When Dave and I think about the defining periods in
our lives that helped create the people we are today, we
invariably start with HMI.
HMI—the High
Mountain Institute—is a semester school in Leadville, Colorado for high school
juniors. I spent the fall of 2005 there, Dave the fall of 2007.
How did this place change us?
Both of us returned home more confident,
independent and willing to try new things.
We learned to eschew materialism, instead emphasizing the value of
community, nature, and a sense of place.
We became expert outdoorsmen and backpacked all throughout the Rocky Mountains
and the canyons of Utah.
And most
importantly we made dear friends we are proud to still be close with
today.
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| Ray at HMI with Keller and Sam in 2005...the three of us were reunited this June! |
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| Dave and Coby in the backcountry in 2007...these two friends were reunited as well. |
When we found out there would be a huge reunion for all HMI
alumni, Dave and I knew we couldn’t miss it.
And since no sojourn to Colorado is complete without a visit to our oldest family
friends Lindsey, Jesse, Nate and Mac, we extended out trip to include a few
days in the mile-high city.
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| Our crew tours the Celestial Seasoning factory in Boulder--hairnets and beardnets mandatory! |
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| Nate orders a masculine mid-day beverage |
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| Gotta get our boardgames in. This time around, I was Carcassonne master. |
After 2 days packed with trivia, craft beer and Cards
Against Humanity, Nate was gracious enough to drive us deep into the mountains….to
Leadville!
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| Epic weather on I-70 |
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| Ray and Mt. Elbert--Colorado's tallest peak. |
HMI was packed….over 300 alumni, parents, spouses and
children showed up to celebrate the school’s first 15 years and the departure
of its two founders.
My semester was
represented by a core group of 7, meanwhile Dave’s semester boasted a
staggering 17 attendees.
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| Alumni ages 17-33 swarm the campus |
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| Ray and the Rocky Mountain Semester XV - 8 years out! | |
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| Dave and the Rocky Mountain Semester XIX - 6 years out! |
The weekend was such a welcome change of pace. The opposite of city life, we spent each day and
night appreciating the amazing outdoor opportunities around us. I ran a thin-air 5K (Leadville’s elevation is
a commanding 10,000 ft!), spent the afternoon rock climbing and joined other alumni in sharing memories, reflections and laughter around a campfire.
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| Rock climbing up above Turquoise Lake |
It was difficult to leave, but unbelievable
to confirm the connection to these people and this place from our past. Dave and I know, we'll be back to HMI soon.
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| Brothers Unite! At HMI |
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