The treasures of Turkey Mountain

Do you know what I love about Turkey Mountain?  Just when you think you've seen all there is too see, explored every trail and animal path, the "mountain" reveals something new. On Christmas Eve I took a wrong turn off the Snake Trail and found myself facing a beautiful desolate pond. How could I have missed this before, just yards away from the trail?

Turkey Mountain is bedecked with small ponds, but in my humble opinion this one is the crown jewel. Its hard to describe why, exactly. It feels different there, like you've traveled to someplace far away from West Tulsa and Route 75. Anyway, it is my new favorite place; a sanctuary of sorts that I always find time to visit when running the trails.

Sundown at Keystone

70 degrees in January. Now I like snow and cold, but it was hard to complain as I put on shorts and a t- shirt for this evening's run. On a whim I decided to drive out to explore the singletrack trails by the Keystone Dam. There are at least three different trails, all loops, of varying levels of difficulty. I was surprised to see how well maintained they all are. None of the terrain is particularly steep, but the abundance of rocks keep your eyes glued to the ground. Even though the area is bordered by the railroad tracks and route 151, the cleaner air and distance from the city give it a more remote feel than Turkey Mountain. While the post oak and boulders were pretty enough, the big sky stole the show this evening.

Cheers!

North Tulsa ride

With less than a three hour window for play, I decided to explore the Osage trail, a rail to trail that leads from the Lagston University campus to Skiatook. Took the Midland Valley Trail to downtown, Greenwood to Lagston U.

Deep blue skies, dry air and a warm sun combined for perfect riding weather.

 

An unexpected delay. I lost track around a hundred.

Greenwood Ave. was part of a economic and cultural center for African Americans in the early 20th century.

The culture of Greenwood memorialized on the highway that removed much of the neighborhood. Urban planning at its worst.

Urban decay quicky became the theme of this ride. If there are ghosts, then surely they inhabit North Tulsa's abandoned buildings, empty lots and the wooded ridges that overlook them.  Unfortunately, packs of mean dogs stalk this part of the Osage trail, making it difficult to capture on camera the sad beauty of structural decay.

Contunuing North on the trail.

Closer to Skiatook, feild and marsh evetually take over the landscape.

It was around here that I turned back South. I had to push it to get back in time for my next engagement. Those pit bulls didn't stand a chance.

Skiatook will have to wait for another day.

The Three Sisters and the Holy Trinity

I woke up ready for an epic ride to some new exotic locale, but the necessities of home ownership intervened. By the time I was able to hit the saddle, there was less than two hours of sunlight remaining. Would it be yet another circuit of the Arkansas? Then I remembered the Three Sisters, a series of three hills just over the bridge in West Tulsa. Well loved and frequented by local cyclists, this short 2-3 mile stretch of road goes straight up and over some of the steepest hills in the area. I had driven over them in my car once before, but had yet to try them with the power of my own legs. From 41st street I turned North unto 47th ave. I was immediately pursued by a coupleof ferocious looking canines right up to the summit of the first sister.  I bet they've chased many a cyclist up that hill. 

From the top of the second sister, the tallest and most difficult one (from either direction), looking South.

From the same location looking North. I forgot that the greater challenge overall is from the North, with the greater elevation gain and steeper ascents.

Several more miles on the river trails and it was a wrap. Time for a beer.

I'd say that you have to be pretty confident in your abilities as a brewer to name your beer Salvation. One of the "Holy Trinity" of ales put out by Avery Brewing Co., it certainly dazzles the eyes with a clear golden amber hue and a thick creamy head. It is smooth, almost creamy, on the mouth. In the taste I get fruitiness, yeasty spiciness, toast, a bit of alcohol, pine with a lingering bitterness. For some reason this reminds me  of French hanahbells, those bitter thimble cheeses. This beer is classified as a Belgian Strong Ale, and strong it is. Definitely an after dinner sipper.

I did not find salvation in this brew, but it was enjoyable all the same.

Notice how the Trinity looks like clones of Jesus.





It was a good day

With this weather, its hard to let a day of warm sunshine go by without at least a short escapade outdoors. By the time I hit the road on Saturday afternoon, there was only enough sunlight for a couple of circuits of the Arkansas. Everyone and their dog was out on the River trails storing up on vitamin D.

Came back to celebrate the eve of Epiphany with a Yeti. My wonderful wife found this stein for me at a consignment shop.

The 22 oz. bomber didn't come close to the top. The stein can probably fit up to 28 ounces.

Not sure how old or valuable it is, nor do I really care. It's just damn cool looking; the perfect drinking vessel for those perfect beers.



The Yeti was great, btw. I enjoyed the oak- aged version on Christmas Eve, but found the regular to be nearly as good. Flavors in order: Cocoa, roasted malt, pine, earth, smoke, tobacco. Incredibility complex but dangerously drinkable. The only factor that gives the oak aged version an edge is the pleasant wood flavor.

A short run to the BRRidge

Colorado Dreaming

You know what they say: if you can't go to Colorado, drink it. Well maybe they don't say that, but it's what I was doing over the past weekend.

The Legendary Red Ale is from the "second largest brewery in Golden, Colorado". When you consider their only competitor, however, the Golden City Brewery would be more aptly named "the best tasting brewery in Golden, by default". But they deserve more credit than that. GBC is a fun place to visit, with one of the coolest atmopsheres for a microbrewery.  On our visit to Colorado last September, I stumbled upon this place tucked away on a side street. Locals were standing around on an open patio ordering beers from a tiny window, like an ice cream stand.

This beer is called "red ale", but would be more accurately classified as an altbier. Like ale, altbeir uses top- fermenting yeast, but is conditioned for a longer period and at a lower temperature. A sort of ale/lager hybrid, if you will. The taste is supposed to be smooth and crisp without any strong flavors. With that in mind, GCB's offering gets the job done. You get toasty malt upfront followed with bitter hops, with a fairly clean finish. Definitely not my favorite style, but I could enjoy this on a hot summer's afternoon.

Telemark IPA, from Frisco's Backcountry Brewing, starts off with wonderful aroma of citrusy hops. This brew is what I like to call a "hearty" IPA; possessing a considerable caramel malt presence along with the hop flavors. Not a bad beer, but I prefer a little more hoppiness. Better versions of the "hearty IPA" are out there.  Ska Brewing's Modus Hoperandi and Oklahoma's own Coop's F-5 IPA come to mind. But, don't get me wrong, this is a very drinkable beer.

Speaking of Ska Brewing, the Toaster's Black IPA is just awesome. Just look at that creamy head! There's alot going on in this brew: Roasted malt, coffee and chocolate followed by earthy hops. Feels and tastes creamy like a stout. A pleasant smokey/tobacco subtlety in the background that lingers. It's official: Ska rules!

Happy New Year! Cheers!