Cassy has a great time on the mountain

We took my ATV up to Cedar City for some service.  Now I know we could have it done here in Vegas but it seems I can't even get parts here without it being a hassle, besides the folks at All Seasons treat us like family.  Any excuse to get up there is a treat for me, I just love it up there.  We headed up the mountain to hopefully see the changing colors.  We missed the spectaular event by about 2 weeks.  They've had lots of wind so most of the aspen trees were bare. The bottom half of the canyon had some awesome color, the yellows were really intense, along with rusts, reds, and deep maroons against the green pine and juniper was a sight to see. 

We ventured over through Cedar Breaks which is always an awesome sight, but it's elevation is just too high for lots of color this time of year.  Did still get some amazing views of valley though.  We made our way back over and headed to Duck Creek for lunch.  Cassy found a new friend, Jordan, an english lab about a year old outside our lunch stop.  It's amazing how many traits are the same in labs. 

After lunch we stopped at Aspen Mirror Lake so Cassy could play.  Getting out to explore is her thing for sure.  As if she wasnt excited enough, once she saw water it was game on.  She loves to swim and retrieve.  Oh, and roll around like a lunatic afterwards.  She had an awesome day.

DAT Anniversary

Last Saturday we headed out to the outskirts of Tecopa for the club's anniversary party.  We didn't take the ATV's, mine has a torn boot but we did bring out the BBQ, barrels, and a canopy for shade.  The weather couldn't have been any better...unlike last year when Timm was in charge of the event (40+ mile an hour winds at the dunes...horrible).  The morning offered a poker run for those on ATVs, the rest of us played some games in camp.  Timm and I won the egg toss.  Cassy did a great job cleaning up after those who lost.  Timm and Alan cooked lunch while I assisted, Keith relieved them so they could eat.  They were some yummy hamburgers and hot dogs...everything tasted better cooked outside, why is that.  The ATV rodeo was a real hoot!  More people participated than signed up when they saw how fun it was.  I think the sled pull was the best.  Bob and Dave won that in something like 27 seconds...maniacs those two are.  You know how Cassy loves to ride the ATV.  Even though we didn't have ours she still got to go for a ride.  Thanks Keith for the use of your Rhino, Cassy enjoyed it. 

She loves her Daddy.

Okay, it's not really an adventure, but these two really love each other.  Cassy was laying on her back on Dad's pillow but I missed that shot...dang the delay in my camera.

She did have a busy weekend with Dad though.  Cassy went to park, found a new dog to play with (a poodle with a blue mohawk), shopped at Lowes, attended the Dunes and Trails booth at the Trails Day event in Henderson, had her picture taken on the ATV, and more. What a busy Saturday that was.

Riding the Ghost Train

Over the Labor Day weekend we rode the Ghost Train on Ely, NV. We both love trains, they take you back to a simpler time and a much slower pace. I love the sound of the train on the tracks. We took the steam engine to the west, out towards Ruth and the copper mine. It is a 45 minute trip one way so it's a good deal for the price. All our years here in Nevada and this was my first time to ride this train...Timm rode it just a week or so before me on the Martin Man Reunion. (I know what you're asking...where's the post for that adventure? Haven't seen any pictures from that trip yet, when I do there will be a post.)

This route passes thru two tunnels. "Look down and away from the engine." the guide says. The steam and soot have to go somewhere you know.

ATV Club Rides Ely, NV

Holiday weekends always bring extra members out to ride and Labor Day 2009 was no exception. We based ourselves in the Ely KOA. They were very accomodating and friendly, the spaces are wide so you don't feel like you're on top of your neighbor, large trees shade every site, and you can ride your ATV in and out of the park. They even offered up a BBQ dinner and breakfast Saturday and Sunday for a small fee. We had dinner Saturday night and Timm enjoyed breakfast both days. Eldora is a mighty fine cook and the proceeds go to the children's cancer fund.

Here we are Saturday morning...28 riders strong ready to head out for a day of adventure. Timm was the ride leader so he gave his required speech...ride with your lights on, wait at turns for the rider behind you, and so on.









One of our prettiest places to ride was Sawmill Canyon. What a gorgeous place this is. We pre-rode this area on Friday and tried to connect over to the next canyon but it just got too rough. I hate to say it but I pulled out the 'girl card' and said someone else was taking my quad over that section. (I know, I know...I've never said that before...I was having a really weak moment apparently) It definitely wasn't a trail to try and pursue with so many riders so like much of the area around Ely, we had to backtrack our way out of the canyon.

Eventually, we made our way to Ward Cemetary and Historic Mining District. Unfortunately, the mining district was not accessible. There were large burms with deep trenches behind them where all the roads used to be. GRRRRR! The cemetary was neat though. Our plan was to go see the Ward Charcoal Ovens from there and to head over the mountain at that point. Another big GRRRRR! You can't get close to them without paying $4/person and the trail that connected up over the mountain is now closed! Two years ago, it was a fairly new ATV trail constructed by the Forest Service with wooden bridges to cross the creek and other neat stuff. Now, it's closed to ATV use and a housing development is built on part of what used to be trail access. It is so frustrating!!!!


Anyway, on a happier note, we also rode on the east side of Ely on Saturday's ride. Saw some gorgeous territory, found an old mine site, many took a steep trail to the top of one of the mountains for an amazing view of Ely, the Steptoe Valley, and more. You could see forever and a day.

We enjoyed lunch in a lush meadow that had a spring and some water troughs. I'd like to hide myself there to see what kind of wildlife comes out towards evening.

Our last stop on Saturday's ride where the train stops to turn around. We barely made it in time. It was neat to see them disconnect and re-connect the train. There was a boy losing his mind when he saw all of us along the tracks and the stopping point. Funny stuff.

All in all, it was a good trip, with lots of wonderful people. There were a few issues that will soon be resolved, and a few closed trails that made it really frustrating for Timm. Alan's quad broke down before the weekend even started. Some major repairs need to be done because the service technician didn't complete his job. I don't think those that follow know how the weight of responsibilites feels for the ride leader. Hopefully, someday they will step up and lead a ride.

Cassy and Shelby camp and swim

On our Red Desert Road trip last weekend Cassy and Shelby came along for the adventure. They got the chance to play in the creek, camp and swim in Meadow Lake. Cassy also got to ride the ATV's...she loves that.

They both had a great time at the lake. Shelby forgot how to swim for a minute...there was more splashing than swimming...it was hysterical. I put the video on Facebook if you want to see it. (Crystal Martin, Las Vegas...Cassy is the the photo with us)

They even shared the stick...although not by choice I think. It was cute though.

A great time on Cedar Mountain

We spent last weekend with friends from the ATV club on Cedar Mountain in southern Utah. It was wonderful to get away from the heat and the rat race to enjoy ourselves in the cool mountain air

Our Saturday adventure to us to an awesome overlook, took a group shot there. Nineteen riders went on an 80 mile loop that day that took us to Yankee Reservoir, Panguitch Lake, Hatch, near Duck Creek, Dead Lake, and back to camp on Red Desert Road. Timm was our ride leader and he did another awesome job. For most of the riders this weekend, this was a new place to ride and explore.

This section was much steeper and rougher than it looks here...honest. Most put it in low hear to crawl up over the rocks. A couple of people even used the 'girl' card and had others take their machine over this section.

Mark and Chris at Yankee Reservoir. Lots of people camping there this time. It's a great place to fish.

Keith was there this weekend so you know we had to have a big fire...this time....a really big fire. There was a fire pit that had to be 6 foot across and it was his mission to fill it. The wood was stacked up about 5 foot tall in the pit. Believe me...we had a fire like this both nights. He was on a mission to burn all the wood...and he did.