Sweet, long ride in BC today

Weekend up high

Carey and Craig graciously invited us on their weekend camping trip to Salida. I have never been to Salida, up until now and I can't wait to get back there. And I can't wait to get back camping.....anywhere!

We got up super duper early pn Saturday to meet them down there to set up camp and hit the Rainbow trail and then chill out with the dogs and maybe watch Craig do some fishing. We did just that :) and sat around the campfire trading stories, Carey made some yummy guacamole and passed around her bottle of tequila and we shared her yummy vegan cookies and gluten free birthday bars. Everything was super delicious, vegan and gluten free foodsjavascript:void(0) have come a long way for sure!

Sunday we got up, not so early and made breakfast and packed up camp. Carey had a few trails in mind but we decided on Mt. Shavano because we could do an out and back on the Colorado trail...unfortunately, when we got to the base of Mt. Shavano it was hailing and raining and cold and we really didn't want to ride in those conditions. Dan said he knew of a trail he rode the last time he was out there that was pretty darn cool....sans the 6 miles of dirt road and what seemed like endless amount of 2 track :( I wasn't prepared for that and was a little grumpy once we got to the actual trailhead. But he assured us the boring climb would be totally worth it. And it was...twisty singletrack in the tree's, rolling terrain, my sidewall puncture, a little hail and whole lot of fun. I just wish the singletrack section was a little longer because it was so darn fun...luckily after a few miles of 2 track descent we ended the trail on some more super fun singletrack. Enough to put a huge smile on my face and a very empty hunger in my stomach.

I'm so glad we got to finally get out and camp again...it's been way too long and I've missed it. And I'm even more happy that Patch loves camping as well, even the cold night...he slept under his blanket the whole time! We've now purchased some more supplies that will make the nights more comfortable and the mornings more enjoyable....like an inflatable mattress and a 12 cup percolator. Everything else we had....we just hadn't used it in so long :(

I can't wait for our next camping weekend and riding adventure...Carey did mention something about Carbondale ;) I know they both enjoy camping and riding just as much as we do so it won't be a hard weekend to sell!

Here are some pics of our weekend


-Kim