Monday, December 13, 2004

Special Edition: Jalisco, Mexico


Don Abraham's finest!
My visit to Jalisco included a visit to the Don Abraham Tequila factory. During the tour which included a great tasting session, I learned about tequila production and a little about the rich history of this traditional Mexican drink.
Tequila's origins lie with the indigenous Aztec peoples of Mexico, the Chichimecans, Otomies, Toltecans and Nahuatls who made a beverage from the agave plant long before the Spaniards arrived. Jalisco is where the vast majority of the agave used for tequila is harvested and distilled. The agave plant is actually related to the lily and amaryllis (it has its own genus, Agave). It is known as a succulent and, although it shares a common habitat with many cacti, it is not one itself. The thick, spiny blue-green leaves which extend six-eight feet from the plants center are removed and further processed to make a number of other products including clothing and hats. The Agave is poisonous when raw; however when the plants bulbous heart called a pina (pineapple in English) is baked for 50-72 hours it transforms into a starchy, sugary substance that has a mild flavor. It tastes like a sweet potato to me. The juice from the pina (mosto) is fermented (stainless steal fermentation vessels pictured), and double distilled to produced tequila. The best tequila is aged in oak barrels before bottling.

Don Abraham had two varieties of Tequila place in this year’s World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, Ca.

More on Tequila

Special Edition: Jalisco, Mexico part II


Boat ride to Las Caletas

Monday, November 29, 2004

Bus Drivers Wanted


Slick Roads?
The Best part about having a digital camera is always being ready to capture an image. Seems like people in Colorado need a few snow falls before they remember how to drive in the snow. Hum, yeah the roads get slick and you gotta slow down or you’ll end up like this guy. It’s Monday, about 12 degrees, 8:30 am... what a way to start the day. Usually the RTD is good way to get around, but not in this case. That must have been a wild ride. :)

Friday, November 19, 2004


A Good little boy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Presenting Mr. P.W. Hoek.

Full name: Peewee Hoek
Date of Birth: January 13, 2001
Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado
Breed: Mexican Short-haired Chihuahua
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Occupation: Professional attack Chihuahua

According to the American Kennel club, legend and history are rich in tales of the ancestors of the present Chihuahua. He is described as a popular pet, as well as a religious necessity, among the ancient Toltec tribes and later among the Aztecs. Archaeologists have discovered remains of this breed in human graves in Mexico and in parts of the United States.

The American Kennel Club Link:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/chihua.cfm


Monday, November 15, 2004


Boulder Football sundays

Monday, November 01, 2004


Halloween dusting
Ever since I can remember it snowed on Halloween night in Colorado. All the trick-or-treaters freezing there asses off running from door to door to get the big score before it was too cold to continue. I remember soaking wet shoes and frozen toes!! But most of all I remember not feeling a thing till I got home to inspect the loot. Nowadays I look forward to the snow in hopes the front range backcountry will be ski able sooner!! But don’t we all.

Friday, October 29, 2004

Dusk on Mission Beach


Lone Palm at Mission Beach
As the sun set on Mission beach I captured this image and I began to think about all the people who must have enjoyed a similar site. I wondered how many bare feet have touched this sand, how many cares were swept away by the sun setting over the pacific in this very location. I found a guy by the name of Peter Lubezynski at the University of San Diego who has posted a site about the history of Mission beach. I was delighted when I read something that I had just assumed about why early settlers came to mission beach. “Mission Beach has a certain lifestyle that is simply appealing. Everyone wanted to be there and just have a good time.” Not much has changed in that respect.
Thanks Will and April for being awesome hosts! I’ll never forget our time together.


Mission Beach history:(by Peter Lubezynski)
http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/st/~peterl/History/

Tuesday, October 12, 2004


Reflection pools.
Near Lake Verna. July 2004


With it's 1,800FT elevation gain over about 7 miles the walk to Lake Verna makes a great day hike, but is most enjoyed as a over nighter. Surrounded by several very do-able peaks Including MOUNT CRAIG(120007FT), ISOLATION PEAK(13118FT),ANDREWS PEAK(12565FT) and some six alpine lakes, including an area called "Ten Lakes Park" you will be happy you saved a day to play! Maybe two. The Rocky Mountain National forest is truly a Colorado treat.

www.explore-rocky.com is a great site with tons of info.
Backcountry office is (970) 586-1242.