On the road again!!

Sooooo, we ended up spending more time in Ontario than we anticipated. I got more than one strange look/comment that we were doing it wrong and shouldn't we be south for the winter? However, I think there's something to be said for sleeping indoors in the winter too.

Besides seeing people and hanging out with family we ended up taking on some renovations at Luke's parent's house. They are wanting to sell the house at some point and since we had the time we stuck around to be handy. [Luke takes all the credit for knowing/learning how to do it all. I was just the sou-handyperson]
There were a few smaller-ish projects but the biggie was rebuilding their downstairs bathroom. A crack had developed in the floor of the shower and, like most renos, what seemed like a smaller job turned into having to redo almost the whole thing. The good news is I learned how to pour a concrete floor, dry wall, install a vapour barrier, set tiles etc.
Here's a couple of photos of the final project:

(word to the wise: don't use large tiles on the walls unless the walls are perfectly straight. and even then, don't)

We also decided to change our set-up in the back of the truck. On the first half of our trip we had 9 storage bins that formed the 'floor', then we had a piece of plywood on top of that to sleep on. This time we built a wooden structure with compartments, and a slide out table-top. [again, Luke takes all the credit for research and designing. He let me do the fun stuff like using the jigsaw too!] It's working really well so far!
I will take photos of it and include those in the next post because it is really *really* windy out today and I don't have it in me to go out and take photos. I'm sure the photos would mostly have my hair whipping about in front of the lens anyway.

Our first main stop after leaving Ontario was Hot Springs Arkansas--childhood home of Bill Clinton. I just love Arkansas! Ontario had a long, cold winter and spring has been pretty sluggish too. So getting a bit further south and seeing all the gorgeous green was rejuvenating! It was very humid however, so it was a bit of a shock for me to go from cool weather to sticky heat. I'm not complaining though! It's such a pretty area and the people are so friendly. We went to a great bike shop--Parkside Cycle--where the staff was very generous, helpful and funny.

So, I did my first official trail ride with my new bike! We did part of the Vista Trail, which normally would have been an easy ride. However, after four months off the bike it feels like I'm starting from square one (I probably am). I feel like I should rename this blog 'never as fit as I want to be'. Anyhoo, I am also getting used to the new bike which is a little bit heavier (excuses, excuses! :) and has different handling than my Juliana (which I still choose to believe has a great new home with some caring, badass girl). It's SOOOOO nice to be back on the trails though. Happiness!!!!!

 Arkansas Green

Fishes and pollen

 Butterfly Friends

Luke was hoping to ride their IMBA epic, the Womble Trail, but the forecast was for rain for the next few days so we decided to keep going. After an entire day driving we've arrived in Amarillo Texas. As an aside, there is a great rest stop on the east side edge of the city, just off the highway. If you ever find yourself in Amarillo and are sleeping in your vehicle I highly recommend it!

Once we bring ourselves to get back in the truck we're going to drive to Santa Fe for a second visit. So happy to be back travelling!!!!!