Why? This picture makes me happy!
Good night hugs while Em rides her trainer in the evening because riding her trainer is her only option. Even when the weather outside is good. Strong mind, strong will, strong drive, and strong legs. Just mix in a hug.
Sometimes, despite the planning, the same site doesn’t meet all of our requirements. In this case, across Easter weekend, we changed sites each night; four nights, four sites.
First site was pragmatic, we didn’t want to drive from Oakland to the Alabama Hills after work.
Panoche Hills BLM on the west end of the San Joaquin Valley. Arriving after dark, there were two distinct sources of excitement. The first was following hares up the road in the dark waiting for them to dash into the bushes on the side of the dirt road. The second was the brief period of ethereal space opera sounding over the hills at night. Beyond that, I think we had the entire area to ourselves (it is a small BLM reserve)
Four wheel camper advantage, pull over and pop the top…
The next day, we arrived in the Alabama Hills. The choicest spots were taken, but we still found a nice site behind some rocks.
view out the back door
dusk
However, the next morning, I noticed a site up above opening up. A short move later and we were further up the hill in the rocks.
She LOVED this site..
Sunday afternoon, Em suggested we bail a day early to make to visit the Carrizo Plains on the way home.
Stopping by the painted rock (while B checked out the nostrils)
We moved to the Keyesville Recreation Area, and I have never seen the Kern River so full, and very few camp areas so filled with trash. It must’ve been a wild long weekend there.
Although we didn’t stay overnight, our final destination before going home was the Carrizo Plains to see the Superbloom..
Another advantage of the FWC, photog perch.
Mountain biking was the activity pulled from the Sportsman quiver for our Easter weekend trip to the Alabama Hills. A slight detour to Keyesville, introduced Beryl to the Kern River Trails. Unfortunately, it is too early in the year for the Kern River Canyon wildflower/California poppy display.
Getting her groove on the Trail Gator. As an aside, this marks our last attempt to use the Trail Gator, regardless of the bike set-up, her bike tends to lean to the side limiting its usefulness, and further tightening only crushes her headtube
channelling MJ through the sand
Descending in loose, deep sand is a skill to be developed
There is never shame to hike-a-bike
She thrived on the single track
Will have to break that hanging-tongue habit
Even small inclines can be daunting with small wheels
Booboos happen
The other reason to detour…
Searching for better camp sites in the Alabama Hills. Helpful push through the sand
One last ski trip (and my first actual day of spring skiing)
During the drive to Kirkwood, I saw a sign for the Black Chasm Cavern, and asked Em for google info to see if it would be a nice sidetrip for the Little One. I hadn’t seen Emily so animated for a while, apparently it would be a nice sidetrip for the Little One and even better side trip for the Geophilic One. Volcano, here we come!
With time to kill until the next Cavern tour, we gave the Little One a bag of dirt and introduced her to sluicing..
Lo and behold, there were rocks, minerals, and gemstones in that dirt. The geologic engineer was very happy helping identify her new treasures
Into the caverns. water table, 100 feet down..
Helictites filled the walls of the third cavern
transitioning from cave bacon to angel wings (slowly)
Sportsfamily
The Dragon
Afterwards, the Little One led the charge to the surface. She enjoyed the descent into the caverns. She was attentive and curious while in the caverns. But, when it was time to leave, she was focused on leaving without being distracted by the sights.
Short hike and playtime in the snow
It was warm
Earning her runs
Rocket time..
Near alpen glow on the Thimble (?) after dinner at the 7800 Bar and Gril(which was one of the least healthy meals we’ve had in a long time, Mac & Cheese, Nachos, and Pretzels with Whiskey Cheese Sauce. and beers). I still need a salad..
Little One with Mommy and Auntie Mamy sharing a chair
Warm up run
Carving the Trench of Terror !!!!
tele turns
twin tele turns
The snowboarder was done, but the skiers were chasing the Little One and her instructor. Rob was really excited!!
Keeping busy while they do one more run…
The end of the final run
Coming for a surprise scoop!
packing the gear back in the camper
Lunch run along the Hayward shore
Flat as can be
There was a red winged black bird
a snowy egret or two
flock of American Avocets, a marbled godwit, the bay bridge and downtown SF
Walked to daycare this morning.
When not reminding me that unlike all the other kids saw this morning, she doesn’t have an umbrella, ours are too big for her to hold easily, and she’d really like one for her birthday
She really,
really,
wanted to splash me…
Pleasanton BMX Park
Just like a pro before a ride..
It didn’t take long for Beryl to get her groove on
She didn’t know about riding the wall…yet..
Preparing to get her pump on, gaining “Hero Speed” on the backsides
She had to walk a turn on the backside
until she learned to carry her speed
After a few laps, I gave up trying to run with her and just enjoyed the show
at the end of the day, she took the camera
I gave the Rat Ride a little workout
my Keirin Cut Jeans were good to go
She has a good eye
finishing strong with a selfie, in need of a tissue..
After a few years with our FWC Fleet, Emily developed upgraditis, which couldn’t be more out of character from someone that still uses secondhand gear from undergrad. After a few months deliberation, we pulled the trigger and ordered a new FWC Hawk Shell.
Yesterday, we said goodbye to the Fleet, which now belongs to self-professed dirtbag climbers, and lives on a Tacoma, an appropriately sized truck for a Fleet.
This morning we took delivery of the new Hawk..
the outSpokin’ Sportsmans are back with a new addition
Gummy worm powered hiking. photo by RM
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