catalina island

we really couldn't of asked for a more perfect long weekend. the best weather, lots of yummy fish tacos and great company.  it was also pretty awesome having a professional photographer along...check out his photos here. 

 

really missing dave and his large catch in this photo

  

downieville classic

yay! downieville! it's been on our to-do list for a while now, so stoked to of finally made it happen.
14 miles and almost 5000ft of downhill single track;  seriously one of the most fun trails we've yet to ride.

can't wait to go back and give it another go.

28.

sheesh, that guy i married is 28-years-old.

starting to feel like time is against us, so much to do and so little time.

 i feel like we're racing the clock, which is a stupid race because we're sure to lose.

we've been wanting to bring our mountain bikes to santa cruz for a while now, having heard so much about the singeltrack in the area, and were certainly not disappointed.

it is a pretty incredible experience to go zipping along through the redwoods, the trails are incredibly smooth and fast.

there was a woodies on the wharf event happening over the weekend.

although by the time we finally made it downtown (traffic was a bit of a cluster cuss) it was woodies in a parking lot for us.

i'm not usually that into old cars, but there is just something extra special about these iconic surf-era cars.

we ended our weekend getaway with a stop in san francisco to pick-up a range spotted on craigslist. made us feel somewhat justified for taking four days off of house work. it's hard to leave guilt-free these days with such a mega-project on our hands.

the range is bright shiny and beautiful, can't wait to get the sucker in our new kitchen.

arizona

We headed out for the weekend in search of single track, warm weather and cacti. We found all three. Plus a ridiculously long drive and a new appreciation for McDonald's free coffee refills.

The Sonoran desert has truly captured my heart. The desert landscapes are the most beautiful I've yet to experience. From the hazy distant mountain ranges to the clear blue sky and craggy rock formations.  I love the evening light across the landscape, the long cactus shadows and the aroma that comes wafting up from the harsh landscape. The morning light is just as magical, the desert seems to sing it's last song before the sun works it's way over the horizon and the spell of the night is broken.
 
I got a little self-indulgent in posting pictures here...it's just so hard to pick a favorite. I haven't seen a cactus that didn't beg to be photographed and Denver apparently feels the same way.

a friend

 
You have a friend, and his ways are your ways. You travel together, you spree together confidentially, and you suit each other down to the ground.  -The Virginian

jokes on us

It was getting dark and we were starting to lose hope.  We had driven around for almost an hour and a half looking for a place to park and sleep. False leads and the dream of an "amazing & free overnight parking/camping spot" are going nowhere. All three of us are tired and a bit frustrated. Denver spots an empty driveway above the highway and quickly spins the wheel.  We find ourselves on an empty hillside. The piles of garbage make a convincing case that the area isn't patrolled or private property. We look around at each other; old couches sit slouching into moldy decay, a string of burned-out Christmas lights grace a nearby bush.  It's certainly not inviting but we didn't have many options. No one wanted to shell out $35 for some campsite. If there even was a campsite still available at 9pm on Friday night of Labor day weekend. We unanimously decide to call it a night and make camp. 

About fifteen minutes later we see some lights down the hill near the entrance. Afraid that we'd be locked in or told to leave I just decided to be proactive and go say hi. Off I trotted down the hill.  It was just a couple of lineman and they didn't seem to have a problem with our location, "it's fine if you park, just be sure to close the gate up nice and tight when you leave," they said. I nod my head happily..."yes, yes, It will be the best lock-up you've ever seen." So relieved that they weren't going to kick us back out on the highway.

As they start their trucks and prepare to leave, two of them walk over to where we're reading in the car.
"Don't forget to close that gate" they remind us."We've been splicing some stuff down there, and don't want anybody to get into it."
This seems slightly odd, as the power lines are on poles fifty feet off the ground, but we are eager to please.  "Of course," we say, "we won't forget."

The next morning we wake after a rather uneventful night, save for Jocelyn having a fright because of the moonbeams glinting off of a piece of garbage that looked like the beady eyes of a small and dangerous animal. As we drive out to the highway we pause to close the gate. As I step out of the car I realize that something is amiss.What used to be the gate is a mangled piece of wreckage; rusty and about six feet away from the hinges.This gate has clearly not been closed in years.

Whoever says linemen don't have a sense of humor needs to pay a visit to the crew in Santa Cruz.

Because once just isn't enough

Camping:


Biking:


Lounging:


Bedheads:

Couldn't resist sharing these fresh faces. Good morning sunshine!

Easy on the eyes

We headed south for the weekend to do some mountain biking near Mammoth Lakes. The trails were in perfect condition and the cooler temperatures made the lower elevation portions and ridiculously long hill climbs surprisingly pleasant. The views keep getting better and better.

Another good combo

Camping under the stars. Minimal sleep included. Who knew that a lake could be so loud.


Breakfast in Nevada City

Bumpass Hell

I could say that we spent the weekend camping at Lassen with my family, ate lots of s'mores, swam in a lake, rode our bikes and slept under the stars. However, I'd rather say that we hiked to Bumpass Hell.



Because we did, and then the world ended.