Up the Mesa

The peaks that dominate the sky over Boulder (a sky that's incredibly clear at night, by the way -- this urban refugee is enjoying the stars immensely) are the Flatirons.  As seen here, even during a time of day that doesn't allow for crystal-clear contrasts, one can't escape their looming presence.  Such a backdrop had to be a major draw for new residents when this place went from gold rush boomtown to a sleepy & forgotten burg to a growing college town...and eventually to boomtown again.

 

My buddy and I and his energetic puppy Bodie hiked briefly around NCAR Mesa a couple of weeks ago, shortly after the upward-stabbing peaks received another coating of snow.  It was a pretty unforgettable scene for me...as much as I think they allowed the spread of development to creep too far up the sides of the range, I can completely understand why people desperately want to live there.  Maybe I'll let the pictures tell the story of seeing this place for the first time, more effectively than I can...

By the way, I love that the main road to this area is 'Table Mesa'.  Or, you know, Table Table.  Which makes sense.  It certainly would be one of my naming ideas, right after Boutros Boutros Ghali.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back East toward Greater Denver...one of my favorite aspects of any hiking on the Front Range is the way I'm reminded every time of how geographically crazy this place is.  In one direction stretch endless plains, with an oceanic horizon blend-off into eternity; in the other, confrontation by imposing jagged walls.

 

 

 

 

 

No bearded bums were actually harmed in the making of this photo.  In fact, the cactus wasn't even aware it was being taken.

 

 

 

 

It was one of those days when I couldn't help but eloquently say, "Life doesn't suck out here, does it?"