Wanderin' the West

After taking the 4runner to the shop for an oil change/tire rotation in preps for Cruise Moab, they informed me that the Power Steering Rack had finally gone bad. After having just moved and seeing the bill to fix the 4runner, I decided to wait till after Cruise Moab. So it was on to plan B. Talking with the top boss at work, he made sure I was well taking care of at the Downtown Enterprise Home City location. Bummed to not be driving my 4runner this year, it was nice to know that I was still able to go thanks to work.

Tuesday morning I picked up the rental. After chatting with the guys at the Broadway Downtown location, I loaded up the rental and headed out. Typical spring snow on the passes (Eisenhower, Vail) and an unexpected detour before Eagle thanks to a sink hole slowed the drive down a bit. I’d originally planned a night in the Swell for some solo desert time, but with the rental and delays, pushed on for Moab. Soon I found myself around good company. Enjoying drinks with long time friends. Wednesday I was up early and spent most of the day helping out with registration. Happy to be among friends. Thursday I hoped in with my pal Matt and after seeing the trail he was supposed to lead was only him, we joined up with the Crystal Geyser group. Even though we’ve both been to Crystal Geyser, the trail from Moab would be a first for both of us. Felt great to be out on the trail again.

Vendor Night this year was awesome. Flattered and humbled for all who came buy and bought a Cruise Moab poster!! Always fun seeing everyone and even chatted with the guys from Delta Vehicle Systems about some possible trips:). Friday we had our big Cruise Moab dinner and raffle. Always fun to see the whole event together, lots of people! The raffle was awesome, even if I didn’t win anything, typical… Saturday I hoped in with my pal Kurt and we headed to a friends ranch outside of town. After checking out the progress on the ranch, we headed down the road and spent most of the day helping repair a bobcat. The weather was perfect, the company great and really hard to beat those views.

Thanks to everyone for another great Cruise Moab!

After picking up the rental, I loaded up and headed West. Made it to Moab with a quarte tank to spare.

Made it to Cruise Moab base camp (Spanish Trails Arena). Here Sarah inspects the engine for the best place to cook burritos.

Wednesday morning kicks off Cruise Moab. Already had a big line for tech inspection and registration. Thursday through Saturday are guided trail rides.

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This past winter, was all about moving. Finding a place to call home after 16 years at my old apartment, packing, moving and finally getting settled in. I’ve spent the last month trying to get the new apartment to feel like home. The more I’m here and the more I get settled, the more I love this place.

Now that things are feeling a bit more normal, it’s time to get back to what I love (last time I got out to the cabin was the Winter Solstice in December 2023:( ). I’ve already registered for Cruise Moab and picked some trails for the event. Yesterday, My Dad and I started printing this years Cruise Moab poster. We got three colors printed, with three more to go. Excited with how it’s turning out.

After printing, we headed up to Golden to pick my 4runner up from my pals at Slee Off Road. Had the guys put some heavier springs in the back to level things out- after getting the rear bumper installed last year, found that the back end was sagging quite a bit. With the move, this will probably be the only thing I get done to the 4runner before Cruise Moab. Definitely made a difference though!

1st color run for this years Cruise Moab poster.

Printing the second color. Blue.

Second color run.

3rd Color Run. Image is starting to come together. Next week we’ll print the last three colors.

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Well, it’s been just over a month since moving into my new apartment in Downtown Denver. While moving into the new digs, my Dad and friend Dan made a comment that the new bedroom and walk in closet is bigger then my old apartment. Now that I’ve been here for a bit, I totally agree. This place is home.

I’ve been slowly un packing and organizing. Trying to make it right the first time. Make it my home. Fridays I hang artwork- with the hopes of not bothering neighbors. Then there’s times where I finding myself getting lost in the view. Looking out the window and across Denver. Next month is Cruise Moab, and after a mellow winter, so ready to be out with friends. Dad and I have been working on this years Cruise Moab Poster and just had another Wanderin’ the West sticker printed up.

Yay spring!

March snow.

Slowly making progress and feeling more like home.

So much room!

Love watching the evening light from the living room window.

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So after sixteen years of living in my little 400 SF (ish) studio apartment, decided it was time for a change. Well, I guess financially things decided for me. My little studio apartment is an affordable housing unit. Being a 40% unit, I was only allowed to make so much. Well last year I blew past that limit, way past. Knowing that the end was coming I started looking. Finally finding a place on Stout and 15th that had 60% affordable housing. Things looked like a done deal, until it wasn’t. Told me I made too much.

Frustrated (could have been looking at other apartments when I thought that place was done), I took a few days to de stress. I finally came to the conclusion that It was time to move away from affordable housing. This brought new things to worry about, but started looking. one thing was certain, I wasn’t leaving downtown. This has become my home and I freaking love it. Love being able to walk everywhere, take the A line to work, then hop in the 4runner and disappear to some remote spot.

Knowing I was now going to be paying market value prices, I got back to looking. Upon looking I stumbled across a unit off 19th and Arapahoe. Intrigued, I put in a notice for a tour. The day of, a resident let me in and informed management that I was there. Told me he’d been there for five years. Positive I thought. So got the tour and had a good feeling about the place and decided to move forward. Thursday evening I was informed that I had been approved with a move in date of February 14th.

16 years is a long time at one place. Originally I only planned to be here for a year, with plans to head out to the desert after.

Crazy yet fun to look back on all that’s happened while living in my little downtown studio apartment. When I moved in I had a 100$ to my name. Last year I made over 50k. From various jobs and countless adventures with the 4×4 club. More time spent in a hospital bed then wanted ( Sepsis, Open Heart Surgery) and even some international travel thrown in.

I’m excited for this next chapter and a bit more livable space:)

A fresh layer of snow on the 16th Street Mall. One of my favorite scenes as I walked to the A Line to get to work. Almost called off that day so I could photograph with the big camera.

Two big moments stand out to me photography wise while calling downtown home. The redevelopment of Union Station, and Covid 19. Some pics from both:).

Union Station Redevelopment. Completed in 2014. Here we are 10 years later and a refresh is about to begin.

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After a busy week of work, snuck up to the cabin to enjoy the Winter Solstice. Chasing the sun to the cabin, I made it to the pond in the Upper Meadows just as it was setting behind Rosedale. Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening. No wind and as quiet as can be. Back at the cabin, I got the fire going (with my goal of only using one match) in the winter quarters. Settled in, my pal Dan from the club joined me for the rest of the evening. Walking out later that evening to stalk up on firewood, the night was cool, but perfectly still with a full set of stars. The next morning, I packed up then headed out to watch the morning light on Mt. Blue Sky. A much needed escape and great way to ring in the Winter Solstice.

Chasing the setting sun to the Upper Meadows.

Watching the sun set behind Rosedale.

A toast to the Winter Solstice. Happy Festivus!

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Though a little later than usual excited with how next years Wanderin’ the West calendar turned out.

A small spiral bound wall calendar measuring 12″ x 18″ when hanging on the wall. The calendar showcases my photography as well as the adventures from the past year. Lots of fun ones too, from a return trip to Wyoming, Silverton and various train rides along with visits to the cabin.

Selling the calendars for 20$ (shipping included)

Currently have 40 calendars available.

My Paypal link

Feel free to email me as well: bh4rnnrpl@gmail.com

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This past Thursday, after work, I headed up to Georgetown to meet up with some friends. After a fine dinner at Cabin Creek Brewery, we headed over to the Devils Gate Station. After a short wait in line, we climbed on board the last train for the night (8pm). The train, and most of the route between Georgetown and Silver Plume were decorated for the holiday season. On the way back to the Devils Gate depot (Georgetown), it started snowing.

A fun way to kick off the weekend:)

Dinner at Cabin Creek Brewery to kick off the evening.

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Hard to believe were almost through another year. Here are some of my favorite sunrises while cranking away at work. I’ve come to love watching the sun move across the horizon throughout the months. Come June, and Summer, closer to the airport, December and those cold Winter months, further away from the airport to the South. Also have come to appreciate the post sunrise, sometimes those seem better then the actual time the sunrises.

“Clouds make a great sort of Music”. A local Denver Photographer gets credit for that. Saw his show at the Denver Art Museum a few years ago and it just stuck with me. Wish I could remember his name.

Enjoy another year of Sunrises. I sure did:).

December 2022

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This past Saturday, A few friends from the club joined me at the cabin to do a bit of work. My pal Travis brought his off road utility trailer, making quick work of the few slash piles that needed to be moved from the cabin to the open pit behind the farmhouse. After, we hoped in the Honeybadger, Travis’s highly modified Tacoma and went for a drive to wilderness Boundary. Of course, we made a stop at my favorite tree along the way:). Once at the wilderness boundary, we spent some time walking around and enjoying the fine morning. After, we made a stop at the pond in the Upper Meadows before heading back to the cabin.

I had it planned on staying the night at the cabin but the roads in were a bit sketchy and didn’t feel like dealing with that at 2am the next morning to drive down to work. Still, a great day to be up at the cabin with friends from the club:).

Travis brought up his off road utility trailer, it helped make quick work of the slash piles that we needed to move.

Unloading the slash piles into the pit behind the farmhouse.

After we got the slash piles moved, Ray and I hoped into the Honeybadger and went for a drive to the wilderness boundary. Such a beautiful day to be up at the property.

Of course had to stop at my favorite tree:).

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Last weekend I as able to enjoy a few extra days off. Monday October 2nd was my 5 year post Open Heart Surgery anniversary. A quick drive up the hill and I found myself waiting to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad with good friends. It was a perfect fall day for a train ride. After, we headed over to Cabin Creek Brewery for lunch.

After lunch, I headed over to the cabin for the night. Spending some time at the pond in the Upper Meadows before settling in for the last of the evening. I’d find a fresh layer of snow on Mt. BlueSky as I was heading down to work the next morning.

In the Spring of 2018 I had a Sepsis Infection ( Infection in the blood), thought I had the Flue. 3 weeks later, I was released from Porter Hospital in Denver. The source was my VSD that I had my hole life (and never gave me issues). One of my best friends is a Cardiologist at Children’s Hospital (Anschutz Facility) and took charge, getting me in the system and with some amazing doctors. Easier to do since my VSD was congenital. Pre Op was Monday, Surgery Tuesday and I was home Friday.

I’ve missed one or two anniversary’s, but always try to get out and do something to celebrate. A good day to be out with friends.

Backing under the Devils Gate High Bridge after leaving Devils Gate Station.

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