The view from an RV's window....

From September 2010

For three straight days I stared out the above window at an unchanging, brilliant blue sky. I watched as the yellow fall leaves became more golden with each passing day. We came to Salida to meet my parents and celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Instead, I got sick and layed on their RV's couch for three miserable days. The time passed in a blurry kind of way, that terrible detatched state of being that humans get when we have the flu. It was strangely nice though, like when I was a little kid. Everything was alright because Mom and Dad were there. Mom putting a cool, wet washrag on my head, making it better, and Dad finally being able to provide us with a proper "camping" vehicle, after decades of working on old camping vans. They are the only people I know who still enjoy my company when I am sick or hurt. You see, it's because they are committed, to their children, to eachother, to sticking it out through the hard times and the good, in sickness and in health. Forty years! Love you Mom and Dad.

From September 2010

Telluride Gold...

From September 2010

Telluride Colorado, the first mountain town I ever visited when I first moved out West. We used to joke that the trails were so steep in Telluride that if you went over the bars you would land on the roof of a house!

From September 2010

We rode the free gondola up to 10,500 ft and started climbing from there. Keith had done a big ride off the back of the lift a few years ago and wanted to do it again. The aspens were turning gold and the sky was deep blue. I've actually been able to ride a bit better up high as of late, by staying so hydrated that I slosh when I walk. But hey, its working!

From September 2010

From September 2010

Since it's "huntin" season I wore my sweet orange jersey, with a collar of course, so I don't have to change shirts when I take Mary out to dinner after the ride.

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

This is a perfect example of "stylie credit card air." Just enough room to swipe a credit card under my tire, yet major style points for pointing my butt at the camera.

From September 2010

Keith managed to actually imprint his tire tread on the credit card with this "jump."

From September 2010

After blurring our way down through the golden aspen groves we faced having to ride through the above valley to get back to the start of the loop. We persevered!

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

Keith, like me, is from Missouri, where the idea of leaving the ground on a bike ends when you outgrow your bicycle and get your first quad, or truck, or gun.... Keith has progressed so much this year and is riding extremely well. No credit card air here!

From September 2010

From September 2010

Its that time of the month again, so I'll finish with a few pics of Mr Moon. Keep rippin!

An Expensive Disposable Camera....

From September 2010

Since first riding the Monarch Crest Trail in 2007 I have tried to make it an annual trip. While not the most technical trail, it is right up there with the most visually amazing. You get a feeling of being on top of the world. Few trails in the world will take your breath away literally and figuratively.

From September 2010

Monarch Crest trail is a photo geek's dream. But our camera is away at Canon getting some warranty work done. I tried to re-learn my old Kodak, but found it to be like trying to give up disc brakes, and suspension on a bicycle, its hard to go back to antiquated equipment.

From September 2010

So I purchased a Canon A3000 mini digital camera. It is smaller and has less features then our current camera, but takes the same great image's as our Canon SX120. And because I am a non committal American I bought it at Wally World so I could take it back if I didn't like it.

From September 2010

It does, indeed, take great pictures. It also is so small its like a cell phone... so I put it in my pocket.

From September 2010

I could pull it out quickly and effortlessly for handlebar view pictures.

From September 2010

From September 2010

Or quickly hand it to Mary so she can take cheezy smile pictures of her husband.

From September 2010

From September 2010

The fall color is just starting up high. Small pockets of Aspen Trees were starting to change as we ripped down Silver Creek trail.

From September 2010

Mary was riding so very strong. On one of the harder climbs she so very sweetly said..."Honey, do you mind if I get by you?" Then she upped the pace and it was all I could do to hang on her wheel. She would go on to finish a 30 mile ride very strong and very ready to eat!

From September 2010

From September 2010

We blurred our way down through the golden aspen forest, having the ride of our lives. As the trail finished we cruised downward on a gravel road. I was playing a bit, sliding around corners, jumping the water bars. Then on a straight, flat section I looked back for Mary. I saw her alright, coming toward me quickly, trying to miss me as I was sliding on my hips and forearms down the gravel road at 30mph. Luckily my new camera in my pocket took the brunt of my fall, leaving a funky square bruise on my leg. I wanted to be mad, to beat myself up, to let it ruin the day, but it was just too sweet. Had the images inside it been ruined THAT would have been something to be upset about, but luckily they were there for upload when I got home, along with an error message saying "lens failure, shutting down."

One day old Canon Digi Camera--$130
One day in the high country with my best friend--Priceless

From September 2010

MOAB 10!

(Click on post title for video)

From September 2010

Six foot drop? Yea she's got that!

From September 2010

I am surprised I got the photo, as I expected her to roll up to it a few times. She told me she could visualize it. She did and she launched it! That's my girl!

From September 2010

From September 2010

I tested it a few times too, just about the perfect landing.

From September 2010

After playing a bit we motored on up Amasaback. Back in May, Mary only made it up to the Super 8. She collapsed on a rock and was nearly sick. Today was an amazing improvement as she confidently climbed almost every ledge.

From September 2010

The temps were about mid seventies to start the ride, but the Moab sun was beating down. However a storm was brewin' out West and quickly clouded the sky. It was welcome as the temps were darn near perfect.

From September 2010

From September 2010

There were even still a few flowers blooming.

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

From September 2010

It is SO good to be having these killer ride days with my wife on a regular basis. The gigantic hole in my life is fading away. I got my best friend back! Now if we could only make Gus about 13 years younger we'd have all two people could ever ask for.

From September 2010

There is a good chance that snow will cover this peak in less then a few weeks. Its hard to believe, but summer is rather short at 12,000 ft.

From September 2010

I met up with my old buddies Steve and Tony for possibly my last ride in the La Sal Mtns for the year. We explored around on some trails that I hadn't ridden since before my back injury. I was pleased to see they were still there. Part of some trails that make up a gigantic ride known as CCDH. (cross country down hill)

From September 2010

From September 2010

I remember the first time I stood looking out at this view, fresh from the hills of Missouri. I couldn't believe a place like this existed. Luckily it does and it hasn't changed a bit. Had our camera batteries not died we would have had some great pictures of our river trip too, but....Not bad for our 3 regular days off!