finally got my hiking in . . .

here's where my bro and i went today:
red rocks park and amphitheater
(www.redrocksonline.com)

a-MAZ-ing.

talk about standing in awe of God's creation. massive red rocks that have been uprooted, turned on their sides and stuck back down into the ground. huge boulders balancing on rocks as if you could push them off with one finger.

brandon and i hiked thru these rock formations. 6, 450 feet above sea-level (we were feeling it).

and here's the funny part (if you call this funny.) we deviated from the trail at one point and climbed up on the rocks to get some pictures. no big deal, right? we had some fun climbing, got some good pics, tested our endurance skills.

so then we get back on the trail. and we pass a sign. but first we read the sign. here's what it said:

Climbing on rocks prohibited.
Violators will be fined $999.00
or serve up to 180 days in jail.

AAAHHHHH! we looked at each other. then we both immediately looked all around us. as if we expected cops to jump out of the bushes with handcuffs and drag us to their cars.

luckily that didn't happen. and we had a lovely rest of the day in the park.

p.s. the amphitheater is carved into the rocks - i can imagine seeing a show there would be outstanding. great music under the stars in the middle of this beautiful park. blues travelers were there for the 4th. counting crows and goo goo dolls were there on the 5th. if i'd had an extra $50 to blow, i would have gone. maybe next time.

and see all those stairs? we learned today that during the a.m. and afternoon, the amphitheater seems to turn into a free gym of sorts for people. there were dozens of people there today running stairs (there are hundreds of them leading up to the amphitheater), running the rows where people sit. i got tired just walking the stairs. but of course now i want to go back tomorrow a.m. and do my run there. maybe i'll even attempt the stairs.

work out arena by day, concert hall by night.

hey, i'd choose that setting over a treadmill at the gym ANY DAY.