Sitting in Trimble Hot Springs outside Durango, I examined the many cuts, scrapes and bruises that had overtaken my arms and legs like body art on a Hell’s Angel. I nursed a cold beer, and feeling sheer exhaustion seep from my pores, gave myself the proverbial pat on the back at having completed the roughly 40-mile mountain bike ride from Telluride (top of Lizard Head Pass, to be precise).

Telluride: Celebrating a little bit of everything and even Nothing.

I couldn’t believe it. Had we really skied five runs already? Where had the day gone? The heli settled into the LZ, our now familiar little niche high in Governor’s Basin, and we made our methodical exit, crouching and huddling alongside the chopper’s exterior as it lifted back into the sky. A spray of rotor wash whirled with it, followed closely by the quiet of the backcountry as it peeled away, out of sight. Clicking into our skis and adjusting our packs, we traversed out into the pristine powder and assessed our route for the final descent of the day. With a string of effortless and creamy runs under our belts already, we felt confident this one would be no different.

I’m sure most people across the country love the Fourth of July. It’s a tough holiday not to love with all the usual festivities it brings to the table (pyrotechnics, frozen novelties, BBQs, etc.). But in my opinion, Telluride happens to be one of the best places to rejoice our nation’s independence…especially if you have kids.

Girls Night Out! It's an exciting day in off-season when Honga's re-opens from its semi-annual deep cleaning shut-down. My girlfriends and I start calling around, should we meet at Honga's for a mojito and roll? When? Okay, Friday, it is. We joyfully leave work and almost skip down the street in anticipation of good food, great mojitos and inspiring girl talk. Honga's never fails to deliver.

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