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Hike to Sky Pond in Estes Park, CO

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After a full and long week in Salt Lake City at OR, we took some time in Colorado while Brian did a little training for the Leadville 100. Once of those training days we climbed up to Sky Pond, a gorgeous glacial run-off pond in Estes Park. Just CLICK on the album to see all the images!

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On the course again...

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i just can't wait to get on the course again...and wait we didn't. Humid 98 degree day be damned! We are Iowans, for heaven's sake, and there is a game to be played. Upon Brian's return from Pakistan, the Adel clan decided to take Brian out to the famous Winterset course. The day was hot, the competition was fierce...but the beers were flowing and the fun was too!
Ladies and gentlemen...start your engines. The team lines were drawn...Sunday and Howard against Sue, Brian and Vanessa...oh the tension, you could cut it with a knife!
Knock off the competition at the first hole? What? Just some innocent practice swings to get the ol' golf game back. Not much golf at 7000m.
And as usual, a strange face from me, no normal pictures are ever captured of me...but wait...are those Zeal sunglasses i am wearing? Why yes, yes they are! That fantastic ZB-13 lens must be what improved my game that day.
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The Players

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Wiley and cunning, the other team tried to seduce ideas of a hostile takeover out of our heads, but do not be fooled. Behind those beautiful pearly whites are not sweet intentioned golfers, nay, they are the criminal minds of Adel at work. These two crafty tricksters play the good sportsmen...while they plan a plot so dubious, it would not be a fitting bit of fiction here...
Look at that form! The Dad takes his best shot...i believe this ball mysteriously went missing...interesting ploy. The plot thickens.
Our fearless leader finds his game again on the course at Winterset on this liquefying day in Iowa. With master craftsmanship...he chooses his path, ever so softly checks the wind, and then...gives the ball something to write home about.
The silent expert, Sunday, with little experience and practice has taken "beginner" to a new level. In a few short games she has become the phenom of our little clan, with steadied hand and great precision, she slices the ball with a soft expertise only someone who has studied can master.
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Pros...

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The daylight was fading, but our spirits were high and happy. Here is Sue, the one hit wonder. Sue has mastered the fine art of walking up to the ball, determination and style abounding, and hit the living daylights out of the thing. This classy golf shark plays down her game the entire time, making sure everyone is cared for and comfortable...then, BAM! Knocks that ball straight down the green with such force that the little divot on the ball jump.
But the other team doesn't stand a chance staying mad at this sweetheart, just look at that smile!
Ladies and gentlemen, in a show of intimidation and force, Brian allowed all of you a free ticket...to the gun show. Yes, free tickets to the gun show...ladies, ladies, calm down. Even with his diminished climbers body, he is a force to be reckoned with...i will pause for the screaming to stop.
The Block men, sharing stories about Pakistan, golf tips...mutiny perhaps? It is hard to say as we did not even finish a 9 hole game-the darkness caught us. Only a rematch will determine a winner here...and a rematch there will be!!
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K2 Blog installment #1

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Hey all, can you believe just how fast the summer has passed by?!! Seemed like just yesterday i was relishing the opportunity to get out of the winter clothing, was back for 2 months and now am sweltering in the Midwest heat! Hopefully your summer was as productive and rewarding as mine. Sometimes measuring "success" can be difficult...many options. This summer was definitely an exercise in deciphering what success means to me.
With the support of Sunday and Vanessa i was able to take up an invitation to join a group of fantastic climbers on an attempt of K2 in the Karakorum region in Pakistan. Our route of focus was/is (as 9 of 10 climbers are still in Pakistan working on the route as the Monsoon season sets in)- the Cesan route or the SE Spur.
K2, the Mountaineers Mountain, was definitely all that it was made out to be! Massive, foreboding, technical and lots of avalanches! What a great experience!
Look for more info and pics of the trip in regular installments! We will be contacting you all shortly about clinicing scheduling and an upcoming slide series i have planned! Have a great day!~B. Block
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...stories of perilous, nay, endless traveling in the ever changing midwest territory...