Quote of the day...

"Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul."
Edward Abbey

Sunshine on my shoulders...

...makes me happy!

I went mountain biking up in the mountains this weekend. The weather is heating up and we are experiencing 80 + degree weather here finally. I can't believe I ever managed to live in the sweltering Phoenix heat. It's amazing how quickly my body has adapted to the temps here. I am still not a big fan of the cold - but I am definitely a fan of the spring here! While out and about pedaling my way through the woods I had my first moose encounter. I have never seen a moose in the wild and it was thrilling. The young males trotted down the road and then quietly made their escape through the trees.








On Saturday I joined up with some friends for a BBQ and some brews. Trampolines and beers don't make a good combo for my tummy - but trampolines and sunsets make for some great photo opportunities!

If I had a day that I could give you
Id give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
Id sing a song to make you feel this way
If I had a tale that I could tell you
Id tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
Id make a wish for sunshine all the while
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

It matters to that one...

This weekend I ventured into Northwestern Colorado to the small town of Craig, otherwise known as the "Elk Hunting Capital of the World". Just outside of town, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is conducting an effort to reestablish populations of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, a medium-sized prairie grouse that sort of resembles a small chicken. These birds are declining in numbers and range due to habitat loss.

(male juvenile sharp tailed grouse)

I had the opportunity to ride along with Justin, wildlife biologist and all around amazing guy, to witness the grouse during their mating period. What I experienced was something straight out of a Discovery Channel, Planet Earth episode. The birds put on a display in open areas known as leks. About 20 male birds will occupy one lek and attempt to attract females by stamping their feet rapidly and rattle their tail feathers while turning in circles or dancing forward. Purple neck sacs are inflated and deflated during display. The females select the most dominant one or two males in the center of the lek, copulate, and then leave to nest and raise the young in solitary from the male. Occasionally a low-rank male may disguise himself as a female and walk to where the dominant male is and fight him.

We arrived at our assigned lek at about 5:00 a.m and already the males were stomping and cooing in attempts to attract some females and spread their seed. The Division of Wildlife had earlier scouted out the leks and set up traps out of chicken wire and netting in hopes that the males would chase females into the traps. Our job was to watch for the grouse to enter the traps, jump out of the truck and run to the traps and grab the birds, then stuff them into pillow cases. Their goal was to capture at least 40 females and 15-20 males and relocate them. As we watched with binoculars through the dirty windshield of the pickup truck, female grouse entered the lek checking out the males on display. After about 30 minutes of waiting and watching, a female finally got caught in one of the traps and we jumped out to retrieve her.

(yours truly holding a female adult grouse)

While we sat and waited for more birds to arrive and get caught in the traps, the sun rose over the mountains and a herd of about 200 elk appeared across the fields. There were also pronghorn antelope and a plethora of other birds surrounding us. "I feel like I am working on the Serengeti when I work out here", Justin said. I could understand why.

(view of the "Serengeti" from the lek)

After we caught more grouse and stuffed them into pillow cases, we transported them to be counted and tagged. The grouse later would be released in another area of the state several miles away.



(releasing the grouse into their new habitat)

The day's events reminded me of one of my favorite stories:

There was a man who would take a walk every morning along the beach. As he walked, he would pick up starfish and throw them back into the ocean. He would do this all down the beach on his entire walk. The man would walk back up the beach on the way home probably picking up many of the same starfish and throw them, yet again, back into the ocean. He did this same routine day after day.

A neighbor watched this man do this each day. The tide would come in and so would the starfish. The man would throw them in the ocean. They would wash back up on the shore.

The neighbor watching could not stand it anymore. Finally, one day the neighbor asked the man why he spent so much effort throwing the starfish back into the water. "They just get washed back up on the shore again. What does it matter?"

The man reached down, picked up a starfish and threw it into the ocean. "It mattered to that one!"

To much of the world, the efforts of some people don't seem to matter. It just looks futile. It just seems to be a whole lot of effort and not much to show for it. In fact, it just drives some people crazy.

To the starfish being washed up on the beach and left stuck in the sand, there is a different perspective. They are kept alive because of the effort of just one person.

To the species of sharp tailed grouse - the efforts of the Colorado Division of Wildlife could be their savior - and I got to be a part of it for a day.

"It matters to that one!"

(self portrait)

Quote of the day...

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."
Martin Buber

Gallivanting around the world is only but one type of journey. My life is a trip - I can't wait to see where it is taking me.

Winter Park

Last weekend I ventured out of Denver and up the mountains a bit to Grand County and the small town of Winter Park. With a population of a little less than 700 people, Winter Park sits at about 9,000 feet in elevation and is claimed to be the highest incorporated town in the United States. Just add that on to another one of the Extreme Points in the US that I have been to which now include Kaalaulu, Hawaii, southernmost town in the 50 states, and Key West, Florida, southernmost city in the 48 contiguous states : ) The town of Winter Park is surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks covered in beautiful pine trees, and is home to the Winter Park Ski Resort - my main purpose in going there. Ever since I moved to Colorado I have been dying to get up to the mountains, and I was especially hoping to get up before the snow was gone so I could strap some wood onto my feet and fall in love with winter and winter outdoor sports.

It has been over 18 years since I have been on skis, and those so long ago 18 years I was only on skis for a total of 1 day. However long ago my memories of skiing may be, I remember loving it. My more recent downhill snow experience was when I attempted snow boarding in Breckenridge CO last winter and I destroyed my wrist, so I opted to go back to the skis. I had some great friends along for my "first day" on the slopes and they were patient with me and encouraged me along the way down. We skied mostly blue runs and for a first time on the slopes in such a long time, I felt like I did a pretty good job. I did fall a lot, had some nice bruises to show for it the next day, and realized my legs need to shape up considerably before next season. That's right - next season! I'm ready now and can't wait for more.

Unfortunately I do not have pictures of the day. I was afraid of carrying my camera knowing I would be ass-end over elbows more often than not. But I feel confident enough that after next season I will be flying down the slopes and taking photos all at the same time.

"Simple as it should be"

Last weekend I was invited to attend the Tristan Prettyman concert. The show was held at a great little venue on Colfax called the Bluebird. I had no idea this girl existed even though she has played amongst and recorded duets with a couple favs such as G Love and Jason Mraz. She is quite the guitarist, lyricist and has the pipes to back it all up. I am so happy to have learned about her and to have new music to listen to. I love, love, love her! Her show was opened up by an Aussie named Whitley. It was fun to hear "G'day mate" again and reminded me of my travels this summer. He wasn't too shabby of an artisit either : )



(I have now been to the Bluebird in Nashville and in Denver!)

...SING IT...
I’m the icing on the cake
I’m the secret ingredient you’re missing
I’m the sidewalk but I’m not complete
And I’m the reason that baby, you’re trippin
Ohh decisions you didn’t make
I’m the chance you chose, not to take
And I’m the one you wish you were kissing
Pray for clear skies tonight
You better start wishin
Tristan Prettyman - Lyrics - "The Story"

(Watch out for spontaneous photos taken from below)

(If only I could take photos in the dark)

The following evening was spent with the Meet In Denver crew at a late night bowling event. I don't think I've ever had this much fun bowling. When you get a group of 60 people together to bowl - you know there's gonna be a good time had.

(My bowling team - Kathleen, Laura, Scott and Chris)

Next weekends agenda: Skiing in Winter Park! I can't wait : )

"Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over."

Keepin Busy

My focus as of late has revolved mainly around three things. The first has been learning the ins and outs of my new job. The second has been creating a new social circle which in turn has helped me with the third focus which is getting to know Denver. I truly do love it here. Denver is all that I thought it could be and even more. With some of the emotional challenges I had in the beginning of my transition here, I never realized how amazingly happy I could be. I have been busy and neglecting the blog, so here is a short recap of some of my adventures as of late:

Mountain Biking on Green Mountain (Green Mountain is a decent park in the city that gives you a chance to be on a trail within a few minutes drive of your Denver homestead. There is a variety of single track trails, jeep roads and a bit of elevation gain which definitely challenged my Arizona lungs. The view of the Down Town Denver skyline was a bonus).




Hanging out Down Town Denver attempting to get into Keggs and Eggs with Chris and Kasandra. (Keggs and Eggs is an annual St. Patty's day/music event put on by local radio station 93.3 KTCL. It is a free show at a down town bar called Lodo's featuring several bands, some local, some not. This year featured "The Atari's", "The Flobots", "Under a Blood Red Sky" and a couple others. The show opens at 7:00 a.m. , so people line up the night before and camp out in line. We arrived at 5:30 a.m. and waited in line until about 9:45 when we realized we were not going to make it in the door. There must have been over 500 people in front of us in line. We gave up and headed to a near by bar that happily served green beer to those of us who didn't get into the show.)



Singing Karaoke with Denver Meet In




Riding the Cherry Creek Trail (A GREAT REASON TO LIVE IN DENVER! 40 miles of paved bike/running trail that weaves and loops around the City of Denver. I can be on the trail within a block of my apartment and ride just about anywhere. This particular day I rode into Down town where the Platte River meets Cherry Creek at Confluence Park right behind the Down Town REI store. I need a beater bike to take Down Town and not worry about if I lock it up).




Catching a live Wendy Woo Show (The Wendy Woo Trio is a part of the huge pop sound from the Denver music scene. Wendy grew up in Boulder and plays a mean acoustic guitar and has a voice that will hold you captivated her entire show. She plays all over Colorado and was even a part of the Lilith Fair).


Trying to get Denali out from under the bed (Denali flew from AZ to Denver last weekend to avoid being euthanized at the Phoenix humane society. He now resides under my bed and hopefully will come out and play soon. I have once again taken on the title of "pet owner").


And this is just to name a few things that have kept me busy!

On the Radar for this summer is the Mile High Music Festival which I CAN'T WAIT for! Check out the Lineup and get tickets or be jealous!
: )

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"I believe that friends are quiet angels who sit on our shoulders and lift our wings when we forget how to fly."
---Unknown