After a morning of HOA business at the bank that lasted almost three hours, I finally got to the gym. Afterwards, I had some food and headed out on the mt. bike for a ride and the day couldn’t be more gorgeous…!! The sky is crystal blue and not a cloud in the sky. With snow on the mountain tops and the Fall colors in full bloom, I rode back to the house and hopped on the motorcycle.
I headed up Red Mountain pass and couldn’t have asked for a BETTER day…!!
It’s official… The Ouray Hot Springs Pool’s last day was today. It’s closing starting tomorrow for renovation. The Hot Spring Pool is located right across the parking lot from my house. It’s a great hot spring, especially since it’s sulfur free.
Normally I jump in the pool during the Winter, especially when it’s snowing…!!! But.. had to soak in it today since it’s a historic day. For information on the history of the pool and some historical pictures, click the link below:
I haven’t been feeling too well lately, but after the gym and listening WAYYYYYYY to much to will.i.am and britney, I guess I’m feeling better. Apparently from the video, I should find some other things to fill my time…!!!
Click for above for amazing view of Grand Valley….!!
After the Wings and Whiskey Festival, the next day was just as beautiful in Winter Park. This time of the year in Colorado is just amazing. After an early morning shower, I’m ready for the day. I’m on my way to meet Suz for some breakfast at Rise. I can taste the bacon already…
As I step outside to walk up to the restaurant, I can’t believe how chilly it is this morning… FALL IS HERE….!!!! There was frost on the suburban and I could see my breath. It’s too early for the cold. I need my summer to hang on a couple more weeks…
After breakfast, the Rousheys and I headed up to the Beyer’s Peak trailhead. It’s about 7 miles south of Winter Park. It’s a 13’ner and one of the most beautiful peaks in Grand County.
Once we get to the trailhead, Ms Suz signs us in to the trailhead registry. She’s so official, which is a good thing. Thankfully, someone is smart enough to look out for the safety of the group.
Signing In
I couldn’t help but take a pic of Suz taking a pic…!!
Trailhead
Just a few pics from the trail as we work our way up the trail. Some great views of the Grand Valley.
Joy…!!
The hike was fun, but even more fun with Joy…!!!! She sets a pace that’s hard to keep up with..!!
Yeti Trap
Of course, as we work our way up the trail….. existence of the Yeti becomes clear… look at this Yeti trap. He places a log across the trail to slow us down. That tree doesn’t land in the middle of the trail by accident. The snowman is real…!!!
The Yeti is Ruthless
As you can see, the Yeti trap has spikes on the log to slow down his prey…!! The Yeti is……
Beautiful
After successfully escaping the traps of the Yeti, I settle on the patio of the Roushey’s patio and enjoy some whiskey imbibing. Life is good.
It’s time for the 5th Annual Whiskey and Wings Festival…!!
Who ever thought of this combination for a Festival should get the Nobel Peace Prize. Some of the past festivals have been lacking, but this year was Fantastic.
The festival is held at the base of Winter Park Resort. It’s a combination of vendors who are competing for the best tasting wings and vendors of whiskey tastings. This year had a great combination of both.
My vote this year for the best wing, believe it or not was from Jim Beam. They made these tasty wings with their Jim Beam Red Stag. They were fantastic…!! I tried searching for the recipe and this was the closest I could find:
The day of the festival couldn’t had been more perfect. After an early morning lift and sauna at the Fraser Rec Center, I met Suz and Bill for a late breakfast. While waiting for them, I couldn’t resist a donut and mocha from Rise and Shine. Life is good at this moment…!!
The best donut on the face of the planet.
After breakfast, we headed to the base of Winter Park where the weather for the festival couldn’t have been any better. Here’s a pic of the Rousheys while we imbibed some whiskey and took in some yummy wings.
The Rousheys
A couple Whiskeys into it… a selfie with Bill and Suz.
What an incredible day with incredible friends. I’m a lucky man to be their friend.
W&W
My attempt to take a Selfie with their new pup, Joy… not so successful. She wanted nothing to do with me:
After a fantastic time in Vail, it’s time to head over to Winter Park to meet my best friends, Susan and Bill. I’m so looking forward to seeing them and spending the weekend together. They’re just amazing people and have been true friends through and through. I’m lucky to be their friend.
When I got to Winter Park, it was early evening. I checked into my hotel and was still feeling great after my bike ride from yesterday. The temperature was perfect and the colors were calling my name for a run in the woods.
I grabbed my shoes and headed out for a run on the trails across from Winter Park Resort. It couldn’t have been a better day to run the trails.
A running selfie.
Couldn’t be happier running on the trails in the beautiful colors of Colorado this time of year. So lucky to be able to be in this state and take in its beauty.
Since the weather has been pretty ugly in Ouray, I decided to head to Vail again since the forecast there is calling for sun. I woke up on Thursday in the Vail Valley to a beautiful sunny, cloudless sky. What an amazing morning…!!!
The past two attempts at Vail’s summit have been semi-successful, but the challenge has been to make it over the pass, descend to Copper and bike back. I haven’t been able to accomplish the goal, but the third time was a charm…!!
I headed to the trailhead of the path that winds its way up Vail pass and the morning was perfect. There was some wind, but the sun was shining and the forecast didn’t call for any rain for the entire day. That’s a rarity in the mountains this time of year, so I decided this would be the perfect day to complete the challenge.
Before… all is good, but just wait.
As you can see from above, I’m all geared up and ready to go. Today is definitely going to be the day I make it to Copper and back. I’m feeling great this morning.
Summit 10,500
Don’t ask about the hair..!! I’m not sure what’s going on with it, other than it being drenched in sun screen..!!
I couldn’t have asked for a better day. The sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The colors of Fall are starting to shine. Seems a bit earlier than usual, but what an amazing display of yellows, reds, and oranges. And with the sun shining down upon the meadows and aspen groves of colors, it couldn’t be a better day to be outside.
The wind is still howling, but the pedalling to get me to the Summit from the Vail side wasn’t that bad. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with a descent along the river with beautiful views of Summit County. Once I get to Copper, the scenery was amazing on this incredible day. The village isn’t crowded as you can see, and the sky was almost purple…!! So lucky to be a part of this day.
CopperCopper
As I start to head out of Copper and back towards the Summit, I realized the head wind is more than what I expected.
Hammer me.
I determine that this is a Hammer day. Hammer gel, please help me up this mountain…!!!
That was rough and looking it.
After getting back to the Suburban, I’m feeling the effects of the wind…!!!
Looking rough and feeling like it.
Well…. after the third attempt, I finally am successful at the attempt of riding from Vail to Copper and back. It’s a total of 32 miles. 10 miles of uphill from the Vail side and then 6 miles of ascent from the Copper side. If I knew the wind would have been so bad from the Copper side, I would have biked the Vail side twice… but… I did it. It just doesn’t seem fair that you have to pedal downhill…!!!
The Copper side is definitely shorter, but I think much more challenging towards the top, but then again, with the wind being so strong, I’m not really that sure…!!! All I know, is that I did it and I actually feel totally fine afterwards.
The Reward.
Since I was able to complete the task, the reward is simple: A peanut butter and jelly sandwich…!!!!! I can’t believe I’m eating carbs, but the PB&J tasted so gooooooooood…
After a fun filled night with my friends for dinner, I returned to the hotel. For a fun night of excitement, guess what I’m doing: LAUNDRY at the hotel.
At first, it was ok, but then, I decided the only thing to make this bearable was some Whiskey. Off the bar I go to order some Buffalo Trace…!!
Now I can finish my wash and get ready to head back up to Vail…!!
I photo bombed my own shot…!! The trail has been a struggle in the beginning since it’s been mostly uphill, but everyone is a trooper and forging forward.
My own Photo bomb.
Just in case you didn’t think the Yeti exists… Here is another Yeti Hut sighting. They’re quite skilled in hut building. I’d stay in that overnight.
Another Yeti Hut.
The ULTIMATE Yeti evidence: Yeti Poo…… That’s quite the scat pile…!!
Yeti poo.
Further up the trail, guess what… another Yeti campground. Not only is the hut built flawlessly, it’s even built with a Yeti bleacher. I guess they must watch movies from those seats.
While in Vail, after the bike ride to the pass, what better to do the next day, then a hike to the top of Half Moon Pass. It’s a pass near the divide of Mt. Holy Cross (14,005).
In preparation of the hike, there is no better hiking fuel than a PB&J. I think six sandwiches is enough.
Hiking Fuel..
I bought these new hiking shoes in Winter Park. They’re the best hiking shoes I’ve ever owned. They’re so stable, but so comfortable at the same time. I think I might have to get a backup pair next time I head to WP.
Love these shoes.
After an hour drive up the 4×4 road to the trailhead, I’m ready to get it on after another douchebag selfie.
Trailhead.
This is why I love living in Colorado. Just a quick shot of the trail towards the summit of Half Moon. What a beautiful sky.
Up the mountain.
A view just below the summit. What an amazing day…!!!
Since the weather in Ouray continues to be grey and rainy, I decided to stay in Salida. I think it was a good choice.
Salida is quirky, little town in the middle of the state of Colorado. It’s such an amazing place. It’s the rafting and mt biking capital of the state…!!!
There is a system of bike trails ride out of town called The Arkansas Trials. You can bike to these incredible trails right out of the door from your hotel.
On the way down to Denver, I decided to stop by Three Sisters Park. It was one of my favorite mountain biking parks when I lived in Denver. It’s located about an hour up the interstate from downtown. It has some of the best and most fun trails near Denver.
Another douche bag selfie at the trail head…!!!
The sun is finally shining, but unfortunately, no Yeti sightings….!!!
Typical…. I haven’t ridden single track in years. So… what is the dumbest decision I can make.. head out on one of the more difficult trails in Winter Park. Seemed like a great idea until I got to the first couple switchbacks. You can tell on my face how difficult it was….
Way out of shape.
Right after that pic, it happened…….. After walking my bike though most of the most difficult sections of the trail, I hopped back on the bike ready to ride an easy section and BOOM — Down I go… On one of the easiest sections…. I need to spend more time on the bike…!!!
Looks worse than it was.
Besides the blood, and having a ton of fun on the ride…. At least, I found evidence of the Yeti’s existence…!!! Well worth the scars.
Time to start doing some Training Hikes in Ouray in preparation of the Costa Rica adventure. Since the last hike went really well, I decided to add some weight to the backpack for training. Nice jugs…!!
Nice pair of Jugs.
Since you never know what the weather is like in Ouray, you have to be prepared for anything, including packing a sleeping bag…!!
Artistic..??
The bridge over the river near bathtub on the south side of the trail.
Where there’s bears…. there’s a YETI…!!!
There has to bear poop close by.
The view down the valley with Abrahms in the background.
Down Valley.
After a rough training hike, nothing better than a little whiskey…
There is never a better reason to visit Salida, then The Palace Hotel.
Salida is such an incredible town. I’m in LOVE with it. It’s in the middle of the state and it’s know as the River Rafting and Mt Biking meca of the state.
If that’s not a reason to visit this town, then The Palace Hotel is a must. With all of my Marriott Points (over 2.1 million points), I’ve never been served each morning by a warm muffin, homemade orange juice, and homemade yogurt. Are you serious, who gets that daily door delivery….!!! It makes me return to this hotel over again and again.
Yummmm.
If you think returning to a hotel is nice, how about getting a personalized card from the owners. No worries… I’m coming back again next month. I can’t wait.
How nice.
I stayed in room, 302, and here’s a bit of the history to the room. Each one has a distinctive history portrait of the history associated with the hotel. I can’t wait to stay in a different room to read more about the past of this historical building.
Can you be in a more beautiful place for the start of your morning. I woke up to a gorgeous morning in Winter Park. Total motivation to get out and enjoy a ride in WP…!!! Mary Jane.. here I come.
A beautiful morning.
I feel bad for the Suburban (‘the couch’). It’s been my house for the last week and a half and looks so rested. But… it’s time to get a move on and let him take me to the next destination.
A rest for the Suburban.
Rode the back roads of Winter Park Resort and was rewarded with this amazing view of the Continental Divide. What a view…!!! How can you not love Colorado.
The Great Divide.
This is what happens when you leave the Trail Map in the Suburban……!! Which way do I go….. Left…?? Right…??
Who cares… either way, it will be incredible. Just not sure where it will lead me.
Which way…???
After an hour of not sure where I’m going, I’m a bit over it…!!
Had such a great evening and it continued in the morning, with a little snack from ‘Rise and Shine.’ It’s a bakery that makes the most amazing baked goods. But was a good kid, and stuck to the diet. We headed to Devil’s Thumb Resort outside Tabernash to hike with the puppy. It was an exceptional day. The weather was amazing and the sun was shining.
Byers Peak.
As we hiked through the back side of the Ranch, we hit an Aspen Grove. There is nothing more amazing than walking through a forest of Aspens. There is nothing more distinctive then the sound of the wind through Aspen leaves.
Aspen Forest.
During the winter, Devil’s Thumb is a huge destination for snow biking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. They have several ‘Warming Yurts’ throughout the park. I need to experience them this winer…!!
Yurt.
Not a bad place for ducks to grow up in…!!
Ducks.
A view of Devils Thumb Ranch from the other side of the lake. What an incredible location. I need to spend more time there…!!
Still hanging in Winter Park, thanks to my friends who let me stay at their condo. It’s just such an amazing town.
After a morning at the gym, hit the patio at the Rocky Mountain Roastery in Frasier. What a beautiful day.
Java.
At the Roastery, they had some coffee that can help with my Costa Rica Training…!!
Training…!!
After the coffee break, threw the bike on the back of the Suburban and headed to the trail across from Winter Park. As you can see, Winter Park is so beautiful. I think it’s more amazing in the Summer…!!
Unfortunately, the legs aren’t firing on all cylinders today. Still having a great time, even though the legs are dead. I guess it’s time to take a bit of a rest.
Headed to the base of Winter Park for the outdoor movie. What an incredible sunset sky. But wow…. it’s COLD…!!!
Beautiful WP Evening.
We tried to make the movie, but it was too cold. Headed back to the condo to enjoy some vino and movie at home. Such a great time to spend with your friends. I treasure every chance to spend with the Roushey’s. I’m lucky to be their friend.
Now that I’m back in Vail, I finally rode to the summit under the Sun…!! What an amazing day and incredible ride. Loved every minute of it. Sitting on top a summit at over 10k feet, is amazing.
Vail Summit.
It’s been a long time since I held a racket in my hand, but I decided to test it out on the racket ball court. It was so much fun to bit a couple balls against the wall, but exhausting…!!
After Winter Park, I decided back to Vail since the weather forecast calls for sun. I’m on my way.
As I unpack the Suburban, I was a bit shocked at how much ‘supplies’ I have… As you can see, I love my bins. My philosophy is: “If it doesn’t fit in a bin, I shouldn’t buy it…!!!”
That’s a lot of crap.
Since I’ve been out on the road for a bit, it’s time for wash. And look… dirty clothes are in a what… a bin…!!!
Wash day.
What says my life is going great, then a Washing Selfie…!!
Another day of wash.
And guess what… my clothes have another room all to themselves again. i could seriously live here permanently.
I hope they sleep well.
And the best part… this is the view I woke up to every morning. Life is good…!!
After a great meal with my friend Susan, we headed out on a hike to wear out their new puppy, Joy. She’s a super sweet dog and has more energy than a nuclear reactor.
Just a bit up US40, we headed to the trail head for the Broome Hut, which is part of the 10th mountain division hut system. Click here for more info: http://grandhuts.org/about/broome-hut/
As we started on the trek with Joy, she was so excited to be outside. About an hour from the trailhead, we ran into these lovely ladies, who were just lounging in the woods. I love a MOOSE sighting. They’re just amazing animals.
Hi Ladies…
As we continued up the ridge, there were some incredible views of mountain fields, flowers, and creeks.
High altitude flowers.High altitude creek.
Of course, there’s nothing better than a hot dawg and beer down in town. The sun finally came out and it was an amazing afternoon on the patio.
