Close Encounters

 The two mile hike into the heart of the 38,000 acre Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Northern Oklahoma proved a more difficult hike than I anticipated. The weather had turned warm and breezy as it so often does across the Sooner state as time travels deeper into the summer months. The prairie, contrary to popular belief, is not flat or smooth. it can be quite rugged. This particular hike into a distant arroyo was characterised by uneven, undulating, ground covered with large jagged outcroppings and loose rocks that rolled under foot with almost every step. A twisted ankle or knee was a real possibility, not to mention a very good likelihood of encountering a rattlesnake or copperhead. As it turned out, running across a snake proved to be a non-issue. On the other hand, a couple hundred head of unseen wild American bison, or buffalo as most people call them, almost turned into a disaster.

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is one of if not my favorite location to explore. Explore is the operative word. Just driving through it doesn't do justice to the experience. You must move away from the dirt road and enter into its realm to experience it up close. Doing so opens up a world almost lost, a world where you are taken back to an ancient time. This particular day was not my first foray into this magical ocean of tall grasses. On previous hikes I had discovered a wonderful stoney arroyo that cut deep across the landscape almost splitting that section into two units. It proved to be a great location for photography.

I had pulled my Jeep off the dusty road and parked along a sort of wide spot that I supposed was considered to be a pullout. A couple hundred yards from there a shallow hill rolled to a smooth rounded top and just on the other side about half way down the slope was a rocky outcropping. From there the landscape angled down toward the distant arroyo. A good 45 minutes or so later found me angling across that stoney stretch and I worked my way deeper into the prairie and away from my point of entry.

I must have spent several hours hiking around in there and decided it was time to meander back toward my Jeep. My way out took a different route than my way in circling around that large shallow hill. Along the way I stepped into a dry creek bed that cut through the landscape. From the bottom of that creek bed I could not see very far over the edge and eventually determined I had traveled far enough to where I could now cut across and over to where I would intersect the road and then eventually back to my Jeep. When I approached the top edge of the creek bed, I noticed that a hundred or more bison had meandered in and effectively cut off my planned exit route. I stepped back into the creek bed and worked my way another hundred or so yards further down. Thinking I had moved far enough away from the herd, I stepped out of the creek bed and up into the edge of the prairie. This proved premature as I had miscalculated the size of the herd which spread across a larger area than I realized. When I stepped out, two very large, very mature, and very agitated bull bison stood about 50 yards or so from me. Behind them another hundred or so bison moved through the tall grass. My action startled the two bulls, and they broke into a dead run which triggered a stampede from the rest of the herd. Their first steps were directly toward me...and I had absolutely nowhere to hide. I was totally exposed. All I could have done was to have jumped back into the creek bed and curled up along the edge hoping they would move around me. As it turned out, before I made the jump, the herd turned away from me and ran off in another direction. The two bulls stopped about 75 yards out, turned, snorted and pawed the ground, displaying their disapproval of my presence within their domain.

Eventually, I made my way out and back to the Jeep, but not after my heart rate slowed to a more normal speed as the adrenalin slowly dissipated.

Close encounters with nature in the field can provide some exciting if not down right dangerous moments. A good many times over the years I have encountered unexpected circumstances most of them were rather harmless in nature, but a few proved to be something that offered a bit more of a challenge, like the time I was camping on the top of a ridge in Eastern Oklahoma along Flint Creek. It was the time I carelessly tossed a few fish bone scraps a few yards from where I had made my sleeping-under-the-stars camp. Later that night several skunks wandered in checking out the free fish bone meal scraps and two of them came within a foot or so from my head. Needless to say, I did not want to spook them and simply lay there hoping they would eventually move off. They did, but, that close encounter was one in which I dodged a rather pungent bullet.

Some of my close encounters were actually planned and hoped for. Just behind my home here in Kentucky are a good number of acres where wheat and corn are raised. The fields in the fall and winter attract a good number of deer. I'll often setup a makeshift ground blind in anticipation of capturing some interesting photographs of those deer. I've had many of them come within a few yards of me. Being that close to such an amazing wild animal and capturing them with my camera is truly a wonderful encounter.

I've had coyotes trot into my camp late in the night to begin to dig around and paw at the edge of my tent. I've actually slapped ones snout as he tried to jam it through side of the tent. Luckily he ran off.

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One of the more unusual close encounters happened when I was bow hunting for deer again back in Oklahoma on a very cold, single digit morning late in the deer season. I was about to freeze as I sat on top a small, hand built stand that leaned four feet or so off the ground, against a tree. It was still mostly dark, but I could barely see and hear squirrels moving around on the ground in the woods to my left. Being fully camouflaged with my face covered by a scarf, the only thing visible were my eyes. As I shivered in that morning cold air, I kept slowly turning my head left and right hoping to detect a deer nearby. As I twist my head back to the neutral position, through the darkness I saw two broad wings swooping silently through the air toward me. Barely three feet from my face, a giant owl, probably a Barred Owl, suddenly realized I was not something he could eat, and he swerved off to my left at the last second. It happened so fast I barely had time to react. I suppose, in the darkness and with me being full camouflaged, the owl could only see the white area around my eyes and face moving and he might have thought it was a squirrel working his way along a tree trunk.

Being out in nature can produce a lot of close encounters. Experiencing such things becomes part of the experience and collectively becomes part of your personal outdoor lore. I can't imagine an outdoor life without close encounters, well, things of that nature add a great deal of spice to life.

A Step Forward is a Footprint Left Behind: Top Five Pieces of Outdoor Gear Over 20 Years Old I Still Use

 The lake surface lay flat and calm, a spirit at peace with itself, as I glided my canoe through the predawn darkness. Overhead diamond-like remnants of stars still adorned the night sky casting just enough ambient light to make the outline of the surrounding woodland ridges stand silhouetted against the hushed glow emanating from the heavens. The first light of dawn still resided deep below the horizon with barely a hint of its approach and as I allowed the canoe to silently drift until it came to a complete stop, the only sounds were my soft breath and the occasional songbirds just then beginning to stir themselves awake. I remained motionless for several minutes and simply absorbed the moment.

 Spread before me the long, bow of my aging Old Town Camper Canoe remained silent and almost unseeable in the darkness. Ever so gently, I placed the length of my wooden paddle across the gunwales, yet in the quiet of that morning, that simple motion broke the silence with a distinctive, medium pitched thump that, in the stillness, sounded much louder than it actually was. Stretching far behind me and my vintage canoe lay well over 20 plus years of similar adventures. Although my intent that morning was to paddle forward, that moment alone echoed the thousands of adventurous footprints that followed behind me. With each step made through the years, a piece of nostalgic gear came along. I still use most of that old gear today.

A piece of outdoor gear becomes a part of a person's outdoor history. I can still pull out a tattered old shirt and instantly be transported back to a timeline of events when that piece of clothing served its purpose. The same thing applies to all of my gear from old fishing rods and reels, to canoe paddles, or an old pair of boots. An old rifle or shotgun will rekindle strong memories so much so, I can still feel the biting cold of a duck hunt, or the freezing winds whipping across the Oklahoma landscape as we tried to walk up a covey or two of quail. The aroma of the gun oil stimulates the best of memories when after a day of shooting I would sit on the floor to clean the firearm and my youngest son would bring his toy rifle over and sit next to me mimicking my cleaning actions. 

Clean out my tackle box and one of my favorite beaten and worn lures almost always generates the remark, "...caught a lot bass with this one..." There may not be another soul anywhere close enough to hear me say those words, but I would say them anyway, simply because I can hear them and relive those moments in doing so.

I possess so many pieces of old outgear, it is difficult to pick the top five. Even so, these five listed here have proven themselves to stand apart from all the rest for no other reason than I just continue to use them season after season.

The first one I have already mentioned; My Old Town Camper Canoe. It's use over the past 25 years or so, is anchored across a deep timeline where countless canoe outings using other canoes built a foundation upon which my vintage Old Town resides. That Camper was perhaps the best investment I've ever made for a piece of outdoor equipment. We have traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles together, caught numerous fish, and spent a great many evenings camping out under the stars along a creek bank or a gravel beach tucked back into some secluded corner of a local lake. Sometimes I just take it out, just me and the canoe. No fishing gear. No camping gear. No camera gear. Just the two of us and a paddle enjoying a day on the water.

I have always enjoyed the shooting sports going all the way back to my younger days carrying a BB-gun as a boy growing up in and around the woodlands and hills of Southeastern Oklahoma. So the second piece of favorite old outdoor gear is my trusty and beloved Western Field Single Shot 22 rifle. It is now over 60 years old, I having received it on my 13th birthday way back in 1965. It was sold by Montgomery Wards back then. I have shot tens of thousands of bullets through it and even today, it is still capable of grouping five shots inside a dime-sized circle at fifty yards. I said 'the rifle is capable of doing that', not so much the shooter anymore, although I will at times surprise myself and fire off one of those rare tight groupings.

Number three on the list may actually be a surprise. However, it has provided for me close to 35 years of near flawless service. It's actually almost 40 years old as I purchased it used when it was about 5 years old. It is one of my favorite pieces of outdoor equipment, my Bridgestone RB-2 Road Bike. Me and that bike have peddled thousands of miles together. In recent years I had almost given up on riding it as I was, as it turned out, hobbled with a severely clogged right side iliac artery leading into the right leg and hip area. My left side also showed signs of blood flow restriction. I recently had the condition repaired...you can read about it in the series 'The Challenge' I just finished. I love the classic looks and feel of that old bike. It's been a good one, one of the best equipment investments I've ever made.

Sometimes a piece of outdoor equipment can be so simple, it is easy to overlook its value to your outdoor experience. Number four on the list is one piece of equipment I have used since the early 1980's; my Coleman Peak-One Single Burner Packer Stove. It was perhaps one of the first pieces of real camping equipment I ever purchased that was not design to sleep on or inside of. This little stove has literally performed flawlessly across many camping outings which includes backpacking, canoe camping, and car camping. Everytime I dig it out, the memories of its first usage floods back into my thoughts. Appropriate use of terminology - floods - as I was on my first real backpacking adventure when I was overtaken by wooly-bugger thunderstorm that generated biblical quantities of rain. That little stove provided a warming and comforting source of heat as I cooked my evening meal from just outside my little tent while it rained. 

To pick the last piece of old gear that falls within the realm of my five favorites is difficult as there are several pieces I could easily interchange for the honor. Before I reveal number five, allow me to briefly list a few also-rans. Nbr1 - My JanSport backpack. Man-o-man the stories I could tell lugging that thing around. Nbr2 - My 10 inch cast-iron skillet. Oh it's heavy, but some of the most wonderful campfire meals have found their way out of that skillet. 

Nbr3 - My Mitchell 300 spin casting reel. How many bass have caught using that reel, I have no idea, but boy have I gain a lot of memories from doing so. Nbr4 - My Buck 110 Folding Knife. I purchased this knife back in 1973. Paid $20 for it and I still use it today. It still opens and locks as tight today as it did back then. Nbr5 - My Wenzel single man packer tent. It's light. It's simple. Its durable and it has tagged along with me through many backpacking adventures. Nbr6 - This is a tough one and this one could have easily been listed as one of the favorite five, but it is used for many other activities, not just as a piece of outdoor gear - My classic 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Nuff said here...it has truly been a classic.

Sorry - Only picture I Have of the Sleeping Bag

Okay...Number five on the list of favorite old pieces of outdoor gear is a classic. It has provided me a safe and comfortable abode for many years. My Coleman Peak-One Sleeping Bag. I purchased that sleeping bag back in the mid-1990's. It uses Qualo-fil fibers as insulation and was, when new, rated down to zero degrees fahrenheit. I have spent hundreds of hours sleeping in this bag over the years and rarely have I ever been cold even using it in single digit temperatures. Toss in a flannel liner and it becomes a comfy and warm wrap. I picked this item over the others simply because I have used it so much, continuously for over 35 years and it is still going strong.

Each of these items, including the also-ran's, carry with them countless stories of outdoor adventure. Today, the technology available for outdoor gear is almost overwhelming. I have taken time to look at some that technology thinking maybe it might be time to upgrade. Then I get to remembering all the wonderful adventures I've had with all those pieces of equipment, some listed here but also many others I failed to include. It is the stories, the memories associated with that old gear that is most important. The gear themselves were simply the tools I used to pursue a life-time of being outdoors. Shelving those old gear pieces, well...you know, I really don't think I could do such a thing. How do you shelve a classical piece of your life, and certainly not the memories attached to them. 

The Challenge - Part 6 - 100 Kilometers - I made it!

 Sometimes I wonder why I do such things especially at my age, a couple months shy of turning 74. There was a time a good number of years ago riding a hundred kilometers would have been a no brainer. I could have done it around two and half hours - back then. To attempt a hundred kilometer ride now is a bit more of a challenge. Just finishing such a ride, well, the amount of time required to do so will remain classified, however, today, I made it. 

It was a challenge I made for myself after a good deal of soul searching. As I mentioned in a previous post, for the past several years I have been hobbled with a 100% clogged right side iliac artery and a partially blocked left side one, the ones that feeds blood flow into the legs and hip area. After having several stents installed, the blood flow issue was solved which opened up my ability to once again participate in the joys of bicycling. 

Today's ride proved to be a real challenge. Weather was almost perfect with light winds and warm temperatures, but cool enough to prevent overheating. My route included a 9 mile beginning loop, then from that point I paced around a 10 mile loop several times before making one final surge for home. I packed along with me a supply of energy bars along with several apple wedges and a scoop or two of peanut butter. I also included two large bottles of fluids, about a 60/40 mix of water and pomegranate/blueberry juice which goes down easy and empties out of the stomach quickly being easily absorbed. Over the first 40 miles or so, about every half hour I'd woof down half an energy bar and take a few swigs of the fluids. Once I reached the 40 mile mark I started using the apple wedges and peanut butter which turned out to be a really good choice as they provided a refreshing treat along with an element of substance.

I felt strong for the first 40 miles or so until I reached the 50 mile point and that's when remnants of the bonk started to set in. I could really feel the effects of the effort catching up with me. "Not to worry", I said to myself, "Only 12 more miles to go." Those last 10 or 12 miles proved to be a struggle as my energy levels were beginning to wane and the wind started to pick up its pace. Even the shallow uphill grades began to feel longer and steeper.

When I made the final turn for home, my legs still felt pretty strong, but they were beginning to tire a bit. What bothered me the most was my neck and shoulders which were tight and feeling quite uncomfortable. What slowed me down was simply my energy level. In spite of the extra energy bars and apple wedges, I burned off a lot of carbohydrates on this ride and what I managed to ingest along the way proved to be helpful, but slightly under calculated for what was required.

Completing the 100 kilometer ride was very satisfying in its own right, and yes, it proved to be a tough ride for me. What did I prove by doing so? Not much really except maybe I proved to myself that I'm not used up yet and I can still accomplish something that most people, even much younger people, would probably not be able to do. Will I do it again? Not in the immediate future, but I'll certainly continue to ride mostly just for the enjoyment of it. So what now? Next logical goal would be to make a 75 mile ride, but that is something I'll have to think long and hard about. Who knows, maybe by the end of the summer I'll give it a try. Until then, I think I'm going to simply enjoy getting out and feeling the wind and sun on my face as I cruise the backroads around where I live.  Thanks for joining me on this challenging journey.

The Challenge - Part 5 - Going Solo - Simply Because I Can

 I stopped one last time to slide off the bike saddle and wash down the last bite or two of an energy bar. About 35 miles of riding was behind me with another 5 miles or so to go to finish off my first 40 mile bike ride in a good number of years. As I stood in the shade of a small roadside tree, I took time to simply look around and absorb the scenic Kentucky landscape. A perfect blend of riding conditions had carried me to this point; no wind to speak of, about 80 degrees, blue skies. There's something enjoyable about riding the backroads alone. You ride at your own pace, stop when you want to, and just enjoy the day. Riding solo has its benefits and rewards...and at times, its risks.

I actually enjoy riding with another rider from time to time when our schedules align. Riding with another person actually makes the time go by faster as you tend to carry on a conversation that helps pass the time. That conversation is actually a good indicator of your effort level. Being able to maintain a solid pace and carry on a conversation that falls just inside being out of breath indicates you are riding inside a Zone 2 training level. Zone 2 allows for solid fitness gains when paced across longer rides. Riding solo sometimes makes it more difficult to gauge where you are. It's easy to push a bit too hard or not hard enough. At this stage in my training level, I just want to put in the miles and not worry too much about how fast I'm riding. Even so, my legs felt pretty strong that day which of itself is a milestone with my recent history of restricted blood flow issues into both of my legs and hip areas. That seems to have been solved, but regaining endurance and strength in my atrophied riding leg muscles will take time and consistent riding. Completing my first 40 miler, well, I feel pretty good about that. I'm well on my way to completing my first 100 kilometer ride. I've not done that is many years.

Going solo allows you to simply get away and leave behind, at least for a while, the daily issues we all face. I especially enjoy riding on days like the one I just described; not too warm or too cool or too windy, just right really. After the first few miles, the miles seem to roll along and before you know it, you've put 20 miles behind you...then 30...then...well, you get the idea. Sort of a mini-vacation you might say where you find a few hours to simply do what you want without anything interfering.

The joys of road cycling offer benefits far beyond the physical. Not only does it improve your overall physical fitness, it improves your mental and emotional fitness as well. A bicycle is one of the most efficient mechanical devices ever designed. Listening to the sounds of the tires as they roll along the road, is music to most cyclist. Riding atop a classic bicycle carries its own kind of fulfilment not unlike driving a classic car down the road. My old bike is near 40 years old, yet it still performs flawlessly and hums with its own unique vibration as it cruises. It's like sliding into a favorite pair of comfortable shoes...it just feels right. To me, my old bike looks like what a road bicycle should look like. 

The newer versions look more like tiny wheeled missiles, high tech and capable versions for sure, but somewhere along the way the aesthetic flow of the classic bicycle design elements have been forfeited for the sake of technological advances.

You know, the more I think about it, riding solo is what a good road bike provides. It's just you and your bike cruising along with the wind, the sun, and your thoughts. Having a reason to do so, well, most of the time I do it simply because I can.

The Challenge - Part 4 - Making Progress

 Headwinds. More wind, and then hills. Headwinds and hills are the bane for a cyclist. Combine the two, and you have a recipe for a tough day of riding. Recently, near the end of a 20 mile ride, I struggled up a long hill that gradually increased in steepness the closer I got to the top. A stiff 15 to 20 mph headwind made me feel like a drogue shoot trailed behind me. Even so...I made it to the top, winded for sure, but I made it. A year before, even thinking about climbing that hill was out of the question as my right leg and hip would have screamed in protest. But, all of that has changed.

A couple months back I underwent a surgical procedure to install several stents into a clogged right side Illiac artery and a partially blocked left side one. This blockage restricted the blood flow to my right leg and hip area so much, it resulted in a great deal of discomfort when I stressed the leg. The surgery appears to have been a resounding success as the discomfort is virtually gone now. Riding a bike during the past 3 or 4 years became an exercise in pain where I simply could not ride effectively because of that discomfort. But, now I can ride virtually pain free...with the caveat that I am really out of shape. My intended goal of being able to make a 100 kilometer ride this season is still in play, but I have a long ways to go to regain lost time and conditioning. In this, Part 4 of The Challenge, I'll explore the reality of trying to climb back into shape as someone who is approaching his mid-70's. 

I've remained at least somewhat active in spite of the rebellious leg and hip and that activity helped me retain at least a measure of physical condition. I've kept my weight in check for the most part but still carried 10 or 12 pounds more than I needed to. As of this morning I weighed in at 171 pounds. That is down about 10 pounds from just a few months ago. I want to drop down to about 168 or so with 165 being a good target weight to shoot for. Losing a few pounds from around my midsection will undoubtedly improve my ability to climb those steep, longer hills.

As far as riding goes, my intent for now is to simply rebuild my base mileage to a level where I can begin to train at a higher level of intensity. I'm up to almost 200 actual road miles now with still a ways to go before I will feel confident I have rebuilt that base. Even so, I tend to ride too fast out of the blocks which causes me to lose too much energy the deeper I get into a ride. Refueling is also a key factor I still need to refine. At this stage of my fitness rebuilding, I just need to slow down and put the miles in and not worry so much about how fast I am going. Taking a break every so often hurts nothing and allows my legs to recover somewhat, and also allows time to ingest a few grams of carbohydrates to keep me going. Speed will come later once endurance has improved. 

On those days when the weather prevents me from getting out, I'll use the Cyclops trainer and do a 30 minute session with a few intervals thrown in just to push my legs beyond what a normal easy ride might employ. Been monitoring my resting heart rate as well, to determine how well I am recovering from each ride. So far so good on that. My resting heart rate hovers down around 52 bpm or so when I am fully recovered and there are times it actually drops into the upper 40's. Oddly enough, it seems I sometimes have a difficult time getting my heart rate high enough to generate that training effect. My highest rate so far has been around 120 bpm when it should be climbing upwards into the 140's for that Zone 2 type of endurance riding. I guess it is all relative and depends on many different factors. At my age, 120 is probably fast enough to provide a solid level toward that training effect.

I have been tinkering with my bike trying to optimize its performance. Seat height and forward position, handlebar position, body position on the bike, plus checking and rechecking the mechanics of the bike to ensure it is optimally performing as it should is a constant, almost daily routine. Was out riding yesterday in fact when my chain came off...twice. A simple adjustment on the derailleur solved the problem. One pedal seems to gradually loosen just enough to induce a very slight amount of movement around the bearings. A slight turn with a socket and its back in good form...at least for now.

With each ride, I grow stronger. With each extended mile, my endurance improves. So far, 20 miles is my limit. Respectable, but still well short of my desired intent. Weather, wind, and staying motivated are all factors affecting my reaching that goal. I expect I will eventually make it, but for now progressing toward it is the key.

The Challenge - Part 3 - Old School Cyclist Training Routine on an Old School Classic Bike

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Sometimes I find myself wondering; ...what challenge is out there that an almost 74 year old former athlete might be able to pursue? How far can I push this old school body and what can I do that falls within my physical capabilities?...Not sure I can answer those questions just yet, for the limits of what I may or may not be able to accomplish physically have not been completely defined. My mind and ambitions are often at odds with what my body complains about, but I do believe I can do a great deal more than I often allow myself to do, and how much I allow myself to do is determined by what I am willing to try. I must remain realistic and understand that at my age, there are physical challenges to overcome. However, getting out there and trying, well...that is when discovering what your limits truly are...extend a great deal farther out than what you might think.

In trying to find an answer to those questions I have decided to start with something relatively small and doable before tackling anything bigger, but also pursue something difficult enough to offer a challenge. My intent then is to complete a 100 kilometer bike ride to eventually parlay that into a 100 mile ride...and then...well who knows after that. Pretty big talk I'd say for an old guy with a bum leg. Old is the operative word here; old school is the appropriate context. Bum leg could be a showstopper.  My bum leg stems from a seriously clogged Iliac artery that feeds blood flow into the lower extremities. When I place stress on it, my right leg and hip has been giving me trouble for several years now and I have only recently had the problem diagnosed. The solution involves taking a blood thinner along with having a Stent inserted to hopefully improve the overall blood flow. The impact of that has yet to be fully realized, but I am optimistic. Even so, riding and training on an old school classic bike has its rewards and its challenges when opposed to training on a newer high tech bike.

Classic bike vs new high tech bike, it's not unlike comparing a new modern automobile with all of the latest and greatest electronic wizardry incorporated into it, to a classic car from the 50's or 60's. Both possess a certain aesthetic qualities to move the senses of anyone who marvels at such things. I for one, tend to marvel more toward the classic 50's and 60's era automobiles. I just seem to be a better fit somewhere within that era. 

Their styling and nostalgic appeal carry a great deal of weight when it comes to moving one's senses. That fact alone could account for my affection for riding a near 40 year old classic bike as opposed to spending the money to upgrade to a newer more high tech version. Call me nostalgic, but the look and feel of a classic piece of machinery possesses a charm and elegance not found in the newer technologically superior equipment. I freely admit, I'm an old school kind of guy who prefers riding and training on an old school classic bike. 

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Put me on one of the newer bikes and tell me to make a best effort ride of a particular distance, then do the same ride using the older bike and I'd bet good money the results would be practically the same. The newer, lighter weight, advanced bikes can and will make a difference for a highly trained competitive athlete, but will provide minimal advantages for the average person. Even so, it may only save the professional cyclist a few watts of energy output and buy them a few tens of seconds or so over a given course, but those few seconds can mean the difference from winning or becoming an also ran. For someone like me...well...about the only thing it would make a difference in would be to make my wallet a whole lot thinner and lighter. I'm perfectly happy to ride my old, bought and paid for classic bike.

Okay...so how does an old school kind of guy with a bum leg train for a 100 kilometer ride? To be honest, it's not all that complicated. Initially, you must build up your mileage base. What I mean by that is to simply ride long and steady several days a week gradually increasing your distance, leg strength, and endurance until you have built up several hundred miles of base miles from which to move your training intensity forward. It is that baseline mileage that establishes the foundation upon which you can construct a training regiment that will help you gain strength, endurance, and confidence. 

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While building those base miles, especially in the beginning, don't worry about how fast you are going and try to limit the number and length of hills you encounter. The idea is to build up the miles, one mile at a time by simply spinning your legs at a reasonably good cadence using easy to moderate gearing. I'm not talking about putzing along at 4 or 5 mph, but maintain a steady pace where you can carry on a conversation hovering just outside being out of breath. This is known as Zone 2 effort within a 7 Zone scale, but explaining all that falls outside the intent of this post. The idea is to keep it simple and keep moving. The colder months are ideal times to get a headstart on building those miles by using an indoor trainer. There are numerous examples of such things with varying costs involved. I use another old classic; A Cycleops. I purchased one of these a long time ago and have used it a lot over the years for indoor riding. It's a good way to build base miles without having to ride in cold weather. The gym of course is another option, but there is nothing like training on your own bike and a used Cycleops trainer are relatively inexpensive probably less than a typical gym membership.

Cycleops Trainer

Riding at that level will cause your heart rate to increase and as it does, so will your breathing rate. This is good, but don't worry about trying to beat your best time. Just put in the miles. So how many miles is enough? Well, that depends. My take on it is this. If I were younger and attempting to become more competitive, I'd shoot for something over 1000 miles, something like 1200 to 1500 miles spread out over a few months of ridings. However, I'm not a young man anymore so in my case, I plan on building up the base miles until I've reached 400 to 500 miles or there about. From that platform, I can then get a little more serious about what I'm doing. Unfortunately, I am so far behind its almost like starting from scratch.

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Getting more serious. Are you serious? What does that mean? I have to base what I attempt to do on several factors; what can my old school body handle and how hard can I push it without injuring myself or over doing it. Once you have built up a good level of base miles, the idea then is to not so much to simply increase your mileage, but become more efficient when riding or utilizing time in the saddle where you can maximize your results. You do this by following a pattern of workouts. 

Day one may be where I attempt to ride a set distance but sustaining a faster pace in doing so. Day two may be to purposely attack a few longer hills to build climbing strength combined with throwing in a few extra fast pace miles. Day three could include doing what are called intervals. Intervals are really tough and as an older person you need to take a cautious approach. Intervals work like this. The first 20 minutes or so of your ride you simply ride easy like to get loose and warmed up. Then for one minute, you push yourself hard reaching a point to where you are sustaining about 80% max effort for that one minute. Then you backoff for one or two minutes until you feel somewhat recovered, then  you repeat the one minute 80% effort interval. At first you may only be able to complete 3 or 4 of these sets, but over time as you get stronger, you will be able to not only increase the number of sets, but increase the duration of each one. Only do this one day a week and plan on taking the next day off or scheduling an easy ride on day four. On day five, make a long steady ride climbing a few hills along the way. Steady as she goes, but using a good cadence. Try to work on your riding form and focus on relaxing...just enjoy the ride. For days six and seven, do something else. Do some strength training either at the gym or at home. Even doing a few sets of pushups or working a set of dumbbells to strengthen your upper body will carry dividends in the long run. Take a walk or hike...go fishing. Do something other than ride and allow your body to recover and be fresh again for the upcoming week.

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Over time, your rides will become easier and the hard workouts will produce good gains in endurance. On your days where you make long steady rides, gradually increase your mileage to where you eventually approach the 100 kilometer goal, something in the area of 75 or 80 kilometers. You don't have to do 100 kilometers to train for a century kilometer ride. But by gradually increasing your distance on your long rides, you will train your body to where it adapts to the impact those miles will have. If you can do 75 or 80 kilometers...you can make 100 with minimal extra effort. Also, when making rides that last more than an hour or so, you will probably need to refuel as you go. Let's talk about nutrition.

All this training requires proper nutrition. You put junk into your body and it will perform like you put junk into it. Feed yourself with proper nutritious foods high in carbohydrates preferably complex carbohydrates, with plenty of protein and a good amount of fat as well. Your muscles want to burn carbs because they are the easiest and most efficient fuel sources your muscles can utilize. Although your body stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen for quick release fuel, those stores are used up rather quickly when performing vigorous exercise which forces your muscles to break down fat reserves for fuel.

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Fat is a high energy source of fuel, but it is more difficult for your body to utilize it. As always, it is vital to remain hydrated before, during, and after your workout. Refueling on long rides lasting over an hour is critical to be able to sustain a steady effort. This can be accomplished by using carbohydrate gels or simply bringing along something to eat like sliced apples or energy bars and energy drinks. The idea is to refuel before you bonk because when you run out of fuel, it becomes really tough to continue. Once you fall behind on your fueling requirements, it is almost impossible to catch up during your riding. Intake extra fuel about every 20 to 30 minute on long rides even if you don't feel like you need to. The idea is to stay ahead of the curve and push that bonk point out as far as you can. Hitting the wall (I have done this in the past and it was not a pleasant experience) can be very discouraging. But, it can be avoided by simply taking in some extra fuel along the way.

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Dehydration, especially common during the warmer months, can reduce your efficiency a great deal. Drink plenty of fluids, and keep your electrolytes up by using energy drinks that contain a mix of potassium, sodium, calcium, among others. But, don't drink in big gulps. Ingest smaller sips more frequently. Full strength energy drinks may also be too harsh for your body to absorb and can be slow to empty out of your stomach when performing strenuous exercise which can cause bloating and cramps. Sometimes, a diluted mix works better. Experiment with different mixtures so you can learn what works best for you.

One final thing about fitness training. Keep a log of your workouts.  A simple small spiral notebook works for me or if you want, use a computerized version on your laptop. Track things like date, route information, distance, how you felt, what worked and didn't work, daily mileage extended out to weekly total, month to date total, and year to date totals. 

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Although nice to have, it is not really necessary to use a heart rate monitor or expensive wattage tracking pedals and computerized Wahoo data trackers. Heart rate can be easily checked the old fashion way and your wattage output can be estimated by taking note of your perceived effort. Those electronic things are nice, but a simple odometer/mileage/speed/avg speed bike devise will provide a great deal of useful information, and they are simple to use and install and best of all, they don't cost all that much. Although not necessary, a phone app route tracker/planner can provide an easy way of finding and planning a your rides. Komoot is a free one that works very well.

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Being an old school cyclist riding and training on a old school classic bike reaps its own rewards. There will come a day when it all falls into place; the fitness level, the riding conditions, the scenery, the moment. You'll find yourself on cruise mode and feeling strong with the miles rolling off behind you. When that happens, well, all the training struggles to get there will have been well worth the effort.  

Depending on how my bum leg comes along after the Stent surgery will determine just how far along I'll be able to pursue this effort. I'm feeling optimistic and encouraged and maybe even a little bit excited about the possibilities. Stay tuned to see how all this plays out. Thnx for coming along for the ride.

UPDATE: The stent surgery went off on schedule and the preliminary indicators are very positive. Still pretty sore, but plan on doing more soon. A total of five stents were inserted; four on the right side where most of the issues were, and one on the left. Have taken several walks since then ranging from a little over a mile to over two miles that included several hills and experienced no discomfort..Also have made several short bike rides up to 10 miles and the leg(s) felt great! :) Looking forward on getting started training in earnest as soon as the weather allows.

The Challenge - Part 2 - 'The Classic Bike'

 It was the classic looks and clean paint scheme of the Bridgestone RB-2 road bike that first caught my attention. I was in desperate need of an upgrade because at that time I was attempting to compete in individual triathlons and the old bike I was riding fell well short of what was needed.

Don't Laugh! The old Clunker bike that
actually did its job! (circa 1985ish)

 Back in the summer of 1994 my old red clunker of a bike that I had used for a good number of years had by then seen better days. Not even sure what brand it was but it weighed in around 28 lbs, quite heavy for a road bike, and possessed old heavy cotterpinned crank arms, three worn out crankset gears designed more for casual neighborhood cruising than the open road, and brakes that bordered on being dangerously inadequate. I had actually put a good number of miles on it and eventually swapped out the cotterpin crankset to a newer and lighter weight one with a better gear ratio (52/42). About all I can say for it is...well, it served its purpose and provided a means to an end. It did its job. I really wasn't looking to buy a new higher end bike. Even back then they were quite expensive and fell well outside of my budget. That did not prevent me from spending time browsing around the bike shop looking at the latest and greatest collections. 

Bike shops back then carried a far greater number of pure road bikes than they seem to do today. Everything is gravel bikes or e-bikes or mountain bike/hybrids. One day I made an unscheduled stop...just to look around...and spied this beautiful blue and white Bridgestone RB-2 sitting by itself over in one corner. When I sauntered over to it I was immediately enamored by its lines and styling. A salesman walked over and told me they had just received it the day before as a trade-in on a new bike. He said it was in excellent condition and used by a rider who was beginning to ride more competitively and needed an upgraded bike. I asked how much? When he told me they were asking a little over $200 for it, I knew then and there I had to somehow find the funds to get it. New, it sold for around $600 and equivalent bikes of the day easily surpassed $800 to a $1000 and higher, so the $200 price tag seemed like a bargain. The very next day I became its new owner and from that moment on, the two of us have ridden thousands of flawless miles together...that is until more recent years, but that is another part of the saga.

The RB-2 is the little brother to the higher end RB-1 which retains a great deal of respect in the bicycling world as a pro-quality racing bike and Bridgestone became a well respected name within the cycling community in its day.

The RB-2 was basically the same bike as the RB-1 with good quality components that fell a step or two lower down the scale than the top-end lines. My RB-2 was manufactured (according to the serial number) in 1987 and I believe that model became available in their 1988 line of road bikes. The one I have remains virtually in its original state except for new tires, a new chain, and some basic maintenance like new bearings and such things like that. The main difference between the RB-1 and RB-2 was the RB-1 was lighter weight and cost twice as much new.

It uses the Shimano Exage Sport line of brakes, derailleur, and gear sets. It was my first experience using Indexed shifting which by the way is far better than the old friction style of shifters. It has the classic look of locating the shifter levers on the downtube with the cables running along the length of that same tube and across the top bar. Recently I watched a biking video where the rider spent time riding a vintage '1995ish' bike that used the same configuration with the shifter levers being located on the downtube. He politely complained how awkward it was to have to reach for those levers while riding. I just smiled and laughed a little because I am so used to doing it that way it seems natural to me.

The cyclist spoiling technology available today certainly leaps into the realm of the modern era with electronic wireless shifters actuated with the brake handles, super lightweight frames weighing in under 8 kilo's, and aerodynamic styling. The physical styling of todays bikes, on the other hand, I believe leave a lot to be desired. Functionally, they are marvels of modern technology...but I still love the classic looks of the older bikes.

Costs have certainly risen as well where today to find a decent quality bike requires an investment of thousands. For me...well, I truly am an old school kind of person who prefers not only the classic looks of a bygone era, but the comparative costs as well. Being a DIYer, I can easily perform most all the maintenance on my old RB-2 where as a newer bike would scare me too much. 

Before we moved to Kentucky, we lived in central Oklahoma for a good many years. The wind truly does come sweeping down the plain in that part of the world and the wind is something you just deal with. I often found myself easily cruising along at 20+ mph with a strong tailwind, to suddenly drop to barely maintaining 10 mph on the way back and expending way more effort doing so. Try climbing a hill going into a stiff wind. That 10 mph would easily drop to 5 or 6 and I'd be spent by the time I reached the top.

I used a ten mile loop I enjoyed riding, often completing several circuits on a ride. On one particular ride I made late one summer day I found myself at the far end of that loop where the country opened up and the scenery expanded from horizon to horizon. The sun was near setting by this time as I had got a late start and I could not tary as I needed to get back to my starting point before darkness set it. I stopped and steadied the bike beneath my extended legs and leaned against the handlebars to feel the cooling evening breeze on my face as the golden rays set the low hanging clouds ablaze. Kind of nice really. Just me, my trusty bike, the open backroad, and scenery second to none. Yeah...there is more to cycling than just pedaling down the road.

If not for a bum leg that has slowed me down for several years now, I would have spent more time in the saddle. Soon, if the Stent procedure I've mentioned previously is successful, my leg situation should improve enough to allow me to once again experience the joy of feeling the wind in my face and the thrill of comfortably propelling myself down the road.  The intent here is to work my way back to where making a 100 kilometer ride is a doable thing...then maybe, just maybe, I'll witness another one of those late afternoon sunsets with a gentle breeze blowing in my face along the way. 

The Challenge - Part One

Classic Bridgestone RB-2 - Almost 40 years old
Still needs some work but overall in good shape.
The original White Saddle lies beneath the
black Gel covering (see below)

I've always been objective oriented. That is when I tend to get fired up about doing something when I have a clear objective in mind. I prefer not to use the term goal as that term tends to be self limiting for once you reach a set goal, it's like, well..now what...and motivation tends to diminish afterwards. Being objective oriented leaves the desire open ended phycologically. Once you reach an objective, it's simply a matter of extending the object of your  desire out a bit further and you just keep on going shifting gears toward a new direction with a renewed energy. 

Over the years I've remained reasonably active pursuing a variety of activities like canoeing, hiking, camping, hunting/fishing, photography, running, swimming, cycling. Although the intensity level and frequency of those activities has varied over the years as I've gotten older, I've remained committed to their pursuit. However, in more recent years I've run into an unexpected physical situation that has really slowed me down. Yes, I have mentioned it before, but bare with me as it appears I have developed a circulation issue leading into my right leg. The right side Iliac Artery, which feeds the lower extremities on the right side, has become clogged up and in the opinion of the vascular doctor I've been seeing, it is virtually 100% clogged. Oddly enough, I feel no discomfort when walking around doing normal routine things, ( the body has an amazing ability to compensate ). It is only when I place continuous stress on the leg does the problem present itself. The discomfort can be quite severe, and the doctor said it is like I am having a heart attack but it's happening in my leg. That discomfort is what limits my ability to do the things I enjoy at the level I want to pursue them. Cut me a little slack here...I am turning 74 years old soon, but, mentally, I still feel like I am 25...well...maybe closer to 35...or 40...regardless, my mind tells me one thing, but my body is beginning to push back.

Oddly enough, the left side Iliac Artery remains mostly clear and presents no real  problems, and my heart according to a previous CT scan shows itself to be clean and clear with no blockage. It seems odd to me that this one location has become a problem while everything else appears to be in good shape. Even so, it is what it is and its effects are real and troublesome. Medication (Cilostazol) has helped, but only with minimal improvement. The doctor and I have come to the conclusion that inserting a Stent into the Iliac Artery will be the best way to improve on the situation. That procedure has, as of this writing, not been scheduled, but will most likely be in the near future.

As I just mentioned, medication has improved the circulation to a degree where I've noticed enough improvement where I am feeling optimistic about being able to return my leg to where it is operating at a near normal level. So...that leads us to what this article is all about; The Challenge.

The Challenge for this year is stacked within multiple layers. I still want to pursue all the things I've mentioned and get out with my canoe and do some hiking and things, but the main focus has shifted now to where I want to accomplish something I have not done, nor been able to do, for a long time; I want to complete a 100 kilometer (62 miles) bike ride with the intent of using that as a springboard to eventually complete a full 100 mile ride at some point. The only way I will be able to accomplish this is if the Iliac Artery Stent surgery improves the blood flow enough to my right leg to where I can train at the required intensity level.

Riding 62 miles on a road bike may sound like a big deal, and in many ways it is. However, most any competent cyclist should be able to make such a ride with some careful preparation and conditioning. Being almost 74 years old with a bum leg...well, that complicates the situation some. But, I am going to give it a try. I may not succeed, but I will try regardless of the leg situation. Over-all I'm in pretty good shape weighing in at around a lean 175 lbs with no real physical limitations save for the bum right leg issue. I do believe I will be able to pull this off.

At one time a good number of years ago, I made many rides in that same range often completing 45 and 50 miles rides on a routine basis. I even performed the bike-leg as part of a 3-man team competing in a half-Ironman Triathlon. That 62 mile bike leg covered a good number of hills along the way and was a pretty tough course. That experience served as a springboard for me to pursue (in my mid-40's) to become an individual triathlete competing is several shorter events. I had strong bike legs back then, and good running endurance along with a solid swimming performance. My weight at the time was around 160 lbs and I really enjoyed the training process, even so, training at that level required so much time it just became too difficult to do it justice and still try to juggle a full-time job along with family time. Now that I've been retired for a while, I have plenty of time on my hands. I just don't have the physical capacity I used to have...mainly because of this stupid leg issue.

Catalog image - What my RB-2 looked like
when brand new. Plan on restoring it back
to the classic looking gum-sided tires.

Over the next several months, I will be making occasional posts chronicling and updating my efforts along with photographs and probably a video or two. On my previous post I wrote about my classic Bridgestone RB-2 Road Bike. Since that post I have spent a good number of hours restoring it back to an almost like-new configuration. I've also broken out my old Cycleops indoor trainer and hooked my RB-2 up to it and I've been doing some spinning around testing out my leg to see how it responds to some vigorous work. Indications look promising with the discomfort level being less than I expected, but still not where it needs to be. Hopefully, that will come with time and the corrective surgical Stent insertion along with warmer weather where I can hit the open road again and really give it a good workout. How the leg responds is yet to be determined.

In part two coming up soon, we'll take a closer look at the bike details and I'll discuss more about the training program, route selection, all those kinds of things. I'm an old school kind of person who will be riding an old school bike trying to accomplish something most older folks wouldn't even think about doing. Like I said before...I am an objective oriented person. The object here is less about will I actually be able to complete this planned ride, and more about the journey I'll take preparing for it.

Hope you follow along and maybe I'll run into you out on the road.

An Old Guy with a Bum Leg and His Vintage Road Bike

 Most of my camping / backpacking gear is over 20 years old, some of it closer to 30 years old. I target shoot with a vintage 60 year old 22 caliber bolt action rifle which by the way is still capable of shooting a dime size 5 shot group at 50 yards...the rifle is capable of doing that, not so much the shooter. I use a 40 year old fishing rig and paddle around in a 21 year old canoe. I also drive a 29 year old Jeep. As you might guess, most all of these old pieces of gear look their age, but are still functional, that's why I keep on using them. However, I do have one vintage thing that still retains its classic looks. That would be my near 40 year old Bridgestone Synergy RB-2 road bike.

I purchased that bike in the early 1990's as a used bike. It was about 5 or so years old at the time and if I recall, I paid something like $200 for it. Not sure the list price for the RB-2 when new, but most likely somewhere around $600 sounds about right. It was in mint condition so the $200 I paid for it was a bargain. Bridgestone had several RB models: RB-1, RB-2, RB-3, and I think even an RB-4., along with an array of mountain style bikes.The RB-2 is a middle of the road performance road bike stocked with good quality components and was comparable in performance to the more widely known RB-1, but at about half the price when new. My old RB-2 is pretty much stock and is identical to the one shown in the photo above, with only tires, chain, and brake pads having been replaced. I did overhaul it a few years back...regreased/replaced the bearings and gave it a good cleaning. Every season when I was able to ride more often I would give it a good once over and as a result, it has literally performed flawlessly. She is a pleasure to ride.

Of all the vintage equipment I use, two items stand out when it comes to receiving compliments on them; my 60 year old 22 rifle and my RB-2. I cannot count the number of times I have been out riding over the years and run across another biker whose first words of greeting are, "I really like your Bridgestone...good looking bike."  Seems my pace increases after such encounters. What I find amusing is most other riders I run into are riding newer, light weight high tech bikes and they are excellent bikes for sure, but my old RB-2 can keep pace with them...well, the bike can, not so much the rider anymore.

Some years back I loaned it to a good buddy of mine who wanted to participate in a multi-day bike ride. His old clunker bike just was not up to the task, so I offered for him to use mine. A week later about all he could do was praise how that bike performed flawlessly during the several hundred miles of riding he had to cover. He also mentioned that numerous other riders threw out compliment after compliment on how much they liked the looks of that bike.

It's not the lightest, nor is it equipped with the best components, but along with its flawless performance, its design and color scheme is what makes it stand out. Over the years I have literally pedaled thousands of miles on it. 

In more recent times, those miles have been reduced to a few occasional jaunts around the neighborhood, the reason being is...well, I'm just getting older. The bike it seems has held up better than its rider. Truth is, I recently learned I have a circulation issue with my right leg, something to do with a clogged up Iliac Artery, you know, the one that branches down into the lower extremities. Seems when I put too much stress on that leg, well, it's just not getting enough blood flow into it and that's when all the discomfort kicks in. The vascular doctor who diagnosed the situation said it was like I was experiencing a heart attack except in my leg. Fortunately, my old guy's heart looks to be in pretty good shape with the CT scan showing everything looking clear and clean. We're trying a few things to see if we can improve on the leg situation and hopefully, in the near future I'll be able to once again take off on one of those fun cross country rides without worrying about if my leg is going to hold up.

There are not many things more rewarding than reaching a point where your physical conditioning meets your desire to get out and ride. Cruising along at a good pace with the wind in your face, blue sky above, and a warm sun across your back and feeling good about it, well, I have certainly missed being able to do such things. (Stupid leg...). But...never underestimate an old guy with a bum leg and his vintage road bike. I just might catch and pass you on the road someday. Hope to see you out there.

A Few Favorite Images from 2025

To be honest, the year 2025 was somewhat of a down year for me photographically. I managed to allow long gaps between outings and many of the ones I did manage to follow through..well the results fell well short of what I expect from myself. However, I spent a little time reviewing some of the 2025 results and discovered several favorites...there are always a few. Let's take a look at some of those.

This first image is perhaps my favorite from 2025. Taken during an overnight canoe camping trip on Barren River Lake, the only one I made in 2025. Early morning before the sun lifted above the ridge behind me, fog floated across the surface of this backwater slew and the contrast of green and blue set this one apart from most of the others. There is a surreal atmosphere exhibited in this image, the kind that takes me back to the early hours of that morning.

Image nbr two was taken very close to where the first image was made only taken several weeks earlier on a day trip canoe outing. Oddly enough, I used my cell phone to capture this one. I love black and white and summer clouds drifting across a blue sky over water on a summer day allows for some fantastic Ansel Adams style of imaging.

Photographing deer near where I live is something I enjoy doing year round but especially in late fall. I really liked the dark hues in this one and how the tall tuffs of grass seem to frame this beautiful doe.

This nice looking buck whitetail is one of several I watched and photographed this year. This was taken very early in the year in January. They are so alert and latch on to the slightest movement or unnatural sounds. The black and white version of this one really brings out the rustic flavor of the moment.

This nice buck was following a herd of does during the rut. Taken late in the year, November, a few minutes before sundown, the low angle warm light of the setting sun caught him as he made his way into the field. At least two other nice bucks frequented the area and I really enjoyed watching them turn their attention to the does who pretended not to be interested in them.

Whenever snow is on the ground, I almost always make an effort to photograph the deer herd near home. There is just something about the nature of snow that transforms the landscape to provide a pristeen backdrop for the wildlife. Taken in January of 2025, I do believe the deer enjoyed the snow as much a I did.

This treeline runs behind my house where I watch the deer. Sometimes, the deer do not show up or are late in doing so. As a result to keep from getting bored, I look for landscape opportunities as I sit inside my makeshift blind. Normally, these trees are just ordinary trees, but add a little snow to outline their limbs and they become an abstract symbol of nature.

Late spring this past season provided some fun photo ops around the pond where dozens of dragonflies spend their day buzzing around. Capturing them is not always easy. What you have to do is simply watch them for a few minutes and you will notice a pattern in behavior where they tend set on a specific perch for a few seconds then dart off again only to return over and over to the same perch. The trick is to be ready and positioned when they return. I love the background bokeh effect on this one along with the dark green flavor.

Kingfishers are difficult to photograph as they dart around like little blue banshees. Spent some time below the spillway on Barren River Lake and managed to capture a few images of a pair of them darting around and flying low over the water. There are techniques you can employ to lure them in requiring a hide and bait, none of which I have ever used to capture them. They are amazing birds and fun to watch.

 Summer time means the wheat is ready to harvest. Being surrounded by farm country offers a grand opportunity to capture this most beautiful of crops. Throw in a few storm clouds in the background and a distant tree or two and you have the makings of nice landscape.

Summer also means the remnants of Tallgrass Prairie come to life across Kentucky. Most people are probably not aware that at one time the Kentucky landscape supported a significant but isolated area of original Tallgrass Prairie that covered the landscape in and around Bowling Green extending westward across the southern flanks of the state. Nationwide, the Tallgrass Prairie once covered over 400,000 square miles across America, but over 90% of it is now gone, destroyed by urban development, extensive farming land use, and the loss of a vital ingredient the prairie needed to survive; The American Bison. So when I find a remnant patch of Tallgrass Prairie, my camera and I are very happy.

Shanty Hollow is one of my favorite places to hike into. With its rugged texture, tall trees, and an amazing waterfall capping the backend of a collapsed ravine, the fall season provides a wonderful opportunity for the photographer. This image taken with my cell phone turned out rather nice.

The Aurora Borealis is extremely rare to see this far south, but the past couple of years it has made it down this far several times offering a wonderful opportunity to capture this amazing natural phenomena.

Panoramic landscapes are a great way to capture the wider extent of what you visually see. Throw in a blue sky and some fall clouds and even the most ordinary of scenes can often become a wonderful addition to your collection.

Okay...so there you have it. A short list of some of my favorite images taken during the 2025 season. There are others, but these do reflect the efforts I did manage to capture. All in all, for a down season, I think I managed to capture a few compelling images that reflect the nature of Kentucky around where I live.