Sh*ts Like a Frog

Up In A Plane To Fight For a River

2010-10-14T23:05:00.005-04:00

The Pigeon River could be a beautiful river if it was not smelly, unhealthy, and full of a chemical soup from the Evergreen Packaging Canton Mill. Its not called the "Dirty Bird" by boaters because it is clean. Above the Canton Mill the Pigeon is pristine as it runs down from the Parkway. I live about 2 miles from the Pigeon River and I cannot take advantage of its beauty because the water is simply toxic, did I mention how badly it smells? Nor can the thousands of other people that come to Western North Carolina to take advantage of its beautiful rivers.

Clean Water for North Carolina along with seven other groups are determined to fight the incredulous wastewater permit issued earlier this year. You can read more details about this issue at www.cwfnc.org. Basically the new permit allows the Mill to pollute more and not do anything to clean up the river. Thank you NC Department of Natural Resources for completing forgetting about your mission to protect and preserve NC rivers and resources.

On Tuesday, October 12th, 2010, I was invited to take pictures of the Pigeon River and paper mill by Hope Taylor the Executive Director of Clean Water for North Carolina. Thank to Southwings (www.SouthWings.org) for providing the flight. I feel lucky that we have Hope Taylor, Katie Hicks, and the staff at Clean Water for North Carolina on our side to fight to keep the Pigeon healthy.

The Pigeon River (below the mill) at ground level:

The giant mill versus the Pigeon River:

The plane:

More Pictures:

Bootlegger Enduro

2010-10-13T19:41:00.004-04:00

Photo Highlights from the 2010 Bootlegger Enduro

Cataloochee

2010-04-20T11:55:00.002-04:00

Cataloochee Creek in the Smoky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite creeks. The trails along this creek are also some of my favorite local trails to hike in the Park. Below are some pictures from my last adventure there.

Gnarled tree roots

Cataloochee Creek

Moss Forest

Stairs on trail over Cataloochee Creek

View of Smokies from my back deck

Textures

2010-03-09T13:29:00.004-05:00

I love photographing contrast different textures, colors, and lights. Below are a few pictures from this weekend from a friend's house on the river, I admit they are with a point and shoot Nikon camera and not my DSLR.

Winter Hike

2010-02-04T13:16:00.005-05:00

Last Sunday, I missed the Sumter Enduro due to snow and ice. I decided to hike up to the top of Chambers Mountain (elevation 4495 feet), which has a beautiful 360 degree view of Haywood County and beyond. There is no trail up there from the way I hiked up, so it ended up being a fun snowy adventure.

View of Chambers from way below (around 3000ft)

Looking at Hemphill Bald and the Smokies

Wierd fungus on a dying tree

Broxton Bridge Enduro 2010

2010-01-19T13:55:00.003-05:00

Broxton Bridge Plantation is a great spot for an enduro, this year it rained all night and made for gruesome trail conditions. A special thanks to Doug Cochran and all the guys who built the trail and helped put the race on. If it wasn't for a search party, my car keys would have been still buried in dirt somewhere after the gas stop. Thanks to everyone who made my day. I shot with Rob Beacham from Passion 4 Dirt who shoots the NC Hare Scramble series as well. He is a great photog, so check out his pics too! E-mail me with any questions or special photo requests. Thanks for your support.

Indoor Motorcross at the Ag Center

2010-01-12T11:09:00.010-05:00

Victory Sports puts on an indoor MX series a couple of times a year. Despite the cold temperature, 2-stroke gas filled air, and terrible lighting conditions, I had a blast watching kids fly around the track on their bikes. Below are a few pictures, I could not get my strobes close enough to properly light the track, but it sure was fun to watch.

Girls on the Run 5K-Western North Carolina

2009-12-13T14:15:00.006-05:00

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. On December 12th, 2009 the Western North Carolina chapter held its 5k race for these girls at the UNCA Campus.

Despite the below 35 degree temperatures, these cheerful girls and their running buddies had a blast. My friend Rachel introduced me to this organization and asked me if I would want to volunteer to take pictures of the race. I was incredibly glad I did, this is a great organization and it was so wonderful to see girls outdoors and having a great time.

Below are some pictures from the race.

Canoe Camping- Tyger River, SC

2009-12-06T11:33:00.006-05:00

Every Thanksgiving we go canoe camping, I can't think of a more perfect way to be thankful than to float down a river for a few days.

Gauley Fest!

2009-09-25T11:05:00.003-04:00

So for once, I went on a trip sans camera and had a blast. The Gauley river in West-By-God, VA is infamous for its wild class V big water rapids. The Gauley dam is released in September and October for scheduled days, hence Gauley season commences and boaters from all over the place descend on WVA.
American Whitewater hosts a big party every year to celebrate Gauley season and raise money for whitewater access, rights, and awareness. This year I was lucky enough to get to paddle my 2 person raft down the Upper Gauley with Thug 1 (aka Julie Ross).
We dubbed my boat, The Little Red Bull as it tried to buck us off many times. After Pillow rapid (picture of us shown below), we finally reached a stated of paddling Zen and ran everything smoothly. If you ever have a change to get to the Gauley I highly recommend it.
Photo credit: www.leisuresportsphoto.com

2009 Long Cane Enduro

2009-09-14T19:25:00.005-04:00

The Long Cane 2009 was an eventful enduro. This event is a good reminder for us to try to work with local landowners and the U.S. Forest Service to protect our ride to ride and race. I think more can be done in this area by all of us to encourage use of Forest Service land and roads for 1 day out of the year. We need to work together and write the Sumter Ranger District and local S.C. area chamber of commerce organizations about the economic benefits of holding an enduro in their town and the potential of responsible land use. View the full Long Cane Gallery here!

2009 Little Brown Jug

2009-09-07T15:11:00.006-04:00

DUST - The Little Brown Jug had plenty of it this year. The riders were flying at top speeds through the forest in heat. Despite the dust, I was able to take plenty of pictures. More photos in the Little Brown Jug gallery.

The Rattler Enduro 2009

2009-08-17T20:24:00.005-04:00

SETRA.org's first enduro of 2009-2010 season went off without a hitch in Sparta, GA. The riders looked to be in great form after the summer break. Be sure to check out SETRA's great new website for scores and more! More photos at Off The Road Photos!

ORAMM 2009 - 10th Annual Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell

2009-07-27T17:08:00.012-04:00

ORAMM is a legendary race, on Sunday, July 26th, Blue Ridge Adventures put on the the 10th Annual Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell. The race goes up Kitsuma, to Star Gap, Curtis Creek Road up to the Parkway, down Heartbreak Ridge, and back up and down Kitsuma. While this sounds like an exercise in brutality to most mtn bikers, well over 300 folks come out and race this every year with smiles (and scars)! Photos are up on my site OffTheRoadPhotos.com under the Blue Ridge Adventures Gallery!

Special thanks to Liz DiNatale from Shades of Red Photography for taking pictures on Kitsuma and the finish. Her pictures can be seen on my website by clicking here!

Below are some preview shots from my my ORAMM Gallery!

Heartbreak Ridge

Dave Simpson smoothing a tight switchback

Start (taken with a Fisheye Lens)

Star Gap

Point & Shoot

2009-07-21T13:57:00.004-04:00

A few months ago, we bought a little Nikon Coolpix S630 to carry around on the bikes or when we don't want to lug the big DSLR around. I have to say I am very impressed with it. Nikon's definitely have great optics. Below are few shots I took in Seattle with the point and shoot.

Mt. Rainier from in the background of Discovery Park

Cool Tugs

Camera in Macro Mode

Summer Flowers

2009-06-23T14:39:00.005-04:00

I adore daylilies, so I took a bunch of pictures of these incredible flowers around my yard. These are all untouched photos, taken with an SB-800 speedlight at dusk. Enjoy!

LollDesigns.com Furniture

2009-06-10T16:20:00.003-04:00

So we outfitted our deck with some super sweet recycled furniture from Loll Designs. I am digging our furniture so much, I don't go inside until its time to go to sleep. If you want to do the right thing, then get some of this furniture....

New furniture enjoying the evening air on our lower deck

Wish I Were Riding....

2009-05-14T16:48:00.006-04:00

Okay its sunny, breezy, and 70 degrees in Asheville right now, I can only sit in my office on my lunch break and look over the mountains and wish I were out riding on either my mtn bike, one my dirt bikes, or in my kayak down a river, any of these options would suffice. So in hopeful thoughts, I will share some pics....

Wheelies....

I so wish I could do this...

Boating or mtn biking would be nice too..

West Point National Enduro (Rad Dad Enduro) 2009

2009-04-28T11:05:00.010-04:00

The West Point (Rad Dad) National Enduro was held April 26th, 2009 in West Point, TN on a perfect spring day. You couldn't ask for better conditions or more choice trails. The day before I rode around on my KTM 530 EXR to scope out some photo locations and decided to shoot from two locations. The woods of Section 3 and the start of Section 5. All photos will be posted at OffTheRoadPhotos.com by April 30th.

Below are some highlights:

Russell Bobbit charging it down the trail to 1st Place!

Lafferty sailing smooth as usual

KTM's lined up at the start (of course)!

Racing by the creek

Yeeehhhaaaaawwww!

Spring Dual-Sporting

2009-04-19T08:58:00.004-04:00

There is nothing prettier than Western North Carolina in the spring on a sunny 70 degree day. Of course exploring new dirt and gravel on my bike is one of my favorite things to do at this time of year. Having just been reunited with my KTM 530 after its overhaul, I was itching to get out an poke around. I went down to the Cheoah River/Joyce Kilmer/Slick-Rock Wilderness area in Robbinsville, NC to see if I could find some choice dirt and gravel.

Luckily after 2 years of a terrible draught, we have had some Spring rains and wet weather springs and creeks are flowing and make for some Grade A scenery. I didn't lug my big camera around with me and only had my crappy camera phone, so I am sorry about these pics. However, I was so stoked about my ride, I am posting them anyway.

Slick-Rock Wilderness Trail Head

Goofy pic of me in front of a spring

Spring on the side of the road

Steele Creek GNCC

2009-03-23T10:50:00.005-04:00

On a beautiful sunny March Sunday, hundreds of speed hungry dirt riders converged on the Blue Ridge mountains in Morganton, NC at Steele Creek to spread some dirt around a 12 mile rugged course. The GNCC series was started up the Appalachain mountain chain in Blackwater, West Virgina in the 1970s by the Coombs family and has continued to draw huge crowds since it inception.

I decided to stimulate the economy last week by purchasing a new 70-200mm, vibration reduction, f/2.8 Nikkor lens. The Steele Creek GNCC was the perfect venue to test this baby out, and the conditions were ideal.

Here is sample, more picture at Off The Road Photos.com

DIRT RIDER MAG BRAG

2009-03-06T16:08:00.006-05:00

If you don't subscribe to Dirt Rider, you should, these guys rock. Not only I have bought several very useful tools form their reviews, Dirt Rider has provided me continued amusement with their sense of humor, dirt biking tips, and mechanical tricks.

Earlier this week I wrote in about an issue I was having with my KTM 530 EXCR, Karel Kramer responded within a few hours and not only did he provide some great information, he e-mailed me again later with more things I could do to improve my bike.

In this day of crappy customer service all around, is nice to know that these dudes have it going on!

Thanks Dirt Rider!

Cherokee National Enduro 2009

2009-02-23T09:49:00.009-05:00

Wallace Palmer

Russell Bobbitt

Flying Down The Trail

The Cherokee Enudro Riders sure know how to put on a killer race. It was a beautiful clear, crisp day and the conditions were perfect for the bike to stick to to the trail and fly. More pictures to come at OFF THE ROAD PHOTOS.COM. A special thanks to Kenny K., whose pictures are always perfect and his great company and advice always welcome. His pictures are up at PBASE.COM/KENNYK.
Rob Beachman also took great pictures and shot many of the rows I missed due to camera failure photos. His photos are up here Passion4Dirt.

Sumter National Enduro 2009 Photos

2009-01-27T10:10:00.006-05:00

More photos from Sumter National Enduro:

Bainon Coursey showing perfect form

Johnathan Hazinski

Anders Erickson

Michael Pugrab was super fast and was sporting great colors...

Sumter National Enduro 2009

2009-01-26T16:33:00.004-05:00

Russell Bobbitt tearing it up (again!)

Mike Lafferty wheelieing his way through the Sumter forest.

There are many reasons I dig taking pictures, shooting Enduros is probably #1 on my list. First, this is sort of a fringe sport. It is well organized, everyone is nice and talks to each other. You meet fantastic people and you get to be outside in some of the prettiest woods you would otherwise never see.

I met some great new people at this enduro and saw some old friends I have met over the years at other Enduros.

More pictures to come....

The Smokies

2008-12-29T10:32:00.003-05:00

Barn across from the Caldwell House

Old Man's Beard Lichen

View of the Park

Elk bull eating

The Cataloochee entrace to the Smokies is just 10 miles from my house! Our National Parks are in trouble, to stay informed of issues facing our Parks please visit the NPCA website. Perhaps the biggest threat are fights over land use, hunters, hikers, whitewater folks, and mountain bikers must learn to use the land together. Its all of our tax dollars that pay for Park land, so no one group should be forced out of using the land responsibly. Let's hope the new rule for allowing mountain bikers to use Park land will go into effect smoothly and Parks such as the Smokies will come into compliance with the new rule.

I look over Park land everyday from the view from my house and everday I feel lucky to be able to look and see undeveloped land.

Holidaze

2008-12-19T16:32:00.005-05:00

Whoah nelly, the year is almost over. I don't have too much to say this time of year mostly because, I've had too much sugar, food, and alcohol to put a coherent sentance together. However, its been a great year for me despite all the apparent turmoil in the world. I heard a segment on NPR today that made me laugh out loud, about how Bush said he didn't want to leave a big mess for the next President. (This was in regards to the shamefully huge auto bailout package). That is mighty white of ol' President Bush considering the two wars, financial ruin, and educational failure of his administration that Obama will now have to attempt to clean up.

I'm from Washington, DC so sorry I can't get politcal analysis off my brain. However, a buddy of mine was in town a few weeks ago and said how his lifestyle has never changed in past 2 decades so he doesn't pay much attention to politics. Truthfully, mine hasn't either. That economic stimulous package bought a few extra bags of dog food for my two mutts, but thats about it. I do feel being informed is important, but it shouldn't run our lives.

So I am going to continue to go on my merry way (and run a few extra miles) over the next few weeks and get prepared for another wonderful year.

Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias

2008-11-26T14:13:00.006-05:00

Turkey Day is upon us! (Wild Turkey's from my driveway pictured above) This year I have a lot to be thankful for I have:

A great job
A great boyfriend
Wonderful friends who appreciate my flakiness and know that if I disappear into the woods all weekend or don't call them for several weeks, I still love them just as much
An amazing family
all the toys a girl could want to go have fun in the woods or where ever (mtn. bike, dirt bike, sweet camera, dual-sport, kayaks, rafts, riverboards, a pick-up truck, a new iMAC and much more)
all the animals one should ever have (two dogs, two cats, a rooster and four chickens)
and the opportunity to be thankful for things!

Set The Controls For the Heart of Fun (and a little pain!)

2008-11-24T09:04:00.008-05:00

I hopped on my KTM 250 2-stroke and took off through the South Carolina pines, for the relatively flat terrain just south of Spartanburg. Enoree OHV offers some busy, fun, and fast riding. Not one section of the trial is straight for more than about 3 seconds. Riding smooth through several berms, I kicked my bike up another gear, the trees got a little more blurry...I see a berm a little too late try to lean and counter steer a little too hard and wham..... Dirt sample with my left shoulder into a few somersaults. I jump to my feet and turn around, my two fitty is laying on the other side of the berm, mocking me.
I pull in the clutch and pick her up, (she is still running in 3rd gear laying on her side!?!) Anyone who rides a 2-stroke knows the power on those things comes from another world. I can hear my little 250 telling me, you should have ridden me more this summer, instead you were out riding that other bike.
My other bike is a KTM 530, I use it as my dual-sport. I plea with the 250, gas prices were so high, I couldn't afford to haul you all over the place, plus I can ride 150 of gravel and dirt right from my driveway. I am sorry little 250, I promise to take better care of you, you are still my favorite. This old gas tastes terrible she says as I ride her back onto the trail.
The rest of the day I spent in a zen like, irie state as the 250 moves through the trail effortlessly underneath me. The whoops, berms, and mud holes and pines trees all cooperated with my movement. There is nothing in the world like cruising through the woods in the Southeast.
(Picture above from the Sumter National Enduro of Jared Bolton from my gallery)

Pimp Your Ride

2008-11-12T11:06:00.007-05:00

Lee Walker from Walker Mounts has designed a very clever way to add some personality and safety to your two-wheeled friend. This pics are from the SWANK 65, the bike looked really sweet. Click on the pitures above to get a better view of his ride. He has a variety of shapes and reflective colors available, so go to Walker Mounts and pimp your ride.

SWANK 65 2008

2008-11-11T12:12:00.005-05:00

From a photographer's view, the SWANK 65 is quite a production. Todd, Heather, and Paula from Blue Ridge Adventures are some dedicated race organizers who know how to put on a phenomenal race. Here is what I love about photographer mtn bike races:
1) The smiles on people's faces
2) The challenge of shooting digital in not the best conditions (i.e. - ISO NOISE-yeck! Thank goodness for good photo software.)
3) Meeting people that really inspire me - there are some badass chics out there so watch out boys!

So here are some pics from the race...

Shana Powell and Beth Roberts Getting Ready to Race

The Infamous LeMans Start

Ryan As Sweep - Always Smiling!!!

The First Climb

The Demise of the English Language

2008-10-24T13:43:00.005-04:00

Okay, we all use incorrect grammer from time to time. However, I have noticed among all people that the English language is being abused. Not only that but quotes from commercials pervade our daily expressions (including church billboards as seen above). It is hard for me not to correct people when they make glaring errors. Mispeaking is one thing but getting the whole use of a word wrong repeadetly is another. Along with intentional mispellings, such as Kountry Kitchen. Up until this year, the Ingles grocery store near my house had a sign up on the muffin and cookie display saying "Muffins and doughnuts must be rang up separate". Now I know I live in rural America, but this is entertaining. I heard someone saying they can "make pretend" something for Halloween, hopefully they meant "make believe". Another favorite I have heard recently with the political debates is, "the point being that". Yes, there are too many words here a point already exists, it does not have to be. In case you are wondering, it should be "the point is that".

Maybe I should just accept the dumbing down of America and not let these things bother me. Really, I think we need to spend more money on education.

Valentino Rossi MotoGP Title #6

2008-10-02T12:04:00.018-04:00

Valentino Rossi is one of the best racers in the history of the world. In September, I went to Indy to see the first MotoGP race at Indy. Last weekend, he won the race at Motegi, confirming that he has won his 6th MotoGP Title and his 8th World Chamionship overall. Funny enough his current winning percentage is 46%, which is his race number. If he wins this weekend in Australia, he will bump up his ratio to 50%.

I am continually amazed by his skill, sense of humor, and dedication to his sport. He is the Michael Schumacher of the MotoGP world. In fact Valentino Rossi, once tested a Formula 1 Ferrarri and came just seconds to Schumacher's time! During his break from the MotoGP he will drive a rally car, his other favorite past time, in the Wales GB Rally.

(Picture above by the author at Indy MotoGP Race Qualifying #2)

P.S. Would someone please buy me a Rally car? I swear I'll drive it nicely if all the trees stay out of my way.

Say No to the Bailout Package!!!

2008-09-22T12:09:00.002-04:00

I am puzzled that every single hardworking American is not up in arms over the potential bailout package! Oh wait no I'm not, we are a Nation of lazy, pass the blame, spend more than we have idiots. Cause and effect has escaped the minds of all Americans.
There is still a chance for hope! This is people like you and me who care about the future of America and will stand up and write to our legislators and make our voice heard.
It is easy. Here is a link to contact your Congressperson - Write Your Congressional Rep
Here is the link to contact your Senator Write Your Senator(s)
You can write something like this:
Dear Congressperson/Senator You Let Me Down:
The economic bailout package is a scandal. Why should your taxpayers go into more debt financing insurance agencies, financial institutions, investment bankers and corporations? The people who created this mess, knew that selling mortgage securities was a volatile idea from the beginning. I do not want my tax money to go to helping out corporate America. Please oppose this bill and this package, it will do nothing but bring this country more financial ruin in the future. You were voted into office to represent and support your consituents and you have let us down. If you are going to throw our tax money away of bad securities debt, then you might as well just give it back to us instead. I do not want my hard earned tax dollars to go to bad decision making. I need to pay off my own debt not other people's. This package is completely unsound. Sincerely, Your Name

Please get educated on this issue and stand up for your rights as a taxpayer!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway MotoGP 2008

2008-09-17T09:12:00.006-04:00

There was a time when I thought sportbikes were for big egos and little privates. But 4 years ago, I went to watch the AMA Superbike race at Barber Motorsports in Alabama. When you see those guys go over 150 mph on a precision motorcycle, you change your mind very quickly. Then I got into watching the MotoGP and I was entirely hooked on the motorcycle racing scene. This weekend I had the once in the lifetime opportunity to see the Ignaugural MotoGP race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hurricane Ike decided to pay us a visit up there, but despite the rainy conditions, these riders pushed themselves and their machinery to the limits. My favorite rider is of course, 5 time world champ Valentino Rossi. Let me tell you this guy is the epitomy of smooth.

The picture to the right is of Rossi -
The Doctor, buzzing by at probably over 170 mph in the rain with his front tyre off the ground. If I could just have once ounce of his skills on a motorcycle I would be completely stoked. The whole weekend was completely amazing.

Red Bull (where they get their funding I have no idea) put on race called the Red Bull Rookies Cup, this race was for these junior riders. These guys were bornin the late 80s and early 90s and were charging it just as hard as the MotoGP Premier Class riders. Below is a picture of their little 125cc KTM bike, that they rode in the race. Every rider had the same bike, same tyres, and were only allowed to change the rebound and compression in the springs to fit their weight.

Norweigan rookie Sturla Fagerhaug won the Rookie's Cup. Of course, I ended the weekend with big smiles, as Valentino Rossi took 1st place giving him a significant lead in the points standing. Hopefully he will claim another World Championship title this year.

(All pictures by the author)

Babylon By Bike

2008-09-08T14:40:00.002-04:00

This State Trooper from SC is indeed spitting his dip into a mini-powerade bottle! Is this safe? I think not.

Tired but good

2008-09-02T12:05:00.007-04:00

Have you ever felt completely exhausted but good? This is how I have felt the last two weeks. The weekend before last, I shot some pics of the NOC Dagger Competition. My friend Cystal Gustin (above) rocked out on the wave. More are coming on my photo site when I get the motivation to post them. That week, I took friends kayaking after work that had never been before, twice.

The week flew by and one of my closest friends Maddy came and visited. We went to the Tuckaseegee and paddled and hung out with our friend Barry K who takes pictures of the Tuck at Tuckshot.com. On Sunday I went to the USACYCLING Pro Chamionships in Greenville, SC. Tyler Hamilton won. It was incredible to see Roadies flying around downtown Greenville at high speed. The coolest thing was the BMW K75 Photo Bike support. I will have to add pictures of this incredible moto set up later.

Monday was Labor Day, I should have labored. Instead, I worked on playing disc golf and making my stomach hurt from laughing with friends.

BOULDERS ARE BIG

2008-08-07T15:55:00.002-04:00

Several years ago when I didn't have as many domestic duties, I used to boulder along with the mutltitudes of other outdoor sports I did on a regular basis. Bouldering like motoring, kayaking, mtn. biking, is a sport that lends itself well to expanding your brain capacity via deep thought (like I am going to die if I miss this move). On my property, there are lots of boulders, I didn't really think much about "bouldering" on them until earlier this year when my friend Heather said we should check out one particular rock visible from the road. Well, I finally bought a new pair of climbing shoes and check out that rock I did.

It is a nice rock with lots of fun features, it also has a plethora of poisonous weeds on and around it, as evident from its portrait above. I am excited to get it cleaned up. Not that I need another sport to take my time away from more grown-up duties, but it is a nice activity to take my mind of the sadness of the last two waterless boating seasons.

Jeranimo my new cat came with me to check out the boulder this week. Here is is looking for a piece of poison ivy to pounce on and rub on me.

J E A L O U S Y . . .

2008-08-05T10:45:00.001-04:00

This is a strange emotion, but sometimes you have a reason to feel jealous. In my case, my man is going out to Brianhead UT to go Dual-Sporting and watch our buddy Todd B. compete in the National Mountain Bike Super D Series, where he will most likely be the Champ again. Two weeks out West is like a dream vacation for me.

If I didn't work for El Corporation, I would definitely love to go there. Brianhead has got to be one of the coolest places ever, surrounded by Bryce and Zion National Parks. Oh well at least I do like working for said El Corporation and will wait for my vacation time to accrue so I can go to the MotoGP race in September at Indy.
P.S.: BTW- I am rocking out to Smashing Pumkins right now which I am going to see on the 15th of August in Charlotte, NC.
P.S.S.: My mouth is very numb right now from getting a tooth drilled, I hope I am not drooling everwhere.

ORAMM 2008 Photos

2008-08-04T17:11:00.000-04:00

So on the 27th of July, I shot photos of the Off-Road-Assault On Mt. Mitchell. Here are the photos . This was my first Mtn. Bike Race and I have a feeling I will be shooting more of these events. Typically, I shoot Enduro Races for SETRA series and I can't wait for that race season to start.

The ORAMM race was fantastic, most of the people were super nice and Todd puts on one of the best races I've seen. The Enduros are a self-service event. You get to put what you want on the trailer for the gas stops (usually 1 or 2) and that's it. An Enduro is anywhere for 60-80 miles through the woods with times sections on single track, dirt road, gravel, etc.

I can't wait to shoot more Mtn. Bike races in the future either. I love to see people smile and there were tons of great smiles at this race even though I was shooting mostly at the climbs on Kitsuma and Curtis Creek.

...Solo Ride

2008-08-04T15:11:00.000-04:00

This is my first blog. I think that most blogs are a very self-centered way of communicating to the world how incredibly awesome you are, but I decided to start one anway (see there are two I's in that sentance, well now three.) "I" am writing down my random thoughts here if you are bored off your ass enough to read them, good for you!

Okay enough about you and back to me, I have a KTM 530 Dual-Sport, I rode it 118.7 miles this weekend on a solo ride. I rode from Clyde, NC to Mills River via 276, Yellow Gap Road (FR 1206) - here I saw a head-on collision with a Subaru and Explorer, then through N. Mills River to get gas, back up to FR 5000, across the Parkway, then back down 276. It was sweet. My bike is one bad machine.

Riding motorbikes is a great way to think about nothing except riding, still I had two predominet thoughts this weekend. 1) How can two people's sense of morals be so different? (Not that I am an angel or the moral police or anything, but this questions fascinates me) 2) Sometimes I'm sorry just isn't good enough.