Last Updated on January 8, 2014 by James Dziezynski
Ah, the zone, that fabled state of temporary enlightenment where suddenly the challenges of life melt away and each calm, confident movement is a guaranteed success. Athletes, writers and artists speak of this elusive condition that is impossible to sustain but feasible to summon under ideal conditions. It’s the perfect storm of talent, desire, harmony and potential.
Heading into the zone at Gore Creek out of the Meadow Creek Trailhead in Frisco. Good friends, great weather, dogs and mountains!
In a broader sense, sometimes we are able to carry over the positive power of being in the “zone” into the larger scope of our life (maybe… being in the “region”?) I was fortunate enough roll through the best days of autumn in such a place, where the beauty of the natural world coalesced with wonderful people and a good dose of border collie thrown in for good measure. Words can’t describe the gratitude and inspiration I get from great company and gorgeous settings.The last few weeks have been a much anticipated counterbalance to the literal storms of spring and people in my life who were more likely to enervate than to elevate. I can’t express how grateful I am to the friends who have shared time with me the last few weeks and how nicely so many gradious plans came together. Welcome to the zone.
David, Dany, Dani and me at the Meadow Creek Trailhead in Frisco en route to Eccles Pass. Tillie is laying in the front and apparently, Fremont took the photo.
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The crew headed up towards Eccles Pass.
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Fremont takes in the stunning views from the south side of Eccles Pass with Red Buffalo Pass and Red Peak in the background.
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Dani on Eccles Pass with the brother and sister duo of Fremont and Tillie.
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Stunning views over Eccles Pass in the Gore Range.
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Fremont shows off his swimming skills in one of the crystal clear alpine lakes along Gore Creek.
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David and Dany on the hike out along Gore Creek to Vail.
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The adventure on the Gore Creek trail went from Frisco to Vail, a modest 13 mile route that covered two mountain passes (Eccles and Red Buffalo). A visit to Gore Lake and bypassing the graves of a couple Swedish brothers were all part of the adventure. A few days later, Dani and her border collie Tillie (Fremont’s sister) joined Sheila, Mystic, Fremont and me on an outing to Meadow Mountain near Rocky Mountain National Park.
Sheila, Dani and the dogs power up the Meadow Mountain trail on a welcome overcast day.
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Clouds and snow signal the end of summer but the start of cold weather fun!
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Mystic, Dani, Sheila and Tillie en route to Meadow Mountain.
After these adventures, I had two guests in town: my (human) pal Gina from the Marist days of yore and Keva (canine) one of Fremont’s other sisters who lives in Boulder. A few more pics from our outings to the Sage Trail in North Boulder and Brainard Lake just outside of Ward.
Fremont's sister Keva on the Sage Trail in Boulder.
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Keva and Fremont play in the lake at the Sage Trail.
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Fremont and Keva at the Sage Trail.
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Gina "reflects" on the still beauty of Brainard Lake.
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Brainard Lake at 10,300 ft in the Indian Peaks, some of Colorado's best mountains!
