Mount Massive

Here is Jennifer and I and you can see the summit of Mt. Massive, another one of Colorado's 14ers. This one was 14,421ft. However, with a rain scare we turned around at probably 13,000ft in fear we would get rained and hailed on.

Anyway, This Sunday, Jason, Trevor, Jennifer and I climbed Mt. Massive. We started at 5:30am, and well at about 10am we made the call to turn around so we didn't get stuck in the rain, and made it back down to the trail head just after 1pm.
Jennifer clocked it as 7 hours and 42 min hike!! Not too bad. Can't say we made the summit, but, we sure did have a GREAT day of hiking.

Here are the photos:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/album?.dir=/d09b

Travis' graduation

Uncle Bobby and Aunty Terry with Travis

Well, I spent the weekend in RI, CT and MA and a small drive through NH!!

Travis graduated from the Navy, from Sub school before he heads off to Hawaii to work at Pearl Harbor on the nuclear submarines!!




Here's Mom, Travis and I.

Old Friends

Abby and Lauren and I all met in Australia. Haven't seen Lauren since she left, and Abby I saw at least over two years ago. Anyway, we were able to meet up for dinner in Providence, RI! Amazing how times just flies by, yet we are all still the same!

Long's Peak!

At the Top of Long's Peak!!!
My first 14,000ft mountain!!

Well This past Friday I climbed 14,000ft. How awesome that!??

We started at the Trailhead at 9:45pm and then started to trek up the mountain. I had enough energy to keep me going for a while and it did. I had no idea where we were going or what I was getting into. We kept moving and the hours were just flying by.

I was so busy looking at all the stars and staring up at the milky way! It was just spectacular, you cannot capture that sky anywhere (well just anywhere, wish I was there Thursday night for the meteor shower). I saw a few shooting starts and wished upon a few, but can’t remember them.

About 4am we got to the keyhole. About a half hour after we got there other people joined us, and we all chatted for a while trying to decide what to do, and then maybe 4:30am or so we decided to do that ledges and as we were going along you could see the light starting to approach. I could start to see the mountains and how massive they were. And also, how incredibly high we were and how steep those mountains were. I started to think, I am ok right now, but that I may be really scared going down the mountain.

We got the notch and stopped again and took some photos. We were passed up by a few guys who were just booking it and they actually made it to the summit to see the sun rise. We unfortunately were on the wrong side of the mountain to actually see the sun rise. I was determined to get up there as soon as possible so I could see the sun.

We did the homestretch as quickly as we could. There was a bit of ice that made it a little slippery. We got to the top about 6am. I was the 5th person on the mountain that morning. Those two guys then Jason and Trevor then me. We took our photos at the top. (As you can see).

You know what blows me away. There are some days that I have climbed Squaw Peak (in AZ) and I was much more bothered than I was climbing this MASSIVE mountain. I am not sure, but I am just so happy by body was working with me.

We stayed on the top for maybe 20 minuetes and looked at all the ranges of mountains. Then we started to head down, which was just a killer on the knees. Gosh my knees were really bothering me, but fortunately the next day and today they don’t hurt at all. (The thighs were another story).

The way down .. the long walk seemed to be going forever, and ever. By the time we got to the bottom I was imagining the parking lot. It was just crazy. I really did see cars at least three times, but I really think I was dreaming. With the altitude and the lack of sleep. I saw all sorts of stuff. Cracked me up. Jason and Travor thought I was nuts.

Then, we got back to trailhead at 1pm. That was 15 hours of hiking… with stops here and there, but it was still fairly intense and it was awesome! I now can say that I hiked that, and I am really proud of that (thanks Jason for inviting me)!

Then we ended up staying up there in Estes Park for Saturday night. Much better idea than driving down with no sleep. And Estes is amazing!

Anyway, don't want to go on too long. Here is the link to the photos

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/album?.dir=1ce0&.src=
ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/my_photos

Colorado Plates

Yesterday I got Colorado Plates! I have not yet put them on, not sure I am ready to let go of Arizona just yet. Out of all the times I have moved in my life I have never changed my address or had to change anything really. I will be taking the Grand Canyon State plate off to replace it with a green and white Colorado plate.

It's offical. 4 months after I get here I finnally acept the fact it's time.

White Water Rafting!!!

Well I got to go White Water Rafting today for the first time at the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River! It was spectacular!!!! Four girls and two guides! We had so much fun while battling the rapids. At first Tracy went overboard, but fortunately, she was not hurt and we rescued her, and it was hilarious! Then we hit another set of rapids and well all four of us girls were ejected!

The other three were able to get back in, while, me, well I just floated down the river and hit all sorts of rocks along the way. I had to keep reminding myself to go feet first. I just couldn't get back to the boat. I was calm, but then again, it was kinda scary. There was another boat nearby that rescued me because our boat got stuck.

So fortunately for all of us, we all got rescued and we were back on the rapids in no time. We laughed so hard, I don't think our guide has ever had people fall out of the boat like we did. We really did almost flip the boat....

But in the end it was just spectacular and I would do it again. We were only on the river for 2 hours, but that was a good amount of time. I can't wait to get the photos back!! I will be sure to put the link up!

Mel

AND the photos!!
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/album?.dir=7e31&.src=
ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/my_photos

Casa Bonita!!!

They compare Casa Bonita to the Mexican Chucky Cheese, but I beg to differ. There is nothing like Casa Bonita. It is unique to it's own degree.

When you tell people you are going to Casa Bonita and all they say is, hmmm, save your money on the food, but the sopapia (sp.) are good, but you go for the exprieince.

Well I managed to go with 25 other people (and let me tell you, maybe once in blue moon does Casa Bonita get 25 people over the age of 25 in their restaraunt).

Before I go on, here is their website http://www.casabonitadenver.com/

TASTE THE GREATEST SHOW IN DENVER!
- great Mexican food PLUS over 30 attractions -
cliff divers, escaping gorillas, cowboy shootouts, lost caves and caverns, amusement arcade and more

Casa Bonita has been the funnest AND tastiest place to eat in Denver for nearly thirty years. Few can resist the excitement of the live shows combined with our all you can eat dinners.
Check out our menus and our entertainment and see for yourself how great Casa Bonita is!

Ok, well, you get there and you wait in line as you are at a cafeteria, hmm, and then you finally get your food after standing in this long line (now we are not at Disneyland, but you would thing so, getting ready to go onto Indiana Jones). Then by the time we were seated, our food was cold. and well it took them til after our food was finished to bring us our Margaritas (hmmm but they forgot the tequila, but it was really great lemon lime juice).

Well we did get to see the cliff divers and go through the cave. There was even a puppet show, mariachis (sp?>?) and yes the gorilla and cowboy shootout!

I am telling you, nothing like it! But I wouldn't really ever compare it to Chuck E. Cheese.

That is all for now.

Polo Anyone

You know as I walk around some days, I think, gosh, I should blog this (whether it is read or not) then days just go by and I don't tell too many people my story, nor do I blog. Here a week has gone by and I haven't even really mentioned Polo!

So anyway, I went to my first Polo match last weekend out in Littleton, CO at the Columbine Polo grounds put on by the 20's 30's club of Denver (all male between 20 and 39), and the ladies do all the volunteer work. a 1/4 of a million dollars are raised for childrens charities! and it is a spectacular event.

Sat I just helped out with registration, and well Sunday it was TO the NINES ladies! We all wore our sun dresses and hats. How often do we get to wear hats. And how many polo events and derbies do you go to?

Anyway, I got the lucky job of pouring mismosas all day. Hard work, I know!! But it was a great time, and the guys really do appriciate all the volunteer help that the ladies give.


In anycase, here are photos from my first polo match!!!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/album?.dir=1de5
&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/
ph/melanie_gentz/my_photos


Just like in Pretty Woman! (Well, kinda - not really!!)

11 days and no blog

Oh my, gosh, goes to show nothing exciting is going on in my life right now. But the world is just going nuts with bombings, huricanes and all sorts of crazy stuff. When the bombing happened in London, it was crazy, no one in our Leeds office were affected, however, when we heard the news the bombers were IN Leeds, we let our coworkers know, and would you believe, it was news to them. We here in Denver found out about the bombers being in Leeds before people actually living there. Wow.

Anyway, since the 4th, nothing too excited has been going on, just working away and doing well at it. And I went camping last weekend, which I decided I could do every weekend, but it took us 6 hours to get all the tents, food and beer in the car then we drove aimlessly in the mountains looking for a place to pitch our tents and light a fire. Fortunatly we were ready by 6pm and had a GREAT LATE night!!! Up early and back on the road, this time it only took us an hour or so to get home. much better!

This has been a great week at work. I realized I can really get people excited about traveling and volunteering. I had a great time with it, not a bad time to happen with the big boss coming into town on Monday from the UK for a few days.

Well that is all for now, I am volunteering at the Polo event this weekend. Can't wait to blog that!

Catcha later.

4th of July Weekend

It will be a quiet holiday weekend here in Denver! Hoping for a few BBQ's! Fireworks!

So far today was just madness at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and lot's of shopping!!

Happy Independance Day America!!!!! Happy 4th of July!!!

Fireworks (marshmellows from every direction!).

7/08/05 - Well there were three days of fireworks! And people lighting them off everywhere! Very Fun!!! On the 3rd we drove up to Boulder just to find a pool to swim, but by the time we go there it was cold, rainy and windy, so we didn't even get to go swimming ;(

Hope everyone had a GREAT 4th!!!!

Fuller Beer!!

Ok, I am going to Volunteer at the Polo event in mid July (just picture me as Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman in that cute little polka dot dress and big hat!), and well tonight was a mandatory meeting at the CEO/President's house of Fuller Beer!! They import beer from Germany/Czek Republid/Irleand. Man his house was phenominal!!!!! I would never leave if I lived there. End of story!

Chicago!! Rotary's 100 Year Anniversary!

Rotary International Convention, Chicago, IL
June 19-22

You can view the photos here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz/album?.dir=c7d4&.src=
ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melanie_gentz
/my_photos

I got in on Thursday the 16th and it was a busy weekend after that. Thursday I checked in with the LA Rotaract club, and then there was a Rotaract social at the Excaliber that night.

Friday the conference started about 8am, and went all day! Friday night was the Gala Social, which was a lot of fun!

Then Sat morning was the Rotary parade. We only caught the tail end of it, but it was awesome, aparently there were 220,000 people that showed up to see it, bigger than the St. Patricks Day parade.

Sat night we just went to Navy Peir and saw a wonderful fireworks show!!! Then Sunday Antonia and I spent most of the day in the house of Friendship (where all sorts of booths from anything to everything is there)... then made our way to Greek Town for some lunch!

Sunday night was the Rotary Planerary session, which was awesome and that didn't end until 10pm, then we hung out and got up early on Monday for our last day in town and went on the Architectural Boat tour down the Chicago River. After that we had just enough time to grab lunch and head back to the airport!

In Chicago!!!

Well I have made it, I am here, just waiting on others to get here, so i am sitting out in the nice cool weather, and well, playing on the computer killing time, so I thought I would blog it!

I will write more about the conference soon!

I am sooooo loved!!!!

You should see my desk at work! I am sooooo lucky to have such wonderful people in my life who send flowers and candy!!!!

Thanks Ty for the Chocolate, man, I can't resist the choclate covered pretzels... but I am holding off on finishing off the basket in two days!!!

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!

26!!!

Oh my, it is officially here, and I am 26! cool! I am still working on the book. I honestly think I am going to write a book!! (please no one steal the idea).

Anyway, I have started my weeklong birthday celebrations, I think it started Friday night, but officially Saturday night! And well, Sunday, the official b-day is Monday and then I head to Chicago on Thurday! So it will be a great weeklong celebration (not that every weekend isn't a celebration), but the birthday thing just sounds better.

So I don't know if anyone ever really reads these, so I will keep it short!

The Countdown is on!

6 days and counting until I turn 26! Ok, so that means that I am entering my late 20's right!? I am still confused about this age thing, because I still feel like I am 17 and in High School, but with a whole lot of life.

So I am going to write a book sometime in my life. I think that has been a goal of mine since I was 8 years old, but not accomplished. And I think I have a great idea on my hands, which most of you know about.

But I have even asked to interview the CEO of my company. I thought that was rather bold! I will talk to her in the morning, and I am excited about that!

I hope everyone I know, will share thier story with me in the next 6 days! But either way, I also feel like I don't have to stop with the idea at 26, but maybe reshape it and actually start writing the book!

48 Hours in Phoenix

It is amazing what you can do in 48 hours! My oldest brother turned 30!!! And I am one lucky girl, and I got to go to the party! It made me realize I am not far from home, and I may just have to go again.

It also made me realize, man we are growing up. I mean we were just, well like 10 years old, or for that matter Tyson was 14, but still, 30!!! next thing I know, I will be 30!

I am soooo glad I got to see friends and family! Miss everyone in Phoenix!!!!

I love my neigborhood!

Ok, there are just days that when you walk around Capital Hill in Denver, you just have to say "I love my neighborhood!" Or at least Emily loves to say it!

Let's just say there is a lot of character that happens here! Interesting, scary, strange, um, just odd and some just rather funny.

If you are South Park fans.... you may get blips about Colfax!

You will just have to visit me here to make our own stories in Capital Hill!!!!

Summer in Denver

Well, I am NOT going to complain about the weather, although it is suppose to Thunderstorm on Memorial Day Weekend (Sunday and Monday) - but Today is Saturday and well the weather is PERFECT as it has been for the last week. Emily and I have made a few trips to the lakes around here, and I got to spend some time in Boulder, absolutly BREATHTAKING!! I love the mountains!

And I am hoping for some GREAT summer Camping, and well BBQ's! Mabye some summer Volleyball. Washington Park always has nets up and people playing, so I am sure I will figure my way into it!

Catcha later!

Prairie Dogs!

Oh my gosh, Emily and I went to Boulder to walk around the lake and well, teach her dog to swim (unsuccessful) and on the walk we saw SOOOOOOOOOOOO many Prairie Dogs!! It was crazy, like the ground was moving. But the drive home, well I think we saw more dead ones on the side of the road than out in the feild. Poor Things!!