A Frosty Blue Sky Morning

This morning brought a nice fresh chill to the air after a small dusting of snow overnight. The clouds had already cleared out and the snow was just glistening everywhere as the sun came up. What a perfect morning for an early morning run in the Garden of the Gods! It was just chilly enough to put a frost on the dogs chest, face and whiskers as well as frosting my own hair. Good thing running keeps the rest of the body warm!

View of Pikes Peak from the front of my house. Not bad!
A frosted Willie!
Very happy dogs!

Couldn't have asked for a better morning before heading off for a day of work!

Family Time and Running Adventures

This past weekend was very busy. We had a family memorial service on Friday for the dear Bob Donner. So there was lots of family in town on both sides of the Cogswell family. It was sad to say goodbye but it was a nice service and a huge gathering. In between visiting with family and eating lots of yummy food, my mom and I ran the second race in the Winter Series on Saturday that the local running group puts together. It was a 8 mile race on a flat course along the Pikes Peak Greenway trail next to Fountain Creek. Besides the wind, the weather was perfect. It was a fast course but a great workout. We both finished well. Shortly following the race, my dad joined us in satisfying our hunger pains by eating at the new Italian Market and Deli Molluca's gorging on reuben sandwiches. They were delicious.

Sunday turned out to be a very windy and chilly day but I did manage to get outside and take Willie and Fisher out on the trail. We went up the High Drive to Bear Creek Trail looping around to Buckhorn and back down High Drive. There was still lots of snow and ice on the trail but we managed to stay out of the wind until the top of Buckhorn and High Drive. The rest of the afternoon was spent on the couch watching football. Not a bad end to the weekend. Go Saints!

Me finishing up the race. 1 mile to go!

Mom working hard. She looks great!
On Bear Creek Trail at fork up to Jones Park. Willie and Fisher desperately waiting for their mid run treats! Fisher could not control his drooling!

Waiting patiently for me to catch up!

Until next time................Happy Trails!

A 31st Birthday Celebration

Today to celebrate my birthday both my parents, John, me and the two crazy dogs, Fisher and Willie went up Pikes Peak via Barr Trail. Not to the top of course but close. It was a warm January day with highs in the mid 50's and lots of sunshine. Perfect weather. I led the group and ran with the dogs up about 1 mile past Barr Camp to the Bottomless Pit sign. The trail was in good shape with some icy spots in the bottom 3 miles and snowed packed above that. There hadn't been fresh snow for a while so the trail was completely hard and tracked out. Good for running! My dad was a trooper and made it up about four miles before heading back down. It was great to have him join us on our adventure. My mom and John made it to Barr Camp and I met them on my way back down. We hung out there for a while enjoying the sun, eating whole made granola bars from the gang at Barr and warming our hands on the stove in the cabin. Then time to head back down in one piece. Made down around 230, still much of the afternoon to enjoy including a espresso drink at the Spice of Life before heading out for drinks, dinner and dessert at the Summit! It was delicious and nice way to finish the day!

My dad coming up Hydro.

John, me and my mom right before parting ways at the beginning.
My dad and I
My mom and I at Barr Camp!
Me, John, and my mom at Barr Camp.


On our way down admiring the top!


Finishing up with a drink in Fountain Creek.
Tired doggies!

Thanks for a great day. Couldn't asked for anything more for a birthday celebration!