Mother’s Day Memories

I’m not going to lie, the last three days have been full of a lot of anxiety. We have been planning a trip to Kauai for the past year… the first time around fell through due to the shutdown. So here we are attempting to go again, but this time negative test results from a sample taken 72 hours prior to our final flight are required to enter Hawaii if we don’t want to quarantine for 10 days - which is longer than our entire trip. I feel a little silly sharing these emotions because it is an immense privilege to even be planning a trip! But this is me trying to be real with you. 

We used VAULT, a trusted partner in Hawaii, but due to living in a rural area, we weren’t sure we would receive our results before leaving Whitefish. There was a chance we would not hear a word until we landed in Seattle and were in the midst of a 6 hour layover. So, here I am for the first time in weeks feeling a little weight lifted as I just received my negative test result! Chase is still awaiting his, so we are not out of the woods yet, but at least we are 50% sure now. 

Ok now onto a little insight into my last big adventure! This past weekend, my mom came to town! It was so wonderful having a familiar face in town and having an adventure buddy for the weekend. If you know my mom, you know she is one of the most adventurous 50 something year olds you’ve ever met. She doesn’t ever turn down a challenge, and Lord knows once you start into a goal, you WILL finish it. 

I’ll get back to our adventure weekend soon, but I was just reminded of another pretty big feat that we tackled together back when I was in college. My dad and I, along with a good friend from college were going to ride the STP (a bike race from Seattle to Portland - just over 200 miles) to raise money for an organization supporting refugee resettlement. My dad had completed the ride several times before this, so he was the obvious one to ride with us - or so we all thought. Well, it turned out that about a week before the ride, my dad had some serious timely medical concerns come up that immediately disqualified him from riding. So, as you can probably guess, my mom stepped up to ride in his place - A WEEK BEFORE. So, with VERY little training, she met us at the start line in Seattle ready to race. We made it through day one, and although we all questioned our decision to ride over 100 miles each day, two days in a row, we ended the day tired, but full of adrenaline and with plenty of smiles. We were injury free and ready for a quick break and sleep before hitting the saddle again the next morning. 

Fast forward about 12 hours. We are on our bikes the next morning by 6am, riding through some of the most beautiful countryside I had seen in the state. Rolling green hills were kissed by the most beautiful golden morning light. Although our butts were screaming, we were in good spirits and filled to the brim with the views. After a long and grueling day, we had finally reached Portland! We thought we had made it, but the sick joke that no one tells you before riding is that the finish line is 20 miles past the “entering Portland” sign. Just before reaching the sign, we stopped at a medic station because mom’s knee had completely given out. It had gotten so bad, that she was pedaling with one leg, pulling with the clips and pushing through the top of her rotation. The medics couldn’t do anything besides wrap her leg. Although she was in excruciating pain, she wasn’t about to stop before reaching the finish line. We had already ridden just over 200 miles and had about 19 to go. So through a lot of pain and some tears, we stuck together as a team and crossed the finish line! My mom was resilient and full of grit as usual. She has a way of digging deep and finishing everything she starts. 

Ok well, all this to say, my mom is a badass lady crusher who never ceases to amaze me - so now back to our most recent adventure… 

Mom arrived in Whitefish on Thursday evening and, after landing, promptly drove into Glacier just to see the gorgeous peaks jutting out of the famous Lake McDonald from Apgar village. We tried to stop for food, but realized my favorite spot was gong to take an hour! Knowing the probability of hanger setting in, I knew that was out of the question for the evening. So instead, we went to a little market and bought cheese and crackers - not sure how we thought that would be better, but it did the trick. 

By the time Saturday rolled around, I had borrowed a helmet from a friend in town and a bike from Chase. We were ready for our big adventure. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. Part of me thought we were going to be riding straight uphill for 14 miles. Another part of me worried we wouldn’t see any views and that the park would be socked in. Both of those assumptions turned out to be far from the truth. 

The beauty began right as we turned onto Going to the Sun Road. The sun was just coming up over the lake and it felt like a cool, crisp summer morning - one of the greatest feelings on the planet. As we drove to the lodge, snow peaked mountains began to show their faces in the fresh morning light as the lake reflected grand peaks surrounding it’s pristine waters. Once we reached the lodge, it felt similar to the STP, but on a much smaller scale. The parking lot was filling quickly with groups of friends, families with little ones and TONS of bikes. As we got everything situated, we made sure our bear spray was accessible and started the day, as per usual, in far too many layers.

As we started the ride, we met a woman who had ridden the Sun Road many times, but mainly at night, for what she called the moonlight ride - a brave feat in my opinion. Throughout our journey we saw her many more times, and sadly I don’t remember her name, because she became known as “our photographer”. Mom and I rode through lush valleys, over the most brilliant rivers and into massive mountains. I don’t think either of us had been on such a magnificent ride before. Around each corner was a bigger peak or a more stunning body of water. Our ride was full of good conversation, heavy breathing at certain points and run-ins with some really lovely people. We were surprised to see no bears- nor any wildlife for that matter. The road was pretty busy with bikes and lots of laughter… so perhaps the bears stayed away for that reason. All in all, we rode just about 30 miles. Our legs were tired, but I think our butts felt it the most. I will say though, nothing compares to flying down a mountain pass on a bike with warm wind in your face surrounded by the most stunning landscape - it was breathtaking and completely exhilarating. We were both giddy by the end of the day - full of that good adrenaline you get when you push your body while in nature. We found ourselves and each other smiling from ear to ear most of the day.

If ever in your life you have the chance to ride the Sun Road, do it! And if your mom will do it with you, even better! I feel pretty lucky to have a momma that loves adventure as much as I do. She even went mountain biking for the first time this weekend all alone… and she LOVED it! Happy Mother’s Day to one of the greats! Thankful for you, mom and for all the crazy adventures we have done together! For those with mom’s in your life, give them a little extra love this weekend. They do so much and love so BIG.

To all those without moms in your life, I can’t pretend to know what that is like, but I want you to know my heart hurts with you this Mother’s Day. You are not alone. You are loved. You are important and cherished. I hope you are surrounded by those you love this weekend. 

All my love, 

Kenzie 

P.S. Chase got a negative test back a few hours after mine came in, so...we are going to HAWAII!! Stay tuned for stories and photos from our trip. Can’t wait to share with you all!