Denver Metro

Staunton State Park

Published January 29, 2017

Finding balance in 2017 = 2 weekends/month NOT marathoning

After receiving the best possible news ever (NO cancer), unexpectedly suffered a mental letdown. Not sure — is this normal after being hyper-focused ‘bout one’s physical health for so many months? Strange, but true.

Dog-sat my grandpup (while Ash & Tom horseback’d in snowy Estes), binge-watched a bunch of documentaries on Netflix – plus logged a lotta miles [’cause every day’s a run day]. Lotta miles = happy endorphins, soooo [luckily]…Sunday afternoon, dark cloud passed & found myself refocused on the future. BIG potential trip planned — details later 🙂

Sunday next: snow hiking in Colorado’s newest State Park, Staunton State Park in Conifer (established 2013). Hadn’t pre-planned a new hike since my 52-week hike year, when every weekend was a new hike. Researched whether trails were ‘dog friendly’, retrieved trailhead GPS coordinates & backpacked snacks/water for two.

day plan: altitude, thin air, mental reset/fixin’ the head

8300ft base, Ponderosa pine, montane meadows, easy up-n-down trail. Missed the trail split to the Old Mill Site soooo [unfortunately]…hiked an extra mile-half on Border Line trail, return hiked on Scout Line trail.

The trail leading to the old mill site is one of the more challenging hikes in Staunton State Park. The final .9 miles of this trail is hiker-only, a peaceful segment apart from busier multi-use areas. The hike features multiple historic properties, including cabins, an old bunkhouse and remnants of a sawmill.

My take: steep climb in SNOW — no switchbacks & almost a full mile UP. Gradual climb, not a 14er, but still an elevation gain of 782ft. YES! Hike reward: avocado/sprouts sandwich, large flat rock aside a 1930’s bunkhouse. Sunshine & snow, nothing better.

Next weekend, marathoning – winter destination: Michigan

: Papa dog-sat, while Ash rode the Rockies — LOVE this pic!

: Colorado’s newest State Park

: destination: Old Mill Site

: hike day with #1 pup

: 8300ft base, just 40 minutes south of Denver

: steady snow hike UP

: 782ft elevation gain

: scenic view…fairly sparse Mill remains

: 1930’s bunkhouse

: lunch break: avocado/sprouts sandwich – YUM!

Bro Fest – Jan 2017

Posted in Denver Metro, Rowan O'Roark | Tagged hiking, horses | 2 Comments

Blossoms of Light

Published December 14, 2016

Hadn’t previously made it to Denver Botanical Gardens – been on my to-do list – but certainly didn’t think my first trip would be in December. Not too many outdoor plants survive a Colorado winter. Evergreens, conifers – what else could there be?

This annual holiday lights extravaganza features some new elements, and includes the grand illuminated O’Fallon Perennial Walk and the Romantic Gardens.

Don’t miss:
Interacting with a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights
Warm drinks and tasty treats

Arrived just after 730pm, work day delay. Bundled, layered. Clear night, temps in the 20’s.

Spectacular gardens of light under a night sky crescent moon. Purples, blues, orange, whites. Chinese lanterns, light sabers & a large glass-blown Chihuly too. Warmed by the park’s Christmas spirit, quickly forgot ’bout any outside evening chill.

Highly recommended. On my calendar for next year – FAAAANNNTASTIC!

: Chihuly’s “Colorado” glass sculpture is now on view permanently

: Bronco PRIDE – Blue & Orange

Denver Botanical Gardens 2016

Posted in Denver Metro | Tagged festivals, holidays | Leave a comment

zoo lights & wedding bells

Published November 26, 2016

Running December 2 until January 1, is one of Denver’s most anticipated events, which is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to enjoy the holidays or kick off the New Year with family, friends and colleagues. Zoo Lights will span through 70 acres of Denver Zoo’s campus, with nightly entertainment, animal encounters, Santa meet-and-greets and, of course, illuminated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected.

Special Friday nite preview, day after Thanksgiving – timing couldn’t be better, 4 tickets please 🙂 20 minute drive to Westminster; piled into Ash & Tom’s SUV for my first-ever evening trek to the Denver Zoo. Christmas tunes, festive lights & hot chocolate. Notta lotta animals visible in the dark, however the Zoo’s indoors enclosures & aquarium were crowd-packed. Ice sculptures, elephants, giraffes, river otters, bats, crocodiles, birds, exotic fish & reptiles. Much to see & do.

Nite concluded with cards & board games (M/cards, Ash/Clue champ…yet again), tomorrow a.m. road trip.

Been 3 years since Tom ‘popped the question’ to Ash on Pikes Peak. May 2017, it finally becomes official – the kids have scheduled their Colorado wedding in Silverthorne, a mountain community just outside of Breckinridge (west of the Divide). M & I tagged along, as Ash & Tom reconnected with their event planner Saturday morning. Food, check. Bar, DJ, Lighting – check, check, check. Centerpieces, glassware, tables/chairs, discussion ‘bout the dance floor. Whole lotta details.

Only surprise centered around the couple’s outdoor ceremony – appears a large building will soon obstruct their natural Colorado 14er backdrop. ARGH! Plan B: wedding photos before the ceremony (mountain meadow per the bride’s request), vows exchanged river side. In the event of snow, an impromptu set-up will happen at the Pavilion.

MUCH appreciated the opportunity to see/hear/watch Ash & Tom finalize wedding details. Excellent way to end the long holiday weekend – yet another thing to be thankful for 🙂 my gift? the couple’s honeymoon. Stay tuned.

Denver Zoo Lights