Saturday March, 7
I was a
bit hung over but I wanted to get back to the mountains. So I sucked it up and
headed out. I drove to Silverthorne and grabbed some Subway. Then I was off to
Breckenridge. I found free parking and started hiking over to the mountain. The
previous year my cousin Zak flew out and rented a room here in the village. I
snagged a nice glass water bottle, and it never sat right with me that I didn’t
get one for him. So I figured I would try my luck again. I walked into the
hotel and went up to the top floor. Sure enough the cleaning cart was sitting
there unattended with 2 water bottles just asking for it. I grabbed them both
and threw them in my backpack. Then it was time to board. Again I didn’t want
to push it so I only spent about 2 hours on the mountain. It was another
beautiful sunny day and my knee was holding up just fine. From here I drove
west to Eagle CO and stopped at bonfire brewery to garb a beer with a friend. Now
I drove back to Boulder to meet up with Eric. Eric and Tristen were over at Kelly’s
parents place so I drove over. Her parents are redoing a huge part of their
house and that included filling in the indoor pool. They took full advantage of
this and were paint crazy things all over the walls. I sat around watching,
drinking some beers, and laughing all night.
Sunday March, 8
We hung
out around Kelly’s house in the morning and she had to move a few things to the
house her parents are renting during construction. The place they are renting
is a beautiful place up in the mountains. They also have a hot tub! Kelly’s
friend Andy came over and we all hopped in. it was great to lie around and soak
up in the mountains. After that I had some running around to do in town. That
night everyone went back over to Kelly’s and they bought some more paint for
the pool. Eric had to work in the morning so I drove him back to his place and
crashed on his couch.
Monday March, 9
In the
morning I went to the grocery store, then back to the mountains. Today I went
to Keystone. This place has always had my favorite tree runs. Sense my knee was
feeling much better I felt up to the craziness that is tree runs. I was on the
mountain all day this time and I was loving it. From here I went west back to
Glenwood Springs to hang out with Dave. He made spaghetti for dinner and we
watched some funny movies.
Tuesday March, 10
Today I
went back to Vail, the snow was pretty soft but it was melting fast. Tons of
bare ground and several runs were closed off. When I was getting off the bus to
get back to my car I helped a lady who had a brace on her knee. We talked for a
little while by my car. She was here for a week and tore her knee the first day
she was out here. I told her about my trip and how I just hurt my knee too. I
picked up some food to make at Dave’s house for dinner. Then it was time for
some more movies.
Wednesday March, 11
I went
to Beaver Creek for the first time today. The sun was not out today and never warmed
up the snow. So it was ice everywhere. I tried a few of the steeper runs but I
couldn’t even hold an edge and had one scary moment sliding down. With all the
ice my knee was starting to bother me again. That’s when I made the decision. It’s
time to go home. I couldn’t see staying with no snow in the forecast and the
idea of re-hurting my knee was not an enjoyable one. Not to mention my boss
would kill me if I came home hurt. So I hopped in the car and drove to Denver
to see my friend Matt P before leaving. We hung out for a bit until his
girlfriend Morgan made it home from work. He Uncle also joined us; turns out he
was on a road trip also! He just retired and had a fully decked out Mercedes
van that he travelled around out west taking pictures. We all walked over to a
restaurant and had some very nice beers with dinner. It was great to see them
and hear about his uncles travels. We have been to many of the same places; he
stuck to the road more than I did but still cool to hear about. Next I dropped
Matt of at his place and hit the road east. I made it to Des Moines Iowa before
crashing out around 6 am.
Thursday March, 12
I only
slept a few hours before getting back on the road. I drove straight through and
made it to my cousins Zak’s house in Waukesha at 7 pm. We hung out joking
around about my trip and sipping on some whiskey I brought back for him. Around
11 I headed home for the first time in 2 and half months. I quickly unpacked
the car, took a shower, and hopped in my king size bed.
It was one hell of a trip and I am very grateful for
everything I am able to do with my time off. The true gem of my trips will
always be the people I meet along the way. Weather its giving me a place to
stay or just meeting someone on the bar stool next to me, it all means a lot to
me and I will never forget any of it. So that’s that! 70 day 30 nights in the
car 14000 miles. This will be my last road trip adventure. I’m not saying that
sadly, I have seen, done, and experienced way more than I ever would have
thought when I left that first time 5 years ago. Now it’s time to move this
shit international!!!
