Colorado

If you hadn’t heard, Colorado is burning.  There are at least a dozen separate fires racing across the state, some in very close proximity to major cities.  In Colorado Springs alone, 32,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.  The images are astounding: smoke billowing from hillsides, flames licking the sky, familiar landmarks in the…

On Saturday, I climbed Mt. Massive, which was my 24th 14er, and my 10th of the summer (which checks #4 off my list of goals for 2011).  Saturday also marked the 4-year anniversary of my move from Seattle – which, in some ways, was the initial leap into really big adventure that’s still unfolding.  Needless…

Next week, I am taking the entire week off of work. The entire week. For vacation. I don’t think I have ever had an entire week of vacation, ever in my life. I’ve taken 7-day stretches off of work, but have used them for crazy travel plans (ping-pong flights, weddings, road-trips, holidays, family events). Never…

It is Monday.  Again. Monday is a difficult way to spend 1/7th of one’s life. However, I’ll have you know that the weekend was a raging success.  I moved all of my earthly belongings out of my apartment and into a storage unit – mainly thanks to my mom (who packed my entire household while…

It’s been a long time. I’ve searched and searched. I’ve been scammed. I’ve been disappointed. I’ve been tempted to give up all hope. But yesterday, my dreams came true. Because when it comes to a car hunt, you can’t just be ruthless. Be Subaruthless.

It’s Monday morning, and deliciously stormy outside.  I look out the office windows to the east, where the land stretches flat all the way to Kansas, and see clouds the color of polished steel.  I’m alone at work this week, sipping on hot tea to placate the angry porcupine that wants to nest on my…

Nashville Miranda has been visiting this weekend, and on Saturday, we climbed Quandary Peak in our East Nasty shirts.  Miranda did awesome, because she is a hoss, and this brings my 14er total to 13. Depending on weather, I might climb yet another this coming weekend.  It’s still in the 80s in Denver.  I’m still…

I spent the weekend in Southern Colorado, just a stone’s throw away from New Mexico, at a cabin with family and friends and dogs and sangria.  The aspens were turning, giving the mountains blond patches in their otherwise dark beards.  We celebrated the wedding of Kyle and Emily amid golden leaves and vivid blue sky,…

Early in the summer, I bought the Buff.  Little did I know that it would become my trademark piece of mountain garb. This is what I look like every time I hike: high ponytail, crooked smile, and the Buff. It’s ridiculous.  And I love it.  People ask about it on every hike I find myself…

What did I [climb]: Pike’s Peak – all by myself, and SO FAST.  Seriously, I hope this doesn’t come off as all braggy-face of me, but I scampered up the entire mountain, and barely broke a sweat. Sir Edmund Hillary?  How about Sir ANNIE PARSONS. What did I [burn]: the backs of my calves.  Why…