Thanksgiving in CO

Happy Thanksgiving all! So, it has been quite some time since I last posted. Basically, I have been snowboarding, skiing, or working in the past couple of weeks. My managers and owners at the shop I work at are simply the best. They work out schedule so that we can get on the mountain as much as possible. The mountain has slowly been opening up, piece by piece, which is going to help spread out all the damn Texans on the slopes (seriously, they have invaded Breckenridge).
Anywho, I am having my morning cup of coffee before I get on the hill this morning (texans don't like to get up early). After a couple of laps I am off to Salida to have Thanksgiving with a friend and her family.
I hope everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving.
(I'll work on taking more pictures).

Rock Climbing Adventure

Today, an unexpected adventure presented itself. My roommate, Stuss, asked if I wanted to go rock climbing in Boulder- more specifically the Third Flatiron. Having absolutely no experience, I agreed. Went through a quick 101 lesson before and off we went. He led and I followed- taking turns belaying and climbing. For seasoned rock climbers its considered a pretty easy climb, but this being my first climb ever- I was terrified. Made it up without any problems after 5 pitches and about 4 hours. Once at the top I learned how to rapell (a 40 foot, two 75 footers off the back). Overall, learning experience. Enjoy the pics.
I start work tomorrow so that should be a whole nother adventure to begin!

Halloween in Durango

I am back in Breckenridge after spending Halloween in Durango, Colorado. The weekend started out ridiculous with the drive down. I had to go over Red Mountain Pass in a winter storm and it turned out to be real sketchy (sorry Mom!), but 4 wheel drive saved the day. Anywho, once in Durango I met up with my friend and met all her roommates and friends. Quite the cast of characters. I have forgotten what it was like to be in college again. Had a great time, and met some really great people. Now I am back in Breck and have a week to go before work starts. I imagine I'll hit up A-Basin once or twice this week and other than that just be hanging around.
The first picture of the San Juan mountains on my way back to Breck from Durango and the second is the construction of the Koolaid man (which I was for Halloween). Enjoy!

Breckenridge- getting settled

It's about 10 in the morning here in Breckenridge. I am drinking my morning cup of coffee in the house I'm living at and watching the snow fall outside. We are scheduled to get up to 32 inches or something absurd like that. It's awesome. I spent yesterday snowboarding at A-Basin. Only two runs open, you can't beat getting on the slopes in October. Today I am headed down to Durango to see a friend and hang out for the greatest of all holidays: Halloween. Should be a scenic drive. I would have put on some new pics but I'm feeling rather lazy this morning so I will post them another time. Cheers!

Grinnell, Iowa and another 1000 miles

Hello hello from lovely Fort Collins, Colorado. It's about 55, sunny, and I can see snow on the mountains to the west. Conditions are pretty great. I rolled into town about an hour ago and found a coffee shop to hold up at for a little while. Two nights ago I met up with my buddy, Drake, in Grinnell Iowa. Had some, beers and laughs. Actually, one too many beers because I was a bit hungover the next day so we went to the house he was house-sitting and ate pizza and watched crappy TV until I hit the road around 3 in the afternoon. Spent last night at a rest stop in GodsCountry Nebraska. Started snowing pretty hard and I really didn't feel like driving anymore so I figured a night's rest could do me good. I am headed to REI today to pick up my season ski pass (YEEEEEWHOOOOO!) and then bumming around until the opera show at 7:30. I talked a friend of mine who is coming for the show as well- hopefully meet up with and grab dinner.
That's about it for now. The plan is to stay here for the night and then on to meet my roommates in Breckenridge tomorrow. Cheers!

Chicago Marathon, garage work, and a Hawks win

Looking at my last post, it's been quite some time since I've posted anything. For the most part I have been enjoying some down time at home just generally relaxing. Two Sundays ago I had to run the marathon that I had signed up to do 6 months prior, cursing myself the entire time. Met up with a bunch of good buddies from high school and went to the starting line. We all started out together but about half way through there were four of us (me, Rees, Kevin, and Sam). We kept a great pace throughout the entire race and ended up running faster during the second half (how I don't quite know). We ended up running the marathon in 4 hours and 34 minutes, which is around 10:25 each mile. No land speed records, but we started and finished it together- something to be said about that. After the race I made my way to a friends place downtown and we all celebrated finishing the marathon.
The day after I was recruited by my buddy, Ned, to help paint a garage. After about 20 hours of work in 30 hours we were told by the homeowner we had screwed up the job. Whoops. Hopefully I can get some pictures from Ned to show our handy work.
The days after the marathon and the garage were spent rather lazily (which I think I deserved), until this weekend when I went up to Madison to root on the Hawks. We ended up winning by 10 and I had a great time tailgating with an old friend and meeting a whole bunch of new people.
As for now, I am slowly gathering my belongings and getting organized for my return to Colorado. I am scheduled to leave on Wednesday and stay with my friend, Drake, in Grinnell Iowa. After that I am hoping to meet up with friends in Fort Collins, Colorado for an (believe it or not) opera show that a guy we know is starring in. Should be a hilarious awesome time if I can make it. More updates to follow.

Back in Crystal Lake

Well, 3500 miles later I made it back home. After a quick trip to Ann Arbor for some lunch with friends and a night in Grand Rapids, my unexpected east coast road trip has come to an end. It's hard to believe that I knew people everywhere I went- really nice to have friends all over the country. My days are a little less hectic now and filled with soooo much food. I am currently trying to train for the Chicago Marathon (I have done little to no training) in hopes of just finishing, which will prove to be difficult enough.
As for the winter- I am counting down the days till I arrive back in Colorado. I have a place to live and a job to go to when I'm back out there so all systems are ready to go for the winter. I could not be more excited.