Chillin' In the Fort

The Children's Speech and Reading Center will be hosting a Spooktacular Fun Run this weekend at the Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. On Sunday, October 25th, volunteers and supporters will be dressing up in costumes and donning their running shoes to get out and help this worthwhile community center for children with reading, speaking, and learning disabilities.

If you are available to get out for a run or walk this weekend, this is a great way to meet new people and enjoy the beautiful fall weather that the Fort Collins area has been receiving. In the Spring and Fall, Fort Collins is host to benefit runs almost every weekend. If you are a runner and want to get that long run in with other avid runners, and maybe even meet a new running buddy, too, find a fun run that matches your activity level, and join in!

For more information on the Spooktacular Fun Run, you can visit the Children's Speech and Reading Center Website at: http://www.csrckids.org/

For more information on Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit the website at: http://www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or email: info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Changing seasons...

Ahhh! The Fall is here, and with it, comes beautiful cool, crisp weather and the warm, rich tones of the trees changing colors. The summer is over and the harvest season is upon us. Farmer's Markets are beginning to empty their stocks to eager buyers willing to can, preserve, and freeze the last bit of summer. While still others are heading out to the mountains for a hike through the Aspens in full bloom and quaking with the breezes that blow through their leaves.

For Northern Colorado Outdoors, the Fall means getting outdoors and taking a drive over Independence Pass or heading up to Estes Park for Elk Fest on October 4th. It means going for mountain bike rides and hikes and heading to the farm to help with the fall harvest. More than anything, Fall means a time to join together as a community and get ready for the colder months ahead. We begin to look for things to do indoors and find more time to spend with friends and visiting relatives.

As a smaller community within the larger community of Fort Collins, we are indeed lucky to live in a place with so many options for the changing seasons. With Fort Collins situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we have lakes and streams and rivers as well as forests of Aspens and Pines. All of which change with each season that passes.

Our diverse landscape is just one of the benefits of living in this community. We have a University that not only holds our academic programs, but also provides our community with art and culture. The University gives us a Fall sports lineup with Football at the forefront, and it has helped us thrive as an agricultural community so that our harvest season really does mean something.

All in all, the changing seasons is an exciting time. It marks the end of the hot, lazy summer days and the beginning of preparations for the shorter days of winter, the beginning of the holiday season, and the beginning of a new school year. Northern Colorado Outdoors is opening up this new beginning and inviting everyone to a few of our fall events this October. You can find our Fort Collins Brewery Tour on Bikes as well as a hike at Pawnee Buttes National Grasslands and our October Meet and Greet all open to the public! If you haven't been to a Northern Colorado Outdoors' event this Fall, join us this month and find out how much fun it is to be active outdoors!

For more information, visit our website: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or email: info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

That's Too Cool, Fort Collins!

Money Magazine just came out with their latest "Best Places in the United States to Live" and Fort Collins was once again at the top of the list! With so many great things to do and fun places to do them, it's hard to know where to get started. Northern Colorado Outdoors can help! We plan events throughout the month that are specific to the Northern Colorado area. In June we took advantage of the high rivers and went rafting. In May, we took a short weekend trip out to Moab for some early season mountain biking and hiking. And in July, we are taking a group of adventurous hikers up to the summit of Long's Peak.

Our calendar is full of outdoor activities and even social activities, so if you're looking for something to do this summer, just take a peek at our calendar: http://www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com Between cool social activities that will take you out of the heat to fun outdoor summer activities that will get you active and in the mountains, we have something for you!

For more information on Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit our website at: http://www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or email us at: info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Keep Colorado Beautiful!

Colorado is one of the most beautiful places to live in the United States. We have the foothills and just beyond that are the great Rocky Mountains. We have the plains to the East, where you can look out and see for miles. We have wonderful weather (normally). With mild summers and snowy winters, we can take advantage of this beautiful place year-round.

That being said, it is so important to keep our natural spaces beautiful and the trails in our parks maintained. We have many groups in the area that work diligently to make this happen. Team BOB (Babes on Bikes) requires trail work as part of the membership to the group as does Overland Mountain Bike Club. Recently, our own group, Northern Colorado Outdoors and Full Cycle have adopted a trail at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space to help with this very worthy cause. There are so many opportunities to get out and make a difference in our community that it is often difficult to choose what works best for you.

Consider the amount of time that is spent outdoors by most residents along the Front Range of Northern Colorado? All of those people use the trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The trails get a beating from all of the use throughout the warmer seasons. As residents of this beautiful state, we all have a responsibility to give back and continue to keep our parks and natural areas beautiful We want to be able to go to these places for years to come, and we have to make a difference now.

So, if you're interested in pitching in and helping NoCo Outdoors with our work day coming up on Saturday, July 11th at 8:45 am. Sign up at our website: http://www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or look up Larimer County for more opportunities to work on the trails in the area. (Lunch will be provided to volunteers signing up for the trail work day on July 11th. Make sure and sign up early as space is limited!)

For more information on Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or email us at: info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Friends

As we get older, it seems more and more difficult to make new and meaningful friends. If you don't already have a group of friends, then getting out from behind our computers and televisions or out of our comfort zone is a little scary.

That's one thing that I really like about Northern Colorado Outdoors. We have a fun and easy social network in which to make friends with people who have some of the same interests! We have so much to do on the calendar these days that you can meet new people each time you go out! Some people like to bicycle and others like to hike. Some people prefer live music and socializing and others prefer being outdoors. We have such a mix of members and activities that it's never that difficult to meet up with someone that you share interests, activities, or ideas with.

It is the people that really make the club what it is, and we have a really wonderful group of people. Everyone is active, encouraging, positive, and fun! We all help and support each other as well as provide fun and interesting conversations. We are a community in the truest sense of the word, which is more important than ever right now.

If you haven't made it to an event yet, join us for a Meet and Greet or another event soon! We'll be happy to introduce you to our members and tell you all about our upcoming events on the calendar. We also take suggestions! So, if there's something that you want to do, let us know and we'll put something together for you!

If you would like more information on Northern Colorado Outdoors, check out our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or email us at: info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

While the rain made it tragically difficult to get outdoors for the few weeks that it wouldn't go away, it did make it amazingly wonderful to be outdoors after it left. The sun is now shining and drying up the ground and the plants are greener than I've ever seen them. The grass is soft, the trees are full, the flowers are in full bloom. Colorado doesn't get much more beautiful than this. The foothills look like the tropical mountains of Hawaii rather than the arid Rocky mountains.

Hiking in the area brings huge surprises right now. Waterfalls are still running even with the winter runoff coming to an end. Horsetooth Falls is running nicely and the Falls at Lory State Park are also going strong. The Poudre Canyon is full of water making rafting, kayaking, and canoeing some of the best we've seen. Horsetooth Reservoir is full again and ready for a dip at one of the beaches. As you go further into the mountains, the waterfalls are everywhere you look! So, with all of this extra water around, enjoy it and get out and see it! Whether you're playing in it or hiking to view it, get outdoors and be apart of it!

Northern Colorado Outdoors takes hikes on a regular basis around the Northern Colorado area. If you'd like to join us on a hike, visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com and Join Today!

A buzz is in the air...

With the warmer weather outdoors, there's a buzz in the air with all of the activities going on around town. The buzz is only going to get louder over the next couple of months, so we want to make sure that you're ready for all of the events coming up!

Northern Colorado Outdoors and Full Cycle will be hosting their 2nd Annual Summer Kickoff party at Full Cycle Bikes at 230 S. College Ave. Fort Collins, CO, 80524. There will be folks from across the cycling community present to talk about summer events, women's specific rides, and fun rides. We'll have food, beer, and giveaways, so make sure and join us for the party of the year! Put it on your calendars: Friday, June 5th at 6:30 pm

You can go to the Northern Colorado Outdoors' website and get a good idea of the events going on over the next few months. The Lory Bike Festival is coming up at the end of May. There will be all things Mountain biking there including a beginner women's ride hosted by Full Cycle and Northern Colorado Outdoors. Northern Colorado Outdoors will be running in the Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day weekend as well. You can look for our REI clinics on How to Get Into the Outdoor Life on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, and don't forget about our Brewery Tours on the 3rd Saturday of each month! Northern Colorado Outdoors and Full Cycle are also teaming up for trail work days through the summer on July 11th and August 15th, so mark your calendars for that!

There's so much to pack in over the summer, and we have tried to make it easy with a calendar of events to get you out and enjoying the outdoors and meeting other fun people!

So, catch the buzz and join us for an event! For more information, you can visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Transforming into Your Utimate Summer Body!

We see so much in magazines this time of year about losing weight and getting into shape. Summer's almost here and so is swimsuit season! Sheesh! It's all so intimidating. We have to look a certain way and act a certain way and even talk in a certain way. But, what if we all accepted each other the way we are and enjoyed our differences?

Well, Northern Colorado Outdoors and Full Life Wellness are working on a Health and Wellness Series called Transforming into Your Ultimate Summer Body. The series plans to help people to not only have healthy bodies, but also have a healthy outlook on life. Health and wellness from the inside out. There will be some discussion of nutrition, physical activity, but the course is really focusing on lifestyle changes, which include stress reduction and self-esteem issues.

The Health and Wellness Series: Transforming into Your Ultimate Summer Body will begin on May 20th at 7:00 pm at Dazbog Coffee at Mason St. and Cherry St. in Fort Collins. The program is $30 for the entire six-week series if registered online at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or the program is $60 at the door. Space is limited, so we encourage people to sign up early.

The course includes a FREE membership to Northern Colorado Outdoors for the duration of the program and it provides a discounted membership to participants that finish the program. Full Life Wellness is providing discounts for individual counseling throughout the duration of the course.

If you are interested in getting more information on this course or in Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Spring is HERE!

Well, the grass is greener and the weather is certainly warming up. I, for one, am grateful for Spring finally getting here! I've been antsy to get outdoors and mountain bike, hike, and do all the things that I love outdoors.

I did go for a mountain bike ride last night with Team BOB (Babes on Bikes). What a fun ride and a great group of ladies! Our particular group rode the Blue Sky trail to Indian Summer from the Soderberg Trailhead. It turned out to be a warm, slightly breezy evening. The clouds moved away just in time to get some good riding in. The trails were smooth and ready for us to have fun!

The first ride of the season is always a little hard. Everyone is a little out of shape. In my case, a lot out of shape. So, we're struggling to get back in the saddle and just have fun. The women are always accommodating and encouraging while riding, so it makes it easy to persevere to the very end, which is exactly what we did. I rode with one particularly friendly gal, who was a beginner to the group and the sport of mountain biking. She did great! She kept her head up and her wheel down and just kept at it! What an amazing way to start the season!

If you want more information on Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit their website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com More information for Team BOB can be obtained from their website: www.coteambob.com

Stop to smell the roses

Getting outdoors is not only a way for me to stay active, but it is also a way for me to slow down and really stop and enjoy the world around me. My work, my email, my computer will all be back in my office when I return, and to get out and be outdoors for even the shortest amount of time, is renewing and rejuvenating. The sun provides us with energy, the air provides us with life, the earth gives us what we need to survive physically: food, water, shelter.

Northern Colorado and Fort Collins are great places to stay connected to the outdoors. With the many activities that surround us on a daily basis, we only have to choose which ones we want to do. We have roads that go on for miles and miles through the foothills of the Rockies or the rolling hills of the Front Range. We have rocks that rise up from the earth that seem to be there for the sole purpose of climbing them to the top. We have trails and paths that wind through trees and hills and even mountains for biking, hiking, or horseback riding. And, not far away, we have warm water that springs from the earth in which we can bathe our sore muscles from a long day of play.

Thinking about the earth in this way helps me to realize that the earth is our playground, but we need to take care of her also. In order to breathe the air which gives us life, we must stop putting toxic fuels into our skies. In order to eat and drink and sleep in a comfortable place, we must stop polluting the earth around us by recycling, reusing, and reducing our waste. Earth day is coming up in April, and some states, cities, and countries will be celebrating Earth Day over the next few months by distributing information about what we can do to make our world a better place. This is something that we need to do now, and it is something that we need to be serious about.

I am proud to live in a city where cycling is not only a form of recreation, but it is also a form of transportation. This alone provides a sensible option for reducing toxins in the air and on the earth. Fort Collins has a strong support of local businesses, which also reduces carbon footprint. There is also a wonderful community of gardens throughout the area as well. Growing our own food is essential to providing a sustainable future for our community.

So, the next time you are outdoors gardening, hiking, cycling, or just walking your dog, stop and just smell the roses. Look around and enjoy the air, the sun, and the earth, and find ways that you can improve our existence here on earth for the multitudes of generations to come.

If you would like to find out more information on how you can get involved in helping your community or doing some eco-adventure work in and around Colorado, contact Northern Colorado Outdoors at www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com or info@NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

A Glimpse of Spring

Well, whether Spring is officially here or not, the weather has certainly changed for the warmer and windier. It has been such a nice treat to get outside in shorts and t-shirts for a change and not have to bundle up in layer after layer just to protect from the blistery cold. Well, I'm being a bit dramatic, but it was cold for quite some time.

Just in glancing around at the streets and the trails, it is obvious that cycling season is underway. We see many more road riders and mountain bikers out on the streets getting their rides in while the weather is accommodating. I even took off for a couple of hours today and hit the streets for some exercise and fresh air. It's amazing what activity and the sunshine can do for the soul. The wind didn't even dampen my spirits. It was just so nice to get out and pedal that the wind gave me that much more of a challenge.

Riding against the wind most of the way, I took up the challenge and pedaled even harder. The wind picked up to the North and along the open spaces blowing me this way and that. I laughed at it and kept on riding. It calmed back down as I rode back into the trees and the protection of buildings. Taking off from my busy day of work at the computer, I felt liberated by being on my bicycle just for a couple of hours. I felt rejuvenated, relaxed, and refreshed as I went back to work for the remainder of the afternoon.

Taking advantage of the sunshine even more and after a short rest while working at the computer, I'll be going for a run with Charlie Brown. The hustle and bustle of after-work traffic will be calmer in an hour or so and the perfect time to take to the streets for a short run. This glimpse of spring won't last long. The cooler weather will be arriving this weekend making it a bit more uncomfortable to get outdoors, but as I've said before, I'll get out anyway. The nice weather just makes it easier. Enjoy our glimpse of spring and get outdoors and have fun!

Gotta Run! See you outdoors!

Pedal Driven Couriers: A Messenger of Goodness Arrives

Pedal Driven Couriers is hitting the streets of Fort Collins on April 1st! You can look for them to be delivering throughout the Fort Collins area. You can visit their website for more information: www.PedalDrivenCouriers.com The Press Release below was submitted on March 2nd to the local media announcing their inception and launch party, which are happening on the same day: April 1st.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: March 2, 2009

Contact: Silas Rappe, info@pedalDrivenCouriers.com

Pedal Driven Couriers to Launch Business in Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO - Pedal Driven Couriers, a bicycle messenger service, is set to launch its business on April 1, 2009. Pedal Driven Couriers is a fun, inventive, and earth friendly messenger service aimed at offering speedy, conveniently priced deliveries to businesses, organizations and individuals in and around the city of Fort Collins. The company already has a list of clients waiting to get started. Pedal Driven Couriers views themselves as partners with their clients, their community, and their environment and hope to be able to raise awareness for cycling in their service area.

Pedal driven Couriers was developed by masterminds Silas Rappe and Jo Van Cutsem. Silas grew up in Moab, Utah, and moved to Fort Collins pursuing his Masters Degree at Colorado State University.  After graduating, he began working with REI, and for the past two years, has been working deeply in the cycling community by supporting events and advocacy programs. He is an avid cyclist himself and is determined to provide an effective and sustainable mode of delivery service to customers in Fort Collins.

Jo Van Cutsem was born and raised in Belgium and moved to Colorado to seek out more adventures after graduating as a Physical Education teacher.  He strives to motivate people to live a healthy, active lifestyle and loves to share his cycling passion with others.  Jo is a year-round bike commuter, volunteers with Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, and shares Silas' dream of providing an environmentally friendly and fast delivery service in Fort Collins.

Pedal Driven Couriers will be launching their business with a community launch party on April 1st at Full Cycle Bikes in Old Town Fort Collins, 230 S. College Ave.; Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524. There will be a champagne toast to inaugurate the event. Pedal Driven Couriers invites the community to celebrate the opening of their business with them and join the effort in making cycling a way of life in our community.

The mission of Pedal Driven Couriers is to provide a fast, reliable delivery system utilizing bicycles as a means of environmentally friendly transportation for envelopes and packages with familiar faces. It is an all-in-one powerful customer service package, capitalizing on the increasing interest and enthusiasm for cycling within our community.

By focusing their business on three principle beliefs: sustainability, advocacy, and efficiency. Pedal Driven Couriers will breakaway from the current view of bicycle messengers and will implement bicycle safety laws as part of their business strategy. Their responsibility is to their community and to their environment, both of which will be served through this company.

You can find out more about Pedal Driven Couriers by visiting their website at www.PedalDrivenCouriers.com or emailing info@PedalDrivenCouriers.com

Community Bike Education Program

Bike Fort Collins is working on implementing a Bicycle Education Program to the Community this spring. Their press release to be announced this week for this worthwhile cause is below:

"Fort Collins – Bike Fort Collins volunteers will be hitting the streets this year to begin their effort to provide educational presentations that will ensure that more people have the necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to go by bicycle.

Requests are being sought for the new Community Cycling School program being offered by Bike Fort Collins through a generous grant from REI.

The goal of the Community Cycling School is to provide our community with the skills and knowledge needed to integrate cycling into our every day practices. "

Bicycling is a way of life in Fort Collins. We have more bike lanes than most cities in the country, and we have loads more cyclists. We ride our bicycles for transportation and for recreation, so it is important to remember safety laws when we are riding our bicycles by obeying stop signs, traffic lights, and even wearing a helmet.

While we have had a few instances with the Larimer County Sheriff's office last year and again this year, we should be conscious of our interactions in traffic and the laws that are put in place to protect us. The more that we can work with the Sheriff's office and the Fort Collins Police Department, the easier it will be for us in the future in advocating cycling laws for the state, the county, and the city.

The Community Cycling School will help to provide information on the laws of the state, county, and city to cyclists in our community. Anyone can attend these classes that will be held monthly on the third Thursday of each month. The community is also welcome to attend the kick-off for the Community Cycling School on March 19th at Everyday Joe's. There will be snacks provided and loads of information about offering the Community Cycling School to your own organization, business, social, or non-profit.

These programs will be offered to the community through health and wellness programs, cycling and social clubs, bike shops, and more. Bike Fort Collins wants to spread this knowledge to as many people within the community as possible, so if you know of someone that might be interested in learning more about safe cycling skills, have them contact Bike Fort Collins directly for more information.

For more information on Bike Fort Collins, you can visit their website at: www.BikeFortCollins.org - Northern Colorado Outdoors has helped Bike Fort Collins with many projects over the past year. For more information on other projects Northern Colorado Outdoors supports, see our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

A Taste of Harmony

I consider myself still relatively new to town, so I'm still discovering new places and things to do around town. I rode my bicycle into Old Town this morning, somewhat reluctantly. I couldn't find a really good reason to drive, so I bundled up and saddled up. It was a bit chilly riding, and I peeled off of Mountain Ave. and took the alley to Oak St. That's where I locked up my bicycle and walked over to Everyday Joe's.

I hadn't been to Everyday Joe's before, so I was excited to try something new. It was very open and somewhat rustic. It was a great place to have a meeting because it wasn't too loud. I set my stuff down and went up to the counter to order something. I decided on a Green Chai Tea, which was hot and rich, just what I needed after my ride. The girl behind the counter was cheery and friendly. We discussed some food-related topics and even some things about health and wellness before I took my seat and prepared for my meeting.

The meeting is mostly irrelevant to my blog today. What is relevant is the girl behind the counter. As we discussed the food-related topics she mentioned a new restaurant that had opened just north of Everyday Joe's on Mason. It was a raw food restaurant, and she mentioned that it was not only delicious, but they also served good quality fresh food. That certainly piqued my interested, and my stomach was already grumbling.

I continued to sip my tea and dream about a raw food lunch that would fit nicely into my schedule before I headed back to my office to complete my day. I finished my meeting and rode my bicycle to take care of a couple of errands. The errands are also unimportant as the most important topic here is this new restaurant that I was ready to visit. I had images of them having a refrigerator of items that I could choose from and take home as well as a full menu of warm items that I could eat there. I thought about all of the raw food restaurants that I had visited in Austin and in Houston and imagined them all to be like this one.

I once again ended up on Mountain Ave. and turned down the alley way to get over to Mason. I came in from the back and parked my bike against a railing. From the outside it looked quaint and romantic. I stepped inside and it was quite the same. It wasn't exactly as I had imagined it would look like. It was much more warm and inviting, and it was decorated beautifully. It was called Tasty Harmony, and I was hoping to taste some harmony today. I picked up one of the menus and walked over to the bar where I discussed menu options with the woman there. It turned out she was one of the owners of the restaurant and I quickly introduced myself and thanked her for having put this wonderful restaurant together.

I made my choices and had them to go. I would ride my bicycle back to my office to enjoy my lunch. I couldn't imagine having to get on my bicycle and ride afterward. It came out pretty quickly, and I, just as quickly, put my lunch in my pannier and rode off as fast as I could for my office. My stomach was really grumbling now, and my mind was racing at the thought of indulging in some of the healthiest and tastiest food I had consumed in a short while.

I put my bicycle away and sat down in my office with my fork in hand. I opened up my lunch, and it didn't look like anything had moved from when they handed it to me. It was still warm and the veggies were still beautiful. I spread the dressing over the entire meal and dove in. Ahhh. Heaven. It was just as wonderful as I had imagined. The texture of my seaweed salad with the dressing was beautiful as well as the dressing on my quinoa and millet. The veggies were steamed to perfection. It was tasty and beautiful, and I wanted to give the girl behind the counter a big hug for recommending this to me. It really was a Taste of Harmony! It was certainly the highlight of my day. Cheers to new discoveries and to girls behind the counter! Oh! and to working up an appetite riding your bicycle around town! See you outdoors!

While this blog wasn't necessarily about Northern Colorado Outdoors, we do all kinds of fun stuff like going out to new places for dinner or for a hike or bike ride. You can find out more about Northern Colorado's most active outdoor adventure and social club by visiting our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Gotta Run!

I often talk to people who think that it is difficult to fit exercise into their daily lives. I try to remind them that any little bit helps throughout the day. You don't have to go to the gym to get your workout in. A workout in a day might be to just walk a few blocks to lunch, which may be a good start for anyone who is not very active on a regular basis. Working up from there, you can take the stairs, walk a little further to lunch, ride a bicycle to work, or walk the dog around the block.

By working exercise into your daily life, it becomes a lifestyle change and an enjoyable activity and not something that you dread doing because you feel like you have to three times per week. It's important to make it something that you enjoy as well. If you don't like to run, then ride a bike. If you feel uncomfortable on a bicycle, then take a walk or a hike. If you don't like to walk or hike, then go to the swimming pool. There are so many activities to do, there is bound to be something that will work for you.

I run to my book club on Mondays, ride my bike to yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays, run my dog on Wednesdays and Fridays, and do yoga, climb, snowshoe, and kayak on the days that I don't get outdoors. I try to run at least two to three times per week. I started to run a 3 mile run not far from my house, but I just wasn't feeling that route. It bothered me for some reason and prevented me from going out on my runs. I changed the route up a bit so that I was going through City Park and around the lake, and now my runs are much more enjoyable. I love to run and get outdoors, so I don't usually use my gym membership for much other than a yoga class or for climbing activities. Being outdoors is a highlight in my busy day and I make it a priority in my life, and I, personally, feel that everyone can benefit from spending time outdoors each day.

If something isn't working for you in your life, try making a small change before doing anything drastic. You wouldn't go out and run a marathon if you hadn't run in ten years. You would start out by walking around the block and adding in some running from there. As with anything, do some research before you go out and try something new. Checking in with your doctor is a good idea as well. It doesn't cost anything to do some searching on the Internet. It can save you loads of money, too. You don't want to go out and spend $5000 on a bicycle if you really don't like to ride a bike.

Another good place to start is with Northern Colorado Outdoors. You can get active, learn a new activity, and meet new people to do these things with - all for less than $.50 per day! Outdoor adventure and social clubs offer the opportunity for people to meet like-minded people to do things that they enjoy and to also discover what they enjoy. I joined the club in Houston when I lived there, Bayou City Outdoors, and I discovered road cycling, kayaking, climbing, and even had the opportunity to help other people to begin a running and activity regimin.

So, instead of using your list of excuses next time, try getting outdoors for a run or joining our club for an activity! You'll begin to feel better and have more energy every time you do it! That's all for now! Gotta Run!

Supporting our Trails

Supporting our trails is so much more than just getting out and working on trail days. When we decide to support trails in our communities, we also vow to use the trails properly by not littering, widening the trails, or using them when they are muddy. Using designated trails in our Parks is important to maintaining the landscape and wilderness of our parks. When "rogue" trails are created, issues arise in our parks with water drainage, plant and tree health, and in maintaining the landscape that has been there for centuries before us. Our disrespect for our parks creates disrespect in the community and results in the limited use of the trails. It is our responsibility to ensure respectful and responsible use of our trail systems in our parks and wilderness areas.

My own opinions expressed in this blog are the result of years of working with Trail advocates on building and maintaining trails in park systems throughout Texas, Utah, and Colorado. The damage that is created by irresponsible use of our parks is often irreversible. That being said, the resilience of Mother Nature is also quite amazing. By working to build and maintain proper trail systems in parks can provide a way for the Earth and Humans to live together harmoniously. Staying within our boundaries of nature and admiring her from a distance while still enjoying the peace and beauty that surrounds us within this setting should be our main objective when getting outdoors.

There are local groups that help to provide education on trail building and maintenance. Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol, www.dpmbp.org is the local mountain bike and trail advocacy group for Northern Colorado. The International group for mountain bike patrol is the International Mountain Bike Association, www.imba.com. There are other groups that are not mountain bike related groups that are interested in maintaining quality trails for outdoor recreation. For more information on these groups, you can search the Internet or check out NCO's website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Northern Colorado Outdoors is teaming up with Full Cycle this summer to adopt a trail in Horsetooth Mountain Park. We have decided on the Spring Creek Trail because of its multi-use function for bicycles, horses, and hikers. An avid mountain biker, hiker, and climber, I have always felt that it is part of my duty to give back to the parks that provide us so much enjoyment. I also try to advocate for our parks to provide as many trails for outdoor activities as possible.

With only two days out of the year to give back to our trails and numerous days using them, it seems the least that we could do as an outdoor organization for our community. After all, trail work days in Colorado really aren't work at all, especially when you're standing up on a mountain overlooking the Eastern plains of Colorado or the Western Slopes of the mountains. There are opportunities to see wildlife, spend time with other like-minded individuals that also care about their communities, and even get in a ride after the work is all done.

These eco-adventure activities have become a priority for Northern Colorado Outdoors. We are hoping to get involved in the volunteer opportunities through the 10th Mountain Hut System and spend some time in the high country working this summer. We are also looking at helping at some local community farms. All of these activities could be considered adventures as well as solid community effort.

If you would like to get outdoors and help your community this Spring, Summer and Fall, join Northern Colorado Outdoors for some eco-adventures that will give back in support of our trails and in keeping our wilderness wild.

Snowshoeing with Good Friends

You know, there's nothing like getting out to the high country for a good workout on some snowshoes, but what makes it even better is having a good friend by your side to talk to. I did just that this past weekend. My dear friend, Jenn, and I took off for the day and went to climb the ridge of a mountain in our snowshoes up in Grand County. We got all strapped in and took the groomed trails up and up and up all the while we were getting caught up from our extended absence.

I had met Jenn through the Outdoor Adventure Club Network and we had become fast friends. We went kayaking, hiking, cycling, and camping together. We even went on a few trips together as well. She has always been there for me when I needed her, and I have tried to do the same. We have had some similar experiences in terms of relationships and people in our lives, so we are able to relate to each other very well. She is adventurous, which I also like. She doesn't whine or cry when we go out for a long hike or come across an unexpected event which causes plans to change. She just goes with the flow and enjoys life. She also has strong opinions and speaks her mind, which is something that has earned my respect as well. I prefer when people don't beat around the bush about things. So, we enjoy getting outdoors together, and what a better way to get outdoors than with good friends?

The hike didn't seem very strenuous because we always had something to talk about because we have so much in common. We talked about our adventures coming up. I'll be going to Mexico with her and my other dear friend, Kelly, in October for some whitewater kayaking. She's been working hard at getting her PhD in microbiology, so that keeps her busy and out of touch with me and most of her other friends. I'm so proud of her, too, she will be twenty-seven this year and only a year away from getting her PhD. She's worked hard and it is finally starting to pay off.

One foot in front of the other, we talked about adventures and travel and love and relationships. We covered the whole spectrum of conversation together all while we were traversing the trails up the mountain and through the snow. We would see tracks in the snow and stop and try to figure out what animal created them. We found rabbit tracks, deer tracks, and people tracks and dog tracks. We were somewhat lost on the trail in the middle of nowhere, but we also knew that we could turn around and go back the way we came. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the wind had died down to a whistle through the trees.

So, for two hours we climbed up this mountain to some unknown destination through the snow and the trees. Just to the next bend, and the bend would pass by as we kept talking and trekking. Finally, it was time now to turn around. It was going to be much less time down the mountain than up, and I was a little sad that our adventure was almost over. We began to head back and continued with our conversations. What took us two hours to climb, took us only forty-five minutes to get down. We got back to the lodge where we started and met up with the rest of the group that had gone out on other excursions themselves. We had lunch and relaxed after our long hike and exchanged adventures. We told all about the huge rabbit tracks we found and getting lost in the woods. It was a bit of a stretch, but our elaboration sounded so much more fun that just a walk in the woods.

Ahhh! It felt good to get outdoors with a good friend and end the day with hot chocolate and a yummy lunch. The hot chocolate seemed to taste better than ever, and I just thought about how good life is when you have good friends around.

If you would like to find out more about meeting other people to go outdoors with, just visit our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com See you outdoors!

Grand Lakes Winter Festival

I took a couple of days off from work and headed out in my Jeep up to the High Country for some Winter Fun! I had to drive around Rocky Mountain National Park to get to Grand Lake even through it is only a couple of hours from Fort Collins. Trail Ridge Road is closed in the winter due to the snow and ice on the road most of the year. The drive was mostly okay. I did run into some traffic on I-70 with all of the other winter sports enthusiasts that were heading to the high country for their own winter sports fix.

I headed over Berthoud pass and had such a wonderful time just looking out the window as I drove. I had Jeannie, my littlest dog, with me for moral support. She doesn't really like the cold or the snow, but she does like to go out for adventures, so she came along to keep me company. We were loaded down with coats, snowshoes, even costumes and food. I was prepared for just about anything - even the random masked ball that might pop up on our trip.

We passed through Granby and by Granby Lake where you could see ice fisherman spread out across the lake. I hadn't really seen this before, so as I passed by, I had to take a second glance to see what it was. From the distance that I was at, all you really saw were black dots on the ice. They looked like snowmobiles parked next to port-a-potties out on the ice.

We arrived to a beautiful day in Grand Lake. The sun was shining and it was warm. The kids were out playing in the snow as were the adults! There was a game of flag football going on in the city park. Teapot curling was happening on the basketball courts, and the kids were having a snowman contest near the pavilion. It was certainly a winter festival! People were out milling around with their kids. There was one couple pulling their baby behind them on a sled. He was leaning back with his winter suit on and a hat and the funniest little sunglasses. He seemed to be quite at home there.

I found my group in the Teapot Curling Contest, where they were doing quite well. They ended up getting third out of eight in the contest. Not bad for a bunch of Texans! I petted all of the dogs that walked by as I waited for them to finish their games. Everyone had brought out their dogs and their kids. It was certainly a family affair.

When the group finished with the Teapot Curling Contest, we all moved over to the main street for the parade and the Bed Sled competition. We stopped into the local ice cream shop for a big scoop of yummy ice cream. They had everyone's favorite flavors. They even had a doggy bone for Jeannie. She waited patiently outside while we got our ice cream and ate some of it. I jumped out of my seat when a Malamute crossed her path and she tried to snap at it. Not such a good idea for a small dog to snap at a dog ten times her size. She was getting brave in her "older" age.

We strolled down main street to look at the ice sculptures that some of the town folk had created in front of their businesses. Some of them were really good. We took a few pictures and then stopped to let the four-minute parade go down the street. The only fire truck in town was there along with some fun costumes and a couple of other vehicles that were decorated. Our adventure down main street ended at the place where the bed sled race was happening. We wanted to participate, but we weren't prepared for the race like we should have been. We should have had some "Yaktrax" for our shoes and some signs to paint for our sled. Oh, well. We'll look forward to it next year.

The bed sled races were fun and pretty competitive. The firefighters against the park rangers, and some of the businesses in town competing against each other. They lined up at the starting line and two by two would run down the street to the finish line as fast as they could pushing these wooden contraptions with a mattress on top. Some of them were creative and used PVC pipe to make it lighter. Some of their sleds would zig-zag all the way down the street to the end. Some of them were dressed up in costume with signs and props. There were even a couple of pirate ships in the race.. But in the end, the firefighters won the competition by a long shot.

The Winter Festival had even more to do after the Bed Sled competition. There was human bowling, which required someone to be on a plastic disc that was then slid down the street to knock over some plastic bottles. They had bingo later in the afternoon as well as a Moonlight Cross-Country Ski in the Golf Course with a marshmallow roast, bonfire, and hot chocolate at the end. There was a costume party and dance that ended the festival. Our group decided to rest a bit before going out to dinner and then attending the dance in the evening. After dinner, we went back to our hotel rooms and dressed up for the dance. Some of us were pirates and others of us just dressed up for fun. We joined the festivities once again this time indoors at Pancho Lefty's where a band was playing and the party-goers were dancing away. What a great way to get out of town and enjoy the high country! The people were friendly and Grand Lake was very accommodating to guests. We can't wait for next year when we really kick some b*tt at teapot curling and bed sledding!

If you want more information on getting outdoors, join us at www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com We'll see you outdoors!

Rock Your World!

This is a funny time of year. The snow keeps falling, so the ground is too wet to go hiking or mountain biking, but the air outside is definitely beginning to warm up from the winter months. So, what is an outdoors gal like me to do? Climb!

We went out on the rock for a climb last weekend. I hadn't been out on the rock in a while, so I was a bit rusty, but what an amazing experience! We went up to Horsetooth Reservoir near Rotary Park at the Cat Eye. We dropped a rope down on one of the bolted paths, and we worked out all of our safety issues before we started out. The leader of our group went first to test the equipment and to find the lines before we got on to try it out.

After a few minutes of watching him ascend gracefully and easily, it was my turn to jump on the rope and take my ascent up the rock. The wind was blowing swiftly all around the rock and us so that it created some anxiety and nervousness. I tried to start at the overhang a couple of times and then moved up on top of a rock to avoid the overhang and just get started. Once I got on the rock and realized how stable it felt under my fingers and my toes, I began one hand hold and foot hold at a time to reach for the top of the rock. Before I knew it, I was at the top looking down and trying to traverse across the rock and back to the rope to be lowered down. Ahhhh! After touching the ground, I felt a rush of energy all through my body for having accomplished something that seemed so challenging in the beginning. It really excited and stimulated me all at the same time. I was ready for more!

We went through the rotation and then decided to take another route right next to the one we were working on. It was a bit more difficult because the footholds and handholds were not as distinct as they were in the previous climb. Nonetheless, I was ready. I began my ascension and felt the rock carrying me up and up. I traversed across the face, where I got a little stuck. Instead of being lowered back down, I decided to climb back down so that I could remember what I was doing to get up to that point.

After returning to the ground, our leader showed us how to get back up to the diamond and what to do next. I roped back up and tried it again. Back up the same route that I had started the previous time, and then, a slight change in a hand hold and a foot hold, and I was there! The diamond was staring me right in the face. This time I allowed myself to fall from the rock and let the rope catch me. I was lowered slowly back to the ground by the belayer. Just a few climbs is all it took. I felt more grounded and connected to the earth. Talk about a "Rock Your World" experience! Climbing is addicting stuff!

If you would like more information on climbing and getting outdoors, visit our website at: http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/

Rockin' and Rollin'

The Mountain Kayak Polo group is doing kayak rolling lessons on two Thursday nights for the winter season, last night was one of them. I enthusiastically went so that I could really start to learn to be comfortable in the boat and with going underwater, which I am very afraid of, much less being strapped into a plastic boat that isn't very easy to get out of.

So, I showed up and geared up getting ready for the hour-long lesson ahead. It was good. We had about eight people there ready to learn with two instructors. We split into two groups and worked on our "hip snaps". I spent a lot of time on the side of the pool really trying to engrain that muscle memory so that it would become second nature at some point.

I was finally starting to get it! Relax the left leg and pull the right knee and hip up and back like a dance kick. Over and over again, I tried it. On the right side ten times and then on the left side ten times. I assumed just like with any sport you have to do it over and over again in order for your body and mind to really get it together. It's also like learning another language. You have to know it so well that you don't think about it when you do it. You just flip back up when you go under.

The lesson that we took last week actually taught us to try to stay on top of the water instead of even doing a roll. I thought it was a good first lesson to learn because you really do want to enjoy kayaking upright without smashing your face against the rocks on the bottom of a river. And then if you do go under, to learn to pull yourself back up instead of exiting the boat. It is really a beautiful movement if you've ever seen it done well.

After practicing on my own for some time, a few of the Kayak Polo players came over to help us "Rollers", and one person in particular really helped me to get going. He was so patient with me and explained everything very well. I was finally able to go completely underwater and try to hip-snap back up. I was doing it with his help and the use of my hands mostly, but my fear of the water was beginning to fade, and I was starting to feel the motion a little more each time. When I went completely under the water, I would get disoriented and forget about what I needed to do to get back up. I would work on my torso and then forget about my hips or work on my hips and then forget about my torso. Needless to say, I still have quite a bit more work to do, but I'm getting there slowly but surely.

I will once again attend next week's Rolling Session at the EPIC Center at 9pm with the Mountain Kayak Polo group, and then, with any luck, I'll be out playing kayak polo with even more confidence than ever! Now that's what I call Rockin' and Rollin'!

For more information about Whitewater Kayaking and Kayak Polo, you can visit our website at http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ or the Mountain Kayak Polo website at: mkp.kayakpolo.com - See you outdoors!

Going the Distance

I've been running for as long as I can remember. I think that I started at some point in high school to get ready for a backpacking trip to Colorado with my youth group. I didn't necessarily like it, but it was a cheap and seemingly easy form of exercise for a 16- or 17-year old girl to take up. Regardless of my affinity to running, I kept at it even after high school and into college. Again, as a poor college student, I couldn't really afford bicycles, rollerblades, skis, or other sports equipment. Not only that, but I really didn't know how to get into those sports anyway, so it seemed so much easier to just go out for a run.

That's what I've been doing ever since. I ran in races, and never did very well until a couple of years ago. I got a little more serious with my running and started to actually be a little competitive. Granted, I was never in the top 10, but middle-of-the pack was good for me. I found my favorite places to run, and went there as often as possible. I even treated myself after my runs to breakfast at my favorite cafe or bagel shop. I slowly and gradually over the years came to enjoy the sport of running. I even tried to share it with my friends by inviting them out on runs instead of happy hours. It seemed so much more healthy to get outdoors and work your tension and stress out on the running path than in a noisy bar that is just as stressful as the office.

I ran my first half-marathon exactly two years ago, and loved it! I worked so hard to get there, and I made so many attempts along the way. Finally achieving a goal after years of wanting, is such a sweet feeling. I often had trouble with my knees, and that year of training was no different that the previous years I had trained. As soon as my mileage got above ten miles, my knees started to tweak. After months of acupuncture, rest, and yoga, I got back to training. I crossed the finish line with my very dear friend, Doc Pepper, who ran next to me the whole way singing and trying to make me laugh. It mostly worked. I kept to my iPod mostly, though, and tried to concentrate on the miles that lay before me.

After moving to Colorado, I was sad to not have running in my life anymore. It seemed to be too cold outside to go for a run. I started to run again when the spring came, and I abandoned it once again this time for cycling. I went on runs every now and again when I couldn't get out on my bike, but I mostly stuck to yoga and cycling during the spring, summer, and fall.

The snow started to fall this winter, and my bicycles were hung up not to be seen again until the spring. I didn't actually start running until a friend came to town, and I went out for a run with her in the crisp, cold early morning. I stayed a few steps behind her with my dog, but I ran the entire distance. I had forgotten how good it felt to get out and run in the morning. The cold didn't really seem to matter, either. It actually felt good.

Now, I'm getting in about two to three runs a week along with all of my other activities. It gets me out of the office for a little while and even in the snow, it just feels good to get out and move around outdoors. I still do my own little fun runs. On the weekends or my days off, I'll run into town and meet my husband for a cup of coffee and breakfast. I run to my yoga classes or my book club instead of riding my bicycle. I still get my exercise, and I don't have to drive.

So, the next time you're thinking about going out for a run, do it! It makes all the difference to just get out there and go the distance...

Northern Colorado Outdoors will be participating in the Horsetooth Half marathon this year as well as the Bolder Boulder and the Colorado Marathon. If you would like to join us for any of these events, join now by going to our website at: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com

Hibernate or Adapt

With snow on the ground once again along the Front Range of Northern Colorado, we are not staying holed up in our homes and offices trying to stay away from it, but just the opposite! We are looking for ways to get out and enjoy it!

I came to Northern Colorado last year and spent most of my time inside because of the dramatic winter that seemed to be occuring outside. Being from Houston, Texas, it was terribly dramatic to me. I spent a lot of time working on my computer, watching television and movies, and reading. I was somewhat depressed because I couldn't get out and do my normal activities that kept me fit and sane. When the spring and summer came, I completely forgot about the winter.

After having gone through an entire turn of seasons, we are again in the midst of another winter, and this time, I'm ready. I went out and bought some good solid winter gear, hats, gloves, and shoes. I don't look outside and see the temperature and cringe anymore. I just put more clothes on and head outdoors. I have some snowshoes now that I take up into the mountains and go for long hikes through the woods and along the trails.

It is so peaceful outdoors after a long, hard snow. The noise levels seem to be so much lower, the snow falls as if cotton hitting the ground unlike rain that seems to beat down on the ground, and everything is a shade of white or grey. At night, the snow seems as if to be illuminated. The reflection of the moon and the stars in the snow puts out a silvery shimmer and glow that seems to be from some other planet. It truly is a magical experience.

One of my dogs really loves the snow. He will stay outside and play and roll around in it. He even eats it and digs his nose down into it to find his sticks. I stand at the window and watch him and laugh. He will come up with snow covering his nose and face. Sometimes I will go out and join him and throw the stick for him. I know that I could learn a lot from this goofy Golden Retriever that thinks he is a snow dog. His playfulness at the cold and the snow is so refreshing.

So, living in Colorado has certainly been an adjustment, but not one that I couldn't make. The snow and the cold have given me the opportunity to try new things. I now know how to drive a Jeep the way it was meant to be driven (in 4wd). I go for my runs whether it is snowy or sunny outside. I relish the weekends when I get out and snowshoe or ski. I love driving around town and seeing things like kids playing hockey on the frozen lake or the Old Town lights shimmering in the falling snow. Winter truly is a magical time of year, and it is such a relief to have adapted to it and be able to enjoy it.

I met a man in a coffee shop in Old Town during one of our last long, hard snows. I was a little bummed and a little excited all at the same time about the snow. He could see my frustration and told me, "All you need is a good coat and a good, sturdy pair of winter boots, and you'll be fine." I didn't get his name to give him credit for his small piece of advice, but he was right. I stopped my whining and adapted.

Another great way to enjoy the Winter and the snow is at Grand Lake. They have a winter festival each year in February, and this year it is commencing on February 7th. They have all kinds of activities from ice sculpting to teapot curling and even a bed sledding competition! At only two hours away from most of the Front Range, it's a great little weekend getaway to enjoy the mountains and the winter. And, to be completely cliche, "If you can't beat the cold, join the cold."

If you would like to join Northern Colorado Outdoors for some of our winter activities, visit our website at: http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ We will be joining Bayou City Outdoors in Grand Lake for the Winter Festival, and we will be finishing up the month snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Up and Up and Up We Go!

Of all the sports I do, climbing is one of my favorites. My husband teases me telling me that I go to the climbing gym just like the folks that go to Spin classes and never get on a bicyle. I disagree. I tend to think that there is a lot of benefit in going to the gym to climb and you can certainly see the results as you get out on the rock. Just like those people that go to Spin classes generally get out on a bicycle and know how to ride better than most of us that have been riding for years and never taken a spin class because they know the basic technique of spinning. Climbing in the gym helps to build that muscle memory and technique when you can't get out on the rock especially in the winter time in Colorado. The gym exposes you to other climbers that are serious about the sport, and it exposes you to the technique itself so that you can become a better climber.

I have done both. I go to the gym on a regular basis, and I have been out on the rock, and I admit, they are very different sports. I have found that going to the gym has helped to improve my skills as a climber. I have to tell you, though, there is nothing like being out on the rock. The solid foundation of the rock under your fingers and your toes. The gravity of being completely in the moment encapsulates you driving you further up the mountain one foothold and one handhold at a time. Choosing your own lines and your own path as you finish your climb only when you have reached the top and you can see out over the whole world. It is magical and scary all at the same time. I can see now why climbers become addicted to the sport.

Climbing is also a relatively inexpensive sport to get into. A harness for about $50, some shoes on sale for about $50, and some other odds and ends. It winds up being much less than buying a bicycle and all the gear associated with that or even buying a kayak. If you know others that climb, then sharing equipment is optimal; however, for safety's sake, always make sure that the equipment is also of good quality and in good condition.

Climbing is a dangerous sport. It is important to know the people that you climb with so that you can communicate effectively to your belay person and even to any others that are around. Many people have fallen to their deaths as a result of poor communication, faulty equipment, or some other minor detail that was forgotten in the process of getting out and climbing. Safety is the number one priority out on the rock, and having fun is second.

There are many opportunities to get out and climb in Colorado. The mountains are at our doorstep, and Horsetooth is one of the most popular places in the area to boulder, which is climbing up boulders without using any harnesses or belay equipment. You generally have a mat underneath you to catch your fall, and it is wise to also have a buddy around to help you with the climb and to help break the fall as well. There are even a few south facing rocks in the area that you can traverse even during the winter time. Doing your research and learning more about these locations is key. It is always good to have someone with you that knows more about climbing than you do at least until you feel like you have "learned the ropes".

Otherwise, if you're just getting started, the gym is a good place to start. Inner Strength Rock Gym in Fort Collins has some good routes and there are always people around to help. They have half-price Fridays for climbing, which is Northern Colorado Outdoors goes out. Miramont Lifestyle also has a climbing wall with more difficult routes and they have day passes just for the climbing wall as well. So, if you're interested in getting out and learning a new sport, this is a great one to try.

Winter Season Kayak Polo Begins!

Kayak Polo? Who ever heard of Kayak Polo? I saw some people in kayaks throwing a ball around in Lake Travis when I lived in Austin and thought that they were nuts to play polo in kayaks. Ha! Who knew I would actually be out there playing it someday?

Kayak Polo has been around for quite some time. Apparently, the sport originated in Duisberg, Germany, in 1987; although, traces of the sport can be found even as early as 1875 in and around the United Kingdom (1). Kayak polo now has quite a good following throughout the world, and is even being recognized by the Olympic Committee as a possible addition to the Summer Sports Games.

Kayak polo is played in a pool or lake with specific boundaries set up. There is a goal on each end and a waterpolo ball is used to make goals as players traverse the court. The sport has also been referred to as being similar to basketball in water and in kayaks. Most of the rules of the game are meant to maintain safety, and the boats are equipped with foam or cushion on either end of the boat to protect the players from any major injuries. Players are expected to wear personal flotation devices and a helmet with a face mask. The paddles that are used also have specific restrictions to prevent injuries.

Otherwise, it is a great way for whitewater kayakers to stay in shape in the off-season, especially in Colorado. You can hone your skills or just get out and have fun. There are options for all levels of players and not just for those serious about winning. The Mountain Kayak Polo group in Fort Collins just started the Winter Season at the EPIC Center just south of Prospect on Riverside. There is a beginner's group and an intermediate group. The games are open to the public, though, they encourage you to join a team and make a commitment to the group because of the cost of equipment, pool rental, and insurance. For more information on getting involved in Kayak Polo, visit the Mountain Kayak Polo website at mkp.kayakpolo.com

If I can play it, you can, too! So, jump in and have a ball!

(1) Boat, Paddle and Ball, A Short History of Canoe Polo by Ian Beasley

Yoga Day USA!

When I first got into Yoga, Yoga Day USA was over Labor Day with "Free Day of Yoga" going on across the country. I suppose it has grown so much that they had to find a different day, and it was decided that January 24th would be that day. It seems to make some sense to choose this day. It is only a few weeks after the new year, and what a great time to try something new! It is also two days before the Chinese New Year and the New Moon, which provides some Eastern influence regardless of the ethnicity.

Yoga Day USA for me is about sharing Yoga with those that don't know anything about Yoga and giving yoga to those that already do. It is about opening people's eyes to a - dare I say it? - spiritual world that exists all around us. Yoga is a path to help us find ourselves and our spirit.

Several studios around Fort Collins have set up activities based on this same premise. They have a wide range of activities to help people discover the full concept of the lifestyle of yoga. Treetop Studio has everything from an Asana class and singing bowls to a kids' yoga class and meditation. Old Town Yoga is celebrating Yoga Day USA in conjunction with their Grand Opening the following weekend with Kirtan from David Stringer and a small gathering to celebrate the practice of yoga.

I believe that we all need yoga in our lives. It doesn't have to be the kind of yoga that you move into a pretzel and hold it for five breaths, but the idea and the spirit of yoga that would help us to lead better and more fulfilled lives. I have been teaching yoga for five and a half years. I have been practicing for over ten years. It is a pleasure for me to teach beginner's classes and show people the path of yoga and to see the light in their eyes as they discover something new about themselves.

You can find just about any style that you are looking for between Fort Collins, Denver, and Boulder. Colorado seems to be a subset of the American culture in that it is a melting pot of people from many different states, so we are lucky to have some amazing instructors that trained before they arrived. Their training and knowledge have helped to guide the yoga community in Fort Collins to new depths.

So, if you haven't ever done yoga before, used to do yoga and haven't for a while, or are a long-time practitioner, visit your local studio on Yoga Day USA and celebrate the practice of yoga and what it means to you.

Northern Colorado Outdoors and Kristina Brown have a yoga class on Mondays at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins at 7pm. Kristina also teaches at Old Town Yoga and publishes the NoCO YoCo Newsletter monthly. Visit http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ for more details on the yoga class.

My Personal Outdoor Playground

Outdoors was the place to be last weekend! The weather was amazing. Who would have thought that it would be nearly seventy degrees in January in Colorado?

I got up fairly early and went for a 10-mile mountain bike ride up Michaud Lane and Reservoir Ridge. There weren't any mountain bikers out yet, so I mostly had the trail to myself. There were only hikers and their dogs traversing the climb to the top of the ridge. The wind was calm and the sun was shining as I stumbled up the climb the first time. Frustrated, I got off and walked a bit to conserve some energy. After getting to the top and heading down the back side, I was so excited that I made the descent full descent. There was a sketchy part that I was too afraid of until then. Not only that, but I made the descent on the second time around as well!

That pesky ledge was sitting on the backside of the ridge that I always have trouble with, so once again, I got off my bicycle and scurried up it. Someday I'll make it. I went back around for another loop, and did the climb a second time and nailed it! It was the best feeling ever to make all the right moves and stick to just the right line and put your foot down only when you make it to the top! Wahoo! What an accomplishment!

After two laps at the top of the ridge, I descended back down and headed for home to start the second part of my day.

After washing some dishes, a bit of work on the computer, a change of clothes, and gathering leashes, I loaded up the dogs with one of Northern Colorado Outdoors' members, and we headed to the trailhead at Reservoir Ridge to meet some others for a hike. We got the dogs unloaded and leashed and headed back up the climb that I had just returned from on my bike. There were four of us total, and we had a great time hiking up the foothills and turning every few steps to look over the city. What a great view from there! The dogs all had smiles on their faces. They were happy to be meeting other dogs, and smelling all of the new smells, and getting away from the house and back into nature.

At one point on the hike, we looked up and saw a herd of deer at the top of the ridge. They were beautiful and magestic as they stood looking out over the city. Luckily the dogs didn't see them, otherwise, we would have been chasing after them as they escaped for their hunt.

The wind had picked up on the hike and blew us around a bit. It was nothing that got in the way of having fun! We headed back down the foothills and loaded the dogs and people into our cars and said our farewells.

The last part of my day was spent doing yoga and relaxing from a day hard at play. I reflected on my day as I was sitting in meditation. Having an opportunity to get out and play as hard as I did, was gratifying. I didn't need a gym membership with the mountains and the lakes at my doorstep. It was as if I had my own personal playground just in my backyard.

Join us for our next hike or bike! Just check out our calendar and website for more details: www.NorthernColoradoOutdoors.com