Mt Baker, WA- After months of finding damn near anything else to do, the frequency TSJ staff finally bucked up and dragged ourselves up Mt. Baker's famed highway 542 to attack our adopt-a-highway section-conveniently located from the North Fork Beer Shrine and Pizzeria to the Kendall cutoff. An anthropological study in human behavior among the "don't tread on me" set, a high proportion of plastic soda bottles, half-rotted packs of Marlboro reds, fast-food wrappers and only one lone crack pipe ruled the day. Do-gooders included Maxx Von Marbod, Matt Wibby, John Laing, Jeff Galbraith, and volunteers Heidi Ring and Cheral. What had been a much-dreaded task turned into a sunny afternoon of leisurely strolling, petting horses, and finally beers and pizza.

While the honking support of our friends on the way to the mountain echoed every few minutes, all pushed on, finishing the task in just over a couple hours, much to the betterment of the this section of Whatcom County. Until next time put your trash in its proper place-which is not Kendall Creek, and consider adopting your own section of local mountain highway.

Bellingham, WA - Apologies for the delayed update, but we've all been recovering from this event, and shipping the mad orders for the new hardbound edition (already almost sold out). Ah Christmas...

At any rate, the release of frequency TSJ's #5.4 Photobook, and especially the first-ever limited edition hardbound volume, was cause for much, much celebration. Starting with the staff's private holiday event with Jessie Lu, Katie, Maxx, Wibby, Laing, JG, and guests Justin Hostynek, Cole Barash and Jake Blauvelt arriving for sushi, sake and stoke. Later the crew moved down the street to the iconic Green Frog Café/Acoustic Tavern for both micro and macro treats. With an all-star attendance including: Colin Langlois, Patrick McCarthy, Mark Landvik, Mike Yoshida, Tarek Husevold, Ahmon Stamps, and Think Thank’s Gary Milton, and a stellar surf rock set by The All-Nighters (the alter ego of local speed metal deities Full Frontal Assault). Between full pours of strong IPAs, all in attendance gawked at snowboarding's first-ever hardbound periodical and swatted barflies and spilled beer away from their white-glove prize. While nearly all copies of this hardbound edition are sold out, a small supply remains available through the holidays. Get it today, and thanks to all who came out and made our #5.4 release event an evening to (kind of) remember.

For the last several summers, frequency TSJ friend, co-director of "Mountain Fresh", and producer of the local "Funner " DVD series, Jeremy Dubs has been quietly putting together an entire small-scale scene with his house serving as the local epicenter for up-and-comers, his editing bay, and mail center for visiting South American dignitaries. As well, J-Dubs has been crucial in rallying together truck-in urban jib events, group shreds to Chile, and most notably the revival of the Slush Cup. Rooted in long-term Mt. Baker history, the original event was discontinued in the early ‘80's due to a growing criminal biker element, and general sketchiness. Today, with Artist Point as a top-100 stop for touristing Germans and Seattle yuppie day hikers alike, the scene has changed dramatically, and Jeremy and crew additionally took great pains keep the program low key, trash free and at a distance. Just some friends and their dogs and a fifty-yard skip through the icebergs. Showing up for the Funner fest were notables including. Patrick "The Pizzle" McCarthy, Nathan Lind, Tarek Husevold, Justin Heath, Mikey Peterson, Cowboy, Drew Cyr, Leif Jones, Sean McKillop, Grant Gunderson, Mike Stamm, Matt Edgers, and spectating from the cheap rocks: Marcella Dobis, Colter Gerber and friends. The Kid wandered about the mountain meadows on his own mission. Highlights include Leif's booter to swan dives and Justin Heath's complete abandon. Actually, Justin Heath doing anything is kind of a highlight reel and brutal bail section combined the kid charges. Speaking of charging, hitting hard for well over a decade at a young age pays off for slushmaster Lucas Debari and a win at the 07 slush cup with an incredible football field length skip across the pond. Props to Jeremy Dubs for keeping the dream alive.

JG

Friends of frequency TSJ and fellow Freq Weekers:

First off, we have to say thanks from our staff, to the friends, subscribers, and supporters who came to Baldface with us for Freq Week 06. This event has been the highlight of our publishing career with frequency TSJ. We have won awards, sponsored international events, and received industry acclaim, but nothing has compared to making laps and laps with good people in good conditions with a common mission.

As such, we are definitely going back from March 23-29, 2007. And again, we're giving away a Golden Ticket spot to one lucky frequency TSJ subscriber. Plus this year, we're extending Freq Week 07 to two sessions for a week total of riding powder, camaraderie, world class cuisine, Canadian beer in cans, natural solitude, potato guns and an all around amazing time. Additionally, we are taking over the whole joint. More importantly, we want you join us again. Book soon, as last year Freq Week sold out in nine days and 07 is already going. Reserve your spot by calling Baldface at 250-352-0006. www.baldface.net

More riding, bigger goodie bags and the same amazing interior BC vibe as we head back to the house that Craig built in 07. Check the Freq week 06 blog for images from last year. Subscribe and enter to win the Golden Ticket for a free spot at Freq Week 07. Come back and ride again.

Peace,

Jeff Galbraith, Publisher and Editor frequency TSJ

BLI Airport, WA - Not to get too Top Gun on the whole deal, but... the air show continues with a business stop to the Kirchner Bros Alpine Tool Shed and a secret meeting at a darkened watering hole in the middle of Puget Sound. Avoiding the fri evening gridlock nightmare of Seattle-Tacoma I-5, Hollandaero and Travis rock us there and back at about 40 minutes each way. Friends driving later up the serpent of sprawl, claimed a 3-5 hour trip north. Plus with all the evil doers looking to take out the ferry system, you just can't be too careful. A little coaxing was required for Mr. Holland to pilot the Cessna Skyhawk (which he described as an "Impala of the skies, and one like your grandma's impala -- not a cool gangster impala.") and touch down on the only municipal grass strip in the state. With a solid view of a $25 million dollar San Juan Island for sale (call Mr. Paul Allen), and a reminder why we live here staring at the mountains (with fresh snow), the islands, and the towns which dot them, it's hard not to love the NW in May. An hour later and we were back in the skies, business complete, and back at the funny feelings LLC compound in time to approve the ad for the new Libzine. At 30+ hours of local air travel per year, it pencils out as the same rate as government mileage for driving. Goodbye I-5 you're going to Miramar, airdude. Just like Iceman.

May 10, 2006

BLI Airport

Scored the private flight from Bellingham (BLI) International to Orange County via my friend and pilot (and veteran Mt. Baker shredder) Travis Holland, his employer Paul Akers from FASTCAP, INC, as well as their art director, Jennifer Martin. Lifting off at approx. 5 pm, we make the flight to the Orange County airport in four hours. No parking, no security hassles, no overbooking, no delays, and no waiting for luggage. Happiness is a warm rental car, about twenty paces from your final resting point, and a deeply discounted hotel. Thanks, Paul and Trav. The craft itself is a six-seater Piper Jetprop turbo, with an 1150 mile range and a top cruising speed of 260 knots (300mph). The culture of private air travel is rad in and of itself: an interesting amalgam of flight junkies, Fortune 500 types, and interlopers like me. Being the only unshaven one in the executive airports with a faded Supreme shirt, Volcom jeans, and screaming yellow running shoes, earns a few looks, but its largely a casual crowd. It's hard to describe the sensation of ripping along through the air in a Porsche 911 of the skies compared to Air Greyhound. Everything is way, way bigger. Cloud banks become an alpenglow heaven, Yosemite and Half-Dome are real and amazing -- rather than indiscernible landforms 40,000 feet below.

By all means, everyone should fly private at some point in their lives for the experience. And with gridlock and gas prices what they are, I'm looking into flight lessons. Plus, at some point soon enough, they'll be running biodeisel air fuel. And you never have to give up your pocketknife. How cool is that?

Special thanks to Matty Swanson for showing the crew around OAKLEY Paul and Jen were both stoked and impressed with 1 Icon.