And now back to the carts

Something from Black Friday!

Navajo Nation Part I

I have driven through most of the Navajo Nation, so I knew some great riding existed there, and today I got a good dose of it. I rode about 75 miles of dirt through the Chuska mountains. The riding was great and even though bits of snow cover got me to slow down see wild horses running along side me and mule deer doing the same in one day was just great. Total vehicles seen on this route 4 pick-ups going to get firewood.

The roads I traveled were great for the bike.

Below is Whiskey Lake.

Some snow was encountered but not like last weekend in the Cibola NF.


At one point wile trying to get to a fire lookout I tried to get over this deadfall and the chain got pushed off. So with a little improvising and using the deadfall I was able to put the chain back on. I abandoned trying to get to the lookout on this route, but found my way there anyway. 9100ft. and views to Shiprock.



This is a clasic hogan- not many are seen with the mud roofs:

Dropping down off the plateau was an event too. Horses looked like the only thing using the road I had planned to use to get down. The bike made it like a champ and soon I was in Toadelena, and then back to Gallup.

If there is no more snow between now and next weekend I will again ventue forth into the Navajo Nation for great riding- stay tuned.

Snowy Ride

Today I went for a ride because school is out and it is a great way for me to reset my attitude.
The ride out was a bit chilly but I was eager to get into the forest. A couple of days ago Gallup got an inch of snow overnight, so some of it was left in the forest- more than I thought was going to be there.

This is the last of the dirt:

Just after this shot I rode thought a puddle that was 3/4 of the way up my wheels- and partially frozen- that makes for some cold boots.


Then the snow got more serious


Time to pose out and show why it was worth it even if it was slippery



ancient archetecture


Aspens!


On the way out it started to snow. It was a great adventure.

Congratulations!

My dear friends James and Berni got all hitched up on Halloween!

Congratulations!

This photo comes from one of our first trips together, we piled into Jame's jeep and headed to the seashore for the most fantastic french fries ever, and board walks and lots of photography (old school film type photography).

I hope James and Berni have a ton of great adventures together, they were truly meant for each other. I am certain they will- my best guys!

Maseltov!

amazing artist

There is an amazing art student at the school I teach at. She is making work that is just BRILLIANT. She reminds quite a bit of of another amazing artist who likes to have animism incorporated into his work.

This is her work in progress and she hopes to cast it soon.

Found

The other night we went for a walk the whole family and I, and we saw an owl fly off a power line- totally silent- owls make no noise when they fly because of the way their feathers are made- downy instead of bristled. Well I also know that owls swallow their food whole and barf out an egg like bit that holds the entire skeleton of what it has eaten. Terra went in search of those when she found this skeleton and got me to look at it (not barfed out). Get ready for a package James!

15&16

Matthew and Terra are a year older- here are some b-day shots: