Rabbit Ears Peak...

Has been guiding pioneers and trappers on their journey from North Park to the Yampa River  Valley before Colorado became a state in 1872. Now it's a quirky looking rock formation near Highway 40 and the Continental Divide. There's also an old broken down road to hike where you can pay this intrusive igneous volcanic plug an up close visit. 

So that's what I did en route to Steamboat Springs. (Former ranching town now a groovy ski town)

Go visit this historic beacon before it's called Rabbit Ears Amputated Peak. It's eroding (geologically speaking) as fast as I move after one pot of coffee. That speed makes a New York nano-second sloth-like. 

I'm now back on the move heading west in a slow van to California.

As you can see from the photo, Barley is striking a contemplative pose along the banks of the Mighty Yampa River, as he ponders our upcoming road trip. (Ignore the bike shorts hanging off the antenna and mirror).

Be well and move quickly,

Jeff

The Sub-Eleven Foot Expedition Team...

Rises above!

Here's a photo of the rarely seen Kosher Krew together atop 11,400' Twin Sisters Peak.

(We are seldom seen because in American-Land of the Giants, folks only notice us if we brush up against their kneecaps) 

Nelson and I retreated down shortly after this photo was taken. Thunder and fog at 9:30 in the morning! WTF!

A look at nearby Longs Peak before the weather turned on us like a jilted lover in divorce court.

Fun Factoid: Longs Peak was first ascended by that one-armed stud, John Wesley Powell. The same JWP who managed to be the first to successfully make it through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Or as he described it, "Beyond the Great Unknown." He later went on to become our nation's first head of the U.S Geologic Survey. 

I guess in those days, people just worked until they fell over. There must not have been pension plans or 401 Retirement Accounts. Poor dudes.

Cheers!

Jeff

Busted in Boulder, Colorado...

I was hiking the Sanitas Trail, minding my own business (that's what they all say) when I heard the authoritative voice behind me.

"Sir! Please pull off the trail in a safe place and stop."

Caught! By the feared Fitness Police of Boulder.

"Sir! I have reason to believe you are currently in violation of Boulder's Limited Girth Ordinance. I'll need to take a few fat caliper measurements on you. Please stand still." 

Oh the embarrassment.

He grabbed a few fat folds of mine and squeezed the calipers. The results went into his hand held calculator. I knew the jig was up when he shook his head after each measurement. His "Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" wasn't a good sign either.

"Just what I thought. You have a double-digit percentage of body fat. That's against the law  within the Boulder City limits. I'm issuing you a warning citation to leave Boulder in 48 hours or face the consequences." 

I gulped hard and asked, "What's the penalty?"

"Two weeks of hard labor in our Whole Foods Supermarket. You will only be fed gluten-free bread and smoothies. It's a fair sentence for the crime."

"What did I do that tipped you off?"

"You weren't trail running this mountain."

So.... I packed up Barley and got out of town before sunset.

I'm now in fatter-friendly Fort Collins, Colorado.

That's OK. One door closes and another one opens.

Be well and lean,

Jeff