Gooseberry Mesa, Utah

After much discussion and a dose of beratement, it was decided that we'd head to Southern Utah for a weekend of riding. Gary, Devo, Salty Bahti, Spiker, Jeffro, Josh 'The Prick', guest appearance by KYLE!!! and self decsended upon Gooseberry Mesa. 5 rides in 3 days and a combination plate of some of the finest riding the area had to offer.

"What chu lookin at, holmes?"

We have arrived!

Not a bad view.

To the north, the palacial high rise, and to the south, shanty town. Nice lean-to boys!

"Can I get an official ruling on that?"

Crew Leader Cooper-

"And then, we'll ride over c'here"

Shortly after this picture was taken, Cooper decided it would be best to crush his beer can with his Sidi. After two failed attempts, upon his third try the beer can shot off the cliff. Smooth move! See any reflective objects in the pic below, just under the ridge?


Day Two

It's a looong way down

Day Three

Hey, Josh, nice headbadge. Who dunnit?



The gate into Zion. No riding in them thar hills, boys.

Yuri doing his best cougar immitation

Slickrock Swamp

KYLE!!!

Later that afternoon, Cooper puts on a clinic.

"Who's got a dime? Eh? Watch me shoot this dime!"

Yeehaw, Bucky Bronco!

The requisite "Gid owda mah N'yeh!"

Heeeey, ladies. They call me the Prick.


Back to reality and the rat race...

The Source

We set off for town to pick up some fresh fruit and the daily catch. A short bus ride later, we were bartering for goods that had arrived earlier that morning from Dominica.





Our agenda was to hike The Source- a trail which follows the pipeline bringing fresh water from the spring high upon Mt. Nevis. Starting at the Golden Rock Plantation, the trail climbs through neighborhoods and turns into steep singletrack.






















Somewhere below the trail continues. Deep in the rainforest this was no place to take any risks, as I'm sure the locals wouldn't be too enthusiastic about rescuing some gringos.


We had built up quite an appetite after our hike and it was time to prepare the day's catch. Libby haggled with the fisherman for the large fish with a series of hand jestures and nods while the smaller ones were given to us for free.


Tropical fish, plantains, jambalya spiced rice, veggies and a cold Carib to wash it all down.

Asking the Question

Our second cottage was well-positioned up the street from the botanical gardens. We started the morning off with with our staple of fresh fruits, juice and cakebread and headed out. Today would be the day where I forged a new life with Lysbeth and I couldn't be happier...or any more nervous!






The Botanical Gardens















Where I asked, and she said yes!




Off to celebrate.

Just a slight walk downhill, where we caught a ride with a priest who had moved to Nevis as part of his mission. One stop by the jail to drop off fresh fruits from his garden and soon we arrived at
Sunshine's Bar and Grill. Mt. Nevis in the background.