So, my latest adventure occurred over Labor Day weekend, when two of my new friends (Sarah and Ben) and I decided to go backpacking. This was going to be another first for me, as I had never been backpacking before. We were headed to Wheeler Geologic Area, which is known for its amazing rock formations and other beautiful scenery. We awoke early on Sunday morning and drove about an hour and a half to reach the parking area near Creede, CO. While this was my first backpacking experience, it was also the first time I had been hiking in a while. [View Full Entry]

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Today was a drive free day! We hung out in Denver, shopped for some winter clothes & went to the Rockies game. Jen made a new friend...Dinger. 0 Miles traveled. (whoo! we needed that after yesterday) [View Full Entry]

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We spent the morning hiking around Zion. We walked the river and saw the weeping rock. Then we drove and we drove and we drove thru Utah, ended up in Vail for dinner. They were celebrating Octoberfest, instead of Lederhosen & das Dirndlkleid, there was lots of Uggs & Prada. 628 miles of travel in the day, 1,082 miles total. 9E to 89N to 70E to 6E to 25N. [View Full Entry]

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On of my favorite events come this time in the fall is the annual balloon festival in Snowmass Village Colorado. This weekend of September 12-14 offers a feast for the senses in Snowmass Village when fall enthusiasts can find the perfect combination of colorful fall foliage, hot air balloons, cool jazz tunes, and culinary delights by local chefs and over 80 wineries. It really is a great time to be alive in Snowmass & experience fantastic fall colors, The 33nd annual balloon fest, and The Snowmass Wine & Jazz Fest. Check out more information about the Snowmass balloon festival near Asp [View Full Entry]

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Well the drunk guy just left our hotel room. Dorothy let him in, NOT me. How can that be you ask? Let's begin with how difficult it was to find a room near downtown Denver during the Cedia convention. Not easy! I took probably the last room available at the Ramada Inn. The train goes downtown the person in reservations told me and then you can catch a cab to the hotel. After we landed in a thunderstorm (I was okay, thanks for asking.), we started looking for the Information Booth so we could figure out the quickest way into town. [View Full Entry]

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Words can't describe, so I'll let some pictures do the talking. I'll be back. I can't imagine this being the last ten days I spend in the most beautiful country I've ever seen. In the borrowed words of John Denver Almost heaven, Colorado, Rocky Mountains, Colorado River. Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze. Country Roads, take me home, To the place I belong: West Virginia, mountain momma, Take me home, country roads. All my mem'ries, gather 'round her, Miner's lady, stranger to blue water. Dark and dusty, painted on the [View Full Entry]

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The other day Beth informed me that we've been here in Colorado for only two months. I didn't believe her and had to do the math myself. Only two months?!?!? It feels like at least half a year, or more. Perhaps that's because every day, there's something new to explore and discover. Even a trip to the grocery store can be a treat, because we always meet super nice people and learn where things are. Another reason the time seems to be flying by is because we constantly are on the go. Although we're both working our full time jobs [View Full Entry]

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I have been trying to pack without alerting Jack to the fact that we are going away. I have to hide the suitcases because if he spots them he starts the moping and the looks designed to give me a huge guilt and unfortunately it works. It is hard to know what to pack...will the weather be nice? will it be rainey? will it be cold? I’ve been trying to pack enough for seven days knowing that we can stop at a laundromat. Still seven days is a lot of clothes. A month or so ago I bought the new Microsoft [View Full Entry]

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Im back in Gunni having just finished my week of school. I am scheduled for seven class and nineteen credit hours. For those who don't speak college-lingo that translates to ungodly busy. I am studying: Environmental Biology (with lab) Outdoor Recreation and Leisure Creative Writing (Poetry) Intermediate Spanish Spanish Literature and Language Environmental Studies Campus is buzzing with the new year, filled with opportunities and fun. I am planning on volunteering at an after-hours ESL project for people in town who want learn english. Should be a great opportunity to meet some sp [View Full Entry]

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I have a boatload of lists that I need to accomplish before next Friday. Our flight leaves at 6:30 a.m. and so we will have to be out of the house at about 4:30. The dogs will be at Steph's and the cats will stay home with someone coming in to feed them every other day. I know the dogs will be fine but I always worry about leaving the cats at home for that long. They sleep 23-1/2 hours a day but still..... I have also been on the computer trying to find a really cheap way to get to [View Full Entry]

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