Eden's garden - without a warning!

Who hid Mt Warning on Saturday? I could have sworn it was there last time I passed this way. Either way, as the Rajnishi wasn't on the road due to it's 1,000km service (which, just quietly, came a few hundred kilometres too late), it was time to drag Kevin 007 out of the stable for some dirt. I was joined my Martin for the early part of the ride, which basically involved the old trek through Bilambil and Urliup, before looping back to attack the climb over Tomewin. It was on this climb that I started to realise I might have been on a good day.

I headed off on my own in search of dirt, first along Garden of Eden road, which is more famous as the starting point of the climb to Mt Cougal. On the way back I scared the crap out of a roadie, by rejoining Tomewin road just as he completed the climb (I descended out of Garden of Eden road), and letting him think I had just completed the climb in super-fast time. However, I had more important things to think about.


It was now time for the ridgetop journey along Glengarrie "road". I always seem to be nervous at the start of this one, probably with the knowledge of what is to come. The track hugs the ridge for a while, with a steep rocky climb at the end, and it is here that I've had difficulty in the past. This day was also the first time I've attempted it since the infamous crash on July 28.

As it happened, the climb over the rocky section proved easier than I thought. Maybe I'm just stronger than I thought it was, or maybe it really was just easier. Either way, it felt like a bit of an anti-climax at the end. The descent wasn't too difficult either. There has been some work done on the road there, and it seemed to make a difference. They even look to have graded the Zig-Zag road, but frankly I couldn't be bothered checking it out.
The one mistake I made all day was passing over the food stop at the Bilambil bakery -- riding home against that hot northerly wind probably deserved more energy than I was prepared to expend on it. As it was, I navigated it at a relatively conservative pace. I did manage to pick up the Rajnishi later in the day, and a phone call from Martin that evening hatched another plan -- the climb to Best of All Lookout at Springbrook the following morning -- complete with it's 19% sections. This is what living is all about.

• Some of you might have noticed a lack of posts recently. Simply put, I've been too busy to write any. I will catch it up over the weekend, with a big announcement on the way.

Grosvenor Arch and Cottonwood Canyon Road

As my time on this trip nears its end, I've been reviewing many of the images that I've made throughout the trip and in so doing realized that I left out sharing the spectacular Grosevnor Arch with you! I visited this arch about a week ago, on the same day that I hiked the Willis Creek narrows. Grosvenor Arch is located down the Cottonwood Canyon Road, which goes right through the heart of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Its a little odd visiting this arch as Cottonwood Canyon Road is a fairly rough road with lots of washboard bumps and rocks, yet when you arrive at Grosvenor Arch you are treated to a nice picnic area with toilet facilities and a paved walkway leading up to the arch.

Since my visit to the arch was in the middle of the afternoon, I was thankful to have some nice clouds in the sky to make the mid-day photos a bit more interesting. After photographing the arch I continued to drive down Cottonwood Canyon Road, admiring the scenery along the way. I snapped a few images along the road, then turned around when I was roughly half-way through the road (about 23 miles). I would have continued all the way through the road, but I wanted to be back at Bryce Canyon that night to shoot the sunset.

As I write this update I am in Wall, South Dakota after a drive through the Pine Ridge Reservation and an afternoon/evening visit to Badlands National Park. I am working my way back home with mixed feelings. After spending a few weeks on the road its nice to be heading home, but at the same time I don't want the trip to end. At least I can take comfort in the knowledge that not long after I return home flowers will be blooming and the trees will be budding, and summer will soon be here! Look for a post about the Badlands to come in another day or two....

(Above and below: Some of the scenery along Cottonwood Canyon Road)

Viva Napoli - Tips to Getting Around Naples

From the moment you step
foot on to the chaotic streets of Naples, you realize it is a study in
contrasts. One moment you’re walking down a rundown street with flailing
laundry and the next you’re strolling past Baroque architectural splendours.
But some would argue –
rightfully so – that this authenticity is what gives this southern Italian city
its unparalleled charm.




Naples is an ancient port
city located between Mount Vesuvius and the steaming Phlegraean Fields. Its
history is a vivid montage rooted in Greek and Roman legend with rich artistic
and cultural traditions evident in the many castles, churches, museums,
piazzas, archaeological remains, and UNESCO world heritage sites. Most notably
the San Carlo opera house, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, the
Castel dell’Ovo, Castel Nuovo, Piazza del Mercato, Santa Chiara Church and the
Duomo.·In Naples, life is lived on its colourful streets. It is not uncommon to see beautiful, feisty women shouting Neapolitan slurs with spirited gestures, old men playing cards, or Vespas and cars weaving in and out of traffic in a frenetic road dance. Here, people live so passionately and intensely that one of the greatest pleasures is to sit back and watch as this ‘live theatre’ unfolds.
Neapolitans have an
enthusiasm for life like no others. Maybe it’s because they live their lives in
the shadow of an active volcano with death looming in close proximity. Whatever
the reason, this gusto is evident in the architecture, the way people dress and
in the delicious Neapolitan cuisine.



Many of Italy’s
world-famous dishes like pizza and spaghetti were born in this region, so it’s
no surprise that Naples offers some of the finest and freshest food in all of
Italy. Mouth-watering pizza is made with fresh mozzarella di bufala and fresh
seafood is prepared to perfection. Naples is also home to Italy’s best coffee.
Espresso bars are everywhere and patrons can be found enjoying coffee at all
hours.Try a steamy shot of fragrant espresso at the late 19th century Gran Caffè
Gambrinus with a decadent pastry. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

·
Visitors
might be surprised to discover that Naples is a shopping gem. Centuries of
artisan traditions continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Renowned for having the finest sartorie custom tailors in the world, the best
hand sown suits, dress shirts and ties are skillfully made here.
Naples has been working
hard to shed its notorious reputation for pickpockets, littered streets and
organized crime and it has been succeeding. This fascinating city is many
things – some good and some bad – but if given the chance, Naples will draw you
in and stir your emotions with its colourful characters, classical ruins and
passion for life’s pleasures.
SURROUNDINGS
Naples is Italy’s gateway
to Pompeii, approx. 25 kilometers from the city center, where the active Mount
Vesuvius looms. In 1997, UNESCO designated Pompeii a World Heritage Site. Take
ferry’s to visit the neighboring islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. The Amalfi
Coast is breathtaking with its famous cliffside villages of Sorrento, Positano,
Amalfi and Ravello.

WHERE
TO STAYOverlooking the
picturesque Castel dell’Ovo and the Bay of Naples, Hotel Excelsior is an
elegant property that honours Italy’s old-world craftsmanship and design with
focus on modern luxury. Enjoy fresh Mediterranean cuisine on their rooftop
restaurant that combinesspectacular indoor and veranda views of Naples.



Located between the
harbour and the old town, the Romeo Hotel brings innovative design elements to
a city that evokes old world Italian romance. The highlight of this stunning
property is the rooftop restaurant that serves regional dishes with
breathtaking views of Vesuvius and Capri.

WHERE
TO EATNo visit to Naples is
complete without eating pizza at the legendary L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
that many have described as the “Sacred Temple of Pizza.” This small, rather
nondescript pizzeria has been making the best marinara and margherita pizza since
1870.If you’re a seafood lover
reserve a table at Ristorante da Dora. It may look like a run-of-the-mill
trattoria, but this modest restaurant offers some of the freshest fish in town
and is always packed with local fish lovers.





GETTING
TO NAPLESCapodichino airport is
located eight kilometers northeast of downtown Naples. There are daily flights
into Naples from most Italian and European cities. You can also take the train
into Naples. If you’re renting a vehicle, you can drive from Rome to Naples in
approximately 2.5 hours on highway A90/E80, but beware: driving in Naples
requires a lot of courage.

FUN
FACTS

• Naples was founded by
the Greeks in 7th century BC
• The city was named
Neapolis which means the "New City"• It is said that the
Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul preached here• Naples became part of
the Italian unification in 1860• It is the third most
populated city in Italy• Naples has the world’s
worst traffic outside of Cairo
Look for this article in the new issue of Panorama Italia Magazineon newsstands now.

When work is done

Sunday was time for fun and relaxation.
I started at Panera to post the photos I took during the trail class and workshop. (Oh yeah, and the BBQ). Then it was meet up for the bike ride with IMBA Trail Care Crew.
This is the FUN part of trail work - the BBQ and bike ride. We had a pretty good turn-out for a Sunday morning ride at Swanson Park. It was the most climbing I have done this year. With in my condition, I was only able to ride about 2.5 miles in the woods.
After a couple laps at Swanson, some went to Jewell. It was enough for me, so headed to Iowa. Stopped at Xtreme Wheels to drop off Psycowpath race posters. Most of the afternoon was spend napping or chatting on the computer.

Donner Creek

Donner Creek, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Donner Creek in Mt. Diablo State Park. To get this photo, I got down into the rushing creek with my tripod in the water. It really is an amazing creek, exciting and interesting. Upstream, in the canyons, there are several large waterfalls.

Sunrise

This post is solely for the benefit of those of you who weren't up at 4.30am this morning to see the sunrise. You missed out, but you should just be glad I'm here to relay the news.

Beginning the List...

Last night I started my "What I Want To Do in .." list.  So far, it only has ten things on it.  I'm sure it'll grow as the week progresses.  I believe in dreaming big.  Even if I don't do ALL the things on the list, I'll do most of them just because they're written down.  So here it is:1.  Finish the writing course2.  Have my KJV Bible rebound3.  Go on a retreat by myself4.  Take a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School5.  Get my photography in another gallery6.  Open an Etsy Shop?  I'm not sure if I want to do this or not.7.  Go to DisneyWorld8.  Get my writing published locally and regionally9.  Lost sixteen pounds by the end of June10.  Make daily times for creativity

Sunset from Diablo

Sunset from Diablo, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

With clouds in the western sky, yesterday's sunset was beautiful. I was hiking in Diablo Foothills Regional Park when the sky lit up with beautiful shades of orange and pink. This area is home to the amazing China Wall rock formation, which stretches across two large hills. Rock outcroppings such as the one in this photo are common in the park.