Thursday June 17, 2010
Boulder, Colorado
Sunny and Hot
Second day of sun and blue skies. Temperatures in Boulder yesterday were in the 80s. So we went for another short hike. Hard to believe yesterday's hike was only the third hike I've taken in Boulder. First trip to Boulder to visit my family was Christmas 2007. Billy and I did a one hour hike in the snow on the trail behind their house. Since then, I've been to Boulder about 5 times but every time I came, I brought bad weather with me. So amazingly, I've yet to explore the many trails of Boulder. So yesterday my sister and brother in law took me to Mt. Salinas, a very short drive from their home. It's one of my sister's favorite places to hike because dogs are allowed off leash. We just went for a short 40 minute hike as my sister and brother in law had some appointments in the morning.
Although we were there quite early 8AM ish, the sun was out in full force and one can tell it was going to be a hot day. The hike was glorious, albeit short. Next year, I'm going to plan on a trip in the fall to take advantage of the cooler and more stable weather and to see the fall foliage and do more intense hikes.
Views from the trail we took on Mt Salinas
We had an easy day today and ran some errands after the hike. Kim, Bill and I took a look at a condo for sale on the lake which was OK (layout was weird although had a fab deck). Billy was spending the day at his BFFs Andrew's house so Kim and I then went to the cello store to get Jackson an adult size rental cello which he was excited about. We then went to Smashburger for lunch. Jackson wanted to take me there so I could try the fried pickles. Jackson and I had a Colorado burger which was good but spicy! and we all shared fried pickles, spiced french fries and onion rings. And the fried pickles were quite tasty. They were dill pickles fried in a cornmeal based batter.
The Colorado Burger
Fried Pickles
After lunch we went to REI where I bought new trekking poles as an early birthday gift to myself. I gave away my old ones while on a trip to Bhutan a couple of years ago. My left knee is just getting worse that I find going downhill at any incline is not as easy as it used to be. I'm sure the weight gain is not helping and I'm pushing it where I really need to get the surgery done soon. But I really like my knew trekking poles. I got the new Leki lightweight and anti shock poles which are so light! Can't wait to try them.
In the afternoon, Jackson and I played some basketball in the heat which was fun but hot! Then I just relaxed and read a book for a couple of hours while Jackson played Wii and PS2 games. Late afternoon, Jackson had his cello lesson with his adult sized cello so my sister dropped me off for a mani-pedi. For dinner we all met up and headed to BJs on Pearl Street for Chicago style pizza. Billy had basketball practice late afternoon so invited Andrew and Collin to join us for dinner. So we had 7 people jammed in my sister's Highlander. Jackson and I sat in the "trunk" seat which had very little ventilation. The 3 teenage boys sat in front of us. It smelled like a boys locker room. Stinky! Collin was the only one who took a shower!
The boys had nachos and shared 2 medium deep dish pizzas and a calzone for Jackson. The finished it all! I had a mini pizza but have got to detox when I get back to LA.
Four hungry boys: Collin, Billy, Andrew and Jackson
All in all, it was a very easy going day and I had the luxury to do nothing but read for a few hours. Today, we are going for another hike as it is glorious outside. But not before a cuppa at Amante's by coffee joint in Boulder.