LUNA-TICS TEAM ROOM: Year-round "Looney" fun.

[Kona2]

Dan Carpenter

There are a few special places in this world where you can witness mass migration. Cordova, AK is the most important stopover in the western hemisphere for migrating birds. It is a wilderness wetlands unlike any other, and those that are wildlife biologists and researchers are joined by commercial fishermen and women in preserving and celebrating this place. For the past 32 years, Cordova has had a Shorebird Festival. For the last couple of years this has been a hybrid event. The most meaningful (for me) statement on the festival's five minute introductory film clip was made by a commercial fisherman, Robert Masolini: "My biggest dream is to not outlive the wilderness." I think that sentiment is echoed by many who work to preserve these special places. Alaska Dan is a frequent attendee of this festival, and sent this photo of western sandpipers. Good photo!

Meanwhile, back in the erg saddle, we have a few days left in the Global Marathon and Century Challenge! One thing (which is technically a BUNCH of things) I encourage you to consider doing in this first month of 2023 erging is to take a look at the list of rankable workouts, and get a baseline idea of where you are. It may not be a ranking you want, but you can genuinely say that you completed that distance...and then work on getting to where you think you might push yourself to be. Each erg machine has different ranking choices in total - and some of these are "not in my worst nightmare". Like many track events, you'll soon discover whether you're a sprinter or a distance guy or gal, and what kind of focus you do or don't have. You'll also find that there's a set up routine that works for delivering your best output!

MILESTONES....Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

250 K Wild Bill
50 K Brent
Brent ...half marathon to complete the Challenge!

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!


NW1 1,240 m
David W 2,000 m
Danny 3,008 m
Robin 3,434 m
Brickman 3,823 m
Trevor 4,069 m
Corey 5,000 m
Josh 5,000 m
Judy 5,164 m
Rick 5,682 m
Chip 5,867 m
Andrew C 6,735 m
Steve W 7,000 m
Louie 8,008 m...a palindrome!
Wim 8,538 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Dennis 10,000 m
Jamie E 10,000 m
Ken 10,000 m
Robert H 10,000 m
David A 10,848 m
Eric 13,055 m
Brian G 16,479 m
danwho 17,171 m...a palindrome!
K2 20,000 m
Brent 22,115 m...mooner!
Wild Bill 26,662 m...a palindrome, a mooner and king of the boat!

[Kona2]

Cordova, AK (thanks to Dan Carpenter)

Start your day with some awesome views! Well, maybe end your day with awesome since I'm behind on my "homework."

Meanwhile, here in the lower 48 states, things are greening up! In fact, I'm adding a new title to what I do: I'm sure you can relate!



MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

300 K Wild Bill
150 K David A
100 K Brian G
100 K Tombeur
50 K Ron W
Frank ...half marathon to complete the Challenge!
David A ...half marathon to complete the Challenge!


Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Jeff M 2,019 m
Dan O' 2,212 m
Brickman 2,316 m
Karyn 2,967 m
Steve W 4,000 m
Josh 5,000 m
Kevin 5,000 m
William H 5,000 m
Ian 5,092 m
Maria 5,134 m
Gines 6,080 m
Gene 7,633 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Ken G 10,000 m
Robert H 10,000 m
Eric 10,081 m
Wim 10,500 m
Trevor 13,433 m
Patrick Hmr 16,914 m
Tombeur 20,948 m

21,097 m and more = mooners!

David A 21,097 m...mooner!
Frank 21,097 m....mooner!
Ron 21,104 m...mooner!
Brian G 30,795 m...mooner!
Chip 33,509 m...mooner!
Wild Bill 63,325 m...a half century plus!

[Kona2]

A couple more days, and the Global Marathon and Century Challenge will close its books for the 2023 season! This doesn't mean that you can't complete these distances at another time during the year, but if you're thinking of checking off participation in ALL of the 2023 Challenges...well, your erg awaits! In fact, the marathon distance is one that you get a pin award for no matter when you complete it (but...one pin a year)! So far, our Lunie Challengers have (10) half marathons, (1) century, and (2) half centuries. An excellent representation!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

600 K Chip
350 K Wild Bill
100 K Ken
50 K Eric

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Wim 500 m
GMan 980 m
Rich M 1,017 m
David W 2,000 m
Frank 2,447 m
Brickman 2,512 m
Lee M 5,000 m
Robin 8,545 m
Tombeur 9,933 m...a double double!
Angelo 10,000 m
Maria 10,157 m
Ross 11,618 m
David A 11,642 m
Patrick Hmr 11,884 m...for a yearly palindrome total of 81,118 m!
Eric 12,746 m
Brian G 17,933 m
Ken 20,000 m
Peter G 23,182 m...mooner!
Wild Bill 37,773 m...a palindrome and a mooner!
Chip 47,774 m...a palindrome and a mooner!

[Kona2]

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

650 K Chip

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Lee 2,000 m
Ross 5,844 m
Tombeur 6,012 m
Gines 6,095 m
Steve W 8,091 m
Tom R 9,264 m
Jamie E 10,000 m
Brent 12,115 m
David A 14,510 m
Chip 38,179 m...mooner!

[Kona2]

The Lookout Mountain hill climb in Golden, CO is a very popular route for cyclists. There is a parking area for a local park that is located by the pillars, and these cyclists are just starting their climb - and it is one filled with switchbacks that have you leaning what feels like at a 45 degree angle. The climb is beastie, and the descent is incredibly fast. The only time I've ever crashed was coming down this hill. We stationed our Bike Jeffco tent at the pullout on the descent yesterday. Counted 160 cyclists in the space of three hours, and about 25 of them stopped to talk with us. Coors Brewery is visible to the right of the pillars. Funny thing is that you always think the climb is the beastiest starting at the pillars, but it's actually the climb from the City of Golden below up to the pillars that has the greatest incline. Some good cycling stories were told - including one dad who was riding with his adult son who has MS, and was training for the MS150. We were there to talk cycling safety and responsibility. We always learn something!

Lunar eclipse tonight....hope the clouds aren't in your view!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

750 K Chip
400 K Wild Bill
150 K Brian G
100 K Patrick Hmr
100 K Andrew C
50 K Wim
50 K Ross

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Titus 2,018 m
Dan O' 4.004 m...a palindrome!
Ron 4,500 m
Carol W 5,022 m
Corey 5,093 m
Judy 5,164 m
Kevin 6,000 m
Louie 6,666 m....a favorite palindrome...devilish!
William H 7,023 m
Brent 7,117 m...a palindrome!
Peter G 7,551 m
Ross 7,815 m
Steve W 8,000 m
Tom R 8,120 m
Robin 8,474 m
Wim 9,596 m
Dennis 10,000 m
David A 11,038 m
Trevor 12,036 m
Brian G 12,154 m
Tombeur 14,006 m
Andrew C 14,628 m
Kiara 17,667 m
Ken 20,000 m
Patrick Hmr 20,291 m

21,097 m or more = mooners!

Ted 28,000 m...mooner!
Wild Bill 73,326 m...whew!
Chip 97,145 m...mega!

[Kona2]

A lot of our nightsky events happen at oh dark thirty....but not this eclipse!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

200 K David A
150 K Tombeur
50 K Maria
50 K danwho

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

GMan 1,015 m
Steve D 1,500 m
Louie m ....a starry palindrome!
Jodi 5,000 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Maria 5,183 m
Robin 6,000 m
Carol 6,014 m
Steve W 10,000 m
Tombeur 11,386 m
danwho 13,131 m...a palindrome!
Kevin 14,163 m

[Kona2]

Had a little trouble refreshing the macro to get the stats, but thanks to danwho for figuring out that it was probably something specific to the computer I'm using. All fixed now, that's the good part!

Everywhere I look in the yard, the ground appears to be moving with a lot of geckos, and quite a few bigger lizardy things. When you're watching closely for skitter than can lead to a hissssss ... well, it's unsettling from time to time! Meanwhile, I forget what kind of succulent this flowering plant is actually called - I call them string beans on steroids but hadn't seen it in bloom before!



MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

800 K Chip
450 K Wild Bill
100 K Steve W
50 K Robert H

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Steve D 2,000 m
Linda 2,207 m
Brickman 2,522 m
Jason 3,714 m
Larry 4,021 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Maria 5,151 m
Brent 6,095 m
Gines 6,190 m
Carol 6,618 m
Wim 9,083 m
Kevin 9,138 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Ken G 10,000 m
David A 10,850 m
Rick 11,386 m
Ross 12,951 m
Dennis 13,000 m
Steve W 13,558 m
Robert H 15,000 m
danwho 15,151 m....a palindrome!
Patrick Hmr 16,955 m
Tombeur 17,425 m
Chip 27,572 m...a palindrome and a mooner!
Brian G 31,44 m ..mooner!
Wild Bill 53,324 m...mega mooner!

[Kona2]

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

850 K Chip
150 K Ken
100 K Minnie
100 K Angelo
50 K Trevor

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

GMan 1,020 m
Keith F 3,100 m....welcome back!
Scott 3,731 m
Jason 4,546 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Larry 5,020 m
Jeff D 5,224 m
Carol W 5,566 m
Kevin 6,043 m
Gines 6,100 m
Patrick S 6,166 m
Ron m ...a lucky 7 palindrome!
Patrick Hmr 8,295 m
Wim 8,541 m
Trevor 9,675 m
Tombeur 9,749 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Ian 10,110 m
Brian G 15,865 m
Minnie 16,144 m
Ken 20,000 m
Chrip 92,129 m....biggie palindrome! And the lone mooner rides again!

[TallErgs]

I'm a bit closer to my goal. Managed 280 watts average for 60 minutes tonight - 33,448 meters. 20 watts to go ...

[Kona2]

That’s enough for a tandem!

[Kona2]

The Rockies baseball team finally won a game after 12 consecutive losses. It's always good to have a cushion of wins to offset some of the slumps, but it would be even nicer to be at .500 ! Sigh. Baseball can make you cheer and it can break your heart! The human drama that is sports...and sometimes is that of our teammates, is one of the things that keeps us motivated to try more (or maybe see that some of our heroes have days that just don't cut it, too). Meanwhile, a bunch of snow is headed to Denver...and the trees are fully leafed out. I fear damage could be pretty bad. Keep your fingers crossed.

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

950 K Chip
50 K Dennis
5 MM Lunie Team Meters!

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us! Welcome back for the 2023 season to Zach, Michael C, and Roy P today!


Wim 520 m
JD 872 m
Roy 1,013 m
Dan O' 2,607 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Jeff D 5,245 m
Rick 5,671 m
Kevin 6,013 m
Gines 6,048 m
Andrew C 6,795 m
William H 6,815 m
Robin 7,154 m
Louie 8,008 m...a palindrome!
Ross 9,926 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Michael C 10,000 m
Tombeur 10,340 m
Brent 10,517 m
Patrick Hmr 10,720 m
Dennis 12,207 m
Minnie 12,209 m
danwho 17,171 m...a palindrome!
David A 18,008 m
Ron W 21,614 m...mooner!
Zach 46,684 m...a palindrome and a mooner!
Chip 75,157 m...mooner!

[DavidA]

The Rockies baseball team finally won a game after 12 consecutive losses. It's always good to have a cushion of wins to offset some of the slumps, but it would be even nicer to be at .500 ! Sigh. Baseball can make you cheer and it can break your heart! The human drama that is sports...and sometimes is that of our teammates, is one of the things that keeps us motivated to try more (or maybe see that some of our heroes have days that just don't cut it, too). Meanwhile, a bunch of snow is headed to Denver...and the trees are fully leafed out. I fear damage could be pretty bad. Keep your fingers crossed.

I live in Cincinnati - so I don't want to hear any complaining (We even managed to lose a no hitter!)

David

[Kona2]

Whoop, whoop and way to ring the bell ! Congratulations, Chip, on your first million of the season! We're pretty sure there will be more!

[Kona2]

Dodging snowstorms is my new superpower?!

Maybe I should invest in a pop up greenhouse for these Colorado surprise snowstorms?! Ha! Meanwhile, here's a photo of Mt Augustine, an island volcano near Homer. Alaska Dan grabbed quite a few good photos on his drive from Anchorage to Homer to pick up a bunch of peony bushes. Not sure I would have driven 250 miles to get peony plants, but gardeners do what they do! And I get to share photos of things most of us haven't seen!



MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

1 MM Chip
500 K Wild Bill - a cool half million!
250 K David A
200 K Brian G
200 K Tombeur
150 K Ron
100 K Robin
100 K Brent

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Jeff F 1,023 m
Scott 1,821 m
Judy 5,722 m
Jodi 6,301 m
Robin 6,389 m
Carol 6,446 m...a palindrome!
Ross 8,584 m
Ron 8,808 m
Angelo 10,000 m
Ken 10,000 m
Michael C 10,000 m
Peter G 10,087 m
Patrick Hmr 10,901 m...a palindrome!
Tombeur 11,793 m
Steve W 12,015 m
Brent 12,270 m
Rich 13,598 m
David A 14,498 m
Brian G 16,628 m
Wild Bill 22,222 m...a palindrome and a mooner!
Chip 73,937 m...a mega palindrome and a mega mooner!

[Kona2]

Well dang and blast! BIG branches off one tree in the front, and one in the backyard. There's going to be some clean up for that! Dogs thought we had an invader in the backyard when they raced out to see this giant laying in their path. I'm not sure what Pepe thinks, but I am hopeful that Pepe is hunkered down wherever s/he hunkers. A very heavy wet snow ... and things came crashing down. No structures or pets were hit.


MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

1.05 MM Chip
200 K Rich C
150 K Patrick Hmr
100 K Kevin

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Tombeur 2,811 m
Kiara 3,171 m
William H 5,000 m
Robin 5,490 m
Gines 6,182 m
Kevin 8,691 m
Wim 9,140 m
Ian 9,248 m
Danny 10,000 m
Ken 10,000 m
David A 10,960 m
Brent 11,109 m
Ron 11,111 m...a one of a kind palindrome!
Patrick Hmr 11,718 m
Trevor 12,041 m
Brian G 12,165 m
Rich 35,089 m...mooner plus!
Chip 50,505 m...a palindrome and a half century!