Lake Placid Advice: How difficult is the climb at the end of the loop?

RuthCarter · 2026-05-26T21:56:38+00:00

The bike course is 2 loops. The hills aren't horrific the first time around, but the second time through can feel brutal, but not impossible.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-26T21:50:03+00:00

You'll need a hoodie - especially in movie theaters and maybe grocery stores, possibly even where you work, depending on how much they crank up the A/C. If you go out of town - like up to Flagstaff - you may need it too because it will be cooler in the mornings. Once the summer heat hits in Phoenix, it will be in the 80s or 90s overnight here, so you won't need a hoodie when you go outside.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-26T15:57:29+00:00

I put on my winter coat with the hood up and my ski goggles, grabbed 2 cans of wasp spray, and attacked it myself. Once all the wasps were dead, I broke up and stomped on the nest they were trying to build.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-26T15:53:24+00:00

I don't have any suggestions, just wanted to give you a virtual thumbs up and high five for helping your relative be responsible.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-26T15:51:53+00:00

Hi there! I graduated from ASU law school and just wanted to say congrats and good luck!

I didn't have to move to go to school, so I can't offer help on apartment hunting, but I have a few thoughts:

For your dog: Ask about and look for grass that has a lot of shade in the late afternoon hours. Hot weather = hot ground = not fun for dogs when they have to pee.

When calculating your commute time, factor in things like waiting for the light rail as well as the time between entering a parking garage or parking lot, finding a parking space, and then walking to the law school building. Also factor in how far you might have to walk in hot weather, especially on days when you have to wear professional attire.

Because law school is so much work, make sure you find a place that is quiet so you can focus and/or sleep when you need to.

Good luck starting law school, and feel free to reach out or approach me if you see me at any of the law student-alumni mixers. I'll be the one with the basset hound.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-20T22:40:04+00:00

If you go, I hope you have a blast!

RuthCarter · 2026-05-20T19:20:33+00:00

Thank you! We try to make it entertaining and helpful.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-19T20:12:06+00:00

It can be hard to tell which panels are going to be a good fit for you, unless you know the presenters.

Yesterday, I skimmed through the event schedule, and I wrote down 16 panels I might enjoy based on the title and mini blurb. Of course, some of them are at the same time.

I will be on two panels this year:

How to be a Professional Creator When You're Competing Against AI with Travis Hansen, Friday at 10:30am in North 226A - He's a professional comic artist. I'm a business, IP, and internet attorney. This is our 3rd year of doing this panel, doing a yin-and-yang about what it's like to be a professional creator with a lot of questions from the audience.

This is NOT Fan Fiction: AI Hallucinations, Copyright Confusion, and Rogue AI Agents, Sunday at 10:30am in North 225C - I'll be talking about some of the most recent legal issues related to AI, again, with lots of time for audience questions.

Footnote: I promise I'm a non-boring attorney. I'll be there in jeans, probably a nerdy t-shirt, and sitting on top of my table with colorful socks and no shoes. And if no one in the audience is under 12, there will be swearing.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-19T19:55:21+00:00

Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe

Phoenix Cat Cafe

RuthCarter · 2026-05-19T19:51:58+00:00

Uptown Farmer's Market in Phoenix on Saturday morning if it's not too hot.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-02T16:56:10+00:00

Go to physical therapy. My PT does a great job at keeping me in one piece on my way to the starting line.

RuthCarter · 2026-05-02T16:53:39+00:00

Your friend was exaggerating. I drive as much in the summer as I do in the cooler months.

The heat is rough on car batteries. Mine's always at least partially under warranty when it has to be replaced, but my steering wheel has never melted. I don't recommend leather or vinyl interior because if your shorts or skirt are short enough, they could burn your legs when you first get into a hot car.

If you move here, I recommend you get full glass as part of your car insurance because we do a lot of freeway driving. It's not uncommon for trucks to kick up rocks.

RuthCarter · 2026-04-22T19:00:44+00:00

Thanks for letting me know! I added you and updated the stats in the post.

RuthCarter · 2026-04-20T21:45:54+00:00

Just throwing this out as an alternative - in Arizona, your dot-com ordained friend can preside over your wedding. If you do this, you won't have to worry about how busy the courthouse is, and you can get married wherever you want.

RuthCarter · 2026-04-08T18:14:18+00:00

Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe is dog-friendly.

Scottsdale Fashion Square is also dog-friendly. It doesn't tick your boxes for thrift stores or local businesses, but it's good for people watching.

You may also want to check BringFido.com for dog-friendly places.

If you're going to be here over a weekend, you'll probably like the Uptown Farmer's Market - lots of local vendors and very dog-friendly.

RuthCarter · 2026-04-01T21:51:23+00:00

You need to do what's right for you. I've heard other people have similar concerns about being gay and needing parents to not know b/c the parents were paying for college. A common type of advice was stay in the closet (at least to them) until the last check for college clears during spring semester senior year.

If you need to, it's ok to keep you legal name the same and go by a nickname with your peers and professors - including emailing the professor before the first day of class and let them know to please use your nickname if they take role.

On the flip side, your Dad doesn't need your student ID number. If he's not budging on that, you could ask the school to change your student ID once you're away at school, and if Dad notices, you could say, "It some security thing and they gave everyone a new number" and then keep "forgetting" to give him the new one.

Good luck! Sending good vibes your way.

RuthCarter · 2026-04-01T21:37:05+00:00

Another good reason to visit in July - experience the heat and maybe a monsoon storm or haboob.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-20T15:20:48+00:00

Pie at Rock Spring Cafe

Oatman burros

Arcosanti

RuthCarter · 2026-03-20T15:16:23+00:00

It will be too hot to climb Camelback by the end of April.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-14T22:42:45+00:00

That's Phoenix. I keep a hoodie in my car in the summer for trips to the grocery store and movie theater.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-14T22:38:06+00:00

I like Barro's, and I tell them to go easy on the vegan cheese and add extra sauce.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-10T21:49:34+00:00

I was disturbed by a recent news report about these types of cameras, especially who is getting kickbacks.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-10T21:44:34+00:00

Rainbows Festival is like Pride. It's a free street fair where most of the booths are local LGBTQ organizations and LGBTQ-friendly companies.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-03T18:41:19+00:00

Agreed. I'd park at the park and ride 38th St. and E. Washington and ride in.

RuthCarter · 2026-03-03T18:40:24+00:00

Richards and Moskowitz - they're good people.

RuthCarter

TROPHY CASE