Day 18: Day off in Boulder

Having lived in Boulder for the last two summers, I knew that there were some sweet hikes relatively close by. I had talked with a few from the team about getting up early to hike them and a good number thought it was a good idea. So the plan was to get up at 5:30 and hike the to the top of the Flat Irons, specifically Bear Peak. But that was before everyone went to the bar and had enough fun that the idea of getting up and doing anything was low on their priority list. But Ileana was in good shape to go so I was able to have some company.

We headed out at 6:15 AM and made our way towards the trails. It was a beautiful morning, having rained hard during the night. The birds and insects were all chirping away and I enjoyed a fairly fast pace up the trail. Ileana wasn’t feeling as fast I was, but that was OK since I wasn’t looking to make it to any particular place. I knew I wanted to be back by 11 AM, but other than that I was only out to enjoy a great little hike in the woods. We hit the steep parts and the pace slowed, but still was feeling good.

However, the time was zipping by so I knew that at our current pace we wouldn’t make it all the way to the top. We decided to make our way over the ridge so we could check out the snow capped peaks beyond and I’m glad we made the effort as the visual reward was well worth it. Turned around after a short break and made excellent time. All in all I think it was about 8 miles or so and we were back by 10:30. Not bad for a morning stroll.

Ate some breakfast, napped briefly and checked e-mail. I had wanted to meet up with my co-workers at Ball aerospace, the company I had worked for as an intern for the last two summers. So I was pleased to see that I had been invited to the monthly group meeting, which involved a great time with co-workers and great (free) food. Can’t argue with that combination. Unfortunately, I was a good distance from the company so even though I hit the pedals hard I didn’t make it in time.

But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the nostalgia of biking around town in the process. Think about some city or place, far away, that you have many good experiences in. Then imagine biking halfway across the country to get there. And when you finally get there you find welcoming smiles and encouragement. And the whole time you are there you are biking by all the places that you had all the great experiences. That was what I felt like for most of the day. Incredible.

I was able to meet up with Ed Tani, my mentor from last year. He gave me a great, but all too brief, tour of the buildings, which gave me an opportunity to say hi to all of my co-workers. Of course, it was a great experience to meet up with them and I was glad for the opportunity. He also took me by one of the areas where I could see some of the hardware that I had helped to design. It was awesome to see a huge, complicated (for me anyway) piece of hardware that I knew so intimately in software. There’s not really a good way to relate that experience, but know that I was feeling quite awed by seeing some of the hardware.

Along the way I was invited out to a bar back near Pearl Street where the group I had worked with was meeting after work for a little get together. While I waited for the meet up time I biked through Boulder, visiting my old apartment and such. Found that although I had biked through Boulder before, this time it was much, much easier and I never broke a sweat even while wearing jeans and a heavy back pack. Also made it to places much faster than I used to. A testament to how much one can improve by biking across the country.

Was hungry so headed over to an A&W’s. Ordered the food and found a free juke box which was filled with all the classic oldies. Leisurely ate the food, enjoyed the tunes and people-watched outside the large windows. Headed over to the bar and met up with the group.

I had a great time spending the evening with them, swapping stories and generally just listening and laughing and talking away. Found the dessert menu, which featured the classic apple pie and vanilla ice cream. I had just finished off a full chicken combo and wasn’t feeling like I had that much room, but you can’t pass on pie and ice cream, it would be criminal. Of course it was delicious.

All too soon I had to say goodbye. But stepping outside I could see some menacing clouds and knew that I probably should have left five minutes earlier. Jumped on the bike and pushed the pedals hard as I raced the five or so miles back to camp. Wasn’t feeling like working so hard since I was stuffed past full and there was a stiff head wind from the approaching storm. But then there would be a flash of lightning as it arced across the sky and I would lean down a little bit more and tick off the miles a little bit faster. I made it back as the first rain drop hit the roof.

I headed in and was very happy to see that Christy was back. I am thrilled that she decided to come back. Talked for a little bit, but wanted to call some people back in Austin before I lost cell phone contact for the rest of the trip. To my dismay I only got voice mail. Since it was getting late I decided to call it a night and didn’t call anybody else and headed off to bed.

But then I got called back. I had the great opportunity to talk with some friends and catch up on what was going on back home. I can’t say that I wish I was there, not even a little bit, but I do wish that they were here. I’m having such an amazing summer that I wish that everybody could be here. But there are a couple people in my life especially that I wish I could share this time with and I’m glad I was able to talk to some of them.

After swapping stories I pretty much crashed right where I was, which fortunately was close to my sleeping area. It was another incredible, very fulfilling day packed with all sorts of good times and great experiences.