Columbine Trail

The first official spring storm brought lots of snow overnight after it was in the 60's a day ago. Woke up to a winter wonderland and so I decided to take the dogs up Columbine Trail in Cheyenne Canon. With a foot of snow in some places, running was quite a bit slower than normal making for an extra great workout. The dogs blazed the trail ahead which helped and we broke trail most of the way. It always fun to be the first ones up a trail in the snow. The dogs had a blast as always with all the snow.

St. Mary's Falls

You might get tired of snow and dog pictures but I can never have enough. Today was another snow adventure day. This time we headed up to St. Mary's Falls which is above Helen Hunt Falls and Cheyenne Canon. My parents made the trip too as well as John. It wasn't quite enough snow to snowshoe, running with YakTraks was just as good. The footing was a little slippery
which made for a slow jog but still a great workout. It snowed the whole time making for a winter wonderland. Willie wondering what was taking us so long.
Endless playing in the snow.
The frosted hair look!

Saturday Work and The Incline

Today brought a good amount of snow and very misty fog! It was also my first Saturday working our morning hours at the office. It was pretty quiet with only one patient coming in. I don't think people wanted to venture out in the weather unless they absolutely had to. I am also on call for the first time over the weekend which just means I have to have my cell attached to me all the time to get calls.

With a quiet morning I was able to leave the office by noon, eat some lunch, get home, take a 30 min nap and still have time to head outside for a workout. I decided to make a trip up the Incline. I hadn't been on it in awhile. I like going on colder, snowier days as there are less people out making it more peaceful. It was very foggy but beautiful with all the trees frosted with snow and ice. Only took me 35 minutes to the top and then down Barr Trail. My eye lashes were frosted and I had strings of soft icicles all over me by the end. It was a perfect end to the day.

The snowy steps of the Incline.

Tomorrow brings more snow and fog which means more time for adventures in the snow. I love Colorado!

A weekend away in Crested Butte

This past weekend Fisher and I made the four hour drive to visit my good friend Amy in Crested Butte. The drive brought clear roads and beautiful scenery which made for easy traveling. Stopped in Gunnison for a much needed fuel from Firebrand Deli before heading up valley to Crested Butte. They make some of the best sandwiches around that cannot be passed by. A short 30 minute drive brought us to Amy and her dog Daisy waiting in the front yard to greet us. Amy lives in a cute little house with a loft surrounded by huge snow banks right in the middle of town. It was great to see her and catch up. We spend a lot of our time together watching the crazy dogs play and cause trouble in the many many snow piles. Sunday, she took me out on the mountain skiing showing me the greatness that makes up Crested Butte. The snow was great with the sun in and out of the clouds most of the day before the snow moved in. The day ended with beers, a whiskey and coke followed shortly by yummy Thai food before bed. The next morning, we went snowshoeing with the Dogs on a nearby trail for a few hours. Despite the snowmobilers that had to rage by us, it was a very peaceful quiet morning with more blue sky and lots of sun! Then it was back into the car to head back to the Front Range.

Views from the road on the drive down to CB. Buffalo Mountain in the distance!
The town of Crested Butte. It's a winter wonderland.
Fisher and Daisy hanging out in Amy's living room. Fisher decided to takeover Daisy's bed. I don't think I ever saw Daisy on it!
Playing in the giant snow banks! Hours of entertainment.
Daisy poised for action!
A ski break!

Apres Ski.
Snowshoeing adventures!
A endless white blanket.

Dog play. Well more of Fisher rolling!

Thanks to Amy and Daisy for having us!

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!