Though I was only there for three days the city of Oslo was beautiful. Besides going on an amazing hash with the Oslo H3, we toured the Kon Tiki Museum, Viking Maritime Museum, walked up to the top of the Opera house and tried to cover as much ground as possible.
One morning after breakfast we started hiking east and above the lodge. The first part of the trail was a steep path, but then as we met a large stream the trail ran parallel to it. Eventually, the trail was the stream.
The stream was surrounded by tall trees that created a canopy. Letting us hike in the comfort of the shade. The stream was very rocky. At first I was worried about getting water in my boots, but eventually I was just stomping through. Towards the end of the trail there are several large rocks you have to climb. Previous hikers had tied ropes at the top of the rocks to help you climb.
The waterfall was about 35 to 40 feet high and rained down into a shallow pool. The force of the water made it almost windy and the plants that surrounded it seemed to pulsate with the force of the water.
Paula, the monkey, came on the hike with us. Though she obviously didn’t like water. Being a lazy monkey, every so often she would hitch a ride on someone’s shoulder. It was like having a 15 lb sweaty scarf that can’t balance very well on you. She made it all the way to the waterfall with us, but hung out on a tree that overlooked the waterfall.
The hike took about three hours and was amazing. I don’t think I have ever felt like such a bad ass. Hiking around the jungle with a machete and a monkey on my shoulder.
Hello all,
Recently, I received some comments about my mailing list. (Yay!) There is an Aweber Form where you can submit your email address at the bottom of the page in the mobile format and on the right hand side if you are using the desktop version. Please bear with me as I get things set up to send a message to those who are interested in any new blogs I post!
That is a better way than the notify me button on the commenters page. I love hearing everyone’s comments and the beginnings of support I’m getting for my blog.
Please stay tuned for more!
-Scottie
In a previous post I had mentioned an international running club (or a drinking club with a running problem) called the Hash House Harriers (H3). Last time it was with the Gypsies in San Rafel, California. A great club with a great trail leading us through the hills of Marin. That was my first hash and I had an amazing time and met a lot of really good people.
This time I headed into the San Francisco to meet with the San Francisco Hash House Harriers (SFH3) at the South Park near AT&T park where the San Francisco Giant’s Baseball team play. They have a normal Monday night hash which happens rain or shine starting in the evening. As we joined the obvious hash group which can normally be found near a keg, we started the normal meet and greets as the hare took off setting the trail.
Eventually the “hounds” or the rest of the pack took off following the trail that the hare has set. You can imagine a group of about two dozen individuals taking off into the streets of San Francisco following flour and chalk marks. Terrorizing those on side walks and dodging vehicles. It’s very exciting and heart pumping… though it doesn’t help that you’re already a little tipsy from the beer.
After running and tracking trail for about an 6 miles we came across the first beer check. There was a lonely water station sitting close to the group like the socially awkward kid at a party. A few partook, but most were looking forward to an icy cold beer. There is something that makes that first beer after you have been heavily exerting yourself extra delicious.
After the first beer check there were two options: follow the hare and run to the next beer check or walk leisurely through a park to the waterfront next to AT&T park. After another social period meeting new people and enjoying more delicious beverages we headed back to the original park that we started at for the “Down, down”.
The “Down, down” is basically the BBQ after the run. Everyone meets for food, drinks and some bawdy singing. The “virgins” are introduced along with the people who brought them and visitors from other hashes domestic and international are met. What struck me as one of the more interesting parts of the Hash House Harriers is how international it is. In a few weeks while in Lima and Cusco, I will be looking at possibly running with a hash group.
Overall, it was another great experience. I was fortunate to meet some really cool people and see parts of San Francisco that I hadn’t seen before. Looking forward to my next hash with whichever group I travel to next.
Ridgecrest is a town in Southeast California that could be best described by desert lands surrounded by craggy foothills and mountains. An off-roader’s and outdoor enthusiast paradise. The town’s economy is based on the local Military base and one of the largest’s military bases in the United States.
A note of interest to those who are interested in Petroglyphs. There is an annual Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival being held November 7-8th. This festival is free to the public and features a Gem and Mineral Show, Petroglyph tours and a Beer Garden. Supposedly, there is more Petroglyphs found in this area compared to the rest of the United States combined.
For the Western film enthusiast the area of Ridgecrest might look a little familiar. In the heyday of Western films featuring John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, the area around Ridgecrest and especially further North towards Lone Pine were the back drops for some of their most famous western films. Further north along Highway 395, there is even a museum dedicated to the craft located in Lone Pine, Ca called the Lone Pine Film History Museum. Every October they have the Lone Pine Film Festival.
While staying in Ridgecrest with my Uncle, we went every morning to Lugo’s Grill that has now become one of my favorite places to go for breakfast. Their Chili Verde Omelette and Chorizo with Eggs Skillet was amazing. What really set off the dishes were their homemade salsas and hot sauces. Even though I appreciated their Mexican fare the most there was other traditional items on the menu that were delicious as well. They can be found at: 908 N Norma St, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
There isn’t anything really fancy about Ridgecrest, but’s it’s very genuine. It’s the kind of place that as you walk around the neighborhood that everyone will smile and wave. My life is richer for knowing the town and people of Ridgecrest.
This weekend saw me leave Tahoe and spend some time with my parents visiting family down in Southern California. Driving down Highway 395, one of California’s most scenic Highways we started at elevation above 8000′ before dropping down to 2300′. On the way we passed Mount Whitney, Mammoth and Tioga Pass the western entrance of Yosemite.
Each time we passed one of these places or I had a breathtaking view of some far off peak it was like my soul was whispering to me: “Come climb me… come see what is beyond me.” It reminds me of that John Muir quote that people have framed on their living room wall: “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
Except the pull is very real. There is joy and peace in the outdoors. I find confidence and security knowing that I could navigate and handle myself in a place with few people. The greatest accomplishment is doing something most people would think you’re crazy for. And yet the most intoxicating part is that there is so much progress to be made and much more landscape to cross.
And always searching for the answer to the question: What’s just over there?
Hello all,
I apologize for the lack of updates over the last few months. Mid-June saw me start work on a car carrier servicing the west coast of the USA and fulfilling contracts in Guam, Korea and Japan. The sailor’s life isn’t what most people think, especially in the commercial world. Most ports-of-calls only last about 8 hours… for a few pieces of cargo to be discharged and a few pieces to be loaded to be discharged elsewhere. During this precious time that the Main Engine isn’t working endlessly there is much maintenance that must be maintained. Since I am a Marine Engineer and love my job this usually includes me not seeing the light of day and working my little rear end off to get what needs to be done… done. To be fair, on a commercial ship with limited manning requirements there tends to be well… limited manning. We all work our tail ends off to get what needs to be done finished. One thing I love about working is the teamwork and family. We all strive to be successful.
After working there through June, July, August and partway into September until coming home. My contract was for 90 days however, after a series of medical instances saw me come home about week earlier than expected.
There is much to be discussed and explained about life. I hope you will all stay tuned. When I started working I was hoping to do some serious healing.
“The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen
Well, there was a lot of sweat and even more sea with a few tears before I came home. Not sure what I accomplished except for a whole lot of learning and a few more good friends. All these experiences I am very grateful for.
More soon,
Scurvy Scottie
