Biking

LAKE MEAD AND BOULDER CITY ARIZONA AND NEVADA

Boulder City was not what we expected. I thought dry, hot desert, nothing to explore, BORING, well that was not the case. I didn’t realize that a mire 4 miles from Boulder City was Hoover Dam and the expansion bridge which went across The Colorado river was incredible. After the Highway bypass was finished the cities staff went to work revitalizing the town and they did a great job. New bike paths, parks, and a nostalgic downtown with original neon signs. Boulder is one of the few Nevada cities that gambling and prostitution is illegal. This puts a relaxed persona on the town. There was a art and wine tour with live music downtown when we were visiting in February. The park on the way down to Lake Mead has resident Mountain Sheep hanging out in the park for great photo opportunities. We stayed 2 nights at the Elks Lodge RV park with Full hookups for members only. We moved over to Boulder Campground which is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area ran by the National Park Service.The very scenic sites were 10 dollars a night for senior pass holders and 20 dollars for young folks. There is 2 more campgrounds on the Nevada side and more on the Arizona side of the Lake. There is also some dispersed sites on the lake for free BLM camping. A plus to the campground is a 38 mile paved bike loop which goes along the lake, up towards Henderson and loops back to Boulder City. We had fun in the city and the Hoover dam was fascinating. We were reminded of the Selma Hayek movie Fools Rush In. Boulder won our hearts with great people and a fun nostalgic town. We will be back.

Until our next Adventure CHEERS FROM JEFF AND lIZ AT JUSTAROUNDTHEBEND.BLOG

You are probably wondering where are these Nomads headed to next – Well its to DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK SEE YOU THERE!!!!

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Blix Electric Bikes 100 Mile Update

It’s been a busy last two months of camping, fishing and riding our Blix Electric Bikes. We have both ridden our bikes a little over 100 miles and going strong. I cannot say one negative comment about these bikes, from the comfort, user friendly design to the incredible balance they provide. We have been riding them to the grocery store, to Starbucks -fun and exploring every trail in and around Bend, Oregon. Wait until we get back on the RV road, we will be dangerous.

So let’s discuss Pros: Well designed with super comfort

Upgraded LITHIUM Battery with a 55 mile range

Well built spring loaded luggage rack

Foldability for storage – even fits in the back of our 4 runner

Headlight and rear light powered by lithium battery

Power assist and changing gears user friendly

CONS: Possibly the 38 pound weight for some could be a disadvantage – I personally believe the weight helps with the performance and balance of this bike.

Put this bike on your Christmas, bucket list and hopefully you will be able to have as much fun as we are having on these amazing designed electric bikes.

Until Next Time Cheers From Just Around The Bend ♥♥♥♥♥

OKRA Universal Bike Mount

This little gadget is a universal bike / motorcycle mount for most Smartphones. It has saved me from many crashing incidents on my bike and helped with taking pictures and videos hands free. Single handed operation, fits all 6 inch phones and rotates 360 degrees. I have a very special feature on my phone which makes it totally hands free by speaking cheese, cheers or shoot. This enables me to be super safe while being able to snap pictures or record videos without taking my hands from the handle bars. Easy directions for placement on your handle bars included and quickly unmounts for fast removal. Includes silicone bands which holds your chosen device firmly in place for added security. It’s not just for phones as we have been placing our Garmin GPS in it for easy Geocaching along the trail. I ordered mine thru Amazon with free shipping for $14.99. It would make a great gift for any bicycle/motorcycle enthusiast.

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Thank You for viewing my blog hope this was helpful.

CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND♥♥♥♥♥

Copywrite

Thank you for sharing my creativity! However, unauthorized use and/or duplication of content on this blog without written permission from me is not allowed. You are welcome to use a couple photos, given that you link back to the JUST AROUND THE BEND blog post you are using it from. Any free printables I share are for personal use only. Please feel free to pin anything you see on this blog, using the handy “pin it” button when you hover over a photo. Thank you!

BLIX ELECTRIC BIKES

Good Day to all who follow my blog and a big THANK YOU.

This year I turn 67 years young and my wonderful husband decided to surprise me with an electric bike for my birthday. In the recent years I have done a lot of research on electric bikes, interviewed people who either own one for pleasure or commute to work on a daily basis on electric bikes. On a recent trip to Vancouver, BC, I was overwhelmed at how popular electric bikes were for commuting to work. That’s where I saw my first BLIX Electric Bike in action. I’m only 5 feet tall and my husband is 5″ 8″ , in my researching I felt we required something that fit us and would also fold up nicely for our RVing travels. The Blix Vika+ met all of our criteria, including an option for upgrading the panasonic 36 volt, 620 wh lithium battery which extended our range from 35 to 55 miles.

Total weight of bike – 49 pounds

Recommended total max weight is 220 lbs (rider and cargo)

Accessories included:

LCD Display water resistant

Heavy duty rear rack

Front and rear LED lights

Battery Charger

Fenders

Option for Travel bag $69.00

Extra fuses

PROS:

The bike is very stylish with a classic design

Stability

Very fun to ride

Blix E-Bike has to be the most user friendly and well thought out Swedish design, with Beautiful, Smart, Easy, Practical and Reliable technology. The panasonic Lithium-ion battery is located under the saddle, locks in place which allows for a low center of gravity for better stability when cycling.

We went for a short night ride in the neighborhood and the headlight did a pretty good job of iluminating the street and the rear tail light is very bright so you can be seen by night traffic. The lights are powered by the battery so will last as long as you are charged.

The process to fold this bike down has to be so easy, it’s just what we were looking for. We modified the folding process by adding some small pieces of swimming pool noodles in strategic places so when you fold it up there is no damage to the beautiful paint and decals. See pictures.

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The other really nice surprise was when folded these bikes fit perfectly in the back of our classic 2000, 4runner. When we are on the road Rving they fit perfectly inside our 25ft travel trailer or plenty of room in the back of the truck. When folded up it forms a cube, 34 inches long, by 27 inches high and 20 inches deep. Super compact. See pictures.

Blix E-Bikes

Lights On

Folded Up-Very Compact

Leather Seat

Back Of The Car

Fits perfectly without folding

Handlebars-Leather Grips

CONS:

To soon to give any cons if any, the one thing I have noticed is the seat is a little hard after a 15 mile ride. That could be because I am not used to riding that far , so time will tell. Otherwise so far nothing to report. I will give it several months of riding and enjoyment and review again.

WARNING: I did have a little mishap my fault entirely. You have to be very cautious of the accelerator knob when standing next to the bike. Its located by the readout unit on the left side. The switch sticks up a bit and if you accidentally move it the bike will take off and take you with it. The bike accelerates very quickly and has a lot of torque. I rubbed the switch by accident and was ran over and knocked down by my own bicycle. If the bike is turned on it is ON even if the peddle assist is on zero. Be very cautious of that switch if you are not mounted on the bike. The bummer is I scratched my paint and scraped the seat up ,so much for brand new.

When we were in Campbell River on Vancouver Island BC there was a free foot ferry over to Quadra Island. The Island is one of the larger Gulf Islands and has many a country roads that beckon to be explored. April Point Resort rented electric bikes but the 3 hour time would not have been enough to experience the beauty of Quadra Island. Had we had our Blik Vika + with us with the 55 mile range we probably would spend 2 days exploring the island and meeting the super friendly Canadian People.

I could go on and on about how wonderful and fun this bike is but instead we are going to take off and go for a morning ride. See you on the trail.

CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND ♥♥♥♥♥

A big Thank You to Marc and Renge’ for their expert help and customer service at Backcountry Recumbent Cycles located in Tumalo, Oregon.

Backcountry Recumbent Cycles

Mark

Renge’

Copywrite

Yosemite National Park California USA

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It’s the end of February 2018 in Yosemite National Park, usually the weather is freezing cold, windy and lots of snow on the ground. For some unseasonably reason this particular day is zero wind, 72 degrees and literally has a hand full of tourists exploring this extraordinary valley.. This was an especially great day (aside from the weather being perfect) because our granddaughter Kiley and our daughter Sarah joined us. We packed a yummy lunch and lots of iced tea and spent the day hiking the beautifully groomed trails to scenic waterways and waterfalls.

Yosemite National Park offers an abundance of activities and sightseeing destinations. The Valley is a 7 mile wide canyon with incredible rock formations, including El Capitan, the world’s tallest granite monolith and one of the world’s top rock climbing destinations. Yosemite Falls is the largest waterfall in North America with breathtaking views. Peak visitation at the falls is in the spring as it is comprised entirely of melting snow. The park is also known for its Giant Sequoia trees, which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. Its a must see, if you want to camp make reservations super early as the demand is high. People have enjoyed the tradition of camping in Yosemite for generations. However, getting a campsite in Yosemite is not always easy.

Campground Reservations. Recreation.gov . RV Camping. Pines Campgrounds. Camp 4. Wawona. Bridalveil Creek. Hodgdon Meadow. Crane Flat. Tamarack Flat. White Wolf. Yosemite Creek. Porcupine Flat. Tuolumne Meadows. There are also first come first serve sites available, but you must get there early.

There is such an abundance of things to do in Yosemite one day just isn’t enough.

Fishing, Biking, Hiking, Gold Panning, Arts and Culture, Spas, Breweries and extraordinary guided tours. Oh don’t forget rock climbing, golf, Rafting, Horseback Riding, Zip Lining, fine dining to Pizza and good old burgers are also abundant.

Hope to see you on the trail and hope you visit Yosemite National Park Soon.

Cheers from Just Around the Bend♥♥♥♥♥

Metolius River Camping in Oregon

I was having a conversation recently with a friend which brought up the subject of RVing. She asked me if I would ever prefer to leave the RV or Tent parked at home and go on a road trip staying in a B & B, hotel, motel etc! Admitattley I answered NO. So in my long winded way I explained why. I know my husband and I are not the only ones that feel this way as we have met many RVrs and snow birds experiencing the same journey.

There is nothing like having your home (comfort zone) with you, I personally love the fact I can cook healthy fresh food and not break the bank. We also love our own comfy bed and concealed weapons (just kidding).

This is the Metolius River camping part. For the past seven days we have been camped at Smiling River Campground site #22, less than 100 feet from the most glorious, pure flowing river, we have ever experienced. We do this every spring and fall at a mere $7.00 a night.. This is why we dont stay at B & B’s, hotels etc. Settled in acampground there is a campfire feel of calmness, the tranquille sounds of the river flowing over rocks and its many changing sounds. Then there is many mixed aromas, grilled trout someone just caught, steaks BBQing and grilled veggies . But it’s the campfire thats the real star, you cannot sit around a campfire telling stories and roasting smores with your grandchildren in a hotel room. We look up at the stars at night and feel such a part of this earth, this is pure relaxation and what its all about.

Lots To Do

The beautifully groomed trails along the metolious wind along the river for miles.

The head of The Metolius has a paved 1/4 mile walkway-to view the beginning of the river-a must to witness

Wizard Falls Fish hatchery-so fun

Camp Sherman General Store is a fun experience with a state of the art fly fishing dept.

Fly Fishing

Kayacking

Birding

Mushrooming

Geo Caching

Fine Lodging and dining

ATV Opportunities and hunting

Hope you enjoy my pictures and maybe someday you can experience the RV life.

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Cheers from Just Around The Bend ♥♥♥♥

Catalina State Park Arizona

Sometimes I’m not sure when we are headed to a new destination what’s ahead. I get anxious,wondering will the park be nice, comfortable, amenities that we enjoy, things to do and explore. Not to worry at Catalina State Park out of Tucson Arizona. Actually I should play this park down and really not tell you the truth as this is a true gem nestled at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The park is a haven for desert plants and wildlife with nearly 5,000 saguaros. I would highly advise staying at least 2 weeks as when you are finished hiking, biking, visiting the ruins,attending the free concerts and Saturday wildlife exhibits you still need to explore what Tucson has to offer.
The campground itself has 120 sites, which are strategically arranged to give you much privacy yet an amazing view of the Catalinas. Campground slips are paved including picnic tables, bbq grills water and electric.Campgrounds have modern flush restrooms with free hot showers. RV dump stations are available in the park with no limit on RV length. Campground is open year round. The fee is $30.00 a night with a 14 day limit.
This is one time we both did not want to leave, we were so comfortable in our site with a spectacular view of the Catalinas and so much to do the time just flew. We will return.

CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND♥♥♥♥

Sorry most of our pictures of this camping visit are MIA, if they show up I will re post. I did re cover a few enjoy and join me on our next adventure at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

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Moab Utah – Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park

Two National Parks – One Extraordinary Destination!

Less than an hour’s drive from Moab will put you atop the mythical sounding Island in the Sky, a remarkable district of Canyonlands National Park that makes you feel as if you are on top of the world. The views from the Island encompass thousands of square miles of colorful canyons, mesas and buttes. America Beautiful Pass will get you for free, otherwise a $25.00 fee is required. y, however, doesn’t end with our National Parks. Dead Horse Point State Park is a short drive from Moab and offers visitors amazing views of the snaking meanders of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below. Just 20 miles south of Moab are the La Sal Mountains, which are part of Manti-La Sal National Forest. Attaining heights of nearly 13,000 feet, these alpine mountains are the second highest mountain range in Utah. All of the amazing scenery in this part of the world is why Moab has such a rich history of filmmaking. However, seeing it on the big screen is one thing, experiencing it for yourself will fill you with enough memories to last a lifetime.

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Next Stop Mesa Verde Colorado

Arches National Park Utah

The Adventure Begins
We are new snowbirds, very new, as this is our first time to say good-by to our home and not return for 5 months. In the past the longest we have been gone is around 32 days and that was in Canada. Setting off when the fall leaves are at their prime, saying good-by to our friends and neighbors was a very heartwarming for me. We tried to remember everything we thought we needed-ha, I’m sure we way over packed!! We winterized our house and yard, set the alarm, closed our eyes and drove away. We have a full agenda planned with memories and explorations to be made. Follow us as we head out to the daily unknown with the first Thompson Snow Bird Adventure.
Day 1 – Driving, Driving, Driving, left home with a snow storm and 28 degrees – burr, drove until 3pm when we arrived at the elks lodge in Caldwell, Idaho, $15.00 for overnight, included water and electric.
Day 2 – Caldwell Idaho to Mona, Utah, drove most of the day, decided to fill up with fuel and stay overnight at a truck stop-Free.
Note: This was our very first truck stop experience, actually not bad.
Day 3 – Up at 5 am – yikes, where is a Starbucks. We realized (our navigator GPS – Phoebe) took us a little past our turn off, we turned around and headed back to Spanish Fork (20 mile detour) oops. Then it was on to Moab, that’s when the landscape started to get amazing. Around every corner was a new surprise, beautiful this time of year with the landscape slowly changing into its fall colors and massive red rock canyons. This is when it gets difficult to drive, so much beauty to look you need to pull off often. We arrived in Moab at around 10 am heading to Goose Island, hoping and praying there was a site available. We lucked out, as this is a BLM first come first serve facility (no reservations) and luckily, as we arrived, someone pulled out-yay-we got a spot. This is pure dry camping, no water, sewer or electric. They do have very nice vault toilets, garbage, very nice picnic tables and fire pits. Sometimes it pays to be a senior as the fee for us was $7.50 a night, thank You America the Beautiful Pass.
Here we are settled in our camping spot Litterly on the Colorado River, looking up at Arches National Park. There are no words to describe the majestic beauty and serenity of the Moab area.
Day 4 – Off to explore Arches national Park, the entrance fee is $25.00 a vehicle, with an America the Beautiful Pass it is free. Leave super early as its crowded and limited parking. Touring this park, you need good hiking boots, 2 quarts of water each and a sun hat, walking sticks help on some of the dicer trails and Shade is limited. Even though this is the end of the tourist season, you need patience, as it is crowded and snowbirds move slowly.
NOTE: Summer daytime temperatures can reach 110 degrees, heat and dehydration can be fatal – advised 1 gallon of water per person per day.
We stopped at every turn out and vista view area working our way to Landscape Arch a 1.6-mile moderate walk located at the Devils Garden trailhead. A hidden gem just off the roadway was Sand Dune Arch (0.3mi) an easy sandy walk and great for kids as it is a huge natural sandbox with narrow partition rocks to climb through and at the end a hidden arch. Of all of the National parks we have visited in our lifetime, I have to say Arches is the most spectacular. Every corner you hike around is another wow!
Day 5 – Boy are we out of shape! Today we visit Balanced Rock (0.3mi) beautiful paved trail, wheelchair accessible. Double Arch (0.5 mi) Easy trail through some loose sand, spectacular arch. Delicate Arch (3mi) round trip – Difficult trail with elevation gains, no shade, at the end open slickrock with close exposure to heights-not for faint of heart, but worth it.
Day 6 – We are going to stay around camp today, catch up on laundry-walk the beautiful bike trail that leads to Downtown Moab that just happens to be 200 feet from our campsite. Does it sound like we are resting today, ha not us as we have 6 Geocaches calling our name along the new bike trail!!!

Don’t forget your America the Beautiful Pass

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Cheers From Just Around the Bend♥♥♥♥

Next Adventure we are off to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point

Fort Stevens State Park – Oregon

Fort Stevens State Park in the fall is another 10 experience. The weather has been perfect with 72 degree days and 60 degree nights. Wind, none-that’s unheard of at the beach-right. Even though the park is literally packed with snow-birds, you would never know it. You practically have the most pristine paved trails to yourself and once you are back in camp, it’s quiet and so relaxing. The campsites are situated so you have ample privacy, lots of trees and vegetation separating you from your neighbor. All sites have fire pits, tables, water and electric. Two larger loops have full hookups. Restrooms are clean, pretty modern with token paid showers. Full hookup for us was $32,00 a night, well worth it.

Our first day we were so excited to explore the many bikes trails, we actually got up early, packed snacks, water and off we biked hoping to end up at the beach. We geocached along the way and found many, ending up at the beach and exploring a wrecked cargo ship named The Peter Iredale . Well what’s left of it.

Second Day was exploring bunkers, watching ships come in and out of the mouth of the Columbia River and more biking. This particular bike exploration brought us to a new trail which led to a very pregnant very large elk just grazing in a marsh right next to the trail. Wow are they big! The last day of our time here we are going to spend at the beach and yes probably get there by bicycles. What a fun, relaxing and memorable time this has been.

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What To Do Here:

First thing we did was get our bikes unloaded and hit the many miles of beautiful trails.

Find the beach – yes we rode our bikes directly to the beach- You can drive there also.

Tour the many bunkers

Geocache – So many very creative caches to be found, most you can find on your bikes or by walking, we found many!!!

Start a fire in your fire pit and relax

Explore The City Of Astoria and be sure to ride the train

Visit The Peter Iredale a wrecked cargo ship

See you next time from Just Around The Bend♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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