this is why i live in vail

I was able to bike the entire way up the initial steeps of the Stone Creek loop (see a few posts before for topo map)! (maybe it was the fact I hydrated with a Coors original an hour before...)

This morning I was up with the sun (and I was excited about it) to volunteer at the Teva Mountain Games. I spent the morning helping out at the VIP tent before chilling in the sun watching the Bouldering World Cup. The boulder-ers are insane! These dudes/chicks were upside-down, legs-over-arms and, at times, full-on leaping and grabbing onto holds. I was in awe of their spidy skills and was addicted to watching them tackle each 'problem' in different ways by mixing strength, flexibility and strategery.

At various points throughout the day I ran into friends I hadn't seen since ski season ended. It's funny, we're not used to seeing each other out of ski clothes so we almost don't recognize each other. You wouldn't think it's that different, but it really is especially since you're no longer wearing your winter work uniform (i.e. ski school and ski patrol unis) and you generally only have one or two ski outfits. So really, you're used to seeing the same people in the same thing every day and now... SKIN. You're seeing (nice) legs... (nice) arms... (funky, ski boot) feet... it's pretty funny realizing how little you really knew what a person looked like :)

After the Teva Games... and my hydrating beverage w/ peeps... I hopped on my mountain bike and did the Stone Creek loop plus about 4 more miles on the flat road just before the sun set. I was pumped. It was a really good ride. I'm getting used to my bike; getting overall better control and being able to go a lot faster than when I started. I'm loving mountain biking and can't wait to get on more trails.

P.S. I got a Black Diamond koozie today all because I asked the dude reping it at the Black Diamond tent nicely :) They weren't actually giving them away so that made me more pumped about it since no one else will have one! I've been on the hunt for a sweet and unique koozie for some time now (You need a koozie in the summer otherwise your beverage of choice gets warm. Not something I'm used to but I definitely embrace it!) so I'm pumped and wanted to share :) Good story, huh?! :)