MDH Spring 2009

Maah Daah Hey - April 2009. From left, Jake Richards, Matt Wenzel, Steve Wenzel, Dan Seymour and Ben Wenzel. This time of year last year was so fun we had to repeat. The Wenzel's are use to throwing down a tarp and our sleeping bags and roughing it but not this year, we were living in luxury due to Dan pulling his deluxe pop up camper - we even took a hot shower.

Lots of oil pumps in action. They are scattered all over the place buzzing and whirring music of profit. Not as good of profit as a year ago, but it is good to see for the state.
Ben made leaps and bounds progress this year. He was on a new bike and handled it very well. We rode 15 miles on the morning ride and he hung on the whole way.

Weather was perfect! We took our time over lunch to enjoy the sun.

Looking out over the landscape from Devils Pass.

Matt and Jake sporting the new Maplelag/Paramount/Skinny Ski team kits. Both Matt and Jake just ripped up the track all day. Jake just returned from racing in CA at the Sea Otter Classic. Jake and Dan had never been riding at the MDH and it was a pleasure that the weather and the scenery did not disappoint.

Afternoon ride consisted of an out and back section up to the Ice Caves. Lots of petrified rock formations. Total for the day was 26 miles - 15 in the morning and 11 in the afternoon.

I have been running and riding road bike with Dan for 5 years. I knew that his past included mountain bikes but was never able to get him on the trails. He is riding a 10 year old team issue Schwinn decked out with vintage XTR - sweet bike and Dan can ride. I will be twisting his arm to get him out more often.

Ben and Jake goofing around on a hike outside of camp.

We really had a great day of riding. We were planning on riding Sunday morning, but heard the rain hit the roof starting at 3 am. For anyone who has ridden in wet conditions at the MDH knows that it is virtually impossible. So, we packed up camp and headed back to Fargo early.

Big thanks to Danno for being so generous with his new pick-up and camper, made the weekend that much better.

Turning south on ND highway 85 there was a country home completely engulfed with flames. The firemen were just letting it burn. Really sad to see knowing someones lives were being upturned in a big way.
Kriston took advantage of us leaving for the weekend to paint the kitchen. She did a great job! The rectangle in the corner of the photo is what the color use to be. Kriston taped off this wall and wants me to make a frame for it. We have been recording the boys height once a year since they were below the light switch......Kriston could not paint over it.