On a spur of the moment decision yesterday I decided to pack up in Aspen and head to Denver. I was able to get in touch with Kate, an old college classmate from my sophomore year. We had one sociology sex and gender course together, in addition to that we both lived in Akers Hall and we were both Yoopers. Kate and I always shared great conversation walking back from class. …

On Thursday night I arrived in Aspen for the 11th annual ESPN Winter X Games. I arrived just in time to see a few of the final runs of the women’s snowboarding superpipe. However, my attention was sidetracked as it was my first time at the X Games and the scene is amazing. I didn’t realize that it is ESPN’s largest production bringing in over 25,000 people. What’s impressive is that it’s all FREE! …

I just rolled in from a second day of riding in Breckenridge with my buddy Ben. It was amazing to be riding at Breckenridge again yesterday. Once again I was riding with all kinds of different gear. But it worked out. I was able to ride for free. For riding somebody else’s equipment I felt super smooth and in control on the hill. The weather was great both days. The riding was as chill as it gets. …

This afternoon I arrived in one of my favorite towns I’ve ever been to, quite possibly the favorite. At 9,600 feet it is the highest town I’ve been to. And it’s the first town I’ve been to that I was already quite familiar with. This is my third time in Breckenridge. I mentioned it could possibly be one of my favorite towns, which in large part might be because of all the good memories I have here. …

Another excellent stay, however Colorado may be much like California in the sense that I may never get out. I was able to put my feet up a little more while I was here and visit with my great friend Jen from back at MSU. Once again it’s always nice to hang out with my own generation. In five years at Michigan State that’s all I saw was my own generation. …

During this excursion I’m thankful to have heard from people all across the country. I’ve heard from high school classmates who I haven’t heard from in years and many other people from good ol’ Baraga High School. I’ve heard from MSU alumni in many different states. I’ve heard from very distant relatives. There have been brand new people I’ve heard from in just about all 50 states now. However, I’ve been thrown another curve ball. …

It’s about time that everyone learn a little more about my friend Rice. Rice has become quite the celebrity since him and I set off on this tour in September. He has lived the life with me and has flown to both New York City and Hawaii. He has been the inspiration to many new ideas and has probably made many more friends than I have. So here is a little more about the star of the show, the first squirrel to travel to all 50 states. …

My route today went through Taos and Questa in New Mexico and then up through San Luis, Colorado where I headed back towards I-25. There was some beautiful scenery as I entered Colorado, amazing mountains, this is why I love Colorado. But I already mentioned that. So in these 12,000 miles that I’ve traveled I feel that I’ve become a much better driver in both the city and on the freeway. …

Joani and Truel offered to take me to their yoga class that they attend regularly. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go at first, mostly because my other option was to sleep in and that sounded much more appealing. However, after driving 12,000 miles in four months I figured some yoga might be good for me. I’ve been a bit of a blob on this trip and haven’t gotten many physical activities in, if anything I owed it to my body. …

I’ve been told from a couple sources that Santa Fe is the third largest art city in the country. Driving around town it’s hard to believe it’s not the first. There is nothing but galleries among galleries, photography, sculptures, paintings, pottery, and everything in between from modern to ancient. As the oldest city in the country there seems to be no portion of art that is left out. The culture from Native Americans and Spanish settlements is present and alive everywhere you look. …