10.22.26 When in Rome...

 

     When in Boulder you do Boulder things. Since we are less than an hour from the Rocky Mountain National Park Theresa wanted to see it so see it we did. The roads from Boulder to the entrance to the park took us through some cute foothills type towns which were a mix of lodging, restaurants, outfitters, and souvenir shops. The largest, and closest town was Estes Park, and it was worth the stop.

     We first stopped at Lake Estes, a 185-acre reservoir in the center of town. What caught my eye was how the low the water level was. A quick check on the website showed it was at 7,481 feet, which is at 76.2% capacity. It's a body of water known for its brown and rainbow trout and tiger muskies. We found some people fishing and I stopped to see how it was going.

     At first I thought they were just spin fishing but a closer look enlightened me to what spin fishermen up here do when they don't want to, or can't reach, the fish with a fly rod. They use what they call is a water bubble with a fly hung off it as the bait. 

     Basically it's a bobber half filled with water that they strip and retrieve across the water's surface. The tailing fly I guess rises and sinks with that action. During my time there I did see rises across the surface of the bathtub that had been formed by the low water. The bugs were tiny, maybe some top of baetis or, as she called them above, blue olive winged. 

     Later in the day after we climbed the summit of some mountain I stopped and grabbed this pic of some guys giving it a go in some very skinny water. That water above is the Big Thompson River which doesn't look too big these days. The Thompson begins high in the Rocky Mountain National Park and ends at Lake Estes where it's dammed up by the Olympus Dam. 

     But back to the morning. So after we said our good byes to the lady anglers we went to turn around before getting onto the main road into town. It was there that I saw what I thought was a replica from the Hartford Insurance Company elk erected next to the footpath behind the town's firehouse. But no, this thing was breathing.

     I got out to see if I could get a good picture with my iPhone but I had to settle for one from a safe distance, which came out low quality. When I get back home and after I figure out the new-to-me truck thing I'm putting a new camera on my Christmas list. I miss not having a quality point and shoot camera that shoots RAW with an optical zoom. 

     The Canon Powershot series cameras were always my favorite but these days a new G7 X Mark III off the shelf will set you back about $1,000. But, they take stupid good photos and I wouldn't have to put myself in harms way to get them. It would be great to catch those tailing redfish back in the Lowcountry, if I could even find one. But back to our adventure.

     Now we may not have seemed like some of the hard core folks we saw at the outpost right outside the parks' gate but we were there and ready to do it.  

     While others opted to purchase more serious hiking replenishments, like above, we ordered a turkey and swiss on rye, a Diet Coke, a Hershey's bar with almonds (dark chocolate because it's healthier), and a box of little cheese sandwich crackers which we dined on as we drove up the mountain range. 

     We did stop and take some nice photos on the way up and back down. For those that are in the know the sun hits these peaks and valleys at different times during the day and several people were out on a mission to catch such and such mountain during the morning or afternoon. 

     So basically the Rocky Mountain National Park is a place for the tourist, the casual walker, and the hard core hikers and mountain climbers. At the entrance, where we paid the $30 fee, they gave us a map and explained what the park had to offer after getting the vibe of what we wanted to see, and how hard we wanted to work to see it. Well, we explained, we were here for a wedding and left our hard core mountain climbing stuff back home, as evidenced by the Timbs on my feet. 

     The end of our upward climb, well drive, took us to the Tundra Communities Trail which sits at 11,743 feet above sea level. So remember, the Lowcountry is 20 feet above, New Jersey about 250 feet, Boulder 5,300 feet, and the mountains Theresa's taking pictures of sit at over 14,000 feet. 

     Longs Peak is the highest "fourteener" which is the highest of the parks 14'ers, or peaks over 14,000 feet. The climb takes about 10-15 hours to complete and rises about 5,200 feet from where you start. Again, if I didn't just have my wedding Timberlands on, and we grabbed some Liquid IV, we may have given it a shot. But truthfully, at the height where we stopped, just the walk from the parking area to where Theresa stood was enough for us.

     A quick check on the old pulse oximeter when we got back to the truck showed why I was a tad winded. O2 sats in the 80's gets you intubated back closer to sea level. And what's funny is my heart rate, which is always on the slow side, barely broke 100. You would think it would be tacking away trying to get whatever oxygen I had in my blood around my body with some urgency. 

     At one of the pull offs someone had built a snowman so we stopped for a quick pic. This might be the last snow we see for 2026 and maybe even for 2027. I have to say I'm good taking off a year or two from the cold and the snow. And while we're saying we're planting our feet down south for 

winter we're already getting tempted by the invitations to visit over the holidays that happen during the winter months. But visiting cold is far different than living in the cold. 

     The trip down was as easy as the trip up. Um, we were driving. There were spectacular views as we made our way down a few thousand feet to check out some other areas of the park. At one point there were a bunch of cars pulled over so we joined them to see what was going on. 

     Well there were a few moose off in the distance feeding but the above picture was the best we could get. Yet another reason why I need a new camera. So in the end I came short of seeing a grand slam, or three different kinds of Rocky Mountain National Park animals. We saw the Rocky Mountain elk and moose, but couldn't find any Bighorn sheep or American black bears.

     We called it a mid-afternoon day and on our way through Estes Park the elk were out on the golf course that borders the reservoir. They are a common sight in town, sometimes even along Elkhound Avenue, aka Main Street, I'm told. I made my way as close as I could to get a good 

picture, although he's heading away from me, before some local lady screamed "Get away from them". Trust me, I was like 150 feet away. 

     We made it back down the mountains just in time for a late afternoon nap. Last night started the wedding get togethers before the big night on Friday. We didn't want to go empty handed so I left Theresa and went out on a mission. I wanted to get something good from one of the better known bakeries in Boulder. I had Googled it for some help and Boulder Baked came up a few different ways.

     I went in and it looked like more of a baked goods and coffee house then a bakery that I was used to back in Newark or Trenton. I looked around before asking if they had any cakes for sale. She answered yes, and then said, "They're $69.95 each". I was shocked but I asked for more thinking for that price they must be a sheet or wedding cake. "No, they're 9 inch cakes, that feed 12-15 people", she explained. I'm thinking I could put a good dent into a nine-inch cake by myself, maybe that's why people around here are so fit and trim. 

     So, for me, Boulder, is a great place to visit. If you're not a student or employed by the college, it's a great base camp place for the outdoorsy kind of people. During my drive, which was timed around the busy and heavy rush hour traffic, I saw similarities to what's going on around everywhere I've traveled in the last few months, including our new home in South Carolina. Too many people, too much traffic, too many "grey boxes", like overdevelopment, and way too expensive. And that's from Florida, to the Adirondacks, to New Jersey, and the Lowcountry. And most of those places seem to be full of transplants which change the face and culture of the people who once called those places home. It's hard to find locals anymore.

     During my drive around the NoBo, or the North of Broadway neighborhood, in search of a pie and a bottle of wine, I found the hub of the down and out at Broadway Street and Front Range Drive. It's here between the hours of 5-7 pm people can go and attempt to get a one night stay at the homeless shelter before getting hooked up with social services. 

     Boulder, like other cities or populated areas,  is a mix of the haves and have nots. It wasn't uncommon for me to see Moms pushing strollers or young yuppie types taking a run or a bike ride amongst people loitering or pushing shopping carts in and around the newly developed neighborhoods. Before we arrived the NY Post published an article on October 18th titled, "Picturesque college town in the Rockies is one of America's most dangerous: study". The University of Colorado, Boulder, came in a close second to the most dangerous college town in the United States, which is LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2024, The University of Colorado, Boulder, reported one in five female students were sexually assaulted. That put it second amongst colleges in America, with 96 rapes reported in 2024. 

 

     And while all the things I talked above happen and exist anywhere, even amongst the beauty, back home I read about yet another major accident that happened near our new home. The bubble of Sun City sits along Okatie Highway (170), Fording Road (278), and Argent Boulevard. These roads are extremely busy during the morning and evening rush hour commutes, with a lot of traffic finding it's way to lesser traveled roadways leading to Savannah, Hilton Head, and Old Town Bluffton. And we're talking traffic outside of the busy tourist seasons. 

     Well yesterday after there was another fatal accident not far from home that shut down traffic for 5-7 hours depending on where you were or were heading. These days, no matter where you are, traffic, and bad drivers seem to be everywhere. It tells me the infastructure can't keep up with the over development that is occurring everywhere. These days people don't want, or can't afford, single family homes on their own lots so they get sucked in to the new and shiny grey boxes of condos, townhouses, and or apartments. 

     People are stacked on top of each other falling for the chance to have a new all-white kitchen with stainless steel appliances and LVP floors. Add to that a community building with a pool and a gym with a low HOA and they're all in. But they all drive. They, if it's not a 55 and over, have kids, that need schools and recreational facilities. Most people have to work, and work isn't always close to home. And they all have to shop, mostly at the same time. And for fun they'd like to hit the beach, or like out here, the mountains. The roads can't handle it all, even if you widen them, they eventually will come down to one lane, somewhere. And if there's an accident on a two-lane road, forget it, it backs up for miles, even into other states. 

     It seems like no where is safe from us humans anymore. We're all moving away and invading other people's, and animals, turf, and the places were moving from are being backfilled with people leaving their places. It's no wonder that even in a place like Estes Park, at 7,500 feet 

above sea level, herds of elk walk the back nine like someone came and took over their neighborhood. There's no where to escape to anymore. Not from people, not from animals, not from traffic, not from the expense, and not from technology. Somebody better get to changing things pretty quickly or we're gonna ruin this place for generations to come, if we haven't done so already.

10.21.26 Touched down in Boulder, Colorado...

     Here we go again, laying our head in yet another strange bed. We're now sitting up high in Boulder, Colorado for the just- about the last leg of a very busy travel October, and 2026. I can share the sentiment we both have, "We just want to go home", and stay there. 

     We had an uneventful travel to, get through, get on, and flying experience which is always good for the nerves and the blood pressure. The only thing that got my heart rate and left ventricle stressed was checking in our checked bag, which, of course came in slightly over weight.

     And by slightly I mean it weighed 65 pounds, fifteen over. We weighed it at my parents house and it made weight at 48 pounds and then Theresa thought she could "just add a few more things"....

     As we approached Denver Airport I could see the vast expense of land around the area. Many times, with airports and stadiums, they are named for the closest and largest city they are near, but are really in some podunk town. Example, we had Trenton-Mercer Airport in our backyard but it was really entirely in Ewing, New Jersey. 

     If you look at Denver International Airport and it's location to Denver city it's a little confusing. Well in 1988 Denver annexed it's borders by "taking over", if you will, the land that was Adams County to incorporate the airport inside the city limits. So Denver became bigger and in 1995 the new airport was in operation. To note, DIA is 23 miles from downtown Denver.  

     Destination weddings, or travel in general, takes time and planning, unless you just got it like that and the expense doesn't matter. Flights, checked bags or not, picking your seat (Theresa and I sat 20 rows apart), lodging, and car rental all call for internet sleuthing to get the most value for your money. It can be frustrating, and eye opening. For some it's not worth the time and effort, but for me the thought of not getting the best deal irks me to no end. Why pay more for the same thing?

     So when it came to the car rental I searched through the discount sites, the car rental places them selves, Costco, Sam's Club, AAA, and AARP. Well AARP had the best offer, but it came with a thing. That thing would be you'd roll the dice on a mystery car. You get what you get and you don't get upset. It's listed as "Special, Special".

     After we landed, got our luggage, and took the shuttle to car rental row, we stood there and talked with the lady who explained "Special, Special" in greater detail. Basically, the car rental places have cars, a lot of them. Some are more popular than others, which means they won't always have a said model available, while others are just sitting there. So, for a discount, renters, like us, roll in, and then roll out with what they give you the keys for. The lady said she's seen young couples drive off with a 12 passenger van, because that was the "Special, Special" of the day. That sounds very NFL play call like, and we're in Denver.

     So the vehicle of the day, was "a pickup". Now you know me and my pursuit for a new pickup, it's never-ending, and never will be. While new is always nice, but not always better, the costs of new are exhorbitant these days. Like $60,000 plus for a new one off the lot, or a $500 a month lease payment. No thank you.

     And you know my go-to dream pick up. A white Chevy Silverado, 4x4 of course, for towing those boats around one day. Now I don't know if it was the truck Gods or someone wanting to rub it in my face but when we got to space D19 there she was. 

     A white 2026 Chevy Silverado 4x4 with almost no miles on it. Crew cab. Short bed. Pretty much a basic version, which is what I want. It drove on the highway like a luxury car, around town, well, it's not an around the town, like downtown Boulder, kinda vehicle. But it's really nice and will be fun for the next few days. At least we didn't get the Ford Ecoline 12 seater, although that may have helped out with the wedding.

     

     Boulder is a 100% college town, like more of a college town than I have ever seen. We walked around and came up with a Princeton/New Brunswick (Rutgers)/Cape May vibe. Boulder is one of the most liberal and progressive cities in all of Colorado but we didn't see that or feel weirded out. Remember, we moved to South Carolina, which is a very conservative state, and we don't see or get weirded out down there either. To be honest, we saw more political and social agenda shit when we lived in New Jersey. Now, a young lady did approach us asking us if we would like to support closing ICE detention camps, which we politely declined. 

     By chance we hit a place called The Sink for lunch in the heart of the college area. Oh, that picture above is from the Pearl Street Mall, similar to the Washington Street Mall in Cape May. The road is closed for a few blocks and it's pedestrian only. But The Sink is on 13th Street and by luck Tuesday was 50% off pizza, so that's what I did, while Theresa had a local beef burger. 

     We've eaten so much pizza in the last month I feel like Dave Portnoy from his "One bite everybody knows the rules" pizza reviews. That pizza above, off the charts. That crust is hollow inside, and crispy, and on top is honey, goat cheese, apple, and arugula. While I enjoyed the 50% off, it goes for $27.50 regular, a little pricey I think for starving college kids. But as we looked around this place is pretty bougie, although we did see our share of down and outers on the side streets and on the outskirts of town.

     And then there's the whole "Mile high" thing. No, not having sex on the plane, but the altitude where these Colorado cities sit. New Jersey sits at average about 240 feet above sea level, Boulder, 5,450 feet. That means the air is thinner due to the lower atmospheric pressure. So with each breath you get about 20% less oxygen molecules then you would at sea level, like in New Jersey, again 240 feet, and now for us, Bluffton, the Lowcountry, which is 20 feet above sea level.

     Now I know my lung health isn't the best and I was waiting to see if I would be affected by the altitude of where we were. We went through the day and as soon as we checked into the Airbnb I hit the couch for a nap. I was beat. Even after I woke up and we headed out I wasn't short of breath, but was feeling off, like an early flu feeling, and tired. 

     Normally on a pulse oximeter I sit at 95-96% at a heart rate around 60. Not that it's alarming but I was holding onto a little less oxygen and my heart was ticking a tad higher to compensate for it. They say it takes 24-48 hours for your body to adjust so that'll put me in prime lung shape for the dance floor at the wedding on Friday night. 

     Today we'll hit somewhere and maybe even test the lungs on a hike after we drive to the top of some mountain. There's a few fly shops in Boulder and I'll swing by and take a look. I started my day at 5 am at Dunkin' Donuts getting Theresa and I some coffee. Last night I Googled "Best bagels in Boulder" and the top place that popped up is just at the end of the block where we are staying. Fleishmen's Bagel and Delicatessen brings the, "authentic flavors of New York to the 

discerning palates of Colorado" with their  New York style bagels. The only big difference between a New York bagel joint and this one here in Colorado, it opens at 9am. By 9am most of the bagel places I know have already sold out their first round of bagels and the next batches are coming out of the oven. Maybe they're late risers here in Boulder, or the lower oxygen levels affect the dough, or the staff, at first light.  

10.20.26 Felt good to finally hit a Jersey Shore beach....

     It was a day before we headed to Colorado. My parents had left for a trip to North Carolina, Theresa wanted to have a down day, so that left me to do what I wanted. And of course that would be to hit the beach. The question would be where?

     From home base in Manalapan I figured I could go one of three ways. Down 33 to Asbury. Down 537 to Long Branch. Or snake through Monmouth County to get to The Hook. Sandy Hook always is one of my favorite early fall spots, especially when it's big fish first. So after the 45 

minute drive I was pulling into Lot C. It was about mid-flood tide and the water looked good but there wasn't much for bird life in close or out far. Usually when the action builds it either starts out aways or up the beach. Today there was neither. But it's early, or just before, the fall run. 

     I decided that I was going to pick one spot and just fish it. No jumping around without wetting a line. When it's early in the fall blind casting can be productive and even though that kills me I went with it. And if you look at the photo below then you know the excitement that builds in your gut as you approach the first steps. And then as you get to the top you're either thrilled with what you see, or you're disappointed. Today I was just happy to be there. 

     When I got down to the sand there wasn't much showing. There was about 2 hours left until high with a NE wind from 10-15 mph and a pretty good swell that had the waves breaking at the bar creating nice white water. I was happy when I looked south the birds were up and they stayed up the whole time I was there. 

     The birds were working the water where the waves broke on the bar, mostly dipping and diving down into the troughs of the breaking waves. I couldn't see what bait they were on but the birds were a mix of gulls and cormorants. I did see one explosion out beyond them and that could have been a dolphin or a bluefin, or a very large bass. If you click on either photo you can see just how many birds were in the mix. 

     I walked back and forth keeping the birds in front of me blind casting as I went. There was a pretty good right to left sweep so most of casts went south in order to retrieve them back in a straight line in front of me, otherwise the wave action would have had my fly and line behind me to my left. I stayed upright for about two hours before just grabbing a seat and taking in the nice wether and smell of the ocean. Even when the tide went slack the birds, and whatever fish were underneath them, none I suppose, ever came in. So I called it a day.

     My stomach was starting to growl and I wasn't sure what I was going to put in it. McDonald's, no thanks. Bagel Talk- no late. Brennan's- not that hungry. What about The Windmill? Perfect. As I drove south on Ocean Avenue I got a glimpse of the new additions to the concrete jungle that is the new Jersey Shore.

     Development, well over development, is like AI these days, you can't fight it. But it's a shame that these are clouding the views, the smells, and the winds, that are a part of the experience of driving around the Jersey Shore. And as far as accessibility for "normal" folk? Forget it, these are for the rich and famous.

     The Windmill looked the same as it ever has which is comforting in its own right. Inside I was helped by the day staff, which isn't really different than the night staff. Let me say, well I hate to say it, the last half a dozen or so times I've been at The Windmill, regardless of the location, the staff appears to be coming off a bender, are under the influence, or on their way back from being down and out. Not all of them, but enough of them. Today was no different. A quick urine test would have confirmed my suspicions. I say that all without judgment, but the whole scene is a little slimy.

     I ordered a well done dog with mustard, kraut, and relish. Now I remember the dogs always being bigger than the bun but this seemed way out of proportion. And the way the server lined it up on the bun called for additional training. And worst yet was the price, $6.66, forget it. With us getting on a plane tomorrow I didn't want bad ju-ju following me, so I added the $3 soda. 

     I swallowed it before I got to the Red Church and pulled into a few familiar haunts. Each one of them was the same snapshot of the day, a beautiful scene along the Jersey Shore, that's it. But it was nice to stop and reminisce about good times, and fish, I had at each of them. 

     When I went on Facebook there were enough posts from the local tackle shops up and down Monmouth and Ocean County to confirm the big fish are here, and yes, even on the beach. Matt Rooney confirmed that to me the other day and Dwayne Tracy Sr. did it yesterday morning, spot unknown. 

     This morning we're boarding our flight to Colorado and I'm looking forward to seeing our friends who are already out there. But truth be told, I'm tired of being on the run. We feel like we're in the Witness Protection Program and waiting for our permanent new home assignment. Hopefully after the nuclear stress test on Monday we'll be free and clear to leave at 0-dark thirty on Tuesday the 27th. 

It's time to get out and fish, reports or not.