Brian's Trip to DC - Shutterfly Photo Book

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Chiricahua National Monument: Easter Weekend

Brian and I love the Chiricahua Mountains, as it was the first place we ever camped together.  Although he has frequented this southern area of the state for ten years, he and I have been back together six times in the past three years.  It has now become a tradition to celebrate Easter weekend with my parents there.

The weather was rainy and although muddy and damp, it was a completely different experience being there with the thunderstorms.  This time we tried a new hike, the Natural Bridge trail, and also ventured out to Ft. Bowie National Monument, just about half an hour away.  As always, we had a great time.

My new commute

For my 32nd birthday, I put the word out that I was saving up for a bike.  Brian and I have talked about getting bikes to have on our National Park trips over the summer, and recently my sister got me thinking seriously about using it to get from work to home.  She is a daily bike commuter and a huge advocate of the lifestyle.  So with grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles all pitching in, I got my bike.  It's a Novara Pika Women's Mountain Bike which I bought from REI with a 20% off coupon.  It's awesome... (and so is my family!)

I have been examining my daily commute for about a year, and some of the route would take me through some pretty busy intersections and across on and off ramps of a major freeway.  Every time I pass those tricky areas I cringe, but I don't even live 5 miles from where I work.  It seemed that I really had no excuse.  I finally invited my sister to come over and check out the route with me one morning and I was surprised when she worked her magic on google maps and discovered that I could do most of the commute on a desert trail!

Brian works until about 5:30 when he coaches sports, and I like to get home about an hour earlier.  Up till now, we've been driving two cars back and forth.  Now I plan to drive in with my husband with the bike in the back of the truck, and then after school when I'm ready to go home, I ride my bike!  Everything I need to take home I can leave in the truck for him to transport which leaves me free to enjoy my ride.

I am really excited for this next adventure and hope it allows me to feel closer to nature, de-stress from my job on the ride home, and boost my confidence in my health and body.  Our trial run this past Saturday went well and I can't wait to start riding on my own!  Wish me luck on my first day.