Mount Rainier Wonderland Trail Preview 2

Welcome to the second preview of the Wonderland Trail.

The Northern Rangers set off on our adventure later this week.

Until then, here's today's preview about how to obtain permits for the hike, as well as the campgrounds on the trail.

Wilderness Permits and Campgrounds

Wilderness permits are required for overnight camping year-round. These permits help to disperse traffic and keep track of users of the trail.

To obtain your permit, you must submit your application early. The first day the park starts accepting them is March 15 each year. However, the rangers don't begin processing permits until April 1. The way it works is all of the permits received between March 15 and April 1 are processed first, then the permits are gone through by date received after April 1.

For more information on how to apply for a permit visit the Mount Rainier National Park Wonderland Trail permit web site.

The Wonderland Trail has eighteen wilderness camps and three non-wilderness camps. Each campsite has designated tent sites, a vault toilet and water nearby (aka creek, river, stream).

The Mount Rainier National Park site lists each of the campsites and their elevation.

Hiking from Longmire in a clockwise direction, they are:

• Pyramid Creek- (no group site) 3,765 feet
• Devil's Dream- 5,060 feet
• South Puyallup River- 4,000 feet
• Klapatche Park- (no group site) 5,515 feet
• North Puyallup River- 3,750 feet
• Golden Lakes- 5,130 feet
• South Mowich River- 2,605 feet
• *Mowich Lake Campground- 4,929 feet
• Ipsut Creek Campground- 2,330 feet
• Carbon River- 3,195 feet
• Dick Creek- (no group site) 4,185 feet
• Mystic Camp- 5,570 feet
• Granite Creek- 5,765
• Sunrise Camp- 6,245
• *White River Campground- 4,280 feet
• Summerland- 5,940 feet
• Indian Bar- 5,120 feet
• Nickel Creek- 3,385 feet
• Maple Creek- 2,815 feet
• Paradise River- 3,805 feet
• *Cougar Rock Campground- 3,180 feet

* denotes non-wilderness campground

For the hike, we planned our route based on distance, as well as our own personal abilities in hiking. Since we are in hiking shape, this is how our trip itinerary turned out for campgrounds:

Day 1 - We'll leave the Mowich Lake Trailhead and set up camp at Carbon River Camp. Distance- 9 miles.

Day 2- Carbon River Camp to Granite Creek Camp. Distance- 9 miles.

Day 3- Granite Creek Camp to White River Camp. Distance- 9 miles.

Day 4- White River Camp to Indian Bar Camp. Distance- 9 miles.

Day 5- Indian Bar Camp to Maple Creek Camp. Distance- 13 miles.

Day 6- Maple Creek Camp to Pyramid Creek Camp. Distance- 14 miles.

Day 7- Pyramid Creek Camp to South Puyallup River Camp. Distance- 8 miles.

Day 8- South Puyallup River Camp to Golden Lakes Camp. Distance- 12 miles.

Day 9- Golden Lakes Camp to South Mowich River Camp. Distance- 7 miles

Day 10- South Mowich River Camp to Mowich Lake Trailheads. Distance- 3 miles

Total is 93 miles. Man am I excited.

Check back in tomorrow for another preview of the Wonderland Trail, with the gear to pack on the trip.

History of American Cycling: Part 8

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling. Today's feature was very touching even if you know about the story of Fabio Casartelli.

Here's Part 8:

Mount Rainier Wonderland Trail Preview 1

Thursday the Northern Rangers will set off on our great adventure of 2010, the Wonderland Trail.

Our trip will last from July 22 - August 1. Each day this week, I'll be previewing the Wonderland Trail in preparing the readers for our trip.

On Thursday we'll head up to Mowich Lake and camp. Getting up early on Friday we'll hit the trail.

(And you can bet that there will be some great Northern Rangers videos when we get back)

History of American Cycling: Part 7

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 7:

Indians sweep Canadians

Let's hope that the Oakland Athletics aren't looking to their farm system for some bullpen pitchers. The short-season Single A affiliate Vancouver Canadians have been terrible in their series against the Spokane Indians. Oh yeah, and they got swept.

SPOKANE, WA - It's rare that a five-game series is swept by one team, but the Indians accomplished that feat tonight in front of 6,111 faithful fans by beating the Vancouver Canadians 8-1. The victory also gave the Indians the season head-to-head win against the Canadians six games to four.

Indians starting pitcher Juan Grullon left the game with a undisclosed injury after just 1.1 innings, making way for relief pitcher Tim Stanford to pick up his first win of the season. Stanford pitched four innings, allowing only one run on four hits. Pitchers Jimmy Reyes and Justin Earls finished off the five hit pitching gem. Indians pitcher held Vancouver to just nine runs for the entire series.

Indians hitters did what they have done all series, beating up the Canadians starting pitcher early and built a big lead against the bullpen afterwards. The Indians new second baseman Santiago Chirino provided an early run, hitting a line drive single in the first, and later scored on a single by designated hitter Andrew Clark. In the second, catcher Brett Nicholas and right fielder Josh Richmond scored and by the third inning the Indians had knocked out Vancouver starting pitcher Nathan Long. The Indians then scored four runs in the fourth inning, giving them 25 runs against the Canadians bullpen in the series. 

At 16-12, the Spokane Indians are a half game up on the Boise Hawks for the lead of the Northwest League East Division. 

Morning coffee... July 18, 2010

Just shortly after USC got slammed with massive NCAA sanctions, new Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been plugging his new book on being the coach of the Trojans. Is that right? Read the full story here.

National News

Big Ten hold championship game at Lambeau Field?
Wouldn't that be interesting? Lets see you top that SEC.

Charles Woodson saves man from house fire
More awesome Green Bay Packers news.

"Major League" dies at age 70
Best on screen manager ever. May he rest in peace.

Spokane Indians back in first place

How about that boys? These Canadians have some pretty terrible pitching. The win puts Spokane in first place of the Northwest League East Division.

SPOKANE, WA - While a sold-out crowd of 6,845 feasted on $1 hot dogs, Pepsi products and ice cream sandwiches thanks to Yoke's Fresh Markets and 92.9 ZZU, the Indians feasted on the Vancouver bullpen for seven runs in the last two innings to win 9-5.

Indians starting pitcher Nicholas McBride was up and down all night, giving up three runs on six hits. The Indians infield defense helped McBride, keeping six runs from scoring. The Canadians stranded a total of 15 base runners tonight. After McBride turned the game over in the fifth, the Indians bullpen combined for six strike outs, and allowed only one run.

After Vancouver pulled Joseph in the sixth, the Indians bats went to work. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Jurkison Profar hit a hard double to center field, followed by a walk by third baseman Michael Olt. First baseman Clark Murphy drove them both in on a double to center field. Murphy lit up the IHOP Sign tonight, giving everyone free pancakes by going 4-4 with four RBIs. The Indians went on to score three more runs in the seventh and two in the eighth to win the game.

Have you been to these feast nights? Some people bring bread bags and fill them with hot dogs... probably to feed themselves until the next Family Feast Night that the Indians put on.

Speed Racer passes away

Sad day for Racer fans.

Peter Fernandez, who voiced the iconic character in the American import of the 1960s Japanese cartoon and who also wrote the lyrics to the indelible theme song, has died.

He succumbed to lung cancer at 83, according to the Anime News Network .

And of course, who could forget that theme song?

Go Speed Racer Go!

Shock still Arena Football's best

Still the most underappreciated story of Washington sports this year is how awesome Spokane is playing. They won another game, and they're a league-best 12-2 on the season.

The Spokane Shock didn’t play perfect football Friday, but they managed to keep their unblemished road record intact.

The second-ranked Shock built a big early lead, and then weathered a rough patch late in the second quarter and early in the third before subduing Iowa 48-42 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Spokane won its 10th straight to improve to an Arena Football League-best 12-2. The Shock are 7-0 in road games. Iowa, which handed Spokane its lone defeat in the 2009 arenafootball2 season, dropped to 6-8.

Spokane can clinch hosting rights throughout the playoffs with a home victory against Chicago next Friday.

Do you think the Seattle Seahawks will win half as many games as the Shock this year?

Sharktopus trailer

Brandon loves bad monster movies. Therefore he's been waiting for Sharktopus for years. Oh boy.

Spokane blows out Canadians

USA! USA! USA! The Spokane Indians started out the season as the whipping dogs, now they're in second place of the division, just a half game out from the lead. They've hit their stride, knocking the Canadians around yesterday.

SPOKANE, WA - The Indians may never have an easier win this season, scoring 10 runs in the first three innings to cruise past Vancouver 10-0 in front of 4,200 Indians fans.

Left fielder Jared Hoying started the scoring quickly for the Indians, turning a 4-0 walk into a run when first baseman Andrew Clark hit a line drive single. Hoying had another fantastic evening at the plate, safely getting on base three times, scoring each time. Hoying has raised his batting average from .158 to .258 in the last seven games.

Third baseman Michael Olt had a break out night for the Indians. After a first inning full count strike out that Olt questioned, he stepped up in the second inning and crushed a home run over the Gus Johnson Ford truck sign in right field. The home run was his third of the season. Olt stepped up again in the third inning and hit a line drive double into center field that scored another two runs. He finished the night with five runs batted in on two hits.

Look for more updates throughout the season, I'll try to cover this team pretty hard on the blog. Casey might cover the Everett AquaSox, or the Seattle Mariners. Both aren't as good as the Indians.

Epic Photo: Adventures in Montana

See the terrified guy not paddling? Yeah that's me.

Morning coffee... July 16, 2010

Russell Branyon will be out for two days for the Seattle Mariners after stubbing his toe opening curtains in his hotel room. READ THE STORY HERE.

College News

MSU adds junior transfer to football team.
Is anyone pumped for football season?

National News

US Olympians get their gold medals back
From the 2000 Olympics... wow OIC, way to move so quickly.

NCAA Football for EA Sports is released
WOO!!! Remember when I asked if anyone is pumped for football season?

Penny Hardaway to join the Miami Heat
I really wasn't expecting them to go to NBA Jam for their players.

Local News

Don't forget that it's the last home game of the year for the Mission Valley Mariners. They'll take on the Bitterroot Bucs today at 4 p.m. in Polson. Be there at Legion Field for sure!

Bicycle ride today

Any town that has a market is awesome in my book. This is the Ravensdale Market in Ravensdale, Washington. Please note the inner tube tied to the post, the logo of lanterns and the DUEL satellites.

The reason I post this is I went on a 50 mile ride today and wound up in Ravensdale. Now I'd been through there as a kid, but I had no idea that the roads connected to Issaquah. Until today.

I took off down the road this morning just going to ride an out and back. In my opinion out and backs are the WORST types of rides. I hate them. They are nice for the fact that you know to make 50 miles, ride 25. Then turn around.

But they stink in the fact that you have to see everything twice. I prefer a loop. A giant loop is more fun in my opinion. But since I didn't know a 50 mile loop I figured I'd just ride for 25 miles then turn around. Boring.

But I did find that the winding and hilly road out of town lead me to Ravensdale.

That's the best part about these training rides. Is just riding and exploring. Going places I would never just get into my car and drive too.

For the ride itself I did 50 miles. Averaged 16.2 mph and it took just about 3 hours exactly. I was excited with the results and the whole ride my legs felt really strong. Hopefully this training is working so I'll be ready for the People's Coast Classic.

The Rockies are evil!

The smooth voice of "Sunday Night Baseball" on ESPN thinks those dastardly Colorado Rockies are up to no good. He thinks they've been smuggling in baseballs not put in a humidor that negate the thin air of Coors Field. Scandal! I say. No word yet on if Joe Morgan has taken credit for inventing the humidor yet.

Thank you Jon Miller for keeping the integrity of the game intact. How dare they mess around with baseballs. Really in the 100+ years of baseball, when has anyone messed with the balls? Nope never. NEVER! They never scuffed those things up or added some sort of abrasive to them...

Renshaw disqualified from Tour de France

It was a strange finish in today's stage of the Tour de France. Mark Cavendish got his 3rd stage win of the Tour, but his teammate Mark Renshaw got thrown out of the Tour after the stage thanks to some unsportsmanlike conduct on the final stretch.

Check out the finish and the questionable move by Renshaw. (BTW that's Garmin-Transitions rider Julian Dean he's headbutting.)



Renshaw also rode across the path of American Tyler Farrar, preventing Farrar from challenging Cavendish for the win. Here's what Farrar had to say after the stage.



Tour director Jean-Francois Pescheux reviewed video of the incident and decided that Renshaw's questionable actions and poor sportsmanship should result in his disqualification of this year's Tour.

I agree and think that he deserved to be thrown out. The contact he made with Dean was not incidental and he could have caused a serious crash at the finish. It was the right decision by Pescheux.

What do you think? Was his disqualification justified?

Morning coffee... July 15, 2010

John Daly tees off during the British Open. Really, there's no explanation needed here.

College News

Wilson to play for Montana after getting aquitted for murder charges
He was one of the best corner's in Montana history, but he'll need to return to old form after a long, long layoff.

Montana adds four transfers to the roster
Two kids from junior college and two kids from Pac-10 schools.

National News

Iroquois lacrosse team defaults on world championships game
If you've been following this, it's utterly ridiculous. The games are being held in the UK and the British wont recognize the Iroquois passports. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.

Titans' Chris Johnson wouldn't mind a short-term deal
I'm not dogging on Johnson but he's got to realize that running backs are less important these days. 

Local News

The Mission Valley Mariners will take on the Bitterroot Bucs tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Polso

Mike Tyson likes soccer

Mike Tyson is apparently now a soccer fan, which makes the sport about ten times more interesting. I would, however, be worried for big-eared english fans on the opposing team that Tyson is rooting for.

Tyson's been poking around Europe doing some speaking engagements, but for some reason this took him to the town of Peterborough. After surprising diners at a curry house by showing up and ordering six custom vegan dishes (he's a vegan now, apparently), he took in a soccer game.

Wearing a Peterborough uniform, he gave a rousing halftime speech. Just see if you're not inspired:

I've never heard of Peterborough before but as soon as I heard it was West Ham I thought, we've got to really give it to them."

It didn't work; Peterborough lost 2-1. But all was not lost. Tyson happily posed for photos with players after the game. And, as unconfirmed rumors have it, he only charged them £30.

Oh he's vegan? Nevermind about the ear comments then.

Bear commercial

Brandon saw this commercial when he was little. He's been afraid of bears ever since.

John Daly, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Here's a photo of John Daly from the British Open. Apparently, he was thinking it was being held in the Bahamas.

Reasons why you're still single... You love Cheetos

"Our state GIS guy sent me these pictures. They’re of his coworker’s chair. Apparently he likes to eat Cheetos at work and then wipe his hands on his chair. This is what happens after years and years of eating Cheetos. I do not recommend this."

... and that is why, Mr. Cheetos Man, you're still single.

Harsh words for the AFL

A staff writer for ArenaFan.com has basically written off this new league, in one sense or another. 

The AFL doesn't care about its statistics or fielding good refs that have a clue how to read a rulebook. So many teams could care less about fielding competitive teams and are just going through the motions of playing the season out. Enough of the players don't care that it is really starting to show.

So why should I, or any of the other hundreds of thousands of fans of this league care anymore? Yes, I'm still going to find myself going to games for the rest of this season and into next year, if for no other reason, it is a social outlet for myself with a lot of the friends that I have built through this league through the years.

But no, I'm not amused anymore. If I was sitting down and watching this crazy indoor game for the first time this season, I'd be turning off the television set and forgetting that it ever existed. In fact, even knowing my history and having the love for the game, it seems to me as though all of the fun that used to exist in the AFL is quickly leaving.

Hopefully when next season rolls around, the game won't be this painful to watch or ultimately, it won't just be the fun that is a thing of the past. The Arena Football League as a whole will probably be a thing of the past as well.

I'll agree that the refs in the league are terrible, but wasn't it understood from the start as being a hyrbid of the af2 and the AFL. And also keep in mind that the af2 was financially viable whereas the AFL wasn't. It's also a very big presumption to say that the players don't care. Sounds like a kid crying to mommy. It really does. 

History of American Cycling: Part 6

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 6:

Boise St. gets new turf

Apparently the blue turf wasn't blue enough for the Boise St. Broncos as their installing new turf of... GASP!... the same color.

This marks the only thing interesting about the state of Idaho. Well that and Wallace, Id. which is the center of the universe and the most interesting town I've ever driven through.

Also don't forget that Boise State is about to get upstaged by the Eastern Washington Eagles and their red turf. Coming this fall! Whoot!

Redhead Festival and Irish Festival

I'm thinking that JustSON's very own Brandon Hansen should check this out.

It's the World's Largest Redhead Gathering and Irish Festival will be held in Dublin, Ohio on August 6, 7, 8 2010.

There will be such contests as "most freckles", "greenest eyes", and "reddest hair."

As for the Irish Festival, offers loads of Irish entertainment, information and celebrations.

Photos from Casey's camping trip

Thanks to the modern marvel of Facebook, I ran across these photos of Casey camping this weekend in the state of Washington. Judging from them, I would assume there were no survivors.

"That fire looks like it needs a poke, no need to get a normal sized poker, let me get a small California Redwood to poke at it."

"The fire is dying! Here, let me use this WSU chair as fuel. This should go up into thin air quicker than Paul Wulff's coaching career."

"You know that forest fire they're having in Wenatchee right now? Yep, that's not me. Nope, not me. Nope. Not me.... NOOOOOPE...."

UCLA WR transfers to Montana

And the rest of the Big Sky Conference thinks to themselves "oh crap."

MISSOULA — UCLA wide receiver Antwan Moutra is transferring to Montana.

First-year Grizzlies coach Robin Pflugrad offered Moutra a scholarship when Pflugrad was an assistant at Oregon.

Moutra’s high school coach, Greg Goodyear, said Pflugrad told Moutra he had a chance to play the slot position on the right and could catch 50 to 80 passes.

Goodyear said Moutra liked the college-town atmosphere of Missoula and how the fans embrace the team.

I'm not one to freak out over the chances of my Eagles, but EWU gets transfers from places like SMU. Montana? Freakin' UCLA. When is Lebron James going to become a Griz and announce it on TV?

Epic Photo: Now that's a pizza

Saw this on Huckleberries...

Pizza chefs cut pieces from a large pizza in Sao Paulo, Brazil, earlier today. Sao Paulo’s Tourism Office celebrated World Pizza Day on Saturday. (AP Photo/Nelson Antoine)

History of American Cycling: Part 5

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 5:

History of American Cycling: Part 4

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 4:

History of American Cycling: Part 3

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 3:

History of American Cycling: Part 2

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 2:

History of American Cycling: Part 1

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 1:

Reasons why you're single: Worst Dad Ever

I'm not sure this guy will be getting a card for Father's Day...

Meet Ray Boudreau, of the Harrisburg, Pa. area. He's a youth-baseball coach and father. It seems that Mr. Boudreau (pronounced: Billy Martin) was unhappy his lad got ejected for throwing his helmet after he got thrown out at third. So what did good ole Boudreau do? He punched his nine-year-old in the face. Twice. Allegedly.

Another wonderful story that shows you that some sports parents are insane.

Shock clinch division

Alright, so when do we start resting the starters? Cause it's O-VA!

CLEVELAND – Just in time for the bright lights.

The Spokane Shock will make their national television debut adorned with the trappings of the AFL’s Western Division crown after defeating the Cleveland Gladiators 62-56 before 8,237 fans on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

The victory came in overtime on Travis Williams’ interception return for a touchdown and, along with Arizona’s loss to Chicago, secured the division title for Spokane.

Friday, the Shock will make their national television debut on the NFL Network’s “Arena Game of the Week” as they travel to Iowa and take on the Barnstormers.

You hear that Iowa? You and your corn are going down!

Lebron changes his number

Good luck burning No. 23 jerseys, Cleveland fans, because Lebron is changing his number to no. 6. I'm trying to figure out why but other than merchandising reasons, the no. 6 makes absolutely no sense. Although one could take it like Lebron is no longer trying to live in the shadow of Jordan? Or is that too poetic?

As we all know, LeBron James(notes) filed papers to change his number from 23 to 6 back when he was still in Cleveland. But now that he's switched teams, that's irrelevant. However, judging by what the NBA's online store is offering, James will be wearing 6 when he joins the Heat this fall. 

Well my no. 23 Heat jersey is totally worthless now.

Lebron's new teammates

So Lebron has basically pissed everybody off for taking less money to play with friends and a better shot at a championship. Sure, he sure rubbed salt in the wound with a tv special, but nobody is perfect right? So Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron will each make around $100 million for six years. That means Miami's space for other players is slightly limited. Hence their roster for this year...

Bill Murray - Whoah, whoah, whoah, he doesn't play defense.

Jose Conseco - I just don't want him to get killed celebrity boxing Nancy Kerrigan.

Tweety Bird - Certainly this bird has more durability than Dwayne Wade.

Norbit - Well she is in better shape than Shaq.

We're running out of antivenom for snakebites. Awesome.

I don't like snakes, in fact, I think we could do without snakes. Really, why cant snakes be a desired food and near extinction instead of like tuna? Then I wouldn't have to worry about the damn things. Now bad news, the US is running out of corral snake anti-venom.

Unfortunately, after Oct. 31 of this year, there may be no commercially available antivenom (antivenin) left. That's the expiration date on existing vials of Micrurus fulvius, the only antivenom approved by the Food and Drug Administration for coral snake bites. Produced by Wyeth, now owned by Pfizer, the antivenom was approved for sale in 1967, in a time of less stringent regulation.

Wyeth kept up production of coral snake antivenom for almost 40 years. But given the rarity of coral snake bites, it was hardly a profit center, and the company shut down the factory that made the antivenom in 2003. Wyeth worked with the FDA to produce a five-year supply of the medicine to provide a stopgap while other options were pursued. After that period, the FDA extended the expiration date on existing stock from 2008 to 2009, and then again from 2009 to 2010. But as of press time, no new manufacturer has stepped forward. 

While these snakes aren't anywhere near Montana, this still bugs me. What if we run out of rattlesnake venom. I'm so screwed.

Here's how Cleveland is taking the Lebron to Miami news

7 years, no rings in Cleveland. Ouch.

New LIVESTRONG TV spot

I saw this today. It is so awesome! Very inspiring.

Here's what Lance said about it on his Twitter:

lancearmstrong My new Nike spot filmed on the final climb for st 7 - Station des Rousses. Area is named JURA. Loved it.

Check it out yourself.

Cavendish wins 2nd stage in a row

With today's win Mark Cavendish won not only his second Tour de France stage in a row, but that was his 12th total stage victory.

But Tyler Farrar came in second, even with his fractured wrist and all. Not too shabby.

Legion Field has the best cup of coffee in town

Since moving to Montana, I've been aghast at the lack of Starbucks.

Coming from Washington where there was a Starbucks under my kitchen sink, the lack of the corporate coffee giant bent on ruling the world was slightly disconcerting. Where was I going to get my cup of joe and complain about the rain and the terrible play of the Seattle Mariners?

Well I found the perfect cup of joe, and the perfect place to get ballpark food for that manner. Having been to numerous minor-league baseball games, I'm use to a teenager with braces, desperate for a summer job, serving me a hot dog that's been sitting in lukewarm water for about six hours.

Not at Legion Field. Manned by the parents and families of the team, they put on a major league assortment of food. This stuff just isn't good, there's lots of it and it's cooked to order.This Saturday when some games were pushed backed because of rain, I found myself driving to the Legion Field specifically to get lunch and go home. No joke. And judging from the people hawking hot dogs back to their cars, I wasn't the only one.

People from Conrad who were attending the games over the weekend told the parents manning the stand that it was the best concessions they'd ever had.

A few weeks ago, I rolled out of bed bleary-eyed and stumbling over to Legion Field for an early game during the Babe Ruth Tournament. I was absolutely shocked when one of moms freshly brewed a cup of coffee for me. Special order.

I mean who does this? Even the most fancy pants restaurant gets their coffee from a pot. I was more perplexed and amazed than the Missoula Pioneers trying to hit Kyle Bagnell's curveball.

The variety of food is also shocking. They seriously offer more choices at their ballparks than most minor-league teams. By a long shot. I'm pretty sure they could be the only baseball park in America that has a breakfast menu. They're probably just weeks away from implementing the Mission Valley Mariners Happy Meal.

Operating the concession stand at Legion Field, families worked rotating three and a half hour shifts. One can only imagine the mayhem when entire teams mobbed the stand after a game looking for food. Limbs were undoubtedly lost.

Two parents, Daniel and Katrina Rausch, spent their 26th wedding anniversary this week at Legion Field. Katrina was instrumental in helping concessions run smoothly and Dan was behind the plate umpping and also is responsible for field maintenance.

I know they gave out a hustle award for the tournament, but wow, is there like a parent MVP award we can give to all of them or something?

Proceeds from the sales obviously go back to the team. Some of those funds help players that cant pay the fees to play ball. Leftovers from the proceeds can also go back into helping improve the field itself. While the prices there are extremely reasonable, I'd imagine I've spent enough in concessions to get third base named after me.

Or perhaps a urinal. That's more fitting for a journalist right?

This first thing Mission Valley Mariners head coach Jami Hanson said after winning the tournament was thanking everyone that helped. A few rain delays mixed things up a bit, but all the helping hands certainly made this weekend a good one.

And I found a great replacement for Starbucks. Now there just needs to be more morning games going on a Legion Field.

Dear Cleveland

One of my friends posted this on his facebook. And it couldn't be more true:

Dear Cleveland,

Get over it!!

Signed, Seattle

So you lost Lebron. Big deal. Maybe you shouldn't have booed him in this years playoffs. At least you still have a team.

Morning coffee... July 9, 2010

Like the giant statue of Saddam Hussein pulled down in Baghdad, fans gravitated towards the giant LeBron James billboard downtown, only to find it guarded by police. Angry Clevelanders will just have to destroy their city the old-fashioned way: a long slow economic decline marked by the departure of industry and a sustained flight to the suburbs. - DEADSPIN

College News

Mike Kramer lawsuit will go on
Former football coach has lawsuit against Montana State University.

National News

Octopus picks Spain to win World Cup
Like any other sports analysts, the octopus has no backbone, unlike other sports analysts it's been right every time during the World Cup.

Cavs owner rips Lebron
Best. Letter. Ever. And its in Comic Sans.

Local News

Mariners B team ends season with split against Libby Loggers
The future is looking bright for the Mission Valley Mariners.

Teams Lebron should go to...

So I'm trying to wrap my brain around what is going to happen to the NBA tomorrow. Lebron will single handedly change the landscape of the league or leave it the same if he stays in Cleveland. Here's the teams that I think he should go to:

Tune Squad - Lebron, Michael Jordan, Bill Murray and Tweety Bird. Unstoppable!
WCW Wolfpack - Nothing would be better than Lebron descending from the rafters and hitting Clay Bennett with a steel chair. I want this to happen so bad.
Duke - I know this violates the NCAA rules, but like USC, they wouldn't do anything until five years after the fact.
Cleveland Browns - Wait... the Browns would have an actual athlete on their roster?
Jersey Shore - Lets compare him and Snooki.
Washington State Football - Please god, let this happen. PLEASE GOD MAKE THE BLEEDING STOP.

Epic Photo of Greatness: Kerr Dam

Here are photos from Kerr Dam which generates electricity from the south side of Flathead Lake.

Bike training

While Lance Armstrong, Tyler Farrar and Alberto Cantador are getting ready for Stage 4 of the Tour de France, I've been doing some training of my own.

I'm still training for the People's Coast Classic.

This week I decided that since the weather was finally nice I'd do some back to back days of training.

Four days of 30 mile rides.

Today was day two. Yesterday I did the loop around Lake Sammamish and through Issaquah. Today I rode the Issaquah-Hobart rode out to Hobart and back.

Tomorrow, I'm not sure where I'll go.

But I'll tell you one thing, I am loving this nice weather! Thank goodness summer seems to finally be here.

Overreaction to a rainbow

Since Brandon is now living in the shadow of Glacier National Park he's told me how awesome the area is. And how beautiful some of the views are.

Thank goodness he hasn't made any videos like this.

Morning coffee... July 7, 2010

And we'll all be witnesses tomorrow night as Lebron James will announce his free agent plans on ESPN. Wowza! Talk about a ratings windfall!

National News

Michael Vick is not the shooter
Why is this stunning news that Michael Vick is clean-nosed?

Chief Kickingstallionsims is a real name, of a real player
And he's coming to a Div. I program near you!

Epic Photo: How we will win in Afghanistan

Spokane Indians in first place

I posted earlier this month about how the Spokane Indians had been struggling to start the season. Well not anymore, they're in the first place of the NWL East.

SPOKANE, WA - Teams that start 1-7 are usually not in the same sentence as first place, but the Indians can now say the two phrases together. Tonight the Indians beat the Boise Hawks 8-3, and along with Yakima's win against Tri-cities it gave the Indians sole possession of first place in the Northwest League East.

Indians starting pitcher Nicholas McBride picked up his first win of the season, pitching five innings, while allowing only two earned runs on five hits. Relief pitchers Colby Killian and Zach Osborne pitched four shutout innings to finish the game.

Remember the school of thought that you shouldn't overreact during a baseball season because it's so freaking long? Well this pretty much illustrates my point.

Ex-Seton Hall coach arrested for stealing a purse

Mark this one up as weird...

Much-maligned Bobby Gonzalez was nabbed at the Short Hills Mall after walking out of the Ralph Lauren store with a $1400 "men's satchel." He's expected to plead "I didn't want anyone to know I was buying one." 

I know what you're thinking, how the hell can a man's satchel cost $1400?

Morning coffee... July 5, 2010

The biggest free agent ever in Lebron James has been getting pitches from NBA teams to join their squad. This was Chicago's strategy, do you think it will work?

College News

Montana State volleyball player leaves MSU for Gonzaga
Lets hope she likes listening to zombie nation

National News

Are the Eagles about to cut Michael Vick
How bad is your rep when you're a suspect at a shooting in a location you left ten minutes before it happened? Well, pretty bad.

Famous hot dog eater in jail
Say it aint so, Kobayashi!

Roger Federer is now third in the world tennis rankings
pssshhh! Amateur!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America. Way to be awesome!

Rattlesnake Ledge Trail

Today the Northern Rangers headed up Rattlesnake Ledge Trail outside of North Bend, Washington.
The hike starts at Rattlesnake Lake and has an elevation gain of 1,175 feet over two miles. So it's fairly steep but by no means difficult to the average active person.

Following the trail you'll find a number of switchbacks and a fairly constant uphill grade.
However, you'll also find a large number of people on the trail because of how close the trailhead is to Seattle and I-90.

The picture to the left shows Rattlesnake Ledge overflowing with people.

However, the trail doesn't end at Rattlesnake Ledge and as of 2007, now goes all the way to the old Snoqualmie Brewery at Exit 27 off I-90. So for a bit more peaceful turnaround point hikers can follow the trail up a little higher and still enjoy the great views but without the circus shown in the other picture. (see below photo)

Hiking Time to Rattlesnake Ledge: 45 mins to 1 hour
Miles: 4 Round trip
Elevation gain: 1,175 feet

How to get there

On I-90 east take Exit 32 (436th Avenue SE) just past the exits to North Bend. Turn right off the exit, heading south on 436th Ave SE which turns into Cedar Falls Road. In about three miles you'll see the parking lots. Follow the signs posted for Rattlesnake Lake.

The Germans are pretty good

With my dad's side of the family being German, my parents said I should go for Germany in the World Cup. I'm not 100 percent sure about that after that whole starting two world wars thing but I mean that was like seventy years ago right?

Oh and Germany is freakin' good at soccer.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – No trash talking needed. Germany was just too good for Argentina.

Miroslav Klose scored twice to move into a tie for second on the all-time World Cup scoring list, and Thomas Mueller and Arne Friedrich added goals to give Germany a resounding 4-0 victory Saturday in the World Cup quarterfinals. As flashbulbs popped, the Germans hugged and high-fived each other before walking around the edge of the field, saluting their fans.

See, I feel like that if I root for Germany I'll go too far. Like...

1. Making a Panzer tank out of cardboard and walking around the stadium giving squadron orders.
2. Start punching other fans and quoting Indiana Jones... "no ticket!"
3. Would the bad guy theme song from Indiana Jones be way too much to play during a game?
4. Start making nicknames for players like "The Red Baron" and "Rommel"
5. Too bad Italy isn't still in the World Cup, I could remind them when their empire got invaded by Germanic tribes... yeah, take that Romans.

Yep, rooting for Germany seems like a terrible idea.

Shock remain on top

This season just keeps on getting better for the Spokane Shock. Their latest test - the No. 2 ranked Arizona Rattlers - was a dramatic, defensive-laden battle but they came out on top once again.

July 2, 2010– Spokane, WA: The Spokane Shock defeated the Arizona Rattlers tonight, 37-36, for its tenth win of the season. The Shock are the first team in the AFL with ten wins and with only two losses, they have the best record in the league.

What does 10-2 mean? Well it means playoffs and a good shot at home field advantage, and that would be gigantic for the team in the post-season. Word on the street was that last night's crowd was amazing and as much as incoming teams like to play it down, the 9th man does get into the head of teams. They don't expect it from an arena football crowd (no offense).

Reasons why you're single... Calgary Flames fan

Yikes... Calgary... do I really have to explain this one?

Follow Team HTC-Columbia

Here's how technology has come into the Tour de France. You can now track Team HTC-Columbia through Google Maps.

Pretty neat feature.

Check it out.

Funny 80's commercial

This is how Brandon spends his weekends in Montana.


Funny 80's Ad: You And Your Johnson - Watch more Funny Videos

Mark this one up as "scary"

So I decided to rent a movie last night at the local video store in Polson, MT. (Yes they still have video stores in Montana and they do quite good) I picked Event Horizon because it is probably one of the last sci-fi movies out there that I haven't seen. When I went to the counter to check it out, the clerk was like "Whooooah, Event Horizon, scared the crap out of me when I was a kid."

Oh boy, perhaps I picked the wrong movie, I was banking on the 1997/8 movie to have that cheesy 13-year old horror. You know, back in simplier times when horror movies were funny and not trying to rip off Saw.

Event Horizon didn't rip off Saw. It actually said to Saw "get out of here, I don't want you're conservative movie butt taking up space, I want to really gross out people."

If you want to see scenes of self mutilation, creepy screams and latin speaking, guys ripping their eyeballs out and the most graphic guy out in space without a spacesuit scene I've seen ever, than this is the movie for you!

As for me, about three minutes in, I was already turning every light on in the apartment.

This movie has an eerie sense of impending doom, and some of the nastiest surprises around. Don't eat dinner while watching this. So I'm here to warn you all, if you live alone in a studio apartment in Montana... don't rent this movie.

2010 Tour de France preview

The Tour de France starts tomorrow. The countdown begins. Check out this awesome preview from Versus. If this doesn't get you pumped up for the Tour then I don't know what will. But one thing is for sure, the yellow jersey is up for grabs this year.

Morning coffee... July 2, 2010

After being declared a unrestricted free agent, Paul Pierce has signed again with the Boston Celtics. What does that mean? They'll keep at least a very important chunk of their team that got them to the NBA Finals this year. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

College News
I'd have more college news but I think everyone is on summer break. Any colleges in the area that you feel I'm missing?

National News

Netherlands shock Brazil 2-1 in World Cup
And the Dutch play with wooden soccer cleats...

Mentalist says he can make the Pittsburgh Pirates win
And strangely enough I believe him. I mean he can probably do a better job with magic than what the front office has been doing to that team.

Lebron meets with Miami Heat, then the Clippers
Lebron to the Clippers would cause the world to implode.

Happy Canada Day!

This is all that Brandon sings about now.

He even bought a canoe and a coonskin hat.

Team Garmin using technology to train

The field is set. The riders are in. The Tour de France starts in two days. But see how Team Garmin-Transitions used technology to help them with their training.

Morning coffee... July 1, 2010

Should phenom Stephen Strasburg start the All-Star game? Leave comments below!

College News

Montana State's running backs coach leaves for non-coaching position at University of Cincinnati
That seems like a good move for the coach, except that he had been in the position for three months. Way to be loyal, dude.

Cody Kempt hopes to lead MSU to greatness
The senior QB had microfracture surgery late in the 2009 football season

National News

Nets make pitch to Lebron
So how much of Russia would you like to own, Mr. James?

The Tea Party supports the Cardinals and Tony La Russa
However, they don't like those dirty liberal Cubbies

I did indeed write an article about mutton-busting

For all you websurfing needs, here is a snippet from an article I wrote about mutton busting.

How many cowboys did you see high-five the rodeo clown after catching a mouthful of dirt? No, they were too busy running for the safety of the fence. Believe me, these mutton-busters are on to something. If you think about it, mutton-busting has less risk, more fun and a parent to console you if you didn't make it very far from the gate. I wish they had one of those at the DMV when needed.

You can read the full article here. Make sure you leave comments to make me feel important.

Epic Photo: winds in Montana

Apparently they were a bit strong when somebody took this photo.