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The last backpack trip of the season.
I'm not going to try for any more. The last trip of the season was brutal enough. No more trying to trek through fresh snow or 50mph winds at 12,000 feet. I think we had enough of that on our last trip of the year, up to Forest Lakes, and then along the Divide to Rodgers Pass, and back to the East Portal. Terry, Matt, Wendy and I enjoyed an afternoon walk up to Forest Lakes where we found scenic camp sites with lake views and listened to the wind pick up. It blew all night long again, just like last weekend. At 4am, after too much wind induced loss of sleep, I finally took down the tarp and enjoyed a windy few hours of sleep. Then it was up to the Divide on a fun climb up a nice ridge just past the Forest Lakes Trailhead into the wind; all fifty miles per hour of it. As soon as we crested the Divide we could no longer talk, we couldn't hear each other. We had to lean into the wind to walk. Wendy lost her hat. We finally left the Divide for the calmer terrain down at the Rollins Pass road and were able to relax and enjoy a pleasant walk to Rodgers Pass. An hour break at Rodgers Lake and 2 hours back to the East Portal finished up the season with challenging and rewarding hike. There will be more hikes before ski season, but no more back packing trips. It's sad to see the season end. There's something so special about spending the weekend hiking 20-30 miles, the night outside, and the escape from all the civilization that surrounds us everyday. But it's nice to think back on all of the summer's weekend hikes and exciting to think about next year's, but sad none the less to see another season end.

A weekend in Boulder
My Father and Leslie arrived on Thursday night, Laura and Sameer on Friday night, and the snow early Saturday morning, for a wintry, gray weekend in Boulder. But despite the cold, early winter, we had a great weekend. I cooked for every one on Friday night and then the drinks flowed. I cooked again for breakfast on Saturday morning and we then wandered downtown to poke around. Nothing much was happening, so after an appetizer and drinks it was back home briefly then out for a fine dinner at the Med. Laura, Sameer, Wendy and I talked of going to a local dive bar, The Outback, for a night cap, seeing as it is a short walk away and Wendy and I have never been, but we didn't make it. Another breakfast was cooked for the family, followed by an icy hike at Chautauqua, and after a quick snack, and a nap, dinner at Bacaru. Whew. After all that eating and drinking a return to the daily grind of work and exercise was much needed, but it sure was a great visit from the Family. I can't wait for Christmas...

Another windy day
It seems like every time we've tried to go up high this fall the winds have been too much. Sunday's hike was no exception, except that Wendy wasn't there for the suffering. I knew it would be windy, and started to notice the winds on highway 36 north of town, and above tree line they were fierce; sustained 30mph winds with stronger gusts, gusts that made me crouch down for stability. The winds were too fierce to properly climb to the long, mellow summit of Battle Mountain. So I skirted around the northern end, with the wind at my back. Upon coming around to the north side I was finally in the lee of the wind and could relax. It's so hard to relax at 11,600 feet with constant 30mph winds. After leaving the wind, I now had to bush whack through wind blown snow deposited among small spruce trees. I was nervous about how deep some of the snow wells would be, especially since I had no snow shoes, choosing to leave them in the car; but I was able to pick my way down, staying away from the hidden traps of the trees, while maintaining footing on sturdier snow. Eventually I arrived at Storm Pass where a long over due lunch break was had. From Storm Pass it was a calm 4 miles back to the car on well maintained National Park trail. I only saw one other person on the hike, which was surprising for being in the park on such a warm Sunday. The proper loop over Battle Mountain is a hike I'll have to come back to visit on a less windy day.

I almost wasn't in the mood...
Halloween came and went and Wendy and I put on a good show. Originally I had a different idea, but she suggested we go as figure skaters, and well, it just worked out. Everything was purchased cheaply including the skates and we got a lot of comments on our costume. At work they even said I out did last year's Randy the Macho Man Savage costume, but I don't agree. But I almost wasn't in the mood, with a very stressful time at work, that entailed working 7 hours both Saturday and Sunday, but I'm glad I did; as getting out really helped, and how could I miss Halloween? We pedaled to Pearl Street, caught the 9PM thirller showing, then up to Steve Lowtwait's for a bit, and then out to Throcko's where the Chaos crowd was at. As usual Wendy and I were the last to leave the party, and after a nice end of Day Light Savings time extra hour of sleep, it was back to work, but not before a quick hike. I can't spend these sunny 60 degree November days entirely indoors...

The third annual trek
Once again it was that time of the year, early November, time for our third annual Eldorado Mountain bushwhack. Unlike last year we had a small group of only five people. Also unlike last year a heavy snow only last week make the hike a bit slower. Last year we were back at the cars by 3:30 if I recall, this year we were back at 4:30. Trying to find your way around a snow bank hiding sharp rocks slows you down. But the hike was still amazing, no one around, lots of scrambling, quiet forests, and more scrambling. Also unlike last, but a bit like the year before, we had some trouble finding the descent ridge, but after some deep snow it was found. And we continued our scramble down the north ridge, enjoying the sunshine. With haste we departed and Wendy and I made it to the Boulder Theater just in time to catch the beginning of the new Warren Miller flick, but we were too late to score seats, which was a bit uncomfortable after another fun visit to Eldorado Mountain.

Bathroom #2, Phase 1
Having honed our skills on the first bathroom last fall and winter, it was time to start on the second one. After a wonderful Thanksgiving we did our part on Black Friday and picked up $600 worth of gear at Home Depot. With the provisions provisioned, we were ready and began by removing the old mirror and light and Formica counter top. The vanity was refinished and the walls repainted. After assembling the vanity, the granite was glued down, faucet assembled, light bar installed, and mirror hung. Later that afternoon the water was turned back on and all that was left were the towel racks. The dreaded towel racks. But just as everything else was easier the second time around, so too were the towel racks, with the most difficult one sliding into the mounts on the wall the first time. Amazing. And with the last, supposedly most difficult towel rack installed, phase one of the rehab of our second bathroom was done. In the next few months we'll embark on phase two, the removal of some carpet and linoleum, and installation of some tile. Stay tuned..!

Another yule tide visit
Wendy and I missed Christmas in New York last year, this year we made it back. On Wednesday night the Grunthals met the DiLorenzos, Chiappe, and Vadnais over a wonderful dinner in Rhinebeck at the Beekman Arms, America's oldest continuously operated hotel. A fine time was had by all and by far the best line of the night was when my Father remarked "Now you know why we're divorced" in response to my Mother questioning one of his stories. After dinner we left the Grunthals and continued north to East Greenbush with my Mother and Bill. Another lazy day passed and we headed over to my Aunt's for Christmas Eve where we had a fine roast and enjoyed a riveting game of Apples to Apples. Christmas morning came and presents were opened after which we headed over to my Fathers where Bruce, Laurie and Dillon had already arrived. After appetizers they left and shortly after Sondra, Avery and Allie arrived. Sameer and I played with Avery's Leggos, not really allowing Avery to play, and then it was time for Kirby's World Famous Egg Plant. After dinner a short EG reunion was had at Yips with Brendan and Chip in attendance, among others. The next morning Wendy and I took an early train back to Westchester where we spent the day at Nicola's where she served us an amazing Shabat Lunch. After a fine night at Peter and Susan's watching a cheesy Jennifer Aniston movie I probably shouldn't mention, it was time for the Engagement Brunch! Peter and Susan invited 20-30 of their friends over to the house and prepared a fine brunch for all. After the brunch it was back to Laguardia where my flight arrived nearly 45 minutes earlier than schedule in Denver, which rounded out a great, relaxing trip back home for the Holidays!