Colorado

I have all kinds of krazy shenanigans planned for 2013.  So here’s to resurrecting my blog so that I can share them! 

School has finished, and I graciously left the city for home in another part of the world for the rest of 2013.  I suppose “home” may be a little ambiguous this year.  I mean Wasilla, Alaska will always be home.  But when you spend a year traveling eventually you begin to call any bed home.  And so it begins.

I was lucky enough to get to spend a week in Colorado.  I of course filled my time up there pretty darn good, exploring all kinds of areas with Aidan.  I would say we rivaled Calvin and Hobbes on a summer day.

Calvin:  Summer days are supposed to be longer, but they sure seem short to ME.
Hobbes:  I'll say.  We didn't get to do half our itinerary.

I flew in Friday night, and Saturday morning got up and let Aidan lead me on a 6 mile run.  It was painful; it has been awhile since I’ve felt my lungs burn that much from running.  Usually something else hurts first, I’m not used to being winded on a morning jog.  Let me tell you in case you have not heard, there is no oxygen in this state (ok there is actually a little bit).  We spent the afternoon in downtown Denver, walking around but mostly just laying on the grass in the sun.  After living in Boston for so long I did not expect to find a city where you could actually walk on the sidewalks without too many diversions and obstacles.  Everything was so much more spread out and new.  I sat on a step a mile above sea level, and rode the train for free.

On Sunday we went to church and made pancakes (a regular Sunday activity).  Supposedly we drove by some hot air balloons but my untrained eye failed to pick them out.  Then we went on a little hike and drove a lot of winding mountain roads.

The view from some point of the trip.
You can see Denver in the background!

After a detour or two the road ended in Garden of the Gods.  That place was so cool!  Here are some pictures that I took.  I loved how the sun made the rocks glow.

Pikes Peak with the sun setting in the background

Aidan and I balancing next to Balance Rock

The night ended with catching up with Rachel for dinner!  It is always so great to be reunited with friends.  Unfortunately we forgot to take a picture.

On Monday we attempted to go rock climbing.  Well, we did go rock climbing for a little bit, but I found it a tad terrifying so we ended up laying on the grass in the sun instead (I really do enjoy that activity).  I am willing to try it again, I think once I trust myself a little more I’ll be able to do it no problem (after I learn how to do a pull up).  There is no picture because it wouldn’t be very nice to stop belaying someone to take one.  But Aidan did get one of me repelling!

We also stopped to see Dinosaur fossils!

Dinosaur footprints in the rock

I think this is a stegosaurus

Tuesday we took things a little slower.  Not.  We woke up at 4:30 in the morning to hike Mt. Bierstadt (elevation 14,060 ft.).  We got to the trail (or rather where the road became impassible) at about 7:00am, then hiked for three and a half hours and reached the summit at 10:30.  It was a beautiful hike, though a little (a lot) windy near the top.  This was the highest I have ever been.  I think the hardest part was breathing.  Did I mention that there is no oxygen in this state?  Well there is even less at the top of one of those mountains.  The descent was an adventure in itself.  The sun had softened the snow considerably, so at one moment I was walking along, and the next moment my foot had sunk through the snow up to my hip!  I felt like a backwards Jack-in-the-Box.  My shins are still covered in bruises.  This was one of those hikes that I’m glad I did, but I’m glad I am done.  Here are some pictures from the trip.

I really like the clouds in this picture 

At the summit! Elevation 14,060 ft.

We hiked the peak on the right.
At this point we had reached the trailhead coming down
but still had a mile and a half to go to reach the car.
Both of us were ready to be done with the 9-10 mile walk.

The following day we actually did take it easy.  There was also a snowstorm so a lazy day was warranted in my opinion.  Also I was exhausted.  It was… different to experience full summer for three days, then full winter for the next three, and finally a day of spring before I had to go home.  I got a good deal, three seasons in only a week!

Thursday was my favorite day.  We took a tour of Celestial Seasonings (I really like tea).  Then we hiked the Flatirons.  This hike was enjoyable the entire time!  I got to play in the snow and there was a great view from the top!

All dark and ominous looking... 

... It turned into a beautiful day!

The Royal Arch!
I find this picture funny because we both look like we are trying way too hard to smile.
I really did have a great time though!

Mammal!  Chipmunk = Tamias

Aidan behind bars

I planned the jailbreak

We saw some Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) on the way home!

The night ended with line dancing.  Oh my goodness.  It took a little getting used to but I had a good time!

Sooner or later all roads lead to Alaska.  At least any road that you will find me on will.  And thus the next day it was time to return home.  I really didn’t like leaving all too much, but I hope to return to Colorado again one day.  And I’m sure that I will have many more adventures to write about in the coming year.