hike #66: North Table Mountain, Golden

Published October 26, 2013

Super fun having visitors in town. Trying to get better at not overexerting East Coasters in our high altitude air.

Two days in however, I go stir crazy – gotta get outside & soak up some Vitamin D.

Wanted to hike relatively local this weekend so headed south on Highway 93 to Golden (most trails in Boulder County remain damaged & closed from last month’s flood). Ro took his usual spot & stared down the highway, happy to be in the car 🙂

I’ve often passed North Table Mountain while driving home from weekend treks off I-70, using Highways 6 & 93 to avoid Denver traffic (slows to a crawl every weekend – in winter, folks return from skiing; in summer, return from hiking & camping). Took a quick left into the parking lot. Ro and my friend, Stephen poured out – ready for adventure.

Mildest weekend of October – our first without snow. Today’s trail was jam packed with mountain bikes, runners, hikers – and horses. Beautiful sunny day with highs in the low 60’s – hard to believe it’s gonna snow again on Tuesday.

Basalt cliff pillars, amazing late season colour – SPECTACULAR. Hike duration: 6 miles roundtrip. PERFECT hike for a sunshiny day in the Fall. Not a lotta trees though – do not recommend [this hike] in summer months.

Back home, little guy was fast out for the count. Happy day 🙂

: North Table Mountain in nearby Golden

: basalt laced with zeolite — 20 different types — more than any other site in the world

: tranquil western landscape – BEAUTIFUL day!

: dogs & tall grass

: mountain bikes, runners, hikers – and horses too!

: basalt pillars & lotta late autumn colour – SPECTACULAR!

: yes, dogs do smile 🙂

Posted in Denver Metro | Tagged hiking, horses | Leave a comment

Fiske Planetarium

Published October 24, 2013

Working in a university town allows the extras in life, without the hustle & bustle of a city.

Ok, ok — Boulder is not NYC but still mighty nice to visit a planetarium — on a random Thursday night 🙂

CU’s Fiske Planetarium recently re-opened after a 10-month renovation project – so has been the talk around the office. HD movies, laser shows – and live presentations too. Purchased tickets to a live show titled ‘Colorado Skies’.

“The naked eye can see about 6,000 stars. Our new projector is so powerful that you can use binoculars inside the planetarium to see millions of stars and the beautiful Milky Way.”

I still maintain my starriest night ever was in Steamboat a few weeks back – 3 hour drive, 2 miles up a dirt road, snow camped after. This night at Fiske Planetarium – 10 minutes away, blue comfy chair in a temperature-controlled building.

There’s room for both in my universe. Highly recommended!

Jupiter

Little Dipper & North Star (illuminated)

CU’s Fiske Planetarium

Posted in Boulder County | Tagged museo | Leave a comment

buddhism & gnomes, Red Feather Lakes CO

Published October 19, 2013

Working in a small work setting during the season change, means lotta passing of airborne illnesses. Last year I was successful in fending off the germ pool with daily doses of Airborne & Emergen-C.

This year – complete fail. Forgot to start the daily regimen. ARGH! I hate being sick. It’s so much harder for guys (ok maybe that’s just my version of reality).

Weekend camping – didn’t happen 🙁 (In addition to being sick, been catching flack for less than stellar church attendance this summer/early fall.) So…kicked around & did nothing? Wrong.

My friend M offered to drive – today’s destination: Red Feather Lakes, CO. And although I didn’t feel hike worthy, lucky enough to see both highlights on my eclectic Red Feather wish list.

About an hour west of Fort Collins, barreled down a series of county roads to the Shambhala Mountain Center. Buddhist temple built deep in the Rockies – seriously? Got to see it.

friendly warning — Don’t expect this to be a popular viewpoint, but I believe my God loves all his people & works through a series of faiths/religions to develop & activate our spirituality. HUGE fan of prayer & meditation.

Temps dropped & snow started to fly. Coincidence, maybe. But nothing lifts & supplicates my spirit like walking/breathing/hiking in the Colorado Rockies. Add snowfall to the recipe. WOW, I’m a blessed individual 🙂

Followed a trail of Tibetan banners to the Great Stupa – maybe half-mile away. Because of the weather, almost had the whole place to ourselves this day. No I’m not a follower of Happy Buddha, so why go? I challenge you to put your mind in the right place – push out judgment & preconceived ideas – get quiet, close your eyes, breathe, pray/meditate.

Watched a small herd of horses walled in by mountain canyons. Amazing, unexpected experience.

2^nd highlight – how ‘bout a complete 180? HA!

Walked Elf Lane – a random dirt road off Hiawatha littered with gnomes, dwarves, angels & action figures. (Thanks Leslie for the heads-up and your office desk tchotchke donation. Much appreciated!)

Big flakes now falling – super fun-day adventure. Gnomes hiding under trees, on rocks, hanging from branches, hangin’ solo, coupled, ganged-up together. Holiday gnomes, summer lawn gnomes – who knew there was so much variety?

Fever & a sore throat – ouch. New snow, mountain temples & lawn gnomes – chicken soup for the soul.