It wasn't a bottle of white wine, although in hindsight it's obvious that cold vino would have been the way to go.

Anyone who has read The Sun Also Rises will understand what I mean when I say I "went Hemingway" on the creek, wedging my water bottle between two rocks, allowing the cold water to do its thing. It was early afternoon and quite hot in the sun - approaching 90 degrees - and as the adrenaline from the morning climb wore off I began to feel my tired muscles. Having learned my lesson hiking to 14,000 feet earlier in the week, I passed on an afternoon cocktail for a healthy serving of hydration.

Looking back that decision seems foolish now, given the calming scenery and how good the sips of wine would have tasted in the heat of the day. As if sitting on the side of the creek and hearing the water flow wasn't enough, the canyon walls, pine trees, blue sky, and cascading waterfall wrapped everyone up in an afternoon comfort. People gathered at the base of the falls, sitting and walking with their ankles in the water, the dogs jumping into the deeper pools. Some had brought picnics, others hammocks and chairs.

That morning I had climbed about 1000 ft to the top of the first flatiron, and needless to say my toes were a bit rough from the journey, from being stuffed into the purposely cozy climbing shoes (reason being a big shoe wouldn't fit in a small hole in the rockface). When I held my feet in the running water and spread my toes, the force of the current performing a makeshift massage, I felt like rehabilitation - both in mind and body - had begun. One man took it a step further, as you'll see from the photos below.

Boulder Falls is located about 12 miles from the cabins of Chautauqua Park (trail open May 1 - October 31), a beautiful drive along the winding road into the Rockies. It's less than a five-minute walk from the road, making it the perfect outdoor sanctuary for people who want to feel good about doing absolutely nothing. My advice would be to bring some friends, and wash down the afternoon with a cold drink.

Photos:

I'm currently writing the story for the Small Newspaper Group about my rock climbing tripwith the Colorado Mountain School in Boulder - so I'll save most of my commentary until I see what's what - but I did want to share some photos.

I must say, looking through these it really hit me - the beauty of Boulder, the grandeur of the entire experience. It's one thing to climb in a gym or in some unknown mountain range, it's another to tackle the entrance to the Rockies. Boulder is considered one of the top places in the world to climb, and I can certainly see why - the arena is what will ensure I never forget the trek.

Hopefully, these photos give you an idea of what I'm babbling about. 

Repelling in Eldorado Canyon

 

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

 

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

 

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

 

Climbing in Eldorado Canyon.

 

My guide near the top of the Flatirons.

 

 

Resting near the top of the Flatirons.

 

Rocky Mountains

Eldorado Canyon.

This past weekend, as part of my rock climbing story for the Small Newspaper Group, I had the opportunity to stay in a cabin at Chautauqua Park, located in the town of Boulder, Colorado (30-40 mins northwest of Denver).

The park is easily recognizable due to its iconic rockface known as the Flatirons. I climbed the first flatiron, the one all the way to the right, on Saturday with the Colorado Mountain School (story to be published in July):

Over the weekend I tackled a few of the hikes, and I must say that I found the park rather amazing. The Royal Arch Trail is challenging, especially given the unforgiving altitude, but the reward is more than worth it once you reach the unmistakable structure (see photo of the arch below). The views from the mountainside are simply stunning, and the aura is enriched after you understand the backstory, that people have been coming to this same place for over a hundred years in an attempt to clear their minds and exercise their bodies.

Quick history: The park grounds were opened in 1898 as part of the Chautauqua Movement, which started in the latter half of the 19th century as a way to unite and educate people across the United States. What began as a summer camp for Sunday school teachers developed and broadened to include general adult education, including public affairs, current events, and liberal arts as well as other moral and civil issues. This was before the invention of television and radio, helping to provide the middle and working class with "a college outlook." It grew to be quite popular: In 1915, about 12,000 communities hosted a chautauqua.

While the Great Depression pretty much put the brakes on the movement soon after, Chautauqua Park in Boulder is one of the few to remain intact and it is the only chautauqua that is open year-round and provides free access to its grounds. The park still hosts films and forums, but the real treat is the incredible landscape. Residents of both Boulder and Denver flock to the park daily - this is no tourist trap.

Visitors to the Denver area who seek a true outdoor experience should look into the cabins available for rent - they are located at the foot of the Rockies and along the main road that feeds the hiking trails of Chautauqua Park. I'd recommend renting a car so you can take advantage of the entire region: Boulder Canyon, Eldorado Canyon, and the mountain towns of Breckenridge and Frisco are all great day trip options for hiking, biking, and climbing (and of course skiing/snowboarding in the winter).

Here are a few photos of the park - climbing photos to come:

It's not often you get to return to a place so promptly, but as luck has it the schedule calls for another trip out west to the Mile High City. I will fly out on Friday and spend a few days in Denver before moving over to Boulder later next week.

Last time, I stayed in one of the more interesting rooms in recent memory at a bed and breakfast, hiked the infamous Red Rocks concert venue, and found a pleasant speakeasy to cap off the trip with some cocktails. The outdoors will be the focus this time around, specifically an introduction to rock climbing. I'll cover the trip on the blog, but I'll also be writing a newspaper feature about my climbing experience.

The feature will be routed to five Midwest daily newspapers (all part of Small Newspaper Group) for a combined print circulation of 149,604: The Daily Journal, Kankakee, IL, Moline Dispatch, Moline, IL, Rock Island Argus, Rock Island, IL, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN, Ottawa Times, Ottawa, IL.

This will be my first travel piece for a newspaper, and the first time I've freelanced for one since I stepped back from news coverage a little over a year ago.

I'll be staying and climbing near Chautauqua Park. Here's a photo I took on a hike when I made a day trip from Denver back in early April: