It’s that time again!  Film on the Rocks – Ghostbusters!!!

Tuesday night – doors open at 6:45, movie starts at sun down!

See you there!

We had a busy two days of hiking this weekend.  On Saturday, we hiked the Meridian Trail.  This was a beautiful 3.3 hike (doubled on the return trip) and there was not another person in sight until we returned to the trailhead.  The elevation gain of 1,600 feet was good preparation for next weekend, when we plan to hike our first “fourteener” – Grays and Torreys.  As with everywhere we have been this summer, it was green, green, green.  We passed through two beautiful aspen groves with rich green clearings just below us.  Near the top, we were able to see the rock face of the next mountain which was just gorgeous.  The trip down the hill took almost an hour less time than the trip up.

Today, we went with Reynolds Park, much more familiar stomping grounds for us.  We did all the trails on the mountain side of the park including both Eagle’s View and Raven’s Roost.  This hike also included a lot of elevation gain, but not quite as much as the Meridian Trail.  There were lots of cars in the parking lot, but we didn’t pass a single person until we made it to the top of Eagle’s View.

All in all, a great weekend.  But my feet hurt….

Again – another fun filled weekend!

So much to do, so little time!

Tonight at Barnum Park

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Tomorrow Night
at Skyline Park

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Saturday All Day:

Free Day of Museum of Art

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Saturday Morning:

2009 Neighborhood Conference

Mayor John Hickenlooper and City leaders will host neighborhood and community organizations in a day of community-wide networking and neighborhood leadership training on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Coors Field. For more details, read the press release here.
Or get another take on what will be going down here

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Saturday Afternoon:

Verso Cellars

Sunday Afternoon:

Avery Brewing Company – Anniversary Party!

SIXTEEN years in business and its time to celebrate! Join us and the rest of Boulder at the brewery for this annual summer event.  As always, we'll have dozens of styles of your favorite Avery Brews, a BIG pig roast (with vegetarian options too), vertical tasting and bands all day long!  Make your plans now.  

Featuring the sounds of 6 great bands: 

Felonius Smith Trio
Acoustic Hotfoot
Lost Alamos
Cari Minor & Ray Smith
Chris and Bardusco of Meniskus
The Alltunators

Yesterday, Diane and I hiked to the top of the hill at Meyer Ranch Park Open Space in Aspen Park.  There are about four miles of trails to the top.  We went late in the afternoon after the rainstorm.  It was beautiful – and quiet.  We didn’t meet a single soul on the trail.  I think we may start hiking more in the late afternoons after a heavy rain.

Near the top there is an overlook with a bench that looks out over Aspen Park.  We both noted how much Aspen Park has grown since we first moved to the foothills over fifteen years ago.  In addition to Conifer High School, we saw the huge King Soopers complex, the rebuilt complex that used to house the drug store and City Market.  There are many other new buildings along the frontage road as well.  Not in view, but also there, is the new Conifer Safeway shopping center.

It is still beautiful though with great views of rock outcroppings and mountains easily visible from almost every vantage point.

Midnight Classic

Picture this – it’s dark, the streets are blocked off, and 5000-6000 people are cruising around hooting and hollering on their bikes.
How frickin cool is that?

I’ll be there with the hubby and a couple friends! The bands start before. There are 2 session of riders – the family set or those who don’t want to be up so late, and the later ride for the rest!

It does cost to do it, but all the money goes to Seniors Inc – “a non-profit agency dedicated to promoting independence and enriching the quality of life as we age.”
I think that is a pretty darn cool charity- and i hope to be independent and enriched when i get up in years!

We didn’t get going early enough – so we don’t have a team or an outfit, but we’ll be there to enjoy the night and ride the streets in the dark! Woohoo!

Check it out – you can register at REI or online!

This morning we did an awesome hike up Chief Mountain.  Drove in on Squaw Pass Road – about 12 miles off of Rt 74.  The trailhead is hard to find.  It is on the left.  Look for cars on the right.  It is just above one of the Echo Mountain ski lifts.

The hike is steep, but not long.  About 1-1/2 miles with an elevation gain of 1,100 feet.  Tundra-like conditions above the treeline and very rocky at the top.

The views are unbelievable!  You have a 360 degree view of the front range.  You can see Longs Peak to the north, Mt. Evans to the west, Pikes Peak to the South and loads of beautiful Rocky Mountains in between.

Lots of lady bugs at the top.  They must like all the rocks and the elevation.

Here is a photo of me and my lovely wife Diane – one day before I celebrate the big Five Oh!

Last week I attended Princess Bride at Red Rocks. (see previous post!)  I left work early, picked up some yummy subs at Fat Jacks, had my slanket, camp chair, bottled water, cash for the over priced beer, camera, iphone and friends and was ready for a fun evening!

Last year we attended breakfast club as our virgin outing to FOTR (as those in the know call it).
We got there and looked at what everyone else was doing, so we could fit in!

No one was sitting on their seats, they were sitting in the space in front of their seats, blankets, pillows etc… It looked like a giant living room – how cool!
We followed suit and made notes on what extra stuff to bring the next time.

This past week at Princess Bride we were ready or as ready as we were going to be since we had to carry everything bout a 1/2 mile or so to the amphitheater.

This time the crowd appeared to be doing a 1/2 and 1/2 seating. Some on their seats, some on the space in front of their seats. It mostly worked out so everyone could see what they needed to see.

We had arrived before the doors opened so we could get a pretty good seat.
Around 8pm other peope arrived and demanded we modify our seating arrangements so they could sit down.
Hmm…  Let me think about that…  no. I was here early, general admission seating and got my seat.
Since there was still a mix of seating I felt no need to make room for someone who in my opinion arrived late.

At one point a set of 4 came and made another couple in front of us move, a gentleman over 6 feet tall who had found a place where he could comfortably sit with his legs out. He ended up looking not so comfortable elsewhere.  This set of 4 moved 2-3 more time and eventually sat directly in front of my companion with no care that her view was now blocked. She had to move up to the seat portion which led to the people behind her having to modify their seating arrangement and so on – a domino effect.

I was annoyed to say the least.

I sent an email to Ron Garrison – General Services Manager. (Kudos to him for taking the time to respond very thoughtfully to my email!)
Hi-lights:

Me: “I was wondering if i could get clarification from you on what the preferred seating methods for film on the rocks is.
Last year most people sat on the floor with their back up against the “seat” portion. That made fun environment, like everyone hanging out on the living room floor with their pillows and blankets!”

Ron: ” Thank you for your email and the chance to give you our position.  We have had many complaints from people who purchased tickets and could not find a place to sit.  The fire and paramedics were also distressed by the people who had no place to sit but on the stairs.

There were less tickets sold than seats in the amphitheater, but patrons who “sprawl” and take more than one seat are becoming an increasing problem – particularly on a popular show like The Princess Bride.  When asked, some will make room for others, many will not.  Sitting in front of the seat and stretching ones legs out in front takes at the very minimum two seats.  If the patron takes two seats in their own row and stretches out to the seats in front, then they are taking up four seats.  Clearly this is unfair to others who pay the same price for tickets. Therefore we ask that you sit in your seat.  In the pre-recorded announcements before the show, this is one point that is requested of the audience.  A ticket to a show entitles you to one seat and one seat only. Although there are 8448 seats in the amphitheatre, for future shows we will stop selling at 7500 and declare the show “Sold Out.”
“

Basically I bantered back and forth on a couple more points with Ron and he was kind enough to take the time to respond in kind! With the final outcome being
“Bottom line is one ticket-one seat.    As romantic as the concept of “giant living room” is, we just can’t operate that way. “

I will abide by the rules now that i am aware of them when I go to Ghostbusters in August.  I am thinking the environment will no longer be as much fun as it was. I also hope they (Red Rocks Staff) make a bigger effort the enforce the rules – which need to be done from gate opening…  Trying for force everyone onto their “seats” at 8pm it just too late in the game – especially with the mixed seating that occurs.

See you there, and remeber to sit in your seat!

Film on the rocks Tuesday night – Princess Bride – woohoo!

I love Film on the Rocks! Such a great night of entertainment!

They have bands and comedians and just a great time!!

The beers are the normally over priced deal.

Everyone brings pillows and blankets and turns it into a big giant living room floor!

See you there!

Sunday morning myself, the husband and couple friends headed out to explore RiNo – north!  (the north side of the tracks!)
We started at Ironton Studios and Gallery.  They were churning out the pancakes with smiles and jokes!
The outside seating area was gorgeous! All the art, the gardens, the sculptures! The studio areas were really neat too!

Our next stop was across the street at Weilworks.  Tracy the proprietor and his dog silo was great!

The house and studio spaces was amazing! The “watch tower” had great views of the city and the surrounding area.

We hopped on our bikes and headed across Brighton to the ZWick Place. An amazing old building manned by Susan Wick.

The gardens were beautiful with a tea house hidden in the corner. The main bathroom had amazing tile work. The artists in house were all super friendly, fun and very talented. We heard that this location was rarely fully open as it was today! Yeah!

Further south we popped into Plinth gallery and met jasmine the short haired pointer guarding the gate!

The space was really neat. I drive by this location every time we head to the 70 and finally got to go inside! We didn’t get to see the studio space in the back, but hopefully some time in the future we will.
We criss crossed back to the bike path north to 47th to visit Blue Silo Studios. The space was really cool, lots of fantastic artists including Sara Ashford. She has some amazing stenciled large panel peices and some great snacks to boot!

Our final stop was at the Taxi area. This is a super cool area on the other side of the river! We saw Katy Tartakoff’s fantastic photographs and other art.

Tried out the goodies at Fuel – can’t wait to come back for happy hour. Saw the folks at Blue and Yellow logic and heard about the cool things they are up to.  Chatted with the gals at Pilates Aligned -can’t wait to try them out!

It was a fabulous day! The sun was shining and the art was great!

Recently i have had the pleasure of enjoying the bike path from the reservoir to downtown as my commute home as often as i can!

One would think riding your bike is no big deal…  but it is.
The basic thing is – have respect for your fellow man!
Here are my thoughts and suggestions on how to enjoy the bike path (let me re-iterate – BIKE path

1. You are not the only one on the bike path, and you don’t own it.
2. NEVER ride side by side – there is no room, biking is a solo sport. You cannot carry on a long term conversation, don’t try. Get to where you are going and then have a converations.
3. Hearing is vital. If you like to enjoy your music, make sure to leave one ear able to hear your surrounding environment.
4. Passing  – getting as close to the person you are attempting you pass is rude and stupid. There is no guarantee that that rider will continue on the staight and narrow, the could swing wide at any momoent.
5. Passing – if there isn’t room to pass, then don’t. That means you will need to slow down and wait for there to be enough room to safely pass. Don’t make me slow doesn
6. Announce Yourself – if you will be passing announce yourself. “On your right” is a recongnized phrase and beneficial to those on the right – riders, walkers, runners. or others.
7. It is not a play ground – if you happen to be lucky enough to live on the lovely bike path see rule 1 – you don’t own it. Don’t leave your toys on the trail.  Don’t block the lanes. People ride the entire route and don’t need your personal items blocking it.
8. Just cause you dress like lance armstrong doesn’t mean you are!
9. Runners – you are on a bike bath. You are not alone. See headphones, passing, etc.
10. Dog owners – if you can’t control your dogs i can’t help but run them over.