White Rim enticement

Last year, a few of the Divas ventured south to bike the White Rim Trail in Utah's canyon country. After viewing the slideshow at Maggi's place last week, several of us were fired up about going on the trip in late October. Can you resist?

Canyon country

Always in fashion!

Maggi's self-portrait.

Bev on the edge!

Sunny days...

Rainy days...

Balanced days... Anne, our trip instigator!

We have all season to prepare for this, but space is limited. Diva members, check your email for details so you can sign up asap. See you on the trails!

posted by rose

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Thanks to Bev for sharing a New Year's Eve moment.
That's the full moon in the center of the fireworks!

May your year be filled with happy surprises.

posted by rose

holiday season

Happy Longer Days to all you Divas!

somewhere in Bicentennial Park

It won't be long before we're pedaling on pavement and our wonderful dirt trails.
But for now, it's time to pull out the skis, snowshoes, snowboards, ice skates and snow bikes. What a great way to beat the darkness and embrace the cold!

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a safe and active 2010. Cheers!


posted by Rose

Blustery Hiking

Blizzard on the East Side.

What do the Divas do in the off-season? Some of us continue to bike, but sometimes it's fun to leave the bike at home and get the boots onto the ground for a little hiking. Maybe snow-hiking. Maybe blizzard-condition hiking.

Gloria, Bev, Rose

Early Wednesday afternoon Gloria, Bev and I headed to the state park trailhead that's about 2-1/2 miles up Campbell Airstrip Road to do a little hike along the north side of the Campbell Creek gorge, connecting to the Wolverine Bowl Trail.

The wind was blowing sideways with a Chinook that increased the temperature to 39 degrees by the time we began to hike. The soft snow packed down under our feet giving good traction. Blowing snow flew into our faces and it sometimes felt like being jabbed with 100 pine needles all at one time. Luckily, I had my gaitor. Luckily, it wasn't always gusting at 70 miles per hour. Sometimes it was just windy.

And luckily none of us wanted to change plans, because despite the winds, or maybe because of the winds, it was a beautiful day to hike. The creek is starting to freeze over. The trees bent under the winds that howled through the spruce. Ravens played on the currents. Golden grass swayed alongside the trail.

Overflow on the Campbell Creek.

berries & thorns

On the return trip to the trailhead, not even two hours after we started, our tracks had been covered with blown snow. Later in the day, the sun began peaking through the clouds leaving a golden light in the southwestern sky. Winter in Alaska.


posted by Rose

more eklutna photos

good-bye to september

We started pedaling a little after six
the light low in the sky
Among the golden leaves
kicked up by tires
aromatic.
Would anyone think it strange
if I hopped off and lay on the carpet
of grass, leaves and soil,
breathed in the scent of fall?

Someone says, "no moose."
Shhh, don't say anything.
Another says, "can't believe we haven't seen any."
Hush, don't say that
afraid that if they hear their names
they will emerge en masse
trot like dogs to a master
onto, blocking the trail
sending us skidding, double-back
u-turn on the wide trail

Birch and cottonwood
spruce and alders
berry bushes and devil's club
all surround us as we race along
Warming on the climbs
cooling our faces, hands and toes
as we descend.

Soon, snow will arrive
we see it across town on the mountains
but now we merge into the scenery
Ten riders become part of the park
We become the moose
Block the trail
swing our heads from side to side
Snort our noses
exhales of steam.

I start down another hill
upshift
let out a whoop
hang my butt back
follow the leader into the chill.

posted by rose

still life with divas

Divas enjoying a warm fall day on the trail to the elusive Telchina Falls

p.s. more photos and stories soon from our great trip to Eklutna