Utah, Nevada portion of the trip...back to California. (April 2010)

Well, we made it past New mexico, with a nights stay at the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, NM. A lot of old movies were filmed in this region back in the day (northwest New Mexico).
After being denied entrance into "four corners" landmark, as it was gated up and under construction, we made our way west towards Utah.

Along the way, we stopped off to see this little heard of landmark, Mexican Hat.


After zipping by the hat, we drove our way out to Zion National Park.
After paying our entry fees, we made our way down through a mile long tunnel that takes you along the inside face of the mountain as seen on the first photo (a vent for fumes and probably construction access. Just head for the light at the end of the tunnel. It's when I found out that she has a bit of a claustrophobic side. :D

Saw some cars stopped, and this little fella was walking by on the road. It took him a bit, but I must have been scrambling in the truck to put the zoom lense on my camera, because, he had this inquisitive look on him when I looked up. hahaha

There were some cool structures and lines in the mountains through the park, truly breathtaking area. Wish we could have spent more days here.

While driving into the visitors center, I saw this old car, and approached the couple when we all parked. It's a 1970 3CV that they were driving up from Ushuaia, Argentina, with a final destination of Alaska...and then back home. The couple had been on the road for 2 years, and were just plugging along. You too can see them on their blog site.....not sure how google translator will work, but there is an option for it, as their blog is in spanish.

on the way out of the park, I saw this cool little wagon parked out in the middle of a well groomed field next to this tree. Didn't look like it was running, but the photo seemed like one to take.

I stopped at the road sign for the "Extraterrestrial Highway" (Hwy 375 thru Nevada) one funny sticker, "I don't masturbate, I just wash my d*ck really fast" HAHAHAHAHA dropped an on-on sticker in place, and we moved on.

One final stop in Hawthorne, Nv. before rounding our way into Reno for 2 days. I have seen this tow truck before, and really really want to buy it and restore it into a tow truck rat rodd. I think it would look sick, but alas, no room to store it at the moment. soon though, I hope.

Spent a nice 2 days in Reno with my sister and brother-in-law.

Snowboarding the weekend away.

Spent the weekend in Reno, and went up to Squaw Valley Olympic Mountain resort for some fun with my brother in law, while my sister is laid up resting. We had a great day and ran into some friends from the bay area. We were in line prior to the lifts opening, and kicked it over some crazy stuff. It's definitely more intense here than at, say, Northstar or Mt. Rose mountains.

A week ago C.R. Johnson was killed coming off one of the faces, and fell and hit his head on a rock. Breaking his helmet. He was a local, a pro, and X-games medalist, and seemed to be wearing all of his protection possible. Sometimes, shit just happens.

Nonetheless, we had a great time, and the weather was very cooperative.

Spent the weekend catching up with family, and Chris and I are signing up for two triathlons this year. the Graeagle Tri and the Donner Lake Triathlon. The first one is a repeat of what we did last year, after camping on the lake near Susanville last July 4th weekend. This year the plan is to actually swim properly (with training LOL) and also to bring road bikes. :D

The Donner Tri is about twice as long, but I think we can knock it out. We'll see. haha
The plan is also to sign up for the SF marathon and actually be sober enough to make it to the start. haha

as well as another ultra. we'll see if I go to 50 miles this year.