Big Trees, Big Balls and not-so-big Grindstones

I went up to Vancouver, B.C., last week for work. On the way back I took a bit of a side trip to see the Redwoods. You really have no concept of how freakin' big and massive these trees are until you see them in person. Hearing statistics that they are 25 feet in diameter or 360 feet tall really doesn't sink in until you are standing at the base of one, straining your head back just to see the top. It's quite humbling to be dwarfed by these amazing trees.



While driving through the Coastal Redwoods I happened upon a tourist trap complete with a Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox statues. I remember seeing the Paul Bunyon statue in Bimidji, Minnesota when I was a kid, but this one seemed better. This Paul has a hairy chest with REAL hair!

And get a load of the size of Babe's balls. You really have no concept of how freakin' big and massive these balls are until you see them in person. Hearing statistics that they are 2.5 feet in diameter or weigh 360 pounds really doesn't sink in until you are standing under them. straining your head back just to see the top. It's quite humbling to be dwarfed by these amazing balls.
And to continue my visual journey of really big things seen on my trip I'm including what was labled as the "largest grindstone in the world." This item was found near Redding, CA, across the street from a McDonald's. Now, for size comparison you can see a telephone booth behind the stone. There was nothing on or near the stone giving it's dimensions, weight or what it was used for. It did have the marks of something having been honed or sharpened on it though. It's kinda big, but really not that impressive. I just can't but help to think that there has to be larger grindstones in the world.

Me and Johnny T!!! (and some other guys)

A couple of weeks ago Manitou had Answer Camp near Phoenix, AZ. We stayed at the posh Pointe South Mountain Resort. You know it's fancy when they put an "e" at the end of "point."

At the camp the company rolls out future products for customers and then leads them on rides. It's corporate schmoozing with bicycles.

Anyway, John Tomac was there representing Kenda tires and providing a bit of star power for Kenda and Manitou.

Super good guy and still super good on two wheels.

Oh, for those of you who don't know who John Tomac is, he's the Michael Jordon of mountain biking.

Oh yeah, the other guys are Dan and Pete from Manitou's R&D department.

One for the thumb...

The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl Extra-Large. They tie the record for Super Bowl wins at 5 with the 49'ers and the Cowboys. All five wins have come in my lifetime. My dad is a Steeler's fan and I've been one too for as long as I can remember. I remember being a little tyke and rooting for "Fwanco Hawis" and Mean Joe Green. But I don't remember them ever winning the big one. I remember "one for the thumb in 81," and them losing that game. Well their thumbs are no longer naked. Way to go boys. The bus tour is finally over. I've been grinning all night long.

200th Post, Sore Shoulders and Rodent Shadows

This is my 200th post to my blog. Not too bad considering I started it less than a year ago.











I spent yesterday afternoon washing and waxing the Manitou truck with Clarke. All the waxing combined with sleeping with my arm in a weird position has left my right shoulder all tight and sore. It hurts to pretty much do anything.

Today is Groundhog Day. Ol' Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter. Which here in California means chilly 50 degree mornings and "wear a jacket, it's only 70" afternoons. I'd give my right [insert applicable body part here] for a cold, snowy morning.