This week I've been in Keystone, Colorado for a work conference. It was my first trip to the Rocky Mountains, so I was a bit taken aback by just how huge they are. I mean, I knew they were big, but I had no concept just how massive they actually were. As always, pictures don't really capture how magnificent nature really is.
Having never been at high altitude before, I was curious how my body would respond. The first day I felt a bit light-headed and had a slight headache. That was probably a combination of the altitude, getting up at 4 AM to make my initial flight, and not drinking enough water because I was traveling. A good night's sleep and some water seemed to fix me for the rest of the conference, though I could definitely tell a difference in my breathing at 9000 feet. My hometown is only 600 feet above sea level.
The theme for the conference was carnival, and they really did a lot to make everything support this theme. All of the keynotes took place in a giant tent and started with a ringmaster, and at various times they had sideshow performers doing their thing.
They also had a small lake where you could borrow kayaks and paddleboards. And of course, there was a giant inflatable panda.
On the last night of the conference, they had a carnival, complete with street food, rides, and games. It was a fun way to cap off a week of intensive learning.
