Serena the Amazing Potato 2005-2018

I am not prepared for this.
I thought we had more years.  I missed the timeline.
Cancer sucks.

Serena has left us after 13 crazy fun years together.

The house came alive with sound when she adopted us.  She moaned and groaned and talked more than any dog I have ever known.

Every day, she would greet us with a gift in her mouth (stuffed animal, piece of paper, whatever was near her)  that she would carry, waddling around, tail spinning, with squinty eyes, moaning and talking until you had a free hand to touch her and thank her for her gift.  Only then could life go on.  

She was the fun police and guardian of the top of the stairs. 

She was a homebody and vomited at the start of every trip, but loved hiking and running the trails.

She was a whale flopping on the sofa.  And a baked potato teddy bear for her boy, whom she slept with every night.

She tolerated the nickname "fatty lumpkins", given to her by her other boy, because she loved him dearly and knew the feeling was mutual.

She was a watcher of chickens.

A sleeping bag hog.

She didn't like to share her bed. 

And was polite at the table.  

She was a great protector of this house.  And very particular about who could get close to her.

Most of all she mirrored the grumpy man who lives in this house.  She was him, in dog form.  He saved her and never doubted she should live with us, even when she tore through my outdoor gear, three crates, (including one that was reinforced with airplane materials), turned on the hot water and flooded the house, ate the corner of a wall, learned to open closed doors, broke more dishes than I can count  and was a dog that hikers would circle wide to avoid on the trail.  They both  mellowed with age and had a natural rhythm in their daily routine.  I was her caregiver and adventure/hiking buddy, but he understood her and she was his girl. 

We all cherished her company on this last Thanksgiving together and wish with all our hearts that she is running through the tall grass on the other side and watching her favorite Longmire episodes.  Miss you girl!

Oregon in October

More Fall Fun in North Carolina

Shey and I spent a week riding, running and hiking in the Pisgah area.  This gave us time to put together new routes using old trails.  

Black Mountain - Turkey Pen

 A trip to visit RockGeist in Asheville lead to a great visit with Greg and Eric, of course some trail gear and even yummy coffee.  

Another Day  Another Brewery

Shey saying, "You want to hike HOW FAR?"

September Colors in Colorado

The leaves have not started changing here, yet.  So, it was a real treat when I found out I would be able to make it to the Bikepacking Summit in Gunnison, CO.  Our month was slammed with travel and work, so I didn't think I would be able to fit another flight into my calendar, but the wheels started turning.......

The pine beetles have devastated a section of Pikes Peak and the brown trees patched the hillside as I drove up to the pass.

In Gunnison, the fishermen were trying to get in their last days of sun and warmth on the river.  

The summit was very informative and packed with statistics, surverys, questions, answers, discussions and stories.   Kurt kicked off the Saturday morning session with an awesome session on the history, present and future of bikepacking.  

Interesting numbers the the amount of climbing per mile:

Hartman Rocks - always a fun trail right outside of town

The Southeast chicas representing!

Two of my favorite things

This guy slept with me

 But always good to get home to these guys!