Dave here... So after a loooong cold and very snowy winter here in Boulder, I was chomping at the bit to get out of town for some good weather and fun climbing.
I've barely climbed outside over the winter here in Boulder due to the continued winter weather which was very unusual. I made plans for 8 days of climbing in Red Rocks - the first half with our friend the Dogfather who just recently move to Vegas. The second half of the trip was to be spent climbing with my friend Kenny who flew up from LA.
Although she couldn't climb, Callie came along for the first four days just to be in the sun, relax and be warm for a change. The weather in Vegas was basically great for the entire trip with only a couple of windy days that forced us onto some shorter routes.
About 80% of the climbing we did was new to me and 100% was new to Dogfather and Kenny so everyone had a great time. The routes we climbed included Eagle Dance (a ten-pitch 5.10C in Oak Creek), Inti Watana (a 12 pitch 10C on Mt. Wilson), some fun short routes in Willow Springs, Y2K, the Next Century and Excellent Adventure in the Mescalito area, Overhanging Hang Over, Dream of Wild Turkeys, Triassic Sands, Wholesome Fullback and Our Father all in the fabulous Black Velvet Canyon.
When all was said and done, I was one tired boy on the plane headed home. An excellent climbing trip!
Dave here... I've been having fun lately trying to take some creative creek & river shots. Here are a few from around Boulder and also in southern Arizona - enjoy. There's also a pic of a garden ghost in our yard...
How could I forget? Perhaps the ultimate bathroom feature we added was a floor heater. Just turn it on, or use the electronic timer to have it heated up when you get up in the morning and voila! Warm feet.
We heard that we may never see the cat again with this installation. Little did Dave know it wasn't the cat he needed to worry about.
The bathroom is taking shape. Still a bit to be done, however, it's getting there and looking good! Today most of the cabinetry was installed and the counter top was attached.
What remains is to finish the tile, install the (schweet comfort height) toilet and hook up the plumbing. Once this is done, I can go in and paint.
So far our favorite item is the sky light. What's not to like about a sky light? Nice light, more light, natural like, a feature that makes the room look bigger, and they are just plain cool.
Hopefully soon we can post some photos of the complete renovation.
The cold will not stop here in Boulder. In a state of panic, I booked a flight to go to Vegas. Not to climb (not able to yet). Not to gamble (bleck). My goal was simple: to get warm.
And it worked! I was warm for one of the first time in two years. And I got a bit of a tan. I spent my time lounging by the pool and grading papers. Dave came out too and stayed longer - his goal was to climb (blogs coming soon on that).
We stayed at the Dogfather's new house in Summerlin. Great fun! I was so busy being lazy (while not working everyday) that I failed to take many photos. By that, I mean I took exactly two photos. Can't believe I fouled that up. No photos of Dogfather. No photos of his Great Dane. None of Jennifer. Or John. Or even Dave.
The two I did take are cool though. At Jennifer's house, they have experienced a number of window strikes by birds. As the poor bird hits the glass, feather dust is transferred to the window. Check out the perfect impression of mourning doves. (No doves were injured). One can see the nostrils and even details on the feathers. Pretty amazing.
I returned to Boulder to teach the last class of the semester (yay). The morning after I arrived home, I woke up to 37 degree weather and two inches of snow on the ground. I really miss Vegas.
Dave has been busy outside on the Spring-like days getting more fun photos. Though it's snowing a lot still, the spring flowers are blooming - Daffodils, Tulips, etc.
He came home recently knowing he'd photographed a new singer. And he had. The first bird shown here is an Ash-Throated Flycatcher. He got enough shots of this bird that we could make a positive ID. I find some of the flycathers real ID challenges!
I especially like the ducks and coots taking off in the lake. I can almost hear the commotion that is shown in this photo.
How can anyone resist not showing some more photos of the flatirons? This shot is especially cool because of the storm creeping in from the south. Wonder if this is one of those "It's Spring, no it's not" moment?
With all the snow and lots of rain, the creeks are overflowing. Eldorado Springs is very high and many new creeks are showing up. It makes for some nice opportunities to get some moving water shots. They're really lovely.
I think you get the picture though. Spring is trying to spring. Birds are singing. Storms are brewing. Creeks are flowing. Rocks are rocking?
Dave here... So after a loooong cold and very snowy winter here in Boulder, I was chomping at the bit to get out of town for some good weather and fun climbing.
I've barely climbed outside over the winter here in Boulder due to the continued winter weather which was very unusual. I made plans for 8 days of climbing in Red Rocks - the first half with our friend the Dogfather who just recently move to Vegas. The second half of the trip was to be spent climbing with my friend Kenny who flew up from LA.
Although she couldn't climb, Callie came along for the first four days just to be in the sun, relax and be warm for a change. The weather in Vegas was basically great for the entire trip with only a couple of windy days that forced us onto some shorter routes.
About 80% of the climbing we did was new to me and 100% was new to Dogfather and Kenny so everyone had a great time. The routes we climbed included Eagle Dance (a ten-pitch 5.10C in Oak Creek), Inti Watana (a 12 pitch 10C on Mt. Wilson), some fun short routes in Willow Springs, Y2K, the Next Century and Excellent Adventure in the Mescalito area, Overhanging Hang Over, Dream of Wild Turkeys, Triassic Sands, Wholesome Fullback and Our Father all in the fabulous Black Velvet Canyon.
When all was said and done, I was one tired boy on the plane headed home. An excellent climbing trip!
