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Back on Bikes
The bikes are equipped and tuned again! We take them out for a wandering outing around Nampa, and remember why we miss riding. We get some exercise, greet people, explore places we haven’t been before, and watch the sky for rain. A bike engages you in the world in many good ways.
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Halverson Lakes Hike
We’re in need of a good hike. I had my wisdom teeth pulled last week and have been off my feet, dragging Ann down with me. This hike turns out to be full of surprises and leaves us feeling tired but not wrecked. It begins at Celebration Park on the Snake River, a park full…
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Shadow Mountain Tour
I remember this long, gentle, snowy trail from a trip with my dad in 2007, and I’m happy to have the chance to share it with Ann. It’s situated right across the valley from the Grand Teton, providing almost ridiculous mountain views. Entering Teton National Forest Teton Trail View Tetons with cloud divide By the…
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Cache Creek Walk
We made it to Jackson! And at last we get outside a bit. This is just a few miles of gentle snow walking up Cache Creek creek road, but hopefully is a sign of our physical recovery after being sick for so long… Ann hiking in the snow
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Samuelson Rocks
Ann wrote this trip up in EveryTrail for us: Samuelson Rocks Hike, Joshua Tree National Park, CA at EveryTrail Underway Poof Warrior Mary at Samuelson Rocks Samuelson Engravings
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Climbing with Mary
Eating at Crossroads one night I spot someone who looks familiar, and finally remember that we climbed with her once at a gathering she organized in Red Rock. I approach her and she invites us out for some climbing with her friend Shannon. We accept, and meet at a cold and windy Reggie Dome. We…
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Split Rock Wander
We drive to split rock and just wander around for a while. Recent rains fill the cold air with a smell of earth that is rare in the desert. We approach whatever beckons – rocks, trails, or yucca blooms. Rocks, Sky, and Yucca Blooms
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Lost Horse Mine Overnight
Even in the sultry warmth of the Mojave, we struggle with a strong impulse to stay in the nest rather than go outside. When we force ourselves to pack for an overnight outing “for our own good”, events seem to conspire against us. I’m late finishing my work, we get distracted replacing a sleeping pad,…
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Short Leads on Short Wall
Thinking we forgot the book, I pick one of the cracks on Short Wall at random, remembering that their ratings are all very low and thus perfect for getting back into placing gear. Of course I manage to pick the hardest of them to start with. It’s enough to make me shaky, but I get…
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Lost Palms Overnight
We have errands in Coachella, south of Joshua Tree National Park. We’ve never been to the south part of the park, so we leave the evening before and spend the night on the Lost Palms Oasis trail. I’ve somehow developed low expectations of the south end of the park, maybe because I perceived that all…