Headed Back To Colorado

The past few weeks have been busy as I return to “normal” life again, if that’s really possible.  After running the Speedgoat 50K with friends Tom “Blaze” Bowling and Joe “Popsicle” Tammaro, I returned to Ouray for a wonderful week of running and hanging out with friends.  Then I made the 17 hour drive back to San Antonio to begin cross country practice.  While I wasn’t super thrilled to be back, I love the kids I work with, which eased the transition a bit.  I snuck a 30K night race in the middle, giving me a taste of what I missed all summer (please send me back to the mountains!).  Now I’m headed back to Colorado, this time to pace friends at the Leadville 100.  The forecast calls for 35 degrees with rain tomorrow night, perfect conditions for running 50 miles in the mountains.  I can’t wait J

(Dave Brown Running Strong at Leadville 100 in 2011) 

(Winfield Aid Station - Mile 50)

Final Days

During my last days in Ouray, I scrambled to get in as much as possible, and that included hitting some new trails, of which there were so many to try.  I decided to visit Chief Ouray’s mine high above town, and boy am I glad I did.  With the trailhead located (literally) right on my door, all I had to do was walk outside and start climbing (sounds like the beginning of every other trail in town).  The climb up to 10,000’ was tough because my legs were feeling pretty flat, but the return trip was nothing short of spectacular.  After visiting the mine and carving my name in Chief Ouray’s house, I put in my headphones and bombed down the smooth singletrack back to the house, passing no one on the way down. 

            On my final day in town, I went out exploring again, taking a few familiar trails until I found a new one that led to the old Alpine Mine and Weehawken Creek.  The overlook into town was one of the best I’d seen all summer, and the singletrack that snaked through the aspens was second to none.  Yes, I’m going to miss this place, but I know in my heart that I will most definitely be back.

(Red Mountain Seen From Chief Ouray Mine Trail)

(Chief Ouray's House) 

(Visitors In My Yard)

(Trail Leading Up To Alpine Mine and Weehawken Creek)

(First Overlook Where I Sat For Awhile)

(Alpine Mine Ruins) 

(Looking Down Into Ouray From Alpine Mine Overlook) 

(Heavenly Singletrack) 

(Resting at Weehawken Creek)

Happiness

As my time in Ouray draws to a close for this summer, I’ve started to reflect on my last 2 months.  While I cannot recap everything or remember some of the best moments (I will come up with a list at some point), the overwhelming feeling I’ve had during my stay here is that of true happiness.  As I sit here typing this, I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.  As long as I continue to live each day here to the fullest and to focus on the moment, I can’t help but have a smile on my face.  Yesterday I set out from the house and headed for Imogene Pass, where I could see Telluride way down below.  Not wanting to get caught in a lightning storm, I scurried down the mountain as I was being chased by the storm.  While I never got any lightning (I heard plenty of thunder), I got plenty of cool rain that made my run great.  I found myself splashing through creeks and hopping down the trail.  Happy, yes, I was truly happy.  Life is so simple here.  This place is magical, and I will be back, hopefully sooner than later.

(Imogene Pass In the Distance)

(Looking Down At the Route I Took Up To Imogene)

(Looking Down At Telluride From Imogene Pass)

(Marmot Up High)