Mesa Verde with Christian, Leena, and Caite! 6/27/13

Christian and Leena came to visit and I invited Caite along! We meant to go to Mesa Verde, and then float in Durango. Unfortunately the floating didn't work quite right and we had to call it. I hope when the rest of the girls come visit we'll be able to work that out.

First we hiked down to Spruce Tree House. It was like 95 degrees so the hike part was a little miserable, but the pictures are great!

Then we took a peek at Cliff Palace

Then we took a tour of Balcony House with ladders and tunnels!

Super Fun!

Caite's 14th Bday Party!

Caite turned 14 yesterday and we celebrated at a reservoir! Which reservoir, I have no clue. It was something like Ash-un-la-de-um-dee-da-o-ar. But I sure had a lot of fun! Since this IS my blog I'm going to be selfish and start with a picture of me!

Though the water was a little cold Caite swam like there was no tomorrow!

Once Becky got in, it wasn't that bad!

I should have made Caite and her friends pose, but I thought these pictures turned out a little better. Didn't realize I didn't get one with everyone looking at me.

Caite and her friends got to go tubing on the boat which looked like a blast. I need to get in on that action next time!

"Tay-Tay" Caite's niece had A LOT of fun. Taylee -not really sure how to spell her name- has a really cute personality. She loves swimming as much as her Auntie! They're going to have a lot of fun together! Reminds me of playing with my nephew and niece when I was her age! 

And no birthday is complete without a cake fight!!

I took some group photos of party-goers walking up the dock which I will wrap up with.  If anyone reading this wants the link to the full pictures to download please ask! They are all uploaded to Picasa Web Albums and Dropbox.

Hike while Chris and friends rode Dry Fork

So until my mountain biking skills vastly improve, I do NOT plan on riding in Durango. Durango sits about 6500 ft and then when you climb another 1000 feet or so it gets tough. I can't even climb that much on my bike at a more reasonable elevation!

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, I took Chavez for a hike!

We (Chris, me, Brian, Julie, and the two dogs) started at the same point. Chavez can't keep up with the bikes so she got 'stuck' with me :) . Anywho, Chris and friends were doing a loop, I hiked up the backside a bit and turned around. Here is the junction below where I turned right and they turned left:

So I guess I hiked 'Hoffeins Connection'. Its a connection to the Colorado trail. For those of you who don't know about the Colorado trail, it connects Durango to Denver. Its a 400+ mile trail. SOOOOOOO coool! So here's my first experience on the Colorado Trail below!

And finally here's some spectacular views on the way back down!

On my way to Ogden this weekend! Can't wait to see home sweet home!

New Mountain Bike

Chris found this bike for me!

He says its going to be a lot better for my riding. Its a 16" frame which he says will fit me very well.

The handlebars are a lot better than my current ones.

Here are the tires, but Chris says he has some better ones lying around for me.

I guess this is a fork and its going to take a lot more of the bumps for me.

It doesn't have the disc brakes we wanted, but there is a possibility that can be upgraded.

My dad is going to pick it up in Sandy today. But I won't be able to pick it up till the 2nd week of June. I'm excited!

Last Moab Ride for the Season

Sunday May 12 Chris, Amir, and I went riding at the Moab Brand Trails in Moab

First we did the Circle O loop by Amir's suggestion. Notice it is an "intermediate loop" to me it was like the way too hard loop! It was very very hot too. Next we did the Lazy/Easy loop.

Some how I kept my spirits up though! I watched Chris crash and that was NOT COOL. But he's ok!

I'm smiling here, but I was dead....

This is the first time I wore my new helmet. The old one didn't fit very good so I spent the money to get a better one. Also I got to wear my new green bike jersey I got from the thrift store for $3! I am sooooooo sore. I hope I can make a mid-day week ride this week with Chris at Phil's World in Cortez!