2008 .. "Goin' West"

2008 had its ups and downs. College became a blur for a few months before graduation. I had done it. I had finally achieved something that no one would ever be able to take away from me. This year marked the major tunring point in life. No one ramen due to budget ... now it's by choice! I wasn't finished yet though, something was missing. I needed closure and that closure seemed like it would only come from pushing the envelope one more time. I needed to prove to myself that just as I left my mother's womb I could leave the comforts of the southeast and get some goods that were foreign, even to my friends.

Just where would i find these? COLORADO, my own personal graduation expedition. After just a small bit of convincing i managed to get annie on board with my plan.

I had to figure some things out though. "what am i gonna do when i get back? .. hah simple," i said. "I'll become a real engineer or something, maybe even work at the nuclear plant," i thought to myself. Things fell together and i landed a job as an operator at ANO. one catch ANO!... let me start later than may 12th so i can go paddle, "hmmm, sure ok but hurry back."

Because what else you gonna do in January in arkansas?

Colorful

Crack

... because college is filled with dousche bags we came up with the B-Rad. Wherever you are B-Rad... FU

FORM

Makin' dad proud

it's ok to be a little goofy. Couples pictures

The road to getting set free

Arrival to CO water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (The Arkansas is under that bridge)

Um, sir can you please move so i can have that house?

After all of the driving, we put on pine creek section and ran down to 5 and a half

#5 lead in

Pine Creek rapid. Munchy

Pine Creek

Lake Creek

Lake Creek: Cauldron with rainbow... taste it

CO disc golf is so much drier... and higher!

12k feet but who's countin'

The Vizzy would be jealous if she knew i had this

Representin!

Clear Creek Put-in

Scouting led to gold, if i wasn't so stoked about the creek maybe i would have panned

old bridge on the scout

More scouting from above

Scout of first notable rapid

After our scout we hooked up with Tango's buddy... he did this with the boats left over from cks fest. bichathane and bolts!

Creekin' 80 degree air temp with snow on the ground?!

This is my Colorado tribute to Arsenio Hall and my homies

In hindsight CO was the most refreshing paddling experience i have had. The people were top notch: kyle, tracy, tango (thanks for the floor!) and the many others along the way. Now it was time to go back home. I drove through a sand storm, hit a jack rabbit on steroids, and caught my front air dam on fire. FUN