Time to Ride!

We are sore. But it was worth it! We went this past weekend with the Smiths down to southern Minnesota to a state forest that opens its trails to dirt bikers two weekends a year. Normally, it's a horse trail system, but I think they let the dirt bikers come to pack the trails down for the horseys :). We had a blast!!! The trails were different than what we are used to - lots of switchbacks and tight twisty turns - sometimes very difficult getting an ATV through! The park is on a river (they usually are here in the tundra) and it was so pretty. Most of the time, it felt like we were in a rain forest or fern gully - very lush and green. It was pretty humid on Saturday, and VERY humid on Sunday! We stayed in a hotel Saturday night and it was really nice to ride two days in a row and just get away for the weekend. It's great family & friend time and even though we are usually riding fast, it's a time to slow down and just enjoy being together.

We are all excited to go back to this park in September and I can't imagine how beautiful it will be in the fall. It had rained a little on Friday, so the trails were muddy in some places, and the word "mud" doesn't describe it. It was like oil had been poured on mud and it was so slick! The one time that Duane and Cary went on a more advanced trail, the rest of us ended up sliding down a mud-slick trail going uphill! Nicole was leading and she fought her way up the hill, but then had to come down and help Casey and Taylor - I was trying to help but was laughing so hard because you couldn't even stand up in the stuff! We finally got everyone to the top and just collapsed! When the guys met up with us, Cary had hit a tree pretty hard in a tight turn, and we think his thumb is broken. The next morning, I asked him how his hand was, and he held it up and said "well, it's OK". Um, it looked like Shrek's hand it was so swollen! But he insisted on riding again and taped it up. Needless to say, he's going to the doctor this morning.

When we were unloading at home last night, Duane said to Cary "looks like we have a few repairs to do...". Ya think? The guys will be fixing clutches, shift lever, electric starts and a few plastic pieces before our next outing. But there will be big smiles on their faces while they are fixing their kiddos' bikes :).

Cary leading the pack....

Nicole getting a few tips from daddy

Girl time!

At the overlook (notice the difference between the girls and the boys pose!)

Having fun at the campground

Beautiful Minnesota state parks

Casey & Austin

He melts my heart :)

One of the "slicks" - the kids did great going through this, but then look what happens!

Miss Casey makes it through :)

Here is Cary - there's a video at the end to let you know how that went :)

The other momma - Michelle got "slicked" sideways!

Getting a push from superman

Time to hydrate girls!

All tuckered out

and this is how they train for the big time - notice the tether and training wheels - we loved watching this little guy go around the campgrounds.

And here is a lesson on how NOT to go through mud.