Gratitude

Animas Valley, La Plata County, CO

I was out on a training ride today on my current bike “Tramp” and I snapped this photo. I like to name my bikes. This particular bike is special, as they all are I suppose but this one is extra special because it was found in a dumpster.  The guys at Lemonade Bicycles (local non-profit trying to build and give or sell usable bicycles) breathed some new life into it and I gave them $123.00 for the parts and labor they put into it to get it in running order. The crank is bent and maybe I will replace it someday but it gets me around for now and I like the idea of riding it. From the other photos, you may have noticed a Brooks saddle and a handlebar bag set up. These did not come with the bike, I added them.

Anyway, I love the more wild places and seeing them from a bicycle is all the more profound. There is something about arriving on foot or by bike that makes the trip really, really worth it. In the end I believe it is what will save the planet. But that’s a whole other discussion. Here is another shot from the saddle:

I get to do this stuff. I have worked very hard to create a life that makes experiencing the world in this way very easy. I know most of the planet is not as graced. I don’t want to say “lucky” as I’m not sure it was fortune that gt me here. No, it was something else…God maybe….

And speaking of God, here is a photo of my next destination:

This is a shot of the Pine River as seen from hanging off one of our local climbing crags. I was there climbing the other day with some friends. Yep, this is my life but I'll save the climbing stories for another day or blog perhaps.

Thanks for reading this...