When Forests are Scarred by Fires, They Create Beauty from the Ashes (And So Can You!)

Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Route Map showing Day 29 of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, Walden Colorado to Granby Colorado

I was inspired and reminded of the promise of new beginnings as I rode through a fire-scarred area today that is starting to regenerate. I hope you enjoy the video!

Today's ride was one of the most beautiful so far in terms of weather, scenery, and safe riding conditions. I'm grateful I'm riding the TransAm this late in the year. I'll still beat the snow and get to enjoy the cooler weather.

I'm grateful the road was open. The previous fire left the slopes vulnerable to erosion and recent rains keep setting off landslides that bury the road. But all was clear today.

Photo, Day 29 of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, Mandy with her bicycle alongside a road lined with yellow aspen and mountains in the background

Fall has arrived in the Rockies! I'm just in time to see the aspen and willows sporting their golden leaves. I snapped this photo while climbing up Willow Creek Pass (9,683 ft / 3,228m).

Making memories
  • Towns on Today's Travel Route: Rand, Colorado; Granby, Colorado
  • I knew I made the right lodging choice when the owner of the Trail Riders Motel met me in a shirt with bicycles on it. He also brought out his bicycle tools, offered to help me with any repairs, and connected me with the right business to check for parts. Also, when I checked in, another guest was so impressed with the journey that I'm on, he bought me dinner!
  • As I hit mile 25 on my ride today I noticed a restaurant that wasn't marked on my map in the town of Rand. I stopped in and enjoyed some of the best oriental dumplings I've ever had in my life at the Rand Yacht Club. The restaurant was filled with nautical, patriotic, and Western memorabilia from Captain Cecil Biggerstaff, a WWII bomber pilot  started what has now become the Rand Yacht Club. The ceiling was lined with burlap sacks marked from all over the world. The poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee Jr. was posted on the wall alongside wooden masks from Fiji. The club also has 4 cabins. I hope to come back here one day!
  • I shared dinner and a wonderful conversation with Bob, a carpenter originally from Chicago, at the Brickhouse 40 Bar and Grill.
  • I wasn't sure if my timing would be right to see the aspens clothed in golden leaves, but looks like my timing is perfect!
  • Today I climbed up Willow Creek Pass (9,683 ft / 3,228m), which I think is the 3rd highest pass on the trail, and the 2nd highest I've done so far.
 Previous
Next
{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
You may also like

Bomb Shelter

• by Mary Philpot • This memoir helped me confront a lie that many of us believe: “caring enough” can solve problems. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry if, like me, you see a bit of yourself in Mary Laura Philpott’s grappling with fear and hope.

Bomb Shelter

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America

• by Margaret O’Mara • This account of building Silicon Valley provides insights on the impressive array of conditions that helped create the birthplace of big tech. I especially appreciated understanding more about the role of veterans, women, financial innovators, and legal innovators alongside the technology geniuses we usually hear about.

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America

Acceptance: A Memoir

• by Emi Nietfeld • This memoir made me rethink how we celebrate being an overcomer, often glorifying resilience while ignoring underlying causes of oppression.

Acceptance: A Memoir
BicyclE
blog

Share in the adventure of Mandy's invigorating 4K-mile bicycle trek from Pacific to Atlantic.

Read &
reflect

Build options for what you'll read next by browsing Mandy's recent reading list.

Inspiring
IDeas

Get fired up about growing your courage, competence, character, & connections.

Podcasts
.

Join Mandy for conversations on careers, quantum, & global geopolitics.

Mandy Birch is a global executive engineer and military veteran who builds teams, leaders, & multinational organizations that unlock the potential of disruptive ideas. She enjoys accelerating emerging technologies & strategic partnerships to drive multi-generational thriving for people & communities around the world.

Mandy's interests include: #innovation #leadership #technology #partnerships #quantumcomputing #career #growth #womenintech #veterans #entrepreneurship #creativity #future #foreignpolicy #democracy #geopolitics


More about Mandy

Share 0

Join THE Blitz Bytes community

to receive an occasional newsletter