cross training

 On the days that I didn't hike with Milton, we rode our bikes.  Actually, bikes were ridden each day.  H did road rides (on the bike path, on his road bike) Friday (6.23 miles), Saturday (21), Sunday (21) and Monday (21).

Some of the little trees are high and dry now

Our cruiser bikes got worked out too.  On Saturday, we just rode to Woody's to meet our friend Chris for a beer.  On Sunday, when I was supposed to be resting my ankle, we rode them 16+ miles, out to the entrance to Arches and then out along the river road and back, then rode another 3ish miles to see our friend Crystal.  Monday, after Milt's and my hike, we cruised the river road (12ish miles).  And Tuesday we repeated the Arches/river road route (16ish).

Look at all that dirt!

We stopped to check out the level of the Colorado River on one of those cruiser rides.  It's down for sure - the current looks slower too - and the amount of sediment it has dropped on the boat launch by the pedestrian bridge is incredible.  There must be two feet of dirt on top of the concrete - it's a whole new beach.

It's important to stay hydrated

Tuesday was also the Fourth of July so we took Milton out to watch the parade (it ended a block from our house and lasted a whole fifteen minutes, consisting primarily of first responder vehicles wailing their sirens, but also included a horse drill team with a well-trained blue heeler).  We also were social!  Our friend Jose invited us over for Palomas, which were delicious, and then we three and our neighbor Natalie walked to the Trailhead Public House and Eatery for burgers.  What's more American than a good burger?  We are pleased to report that you can get very good ones at the Trailhead: I had the Italian Chic and H had the BBQ Bean, both house-made vegan burgers on vegan brioche buns and both VERY good; Jose had the Polygamy Burger (multiple patties haha); and Natalie had the Rosemary Mushroom Melt, which if I were just a vegetarian, I totally would have gotten, it looked so good.  No photos as we were all too busy stuffing our faces.  But the food was great and we were able to sit outside on the deck which was (1) in the shade at that time and (2) dog-friendly.  So you know we'll be back - Milton will insist upon it.