Final Four 2008

Drove to Denver for the NCAA Hockey Final Four. Notre Dame’s first-ever appearance and they almost took it all the way. Beat Michigan in the semi’s (yay!) but lost to Boston College in the final. Knocking around Colorado reminded me what a great state it is.

Got to do some birding along the way. 90 species on the trip including six lifers (Barrow's Goldeneye,Mountain Plover,Sage Thrasher,McCown's Longspur,Black Rosy-Finch,Brown-capped Rosy-Finch). It’s getting harder to rack up those lifers.

Spent some days in Fort Collins. Back in the day, I’d thought of going to school at CSU and hadn’t been back there since 1979. Great place.

Toured New Belgium Brewery. A fine place, a great tour and among the best hospitality rooms around. If so inclined, go straight for the free beer. A big bonus for the locals. Place was PACKED on a Tuesday afternoon.

The second best thing about NBB, they’re all about the bikes. Every employee gets one on their first anniversary. They have their own fleet!

Every day was great. Including a rendezvous with fellow Geriatric Telemark Society member Boardie. Friday between games, 0745 departure. Head to Loveland for a last ski of the year. Oh, they just got a NICE, LIGHT, 14” DUMP. So no extra baggage, no camera, no pack. No friends on powder days. Just a pocket of snacks, a cheap ticket, work our way over to Zip Basin and ride the steeps until we trash ‘em.

That's what you get for clean livin'!