LIFE AT THE RANCH

Rachel says:
As you may have noticed by the lack of entries, I am suffering from computer withdrawal. Specifically, I miss my own Mac laptop, with unlimited Internet access, complete privacy and personalized settings. These PCs with Windows operating systems are enough to make me crazy!

But I guess that's how it works - you miss something most after it has been taken away from you. The trick is being adaptable enough to live without that something. The change may be hard, but it is always possible - it just depends on how determined you are. Eventually, you can get to a point where you don't even remember life with that something.

Maybe I could even train myself to not need my computer . . . but then, how would I write a book about all my travelling adventures? Hmm, guess I better keep it after all.


Eric says:
Ever see those video clips on TV of some rain forest scene where it's raining like crazy yet the birds are still chirping away happily? Welcome to life at Iguana Ranch. The ranch, being centered around extreme mountain biking, has many completely mental jumps built on the land. We are talking about jumps that, with enough speed, could provide 15 to 20 feet of air with ease. (check out the pictures)

For those of you who know me, I am NOT one to do stupid things ... well ... maybe once or twice. So the owner the other day comes up with this great idea to take me mountain biking. After a very bumpy ride up Mount Prevost (yes mount stands for mountain), we arrived at the summit.

What proceeded to happen was without a doubt one of the most scary, ill-performed and painful experiences of my life. Paul, the 35-year-old owner who has been a downhill rider since he was 12, led me through the forest down extremely steep and winding trails that honestly, I couldn't hike up.

I know this because there were a few times I had to retrieve my borrowed $6,000 bike from the place where I was thrown off. This only happened half a dozen times or so. I had all the gear on so by the end of the day the only damage that cold be seen on my body was a small stream of blood dribbling down my leg and of course the fact that I couldn't walk. But I am back on my feet limping around with yet another story to tell.

Otherwise I am very excited to get out of here and camp all over the place. I am hoping that these weird random bites that are appearing all over my body will also stop when we leave. Only time will tell.


In other news:
All the locals are telling us this March has been much wetter than 2006. Everything here is wet and Iguana Ranch is staying pretty mucky. We are desperate for some sun as we prepare to go backpacking for "real" on March 26.

Eric was convinced we needed to buy a (cheap) digital camera so we could show all of you the beautiful scenery you are missing. Be sure to check out all the photos we posted.

Lots of love to you all.