Colorado Pictures...

It started this the day before we climbed Uncompahgre..





Ummm... it's still September, and it's 90 degrees in SC...




This could've been a great picture... if I hadn't blinked.





Two outstanding human beings I am privileged to know...






We left at 4AM thinking we could reach the summit by dawn...





This is a long time after dawn... but we did make it to the summit eventually...





Success.





14,309 ft.





I feel a deep sense of accomplishment, and a horrible lack of oxygen. We take pictures and LEAVE before any of us get altitude sickness.

Trivia Question answer...

As much as I don't want to talk about football right now, I owe you an answer on the Bevo Question. Most people on both websites, (I have a mirror site on xanga.com) gave the same story that I had heard about the brand being changed from 13-0 to BEVO.

The truth, according to the UT website, is that although the stupid cow...ummmm sorry... uhhh... bull WAS branded by the aggies with a huge 13-0, the brand was never changed and he was eventually slaughtered and BBQd, with the 13-0 side being served to the aggies at a football banquet.

The name BEVO apparently either comes from a brand of near-beer that was popular at the time, or from the fact that beeve is plural for beef, and during the first decade of the 20th century everyone knew this.

I like the other version better, but apparently it's an urban legend that is still going strong after 90 years.

Quickly changing the subject from football...

WARNING: Shameless plugging follows...

If you haven't checked out the Patriot Outfitters store advertised on the right, they have made some changes to their website. I have absolutely no hesitation about advertising for these guys, for three reasons...

1. I have compared their prices to the Ranger Joes site, the US Cav site, and the actual tactical gear store off base here at Jackson, and they have always come out on top... sometimes very significantly so.

2. I've bought stuff from them myself and it was easy and quick.

3. Last but not least, every time someone clicks on my ad and then buys something, I get points toward free stuff. I was skeptical at first, but apparently one person went on there and bought a LOT of stuff, because I already earned enough to get a free knife from MOD. (very nice knife)

So whoever it was that went on a shopping spree, thanks a lot. I don't know if it was someone I know or not, but regardless, it was like Christmas came early when I realized that I had that many points all of a sudden.

(However, don't buy stuff just so I get points. Buy stuff from them because they have the best products at the best prices, but only if you need it. )

They are also in the process of changing their site to become more of a news and information outlet geared toward military personnel. I don't know much about business, but these guys seem to be on the right track and I'm sure they will be giving the big name sites a run for their money soon.

Also, since we're talking about military stuff, if you haven't replaced the bite valve on your camelback or hydrastorm yet, get the 90degree "biteme" valve. I bought mine from Nalgene, but I'm pretty sure that's who makes this one also. They look the same except the blackhawk version is tactically colored.