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Arches, Bluffs, and Canyons

Jason and I just got back from Moab. We had a great time, as we always do when we visit that region.

Blue skies and red rock: Moab is gorgeous!
Blue skies and red rock: Moab is gorgeous!

We took our mountain bikes down with us and tested them out on the demanding paths to Klondike Bluffs and Hidden Canyon.

The entire desert seemed to be in bloom. Surprising bunches of red, pink, yellow, and whited dotted the landscape.
The entire desert seemed to be in bloom. Surprising bunches of red, pink, yellow, and white dotted the landscape.

The Klondike Bluffs trail took us over some pretty steep slickrock, which was lined with prehistoric dinosaur tracks, to the bluffs high above Arches National Park. It was a fantastic and tiring ride.

Do you see that grin on Jason
Do you see that grin on Jason's face? That comes from speeding over delicious slickrock at a dizzying rate.

Our journey to Hidden Canyon turned out to be more eventful than anticipated. The wind was in a foul humor that day. It rampaged as we tried to climb over the slickrock, pelting sand into our faces and adding another layer of difficulty to our ascent. Not only did we have to work much harder to pedal against the wind, we also had to struggle to keep our bikes stable as the persistent gusts threatened to blow us off our precarious trail. We weren’t entirely successful in this ongoing battle. As I was traversing some tricky rock the wind literally knocked me and my bike over. That cunning wind! Jason was more than willing to give up at that point but I wasn’t about to let that obstinate breeze whip me. He was glad we had stuck with it when we reached Hidden Canyon though. We got to enjoy its spectacular fiery sandstone ebbs and precipices in complete solitude. The ride back from Hidden Canyon was a cinch. The wind that had made our outgoing trip needlessly difficult aided us on our way back. We flew over the slickrock carried by gravity and the turbulent air. A small cactus growing in the middle of the trail made for a temporary setback when I unknowingly stepped on it but after some quick needle removal we were on our way again.

Hidden Canyon was a stunning and chaotic blend of brillliant oranges and reds. We got to marvel
Hidden Canyon was a stunning and chaotic blend of brilliant oranges and reds. We got to marvel at its edge without a single being to disturb our awe.
Jason paused on our way back from Hidden Canyon to illustrate that he had conquered.
Jason paused on our way back from Hidden Canyon to illustrate that he had conquered.

We took a break from all that biking by enjoying an afternoon hiking in Arches National Park. The wind was our temperamental companion at Arches as well. It made the 90+ temps quite comfortable but we were relentlessly bombarded by airborne sand as we explored. Oh well, a little grit in the eyes and ears never hurt anyone too much.

Viewing the graceful and puzzling curves of Delicate Arch was worth facing the blasts of wind that rupped across the plateau it remarkably ascends from.
Viewing the graceful and puzzling curves of Delicate Arch was worth facing the blasts of wind that ripped across the plateau it remarkably ascends from.
Double Arch is one of my favorite spots in Arches
Double Arch is one of my favorite spots in Arches and it's as good of a place as any for Jason to act silly in front of the camera.
Balanced Rock is one of the many gravity-defying oddities at Arches. How does it do that?
Balanced Rock is one of the many gravity-defying oddities at Arches. How does it do that?
The North and South Window arches toegther form
The North and South Window arches together form "the spectacles" from their backsides. Jason whined a bit when I requested that we take the long way around so we could view them from this angle. Poor boy! How could a wife be so cruel?

It was a crazy and delightful trip! We returned home sunburned, sand burned, scraped, bruised, and exhausted. I got more banged up than Jason but he won the prize for the worst injury, a title he has held our last two visits to Moab. He managed to pull a back muscle somewhere in the middle of our hiking/biking frenzy and he has been hobbling around like a decrepit old man ever since we arrived home.

Rachel May 27, 2010 No Comments

Goldilocks

When 600 powerful women converge on one location donning braids and biking shorts you ought to know that they mean business.

About a week ago I biked in a ride called Goldilocks. As its extremely girly name would suggest, this was a women only ride. The participants had the option of going 15, 30, or 60 miles and they were welcome to change their minds on which distance they were doing at any time. This wasn’t a competition; there was no starting times or disqualifications. You just commenced whenever you got the inclination and went at your own pace.

Jenn and I were about to start making tracks. Here we are at the starting line.
Here Jenn and I are at the starting line ready to begin tearing it up.

Even though this was Goldilocks’ first year it was very well organized and the route, which traveled through some lovely farmland, was clearly marked. I think even my scatterbrained brother Drew could have found his way. At the halfway point a beautifully catered lunch awaited the riders. Jason said you could tell this was a girly affair because the table spread at the luncheon looked way to cute to be meant for men. I agree; you men don’t deserve something so adorable.

It doesn't
Talk about girly! Every detail on the tables was feminine right down to the tread on those bike tires, which was in the shape of flowers.

It was fantastic to see so many capable women participating in this event. Groups of sisters, ladies with their mothers, bunches of girlfriends – they were all there and having a great time.

I was hoping to get a posse of my girlfriends to ride Goldilocks with me but for some reason they all seemed intimidated by the miles involved. Only one friend stepped up to the challenge: Jenn Marchbanks. Yeah Jenn! We opted to do 15 miles this year but next year I am aiming for riding at least 30.

Here I am nearing the completion of my journey.
Here I am nearly to the end of my 15 miles.

You men may feel like you completely missed out – you did – but don’t be too glum. Jason and I are going to ride in the Tour de Riverton on July 3rd. It’s a non-competitive 25 mile ride and men are allowed, or tolerated at the very least. So come join us! I guarantee that it won’t be as grueling as you imagine and it will be worth the effort.

Rachel May 18, 2010 No Comments

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

I think just about everyone has fond childhood memories of Easter whether they be of new Easter dresses, fancy ham dinners, creative egg coloring, or the thrill of the Easter egg hunt.

Wesley refused to put down
Wesley refused to put down the Elmo movie the Easter Bunny left him even while he searched for his Elmo eggs.

Because the Easter egg hunt was a favorite of mine as a child I do what I can to make sure that my nieces and nephews have great memories of it as well. That’s why I always contribute lots of goodies and toys for my family’s hunt every year. Since there are ten kiddies in my family, all age ten or younger, the hunt is a very popular event, and a little chaotic. The children can’t wait to get outside and find that stuff. Trying to hold them back is like trying to keep a herd of wild, short, and smiley bulls from charging.

The kids lined up at the door ready to race into the yard and start their hunt.
The kids eagerly lined up at the door ready to race into the yard and start their hunt.

Every year, in addition to toys and candy, I hide three golden eggs containing money. These are the most coveted eggs and definitely a crowd pleaser with the kids. The finders get the prestige of their success plus the riches the eggs possess. Yes, fame and fortune – just what every child wants.

Madison found the primo golden egg
Madison found the primo golden egg, the one containing 5 dollars. She was very pleased with herself.

Along with the traditional Easter activities Jason and I decided to do something not so conventional this year: snowboarding. A huge storm came in the day before Easter and dropped over 20 inches of fresh snow overnight and just two days before that it had snowed another 30 inches. Jason and I lacked the will to resist such a powdery temptation! So we spent the bulk of our Easter on the slopes. Fantastic! Thanks to most people being involved in holiday activities the resort was nearly empty. That paired with the absolutely fabulous powder and the warmth of spring made this a day for the record books, one of my favorite boarding days ever! Wow! I think snowboarding on Easter may become the norm for us.

We had a great Easter weekend thanks to some amazing fresh snow and fun family exploits!

Rachel April 13, 2010 No Comments
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