Visions of Sugar Plums

“We plunged into the cornucopia quivering with desire and the ecstasy of unbridled avarice.”

I am reminded of timeless movie classic,The Christmas Story. That movie where the little boy dreams about getting a Red Rider BB gun for a present. He has visions – his personal sugar plums – where he uses his red rider to fend off the bad guys – that dance in his head. That’s how my night felt. Going to bed at 7:30 on a Sunday night is unheard of for us, but we played hard this weekend and decided to hit the sack early.

I don’t even know if I got that much sleep, however, as I had my own visions riding through my head – spiny ridged trails, steep shoots and rooty drops, picturesque waterfalls, mossy trees…the day’s ride replayed in my mind.

Two Huckwagons are better than

Two Huckwagons are better than

Two Huckwagons are better than

Laughter, dueling huckwagon flasks, peanut butter sandwiches, glissading down the vertical trail, fired up by adrenalin and anticipation of the unknown.

Our fearless leader led us forward. Stopping at certain points for the party to reconvene, then sending it, once again, down the mountain. The long up hill was celebrated with a downhill of equal length – a mix of everything a freeride trail could ask for. Technical, flow, tight turns, and sometimes precarious ridges. Not for the faint of heart, but for those with adventurous spirit.

Back at the car, loading up the Huckwagon, anticipating a beverage and a much needed snack, laughing, moaning a bit, exchanging stories of the ride, we toasted to another successful day and to each other.

Cheers

Cheers

Cheers

People make these adventures fun. The dynamics of our group keep us coming back. Encouraging, fun, laid back, welcoming, camaraderie, support. It’s not about one-upping, it is about the whole experience. Sure, we challenge each other to try new things, but it’s the way we do it.

And, at the end of the day, we are wondering when the next ride will be, and where.

And thus, we go to bed at night, dreaming of a day well ridden and of how we will challenge ourselves next time. Shredding, hucking, and sendin’ it! “…(and) Gradually, I drifted off to sleep, pranging ducks on the wing and getting off spectacular hip shots.” (or maybe just catching air and getting off spectacular drops).

See you on the trails!

Heidi and Gary