Southern California Pt. 1

After leaving Utah we drove to Las Vegas for 2 nights of climbing at Red Rocks and walking The Strip.....but I didn't take a single picture.


Rebecca and her aunt attended a water color workshop. Lian, the instructor, also stayed with us and cooked an amazing Chinese meal every night.




It has been almost 3 years since the last time I was in southern California and almost 6 years since I lived there. It was nice to check things out that I hadn't seen in ages. On one of our day trips to San Diego we stopped by the Torrey Pines Glider Port.




It was a windy Saturday so the place was crowded.


After walking around Little Italy, we stopped at Pokez for lunch. Tofu, mushroom, potato burritos.


Before heading back to Oceanside we had a visit with Rebecca's cousin, Sheri.


The Phillies were in town playing the Padres so I got myself a ticket and watched as Halladay struck out 14 batters.


I think there were more Phillies fans than Padres fans at the game. The good guys (Phillies) won 3-1.

Moab, UT

Drove west from Boulder, CO into southern Utah to Arches National Park.

Arches was great for us because you can see most of the park's prized attractions from your car or by taking just a short hike. Since dogs are not allowed on trails in National Parks, one of us would stay with the dog around the parking lot while the other would take short hikes to see the arches.


Balanced Rock.


North Window and South Window.




Double Arch.


A ranger at Arches suggested this dog friendly trail just outside the park into Negro Bill Canyon.


This was one of my favorite hikes on our trip so far mostly because Pirate had a blast exploring her surroundings and running through the many streams we had to cross.


At the end of the 4 mile trail we were rewarded with a great view of the 6th largest natural bridge in the world.


Lunch at the van after the 8 mile hike. Look at Pirate's clay colored feet.


While leaving Moab we checked out a roadside crag a few miles away from Arches NP. We saw people belaying from the beds of their pickups.


Rebecca just had to climb this massive sand dune we saw while leaving Moab. A few minutes later a bus full of kids pulled up and took over the place.


Next up was Zion National Park, one of my favorite places in the US.




People were busy building cairns along the Virgin River.

Boulder, CO & Carrboro, NC

We had to extend our stay in Leadville due to a bad snow storm. We left early the next morning to head over the pass into Boulder.

The first hour or so was pretty hairy driving but after driving through the mountain pass it was sunny and clear.


Boulder is home a wonderful tea company and it's factory.


As soon as we turned onto Sleepytime Lane we could smell the fresh tea. When we pulled into the parking lot we were able to smell another flavor of tea.


Celestial Seasonings offers free tours of their factory and free samples of every tea they make.


During the tour everyone had to wear a hair net but I also got to wear the facial hair net. Score!


Later that day we took a hike up to the famous Flatirons in Boulder. For all you climbers, Eldurado Canyon is off to the left.






Our lovely hosts took us out to an amazing vegan dinner at The Leaf.


Raw beet ravioli




Then we flew back to Carrboro for Brian and Molly's wedding.




The rain held off until an hour after the ceremony at the UNC Arboretum.




After a quick weekend in NC we were back in Boulder for two days. This is the Wild Animal Sanctuary outside of Denver.


Lions, Tigers and Bears. Oh my!


The facility has over 320 acres of rolling grassland where the animals can run free all day. These animals are rescued from either abusive homes and unfit living situations.
http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/home.html


This climbing wall was right next to our bed. I was great to roll out of bed and climb in my underwear.

Leadville, Colorado

Our first stop in Colorado was the city of Leadville which is famous for being the highest incorporated city in the US at 10,200 feet.


Meeting us there was (R to L) Tonya, Brad, Chuck and Ted (not pictured). This group is attempting to summit Annapurna next year. They come to Leadville from Boulder to train at the high altitude.


Lincoln came along to ice climb.


While the crew went ice climbing, Rebecca and I went snow shoeing.


Behind me is Mount Elbert, the highest peak in CO at 14,400 feet and the second highest peak in the contiguous US.


There was about a foot and half of snow on the ground.


One of the frozen lakes on the Colorado Trail.


At the trailhead is a 100 year old Fish Hatchery that supplies most of Colorado with its trout.