Testing out the new 4X4 Dually, Apple Century Bike Ride, camping with Jessica, Jules, Ian, and Adam: Birthday Weekend

What an action-packed four days.

We got the Dually this week, loaded the camper, and took off for four days of camping, biking, hiking, and spending time with family.



We stayed at Lincoln Rock State Park.  For the first two days, Jules, Jessica, Ian and Adam camped at the site next to us.  What fun that was.   I hope we can do that many times in the next few years.




 


On Saturday, Jules and we did the Apple Century Bike Ride.  All of us did the entire 100, although Jules' century was in miles, and our was in kilometers, so we actually did "only" 70 miles.  

The ride was beautiful.  It went through miles of apple orchards and small farms  There were hills--lots of them, including one called Dead Man's Hill.  Jules saw the sign, and I'm glad we didn't.  However, even though we are slow by PNW standards, we made it up this hill without stopping. We did 4200 feet of elevation in our 70 miles, which clearly shows we are ready for our next STP.

We are very pleased with our progress, especially since we are in our 60s, and both of us have serious issues with our bodies--both have knee problems (I have two knee caps with NO cartiledge in them), and Vicky has a titanium disk in her back, of all things.  And when we got done with the ride, we both felt really good.  Jules, of course, having become a fantastic rider, did the entire 100 miles and finished ahead of us even though he started at least 30 minutes later than us.  That is the way of life, and the way it should be.  And it makes me very happy to see how strong he is. 

The next day, after the fam had left, Vicky and I decided to test our new 4-wheel drive pickup on some really rough and steep roads that supposedly led to a nice, flat hike.  The hike was a bust but the pickup did just what we paid for it to do--went up steep roads that for normal pickups would bust out the oil pan or transmission, and did it with ease.

See us down there?  Can't take your Prius where we were.

The next day we did a very nice hike up Swakane Canyon.  The hike involved a lot of elevation gain (about 500 feet per mile), but resulted in some stunning views of the canyon.  We were only one day removed from our hard bike ride, but we did fine, although the next day our thighs were a bit sore.

The new pickup performed flawlessly (with the possible exception of gas mileage, which we knew would take a hit).  It will give us several years of improved performance and an improved camping experience.    This weekend was a terrific test, and we feel good about our purchase.  We can go anywhere, fearlessly, and effortlessly.  In the few years we have left to do this kind of thing, we will be able to do it well.

We celebrated Vicky's 63 birthday on Monday with this hike.  Here is one of her gifts:  a new camera.  Now she can take better pictures of me.  (how is that for a Narcissist's birthday present?)