Pacific NW News Service
Online Since 1992 

Hi!
    This past weekend, we had hoped to do the crossing - a major event in New Zealand, but conditions were rough, and if I'm going to be honest, I'm really not in good enough shape to attempt it.  I don't regret giving it a try, but it taught me that it would be best to start climbing some of the volcanoes in my area to begin training for the volcano I really want to climb.

    The weekend was still fabulous though.  I had a terrific time, visited another waterfall, visited Hell's Gate, (one heck of a geothermal park), tried roasted duck for the first time (tasty) and a small rack of lamb (something I will never do again as the countryside is dotted with lambs and the guilt tore me up), and I also went on a luge for the first time ever.  Definitely not a dull weekend!
Kathy

Has anyone been around long enough to remember the "Snow-cam-cam"? Since larger budget stations had a live camera to watch for snow on the roofs and highways, I decided to one up them.
I had an ancient VHS camera that only worked once in a while. I put it out on the railing outside of the cabin in the wilderness. We measured snow by the Snow-cam-cam. What? You might ask...

 

Yes folks, that's how. This would be called a "Skiff" in Bob's mountain terms..a term which TV and radio stole from me:-) And that's how we measure snow in the wilderness.

Mexico plane missing as Tropical Storm Octave nears

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24529050

India's Cyclone Phailin: Thousands marooned by floods

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24530193
7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Philippines
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/10378997/7.1-magnitude-earthquake-hits-Philippines.html

Question: I've already had my flu shot. I take them religiously each year. Earlier and earlier in the fall. I've been fortunate to avoid the flu when I get the shot. So far. How about you?

Answer: I got Guillain Barre from the flu. No more shots of that ilk.

Rick Price

 Follow the Light by Bob Shannon

A new study looking into fatal vehicle crashes and drugs has found true what many marijuana aficionados claim about driving and pot: It’s less dangerous than driving under the influence of other drugs, especially alcohol.

“I would say, even though there are risks associated with the use of marijuana, it seems to be not as big as other drugs like depressants, stimulants and other narcotics,” said Guohua Li, lead author of the study.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2013/10/14/study-marijuana-involved-in-fewer-fatal-wrecks-than-other-drugs/