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  • TravelerTime out
    Day 69–74

    Colorado Extension

    June 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Hey friends!

    We've totally fallen in love with Colorado—there's just so much to do here! We kicked things off by wading through the ice-cold waters of Zapata Falls, then headed to Medano Creek and the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. Picture this: the sky was dark and heavy with clouds, lightning flashing just before the rain poured down. Our first time experiencing a heavy rainstorm in the desert! These dunes are the tallest in North America, sculpted by wind and water into a mesmerizing landscape of textures, shadows, and hidden wonders.

    As Paulo Coelho said, "The dunes are changed by the wind, but the desert never changes." We embraced the unique wilderness by walking, running, jumping, rolling, and sliding down the dunes, feeling an incredible sense of freedom. This area was once the homeland of the Jicarilla Apache, who danced here according to their traditions. The landscape is so varied—deserts, grassy valleys, and pine forests. From the Ponderosa Pines, they used to eat the inner bark, which has a sweet vanilla flavor similar to raw sugar cane. I wished they were still there and offered me some. I’d love to try that!

    Penitente Canyon and its surroundings are a 4,500-hectare playground for outdoor enthusiasts and heritage tourists alike. Around 20-30 million years ago, eruptions in the San Juan Volcanic Field dramatically reshaped this area. The largest eruption spewed over 1,000 cubic miles of ash—one of the biggest in Earth's history! We did some rock climbing and biking, always on the lookout for rattlesnakes. So far, we’ve only spotted some deer...and a little green snake 🐍 but don't know if it was venomous or not, anyway it was gone quite fast, that's why also no photo.

    In the San Isabel National Forest, we hit the Venable Headtrail at 7 AM, climbed the Phantom Terrace, visited the Venable Falls, and reached our first 4,000-meter peak—Venable Peak (13,173 feet)—in just four hours. The entire loop back to the Comanche Headtrail took us seven hours. Along the way, we saw deer, a squirrel, a chipmunk, several marmots, and even a black bear near a lake. It's getting unbearably hot below 3,000 meters, so it's much nicer to stay high up, away from the pesky insects like mosquitoes, flies, and red ants. Every day, we cool off with a refreshing dip in the river—the best air-conditioning ever!

    Today, we visited Garden Park in Fremont County, known for its Jurassic fossil discoveries dating back to 1877 during the "Bone Wars" or "Great Dinosaur Rush." We tackled the Oil Well Flat MTB trail in this area, which is famous for dinosaur fossils from 150 million years ago. We started the technical and strenuous trail at 7 AM and finished by noon. It was an awesome adventure!

    At the start, you're full of energy and excitement, ready to conquer every obstacle. You maneuver, twist, and push upwards, feeling strong and unstoppable. But as you progress, fatigue sets in—your arms and hands ache, and your body starts to resist. By the end, you're exhausted, just hoping for the trail to end, yet wishing it could last a bit longer to savor the final moments of the ride.

    Despite the annoying flies, mosquitoes, and harsh terrain, it's an incredible experience. The trail is tough, hot, and unforgiving, with spiky bushes and cacti and rough, dry and stoney ground and edgy rocks which you cannot avoid, sometimes if you want go round of it you slip and hurt yourself. But overcoming these challenges makes you feel powerful and invincible.

    Hope you are all well and also happy to hear from you now and then...    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    Day 53–68

    Utah-Beehive st/Colorado-Centennial st

    May 25 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Hello friends!

    I just had the most exhilarating adventure exploring the stunning landscapes of Utah and Colorado, from dessert to alpine mountains. I simply must share the highlights with you.

    Our journey in Utah, embarked on a series of nice hikes and sightseeing excursions. We explored the inspiring Navajo and Natural Monuments (where the movie Forest Gump was shot), marveling at their grandeur. One of the most striking sights was the iconic Mexican Hat, a rock formation where you can even climb up with rope but felt quite scary with the wind so we just stayed under the hat 😊. We also visited the Natural Bridges, where we were captivated by the majestic Sipapu and Owachomo bridges.

    After a day of adventure, we spent a peaceful night at a trailhead in Dolores, Colorado. The next day was dedicated to some thrilling mountain biking there. We tackled the trails in Dolores Canyon at Phil's World with its famed Rip Cage trail offering a particularly adrenaline-pumping experience. Also saw the famous rock formation: "the sleeping man" on Ute's mountain. Our campsite for the night was conveniently located near Phil's World, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the natural beauty of the area.

    Our journey continued to the historic Mesa Verde National Park, where we explored the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans. These structures, built into the cliff faces, are a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of their builders. While there, we had an unexpected but delightful encounter with a brilliantly colored lizard, which added a splash of vibrant life to the arid landscape. We also spotted vultures soaring overhead, adding to the wild and rugged atmosphere.

    For a touch of modern-day adventure, we spent again a night at Walmart, which provided an unique and convenient lodging experience with our first beef tenderloin & squash dinner in our motorhome... (Theo was graving for it and begged me for a steak 🥩...so as a nice girlfriend I made his wish come true, which he very much appreciated...) ..as lately we just live our vegetarian life as it is more convenient without fridge...and I don't really grave for any meat.
    A little swing to our eating habits (if you're interested - otherwise skip this passage😅. We usually eat what Walmart offers, sometimes rice with some veg like broccoli/ cauliflower/ squash, or macaroni with tomatoes and tuna, or Udon with tofu, BakChoy and poached egg to give it an Asian touch. Even tried PadThai 😂. For breakfast always porridge with granola yoghurt and freeh fruits and for lunch we usually have some whole wheat bread with nuts, cheese (Cheddar or Gouda or Mexican natural cheese which is the best - no better available or too expensive), cucumber and avocado salad with tomatoes and basil and balsamico dressing. Bread is the worst thing available. Unfortunately we always have toast, we haven't found any better than white baguette or whole wheat toast. We tried tacos but they get dry after 2 days...also bakeries are no good...wished for an European bakery or a baking oven 😂. But sometimes you have to make compromises.

    From Dolores, our adventure took us to Cortez and Durango, where we once again hit the mountain biking trails. The diverse terrain (some flowy and some technical challenging trails) made for an unforgettable ride experience, which I truely enjoyed...that to say as I am not a real MTB enthusiast but Theo. But now I really start to get the kick of it, haha...
    Here slowly the landscape gets more similar to the one we are used to from Europe: fir, pine and aspern trees (similar to our birch trees),...and the cacti are getting scarce and disappear.
    At Lemon Reservoir we did some daring river crossing to get to our climbing spot where I led a 10b (French 6b) 😁 which was super spectacular. Cascade Canyon was also nice to climb but freezing cold in the morning 🥶 ❄️ (< 10°C)...and in the mountains and forest there is still snow laying around.. The San Juan Skyway is one of the most scenic drives in America, here you pass 10 of Colorado's 54 peaks over 14'000 feet (> 4000m). Along the way we could find alpine forests, historic mining towns, hot springs and prehistoric Indian ruins. The snow threw a spanner in the works, so we had to skip climbing and made a MTB attempt on the Colorado Trail, turned out to be a short one...also due to snow obstacles...
    We crossed the "Million dollars highway". The name came from that the costs were so high 1 million/mile to built the highway or because people earned so much money here... Ouray county is super interesting to explore. Crazy how you can switch between seasons here in one day. This morning I felt like in winter with all the snow on our bike trail, at lunch time we climbed the "Dike wall" it felt like spring/autumn and this afternoon we were biking between cacti 🌵 again like in the desert... unbelievable. We also did a super breathtaking Via Ferrata experience at the Uncompahgre Gorge (name from Indian indigenous, which means first nation). Unfortunately we had another little incident with the MTB, it fell off the car and we had to get it fixed in Montrose. Theo was totally devastated but now I am glad all is fine again. In Montrose we also went for some sightseeing at the "Black Canyon" of the Gunnison Natioanl Park, stunning like Grand Canyon but different, built from Granite, Gneis and pegmatite rocks. We hiked down (almost crawling on all fours) the extremely steep Canyon to the Gannison river and up again. But better than hop from sight to sight. 😅Some people do trad climbing here and some raft and fish along the Gunnison river. We stayed 2 more days in Gunnison for biking the Hartman loop, climbing, relaxing and dipping into the fresh cold waters.
    In the evenings we sometimes watch the series "West World", which scenery resembles to the places we pass by, rugged mountains, red rocks, dry bushes, wide land and dry desserts... The most terrible thing here are the mosquito 🦟 the further north we go the more insects... already got more than 10 bites 😭😭😭😫this is my biggest nightmare.

    Actually Colorado resembles a bit like Switzerland with its high mountains. There is even a place here called "the Switzerland of America". I think until now Colorado is my favourite state.... (except for the mosquitos). ❤️ It is a paradise for all outdoor lovers, you can practically do everything at anytime because of the different altitudes and temperatures (from hiking, biking, rock climbing, canyoning, rafting, even ski touring..., accept ice climbing only in winter,.. Colorado should be the world's best ice climbing place...I think we need to get back here again in winter, hahaa)

    This trip was a perfect blend of natural wonders, historical exploration, and thrilling outdoor activities. If you're longing for some adventure that combines physical challenge with awe-inspiring sights, also vegetation- and temperaturewise. I highly recommend following this route. 😊    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    1
    Day 51–53

    Grand Canyon, AZ

    May 23 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    The Grand Canyon is six million years old, which means it was carved by the Colorado River in "only" six million years. This is a short time period compared to the age of the rocks in the canyon walls. Incredible to imagine that the river carves through solid rock. It carves away the thickness of a piece of paper every year (grinding through more than 4000 feet (1200m) of younger rocks). It still cuts today , but the mighty Colorado will uncover no more rock layers. It has reached the very foundation of the continent. The canyon widens as cliffs fall down and side streams erode. Through erosion and tectonic plate movement the canyon grew year by year.
    We had high expectations of Grand Canyon when entering the National Park. We spent two days here exploring. One day we did both rim sides by bike. Second day we did the South rim & river hike which took a whole day, As two Germans said it took them 10hrs to do the hike we were motivated to do an early start. We were doing the whole hike on Memorial Day from 6:30 - 14:00. We even went for 2 short dips in the Colorado River, it was crazy cold but super awesome refreshing. It was a great experience. Every corner here looks soooo overwhelming. Grand Canyon is exactly how we expected to be, grant. Enjoy the photos 😊    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    Day 44–49

    Sedona, Flagstaff, AZ

    May 16 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Hey friends!

    I have to tell you about my incredible trip to Sedona! The place is breathtaking with its stunning white limestone and vibrant red iron formations. We spent a lot of time mountain biking in the Coconino National Forest, which was both exhilarating and challenging. It demands serious strength, balance, and coordination. I was completely wiped out after our rides!

    We also visited Red Canyon, a fascinating cultural site. There's a story of a man who homesteaded there for about 20 years, cultivating pecan, walnut, and persimmon trees. Another highlight was hiking to a vortex energy spot, considered holy, with spectacular views.

    In the late '60s and early '70s, hippies, artists, and renegades moved to Jerome, AZ, drawn by cheap land and the mystical vortex energy of the holy rocks.

    Sedona is known for its sacred red sandstone formations, believed to contain concentrated energy and electromagnetic intersections. Specific locations where people feel the energy intensely include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon. The red-orange rock color is highly stimulating, contributing to Sedona's unique energy and its regenerative effects.

    My bike's suspension broke, but it gave me a chance to relax at a cool bike café. Meanwhile, Theo tackled the difficult "Cathedral" MTB trek. Yesterday, I nearly peed my pants riding down Mescal with its slick rock, cacti on one side, and a steep drop on the other. But the views were worth every bit of the adrenaline rush. We hiked up the cathedral in the evening to catch the beautiful sunset. On the way up, I climbed a rock, and someone called me brave. I just thought, "piece of cake." 😁

    We did a multi-pitch climb at Wilson Canyon and enjoyed an amazing view of Old Creek Canyon. The weather is nice and breezy. We also did some cool climbs in Sandy's Canyon at "the Pit". There's a ton of climbing around Flagstaff, the epicenter of the Northern Arizona scene. The Pit, a.k.a. Le Petit Verdon, Arizona's first venture into sport climbing in the '80s.

    There was breezy weather with mini tornado and some snow at our MTB trail at 9000 feet at the San Francisco mountians in Flagstaff area. Lots of Aspern trees here, looks bit spooky and also feels like it when you ride through with noises of birds around. Once you out of the forest there is nopre sound.

    Next, we want to see the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley before leaving Arizona. Think this is a must.

    Enjoy the pics & Talk to you soon 😊    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    2
    Day 43–44

    Prescott, AZ

    May 15 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Hey everyone!

    We’ve reached “the promised land” for more climbing adventures, and it's such a cool place! Theo had the bright idea to bike to the starting point of "The Crack," but his bike got a flat tire from a cactus. We ended up sharing my bike, which made for a rather romantic ride with me sitting on the steering wheel—if only it wasn’t so rocky! We rode through beautiful red poppy fields before moving on to Prescott.

    Prescott National Forest is fantastic for mountain biking. We started our ride at 5:30 AM to beat the heat. We took on the "Willy Nilly Tractor Trek"—such a cute name, my nephew would have loved it! It was thrilling to ride between rocks and pine trees, though we had to watch out for cacti. I noticed many mountain bikers, though it seems the girls here are more into horses! 😂 The terrain is fascinating, with dead and dying trees amidst fragrant pines and junipers, granite rocks, and patches of desert sand and cacti. It’s just like my childhood drawings that adults said were impossible. Now I see that anything is possible!

    We also visited Jerome, which is a historic copper mining town. Jerome began its association with the arts when the Verde Valley Art Association was started in the early 1950s and the town today continues to be known for its vibrant and varied art scene. Hippies were attracted to the cheap land and settled there in the late 60's, early 70's. The town is known as a haunted town. It was almost destroyed in 1890's by the big fires.
    We went to the State Historic Park and saw the Audrey Headframe shaft, which is 1900 feet deep—double the height of the Eiffel Tower! Quite impressive.

    On a different note, I’m starting to miss our delicious European bread with whole wheat, grains, and kernels. Here, it’s all sweet stuff and baguettes. I could make a fortune opening a bakery! Grama's Bakery in Prescott is rated the best in town, but they don’t have any whole wheat bread. Next door was a “barkery” with gourmet dog food. What a world! I even saw a man pushing his dog in a trolley—maybe we’re in the wrong city or should have been born pets. 😅

    In the late afternoon, I tackled the Lower Granite Creek Discovery Trail, which circles Watson Lake and connects to the Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail. It’s open to bikers, runners, equestrians, and mountain bikers.

    America really rocks! Can't wait to share more stories with you all.

    Cheers!    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    Day 38–41

    Move to Arizona - The Grand Canyon State

    May 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Arizona Adventures: Mountain Biking, Route 66, and Close Encounters!

    Hey there fearless explorers,

    Guess what? We've officially made it to Arizona – and let me tell you, the adventure is just getting started!

    First things first, we cruised down the iconic Route 66 like true road warriors. With the wind in our hair and the open road stretching out before us, it was a journey straight out of a classic American movie.

    But the real thrill? Mountain biking around the Mojave Desert. From adrenaline-pumping trails to encounters with some of Mother Nature's coolest critters, every moment was an unforgettable experience. Hummingbirds 🐦 and other birds which were singing nice tunes, rattlesnakes 🐍, chuwallas 🦎, and even a tortoise 🐢 crossed our path – talk about a wildlife safari on two wheels!

    And let's not forget about Beal's Springs – the MTB trail was as flowy as a fresh chocolate shake smoothie, but we had to keep our eyes peeled for cacti, snakes, and sneaky rodents. Oh, and did I mention we almost caught a glimpse of the northern lights? Almost, but not quite – turns out, even fearless adventurers need their beauty sleep after a long day of riding.

    We also did some climbs at "Black Mountain" and "The promised land" really cool place even the approach was bit tricky and far away. We wanted to ride our bikes there but unfortunately Theo got a flat tire. So we decided to....both sit on one bike. Crazy enough Theo rode the bike and I sat oh the driving wheel... I would say it was quite romantic driving through the red poppy fields, if it wasn't such a bumpy ride, haha.

    Further move to Prescott.. Get ready to channel your inner Spider because we're about to tackle some serious climbing. With sheer rock faces and breathtaking views, it's the perfect challenge for adrenaline junkies like us.

    So, my brave companions, as we continue our journey through the desert wilderness, let's embrace every twist and turn, conquer every trail, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

    Can't wait to catch some cold refreshing nights as the days are unbearable hot, hot, hot....    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    Day 38–39

    Heat, vulcano & dunes, CA

    May 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    From Volcanoes to Dunes: Our Desert Odyssey Continues!

    Hey fellow adventurers,

    Buckle up because our desert escapade just got even more exhilarating – from volcanic craters to towering sand dunes, we've seen it all!

    Can you believe you can buy land here for a mere 25K? Talk about a steal – or should I say sand? With nothing but sand and hot air as far as the eye can see, it truly feels like we've reached the end of the world. But hey, that's the beauty of adventure, right?

    Amboy Crater National Park stole the show with its striking black volcano rising from the desert floor. Formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1500 feet in diameter. We tackled the rim loop and were rewarded with a breathtaking sunset – nature's way of saying, "You made it!"

    Another highlight, the Kelso Dunes, rises more than 600 feet over the desert floor and covers more than 45 square miles. Rising early (5:30 am) to beat the scorching heat, we embarked on a steep dune hike at the crack of dawn to see the beautiful view of the dune system created during the past 25'000 years. Trust me, nothing gets your heart pumping like scaling towering sand dunes as the sun paints the sky with hues of gold and pink.

    And let's not forget about the Black Canyon group and its "Hole in the wall" – a playground of volcanic rocks with nooks and crannies just waiting to be explored. Climbing enthusiasts, rejoice – these rocks are not only fun to climb but also home to a plethora of fascinating plant and animal species. There is even a bush which smells like cheese...missing fondue and raclette already, haha and beautiful cactus with bright pink and yellow flowers, a real highlight in the sandy desert.

    So, my intrepid companions, as we journey deeper into the desert, let's embrace the unknown, conquer new heights, and leave no sand dune unexplored!

    Stay adventurous,    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    1
    Day 33–38

    Big bear lake, Joshua tree National Park

    May 5 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Tales from Big Bear Lake to Joshua Tree!

    Hey fun seeking criminals,

    Hold onto your helmets because our journey from Big Bear Lake to Joshua Tree was a rollercoaster of adrenaline, mishaps, and breathtaking views!

    First up, Big Bear Lake – where the air is crisp and the adventures are endless. Arrow Lake tried to throw us off our game with its remote climbing routes and surprise guests (hello, rattlesnake!), but we weren't about to let a slithery interruption ruin our fun. The "rim of the world" road treated us to some heart-stopping views, reminding us why we love the great outdoors.

    San Bernardino National Forest was a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts like us. From flowy MTB trails to snowy peaks, there was something for everyone. Crossing that little stream was the ultimate chill session – nothing like a refreshing foot scrub in the wild!
    We had an icy dip in Big Bear Lake to feel clean and smell good again, nothing beats a good night's sleep, right? And don't even get me started on the climbing – those rock formations were straight out of a fantasy novel.

    But alas, even paradise has its pitfalls. A sharp rock decided to play tire roulette with us on our way out of Big Bear Lake, leaving us stranded in the middle of nowhere. Thank the stars for kind strangers and makeshift tools – we MacGyvered our way out of that mess just in time for a well-deserved noodle feast.

    At Joshua Tree National Park, we had high hopes for some epic climbing adventures, but sometimes life throws you a curveball. Trad climbs and bold routes proved to be a bit too spicy for our taste, but we made the most of it with some bouldering and cave exploration.
    Very special in this area are the many Joshua trees which grow everywhere in the Mojave desert, which make the area look a bit surreal as in a video game. Actually they are not really trees, they belong to the family of yucca. Almost every part of this plant has been or is used by other desert dwellers, people as well as animals. People used is to wove its fibres to make baskets, sandals or mats. Beechy ground squirrels, birds and deers eat the creamy white blossoms (see pic attached), bees get their nectar and produce the yummy desert honey. Later fruits and seeds provide food to antilopes, ground squirrels and other small animals. Woodpeckers drill in tree trunks. Even after death a Joshua tree trunk provides a home to ants, scorpions and lizards. It is a tree of life.

    Those horror halls in the huge rocky mountains were straight out of a nightmare – thrilling, but definitely not for the faint of heart if you are afraid of heights or narrow passages! (I wonder how the big Americans (in width) get through those 😅).

    So, my intrepid companions, here's to wild adventures, close calls, and the unforgettable memories we made along the way. Who knows where our next escapade will take us?    Read more

  • TravelerTime out
    Day 24–29

    California - The Golden State

    April 26 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Hey adventurous amigos,

    Hold onto your feathers because our California escapade was a rollercoaster of epic proportions – quite literally, considering our van troubles!

    So, picture this: after a wobbly start and an unforgettable overnight at Walmart (who knew parking lots could be so cozy?), our van decided to play a little game of "let's stop in the middle of the street." Not cool, van, not cool. But fear not, a knight in shining armor (or rather, a nice guy with jumper cables) came to our rescue.

    But alas, our four-wheeled friend had more tricks up its sleeve – or rather, under its hood. Three more breakdowns later, we found ourselves spending the day at a car repair shop, where our van got a makeover worthy of a Hollywood starlet. New battery, new alternator, and even a mouse-mangled filter – talk about high maintenance!

    But hey, we didn't let a few mechanical hiccups dampen our spirits! We hit the road again, and after a windy, shaky highway ride that would make even the toughest penguins quiver, we found ourselves in the Mojave Desert – where the rocks are as rugged as our determination.

    Rock climbing in the Sawtooth Canyon was nothing short of legendary. Sunny weather, breathtaking views, and a toilet with a view – what more could we ask for? Plus, we even made some new friends, like that seasoned traveler whose tales had us dreaming of far-off lands.

    Then came the bright lights of Greater Los Angeles. I visited my auntie in Santa Ana and we had great Vietnamese food in little Saigon. Orange County's beaches beckoned, and while we were expecting waves galore, we settled for some epic bike rides and a glimpse of America's biggest container port. Huntington Beach is known as the birthplace of surfing, unfortunately we didn't see many surfers or we came at the wrong season. We only spotted some kite surfers and pelicans 😅. Hollywood had its moments, but let's just say it's no match for the hustle and bustle of NYC – sorry, LA!

    And now? Back to the wild, where adventure awaits around every corner. Who knows where our flippers will take us next?

    Stay wild, my amigos!    Read more

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