Before I toss out my 2016 calendar, I want to document my “fun 50” year. I turned 50 shortly after New Years and decided to book out my year with lots of fun events and weekends. Having just turned 51, it’s time to reflect on this past amazing year.
January:
Hawaii 5-0 birthday party on the Grand Mesa (skiing, snow shoeing, 10,000 feet elevation, fires, food, drink, decorations, all with 35 friends)
Feed lunch to everyone at work
Bangs Canyon 30k (19 miles of snowy trails)
3rd annual Glenwood Springs Night tri (run in the canyon, swim laps at the hot springs pool, eat at the Village Inn)
Camp on the Mesa with Jim
Cross country skiing and snow shoeing in Ridgway with Butch and Rochelle
February:
Camp in Ouray with Amy for her 18th birthday
Camp at Rabbit Valley with Jim
Camp and mountain bike at Klondike Bluffs north with Jim
March:
Camp at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico with Jim
Climb Mt. Garfield
Trip to Riverton to visit family
Camp in Moab with Amy for her senior year trip
Rappel Morning Glory Arch
April:
Widowmaker 9-mile trail race
Highline Lake night time mountain biking
Three-day canyoneering class
May:
Camp at Highline Lake with Jim and teammates
18 Hours of Fruita mountain bike race
Camp in Montrose with Rochelle
Black Canyon Ascent
Garfield Grumble
Canyoneer the Black Hole of the White Canyon in Utah
June:
Ragnar team trail race through the night at Snowmass
Camp at Highline Lake with Jim
Camp at Bryce Canyon with Mary Jo
Bryce Canyon trail half marathon
Ride horses through Bryce Canyon with Mary Jo
Camp on the Mesa with Rochelle
Camp at Turkey Flats with Rochelle and other friends
Turkey Flats 9-mile trail race
July:
Camp in Gunnison with Jim
4th of July 8-mile race Gothic to Crested Butte
Climb Mt. Crested Butte
Mountain bike in Crested Butte
Crag Crest 10-mile trail race
Trip to New York City with Amy
Central Park night bike tour
Empire State Building
Brooklyn Bridge bike tour
Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
911 Memorial
Book of Mormon show
Rockefeller Center
Radio City Spectacular show
Camp at Ridgway
Mountain bike the RAT trails with Julie
August:
Camp in Ouray with Jim and friends
Mt. Sneffles half marathon
Camp in Lake City with friends
Climb Wetterhorn Peak
Climb Handies Peak
Climb Mt. Garfield
September:
Camp in Jackson, Wyoming with Amy and family
The Hole Half Marathon in Jackson
Desert Edge team triathlon with Elizabeth
Desert Edge individual triathlon
Camp on the Mesa with Jim
Camp at Crawford Reservoir
October:
North Rim 20k at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Visit Addy in Denver
Trip to Wyoming
Hike to search for wood sprites (wood carvings) with Terrie and Sandy
Run to Whitewater (18-mile trail run)
Camp at Rabbit Valley with Jim
Camp at Dewey Bridge (Moab) with Rochelle
The Other Half half marathon
Camp and mountain bike at Klondike Bluffs north with Jim
November:
Camp in Moab with Rochelle
Maob trail half marathon
Groovy 10k with friends
Climb Mt. Garfield
Start 40 days of exercise (I only did 35; stuff happens)
December:
Winter Sun Party Bus to Moab
Winter Sun 10k in Moab
Cross country ski – lots
Snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa with Amy, Adam, and Jim
Run in downtown Christmas lights with friends
Christmas Eve morning Serpents Trail run
Group snow shoe on West Bench
Trip to Wyoming
January:
New Years/51st birthday party on the Mesa (skiing, snow shoeing, rock hunting, fires, food, drink, friends)
What a year!
Yes, I do have a job. I’m a teacher. I did all of this around my teaching days.
I’m assuming my year of being 51 will be just as exciting and look quite similar.
Life is fun. Live it!
A String of Pearls 
Jan 06, 2017 @ 00:40:14
Inspiring and explains why we haven’t seen too many recent posts on your blog! Not complaining at all, just noticing. A thought though: did your previous writing lead to your really action-packed year? Keep up the wonderful life.
Jan 06, 2017 @ 07:00:37
Oh, I just go in phases. The last year has been way more reading (and adventuring) than writing. I wish I could write every day, but as you know, reality bites. Thanks for reading and commenting. I’ve missed my Word Press interactions.
Jan 06, 2017 @ 07:50:11
Good for you! Have a blast, and a belated Happy Birthday!
Jan 21, 2017 @ 12:36:48
oh, you young kid! so busy! so much outdoor physical activity! (i’ll either die OR get out of the habit of computer solitaire …). feel bad I missed N Rim Bleack Canyawn this past year. & I chickened-out on Garfield.
I suppose that if I were to chronicle 2016 it’d be largely about THE LAST YEAR GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, then the other things. replacing one set of bad habits with another set (e.g., gettin’ to bed late and, of course, sleepin’ in late). drinkin’ (just a bit) more beer. well, you get it. see ya’ soon ~