^Oh. Welcome to Moab, Utah.
^Some hours before the picture of Moab's warm welcome was this breakfast in Farmington, Utah. In Farmington, there is a chill in the air, and moisture on the wind. The threat of winter is very near. I am as giddy as a school girl. Every skier knows the eager anticipation of a good lineup of storms in late fall. Standard practice is to scratch that itch with ski movies, facebook, and training. Some skiers pack up the ski gear and chase the early openers. My wife, Christine, and I made the call to travel south. With mountain bikes.
^That brings us back to here again. To me, on the edge of a cliff so large that my observation to Christine's inquiry was, "This cliff is so big that it makes my naughty parts tingle!" The dessert spine jutted out in the vast canyon pictured as our welcoming to Moab at the top. This view of an interesting section of Arches National Park was a total mind blow for both of us. The welcoming was grand. I was not thinking about skiing. Not at all.
^We're stoked! Quick, a hold out self-portrait immediately followed by a high five. That's right.
^However, we came to ride. So we snapped some photos, shared some reflections, and then clicked back in and got after it. Christine is digging deep to crest the steep slickrock hill. Dig!
^The top awards a worthy prize to the efforts of the ascent. Usually does. So metaphoric.
^Thank you...
^...and, thank you.
^Then back at it. We rode hard on this trip. I was trying to leave winter thoughts up north in the Wasatch. Chrisitne was trying to extend her chances to get in the bike saddle. Perfect alignment to just flat out ride long and hard.
^Uphill...
^... and downhill...
^... and across hill...
^... and uphill again...
^...and uphill again...
^...and even between hills. This place is a very unique and special landscape. We had to have a pep talk about stopping for photos. We both agreed that we wanted to keep ripping it hard, but acknowledged our mutual desire to stop and take a photo every five minutes.
^Okay, one more shot. Classic lens reflection shot. You have to get that one don't you?
^Cameras away, and we can get back to business. Moab boasts that they have the best mountain biking on the planet. So far I cannot facilitate a valid argument to the contrary. I haven't biked the whole planet, but I will say that Moab is near the top of my list. Even though the La Sals were capped with snow, I was still not thinking about skiing. I was much more focused on keeping myself out of trouble on the courageous surface. Slickrock makes me feel like Superman. Climb steeper, turn sharper, and do it all faster. Easy to get ahead of myself on the red rock.
^Lunch break. Pretty nice spot.
^Granola bars go really well with warm tap water and a side of this kind of scenery. The senses all blend together under the influence of such energy. Christine and I both agreed that we were lingering in a mind set of sentiment and severe gratitude. We are blessed to be able to have such adventures in such awe inspiring places. So much so that I could barely handle the enhanced deliciousness of my typically standard granola. Yummmm.
^Seriously, how can you not get spiritual after looking up from the camera lens at something like that. My girl and my life flashing before me in a blur through a landscape of unmatched red rock beauty. Come on.
^More riding...
^...more photos...
^...and more riding...
^...and more photos. Abyss Canyon. Fitting. The last time I took some time to stare down this canyon was with a good friend of mine, Tony Helmstetter. As I mentioned previously, I was feeling the love emanating from the sun soaked red rocks. I had to take a moment to shoot a picture message over to my buddy. Just to let him know that I was thinking about him in this powerful place that he showed me all those years ago.
^Ironically, while I was composing the message to Tony my big brother, Tyler, called me. I laughed as I answered the call and proclaimed to my big brother, "Funny you'd call me right now!" Christine was keen to the moment. She snapped this photo while I explained my state of mind to my big brother. He is obviously a pivotal factor in my journey to that particular "How'd I get here?' moment. That is what it is all about for me. Those moments are all around, and in all kinds of shapes and forms. The keen eye will see them, and more of them when coupled with the conscious effort to seek them out. Christine saw this one, and nailed the photo. I will call it, "Brother!".
^Another crazy adventure in another inspiringly beautiful place. Moab slickrock mountain biking is unmatched. Add in riding it all with your newlywed wife, and the experience slowly turns into gold. Hence the golden hued 80's album cover style shadow photo. A little touch of some of our cornball humor coming through. I must say, we are a pretty damn good duo though.