The World Series

The last week marked the start, and unfortunate end, of a most intriguing World Series matchup.

I get to cycle to and from work right next to AT&T Park — home of the San Francisco Giants. This made the Giants' improbable comebacks in both playoff rounds all the more interesting. The Detroit Tigers, my hometown team, also made it to the Fall Classic after winning across the bay in Oakland and making New York look foolish.

The morning commute was different because there were tents and stages everywhere while SportsCenter was broadcasting live on location. The evening commute was different too, as fans packed the stadium, nearby park, and boats filled the cove. And there we were, in the middle of it all.

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note a few more photos, including panoramas, available on flickr.

Northbound: Golden Gate National Recreation Area

When it comes to above-water transit in the Bay Area, the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge have more in common than I first suspected.

• Construction began in 1933
• Steel suspension (Bay Bridge has a span that is not suspension, weirdly)
• Toll only for going into San Francisco

So why does the Golden Gate Bridge get all the love when it comes to tremendous paint schemes, state driver's license fame, and general iconic status? My guess — Golden Gate leads to miles of the most beautiful coastline and protected park property I've seen, while the Bay Bridge leads to, well...Oakland (zing!).

Immediately on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge is a winding mountain road. A road built for scenery with many turnouts, as though the planners knew this path was more about stopping than going. Really, who can blame them for such an assumption?

While that road is friendly initially, a driver quickly finds the point of no return; literally. The winding meets a ridiculously steep grade as one gets closer and closer to the ocean.

After the part that would make any fearless cyclist's day, there are plenty of places to get out and walk around. I'd even say it inspires running to the ocean.

Rebsamen Park Golf Course

Back in September when I touched down in Little Rock, one thing was instantly clear: This place has some golf to be played. I'd declare it a requirement for anyone coming in, or through, town; though I was disappointingly the only member of the team who took to the course with any regularity.

Within two weeks I had my clubs in hand as I took to the first tee of Rebsamen Park Golf Course. Of the 15 rounds I'd play over the next month, 13 were at Rebsamen. Just about every one would begin exactly the same way, with the nicest mid-60's starter you'd ever meet — Bill.

Bill had a voice that squeaked and just enough twang to make his name rhyme with "heel." Couple that with my shockingly flat Detroiter accent and we had a frequent routine that's still fresh in my mind, months after it became too dark to golf before or after work.

Me	How's it going today, Bill?
Bill	Oh...I'm hanging in there. Headed out there?
Me	Definitely. I'll walk the twilight rate, please.
	*I almost always forgot the scorecard*
Me	Whoops, almost forgot my scorecard.
Bill	Ohhh yah, you've got to write that stuff down, now.
Me	Have a good night.
Bill	Okay. You go give 'em hell, now.

View Larger Map

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Note It's virtually impossible to find the rates anywhere, but monthly passes were a phenomenally low $100.

Pinnacle Mountain

I've never been much of an outdoors person. That changed with my recent infusion into the Little Rock hiking scene.

Together with my girlfriend, who could seemingly climb the north face of the Eiger without breaking a sweat, we've probably skipped our way to the top of the rocky trail half-a-dozen times. It's an understatement to say this trail is rocky.

At one point, Ginger even pulled off the heroic move of keeping this giant boulder from falling. And with a smile on her face!

Finally, after a little over an hour in the [heat, rain, fog], we made it to the summit. As I've dove deeper and deeper into programming and virtual problem-solving I've found various senses of accomplishment, but none really compete with finishing a challenging physical, well, challenge. It's completely worth the effort.

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NOTE If you're planning on a nice hike up the rocks, you could join one of the many who bring their dogs. Be prepared to carry your dog back down though. They apparently have a much easier time with up than down.

NOTE Need more pictures of Pinnacle Mountain? Check out the Flickr Group these were pulled from.