Moab!

I recently went to Moab for the first time, it was another awesome experience! FINALLY! I can check that place off my list of "Places to Visit" :) It was just perfect timing; it's mud season now so things are really slowing down at work. I didn't have any shifts during the week, just two classes on Monday and Tuesday. I had a couple friends who I met in Russia for the Deaflympics who were planning to go to Moab as well as some Aspen Camp friends :) It's a GREAT group of people and I was SO excited for warm temperatures, sun, mountain biking, drinks, camping, and good company!! 

I left on Tuesday April 21... I had a 1pm-4pm class that day, but I pretty much said, "Fuck it," and left early at 2:15pm... I wanted to hit the road and get to the campground before dark since I've never been there! I stopped at the coffeeshop, where Cobie was working, to have him do a last minute check on my mountain bike, Judy. Yes, my bike's name is Judy (it says Judy on the fork!!) and my grandmother's name just happens to be Judy, so I love it :) Of course it was dead at work so he was able to come out for a good 20 minutes, riding Judy around and tinkering with it as he went.

Turns out my chain needed grease... I'm telling you, this was a LAST MINUTE trip, okay? Luckily, there was a bike shop, Rebel Sports Rentals, across the street from the coffeeshop in Frisco, CO,  so I rode Judy there and said hello to the guy working there. The guy looked familiar, which was good, because he wasn't afraid of me, you know, with me being deaf and all! It was pretty badass, I've never felt so welcome in a business before. 

"Hey, so... I'm going to Moab right now. It's a very last minute trip and my chain needs grease, I was wondering if you could please do that?" I asked with a polite smile. The employee happily obliged and I asked him if he would like anything from the coffeeshop and he smiled, "Don't worry about it." Awesome! He was done after like, one minute, and said I was good to go. He mentioned that he was also going to Moab the next day, ha! I told him if he sees a group of people signing, that's most likely my group :P I never saw him though!

 

UTAH!!!!! WOOOO! First time I've driven Hellcat to another state!

The next day, we hit the trail... Bar M Loop with Zack, DJ, Max, and Nixo (she was my roommate in Russia!) This was my first time, FIRST TIME, ever mountain biking... I feel like I did well, I'm a little slow but come on, it's my first time and I learned that I have a hardtail while everyone else has a double suspension. Damn. So that's how they're able to haul ass down the bumpy parts. I learned to stand up a lot over the bumpy parts which helps and also learned to pick up the front wheel more often. Photo by me.

Moab!!! It's so PRETTY! Myself and Judy! Photo by Zack Sisson

Check out that view! Zack, Max, myself, Nixo, and DJ! Photo by some random passerby who crushed and threw down his cup in an aggressive manner when Nixo politely asked him if he could take a photo of us.... interesting... haha

Well-deserved brews after riding all morning! I learned that Moab does not follow Utah state law regarding beer... YES, BEER ABOVE 3.2%!!!! NOTE: I do not endorse drinking and driving... this is car camping, we were already parked at the campground, right before we got out of the car :) Photo by me

Nixo and Baggy!! Baggy is Nixo's dog and she is an awesome little pup! She kept stealing bones from the neighbor dog haha! Photo by me

The next day, Thursday, we went ROCK CLIMBING! Another first for me... it was a little scary but it felt awesome to reach the top and enjoy the views! It's not as high as I thought it would be, but it was still real cool. Photo by Max Wilding.

After rock climbing, we all met up to go to Mill Creek and check out the waterfall! Note to self: buy some water shoes. Non-nerdy ones, please. Photo by Max Wilding

Found the waterfall! YESSSS! Photo by Max Wilding

Zack, J, & myself hiking to the top of the waterfall. I got some crazy arms going on here. Photo by Max Wilding

Yeah... I approve. Two thumbs up! J & myself watching Zack & Nixo jump down the waterfall. Photo by Max Wilding

Hellcat & Judy. Hellcat, you are a damn fine truck. Judy, you are a damn fine bike. At the trailhead parking for Dino Flow trail! Photo by Max Wilding

I feel like the Ridiculously Photogenic Marathon Guy, but on a bike... ha! You can see the stoke on my face! I LOVE MOUNTAIN BIKING!!!!! Dino Flow trail, photo by Max Wilding

Blah, blah, blah, I'm always blabbing away. Myself & Nixo during a quick water break. Photo by Max Wilding

Here is a BEAUTIFUL photo Max Wilding shot of Moab. I had NO idea Moab had snow-capped mountains and it was a nice surprise to see that when I drove into Moab!

Photo by Max Wilding

Arch!!!! That's either Max or DJ.... not sure... they're both tall and they both wear blue haha

Another arch! Photo by Max Wilding

After a kick ass time riding Dino Flow, we all said, "see you later" and headed back to our respective homes. Nixo to Albuquerque, J to SLC, Aspen boys back to Aspen, and myself back to Breckenridge. I love how Moab is a great central place for all of us to meet! I left the warm, sunny days and came back to Winter... the next day, Saturday April 25th, a huge spring storm rolled through and dumped over a foot of snow. Of course it storms after Breck closes... no matter, my boyfriend and I grabbed our snowshoes and dog and we headed to the Baldy Mountain trailhead... new trail for us! We hiked up and OH MY F.  IT WAS SICK. SO, SO SICK. I guess I'm okay with this Spring powder day! :P

Myself and Gypsy!

Clocked out of the coffeeshop and into the white room, booyah! Yes, I worked that morning... haha

YEAH!!!!!!!!!