Hard to believe summer is almost over! Our Moab mountain bike skills camp is right around the corner, we just got back from our annual trip to Michigan, and our son Emmett is almost walking. Walking? Wasn’t this the little guy that just last week started smiling and then a few days ago learned how to roll over? It is amazing how time has literally doubled in speed since we had Emmett. The days disappear before I even finish breakfast. The months are measured by trips to the pediatrician for vaccines and by how many clothes he outgrows. We are approaching his first birthday at the end of October. It’s been one heck of a year! When they tell you that having a baby is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, believe them because they are all right. Having Emmett has brought more joy and laughter to our lives then I ever imagined possible. I have also had more meltdowns in the past ten months than my entire forty-two years combined. But it has been an amazing journey, one that I would never give back. So here’s the scoop…
Alison Dunlap Adventure Camps: We are getting ready to host another Moab mountain bike skills camp on Oct 4-8th. My dad and his wife Connie are coming with me to babysit Emmett for the week. We have eight participants, two of which are coming back for the fifth time and one is coming for his seventh! We will be doing rides and skills clinics on the classic Moab trails along with some of the new singletrack that has been built this past year. I’m super excited to get to ride my mountain bike for five days in a row! Greg, unfortunately, has to stay home. He’s got the real job and can’t take that much time off from work. We’ll miss him terribly.
Coaching: My coaching has picked up this year and I now have eleven athletes. It has been steady work all season, which is a nice change from the past two years. It has also been harder than ever to try and get all my work done while taking care of Emmett. He doesn’t take very long naps during the day so my free time has been very limited. But somehow I get it all done.
Cycling: I’m not racing this year for obvious reasons. I am riding a bunch pulling Emmett in my Chariot bike carrier. That thing is the best! He can sit in it for over 2 1/2hrs without complaint. We’ve been riding everywhere! And what a killer workout! I get out for a mountain bike ride maybe once a week. Harder to do because I need to get a babysitter. I do plan on getting up to the mountains in the next few weeks to do some aspen rides while the colors are in their prime.
General: We just did a great seven day trip to Michigan to visit Greg’s family. First time they have seen Emmett since he was a newborn. He was amazing and they adored him, of course. We took him sailing on Lake Michigan one day, a big hike around Meijer Gardens, out to dinner twice, lunch and breakfast, and to the Fallsburg Fall Festival for some great bluegrass music.
Life is crazy to say the least. I call it organized chaos. But we love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. Check back with us in a few weeks for pictures and an update on the October Moab camp. It’s going to be a blast!
Until then…..
Alison
