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El Slabbo and Chair Rocks Hike
We set out with my dad to scout the climbing in the Cathedral Spires area. To our dismay, a Jefferson County Open Space sign at the trailhead declared the entire area closed from March 1 to July 31 (for Peregrine Falcon nesting, I later found out). We went looking for the Top of the World…
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Boudering Pics
For those who found fault with Sean’s earlier pictures of me bouldering, try these.
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It’s getting really pretty at Rotary
I drop Ann off at a trailhead at the base of the foothills, then drive up to Rotary Park to meet Sean. We boulder for awhile, stopping often to admire the setting. There are these bushes in bloom – not lilacs but similar – just going nuts right now. Combine it with the sunset and…
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Movie: In America (2002)
A modern story of Irish immigrants in New York, this movie is really about coping with the loss of a child in a family. It’s clearly a deeply personal, autobiographical film, that presents its insights slowly, intimately, and honestly. For someone without children it serves to illustrate some of the forces that create families and…
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Movie: Shallow Hal (2001)
No surprise, this isn’t a great movie, but it managed to beat my expectations of it. Here there, admidst drowning in its own clichés, it manages to hit on some of the damage done by our cultural definition of beauty. A couple of the more symbolic absurdities are funny. Some good acting by Gwyneth Paltrow…
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Edward’s Crack
This climb is so popular that we shunned it all last year rather than wait in line to climb it. Today we are there early, but still not the first. We decide to wait for it this time, and get ready at our leisure. It’s worth it. Edward’s, 5.7, is a beautiful hand crack. We…
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First campsite of the year
In years past the first night of the year outside has always been a bit of a shakedown, even if it’s just car camping. This time it all falls into place, and we casually make it to Vedauwoo just about sundown after work, and set up the tent at one of the new tent sites…
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Movie: Empire Falls (2005 TV)
I think from here on I’m going to read the book or watch the movie, not both. This TV miniseries production of Richard Russo’s book is done well, but having read it already I just couldn’t enjoy it fully.
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Greyrock climbing outing
Sadly, Ann is down with the stomach funk today, so Sean and I leave for Greyrock at 8 am without her. The parking lot is already nearly full at 9, and the day is clear and warm. Excited, we lug our gear quickly up the 3.3-mile, 1,500-ft approach to the South Slabs. Last time I…
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Rotary Park Bouldering
Sean was introduced to bouldering today after riding his bike up to Rotary Park to meet me. “I’ll never ever do that again,” he said of the ride. These hills are some of the steepest little buggers in the area. We spent most of our time on The Eliminator boulder (I think), working some of…