Vacation... sorta...

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08-19-2007, 07:19 PM
MadMonkey

Vacation... sorta...

My internets have been down for the last few days so I haven't been posting, but I'm now in a hotel room in Leadville, Colorado that just happens to have WiFi :D

I took an extra day off from work to come visit my brother up here... I got off work at 8AM this morning, flew to Denver, and have already been to Mt. Evans and through the Eisenhower Tunnel (so far). Tomorrow we're going to play golf at the highest golf course in North America ::Banana::

Here's a few pics of what's been happening, all from the summit of Mt. Evans (14,230' up!)!

http://i14.tinypic.com/4znchht.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4lzw488.jpg

And peering over the edge.. and braving the heights... I'm an idiot ;)

http://i19.tinypic.com/66ms84k.jpg

The road up the mountain is a very, very twisty affair (obviously) but somehow I don't think it would be a terribly fun in a Miata... there's a huge drop on one side and sharp rocks on the other. I think this will be out of my Miata vacation plans! Of course my brother was driving and we were in his Isuzu Rodeo, so it wasn't exactly a performance ride anyway :cat:

We still have to decide what to do for the next few days also... it's nice to get out of the heat for a while (it's in the 50's here at about 11k feet). Not to mention get away from the retards at work :D

Anyway, I'll update later. I'm cold :clap:
08-19-2007, 08:19 PM
Radio-Active

Nice Pictures.

My Father has a T-shirt from Ledville, CO and a certificate stating his flying in to the highest aerodrome in North America.

Never been, but maybe some day soon.
08-19-2007, 08:51 PM
aalvarez04

Looks like fun. Peering off the edge, your partially off, i usually stand 2 feet away at the closest but I'm always scared. :(
08-19-2007, 10:07 PM
Billy Blaze

I always get the urge to jump when I am up high, i know there is some sort of a clinical name for it but don't know what it is...but have talked with many people who have the same sensation.

Before the hip thing I used to do a lot of freehand rock climbing, but those days are over :(
08-19-2007, 10:46 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

I always get the urge to jump when I am up high...

Freud pointed that out once... that the human urge to jump over the edge over-rides the fear of falling over the edge.

Strange stuff...
08-20-2007, 07:21 AM
Billy Blaze

I have always wanted to go to Co. I think that's the first place i am going when I get the hip done....for some hiking, climbing, driving and just chillin in the big empty space.

I need a vacation, those are some cool photo's
08-20-2007, 07:44 AM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

I have always wanted to go to Co. I think that's the first place i am going when I get the hip done....for some hiking, climbing, driving and just chillin in the big empty space.

I need a vacation, those are some cool photo's

I'll have more pictures later. We're probably going to make our way through Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge over the next couple of days... should be some pretty scenery. Haven't seen a whole lot of wildlife yet except for some mountain goats, chipmunk(ish) creatures, and a few snow bunnies :D

I'm just happy to be out of state for a while... I could sit in a hotel room watching TV all day and I'd still be having a good time.

Come to think of it, that's what I'm doing right now... heh.

It's 50 degrees now... brrrr.... ::EvilBana
08-20-2007, 07:47 AM
Dave04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

I'm cold

With that much hair on your legs? I'm surprised... ::Banana::
08-20-2007, 07:51 AM
Billy Blaze

cool, can't wait o see some more pics.
08-20-2007, 08:13 AM
HudsonHawk

MMMM, now that's my kind of country. How about driving up that same road except you are in a jeep that has no doors.:D I gotta go back. Last time I was in Colorado I did not have the Jeep. Just a 4WD Durango.
08-20-2007, 09:58 AM
MadMerv

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

And peering over the edge.. and braving the heights... I'm an idiot ;)

http://i19.tinypic.com/66ms84k.jpg

Anyway, I'll update later. I'm cold :clap:

Jump Forest, JUMP!
08-20-2007, 10:01 AM
MadMerv

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

I always get the urge to jump when I am up high, i know there is some sort of a clinical name for it but don't know what it is...but have talked with many people who have the same sensation.

Before the hip thing I used to do a lot of freehand rock climbing, but those days are over :(

I think they call it STUPID!!!!!!
08-20-2007, 11:55 AM
Ataim

2 Attachment(s)

Last summer we went to Leadvill also. I LOVE that area of Colorodo. Twin Lakes is also Very pretty (just south bout 30 miles). You'll pass them on the way towards Aspen, if you go over Independence Pass. I had two flats while up on the mountain, I hope that you have better luck.

The flat is at about 13,000 feet, Mount Massive is accross the valley and the next is just off of the highway south of Leadville with Mount Massive in the background. Man I wish I was up there.
08-20-2007, 11:59 AM
johnwag

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave04

With that much hair on your legs? I'm surprised... ::Banana::

Sweet.....I'm not the only one that noticed the forest on his legs. :D

Looks like alot of fun, Joel. Be careful, man.
08-20-2007, 02:52 PM
Bacon

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwag

Sweet.....I'm not the only one that noticed the forest on his legs. :D

Looks like alot of fun, Joel. Be careful, man.

Why are you looking?
08-20-2007, 03:24 PM
Magma

Joel, hit up the Big sled ride in Breck, can't remember the name but i think it at peak 11, 1/5 mile slalom you slide down on a small plastic sled, and dinner at Downstairs at Eric's or the Hearthstone if you go the cash(3 people 1 bottle wine= $390)
08-20-2007, 03:34 PM
johnwag

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magma

Joel, hit up the Big sled ride in Breck, can't remember the name but i think it at peak 11, 1/5 mile slalom you slide down on a small plastic sled, and dinner at Downstairs at Eric's or the Hearthstone if you go the cash(3 people 1 bottle wine= $390)

LOL! Shawn, do you have the spirit of jeff_man?
08-20-2007, 03:34 PM
johnwag

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacon

Why are you looking?

Cause I pay attention to the details. ;)
08-20-2007, 03:35 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwag

LOL! Shawn, do you have the spirit of jeff_man?

I'm going to guess iphone. ;)
08-20-2007, 03:43 PM
johnwag

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

I'm going to guess iphone. ;)

Ahhh yes, the iphone. Never mind. I forgot how cool shawn was. :D
08-20-2007, 04:04 PM
MadMonkey

I'm now in Aspen (riding at the moment, heading for a hotel). Beautiful road from Leadville to Aspen... I would LOVE to take the Miata on it. The weather is very comfortable too. Played golf this morning at Mt. Massive (highest golf course in North America!) and shot a 94... not too bad considering I haven't played since I moved to DFW. Tough course too! :D

Looks like we'll probably be staying at Mountain Chalet here... gonna run around and see the sights this evening, then maybe play golf again tomorrow. I'll post pictures tonight if I can

Aspen is beautiful too! If I was rich I'd have a summer home up here (too hot for autocross in DFW, so why stay around?) :D
08-20-2007, 05:05 PM
trickyrix

Lucky dog you! Sounds like good times... and you really should go back there in the Miata - they loooove mountain roads! At least mine does... ;)

Enjoy the rest of your trip and, uh, don't fall off any cliffs... yikes!
08-20-2007, 07:30 PM
MadMonkey

Well.... I hate to say it, but Texas just got OWNED badly in the BBQ department. I just had dinner at the Hickory House.

Wow.

I have NEVER had baby back ribs like that before... my brother and I bought "The Feast", which includes smoked beef, chicken, baby back ribs, potatoes, corn on the cob, beans, and coleslaw.

I figure it was amazing because I never even looked at the sauce after they brought the meat out. When you don't need sauce, that's some reeeeeal good stuff :D I'm seriously stuffed right now.

Here's a couple more pics from today:

Golf Course
http://i16.tinypic.com/4z3g3f5.jpg

Continental Divide
http://i13.tinypic.com/52zoj92.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/4m35flh.jpg

:D
08-20-2007, 07:34 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

Well.... I hate to say it, but Texas just got OWNED badly in the BBQ department.

Hhmm... I not entirely sure that Texas is known for having the best BBQ around. Brisket, perhaps... but not the 'Q.

Now if you want really, really good BBQ, travel through Tennessee or live in KC like I did. There's the good stuff!
08-20-2007, 08:05 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Hhmm... I not entirely sure that Texas is known for having the best BBQ around. Brisket, perhaps... but not the 'Q.

Now if you want really, really good BBQ, travel through Tennessee or live in KC like I did. There's the good stuff!

I dunno, I've run across a few little hole-in-the-wall places that had amazing stuff in TX, but nothing like this. I need to get out to other states more often :D
08-22-2007, 04:05 PM
TurboDuane

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

The road up the mountain is a very, very twisty affair (obviously) but somehow I don't think it would be a terribly fun in a Miata... there's a huge drop on one side and sharp rocks on the other.

You couldn't be farther from the truth. Dude, I was up there last year for the FM Open-House. Me and My Miata, almost didn't come home. I thought about living up there and just driving the rest of my life. LOVE those roads!!!

BTW, the turbo really helped at those elevations. I was hands down the fastest car around. I was passing everyone like they were stuck in 1st. lol.

TD
08-22-2007, 05:49 PM
channelmaniac

Hey!

If Monkey isn't home....

::EvilBana::EvilBana

Mua-ha-ha-haaaaaa