Biking on the Trail~

Grandson Ben & our bikes!

The Bronco is way more used to having the horse trailer on the back than a bike rack!  But with Ben visiting for a couple days, we thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce him to the Centennial Trail! 

Ben & his BMX

The "tradition" has been created, to start all trail "newbies" under the arch in Snohomish.  The day started out hazy, but it was pretty warm & we started off at a nice pace, Ben well out in the lead!

Ben leads the way~

Ben didn't expect to see any other BMX bikes out there, but as we moved north, two boys passed us going toward Snohomish - both riding bikes similar to Ben's.  It's an uphill grade, so before long...

The bikes needed a rest~ :-)

We sat for a while on the bench overlooking the Pilchuck River - what a perfect way to spend a morning?  We continued on, Ben asked if we had any particular destination?   Not really - a little further up we saw a Bald Eagle!

He's the white spot, 1/3rd of the way up from the grass in the frame

At just under five-miles we crossed Machias Rd. & could see the roof of Machias Station up ahead!  That looked like a good stopping point to us both!  Ben showed me some of the tricks he can do with that bike!  We decided to start back & Ben wanted to switch bikes.  OK, I was game...  after less than 100 ft. - my respect for Grandson Ben leaped up several notches!   Talk about Hard to Ride!  Wow!  Effort expended is Huge!  Especially when the boys don't even sit on the seats~!  Good kid that he is - we switched back!  Our round-trip even with me forgetting to turn the GPS back on after our break, was over ten-miles.

On the way back, we had a little "head-wind" - but also the downhill grade, so made good time!  Enough good time that we headed for the bakery!  A cup of soup & sandwich hit the spot!

At home, we did chores & waited for Butch to get home so that the three of us could go riding again!  This time we decided to leave from Haller Park in Arlington & head north over the bridge.  It was just a stellar evening - birds singing, people friendly & blue evening sky.

Ben & Butch on the Haller Bridge

Ben & I were a bit worn...  I was anyway!  So we decided on the Bryant Store as our destination stop.   Ben was again staying Way out in front of the two of us!   He has No gears though!  It was about 3-miles of beautiful trail to the bench at the Bryant trail-head.   The bikes were complaining - so after another short break, we were headed back, with dinner on our minds!

Butch & Ben under the arch~

On our way we stopped for a photo under the arch!  Once back at the park, Ben did some swinging while we loaded the bikes.  Another 6-mile ride!  So, on Ben's first time on the trail, he rode that BMX well over 17-miles!  What a kid!  Someday...  want to be able to ride the Whitehorse trail all the way to Darrington!  I think I'll take Farah!!!  :-)