On Wednesday we did some awesome mountain biking on these trails near Moab (Bar-M trails). Our bikes were definitely a hindrance. My gears constantly slip, and Pat had shifting troubles with his. Our skills were rusty, too. That being said it was loads of fun, great quad workout, and we didn't get hurt.
We spent Thursday at Zion National Park, as can be seen from the pictures. We sort of threw this in at the very last second, because we had heard positive reviews from a lot of people. We spent the day doing a little hiking, a lot of biking on the road and trails, some museums, etc. We wanted to camp out in the park but every spot was booked. We could have camped outside of the park but we thought that was weak. Were planning to head to Vegas on Friday anyways, and we had a place to stay on Thursday, so we figured we might as well head out.
Once it got dark at Zion we left for a 2.5 hour drive to Vegas. Checked in, went out, played craps for a couple hours. Had six great drinks, and was only down 9 bucks at the end of the night, so I'd say I was a winner. We are going to be here tonight (Friday) and Saturday night, then on Sunday we are driving to Salt Lake City so that I can catch my flight home.
On an aside, I don't get how a national park can EVER run out of camping spots. We don't need a fire pit or running water, we don't need a designated area, and we don't need restrooms. We need a 20 x 20 patch of dirt to put our stuff on, and as it turns out, there is a LOT of land in these national parks. It is extremely annoying to me that they won't just let people set up wherever so long as they are experienced, respectful, and don't leave a trace. The essence of camping is to live among nature without nature knowing you are there. I'm resentful that I don't get to camp where I want because (I assume) some jackasses have left messes or caused problems in years past.
Here is what they should do. If you want to camp freely, you get a GPS tracker when you enter the park. The GPS tracker then establishes where your main campsite was. If you leave a mess, the park rangers figure out who did it and then you get a hefty ticket in the mail. I think I'm going to write a letter to the national park service and propose this solution.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Biking near Moab, UT
There is a mountain biker's mecca near Moab called Slick Rock. There are a bunch of trails in the area, between Arches and Canyonlands Nat Parks. The intermediate trails are tough. It's generous to refer to the expert trails as trails at all. They're more like poorly marked paths through rocks.
Anyhow, both of our bikes are pretty sub par for these sorts of trails but I'd say we did pretty well all things considered. Biked for four hours, held a good pace, not one serious fall from either of us.
I actually had put my belt in my backpack before heading out b/c I figured I could use it to make a splint or tourniquet w/ it if necessary.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Through the Rockies
We thought about camping in the Rocky Mountains, but it started snowing. So we decided to drive until it was warm and we wouldn't get rained on or snowed on anymore.
Denver
After Rushmore we drove to Denver, which was only six hours. Lots of rain, even more fog for most of the drive. We got into Denver at 930 and stayed on the futon of a couple girls Pat knows from IU. Went out for a late dinner and drinks last night.
Woke up this am and rode bikes to brunch. One of the best brunches I've ever had, at Snooze. Then we rode around the neighbourhood and to a park. Denver is completely awesome. What a place.
Anyway we packed up and now we are headed west on 70. Arches National Park is 6 hours away. We will drive into the mountains and stop to camp if we are so inclined, otherwise will continue to Arches.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Mother Nature: 3: Human Adventurers: 0
We were on our way to Yellowstone, as I just wrote below. And I thought I would check the weather to see what its looking like out there. Wouldn't you know it, there is a winter storm alert. Late spring snowfall looking like 15 inches. Are you kidding me!? Tetons, which we were going to hit up as well, already has 3 inches.
We came equipped for mostly summer weather with some long sleeve T-shirts and light jackets. Not at all equipped for snow. Plans have changed. We aren't going to go to either Yellowstone or Tetons. We are going to go to Rushmore as planned and then turn south.
Headed to Denver now. Will stay there for a bit; day or two. Then we're going to go to Utah and hit up Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. I checked the weather and they aren't supposed to get any snow there. After that we may drive to Vegas for a day or two and then we will drive up to Salt Lake City so I can catch my flight.
At this point, we are doing whatever. The only plan we have is to be in Salt Lake City on June 5th to catch my flight to Indy. No idea what will happen between now and then.
We came equipped for mostly summer weather with some long sleeve T-shirts and light jackets. Not at all equipped for snow. Plans have changed. We aren't going to go to either Yellowstone or Tetons. We are going to go to Rushmore as planned and then turn south.
Headed to Denver now. Will stay there for a bit; day or two. Then we're going to go to Utah and hit up Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. I checked the weather and they aren't supposed to get any snow there. After that we may drive to Vegas for a day or two and then we will drive up to Salt Lake City so I can catch my flight.
At this point, we are doing whatever. The only plan we have is to be in Salt Lake City on June 5th to catch my flight to Indy. No idea what will happen between now and then.
Mother Nature: 1 Human Adventurers: 0
As I said below, we showed up at Badlands Nat Park last night at about 10:00 pm. The rain had started slowly just before we got there. It wasn't super bad when we were setting up camp, but it just kept getting progressively worse. The wind was relentless, too. It was blowing hard enough to drive water under our tiny tent's tarp. Actually, it could have been far worse. The tarp was being held down by two tiny stakes that I had driven into the ground. Had one of those slipped, the corner would have popped up and water would have poured into the tent. So through the night I was just praying that didn't happen.
We woke up and it was still raining, and hard. There are little shelters at each campsite, but that would have done us no good, since the angle of the rain was so sharp. So we just said screw it and got breakfast at the lodge. Sell outs.
After breakfast we went out in the car to try to do some hiking or biking. The problem is that it had apparently rained 12 of the last 14 days in the Badlands, even though in general it is a very dry place. Just out luck. The ground was SOAKED. Everything was pure mud. In most places you could hardly walk, let alone mountain bike. Climbing up on the sediment mounds would have been quite literally impossible, because the sides of them had turned into pure mud.
We did some biking in a relatively grassy field, trying to get a closer look at some sheep. Drove around a bit and took pictures after. We were done at noon. We had planned to spend the day at Badlands and go to Yellowstone tomorrow, but that plan has changed. Now we're headed to Mount Rushmore (which is right on the way) and hopefully will be in Yellowstone before dark. So we'll have 3 days in Yellowstone, maybe a fourth if we use our flex-day.
Meanwhile, we're driving west as I type this, and are just getting blasted by more rain and wind that is on its way to Badlands. Good decision bailing. Badlands will be there for at least a few thousand more years, so I can always go back. Spea later, bad weather.
We woke up and it was still raining, and hard. There are little shelters at each campsite, but that would have done us no good, since the angle of the rain was so sharp. So we just said screw it and got breakfast at the lodge. Sell outs.
After breakfast we went out in the car to try to do some hiking or biking. The problem is that it had apparently rained 12 of the last 14 days in the Badlands, even though in general it is a very dry place. Just out luck. The ground was SOAKED. Everything was pure mud. In most places you could hardly walk, let alone mountain bike. Climbing up on the sediment mounds would have been quite literally impossible, because the sides of them had turned into pure mud.
We did some biking in a relatively grassy field, trying to get a closer look at some sheep. Drove around a bit and took pictures after. We were done at noon. We had planned to spend the day at Badlands and go to Yellowstone tomorrow, but that plan has changed. Now we're headed to Mount Rushmore (which is right on the way) and hopefully will be in Yellowstone before dark. So we'll have 3 days in Yellowstone, maybe a fourth if we use our flex-day.
Meanwhile, we're driving west as I type this, and are just getting blasted by more rain and wind that is on its way to Badlands. Good decision bailing. Badlands will be there for at least a few thousand more years, so I can always go back. Spea later, bad weather.
Driving to Badlands
Praying the rain stops so we can start mountain biking. This place is amazing. More pics incoming.
Bad bad lands.
Pat and I show up to Badlands Nat Park last night at about 10 pm. That's when the relentless wind and rain started. It wasn't super bad at first, but really irritating because the rain was blowing at a 45 degree angle and getting everywhere.
We set up camp without too much trouble, lit some charcoal to cook hot dogs, and went to bed. All night it rained relentlessly and much harder. It was at such a sharp angle that it got in through under the tarp. Apparently we got hit by the only SD storm cell in a while. Fun.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Washington University 2
A golf course and park is right by the campus. Also the neighborhood is really nice. Awesome homes where some professors live. Reminds me a lot of Meridian / Pennsylvania near 50th street in Indianapolis. Old, unique homes.
Washington University 1
I had no idea how gorgeous the area around Wash-U is! More pictures to come. Can only post in threes.
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