OK

OK, so I think I've mustered the energy for a blog entry.  To say I've been lacking would be an understatement.  The summer has been a bit of a tornado in my life.  So many changes and crossroads it's hard to look back and believe it.  Random thoughts and factoids:

• I LOVE guiding.  Not because every day is the perfect ride and by no means is every client a dream.  I simply love being outdoors.  I often get asked by clients, "Don't you get sick of riding?"  Well I suppose that could be the case, but I don't look at every trip out as the ultimate ride...because it rarely is.  I look at each trip out as another day in the beautiful outdoors, meeting good people and living a full day.  Perhaps a little corny, but I really really enjoy it.
• Guiding is damn hard work sometimes.  The guiding part is the easy part.  Cooking, washing dishes, loading bikes, loading gear and herding cats is the hard part.  That said, I can usually be found having a good time albeit in a stressed state of obsessing over details.
• Yes, we get the occasional annoying client.  Hey, it's a job, right?  Who doesn't have bad days at work?  My bad days are still pretty good my most standards.
• You gotta love this job because the pay is terrible and the hours are long.  LOL!!!
• Europeans tend to be better riders, but don't tip well or at all.
• Americans tend to be weaker riders, but tip well.
• There's no shortage of folks paying for a $20 shuttle who ask $150 worth of guiding-related questions.  Is their climbing on this trail?  Will I get lost?  Are there any turns?  Can you describe this whole ride to me?  This always makes for an uncomfortable conversation.  Now I know how lawyers feel when people ask for free legal advice.
• I had quite a few times this year where I stopped, smelled the roses and realized I was damn happy.
• I totally get a kick out of clients who say "wow" 50 times during their ride and get to the end and say it was their best ride ever.  That's a good day.
• I've gotten better at cooking.  I may even venture to say I enjoy it.  I love experimenting with Dutch Oven desserts.
• It's fun when clients ask for tips on their riding, listen to you, get better by the end of the ride and are REALLY excited when they're done.
• The opposite of this also happens.
• I miss having Pete B. around.  He was a hard-working guide, but also I gained a good friend.  He's got a very bright future.
• Pete B. drives like a 80 year old woman who has lost all sensitivity in her right foot and can't see.  (sorry Pete, had to do it)
• It's kinda cool to be "in the bike industry."  Not sure if that's vanity, but I'm being honest.

Well, that's my summer summarized in bullet point format.  :)  I'm off to Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument soon and then Zion/Gooseberry.  Change of scenery should be nice...although missing October in Durango is not so cool.  I'm also guiding a small group on the Kokopelli Trail this week over three days.