Archive for April 2009
You are browsing the archives of 2009 April.
Fire on the Mountain
Separate wildfires burn on opposite ends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Journey Down the Shenandoah042909
The confluence of the North Fork, on the right, and the South Fork, on the left. Thinking of sunny days.
Rednecks on Film
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia made its debut over the weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The documentary has well-known backers, including MTV Studios and executive producers Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine of the series Jackass. It’s also chock full of Appalachian stereotypes and caricatures—redneck culture, pill-popping, run-ins [...]
Backpacks for Biking
The classic bike-messenger bag has been adopted the world over as requisite equipment for two-wheel transit with goods in tow. But for me a messenger bag’s single-strap setup — weight on one shoulder, the bag balanced on the arch of my back — has never felt comfortable or secure.
Instead, a backpack — two straps, a [...]
Quote of Note
“Finishing the Barkley was not at all what I expected. I didn’t well up. My heart didn’t pound uncontrollably. All the emotion and hoopla had been worn down to nubs. I was sick, cold, and happy to be done.”
—Andrew Thompson, who became only the eighth person in 28 years to finish the Barkley 100-Mile Ultra
Fresh Dirt
A lot is happening in the trail building world. From Georgia to Virginia, trail crews are planning new paths through our forests. Here’s a quick glance at this trail renaissance.
Spearhead Trails, Southwest Virginia: An entire system of multi-use trails is in the works for several counties in Southwest Virginia in an attempt to attract tourist [...]
Greener Gutter Choices
Dear EarthTalk: We will need to replace our house gutters soon. What are our best options from an environmental perspective?
– Jodie Green, Dallas, TX
First understand clearly why your gutters need to be replaced. Are they rusted or broken? Are the fasteners no longer holding them in place? Or have [...]
Four Questions for Adventure Racer Avril Copeland
The Irish-born Copeland has spent several years living in Nashville pursuing a country music career and ticking off some of the biggest adventure races in the country, including the Eco Primal Quest. In 2008, her team Hunky Dory finished 11th at Primal Quest Montana, traversing Montana’s rugged wilderness for seven straight days.
What does it take [...]
Rowing Machines
What ever happened to rowing machines? Several years ago, everybody said rowing was the single best exercise you could do. Now you can’t find a rowing machine anywhere. What gives?
Contrary to what the media would have you believe, there is no single best exercise. When someone tells me they have a “best exercise,” I [...]
Day whatever
This entry was completed by Nina Thayer.
I woke the boys up at 4:30am with breakfast and coffee ready. They ate and we loaded the van with the gear and the most important item…a sleeping Carmen. There didn’t appear to be a cloud in the sky for pictures of the sunrise from the Shenandoah River, but as I was driving back to the house I noticed that Andy very well might get some color this morning. They will see some wildlife for sure. Yesterday there was a lot of people on the river, but today being a workday for most the boys should have the river to themselves and the various animals that they will come across.
They got off without a problem this morning and I’m too hopped up on coffee to go back to sleep.
I want to give a special “thank you” to Andrew Keller who allowed us to use his beautiful property last night to take out and put back in this morning. It will be a place I remember always because that is where Carmen caught her first fish. Uncle John bought her a “big girl” fishing pole because now she is a professional fisherwoman! Thanks Uncle John.
Hopefully the boys won’t be on the river all day today. I think they are doing 12 miles and I’ll be taking them out at Morgans Ford in Warren County. At least I don’t have to cross the low water bridge! Have a wonderful day and thanks for reading along.
Journey Down the Shenandoah042609
Day 10 – Strasburg
Today is Sunday and it is hot on the river. A good day to be at the river and there are many people scattered along this stretch of the journey enjoying the river in boats, canoes, kayaks, tubes, rafts or by fishing, swimming or just relaxing.
Because of the more people around there was less wildlife. Clouds started to move in by the afternoon making the lighting better for scenics. I have an image of a group of turtles and the railroad bridge with Signal Knob in the background.