Colorado Hiking

I’m back in Denver after a few days in Aspen. While in Aspen I caught up with friends, saw the Dalai Lama and got in some good hiking. The best day of hiking was with my good friend Dan. We started at Maroon Lake and headed up towards Willow Pass. Near the Pass we left the trail and climbed two un-named peaks. Both were just under 13,000 ft and offered spectacular views (see photos). While coming off one the peaks we encountered a group of approximately 25 Mountain Goats. After observing the goats we then headed over Willow Pass and East Snowmass Pass. At that point we followed East Snowmass Creek all the way down to Snowmass Village. By the end of the day we covered 18 miles of fantastic hiking in the Snowmass / Maroon Bells Wilderness.

Dalai Lama - Did He Say That !

Today was an interesting day. I got to see the Dalai Lama speak and afterwards I shook his hand ! It was a good shake. The kind you would expect from a simple compassionate Tibeten Monk who just happens to be a world leader. My opportunity for the shake came as he left the tent and people were lined up along a walkway. As I stood along side I suddenly saw an opening between a couple of secret service dudes and threw out my hand. The Dalai Lama kindly obliged and gave me a quick smile... I thought it was pretty cool...

He spoke at the Aspen Institute Music Tent and had lots of good things to say but I'm still kind of puzzled by his opening words.... Did he really say F--k It ! No kidding... He said it again ! It was in reference to our political and spiritual differences and how we shouldn't let it get between being nice to one another. Again, he said it !... The crowd was aghast and laughing at the same time as was the Dalai Lama... He then said, "Forget It", in way that insinuated that's what he really meant to say. Was it a silly translation fo pau or a joke on us all ???..... Hours later people are still talking about it... Did the Dalai Lama really say, "F--k It !

Aspen

I'm currently in Aspen, Colorado. Today I hiked up Aspen Mountain via a series of trails, 4 wd drive roads and ski slopes up the west side of the mountain. I descended from the top along the east side of the mountain via East Rim and Ute trails. This made for a nice walk on a beautiful day. Tomarrow I'll head up the Snowmass / Maroon Bells wilderness for a hike up Buckskin pass.

Aspen is a beautiful place that offers loads of great options for the outdoor enthusiast. I lived in Aspen for a number of years but left in 2002. While living here I worked for the Forest Service, Bellhopped at hotels and drove a limo. It was fun and the tips were good. In my spare time I hiked, skied, ran etc. etc....

Despite the natural beauty of Aspen it's somewhat bizarre with it's excessive opulence. There are loads of multi million dollar custom trophy homes along with shops such as Gucci and Fendi. It's a small alpine ski town with a big city feel and silly politics. The haves have allot and the have nots do pretty well. The local high school has its own ski lift and no one seems to be suffering too much unless the sushi isn't fresh. Its a place where World leaders, Corporate Leaders, Ski Bums, and Artist find an uncommon common ground....

Currently the Dalai Lama is in town and some guy just rode his unicycle a 100 miles over 2 high alpine passes from Aspen to Breckenridge...

Denver Arrival

I left Houston yesterday morning at 5am and arrived at my destination in Denver, Colorado a little before 8 pm. I covered the 1,020 + mile drive in 15 hours 56 minutes. Travel time included a 30 minute lunch stop in Claude, Tx. I am very fortunate to own one of the greatest cars ever made. A Subaru Outback… I averaged 29 mpg and drove 70 – 75 mph most of the way.

I spent the day today with my 7 year old nephew Max. My sister followed me out from Texas to Colorado years ago. She started a career in Denver and got married. Once she had Max my mother moved out from Houston to be near her grandson. My sister and mother live in Denver so I’m getting in the family first.

I’ll spend a few days in the Denver / Boulder area before heading up to Aspen. I plan to get in some good hikes and will likely climb a couple of Peaks while in Colorado.

An Intellectual Explanation.....

In order to appeal to the more intellectual readers who may stumble onto this blog I have chosen to share a more pompus side of my personality.... Allow me to quote an earlier conversation I had with myself...

"Torschlusspanik is an appropriate word for feelings that may be encountered during a time of change. A passing of change could likely be followed by a tripudiant dance. Jubilation could be celebrated with a nippiate beverage which could cause one to become flexanimous and a decemnovenarian. I don't consider myself to be a deipnosophist but can be a real autoschediastic when it comes to food preparation. I am not a vaticiante, quangocrat or a pronk. Some may accuse me of being a nihilarian but I would have to disagree. I do not partake in the rituals of a ignicolist. I am merely a wayfaring sophist awash in the flotsam and jetsam of modern day life..."

Excuse me !... I must go !... Tea is Ready !

Ratha Yatra

Houston is not a a Cowtown. It's an Oil & Energy Town. Houston is also very affordable and college is cheap in Texas. The city attracts alot of people from overseas and Mexico seeking affordable education and numerous work opportunites. Houston is close to Mexico and Texas use to be a part of Mexico until Santa Anna and his men were defeated right outside of Houston in 1836.... Little did Santa Anna, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett ever realize that they would be paving the way for such greats as Yao Ming and Krishna.... Yep, Krishna.... Last weekend was the Ratha Yatra Festival and I was was there. The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in Vrindavin after a long period of separation from the people there. Houston is home to a large Indian Community. I attended the festival with my good friend Neeraj. He grew up 30 miles from the Taj Mahal and wants me to go to India with him next year. I intend to go...

The In Between

I'm currently in between things right now. Hmmmmm, Haven't I been here before ??? My last big adventure was 2 months in Chile & Argentina over the winter. I've been back in Houston since mid March. Upon my return I had to quickly wrestle up some more freedom fodder, AKA, money. Money is a funny thing. You definitely need a certain amount but if you really want to be free then you don't want too much. It's ironic how more money equals less freedom. You can have money or you can have freedom. At least that's the way it is in America. Too much money means more responsibility and things become kind of complex as ones lifestyle tends to change with money. Money changes people in peculiar ways. It messes with their mind and skews their goals and such. Well, maybe not all the time. It really just depends what you want in life. Actually, I'm just trying to convince myself that I'm doing the right thing by flaking off from time to time. Damn, I forgot to buy a lottery ticket tonight !

In a few days I'll likely travel up to Colorado to visit me mates. I use to live in Boulder & Aspen. My next big Adventure will likely be starting this September. I'm planning to walk the Camino de Santiago from France across northern Spain. Its around 500 miles or so. I love to hike/walk. It's really good for the mind. The Camino is an ancient pilgrimage route so I hope to experience some sort of spiritual awaking that I can write a screen play about. Maybe go to Hollywood and pitch it to the Big Boys at Paramount or something. Or, perhaps I'll fall in love with a lovely beautiful Spanish senorita and run away to live with her in a villa on a vineyard next to the Mediterranean... Ahh yes, I am a dreamer. The funny thing is sometimes dreams come true !