Spring is finally here

And I'm learning what all the hype surrounding Flagstaff is about. For the last month or so, as soon as the temperatures were high enough to not need a jacket, the wind picked up. No one told me about the wind in Flagstaff, but it's serious. Springtime wind is on average above 20 mph, with gusts around 40 mph. Then, yesterday it just stopped. Now that the weather is warming up, the trails are drying and it's time to ride bikes. I'm about a ten minute bike ride (on bike paths) to some amazing trails and I am feigning hard. Not being in school has freed up a lot more time for riding. Despite the fact that I'm working full time, I'm still riding more than ever. The sun comes up around 5:30 am these days and I'm starting to ride in the morning before work, and squeezin in about three rides on my days off. Yay. Here's a couple photos of those aforementioned rides.

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Thomas, a super nice dude on a summer bike tour stayed with us and we rode with him out of town

dirt road southeast of town

rad canyon wall along the Arizona Trail

AZT just south of town

the road bike rejuvenated

Superstition Wilderness Backpacking trip

This past weekend Lisa and I checked out the Superstition Wilderness which is about 45 miles east of Phoenix. It was already getting hot, but there was still a good amount of water. This place couldn't be any more different than the Humboldt Redwoods, where everything is soft and wet. Everything here wants to cut, scrape or poke you and with the exception of a few seasonal creeks is extremely hot and dry and we were very happy to be done hiking after three days. Nonetheless it was incredibly pretty and provided some amazing views. Here is a link to more photos.