As I am packing up my things and makin sure that everything is together for my long day of traveling tomorrow I wanted to take some notes on what happened over the past few days before all of it melds together into one distorted collection of experiences.
Things I learned/saw/noted in Boulder, Co.:
A. - Boulder, CO is a lot like Ashland, OR. It is tucked right up against the mountain and it is gorgeous. However, the mountains are much larger and less green and forested. The mountains are breathtaking, huge and completely distinctive with their jagged rocks and massive size bolting up from the ground. Boulder is so much like Ashland in it's comfortable liberal feel though, it made me homesick to walk down the plaza and through lithia park. Walking on Pearl St. (the equivalent of the Ashland plaza, only much larger and more commercial) you feel like you are right at the base of the towering mountains (the equivalent of mt. Ashland, only the flat irons are much larger and covered with snow and rugged rock formations.)By traveling up Canyon Rd for only 10 or 15 minutes you can climb a 1000s of feet to a plethora of mountain trails and scenic views
B. - A lot of snow can gather even if the ground is wet after it rains, when the sun was out 30 minutes ago and it can accumulate up to a foot deep within several hours time. Additionally, you can get sunburnt from lounging on the warm track and then you can be stuck in a foot of snow the following day and then be doing a tempo workout out in shorts and t-shirt again less than 24 hours later. It can even be 65 and sunny out and there can still be 6 inches of snow piled up on the sidewalk. Additionally, Coloradians don't carry chains although they are forced to drive their compact cars through the snow frequently... for some reason I was laughed at when i asked why not... I still don't see the humor. Also, of interest... Coloradians get excited about rain like Oregonians get excited about snow... it's something unusual and exciting.
C - Altitude isn't that bad... on the track, but the lack of oxygen really hits you hard over an extended tempo workout. I could still hit my 12 x 400's in 80s without too much duress, but trying to hold an up-tempo for 30 minute was a great big challenge. After the first 10 minutes I was in oxygen debt and without the abundance of it surrounding me was forced to force my way through an ugly 20 minutes more. However, at the turn around point when I headed back West, the skyline and the high mountains which stand even higher and stark white just pass the immediate Flat Irons brought my crawl to a shocked stand still... I never really had a true chance of catching my breath anyway with a scene like that. The Rockies are truely gorgeous and are unlike anything I have ever seen... I imagine that the "jaw-drop"/"mind-stop" effect of the Rockies was very similar to that of the Swiss Alps for my dad when he was traveling Europe.
A couple spots worth seeing in Boulder;
Boulder Creek Path - pretty (and promptly cleared of snow) paved bike/walk running through Boulder West from Canyon Rd and the Flat Irons out East away from the Rockies along the creek. Very Scenic and well kept.
Pearl Street Walking Mall - large walking mall with lots of good eating and shoppings. Some commercial and some unique little "hippie" shops. Very friendly. Lots of people. Lots to see.
Illegal Pete's - Very tasty burritos on the cheap. Nice location on Pearl Street.
The Rib House - Near downtown. Slow smoked ribs, chicken, brisket, turkey, yum! I got a nice dinner sald and a quarter of a pound of moist and delicious smoked turkey for $7.00!! Near downtown.
The Sink - Neat bar/restraunt on "the hill" (near University of Colorado"). Lots of good beers on tap and a funky feel with graffitied walls and low ceilings. Even packed on a Monday night.
