Norwegian Gulch

It was already hot when we started out. After consulting the Forest Service maps we decided on the Norwegian Gulch Trail. The first section was around some cliffs. And the trail got so narrow I could not keep track of whether or not my partner was behind me. So I just went on faith everything was all right.

Thankfully no horse people met, no headers off a cliff, and certain catastrophes were adverted. Once back on a road we only needed to ride up some gravel for about 5 miles. I tend to ride away from my partner during these long stretches but no matter. She seems to enjoy solitude much like myself. Funny how you can ride with someone and totally be alone.

I arrived early at the junction where we planned to turn. No worries on my part; I found myself busy checking out the local flora.

We rode past the sign marking our turn. The trail started out jeep like and once across the creek went skyward. We paused a bit before the climb to have snacks and chat. These breaks are nice to catch up on earlier legs of biking.

“Did you see that moose”, she asked me.  I had not … to busy hammering up the road.

Soon I was climbing alone guessing my partner was back down the trail hike-a-biking. Me, I found great challenges in trying to make a climb without putting my foot down. Once the climb gets the best of me I increment my “dab” count and try again. When I reached a vista near the top of the climb I had counted well over a half-dozen dabs. I waited for my partner on a rock outcrop looking at the healthiest forest I have seen in a long time.

I thought how I was like a tree in a forest. I stand alone, because often not at the same pace as my adventure partners. But at the same time part of a bigger picture. Was my forest healthy? Am I surrounded by sick and deceased? Or am I a part of a healthy forest?

As my partner caught up to me my solo rock spot became a bench for two. Certainly my forest, or the forest I am in, seems healthy. We sat there and the wind brushed through us. We were trees high on a ridge.

Now we were bombing down the other side. I mean in between stops to take in the scenery to not crash while gawking.

Coming out of Norwegian Gulch my partner caught me many times while I stopped in a gawking fest or taking a photo.

“So how was the decent for you”?

“Ok, I crashed once …”, she started to report.

Another great ride with my adventure partner.