May Randoms

May was a busy month, as far as outdoor activity goes. Winter is well behind us and it's time to really get out and enjoy warm weather.

This was the day we discovered High Island Creek, it took me while to get the kids off the swings and down to the river

The water was freezing cold but that didn't stop them from getting in. I ended up paddling this creek 2 or 3 days later and again with the boys just a week ago...more on that later

Stray Dog and CP, not shown is Best in Schow.    looking at this blog,, It may appear that I do not ride bikes anymore...this was from a ride that felt more like a late fall day. It was windy and cold but still a lot fun, route can be found on Minnesota bike trail navigator. Afterwards we all warmed up at the House of Cotes...if you've never been ...go.  

On a Friday after work several of us got together for the third installment of  the always fun Shoot-out. 

The idea is to shoot flaming, breakable things, filled with flammable liquid with wrist rocket, and laugh till you can hardly breath

Start line of the RIOT GRRavel  ride /race

What was supposed be all fun, family ride,  turned into me screaming at my kids.....I was literally screaming. The boys left their brains at home that day disregarding any safety rules we have ever talked about and practiced on our rides.   When the ride started, they all took off at different paces and by the time I caught Super Y some 5-6 miles down the road I had just witnessed him from a far ,blasting across a highway with out stopping. To make it worse shielding him from view was a large truck (which nearly ran over Big D and Super Y moments before, due to their own stupidity)  stopped at the stop sign, the car coming from the left had no idea he was there and surely would have killed him had he/she been 5-6 seconds faster.  That was the most pissed off and scared ,I have ever been.  

Finally sticking with an adult.  none of them (my kids)  even knew how to stay on the right side of the road. Did I mention I was really fucking pissed off that day. If I ever do a gravel ride/race with any of them it will be a 1:1 ratio.   

highlight of the ride Chimney Rock 

The start of a short, 5ish mile kayak trip down the Vermillion River from Hastings that took a really long time due to downed trees and log jams. We  had a great day, but sometimes things go just a little too long and push the limits of fun.  

Log jam # 1, 2,3,4,5, or 6...not sure at this point

Big ass snapping turtle...these things are awesome

Got these really cool head phones at a garage sale, they only play AM radio. I didn't have a 9 volt battery , got sick of looking at them laying around my house, and are most likely in the local landfill by now. 

Did a little bit of Urban-X in a spot I have long wanted to explore thanks to the son of Best in Schow.

didn't want to fall in here...water is gross

this would be really scary to see some glowing eyes down at the end of this....right ?

judging by the painting, it's obvious many people have been here.

I stayed out way to late for a work night , but it was worth it.

D Rider ..........................out