Joined a new running group & ran 15 miles of trail from Tom Watson Park, just west of IBM Campus in North Boulder.
Circled Coot Lake & Boulder Rez, then hit the foothills. Heat kicked up in the 2nd hour, lagged far behind the pack. Typical of most marathon finishes however – “never, never will I ever…” signed up for another run in 2 weeks – a ‘sweet 16er’.
[Super Saturday continues] Met up with Ash, Tom & friend Cliff just after noon on what would be the hottest day of 2015. Overall’s been a mild Colorado summer – but for Lafayette Peach Festival, temps climbed to 107°F. Crazy hot!
Fresh Palisade peaches, peach smoothies, peach cobbler – and a smoked turkey leg, promptly devoured caveman style 🙂 Supported the local artist community purchasing a pig welded from junkyard parts…another front porch addition.
[Super Saturday continues] Home, change of clothes, a second shower, then back to Boulder. Rare when independent films play in mainstream theatres. Took advantage & scored tickets to Meru, a Himalayan climbing flic. Was not disappointed.
Sitting at the headwaters of the sacred Ganges River in Northern India, the Shark’s Fin has seen more failed attempts by elite climbing teams over the past 30 years than any other climb in the Himalaya.
In 2008, three American climbers, Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk arrive in India to make an attempt. Surviving a massive storm on the wall and battling for 19 days through sub zero temperatures with only 8 days of food, they are beaten back just 100 meters below the elusive 21,000ft summit. After swearing off the route and returning home, family, friendship, loyalty and the will to continue dreaming of the impossible climb are tested by loss and disasters that conspire to keep them from returning to the Shark’s Fin for one last try.
…the film examines obsession, friendship, dreams and sacrifice, on and off one of the world’s most difficult mountains.
3 more local weekends remaining ‘til Fall marathoning season. I see at least one more 14er in my immediate future 🙂
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- sub-8 pace, heat & hills at 5500ft. Pretty sure these kids were trying to kill me.
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- who says Ash doesn’t eat fruit? cobbler, YUM!
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- peach smoothie on a crazy hot day
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- runners feet are not pretty (3 weeks post-marathon)
Meru
If I had to blame someone for my love of Irish music, Irish dance & storytelling (art of telling a good joke) – it’d be my friend Stephen. I remember late nights in Landaff, New Hampshire listening to his dad, step-mom Donna, Trudy & Bob – Trudy & the Pioneers – singing & playing instruments ‘til midnight. Sooooo much fun. Talk about a favourite memory – folks, that’s a Top 10.
Stephen & his sister Sheila exposed me to Celtic Thunder – a Dublin-based group, which tours the U.S. annually (cousin Neil is in the band). When I read Celtic, Keith Harkin would be soloing at the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival in Estes Park – HAD to get tickets.
Work early Saturday – my daily painting assignment done (2 more walls of green) – then drove an hour-half north to RMNP (Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park). Mountain air & glacier snow: good for the head, good for the soul. Beautiful sunny weather, busy day in the Park.
Back down the mountain, made my way to the Stanley Park Fairgrounds – home to Estes’ annual Rooftop Rodeo. Not much of an actual Irish festival – this ain’t Boston – but couldn’t beat the view. Sun set over the Rockies as dancers, violinists & vocalists took to the outdoor stage. Unfortunately, my Celtic Thunder guy was a no show – replaced by an Elvis singer…yeah, kinda weird.
Nice diversion from painting & Home Improvements 🙂 Last local weekend before my sister’s visit next month – marathons in Charlevoix MI & Angel Fire NM in my immediate future.
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- picturesque evening, whatta view — at Estes Park Fairgrounds
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- Trinity Irish Dancers
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- meanwhile back Home — Ro & Marty
traditional Irish dancing
With a mini-vacation & a 10th marathon scheduled in a week, stayed close & attended my first Lafayette Peach Festival.
Both of Lafayette’s annual festivals – winter Oatmeal Festival & summer Peach Festival – always seemed a bit far-fetched. Oats are not milled along the Front Range; Lafayette’s peaches are trucked from Palisade (4 hours away on Colorado’s Western Slope).
Maybe I’m over thinking things. We in Louisville often snub our sister ‘burb, Lafayette (sibling rivalry).
Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, peach lemonade, peach pizza, fresh peaches (sold by the box or the bag), peach soap – and many many local products including honey, antique furniture, local art & jewelry.
Discovered why Palisade peaches are Colorado’s best – so juicy & messy, gotta eat over the sink. YUM!
Sunshine, summer temps & thousands of attendees – Lafayette, you hit this one out of the park. Well done.
Lafayette Peach Festival, highly recommended. I’ll be back next year 🙂
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- best peaches in Colorado
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- peach cobbler – YUM!
