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.