A few years back, Guy got to know a really fun bunch of people who also happen to be fabulous back country skiers. Last year, he invited me along on a ski trip to one of the 10th Mountain Division Huts outside Leadville. This year, the group reserved the Ben Eiseman Hut about 7 miles north of Vail.
This group has been doing hut trips together for some time. They have their system down. Several people bring in the food, a few more bring in beer, and everyone has their contribution. We meet in small clusters at the trailhead and ski or snowshoe in together. Everyone has their own pace based on experience, fitness, and amount of goodies carried. Being a weenie on all counts, I tend to gravitate toward the slower groups. This is not always a good thing.
For this trip, several folks went in the day before we were to head in. The great thing about this arrangement is that the hut is warm and inviting when you finally get there. Another group of hard core backcountry guys departed in the morning. We met with a whole bunch of people at the trailhead and started off together knowing we’d break up into various groups. Somehow those who knew the route were faster and got out well ahead of us. The rest of us were left to get lost in the snowy wonderland … or perhaps that should be wanderland.
After adding a couple miles to our trek, we backtracked to find the real trail. We managed to help two of the others find the turn off we had missed as they were about to pass it. These were very important people carrying Saturday’s dinner. From that point onward, the trail was fairly straightforward. If easier to find, there was nothing easy about the trail. It seemed to climb endlessly and gradually skyward. Funny thing about these mountain trails.
My feet were already beginning to blister pretty badly. I stopped at the creek crossing to tape a few blisters on my ankles and toes. Relief was minimal but at least I wouldn’t have bloody stumps in my ski boots by the end. And so we climbed.
At one point, the trail was on a side hill. For about ½ mile we skied with one leg short. It was tempting to turn around just for the relief on the legs but then that wouldn’t have served the purpose, now would it? The trail map said there would be an “abrupt change in terrain” with steep switchbacks thereafter. Trail from there was supposed to be two miles. But, since the trail from the creek to there was obviously longer than 2 miles, there was no telling. We kept thinking we found an “abrupt change” but apparently it wasn’t the right one.
When the light faded completely, we stopped to put on headlamps. Sunset was at about 7:30. We had set out at about 12:30. Youch! Two of the early arrivals had headed out to assist the skiers behind us. A short time further down trail a few more gallant souls would come out to help us get our gear up the steeper parts. I was very grateful for the help. By then, my movement seemed barely more than a shuffle. “Relentless forward motion” was the mantra from Ultrarunning that kept going through my head.
When we arrived at the hut, there was a warm fire (though we were roasting from the exertion most of the day) and hot chili. Shortly after that, I passed out, missing the night’s festivities.
Saturday was a bit cloudy but warmish. Everyone went out to ski. My feet were not cooperating with the idea of putting on boots so I stayed behind and took a nap. When everyone came back from their respective ski fun, we had happy hour… which became happy evening… which became happy wee hours. Most of the group started out with Texas Hold’em or cribbage. Once enough schnapps had been consumed and no one could play cards well, the games deteriorated to F**K your neighbor and Thumper… flashback to college days and those old drinking games.
The abundance of empty listerine (schnapps) bottles, wine bags, beer cans, etc didn’t bode well for a good morning. Nonetheless everyone woke cheery to breakfast burritos, a quick cleanup of the hut, and some more ski time. Knowing I would have to skin out anyway, I braved the boots and got in a run behind the cabin. The powder was spectacular.
On the ski out we were amazed by how much up hill we had to climb. How is it these trails are uphill both ways? Those downhills had been barely noticed on the way in. Overall, it was mostly easy and beautiful downhill on the way out.
Until next year. Ben Eiseman 2008.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wishful Thinking
Today was one of those long daze. It started when the alarm went off at 4 a.m. I dragged myself away from the sexiest naked man in the world to drive 2 1/2 hours to work. There couldn't be much harder to do. Add to that it was going to be a glorious day, just the kind where you'd like to laze in bed until the sun is full up and then call in well to work so you can run around a lake somewhere for hours on end.
Sigh! I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Colorado Springs to face a full schedule of mostly sick people and two, count 'em two, desks full of paperwork. Alexis tried to keep me amused and entertained but my mind wanted to go back to that warm bed. The rest of me did too but that couldn't be done.
After work I had a meeting for the Continuing Education and Research Committee (of which I'm a commit -ee... kinda institutional, huh?!) for the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation. For once, I feel like we made progress and when I report to the Bored Meeting next week, I'll have something to show for our two hour's work.
Then I headed back to my lovely little house on the market. The flowers and plants properly watered, the floors and counters spiffed... time to pay the bills... and now a little time for rest. My mind wanders back to that warm bed. My bed here will be cold and empty. I turn on the electric blanket.
Tomorrow will also start early. If I go to bed soon, perhaps I can swim before my run with Janna and Jen. I smoked my legs yesterday swimming and doing kicking drills. How to make an ultrarunner (or used to be) feel fat and out of shape... put her in a pool. But I'm getting better, she protests.
To sleep! To sleep! No distractions sez Wellington T. Bear watching over my keyboard. to sleep and then to wake to another day with a run, perhaps a swim, and caring for those who let me. Another drive, and finally, home to see if a sexy man might be in my bed. I can hope!
Sigh! I drove the 2 1/2 hours to Colorado Springs to face a full schedule of mostly sick people and two, count 'em two, desks full of paperwork. Alexis tried to keep me amused and entertained but my mind wanted to go back to that warm bed. The rest of me did too but that couldn't be done.
After work I had a meeting for the Continuing Education and Research Committee (of which I'm a commit -ee... kinda institutional, huh?!) for the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation. For once, I feel like we made progress and when I report to the Bored Meeting next week, I'll have something to show for our two hour's work.
Then I headed back to my lovely little house on the market. The flowers and plants properly watered, the floors and counters spiffed... time to pay the bills... and now a little time for rest. My mind wanders back to that warm bed. My bed here will be cold and empty. I turn on the electric blanket.
Tomorrow will also start early. If I go to bed soon, perhaps I can swim before my run with Janna and Jen. I smoked my legs yesterday swimming and doing kicking drills. How to make an ultrarunner (or used to be) feel fat and out of shape... put her in a pool. But I'm getting better, she protests.
To sleep! To sleep! No distractions sez Wellington T. Bear watching over my keyboard. to sleep and then to wake to another day with a run, perhaps a swim, and caring for those who let me. Another drive, and finally, home to see if a sexy man might be in my bed. I can hope!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Subdivision Hell
I bought my house in Colorado Springs before I really had a chance to live in and drive around the city. When I got to Colorado, I never drove around looking for a place to live. I imagine I’d have found it just as “icky” there as I’m finding the housing situation here.
Fort Collins, it seems, is region after region of privacy fenced subdivisions with cookie cutter houses that are cheaply made. Sure, some are nice and have a nice back yard and deck… but ick! Where is the character. I can have a house with character in the Old Town area but can’t have a garage there.
What I really want is a house up against the hills. But those are the same kind of neighborhoods, only bigger houses and bigger price tags. Most of them go for 400,000 on up. Yikes!!
Tucked in between the subdivisions are tiny little horse ranches. You can almost see the vultures on the telephone wires waiting for the land to go on sale. I can’t imagine what one of those little spots would cost. But again, not very close to the hills.
Send good house hunting ju ju!!
Fort Collins, it seems, is region after region of privacy fenced subdivisions with cookie cutter houses that are cheaply made. Sure, some are nice and have a nice back yard and deck… but ick! Where is the character. I can have a house with character in the Old Town area but can’t have a garage there.
What I really want is a house up against the hills. But those are the same kind of neighborhoods, only bigger houses and bigger price tags. Most of them go for 400,000 on up. Yikes!!
Tucked in between the subdivisions are tiny little horse ranches. You can almost see the vultures on the telephone wires waiting for the land to go on sale. I can’t imagine what one of those little spots would cost. But again, not very close to the hills.
Send good house hunting ju ju!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Spring Inspiration
John Morelock wrote something beautiful (again) today about Spring. It inspired me. I have gotten in a few outdoor runs despite the last throes of winter... but mostly time on the dreadmill and in the pool. By the time summer comes I should be prime for getting one of those boring speedo tans while lake swimming. No bikini lines for me.
Winter is a jealous mistress
She tosses her anger when Spring comes to visit
In ugly fits of ice and rage
The wind encourages her with chattering gossip
Rattling bony branches
Under her darkened brow
Winter watches as we remove our clothes for Spring
We bare our legs and arms to the sun
And our soles to the clearing trails
We are giddy with the perfume of Spring
And the promise of renewal
All the while, she plots her revenge
Our infidelity to her frigid presence
Is rewarded with frost and glare
She forces us to cover ourselves again and again
Until we exhaust her
And she cries herself to sleep
Soaking spring rain
LB
3/18/08
Winter is a jealous mistress
She tosses her anger when Spring comes to visit
In ugly fits of ice and rage
The wind encourages her with chattering gossip
Rattling bony branches
Under her darkened brow
Winter watches as we remove our clothes for Spring
We bare our legs and arms to the sun
And our soles to the clearing trails
We are giddy with the perfume of Spring
And the promise of renewal
All the while, she plots her revenge
Our infidelity to her frigid presence
Is rewarded with frost and glare
She forces us to cover ourselves again and again
Until we exhaust her
And she cries herself to sleep
Soaking spring rain
LB
3/18/08
Monday, March 10, 2008
Keeping Warm
The coming of fall is punctuated by large metal drums and propane jets on nearly every corner. Green chile vendors from New Mexico bring bushels of Hatch chiles to sell. The air is filled with that wonderful eye-nipping fragrance as the roasters turn the crank on metal cages of chiles over wicked flames.
The coming of fall foretells months of cold here in Colorado. There are plenty of ways to keep warm... fireplaces, skiing until you sweat, old fashioned snuggling, and cooking something good with the bushels of Hatch chiles put up in the fall.
It has been a cold winter. Five bushels have dwindled to 3. Batches of green chile stew, enchiladas, chile pot pie, and other delights have kept us from growing weary of cold nights, something to look forward to during dim days.
It's nearly impossible to get tired of green chile dishes. But sometimes there is that little urge for something different; something new. The internet yields few ideas save for new ways of doing the old recipes. And so, my mind wanders.
Green Chile Risotto
4-5 Cups stock (chicken, fish or vegetable as appropriate)
2 tablespoons butter
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
3 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 – 8 roasted anaheim or hatch chiles, finely chopped
14 ounces arborio rice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 wine glasses dry white wine
2 1/2 ounces butter
3 1/2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan or asiago
Heat stock and leave on stove on low. In a separate pan heat 1 Tbsp butter. Add mushroom and saute until browned. Remove to a bowl. Melt the other Tbsp butter. Add the shallots, garlic and peppers and saute for about 3 minutes.
When the vegetables have softened, add the rice, season with salt and pepper and turn up the heat. Stir constantly until rice is translucent. Add wine and keep stirring.
Once the wine has cooked into the rice, add a ladleful of hot stock and a good pinch of salt. Stir continuously. Turn down the heat to a moderate simmer so the rice doesn't cook too quickly on the outside. Continue adding ladles of stock, stirring and allowing each ladle of liquid to be absorbed completely before adding the next. This will take around 15-25 minutes. Continue adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite.
Remove from the heat and add mushrooms, butter and cheese. Stir gently. Place lid on pan and allow to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
The coming of fall foretells months of cold here in Colorado. There are plenty of ways to keep warm... fireplaces, skiing until you sweat, old fashioned snuggling, and cooking something good with the bushels of Hatch chiles put up in the fall.
It has been a cold winter. Five bushels have dwindled to 3. Batches of green chile stew, enchiladas, chile pot pie, and other delights have kept us from growing weary of cold nights, something to look forward to during dim days.
It's nearly impossible to get tired of green chile dishes. But sometimes there is that little urge for something different; something new. The internet yields few ideas save for new ways of doing the old recipes. And so, my mind wanders.
Green Chile Risotto
4-5 Cups stock (chicken, fish or vegetable as appropriate)
2 tablespoons butter
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
3 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 – 8 roasted anaheim or hatch chiles, finely chopped
14 ounces arborio rice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 wine glasses dry white wine
2 1/2 ounces butter
3 1/2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan or asiago
Heat stock and leave on stove on low. In a separate pan heat 1 Tbsp butter. Add mushroom and saute until browned. Remove to a bowl. Melt the other Tbsp butter. Add the shallots, garlic and peppers and saute for about 3 minutes.
When the vegetables have softened, add the rice, season with salt and pepper and turn up the heat. Stir constantly until rice is translucent. Add wine and keep stirring.
Once the wine has cooked into the rice, add a ladleful of hot stock and a good pinch of salt. Stir continuously. Turn down the heat to a moderate simmer so the rice doesn't cook too quickly on the outside. Continue adding ladles of stock, stirring and allowing each ladle of liquid to be absorbed completely before adding the next. This will take around 15-25 minutes. Continue adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite.
Remove from the heat and add mushrooms, butter and cheese. Stir gently. Place lid on pan and allow to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sunpink
Spring hit Fort Collins this weekend. The snow is gone except in the shadiest of spots. I saw one tiny pile when we ran yesterday. Of course, Winter will return for a few more encores but this weekend was NICE.
Friday night downtown was hopping with college students. We met some friends and checked out a couple bars until closing time. The streets were crowded at 2:30 a.m. with kids looking for cabs and just hanging out. Saturday was gloriously warm even at 4 p.m. when we ran.
Today I sat outside at a friends house playing with their 4 week old puppies. There were 9 boxer pups and Shelby, the mom to cuddle. Shelby is back to her svelte figure and is ignoring the puppies for the most part because she prefers to be petted and played with. She's no longer responsible for their feeding so there is no need for her to be particularly maternal.
There really isn't much outside of a kitchen or garden that smells better than puppy breath. And having a mosty toothless puppy gnaw on your nose or ears is the best therapy you could find even if you don't really need therapy. I sat and laid on a blanket soaking up puppy snuggles and sunshine. I even got the first pinkness in my cheeks for the year since I only put on 10 sunscreen this morning.
Mango curry isn't just for bad days any more. I made a batch tonight with a bit of extra sauce to try freezing it... and some to share with Ken and Colleen. The recipe is perfectly reproducible as written in my earlier post. MMMMmmmm. That and veggie spring rolls made a perfect dinner. Follow that with chocolate pots du creme for Guy's birthday cake...
Friday night downtown was hopping with college students. We met some friends and checked out a couple bars until closing time. The streets were crowded at 2:30 a.m. with kids looking for cabs and just hanging out. Saturday was gloriously warm even at 4 p.m. when we ran.
Today I sat outside at a friends house playing with their 4 week old puppies. There were 9 boxer pups and Shelby, the mom to cuddle. Shelby is back to her svelte figure and is ignoring the puppies for the most part because she prefers to be petted and played with. She's no longer responsible for their feeding so there is no need for her to be particularly maternal.
There really isn't much outside of a kitchen or garden that smells better than puppy breath. And having a mosty toothless puppy gnaw on your nose or ears is the best therapy you could find even if you don't really need therapy. I sat and laid on a blanket soaking up puppy snuggles and sunshine. I even got the first pinkness in my cheeks for the year since I only put on 10 sunscreen this morning.
Mango curry isn't just for bad days any more. I made a batch tonight with a bit of extra sauce to try freezing it... and some to share with Ken and Colleen. The recipe is perfectly reproducible as written in my earlier post. MMMMmmmm. That and veggie spring rolls made a perfect dinner. Follow that with chocolate pots du creme for Guy's birthday cake...
Friday, March 7, 2008
Making it stick
Today I made a contract with myself on www.stickk.com. It’s a contract to work out and train for the next 34 weeks. If I don’t do it, $5 goes to a charity each week. I have a referree and supporters. Sounds like a plan.
I had swimming on my schedule for today, my day off. It was a beautiful day so I was contemplating riding my bike the 6.5 miles to the gym. After making the contract, it sealed the deal. I dug out my bike and appropriate gear. I spent a frustrating half hour not finding my daypack so I borrowed Guy’s. I packed my swimming gear, locks, and the stuff for the post office into the pack.
I set off from our house headed just a bit south to catch the Spring Creek bike trail. This is a fantastic trail that angles across town toward my office. The sun was shining and there was a moderate breeze. Perfect for shorts and a windbreaker.
The trail angles northeast and my gym is southeast. I went a few miles enjoying the trail and was supposed to turn on a southbound trail called the Mason trail. Unfortunately it wasn’t marked as such so I doubled back… twice. I finally found my way to the Mason trail and went south looking for a cross street that would take me past the post office. By the time I hit a cross street, I was well south of the post office. So I headed due east to the gym after about a 50 minute ride… obviously more than 6.5 miles by this route.
The gym is brand-spankin’ new. In fact, they are having their grand opening beginning at midnight tonight (24 h fitness). They put in a 25 m pool that is only 2 lanes wide. No worries though, no one else was there. I had the pool to myself. And, I managed to have a great 50 minute swim. I even swam 150 meters without stopping for the first time. I swam 5 x 50 on the minute. My arms and shoulders are smoked!
Now starving, I got back on the bike to ride home. I took a more direct route with a quick stop at the post office to buy stamps and one at the tiny Asian grocery for thai basil which they didn’t have. The did have seafood shumai so I grabbed a package to steam for lunch. Riding time was 45 minutes. I squeezed in ten minutes of stretching for good measure before cleaning the house and taking a shower.
So for day one, I have fulfilled two of my week’s workouts and gotten 10 points toward the Butt Bustin Challenge. Time for Starvin’ Marvin to go eat again!
I had swimming on my schedule for today, my day off. It was a beautiful day so I was contemplating riding my bike the 6.5 miles to the gym. After making the contract, it sealed the deal. I dug out my bike and appropriate gear. I spent a frustrating half hour not finding my daypack so I borrowed Guy’s. I packed my swimming gear, locks, and the stuff for the post office into the pack.
I set off from our house headed just a bit south to catch the Spring Creek bike trail. This is a fantastic trail that angles across town toward my office. The sun was shining and there was a moderate breeze. Perfect for shorts and a windbreaker.
The trail angles northeast and my gym is southeast. I went a few miles enjoying the trail and was supposed to turn on a southbound trail called the Mason trail. Unfortunately it wasn’t marked as such so I doubled back… twice. I finally found my way to the Mason trail and went south looking for a cross street that would take me past the post office. By the time I hit a cross street, I was well south of the post office. So I headed due east to the gym after about a 50 minute ride… obviously more than 6.5 miles by this route.
The gym is brand-spankin’ new. In fact, they are having their grand opening beginning at midnight tonight (24 h fitness). They put in a 25 m pool that is only 2 lanes wide. No worries though, no one else was there. I had the pool to myself. And, I managed to have a great 50 minute swim. I even swam 150 meters without stopping for the first time. I swam 5 x 50 on the minute. My arms and shoulders are smoked!
Now starving, I got back on the bike to ride home. I took a more direct route with a quick stop at the post office to buy stamps and one at the tiny Asian grocery for thai basil which they didn’t have. The did have seafood shumai so I grabbed a package to steam for lunch. Riding time was 45 minutes. I squeezed in ten minutes of stretching for good measure before cleaning the house and taking a shower.
So for day one, I have fulfilled two of my week’s workouts and gotten 10 points toward the Butt Bustin Challenge. Time for Starvin’ Marvin to go eat again!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Unpacking
The best way to organize a kitchen is to make a huge mess of it while making some yummy food. This technique allows you to rearrange things into a more useful configuration. It is a process. For example, that wine in the bottle by the window would be much more useful in the glass in that cupboard. Once that is accomplished it is more obvious that the wine would be more useable if poured into my mouth… and so on.
After a few spring-like days, Winter returned today. I spent the day inside, mostly, recovering from a whirlwind weekend of parties, slush bumps, hockey, and late nights. Something winterish sounded good to cook while organizing the kitchen. I dug through the freezer and pulled out chiles. The usual Green Chile enchiladas would be good but perhaps also something new…
Tomatoless red chile
Red Chile
1 med onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 lb beef chuck roast, trimmed and cubed
Flour, salt, and pepper to dredge
2 qts roasted hot red chiles, cleaned and chopped
2 heaping tsp cumin pdw
2 tsp paprika
¼ t celery salt or 1 tsp celery seed
1 ½ tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
½ t cinnamon or nutmeg
2 bay leaves
Chicken broth (about 1-2 cups)
1 lb shrimp (optional)
Saute onion and garlic until translucent. Dredge cubed beef in flour, salt, and pepper and brown with onion and garlic. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer approximately ½ hour. Remove ½ of chile mixture including both bay leaves. Puree chiles in pan with wand blender. Add removed chiles and meat. Simmer ½ - 1 hour. Add shrimp if desired and cook through, about 5 minutes.
After a few spring-like days, Winter returned today. I spent the day inside, mostly, recovering from a whirlwind weekend of parties, slush bumps, hockey, and late nights. Something winterish sounded good to cook while organizing the kitchen. I dug through the freezer and pulled out chiles. The usual Green Chile enchiladas would be good but perhaps also something new…
Tomatoless red chile
Red Chile
1 med onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 lb beef chuck roast, trimmed and cubed
Flour, salt, and pepper to dredge
2 qts roasted hot red chiles, cleaned and chopped
2 heaping tsp cumin pdw
2 tsp paprika
¼ t celery salt or 1 tsp celery seed
1 ½ tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
½ t cinnamon or nutmeg
2 bay leaves
Chicken broth (about 1-2 cups)
1 lb shrimp (optional)
Saute onion and garlic until translucent. Dredge cubed beef in flour, salt, and pepper and brown with onion and garlic. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer approximately ½ hour. Remove ½ of chile mixture including both bay leaves. Puree chiles in pan with wand blender. Add removed chiles and meat. Simmer ½ - 1 hour. Add shrimp if desired and cook through, about 5 minutes.
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