A couple of weeks ago, I spent some time discussing things I don't like about Colorado. Well, in the interest of being more positive, I've decided to put together a list of things I will miss about Colorado when I leave. There are some things that are pleasant enough about living here, that it will be difficult to leave them behind when that time comes (and it will come, believe me...just because I'm putting this list together doesn't mean I don't hop the first plane out when I get a chance).
1. The 14ers. For those of you not familiar with Colorado or the sport of mountaineering in general, a 14er is any mountain whose summit is over 14,000 feet above sea level. Colorado has 54 "official" 14ers (interestingly enough, there IS debate over the status of some 14ers as to whether they are a REAL 14,000 summit or merely attached to another higher 14,000 summit). Lots of folks just hike around in Colorado, but I'm a goal-oriented person; I have to be hiking SOMEWHERE. The 14ers give me that. I have climbed 8 official 14ers (Longs, Grays [twice], Torreys, Quandary, Yale, Democrat, Lincoln, and Bross) and 1 unofficial 14er (Cameron). Longs, my first 14er and very difficult one, still reigns as my favorite by far, with Torreys a close second. To be honest, though, each of these has something special about it that I will always remember. The feeling of accomplishment from reaching the summit...the joy of signing the register and knowing that I have proof that I've been to one of Colorado's 54 highest points...the incredible views...the camaraderie of the climb and the people you meet. I hope to get a few more under my belt before I die...maybe I'll even climb all 54 official ones. When I leave Colorado, I'll have to come back to answer the siren-song that these beasts send out to me...
2. The Avalanche. Colorado's current NHL franchise came to Denver in 1996, where they promptly won a Stanley Cup for Denver. In fact, this was Denver's first professional sports league championship...so much for years and years of disappointment for fans of the Broncos, Nuggets, and Rockies. (The Broncos didn't win a Super Bowl until 1998.) The Avs are really great, with several superstars, great management, an owner who is willing to shell out the necessary cash, an excellent farm system, a nice arena to play in, and a wonderful fanbase. I've been to several Avs games, and for a rabid hockey fan like me, they're heaven. It's not so difficult now, of course, since the owners have locked out the players and there IS no NHL this year...but they'll be playing again before I leave the state, and when I do leave the state, I'll miss them.
3. The Mammoth, our local lacrosse team. I'm a huge sports fan...I can watch and enjoy just about any sport other than basketball. I had seen lacrosse a few times. But two years ago, I went to see the final regular-season game for the Mammoth, and all I can say is WOW!!! That one game had me hooked forever. It was close the whole way, with both teams trading goals (and leads), lots of action, lots of scoring (it ended 16-13) with some AMAZING plays, and in the end, a HUGE bench-clearing brawl that lasted 10 minutes. Basically, it had something for everyone, and everything a true fan could ever want. Denver leads the National Lacrosse League in attendence, so it has obviously struck a nerve with many of Denver's sports fans. I attend regularly, as tickets are pretty inexpensive compared to the Nuggets or Avs, and the quality of the game and the entertainment value is outstanding. It will be tough leaving them behind.
4. Colorado golf. Colorado DOES love its golf, and it provides tons of places to challenge your golfing skills (well, it certainly challenges MY skills, anyway). Plus, if you've never golfed at altitude, you get about 10-20 yards of extra distance just from the thin air. And you can't beat mountain golf. If you're a true golfer and you've never played on the mountain course, I highly recommend it...it's just breathtaking.
5. The OU Club of Colorado. I can't begin to describe how great it is to go to the football watch parties with the local OU club. I think, since we're all essentially Oklahoma expatriates, that the bond between us all is much stronger than if we were in Oklahoma. There, tons and tons of people just like us exist, but HERE...well, we're in enemy territory, and we MUST stick together, and WE DO! The atmosphere of a watch party is almost like being back home. In fact, the watch parties have really made what was a difficult time of year much more bearable. Plus, there are some great people involved in the club, who I will greatly miss when I go.
6. Westminster. Westminster is the town I live in, and they do the town right. The city council puts most of its tax revenues into things that will really help the citizenry and improve the quality of life. Westminster has several incredible rec centers, with great pools and workout facilities (even an indoor climbing wall); two great public golf courses that are challenging and well-maintained, yet affordable; wonderful library facilities; several beautiful public parks with disc golf courses and softball/baseball/soccer facilities; a few city-sponsored roller rinks and a city-sponsored ice arena with 3 ice surfaces all set up for hockey. Roads are in great shape, the police force is adequate, and the city council is actually very responsive to citizens' requests. All in all, Westminster is a decently-run city, and a nice place to live (if you can't live at home).
I'll wrap up the list right there for now. As I come upon other things that belong on this list, I'll add them in. Thanks for reading along.
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