Summer days with a winter glaze

Zion

Greetings earthlings,

For those of you who have been with me from the start, it has been nearly five years now. With each year that passes and every new blog written, I am drawn further into a bit of a conundrum. In an age of such prolific self validation (yes, I'm talking to you Joe GoPro), it seems that adventure for the sake of adventure might soon take its place in the archives next to the abacus. "The moment" seems less important than getting the right lighting in a selfie. Such a bleak outlook is reinforced easily. For it was only a couple of months ago where I sat in a Bryce Canyon overlook and couldn't help but notice that 90% of the people who arrived spent more time looking at the view through a smart phone screen. This is where my dilemma arises; It is a bit ironic that I would make such complaints in my blog... But alas, let me clarify (even if only for myself) that my blog is intended to keep those whom I don't get to see or speak to often up to date. So allow me to get off of my high horse real quick, and with no further ado...

Angel's Landing

Welcome to another edition! While most of you are thawing out these days, I have been soaking up the sun in some of the only places that didn't feel winters icy breath on its neck. So pour yourself a drink (...better make it a double) and allow me to try and warm you up with tales from America's great southwest.



Life has been a bit of a blur since the last one of these was written. It should come as no surprise that most free time has been spent doing something dearly loved in some of the most beautiful places in the country (that would be climbing for those of you just joining).

The first few stops in the journey were Zion, Escalante, and Lake Powell. I recently began guiding people on recreational climbing/canyoneering trips and these are prime areas for such things to be done.

A new friend I made

After a couple of weeks of playing in nature and sleeping under the stars in southern Utah, it was back to Denver. Why? For ahead of me waited an adventure by the likes of which I had never known.

Somewhere near Ouray, CO

The plan was to pack up the motorcycle and take back roads all the way from Denver to Phoenix over a two week time frame. And aside from a few very very cold days of riding through the Rockies, it was one of the greatest times of my life. This style of traveling is hard to compare to anything else I have ever done. But if I had to I might compare it to a pumpkin pie. Yes that's right... pie. Most of the other traveling I have done is perhaps like catching a passing whiff of a fresh baked pumpkin pie. Sure you get to experience it in a sense, but its so brief and fleeting that it seems but a tease to your appetite. This trip was different however. This would be more like taking the biggest piece from the pie, throwing it in the microwave, glopping two big scoops of vanilla ice cream on it and rolling up your sleeves.

The route was primarily on dirt roads and trails, and when pavement was the only option it was always the scenic route. Along the way I ran into a few friends, got to climb in places I had never been before, saw tons of wildlife (including two big bull elks at a full run (no I wasn't chasing 'em....) and a young bobcat, and even saw my life flash before my eyes a few times (just joking mom). 

Lunch break at the Grand Canyon

So after two weeks of riding, I rolled into Phoenix like a tumbleweed on winters wings. Saddle sore and a few pounds heavier from a steady diet of sand, the couch seemed a fair place to recover. But a rolling stone gathers no moss, and a couch does little to satiate an appetite for adventure. And my timing in the desert couldn't be better... climbing season is just getting ripe. Off to Josh. 

Typical Joshua Tree Sunset

So it is in Phoenix where I will hide away from the chills of winter this year. The fire of 2014 is starting to dwindle and the flames of 2015 are already looking bright. I'm headed off to Germany for a month of work in January (so yes, I do actually work sometimes (but never too hard (...someone has got to take it easy for you after all))). So there you have it, folks. You're never too old to be filled with wonder. Life calls us and we go forth. Eat, drink, and be merry!





Truly, madly, deeply,

Danjerous