Mountain Mom and Tots

Slickrock Bike Trail, Moab, Utah

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The real title of this post should be: I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m trying it anyway. That’s how I felt riding my mountain bike on the practice loop of the famous Slickrock Bike Trail in Moab, Utah. The steep uphill sections interspersed with difficult turns and sandy sections made this more like a Bike Hike since I’m pretty sure I was walking my bike at least half of the time.

I’ve been mountain biking maybe twice before, but as an outdoorsy woman, I think mountain biking skills are good to have and where better to learn some than the Holy Land of mountain biking – Moab, Utah. The Slickrock Bike Trail is a 12 mile journey over well marked sandstone.

Lucky for me, the two mile practice loop gives a good taste of the whole trail, with technical dips and climbs, some sandy sections and a whole lot of beautiful scenery to enjoy. Don’t be fooled by my photo, fancy biking gloves do not make someone a mountain biker.

The most enjoyable part of the Slickrock Bike Trail was the amazing scenery. I took the short spur off the practice trail to Echo Canyon where I was lucky enough to see a bird flying below me. I don’t think I’ve seen the top of a bird in flight before. It was pretty cool.

I think I’d be ready to tackle the full loop after a few more trails on my mountain bike. For now I’m just glad I survived this tough trail.

Slickrock Bike Trail:
Getting there: From Moab’s main thouroghfare, turn left on 300 South, right when the road ends and then the second left onto Sand Flats Road following the signs for the Slickrock Bike Trail. About half a mile from the entry gate (where you pay a day use/camping fee) there is the Slickrock Bike Trail parking lot on the left.
Length: full loop 12 miles, practice loop 2 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Tips: Bring extra water. It’s hot anyway, but huffing and puffing uphill made me extra thirsty.

For more info visit this awesome website – http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/slickrck.htm

Moab Utah with Adventure Tykes

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Moab, Utah is an adventure paradise. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are nearby, and 4 wheel drive, hiking and biking trails abound. Our recent trip there was primarily focused on finding some fun UTV trails to explore, but I was able to squeeze in some time to meet another great outdoor family blogger – Melissa Edge with www.adventuretykes.com.

For the last eight years Melissa and her family has lived in Moab, exploring the area for the best family adventures. They currently own Edge Photography, a gallery of amazing outdoor photographs taken by Melissa’s husband, Bret.

In 2009 Melissa started the Adventure Tykes, first as an online store for parents to find quality outdoor gear for their kids. Now, although the blog maintains a gear rental section where visitors to Moab can get anything from a jogging stroller to a portable high chair, its main focus is to encourage big adventures with little ones.

“One reason I started the blog was to prove to parents that it is possible to have kids and be in the outdoors. Although you move at a slower pace with kids, they open your eyes to the world and the things you would otherwise pass by,” Melissa said.

I have to agree. On this trip to Moab my tots loved finding wildflowers, climbing rocks, and hiking to hidden alcoves. Big E’s favorite find was a “crystal rock” that may or may not have held magical properties in their imaginative play.

Enjoying the outdoors with tots is the reason I blog as well. I love to re-experience the joy of discovery with my kids, and I was glad to find that with Melissa, I’m in good company.

Extra! Extra! My Press Debut!

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Living near Sundance Resort in Utah has some advantages, like when reporters ask to interview me about Sundance’s Annual Author Series. I feel so special to have my name in print!

Check out the Provo Daily Herald Article Here:
http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/sundance-author-series-preps-th-season/article_fa72d57a-f505-5f56-a436-fd85e180670e.html

Here’s my post about the experience:
https://www.mountainmomandtots.com/search?q=sundance+author+series

And I was lucky enough to write a post about it at www.sundanceresortblog.com.

Green River, Dinosaur National Monument, Jensen, Utah

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If we had more time at Dinosaur National Monument I would’ve loved to raft the Green River through the area. As a river guide in college, Mountain Dad introduced me to the world of inflatable kayaks and rafts, and although river trips still scare me, they can be a lot of fun.

We’ve run the upper section of the Green River near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in the past, where the water is fairly mild and the sheer rock cliffs on either side of the river make for some beautiful scenery. On this trip to Dinosaur National Monument, however, we had to make due with a picnic at Green River Campground and splashing in the water at Split Mountain Boat Ramp.

It was the perfect end to our Dinosaur National Monument adventure, because who doesn’t like to get their feet wet after a hot day the sun? The 2 mile one way River Trail also begins here, a lovely trail along the Green. For more info on rafting and hiking in Dinosaur National Monument click here.

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