Wednesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Water runoff from the mountains is COLD.
For our day off in Aspen, one of the riders had a friend who is a rafting guide and she was able to hook us up with a great deal to do an all day rafting trip. It was a ton of fun, but very cold! I managed to stay in the raft, but just barely. I had to be yanked back in the raft by the girl behind me when I was about 1/2 in the river...
Weee!
Weee!Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Sometimes riding by yourself is preferable.
I saw my first moose of the trip! It was a mom and babyFriday's LESSON OF THE DAY: The Bike & Build plague exists and is nasty.
Saturday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Utah!
No lesson, just happy to be in Utah! I have never been and on this fine day we arrived after a long 85 miles, with about another 20 to go until our final destination in Vernal. But, to welcome you to into Vernal there is this huge pink dinosaur:
It may seem strange, but we had just passed through Dinosaur National Park, so there were a lot of dinosaur references on this route. As for why its pink, I have no idea. For dinner, our lovely dinner crew decided to make "breakfast for dinner" and whipped up some delicious pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon and grits. Mmmmm.
It may seem strange, but we had just passed through Dinosaur National Park, so there were a lot of dinosaur references on this route. As for why its pink, I have no idea. For dinner, our lovely dinner crew decided to make "breakfast for dinner" and whipped up some delicious pancakes, sausage, eggs, bacon and grits. Mmmmm.
Welcome to Utah!Sunday's LESSON OF THE DAY: River floating is awesome.
After a quick ride into Duchesne, UT we discovered that our site (the county fairgrounds building) was conveniently located with the Strawberry River right behind it. So, naturally, we spent the rest of the afternoon floating down on our backs trying to dodge the rocks and then climbing out and doing it all over again. We met some, uhhh, interesting locals and a really cute puppy named Zeus, and then spent the rest of the night getting a presentation and chatting about affordable housing.
Strawberry River
Strawberry River
After a quick ride into Duchesne, UT we discovered that our site (the county fairgrounds building) was conveniently located with the Strawberry River right behind it. So, naturally, we spent the rest of the afternoon floating down on our backs trying to dodge the rocks and then climbing out and doing it all over again. We met some, uhhh, interesting locals and a really cute puppy named Zeus, and then spent the rest of the night getting a presentation and chatting about affordable housing.
Strawberry River
Strawberry RiverMonday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Provo canyon makes for incredible scenery.
Today's ride was not easy, about 95 miles, and 52.4 of those miles were climbing a pass. Not that I was watching the mileage or anything :) But after the 52.4 miles of climbing we got to decend down the most beautiful canyon I have ever seen. It was really breathtaking, so much so that I wasn't even crabby when my tire exploded at the bottom and I had to change it on the side of the road. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful area to do it in!
Kind of a disappointing summit sign after 53 miles of climbing...
Pretty,
pretty,
pretty,
canyon.
Pretty,
pretty,
pretty,
canyon.Tuesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: B&B can cause some serious damage.
Another build day today, this time in Provo where we worked on demolition for a site they are rebuilding. It was really fun to be able to knock things around like we got to do on our first build day and I even found a girly sledge hammer that was a little more appropriately sized for my muscles than the big ones. Here are some pics:
Cool vintage stove that went to the restore
That, my friends, is very old and dirty and itchy insulation
Another build day today, this time in Provo where we worked on demolition for a site they are rebuilding. It was really fun to be able to knock things around like we got to do on our first build day and I even found a girly sledge hammer that was a little more appropriately sized for my muscles than the big ones. Here are some pics:
Cool vintage stove that went to the restore
That, my friends, is very old and dirty and itchy insulation
Wendesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I miss home.
Today was awesome because we had a relatively short ride into Salt Lake City but we had the best destination EVER. We stayed at the home of one of our rider, Justin Gibbs, and his family was amazing! So much so that we really, honostly didn't want to leave. It was so nice to be in a home with carpet, sofas, cable TV, family photos...the Gibbs' made everyone feel so at home and I think it brought on thoughts of everyone's families and going home. The trip is nearing the end as as much as we are going to miss each other, seeing Justin be so happy to see his family really made everyone that much more excited to see theirs too! They hosted an awesome BBQ with tons of family and friends, but I snuck out for a while so that I could go to dinner with my brother-in-law's parents who live near Salt Lake City. It was great to see them, and a rare treat to eat at a restaurant so all in all it was a great night! After dinner they took my downtown and gave me some history lessons about SLC and its Morman influence.
Today was awesome because we had a relatively short ride into Salt Lake City but we had the best destination EVER. We stayed at the home of one of our rider, Justin Gibbs, and his family was amazing! So much so that we really, honostly didn't want to leave. It was so nice to be in a home with carpet, sofas, cable TV, family photos...the Gibbs' made everyone feel so at home and I think it brought on thoughts of everyone's families and going home. The trip is nearing the end as as much as we are going to miss each other, seeing Justin be so happy to see his family really made everyone that much more excited to see theirs too! They hosted an awesome BBQ with tons of family and friends, but I snuck out for a while so that I could go to dinner with my brother-in-law's parents who live near Salt Lake City. It was great to see them, and a rare treat to eat at a restaurant so all in all it was a great night! After dinner they took my downtown and gave me some history lessons about SLC and its Morman influence.
Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: We love Roosters in Ogden, UT.
If you are ever in Ogden, go to Roosters. These lovely people with the help of my brother-in-law's father, Rich, were kind enough to host lunch for our group on our way to Brigham City for the evening. They had fruit, sandwiches, pasta salad, and most importantly root beer floats for us! We rarely get anything but peanut butter and jelly for lunch so it was an amazing treat. I also really loved the little town of Odgen and I'm going to recommend to next year's group that they stay there for the night.
If you are ever in Ogden, go to Roosters. These lovely people with the help of my brother-in-law's father, Rich, were kind enough to host lunch for our group on our way to Brigham City for the evening. They had fruit, sandwiches, pasta salad, and most importantly root beer floats for us! We rarely get anything but peanut butter and jelly for lunch so it was an amazing treat. I also really loved the little town of Odgen and I'm going to recommend to next year's group that they stay there for the night.
Friday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Christmas in July is really fun.
So today we went to Idaho, and in the spirit of Christmas in July we did a Secret Santa and everyone had to pick a name and give their person something that was either found or donated. Here are some of my favorties that people came up with: a wagon that was strapped to the back of the gift giver for 20 miles, a mud flap that was cut into the shape of Iowa to give to a rider who is from there, a unripe turnip, found beach ball, and an Idaho potato pin. It was the best Christmas ever.
So today we went to Idaho, and in the spirit of Christmas in July we did a Secret Santa and everyone had to pick a name and give their person something that was either found or donated. Here are some of my favorties that people came up with: a wagon that was strapped to the back of the gift giver for 20 miles, a mud flap that was cut into the shape of Iowa to give to a rider who is from there, a unripe turnip, found beach ball, and an Idaho potato pin. It was the best Christmas ever.
Saturday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Yikes, sunburn hurts.
89 miles today, from Holbrook to Burley. The ride wasn't hard, but it was very, very hot. So much so that a group of us decided to ditch our jerseys in order to get some extra wind on our backs. The one flaw in the plan is that it was so nice that we didn't put them back on until about 40 miles later and by that point our poor backs were burnt to a crisp. We all have very distinct tan lines outlining where our hydration packs were, and here I am 4 days later sitting a computer lab cursing the chair because its rubbing on my back.
Sunday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Sometimes huge waterfalls appear as if from nowhere.
There was a lot of confusion on this ride because we were told the "Niagra Falls of the West" was where we were going to have lunch at mile 40. And at mile 38 all that we could see was mass amounts of crops and flat land as far as the eye can see. Then, all of the sudden the earth gave way and we were in an awesome canyon with some great waterfalls. We had lunch there and then traveled a bit farther up the canyon for some great rocks and swimming holes.
We have a knack for finding rocks to jump off
Bigger, scarier rocks
Lots of elk, just haning' out
Blending in
Shoshone Falls, where we ate lunch
This is the bridge we saw people base jumping off of...that is NOT a sport I will taking up
There was a lot of confusion on this ride because we were told the "Niagra Falls of the West" was where we were going to have lunch at mile 40. And at mile 38 all that we could see was mass amounts of crops and flat land as far as the eye can see. Then, all of the sudden the earth gave way and we were in an awesome canyon with some great waterfalls. We had lunch there and then traveled a bit farther up the canyon for some great rocks and swimming holes.
We have a knack for finding rocks to jump off
Bigger, scarier rocks
Lots of elk, just haning' out
Blending in
Shoshone Falls, where we ate lunch
This is the bridge we saw people base jumping off of...that is NOT a sport I will taking upMonday's LESSON OF THE DAY: Bike & Build has talent, and we're not afraid to show it.
Today I was driver, and I have to say I'm lucky because although it was a relatively short 64 miles, the headwinds were extremely strong and it was a very frustrating ride for most people. But enough of the negative stuff...this turned out to be the best day ever because it was the night of a few special treats. First, the leaders decided to cook dinner for the group and it felt SO good to cook again! I miss it. We made pasta with spicy peanut sauce and chicken, mushrooms and broccoli, spinach and artichoke dip, a killer greens salad with veggies we don't treat ourselves too very often, and a yummy parsely, tomato and cucumber salad. Everyone really enjoyed it and we topped it off with and ice cream sundae bar complete with whipped cream and sprinkles. But this was all a precurser to the main event...The First Annual SC2SC Bike & Build TALENT SHOW! It was hilarious...here are some of the events:
Swing dancing
Juggling
Swing dancing
Juggling
Bike & Build rodeo (race to change a flat and "hog tie" a thermarest")
Poetry SlamThere were also some singing acts, one funny one and one seriously amazing performance by Abby, our resident opera singer. Then my friend Laura and I did impressions of everyone on the trip. Hopefully it was funny and not horribly offensive, and then to end the night we all put on choir robes and sang our revised version of "Country Roads". It may have been one of the best Bike & Build nights yet.
Tuesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I miss being a girl. But I did ride as fast as a boy today.
44 miles to Boise? No problem! My fellow ladies and I finished in a little over two hours because of the amazing lack of wind and a very flat ride. It felt great to be fast! Plus it gave us most of the day to explore Boise which is such a great little city. I have never been there but after showering we wandered around and I was really pleasantly surprised with the great shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
Wednesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I love Boise.
I didn't get to wander as much as I would have liked on this day, but I did get to sit at a coffee shop outside for multiple hours while I worked on my resume. It was really pleasant, and then later on that night I got to reward myself for all my hard work earlier with a wine tasting and dinner at a Basque restaurant. I really can't say enough good things about Boise. I would really love to go back.
Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: It feels awesome to give out money!!!
Today, after a really quick ride into Oregon (only one state border left...ahh!) we had a great discussion about our affordable housing grants and who we want to give our fundraised funds out to. We already paid for the house in Colorado Springs, so we had about $22,000 dollars left to dole out and we had some great discussions about who to give it to and why. I'm really pleased with our decision, and because the applicants don't know yet I won't say who is getting all your donated money, but I'll tell you as soon as I can! Just know it is going to amazing affordable housing organizations that are very committed to getting young adults involved and excited about volunteering.
So now I'm about to travel into the Pacific time zone tomorrow, and also think about how there are only two more weeks from tomorrow left on this amazing adventure I'm on. It seems insane that its almost over, and I'm doing my best to enjoy every last moment I have withe my bike, the open road, and most importantly all the incredible people I've had the pleasure of traveling with for the past couple months.
See some of you very soon! Chicago here I come.
Wednesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I love Boise.
I didn't get to wander as much as I would have liked on this day, but I did get to sit at a coffee shop outside for multiple hours while I worked on my resume. It was really pleasant, and then later on that night I got to reward myself for all my hard work earlier with a wine tasting and dinner at a Basque restaurant. I really can't say enough good things about Boise. I would really love to go back.
Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: It feels awesome to give out money!!!
Today, after a really quick ride into Oregon (only one state border left...ahh!) we had a great discussion about our affordable housing grants and who we want to give our fundraised funds out to. We already paid for the house in Colorado Springs, so we had about $22,000 dollars left to dole out and we had some great discussions about who to give it to and why. I'm really pleased with our decision, and because the applicants don't know yet I won't say who is getting all your donated money, but I'll tell you as soon as I can! Just know it is going to amazing affordable housing organizations that are very committed to getting young adults involved and excited about volunteering.
So now I'm about to travel into the Pacific time zone tomorrow, and also think about how there are only two more weeks from tomorrow left on this amazing adventure I'm on. It seems insane that its almost over, and I'm doing my best to enjoy every last moment I have withe my bike, the open road, and most importantly all the incredible people I've had the pleasure of traveling with for the past couple months.
See some of you very soon! Chicago here I come.
Hi Bella Believe it or not I was coming from Milwaukee this morning and was thinking about the same as you, your travels back to Chicago and your amazing adventure. I can't wait to hear all about it. Also Uncle Dave wants to know where you saw all those elk.
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