Summer
Closing doors and Opening new ones.
07.08.2011 65 °F
Wow has this summer flown by fast. Too fast, if I could have my way. The month of July went by much too fast, with no 14ers climbed either due to my knee still having problems. This last week I was able to get out and hike up the front of Vail to the top of the gondola from Lionshead and had no pain, so next weekend I'm hoping to get out and do two awesome hikes. Saturday, I plan to either hike another 14er (no idea where or which one), or if my buddy Geoff can work it out, we'll go climb Parry Peak off of Berthoud pass. Parry Peak is known to many as "the bear paw" as seen from Winter Park and Mary Jane in winter, and is above 13,000ft. On Sunday, I'm hoping to climb Gray's and Torrey's peaks with my dad (and hopefully my mom) as part of our annual 14er tradition. We're still deciding which route to take, but it should be a good time as hiking 14ers always is. I'm excited to be able to get back out again and back into my natural habitat where I feel most at home. My heart will always be in the mountains, and it's where I find my truest self.
Looking ahead at the month of August, there is both fortunately and unfortunately so much going on and so little time left here. Next weekend will be filled with hiking with friends and family. The weekend after that, an old friend of mine who I haven't seen in years is going to be in town for a few days. The weekend after that will be filled with another day of hiking and the award ceremony where I'm being honored with an Award for Distinguished Service for when I saved that man's life in June. That day and moment still makes me speechless. And then, a week later, it's off to France for a semester abroad (4 months). It's amazing how fast this summer has gone by, and how precious little time I have left here before leaving the country. I am hoping to make the most of the time I have left here, and spend my time with those who matter most to me to create lifelong memories.
That being said, France awaits and is finally taking some shape. The classes are set, approvals are ready, place ticket is ready, housing is secured for at least my arrival, the visa process is finally done, and I have a 3 months all access rail pass for travel when I arrive. All that awaits now is the packing and last minute details. I only have 2 days to pack and prepare for a 4 month journey, but I can hardly wait to get back to Denver and begin packing, despite how much I love living up here in Vail. It's a pretty daunting experience on the horizon really, trying to prepare for everything. I'm nervous, excited, scared, and probably more prepared than I realize to take this thing on. I can't wait to get over there now, and I'll be sure to post lots of pictures on here and facebook when I arrive. If anyone has any study abroad tips, feel free to share, as I'm sure you can never have too many of those before you leave. All said, Dijon awaits four weeks from today! Let's get this show on the road.
Posted by la vita bella 16:14 Archived in USA