welcome to springtime

 We're having a nice run of weather these last couple of weeks: a little rain, a bit of wind, lots of sunshine and temperatures up into the 70s.  Of course, there's still too much snow in the mountains for hiking (although the Park City MTB trails are getting close to being dry enough to ride) so that leaves us firmly in shoulder season.  And that means outdoor chores, like washing windows, weeding, beating the lawn into submission.  The lawn actually looks pretty good (now that all the blown dandelions have been mown down) - certain as green as it's going to get.

Milton and Oliver

All work and no play makes for a crummy weekend, nice weather notwithstanding, so when E and K said they'd gotten their backyard oasis into summer shape and did we want to come over for beers, the answer was a resounding yes.  They have a 1910 bungalow with a double lot: the back half of the backyard is vegetable garden, beehives and compost; the front half is set up for entertaining with flowers, grass, a firepit, an umbrella table and lots of big shade trees.  They also have four dogs - three elderly mini dachshunds and a terrier mix about Milton's age - who Milton gets along with well.  So we got beers and snacks and all three of us went up to do some socializing.  

Oasis indeed

Way better than weeding.

spring break part 4

 Ah, the end is fast approaching.  On Saturday, while I did approximately three miles walking on Pipe Dream (out and back), H and Milton did a six mile trail run (out and back), so we started and ended together.  As previously mentioned, it is so nice having this trail so close as it allows M some off-leash time without us having to drive anywhere.  He doesn't care how often he goes - just as long as he gets to go.  H and I then did a 21 mile road ride (two times out and back along the river plus up to the Arches entrance).  Being the first weekend in May, it was the Kentucky Derby, so we went to Woody's: H's pick came in 2nd while mine (I always pick a gray) came in 12th.  We had texted our friend Chris and he invited us to stop by on the way home, which we did - he, his wife and little boy are good people.

Saturday sky

And then it was the last day.  H and Milton did their final Pipe Dream trail run, then all three of us did our now-traditional last day town walk, dropping off some used books at a local Little Library installation.  It was windy.  We did some more weeding, then cleaned the house and loaded the truck to head back to SLC.  

Coming down through Spanish Fork Canyon

The winds increased as we headed north, then it started to rain as we went up and over the mountain pass.  Then we began to see cars with snow on them as we pushed north through Utah County.  It was definitely snowing by the time we got home: the sidewalks and streets were wet but clear, but the roofs and lawns were covered with 2-3 inches of the white stuff.  We had to turn the HEAT on because the house was at 54F.  Vacation was clearly over.

Oh. My. Heck.

And then the laundry began.

spring break part 3

 Wednesday was another high mileage day for the boys.  First, H and Milton did a 4+ mile trail run on Pipe Dream.  Then, while H did a 22 mile road ride, the dog and I did a 6+ mile hike.  H dropped us off at the radio tower up at Sand Flats Recreation Area, where we took Fins 'N Things out to the Grandstaff Canyon overlook.  We dropped down through the WSA (Wilderness Study Area) to follow a social trail down to where that branch of the canyon joined the main canyon, and then out along the creek to the Colorado River.  

Moody

I hadn't been along the main Grandstaff Canyon trail for a couple of years and I was shocked at how much the recent years' floods had changed the trail - completely rerouted in places.  I didn't recognize sections of the trail and was grateful that I couldn't get lost: only one way and one way out.  We saw hikers at the very start of our hike and at the very end but for the most part had the place to ourselves.

Still moody

H picked us up at the trailhead (whilst waiting, Milton got gratuitous fancy snacks from a nice Washington State couple with a 12 year old golden retriever who didn't mind sharing) and we three had lunch at the Colorado River overlook picnic spot.  By the time we got home, Milton was VERY tired and didn't mind at all when H and I went to Woody's.

New bike jersey, who dis?

We gave the dog a bit of a break on Thursday, leaving him to rest up while we did a 23 mile road ride: on the bike path from the house, through town, out and back on 128, past Arches National Park, and then the whole thing in reverse.  Then we collected lunch stuff and Milton and went up to the Slickrock Trailhead at Sand Flat Recreation Area for another picnic lunch.  It was a gorgeous clear day but the wind was rather chilly; even sitting in the sun required long sleeves and the shade was downright cold.  There were quite a few MTBers, including a bunch who seemed overly optimistic about their ability to ride the Slickrock Trail.  After getting cleaned up at home, we three walked to Spitfire for patio beers and socializing with tourists.

So trendy in my bucket hat

Friday was sunny and warm, but rather breezy ... which escalated to windy by the afternoon.  H and M did a short trail run (Pipe Dream saw a lot of action from us this week - it's so convenient) and then H and A repeated the 23 mile road ride.  Drinks at Woody's to welcome the weekend.

spring break part 2

Milton and I did a big hike on Monday, a gorgeous, sunshiny day: from the house, along Pipe Dream to Hidden Valley, up and across and over the pass to the Moab Rim trail, down through the wash and down to the river.  M also got to do a little swimming, cooling off and drinking his fill from the potholes still full from recent rains.  I texted H before our final descent and he met us at the Moab Rim parking lot after his 25 mile road ride.  

Hidden Valley

It took us about four hours to do that hike: I actually kept Milton leashed for the second half of Hidden Valley until we got out of the wash to keep him from overexerting himself - he was going pretty hard after lizards and ground squirrels (but fortunately didn't see the quail and rabbits).  For parking lot entertainment, we watched a group of old Broncos successfully making their way down the Z-corner and the Devil's Crack - it is still amazing to me what good off-roaders can do.  We went home, cleaned up and headed out on our town bikes for errands (bank, post office) and beer at Josie Wyatt's.  It was tacos for dinner at home and then some firepit time.

Claret cup cactus

Despite Milton's big day on Monday, he still went with H for a 3.5 miles trail run on Pipe Dream Tuesday morning.  After that, H and I saddled up the MTBs and did a ten mile (I was v e r y  s l o w) ride at Moab Brand Trails.  The sun was strong but the temperatures were only in the high 60s F so it was extrement pleasant.  

The pass between Hidden Valley and Moab Rim

We had our lunch at the picnic area overlooking the Colorado River just a few miles down Route 128 on the way back into town.  Late afternoon found us back at Josie Wyatt's for cheap beer and interesting conversation.

Little desert lupin

spring break 2024

Welcome to vacation!  Before we get to the recap, I should 'fess up to something first.  Did we go out for beers every day of our spring break?  Yes, we did.  But (and here comes the rationalization) those drinks were literally the only thing we spent money on the whole time: we didn't eat out (but did eat three meals a day, because I upped my meal prep game), we didn't go to the grocery store (again, successful meal prep), and we didn't even have to fill the truck's gas tank until we were headed home.

We were a bit ahead of peak wildflowers

but they were starting to appear

On Friday, we were a little later getting started than planned (ugh work) and the traffic through Utah County was quite heavy.  It snowed on us going over Soldier Summit and was raining when we got to Moab.  Since it was later than we'd hoped, I just wanted to unpack and settle in; H went for a walk, stopping at Dewey's for a beer since there is a cover charge at Woody's at night.  (That is why we go out early.)

Appreciating the view from Pipe Dream

Saturday was the worst weather of the whole week: cloudy and off/on rain.  H and Milton did a trail run - while I walked, still anxious about re-injuring my knee - on Pipe Dream.  After getting cleaned up, we left the dog at home and strolled across town to check out the Moab Car Show (32nd year).  Our favorites were the really old trucks and the Studebakers, although I will always have a soft spot for classic muscle cars.  Since we had to walk by the Hoodoo to get home, we stopped at Josie Wyatt's for $2 PBRs.  After a quick dinner at home, we popped over next door to say farewell and safe travels to Lauren, our neighbor who was heading off to Oregon.

Pipe Dream art: "Cat"

The next day, Sunday, was overcast and cool but not actually rainy.  I took Milton on a Pipe Dream hike while H did a TON of weeding (kudos) (I helped a little when M and I got back).  Then H and I broke out the road bikes - I love my little Cannondale - for a sixteen mile road ride on the bike path, out along the river and up to the Arches National Park entrance.  Late afternoon we stopped by Woody's, running into our friend Chris and catching up with him.  After dinner we got out the firepit for some star-gazing as the skies started to clear.

aw jeez

We went on vacation and then we got back from vacation and everything was too much (like the laundry - oh my heck the laundry) and I just realized that I haven't posted anything for longer than I would like.  

Apologies!  

We are getting the laundry under control and will resume posting soon.

for planning purposes

We're now in shoulder season, where lift-served skiing has ended for us but there's still too much snow in northern Utah to hike much above the bench.  We did hardly any hiking last year and are determined to do better this season.  Note to self: try not to sprain your ankle again because that messes everything up.

For the record

To get ourselves back in the groove, we put together a list of potential hikes for all the weekends that we'll be around.  Now, we've done similar lists the last couple of springs as well but haven't done any of the listed hikes (although we did do ones that weren't on the list).  The bar is therefore set low: if we cross off just one of these this year, we'll be ahead of the game.