Right now, I'm sitting in beautiful Moab, Utah. Damn, it's great to be back in the desert. The smell of dirt and organic matter and budding trees is a welcome change after three months of ice and snow back home in Minnesota. Seeing mountains and the colorado river and mesas and canyons reminds me just how much I loved living here. Maybe I'll just continue riding from southern California straight back to the desert. Someone meet me in the middle of Nevada with a gatorade and a map.
I've been volunteering at the Youth Garden Project, where I worked in the fall. We've been busy building a geodesic green house, a fifteen sided dome that will eventually be filled with plants year round. In the fall, the garden crew worked hard to build the foundation and clear the site, so it has been fulfilling to finally see the dome rise up from the ground. I spent a good deal of time walking around barefoot on top of the twenty six foot diameter dome, screwing down panels, taping seems, and generally trying not to fall off.
Apart from helping out at the garden (where they fed the volunteers delicious meals such as the homemade sushi and donuts), I've been catching up with old friends in town, and, of course, climbing. I went out bouldering yesterday at my old stomping ground, and then this weekend myself and some friends will be heading down to Indian Creek to do some more climbing. I've also been getting out on my bike a little bit, but it's hard to resist the miles and miles of stellar rock climbing to be found in the desert landscape which surrounds Moab.
This past weekend, prior to coming to Moab, I spent four days with my friend Paul, who I worked with at the Youth Garden in the fall. He is currently living in Estes Park, Colorado, which is a pretty rad place. Maybe I'll ride my bike to Moab, and then to Colorado. Again, someone meet me in the rockies with a beer and a set of skis, and I'll get there one way or another. I got out on my bike for the first time since November. Paul took me on a sweet ride through Rocky Mountain National Park. I was pleasantly surprised to finish the ride without huffing and puffing, considering we rode the first 12 miles uphill, at 9,000 feet above sea level. Also, my new spandex is very nice, in case anyone was worried. We topped off the ride with a visit to the eight dollar Nepalese buffet, where we downed buckets of chai. This was, incidentally, one of the many meals I ate on my road trip that I didn't pay for. I guess that when people take in a homeless, unemployed guy who may smell weird, they feel inclined to buy him meals. To everyone who has participated in this, my stomach and I thank you.
We also did some climbing while I was in Colorado, checking out this sweet granite dome called Greyrock off of the Poudre River Canyon. It was a long day, hiking three miles in and three miles out (the hike out in the dark, one head lamp, on an icy trail), but the climbing was stellar and the view from the top couldn't be beat.
Bouldering at Lumpy Ridge, just outside of Estes. The granite is composed of lots of large, sharp crystals. Very painful! But this problem was pretty sweet, so I was happy to suffer.
The summit view from Greyrock. The plans stretching away to the east, and the rockies on all sides to the north, south and west. The slog in and out, with heavy packs and icy conditions, was totally worth the summit.
I'll be in Moab until Tuesday or Wednesday, then I'll make a stop in Portland, OR and finally end up in Tacoma, WA. From there, I'll be donning my spandex and pedaling off into the rain, fog and mist. Thanks to everyone for the supportive emails, food, and good wishes. I'll be thinking of all of you when I'm alone in the rain, somewhere along the northern California coast, wishing for a dry pair of pants, a hot meal, and a masseuse.
Be good, and be good to yourselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment