There are few places that create a perfect environment for amazing outdoor recreation and pure awe inspiring scenery. After my tip to Smith Rock, OR I can honestly say I found a place that I will continue to visit in the future. The jagged rock spires and the winding river, surrounded by the old pointy volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest. The was only a short three day adventure but it was definitely one for the books.

I went with The College of Idaho Outdoor Program for this trip because our new coordinator is a climbing guild and enthusiast how has been there hundreds of times. It was fun seeing people get on the rock for the first time and people how have done it before struggle up the outdoor routes. As a mostly indoor climber this challenge was a really an exciting experience.

After a long flight to the snowless capital of Colorado I was craving some cold winds and winter in my face. It didn't take long for that happen and Christmas day the heavens opened up and gave me what I was looking for. That snowy morning 17 inches of snow came and left us with a day I'll never forget.

This fire lookout is one of the most popular destinations in Colorado during the summer months. A friend told me on a normal day by 9:00am there are so many cars parked at the bottom that you’re parking nearly two miles from the trailhead! When I went I had no idea of its popularity, arriving at 4:00am I found I was one of two cars. All I can say was I had an amazing experience watching the sun rise sitting on the steps of this fire lookout.

During the 2019 winter I was lucky enough to take the Winter Wilderness Course at The College of Idaho. This course consists of students from all ranges of disciplines spending a month in a loge cabin in Lower Stanley Idaho. We spend the time reading articles, learning about winter ecology, and best of all backcountry tele skiing every day! The time went by fast but the experiences I had up in the wilderness there was truly unforgettable.

Whenever I come home and meet with friends I always get the “How’s Iowa?” and after correcting them I just feel bad they write off this wonderful state. Idaho is filled with amazing mountain scenery that could easily rival Colorado or any other state. The Sawtooth Valley near Stanley Idaho is one of the most amazing places I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. Glacial blue lakes, tall white granite peaks, green grass valley with a winding river slicing the landscape truly make this stunning destination.

When I was there, smoke from California created a permanent haze that made it hard to see the true expanse of these mountains. That being said this coming winter I’ll be spending 4 weeks in this wonderful place skiing and learning more about this special place.

This was a spontaneous trip that came from a dream I had. I've be up to Mt. Evans before so I had a good idea of the scenery but one night I had a dream about he milky-way right over the observatory which in the back of my head seemed improbable it would ever line up in that way. So three weeks later I check an app to see where the milky-way center would be and sure enough it was exactly where I imagined it.

That night I made the two hour drive to the top of the 14,000 foot peak and slept in my truck till 2:30am when the milky-way was in the right spot. I was greeted by sub-zero temperatures when I awoke that night but the view I got of the stars and the sun kissing the mountain that morning completely made the trip.

This place is near and dear to me and so many others in Denver, Colorado. It's a place like no other bringing together people of all walks of life, beliefs, and talents. Upstairs you can learn anything from Lindy Hop to belly dancing to Flamenco, with a live jazz band every Sunday. Down stairs you can enjoy slam poetry and eat some of the best local food entertained with live music. 

I don't believe that I have truly loved someone yet but I can honestly say I know what love is because of this place. There's no where else that gives me butter flies every-time I visit and leave feeling worn-out and satisfied even on the worst of nights. The memories and stories I've made here will be with me forever, I couldn't imagine who I'd be without this place.