Italy by Bike

Italy BY BIke

2010-04-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

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The resurrection of Gilbert Gable

2009-09-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Visionary and succeeder of the union, Gilbert Gable has been spotted roaming the mountain trails of Mt Shasta. Gable was the Mayor of Port Orford, Oregon in the 1920's when he realized that California was ripping off the timber and mineral miners in the far northern counties. It was then, that the State of Jefferson was dreamed and plans went into action. Succeed from the California Union!

Snow and change...

2009-03-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yes... Alaska is wild and beautiful. Last Sunday I was surrounded by anxious howling dogs and focused mushers preparing for the 1,100 mile Iditarod dog sled race. What an intensely beautiful setting.
Girdwood is a quaint little ski town with BIG mountains all around. Our mail comes "general delivery", there is a small "mercantile", numerous tasty restaurants, friendly locals, a warm coffee shop, a box of organic vegis and fruit (a rarity in AK) delivered twice a month, and lots of fun snowplay to be had. It is a world away from Cuba and Argentina... another adventure unfolding... as we prepare for the TRUE adventures of marriage and parenthood!
Sending snowy hugs your way.
P and D

WINTER

2009-03-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

Yes... it is early March and we are in a winter wonderland here in Alaska. A bit of a gap between posts here as we finished up our Argentina journey and gathered winter toys for the trip north. We are living in a great place here in Girdwood, Alaska where we can see the lifts of Alyeska from our window and watch snowflakes slowly fall through the trees. David is up at 6:30am each morning for a guide meeting and then, depending on weather, heli-skiing or cat-skiing. Poor guy... working so hard in all this powder! :) I am enjoying the incredible beginning of my journey to motherhood... eating a lot, yoga, skate-skiing, and got a great day of powder snowboarding the other day. I will be volunteering as a dog-handler for the Iditarod this weekend. When is Alaska...
A winter wonderland, indeed. Today more snow falls gracefully, covering this quaint town and putting smiles on skiier's faces.
This wandering life continues to wander. I am setting up massage "shop" in our house and hoping for a week or two working out at the remote heli-ski lodge in the Tordrillos. And when we return in late April... only 1 month until we get... MARRIED!
Tomorrow David will be 33... and living his dream.
I breathe deeply... in awe at the life inside of me.
SO MUCH LOVE!
Petit

la vida...

2009-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

There is a small surf town a 9 hour bus ride through the Andes from Mendoza (including 3 hours stopped at the Chilean border high in the mountains) to Santiago and a 3 hour bus ride to the coast through rolling hills and winding roads and eucalyptus and pine with vast fields of golden grass leading to black sand beaches...
This... is Pichilemu. We heard of it from a friend of David´s and decided our week "vacation" between Aconcagua trips would be well spent on warm beaches near crashing surf and quaint villages. Quaint it is... though is seems like a carnival in full swing! Churros and cotton candy... pollo y papas fritas... mutant large corn on the cob... pizzas... empanadas... a small amusement park filled with rides and magicians... zip lines set up on the beaches... trampolines... street performers... craft booths from all over the world... music... and, yes... the Circo Internacional (the circus is in town!) We decided we couldn't miss it and stood in line a couple nights ago with many excited Chilean families to enter the large colorful tent filled with precarious looking contraptions. The bleachers were small crooked narrow pieces of wood, on which we packed in with kids and parents. An endless stream of cheap plastic blinking annoying toys were offered until, alas, the grand show began!
A bit of hilarity ensued as we struggled to understand the vague humor of the annoying clowns and stare in wonder at the young girl in what seemed an outfit more appropriate for the Bush Company spin hula hoops on all of her extremities. A family of four rose to the top of the tent on what looked like a double giant hamster wheel... more bad clown jokes... some impressive juggling by muscular Chilean boys in tight spandex... trapeze... the grand finale...finale... finale...
One of the great joys of travel is that we never know what might be around the next corner. That is one of the wonders of life, I suppose... even when we are filled with expectations and self-perceived "readiness"... the random wildness of life never ceases to awaken us to the moment.
So here we are enjoying a sweet little piece of Chile at the Pichilemu surf hostel... beautiful beaches... fun surf... bikes to borrow... and plenty of time to relax and read and explore and share moments.
We eagerly watched BBC as Obama was sworn in to office on the 20th, just a few hours after I landed in Mendoza and was greeted by David fresh of his first Aconcagua trip. The whole world is hopeful for positive change... and now we begin.
By Tuesday evening we will be on the overnight bus back through Santiago and into Mendoza, Argentina.
Another amazing journey to share...
Abrazos to all!

2009...

2009-01-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

As I pack my bags for Argentina (via Santa Barbara and San Diego), memories of past adventures flood my mind... connections, faces, moments from Alaska to Peru to India to Nepal to Cuba and beyond. Oh... this wandering wild life... how grateful I am. And... I look forward to still moments and a future garden.
Soon I'll be in the summer days of Mendoza and up on the mountain with David. Meanwhile, friends and bike rides and snow play and dance and massage and writing and exploration... looking forward to catching some waves in San Diego!
Onward and upward...
Love to all.
Petit

Aconcagua Climb for David

2009-01-01T05:09:00.001-08:00

Hey all, just a quick note as we are leaving town and heading up to Pentitentes ski resort in Argentina, beginning our climb of Aconcagua. Aconcagua is the largest mountain in the southern hemisphere. It has been a dream of mine to come down here and climb this peak and now it is happening. I will be working for Adventure Consultants. My guiding partner is a great, humble man Ang Dorgee Sherpa, who has climbed Everest 12 times and Aconcagua 11 times.
You can follow the climb as I will be giving detailed dispatches with photos from Adventure Consultants website. The address is
http://www.adventure.co.nz/AdventureInternational/Aconcagua0809Dispatches/

So much to write about during these past two months but this adventure called life continues to grow everyday. Cuba....what can you say. Christmas with new and old family was a delight and sharing time on the snow. Now in Argentina, I try to play catch up with my memory, trying to impregnant all these great times into my mind.
I send love from Argentina and wishing everyone a Happy, healthy, adventurous New Year

A new year ahead...

2008-12-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

Okay... so the Picassa photo links didn't work... I've put the photos here to the left (still learning all the technological "stuff" that is ever-changing and challenging).
2008... quite a year... of adventure, chaos, history-making, change, laughter, love, and hope. The Cuba journey continues to provoke thought and emotion and passion and compassion, as travel seems to do. Cuba... a unique world... filled with salsa rhythms, laughter, struggle, wildlife, beaches, vintage cars, and the eternal search for cheap beans and rice. Yes... quite the love/hate relationship we developed with that sweetly wild socialist land.
Our Christmas was spent in snowy Shasta with family and friends... grateful, indeed.
And now... one more day until 2009.
"The idea of time is a convention of thought and language, a social agreement. Here is the deeper truth. We have only this moment."
-unknown
Moment by moment... we wish you all a deeply fulfilling year. David is now in Argentina where he will be working for 2 months. We will meet in Mendoza mid-January to enjoy the beauty of South America together. March and April will be spent in Alaska... and May? Well, heck... we might as well get married! :)
Amidst it all, GlobalLines grows and takes form as a shared journey.
Stay tuned for many great adventures coming your way!
Happy days filled with joy and wonder.
Peace.

50 years... no change.

2008-12-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

inspiration

2008-12-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

We are ever-inspired by the youth of the world... keeping hope and laughter, joy and wonder alive.
viva Cuba!

New friends...

2008-12-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

Back to Capitalism

2008-12-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

After a long hiatus from the computer, we are back from our travels with an incredible amount of stories and memories from amazing "Mexico".
After an incredibly stressful couple of days of building bikes at the last minute and packing for our adventure, we were on the plane to Cancun for our upcoming journey. Big thanks to "The Bike Guru" Byron at Visalia Cyclery for getting our bikes ready! Seat 8A and 8B, our minds filled with expectations and thoughts about the world that we were ready to visit. Arriving in Havana, it was everything we had expected. Dancing and music in the streets, friendly people abound.
Traveling through the country was both beautiful and thought-provoking as their way of life couldn't be more different than ours. A socialist way of life could be full of great things, but as it stands the only way that Fidel chooses to rule is by fear. "Patriotism or Death" was posted all over the country, from the Tobacco ladened farm lands, to the pristine coastline to the festive streets of Trinidad.
So many things to say about the beautifully kind people that we met all along the way and the great places where they live.
As it stands, we rode about 600 miles in a rainforest reserve, dirty Havana, picturesque limestone caves, abandoned coastlines, white sand beaches, orange groves and Crocodile filled swamp lands.
In two years, we WILL return and gift a select few with a bicycle, one of the most important, yet elusive pieces of equipment that is used in Cuba.....whoops.
As we update this blog, we will continue to write about our journey, as that country is under our skin, and holds a place in our hearts.
Merry Christmas everyone,
D

Onward...

2008-11-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

Alas... back at the BLOG... after an unexpected adventure in Santa Barbara. Loretta, the lovely beast that "she" is, had a complete transmission break-down. Anyone who has ever dealt with this part of a vehicle will know that it is not easy on the bank account. Yes... quite the love/hate scenario as we stood on the corner in downtown Santa Barbara pondering "the worst case transmission" news (after a long slow day of waiting and getting towed from beautiful Buellton, CA). Meanwhile, our friends, the Whitney family, were evacuated from their home due to the big fire in the hills. Just a BIG reminder not to take anything for granted, enjoy the moments, and be thankful for what we do have... especially our health and each other.
So... there was Loretta... up in the air with the transmission dropped and the cost "estimate" ever-increasing. What could we do but go wine tasting in Santa Ynez with Heidi and Blair Whitney and friends? Oh... and watch gorgeous sunsets as dolphins glide by and pelicans dive for fish... and kayak in the morning ocean fog with dolphins swimming rhythmically just 10 feet away... and have the never-ending brownie taste-testing party for Heidi's concoctions (I'd tell you more, but I'd have to kill you)... and laugh and play with two of the cutest kids in the world, Rachel and Dana Whitney...
The destruction of the fire is heart-wrenching... and fortunately, the Whitneys were able to return to a safe home. We were hoping to return home to Three Rivers by Monday, and now I write this on Friday night having just returned. Ah... the last-minute rush for the next adventure... our bike tour awaits!
Gear, bike parts, food, maps... all strewn throughout this humble river-side abode...
Winter has come and gone in some parts... and we all anticipate the deep snow soon.
For now... we head to Cancun and beyond... two-wheeled travelers.
We wish you all a holiday season filled with laughter and love!
Peace.

Settled at Home

2008-11-10T17:48:00.001-08:00

The feeling of Fall...the early rising of the sun greets our faces every morning here in Three Rivers, a nip in the air, crystal clear views, dusting of snow in the mountains. Petit and I are enjoying these mellow, lazy days. Since I have returned from Argentina, my life has consisted of these early mornings, visiting and connecting with friends. It has been a welcomed feeling since the disappointment of the Ski Cruise.
Luckily this has given us plenty of time to gear up for our next adventure Cuba. We have been reading about the two different faces of Cuba, the tourists life and Castros socalists views. We are very eager to feel the differences in culture and experience a different time and space.
Also we have been finding moments to enjoy the fall air. Bike rides in Yokohl valley and fiddling with our memories on the river. Dinner with Inga-mom, Ant and Erin and breakfast with sister Stephanie, Christian, Lilianna and Lauren. So much fun!
Also this time has been spent preparing for the future....wedding, Alaska, property in Mt. Shasta and Globallines.
We are both very excited about our new life together and sharing this magnificent world with our friends....new and old!

Congratulations

2008-11-10T17:21:00.000-08:00

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-7845767487829176584&hl=en&fs=true

2008-11-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

2008-11-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

A Little Message from Natalie

2008-11-10T16:35:00.001-08:00

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-7845767487829176584&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:400px;

Freaky Fun!

2008-11-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

It seems as though Halloween lasted over a week this year... from the rowdy Rally of the Dead in Durango, to gathering of little ones and ridiculous amounts of candy in Three Rivers (thanks Jana and Sage!), to the transformed party house of Trynt and Roger (the handsome vampire couple pictured above) in Encinitas.
While David was dealing with the disarray of a cancelled trip in Argentina, Loretta and I were enjoying a visit to the San Diego area for and eventful few days of an impressive Halloween party, a hospital visit with Jesse (it was a graceful dive into the shallow end... and he's okay), surfing a fun swell at Boneyard's with Billy, playing with the Stern family, the Buck family, Cindy and the boys, and rappin' with beautiful Sue. Loretta cruised all the way south on vegi-oil and then went in for a leak repair in LA on the way home.
Alas... we are by the river now in Three Rivers preparing for our trip to Cancun... and, um... beyond. It is a splendid fall, and winter is nearby. We've received plenty of taunting emails and photos from our friends in Utah who are enjoying 5 feet of fresh powder! We almost jumped in Loretta and headed east this morning... but decided to be patient and get some days in on the bikes.
Movin' right along... celebrating Obama... change... possibilities...
Aloha aku. Aloha mai.

Never mentally prepared....

2008-11-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

Hey all......my last blog was a quick post saying something about us getting on the ship.....well this is not the case. After spending three days in the Harbor on a docked boat, we just got word yesterday morning that the Ski Cruise has been officially cancelled, due to a mechanical issue with the boat. Yes.............bummed. Sitting with 120 other people bummed, wishing to fulfill a dream now feels like kick in the nuts, and the gut at the same time. You know, I have a little sympathy and understanding, if I found out that Loretta has a coolant leak into the engine I would want to drive her.....the same with the Orlova (our ship). WE all know that next year we will have an incredible trip. People will be more prepared for glacier travel, they will pair down there kit because we all know exactly what we need. And plus we have a year to get everything together and get pumped for the next year. If anyone is interested, we will be doing this trip last year.
In the 100 trips that David our expedition leader, has been on, this has never happened. Never had a mechanical. So I don't know if it was about time, or if it just a case of bad luck.
Lots of droopy faces. Some are trying to salvage a cruise to see penguins, others are planning to stick around lower Argentina and travel, and other, like me are going back home.
I have a beautiful fiance to come home to and have a couple of extra days to prep for our next adventure to Cuba.
As I am figuring out, this kind of shit happens on expedition travel. Its all part of it.
Wish I had a better post, but this is my reality.
As for Petit, she is hanging with friends and Loretta in San Diego. Keep Jesse Haynes in your thoughts, sounds like he a bad diving board accident......Petit will fill you in.
Cest la vie
D

2008-10-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

LOVE!

Time...

2008-10-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

Today I celebrate my father's 92nd birthday. It's hard to imagine he's been gone for over 2 years... and still with me always... all ways. I would love to reach out and hold his hand, stroll through the walnut orchard with him and the dogs, tell him of the amazing man I am going to marry, play him happy birthday on the trumpet as he sings along... Happy Birthday, Allen Dodd Pinson. I love you.
The Kaweah river sings softly at its fall level, awaiting winter and the runoff of spring. I so enjoy the smell of river and granite... the cool mornings... the blue heron who flies upstream as I sip a cup of tea on the deck. My roots are here... and how grateful I am to have experienced adventures far and wide.
Indeed, I am now a fiance... soon to be a wife. I am smiling.
As David (and my little bro, Christian) boards a 90 meter cruise ship in Antarctica to face the 30 foot swells in the Drake Passage, I settle into my own domestic adventures of laundry, cleaning, paying bills, visiting friends, and preparing for our upcoming bike tour in Cuba. It is nice to slow down once in a while to re-charge and take inventory and process the latest adventure and re-focus on what is to come. Saturday I am co-leading a women's yoga/dance retreat here in Three Rivers with my friend, Jalene. Rhythm Quest!
Pomogranites are in season! Ah... the pleasure of taking the time to pick out each tasty little beautiful bursting red seed... messy and delicious. I ate one on my bike ride today up toward Badger. Sticky sweetness.
The simple pleasures... and time passes.

We're Off

2008-10-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

The boat has been loaded, the skiers are boarding and I have a smile on my face......friends and strangers embarking on a great new adventure. For daily messages check out www.skicruise2008.com. I can't wait to do a spread eagle over a penguin!

Boarding the Boat

2008-10-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

This morning I woken by 50 mph winds blasting through the hotel window. So much for getting one last lap in at the local Glacier! Today, the Ski Cruise will embark on the ship for the nasty Drake Passage. Reports of 30 foot swells (with out the wind factor) has everyone running to the local pharmacy for dramamine and sea sickness pills. Me, I am going to rely on ginger and a fancy little electrode that is placed on my wrist. I've great stories of its success, but I can probably expect to be bent over the deck at some point on this journey. It just wouldn't feel worthy otherwise.
Yesterday was spent rifling through all of my new gear that Thomas at Black Diamond graciously gave to me to test (which are awesome products!), some guide training, and a couple of laps out on the Glacier de San Martin.
My roomie is Thor Husted from Taos, New Mexico and my co-guide on my zodiac boat will be Mike Lebeiki. Yesterday, Mike was a little leary of my glacier experience but after I conducted the training for the entire guide staff (speaking of rope travel, management, crevasse rescue, and client management) he was a little more secure in his guiding partner. We went over protocols and expectations of safety for the clients as well as a "get-to-know each other" session.
In the afternoon, Andrew McLean, John Morrison and I headed up onto the Glacier and skied a couple of run in the back yard. It is very similar to skiing in Alaska because the mountains are huge, but the views of the beagle channel reminds you of your elevation. A very special site to see the ocean when you are skiing. I kick myself for all the views that I have experienced while skiing. It is quite an amazing sport with an amazing culture and people!
Last night, the entire group, 105 climbers, skiers, explorers, naturalists and Doug celebrating this gathering with an Asado dinner complete with beef, chicken and sausage. No carbo loading here!
This morning we loaded the boat, tied up loose ends, gathered a couple bottles of wine and caught on homeland communication and last minute details. Now all we have to do is pray for calm seas and board the boat!
Ushuaia is truly an amazing place, and I look forward to sharing this place (on skis) with friends and family in the future. What an amazing world we live in!
Again thanks to Doug Stoup, leader of this amazing trip. Follow his video blogs at skicruise2008.com. Very fun stuff!

Durango, Fresno, Argentina?....

2008-10-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hey all....what an amazing journey. From the fall colors changing in Sun Valley and Jackson, to colder temperatures and warm fires in Telluride and Durango, I can't help but reflect on the lives that we share this incredible earth with. From Dick Dorworth's gracious hot tub and suggestions on intimate hot springs, an incredible dinner with Joel Bernbaum in Sun Valley. To morning breakfast with Jen Fisher and bike rides with Jake Kilgrow in Jackson. To Bike rides and Pizza with Thomas Laakso and Scott Whitaker, to warm fires in Telluride with the Billings and Grusses. To the fun and zany times at the Zombie ball with Doom, JP and Bailey, I must admit we have some amazingly fun, creative, kind and open friends. Thank you all for an amazing journey.

I am writing from a hotel room in Ushuaia Argentina, the southern-most city in the world. Right now the rain is coming down just after a clearing for my plane to land. The area is very reminiscent of Alaska. Amazing islands and forest, giving way to jagged, jutting peaks and glacial mountain ranges. I met up with my fellow 18 guides, all of which I have some sort of connection with. From AK, to T-ride to India, amazing friends in many places.
My curiosity has opened my mind without expectation. Skiing in Antarctica, a funny proposition in itself! I have had many intriguing conversations here already, with the expedition leader (who has led 100+ trip to Antarctica) to talking about the wildlife with naturalists to sharing stories with fellow guides.
A small hard-core crew went up outside of town and did some skiing to work out some cement that has developed under their kneecaps from the long flight, and the reports were surprisingly good from what it looked like outside! A friend, Hilaree O'Neill, a fellow guide is three months pregnant and just getting over her first tri-mester, and gearing up for the expedition; quite amazing .
I am quite tired after the 28 hour journey following the midnight ride from Durango, so i don't need to babble on in this sleep deprived stupor.
I will however, remind myself and rest reading this blog on how special my fiance is. She is an incredibly, loving, caring and support friend and soon to be wife. After living with her in Loretta, traveling, giving slideshows and presenting, I am constantly inspired by her enthusiasm, love and zeal for life! I would not be sitting here in this cramped hotel room without her help. Making me coffee, sorting through gear and driving me to the airport. I am very excited to be spending the rest of my life with you, Petit.
How special we are to have her in our lives..........
More tomorrow after some zzzz's....
Buenos Noches
David

Goin' back to Cali...

2008-10-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ah... the 15 hour push from Durango, CO to Three Rivers, CA yesterday... with a few hours to sleep and rearrange gear before dropping David off at the airport this morning to head south for his Antarctica ski trip. All in a days work... um... play...?
Our Colorado days were sunny and cool and filled with bikes and friends and zombie parties and wildness. Rally of The Dead is a gathering of wildly creative single-speed mountain bike lovers in Durango, which lasts 3 days... films, music, dancing, costumes, races, rides, laughter, dirt... well worth the journey! Loretta played an integral role in the "zombie ball", complete with fake blood and a dance party on the roof!
She is resting in the driveway here in Three Rivers after a successful maiden voyage. My heavy eye-lids and roadtrip-weary body are ready for a nap. Gear fills all rooms of my small abode. David is en route to explore ice and skiing and penguins... (check out skicruise2008.com to follow along).

Next... laundry, rest, friends, massage, yoga, dance... and a Cuba bike tour mid November!
I smile.

Sun and snow

2008-10-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

A pleasant morning in Ophir at the home of Dave and Lynn and Emily and dog-friend, Lily (thanks for the hospitality!)... David has logged hours in front of the mac-book putting together a new and improved slideshow/video we will share tonight in Ouray at a fundraiser, tomorrow at Pine Needle Mountaineering in Durango, and with the students at Escalante Middle School on Friday (thanks, Steve!). Loretta is making her rounds (with guardian angel, Eugene)... turning heads in every state. We filled up with vegi-oil in Telluride and enjoyed some bike play and dinner with friends... all in the presence of massive rocky peaks, pines, and the foretelling of winter.
Living, laughing, learning, loving...

Moments...

2008-10-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

From Park City to SLC to Moab to a peaceful riverside night at Dove Creek in Colorado... an amazing bike ride at Sand Canyon... food, friends, fun, and waste-vegi-oil.
Loretta now has a patron saint; the angel, Eugene, rides atop the cab watching over us on our travels and adventures. Our wildly creative friend, Scott, welded Eugene to our sweet Loretta with enthusiasm and love... (we'll fill you in and post photos soon).
Oh, the beauty of Colorado with the Anasazi ruins, the leafless Aspens, the yellow Birck and Box Elders.
We are in Ophir gathering with friends for dinner and laughter, surrounded by peaks and wildness.
LOVE!
(details and photos to come)

A few days later...

2008-10-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings all...
We are still trying to find the balance between sitting at the computer and playing on mountains and rocks and open roads. For some reason the cool wind and smells of fall as we carve smooth singletrack is more alluring than the meager glow of the mac.
Hence... a few days have passed since our "proposal" posting... and we are happy and healthy and rollin' on down the road in a big box smelling like tempura (thanks to the sushi joint in Jackson, WY). From Driggs we made it over the pass into Jackson by nightfall on Thursday to enjoy nachos and a beer at the local saloon and have debates over which hat-bandana-Wrangler wearing man was actually a REAL cowboy. Good fun!
Loretta's home for the night was a large parking lot (church parking, come to find out) near the town of Jackson. Seems she was misbehavin' because the nice policeman shined a f*@%*ing bright light directly in our faces through the back window at 4am. Uh... we got in late and didn't know where to go? Uh... she won't actually start right now in the cold so we can't move anyway? He was charmed by David's disheveled look and Loretta's sleek lines and sent us off to bed for a few more hours given that we promised to get out of there at sunrise. Okay, officer.

Have you ever witnessed the Tetons on a sunny fall morning? We connected with our friend, Jake Kilgrow, for a road ride with magical views of rock and ice and new-fallen snow. Yeah, rolling down smooth pavement through multi-colored aspens with the Tetons hovering above... just couldn't convince ourselves to stay in and update the blog. :)
Jake has a great place out of Wilson, WY with wife Jen, cute little blonde dude, Charlie Red, and a baby girl to arrive any day. Thanks for the ride and the shower, Jake!
We are on a speed tour of the western states. From Cali to OR to ID to WY and now in UT. The drive from Jackson was not the 31/2 hours we were told... Loretta is not a sports car... but it was a beautiful 41/2 hour drive into sunset and colors and wide open spaces and a funky antique/ second-hand "store" in Afton (I think that's Wyoming). This place is difficult to describe, with every imaginable tool, jewel, article of clothing, rack, bottle, marble, fun junk (and beyond) piled upon itself many times over, with a bickering old couple wandering amidst the madness... worthy of a screenplay for sure.
Smooth cruising into Park City to meet up with Thomas and Jeff. By 5am the following morning we were setting up "camp" in the parking lot in front of the Black Diamond building (Thomas' office) for the annual ski/gear sale and swap. Countless locals showed before daybreak to set out used and new gear and search for this year's sweet deal. Loretta was there in all her glory, complete with music and a slideshow and free coffee for passers-by. She is a show-stopper!
We spread the word about GlobalLines, showed off our grease-mobile, scored some good deals on gear for the winter, and by noon were headed back to Thomas' house with heavy eye-lids ready for a nap.
It was a quick transition from 45 minutes of deep (much needed) sleep to climbing into the mountains of Park City on our mountain bikes. It's fun to ride with the "locals" and get all the incredible rockin' and rollin' singletrack that this place has to offer. Up... down... up... down... down... down... all with a view and a perfectly cool sunny day... 3 hours of pure fun.
Of course, after a long bike ride, why not a sauna and stretch at Thomas' house? (Indeed, the hospitality of friends has been deeeeelightful) And... a large pizza meal with pumpkin pie and ice cream for dessert. Are we hedonists?
This morning is, well, another glorious day in Utah... and we're heading to Telluride via Salt Lake where we'll stop at our friend Scott's "workshop" filled with incredibly creative art and ideas. We are ever-inspired by the multitude of unique paths we cross.
Happy day to all.
Oh... by the way... in case you missed the memo... we're engaged (to each other).

Onward to the Teton's

2008-10-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Out of Sun Valley, loaded on brew pub grease, we headed to a remote hot springs on the side of highway 20, as suggested by Dick. The moon was bright, Loretta was purring and we were smelling of fish and chips! yummmmmmm!
At the obscure road stop we were greeted by 10 roudy high schools partying at the local watering hole. Instead of making friends we stayed in made a curried noodle mixture and enjoyed a bottle of wine, complements of Petit's bro, Anthony (Bella Serra)! So as witnessed by the bright, bold moon, a rush of emotions came over me and asked Petit something that I had been dying to say for quite some time now........"will you marry me?" And as the story goes, she said "yes"....."YES!" To many of you this is no surprise and I wish that I could tell everybody individually, but here it is! What an exhilerating, nervous, quiet, blissful, happy feeling! So as the moon as our witness, we can be reminded of that special moment,.....in BFE Idaho....yippppeeee!
In the morning, we followed the necessary steps to insure a safe start for the fickle diesel engine. We soaked in the pools, had breakfast, fooled around and waited til around noon for the thing to heat up, and she fired up.
We drove into Arco and wanting to give Loretta a little TLC. A new fuel filter and a bath. She feels like a new woman.....
The afternoon was spend in Horseshoe Canyon outside of Driggs for a little singletrack fun. Tacky dirt, aspen leaves and beautiful vistas. Missing the views of the mighty Tetons but savoring the beauty of the newby rainstorm and rainbows over the Teton Valley.
The evening was spent cleaning up our road bikes, enjoying a movie and a yummy dinner.
It reminds me of one of my favorite tunes....."Once in a Lifetime" by the Talking Heads.
"You may find yourself in another part of the world, behind the wheel of a large automobile, and you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?" "This is not my beautiful house, this is not my beautiful wife...."

Choices...

2008-10-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Onward...
On the side of Loretta (the ambulance) it reads: GlobalLines "Don't Die Wondering..."
GlobalLines is a name and idea David has had in his thoughts over the past few years. As we have shared time, adventures, and dreams this past year, GlobalLines has become the name of our collaboration on adventure "with awareness and action".
Or, shall I say, "AWAKE-ness"?
EKAWA is written across the front of Loretta; AWAKE when viewed in your rear-view mirror as this beast transformed ambulance loaded with bikes comes charging up behind you...
EKAWA= Earth Knowledge and World Adventures
(Yes, perhaps this sound cliche... and maybe that's because it is timely...)
These five words sum up GlobalLines (in a nutshell... or an ambulance), bringing together our experiences all over the world and our desire to connect more deeply within each adventure to people, cultures, art, environment, service, sharing, and positive action.
... carving Lines in fresh powder, Lines in dirt, Lines up rocks and mountains, Lines down the faces of waves, Lines down rivers, Lines of communication, Lines of connetion with every sentient being, following Lines (paths, choices) toward a healthy mind, body, environment...
GlobalLines.
Okay, so I'm passionate when I start getting into it all. Can you blame a woman? And...
Don't Die Wondering...
An invitation to take a look at ourselves and our lives and allow our innate wonder to guide us.
I wonder... what would that truly be like?

Above all, we are grateful for health and family and friends and the opportunity to follow our bliss amidst these times of swirling uncertainty. Let's focus on the positive, the power of choice, the possibilities, shall we?

Speaking of choice... I was presented with a very exciting one just two nights ago.
The full moon shone brightly on the horizon bringing a magical glow to fall's golden grass as we soaked our road-weary bodies in the "secret" hot springs outside Carey, Idaho. I floated face up to the silence of the healing waters and brilliant moon, breathing in winter's imminent arrival. Moments later I was in David's arms... and... the sweet silence broken by even sweeter words...

"With the moon as our witness, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

Yes... the answer is yes...

Petit Davina Maria Marchi... how does that sound?

Choices...
YES.
AWAKE!

Sun Valley Fun

2008-10-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

As we left Bend, OR full of grease from the local sushi joint, we rang Dick Dorworth, legendary ski mountaineer, global traveler, zen buddhist, all-around incredible soul. As the sun went down, and we crossed over into Idaho (before getting stopped in the "great state of Oregon") and got directions to a great little camp spot outside of Hailey. Like Petit said, we woke to cold temps and a temperamental diesel engine. After thawing it out and a little help from a quick shot of Ether, we were on the road up to Sun Valley.
Dick and Jeannie welcomed us to Ketchum in their cozy little 1000 sq.ft palace. A cool blend of modern, and antique furniture and made us feel right at home. After a quick coffee and basking in the sun, we headed up to Greenhorn ridge to ride "one of the best mountain bike trails in the US".
Warming to the sun, I frantically worked on my new mountain bike in the hopes of an epic adventure. As we started our ride, we were greeted with snow covered trails and brisk temperatures which we are slowly acclimatizing to. The ride climbed up the ridge, with an overview of the Sawtooth mountains. Sun Valley is like no other place I have seen in the US....rolling hills of sagebrush and buckbrush. Usually I find these fragrant smells only in the valleys of the rockies. It smells of a nature, prehistoric nature.
As we topped out on the ridge, we were rewarded with flowing singletrack, tacky dirt and warmer temperature. Feeling the flow, we felt free! As I dove into the aspen groves, I knew the trail would get a bid slip............oh shit,......ery! Face first into an Aspen tree! Those things don't move! I collected myself briefly, and reminded myself not to move my neck. Petit rode up, checked my spine and I cleared myself to continue to ride. No major injuries, just a nice dent in the helmet and a raspberry on my cheek. You should have seen the tree!
Anyway, we ended the ride with a nice double track back to Loretta.
Loretta, if you havent figured this out by now, is the name of our Ambulance. Loretta Lynn. Check out Pieta Brown's song "In my mind I was talking to Loretta".
Anyway, we cleaned up in Dick's clawfoot tub, cleaned wounds and headed to dinner with Joel Bernbaum from Smith Optics, who I met up in Girdwood last winter. Belly's full of steak and potatos (typical for Idaho) we enjoyed a full moon walk in the back streets of Ketchum before retiring to Loretta comforting arms.
Up next, a quick ride in Adam's Gulch, outside of Sun Valley and then continuing down the road to Jackson with a stop off at a local hot springs. The western US is so special, so many gems to discover!

The journey...

2008-10-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

I guess it's all a part of the journey... the cold diesel engine taking an hour to get started, the snowy singletrack, broken spokes, the sheep in the road, the dogs greeting us at the ambulance door early morning, the full moon waking me up in the middle of the night through the back window, the hot pizza (cooked to perfection in the toaster-oven) before bed in the ambulance parked creek-side in Hailey, Idaho, the searching of back alleys for "clean" waste vegi-oil to feed our wandering, the laughter, the connections with old friends and new... what a journey it is!
Today we awoke in the ambulance after a cozy full moon evening parked at the dead end street near Dick's house. It's quite luxurious to roll out of bed and make a hot drink and ponder the plans for the day...
Idaho is lovely this time of year with multi-colored aspens, snow up high, cold clear mornings, and fun trails for bike play. David had an intimate moment with an aspen (blood to proove it), but all is well... happy and healthy and enjoying the moments as we aspire to more adventure and an environmentally sustainable, fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet.
We're headed to Jackson this evening via some "secret" hot springs... and soon to be sharing slide shows in Utah and Colorado.
Happy trails!
(upcoming adventure... check out the Costa Rica trip at www.lotusexpeditions.com)

Cold in Bend

2008-10-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

After a great couple of days in Bend, while Loretta was getting some new shoes, and a new ball joint, the temperatures have dropped. Another little fickle roadblock with a diesel engine. Our intention was to make an early go at the day, wake up by 6:30 and on the road by 7:00 but with temps in the 20's, Loretta just seemed a little cranky. Dan McGarigle, Petit's old friend and owner of Pine Mountain Sports (pinemountainsports.com) encouraged us to stay in his warm home, and while Loretta's block heater was warming.
We are on our way to Sun Valley today to meet up with Dick Dorworth, legendary ski mountaineer and incredible writer (google: "Night Driving") and taste the legendary mountain biking that we have both heard about.
We have realized that road trips present different detours and road blocks and enjoying each moment is the focus. We have a loose agenda and the open road......a very freeing feeling!

On the road...

2008-10-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

One man, one woman, bikes, skis, enthusiasm, one ambulance, and a whole lot of waste vegi oil.
This is the maiden voyage of EKAWA and GlobalLines... from LA to Mt. Shasta to Bend, OR where we are sharing slides and adventures and dreams. Rollin' along smelling like tempura and tortilla chips... enjoying the ride.
This October journey takes us to Durango, CO via Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. Coming soon to an adventure near you... serving up hot coffee, chai, and inspiration.
Happy trails!