I made it without any trouble, but there were some close calls! It’s quite difficult to travel with a bike, especially one that is 3 CM under the maximum size allowed on a plane, but every employee was incredibly accommodating, and it ended up being quite straightforward. At DIA, they simply took one look at my bike box, let the extra .5 pounds slide, and sent it on its way! ...
This is a big trip, the biggest I have ever taken, and a lot has gone into the preparation. I wanted to thank the following people who really helped me out! LOAM Equipment Bellingham, WA I first met Rachel and Alan at the Northwest Tuneup where we discussed one of my favorite things - bike bags! I spent a while admiring their clean stitches (much better than my own) and sharing my own forays into bag making. Especially the wet suit zipper, the ultimate bikepacking zipper. ...
Dear Aunt Lucy, This past week I rafted the Gates of Ladore. The river was Green, like back home, but the similarities ended there. Instead of trees and greenery, I was surrounded by towering walls of sandstone. Red and magnificent. I found that them only slightly more difficult to climb. The local bears are a solitary bunch. I did not see any, but Wolf did tell some stories. The rafters are some of the more unique humans I have met. They wear wild colors and a flotation vest at all times, even when on shore! They operate as one group, preparing meals, doing dishes, and scouting rapids. ...