Marcus Edwards 7/22/14 Marcus Edwards 7/22/14

Recharging the soul

Earlier this year, my wife's cousin, Shannon, invited me to do some backpacking with her and some of her friends up in the beautiful back country mountains of Colorado.

When I lived in Texas, I used to dream about doing treks like this. And even though I've lived here in Colorado for the last 11 years, I still haven't made time for it.

But last week I did.

Shannon, Amy, and Justin and I headed out to Aspen, CO Wednesday night with the Four Pass Loop in our sights.

Located in the Maroon Bells / Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, CO, the 26+ mile trail (beginning elevation 9,580') is routed over four mountain passes, each over 12,000 feet in elevation.

West Maroon Pass
Frigid Air Pass
Trail Rider Pass
Buckskin Pass

Here's a view of our route, and where we started

Below will give you an idea as to how steep the ascents and decents were

This hike was was rated as one of the "Best Hikes Ever" by Backpacker Magazine, and now I know why!

Oh my gosh this hike was gorgeous.

My pack weighed around 40+/- lbs. It wasn't bad. But I felt the results of wearing it at the end of the day.

My main struggle was breathing! The air is thin enough at the starting point. Then you just keep hiking UP with the added weight on your back minus the oxygen.

It was challenging. But once I learned to control the rhythm of my breathing, it was much more doable.

Shannon, Amy, and Justin were great to hike with. And in doing so, I now feel closer to all of them. Funny how just doing something as simples as going for a hike can bring people closer.

Day 1
The ascent to our first campsite

One of the many marmots we saw along our way

A quick group selfie in front of the most photographed mountain peaks in Colorado,

the Maroon Bells

And here we go!

Our first stop, Crater Lake

Justin Jumping in to help Amy across

Taking a few minutes to recharge

Our state flower, the Columbine

We had a porcupine wander through our camp this night. It was a big 'ol prickly thing that showed no fear. Why would it? Nobody wants to mess with them. We did get a little too close for it's comfort and it looked like it was preparing to take some counter action with its quills. We respected its need for space and left it alone. It was too dark to get a decent picture of it to share. But just think of a huge pin cushion with legs that makes strange squeaky sounds as it walks.

Day 2

The next morning, we packed up camp and headed out to tackle two passes in one day,

West Maroon Pass and Frigid Air Pass

Atop our first pass

West Maroon Pass
Elevation 12,500 feet

At the summit of the second pass

Frigid Air
Elevation 12,415 feet

And back down into another valley we go in search of our next campsite

We were very fortunate to find this campsite nestled off the trail next to a small waterfall.

We were feeling pretty sore by the time we got here and were really looking forward to relaxing and recharging for the next morning. Soon after we got our camp set up, a rolling thunderstorm came through. We took to our tents and it was the perfect background music for us to drift away to for a late afternoon nap.

We were some happy campers!

Day 3

We packed up our camp again and headed out down lower into the valley basin before we started our climb back out. It was like starting over from scratch.

Towards the end of this day it was decided that we all had one common want; a cheeseburger and fries. This became our motivation on our last couple of days.

On our way up to Trail Rider Pass, we stopped for a quick photo op

Going clockwise: Me, Shannon, Justin, and Amy

Looking down on Snowmass Lake from the top

Trail Rider Pass
Elevation 12,420 feet

Aside from the mass of mosquitos that were constantly attacking us, we found another great place to camp on the side of the mountain. We even had a white tailed deer stroll leisurely through our camp. We acknowledged each other and she casually strolled on.

Day 4

Our last day.

Amy and Justin arrive at the top of our last pass!

Buckskin Pass
Elevation 12,500 feet

Now let's go get that cheeseburger!

This trip was some very much needed internal therapy for me.

We all get caught up in the everyday cycle of life. Work, chores, paying bills, etc

And although those are necessary parts to life, they're not what life is all about.

Remember to make time to do things that feed and recharge your soul.

The only thing missing on this trip for me was my wife, Janie. I wished she could have been with me to experience this.

The next one!

Marcus Edwards 4/22/14 Marcus Edwards 4/22/14

Showering Karen

A little over a week ago, my wife Janie and our daughter, Rheya, had a very full weekend.

A weekend of baby showers. 3 in fact. And one of them I photographed.

Janie, planned and designed most of this one, because Karen is family :)

Karen and Brian, and their 6 year old son, are expecting a new member to the family very soon. We will be looking forward personally welcoming the new little one to the world in early June!

Florist: Hanna Style Designs

Cake: Cindy Rocek

Desserts: Shannon Trafton

Hand made bow ties: Kyle Anne Lucks

Styling, design, and artwork: Janie Rocek

Marcus Edwards 3/17/14 Marcus Edwards 3/17/14

A little surprise for Shannon

Janie has 2 other sisters, and "technically", Shannon is her cousin.

But "really" she's Janie's 3rd sister.

Shannon was Janie's MOH (Maid of Honor) at our wedding. She really stepped up to the plate and not only filled the role, but she friggin' OWNED it. She spearheaded our "Battle of the sexes" paint war, she was instrumental in her "position" as MOH, and she was simply invaluable to Janie on our wedding day. She took being the Maid of Honor very seriously and did a tremendous job.

So now Shannon had this birthday coming up and Janie wanted to plan something special and she went at the task with guns a blazing.

She planned this out for months, designing the details, the artwork, painting a couple of my backdrops, etc. She really poured herself into it.

She found The Studio in Denver and made the arrangements to have the surprise party there.

So on the day of celebration, Janie and I drove down to Denver and Janie got setup in a hotel suite to do her hair and makeup while I was out of sight in another hotel room.

The day before, Karen (Janie's sister) had driven down to where Shannon works while she was away and put this on her desk...

(Karen wrote the poem)

And so she did..

And Shannon was driven from Colorado Springs to Denver, blind folded while her "captors" kept quiet.

They brought her to Janie and the blindfold was removed.

And Janie sat her down and took care of her hair and makeup.

Now, Shannon was all ready for the night, even though she didn't know what was in store for her

When she was done, Lindsey and Amy (her "captors") took her away and off to dinner. In the meantime, Janie and I drove to The Studio and started setting up for the party.

She setup the decorations with the help of family and friends, and I setup a studio to take pictures and got ready to shoot the night.

When we were ready, Shannon was brought to the site blindfolded and was walked to where her family and friends were waiting for her, to give her a warm and welcome SURPRISE!

AND THE PARTY WAS ON!