We did the bike haul at Deer Valley today. Original plan was to do that on Tuesday, but everything got shifted, and I wasn't sure if we'd be able to make it happen, but today we made it out! Corey wanted to bring Katharine, I discouraged that, and she didn't want to come anyway. After we got there, when Corey was buying tickets, he learned that they don't allow shotgun seat, so yay, that was the right choice to leave her. Owen and Daniel came along with us without too much pressure. We weren't very prepared with them. Owen didn't have running shoes, so he was going to wear his blue crocs. I let him wear my black biking shoes which are tight on me (we basically wear the same size!!!) and I took my running shoes which are bigger and roomy-er. Daniel had velcro sandals (like Tevas) with his socks and did ok with those on. Lots of sunblock, biking gloves, helmets and yay we're ready to go. On the lift.
We don't really know this resort, so it was good to figure it out without too many kids to manage. We went up the Silver Lake Express...then were going to go over to the Sterling Express, where we saw people going up last year, but that lift and mountain was all closed to biking and hiking because of construction. Darn! That was one we were a little familiar with, so that was too bad.... we went to the Homestake Express and that took us up to a little trail called "Secret to My Success". It was pretty good for Owen and Daniel, and super slow for us. Corey said "So my impression of Deer Valley is that it's pleasant, but not hard core. Yeah, pleasant but pampered." haha! Then he articulated his thought again as we sat on the lift for our second time "Deer Valley is a little bit like fine dining: small portions." haha that made me laugh too, and I think he hit it right on the nose. We'll see if Corey and I come back another time and try the blue trails or anything else, or maybe next year when Bald Mountain is open. Then we'll have more to judge if it's a good bike park or not. We were ok to go slow for the boys cause we're thinking long term - trying to get these two boys into biking. We did that three times, then Owen was ready for something more, so we took Ripple, and that was still a green trail, but it was so long for Daniel that it put him over the edge.
He was struggling. It felt pretty long cause we were going so slow, but I get it, they're new to the downhill and they don't have great shocks on their bikes.
Daniel was done and never wants to go again, but we got ice cream after and are hoping that seals it as an ok memory. Daniel was hiding behind a towel as he ate his ice cream, but here's Owen enjoying his. He had a good attitude.
Owen and I went out again at 4:30 and had to hurry to make it before the lifts closed at 5pm. We got on the Silver Lake Express at 4:40 and made it to the Homestake Express at 4:58 for the last chair!
We did Ripple again. From the top, Owen noticed Jordanelle where we were yesterday!
Owen was surprised at how fast this second ride seemed to go. We were done at 5:50 and headed back to the Marriott for the family bbq. Joseph brought Eliza's dad's bikes down from Idaho, and wanted to go on a ride together, and we were down to our last evening, so I went on one more ride today with him. For a 8:43 sunset, I knew we were leaving too late. We left at 8:02, were just going to go to Dawn's. It was Corey, Me, Joseph and Ethan. Joseph and I were in front and waited a bit to see how Ethan and Corey were doing (E hasn't done much cardio and Corey overate at dinner). Corey and Ethan made it to the bottom on King Con express and then they turned around and went back down on Armstrong (which is an uphill only trail) Joseph and I continued on to Dawns, which I haven't done for a few years so I wasn't sure of how long we still had to go. I kept thinking we were going to be able to connect to Seldom Seen, but then it just kept going and we kept climbing. Joseph wanted to turn around but I told him the fastest way down was ahead. We finally did made it to the Spiro connect to Seldom Seen, and it was super dark. We took that for a few, and then bailed out down the service road cause it was too dark. We finished at 9:20pm. But we almost got in 5 miles, not bad. I haven't gone on as many rides as I would have liked, but it's ok, I haven't felt the desire to get up and going in the mornings, cause we've been up late almost every night. It will be back to reality soon. School starts in a week and a half. We'll be heading home tomorrow after the family brunch. Joseph across the hall and Abi Sophi Natalie in the lock off next to our room all have a 10am checkout, our main room got a late check out, so we have until 11, yay. It will be a busy day tomorrow, getting the house put back together and doing some food prep for Mary's baby blessing on Sunday.
But Mary's always amazed. If she's awake, her eyebrows are wide and in awe. I did most of the packing up while Corey sat in the sauna. I cooked up all our sausage and 3 quarts of eggs. We checked out of the lock off and J&E out of their room across the hall, they put their carts in our room, we went to eat, then we headed down to load up the cars with bags and bikes. We headed home around noon. Abi and Owen were boating with Mel and Christian's family. I drove the van home with H, Eliza and Mary and LSPK. Joseph drove Corey's car with Natalie and Daniel. Corey stayed in Park City a bit longer to help load up Eliza's dad's bikes after Mel got back. They boated until noon, they came back to Park City, then they came home. Hyrum helped me fix the furniture in the house while Joseph managed unloading the cars. Natalie was his best helper and earned herself some ice cream. Corey went by Costco for a few things. We mowed and edged the lawn this evening, found a few monarch eggs (21 eggs and two babies!), I cut back some bushes in the front yard and tried to clear out some of the morning glory. It was a good busy day, and it was a good week at Park City. 
