Boulder Paths Run

We ended up with 22" per the Boulder newspaper - not a good day to run the trails. With 3 plows dedicated to the bike and multi-use paths I decided to run an out-and-back to a park in West Boulder (Eben G Fine)

Started at Stazios ballfields. That's Xcel Energy behind



After taking a wrong turn after 0.1 miles and not exactly finding my way I took a water break



The main paths were dry. I need to get bike - maybe even with a little basket to carry beer and stuff



Scott Carpernter Park (where Hud went swimming in the pool last fall) was crowded with folks sledding



A few nice pics near the park on Boulder Creek path





A nice shot looking back at the Flatirons nearing the end of the run

White Rocks & Lots of Snow

So - how is my training going? Good, thanks for asking. Here is a recent pic of me



Haha! Just kidding - that's the great Mikka Kipprusoff of the Calgary Flames (with Dion Phanuef, now the captain of Toronto). Mikka is one of the stars on my 1st place Fantasy Hockey Team. This is a great photo. "Hey, Dion, what's the stripper saying?" Hahaha!

Particularly excellent sunrise last weekend



Sunday we went to White Rocks in Golden. This Front Range area is amazing for trails







Particularly excellent sunset this week. I should really plan on being on top a mountain some evening with a camera. It goes so quickly - lasts minutes (from the porch)



We did get 12" - 16" of snow overnight and this morning



Kind of disappointed - so many trails had become dry and clear. On the plus side, the flatirons had become a disaster - dangerous icy patches but not enough to have microspikes on. Now, with all the snow one could wear microspikes the entire time



The only problem is that today there sure was a lot of snow not yet packed down (poor showing by all those "elite" runners). The snow was sand-like as well. Still, a good time and came across a few folks





The only other update is we are heading to Seattle for TBD at the end of the month with the usual stop in Utah. Maybe have a few pints

Green Mountain & Teller Farms

Boulder's outdoor rink downtown



After his fight Thursday, took Hudson up Green Mountain on Friday. The summit was covered in clouds





Pics from a super sunny and very cool & breezy run through Teller Farms









Sunset

Sunrise

A beautiful but cold morning. Hudson and I ran up Mount Sanitas as the sun was rising

Cherry Creek & Dry Creek

Went to Denver Tuesday to catch up with Mike Kirk over lunch and a smoothie. Went to Cherry Creek State Park - my running home in 2011 from February through early June. A few pics - as nice as it was





Chubby Prairie Dog



Pics from Dry Creek this morning

Moon high in the sky at sunrise

Dry Creek & Green Mountain West on a Windy Friday

Today was a tough day at work for a few reasons: I had to write six annual reviews for my team (boredom but important) and I was hung over (not exactly - just groggy with the taste of whiskey lingering)

Started off taking Hudson to Dry Creek - great sunrise to the east and alpenglow on the Indian Peaks to the west





Here is 10 seconds of trying to keep pace with Hud



After the first 3 reviews were done I took a break and we drove up Flagstaff Road to Green Mountain West to summit Green Mountain - Hud's 4th time

Great view of Bear / saddle / South Boulder



Here is 16 seconds of Hud on the trail. This was a good section - many section had pretty deep drifts



On the very windy summit

Six Months

Sunrise yesterday from the summit of Mount Sanitas



I have an office now here at the Boulder rental as the owner moved her stuff out. It's nice - instead of working in the dark basement I can look outside. It definitely helps pass the time on calls. The neighbour's cat is particularly amusing



So - yesterday at 9:55pm MST was 6 months since my last cigarette. Thus I won:

- $500 cash
- $100 bottle of good whiskey
- A night of drinking / talking the Vancouver Canucks with my Chicago pal in Denver
- A smoothie

Could not have done it without Scott Anderson back in Seattle

Today it snowed so Hudson and I got out early before the inevitable auto accidents during the morning commute. He was able to do his first summit of Mount Sanitas (he blends in - especially the second pic)

Hogback & Bear Peak

Views from Hogback Ridge trail on Thursday





Later that night - spooky clouds



Views from Bear Peak on Friday







Thankfully we have microspikes - otherwise the icy trail would be sketchy



Haha! Santa brought us a book on Rocky Mountain scat and tracks. I'll need to check this out. Haha!