Deal Grubbin' Bum Rushin'

>>

Team Basecamp has had a crazy 24 hours. Here's the recap:

• 4:30: Leave Basecamp, pick up the GF, drive to the Lou.


• 8:45: Arrive at REI: Just in time to witness some great reactions from the employees as we set up our tent, or auxillary Basecamp. Now numbers 1,2,and 3 in line. Enjoyed some items from the local Whole Foods
• 12am: I fall asleep at midnight. Jordan and Caitlin fail to do so. Aparently I'm an inconsiderate jackass that snores really, really loud. My two great teammates failed to sleep at all last night.


• 6:30am: Wake refreshed and re-energized along with reciving many grumblings, insults, and curses from the two I shared a tent with. Our good new friend Ray brought us coffee and $5 for saving his spot (#4)


• 7:30: giddy


• 8:30: giddy and excited with a growing line behind us.


• 9:30: pre-garage sale stretching and strategizing.


• 9:59: weeping in joy.


• 10:00: We're in! The three of us sprint after the manager through the store, back into the warehouse and out to the loading dock where the sale that dreams are made of is going down. (gasping for breath): "Breath Ryan." I froze. It was all too much. We were excited and therefore missed the $20 Mad Rock Crash Pad waiting beneath one of the tables. I ran to the bike table and shoes, why the hell did I run to the shoes, then snagged a great little REI daypack. I lost track of Jordan and Caitlin in the intense chaos. Finally we settle down.


• 12:30: First ones in, last ones out. Crazy. Its one big blur of tents, North Face, yelling, and hyperventilation. We can not fully disclose the last details of our shopping. Its all part of the strategy for next time. It wasn't until after checkout that we realized the full extent of the madness. My trunk was full, we were dazed and confused, and we still had 4 hours till home.
  
  
  Stopped by Columbia for what felt like 20 minutes. Sorry if I didn't get the chance to see you, catch up, and brag about my great finds. Great day. Great fun. Great memories.
  RFL
  
  

You can find me in St. Lu-A... Nelly Ville Here we come!

First state of business....Happy Leap Day!!

A little Leap Day history lesson for you: Leap day, also known as leap year day, is an extra day added to the month of February in a leap year. February 29 is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian calendar. It occurs every four years in years evenly divisible by four except for centenary years not divisible by 400.
A leap day is more likely to occur on Mondays or Wednesdays rather than other days because the Gregorian calendar repeats itself every 400 years. Therefore February 29 can occur 15 times on a Monday or Wednesday, 14 times on a Friday or Saturday and 13 times on a Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday.

Also, a tradition was introduced many centuries ago to allow women to propose to men during a leap year (maybe I'll get lucky)

So the rubber is about to hit the road soon... T minus 4 hours 30 minutes to be exact. We will be experiencing are 1st REI "garage sale" in St. Louis. At 10 a.m. tomorrow morning complete chaos will occur!

Many stories and pictures are on the way... "get your popcorn ready"
J.C.

Leap Day Eve

Alright alright, the snow's all melted or melting, birds are chirping, the sun stays out a little longer, and the permafrost that has built up from this winter is alomost gone. Time for my 5 favorite things about spring:

1. Time to dust of the old bicycle(s). No longer am I forced to stare at two beautiful two wheeled creatures, but actually get to ride them. Yesterday and today I've gotten out on some short rides, for coffee, and to the bank. And finally I dont have to look like this guy:

2. Chaco time.


3. Spring camping. It might be a little wet, it might be a little cold, but to hell with it. We've been sleeping inside for too long now. Plus with the new edition of a MSR coffee filter to my gear collection those cold mornings are way more pleasent.

4. Fishing time. A family member of mine just purchased a great new boat and a slip at smithville, Jordan and I will have no regrets taking advantage of that. Plus my GF that has never been fishing or caught a fish (werid I know), will be snagging crappies like crazy before she knows it. I also plan on having Jordan teach me how to fly fish.

5. Waking up and looking forward to the day. Febuary is just gray and once you think its as gray as it can get, its gets even grayer. I'm over. I can't wait to enjoy my walk to class each morning in a beautiful moderate temperature.

I just love the change in seasons. I think that we forget how cyclical life was supposed to be. There are season to life as there are seasons in our environment. Since we've moved from a largely agrarian cluture and society we've lost the awe wonder and thankfulness for the new life springing up around us.

Keep walking, look forward, but don't miss what's right under your feet.
R.F. Lauer

Tasty Food..Tasty Price Contest

Winner goes to the person who can up with something better then a "Handful of Everything" by Archer Farms

Ryan and I love this 30 oz mouth watering blend of flavor heaven. Really the only way to eat this pleasing mix is by the handful. Whoever said you can't guarantee happiness clearly has never tried Archer Farms "A Handful of Everything." We're talking.. raisins, almonds, chocolate drops, peanuts, cashews, coconut, and the most delightful... dried fruit.

So the winner that comes up with something better...will receive a courtesy 30oz jar of "Handful of Everything." But once you receive your 30 oz jar you will soon realize that your answer was wrong and that "Handful of Everything" is indeed the best.

In the mean time Ryan and I are going to fist fight over them!
Good luck.... you will need it.
J.C.

Cause there's good deeds and there is good intention

It started with good intentions: Get in killer shape, become better climbers along the way, and do something few have ever acommplished. Our attempt at the Oklahoma City Half Marthon started out strong the second week of Febuary...for two days.

We got sidelined quickly. First I had wicked battle with influenza. Only a few days later Jordan caught a chesty congestion cough thing. We're a little off track, but we'll catch up somehow. Sunday first run in two weeks-6 miles. Look out, we're on our way.

Before the marathon I'm starting my first run at the professional triathlon circuit. April 19th I'll be in Columbia doing the Shakespeare's Pizza Duathlon. I'll be making T-Shirts for my offical fan club soon.

Keep livin' the dream

Ryan

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman aint got nothing on me.

Today's 50 degree weather was a breath of fresh air! Even though it is now snowing and cold... but heck 50 degrees is a much needed rise in temperature and morale.

In case anyone was sleeplessly wondering how my terrible sickness is going... no need to worry I think I'm going to make it. (pity cough.. pity cough)

My Three day Medicine Diet:
In your face Dr. Quinn (not Sully..he is the man)
2tsp of Delsym every 12 hours.. then throw in 4tsp of Tussin chest congestion (wild berry flavor of course) every 8 hours. Then before bed throw down some..ok alot.. Night Time Cough All Night Relief.. then between medicine shots, suck on some Cough Drops.. cherry flavor of course.. gotta keep it real with the cherry. That seems to be working so far.. not out of the woods yet..but I see the tree line up ahead. (c)

Gotta get back on my feet...

keep your eyes on the horizon.
Jc

Lazy Sunday.

Caitlin and I have determined that being outside more will bring spring about faster. Today was a great one. With my poor sick roommate in a Nyquil induced comma, I got up early, picked up Cait, drank some coffee, at some day old muffins, courtesy of By the Book, and went to Jacob's Well. As usual, great service, great message, great friends. Taking advantage of the great spring weather we wandered around The Nelson lawn and explored for the second time the great galleries of the Bloch Building. Came across some new great things worth checking out. A photography exhibit: Time in the West: Photographs by Mark Klett. Its great that a major art museum is free.









Offically started planning some weekend trips for this spring. Starting with Piney-Creek Wilderness and Taum-sauk Mt.

REI Garage sale: STL, less than a week away.

...great day.

Much love-
R. Lauer