What Goes Up, Must Come Down!

For those of us who heard the plan last night and were able to rouse ourselves out of bed, we met Molly at 6:30am for a warm-up workout greeting the day with enthusiastic vigor. For those of us feeling a little less perky, like me, we caught a few extra zzzzz's, glanced at a few headlines and ate breakfast in the resort dining room.

Around 8am, our driver collected us from the resort. We dressed in hiking attire and slung sparsely filled day packs with energy bars, water & cameras over our shoulders. We expected temperatures to reach the mid to high 80s, thus the extra layers of clothing were unnecessary. Our driver, Richard, gave us a brief tour of the Broadmoor from the comforts of the transport van. If the Manitou Incline didn't spark our desires to plan a future trip, the Broadmoor certainly did.

Richard kindly delivered us to the outfitter leading us on our rappelling & hiking adventure in Cheyenne Cañon.

Molly quickly divided us into two groups, five hikers and six rappellers. To start, Trina, Esther, Jama, Lynn and I ascended 1000 feet, climbing to a panoramic view of the sawtooth Rockies on one side. Panning 180°, we witnessed the flat, soil-rich, uniform landscape of the Great Plains. Oh what an amazing contrast to see this beautiful country laid out before our eyes.

Meanwhile, the other half of our group, including Molly, Stacey, Mary Ann, Tobi, Martha & Tricia, slipped into harnesses , gloves, clips and helmets in anticipation of throwing themselves over a 100 foot boulder.

Those first six women waited their turn anxiously. The first few ladies, put on a brave face, showing nervous smiles to pave the way for those who followed.

Each brave woman, took her turn, trusting herself & the equipment to safely conquer that towering boulder. Some bounded downwards in gleeful fashion,

while others chose a more cautious approach.

When each group completed the hike & rappelling adventure, we switched activities giving everyone an opportunity to test lung capacities climbing the canyon

and conquering the rough terrain of the boulder.

Early afternoon, we returned to the resort for lunch. Some of us spent the afternoon spoiling ourselves in the spa as others frolicked in the Garden of the Gods.

Before dinner, we convened briefly in Molly's room to imbibe with wine and to watch a slideshow capturing our Colorado exploits. When Molly announced her next destination adventure trip scheduled for winter 2014, we giggled with enraptured delight. As we moved our group to the resort's outdoor dining area, we found a beautiful table set in our honor.

Knowing this would be our last evening together, we settled into our chairs to select our options of food and drink for the culminating celebratory meal of the inaugural Mojo Active Adventures trip. At one point, chatter turned to the breathtaking topographic sunset surrounding us. We rose from the table to capture the spectacular setting in our final group photo.

We look back on the last three days, proud of our personal & collaborative feats. We feel bonded with our group of eleven amazing women. Each of us tried something new, faced a fear or two, found confidence and affirmed friendships, old and new. Tomorrow, we will return to our regular lives, feeling a sense of accomplishment and hopefully applying the various personal lessons learned on this trip to the journey of our everyday life. When we come across a treacherous pass, we will dig deep in our soul to slow down and navigate cautiously. When we trust ourselves and our surroundings, we will feel the freedom and confidence to fly with the wind and and let go. Despite testing limits and reaching new heights, we have most enjoyed letting loose and getting silly during moments of lighthearted gaiety.

A big thanks to Molly for organizing and leading this adventure! We look forward to many more.

I Can See for Miles & Miles

We awoke this morning to blue skies and a few clouds after last night's heavenly demonstration of thunder and lightening. Bright-eyed & bushy-tailed, Molly started the morning with a solitary energetic run. When she encountered a menacing coyote, Molly quickly retraced her steps and opted to rally the rest of the troops for an organized workout tomorrow. All agree with power in numbers against a coyote or two. Thus, early morning exercise will resume tomorrow.

Around 8am, Harvey and Emily from Pikes Peak by Bike Challenge Unlimited collected us from the resort and delivered us in Manitou at the COG railway for a one-way ticket to ascend Pikes Peak. Harvey and Emily kindly offered us light sustenance of bagels with peanut butter/jam, yogurt, granola and coffee. Molly encouraged those of us wanting more substantial fare to hit the resort's dining room prior to our departure. 

At the COG railway depot, we loaded up our day packs with camera's, hats, gloves and extra layers and filled our CamelBaks. For those of us that didn't prepare ahead, we purchased bottles of water and oxygen canisters marketing 50 puffs. Pink grapefruit was the overwhelmingly flavor of choice.

Some believe oxygen canisters offer a strict placebo effect. For those of us with thick heads blood, we are true believers and would never voluntarily climb to an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet without bringing oxygen in a can. Any unused canisters could be returned for a full refund. You can never be too prepared, as Tobi knows!

The COG train left the station sharply at 9:20am. We spent the next hour listening to the conductor's silly jokes and trivial fun facts. We ascended the mountain, checking out the sites, snapping a few photos and adding layers as temperatures dropped. The temperature difference between the base & summit can be as much as 40 degrees.


By the time we reached the Pikes Peak summit, we were swathed in our cold weather attire and ready for some action.

We quickly took our potty breaks & photo ops, filled our lungs with canned oxygen and readied the bikes for the imminent 6,000 foot descent.

Molly sported the Go-Pro as we flew off the mountain like bats out of hell superman down the mountain.

Some of us felt the need for speed as we sailed through the switchbacks, while others of us cautiously negotiated the slope of the road, respecting each and every one of those 14,115 feet of altitude. Periodically, our guide, Emily, stopped along the route, to check our progress, shed our layers, shoot photos, hydrate and describe the upcoming terrain. Harvey followed us in the van to collect our extra clothing and bring up the rear.

After three hours of an exhilarating bike ride, we parked our wheels at a neighborhood restaurant offering wine-tastings. Tho many of us pre-ordered cheeseburgers or grilled turkey sandwiches, the aroma of the third option, brats, left us second-guessing our original selection. Naturally, we washed down the solids with tasty Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon and plenty of water.

By 3pm, Harvey & Emily deposited us back at the resort. Esther & Tobi played a tennis math (as if they hadn't expended enough energy already), three enjoyed spa treatments,

while others climbed more mountains, 

smelled the flowers, 

pondered life, 

sought nirvana,

and tested boundaries.

After showering & trading in spandex for casual evening attire, we headed to Shuga's for dinner. Shuga's was expecting us, thanks to Molly's advanced coordination. After Esther's quick phone call from the booth,

we quickly filled the tables and ordered innovative cocktails. I ordered the flavorful Sassquash made up of vodka infused butternut squash with spices. The first drink was so delectable, I followed up with a second. Our meal at Shuga's did not disappointment (note: do not miss the Spicy Brazilian Coconut Shrimp Soup). The casual atmosphere coupled with the savory cuisine was a perfect venue to refuel and end the day for some of us, but not for all of us....

Retiring to our rooms, in preparation for tomorrow's activities, some of us look forward to conquering the Manitou Incline on the next trip, while the rest of us breath a sigh of relief  that today's focus was downhill. We will gladly view the Incline Video and show reverence to Harvey, Emily & our bikes.

Proud Mojo: "Rolling Down the River"

This morning we awoke to this breathtaking view of the Garden of the Gods:

First off, we met for a yoga class on the terrace with Chris from Brazil. Chris gave us our first laugh of the day, interwove some Thai Chi action into the yogi movements and stirred our respiratory system with acute breathing techniques, providing us with a peaceful yet energetic start to the day. The pose receiving the most chatter seemed to be Lynn's favorite, Happy Baby!

Following yoga, we broke our fast on the patio, filling our bellies & feasting our eyes upon the breathtaking views laid out before us. Subsequently, we dispersed to prepare for our first excursion, loading our day bags with sunscreen, cameras, water and a change of clothes.

We boarded the van service with Correy, our reliable chauffeur. He drove us the hour to Echo Canyon River Expeditions in Cañon City where we checked in, signed waivers, and ate a resort prepared lunch of curried chicken salad sandwich, bow tie pasta salad, red delicious apples and a lip-smackingly moist chocolate chip cookie.

Next, we buckled into our personal flotation devices, adjusted our helmets and loaded onto a bus for transport to our drop spot along the Arkansas River. En route, one of the river guides warned us of every possible danger associated to our rafting trip, leaving a few of us thinking that we may not live to see the sunset. In retrospect, the excessive warnings were possibly intended as motivation for navigating the river's glut of exposed rocks often mooring our rafts due to exceptionally low water levels.

Upon arriving at the drop spot, our group quickly divided into three groups and pushed off the riverbank to receive quick lessons from our guides. Two of the three groups showed immediate rafting prowess receiving accolades from their guides. The third group, somehow less adept, eventually rose to the occasion after an initial tongue-lashing from guide Suzie. The class 4 rapids offered challenge & delight for all.

We paddled for three hours taking in the scenery, at times against the wind, sharing many laughs. When we reached our take out point, the bus transported us back to the outfitter's headquarters where we changed into dry clothes & sidled up to the bar to relive the day's exploits.

Late afternoon, Correy returned us to the resort where we temporarily parted ways, reconnected with calls/texts to loved ones back home and groomed for dinner. We met at the hotel dining room to share the evening meal with Martha leading the merriment.

Now it rains and thunders, as we lay our heads on our pillows dreaming of tomorrow's adventures.

Off We Go...

Dear Molly,

As our fearless leader, you have laid the groundwork. You prepared the 10 of us for the inaugural MOJO Active Adventures trip to Colorado arranging the elaborate logistics of itineraries, activities, meals, roommates and carpools. You provided us with an exhaustive packing list, including everything from moisture-wicking undergarments to lip balm (for those of us with a Chap Stick obsession). Frankly, the most controversial decision I have made so far is what reading material I should bring to occupy my busy brain during the flight. If only family vacations could be so easy.

You organized both the logistics of the adventure, and you prepared our bodies for the mental and physical challenges that await us in Colorado Springs. Under your tutelage, we have performed countless burpees, cherry pickers, Bosu crossovers, reverse-lunge bicep curls, needle-threading planks, etc. using the highly touted Tabata interval training method. Admittedly, our aspirations to be in the Olympics have passed, but at least we can pretend to train like an Olympian! We feel their pain.... on a much older smaller scale.

While most of our group has maximized your strength and endurance-building workouts, a couple of us, namely I, have complained at a volume bordering on heckling. The movement of each limb aches deeply in my stiff muscles and aging bones. Everyone has a station in life, and mine will be to bring up the rear for this group. Ladies, I vow to set the bar low, so you will all feel a grand sense of accomplishment upon our return. I just ask in return, that you wait for me upon conquering Pike's Peak and I beg of you to not leave me dangling from a rope in Cheyenne Canyon.

Dutifully, we left behind voicemail and email announcements promising to return. Some of us wrote biographic novels documenting the labyrinth of child-centered instructions for activities, chores, homework, etc. that will consume our families' lives during our absence. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go. Tho, not accounted for in our luggage, we come to you, Molly, with open minds and open hearts, ready to accept this challenge and support one another. We are ready to test our limits and offer thanks for the investment in those previous Tabata training workouts (some of us wishing we had been a little more dedicated and a lot less oppositional). We begin this endeavor as friends and neighbors. Henceforth, we are forever bound as MOJO Active Adventurers.

Off we go... Good-bye Atlanta!