Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Trail 43 - Fall of the impending Winter

It's been while since I went for a hike at a location covered in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder. I made it to Hike #43 from this book, South Boulder Creek Trail from Bobolink Trailhead. This is a fairly flat trail with a very slow incline. The trail is unusual, in that it splits between a paved path and a gravel-and-dirt path for a short stretch. The paved route is intended to support cycling, though cyclists were using both routes.

The trail follows fairly close to the right bank of the South Boulder Creek throughout the northern half of its length, and the left bank for the Southern half. The creek flows south to north.

Near the trailhead, there's a lot of shade on the unpaved route, but most of the trail is in open space. Wear sunscreen, as there's very little shade.  Additionally, the trail crosses both South Boulder Road and US Route 36 via underpasses.

Even for Midautumn, the vegetation was surprisingly brown with empty trees. It's pretty for Fall and Winter, particularly with a blue sky and the Flatirons as a backdrop.


Given the time of year, I didn't expect to see much wildlife. Even still, there were some curious cows in one of the fields. The hike was enjoyable and leisurely.

One warning about the creek.  Apparently, there's a New Zealand Mudsnail infestation. So, there's signs at several locations warning hikers (and their dogs) not to go into the creek (to make sure they aren't accidentally carrying this little invasive critters to other places in Colorado).

Toebzilla wags his tail

 

Monday, October 16, 2023

A fox just moseying along the road on a dog walk

 

A fox just moseying along the road. Joie got her chance to bark at this suburban intruder, from a safe distance.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CyZfPkQMbDr/

Thursday, September 28, 2023

In-Field Babe Ruth II

A long time ago, I wrote about how I hit an in-field Babe Ruth in a high school softball game. I pointed at the short stop player who taunted me and told him that I was going to hit the ball right at him; and I did just that.  The player was so stunted, he dropped the ball, and I was easily safe at first base. 

Well, I hit another in-field Babe Ruth. It was also a long time ago, but after I wrote about my first in-field Babe Ruth.  (I'm surprised I didn't mentioned in this blog at that time.)  OK, so I hit this second in-field Babe Ruth at a local softball game for a team that was sponsored by my then-employer.  

Babe Ruth calling his shot
Babe Ruth's "called shot" home run

The whole affair was similar to the first time.  I was at bat.  The first base player was taunting me to hit the ball right at her.  She pounded her glove and held it out in front of her.  I pointed at her and say "OK, you asked for it".  I positioned my feet to bias my swing to hit towards first base.  The pitch was made.  I swung and hit the ball exactly were I intended.  It went straight for her glove.

The ball hit squarely in her glove and bounced to the ground.  She was so stunted, she didn't even think to try to pick up the ball until I was already well on my way at full speed heading to first base.  She finally scrambled to pick up the ball.  It was too late. I ran across first base.  Safe!

Sidenote, at that time, the team was known as the Cepheid Xperts.  It appears the team now goes by the name Cepheid Sluggers.