{"id":524,"date":"2010-10-19T11:49:16","date_gmt":"2010-10-19T17:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/?p=524"},"modified":"2014-01-08T01:29:06","modified_gmt":"2014-01-08T07:29:06","slug":"sustaining-the-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/sustaining-the-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustaining the Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the zone, that fabled state of temporary enlightenment where suddenly the challenges of life melt away and each calm, confident movement is a guaranteed success. Athletes, writers and artists speak of this elusive condition that is impossible to sustain but feasible to summon under ideal conditions. It&#8217;s the perfect storm of talent, desire, harmony and potential.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_528\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3669.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-528\" class=\"size-full wp-image-528 lazyload\" title=\"Gore Creek Start Frisco\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3669.jpg\" alt=\"Gore Creek Start Frisco\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3669.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3669-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-528\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heading into the zone at Gore Creek out of the Meadow Creek Trailhead in Frisco. Good friends, great weather, dogs and mountains!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In a broader sense, sometimes we are able to carry over the positive power of being in the &#8220;zone&#8221; into the larger scope of our life (maybe&#8230; being in the &#8220;region&#8221;?) I was fortunate enough roll through the best days of autumn in such a place, where the beauty of the natural world coalesced with wonderful people and a good dose of border collie thrown in for good measure. Words can&#8217;t describe the gratitude and inspiration I get from great company and gorgeous settings.The last few weeks have been a much anticipated counterbalance to the literal storms of spring and people in my life who were more likely to enervate than to elevate. I can&#8217;t express how grateful I am to the friends who have shared time with me the last few weeks and how nicely so many gradious plans came together. Welcome to the zone.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_527\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3667.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-527\" class=\"size-full wp-image-527 lazyload\" title=\"Meadow Creek Trailhead Frisco Colorado\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3667.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow Creek Trailhead Frisco Colorado\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3667.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3667-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David, Dany, Dani and me at the Meadow Creek Trailhead in Frisco en route to Eccles Pass. Tillie is laying in the front and apparently, Fremont took the photo.<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_529\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3692.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-529\" class=\"size-full wp-image-529 lazyload\" title=\"The crew headed up towards Eccles Pass\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3692.jpg\" alt=\"The crew headed up towards Eccles Pass\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3692.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3692-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crew headed up towards Eccles Pass. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_530\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3695.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-530\" class=\"size-full wp-image-530 lazyload\" title=\"Fremont the border collie on Eccles Pass\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3695.jpg\" alt=\"Fremont the border collie on Eccles Pass\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3695.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3695-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fremont takes in the stunning views from the south side of Eccles Pass with Red Buffalo Pass and Red Peak in the background. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_531\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3697.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-531\" class=\"size-full wp-image-531 lazyload\" title=\"Dani Eccles Pass\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3697.jpg\" alt=\"Dani Eccles Pass\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3697.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3697-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dani on Eccles Pass with the brother and sister duo of Fremont and Tillie.<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_532\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3705.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-532\" class=\"size-full wp-image-532 lazyload\" title=\"Eccles Pass Gore Greek Trail\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3705.jpg\" alt=\"Eccles Pass Gore Greek Trail\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3705.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3705-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stunning views over Eccles Pass in the Gore Range. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_533\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3707.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-533\" class=\"size-full wp-image-533 lazyload\" title=\"Fremont swimming in the Gore Range\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3707.jpg\" alt=\"Fremont the border collie swims in the Gore Range\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3707.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3707-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fremont shows off his swimming skills in one of the crystal clear alpine lakes along Gore Creek.<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_534\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3736.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-534\" class=\"size-full wp-image-534 lazyload\" title=\"David and Dany Gore Creek Trail\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3736.jpg\" alt=\"David and Dany Gore Creek Trail\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3736.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3736-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-534\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David and Dany on the hike out along Gore Creek to Vail.<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The adventure on the Gore Creek trail went from Frisco to Vail, a modest 13 mile route that covered two mountain passes (Eccles and Red Buffalo). A visit to\u00a0Gore Lake and bypassing the graves of a couple Swedish brothers were all part of the adventure.\u00a0A few days later, Dani and her border collie Tillie (Fremont&#8217;s sister) joined Sheila, Mystic, Fremont and me on an\u00a0outing to\u00a0Meadow Mountain near Rocky Mountain National Park.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_535\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3752.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-535\" class=\"size-full wp-image-535 lazyload\" title=\"Meadow Mountain trail colorado\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3752.jpg\" alt=\"Meadow Mountain trail colorado\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3752.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3752-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheila, Dani and the dogs power up the Meadow Mountain trail on a welcome overcast day.<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_536\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3754.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-536\" class=\"size-full wp-image-536 lazyload\" title=\"Snowy terrain on Meadow Mountain\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3754.jpg\" alt=\"Snowy terrain on Meadow Mountain\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3754.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3754-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clouds and snow signal the end of summer but the start of cold weather fun!<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_546\" style=\"width: 587px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/sheila-dani.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-546\" class=\"size-full wp-image-546 lazyload\" title=\"Mystic Dani Sheila and Tillie\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/sheila-dani.jpg\" alt=\"Mystic Dani Sheila and Tillie\" width=\"577\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/sheila-dani.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/sheila-dani-300x225.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 577px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 577\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-546\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mystic, Dani, Sheila and Tillie en route to Meadow Mountain. <\/p><\/div>\n<p>After these adventures, I had two guests in town: my (human) pal Gina from the Marist days of yore and Keva (canine) one of Fremont&#8217;s other sisters who lives in Boulder. \u00a0A few more pics from our outings to the Sage Trail in North Boulder and Brainard Lake just outside of Ward.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_538\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3761.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-538\" class=\"size-full wp-image-538 lazyload\" title=\"Keva border collie at Sage Trail Boulder Colorado\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3761.jpg\" alt=\"Keva border collie at Sage Trail Boulder Colorado\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3761.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3761-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-538\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fremont&#39;s sister Keva on the Sage Trail in Boulder. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_539\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3764.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-539\" class=\"size-full wp-image-539 lazyload\" title=\"Dogs play at lake at Sage Trail\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3764.jpg\" alt=\"Dogs play at lake at Sage Trail\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3764.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3764-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Keva and Fremont play in the lake at the Sage Trail. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_540\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3766.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-540\" class=\"size-full wp-image-540 lazyload\" title=\"Fremont and Keva\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3766.jpg\" alt=\"Fremont and Keva\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3766.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3766-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fremont and Keva at the Sage Trail. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_541\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3770.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-541\" class=\"size-full wp-image-541 lazyload\" title=\"Gina Lofaro at Brainard lake Colorado\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3770.jpg\" alt=\"Gina Lofaro at Brainard lake Colorado\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3770.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3770-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gina &quot;reflects&quot; on the still beauty of Brainard Lake. <\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">~*~<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_526\" style=\"width: 588px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3771.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-526\" class=\"size-full wp-image-526 lazyload\" title=\"Brainard Lake Indian Peaks Colorado\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3771.jpg\" alt=\"Brainard Lake Indian Peaks Colorado\" width=\"578\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3771.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.mountainouswords.com\/mountain-air\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/IMG_3771-300x224.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 578px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 578\/433;\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-526\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brainard Lake at 10,300 ft in the Indian Peaks, some of Colorado&#39;s best mountains!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u3000<br \/>\n\u3000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, the zone, that fabled state of temporary enlightenment where suddenly the challenges of life melt away and each calm, confident movement is a 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