#ice climbing Colorado

[averagehighlife]

Got to ice climb for the first time this weekend at All In Ice Festival and it was way too fun! Not only was the experience mega thrilling but getting to meet so many wonderful people added to the experience. It was awesome to be in a space filled with BIPOC and queer folks, since it’s such a white male dominated sport. So stoked to go again next year

[mutant-distraction]

Climbing the famous frozen waterfall 'The Fang' near Vail, Colorado, United States.

The Fang is a massive ice column that forms on exceptionally cold winters. When the temperature drops, this plunge waterfall transforms into a giant frozen pillar measuring about 50 m high and 8 m wide at the base. Climbing to the top is very difficult and can be extremely dangerous, and climbers need to have proper climbing equipment.

📷 Keith Ladzinski (Barcroft Media/Landov)

[blaiddllodi]

TOA Anniversary Munday

Celebrating TOA and the people who contribute to make our group what it is.

Repost, don't reblog. Only fill in what you feel comfortable sharing!

Happy anniversary, TOA! Here's to many more years spent together.

(Previous answers here on Raven's blog. Thanks for putting this together Neffi!)

Name: tches!

Pronouns: she/they

Birthday (no year): 22 Dec

Where are you from? What is your time zone? From Germany, but I live in Colorado

How long is your roleplay experience? A few years in 2005, and now my tenure here

How were you introduced to roleplaying as a whole? Uhhhhh probably Yahoo chatrooms if I'm honest, but I spent most of my time in Livejournal communities

How were you introduced to TOA? I found it scrolling the Raven tag and I saw mirae's drop. Didn't join at this time. Then Elf advertised in a mutual server and I was like Hm. Maybe I will.

Do you have any pets? The server knows my beloved Coriander my baby my light my heart. I also live with two GSDs, Ursa and Solo.

What is your favorite time of year and why? (Season, holiday, general period) I love you winter, I love you snow, I love you December, I love you.

What is your IRL occupation? Handwaves IT. I'm helpdesk at my current place, but I've begun learning network infrastructure stuff recently.

Some interests and things you like/enjoy? I like languages and history, esp Meiji Japan and Mughal India. I used to be a lot more active, and I still generally enjoy yoga and rock climbing, but I've accrued some injuries which prevent me from doing this as much as I'd like. Sadge.

What non-Fire Emblem games do you play? Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Ace Attorney, Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Bloodborne, Witcher, Kingdom Hearts.

Favorite Pokemon type & Pokemon: Ice or Dragon I think; and Gyarados my beloved my friend my partner (although Delibird is a very close second I love that little dude)

Tell us some funfacts and trivia about yourself! (Optional bonus challenge: if you filled this out last year, try not to repeat what you said back then!) One time a drunk driver scraped my ex-husband's car pulling out of the bar and while he was so flabbergasted that it had happened, me and a friend who had just gotten out of the Navy broke into a sprint to chase the girl down for three blocks before she left the neighborhood.

How did you get into Fire Emblem? My father and I were in the PX and I grabbed Blazing because it had just come to the States and it looked interesting.

What Fire Emblem games have you played? All but Archanea and Tellius. I started Path of Radiance, and put it down at chapter 15 when I got busy. I'll pick it back up again I promise :sob:

First & Favorite Fire Emblem games: First is Blazing and favorite is...probably Blazing still. Elibe is just home to me. I really really like Three Houses and Shadows of Valentia though.

List your 5 favorite Fire Emblem characters across the series! Oh gosh. Raven number one forever, and Dima and Berkut are up there. I'll list five who aren't my roster, in no particular order: Hubert, Hector, Lyon, Priscilla, Lachesis.

Who was the first character ever to make you go “ooh I like this one in particular” and why? Can be any context and reason! Wil. Wil was my first favorite, followed by Matthew. I genuinely loved them so so much my first playthrough I gave them everything.

Any Fire Emblem crushes? 😳 Jeralt can still get it.

If you’ve played (or are familiar with) the following games, who was your first S support? Who would you S support nowadays?- Awakening: Another accidental Chrom victim - probably Lonk or Freddie Fates: I genuinely don't remember if it was Kaze or Jakob - Probably still Kaze Three Houses: Claude - Hubert is my favorite S support he's really good Engage: I literally hard swerved from Diamant the moment Pandreo came on screen I don't think anyone's taking his crown.

Favorite Fire Emblem class? I just really like the Merc-Hero line 🙈But I also love wyverns

If you were a Fire Emblem character, what would be your class and stats? Would you be playable? Infantry sword. I hate to say I'd be a Navarre archetype but I honestly probably would be. Middling strength and con but workable with attention, decent speed, absolutely ridiculous crit stat. Surprisingly high resistance. I'd be a good candidate for Dancer or Mortal Savant.

If you were a Three Houses character, what would be your affiliation? Unaffiliated civilian, but can be swayed to join a cause after some effort. I tend to keep myself a bit at arms length, and it can be difficult sometimes to get my genuine loyalty.

If you were an Officers Academy student, what would be your boons, banes and potential budding talent? Boons: Sword, Bow Bane: Flying Budding Talent: Heavy Armor

If you were an Engage character, which nation would you originate from? No lie, probably Brodia. My family is full of soldiers on all sides

How do you pronounce TOA? 🤔(separate letters, to-ah, other?) Depends on the flow of the sentence. Sometimes toe-ah, sometimes T-O-A

Current TOA muses: Raven, Dimitri, Berkut

Past TOA muses? Sigurd, Igrene, Saber, Petra, Beowolf, Lyn

Who was your first TOA muse? If you no longer have them, can you see yourself picking them up again? Raven my heart my forever. If he hasn't been pried from my grasp for the last twenty years, I can't imagine what might.

Do you believe you have a type of character you gravitate towards writing? I like it when grief and love carve someone into a weapon. I love rage and deep, boundless sorrow. And I occasionally like when they get a little slutty, I'm not a monster.

Do you have characters or types of characters you don’t think you can handle writing, but wish you could? 🤔Hard to say. I like to think my range is pretty good. I've been writing for long enough that I don't really wish - I just do it. I think anyone could write anyone if they genuinely put their heart into it.

What kind of scenes, situations etc do you believe you enjoy writing the most? I like when the narrator is a little unreliable. I like when there's so much emotion that everything becomes just a little bit fuzzy an indistinct, like they're suddenly underwater and haven't realized they're drowning. I like when the narrative is circular and I can call back five posts, or when I can bookend things - dramatic irony my beloved. I love miscommunication, especially when one person takes something and runs with it (RIP Sigurd you were the king of this and your never-shuts-up).

Do you have any scenario in mind for your muse(s) that gets you thinking “man I hope I get to write this one day”? I've been in an AU mood lately. I want more AUs - coffeeshop AU, horror movie tropes AU, cross-fiction AU. There was an idea that I had that I'd like to build up a bit more that I may drop a call for 🙊

Favorite TOA-related memories? All of Raven's threads with elysia's Priscilla and kanoesa's Lucius 🤲I hold them like this. And unrelated to my muses I to this day can't get over And Now All Of TOA Knows You Tried To Kill Ryoma.

Present or past tense? Past. I use present tense pretty sparingly, and almost exclusively for one-off asks. Feels weird though.

Normal size text, small text, no preference? No preference. I use normal size out of laziness. The most formatting you'll get from me is italics for emphasis or for thought patterns.

Got any potential muse delusions to share? 😉 One day I will app Sommie and everyone will have a heart attack. You think I'm joking? You think this is a game?

[harukimurakitty]

Take Me Home, Country Roads (2): First Day of My Life

❥ NakedToaster x Reader

August 31st, 2009

The following morning, something in the air felt different- aside from the sudden lack of humidity, that was. It was a lighter, breezier feeling that might’ve been enough to convince people more optimistic than you that maybe, just maybe, things wouldn’t be as bad as you initially suspected. You had experienced that sensation before in Colorado; it was the same feeling you’d get after finally reaching the top of a tall mountain while hiking along the Front Range. The atmosphere was so crisp that it was almost as though you were back on Grays Peak, overlooking the Coloradan wilderness.

As nostalgic as it was, you had little time to reminisce over the fond memories of your home state, thanks to your sister and her prioritization of the pursuit of knowledge. You hated her sometimes- you really did. Rather than sleeping soundly after hours of reading road signs and navigating maps, you were trudging along a dusty path in the middle of a forest with a sore shoulder. You hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep that night, mainly due to how uncomfortable the couch was, but admittedly to first-day nerves as well. If Texas schools were anything like what you had heard, you had every right to be anxious.

The longer you walked, the more your stomach grumbled. You hadn’t had time to eat breakfast at home, so you had shoved a prepackaged muffin and a Starbucks bottle of iced coffee into your backpack before heading out. The sad thing was you hadn’t even woken up late; it just took an hour to find the life force to get out of bed and get dressed. Somehow you had accomplished the feat, but as you dragged further along the trail to school, you were unsure if you could do it again tomorrow.

Although you were reluctant to acknowledge it, the path was quite a sight to behold, at least by Texas standards. The ground was flat, much like the rest of the Coastal Plains region- but there was one section with a rickety wooden bridge that ran directly across a river. The stream itself wasn’t too impressive, it was maybe fifteen feet across at the widest, but it was quite a ways below the surrounding land. That was your favorite part of the trail by far.

You knew you were approaching Ottawa High once you heard the sound of tires screeching and country music. You took the music as your warning to put your headphones on, adjusting them to your ears. After another minute of walking, the trees began to separate and the dirt underneath you was replaced with asphalt- a harsh reminder that sidewalks were no more. The front of the school entered your field of vision not long after, and the sight shocked you. 

Truth be told, you were expecting Ottowa to be a small and crumby building, not whatever you were looking at when you stepped into the clearing. Instead, there was a three-story, quarter-mile-long school with a parking lot big enough to fit at least four hundred cars. Your mouth was agape at the sight, and you were quickly starting to regret not moving before orientation day, as Sable had suggested. You pulled your iPhone out of your jacket pocket to check the time, seven-forty a.m., and sighed a deep sigh. You had to be in class by eight at the latest, which left you just under twenty minutes to figure out where the hell your first class was. 

Getting through the parking lot was the worst part of your walk- you had forgotten how annoying teenage boys with trucks could be. After nearly getting run over a couple of times, you made it inside what you assumed was the front entrance and began scanning room numbers for 3-234, AP Environmental Science. After five minutes of searching, you overheard a teacher explain to another student that the first number of a room correlated to the floor number. Though you were grateful for the sense of direction, a pit began forming in your stomach at the thought of having to climb three floors first thing in the morning for the rest of the year.

Predictably, your legs felt like jelly by the top of the stairs. The most difficult part of the climb wasn’t walking up the flights, but trying not to sound like you were about to pass out. Your breathing was so labored by the end that you had to take a second and lean across the railing; somehow, you were fortunate enough to be the only person in the stairwell. After catching your breath, you stepped into the main hallway and continued the search for your homeroom. Finally, you stumbled across your class the second the minute bell rang. Putting your hand on the door handle tentatively, you prepared yourself for weird looks and lingering stares- you were the new kid, after all. Then, you inhaled deeply and swung the door open with as much vigor as you could muster.

You stepped inside, braced for the absolute worst, and were promptly met with… nothing. Nobody had even looked in your direction. Lord, you had never been humbled so quickly before. Your cheeks burned as you awkwardly stood at the front of the room, looking for an available seat. The desks were two per row, and the only ones available were toward the back corner of the room. One was directly against the wall, next to a boy with long hair that was hunched over, presumably asleep. The other was further up the aisle, next to an awake emo-looking girl. Neither were particularly good options, but you settled on the seat by the emo girl. The last thing you wanted to do was make an enemy by accidentally waking Mr. RuPaul up in the middle of his nap. As you made your way over to the emo girl, she moved her backpack from the floor to the seat you were seconds from sitting in, all while making direct eye contact.

“Sorry, I’m saving this seat for my friend.” The late bell blared through the hallways the second she was done speaking. “Um. She’s running late.” The girl looked away with a bugged-out expression. You laughed out an “It’s okay,” but a deep panic began to set in. You weren’t even good enough to sit by an emo. As you walked to the very back of the class, you heard a couple of snickers and felt the stares you had tried preparing for. What you hadn't expected, however, was being rejected by the reject.

Luckily, the guy at the back had no objection to you sitting next to him. By the time you reached the back, he had sat up and was rubbing his eyes sleepily. Now that you were closer and he wasn’t lying down, you picked up on more of his features. He was a lot taller than you first thought, looking about six feet, but he was scrawny overall. His hair had a pinkish tint to it- not just a strawberry blond, but a light, rose-colored pink that complimented his pale skin. The unnamed guy looked delicate as hell, to put it bluntly. He stood out a lot compared to the other guys in the class, who almost all had mullets and naturally colored hair. While you tried to check him out, you accidentally made eye contact and darted your eyes away. You knew you had to say something after, or else it’d be awkward for the rest of the period.

“Um, do you know where the teacher is?” You gave a small smile and twirled a strand of your hair nervously. He glanced at you, big, blue saucer eyes shining through his round glasses, before looking around the room.

“...I think he said something about going to make copies…?” His voice was meeker than you expected it to be, like glass. Really, really thin glass.

“Oh. That’s cool.” A beat passed. The two of you sat in silence until he reached over to his backpack and pulled out a sandwich baggie. Inside was a singular piece of toast wrapped with a paper napkin. You couldn’t help but give a judgemental stare as he unwrapped his… breakfast, if it even counted, and ate it dry. You hoped it had been buttered at the very least or had a thin, barely visible layer of jam or something. Before you could think about it much longer, a man you assumed to be the teacher walked through the door with a stack of paper in his hands. He passed out the pieces to each row wordlessly. 

The sheet itself wasn’t anything interesting; it was a bunch of typical icebreaker questions- favorite food, color, etc. After the teacher was done, he went to the front of the room and introduced himself briefly as Mr. Neale. He did the standard first-day routine of reviewing the syllabus, late work policy, and other house maintenance rules. By the time the bell rang again for the second period, you practically ran out of the room. You had never been so grateful to hear such an irritating sound.

According to your schedule, your second period, AP Lang, was all the way back down on the first floor. As you descended the stairs, you pondered whether it’d be easier to throw yourself out a third-story window or continue your high school education. You settled on the window option but continued walking to your class regardless. 

The first floor’s layout was way more challenging to navigate than the third’s and a lot busier, too. You went through the same routine of checking passing door numbers and wandering around aimlessly, but it didn’t seem to work nearly as well as the last time. By the time the minute bell rang, you were on the other side of the school frantically speed-walking around corridors to find your class. It wasn’t like you could ask anybody, either- everybody was already in their classrooms. Just as you felt your chest beginning to constrict from panic, you saw your holy grail- the toast boy from first period. Before he could turn the next corner, you called out to him. 

“Hey!” You yelled. No response. You ran up a couple of feet behind him and tried again. “Dude with the pink hair!” At that, he turned around, glancing around as if he wasn’t the only person in the hall, let alone with pink hair. “Uhm, you have any idea where 1-324 is?”

“O-oh, I think we’re both headed there? AP Lang, right?” Toast Boy (you really should’ve paid more attention during roll) said.

“Yeah. Shit, no way.” You lightly jogged next to him and walked side by side down the hall. The late bell rang, but you were just happy you finally knew where to go. 

“Are you new this year?” He asked, looking down at you. Now that he was standing right by you, you got a sense of how tall he really was. He was over six feet easily-  around six feet three or four.

“Mhm. Did the whole “getting lost” thing give it away?” You chuckled, embarrassed.

“Er- kind of. This school is big, but it’s easy to get around. The first number of a room is–”

“The floor level, right?” He nodded.

“The number after that is the side of the building. The left side is the 100s, the middle is the 200s, and the right is the 300s. This is the 320s hall.” Toast Boy explained. “And that,” he pointed to a classroom down the hall, “is 324.” The door was still wide open, which you took as a sign that you wouldn’t be reprimanded for arriving late. The two of you walked inside and shuffled awkwardly to the back of the class. Inside was a short woman taking roll at the front, who smiled as you passed by to find a seat.

“Mr. Schmidt, you’re just in time. Glad to see you’ve already made a friend.” Toast grimaced, a lot less amused than she was. She glanced down at the roll call list in front of her and back up at you. “(Y/N) (L/N), I’m assuming?” You nodded. She wrote something down and put her clipboard on her desk. if 

“I’m Ms. Roberts. I’ll be your AP Language teacher this year- potentially next year, too, if you fail. As some of you know, I was the art teacher until Mrs. Clarke went on maternity leave. Quite frankly, neither of us wants to be here, so don’t make this year any harder than it has to be, and we’ll have a fun time. Right?” Ms. Roberts asked with a forced smile. A few people around you nodded in agreement.

“Good. Now, I was going to review the syllabus today, but the copy machine on this side of the building has been broken since last May, and I didn’t want to go to the library and pay a hundred dollars for papers most of you will throw away by tomorrow, so we’re going to write your first journal entry today. If you did what the school asked and bought a notebook for each of your core classes, you’ll be fine. If not, get a sheet of notebook paper from the front.” Some people stood up and grabbed a sheet from the front. You and Toast Boy both had your notebooks- he had a light green pattern, and yours was the regular black and white print.

“Your assignment is to write about how your first day is going. We’re only in second period, but there’s bound to have been something noteworthy so far. It doesn’t have to be long, just have it turned in by the end of class.” And with that, she sat at her desk and began scrolling through her computer.

You had your entry done within ten minutes; you weren’t necessarily a fast writer, but you didn’t have much to say. Most of what you wrote was about how much you hated Texas, but you included a bit about Toast Boy, too. Toast had written even less than you had, filling up a quarter of the page compared to your half. After ripping the page out of your journal, you generously offered to turn in both sheets to the turn-in tray at Ms. Roberts's desk. You caught Toast Boy’s eye as you sat back in your corner seat and decided to strike up a conversation.

“Dude, your last name is Schmidt? Like the guy from New Girl?” You asked, leaning closer to Toast Boy. He gave you a blank, unimpressed stare.

“I uh, never thought about it that way, but, yeah, I guess.” You laughed a bit, unsure of what to say next. Everyone around you was talking amongst their friends or on their phones; you felt weird being one of the only two sitting silently.

“So, how does Ms. Roberts know you?”

“I had her freshman year for art. I ate lunch in her room all year because I hated how loud the cafeteria was.” He cringed, presumably at the thought of the cafeteria and not eating lunch with Ms. Roberts. A few more seconds of silence passed before Toast spoke up. “Um, what’s your schedule like?” You grabbed the wrinkled paper out of your pocket and unfolded it, then handed it to the pink-haired boy on your left.  He skimmed the paper with his soft, blue eyes and then looked at you again with a gentle smile.

“We have the same fifth, seventh, and eighth periods.” You returned the smile and reached for the paper, reading it yourself. Graphic Design was your fifth period, APUSH your seventh, and Yearbook your eighth. It made sense; Toast Boy looked like he would be involved in nerdier electives like Graphic Design and Yearbook. Something about him just radiated geek vibes, not that you minded. 

“And if we have the same fifth period, then we have the same lunch, don’t we?” You asked.

“Yeah.” A beat passed.

“So… wanna eat lunch together?” A light blush settled across Toast’s face, which you took as a sign that you fucked up. “Only if you want to. It’s fine if you don’t.”

“No, yeah!” His outburst slightly startled you; you didn’t know he could get that loud. “Uhm- that’d be really cool, actually. 

“Sweet!” You grinned.

The rest of the period was uneventful; you and Toast talked some more about classes, directions, summer, and every other generic topic under the sun. There was still awkwardness between you when you left second period, but significantly less than there’d been in the morning. Your third and fourth periods, Pre-Cal and Culinary, were painfully slow. You had never been the best at math, and cooking was only fun on your own terms, so they were far from your favorite classes. You watched the clock for all of Culinary, waiting for it to hit eleven so you could go to Graphic Design. You didn’t have much to say to Toast Boy- you had used all of your conversation starters in second period, but it was nice having someone else to be alone with.

When fifth period came, you were one of the first people inside the Graphic Design classroom. A middle-aged woman asked for your name, checked something off her clipboard, and told you to sit wherever. Although you had enough self-awareness to know sitting in a corner for three classes made you look like a recluse, you felt uncomfortable sitting in the middle of the room. As you glanced around the classroom, budget cuts were evident. The room looked like a computer lab, with a computer between every two seats. There weren’t desks like in the other classrooms; instead, there were three long tables in a U-shape along the walls.

People began to file in shortly after, with Toast being one of the last inside. Through your conversations, you had picked up his distaste for school in general. It explained why he was fast asleep for the first part of Environmental and why he ran late to class despite his familiarity with the school’s layout. He glanced around the classroom when he entered until his eyes landed on you. His eyes widened when he saw you staring back, and he gave a nervous smile as he walked over. 

“How were your last classes?” You said when he sat down beside you. He made a sour face and shrugged in response.

“They were… what I was expecting. Uh, what about you? How bad is it here compared to your last school?” Toast Boy said the last part as though it were a joke, but it lacked humor. If there was anyone in that school who hated Ottowa more than you, it was definitely him.

“Like,” you thought about the most delicate way to phrase your words, “...pretty bad.” You and Toast shared a quick laugh. You made sure to not be too loud so the teacher wouldn’t get you in trouble, but you were hidden well in the corner. “I miss my friends. I miss my old house, especially my room, and I never thought I’d say this, but my old school, too.” Toast nodded.

“Where did you transfer from?”

“It’s a little far from here. You… probably haven’t heard of it before.” You winced.

“Try me. I’ve lived in this state since ever. I probably know it.” He assured.

“...Colorado?” You forced a smile. He gave you a blank, open-mouthed stare. 

“Colorado. What in fuck’s name posessed you to move to Ottowa of all places?” Toast said audibly in disbelief. 

“Well, it’s not like I chose to come here. My sister moved here for college, and my parents–” oh fuck , you thought, how were you going to explain it to him? “My parents, uh, they didn’t want her… to be alone?” It was the worst lie you’d ever told, but when you glimpsed back at him, it was clear he was eating up every word.

“Well, if no one else says it,” he trailed off a bit, formulating his words, “I’m sorry.” Just as you were going to respond, the lunch bell cut you off. People made a mad dash for the door, except for Toast, who stood next to his seat and waited for you to join him. 

“Sorry for what, exactly?” You asked when you stepped into the hallway.

“Having to move here. You’ll get used to it, but it doesn’t get much better.” 

“Fun.” You chuckled dryly.

“I know, right.”

You followed him until you reached the cafeteria, which was just as massive as the rest of the school. Toast Boy led you to the line that, according to him, had the most edible food, and you began walking to where all the lunch tables were. You made it a couple of steps before he softly grabbed you by the shoulder. You turned around to see his face flushed pink as if he wasn’t the one who initiated the contact. He stared for a few seconds until he realized it was his cue to speak.

“Oh! I, uh, know somewhere else we can eat. If you want.” You thought it was funny how worked up he got over a shoulder touch.

“Yeah, sure. I wasn’t looking forward to eating here,” you gestured to the cafeteria, “to begin with.”

Toast laughed and walked past the cafeteria and into what you assumed was the courtyard. He turned into an alley between the main building and the natatorium, glancing around every few seconds. Although you didn’t want to get suspended your first day, you didn’t want to pussy out of a potential friendship, either. You two came to a side door on the main building, with a sign on the front that clearly read “FACULTY ONLY” in bold, red letters. He jiggled the door handle with as much force as someone trying to balance a lunch tray in one hand could muster, to no avail. You were about to ask if the door was locked when you heard a quiet click. Toast Boy looked back at you, beaming, as he swung the metal door open.

“It leads to the roof. There’s another entrance from the staff room, but it’s usually empty during lunch.” He explained as he stepped into the building. Inside was a stairwell, with another door leading to the staff room he mentioned. You stuck close behind him as you climbed the stairs, doing your best to keep your breathing steady. When you reached the top after what felt like an eternity, Toast opened another door, and you were met with a blinding light from the Texas sun.

“Goddamn, that’s bright.” You groaned, covering your eyes with the hand that wasn’t carrying your lunch. 

“It’s way better when it isn’t boiling outside, especially during fall, but it beats the cafeteria any day of the year.” He walked to the nearest ledge and sat next to it, his long legs splayed out over the concrete. You stepped over his legs, careful not to accidentally step on him, and looked out over the railing. It was a sick sight, to be entirely honest. You could see the middle of town and the forest around the school from where you stood. Splotches of green, red, and orange proved fall was just around the corner, even if the temperature made it feel like July.

“So what do you think?” Toast asked in a quiet voice.

“Pretty.” You grinned, looking down at him.

“This guy from my art class showed it to me freshman year. He graduated, but he was super protective of this spot. He was all like, ‘Soren, I’ll kill you if I catch any freshmen up here vaping,’ and then after a week’s worth of threats, he led me up here.” He reminisced.

“Soren?” You asked, confused. You wondered if you had heard him wrong- sore-in. Swear? Swear I’ll kill you?

“...My name?” He stated as if it were obvious. You sucked in a deep breath, a feeling of regret washing over you.

“No, like… is it… Irish. Or something.” You stuttered. Soren’s face turned a bright red, embarrassed at his “mistake.”

“O-oh my god, I’m so sorry. I really thought you didn’t know my name.” You laughed nervously along with him, guilt eating you from the inside.

“As if, I mean, we’ve had how many classes together?” You faked a nonchalant shrug and crossed your arms.

“It’s German, actually.” He corrected. Soren Schmidt. Definitely not something you’d heard before.

You slid down next to him and began munching on your stale, cold pizza. The two of you sat in comfortable silence for the rest of lunch, just eating and enjoying each other’s company. Occasionally, a breeze would blow through, and you’d get hit with a wave of nostalgia from Colorado. The environment was completely different, from the temperature to the people. There were no mountains around for at least a couple of hundred miles, or sidewalks, or public transportation in general, yet a feeling of home lingered in the air. The top of Ottawa High School was no Grays Peak, but with Soren, it’d do.

[maddygoesthemiles]

I went on the most amazing camping and hiking adventure in Colorado this weekend! Super long post and beautiful pictures are under the read more.

On Thursday, three of my friends and I packed up the car and drove up to Silverton. We set up camp and then went for a big meal at a local establishment. Gotta carb up to prevent altitude sickness!

We were all expecting it to be chilly and wet, but it was actually a bit too warm in the tents.

On Friday, we hiked down to the Animas River. This was a great warm up hike! I loved getting to hear and see the train while we were hiking! It was a tough hike back to the top.

We got back, showered (our campground had hot showers!!), and grabbed some pizza and beer!

Saturday morning started out earlier and chillier. We had to get up early, as Ice Lakes is the most popular hike in southern Colorado (according to a ranger we met on trail on Friday).

I felt disheartened and nervous. The hike on Friday was so hard that I got nervous about the steeper hike on Saturday. I was way more in my head and psyched out than I normally get. I was grumpy until we saw a waterfall and took a super cute group photo.

The trail got steeper and harder when we hit the forest and beyond the tree line. I kept thinking, we’ll take a real break after the next hill is over, but the hill never really stopped.

Finally, we made it up to Island Lake. As everyone on their way down assured us, it was totally and completely worth the climb! It was so incredibly gorgeous. The pictures turned out beautiful and it’s always twice as pretty irl.

We hung out there for a few minutes before traversing the short route to Ice Lake. I came around a bend and started crying at the view. It was the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen and I had worked so hard to get there. I couldn’t get over it and probably walked about a mile with a stupid-huge grin on my face.

The connecting trail took us over an exposed cliff face. Those don’t bug me, but I had to pull out my patient, calm teacher voice to coach my friend across. We all made it!

Ice Lake was just as pretty as Island Lake. The color of these lakes was unreal! We stopped to fill up our water bottles and eat some snacks.

The route down from Ice Lake was very steep. I’m so glad we went counter-clockwise! There was a steep, granite section and a creek crossing (one of many of the day). It started raining and thundering right as we hit the basin.

Ridiculously, people were still climbing up at this point. Some wearing jeans, some with only one water bottle, and all of them who didn’t understand the danger of being above tree line in a thunderstorm. It reminded me of the tourists on Camelback.

Sometimes I wish I could just teleport back. Just as I was hitting that point, we saw/heard a marmot (my favorite animal) and I remembered why the hike back is worthwhile. Did you know they chirp like a dead smoke alarm? I didn’t!

We were well below tree line before it started really pouring. My new raincoat worked great, but at this point, my knees were trashed and I was grumpy. I speed-walked the rest of the way back!

After the hike, we showered and warmed up and broke camp. We drove down to Durango for dinner. All I wanted was nachos but when we got to the restaurant, I found out they were sauerkraut and corned beef. Massively disappointing. I ended up with overcooked wings.

On Sunday, we dilly-dallied around Durango and hit up the Durango Coffee Company. I love it there!

None of us were ready for our time in the mountains to end, so we really took our time driving back. As we were driving through New Mexico, we stopped at this place called the Bisti Badlands! It was a mini badlands. We didn’t have the time or the water to go far, but we stuck it on the list of places to explore. Pictures definitely don’t do this one justice.

We were welcomed back to the valley with a beautiful rain storm! Desert rain smells so much better than mountain rain.

I had the best group ever! We laughed so much and never got tired of each other. It was cool to pair off in different ways depending on the car, the trail, or the tent. We came back with tons of inside jokes, which is the mark of a lot of fun.

[chickensarentcheap]

Sneak peek :)

@tragiclyhip @munstysmind @mrsmungus @youflickedtooharddamnit @secretaryunpaid @thebejeweledwatercat @kmc1989 @karimac @alisbackalleybbq @asirensrage @residentdormouse @ninjasawakenedmystar

***

The cabin is nestled in an isolated valley miles above sea level. Miles away from neighbours and the tiny ‘downtown’ area, it’s nothing but a mere speck of wood, brick, and cedar shingles swallowed by a sea, spruce, and fir trees. Its front door mere steps from one of the many lakes in the region; the crystal clear waters now snow-covered, their abundance of fish gathered somewhere under feet of thick, smooth ice.  Across the expanse of land lays the base of the Grunberg mountain range; more feral and isolated than its many counterparts in the Gmunden region,  but still a ‘must see’ for both tourists and those who enjoy its more difficult -and sometimes perilous- hiking trails.  

Yet despite all the beauty -in its most raw and pure forms- he’s not been able to notice anything outside the rental car; instead, he's too caught up in watching and listening to Esme as she sits behind him.  A woman who was born and raised in Colorado and whose family home sits less than five hundred meters from the base of the Rockies,  she’s like a kid on Christmas morning.  With each turn the tires make on their climb, her reactions grow in glee and intensity: the sighs of enjoyment, the gasps of awe, and the way she clasps her hands together and bounces up and down in her seat.  

It's that experience that he finds himself enthralled by; emotion choking at him as tears prick at his eyes. After being so fearless and strong over the course of the past nine months, she suddenly exudes an almost childlike innocence. Completely caught up in the moment that everything else around her has ceased to exist; she's found a slice of heaven and she isn't missing a single moment. This tiny and fierce woman who has been through so much heartache and brutality in her life yet refuses to lose an ounce of her spirit. Somehow still able to see and appreciate all of the beauty around her and experience things with such passion and wide-eyed wonder.

And he's never seen anything more beautiful.

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Devil May Care: Part One

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2k

Warnings: canon angst and violence

Summary: Castiel is missing after you told him to go to the Bunker after the angels fell. However, that is put on hold when Abaddon calls with two hostages that you now need to save.

Author’s Note: I do not own anything from Supernatural. All credit goes to their respective owners. Any and all comments on these are appreciated.

x

Instead of heading straight to the Bunker, Dean parked on the side of the road next to some outdoor picnic area. Sam's curious as to what's been happening since the fall, so you've told him everything minus the angel that's locked inside of him.

Dean is laying flat on top of the wooden table, and Joanna is climbing all over him like she's at a jungle gym. Mary's having some trouble crawling, but you're right next to her so she doesn't fall off the table.

"Joanna, be careful."

"Daddy is strong. He can take it," she says casually.

You and Dean laugh at this, and he tickles her side until she is crying with laughter.

"So, Cas is human?" Sam asks.

"Ish," Dean says, holding onto Joanna and sitting up so she is now in his lap. "I mean, he doesn't have any grace, no wings, no harp, and whatever the hell else he had."

"Okay. Where'd he crash-land?"

"He called us from a payphone from Longmont, Colorado. We told him to head to the Bunker."

"You think he can handle a road trip like that?"

"Cas is a big boy. If things go sideways, he has our number. Right now, we have bigger worries."

"Like the fallen angels."

Dean meant about Ezekiel, first, but he doesn't make a move to show his true feelings.

"Right. Thanks to Metatron, we now have a couple of thousand confused loose nukes walking around down here."

"What do you think they're gonna do?"

"We have no damn idea," you sigh.

"What about Crowley? Did you kill him?"

"I would've loved nothing better than to ice that fucking bitch. Then I thought to myself, what would Sam Winchester do?" Dean says bitterly.

"I'd've stabbed him in the brain."

"Well, I figured the King of Hell might know a few things, so why not keep his ass alive for the time being?"

"He's alive?" Sam asks, shocked.

You pick Mary up and follow Dean over to the car, to which Dean unlocks the trunk. Inside is Crowley, handcuffed, gagged, and unable to get out because of the warding. Dean painted a devil's trap underneath the roof to keep him from smoking out.

"Yeah, he's our bitch now," you grin.

"Yeah, bitch," Joanna says.

"Joanna!" you laugh, and Dean covers her mouth immediately. Crowley rolls his eyes at the sass she gives him, and Dean closes and locks the trunk. "We should really watch what we say around her."

By the time you get back to the Bunker, you're disappointed that Castiel isn't here. He either got lost, got captured by the many different angels after him, or found someone else to help. Either way, he's not here. The only person who you left behind in the Bunker is Kevin, and you're not sure what you'll be walking into.

Some of the lights are on, but as soon as you walk in, someone sets off the first trap. An arrow whizzes straight at you, but you use your magic to catch it before it can hit anyone. You look below to see Kevin with an automatic crossbow in his hands. You can't see much from your vantage point, but you can see that he's overturned the library tables to make some sort of barrier to protect him. He also took the books and stacked them all around him so nothing could get him.

"Easy there, Katniss," you say and walk down the metal stairs with Dean.

"Dean? Y/N? You're alive!" Kevin laughs.

"Had that hit me, not for long."

"Sorry, it's been a bad couple of days. I haven't slept or eaten, and I'm pretty backed up."

"Okay, TMI," Dean shakes his head.

"After we talked, this place went nuts, alright? There was some alarm, all the machines were freaking out, and the bunker just locked down! I couldn't open the door, my cell phone stopped working, and I thought the world was ending!"

"Close. The angels fell from Heaven."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing good," Dean answers, and takes the crossbow from Kevin. "Listen, next time the world's ending, grab a gun." He takes out his cell phone to check if he has service. "I have service."

Kevin flips some switches on the control panel in the war room. All the lights turn on, and the machines whir into action.

"It's back online. Maybe when you opened the door from the outside, it reset the system."

"Yeah, let's go with that. Clean this all up," you say regarding the mess.

Sam enters the Bunker from above with Crowley next to him, and the demon has a bag over his head so he doesn't see where the Bunker is or what's inside. As soon as Kevin sees him, all he sees is red.

"No," Kevin whispers to himself.

Sam and Dean lead Crowley to the dungeon which is perfect for holding a demon while you put the kids to bed. They've been stuck in a car for almost twenty-four hours, so they need to take a much-needed nap. After that, you leave their room and head to the dungeon where Crowley is now chained to a chair in the center of the big devil's trap on the floor. Crowley takes in his surroundings. The side wall is filled with all kinds of torture implements.

"Homey. Where did you get this fantastic little treehouse?"

"Alright, here's how it's gonna go. You're giving us the name of every demon on Earth, and the people they're possessing," Sam demands.

"Am I? That doesn't sound like me."

"I saw you break down, Crowley. When I was trying to cure you, I knew a part of you was human again, and maybe still is."

"Blah blah, boohoo," Crowley rolls his eyes. "Are you done? Good because this is what I know. I'm not giving you anything. Why would I? You have no leverage, darlings. You're not gonna close the gates of Hell because you didn't. You're not gonna kill me because you haven't. So, what's left?"

"We have a few ideas," Dean smirks.

"Torture. Brilliant. Can't wait to see Sam in stilettos and a leather bustier, really putting the S-A-M into S&M. Honestly, boys. What are you gonna do to me that I don't do to myself just for kicks every Friday night?"

"Rot in Hell. See if we care," you say.

You and the brothers turn and leave the dungeon, closing the doors and locking them. Not like he can get out anyway. You turn off the lights and leave Crowley alone to stew in his feelings. When you get back upstairs, Kevin isn't shy to show his anger.

"What's Crowley doing here?! Why isn't he dead?! Why aren't you stabbing him right now?!"

"Calm down, Kevin," you sigh. "We need him."

"What?!"

"If we can get Crowley to give us the name of every demon he's got topside, we can hunt them down. All of them. He will break. When he does, we'll hold him down while you knife him. Then, we all go out for ice cream and strippers," Dean jokes.

"Just stay away from him, alright?"

Kevin sighs knowing he is outnumbered and unable to get past two heavyset Winchesters and a witch.

"Now what?"

"I gotta make some phone calls. You need to hit the Angel tablet and see if you can find anything on the spell that Metatron used to empty out Heaven," Dean says.

"Yeah, maybe we can reverse it before the God Squad does too much damage," Sam says. "I'll check anything relating to angels and demons and anything with monsters."

"It's going to be a long year," you sigh.

The best thing to do is to get on top of this angel thing, and Dean called every hunter he knew to see if they knew more about the angels falling. Some of them had no clue what was going on, some had information that Dean already knew, and others didn't answer. Dean's on the phone with Irv, a hunter your dad used to work with that he'd tell stories about. You've never met him but you know about him.

"Did you say fallen angels?"

"Yeah, they're monsters with good PR," Dean rolls his eyes. "So, if you run into one, torch his ass with holy oil. Oh, and if they drop a silver sword, grab it. Those pigstickers come in handy."

"Copy that."

"Hey, I know this is weird, but--"

"Weird is what we do," Irv cuts him off. "I remember this case me and Bobby worked up in Saskatoon, and it had these two—"

"Werewolf siamese twins," Dean chuckles.

"He told you about that?"

"Every time he drank Labatt's," you say.

"Yeah, so if you run into any problems, give me a call, okay? The more hunters that know, the better."

"Roger-Dodger."

Sam comes in with his laptop in hand just as Dean hangs up on Irv.

"I found something. Nothing angel related but it's demon related."

"They're all the same thing to me. Tell us in the car."

"Kevin!" you shout. You peek your head into the library where Kevin is cleaning up the books he made a mess of. "You're on kid duty. Can you handle that?"

"Fine," he sighs.

"Great. Thank you. Call me if you have any issues."

After packing up your things, you three head out. All that Sam knows is that a bus that held a few army soldiers and some prisoners was abandoned in a parking lot. The only thing left behind was the prisoners, but they were all dead. The entire area has been marked off with yellow tape, and there are multiple police officers and army personnel present. This is either going to go very well or not at all.

As soon as you step out of the Impala, you cough at the strong scent.

"Oh, God. This place reeks of sulfur," you groan.

"Between the stink, the freak thunderstorms, and every dead cow within three miles, I'll take demons for $1000, please," Dean jokes. A sergeant walks up to you three with an unhappy face. She must not like that you're here. "Hey. Agents Stark, Banner, and Maximoff, FBI. We're here to have a look around."

"Why? This is a military case, not a federal one."

"Well, that's not what our supervisor said," Sam sasses her.

"Is that so? Then maybe he and I oughta have a chat," she says with a bittersweet smile.

You're about to use your magic on her, but Dean is already pulling out his phone. There are a bunch of police and military personnel here, and if one of them sees you using magic, then it's game over for you. Dean quickly dials someone without looking at the Sergeant.

"Hey, boss, uh... we have a little problem here."

"Boss?" Kevin says, confused.

"Yeah, just a local badge needs confirmation we're supposed to be here. About how the word came down from FBI headquarters in DC."

"Wait, what?" Kevin stutters.

Dean has no choice but to hand her the phone, and you wait and see if you'll really need your magic or not. The Sergeant doesn't take her eyes off Dean as she puts the phone to her ear.

"This is Sargent Miranda Bates, who am I talking to?"

"Uh, Kevin... Solo."

"How old are you?"

Uh oh. Kevin better be quick on his feet if he is going to get you access to this crime scene without you stepping in.

"Old enough, and I'm with the FBI so you have to do what I say, or—"

"Listen, kid," Miranda cuts him off, "I don't have to do anything, and I don't take orders from the Feds. So, unless you can give me one good reason you got a few pretty-boy agents poking around my crime scene, I'm gonna put them in cuffs and spank your ass raw, understand?"

Shit.

"Cabo, last June."

"What?" her face pales, and you smirk subtly.

"That's my reason. My favorite is you in a sombrero doing a body shot off some naked guy in a Luchador mask. Super classy."

"How did you find that?"

Classic Kevin to go hacking around in her life.

"Because I'm Kevin fucking Solo. So, unless you want this forwarded to your commanding officer, Major Velasquez... I suggest you give my guys anything they want. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, sir," she sighs and hands the phone back to Dean.

She looks around awkwardly before leaving your side.

"Kevin? What the hell did you just do?" Dean asks.

"All military computers are linked to the same network."

Dean gives Sam the okay, and both you and Sam leave his side so he can finish his conversation with Kevin.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[orionlancasterr]

Oc interview

I was tagged by @adelaidedrubman !

Judas King and Mary Hart agreed to sit down with Lauren Westfield for a couple preemptive interviews with her podcast and YouTube series, Case Files.

name 

“Judas- oh you probably want the full thing, um, Judas King.”

nickname

“The Chosen One, Wrath, Sinner- I think Jacob called me the executioner once…”

Upon seeing Laurens growing discomfort Judas trails off, his face growing red

“Sorry that’s not what you meant. No I don’t really have any, Judas doesn’t really lend itself to nicknames. Skunk tried Jude once but it didn’t feel right.”

gender

“Male, mostly.”

star sign

“Aquarius I think? Mary talks about it a lot.

personality type

“I dont want to be a dick but I don’t really know what this has to do with Edens gate..”

Laura frowns a little, scratching at the back of her head. “We just want to get to know you a little better before we y’know get into the juicy stuff.”

“Oh right, you’re just gonna have to bear with me on some of these, my um, my whole world has been about this stuff uncensored for like five years.”

“Right, of course!” Lauren gives a sort of forced laugh.

height

“5’5 I think, they measured at the last doctors appointment.”

orientation:

“I’ve mostly been using gay but I’ve been reading a lot online and I think I like queer more- I don’t like specific labels.”

nationality/ethnicity:

“American, obviously but I think French? I have a second cousin twice removed something or other that lives over there but I’m not really sure.”

fave fruit 

“I love oranges- more than anyone should and I had one for the first time in years the other day and I gotta say even the best batch of bliss couldn’t beat that shit.”

Lauren, while still uncomfortable makes no move to change the subject this time.

fave season

“Early fall-late summer. The rain brings a chill and I think the mountains are best when it’s wet out.”

fave flower 

“I think bindweed flowers are really cute, unfortunely bindweed sucks.”

fave scent 

“There is this polish I use the interior of cars, mothers, it’s like a plastic restorer anyways that shit smells so good.”

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: 

“I didn’t like coffee or tea for a while but I’ve recently gotten into iced coffee, I like caramel iced lattes apparently.”

average hours of sleep: 

“Good nights, 5-6 but I can easily go a night or two without sleeping. Night terrors. But the guys say I still flail around and shit on the good ones.”

Judas chuckled at this one.

dog or cat person

“Bears. I volunteered at a wildlife rehab center before the reapings and we had this bear, cheeseburger, a big old boy who was found by one of the senior members found him shoving trash in his face behind Chad’s old place. Burgers, fries, onion rings you name it Cheeseburger ate it. So he took him in anyways after everything went down Wade radioed in saying he had to release him because the Jacob wanted to experiment so I tracked him down. Found out he was diabetic and needed insulin so we became buddies. He’s in Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary now and I visit him every few days.”

It’s at this point Judas pulls out a phone and starts showing the staff pictures of a severely obese grizzly bear wearing a collar, at which they coo and awe. In newer photos he has lost a considerable amount weight.

dream trip 

“Climb every mountain range in North America. I met a guy when I was a kid on a hike that did that, his name was trinket and he was like 70 years old climbing the continental divide in colorado. Said he sold everything a few years ago to fund his mission. I’d like to start in the south, Saturn says the Appalachians are pretty.”

“I don’t want to assume anything but wouldn’t you be sick of mountains at this point I mean…after everything that happened in the whitetails?”

Judas laughs. “It’s not the mountains fault some lunatic decided to murder and maim a bunch of people.”

favorite fictional/real character

“Optimus Prime, they made like three more transformers movies and I made everyone promise to watch them with me when we get home.”

number of blankets you sleep with? 

“I have a weighted blanket and, okay don’t make fun of me, my baby blanket under that. It’s basically like a two foot square of worn out fabric at this point but we found it in the house after. Um. After.”

It’s at this point Judas begins to look upset for the first time during the interview. Lauren quickly asks the next question.

random fact:

“I thought it would be fun to teach boomer how to launch himself off my back but now he does it at random. It hurts, I’m sorry it’s been nice do you mind if I um. If I go sit outside for a little bit?”

“Of course not, take your time.”

————

name 

“Marilyn Ellen Hart, please don’t call me Marilyn.”

nickname

“Mary, it’s the preferred name.”

She smiles charmingly, directly at the camera.

gender

“Female.”

star sign

“Aries sun, Capricorn moon and Sagittarius rising. This should be a shock to no one.”

This draws a laugh out Lauren.

personality type

“ENFP, crowds really get me going, I love talking to people. It’s why I love playing shows. Yeah sure the music is the thing that keeps me going after everything but the people make me feel alive.”

height

“Five feet two inches exactly. I got my drivers licence a few days ago. It’s crazy how many rules there are to driving in the real world. Skunk and Nick had two rules. Don’t hit anyone and stay on the pavement.”

Another laugh bubbles out of the staff and is met with a brilliant smile from Mary.

orientation:

“Lesbian but Judas and Daisy keep reading articles too me and maybe I’m also asexual. I haven’t decided yet.”

nationality/ethnicity:

“Raised in America but I was adopted from Ukraine.”

fave fruit 

“Strawberries. Like good fresh sweet ones. The ones from the store aren’t nearly as good.”

fave season

“Summer. Hot, sunny days, as dry and bright as possible.”

fave flower 

“Daisy”

She winks at the camera

fave scent 

“BBQ, I love a good vinegar based sauce.”

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: 

“Saturn got me hooked on sweet iced tea.”

average hours of sleep: 

“Recently I’ve been getting full nights sleep without smoking now that’s wild to me.”

dog or cat person

“Does peaches count as a cat?”

She looks past the camera and grins at someone. Laura asks who peaches is.

“Peaches, my dear, is this badass cougar we found eating so- I’m not allowed to say that am I? We found her in the Henbane.  Her owner just. Handed her to us, a trio of eighteen year old kids. She’s the sweetest thing…most of the time. She’s at Yellowstone with Cheeseburger. Apparently they tried to separate them but I imagine it didn’t go well because they were together again within like two days.”

Dream trip

“The ocean, we’re driving down California in a few weeks and I made them promise to take me to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium.”

favorite fictional/real character

“Misa Amane, from death note. I was obsessed with her in middle school.”

number of blankets you sleep with? 

“Whatever is in the back of the van. Usually a throw and Judas’s weighted blanket.”

random fact:

“I had to learn how to whittle my own sticks because the ones we’d scavenge kept snapping on me. I still use my own at shows.”

I’ll tag @vault81 @bleumanouche @chaosintheavenue and anyone who wants to!

[thistleandthorn-events]

This year's Winter trip: Ski Lodge in Aspen, Colorado! The trip will take place starting December 28th and ending January 7th. Everyone will be staying at Aspen Meadows. There will not be an itinerary for this trip, but there are shuttles into town for restaurants, shopping and other entertainment.

Room Assignments: Each group will be in a suite with two King beds and a queen pull out. each suite has TV, microwave, fridge, balcony, wet bar, and room service access. All students must be in their assigned rooms between Midnight-7am.

Suite 1: Hiram Lodge FP Jones

Suite 2: Tom Keller Maxwell Roarke-Wood Kat Sullivan Fitz Parker

Suite 3: Diego Torres Adelaide Jenkins Hunter Clarington Kurt Hummel Sky Evans

Suite 4: Danny Andrews Nate Mantle Daisy Blossom Ollie Smythe Wren Hummel Kyla Clarington

Suite 5: Sam Evans Oz Chang Noah Andrews Owen Evans Michael Chang Violet Evans

Suite 6: Gunner Rose Madeline Beiste Beau Rose Alejandro Lodge Dexter Wells-Beiste

Suite 7: Roman Lodge Darius Blossom Adelaide Jenkins Annabeth Blossom Betty Cooper Ross Berry

Suite 8: Maverick Mason JB Jones Veronica Lodge Archer Clarington Delilah Pierce

Suite 9: Tristan Clarington Ryan Li Buck Wilde Jamie Prescott

Suite 10: Javier Fogarty Reggie Mantle Jughead Jones Matt Fabray Joe Berry

Suite 11: Ivan Carvalho Gwen Morgan-Daniels Teddy Cohen-Chang Charlie Fabray Austin Fabray

Amenities: On the resort grounds (and nearby) is: skiings, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, heated pool, hot tubs, art walk (self guided), rocking climbing wall, hikes, Opera house, art center, environmental center, fishing and health center.

[gdmbrwiththerealcrew]

Day 7 - July 5th

Waking up before the sun.

We all woke up before the sun peeked over the mountains. The morning was chilly and still wet from the previous nights rain. We had left our food in a food storage box at the next campsite. Overnight a second gent had settled into that site which was already occupied by Brian (who was looking to escape people for a week) and his dog Ozzy. The second camper, to Brian’s chagrin, was a real talker.

Not quite yet sunrise.

Across the road from camp.

Chilly morning.

Dan, a rocket scientist with Blue Origin, stopped by our site to bend someone else’s ear. He was hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail and had started a couple days earlier in Glacier NP. He was up on a high ridge the evening before when the weather chased him down to our campground. Regardless, he was quite entertaining. He talked about rockets, Bezos, Elon Musk, nuclear fusion, hiking, biking, kids, and more. We did get a word in here and there.

Later, as we were taking down our tents, two guys from Chicago popped over the top of the 12 mile climb we had done the day before. They were pushing hard to reach Kalispell. Nonetheless, they had time to swap the usual info ( where’d you start, where are you finishing, where are you staying tonight, where are you from, etc.) and to let us know that they were being trailed by 3 friends. By the time we broke camp 45 minutes later we had not yet seen their friends.

We didn’t filter water before we broke camp with the expectation that the next campground had potable water. Since it was 6 fast downhill miles to the camp we learned quickly that we were wrong and that our navigation app was playing a cruel trick on us. We stopped at a campsite and a couple from Colorado offered us water and watermelon. Among other things, we learned that their daughter is a pro beach volleyball player who is trying to go to the Olympics.

The nice folks from Colorado.

After visiting with those folks, we continued our bombing descent into Whitefish. Hungry for something other than Mountain House (freeze dried meals) we stopped at Piggyback BBQ just before rolling into downtown. Having their smoker near the street in-front of the restaurant was the best advertising they could do and their BBQ was exceptionally! While there, we met the Chicago boys’ three friends: John R, John , and Nick.

Exceptional BBQ!

They were serious riders about our age who knew each other from Chicago but now lived in MI, MT, and NM. They were riding lighter than us, as were most of the riders that we saw. They also started in Banff but a day after us. One was riding a more gravel-ish bike while another was on a cross bike, and the third an old steel road bike with wide tires. They were headed to Kalispell for their Zero Day. We were staying in Whitefish.

After lunch we checked into the Best Western on the south side of town to take advantage of their free shuttle, free laundry, and other amenities. After showers and laundry we shuttled to town for pizza, beer, and our biggest treat, ice cream!

Pizza at Blackstar Brewing.

Huckleberry ice cream.

All in all, a pretty good day.

Cheers!

Ride stats:

Miles ridden: 29.2

Elevation gain: 675 ft

Max elevation: 5,637 ft

Total descent: 3,222 ft

Start time: 10:05am

Moving time: 2:25:32

Elapsed time: 3:18:38

Ave speed: 12 mph

[oliviab-scstudyabroad]

Did Somebody Say "Chocolate"?

Hey everyone! This past week, I was in Argentina yet again! This time, my friends and I traveled south in Argentina to a town called Bariloche. Bariloche is located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and is the gateway to Patagonia. It is the perfect destination for those who love the outdoors, as the multiple ski resorts allow you to ski throughout the Andes, and the abundant lakes are key spots for fishing and kayaking. Bariloche also has a lively downtown area with architecture modeled after Switzerland. As you can imagine, I was beyond excited to go from the moment that my friends and I booked our plane tickets!

On Tuesday in the afternoon, my friends and I took the bus from Montevideo to Colonia and then rode the ferry to Buenos Aires. Upon arriving, we changed our dollars for Argentine pesos ($1 USD = 480 pesos), loaded our Sube cards (passes that you scan to use the metro and buses in Argentina), and then went to an Asian restaurant called Koi. There, we feasted on Miso ramen and dumplings. I ordered an iced tea, something that I’ve missed since being away from South Carolina! It really is astounding the diversity that Buenos Aires has in terms of gastronomy; any type of craving you might have, Buenos Aires has a restaurant to satisfy it. Because our flight was late at night, we killed some more time in another bar/bookstore called Backroom Bar. After enjoying our Passionfruit Punch drinks and chatting, we headed to the airport via Uber. Our flight left at 1:00 a.m., and we arrived in Bariloche at 3:30 a.m. Because the town doesn’t have Uber, we booked taxis in advance to take us from the airport to our Airbnb. Our host was there to give us the keys and show us around the apartment, and then we headed straight to bed to catch up on sleep.

Later that morning, Will, Karen, and I bundled up (it was about 39 ℉ outside) and roamed around the centro of Bariloche (our Airbnb was a 7-minute walk from downtown). Bariloche is set right along the lake of Nahuel Huapi, so we of course had to take pictures in front of the “Bariloche” letters with the stunning backdrop behind it. We then went to a confitería (chocolate shop) called Rapa Nui to have breakfast. Bariloche is known as the Chocolate Capitol of Argentina, so at Rapa Nui, I ordered a chocolatada (hot chocolate). Karen, Will, and I also shared a waffle topped with chocolate, banana, raspberry, and strawberry ice cream. Needless to say, I was sugared-out after breakfast, but it was worth every bite. We then went to the Center of Tourist Information to ask about the bus system and must-visit sites in Bariloche. The bus lines in the city are on a tightly set schedule, and some buses only arrive every hour. We therefore had to plan our activities around the schedule so we didn’t waste time waiting for the bus. The upside is that one bus ride is 100 pesos, or 20 cents. We definitely were traveling on a budget!

After returning from the Information Center, our other friends, Joe and Cleo, joined us to take the bus to Cerro Campanario. There, we took the ski lift to arrive at a lookout point where you could see majestic views of Southern Bariloche. The mountains reminded me of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado where I used to live, except the Andes are encapsulated by lakes and islands. Bariloche’s climate is unique in that in the winter, temperatures can drop to -30℉, and in the summer, you can expect the temperature to climb to 75℉. As I was standing at the top looking out at the islands, I could only imagine what it would be like in December to lay out on the sand and take a dip in the crystal-clear lake. I also noticed that the mountains were pretty barren in terms of snow. A local told us that Bariloche gets the most snow in July and August, so that explained why the ski resorts were closed when we went. After taking the lift down and the bus back, we bought groceries in the supermarket and made lentil soup and peppers stuffed with rice, perfect for our cozy movie night that we had that evening.

On Thursday morning, Karen and I woke up early to scout the tourist agencies to see what excursions were available. We picked up a lot of brochures, compared prices, and explained our options to the others at breakfast. I had coffee and tostados at ChimiDeli, a restaurant that one of the tourist agents had recommended. All five of us then shared a chocolate mousse cake adorned with strawberries. Here arise my two tips when traveling: 1. If you don’t know where to eat, ask a local! They are guaranteed to have good recommendations, and it saves a lot of time instead of poking around on Google Maps and peering at reviews of restaurants. 2. If you want to try different types of cuisine, order multiple dishes and share with your friends! This way, you can have a bite of everything without feeling confined to ordering one meal.

After breakfast, we headed to the Chocolate Museum at Havanna and went on a tour! The guide explained to us that pure chocolate comes from the cacao bean, and in the early centuries, pure chocolate was exchanged by indigenous groups as a form of currency. It was also served as offerings to the gods, or high-ranking authorities in the communities. In Europe, people began to mix cacao with sugar and milk, transforming the cacao chocolate into the milk chocolate that we know today. After World War II, a large surge of Italians immigrated to Bariloche, including a man named Alfred Fenoglio. The so called “pioneer of chocolate in Bariloche” started the first chocolatería in Patagonia, and he is known to be the source of the boom of chocolaterías in Southern Argentina that generate millions of dollars in revenue annually. Who would’ve thought! As we strolled through the museum, we drank our samples of hot chocolate and saw life-sized animals pertaining to Bariloche that were carved entirely out of chocolate! Count how many times I wrote “chocolate” in this post 😉

The gang and I then went to Cerro Otto to take the gondola up to another lookout point. The view was once again spectacular, and we got our fair share of group selfies before heading down to catch the bus back to the center. When we were in line for the bus, there was a man that was playing the bandoneon, an instrument similar to the accordion that is found in most tango music (tango was born in Argentina and Uruguay). Playing the bandoneon is one of the main ways that Argentines connect to their roots and keep the culture alive, so I gave him a tip and enjoyed the tunes before boarding the bus. Once in the centro, we went to another chocolate shop called Mamuschka! Mamuschka is iconic for its rotating Russian dolls on the outside of the building and its wrapping paper being adorned with the colorful Russian doll logo. I couldn’t help myself and filled a box with different chocolate assortments, including ositos- little bears that are filled with dulce de leche. I also got chocolate bars for friends and family and immediately put them away when I got home so as not to be tempted to sneak a bite! After Mamuschka, my friends and I stopped in a supermarket to get ingredients to make sandwiches for our full-day excursion the next day. Then, we had dinner in a cervecería called Bachmann! I had passed by the restaurant earlier that day, and I made it a priority to dine there, as my last name is Bachmann! At the restaurant, we had burgers and beer from Patagonia, and the waitress gave me some coasters with the “Bachmann” logo on it. I kept cracking jokes that it was the family restaurant in Bariloche. We spent several hours there laughing and enjoying each other’s company before heading home to rest for another big adventure the next day.

Part II coming soon! Ciao!

[adrianparker]

ADRIAN PARKER

Welcome to Aurora Bay, [ADRIAN AWANG PARKER]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [HENRY GOLDING]. You must be the [THIRTY-FIVE] year old [ANIMAL ATTENDANT AT SEASIDE PET RESCUE & FORMER COMPETITIVE FIGURE SKATER]. Word is you’re [SELFLESS] but can also be a bit [SCATTERBRAINED] and your favorite song is [I’M STILL STANDING by ELTON JOHN]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [AURORA BAY DRIVE]. I’m sure you’ll love it!

Basics:

Full name: Adrian Awang Aati Parker

Birthday: July 7th

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Age: 35

Gender: Cismale

Orientation: Chaotic Bisexual

Hometown: Born in San Jose, CA; grew up in Colorado Springs

Education: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology

Occupation: Animal Attendant @ Seaside Pet Rescue & Pro Figure Skater

Residence: Aurora Bay Drive

Personality:

Positive traits: Selfless, compassionate, active

Negative traits: Scatterbrained, impulsive, frivolous

Fears: Causing someone harm, earthquakes, tight closed spaces

Likes: Animals, travel, people

Dislikes: Being inactive for too long, when people are in their phones all the time, bad weather

Hobbies: Surfing, swimming, figure skating, dog walking, rock climbing, drinking coffee, pet photography.

Languages: English, Malay, Malaysian Mandarin, Iban, some Spanish, some Cantonese; From traveling & competitions: some Japanese, some Russian, some French

Bio:

Adrian was born well off financially. His father was a successful NHL player and his mother a medical director. They afforded him a very comfortable lifestyle and created opportunities that many can only dream of. It kind of shows that he lives comfortably even by the way he acts sometimes and he doesn't even realize it.

From the time he was four years old, Adrian devoted his life to the sport of figure skating. He was a successful singles skater well into his early 20s, competing in the Olympic Games twice before switching to the ice dance field when the men's field became too competitive. It was a learning curve but he found a lot of success as an ice dancer, which he always attributed to his talented partner in interviews. They won a bronze Olympic medal and two US national championships.

While he had his influential skating platform, he did collaborations to support animal rescue clinics and animal hospitals. The Seaside Pet Rescue in Aurora Bay is one that he personally helped get funding for.

He studied veterinary technology while he was still competing (and due to this, it took him a lot longer to complete a degree but he finally did).

During the off seasons, he sometimes went on missions to help provide care and medical treatment to stray cat and dog colonies in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Posting about it on social media got him popularity (though maybe looking pretty in the hot weather didn't hurt either).

Due to coming from a rich background, Adrian never really considered money to be an issue and it's sometimes a wonder if he even realizes some people legitimately struggle with it. He's always quick to help others without hesitation if he can. He never really considers it a burden and doesn't think twice about it. Because he gives so freely, he's gotten taken advantage of in the past, but life goes on.

Since moving to Aurora Bay, he's gotten into surfing. Though he's not amazing at it, he enjoys being out in the sun on the water. It's one of the reasons he picked a condo by the beach.

Mostly he's here to live a relaxed life as well as he can.

Wanted Connections:

Former (or current?) ice dance partner.

Flirtationship with a neighbor with whom there's sexual tension and chemistry but he doesn't want to make things weird due to how they live so close and have to see each other all the time.

Friends he does physical activities with such as surfing, hiking, etc.

more tba...

[dollsahoy]

I did some research--I have always heard that moving water has too much energy to freeze fast, so I did not believe that this was a frozen flash flood; the person who took the photo (claimed in several Reddit posts as mouse_rat, but the original photo seems to have been lost to uncredited reposts like the one in this post) is reported to have said it's Silver Cascade Falls in Colorado, which apparently ices over alongside the falls like this every winter, to the point that it's considered a great place to learn how to do ice climbing

It's still very cool (heh), it's just not what the OP caption says

A flash flood that was frozen solid when temperatures suddenly dropped sharply. 

[vailhomesandcondos02]

East Vail Real Estate For Sale

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East Vail Real Estate For Sale

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Click Here For More Info:- https://www.vailhomesandcondos.com/east-vail-real-estate-for-sale/

[tripnest]

Unique Adventures Across the USA: Thrilling Experiences Await

Introduction The United States is a land of contrasts, where every region offers its own unique adventure. From the wild wilderness of Alaska to the sun-soaked beaches of Florida, this country is brimming with thrilling experiences that cater to every type of adventurer. This article explores some of the most unique and exciting adventures you can embark on across the U.S., ensuring that your journey is filled with excitement and discovery. 1. Exploring the Alaskan Wilderness Overview of Alaska Alaska, known as the “Last Frontier,” is a vast and rugged state that offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures in the country. With towering mountains, expansive glaciers, and diverse wildlife, Alaska is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Adventure Highlights - Glacier Hiking in Kenai Fjords National Park: Experience the thrill of walking on ancient glaciers in this stunning national park. Guided tours are available, allowing you to explore ice formations, crevasses, and frozen waterfalls. - Wildlife Watching in Denali National Park: Denali National Park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Take a bus tour or hike through the park to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. - Kayaking in Glacier Bay: Paddle through the stunning waters of Glacier Bay National Park, where you can see majestic glaciers calving into the ocean and observe seals, otters, and whales. Guided kayaking tours provide a unique perspective on this pristine wilderness. Tips for Visiting Alaska - Plan for Weather Variability: Alaska's weather can be unpredictable. Dress in layers and be prepared for rain, wind, and cold temperatures. - Wildlife Safety: When exploring, be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines for safely viewing wildlife from a distance. 2. Canyoneering in Utah’s National Parks Overview of Utah’s Unique Landscapes Utah is home to some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in the U.S., including national parks that boast red rock formations, slot canyons, and breathtaking vistas. Canyoneering, a blend of hiking, climbing, and rappelling, allows adventurers to explore these beautiful and rugged terrains. Adventure Highlights - Zion National Park: Known for its stunning canyon views and towering cliffs, Zion offers canyoneering opportunities like the famous "The Narrows." Hike through the Virgin River, surrounded by towering canyon walls. For a more challenging experience, consider "Angels Landing," a strenuous hike with exhilarating views. - Slot Canyons of Antelope Canyon: Located near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is famous for its narrow passages and stunning light beams. Guided tours allow you to explore the breathtaking formations and capture stunning photographs. - Moab and Arches National Park: Moab is a hub for outdoor adventure, with canyoneering options like the "Fisher Towers" and "Corona Arch." The stunning rock formations and dramatic landscapes provide an exhilarating backdrop for exploration. Tips for Canyoneering - Safety First: Always go with a guide if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Canyoneering can be risky, and having an experienced guide ensures safety. - Gear Up: Wear sturdy shoes and bring essential gear like a harness, rope, and helmet for rappelling. 3. White Water Rafting in Colorado Overview of Colorado’s Rivers Colorado is home to some of the best white water rafting in the country, with rivers ranging from mild to wild. The stunning mountain scenery, combined with thrilling rapids, makes Colorado a premier destination for adventure seekers. Adventure Highlights - Arkansas River: This river offers a variety of sections suitable for all skill levels. The Brown's Canyon stretch is known for its scenic beauty and thrilling rapids, making it a popular choice for families and beginners. - Glenwood Canyon: This picturesque canyon is home to the Colorado River, where you can enjoy thrilling rapids and breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs. Rafting tours vary in intensity, catering to both novices and experienced rafters. - Clear Creek: Located just outside Denver, Clear Creek is perfect for a quick day trip. The river offers a range of rapids, making it an exciting choice for adventurers looking for a thrilling ride. Tips for White Water Rafting - Choose the Right Trip: Consider your skill level when selecting a rafting trip. Many companies offer beginner-friendly options as well as more challenging experiences for seasoned rafters. - Safety Gear: Always wear a life jacket and helmet, and follow your guide's instructions for safety. 4. Biking the Pacific Coast Highway Overview of the Pacific Coast Highway The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is one of the most scenic drives in America, stretching along the California coastline. For those seeking adventure, biking the PCH offers a unique way to experience stunning ocean views, charming coastal towns, and breathtaking landscapes. Adventure Highlights - Big Sur: This iconic stretch of the PCH features dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and stunning ocean views. Biking through Big Sur provides an exhilarating experience as you navigate winding roads and enjoy panoramic vistas. - Santa Monica to San Luis Obispo: This route takes you through picturesque beach towns like Malibu and Pismo Beach. Stop at local cafes and beaches along the way for a true coastal experience. - Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Explore the charming towns of Monterey and Carmel, known for their stunning coastal views, shops, and dining options. Don't miss the famous 17-Mile Drive for breathtaking scenery. Tips for Biking the PCH - Plan Your Route: Research the sections of the PCH you want to bike and plan for accommodations and dining options along the way. - Stay Safe: Always wear a helmet, follow traffic laws, and be aware of your surroundings. The coastal roads can be busy, so stay vigilant. 5. Conclusion The United States is a treasure trove of unique adventures waiting to be explored. From the stunning wilderness of Alaska to the breathtaking landscapes of Utah and the scenic coast of California, there’s no shortage of thrilling experiences to discover. Embrace your adventurous spirit and embark on a journey that will create lasting memories and ignite your passion for exploration. 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