It's akin to riding on the back of a gargantuan sleeping dragon; mustn't disturb him, don't get him riled, just enjoy and try to get off with all your bones intact. Easier said than done.
Try taking children to a park and telling them to stay off the Merry Go Round, Jungle Gym, Spiral Slide, and "Don't go near the water, either...those geese will bite you!" No! Have Slickrock, Must Ride. Have sandstone bowls, must swoop. Have undulating hills with ultimate traction, must test leg strength, skill...bravado. There are good reasons why Badges of Courage are Red, for they are stained with blood of triumphs and failures. Win, lose or draw, you wear the Badge with the dignity and honor for having tried. Even though Life is a Team Sport, in the end there is no glory nor satisfaction to be had while sitting on the "bench."
Now go mount your Serpent's back and participate! You are only as old as you feel.
Peace Out from the land of Oz...
You are just taunting Jim!!
ReplyDeleteGayle
Me? Never. Just a little Sermon on the Mount Redrock, that we must "stretch" in order to age gracefully :)
DeleteNow go shopping for Jim...he must have a birthday coming up :))
Love that slick rock!
ReplyDeleteYeah...it's pretty sticky for "slick" rock :)
DeleteWhat a very cool bike ride! Where are you in Moab? I love all the slickrock.
ReplyDeleteWe are north of Moab...but there are boondocks and slick rocks galore in every direction. Bring your bikes!
Deletemark
Thanks, Mark! We travel with our bikes. It's the only way to visit a city.
DeleteI love riding on those flowing dunes! There can be some hardass sections and then you just swoop along oogling the formations!
ReplyDeleteMetamorphosis Lisa
Good description...they are like dunes. When it gets too hardass we just push our bikes...it's part of the deal. thanks
Deletemark
What a great adventure and nice pics as usual. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGracious !
DeleteI could be happily lost amongst that redrock for a while. But I'd rather do it walking.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with walking! We walked this section last time we were here and it was fun too.
DeleteThat is a very important statement concerning my attitude about LIVING : "Win, lose or draw, you wear the Badge with the dignity and honor for having tried."
ReplyDeleteGood attitude, OFM :))
ReplyDeleteIt certainly looks like you have found October's nirvana. Who knew a curmudgeon could be so much fun?? ;-) Hoping for a solar update soon...
ReplyDeleteYes, his bark is worse than his bite :))
DeleteWe are literally drenched in sunlight here in Utah, the report is upcoming...
thanks
mark