November Numbers & The String Cheese Incident

NOV NUMBERS:

Activities - 37
Running - Zip
Days Off - 3
Travels - 5 days
Biking - 782mi
Hours - 42
PR's - 12

My cycling legs are definitely coming around and I am feeling a wee bit stronger with quicker burst of power. My slower-twitched distance legs are healthy and I could almost ride steady forever. What I am most pleased with are my back to back long days with minimal fatigue.

A leisurely round trip to the Loma Boat Ramp and back chalks up 44 miles. On my third day in a row of 40+ miles, only my elbows felt stiff. This is obviously because my old road bike is a little too small for me. Other than that, body feels great. Oh Baby

Thanksgiving:

What a long strange trip. After soaking the bird in a brine for two days, the stacked coals took flame just after 7am, the rinsed off bird was on. Good times ahead. I mean, after last years Turkey week, a sharp stick the eye would be better than that years experience. On the bottom rack, above the water pan, landed this 17.77 pound beauty. The middle rack was home for the Beef Ribs. The bacon claimed the top shelf spot as they only needed a couple of hours.

At the six hour mark, here she is. The water soaked apple wood for smoke was more than ideal. Under the skin, before the heat, cloves of garlic, fresh sage, a little hint of cayenne pepper, fresh thyme, and backyard rosemary. Just Look At Her

The smoked bacon for later use was perfect. The aroma when lifting the tupperware lid the next morning, YES!! I was thankful they weren't over cooked. Me personally, I am not a crispy fried in oil kind of guy.

The Dude made a great call and set out the game BUZZ WORD. As folks filtered through the house for a quick visit, some hopped in to play a round or two. Others chimed in from the couch. We rifled through a number of cards throughout the entire evening and loads of tongue twisting giggly brain farts were had by all. Highly Entertaining. We finished off the evening with a couple of rounds of Mexican Train Dominos for us late night goers. P.S. Sharing this Egypt photo for Shadow and Light.

THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT:

Saturday mornings audacious travel day with The Blue Z began about 10 minutes early to schedule. Off to the Frontstrange we migrated. It was rather funny to me how FEAR was the normal reaction about us driving over the divide. This was clearly based on what the idiot box ( television ) was broadcasting. I am so disgusted with the meteorology world. Seriously

The roads were bone dry until around 9,000 feet. The Z and I made excellent progress until we arrived in Vail. A wet heavy snow was falling but this is expected at elevation. Slow going but no biggie. We Had Some Righteous Tunes

Here is what the roads conditions AT 11,000 feet looked like. Where is the FOUR FEET of blowing snow that was in the forecast of Armageddon?? We accomplished our mission of safely navigating ourselves over the Continental Divide while Mother Nature offered up all kinds of postcard perfect opportunities. Stunningly Gorgeous

Only because AppleJack's Liquor was on the way to our hotel, we just had to stop and window shop. Right??

Our hotel offered a free shuttle over to the Mission Ballroom on the top of every hour. So the Blue Z and I relished in our pregame show. This consisted of relaxing, munching, and reminiscing over these past years events. Time Sure Does Fly When Your Having Fun

Oh, we ate well. There was a cute little ( under 5ft for sure ) Japanese gal handing out samples of sushi. The Blue Z never moved so fast towards her station. The Z Loves Sushi & Went Ape Sh*T Over Free Sushi!! She had just prepared this family platter for, GET THIS, $14.99!! Immediate Red Flags. BUT her station was spotlessly clean, she carried the biggest smile, and she insisted everything is made fresh every day. All Settled Well

Mother Nature even created our own fog machine as we headed up Floyd Hill. Those bands of blowing snow reminded me of the Northern Lights Dancing Across The Sky. Call me crazy but I love those moments. Again, the roads were bone dry I tell ya.

The Mission Ballroom was disappointing to say the least. There was this buzz about how this new building is spectacular and perfect for live music. But concrete floors?? So Sucks!! $8 Damn Dollar Beers?? Forget It!! They over staffed as they expected a normal Saturday night drinking crowd. Nope. Not The Cheese Family. I would venture a guess that it was the all-time lowest sales of alcohol. The Bartenders Were Leaning AND Not Cleaning

My Own Opinion Here 

The Band - A

The Setlist - B ( HERE is Saturdays Setlist )

The Bands Appearance - C+ ( both drummers rolled out of bed and took the stage ) 

The Jams - A+

The Crowd - F ( why must people insist on talking during the show )

The Theatrics - F ( when you pay these prices, what the flock of seagulls )

Seeing Friends - B

Bumping Into Friends From Long Ago - A+

Cover Tunes - A+ 

Billy's First Set Intros - F ( we, as long time fans, deserve proper band member intros and story telling. If you are going to share historical moments, bring your A Game )

Bathrooms - D

One Water Fountain???? - F

OVERALL - B

CYBER MONDAY:

Made my reservations for Carson City and saved $211 dollars. Let me say that again, I saved $211 dollars by reserving my car rental and hotel on Monday. Thats Just So Weird To Me

The room rate was exactly the same back around Halloween and I procrastinated until now. And that "hesitation" saved me $211 dollars. The entry fee, full price between Jan - April, goes up after that, is $179. I received a BLK Friday e-mail that on Cyber Monday, all their events for 2020 would be $99 dollars. SCORE

Feels pretty satisfying to be all in without feeling shafted over something. I have NEVER waited in a BLK Friday line, have never shopped on Cyber Monday, and usually couldn't give two Sh*Ts about that sort of behavior. So what a way to bust my cherry. I happily saved $291.oo on this 2019 Cyber Monday action!! I Take A Bow Now And Pat Myself On The Back

The Blue Z & I stayed on the 3rd floor of this 9 Story hotel - Our window opened 

Downtown Denver Colorado 

GOALS:

1. Extend Body Weight Only Routines
2. Embrace Snowshoeing w/Friends
3. Practice Maximum Enthusiasm 
4. Finish The Welding Disc Basket Gift
5. And Add Climbing To The Workouts 

Smiling From Ear To Ear,
Cheers