tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34846305687247149222024-02-20T05:56:51.208-08:00Cache moneyBurrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-60672881560451849162011-01-02T08:04:00.000-08:002011-01-02T11:32:44.938-08:002010 Year in Food!Here it is, the much anticipated 2010 Year In Food! Lets get right to the delicious and dirty!<br /><br />Quantity:<br />272 times eating out in 104 different places: 26 breakfast, 116 lunch and 130 supper<br /><br />This was not my best eating year. Having a baby made faster/easier meals a priority and losing a job with some travel and an expense account limited some of the places I visited. So we will start out with where I ate most. It looked like with the addition of a breakfast value menu and Frappes that McDonalds would win for the year. And I ate there 22 times in 2010. And I don’t include stops for just coffee or McDonalds would have been #1 and Starbucks #3. But alas the stars aligned for my favorite fast food restaurant and the last 3 months of the year I had numerous Taco Bell cravings and the year ended with a Taco Bell opening right near our house. 30 trips total.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557634090487638722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiWceyZXcK6Q-omY2F-5i7BjrH5clT2fArDLFyHySzlupYDur0XqoVPv2tNV4x3VvpK8V59xHvzJp0IXIsEv3VeNMGxqbY8hULswPa_d1PLsHaC0faVe1VQ4WvZXxi9ZSJaBRbM_33UO7/s400/011.JPG" />Taco Bell: 30 I am still the same ol’ me!<br />McDonalds: 22 I’ve eaten at McDonalds for as little as $1.06.<br />Dry Bean: 14 We played weekly trivia games there during happy hour, I wouldn’t recommend actually eating here.<br />Great Dane: 13 A favorite of inlaws and friends alike<br />Qdoba: 8 Currently the best burritos in Madison after my favorite place went out of business.<br />Honorable mention goes to Dunkin Donuts which I probably visited 10 times but many were coffee only, Taqueria Guanajuanto (best burritos in town) and Bandit Burrito (3 visits for a pla ce 4 hours away.)<br /><br />Here are the best places I’ve eaten in 2010. To be eligible for the food of the year you had to not be food of the year in the past and you had to totally kick ass! Here’s a rundown of past food of the year winners:<br />2007 we had co-winners. Mother Bear’s Pizza in Bloomington, IN is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. Unfortunately we don’t really have as many reasons to head to Bloomington anymore so in 2010 I didn’t make it once. Rough. The other co-winner is in Breckenridge, CO and I went twice this summer. Empire Burger has the best nachos ever and one of the top 5 burgers. Pretty clutch!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630015440846562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiep_iPR5vE34W2UtvxnUTy42T52AoPhP4o3ufP5ZEyG28B1wbIpktifzHjnszMNctBHlIV9GDUax53m7lr5zWUr4LuW-UGfFY_vpH2LGxuNXd8PHALfwAyDOyaGboyavGbiHucppKzaHpT/s400/100.JPG" />2008 while stopping at a Sonic Restaurant in Des Moines, IA we noticed a little burrito place next door called Bandit Burrito. The menu looked awesome but we had already eaten but marked it down for future reference. The rest is history as it became my single favorite place to eat. Best burritos in the world made from quality fresh ingredients, great prices, outstanding owner and great service. A home run! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625781534070146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO9cHp8QyuoGr2vBtfc-q6YF9QZIRYsomEBxYETGu0uVG8gd2I-o8HWAJz6O7sRQan2TlxOp-Xnjx8BesGeoEkkhbyWiyMz5BRr33r1hqHr-J2x3gHgSOLczw05UWjc-Zlp_U9unY26Rs/s400/002.JPG" /><br />2009 marked the Man V Food era. And it made me strive to visit places I’ve seen on the show whenever possible. And I visited 8 of those places last year. And nothing stood out to me more than the breakfast tacos I had at Jack N Grill. So good we went back in 2010. Roasted green chilis are for real and I am sad no one really serves them in Madison.<br />So in 2010 you can eliminate Bandit Burrito, Empire Burger and Jack N Grill from the running (and Mother Bear’s but we didn’t even visit) but this year’s choice is definitely on par with these can’t-miss establishments. In 2010 the single best thing I ate was once again breakfast, but this year it was Donuts. Top Pot Doughnuts in Seattle, WA is a can’t miss! The donuts are larger than normal but that’s not the appeal. I can’t really explain it but the donuts here are just better than anything else. Quality ingredients make the donuts more expensive but they are more than worth it. They take pride in making the best donuts possible and it shows. In fact it has kind of ruined other donuts for me as these are so good it shows me how average any other donut I’ve ever eaten is. I tried 4 different donuts in 2 trips and I’d rank those as the 4 best donuts I’ve ever had! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625755720238674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaVtoVnz0PooJKYOxMTwcgM37UQsZLCYg86gVMjJGDgsN_dTqN81-P8zfiF7I4O67WN9xw6D_Fm3IpD9Z5jcyCUFzBx0FTpvFbwYELazKbd7yunyPniEmOcT4EoK80816QY_mKQjecv5w/s400/200.JPG" />Top Pot has been featured on many shows including Donut Paradise. We visited another popular dount place (Voodoo Donuts in Portland, OR) a couple days later and I am certain the donuts would’ve been great had I not just had Top Pot.<br />Man V Food rankings for 2010<br />1. Cherry Cricket (Denver, CO)– My #3 MVF location last year, I just ordered better this year. Second best burger I’ve ever had (Bartley’s Burger Cottage in Cambridge, MA is #1.)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630001678572738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe1QoH3g3KI-IyoSukMwgWfxaHm_9Yf42ExQfmH1aV7TekPFHn8iuyVp7mslYZEF1qCjql_urkqEOPnvl7POlafdE9cUSK70IFcwgBPq1leIcBInebrOAhUUZ1NnPcdnMsNYpV2CsaFzx/s400/022.JPG" />2. Jethros (Des Moines, IA)- - It wasn’t featured on MVF until this year but has been a favorite since last year. Perhaps the best complete meal I had in 2010 and Nina’s first meat was pork from Jethros. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557632866896320274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZ5E6Agl0qZTm_JT1YeKYB-nHMA1y_mR6Hy_lxf-AT1VuRQioktPTRljl2Owv9-qyaAdltwlhCE9skZVpD3XFt2VEeeA9hLDlUdgdmLiX26Yt6Py0sN6O0-jjCX-fM2my9wQhhSY6Jy4l/s400/133.JPG" /><br />3. Jack N Grill (Denver, CO)- All the hype in my mind but my breakfast tacos weren’t quite as good as last year. They messed up my order and the fix wasn’t great. Don’t get me wrong, still one of the top 5 meals I had in 2010. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630005369243762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xl-UadgwTgxwqTqwtBQP1SxxTrRl2oQfhh4a91WcL-W8c4LFc_h-xWt2nn-fkEsgkOS7_4RP2TlJpZc2Bkwwm4sFJV6Tr-wHyu9tQDHC8GQZdd0T44M4VLmZGNV0kY3b4cIKhg4QVE0d/s400/036.JPG" /><br />4. Red Mill (Seattle, WA)- The way burgers should be. Red Mill is a Top 5 burger.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557622114780378338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhatvBixWlsn6WUBFXT0c3XgbyScg36DwuOQXdsJ2KaX9qpGTkSNe8ssWb-jDSt7Mq4WcG7cSmwYdEUyK7vJHdnmikB8xdfYeNCBFieL1lA3ti47RtRU9JEt1Kh4rBsgWpOV-xwYBKXNqs/s400/058.JPG" />5. High Life Lounge (Des Moines, IA)- Take a tater tot and a jalapeño piece, wrap in bacon, repeat a bunch of times, smother with cheese and serve with ranch. Is this heaven? No this is Iowa. My entrée was only ok but I took a risk, other entrees looked better. 5th place out of 9 might not seem like a good number but it was in the top 10 of over 100 places I ate at overall!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557632858480749714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrlufDcIzS4DoOvwZ9uwxhZBZV8XiSVvxZ4fpvjRDUDyTYA3XDu1PO0OhkkydXfDndFuyl2JZpb-hIh7UIKjQiqZyLg76ZoaP4bOQzq1YkVu4xJNXQwa4NDtzgQlBw_BmxUM5xqBVNOAM/s400/034.JPG" />6. 5-8 Club (Minneapolis, MN)- More hype than substance. Burgers weren’t as big as I would’ve liked and having cheese in the middle didn’t make it seem extra-cheesy. Don’t get me wrong it was still very good and I’d go back, I’d just order cheese in the middle and cheese on top. Oh yeah and awesome onion rings! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557639273583314290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHSCQ88c9m-13s-qVJVVxhfz6sPLnmgytY4pm3ZR-4Fd6FaiEcC46e21psUCZtYwUkxeP0rulMtgE2UHhAT0pHMwVdY5xiGN76De6P45O2pIbuqJnZt5EvIaJWPhEBZqioY6BAe2dN8Yx/s400/132.JPG" /><br />7. Beth’s Café (Seattle, WA)- There big draw is items made with eggs but I hate eggs. Solid breakfast place nonetheless with hashbrown scrambles that have no eggs.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557622120655303938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaac7XMoJdq1-bkX7Lc49M_ZuVcNtictK-ip9WyyZncIrD9USjz6HCfXcIt2Z2ZXgRZiupg1PCOfoTkJmmXB76Aj9K86YEFMlc2h2W9t71vjQGus4FtQWkAGJ7t8eOMsPVEVZo32v8i1-o/s400/092.JPG" />8. Voodoo Donuts (Portland, OR)- We went in the late morning which didn’t help but they were out of many donuts. Tried some weird ones and some standard ones. I will try again if I visit Portland again but the donuts were very average. Fun place to go once though. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625767910073458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNg8IkgsRS-Uo8VY8Ry0D8oaP42q9MQzJYI12cmkwG0MVXqmAI72pt4s1tDTwTRL75b644Qt8S7PC5B9nc9vF0nVEydtICMfftyoWKCqzuTs5zvn80xUVjrAqFormDh6eaBV6V4XMDMMg/s400/284.JPG" /><br />9. Quaker Steak (Middleton, WI)- Featured on the Pittsburgh show we have one in Madison. And it gets a little less good each visit. Especially this visit (our only one of the year) as they introduced boneless wings. Terrible. I’d rather have Tyson boneless wings warmed up in a toaster oven. Jess only eats boneless wings so we haven’t went back, but normally they have decent wings and burgers.<br />Other solid places I ate at in 2010 include:<br />-Portilos (all over the Chicago area)- The best Italian Beef sandwich I’ve had and top notch hot dogs. Did I mention that they use a piece of chocolate cake in each one of their milkshakes? Great comfort food! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557632883278320530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhnioxUbh0pwWcC4n4xC2IzeQkukZWoP_YPvZ3GnycY6Sv-NNmT4v8MyBNGlLviIq6mbV1hWAPEDqS0dpsKBb1gs6nz8hK0bWBnKAAGc5q_hRrMx9XloEau7X7yd-y5KpeUtP_IjWlZWE/s400/039.JPG" /><br />-Dotty’s (Madison, WI)- The best food in Madison with a Top 5 burger (Melting Pot Burger is my choice but with a patty like this, whatever floats your boat works) and the best cheese curds you will find.<br />-Downstairs at Eric’s (Breckenridge, CO)- I’ve eaten here before and it was decent but it seemed to get better this trip. Tons of options makes everyone in your party happy!<br />-Hurricane Wings (Winter Haven, FL)- Wings that rank up there with Buffalo Wild Wings but the real sale to me was the homemade chips with a bleu cheese jalapeño dip. One of the best things I put in my mouth all year!<br />-Pizza Ranch (Baraboo, WI)- I’ve been meaning to try this place for years and we finally did…twice! I realize buffets are for everyone but I love this one. Above average chain pizza (the pizza is a Pizza Hut clone, just a bit better) with a full salad bar. Best dessert pizza. The kicker? On the buffet is awesome fried chicken, with mashed potatoes (both creamy and a loaded cheese and bacon version) with all of the other sides you crave.<br /><br />-Comeback of the year: It’s hard to argue with Taco Bell and the new $.99 chicken burrito. 2 of these cravable burritos made for a great (and healthy by fast food standards) lunch for just over 2 bucks with tax. Honorable mention: Dunkin Donuts<br /><br />-Worst of the year: Three definite candidates but I can’t decide so I am going with all three. Big Red’s Cheesesteaks in Madison says it’s authentic right in the title. If this is authentic I am not interested in visiting Philly anytime soon. Rainin’ Ribs in Seattle is a tent on the lake. I just felt weird the whole time I was there, the food wasn’t bad but wasn’t that good either. Pappy’s Grill in Lakeland FL. I made my parents go 40 minutes each way to eat here. They didn’t have anything that people were talking about on the internet and the food was slightly below average.<br />-Most unique dining experience: I sure didn’t go to any place like Casa Bonita or the Old Salty Dog in 2010. Jess and I did however go to the Epcot Food & Wine festival this year. And we ate and drank our way around the Epcot World Showcase! Totally awesome! HM: High Life Lounge<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557632872689055138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObG9nb6-BBIYrNNb1JxZl_H98cNnZCs5mOpzLTEIqfbReXNfdpESETVmIp9M2bLXcoCoG7GtMde7ph8Mo9qcl9NNWKXh4rgAfiTHKCN0NsbOmoU_1K9piHYSe37170sEt_V5bh0RKva9b/s400/066.JPG" /><br />Best New Madison Chain: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop- I went twice, once it was awesome and once it was decent. I could see myself going 2-3 times a year or more depending on what they offer.<br /><div>Food Notes:</div><br /><div>-Only one Waffle House Trip this year....but a good one! 11/12/2010. Nina's favorite food? Waffles!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557632877451684226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHnYrxq-2yxYg8hP2jb0p9o933xzKPKE2yDQWLfEB-5sNJ0hsEd8WNpkm_SNQKEN6FfheDUtGckdRVa9AdKqSYh6do4HOP1BNGA8pTZzx01NerhTPqfCGgvG_H4zbun_2TTeSpy3Ru3-R/s400/239.JPG" />-Nina's first year included her first trip to Daylight Donuts! A Breckenridge must and one of the three best places I've been to for donuts!<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630022274466658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham2M3W7qEPgfGcC5hCbHQBUI7PsXIDB2AQ3fwwlyppQz4oSD2dXj2KM-qNelE0qIqPB8xa1xoX3Hv4x1vAEIDXdZZcOj90rNKHxB1ygrRcjux3B-AC9EjodXoOECShHx6wAaWkDcW66I1/s400/104.JPG" /> -Oh how the mighty have fallen. Sonic is almost 2 years old in Madison but I don't know if it will even survive the winter. The novelty is gone and it is almost forgotten. The Java Chillers are definitely the way to go and the breakfast is solid. But the food is worse than Culvers (which I am not a huge fan of anyways) and the location is weird (for me and most.) <div><div>-Only a couple visits each to Sonic, Chilis and Abuelos. Past favorites have just kind of went downhill.<br /><br /><div>-2010 the year of the donut! These cider donuts from the Des Moines farmers' market is the best donut east of Seattle! Seriously, take a summer weekend trip to Des Moines already!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557629999561142578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOwmkvv9gdNtwdnnyfvw8ycBFvNOFjULtKbH6niboxLhCpOk6HYXSXprQrIivpaoeo3MU-Ga9OD34ivpezKuDbHvmxWfWLzVzgSojsv_fopDR47t2oUFIjXDEu562b7Nr9qHJUXhST7LF/s400/010.JPG" />-2010 was also the year for coffee. Record amounts of Starbucks visits for sure.</div><div>-A sad year for Red Robin. Their first restaurant ever in Seattle closed. Nina was sad that they shuttered their doors before she even got a chance.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557639985314955266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa9zDbQRs9OPAFh2LgDDywqfnmYungJX_cDsvLVxTihVAxVl03Fgxh7HYlA86h_UH53WInNp97_QOeq-cPIV8OZxyw4v0bMzgjM7bQHI9F0PEHijtr7IE8MvSEtTtj0PZy0f4nM1bamJU/s400/219.JPG" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>-I don't really have a total number for wineries I visited this year (over a dozen) it was definitely the best wine year we've ever had!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj439Pnc3cTSsdI8sxQYS9qn4yJWrjc3pjeRJ9-2x8YWHoatvohT-ZUqHuIHG9LtMMfPUQPL3o5bZJ08ZFLt87_FAQmIT3j27tSdM_fFEBN-eDrCrl4_8V5aMX5fhFKbQVTVnbAPfY69RR7/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557622111944398098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj439Pnc3cTSsdI8sxQYS9qn4yJWrjc3pjeRJ9-2x8YWHoatvohT-ZUqHuIHG9LtMMfPUQPL3o5bZJ08ZFLt87_FAQmIT3j27tSdM_fFEBN-eDrCrl4_8V5aMX5fhFKbQVTVnbAPfY69RR7/s400/026.JPG" /></a><br />-Dave & Busters now in Milwaukee! Best Cheesesteak around!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVhXUNvuV_Z2X18yLRInRmNbut-NBLUNTFnA7b2T7dd4WHPb9WGQ4VgnJNHyFqcisH-hgAoz0kJz69xzwgg0QB8zcvThL-ybVq-2GSq01EtJ_K8b2rldWyycxuugiwvhnNIduK3LBEhyb/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557622106479147810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVhXUNvuV_Z2X18yLRInRmNbut-NBLUNTFnA7b2T7dd4WHPb9WGQ4VgnJNHyFqcisH-hgAoz0kJz69xzwgg0QB8zcvThL-ybVq-2GSq01EtJ_K8b2rldWyycxuugiwvhnNIduK3LBEhyb/s400/033.JPG" /></a> -I miss you Taqueria Guanajuanto. Biggest burritos in town. Not very mexican tasting with limited spices but tasted mostly like a cheesesteak burrito. And even too filling for me!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7RlbvBgS6u5EjaVNU3tf8HA5Q9PpwsqcLmvSlsmxFpk6bcM1FPiCXWyGmm7VbieAFu4cKeWAG8KNL43cZabgOHpa5qBk4CU_zL_gGwjzK6a3l4fjCkl2YIWam8a-uZfze_O5bhUD95hr/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557622100412534658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7RlbvBgS6u5EjaVNU3tf8HA5Q9PpwsqcLmvSlsmxFpk6bcM1FPiCXWyGmm7VbieAFu4cKeWAG8KNL43cZabgOHpa5qBk4CU_zL_gGwjzK6a3l4fjCkl2YIWam8a-uZfze_O5bhUD95hr/s400/022.JPG" /></a> 2011 is now here and these are the trends I'd like to see in my diet!</div><div>-I weigh the same as I did last year at this time although I lost weight in the summer and gained it back in the fall. I'd like to weigh less next year. Which means:</div><div>-I'd like to eat out less in 2011. Physically inactivity and diet have snowballed with a few nagging injuries I've had for the past 3-4 years. But this year it needs to end</div><div>-I'd like to get a lot more local. I feel Madison is an extrememly overrated food city but this year I want to check out other peoples' favorites and see what's good and bad about Madison food. What are your favorite places and why?</div><div>-Experts are predicting that value menus at fast food places will start fading away. As will me eating at those places if that is true. I eat fast food because it is cheap.</div><div></div><div>Thanks for reading! Hope you had a great 2010 of eating and that 2011 satisfies your appetite! </div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-50676217664851404392010-08-20T08:05:00.001-07:002010-08-20T09:04:03.449-07:00Grays and Torreys Peaks 7.24.10<span xmlns="">After climbing Mt Sherman (see below) I felt tired and my body didn't seem right for a couple days. I think it was a lot of things (the drive out with a 5mo old baby, hot temps on the way out, bad diet, altitude, being out of shape, etc.) but I finally felt pretty dialed by Wednesday of our trip (we arrived on Sunday afternoon.) Which is good, because on Wednesday it was time for a 14er double, Grays and Torreys, and this was to be pretty much the defining event of the whole trip.We got up around 4am and at 4:30 my mother-in-law (bless her heart) came over to watch Nina so we could head out. Yes, we, as in Jess and I! It was Jess' first <a href="http://www.14ers.com/">14er</a> and 5 months after a c-section so I was a little worried that she would hate it or not be able to do it. It was a dark drive from Breckenridge, through the Eisenhower tunnel and down to the trailhead which was at the end of 4 miles of dirt road which only bottomed out the Avalon 2-3 times. We were at the trailhead by 5:15 or so and out hiking very soon afterward. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507521247442809346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc1atz86rSiY5UifqLdPBwBybrlHeNEAx2MbJiHsnO7oruOk-mq1J1YM4fqycXjq7DZKPJlpwSBqKSXVVGcWqpxTf9BZ1YGPXSG2N4NnGrKNi8pY-gCuCTLpbdOV30XzR4DrvIZ_umR-0/s400/149.JPG" /></span><br /><br /><span xmlns=""><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507519027142627474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf-R7CICDl2myRhnERQBJHuJIxYib8SR7dfc5YoNC4Y_OjowQMBFwi_JSdxO8bPnPOlq-Q9KlWBIJYn8soOEfFTCyQzn7EGVfEE8uBwog1Q5d-6_-rOpmw48l6Ewu9XWNj4VZs1eLBUTv/s400/154.JPG" /></span><br /><br /><span xmlns="">The trail to the summit of Grays peak is actually a National Recreation Trail maintained National Forest Service Trail (which is funny because after about ½ mile of hiking there was no "forest" to be seen.) Grays can now be seen, just above my left shoulder.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507519017211144418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaRGncK4NVjy4xjeko4NpvvYxJeGu6EOUACdeOyS0m_lqkcOkVqvAsvmUGYh8rBCg3WymfeQkQhilKy-G6iQ8SI2_DAFduhDNvZPNoVPDRjJnqyupM_kHDtOQaZixXdqeWdPsKqbJVZU0/s400/159.JPG" /> The hiking was quick and steady for the first mile and that's when we first caught sight of the two mountains. Grays is to the left and looks kind of weak, but it is set farther back than Torreys which looks badass and is right above Jess' head. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507519010970338146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi0raFDk5r17jCi-1U5ze4kyFU128qT-T0TQ_Gt0E3ol39a7u65BlYWJNi0GJd5j_J5jwoX4p6OoRXPLIP8RQVoepx0WQBkp8V0n-uPGPhi_ynfYKiBD58Y0k-vW9FbzjJedlfXwNZJoy/s400/163.JPG" /> We had a wonderfully cool and calm morning through a splendid basin with a rushing creek off to our left and fields of wildflowers everywhere we looked. Pretty much perfect!<br /><br /></span><span xmlns=""><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>After a couple miles of gradual climbing we got basically to the base of Grays Peak. Off to our right was Torreys Peak: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507518992373994994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bBqsDiVrqosFt5c7BvzHDezqwrcMvdSxXueapf5K2XVnRavHG2Z6rETM8SnJ5ScOSLAxmE3pG14exCGD-hc7NRp0-_q6KGPT_KCUiLJ9CzG_RyR8a9ko0287wUHBCm59A5-vPeSIWQM9/s400/187.JPG" />Now it was time for some tougher hiking, which meant now the trail would be rockier and have much steeper grades.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507518997577438226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OmUL7auICNqaETGxg6o4MMJH72krzf0f5ZyquKJwB53NYRxPrEq0VsaRL-lkMGw69-pNXN7J9HfB-zrbRfpIu5d83zBEbmrUAGcg8qOOZzXjg5NQcCWuFQU1cxoXNIJhT1C-uGMPe6KZ/s400/174.JPG" /> It also didn't take long to realize just how much of a champ Jess was. She set the pace for most of the hike and while I worried about her burning out it was actually me that was struggling. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507515072072757586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmpIFCRSpwp5oRJWKOVnjhudQviBN3WOaz9hqGsNZO6CZShp5XX5Mr5DR_4omveiU2-dgrPlGAPgPl_gTwm_3rlvgEVoiQHQi8dB-wk9NLMaKQpZsd3_Wb9Xag1gIYfp6dOQAxl4mtHWr/s400/189.JPG" />We were both pretty motivated to get to the top however as the last mile or so is just a switchbacked slog up on pretty firm talus. The views were amazing as we continued the ascent. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507515063680352514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA5NkQNABsUi1vN3WMoGqqfowNS9HCVhqbG8fTXRemQMmKw-ChQS8uzEg5wN_zV4Zk3Gmv34s7TXOWoFa3ORYkNCmmhbCVDahYWBWiEaETgv-xD5_u-fwcCe86MlfrvDi78ndVb11vq1a/s400/195.JPG" />Once we reached about 14000 feet however, the clouds rolled in. We made our final push to the top and soon we were at the highest point on the Continental Divide and Jess' first 14er, Grays Peak, 14270 feet.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507515058937597810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIce1L4BbhuUiY7AT36qi-0Dezmfrkvs7JS2Sho9dqavnwZs1q1E46RsDFyx9U-_kHhemaFbgG6N5L0QqaHl_Pdx7MhrGjdydzT8vlPWvAXhtoAERuxych8Q-0sTPBwKnHZ_DMTyjLO2K/s400/199.JPG" /> And we couldn't see anything. It was as dense and thick of a fog as I've ever seen and it was cold, I had to add two layers to stay not frozen and we only spent a small amount of time at the top (and made a few friends) as we needed to keep moving to stay warm. It was a bummer as by now I was kind of tired and my favorite part of the summit is the views of all the other mountains I want to climb! Of course I had the appropriate Mountain Dew for the occasion, Mountain Dew Whiteout! Tasty! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507515050675539506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGvPlGMwg548O_hajgmc-S5uZyHVC8cFBBF0HzRAofIeDaPkIGWg5SWpRz0sjwsI2eUx70gbBMkncV79wxz9T-wQ0CYQAi_lFwDBDbzz-A0vs-ZKM71bMmgtn9sJMWAdJaU3Ori9IWEtW/s400/201.JPG" />At this point we were also deciding on if we wanted to bother continuing to Torreys or not. Torreys got foggy before Grays did and it seemed to be more weather-prone. And it is a class 2 climb (Grays is a class 1) so it meant for steeper grades and looser more ankle-twisting rocks. Well there are two ways down Grays, the way we came or down the side to the saddle with Torreys and then a traverse trail back down to meet up with the way we came up so the logical choice was to go down to the saddle and make that decision. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507515046495744834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuAu9mMrY-gR7inS79J0HT7C_KGXdJ8MAfVLmPwK-gM72ACRbnFv-g-OG5NZVasd4shgJhCeskh_1IoQIqGj_orOOQf9OGSOhKWfmqxYsnYXIL7UKpMytoQq6YDkoy8TZwz3QiEghyHyC/s400/214.JPG" />The hike down Grays was fast. The trail is also class 2 so when you can hike down you make very large elevation changes fast.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507512194521563682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt1ttP7ZFO3_7OtL_oxtVEwtbsP4Kwd8rXllKdvOgdXsqgy_9bwThTTyv_IM3ax7KG_soM_z2mXthtUVUFwpbYAlsTvLL5DPLdAja5MsFLumvjJI1gzjR6uQ6uUEWcw29BnWyOvmvkos2/s400/216.JPG" /> We soon were down to the 13700 foot saddle and the clouds in the saddle weren't as bad, we even got some glimpses west of Breckenridge, the Dillon Reservoir and the Ten-Mile range so that made me happy.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507512184290813874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuArTt5Tfn9cBw-TpjhpNvVruVc8XV_LqShkjU2MiGpv41vWV5sFsiCAMLS1jbSs73V2pzt3CSwCmgxwaUDxsZ_XdRfVXEbz3zqt3O208S_O0vaK6foFJHb15v9-SlSWffaJLky3NdNlF/s400/217.JPG" />Breck Ski Area in the far background<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507512180138018226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt9T42jkkaIejuk6vSlc9B0wTYBtA4f8Vkm-TqjyhVYlwBBschbjWjZWO-stXxTZpth-Sd1UadYsKNgOL3u0SMIY50Jar5p9fn4N4zcpcM_yZ4mI4MfnSd3eR40w2IgVsf5hk0ZKfMo54/s400/218.JPG" /> We hung out for a half hour at the saddle while we had a bit of a "picnic" and debated Torreys. Altitude definitely takes a lot out of someone, especially me. We could see people going up Torreys and realized we could probably summit in 45 minutes. I'd kick myself if I didn't go for it. Jess knew that too and basically said we should do it. </p><p>The climb up Torreys was probably the best part. We had 3-4 groups all hiking at similar paces and we saw some nice snowfields and rocks.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507512168786924898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-yW22glz9lvz_MYOlf4l-tWdLE1RQUDzzE0wh0aYn3GnvVmlbTTxB_IlC6hHWQAkv5gT7k44RJzYzbWA9mIKj1Wxgzb0Zkr9RYMHSJF1alExA9s7PJyhdWVo6MtFIvv37DWa-dQZEj0A/s400/223.JPG" /> Jess was rocking at this part having to pause every once in a while to wait for me. The summit came before we knew it and we were on top with fun people. 14267 feet of goodness, official summit shot: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507512167363836434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMUaWKn-TlIXF25xFYmOo-y_35Q5f2PTLrHni2DhEetwbpgkKcjkh0arCAg0d_JqsTEBXI59wE8ecPq0_Cm9btPsmQD7trnFNz9sgAdwzX4H8XijuiCid-UM8vjVdsvCiLfGpCCaym6xo/s400/225.JPG" />We had cell phone and 3g coverage and we even posted a photo of us on Facebook! But again we couldn't see anything although there was less wind and it was warmer than Grays. I had one Dew left, Mountain Dew Typhoon. It's my favorite of the three but I definitely hope that it wasn't foreshadowing a storm or anything. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507509838065107698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxLdbefPwRoRKfe05csKxsCvkI_xTZrAn12M_fZmk4PUX29MXWnIe15YuCuq4_ZTrmj8iEsrT6K6IbG362GWfKJEDK2xdkgMaiPZ1MUszBWmgy3XbcO6Y4MrQ7U0HTTFCcdreKaj85FI8/s400/227.JPG" />15 minutes later we decided to head back down. We flew down to the saddle (as fast as we fly at least.) I did notice that while we climb faster than most our descending speed is terrible. We both are careful on the loose rock, Jess has bad knees and myself bad ankles, so we take our time while others can practically leap down. </p><p>Soon we were at the saddle and then we got to do the snowy traverse. It's the only part that you can appropriately train for in Wisconsin and I dominated it while many others struggled. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507509847473838226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEf1QwOJbHTiCFpMQI2CX06JKXKGJ3VMLnStK5d2r-lhiO5He2JAfDollMmpUhbRzIBH0SDGlLT3JiesyTjVW2BX8KrLPpxO69Lzp7tcfhvoB6aMkOWQfyp4MiLyvNz2HamqTUVWo_X7g/s400/232.JPG" />Jess decided to do the last 5 feet on her ass too which provided a fun laugh (it was so cold she got up before I could snap a picture!) That was probably the last fun we had. I had one of those overexertion headaches and we were both pretty tired and sloppy. We stopped a few times and had to dismiss layers as it got really warm (it's cloudy on the peaks but sunny and clear under 13500 feet. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507509855611935186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHYXt8om30M4Klquxk7gICXrq7qm8X6DhKk2hKU1gshvbwKjb1QTvVQMqw1aNn7PeR2b3wAoUxfisdWSMQgo11Jk8yAJy5Vm6pHqG42XAEHOpvV05OXjdvGNqNJu2Hqswxdojy5lZDADL/s400/234.JPG" />We took our time down to where the trail turns more into dirt that pure rocks. We then had 3 miles of about a 7% downhill grade on dirt/rocks. You'd think that would be the easy part but heck no. I turned the same ankle 3 times which really hindered my speed. We both really needed to go to the bathroom. I turned my other ankle just for fun. We got passed a few times. With a mile to go we got rained on. Just another day in the mountains! We finally made it back to the trailhead which conveniently had toilets. We were both pretty fried, taking this quick snap before jumping in the car and driving rapidly to food.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507509864576292322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXleqiOz6_eyL9eoN9vKhWmxQkdhN9MEK_5w6WPMx0MulziRsuMBFolmzawyb0A0Z1BOWt8tfqTHZ4v_Qd3-ZYiH1ALrZxvAT-c7BlmrROjuiIHr3unekI2qXQhktVWhnbZXaKlQHgWXNW/s400/239.JPG" />Just over 7 hours out on the trail made for a long day, especially with so much above 13700 feet.<br /></p><br /><p>Frisco has a complex that has a Qdoba, Noodles and Smashburger all next door to each other. While a burrito is perfect post-climbing fuel I couldn't pass up <a href="http://www.smashburger.com/">Smashburger</a>. No one should ever pass up Smashburger; it's awesome! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507509872279226434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6GVezge0VmJ-jHiCCt2683M7xKgBZ20pprPDgivJtWYbg7TPQLm4QHmhwj5Dwh5kKPzIFo4POJTS1VRrLC1C_hwQE77WmqJBXUinDBbhsNE49zrLi8w3_SWmqtS5UD5lLz3ta_En6j0Y/s400/240.JPG" />We drove the final 20 minutes to Breckenridge and were pretty worthless the rest of the day. </p><p>Looking back this ended up being one of the hardest hikes I've done. I've done 3 in one day but that was easier. Elbert seemed just as hard because I had some altitude issues that day and I think I underestimated it (and it was my first.) These were my 8<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> 14ers out of 54 so I've got 1/6 of them done! I've got another half dozen on my short list as well. This one was special to me as well since they are the first two that Jess did and she rocked. She kept me going when I was tired, dealt with me when my ankles sucked and she kept up her brisk pace all the way to the end. I think she even liked it enough to join me again, which was goal #1. As much as I like the solitude of soloing some of these nothing beats having someone to summit with, and I've been on summits with Wolfgram, my brother Eric, and Kyle and I am so proud to add Jess to that list. </p></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-33860120997851253362010-08-11T07:46:00.001-07:002010-08-11T08:51:29.020-07:00Mt Sherman Summit 7.19.10<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504165335499164082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTgozVOA2iQELtK719DNqs_ZjKv7KE7UWG0hWh07usLZidp9EsVUL2HTrVCQ83-p8FHniou5DU9YZU-S6ER0gTOqKAP4_ACg8tuFABVbUC0DW_EPzcfYySk31O_6lVpnQCOEnZhW6JNG7/s400/047.JPG" /><span xmlns="">We took our annual July trip out to Colorado yet again this July although this time it was different. We had our new baby (5 months old) with us. It made the drive slow and difficult but Nina was a champ for sure. We once again made home base Breckenridge as I believe it is the perfect summer vacation stop for people like me (great food, mountain biking, close to 14ers and not so terribly far in coming from Wisconsin.) We hit Des Moines on Friday night, Denver on Saturday night and then Breckenridge on Sunday afternoon and we lazed about. I don't know if it was the altitude, the bad diet, the 100+ temps on the way out or the constant stopping, crying and jumping from front to back seat on the drive out but none of us felt great when we got there which turned our plans from hiking Grays and Torreys together to me getting up on Monday and seeing how things felt.</span></div><div><span xmlns=""><br />I got up early but just lazed around with Nina while Jess slept. But I got anxious and finally by 7:30 I decided that I'd kick myself if I didn't climb Sherman today. It'd be the last summit I'd need for the Mosquito/Ten Mile range so if we did decide to go somewhere that wasn't Breckenridge next time it wouldn't be a glaring hole on my 14er map. I told Jess I was going, jumped in the car and headed out. Decided if there was an open parking spot in front of Starbucks I'd stop (mmm…iced caramel soy coffee) and headed towards Hoosier pass. It was slow going due to my late start and some construction (and I was kind of nervous) but soon enough I was through Fairplay and on the gravel road towards the trailhead. Sherman has the benefit of having a very high trailhead at around 12,000 feet which meant less vertical by foot and more by Toyota. My Avalon made it all the way (there is a question as to if 2WD cars can make it up there and it took like 2-3 slow but aggressive moves but no problem!) Here's where I started before putting on my gear. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504165343081779874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXIa6hOfzC_8WwIY6-4b_eT8g0vJ1E8aPzGIoXBDlt9C8j3MEMyRXPt-xZZfAX3knil9-ntgiABc2PuUFHsUORzaDVcCZW1k6apqBLRSkGpp0CA86q_CHizO_bqLC-dMeMjdHxT5Atp3C/s400/049.JPG" /> The beginning of the hike is still on the road however until you get to some sweet mining ruins and the road is basically a double track. Here I missed the turn despite there being a big arrow of rocks and went about a quarter mile before turning around and going the right way (my way would've made it but it appeared to go way out of the way.) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504179256245960402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7S2KV4hAJga42f1aRFzLSfCL-RF59gzRiVnBukTC8trxMrXio4Ov4XzTe0-7lDKa3lCl-XqyMQBLCRxI4WvBeLN45CiZ0Ijcb8W7jpqEwZk4gzJXqFJIgpr9kXzoVjIR0YBkpRN6qMgE/s400/088.JPG" />Awesome. The climb was very tough for me however. I don't think I was acclimated enough but when you start at 10k feet it seems that your body acclimates as you hike. Starting so high was a rough adjustment. I felt like I was making bad time but still passed 20 or so people on the way to the top so that helped the pride even though my legs, heart and lungs all hurt despite not feeling like I was giving much effort. Everyone says how easy Sherman is but Mt Democrat (which I did last summer) seemed far easier to me. I crossed a snow field that most people were avoiding because it seemed like the fastest easiest way up the side.<br /><br /><div><p>Sherman is known for mining and the ruins did not disappoint.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504165350596268562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhhCNzglU0WneBS1u4AFnvctjXfDGmZQghcg_BTTrtj_drt5t4rQGsuQPgxNxpoiFcblUd3pTFhBMGWowTNhCi2MQr5B4xslWoONxDN1cz6k677OXuzZEK8YD2OcTuD3IVWJGnRbDBIxP/s400/051.JPG" /> The sites were awesome and interrupted the grey talus that littered my view in almost every direction. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504165358061290994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1M2B7WFMj-6myIk8nlcRKLfhPjWZyErsiecbUyYD78ALrCPy9sNPCxstl9Mu7JHMECSkv3bquwOQr1-5ZPS14Jkfe4FweGMDasaXbPYEw5gdcc-ETjPs9QvjqUBdBNZ4VtT7k4w3uLBH/s400/053.JPG" />But once you get to the saddle between Sherman and Sheridan the views open up and I remembered why I climb mountains in the first place. Of course looking up to a false summit isn't the best view once you climbed that you could see the final pitch to the top.</p><p>False Summit:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504165365819397138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVyZqS06p-ZadlIaDtAFiCULC4jrSyudd9S00NZspQ5TAKGIX5Tt81UbTdC2d5iFYojKW8JXXVwhpeW4IcG7DFK_THOCcDW0HDvZRNb9j0n2b2GrjJhidoe8nOY_dUVK7PnjrTfIWJynQ/s400/057.JPG" />It looks pretty extreme from this vantage point but it was pretty wide and had a very good route to the top:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504167631070693170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeju5waxzwLnkyZngqDuuathJ2D82QfKfID-0OIT_DLNyFRixNaBCMBCmbHU6GfINI8CQCVwTDSElaYRuHXKX82OqdjJpnGhPSa_k3OU1CmHbX28QckJy_waUr49kA1tHHLExoklWDDPg/s400/058.JPG" />That was the slowest part though; it was windy and a little steeper. But there were lots of people ahead of me and I know from my bike racing days if I see someone ahead of me I need to catch and pass them. Finally I summited, around 2 hours after I started. I am the Shermanator! Someone even had a sign with the elevation on it that made it seem even more extreme to my friends back in Wisconsin! :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504167637793390850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee0obUOWE4z84ixa0hscNGED1kH6WreQFjhO-k1mgL2c867jttgjcGDluM7XnSesl0LLXTU4CfsWhuzMvV4qQ5Tc1TSMsRJdN6MOfDZzeWw9xWp2YhmFO1ZKgUOw_LajFS2VbnTBvhhSJ/s400/067.JPG" /> There were 5 or 6 people up there when I got there but before long there were a good 15 people and a yellow lab: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504170908700595698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgishI4ZrrtnXJNO-KmYtMhqzqqCuS-TLW7IBdxydkJQvJNrj-p6T427iDZv4e4OQTAYx5GVfnsn9vR4_24OpqlFnx34xEho4Rj2TUDudEGPL3abYfvMdTIwlpwRZ1rFD-42rIZYZMAm-7-/s400/075.JPG" />The views were amazing, Pikes and South Park to the South:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504170892874999986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdaN2SNpOKYwzwzgSLxaC0wkpbvtAASmOEcd2ZHMhSjgjrx1JmdQ1CF8PbWXJv5dVnma8e1MJy6JP6TvTeIOC5Tx6av_kdcExuUWun6EKzgRmAvN6QnLCuqQFo6NMboe4SVo5l8EEzz5U/s400/079.JPG" />Elbert, Massive, Leadville and the Sawatch range to the west:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504170899042065410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH3BlZp4NGEbQiawg0B3DYHeocZojSDjzS2Z1UzSGyg3WaGrqWviUFzmOP3rR-l9fqLwdHotNvwMhIrNBWBkCND6-Kp39dId68JWgssTv_j-N5f8_qLVdPLpGTdN_tyMEEN1LVPjV_2sh/s400/060.JPG" /> The DeCaLiBro and Quandary to the north and Gray and Torreys to the northwest.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504167658895533138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfNrnbXKmD2MDtplPz3I7QmuzKE7ZTXHTfHiU-PvQvBmB32wDP3G2nh9bbSeuVm-h-Aj2YwAU5ou6f93fZJt5IN3y6vf5QVty2TqicYHjYrCnBVjZHGIZqn551CrYLqHy7s0F_4CqHUKF/s400/080.JPG" /> Also got probably the best view of South Park. The top was perfectly peaceful with a great mix of people. I decided I had to do at least 3 summits this vacation as I had 3 different flavors of Mountain Dew! Opted for the Dew Distortion on this one however because of me forcing some altitude early into our trip: <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504167645589838722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjw_Df_9gafNgJrOPciUc56GnWMsa_SiKXRAMAvlTo-rCtzGpqmiELzMwUmG52_OYNMuZp4Zly_Eu7BZNwBIWESZ-Lc3isrOGctpZztZG3MZPF8P_iJo7-ujg75vr4ygTIwUtJ9iXBCn6/s400/069.JPG" /> The way down always sucks for me, I always underestimate how much I don't like it. The beginning was fun and I made quick work. That brown dot is the 4 story mining ruin seen from above on my way down:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504170914711800786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_vBud1dZzBEzvYbwe1v5iBba_08fq4vq6W2LfrIXweK7AOjwLlRnv6u7l6UsyBCZAym1NsQ73a77iGShH4TIN0MJX0D5elGV-eCkIWHhGLqyXvZqQFroHMIcSW5jghYW4DJfMfv_6j2H/s400/084.JPG" /> Saw 3 more dogs on the way up (one of which was on her 20<sup>th</sup> different 14er, impressive.) I brought hiking poles with but decided not to use them until I turned my ankle (I have bad ankles and it was only a matter of time.) Of course I turned each one (and never did get the poles out). I turned them after the hard part too, in unlikely spots where I was worried more about speed and less about the rocks. Oh well, they've been turned so many times that I can walk it off most of the time, and these were both very minor. I did get some different views of mining ruins and found the sun to be perfect for a B&W shot of this gem:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504170917861364882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGA5sQg6jIjURAqQpvK8dP48hJNVUy53FHn1zY18XEbQFBt1HuYxoaMkDvqULRCEZUVth_maizMj7ADx2_B68LkzefC-n-LZ6UgKSSB4HMmbxTyro8cfS_4S-LG2jndnhZiOaEdnyaSBg/s400/087.JPG" /></p><p>It still took well over an hour to get down and the last trudge on dirt road seemingly took forever but I made it to my car. I set my GPS on my car and opened up the car. Rocked a piss and then I was off. The road down was pretty smooth but once I got back to pavement I realized my GPS was still on my car when I left. Oops. Since it likely fell off into the road and got run over it the fall alone didn't shatter it, I let my GPS go which was a bummer since it was the only one I brought for the trip so no more GPS on my bike rides or other hikes. Here's the Garmin to top of Sherman before meeting it's untimely demise two hours later:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504167648285106754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TVZOyWZISm5uO6bWBXH5Fs42p9Z4mewoeUGqVfoJM5gKCsYRGvApaIrQkiXmAotkUVcExSCL5E-hI8y8jIqWIZ_04sxM9B3heOtNoY7B04xUT6DcDMHJO2FVQMteKxyU56X8JWJqomKt/s400/070.JPG" />I posted on the forums and ColoradoLawDobe found the pieces of it in the road (clearly run over) and sent me the pieces, time to call Garmin, I was just riding along and my GPS exploded…or maybe they have some discount replacement.<br /></p><p>It didn't take me long after getting back to Breck to realize I wasn't 100% yet. My head hurt, my stomach ached and I had no energy. It basically took Mt Yale off of my calendar for the week (we stayed 5 nights so it was tight to begin with) and pushed Grays and Torreys back another day. But I was very happy for getting this one off of my list. It was the second easiest 14er I've done (Democrat is easier and I am guessing if you just did Lincoln it would be about as easy) but was so very hard anyways. This was my 7<sup>th</sup> official 14er summit (Cameron doesn't count even though I loved it) and had some of the best weather and views I've ever partaken in. </p></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-1493235504692111542010-06-28T06:59:00.001-07:002010-06-29T04:41:47.071-07:00Great Urban Race- Madison<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488153732824724930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6xVTwpERuhdpA6uvwyvkIWf2gZooTCpXruerT5yYf4jEbGTnPNm8IywXa73UYp8-LAzRB5k_XY9x7zOZqLevzTXr-tMnmyM0xrqL8CkfCYG2mKcxvkGNcEpvGnVcrS47ccds8uliMAQ5/s400/001.JPG" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>On Saturday, June 26th was the <a href="http://www.greaturbanrace.com/register10_madison.php">Great Urban Race's stop in Madison</a>. This is basically a two-person team event (our team was myself and my lovely wife Jess) that is a scavenger hunt around the downtown Madison area. You can only use your feet or public transportation (aka a bus in a city like Madison) so there would be lots of hiking, running and learning to take a bus. I haven't been on a Madison bus since 1998 (and that was a bus that ran for free to curb drunken driving at 2am on the UW-Madison campus) and I have ran once this whole year...we were in for an adventure! The top 25 teams qualify for nationals in Las Vegas. We arrived at 11:30am for the noon start and soon realized that this was going to be hard. It was already in the mid-80s and humid out and we saw so many teams, I estimate around 300. Our friends Kendra and Jess also had a team so we agreed to team up when we got the clue sheet. </div><br /><div>The clue sheet: Basically it was a sheet with 12 clues on it. We could skip one clue of our choice. You get the sheet when you start and you can try to figure them all out right away. There is no set order that you have to accomplish the clues as part of the sport was figuring out the best and most efficient route for doing the race. Knowing bus times and locations and being able to run fast and far were a definite advantage we didn't have. Here is a run down of the clues:</div><br /><div>1. Go To Tenney Park beach and act out an improv skit judged by someone in the Monkey Business Institute</div><br /><div>2. Head to the restaurant that claims "we're serious about fun food" and eat a delicious treat (Bluphies)</div><br /><div>3. We had to find a mystery word by answering trivia like who the mayor is, the state tree, etc., which one phone call to Riz and some googling later turned out to be Wandos. </div><br /><div>4. Buy a pet toy somewhere and donate it to the humane society in front of the Barrymore theater</div><br /><div>5. Head to Wingra Boats and use a paddle boat to go out in the lake, head around a buoy and come back</div><br /><div>6. A scramble (NISOCEN NOTANI) led us to Sconnie Nation store and we had to watch a 4 minute movie and answer 3 trivia questions about it.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>7. At 115 State St (Ian's Pizza) we had to do an over the head pizza dough twirl</div><div></div><div> </div><div>8. At Library Mall we had to do a circus activity</div><div></div><div> </div><div>9. We had to play Tic Tac Toe and get three in a row of activities, almost all required a photo: honk a stranger's car horn, all teammates in front of a cow (real or fake), a penny from 87-90, shaking a dog's paw, stranger with 2 or more visible tattoos, single piece of fruit, pretending to dive into a real fountain, a job application, high-fiving someone in uniform.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>10. Jess figured out a riddle that had us taking a photo of us in front of a street sign that had a double letter.</div><br /><div>11. A word search got us to Tenney Park where we spun around a bat 8 times and then ran the bases</div><br /><div>12. At certain GPS coordinates we had to eat an entire jalepeno pepper, ended up being Tex Tubbs Atwood.</div><div></div>Here we are with the clues planning out our route with the team Ooh Shiny.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488153742541103090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmjJxLhVW2fhlRMN50axsmntMatsrT2Zn7nuYcWwrZxw_u1h11GS5Qs0DIyfZ4RRoWT6vJo097LxxQkFWXiPMqJmbl-3Ckegj2MH9P_KR82pICwDTc83rwXpc_Ijqif8JRyA2pi4uN0Uy/s400/002.JPG" /><br /><div>The game plan quickly became, head to Atwood to hit the Barrymore and Tex Tubbs. We didn't have a bus map so we figured if a bus came down Willy we'd get on it. We ended up running/speed walking almost 2 miles to get to the Barrymore with one stop at a pet store to get a cat toy and one stop at the Russell St. sign for our photo.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488153751013095506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRIdmasuYtVkKGNsGEvvnubqEwIm6Vt8Gi_w4ZDrb2qVaLYr9XIxd9cY68j8o4p4zUNtxhMPEguwcNfvqYdU1GiWc5AsM7C9JgETwFO9tOcWpvQCQrF4A6Ty1QDpX8q6CcwAvSX0RtvMQ/s400/005.JPG" />It was then decided that Jess and Kendra wanted to go at a little more casual pace so we parted ways. We hit Tex Tubbs for the jalepeno pepper and Jess ate half and was burning. I took the other half and chewed once or twice and swallowed it.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488153761013951826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHuFN4cvmyrNj8jJ5XLG6ZVFc6Tl0mdAb5dFwuPMgwgCWTbt1B8pztFxeUak7EYxw9goebF7wSuU1yn2gnrG90gO7V_y4GtySKr3JhVkRctnoXt8oabLQWDDBAChwhID2iqwTD96sOq-8/s400/007.JPG" /> We both felt like crap, Jess with a burning mouth and myself with a burning stomach. A gatorade and a Clif Bar helped stabalize the pepper as we headed towards Tenney. At Tenney a tattooed guy was fishing so we got the photo for tic-tac-toe. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488153763757586546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60HowpRKPXhsaaW4JdZ8j6ZtQ5XNq2z1_qZXs5uJkKW-sdlXsMIIbmpbhthH41rBFACb611nvsliIRvVfXEGx-k5hGgcFTIGGvTktdiKgDaumicK4HIyH6Sj_N5TuLjmHqIV9EUKs3Jwb/s400/008.JPG" />We did the dizzy bat challenge and headed to the beach. There we had to act out things with an ice scraper and talk about what we were doing without saying it. Our scraper was a bat and a tug-o-war rope and something else. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488155962054130370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-Y1L0H_05l1uTzav8wIFGRoqufwFCgKiOJju06UwA3DwK3C520AM4KtUUd8tKTKptEKABjK2Mhzw2_09QV_TEz55y0Ra_dc_YCq1pz7j_vdEMYfnSNLIJqe5SpyvcVym42KuPDDqpZrL/s400/011.JPG" />We then waited 5 minutes for a bus to go downtown, the east side was done. Sweet, sweet air conditioning!!!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488155972185908642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1z4ai7t39J7ulK7GCSh9YDXE9C17x9jv9Dsm7P2l7Yx4s7pQDx41ivUX6FpYPvkb_LqCXasE_d2nUiMEOJsEizaLBE0UOkp7Q5Q9ZMinmRWFmAUi2goZI2g9L6sxd_oe-UiAq5Oq23X6/s400/012.JPG" /><br /><div>We got to State St and knew Ian's pizza was a block away so we did that between transfers. Dough spinning was fun! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488155980364473682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJxyjn-Y3GmwCAte6Z0EWHj_qDexRoiDT0-OlPg5V6sQvLVKJMIam8WAtlxDjXj6pqq_nC98EnyYVoDWY4OEEMGwvcEK5gQQaaf37oNLHWvrGcnlCryjIEJ8Zo4m2exMAy_ILdxhgdiRJ/s400/013.JPG" />The buses were way behind, we probably could've knocked out all of State St at that point but oh well. We got on an already overcrowded bus to head west to Monroe St. Every stop had tons of teams waiting and eventually the bus was full and teams couldn't get on. It was insane how packed the bus was and they probably could've had a second bus equally as packed. I felt bad for the dozen or so people who weren't racing that Madison Metro didn't pick up either but what can you do? It took forever to get to Monroe St and then it was a mad dash to Wingra boats. We beat many of the teams from the bus and only had to wait about 3 minutes to get on the boat (Jess personally beat about 5 teams by filling out the waiver faster.) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488155987849055778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UdFP_ElKnhG6lTCZizvGo61CJROWrwEZxH0rGz5JU8NVJH7bvo1UXbPAUDiakkdCcn2JR92KSpwul3fHwUd_CRcXCk87RLw46liIpGe4EoO2EjfZONnrFTkpR4yQr-Uw9I-gAP5nu3cH/s400/014.JPG" />The boat took only about 3 minutes then the mad dash to Bluphies. Yummy, a cookie dough egg roll had to be fed from one teammate to another. Took an extra for energy. At this point the bus stop in front of Bluphies was packed. So we walked a block up the street to avoid that crowd. Soon that bus stop was packed so we went one more block and other teams followed. At this point someone was walking a dog so we got a photo of me shaking a dog's (Olie) paw.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488155998895295490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bywg079z2kstu0sqcINs-gMmy43hqihmlthOP-PzAKPxWq86IbJ-0XOpE2pftXaOXSgBn9PIlGeHUrHb0L_8J4gRrxyOsEHhZbMHkvYb-i-6SkcisuEQatZuKgjC9Cm40NEKiwjloipN/s400/020.JPG" /> A great move as some of the teams that waited at Bluphies couldn't get on the bus and we had our dog photo. This bus driver flew and before we knew it we were on campus.</div><br /><div>We got off at Sellery Hall so we could buy a piece of fruit at the Madison Market (kiwi) and head to Library Mall. I pretty much stopped taking photos at this point as we just wanted to get done and there wasn't much in the way of exciting on these last 3 stops. We had our choice of circus acts but one was getting 6 juggles in with 3 balls. Did that on the first try. Here we had two left, Sconnie Nation and Wandos and only had to do 1. At this point it was certain we weren't even in the top 100 teams so we decided to do both just in case we messed something up and to get the full experience. Wandos we had to throw a ping pong ball into a fish bowl. Jess nailed it on try #2. We also had to find a Bud Light beer cap. No one had one so I bought a Bud Light. $4 for a bottle in the afternoon? I slammed the Bud Light and we headed to Sconnie Nation and finished up the course. We pretty much had a 1 mile hike to the end and we even opted to skip the bus that was loading right in front of us, which was a bummer. We get a block from the finish and see the bus dump off 8-10 teams, all of who finished ahead of us then. Oh well, we ended up 70th place out of 211 finishers (and 267 total teams who started.) Perhaps next year we might have to train and try a little harder, we did alot better than I though. I was also happy that Ooh Shiny did end up finishing, 7 minutes before the cut-off. Wasn't sure if there were going to make it but they recovered nicely! </div><br /><div>We then had to check in and thank god we did all 12 events because at Bluphies we did eat the egg roll but forgot to bring a flyer from it so that ended up being the one we skipped. The <a href="http://www.greaturbanrace.com/register10_madison.php">official results </a>list that we recieved a penalty but that isn't true as no time was added so not sure where that came from. Since we finished at 3:30, had to go pick up Nina and be in Blue Mounds by 5pm, we really didn't stick around (saw the end of the US's World Cup loss at various stops). We made it to Blue Mound by about 5:15 for a cookout and movie night at Irbys which was the perfect recovery for a tough day. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-68794331672716161842010-03-02T07:16:00.000-08:002010-03-02T07:43:24.189-08:00Ice-Age Trail -Brooklyn State Wildlife Area Segment<div><div><div>I've had a few consecutive stressful weeks at work that culminated in having to go back into work after taking a Friday afternoon off. I figured the best way to get ahead of things was to take the following Monday (Feb 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> off.) We were scheduled for a C-Section for our baby girl on Thursday, Feb 18<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> so I figured why not? <div> </div><div>I got up early and went to play basketball at the Y. I had one house project I needed to finish as well (insulate our laundry room) so pretty soon after getting back from the Y, I took a couple hours and knocked that out. The rest of the day was mine! I considered working on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bioshock</span> 2 (which I finished a day later anyways) but instead Chili and I went hiking! We decided to hike the Brooklyn Wildlife Segment of the Ice Age Trail. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444056510157662898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXVndq23wqLXG-qm1BdO2cSXjhgAKOqnU87nJRAbBJSes_ksTfEpwNg7q2QaPIJfo8wEYzgTsXFjYjFtMrN53eu5vS5oNQ82ZnDsL442K2vaCABzoL_UPF8bZKZiciT4CE3kOiWeegJpz/s400/015.JPG" /> I made it my goal to hike the whole Dane County portion of the trail in 2010 so what better way than to knock out the <a href="http://www.iceagetrail.org/PDF/Series_D_Dane-Green.pdf"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">southern</span> most point </a>and part of Green County too! We got to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">trail head</span> and headed out around 10:30am, quickly passing the only person I ran into all day. We made quick work down to Hughes Rd for an out and back. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444056521244107538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbInm8Ujeh3ZcZZ_MNN7wey1MlD7BBKjBQFxeU2w-mhywiMH1nkkkLJIzpdqP_XeFZfEePCqzhqRWsqXNhMRcHTgVEfW5cAslI5Bu5onsrE5hTMfcpRXaoesHdsgOL1FFU_ObvTzL0TCY/s400/010.JPG" /> Then we went back up through the woods and marshes of the state wildlife area. The birds were out in full force and there were lots of classic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">XC</span> ski tracks but my new hiking shoes (Oakley Nail) had no issues all day! I was still going strong when we crossed Highway D to go up into the highlands area. I got to the top and across the highlands when I could no longer find the trail. The highlands are supposed to be a loop but we went to the farthest point and headed back. By this time I was starting to fade (as was Chili) and everything was a repeat so the sense of adventure wasn't as great. The sense of accomplishment (and the fact we had to get back to the car to go home) however was more than enough to keep me going. It also started to snow some really big flakes, it was a perfect winter wonderland! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444056543952595906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdd6sH8FF5qkx-yJRlRxtOkPQjjS3jRzaz8UFxSLa28zzQZd5hVnuuZUqH7WcrSot1FO1ZB1gZGk1nSxYpFD_voM6PSCS40p627lAFzklv2q-3K3znfdgluOCcXlC7HzppEIQ0A-9b8e2/s400/017.JPG" />I turned my ankle a bit about a mile and a quarter from the lot but at this point we were moving pretty well so I kept rocking it! The last third of a mile was downhill so that helped and by 1:30 I was back at the parking lot, my car was all alone, here are the <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/24775894">stats.</a> I was tuckered out. Even Chili was tired, and those who know him know he's never tired and never lays down in the car, this photo taken 30 seconds after returning to the car!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444056530428882674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfvNj8LbY5OTdcuj7n86QNi-Z8U14PiWFp7rqNSAjyY9xmhVTr1bh2bYOxb82sRCBAns6BKTjq9_L93C1ipddhnzdUk6yiu2xEYG7SvxEWBhatVViL_ugsYxiuQ24ErVG4qcIt44rzg_E/s400/020.JPG" />Only one thing could help me recover from a hike like this, a burrito. I opted for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taqueria</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Quadelajara</span> this time as for $5 you get a cheese covered <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">behemoth</span>! <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444056523693065890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJYJZ_Gwd3qk-yHrxsHd90PIu93qAHzgZf5d5dApmKGp2LfEucz21rOgF34txG_TGX6oRMbVRkApC1_cjtGxAN1TJIp3gZB0H3pU0ChDbRIoX3WLRqmVGE06y3cCF9e7gnhQ-cC4pr-tP/s400/022.JPG" />It was the single biggest burrito I've ever seen (besides a place trying to make an intentionally huge burrito) and it was delicious. They make their burritos pretty bland, almost like a cheesesteak with veggies and pico, so not really mexican but just all around awesome! </div><div> </div><div>So Chili and I have probably 13 miles of Dane County Ice Age Trail under our belt in February. I have a couple more sections of my radar, perhaps later this week. The most important part was how good it felt for the soul. My pooch and I getting fresh air and exercise in the woods for a few hours, avoiding the stresses of work and life for a morning/afternoon and mentally preparing for the birth of our child on Thursday made this day perfect!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-74025626561399792322010-01-30T06:36:00.000-08:002010-01-30T10:31:42.764-08:002009 Year in Review2009 Recap, Stats and Photos:<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592037638654658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HDOgyGLn23rWHxLWgpZKzxMWpy7UdojwYrg6o9JuhzXyTyvvVM21guMrLkygeqnoekFHIN-DahQ3IcRmACP94lUi2yO9ZBh_nF6yGLMQ04gQ7Qj96RYNtsKqAmLe6NfeD59wiGX2PSaE/s400/Cruise+Riz+Mark.bmp" />2009 was a year of change, or at least setting the tones for future change. We were told in 2009 that we’d have a baby in 2010. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432588480404725170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyXPd_iwaJ7aTuUmbDKcN5xpsUJo6XvhxtQQRfehCdtMqX9KEWkdmf15HMORkAmjyMBJ8LB7TXdO21xaMlio4gQ7csoBl9zDMI1dPWjxGBdQNq8aOFmxAAZkI-ezOqcVVI0iHH6YIrZlP/s400/0030.jpg" />I was also told in 2009 that my job was ending in 2010. So 2009 was a year of preparation for an almost new life in 2010. As of right now it appears we are heading for a C-section on February 11th. I also have my job until at least March 30th. So the 1st quarter of 2010 will be crazy.<br /><br />While 2009 was somewhat frustrating it was very rewarding and I did a ton of things!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>First off, 2009 was the year of geocaching for Jess and I (and the dogs) as here we are getting an island cache on Lake Mendota on a perfect winter day:<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589048224084562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86ikt_10uHw0UIN0LIQzcTr4LHAhw0z24Utmxl5UbgdhfxVzvDxXiQeaQsSr7w7d2gste93_kqozSULkR9imIJ6I1XPW2iIL0Em9SjmtBeWAvzFf_NjtyeNSJ8RWUby7aVU6dHJeboExw/s400/cache+Jan+9th.bmp" />Caches in 2009: 485 found, 1 placed (near Rice Lake.) We found caches of all size and shapes in all sorts of different places:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589038008992802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX6rKqQZ7ITpvwyvg9QXluIWQmUIsMV075FMPHVHVOxvrNg-vk80wi1VedhakFZIqjodEaPiZmPtjPDzVQjS-rPYH10LAG-Va4C7O58QVXwn6DcxI5CwJVidD7w0PqGxoYhDAL65w6IMY/s400/Cache+Iowa.jpg" />States I geocached in: 11 (Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Colorado and Pennsylvania) Jess didn’t get to cache in PA. This is our favorite cache ever, located near Ames, Iowa, a crazy night cache that was cold, hard and high! We basically had to find a shiny little reflective point with a flash light, head to it, then shine the light again to find the next one on a little trail. While a ladder was supposed to be required, I gave Jess the ultimate boost to tackle this one.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589056295990882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4U9m_-TUoin4gdLRJ8dvivFiTHHDc7Issn5urQ3iwJjsNFr-r8VVzzPaGo6moXttVFagvdWYZ969CWqikt3KTaDAmFcrQHbiRko-b-RRUaoibdSr-vs_yyILTgGXhEJA7MSHDmUp_ElvI/s400/Jess+Iowa+Cache.bmp" />We also caches in 5 countries or territories: 5 (US, St. John, St Maarten, St Thomas, Bahamas)<br /><br />Fitness and adventure stats:<br /><br />This was a down year for cycling, running and sports of that nature. My totals? 1733 miles of cycling, 127 miles of running. 1 running race (Free to Breathe 5k) and 2 bike races (Levis 50 <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590716852015794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjFGrHS8no_RfxgThJ1bgy2enGDGkvyAKFv_3SOm6YdLH-NhLNYrux2zkkKmjUEadsxvJm7drQqoMTvFRlJWxM-R4WzA7Fl906z__4VmbDlpVDKvACZl22htl9Wj9TFV8CiVzDuyFvwVG/s400/BRF+race.jpg" />and Breckenridge 32 which was actually 37) I weighed 12lbs more this new years than I did last new years. Played a lot of basketball, went downhill skiing and snowboarding (once) and swam twice. I then sold my wetsuit. Snowboarding on January 3rd, 2009: </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589033586853074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9DlTFvRQX-RyJew6GcA8YdsrlzkM9zONoJq6naVWVgH3FuTiGLd6MzDrs9ia0KIeDTcqsc0QDBfXkrrYBW3u40Pkny79N8kIMiakS2BA1RI2y5CllM_v_c0K9tC1YxfNhrrLONeIRgVH/s400/Snowboard+Jan+3.bmp" />I summited 5 14ers this year and <a href="http://geocachemoney.blogspot.com/2010/01/4-14ers-in-one-day.html">here</a> and <a href="http://geocachemoney.blogspot.com/2010/01/quandary-summit-and-breckkeystone.html">here</a> are the reports (beating my previous record of basically 2 in 2007.) Went to two state high points (Illinois and Pennsylvania) bringing my total to 4 (WI in 2005 and CO in 2007.)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592425335471522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5pi3dG_QJ2hyl9vdYZ1twZiHZiZ2H6lE_jfkYJcNmX8__0VngP-gMTBMnxBd76JVvlvVOWK-2Ypt3iu-gUF_ELfWSPpwrh6APY3dYcL1DV3po7GL2CEluLy6bdPeSQIi5pDXCaEAFxvj/s400/Top+of+IL.jpg" />I attended 15 baseball games (9 home Brewers game, 2 Brewers/Cardinals games at St Louis, 1 game each at Kaufmann Field in Kansas City and Coors Field in Denver, an Iowa Cubs minor league game and a Madison Mallards game.) I even got to play triva at a Brewers game on the jumbotron and won me a sweet bat!!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590711793258194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FcMJTS0gs_pe84eFfrcIL2eqBVfOqQUJWz3HtZS6ljiuErY1SLSijOj1uv6FR6mrelM0PNfhmC5icykeexQRo_mTL-UG9sRfnAqE4XuyQREdwAjxa9DyWScq5KXPRUlDauhIlbgbE9b9/s400/Brewer+Scoreboard.jpg" /> <div>Other things to note:<br />January was the birth of our second niece, Maya (shown here with her sister Anna and their grandma Larson at Christmas this year!)<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592411394289586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vwQ2LudR1oYP0q89g9_znEXxUn-6QrIiwXBRJK6tcn9uhLOj3MGxCvHdJIgP1MTktgAK-Gg3gphRYnfiIkcRQNZZ_pJvEGulmt25whzLTQprb40hyP0sn0qHXUK8SrHTsJRjsNc18fLm/s400/Nieces.jpg" />February we went on a cruise with 6 of our friends. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592026497971698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mpJ3BUod4VD1zFYxixZEhbCwFZ17RMHrSfcEEh4IMUgHUKn_bDYTEN01tK5qg7za9tg-P_nxqrJsxltGYk4jIiCWyismmQjD-lRvxcZpK6xz_eJTXYzzxLUh_C61epU4CpPxKDiMYIh5/s400/Cruise+group.bmp" />It was the best and most memorable cruise yet! Bahamas, St Thomas, St John and St Maarten were all dominated including getting destroyed by a jet engine at Maho Beach, a once in a lifetime experience. Zip lining rocked!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkMUIo6iWkM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkMUIo6iWkM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In May we went on a baseball trip to see one Royals game (and Cy-Young winner Zach Greike) and two Brewers/Cardinals games in St Louis: </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590723602274322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1IYGWKEtUbvV-LCpg8HL-aRFc7jLGUj797YjS8xEXrYQj5lrynrEi24P5eYJkvd1E1D6HBTVjEwL766fhj53FEDd06xG7MwpLf770hzs2SVqfxlkk0_ExHX5UUmBLBCT7MNZUQjc0CKk/s400/Cardinals+Game.bmp" /><br />Man V Food was the show for me this year and we visited several locations that the show was filmed (<a href="http://madtowneats.blogspot.com/2010/01/2009-year-in-food.html">See food blog for that</a>!)<br />Travel for work was another important theme of 2009. Many trips to Bedford, PA and the all important and fun trip to Park City, UT for some awesome riding. This ride on Mid Mountain trail is an Imba certifed epic 50 mile offroad ride that my friend Jonnie and I tackled one morning/afternoon/evening out in Park City:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592415545573570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeFnJhZP84zzjPvHJg8Fk4ZDtJOlQCARI1bpWqC8kUqJcwvGsfv7sUkE6w_KVCngdd5UoAm4S6joQP-a2fcQ04SueINMl7n_yG5J5Oy5nl-79nG4mC3nLRL0vKYffJ5FTfv8JhrvqUWkV/s400/PC+2009.jpg" />June 2009 was a great month, we found out we were pregnant! A dream come true and a great start to the second half of the year!</div><div><br />In late July we took our annual Breckenridge pilgrimage and this time invited some friends. It was one of the most memorable trips ever. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590725868175426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27_EBZszSg7t3diouBeS4vqWitLTHNrs2rELOMFHpCz-qJGU1DaXSxd6Z76wdw5jZ4GeHKz7h1mRHI4GbqLUVUc7CYgCSRxaL9zgZReTNjVm-BTrfdhk-9kK7m2U0W4-3fIqZ7zRbn3XP/s400/Colo+Group.jpg" /><br />I raced the Breck 32 (which ended up being about 37, <a href="http://geocachemoney.blogspot.com/2009/07/breck-b-32-race-report.html">race report here</a>) and had a great race despite two flat tires and having to walk over a mile. Also did lots of mountain hikes, riding, exploring and eating! <br /><div></div><div>In August my grandma Cook (middle center) turned 80 and we partied! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432590736869039202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZt5_kBcEuVwpV-hrGnhLCSexmTFcUfrioq2YQ4MWm1qq1HjHhrW9t8WJOkKj-UsATLWsNCAL4SQ0AP0ylhkedK_rA3-YVGJaIyjFlZNeDMhraaZfJo4g04GnHcKImXbc6xokxXYuKqzB/s400/Cooks.jpg" />In early September my grandmother Larson passed away. She’ll be greatly missed.<br />In late September we found out our baby will be a girl! We celebrated by heading to our second home, Des Moines, Iowa <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592043309147682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr0lTxhkIeD9F24fBCD_jHHwDYB3WAljvM0tHH9FYSeTcpBWmT7dd5ySNt34EB-vG3-C0fBPUZas1JMRpV8s5xByi43egYsaRejz5qtr93ACxJePnDdJgAXFVDA9iHB29uTOTdtisQVxn/s400/Iowa+Sculpture.jpg" />for a triple feature concert of my favorite bands (Silversun Pickups, Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592424147151106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHIE5_Ktq5sfO46SguzSTl9J1s0VBWrFVTnosG0rrjqxKy0RdrY9w0XEk6MPo8fXw7K9cBs2Jfr-0_dzy1aiZBxT5O8L4d5bYIrRZlq5OyFz8LhK0t7oAeQBZWcdw1h1RMuhxfOofTWB9/s400/Silversun+Pickups.jpg" /></div><div></div><div>I spent 4 weeks in Bedford, PA for work. I visited all of the covered bridges in the county and went to the Flight 93 memorial. It was a beautiful fall out in the mountains! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592023437776898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLO-z8B5j8-f0qH2KghinyBNAQlqfp3I6uZQmRUTAcBKjDxXSyhduHlrxJkob0IBwJ6rFrhFymSGGemDkUtGtydeebI6u7kyNt8j6GK9SGlBX6H6e6P2mTno2uzUY_zN2ZCkdrfzlgZ3v/s400/Covered+Bridge.jpg" />October and November were rather tame months with work travel and house work but we did head to Chicago to cheer on our friend Kyle in the Urbanathalon <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592406424883938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNnLiGC8SPqp0fh2cyY95lRw91YuAPQN7rDWV91LTP4_LvGfD4m6522XJT_kuFmX7l7IczGzMgAXBUCcjpXTlnAQVrmLYOTukQSQaa8rLKBDtrlr2_CvpILJvMGsnLHgskh4AKlV2ImO3/s400/Mark+Kyle+Oct.jpg" />and Jess created the best Halloween costume I’ve ever seen. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592585109995922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq5kDn0J0nyNY9Tqbr91ibV4nVvcHeVJTk4cbKcQOVBWabsZsZ-F9kaHlPcTMG0Iz8Ip-1Avk2oTJsAyBmZxlk1MfHQZha1mZjqD-ugw52dDHI9V4ls7wy0clLVgqQqjJO_-2lB5QT3u6/s400/Stay+Puft.bmp" />We got an unseasonably warm fall/winter day and hit the Wollershiem winery with friends in late November.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592589652613906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1ZzSIex_MJjzaj07YYtuHChcDJymaE5c00THTdEymkjxZsqYVuF7wGMdkJEXyEXgXvv87IP7XTBCJN08MmsQ4FIB2AYiup3yqRXIph2Jr28UEyxPE5Is3KEPqzLPtHkcHhi314mp1wUJ/s400/Xmas+Card.jpg" />December was all about family and friends. We had our annual Christmas party with some of our friends in addition to our work Christmas party. We celebrated Christmas all over the state with family. We even flew down to Florida for a week with my parents! Even rode the teathered hot air balloon over downtown Disney. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432592041695785986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq3NmP6Bl6zJYx-dgJNxkgqtCmWErfpW3VoXC6XNXUuTdqHkbGr5PVlGGvHpWP_KyT4o-UFsLaDTzukGORIl_6cZ45X_-yDYGSXZ61wvggIEMQFjr2Yu5tz9W9L-S8zV1vVp_zTskUk2w/s400/Hot+Air+Balloon.jpg" />Disney World and the beach both happened but took a back-seat to just relaxing and not being in the cold and spending time with family. From there we went to two Christmas Parties (one for work and one with friends) and then we celebrated Christmas 4 seperate times with family! It was a great time. </div><div> </div><div>Overall 2009 was a pretty good year! It has lots of ups and downs but overall we had a fun time, advanced some of our hobbies and just enjoyed lots of time together! Looking forward to 2010! <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432589050121030370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke9-diF4OwjZKvw7wqIzl4k6OHEWtFBnmVL1d1H-dS672dOYOyo5LJYDBaxbAJjfi5bjfUqoBZiT_U-DEz0K-wb0us0r2RdTBs1t6ZaWXoSg2ptjLJFJPyFhS8-cbJqd17P-RCRRrI3uj/s400/Chili+cache+August.bmp" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-57220889682390414072010-01-27T15:12:00.001-08:002010-01-28T04:15:07.088-08:00Quandary Summit and Breck/Keystone Extreme<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562293766595394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZOAFw5l0y-ayFYZZ9e-7eaWmeaq8ny89PlntFmM-7qh8DHAwbc0H9vwMnRMCcnejdB20iMgjCbZYbzOXGAiAiKCnJAMGjF8i1oEMZENH-z52G9CVKoFZ9znInxiIZ4CYwQ9sW0z_mxcI/s400/17.jpg" /><br />So I thought I should also update the other 14er summit I did this summer, this time with my good friend Kyle!</div><br /><div></div><div>We actually got up about 4:30 am for this hike and were at the trailhead ready to go by 5:30am. Not too many cars here and a couple cars even had a couple people sleeping in them. Here's a before shot of me, armed with GPS and ready to rock!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561676320410050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPUL0b6WXSs199QUn8b9UdDGRAYa17tGlL7SnST0OIhUPUUlJEFW0hTiOKEmB0QI_ZUV3nYHsP7cmOx8t-Ep1ICU3wjhIFVkV3X4Hx5BlohBGGDjyH9s6Dfv8hf1vYnPbzwPV8gM0qUB2/s400/Start.jpg" /><br /><br />This was Kyle's 1st 14er and it's basically right up the long side of the mountain, turn around, and come back. It's not very technical, just very long! The sunrise on Quandary was amazing but to our backs. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561681665430322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-XAbtcjkDR-cphUH3gqCC8oncQBKP-d2wh7q6f5qazqJ-5-QKZ3cePtiNnuoWLEKFHAY7Yk08_Xh17f3ErcgeSfShYbp-naWmWh31ODGMnV_Nc0QIHc4QJdVfM5sS2TVQquJJta5Oqod/s400/2.jpg" />Kyle is a pretty fit dude and we had been at elevation for a few days so he was up for the challenge. He set a pretty rippin' pace early that I struggled to keep up with (I pride myself on being average speed but all day long endurance) but eventually he leveled off and we were able to find a great pace we both could maintain for the duration of the hike. We made quick work of the mountain early passing everyone we saw and we hit the false summit (which isn't very false) in under an hour. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561692354042210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA1lpp7TMiLORLJzVZfjAbDiGYXuug00ui9byN45LFa3JpgPoAZU3WvuqaMK0Bl1iK-ewmV8fnMPqYd6YqNaQB0OL2s0WggK_hZh6IENlthRidTa7CJqnNzcAfKqWfiP27QWna07FltVp/s400/4.jpg" />I snapped a black and white shot back with one of my next conquests, Grays and Torreys in the background. Looking towards the sun caused a neat haze.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561685327385490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRld8nUspiFlt7SykzYzwiRSwIY-PlAe_QEVC-Pl5YhM1lWPjkKdPwkeyaM-0f3ZVpxu9bd5xWr9v1sn6FSfziZYyMcVMSflSpj4HecPGcjrvhhCugsStnh_csFBzmic6Z3wjOwzO0wkR/s400/3.jpg" />We also spotted mountain goats down the mountain towards the resevoir! First goats I've seen in my (5-7 14er climbs)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562674196102866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX07LOCqnN6f6atiZdLVSNSg7lL_zMiz3SojheLZ6IJsO9gWgrrS0cJLUjEI7zEoYB1zeUR4I3rQj9yPAEMlWrAr7wwAk4zuWVfW4Rz2qzjNMjpR8MgP63ffwn7WM-2gNoMUVEjKPbrVI6/s400/5.jpg" />The last part of Quandary is steep and relentless but we were pretty sure we would have a clear summit and with no one else so we hauled up to the top passing the two people that were in front of us! And we were alone! Kyle's first 14er summit! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562677538123202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZlX6xN6PjpmBlxS1QOd1dqskR8fNw-79ooG6iwcv83PFcWYZlAob_FTAl_pqbZiF-KDHdY1R9fcnGGsmvPHGEBUll0KoUT-5Wj4r7fDZwX4SDexA31AFSQlakpa5Luufq69lN-pPjqjl/s400/6.jpg" />And here's my summit shot too! Elbert and Massive are in the background, way back there! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562688345602210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2nLLDq4mhlF_Qr5XiHJGy_qq4o6W3DlcYyZ0gwFNTOSY7fcriHJn_xa2u2EGCjM8TXX6NLiDYnbCzN3IWHN9S6OrDhNBYbHLkm7je1M4qd7GRMub5bRH1Iyh817WvvmjkNV4ZPz7fIEa/s400/7.jpg" />Summit certified!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562692253776978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUXt6g7eRCqMykNWCGDFTehJcCsKkbUrbDVUBTaQhi44cWsPjqUBDdbTwM0rLFvnyvs_mGPU01DDkpGShqBZWeZjjdF9ZviM6fgYYi_UjpTP4z-vFcnPJcnSpRqhSFphwXDLHL5arzmZs/s400/8.jpg" />And then a father/son combo from Chicago came up and took this photo for us! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562510014074354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KFlFL12aRPlbm8V7v1pjAue7cjlWR7K32oZ00_mpLUtlk-a6rgje52xyVtPGYmBBhSDOkofxf6BmkDfvH933ITmHCb6VdJ0_eT7YsqistQd6XMfkQ4Lrhmn5dfxNRFYYib7KPFraPiVM/s400/9.jpg" />The view to the north was stunning. That's the upper part of McCullough gulch. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562515612500530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsWQQiTa8umuVOSjWLQnh_0jRLfOhx4CjhyphenhyphenclpJvaMcneQsYj2SIE5T0kDrj2EES5QOk9z1cUY0DovgABvhXwCYmRD5pn6TLVvAhKFcttboscIYn983YdEh4FQ91Kw4obnSC7urKyXqve/s400/10.jpg" />Kyle was not afraid to live on the edge on the way down. The weather was beautiful! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562518390552386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgIrLdjqHmW1WxIAEAhH99GWEnKZSRfvMK4_gYeyX4cRvhEZeN_flL12Lss9deNuh3SS266uk2Iq0EZY-CowhDSx1oPkRC6md5Wa9bI_HqVYAFA2-9qaPp-KDDlkWhz2MigoAUR9ipn3y/s400/11.jpg" />We saw no less than 500+ people accending on a perfect Thursday morning so glad we got there early. There was a school field trip, a group of maybe 50 people each with balloons to let fly at the summit to honor a friend who died exactly a year ago and loved climbing. Many retirees who didn't even care of they made the top, etc. Oh yeah and 6 non-people too! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562523450161538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-NzMJH81Z5ich0TQ_iGiwh-pha1PxQ9Su4fL6esKOlTYKYAYtYmK8yWoBoBW4je7RPb-7b2iaYn6OTGI5fjvyJvJHrVw5ejTRFsxnX4SLAPXu_e9jHjt72InrpfwtgsxVUvJynq9PIt8/s400/12.jpg" />Some mountain goats! They were curious and probably looking for food and standing right in the trail! Too much fun! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562533283898674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTyQ18Ez1c5crLvwgXerg7NQYcI2YRp9qt2BhTS_xSW-Rubl5QbKP9Bc1-PA8pTASP1PMO5QfECzFmfUtYr2nkUyfzkBuUjyitK3zlq-YKztgNRqTI0IKacDCrCb9qPLoHhO-_zJBNQuf/s400/13.jpg" />We kept making our way down the mountain and were to the treeline in no time. Going down is easier on the lungs but harder on the joints but we made it down with no injuries or falls so all was well! Here's me in standard warm weather Colorado climbing gear. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562281860263074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tFY-5HIFRus800snuTHN5tHnXPnVjCo1GT77Scnoi65UY_QqSdi8HQgYW4h1m6mg2Q4Lc-DCOSoqa3C1nRwqNUscTFJjV-0FwhTHxcIGbGx5D4QBBpR1I50P-7jsXNNcZvn-81z972Hl/s400/14.jpg" />The road back to Breck has a pull out to view Quandary. My camera viewed us and Quandary. What a fun day with a good friend, perfect weather and a nice sense of adventure!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562286456297330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSx5VhaXZWx-80dM2GTRP4oPLxUM7Qdec33Vr-xW5vktpg-CLyJjp10gXJIzCAJcPSAiS0jBlBUmC1ZqDysJO2FIc2ZQGi0kkNJWL69JReS-d-Y-yibyxYzCZPv-nCplAAuCZ-rRliY3a/s400/15.jpg" />We then met up with Hez and Jess and got our spelunking on. This was a pretty cool gold mine and freezing cold in there!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562297861281378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIt5Ug6xur3GUUoblNrr8OodNE9YKOVnAHZHS_xVREyMJEVQ1t_lFBnqq2VqBL4EtSL-aug2XodlyhHi_rihoUzxo3qbsBRDUSuRCCBcv7P_yM66UoDhXay6rk82JPvvmhVVtMPAgvHyg/s400/16.jpg" />Jess and I went around Breck to find our favroite spot, a nice mountian stream with a little ropes course action!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431562298502730754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5Ppz2QP4OqWODXLF6Jgopr6Qxl_dIEaH6FYARgJ512s2qScjfg7grSYbQKiAyhBDyKkBCb07qxnTw1u4EjhXN77Ejb5R_zvXcrbQz94hrRoxlI82roC7Khi1TxFvQaKU54RNCA_c8cqk/s400/18.jpg" />And no blog post would be complete without the trip to Keystone. Because Jess was pregnant no biking for her so it was just Kyle and I again. Keystone is the single most fun you can have on a mountain bike as far as I've experienced. Shuttle up and then dozens of different routes down. The easy routes are some sweet flowy and rocky singletreack! Perfect! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561973866665442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ayotf0MSFNMf3OQg4yMG4uuFILreNtTtXiRQJrB8ml3Sw0mow1E_1OcSE9ZJe5cX6gotAnRzzUdiJIKgRiTUMOKwaLck-O7p_fMXlRZN8t3108cYPWsjOzfJxAH2Iw0w_PZ86a3ym3sW/s400/19.jpg" />You can also opt for harder routes with drops, stunts and features. What to do, the double black diamond bypass or the triple black diamond corkscrew?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561984377454498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA67AGP07g8hq8JoFcrUIafFGUcfaXxOiLPKQ_pixT5SbMfPBIS0vqJAk5E7KAbyyg91mdFmSgPF96OXphlfTqyqMUn9NEXV9bp2UdsJwLBb4Fx6Xv9tyaONGYI0OqOG1oLtitzIl0_j5k/s400/20.jpg" />Why the corkscrew of course! It's hard to ride when you are shaking in fear but I had no choice but to not crash! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561988864845906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignY12uXtIJU4ymb8Dmee0W2IkzRzq-pV6nLyt7TUt-CHYgwJ9Soaeyw_ApVz3h0Tnz1yb2albaEJmPle9Emj_aWbb__v-xPyc0kcuKkCTsVoUX9YAgsHsuUUu8PchMQuY3yr0zKrat02L/s400/22.jpg" />Here is the finish (a reenactment) but it shows the whole thing. Pretty cool, I've missed seeing this stunt on previous trips so glad we saw it this time! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561990484479954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQnyIvr2BVg6SebhxXYZFqWHfEX2ZpIZtQjaAo930jO_uv_n7_qaSXzaOioXGF2jsLjy9TLaArumyFDrMyYduera0q-1Y3yCjza4Oct8Sx_pWNAN6Dn_UcZJgrDxqvNOX_ahtWkgquzpV/s400/23.jpg" />Kyle liked bombing steep, rocky drops! This was just the start of a black diamond natural terrain trail with rocks, jumps, ledges and many successive drops. No problems! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431561982701404306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLrEnUiOpCfxU5-jA-Qq8-w3Qee_n1ffpAPe49bg986k2uV4AyfpYKR3zw0hk8KiJplveH_qokV4DHqqh1Gh6giOLYzc_HxuHmigAKouDqCKLQoGSoQM4k1PtAF1ByeDZknKVHUnPCvaD/s400/21.jpg" /> That pretty much catches you up on my Colorado Adventures for 2009. Thanks for reading!Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-7566434128696967162010-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:002010-01-24T08:20:58.844-08:004 14ers in one day!A Colorado Mountain hiking update! This post has been a half-year in the making but wanted to make sure it was posted before I moved on to other things as it was very important to me!<br /><br />Monday, July 20th was my biggest planned day in Colorado on our weeklong summer vacation, to summit 4 14ers in one hike. I’ve been wanting to summit another 14er ever since hiking to <a href="http://darkins44.blogspot.com/2007/07/mt-elbert.html">Colorado’s highpoint (Mt Elbert) 2 years ago</a>.<br /><br />Well in Colorado they make some easy and some difficult. Each of these would be fairly easy but the cumulative total of 4 of them and continued exposure at 13,500ft + would make it a challenge for an out of shape person from Wisconsin 2-days removed from a difficult bike race. Where there is a will, there is a way however and because everyone else had plans to go rafting Monday was the day!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327811963904706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fzln8RO9RY-2b9f4gspBiftOly_leT0l0yKURwvjabafR5ITfpbItCTzbiDzWCZ6fXL220pLAxJf6MEUCxPlQ5cAaZCA15toJfweb1fgIbfOV1s80z5NlGv0o-KIBGtVFyXnw84lkCp0/s400/Parking+Lot.jpg" /> The trailhead was roughly a half hour drive, from Breckenridge over Hoosier Pass to Alma and then up to the Kite Lake trailhead. They recommend a high clearance two-wheel drive or four wheel drive to get to the trailhead but the Avalon is never scared and handled it all smoothly (I went to much worse trailheads on this trip.) I left Breck at 5am with coffee in hand and got to Kite Lake a little after 5:30. It took some getting ready at the trailhead but I got started before 6pm with a belly full of fuel. This was the first hard solo hike I’ve ever really done so I was a little on the anxious side as it was just me versus the mountains, no Larkin or Jess or someone in it with me. There were only 3 groups that Icould see that started out ahead of me. I’ve never actually felt stronger on a tough hike than I did this morning. The afternoon before we hiked McCullough Gulch (one of the world’s best hikes) and I wasn’t feeling particularly strong. But when I set out today I quickly caught a group of 4 who started about 5 minutes ahead of me. They all looked fit but in group hiking you are only as fast as your slowest, who wasn’t as fast as me I guess. On my way up I got the first glance of the sun! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327471980994994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0e_ePqGS5Ais4mmFpjXWXg9rr7PYNz8d9lbQmWJhYE5dbq5sY896g9VcM0FsJC7hN8qCDbvFBj0gcTHzgoAnQXIvHWZvWgjEt9Y0MyvPw3TCgNjyJcEoWBLzcvuvPNvdDWjRrb18D-83/s400/Democrat+Sunrise.jpg" />I passed another group before I hit the saddle that separates Mt Democrat (my first goal) and Mt Cameron (my second goal.) This is where life got rough!<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R-r-PFCnbpE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R-r-PFCnbpE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This video (taken sideways, oops) shows how windy it was. I estimate a sustained 60-70mph wind but it wasn't very gusty. It was cold. This part rips right through a valley that channels it through and the only escape was for the wind to blow over here. The cool part was most of the trail was protected from this, but probably 20% of the time I was dealing with wind. I saw people ahead however and read it could be windy so I kept rocking it. The way up was awesome. Words can't explain how badly I wanted (needed) to be at the top of Mt. Lincoln. So I chugged it hard! I got up to the false summit and there was a snowfield to walk through, how awesome! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327491755030770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeZZCDB2fAsZWAeKyrrOFcLqPr6BA5-hfEEKNTJvvbTQjSCddMaUIBhTxIo6rg85d802awg44fSpQgF6FSgyC6slOM1SLsEMIVa6Cd20kERvQJCbedxRIzOZkWUNZ1uGWE57Z6QrdX7VC/s400/False+Summit+Democrat.jpg" />I had passed everyone else that day so I summited all by myself! The emotions were strong as this summit was symbolic of a resolution of all the struggles I've had the past 2 years. It was cold and still a little windy but manageable. The weather was starting to cloud up so I had to make sure to keep watching it as there is no place to hide. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327466972279698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SVkwzXzyyjPNQbGBR4rcRolzMVj3IorsSgEFlmfBZnglNTp2Dxi7ACtCUdiCQI1wEIekRlrKSaXse6n-WH_Ys8etd2LZeo5fj8WlBYOyVEAlXvkPbyvQ1QnqQU2Wc6zZQOxrJC91vQr5/s400/Democrat+Summit.jpg" />I hung out for only about 5 minutes as the weather wasn't great but got some awesome photos and was able to see and identify several other 14ers across the land! I headed back down the same way I came to get back to the saddle. When I got to the snowfield I had to piss like a racehorse. There are no trees or anything so I went over to the side of the snowfield to "write my name in the snow" because I am still 10 apparently. Of course about 2/3 of the way through a hiker came up towards my front and she just happened to be a nice young lady. I was able to turn around so she didn't see what I was doing (she knew full-well what I was doing, minus the writing my name thing). When she approached me, she wanted me to take her photo and she took one for me in return so no big deal, just a funny memory! Here's the photo. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327485474931954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFWbBj3-jZy9w_aayQv9C4tjecOvav99YW24uv4No7gLZ2j6oHG8vkWVPRZhZ62v6OeBuWMnfFz0-HK6mNBGfVzi6vhJvwqEPNRbTGzzEA99anJnnALjw09uXBf9mzIxG5IrFH8wx_sm3/s400/Down+post+pee+Democrat.jpg" />The rest of the way down wasn't too bad, the wind was a little more mild (like 30-40mph) and I quickly made it back to the traverse. People were afraid of the weather at this point and either turning around or deciding on just doing Mt Democrat. I had no time for decisions and I was 50:50 on whether I should continue but there was no way I was actually going to quit so I headed up towards Cameron. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327154237791090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vBlayn2fHW8pLopnZ08ZkXP0XNOlyV_R3Zy5XhJU6Dn8ljVoPUEACrBhwwGdj63cf80WSE6uPuIOqbRyFGP_G0xsLm5THthkOKh1s_ZfeBhyxvAonlSBgB_T2sG6VA0KTFohHwQSbhDG/s400/Cameron+traverse.jpg" />This seemed to be the sketchiest part of the hike weatherwise. It was long and seemingly took forever. I did get a look back at the trailhead and now I realize why they call it Kite Lake.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327476902548930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXLkAvvw5OGohie_hWhONvNS5xIki9pkpwSBtEx_z07eSTFXsqVp5TLqXpKJIXlgs4xvk_5l3CbG4XUpzpos2EQvGxjJDGUkDu8xjdu0PUEAv6H06wSApv3SADaOSf-iOHNLT9Iyaueg3/s400/Down+from+Cameron+to+Kite+Lake.jpg" />I even got passed by a couple people younger than me who were jogging up, crazy! Mt Cameron isn't an "offical" summit because of how close it is to Mt Lincoln and there isn't enough of an elevation change between the two. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327149551697474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilELXUmyGU5cZyGaE_JK44s0x0liB2D4oAmY55KoQh8CV1n5xKRGgpSj93-iDTDnmMkVcL3lC6uTo5Rbn0R3lKhS5Q3DlAdfUgvQ7sHgmleM8A537L9KGvLp7oU4X1rzyx48vbSKW4ZPBS/s400/Cameron+Summit.jpg" /> But Cameron has a very cool summit, you could see all 4 of the summits of the hike from this one, an awesome snow field and cliff and this pond that had snow in it and couldn't be more than 33F. Crazy stuff!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327162845459650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxrfNI44DLnuoqiGDGBw9HrrWSkYpnVzsIB29NOZplCaJLlL1DySn1gnZ6zj1yosWY9c8fI05jq9Q8xeZ2yg8ZnA6XtKG_sVYgj4VwPTvGOUD2AkNvw9dqc2Soysf8_J29Bx9yoNsdmuc/s400/Cold+Pond+Cameron.jpg" />I was having good momentum at this point and the weather remained bad. Plus I had the most technical accent ahead, that of Mt. Lincoln. The top of Mt Lincoln was smaller than most and had a sheer face on one side but the views were great as you could see all the mountains to the north, east and south (Pikes Peak, Grays & Torreys, Quandary, etc.) Got a good self photo:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327802421944530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6l14c2cs_o9rcLcrp_bYW35VXsEZ5ukfvo1bXPKy7vRpbK0z7tNgvhNr5f8ilDWg7L8WLjuxes6TeefLj7ZPCqAlb6qyF-XzOYX-1HEtjK9EYw3jdnIDdLVabZiX_e1lKAwWyUy5hccC/s400/Lincoln+Summit.jpg" />Made quick work down and then took the traverse over to Mt. Bross. There was some confusion as to whether Bross was open or not but supposedly the route most take to the top was open so I passed by some routes to the top to take the one that wasn't closed. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327808491763282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwcRM85EUM-QFhEnqqbJLZoCct0Ic5VWiUkizJk-bW84uG25h4sqKQ3jQUd3bAA3qhpQoJ3f_oCP-rig_KLwt-QokRT80u34tsRcTYvZAuO20299qUxosHoaqdVSp-yF5790CRwWNhQXe/s400/Lincoln+to+Bross.jpg" />I finally made it after alot of walking and the size on top had to be about a quarter mile long by an eight mile wide, enormous. Bross was famous for allowing 4 wheelers (which aren't allowed currently) at the top but again I had a summit to myself.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327138370540818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR_AvRe-CJ6Li_u_B1QbVNKYXUdzhSchKAXruvvGiEfY1L5mjZ5HMXTG6i46FYzinWPdMyl_gErf1Puz_Fn-aJmrRm7vvX2iU6dGtO5PN5MgSYSd5MTGOsQn30bNMsL9hJNO5Vvz_cFYu/s400/Bross+Summit.jpg" />The weather got bad as I assumed a storm at any moment so I found the quickest way down from the summit. I decended 500 feet on what might have been a trail. The footing was so loose and it was so rocky that parts of it did not resemble a trail. While I thought the decent down Bross would be easy, it was the hardest part of the trip. It was so loose that I almost fell so many times and was a bit out of control. The trail was awful with rocks big enough to kind of support you but small enough to slip without notice. I took one fall but mostly it was an unfun 40 minutes of trying not to get hurt. Then I got down to some flora and the trail leveled out and got nice again. I came across this icy waterfall, so beautiful, and the weather got nice!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327144475886786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcC4Z_I_MV65_gK8bOfengj8syK7vZD0Hj5WlXTSVM2UHyf_Zber_9fskDfGDrHRVH5ukt2I0D0FjChJxv7hubuxbfZmy8ShDgKsroBb65s6LMrDQVre23sgoYs1fyvTSx8mqW6sc-9u7/s400/Bross+Waterfall.jpg" />I looked like I was so close to the lot but then you have a good mile to go with a couple stream crossings. But I hustled and made it! I felt like a rock star.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430327797925164690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJL-rrvrOOfFo2QufyZ1k0DIVTdBcsThv1F2byHpnjpt0bLnbzTNQJ6DlUNNCb_FvYJhTf1o1H-uLhhN8yerG-UG7OxEhoWAPbIXh00xdBtinRM9jI1wBtJ-JJszdZuTkHVsvVm0sEyZY/s400/Finally+done!.jpg" /><br /><br /><p>I finished off the day with a wade in Kite Lake, which was cold but felt great on tired feet and ankles. The trout were plentiful too, I'd love to camp here for a day! A Dr. Pepper and a granola bar later I was back on to Breck where I met back up with part of our crew for some lunch at my favorite restaurant, Empire Burger. </p><p>I can't believe how well it went. The weather made me keep pressing on and I couldn't wait to get back up for Quandary Peak 3 days later!</p>Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-38712572646644555512009-07-20T19:38:00.000-07:002009-07-20T20:04:44.844-07:00Breck B-32 Race Report<div><div><div><div><div><div>I guess since I am riding and racing and adventuring now and again I should probably start writing again. What better way to start than with the one race I planned on doing this year, the Breckenridge B-32 race. Last weekend I did the 6 hour race at Levis-Trow and struggled with breathing and heart rate but the legs felt good. Wasn't sure what to expect at 9000 feet (starting elevation) but thought I'd give it a shot.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360741970657797538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7RAm5JR7uLef3dS9lol7_GS8gd_fXEjjeCuUch1NQejgriaitfMvYJXRiA7rJYPDnoCXqGgwxD3pgN-iEAUR1-mZwgb8ts_RcMDghn2wZaO3k7K-TuDW6qG63K66Z49ehyz9CDeuk17r/s400/IMG_9789.JPG" border="0" /><br />We got to Breck on Saturday morning after spending the past two nights (and one day) in the front range. Registered and chilled out. The race was a mass start heading out of Breck into the back and high country. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360743641734069154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywL3tniczCkBXyWOIOTLQZm2cKNGVKnkm64MZE4LUJFru-ytw4SsI-aZJ6LBA9MT5S83-OVFV7E-PbkemvWQbmeOOu2ts2yLB4ohzOZoewnQmoNTcMoKJNAGNaUAxwlcV6RoRkSc1Nn8j/s400/IMG_9796.JPG" border="0" />I got dropped (as did all but 4 riders) on the neutral roll-out despite starting out front and entered the first singletrack in the top half or so. Not too bad. I faded a touch getting used to the many miles of uphill singletrack (it wasn't until after mile 6 that I actually coasted for the first time.) But once I got warmed up and ready I really started to move on up, passing quite a few people. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360741965367132082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA83nHnlQHXBbds42lIlWdWthe9bFpmmBZOGzZA8POb7cAMvEeN0ojMFFOZQTxgxcL2vHVddBMMW6eQbuw9JfyTs8u9myhhfYsd7wbuoi-AFnD6yxPbEdXE9THWfB3sdT-4nF9w9CUfTW/s400/075.JPG" border="0" />Once we hit the downhill singletrack I was passing people left and right and even more so when we hit the double track decent. We had two long double track decents and I was just getting into race mode (worrying about my result) when *poof* flat tire. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360741994654223234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJYlpTH0b01JCfnOUL4hKjkUKxQRSfJ-DGRIZbAnVD6KeAyoIIw4ZboPaE-MA-HZLmwJ2JB9-MmQkvzHmznAnqrn0S0fiLDGEPZ8teID-VBvPpQt4Hl-bGOuhNVOvNK4Uyta5KcTZh8pK/s400/079.JPG" border="0" />What a bummer. I changed the flat ok but it blew out again right away. Race over.</div><br /><div>Or was it? I walked for a mile and a half down the dirt road trying to hitchhike back to town but no luck. I did have one more tube in my camelback but no way to inflate it. I finally walked all the way to the Aid station but they had no pump either. Finally I see a trailhead down the road and walked down there. Some hippy had a mini pump and it took us a good 10 minutes to figure out how to work it. Once we did I got it up to about 30PSI. Instead of riding it back into Breck I decided after an hour I might as well ride the race course out, so much for quitting! Getting back in the race started with a 2500ft climb. Brutal. But I must've climbed it ok (I passed two on the way up) because on the decent on the Colorado Trail I passed at least 15 people! For the rest of the race I would pass about a person every 3 minutes. At mile 30 I was excited to be done, an hour after I told Jess I probably would be. And then the road turned. Up. Steep and long. 900ft of vertical when I thought we were done with that. The 32 mile race turned well over 35 miles. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360741977748936178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulDW1qqy9fU3c2E_K480IGn3j-sfZfHRTRgbq6olZ2fKWqpj4RjyGAWfFLirE978cbygVDJmK1R6f-Me2vLM-AzL94z5w5_IId9FOJEcPZNN7OfyvlAb0bzUnJSedQf9cE90RWhil0LOc/s400/IMG_9818.JPG" border="0" />But finally I entered the switchbacks of Carter Park and before I knew it I was eating watermelon and then checking into the condo. Before we left it showed I was 8th place out of 13 people in my age. Not too bad. I think I would've been in the top 5 for sure but no way would I have made the podium. I felt pretty good despite it all even though the result wasn't there. I guess that's it for my racing season (you never know though).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360741989436676178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNURL32fYXSNEy7sAjRMCeBXvTNIMff7H1paFdiEMTcHT95JN-sPVL4-ur6te6EkzGACKn4LHvolRVUwViA3j8BcbbF9m0lt7ubRoiWjmes9kR04oIqCq_Y4m4JSa0EoPa3M7Nbms6PGr-/s400/IMG_9826.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />Our friends got into town afterwards so Empire Burger was the recovery ticket! Thanks for reading!Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3484630568724714922.post-90290016509434172142009-02-24T18:16:00.001-08:002009-02-24T18:47:29.582-08:00Cache Money!While blogging in the conventional sense isn’t of interest to me (Hi my name is Mark and last night I walked my dog and watched TV) I still think that I want the people of the world to know about the fun things I do. Which is why I made my kind of dormant food blog. And which is why the show must go on for the Waffle House Chronicles as my do all site. I just got back from a cruise and if you want to see tons of cruise photos, look me up on Facebook. I’ve posted a couple hundred photos I am sure. So for now this blog will chronicle my adventures of travel, geocaching and whatever else I do that seems noteworthy beyond the day to day events.<br /><br />This past weekend we were really looking forward to hitting some caches. And then overnight on Friday night we got 6” of fresh powder. Which I thought would stop us…but I was wrong as Jess was dedicated big-time. The first cache was on the Ice Age trail and no one had been out there yet so we blazed our own path!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306554453542120482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNWxN4MSg23Zn1nGxIXt8Qmo7p8cBb9NfQ2u-GUVsVOLW0YEoqcqW49UrD207NSNQSEatxJ7RdfVq5ANwVpypm_ZmGyPqoceq7B9uufWhf-6mb1fKvyoDLIikb_9qzM4bTqB2L0wiXs1q/s400/P1020493.JPG" border="0" />Perfect trail though and the dogs loved it!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306554458764042210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIb_T1e2wH-QaPYuCHGVj9Qd1GtRMOnB1zsE4kJ0bg6UhTTq3BUD-XdBiEGEm9ryJA9ISPYDDmGpNQKh_XEe4zoeqe93DZJDeEIHbfHW2uaRSywdM6rhAtCynnGbQiM1EHIX6s88krR3w/s400/P1020497.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306554459730536722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYHPaua-XzhB5a7FyCVuriEMlPb4k2y_JwHqfmKhD1rdGLJtQw3tvFMDmuHZvOLuA7l4AnbBJi27blCOAzpcq53LHEa0OpT42NsthAVvaBSZOEb1NowvbNurN-n3RMg25kpw_dwOXYQoD/s400/P1020499.JPG" border="0" /><br />The second cache was a quick park and grab in Verona and the third was in a nice wooded park which required more trailblazing and Jess used some good cache instincts.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306554465661800082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmI8NPdJYfktZasoe1WwxzLDC1DCOxZ1Km4W59Hmdjd6SULgBmfKRaK4r1_RczAHUgVIHDR3idZd0SWeZDT3rrLGkPlFO9sglyNE7qdDstcrmiAeXbodf8ViG5quP7WnuHdW99EH5dHLr/s400/P1020517.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />After that we looked for an elusive cache near our house that we still couldn’t find. Oh well, 3 out of 4 isn’t bad.<br /><br />Sunday was cold and we still had lots of snow. But we went out nonetheless. We had a large lists of caches to get so it was going to be quite the adventure. We started near the Circuit City/Taco Bell area on the west side and got two caches, one of which was supposed to be pretty tricky. After hitting some Taco Bell for lunch we hit a puzzle cache in a cemetery. We quickly figured out the puzzle thanks to the new geocaching application on the IPhone as the puzzle was stuck on a sheet of paper in our printer and we forgot to bring it and then scored the cache!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306554467877746850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvsjaEfrv80u2Qa60uDWQ8SAc4O7wGEjlInK3-nB2ZSaELzmI_leVdMf1CxlxW5gXpYwFH4zuIBan35bYIf03t1UMaKGy7w-X7nEv-MA5j-3NAfhroU1TqZQiixk9EjTLNBF5L1SHBJ5O/s400/P1020532.JPG" border="0" />We went from there to another cache near a Madison eatery which was only hard because of the snow and because of the people around. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306555053373952994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsA_zlvGl9z4McvLSFUzFOCec_kV3PT84YLeoOmRadOxj8Ri_c6VpqrN2Bi7mq8o97uj-cHwJxCBpGsVwZM_Q0hSKrJtwGd56zZJug9GVB6ma24B5B4gEa2ci99IJ_zd3ek2shsHknkIO5/s400/P1020533.JPG" border="0" />Cache 5 was a multicache where you find a cache and it gives you directions to the next cache until you get to the final, this one was easy but all that programming of the GPS made our hands cold. We then headed towards Middleton to get some caches out that way. Cache 6 was simple walk down a path and find it in a big tree. #7 rocked though, we had to climb onto rocks under a steep bridge and then did for it. It took us a while to find so it felt like a nice score. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306555048248552354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2rKdEIjtMt41qzLcK_NI42cLHDlmW2GGxbu4J6zbTXS5h3OhdoskuMYHik_apGK2SpP2f-bML_8ynN1CbQC-Mth1lNVCTOs4Fd_xIFiDdYKUzf-7H4aBFaoAKBnYp8ROb7xPqZthgElt/s400/P1020540.JPG" border="0" />#8 was another park and grab although we had to walk maybe ¼ of a mile which is a bummer because there is a bike path I’ve never been on that would’ve got us all of these last 3. Cache 9 was a small magnetic cache in Middleton. That was the end of our successes, 9 in a row. #10 was a puzzle cache but the coordinates were messed up and we never did find it (as things were more than weird.) I am almost certain I know where to look now. So we went out towards the Middleton Airport and failed on the next two as well. One hasn’t been found in months and there was a lot of ice build up so we will have to wait until spring. The other was a very similar situation and by that point we were cold, wet, discouraged, hungry and running behind time so we bailed quick and headed home. All and all 12 caches are nice, 75% completion rate is a bit of a bummer though but what can you do? We were 5 for 5 earlier this week so all is good! Looking forward to the big Iowa Cachefest this weekend, hoping to net at minimum 50. February will be our best caching month ever with 3 states, 2 islands within a US Territory (US Virgin Islands) and 2 foreign countries.Burrito Eaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12407906108039686331noreply@blogger.com0