A Typical Year?

After...

    14 Trivia questions
    21 Scheduled hikes
    72 Crossword puzzle questions
    76 Hours riding a bus
  138 Best images of the year
  158 Cups of coffee
  207 Scoops of ice cream
  244 Hiking participants
 1,377 Person-miles
 4,330 Images saved
 7,216 Images captured
23,164 Feet elevation gain

...AND despite an artic blast, sending thermometers in Denver to -14 degrees - the coldest the area has seen in decades - it was still not enough to keep 18 members of the High Country Hikers  (HCH) group home.

The event, billed as the annual 'Gathering,' provides group members, and a spouse/guest the opportunity to socialize, and have fun, without the stress of filling a bladder, or checking to insure ones pack includes the essentials, or having to climb another 100' of elevation.  The event is held each November,  at the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA).

Note: Except for the group shot, images are from hikes in 2014.

Herman Lake.

This group of active seniors, most of whom are retired, has almost 40 active (core) members and an additional 60 non-active members.  Core members...those who have hiked with the group at least two times...fill the majority of seats on the bus each week.  That leaves room for the good news.  That being new faces that continue to show up, making the HCH a more diverse, and arguably a bit younger group.  This year a dozen people registered for the first time.

Schlotzsky's Deli, located at 950 S. Abilene Street, in Aurora, catered the affair for the second straight year.  When the food arrived, no coaxing was needed to line up for lunch.

Climbing a slot in the rock face of Kruger Rock.

As attendees finished their meal, the first series of door prizes was awarded.  Then everyone settled back in their chair to view a DVD of over 130 images captured during the hiking season.  A number of those same images were enlarged and matted then given out as door prizes.

Planning committee member, Marci Smith got the mental juices flowing as she introduced a hiking trivia game.  A list of 14 hiking related trivia questions had been developed.  The initial round ended in a tie between two members.  The tiebreaker:  Name the hike destination capturing the most hits on the hiker blog since the article was published on October 23rd.  Answer:  Kruger Rock at Hermit Park, outside Estes Park.  Winner: Luisa Sandoval.

On trail overlooking the 65-145 million-year-old spine of Devil's Backbone.

Next, Penny Geise, also a committee member, challenged everyone with a 72 question hiking crossword puzzle.  This too has been a standard exercise at the event.  The puzzle developed by group member, John Tedrick, was mailed to attendees prior to the event.  Attendees did their best to complete the puzzle and brought their answers to the event to be matched against others attempts at maxing the puzzle.

The winner this year, Gary (G1) Merical, who correctly answered 68 of 72 questions.  Those who participated were reminded when they received the puzzle, that many of the answers could be found by reading articles published on the hiker blog throughout the hiking season.  The blog can be found at:  www.thecoloradohiker.blogspot.com  It is unclear if Gary referenced the blog at all, or if his extensive knowledge of the terrain and years of hiking in Colorado, adequately prepared him for the task. 

Colorado Trail north of Kenosha Pass.

A wonderful new idea was added to the program this year.  The suggestion made by committee member, Gary Merical, was to provide a SWAP table where attendees could bring a hiking related item(s), in new unused or used in good workable condition. 

Each item one brought could be swapped for another item.  Items included a Camelback, a small daypack, water bladder cleaning kit, a number of utensils, and emergency blankets.

Traditionally, each attendee at the Gathering goes home with a door prize.  Upon arrival a dual pre-numbered ticket is given.  The person retains half the other half is deposited in a container.  Tickets are randomly drawn to award door prizes.

The ACAA hiking program is supported by Recreation Assistant, Michael (Mick) Prozinsky, who provides the planning, scheduling, and other logistical elements required to make a successful program.  Mick is an avid hiker and backpacker, and has also led hikes.

Boulder Lake with the Gore Range in the background.

Over the years, hiking has been one of the more popular activities offered ACAA patrons.  The primary reason for it's popularity is the person who gets up early each Tuesday to ensure registrants have a safe and rewarding experience.

Ed Blum has been the leader/driver of the HCH group for 5 years.  Blum makes the drive from his home in Parker each week.  He must log out the bus from the Aurora fleet facility on Peoria Street, in time to load and be on the road to our destination by 7:30 a.m.

After getting us to the weekly destination, to an after hike site for coffee and ice cream, and back to the Center, his day is far from over.  While we are on the way home, Blum must discard any trash found in the bus, return it to the fleet facility, top off the fuel, log miles completed and insure the bus is free of forgotten hiking gear, before he goes home.

The Loch (RMNP).

Blum brings a long history of outdoor experience to the job.  An avid hiker, and backpacker, for many years, he knows a great deal about Colorado.  He knows about flora (plants), fauna (animals), knows about trees (arborist), plus he can school us on geology, and history.  Think of it as a multi-topic class that meets on Tuesday someplace in the Colorado back country.

Special recognition was given for his efforts with a card signed by group members, a novel (Ed enjoys reading),  and a matted print captured on a hike to Jasper Lake.  Addressing the group, Blum said, "I have enjoyed this group very much.  We have a good time both on the bus and on trail.  It's been fun."

Attendees, front row (L to R): Photographer, Gary Alleman; Nancy Bralic; Al Akell; Dorothy Sanberg; and John Tedrick.  Middle (L to R): Luisa Sandoval; Kathy Tedrick; and Monica Richard.  Back Row (L to R):  Betty Getz; Jonell Bidwell; Marilynn Miciek; Marcy Smith; Joe Jackson; Penny Giese; Leader/Driver, Ed Blum; and Gary Merical.

A new activity offered by ACAA this winter is snowshoeing.  Attendees were provided copies of the upcoming scheduled snowshoe hikes.  Those interested in learning more should call ACAA at (303) 739-7950.

A number of attendees said they had a good time.  Joe Jackson added, saying, "The event was great.  I had fun, learned some facts, received some prizes, and enjoyed the company of my fellow hikers."

The numbers introducing this piece confirm a few things.  This group of men and women enjoys being outdoors.  They show up each week to not only meet the physical challenges of a hike in the foothills and surrounding mountains, but also to be a part of the social aspects of a group.  And they do love their ice cream and coffee.

Life's journey exposes one to many things.   Below is an example.

I have traveled many places
from here to there almost every where
seen places and people, never thought I would
from Army bases to castles to the sands of a desert
peace time to war time and lonely times
traveled by planes, trains, buses, taxis, cars and foot
the splendid mountain to the sand dunes
extreme cold to the scorching heat
one thing I take from all these journeys
is remember to take in everything you can
the mind will absorb anything you want
mental pictures of beautiful scenery, gorgeous people
crowds in the street to the longest path
breathe taking ever so lasting
make every journey unique and interesting
fun and learning come hand in hand
the stories you can tell of past weeks
they can be passed down through the family line
to show how much each journey meant to you
pictures tell 1000 words, but stories bring it to life
imaginations can bring the journeys to everyones mind
enjoy each one as we all take the many beautiful journeys thru life
my journeys all come back home with me
for I love to tell the story to everyone around
good or bad the stories are told
for to see you express a smile or a tear
brings joy to me my journeys tales will always live.

by Michael Peterson