The "Stone House" Route To Columbine Pass, Then On To Oh-So-Blue Columbine Lake

A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye...looking into which, the beholder measures the depth of his own (soul).  Henry David Thoreau 

Two Tickets To Paradise

"The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need, if only we had the eyes to see."  Edward Abbey   

Wildflowers Lag Behind "Schedule" In Spirit Basin

The forecast for Monday was good, so I knew Bobbie would be ready to head up to the mountains after her 3 day shift at Bear Creek Gift Shop.

New PR's For Dumb and Dumber In Camp Bird Grudge Match

Another week, another opportunity to finally beat Pal Leon in the "Summer Series," Man on Bike against Man on Foot. We are told by our parents—as well as most "successful" people like Bill Gates and Colonel Sanders—that it is struggle that shapes us more than triumph....that failure is the foundation upon which success is built.  Hmmm. It's either bull-hockey or I'm long overdue for the big dubya.  

"I'm Walking On Sunshine...and Don't It Feel Good"

We decided to take advantage of back-to-back days with scant threat of thunderstorms. Legs and toes were only moderately sore the morning after summiting Abram. So, with no consequential excuses to stay home, we decided rise early and effectuate one of our all-time favorite hikes.

Another Summit On One Of Lovely Ouray's Sentinel Peaks

Sometimes people wonder if we ever get tired of the same ole places and doing the same ole thing. Uh, no. There are hikes and rides and climbs worth repeating, if for no other reason than to get our daily exercise in the fresh outdoors instead of inside a stuffy gym on a boring machine. I don't even get bored doing a mile to a mile-and-a half at the pool (32 to 48 laps). Why? Because it's outside. It's no big secret. The key to staying fit as we get older is to find multiple ways to get our body moving. The more ways, the better the chance of success. That's it. Oh, and beautiful scenery helps...

The Gift Of Luck

"In life, there is no gift (so) overlooked or inevitable as failure." Can't Hurt Me, by Navy Seal, David Goggins