Roamin' in Wyoming...

There's a draw to the 10th largest state in the Union with a population less than a New York City Borough. I'm talking about the Cowboy State with their newest tourist slogan, "Forever West." 

There's probably more antelope, deer, moose and elk than people there. For me, that's a good thing. 

Me, Barley the Van and Jenny (she's a Wandering, Wondering Jew in training) struck out north from the Front Range of Colorado. (There's 5.3 million Coloradoans. The secret is out.)

Our game plan was simple; hike, Happy Hour, sight see and camp in quieter, less traveled surroundings. We got our wish.

After summiting Medicine Bow Peak, we paid a visit to two Wilderness areas. We hardly brushed other bipeds along our way. Nothing but scenery, our thoughts and silence (when I wasn't babbling). 

Jenny took all her new experiences in stride. She actually enjoyed campfire Happy Hours and U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. She's a real tough, adaptable Jewess. 

Goodnight from Buena Vista, Colorado 

Jeff

A Visit to Pleasantville, Colorado...

How often does one show up in a town where bicycles, front doors, cars and garages go unlocked? Have you ever been to a place where neighborhood canines wander around, poke their paws through dog doors to pay another hound a visit? A community where Stoners mix with English as a second language Hispanics, like hops in an IPA? A Burg where neighbors chat a few minutes, and Wallah! (meaning I swear to God in Arabic) an impromptu pot-luck dinner and Happy Hour evolves shortly thereafter? 

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hanging out in this Colorado Paradise on Earth. Don't bother Googling the whereabouts of Pleasantville. It's not on the map. It's named Carbondale. 

In the last photo, that's me with my gracious hosts Martha and Jim Jim. Martha will soon be the future Mayor of Carbondale. She'll get my vote! 

Pay this place a visit, you won't have a care in the world and your smile will be sincere.

Another travel tip from http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/

Enjoy,

Jeff 

Nothing Meek about Mount...

Meeker.

When Nelson (the other half of the Sub-Eleven Foot Expedition Team) suggested hiking a peak in RMNP,  I replied, "I'm in." I didn't need to know anything more than that. I always pay attention to my older, wiser and more patient brother from another mother. 

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2015/06/another-brother-from-another-mother.html

Our plan was to hike from the Goblin Forest campsite along the Longs Peak trail to the Loft route to 13,911' Mount Meeker. First, we had to perform our pre-hike ritual honed after a decade's worth of expeditions.

Nelson: "Jeff, I haven't been hiking much lately. We'll get as far as we can go. Is that OK?" 

Me: "Yep. You call the shots. I think you will do fine." 

With this tradition completed we set off on a breeze-free cloudy morning. We took breaks, shot photos and kibitzed. (Told stories). 

The heavy breathing began after Chasm Lake. We moved up a prominent couloir wedged between Meeker and Longs Peak. At times the climbing was aptly described by Nelson as "can't make a mistake" ascending. We scouted routes, made suggestions and like Lewis and Clark, "We proceeded on." 

We attained the flat saddle called the Loft. Here, Nelson had to start the second part of the ritual "I've been up on Meeker three times. You go ahead and summit it. I'll take a break here and get up as far as I can." 

"OK. You are doing great. I'll see you at the top." That's my part of the ritual. 

Sure enough, there was Nelson grinning and gaining the top a few minutes after me.

This is what I know about my Woody Allen look-a-like buddy/brother. He's a plugger. He doesn't give up easily. He's way tougher than he looks. He's hiked to the Mount Everest Basecamp, survived two avalanches, summited more peaks (in the winter) than I care to do and was a ferry boat captain somewhere in Asia. 

His adventure resume makes mine look puny and insignificant. 

He's also incredibly humble about his achievements. Here's his photos. He is generous enough to allow me to share them with you.

I am a lucky Dude to know him. 

Enjoy!

This guy knows how to really work a camera.

Cheers

Jeff