Missed you in sunny Fruita

Chainsaw picked 'em up and put 'em down in fine order at the Rabbit Valley Ramble XC on Sunday finishing on the podium in 3rd after a Trout-induced layoff of over 2 years from the racing scene. With grey skies, low clouds and rain dominating the horizon we were more than psyched to get out of Steamboat for the weekend, scoot to the desert and choke down some sweet, sweet race dust! Trip started well with Highroller attempting to throw his apple core out of a closed window but we reloaded with tasty vittles in Rifle, CO at the "Cowboy Calf-A", popped in the "Snack Time" CD from Barenaked Ladies and motored out to our classy domicile at the "H Motel" in plenty of time for Chainsaw to get out on a lap of the course while Highroller and Trout hiked the often seen but never experienced Trail Through Time. Reconaissance was for nought though as the BLM closed one of the trails later that night and everything was "re-organized" for the Sunday XC. "H Motel" treated us right, within strolling distance to Hot Tomato and the Saturday night race party, and we all piled in (including Betty) to snore away the night in peaceful slumber. After waiting out numerous delays Chainsaw went hard from the gun Sunday and was sitting pretty near the front after lap one while Trout and Highroller focused on heckling and throwing gravel at the other competitors. Fading slightly on lap two Chainsaw had only this to say at the finish line, "Gah!". In a few days time though I'm sure she'll agree that she had fun. Smokeburgers in Glenwood never taste better then when you can share fries with your 20 month old son by holding them over your head from the passenger seat, and feel his grubby claspers snatch them away...