Some photos you just can't pass up!

As I was riding up the road to the Mary's Loop parking lot today, I passed two girls, standing with their bikes, along the side of the road.  As I passed, one said to me "Wow that is one bright bike!" So I turned to look at them and saw their awesome outfits.  I asked if they had a bright orange bra I could wear to match my bike.  They laughed and said that was a great idea.  I then complemented them on the outfits and they replied "THAT'S HOW WE ROLL".
Fortunately I had my camera in the car and when they arrived in the parking lot they agreed to let me take a photo, if I would post it on my blog.  Their names are Sage and Scout.  They made my day.  I hope this isn't considered child porn.

Until next time.

A "Grand" Experience

It has been almost a full year now since I had the rare (probably once in a life time) opportunity to raft the Grand Canyon.  A friend of mine, who is very into "boating" as they call it, was putting together a last minute trip on a permit that one of his friends wasn't going to be able to use.  He jumped at the chance and started recruiting parties to fill the boats.  When he asked me, I was a bit ambiguous at first due to the length of the trip and my inexperience, but rafting the canyon had been a life goal of mine since I saw a National Geographic Special on it as a youth.
To seal the deal "Captain Rob" then showed me some video and photos from a previous trip he had guided. There was one particular photo, that so moved me, that the photographer in me could no longer resist.  Even if that one spot was the only area I could shot, it now seemed worth it.  So despite the risk of taking my "Big" camera and it's many lenses on such a wet and wild adventure, I was in.
I ended up taking nearly 1800 photo's and hours of video.  It was, to say the least, the trip of a life time, for me.  The scenery was overwhelming in many ways.  Around every corner was a new awe inspiring view.  Day after day it continued to saturate my senses, so that I began to numb from the effect, only to have a new more glorious scene snap me back to the reality of it all.
I want to share some of the photos with you.  There are too many to convey in one post, so as I get time I will continue the process.  I hope you enjoy.

Sixteen of us set out from Lee's Ferry just south of Glen Canyon Dam on two "J" rig type of rafts.

Melaine, John and Melanie find out that quick sand is scary.

Until next time.

How to spend your 28th Anniversary.

Yesterday was big 28 for the Bon and I.  So we disregarded the weather forecast, took our bikes and Milly and headed for Moab.  Bonnie nor I had ever tried the Bar-M trail system, and since Bon didn't feel up to Amasa, we decided to try them.  Thankfully there was a brand new trail called "Dead Man's Gulch" or something, which wasn't great, but compared to the other loops that came later, was the best thing out there.

I will say that since the trails are located between the red cliffs of Moab Canyon to the west, the La Sals south and Arches to the east, it was picturesque.   Unfortunately, despite it mostly being a clear day every where around us, some clouds seemed to hang over us when ever we wanted to photograph.  Hopefully not an omen for the next 28.

Dead Man's Gulch

DMG

DMG

Bar-B

Bar-B

Rock'en A (Arches in the background)

Anniversary stuff

Circle O

 For some odd reason there is this old diving board out there to link two rock sections.  Bonnie successfully pulled off a triple flip, triple twisting, no splash entry.  I gave her a 6 for the dive and a 10 on form.

 I have named this rock "Alan's Youth Rock"  because, just like my fleeting youth, it is just barely hanging on.

Bonnie just loves stuff like this.

nough said!

Our day ended with a nice dinner, but on a sad note.  Our oldest son Tanner called to tell us he had just heard that his high school girl friend and Prom date from a few years back, had been killed in a tragic accident, when the tour boat she was sleeping on just off the coast of Vietnam, sank in the night and she was one of the 12 people unable to get off before it went down.  She was a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful young lady that always left you better than you were before.  Rest in peace Sam.

Until next time.

Is this February?

We had a fair amount of snow in Junction this past week, making biking not so friendly.  So I made a few calls and soon had a group to go and ride with in Moab.  Mike C. had put a group together also and we planned on meeting to ride Amasa Back, but not all plans come to fruition.  We arrived late and Mike and Co. had already gone ahead.  We didn't catch them until about half way through the ride.
It was a fantastic day for riding and a great group to ride with.  The light was not the best so I only took a few photos, but you get the idea.  Is this really February?
Steve, Rocky, Frank, Milly and I, and Mike, Tom, Keith and Scott all enjoy a nice respite from the cold.  I don't know about anyone else, but it was a balm for my soul.

Long Shanks

Frank

Rocky

Goblin Green and Road Cone Orange

Frank,  Steve,  Mike,  Tom,  Keith,  Rocky,  Scott and Milly at the N. end of Amasa.

Tom, Keith, Scott and Steve

The good news is, spring is coming!