Bicycling on Cochiti Dam

Went for a bike ride with the neighborhood ladies on the Cochiti Lake Dam.  Leon was off hiking with the dog and Len.

My old 6-speed did OK; my old bones and muscles did pretty much OK too; the hill back to the gate was a little tough, had to stop twice, but made it. 

Linda is the Iron-Woman on an electric assist bike; Angie also on electric assist. Linda and Angie have the hight-tech helmets with rear view mirrors and Linda has the fancy flashy wind breaker. Wendy rode her tricycle; Wendy and I went in more traditional outfits: no helmets, jeans, sweats, down vest. 

We are trying to figure out where to get Cochiti "Lobsters"????

This all just to offer a contrast to the East Coast weather which I hear is pretty normal this time of year. 

It was a bit chilly here this morning, probably about 45 degrees when we went biking. It warmed up later, which it does here - there can be a 30 degree difference or more from when we get up in the morning to mid afternoon.

Not Much New

Not much new here except for the ever changing scenery - the changing light and shadows, sun and clouds, ground and snow, mountains and clouds make for extraordinary views from our deck and along the surrounding trails. Snow in Cochiti Lake: here yesterday, gone today.

Leon and I have both started looking for jobs...I prefer part time, Leon is looking for one good full time position...wish us luck.

Having Fun With Leon Somehow Always Involves "Work"

We (Leon) decided it would be fun to drive the Dome Road again as last time we only went a mile or two due to time. The road is 17 miles to Route 4 near Los Alamos I believe. I say I believe because we never made it the entire 17 miles. We did a little over 9 miles before we got stuck in a snow drift.

Starting Out Near Cochiti Golf Course

We started the trip in Cochiti where there is barely a dusting of snow, but as we got further the snow covered the ground more and got a bit deeper and then the snow drifts across the road got more numerous. I always have confidence in Leon's ability to drive through anything under any conditions. But we GOT STUCK.

We're usually prepared for things, but of course we had no shovel or chains. Leon dug the snow out from under the tires with the dog's bowl while I went and stripped bark off the dead pine trees. Getting unstuck is WORK.

Thank goodness for the pine trees which perished in a forest fire years ago, because there wouldn't have been bark or anything else to use for traction.  Putting sheets of bark in front and behind the tires kept them from spinning once the tires grabbed the bark. I may not have been a boy scout, and I'm not exactly MacGyver, but I'm not too shabby when it comes to problem solving.

I never have the camera out during the height of any drama. Here are some other photos of the trip.

Starting out on mostly dirt

Using A HulaHoop May Cause Trees To Fall On You

Rocks Fall On Cars Or Come Close

Cochiti Lake

Where We Got Stuck (the first time)

On More Solid Ground (Snow)

Leon: Smile For the Camera
Me:I Knew You'd Get Us Out Of Here Before Spring
Benni: I Dunno, I Was Plenty Worried

Headed Back Down

If We Got Stuck In The Mountains Until Spring
Would We Have Had To Eat the Dog?

A New Year - In More Ways Than I Can Imagine

A New Year in a new place...excitement is tempered with anxiety. A change that seems unreal at times. I don't have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming, the Spanish Dagger Yucca was doing that just fine...until I showed it who's boss. 

Now I'm sure the natives think that's silly, but it is too close to the driveway for comfort and I got reminded that I'm not dreaming once too many times!