Technology Update

Say hello to my new iPhone! This should be my last post from this waterlogged phone. This old LG VX5400 has served me well, but the dip in Fish Creek has put its future reliability in question.

It will be a couple weeks before ATT will let me send a pic message. They say 25-Sep is the launch date. In the meantime, I need to explore alternatives. On suggestion is that I convert to using Facebook. What do you think? Please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts.

(I have deleted untold dozens of Verizon spam messages, this one stands in memoriam)

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Duct Blaster

My equipment arrived from Minneapolis so I put it to immediate use in Ramona testing the Schacht duct leakage. 19% - not too bad for a 1979 construction, but we'll get it under 10%.

Weather

On the CA-NV border.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Yes, it is way too dark.

But if you look closely, you might see that a wheel is missing from the Tango. YES, MISSING!

I bought 2 new tires today about 150 miles north of here. Aparently I lost one somewhere in between. Good thing I stopped to walk Ripley and noticed this subtle problem.

We'll fix it in the morning...

Bloomington Lake

Teresa and I hiked to the lake an enjoyed the views. Nice!

Another Tango

I met Dane Found just east of Missoula. He is the president of the company that builds the Tango, Pacific Coachworks. He passed me on I-90 just east of Missoula. Then I saw him parked at the next rest stop so I pulled over. Dane introduced himself and we had an enjoyable conversation. He was headed to Helena to recruit another dealer into his network. We exchanged cards and photos then went our separate ways.

His rig was cleaner, but mine has more stickers.

Uh-Oh!

Matthew and I headed for Fish Creek today to see about catching some trout. It was a beautiful day, warm and calm. Ripley even had a good time crossing the creek and resting in the warm sandy bank. I took a call from John while standing in the middle of the creek. He was envious to hear of the 15 inch cutthroat trout Matthew brought in while we spoke.

Shortly thereafter, as I was wading to the other side of the creek, when all of the sudden...

#%$*&$%#!!

Down I went, face first into the creek. Sorry, no picture of that will ever be posted on this blog. But I do have a photo to share...

This is the hi-tech attempt to desiccate my phone after a dip in Fish Creek. The light has added a bit of heat to vaporize the abundant water it contains. And the rice and lentil mix is hopefully in need of taking on a little moisture. The bag puffed up nicely after a few minutes under the lamp, so I think it is working.

I hope it works. The phone had come back to life enough before this experiment that the screen looked good and a call was ringing. But the buttons don't seem to have any function whatsoever.

Wish me luck!

The moral of this story is that it may now be time for an iPhone.

Fishing in Blodgett Creek

Caught a fish and have a great team in the High Voltage Fantasy Football League thanks to Seb!

Blodgett Creek Falls

Ripley hiked 10 miles! That makes 75 miles in the last 3 weeks. Not bad for a couple old guys.

Matthew and Laura

Having a lot of fun hiking, fishing and eating with M&L. They are great hosts in a beautiful place.

Welcome to Missoula Dinner

Laura's gourmet creation was delicious!

Meisje and Ripley

The dogs took us hiking at Rattlesnake Wilderness.

Virginia Falls

Saint Mary Falls

Baring Falls

Sun Point on Saint Mary Lake

Grinell Glacier's Upper Lake

Nice place for lunch.

The Continental Divide at Garden Wall

Bear Country

Name that scat.

Highline Trail

Near Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.

Bear Berries

There are white berries, red berries and blue berries all around. A smorgasbord for bears!

Glacier NP

Hiking the Rocky Point Trail at Lake MacDonald.

Glacier NP

Hiking the Lake MacDonald Trail which was burned in 2003. It is creepy when the wind blows and the dead trees sound like they are about to fall.

Awesome BG Control!

This photo shows the 24 hour graph of my blood sugar using the Medtronic Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. I'm learning how to deliver bolus insulin about 30 minutes before I eat to match up with the carbohydrates in my meal. The graph shows my blood glucose was between 90 and 180 for the lat 24 hours... AWESOME!!!

Mt. Rainer

Patience is required to get a clear shot of the mountain on a cloudy day!

Banana Slug

Seaquest State Park

Ripley enjoying a morning hike in the woods. He is sooo serious!

Ranger Hike at St. Helens

Grace led a hike and told us all the details.

Mt. St. Helens

View from Johnson Ridge Observatory to the North. 30 minutes ago we were in the midst of clouds. Wish you were here!

St. Helen's Crater In The Background

Nice trail!