Colorado!

the Big Chill: 2017 sub-zero start

Published January 7, 2017

After an almost non-existent winter, jeez the season roared in BIG this past week. No longer a question of snow, but how much precip – and will it affect my morning or evening work commute. ‘Bout time, well overdue 🙂

The mountains? Delayed ski resort openings at Thanksgiving ⇨ now resort closures…too much snow. Avalanche closed I-70 (both directions) half-day last week – 15 feet of snow covered a section of highway. Winter season’s arrived. Been driving the Jeep EVERY day since Christmas & absolutely LOVIN’ it! Sub-zero temps all week – crazy cold.

Migrated to treadmill running to log my daily miles. “Every day’s a run day” – haven’t missed since Christmas Eve.

First weekend home this year. Stay indoors, hunker down with the pup? Heck, no – layered UP & local-hiked NCAR to Chautauqua. Sun rose pink on the Flatirons Saturday morning, fave/most familiar trail trek now snow-hidden. No worries, have hiked this route at night – know it like the back of my hand. Boots, crampons, cap & gloves – GAME ON…first snow hike of 2017!

Battled thin air for a mile; lungs ached ‘til I settled into a healthy rhythm. Handful of 14ers on this hiker’s 2017 wish list. Limiting July & August to one (& only one) marathon/month. Finding balance this year.

Love of mountains, love of running. 2017 – all about achieving: BALANCE.

: temp check: Friday NOON

: crazy cold AND crazy windy

: layered UP & local-hiked NCAR to Chautauqua

: snow on the Flatirons

: every day’s a ‘hike’ day 🙂

: not everyone went hiking — someone road-tripped to Colorado Springs to sample ‘Mrs. Manwarren’s Cinnamon Rolls’ (as seen on Food Network’s ‘Diners, Drive-ins & Dives’)

: LOVE LOVE this face!

the Big Chill: 2017 sub-zero start

Posted in Boulder County | Tagged hiking, snowpocalypse | Leave a comment

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