or two were on skis, but the rest grabbed trash bags or put on ski pants and started sliding down on their butts.<br />
<br />
It was fun.<br />
<br />
Eventually, my hands regained feeling and my butt went numb. The trip down was much faster and more fun than the trip up.<br />
<br />
Miche was rumbling something about climbing Adams or Hood for the next day.<br />
<br />
Always an adventure waiting.<br />
<br />
Until next time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEEiNdVnRhgDL578b8n_e7ctDssCIr4m6DRpa1yOy4X2ccK-qn_R5EUfO1rUpNxh_pqwGODzgTRcumMOE1FMGY12vOwqDpyFbw_z_n7NheMb4rcHqD8pxUD__xIt4fEGrUl0uiTEkhro/s1600/DoingPlanning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEEiNdVnRhgDL578b8n_e7ctDssCIr4m6DRpa1yOy4X2ccK-qn_R5EUfO1rUpNxh_pqwGODzgTRcumMOE1FMGY12vOwqDpyFbw_z_n7NheMb4rcHqD8pxUD__xIt4fEGrUl0uiTEkhro/s320/DoingPlanning.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-57205775862681130032017-05-14T22:39:00.000-07:002017-05-14T22:39:03.067-07:00Happy Mother's Day!We moved here for a reason and it wasn't all goats and chickens either.<br />
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Western Washington is a fabulous and beautiful place. It's easy to get so caught up in normal life, that you forget just how awesome it is out here. Luckily, Sarah remembers these things and uses her special days to force us out of the bubble and into the actual, beautiful world.<br />
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We paid a visit to the Ape Caves just south of St. Helens. We hadn't been there for six years. It was our first visit to Washington when I did a contract in Vancouver. There are a few pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT-WMrjJW-DKPWvGLqahwI9AWRZ0wFXm-p1RV34OyHmr6Q3BhDoqXs4DEIYGLOf6g3sBuNhjPOkMBhUYg45jrwAnCogBuzqyxx74aYvVpsMJtbr1y8Upmo-FFfNRAs5UW7ChGhpzJ4jE/s1600/2011-05-16_16-47-06_377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT-WMrjJW-DKPWvGLqahwI9AWRZ0wFXm-p1RV34OyHmr6Q3BhDoqXs4DEIYGLOf6g3sBuNhjPOkMBhUYg45jrwAnCogBuzqyxx74aYvVpsMJtbr1y8Upmo-FFfNRAs5UW7ChGhpzJ4jE/s320/2011-05-16_16-47-06_377.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was May of 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxUsrvXRgeveNqucNNPs6yknsYfnfqpD3mmfC0ZNFe7yGuyoNlfV5QvXY97lvQ95-iat_r-qLrWsPRI5pbG-X38XHmAvIc7OIvqC2X4sDO7FPqeM2N00qhINV1f_w_c4To0PtBVxLv18/s1600/2011-05-16_17-16-24_773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxUsrvXRgeveNqucNNPs6yknsYfnfqpD3mmfC0ZNFe7yGuyoNlfV5QvXY97lvQ95-iat_r-qLrWsPRI5pbG-X38XHmAvIc7OIvqC2X4sDO7FPqeM2N00qhINV1f_w_c4To0PtBVxLv18/s320/2011-05-16_17-16-24_773.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was snow in the bottom of the holes on the first hike</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhOwNe4cGZsojXzPb9EsceZA2YL5LNWF0K9zb4JXnXxudtxjfPyuJ-xOvpuYtI2Kf7RcVeXRWvtplw0tG4f7BPyVM3fA1dms_KlSMEgpTqoHH-S0P1akXfMZ4rt1c8MSSpYE1tMHZ7qc/s1600/2011-05-16_17-25-34_932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhOwNe4cGZsojXzPb9EsceZA2YL5LNWF0K9zb4JXnXxudtxjfPyuJ-xOvpuYtI2Kf7RcVeXRWvtplw0tG4f7BPyVM3fA1dms_KlSMEgpTqoHH-S0P1akXfMZ4rt1c8MSSpYE1tMHZ7qc/s320/2011-05-16_17-25-34_932.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We marveled at the ash under a fallen tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILiqNe4tQHrlN1afAxoxQV-nBcFHijzcKFZjN06jugSkkkQysGz8H6gv97MwiQp5aXM1GLHLBjWuLZpmmHo1vrG924wjUc3Ti_2GplUhPWxgv05iskMf0jhaLmC6xHOd5ZVZpGDC8B1o/s1600/2011-05-16_17-27-07_791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILiqNe4tQHrlN1afAxoxQV-nBcFHijzcKFZjN06jugSkkkQysGz8H6gv97MwiQp5aXM1GLHLBjWuLZpmmHo1vrG924wjUc3Ti_2GplUhPWxgv05iskMf0jhaLmC6xHOd5ZVZpGDC8B1o/s320/2011-05-16_17-27-07_791.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's not safe to go alone, take these."</td></tr>
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We had a great time. Great enough to return again today. So we hopped into the new ride, Sarah finally let me drive, and headed south to Mt. St. Helens.<br />
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This time we had better cameras.<br />
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Our first stop, just like last time, was here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmwI6Dd3Ut8f27Yrjg56yngcNmhitCp4ZzIYiQMqV2CQi0mHXWW4NbJmnoC6JxsHOPtGejnY_1CMdpDBXb8oDBXNhaOGxnrQAP0dCQ0helKVc_09gf345vjtISO-E4owldPjt8UAk5Og/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmwI6Dd3Ut8f27Yrjg56yngcNmhitCp4ZzIYiQMqV2CQi0mHXWW4NbJmnoC6JxsHOPtGejnY_1CMdpDBXb8oDBXNhaOGxnrQAP0dCQ0helKVc_09gf345vjtISO-E4owldPjt8UAk5Og/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It is a short trail with a boardwalk through an old lava flow. It has little signs that interpret what is going on and how the formations came about. It is a neat, short walk in the woods.<br />
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The place was the same. But we may have changed a little.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJnvUYY94Y7wiAAnVLWQFtgI3vIoWZmUtFzAXMaX9LKUtRxAgNIAW1Dp_FnW5Rdw7Kudx6Zcjue8rskNJ2sBitqSyqTvruwDz0vR5LiI7SE5pTjOYd5hQQHYxFi3uuOxfov2WzY0ob9w/s1600/2011-05-16_17-32-39_699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJnvUYY94Y7wiAAnVLWQFtgI3vIoWZmUtFzAXMaX9LKUtRxAgNIAW1Dp_FnW5Rdw7Kudx6Zcjue8rskNJ2sBitqSyqTvruwDz0vR5LiI7SE5pTjOYd5hQQHYxFi3uuOxfov2WzY0ob9w/s320/2011-05-16_17-32-39_699.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd5bV77YF7sLU_VTd9aqpZB_liDJxY7Tv7zbPXEbQ121KOlg_baZyZyY57TXDjdWGeHz_4fc683o8uINGGdlAVCBCtz376wbN3I2yt5y6_K187Au_p7vaxYQHbAQRbAj0ZoYWgTBC5dE/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd5bV77YF7sLU_VTd9aqpZB_liDJxY7Tv7zbPXEbQ121KOlg_baZyZyY57TXDjdWGeHz_4fc683o8uINGGdlAVCBCtz376wbN3I2yt5y6_K187Au_p7vaxYQHbAQRbAj0ZoYWgTBC5dE/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017</td></tr>
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The rocks haven't changed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCT0fN-hbku7VpJ9o2hDQe37NvKXEor0_pUdWoQHX4lgm9jxCVQAuoHOJS_1Q6xyWVE4F9FmMre9zHIE0B-YPLoH8Lw4TtvegI3IlitT0JE3f_JTW2c31R1vaGn-H4SWhFs4hWpUHFsQ/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCT0fN-hbku7VpJ9o2hDQe37NvKXEor0_pUdWoQHX4lgm9jxCVQAuoHOJS_1Q6xyWVE4F9FmMre9zHIE0B-YPLoH8Lw4TtvegI3IlitT0JE3f_JTW2c31R1vaGn-H4SWhFs4hWpUHFsQ/s320/DSC_0328.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was still snow at the bottom. Probably not the same snow.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvwmJ9ipU8vTUhOIup6NF2aSxk-Z-yzKP3EM20vQ2u5G6j0NM4pSVpSPp_3QWlil_ivAz3v4QR4LcgqLFE8N918AhYnVIwAMbINupG0HamscwzoUWKWskeddnx3WRpWHuks0poU85Bdk/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvwmJ9ipU8vTUhOIup6NF2aSxk-Z-yzKP3EM20vQ2u5G6j0NM4pSVpSPp_3QWlil_ivAz3v4QR4LcgqLFE8N918AhYnVIwAMbINupG0HamscwzoUWKWskeddnx3WRpWHuks0poU85Bdk/s320/DSC_0331.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max still had to climb in and explore. </td></tr>
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The trail only takes a few minutes and then it was on to the Ape Caves a short way down the road.<br />
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Last time we came, we had snacks, a few dollar store lanterns and optimism. This time, we came a little more prepared with lights and cameras that might work.<br />
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The entrance is along the middle of the lava tube. It was discovered in the fifties after the roof caved in and a guy on a tractor almost drove into it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU6vyyzpybSZBW9UVMriaLpZgR3MJFP8x8zFXIz9-lJvhCmImch9ZEos_F7AkF36L7Q2a7QGvkBNTwB0x7q5zzOdLwedSrbgv84mAflNPPC8Cdu9EpgrYTBLpuefLy92fup14arLhBuc/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU6vyyzpybSZBW9UVMriaLpZgR3MJFP8x8zFXIz9-lJvhCmImch9ZEos_F7AkF36L7Q2a7QGvkBNTwB0x7q5zzOdLwedSrbgv84mAflNPPC8Cdu9EpgrYTBLpuefLy92fup14arLhBuc/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily they have made some improvements.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxSNrKU2K6kA4BVDUNRO6sDOSnqbOcMM1g6NYtu4QAu-KF1tt9rgMGic8RWu-DiNsb5qU3toM9TSxZg0qlSrZXpC6y2BCuk1zKegODfuI2EOpk38z8_SMXu_MxwGvWS2gJl3ihsWssTQ/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxSNrKU2K6kA4BVDUNRO6sDOSnqbOcMM1g6NYtu4QAu-KF1tt9rgMGic8RWu-DiNsb5qU3toM9TSxZg0qlSrZXpC6y2BCuk1zKegODfuI2EOpk38z8_SMXu_MxwGvWS2gJl3ihsWssTQ/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily not too many though. </td></tr>
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The tubes were formed with fast moving lava cooled on the outer surface of a flow,but the inner part stayed hot an fluid. The lava inside kept moving until the tube emptied.<br />
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Time for a walk inside.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZyjJ3esfNQjHsMmQlDcRgZ9s3WLO39MU5VbbvABweLahYmz0-Druw2iCPB-aC9m3Yw4ZCeeQDhKak5s8d2ooyON3V6clHBwW0j-bHD2mSGwMGtoMivkwZtvwDVKKbmSJICjJQb4elfI/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZyjJ3esfNQjHsMmQlDcRgZ9s3WLO39MU5VbbvABweLahYmz0-Druw2iCPB-aC9m3Yw4ZCeeQDhKak5s8d2ooyON3V6clHBwW0j-bHD2mSGwMGtoMivkwZtvwDVKKbmSJICjJQb4elfI/s320/DSC_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upon entering, there is a dark pit below.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dXi33l4EOuQW0XaPL0a_kVfrnFTVZ9nUcgj3dUBECR1UxPLVIXaop2k5JEPh7xQJyPWQNdzql0-tggBm80wWPX8hSZha3-KA09xh_PkNUGs9HJbuoOdPNYqsAmLHiHQMhysAazowqac/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dXi33l4EOuQW0XaPL0a_kVfrnFTVZ9nUcgj3dUBECR1UxPLVIXaop2k5JEPh7xQJyPWQNdzql0-tggBm80wWPX8hSZha3-KA09xh_PkNUGs9HJbuoOdPNYqsAmLHiHQMhysAazowqac/s320/DSC_0337.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are stairs leading down into the tube. That's the last improvement</td></tr>
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Then it was down into the lower Ape Cave proper.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtkVvH5a1RCdN7x5M6KgrOpR6rnLqXAlwJJkKxkNQpt8ZcgjZ-2Y9jB5PoEtmmmVNw4ySfBFk6PWpxZPvkaV35a1Qw1TlRL2yaiFDQd9uHaCabGLo5Htcn-n-ASKCraWXSGjncfStO88/s1600/DSC_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtkVvH5a1RCdN7x5M6KgrOpR6rnLqXAlwJJkKxkNQpt8ZcgjZ-2Y9jB5PoEtmmmVNw4ySfBFk6PWpxZPvkaV35a1Qw1TlRL2yaiFDQd9uHaCabGLo5Htcn-n-ASKCraWXSGjncfStO88/s320/DSC_0338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In some places it is pretty big. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalYM9m4MS0Y6sKPxOlJqZpWbGfjGIaO32JJAsA3_84-c3pkENILNwUxNPUnxn9eVUmD-_f25eqKpDQHnYJT9i_swq459_2b2wTqK5_Gx0lJaZsQ1TmplO8l4BtpTyQUx0B6UdWkRywkQ/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalYM9m4MS0Y6sKPxOlJqZpWbGfjGIaO32JJAsA3_84-c3pkENILNwUxNPUnxn9eVUmD-_f25eqKpDQHnYJT9i_swq459_2b2wTqK5_Gx0lJaZsQ1TmplO8l4BtpTyQUx0B6UdWkRywkQ/s320/DSC_0343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They boys had a great time. They loved lights out.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IT7vG9RUZJ8HkUtXREdupiRHJi7WFBldGze5H-a2RHc092gwZZLv0C0PiJluYnTal1cRPeB6p8FlrvuYkUKKBK7HChTg5WCygYpzFONLlWGeeX0LbQeex5RWJweZxYZ_lcJOZdSvAUE/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IT7vG9RUZJ8HkUtXREdupiRHJi7WFBldGze5H-a2RHc092gwZZLv0C0PiJluYnTal1cRPeB6p8FlrvuYkUKKBK7HChTg5WCygYpzFONLlWGeeX0LbQeex5RWJweZxYZ_lcJOZdSvAUE/s320/DSC_0344.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture shows how wet it was. There was a constant drip of water from the roof.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzIFX7ekasyV2F7R9sd_NoRN6T0eMzKeWW-XGCj3u3I4ylHElUz3qgQWRngHh14gg87rO-_nIZhF0wJaTPKBQSFK8aVmiqnXiFhE3CIVGB_7EdjLv_4WJarhTaWtHjAwzxBhDx6egS5o/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzIFX7ekasyV2F7R9sd_NoRN6T0eMzKeWW-XGCj3u3I4ylHElUz3qgQWRngHh14gg87rO-_nIZhF0wJaTPKBQSFK8aVmiqnXiFhE3CIVGB_7EdjLv_4WJarhTaWtHjAwzxBhDx6egS5o/s320/DSC_0345.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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These pictures came out pretty well. There wasn't much light, despite what we brought. So, most of the pictures turned out like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_FYnVdjH_krQ7g81aXnAqBx8rPXHyorYVfj8j89E8tOuZyDuCTi6TZuIkJZS5tkPTSUAXoSkfjZF0v4sNB2-CLFy4rQFc4Zbom91nQhw74vhNVf_qnbREa67XUYj1MQ2y2eqRw-ylQ/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_FYnVdjH_krQ7g81aXnAqBx8rPXHyorYVfj8j89E8tOuZyDuCTi6TZuIkJZS5tkPTSUAXoSkfjZF0v4sNB2-CLFy4rQFc4Zbom91nQhw74vhNVf_qnbREa67XUYj1MQ2y2eqRw-ylQ/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But sometimes there were cool rock formations. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVzuMHFZeBJ36GlBs7xCCFYIOnXoV9nlePPXYUMMxJOrGHXcFGIfqR75Vg6jYfB9u0DdOuKSdL9VKxVyhU0nCuurQiCHs2eN0Xihy4H_cVCyoe_TnZy4JTqscM6t4nFZO08wh2-Law_c/s1600/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVzuMHFZeBJ36GlBs7xCCFYIOnXoV9nlePPXYUMMxJOrGHXcFGIfqR75Vg6jYfB9u0DdOuKSdL9VKxVyhU0nCuurQiCHs2eN0Xihy4H_cVCyoe_TnZy4JTqscM6t4nFZO08wh2-Law_c/s320/DSC_0350.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2FqxnaRh8kgyxddAz0L57zK_H47XUgyNvZkW7wVILWFmo0KSyQSBK5coqrWqpapLiDosSVuSJNiaCD0abf9hpHGxx7bR5LkyL9T13WqT1hgZH9KjsYWdEKmQVxugUjFTwWE4K_2mur4/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2FqxnaRh8kgyxddAz0L57zK_H47XUgyNvZkW7wVILWFmo0KSyQSBK5coqrWqpapLiDosSVuSJNiaCD0abf9hpHGxx7bR5LkyL9T13WqT1hgZH9KjsYWdEKmQVxugUjFTwWE4K_2mur4/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFzwPXZt0-iOm4ScI8Ry4ULnj6H_FMmChVVu12lQSD6t3bYzN8xJgGh6hyphenhyphenBjXbmNuWEezXl5Ak3pTSFFJcN9Yu_yHGBOjXqKx3ScN66w0tGmHo7OGZRy4ZtcVf6QbD1eWnfobXCP3AE4/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFzwPXZt0-iOm4ScI8Ry4ULnj6H_FMmChVVu12lQSD6t3bYzN8xJgGh6hyphenhyphenBjXbmNuWEezXl5Ak3pTSFFJcN9Yu_yHGBOjXqKx3ScN66w0tGmHo7OGZRy4ZtcVf6QbD1eWnfobXCP3AE4/s320/DSC_0352.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OkWM1nXGyDgiByjmcAHP4Ft0PmSGMTkCkjxJeIGA69huLVmBFr2If3UrOG12MO5EkerS3kfwBgdPioGy_S3aeqKytSYJL1BA-6HhYLzlw8Ur2sCdRvEgTb96wdAoDapbQpXIJodZoH8/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OkWM1nXGyDgiByjmcAHP4Ft0PmSGMTkCkjxJeIGA69huLVmBFr2If3UrOG12MO5EkerS3kfwBgdPioGy_S3aeqKytSYJL1BA-6HhYLzlw8Ur2sCdRvEgTb96wdAoDapbQpXIJodZoH8/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I imagine little dwarves commuting over the bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRARI11W09LYFNoRo2ljwlJZMfSrqutMyTqRkajGIEcYhZQmeYvbw5nfMT7_mzHvjfPJWtaZ1y1c1LUT0VddYutsJ517eDTpreQn1Pwv71SEcJw0aReIgts3eqaRtNl22_Y-qePb57Y/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRARI11W09LYFNoRo2ljwlJZMfSrqutMyTqRkajGIEcYhZQmeYvbw5nfMT7_mzHvjfPJWtaZ1y1c1LUT0VddYutsJ517eDTpreQn1Pwv71SEcJw0aReIgts3eqaRtNl22_Y-qePb57Y/s320/DSC_0354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And little ledges for kids to scamper down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZkH_CJtNRwCwKDpto_aTXxk5Nj7tzapazd48VudqqjdnPYRLq-hTdqdgab9cIiqY9hyphenhyphen41jmO0fCpCZVnXbevCv3yY-7bict4LD-aNiCIB1W3IWuwfk26bc3MhjMrtx3DVL-XUUwdC3M/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZkH_CJtNRwCwKDpto_aTXxk5Nj7tzapazd48VudqqjdnPYRLq-hTdqdgab9cIiqY9hyphenhyphen41jmO0fCpCZVnXbevCv3yY-7bict4LD-aNiCIB1W3IWuwfk26bc3MhjMrtx3DVL-XUUwdC3M/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a few small openings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMk5pTcjdaaRnxSTS0fJ13ZArKjorB0dMOIyQ4gVK5WjdIb_EA4H-Zri4Zn2JgHXkeJt2zpSoK7Hvhc2r5I6GDa_1eHdexojGRmFL2PfGnr-fiqYKKJNGyEtHoSal2Ooh9v2jJ6rZPAQ/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMk5pTcjdaaRnxSTS0fJ13ZArKjorB0dMOIyQ4gVK5WjdIb_EA4H-Zri4Zn2JgHXkeJt2zpSoK7Hvhc2r5I6GDa_1eHdexojGRmFL2PfGnr-fiqYKKJNGyEtHoSal2Ooh9v2jJ6rZPAQ/s320/DSC_0357.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we found a bigger one and it sparkled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmRVDgJZzKMnWQ6aDzDLiI8ooasOnUGS4V7lOMWI4lmvi_UyqJQbBHkFsbfXXdierQia2zigBV_J2Vnp-f3RRGpgQc53qSCvKubrE9jbIovZIRtUBX9OiLluUzOLwXu8MT-u9AeKHXuM/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmRVDgJZzKMnWQ6aDzDLiI8ooasOnUGS4V7lOMWI4lmvi_UyqJQbBHkFsbfXXdierQia2zigBV_J2Vnp-f3RRGpgQc53qSCvKubrE9jbIovZIRtUBX9OiLluUzOLwXu8MT-u9AeKHXuM/s320/DSC_0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely and you can see tons of little sparkles on the walls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6UEjStoRSBRVZkw4ArCpmQ7F1biRkvSAsD6vQR8M-locB1DhUbkwJcbLwGD1gLSpSp4HjZD4gMKG8Xj6CqKAlAOWdmDxD67Kh4FIbLvcx_IGWtAIJ-Ip5tPmnoC1fmnPSA7WdYdRO6M/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6UEjStoRSBRVZkw4ArCpmQ7F1biRkvSAsD6vQR8M-locB1DhUbkwJcbLwGD1gLSpSp4HjZD4gMKG8Xj6CqKAlAOWdmDxD67Kh4FIbLvcx_IGWtAIJ-Ip5tPmnoC1fmnPSA7WdYdRO6M/s320/DSC_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The different minerals sparkled with different colors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually we made it down toward the end where the tunnel tapers down. Some places are large enough to drive a bus through.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZF6pgMZFi5ifAyPOTVLCpUY4bISh8B8LazAayIsquaBjplxWoV6O-csiYS90320oJdNwH4W60zlPKYMuvaq6dZTTtJqazhLRi68scUIVMvQmHCOxpEL0DmcOTE410ePczpagJ7ikR54/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZF6pgMZFi5ifAyPOTVLCpUY4bISh8B8LazAayIsquaBjplxWoV6O-csiYS90320oJdNwH4W60zlPKYMuvaq6dZTTtJqazhLRi68scUIVMvQmHCOxpEL0DmcOTE410ePczpagJ7ikR54/s320/DSC_0362.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some are smaller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06A0Ysps73fSafXDycRPocdxW_wbuQfwVCC20jy2z34yb_TUSkWfP5jIJltMBYeBO5aEMI1-x8Y0MPBNt1gpV37CcB_bPmaUXqyqzOkjomaNwS7bEBwa5CcNBXAQlFbjvBiDOgurRpIY/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06A0Ysps73fSafXDycRPocdxW_wbuQfwVCC20jy2z34yb_TUSkWfP5jIJltMBYeBO5aEMI1-x8Y0MPBNt1gpV37CcB_bPmaUXqyqzOkjomaNwS7bEBwa5CcNBXAQlFbjvBiDOgurRpIY/s320/DSC_0363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, smaller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQB0juxkXe3M9h86F2mz093DD7SauQnizl4RogD5Yo6HgXFEpGoTqoDzcTuuoG-P_goqiiMMhYjwozB3glC4YvhSg3yS5iiKRuSgAkIlBLs0GnIGAw_Lx5NJXUhT_WJXcc6miYilzi4/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWQB0juxkXe3M9h86F2mz093DD7SauQnizl4RogD5Yo6HgXFEpGoTqoDzcTuuoG-P_goqiiMMhYjwozB3glC4YvhSg3yS5iiKRuSgAkIlBLs0GnIGAw_Lx5NJXUhT_WJXcc6miYilzi4/s320/DSC_0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way smaller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLElUBlsJwdu0ib2F_QeJqjsLmppCl0U3CMD_71wzT5-0ng1TM2tiWR5jHhsYMOXNtpnV7JJkPYV2rd4fqzM1s30Z8BBtWP7EQpiH8zYA5VGVd-u-gAHkcyYA_ZEoj55iQOp_rXTJYLr4/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLElUBlsJwdu0ib2F_QeJqjsLmppCl0U3CMD_71wzT5-0ng1TM2tiWR5jHhsYMOXNtpnV7JJkPYV2rd4fqzM1s30Z8BBtWP7EQpiH8zYA5VGVd-u-gAHkcyYA_ZEoj55iQOp_rXTJYLr4/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And cold and damp enough to see your breath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first time we came, it wasn't as wet and the boys and I belly-crawled all the way to the end. This time we turned around and went back to the entrance.<br />
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But, unlike last time, we went a little into the upper cave. The lower cave is pretty tame. The floors are mostly flat and there aren't any real holes. The upper cave has cave ins, holes, rock tumbles and even a lava falls.<br />
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We didn't have time to go far and we didn't get to go all the way to the lava fall. Darn it all. I guess we will just have to go back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftzX5HGyjt7xcUQYDOYXp9mlerLpqSxUvb-YOsgCME8hVwweY0MI1TcPTCWMom81YpOKEzZbHzNQQLiz5izoyMIMv3fOZlpO7ofI2RgkqgY99qmiqfWrzJqfDqUSrb9DmgZH-NqAgwo0/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftzX5HGyjt7xcUQYDOYXp9mlerLpqSxUvb-YOsgCME8hVwweY0MI1TcPTCWMom81YpOKEzZbHzNQQLiz5izoyMIMv3fOZlpO7ofI2RgkqgY99qmiqfWrzJqfDqUSrb9DmgZH-NqAgwo0/s320/DSC_0384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back up to the land of light. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Happy Mother's day Sweetie. You're the bestest in the whole universe infinity I win.<br />
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-86015955654678126112017-05-03T22:03:00.003-07:002017-05-05T22:19:49.268-07:00Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.<br />
<br />
Yeah, <br />
<br />
<br />
I know, I know. It's been busy. I haven't abandoned the place, but is sure is dusty.<br />
<br />
<br />
We are still homesteading in Washington. We have goats, chickens, ducks, a little bit of a lot. Things are keeping me really busy these days. <br />
<br />
<br />
We got rid of one problem vehicle, the Subaru and are working on selling our beloved IRV. The place has wheels for a reason. If they aren't rolling, they're wasting away. Someone should use him.<br />
<br />
I had an idea for a book that I am working on in the spare minutes I find, which is keeping me from blogging as much as I usually might. <br />
<br />
But fear not. Work progresses apace. I shall return.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPwtd3YeryzVGLX6tLpujKBFNsLlFrFnrOanb68FNrlrGarT4w6UokYRoGVzK6X9n8kJA0k1PwC2coyjMFXgu-cyhsIEJBWgMh79_QFq_M-y88UW4hry1xnnPr7_ldCW-qdk-gzibF4E/s1600/20170330_015957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPwtd3YeryzVGLX6tLpujKBFNsLlFrFnrOanb68FNrlrGarT4w6UokYRoGVzK6X9n8kJA0k1PwC2coyjMFXgu-cyhsIEJBWgMh79_QFq_M-y88UW4hry1xnnPr7_ldCW-qdk-gzibF4E/s320/20170330_015957.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First night in the goat shed. The boys didn't wan them to be lonely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlQz4dpuSS50mZ1pIs82Y7HgpjxVLBewmo92ITrPk3tAc3swA56A0FhiNeej2ti4ZVy-61oMFL0zai2o7oOssqdx3IrCIYz51XXIJ73tuHKWZLoLShkpofrL__zkZv29O1UsEYTJhKPA/s1600/20170330_123051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlQz4dpuSS50mZ1pIs82Y7HgpjxVLBewmo92ITrPk3tAc3swA56A0FhiNeej2ti4ZVy-61oMFL0zai2o7oOssqdx3IrCIYz51XXIJ73tuHKWZLoLShkpofrL__zkZv29O1UsEYTJhKPA/s320/20170330_123051.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were only four days old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3HGpRAzrf22zYyu2CHpx-Tl1vNOo5MuuJ6H0ZwemMKKKHqmSmccHzSphVnMoouNoNM_CKzQMBooy3X45X-2aY_cbVNb18e5IZ_EIvDoHXfJiJzxvqSSySBErhrS3ctzgOQppYTMbhsA/s1600/20170415_144138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3HGpRAzrf22zYyu2CHpx-Tl1vNOo5MuuJ6H0ZwemMKKKHqmSmccHzSphVnMoouNoNM_CKzQMBooy3X45X-2aY_cbVNb18e5IZ_EIvDoHXfJiJzxvqSSySBErhrS3ctzgOQppYTMbhsA/s320/20170415_144138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have become more comfortable in their new home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had to build some fencing for the goats. Chicken wire only slows them down for a few days.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB8AUJSrtVwQ3rPBw-Ia-A-qzZn-F3rDTZoxNrVHt1Z8C2VLjzjZKTwXPjSX4Kg9ORr8KQiotWdgjjQ4uoTh76Wss4jQDIpAzngmybljYWExKGn0TRMjjVjd4XEwUaXLFRebLFt5ZGgc/s1600/20170416_124510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB8AUJSrtVwQ3rPBw-Ia-A-qzZn-F3rDTZoxNrVHt1Z8C2VLjzjZKTwXPjSX4Kg9ORr8KQiotWdgjjQ4uoTh76Wss4jQDIpAzngmybljYWExKGn0TRMjjVjd4XEwUaXLFRebLFt5ZGgc/s320/20170416_124510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max had to see what his voice sounded like in the post hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5v0uQUVhObpq1Z9eq4JvkQ1OR2RdMtwJ9v-YH0j7BEPctYJC3y-fSP7vFPS1DQmqBRwcmO0jNtmoiMnT9gKRrXCBWwQ5Zpf2FlBuuQa72ISQ3J1wHORKE-HmG37oESUN93NtaNB3O6g/s1600/20170416_124536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5v0uQUVhObpq1Z9eq4JvkQ1OR2RdMtwJ9v-YH0j7BEPctYJC3y-fSP7vFPS1DQmqBRwcmO0jNtmoiMnT9gKRrXCBWwQ5Zpf2FlBuuQa72ISQ3J1wHORKE-HmG37oESUN93NtaNB3O6g/s320/20170416_124536.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micheal too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnbAcvDB88zif5XFbACNo5ClunDy3SF8NPyipMI1sr39YlwQ6Xhmruah1z2XVswGg2_sZHN3koCh2XygHM-B0I_9ChEoXMWP_hFC71ivU4SgLSprMIAdChet2Nu_RfRHL1tmhLfkUQLY/s1600/20170416_153933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnbAcvDB88zif5XFbACNo5ClunDy3SF8NPyipMI1sr39YlwQ6Xhmruah1z2XVswGg2_sZHN3koCh2XygHM-B0I_9ChEoXMWP_hFC71ivU4SgLSprMIAdChet2Nu_RfRHL1tmhLfkUQLY/s320/20170416_153933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta hold your mouth just right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMTTRPR1tI8-bY3F9ZbpMKhf3oiAKSLD4ORlNWbXwx_aMe_9pN7kTnaL2TL6xRsQxk1faJoOAs2tFoXG5whEWtbvmMxCnqafam6W4saW4XLq6JCIVr6DBv_XsOgqHiE2MFVd9lDucIUQ/s1600/20170425_113140-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMTTRPR1tI8-bY3F9ZbpMKhf3oiAKSLD4ORlNWbXwx_aMe_9pN7kTnaL2TL6xRsQxk1faJoOAs2tFoXG5whEWtbvmMxCnqafam6W4saW4XLq6JCIVr6DBv_XsOgqHiE2MFVd9lDucIUQ/s320/20170425_113140-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention the ducks?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgwoALjx5qBdG06D5VInP48_VLuTf4uBI5pw0AiR0ha795GQBny3nYJJSS4RsN2n_cgdCEAiG8fFKqSFu6nbOVx80RO8czoWc7QSIe1GddbTrRlSsJGGc_2CnKyMC23tMY7vi5-v6SSg/s1600/20170427_114635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgwoALjx5qBdG06D5VInP48_VLuTf4uBI5pw0AiR0ha795GQBny3nYJJSS4RsN2n_cgdCEAiG8fFKqSFu6nbOVx80RO8czoWc7QSIe1GddbTrRlSsJGGc_2CnKyMC23tMY7vi5-v6SSg/s320/20170427_114635.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone showed up on our doorstep with a mama and ten babies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVqGVkhZoMT-lJ1HkKefBgtqJwDjnyYCDFN-WUNNuEbaX8HWyKGZqgtnV58hxFOop5t8QNQlCCAPpQqwc3RLLK2QZ-kaxAoPBdi6nnanwM2_6O05D727qLAO8DDUOtcfr_-hv3TdKSWE/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVqGVkhZoMT-lJ1HkKefBgtqJwDjnyYCDFN-WUNNuEbaX8HWyKGZqgtnV58hxFOop5t8QNQlCCAPpQqwc3RLLK2QZ-kaxAoPBdi6nnanwM2_6O05D727qLAO8DDUOtcfr_-hv3TdKSWE/s320/DSC_0303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother goats <i>can be</i> cute</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2j9J6Cv975DcupzIj0Nn6-2S39Z224n6M4t0f95W39uhC4XxPn0ZhZW1olcCKgCZi0JQap79vVG-kYC1oYJys11u5X6zhv3mt5BgyLFaOK8oGKvVQvPn9skM4sjzvwtAFOTD5dQSsDE/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2j9J6Cv975DcupzIj0Nn6-2S39Z224n6M4t0f95W39uhC4XxPn0ZhZW1olcCKgCZi0JQap79vVG-kYC1oYJys11u5X6zhv3mt5BgyLFaOK8oGKvVQvPn9skM4sjzvwtAFOTD5dQSsDE/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention the chickens? Seven chickens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yeah, things have been busy.<br />
<br />
Life on the farm.<br />
<br />
<br />
Michael has hijacked the post. I have been procrastinating for months telling..uh... you guys, that we(I) got a new pet (drumroll please) Socks<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmMEZpD6lIKYBFbnhKbL71g-Z77AfVSB69QFq9oGV5pHT8Lx305LGFeXNO8D_rJxlEtWfeadL7j3FXAXUMPydB1inPziRqsYN40DUCLLUPf9KQb2UZ4qZjYPNbFt8JcBLKggDsgOpw9Y/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmMEZpD6lIKYBFbnhKbL71g-Z77AfVSB69QFq9oGV5pHT8Lx305LGFeXNO8D_rJxlEtWfeadL7j3FXAXUMPydB1inPziRqsYN40DUCLLUPf9KQb2UZ4qZjYPNbFt8JcBLKggDsgOpw9Y/s640/DSC_0225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">she is a cat...obviously</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
she was a christmas kitten and is a nutjob, dedicated solely to the destruction of my brother<br />
<br />
<br />
we dont have enough pictures of her but I have trained her to come and sit on command and walk on a leash.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
on an unfortunate darker note the death counts of the ducks are a 6 and chickens 1<br />
<br />
R.I.P duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck and guenevere <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-60411071609933623722017-03-26T12:32:00.000-07:002017-03-26T12:32:00.205-07:00Homeschooling Life Skills: BudgetI wanted to start a series of blog posts for homeschoolers and perhaps even for parents that just want their kids to be prepared for the world when it smacks them upside their face.<br />
<br />
And it will, we all know this.<br />
<br />
I polled many of my Facebook people and asked what they wished their parents had taught them when they were young and that helped build my list of topics. One of the highest on the list was money. How do we deal with money?<br />
<br />
So, here's what I did.<br />
<br />
Today's subject was Michael. Michael is ten, almost eleven. I thought he would be a better candidate than Max, who at eight, sees money only as a way to get more toys. His turn is coming. <br />
<br />
Thanks Michael, for being the oldest child I can experiment on.<br />
<br />
I asked Michael to pick an occupation. I told him it wasn't a life choice, just something we could use for a lesson.<br />
<br />
He couldn't think of anything. So, we had a brainstorming session. I had him think of ten or so occupations he could see himself doing, which was easier. Then, he picked one.<br />
<br />
Animal trainer.<br />
<br />
Sounds like a good choice, fitting for his personality.<br />
<br />
We looked it up on the Occupational Outlook Handbook. If you don't know about his little gem, you're welcome. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/animal-care-and-service-workers.htm" target="_blank">Animal Trainer</a><br />
<br />
The median pay for an animal trainer is $21,260 per year. I subtracted ten percent for taxes (I am a generous overlord) and divided that number by twelve.<br />
<br />
We had a monthly income.<br />
<br />
Next, I asked him where he wanted to live. He decided Seattle was a good location. So, I had him look up one bedroom and efficiency apartments in Seattle. This was a great time to talk about room mates and the problems and benefits of living with someone.<br />
<br />
Next came transportation, groceries, insurance and so on. He realized pretty quickly that he couldn't afford a car on that paycheck in that apartment. So, he decided a bicycle and a bus pass were the way to go.<br />
<br />
We worked the budget with some basics. The real lesson was about to happen.<br />
<br />
Next, I asked him to look up another occupation he had mentioned in the brainstorming session.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm" target="_blank">Computer Programmer</a><br />
<br />
The median annual pay for a programmer is a bit better at $79,530. I subtracted twenty percent for taxes (I am a benevolent overlord, but also somewhat realistic) and divided by twelve for a new monthly income.<br />
<br />
Michael said he could probably afford three cars if he wanted them.<br />
<br />
Then he noticed something. The education requirement for a computer programmer was a Bachelor's degree minimum. The animal trainer didn't require a degree.<br />
<br />
Hmmm.<br />
<br />
So we looked up some other professions, nurse, doctor, accountant. And he discovered that the more education you had, the more you likely made.<br />
<br />
Suddenly there was new light shed on all that math and science stuff we keep trying to teach him.<br />
<br />
Then, we had a talk about value. Is it better to do something you love and get paid less or something you might not love and get paid more? Is there something that you think sounds fun that pays well? <br />
<br />
<br />
It was a good lesson, I think.<br />
<br />
Round one in the books. <br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-55472675955726290852017-03-06T13:38:00.001-08:002017-03-06T13:38:38.150-08:00Still goingJust a bit more slowly.<br />
<br />
Turns out the frenetic pace of getting the siding done before the rains started and getting the truck fixed before Sarah started yoga teacher training really takes it out of you. Oh yeah, and winter here sucks about this time of the year. One dreary, rainy day after another. The only thing that sounds like a good idea is staying in bed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-8ojWW2mXnlw0Qr5dyLNLFWCy3s35z9SGjHdFNU7UvKesBtIrOuEkAziZPQ0i-A78a-aAdqgEDwu3soPMar9jZyfYpGzJN7ocP9QDff4DIAse1o2Q9AOvsWeHrA-eh9ix3F_4vfVw6E/s1600/20170306_124412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-8ojWW2mXnlw0Qr5dyLNLFWCy3s35z9SGjHdFNU7UvKesBtIrOuEkAziZPQ0i-A78a-aAdqgEDwu3soPMar9jZyfYpGzJN7ocP9QDff4DIAse1o2Q9AOvsWeHrA-eh9ix3F_4vfVw6E/s320/20170306_124412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy, snowy, po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Motivation has been lacking. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9tqMbRwapy_s7PU5EbotVZdqa-iA-BTr3ElT7ZvvuLRph6bO_KZZi-tPyqxhI_Kzte2785JcqVhkU4_NKoD53rXyO573jzD61lyFO1dcKWZah8-8kWGMAywXKkotgQ_SxS0mQ7mRo8k/s1600/20170305_161032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9tqMbRwapy_s7PU5EbotVZdqa-iA-BTr3ElT7ZvvuLRph6bO_KZZi-tPyqxhI_Kzte2785JcqVhkU4_NKoD53rXyO573jzD61lyFO1dcKWZah8-8kWGMAywXKkotgQ_SxS0mQ7mRo8k/s320/20170305_161032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some</i> motivation has been lacking. Some has been just fine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some small things are still getting done though. We are still working.<br />
<br />
<br />
Spring is right around the corner and we have lots of plans. It is about time to start some things that will be cool for summer.<br />
<br />
So, after a rest period, things are still going.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKbtTxfFk4D1gmr70o5-Xy2EiJfn-H7JSA_O_R0LaJwsIWvCJy5jllcC_qKZrKGryukFQR3673giBLbgoVwB6_8NtiuFuTXyscKs-D036ouHFRd4iy9BuhmZFoStGK1AV1ttaX_oV1aY/s1600/20170305_141214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKbtTxfFk4D1gmr70o5-Xy2EiJfn-H7JSA_O_R0LaJwsIWvCJy5jllcC_qKZrKGryukFQR3673giBLbgoVwB6_8NtiuFuTXyscKs-D036ouHFRd4iy9BuhmZFoStGK1AV1ttaX_oV1aY/s320/20170305_141214.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our neighbors gave us some golden and red raspberry starts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzTOC2YAocD5B8omRWBGjJlndt5CfcCChJDNbcKaXQSmadWkVDl5msHr2gsbv-uuvi7DUFE8dr6OPMoD3OhOXGytM6jgNzW5r7xZPqMSAOzlO13emqJ6kf79bHRkid03O5zDwTSkJ5pA/s1600/20170305_141222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzTOC2YAocD5B8omRWBGjJlndt5CfcCChJDNbcKaXQSmadWkVDl5msHr2gsbv-uuvi7DUFE8dr6OPMoD3OhOXGytM6jgNzW5r7xZPqMSAOzlO13emqJ6kf79bHRkid03O5zDwTSkJ5pA/s320/20170305_141222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dug a trench, coated the bottom with compost, and planted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DTvavuF9T0bvZI_t-NUXdmS2dPFulP8ohMmzPksTMoZ8nRIbtt8bYwH9OdduyKjZdopmxaCsWmfv4YzbBDCChr4bpTcawS99XeEY4QkqD8tkddanGrvguSKhS9-UerpdWECerrBO_HA/s1600/20170305_141225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DTvavuF9T0bvZI_t-NUXdmS2dPFulP8ohMmzPksTMoZ8nRIbtt8bYwH9OdduyKjZdopmxaCsWmfv4YzbBDCChr4bpTcawS99XeEY4QkqD8tkddanGrvguSKhS9-UerpdWECerrBO_HA/s320/20170305_141225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cardboard is to keep the grass and weeds from growing up around them. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fingers crossed for yummy raspberries.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53Lyav6BfZobYY1YcgTqe-1sIoRVmrrys4vqkJelfCykDdM7UlsxCvd7QbUov0qQpphRgmC0gC1PYJ1wyMLs_wuZFmTYm4L7AbzwBbh9f2hg9LrYHSx_Hg67DdIQsG0sUECw6Ij41yIY/s1600/20170306_124354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53Lyav6BfZobYY1YcgTqe-1sIoRVmrrys4vqkJelfCykDdM7UlsxCvd7QbUov0qQpphRgmC0gC1PYJ1wyMLs_wuZFmTYm4L7AbzwBbh9f2hg9LrYHSx_Hg67DdIQsG0sUECw6Ij41yIY/s320/20170306_124354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael got some walls. A good start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hopefully we can get some garden prep-work done. I'll keep posting.<br />
<br />
Winter is long.<br />
<br />
<br />
Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-69065878451078522172017-02-14T17:17:00.001-08:002017-02-14T17:17:33.677-08:00That was nice.Enough work. Time to get outside. <br />
<br />
It's been too long. <br />
<br />
Tumwater falls and some spring rain. Enjoy the pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV61JazGWxkHKE-SHgQiEHIV6BPMRvOm-QeU5FuKpq2qtBW_QskRFiMlu_KWyqic1JPO0to6MEkgqU5VXxbC3zW-zjA5BShvJW77UHIMNlicf6aRldRyr8_DyPT2UD3VGA5sO9VCxH_PQ/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV61JazGWxkHKE-SHgQiEHIV6BPMRvOm-QeU5FuKpq2qtBW_QskRFiMlu_KWyqic1JPO0to6MEkgqU5VXxbC3zW-zjA5BShvJW77UHIMNlicf6aRldRyr8_DyPT2UD3VGA5sO9VCxH_PQ/s320/DSC_0253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But first, our barn cat Smokey dressed in the pelts of her enemies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-3p4KDcz0KisqBrGvja2BEXykUVmGLEUcBmmikr7iCKVZee1DWNqDa0R8M7o954Wl8kcl59zDXVMgsV5g_Pbc-G3jbOl-x8khEF0aBAwPxGiKJebmJYk2nHU8sJnzda-I1d_kKFELUQ/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-3p4KDcz0KisqBrGvja2BEXykUVmGLEUcBmmikr7iCKVZee1DWNqDa0R8M7o954Wl8kcl59zDXVMgsV5g_Pbc-G3jbOl-x8khEF0aBAwPxGiKJebmJYk2nHU8sJnzda-I1d_kKFELUQ/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water is up a little compared to last time we were here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJMIHKR0F2_180la_sl8LOgsCCaeAO9h4DmtswZ8KZTcOP8npsgkHFMcyRlHpJwMgd6dR9zSTStVU9y6FGPypdDIiLXRx0PE1yqGIRffnf88ndinvHIU48Y3LbR9s1zTUIZsUXnCxQQo/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJMIHKR0F2_180la_sl8LOgsCCaeAO9h4DmtswZ8KZTcOP8npsgkHFMcyRlHpJwMgd6dR9zSTStVU9y6FGPypdDIiLXRx0PE1yqGIRffnf88ndinvHIU48Y3LbR9s1zTUIZsUXnCxQQo/s320/DSC_0262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First long exposure waterfall of the year. May it not be the last. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPGzjAFdk7zt4FI0rqsrCDiN3Ybqo3_P2FfaQ_VSw2W_XGgruHs-ymB_Cq5XYxTsI2dYoIQVgWoue1tyaDonkGoP0y_qBKL_adl1TVdCBt6Py3DgHM5t-RIFfdChHdEVJEvFyvDusjeU/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPGzjAFdk7zt4FI0rqsrCDiN3Ybqo3_P2FfaQ_VSw2W_XGgruHs-ymB_Cq5XYxTsI2dYoIQVgWoue1tyaDonkGoP0y_qBKL_adl1TVdCBt6Py3DgHM5t-RIFfdChHdEVJEvFyvDusjeU/s320/DSC_0266.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creepers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgNusV6PDVk_vou4IANtqb0vyrjIukKKf8fv5T6SuJeaRh0MOD21_95IqSn5VKu0uDwftDL6rNA-wAsy-JswDtgul0_FpjAStZVKn5L-GiCkuRKYNiBGlfmcUjazwCDIA0n7ofSDghCg/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgNusV6PDVk_vou4IANtqb0vyrjIukKKf8fv5T6SuJeaRh0MOD21_95IqSn5VKu0uDwftDL6rNA-wAsy-JswDtgul0_FpjAStZVKn5L-GiCkuRKYNiBGlfmcUjazwCDIA0n7ofSDghCg/s320/DSC_0267.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river was angry that day my friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWFtTe7zHK5FapgK8-qwczg3Yb6pqnQalosBlelawPwEVxy2t44K2oIn0M2k1QJ5bDiiE7gbodIdMckJ468veYDHqESclCPqOzRPFkEAFL7U5D7MOlPl8myIb0BHGm4TYyE3woZqQXgs/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWFtTe7zHK5FapgK8-qwczg3Yb6pqnQalosBlelawPwEVxy2t44K2oIn0M2k1QJ5bDiiE7gbodIdMckJ468veYDHqESclCPqOzRPFkEAFL7U5D7MOlPl8myIb0BHGm4TYyE3woZqQXgs/s320/DSC_0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caucasian totem pole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VrN3HFRYXZIBsTbmphlNMMuAAkWvXjUW4NksnhZlSTA5yxUdVcX5-y_ZRPm1moLHggMIEQEMZC7hnr8dW4wn0-PN9RjeXAYEPyG1eDan85Z-4Aes7nW4cDrv4trSx_gXXZzT53K49aA/s1600/DSC_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VrN3HFRYXZIBsTbmphlNMMuAAkWvXjUW4NksnhZlSTA5yxUdVcX5-y_ZRPm1moLHggMIEQEMZC7hnr8dW4wn0-PN9RjeXAYEPyG1eDan85Z-4Aes7nW4cDrv4trSx_gXXZzT53K49aA/s320/DSC_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo kid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-31186570334661576002017-02-04T16:46:00.003-08:002017-02-04T16:46:41.062-08:00Writing and other projects<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4910">
Any time I have been engaged in a big project, especially a creative one, I have reached a certain point. </div>
<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4984">
<br /></div>
<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4911">
At
that point, it feels like I can look back and see the starting line way
closer than I hoped. When I look the other direction, there is neither a
finish line nor a guarantee that there even will be one. For all I
know, the path ends after a blind corner and a steep drop. </div>
<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4912">
<br /></div>
<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
It's miserable. </div>
<div id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
I doubt if I can finish the project. And then I go ahead and doubt if it will be worth a damn even if I do manage to finish it. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
I just want to quit. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
There
are a thousand more enjoyable things I could be doing. I could sit
back, pop open a tasty adult beverage and watch TV. I could go see a
movie. I could take videos of the cat and post them on the Internet. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
These
moments, and there are many, are the reason why most people never write
a book or run a marathon, or climb a mountain. Because these things are
hard, really hard. At various times they suck profoundly. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
This is where I try to think about the long game. I think it will hurt more to someday wonder if I could have done than it would to try, even if I fail, and find out. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
So what can you do to get past these times? What can I do?</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
One positive thing. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
One
more word written. Sure it's a terrible word that obviously doesn't go there, but write it anyway. Sure the pace
for that last mile was well behind goal marathon pace and it's only a
five miler, but run it anyway. One positive thing. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
Just
enough to say you are still doing it. And, if it turns into a
full sentence or another mile or another climb, awesome. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
After all, how do you eat an elephant?</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yiv4002696428yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1486182912139_4913">
One bite at a time. </div>
Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-49614456368501891162017-01-22T15:18:00.001-08:002017-06-01T16:00:04.438-07:00Lessons learned.Today I finished putting everything back together after fixing a small coolant leak that was the result of not torquing down a nut well enough.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and I turned the steering wheel back to normal. It looks like I chose well because I went to the stops both ways and got no airbag message. Mostly that was luck.<br />
<br />
I am not a mechanic. This is, by an overwhelming margin, the most ambitious mechanical repair I have ever tried. I'm not quite ready to call it a success yet, but it's close.<br />
<br />
For those of you who might be tempted to try this type of repair yourself, I want to give you some lessons I learned.<br />
<br />
Lesson 1: Mechanics are awesome. If you can afford a mechanic, pay one to do this. There were times during this process that I wanted to blow up the truck, the garage and anything associated with them. There were some extenuating circumstances in my case that made it a little more frustrating, but you'll have your own set of those too, don't worry.<br />
<br />
There are times when you will need special tools, nimble monkey midget fingers and a little bit of magic to get that one bolt or nut on. Mechanics might not have midget monkey fingers, but they have lifts and space and assistants and special tools. Oh yeah, and experience. Mechanics are awesome.<br />
<br />
Lesson 2: You don't have enough tools. Unless you are a mechanic reading all of this for a good laugh, you probably don't have enough tools. If you are a car guy, this will be a great excuse. If you aren't, you will be buying some tools. Perhaps you can get away with renting them, but that has its own problems. When you realize you need the tool it will be a very inconvenient time and cost you a good chunk of your day to get it. This will be very frustrating, especially if you are on a deadline. See Lesson 1.<br />
<br />
Lesson 3: Organization is key. I didn't have the cash to fork out for the <a href="http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/product/GMT07CK8PU-1-2-3-4" target="_blank">shop manual</a> for this truck. Yeah, $500 bucks seemed a little steep. So, I had to organize carefully. For each part I took out, I tried to take a picture of how it went in, label it with white electrical tape and a sharpie, put the bolts in a labeled bin, and wrote it down in a notebook. Tear down took a long time. But, with this organization in place, rebuild went a lot faster. Still, the shop manual would have been nice. You know who would have had a shop manual? See Lesson 1.<br />
<br />
Lesson 4: Take lots of pictures. Even with careful organization, it's easy to get on a roll and forget to take a picture of something. Or label something or write it down. If you take lots of pictures, you might be able to see how it looked before in a picture of something else. I spent some time studying the top right corner of a picture of one things in hopes that I could make out how something else went. See Lesson 1.<br />
<br />
Lesson 5: Read the forums and take their advice. Ask the question. I'll give you an example. The whole steering wheel clock spring thing. I thought that it was related to the thing that causes the wheel to swing back to center. I didn't know what a clock spring was or what it did. So, the idea of running the seat belt through the steering wheel seemed silly to me. I just made sure nobody was in the cab at all and nobody touched the wheel. You know who would have known all about that? See Lesson 1.<br />
<br />
Lesson 6: If you have read this far and still want to do this, screw Lesson 1. You can do this. It will be frustrating, it will be hard, you will invent new curse words. You will also become more confident about your ability and more familiar with your vehicle. BE CAREFUL. Be organized and take lots of pictures. I am a nurse, not a mechanic. I managed. You can too.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you found the write-up helpful, please take a second and consider buying my book. I made it cheap and who knows, you might even like it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Nickel-Eric-Gaden-ebook/dp/B01MZ218U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483849987&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Adventure+Nickel" target="_blank">The Adventure Nickel.</a> Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-80896899749913084502017-01-17T21:24:00.001-08:002017-01-17T21:29:40.012-08:00FINISH HIM!Or her. The truck is named Flo, so yeah. The Mortal Kombat joke kind of falls flat.<br />
<br />
You can learn how Flo got her name in the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Nickel-Eric-Gaden-ebook/dp/B01MZ218U0" target="_blank">new book</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm getting better at this whole product placement thing.<br />
<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
I finally finished everything. I spent yesterday getting the final touches ready. Things like the battery tray and the airbox tray and so on. Once everything was hooked up, I got the batteries put back in and it was ready.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIHXMPv17gJRs5eSHS9liLzRNAm82slD7wpHek8GzPTsYmsbY7ZbAkMBIJmNAbDoHjy5x-VRARxFQsBm9fhizDfxScN63nJfRcElIQ0Yt2ADGWAwgslFxJMk32-8NRQkFcV_p39My4ME/s1600/20170116_160335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIHXMPv17gJRs5eSHS9liLzRNAm82slD7wpHek8GzPTsYmsbY7ZbAkMBIJmNAbDoHjy5x-VRARxFQsBm9fhizDfxScN63nJfRcElIQ0Yt2ADGWAwgslFxJMk32-8NRQkFcV_p39My4ME/s320/20170116_160335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And no real leftover parts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did have one leftover nut of the type that holds brackets onto posts. I didn't see anything loose though.<br />
<br />
So I hopped in and turned the key.<br />
<br />
It turned over.<br />
<br />
No big clangs or bangs, nothing exploded. No explosions in the cylinders either though. It wouldn't start.<br />
<br />
I could tell by listening though, that the batteries had lost quite a bit of oompf sitting on the shelf in the freezing weather. I knew I would have to crank it for a while just to get the fuel back into the system. I cranked and cranked until the battery was essentially dead.<br />
<br />
Nothing.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
I had to go to the auto parts store again and buy a battery charger. I set it up for a slow charge and left it for the night.<br />
<br />
Next day, today, I went out and cranked it over. The batteries were much stronger. Still no start.<br />
<br />
Damn.<br />
<br />
So I hopped out, strapped on the old headlamp and started investigating. I had done lots of research the night before about possible causes of not starting and almost all of them were because fuel pressure wasn't getting built up in the rails enough to open the injectors. So that's where I started the investigation.<br />
<br />
I found a fuel leak. On the driver's side fuel rail, the line that crosses over to the passenger rail had a leak.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKm8c8ZONTbHvQefKrMvZ9XYKL60n1l8FYJ8B43rWVfLiUMMsJKRx8-UXt8kPQg5Xl3qGYbGsMm6hYV3c4ZIt_n39xcwmcc2GD_5f8grZCunhY_r9hQVzn9pq7XMjWBvXkfQDokD6rJY/s1600/20170117_122031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKm8c8ZONTbHvQefKrMvZ9XYKL60n1l8FYJ8B43rWVfLiUMMsJKRx8-UXt8kPQg5Xl3qGYbGsMm6hYV3c4ZIt_n39xcwmcc2GD_5f8grZCunhY_r9hQVzn9pq7XMjWBvXkfQDokD6rJY/s320/20170117_122031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right under that piece of tape I forgot to take off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started pulling things off. Amazingly, I only had to disconnect the blue flex hose, the crossover tube, the super connectors and a few other things. When I could finally reach the connection, I found it was only hand tight.<br />
<br />
How the?<br />
<br />
Weird.<br />
<br />
I fixed it, reassembled everything, and tried again.<br />
<br />
The engine cranked and cranked and cranked and<br />
<br />
<br />
Fired!<br />
<br />
It started up! Nothing exploded or anything. The truck was running again. I shut it down and opened the door to look at the engine. That's when I heard the sound of lots of a liquid hitting the ground.<br />
<br />
Shit.<br />
<br />
I dropped down and looked underneath. On the passenger side, something was pouring onto the ground. I ran over and looked... Diesel. Damn.<br />
<br />
I couldn't see anything actually leaking though. I hopped back into the truck, turned it on, it fired up, and ran back out to see. Fuel was spraying out of the end of the fuel rail, the opposite end of the tub I had just tightened. <br />
<br />
I shut it down, cleaned up the fuel I could reach, and started looking at what had to come off. Unfortunately, it was a lot more this time. The line I needed to reach sat straight under the big fucking metal thing. So much stuff had to come off. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI4mi0SQem0wf-qqOPRv5fKL2f50SocL2yaEcpFX393VINNocgYHD0da0axwJcdlQcYBYoSMaEx1kL7IwMwunbGtG7XAMjHkgH5m5qcFCab40kXdOMZzWrEcLn_kkFBNJp46w-OW3Nqw/s1600/20170117_164530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXI4mi0SQem0wf-qqOPRv5fKL2f50SocL2yaEcpFX393VINNocgYHD0da0axwJcdlQcYBYoSMaEx1kL7IwMwunbGtG7XAMjHkgH5m5qcFCab40kXdOMZzWrEcLn_kkFBNJp46w-OW3Nqw/s320/20170117_164530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, that one in there. Right in the middle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It too was only hand tight. I must have adjusted that one a second time and forgotten to torque it down again. Too many shiny things distracting me.<br />
<br />
Many of the things I had to pull to get to the rail were a pain to get in and out of place. I may have accidentally spilled coolant from the cooler into the crossover tube, contaminating the oil. I'm changing oil and filter again anyway. I just want an hour of runtime or so to corral any contaminants that may have found their way in while everything was open. But, I got it back together and started it up again.<br />
<br />
This time it ran without any leaks I could find. It was late in the day and I had to go to the boy's jiu jitsu class. I will put the wheel shrouds in place tomorrow. I don't think the truck goes back into service until this weekend though. I want a full day to shake it down and check things out.<br />
<br />
I think there will be one more post in this series: Lessons learned. Then, assuming nothing else comes up (HAHAHAHAHAAA) that will be it.<br />
<br />
Whatever will I do with all my free time?<br />
<br />
snicker.<br />
<br />
If you have found this series helpful, please do consider buying <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Nickel-Eric-Gaden-ebook/dp/B01MZ218U0" target="_blank">my book</a>. I priced it at $2.99, which is way less than a 16mm 12-point socket. Ask me how I know.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_V2-YkhhAC0xSS0vib8OiwQA7Zt-Rgh4e9RUmU_2W-7ISjLU-F-W37nNdvDAFYZBDbCw503BOpOA88NM9cQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
This was actually when I found the leak<br />
<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-69582810005096139562017-01-13T17:40:00.001-08:002017-01-13T17:40:21.624-08:00Serious Progress.<a href="http://a.co/1gHpPxx" target="_blank">Book link. </a><br />
<br />
Yeah, every time.<br />
<br />
Man, I got a lot done over the last few days. I thought the rebuild would be the harder part, but it hasn't been as bad as I thought.<br />
<br />
When last we spoke, I had just magicked the y-bridge back together. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-ejCq-JQz62YQgTlJvY-HXqNPL7ywd-d3geKxy-AGJGym_L5zzNUPz0YR_VisPTA0lGSmUdfSsJelYHwgn3eQ_zvYeCejWjh8QS7K-clsq1UkvlqcfHvAbk7r6hwoQ9mln_ImM16OHo/s1600/20170107_175736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-ejCq-JQz62YQgTlJvY-HXqNPL7ywd-d3geKxy-AGJGym_L5zzNUPz0YR_VisPTA0lGSmUdfSsJelYHwgn3eQ_zvYeCejWjh8QS7K-clsq1UkvlqcfHvAbk7r6hwoQ9mln_ImM16OHo/s320/20170107_175736.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't believe in magic, go ahead and try it yourself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Working back out and trying to go in reverse order according to my notebook, it was time to rebuild the fuel system. <br />
<br />
A couple of pointers.<br />
<br />
Don't torque anything until you are sure you have everything where it goes. I forgot to put the bracket that goes on the driver's side common fuel rail and had to pull it off. Take detailed notes, better than mine, about the order in which you removed the fuel lines, it will help.<br />
<br />
Clean everything.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtjKMuANk1FdW8Y5M2E2uT-xymwpqg48VDg-GsG_YDD5QcusRS7DgVIRupuU91zAPL7n7vqGyFRPvrKHogFOoXN-nMrOihk_zLWPsVgzRhqGFTDnYz9eF60nT8ERIJj-cPqaV7kmrJgs/s1600/20170108_140457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtjKMuANk1FdW8Y5M2E2uT-xymwpqg48VDg-GsG_YDD5QcusRS7DgVIRupuU91zAPL7n7vqGyFRPvrKHogFOoXN-nMrOihk_zLWPsVgzRhqGFTDnYz9eF60nT8ERIJj-cPqaV7kmrJgs/s320/20170108_140457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the coolant line to the turbo (the one with tape on it) should be first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Og0mp_oz8xX8UsyihLaenZQZ9MTX32wYpzXhRT_J6fQBzZC-Mdoq-SsPpFh8v_RafYiibNZkXQo2gnmzzYfXyQ0jCcSTuBZ-lp_xRYGBTclqxo87RdQxNV0pahKhDGAgUivKQUryjKA/s1600/20170108_134032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Og0mp_oz8xX8UsyihLaenZQZ9MTX32wYpzXhRT_J6fQBzZC-Mdoq-SsPpFh8v_RafYiibNZkXQo2gnmzzYfXyQ0jCcSTuBZ-lp_xRYGBTclqxo87RdQxNV0pahKhDGAgUivKQUryjKA/s320/20170108_134032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line from the CP3 pump to the driver's side rail is a good next. Note the bracket that attaches with the rail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right about here, the pictures start to get a bit spotty. Two things: First, the lines only go on one way and if you were good about labeling things as you took them off, putting them back on is pretty straight forward. Second, it has been cold here... Really cold. Temperatures inside the garage were probably high twenties. Stopping to take pictures just didn't always occur to me.<br />
<br />
Not sorry. <br />
<br />
This is the next picture I took. Fuel system is largely put together and I had the air intake tube in as well as the thermostat housing on.<br />
<br />
Stay busy, stay warm.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyokbtghTWN933kkbOVT7VnliqseRSHBVvbbAqCwP4iB4In6vPMi_LzN0v_NtPjgk3mIgiXpyTJ4pKIvjmfuSJ3TqRAxkhRDmRkYl_Sx4yyhdC5NCKp80FynbOZYKpeEgpN95STSSnDE/s1600/20170108_181711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyokbtghTWN933kkbOVT7VnliqseRSHBVvbbAqCwP4iB4In6vPMi_LzN0v_NtPjgk3mIgiXpyTJ4pKIvjmfuSJ3TqRAxkhRDmRkYl_Sx4yyhdC5NCKp80FynbOZYKpeEgpN95STSSnDE/s320/20170108_181711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wires to the right of the thermostat housing were hanging down. Make sure to put them up before attaching the thermostat housing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At this point I was just following the sequence in the notebook. I took a couple pictures when I remembered to. They were somewhat random. Hypothermia will do that to you.<br />
<br />
I'll try to remember what I was thinking.<br />
<br />
In this first one, you will see the glow plug controller bracket and sub bracket on. Not that I connected the fuel lines. That was premature. I connected them before I put the bracket in place, then disconnected them to put the bracket on and reconnected them. Then, I ended up disconnecting them again later to get the lines to the controller. Just leave them disconnected until the entire glow plug controller is on and connected. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AnNU5TIOMCI3HCmBoZnVqio5N0k1ew7573f33-l5XP1p2rIzv82seoijc5cycC3okHF0hNkHTptOpTTVwJtRKElihkvIYIycOMnRrXbmOZCYTLK2Gx0Mo3vi724ee48WOKYAL_faKPY/s1600/20170108_182251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AnNU5TIOMCI3HCmBoZnVqio5N0k1ew7573f33-l5XP1p2rIzv82seoijc5cycC3okHF0hNkHTptOpTTVwJtRKElihkvIYIycOMnRrXbmOZCYTLK2Gx0Mo3vi724ee48WOKYAL_faKPY/s320/20170108_182251.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Premature connection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then there was this one.<br />
<br />
Fuel filter bracket.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2HJ0XnutR70_j1PFTwF8mG-4tbOzQqQ8zYMoBp3n_oTrYuYe2S9_AKaybo8OTQB-_FUN_qVlhGQ_4xcULDexjGLI33lbo0zRerKFG1x_vlqNwedfx6vApWefzzundpAWLSVnnYg9_c/s1600/20170108_183328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2HJ0XnutR70_j1PFTwF8mG-4tbOzQqQ8zYMoBp3n_oTrYuYe2S9_AKaybo8OTQB-_FUN_qVlhGQ_4xcULDexjGLI33lbo0zRerKFG1x_vlqNwedfx6vApWefzzundpAWLSVnnYg9_c/s320/20170108_183328.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just pretty I guess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This next one gets an explanation.<br />
<br />
I put in the glow plugs. Then prior to installing the ignition wiring harness, I pulled the retaining nuts off. Notice the heat shield surrounding the exhaust manifold? There is a gap between the manifold and the shield. It's a pretty small gap. There is really only one nut in the entire engine bay that could fall into that gap and cause you to pull off the heat shield to get it out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZexlCfnNQnAFOWYajypYqPKCdhaapciOK1LDfa0XHOhgPbv8d_YWdjmyYMJ-PFTpqSY0a5vm1S4fgqUsRn_E6Rw99dcuLXBUkQYLgmNTdxLIJLT_OW44psgTfJRVKyK2AgYpLvR86Tmg/s1600/20170108_191000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZexlCfnNQnAFOWYajypYqPKCdhaapciOK1LDfa0XHOhgPbv8d_YWdjmyYMJ-PFTpqSY0a5vm1S4fgqUsRn_E6Rw99dcuLXBUkQYLgmNTdxLIJLT_OW44psgTfJRVKyK2AgYpLvR86Tmg/s320/20170108_191000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess which nut. Go ahead.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Things were progressing pretty well. Using the pictures from the tear down and the order from the notebook, it went pretty well. Then I go to the wiring harness. The hydra.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMqwX1eMQ4XnHacOvtZsByDjFR0GPEjwNzkQ-4rV2aijPsOEJe-3blP4iSHfGTYcdnen_Ik2XkFpMJ4gL5eZCFiTclU6Vbumn_DZmp_u3JmA0S3q3VRwmJUftI8bJxqyzQdImx4vVzTs/s1600/20161111_123707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMqwX1eMQ4XnHacOvtZsByDjFR0GPEjwNzkQ-4rV2aijPsOEJe-3blP4iSHfGTYcdnen_Ik2XkFpMJ4gL5eZCFiTclU6Vbumn_DZmp_u3JmA0S3q3VRwmJUftI8bJxqyzQdImx4vVzTs/s320/20161111_123707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks easy enough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn't as bad as I had feared. I labeled the glow plug wires and injector connections. With those in place, everything else fell where it was supposed to. The engineers were pretty good about making sure that no connectors were alike so things couldn't accidentally be plugged in where they didn't belong. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9pb8ZdX24SHBA7oBqk-MJ84Z2Dsml03TA9vlLCL9NdSvEIJIzsrRSwVWv_8K17_-ebP_MXpOXkeI2YMJx5Xfos7s6BfHBfwVeUKgkX23UwXsQ2z5gImjDSagL41bmXynp3wD5Y3Xuao/s1600/20170109_122949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9pb8ZdX24SHBA7oBqk-MJ84Z2Dsml03TA9vlLCL9NdSvEIJIzsrRSwVWv_8K17_-ebP_MXpOXkeI2YMJx5Xfos7s6BfHBfwVeUKgkX23UwXsQ2z5gImjDSagL41bmXynp3wD5Y3Xuao/s320/20170109_122949.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like an octopus attacking the engine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I started putting on big things. Things like alternators and AC compressors. I also put on the thing I labeled The Big Fucking Metal Thing. I could probably give the technical name, but I like TBFMT better. Oh yeah, another interesting note. I didn't know what things were when I pulled them off a lot of the time. So I called them one thing without realizing until later, they weren't that at all.<br />
<br />
Take lots of pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNPeXc_IEru3BO_gwqxLMUi_57BOX6AVD_NvfTR9gAWpPMtzv0BxJGd-zg34emDPWyRjGVJnVzeLCMKAV51Vv-FUaPojZFgMYTvHfJwFDpqioHJq55RYz_drdaEr-aG2FYLvYCAECDGo/s1600/20170112_172150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNPeXc_IEru3BO_gwqxLMUi_57BOX6AVD_NvfTR9gAWpPMtzv0BxJGd-zg34emDPWyRjGVJnVzeLCMKAV51Vv-FUaPojZFgMYTvHfJwFDpqioHJq55RYz_drdaEr-aG2FYLvYCAECDGo/s320/20170112_172150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big fucking metal thing in question</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBV-6koF56Z08YFzvcycwzgQWZn138ez9ZyHf3BRppnfPHR2tQcR6nY2RePY-G55nBQVNc5xZ4MpWIDZBCYvyppsw76ouVcWC8I_aQugcYOnAZGiOj2mAfqNiot1Z77RwWcbLOVhfh0M/s1600/20170113_155600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBV-6koF56Z08YFzvcycwzgQWZn138ez9ZyHf3BRppnfPHR2tQcR6nY2RePY-G55nBQVNc5xZ4MpWIDZBCYvyppsw76ouVcWC8I_aQugcYOnAZGiOj2mAfqNiot1Z77RwWcbLOVhfh0M/s320/20170113_155600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I left it today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tonight I go out and get a new serpentine belt, seems sill not to change it. I also get oil and coolant. I should be ready to try to fire this thing back up on Monday or Tuesday. I could probably try tomorrow or Sunday, but I work and I want a full day off to account for the inevitable unforeseen contingency.<br />
<br />
For those playing along with the home game, these are my notes. I won't call this a how-to article until it fires up and works. Until then, this isn't what to do so much as what I did.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjW4e_l14b-UAJZcHX7Ytt-8jE7j8omZ4dKnYPXCYxISUYKfY82IIJeQkfuiIw778hyphenhyphenegjOlJ44ZZzje4mVa4SwujvCxqbp_BA6CxdkzX087GKwIzSVDuwcrqqoQdS_6M17P_kbgK3jU/s1600/20170113_155618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjW4e_l14b-UAJZcHX7Ytt-8jE7j8omZ4dKnYPXCYxISUYKfY82IIJeQkfuiIw778hyphenhyphenegjOlJ44ZZzje4mVa4SwujvCxqbp_BA6CxdkzX087GKwIzSVDuwcrqqoQdS_6M17P_kbgK3jU/s320/20170113_155618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffCTxzBwbGbQIM2oI1fB94hhaIpnUQ2R3ZNRR1rHLXmEK7a6YAVBXZ4Lx4SUgNLcUVbMRX0bk2xXa0bIUmDKbeF-qM07o_nzXYahCMxIb8svmJbiAfDAlpc87JvMWvugq1UAX0YgTOrc/s1600/20170113_155630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffCTxzBwbGbQIM2oI1fB94hhaIpnUQ2R3ZNRR1rHLXmEK7a6YAVBXZ4Lx4SUgNLcUVbMRX0bk2xXa0bIUmDKbeF-qM07o_nzXYahCMxIb8svmJbiAfDAlpc87JvMWvugq1UAX0YgTOrc/s320/20170113_155630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-24931854472160868802017-01-07T23:08:00.000-08:002017-01-07T23:08:32.729-08:00A tale of frustration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And no, I'm not talking about book sales.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm mentioning the book again. I wrote a book, you would mention it too. <a href="http://a.co/fSa39Cb" target="_blank">Get used to it.</a><br />
<br />
I'm talking about working on the truck.<br />
<br />
Where were we? Oh yeah, freezing cold, snotty and working on the exhaust manifold.<br />
<br />
I managed to get the manifolds and gaskets back on, after trying for way too long. The trick for me was to get the top-rear bolt in first. Once that one was started, the rest went in pretty easily. Still freaking cold though. I got the passenger side manifold hung and then I got started on the driver side. Somehow, I discovered, I was missing three of the huge washers that go with the bolts to get the manifold on. No problem. It was the Monday after New Year and I just went out to the auto parts store.<br />
<br />
Of course, O'Reilly's, Autozone, and Advance Auto didn't carry anything that big. They referred me to a Fastenal store and a local place called Tacoma Screw Products. Both of them were closed for a holiday.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
Try again the next day.<br />
<br />
Fastenal was a no go, but Tacoma Screw had some washers that would work.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_asJz-FlZ4ehLmbkAD8r50hB-Rw2oZgs9S220h90Pdk1qoTAjHTWCgwOaKmpKaIV5WLGLbLO8UTq1nzzgDg-ibdrJd4w5_-FCHgRFNi5TLyzjW0AVBsMpMcgD3r50TizYGo8uv7eoSY/s1600/20170103_153646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_asJz-FlZ4ehLmbkAD8r50hB-Rw2oZgs9S220h90Pdk1qoTAjHTWCgwOaKmpKaIV5WLGLbLO8UTq1nzzgDg-ibdrJd4w5_-FCHgRFNi5TLyzjW0AVBsMpMcgD3r50TizYGo8uv7eoSY/s320/20170103_153646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big, beefy washers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With those on, I consulted my notebook and started on the valve covers. I never took off the upper covers, so I just had to make room for the full set up.<br />
<br />
Just as much awkwardness reaching some of the bolts going on as coming off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZwM3V55qJ4-gnPEx8GtfH3ELMLu10hICet9S4ITUrv5E62muxiQKMtjlu4iqaqgxqbDClg1vY6BIA4vh_7Ihk_-EtfedcRPwYpDlnTE8_XfFfd-BzEB4RZaSY57GmRUMZkg5bpN1M0/s1600/20170103_163125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTZwM3V55qJ4-gnPEx8GtfH3ELMLu10hICet9S4ITUrv5E62muxiQKMtjlu4iqaqgxqbDClg1vY6BIA4vh_7Ihk_-EtfedcRPwYpDlnTE8_XfFfd-BzEB4RZaSY57GmRUMZkg5bpN1M0/s320/20170103_163125.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hardest to reach, not too bad though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4GK-7UBvgJ9il_-qs0ImCs1uGoyQvnCKxuNBLTGYONMXkh0HIwz2CiVtQUGDvmY6lBRr1L5EryFIpvQbpIFItEN8HWo0kD-lfg8vax9CF1EsBnIS1J__xAj3s7zOx81TaKP2HsToRFQ/s1600/20170103_163148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4GK-7UBvgJ9il_-qs0ImCs1uGoyQvnCKxuNBLTGYONMXkh0HIwz2CiVtQUGDvmY6lBRr1L5EryFIpvQbpIFItEN8HWo0kD-lfg8vax9CF1EsBnIS1J__xAj3s7zOx81TaKP2HsToRFQ/s320/20170103_163148.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You won't find that in an auto parts store. Try a step aerobics class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnLdABYcLuIR9xlsmX8lp7lOQVls4DFj_TCn6gCCIOJQe05Cgiq7RUyEVHWe3GX0tq3nw3wKQRJskXr6tFA8ZV9xCvtdHEz1gdgQ82V-Lq8f1mYhsIqm45Arc6Cgf96xC7nuqvNNIlmo/s1600/20170103_163242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnLdABYcLuIR9xlsmX8lp7lOQVls4DFj_TCn6gCCIOJQe05Cgiq7RUyEVHWe3GX0tq3nw3wKQRJskXr6tFA8ZV9xCvtdHEz1gdgQ82V-Lq8f1mYhsIqm45Arc6Cgf96xC7nuqvNNIlmo/s320/20170103_163242.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a helpful contraption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next thing on the list was the injectors. I have brand new injectors from Injectors Direct. They are shiny. I tried to make every other fuel component equally shiny in the areas that count.<br />
You have to attach the hold down bracket to the injector before sliding it into place. You can either push it in hard enough to make it seat of let the bolt do the work for you.<br />
<br />
Another frustration. After putting in all the injectors and getting them torqued down, I realized that the little plates the hold down brackets clamp on to had come off while I cleaned the valve covers and I had to pull four of the injectors back out and put them back in.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAQ8yfsD6T7cJ8KGWWM3kFdKYcpizRb-FDWuuVAoQeDfJOhctmrfJpI1ZaLd8Y_bXN0pTD74ZryRAylvoGVwZB_TKkqpy9rxj5H2Iet7sMlRkyjTXtwDYsz6mcHapht3LVQUGUHXU_hE/s1600/20170104_123702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAQ8yfsD6T7cJ8KGWWM3kFdKYcpizRb-FDWuuVAoQeDfJOhctmrfJpI1ZaLd8Y_bXN0pTD74ZryRAylvoGVwZB_TKkqpy9rxj5H2Iet7sMlRkyjTXtwDYsz6mcHapht3LVQUGUHXU_hE/s320/20170104_123702.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injector and bracket. Caps stay on until business time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoHQad3i8qZUXpLq1hbji27rw7TyE5OEwOQAj1CAEg-uf0Op9SMQZd3K06Qo-RbOu-uY0DZ2hP10PISUfxvVYiuwg35ZfpHCFh07jqBsURZBEugK-rrR7b7UMgwKawEsP8zUoXTxmKyQ/s1600/20170105_125717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoHQad3i8qZUXpLq1hbji27rw7TyE5OEwOQAj1CAEg-uf0Op9SMQZd3K06Qo-RbOu-uY0DZ2hP10PISUfxvVYiuwg35ZfpHCFh07jqBsURZBEugK-rrR7b7UMgwKawEsP8zUoXTxmKyQ/s320/20170105_125717.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, driver's side rear is awkward to get at.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf_PDYNBEKoPCyo_FhlXvAUZzX5gH9Y2JmqJUoy8ZZDBAzZSCLWgWjEHCU4p0BuGmVOhN4XdQWuLCGioVdeQDE0Ej0qLv_bhhyphenhyphen2B1hQW4f2nc7J5-BmMvdgTtB6WzAkg6oBV_GmLcdFw/s1600/20170106_120357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf_PDYNBEKoPCyo_FhlXvAUZzX5gH9Y2JmqJUoy8ZZDBAzZSCLWgWjEHCU4p0BuGmVOhN4XdQWuLCGioVdeQDE0Ej0qLv_bhhyphenhyphen2B1hQW4f2nc7J5-BmMvdgTtB6WzAkg6oBV_GmLcdFw/s320/20170106_120357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dang, starting to look like an engine again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's when I realized I had forgotten to put on the bracket for the heat shielding. I probably should have put it on the head before I installed it and I definitely should have put it on before I put on the valve covers.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlqus9VntNnTWpb5EdFrsdS2owksHRA_udJIdwPHJUrTJ6M8zMPWmUZ9D06L1wIeduco-Ilf2W11KE_SEhHifcVD7PijBcUcSVlyKsDscGSKgwO9pju1tHNu2OW0f9rrc8U-EpyFGDjI/s1600/20170106_120420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlqus9VntNnTWpb5EdFrsdS2owksHRA_udJIdwPHJUrTJ6M8zMPWmUZ9D06L1wIeduco-Ilf2W11KE_SEhHifcVD7PijBcUcSVlyKsDscGSKgwO9pju1tHNu2OW0f9rrc8U-EpyFGDjI/s320/20170106_120420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It took some extra time and gymnastics, but I got it on there and torqued to "As tight as I can get it". I don't have an open torque wrench. Some things you just can't reach.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ38jioYWDi8qT777Mxt8A2oKX3kbCSF5uN-rMS9bXz1F7Txerm6Um88pDmRZhktc_NyFeU5oiTbPlkVnTfQcSipM4dh7gEZWB28pIAkx7xpUKrHXMGfXa4LBtZEsAZFCdo91VPnvRLs/s1600/20170106_123217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJ38jioYWDi8qT777Mxt8A2oKX3kbCSF5uN-rMS9bXz1F7Txerm6Um88pDmRZhktc_NyFeU5oiTbPlkVnTfQcSipM4dh7gEZWB28pIAkx7xpUKrHXMGfXa4LBtZEsAZFCdo91VPnvRLs/s320/20170106_123217.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracket in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSslDVuZesBl8ySBUt1sspjHAs5tZx02gW7xLOvYIg063ua8t4iKX_CVg2kO_Homdb3HGOza8kqW-RwD_9UAmmBvbp3w2YFr45Zom99fsDjWtGScKtFy_s7wH6yzgqXpsl7azkV-UHQCo/s1600/20170106_123228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSslDVuZesBl8ySBUt1sspjHAs5tZx02gW7xLOvYIg063ua8t4iKX_CVg2kO_Homdb3HGOza8kqW-RwD_9UAmmBvbp3w2YFr45Zom99fsDjWtGScKtFy_s7wH6yzgqXpsl7azkV-UHQCo/s320/20170106_123228.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah. No torque wrench fitting back there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next thing up was the CP3 pump. I looked up lots of stuff and it looked pretty easy. Just put it in. The hardest part is getting all the stuff out of the way and I think I'm pretty good on that note.<br />
<br />
Just one thing.<br />
<br />
It wouldn't go.<br />
<br />
I tried for two freaking hours to get that thing in. I pulled, I wiggled, I cussed, every mechanic thing I knew how to do. I pried on it and tried everything. I resisted the urge to hit it with a hammer.<br />
<br />
But oh, what and urge.<br />
<br />
Eventually, after anguish and anger and a sandwich, I puzzled it out.<br />
<br />
Look here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI_06-O-F_BiOe34cWEg5UNv5cC21kuljmW7eCXci0v7FfEd7oDjMhFhK_Lcz51EMDS-Jt0-k_ynaeq9Gt8sMKl7tXocpGgmdTp-ugcsTjTPVJ2LtXR1AvI-9DfkS75uwR3eqDE1rGts/s1600/20170107_152415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI_06-O-F_BiOe34cWEg5UNv5cC21kuljmW7eCXci0v7FfEd7oDjMhFhK_Lcz51EMDS-Jt0-k_ynaeq9Gt8sMKl7tXocpGgmdTp-ugcsTjTPVJ2LtXR1AvI-9DfkS75uwR3eqDE1rGts/s320/20170107_152415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These are the gears inside the housing into which the pump installs. Notice that, for some reason, there are two gears together instead of one. They were imperfectly aligned and the pump gears were hitting the face of the second set of gears.<br />
<br />
What the hell?<br />
<br />
So, I manually turned over the engine a few times, watching the gears as I did. When I found a section that seemed a little more together, I tried the pump again.<br />
<br />
It slid right in. Four hours later.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
Next on the list was installing the Y bridge. Yeah, that should go well.<br />
<br />
First, I cleaned it. If you will recall, it looked like this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr-uRCth6IDeQ5vGASuvQ3R2xWbQY2op0CPhynnVppasDajQqf6gXVdI4gE0OeOgqm_KZBud8X_n4Elh3OMElD-_kI07ZTHkHgJyrIVoafqjE03Aqye6_lzbUHFPJDfROhrWqZN6QlNw/s1600/20161118_161213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifr-uRCth6IDeQ5vGASuvQ3R2xWbQY2op0CPhynnVppasDajQqf6gXVdI4gE0OeOgqm_KZBud8X_n4Elh3OMElD-_kI07ZTHkHgJyrIVoafqjE03Aqye6_lzbUHFPJDfROhrWqZN6QlNw/s320/20161118_161213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the entrance into Deep Water Horizon there in the center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, I figured it was probably fine, but then Sarah's voice came into my head and told me everything was better if you cleaned it.<br />
<br />
Happy wife...<br />
<br />
So I cleaned it.<br />
<br />
And installed new gaskets that came with the kit from Merchant Automotive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-QaYh07ONgZhYyTd7aFpTtGOD9ASxpOn_AFZsnAttjEglqxFnUcrLMaBOM_K5vO4m0InGoQxxXN1rGMHKSJu2PtbHIBOjsCtkwIjH6qOCwig7nv2yj4ouyM4y8g-9iq1hVvoYzwjsC4/s1600/20170107_153553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-QaYh07ONgZhYyTd7aFpTtGOD9ASxpOn_AFZsnAttjEglqxFnUcrLMaBOM_K5vO4m0InGoQxxXN1rGMHKSJu2PtbHIBOjsCtkwIjH6qOCwig7nv2yj4ouyM4y8g-9iq1hVvoYzwjsC4/s320/20170107_153553.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New gaskets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbdnJsct6Y6sLON68QD7FRZNadTFZcE1cRPUN_AHK98sGOxYwwEz9YWReOivKA2eKQuM0iIPEL7nHbzkKIOuU6jg6StViqVusfsrBsU1aqrU2t1qVI6ibhSh_0xVYiLx9D_ycTpbSPuc/s1600/20170107_153601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbdnJsct6Y6sLON68QD7FRZNadTFZcE1cRPUN_AHK98sGOxYwwEz9YWReOivKA2eKQuM0iIPEL7nHbzkKIOuU6jg6StViqVusfsrBsU1aqrU2t1qVI6ibhSh_0xVYiLx9D_ycTpbSPuc/s320/20170107_153601.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh you be quiet, it is too cleaner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reaching the bolts and nuts for this was pretty much another pain in the ass. At least it was an expected pain. The four on the front were easy. The top, driver's side, rear was easy. The other three were not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsBJzzw7Ji2gAeH23xYoZznDPzSnF8HDoekE169BpWubHQW7sE9Y_AQ_0eUrpeCSnIYf700n5shU3dcRLE4Ljqd4ydgN1V3hQdZvzpKD10bN1Q4f1q-7uH3miSReb1_O8V5H9ioYtR-8/s1600/20170107_171653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsBJzzw7Ji2gAeH23xYoZznDPzSnF8HDoekE169BpWubHQW7sE9Y_AQ_0eUrpeCSnIYf700n5shU3dcRLE4Ljqd4ydgN1V3hQdZvzpKD10bN1Q4f1q-7uH3miSReb1_O8V5H9ioYtR-8/s320/20170107_171653.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could this be difficult?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, with the one above, I put my right pinkie finger under it and my left angled in from the top. Meanwhile, I had a flat blade screwdriver prying the piece into place which I was pressing down with my right forearm while I was laying across the top of the engine.<br />
<br />
Did I mention it was below freezing?<br />
<br />
I should have just paid someone.<br />
<br />
But, I got it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g4gFW0sHIAfL_cbgx97PTqT4TA_kgjjkzs_x6tSxqRja_BIxXnI-72EXR_2j5d681ucoMEaqHoiZxFSAxq8x4Aunqm8k6WwQuYQu9MALleHi4zPOJyWGRTBig1bRTTnH3ZHkvuNNydg/s1600/20170107_171720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g4gFW0sHIAfL_cbgx97PTqT4TA_kgjjkzs_x6tSxqRja_BIxXnI-72EXR_2j5d681ucoMEaqHoiZxFSAxq8x4Aunqm8k6WwQuYQu9MALleHi4zPOJyWGRTBig1bRTTnH3ZHkvuNNydg/s320/20170107_171720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top two in. Now the bottom two.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the bottom driver's side, I used a magnetic bolt retriever to push the nut toward the post. Then I met it with a 10 mm socket on an extension just over the post and screwed it on<br />
<br />
Piece of cake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDC89wK3i_H2tOVW2R0AxOE3gmarXL5XCb6hiFA69vfjYA_G1SSM2HkjxykCtj5WaFLtpmc4rKrXbxQpnrRHjUjZ4B8GFFr9aUIVbqrcyOE3R0YocvaCXChqtI7qLbFzKGb-UcyNzJ5s/s1600/20170107_172610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDC89wK3i_H2tOVW2R0AxOE3gmarXL5XCb6hiFA69vfjYA_G1SSM2HkjxykCtj5WaFLtpmc4rKrXbxQpnrRHjUjZ4B8GFFr9aUIVbqrcyOE3R0YocvaCXChqtI7qLbFzKGb-UcyNzJ5s/s320/20170107_172610.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured: Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The passenger side bottom one was another thing. There is this metal coolant tube in the way. I couldn't get the socket on it at all. So I used the magnet to hold it on the post while I used a flat blade screwdriver to push the nut edge and turn it on.<br />
<br />
This took a while.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
But it worked.<br />
<br />
Then I put the heat shield on, the common fuel rails and the pipes to the injectors, but man, that was enough. I was too busy and it was too late to fool around taking pictures. You'll get them on the next installment. For now, whiskey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-51527352495083244042016-12-30T19:20:00.001-08:002016-12-30T19:20:18.476-08:00For that one guy.I wasn't going to do a blog post today. I feel like utter crap. <br />
<br />
However...<br />
<br />
There was one guy on the Duramax Forums who wanted to know more about the valve adjustment because he was going through the same thing. I hate for him to go uninformed.<br />
<br />
So, we get a post. <br />
<br />
I woke up today and felt like crap. But, the weather is going to take a turn for the frigid soon and that makes work suck too. So either way.<br />
<br />
I went down to the garage today armed with some papers. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.merchant-automotive.com/custompages/valveadjustment.pdf" target="_blank">This link</a> explains it better than I possibly could right now. It is what I used coupled with a list of torque values I found on <a href="http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/63-gm-diesel-engines/140-duramax-third-generation-2006-2007-5-lbz-lly/426144-fastener-torque-specs.html" target="_blank">The Diesel Place forums</a><br />
<br />
To work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXlyMg8DYmP9kSCsifvzi3dekn0MVTy6ctcB_rBiHIXrycZv4rEp9VPqHaullMVo4gHib5Li0VOtiCBOSIip5RXVxzGM10uQl4tKgbilXNR6eaKJOMRpBqHYfFNG_N2e7LXQZJMMqNoo/s1600/20161230_131132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXlyMg8DYmP9kSCsifvzi3dekn0MVTy6ctcB_rBiHIXrycZv4rEp9VPqHaullMVo4gHib5Li0VOtiCBOSIip5RXVxzGM10uQl4tKgbilXNR6eaKJOMRpBqHYfFNG_N2e7LXQZJMMqNoo/s320/20161230_131132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotated the engine using a 12 pt, 36 mm socket until TDC for cylinder one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kzwMcqnfFFiEPWeU1puiNePDgszQa4bn9gMaVTI6ZxQbQm_9wxrpM3H3U_i38MzRNyndYHq3hM6HaQeHwdNn0FmnSLJZB0WU5Slrc1aOMILvf_te0LsGNWgOv0eYx6CVCAPDyxU14bI/s1600/20161230_142802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kzwMcqnfFFiEPWeU1puiNePDgszQa4bn9gMaVTI6ZxQbQm_9wxrpM3H3U_i38MzRNyndYHq3hM6HaQeHwdNn0FmnSLJZB0WU5Slrc1aOMILvf_te0LsGNWgOv0eYx6CVCAPDyxU14bI/s320/20161230_142802.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checked the clearance with the .012 feeler gauge. Adjusted as needed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAWia-BPnTsEe_SHUjhT3Ov6QsXsO7a1U0Aw60mvmMLXrtEcc0hemExJzAJblsltWzb0iwSaxihhaZwN_DXo4R3kNLlgI9otRtidabPex-6gNJZOCVGwoUuGCnhvD_HVhSOnGpsmpkG4/s1600/20161230_142821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAWia-BPnTsEe_SHUjhT3Ov6QsXsO7a1U0Aw60mvmMLXrtEcc0hemExJzAJblsltWzb0iwSaxihhaZwN_DXo4R3kNLlgI9otRtidabPex-6gNJZOCVGwoUuGCnhvD_HVhSOnGpsmpkG4/s320/20161230_142821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The valves that can be checked at the same time, color coordinated. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It took a couple of hours. That included cycling the engine by hand a few times and rechecking clearances. I will probably do that again before I put the valve covers back on just to be sure. <br />
<br />
There was still daylight, so I kept going. I put in the glow plugs and thought about injectors, but decided the exhaust manifold needed to go on first.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgw4JWdtRFC4yYJmlL6b_87f-nMkhcicFXmKZFDK7tnpDFeH1ENTTeMHXS_v2NM97bankqHDfw49atL54qwhc38CivUsLx8VdWpZxGC6ieELbl5PE8gqbKL_Ub8zVpRlRvQHOciy4TSo/s1600/20161230_150321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgw4JWdtRFC4yYJmlL6b_87f-nMkhcicFXmKZFDK7tnpDFeH1ENTTeMHXS_v2NM97bankqHDfw49atL54qwhc38CivUsLx8VdWpZxGC6ieELbl5PE8gqbKL_Ub8zVpRlRvQHOciy4TSo/s320/20161230_150321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New exhaust manifold gaskets on top of expectant injectors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlIbYdeN_uhG7yJORB0XmiXGE-NyKd4q7xwYOdVSxHrm0EQ_D_ov8NhcoVE6Pn89xT2a2yImpA6TWq9II2df4AopO4cWsAYwPsGxsO5-IBYsGqUIXoMQoILdIp7evBp60RRs9iRQYW6I/s1600/20161230_150331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlIbYdeN_uhG7yJORB0XmiXGE-NyKd4q7xwYOdVSxHrm0EQ_D_ov8NhcoVE6Pn89xT2a2yImpA6TWq9II2df4AopO4cWsAYwPsGxsO5-IBYsGqUIXoMQoILdIp7evBp60RRs9iRQYW6I/s320/20161230_150331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old glow plugs back in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVzsFM427CaiKq_0ccsm1-AE5R7Cm5EPLqpn5yPovu5gL9W6Xj2bLD_9vLn7OGhF2p7xi3qwXWyWj0l3o4fX-D8gRa7Pvdj7NObhy5Ev_f2QsveQm-y2u5TLEM43VZEZkf3aT46XntRw/s1600/20161230_150353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVzsFM427CaiKq_0ccsm1-AE5R7Cm5EPLqpn5yPovu5gL9W6Xj2bLD_9vLn7OGhF2p7xi3qwXWyWj0l3o4fX-D8gRa7Pvdj7NObhy5Ev_f2QsveQm-y2u5TLEM43VZEZkf3aT46XntRw/s320/20161230_150353.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tissues for my face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgJjhmSxI7O5j_C3oE49K_5mRMVhTqeJLVLIZcxzE1Cb3YYNHjGhrdNQpH6VnKES8uJstMZhzuIJbUSiFL6qCr8fABZZo0VV57H6GMiKefDTbh3tf-CtJCuAnxVp5t7PhqWRltzPS5HQ/s1600/20161230_150357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgJjhmSxI7O5j_C3oE49K_5mRMVhTqeJLVLIZcxzE1Cb3YYNHjGhrdNQpH6VnKES8uJstMZhzuIJbUSiFL6qCr8fABZZo0VV57H6GMiKefDTbh3tf-CtJCuAnxVp5t7PhqWRltzPS5HQ/s320/20161230_150357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snotty rags and oily rags. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The exhaust manifold defeated me for the day. I couldn't get the top back bolt past the gasket and threaded. There is a nut that I needed to adjust to get the head in place and again to line up the manifold. I got literally every nut in pace, except the top back one. In frustration, I went to the driver's side, which was worse.<br />
<br />
When the kids came in to see if I was alright, I should have quit. <br />
<br />
I didn't. <br />
<br />
When the snot was dripping down my face because I was using both hands, I was shaking and cramping, then I quit.<br />
<br />
I'll deal with the cold weather.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY6TSYv5MZnWNllfNNSjZ3cqJJO1-z07wNN6f5P1GnBndgv9bgFgPu0eEYZbWrWZoSEROhRZgNtQmxJ-BRn4sCuHLvioQ0Z99WKGWVdJXfEMI7UdCMjoJMZYXSoOukgmhCX5cLK8IyPg/s1600/20161230_150916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY6TSYv5MZnWNllfNNSjZ3cqJJO1-z07wNN6f5P1GnBndgv9bgFgPu0eEYZbWrWZoSEROhRZgNtQmxJ-BRn4sCuHLvioQ0Z99WKGWVdJXfEMI7UdCMjoJMZYXSoOukgmhCX5cLK8IyPg/s320/20161230_150916.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil adjustment nut in question</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa76Nze2HycjjRcrfXy07QKUJYjJFqDjDXQP5-rnvEvO5KyegBqzVpbZi1gOt7yiz20AurSkmtOspmjp88CT5OG0y_7bs8wLboIWrgPFJrobbjjTwgOtArm44wv105xnoIDsGlUFfFKA/s1600/20161230_150929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa76Nze2HycjjRcrfXy07QKUJYjJFqDjDXQP5-rnvEvO5KyegBqzVpbZi1gOt7yiz20AurSkmtOspmjp88CT5OG0y_7bs8wLboIWrgPFJrobbjjTwgOtArm44wv105xnoIDsGlUFfFKA/s320/20161230_150929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinky, stinking exhaust manifold gasket.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-90549260593852718352016-12-29T18:15:00.000-08:002016-12-29T18:15:25.371-08:00Putting it all togetherOr, at least the pieces I can find.<br />
<br />
So, I didn't get a lot done over the holidays. Now, I have three days off and that means truck work! Except for this cold we all came down with. That says get in bed and stay there.<br />
<br />
Nope. <br />
<br />
Oh yeah,don't forget the <a href="http://a.co/8rJggHv" target="_blank">book</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, let's put some pieces back on. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqy-G5OZ842rfSRtD9xn3LVfAGOrP7TPK_GIDh9a_3HDTyHL-UISqlNZ1QmLbyf5jUxxrgb6dw6x_JLiwv0DzUVAIh1lTZGxsAz1oMX4mp4_DYgWC71xe8Gipq-ZtJiXL-tcKgFn_GHw/s1600/20161228_123401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqy-G5OZ842rfSRtD9xn3LVfAGOrP7TPK_GIDh9a_3HDTyHL-UISqlNZ1QmLbyf5jUxxrgb6dw6x_JLiwv0DzUVAIh1lTZGxsAz1oMX4mp4_DYgWC71xe8Gipq-ZtJiXL-tcKgFn_GHw/s320/20161228_123401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sequence for torquing down the head bolts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Armed with the sequence, I took the 17mm socket off of the regular ratchet and put it on the small torque wrench for the first step. The directions call for three equal steps to reach 125 ft/lbs. First step was to 42. Life, the Universe, and Everything. I lubed up everything with the supplied pooky and went after it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-XqkCrpab9eQ_ErSNXQN-NaeScE7d50HvU40fwLyfjg3HVIh3ws0ukUgdZKTTtp4S8iKJlbwE85H-qbzLubMl0qZJbrwFXxkQHyN2_oQxoL74An4PHjAvKzjJ2nfF8RQzDcuSd_vGXU/s1600/20161228_123407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-XqkCrpab9eQ_ErSNXQN-NaeScE7d50HvU40fwLyfjg3HVIh3ws0ukUgdZKTTtp4S8iKJlbwE85H-qbzLubMl0qZJbrwFXxkQHyN2_oQxoL74An4PHjAvKzjJ2nfF8RQzDcuSd_vGXU/s320/20161228_123407.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be stingy with the pooky, they provided plenty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhq2NRX-_bscglW9BIZBxd7driuklpOhrNXBI63pcX0w8BbiP6SUjyBwRqOTpNoJua2YYFaxNADdxI_UXPqVRHWTDXDlt331q-R83nlvZQFVGPfbISx5TfE_vK75rLY2xk02K50hlHSM/s1600/20161228_123412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhq2NRX-_bscglW9BIZBxd7driuklpOhrNXBI63pcX0w8BbiP6SUjyBwRqOTpNoJua2YYFaxNADdxI_UXPqVRHWTDXDlt331q-R83nlvZQFVGPfbISx5TfE_vK75rLY2xk02K50hlHSM/s320/20161228_123412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All cleaned up and pretty. Let's TORQUE SOME NUTS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Step one went fine.<br />
<br />
Step two, 85 ft/lbs or so, worked too. <br />
<br />
But, when I started on round three, a problem appeared.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First bolt, around the second turn, the wrench slipped off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That isn't good. Not at all. The nut seemed to be fine. The socket showed a little damage. Maybe I had it crooked. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nope. Second pass at it went the same. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe it's the nut. I decided to try the number one nut on the other side. Same result. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe it isn't the same 17mm 12 point socket. Maybe these bolts are different. Let's see if a 16mm fits on there better. There was a little play in it, after all. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vl2qlHGPX0PwhWKOvcP2ysENiVP0OatOjY5z7rnx2WnSoyC6pBuOfU7R84JQ1sfsCiQ3YwzQN2DBU3auY7ZvclF0jCZBu8yZrg_zp8kyiHwu3LTiXQnSZVq1GTy5K1f84_ciIn8jnCs/s1600/20161228_175318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vl2qlHGPX0PwhWKOvcP2ysENiVP0OatOjY5z7rnx2WnSoyC6pBuOfU7R84JQ1sfsCiQ3YwzQN2DBU3auY7ZvclF0jCZBu8yZrg_zp8kyiHwu3LTiXQnSZVq1GTy5K1f84_ciIn8jnCs/s320/20161228_175318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice anything missing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Crap. Another run to the store for a new 16mm 12 point socket. That's nearly an hour round trip. <br />
<br />
But hey, had to happen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8qZ_Q2MsKsueXZU9Kg42zyQntX9GfEnUujBVZv7QFDbv2PvitnuxJ0IEAngeo7gTIKxOITC0BPVNJoc9ResnKm-VUcJGyIjFuCdKdettpHBG0LuSMhJE8CBHrbIffojRDVRXgAx1F9k/s1600/20161228_173338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8qZ_Q2MsKsueXZU9Kg42zyQntX9GfEnUujBVZv7QFDbv2PvitnuxJ0IEAngeo7gTIKxOITC0BPVNJoc9ResnKm-VUcJGyIjFuCdKdettpHBG0LuSMhJE8CBHrbIffojRDVRXgAx1F9k/s320/20161228_173338.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's better. And no guilt over Harbor Freight tools this time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Worked like it was meant too. Add that little nugget to my knowledge base. The ARP stud nuts are 16 mm. <br />
<br />
Step three torqued fine. Then it was off to chop some firewood. It's cold and our house has many drafts. What kind of jerk put the walls up on this place?<br />
<br />
Today I went out and installed more stuff.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCB6ms6N4CBZsazXZyG_sUYmAPPz1NghhQ2QAF9Uq2hf0tHtG6Wk74Z69k1GXGDWF_xZ_7jdAtNrGP2oMg6hwGvlG8K9GZ94VbobY_uQqaVcvh1kkC9QMmrOwpG3ACheGT9J3bSJylso/s1600/20161229_160540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCB6ms6N4CBZsazXZyG_sUYmAPPz1NghhQ2QAF9Uq2hf0tHtG6Wk74Z69k1GXGDWF_xZ_7jdAtNrGP2oMg6hwGvlG8K9GZ94VbobY_uQqaVcvh1kkC9QMmrOwpG3ACheGT9J3bSJylso/s320/20161229_160540.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like push rods. Fresh oil on both ends and inserted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl5WzNkUmuw7FkjQOUNcNZYamYCn1FtXzFSPm2Q-f2xqWhHAJkiAR-QDrUixIcR4jZPUjrlsioIeNrc8R19j3WQiw0o7DcqfP6NW36hqXVl41f2JFPehz3u0Q0H-jxRtedjKdxzp60f0/s1600/20161229_161634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGl5WzNkUmuw7FkjQOUNcNZYamYCn1FtXzFSPm2Q-f2xqWhHAJkiAR-QDrUixIcR4jZPUjrlsioIeNrc8R19j3WQiw0o7DcqfP6NW36hqXVl41f2JFPehz3u0Q0H-jxRtedjKdxzp60f0/s320/20161229_161634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgot to put up a picture of my head bolt hole blower. Here ya go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I put on the rocker arm assembly. I went to look at the torque values on the sheet I printed, I don't have reception down at the garage, and it said some number in in/lbs. Well, my wrench is only in ft/lbs. How do I convert that? <br />
<br />
I don't. I go home and look it up. And, when I got home, there was hot coffee waiting and my lovely wife and son were reading the book I wrote. <br />
<br />
My head cold is making me feel all weird and fuzzy headed. I think I'll get back at it tomorrow. <br />
<br />
I left it like this for the night. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs31-r7UDTVxDbzi7XabVmrrOFZt9vPpRq739zNFt0bULF9OPpA1OvKgqIyoWD0ty1DidQ_tw7HchtvB5OYvHrYC1Zrbr0yo0ePnoZcZ2yP0Vh2RMcSModFkhNDVNA7YqVhP0Z2mCNzw/s1600/20161229_161645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs31-r7UDTVxDbzi7XabVmrrOFZt9vPpRq739zNFt0bULF9OPpA1OvKgqIyoWD0ty1DidQ_tw7HchtvB5OYvHrYC1Zrbr0yo0ePnoZcZ2yP0Vh2RMcSModFkhNDVNA7YqVhP0Z2mCNzw/s320/20161229_161645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-52696131127014452022016-12-24T18:56:00.001-08:002016-12-24T18:56:47.398-08:00Christmas EveToo busy to take the day off.<br />
<br />
So, off to work. Did I mention it was 31 degrees and the garage has only one oil heater we keep in there to keep the cat from dying? <br />
<br />
It was cold. And iron engine parts stay cold.<br />
<br />
But, time's a wastin'.<br />
<br />
Bur first, did I mention I wrote <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ218U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482633276&sr=8-1&keywords=Adventure+nickel" target="_blank">a book</a>? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuW2VCIPk6uuDtRlMDOaCZWVTX5FcVmss95xg7JiltDDOdlS_tLqO1RGc1p6Pt3L5sn3lQ_oiKr5ewSIvn04DQ9t7jztc5Q7vrQ85A-yV0XWYS8HVHg0BcF_4Dtx7r_l8pFqQ6mhkJAU/s1600/20161223_010044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuW2VCIPk6uuDtRlMDOaCZWVTX5FcVmss95xg7JiltDDOdlS_tLqO1RGc1p6Pt3L5sn3lQ_oiKr5ewSIvn04DQ9t7jztc5Q7vrQ85A-yV0XWYS8HVHg0BcF_4Dtx7r_l8pFqQ6mhkJAU/s320/20161223_010044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And for a glorious moment it was beating Jenny McCarthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sorry, I'm easily distracted by shiny objects.<br />
<br />
The engine. Got the gaskets in, heads back, new injectors. Time to rock.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iFX41-VXUMRdoRxNx9fHOFiyerC6peBqhmOWAX8vRABfQ-G-Xd-ai3XB_DZUQ0Tyi-ekHWjwvC4F8ZY9_2-1Ei2efuH7m4zmFtfIb9ywlYQA5PvukG4AeyLYGB2vRkCgccmACi_aq_0/s1600/20161224_125211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iFX41-VXUMRdoRxNx9fHOFiyerC6peBqhmOWAX8vRABfQ-G-Xd-ai3XB_DZUQ0Tyi-ekHWjwvC4F8ZY9_2-1Ei2efuH7m4zmFtfIb9ywlYQA5PvukG4AeyLYGB2vRkCgccmACi_aq_0/s320/20161224_125211.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, this looks organized. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took a few days and cleaned everything up as nice as I could make it. As per the instructions, I installed all the head studs and went to install the gasket. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vu1jmwNnqgk6bVnIeSfPlZgwzEFJZRhr8JWCZw988ER2fUz83ODAv-WTy-o4lUo_eQzggt6dSbv6sVPjEcqNhawCykg-bmFnO5ME_MCJSUwKVpOAes4DokAaGitypQY79AzDR24Aojs/s1600/20161224_125217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vu1jmwNnqgk6bVnIeSfPlZgwzEFJZRhr8JWCZw988ER2fUz83ODAv-WTy-o4lUo_eQzggt6dSbv6sVPjEcqNhawCykg-bmFnO5ME_MCJSUwKVpOAes4DokAaGitypQY79AzDR24Aojs/s320/20161224_125217.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohhhh, progress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Short lived progress.<br />
<br />
The gasket wouldn't go on. The down pipe for the turbo was in the way and I couldn't get the gasket on without bending it all crazy. That didn't sound like a good idea, so I pulled all the head studs back out and only left the two in where the dowels go to hold it in place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIUjdVAX_7JSiabj_gfQPIX1_ZdTZYUW6-lqjvg187U_vERM9GGMosBlcukJG4-HZVSg3tm87ITEqxdAMDX1Ugcdtpar3OlgSc9Jmnlexs_B3t7ygSSVLYbJrK_EL1bkL7258K4vl5mo/s1600/20161224_144812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIUjdVAX_7JSiabj_gfQPIX1_ZdTZYUW6-lqjvg187U_vERM9GGMosBlcukJG4-HZVSg3tm87ITEqxdAMDX1Ugcdtpar3OlgSc9Jmnlexs_B3t7ygSSVLYbJrK_EL1bkL7258K4vl5mo/s320/20161224_144812.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better, now to put the rest of the head studs back in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, I grabbed the heavy-ass, cold, and obnoxiously unwieldy head and fought it into position over the studs. I started to slide it down and it stopped.<br />
<br />
It refused to go any further. It didn't want to come back off either.<br />
<br />
This can't be good.<br />
<br />
So, I let it go and looked. It was catching on this accordion folded part of the exhaust pipe. I imagined all the terrible things that were happening to the threads on the studs. <br />
<br />
Curse word.<br />
<br />
So, I pulled it back off.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-dlAB2BxPYW32h0ZGsN9t0V2g4bdTBH25C-JkY6XXzcgC7gqUTUfwLoFUAmelwPHebfXexhreP3LwN4jNiaQFTxjiurhVWX21VmDN1On0qC4wC_JypDF4VdAyiiEtxXmv-5OGmZWHPc/s1600/20161224_152422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-dlAB2BxPYW32h0ZGsN9t0V2g4bdTBH25C-JkY6XXzcgC7gqUTUfwLoFUAmelwPHebfXexhreP3LwN4jNiaQFTxjiurhVWX21VmDN1On0qC4wC_JypDF4VdAyiiEtxXmv-5OGmZWHPc/s320/20161224_152422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dreaded horror pipe is to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About this time I was pulled away to go to a neighbor's Christmas lunch. It is Christmas Eve after all. And, I like these neighbors, so I went.<br />
<br />
For about an hour, then back.<br />
<br />
I loosened some bolts and tried to wiggle things out of the way and I came to a conclusion. Either the whole exhaust manifold had to come off, with some very difficult to reach bolts, or the heads needed to go on before the head studs.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and to reach the bolts to remove the exhaust manifold, I had to remove some of the head studs.<br />
<br />
So, the head studs came back out except for two just to help with alignment. Then, the head studs went back in... For the third time. Did I mention it was cold metal? My fingers were starting to go numb.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVV55wwJsxexbNF2TjMzWtj1cFKjAoRy65ogaWjh1CqX-TTUbZunIMTc1Y8q1Two6LrhcmGZXMJ-WgaRQI3OvkscLj9hdEuEWOMsu1NfLIK0XvHNuNvjWo_-kwySCvLlQYf6_iuKhF1QE/s1600/20161224_154708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVV55wwJsxexbNF2TjMzWtj1cFKjAoRy65ogaWjh1CqX-TTUbZunIMTc1Y8q1Two6LrhcmGZXMJ-WgaRQI3OvkscLj9hdEuEWOMsu1NfLIK0XvHNuNvjWo_-kwySCvLlQYf6_iuKhF1QE/s320/20161224_154708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got that sucker on there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make sure everything lined up, I decided to get the driver's side head on before torquing down the passenger side. And, I had learned a few things.<br />
<br />
I knew the driver's side would be more difficult because the lean in is more awkward due to the steering equipment and the firewall was in the way. If you recall from tear down, the far right, bottom bolt had to come out with the head as there wasn't enough room to pull it out any other way. So, it had to go in with the head. <br />
<br />
Talk about a pain. It is hard enough holding that heavy, oddly-shaped, and cold head out at full extension and trying to line it up with the block. Now I had to hold a bolt in place too? <br />
<br />
So, I tried braining it instead of muscle-ing it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAStIiEDLrlIKsWix1uIYf8HSMXo-7MFE82B-aeNjE7-XLRHRswhLbfvnBoUn5e1bnb97TH0t9843bUh5sisIuECk_XRu688JEWleiTZiMkG-9ryGSNKgLMloJWhYTjXxN0c3EhrIvFA/s1600/20161224_160310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAStIiEDLrlIKsWix1uIYf8HSMXo-7MFE82B-aeNjE7-XLRHRswhLbfvnBoUn5e1bnb97TH0t9843bUh5sisIuECk_XRu688JEWleiTZiMkG-9ryGSNKgLMloJWhYTjXxN0c3EhrIvFA/s320/20161224_160310.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the result. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I left the studs out, except the one held in place by the two rounds of electrical tape holding it up, and set the head on. Then, I screwed in the studs. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FTP9GMrjSRAGQe1uCimtt5RcTMRZC5FBq1lpK5JY0K-1oH-nDVg-gU1ZXRi4CRlLT6I9e6CfYK8JM1RlcQrHSGaoS1hkEdHL-slhx8O1ES2WGRuhlgMhWIXRovHUn0mxWreHUgc7ALA/s1600/20161224_163345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FTP9GMrjSRAGQe1uCimtt5RcTMRZC5FBq1lpK5JY0K-1oH-nDVg-gU1ZXRi4CRlLT6I9e6CfYK8JM1RlcQrHSGaoS1hkEdHL-slhx8O1ES2WGRuhlgMhWIXRovHUn0mxWreHUgc7ALA/s320/20161224_163345.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta-Da!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, Sarah sent Max out to inform me she had hot coffee waiting for me. My numb fingers and nose told me it was too good to pass up. I could come back out after and torque everything down.<br />
<br />
But, she also gave me a Christmas Eve gift. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymffZQhmqNw3zqMNz4D-zCQ028y6AEbN1LV5_IT5c0Nx-RUxgN1ut2ClSU8PBRkfhoOiiPDBSG4J-zHXshI3cXmxxhHTphyCVQke1syFqlVnSiegbPxFb4Q6rumrI4h7Ma_Qy9RNS7BU/s1600/20161224_171140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymffZQhmqNw3zqMNz4D-zCQ028y6AEbN1LV5_IT5c0Nx-RUxgN1ut2ClSU8PBRkfhoOiiPDBSG4J-zHXshI3cXmxxhHTphyCVQke1syFqlVnSiegbPxFb4Q6rumrI4h7Ma_Qy9RNS7BU/s320/20161224_171140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The torquing will have to wait.</td></tr>
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Merry Christmas everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4224359592844165794.post-8126705743883233382016-12-21T13:10:00.001-08:002016-12-21T13:10:40.003-08:00We Interrupt This ProgramWith breaking news.<br />
<br />
The book is live people. <br />
<br />
The book is live.<br />
<br />
Last night, I finished the last touches on the Adventure Nickel book and uploaded it to Amazon. You can purchase it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ218U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482354337&sr=8-1&keywords=Adventure+Nickel" target="_blank">RIGHT NOW</a>.<br />
<br />
There will be a presale. All presale orders get counted on the day of the release (1-6-17). If enough people buy during the presale, we could find ourselves on a best seller list and that helps with advertising and book bundles and the like. <br />
<br />
So, wish me a Merry Christmas. Buy the book. I kept the price low because I want people to read it. If you do buy it, please review it honestly. Also, I wouldn't feel bad at all if you shared a link with some friends. <br />
<br />
I'm totally geeked.<br />
<br />
Now, back to work on the truck and at the hospital.<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA6u76stsY2Nu87sLpoG3tLspae7y8d0S6qEbYa7smf6cQmb96wDbGpCILgN9UjuLEnJ6pCyiXUk6W9dbQWIm3r3BlF4V5fFtqO3fuDzGNXVI2LaUNKv9be_25e7xLK5-il3tgQ3no5w/s320/New+Nickel+8.5+flat.jpg" width="239" /></div>
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<br />Adventure Nickel Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10737377513854805072noreply@blogger.com0