Well, it's not about climbing, but about the start of a climbing trip. Jim is a snowbird: he flies from Ouray to Patagonia. I'm a snowbird and fly from Anchorage to Ouray. We both think we have a good deal. After a long flight down from Anchorage to Denver, I spent a few days with Malcolm and Karen in Boulder; it's still a ways to Ouray. We went to dinner at Laudisio where my daughter used to work and where their son now does. As we walked into the Happy Hour, Dana and Emily greeted us. Being social I sat down and promptly knocked Dana's wine over; I owe her one!


Then a long bus ride to Montrose, with a 3-hour layover in Grand Junction. I felt like a minority, but I made fine friends with a fellow from Trinidad traveling to Cortez to start a new life. His grandmother was from Cortez. I wished him luck and read my new camera manual, all 178 pages.



Angela retrieved me and my winter gear at the bus stop in Montrose, which was the Shell station...perfect! Jim returned from California a few days later and all was well with the world. Actually I suddenly wanted to go to Indian Creek because the weather was so warm, and the winter alpine season just didn't look inviting. I think Jim secretly did, too, but we were committed to our destinies.

For a final celebration, we decided to have a 'last supper' and enjoy the company of a few friends, so Jim drove to his secret fish market in Montrose for king salmon. I should have brought some from Alaska, but it would have been pretty sour by now. I had called McCarthy, and Jim had invited Hackett, two great friends in the area.


Climber reunions are the best! It was great to see everyone and catch up on the news, gossip and state of the world. The salmon was excellent! Jim is a master at the grill; Angela made a killer salad and baked potatoes. The wine flowed freely.


The conversation included discussion of why the sea is boiling hot and whether pigs have wings. I learned the current dating behavior of Ouray, which is vital to avoiding socially embarrassing moments in a small town. Sarah Palin was mentioned, and Jim got a bout of anger and intestinal flu. We changed the subject.


As usual considering the age of this crowd, the discussion turned to health and whether at our age we should be taking testosterone. Angela thought it would be great; I decided 'no'. McCarthy is on the board of the Lowell Observatory, so we learned about the grinding of the secondary lens in the huge new Discovery Channel Telescope. From the ridiculous to the sublime.


Angela kept the wild boys in order, calming and directing the conversation. She was excited to head to Patagonia and have the freedom to read and relax with no noise, no interruptions. After seeing her coffee table book, I thought I had stopped a continent too far north.


McCarthy gave legal opinions on a variety of subjects; Hackett dispensed medical advice; and we all talked climbing and friends.


Jim still hadn't packed, so we made it an early evening...and we're seniors!