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Long overdue, but a lot has been happening….

Here’s some facts about our trip:

We spent a total of 39 days on the road.

Approximately 3,951 miles driven from door-to-door (Murphys, CA being our starting and ending point)

We averaged 24.4 miles per gallon (yes we kept track)

We listened to every playlist I have on my iPod, including my workout mixes- poor guy…

Neither one of us ditched one another in an abandoned, one-horse-town in Nevada out of annoyance, nor considered it…I don’t think…

We spent about 3 ½ of those 5 ½ weeks sleeping in the truck (and no it was not uncomfortable, nor did we freeze to death) (we did wake up to snow and frozen windows a couple of times though)

We visited 5 National Parks despite the government shut down in the middle of our trip (Zion, Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde and Arches).

I only made Nik get up once to chase away a critter in the middle of the night who had found our food bin and thought he was clever enough to open it- Rocky Raccoon in Moab.

We only had to repair one bike, once, thankfully- my rear shock blew out in Moab and was repaired in Boulder at Dirt Labs which I highly recommend.

We paid for showers twice otherwise we charmed people into letting us into their homes to use their showers or were living in the condo in Breckenridge.  We stayed very clean thank you very much.

We drank local beers most of the trip.

No flash floods. Y-E-S.

No injuries except my pride at trying to bike at altitude.

No bears.

I finished one book on the trip.

We discovered a cast iron is an awesome piece of gear to take car camping and suggest it to all.

Sometimes you have to flop around like a fish to stay warm.

There is always time for champagne.

You can never take too many pictures.

Beaver, Utah does exist.

Speaking of, we finally saw beavers building a dam outside our window in Breckenridge

No moose…meese….mooses….moose-i to speak of.

I know now the plural is moose.

You’re welcome.

We learned if I do not eat for hours at a time, other than when I am sleeping, I turn into the Grinch and all I want to do is steal Christmas from everyone.  Hanger is a real thing.

My favorite chai was in Moab.

It’s best if you always have the following handy: chapstick, flip flops, headlamps, puffy jackets, spare keys and sippy top water bottles.  Life is easier that way.  Trust us.

Prepare yourself for Halloween no matter where you are, you never know what can happen.

When in doubt, bike it out, you’ll feel better.  J

All in all, what an incredible trip to places just a few hours east of here… ok, more than a few, but you get what I’m saying.

The adventures continue in Santa Cruz for a while longer and then who knows what will be next.

Until next time,

M.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”- Ernest Hemingway

Please Note: Pictures should be viewed from bottom to top....upload error....

just outside of Moab- Nik sacrificed a lot to get this photo as it was raining on us and freezing.

Arches National Park- Ham Rock or Balancing Rock....one of those

The infamous Delicate Arch

The landscape through Nik's glasses

Indian Creek- where we woke up

Mesa Verde National Park

BEAVER in Breckenridge!!!!!!!