USA

The 37th Annual

This past weekend I checked out the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo in Steamboat Springs. Apparently it's a big deal since all the hotels, resorts, and AirBnb rentals were booked the entire weekend. I ended up driving up there and back in the same day. So if interested in checking this (or other mountain town festivals) in the future, be sure to plan ahead and book early.

Well, I got up to the launch field around 6 am. Initially found a ski ramp on a hill for some pictures of the whole grounds. Then I moved around the lake to get pictures of the pilots doing their splash and dash and some sweet reflection images. I was surprised that it took 10-15 minutes to inflate each of those larger balloons, initially with huge industrial fans, and then from the fire/hot air. There was about 30 overall and one or two would launch every couple minutes over the course of an hour. The smallest one had a single pilot sitting in a chair, and not even a big basket.

For this day, they launched the balloons, floated over town a while, landed and collected them, and then launched a second time. I guess throughout the weekend, they have some competitions and do some glow in the dark night launches.

Pictures

See more of these and pictures from all the events that I attend on the Facebook Murk Travels photos page - Events album.

The balloon launch grounds.

The splash and dash into the lake.

The inflate and launch process.

Balloons floating all over town.

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Mt Evans overview

I completed the Mt Evans via Mt Spalding loop hike on July 8th, 2018. It was the 6th 14,000+ foot elevation peak I've done since moving to Colorado. This excursion took me about 2 hours for the 5 mile round trip out and back hike that has about 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

The hike started around 5 am, which was in the dark for about 30 minutes. Most of the hike is along a ridge to Mt Spalding, and then just below the ridge that runs to Mt Evans. There is a road that most people take, where you can drive within 100 feet of the top. So a few people were at the top ahead of me. I finished around 7 am.
This is a popular 14er, but most people drive and don't take the hike, which is a shame because of the extra views you get ... and the potential to cross paths with some mountain goats. The trail however is not very well marked on the backside of Mt Evans. You generally scramble over some rocks and make your own path and watch for cairns (rock piles) that generally show you the direction you should be heading. The entire trail loop is above treeline, so it's pretty much rock and small plants. On the way down it's mostly small loose rock to complete a loop, or you can backtrack the long way via Mt Spalding again. The parking lot was packed when I returned.

Recommend:

• Start early to get a spot in the lot and avoid the crowds
• Make sure to have a local map or study the trail ahead of time
• As always, bring water and snacks with you
• Between Spalding and Evans you can get a great view of the Mt Bierstadt 14er peak

Relive video of the hike

link: watch a video and map tour of my hike

Trip Map

Pictures

See this and all the 14er hike pictures on the Facebook Murk Travels photos page - 14ers album.

Summit Lake at sunrise

Mt Evans peak from the trail

Looking toward Mt Bierstadt

Mountain Goats

Panoramic from Mt Spalding

Elevation shot at the peak, looking towards the parking lot where people can take the easy way up and drive

Previous 14er hikes:

• Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron, Bross
• Quandary

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Quandary Peak overview

I completed the Quandary Peak hike on July 7th, 2018. It was the 5th 14,000+ foot elevation peak I've done since moving to Colorado. This excursion took me about 3 hours for the 7 mile round trip out and back hike that has about 3,500 feet of elevation gain.

The hike started around 5 am, which was in the dark for about 30 minutes. But it was worth it since I got to the peak and was the only one up there (after passing about 20 people on the way up). I finished around 8 am, and on the way done there was hundreds of people and the parking lots were extremely overflowing with parking along the surrounding roads. This is one of the most popular 14er climbs. The trail is well marked and besides the switchbacks, is generally straight up the ridge of the mountain to the peak. The trail had a mix of some forest, some open flat area, and ended with a rock pile climb, but with a pretty clear path. The views were fantastic up at the top.

Recommend:

• Start early to get a spot in the lot and avoid the crowds
• Can complete it with minimal planning since the trail is well marked
• As always, bring water and snacks with you
• At the peak, look south and see if you can recognize the Bross, Cameron, Lincoln, and Democrat 14er peaks

Relive video of the hike

link: watch a video and map tour of my hike

Trip Map

Pictures

See this and all the 14er hike pictures on the Facebook Murk Travels photos page - 14ers album.

Sunrise on the hike up

The top rocky push to the peak

The summit and elevation shot

A panoramic of the great view

Previous 14er hikes:

• Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron, Bross

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Living Small

This is the 2nd year in a row that I've checked out a tiny homes festival. While the one last year was larger and more impressive, there is always great stories to hear about how people can live with an entire house that is often smaller than a couple rooms in most people's homes.

While it was raining part of the day, I got there just after the thunderstorm passed. However, there were still very long lines at some of the larger and expensive models. There was a range of homes from tiny ~65 square ft trailers to shipping containers to yurts.

Pictures

To see more pictures from this event or other events I've attended, check out the folder : MurkTravels Event pictures

The blue wave / ocean theme trailer

Some tiny and unique living options:

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Looking Back

Things that happened in 2017:

Travels

• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - February / March
• Netherlands - April
• Belgium - April
• Vietnam & Cambodia - May
• China - Shanghai, Macau, Hong Kong - June
• Luxumbourg - November
• German Christmas markets, part 1 - November
• German Christmas markets, part 2 - December
• German Christmas markets, part 3 - December

Events & other activities

• turned 40, but that's a secret
• got a new puppy Prudence
• got scuba open water certified
• hiking in Wyoming - July
• hiking in Colorado - July
• camping in Nebraska - August
• Salt Lake City visit - September

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

SLC

It's only an hour flight from Denver; and since we have free flights on Southwest (well, gotta pay $11 in federal fees), but might as well check out the "Crossroads of the West", an apparent nickname of Salt Lake City. While we were there, the highs were between 98 and 102 every day !

Who knows about SLC? Who's been there? Would love to hear your experiences and thoughts on the town.

Recommended

These places were awesome and we recommend checking them out:

• Settebello Pizzeria - true Naples Italy style pizza that was Delicious !
• Capo Gelato Italiano - Italian gelato that was much needed on the day it got up to 102 degrees C
• Pulp Lifestyle Kitchen - healthy, delicious, and affordable
• Saturday Farmers Market - chance to interact with the locals at Pioneer Park
• City Creek center - yes, there is a creek

Activities

Here are some of the fun things we did and enjoyed.

Urban Adventure Quest : This was a blast and a great way to get to know a city. You get clues (and hints if needed) via your smartphone about your next destination. When you answer correctly, you get directions there and some history or interesting facts. You can compete against other teams for high score or fasted time to complete. We took about 3.5 hours and saw 20 different tourist sites.
This website has tours in most large US cities.

Temple Square : The headquarters of the LDS. You can take a self led or guided tour (both free) around the campus to see the temple, the tabernacle, the visitors center, the ancestor family search library, assembly hall, and a number of exhibits. Enjoy, but just don't get brainwashed !

Grand American hotel : Check out the fancy shops, courtyards, ballrooms, pool, or take a self led art tour of their collections around the property.

Wiseguys Comedy Club : We saw Orny Adams. Never heard of him before, but he was hilarious, with his connected 1 hour bit about how the new Millennial generation needs to toughen up. #OrnyAdams #CoalForOrny #LowerYourExpectations

Things we would like to do next time:

• Park City & Sundance
• Salt lake boat ride / tour
• Winter Olympics site
• Hiking

Pictures

Panoramic from the Capital:

After Jesus disappeared from Jerusalem, he showed up in SLC:

Get coffee-faced in Pioneer Park

Yes, they have made a Polygamy beer there. The back of the label promises that you can love this beer equally with others. Ha.

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Colorado Rockies baseball

Every once in a while, you need to get out of work a bit early and catch a sporting event. When I'm in downtown Denver, it's easiest to catch a baseball game at Coors Field. With tickets at $5 to get in the outfield "Rockpile" section, it doesn't break the bank to check out a game (and I feel it doesn't contribute to the over-paid athlete syndrome).

This summer I caught 2 Rockies games at Coors Field. The first was a thriving 5-4 win in the 9th over the NY Mets. The second was a rough 10-4 beating by the Atlanta Braves. One of the games, we won some free beers (hint: keep an eye on the big screen to enter to win) and the other we won some free sandwiches. Both times we witnessed center fielder Charlie Blackmon crush home runs.

Pictures

the main entrance area of Coors Field:

View from the cheap seats:

View from the cheap seats and our winnings:

Blackmon home run!

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempted at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen