schnauzers.ws

Write a song about your passion.
Where does it begin?
On a road, on a trail,
On a bike, with a spin.

It’s my song and not finished.  In fact, I don’t think I will ever try to finish it. I’ll just keep writing it, adding verses, and building an iambic pentameter based upon my pedal strokes.

Some how I knew that dragging the camper to Buffalo Weekend would be productive. With the campsite setup in minutes (my version of a park and ride), I held off on the tempting beer and headed for a short loop. While I didn’t have a secluded camping spot, it did provide some very easy access to a variety of loops.

The late afternoon weather was stellar albeit a little warm. The trails were empty!

It was at this point that I have my first brain wrestle. I can cruise this loop and take it in, or I can burn this loop and drink beer. Decisions, decisions!

It is very hard to burn through a loop, when there are just so many reasons to stop. I don’t race when I ride with others, why should I do it now?

The wind is calm, the air has a sweet yet dusty aroma, and water trickles in the creek below. I turn my head for a slight second. This place is enchanted.

Now, how did that happen? But, it gives me an idea. I hit every pine cone on the trail. That crunching sound is surreal. I’m grinning ear to ear, like a child doing something naughty. Cccccrrrrruuuunnnnncccchhhhh!

My decision to slow it down was a good one. It’s a chance to discover things I never saw before. I stop to look at some old trail markers and in the distance the ground colors are different.  What is that? I never knew this was here. Lucky homeowner!

More things catch my attention. Given the condition of this wildlife tree, I think someone better choose a new tree very soon, but apparently “snags” are coveted by the Forest Service. I’m not quite sure how a metal sign fits in with the natural decaying process of a dead or dying tree. Still, I like the sign. Someone put a lot of time into coming up with that drawing. We need more wildlife trees! Well, maybe more of the cool signs.

Back at camp, it’s time to celebrate outdoors.  It is Cinco de Mayo after all. Even the bike gets to be part of the celebration.

I don’t camp lightly. A hot dog ain’t gonna cut it. Substance! Chicken with a smoked paprika, jalepeno, garlic, and sea salt dry rub (there’s other stuff in there, but I’d have to kill you if I told you), corn in butter sauce, and some steam roasted red potatoes. All done on the BBQ with no pots (I don’t like cleaning). Oh, and more beer :).

The bike approves as well as the local fire officials to my approved campfire device. It’s not camping without a fire and the fire ban really puts a sting on that.  No open burning. Thank you mister propane tank and ceramic logs!

I had the music pumped up by now and a few beers into the evening.  Howling at the moon!

It was a quiet night and perfect temperature. Cocooned up in a down blanket, pillows, a memory foam bed, and the Muppet movie on the the iPad. I was out within five minutes for probably one of the most restfull nights I have had in years. If I could bottle that perfection, I’d be a billionaire.

Saturday proved to be even more productive. A much longer loop was planned an executed. This included Shinglemill, Colorado Trail, Redskin Creek Trail, Gashouse Trail, Charlies Cut-off, Raspberry Ridge, out and back on Homestead to Sandywash,  back up Charlies, Down Baldy, Morrison Creek, Shinglemill. I’m not sure of the mileage, but it seemed like more downhill than uphill.

The Colorado Trail was in rather nice shape for this time of year.

The morning was creating a rainforest-like atmosphere.

Timing self-portraits is tricky business. I was either too early or too late. I was trying to show the element of speed (what little I have).

When I reached top intersection, I came across a familiar sight. I guess, I would not have done Charlies and the stuff below had this trailer not been here. It was an opportunity to talk to friends, and I thought they were on those trails. Sucker! Got me to add a bit more mileage to the ride. Back at the top, I headed down Baldy.  I have to say it is way underrated as trail.  That thing screams! It also turned out to be where the crew was working. I got to stop, talk, and hopefully start patching up a few mistakes.

One thing I did notice today, was that is was crowded! There were people riding everywhere and many, in fact the majority, had never been here. I spent a lot of time talking to people, planning routes, and giving a perspective. A lot of newer riders had started from Pine Valley and had planned routes that included many of the lower areas and southern areas. I think I may have saved a few broken relationships :).

I spent about fifteen minutes at the Shinglemill/Morrison Creek intersection. It was a like a super highway.

Back at base, I treated myself to one of the most confusing beers I have ever had.

I really don’t know what to say. It was like charcoal grilled fruit. Was it a stout or an IPA? Nothing really stood out and it just seemed weird. I still have to drink three more cans of it or pawn it off to some unsuspecting fool.

In the late afternoon, I hiked an old abandoned dirt road.

Which lead me to a TMZ discovery.

This, my friends is corridor flagging, aka new trail.  It goes east and west.  Looks like east from Nice Kitty trail.

And, eventually connecting to Shinglemill.

Why would you parallel the Colorado Trail with a fully exposed (no trees) trail? Why not repair and re-route the CT? Seems like a waste of resources, but I am sure they have their reasons. I would guess it is the Colorado Trail Blazers doing this trail.

Anyway, the seventies called.  They want their can back.

A few more pictures from the afternoon.  The sun was doing some amazing things to colors.  Green is now gold thanks to mother nature.  I don’t think I could ever duplicate what nature did with the lighting tonight.