Evergreen Lake Review: Evergreen, CO

Evergreen Lake House

While Evergreen Lake doesn't offer the detached feeling I seek when heading to the outdoors, it does have some perks. For instance, guys out there, this is a perfect place to prove to your lady friend you are not a total lunchbox. Evergreen is short jaunt from Denver and an ideal spot to host an unsuspected picnic on the lake. Pick up some champagne or some white wine, prepare a nice meal, or just bring some cheeses and a baguette.
Either route you choose the spontaneity and effort placed into an event like this will pay off tenfold. Your welcome unimaginative dudes who invite their girlfriend over to watch you play Call of Duty on your Xbox; I may have saved you from being punched in the nards by your girl.
About the services and surroundings, this place gets crowded in the afternoons so get there early or you may not be able to rent a canoe or paddle boat for only 8 bucks. Also that $8 dollar investment buys you four hours out on the lake. Sadly if you decide to attempt to do some fishing, your efforts will not be rewarded, the fishing here sucks and I don’t like the idea of eating a fish that looks like something off The Simpsons intro.

It is hands down one of the smallest bodies of water I have ever been on, but hey it's only 40 minutes away from Denver and it's not Cherry Creek reservoir. The views and mountain air are enjoyable but a highway does run adjacent to the reservoir. The advantage, Evergreen is close, it's a pretty drive, and it provides some good ol fashioned small town nostalgia.

Journey’s Aviation Review: Boulder, CO

Journey’s Aviation

This my friends, is a difficult article for me to write.  Why?  Because anytime one has the chance to coast through the skies, see this amazing world from a unique bird's eye view, become blessed with the responsibility to preserve life; one's desire is to give it the equivalent of Three Michelin Stars to any firm that would allow for such excitement is natural.  If I become too sappy for your liking and you question my man-hood.  Keep in mind the most delicate form I’ve used during acts of self-pleasure is Celery Salt. 

I love to fly, as someone much wiser than myself once stated; "flying an airplane, is the most fun you can have with your pants on."  This is a statement that holds true for me today, and I must say the DA-40 that I elected to fly in, was a magnificent piece of aircraft and a testament to the Austrian's ability to create excellence.

While this was a trip with the intention of fun and logging hours in my flight book; I couldn't help once again notice the desperate attitude of Journey's Aviation.  I will not bore you with the details regarding the minor bits of unprofessionalism; but I can tell you, there are better flight schools out there.  The flight itself, truly incredible, the instructor obviously much more talented than myself, the overall attitude; weaksauce.  If you’ve ever stepped foot onto a car lot you will notice some striking similarities.  Like a vehicular Sherpa they will guide you around the automobile with military like precision, pointing out the features on the vehicle, the amazing external noise dampening system, and will eventually guide you into the driver’s seat coaxing you into taking the vehicle on a test drive.  

It is a blatantly painful fact that the airline industry is struggling, jet fuel prices are 17 miles past retarded, pilot salaries are dropping, and nearly every small aviation school is struggling.  That said, this school offers some beautiful aircrafts for rent, a gorgeous/calm airstrip location, and fairly reasonable aircraft rental rates.

Trust me though, you will receive the "used car salesman" push when you finish your flight.  They will attempt to get you to sign up for their "flight club" and encourage you to put your initials on a yearly contract.  

Very pushy instructors, providing an overwhelming waft of sales BS; but overall a very enjoyable experience.  If they throw this spiel in your face and you have no spine for a solid rebuttal; just say that you are interested in learning how to smuggle parrots.  This statement should wrap things up rather quickly.

Monarch Crest Bike Trail

Monarch Crest

If you’re looking to experience some hot mountain action in the Rockies this year, it is tough to find a more enjoyable distance ride than the Monarch Crest Trail.  This is a great place to spend a weekend.  Pack as many of your friends, couples or singles, a lot of booze, food, into your SUV and prepare for one of the most enjoyable camping/bike rides you’ve ever partaken in.  It should be mentioned that there are some amazing stocked trout streams and ponds near Monarch that are so very worth casting a line into.  So tell your friends to bring a fishing pole. 

Depending on your selected starting point you can ride just a few miles of Monarch or you can enjoy a 32+ mile ride that will challenge your mental strength, determination, and endurance.  If you start off your ride at the peak of Monarch you will have the incredible pleasure of climbing above tree line within the first 15 minutes on the trail.  From this vantage point you will have a phenomenal view of the Rockies and especially during early summer and fall months you will enjoy views that make this particular ride worth putting onto the bucket list. 

The trail ride my friends and I selected took us through lush pine forests, beautiful grassy aspen tree packed meadows, and above the bareness tree line 3 or 4 times.  Additionally from our starting point we were able to ride directly back to our campsite.  Thankfully it was downhill for the last mile and some change.

For best results and ensuring your guarantee of completing 32+ miles, here is a list of things you should put in your pack.  Of course there is the obvious necessities, extra tires, tubes, patch kit, bike tools, extra socks, and a lot of water.  Additionally, bring a borderline retarded amount of snacks, you’ll be at altitude, this ride can take 6-8 hours so you will be burning a ridiculous amount of calories climbing and descending peak after glorious peak. 

Without question it is one of the best rides I’ve partaken in during my life.  If you love getting out there and spinning your legs, this is a trip that will put a smile on your face long before the journey is complete.  Additional tips for you riders, buy some extra padded burley bike shorts.  Because whether you’re a man or woman, your genitals will have calices if you don’t head my suggestion and they will have the abrasive texture of an 1800’s leather riding saddle by the time you finish the ride.    Also, have your friends who are just along for the camping or significant other who are patiently waiting with the group of non-riders at base camp have a few simple things ready for your arrival.  1 Bag of Family-Size Cool Ranch Doritos because you’re going to need the delicious salt, MSG, and carbs that only the culinary wizards at Frito-Lay can provide.  Somewhere between 5-23 cold beers for yourself because you’re going to need them, your body will be a little sore.  Some sort of protein to be grilled is also a necessity and a hug from your friends who made the journey with you and of course the friends who were patient enough to wait for you while you were gone… all after you shower off in a stream of course.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNRQ7sU9oEA

Aurora Skate Park Review

Aurora Skate Park

First off, I should mention that myself and vert skating work together about as well as an epileptic drawing on an etch-a-sketch during a rave.  Essentially, it is a failure pile that the Jersey Shore cast would shape up to an average Friday night.  A healthy portion of disappointment; but a common ground is shared between us because neither of us had to visit the clinic due to our evening performances.

I've been skateboarding for years and yet still have never thirsted for the urge to incessantly “shred the gnar” in a half pipe or bowl. With this in mind, if you like to ride bowls, make some huge transfers, this is probably the park for you.
Overall… considering the space this parks designers had to work with, it’s a great piece of concrete for the budget.

During my initial visit I stayed where I belonged, riding the manual pads, rails, and ledges.  Accompanied by a plethora of children riding Razor Scooters and a fleet of mothers asking “Which kid is yours?”  I rode the wave of awkwardness because I’m approaching that age where every parent at the skate park thinks I’m one of them.  No, not yet, I’m still focused on being selfish.   

As a non-sixteen year old is tough in the world of skateboarding.  Much like snowboarding it is a sport that treats aging individuals as the worst customer imaginable.  With either of the above listed sports, a corporation such as something that rhymes with “Hurton” expects to get 10 years worth of duckets from you. 

I don’t really care for that business model and I encourage it to suck the salt malt from the meat straw.  Skate, surf, snowboard, do what you love and keep it goblet for as long as it still puts a smile on your face. 

Skateboarding is not a sport that one that idolizes its elders.  Enjoy the fun your body can tolerate and appreciate this park for what it is.

T.J. Christensen Heating and Cooling Denver, CO

 

Contact Info:

12535 E Tennessee Cir.
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 437-0819

tj@tjhvacr.com 

T.J. Christensen Heating and Cooling

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What transformed my miserable home failure situation was speaking to the fine folks at T.J Christensen HVAC.  From my initial phone call with their scheduler Jody, to having T.J. personally solve my furnace issue; my experience with them was five miles past awesome.  They were prompt, honest, friendly, and most importantly they fixed my furnace for an incredibly reasonable price.  This company is really worth a call if you're having any sort of HVAC issues.