On the road

The winter snow and rain and mud had almost been too much to bear with two small boys...so when the REI member sale rolled around, I bit the bullet and MommySki came home with a new bike.  With the beautiful weather last weekend, it was time to break it in! 

Thomas was thrilled about every part of the adventure. John Paul needed to be sold a bit on the virtues of wearing a helmet.  Once he relaxed, we were on the road.

It is one of the awesome things about living in the country.  There's not a ton of traffic and there are amazing trails back by our house.  Miles and miles of trails with cyclists, walkers, runners, and in-line skaters.  But no cars.  When you take the route to the Yelm-Tenino Trail, it's about 2 miles on country roads to get there.  When you take the Chehalis-Western Trail, it's only about a mile and a half.  But that hill coming back, even though it's shorter, towing a bike trailer with 65 pounds of kids and gear...that's a killer. 

First day out, we headed down into Rainier for the boys' reward for trying the trailer out.  Main Street Cookie Company.  You can't go wrong with them, the cookies are amazing.  You just have to ONLY BUY ONE.  We had a little bit each, and packed up the rest for the reward when we got home.  There were rain clouds looming, and I wasn't keen on inducting the boys in a storm.  :)  The inaugural ride was about 5 miles.



On Sunday, we did the loop onto both trails -- the Yelm-Tenino trail to the Chehalis-Western trail.  We stopped for a string cheese break and muffins.  John Paul played in the grass and Thomas cheered on the cyclists with our road flag.  "Go go go!"


Thomas is a great older brother to John Paul.  He also makes sure to bring baby Paul with us on every adventure. 


Sent to Jonathan when we hit the next trail.  Sunday's ride was about 7 miles, most on the trails.


The view from the trailer while I was biking up the hill -- Thomas had the iPhone.  :)


It's been pouring the past few days, so I'm looking forward to more sun and more time on the road with the Wee Skis!  My long-term goal is to be able to ride to St. Columban a few times a week this summer...15 miles roundtrip.  I think I can...I think I can...