fat tire awesome 2013

Auld Lang Syne'g my favorite moments on the bike in 2013.  Thx for riding along!  

bowling tonite

Road tripping it tonight down in Tempe AZ.

GO BLUE!

EDIT:  what a fun experience for this family's first bowl game. But man did UM stink it up. Sigh.  

dry flies stoke 2013

My best dry flies memories of 2013.  May all of us enjoy more of the same in 2014! M

Archer

Someone got a bow for Christmas. 

I know!

Building a nice little range in the back yard.  In the meantime, the archery shop was kind enuf to offer some instruction and time on their indoor range. 

Turns out he's left eye dominate- who knew?!  At the rate he's been practicing, I expect we'll have some family shooting tourneys in our future. 

Merry Christmas!

From our casa to yours, Merry Christmas everyone!

quietude

Made some time to escape the holiday frenzy. 

Found dry trails and hero dirt in the 87043. 

Set tires to trail not with the intent to shred, but rather to soak in the quietude of the high desert mesa in winter. 

Found what I was looking for basking in the warm winter sun, the expansive views, variegated hillsides. 

Not a soul in sight, the stillness broken only by the gentle breeze and the crunching of tires over hoarfrost. 

Quietude. 

winter wonderland

Winter paid the 505 a visit last night- dropping 4-6" at the trailheads, a solid 12" in the mid elevations of our Sandias.

Instead of moping about the loss of a couple weeks of riding (just when I need it most), figured the lad and I could make good use of all that white stuff while it lasted. 

Absolutely beautiful out there. 

Here's hoping this finds you all with your shopping done and knee deep in the fun of the holiday season.  M

tradition

There are certain times in every parent's life when they are reminded that they're doing something right.

This week, the Mrs and I exchanged knowing smiles when the kids clamored for our annual Christmas tree trip into the mountains. 

'Ya know, with us so busy with the house and all, we were thinking it might just be easier to get a tree from the lot this year.'

'No way Dad, not gonna happen.'

Hook. Line. And sinker. Dog help me if they ever call my bluff. 

We heard from many families this year, how they remember the fun they once had combing the hills for that perfect tree, together. 

Once had. 

When asked, seems hardly anyone keeps that old tradition alive these days. 

Thinking backonit driving home, if there is one wish of my own this Christmas, I would wish for my own kids to return to the mountains each year in the early weeks of December.  

Their own families bundled in the back, belting out their favorite holiday classics. Stopping for biscochitos at the roadside stand. Secretly buying the tree permit for the family next in line. 

Then heading up that winding road, reminiscing of the great tree hunts past. 

In search of this year's perfect tree, yes.

 But finding a whole lot more. 

substantial completion

Final push on our back porch project has it finally substantially complete. 

Stone now cleaned, sealed.  Doors trimmed out, painted.  Lights updated, replaced. 

New pergola design awaits spring construction. 

bounty

I have a lot to be thankful for, don't I know it. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all from we here at la Casa de Heitman~