Under the Stars

Looks like the weather will be cooperating for my camp out with Red Chief Saturday night. I think the little guy is going to have a blast. I know I will. With his always high energy level, getting him to sleep will be a challenge. The last time he used a sleeping bag at my house was during a blizzard this past winter, in the wilds of my living room as he and the Princess Mother had to stay overnight. He thought that was pretty cool; the Princess was not happy when kept awake by his giggling and squirming. This time, she has the night off and can relax at home. And with the start of Illini football tomorrow, I'm a blissful bison.

Grip & Grin

Actual on-the-scene photo of Red Chief and me in a battle of grips as I meet his challenge of arm wrestling. His smile forecasts the joy of his eventual death grip on me. Had to keep the little guy entertained all day yesterday as kindergarten was not in session. Big adventure this coming weekend as the Chief and I camp out in the wilds of my back yard.

Had to miss the Buffaloes' Burrito Loco Challenge and full moon run last evening as Itchy Brother from the burbs was in town and the family herd gathered. It's just as well that I missed the 4-mile run, followed by inhalation of a mammoth burrito, then a 5-mile trail run under the moonlight. Training has been lax.

The Dude Abides

Clutching a big glass of wine last night, I watched "The Big Lebowski", which features Jeff Bridges as The Dude (above), an unemployed bowler who loves to drink White Russians. Hilarious, as are other Coen Brothers movies (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, Fargo, Raising Arizona,). Always bizarre characters, strange scripts. I'll have to add Lebowski to my favorite movies list, thanks to Princess, who first got me to watch it. A new Coen Brothers movie, "Burn After Reading", is in the works, featuring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand (female lead in Fargo).

And speaking of the dude, Red Chief is in his first day of kindergarten. Noontime report from the Princess Mother was that the Chief was nervous at home before school, but once he was at school he was fine. He was thrilled to have his own locker and what's really cool is that he has new Spiderman shoes, which he claims make him run faster.

I've decided to drive to Yellowstone rather than go by plane, but exactly when I go is still under question. I can't wait too long or it will be too cold for camping. I was hoping to go in mid-September, but the closer that gets the less likely is seems it will happen then. I'll have to go by early October to avoid cold weather out there. The average temps for Yellowstone in October are 55 degrees (high) and 29 degrees (low).

So That's Where He Is

Looking through a high school reunion booklet that lists names, addresses, and occupations of former classmates. Gotta find Phil Shoemaker, a good buddy who I haven't seen since high school graduation in 1967. I spot his name and read the entry "Living in Alaska . . . occupation: master hunting guide . . . flight instructor and Alaskan bush pilot and hunting & fishing guide since 1980 . . . degree in wildlife biology . . . lives on remote 40-acre homestead near Katmai National Park. . ."

Sure enough, after I google his name I find his WEBSITE. A big smile under his Grizzly Adams beard and holding a huge silver salmon. I'll have to e-mail him. This is by far the most unusual occupation listed for my classmates. Another surprise was a fella who used to live a few blocks away from me and went to school with me all the way from kindergarten through high school. A self-described hippie in the 1970s, he is now a pastor. You just never know.

I Should Have Worn My Buffalo Hat . . .

. . . that would have had them staring. Went to my 40th high school reunion this past weekend. Wasn't going to go, but a last-minute call from one of my old high school buddies got me out and about. When I arrived at the reunion one of the first people who greeted me was the one person I had wanted to see most. He had come all the way from California, and I had memories of him and me running on a golf course in the summer of 1969, both of us wearing old Converse basketball shoes and both of us smokers at the time, trying to get me in shape before I went into the army. Didn't work. I wasn't ready for 4:30 a.m. wake-up yells from my drill sergeant followed by running in combat boots on a cinder track. After the reunion a group of us went to a downtown street festival, which was much fun. But it was sad during the evening remembering those of our class who had passed away, including Vietnam War killed, those from cancer and various others causes, and a suicide. The suicide, which happened just a few years ago, was particularly tough to understand because he was a father of four, was very bright and apparently had been leading quite a successful life. I had gone all through grade school with him too and we had been particularly close then. I had not seen him since high school, but I'll always wonder why Mike decided to end his life. I'll always have fond memories of him.

Bring It On! Head Bangers in Wyoming

Yeah, another video. This is magnificent: two buffalo bulls battling, accompanied by symphonic music and chorus. Right now at Yellowstone National Park the annual buffalo rut is taking place. A Yellowstone visitor describes the battle of the bulls: "Their guttural rumblings resonate across Hayden Valley as the bison gather for the annual August rut. If you pull over next to a herd and shut off your engine, you can hear the most amazing combinations of snort and sneezing, roars and bellows, and what sound like the loudest and longest belches you’ve ever heard! What makes the bison rut so fun to watch is that there is always something going on. Bulls communicate and dominate by a series of sounds that range from snorts and grunts to all-out bellows. Researchers have found that these roars can be heard nearly 3 miles away."

Into the Wild, Onto the Screen

I'm re-reading the bestseller INTO THE WILD in preparation for the release of the movie on September 21. This may well be my favorite book, and I am eagerly anticipating the movie. Sean Penn wrote the screenplay and is the director of the movie. Judging from what I have read, especially in the latest issue of OUTSIDE magazine, which has the movie as the cover story, Penn has tackled this project with an iron will. For several years others tried to get permission from the family of the book's subject, Chris McCandless, to tell Chris' story. The tenacious Penn earned the family's trust after many discussions with them about how the young man's story should be treated. Penn promised the family that the movie would be the only project he would work on, and he did just that for two years until the movie was completed. In the Outside magazine article, Chris' mother says, "I want this movie to do what the book did: grip people in the heart. Make people think. Bring people and families together. It's a lesson." Penn went to great lengths to tell the story accurately. I have a feeling the film will be special. We'll see.

Survival in the Land of Television

One of my favorite TV shows, Survivorman, begins a new season tonight on The Discovery Channel. Les Stroud (above) is the very entertaining host who has himself planted in all sorts of challenging environments without food, water and shelter. He does not have a camera crew with him but carries the camera equipment and films himself. His fire-building and shelter-making skills are especially interesting. Les is a likable and honest "victim" and admits to mistakes he makes while on his survival quest. Will I have the necessary survival skills when Red Chief and I camp out in my back yard in the near future? For example, if we run out of marshmallows to roast over a fire, what do we do? A challenge, to be sure.
http://www.survivorman.ca/

Toasted Buffalo

It's Holy Thursday, and the herd will run in 90+ degrees on the trail at Mahomet this evening. It's all good. Got Tim moved into his new place, and I'm already missing Ali. Maddie looked all over the house for him last night.

Very busy these days. The Kid (sister) and her tribe are coming down from the burbs this weekend. I will be manning an aid station for the Howl at the Moon ultra Saturday. This event features a bunch of crazies (buffaloes included) running a loop for as many miles as they can go. Gee, must be great fun in the heat. I'll have to post photos.

Tails of Dog Days

Ali Baba, my house guest and great lover of people.

Surveying for squirrels.

My son Tim, who has been living with me the last month, moves out tomorrow, taking with him his pit bull, which has stolen my heart. I must admit I was a little horrified when Tim told me he had acquired a pit bull from a woman who had three of them and had to give up Ali, whom she had adopted from the Humane Society. I have never known such an affectionate dog. After being alone all day, Ali will greet me, prancing around the house like a bucking bronco on crack and licking me with the force of a wet bullwhip. He is always happy to see people. Two problems: he thinks he is a lap dog, so he will relax his entire form on you when you are in a comfortable chair; and, he is as strong as an ox, so taking him on walks is always an adventure, especially when he spots a squirrel.

Survived three days of watching Red Chief last week. Much fun, but keeping a fully energized five-year-old amused all day was a challenge. The Chief and I have a big camp-out in my backyard planned for the near future with tents, sleeping bags, a fire, s'mores, the whole bit. Roary (see "Animals Around My House" section at right) will protect us during the night. By the way, please welcome Perry to my "animals" section. He is a constant reminder of what I could be if I don't eat right and exercise.

The Champaign Park District's Mini Tri Saturday for me was a strange race. I had not "trained" for this event, which consists of a 400-yard swim, 6-mile bike and 2-mile run, but it's mainly a fun thing that I don't take seriously. It was my first look at the newly remodeled pool area, and when a fellow race participant told me the first part of the swim was a joke, I went over to see what he meant. It was a meandering 200-yard stretch of water, called the Lazy River, and when it came time for my swim, I immediately knew what my friend meant. I was both annoyed and amused when the tops of my fingers actually scraped the concrete bottom of the "river" a few times. That's just too shallow. I swam the whole thing, while many actually dolphin dived or even walked and ran the pool. Thus, they had faster swims. This fun race is 25 years old, probably the oldest race in the area, so the tradition continues. Whole families do this event; I have seen kids as young as 10 participate, as well as a gentleman in his 70s. I didn't even start my watch to time myself, but I had a good swim, sluggish bike and OK run. This is an all-out speed race, and I didn't have it. My effort was good enough for 6th of 16 in my age group, but I know I can do better.

Chief Pickin' and Bison Bakin'

I snapped the photos of Red Chief (in sweaty Elvis contemplative mood) this weekend jammin with the guitar I gave him. He says he needs a pick to play well. May distribute this photo worldwide when he hits the big time with his band and has the money rolling in for him and the Princess. The shot of fellow Buffaloes Wokman and Freezy Girl was taken at the Badwater ultra race where they helped crew for Devil Dawg. I'll bet the buffalo hats didn't stay on long in the 120-degree heat.

Last evening I mowed lawns, did laundry, walked Ali and began watching Forrest Gump with son Tim when all of a sudden I remembered - The Moon Run! I was missing it! I have made every full moon run on the trail since last fall, but with much to do and watching one of my favorite movies with my little boy, I just forgot.

I'll be watching Red Chief for three days this week while his day care people take vacation. Plans are for swimming, basketball, walking Ali (always an adventure), visits to ice cream places, going to the park, riding bikes, watching movies, and maybe some jamming with our guitars.

Meanwhile triathlon training is going, but not well. Backpacking and camping are heavily on my mind, but discovering a big group of bloggers who are triathletes has been invigorating.

Decisions, Decisions

Yellowstone Canyon

Which triathlons to do. Where to hike and backpack. I decided not to do the Stoneman Triathlon in Springfield this weekend. Just not mentally into it, for some reason. I'll do the Champaign Mini Tri next weekend, and then decide on either a tri in Effingham or one in Indianapolis. I've pretty much decided to go Yellowstone, thus probably no backpacking trip to the Appalachian Trail this summer (unless, of course, I change my mind; time and money will be major deciding factors). But Yellowstone is a must: 2.2-million acres, larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined, with bears, wolves, eagles, moose, and of course buffalo, 3500 of them roaming free. This trip will probably happen in September. A dream journey.

Herd news: Our weekly Holy Thursday trail run at Mahomet last evening was attended by only five buffaloes, with a large group still out west after the Badwater race and a group going up to the Grand Island trail marathon this weekend. I ran 7.6 hot and sticky miles last evening. Will swim tonight. Bikes, swims and runs this weekend, and a full moon run with the herd Sunday evening on the trail.

Pride of the Buffalo Nation: Dawg and Mechanic Finish Badwater

Devil Dawg and his support crew of buffaloes at Badwater. From left are Freezy Girl, Wokman, the Dawg, Riddler, Mr. Clean, Barb Wire, and S&M. Freezy Girl and Wokman have migrated to Louisiana but keep in touch and visit us occasionally, as does Barb Wire, who is living in San Diego, and Mr. Clean, who is in the Chicago burbs. The Buffaloes are indeed a herd family.

The Mechanic at the finish.

Tracy, weary but satisfied.

I'm bursting with pride this morning because my good friends Tracy Thomas and Brian Kuhn have completed the 135-mile Badwater ultramarathon in Death Valley, California. This is one of the most demanding races in America, and of the 84 runners who began the race Brian finished in 21st place with a time of 37:25:52 and Tracy was right behind him in 22nd place with a 37:26:44 time. Over 37 hours of endurance running in steaming temperatures. Crazy buffaloes, but quite a milestone in the annals of the herd. Tremendous performance in a field of talented international ultrarunners.

Baked Bison in Death Valley

Fellow Buffaloes Devil Dawg (Brian Kuhn) and the Mechanic (Tracy Thomas) are still at it, both having completed at least 90 miles of the 135-mile Badwater ultra race in sweltering temperatures. See the latest on their progress here. Not bad having two runners from Champaign in the top 25 of the 84 runners of the international field (this as of 12:05 p.m. today).

Off and Running in Hell

The Dawg in his official Buffalo Warriors Badwater race shirt. His support crew consists of four other buffaloes.

The Mechanic

Devil Dawg and the Mechanic have started their ordeal at the Badwater ultra (today through Wednesday), but still waiting for the race webcast of this to come up. Dawg's (Brian Kuhn) race number is 33, the Mechanic's (Tracy Thomas) is 27. This race has been called "running in hell." For a list of Tracy's accomplishments, look here.

Of the two Buffaloes at Ironman Lake Placid, preliminary results show the Iron Bison finished in 13:49:15, with a stellar bike, while Lard Ass is shown as DNF, having gotten through the swim and bike but not the run. Bummer for him.

Herd Night, Pokey Day

The herd at the Reunion Run at the Mahomet trail. I'm in the dark shirt in the middle. Best runner in the group is Cayenne the Wonder Dog.

Pokey at the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, during our backpack trip last August.

Great time last evening at the Mahomet trail as the herd was joined by a few "missing in action" bison. We had a good run, but it's not just about the running with this group. The socializing after the run makes it all good. The time-honored tradition at the trail continues.

Happy birthday, Pokey. My backpacking companion Pokey, aka Cassandra, turns 30 today. She's out in northern Arizona doing field research for her Ph.D. here at the University of Illinois; she will be doing this for the next five summers. With her schooling and teaching the rest of the year, I rarely see her any more.

Running and Then Some

The herd at Chilly Chili, 2005

I guess I shouldn't have razzed Devil Dawg and the Mechanic yesterday because their's is just typical buffalo behavior: Do something different. I have run with the herd in knee-deep snow, in thunderstorms, in biting blizzards, on ice, in thigh-deep water and ankle-deep mud. I have run many times with something other than water in my water bottle, such as with the Buffalo Rum Runners at the Siberian Express race, with the buffalo-hatted herd at the Chilly Chili run (where we are always proud to finish last), and sipped on blackberry brandy between loops of the Riddle Run. Those events all take place in January; it's how buffaloes deal with cabin fever. There are also moon runs and other silliness throughout the year, but the buffaloes were born and raised for the premier herd happening: Thursday night runs at the Mahomet trail. It is raining right now, so tonight's trail run will be good and gooey. Bring it on.

Buffaloes to be Broiled?

Devil Dawg after completing the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run at Squaw Valley, California, a few weeks ago.

The Mechanic on the cover of my running club's newsletter.

The two buffaloes above are just plain wacky. Or mental. They are going to do the Badwater Ultramarathon next week. Let's see: Death Valley, 130 degrees, 135 miles.

The Mechanic has been seen several times this summer wearing black sweat clothes while running on hot days in training for this event.

Lobotomies have been scheduled for these two.

The Iron Bison: A Different Animal

Bruce (Iron Bison) and me at Mrs. T's Triathlon in Chicago, 2002. Bruce is now in his early 50s and shows no signs of slowing down.

Me (left) with Buffaloes (left to right) Iron Bison, Heart Rate, and the Undertaker at Muddy Buddy, Chicago burbs, 2002. The Iron Bison was my partner at this fun race, which featured crawling in the mud.

I was awakened this morning at 3 a.m. by lightning and thunder, and unable to sleep I got up at 5 a.m. Swam at 5:30. This triathlon training and upcoming events of fellow buffaloes brought back memories of past events. My buddy Bruce, the Iron Bison, will be doing his fifth Ironman, this at Lake Placid this coming weekend. Bruce just isn't right in the head, telling me he planned to bike and run early in the morning before driving 16 hours to New York with his family. He is a masonry supervisor at the U of I, and I tell others a few too many bricks have fallen on his head. He has tried to get me to commit to an Ironman, but I know what a marathon feels like, and I can't imagine doing 112 miles on a bike just before that long run.

I don't train with Bruce very much any more (I have to consider my sanity), but when I did train with him I had some of my best triathlons, especially at Mrs. T's (now Accenture) in Chicago. That tri has always been labeled "the world's largest triathlon," and man were those races crowded. My finest effort at Mrs. T's was the 2002 Olympic distance, where I finished 11th of 56 in my age group (50-54). Swimming almost a mile in Lake Michigan with its "fragrant" waters was a chore, but biking on Lake Shore Drive and running past Soldier Field, McCormick Place, the planetarium, and the Shedd Aquariam was special. I miss the Chicago tri, but the $130 race fee and Chicago hotel rates have soured me. Might try it again sometime, though.

Good luck to the Iron Bison and to Lard Ass (Steve O'Connor) at Lake Placid. Those are two tough Buffaloes.

TOMORROW: Hawt Dawg and the Skewered Mechanic - Buffaloes in the Valley of Death

Chief of the Court

Red Chief and I have had many good times, but Saturday night was one of the best. With the Princess out for some well-deserved socializing, Ethan and I swam, rode bikes, and played basketball. I was surprised when the Chief suggested that we go to the park and play basketball, but bring only a regulation-size ball, not his soccer ball, to heave up to the basket. Picture if you will a five-year-old kid, small for his age, gripping an adult-size basketball, bending far down at the knees, placing the ball, which almost touched the ground, between his feet, giving the basket a serious look, then heaving the ball up with all his might. The first several times his arc was a little off, the ball going almost straight up in the air, but finally he hit the rim. The fact that he hurled it 10 feet was quite an accomplishment. Then it happened. I think I was more thrilled than he was when the ball bounced on the rim a couple of times and went through the net. A few more errant shots and some foot-stomping frustration on his part, then . . . another basket . . . immediately followed by another. The shooting went on and on, until at one point the little guy put in four shots in a row! I should note that the rim was the regulation 10 feet from the ground, not a smaller distance for kids.

Then we rode our bikes home, built a fire in the pit on the patio, and talked about hiring an agent.

(I was later informed that the Chief had been practicing basketball at another locale, but his feat was still amazing. After his full evening of swimming, basketball, and bike riding, Princess told me the little guy fell asleep in the car on the way home.)