February 27, 2026

Riding the desert

Yesterday, I rode at the Bar M Trails, also known as the Moab Brand Trails. They are the least remote of the trail systems here and have the most people at the trails hiking or biking. But no matter what, I still get creeped out. It is the remoteness, the stillness that gets to me. Mountain biking or even hiking in this area (Moab) is a very unique experience. My feelings while doing it are:

This is super cool,

This is creepy,

Is there a mountain lion following me?

Wow, this is gorgeous,

I can’t believe I am here.

Usually in that order.

The reason for these thoughts is that when you go on a 3–4-mile trail, you are out there. It is quiet. No one else is around you but maybe a cow or two. And for the locals, this is the norm, right? For me, it is not, and I do get creeped out, with a side of this is so amazing.