This past winter, was all about moving. Finding a place to call home after 16 years at my old apartment, packing, moving and finally getting settled in. I’ve spent the last month trying to get the new apartment to feel like home. The more I’m here and the more I get settled, the more I love this place.
Now that things are feeling a bit more normal, it’s time to get back to what I love (last time I got out to the cabin was the Winter Solstice in December 2023:( ). I’ve already registered for Cruise Moab and picked some trails for the event. Yesterday, My Dad and I started printing this years Cruise Moab poster. We got three colors printed, with three more to go. Excited with how it’s turning out.
After printing, we headed up to Golden to pick my 4runner up from my pals at Slee Off Road. Had the guys put some heavier springs in the back to level things out- after getting the rear bumper installed last year, found that the back end was sagging quite a bit. With the move, this will probably be the only thing I get done to the 4runner before Cruise Moab. Definitely made a difference though!
1st color run for this years Cruise Moab poster.
Printing the second color. Blue.
Second color run.
3rd Color Run. Image is starting to come together. Next week we’ll print the last three colors.
Well, it’s been just over a month since moving into my new apartment in Downtown Denver. While moving into the new digs, my Dad and friend Dan made a comment that the new bedroom and walk in closet is bigger then my old apartment. Now that I’ve been here for a bit, I totally agree. This place is home.
I’ve been slowly un packing and organizing. Trying to make it right the first time. Make it my home. Fridays I hang artwork- with the hopes of not bothering neighbors. Then there’s times where I finding myself getting lost in the view. Looking out the window and across Denver. Next month is Cruise Moab, and after a mellow winter, so ready to be out with friends. Dad and I have been working on this years Cruise Moab Poster and just had another Wanderin’ the West sticker printed up.
Yay spring!
March snow.
Slowly making progress and feeling more like home.
So much room!
Love watching the evening light from the living room window.
So after sixteen years of living in my little 400 SF (ish) studio apartment, decided it was time for a change. Well, I guess financially things decided for me. My little studio apartment is an affordable housing unit. Being a 40% unit, I was only allowed to make so much. Well last year I blew past that limit, way past. Knowing that the end was coming I started looking. Finally finding a place on Stout and 15th that had 60% affordable housing. Things looked like a done deal, until it wasn’t. Told me I made too much.
Frustrated (could have been looking at other apartments when I thought that place was done), I took a few days to de stress. I finally came to the conclusion that It was time to move away from affordable housing. This brought new things to worry about, but started looking. one thing was certain, I wasn’t leaving downtown. This has become my home and I freaking love it. Love being able to walk everywhere, take the A line to work, then hop in the 4runner and disappear to some remote spot.
Knowing I was now going to be paying market value prices, I got back to looking. Upon looking I stumbled across a unit off 19th and Arapahoe. Intrigued, I put in a notice for a tour. The day of, a resident let me in and informed management that I was there. Told me he’d been there for five years. Positive I thought. So got the tour and had a good feeling about the place and decided to move forward. Thursday evening I was informed that I had been approved with a move in date of February 14th.
16 years is a long time at one place. Originally I only planned to be here for a year, with plans to head out to the desert after.
Crazy yet fun to look back on all that’s happened while living in my little downtown studio apartment. When I moved in I had a 100$ to my name. Last year I made over 50k. From various jobs and countless adventures with the 4×4 club. More time spent in a hospital bed then wanted ( Sepsis, Open Heart Surgery) and even some international travel thrown in.
I’m excited for this next chapter and a bit more livable space:)
A fresh layer of snow on the 16th Street Mall. One of my favorite scenes as I walked to the A Line to get to work. Almost called off that day so I could photograph with the big camera.
Two big moments stand out to me photography wise while calling downtown home. The redevelopment of Union Station, and Covid 19. Some pics from both:).
Union Station Redevelopment. Completed in 2014. Here we are 10 years later and a refresh is about to begin.
After a busy week of work, snuck up to the cabin to enjoy the Winter Solstice. Chasing the sun to the cabin, I made it to the pond in the Upper Meadows just as it was setting behind Rosedale. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening. No wind and as quiet as can be. Back at the cabin, I got the fire going (with my goal of only using one match) in the winter quarters. Settled in, my pal Dan from the club joined me for the rest of the evening. Walking out later that evening to stalk up on firewood, the night was cool, but perfectly still with a full set of stars. The next morning, I packed up then headed out to watch the morning light on Mt. Blue Sky. A much needed escape and great way to ring in the Winter Solstice.
Though a little later than usual excited with how next years Wanderin’ the West calendar turned out.
A small spiral bound wall calendar measuring 12″ x 18″ when hanging on the wall. The calendar showcases my photography as well as the adventures from the past year. Lots of fun ones too, from a return trip to Wyoming, Silverton and various train rides along with visits to the cabin.
This past Thursday, after work, I headed up to Georgetown to meet up with some friends. After a fine dinner at Cabin Creek Brewery, we headed over to the Devils Gate Station. After a short wait in line, we climbed on board the last train for the night (8pm). The train, and most of the route between Georgetown and Silver Plume were decorated for the holiday season. On the way back to the Devils Gate depot (Georgetown), it started snowing.
A fun way to kick off the weekend:)
Dinner at Cabin Creek Brewery to kick off the evening.
Hard to believe were almost through another year. Here are some of my favorite sunrises while cranking away at work. I’ve come to love watching the sun move across the horizon throughout the months. Come June, and Summer, closer to the airport, December and those cold Winter months, further away from the airport to the South. Also have come to appreciate the post sunrise, sometimes those seem better then the actual time the sunrises.
“Clouds make a great sort of Music”. A local Denver Photographer gets credit for that. Saw his show at the Denver Art Museum a few years ago and it just stuck with me. Wish I could remember his name.
This past Saturday, A few friends from the club joined me at the cabin to do a bit of work. My pal Travis brought his off road utility trailer, making quick work of the few slash piles that needed to be moved from the cabin to the open pit behind the farmhouse. After, we hoped in the Honeybadger, Travis’s highly modified Tacoma and went for a drive to wilderness Boundary. Of course, we made a stop at my favorite tree along the way:). Once at the wilderness boundary, we spent some time walking around and enjoying the fine morning. After, we made a stop at the pond in the Upper Meadows before heading back to the cabin.
I had it planned on staying the night at the cabin but the roads in were a bit sketchy and didn’t feel like dealing with that at 2am the next morning to drive down to work. Still, a great day to be up at the cabin with friends from the club:).
Travis brought up his off road utility trailer, it helped make quick work of the slash piles that we needed to move.
Unloading the slash piles into the pit behind the farmhouse.
After we got the slash piles moved, Ray and I hoped into the Honeybadger and went for a drive to the wilderness boundary. Such a beautiful day to be up at the property.
Last weekend I as able to enjoy a few extra days off. Monday October 2nd was my 5 year post Open Heart Surgery anniversary. A quick drive up the hill and I found myself waiting to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad with good friends. It was a perfect fall day for a train ride. After, we headed over to Cabin Creek Brewery for lunch.
After lunch, I headed over to the cabin for the night. Spending some time at the pond in the Upper Meadows before settling in for the last of the evening. I’d find a fresh layer of snow on Mt. BlueSky as I was heading down to work the next morning.
In the Spring of 2018 I had a Sepsis Infection ( Infection in the blood), thought I had the Flue. 3 weeks later, I was released from Porter Hospital in Denver. The source was my VSD that I had my hole life (and never gave me issues). One of my best friends is a Cardiologist at Children’s Hospital (Anschutz Facility) and took charge, getting me in the system and with some amazing doctors. Easier to do since my VSD was congenital. Pre Op was Monday, Surgery Tuesday and I was home Friday.
I’ve missed one or two anniversary’s, but always try to get out and do something to celebrate. A good day to be out with friends.
Backing under the Devils Gate High Bridge after leaving Devils Gate Station.
For this years Outlaws Run, we headed back up to Wyoming. Crazy that it’s been 10 years since we visited last. A lots happened in that time. Open Heart Surgery, new jobs, friends passing, world travels, new rigs and fellow Outlaws. Old age. Wyoming is still just as awesome as I remember.
Our pal Bob took the rains for this years run since he lives in Cody, Wyoming. After a long trek North and a quick stop at the Grubstake Saloon in Atlantic City with our new friend, we set up camp at an old fire look out above Sinks Canyon. A good friend from Lander showed us that spot last time. The next day we drove back down to Atlantic City to meet the rest of the crew for this years run. Of course we stopped in at the Atlantic City Mercantile for a few beers before heading back to camp. Jack, newest member of the gang was waiting for us back at camp. We hung out around the fire well into the night. Felt good to have everyone together again. The next morning we set out for Dubois, with some time spent at the National Military Museum (amazing place!) then raised a few drinks at the Outlaw Saloon for our pal James before finding camp. Tuesday was a long but wonderful day of driving to get to Cody, passing through Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Once in Cody, we stopped at the Silver Doller Bar (recommended by Bob) for some burgers and beer. Bob then took us to camp just outside town.
While in Cody, we checked out the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (some random lady tried to hook me up with her daughter), shot a Gatling gun and checked out Old Trail Town- an amazing collection of cabins from different parts of Wyoming. Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch spent time in a few of them:). After Cody, Bob took us out to his Cabin in the Big Horns. A pretty awesome place, surrounded by BLM land. Friday a few of us set out on some dirt roads to get Ice Cream sandwiches at Medicine Lodge. Then on to Ten Sleep For tasty beverages at the Ten Sleep Brewery. Saturday, most of us packed up and headed out in different directions. Shawn, Marco and I headed off to Hole In The Wall for one last night. Taking a most fantastic drive through the Big Horns to get to camp. After some fantastic burgers from Marco, we settled in around the fire. The stars and Milky Way that night were amazing. To know that Butch and the gang spent time here was icing on the cake.
Sunday, I woke up a bit after 5am, packed up the 4runner and headed out. Leaving Hole In The Wall Country as the sun came up. Not a sole around. 6hrs later, found myself stuck in downtown traffic trying to get to my apartment.
Thanks for all the fun adventures Woodsman.
Heading North. Ige leading the way. Granit Hills looks like some fine country.
While heading to camp, we took a detour to Atlantic City, well over 10 years since our last visit here. On the way, I of course made a wrong turn, but we came upon a bicyclist with flat tire. She was heading to Atlantic City as well. Of course had to have a few drinks at the Grubstake Saloon.
