A month in pictures

I feel overwhelmed trying to write about the last month. So many journeys, visitors, and experiences that I have no idea where to even start. Not to take the easy road, but I have so many incredible pictures that I might as well let them tell the story. I'm so thankful to have a job that allows me to do this, a family who wants to come along, and a husband who keeps escalating the adventures to new levels.

The weekend after the MAS 50, we took off to the mountains again for Cory's FKT (fastest known time) attempt on the 102 mile Rainbow Trail. I'll let him tell the story in a post when he gets around to it, but to sum it up he finished in 30 hours 58 minutes and 38 seconds. As far as we can tell, his run was the first time someone completed the trail in one push so it is also the First Known Time. His crew consisted of my parents, Barth and Jodi; his sister, Kristen; his coach, Josh Arthur; Josh's girlfriend, Jessica; and two dogs, Mayla and Jack. And yes, at times we had five people and two dogs all napping in one truck.

Sleepy start at 3:10 am

Perfect timing: started the night after the full moon

Red sky in morning, runners don't give a shit

Above a thick layer of fog

Mayla running Cory in near mile 40?

Mom's job was to document and take care of Mayla

Mayla stayed pretty close to the food blanket...

Just after sunrise on the second morning

Less than 8 miles to go!

Cory and Josh at the end

After Cory finished his run everyone was exhausted. But we decided to do plenty of hiking in the Sangres over the next few days anyway.

Mayla hates water 

Christmas card 

Dad at a lake near Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp

Overlooking Westcliffe

My happy place: South Colony Lakes

Mayla's happy place: not running

After getting back to Denver, we finally got around to moving our stuff from our old apartment to the new condo we just bought. My best friend, Sara, came to visit after spending two years in a hut in the Gambia with the Peace Corps.

Had to take her to the Hessie TH in Nederland 

Squeezed in Cory's birthday hike before more visitors came!

A few days, later Cory's parents came out for a week and we did it all again! Back to Salida, which is slowly becoming our favorite place. New 10 year dream plan: Move to Salida and open a bakery/coffee shop that features local artists... as if everyone else in town isn't already doing that.

Cory looking manly by a flower

Dad on the dunes

Mom and Cory's parents on yonder dune

Top of the dunes

Dune flowers

Not the Sahara, just Great Sand Dunes National Park

The 14ers in the southern part of the Sangre de Cristos... someday I'll get you Little Bear

Looking towards the light at Zapata Falls

Turquoise Lake in Leadville

Paddling family

Kristen got blisters on her hand from the paddle and didn't even complain!

Dad in a meadow

Last run with dad

Cory and the Collegiates

Eventually we had to get back to work, but first Cory and I decided to squeeze in an ascent of Mt. Evans. Since Evans is supposed to be easy, we decided to taker a harder approach. We parked on Guanella Pass near the trail that everyone takes up Bierstadt and we ascended the gully that rises above the marshy area to the northwest of Bierstadt. The climb was fun and it was relief to bypass the hordes climbing Bierstadt, but as soon as we got to the top of Evans we realized that there was a storm on the other side that we couldn't see. We took a picture and headed down immediately. About three miles from the bottom, it started hailing on us. We started to run through the marshes, getting sucked in by knee high mud and scraped up by the forest of willow bushes. Lightning danced around us and the temperature dropped but we kept moving and made it back to the car.

Having fun on the way up

Cory at the summit with clouds moving in

Beautiful danger

How could I forget that we now have a cat in the house! Kristen and I went with Cory's mom, Amy, to the animal shelter to look at puppies and got distracted by an adorable kitten that Kristen adopted and named Cinder. Mayla is both terrified and curious by the new addition and is very jealous of all the attention the kitten is getting.

He is smitten

How could anyone resist that face?

After a week back at work we were off the Crested Butte this past weekend for the Grand Traverse, a 42 mile race from CB to Aspen. Cory said it was the most beautiful course he's ever experienced. I got to spend many hours in the car driving around the mountains to Aspen, I guess it was the most beautiful drive I've ever done, but I would much rather have run that amazing route. The stark contrast between down-to-earth Crested Butte and high-class Aspen was interesting. I almost felt embarrassed to change my shorts in the car for fear that a sharply dressed, bicycle riding police officer would arrest me for public indecency. Awesome race though! Great people, great food, great beer!

Sunset from our campsite in CB

The start of the Grand Traverse

I ran to the top of Aspen Mountain while waiting for the runners to finish... GORGEOUS!

 Cory bringing it home!

Because we weren't tired enough from the 4am wake up call, we decided to stop in Leadville on the way back to hang out with friends and cheer on the leaders at Mayqueen and at the finish line. So inspired by all of our friends who toughed it out on a hot day and a brutal course!

The man, the myth, the legend: Rob Krar

16:09... 2nd fastest time in the history of the race

So that brings us up to date. Tired, achy, and inspired! We are already itching for some Labor Day adventures.