Portrait of an LBX

By Evan

The origin of this post’s title derives from both the landscapes through which we have most recently passed and the unfortunate temporary loss to rehabilitation of our teammate and preeminent photographer, Andy. Wise men have made note of — in addition to the equally fitting adage “only fools rush in” — the tendency to go astray of even the best laid plans. Sage Woody Allen likewise reminds us, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” It’s easy to plan the equipment list, the route, the goals, the budget, the website, and a million other details necessary to make our trip possible, but there’s just no planning around inclement weather or bodily breakdowns. Today as I write this post from Shaoxing, it is sadly for the first time without Andy at the same table keeping us up to date on world news and editing his most recent take of photos. For those savvy on sports injuries, he has irritated the menisci in both his knees — probably the result of old stress placed thereupon during his hurdling days from the college track team — and has returned via bus from Hangzhou to Shanghai for R&R and second opinions. If you have any tricks for quick knee recovery or are a practitioner of any tribal religion / voodoo in which it is possible to heal a knee via strategic pricking of Andy-effigy (we’ll prick anywhere), your help will be most appreciated.

**Note: for the time being pictures in these posts will come mostly from my point-and-shoot Canon and not from our pro. Please excuse the quality deviations.** (more…)