Month: September 2023

Is summer almost over? (Please?)

~ reluctantroadie ~ Leave a comment

It’s officially fall and I am SO excited for the cooler temperatures! Phoenix is actually cool in the mornings now and I am definitely taking advantage of that by getting outside as late as…..7am! 🙂 This post will sum up a few fun trips I was fortunate to enjoy this summer. First, as I write this, I am reminded of where I was, literally, a scant month ago. I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the first time to visit my friend Vanessa. We packed in a lot of fun stuff in 4 days, including biking, hiking, karaoking (yes, really), going to the musical “SIX,” eating lots of yummy food, getting all cultured at the art museum….etc. It was great to escape the Phoenix heat and experience a different climate and landscape. Thanks for being the hostess with the mostest, Vanessa!

Getting my kitty fix with Arya!
Nice view of the lake.
Some of V’s friends joined us for a hike at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP).
We did the “Ledges” hike.
Yes, there is actually a cemetary in the park.
About to watch “SIX” the musical!
Listening to a fabulous concert at Blossom Music Center.
The armoury was my favourite part of the Cleveland Art Museum.
Yes, this is THE “Water Lilies” by Monet.
View of the main entrance area.
Don’t remember what this statue is called. Let’s call it “Contemplative Dude.”
Self-explanatory.
There were random decorated pianos around the city!
V’s brother’s dog, Jolla (pronounced “Hoy-a”). He looks very dapper here!

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I had a few days at home after my Cleveland trip to unpack, only to turn around and pack for the Slaydies Sunrise weekend. This weekend was held at the Sunrise Ski Resort in Greer, AZ and the objective was to guide and empower women mountain bikers down the various trails at the resort! I was fortunate to serve as a “sweep” for one of the coaches, i.e., I rode at the back of my assigned group to make sure that everyone rode down the trail safely. I even got to carry a walkie-talkie for emergency purposes. THAT made me feel really important, haha! The weather started out perfect, then….it started to rain…and pour….and boy, things got muddy at the end of the first day. The second day started out partly cloudy, but the rain largely stayed away. I left that weekend with some new friends, great experience riding some new trails, and more confidence in my downhill riding skills.

Just arrived and it’s a beautiful day!
Setting up tents and preparing for all the riders who will arrive soon.
Weekend schedule!
Everything is set up and things are happening!
Cool view from the chairlift.
Another view from the chairlift.
End of day 1. It rained a little and I got a wee bit muddy.
Here’s my better side, haha!
We all enjoyed a happy hour social event with a great charcuterie board!
View of my Airbnb’s front yard.
Morning yoga to start day 2.
With Stefanie McDaniel, Slaydies founder and organizer of this weekend.
Silly photo of the group I assisted.
All of the weekend riders.
The coaches and assistants.

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I always view Labour Day weekend as the start of fall because for the longest time, I’d start school the day after that weekend. However, in Phoenix, summer temperatures do not follow the calendar. So, in another attempt to escape the heat, I organized a downhill mountain biking weekend during Labour Day weekend for a few friends at the Angelfire Bike Park in Angelfire, New Mexico. I went to Angelfire last year for the Homegrown ladies’ weekend and had such a good time that I knew I HAD to come back. It was such a fun weekend, despite the long drive, because we got to play outside and hang out in our Airbnb the whole time. Are we really adults? 🙂

On the chairlift, looking into the light!
At the top of the chairlift….girl gang!
Pretending to drink some lemonade before dropping into Lemonade.
Girl gang pic on the chairlift.
We’re either doing some yoga stretches or pretending to give birth.
Such a pretty view!
Combi trail was so pretty with all the flowers!
Had to stop and take some pics!
More prettiness.
We saw deer on the trail!
Dear deer. 🙂
Going up on the lift to ride down.
We didn’t get a group picture until the last night!

I have a few more trips coming up and am really looking forward to the cooler temperatures (did I already say that, haha?). I hope you all are enjoying fall and the glorious colours that come with it!