8-12-15

Me: After the Wilson Peak hike (8/10) we stayed in Telluride for 2 days. We used the hotel hot tub a lot, shopped around downtown & went to our favorite food joints like the Grilled Cheese Cart, Cowboy Coffee Trailer & Telluride Bistro.

We met our buddy, Dean for dinner Tuesday night. He's from Phoenix but spends the summer in Telluride. We stayed with Dean & his wife a couple years ago when Vitesse had their mountain bike camp in CO. Tonight we had a great time talking about his family, mtn bike training & his upcoming race; the Leadville 100 on August 15. He rides & races with Highly right with him by always keeping a photo of Highly in his pocket. Highly passed away last November & was one of Dean's best friends. Dean & Highly spent countless hours on the bike together since Highly & Sally also have a 2nd home in Telluride.

I have to say that everything around Telluride reminded Bob & I of Highly. Our past 3 summers we had connected with Highly in Telluride. He has led us on some amazing hikes like the Via Ferrata, Little Hawaii Trail, Mt. Wilson & Mt. Sneffels. So when Bob & I climbed Wilson Peak 2 days ago we wrote in the summit notebook, "Live Like Highly".

We also went to the Telluride cemetery to pay our respects. It is truly the most beautiful setting with mountains all around & Bridal Falls in the distance.

We placed a heart rock from Wilson Peak on his tombstone & wished we could be in Telluride hiking & biking with Highly again. What a wonderful man Highly was. He lived life with integrity, generosity & adventure. We miss you Highly!

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Foreshadowing to Saturday's Leadville race (8/15)…

Dean had a great day finishing with his best time; under 8 hours (that's really FAST)! Here's a photo of Dean crossing the finish line holding Highly's photo high in the air! 

"Live Like Highly"