Bill's TN Paradise

We met on Valentines Day, 3 years ago today

2012-02-14T09:38:00.006-06:00

Some people are just lucky, I am one of them.

I met Iska 3 years ago today at a party after a concert I did at the Monteagle Winery. It was a 'practice concert' to prepare me for a 6 concert tour of the southeast.

The photo is from our first date, a warm late winter day on Raven Point, over looking the Firey Gizzard Gorge.

Tea time in winter - on the patio

2012-01-30T16:13:00.004-06:00

It's been a very mild winter... and I don't mind at all.

It's quite a treat to sit by the patio fireplace in January and enjoy 4:00 pm tea outside.

It's supposed to be in the 60ºs the next few days.

Kayaking on the Weekiwachee

2011-12-28T17:34:00.006-06:00

From our Florida trip to visit my parents...

Kayaking on the Weekiwachee River with Iska, Myers and my parents ... we saw a few manatee and lots of fish, interesting birds and turtles.

The water is amazingly clear and blue, with white sand on the bottom.

Nice trip...!!

Tennessee Christmas

2011-12-21T14:42:00.002-06:00

At Iska's house in Sewanee...

With Iska, Myers and Lily (the dog) by the tree.

Happy Holidays!!

Green's View in Sewanee - above the clouds

2011-12-04T19:40:00.002-06:00

Photo by Iska's brother, Brunson Hoole - Thanksgiving weekend in Sewanee.

Green's View.

(click to enlarge)

William Yelverton in concert: Springfield, IL - 10/29/11

2011-10-25T20:47:00.004-06:00

Faith Lutheran Church, 2313 Whittier Avenue.
Springfield Classical Guitar Society concert

Springfield, IL
Saturday, October 29, 8PM

Music of Dowland, Rameau, Turina, Lauro, Gismonti, Assad and more...

Guitar, Alto Guitar, Renaissance Lute

Fontana Lake - October 2011

2011-10-21T17:17:00.013-06:00

On the boat for 5 nights on beautiful Fontana Lake.

Click on pics to enlarge

Fontana Lake, NC - in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The weather was perfect. Two days got up near 80º. The other 3 days were around 70º and clear. I swam a little everyday.

The first day I was there, it was exceptionally windy... a Lake Wind Advisory was in effect for wind gusts to 45 mph. There were one to 2 foot waves with white caps on the main east-west stretch of lake. (see video below). In the many coves, it was a different world, completely sheltered from the wind. I was always comfortable with half my canvass up and my propane heater cranking. I even have an electric blanket for the cabin, so it was cozy.

Iska was able to be there for 3 nights - a real treat. We hiked the Lost Cove trail out of Eagle Creek to the Shuckstack Tower. It was a great hike. The last mile is great for 'firing the glutes' as it very steep.

The first photo shows what it looked like on Tues morning, my last day. It was spectacular. I saw a bald eagle fly over head as the fog was lifting and I was drinking my morning tea.

Awesome place.

Truly the best way to visit the Great Smoky Mountains - by boat.

This is the 21st year I've owned this 1987 SeaRay 230 Weekender. I wouldn't trade it for any other boat in it's class. It's a custom order boat with some unusual options. The teak appointed interior, the three deck hatches, the oversize water (36 gal.) and fuel (70 gal.) capacities give this cruiser a cruising range of about 200 miles. The 5.7 L. Mercruiser can push this boat to 43 mph. I may never need another boat.

William - RIP

2011-10-09T18:26:00.012-06:00

My cat William has died.

He was one of three cats I inherited from my ex Jenny in 1998 just before we broke up. I took the entire litter of three cats which I named: Willy, Nilly, and Emma. Emma was the runt of the litter and is now the sole survivor. Nilly ran away after a few years. She was a wild one.

I loved Willy, referred to him as "my only son." He was my favorite. I never expected to lose him so soon. He lived just 13 yrs and 5 months. His exact cause of death is not determined, we think it was a chest infection, probably lung cancer. His organs tested fine but... he stopped eating and went down hill very fast. He had fluid drained from his chest and I gave him subcutaneous fluid, and antibiotics. I force fed him some broth and baby food.

The second photo shows William and Iska on the couch in my kitchen on Saturday. Our last weekend together - the 3 of us.

But just a few days after his vet visit, by Sunday night, it looked bad. I almost never sleep with my cats but that Sunday night, I slept with William. It was his last night.

I had a busy Monday 10/3 with a Nashville doctor's appt. and an errand planned. I felt that morning he needed to be euthanized. I couldn't bring myself to do it before going to the doctor and I left him from noon until 3 pm. I knew that I had to take him in to end his life when I returned home. He was laying on a pad in the kitchen and his breathing was labored and he couldn't sleep. He was not purring anymore when I pet him like he did on Sunday. I left the inside door open so he could see the light from the front door from where he was laying in the kitchen. I turned on the vent so there would be good air circulation. When I returned home, I found him dead by the front door. The last thing he did was walk toward the light of the door. Dying on his own was his last gift to me. I did not want to take him in.

I got him when I was 37 and had just moved into my house. I am 51 now. He is the first animal I ever raised from birth to death. He was a very friendly guy, always coming up to greet visitors. It will be an adjustment ... everytime I see something dark on the floor, I think it's him. William was close with his sister Emma, they were together from birth. They always slept close together when it was cold. She will miss him as well. He had a good life.

William

(4/98 - 10/3/11)

The three litter mates cooling off on the concrete - July 30, 1999. They were just over a year old in this photo.

Aten flag - holiday decoration

2011-10-09T17:51:00.017-06:00

I like the Aten flag. It'll be my holiday decoration this year. It seems to fit nicely above my front porch.

Aten is the sun disk in ancient Egyptian mythology.

Ancient Egyptian religion deifies the sun. It is likely that much of Christianity and other religions have been based on the ancient Egyptian religion. (see video below)

There are not many things more important in this world than the sun. Life would not exist without it. One super big gulp of coronal mass ejecta from the sun could exterminate life on earth at any time.

I'm not a sun worshipper, but it's easy to see why ancient cultures did worship the sun. To me, the Aten flag is decorative art piece, not a religious symbol.

The flag looks awesome back lit at night.

This 'hippie pagan symbol' should definitely confuse the local rednecks....

“The Christian religion is a parody on the worship of the sun, in which they put a man called Christ in the place of the sun, and pay him the adoration originally payed to the sun.”

― Thomas Paine - author, revolutionary, inventor, intellectual, and a Founding Father of the United States.

My 2012 Elantra GLS

2011-09-26T13:49:00.010-06:00

My first new car.

Since I'm 51 and debt free, I guess I shouldn't feel too guilty about buying my first new car. It is THE top rated compact sedan by Consumer Reports, Motor Trend, and Cars.com.

Arguably, the hottest small car in America in terms of value ... the 2012s are selling fast and there are vitually no new 2011s available. Even my mechanic says Hyundai has surpassed Honda in technology and quality.

My priority was value and economy... and the best warranty in the business. It has the same leg room as some mid size cars and a huge trunk.

I went with an extended 10 year/120,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.

I got 44 miles per gallon on my first highway trip, (which exceeded the 40 mpg rating). I'm very pleased with the car, but I'm afraid I might scratch it. I don't even want to drive it to work.

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS with the 'Preferred Package' upgrade - in black, of course.

And thankfully ... I'm still debt free.

My new state 400m record

2011-07-24T12:54:00.003-06:00

56.09

Breaks the 13 year old M50 mark of 57.00

Double Gold at the TN State meet. More at Sprint Forever blog.

My favorite flower

2011-06-28T12:42:00.002-06:00

William Yelverton in concert: Miami International Guitar Festival - 6/17/11

2011-06-16T09:22:00.007-06:00

William Yelverton performs at the Miami International Guitar Festival.

University of Miami - 6/17/11, 8:00 PM, Clark Recital Hall, Frost School of Music

updated: concert photo -

400m Gold: Southeastern US Masters Championships

2011-06-13T23:48:00.004-06:00

Gold medal in the 400 meter dash Southeastern Masters Championships M50-54

Official time: 55.54

Presently ranked 6th in the USA Men's 50-54.

Silver medals in the 200m and 100m, M50-54

More at Sprint Forever blog...

Tennessee Guitar Festival and Competition 2011 - music and parties!

2011-06-13T23:38:00.006-06:00

The TN Guitar Fest 2011 was a great hang.

Awesome music, friends, and parties.

Here are some photos... click to enlarge.

TENNESSEE GUITAR FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION: June 1-4, 2011

2011-06-02T09:02:00.002-06:00

Tennessee Guitar Festival is up and running. June 1-4, MTSU.

Concerts 8:00 pm, MTSU

TennesseeGuitarFestival.com

May moon

2011-05-16T20:57:00.005-06:00

mid May moon

Perfect Sunday weather on the Cumberland Plateau

2011-05-08T15:50:00.007-06:00

Summer-like weather is ahead this week for Middle TN, however it's still spring-like in Sewanee on the plateau.

A great walk on the Caldwell Trail this perfect Mother's Day Sunday afternoon with Iska and kids.

Such beauty in the forest.

Oh, Glorious Spring

2011-04-22T18:27:00.006-06:00

Life is so good... another academic year over .... house paid off .... 100% debt free .... the beginning of a vacation ... starting my third year in love with the beautiful Iska ... in the best physical shape of my life - sprinting in college track meets at age 50 ... and it's gardening time ... the weather is gorgeous ... OH, glorious spring!!

My pool is open and warm!

The flowers are potted, and the tomatoes, and cucumbers are in the ground.

My little friend, the tree frog in one of my pots.

My new blog - Sprint Forever

2011-04-17T00:33:00.003-06:00

Since my posting here at Bill's TN Paradise has been dominated by training and sprint racing, I've decided that all such discussions need a different home.

SO ...

Here's where I will post on running, track, training, and lifestyle of a 50+ masters sprinter with an ageless athletic spririt. Visit anytime...

Sprint Forever (blog)

I'm back...

2011-04-06T11:56:00.007-06:00

UPDATE 2: Pictured here - my new Spira Genesis 2 training shoes with the so-called "wave spring technology" Took 'em for a test drive this morning and they felt great. Springy, comfortable, stable. Goodbye to my old Saucony Pro Grids that served me well for over 3 years. Thanks Dad!

-----------------------------------------------

My first light day of speed work, 12 days after the hamstring injury.

Mile warm up

Long spints at 85-90% effort:

400m in 63 sec

4 x 200m in 27-28 sec

Thinking strongly about running the 400m for the first time at the Vanderbilt Invite on 4/23.

58 or bust!

UPDATE:

Last 2 workouts:

mile warmup

2 x 400m - 61, 66

3 x 200m - 28, 27, 27

mile warmup

800m - 2:33

2 x 400m - 63, 68

200m - 26.5

This sprint training on blacktop is ripping up my feet. My Saucony training shoes will be replaced as I've ordered some Spira Genesis 2's. I am an "under pronator" which means I sprint heavily on the outside of my foot. The skin below my little toes is ripped, bleeding. I'm going to have to tape them next time.

Training strategy is to work on long sprints and strength at 80-90% effort. No consecutive run days. Resistance exercises and leaps on off days. At least one full day of rest, and one light day.

I WILL race my first 400m at Vandy on 4/23 (I'm registered!).

I'll then eventually transition back to shorter speed work and starts. Future races are: May 5 - 400m, May 14 - 100m and 200m, May 21 - 100m. Depending on how I do in this, my first 400m race will determine whether I see this as a competitive race for me. If I think I have a chance to go under 57 in the future, I will continue to train. If I struggle to run 59.75, I probably won't continue competing in it. The result will probably be somewhere in between. I seem to be able to stride a 27 sec 200m with not more than 90% effort, now if only I could put 2 of those together.

Weight is good: 139

Wings clipped - temporarily

2011-03-31T22:48:00.003-06:00

It's really a gift to sprint competitively ... at age 50. On 3/26 I ran the 100 meter dash at Vanderbilt's Black and Gold Invitational. It was a bad day, I injured a hamstring during the race, my first race injury of the season. It wasn't a serious pull, I still managed to hobble across the line in 13.10 ... (0.2 faster than my age group was won at the Finals of the TN Senior Olympics last year). It could have been worse. Fortunately, it was only a "level 1 strain", no 'pop' or serious tear. It felt more like a cramp, and I kept running, albeit, with a shorter stride.

It was really disappointing. Suddenly not being able to run. I should have known I was pressing my luck, my fifth consecutive weekend track meet. I didn't warm up enough. I just ran 3 full speed bursts, no more than 6 steps full speed. It was a cold day and I stood around at the start for more than 10 minutes without doing much. I won't make that mistake again. I was even planning on running the next two upcoming weekends but now, I'm thinking I should wait until May. Also thinking about running the 400m instead of the 100m in my next race. Doing 400m training would be good for me and help strengthen my legs. I'll see how it goes, but there is another invitational at Vandy in 3 weeks, but that is probably too soon.

My ultimate goal is to break some or all of the TN state age group records in the July TN Senior Olympics. It would be a tall order: 12:32 100m, 25.70 200m, and 57.0 400m. The 200m would be the easiest to get.

Looking around at the other sprinters at last weekend's meet, I was the only one who was not wearing tights. After reading an interview with masters sprint champ Bill Collins, I emailed him and asked him about the CW-X tights he wears. He swears by them as being supportive and helpful in preventing injuries. He both trains and competes in them. So, I'm going to give them a try.

It's been 5 days since the injury and it's feeling good. No pain, I'm jogging at a good pace, doing light static stretches in the hot tub and doing a light rehab program. I can run up stairs with no pain. I hope to do one day of light speed work next week and then pick up the pace the week after, returning to full training by the 3rd week in April. I definitely want to run the 400m full speed at the Chattanooga District Senior Games on May 5th, and the 100m and 200m in Nashville on May 14. Unfortunately, these are hand timed events with little competition but participation is required to compete in the state finals.

The injury came really at an opportune time. I need to concentrate on guitar playing since I will be leaving in a week for a clinic and concert in NH. Anyway, this makes me want to train more carefully and intelligently because being injured is no fun. It's a gift to sprint and worth preserving.

Two more Golds and faster still - Indiana Masters Indoor Track Championships

2011-03-15T10:32:00.012-06:00

Since I had nothing better to do on spring break, I drove to Taylor University in Upland, IN for the Indiana Masters Indoor Track Championships on 3/12. I won my age group in the 55m with a 7.43 and ran the 200m for the first time ever. Surprisingly my 200m time won both my age group and the overall best time of the meet in all age groups: 26.30.

My 7.43 in the 55m is my best time so far, down more than 3 tenths of a sec from my first meet 6 weeks ago. That is 4 PRs in a row, a nice way to end my indoor season. My only regret is missing the USA Masters 'All American Standard' by just .03 seconds in the 55m.

The Indiana meet didn't offer much competition. I won both my heats and didn't see anyone during the race (although I ran the 55m in a heat of 8 sprinters). These masters meets are so different from running in college meets where I'm far behind the heat winners. In college meets, I feel accomplished to not finish last.

I worked out Tuesday with weights ... the squats and dead lifts have made me quite sore, but I hope to recover by Saturday to run my first 100 meter outdoor race at Governors Stadium in Clarksville on 3/19. I may scratch, I haven't run all week but I'd really like the opportunity to get a baseline time from which to improve upon. I can run the 100m three consecutive weekends: 3/26 at Vanderbilt and 4/2 at either Sewanee or Clarksville.

My goal for the first race is to just get below 13.00. BTW... the TN Senior Games was won last year at 13.28 in my age group. Ultimately, I'd love to get below 12.5. 12.28 was the slowest qualifying time in last year's USA Masters Nationals final heat. We'll see, I've not run a 100m race in 33 years!

UPDATE:

I ran 12.56 in the 100m at APSU on 3/19. A good start.

Next Saturday 3/26: Black and Gold Invitational at Vanderbilt

I hope to run the 100m and 200m

The TN Senior Games state sprint records for the Men's 50 age group 100m and 200m are certainly within reach: 100m - 12.32 and 200m - 25.7

Getting Faster - Mason Dixon Indoor Track Meet

2011-03-07T07:53:00.004-06:00

My 55m time is now down to 7.52 and I ran my first 400 meter race ever in 61.72. Good enough for 2 age group Gold Medals in the 51st Annual Mason Dixon Games in Louisville, KY on 3/4/11. The 400m was a surprise since I did not train for it, earned me a national rank of 22nd for that event. I really faded in the last 50m, in better shape, I could easily run under a minute. My splits were approximatley 26 and 35! Talk about languishing in the end.... I was flailing across the finish line, but in first.

My new Nike Superfly R3 shoes seemed to help, although the spike pad got a little chewed up on the antique wooden track. I love these shoes, a big improvement over my old 'UT orange' Adidas Demolishers. They are really light, about 5 or 6 oz.

My 55m time still ranks 8th nationally and will likely remain in the top 10 since the indoor season is wrapping up.

I just may run the outdoor season. 100m and maybe more.

Sprinting the 55m: College Indoor Track Meet

2011-02-27T02:48:00.016-06:00

Moving up a notch in the National Masters Track rankings. I'm presently 6th ranked nationally in my age group in the indoor 55m dash - with a 7.60 at the Sewanee Invitational last Saturday, 2/26/11.

My start was good but not great, and I'm happy to have run about the same time as I did at TSU more than 2 yrs ago. My weight was good, probably around 141 at race time. I was proud to be the oldest competitor on the track, and it's amazing that I actually beat 2 college sprinters at this meet. (If I were them, I'd hang it up). I did not train for this, so it gives me motivation to take it more seriously next year. My present speed is not trained ... just 'au naturale.'

I think there is room for at least a 0.35 improvement, maybe more. I need to do some serious lifting and resistance work begining late summer and then work on my starts and leaps with some explosive plyometric training. It would be nice to be able to be strong enough to do more actual sprinting so as to work on form, rather than just saving myself for the meets to avoid injury. The only complete 55m full out sprints I've done this year have been just in the 2 races.

This will be my last sprint race of the season, unless I get crazy and drive to Louisville on Fri.

The guy in the blue in the photo is Dezman Cage who ran a smokin' 6.37 in the finals to win the event.

This has been pure fun, nothing like the feeling of sprinting 100%.

Power and joy.

Return to the track - competitive sprinting at age 50

2011-02-07T00:36:00.013-06:00

This blurry video frame is from my 55 meter sprint race at the Tiger Invitational at Sewanee, TN, a college indoor track meet on 2/5/11. Obviously, I'm in third place here, running against college sprinters 30 years younger than I. I finished in a dead heat for third with a college runner who was behind me at this point in the race (just out of the frame).

It was my first sprint race in 2 years and my time wasn't as good as I had hoped for: 7.74. However, it was good enough for a national ranking of 7th in the USA Track and Field Masters for my age group. It's over a second slower than I ran at my peak of speed 32 yrs ago, and 0.15 slower than in '09. Amazingly, I was not the slowest sprinter at that track meet, but naturally, close to it.

It felt great. I'm so happy to be able to participate at my age. Sprinting full out on a nice track when everything is working is a great feeling. Unfortunately, at my age, I simply can't practice full out sprinting as much as I would like. I have to be cautious and save my legs for races.

I feel I can run much faster, and I regret not training for this. Perception is funny, it 'felt' like I was running faster, but the clock doesn't lie. The video shows I had a good start. If I had started training in October, I'm sure I'd be a few tenths faster.

A lot of it is weight control. The higher my body weight, the more stress on the body. It wasn't until just the past few weeks I was able to get down to my high school weight of 143 lbs. I was up as high as 160 just after Christmas.

Indoor track events are not very common around the south without having to drive long distances to attend. I'm happy to have discovered the Fowler Center track at Sewanee and hope to compete there again in 3 weeks. Sprinting is so much more fun than training and running 5K races, although 5K are really good for the heart, lungs, weight control and general health. 5K training however, is hard on the knees. Maybe I'll grit my teeth and run one 5K this year too.

Winter vacation '10-'11

2011-01-03T21:47:00.006-06:00

Scenes from winter - one warm and cozy, one bitter cold:

From my Tennessee log house on a cozy evening:

and....

From my parents estate on the Susquehanna River in Conklin, NY - Christmas evening, 2010.

Starting 2011 with a 10K run up Signal Mtn

2011-01-01T14:18:00.005-06:00

What a better way to start the new year than a 10K run up Signal Mtn. ... at 8 am in the rain and fog? Fortunately, it was relatively warm with temperatures in the 50s.

The so-called "W Road" is a twisty 1000' climb up Signal Mountain in Chattanooga, TN that is often closed during snowy weather. But today, after a horrendous sleepless night of thunderstorms, the road was open and my friends were waiting when I got there. About a dozen of us - from college aged to 50 something, including 4 women, made the annual run up to Lee's beautiful log house for a party.

It took it us about an hour and thanks to Bill M., maybe I'll join the group again next year.

I've logged about 16 miles in the past 5 days. I expect to decrease my mileage and begin speed and strength work in hopes of sprinting in a few races this year. I'm getting a very late start training for the indoor track season. Also, I'm on a low carb low fat raw vegetarian diet to cleanse my digestive tract and drop about 15 lbs to get to my competition weight. I was as high as 160 lbs., now at 152 and target weight is 144ish.

Check out this tour of the hairpins of "W Road" (H/T Jeff):

Winter unofficially arrives in TN

2010-12-13T17:00:00.008-06:00

Iska and Lily at Lake O'Donnell.

It's not officially winter yet but it sure feels like it. I'm glad I drove my SUV up the mountain this weekend. We got the Christmas tree up and went sledding with the kids. It's been really cold. I think it got up to 20º today and last night it snowed about 5 inches. The wind was howling and windchills were around 0º.

Didn't stop me from running 7 miles (in shorts) though! I really do like running in the cold.

Just returned from a walk to Lake O'Donnell. Time to stoke up the fire.

Back to splitting wood, tea, guitar and apple pastry.

'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... eeeevry where you go....'

16 mile hike in Savage Gulf - the Collins Loop

2010-11-29T21:35:00.004-06:00

The Wild Collins Gulf.

Out of town for the weekend for some hiking. It took us just over 5 hrs to do this rugged 16 mile hike. Didn't see one other hiker the entire day. A great wilderness experience.

Suter Falls was really flowing and the thousand foot climb up the Historic Stage Road to the east rim of the Collins was challenging.

Great day...

Cutting big red oak firewood

2010-11-05T16:56:00.006-06:00

This was one huge log.

Some of these pieces of oak weigh 300+ lbs.

Takes every bit of strength I have to move these pieces around. It's very straight wood and should split really well. I'll hopefully have enough cut and split to keep my fireplaces warm all winter.

This Stihl 026 chainsaw is 13 years old and still kicks ass. It was my dad's housewarming gift to me back in early '97.

Thanks Dad. Your gift is well used and appreciated after all these years.

UPDATE: Wood is split, now to stack.

Lower picture... note the three distinct color woods: Red Oak (brown), TN Cedar (purple), and Osage orange (yellow).

Storm chasing 10/26/10

2010-10-29T11:55:00.003-06:00

Two tornado warnings for my county on Tuesday this week.

Chased this impressive wall cloud, hoping to see a funnel drop, but it never really fully developed.

Helluva storm though....

NC Mountain wilderness - by boat, cycle, and hiking trail

2010-10-29T11:47:00.008-06:00

Photos from my recent trip to NC...
Fontana Lake, Nantahalla Forest, and Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Center Hill Lake - Last weekend in Sept. '10

2010-09-27T16:08:00.010-06:00

Center Hill Lake, Sept. 25-27, '10.

(click photos to enlarge)

On a mostly cloudy day, just as the sun was setting, a brilliant burst of yellow sunshine contrasted beautifully with the dark clouds (pic 1).

Looking toward the sun just moments later, the clouds parted briefly to reveal an ethereal sunset. (pic 2)

Hiking down the beach, I parked the Sea Ray on the soft sand. (pic 3)

Something I had not seen before, a deer swimming across the lake. I got quite close to her with the boat and watch her stagger to the shore, exhausted. (pic 4)

Walking along the cliffs I heard a big houseboat coming. Who would be out here on a Monday... besides me? Oh, it was Alan Jackson, taking his behemoth redneck house boat from the marina to his mansion.

I was surprised to find many wildflowers including fresh honey suckle vine growing along the lake. Also, lots of ripe scuppernong muscadine grapes around the lake edge. I collected a bouquet for the galley. Tea is a necessity for boating, ask any Brit.

Water temperature is still 79°, swimming was nice.

I really need to start bringing my camera on these trips. Again, all photos taken with my cell phone.

Thinking about screaming to Dave Ramsey

2010-08-27T10:16:00.005-06:00

By November, my house will be paid off.

Having an abundance of concerts in the past few years has allowed me to get way ahead on mortgage payments. I could pay it off now, but I think I might buy a car first. This will be the first time since my pre-college youth that I will be 100% debt free. I might just call Dave Ramsey and scream "I'm debt free!" This is one of the most important milestones of life. Wanted to do it before I turned 50, but whats a few months?

I've often thought about selling this place and moving to a more isolated setting with a bluff view or on the water, but I'm pretty happy with my place. I thought about reopening it as a Bn'B. I thought about building a smaller cabin in my woods and renting out the big house. Any ideas?

It will always be worth more than it's appraised value since it's a unique historic house, hand-hewn in the 1830's from red cedar, (moved and reassembled in the '60's), and location location location... it's on 4 acres in the largest stand of big oak forest within one mile of the largest undergraduate college in the state.

Not a bad spot.

Bottom pic: the back patio under the solarium is where I spend most of my time in the summer. 100% private, I like that.

TN River gorge - pictures of morning and storm clouds

2010-08-23T01:32:00.007-06:00

Morning in the TN River gorge. It was a calm serene morning. Osprey and blue heron were fishing. I was amazed by the lack of boat traffic for a Saturday. We definitely found the nicest and least populated part of the TN River gorge, near Raccoon Mountain, about 12 miles outside of Chattanooga.

I took these pics with a cell phone, so they are not very sharp, (click to enlarge).

Later that day, I saw it coming.

The thing most boaters don't want to see on the open water: a severe storm... except me of course, I like storms. On the radar, it looked like it would be brief, so I didn't put up my full canvass, a mistake.

By the time I saw the wall cloud dipping down, seeming headed right for my boat, I decided to drop anchor and hide in the cabin.

The wind then started picking up and serious waves started hitting the boat. I could tell my anchor was slipping because the waves were catching me broadside. Not good. Rain was pouring in from under the top canvass and every time I went out to put up the side canvass, lightning chased me back into the cabin. At times the boat was rocking pretty violently with white caps slapping the boat around. Quite a ride!

I was OK after the anchor caught and turned the boat into the wind which I estimate to have hit 55 mph with near zero visibility in heavy rain.

It was a great storm.

I love the summer.

Tennessee - the Hottest Place on Earth ... for a moment

2010-08-10T16:26:00.007-06:00

Heat Index: 130.8ºF.
KNQA: Millington Municipal Airport, TN, United States [54.9°C, 130.8°F], Aug. 3, '10

For weather nuts... I noticed that at one point, Millington, TN was the hottest place on Earth as measured by Heat Index. Heat Index is the measure of dewpoint (absolute humidity) and temperature, resulting in 'apparent temperature' or 'how hot it feels.' At the time on Aug. 3rd, Millington was reporting a temperature of 105ºF and a dewpoint of 80º. This (with fractions) resulted in a heat index of 130.8. Note that Millington was far from the highest temperature, but desert locations can often have a heat index lower than their actual air temperature. The usual places that have the highest heat indexes like Africa and the Middle East were dark (night time) at the time of Millington's report.

Find weather extremes like dewpoint and heat index at coolwx.com. (Some of the extreme readings displayed are occasionally due to malfuctioning sensors ... i.e. today's Crocket, TX 100º dewpoint and 198ºF heat index - obviously false readings). The Millington reading was in the ballpark within readings from the region at that time, so I think it was authentic.

Personally, I love hot weather. Today, there was a heat advisory in effect for TN. I was outside all day, playing guitar in the shade, by a fan, with occasional pool breaks. It was 95ºF here today with heat index well over 105º.

Center Hill Lake - mid July '10

2010-07-18T14:49:00.006-06:00

Center Hill Lake trip from Sligo to Great Falls at Rock Island State Park.

Swimming at night in an isolated section of Center Hill Lake, Iska said she's never experienced lake water that warm. It had to be over 90 degrees at the surface.

We hiked to the falls, swam around and sat behind the waterfall. An ideal place to be on a 95 degree day.

It was perfect. The boat ran great!

Fontana Lake videos and pictures

2010-07-05T17:20:00.009-06:00

Two videos of serenity and more pictures from Fontana Lake, early June, 2010.
The best way to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park - by boat.

Click to enlarge pics. (Sorry for the windy soundtrack on the vids).

Running Roark's Cove Rd. - 1000' climb in 2.8 miles

2010-07-05T16:16:00.005-06:00

I love running hills. The climb from the base of Roark's Cove Rd. up to Sewanee, TN is 1000 feet over 2.8 miles. After the climb, I run to Iska's house an additional 1.6 miles on the flat to complete a nice 4.4 mile run. It always seems that the last mile on the flat is harder than the hill. I can only manage about a 9 min mile up the steep. And, it's brutally steep in places, for extended stretches. In fact, it's such a climb, I can feel a change in the air from bottom to top. It is usually several degrees cooler at the top.

It's a great workout, and less impact than running on the flat. I do this run almost every time I visit Sewanee. July 4th weekend, I did this run every morning, 3 days in a row. A good way to celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday this week.

I intend to run this hill on my 60th birthday as well.

Check out the topo map, click to enlarge.

Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts Classical Guitar Seminar - Performance at TPAC

2010-07-05T16:09:00.004-06:00

TN Governor's School for the Arts first classical guitar seminar concluded with a performance by the quartet at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville on June 30th.

Congrats to Wes Atnip, Ian Baker, Ben Kass, and Max Marlowe for their performance of the Telemann Sonata in D and 2 Dances from "Terpsichore" by Michael Praetorius.

Special congrats to Max Marlowe - Third Prize Winner at the Austin Peay pre-college guitar competition.

Classical guitar LIVES in Tennessee!

Arturo Sandoval was the pinnacle of Chattanooga's Riverbend Festival. Awesome musician.

2010-06-22T11:40:00.010-06:00

Arturo Sandoval ripped a blend of modern jazz with smokin' hot bop to an appreciative crowd at Chattanooga's Riverbend Festival.

I just happened upon the festival and was happy to find a spot at the dock for my boat. I noticed a former student playing percussion with the band at one of the venues, so I decided to listen. I asked a volunteer for a schedule to see what was coming next and I saw "Arturo Sandoval" would be performing. THE Arturo Sandoval I thought?? Surely not the legendary Cuban jazz trumpeter, 4 time Grammy award winner??!!! Yes, it was true!

I was blown away. Not only did he play his trademark blazing fast bebop on trumpet, he also scat sang and played percussion. What a musician! He was also quite an entertainer (those 2 qualities are different, you know).

I heard Arturo warming up just above the boat dock. Blowing long tones, playing arpeggios. I spoke with him briefly. He ended his concert with a tune by his famous mentor, "A Night in Tunisia" by the late great Dizzy Gillespie. It was a memorable concert.

He was actually playing opposite of Charlie Daniels, who was on the main stage. Sorry, but Charlie sounded pathetic in comparison. I heard CDB play 4 tunes, Amazing Grace, The Star Spangled Banner, an arrangement of William Tell (showcasing the guitarist - I guess his concept of "classical guitar?"), and his hit - Devil went Down to Georgia. It was bad... unless you like out of tune fiddle playing. I was a CDB fan as a kid. I always liked the CDB album Saddletramp. I guess my tastes have evolved over the years. Charlie has since turned into a (self-described) redneck and a mediocre fiddler. By comparison, Arturo is at the top of his game. I know, apples and oranges.... yet, I tend to appreciate virtuosity over pop stardom.

Later that night, Iska and I went through the Chickamauga Lock and spent a beautiful night in a cove among the islands at Harrison Bay State Park.

Helene Yelverton's 50th Annual Dance Recital

2010-06-12T07:25:00.004-06:00

My beautiful mother celebrates 50 years as a dance teacher. Her studio is one of the most prestigious in upstate NY.

Article in the Binghamton Press.

Congrats to mom.

Pic 1 - Shelly, Mom, and Stephanie

Pic 2 - alumni student John and Mom on Broadway

Fontana Lake - June '10

2010-06-08T17:48:00.008-06:00

Smoky Mountain Paradise

Where else can you hike the Smokies for hours on a Saturday and not see anyone?

Nothing like four nights on the lake and in the woods ... with Iska. Fontana Lake was nearly full and the trails were as beautiful as ever.

The Lost Cove Trail to Shuckstack was particularly beautiful. The climb was brutal - 1000' in just one mile but the reward was excellent. The Appalachian Trail was full of flowers - flaming azaleas, spiderwort, mountain laurel, etc...

These are just cell phone photos, unfortunately I forgot my camera. (click on pics to enlarge)

Have boat, will travel....

Spring '10 concert season

2010-05-31T12:20:00.015-06:00

I played 10 concerts, gave 5 masterclasses, judged guitar competitions, and recorded new music with a Grammy Award winning production team.

Most rewarding was the opportunity to perform/judge at five guitar festivals: Texas Guitar Festival, Tennessee Guitar Festival, Indiana University Guitar Festival, Appalachian State Guitar Festival, and University of Louisville Guitar Festival.

It is always difficult to perform at guitar festivals that include a major guitar competition. Many of the audience members are superb guitarists, doctoral or masters level guitar students, and music professors.

It was great performing in such excellent concert halls. My two favorites were: University of Louisville's Comstock Hall, and Indiana University's Auer Hall.

Photos from the top:

1) Indiana University's Auer Hall

2) Appalachian State University's Rosen Concert Hall

3) University of Louisville's Comstock Hall

4) Recording session at Ocean Way Studio, Nashville. Recording Osterfield's - Klee Abstractions with Todd Waldecker, clarinet and Deanna Little, flute. Recording by Boston based Sound Mirror productions.

5) Leaving for yet another concert with a state vehicle. It's great to be an artistic ambassador for my state and university.

Looking forward to directing the first season of the Governors School for the Arts Classical Guitar seminar for talented TN high school students. I hope this program grows and more high school guitar students become involved in obtaining good quality guitar training.

Tennessee Guitar Festival at MTSU March 21-25

2010-03-19T02:51:00.006-06:00

Tennessee Guitar Festival at MTSU – March 21-25, 2010

All events free and open to the public.

The Tennessee Guitar Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the state, will present five consecutive nights of guitar concerts by some of America’s finest guitar virtuosos.

http://www.mtsu.edu/~yelverto/guitfest.html

Sun., March 21, 8:00 pm – Concert: William Yelverton, Roger Hudson

Mon., March 22, 1:40 – 3:40 pm – Masterclass: Enric Madriguera (SFA 117)

Mon., March 22, 8:00 pm – Concert: Enric Madriguera, Duo Guitiano

Tues., March 23, 8:00 pm – Concert: John Knowles, Nicholas Ciraldo

Wed., March 24, 9:30 am – 11:30 am – Masterclass: Nicholas Ciraldo (Hinton Hall)

Wed., March 24, 8:00 pm – Concert: Jason Vieaux

Thurs., March 25, 2:00pm - 4:00 pm - Masterclass: JasonVieaux (SFA 207)

Thurs., March 25, 8:00 pm – Concert: Silviu Ciulei, Tequila Flamenco Group

All concerts are in the Hinton Music Hall, Wright Music Building
Faulkinbery Drive, MTSU Campus

MTSU Guitar Students Sweep Beethoven Club Guitar Competition

2010-03-19T02:45:00.002-06:00

MTSU guitar student Otto Stoy has won FIRST PRIZE in the 32th annual Beethoven Club Young Artist Guitar Competition in Memphis on Saturday, March 6. Also, MTSU guitar students BJ Golden and John Hollandsworth were awarded SECOND and THIRD prizes respectively. Each received a cash award. Congratulations to Otto, BJ and John. This is the forth time MTSU students have swept all of the guitar awards in this annual competition.

Founded in 1888, The Beethoven Club is one of America's oldest private music clubs and sponsors an annual Young Artist Competition for Strings, Guitar, Piano, Voice, Woodwinds and Brass.

Breakfast

2010-02-20T18:04:00.011-06:00

A special occasion breakfast.

Valentine's Day morning by the fire - Arabica pressed coffee, flourless chocolate torte (low carb!), almonds, strawberries, bananas, 2 forks. Best Valentine's Day ever. One year ago, I met Iska on Valentine's Day.

I kept the fire going 5 days, til Wednesday of this week.

Actually, I've enjoyed this cold weather in some ways.

Ice Moon

2010-01-30T22:26:00.005-06:00

Looking up through the glass ceiling of my sunroom... full moon through the ice coated trees.

TN received a few inches of snow followed by freezing rain on 1/29/10.

Photos taken with a pocket Canon SD 900, no tripod.

Tornado season arrives in TN

2010-01-23T11:55:00.003-06:00

Sewanee tornado on 1/21. Photo by Ben Beavers (taken from the front of Shenanigan's)

This weak tornado touched down near the airport in Sewanee, about 1/4 mile from Iska's house. Ranked an EF-0 by the NWS, it hit right at dusk providing a really nice photo op.

Maybe this is the harbinger of things to come this season?

Hiking the Catskills - Fall and Winter '09

2010-01-05T23:27:00.005-06:00

Pictures from my Dec. hike to Slide mountain summit, and my Oct. hike to Wittenberg mountain summit.

The Catskill Mountains are in Southeastern New York State.

Both hikes were beautiful but Wittenberg was the best summit view and the more challenging hike. We did Slide the short way, 5.4 miles round trip. The upper trail was beautifully enclosed and sheltered by snowy pines and hemlocks.

The colorful leaves made the Wittenberg hike especially beautiful.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Thoughts on diet, weight control

2010-01-05T17:10:00.026-06:00

I think I'm a "snap back" type of person. I allow myself freedom to get messy, eat poorly (within my fish-only "quasi-vegetarian" lifestyle), get out of shape... until BAM, I "check myself." What I mean is ... when my household disorder becomes too much to bear, I clean ... sometimes to the nth degree. It's like a short-lived temporary obsession. When I get close to being "clinically overweight," that is a BMI index of 25 or above (for me at 5'7", that is 159 lbs) I often up my exercise, and reform my diet. That sometimes involves a cleanse which can include some fasting. More about that later...

Diet is a very personal thing. Americans, especially here in the South, are some of the fattest and least healthy people on the planet. What works for one person, may not for another. I know that I tend toward being hypoglycemic and have tried many different diet regimens in the past. I DO NOT follow conventional wisdom all the time.

What is an ideal weight?
Depends on what you want to do. If you want to ride the couch for life, you can be obese and probably live happily into your 70s, that is, IF you have good genes, don't smoke, and have good health care. But if you want to be a traveler, athlete, hiker, outdoorsman, etc... you'll not do well as an obese person. Here's why (... and this is my theory).

Most humans are physically mature (on the average) by their late teens. During this time, your musculature, joints, and connective tissue develop to support your specific weight. Even 10 lbs more than you weighed in your late teens will put added stress on your joints in later life since your joints weren't "designed" for this weight. If you wish to remain physically active, you should endeavor to maintain this weight or less - your weight at approximately age 18. As we age, our bodies don't repair themselves the same way as during adolescence which makes weight gain even more debilitating to the joints. Of course there are other factors, weight is just one, but one that we have control over.

Here is a list of things that work, and don't work for me, along with some pet peeves.

Three meals a day
If I ate the "normal American 3 square sit-down meals a day," I would be overweight, absolutely no doubt about it. Some diet plans involve eating several small meals a day with precise proportions. On it's face, this may be healthy but I find that so much meticulous attention to eating is psychologically counterproductive. Simply put, the more you eat, the more thought you put into dieting, the more you crave eating, and vice-versa. It's hard to stay fit living a 'food-centered life.'

Great American Breakfast
If I ate cereal, bread, waffles, pancakes, hash browns ... any grain, flour, or potato based item in any substantial amount in the morning for breakfast, I would be seriously crashing by late morning, needing a nap or strong coffee to keep me going. The idea of a large American pancake and hashbrown breakfast is deadly. I might as well take a large dose of sleeping pills. It truly is like a drug to me. Sometimes, when I'm home with my girlfriend on a Sunday morning, I will take this drug - known as a "Cracker Barrel pancake breakfast"... and spend the afternoon luxuriating in slovenly slumber... falling asleep to a movie or football game. Been there? Conventional wisdom calls for a substantial breakfast that includes whole grains. Sorry, doesn't work for me. An apple, and a hand full of almonds is perfect. Or, simply tea with raw sugar. Just enough to keep my blood sugar stable.

Sweeteners vs. Sugar
I don't get it. Why do people who think they are informed and "healthy" put chemicals like sucralose and aspartame into their bodies instead of the meager 15 calories per teaspoon that raw sugar provides? It's gross, disgusting, unhealthy... like trying to get healthy from a pill. The only good news you'll get about chemical sweeteners are from their corporate websites. Sucralose (Splenda) was discovered by scientists doing pesticide research, it contains chlorine, a carcinogen, along with a laundry list of chemicals not found in nature. One recent study compares Splenda to putting pesticide in your body. Diet sodas are the worst because they contain aspartame which has clearly been linked to a variety of side effects including dizziness and panic attacks. Sugar is painted as evil. I agree, white sugar IS evil. Not all sugars are created equal. Raw natural sweeteners are absorbed by the body more slowly than refined white sugar and corn sweeteners. I use raw sugar and maple syrup as my primary sweeteners. People dieting tend to eat foods loaded with chemicals. For example, fat free ice cream contains: dextrose, palm oil, high fructose corn syrup, mono and diglycerides, polydextrose, inulin, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose gum, locust bean gum, calcium sulfate, polysorbate 80.
Yuck.... not that I'm saying real ice cream is that much better for you, but... why don't people read labels? If they do, why would they consume such a host of chemical crap? I guess it's part of modern society where people think there is a chemical solution to any health risk or illness.

Fasting
I almost never do a complete fast for more than 24 hours. When I do, I may still drink a bit of juice to keep my blood sugar stable. When I "check myself" and start a weight loss diet, I often start with a brief fast and then slowly start eating raw fruits and vegetables - what I call a cleansing period. My most recent cleansing diet consisted of carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, oranges, grapefruit, and tea with raw sugar. I ate just these items for four days. With daily exercise, my weight dropped 9 lbs in 4 days - after ballooning up to 160 lbs during the holidays, down to a nominal 151. During these times, the digestive tract shrinks and the less I think about food, the less hungry I get and the less I eat. When I do get hungry, some tea with raw sugar eliminates hunger.

My Diet
Again, this is what works for me. And, I can say that it does work, proven by the fact that I am one of the only people I know that is about the same weight as I was in highschool and can (and sometimes do) wear the same clothes that I wore as a teenager... AND, I'm fairly healthy in that I rarely get sick, and I'm fit enough to have had success as a competitive athlete in my late 40s (age group awards in 5k races, national ranking as an age group sprinter). Soo... if it works for me, it may work for you, (especially the bit about eliminating most carbs and obsessing about diet).

Carbs

I am an acknowledged "carboholic." I love bread, pastries, pies, pastas, cereals, potatoes, popcorn, chips, etc... and I've found that if I was on a mission to gain weight, these are the things I would eat at every meal. Because I am a carboholic, I avoid carbs. I don't bring them into my house. When I go home for the holidays to my parents, you'll see me stuffing my face with garlic rolls and pasta at the local Italian joint because it's something I never do at home, and I do mean never. I have not purchased a beloved miche loaf of multigrain Panera bread in years. If I did, it would be consumed with tea as toast with butter and honey within a day or two. I love it too much, it's a special treat that I have just occasionally. Carbs simply make me feel tired and make me fat. I have replaced starchy carbs in my diet with fats and protein in the form of nuts, fish, and occasionally, beans - I like chickpeas. I even eat dark chocolate in small amounts, which for me, is much healthier than oatmeal. They say that calories are calories, no matter the source. I say BS. Calories from starchy carbs seem to pack the weight on me unlike calories from say, juice, or tea with sugar. Yes, yes, I know, sugar is a carb but it doesn't have the same effect on me.

Vegetarianism

I am not a true vegetarian because I eat seafood. Would it hurt me to eat chicken, pork or beef a few times a month? Probably not much, but it's a commitment I made almost 20 yrs ago for health reasons. The commercial meat industry is disgusting. Today's supermarket grade meats are so pumped with growth hormones and antibiotics it is amazing. Not to mention, "land animal" fat is not the kind of fat you want in your blood stream. Seafood offers a better type of fat. People are now eating fish oil supplements because this type of fat is healthy for the heart.
A pet peeve I have about vegetarians is that many eat high fat dairy products like cheese, whole milk, ice cream, eggs, etc... eating these foods in abundance pretty much negates the healthy lifestyle that vegetarians try to achieve. I haven't cooked an egg in 20 yrs but I will very occasionally eat baked goods that contain them. A good substitute for eggs in recipes is a mixture of soy milk and corn starch. I don't drink cows milk although I'll occasionally put it in my coffee if I am out and about.

What I eat

One main meal. That's totally enough. It could be a huge salad with a small piece of fish, roasted or sauteed vegetables, greens and beans. Other 'meals' are snacks that could be a raw piece of fruit, nuts, or a vegetable like a carrot or cucumber. Sometimes just a glass of juice, (V8, white grape, and apple are my favorites) and sometimes black tea with raw sugar. I can feel absolutely stuffed and satisfied, eating a 2 crowns of steamed broccoli with sauteed onions, and mushrooms in spaghetti sauce (Classico brand - 50 cal/serving) - a less than 400 calorie meal with low carbs. For a snack, a colorful variety of crisp vegetables I take to work with me in a baggie: carrots, celery, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, zucchini, etc.... or a celery heart with some spicy V8 juice is a great snack. Sometimes small spicy/salty veggie snacks are a really satisfying low calorie way to deal with hunger.

Overall, simple is best. Less refined, more fresh, no processed crap or chemically laden foods, smaller wild-caught low toxicity fish, and a creative and colorful variety of produce that includes fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, melons, greens, tomatoes, beans, squash, and of course ... dark chocolate.

Weight loss

I've observed stages of fat loss. Most people, probably 95%, have a band of 'firm fat' in the usual places. When I'm actively fasting, cleansing, or dieting, it is usually because I am "snapping back" from a period of weight gain when I feel an excess of firm fat on my body. For most, these bands of fat will remain for life, which I don't think is particularly healthy since toxins can be stored in fatty tissue.

A chemistry professor I once had, who was an outstanding marathon runner into his 40s, noted that the human body must 'learn' to burn it's fat reserves. That is why I continue my exercise routine even when fasting or dieting, because my body has no choice but to burn it's fat reserves. It is interesting to observe the stages of fat reduction. First, the firm fat on my sides and abs becomes soft and jelly like. Then it slowly disappears. When I am running competitively, I try to get as light as possible without sacrificing strength, that means reducing body fat. My normal average weight is about 148-150. My best competitive weight is about 9 lbs less. 9 lbs in a 5k race is huge for me.

Last word

Most importantly, don't obsess about diet. Don't make food the center of your life. Be a doer, not a sitter. There is always time to ride the couch. It only takes 20-25 minutes to get a killer work out. Even 15 min is better than nothing, especially if it is intense, like running 2 miles at 7 min pace.

Bears in the GSMNP, don't be afraid

2009-10-26T09:36:00.007-06:00

If you're a hiker, don't fear the bears.

We had 6 bear sightings last week in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on 2 hikes. Five were from the hike up the Appalachian Trail from Fontana Dam to Shuckstack.

There seemed to be a lot of campsites closed due to 'bear activity'...and a bellicose new sign I hadn't seen before: "Campsite #XX is closed due to aggressive bear activity."

Aggressive? From what we saw, these animals were anything but. They could not wait to get out of view of us. One came down a tree so fast that I thought it would fall.

I sent a photo of the above sign to my father. He sent me a few hysterical texts, hinting that I was putting my life and Iska's in grave danger. Absurd. Bears don't go after hikers. They go after the smell of food, smells usually created from cooking at a campsite.

This bear photo I took at a distance of about 50' with 3X zoom. Isn't he cute? This bear was in our path just off the trail and when I yelled at him, and waved my stick, he promptly left. I followed him a little ways and when I got too close, he let me know by squaring around on all fours, facing me. Like he was saying, 'don't mess with me.' I didn't, I took the photo and left.

The only circumstances that I could see that a bear would be aggressive to a hiker is if a bear were surprised and had no easy way to run away or if you got in between a mother and cub. Otherwise, don't fear the bears. They have an extreme fear of humans and your fear of them is not healthy during an encounter. You should stand your ground and ready your hiking pole or walking stick just in case.

Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains - Oct. '09

2009-10-26T08:56:00.009-06:00

Fontana was as beautiful as ever.

Four nights on the boat in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains, an ideal getaway. The fall colors were nearly at a peak.

Iska and I did two hikes, saw 6 bears and a lot of beautiful trees.

Despite the cool temperatures, I swam everyday. The water temperature was about 65 degrees and one morning when I swam, the air temperature was 40 degrees, but it was sunny.

The boat ran great and due to some high winds and showers, we kept the canvass up most of the time and the heat on inside at night. The new electric blanket made the bed quite cozy. The weather was generally mild (near 70 during the day, upper 40s at night) except on the last day when a cold front came through, Sat night it was in the 30's. We had one rainy day but were able to hike everyday we were there. The rainy day was great for some evening movies.

We did the Shuckstack tower hike from Fontana Dam and the High Rocks hike from Forney Creek - 16 miles roundtrip and 3500' climb. Unfortunately, High Rocks peak was socked in with fog and quite cold.

Here are descriptions of the photos from top to bottom (click on photos to enlarge) :

1) Morning fog - looking north toward the Welch Ridge from Fontana Lake.

2) Me and the boat

3) View from Shuckstack tower

4) Dawn on the lake

5) Boat at Chambers Creek

6) Shoreline near the dam

7) View north from Shuckstack

8) Iska hiking in the rich colored forest, Bear Creek Trail

9) Iska at an overlook on the Appalachian Trail near Shuckstack

10) Iska hiking

11) Me swimming on a 40 degree morning

12) Iska doing yoga stretches on shore in the morning sun

13) Iska and I on the roof of Shuckstack Tower

August boat trip on Center Hill Lake

2009-09-01T20:04:00.012-06:00

Boating to Great Falls at Rock Island State Park and a wilderness hike up Pine Creek

(click on pics for larger view)

The old classic Sea Ray is running like new thanks to Ed at Ed's Marine. I've been wanting to get back to the spectacular falls at Rock Is. since my trip there in June. I finally made it back during the last week in Aug on Mon and Tues. I had the place to myself. Traveling down from Sligo Marina, the most isolated part of Center Hill Lake is south of Pates Ford Marina. Some sections of the lake were mirror still. I stopped occasionally to swim, and once to photograph a large swimming rodent, not sure if it was an otter or muskrat.

I invited friends John and Nancy to hike up Pine Creek the next day. Pine Creek is a canyon with steep walls and grandiose rock formations. The creek goes underground less than a mile before a nice waterfall with a swimming hole. I have never seen anyone there on several hikes, it's a very isolated spot.

Both of these locations are absolutely perfect places to be during hot weather. They always seem cooler than the open lake area and certainly much cooler than in town.

Enjoy the pics. It was a great trip.

Flowers, Fire, and cool evening weather

2009-07-18T23:17:00.007-06:00

Flowers are looking nice by the pool here at Bill's TN Paradise.

What an amazingly cool night for mid-July. It's expected to get in the mid 50's tonight. Glad the pool is heated.

It's a nice night to light the patio fireplace.

Also a nice night to run. I pounded out 2 miles at 6:40 pace tonight. Fastest I've run in a while.

Pine Creek hike from Center Hill Lake

2009-07-16T18:50:00.007-06:00

It's one of those secret places. A place that's shady, cool, beautiful.... an undeveloped wilderness where I have never seen another person in the several times I've hike here.

It was about 95 degrees in Nashville that day, but in the deep canyon of Pine Creek, probably in the low 80's.

Iska and I arrived by boat from Center Hill Lake and started the nearly 2 hour hike to the falls. Much of the hike was actually walking in the creek. There is no trail. After a few miles, the creek is bordered on both sides by huge walls. Eventually, the creek runs dry and who would imagine there would be a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole up ahead? For about a half mile or so before the falls, the creek is dry.

Note the interesting rock formations and the mist illuminated by the sunshine near the falls.

Unfortunately, these photos are not too sharp because they were taken with a cell phone. (click on photos to enlarge)

We also visited Great Falls at Rock Island State Park. The falls were incredible. I wish I had brought my camera, but I didn't.

Stay tuned, I hope to go back next week to get some pictures of Great Falls. What a stunning place.

MTSU Guitar Student wins First Prize in Houston Guitar Competition

2009-07-16T18:12:00.011-06:00

BJ Golden wins First Prize in the collegiate division of the Classical Minds Guitar Competition in Houston on July 2, '09. The Classical Minds Competition is part of the Texas Music Festival at the University of Houston.

BJ, who will be a senior at MTSU next year, won the $500 First Prize. He played music of Mertz, Regondi, Bellinati, Morel, and his own jazz transcription of Earl Klugh's Autumn Leaves. BJ played great.

I performed at the festival and enjoyed seeing my colleagues, Doug James, Elliot Frank, Jon Akers, and festival director, Valerie Hartzell.

(photo: Doug, BJ, and I)

I also taught some very talented students. I was particularly amazed and inspired by the level of performance of the high school level students. Texas has emerged as the major 'guitar state' in America - largely through the efforts of Adam Holzman students, particularly Matt Hinsley - director of the Austin Classical Guitar Society, the largest classical guitar society in America that has developed valuable guitar education outreach programs.

I'm happy to say MTSU guitar student BJ Golden is a great example of a guitar student making a living as a performer. Just 2 days after winning this classical guitar competition, BJ took the stage on July 4th as a sideman for the country group Carolina Rain in a performance for several thousand people in Salt Lake City.

Houston was quite warm, 102 everyday and very little rain. I was amazed that it stayed so warm at night, only 'cooling down' to only about 88 degrees by the wee hours. Sooo happy to be back. See my next post.

Fontana trip - June '09

2009-06-10T12:14:00.014-06:00

Fontana Lake was beautiful as always. The best way to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

click on pictures to enlarge (I forgot my camera on this trip so all of these photos were taken with my cell phone. Not bad for cell phone pics!)

I'm always amazed at the length of the days up in the Smoky Mountains this time of year. This first photo was taken after 9 pm, shortly after sunset with plenty of day light remaining.

The first day, it was foggy and drizzly, so we waited until the next day to hike up out of Eagle Creek via the steep Lost Cove Trail to the Appalachian Trail and the Shuckstack firetower - the best view in the park.

Iska proved to be quite a great hiker, leading me up the steep trail at a relentless pace. Skipping over water crossings and balancing on logs over the creeks. She's also a nice subject to photograph as well!

On the Appalachian Trail, mountain laurel and flaming azaleas were blooming. We saw one bear on the way up and it was running away from us.

It was warm enough to swim and I waterskied after I gave Iska a brief tutorial on how to drive the boat. The water was like glass one morning and I couldn't resist.

We also visited some old family cemeteries, the visitor's center at the dam, and did a hike up the beautiful Forney Creek. I got into a brief debate with a retired TVA worker at the desk at the visitor's center about the North Shore Road controversy. I said, "I'm so glad they didn't build that road! I can't believe anyone would actually consider that a viable option." The old lady said "why not?" That set me off. Iska would say I was being pugilistic. (heh...look that one up)

Awesome trip.

NY concert with John Covelli

2009-05-15T14:45:00.006-06:00

May 10, at the Firehouse Stage in Johnson City, NY. In concert with pianist, John Covelli. Performing the Rodrigo Concerto: Fantasia para un gentilhombre.

It was a great concert. Maestro Covelli performed Beethoven, Chopin, Ginestera, and List. I performed Piazzolla, Brouwer and the Rodrigo concerto with John Covelli accompanying. I played Roger Hudson's "Delta" for an encore.

Despite the less than great piano, John Covelli made the music sound great, as usual. He received a standing ovation. I particularly liked the Ginestera. The rather pointed sounding Baldwin piano lacked the lushness and warmth that I'm used to hearing in the second movement of the Ginestera Argentinian Dances, but in the final virtuosic dance of the set, the rather percussive sounding piano seemed to actually enhance the performance. Covelli was great. I was surprised to hear that he had just learned these pieces.

John Covelli is quite a musical illuminary in the Binghamton, NY area where he conduted the Binghamton Symphony for 2 decades. He is a true virtuoso pianist, having won both the Queen Elizabeth of Brussels, and Busoni International Piano Competitions.

It was a pleasure to perform with John and a nice visit with my mom and dad on Mother's Day weekend. I may be returning to do a concert at the same venue in Oct. Stay tuned.

MTSU School of Music Faculty Tornado Victims Benefit Concert

2009-05-04T01:19:00.006-06:00

MTSU Music Faculty Tornado Victims Benefit Concert
Wednesday May 6, 7:30 pm
Hinton Music Hall, Wright Music Building, Faulkinberry Dr, MTSU Campus

Suggested donation- $10 to benefit the Heart of TN American Red Cross

We have a great concert lined up for Wednesday night. Hope you can make it for a good cause. The concert will be about an hour.

I'll be playing the Rodrigo 'Fantasia para un gentilhombre' guitar concerto with Titus Bartos on piano, and the Piazzolla History of the Tango with Andrea Dawson, violin. Also, MTSU Jazz Studies Director, Don Aliquo will be performing on tenor sax, pianist Leopoldo Erice will play Bach, and tenor Stephen Smith will perform the beloved aria, Nessun dorma.

Hope you can make it to this great benefit concert - our last concert of the season.

The April 10 Murfreesboro EF4 tornado destroyed over 100 homes and caused over $40 million in damage.

MTSU Guitar grad wins Rosario Guitar Competition

2009-04-26T20:19:00.006-06:00

Erol Ozsever wins First Prize at the Rosario Guitar Competition in Columbia, South Carolina.

In the finals, Erol performed Aquarelle by Sergi Assad, and Muerte del Angel Tango by Piazzolla.

Judges for the competition held during the weekend of April 25, '09, included Steve Aron, Christopher Berg, and Valerie Hartzell.

Erol graduated from MTSU with a degree in Guitar Performance and now is finishing his Masters as a Graduate Assistant at Indiana University under Ernesto Bitetti.

Congrats Erol!!

Murfreesboro tornado damage

2009-04-13T10:20:00.011-06:00

The bad news

Many people lost a lot in the 4-10-09 Murfreesboro tornado. The map shows the path of the tornado (click to enlarge).

It was worse than I thought.

The NWS tornado survey said at it's max, the tornado was EF3, 1/2 mile wide, on the ground for 23 miles and caused total destruction of well built houses.

My brother jokingly urged me to 'sneak in and loot.' A dark sense of humor.

UPDATE:
Murfreesboro tornado reached EF-4 intensity

From the NWS:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT TEAM HAS DETERMINED
THAT THE TORNADO WHICH STRUCK MURFREESBORO ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON REACHED EF-4 IN INTENSITY. EF-4 INTENSITY...WITH WINDS NEAR 170 MPH...WAS REACHED IN THE HIGHLAND PARK DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS
THE TOMAHAWK TRACE AREA. SEVERAL WELL CONSTRUCTED HOMES WERE DESTROYED IN THESE AREAS...HARDWOOD TREES WERE DEBARKED...AND VEHICLES WERE TOSSED CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE.

FINAL SUMMARY (TIMES BASED ON RADAR)...

STRENGTH...EF-4
MAXIMUM WINDS...170 MPH
PATH LENGTH...23.25 MILES
WIDTH...MAXIMUM 750 YARDS
TOUCHDOWN TIME...1219 PM
TORNADO END TIME...1255 PM

Storm chasing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

2009-04-10T23:27:00.013-06:00

Storm Chasing in Murfreesboro

It was an exceptionally fine and productive day of storm chasing. I intercepted this tornado near Osborne Lane in Murfreesboro, TN yesterday. This tornado was near the end of it's life and was beginning to "rope-out" by the time it crossed rt. 96 near Lascasas. I actually entered the debris cloud at one point and came within a quarter mile. It was a very impressive tornado at one point, causing localized devastation, dozens of injuries, and 2 deaths. It missed my house by at least 3 miles.

The second picture was taken by my friend Titus Bartos from Murfreesboro Rd. when the tornado was much stronger.

I really love to witness the power of nature. It was a rare opportunity. Some part of me likes the eerie sound of that tornado siren at MTSU.

Here is a short video I took as the tornado was moving away from me after I passed through the debris cloud off Osborne Lane.

Watch the initial touchdown that was captured on a webcam live on WKRN. Listen to the broadcasters, they were obviously impressed, nearly freakin' out over the seriousness of the situation. (youtube video below)

MTSU Guitar Grad selected as semi-finalist in Parkening Int'l Guitar Competition

2009-03-15T18:08:00.014-06:00

(Updated) MTSU Guitar Grad Silviu Ciulei has been selected as one of 5 finalists in the Parkening International Guitar Competition at Pepperdine University on May 28, through Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Silviu was awarded the $500 semi-finalist prize and the $1000 Fifth Prize. Silviu was the only college student presently attending in the United States to win a prize in this, the preeminent guitar competition in the world.

This competition has the largest cash awards of any classical guitar competition in the world. Over $65,000 in prize money, including the $30,000 First Prize. (The $30,000 1st Prize exceeds even that of the famous Van Cliburn piano competition).

After graduating from MTSU last spring, Silviu was awarded a Graduate Assistantship and a Dean's Fellowship last fall at Florida State University where he studies with Bruce Holzman, my old teacher.

Watch Silviu performing one of the required pieces for the competition on youtube.

(Pic of Silviu partying out on my boat)

Also, congrats to MTSU Guitar students Javier Castellote and Kip Minton for winning 2nd and 3rd Prize at the Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition in Memphis on 3/7. They earned $200 and $100 in Prize money.

The beautiful gift of music

2009-03-12T17:05:00.008-06:00

While on tour, I performed at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. I stayed a few days with Christopher Berg. I loved his place because had no less than 5 lutes, a vihuela and various other instruments.

He gave me this piece I had heard him play, Lullaby Blue. Such a sweet, beautiful and emotional piece, I learned it as soon as I got home. It was a great gift.

Have a listen, I think you'll like it too:

Lullaby Blue MP3

Here's a photo of me at Christopher's place playing his vihuela and a photo of us after my concert.

Congrats to Christopher on his excellent article in Soundboard Magazine: "The Re-imagination of Performance, " and his recent engagement.

First week of 5k training - TORTURE!

2009-03-05T19:49:00.006-06:00

Maybe I'll run a few 5k races. I really hate this training but part of me loves it, I must have a masochist streak in me.

This was my first week of serious 5k training after a meager injury filled indoor sprint season. I'm amazed that my crappy 55m sprint time is still in the top ten (#8) nationally in my age group. I know I can do better.

But for now, I'll just torture myself with 3 or 4 more weeks of 5k training and maybe run a few races before it gets warm.

Here was my first week - and it was a ball buster!!

2/27: 4 miles - 7:02 avg pace

2/28: 6 miles - 7:09 avg pace

2/3: 8 half miles intervals with 3 min rest between at 3:01 avg pace

2/5: 3 miles in 20:01 (6:40 pace), 2 miles in 13:41 (6:50 pace); 1 mile in 6:13 .... 8 min rest between intervals

TORTURE !!!

More snow pictures

2009-03-05T09:56:00.005-06:00

Impatiens.

Yes, those are impatiens growing in my window in the dead of a winter storm. Those red/orange impatiens are actually more than 2 yrs old. Some people call them "annuals" ...heh.

Snow path

Picture 2 is the path through my woods on the morning of the snow.

Homestead

My homestead on the morning of March 1, 2009, under a fresh snow.

Snow sculpture monolith

2009-03-01T14:32:00.009-06:00

Here at Bill's TN Paradise, I can't be happy just building an ordinary snowman...

No.... I have to craft a 15 foot tall sculptured snow MONOLITH.

As the snow has virtually melted around urban Murfreesboro, at 2:40pm, there is still plenty left on the ground at Bill's TN Paradise.

Tennessee Snow

2009-03-01T09:16:00.006-06:00

The biggest snowfall in years hit parts of TN. Parts of west central TN received well over a foot and maybe as much as 2' in some isolated locations.

Here at the homestead, we got 3" to 4" in Murfreesboro ... it's sticking to everything because it was preceded by heavy freezing rain.

I just spoke to my students at a competition in Columbus, GA and they said it is snowing there. This morning it is still snowing in GA and AL.

I'll update later with more pics.

Guitar Life: concert tour - first impressions

2009-02-26T01:01:00.012-06:00

This concert tour was exactly what I needed exactly when I needed it. The 6 concerts I played in SC, NC and TN were a great success and truly motivational. It was the 'highest density' tour I've attempted to date - during one stretch (3/18- 22) I did 4 concerts in 5 days, each in a different city.

I will have a more detailed post up when my pictures and reviews come in, but in short, I just wanted to mention that this concert tour reaffirmed me, and I feel spiritually refreshed and awakened. I feel a renewed ambition to improve myself as a musician and do more touring and recording. I never want to get too far away from music again.

After a great week, life in general just feels good. After getting home on Monday from concerts in NC and a long drive (I hammered it - Greensboro, NC to Murfreesboro, TN in just 6 hrs!), I got out of the hot tub and laid in front of the fireplace on my porch with my cats. The sun was setting, everything looked so nice, the plants were beautiful, the house was clean, it felt good to be home. I can't tell you how good life is when all I have to be concerned about doing is playing and teaching classical guitar. It is amazing to me that I can go out and be with good friends, play concerts, have fun, and in doing so, earn a month's pay in a week. I just feel so happy, humbled and somehow undeserving of this wonderful lifestyle.

People seemed to really like my program. I feel like I really connected with my audiences.

(Even with relatively small crowds, I still sold over 40 CDs in 5 concerts).

Pictures: 1) Poster from Elon University. 2) Leaving for SC in the MTSU car. 3) In concert with my lute at the University of SC in Columbia.

.... still haven't unpacked.

Gearing up for the concert tour

2009-02-13T12:34:00.005-06:00

Gettin' ready...

It's really been fun preparing... scooting to school with the guitar on my back on my cycle to play for Music Appreciation classes, elementary kids at Lascasas School, and my own guitar rep classes. William, my cat in the photo has been my constant audience while I practice. He's a good listener but offers very little feedback.

It's not easy playing solo classical concerts. Especially when there are so many variables involved that could affect performance. Things like temperature, humidity and even more importantly the right hand fingernails. Classical guitarists produce their sound with right hand nails and the health and shape of the nails is paramount. Right now, my nails suck, but the show must go on so I'm using false nails cut from a ping-pong ball glued underneath the damaged nail - a common trick of the trade of classical guitarists. Unfortunately ... this is the first tour I will be using ALL fake nails. Usually, it's just one or 2.

This type of performance is not like a writers night or a bar band gig. The University concert series circuit is bit more demanding. Few performers know what it's like to walk out on stage with just a guitar and fingernails, no amplifier, no band to blend in with, no bar chatter, 100 guitar players and music students in the audience sitting in the dark in dead silence watching my every move under the bright lights with great attention while I'm being paid as much as $1000 an hour to play and get it right while my professional reputation is riding on every difficult passage I play. The technical difficulties and level of scrutiny are what separate this type performance from others. Confidence and preparation are everything. My attitude is that I can't be consumed with caring about mistakes, more so, I care about expressing the art of music, connecting with my audience, and having a good time. I can't wait to check out that University car and hit the road.

Valentines Day event - Monteagle Winery

2009-02-13T12:09:00.004-06:00

Valentines Day event

Free wine tasting, chocolate and classical guitar.

As a tune up recital for my upcoming concert tour, I'll be playing a concert on Saturday at 6 pm at the Monteagle Winery. (Details of the concert tour and sound clips at my Myspace page).

Here's the promotional blurb:

Dear friends,

Please join us at the Monteagle Winery on Saturday, Feb. 14 for free wine tasting, chocolate and classical guitar. MTSU Music Faculty William Yelverton will be performing a 6:00 pm classical guitar and lute concert. The Monteagle Winery is about 90 minutes from Nashville, or an hour from Murfreesboro on I-24 East, exit 134. Turn left toward Sewanee and the Winery will be less than a mile on your right.

The Monteagle Winery is now under the ownership of MTSU 's Dr. Tony Johnston, master winemaker. If you like wonderful fruity wines, chocolate and classical guitar, please join us on Valentines Day. The very diverse and entertaining concert program will contain guitar and lute music from the Renaissance and Baroque, as well as Spanish Flamenco and Brazilian jazz. Come and enjoy for free.

William Yelverton will also be playing the same program at Blair School of Music's Turner Recital Hall in Nashville on Wed. February 25 at 8:00 pm. The Blair School of Music is located on 2400 Blakemore Ave.

Nice cool southern weather

2009-02-05T10:43:00.004-06:00

Ahh... it never gets really cold in Tennessee, right?

Check out these temperature reports from Mt. LeConte lodge in the Smoky Mountains:

2/3:
High temperature: 13
Low temperature: -22

2/4:
High temperature: -10
Low temperature: -18

The most moving part of the Inauguration for me

2009-01-21T23:28:00.013-06:00

UPDATE: It has been reported that this performance was synced to prerecorded music. I thought that this might be the case when hearing how perfect the sound was, how balanced and how true the intonation was despite the bitter cold. They were playing, however playing to their previously recorded performance and it was convincing, but it was a recording we all heard.

Perlman said that the recording, which was made on Sunday at the Marine Barracks in Washington, was used only as a last resort.
“It would have been a disaster if we had done it any other way,” he said. “This occasion’s got to be perfect. You can’t have any slip-ups.”

(I guess Justice Roberts didn't get that message ; )
-----------------------------------------------------

It brought tears to my eyes. What an incredible and joyous sound, and so uniquely American. Made famous by Aaron Copeland, the Shaker hymn was a great choice for the occasion. I can't tell you how moved I was by the performance of this John Williams arrangement of "Air and Simple Gifts" by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill. Yo-Yo was absolutely beaming a big smile throughout the performance. This, by far, was the most moving part of the inauguration. This 'A-list' of performers also shows the diversity of America. Perlman - born an Israeli, Yo-Yo Ma - French born of Chinese parents, Gabriela Montero - a Latin American born in Venezuela, and Anthony McGill - an African American from Chicago. This was a celebration of all things that make America great.

If 2 million people could turn out to Washington to watch this with no major incidents, I hope this is a harbinger for the future of the cooperation, good will, and hope yet to come for a better America.

One criticism I must mention regarding the TV coverage, I have to say, I was terribly disappointed that CNN's Wolf Blitzer broke in and began to speak over this wonderful performance. I quickly switched to MSNBC and never went back. In my view, this was a very insensitive and disrespectful thing to do to both the listeners and these great artists.

MLK's Dream

2009-01-19T14:31:00.005-06:00

Listening to Soledad O'Brien's tearful interview of Andrew Young on CNN where he recounts the last speech, the last morning, and the assassination of Dr. King was quite moving. I hope I can get the video up soon.

This MLK Day seems so extra special with the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama coming tomorrow. Politics aside, it just makes me feel so good, proud and hopeful to be an American again.

It was the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference (NCLC), an affiliate of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference that took on the task to organize black college students from Fisk and elsewhere to stage sit-ins to desegregate downtown Nashville. Under the the direction of Reverend Kelly Miller Smith, NCLC president and pastor of First Colored Baptist Church on Eighth Avenue, early in 1959, the NCLC began a movement to desegregate by targeting lunch counters at Greyhound bus terminals, Grant's variety store, Walgreen's drugstore, Cain-Sloan's and Harvey's department stores.

Read more on this remarkable history of the Nashville sit-ins.

I'd really like to think that we've come a long way since those days and I am absolutely euphoric over tomorrow's inauguration, truly a step toward fulfilling MLK's dream.

Rest easy Dr. King.

The return of an old slow sprinter

2009-01-13T01:24:00.002-06:00

I ran my first sprint race at the Ed Temple Classic at TSU on 1/11. I was sore before the race and did not get a good start. I ran with some great athletes and it was a blast. I did not get hurt and it was over so fast. i hope to improve on my pathetic 7.59 time in the next meet.

Nevertheless, my lowly 7.59 is the fastest electronic time recorded thus far this year in the Masters Rankings for the 55m in the 45-49 age group. I'm sure there will be faster times as the season rolls on. Nice to get on the board however.

I AM a sprinter

2009-01-08T17:23:00.005-06:00

Not just any sprinter... a white 48 yr old sprinter.

Today, I worked out with the MTSU sprinters under the watchful eye of USATF Hall of Fame Track Coach, Dean Hayes. I took several gun starts with the team. It felt great. No injuries or strain. I ran several full speed sprints letting up after about 30m. I preceded this with an hour long warm up of jogging, stretching, and a variety of striders and lunges.

It was really cool to hang with the team. Many of these sprinters are here on scholarship from Africa. Being the only white guy and twice their age, they treated me so politely and were so friendly, it was a joy to be there. I felt like a kid again. I can't tell you how much fun I had. I was definitely a curiosity. Like that writer George Plimpton who used to write about his experiences as an ordinary guy doing extraordinary things. When the gun went off, I definitely did not feel out of place. Even though I was just slightly faster than some of the women, I did have one real good start where I was only 2 steps behind the guy leading at 30m when I let up. Based on the times these guys run, and how far ahead they are, I would estimate my time to definitely be over 7.

I think a realistic goal for Sunday's Ed Temple Classic would be 7.2 for the 55m. According to Masters Rankings, 7.2 is listed as the "all-American Standard" for my age group for the 55m. There has been only a few times posted for this event in my age group thus far this season, and no fast electronic times.

Dean Hayes asked me if I was ready, and I said, "I only have to hang together for 7 seconds... hopefully 6.9."

Dreamin'....

Holiday season in upstate NY - inspiration for the New Year

2009-01-02T11:37:00.015-06:00

Happy 2009!

Here's my xmas snowman from my parents' home in NY.

Our family was inspired this holiday season by my nephew Kris. On Christmas eve, Kris invited a friend to have dinner with our family that he knew would be alone otherwise. His friend Joel is a very big guy, a shot putter from the Caribbean. What made this so inspiring for me was that my nephew Kris not only made the effort to accommodate Joel on Christmas eve, a complete stranger to our family's home, but made the effort to learn ASL (American Sign Language) to communicate with Joel who is deaf and does not speak. Joel was a classy polite individual and my nephew Kris set an example of good will and thoughtfulness that set the tone for our holiday season and New Year. At xmas dinner (below), Dad remarked appropriately about what Kris had done. Kris had extended himself to accommodate a friend, even learning a 'new language' to do so. Way to go Kris!

One of my resolutions for the New Year is to be more kind, be a better friend, give what I can to help people, and be a better person. I've been lucky to have what I have in life, especially my family and friends.

After some delicious 'food sport' at Cracker Barrel on New Years Day, I was happy to drive to Cookeville where Tana and I collected her mom's cat Phylicia, so she could get her shots updated. Tana continually impresses me with her commitment to animal care and well being. She has a big heart for animals and is a wonderful person. I've learned a lot from her about pet care.

Masters Indoor Track - 'tis the season

2008-12-18T15:39:00.008-06:00

Well, I've been threatening to do this for a year now and finally, the time is now. I'm planning to sprint competitively for the first time in 30 years on Dec. 27 (pending weather) at the Upstate Holiday Classic at RIT in NY. Of course, I've not really been training for this specifically, but I have been running. Like last year, this was a last minute decision. I will be in NY for the holidays and this year, I'll be bringing my Adidas. I plan to run the 55m and the 200m at RIT. If all goes well and I do ok, I'll likely run in the Ed Temple Indoor meet at TSU on 1/11. I've already registered but not yet paid.

I tried out my sprint legs yesterday at the Murphy Center. I ran two 300's with some of the elite college runners. Yea they smoked me but I was able to stay with them for 150m, not bad for an old white guy. I also did 4 full power starts out of the blocks with my spikes. Felt fine! No leg issues except that I'm a little sore today. Amazing that I can run 2:45 half mile repeats for days and feel no soreness, but just sprint two 300's and I'm sore. It's a totally different running experience.

For my first meet, I'd love to be around 7.5 in the 55m and under 25.0 in the 200m. I'd like to 'get on the board' at the Masters Rankings website. On the other hand, if I can't break 8 in the 55m and 26 in the 200m, I think I'll just hang it up.

Maybe if I get two meets under my belt with decent times, I'll get the balls to bug Dean Hayes again to let me run in a college meet at the Murphy Center. Last year he was kind enough to put me in but I had to scratch at the last minute. I don't want to ask him again unless I've actually done it before ...
I mean sometime since 1978:

UPDATE: I scratched from the 12/27 RIT meet. It was 3 hrs away and I entertained at my parent's 49th Anniversary party the night before and didn't feel like getting up early to drive the 3 hrs to race. I would not have been able to run the 200m and the 55m would have been risky since my left quad has again been strained since the last workout. I hope I'll be ready in 2 weeks to run the 55m at TSU.

Do the right thing - spay/neuter your animal

2008-12-18T09:40:00.011-06:00

I saw him again... that cat.

My woods are full of feral cats. They seemed to be breeding out of control. I've always suspected a particular large black and white tom cat was the father of many of these young cats. I also suspect he has fought with my cats. I see him all the time, walking around my property, drinking from my pool - like he owns the place. I saw him again last night. So, I decided to try and trap him. I've learned that having him neutered will take away that instinct to fight and also control the cat population around here.

After less than an hour, the trap was sprung but empty. Drat, that cat is too smart to get caught. So, I reset the trap in a different location and caught a cat, but not the one I wanted. This little female tabby looked to be less than a year old. The ear wasn't tipped* so I knew she hadn't been fixed. I called the Beesley clinic and they said they could take her today so I got my coat on. As I was looking at this cat, she didn't seem feral. So, I stuck my finger through the cage and touched her. She immediately began purring. I took her out of the cage and held her. She was clearly not a feral cat. I called my neighbor and found that she had just taken these 2 kittens, neither had been fixed, it was her cat. So, I returned her cat and encouraged her to have them fixed. It looks like that cat, the big black and white tom cat will have to wait for another day.

Thanks to Tana who has educated me on this subject and has done more to help control the cat population in Mid TN than anyone I know. At great personal expense, Tana has saved the lives of many animals. She has personally trapped, fixed, and released several cats in my neighborhood. I've learned a lot from her. Tana is a hero and champion of animals. Her actions could even help preserve the health of my own cats:

As my cats get older, I don't want to have them fighting for their territory and being infected or injured by these feral cats.

*If you're unfamiliar with Snip and Tip, it is a trap/neuter/return (TNR) program that will help control the population of feral and free roaming cats. All cats will receive a left ear tip to identify them as a spayed or neutered and vaccinated cat. Probably best that you read about how to trap cats humanely if you plan to do it.

Be responsible, have respect for life and don't be a Dick:

Spay/neuter your animals!!

A different motorcycle culture: high on adventure, low on chrome and noise

2008-12-14T23:41:00.012-06:00

The mint condition 2001 Kawasaki Super Sherpa.

I have to remind myself to drive this bike every month or so. It is nearly eight yrs old and has just 1170 miles on it. It just sits in the shed covered and shiny. Today I put a few miles on it, polished it up, and put it away.

I have an identical twin to this bike that I use a lot for commuting and off road adventure. So, why do I have two?

Well, this bike is ideal for me and they stopped selling it in the US in 2003. They replaced it with the KLR 250 which is nearly 30lbs heavier and 3 inches taller. A WORLD of difference on the trail. So, I thought that I'd kill one with my rugged off road riding and and keep one in reserve after I ruined the first. Guess what. This bike has proved to be extremely tough. It fell off the back of my truck last month and even that didn't hurt it much (slightly bent handlebars but I was able to correct it). Yea, it has a dented gas tank, ripped seat, and scratched up fenders ... but it spins like a top. Extremely reliable bike.

Well, guess what (again)? Kawasaki is reissuing the Sherpa for 2009. I guess they realized what a great bike this was.

I'm not impressed by the big custom Harleys and road bikes I see. I guess I'm more utilitarian in my perception of mechanical beauty. Unlike those bikes that sound like highly amplified farting going down the road, I'll stay with my quiet and nimble Sherpa, thank you. No chrome, noise, tattoos, minimally protective helmets and gray pony tails for me. Not my culture.

In fact, I feel sorry for those guys... confined to the pavement, trying to be cool like everyone else. They'll never be able to go where I do.

This is my motorcycle culture:

The Moon Room

2008-12-13T00:43:00.005-06:00

My upstairs sunroom has a glass ceiling and it becomes a 'moon room' on these nights of the brilliant full moon.
(click pictures to enlarge)

The white moonlight gives this room full of tropical plants an ethereal glow when the lights are off at night. It was really ethereal watching the snow come down last night and then see the moon break through the clouds directly overhead.

This is also a great 'rain room.'

In fact I like it best in this room when the sun is not shining.

Next to the little gas fireplace in this room, I'll be drinking lots of Assam tea and practicing guitar for my upcoming concert season.

This is a great room to practice in. I learned two Rodrigo concertos in this room. I like it especially at night and when it rains. A great room to watch lightning from as well.

Bill's New Myspace Music Page

2008-12-11T01:48:00.005-06:00

I finally created a myspace music page with music clips, photos, videos, and my concert schedule.
It was hard to decide on which six MP3s to put up, so if you don't like the clip that's playing, try the next one.

Here it is:
http://www.myspace.com/williamyelverton

Here's an old photo I found of a concerto I played back in the 90's.

Thanksgiving Day '08: 18 mile hike in Savage Gulf

2008-11-30T22:14:00.014-06:00

It was too nice of a day to sit inside and EAT! I'm so non-traditional. I knew it would be the last warm day for a while, maybe the rest of the year. So, I set out for an exceptionally challenging solo hike, since it seemed that I was the only person in the world without family obligations. I did get a few invites but again, sorry, too nice of a day to plan to sit inside and eat. I hit the social groups that evening in time for dessert.

I decided to try a new route. Since I was hiking alone, I could go for it. Do a long challenging hike to enjoy the beautiful day and get some great exercise to complement the running and swimming I had been doing. Savage Gulf is the premiere hiking spot in the South Cumberland in TN. Along with the Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf provides nearly 16,000 acres of wilderness hiking trails. (BTW... you can tell the non serious TN hikers from the real avid and adventurous hikers if they ask you "where's Savage Gulf"?). I always like hiking the Collins Gulf Loop at Savage Gulf because it is truly the path less traveled. Since they paved the first mile of the Stone Door trail more than a decade ago, I stopped hiking from there. Just too many people.

I decided to go from the Collins West access to Stone Door. I estimated it would be 14-16 miles roundtrip to Stone Door and back. I was wrong. With the short side trips and the walk to the parking area, my GPS said 18.2 miles.

I started at 10:25 am and looked at the the log book at the trail head. Good! No other hikers. I descended the rocky path down to Suter Falls to find that whoa... they built a new bridge across the creek. It was never really difficult for me to cross without the bridge, so on principle, I didn't use the bridge and scampered across the creek on the rocks. "This place is getting too civilized," I thought to myself but little did I know, that bridge would be a most welcome sight 7 hrs later.

Hiking past the cliff walls and through some of the most rugged terrain of the hike, I descended into the area near the creek best know for its beauty during wildflower season. Since the leaves were down, I had great views of the surrounding cliff faces and the creek was running strong.

About five miles into the hike, just past Decatur Savage Cabin on the Connector Trail, literally in the middle of nowhere, I met a lone hiker, the only hiker I would see all day. A man in his mid 50s who was out prepared to stay for a few days, fully loaded with tent pack on his way from Stone Door to Hobbs Cabin. I'll never forget the first thing he said to me... "If your looking for a Starbucks up ahead, you're outta luck." I almost fell on the ground laughing. This guy was an experienced hiker. We talked about Savage and he seemed to know it just as well as I. I asked him if I could make it to Stone Door in an hour and he said no. But that didn't stop me from trying. I jogged when I could on the flats. I had decided that 1:30 was my absolute turnaround time if I expected to make it out before dark. I made it to Stone Door cliff tops at 1:18. I relaxed, changed my socks and took a few pictures. I was surprised that even on these exposed cliffs, no cell phone service. I doubt there is any cell service in the entire Savage Gulf. I started back down the stone staircase at 1:50.

After crossing the swinging bridges on the Connector Trail, I decided to take the short side trip and check out Cator Savage Cabin. It had been a while. The thing I most remember about that place is the large Asian pear tree that is just busting with fruit every July/August. It now seemed I was destined to walk at least a mile in the dark. I planned fairly well with lights and cold weather gear, but my 1 liter of water was barely sufficient and I took my last swallow in the last mile of the climb out. Stupidly, I took no food and was hiking on an empty stomach. For me, there is a big difference in hiking 14 miles and 18 miles, especially when the last mile is steep and rugged.

As I watched the last golden sun fade from the tops of the cliffs, I knew my day light was running out. I passed Horsepound Falls at 4:20, just before sunset and by the time I got to Suter Falls, I was totally in the dark.

Around Suter Falls is a jumble of boulders and rhododendron, very thick and the trail hard to find. I did get momentarily lost but the sound of the falls kept me oriented. Things look totally different in the view of a flashlight than in daytime.

Damn I was so happy to see that new bridge at Suter. I knew I had less than a mile to go but it was going to be difficult. I was near exhaustion with 17+ miles behind me, it was 5:10 pm and I hadn't eaten all day and was out of water. My feet hurt and the footing was really challenging with the rocks covered with leaves. I had to stop and rest many times and be extra cautious because my normal level of agility was compromised by fatigue. I know how Tana must have felt when she hiked that part for the first time with me in April. It is a rugged trail and even more challenging in the dark and wet. I finished the hike at 5:25, the Garmin GPS said it was 18.2 miles.

I was real happy to reach the car and was delighted that the local convenience store was open. What a delicious chocolate bar that was! What a Thanksgiving to remember!!

Run easy? -- Updated

2008-11-24T19:41:00.008-06:00

UPDATE: I will be running in masters sprint races this season.

I hope to run the 55m and the 200m at the Holiday Classic at RIT on 12/27. and the 55m at the Ed Temple Classic in Nashville on 1/11.
----------------
I've returned to running a bit. Not the ambitious 5 day a week training I did last season, but the knee seems ok to run 2 to 3 times a week. I'm alternating running with swimming. I doubt I'll run any 5k races this year since I don't want to train the way I did. Don't think my knee would stand up to it. I did want to run in some masters sprint races this season but was really disappointed that the AL Track Club is not offering meets this year at Priceville.

Anyway, despite my lack of training and weighing 10 lbs more than I did during last racing season, I've had a few good workouts this week. Hopefully this is just the beginning and I'll get back to my racing weight of 140 - 142, then we'll see.

Fri:
1 mile - 6:42
6 min rest
3 miles - 21:36 (7:12 pace)
10 min rest
1 mile - 6:32

Sun:
3 miles - 21:32 (7:11 pace)
6 min rest
quarter mile sprint - 1:06

Tues:
6 x half mile intervals - 3:04 avg
3 min rest in between
2:47
3:12
3:12
3:11
3:10
3:01

I can't seem to run slow easy distance. Since I want to limit myself to no more than 10 miles a week, I need to make them count. Coach says I could still be fast by cross-training, doing good cardio training in the pool. I did my first set of intervals in the pool on Sat and I think he's right.

Anyway, speaking of running fast, I saw this ad for Pearl Izumi running shoes in USATF mag and I wanted to copy it here for those of us who endure the pavement:

RUN EASY IS AN OXYMORON
What is it about running that scares people so much? Why do people feel they have to put friendly modifiers next to running so everyone can feel good about it? Well, here's the ugly truth. Everyone shouldn't feel good about running. It's hard. It hurts. Running requires sacrifice, heart, and guts. Any attempt to water it down with feel good adjectives is a slap in the face to those of us who still hold running sacred. In fact, if you're running easy, odds are you're not running at all. You're jogging! So, do us a favor, don't run easy. Run hard. Run like an animal.

heh....

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

2008-11-12T13:15:00.035-06:00

I spent 4 days at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula last week, Cabo San Lucas.

(click on photos to enlarge)

My parents and I stayed in the PlayaGrande Resort , an incredible place. This was one of the nicest resorts I've ever stayed at. We got the closest room to the ocean that the resort offered. Cabo is always warm, it's about 1000 miles south of Los Angeles, on the same latitude as Havana, Cuba. The weather was perfect. Mid 80's day, mid 60's at night, no rain, mostly sunny. Most of the activity around the beach was during the morning and evening with most preferring the shade by the pool during the heat of the day. I liked the mango daiquiris.

The beach was way different than the gulf coast I'm most familiar with. On the Gulf, we have powdery sugar-white sand strewn with shells and seaweed, a beach that's sloped very gradually to the sea, gentle surf, friendly for swimmers. The Pacific coast of Cabo was steep with a more powerful and fast surf breaking close to shore. The sand was light brown and more coarse, made up of a multitude of colorful granules on close inspection. Due to the scouring action of the waves, generally between 5 and 10 feet, the beach was pristine and clean, devoid of large shells and seaweed.

From our room, we could hear the thunderous surf. It was a kaleidoscope of sounds... crash, whooosh, rumble, thunder, etc.... Looking at Cabo on a map, you realize how exposed this place is to the Pacific Ocean. I slept with the door facing the ocean open at night, just so I could hear the sounds, even though I'd get woken up every night. Every hour or so, the surf would generate some mighty waves that would literally shake the building. It was awesome. I could feel the low frequency vibrations and the door frame would rattle.

The whole time I was there, I never saw one person swim on the Pacific side. There were some swimmers on the bay side. I had to try it so I went in between on an isolated beach near the famed arches. Wading in up to my chest, I was knocked off my feet immediately and sucked out toward the sea. This would be a problem for a weak swimmer because it became deep rapidly. I simply treaded water and waited calmly for the next wave to bring me in and when I hit the beach, I dug in with hands and feet in the sand so I wouldn't get sucked out again. I can see the danger. No wonder the riptide warning signs and no one swimming. In the video, notice the slope of the beach and how quickly the waves run out.

This trip was great to spend time with my parents. My dad and I enjoyed some great drinks by the pool and some awesome dinners. I spent some time wandering into the shops in town with my mom. I brought back a few souvenirs. I even sat in with the band at a local restaurant and played a few tunes at another restaurant, borrowing the guitar of the Mexican singer who was playing a gig there.

The beaches were separated by stands of cliffs and boulders. This was a boulder scrambler/ rock climber's paradise. Going from Playa Grande W/NW to the beaches directly below the cliff top mansions of Sylvester Stallone and the elite, one has to climb across some very challenging boulders. It was quite fun but required a great amount of agility, strength, and good judgment. A fall could be serious in this terrain since one had to stay up about 20-30 feet above the crashing waves so as to avoid the slippery slimy rocks. When things get difficult, it kept me going to see 'what was around the bend'... and I wasn't disappointed.

Around the bend, I saw an amazing rock formation. Carved by a millennia of wind and water, it was an arm shaped rock that curved away from the surf and stood about 30' high. It stood above a V-shaped inlet in the rock that magnified the surf. When waves came in, a particularly large swell would cause a large burst of spray, sometimes 30' high. I made a video of the surf.

The final day, Sunday, I was up at daybreak in search of one final adventure, and I found one. Heading southeast toward the mountain that separates the bay side from the Pacific, where the famed Cabo arches are, I started climbing, not knowing if I'd be able to reach the summit.

The terrain was mostly solid, devoid of vegetation save for a few cacti, and provided excellent traction. Most of the climb was what you would call "class 3" - requiring constant use of hands, but near the summit, there were some sections of "class 4". Definitely territory where if you fall, you die, game over. I took my time in the golden morning sunlight. It was less than an hour after sunrise and the weather was perfect. I was climbing shirtless and as I neared the top, I saw a cross planted at the summit. It was an awesome sight, and very 'exposed' ... adding to the thrill. As I climbed higher and became more committed to the summit, the terrain became more difficult and that made me a little nervous but I kept my cool and stopped to take photos as the morning fishing fleet was going out. I pondered climbing down and I reasoned that there must be an easier way to get down. I know it would be even more difficult to climb down the way I came up. I neared the summit ridge and saw one more scary ledge to climb, a nearly vertical fissure in the rocks. I made it no problem because of the abundant hand holds.

On the summit ridge, I scrambled over to the cross and thanked myself for not falling. The view was tremendous. I could see all of Cabo, Playa Grande, and the marina. The back side of the mountain, as I had expected, was an easy descent. It was green with vegetation and there were trails the led down to a dirt road. The only problem was that I was obviously trespassing as noted by the signs. I came out at the end of the road to a compound that housed several vicious sounding dogs that were going crazy and I expected any moment to be attacked by a dog or confronted by security. Fortunately, they must have been still sleeping since it was before 8 am. I quickly hopped the fence and got outta there. It was worth it, another great adventure - boldly going where few have gone before.

The following series of photos follow the progression of my climb at sunrise from the beach.

From Cabo to the Cumberlands - 2 days in November

2008-11-11T09:33:00.012-06:00

How's this for two days?

Sunday - climbing a mountain from the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Monday - off road motorcycling to the high cliffs above the TN River Gorge

Yes, "the life less ordinary."

I'll post more photos later and a story, here's just a few.

Click to enlarge photos...

More photos: Fontana Lake and the North Carolina mountains in October

2008-10-17T01:26:00.042-06:00

More photos from my 5 day trip to Fontana Lake and dual sport cycling in the NC mountains.

(click on photos to enlarge)

The first photo was taken on my way home at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

Since I'll be writing an article about this trip in Adventure Motorcycle, I brought along a tripod to take the compulsory 'ride photos' of myself on the bike.

These next 3 photos are taken at high elevation, well over 5000'. The amazingly red colored ground cover is blueberry bush. They create such a heavenly color to these mountain peaks and meadows.

The first 2 cycle pics are at Cheoah Bald in the Nantahala National Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses this peak. Of course, I did not ride the bike on the AT (sacrilegious and illegal!) but just to the end of a forest service trail that took me to the peak. I admit some of these trails were gated but the network of ATV and hunting trails made it easy to bypass the gates. I certainly wouldn't do this in the GSMNP, but the National Forest was open for hunting and many gates were open. Monday was the first day of bear season, glad I was wearing red!

The third cycle photo was taken northeast of Cullowhee, NC where I rode dozens of miles to the high country west of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I actually rode to and onto the Parkway but did so unwittingly on a brief portion of the Land to Sea hiking trail (oops).

BTW... my bike, the lightweight air-cooled sleek and quiet 2001 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250 performed beautifully. Not only did it take an occasional beating on the trail, but it took me dozens of highway miles at 70 mph to get to these awesome places... as well as to work the day I returned home. Kawasaki discontinued this bike in the US in 2003 but has now reissued it in it's original design for 2009. (I guess they realized what a mistake it was to pull this wonderful bike from the market).

The next two photos are of the shoreline at Fontana. Not quite at peak color, but an occasional splash of color made it nice. You can see how low the lake is. Fontana routinely varies 50 feet a year, really a drop in the bucket for such a deep lake. The water depth is often over 100' just a stones throw from shore and over 200' in the channel. No worries for hitting rocks. These 2 lake photos are from Eagle Creek at the west end of the lake where I spent the first night.

The most remarkable thing you first notice about being on this lake is the near total silence. You can hear waves lightly washing ashore a mile away.

The next two trail photos are also from the Nantahala Forest. A forest road just south of Fontana that winds 15 miles into the mountains and, like many such trails, simply ends. This trail is on Deep Gap Mountain. There were wild mountain grapes along the trail and some really healthy looking bear scat. That's one thing I don't have to worry about while riding - bear. Bear obviously would fear the sound of a bike and it's impossible to surprise them, even with the relative quietness of this particular bike.

These next photos show the progression of morning from predawn fog, to the crack of dawn, foggy morning daylight, sunrise, the lifting of the fog and a windy morning that brought whitecaps and spray.

The weather was unbelievably good. Near 80 during the day at lake elevation, and 50's at night. It was considerably cooler at higher elevations.

This trip reminded me how great it is to live on the boat. I started and ended every day with a quick dip in the lake (which was a chilly 70 degrees) then a brief hot shower and dry off in front of the propane heater. That followed by a hot cup of tea in the morning and dinner at night. In the evenings, I watched a few movies on DVD, did my taxes, and learned a new guitar piece. Mornings were relaxed and slow. I never made it to the dock to start my ride much before noon. I enjoyed cruising slowly up the lake while playing guitar and drinking tea, waiting for the fog to rise which sometimes didn't happen until 10 am or later. Other boaters were very very few. 100% of them were fisherman or bear hunters. I think I saw only 2 or 3 boats before noon on Saturday morning while covering 10+ miles of lake.

Truly a paradise few get to see, and I hope it stays this way.

I was encouraged that this route through Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN is far quicker than the way I used to go through Maryville and on that crazy winding mountain road that cyclists call "the Tail of the Dragon". I made it home from dock to door in 4 hrs and 15 min. The Ford Expedition towed that boat at 75 mph down the highway, and 60 mph up Monteagle mountain, no problem. The front mounted motorcycle carrier was an idea I had in a dream. I found they made a front mounted receiver hitch specifically for my truck where I attached the cycle carrier with auxilliary headlights. Visibility is no problem. The bike remains secure as it is locked to the carrier. The setup works well and I hope to do this trip again.

These last photos are of the trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway. I love this trail, a carpet of red and gold leaves.

I'm looking forward to the fall colors to come to Middle TN. I know some really special places I want to photograph in the glory of fall colors. Summer is my favorite season but fall is great too.

Photos: Fontana Lake and the North Carolina mountains in October

2008-10-15T21:19:00.013-06:00

What a trip... I covered nearly 500 miles by motorcycle, mostly off road wilderness trails, and 200+ miles up, down and back again on Fontana Lake, NC - in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains.

This was one of the longer and more adventurous explorations I'd taken on alone. 5 nights on the boat and 4 days riding some of the most beautiful and remote forest trails I'd ever seen. I got what I came for.

Paraphrasing Thoreau... I choose to live deliberately, to explore the beauty of the wilderness, to create lasting experiences... so, when I die, I won't discover that I had not lived. This past week has made me feel alive and full.

Click on pictures to enlarge.
I'll add more narrative later... for now just a quick explanation of the photos.

From the top...

1) My boat on the shore at sunset glow.

2) Me, ready to travel

3) Mile high trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

4) Me on the bike in the mountain forest.

5) Sunset at Clingman's Dome

6) Moonrise at Clingman's Dome

7) Full moon on the lake

8) Boating through the predawn fog

9) Lakeside

10) Cheoah Bald on the AT

I'll be back with more pics and stories from the trip.

The Honda turns 200,000

2008-10-04T23:28:00.012-06:00

My 1989 Honda Civic recently turned 200,000 miles.

With gas prices the way they are, I've decided to give this car some new parts and a nice mechanical update:

New timing belt, water pump, new belts, hoses, valve cover gasket, cam seal, plugs, wires... it already got a new radiator last year.

I just ordered that trim piece that fits between the bumper and hood and I'm actually thinking about getting it painted. What do you think... black or original color?

Everything works on this car, even the old R-12 freon A/C system. Without airbags and anti-lock brakes, it's not the safest car, but it sure is efficient. It still gets 38 mpg.

Since my commute to work is so short and I use one of my motorcycles almost always, I hope to drive this car at least until I pay off my house, sometime around the end of 2011. Not too far away!

This car I purchased in 1994 for $4800 with 74,000 miles on it.

It was the best money I ever spent.

These pre-2001 Civic Hatchbacks are just about impossible to find used. I think that attests to their longevity and their great design. One of the finest designed cars ever. I can actually fit 2 bikes inside and shut the hatchback. I've even hauled 16' lumber in this car, (hanging out the back of course). In my opinion the new Civic Hatchbacks may be faster but they suck. They don't get nearly the mileage that the older 1.5L Civic Hatchbacks do. These older Civic HBs sit lower, are more streamlined, and less bulky looking then the newer post-2002 Civic Hatchbacks.

Fontana Lake: Aug '08

2008-09-27T20:31:00.015-06:00

Finally, I'm getting some time to put up pictures from my August trip to Fontana Lake, NC.

For me, there is no more beautiful place to live on my boat and hike.
(click on any picture for a larger version)

For the first time in 12 years, I made the 240 mile trip with the boat by myself.

I planned to spend a few days alone then meet up with my high school buddy Scott from NY to do some hiking.

It was as beautiful as ever. After getting used to being out there alone, I was actually dreading the arrival of Scott. I had never spent a night on my boat with a male friend that was not a family member.

It turned out great. Scott slept on deck and I took the cabin. He was neat and clean and he hiked his ass off. I was amazed at his ability to do strenuous hikes. On the way to High Rocks on the Bear Creek trail, Scott got ahead of me quite a ways and came back toward me with his eyes wide as saucers... he saw his first bear on the trail. He surprised a medium sized lone bear that fled down a steep slope after a few tense moments where it initially took the high ground. It was a memorable experience for him. I've seen bear at least a dozen times in the wild but each time it's a humbling experience. They are amazingly fast and powerful.

First photo shows us getting ready for dinner at sunset.

Second photo shows the boat parked by the dam where we set off for the Appalachian Trail and Shuckstack tower - the best view in the GSMNP.

Scott set a ridiculous pace. We made it to the top - a climb of 2400' over 4 miles in about 88 minutes including rest breaks. That's 20 minutes faster than my previous fastest time with Shirley. It kicked my ass, my pulse stayed above 150 the whole time. It was very warm and we started right in early afternoon - the hottest part of the day. It was certainly comparable to a 8 mile run at 7:30 pace.

Fourth picture shows the view from Shuckstack. I found the old tower shack getting pretty ragged. The roof that I sat on looked as if it would soon cave in on one corner.

On the last day, we kayaked down the Nantahala (pic 5). We ate at Relia's Garden restaurant but found it disappointing. Not as good as it used to be.

Also, visited Cable cemetery on the North Shore. There was once a proposal to build a road to this area. I am so thankful that the Republican plan to devastate this wilderness with the North Shore Road proposal died when Republican Congressman Charles Taylor was defeated. People of North Carolina: thank you, thank you!

In these old cemeteries, it's amazing the variety of old fashioned first names found on these head stones. (Pics 6 & 7) I really find this interesting. I did a previous post on a similarly interesting cemetery.

Here's a sampling of the names:

Luecrecy, Lax, Dillard, Harve, Elva, Paralee, Hezekiah, Charlese, Oadis, Lavada, Leila, Flossie, Sufford, Prudee, Zuria, and Solona.

All this variety of names in a very small cemetery.

I'm hoping to return in a few weeks alone with my motorcycle where I'll explore the area by day and stay on my boat at night. It should be a very colorful fall. Hopefully, as colorful as it was 2 years ago when I visited the Cohutta Mountain Wilderness on Halloween day. I may do an article on my ride for Adventure Motorcycle Magazine, like I did a few yrs ago on that colorful ride.

I was all set to do this in mid July and then had a motorcycle accident that sent me to the emergency room. Pretty much ruined much of my summer. Check out how I plan to take both my motorcycle and my boat with my SUV

Sorry for not updating Bill's TN Paradise in such a long time. I must admit, I've been extremely consumed with political blogging and have been staying hyper-aware of the situation and all the nuances in this election year.

I've put up an unprecedented monthly total of 75 posts so far this month on my political blog and on TNFree. It's good to stay informed. The truth will set us free.

'Tis the season...

Back from paradise

2008-09-05T10:08:00.004-06:00

I'm back from Fontana Lake and hope to post some stories and photos soon.

The political world has received my blogging attention lately as I've made 13 posts on TN Free and Loose Canon since I've returned.

More here later...

Hiking the Shawangunk Mountains in New York

2008-08-22T18:33:00.011-06:00

When I started the hike along the rock faced Shawangunk Ridge, I never imagined what I would see on the other side. A mountain lake, a mountain top castle, a lake side hotel so grand it looked like a Bavarian Castle. For a moment, I though I was back in Germany.
(click on picture to see it in detail - hey not bad for a cell phone picture)

The hotel is the Mohonk Mountain House. An exclusive all inclusive spa/hotel that caters to the wealthy NYC vacationers. Rates start at about $378 per night but include 3 gourmet meals.

This is a rock climbers paradise, known as "the Gunks." Even on a Monday, I saw at least 2 dozen climbers scaling the shear vertical walls. There are few passages over the mountain but the path we found was aptly named "Giants Path" which was a scramble across and under huge house sized boulders.

There were some ledges I walked on that were definitely "no room for error territory." (In other words, you fall - you die):

Overall, Giants Path was certainly not too technical, a walk in the park compared with the shear cliffs we saw the climbers scaling. A gorgeous piece of terrain near NY's Catskills and Hudson River Valley. The view from the top was awesome.

It was a different world in NY this time of year. The weather was awesome, 70's during the day, everything green and lush, it even hit the mid 40's one night. What a change returning to Middle TN... everything brown, dry, hazy and hot.

Looking forward to a long awaited trip to the Smokies soon.

Something the world has not seen the likes of before - Usain Bolt breaks the 200m WR (19.30)

2008-08-20T16:02:00.015-06:00

There has never been a sprinter in history that has dominated the Olympic games like Usain "Lightning" Bolt. Bolt not only broke the 200m world record... but it was Michael Johnson's record (19.32) - the record that was set in 1996 by a miraculous 0.34 seconds, a record many thought would stand for generations ... and, Bolt broke that world record running into a headwind at near sea level, beating a field of the best in the world, by 10 meters!! To put it in perspective, the 200m time of 19.30 is a milestone - no man had ever run under 19.60 but Michael Johnson, and Johnson set his WR with a +o.4 m/s tailwind. Bolt set his record in a 0.9 m/s headwind - certainly a factor for a 6'5" sprinter. No 200m world record in at least 20 years has been set with a headwind of that speed. (When looking at the margin of victory in the photo above, note that the guy in red - Churandy Martina, was disqualified for running out of his lane as was Walter Spearman. USA's Shawn Crawford took the Silver and Walter Dix, the Bronze).

This is the first time any person has set world records in the 100 and 200m races at the Olympic games.

After Bolt's performance in the 100m, I predicted he would break this record but one has to wonder. Is Bolt at a place in a moment in time where he is at his physical pinnacle or is this guy capable of more? Is this just a freak occurrence, an anomaly? Bolt is just 21, much of this speed is natural, he simply hasn't had a long career of training.

Again, out of corporate greed, NBC has withheld coverage of the event that occurred at 10:30 am EST this morning so they can appease their corporate sponsor, Chevy, by showing it tonight - 12 hours after the fact. I picked up up a few bootlegs from Britain and watched it. Gives me chills - Watch it
As the commentators say, he is like "a man running among boys."

Absolutely extraordinary... undoubtedly the track event of the Games. Bolt steals the show. Lightning strikes twice... this time he ran through the tape unlike the 100m:

Usain Bolt - the fastest man in the world. NBC withholds coverage

2008-08-16T22:52:00.009-06:00

Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world... not by a little but by a lot. Breaking the 9.7 mark for the first time in history, he won the Olympic 100m race in world record time 9.69, beating a field of the fastest sprinters in the world by 2 meters, celebrating 15m before the finish by beating his chest and cruising through the finish without even 'leaning to the tape.' He could have had a better time but nevertheless, a stunning display of top end speed. . I can't wait to see what he can do in the 200m. If any human is capable of breaking 19 seconds in the 200m, it is Usain 'Lightning' Bolt. I predict Michael Johnson's 19.32 record to fall next week.

This race occured on Saturday evening, Beijing time... about 10:30 am US EST. However, instead of broadcasting this race live on Sat morning in the US, NBC was led by corporate greed and advertising revenue. NBC waited until late Saturday evening to show the race - 12 hours after the fact. This was disturbing because by the time the race was shown by NBC, everyone knew the result. Watching events happen live is exciting. Watching an event knowing how it ends is anti-climactic. By late Saturday morning, video of the race started leaking out on to the net. Many of the videos became blocked shortly after they were posted. The motive was clear ... to commercialize one of the Olympic glamour events for maximum profit instead of covering it live. Shame on NBC!! Even now, NBC is working hard to "own" Bolt's performance ... the video is hard to find and most youtube posts have been removed.

Bolt is the real deal. If he stays focused, this guy will break every sprint record in the book and hopefully will continue to improve as his is just short of 22 yrs old. A true freak.

Another awesome paella

2008-08-12T11:59:00.007-06:00

A mid-summer's night paella.

This dish came out well. This spanish rice paella had 9 lbs of seafood: 4 lbs shrimp, 2 lbs scallops, 2 lbs cod, and a lb of mussels. I don't make it the traditional way in an open paella pan, I saute all the seafood in garlic butter with parsley before mixing it with the cooked rice. Garnish with mussels in the shell and slices of lemon and red roasted peppers. I think it makes for a tastier and less dry paella.

Awesome.

These pictures are becoming cliche'...

Josh turned 30, Sliviu prepares to leave for FSU ona full graduate assistantship.

After a while, most everyone got in the pool and hot tub.

Happy summer!!

It's that time again

2008-08-08T13:36:00.006-06:00

Tomatoes tomatoes tomatoes!!!

Well, you know what I'll be eating for the next few months. I have a dozen tomato plants over 6' tall. Love 'em!!!

Tomatoes and and humus, tomato sauce, tomato salsa over roasted vegetables, gazpacho... the list goes on. yum....

Tomatoes contain lycopene and have been shown to fight ailments such as cancer and asthma. Good stuff.

Awesome spring-like weather comes to TN. Don't you love it?

Let the games begin

2008-08-08T10:41:00.000-06:00

I love the Olympics. When can a true sports junkie tune in all night long to watch such a huge variety of international competition than during the Summer Olympiad? I'm totally thrilled to see the amount of TV coverage of the events, both live and recorded. Over 1400 hours of TV coverage will be available on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Telemundo, and specific digital channels for basketball and soccer.

Most people watch the condensed prime time NBC version but that will never include live coverage since the games are in Beijing, China. Live coverage usually starts at 1 am and runs all night long. Opening ceremonies will be broadcast on NBC tonight and live coverage starts Sat at 1 am with a wide variety of sports including boxing, soccer, fencing, shooting, badminton, and equestrian. The coverage will run all night long and includes a rebroadcast of the prime time show. I know this is odd, but I just love watching an unfamiliar sport contested live during the Olympics. You might find me up at 3 am watching the men's whitewater kayaking final, or the judo competition... heck, I'll even watch fencing, table tennis, handball or trampoline. I love it all.

T V schedule is on the NBC Olympics website.

Some of the highlights of USA athletes to look for:

USA swimmer Michael Phelps, arguably the best swimmer in history, could win 8 gold medals. His 8 event, 17 race schedule is one of the most ambitious athletic feats in Olympic history. The Speedo company is offering a $1,000,000 prize to Phelps if he can match Mark Spitz feat of winning 7 gold medals.

The USA Basketball team was defeated in 2004 in Athens, but this year with Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, they've made it clear nothing less than gold will be acceptable.

One of my favorite sports, track and field, will feature an incredible field of 100 meter sprinters. We could see a world record. USA's Tyson Gay just ran a 9.68 in the trials - which would have shattered the world record but was wind-aided. Nevertheless, the fastest 100m ever. He will face 2 Jamaicans, world record holder Hussein Bolt (9.72) and former world record holder, Asafa Powell. Both these guys have run in the 9.7's. The winner of this race usually can claim the title of "world's fastest man."

Being a "masters level" athlete (old guy that still competes), I'm particularly partial to the older athletes who have maintained superlative physical condition and are competing in the Olympics while in their 40s. USA swimmer Dana Torres (41) and USA polevaulter Jeff Hartwig (40) will represent the USA. Hartwig competed for the USA team in 1996. His personal best is 19'9 1/4".

These are the real athletes. Those who have the magic combination of being physically gifted, determined, and have been disciplined over the long haul to sacrifice whatever it took to achieve through dedicated physical training ... (not like the guys who drive cars round and round on a track). Let's hope for the best, these athletes have earned their moment in the spotlight

GO USA!!!

Awesome weather - great sunset: 7/13/08

2008-07-13T23:57:00.003-06:00

Awesome weather tonight, clear enough to see the top of the BellSouth tower in Nashville with binoculars from my favorite sky viewing spot in Murfreesboro.

(click to enlarge photo)

Great weather for the week coming up. Sunny hot days, cool nights.

Time for an adventure.