100,000 mile tune up

Well after turning 60 it was time to get an old guy check up. After we went on Kaiser they called and told WB you need a Doctor and here is a good one. So WB set up check up for herself and me after the family trip to Europe. Something that I did not look forward to. But I know I needed to do.

Anyway, with everything on line now you can see everything about your Doc and health records. So, I took a look, the Doc enjoyed riding so that was a good thing. Showed up for the appointment and of course was put in the little room and told to take everything off. The Doc showed up. Now he can just set in front of the computer and type away. Had a nice chat about bikes and riding. He even had done a double. Little did I know in all that typing he was doing I was going to donate many things. It was a nice chat until I saw the famous glove and lube being applied. But, I knew from previous experience to make sure the bladder was empty ahead of the appointment. Nothing new correct size for and old guy and no extra bumps. Whew, that's over. Report to the lab since you did not eat and I will see you if I need to. Bye Doc, nice meeting you total time 15 minutes.

Off to the lab where I got to talk to some clerk who I don't think liked her job. Started off with I don't know why all these Docs order urine tests. As if she has the education to know. Hands me the let's check for blood in your poop. ( Great invention later for that one. ) In a paper bag and asks me if I know what to do. I say yes and proceed to the bathroom. Having made sure I was not well hydrated I did not over flow anything. Than off to be drained of blood.

Fast forward 24 hours. Did you know you can have 0 - 2 Red blood cells in your urine. I had 5 -10 and of course high Cholesterol. With everything on line the Doc writes in all caps. Re do urine test don't ride the bike for 3 days and make sure you are hydrated. Would have been the first time but I knew the glove was coming. And your Cholesterol is too high set up phone appointment. PSA pending. Great, so I set up the appointment. Took the bike to REI for a tune up and started to hydrate.

Of course with the power of the net you can work yourself up that the next step is the dirt nap. Keep checking for the PSA results. Oh no he is going to give me crappy news when I call and the next step in miniature hedge clippers to take samples from areas I would rather not have sampled.

Fast forward, went in well hydrated, same clerk but in a much better mood, gave the sample. Did you know they have directions on line of how to pee. Followed them to a tee. Came home and the mail was here. I PASSED the PSA oh happy days are here again.

The Doc called me at the appointed hour, said Cholesterol was too high diet along would not do it, here is your first life long prescription. Fasting Glucose a little higher than normal. Funny five years ago that was an OK number. Take the Kaiser nutrition class. Good thing I believe. Have a blood test in three months. Can cause muscle weakness or soreness. And DON'T take with Grapefruit. Mail or do you want to pick up. I'll pick up. That took under 5 minutes.

So, now WB and I set down to eat and take our medicine's. Old age is here. But I must say I have had only one other prescription in 60 years and that was to get rid of an intestinal bug from bad water. So I guess not to bad.

Invention sample as soon as the cereal box is empty. Off to ride before the thermometer hits the century mark.

Sierra vs. Alps

During the trip there was some discussion which is better the Alps or the Sierra around Yosemite. Mr H, the youngest and myself made many comments. I must say I was the hold out that Yosemite was the best. But after the cable car ride up Mont Blanc I was starting to agree the Alps had an edge. But I must note that when the youngest and I were shopping for those European hiking pants for men we ran into a sales clerk in Chamonix that had traveled in the US for six months and said the Eastern Sierra around Bishop Ca was by far the best mountains in the world. She had hoped to get to immigrate to the US but found it almost impossible. So she resigned herself to be a US citizen in her next life.

Anyway yesterday I took a drive up towards Tahoe on highway 50 for a short hike out of Wright's Lake into the Desolation Wilderness.

So here are a couple of Sierra pictures from yesterday and a couple from the Alps. You can decide for yourself. I must say the Sierra's only cost $35.00 for gas. The Alps came in at a bit more.

The Sierra pictures on top. Alps below. Mountains and wildflowers from each area.

Back Home

I have now been working on this post for two days. Each time I get a good start I goof up and need to start over. So I think I will break it down into a couple of shorter posts.

Enough of problems. We are back from the trip to Switzerland and France. It was a great trip. I believe everyone had a good time. I know I did. Traveling with the whole family does take a bit of give and take.

For me it was the first time I did not take a film camera. I only took my Sony Cyber Shot DSC-P200. See www.sony.com for more details. Mrs H took her film camera and digital so I am looking forward to comparing photos.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip. The trip started in Adelboden Switzerland and ended in Chamonix France. Home of Mont-Blanc highest peak in Europe. That's it in the upper right corner of the ice tunnel.































As you can see Biscuit was a good traveler. She did not complain a bit and seemed to enjoy her carrier.

I think I will stop here for today and not push my luck.