Course, Bob and I will no doubt be in big trouble for sumpin' when they arrive...
Yeah, don't want the womenfolk comparing notes for 5 hours...Bad things, man, bad things....
Here's the semi-official version of the details so far:
Many of you may have not yet heard that Administrator for Assessment and Accountability Rick Gold was in a serious motorcycle accident this weekend. All morning this information has been slowly reaching those who know Rick well, but we wanted to provide all of our principals and school staff with an update on his condition. This is what we knew as of 11 a.m. this morning. We ask that everyone keep Rick and his family in your thoughts.
On Saturday afternoon Rick and his youngest son were riding their motorcycles at about 35 mph in the mountains above Yosemite Valley (approximately 8,000 ft above the floor). Rick was wearing a top of the line motorcycle helmet, and an armored jacket, two facts that most likely saved his life. Without warning a deer bounded from the side of the road directly into the back half of Rick's motorcycle. The impact threw Rick from the bike onto his left side. His son witnessed the accident and immediately sought aid for Rick. About five minutes after the accident an off-duty park ranger came upon them, using his radio system he summoned an ambulance from the floor of the Valley. After about another five minutes had passed, a nurse came upon them as well, and began administering first aid. It took the ambulance approximately 30 minutes to reach them, at which time they transported Rick back to Yosemite Valley. He was then airlifted to Modesto Memorial Medical Center, where he is in ICU. Doctors have recommended keeping him at that location, and not attempting to move him again.
His injuries include (to the left side of his body): broken elbow, broken arm, broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade, broken jaw, broken ribs, head trauma, and swelling on the brain. The good news is that Rick is responding to directives from his unconscious state (which apparently is different than a drug-induced coma). Because of the swelling to his brain doctors have not yet set the broken bones, nor are they able to give him the strongest pain killers available to them. They want to keep him alert enough so they can monitor the brain activity better. They have given his family no timeline as to when they might begin to see improvements, because injuries such as these respond at greatly varying speeds of recovery. We will keep you posted as we hear more.
I still can't believe that that kind of carnage can result from the described impact. I mean, there are probably worse hits delivered weekly in the NFL and everybody hits the showers walking. I've never even seen a deer in CA that would go 250 on the hoof. In the park, maybe though. I heard that the deer wasn't even full grown, like maybe a yearling. Story goes that the deer didn't make it. I much prefer sticking arrows in them to Rick's hunting method....
Can anybody confirm the ability of a GPS unit to act like a black box and record data to confirm speed at time of impact? I don't have one yet, but soon, very soon.
As I was rolling through Yosemite yesterday, I was thinking about the complications of hitting a deer in the park. The questions...."How fast were you going, Mr. Firestine?"
"35, just like the speed limit signs state, sir".
Hmmm, wonder if son wasn't covering for dad a bit in the speed department.
Uncannily, if I had been speeding through the Tuolumne Meadows area, I would have had a very high probability of doing some poaching myself. I was heading down a straight, in the sunlight, and entered a shady area. I just made out some movement in the road ahead which turned out to be the legs of a four-point buck. As I chopped the throttle, he accelerated off the pavement and into a large puddle. Never saw his body in the shadows. Like I said, 50 and it coulda been bad.
It sounds like they were on a paved road, what with the ranger and a nurse happening along like they did. I'm just not buying into the 35 mph w/full gear and that kind of damage. Maybe if the deer was at full tilt, quartering toward the rider, and missed the bike altogether. But it sounds like the deer missed Rick, hit the bike, and he high-sided. It's wild, in an unbelievable sort of way.
I shouldn't have used the term "Argument". I'm not pushing her to get on the bike. Hopefully, she'll be ready for the WFO ride we have planned. But I'm not gonna mention it, or suggest any riding in the meantime. The two-up group may have to find a new leader, since I might not qualify to be in attendance with them. Getting on (or not) is gonna have to be on her timeline. It'd be lonely without 'er, but I'll do what I can to enjoy what's left.
Sorry to hear about Eve's trepidation, Toe. Hope she turns it around. WFO is calling! And we've lected Eve WFO Queen!
Oh, she'll make the scene. Just don't know if she'll be riding on Friday. After the close call on the last group ride, and now this, she might be a casino ornament. But man, just wait for Saturday night's getup (no helmet or fugly air mesh suit) a la Victoria's Secret! Bringing both vehicles has its advantages.
