My father in law was diagnosed with cancer several weeks back. My relationship with my own father was non-existent for the most part and when Heather and I tied the knot, I felt like the relationship between her father and I really grew and it's one that I really cherish.

The doctors successfully removed the tumor and we thought we were out of the woods. However, it looks like the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes. He's back home now and seems to be doing as good as can be expected. Doctors will not go back in and have opted to go the chemo route now. He'll start that in about 4 weeks.

I can't imagine going through an ordeal like this. It's been nerve wracking enough just knowing that it's someone in my new family. We're thinking about you all the time Pop. Hang in there.

Northern Pike

This is one of the little northerns I caught on Sunday. For being such an ornery fish, I actually find them to be kind of pretty. That's not to say that if he hadn't been a bit thicker I'd a made samich outta him.

More fishing

The last 2 weeks have been really stressful around here. Work has been full of drama from adults that think THEY'RE the ones in middle school. In addition to that Heather and I have had our hands/minds full once we're done with work. I should have have spent the day doing grad school stuff but Heather told me to go fishing with my buddy Scott. He lives in Denver and we don't get out as much as we'd like and I really enjoy fishing with someone else that's got the fever as bad as I do. So we met up for several hours today. The winds were in full force so it made things interesting but we still had fun. After hours of changing things up and missing 2 fish, Scott finally got into a decent rainbow. She was good for 19". I goofed around a bit chasing trout and then switched things up and actually got into 2 northern pike. I have never caught a pike before so I was pretty excited. Pike, however, are not my favorite. They compete with trout and will actually prey upon them. In recent years, they've caused a marked decline in the trout population on one reservoir so the DOW wants them killed. I've seen pike go for baby ducks. They are nasty fish with a bad temper. The ones I caught were small and hardly even worthy of making a sandwich. They're only good for throwing at a rock and being eaten by the gulls. Hardly even photo worthy.

On the way home, I saw countless mule deer (2 really nice bucks), a herd of antelope that I was able to get in pretty close to (the buck shown would have been a perfect shot the way he's quartered away) and a nice herd of elk. It was good to get out and seeing wildlife never gets old for me.

CB 100

I found this picture of me at the Crested Butte 100 on Mountain Flyers site. I'm about the 5th rider from the back in this shot and I'm in yellow. What an incredible trail system they have over there. This was in the first hour before all hell broke loose with the weather.

I was also lucky enough to be pictured in issue 10 of Mountain Flyer for the CTR. The picture shows winner Ethan Passant riding next to Jason Shellman, Allison Ganett and myself several miles after the start in Waterton Canyon. Check it out. You can find this Gunnison Valley magazine at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and good bike shops. I left my only copy with that TK guy and it's probably reading material in the shop bathroom being perused by the likes of him and Devlin during times when they need to get away from it all. I'm trying to source another one. If you can find me one, I'll give you a sixxer of good micro-brew and pay for the magazine. Sorry Devlin...that one's been flagged now.

Work

Not much is going on up here lately. I started riding again after some needed time off after Burnin'. I'm keeping plenty busy with work. I don't know that I've ever talked about work here. I love my job. The reason I love it so much is strictly because of my students and my parents. They are all super great to work with. I've worked hard to establish relationships with them all and I think they trust me. I know some of them check in here from time to time. Thanks for being so cool to work for/with and trusting my judgement with your child. You are the reason I go in each morning.

Elk

My buddy Hayes had some elk steaks marinating but he had to hop a flight at the last minute and leave town on business. Really sorry you had to miss out on this man. This is what they looked like right before I threw em on the grill. When they came off there was no time to waste with pictures as the meats gotta be eaten quickly. He's trying to get me to start killing animals with him. If he keeps dropping this stuff off, I may not have a choice.

I haven't carved pumpkins since I was a kid. These turned out rather nicely. We usually only get 2 kids but these oughta scare the crap outta them.