Outside of Kayenta, El Capitan a volcanic rock structure is part of the experience traveling to the cabin from Phoenix.

Turning onto the loop road this cloud system over the LaSals portended snow but it was beautiful beyond compare.

Heading up the loop road I could see a storm was brewing on the mountain near the cabin. Like they say, there is no such thing as bad or good weather...just weather and depending on your circumstances it is beautiful all the time. This storm was beautiful from a this distance.

With fresh snow there was a race to see who could get their names written in the snow first. Dane has the first letter and beginning the second one here as seen from the porch. The grand kids were not too interested in using the playground because they were too busy going down the luge Torrin built in the back yard down the hill.

Snow during the night made for some shoveling in the morning but the scenery was beautiful.

Son Torrin, born and raised in Phoenix is not real clear on the proper gear for snow shoveling but he does seem to enjoy it. For the second time in 2010, once earlier this past Spring and now here, he shoveled at least a couple tons of snow around the cabin.

The Sand flats road had a couple sets of tire marks from the previous snow and I was the first to go through the most recent snow fall. The skies were clear, crisp and beautiful.

By the time I reached the lane into the cabin, the snow was undisturbed let alone plowed and while a bit concerned that I would have to put on the chains, the truck did just fine and I navigated into the cabin with no problem.

Taken with my Iphone while doing about driving did not make for a stable photo but this scene captures my imagination. Obviously there is a stiff wind, and with clouds forming in the background the odds for Snow were pretty high.

We had good intentions of riding the bikes when we left Phoenix, but as the first morning dawned, we realized it was probably not going to happen thanks to 4 inches of snow during the night. It was not particularly cold during the day but with the snow as deep as it was we never could muster up sufficient effort to actually go. Here Dane is deciding whether or not to give it a try.

An overlook point on the trail through the blue mountains. Read below and view the photos of this trail. One of my favorites of all time.

Pointing to the view of canyonlands from the blue mountain trail ride. This overlook is on a cliff that opens with views of the vistas below and is not for the faint of heart. The trail itself is not overly difficult but does demand full attention which is hard to do while passing by views like this one.

Dan Sheeran on the trail in the blue mountain range. Aspen and pine forests overlap to form one of the most spectacular scenes I have ever experienced on my bike.

So rare, yet common on the trail, some Aspens in full color, others naked and yet others somewhere in between. My only regret on this ride was the fact that I did not stop enough to take more photos. As I rode I often thanked God for the beauty of the earth and my opportunity to recreate in it.

Dan Sheeran heads into the aspen forest, leaf strewn trail and streams yet to cross.

Aspen trail in the Blue mountains.

This photo captures a moment that will live with me the rest of my life. The trail through the Abajo or Blue mountains is one of the most beautiful if not the absolute most beautiful trail I have ever ridden. On a day that came together with Dan Sheeran of Monticello Utah, riding as guide through this mountain trail, the sky was clear, temperatures in the 60s and the leaves were either in color and dropping or already on the ground. As we rode leaves would gently fall around us at times as if it were softly snowing gold. The leaves would often time float up and then back down as Dan preceded on the trail and his tire would kick them up. The aspen forest was so thick that I had to remove my riding goggles in order to see. The aspen canopy at times formed tunnels that we rode. A day to remember.

Trail on side of Blue mountain range heading into another aspen forest.

In between forests are small patches of open trail in which the views go forever. This view is of canyonlands at the base. The trail here does not look steep, however it is and my forearms hurt from the distance traveled down this portion, just holding myself from going over the handlebars. The trail is challenging enough to require your full attention but with views like this I had to stop occasionally to take a photo. Everyone that dirtbikes should have this trail on their list to enjoy. Monticello and the surrounding communities seem to welcome outdoor enthusiasts including dirt bikers, evidenced by the grooming of this trail for dirt bikes.

On the side of a mountain within the blues or abajo range looking toward canyonlands. This trail follows the sides of these mountain weaving in and out of pine forests and aspen forests. Absolutely beautiful.

In what has become one of my favorite days riding Dan Sheeran took me on a trail on the Blue mountains. This veiw is to the LaSals and shows the aspen forests the trail winds through. From a different view at this same point monument valley is visable.

Dan Sheeran, from Monticello Utah was my guide through the single track trail through the Abajo or sometimes referred to as the Blue mountains. We went in early October and this little lake is the staging area to begin and end the ride.

Grandma Susie and Monroe under the arch. Monroe is a hiker and chatted with me all the way up the climb. I couldn't respond to all the questions asked because I didn't know the answers or was too out of breath, or she would lose interest in my drawn out responses. Grandpa, why is this rock so hard? Grandpa, why is Gramma so much faster than you, Grandpa, why is this hike so long and why don't we already see the arch, Grandpa, did you know that I like quarters and dimes and nickels, do you have any, Grandpa, why are those frogs living down there in the water, grandpa, why do you like milk shakes so much??? Hmmm milk shakes.

Good friends John and Brenda Barry made the trip to Moab this fall and hiked to the arch as well. As is customary, they posed underneath the most famous arch of all. Brenda and Susie spent considerable time rearranging furniture in the cabin. These are scary moments as generally they involve a lot of labor from me, but these two never really asked for any help or opinion, they just did what they wanted and informed me later. Fine.

Grandma Susie helping up Monroe, at delicate arch. Monroe is 4 years old and quite intrepid when it comes to hiking, offroading, sightseeing and general adventure. She hiked all the way up to Delicate with no complaining. She did however take advantage of her grand mother's offer to carry her down for about an 1/8th mile, not because she couldn't continue the hike, rather Grandma really wanted to carry her awhile. This photo looks more dangerous than it is, as Briana (the mom) was at the bottom of this rock offering a catch if needed. These sights are always more special when sharing them with friends and family.