Focus on the Saves

Tied to a pole and surrounded by water, the lone pit bull mix stood proud while eagerly looking at the people. Scattered in the stagnant waters, bloated and lifeless, humans floated face down. Nanette focused on the dog. Its fate was gloomy and she noticed others while out on the waters with the National Guard.

"We'll come back and get the dogs," said the National Guardsman to Nanette.

He lied.

K9 Veteran's Day

 

Thank You!

Officer Richard Cranium

"Do you know why I stopped you?" asked the officer after boldly announcing that he is on the Traffic Team.

"Nope," was my simple reply that apparently struck a nerve with Officer Richard Cranium.

Moustache Unplugged #33

"Are you kidding me!" I bark.

"Huh? Did it hit?" he replies while pretending to act dumbfounded.

Hello

Hello, it's me.  Although I've been quiet for awhile, don't think that you are forgotten. 

That'd Be Nice

I just checked my powerball numbers for the $1.6 billion jackpot.  I didn't win.

Bummer.

Justice for Junior?

The setting sun, swallowed by gray, low clouds on a misty July evening, turns the trailer park dark. Burning marijuana, along with frying chicken and spilled motor oil, wafts amongst the trailers. Loud televisions, louder voices and cheap aluminum doors being slammed jolts Junior. 

He's only eight months old.

Dr. Dirt

Grumbling, I wiggle and stomp my feet into filthy, dirt encrusted sneakers while questioning my intent for a trail run.  Mud chunks slab off the uppers like glaciers calving into the ocean.  With each step, dust and dirt fall to the ground and I'm highly annoyed by the mess that usually is ignored. For whatever reason, today I am Mr. Cranky Pants.

I Deserved It

Fresh snowfall piled heavy on limbs and smothered the ground in a thick layer of fluff.  Getting a late start, other trail users had already pounded a worn path through the powder, to include fat-tired mountain bikes.

Nature's Way

A sunny afternoon suddenly had an explosion of magpies squawking around the house.  Like a scene from some weird horror movie, they fluttered all around and I stepped outside. Black and white feathers darted in every direction and quick movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

Best Buy

What was that? Something had caught my eye out in the middle of nowhere from a poorly maintained, dusty county road. Was it a reflection from within the sagebrush choked landscape? An unnatural shape boldly standing out?  Bright colors contrasting so vividly that it brought attention to itself even through my poor color vision?  I eased over to a wide spot in the road to turn around.

Humbled

Gasping for air, I fully recognize my endurance has suffered by resting a relentless IT band issue. A racing heart compliments my rapid breathing as I console myself while gazing at the trickling mountain stream and the few remaining leaves bravely clinging to the trees.  But, I suddenly hear footsteps from behind and quickly spin.

Is that a moco?

"C'mon!  This way!" yelled the driver to his friends as they fled from the stolen BMW he wrapped around a metal traffic light pole. 

"Hurry Up!"

Howard

This blog honors dogs and the following entry from a guest writer is self explanatory. 

Howard Napping On The Sofa

Moustache Unplugged #32

hehehe...he left the computer on so I'll work on my letter...

Dear IT Bands,

You brought me to a crippling halt exactly 2 months ago where my steep descent off Hope Pass was a whopping 2 miles per hour! Google says some caterpillars move faster...how embarrassing!

Colorado's Tough Mudder 2015

"This year's Arctic Enema obstacle has changed," announced Sean Corvelle during his Tough Mudder pre-race motivational speech.  "It's more arctic," he stated with teeth flashing from his big smile. "And it's more enema," he added while all us racers nervously laughed along with him.

Massive Mania

Mount Massive is properly named, he's a bruiser. Boasting a long ridge line with five summits over 14,000 feet, he is Colorado's second highest peak with a high point of 14,429 feet above sea level. Four additional high points transforms this huge chunk of real estate into a monster and touching all nine in a day is labelled "Massive Mania."

Sounded like a fun challenge.

Poised & Ready

"Stop, police!"

He spun in the dark shadows behind the grocery store and feverishly ran from the voice. Tripping over a curb, he regained his balance as he hit the wooden fence. Splinters stabbed into his hand as he scrambled over the top and dropped hard on the other side.  Involuntarily, his legs sprinted as his brain, panic stricken from the officer's sudden appearance, wondered what he had done.

Old Goats

Summiting Colorado's tallest mountains is a curious thing.  The state boasts over 50 mountains exceeding 14,000 feet (the number varies due to different opinions of what qualifies as a 14er) and I'm always amazed how many people are out steadily putting one foot in front of the other, in thin air, to reach the pinnacle to only turn around and head downhill to return to the trail head.

2015's Leadville 100 Trail Run: Becoming a Statistic

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face,” stated former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.  While seated in a gymnasium full of runners, the Leadville 100 trail run (LT100) founder, Ken Clouber, recited the quote but added his own touch of flair to the statement.

“And the Leadville 100 will punch you in the face…lots of times!”

I felt ready for the fight.