Snownami, Colorado's Version

All weekend Mel and I enjoyed wandering around Boulder in mild -- warm, really -- temperatures. We even flaunted our newly-done-up toes by wearing flip flops while shopping on Pearl Street Saturday. But, in true Colorado-winter form, Snownami ensued the day Mel departed. We planned for one last hike near the house as the snow began to fall. When we left, the temperature was 25 degrees. Perfect. But, to our dismay, the storm came fast and furious and while we were out on the exposed trail, the temperature dropped to 5 degrees, windchill making the hike nearly intolerable.

At least the pictures make it appear pleasant.

Most of Colorado was missed by the epic snowstorm, but we sure did feel the effects. Brrrr!

Surprise!

My good high school friend, Melissa, was surprised for her 29th birthday with a trip to Colorado! Her lifelong best friend, Oriana, contacted me about a month before Mel's big day and asked if she could surprise her with a trip to visit our great state. Absolutely.

We had an awesome weekend. Pedicures, drinks, dinners, shopping, drinks, dinners, dancing, cupcakes, hiking, gelato, Mario Cart... you get the gist.

 

It was a delicious weekend, in all senses of the word. Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Denver Big Air

As it turns out, knowing friends in high places pays off every once in a while. My bestie, Veronique, works at the Denver County Courthouse, which is precisely where the Denver Big Air competition was held this week. Denver Big Air is an international ski and snowboard competition held in Downtown Denver that kicks off Mile High Snow Week. World-renowned athletes compete in ski and snowboard jumps off a 100-foot high ramp. Yikes. Throughout the rest of the week there are various winter activities held in the downtown-area -- for professionals and amateurs alike. This celebration coincides with the widely known Winter X Games held in Aspen.

Vero sent me a text on Monday night asking if I'd be interested in watching the Big Air competition from one of the courtrooms the next evening. I had no idea what the comp was all about, but pizza and "Big Air" sounded good to me.  "Yay!" I responded, and that was that. The next day I came to find that this little competition was kind of a big deal. Tickets weren't cheap to watch the show. I was liking this courtroom idea more and more.

The views from the courthouse were unbelievable. I think we had the best seats in the place! We watch in amazement as the skiers (who competed on Tuesday night) zipped down the steep ramp covered in man-made snow (Denver has no snow!), completing their death-defying jumps, turns and flips, and [mostly] landing safely. We also got to see a lot of crashing and burning. Oy.

The 100-foot ramp.

The crew preparing the landing zone.

The athletes preparing to jump.

The approach.

And away they go!

If you ask me, ski/snowboard jumping takes about 80% talent, 10% mentality and 10% stupidity. But, what do I know? I seek thrills with my feet firmly planted on the earth. I'd take a foot race endorphin rush over this stuff any old day.

Why I Wake Early

Hello, sun in my face. 
Hello you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the window of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety -- 
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light -- 
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

~Mary Oliver

Lazy Sunday Morning

My boys.

Welcome to 2011

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."
~Neil Gaiman