Category — General

One of the least visited National Parks has an awesome secret waiting for angler’s. There is a little section inside the Black Canyon of the Gunnison known as Red Rock Canyon.

This is not your every day pack-up and go fishing trip. To get to this little piece of fishermen’s heaven you have to take a 3.4 mile, 1330 ft. vertical descent through the canyon. The first mile is on private property, so please be respectful. Oh yeah, and be careful of the poison ivy.

There is a limited amount of permits given out each year to fish this section of the river. Permits are only available through the reservation of the lottery system. Reservation requests may be made by mail or fax from 8:00 am January 6, 2010 through 4:00 pm (MST) March 12, 2010. For more information and a Lottery application please visit this site.

Permit Limitations & Regulations

The 2010 season runs from May 21 to October 3.

Each group is limited to a maximum of 4 people.

Each group is limited to 3 consecutive user days (2 nights).

There is a limit of 8 people per day, or 3 groups, whichever fills first. Each person is limited to 8 user days per year.

One car per group is permitted at the parking area. Additional parking is available at Hwy 50/347 junction.

An entrance fee of $7.00 per person will be charged at the trailhead.

All Black Canyon wilderness regulations apply.

Part of the road and parking lot for the trailhead is located on private land. A right of access on the private land has been negotiated with the landowner. While on private property, please be respectful. No smoking is allowed on the private road.

I just got the word on these 3 new videos shot during the ramp up to the 2010 Winter Olympics by the US Ski team on their journey to Vancouver. These 3 videos give a brief taste of the speed, determination and precision needed to not only compete but win in the highly competitive world of skiing.

Unfortunately these videos are all less than 30 seconds but be reassured that Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s road to Vancouver is a documentary film commissioned by Audi of America and is scheduled to air on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. on NBC, followed by an encore showing on USA Network on Feb. 6 so you can get your fill of all of the awesome action.

Speed

Determination

Precision

This stuff gets me amped and although I am not prone to throwing support behind the auto industry. I do dig the fact that in these cash strapped times Audi is still a willing and gracious sponsor of the US Ski Team, hell without Audi this video series would not have been made possible and for that I am grateful.

Here is the last post with the full length Truth In Motion teaser and write up.

This is just plain awesome!

Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Colorado Springs, CO) might be expanding! Many residents around the park are trying to sell their land for open space purposes. Unfortunately locals are probably thinking El Paso County can’t afford to buy it all with all of the budget shortfalls facing the area. No worries though, this purchase would be done by TOPS (Trails, Open Space, and Parks). TOPS is a local committee who’s mission is to guide our city in the prudent acquisition, development and preservation of Trails, Open Space, and Parks, thereby creating a legacy for future generations in the Pikes Peak Region.

THAT ROCKS! The addition would bring the park another 120 acres, to it’s already 1600+ acres. Negotiations are still being made over the price. City Council members and the Parks Board will have sign off on the deal. The TOPS committee plans to tour the property for sale on 01/06/10 (this Wednesday). My fingers are crossed.

TOPS Working Committee’s Mission:

• Work together, in accordance with the TOPS Ordinance, to guide our City in the prudent acquisition, development and preservation of Trails, Open Space, and Parks, thereby creating a legacy for future generations in the Pikes Peak Region.

Quick Facts about TOPS:

• July 1997 Colorado Springs established the TOPS open space conservation program
• At City Council?s direction, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board created the TOPS Working Committee
• TOPS is funded through a 1/10^th of 1 percent sales tax for trails, open space and parks and expires in 2025.
• In 2003 voters approved extending the TOPS program through 2025.
• TOPS Protected Open Space Exceeds 6,178 Acres!
• TOPS has built over 32 Neighborhood Parks!
• TOPS has constructed over 46 miles of Urban Trails!

Seriously if you live in the area or are planning a trip to Colorado’s Front Range our newest state park is well worth the visit. With awesome trails and a great chance to ride/run hard during one of the many races/events held there every year which include the Xterra trail run and marathon as well as the 1st race of the PPRR winter series!

What has two thumbs and has run every single day this year???

THIS GUY!

So perhaps this is no extraordinary feat, however this is now the 5th day in a row I have run. And although I have no goal or set plan I am making an effort to run more. I have also discovered the only motivation I need is my pasty white bowl of jelly I call a belly!

Cheers, oh and I was privy to a sampling of the BACON EXPLOSION, to which there will be more info soon.

US Team Skier and Olympic Medal hopeful Lindsey Vonn suffered a bit of a scare during a giant slalom run at the World Cup yesterday. Fortunately she has reportedly only suffered severe bruising to her left arm after hitting a bump and bailing into a nasty fall.

This close to the Olympics any incident can be devastating, but this will more than likely simply wider Vonn’s eyes and further dial in her killer instinct.

Lindsey is one of the fresh faces of the sking world but this year has been marred with injuries including the infamous sliced tendon from a broken celebratory bottle of champaign. Hope she heals well and can get back out there to tear it up like we know she can!