Devil's Head

Colorado has a significant problem with forest fires. This year threatens to be one of the worst. Yes, we had the most snow colorado has seen in decades this past winter. However, the snow evaporated for the most part. Instead of running off the mountains in large quantities and flooding rivers, streams, and lakes, the snow was sucked up by the air due the dry and very hot late spring we had.

As a result, there is very little water and everything is extremely dry. We've had fire restrictions in place since before Memorial Day. That means no open fires when camping, watering lawns on specific days, and no smoking outdoors unless three feet from any brush (I'm sure that only applies to tobacco cigarettes). There's talk of canceling the Fourth of July firework celebration up here in Avon. There has already been numerous brush fires across the entire state. Some burning thousands and thousands of acres. Most "small" fires only burn a couple hundred acres, to put a perspective on things.

This past Monday, Justin and I hiked Devil's Head. It's only about 2 or 3 miles round trip, just through the front range, and takes you to an elevation of around 9700 ft. At the top of Devil's Head, there is the Devil's Head Fire Tower. There is an additional 143 steps at the end of the hike to take you to the top of the tower. From this tower, you can see 100 miles in every direction. The tower was first erected in the early 1900's. A string of ladders, instead of stairs, was used to climb the rocky terrain. From the top, smoke can be spotted and authorities can be notified. Today, there is a small cabin with electricity, but no running water, at the foot of the tower. The fire ranger and his wife live there all summer, completely isolated from civilization. The fire ranger climbs the tower about 4 or 5 times a day and looks for any signs of fire. (He also made me an official member of the "Ancient and Honorable Order of Squirrels")

There's a couple dozen of these towers scattered across the state. Fire rangers live near or at these towers for the duration of fire season and look out several times a day for signs of smoke.

I'm thinking of retiring to this lifestyle some day.

Day Trips

Such a blast this past weekend. Justin and I have finally synchronized our days off (only took 6 months) and we have Sundays and Mondays together until the end of July. I plan to fill all of those days with fun little day trips that will complete my experience here in Colorado.

This past weekend started on Friday when we went to a friend's wedding. The small, personal chapel was just short of the front range, with the altar and windows overlooking the massive rockies. What a place to exchange your vows. The reception followed with an open bar. Met lots of cool people.

This Sunday we went to Six Flags Elitch Gardens. We rode everything from the tidal wave log flume to the ferris wheel to the old-school white wooden roller coaster. I ate way too much junk food and had a fantastic time.

Monday involved the Denver zoo and one of my favorite pastimes, margaritas the size of your head! I almost got peed on by a tiger at the zoo... and then a polar bear. We went to the Morrison Inn afterward, a little mexican cantina just short of Evergreen on the front range, and had the gigantic margaritas with a couple friends. (These head-sized margaritas still paled in comparison to the liquor pitchers at the cafe however)

Trips to come: Red Rocks winery, whitewater rafting, camping, Museum, Center City, sand dunes, Mt. Elbert, Pikes Peak, et al.

Your Mission...

Which you will accept...

Create a road trip CD for me for when I leave this colorful state and head back to the Philadelphia area.

I'm asking any and all to write a CD with songs, comedy, and other creative audio pieces. Write your name on the CD and send to:

PO Box 8068
Avon, CO 81620

Sharpy and Rosebach booked their one-way tickets and fly into Denver late July (after a 7 hour layover in Vegas apparently.... you crazy kids). The plan is to leave here around July 30 and slowly make our way across the country. Before we leave the state, we'll hopefully be climbing a 14er. Better acclimate fast guys. Balls of String and Niagara Falls will be involved during the trip itself. I think I'll be back in Philly sometime around Aug 6, which leaves me a week to move back into my mom's house, and do plenty of beach laying before school begins.

It still hasn't hit. I'm thinking of my life next year, and I think Colorado, because, why would I leave? I don't think it will hit until the mountains fade in the rearview mirror.

But I'll save the real mushy blog for a later date. For now, burn those CDs people!

Fucking Assholes Formulate Stupid Application

I got a 2 hour break from work today and have spent its entirety on staring at little letters and numbers, only to have these little letters and numbers refer me to even smaller letters and numbers on my income tax forms. FAFSA is not my most favorite thing to fill out on said break. However, it must be done. Only to have to the federal government tell me, "Screw you, your parents make money... I don't care if you're not getting any of it."

I'm going into next year with little to no money, including whatever debt I have acquired over the past several years (credit card, a car I may purchase, etc). Fortunately, rent, grocery, and utility bills will go out the window due to living with a set of my parents. (Shhh, don't tell the feds) School next year is going to cost me my first born, and that doesn't include any other expenses or my attempts to save up anything for the following 4 years of school.

The good news is, apparently I have "excellent" credit which should allow me to get some pretty good loans at low interest rates. Go figure. The bad news is, I'll be paying off these loans until I'm in my 40's. Sorry kids, no college for you.

I sympathize with anyone who has, is currently, or will ever have incur so much debt in their life. I'm told it's not fun. Has anyone told me it's worth it yet??