After spending last night in Flagstaff, we’re off to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We had planned to ride our bikes along the south rim out to Cameron, but it’s really cold and we’re both a bit tired from yesterday. Good thing we decided on some sightseeing as I think I’ve spotted a great red Gabe creature off in those rocks. A few dramatic poses that left Gabe holding on to Charlotte pretty tight. ...

Today we started out our day in Lake Havasu City, there I happened upon the strange Gabriel species again. This one was giant, he dwarfed a lighthouse that was on the edge of the beautiful lake. Another strange and rare sighting of the Gabriel. After that we headed over to the famous London Bridge. Yes, the real London Bridge in Lake Havasu City Arizona. Strange right? So apparently the original London Bridge was becoming old and ruined so they decided to rebuild it. This left the old bridge nowhere, so they put it up for sale. Lake Havasu City bought it, shipped it, and then rebuilt it right here on Lake Havasu. ...

Our road trip continues as we head out of California through Lake Havasu as our first hotel stay last night. It’s quite a busy little spot with the lake, parks, sunshine, and of course the London Bridge. We head back west a little bit to the town of Topock as our starting point for today’s ride up through Oatman and on to Kingman. It’s another hot day in the desert, and there’s plenty of good climbing ahead. ...

For spring break I am going on an adventure in Arizona on a road trip. I am basically doing whatever comes to our whimsy along the way. Whether it be stopping at some old worn down houses on the side of the road, chasing animals for photos, or seeing some Indian ruins. Today we decided to stop by Mojave National Preserve. Mojave is a majestic landscape filled with rocky outcroppings and valleys filled with blond cacti. To me, Mojave is blue skies the stretch beyond the reach of the mountains held up by the arms of the prickly cactus that dwells below. ...

Monica and Gabe have a week off from school, so we’re heading south in search of dry, warm weather for hiking and cycling. First stop is the mighty Mojave. Last time we came through here was two years ago in an RV for one night, and some hiking in the dunes the next day. It’s been a long drive, so Gabe and I get changed and ready to roll. ...

We’re in the Sacramento area for another day of racing at the Bariani road race. The weather is still threatening, but I think the rain is finally over. Of course the roads are still pretty wet and the pavement is pretty chewed up. Ethan gets a nice break early in the Cat 5 race of three laps with a ton of wind on the course. Charlotte is enjoying the fields and olive trees on our walk along the course. ...

We’re up in Sacramento for a weekend of racing, and today is the Land Park Criterium. We left a gigantic storm back in Santa Cruz, and the raining starting coming down pretty hard once the race started here also. Today’s race is an open junior’s field, so there are quite a few very fast guys out there. Dylan takes an early break, but is later joined by Alex. Gabe hangs in there for most of the race, but the accelerations take their toll towards the end. Tim did a nice job hanging in there especially considering that he raced Cat 5 first thing in the morning. ...

Gabe raced at the Central Coast Circuit race again yesterday, and we lucked out with a break in the weather. It looks like the luck continues today at the Salinas Criterium. Gabe is very excited about today’s race as he’s finally wearing his super cool SJBC kit. Gabe leads everyone around on the way out, but Dylan and the Tieni Duro guys quickly blow things wide open. It’s great to see Gabe working his butt off to catch the break. A few guys try to hang on his wheel, but they fall off pretty quickly. ...

These amazingly fuzzy and funny looking creatures are just another species on my list of cute yet simultaneously frightening animals. I just feel constantly watched around them because of their huge eyes. It is just creepy and look slightly malevolent. That is a face that screams, Yeah just get a little closer so I can bite your finger off. So creepy yet so fuzzy looking. It is like a death trap, you just want to get close and give it a pet but you know if you get too close it will eat your face. They are tricky animals, crazy one moment and totally zen the next. ...

Alpaca’s are fascinatingly ugly animals.With strange clumps of fur, jutting teeth, and eyes that watch you warily at all times; the alpaca is a shifty animal at best. I feel like I must constantly watch out for spit whenever I get near these animals. I have always felt something sinister about them and I think it is because of their teeth. A face only a mother could love. Every time I look at a llama or alpaca I cringe. Yet for some reason I feel totally fascinated by them. I want to go in closer for a better look but my whole body screams stay back, it bites! ...