Heading west anytime soon, you might want to take Highway 24 (at least out of Colorado Springs). If you haven’t heard I-70 is CLOSED! Thanks to a enormous rock slide near Glenwood Springs, 17 miles of road have been closed down. One of the rocks is estimated at weighing near 66 tons, and there is a 10′x20′ hole in the bridge! Amazingly there were no injuries.

Governor Bill Ritter has declared a disaster emergency so federal funding can pay for the road repairs. There are as many as 20 boulders ranging from 3′-10′ in diameter littering the Interstate. These boulders will be drilled and blasted for removal.

There are 200 miles of detours stretched out, that could last for weeks. So if you’re heading out, do yourself a favor and figure out some alternate routes.

Menikmati

hot springs

This past weekend a group a friends and I went to Monarch and enjoyed a 50 degree plus bluebird day of riding. We stayed at the Super 8 in Salida. The rates and the rooms weren’t too bad, but the noise level was horrible! We dined at the Boathouse Cantina on Friday night. It’s an awesome bar and restaurant on the banks of the Arkansas River. Don’t drink too much Salida doesn’t offer a Taxi service, and the cops are on the prowl. We followed up an awesome day of riding with a wonderful and relaxing trip to the Mount Princeton Hot Springs. Possibly the best $17 I have ever spent. The water ranged from approximately 70-120 F, and there were about 15 pools to choose from. The first hole we found was just about in the dead middle, and it was some what a pain getting there in the dark. There were families on each side of us and a lot of chatter, but it didn’t even come close to distracting us. Towards the end of our night we made our way back to the very first pool and it was amazing. No one was around us, and Rochelle shined so bright she shamed the moon. We soaked for just about an hour and got out before they closed at 10 p.m. If you are staying in Buena Vista, Salida, or anywhere in the surrounding area this is a must do. You can’t really top a date like this for $8.50 per person. So fellas grab your wife, girlfriend, significant other and enjoy the water. Menikmati!!!

You’ll never look at dinner the same way. This is an amazing eye opening documentary, about where our food really comes from, and what’s in it! I don’t want to say too much, this is something you really need to see for yourself. This will blow your mind! I streamed it off Netflex (my new favorite thing). I can’t believe we have been blinded from so many truths for so long. Thank God for the Farmer’s Markets! http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Pepsi Co. has decided to give away the dollars usually used for SuperBowl ads to a few worthy causes, well actually a bunch of worthy causes. Pepsi’s budget was a mere 20 million for this years SB so now it is going to the people and organizations that deserve it.

I would like each and every one of you to vote for one cause in particular, LifeQuest Transitions.

This non-profit organization is dedicated to rehabbing folks that have suffered greatly recently, our Wounded Warriors. The basic premise behind the LifeQuest-EagleQuest program is to take our soldiers and refocus their passion into adventure racing.

Eagle Quest Adventure Program is LQT’s program to help our Wounded Warriors. Open to wounded veterans, this program provides quality adventure based learning experience and training combining on-going coaching, motivation, and team based adventure race events. These events are meant to help the body heal and at the same time provide the inspiration and support to help soldiers overcome the personal obstacles that may be preventing them from being there best again. For additional information on our Eagle Quest Adventure Program please visit www.eaglequestadventure.org

All too often our heroes go fight in wars around the world 1, 2, 3 and sometimes more times then when their duty is done they return burdened with the emotional and physical toll very few of us will ever know.

This program takes these soldiers and rebuilds them into adventure racers, giving them a positive outlet for their adrenaline, passion and emotion.

Vote soon we only have until FEB 28th. And only the top 2 ideas are chosen. For more info here is LifeQuests’ site.

VOTE HERE

After you vote let us know and we’ll give you an air high five!

GET SOME!!!

Testing gear takes time if you want he truth of the matter. I don’t accept products that I wouldn’t myself purchase or that has not piqued my interest. Now I am not a big fish in the gear review game and the only way for me to get there is through your assessment of my reviews, i.e. comments and feedback. Without this “proof of life” of UpaDowna gear peddlers are less apt to hand over products to review. The more traffic/interest in my reviews the more companies will seek me out as a venue to have their products reviewed.

Now to dispel a few rumors;

• As a gear tester I am obligated to return the product to the company upon review completion should they require it. Some times I do get to keep the gear but often I do not.
• I do not blanket the market with requests, just as I am not inundated with companies begging me to review their products. In others words, it ain’t easy!
• I will always give an honest assessment of what I thought, if a products is lame I’ll give that opinion. However remember that most gear is subjective, especially clothing so use my review as a guide and not as an absolute.

If you have clicked on the Gear Review section on the left side of the page you have seen a few of my reviews and know how I work. You will also notice that there aren’t very many new reviews. Lately I have been submitting reviews to GearJunkie.com (click the link for a list) and to avoid redundancy I have not published them here as well. If you would like to see them here let me know and I will post them on UpaDowna.

If you are thirsty for more reviews two of my favorite places to get the scoop is GearJunkie.com (obviously) and Explore It Outdoors both of which are listed on the blog roll on the right side of the page.

Hope this explanation helps.

Keep on keepin on.

Thanks Mike for the great photo!

I have runner friends, and non runner friends. I do occasionally run in races and for fun. But not to the extent that I would ever be considered an actual “runner”, well until recently.

Maybe I have made the transition. I don’t think the title of runner will ever truly be mine, but I am capable of running. It seems that my pace averages 7:45/mile up to 15 mile distances. I don’t train nor eat properly nor follow the recommended strategies, I also am predisposed to drink too much. I really have no desire to run a marathon, although greater distances on trail intrigue me.

In fact this morning I reluctantly battled through the 5 am excuses, which ranged from I am tired, it is too far to drive, its cold, I forgot to set the coffee pot, my son will miss me etc…

Well after about 3 minutes of debating with my self, I crawled out of bed and headed down to meet the group.

I was apprehensive, wondering if I would I be left waaayyyy behind, ah hell my knees hurt, it’s too cold, I am fat…Then it hit me, stop being a Sally and RUN.

So I did, not fast not hard but just right, it felt great and I am glad I did it.

Here is to transitions and not regretting lying in bed.

Now where’s my victory beer?

I have seen more and more of these at local races and people have widely varied opinions, although I suspect the majority of the positive responses are due to the “look at me I am cool and I spent $80 on these things” attitude. Now I have read that some people love them some hate them blah blah blah. But really folks, do you remember parachute pants,

Mullets (the hair-do, not the fish), etc… sure at the time it seemed cool, kinda but not really. Well trust me these shoes are going to be in the same category in a few years. Save yourself the embarrassment and let the novelty wear off.

Now I realize I may eat my words, but for now I will stick by my assessment. Oh and I guess I should clarify, using the shoes as they are intended is slightly more acceptable than making them your everyday shoe. The reason for this rant is because I saw a rather large man in jeans and button up shirt wearing a pair in the grocer the other day. When I am not running I do not wear my running shorts, when I am not climbing I do not wear my climbing shoes or harness.

Get with the program.

That is all.

Oh and Mic asked about people with Morton’s toe and if the shoes can be custom made, if anyone knows let me know!

The Fly Fishing Film Tour focuses on action adventure excitement humor and lifestyle. We will take you on the journey to see what it takes to be truly committed, or insane, by those who capture the new revolution of fly fishing adventure on film. With 70 cities on our schedule this next winter chances are we will be close enough to you to catch a show.

Colorado Springs is on the Tour! This Saturday  7:00 P.M. all ages at the Blacksheep. /Tickets are $10 at the door. Last year there were several give-aways and raffles, with prizes like Rods, and Reels. Don’t miss out this is an annual event!

Keep in mind this is also a benefit show/tour for Project Healing Waters (a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings). Come out and have a great time!

One of the least visited National Parks has an awesome secret waiting for angler’s. There is a little section inside the Black Canyon of the Gunnison known as Red Rock Canyon.

This is not your every day pack-up and go fishing trip. To get to this little piece of fishermen’s heaven you have to take a 3.4 mile, 1330 ft. vertical descent through the canyon. The first mile is on private property, so please be respectful. Oh yeah, and be careful of the poison ivy.

There is a limited amount of permits given out each year to fish this section of the river. Permits are only available through the reservation of the lottery system. Reservation requests may be made by mail or fax from 8:00 am January 6, 2010 through 4:00 pm (MST) March 12, 2010. For more information and a Lottery application please visit this site.

Permit Limitations & Regulations

The 2010 season runs from May 21 to October 3.

Each group is limited to a maximum of 4 people.

Each group is limited to 3 consecutive user days (2 nights).

There is a limit of 8 people per day, or 3 groups, whichever fills first. Each person is limited to 8 user days per year.

One car per group is permitted at the parking area. Additional parking is available at Hwy 50/347 junction.

An entrance fee of $7.00 per person will be charged at the trailhead.

All Black Canyon wilderness regulations apply.

Part of the road and parking lot for the trailhead is located on private land. A right of access on the private land has been negotiated with the landowner. While on private property, please be respectful. No smoking is allowed on the private road.