After each of us wowed the judges (Emily, Tommy, Sam and Brianne), they narrowed the field down to 5 bikers. It wasn't really a competition anymore though, the clear and rightful winner was Nathan. The prize? He was first in line for ice cream.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Fashion de Coeur d'alene
Before I even begin this post, let me make sure you have the pronunciation correct. The proper title of our fashion show in Coeur d'alene is pronounced, Fah-shawn de Core-dah- lawn. It began as Derricks brain child but soon the buzz and excitement of fashion night spread to other bikers. The rules were simple. Place your clothes in the middle of the room. Each biker had 10 minutes to create an outfit using others clothes and then each biker was allotted 5 minutes for hair and makeup. The results? Astounding. We even found lighting for the runway. Here are some shots:
After each of us wowed the judges (Emily, Tommy, Sam and Brianne), they narrowed the field down to 5 bikers. It wasn't really a competition anymore though, the clear and rightful winner was Nathan. The prize? He was first in line for ice cream.
After each of us wowed the judges (Emily, Tommy, Sam and Brianne), they narrowed the field down to 5 bikers. It wasn't really a competition anymore though, the clear and rightful winner was Nathan. The prize? He was first in line for ice cream.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Hello Washington, Bike and Build has arrived
Today we crossed our last border! We had to hike under the freeway and scale a wall but we were not about to miss the Washington state sign. Tonight however, we are on lock down at the Fourth Memorial Church. Doors locked at 5pm and and alarm system will be set at 9:30. We cannot even go upstairs without the police knowing. So no celebrating tonight. The best part was that in order to enter the church I had to say that indeed I did love Jesus.
More blogging tomorrow. For now I am going to live out my last two hours of freedom before god says it's bed time.
More blogging tomorrow. For now I am going to live out my last two hours of freedom before god says it's bed time.
Leaving Missoula entering the Naked Mile
Our day off in Missoula was just what we all needed. Bikers and young people were everywhere plus they had a movie theater that served beer, wine, hard liquor, cider and hot cocoa, so basically everything you need. Win, Kyle and I went on a date to see Sicko which I recommend everyone see. If you have ever spent more than 15 minutes on the phone with an insurance company you will appreciate it. No offense Uncle Tom. We also were lucky enough to find a great cliff jumping spot. After standing on the cliff for about 15 minutes I finally jumped, but I didn't take as long as Anne. Here are some pics:
In the days after leaving Missoula, and pretty much ever since we entered Wyoming the scenery has been beautiful, breathtaking...all those words. More importantly, everyday has been amazingly fun. We have been swimming, hiking, and eating so much good food. It's pretty much perfect out here in the West, besides this crazy church we are staying at tonight but I'll get into that later.
On one day in particular lunch was at a gorgeous river where we could all go swimming. I usually spend about 40 minutes at lunch, AT THE MOST. On this day I was there for 2.5 hours. It was so relaxing.
After lunch Terra and I took off down a frontage road. It was downhill and there was no one in site. About 2 miles in we see Greg pedaling up the hill towards us. My first thought was, "Great we went the wrong way and now we have to go back." Greg's first thought was apparently, "This is the perfect road for a naked mile." Now dad before you get all worked up I have to give you some background here. The Naked Mile is ingrained in the very history of Bike and Build and has been performed with astounding skill and beauty for six years now all across the country. We have heard about it since Rhode Island and now that we finally had the perfect road it had to be done. Sadly about 2 minutes later Greg got a flat. While he changed his tire Terra and I raced back towards lunch to gather more riders. 20 minutes later Terra, Greg, Sam, Courtney, Marie, Anne, Amelia, and I stripped down and jumped on our bikes. It was well, shall I say quite breezy. Half a mile into the ride a car passed. A second later another car passed, this driver was not smiling like the last one. Then to top off the ride a train passed us by and we got a lot of hoots and hollers from the conductors.
Afterwards we quickly dressed and pretended it never happened. In addition, I will post no pictures from this event.
In the days after leaving Missoula, and pretty much ever since we entered Wyoming the scenery has been beautiful, breathtaking...all those words. More importantly, everyday has been amazingly fun. We have been swimming, hiking, and eating so much good food. It's pretty much perfect out here in the West, besides this crazy church we are staying at tonight but I'll get into that later.
On one day in particular lunch was at a gorgeous river where we could all go swimming. I usually spend about 40 minutes at lunch, AT THE MOST. On this day I was there for 2.5 hours. It was so relaxing.
After lunch Terra and I took off down a frontage road. It was downhill and there was no one in site. About 2 miles in we see Greg pedaling up the hill towards us. My first thought was, "Great we went the wrong way and now we have to go back." Greg's first thought was apparently, "This is the perfect road for a naked mile." Now dad before you get all worked up I have to give you some background here. The Naked Mile is ingrained in the very history of Bike and Build and has been performed with astounding skill and beauty for six years now all across the country. We have heard about it since Rhode Island and now that we finally had the perfect road it had to be done. Sadly about 2 minutes later Greg got a flat. While he changed his tire Terra and I raced back towards lunch to gather more riders. 20 minutes later Terra, Greg, Sam, Courtney, Marie, Anne, Amelia, and I stripped down and jumped on our bikes. It was well, shall I say quite breezy. Half a mile into the ride a car passed. A second later another car passed, this driver was not smiling like the last one. Then to top off the ride a train passed us by and we got a lot of hoots and hollers from the conductors.
Afterwards we quickly dressed and pretended it never happened. In addition, I will post no pictures from this event.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Winding Down
Sadly our days our now numbered and that means many things. 1: I am increasingly wanting to spend more and more time with these people and less and less time writing blog posts. 2: I will steal more posts from Sam which means less work for me. 3: I will show you some pictures.
ps: i am in Missoula right now and I love it and not just because we have a day off here. Everyone in this town bikes and there is so much going on. When we rode in yesterday there was a little festival in the park and then last night there was an orchestra that played at night. Also there is a cute little ice cream shop, The Big Dipper which serves some awesome treats and the bars were really busy for a Wednesday night!
SAMS BLOG:
Dear Montana,
I’ve only just met you and I think I’m in love. We first saw each other this morning, somewhere between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, and it was (forgive the cliché) love at first sight. You were cool and curvaceous, laying out lazily all along the Gallatin. We got along immediately, and all my friends liked you too—at first lunch everybody was talking about your looks and your style. I couldn’t believe my luck.
You’ll be in my dreams tonight. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow.
xoxo,
Sammy-poo
7/30/07
Dear Montana,
The day started with coffee in Bozeman: a great beginning, or so I thought. The Rockford Café was a great little place, and with a belly full of French roast and our friend Marie tagging along, I knew that the next 100 miles with you were going to be unforgettable.
But then you totally dried up on me.
You blew a bunch of hot air in my face, something about the weather changing in our relationship, and then left me hanging. I felt like the rest of the day was interminably long—I had to struggle uphill against you and then when that conflict was resolved the decision was totally dissatisfying. Even when the fight leveled off I felt like it was an uphill battle, the same thing again and again.
I don’t know what to say, Montana. I had such high hopes yesterday, and things feel… different. When you’re not spitting wind and heat at me you’re cold and distant, desolate and teary.
I’m worried.
Sincerely,
Sam
7/31/07
Montana:
This is the last straw. I thought today was going to be short and sweet. I knew that there was a tough pass to navigate, but I thought we’d make it through unscathed. Little did I know that with you, even the easiest days can turn out deadly. We started the morning in a fight—that hot air from yesterday was even worse than before, and I was looking at a long uphill battle all day. You were beautiful as always, but inconsolable. I had to gaze upon you from afar. The distance was unbearable.
Even after the rough section I foresaw had passed, the conflict wasn’t over. It only got worse, because the end was in sight but I knew we had a long ways to go before we would rest.
I also heard a lot of nasty rumors—that a lot of cowboys have… ridden… you before, and that you’d even sheltered the Unabomber at one point. Now Montana, I’ve seen states with some pretty crazy exes, but that guy takes the cake. I don't want to think about what could happen if he gets out of jail.
Don’t get me wrong; you’re hot. Really, really hot. On fire. Literally. And you’re cool. Sometimes downright chilly. But I just don’t see this working out, for now or in the long-term. Besides, I was just out to get some tail. Wind, I mean.
All best in your future endeavors,
Samuel Cummings Carmichael
PS—I’ve been cheating on you with Wyoming.
ps: i am in Missoula right now and I love it and not just because we have a day off here. Everyone in this town bikes and there is so much going on. When we rode in yesterday there was a little festival in the park and then last night there was an orchestra that played at night. Also there is a cute little ice cream shop, The Big Dipper which serves some awesome treats and the bars were really busy for a Wednesday night!
SAMS BLOG:
Dear Montana,
I’ve only just met you and I think I’m in love. We first saw each other this morning, somewhere between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, and it was (forgive the cliché) love at first sight. You were cool and curvaceous, laying out lazily all along the Gallatin. We got along immediately, and all my friends liked you too—at first lunch everybody was talking about your looks and your style. I couldn’t believe my luck.
You’ll be in my dreams tonight. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow.
xoxo,
Sammy-poo
7/30/07
Dear Montana,
The day started with coffee in Bozeman: a great beginning, or so I thought. The Rockford Café was a great little place, and with a belly full of French roast and our friend Marie tagging along, I knew that the next 100 miles with you were going to be unforgettable.
But then you totally dried up on me.
You blew a bunch of hot air in my face, something about the weather changing in our relationship, and then left me hanging. I felt like the rest of the day was interminably long—I had to struggle uphill against you and then when that conflict was resolved the decision was totally dissatisfying. Even when the fight leveled off I felt like it was an uphill battle, the same thing again and again.
I don’t know what to say, Montana. I had such high hopes yesterday, and things feel… different. When you’re not spitting wind and heat at me you’re cold and distant, desolate and teary.
I’m worried.
Sincerely,
Sam
7/31/07
Montana:
This is the last straw. I thought today was going to be short and sweet. I knew that there was a tough pass to navigate, but I thought we’d make it through unscathed. Little did I know that with you, even the easiest days can turn out deadly. We started the morning in a fight—that hot air from yesterday was even worse than before, and I was looking at a long uphill battle all day. You were beautiful as always, but inconsolable. I had to gaze upon you from afar. The distance was unbearable.
Even after the rough section I foresaw had passed, the conflict wasn’t over. It only got worse, because the end was in sight but I knew we had a long ways to go before we would rest.
I also heard a lot of nasty rumors—that a lot of cowboys have… ridden… you before, and that you’d even sheltered the Unabomber at one point. Now Montana, I’ve seen states with some pretty crazy exes, but that guy takes the cake. I don't want to think about what could happen if he gets out of jail.
Don’t get me wrong; you’re hot. Really, really hot. On fire. Literally. And you’re cool. Sometimes downright chilly. But I just don’t see this working out, for now or in the long-term. Besides, I was just out to get some tail. Wind, I mean.
All best in your future endeavors,
Samuel Cummings Carmichael
PS—I’ve been cheating on you with Wyoming.
Teton Pass
30 bikers. 3000 feet. 5 miles. 10% grade. 5 mph. 6am. Arm Warmers. Leg Warmers. Clouds. Fog. Sweat. 55 Minutes. One Motorcycle ride. Success! Tetons what?
When we finally all got to the top a bunch of us decided we hadn't done enough exercise so we took a hike to the top of the mountain. We were 9,000 feet up but the clouds kept moving in and out so we had to rush so we could actually see once we got to the top. Rushing and hiking wasn't really in Derrick's vocab however, as he is afraid of heights. When we finally did make it to the top luck was on our side because the clouds cleared and we could see for miles. It was gorgeous.
After our hike more bikers arrived and we all decided we would wait for everyone to get to the top before we descended the mountain. Everyone arrived in their own style. Sarah by motorcycle. Brianne in tears of joy and our sweeps Tommy and Eric sprinted through our victory line. Actually making it up the pass and then watching everyone else make it up, made what we call "Teton pass day" the best day of the trip for me thus far.
When we finally all got to the top a bunch of us decided we hadn't done enough exercise so we took a hike to the top of the mountain. We were 9,000 feet up but the clouds kept moving in and out so we had to rush so we could actually see once we got to the top. Rushing and hiking wasn't really in Derrick's vocab however, as he is afraid of heights. When we finally did make it to the top luck was on our side because the clouds cleared and we could see for miles. It was gorgeous.
After our hike more bikers arrived and we all decided we would wait for everyone to get to the top before we descended the mountain. Everyone arrived in their own style. Sarah by motorcycle. Brianne in tears of joy and our sweeps Tommy and Eric sprinted through our victory line. Actually making it up the pass and then watching everyone else make it up, made what we call "Teton pass day" the best day of the trip for me thus far.
Jackson Hole - Pictures for Ash, Rock, Zach
Here is what your new home looks like guys! It is amazing. I also included some pictures from our build day. This is the nicest affordable housing I have ever worked on.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
So what are these Teton things?
We had been hearing about the Grand Tetons for a couple days and the ride to Jackson was going to be our first opportunity to see these things. I myself had no idea what to expect. There were so many mountains in the distance that day, I wasn't quite sure I would be able to tell the difference. Before we departed for Jackson a bunch of us decided to get coffee, chat on the phone and ride a giant Jackalope. I mean we did only have to ride 80 miles so we didn't really have much to do.
After all that was over we were off. We had a great gang and we were not afraid to stop every 5 miles. At the first stop Marie, Nate, Win, Lauren, Courtney and I had to pee. At the next stop we picked up Brianne, who was fixing her flat tire. The next stop was a bit of a delay. There was major construction going on so we couldn't ride up part of the mountain, we had to be driven by a huge truck! We were ecstatic.
Once we got off the truck we were about 20 miles into the ride which meant about 5 more until we hit lunch. The problem with this leg of our ride is that everything is so beautiful, I want to stop every 5 minutes and take pictures.
After eating some PB&J @ lunch we rode about a mile and hit the continental divide, we stopped. Then we hit more construction, we stopped again.
Then we saw it a sign that would provide our destiny, at least for the next 17 miles.
We had the road all to ourselves for a while and we were coasting down it at 30mph. No trailers. No cars or pickup trucks and no tractor trailers. But soon our victory ride was over and we were back down to a mere 23 mph with traffic on the road and thats when a bizarre freak accident occurred. I was riding behind Lauren and all of a sudden her seat broke off her bike and she went flying onto the road. Thankfully there were no cars around and we got the situation under control. Lauren is ok, just bruised and sore. She rode in the van the rest of the way and we carried on the next 60 miles riding a little slower than usual. The good news is that we finally saw the Tetons!
After all that was over we were off. We had a great gang and we were not afraid to stop every 5 miles. At the first stop Marie, Nate, Win, Lauren, Courtney and I had to pee. At the next stop we picked up Brianne, who was fixing her flat tire. The next stop was a bit of a delay. There was major construction going on so we couldn't ride up part of the mountain, we had to be driven by a huge truck! We were ecstatic.
Once we got off the truck we were about 20 miles into the ride which meant about 5 more until we hit lunch. The problem with this leg of our ride is that everything is so beautiful, I want to stop every 5 minutes and take pictures.
After eating some PB&J @ lunch we rode about a mile and hit the continental divide, we stopped. Then we hit more construction, we stopped again.
Then we saw it a sign that would provide our destiny, at least for the next 17 miles.
We had the road all to ourselves for a while and we were coasting down it at 30mph. No trailers. No cars or pickup trucks and no tractor trailers. But soon our victory ride was over and we were back down to a mere 23 mph with traffic on the road and thats when a bizarre freak accident occurred. I was riding behind Lauren and all of a sudden her seat broke off her bike and she went flying onto the road. Thankfully there were no cars around and we got the situation under control. Lauren is ok, just bruised and sore. She rode in the van the rest of the way and we carried on the next 60 miles riding a little slower than usual. The good news is that we finally saw the Tetons!
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