Las Vegas, Red Rocks

The drive into Vegas, the towns on the outskirts of Vegas took me by surprise. There is some shady activity going on out there. Mix the dry desolation of the desert with poverty and legal prostitution and people will make a way to get by. I might be making assumptions from the comfort of my car driving by on the interstate, but the area seemed really rough and I had no desire to lurk around the area.

We pulled into Las Vegas mid morning after a good two huge days of riding in Tahoe that were stacked on four days of riding before that. I felt my bits and pieces wearing down and even though the timing was perfect, we parked it in the trail head parking lot, I put my foot down and insisted that we take rest day.  It was turning out to be a scoarcher of a day and riding in the heat of the day isn’t the funnest way to spend time. John used a few hours to disassemble the back of the van to charge the AC and the extra love that a 25 year old German van needs which appently includes replacing fuel lines in the parking lot. John waned about the size of a tool box to pack, and after much consideration he packed a pretty hefty repertoire, including extra fuel lines that came in very handy. I love the Westy but I don't think I would feel as comfortable traveling in it without John and his mechanical savy. After cleaning up the yard sale we drove into the Red Rocks National Park.

Lucy loves the nomadic lifestyle

Neither of us had been into the park even though combined we have been to Vegas more than a dozen times. We enjoyed jumping out and snapping some pictures, saw a wild burro and looked for the alleged wild tortoises. Red Rocks is a major climbing destination (we have yet to climb there). It was fun to watch people gear up in the parking lots, knowing that this is what we must look like.

There didn’t seem to be much free camping in the vicinity so we camped in the one designated camping spot near the park. I think we hit them at a bad time but it felt like an incredible waste of money. There was no running water in the whole spread, it was under construction ( lets hope it was to bring water in) and a mess, no showers, no shade. The place was packed to boot, it would have been great to have been able to find a spot in the the main area and strike up a conversation with most likely other climbers but the place was at capacity. There was a spur for Rvs and we ended up finding a spot there and parked it for the night. It took all the will power we had to fight the urge to indulge in the city. Seriously. We were inches away. I made us a salad, John cracked another beer and we embraced being dirt bags. We invited a Swiss couple to share our site with us. They flew into LA and rented a cargo van and were hitting all the climbing spots in the south west.

The next morning we beat the heat and went for one of our shortest and fastest rides (for me) at Cottonwood and rode up to black velvet canyon. It was nice to be able to pedal hard for 90 minutes after being at elevation. The riding was fun enough but nothing to be blown away by.

I insisted on going to an In and Out burger in down town Vegas. I eat about one hamburger a year and for some reason I thought that today needed to be the day and I was under the impression that I was missing something by never have partaken in the chain. John tells me that I usually like the idea of something more than actually doing it. He knows me too well.  

Las Vegas

 

Las Vegas was a blast. A few short days, a couple long nights, all that a Vegas trip should be, nothing more.

Friends, shows, food.

Sunshine, people gazing and flashy clothing.

We scored some tickets to see Ben Harper play outside at the Cosmopolitan.

The venue for the show was pretty spectacular.

We had great friends that kept it fun, there were many great memories made and a life long friendship established.

We took in Absinthe at Caesar's Palace and I almost ran away with the circus. In my dreams, I am a gymnast. If you have the chance to see this show, please try and catch it. Funny off color humor that only Las Vegas can get away with.

 J rolling in style the entire time, including making us mimosas to break the desert heat and provide a little laughter as we mixed cocktails on the side of the strip. Classy.

My two cents: keep the kids out of Vegas. Vegas will keep the unmentionables out of Disney Land....

Circus Circus might be hell on Earth. A casino is the last place I ever want to ran over by a stroller.

Jet Set - Las Vegas Style

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Vegas bound baby!

Las Vegas, it is true. It may be the one and only time so we are doing it in style.

From my fave design read: DESIGN LOVE FEST

You best believe we will be looking good strolling down the strip.

Show Stoppers.

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We plan on dancing until.......

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Well, what happens in Vegas is going to stay there!

Have a great long weekend everyone.

Happy birthday to my momma. She is turning 50 and celebrating in style - if you see her give her a big hug!

Better than a good day at the office: the rest of the story

Where have I been... I know... not giving my lovely little blog enough attention. I guess it must be the combination of summer and increased work load. So to those of you who have not lost complete interest, bless your heart, I am going to focus more on this little baby.

This last week it was, I will honestly admit, a much needed break from sitting in front of a computer.

Our "Staycation" was great, and now back at the office, reflecting on it, I had fun. From BBQs, The Deming Log Show, Mt. Seymore, Whistler Bike Park, Solstice Party, and much needed R&R (after the party, but the whole week felt pretty chill).

Yes, we really spent an afternoon at the Log Show. We took in such events as tree climbing, double bucking, log rolling... you know, all those great logging sports?!?

The other highlight of the vacation (what could be more exciting than a log show you might be wondering...) was Whistler! **Phew** It puts "a grin across my face that you couldn't beat off with a hammer" (an exact quote from a man we met on the chair lift). This is about as close as one can get to biking heaven. Three full days of riding... pure fun! No crashes (well no high speed diggers), a condo to ourselves, good weather, and some weekday riding. I want to go back this weekend, I think my climbing gear is about to gather some dust. **We brought our bouldering pad and shoes, sure we would be dieing to stop in Squamish on the way home and get a good pump, we went to the bike shop and then to the brew pub instead...**

We rounded out the vacation with a bang up Solstice party. Which was a cherry on top of the weekend.

Better than a good day in the office - DAY 1

John and I took the week off (applause!!!). It is great weather here in Bellingham and we are not going anywhere! This hasn't ever happened, we are staying in town this week and playing in the PNW. Sorry to my coworkers, Big sorry to them, thanks for letting me leave in the midst of this crazy project.

John took last Friday off as well, he said he woke up with a smile. There is music to my ears! If felt pretty good to be coming home Sunday night and not have to worry about getting up Monday for work... Now it is 7am and I am up because I want to be! This is going to be a good week!

Reason #1 for not being in the office: We got to eat lunch at Wasbi together. YUM! Instead of going to the office being stuffed we went bouldering at Seahome. Bouldering at Seahome is much better in the afternoon than after work, there is actually sun that can creep through the canopy.

Reason #2 for not being in the office: I will take pushing my downhill bike up trails, washes, rocky gullys... in a full face, with leg guards, sweating profusely and then to for me to pick the wrong trail to ride which leaves us more lost pushing our bikes uphill both ways.... before sitting at my computer any day.

Yes, John took me to the North Shore of Vancouver yesterday to ride. We went to Fromme first, which was a blast! My bike was so much fun! Here, there is a gate across the access road, which leaves us pedaling up a good hour on "the perfect road," it is hard to imagine that there is a road out there that is enjoyable to pedal big bikes up but I just have, there are about seven switchbacks on the road (as John told me this, I was ready for a hanus Cleator Road of sorts) but the grade of this road was so gradual, it was really the perfect climb! Since the climb must detoured a lot of folks, the trails as John pointed out, are still in amazing shape. It was great to ride (even if I pushed probably more than I rode) these amazing trails. This is really what you see in all those crazy bike videos. I really can't wait to get back there. It was a blast!

After that we went for a little exploration to Mt. Seymore and the town of Deep Cove. Mt. Seymore id the same ball of wax, but you can drive 11 kilometers up a nice highway and shuttle the trails. Us not guaranteed another ride back to our car and the thought of pedaling 11 km up a road was completely out of the question. We ended up powering up an easy trail and riding a few other trails (this is the whole part that kind of blew up, pushing way further than we had imagined, riding a poor trail choice by me, sweating really hard...), but at the end of the day I had a smile on my face and was stoked to have ridden these trails (I hope John felt the same way, after waiting on me all day).

The last stop was a little town called Deep Cove, a little community nestled by a bay on the side of Mt. Seymore. If you are in Vancouver, pop down, I think we want to move there!

Loving the ride

There is nothing like a vacation for me to rejuvenate my soul and lite the fire in me.
Our mini trip to Tennessee was lovely. We spent quality time with family, enjoyed the outdoors, relaxed, reminisced, and ate lots of food. I disconnected from the Internet for the trip, turned my cell phone off and returned to somewhat of a simpler existence. **deep breath** What a relief. John and I took up walking together which never happens at home, we also went on a couple runs together at Montgomery Bell State Park. What a treat.
My now extended family couldn't be better to me. They have brought me into their lives with open arms and hearts. With Corrie flying in from Colorado, Bill and Betsy driving from Dallas, JR, Teresa, Bailey, Jack all living a ten minute walk from Jonny, we got to spend some quality time with everyone. This trip I felt that I was able to connect with a few more than before, which warms my heart with just the thought. I was able to let go and take everyone in, how ever it happened. With this I must say that I enjoyed everyone and all my time.
Now back home, we came home to a clean house, a lovely dog, crazy cat, longer days, spring bulbs, and the passion that is released here at home. I have got back on my commuter, enjoying the ride before and after work, I have found new drive at work, and most important I feel even more blessed to have John in my life. He is my soul mate.

Have a great afternoon!

Tennessee or bust

We made it home... safe and sound.
Our adventure to Tennessee was wonderful and refreshing.
As always, I am back from vacation, bustling with ideas, passions, reflections, inspirations. All this has to wait until I am off the clock. T minus 4 hours. I know I can do it!
I promise some good stories, new artists, and pictures from the trip in the next couple of days!