Twice a year a
small group of us hit the trails and bring lots of wine for a fun get-a-way weekend. This fall we decided to head to Mulberry Gap, because 1. we love it there. 2. we really want to see these ladies succeed in their business venture and wanted to offer our support 3. fantastic food, soft beds and awesome hot tubs. 4. super cool trails that drain well all year long 5. okay, so there are a ton of reasons......
We have been doing this for 5 years and it is the best therapy I have found.
Friday: I left later than I wanted to, since I was not carpooling and did not need to meet anyone at a specific time. So, I skipped the orchard I had wanted to stop at, picked up some apples at Panorama, printed copies of a good map for the ride, and headed out to Mulberry Gap.
I got the scoop on the accomodations from Ginny and Diane and changed quickly so I could squeeze in a ride. Kristen drove up from FL and showed up just as I finished changing, so she threw on a kit and hit the trail with me. Well, we were talking, so we actually passed the trail and were almost to 52 before I realized it and then we turned around and headed up Pinhoti 3.
Alison, Molly, Anet and Linda arrived and we had a fantastic meal. Bruce made an appearance, but was mainly confined to the kitchen. He was an awesome waiter and it was good to see him moving around after his knee surgery.
Then we stayed up until after midnight, drinking wine and cocoa with kahlua in it and telling funny stories about friends and family. This group is a riot!
The fire in the dining hall was perfect, so we never got around to lighting the bonfire outside.
So, I think we had enough wine, ya' think?.....and my dad's famous kahlua.
I always sleep so well at MG. I love their cabins.....but, love their food even more.
Saturday:
We climbed fs roads, then hit bear creek, pinhoti 1, pinhoti 2 and finally the hot tub.
Mo crossing a stream.
Molly, Anet, Linda and Alison at the overlook.
Anet and Kirsten doing trail maintenance.
Buffet style on Saturday night. We had some free riders and a group of hikers join us for a meal, so it was a full house. I think we were the hungriest group, though!
More wine and kahlua were consumed on Saturday night, then we all hit the hay after sharing many more stories and saving the world.
Sunday:
Super Mulberry Gap breakfast.
Some of us went for a very hilly run, some went for a ride and others hiked, before heading home.
I don't know why she didn't just hurdle this tree.......I mean, she IS super Mo.
Be sure to ask Kristen about her weekend....lot's of stories there.......
Molly, Kristen, Jackie and me hanging out after a hike. In that box is the super-duper lemon cookies that Anet drove out of her way to get for us!
This is a picture of butter for Aimee. Kate, I didn't add sparking water to my wine. You would have been so proud. Missed you lasses!
There should be more pics coming along soon, as Kirsten kept speeding ahead to take photos of us all.
The four of us hit the trails early, then met up with the others at their campsite.
Right before he drops me.
Thank you Alex