There Are Two Weeks of Summer Left

Our “two weeks of summer” is almost over and that can mean only one thing – time to go for a hike before the trails are covered with snow. Living in the mountains we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor activities: mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing and poker. The easiest activity for any of us is probably hiking. You only need to put on some boots or sneakers, grab a water bottle and a power bar, and head out the back door into the National Forrest for a hike in the woods and meadows. It sounds simple, and for some folks it is simple. For me, it isn’t so easy…

I have a few complicating factors working against me when I want to go hiking. First of all, I have two dogs that LOVE to run around the woods. Unfortunately they also like to slam into me and whoever else is with me just so we know that they’re there and we don’t forget to give them snacks along the way. I’ve nicked-named them “Seek” and “Destroy”. No matter where you are on the trail and how far afield they’ve gotten, they’ll find you, like some satellite guided missile, and do their best to run you over. I love’m, but they sure are annoying on a hike. You’re probably saying “So, leave them at home!” I would, but then they get really ticked-off and crap in the house to express their displeasure with me for not taking them on the hike. I hate the smell of dog crap in the morning. So we have an understanding – I take them with me on my hikes and they don’t crap in the house. So far it has been a very pleasant two weeks of summer.

Further complicating matters is the fact that I see every hike as an opportunity to scout for the upcoming deer and elk hunting seasons. Loving my creature comforts like I do (warm shower, warm bed, hot coffee in the morning) I’ve opted to hunt in Unit 38 (Gilpin County) again this year. As much as I’d love to set up a hunting camp far off in the woods for a week, I figure I’ve got it pretty good living IN the Unit I’m hunting, so why not enjoy the comforts of home AND hunt out the backdoor. SO… since I’m hunting out my backdoor, that means that every hike IS a scouting trip, which means that I don’t bring just a water bottle and Powerbar, I bring the 10 Essentials and then some. [Remember kids, ALWAYS bring the 10 Essentials (pocket knife, first aid kit, extra clothes, flashlight with extra batteries, full water bottle, map/compass, matches, hat/sunglasses, food, good common sense) whenever you’re going “into the wild” for more than an hour or a few miles.] In addition to all the “required” stuff, I have my GPS, my cell phone, my binoculars, a Crazy Creek chair, dog biscuits, extra water for the dogs, etc. The upside of all this extra stuff is that it helps me get in shape for hunting season – when I carry all the extra stuff for my kids.

Finally, the last and most annoying hindrance to get out hiking is all the other stuff I want or have to do. Fly fishing and cutting firewood are the two biggest. Considering the cost of oil and where its going, I figure I’m going need about 14 cords of wood to heat the house this winter. Kind of sad that I spend all of my winter looking forward to the summer, only to spend most of my summer getting ready for another long winter. Grrr.

Its All Coming Back to me Now (Vegas Part Deux)

Let’s see, where was I… Las Vegas, bender, play date, older, wiser, work, poker… OH YEAH! Now I remember! I was playing poker at the Venetian - $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em. [If you missed last week’s piece, you’ll need to go back and read it before going any further. Why? Because I can’t remember everything I wrote last week and explain it all over again just for you, that’s why. You think I keep a copy of everything I write? Ha! A lot you know. As soon as I finish my weekly article, with minutes to spare before the deadline, I quickly scan it for typpos and email as fast as I can to my editor/publisher. Then I delete the file, burn all my notes, and pour a shot of whiskey to celebrate my little victory.]

So there I was, sitting at a poker table in the Venetian wondering how I got there… Hours before arriving in the casino I’d made the rounds at the industry parties hosted at the Tao nightclub. I do mean parties, plural. You see, when I arrived at Tao (THE hottest nightclub on the strip… when someone else besides the techno-geeks are in town) I somehow managed to get in line for the Asian-Pacific Sales Team party. Despite not having the proper credentials to get into the party, the bouncer stamped my hand and let me in. Guess my bulging muscles intimidated the 6’6” 300 pound sumo wrestler-looking dude. Or he just didn’t care who got in the party, even if everyone else in line was Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Taiwanese. When I arrived at the (open) bar I did wonder why I was the only guy over six feet tall and I wondered where the rest of my “crew” was hanging out. After a few shots of whiskey I didn’t care and settled into a nice lounge chair along the side of the pool to wait for my coworkers. My phone rang – it was my boss asking where I was. “I’m at the party” I replied. “Which one? There’s four of them tonight” was his response. Hmmm. Good question. I wandered back toward the stairwell to see I could unravel this mystery. As look would have it, I’d somehow missed the big 6’x8’ banner at the top of the stairs that said “Welcome Asia-Pacific Team Members.” Without skipping I beat I downed the rest of my whiskey and headed down the stairs looking for the right party.

On the third floor of the nightclub (there are four floors, including the rooftop pool) I found my boss and another open bar. After a few Stoli and Redbulls I was in my happy place, which is to say I was feeling no pain and didn’t care if I was at the right party or the wrong party. James Belushi, brother of the late, great Jim Belushi, was the entertainment for the night. He and his band played great renditions of all the blues classics… none of which I know by name, I just know they sound good. Other folks were in their happy places too, as evidenced by the number of ladies James convinced to dance on stage with him… and dance on tables, chairs, pretty much anywhere they could get away with it. This was shaping up to be a great party, so I left. I forgot to eat dinner before I got to the club and I was pretty hungry.

I made my way down to the third floor and found the dinner party that was part of the drinking party on the third floor. It was really a buffet, but I didn’t protest. I got in line, filled my plate with all kinds of rice, chicken, dumplings, etc. and made my way to the nearest table. A waiter stopped by to get my drink order (more Stoli and Redbull!) while I dove into my plate. A few bites into my meal I noticed that there were other people at the table, all staring at my plate. “Where did you get that?” someone asked. “Um (chew chew) over there, around (chew, swallow) the corner” I replied. I quickly realized that I’d taken a spot at the table without introducing myself or bothering to ask if they would have me join them. I did introduce myself to three fellas from the UK, one of whom was from Manchester, the birthplace of my maternal grandmother. As soon as I professed a love for European football (known in America as “soccer”) all was forgiven and I spent the next hour talking with them about the European Cup, World Cup, and the Olympics… as well as plugging my company’s products.

I soon realized that it was later than I thought and if I wanted to play any poker before flying home the next day I’d better get to the casino soon. I exchanged business cards with the three gentlemen and wished them all good luck at the blackjack tables, their game of choice. Despite the abundance of free drinks I’d consumed that evening I felt pretty good. Living over 9,000 feet definitely helps when you visit the lowlands… and so does weighing over 200 pounds. I was ready for some poker!

To make a long story short, and not bore 99.9% of you with all the details of my poker hands, I left the poker table 7 hours after I sat down with just over twice the money I started with. Nothing spectacular, but pretty good in my book for a Vegas poker rookie. Perhaps I’ll get back to Vegas before another twelve years goes by.