team!
i was waiting to write my next entry until i had a house-bound, winter day to snuggle up with a hot mug of chai and a homemade wool blanket. but i haven't had one of those days yet and i'm running out of time. shoot, it's march already! and as it turns out, just about every day is a sunny, bikeable day in fort collins. poor me.
so... an update on the past five months?!
september
- christa and i started our first business venture - rollingspokestours.com
- my dad visited!
october
- visited rocky mountain national park and listened to elk bugle
- wade and quinner visited
- painted our house
- worked on the obama campain!
- our launch event for rolling spokes bike tours - a bicycle scavenger hunt
- matty d visited
- took my first long ride on my madone!
- arpm visited
november
- helped obama get elected!!
- led my first bicycle tour - obamanos to the breweries!
- got an eye ulcer - yikes!
- graciasgiving at new belgium brewing company, and thanksgiving at greg vogel's
- liz visited
december
- winter bike to work day - rolling spokes made the front page!!
- ini visited
- night at the oscar's, where i met breanna, my newest girlfriend and wing-woman
- hosted two couchsurfers, from israel and colorado springs
- hosted a couchsurfing gathering at a local bar
- flew to wisconsin for christmas
january
- michelle visited
- celebrated dave's birthday with a potluck and poker tournament
february
- auctioned off in a singles auction for charity
- joined a winter ultimate frisbee league
- cross-country skied in wyoming
- rode the cinnamon roller winter ralleye ride - a 75 mile bike ride for a pastery!
- three-day weekend in salida, complete with sushi, skiing, and good people
- got hired to work at the csu challege course
- drove to broomfield to watch the us olympic trials for curling!
- celebrated mike's birthday with a rad 200-strong party at greg's
march
- ... well, it has only just started!
- went to a treehouse potluck, only in fort collins!
- went to an art show in denver and stayed with robley and brad
overall, my temperament is the most overjoyed it has ever been. i don't know if i can attribute that to the weather or the people or a combination. i love having access to the mountains and the plains. i love being able to bicycle almost everywhere i need to be. and i love that there is ALWAYS someone to play with. if i want to camp, hike, bike, drink, or cook... there is always someone ready to join! everyone has great and contagious energy. i can't wait for more of my good friends to move here. it will only make it feel more like home!
pumped for the next few months - our tour season runs april 18-october 3 (for now). mom is coming in april. vandy, andy, kim, and eric are coming in may. erin is getting married in may. travis and sara are coming in july. the 30th anniversary moe cabin weekend is in july. dave and christa are getting married in september. and i will be traveling in south america in november and december.
life is good.
please share your joys with me!
molly
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
first fall in colorado
where do i start?
colorado doesn't have the same spectacular fall colors as wisconsin, but it is wonderful in its own way. the sunshine is still strong enough that when i sit at the park, watching the twins play, it still makes my skin glow. but a step into the shade prompts instant goose bumps. sunday morning i experienced a typical colorado fall day. we hiked at youngs gulch - over streams, past wildflowers of every shade, and along spurts of golden aspen groves. it was freezing at the trailhead and blazing hot when we got back to the car five hours later.
it has been a wonderful fall thus far -
sept 20-21 was the 9th annual sustainable living fair - a solution based, hands-on, event designed to educate people about sustainability in food, energy, transportation, and the local economy. there were workshops, exhibitors, keynote speakers, planet youth games, a zen zone, and main stage entertainment. it was impressive to see the group of people it brought together - ed begley, whole foods, organic valley, clif bar, massage therapists, spoken word, breweries, food co-ops, local artists, etc. because i am still new to town, i used this opportunity to meet new friends. sunday afternoon i met five great people, individually, and within two hours i found out they all know each other. it's a small world after all. i was hesitant to come to fort collins because i thought i would learn more about green living in california, but they have proven me wrong - there are great people with great ambitions in this town. and lots of great beer.
this past weekend i was invited to go to a concert on saturday night. one of the guys i met at the fair invited me to have drinks at his house beforehand with some friends. he lives in a straw bale house - if you're not familiar, check out this site: http://www.strawbale.com/strawbale-faqs/ it's a cool new construction technique. after a few drinks we headed to the concert on bike. obviously. part way through the night we were invited to go up to the VIP lounge. another way i know i live in a small town. it isn't every day i get invited to hang out with some of the biggest names in town. and then after the concert i was able to meet chali2na! so it was clearly one of my favorite nights in fort collins.
what else have i experienced this fall?!
wednesday night i went to an event called green drinks. no, we are not drinking kale. people interested in all things green and sustainable gather at a local business and network over free beer and free food. sounds terrible, right?! thursday night i went to the new belgium brewery for the last bike-in movie of the year. it is just what it sounds like - they rent a big screen and speakers and create an outdoor movie venue. about 1,000 young people biked to the brewery to watch the big lebowski, drink good beer, and eat pizza. friday night i camped in the poudre canyon at ansel watrous campground with greg, justin, dave, james, and mike. saturday night i went to a concert at the aggie. sunday i hiked and hosted my dad and his friend frank. monday morning i drove to horsetooth reservoir and lory state park. that night we went out for dinner and beer at a pool house to send jv on his way. he left us tuesday morning after a good two-month visit! tuesday night we made dinner to celebrate sams birthday. last night i went to a french club at a local coffee house - trying to get connected to the local french-speaking community. i have also gotten into beading and knitting again. i have made two necklaces and two scarves. i am looking forward to nurturing these hobbies (especially the knitting) this winter.
that is assuming i will have time. i am working 40+ hours between the bike shop and the nanny job. plus about 10-20 hours for rolling spokes. we finally have llc status, we have a bank account, and a website! we have also started planning our first event. on october 25th we will be co-sponsoring an event in fort collins. we have a permit with the city to host a block party. there will be beer and live bands from 12-6pm as well as bike tag, slow bike races, pin the tail on the biker, bean bag toss into a helmet, and a raffle for prizes. should be sweeeet! at 6 everyone will break into teams of 5, get a list from the judges, and start a 3-hour scavenger hunt around town. when everyone returns there will be prizes for the top three finishers. good prizes, too. let me know if you're close and want more information.
peace and bike grease.
colorado doesn't have the same spectacular fall colors as wisconsin, but it is wonderful in its own way. the sunshine is still strong enough that when i sit at the park, watching the twins play, it still makes my skin glow. but a step into the shade prompts instant goose bumps. sunday morning i experienced a typical colorado fall day. we hiked at youngs gulch - over streams, past wildflowers of every shade, and along spurts of golden aspen groves. it was freezing at the trailhead and blazing hot when we got back to the car five hours later.
it has been a wonderful fall thus far -
sept 20-21 was the 9th annual sustainable living fair - a solution based, hands-on, event designed to educate people about sustainability in food, energy, transportation, and the local economy. there were workshops, exhibitors, keynote speakers, planet youth games, a zen zone, and main stage entertainment. it was impressive to see the group of people it brought together - ed begley, whole foods, organic valley, clif bar, massage therapists, spoken word, breweries, food co-ops, local artists, etc. because i am still new to town, i used this opportunity to meet new friends. sunday afternoon i met five great people, individually, and within two hours i found out they all know each other. it's a small world after all. i was hesitant to come to fort collins because i thought i would learn more about green living in california, but they have proven me wrong - there are great people with great ambitions in this town. and lots of great beer.
this past weekend i was invited to go to a concert on saturday night. one of the guys i met at the fair invited me to have drinks at his house beforehand with some friends. he lives in a straw bale house - if you're not familiar, check out this site: http://www.strawbale.com/strawbale-faqs/ it's a cool new construction technique. after a few drinks we headed to the concert on bike. obviously. part way through the night we were invited to go up to the VIP lounge. another way i know i live in a small town. it isn't every day i get invited to hang out with some of the biggest names in town. and then after the concert i was able to meet chali2na! so it was clearly one of my favorite nights in fort collins.
what else have i experienced this fall?!
wednesday night i went to an event called green drinks. no, we are not drinking kale. people interested in all things green and sustainable gather at a local business and network over free beer and free food. sounds terrible, right?! thursday night i went to the new belgium brewery for the last bike-in movie of the year. it is just what it sounds like - they rent a big screen and speakers and create an outdoor movie venue. about 1,000 young people biked to the brewery to watch the big lebowski, drink good beer, and eat pizza. friday night i camped in the poudre canyon at ansel watrous campground with greg, justin, dave, james, and mike. saturday night i went to a concert at the aggie. sunday i hiked and hosted my dad and his friend frank. monday morning i drove to horsetooth reservoir and lory state park. that night we went out for dinner and beer at a pool house to send jv on his way. he left us tuesday morning after a good two-month visit! tuesday night we made dinner to celebrate sams birthday. last night i went to a french club at a local coffee house - trying to get connected to the local french-speaking community. i have also gotten into beading and knitting again. i have made two necklaces and two scarves. i am looking forward to nurturing these hobbies (especially the knitting) this winter.
that is assuming i will have time. i am working 40+ hours between the bike shop and the nanny job. plus about 10-20 hours for rolling spokes. we finally have llc status, we have a bank account, and a website! we have also started planning our first event. on october 25th we will be co-sponsoring an event in fort collins. we have a permit with the city to host a block party. there will be beer and live bands from 12-6pm as well as bike tag, slow bike races, pin the tail on the biker, bean bag toss into a helmet, and a raffle for prizes. should be sweeeet! at 6 everyone will break into teams of 5, get a list from the judges, and start a 3-hour scavenger hunt around town. when everyone returns there will be prizes for the top three finishers. good prizes, too. let me know if you're close and want more information.
peace and bike grease.
Monday, September 8, 2008
the big move
i spent the summer at the climax of a glacial recession. just a stones throw behind the house one can explore a cirque created years ago by a glacier, now devil's lake state park. the bluffs encasing this crystal lake are red granite and offer the best climbing in the mid-west. cycling to the south or east, one climbs bluffs. a westward or northward journey provides long, flat routes, good for endurance. now the berry farms are picked clean and the apple orchards are starting to multiply fruit.
if you were to enter this small-ish town of baraboo, you would be surprised to find a full-on circus, a restored downtown square, and a select group of residents - excited about farming, hunting and local business. i am among the few young adults enjoying the baraboo area.
i found companionship in two young men. one challenges me to ride faster and climb harder. he makes me laugh at work and fills much of my time before and after hours. another one invites me to backpack with his friends, play board games with his family, pick blackberries early mornings, and discuss spirituality and privilege. my parents are present, supportive, and loving. they are my backbone.
---
last week i endeavored on an archetypical american journey -- travel west. at the end of the first day i tucked into bed at my brothers place in omaha, nebraska. with family is always a good place to rest and recharge. the next morning i drove across the flats of nebraska, ending in fort collins, colorado. i couldn't WAIT to be in the rockies.
thus began my newest adventure. i live with friends from uw-madison and am nurturing friendships with a host of other good folks. i work as a salesperson at a bicycle shop where i have met some keepers and i nanny for twin 4-year-old girls, isabelle and quinn. they are impossibly cute. i also volunteer at a food co-op and i'm writing a business plan for organized cycling tours. we will visit local farms, sustainable businesses, natural areas, music venues, etc.
fort collins is treating me well - i have already spent a weekend in the mountains, gone on a few bike rides, spent an evening hiking and climbing at the reservoir, taken part in a local festival (tour de fat, check it out!), visited one of the local breweries, and had a great night out which ended in gyros and donuts. imagine.
---
i am living in a very dynamic place right now. realizing that many friends and loved ones are scattered throughout this world and that i will never have everyone together in one place. loving life and embracing adventure. taking time for myself and making time for others.
pura vida
the inside of full cycle
the service desk at full cycle
horsetooth reservoir - this water is used for irrigation and for all municipal water needs. it is low now because it is so late in the summer. i was surprised to see boats and skiers on the water.
horsetooth reservoir - greg and i rode up here on his motorcycle and went bouldering an hour before sunset
this is how we get to the park. if they wiggle around my front wheel can move up to two whole feet! so i prefer to take them in the trailer. it's a much safer option.
quinn is a great climber!
quinn
izabelle
if you were to enter this small-ish town of baraboo, you would be surprised to find a full-on circus, a restored downtown square, and a select group of residents - excited about farming, hunting and local business. i am among the few young adults enjoying the baraboo area.
i found companionship in two young men. one challenges me to ride faster and climb harder. he makes me laugh at work and fills much of my time before and after hours. another one invites me to backpack with his friends, play board games with his family, pick blackberries early mornings, and discuss spirituality and privilege. my parents are present, supportive, and loving. they are my backbone.
---
last week i endeavored on an archetypical american journey -- travel west. at the end of the first day i tucked into bed at my brothers place in omaha, nebraska. with family is always a good place to rest and recharge. the next morning i drove across the flats of nebraska, ending in fort collins, colorado. i couldn't WAIT to be in the rockies.
thus began my newest adventure. i live with friends from uw-madison and am nurturing friendships with a host of other good folks. i work as a salesperson at a bicycle shop where i have met some keepers and i nanny for twin 4-year-old girls, isabelle and quinn. they are impossibly cute. i also volunteer at a food co-op and i'm writing a business plan for organized cycling tours. we will visit local farms, sustainable businesses, natural areas, music venues, etc.
fort collins is treating me well - i have already spent a weekend in the mountains, gone on a few bike rides, spent an evening hiking and climbing at the reservoir, taken part in a local festival (tour de fat, check it out!), visited one of the local breweries, and had a great night out which ended in gyros and donuts. imagine.
---
i am living in a very dynamic place right now. realizing that many friends and loved ones are scattered throughout this world and that i will never have everyone together in one place. loving life and embracing adventure. taking time for myself and making time for others.
pura vida
the inside of full cycle
the service desk at full cycle
horsetooth reservoir - this water is used for irrigation and for all municipal water needs. it is low now because it is so late in the summer. i was surprised to see boats and skiers on the water.
horsetooth reservoir - greg and i rode up here on his motorcycle and went bouldering an hour before sunset
this is how we get to the park. if they wiggle around my front wheel can move up to two whole feet! so i prefer to take them in the trailer. it's a much safer option.
quinn is a great climber!
quinn
izabelle
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
living with the 'rents
hey team!
although i didn't get the position with green corps, i am excited about a few different opportunities. the good news is that i am getting interviews and good practice with hr people. the bad news is that i must not be practiced enough yet, because i haven't had any offers! i am interviewing with a pr firm in san francisco and i have my worker bees (friends, if you will) looking around for interesting positions in fort collins and minneapolis. those are my big three for now. if you have any friends or colleagues who are looking for someone for a "green" position, please call or write!
while i am in baraboo i am working at wildside, the biking/climbing/outdoors shop in town. it's a pretty good gig. basically, i build bikes, learn about components and frames, and hang out with some cool guys. also, we've been known to accept cookies and beer from loyal customers! that makes our day! when i'm not working i am biking, reading or job hunting. or playing with friends in madison. i like this lifestyle - nothing to worry about, really. i always have a place to sleep and eat for free while i look for the next big move. thanks parents!
until next time...
although i didn't get the position with green corps, i am excited about a few different opportunities. the good news is that i am getting interviews and good practice with hr people. the bad news is that i must not be practiced enough yet, because i haven't had any offers! i am interviewing with a pr firm in san francisco and i have my worker bees (friends, if you will) looking around for interesting positions in fort collins and minneapolis. those are my big three for now. if you have any friends or colleagues who are looking for someone for a "green" position, please call or write!
while i am in baraboo i am working at wildside, the biking/climbing/outdoors shop in town. it's a pretty good gig. basically, i build bikes, learn about components and frames, and hang out with some cool guys. also, we've been known to accept cookies and beer from loyal customers! that makes our day! when i'm not working i am biking, reading or job hunting. or playing with friends in madison. i like this lifestyle - nothing to worry about, really. i always have a place to sleep and eat for free while i look for the next big move. thanks parents!
until next time...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
back in wisconsin....
leaving france was bittersweet.
i was ready to move away from the small town, some people who weren't good for my personal growth, and the crazy french administration. but i was sad to leave behind the lifestyle which allowed me to travel so much, several people who were really dear to me, and the french language.
being back in baraboo is... interesting.
i feel as if i never left, but at the same time i do not belong here anymore. i have kept myself busy since i have been home - i have been to devil's lake four times, i have cycled over 100 miles, i have made two overnight trips to madison, i have played with my brothers and sisters-in-law, and i have read two books.
the next step in my journey is job hunting.
i fly to san francisco tomorrow morning for a second-round interview with green corps. they do a lot of really worthy things and i hope i can be part of their campaigning this coming year. if not, i will look for a different job which will allow me to fight for environmental and social justice. wish me luck!
i was ready to move away from the small town, some people who weren't good for my personal growth, and the crazy french administration. but i was sad to leave behind the lifestyle which allowed me to travel so much, several people who were really dear to me, and the french language.
being back in baraboo is... interesting.
i feel as if i never left, but at the same time i do not belong here anymore. i have kept myself busy since i have been home - i have been to devil's lake four times, i have cycled over 100 miles, i have made two overnight trips to madison, i have played with my brothers and sisters-in-law, and i have read two books.
the next step in my journey is job hunting.
i fly to san francisco tomorrow morning for a second-round interview with green corps. they do a lot of really worthy things and i hope i can be part of their campaigning this coming year. if not, i will look for a different job which will allow me to fight for environmental and social justice. wish me luck!
to pick up where i left off...
lyon was wonderful. i had a few relaxing days staying with my wonderful friends sabrina and antonin. we hung out at the apartment, went shopping, saw more of the city, and then i took off for paris.
i spent one last day in paris with sheena. we bought picnic food and wine and headed for the river. unfortunately, we headed to a place where locals sunbathe -- the tannest man i have ever seen with BRIGHT white hair, a nerdy-looking guy with a thong swimsuit, a man with THE LARGEST nipples i have ever seen, a transexual, a woman with fake boobies and several young men with a six-pack each.
after lunch we spent some time in the luxembourg gardens - my favorite spot in paris. then sheena had to head home and i went and sat in front of the notre dame to say goodbye to my favorite city in the world. sitting on the base of the horse statue, i met a young man extremely high on weed, an older couple from minnesota and their tour guide who asked me to stay in france to be with him. the fun never ends in paris!
the next morning i took a train to the airport to meet my parents. we rented a car and thus started our family adventure! we spent an afternoon in tours, exploring the old town, walking along the loire river and drinking beer. monday morning we started our tour of the chateaux! we visited clos luce and the amboise chateau, chenonceau and azay le rideau. tuesday we drove to nogent le rotrou. we relaxed at the gite, took a tour of the town and went to patricia and dan's house for dinner. they were much too good to us, serving an eight-course meal complimented with several different wines. wednesday we took a tour of the region and that night a group of 14 of us ate at the creperie and then went out for drinks at la casa. thursday we visited the chateau in nogent and then we went to rosslyns house for lunch. in the afternoon we shopped around in nogent and then headed back to the gite to relax, pack our things and relax. friday we drove to rouen to visit the city where joan of arc was burned at the stake. a very cool city. then we drove to our hotel in paris and tucked in for the night. i took a train into paris for one last whiff of the city i love so much. saturday morning we drove to the airport, returned our car, and got on our plane home.
i enjoyed the time i had to travel to dublin, aix, lyon, and around northern france. it was nice to see places i have already been - i was able to relax and enjoy the people i was with.
i spent one last day in paris with sheena. we bought picnic food and wine and headed for the river. unfortunately, we headed to a place where locals sunbathe -- the tannest man i have ever seen with BRIGHT white hair, a nerdy-looking guy with a thong swimsuit, a man with THE LARGEST nipples i have ever seen, a transexual, a woman with fake boobies and several young men with a six-pack each.
after lunch we spent some time in the luxembourg gardens - my favorite spot in paris. then sheena had to head home and i went and sat in front of the notre dame to say goodbye to my favorite city in the world. sitting on the base of the horse statue, i met a young man extremely high on weed, an older couple from minnesota and their tour guide who asked me to stay in france to be with him. the fun never ends in paris!
the next morning i took a train to the airport to meet my parents. we rented a car and thus started our family adventure! we spent an afternoon in tours, exploring the old town, walking along the loire river and drinking beer. monday morning we started our tour of the chateaux! we visited clos luce and the amboise chateau, chenonceau and azay le rideau. tuesday we drove to nogent le rotrou. we relaxed at the gite, took a tour of the town and went to patricia and dan's house for dinner. they were much too good to us, serving an eight-course meal complimented with several different wines. wednesday we took a tour of the region and that night a group of 14 of us ate at the creperie and then went out for drinks at la casa. thursday we visited the chateau in nogent and then we went to rosslyns house for lunch. in the afternoon we shopped around in nogent and then headed back to the gite to relax, pack our things and relax. friday we drove to rouen to visit the city where joan of arc was burned at the stake. a very cool city. then we drove to our hotel in paris and tucked in for the night. i took a train into paris for one last whiff of the city i love so much. saturday morning we drove to the airport, returned our car, and got on our plane home.
i enjoyed the time i had to travel to dublin, aix, lyon, and around northern france. it was nice to see places i have already been - i was able to relax and enjoy the people i was with.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
early may
i moved out of the foyer may 1, and thus started the adventure...
may 2 i went out to lunch with sadie and holly and when i returned to the house i was locked out!! luckily, the city was setting up their big annual festival of percheron horses, so i went and visited the castle with the elementary students! in the afternoon i sat in rosslyn's garden with maria and nicolas. maria and i hustled to the train station, holly missed it. maria's boyfriend was also on his way to paris, but his train broke down. so maria and i found a happy hour to enjoy until they both arrived three hours later. we met up with a gaggle of friends and went out for drinks until i had to catch the bus to the airport.
may 3 i flew to dublin to stay with petr - and his girlfriend marija, their son adam, her sister and her sister's son. we had a fantastic weekend together.
on the morning of the 5th i went to aix!!! it was wonderful. the weather was great (though one day was a bit cloudy), i got to visit the beach one day in la ciotat, i saw my old apartment and bars... it was wonderful!
except that my debit card was stolen the second day and several transactions were made. i had to finish my day at the police station. then on day four my whole wallet was stolen, then my shoe broke, then my phone died when i was calling to cancel the credit card, and finally i went to the wrong station to take my bus.
BUT i am in lyon with my friends now! feeling up for some friendly relaxing... good thing, no other options!!!
may 2 i went out to lunch with sadie and holly and when i returned to the house i was locked out!! luckily, the city was setting up their big annual festival of percheron horses, so i went and visited the castle with the elementary students! in the afternoon i sat in rosslyn's garden with maria and nicolas. maria and i hustled to the train station, holly missed it. maria's boyfriend was also on his way to paris, but his train broke down. so maria and i found a happy hour to enjoy until they both arrived three hours later. we met up with a gaggle of friends and went out for drinks until i had to catch the bus to the airport.
may 3 i flew to dublin to stay with petr - and his girlfriend marija, their son adam, her sister and her sister's son. we had a fantastic weekend together.
on the morning of the 5th i went to aix!!! it was wonderful. the weather was great (though one day was a bit cloudy), i got to visit the beach one day in la ciotat, i saw my old apartment and bars... it was wonderful!
except that my debit card was stolen the second day and several transactions were made. i had to finish my day at the police station. then on day four my whole wallet was stolen, then my shoe broke, then my phone died when i was calling to cancel the credit card, and finally i went to the wrong station to take my bus.
BUT i am in lyon with my friends now! feeling up for some friendly relaxing... good thing, no other options!!!
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