Glorious Fridays

How often do you set out to explore the world around you?

Are you stuck in a rut or do sweat feverishly anytime you have to go do the same Friday ride?

Today I decided to set out on a new ride thanks to some route beta from Will. He and I use the same gym for our weight lifting sessions so I run into him from time to time. So thanks to the frigid temps I was more then willing to jump on the mountain bike for a pavement to dirt road to dirt trail ride with exploring in mind.

With a full stomach and a mind open to any and all thoughts, I set out into the frigid front range.


This road used to lead to an old mining town of 300 in 1896, according to the plaque in town. Now it is home to a smattering of fancy homes, shanties, and a Jeep dealer. Or so I can surmise since everyone on the street drove a jeep, especially this guy.


Colorado is so beautiful, just naturally beautiful, I just don't even have to try hard to capture it. Although the population should take note, otherwise we will most certainly lose it to the future, development, and "progress." I locked up the brakes on the descent to grab this one.


Thankfully I got the memo about bringing spare gloves, hat, and windproof jacket on the ride as well, because it was COLD on the way down. I mean COLD. Enough to make me sprint up ever little rise to keep my legs warm. Who knew dropping 4,000 vertical feet in 20 minutes could chill you to the bone.

Or cause my hair to do this. Move over Derek Zoolander, you aren't the only really really really ridiculously good looking one around anymore.


Finally, this is the proof for those who doubted my descent. I <3 Technology.

Congratulations

...are due to my good friends Bryan Smith and Rebekah Williams who are now engaged!

That is all.

Thanksgiving ReCap

I jumped a plane last Monday for the short trip home to Minneapolis, MN for Thanksgiving with my folks. Having some flexible work time gave me a sweet opportunity to spend a week there and I'm super glad I did. My cousins came over to visit. That is Lola and her older Brother Henry Maxwell, yup, that's his name. Awesome.



Then the cooking ensued on Thursday, but only after a morning run around Lake Calhoun with Mom and Sis to get the metabolism going.

The menu this year was based on a Italian Style Thanksgiving, Mille Grazie. The stuffed artichokes were the highlight of the night.

I wanted to stop eating after these, they were the best. But I also made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies so I had to keep eating.


Onto the most important thing that I saw over the week, the "gapper wear" exhibit at the Denver International Airport. The best part was the inability to tell the difference between some of the present fashion trends and the 40 year old jackets.