Author: Gumbo

  • Oyster Gumbo served up riverside

    Two PAX brushed off a day of leadership seminar training sessions and a few Kentucky Mules to post in the gloom (yes, at 0530) at Kingsmill to do what needed to be done…time to get to work.

    2.5 mile mosey around the grounds of Kingsmill. Find an open parking lot for 2 rounds of 4 corners with 10 merkins, 10 jump squats, 5 burpees and 10 WWII situps at the respective corners.

    Then find a ledge/step for 3 rounds of 20 dips and 20 box jumps/step ups.

    Mosey a little over a mile back to the lobby area.

    No need to name or number – we got it. Time to mentally prepare for 9 hours with 68 of our closest, newest friends today…the beatdown was needed.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • An Elite 8 Battle the Darkness at Batteau

    What a gorgeous August morning for a beatdown and 8 men posted to Batteau to see what Gumbo had in store. It was dark, but I think it went something like this:

    Mosey one lap around the circle to wait for Hitchhiker to get his gear together, then pick him up on the mosey over to the Farmer’s Market lot for COP, including:

    • DQs
    • Helicopters
    • Imperial Walkers
    • SSHs
    • Tempo Merkins
    • Freddie Mercuries

    All warmed up, time to work.

    THE THANG:

    Farmer’s Market 11s – in the parking lot, form a line on one edge and start with 10 jump squats and 1 HRM. Lunge across to the other side. 9 and 2. Then, backwards run back. Continue until 1 JS and 10 HRMs. Al Gore for the SIX.

    Mosey down the Hill of Ill Repute (all lights on – way to go City of Richmond) and congregate at the bottom.

    Proper Dora – Without the Math

    Partner up and one partner runs up the hill to the second light. Do 10 uphill merkins and run back. Partner two stays at the bottom doing as many proper dora combination exercises (1 merkin, 2 squats and 3 WWII situps) as possible until your partner returns. No number to get to, just 10 minutes on the clock. Repeato until Q calls time.

    Mosey down the path and up the stairs (avoiding holes) up to the Tennis Court where Gumbo had dropped some side dishes.

    The Suck with Toys

    7 Exercises and 1 rabbit. Rabbit sprints the length of the court, slow/low side shuffle across and backwards run to the endline. Exercises were:

    • APDs
    • LBCs
    • Lunges
    • Plank
    • Jump Rope
    • Goblet Squats holding 35lb KB
    • One Arm KB Swings with 25lb KB

    2 rounds through

    ROF – Rosie Style

    PAX in a circle holding Al Gore. On your turn, drop and do 10 merkins, then on your six, holding six inches until it comes back around to you. Then, do 10 Hello Dollies and back up to Al Gore. No flair, just strong, good-form merkins.

    3 MOM

    • SSHs
    • Mark Spitz – Flutter Kicks with hands overhead
    • Rosalitas
    • American Hammers

    Back to the Flag for COT, Number-rama, Name-a-Rama and YHC took us out

    Announcements:

    • Convergence, Labor Day 0700 at Timberwolf
    • Retreat 9/21 – sign up for cornhole to help Vinny and others get numbers for the event and for food purposes.

    NMS:

    It is always great to get over to Batteau and experience total darkness, some brutal hills and the Swiss-like precision timing of Sippy’s arrival. It is a unique AO with lots of painful possibilities. Thanks for working hard and letting me lead this morning men. Great to be with you.

    No More Gumbo For You.

  • Happy Birthday Pops

    16 fine men joined Gumbo in the soupy gloom to celebrate what would have been my dad’s 82nd birthday. It went a little something like this:

    Mosey tot he back lot and circle up – no FNGs so let’s get right to it…COP (all IC):

    • DQs x8
    • Helicopters x20 (YHC’s mind was in the clouds and we almost overshot 20)
    • Imperial Walkers x19
    • SSHs x37
    • LBCs x82 – thanks for keeping the count strong PAX

    6 Burpees OYO

    THE THANG

    Field of Dreams Buffet – Two of Phil Goldman’s favorite things were baseball and a buffet, so YHC tried to combine these into one routine. The Field of Dreams involves breaking into 4 groups – one at each “base” (or in our case corner). Exercises at each base were as follows:

    • Group 1 (First base) – Squats AMRAP (YHC equates AMRAP to Phil Goldman at a buffet…it was a sight to witness!)
    • Group 2 (Second base) – Merkins AMRAP
    • Group 3 (Third base) – LBCs AMRAP
    • Group 4 (Home) – Burpees — this was the trigger for switching – when all members of the Burpee group were finished – call switch — run to next station.
      • Round 1: 15 Burpees
      • Round 2 (second plate): 10 Burpees
      • Round 3 (dessert): 5 Burpees

    PHIL-Check – Stay in your groups of 4. Phil Goldman was NOT a runner, so this PHIL-Check would not involve any running. In your group of 4, rotate through the 4 following exercises 4 times:

    • P – Plank-jacks AMRAP — keeping that “all you can eat” theme alive
    • H – HRMs x20 (this was the switch trigger)
    • I – Imperial Squat Walkers (AMRAP)
    • L – LBFCs (Little Baby Flutter Crunches — real thing, look them up) – Flutter kicks while intermittently performing a crunch with your upper body.

    Al Gore and Plank-o-rama for the SIX

    Native American Run back to the basketball courts (sort of). This went haywire and YHC just called a jail break.

    5MOM, including:

    • Freddie Mercuries
    • Hello Dollies
    • Louisiana Prom Dates (APDs but with your arms hugging your plus-sized date)
    • Rosalitas
    • Superman to finish

    Back to the Flag for COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Puppy Pile Saturday
    • Convergence Labor Day 0700 at Timerwolf
    • Summer Tour patches available – see Shakedown
    • DTH Poker Night – 9/7
    • Continued prayers for lots of folks – Helix’s daughter, Wojo’s sister/family, TYA’s brother, OC’s son, Doozy’s job prospects and others I am sure.
      • If you want to contribute to the fund for Wojo’s family – see Vinny with cash/check or Venmo money to me (Goldman-MP). I will be delivering a check to Vinny on 8/26 at Batteau.

    NMS:

    It is amazing how you look back at 6 years that have gone by and it seems like yesterday. Its downright scary sometimes. This November, it will be 6 years since my dad passed away. Today, he would have been 82 and man it would be cool if he was still here to celebrate with and to talk about how big my kids are and about how good LSU’s football team will be but they still won’t beat BAMA and Saban dammit. Today was a great opportunity to give a shout out to pops all while sweating our asses off and pushing each other to be better and stronger today than we were yesterday so that hopefully we have as many tomorrow’s as we possibly can.

    I did think “darn, why couldn’t his birthday been in November like mine. It was nasty sticky.

    Thanks for following along today and thanks for putting in the work with me. No better way to start the day!

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Pick your poison (hill) and run until your nipples bleed

    A baker’s dozen posted in the soupy (almost Gumbo-y) gloom of River Run to log some miles for BRR training, to check a box for the summer tour or just to start their day off right with some F3. No matter what the reason, it was a great choice.

    YHC explained today’s route, our choice of routes, leave BWES and head towards Twin Team but take a right on the trail instead of a left. Down to Gumbo’s neighborhood and take a left on Riverdowns South. Proceed to the second intersection (Riverdowns South, Kings Farm and Queens Grant). This was affectionately known as HOME BASE for the morning. About .89 miles from school to HOME BASE.

    From HOME BASE, you had the choice of two hills, each .5 miles to the top/turn around. Queens Grant hill is 0.53 miles from HOME BASE to the stop sign at the top – 128ft of gain for an average of 4.7% grade – long and steep. Hill #2 (straight on Riverdowns South to the second road (Post Mill)) was .5 miles with 66ft of gain and average grade of 3% – slow and steady. Pick your poison. Run whichever ones you want or alternate, as many times as you can before getting back to the flag for COT…GO!

    COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Puppy Pile on Saturday
    • Convergence on Labor Day 0700 at Timberwolf
    • See Shakedown if you are interested in one of the Summer Tour patches he ordered – first come first served, $5 a piece.
    • Vinny is collecting money (but if you Venmo – send it to me and I’ll right Vinny a check) for Wojo’s family.
    • Orange Crush’s 2.0 is recovering and a meal train is set up. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/m13gn3

    NMS:

    Wow it was steamy this morning. Felt like we were all running in Gumbo. That didn’t stop Rosie from getting some extra credit or Tobit and POG and Hutton and Swiper from demolishing the hills. Tobit got 4 trips up the best that is Queens Grant Hill…RESPECT!

    Lug continues to crush it. I’m pretty sure his shirt weighed more than him by the end of the run today.

    Great to have DK back in the mix, and great to have LabRat in the Southern Hemisphere for the second time in less than a week.

    The New Market running crew came out – two of them (Wilson (duh) and Marmaduke) in long sleeves. They must be trying to cut weight before their next MMA weigh-in.

    Well done fellas.

    No More Gumbo For you!

  • LabRat and Gumbo play Trading Places…MannDate wins!

    A strong 9 posted in the darkness of MannDate with bells in hand – 7 regulars and 2 Summer Tourists, including a clueless Q trying to recall old KB exercises. It came back like riding a bike, sort of, and it went something like this:

    Mosey (walk with KBs held high overhead) around the parking lot and over to the lighted area by the front door of the school for COP, including:

    • Don Quixotes (sans KBs)
    • Helicopters (sans KBs)
    • Halos IC both directions
    • Goblet copperhead squats
    • Staggered merkins – IC first with right hand on KB then with left
    • LBCs
    • Sit and press

    THE THANG

    11s – Swings (your choice or variety) and merkins

    Mosey with KBs held high to side of school to the bus loop and line up at first light post:

    MannDate’s Light Post Alley:

    • At light post 1 – 10 one-hand swings with each hand
    • walk with KB high to second light post
    • At light post 2 – 10 bent rows with each arm
    • walk to light post 3 passing KB around your waste (slingshot)
    • At light post 3 – 10 boat and canoe

    Lay on curb with head off the end — 10 triceps extensions IC and 10 pullovers IC

    Back to the alley for a reverse Light Post Alley – same exercises reverse order Light Post 3 back to 1.

    Triple Check:

    • Snatch – alternate hands
    • Sit and press
    • Run the bus loop

    11s on the school wall with Goblet Squats and Donkey Kicks

    Mosey back to the front of the school COP area

    Ring of Fire:

    • Hold six inches with KB overhead
    • First man does 10 boat and canoe then back to six inches – pass it around
    • when the 7th man starts boat and canoe, first man does 10 American Hammers and passes it along chasing the boat and canoes.

    Time’s up and I’m spent.

    COT, Number-rama and Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Convergence – 0700 at Timberwolf on Labor Day
    • Puppy Pile 8/24
    • DTH is slinging F3 shirts with names – see previous BBs for the link or talk to DTH
    • Prayers out for several PAX members fighting obstacles or with family members going through difficulties – Doozy, TYA’s brother, Helix’s daughter, OC’s son, Wojo’s sister, and others spoken or unspoken. Let’s lift our brothers up and have their backs.

    NMS:

    It was a great morning – starting at about 0330 when YHC first woke up, worried I would wake in time to trek to MannDate and worried that I haven’t Q’d a KB workout in a LONG time. Then 0345, 0420 and finally up and at ’em at 0435 – Let’s ROLL. Time to scoop up Rosie and head North.

    MannDate was dark but the Davillians turned out to support the guest Q. Much appreciated men. Very strong work today – especially by Chewy leaving it all out there on the bus loop to keep up with Rosie for a lap (and maybe edge him out by a nose — photo finish).

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • One Hit Wonder at Heartbreak Ridge

    7 gloom all-stars posted on this glorious Tuesday and bellied up to the bar for a steaming pot of Gumbo. It was served with the following side dishes:

    5 of us Moseyed a lap around the parking lot to allow Garbage Plate to catch up – it didn’t take long. Circle up in the near corner for COP, including:

    • DQs
    • Helicopters
    • SSHs — Flipper appeared LIFO
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Tempo Merkins
    • LBCs
    • APDs

    THE THANG – 7 OF DIAMONDS

    Gather at the nearest lamp post for explanation of the routine and the description of the Diamond (i.e., the large square). Start at the first lamp post with the named exercise, run to second and do exercise, then third, then fourth and run back to first lamp post and plank or Al Gore for six as told. 7 rounds total with the following exercises:

    • Round 1 – 7 burpees at each lamp post
    • Round 2 – 14 merkins at each lamp post
    • Round 3 – 21 2-ct Freddy Mercuries
    • Round 4 – 28 Squats
    • Round 5 – 21 2-ct mountain climbers
    • Round 6 – 13 Hello Dollies
    • Round 7 – 7 HRMs

    Ring of Fire x2

    • Round 1 – all holding six inches – perform 10 2-ct flutter kicks (hands straight above head), then jump up and do 10 squats, then plank.
    • Round 2 – 10 merkins, then back to holding six inches

    5 MOM:

    • Rosalitas
    • Dollies
    • APDs
    • Freddie Mercuries – varying speeds
    • American Hammers

    Mosey back to the Flag for COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Puppy Pile 8/24
    • Labor Day Convergence at Timberwolf – come for some Southern Hospitality. Dishes served HOT at 0700.
    • Get your name on a shirt for $43 – see DTH

    NMS:

    It was great to take the Q out at Heartbreak. It has been a minute since I Q’d there. At first, I thought it might just be a foursome of Handshake, Offshore, Attila and me. But, then Shakedown, Garbage Plate and later, Flipper, rolled in. So perfect to start with 7 as YHC recently read the 7 of Diamonds routine and wanted to give it a try. I had other things on the menu, but he 7oD turned out to be a one hit wonder today. No worries, I think we got everything we needed out of it.

    Strong work me. I enjoyed it.

    No More Gumbo For you…until MannDate!

  • Gumbo’s Back on the Menu

    Well hello again folks! 19 of my favorite men, including 1 FNG (Reservoir) broke free from the sack to welcome Gumbo back into the gloom on the lush and wet fields of NoToll…no better site for re-entry. It went a little something like this:

    Mosey to the back parking lot for COP and wait a minute on the New Market Clown Car folks while I provide the disclaimer to our FNG.

    COP, all IC, including:

    • SSHs x36 (1 for each day YHC was away from RVA)
    • DQs
    • Helicopters
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Merkins
    • LBCs x36 again
    • Flutter Kicks

    THE THANG:

    Triple Check with a 17-state Kicker

    In teams of 3, Partner 1 does dips on the bleachers, Partner 2 planks on the field, while Partner 3 runs across the field, does 17 merkins (1 for each state that the Gumbo-mobile drove through in the family vacation) and runs back. Repeato x3

    Logging the Mile(s)

    Mosey over to Pavilion to log a “mile” that was representative of the 6,778.2 miles that I logged in my car to be exact (but who’s counting) as follows:

    • Lap around the field
    • stop at Pavilion for: 67 1-ct mountain climbers, 78 SSHs and 2 burpees
    • Repeato x4
    • Al Gore for the six

    Slowsy back to the basketball courts for Mary

    Mary:

    • First hold six inches (or as much as you’ve got) until the SIX arrives.
    • Then, Hello Dollies IC
    • APDs IC
    • Freddie Mercuries in varying cadence from SLOOOW to fast and back to SLOOW.
    • 30 seconds of Superman

    Back to the Flag for COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out

    Announcements:

    • Summer Tour continues. Get to DaVille and SOJ and stamp your passport.
    • HDHH at Kuba Kuba 2 tomorrow – 6:00 p.m. for the run and Posh will be there at 6:45 for the drinks.
    • RAMM Gears Amateur Hour #2 this Friday
    • Labor Day convergence at Timberwolf at 0700 – DaVillians make your hotel reservations. Rooms go fast SOJ.

    NMS:

    Oh, it was so great to be back in the gloom. And, to wake up at 0440 with butterflies and nerves about my Q — LOVE IT!

    Great to have FNG – Tyler (Reservoir — because of his Midlo/SOJ routes) in the gloom for the first time all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, even better. Thanks for joining us Reservoir – come back soon and often.

    It was also great meeting some new guys, including partnering with Fresh Prince as part of my triple-check group. That man can fly and destroyed the “Miles” workout. Way to go man. I look forward to catching up with you more and learning how you got your name.

    I had a wonderful family vacation. Logged a lot of miles – both in the car and on the mountains. It was a great adventure, and I am so thankful to have the ability to do that stuff. Those memories will last forever.

    It is equally as wonderful to be able to return to the Gloom with my F3 brothers after 36 days and instantly it feels like I never left. The fellowship and commaradarie and motivation reignites immediately. So blessed! Thank you all.

    I look forward to finishing up the Summer Tour and catching up with all those I have missed for the past month.

    Spread the positive energy we build every morning, men!

    No More Gumbo For You! For today.

  • Fourth Annual F3RVA Home Run Derby — the part of Big Al was played by Rosie today.

    34 men posted, 33 men stepped up to the plate for the Fourth Annual F3RVA Home Run Derby and the results were much the same as the previous 3 years…LOTS of Burpees and a few bombs.

    With McRib unable to go for the 3-peat, Rosie stepped up his game to keep the trophy with SOJ for the 3rd year in a row with 2 bombs. Marv, Kryptonite and Fudd each had 1. That’s right, 33 batters, 99 swings and just 5 home runs. But, on the bright side, we did get 87 Burpees in!

    For those checking the record books, here are the F3RVA HR Derby Champions:

    • 2016 (Inaugural) – Wedding Singer
    • 2017 – McRib
    • 2018 – McRib
    • 2019 – Rosie

    The PAX continues to grow and grow from 7 in 2016, to 22 in 2017, 23 in 2018 and a whopping 33 this year.

    With the rise in numbers, YHC made the decision to reduce the pre-game calisthenics and lighten the burpee penalty to ensure that we could get through the lineup. All in all, it went something like this:

    Make sure to sign-in for your spot in the Lineup and then form up around the Flag in right field. 2 Poles (run from foul pole to foul pole twice) to loosen up the legs, then circle up for a quick COP, including DQs, SSHs, and Arm Circles.

    Instructions were – 3 swings (for the record, YHC did advise the PAX that you may be selective and wait for a good pitch…just sayin). A fair ball over the fence is a Home Run, everything else is CRAP…I mean an OUT. If a Batter makes 3 outs – PAX does 3 Burpees. If a Batter hits 1 Home Run – PAX does 10 WWII situps. If a Batter hits 2 Home Runs – PAX does 10 good form Jump Squats. If a Batter hits 3 Home Runs…ha, like that is going to happen — BUT, if it ever happens, the Batter gets a victory lap around the bases while the PAX does an exercise of his choice.

    It took until Batter #14 (Kryptonite) before a ball left the yard. YEP – 13 batters and 39 Burpees in a row…OUCH!

    Marv stepped in a few batters later and almost jacked one FOUL before launching one out to Right Center that almost cleared the second fence on the field behind ours. Just when it looked like Tuckahoe might take the HR Derby crown on Huguenot soil, Rosie stepped up and BOMBED 2 out to left and left center for the crown. Fudd launched one out a few batters later but couldn’t get a second to push into a swing-off with Rosie.

    We got through the lineup with a few minutes to spare, so we ran the bases, sprinted out to the Flag and Planked for the last minute.

    COT, Number-Rama, Name-A-Rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Puppy Pile this Saturday (0705) at Dogpile. Marv has the Q
    • Happy Hour this Thursday at Tavern 19 (Independence Golf Course) – bring the M and the 2.0s for some food and music and family fun.
    • F3RVA Retreat – September 21. See Vinny for details. Also, there is a sign-up sheet for teams for the Cornhole tournament — you MUST partner with a guy from another Region. Vinny and Gumbo will bring the STACH BROS to life. Everyone else is playing for second place!

    NMS –

    I love this day gentlemen. It is not our toughest workout and I know there is a lot of standing around…unless you are Fudd and Bodos and freaking eating up every ball in your vicinity. But, it is great fun and something that YHC and my 2.0 (Redbird) very much look forward to every year. I can’t thank you guys enough for playing along and for getting jazzed up about it. 33 guys out there was awesome.

    Thanks to Shakedown for posting in his sling (and in pain) to take some photos for us and to be with us.

    Great coffeeteria afterwards with Two-Pop, Bullseye, Flatline, Shakedown, Rosie and Redbird.

    Offshore has requested the YHC update the bucket of balls for next year, so I will be in search of some juiced up balls and maybe some corked bats. One thing is for sure, I will look very much forward to the Fifth Annual HR Derby and to enjoying it with you guys.

    Until then, and until August…No More Gumbo For You!

  • Same River, Different Trails…On A Monday

    8 men posted to River Run, including to summer tourists (one returning to his homeland). The tourists may have been looking for hills, but YHC had something different in store.

    Given the abundance of light and the long-debated trail route, YHC decided it was time to make it a reality. The route was down to the Riverfront, then left onto the trailhead – follow the WHITE blazes as much as possible for a 1.5 mile loop. The goal was 2 loops and back to the flag for about 5 miles.

    All returned to the Flag. Some did 2 loops, some did 2+, some took a few detours and jumped on an off some other trails. Maybe some were lost, but all were found and returned safely.

    COT, Number-Rama, Name-A-Rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • NO NoToll Tomorrow — HR Derby instead at Huguenot Little League (google Robious Elementary School or Robious Athletic Complex for directions)…Coffeeteria at Starbucks afterwards
    • Puppy Pile Saturday – Marv has the Q
    • Happy Hour with music at Tavern 19 (Independence Golf Course) this Thursday 6:00 pm

    Great morning gents – thanks for giving it a try. It will be a summertime special.

    No More Gumbo For You…until tomorrow!

  • Where is the Oxygen?

    A luck 13 posted to The Forge for a Thursday morning bowl of Gumbo…it was served steaming hot like this:

    Long mosey down the hill to the end of the road circle for COP, including the following (all IC):

    • DQs
    • Helicopters
    • SSHs
    • Merkins
    • LBCs
    • Freddie Mercuries

    THE THANG:

    Lighpole Alley – To borrow from the other Thursday AO south of the river, the PAX formed up at the first lightpole on the road back to the top of the hill and YHC explained that this lightpole alley consisted of 7 lightpoles finishing over at the curve in the road (and base of the mountain). Rounds were as follows:

    • Round 1: Perform 10 HRMs at Lightpole 1, run to Lightpole 7 and perform 10 more HRMs, run back to Lighpole 2 and plank for the SIX.
    • Round 2: Same sequence but with 10 WWIIs
    • Round 3: Monkey Humpers x10
    • Round 4: Alternating Shoulder Taps x10 2-count
    • Round 5: Box Cutters x10
    • Round 6: Mountain Climbers x10 2-count
    • Round 7 (no run): 7 Burpees

    Climb the Mountain

    As a PAX we climbed the mountain of the The Forge by various method – lunging, bearcrawling and running. We also stopped at each of the many lightpoles up the hill for some pain sessions, including downhill merkins, uphill WWIIs, APDs, Imperial Walkers and more. Sprint the last three lightpole lengths stopping at each for 2 burpees.

    Triple Check

    Partner 1 bearcrawls to the top of the first grassy knoll, does 3 burpees and runs back to the curb. Partner 2 is doing merkins of your choice – feel free to mix and match. Partner 3 is doing flutter kicks (or pillow fluffers…we miss you Carmen San Diego!). 3 rounds, you know the drill.

    Short slowsey back to the Flag and do you best yoga warrior pose facing the gorgeous rising sun for 1 minute.

    COT, Number-rama, Name-A-Rama and Marmaduke took us out in style.

    Announcements:

    • Next Tuesday is the Third Annual F3RVA HR Derby – don’t go to NoToll. We will meet at Huguenot Little League (behind Robious Elementary School). Bring a glove if you have one. If not, no worries. Come ready to hit some Dingers!
    • Tomorrow is Amateur Hour at RAMM Gears – bikes of any shape or size or age are welcome.
    • Saturday 0730 in DaVille No Excuse Workout — https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2019/06/01/preblast-no-excuses-workout/
    • Puppy Pile – 6/30 — Marv has the Q
    • SOJ Family Happy Hour – next Thursday 6/27 at Tavern 19 at Independence Golf Club. 6:00 p.m. They have a concert series out there so there may be a good crowd. The Hashbury Collective is playing.

    NMS:

    YHC arrived first and secured the AO and planted the flag. Doozy and DTH were close behind and DTH did his best Crocodile Dundee impression by whipping out his Forge Flag and letting Gumbo know – “that’s not a Flag….THIS IS A FLAG!”

    The rest of the PAX cruised in and stretched out to the whirring white noise of LugNut’s ride. Takes a big fan to cool all those horses down. Alas it was 0530 and time to Mosey…Phonics and Scrum must have seen the PAX heading down the hill as they caught up to us for COP.

    It was Sunny and 70s and the air was still and thick. Shirt was drenched by the end of the long mosey down the hill today.

    YHC decided to make full use of the great long hill and bring a little Timberwolf to The Forge with lightpole alley. Doozy and Phonics destroyed lightpole alley and everyone was sufficiently winded by the time we made it back up to the summit with a few pain stops along the way.

    Great partnering with Wilson, LugNut and Marmaduke on the Triple Check. And, great to meet Longpole for the first time. Next summer you summer tourists can see the rest of this massive AO.

    Great job this morning men!

    No More Gumbo For You!