2014: MAMMOTH “RUN FOREST RUN”
Inside Colopalooza: Sean Kahr
2014: MAMMOTH “RUN FOREST RUN”
The Paloozians shake things up a bit and opt for a summer trip up to Mammoth Lakes & Yosemite National Park. Yet again, it is a small but highly elite group representing the brotherhood. Let’s do this!
For the first time in its long history, the Palooza takes place without the use of any airplanes. Here are the boys making their way north from Orange County.
Day one is uneventful beyond a stop at In 'N Out where we watch Milo absolutely murder an order of animal-style fries. Next to him, you can see Al reporting our every day one move back to Terri.
The boys end up getting a suite in Mammoth Village. Not exactly the sort of high-brow pad that the Paloozians have grown to expect but very spacious.
Two Paloozians chill in the living room in anticipation of firing up another action-packed Palooza.
The first order of business whenever you’re in Mammoth is a visit to Schat’s Bakery. If you’re looking for anything that comes out of an oven, they have it.
The Paloozians like to ensure they have plenty of sugar intake by loading up on pastries and cookies.
Then it is on the ski resort to saddle up and get in some high-intensity mountain biking. Here’s Craig savoring the simple pleasures of being a Paloozian Founder.
The GoPro is already mounted on Craig’s bike--soon to capture some high-speed action on the mountain.
The Paloozian bikes, assembled high atop Mammoth.
You can always count on Milo being dressed for the X-Games whenever the boys do anything on wheels.
High up on the mountain above timberline, it is mostly dusty with a lot rocky switchbacks.
Sean, looking quite jovial--just a few minutes before he would fly over his bike and torch his gears. Ouchie.
And here is Craig’s bike laying on the ground after he took a hairpin turn a bit too fast and ate a dust sammy.
While Sean and Craig are busy kissing the mountain, Al and Milo are killing it. Here’s Al bombing into a turn.
Mammoth does an amazing job setting up the ski area for mountain biking. The wood planks are pretty sweet to ride on, as long as you actually stay on them.
Craig moves his camera to the top of his helmet just in case there are any long-distance sasquatch sightings.
Craig pauses atop a ramp to think through which shoulder he’d rather have surgery on later that night.
Back down at the base after a good day on the hill, Milo studies the menu carefully in search of blue drinks.
Nothing beats a frosty cold beer after a hot day of mountain biking. Bottoms up, lads!
Before heading back to the condo, the Paloozians discover a big mountain biking event at the base lodge.
Mammoth built a huge jump in an attempt to break a distance record. Al is pretty sure he can take it but it’s probably just the Ritalin talking.
And for the second time in Palooza history, the boys are present for the breaking of a World Record. Here’s Cam Zink executing the longest back flip ever on a mountain bike.
Not to be confused with Al, our own “Guinness Guy”, this natilly-clad official is there to verify that the Paloozians have in fact seen history made yet again.
“Hey fellas, look over there--I think I see a really cool church we can go to for Sunday prayer time.”
We try our darnedest to take a picture of the church but this hideous beast keeps getting in the way.
The Paloozians with Mammoth mascot, Woolly.
To close out the day, the Paloozians head over to Roberto’s to get some Mexican food and margs.
Note to all future Paloozians: when you see “Specialty of the House” and a big arrow pointing to a duck-based dish at a Mexican restaurant, that’s code for “We really need to move some duck that’s about to go bad.”
Craig is up before dawn on day three to catch this amazing combination of a crescent moon, Saturn and Jupiter. It is 100x better live.
To get day three off on the right foot, the boys hit Breakfast Club for a little quality grub.
It doesn’t take long for our veteran waitress to let Sean know that she wouldn’t be taking any of his smack.
After breakfast, the boys head over to Convict Lake near Mammoth to rent a pontoon boat and get after some trout fishing.
Sean uses our trusty navigational bird to determine where the biggest fish are, as Craig mans the wheel.
The view of the eastern edge of the Sierras from Convict Lake is spectacular. Pretty much the same type of rock that was carved up to create Half Dome.
Al, with his ever-present XL can of Monster, steers the boat near the shore for optimal trout targeting.
Milo's not afraid of 250 pound roid-raging linebackers, but he does tend to freak out about worms.
Milo springs to action and saves our hooks from sinking after the wind blows them into the lake.
Sean is having one of those days, so he decides to switch things up and try to catch one from the shore.
Things go decidedly sideways for Sean’s hopes of landing the big one when his rod snaps in half. And then his fishing pole broke.
But the ever-present bird of destiny continues its vigilant gaze in search of fish. It’s just a matter of time.
Sean spots this large osprey perched along the shore looking for the very same fish we’re trying to catch.
Seanie gets in some carbs while he works on his line.
After catching a half dozen trout, the boys make their way back to to the shore. A great time on the water.
Back on land, the boys run into a small herd of deer in search of free fish. Go ask the osprey, Bambis.
Craig and his clenched tongue do their best to clean the embarrassingly small rainbows that he and the boys hauled in for dinner. Well, apps anyway.
What kind of fool puts fish guts in the lobby trash can to avoid getting pinned for fish cleaning in the room?
After a delicious stack of trout pancakes, the boys head around the north side of Yosemite to get to the Valley.
After a 90-minute drive, the Paloozians finally arrive in the heart of Yosemite.
This is one of the many campgrounds for rent in Yosemite National Park. Not exactly bear-resistant.
Now that we finally have cellular service back, Al is able to give Terri his daily report on our activities.
The 7 mile hike up to and back from Nevada Falls is pretty intense for the suddenly old-feeling Paloozians.
Yosemite is one of the best places on earth to check out waterfalls. They seem to be everywhere.
The boys take a quick breather in front of the falls.
It takes the Paloozians another full hour to get up above the waterfall to see the opposite view.
The Paloozians bravely continue their march up.
The Paloozians decide to take a break and chill at this lake before heading back down the mountain.
In a sudden burst of energy, Sean decides to scale the side of Half Dome. Quite impressive but short-lived.
Everywhere you turn in Yosemite, you find these amazing slabs of rock jetting up into the sky.
Before driving back to Mammoth, the boys stop a the Ahwahnee Hotel near the base of Half Dome. Built-in 1927, the Ahwahnee is a National Historic Landmark.
The Paloozians relax on the Ahwhanee patio with some malted beverages. A good day hiking in Yosemite.
After the long drive back to Mammoth, the boys stop by Angel’s for a little barbecued rib action.
The Paloozians pack up the Palooza Rig and head off for a little golf before making the long drive home.
Nothing gets the Paloozians more fired up for some epic golf than pre-game breakfast burritos.
Showing off his new salmon-colored golf attire, Sean is ready to send his opening tee shot right up stream.
Accustomed to battling rain, hail, and assorted animals when they play golf, the Paloozians are shocked to get in round without any of the above.
A small stream winds its way through Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth as Milo mans the flag.
Milo tries to sink a long putt as Al and Sean look on.
Smalls and Allie bid you farewell as they race to the 19th hole. See you back in Denver next year.
Inside Colopalooza: Sean Kahr