Baranof 24 Hour Endurance Run

Baranof 24 Hour Endurance Run - Sitka, AK

Note:  This is a blog that I missed posting.  The run was in November 2010.

I

t is currently 2:25 am and I am assisting Matthew Shepard and his Baranof 24 hour Endurance Run in Sitka, Alaska. This is a fund raiser for the American Diabetes Association. Matthew has completed just over 35 miles and 20 laps around the 1.75 mile loop that has become his domain. Lap #1 started at 6pm. Lap #21 is drawing to a close. He is now alternating running and walking.

Matthew Shepard

Now about 4am. Conditions have been horrid. Those outside the bubble will not realize how much more is involved in an event with these conditions for Matthew. A strong breeze with gusts to 25-30 mph and rain, a constant wall of water to slush through. We are used to unkind conditions here in the rainforest but this is mother nature being purely wicked and evil.

I met Matthew when he contacted me regarding my involvement with diabetes and the crazy array of events I seem to immerse myself in. This 24 hour run is tied in with the Rome marathon which he and some friends will be running in March for the American Diabetes Association. Their website is

http://www.runamericani.com/

. His interest and desire to do great things for diabtetes is due to having a girlfriend, Kate, who has diabetes. His interest in extreme events is due to....? It is a cool passion and that is why I am involved in this event. With recent knee surgery I am unable to run but will walk some laps with Matthew and I am happy to be invovled in extreme stuff on our remote island in Alaska.

We had set up run base camp at the Sitka Fire Hall. About every 18-19 minutes Matthew would cruise by, wet but determined. As the lap count began to mount, Matthew would deal with cramps, sore muscles, feet that were beginning to look like an experiment and the ever present squallish weather bearing down on a runner with a mission.

By 6am the conditions were pounding Matthew and he made the wise decision to cut the run short. It had been 12 hours since he had taken those first steps heading up Lake street. The Baranof 24 Hour Endurance Run would fall short of the goal but was a valiant effort by Matthew. I am encouraged by his event (and others) who are dedicated to assisting in efforts to cure and/or improve the lives of those with diabetes (and other causes). 

The Only Highway System That Includes Life Preservers

The Only Highway System That Includes Life Preservers

There are 656,425 square miles of rugged wilderness, scenic beauty and abundant wildlife that make up the Last Frontier, Alaska.  This means traveling in Alaska presents some unique challenges as well as opportunities. Unlike the lower 48, many of the communities are not accessible by a land based road system, making the primary means of travel to them by air or sea. The Alaska Marine Highway makes up a large part of the Alaska 'highway system' and is a route so special it has been designated National Scenic Byway and an All American Road, the only marine route with this designation.

With Sitka, Alaska being my second island home, and my family spending vacation time on a third chunk of rock (Anderson Island, WA), plus recent journeys between the Canadian mainland and Vancouver Island, I have spent a wealth of time aboard numerous ferry systems.  On a recent  excursion, to Canada, when I had to walk across 36 lanes for vehicle traffic in Nanaimo, British Columbia., I was reminded of the importance and lifeblood of the ferry system. Maybe a lane for each vehicle color?

Aboard the Malaspina Ferry

Last May I was parked  on the Malaspina, amid my life time collection of odds and ends, crammed into every nook and cranny of my bulging Subaru Legacy.  Is there a stronger word to insert, then 'crammed'?  Yes, I attempted to load everytttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnngggg, that I owned, into that poor, space abused vehicle.  

If you were a gear junkie thief, you could have scored brilliantly. I was forced to abandon much of my belongings, including kitchen wares, books, tools, food and generally much of what it takes to survive on your own.  Here I come Mom and Dad!

somewhere in Canadian waters

My position in Alaska had been dissolved and a job offer in Canada ended as only that.  Poutine for lunch and my hockey dreams will have to wait.  I was now making a beeline  to the Southwest desert, a vastly different terrain and climate than my world of 87 inches of rain a year afforded this drenched soul in the SE Alaska rain forest.  I will get back to the 'beeline' quip.  This journey would be anything but......

A novelty found on some of the Alaska Marine Highway ferries is the Solarium.  On the Malaspina, this is the area that is in the back of the boat, on the highest deck.  Here you will find the traveling crowd that elected not to get a cabin.  One of the beauties of the ferry system is that there are many areas that a person can throw a sleeping bag.  Instinctively, I laid my sleeping bag on a reclining plastic chair in the Solarium, under a heater (the back end of the Solarium is open to the back of the boat/sea).  This trip would slowly cruise to an end in Bellingham, Washington.  Transit time would be 2 days 16 hours, so I would need a worthy place to crash.  With the Solarium bustling, I moved camp to the aft lounge, where I was greeted with  a striking view, fully cushioned seating/bedding area, close to restrooms, and only 1 other camper on the far side of the large room.   

View of ocean and beautiful scenery from the Malaspina

The sailing was a photographers dream.  Not being an actual 'photographer' on an relevant scale, I enjoy capturing the beauty and sometimes oddity around me.  The beauty of Alaska and Canada was like an award winning slide show playing upon my spirit, 24/7.  There would be unknown mountain ranges, bays, light houses, islands, etc.  All breathtaking and worth the 68 million (or so) photos I snapped. It was also a good time to reflect on life, job situation, the ugly financial chaos, wondering if by crazy chance, there are any nice/cute/adventurous  gals in Catalina, Arizona (my future home), the coming road trip and diabetes.

No trails, no gym, and no roads meant close to no exercise and additional challenge to achieving reasonable blood sugars.  I maintained some weak level of sanity with repeated loops around the perimeter of the vessel. The desperately lacking track was open all day and all night.  Perfect for laps at 1am.    

Link below is video of the Malaspina

A Lap Around the Malaspina

As we  entered Washington waters I could feel the journey coming to an end.  I was thankful to step aside from the crazy, busy time that I had endured the previous months. Slugging away at the job market, packing, making monumental donations to the Salvation Army and the White Elephant Thrift Stores and watching the $$ side of life take one hit after another.  It was a welcome adventure (other than the staggering cost of floating a vehicle on a long ferry trip).  

 Less than 150 miles after exiting the Malaspina, my once-loved Subaru would break down twice and there was  a additional stirring of the nerves as a tire developed a rather serious and threatening protuberance.  I would live, temporarily, at my daughter's (Deanna) in the Seattle area, plunk down more of my dwindling resources on car repairs and eventually would toss most of my possessions in a storage unit in Seattle and catch Alaska Airlines for a very disrupted and disturbing 'beeline' to Arizona.  So glad for additional blog material!   

Malaspina at the Bellingham dock

Hotshot!

Hotshot!

My junior year in high school I occupied a small section of the bench during our high school basketball season.  I occupied that spot all season.  Yes, this was the jv team and not the highly regarded and competitive senior team.  I enjoyed basketball, or at least some aspects of it but I was not highly refined in a sport where I was way too short and generally lacking in overall ability.  The coaches did have some gleaming hopes for my bball future, though.  I clung to some of those same hopes knowing that in the ideal world I could be a superstar or at least maybe escape the clutch of the bench and play enough to break a sweat or score more than 2 points in a game.  

in Los Angeles for a Hotshot competition

Basketball had been a wake-up call for me and those involved in my little world.  During a year of junior high basketball I had a coach from hell, or some appalling community close to hell.  He had a knack for working us to the puke zone and beyond.  While holding back tears and feeling the vomit gurgling in my stomach, I occupied the bench all season.  While we all suffered through workouts that were beyond anything a junior higher should endure, I seemed to be having an extra measure of struggle on the court.  In a small world of perfect storms, my pancreas had just thrown in the towel.  Thank goodness for parents that knew that weight loss, off of a thin boy, and a thirst that only type 1 newbie’s would truly comprehend and understand, earmarked me for a hospital check up.  My blood sugar was in the neighborhood of 550? and my life, and those close to me would be forever changed.  

Those gleaming hopes of the coaches, maybe a few members of the team, my father and me were hinged on the fact that I had an extreme ability to shoot the basketball.  While I saw almost zero playing time I was one of the best shooters on the planet.  I would compete in the Pepsi Hotshot Basketball Contest and placed in the top 8 in the United States (in my age group) one year and top 24 the year before while traveling around the country competing during half time of NBA games.  Talk about pressure! That pressure does wonders for blood sugars.  The Hotshot program treated its athletes well and also bestowed travel vouchers, so that my parents could cringe and gasp, while their son competed on a national level,  with crowds in the range of 10,000 people.  I was able to use my talent in a manner much different than expected.  Sometimes life is not what it seems or should be but venturing onto the road less traveled or maybe a path that has never been traveled can be the best experience.

Sometimes Life is Stranger than Fiction

Sometimes Life is Stranger than Fiction

Unusual Bungee Jump

Video involving the shoe incident

Life can be stranger than fiction

The link above tells most of the story:  

*  Dave does a rather unusual bungee jump

*  Dave somehow loses his shoe in the process

*  A boat scoops up his shoe and saves the day

Rather charming headlines but ohhhh, there is so much more to that story….

Glenn's Ferry Bridge

The  first ‘stranger’ aspect comes in the fact that I was even able to post a youtube video. 

We were joined on the Glenn’s Ferry bridge by a good # of adrenaline seekers.  One of them was Tom (last name escapes me).  I did not realize till well after the jump that he was filming many of the bungee jumps or that someone below was snapping photos.   Eventually, I found out about possible footage so I contacted Tom and he gladly shared that he would send footage my way.  He was in the process of piecing the short segments of footage together into a longer loop.  Sounded good to me.  Time crept forward with no footage.  No rush, but I was curious if he had the camera rolling when I did the most unusual  jump I have ever done.  

My Shoe, in flight

A year would roll by……….then it became 2 years.   I would eventually receive the prized footage but would not be able to open the main footage.  No success after many different attempts I closed the file but was glad for some short segments and a handful of photos.  One of which miraculously caught my shoe incident.  

2 more years would pass and after the piece of junk laptop was replaced by a slightly newer version of technology I would again, stumble across the unknown file that sat amidst a random bungee pile .  I had forgotten about the lost and yet to be opened file and accidentally clicked on the attachment.  4 years after the jump I had my surprise footage.  If you catch the video, the boat that rescue's my shoe was the only boat we saw that day and they were only in the area for my jump.  They left after their heroic retrieval.

To Be Alaskan.....

To Be Alaskan......

I had ventured into the Last Frontier a number of times during my brief escapes from work and to a degree, most of civilization.  About 8 years ago, home for me was Boise, Idaho.  A great place, but I was ready for a new adventure.  Having been a bike messenger in the past, I liked the idea of combining work with a splice of adventure so decided that I would spend some internet time and see if I could find a job in the wilds of Alaska.  I had been to Juneau, Skagway, Petersburg and Sitka.  No, no, no and yes.  Sitka had been my favorite stop along the Dave/Alaska trail so I concentrated my search to the Sitka area.  I would land a position with Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau.  I would soon learn that the first step to becoming 'Alaskan' is just getting to the state.  In my case, that would mean almost 3 days on the Alaskan Marine Highway Ferry.  Welcome to adventure!

Brown Bear print

Alaska , the name is probably a corruption of the Aleut work Alyeska, which means “the great land”.  Great is an great understatement.  First of all, Alaska is huge.  If you cut Alaska in half, Texas would be the third-largest state.  There were a number of times that I was asked or it was assumed that Sitka was close to Anchorage.  Do you consider 600 miles to be close?



Bears…….by all means Alaska has bears!  a definite thickness of the fur balls.  And to make it more interesting, we have zero black bears on our island.  If you come across a bear near Sitka, it will probably be very large and brown.  On my trail run today I was stopped by a runner who warned me about a bear he had just seen on the trail.  The trail would be free of large objects but it did remind me that there is a certain feel to Alaska and that I seriously needed to finish this blog. 

 

 Trever Alters on one of our No Limits kayak expeditions 

Oh, and there is that oil fund check that Alaskans receive from the state each year, rewarding us for being Alaskan and for the fact that we are rather blessed with lots of oil.  While at the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau, one of the many inquiring phone calls I received from prospective visitors/residents was from a gentleman who asked what he has to do to receive the $20,000 check we receive each year.  Well, Sir, it might has something to do with actually living in Alaska and no, it does not punch up your checking account $20,000, try $800-1200.  That is easily washed out by the extra expense to live here.  I have been appreciative of the extra cash, though. 

ok, no moose on Baranof Island, where I live, but I like the photo 

Being Alaskan almost demands that you own a pair of Xtra Tuff Boots. 

Halibut Head Toss (Sitka Seafood Festival) with my daughter, Deanna 

Alaskan, it turns out, is more than just somebody who lives up north.  It’s also a language with many words all it’s own, including words borrowed from English but given a peculiar, northern meaning.  Then there are words from Native languages, not to mention jargon and pidgin.

Cheechako-a newcomer to AK, usually one who has not survived a winter here. 

Cold-according to physicians, there is no such thing as cold, only an absence of heat.  Greatest absence of heat ever recorded in ak was -80 at Prospect Creek Camp on jan 23, 1971. 

 Deanna and that adorable halibut head

 photo by Deanna Rivaldo

Some basic statistics that highlight a really big and varied state:

Lakes: 3 million / 586,412 sq miles / shoreline:  33,904 miles

Climate records 100 to -80

In 1867 Alaska was purchased for .02 per acre.  from Russia.  The end amount was 7,200,000.  $200,000 was tacked on to the final price to cover the lost revenue that Russia would lose by selling ice out of Swan Lake (in Sitka).  Sitka was the capital until it was moved to Juneau in 1906.

SE Alaska contains about 1,000 of the state’s 1,800 named islands

The flag for the 49th state was designed by a 13 year old.

Of special note to being a Sitkan I have pasted one of the top April Fool day hoaxes, ever, that was pulled off by Porky Bickar, of Sitka.

On Kruzof Island, about 13 miles west of Sitka, Alaska, sits Mt Edgecumbe. The extinct volcano is 1300 feet in height and covered with snow about eight months of the year.
On April 1, 1974, a clear, beautiful morning, Porky Oliver Bickar of Sitka woke up early to see Mt. Edgecumbe through the window in all its glory. Porky whispered to his wife, Patty: "This is it. We've gotta do it today." Patty smiled sweetly, kissed Porky on the forehead, and said, "Don’t make an ass of yourself."
Porky rushed to his shop (you can see the name of his shop on Old Blue) and started calling helicopter charters. He called three charters, but when they heard his plan they respectfully declined. One said he was afraid of a white-out (snow), but since the weather was absolutely clear that didn't wash. Finally, with the help of Harry Sulser, the owner of Sitka's Pioneer Bar, Porky struck pay dirt with Temsco's Earl Walker in Petersburg. Although his chopper was fog-bound, Earl loved the idea and said he would be on the way to Sitka as soon as he could see one more telephone pole.
In the meantime, Porky made up two manila rope slings about 150 feet long...each holding about 50 old car tires. He also gathered up a batch of oily rags, a gallon of sterno, a lot of diesel oil, and a dozen smoke bombs. (He didn't want us to mention where he got those. OK, Pork.)
When Earl and his chopper arrived at the old PBY and Goose turnaround (Sitka didn't have an airport then), Porky, Earl, Larry Nelson, and Ken Stedman first loaded up the incendiaries. When Earl and Porky got off the ground and hovered the chopper, Larry and Ken hooked one sling of tires to the chopper and off they went toward Mt. Edgecumbe (with FAA "legal" clearance, of course).
Within just a few minutes, Porky and Earl were flying over Mt. Edgecumbe. They could see for miles--just water and islands--with Baranof Island to the east and the open North Pacific to the west.
Porky and Earl dropped the tires into the up-til-now extinct volcano, then swung around and set the chopper down. Porky got out and unloaded all the fuel...just the right stuff to make a lot of black, smoky fire.
When Earl lifted off headed back to Sitka for the next load of tires, Porky stacked the first load in a big circle, poured on the fuel, and started to spray-paint a huge message in the snow with 50-foot letters: APRIL FOOL. When Earl returned and dumped 50 more tires into Mt. Edgecumbe, the two boys finished the arrangement...set the whole mess ablaze...and happily headed back to Sitka.
On the way back, Earl asked the FAA tower for clearance, and Homer Sutter (the controller) said "I'll bring you in as low and inconspicuously as possible...and, by the way, the son of a gun looks fantastic!" Earl set the chopper down. Mission accomplished...
Although Porky had remembered to notify both the FAA and the Sitka Police (he was a member of the police commission), he somehow forgot to notify the Coast Guard. While Mt. Edgecumbe was busy spewing out its black smoke, the Coast Guard Commander called for a chopper to investigate and sent a whale boat over to check things out. The chopper pilot radioed back to the commander that all he saw was a bunch of smoldering tires and a big April Fool sign in the snow. This was after the commander had called the Admiral in Juneau about the apparent crisis.
Jimmy Johnson, Vice President of Alaska Airlines, had also heard about Mt. Edgecumbe's activity, and called Sitka to instruct their departing plane to fly over the mountain to give all the passengers a bird’s eye view of it all. And, in the meantime, the Sitka radio station and police station phones were ringing off the hook.
We later found out that Porky's April Fool's Day caper had made AP news...worldwide.

Link to Porky's caper on the Museum of Hoaxes website:

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/af_database/permalink/the_eruption_of_mount_edgecumbe/

This is the first year in about 7 years that I did not sign up for the Alaska oil fund check.  I will be moving off the island and off the Alaska grid by May 16th.  It has been a grand adventure and I look forward to the next page in my life story.

Batkid Saves City

  Batkid Saves City



November is Diabetes month and a couple days ago the planet acknowledged World Diabetes Day on November 14th.  I will touch base on diabetes a little later, but first we have a super hero in our midst and he is Batkid, otherwise known as Miles Scott.  While I spent the day behind my desk pushing papers and computer keys,  the pint sized 5 year old rescued a damsel in distress, saved "Gotham" (San Francisco) from the Penguin and the Riddler and rescued the San Francisco Giants mascot.  Also on his batkid itinerary was a stop for a hamburger and some cruising around in a sweet lamborghini (aka the Batmobile).

For anyone who may not already know him, this is Batkid also known as Miles. (Courtesy: Make-a-Wish)

Nearly 12,000 volunteers and adoring fans holding signs crowded streets for the full-on transformation of the city so Miles, who has been battling lymphoblastic leukemia since he was 20 months old, could spend the day with Batman at his side.  This was coordinated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  Miles' cancer is in remission.

Batkid's adventures captured the hearts of residents and transfixed the nation on social media.  He has also captured the hearts of many who are dealing with a wide variety of different medical conditions.  Sometimes we need our hearts stirred.  Sometimes we need encouragement and sometimes we need the right mindset, the right attitude.  While she is not donning a comic book hero custom (that I am aware of), Anne Marie Hospod recently shared, "I did not choose diabetes.  But I can choose life". She shares that life changing attitude in her blog. Well worth the read!

http://drannemariehospod.com/2013/11/14/a-personal-post-for-world-diabetes-day-why-today-matters-and-why-you-and-the-media-should-care/



 

Fort Rousseau Causeway, Matt Hunter and 'the Mermaid'

Fort Rousseau Causeway, Matt Hunter and 'the Mermaid'

Military construction in Sitka commenced at break-neck in September 1939 to ensure that the Alaskan coast would be defensible if and when the Japanese arrived.  The Sitka Naval Air Station, located on Japonski Island in Sitka Sound became operational. When the U.S. recaptured Attu and Kiska (in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska) in the summer of 1943, the U.S. Army decided to close its Sitka establishment (including Fort Rousseau).  On August 15, 1944, the Sitka Naval Operating Base on Japonski Island was decommissioned. 

On April 2, 2008, the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park was created.  6 tiny islands scattered off the end of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport form the Causeway.  The 8,100 foot causeway was mostly finished by the end of 1942, at a cost of approximately two million dollars.

In 2012 State Parks completed a management plan for the site.  Through Sitka Trail works, the State Parks and the community the work has begun. 

 

The Allen Marine Boat slowly nudged the shoreline and the walkway was dropped for our small group to scramble onto Makhnati Island.  The area lacks a dock for easier exploration.  We didn't have a dock, but we did bring along a 'Matt Hunter'. 

While only 31 years old, Hunter is gifted at wearing hats.  He is a school teacher at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, a state of Alaska-run public boarding school in Sitka.  The school was actually begun in a deserted WWII building.   He is a life-long Sitkan, Sitka Assembly Member and EMS volunteer.

I had met Matt during my time involved with Sitka Mountain Rescue.  If you get into a tough spot with nature (my hand is raised), you fail on your 50 foot snowboard jump, you meet Mr. Grizzly, etc., he is a great person to have nearby.  If you decide to visit the Causeway, Matt Hunter is beyond great.  He is a walking text book.  No, more like a walking Google. 

Inside Battery 292

 My video inside the building above (Battery 292) 

Matt would take us into a number of buildings, including the impressive Battery 292.  This was the main headquarters building.  Matt would lead our 'tour' with details on how most of the rooms were used.

Would have been an ideal post for Halloween!

Hunter estimates that up to 8,000 soldiers, sailors and aviators were stationed in Sitka, along with a few hundred private contractors and a contingent of Marines.  This in a town of only 2,000.

 New Archangel Dancer, Angela McGraw, enjoying the "Dancer Explosives" sign

"The Mermaid"

He would even lead us to the "The Mermaid".  I had heard stories of her existence.  She actually does exist and spends her time under a disco ball.  The Causeway is cram full of history with some stories thrown in.  We all learned so much about the Causeway, Sitka on the brink of war, the many lives lost during the construction of this facility and that Matt, surprisingly, does not even teach history.    

Fort Rousseau Causeway teaser

'Halloween' photo taken at the Fort Rousseau Causeway State Historical Park(Sitka, Alaska).  The fort was developed in response to military threats to U.S. soil from the Pacific just before World War II.  Looking beyond this graffiti, the Causeway is very historic and is an amazing place to explore.  Story to follow with photos and video.  

R.I.P. Mario Richard

R.I.P. Mario Richard

I am guessing that if I said "Mario Richard" the response of almost everyone would be "who?"  I would have said "who" not long ago, but my friend google would share with me that Mario might help me scratch off another empty box on my adventure tick list. I found Moab Base Adventures and thought that I would email Mario regarding a new airborne challenge, off the canyon cliffs of Moab, Utah. 

Mario Richard - Photo by Hunter Imagery

Moab Base Adventures is one of only two companies I know of that offer tandem base jumps.  I have jumped with Tandem Base (Twin Falls, Idaho).  Rather crazy to step off of the platform on the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho (486 feet).  Leaping with out a back up parachute does take a different mind set. 

A couple of emails gravited into phone calls to possibly set up a jump date in October.  October was approaching, but a date was not set........or would ever be set.  On August 18, Richard and his wife, rock climber and base jumper, Steph Davis took a cable car to Sasso Pordoi in the Dolomites of Italy.  They would be making wingsuit flights and had made the same jump three times the day before.  Something went wrong in-flight, and Richard hit a cliff close to the Piccolo Pordoi towers .  Davis would land, alone. 

Mario Richard in a tandem base jump near Moab, Utah - Photo by Hunter Imagery

On the fatal jump, the Alpine rescue service believe that he miscalulated by only three meters.  He was 47.

Richard had 20 years of B.A.S.E jumping experience and over 2000 B.A.S.E jumps all over the world.  Richard moved to Moab in 2007 and soon met Davis.  They married in 2011, atop the majestic Parriott Mesa outside Moab, and celebrated by running and leaping off the meas and gliding to earth with parachutes.

I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mario Richard.  I am inspired by the life he chose to live and I regret not having made a cliff reservation, for earlier on the calendar.  Take full advantage of life and the opportunities that you have.  Life can change in the blink of an eye. 

The Toughest Bicycle Race on the Planet

The Toughest Bicycle Race on the Planet

If you love to travel, can deal with seriously rough levels of sleep deprivation, and enjoy serving, then you are open for amazingly unique opportunities.  Although I do not see myself classifying with all of the above mentioned traits, I seem to get myself aboard with the unique opportunity to ride along with the Race Across America (RAAM) almost yearly! 

Outside magazine voted RAAM the most difficult athletic event.  While the debate could rage on, it certainly is sheer madness!  A very special kind of madness that covers 3000 miles, 170,000 feet of climbing, and crossing 12 states.  There is no other race in the world like it.  RAAM is a nonstop blur!  Once the timer starts, the clock doesn’t stop until racers reach the finish line. 

 Rick Schultze dealing with the Mojave Desert

  

Many tasks for the crew.  Andre Richison crossing one off the list, above Sedona, AZ

By the time 2013 rolled around, I was on my 5^th tour with the RAAM parade.  This year I was on the crew for Team ON/ABB.  A crew is made up of a number of positions, or roles that assist the team rider(s) to cross the country in speedy fashion  The racer just rides, but the crew makes most of the decisions, and must constantly improvise, adjust, and adapt.  It is an adventure that unfolds minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour and mile-by-mile. 

Dave Preston in the magnificant Monument Valley, Utah

The Crew Chief is the CEO, the boss and leader of the team.  They provide the overall direction for the crew and have to be ready to make decisions, even unpopular ones.  They must always think of the racer, and balance with that the crew needs.

 

The Team ON/ABB crew worked hard to keep Rick Shulze and Dave Preston rolling east.  We started the race in Oceanside, California with 10 crew members.  By the sunrise of the second day, no one was a ‘rookie’ crew member anymore.  Our team consisted of drivers, navigators, a crew chief, a photographer and a bike mechanic.  The note-so-popular roles included sandwich making, fetching water, scrubbing dishes, scurrying to peg requests on the racer’s list, tracking down route changes, were done by any available crew member, at any hour.   

  Matt Hoffman at the base of the dreaded Yarnell Pass, AZ

America the beautiful, is also America with the often searing Mojave Desert, the mountainous Rockies, the wind-swept plains and the steep and rather wicked hills of the Appalachians.

 L to R:  Manny Casillas (crew chief), Rick Schultze (rider), John Wood, Andre Richison and Matt Hoffman

After a tough series of events, Team ON/ABB lost one of its 2 riders, due to possible heat exhaustion.  Through grit, determination, encouragement and dedicated support from the remaining crew, Dave Preston rode the last 450 or so miles solo to the finish line in Annapolis, Maryland.   

  Rolling into a distant gas station in Kansas

Dave generously shared, “Much of RAAM’s spotlight is usually on the racers, but the lion’s share of the heavy lifting to get a racer or team across the finish line is in the hands of the crew.  I am certainly humbled by the dedication the crew had to get our team across the finish.  So thank you crew – you truly taught me some valuable life lessons.”

 Most of the crew at the finish line in Annapolis, MD.  L to R:  John Foote, Adot White, Joe Felder, Manny Casillas, Alan Low, Dave Preston, Denny Preston, Rick Schultze, John Wood.

The Edge of Night

The Edge of Night

I turned off the jeep headlights and was immediately immersed in darkness.  My eyes tried to adjust and make sense of my new surroundings.  My head tried to make some sense of what I was about to do.  Fail.......

Above me dangled a lone source of human connection.  The source was a glow stick suspended off of a fairly tall bridge.  I marveled at what a unique, rather cool sight it was, also at the amazing opportunities I have had to live life and take on different adventures. The list would grow this evening.

I flipped on a headlight and prepared myself for what was next. Just a few

hours ago I had received a short phone call inviting me to join the adventurous group for the evening,

at a bridge,

on a catwalk,

to do a bungee jump

in the dark. 

Not really the kind of 'invitation' you get every day.

My bungee partner, Matt and I were on our way-

to the bridge,

to spend a long evening,

on a rather freaky, narrow catwalk

in order to leap into the world of blackness

                                                                                                                                Catwalk and River

  stellar jump during the day!

The catwalk, far above the churning Snake River, is one of my favorite spots on the planet! While it is understandably frightening for some to even imagine standing on a small ledge overlooking a rushing river, this type of adventure feeds my spirit and defines the crazy adventure seeker that I am....sorry Mom and Dad! 

A click of the carabiner and a screw of the gate and I was hooked into the bungee cord.  Since bungee jumping is not a totally new adventure for me, I decided to explore a new challenge for this jump.  Instead of the carabiner locked in front of me, I had it secured at my back instead.  As I climbed the beam, high above the flowing river below, I hung before I let go and 5,4,3, 2, 1 dropped into the darkness of the night. 

Luckily, because there were only a few night time dare devils, we all got to take multiple jumps.  We had glow sticks attached at the end of the retrieval rope. 

You can barely make out the glow sticks below

 The evening was one of those rare experiences that makes me who I am: a seeker of new challenges, new adventures and learning to live life to the fullest (and sometimes scariest)! Wonder what crazy adventure will top this! 

Sightseeing in the Tortolita Mountains via running shoes

Sightseeing in the Tortolita Mountains

 via running shoes

Rail X Ranch sign with the Tortolita Mountains in the background

 I emerged from my dad’s pick up with a Nathan running vest in hand, an ipod cranking out some inspirational, but mainly  butt kicking tunes to keep me in motion, and a goal that looked, well, distant.  The sun-fried, tiled  sign in the parking lot, decorated with a hummingbird, mountains, cactus and a rather unique, ugly looking gila monster, welcomed me to Catalina, Arizona.  A nearby dirt track etched into the desert landscape,  the Rail X Ranch Road,  rolls west to the faraway Tortolita Mountains. 

Windmill with the Catalina Mountains in the distance

Not your typical tourist, I was here to site see via my own transportation.  A pair of running shoes.  I had a gnarmous (healthy chunk of dirt real estate) amount of miles to slowly take in the sights of the desert landscape sprawled out before me.  The Arizona desert  is a world away from my rainforest environment in  Alaska.  Oh, and its 75 degrees on this cloudless day in November.  It will be a day of contrasts.

A small herd of perhaps 15 horses (feral horses) roam the rugged ridges and canyons of the Tortolita Mountains NW of Tucson.  Not expected on the edge of the sprawling Tucson Metropolitan area.

According to officials and people who once operated ranches in the area, that the feral herd originated sometime in the first half of the last century when horses escaped or were released by ranchers.  I was not expecting to see wild horses today.  I would gladly settle for javelina, jaguars, mountain lions, tarantula or rattle snakes.

White Rock Mine

About an hour and 1/2 of slow, steady motion and the ipod blasting, takes me to the end of the Rail X Ranch Road and a gate.  Beyond the gate is the White Rock Mine, opened in 1958. Posted on the rolling gate is 'Attention Security Guard on Duty'.  Hmmm.  Guessing that this sign is the actual guard on duty. A much cheaper option. 

Sunset in the Tortolita's 

Did I mention that at the turn around point the sun was minutes away from setting?  That setting orb on my right, makes for a beautiful sight, and some beautiful photos, but the run, which has taken longer than anticipated, has become a lot more interesting.  My ultra-mini pinch light and I are now best friends.

 Tucson in the distance

The view of the twinkling lights in the distant world of concrete, stoplights, Big Macs and lots of human beings is a closing reminder of why I am making tracks on this lonely dirt road in the desert and not 25 miles south.  The lights of Tucson, become more apparent as the sun dips behind the lofty spine of the Tortolita range. My current world consists of cactus, agave, dirt and a rare windmill, clicking as it spins in the light breeze.  The lights of Catalina slowly come into view and the traffic whines along Oracle Road.  I slide into the truck, flip on the lights, and head north.   

Short story for The Diabetes Diaries

 



Short Story Submited to The Diabetes Diaries (150 words or less)

My name is Dave Nevins and I run, bike, kayak, bungee jump, sky dive, base jump, climb, am a photographer, writer, adventure seeker, direct a diabetes group and I also happen to have type 1 diabetes. I have had diabetes for over 35 years and while it can be difficult, it has positively shaped me and created who I am today. The disease has given me a passion to encourage others with diabetes At times, diabetes has been a challenge but I have found that by staying active, and focused on my health and diabetes care, I am able to live healthier than most individuals and I have been free of diabetes complications and I look forward to what my next adventures will be and hope to inspire others along the way.

A True Honor

A True Honor

Medtronic Global Heroes 2012

Hero:

A hero is a person

who, in the opinion of others, 

has

 heroic 

qualities

or

has

performed

a

 heroic 

act

and

is

regarded

as

a model

or

ideal. 

Earl Bakken is an original hero.  Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Earl had a fascination with electricity from a young age.  By age 9 he had built a telephone system that stretched across the street to a friend's house.  As well as being fascinated with wires, cords, plugs etc. he was also inspired by the movie, "Frankenstein."  Life restoration by electricity "my career dream"  What intrigued him the most as he sat through the movie again and again, was the creative spark of Dr. Frankenstein's electricity.  Through the power of his wildly flashing laboratory apparatus, the doctor restored life to the unliving."

On April 29th, 1949, Earl Bakken and Palmer Hermundslie formed a partnership to service medical electronic equipment. They called the company:  "Medtronic."  Over the years Medtronic adapted technologies for the human body, including radio frequency therapies, mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery devics, and diagnostic tools.  Today Medtronic technologies are used to treat more than 30 chronic diseases affecting different areas of the body. 

Director of Diabetes Research Katie Szyman (in red) surrounded by five heroes. All wearing insulin pumps. From L to R - Celine Parent, Daniela Arantes, Gabriela Arantes, Katie Szyman, Dave Nevins and Torbjorn Harstad

Medtronic Global Heroes:

Medtronic Global Heroes are 25 people who, have heroic qualities or have performed a heroic act.  They are also runners who have been diagnosed with a medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders.

Matthew Taylor giving an inspiring interview after his race

Recently I had the great fortune and privilege to spend time with the 24 other Global Heroes.  It was a true honor to mingle with individuals, who despite difficult, challenging conditions, are taking life head-on and living life without limits!

Group Huddle

A cooperative effort between Twin Cities in Motion and the Medtronic Foundation, Global Heroes is a first-of-its-kind program that brings runners from around the world, who benefit from medical technology, to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota to run in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events and to spend time with Medtronic staff and fellow heroes.  This would be the 7th year of Global Heroes hosting extraordinary runners from 9 different countries. 

The term 'Hero' sounds a bit overly dramatic, but as I spent time with the Global Heroes, it made sense!  They are heroes because they are amazing!  Each hero dealing with medical challenges, while still being triumphant and impressive role models for others.

with my parents, Pat and Marilyn Nevins, during an enriching time in Minnesota

5 Rides to Make a Difference

5 Rides to Make a Difference

Only 18 miles left for the JDRF riders

Five rides to make a difference, to change lives and to find a cure for diabetes.

The last JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) ‘Ride to Cure Diabetes’ was the El Tour de Tucson in the beautiful desert terrain of Tucson, Arizona, which has become known as the most prestigious bicycling event for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Bicycling Magazine selected this event as "one of America's ten best centuries."

JDRF riders arrive at the JDRF aid station

Approximately 170

riders from around the world ride the whole race or sections of the popular perimeter ride through the saguaro studded landscape of the Old Pueblo.

These riders have two challenges:

raising money needed to fund research for better treatments and a cure for diabetes, and reaching a personal training goal to prepare for a destination cycling experience.

    LtoR: Allison Sytz, Joe Maissano, Lauren Sytz and Molly Sytz

                                                         In the middle:  tons of food to fuel the JDRF riders

Luck, fortune, karma, blessing or a combination of all landed me in Tucson during the El Tour and a connection with a friend on the JDRF support team, Manny Casillas, who opened an opportunity for me.

We set up an aid station at miles 28 and 93 to furnish the JDRF riders with fuel, drink, humor and smiles.

Our insanely crammed van included Manny, Joe Maisano, and the Sytz cheering squad:

Lauren, Molly, Allison and myself.

Even though Lauren was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 14 years ago, she will be playing on the varsity field hockey team this year!

Her father, Steven, pedaled the whole El Tour course like a pro, seeing as this is his 7th year of participating in Ride to Cure Diabetes.

The gals received a well-earned shout-out and were rewarded as co-winners of the ‘Spirit’ award for their awesome participation!

Field Hockey time for Lauren Sytz

LtoR:  Lauren, Allison and Molly Sytz: the Cheer Squad!

This was a first time for Ethan Erickson, a 13 year old with Type 1 diabetes who cycled through 111 miles of insulin pump challenges and rolled through the finish line with an incredible effort.

Ethan even pocketed the ‘Best Youth Rider Award’.

Adam and Ethan Erickson

All the riders and crew would shared a life changing-memorable experience.

Ethan’s mother, Tiburon Erickson, said it out well when she said, I believe the best way to beat diabetes - riding to cure it.             

Ethan Erickson taking care of business (both on and off the bike)

 JDRF will add a 6th Ride to Cure in 2013 with a stop in Nashville, TN.

2013 Ride to Cure Diabetes Events:

Burlington, VT - July 25-28

La Cross, WI - August 15-18

Lake Tahoe, CA - September 6-9

Nashville, TN - September 19-22

Death Valley, CA - October 17-20

Tucson, AZ - November 21-24

For more details visit

www.jdrf.org

-Dave Nevins