31 days. 4 states. 200+ miles. In July I did the 30 day ride challenge hosted by Trailforks and Anthill Films. The challenge was simple: ride each day, including at least one full trail as mapped on Trailforks. Tijeras, New Mexico trails My month started off with lots of rides close to home. Luckily, I live close to some of the … [Read more...]
Finding bear prints
Today I went out for a bike ride on some of the nearby trails. These are the same trails where I often go out hiking with B. While I was riding along one of the Forest Service roads, I spotted some funny looking tracks. Most of the tracks I see out there I imagine are some sort of big cat - maybe a lion or a tiger- but are really probably … [Read more...]
A few pictures from a short hike in the woods
Today, I had plans to go out hiking with baby B this afternoon. But it felt hot and sunny when we walked up the street to the mailbox, so I didn't feel like hiking. OK, it was probably only 80 degrees out and I probably should have just gone. Since I didn't go this afternoon, after B was in bed, I headed out for a quick hike before the sun set. … [Read more...]
N things of the week – #16
It has been a busy, but fun week. I recently had a birthday, so I am now officially 30! It's kind of a strange milestone, but I feel like I'm ready for my thirties. I also bought a new camera with some birthday money (plus some). I have really been wanting a good camera for some time. For a long time, I was fine with the camera on my … [Read more...]
N things of the week – #13
I've been staying busy the last few months. I suppose that's no surprise with baby B in the picture and my tendency towards lots of different interests. Here's a snapshot of some of what I've been up to lately. Riding the tram Last month, I took a family member up the Sandia Peak Tram. I've been up it a few times, and yet I still … [Read more...]
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
I'm always confused about whether it's supposed to be botanic or botanical, but according to the internet, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is a Botanical Garden. I'd been there once before for the River of Lights which is a fantastical display of Christmas lights made into amazing shapes like flowers and bunnies that is held around Christmas time … [Read more...]
Sandia Mountains
Moving to Albuquerque one of the things I worried about was being further from nature. There are things I like about cities, but at the end of the day I think I like nature better. This weekend, I had a chance to explore a couple of the trails in the Sandia Mountains. There are trail-heads less than 15 minutes from my new house that head up into … [Read more...]
The Catwalk
The Catwalk is located in the Gila National Forrest close to the little town of Glenwood, NM. It was originally built back in the mining days to hold a water pipeline that went to a mine. Since it's nestled in a skinny canyon with a turbulent creek, the scaffolding was drilled into the sides of the canyon making a 'catwalk'. Eventually the mine … [Read more...]
Chupadera Peak
Some years ago, my obsession for travel was really sparked. Sure, I traveled for work before that and had enjoyed some other fun trips in my life. When my obsession was really sparked was when I first discovered the Oklahoma State Parks and the fact that many of them had affordable, cozy cabins in gorgeous locations. For several years, I'd been … [Read more...]
Backpacking at White Sands
White Sands National Monument is a really unique place. It features miles and miles of white sand dunes and, well, really nothing else. The fact that there is nothing else there is what makes it so cool. It's a surreal sort of place. Sam and I went backpacking there for a night. White Sands gets a ton of visitors, but there are only 10 … [Read more...]