Travels and Vagabonds
Mt Princeton Hot-springs is a little hill side resort next to several hot and bubbling springs. The resort has a old school feel with separate buildings scattered across the grounds. The main draw of the area is the natural hot springs which turn the creek bed into 30+ bubbling pools. The water is heated to temperatures from 90-130 degrees by several thermal vents from far below the surface.
I went to see some big cats outside of Colorado Springs. The place was a refuge for exotic cats that people have either given up the right to own, or were seized by the government. They had many different types of cats and cat-like animals. More Pictures after the Jump. Continue reading “Big Cat Sanctuary”
Zmoda travel agencies brought forth a fun weekend in Tahoe. The trip seemed to mesh easily and proceeded well; given all the people we would be meeting, riding, and hanging out. We landed in Reno, after a relatively short flight (the drive would have taken a taxing 17 hrs) on a Continental Flight flown by US Airways, but operated by United. Yea it was that simple checking in too. After landing Reno, we were greeted by our friend Kelly and many many slot machines.
Sorry you missed it!
Every year Denver host the “Great American Beer Fest”. I was lucky enough to have a ticket bought for my by Tony C. The beerfest takes place in the Denver Convention Center, and offers every beer underneath the sun. Your ticket gets you a shot glass and the ability to freely roam and taste any beer you desire for the next 4-5hrs. This being my first major beerfest, I was made aware of several key tricks, the most important of which, ” HAVE A PRETZEL NECKLACE.” They will not only provide nourishment for the next 4 hrs, but they also are great way to make friends.
*not all photos published due to wordpress issue.
Every year near the beginning of June, Colorado Springs welcomes the rodeo to town. This year was the 69th annual time that the citizen of Colorado Springs embraced the wild west lifestyle. With Colorado City, being the first territorial seat of Colorado back in the 1800’s, the rugged lifestyle has forever been forged into this region. So in typical western fashion, downtown had a parade of horses. So myself and Derek headed downtown after work to see what this hoopla was all about. After making use of a handy handicap permit (cough), we made it right downtown and ontime.
The parade was pretty entertaining including sheriffs, horses, cowgirls, old’e cars, and cows.
The end of the parade was the coolest though. The Texas longhorn riders came strolling thorough town. It was pretty surreal to see cows roaming downtown.
The next day we went to the actual rodeo. We headed down from Sean’s apartment, after a very intense game of Mario Cart 64. Primed for some competition, we wandered through the gates. After finding our seat amongst some other avid rodeo fans, we watch the first event; steer wrestling. This is where a cowboy ride next to steer and grabs it by the horns wrestling it to the ground. This was cool event, something that I would like to try. After that we got some nachos and food, and watch the tandem cattle roping from the sidelines. This was pretty intense event. One rider had to lasso the head of the calf, while the 2nd roped its back feet. There by complete mobilizing the cow and it look kinda painful, but oh well. Other events followed, include barrel racing, single calf roping, bareback riding, and the actual bull riding. But by far the coolest part was when a cowboy on wild mustang, rounded up two buffalo in the middle of the ring. He chased the two wild beast around the ring, slightly directing them where his wish them to be. 3 times around the truck in the center of the bison lapped, until a quick move on the cowboys part, pushed the bison on to the bed of the truck. Then he pushed the great beast once more to the top of the trailer. With the crack of his whip, confirmed he victory over the beast.
Corporations. What’s it like being absorbed into the money making life fuel that powers the capitalist machine? OK enough of the ramblings of the economic versifier, let talk about JETS!. Yeah, jets. Jets are the power toys of the Corporate elite. They are marketed to a couple different groups of clientele. First, you have the typical rich person who desires the need to fly to their different homes, vacations spots, or to Italy for dinner. Next are the competitive CEO types, which amounts to a basic pissing contest between one another of who got the biggest baddest toys. Lastly is my favorite the globe trotting playboy, a man who needs the means to fly to exotic locals, to sweep away gorgeous vixens.
I’d like my experience was the latter, because that would make a much better story. However, my
experience was with the ordinary corporate jet. Last week, my friend Alison needed dropped off at the airport. I was volunteered (no, I did not say “I volunteered”) to drive her to the airport, because everyone had other “stuff” to do at 7 AM on their day off for the 4 of July (I am superfriend). But little did the others know what they would miss.
As I picked up Alison early in the morning, still groggy from (accidentally) watching back to back flicks culminating with IMAX transformers (very good, rawr, Megan Fox) the night before, I learned that I not going to the commercial airline terminal, but instead I am headed to the Corporate Jet Center. I was instantly awakened from my half eyed slumber. I pulled into the jet terminal, only to see barb-wire fence stopping me from driving right on to the tarmac. My hopes were slightly dashed. However, curiosity pushed me further. We went inside to check-in, and low and behold the pilot was just hanging out drinking some coffee. I could tell right off the bat this was a chill dude. He noticed that we were early, and after some sweet talking, he asked if we wanted to check out the plane. I definitely had a mental high-five moment at this point. Walking on to the terminal and beside the hanger, this is what I basically saw.
The jet was seriously plush – complete with the red carpet rolled out for me. Immediately I noticed the personalized initials on the wings and tail, they exuded classiness and I could have sworn they really formed a capital N (for nevko, duh). As soon as I boarded the jet, I was immediately graced with a fully stocked bar. Including champagne (no Andre here), the finest liquors, and tuna for the in-flight meal. The cabin had fine wood inlay and flush mounted lcd tvs. Unknowingly, I took a seat in “the BOSS’S” chair. Man this chair was awesome. I think there was more cushion in that seat, than all the lazyboys in the world. For a few moments, I felt naturally at home, like a BOSS.
After talking with the pilot and co-pilot for awhile, they convinced me to checkout the cockpit. Always sucker for people in uniform (ladies hint hint), I was instantly swayed. This thing was like a real-life flight simulator. All the knobs, buttons, levers, and pedals were all there. I definitely played with yoke and rudders, which made me think of changing careers. Then the pilot came in and started up the engines. Immediately, all the gauges came to life making this a truely real experience. After having my fun, I decided to figure what use this plane actually gets. From what I gathered, the owners normally fly to 3 places; Aspen, Maimi, and Italy, and the flight from COS to ATL normally takes about 2.5 hrs. This thing was a cruiser and the owner where apparently very unassuming about being extensively well to do.
That pretty much rapped up my 1st experience on a corporate jet. I hope its not the last. I’ll leave you with some specs of this machine.
| Name: Falcon 2000
Manufacturer: Dassault-Falcon Speed: Mach .8 Capacity: 8 seats. (lots of leg room) Range 3,800 nautical miles. Price: $20,000,000 |
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This past weekend, myself and some of the Colorado Springs crew went up to experience the long infamous Fort Collins BrewFest. Brewfest is a festival within Fort Collins celebrating the gift that is beer. Many of Colorado famous breweries setup up shop and deal out the carbohydrate libations to thousand of thirsty college students. The line to purchase the bands proving legal age was several hundred yards long.
People where very thirsty waiting in line, but we took this opportunity to ensure that we would not suffer the bouts of dehydration as well as keep ourselves entertained.
After having our ids check several times, we were allowed to proceed and a purchase tokens for beer. One token equaled one beer, but we soon learned several tricks to make our tokens go a little bit further. There were three techniques to be exact.
Before proceeding into the case study and live field test of the “Booty short-shorts appoarch”, let me talk about the atmosphere. Ft. Collins blocked off 2 intersecting streets, with provide a nice live-square to mingle. The target demographic was definitely tailored to the college crowd. Live music, food and beer where the only things that graced the square. The 3 ends of the intersecting streets were block with 3 semi-trailers filled with kegs of beer. (See the layout diagram) The square was also heavily patroled by police making it a very safe environment.
The day was hot and sunny, which made everyone bring out the shorts, skirts and sunglasses. I will have to say that this was one of the largest gathering of scenester sunglasses that I have seen since opening day at A-basin or the Lovefest of Califorina. I saw multiple copies of my old sunglasses, which I now cannot wear anymore. However, I was prepared that day and brought along my newest sunglasses to try and maintain my freshness.
Since we around at Brewfest at noon, the sun was extremely hot and bright (the altitude is killer). Derek, Will, and I decide now would be the best time to breakout our special shorts. This was a great call because our knees were getting really sweaty.
However to our surprise, people were not accustom to our shorts. People were shy to this idea so we decided to go on a goodwill mission and make as many new friends as possible and open some minds. People’s reactions fell into into one of two categorizes, of either amazement or jealously. The mission started off alittle weird. People would passed and do a double or triple take, but since it was our job to open minds to the world of man shorts again, we would let out our battle cry, “Hey, don’t worry… Looks are free”. After hearing that people knew that it was ok to come closer and see what this was all about. After awhile, we recruited several other dudes, who wanted to join our short-shorts crusaded. They would proceed to roll their shorts up to free the cool breeze on there knees. I believe we forever changed their lives.
The shorts also got us lots of free drinks for some reason. I do not know why, but almost all of or free drinks came from girls. I guess they were supportive in our ideals that short-shorts are just not for girls anymore. End the double standard. A couple girls were definitely jealous that our shorts were shorter and got more attention than theirs.
We made lots of friends that day, including a cop or two, and I
think we open some doors for some people to a brave new world.
-Thank you, Brewfest (the State College of CO)
Hi all,
Since everyone else is blogging now, I figured that I should give it a shot and jump on the scene train (yea, I know I’m always the last to board. The main focus of this WEB-LOG is to highlight my travels and experiences around Colorado, but that could definitely change as time goes on. Stay-tuned!
Check-out some other “Quality Blogs” in the mean-time:
http://farfromthefamilyfarm.blogspot.com/
http://alumescape.blogspot.com/
http://dinosaursinouterspace.blogspot.com/
http://alexisgraham.blogspot.com/
(all were truly an inspiration for me)
