March 15, 2015

Vince and Amy joined us for a long weekend at the cabin.  The weather forecast wasn't very favorable, but we took the bikes in hopes of getting in some mountain biking.  We left the cabin around 11am on Friday with warm cycling clothes and rain jackets.  The temperatures were cool but reasonable, the rain showers stayed away, and we got in 21.5 miles in the James Canyon area while staying relatively warm.  We headed into town for an early dinner at The Western Bar and some shopping at High Altitude.  Our other favorite shops had closed by the time we made our way around.

Saturday was overcast, windy and cooler.  We had planned to ride at Cloudcroft, but it had snowed some overnight and was quite cool.  I scouted out a route down in the High Rolls/La Luz area, and we left the cabin in a light snow shower and headed down the mountain for warmer temps and some sun.  The first 7 miles of our ride was straight downhill, so we knew the trip back up the mountain was going to be tough.  To make matters worse, the cool northeast wind was directly in our faces for the climb back.  The route turned out to be 20 miles, and we were able to see as wide of a variety of terrain as is possible to see in an 8 mile climb--from desert with ocotillo & agave (exactly like Big Bend) near La Luz to large rocks and cedar (just like Fort Davis) a couple of miles up and finally pine forest when we turned around and headed for the scenic, winding road which cut back across to High Rolls.  The pot of green chili stew Saturday night at the cabin really hit the spot.  

Sunday started out cool again, and we eventually decided not to ride.  The 4900'+ of climbing and almost 42 total miles of mountain biking in cool temperatures had taken their toll.  It was another great weekend, and we're already planning the next one and hoping for some warmer weather.

Scenic view shortly after leaving La Luz Canyon road headed toward High Rolls

Rick's bike in an area on La Luz Canyon Road which resembles Fort Davis

Nice winding dirt roads near High Rolls

La Luz Canyon view

My Giant Anthem with White Sands in the distance

View of White Sands from near High Rolls

Rick and Vince with White Sands in the distance, and Vince's new full-suspension Trek.

Nice winding dirt roads near High Rolls

Lazy cats sacked out at the cabin.

The obligatory cheese enchilada plate (Christmas style) with egg on top and Moose Drools at The Western Bar

March 1, 2015 (Big Bend Trip)

View from Boquillas, Mexico

view of Chisos Mountains from hiking trail behind Rio Grande Village campground

Ernst Tinaja

group on Boquillas Canyon hike

Boquillas Canyon

crossing the Rio Grande into Mexico

Jose Falcon's cafe and store in Boquillas

big horn sheep near Boquillas Canyon

my favorite: chips, salsa and Carta Blancas

vegetarian tacos at Jose Falcon's

inside at Jose Falcon's

crossing back to the US

MTB ride to Ernst Tinaja off Old Ore Road

Ernst Tinaja

Old Ore Road

Old Ore Road

road back to Rio Grande Village after riding Old Ore Road

Old Ore Road

Old Ore Road with the Sierra del Carmen mountains in the background

cold, windy hike in Boquillas Canyon

a warm wall out of the cold & wind in Boquillas

February 16, 2015

We finally made it back to the cabin after a 2 month absence related to work and weather.  We had planned to make it to the Mardi Gras parade and festivities last weekend but had to reschedule.  It turned out to be a perfect weekend for riding, and Rick and I were able to ride 20 miles both Saturday and Sunday for a total of 40 mountain miles and almost 5000 feet of climbing over two days.  Unbelievable for mid-February!  

JD and Jill joined us for the weekend.  They hiked Saturday but rode with us Sunday.  It was a nice weekend.

My new favorite at The Western Bar--cheese enchiladas, Christmas-style (half green chile, half red chile) with Moose Drools.

Valentine's Day MTB ride in the mountains with temps around 60 degrees.  You couldn't ask for better weather in February at 8000-9000 feet.

Warm temps were melting the snow.  Start of a very muddy section.

It got so muddy that the wheels wouldn't roll.  Rick fell and began sliding down a hill headfirst with his bike. 

Sharp turn just before the steep walking section.

Rick is removing layers as the bike and I begin our hike up the hill.

Rest stop at the top of the mountain.

Toby chillin' by the fire.

Green chile cheeseburgers with onion rings and Moose Drool.  Life is good!

December 14, 2014

After a three week break, Rick and I spent Friday evening through Monday at the cabin.  It seemed unlikely, but we took the mountain bikes in hopes of at least a short ride on Saturday.  The weather was decent, and we were able to get in another great 20 mile/almost 3 hour ride on many of our favorite trails without freezing to death.

We had Friday dinner at the Western Bar and made a shopping trip into town after the ride Saturday to the usual places and to the newly opened Family Dollar store.  It was actually quite impressive and will make the planning for our future trips much less stressful.  They have a decent selection of just about any basic items you would need.  Before, if you forgot the basics, you got to make a 30 mile trip down the mountain to Alamo!

We ate mediocre nachos at the Lodge, stopped by the bakery, and drove down to High Rolls for some shopping on Sunday afternoon.

Rick worked some more on the downstairs bathroom remodel, and I cleaned the cabin before we headed home late Monday afternoon.

This weekend marked exactly one year since our first trip to the cabin after buying it last December.

Cloud Country entrance by day......

And by night....

View from Mexican Canyon Trestle looking toward Alamogordo and White Sands

Ski Cloudcroft after the snow on Sunday

Christmas at The Lodge

Webcam view on Sunday morning

Toby poses in the wreath