Day Thirty Nine - A Few Slices of Heaven

The last three days have been big, fat slices of heaven. With whipped cream on top. And cinnamon-sugar. And a cherry, even.

Tuesday was a 5-mile Apex on a cool Colorado day.

Wednesday I brought my mom out on the trail with Bill and the rambunctious Smoky, Thumper, and Firecracker. Mom got a big kick out of all of the animals, did great climbing the hills, learned how to drive from behind, and even did some downhill! She was super-excited afterwards. “I finally understand,” she said solemnly, but with an ear-to-ear grin. She had begun to understand the magic of the human-burro relationship.

Good morning, goats and Scottish Highland Steer!

Rounding up the burros.

Horse: "I want to come for a jog, too!" Me: "What funny, short ears you have!"

Llamas! Do you see the baby?

REINDEER! Bill has 12.

In the words of the rapper Juvenile, "Got it from her Mama."

Coach Bill and his Trainee.

And Thursday? We (humans: Curtis, Richard, Jim, Brad, Amber and I... long-ears: McMurphy, Maasai, Willy, Jewel, and Full-Tilt Boogie) scaled the top of Mosquito Pass in freezing rain. Yep. From the Leadville side we crossed switchbacks and climbed dirt trails and reached the top of the Pass of Frozen Death - over 13,000 feet in elevation. And got down alive. It was amazing.

Amber and Jewel in front of some mine tailings.

Here's the crew!

We made it! Bethany and Willy

The Boyz... McMurph and Willy.

 Curtis and his crazy ass, Full-Tilt Boogie.

Today and tomorrow I rest. And then... the drumroll. For Sunday.

The race starts on Sunday, July 25 at 10:30 am on Front Street in Fairplay, CO. Show up and be loud - I promise you'll be glad you made the trip.