The guide(s) are who you will contact to check in; take this the time to ask any questions you might have about the ride or terrain. On certain rides, side by side vehicles are not recommended due to their inability to fit through some small gates, close rock formations, and tight turns. There was one vehicle this week that had to turn back 10 miles into the ride due to an issue with a small gate.

After we were given our colored ribbon designated for the ride, we put on our helmets and headed southeast to Big Lake . One of the guides led us down the back roads by Wal-Mart and through the neighborhoods. The single file pack moved as one, while the morning's crisp air found its way into the neckline of my jacket, until I found a position to close it off.

The trip was so enjoyable, before we knew it we were at Big Lake . The Lake itself is surrounded at a distance on all sides by shades of green, yellow, and a light golden brown; giving me a definite feeling that fall is in the air. After a brief visit and a fully aired up tire for one of the guides, we were off to a higher elevation.

A short trip led us to a road along the edge of a mountain that provided all of us with a clear view of some of the ranges we had covered. The temperature at this point was the coldest of the trip, somewhere in the mid-upper 30's. When asked, one of the guides had mentioned that we were at approximately 10,400 ft. at this point of the trip.

After another ride just before lunch we were provided with another view of the lower lying areas. We then returned to the lake, had lunch among the trees, and watched two people in a small boat fishing quietly along one end of the lake. Others in the group wandered and took photos while walking the area.

Just past the rock trail we were led to the last high point of the trip. This is where the decision was made among everyone to head back along Fish Lake . This decision allowed us to add 20 more miles to our planned 50 mile trip, which already seemed to be passing too quickly. As we passed Fish Lake we began to pickup speed as the roads seemed to allow for more momentum. Everyone was enjoying the downhill dash, so we all spread out and gave each other more room, since the dried roads were now producing more dust. I stopped to snap a few shots here and there, but couldn't resist keeping up with the pack, there's nothing like riding along the edge of a mountain with a view that seems to go on forever.

The remainder of the ride led us along farm roads and pastures that flowed with water and green grass as far as the eye could see. If you like to take pictures, then this is a ride I would recommend to you.