Sep 10, 2023
Sometimes when I’m birdwatching
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Sometimes when I’m birdwatching
View of Painted Cave, Native American (Anasazi) cliff ruins near Capulin Canyon, Pajarito Park (Bandelier National Monument), New Mexico - Poley - 1909
Altru by Chris Nelson The sky is dark, lit only by the smoldering brush that spreads out as far as the eye can see. A young girl makes her way across the burning field. She finds a path of obsidian...
Chris got a short story published!
Painted Cave is an online literary magazine released biannually that accepts work from community college students. I highly recommend submitting any and all work in.
Riding in Santa Barbara (Gibraltar, Old San Marcos, Painted Cave), May 30, 2013
I was giving a talk at UC Santa Barbara and used the occasion to do some climbing. I love Gibraltar climb and Old San Marcos/Painted Cave, and despite other great climbs like Figuroa and Refugio, I decided to go back to tried-and-true "classics". But unlike last time when I made a ride of climbing up Gibraltar, descending OSM/PC and going back in the valley, then reversing the trip the next day, I decided to do up-and down, then go back all in the same day. On top of it, I added a bit of the East Camino Cielo Road that dead-ends (by turning into dirt road) in Romero Canyon.
It was pretty hot, 100F in the valley, and even climbing it was still very hot. After my descent down OSM, I got some food and drinks at local 7-11 in Santa Barbara, next to university, then went back up. Climbing 12-18% grades of Painted Cave hurt!
The descent down Gibraltar was even more sketchy than I remember from December 2011, last time I did it. That day the road was also wet so we descended more slowly, this time around I went faster, but I was also descending into the sunset and it was a bit tricky to see into the shadows. Lots of potholes and cracks.
Fun day nonetheless, perfect training in preparation for upcoming Monster Climbs trip.
Route on Strava: