March 6, 2009 On Amtrak—Salt Lake City to Fresno

I wake up around 6:00am. It is starting to get light outside. I did not sleep well. Seemed like I was changing positions about once every 45 minutes. Glad I had two seats by myself. Sherri’s horse-collar pillow helped. But I think having the seat flatter would have helped more. Observing other passengers, they probably had the same experience. Except for my neighbor who seems to have learned how to sleep on a train after three nights. No pain-no gain.

My neighbor is from Stockton—but originally attended Roosevelt High in Fresno. He also went to Modesto JC and then to Fresno State. I started talking to him because I saw the Fresno State championship T Shirt he was wearing. We would talk about various things, the scenery, life, … Nothing special, just a good companion on this trip. Oh yeah, he still comes down to Fresno to play in the Clovis Band with his former director at Roosevelt who is in his 80’s.

All black from Salt Lake City to close to Winnemucca, NV. But even once it grew light, I cannot say the part of Nevada we saw was exciting—maybe a few clouds.

Once past Reno, we start following the Truckee River. We rise up into the mountains, where it has just snowed. The conductor has warned us we may be losing our single seating as the Amtrak buses may be shuffling passengers to the am one of the favored, either that or the big rush did not happen. But we have been told Truckee has 12 more people. But these people never materialized and I had my own seat all the way through.

The snowy mountains around Truckee and westward are elegant with their covering of fresh snow. The train tracks weaves around the ravines, the ridges, climbing up to a tunnel which goes under the crest of the Sierra’s. Snow goes all the way down until we hit Colfax.

The train seems to move slowly during the days and fast at night. Is this to give us a chance to look around? Or is it just my imagination. I think that Amtrak tried to have their trains go across the more visually appealing mountains and canyons during the day and the flat salt flats and desert at night. So by nature the trains do not go as fast in the mountains.

I am on the last two hours of the Zephyr. We left Colfax a few minutes ago and will get to Sacramento by about 3:00. I think I am ready to leave the train—even if it is for another train. But it has been a good trip. Seeing the Rockies from a different perspective. Seeing the Sierra’s not from a driver’s seat.

Got to Sacramento early. Went over and had a Quizino’s sub—a Baja Chicken for the record. Enjoyed some real food. Then walked down to Old Sacramento where I got several ideas for new business cards—Remind Me Again Why I AM Here? I am Having a Senior Moment; … I get on the train at 4:55pm and head off to Fresno—should get in around 8:05. Its nice to be on the home leg.

March 5, 2009 - Denver to Salt Lake City

I can’t say that I had a good night’s sleep—it’s not David’s fault either. I kept waking up, expecting it to be 6:00am. Instead the clock had advanced only an hour. Guess I was nervous about missing the train. So I was pretty happy when 6:15 rolled around. I am looking forward to this trip on Amtrak. I have heard so much about it, so I am said about leaving Denver. But the expectation is great on what this trip brings to me.

So between when I got up and 7:00am, I ate a bowl of cereal. Then packed and unpacked several times. Then reorganized and found something more to put into the big suitcase. At 7, David takes me to the train station—Union Station. We said our good byes. Sometimes words are inadequate, you can only express something by physical contact—a hug, a handshake. This is one of those times. It is good to have a brother like mine. There are so many siblings which fight. It is a wonderful thing to have David and I being able to be brothers and friends.

I checked my bags around 7:30 and then boarded the train. The train leaves right on time—8:05am. These seats are wonderful. There is enough leg room to stretch out—more room than most cars. Plus the seats recline. Should be ok to sleep tonight. I have a seat by myself, so I can stretch out even more.

Outside of Denver, the train climbs up steeply to enter the mountains. The tracks form the number ten as seen from the air—so it is named the Big 10 curve. This is where we saw the train looking like it was looping back on itself the other day. Apparently the winds can get up to 100mph. So they filled some box cars to protect trains against the wind. Also along this stretch of track, there are 33 tunnels—the longest is Moffet Tunnel, about 6 miles long. As we climb into the Rockies you are right on the edge of some steep hillsides. Able to look down into Boulder and Denver. Great looking down into these slopes—my reactions? Wow- what canyons—and this is on the east side still!

When the Disney designer created the train ride at Disneyland,, he must have just taken a ride on this train. You get a lot of the same feel when you go through the narrow rock faces.
We got through Moffet Tunnel around 9:45. It takes 10-12 minutes to go through. Its all dark, not very exciting. Much rather be on the outside skiing or watching the trains coming in and out of the tunnel. Frazer/Winter Park came to us around 10:15. It is several miles away from Winter Park.

But this was the start of the canyons. The first is Fraser Canyon. It’s a nice canyon. Then Byer’s Canyon, just outside of Sulphur Hot Springs, appears. Its starts to look interesting. About 11:00 we stop—apparently the rock fall detector wires were tripped—these detectors were called slide fence detectors.

Around 11:30, we enter the first of three canyons—Gore Canyon, which is followed by Red Gorge. I go into the observation car. These are spectacular—an over used word I know, still it is. While not narrow or towering, it is impressive with the color, with the trees, the train clinging to the side of the canyon. All three canyons bring their own sense of uniqueness. As the conductor announced, you can only see the canyon either on a raft going down the Colorado or on the California Zephyer. This is the way to see it. A fellow travelers remarked that the snow in places looked like powdered sugar on pastries. A good description

In the observation car, I meet up with a lawyer/judge from Wyoming. We exchange stories about horse packing and backpacking. It is an entertaining time, even without the scenery. This gentleman is on top of that.

But the time with the Wyoming lawyer makes me understand something. I would rather be sharing this time with Sherri than traveling alone. There is a reason why God created man and woman—so they would not be alone. Things like this needs to be shared. Words or pictures do not convey what touch or feeling can reveal.

We join up with I-70 around 1:30. Which means we also enter Glenwood Canyon. Maybe it is because of being through this canyon a few times view the car, maybe being on the side right next to the canyon wall—I do not know—but I was more impressed with the Gore Canyon’s views. But Glenwood Canyon does rightly earn its oohs and awes. It does tower above you—straight up. Sometimes the canyon wall is only inches away from the train. It probably looked better without I-70 running through it.

There is one last canyon which we enter--Ruby Canyon—at about 4:45pm. It’s the type of canyon which you picture in the Old West. Bright red rock, cut through by the Colorado river. This is near Moab.

For the rest of the time, its running through desert country. Not too interesting. Until sundown. We are a couple of miles away from the San Rafael Swell. The setting sun turns the Swell into a silhouette. Looks like a string of waves. Beyond that, all I do is read, write and answer e-mails until Salt Lake City. We get in early—about 10:40pm. I go outside and walk around a bit, pick up a signal to send e-mails. Its 32F outside. Not bad from what I expected in David’s territory. When we leave, I make my way to being a sleep.

March 4, 2009 South Park

Slept deep. Thought it was later when I got up—only 7:30. That is getting repetitive. David fixed eggs mixed with last night’s chicken. Got up and ready to go and out the door around 8:30. Heading for Kenosha Pass area and beyond. The place is out of Jefferson, on the road to Georgia Pass.

Not much snow here in Park County. Last year I remember hearing news reports that residents were locked in because of the snow and ice—even snow plows could not get through. But this year, the plain is brown with dead grass—not green yet. The road we went down, David had taken snowmobile out for training with his search and rescue group. But now we are driving in as far as the base of the mountains.

Its seven and half miles to the pass from where we left the car. This body will not make it that far. The snow on the road is bumpy from the snowmobiles. But I manage it. We start at about 10,100’—the same as yesterday. Right out of the chute, I hit my fastest speed of the day on an initial downhill—11mph. The bumps provide some adventure for me—I don’t think it rattled David at all. I kept control—but several times I came out of a bump wrong.

It is then uphill. We go uphill for a ways and then hit large patches of dirt. Off comes the skis and we walk. David carries both of our sets of skis on his pack. We go for about three-quarters of a mile this way, walking across a lot snow, a lot of dirt.

We get to a gate off to a minor road. We put on the ski’s then and head off along this road. David breaks the trail, I follow. David really does work hard as the snow is crusty. He sometimes is able to glide over the snow, but about that time, he breaks through the crust and has to put a lot of effort into breaking the trail. We travel for about a third of a mile, realizing that there is a lot of work without much reward. So we circle around, heading back to the main road. We hit the road about a hundred feet above where we left it. Hitting the road is pretty accurate, at least on my part. But I got up, in one piece.

We go about some more until we have reached the 3 mile mark and noon time. We had lunch—knocked over a bottle of water. After lounging around for half an hour, David and I talk off, going further up the road. My muscles stiff from the rest. At the four mile mark, I tell David I need to turn around.

It is easier coming down. But as David says, we have to work at it. The snow is slow. The snow has melted enough we cannot see our tracks from a couple of hours ago. Even though there was longer downhills, I could not get any speed up without poling.

Got back to the car and headed back to Lakewood. Sometimes it is not very conducive to your body to have someone mention food. Yesterday, a couple mentioned stopping at Arby’s. So I started craving a bacon double cheeseburger. Today we pass by a hot dog stand called Coney Island. Afterwards, David and I talk about hot dogs. My dear brother starts talking about how good chili-dogs are. Aghh! But I survive. David bar-be-que’s me a steak that evening. Talking about repetitive—it is pretty good and satisfying.

But before the steak, I lie down in the hammock and read. Then we go to the reservoir and walk around it. This time, we drive there. My legs would not have taken it. We finish off the evening by watching the third Pirates of the Caribbean. We hit the bed a little before 10.

March 3, 2009 Keystone, Peru Gulch

Got up 7:30. Answered some e-mails. David fixed some waffles—actually some pan-affles. His waffle iron went out. So the rest of the waffles were more like pancakes. We leave Lakewood around 8:30

Got to Peru Gulch at 10:00. Its 44F, light breeze, sunny. Some clouds, but generally a bright sunny day. I have on a sweatshirt, David his T-Shirt. For the first time, I think I can wear my hat—sort of a mistake as later on we need to chase it three times when gusts of wind would send it flying. On the other hand, I was less sun burnt.

The first mile was pretty good. Started out at 10,100’. We did this first mile at a two and a quarter mile per hour clip. It is slightly uphill.

But this level of athletic success is short lived—at least by me. We went to the right side of the canyon. As we went up, I started my huff and puff routine again. The trail was well broken until we got higher up. Then the wind would pick up and the snow filled in the tracks, making the snow sticky to the ski’s. This caused me to work harder—and wanting to suck air more.

We headed up the side of the canyon—just a little way and then decided not to go. Off we went cross country with the idea of meeting up with the road on the north side of the canyon. We did ok, until we went down a small slope. As we approached the creek—don’t worry faithful reader, I did not go in—I hit a soft spot and down into the snow I went. My legs got planted so there was no leverage and there was nothing to push against. After much fumbling and floundered, David helped get me back up.

We crossed the creek without incident, and climbed up about 40’ onto the trail. All of this got me really tired and worn out. So after two and three-quarter miles we turned around.

Downhill most of the way back. Got several good pictures. Snow is slow, so we have to work—as David says. Even coming down, I have to stop to breath. We made it down in about an hour plus—no incidences.

We came back by way of Loveland Pass. Each year when David takes us past this way, it is always so awe-striking that you a want to just stand and gawk. This year it was warmer than usual. Which means you shiver in the wind. But you find that shivering is a minor price to pay to look over the scenery. Mike Solis, one of my co-workers—would die to ski the A-Basin.

Got back a little after 3:00pm. I napped on the way back. David got out his hammock for me to lie in comfortably. I did and read for 20 minutes—came out refreshed. We then did a walk around the neighborhood lake—3 miles.

Dinner was chicken—like usual very tasty. After cleaning up, we watched the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Also posted to the blog. After talking with Sherri, went to bed around 10pm.

March 2, 2009 Kids Leave; Moffet Tunnel

Got up at 7:30—Steven already up. Breakfast is cereal. We or should I say Steven and Andrea, finish getting ready. About a 8:45, we go for a walk around the lake. Then it is off to the airport. On the walk, David plays naturalist and identifies many birds for us.

We make it to DIA around 10:20, giving Steven and Andrea plenty of time to make their flights. Hugs are given out. I count myself as fortunate. Fortunate to have kids around me who want to be with me; who enjoy doing the things I enjoy doing.

David and I get back to his house about 11:15. It will be interesting being around David without family. First time as adults. I am looking forward to this.

We decide to go on up to Moffet Tunnel. What a difference a few days make! From a windy 16F day to a light breeze of 55. David and I ski in our T-Shirts. Snows has melted to a point where you can no longer ski from the parking lot.

Once on the trail, it is pretty nice. Friday, Steven was having troubles with his ski’s, so we would stop. Today I am stopping to catch my breath. David has loaned me his heart rate monitor. I am routinely in the 150 beats per minute. So at least I am getting a good workout.

We went beyond Friday’s sign point. We continue up to the left. Climbed up pretty good—a bit concerned about coming down. We even went beyond where Andrea, David and I went last year. Up and up we go. Finally I said enough. This was at a place where David had hiked during the summer months. So off we went—off the trail for about half an hour. Fun stuff! Going across trackless snow, even for a short distance. We follow a line of the mountain. We came to a steep spot and doubled back via a different route. We came out right at the place where we exited.

Down we go—David in the lead, giving me confidence. I fell twice—both times while standing, not moving. How embarrassing! I top out at 9-10mph. Trees on both sides—downhill, very steep on one side. So I wedge most of the way down. I fell once more while trying to a right hand turn onto another trail. David has always said, if you don’t fall, you are not learning. I must be the smartest man in the world!

Past the sign, the snow is slower. I open up a bit more—David, don’t laugh! He gives me some pointers. I am bent over too much and knees not bent enough. But it is been a good day,

Bac k to Lakewood. David fixes pork chops and potato. Tastes good. Content. We return Steven’s ski’s. I see the Alpina’s Steven wore on sale, so I get him a new pair. We play the rest of the evening with the Garmin. Bed Time: 10iish.

March 1, 2009 Henderson Mine

Got up around 7:30. Steven got up shortly after I did; Andrea have we all ate David’s yummy omelet’s. None of us are moving too fast—well at least not getting ready to go skiing.

I, as planned, talked with Rachel about her FAFSA. Steven, Andrea, and David all played with the Nerf guns. I got off the phone and played Nerf Racquetball—Mom would have had a fit. But it was great fun—all of us playing, enjoying ourselves. What every family should be doing—enjoying themselves together.

We left Denver around 11:00 and its off to Henderson Mine. Temperature 47 with a slight breeze. Got to the mine about 11:45. Snow mobilers are there. So we decide we will go off to Butler Gulch—where snowmobiles are not allowed. First part easier. We soon start shedding our clothing. I get down to my silk tops and liner gloves.

The trail starts at 10,500’ at least according to the GPS. With the first few kicks, I can tell my lungs are in for some difficulties. The first quarter mile has bumps—will be fun coming down.

We decided to go mostly straight up the trail. It has been well traveled by snow shoers and skiers. But the grip is good. We rise up pretty well—500’ in a mile and a half. I have to stop every couple hundred feet to take in some O2. This is getting wearing on me. My skiing showed the wear. Going up I was not attacking the slopes.

Around 2pm, I asked for a break—needed energy, water and O2. So we stopped at the one and half mile mark. A bit of misunderstanding about intention. I stopped to take a breath—the kids came back thinking that was the place to have our break. In reality, we wanted to go further—about 40 yards. Oh well—had a good lunch break. David played.

We decided to turn back. I think most of us were getting low on energy—I know I was. I probably was the one hurting the most. It showed as I was coming down. Took a couple of spills and was very tentative. Had to do some self talk to even do the simplest of down hills.

But at one point, I looked up—it’s amazing what a proper mind set will do. I saw how beautiful the surroundings are. The mountains towering over us, bare crowned with snow. The words which came out of my mouth was, “God, you do good work.” After that I made it down some pretty steep places—albeit a bit tentatively. It was not a bad ski down. We got to the quarter mile of the road and hit the snowmobile bumps. Couple of times came out of my stance and almost lost my balance.

Got back to the car around 3:00. Went to Idaho Springs for dinner. Beau Jo’s it is. We had a Skier Mike’s pizza—a meat pizza. Tasted good. Filling. Felt comfortable. Great end to the day.

David drove us back. The kids packed for tomorrow. We watched the pictures from today—fun. After taking a shower, we went down and played with David’s pool table. None of us should grace our local pool halls. We then played Fuzz Ball. David and Steven definitely are competitive. Andrea holds her own. Me? Well I did score some points but was mostly a filler player.

We talked with Mom and Dad, then went to bed. Called Sherri and got to bed after 11.

	Lat	Long	Altitude (Feet)	Point to Point (miles)	Total Distance(Miles)		Point to Point (feet)	Total Distance (feet)	Altitude Gain (feet)	Incline
Start	39.7712	-105.8544	10,492	0.000	0.000
Jct w/ Jones Pass Trail	39.7716	-105.8560	10,528	0.097	0.097		510.0	510.0	36	7%
Leave Road	39.7718	-105.8576	10,549	0.104	0.200		546.5	1,056.5	21	4%
Meadow	39.7684	-105.8573	10,697	0.408	0.608		2,154.2	3,210.8	148	7%
End of Meadow	39.7632	-105.8588	10,801	0.442	1.050		2,335.3	5,546.1	104	4%
Lunch and return	39.7594	-105.8609	10,952	0.422	1.472		2,226.6	7,772.7	151	7%
End of Meadow	39.7631	-105.8588	10,814	0.384	1.856		2,025.4	9,798.1	-139	-7%
Start of Meadow	39.7687	-105.8576	10,713	0.462	2.318		2,439.4	12,237.5	-101	-4%
Return to Road	39.7717	-105.8575	10,571	0.380	2.697		2,004.3	14,241.7	-142	-7%
Jct w/ Jones Pass Trail	39.7715	-105.8559	10,538	0.100	2.797		525.4	14,767.1	-33	-6%
End	39.7712	-105.8544	10,505	0.091	2.888		483.1	15,250.2	-33	-7%

Feb 28, 2009 LeftHand Reservoir

Up around 7:30. David and Andrea already up. I slept well. When I started, I thought I was going to freeze—the sheets were cold. After 5 minutes, I warmed up and slept warm and well the full night. David and Andrea worked on breakfast. Waffles it is—and good tasting. David worked around the kitchen—I played the lazy sloth. We got going about 10.

It is off to Waldorf--the scene of one of my many demises. But we are off to have fun! We arrived around 11:30. An occasional breeze with a temperature of 35. Much improved from yesterday.

The snow was similar to yesterday’s snow-packed powder. But I was huffing and puffing a lot more today. We started at 10,000 feet. So I would stop on some up hills to catch my breath. But I was doing well. Several spots on the road had wide stretches of bare dirt and rock.

We had a snack by a bridge. It was a good breaking point-allowing each of us to catch our breath. Steven’s boots is still bothering him, but not as much. He was able to take pressure off his legs—feeling much better.

Onward we go, it gets a bit still—more huffing and puffing—you get the idea. Around 1:00pm, we got to a large flat logging place and have lunch. Andrea and David practice their balancing act. Then it’s onward and upwards.

Much more dirt is showing through now. So far the last third or a mile we take off from the road. This is basically the same route as two years ago. The wind is picking up as we leave the shelter of the road gully. David digs a snow pit and gives us a little idea what to look for in the real of avalanches.

We make LeftHand Reservoir around 3:30. We do a few clear slope runs down the earthen dam face, practicing wide S Shaped turns—some of us succeeding! Then we turn around and start back around 3:45. Its nice having the wind behind you, pushing you, particularly close to the reservoir.

We manage to mostly miss the dirt, grovel and rock. I have one spill at the top when we were going off road. Got into a little gully, slid backwards and fell. But that was the worst of it. We made pretty good time. Snow was just starting to get hard again. So at least I can control my ski’s. Made it back to the car by 5:00pm.

We went to Bloomfield and had a Buca dinner. Garlic bread, Green Salad with { Cheese, garlic potato’s, and of course, Chicken Marsella. We ate well, enjoyed the company—which was good because the restaurant was busy, service slow. We were content.

Back home around 8. Looked at our pictures. We are a pretty lethargic group. Off to bed around 10:30.

Feb 27 - Fresno to Denver

It’s the start of vacation. Been going skiing for the past several weekend. But today is the the big day. Got up at 4am, all packed and ready to go. Then its onto the plane at 6:00 and into Denver by 11:40am.

By the way, the flight from Phoenix to Denver was fun—hit tuberlance. Turned into an E tick ride. Dropped 30-50’ in just a few seconds, plane swaying around like a kite on a string. Lady behind us really concerned. Pilot earned his pay. On the other hand from Fresno to Phoenix was uneventful. The stewardess was great—had a very funny monologue going on plane safety.
David, Andrea, Steven and I went out to lunch at Old Chicago Pizza. Then on to David’s place to unpack. Then its time to get outfitted. We get ready and leave Lakewood around 2:30pm for Moffit Tunnel.

We ski’d 2½ miles at Moffet Tunnel. When we got to the tunnel, the temperature as 15F; wind was blowing 20mph with gusts up to 40mph—at least when we left the car. To this California boy—it was cold. But the snow was good, light powder on a good base. Moffitt Tunnel is a good place to ski when you have good snow. It’s a pretty mellow incline up a rivine. You come to a T where to can go to some lakes or up to the continental divide.

Once we got into the ravine, the wind died down and it was fun to ski. I did the best I have ever done on that trail. Actually felt like I had a little skill—emphasis on little. Andrea showed she retained her skiing skill—but was not in her usual top shape—she is getting into shape after her surgery on her heal. Steven is getting back to skiing with David’s help. David, well is David, is doing it well.

Well, we made it to the junction at 5pm. Decided that it was a good first time out and came back. When we got back to the car, even though it was colder with gusts, I thought it was manageable. Maybe this old California boy can start to adapt!

Because we ate late, Buca was out. So we came back to David’s place. Steven’s revealed that his boots were bothering him. So we went to REI and picked up some Superfeet for him. Then its own to Moose Hill Cantina and had dinner--=combination plate 17, if you must know—Chili Reino and Cheese Enchilada. Casa Quintero is better. So its back home, talk for a wile and onward to bed by 10pm. A content day.