The flowers are out like it is spring, but we are still having winter temps and regular rain. It is even pouring again right now! Hopefully this is the last rain for awhile; it has been so difficult to get on the trails here, as they never seem to dry out. This past week was…
Spring? Where Are You Spring?
The flowers are out like it is spring, but we are still having winter temps and regular rain. It is even pouring again right now! Hopefully this is the last rain for awhile; it has been so difficult to get on the trails here, as they never seem to dry out. This past week was…
Trusting Myself
How do you see your position in the universe? What makes you feel really small? And how does that feel? Poulter Valley Wayne dropped me off on the side of Arthur’s Pass highway at the entrance to the Waimakariri River Valley with my bike and gear in a pile at 7am as he sped off…
Kindness and Community
Helping carry my bike box. A word of encouragement. Driving across the country to ride with me. Making me a cup of coffee. Intentional conversation. It started as soon as I was on New Zealand soil. Acts of kindness everywhere. Are Kiwis, especially those on the South Island, on average if not more friendly, at…
Chasing Endless Summer
I couldn’t resist another trip to New Zealand. Even living in Santa Barbara with its year round wonderful weather the long nights of December still challenge my happiness and when we go camping the long cold nights in the tent get old quite quickly. I also hadn’t been on a long solo Bikepacking trip since…
November in Arizona
I’m phone blogging, which means you will get mostly photos and very little text. Or sometimes it may mean the opposite because I often have trouble getting WordPress to upload my images. But wait a minute, you’re not in Arizona Maude! It’s true, but I’m behind. 😉 Jesse and I did a great trip together…
Fire Failed to Chase Me Out of Oregon this Summer
OK, well smoke did chase me to the coast for a few days while Jesse was visiting, but this summer (my third living in Oakridge, OR) was the first time I managed to be there from May through October. Starting with my first summer working at the Oakridge Bike Shop my intention was to stay…
Back to Oregon!
I finished up the school year, saw some great music, rode some great trails and now I’m back in Oakridge, Oregon for the 3rd summer in a row. Last summer was so short and culminated in yet another wildfire threatening the town. We are all hopeful that this summer will finally be fire and smoke…
If I Were a Poet (An Ode to Spring in Arizona)
If I were a poet I would tell you about the air so hot and dry my skin cracks and my nose bleeds If I were a poet I would tell you about the wind red sky in morning, they say… hold tight to the tent, my dear If I were a poet I would…
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge – A Little Getaway
Last weekend I snuck away for a much needed solo bikepacking trip in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. It was going to rain yet *again* in Santa Barbara and all of our forest roads and trails were still closed from damage following the heavy rain in January. This route developed by Kurt Refsnider is just…