14ers or bust!

There are 54 'Fourteeners' in Colorado. Most Coloradoans I assume do not even know what a fourteener is let alone that there are 54 of them in our state. Well, for those of you in my audience, (that would be you mom) I'll tell you what a fourteener is. A fourteener is a mountain that exceeds the elevation of 14,000 feet above sea level, not that you needed an explanation but in case you did, now you know.

I hiked my first 14er when I was in Eighth grade, about 13 years old or so, and I did so whining all the way. But after I made it to the summit, it changed me and a seed was planted. Not to mentioned that I went flying down the crag and biffed it good. Thanks dad, I climbed this mountain and all I got was this stupid shirt... I mean gash going down my leg. So anyway, like I said a seed was planted or at least I was scarred for life.

I made my next attempt at hiking another fourteener, shortly after Mt. Bierstadt, with my Uncle Gary and cousin and we failed miserably. We made it to the boulder field of Long's Peak and decided to head back due to weather and the fact that my younger cousin John almost blew off the mountain. Thank you Lord that he did not and thank you for the quick reflexes to grab him before he plunged  down the side of the mountain. Ever eaten raviolis with a stick? Good stuff, you should try it.

I returned to the mountain that started it all, about 6 years and 80 pounds later, and I did not make it to the top. I did not have it in me. I was more interested in the ride up with the person I was with. No, it was not a girl. I was with a world renowned conductor and band director, Dr. Ken Singleton. It was intriguing to spend time with a man who was so knowledgeable about music. Here was a man who when I first met him was grossly overweight. But by this time, a dream to climb the Himalayas had motivated him to shed major weight and get into shape. He had impressed me so that I felt I needed some face time with him. Unfortunately, I could not keep up with him and I gave up at the infamous willows. But I got my time with him none the less. Another seed was planted.

So, time has come and gone since those experiences but the desire and dream to be outdoors has not left me. 

Last summer my wife and I took up hiking. We started easy, we chose Devil's Head. (I say that tooth and cheek because it damned near did us in) Here we were, ready to conquer The Head, 2 kids strapped to us, greener than grass. Well, we made it. Here's the thing, the fire was sparked. We hiked solid for about 3 or 4 months and then we wussed out after Thanksgiving due to the cold. 

Well, we're back at it and I do it with the Summer Camp too. And I realized, I have this dream, and here it is. I want to climb all 54 fourteener's. I have 1 down, only 53 to go. I am getting into fairly good shape and I have a plethora of people around me that are interested in that kind of thing. So I bought this killer book by this dude, I forget his name, and I am getting excited.

I will keep you updated to my plight, but I plan to hike/climb all 54 fourteeners within the next 3 years. Even if it takes me 5, 10, or forever, I'll do it and joyfully to be amongst my Maker's creation. Draw me near thee Lord.

And there you have it. Blessings!