On the trail again

While The Lizard powered his Black Pearl over desert dust, rustic roots and thorny terrain, I climbed Mack Ridge and hiked the Rustler Loop. This is what I saw.

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Snowflake Monday

This snowflake is an adaptation of my Century Snowflake, created because the Century Snowflake was too big to fit on my still unfinished and still unnamed quilt. Because the Century Snowflake is one of my most popular patterns, I thought I probably ought to share the modifications.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Century II Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as dc), 12 dc in ring; sl st tightly across starting ch 2 into 1st dc. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2); *1 dc in next dc, ch 2; repeat from * around 10 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 4.

Round 3: Sl st in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in same sp, *ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, ending with 1st 3/sc in next ch 2 sp on final repeat; sl st in starting sc.

Round 4: Ch 20 (counts as 1 dc and ch 17), *1 dc over sc of Round 3 into next Round 2 dc (ch looping over heart), ch 17; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch 20.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 5: *3 sc in next ch 17 sp, 3 hdc in same sp, 3 dc in same sp, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), 3 dc in same sp, 3 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in next sp, ch 12, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top half of next dc, 1 dc in bottom half of same dc, sl st in next ch (heart made), ch 6, sl st into last sc made; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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None Were With Him

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Spring

Spring Has Sprung

Hi folks, Snowcatcher asked if I’d like to write a bit. So, here’s to spring fever...

I‘ve been getting bored with the road bike. Since we’re about a month ahead of schedule on temps and snowmelt; I’ve been saddling the Black Pearl and hitting the trails instead. Hopefully we won’t pay for the weather gods’ niceties come April or May. Nonetheless, as I write, we’re sporting temps in the ‘40s with a forecast of rain and snow.

Waterton Canyon
After a hiatus lasting two years, Waterton Canyon reopened access to my favorite Front Range mountain bike riding. In early March, the six-mile stretch up Waterton to the beginning of the Colorado Trail was dry, except for some ice in the darker environs. The trailhead proper had a fair amount of snow, as it should this time of year.

Each foray surrendered access farther and farther into the forest.

Within weeks, I was able to ride ridgelines of freeze/thaw fluffed trail, frosted in pinecone. Except for steep, sun-starved drainages, portaging snow and ice was easy. Even annual spring blowdown was minimal.

With an education in hydrology, anything water-related piques my interest. Snowpack is way down this year. Even more concerning is forest soil conditions. Areas patch-quilted in snow still have moist forest soil. But, in areas already melted, soil conditions are summer like — not good! The big fire you probably heard about raging southwest of Denver took advantage of strong winds and current summer-like dryness. In the above photo, follow the ridgeline left to the edge of the pic and you’re very close to what would become the east edge of the afore mentioned fire. Too soon, too soon.

Kokopelli’s River Trails
Snowcatcher and I decided to travel to my hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado, to visit my grandmother who just turned 92-years of age. We also wanted some high desert mountain biking and hiking. We decided on the Kokopelli Trail, which extends roughly 150-miles from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The trail is largely rough, isolated, desert two-track crossing a very remote region. There is some single-track, most of which is found on the Colorado segment, commonly known as the river trails.

Saturday would be Kokopelli day, whereas Sunday we would visit with my grandmother. After a four-hour drive, and sporting a cast, Snowcatcher began a long hike with lots of photography. I clipped into my pedals, full of childlike giddy anticipation of being back on my favorite trails, and excitedly pedaled toward Mary’s Loop.

The ground was dry, very dry! I watched small wakes of talcum powdered dirt bellow from under my treads. It didn’t take long for the bellows to cover my lower legs in fine dust. Soon, my first loop, Horsethief Bench trail, came into view. I scampered down through the cliffband onto the bench proper and took off! The riding is delightful mix of Jurassic sandstone and ancient fluvial fill, the result of eons of a meandering Colorado River. Fun — pure and simple!

Back up on Mary’s Loop, the journey was a short jaunt above the river to the intersection with a superb trail called Steve’s Loop.

Initially, Steve’s is fast single-track of Jurassic sandstone ancestry. The second half sports a stiff climb (off-bike portage) up onto more colorful mudstones and siltstones of the Morrison and Summerville Formations (Jurassic). After my affair with single-track, I set my sights on my next task.

Waving goodbye to the fun steps of Steve’s, my mission became a tad more serious — Lion’s Loop. Yes, lions reside in this area; however, I’m not sure if that is how Lion’s received its name. The loop is serious because after a steep climb, the trail contours a fast, often loose, boulder-infested hillslope. Moreover, help is a long way off. Lion’s and Troy Built (the day’s next segment) are somewhat remote and don’t see the use the previous trails get.

The climb up to Lion’s contour elevation went quick, and I settled in for on-your-toes fast riding. To me, the trail is quite enjoyable because I’m often the only one on it. I usually stop above the Colorado River (about halfway) to eat and take in the openness below me. The day’s ride was no exception. As for trail, I’m still riding Jurassic history, and Utah is only 8.5-crow miles west.

Lion’s Loop roller coasters along, eventually reaching a 4x4 track. At this point, it’s a short grunt up to the Troy Built Loop (named after a BLM guy, I believe).

The Troy Built Loop has a bit of everything on it. It’s a delightful trail with a warp speed descent, short steep climbs, sand, rock, cactus, flowers and wildlife. At the northern end of the trail, Jurassic park is left for the Lower Cretaceous members of the geologic spectrum. As usual, Troy Built went by too quick. Often I catch several other trails on the way back to the car. However, I was a bit spent, and opted for the flat dirt road back to the start. Combining the trails ended in a 23-mile day. These trails take some exertion that more than make up for the relatively short distance.

Adios!

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Wordless Wednesday

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All Thumbs

When I told my boss how I wrecked my writing arm, I tried to be upbeat and cheerful. I told him I'd been trying out for the Olympics and didn't quite make the cut.

My quick and easy response resulted in a lecture regarding how carelessness leads to injury, and at my age, I can't afford to bang myself up because healing takes longer and things break easier.

My boss then told me a story that will stay with me a long time, even though I was not clowning around when I broke my wrist.

My boss told me about one of our employees in another office, in another state, who had been an Olympic-caliber swimmer in high school. While playfully diving from a diving board at about age 16, he suffered a head injury that resulted in paralysis from the waist down and limited upper limb movement. This employee has been with the company more than 20 years now. He types with a straw.

Makes my left-hand woes pale in comparison.


The Lizard was going to meet me at home to ride to Waterton Canyon with me. He'd already been up it once. He said the bighorn were out, so I packed my telephoto lens. Before he got home, however, he got a flat. He told me to go on without him while he changed his inner tube, and he would catch up to me. And I knew he would. Because he's that fast. He told me to watch out for goat heads. (stickers)

I took off down the bike path, crossed a major intersection and then went down the hill we call The Time Trial Ramp to get back on the bike path. It's pretty steep, so I was moving pretty fast. Just as the bike path began to level out, I caught a glimpse of a fence post completely straddling the path. A jogger and her dog were approaching from the opposite direction. I panicked and squeezed the brakes too hard. The front wheel came to an immediate stop, and the back wheel flipped up and over, tossing me in the process.

I tucked to roll, but apparently the message didn't get to my right hand, which desperately tried to cushion my fall, absorbing all the impact. But, I didn't hit the wood, and I didn't hit the runner or her dog.


I sat on the sidewalk and cried for a minute as the runner and then another cyclist who came upon the scene tried to help me, console me, move my bike, make sure I was all right, offer to take me wherever I needed to go... When I did get up, my first thought was to move the wood, and then I wondered, aloud apparently, why The Lizard hadn't warned me about this obstruction.

Dumb thought. He wouldn't have left it there. He would have moved it. The two women helping me said it wasn't there when they'd gone by earlier. This was recent. Maybe in the last five minutes. I moved the wood while the other cyclist moved my bike and then checked it to make sure it was functional. Thankfully, the bike sustained no injuries.

The investigative reporter in me emerged. Six sections of split rail fencing looked as though they'd been run over by a truck, but there were no tracks. I called The Lizard to let him know I wouldn't be able to ride and that I'd be walking home. Because everything hurt. I asked him if he'd noticed the fence was missing a few sections when he rode by. Of course, he had not noticed, but nothing had been blocking the bike path when he rode through, but what about me? Was I okay? Should he come pick me up? Was I okay? Was I hurt? "Are you all right???"

I assured him I was fine and needed to walk so I wouldn't be stiff. I thanked the two women who had been waiting and told them I'd be fine, then continued studying the fence while describing what I was seeing to The Lizard over the phone.

"Maybe some kids did it," he theorized before instructing me to quit worrying about the fence and tell him exactly where I was so he could come get me.


I tried to describe where I was, but I was in shock, and even I don't remember what I said. Then as the conversation continued, I noticed eight kids down the path bouncing on a fence post repeatedly, until it finally gave way and fell to the ground. They cheered.

"I found our fence vandals," I told The Lizard, which sent him into instant alert.

"Are you in danger? Are they coming toward you?" he asked.

I watched the boys for a bit before replying I didn't think I was in danger, but I'd just watched them take out another section of fence.

"I'm calling the police," The Lizard said.


While waiting for the police and The Lizard, I took pictures of the fence and the boys with my iPhone, because it was more easily accessible than the monster lens in my pack. Also, I could be a bit more stealth with the iPhone. The wreck kept replaying through my head. I remembered the back lower left side of the helmet hitting the concrete. Hard. I remembered being thankful I wore my helmet. I knew instantly, even though I was in shock, if my head had hit the sidewalk that hard, my skull would have cracked. I would have had brainburger to go with the visibly obvious kneeburger. I knew the big camera probably sustained a big hit, too, but I was afraid to look. The pain in my shoulder also prevented me from being too curious. I couldn't have pulled off that pack if I'd tried.

Later The Lizard lifted my bike into his truck, then helped me escape the prison my backpack had become. I asked to peek inside the pack.

"Are you sure?" he asked, instinctively knowing what secrets it held.

"I need to know."

One quick zip later, I wailed. Seeing the fractured filter hurt worse than anything on my body. And yet, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that crack could have been my head.


Before my first Ride the Rockies, I never wore a helmet when I was on the bike path. I thought bike paths were the safest place I could ride. Ride the Rockies required a helmet, so I began wearing one during every training ride so I could get used to it. Eventually, I felt uncomfortable on the bike without a helmet, and I've never gone without since.

The day I saw the hand specialist, news blared reports of a 62-year-old cyclist who had broken his neck, his pelvis and his leg when he hit a fishing line someone had tied across the bike path. I imagine a bit of uproar in the cycling community followed when it was reported there would be no investigation. (Although how could we expect fingerprints to be lifted from fishing line?)

Two days later, the follow-up report included an eye witness, the fisherman, who said the cyclist got tangled in his cast and crashed after taking both hands from the handlebars to escape the unexpected catch. On the bright side, no act of maliciousness occurred.

No ride is safe without a helmet.


Two days after the big spill, while preparing to go to church, I attempted my first full-body shower. Then I attempted to comb my wet, tangled hair with my left hand. I'm all thumbs with my left hand. I had planned to donate my hair in May anyway, and this was one thing I didn't have to deal with if I moved up the haircut. One of my friends at church volunteered to braid my hair, and The Lizard took me to a salon immediately after church.

The last time I donated my hair, I cried. Even though I had planned the cut for months, it hurt to let go. This time, the only thought I had as the scissors sliced away was, "There it goes." Now, more than a week later, I have more movement and mobility in my right hand, and I have no regrets about cutting my hair. It's difficult enough to learn to aim a fork into my mouth with my left hand, tie my shoes with my left hand and mouse with a cast. I'm so thankful I had already made the decision to donate my hair. It made this step so much easier.




I made a list the other day of things I'm not going to try to learn to do with my left hand. First and foremost, I'm not going to try to learn to shave with a razor. I have enough owies. I don't need more.

Same thing with scissors. And the rotary cutter.

I'd have to hold the Nikon upside down to use it with my left hand. It is, by the way, working again. I use it with my right hand when I can hold it comfortably. If it hurts to hold it, out comes the iPhone.

I'm not going to try to learn how to use chopsticks with my left hand. I can't eat with chopsticks using my right hand, so why bother? Just give me a fork.

I can knit left-handed, but I'm not going to try to learn to crochet or embroider with my left hand. I'm hoping I won't have enough time, and I have plenty of other things I can do, such as catch up on some reading.

I've been burying my nose in a spinning book my dear sister-in-law sent for my birthday a while back. I read it on the train every day, now that snowflake production has gone into hibernation. I can hardly put the book down when the train stops. Now I can't wait to get my left hand on a spindle. I may actually try to learn to spin with my left hand. Then learning with my right hand won't be so complicated, right?!?


My wrist didn't require surgery, and I might be out of the powder blue cast in half the time the emergency room doctor initially estimated (perhaps three weeks!!!).

Next week's checkup will include an update on current restrictions, which is no cycling (or crocheting) for two weeks.

Two weeks off the bike just three months before a weeklong ride is a setback, but I still have time to prepare for Ride the Rockies. I am fully aware how blessed I have been. My boss now knows I wasn't goofing off when I wrecked. He wants me to have a successful and fun ride. I'm doing some easy hiking while The Lizard trains. I'm anxious to get back on the bike.

When people ask how I broke my wrist these days, I tell them I was trying out for the crochet Olympics and didn't make the cut. Or maybe I can tell them I was typing super fast when all of a sudden...

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Snowflake Monday

I was able to finish two snowflakes while in a soft wrist cast; the hard cast limits hand movement, and I am not able to crochet while wearing it. Couldn't convince the doc to let me wear a removable cast, so the snowflake I'd planned for this Holy Week will have to wait until next year.

Fortunately, I was trying to build up a supply of snowflake patterns before my owie, so I will be able to get through many Snowmons, regardless of how long I must wear the cast or how much cycling training I have to make up.

Today's snowflake is another one designed specifically for my still unnamed and now on-the-back-burner quilt. It was influenced by the snowflake I wanted to create specifically for today, but the finished flake didn't have quite the appearance I was after. Nevertheless, I still love this snowflake, and it has jumped high on my favorites list.


Because it's one of three snowflakes designed for my quilt, this snowflake gets the name of the third peak in a group of remote 14ers in the Weminuche Wilderness, Mount Eolus. Mount Eolus was named for the legendary Greek custodian of the four winds, Aeolus, who is said to dwell north of Sicily, holding the winds captive in a huge cave. Hearing this story reminded me of a trip with my kids when they were young to Cave of the Winds right here in Colorado.

14,084-foot Mount Eolus was the final notch in Aron Ralston's seven-year solo winter peakbagging belt in 2005. Note that he did this particular mountain (and 13 others) with one hand. Chris Davenport skied down Eolus the following year in his quest to ski down all the 14ers in 12 months. Both renowned climbers also bagged nearby North Eolus, which is not considered an official 14er because the drop between the two summits is less than 300 feet.

Mount Eolus features a hair-raising traverse along a narrow ridge called The Catwalk or Sidewalk in the Sky. Some climbers even call it a tightrope traverse. Worth noting is North Eolus sometimes features a snowfield cross some have described as better than that on Mount of the Holy Cross, which mountain was my unachieved snowflake pattern goal for today. Here is a great trip report with photos showing the cross on North Eolus, as well as 2005 avalanche debris that took out a wilderness bridge.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, school glue (make sure it is water soluble), water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Mount Eolus Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), * sl st into ring, ch 2, 1 dc in ring, ch 2; repeat from * 4 times; sl st in ring, ch 2, sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch 5. Pull magic circle tight, but leave opening big enough to allow stitches inside it to lay flat.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same ch as sl st, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, * 1 dc in 2nd ch of next ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in 1st ch of next ch 2, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 3: Ch 6 (counts as 1 trtr), 1 trtr in each of next 2 dc, ch 9, *1 trtr in each of next 3 dc, ch 9; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in 6th ch of starting ch 6.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 2 trtr, *1 dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 5, sk 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 trtr; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 5, sk 3 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, *ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, ch 4, sk 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 6: 1 sc in same ch, 5 dc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, * ch 6, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 6, sk next 3 dc shell, 1 sc in next dc, 5 dc in next dc, 1 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 6, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 3 sc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 6, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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