The Rock That Splits Us

On my drive from Boulder, Co to Lander, WY today I passed Split Rock. Split Rock is a climbing area that NOLS uses quite a bit and it is where Riley will be for the next week and a half on the second part of his IC contract. It is also the place where Riley and I worked our first climbing course together (my first climbing course ever and the end of my proctorship) and it is where Riley went for his IC climbing section...so it has some meaning. With that in mind, I felt like getting out of the car and really taking a look at it.





Most of the climbing happens around the rock on the right side of this picture, though there is a great 4-5 pitch climb on the prominent shaded wall in this picture called Fire & Sage that Riley and I did together last May.




It was nice to be outside of the car! I continued on to Lander just in time to have a delicious dinner with Dawna and Ross Hopeman. It is Dawna's Birthday today and I felt very lucky to be here to wish her a happy birthday in person!

It was a long, but happy day.

Cait

More Of Boulder

I am still trying to figure out this town. It seems like an interesting cross section of college vs business, wealthy vs poor, and super fit vs fit. It has it's own energy, that is for sure. As one boulder resident told me, everyone does crazy amounts of fitness type activities everyday. That person also told me that there are many transient people here because they are treated really well - odwalla and patagonia gear at the shelters. It also seems to be a place that values community, health and culture. The college impact is clear. I have noticed the supportive environment for those less fortunate (food trucks and amenities). I have also seen tons of people out on the trails and bike paths. What a dynamic place!

In my continued exploration, here are a couple of things that I found.

I saw this quote at a little store downtown called "Bliss" and loved it...good advice for recent experiences.



I went for another fun bike ride. I did the Hall Ranch Loop. This homestead sits up above the canyon rim smack dab in the middle of the bike loop.



It's been fun Boulder! A couple more days until I head back west toward Idaho. I am looking forward to that journey and the adventures along the way.

Boulder Biking

I have been in Boulder, Colorado for the last week teaching a WFR-recert and a WFR course (Wilderness Medicine Courses). I have one more week to go. I was fortunate enough to take one evening this week to check out some of the local mountain biking. My co-instructor, Kate, and I went on a 7+ mile loop called the Walker Ranch Loop and had a blast! Pretty neat open/public spaces in this town!