Outa-town!

Every Spring I have always tried to get a trip down to Albuquerque. In the past to touch base with my folks, now I keep up the tradition to visit with my sister Nancy and my Brother-in-law, Mark.
This was an odd year because I kept making plans and then stuff kept happening to postpone it.
Does anybody "deserve" a vacation? I don't know the answer to that. Probably different for everybody. I know for me, the winter does get to keeping on a bit and I can tend to start draggin' ass a bit in my job, just going through the motions. A long weekend away seems to re-charge my batteries and gets me going again.
Finally got all the planets aligned with employees and wife and family and a chance to roll out!

This is the morning of leaving, -2 degrees, brrrr....good timing!!

I have made this drive so many times.........same stops for fuel, same stops for bathroom breaks, pretty consistent, 8 hours door to door.
The whole plan for the weekend was a chance to get some miles in on my bike with some golf with Mark and some non-responsibility down time for ME!
Started out with a little city riding early Friday morning. I dragged a bit of the cold temps down with me but it warmed up by the end of my ride for the afternoon golf session!!
Some nice riding for city riding on Tramway where there is about ten feet of shoulder!

Pretty hard for me to ride by My favorite Albuquerque coffee spot!

Over the years Mark has become a pretty good friend. We share a lot of interests and I sure respect him for the job he has done with raising his son (my nephew!) and being a good life partner with my sister. They sure have built a very nice and fun life together. Headed north to Santa Ana to play golf.
I always have liked this course. A very pretty mix of green grass, desert, and the Sandia mountains in your view!

Happy Jim!!!

We also managed to find our way around with a few of these

After we got back home Mark broke out a wee bit of the Irish......the conversation went on into the night!

The next morning found the three of us on our bikes on the most excellent Bosque trail that follows the Rio Grande. Albuquerque sure has a lot going for it to explore on a bike. There are great rides no matter what style you prefer. Road riding in all directions of town, bike trails all over town if that is your style, and many dirt roads and trails leading out of town and into National forests not all that far of a drive from anywhere. I have so many bases to touch and find out about. Excellent LBS's with info and Cass's and Gypsy's blog to follow with the idea that those guys are willing to offer up places to explore and experience. So much life to live with limited time.......this whole work/responsibility thing is sure crimping my fun!!!

Nancy and I taking a break next to the river.

You know, the real world keeps turning while I was checking out of reality. My most excellent daughter-in-law was skiing up on the top of Breckenridge with Dave and twisted up her knees in some deep  cement-like new spring snow and had to be hauled off the mountain.
Bummer!!

And, one of the guys killed in the avalanche near Loveland ski area was from Estes that David knew and had spent some time with back country on sno-boards up in the National park. Makes me sad...but relieved that he was only on the mountain at Breck, helping his wife deal with a crash that can be walked away from.

What a great time I had. Said goal of re-charging the batteries was achieved. The only bummer was the drive home. This is what greeted me as I headed back up the mountain from Lyons......Winter's last blast (I hope!!)

Snow to leave by, snow to come back to, but a lot of sun and fun in between!!

Thanks for traveling along with me!
Jim