Okay, enough of the serious posts. I've been wanting to create some more personal ones to share with friends. Something I used to do for fun. I've just about given up on the idea of making money here on Steemit (or not), but I still value it as a blog space.
When I was in better physical shape, my favorite thing by far was to spend time outdoors with Mother Nature. I found some structured activities for it - hiking and camping and rock climbing ... and since I am a Colorado Native, my interface with the Earth is second nature. This is something that has been important to me my entire life, starting with excursions with my dad when I was a very little girl. For a time, we were inseparable. My dad worked as a Denver Fireman for the City and County of Denver. They have a lot of time off since they work 24 hour shifts. I think when I was a kid it worked out to nine workdays a month. He had a lot of time on his hands and one of his favorite things to do on his days off was to go explore. I took it to another degree when I became an adult and I got involved with hard core mountaineering and other outdoor activities.
I was a teacher for the Colorado Mountain Club for a few years! It was one of my most memorable experiences. I highly recommend it, there are many chapters around the state. I first went through their Basic Mountaineering class, which meant lectures and a few homework assignments and reading from the textbook ('Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills,' authored by a team of over 40 'experts' ... I had my old worn copy but then I got lucky and recently found a brand new edition at a thrift store) and then weekend excursions with a small, assigned group for hands on training. We learned technical rock climbing, first aid, mountain survival skills and orienteering with a compass. I later became a junior instructor for the club. The experiences and knowledge I gained here became invaluable ... in terms of just common sense information as well as learning things that could save your life. These activities are not without risk. But it was a really fun and rewarding time in my life.
Easy rappelling on the Third Flatiron. Near Boulder, Colorado.
This was my first class, as a student.
Guess which one was me!
I remember this day. I saw a three-toed dinosaur footprint high up in the rock on the other side of us on the hike in. It was behind me in the photograph. I always wanted to go back and look for it.
That's my old favorite Earth Day sweatshirt!
Test day.
We had to catch an 80 + pound concrete weight on a pulley. It was meant to simulate a falling climbing partner and the test was, to see what it would be like catching a lot of weight on your rope.
Here I am later, as a teacher.
Coaching one of my students.
My first official class, as an instructor.
I'm taking the photo. So I'm not in this one.
I add this one to show off my climber's body from that time. This was my little brother's wedding, in Minnesota. It was the second time around for him. I was always in really good shape when I was climbing. Just look at those abs!
Back to Colorado.
My first 14'er - Redcloud Peak, in the San Juan Mountain Range.
The next six.
Steep trail! Near the top.
Stop and rest.
Ah, the Summit at last...
Signing the register.
Ps. That's Uncomphagre Peak to my left, in the background.
Engineer Pass, the drive back.
So many wildflowers.
Quandary Peak, near Breckenridge.
At the top! Looking west. The roof of the world.
Exhausted boy and his puppy! (Not mine). At the top.
Grays and Torreys (14k) Peaks, near Georgetown, Colorado.
The top of Gray's Peak, with friends. Signing the register.
Sharing the trail with local wildlife.
Colorado Columbine, the State flower.
Looking back, to the east before reaching the top.
Tiny alpine wildflowers.
Looking across at Torrey's Peak summit, from Grays.
We didn't get there - weather issues.
More sweet flowers from Grays Peak.
Ah, the good old days.
Thanks for reading.
LR 4/20/2018
Colorado Mountain Club link:
https://www.cmc.org/
"Founded in 1912 and designed to unite adventure, education and preservation, we represent the Colorado lifestyle and everything that is great about Colorado."
- What are 14ers? Colorado's Tallest Mountains
https://www.colorado.com/articles/what-are-14ers
Ps. every photo taken from my personal cache. All of these were old non digital (yes, from film that had to be developed!) photos... I had scanned these in to my computer some time ago. Seeing them regularly sparked me to write this article and share.
Pps. I went back and added a few more photographs, from my original draft. While I could still edit.