Disappointing the wife...

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

About a week ago I was planning an overnight bike camping trip. I had the support and encouragement of my wife. As the week went on and I talked to friends about possibly joining me, it became apparent that I either needed to go overnight alone or forgo the camping in exchange for 2 day trips with 2 different friends. I opted for the latter. When I told my wife the new plan, she told me that she'd rather I be gone overnight. Her explanation involved something about how when I'm gone during the day she does't have any time off 'cause she's watching the kids. For her to get "time off" I need to be gone in the evening too so she can relax and do her thing.

In the end, I opted to go for the 2 day trips and disappoint my wife. 

Saturday (day 1) was an excursion across the Columbia River to Portland's out-of-state suburb... Vancouver, WA aka the "not cool Vancouver". (note: Vancouver, BC, Canada is the "cool Vancouver"). Our objective was a MUP that friend B-money had spied on the map a while back but neither of us had ever ridden on it. Success... the trail was a bit dis-jointed with several connections on neighborhood streets, but overall it was a pleasant respite from the heavily car oriented suburbs of the 'couve. 

Sunday (day 2) the weather was "supposed" to start out cloudy but clear up as the day progressed. That didn't necessarily prove to be the case. We got a little wet, but it wasn't that cold and we were mostly dry. Despite the weather, it was great to ride with fellow AHH owner Leaf "Mike" Slayer. We saw a bear but one of us might have shouted an exclamation of excitement and scared the bruin off before anyone could snap a picture, so no proof that that actually happened. 

Pics here

--Andy

[Amit Singh]

Great ride summary and photos.  Glad to see someone else is taking photos of wall art on their bicycle rides.

Well Done, Smitty!

Amit

[Mike]

Andy, that was a fun ride thanks for the company. While the weather was disappointing, the bear sighting more than made up for it. Who needs bear spray when all you need to do is bellow "OH SHIT! A BEAR!" to send one bounding back into the woods. In spite of not having a view of the mountains it was good to persevere to the top and enjoy the summit. And, while it was rather damp, it wasn't cold. Still, the ride is worth doing on a stunning clear day, sorta like today. Looking forward to more rides this summer. 

I'll post my pictures a little later but they're basically the same.

--mike

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

I saw that wall art and immediately thought of you, Amit. I had to capture it. 

Mike... yes, more rides. 

--Andy

[Mike]

Here's my photo set from the ride:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41335973@N00/sets/72157630713009788/with/7630160176/

[David Yu Greenblatt]

Glad to hear the bike rides were fun but how did you redeem yourself with the wife?

- David G in San Francisco

[pb]

On Monday, July 23, 2012 9:42:18 AM UTC-7, David G wrote:

Glad to hear the bike rides were fun but how did you redeem yourself with the wife?

 

Got her a special gift of a framed Rivendell poster, maybe?

 

Peter

[Andy Smitty Schmidt]

... I promised to go on a camping trip real soon. 

--Andy