So I entered two events today (Wed), Loop Garou(20mi) in La. and Quachita switchbacks(25k) in Ok. after seeing that they were going on.  I've got a couple more to do on my list and then that's it. I'm way too old for this competing thing.

For Mandy and Mike--the Winds encapsulation-- the place is beautiful and majestic beyond anything I could put to words. I had originally planned to be in for about 12 days meandering about. I had incredible weather with clear skies, no smoke from the Ca. fires, and temps about 70F for 7 straight days. Saw a few elk and had a moose wander thru camp but not so good on the fishing.  This was my first trip with a Garmin inreach mini and I have to say it was great. I ran up a pretty good bill texting back and forth with DW  but being able to get weather reports for my exact location was really the icing. Checking that thing and seeing the forecast of the winter storm that was coming was awesome. When it first said I would be going from 70's to a high of 20F I laughed and thought it was a glitch but the next day it still said that along with heavy snow and winds to 70 mph. I started heading back towards the trailhead but still unsure until DW texted and said I had some real weather coming. The following day I put in a long ass day of hiking to get out, got a room in Pinedale, meal and brews at the Wind River brewery and watched this massive early storm roll in. Had to take a long way home as the roads south of the range were all closed. Ended up having to go north thru Jackson and Yellowstone into Montana and east from there. Mike, they still talk about you in Miles City.   The sad thing is though I don't know if this will be my last trip there. I'm not getting any younger and there are still so many places/things to do and the Beartooths are 4-5 hours closer for me. My next backpack will be in the Beartooths, redoing a perfect five day/four night trip I've done in the past.

As far as Thurs, I think it will just be weights, a little time rowing and then more mountain biking in the late afternoon.

QOTD--what's your next hoped for adventure?

A couple pretty tame things for Oct. DW and I will take our camper that we call the Taj and spend a few days in Mn. at Itasca state park which I've never been to and then towards the end of Oct. we'll take the Taj and cruise some of the U.P.'s coastline checking out lighthouses, etc.  Destin Florida in early Nov for ten days. I really recommend retirement for you guys. 

4 miles yesterday with DW and Tiny E and then Thai food at a new restaurant (take out)- it was really good.

probably strength train after work- it's been a week and a half since I've set foot in there 

Al- yeah the Mini is a game changer, has come in so handy that I can't imagine going without it; also see below- if you want one more stab at the Winds- we're looking at the High Route for next year

qotd: short term, probably a couple of days in the Bob for early rifle season chasing wapiti (backpacking in); longer term- I think the Wind River High Route is calling my name, possibly a go at Rainier, Tom is talking about Patagonia- so many places, so little time

Thanks for the report, Harrier!  Sounds damn fantastic and I'm so glad you got out before the serious weather hit.  Still waiting on pics...

I'm definitely going to be hitting you up for info on that Beartooths loop.  I need to start thinking about 2021.

5 slow ones last night on the hills of Coventry Woods. Pretty warm for late September, lower 80's but the heat was not the cause of my slowness. Oh well. Wogged about with the dogs this morning and plan a few miles up at the local trail in a bit. Off this afternoon and will hit the links.

QOTD: Not much on the horizon. Like to do a short trip in October, somewhere local. Maybe somewhere in NY. Buddy and I are tossing around Iceland again next summer. This time tour the north side. Our trip a few years ago was all on the south coast.

Nothing today. Will run tomorrow early.

Krash - have a goal in mind for your 24 hour?

QOTD: You guys and your grand adventures!!!! DW and I are getting away next weekend - no kids!!!!!

Have a great day!

Extended warm up with strides, just enough to get loose and relax.

QOTD:  I prefer comfort over roughing it, so I'm trying to talk myself into committing to hiking one of the long distance trails like the West Highland Way in Scotland.  My biggest concern is hiking solo in a foreign country for a week or more.

 

 

WC, there are probably outfits that could help you organize a hiking trip in Scotland with more comfort and less roughing it.  And they speak English in Scotland (more or less) which would make it easier getting around than other foreign countries.

 

Mac Adventures offers a lot of trips I'd be interested in and they arrange all the lodging, route, transporting luggage etc.. It's going solo for that length of time that's holding me back.  It's different from the NP trips I've taken solo, because I could always hook up with ranger led hikes there.