Monthly Archives: September 2012

A Perspective on How to Live Life from an Ultra Marathon Runner

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Here is a quote from the book Ultra Marathon Man about Dean Karnazes.  This quote really spoke to my soul the first time I read it.  Since then, every time I get anxious or scared when getting out of my comfort zone, I think about this quote and it gives me the courage to go for it.  I believe this quote epitomizes the true Life Bus spirit.  I hope it motivates and encourages some one else to reach beyond what they thought was possible …. the way it did me.

“… Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming:  WOW!!  What a ride!”  … Cheers to that!

What’s Not to Love about Pearl Street – Boulder, CO

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Sometimes I think Boulder, CO gets a bad wrap….people think it’s full of liberals, trustafarians,  and hard ass rules like “no sofas allowed on your front porch.”  All of these things are true, but if you venture to this cool, funky college town without having a good time – we need to talk.

Pearl Street  (Pearl) is one of the main shopping and dining areas in this city of ~100,000.  I am unsure of how many (if any) of the ~30,000 college students at Colorado University (CU) are included in the population count.  As a side note – It kills me when I see freshman students in a Sushi restaurant.  Good lord, all I could afford in college was a $2.00 burger and fries combo at the Dixie Chicken and if I was lucky, a sliver of beef jerky.

If you find yourself in Boulder on a weekend, and I highly recommend you do, spend a luxurious night at the St Julien, a modern hotel with great views of the famous Flatirons if you get the right room.  Not to mention, it is located just a steps away from Pearl.

After you rise and shine, head to the West end of Pearl for breakfast at Spruce Confections where they serve up some tasty mouth watering scratch-made muffins, scones, croissants, danishes, etc.   There is a little open courtyard next to the main storefront where they occasionally have live Jazz music in the summer to help kick start the day.  Bring your pooch if little Fifi or Daisy has separation anxiety.

Plan on spending the rest of your day slowly meandering up and down Pearl where you will find a plethora of shops and restaurants.  Shops typically open at 10:00 am on Saturday and 11:00 on Sunday so plan accordingly.

I have SO many favorites it is hard to narrow them down but I managed to list a few. Note, these are all locally owned shops, but certainly there are chains such as Chipotle, Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory, etc.

Shopping: Women’s

Knit Wit – If you are looking for one of a kind pieces, this is the place to go.  Keep in mind, the owners do really well so they have the option of closing on Sundays.  This small, quaint store is slightly off the beaten path on Broadway.

Outdoor Divas – Those obsessed with outdoor gear and clothing will greatly appreciate this little gem.  You will find modern mountain chick options that will have you feeling cute and charming whilst traipsing about the outdoors.

Holiday & Company – Looking for affordable, chic clothing?  Look no further than H&C.  I don’t always find something to buy here, but when I do, I am happy as a clam as the quality is good and the price is right.

Shopping: Specialty

University Cycles – This bicycle shop has 100’s of bikes for sale from cruisers to high-end road bikes.  If you are looking to rent bikes, shop for a new jersey or buy the perfect sumo wrestler bell, this is the place to go.  (I personally go in to drool all over the cruisers.)

Peppercorn – If you are a self described gourmand, Peppercorn will have your head spinning.  This store has everything you need to whip up a special meal and then serve it up on a gorgeous platter.

Boulder Bookstore – Avid readers will find a wide selection of books, many of which are used.  It’s cozy atmosphere and book organization makes it WAY more interesting than Barnes and Noble.

Art & Soul – Art enthusiasts and jewelry aficionados will love this store full of high-end art and bright, shiny objects to pine over.  If you are familiar with Anne Sportun and Me & Ro, you understand my obsession.

Restaurants:

Pasta Jays – YUM.  This great little home-town Italian joint, has open air seating and serves up some pretty good pasta and pizza.   If you dig garlic, I would suggest the House Salad – the dressing is to die for – make sure your partner orders one as well, else there will be no kissing for about 24 hours.

Frasca – This is a MUST try if you are celebrating a special occasion or have $100 bills flowing freely as it is quite expensive.  Frasca is an award winning Italian restaurant on the East end of Pearl.  The food here is some of the best in Colorado and the reservation list shows.  It can be difficult to get in, so call way in advance or plan on an early dinner.

The Rio Grande (the Rio) – Admittedly, Colorado is not known for it’s Mexican food, but the Rio delivers some pretty good Tex-Mex.  My favorite things about the Rio are the margaritas and the roof top patio.  They have water misters to keep you cool on a hot summer day and the views of the Flatirons are fabulous.  I always feel as though I am on vacation when I am hangin’ at the Rio.

Best Place to grab a cuppa Joe:

The Cup Espresso Cafe (The Cup) – This cool little East end coffee shop prides itself on serving Fair Trade, Organic coffee, homemade pastries and coffee cakes and other snacks like salads and sandwiches.  It makes for a nice break before you head back West to the St. Julien.

In case what I described above does not resonate with you, never fear.  An excellent website that provides more information on other stuff you may find interesting is Boulder Downtown.  I always love my days spent on Pearl in Boulder, CO and I hope you do as well.

Words to Live by – Jack Kerouac

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A good friend of mine is on a month long Life Bus road trip after leaving her job of 12 years.  It was a soul crusher for sure.   She was inspired by the following quote that I absolutely love and may just become my favorite of all-time:

“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”

― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

Lauterbrunnen: A Magical, Majestic Swiss Valley

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When the Life Bus took Todd and me to Switzerland, there was one place we had to see above all others – Lauterbrunnen.  There aren’t enough adjectives to fully explain the beauty of this Swiss jewel.  Lauterbrunnen, in the Bernese Oberland, is situated in one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the world.  This valley boasts more than 70 waterfalls, the most famous, Staubbach Falls, plunges more than 300 meters to the valley below.  The valley itself is only about 1 kilometer wide and all around has imposing, granite walls rising straight out of the valley floor, at heights of thousands of feet.  The valley floor is dotted with picturesque farms and their grazing cows, sheep, and goats.  Many of these farms sell their own homemade dairy products.  Running through the center of the valley is the glacially fed Weisse Luetschine river.  The green of Lauterbrunnen valley is some of the most intense green you will ever see.  [slideshow]

There is so much to do in this area.  Todd and I enjoyed a beautiful run on a gravel footpath that runs most of the length of the valley.  This gravel path hugs the river for quite a ways.  It is a relatively short run but probably one of the most scenic I have ever done.  The tiny, serene hamlet of Stechelberg lies at the end of the road in Lauterbrunnen valley.  From here, you can access many hiking trails of all levels.  The Swiss have hiking down to a fine art and have great trail signage.  Look for the yellow and red plastic trail signs that are frequent and well placed.  For those seeking even more adventure, there are via ferrata options in this area.  BASE-jumping is also huge here.  While we were on our run, we would hear the sounds of parachutes unfurling.  Looking up we could see people in brightly-colored squirrel suits descending into the valley.  Of course, Lauterbrunnen is also the gateway to some of the best known excursion destinations in the Jungfrau region. A railway links Lauterbrunnen with Wengen, perched high above Lauterbrunnen, and the Kleinen Scheidegg, the station where you change trains for the ride to the UNESCO Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn region.

Todd and I ate outside at the Hotel Restaurant Stechelberg in the shadow of the Jungfrau.  We had great typical Swiss food and great service.  Hotel Restaurant Stechelberg  We did not stay at the Alpenhof B&B in Stechelberg but it looked like a great, simple, peaceful place to try next time.  From Stechelberg, you can also catch the cable car ride up to one of the area’s biggest attractions, the Schillthorn.

You definitely go to Lautrbrunnen for the scenery, not the lodging.  We stayed at the Hotel Staubbach primarily for its proximity to the Staubbach falls and views of the valley.  On that note it did not disappoint.  We had a front-facing room with great views of the falls and some surrounding mountains.  Do not expect any type of luxury, however from this hotel.  It was basic and no-frills. We pretty much knew this going in and, therefore, weren’t unhappy with it.  Given the Lauterbrunnen location, however, who wants to stay in their rooms anyway?  Hotel Staubbach

Mohawk Lakes, Breckenridge, CO

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This past Labor Day weekend, Lexi, Todd, Greg and I spent a few days in Summit County.   In true Life Bus fashion, we picked a hike we had never done before, the Mohawk Lakes Trail in Breckenridge, Colorado.  The best website I found that fully describes the trail is the Summit County Explorer.   The only thing I somewhat disagree with is the intermediate rating.  I think it is closer to advanced and not sure I would say this is the best family hike unless your kids are in really good shape and used to the altitude.  The elevation gain is roughly 1,700 feet over a 3.5  mile distance which is quite steep. I do agree with the Summit County Explorer comments that this hike, “encapsulates everything wonderful about Summit County. From sweeping vistas, historic ruins and ore cars to waterfalls and close-up views of massive, rugged peaks.” Once you get to the Lower Mohawk Lake, the views are spectacular.

Todd and Greg brought their fishing poles and threw in their lines at the Lower Mohawk Lake. They didn’t catch anything but it was well worth the effort to bring the poles and practice their casting skills.  If you take a moment to look up at the surrounding mountains, there is a good chance you will see mountain goats dotting the hillside.  It is always a good day when there is a wildlife sighting.  I hear moose have started to migrate to Summit County,  perhaps you will get lucky and spot one of these gorgeous guys milling around.

If you are in the Breckenridge area in the summer time, I highly recommend this 7 mile round trip hike despite the rating. The descent was manageable and not nearly as tricky as I thought it might be. My only caution is a good portion of the trail either has exposed roots or rocks so if it is raining, the chance of slippage is very high.

Key tips:  Bring hiking and fishing poles, wear good ‘sticky’ shoes for climbing over rocks, load up on food/drink and plan on a picnic at one of the Mohawk Lakes.  Also, if you are ever hiking in Colorado, beware of weather in the late afternoon – things can get nasty so bring a rain jacket and a fleece.

Bears and the Gore Creek Trail, Vail, Colorado

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One good thing about being a consultant is the fact that there are occasions when you have a little bit of down time in between gigs.  Earlier this year in June, I had one long, luscious week to catch up on errands and doctor’s appointments and more importantly, to get outside and explore.  I chose to spend a few days solo in Vail, Colorado and hike a trail I had never done before.  The trail I picked was the Gore Creek Trail (GCT).   The GCT is located in the pristine Eagles Nest Wilderness in the Vail Valley area.

Many trail guides I found on the GCT mention an approximate 6.2 mile hike – please keep in mind, this means 1 WAY to Gore Lake.  They don’t seem to be consistent with distance measurements.  The best trail guide I found on the topic is the ProTrail Review which gives an in depth review of mileage points, and a detailed description of the trail and what to expect when.

The ProTrail review rates this hike strenuous and I have to agree, it is not for the faint of heart or couch potatoes. The trail is steep and rocky in some areas so if it is raining, it can be slick.  In summary, it is about a 3,200 foot elevation gain up to the lake.  Of course you don’t have to go that far. Even if you hiked a mile or so in, it would still be enjoyable as the trail loosely follows the Gore Creek for about 4 miles and much of that 4 miles takes you through dense forest.   If you decide to make it to the lake, I understand the opportunity for trout fishing is outstanding.  The challenge I had getting to the lake was there were several fallen trees I had to maneuver around.  If you are not careful, you can easily get off trail and lost, so stay aware and alert.

Overall, this is one of my favorite hikes in the Vail area.   It is gorgeous, challenging and the chance of seeing wildlife is fairly high. The day I hiked the GCT, I saw a total of 8 people and one bear, a very large cinnamon colored bear.  As I was approaching a small ridge, about 15 feet away, I saw the beautiful, fluffy creature scouring the ground for food, smack dab in the middle of the trail.  I completely froze in my tracks.  I could either jump into the river that was about 20 feet below on my left, turn around and head back in the other direction, or hike up the steep hill on my right.  Either way, I was toast if this bear was female with a few cubs in tow.  Thankfully, no babies were involved and as soon as the bear saw me, he (assumption on my part) high tailed it out of there.  Although I nearly crapped my pants, it was by far one of the BEST days of the summer.

Key Tips:  Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring a lot of water and snacks and carry hiking poles if you have a tendency to lose your footing or need to fend off attacking wild animals.

Last but not least, if you are hiking alone, please make sure you let someone know where you are going.  We don’t need any Aron Ralston stories on the GCT.

Exploring Cenotes in Tulum, Mexico

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When I first saw the word Cenote, I immediately thought of a $100 bill.   After asking a Mexican local to repeat the word several times I finally learned how to properly say it (say-no-tay).  What is a Cenote?  It is an open water pool most likely formed from the collapse of the roof of a cave.  Over a period of roughly 6500 years, these geological events and other forces of nature created over 300 miles of interconnected passageways and cave systems in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cenotes are specific to this area and offer up the chance to explore crystal clear waters and encounter geological formations such as stalactites and stalagmites – some of the most unique natural wonders of the world.

Snorkeling or diving in one of these underground wonders is a must do if you are in or nearby Cancun, Cozumel, Playa or Tulum.  The one challenge you will face is determining which one to explore – there seems to be hundreds of them in the area. We asked a few American ‘locals’ and they all recommended Dos Ojos (Spanish for two eyes). Apparently there is an IMAX film floating around out there called ‘Journey into Amazing Caves’ that features Dos Ojos.  If you can find it, it will give you an idea of what to expect.  I have not seen it yet, but would say if it has an IMAX tag associated with it, it has to be pretty sensational.

Dos Ojos is one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world so it is primo for SCUBA diving.   If you don’t dive, don’t let this fact intimidate you, snorkeling is just as enjoyable.  If you SCUBA, you must have a guide, if you snorkel, you have the option of hiring a guide or going at it on your own.  I typically don’t enjoy the whole guide thing, but we decided to hire one anyway.  Mostly because we got there an hour before they closed and we wanted to maximize our visit and squeeze in as much snorkeling as possible.   It turned out to be a good idea as he took us to parts of the cave I am pretty sure I would not have ventured to for fear I would not get out alive.  It was totally cool – we saw the geological formations I noted above, and can fully validate the water is amazingly  crystal clear.  There is also a small bat population dwelling in the caves – I don’t know what it is, but I am always completely fascinated by those little creatures.

Key Tips:  The water temperatures are supposed to be constant at 77 F, but I found after an hour or so of being underground, I got a little chilly.  If you have a tendency to get cold, I would bring a swim shirt.   They do offer wetsuits but that seems to be a little excessive.  If there is a chance you are claustrophobic, let your guide know.  We found ourselves squeezing between some tight spaces that got my blood flowing.

Visiting the Yucatan Peninsula doesn’t have to be all about lying on the soft, white sand beaches and relaxing in the sun with a good book and a margarita in hand.  If the sound of that bores you in any way, you can get a bit of an adrenaline rush with visit to a Cenote.