Skinny Tire Events, High Point Hummer and Aarchway Inn combine for an adventure-filled Moab weekend.

Moonshadows Ride - Skinny Tire Events

Moonshadows bike ride - Open Air Cafe at Dead Horse Point State Park - May 18, 2013
We've become big fans of The Skinny Tire Events.  The two we have attended were very well orchestrated with incredibly friendly staff and indescribable views.

Anna & Roy at one of the overlooks from Dead Horse Point.  (Moonshadows Bike Ride) 

Sunset over Dead Horse Point State Park with Canyonlands National Park on the distant horizon.
(Moonshadows Bike Ride)

High Point Hummer

High Point Hummer proved to be the perfect place to rent our RZR 900 from.  They provided us with a detailed map allowing us to find all of these stunning vistas as well as many more - too many to post.  May 19, 2013

Roy and Anna at the far end of Tusher Tunnel - short hike just off the trail.  May 19, 2013

Delicate Arch - Arches National Park

Phil overlooking the famous Delicate Arch at sunset. - May 19, 2013

Turret Arch, Windows Section, Arches National Park.   Just after sundown May 19, 2013

Aarchway Inn.  Late night BBQ in the courtyard.  They were so friendly and accommodating; providing us with everything (except the food!) we needed to finally get a good meal after a very busy, exciting day.  They are a great place to stay, especially when you participate in a Skinny Tire Event.  Aarchway Inn is the hub of the ride's activities and events.

Back to High Point Hummer for Canyoneering

165 foot rappel - Kane Springs.  Check out Anna starting to descend from the top!

Above:  The position we amateurs take.
Below:  The position our High Point Hummer professional guides take.

Our canyoneering group - Phil, Ronelle, Anna, Nick (guide), Roy and Andy (guide).  Thanks to Skinny Tire Events, High Point Hummer and Aarchway Inn for an awe-inspiring weekend that pushed us to new limits -physically and mentally.

Celebrating 22 Years, Our Anniversary Tour

First Stop:  Renting a side by side ATV and getting checked into our miners' cabin at 
Lizzie and Charlie's RV Park in Marysvale.

This is the 3rd year in a row we have made the trip.  They're about 25 miles south of the city of Richfield on Hwy. 89 in Utah.  Their campground is the gateway to the Paiute Trail. This trail system forms a literal spider web of ATV trails covering most of Paiute County. Some publications call it the 'best family oriented trail system in the U.S.' The diverse terrain provides its riders numerous photo opportunities of dense forests, stunning vistas, wildlife (very large elk and herds of deer) as well as a great open air museum at the Marysvale Miners Park in Bullion Canyon.

Miners Park - Bullion Canyon

There is no beginning or end to The Paiute Trail system.  Riders can get on and off the trail at any point. However the #1 trail is a 278 mile loop that makes its way across deserts, through rugged canyons and over high mountain ranges (some are above the timber line). With hundreds of offshoots, you can explore whether you are a UTV or an ATV. Most of the towns along the trail allow ATV's on the streets so riders can go directly from the trail to restaurants, convenience stores or to your lodging to get a hot shower. 

Lizzie & Charlie's RV Park is your family's one stop shop for an outdoor adventure creating memories that will last a life time! 

We like the rustic feel of their miners' cabins.  It's a step up from tent camping, yet it gives you a small taste of how the miners lived who settled this area years ago. This is a great you can get close enough to see them, campground full of large shade trees throughout, whether you are in your tent or RV. Their staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful; they know the trail system very well and will help you map out a course that will fit all your needs (time and age appropriate). This last trip they mapped out a route for us to see two beaver dams. The ATV's scare the beavers away long before but it was very interesting to see their dam up close and examine the size of trees they are able to chop down. 

One of our favorite things about staying here is eating at "The Garage".  It's a New York style pizza/deli right at the RV Park. The dough is hand-tossed (fun to watch).  My family agrees its the best pizza we have ever eaten. This year one of the RV Park employees told us we had to try one of their sandwiches. My wife jumped on that idea and had a panini. As for me, I had been waiting 9 months to enjoy one of his pizzas-  BBQ Chicken was my choice.  This place is worth driving a little out of your way if you are a pizza or sub lover. "The Garage" was the perfect way to cap off an awesome day in our ATV before heading to the Bryce Canyon Area.

Bike Season Is Here!

After months of spin classes, Ronelle and I were ready for some time in the sun on our bikes. We looked to see what rides Spin Geeks had on the horizon and found the Mesquite Madness 83-mile ride on March 24th. Having done other Spin Geeks rides we jumped on this one. This was the first year they have done the Mesquite Madness ride. It proved to be a great addition to their line - making 8 rides/races they sponsor each year.

There are a number of reasons we keep going back to Spin Geeks rides/races.

1. A lot of their rides are in the warm sun of the St. George area when the weather in Utah Co. is; should we say, "less desirable" for biking. Who doesn't like to take a road trip to find some fun in the sun.
2. They do an incredible job in both the organization in the months before the event, as well as the day of. The course is very well marked with both- standing signs on the sides of the road as well as arrows on the road pointing the way. You are given a map with turn by turn directions. Their staff at all the aid stations are all up beat, friendly and extremely helpful. Their website answers most of the riders questions, gives a good description of the event and has registration info.and forms. I love looking at the street map and the elevation map because of how they work together - hold your cursor over the starting point on the elevation map drag it to the right and simultaneously watch the street map.
3. Safety is a top priority with Spin Geeks! They have police blocking intersections as well a escorts to
   start each race.
4. The feed stops are well stocked and well placed a long the course.
5. All of the rides we have done have had a nice meal at the finish line.
6. They have sag wagons all over the course to assist you with anything you might need help with.

The Mesquite Madness was everything we had hoped for in our first long ride of the season. With plenty of sunshine, the temps started out in the mid 60s and climbed into low 80s by the end of the dayIt came as no surprise that thiscourse was challenging physically and mentally, just like the other Spin Geeks rides we have done. They always have plenty of hills to climb to wear down the legs, then they seem to find a way tease you a little with some mind games. The course leads close to the finish line, building up your hope that you are about done, then it takes a turn and you realize you still have miles to go before you find that elusive finish line. This is one of the the biggest reasons I love their rides. My wife and I are looking forward to both the Spring (April 14) and Fall (October 20) Tour de St. George rides.

Of their 8 rides, most are set up to challenge riders of every level, including shorter distances for the newer rider. Go to spingeeks.com to check out their season, find one that will work for you and sign up. You won't be sorry.