Mt Laguna and Anza Borrego

March 26th, 2010

The temperatures finally hit spring like weather. Summer, here we come! You could feel the beach beckoning but we wanted to hit the trails. We took on Noble Canyon, the premier single track trail in the region (I think) last weekend. My cleats were too tight so I took some really hard falls, and endos, but I still had a great time. It was surprisingly cool at 6000 feet and there was remnants of snow on the sides of the road. We went camping the next weekend, and what we could handle with a jacket before, now you needed two or three jackets and thermals. Dang! It was cold. We got on some nice and easy trails around the Languna meadows campsite and for location, it really is awesome. Some very mellow riding there and I would recommend it for families or beginners.

The next day we were still cold and undecided about where to ride. I really wanted to see the wildflowers in Anza Borrego, so we drove to Julian and then to the desert. When we got out to hit the trail at Yaqui Wells, I wasnt impressed. Where were the colors? The flowers? Once we started riding, though, in due time my eyes adjusted and I started noticing the subtle colors. Why it was quite beautiful! White and yellow flowers everywhere, and long cactus with firey red tips reached to the sky. I loved the bulbous round cactus with a crown of yellow flowers, and some purple ones, too.

It was sandy so we didnt make the whole loop and when we turned back, we didn't pedal once! No wonder it was so slow going- it was all uphill. I will definitely try to make to whole loop in the future, but never, never in any other time that spring because one could absolutely roast and die out there.

A Special Valentine's Day in Catalina Island

February 14th 2010

Ok, so this is a little later but we did spend a very, very special Valentine's Day this year in Catalina Island. Catalina is quickly becoming my paradise away from home...we truly hit the jack pot by taking a chance and spending a 3-day Presidents day weekend. The weather was a sparkly 70 degrees, and although we haven't suffered much on the west coast like the east coasters. It is an El Nino year, and we are getting flooded! Its been perfect for our winter plants and gardening, but not as warm as it usually is. So anyway, we took the ferry from Long Beach we our bikes and camping gear. I like to term this "bike camping" which is like backpacking but on your bike. The experience is very backpacking-esque because you do take all you can handle very minimally and hit the trails. I have grown to love taking to touring on the trails because of no cars and the wilderness experience. As I have said before, I find going by foot just a little too slow for my taste and biking to be just perfect.

I was testing out my Old Man Mountain full suspension racks as well. These caught quite a few eyes as they are one of a kind. It allows for full touring gear on a full suspension mountain bike. I like to be comfortable and take to the trails, so this was an awesome set up.

When we disembarked in Two Harbors, the people on foot waited in a long line for their van ride to their campsites. Since we were fully independent, we got a sandwich, went shopping in the small market, had a beer and then checked into our campsite before the hour long ride to Little Harbor. So we beat the crowds and did our own way with no hassle.

Now, the riding in Catalina is far from easy- its very steep out here. But from time to time you crest on top of ridge to catch the blue water below, or out on the pacific and you are stunned. Could it really be this perfect, this beautiful, this clear?!? We watched kayakers hug the shore line as we pedaled along. We scheduled a kayak rental the next day and rode around our campsite before building a fire.

Little Harbor is the best campsite, in my opinion. It is close enough without being too far to amenities. Our site wasl iterally, right on the beach, snuggled in a tiny cove overlooking the waves, the beach, the rocky cove and palm trees. Watching the sun set from our tent door was a special moment and we took plenty of photos.

The next day we rode out to the far end of Parson's Landing, and along the way there are some amazing coves and clear water. Its much calmer on this side than the ocean side so when we took to our kayaks in six foot swells I wasn't so excited! The water was cold and I was glad I brought my cycling tights to keep warm in.

So just an hour ferry ride away, there is an amazing escape to a paradise island. Can you believe we even imagined our someday wedding, of camping and snorkeling, biking and hiking. Its go something for everybody.