CAPS 2007
thoroughly enjoyed sharing the shutterbug affliction with the folks in greenbrier and pocahontas counties. a trip to cranberry glades was a welcome surprise. would like to see it in the fall and spring too. who knew that watoga was so resortlike and near blue bend? the catwalks at beartown are disappointing but understandable to protect the place and its wildlife. the vistas from the highland scenic highway, wow. dinner at eagle's next, despite the tilt on the new addition, delicious. especially the unexpected warm marmalade and brie. never get my fill on fishing with dad in the creek. even the "fished out" spots.

slow growing
haven't mowed the grass in about a month. sure is dry around here. just enough splash and dash storms to keep the garden growing. enjoying cherry tomatoes, big red ones too, cucumbers, green peppers...and the honeydew fruit is starting to form.

on belay
finding new climbing buddies from work. one day at sportrock so far. more in the future.

good reads
finished two books this week. kurt vonnegut's hocus pocus and mike may's inspiring story called crashing through.

wildflower ID
how many can you identify without peeking?

paddling potomac
ventured out on the potomac with folks from work. rented boats early in the day from thompson's boat center, after trekking downtown on the metro with my favorite paddle. first we went upstream to fletcher's boathouse and then back down river to roosevelt island and in front of the lincoln memorial. nice day on the river.

challenge
inspired by the cranky monkey series to aim for a mountain bike race. have never entered before and think it would be fun to race through the woods. no target date yet, but going to hit more trails for practice. need to try out fountainhead too - the hardest around, so I hear.

derek gertz
a local skateboard star who died after hitting his head this week. I didn't know him, and only knew his dad as a name in the byline, but after watching him skate on youtube and reading the tributes, I feel his family and friends' loss.

wv is calling
am I the only one falling for this campaign?