2011: DENVER “THE D MOVES”
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DAY 1: SUITED UP & READY TO GO
Just hours after landing, the boys arrive at Winter Park Resort to get in some serious mountain bike riding to start this year’s Colopalooza.
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DAY 1: RIDING UP THE HILL
The beauty of mountain biking at a resort is that it’s all downhill. Here’s the view back as we make our way up to the top by chairlift.
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DAY 1: POSSIBLE STORM
The weather in CO is totally unpredictable. One minute it’s totally sunny and the next, it’s looking like we might get drenched.
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DAY 1: SASQUATCH SIGHTING
There are a lot of sasquatch sightings on this trip, including this shocking interaction between Squatch and Smalls.
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DAY 1: SKINNY DEER
The Paloozians come upon this slender deer while they’re out on the trail. He really looks like he could use some Cheeky Monk leftovers.
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DAY 1: BELGIAN BEERS
Speaking of Cheeky Monk, that’s where the boys go after they finish up riding. The Monk serves up a large variety of Belgian beers and tasty food. If you ever stop by, do not miss the Artichoke Dip. Crazy good.
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DAY 1: NOW THAT'S DARK BEER
The Belgian beers are pretty strong. Put down two of these bad boys and you’ll star randomnly forgetting people’s names.
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DAY 1: OH BOY
It’s looking a lot like Sean has already polished off his third round.
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DAY 1: DECISIONS DECISIONS
Craig tries to decide what to order next. Although it’s a bit hard to miss.
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DAY 1: PIZZA & BEER AT HERNANDOS
To put the cherry on top of a great first day, the Paloozians head to Hernandos for a tasty dinner of mountain pizzas.
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DAY 1: DECORATIVE SINGLES
Here are just 24 of the nearly 10,000 dollar bills that cover the walls of Hernando's. That’s a lotta tip money.
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DAY 2: THE NEW LOG PALACE
Since we last spent time in Winter Park, the original Log Palace has been sold and a new one has been purchased. Long live the Palace.
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DAY 2: PALOOZIAN BREAKFAST
The boys wake early to enjoy a delicious Clem-made breakfast before heading out for a day of stream fishing up past Grand Lake.
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DAY 2: QUIET MORNING
Winter Park/Fraser is pretty quiet this time of year (between seasons) and almost empty on a weekday morning.
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DAY 2: MEETING OUR GUIDES
Al and Chris at the outfitter as they await getting their waders sized.
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DAY 2: SAILBOATS AT GRAND LAKE
Morning fog hangs over the water as we drive past Grand Lake on our way up to one of the headwater streams of the Colorado River.
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DAY 2: MOUNTAIN MEN
The Paloozians are dressed to the nines and ready to reel in some tens.
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DAY 2: TREK TO THE STREAM
Funny, we don't recall signing up for a 40 minute rubber-encased hike today. But sometimes you have to suffer to find the hungry fish.
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DAY 2: DAMN BUGS
With all the pine beetles eating the forest, things are pretty sparse.
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DAY 2: THE STREAM
We finally arrive at our destination, but discover that the stream is a little too low and slow for good fishing. But it sure looks pretty.
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DAY 2: CLEMBOY
Clem works the stream pretty hard. Here he is in the water with a GoPro strapped to his nuts.
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DAY 2: ALLIE
Here’s Al looking quite outdoorsy in his manly angling gear.
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DAY 2: HEADING TO LOS ANGELES
Believe it or not, this little stream is actually one of the main headwaters to the Colorado River. In just a few short weeks, this same water will be used to green up somebody’s lawn in Pico Rivera.
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DAY 2: LUNCH BREAK
Nothing matches up to some of the freaky food joints you find in these small mountain towns. Sean covers his face in embarrassment at the mere thought of being pictured at one of these places. Al doesn’t care.
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DAY 2: LOG PALACE LIFE
The boys are able to make it back to the Log Palace in time to catch some afternoon sunshine and crack a few cold beers.
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DAY 2: CORNHOLING
Sean and Chris are in a heated battle for cornhole supremacy.
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DAY 2: A PERFECT TOSS
Sean gets his cornhole way up in the air as Chris admires his red sack.
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DAY 2: LOG PARADISE
This picture capture life at the Log Palace perfectly. A crisp and sunny afternoon, a clear view of Winter Park resort, and a cold beer.
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DAY 2: GARLIC-RUBBED RIBEYES
There are two things I hate seeing on social media—images of people’s gory injuries and photos of raw meat. But I’ll make an exception of the latter for this sun-splashed beauty.
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DAY 2: NOW THAT'S BETTER
They look so much better smoking on an open grill, don’t they? These steaks are some of the best we’ve ever had. The boys conclude the night with some poker that goes awry—hence the title of this year’s Palooza.
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DAY 3: HERE COMES THE SUN
Sean is up early for coffee and sunshine. After a perfect couple of days at the Log Palace, it’s very hard to leave for our trip down to Boulder.
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DAY 3: BREAKFAST TIME
The boys stop at Rise & Shine nearby for some coffee and assorted gravy-covered items before fully committing to the road.
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DAY 3: DINK AND THE BOX
Dean and Chris toss suspicious glances at Craig as they partake in their opening beverages at Harvest House. This will be the last time we tailgate here before a Paloozian Buffs game. Soak it in, boys!
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DAY 3: BOULDER CREEK
The Paloozians pass over Boulder Creek on their way up to catch the game between Colorado and the Cal Bears.
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DAY 3: FOLSOM & THE FLATIRONS
Folsom is the only stadium in America where it actually pays to sit a bit higher up in the stadium. An amazing view on a beautiful fall day.
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DAY 3: CAL 36 - COLORADO 33
Playing in their first Pac-12 conference game, the Buffs take the Bears to OT but fall a bit short. Keenan Allen scores his second Paloozian TD.
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DAY 3: WE'RE SEEING WHO?
After the game, the boys scramble off to The Morrison Inn for Mexican food and margs before heading over to Red Rocks. Here’s Clem reacting to the news that we’re going to see electronic dance band, STS9.
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DAY 3: PINK ROCKS
The music may be a little repetitive but those rocks sure look cool.
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DAY 3: HEY, IT'S LASERIUM!
This is pretty much what it looks like at an STS9 concert. Half of the Paloozians bail early but Sean and Craig bravely soldier on to the end as the kids surrounding them openly wonder if they’re narcs.
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DAY 4: THE MONACO
In a decided shift toward luxury accommodations, the boys set up camp for the next two nights at The Monaco in Denver. Here’s Sean relaxing on his snow panther blankie.
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DAY 4: BREAKFAST ITALIANO
Our next day kicks off with a great breakfast at Panzano in the hotel. Behold the delicious Breakfast Lasagna.
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DAY 4: CLEM'S GOPRO
Chris displays his GoPro as we walk over to the Rockies game.
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DAY 4: SEAN DOING SEAN STUFF
I have no idea what was going on here but it’s a keeper.
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DAY 4: 16TH STREET MALL
The boys make their way over to Coors Field with the historic 1910 Daniels and Fisher tower in the distance.
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DAY 4: AL PUNKS DINK
The first day of the NFL season and the boys are catching the early action before heading over to the baseball game.
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DAY 4: COORS FIELD
Here’s the view from outside Coors Field and behind home plate. Coors is one of the nicest stadiums in the country
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DAY 4: 9/11 REMEMBERANCE
It’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11, so the Rockies feature a major pre-game show, complete with a flyover. Another perfect day in Colorado.
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DAY 4: ROCKIES 4 - REDS 1
The Rockies go on to beat up on the Reds in a battle of 2011 softies.
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DAY 4: DINK PONTIFICATES
Dean discusses the evils of Texas Hold 'Em with some random patrons.
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DAY 4: 9/11 RELIVED
10 years ago today, several Paloozian were ticketed to fly on planes to the west coast—just like those that flew into the towers. We drove.
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DAY 5: SNOOZE
Another of Clem’s many contributions to Colopalooza, the boys are introduced to the wildly-popular Snooze in Denver.
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DAY 5: AL SLEEPING? CHECK.
You didn’t really think Al would’t fall asleep in a car or stadium, did you?
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DAY 5: BIG WINNER
After breakfast, the boys venture up to Blackhawk to play some blackjack before heading back to Denver for Sunday Night Football.
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DAY 5: THE SQUATCH
Leo Jacobin is there to join us that day and offers to take this touching photo of the boys and their beloved sasquatch.
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DAY 5: BRONCOS PRE-GAME
Back in Denver and now appropriately-dressed, Craig is ready for a little green chili before the Broncos game.
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DAY 5: ALE HOUSE IN LO-HI
The Ale House, which is near Dean’s condo in Lower Highlands is a good spot for the Paloozians to refuel on fried foods and craft brew.
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DAY 5: TROLLY TO MILE HIGH
Sean, Al and Dean enjoying a cool breeze on the ride to the game.
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DAY 5: GAME TIME!
Then it is over to Mile High to see the Broncos play the Raiders to open their 2011 season. Here is the arrival of the national anthem flag.
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DAY 5: OAKLAND 23 DENVER 20
The somewhat magical 2011 season behind Tim Tebow gets off to a rough start as the Raiders hold off the young QB and notch the win. And that’s all she wrote for our 16th Colopalooza.
Inside Colopalooza: Al McGough