Happy, happy, happy Easter!

I hope that you had a Happy Easter weekend.   Pretty low-key around our house.   We went to McKenzie's for the Easter brunch and it was awesome!  It was just Candy, Clark and I.   Ended up eating way to much. When we got home I ran the Toyota over to the car wash and cleaned it up.   When I got back we took the dogs out on a walk.  Went over to the Dog Park and let them play in the water.   Roxy is all about water, Mable not so much.   We did one loop around and the then headed back.   Only logged 3 miles today, which puts me at 99.71 for the month.   Close enough to my goal for this month.

I got me some uphill

Well looks like I will hit the 100 mile mark this month.   I managed to rack up some miles the last couple of days.   On Friday I took the long way home and was able to get 6.5 miles logged.   I came home through lower BCP.   I came through a section that had a long area of tall shrubs off to the right of the trail.  In the shrubs their were numerous birds.   The were whistling and chirping away.   I stopped and record the sounds on my phone.   It actually came out pretty well, I may have to make it my new ring tone.   On the way home I was on the hunt for Coyotes.   I didn't find any but I did find a what I think is Coyote den.   Will have to check this week and see if I can see any coming or going.

This morning we logged 5.8 miles by doing Section 16.   We haven't done this route in a while so it was nice to be back on it.   Guessing we saw 12 to 15 people today, including other hikers, joggers and a couple of bicyclist.   This trail has a pretty good incline to get you started and then a gradual decent.   As of writing this I can feel today's hike in my upper thighs.  I included our route today and the elevation profile.   I had forgotten to turn the GPS on when we left the trail head so that's why you see the gap.

We went out to see the new GI Joe movie.   It was OK, lot's of pretty faces and lots of action.   You can beat movie popcorn.

Just need to get 3.5 miles in and I will break a 100 miles.   Guess we will walk the dogs over to the dog park and make a lap or two.    Going to have to go early as we are having Easter brunch at McKenzie's Chop House.  I don't think either one of us felt like spending all day cooking a big dinner, as it's just Candy, Clark and I.  Eric has been out in Santa Monica visiting a friend and get's home tomorrow evening.   I tried to get us into the Cheyenne resort but the earliest they could seat us was 3:30 pm.   That's was just way to late in the day.

Keystone, CO

84.41 miles and the month is just about over.  I still have a couple of days left to try to hit 100 miles.  No miles today, but I did manage to get 3.5 miles on the treadmill yesterday.   Today was a Denver day, so makes it tough to get the miles in.   I am headed up to Keystone tomorrow for a client meeting and will try to get out in the morning.  I better get to sleep if that is the plan.

In Keystone I am having dinner at the Alpenglow Stube.  Looks like a pretty damn nice restaurant.  Not looking forward to the drive up and back, but I think the weather is supposed to be nice.

Full tank of gas

We got a late start, but at least we got started.  I think we left at just about 11 AM.  We stayed up way to late last night watching movies.   We watched "The Gift", this movie will keep you guessing as to who the killer was.  Logged 4.81 miles to the book today, this gets me to 80.91 Miles for the month.   Just need to keep after it and I should be able to break a hundred this month.

Yesterday I replaced our ceiling fan in the bedroom.   The chain that controlled the speed had snapped off the old one.  Candy picked one up a few days back and it was sitting in the garage.   I needed something to do, so I went ahead and knocked it off the to do list.   It went fairly smooth, it's done and I can move to the next project.

Last night I cut out some sheet music and images for my next arts and crafts project.  I used to have a subscription to Guitar magazine back in the late 80's and early 90's.  I have saved the issues all these years, I guess for decoupage projects.  I think this project is going to be pretty cool.  Well time will tell, a hint is that it is a tribute to The Grateful Dead.   I'm not a big GD fan, but the images are pretty cool.

It snowed again this afternoon, we got about another 2 inches.   Should make the commute interesting tomorrow.

Happy Hiking

Snow Day

Well as expected it was snowing and blowing this morning.   I really wanted to get for a hike, but I didn't want to deal with the wind.   Instead we checked the Auction house on the web to see what they had today. Didn't see anything that we really needed, a few things that wold be nice to have.   Candy picked up a salt glazed rooster and I bought an Antelope skull and horns.   Figured I would put it in the backyard with the Cow skull and Dear skull that I picked up a while back.   No I don't have a dead animal bone fetish or anything, but the squirrels seem to like sharpening their teeth on the bone.

When we got back from the Auction, I shoveled the driveway again and then knocked out a quick 2 miles on the treadmill.   I only needed a mile to get to 75 for the month, so with the treadmill that gets me to 76.1.

Patience is a struggle when times are hard

OK, its the weekend, boy seemed like a really long week.   I am up to 74 miles so far for this month, got out tonight after work and did a quick 5 up through BCP.   It has gotten cold and at the time or writing this (10:22 PM), I can hear the wind whipping around outside.   Was thinking about getting out early in the morning and trying to get some distance.   Hopefully the wind will die down.   Below is my route and elevation log for this evenings hike.

Some pray, some sin, others don't know where to begin.

I think I need to scale back on the caffeine, I think I need to scale back on the caffeine. Oh wait, I said that already; Smart Ass.  Haven't been able to get too sleep this last week.  Not sure if it is the caffeine or some the current stress at work.  We have a lot going on and we are moving pretty fast.    I did walk today so added another 4.3 miles to the log book.

Looking at the weather, we are in for some changes this weekend.   looks like it could be snowing on Saturday and getting much colder.  The Meister Meter is reporting 1 to 2 inches.

Happy Hiking

One step at a time.

I missed out on getting entries in the blog over the last few days.   Nothing major to report anyway.   I have kept my walking up, not getting the distance in I would have liked to.  Up to 64.62 as of today, I really need to get after it if I plan on breaking a 100 miles this month.  From the chart you will see I have a few goose eggs.   Over the last couple of days, I have traded in my tunes for technical podcast    Downloaded podcast from IBM, Radio Liferay, Salesforce.com and a few others.  I even made a couple of my own technical recordings, to help me get up to speed on some new products we are working with.

After work I walked downtown to meet Candy for dinner.  On my way I came across PT Cruiser, the likes that I had never seen.   Not sure what year it was, but it was customized and a pretty sweet ride.   I would never own a PT Cruiser, but I could drive one like this.  Nice rear fender covers, sun guard, fake side pipes, spot light.

PT Cruiser Custom

PT Cruiser Custom

A dug out my sketch pad and have been trying to practice my drawing technique.  I’m not all that good at it, but I enjoy doing it.   I took pictures and uploaded them and put together a little slide show. 

It isn't just talk, talk, talk

I crossed the 50/Mile mark today.  I missed out on a couple of days, three actually.  Had to be up in Denver this week three days in a row.   I usually leave about 6:30 in the morning and get home at about the same time in the evening.  When I get home I am worn out from the hour of road rage and traffic.  Going to try to get some distance in tomorrow by hiking from the house up to St. Mary's Falls.   Just have to get my ass out of bed!

Happy Hiking

If you want to fit in, you are going to have to like mayonnaise.

5.08/Miles in this evening.   No big stories to share tonight, got work stuff to catch up on.   With this evenings hike we are up to 47.77/Miles.  Keep on walking!

Sinning in the name of rock and roll

Got out a little earlier today.  We hiked up through BCP and did the loop and back.  The lower portion of the trail was fine, but when we made the loop it was icy in spots and muddy in others.  Pretty slick conditions.  Came across a Chipmunk who stopped long enough for me to get a picture of him.    A little further on we came across a small tree with 6 Magpies.  As we walked up several of them flew off.  A little odd to see them grouped together.   When looking a little closer, a dead deer carcass was laying on the ground. .   Will have to check on the carcass over the next couple of weeks.  I need another skull for the backyard.    Made our way up to the top and snapped a few pictures of each other.  Round trip our walk was 5.03/Miles.   This brings the March total up to 42.69/Miles.  Just need to keep after it this week.  Now that we set the clocks forward, we will have a little more day light this will give me a little more time after work.  

As the telling signs of age rain down a single tear is dropping

Slept in this morning, a little later than I had planned.  We made our plans for the day, we talked about going to see OZ but decided we would go on Sunday.  We both wanted to go for a walk and needed to go to the store so we decided to combine the two.   Left the house at 11:00 AM, and made the two mile walk over to Walmart.   I put on an empty mid-sized backpack so we could carry our groceries back home.  Didn't have much to get, mostly small items.

Magpies sitting on Deer

It was blowing snow on the way over and back, but nothing was sticking to the ground.   The wind was blowing pretty good, couple of times we were pushed back by it.   Round trip we ended up getting 4.66/Miles logged.  The image below is the elevation profile.  With today's distance that gets me up to 37.66/Miles since the first of March.  On the way home, walking up our street we came across two Magpies sitting on the back of a Deer.   From what I have read, Deer, Elk, Cattle will tolerate Magpies and let them feed on the ticks they find.

Today's post title comes from the song Savior by Rise Against.  This is the most played song in my iTunes library being played 167 times.

Candy made a batch of chocolate chip cookies this afternoon and before we took off walking to Walmart we had thrown a roast into the crock-pot.   I took some clothes over the cleaners and then drove over to the shop and did a walk through.  Stood around and day dreamed for about 5 minutes and then left.

Happy Hiking

Elevation Profile

You just can't just take the effect and make it the cause

Congratulations to Clark, he took first in the first dive meet of the season as well as getting a state qualifying score.  Way to go buddy!

I just barely made my 30/Mile goal for this week.  I forgot about the dive meet today, so I had to head over to the High School.   I was going to try to walk back home after the meet, but Candy wanted to to go eat and didn't want to wait.  I had my miles so I was game.  Went to Chili's and sat at the bar so we didn't have to wait.   Turned out to be a great evening!

Tomorrow starts a new week for me and I am going to have to crank out some miles over the weekend.   I have to work in Denver three days next week, so I don't see me getting out much on the those days.   I loaded my track log for the week and include a image below.

Happy Hiking

You get nothing for nothing

Feeling pretty good about my progress this week, up to 24.2/Miles.   Today I took the quick route to work 2.5/Miles.   I didn't leave the house until 7:20am  but made decent time and was at the office at 8:10am, I was still the first one their.  Had an early call I needed to be on so couldn't be late.

Left the office at 5pm and took a seldom less traveled route.  Turned right onto W. Costillia St. and stopped into a carburetor rebuild shop.  Spoke with the guy working and wanted to see if I brought in my carburetor from the 31 Ford and a rebuild kit if he could do it for me.  He said he could so I will try to get it pulled and over to him.   I already have the rebuild kit so should be set.

On the way up Costillia I came across 3 decent sized bucks.  I took a couple of pictures from my phone but all three of them sucked.   I included one below, but you will really have to look to see them.  Made my way onto Pyrite Terrace and then up West Fountain Blvd.   Waited for the light to change on 21st and crossed over to Lower Gold Camp Rd down to Bear Creek Rd.   I caught the trail at the Nature Center and made my way back down to the house via the trail.  The trip back was 4.9/Miles and took me an hour and forty minutes.

We made a pizza for dinner, oh that reminds me.   When I was leaving the office there was a wreck at the exit from our office.  The Domino's delivery guy got tangled up with a car on 8th street.   Looked like everyone was OK.

These are the routes that I have taken this week.

Route log

Vampire lovers in wild bikinis say uh huh uh huh huh uh huh huh

Up early and out the door, made the drive up to Denver and worked out of our Littleton office for the day.     The drive up wasn't bad considering we had gotten some snow the day before.   Drive time was just a little over an hour. I did remember to get the chicken started in the crock-pot before I left.

Got home this evening just a little after 6pm.  When I came up the stairs the chicken smelled great.   I peeled some potatoes and got them boiling.  Skimmed off some juice from the crock-pot for gravy.   Presto Shazam dinner was ready.    We had both Eric and Clark join us this evening.

Clark is heading out this weekend to go to the SnowBall Music Festival in Winter Park.  Looks like it will be a pretty awesome weekend.  I was checking out a few of the bands playing, a  little jealous I'm not going.  

Happy Anniversary to my Mom & Dad, today they celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary.  I didn't get a chance to call and congratulate them, will do that tomorrow.  They say that the longer people are married, the more they begin to look alike.  After 49 years you better start putting name tags in your underwear!  Happy Anniversary, We Love You!

No miles in today.  Leaving early and getting home after 6pm, I wasn't in the mood to go out or get on the treadmill.   Will try to log an extra mile or two tomorrow on my way to work and back. (Excuse Alert): The chicken was ready and I had to fix dinner.

Happy Hiking

Got slicked backed hair, skin tight jeans corvette car and a teenage dream

Tonight I walked home in a snow storm.  It was great!  I even took the long way home and logged 4.3/miles making the days total 7.8/miles as I walked 3.5/miles to work this morning.  

I really started getting back on the trail on March 1st.  I am up to a total of 16.8/miles for the last four days.   I have to drive to Denver for work tomorrow so I have to push myself to get on the treadmill when I get home, or try to get out for lunch and walk for an hour.   My calendar is full so I don't see the lunch walk happening.  Coming home through the snow and wind tonight I was jamming out to AC/DC.   Rocker is one of my faves, so I included it here for you.   I dig this video, it focuses an Angus rockin away.  This would be the job to have!

These are the various routes I have taken the last four days!  Lucky to live so close to the trails and my office.

When I got home I whipped up some spaghetti with meat sauce and a bag of frozen vegetables. I chopped a jalapeno for those of us who like it a little spicy.  We had a full house tonight.  Eric came over and Clark and his girlfriend Nicole joined us.   Glad that I made enough.  I have to remember to start the crock-pot chicken before I leave in the morning.


Happy Hiking

Low Price

We were up to 2am last night.  Candy was crocheting and I was doodling in my sketch book.   We watched “All in the Family” reruns until we went to sleep.  Funny shit!

We left the house this morning at 11:30am and got 3/miles in.  Oh, it was a great day today, it was in the 60’s and we were soaking it up.   Weatherman says we may have snow tomorrow.   I was planning on walking to work tomorrow, so we will see.

Being the smart-ass that I am, I decided I needed my own picture for the People of Wal-Mart.   We had to go out and forage for supplies today, so while there I had Candy snap this picture of me.  Such a goof!  That is a pretty bad-ass Foxy Shazam shirt I am wearing though.

I baked chicken thighs and asparagus for dinner tonight.  Heated up a can of hominy, one of my favorites. Eric came over for dinner and we had a nice visit.   Spent the last couple of hours doing my weekend Microsoft/Apple updates.  Took about two hours this evening as the iPhone and iPad both had OS updates.

Happy Hiking

At the good ole rock and roll road show

Being Saturday I thought I would come up with a nifty title for today’s entry.  So searched my ITunes to see what songs, artists or titles had the word Saturday.  I had six results come back, image included below.   I chose to go with the Bay City Rollers, Saturday Night.  Although a line from Switch Blade Sam was attractive.

My friend Marv is auctioning his 1967 Ford Mustang GT500 at the MecumAuto Auction in Kansas City, MO. April 25-27, 2013.  It is a really sweet ride and he did a great job restoring it.   I’m excited for him and hope he does well.

Friday I got out of the office a little early and did 3.5/miles in BCP.  The trail had it all, ice, slush, mud, made for fun on a couple down hill spots.   This morning, more like mid morning when we left.  Candy and I walked the dogs over to the dog-park and let them run loose and play in the water.   Round trip we got 2.5/miles in.  The dogs did good on the leashes on the way over and back.