Tuesday, December 3, 2019

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


47 comments:

  1. Your cherry is busted, probably a long time ago, but I think we need to see photos of your muscular cycling legs. Well done you with bargains. Window shopping at the liquor shop, yeah, right. I believe you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, It looks Like I Should Have Researched MacBooks On Cyber Monday. I Wrote This In Reverse Of Events. Two Photos Are Out Of Place, After We Arrived In Denver. There Is A Photo Of Telluride That Doesn't Belong!! Telluride Was For My Next Posting. The Last Two Photos Are Also Out Of Order. And The Egypt Photo Was My P.S. For After My Sign Off. Like WoW!! Anyway, When The Weather Warms Up And My Legs Aren't So Butt White, Maybe Then.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was listening to the Saturday show on my commute this morning! 18+ minute Best Feeling!

    This is the first bad thing about the Mission I've heard. I'll finally be checking the place out in early January for the Stringdusters. Unfortunately, $8 a beer at the big concert venues is the norm. That's why I hang at Sancho's before Denver shows.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wait Until You Here The Rivertrance Mash Up With Zeppelin - Like Way Out There Stellar - Maybe I Held The Ballroom To A Higher Expectation As I Was Hearing The Same - Again, The Place Is Intimate And All For Live Music - Just Wish The Floor Was Something Other Than An Easy Clean Up Concrete - I Highly Recommend Standing Behind The Soundboard And A Pre-Show Somewhere Is A Prerequisite

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good timing on the Carson City reservations! And YAY, Egypt! Your Thanksgiving food sounds pretty amazing. I'm not a crispy-fried bacon guy either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Very Delicious Dinner For Sure - Stoked About You Seeing The Egypt Photo - Olga Would Have Approved Of This Bacon

      Cheers

      Delete
  6. You can keep all that snow over there!
    I'm looking forward to Global Warming here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanx For Dropping A Comment - Think SNOW

      Cheers

      Delete
  7. The Thanksgiving food looks so delicious. Looks like you got plenty of snow. Fantastic savings on your reservation, that's some serious cash you saved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone Showed Up With Amazing Side Dishes And We All Eat Well - Thanx For Stopping By Mr Bill - Always Appreciated

      Cheers

      Delete
  8. Yum, the food looks so incredibly good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ...now don't those bikes in a snowbank look inviting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Free Your Mind & Your Bike Will Follow, With A Wet Butt Of Course

      Cheers

      Delete
  10. Hello, what a great deal, I did not do any shopping..The Thanksgiving meal looks and sounds delicious. I am not a fan of sushi, I like my fish grilled. The weather folks on our news like to make a big deal over the snow, rain or whatever. Is it all above ratings? I hope you are having a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanksgiving Went Very Well And I Wish I Could Post The Video Capturing All The Counter Space. Or Lack Of Counter Space. So Much Food. And Quality Dishes!!

      Those Weather Folks, Straight Up Pisses Me Off. The Other Night I Was Invited Over For A Movie Night. Just Before The Flick, The Local JackA$$ Meteorologist Says, " We Are 250% above normal for where we should be." Unreal!!! Colorado Has Been In A Severe Drought For OVER Five Years Now And This DumbA$$ Is Telling Everyone That Its A OK To Hose Off Your Driveway. Ratings??? I Say Stupidity. I Say Keeping The Ignorant Comfortable.

      Anyway, Thanx For Checking In. Sure Do Enjoy Your Photos There Eileen.
      Cheers

      Delete
  11. Thanksgiving food looks delicious, but the sushi also looks very good, I love it.
    So much snow, I especially loved the bike photo, it's amazing.
    All the best
    Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lets Keep Thinking Snow - Stoked You Enjoy The Photos

      Cheers

      Delete
  12. Amazing: Biking - 782mi

    Have a wonderful day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish I Could Have Given Ya Another 18 Miles

      Cheers

      Delete
  13. Oh how I loved looking at your snow shots on a 40C day here in Perth Padre, the food looks pretty delish too. What! No radio link today, you were too busy having fun 😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You So Crack Me Up Perth - I Do Have A Few Shows Coming Up As Volunteers Are Traveling During This Holiday Season - Will Keep You Informed - Be Well Perth

      Big Hugs

      Delete
  14. You had me at bacon....I'm not a huge carnivore but I won't say no to some smoky pork...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fabulous food. You have made me hungry. And love the photos, but that driving looks like it got a bit scary. Hope you enjoyed the band and the Maker's Mart you just had to buy. (smile)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Top Shelf On All Accounts - Manhattans Were Made

      Cheers

      Delete
  16. I Love your pictures. Thank you for visiting My blogg. Have a nice Day😊 Nina

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your biking mileage is impressive. My legs ache for you. The food looks great and the dish with the bacon made me smile. My mother and MIL had dishes like those. My mother's had flowers and strawberries on hers. Can't remember my (soon to be) MIL. They got the set piece by piece at the grocery store. Since I was engaged to be married, they both insisted I get the dishes, too. Mine were just plain. Cool mountain photos though I'll skip admiring the snow. I don't like driving in it either no matter how little is falling. Speaking of falling, the view out of the hotel window is making me dizzy. Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and the dish memory is from 35 years ago. 😺

      Delete
    2. I Wish You All The Best With The Future Family Dynamics - Thanx For Adding The Comments

      Cheers

      Delete
  18. I am really smiling from ear to ear reading this entry. Love your writing and photos as well.
    Have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much Appreciated And Super Pleased With Your Smiles

      Cheers

      Delete
  19. You are really finding those riding legs. Isn't it a great feeling when your fitness responds in a big way? Today, a former Grand Tour stage winner asked me to ride with him while he's in town. Oh my - that's a bit intimidating but I bet that he's happy to ride slowly these days...

    You are such a cook! Your Thanksgiving feast was making my mouth water.

    Keep on pedaling. I know that I will. I have a new fat bike with gargantuan rims and tires - and I'm loving it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Would Have Loved To Have Been A Fly On Your Handlebar!! I Have Dreamed Of Riding With A Tour Ride, Let Alone A Stage Winner. And Of Course I Took The Victory By A Tire. HHHHEEEEeeeeee HHHHEEEEEeeeee

    The Weber Smoker Did All The Work

    Great News Regarding That Fat Bike Upgrade. Looking Forward To Some Photos Soon.

    Big Hugs KB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oops - missed the R on that one - Tour Rider

      Cheers

      Delete
  21. Wow! That Thanksgiving food looks and sounds amazing! And sushi in the same post. Now I am hungry! You needed to ride all those bike miles to burn off some calories! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fabulous post...really mad me smile😊...and the food looks absolutely delicious!!
    You're putting me to shame... I'm up from the sofa and off to work out now!!! Lol

    Cheers 👍👍

    PS/ Many thanks for your visit. It was much appreciated!😊😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its Actually Kind Of Funny , All Of My Indoor Photos Contain Food - You Would Think That I Was 500 Pounds - Thanx For Your Positive Comment

      Cheers

      Delete
  23. Killing me with all that tasty food, now I want to go back and redo Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No Need To Redo, The X-Mas Holidays Are Right Around The Corner

      Cheers

      Delete
  24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete