Waking up today was weird. Usually there's a hustle and bustle of riders packing their bags and eating. I was getting ready with only 5 or so other riders because the majority of the team were 30 miles away on their way up Mount Evans. It was a quiet morning.

As I was packing the trailer I got a call from Mike:

"Hey Rob....Wanna come bring us your bike? Trent's is making a horrible noise and we don't think it's a good idea to go up a mountain with a funky sounding bike"

I agreed. Ariel and I packed my bike into the minivan and made the journey out to Idaho Springs. We had to ask several people for directions. I knew we had to head west into the mountains but beyond that we were flying blind. At one point I pulled up to a couple at a golf course to ask where to go. I approached the situation with a Texas "Howdy!". They responded with a giggle.

Eventually we made it to Idaho Springs and made the bike exchange with Trent.

We made our way down to Boulder stopping at a scenic overlook near Buffalo Bill's grave.

We usually have a Travel Binder in each van but for some reason they were both in the big van. We had to find our own way into Boulder. No big deal - strangers are always very willing to give directions. I know I like to give directions in my city.

Apparently the ride for the rest of the team (the 35 mile route) was pretty scary. They left Denver at 8 am - city rush hour.

The rest of the day was spent lounging around the church (Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church). We made a little trip down to Pearl Street in Boulder. Pearl Street is sort of like Guadalupe in Austin- except way nicer. And more tourist-y. Ariel and I spent most of our time in a toy store called Into the Wind. They had every kind of knick knack, kite, puzzle, marble and wind up toy you can imagine. It was a slightly more interesting Toy Joy (in Austin). Imagine a Toy Joy that you might actually purchase something from.....

We also bought a caramel apple. It had chocolate on it. It was called an Almond Bear

While we were driving back we got a call from the Mountain Men (and women). They had reached the top but were snow bound at Echo Lodge. We unpacked the trailer and sent Katherine and a local to pick them up and drive them home. It was an hour and a half drive to get them. Obviously they were still quite far out still. This was at 6 pm so it would have been getting dark for them on the ride home. They didn't get back until a little after 10pm. At this point I want to direct you to someone else's blog about The Challenge. I wasn't there.... Trent said he'd write about it.

Dinner was prepared by the parish members. Delicious lasagna, spaghetti, bell pepper salad. Oh and garlic bread with cheese on it.

A pretty relaxing day for me. Boulder is a pretty cool town. I was going to go to CU before I got into UT. I don't think I would have hated it here...