I miss you, too

Just Because
Originally uploaded by Claddyjack.

I moved to Colorado in April of last year filled with excitement, a sense of adventure, and on cloud nine in love. Although I was living in a beautiful part of Northern California I often craved high country living – to live where I didn’t need to drive anywhere to hear wind blowing through pine trees, to be surprised by a brilliant blue sky behind a mountain peak, and best of all where I could run mountain trails during lunchbreak, mountain bike in vast wilderness, and do all of the fun stuff in snow during the winter. Whenever I went to Tahoe, in summer or winter, I never wanted to leave. Being in nature makes me feel like I am squeezing every ounce of the pure pleasure of being alive just by getting up in the morning and going outside.

After almost a year of living here this is still true. I wake up every day to beauty, it speaks to me and soothes me. But what I’ve realized over the time I’ve lived here is that the enjoyment of being alive is also surrounding yourself with those you love. What I’m missing is Saturday morning runs with my sisters, a spontaneous dinner with a girlfriend, going to San Francisco to stay with friend, a weekend with my nieces and nephews or an impromtu visit from a good neighbor. Don’t get me wrong, there are great girls here too but first it takes time to find those special people who you genuinely want to spend time with and, once you do, it takes time to cultivate strong friendships. This is what I’ve left behind.

Last week my sister Linda went through something no one should have to go through - someone broke into Matt & Linda’s house. Many things were taken but I think the worst part about it for them was the invasion of their sacred, personal space. As Linda and I were talking about our rough times I was so wishing I could give her a hug and simply be there for her to vent to while dealing with it.

Then a couple days later I received this bouquet from her. Just because. See why I love and miss her? She is a wonderful, powerful, loving woman and I’m grateful that she is my sister. It’s her birthday today. Happy Birthday Linda.

Dave kickin ass downhill

Dave kickin ass downhill
Originally uploaded by Claddyjack.

What an adventure we had last night.

Lately every Thursday night we've been hiking up Vail Mtn. and riding down. I snowshoe up carrying my board and snowboard down. Dave skins up on his telemarks and skis down. There are usually about 8 people who join. It has become my favorite thing to do after work. You work hard to get up and then after hanging out you bundle up again for the surreal ride down. When the moon is big (like last week) we ride the snow awash in blue moonlight. At 9pm we are the only ones out there and it feels like you can touch the stars. It is nothing short of exhilarating. I can literally feel the endorphins pouring in.

Our friend Greg asked if we wanted to go up a different mountain, Sunlight near Glenwood Springs, with a group of friends that go every full moon. We didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. After almost a 2 hour drive we resigned ourselves to a later Wednesday night than expected. When we finally got to the parking lot it was too cloudy to see the full moon but the temperature was nice and the mountain looked exciting.

We started up the slope and then hit a pretty steep pitch. Not as far and high as Vail Mtn., which is about 2200 vertical ft. and 1.9 miles up, Sunlight is 1800 vertical ft. and 1.5 miles up. But believe me when I say it’s steep. With the board on my back I did my fair share of, um, heavy breathing. It's strange to get to the point where you’re working for every step (we go as fast as we can) counting 1-10 again and again (I don't know HOW people climb Everest) and at the very same time you're loving every minute of it. What is that?

We got to the warming hut and hung out for about an hour then started to head out. We knew it was snowing but upon opening the door we found at least 2" of powder and huge flakes falling along with intermittent gusts of wind. We soon realized the headlamps were not much help because skiing down a mountain with a light in wind and heavy snowfall is the equivalent of driving with your headlights on during a snowstorm - all you see are flakes darting straight at you, you can't see a thing in front of you. Basically you'll know it when you hit it. So Dave turned his headlamp around, I followed his light and turned mine off and we took 11pm powder turns with much whooping and hollering. I'd look up behind us and watch white lights (many kept theirs turned on) gently swirling down the mountain.

I felt as if I were floating while riding a board in the dark in powder. So present in the moment and living in a dream at the same time.

(Click the photo for a few more)

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day
Originally uploaded by Claddyjack.

In April we visited Dave's Grandma Faye in Elephant Butte, New Mexico. I love this photo. Something about the color of the sky and the pickup in the back. I was just moving to Colorado and we are so happy. What do you do in NM while visiting Grandma? Barrelrolling of course.

This is the man who rocks my world.
Happy Valentine's Day baby.

Home at last

Peekaboo
Originally uploaded by Claddyjack.

It's no small task explaining what a personality this dog has. My 9 year old long-haired dachsund has come to live with us after a whirlwind tour. Most recently she's been living with my parents and another family in Utah for a year. As my folks are constantly traveling Sasha would often stay with another sitter family while they were away. I think she's been to a kennel twice in her life. Roughly 3 years ago she lived for 6 months with my friends Laura and Dan, their 4 small children and another dog or two, also in Utah. She's lived all over southern and northern california with me in 4 different apartments.

Dachsunds are known for being a one person dog and not really all that adjustable. She's had to constantly adjust to new surroundings, new people and to living for long periods of time without seeing that one person she's known as mama since she was 4 months old.

She's done one hell of a job. Not only has she has won the heart of everyone she's lived with but she has maintained her sweet, playful, non-demanding demeanor and keeps her own routines. There is wisdom in her behavior. Dave is convinced she has a human brain. You'd swear she's talking to you when she stares at you. For Sasha words are superfluous. She'll stare until you understand what she wants which is generally to be let out so she can "hurry outside". She'll spin sometimes 8 times until she hits it just right then turns her head to stare at you again like, SEE I'M DOING IT. NOW WHERE'S MY PIECE OF POPCORN?

Thank you Mom & Dad and sitter family for taking such wonderful care of Sasha. She is loving Vail.

Pickeled by the vibrations of music

Rolling Stones. Rolling Stones. Rolling Stones.

Did you see them during Super Bowl half-time? Those 60+ yr. old geriatrics kick ass. Of course. Who tops them when it comes to rockin into the later years and each one of them struttin, huffin and slayin with their been-so-long-it's-completely-intuitive personas? I love that stuff. The Beatles were bigger than the Stones (in my opinion) back in the day and now the Stones are leading the way for bands like U2 in longevity and relevance and appeal to once again another generation. Half-time was my favorite part of this year's Super Bowl.

Added for writermama: All were in black except the drummer who wore a grape-purple t-shirt. Mick had tight black pants, a shiny belt and a tiny black t-shirt with black sparkles on the shoulders and partly down his chest. They completely rocked. Check it here.

Bless this Internet

One of the many great things about blogs is that you can find people who have been long lost to you or they can find you and immediately get up to speed on your life. This happened recently with my friend Julie in New York. We were in college together and have been in touch through a mutual friend on and off for years - but then a comment shows up from her here. And in turn I get to read what she's been thinking and doing and see pics of her life in New York. So much more efficient than a phone call and the several conversations it would take to get up to speed. Both Julie and her sister Shelley are talented, smart, politically conscious, cool, unique, and fun people. I loved her entry today. See for yourself.