Hey, it was great to meet you and Annie that weekend! (And Blondie, Radek,Radek's brother,Haydar and Shirley too)
I'm bummed we didn't get to see any bears though...Maybe next time I'll have to take the 'scenic' route from Lewis to Wing! ;-)
sorry to hear about that guy on the road. i'm not condoning what he did, he sounds like a jackass and you wouldn't have been unreasonable if you'd pressed charges - but maybe it was a race/class issue - that could be why he reacted with what seemed like unreasonable anger when you flashed your brights at him, which btw is a bad idea anytime. that's a pretty aggressive move you made, especially for being in an area you don't live in and arn't familiar with. no matter what, you should always be the more passive one in traffic if you want to keep a low profile. I don't know if you've ever spent any time on any reservations, but they can be a really rough place to grow up. so I don't understand why you're attributing your behavior as situational, while saying his is dispositional.
You're lucky that she spoke to you afterwards. You took her out, almost got her leg broke and then told her she was slowing you up, while you continued climbing.
She must not think of you as the sensitive type. Sounds like you've got her right where you want her. No chauvanistic intent here at all for anyone feeling offended.
Thanks man, I wrote a book where they are the stars called Best Hikes with Dogs: Southern California. I'm currently working on 100 Classic Hikes in SoCal for the same publisher. I'd like to post more pics on this site, but I just haven't had the time as of yet. Soon, I will. Funny story, I have a similar one with my wife, but it was at the beach with tidal cliffs.
My girlfriend's first camping trip was with me in Illinois. I planned so carefully, but I planned it from my viewpoint and not hers. What I saw as quiet and peaceful, she saw as too removed from civilization. :) Good news is she went again.
Nice! Where in Illinois did you go? I grew up there and lived in Belleville, Peoria, Champaign and Chicago suburbs for 33 years before moving here to Oregon 6 years ago.
I'm guessing the only place that could feel removed from civilization would be somewhere in Shawnee NF down south??
Na, we were camping in Lake Argyle outside Macomb, which was my favorite spot in Illinois, even though it wasn't challenging. I knew of a few relatively remote spots away from the RVs and families.
What an incredible trip report. I have never read such a page-turner. Nor have I seen this many pages of comments. You are quite a guy which explains why you have a girlfriend like Annie..
That was really entertaining! We had a German exchange student and he liked Leavenworth too. Heck, the German food there is better than a lot of the stuff here in Munich! :D
I hope to find that out for myself one day. Annie was just in Germany this past year for a school reunion (Fulda) and she spent time in Munich. I would get emails every day about the restaurants and bakeries she went to. Sounds like an amazing place. Thanks for your nice words.
Things are great - I'll reply in detail to your regular e-mail.
BTW, though, that road-rage thing is dangerous. I've driven about 35k to 40k miles a year for over 35 years and I can say it's worse now than ever. I've had guys wave guns at me, force me off the road (four times since 1974) and several times slam on the brakes trying to force a collision. With one exception, I never knew what sent the other party into a rage (that exception was me flashing high beams at someone who cut me off) There are some serious nuts out there. Best to give them a wide berth!
Wouldn't it be great to be deputized or something to be able to pull them over and give them a hefty fine? I'd also fine the nimrods who throw their cigarettes out the window (when there is an ashtray a foot in front of their face).
dicey - Sep 20, 2006 12:47 am - Voted 10/10
Fun Report!Hey, it was great to meet you and Annie that weekend! (And Blondie, Radek,Radek's brother,Haydar and Shirley too)
I'm bummed we didn't get to see any bears though...Maybe next time I'll have to take the 'scenic' route from Lewis to Wing! ;-)
neoday - Sep 20, 2006 4:12 am - Hasn't voted
Ha!Great Read! Thanks for writing it up!
Tuolumne*Rainbow - Sep 20, 2006 5:36 am - Hasn't voted
...sorry to hear about that guy on the road. i'm not condoning what he did, he sounds like a jackass and you wouldn't have been unreasonable if you'd pressed charges - but maybe it was a race/class issue - that could be why he reacted with what seemed like unreasonable anger when you flashed your brights at him, which btw is a bad idea anytime. that's a pretty aggressive move you made, especially for being in an area you don't live in and arn't familiar with. no matter what, you should always be the more passive one in traffic if you want to keep a low profile. I don't know if you've ever spent any time on any reservations, but they can be a really rough place to grow up. so I don't understand why you're attributing your behavior as situational, while saying his is dispositional.
Nelson - Sep 20, 2006 6:40 am - Voted 10/10
Thoroughly enjoyable readVery funny, man, I could just see all those situations! Thanks for postng.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 20, 2006 3:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thoroughly enjoyable readThanks, Nelson.
kngalaric - Sep 20, 2006 6:58 pm - Voted 10/10
LuckyYou're lucky that she spoke to you afterwards. You took her out, almost got her leg broke and then told her she was slowing you up, while you continued climbing.
She must not think of you as the sensitive type. Sounds like you've got her right where you want her. No chauvanistic intent here at all for anyone feeling offended.
Most females wouldn't put up with that stuff.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 20, 2006 8:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: LuckyHa ha, yeah I wish. Maybe in the mountains I get my way most of the time but in the real world....................not so much.
BTW, cool dogs in your photos.
kngalaric - Sep 20, 2006 9:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: LuckyThanks man, I wrote a book where they are the stars called Best Hikes with Dogs: Southern California. I'm currently working on 100 Classic Hikes in SoCal for the same publisher. I'd like to post more pics on this site, but I just haven't had the time as of yet. Soon, I will. Funny story, I have a similar one with my wife, but it was at the beach with tidal cliffs.
T Mac - Sep 21, 2006 12:59 pm - Voted 10/10
I can relate!My girlfriend's first camping trip was with me in Illinois. I planned so carefully, but I planned it from my viewpoint and not hers. What I saw as quiet and peaceful, she saw as too removed from civilization. :) Good news is she went again.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 21, 2006 4:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: I can relate!Nice! Where in Illinois did you go? I grew up there and lived in Belleville, Peoria, Champaign and Chicago suburbs for 33 years before moving here to Oregon 6 years ago.
I'm guessing the only place that could feel removed from civilization would be somewhere in Shawnee NF down south??
T Mac - Sep 22, 2006 1:51 am - Voted 10/10
Re: I can relate!Na, we were camping in Lake Argyle outside Macomb, which was my favorite spot in Illinois, even though it wasn't challenging. I knew of a few relatively remote spots away from the RVs and families.
Kevin Cannon - Sep 21, 2006 1:14 pm - Hasn't voted
A real page-turner!Brian,
What an incredible trip report. I have never read such a page-turner. Nor have I seen this many pages of comments. You are quite a guy which explains why you have a girlfriend like Annie..
Brian Jenkins - Sep 21, 2006 4:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A real page-turner!Hey, thanks for the very nice words. Appreciate it very much.
KathyW - Sep 24, 2006 3:54 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice report.Good reading! Annie sounds like a gem.
mvs - Sep 25, 2006 5:39 pm - Voted 10/10
really funThat was really entertaining! We had a German exchange student and he liked Leavenworth too. Heck, the German food there is better than a lot of the stuff here in Munich! :D
Brian Jenkins - Sep 25, 2006 8:12 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: really funI hope to find that out for myself one day. Annie was just in Germany this past year for a school reunion (Fulda) and she spent time in Munich. I would get emails every day about the restaurants and bakeries she went to. Sounds like an amazing place. Thanks for your nice words.
Don Nelsen - Sep 25, 2006 7:38 pm - Voted 10/10
Hey Brian,Looks like you sure know how to show a lady a good time!
Best trip report I've read in ages.
Don
Brian Jenkins - Sep 26, 2006 5:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hey Brian,Thanks, Don. Appreciate the nice words. How are things going with you?
Don Nelsen - Sep 27, 2006 3:27 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Hey Brian,Things are great - I'll reply in detail to your regular e-mail.
BTW, though, that road-rage thing is dangerous. I've driven about 35k to 40k miles a year for over 35 years and I can say it's worse now than ever. I've had guys wave guns at me, force me off the road (four times since 1974) and several times slam on the brakes trying to force a collision. With one exception, I never knew what sent the other party into a rage (that exception was me flashing high beams at someone who cut me off) There are some serious nuts out there. Best to give them a wide berth!
dn
Brian Jenkins - Sep 27, 2006 4:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Hey Brian,Wouldn't it be great to be deputized or something to be able to pull them over and give them a hefty fine? I'd also fine the nimrods who throw their cigarettes out the window (when there is an ashtray a foot in front of their face).