Abominable Snowman

Well my ride was an experience to say the least. I went back to the Bonneville Shoreline trail, provo section (starting up Provo canyon by the falls). Climbing up out of the canyon, there was partial snow and a little mud, and on the west slopes, the trail was pretty nice and dry. However, as I climbed higher, I got deeper into the trees and ravines. Soon the snow got deeper, but I was able to follow some snow shoe tracks that had melted most of the snow. After three miles, I realized this was the hardest ride I've been on. The tracks stopped, and I blazed my way through 6-8" snow for 3 more miles. I rode through countless icepools-- melted pools with an ice crust on top. A few were so deep my feet went underwater as I pedaled. The times I had to run, the snow was half way up my calf. What was I thinking!? I stopped once, exhausted, and I took a picture of my bike-- still standing where I left it because the snow was deep enough to hold the bike vertical. =) As I made my way out of the canyon, the snow was more melted, which gave for a very muddy ride. I hate horses. Riding through literal streams of mud bouncing in and out of horse tracks for another hour... The downhill coming off the canyon down into Provo was fun. I think I'm definitely sticking to the lower altitude trails for the next month or so. Great workout though! Sometimes, people ask, "Why would you do that? That doesn't sound fun at all!" The best response is often none at all. Understanding why has nothing to do with a logical thought process and everything to do with heartfilled passion. Why do I bike? Am I afraid that the next time I ride with my older (but shorter) brother, he'll beat me? Close, but that's not it. It is about life experience-- I will never look at that mountain side the same way again.
There is a self-motivation that my parents cultivated in each of their children. That self motivation can only be satiated by passion-- be it at work, school, or in recreation. There is a joy that comes from living in your passion (although some may argue joy in ice pools is a sick joy), be it at work, religion or recreation, there has to be a self-motivated passion, or the happiness-- steming from a great balance in life-- is gone. So why ride through 8 miles of deep snow and icewater, mud and horse poop? Because I've got a smile on my face when I get home. It's as simple as that.