September 22

Sweet.

Long Walk

Decided to get out and go for a stroll today. Something different. We have this amazing view from our house - looking at Mt. Crested Butte and all of its amazing detail. I've circumnavigated the mountain many times via the Deer Creek Trail, which actually takes you across the far side of the valley, not the mountain proper. But I have been wanting to go up and traverse the ridge we can see from our home.



Anyhow, it was a cold and clear day. Fall is in full swing and time for this sort of adventure is very short. So, I got permission from the missus and hit the trail. Exciting, challenging, and evan a bit scarey in the woods with no trail to guide me.



But I made it to the summit and managed to have a nice walk down the resort - doing a lot of bushwacking - and ended up traversing back around to the Upper Loop and back to the golf course trail, my bike, and the short shot home. Sweet.

So Close

We are so close to becoming parents. This time is so cool. We are prepared for the arrival, anxious to meet the little fella, and more than a little overwhelmed by the nature of this adventure. We have been leaning on friends for advice about their experiences and discussing, at length, many of the details yet to be resolved.

Circumcision, immunization, car seats, diapers, birth plans, onesies, and so much more. I love the give and take that Katie and I have going on. We take turns being annoyed, but have come together on all the important issues. Watching her change has been unreal. My lady has incubated a baby and we are inside of a month before he is due.Katie looks great, but she is uncomfortable. Sore shoulder from sleeping on her side. The little fella is pushing her guts all over the place. Katie thinks when he pokes her just right he is hitting a nerve - which stops her in her tracks with shooting pain. I tease her about how slow she moves, but I am so filled with pride that she is so strong and brave for going through this.

Junior's room (no, his name is not going to be John) is ready to go. We loaded up some diapers and other sundries tonight and could host him tomorrow if he were to show up.

Rather than having the baby show up, we are going to house Derek Taylor. He's in town for a wedding. It is very cool to have friends come to stay with us in our new home. DT was a fixture in my life for years. He helped me pursue my career as a writer and shared many adventures with me. From Vermont to Molokai we have shared the laughter, struggles, and beauty of friendship. I want our baby to come into the world knowing that his parents have surrounded themselves with good and caring people.

Big changes are brewing. So many people give the knowing nod. Some in a sort of annoying you-are-fucked kind of way, others in the paternal light, and others still who just want you to know that they have gone through it and its all good. I prefer the latter, but try to be open to what people are saying. The reality that Katie and I are going to share our lives with our baby is so tangible - with each time she puts my hand on her belly and he rolls around I am blown away. Any day now I am going to be a father. Katie is going to be a mother. We are going to be parents.