Holy shit… I'm a mom. … I never thought I would ever say those words. Since becoming a mom, I've been adapting to a new "normal." I've been surprised at how simple this has felt in some ways, as I've gotten used to my daily routine. On the other hand, I've also been surprised at how challenging this has been in other ways: resigning from my job, getting used to the loneliness (yet never being alone) that goes along with…
Two weeks ago, I got to take my first vacation since I started my new job (which I love, by the way). IT. WAS. EPIC. I didn’t realize how bad I needed a few days off! Brian and I just celebrated our 9th anniversary. Rather than getting stuff for each other, we try to go and DO something together. Our relationship is rooted in the old adage, “The couple that plays together, stays together,” so it’s important to us to…
Our second day, we attempted to ride Long Canyon to Gemini Bridge, which is northeast of town. We headed out on Hwy 279, which takes off southwest along the Colorado River. The side of the highway is littered with rock climbers, as this is one of the best climbing hubs in town. It’s pretty amazing to watch them! Unfortunately, my carburetor plugged up right as we were passing the Poison Spider Mesa trailhead. I’m on a KLX250, which is turns…
I recently got to join Brian and his family on their sometimes-annual pilgrimage to Moab, UT. Brian’s been riding motorcycles with his dad and brother since he was about 5 years old. Moab is sort of a meet-in-the-middle destination, with his parents heading up from Arizona and his brother’s family/friends heading in from Idaho. Moab is just a short 4-hour drive for us from Summit County, but we might as well be visiting Mars for all the similarities it has…
I’ve been in a funk lately. I have been tired and sleeping a lot. I’ve been grumpy more often than not. I don’t want to hike or be outside, much less blog about the outdoors. The couch has a permanent indentation from my ass, as I’ve sulked away the hours. Let’s be real here… I’ve been letting the stress of moving to a new home and the pressures of a new job get to me this last month. I’ve been…
I haven’t posted in a while… we bought a house! And moved! And I started a new job!! Holy Crap! It’s been bananas, but we are finally starting to get settled in. 🙂 Thanks for bearing with me. Now that we are past the move, we find the seasons changing. Just like in my favorite show, Game of Thrones, “Winter is Coming” in the high country!! I’m excited because winter is one of my favorite seasons. We’ve already had 3 days…
Fall has come around in the high country. The air is crisp and I’m rocking a beanie again. Oktoberfest has come and gone. Leaves are turning from green to brilliant yellows and reds. Given all the change around me, when a friend of mine asked a question about how to deal with change, it really got me thinking. It seems like such an appropriate topic for the season! I’ve had varying levels of comfort with change throughout my life. I…
In 2013, Brian and I were visiting friends and family in Montana. One of my all-time bucket list climbs for Montana is a burly mountain called Great Northern. It stands just beyond the southern edge of Glacier National Park rises to 8,705 ft. It’s the tallest peak in the Great Bear Wilderness, so the views into Glacier from the peak are fantastic. The trail isn’t maintained, or even marked. It’s kind of a local’s secret, so is more of a…
As I sat outside, alone by the fire this evening, my dog sat with his ears perked up, staring off into the darkness. He was probably just listening to a squirrel or something, but it freaked me out that a moose was going to pop out of the bushes. When you are alone, you tend to “hear” things you wouldn’t normally. Which got me thinking back to some of the best creepy backcountry tales that friends have shared with me…
A while ago, I wrote about “Wilderness Jackwads” and how crazy they make me. So I figured I should address the idea of Leave No Trace… What is Leave No Trace? Leave No Trace is an ethical code of conduct for anyone exploring the wilderness or really doing any outdoor activities. Leave No Trace is also a non-profit that was founded as part of a conservation educational program by multiple government agencies in the early 90s. Why should you care…