The WilderNest

Steamboat Without the Kid Appendages

2009-09-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

Had an adventure sans kiddos. Can't remember the last time I was without the buggers for 3 days. Lin & Tim made the most of it, lots of hiking, great dinners, bike rides, Strawberry hot springs...gushy romantic stuff.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

A really tight spot, can you catch me?

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Haven't seen these gals in a while. Poudre Canyon.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Gilpin Lake. 9 Rainbow Trout in <1 hr.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Bad shit. Crappy photographer.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Good shit. Romancing the stones.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Black Hills Vacation

2009-08-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Wilders recently spent 5 days in the Black Hills. We were overwhelmed by the contrasting beauty of the landscape and the ugliness of the towns and highways. The BH are beautiful in a mostly subtle way, with rolling hills topped with granite pillars and lush undergrowth in stream bottoms.

However, the towns and highways can be downright hideous. The aesthetic in me wondered how people could mess up a beautiful area so badly, with oversized billboards and tacky Flintstones-type tourist traps. All in all, though, we had a great time.

Caving. Pretty cool, much more interesting than I expected.

"Wild" Burros in Custer State Park. A highlight event.

Mickelson Trail. What a good feeling it is to be going downhill, finally!

Yes, the Ibis did get out for a very rocky, technical part of the Centennial Trail...definitely need to come back some day to explore some more.

AGSM

2009-08-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is what AGSM (A Great Saturday Morning) Looks Like:

- Good nights sleep: check
- Bike ready to roll: check
- Sunshine & cool breeze: check
- Sweet singletrack close to home: check
- Scenery for miles: check
- Issues left at home: check
- Hordes still in bed: check

The Rise and Fall of Biker Man

2009-08-03T20:54:00.001-07:00

Tim & David on Group Ride, circa 2006
Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

He lines up at the front of the starting line, ridiculously fit and ready to crush the field...the fancy jersey and expensive bike attests to his prowess on 2 wheels. He instills fear in the field as he blasts off up the hill, turning over his big 48X16 up the 8% grade, reaching the top of the hill in front. The way is clear to the finish, a fast and easy flow, and this supposes to be his day to shine and impress his mortal buddies back home...

...little does he realize that the world has other plans for him, of the humbling kind. The first sign of trouble occurs on a long technical descent, when his mojo comes spewing out, releasing him into a 3-foot deep mud pool. It is merely the beginning of a long 70 mile long struggle, as he fights fatigue and mud and confusion and chain suck, see-sawing his way back and forth through the field. Before the day is through he realizes that he is just some anonomous junior geezer who can afford an expensive bike, fitter than 90% of the population but no real natural biking talent. Has he watched too much of the dreamy, TV world of The Tour? Doesn't he realize that he's no longer 20 something and that actually he does need a recovery week, a reasonable diet, 8 hours of sleep a night, and that in the end it all doesn't matter because it's all in his fucking mind anyhow? 6 hours, 43 minutes later he finishes. Well that was interesting. 12 of the last 20 hilly miles without granny gears. Legs like rain-soaked logs. Stomach that felt like St. Helens before it blew. A defeated ego. But still...a finish, a no-dabs HQ climb, a complete lack of cramping, a time within a few minutes of last year despite all the walking and bitching and stopping. Get over it, what's the problem?

Copper Triangle V-1 Ride

2009-07-20T19:44:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Beautiful scenery, great friends, good weather...what more can you ask for in the Colorado Rockies. The 80-mile loop is a classic mountain tour, and one of my favorites. About 15 Velo-One riders, plus my buddies Toby & Bob, had a great time as we chased each other up and down the mountain passes.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

4th of July Family Trip

2009-07-12T13:37:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

The Wilder family had a great 4th, with an awesome hike up Mosquito Pass outside Alma, Colorado, followed by a parade & fireworks in Breckenridge. I participated in the Firecracker 50, a 50mile mtb race outside Breckenridge.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Clash of the Titans

2009-06-21T15:31:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

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Two Warriors battle it out for supremecy of the Wilder staircase...

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Red Desert of Wyoming

2009-06-21T15:26:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

We spent the weekend in the Red Desert of Wyoming (in the middle of nowhere!) Rain threatened to strand us due to bentonite clay roads that turn to goo when wet. We had a harrowing drive out with the entire vehicle and popup slipping sideways on the banked road when a storm came out of nowhere. Headed up to Lander area where the roads were better and went to South Park City to explore. Despite the rain, loved Adobe Town spires, wild horses and the short-horned lizard we saw.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Hail Vs. Jack Rascal

2009-06-21T15:22:00.001-07:00

One dog's quest to rid Colorado of hailstorms.

Bike to the Top of Colorado

2009-06-21T15:04:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Climb up Mt Evans. Over 8,000 feet of climbing, 75 miles, up to 14,130 feet.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Bergen Park - Mt Evans - Idaho Springs at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: GPS Trail Maps

PWD

2009-03-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

The boys finished their first Pinewood Derby event with the cub scouts. Heres a little video of the event:

Spring Break-Out

2009-03-26T19:27:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Today I'm on paid leave enjoying nice deep flat-lander powder but just a short week ago I was out in California with the rest of the family seeing Gramy/Pappa Donn and Grandpa Jim and Jane.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed visiting the relatives. The gold mine tour was a highlight, with hardhats and the jeep ride underground. We adventured to many historical sites, including the Indian Grinding Rocks and gold mining tailing wheels.

The boys really improved at skiing at Tahoe-Donner. It was all well and good until unbeknownst to Hanna and me, Sam tried to follow us while snow shoeing and got lost. While returning, Hanna heard a strange howling and lo and behold, we discovered Sam alone in the woods.

Kamakaze Squirrels & Etc

2009-03-02T19:41:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Last week I was on an apparently normal lunch time loop ride, minding my own beeswax cruising along on my road bike when all of a sudden a small shape appeared from out of the riparian woods...AND

bounded up into the air, a furry bundle of flesh and blood, about the size of a squirrel...in fact, it was a squirrel...who had formulated a desperate plan to cross the bike path in front of my whirring wheels in search of...whatever. But Ka-POW!!! he launched a moment too late and collided, the entire fur-ball, into my leg, pushing me an entire millimeter out of my chosen path. The surprise was mutual, and I don't suspect I'll ever see the confused critter again.

Eiseman Hut

2009-02-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

Bald Mountain Backcountry at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

Great 5 day trip with the DWEAM Team (aka Depth Hoar Research Society), higlighted by the Bald Mountain expedition and the north ridge carving festival (see photo below). Eiseman Hut deserves its great reputation, helped by great powder and plenty of skiable terrain.

Skiing with Kids

2009-02-10T16:47:00.000-08:00

Had a fabulous day at Loveland this weekend, with the buddies 3rd time trying the slopes. We had had loads of fun though the drive to the mountains on 1-70/1-25 is still a real bummer.

Six Word Memoirs

2009-02-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

From the Book, Not Quite What I Was Planning, some 6 word family memoirs:

Secret agent of entropy, blamed brother.
Never delicate flower, always hearty weed.
She wins hearts whereever she goes.
Passed gas till poop came out.
Bed games great till kids came.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Never a Bad Snowflake

2009-01-27T19:28:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Having some fun this year with friends in the great white uplift known as the Rocky Mtns. Could just as well be the Windy Mtns most times, but there have been some really stellar powder days.

Me, I'm bi - enjoying mixing it up with some AT & some Tele. Seems like the snow doesn't really care what I do. Lots of smiles all the way around.

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Catching Up

2009-01-25T18:20:00.001-08:00

Back on line after a long break...time to catch up.

Youngling jedis battling out with their xmas presents.

Summer solstice at the Gould cabin..

Halloween

2008-11-13T17:59:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Superkids with super sweet tooths

Veteran's Day 08 Backcountry Ski

2008-11-13T17:49:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

The earliest I think I've ever skied...
Just Deano, Bob and me.
Fresh pow, fresh smiles.

The CP Freeheelers strike again!

Holes in October

2008-11-13T17:39:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by Wilderwomn

Holes in my blog.
Holes in my roof.
October is a fine roofing month unless you're the one doing the roofing.
Before...

Buckhorn Camp

2008-09-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

The Wilders had their annual trip up to Buckhorn church camp at the tip-top of Rist Canyon. Lots of fun....some highlights: capture the flag (with Sam & Flynn using amazing soccer moves), To Tell the Truth (Lin & Tim as so-called winners of a pumpkin carving contest), no-holds barred cafeteria food straight out of elementary school, frisbee fun, horseback riding (Lin, Hanna, Sam, & Flynn), board games until 2 am, Lin's famous drumming circle, Tim's annual Old Flower's Road mtb ride...and a whole lot more.

Also, Hanna was recently selected for a Peer Mediator at her school...way to go, Hanna!

2008-09-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Tour de Fat...
Wacky fun
with Electrocutie and his
superhero sidekick family...

Good, clean fun for the whole family.

Gourd-eous Lake Backpack

2008-09-03T18:57:00.001-07:00

We set out with light packs for our annual anniversary backpack trip, not realizing the spectacular scenery we were to enjoy for the next three days. Gourd Lake, an out of the way destination in Indian Peaks, became a place of respite away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A highlight included visits to the Fairy Ponds, shallow bodies of water above Gourd Lake surrounded by 12K foot peaks and filled with Cutbow trout. Views to the South of the Front Range were outstanding. As we left the Fairy Ponds, we nearly met with disaster as Tim sprained his ankle...he managed to make it back down the steep descent to our tent without further mishap.

The next day featured an adventure filled with frightening crossing of steep, scree filled slopes, with long drops to the valley below, as we followed a short-cut "game trail" towards Buchanan Pass. At the end of the long day, we were happy to leave this wonderful place for a well-deserved pizza and beer in Granby. Thanks mostly to Grammy and Papa Donn for watching the kids!

Sunrise Over Horsetooth

2008-08-22T20:54:00.001-07:00

Early morning MTB jaunt up Arthur's Rock. No legs or lungs, but lots of solitude.

Future Trip

2008-08-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Possible future mountain biking trip.

Gilsonite/Wolverine Trail (future) at EveryTrailMap created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

Crusty Butt

2008-08-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

Looking back on our photos from Crested Butte, it's easy to tell why this is my absolute favorite place in Colorado, maybe even the world. Stunning scenery, fabulous mountain biking, funky town, great fishing...all rolled into one area. Some sample photos using Lin's new Nikon DSLR D60:

None of that tan, monotonous eastern plains here...wildflowers everywhere.

The trip to Lost Lake was very out of the way but has special significance in that the Aspen Forest surrounding it may be the largest living creature on the planet...not sure where I heard that but it doesn't take a lot of imagination to see why. Largest Aspens I've every seen, at least.
Kids had a great time, too.

As former Portlanders, we got our fix of the northwest coming home with all the rain and mist.

I also added two more notches to my CB riding belt, including the Dike Trail and Deer Creek Trail. Both were fairly epic. I started the Dike Trail ride from Lost Lake, and followed a hiking trail along beautiful wildflower meadows out to the Kebler Pass road, up the road to Lake Irwin, then down the Dike Trail back to the road. Finally, down the road & up the final, tiresome climb to Lost Lake. All told, 27 miles which doesn't seem like a lot but it took 4 hours at an easy pace at altitudes above 8500 ft.

I enjoyed Deer Creek Trail even more. Given the inclement weather, I had Lin drop me off at the trailhead, climbed above 10,000 feet up the dirt road/trail combo. The last 1/4 mile was a real terror to the lungs and legs, and I actually had to hike to the tippy top. The descent was fabulous, as views opened up of Mount Crested Butte and the 360 mtn views. As I descended, I wondered how many cows were BBQ'd every year from the lightning strikes...to tell the truth, I wouldn't have minded if many were if it helped cleanse the trail and streams from all that giardia laden shit. As I entered the ski resort town, I received my divine justice for my negative thoughts as hail and rain came pouring down, leaving me swimming on my bike until I reached the safety of the car in town.

All in all, a great week in CB even with the rain, hail and cow shit.

Storytime

2008-04-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

"Butt-Cheeks"

Several days ago, the kids were getting ready for their communal bath when Flynn decided to take a poop. Anytime he gets ready for something - whether it's a bath, dinner or event - a BM is on its way. Understandably Hanna and Sam were disgusted with the thought of having to deal with possible bath water contamination.. Flynn did his thing, and manages a rare toilet flush. As Flynn was stepping into the tub, Sam pulled open his butt cheeks, looks inside, and exclaims, "Oh, looks OK!".

"I'm Not Hanna"

So I'm sitting around reading a story with the kids the other night, with Sam to my left, Flynn to my right and Hanna on the couch above me. The boys as usual are barely paying attention and are getting irritating. Next thing I know Flynn is jostling me, interrupting the narrative. I shout, "Hanna, stop bumping me!" Hanna, incredulous, exclaims, "I'm not Hanna!"

What Am I Doing Here?

2008-04-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a funny dream I would like to remember from last night:

The details are of course sketchy but I'm sitting at a restaurant in Mexico ordering food with friends. I don't remember the food particularly but there are desserts, one of which I notice on my way out of the restaurant. I can recall thinking I would like to take a piece - it's like chocolate cake or something - but I remind myself that I don't really need to eat it and I would be stealing to take it.

Prior to my leaving, my friends (who I don't recognize) and I pay our share, which is $17 except that I only have a $20 bill. I give my money and the waitress - she has strong native features with dark skin and may be wearing a hat like you see in Peru - and she comes back with a basket of various coins.

The coins are many sizes and colors. I glimpse a large one which I figured must be worth a dollar, but it dissapears in the pile and I can't find it again. After a few frustrating moments in which the waitress is trying to get away and I'm digging into the pile, I give up and decide to forgo the $3 owed to me.

Next, I arrive at some kind of shop with a bag of rice cakes in my hand. They're chocolate colored and appear to be unopened. I approach a counter where some Mexican women are working as well as a woman more western in appearance with black hair, so I figure I should approach her because she would speak english. I ask her if she could convert my rice cakes into a video. I had thought that Lin had taken video on the rice cakes, and they were ready to be processed. In an English accent, the woman replies certainly and it will cost $22. I realize that because the rice cakes had not been opened that Lin probably didn't use them for video yet and also I didn't want to pay $22 and have nothing on the video. So I leave the store.

Next I end up looking at this "hotel" in the Mexican town. It's the tallest building with a lot of articulation - floors projecting out - and white coloring. I figure it's probably about 6 - 7 stories tall. I meet Lin at the base of the hotel - I know she's booked a room. We get on this elevator "contraption" - it is a small open, metal platform that rises on a cylinder. The closest analogy may be a car lift you see at a repair station, but smaller. We climb on but there's not enough room for both of us, so I end up clinging on with my hands clasped over the top and hanging down while the lift ascends. Lin is also barely hanging on but is more on top of the elevator. I remember shouting, "Hang on, you can do it!". As we rise, I notice the sky is blue and there are clouds - it looks like a painting. After a few moments the lift arrives up at our room. I climb up and look around. It looks pretty normal except for the lift and there appears to be a large chain - the kind used on bicycles but bigger - that stretches from the floor into the middle of the bed and attaches near the bedpost. I can remember thinking that it was an odd place for a chain, and that it would force us to sleep on either side of the bed rather than cuddled up in the middle.

That's all I remember.