Giving Thanks

More adventures and a feast!!

Last weekend Dave and I met up with some of his biking friends in Fruita. It was a long drive to the western slope but we made it to the campground by 11:30 that Friday night. The next day was the best mountain biking I have done so far. Fruita is absolutely beautiful and there were some great technical pieces to the trail as well! We had a blast riding with Derek and his girl Sherry. I was just trying to keep up with them! The next day we rode witht he rest of the group, Amy, Allison, Kat and Jacob to a different trail. This was very different riding but still fun! I had a hard time keeping up that day but still had a blast!

Well Dave and I stayed in Colorado for Thanksgiving this year and had a good time cooking up a massive meal! I drove up to Summit County on Wed to pick up one of our friends, Dana, and bring him back for our feast on Thursday! I had one of my best days skiing at A-basin before picking up Dana. The next day I was up and cooking at 9:00AM preparing the turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and cranberry relish. All from scratch and all natural fresh ingredients. We are still loving leftovers! Dana made a gravy and soup with the leftover turkey parts too! We took Dana back to summit on Friday and met up with Scott and Jud for some more skiing at A-basin! We saw the massive storm blowing in and decided to stay up at the condo and ski at Vail on Sat. Friday night Keystone had a free outdoor concert with Devotschka (sp?) a local band fom Colorado. It was a big show, and everyone was having a great time despite the cold and snowy conditions. We woke up Sat morning to a ton of snow, great for skiing! It was the deepest snow I had ever been in! We had a great time! Dave took a little spill on one of the harder runs and we are going to get his knee checked out tomorrow. Just hoping everything is ok!

Looking forward to more ski days!!!

It's My Birthday!! Yeah! I made it another year! Whew! 27 and counting!

Well I made it another year! It has been a good year and is ending on a great note! I became an Aunt (YEAH!), I love being out here in Colorado, a good friend of mine from Elementary School (WENDY) is about to have her first baby, and I have a great new relationship (Dave Rocks!). If I could wish for anything this year for my-self for my birthday it would be that my new career path reveal its self and that part of my life become as great as the rest of my life!

I left Boulder Weekly after the boss started threatening the sales staff and using intimidation and mild managerial abuse. I was not going to help make someone like that any more money, and I don't want to work for someone who is not supportive. So I am on the search again! Great economic timing right!? haha

So...on to the adventures!

The first picture up there is from last weekend (11/8) Dave and I went up to go camping at James Peak. We took Kya dog and were surprised to be driving through snow when we got up there! It was coming down up there and it had been for a while. There were about 4 to 6 inches at the camp site. It was pretty mild though when the sun was out and the wind wasn't bad at all. We built a great fire and had a good dinner and wine. It was nice to get up there and find some peace and quiet. We went for a hike on Sat after we set up camp and then left mid day Sunday. great 4x4 roads to get there too...so much fun!

Next are some pictures form a hike we did with my friend Laura and her friend Brett up towards Mallory Cave. It was a nice day and a good hike with friends!

Next to that picture, Dave and I did a long Mountain Bike Ride from North Boulder to Lyons on a connecting trail that was just finished about a month ago. The ride wasn't too strenuous but was a bit more technical than what I was used too. A lot of loose rocks and larger rocks to navigate. We did fine and made it out before dark. Dave was patient with me as I took my time navigating some of the trail a bit slower than he did.

Lastly my friends Marcy and Kristen came out to visit in October. We did some hiking at Mt. Sanitas and Bear Peak trail. Marcy got a little taste of the mountains.

Good last couple months! Looking forward to Thanksgiving here with some friends and skiing soon! We went to A-basin a couple weeks ago for our first turns and did a little skiing! Very fun to get out so early!

Cheers!

MONOLITH

Dave and I went to Monolith Music Fest at Red Rock Amphitheater last weekend. It was a great time with 5 stages of Indie Rock music. One of my favorite bands I had seen in Nashville and Indy was there too, the Avett Bros. Judd, Sara, Amanda, and Scott Greenwood were all in tow too! We all had a blast and it was great weather. Sat night got a little windy and chilly but other than that...full moon over the stage...gorgeous! Amanda got a bee hive hair doo...courtesy of the dell dome. I got a fake tattoo.

Maddox Comes to Boulder!

Well since I last posted a blog, my sister, mom and my little Nephew Maddox came to visit me in Boulder! We went shopping on Pearl St., went out to eat, took him to the top of Flagstaff and even by Boulder Falls! Here are some pics of our little trips with him!

He is so cute and Carrie is such a good mom. It is weird to think we are old enough for all of that. Really puts things into perspective a bit.

Looking forward to seeing them again over the holidays and for their next visit!

New Job! New Adventures!

Well I have finally gotten a new job up in Boulder and I will now be making the aweful commute everyday back into Denver. This is my last week of work at MDA and I have officially moved up to Boulder. my new address is:

3590 Longwood Ave
Boulder, CO 80305


I secured a position at Boulder Weekly doing advertising sales and am super excited. It is a small independent company with lots of flexibility and room to run with my position. Income is based on my efforts and will become based on commission once I get my feet underneath me. It was fun getting this job because they were totally just wanting someone to come in and tell them why they should hire them. There was no bullshit and no long turn around between the phone call interview and offer. I also have met the owner and he seems really open to new ideas and having fun! He is also into mountain biking and being outdoors as well. Cheers to a new gig!

My good friends Tory and Michelle came out to CO for a couple weddings a few weeks ago and we all hung out and climbed Twin Sisters Peak just outside of Estes Park! It was a great day of hiking and hanging out with good friends. Dave. Laura and a friend of hers Eric came along too and we had a blast. Camden is getting so big!! Miss you guys!

Here are some pics as well from a really great weekend hiking up Torreys Peak. My 1st Fourteener! It was an awesome day! Dave, Laura, Scott, Shawn, and Adam made up the crew and we hiked straight up the ridge route which involved some climbing and hand over foot scrambling. I absolutely loved it! it took us most of the day and we had some weather come in so we couldn't do Greys peak...which is another 14'er that you can bag in the same day right next to Torreys. Better left for another trip! I was feeling the altitude a bit and was really light headed and had to take a bit of a rest on the way up. But after I had some food and water in me I was good to go! The guys were kind enough to take my climbing gear and lighten my pack for the rest of the climb. That helped.


I also went climbing last weekend with Mark O (one of Michelle and Tory's friends from Golden) and then Laura Tom G. and I went climbing yesterday! We went into Golden Gate with Mark last weekend and that was a blast! New undiscovered area for me that was a great little spot! Then yesterday we went to Avalon again in Boulder Canyon and had a great time as well! We got on an 11d that was super hard but we all got up it in one way or another and definitely one Laura and I would like to come back and get on a smoother day.

My sister and Mom are coming out here in a few weeks to visit with my new nephew Maddox!! I can't wait to see him!! They are doing well!!

AUNTIE STATUS

Sorry for the long delayed update...but things have been a bit hectic here. I got a job with the Muscular Dystrophy Association shortly after returning to Denver form Nashville and over the past 3 weeks have decided to continue looking for another job. :) ALSO the biggest news of all is that I am an AUNT!!! Maddox Ralph Hoppenjans was born July 1st coming in at 20 inches and 6 lbs and change. Here is a pic of the little monkey! Carrie and Eric are doing fine and enjoying the first week of parent hood. I can't wait to meet little Maddox!

I also had a fun trip up to Indian Peaks with Dave, Laura and Scott. Here are a couple of pics from that trip as well. We hiked in on July 5th and camped out at Caribou lake. It was a blast and we had such a great time! We got rained on and hailed on the way out the next day though..that was kind of rough but it was still fun. There were wildflowers everywhere and just such a great weekend!

I have also been climbing a bunch and riding my bike into work a few times a week. That feels great in the morning since I can ride along this creek path the whole way in. It feels good.

I also had an interview with the Onion last week and that went great! I hope I get the job!! Should hear back next week on that.

Well this weekend is pretty lax. Dave and I are going for a ride today and probably going to get in the boat tomorrow. I'm trying to teach him how to roll. Then I have plans to climb tomorrow before diving into another work week. I'm ready for a new job...and more flexibility! Looking forward to moving up to Boulder soon!

Fan Fair...y

So as we continue to swelter here in Music City I noticed Colorado is having quite a cool down with the temp coming in today at 62 this morning...geez I would kill for some cooler weather right now. We at least have a breeze though. Here is a pic from Thursday...it was packed out! Mom and Dad came down Friday and left this morning and brought my bike back to IN for me. My Uncle will be passing through Denver in July so he is kind enough to take it out for me this summer. The other pic here is of me and my production manager, Mike West. He is so great and has become a great friend over the past 5 years of working together. Today they surprised me with the crew from the Stadium and here at the river all coming together in front of the morning crowd to give me a little goodbye nod since this is my last year. They all think I'm going to come back next year but I really don't want to spend one of my two weeks working here. I'm ready to let it go and explore everything/anything else I can! It has been a great experience and I love everyone I have worked with over the past 7 years, but it is time to move on.

I have had a great week back here in Nashville catching up with friends etc. Camden, Tory and Michelle hosted me twice for dinner and drinks and that was so great. I can't wait for them to make it back out to CO. Looking forward to tagging along on some adventures with them and watching Cam grow! My good friend Laura, who is also moving to Denver soon, and I have been hanging out a bit with out other friend Jesse. It has been fun to catch up with him and learn about his adventures in Burma and excite Laura even more about moving out.

I'm staying positive about the job front and all but I haven't heard back from the MDA. They said the end of this week but I'm going to give them until Monday. Then I'll call and follow up on Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed.

CMA Music Fest - Last Year

So I find my self back in Nashville this week for CMA Music Fest. Things are going smoothly so far and we start show days tomorrow. We have 170 artists coming through in 4 days and are running a double stage set up right on the Cumberland River. It is HOT and MUGGY. Ugh! I sure do miss the dry air in CO already! Coming back to Nashville, I'm so glad I moved on to Colorado. I really love it out there and while I love Nashville, the only thing I am really missing are my friends. But I am definitely making some good friends out in Denver and am having a blast meeting new people and having new adventures. Now I just gotta bust ass and get in shape at altitude so I can keep up with everyone!

Low and behold Bean Blossom, IN makes an appearance at Music Fest...who knew!?

Haha

Grand Junction and Climbing

Grand Junction was cool and I found a new mtn biking spot in Fruita. I went through the national Monument and grabbed these pics. it was cool to drive through!

Came home and continued the job search. The Muscular Dystrophy Association position seems to be still in the mix! I will hear for sure next week! Cross your fingers!

Today I met up with Mark and Daryl (Mark is one of the founders of Bands for Lands, a non-profit I am the Development Director for, and Daryl is a guy I met through a climbing site that is actually from Nashville.) Mark has lived and climbed out here for a while and wanted to check out this place called Avalon in Boulder Canyon. It was great! We climbed 4 routes and had to cross the raging creek on a traverse rope of sorts. (not sure the technical name for that)

I also ran into 4 guys form Indiana who all went to Purdue for college. So random and such a small world.

Anyway we climbed some 10B's and C's and one 11A that was so fun! Here are some pics! Mark was fun to climb with and I look forward to getting back out on the rock with him.

Tomorrow holds more climbing...this time in Clear Creek Canyon in Golden. Wahoo! Then I fly back to Nashville on Monday to start working on CMA Music Fest. I guess I'll give the mountains a breather! haha

Mesa Trail and More Skiing

Last Sunday I got out on the Mesa Trail in Boulder and had a blast as well hiking around back there. Michelle these wild flower pics are for you!

Hurry up!!

Monday was bad weather...rain all day.

Tuesday was great! I was helping Dave's friend Todd get to Grand Junction by Wed so we went to A Basin and went skiing on Tuesday! It was slushy and heavy and I couldn't ski very well on it. I fell and popped my shoulder out and in and it is still pretty sore. But i just went and got some advil and kept on going. It was fine. We did see these mountain goats though...that was cool! Eric! here are your Billy Goats!!
The guys have a condo up in the mtns where they stay overnight when they go skiing and so we were fortunate enough to get to stay there and met up with his other friend Dana. We hung out had a great dinner and then hit the hot tub! Ahh that felt awesome! The next day we were on to Grand Junction...

My 1st Backcountry Ski Trip!

So in the days since my last post I have been busy! Hiking on the mesa trail in Boulder, job searching, camping, job searching, skiing, job searching...get the picture! haha

Over Memorial Day weekend I had the best time in Rocky Mountain National Park with my friend Dave and his buddies. We camped out Friday night and then went back country skiing the next day after the wind died down a bit. OUr camp site was awesome and had a great view of the Diamond! We went to Happy Valley which was pretty mellow and doable for me. It is an old ski resort. Dave hooked me up with some skins and platforms for my skiis and off we went! I thought it was awesome! I'm not in tune with my skiing yet but it was still great to get out there and give it a whirl! After that Jud and Sarah cooked us all an amazing Mahi Mahi dinner over the fire and we headed back into town to meet up with one of Dave's friends from out of town. We had a blast and I was so cool to be skiing out there! Here are some pics!