Wooo-freakin'-hoooooooo!!!!

What a fantastic weekend in Fruita. The party started Thursday night with a VIP party with free beer (Belgium brewery) , free food and a band so bad it was entertaining. If you like mountain biking and you've never been to Fruita you are missing out on the best trails ever. Much better then Moab in my humble opinion as there is much more variety in trail terrain, length and location. It's also not as far as Moab and not as hot, a perfect 80f all weekend.

There are 5 main areas with a bunch of trails in each. We hit three of them, a different one each day. The first involved a long climb up a very technical ridge - Moore Fun Trail. This is a grade 5 trail (i.e. most difficult). And I confess I had to get off a few times, especially near the top. But I was the only girl that we saw on this trail so I deserve kudos for that. The next day we did Zippity Doo Daa (grade 4) which was a very exposed rolling relatively unobstructed trail. I got a little freaked at a couple of points as it went along a ridge that fell away both sides. I do not have a great head for heights so I just focused on the trail. There were a few very steep down hill sections which I wimped out on. Even DH didn't attempt one and we nearly lost Testiclees as he slid sideways down the hill. Again, I was the only girl on this trail. After that we did another ride which was less technical but very scenic and the down hill return was like a rollercoaster with banks and bumps. Too much fun. I could do that one every day. Final day we hit an area near Grand Junction on the way home. We did Andy's /Ribbon trail (grade 3/4) which was beautiful but very tough with a long technical uphill slog which we all did hike-a-bike on for a while. There was even one bit where we had to carry/lift our bikes up a cliff. I wouldn't have managed it alone as I need both hand just to climb the darn thing (no other girls doing this bit either!!).

Great bands every night (except the first!!) and lots of good beer. Other then a few scrapes and bruises no serious injuries. I twisted my ankle when I slipped off the ramp going into a bar (yes, i had been drinking!).

Here's a photo of me and DH at the top of Moore Fun Trail.

And here's me tackling Andy's Trail.

On my way to DC

It's official, we move to DC in the summer. DH has his orders and starts his new posting on August 15. We are going to Go to UK /Europe for July and then head out to DC when we return.

So we will be leaving the Springs at the end of June; not decided on the exact date yet. I told my boss yesterday to give them plenty of notice as I have a HUGE workload right now.

I have mixed feelings. I will miss the beauty of Colorado and the friends I have made but I am really excited about getting back to a more cosmopolitan environment and finding a kick-ass job.

Yey...it's mountain biking season!

Got out on my mountain bike at the weekend for the first time this year (other then biking to work, but that doesn't count). We hit Ute Valley Park which I know pretty well, although some of the terrain had changed due to erosion from the bad weather. At first I was a little hesitant and had to get off a couple of times for obstacles/ 3ft drop. But we did a second loop and having got my balance and confidence back I flew around no problems. Out again tonight. Getting in training for the Fruita Fat Tire festival this weekend. It's going to be in the 80s. This will be more bearable then the 95-100f temps we had in Moab last May! I'm so excited!!!

Dani, you still going?

Back from Philly

Had a great time in Philly. The weather sucked but it didn't stop us from partying hard. A few bars I remember - Independence Brew Pub, Monks, McKillans, Jons, some Irish bar and others. We went to a couple of receptions hosted by consultants where the booze & snacks were free. Most nights we got to bed at 1:30-2:30am and missed the morning sessions at the conference. I went on a mobile tour to Atlantic City and won $50 in the 5 minutes we had to go play. Did lots of sight seeing and ate a Philly Chicken Cheese Steak. Philly reminds me of Leeds where I used to live and work, especially with all the rain! And yes, I did the run up the "Rocky" steps. There really aren't that many steps and it's not steep. I'd like to have seen Rocky run up the steps to the Sacre Coeur in Paris!

A few photos below. As you can see Brownie managed to make his mark in Philly.

Philadelphia here I come...

I am going to Philly on Saturday for the American Planning Association National Conference, returning Wednesday next week. The weather forecast is shitty, but that doesn't matter too much as I intend to spend most of my time either in the conference or in a bar. Talking of which, can anyone recommend any good bars in downtown Philly. We are staying at The Sheraton and we are going for Happy Hour with the Colorado contingent at The Independence Pub on Saturday night. Fortunately I am going with my friend Mike, who is about the only other person in our Department who can drink like a fish. Also, I am taking my running gear, so some suggested safe running routes would be welcome.

A Christmas Story

The guy who directed A Christmas Story and co-directed Porkies (apparently based on his school experiences in the 50s) was killed together with his 22 year old son in a head-on car crash on the pacific highway. He was 67. I didn't catch his name. The driver of the other car had minor injuries and apparently was DUI and driving on the wrong side of the road. Tragedy.

Another dead-ringer for NBN

Just saw the above poster on the vacant building on the corner of Tejon & Colorado. I think he looks just like NBN.

If your going to Jack Quinns tonight or just happen to be passing, check it out!!

A relaxing weekend

It was nice to have a weekend where there was no pressure to go anywhere or do anything I didn't want to. Friday night after work we were going to go to the movies but instead went out for happy hour with my work colleagues as it was one of the guys 40th birthday. We also crashed a retirement party for someone at work at the Thirsty Parrot.

On Saturday morning I went to the gym for my usual hour and a half gruelling cardio class. When I got home DH persuaded me to go out for a run around the bluffs. The sun was shining so I couldn't say no. In the afternoon I went shopping, one of my favorite pastimes, and picked up a couple of cool pieces from Express. Then to the Commissary for food and home to watch the final four. Later we went to The Famous for wine & snacks and good music. They didn't bill us for 2 glasses of wine and a salad, so it was a relatively cheap night!!

Sunday, a lazy morning then out for a 2 hour bike ride around Manitou Springs, downtown then back home. We then sat outside in the 70f sunshine and proceeded to drink our way through 3 bottles of wine, plus beer and v&t.

Bliss.