I wish I was my dog

I wish I could nap anywhere. I'm still dang busy with my work project so posting time is limited.

I don't think I've ever formally introduced my faithful companion.
Her name is Pitchka. She's Border Collie to the bone. Her name means 'little bird'.
She was the runt of the litter. I was working in Coalville, Utah in 2003. Coalville is just a few miles North of Park City, Utah. Coalville is mostly range land and there are sheep and cattle ranches everywhere. Pitchka came from a ranch in Henefer (just north of Coalville). She had just started working with cattle and sheep when I showed up and she decided to come with me. Her mom and dad where all the dogs the rancher needed so he was pleased to let me be her new meal ticket.
She sat on my lap the whole drive into the Petco store in Salt Lake City. It's been a gas having her company for over 5 years now.
Pitchka has traveled on field work assignments to California, Nevada, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Well traveled to say the least.
I'm very lucky that my office is dog-friendly so she often does the greeting duties when people come in.
When I'm out doing my field work, she often rides in the back seat, next to her kennel (see photo). During lunch breaks, we always take a walk or a run. If we're lucky, she flushes a pheasant or two.


As for me. I'm still working long hours until the end of January and then things should taper back down to a more normal work week. It's a good thing too because I start Ironman Canada training February 1st.
Oh my God! Ironman training is starting already! I guess I better get my new bike built up before the snow melts.

Peace to all.

huff, huff, hu, hu Happy New Year

Whew! Let me catch my breath for just a second.

I just got back from a week in Winter Wonderland.

I left the big city, where I'm working right now, and headed up to da Great White Nort on Dec. 27.

The farther along my drive I got, the deeper the snow got. I was itching to get to the cabin and for recess to start. Upon arrival, Pete filled the water jug, I stoked the wood stove, and filled the wood bin with fire wood that we had to excavate from under 15 inches of new snow. Yeeeeeeehaw!

This rustic cabin has been in Pete's family since the 1940's. Since then, Pete's parents have built their retirement home next door but we "boys" still shack up in the old cabin. The original design of the cabin was build from some plans and drawings of a chicken coop. Some minor modifications were made to the overall dimensions and electricity wasn't installed until the early 1990's. Prior to that, light was from gas lamps and hurricane lamps.

We "boys" absolutely love it. Stoking the fire to keep us from freezing is all that's needed to keep the man cave cozy and...well, cozy.

After a couple days of skiing, hunting, ice fishing, and snow shoeing, the old cabin gets a nice lived in feeling...and smells of men, dogs, and beer. Thank goodness for the hot shower next door. Whew.

New Year's eve was spent at a neighbors house for a feast of roast beast, grilled veggies, and swill. I was the designated driver so I limited myself to just a couple drinks. The size and strength of those 2 drinks is not entirely known but I do have total recall of the entire night and I only had to drive one quarter mile down a wooded lane from the banquet back to the cabin. Ain't not'n like da nort woods.

Santa is the best

Wishing you all a non-denominational Merry Christmas.


I must have been a good boy this year.


2008 QR Caliente

Blood red and pearl white.
It all starts with this beautiful frame. Oh what to name her when she's all built up?
Any suggestions?

How lucky am I?
The color scheme is an early prototype so I was told it's only one of 2 that exist and it has no serial number either.
Good thing I've got all winter to make her whole, beautiful, and lust over her until the snow melts.

She always said I was crazy...

Up with the sun
Gone with the wind
She always said I was crazy...
And those are the memories
That make me a wealthy soul.

Bob Seger, Travelin' Man

These cold days of winter offer a different palate. Contrast, light, dark, shadows.
I learned to read much later than my classmates but I always loved the pictures. They seemed to tell me enough of the story.

Mama told me there'd be days like this

5 AM Saturday Morning.


Ice cakes form when the wind blows all night.



Cold and White


Black and White.

Lakeside frost.

Good morning, the rooster crows.

Just dropping a note for now

Still not much time to stop in and visit you all but I'm making some hits now and then.

I went sliding with some buddies and their kids last Sunday and had a BLAST!

I was a bit sore on Monday but it was so worth it. We had sleds and tubes and wore the kids out. After numerous pile ups and white washed faces, we called it a day and made hot chocolate for the kids. We adults added some peppermint schnapps...oh yum.


Crazy working hours but all is well.

Blog you soon.

Long hours and not enough sleep

I just took on some new work duties and have really missed all you wonderful blogger friends.

So here's the quick run down.
I'm working 12-14 hour days, 6 days a week. The actual work hours are 10-12 but the total time from leaving my house until I get home is usually 14 hours. Thank goodness I'm still in the off season.
I have to commute about 150 miles round trip and work most of the day in my truck checking on and enforcing environmental compliance on a pipeline construction project. It should only last another 4 or 5 more weeks and then I'll get back to semi-normal.

I have very little time to check on you blogger buddies so forgive my temporary neglect. The only computer time I can stand after a long day is doing my reports and clicking 'send'. Then I do a short work out, eat, and go to bed. My alarm clock goes off at 4:30 AM, I put on my purple, green, and gold "Captain Planet" body suit. Goggles, cape, and knee high motocross boots.
Now there's an image for you.
And then it's hi ho off to work I go.

The pay is good and I've been promised a bonus (in writing) when I'm done with this duty. I think that surfing trip to Costa Rica may really happen.

I think it's all worth it.

Hey, fresh snow today. Waxing up the skis and getting ready for cross training now.
Woot woot.