Escalation

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With or without it, it is what it is.

So, I survived another Hash Monday, and this one included a climb to the Kalaklan Ridge. There is no easy way up, but the Hash trail took the least difficult path I know of to the top. Of course, once we reached the ridgeline, there was still more climbing to be done, just not as steep. It had been quite a while since the last time I’d done Kalaklan, and I’d almost forgotten how tiring the journey can be. Or maybe I’m just weaker and older these days. The escalation to elevation left me exhausted.

Of course, what goes up must come down, and I decided to stay on the trail as intended by the Hare. And the route he took was on a path we call “Motherfucker.” It earned that name because of how hard it is going up that way. Yesterday was a reminder that it is a motherfucker to go down as well. At least it wasn’t raining, but it was still steep and slippery. I had a couple of close calls but somehow managed to keep my feet all the way to the bottom.

And yes, I did take a shortcut. Once we were back on the street, there was a kilometer or so to go to reach our On-Home venue. I’d had enough by then, so grabbed a passing trike to take me the rest of the way. Yeah, I may be a pussy, but at least this time I skipped the easiest part of the hike.

Here are some photos from the journey:

Off we go! The three of us hit the trail about ten minutes ahead of the rest of the pack.
Shocking, I know.
Demolition Derby was the first to pass us on the way up.
Then came Leaking Willy.
Then the Hare, Leech My Nuggets, zoomed on by.
On up!
Looking back down from whence we came.
Hooray! We achieved the ridgeline.
That would be Olongapo City down there.
Still gaining elevation, but in much gentler bites.
A water break for My Mouth Is Shut.
Here come the rest of the Hashers. Yep, my group was the last one to finish the trail.
There be our destination, the lovely village known as Barretto.
Harder than it looks.
Getting closer
A real downer.
Nearing the end of the down.
The ups and downs of another Hash trail.
On Home at Bella Monte Hotel.
Hasher Yogini recently returned from the USA and brought along some Miller Lite beer to share.
That’s the way it’s done.
The Hare doing his ice time.
It’s nice on ice!
I had to pass the Hashit on to this week’s recipient…
…and I chose to give it to Leech My Nuggets.
Here’s how Pubic Head’s AI rendered the moment.
Then there was the after-Hash gathering at It Doesn’t Matter.
Cum Together and Cums Alone, a match made in heaven.

And there you have the story of this week’s Hash.

From Facebook memories, that day in Poteau, Oklahoma, forty years ago, when my younger brother tied the knot.

That’s my kids hanging on the railing and my grandmother, Pernie, exiting the church. What’s life without the moments you’ll remember?

From the April 2020 LTG archives, I’m still ranting and raving about shit, but I’m also out hiking. And on this day, Scott introduced me to the mountain mama, MJ “Gam-Gam”. Her ex left her with two half-American kids, but was at least still sending her support from the USA. When he died a year or so later, I took over the role of feeding his kids. It’s my main charity project these days.

MJ and the kids on the day I met her. The daddy never bothered to secure citizenship for his offspring. They are living poor, but at least they have food on the table.

Today’s YouTube video lists some of the cheaper places to live in the Philippines that still offer comfort and amenities. The only one I’ve personally visited is Davao, a city I found oppressive (vaping wasn’t permitted there). Anyway, I don’t expect I’m going to be leaving my chosen town. Except in an urn.

I post, you decide:

And the downward slope is growing ever steeper.
I should have warned you to steel yourself for that one.
They must never look in the mirror before casting their aspersions.

And on that note, we’ll call this post done.

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