Up a Mountain / Down a Beer

The Vibram 5 fingers make you look like a knucklehead.

I have seen more and more of these at local races and people have widely varied opinions, although I suspect the majority of the positive responses are due to the “look at me I am cool and I spent $80 on these things” attitude. Now I have read that some people love them some hate them blah blah blah. But really folks, do you remember parachute pants,

Mullets (the hair-do, not the fish), etc… sure at the time it seemed cool, kinda but not really. Well trust me these shoes are going to be in the same category in a few years. Save yourself the embarrassment and let the novelty wear off.

Now I realize I may eat my words, but for now I will stick by my assessment. Oh and I guess I should clarify, using the shoes as they are intended is slightly more acceptable than making them your everyday shoe. The reason for this rant is because I saw a rather large man in jeans and button up shirt wearing a pair in the grocer the other day. When I am not running I do not wear my running shorts, when I am not climbing I do not wear my climbing shoes or harness.

Get with the program.

That is all.

Oh and Mic asked about people with Morton’s toe and if the shoes can be custom made, if anyone knows let me know!

The Fly Fishing Film Tour focuses on action adventure excitement humor and lifestyle. We will take you on the journey to see what it takes to be truly committed, or insane, by those who capture the new revolution of fly fishing adventure on film. With 70 cities on our schedule this next winter chances are we will be close enough to you to catch a show.

Colorado Springs is on the Tour! This Saturday  7:00 P.M. all ages at the Blacksheep. /Tickets are $10 at the door. Last year there were several give-aways and raffles, with prizes like Rods, and Reels. Don’t miss out this is an annual event!

Keep in mind this is also a benefit show/tour for Project Healing Waters (a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings). Come out and have a great time!

One of the least visited National Parks has an awesome secret waiting for angler’s. There is a little section inside the Black Canyon of the Gunnison known as Red Rock Canyon.

This is not your every day pack-up and go fishing trip. To get to this little piece of fishermen’s heaven you have to take a 3.4 mile, 1330 ft. vertical descent through the canyon. The first mile is on private property, so please be respectful. Oh yeah, and be careful of the poison ivy.

There is a limited amount of permits given out each year to fish this section of the river. Permits are only available through the reservation of the lottery system. Reservation requests may be made by mail or fax from 8:00 am January 6, 2010 through 4:00 pm (MST) March 12, 2010. For more information and a Lottery application please visit this site.

Permit Limitations & Regulations

The 2010 season runs from May 21 to October 3.

Each group is limited to a maximum of 4 people.

Each group is limited to 3 consecutive user days (2 nights).

There is a limit of 8 people per day, or 3 groups, whichever fills first. Each person is limited to 8 user days per year.

One car per group is permitted at the parking area. Additional parking is available at Hwy 50/347 junction.

An entrance fee of $7.00 per person will be charged at the trailhead.

All Black Canyon wilderness regulations apply.

Part of the road and parking lot for the trailhead is located on private land. A right of access on the private land has been negotiated with the landowner. While on private property, please be respectful. No smoking is allowed on the private road.

Holy crap what a great deal.

Give this:

Get this:

Tacoma has been trying to figure out a way to get more blood donors and I think they have finally done it. You can go in and trade your blood for beer!! Yippiiee!!! Unfortunately there are some silly rules like a bartender can’t serve you with in 4 hours of donating and some other nonsensical health restrictions, but all in all I would say this is a great deal.

Now if we could only set up permanent blood banks at bars.

I just got the word on these 3 new videos shot during the ramp up to the 2010 Winter Olympics by the US Ski team on their journey to Vancouver. These 3 videos give a brief taste of the speed, determination and precision needed to not only compete but win in the highly competitive world of skiing.

Unfortunately these videos are all less than 30 seconds but be reassured that Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s road to Vancouver is a documentary film commissioned by Audi of America and is scheduled to air on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. on NBC, followed by an encore showing on USA Network on Feb. 6 so you can get your fill of all of the awesome action.

Speed

Determination

Precision

This stuff gets me amped and although I am not prone to throwing support behind the auto industry. I do dig the fact that in these cash strapped times Audi is still a willing and gracious sponsor of the US Ski Team, hell without Audi this video series would not have been made possible and for that I am grateful.

Here is the last post with the full length Truth In Motion teaser and write up.