Everything posted by Txzen
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The Surly Road Cycling Thread
It's France. Probably can get it at any roadside pharmacy. Can't help you with the Circle of Death. My schedule was usually: rise, croissant, 1 -2 climbs, lunch (with wine), back to B&B, cocktail hour, dinner, bed. Rinse, lather, repeat. Did not inlcude any garbage miles between climbs, instead preferring afternoons off for Negroni taste-tests.
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The Surly Road Cycling Thread
I'm happy to say I've done three France trips. One was the Alps/Provence (Alpe d'Huez, Telegraph/Galibier, and Ventoux) and two trips to the Pyrenees (Hautacam, Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Soulor/Aubisque, Col Spandelles, Pla d'Adet, Plateu de Beille, La Hourquette d'Ancizan/Aspin). Let me know if you want any advice!
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Sequoia National Park
For the most part, these are nuisance bears. Don't leave anything in your car which could be construed as food (including suntan lotion, etc). The hard thing with any of these parks are the crowds. Start early. If you hike more than 100 yards from a parking spot, the crowds go down by 90%. Case in point, the Congress Trail, which is spectacular. Everyone want to jump out and take pictures with the General Sherman tree, but if you walk a bit you almost have the place to yourself. Almost. Note that it takes a long time to drive from deep within Sequoia to Kings Canyon - particularly if you are wanting to go the Cedar Grove area (which you should). The hiking there is similar to Yosemite - you need to hike up to get the views as you are in the valley. Moro rock pushes my vertigo - so I prefer the big/little baldy hikes. Maybe not as awe-inspiring, but I don't feel like I'm going to die (other than the slog to the top).
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General Scouting Thread - BSA + GSA
I guess. There will be some challenges, no doubt, but most of the world (other than the Middle East, it seems) have figured out how to make Scouts co-ed. I have faith we'll figure it out as well. Our Troop appears to be the first in our Council to have girls join (2 are in the wings, as they can't really officially join in on the activities until next year).
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Post a pic that makes you say "Holy shit."
And my friend Brian Temple He thought he could make it So from the third story he jumped And he missed the swimming pool only by inches And everyone said he was drunk
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London
Just goes to show you can travel all over the world and still not get it.
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London
I don't disagree that London and Paris are cities which in many ways completely embody the international perception of what the country is. But saying London is England or Paris is France is just silly. You can't understand either country if you limit yourself to those capitals.
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Maui
I'm convinced that some of the best food in Hawaii (any island) is found in the most ugly looking grocery stores. On the way to Haleakala, the 'Superette' in Pukalani has an absolutely incredible selection of poke and some hot items as well. Well worth grabbing something for a picnic lunch on the crater. Thank me later.
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Kauai
Just got 2 feet of rain - big time flooding. Hanalei not looking too good right now. http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37959055/dozens-of-homes-damaged-on-kauai-floodwaters-close-roads
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Maui
For snorkeling, I really like a small bout trip (not a cattle call) to Molokini. Also the inflatable pontoon boats that go to Lanai (sharkfin cove can be spectacular).
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Theranos' Death Rattle
Gimme money I'm amazed they are still around - apparently working on a Zika test. Interesting, as they had to halt development some time ago. Can't imagine what the review would be like with the agency on this one.
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K12 Skiing of Dominance Thread - 2017/2018
Shit, I was about to brag about my trip to Banff/Lake Louise this weekend but not after the first few posts. . .
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Dumbass Shit on Nextdoor
I live on the Left Coast, and there's a whole discussion about new cell towers proposed in our 'hood. I could close the thread with this shit, but I don't have the desire to dredge it up. Some truly amazing tinfoil hat stuff, which is more remarkable as I'm not in a 'reformed hippy' area, more like 'limousine liberal'. Amazing, I say.
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Kauai
The North Shore can still be really rough this time of year, which is a shame as in the summer (IMHO) that's where you want to be as far as snorkeling. It's still beautiful, though. Many good restaurants in Hanalei (Tiki Man Pizza, Hanalei Gourmet, Blue Dolphin). All are causal, though Blue Dolphin is a little more dressy (in that you probably shouldn't show up in a wet swimsuit). Reservations really needed for BD as well.
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Signatures no longer required on in-store Credit Card purchases after tomorrow
Using a CC in Europe (or Canada, for that matter), you realize how backward we still are with this stuff. They had chip for ages, and I really prefer the 'bring the machine to your table' thing, so that it never leaves your possession.
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2018 Pro Cycling: Team Sky Goes Postal, the Chris Froome Saga (Plus TdF)
Nice write-up. However, at least on my delayed by one day telecast on the NBC sports channel, the program prior was some auto racing show. Not to denigrate this particular sport (much), but it seems most Americans are content to watch cars go in circles than cycling. I wish the Spring classics got more coverage. I understand it's hard as a newcomer to the sport to understand all the races within the race of a stage race like the Giro or Tour, but the Spring classics are just so approachable.
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Moab / Arches
That whole area is amazing. Within 2hrs of both of those areas you have Monument Valley and Capitol Reef - both amazing in their own right.
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Can we get an option to hide avatars?
Agreed.
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Tell me about the SWC
The arky hate is real. Seeing those inbred jackasses with plastic pig hats invade Austin every other year was terrible.
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Washington DC
It's a commitment, for sure. Similar to the ROFL, when I was there last I got caught up talking to an SR-71 Blackbird pilot there. Could have spent an hour just with him, as he had a lot of interesting stories. 3rd seeing the monuments at night. At night, if lucky, you run around and find parking nearby allowing you to see more than you would otherwise. The Korean one in particular is great.
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Washington DC
Guess I've been lucky as it's never taken more than 45 min. If you, or your children, are into planes or space it's still worth the trip as it's very easy to spend most of the day there.
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Washington DC
Udvar-Hazy. Surprising how many don’t know about this awesome place.
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The Americans (FX)
They're killing it with the music choices as well. Love playing out peristroika/glasnost between Philip and Elizabeth. Great stuff.
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Tell Me About Texas a&m
Listeater lives!
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2018 Pro Cycling: Team Sky Goes Postal, the Chris Froome Saga (Plus TdF)
Dunno, I don't think anything was a sickening as Cav's crash in MSR. Left his shoe on the goddamn traffic furniture. (and I haven't figured out how to imbed a video yet. . . ) Ugly