we do not take a trip; a trip takes us

"Once a journey is designed, equipped, and put in process, a new factor enters and takes over. A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys. It has personality, temperament, individuality, uniqueness. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us."  


― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

We drove from Minneapolis to Camp Bennett on Monday planing to ride the Maah Daah Hey the next few days.  However, rain and mud changed our plans.  The Maah Daah Hey is impassible on bike when muddy.

Dad and Jared on a hill overlooking our camp.

Prepping for a ride that wouldn't happen.

A bison chilling and munching along the side of the road.

A petrified tree stump I found while exploring on bike.  Several of these sat on the same strata half way up the valley.  Fossils always interest me.  This is the results of a volcanic eruption millions of years ago.

Hanging in camp + raingear

One highlight off the Maah Daah Hey is the ice caves.  We were able with considerable effort to find them using a combination for driving and hiking.  We met the ranchers on both ends of the caves.  The Storms to the North and the O'Brians to the South.  The picture below is of Dad overcoming his claustrophobia to enter the caves.

The following two pictures are of cannon ball concretions in an area of the North Unit, alien enviroment.

We decided to salvage a ride and headed up road going west from the North Unit.  The route was closed to vehicles because of landslides, but we had a great ride full of spectacular views.  Dad rode 4 miles up hill into the wind.  Quite impressive for a man in his 70's.

We ended up leaving Teddy Roosevelt a couple of days early and headed back East.  We did find some time to ride the North Country Trail in North Central Minnesota on the way home.  

Our ride on the Maah Daah Hey took a course we didn't indent, but we had a wonderful trip anyway.  The badlands of western North Dakota are incredible and I look forward to returning to ride.  I also appreciate the opportunity to have spend such quality time with my brother and father.

When My Family Is Out Of Town Bikes Move Indoors

From left to right Pugsely, Diamondback XR4, Trek 950, Miyata 618, Surly LHT

People 60, Foam Animals 0, Poison Ivy Points Not in Yet.

Another wonderful Father's Day spent shooting life sized targets at the  Rapids Archery Club in Andover, MN.  Above a leopard take a quiver full.  Note the broken arrows on the ground.  The log offered some protection to the big cat.

This is what some of the shots look like.  A good shot is well placed and misses branches.

A raccoon on the Minnesota target loop.

Caribou on the western animal target set.

Jared and the Warthog

Steve showing his elk skills.  

Wait, that looks like .....

Glad this wasn't a real bison.  My high, green arrow would have just made him charge.

Left and Right

Getting Excited for the Maah Daah Hey Trail

Jared and I loaded up our bikes and did a 10 mile trial run with gear last night.  The bikes are ready.  I'm using a small frame bag and two panniers held tight by an extra bungee cord strapped horizontally around each.  Note the solar panel on top of the rear rack.  Not sure if this will make the cut for the trip, but it worked well last night. (except for the charging part, because it was dark...)

Jared's amazing Moonlander with frame bag.  I was very impressed with the bike's/Jared's, ability to climb a couple of very steep slippery hills.  That bike sure puts some rubber down.

Below is a working copy of my gear.  I'll likely make a few changes before we go, but find it helpful to make a list.  Our father is driving the support vehicle on the trip.  He'll be meeting us at camping spots each night.  All but the on bike list will stay in the truck.  

Maah Daah Hey Trail Gear List June 18, 2012

Personal Effects and Electronics

Swiss army

Compass

Phone/charger

Solar charger and batteries

Head lamp/extra batteries

Camera/charger

iPod/charger

sunscreen

bug dope

toothbrush/paste

razor

soap

meds

power inverter

pillow

 Clothing

LaSportiva, Nike, Crocs and Swim shoes

Grey shorts

Bike shorts

Socks 6

Underwear 6

t-shirts 3

long-sleeved shirt

button ups 3

poncho

headwinds pants

blue micro fleece top

nike hat/Waltz Hat

towel

 Cooking

Coleman Stove/Gas

Water Bag

Cup

Coffee

Plate-bowl

Dish soap

Rag

sponge

seasoning

pots pans utensils knives

 Camping

Tent two person and bivy

Sleeping pad

Chair

Sleeping bags moonstone and fleece

Rope

On the Bike Kit

Fire starter

Camel back

Knife

Emergency blanket

Compass

Rain jacket

Bike repair kit

Phone

Food 3000 calories

Sun glasses Oakley and amber

Headlamp

Rope

Tp

Water spare bottle

Sunscreen

Phone

Bug dope

Camera

Went Shooting Today

Feel good about my first time shooting a 9mm pistol that I have in my possession.  A friend and I went to an indoor gun range in Burnsville this morning.  What a blast, I look forward to going back.

Images from Taiwan

 Claire and Harris with Grandpa at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial in Taipei

 Riding the bus.

 Lotus blossoms at the botanical gardens

Two of my favorite things.  Bamboo shoots and wax apples.  

They taste much better than they sound in English.

Traditional Archery 3-D Target Shoot this Weekend

 Plaid and Blue

My brave little lion hunters will be in Taiwan, so I'll be shooting sans family

Weekend at the lake

With the family in Taiwan, I headed to the lake.  Snorkeling, a fawn on a hike, jet skiing, fast car, and more fun.

Lebanon Hills Ride

Jared and I did a fat bike ride at Lebanon Hills tonight.  The Pugsley felt great.  The extra rubber gave me confidence in the twisty flowing downhill sections.  Also spent some time riding the Moonlander which felt amazingly nimble and connected to the trail.  

Today's Rides

I've been getting to know Jared's Pugsley, and have been making some minor adjustments to its fit.  I did two laps of Salem Hills Park.  My lower back hurt on the first lap.  I moved the seat forward about 1/2" and rotated the Ergo grips down about 10 degrees.  This made a huge difference.  My second lap was more comfortable and slightly faster despite being tired.

 Later I went for a road bike ride.  Felt good, and broke my record by about a minute.  Seems small, but I needed to stand up and work hard on the hills.

I feel like I'm getting in better riding shape.  Being able to spend time everyday has been wonderful.  I appreciate my family's willingness to pick up my slack around the house.