My First Broncos Game

Up until a year ago, I had lived my entire life as an Arizona Cardinals fan. With that said, I am definitely a football fan who is accustom to disappointment. I've been to a multitude of Cardinals games, trying my best to support the team, facing a stadium that is barely 1/2 full, where at least 1/2 the fans were there to support the opposing team. Last year when I moved to Colorado, I decided I would divorce the Cardinals. They had let me down repeatedly and I was ready to move on. Like a typical divorce', they went and worked on their game, got into the best shape they'd been in for years, and then managed their way into the Super Bowl. I was shocked! But I had already changed my allegiance. In order to be a true Coloradoan - I would be in full support the Denver Broncos from now on.
A few weeks ago, Josh took me to the Broncos home opener against the Cleveland Browns. I went out and bought Broncos schwag to wear to the game. We headed down town to get close to Invesco Field nice and early. We wanted to get there to enjoy the hype and have some beers on our way to the game. The energy of going to a real NFL game was incredible. The Cardinals were a "real" NFL team, but something about this felt different. This was nothing like the old days at ASU stadium. There were so many people dressed up and pumped up for the game. The few people I saw dressed in Browns gear were chastised, booed at, laughed at and sometimes yelled at.

The home opener is always exciting with a lot of hype. Shannon Sharpe skydived into the stadium and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. There was a fly over of three jets in formation right as the national anthem was ending, and thousands of orange balloons were released before the kickoff. As the game was just getting started, we were already so excited. We had high hopes, but no idea of the dismantling of the Browns that was about to occur.



The Broncos ended up winning the game 27-6. I can't remember the last time when I had been to a game where the Cardinals had won. The energy of the crowd was incredible! I was instantly a fan and hooked on seeing games at Mile High. There is nothing quite like being a part of a crowd when your team wins. Over the last few weeks, the Broncos have been undefeated and now hold a 5-0 season. Some may say I have jumped on the bandwagon. I just think this is just one more piece of me that is converting to a true Denver resident.

Here we go BRONCOS, here we go!!

"When it snows,.....

you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels."

Last Sunday we had temperatures near the 80's. In Confluence Park near Down Town Denver, I saw girls laying out in their bikini's attempting to get a tan on their whiter than snow, Colorado bodies. I went for a walk with Josh and Baxter in shorts and a t-shirt and could almost complain about the heat getting to me. I've come a long way since my Arizona days. Fast Forward to Wednesday evening at work when I get an "emergency inclement weather closure procedures" on my e-mail. The newscasters were predicting a major spring blizzard. We were expected to get 8-14 inches of snow in the Denver Metro area. By that night when I got home, the warning had changed to 10-16 inches. Waking up the next day to no snow on the ground, local schools in the area had already canceled school. This meant a "no work day" for me. It seemed odd to be told not to come in to work due to inclement weather when there was no snow on the ground and no snow falling from the sky. Around 9:00 the flakes started to fall and then it all became clear...
pics of my truck after the snow stopped falling...I'm not sure how many inches we got, but it was deeper than a foot on my truck.
the street in front of my apartment


What do you do when the snow falls in Colorado? Head to the mountains. These are the days we live for here. Having first crack at the powder covered slopes is what makes dealing with the snow all worth it. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day up at Keystone. Blue skies, sunshine, and good company. above - looking from Keystone towards Breckenridge
The snow doesn't keep me from smiling : )

A few winter pics....

After a brief blogging break (say that three times fast), here are a few update pics from this past winter...


My first day of skiing this winter was up at Keystone. I went with a group and luckily they were all nice enough to wait for me every few hundred yards as it took me 10 times as long to make it down the hill as the rest of them. This is a pic of Josh and I up at the top.

I learned how to wax my own skis...which I must say makes me feel pretty cool. I've been up skiing 8 times this winter, which is decent. I wanted to make it up at least 10 or 12 times, so maybe I can get in one or two more days before the snow is gone.

This is a pic of me...I think in Breckenridge. I've been up to Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin, Mary Jane and Vail so far this year. The scenery...although beautiful....starts to all look similar in pictures and I forget which picture is from which mountain. The views are so amazing sometimes, that I forget to pay attention to skiing because I am so caught up in the scenery. Then, sometimes, I am so busy skiing that I don't have time to stop and take pictures.

I love riding ski lifts. They are so relaxing. Now when I have trouble sleeping I try to imagine counting lift chairs passing instead of counting sheep.




Also....Josh took me to a Nuggets Game,

My friend Jen came to visit,

and we had a going away party for Sheila who moved back to AZ.

The weather has been in the 60's and is supposed to be int he 70's next week. We have had one of the warmest, driest winters in Denver's history. Although I had a great winter, I am excited for spring. I've got lots of hikes planned....so stay tuned for beautiful Colorado pics!

Jingle Bell Run

Sunday I woke up to 2 degree weather and a 5K run on my morning agenda. I signed up a few weeks ago to run the Jingle Bell walk/run at Wash Park, for the Arthritis Foundation. At that time, I knew the weather could potentially be bad, but I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.

(proof of the temps on the car thermometer)

Wash Park always looks beautiful, but the steam rising up off the north pond gave it a rather eerie feel this morning. It's not quite frozen over yet and the geese and ducks are still swimming about. I thought they were supposed to fly south for the winter.

(All bundled up and ready to run)

There is a costume contest as part of the festivities. This dog won "best costume" in the dog category. He made me wish I had someone to carry me around the trail in a blanket.

(Jingle bells on my shoes, hence, "the Jingle Bell run")

The run wasn't bad, but the cold air was so tough to breath. I managed to keep pace at about a 10 minute mile, which is about my average. I felt like I was running a lot slower though, with all of the layers of clothes on. I think I finished the run in just under 31 minutes.

I can say this about the experience...I am always happy when I am finished with a run, but never quite as happy as I was when this one was over.

Team Photo - Emily's brother, Emily, Josh, Geoff and Dave.

17th annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
Arthritis Foundation

http://www.jinglebellrundenver.kintera.org

White Ranch Open Space

Last weekend I escaped from the city for a few hours to enjoy some of the BEAUTIFUL fall weather that seems to keep going and going this year. Sunday temperatures were warm and the sun was shining, so after a yummy breakfast at Lucille's , my favorite breakfast place here in Denver, my friend Josh, his dog Baxter, and I headed up into the foothills above Golden to White ranch Open Space for a little hike.


"This Open Space park located in the foothills northwest of Golden, is noted for a variety of wildlife including deer, bear, mountain lion, bobcat, elk and wild turkey. About 18 miles of multi-use trails are located on White Ranch. The park, with both gentle and rugged terrain, is dedicated to the memory of Paul R. White. His family homesteaded a portion of the land in the early 1900's and operated it as a cattle ranch. From several vantage points in the park, visitors will see a sweeping view of the Plains and Denver." www.co.jefferson.co.us

View of the city behind me

Trash Can Pic of the Week:

GRATEFUL

I am grateful for:

New ski boots

My upcoming trip to Mexico

New music on my i-tunes

Honey Gensing Lemon Green Tea and Agave Nectar

Kids

Homecoming Party

My friend Chad is moving to Turkey...we had a going away party, but themed it "Homecoming". I have been enjoying life too much to keep up with my blog...but here are some photos to enjoy. I'll be back to posting soon.....