Winter Park Alpine Slide Year Number 2 LJ All Day Adventure Day. Taking LJ All Day on adventures like these the are most awesome days of being a dad. Every year gets better and better! I can’t wait for the compilation 10 years from now showing LJ growing up through Alpine Slide adventures :)
If you would like to know the important facts about the Winter Park Alpine Slide, children must be at least 2 years old to ride with an adult. That’s the only important fact to know. Buy the all day adventure pass and pray for no rain. Children 4 and under adventure pass for only $15. The Alpine Slide at Winter Park is Colorado’s longest Alpine Slide dropping 610 vertical feet in over 3,000 feet of track.
2019 winter in the Colorado Rockies was monumental. It had been 62 years since a slide on the Disney avalanche path off Highway 40 had reached the road. The Disney slide path is first major avalanche slide path you reach on your way to Winter Park Resort. It is on the south side of the road just outside of Empire before you hit Berthoud Pass … and to say it lightly – this is a monster slide.
Here is another video that is equally interesting to watch from the Denver Copter 7 on the same day … just turn your volume down.
4am 9/11 Remembrance Media … Remember that time we Capper’d Salt Lake City on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Wow – I watched this on repeat for an hour tonight thinking about awesome things we have done with the power of friendship. When good people and friends come together, we can accomplish some pretty amazing and emotional things. Brian Gold Show Goldrich, thanks for having the power of microphones and believing in a random idea to do something good like this for the pure awesomeness of our country. The fact we were able to quiet down Festival Village at the Dew Tour (one of the noisiest environments of all time) to pull this stunt off without anyone knowing … equals pure “I Love America” kind of joy. Capper Capper Fish, I think the Denver Broncos are going to need some love this year. Hmmmm, would you change anything if you were in front of 75,000 of our orange and blue fans?
I had a nice trip down memory lane last night looking at some old Dew Tour media from 2007. Following the kickoff June Baltimore stop of the then “AST Dew Tour” I ended up traveling around the country for nearly three weeks, which made me miss Fathers Day. Upon my return, I took my good ol’ father Les Hydle out to dinner and his first ever Barmen. I think he liked it … especially the amazing head.
Oh fuck is right… as Jeb Corliss states about his previous accident from Table Mountain in South Africa.
“This is raw footage of both impacts from the outside camera shot by Jeff. This is the first time you can really see the second impact and how fast it came after the first. The second impacts is where i broke both my ankles and my fibula…”
Today is October 10th, 2012 which marks the 4 month anniversary of the day we laid my father to rest after being involved in a tragic motorcycle accident while leaving my neighborhood. To summarize the last 4 months, I can only say that time, memories and emotions have basically all blurred into one surreal adventure where it is hard to decipher between what should affect me and what shouldn’t. In addition to my attempts of coming to terms with what happened on June 9th, 2012 – there have been countless other interesting and emotional events that have prevented me from fully dealing with the loss of my father. Colorado nearly burned to death, Aurora was tragically shot up, Dixie took rest, uncle RT (my dads brother) passed exactly a month ago and now I’ve been forced to nearly give up on one of my most meaningful and important relationships. Everything aside – there have been a lot of positives that have also occurred through business ventures, travel, family communication and finding an all to real *real*ness in this world… but it is hard to focus attention on these without fully dealing with this sub-par hand of cards that has been dealt through the summer of 2012.
In two days we will head to court for the criminal case against the 27 year old driver who illegally, and unknowingly pulled directly in front of my father after our heartfelt time we spent together. He has since pleaded guilty to his charges and we only await a sentencing hearing… where we will get a chance to meet the man responsible for this accident. It is hard to say how my family and I will respond to this long awaited meeting, I’m sure there will be some existence of anger and hate, but I personally know that all of the anger is going to have to be overcome to fully heal from this loss.
All I can do is remember the amazing person my father was and how incredible the time was we were literally *just* able to spend together. At my fathers service, I presented the final moments we spent together into a playlist – my father’s final playlist. I will eventually release the video of my speech to everyone, but today I release to you these final moments through memories, movies, songs and writing. Within these final moments I was able to build him a playlist he would be proud of. Everything seemed to happen naturally… and with little effort. If I had known this would have been the final hour I would ever get to spend with my father… I still don’t think I would have changed a thing.
My Father’s Final Playlist
It was a calm and sunny Saturday summer morning when my father pulled up into my driveway on his brand new to him Yamaha Venture. It was a big bike, cherry red and gorgeous… and I could immediately tell from the smile on his face that he was happy. He wanted to show me this bike and I took the time to look at it. We played with gadgets, disc changers and radio stations. I was super surprised that a guy like my dad hadn’t yet taken the time to figure out his own stereo so he could at least listen to music while he cruised. I figured it out for him… taught him… balanced his speakers… and programmed some radio stations. We spent at least 20 minutes in the hot colorado sun mesmerizing over his added extras and light bar additions to the bike. This bike was reflective… my dad was glowing. We eventually rolled inside and as we were looking at a random appliance problems in my kitchen … he simply asked me – “what happened to your microwave?” To which I answered… “oh, you didn’t see that video? – come here”
So I pulled him to my upstairs computer… and I showed him this.
Track 1 – Video – Beer Run
After watching … and laughing at this video peace – I previously had another open video just sitting there on my computer. Also revolving beer.
Track 2 – Video – St. Patty’s Day
My Dad chuckled at the Guinness comments… so staying on the Beer theme I asked him “Dad – did you know that we have our own beer?” And I cued this up.
Track 3 – Video – Hydle Ale Release
Post Hydle Ale video, man he laughed at the Hydle Ale Logo… so I asked him if he saw our KOHL’s rock out video? — which is a beautiful peace with all my nephews and his grandchildren.
Track 4 – Video – KOHL’s Party
Now at this point… I command-tabbed over to final cut where a project I was previously working on was open. It was from the Denver Day of Rock show that took place only two weeks prior and I KNEW my dad would be intrigued. He’d never listened to Amanda Capper – So I let him watch… and listen.
Track 5 – Song + Video – Someone Like You
I knew my dad was in kind of a hurry… he had to go somewhere and a quick call from his girlfriend made me leave the room. I never respected or wanted to show any appreciation for his new relations, which he knew, so even though I know he only talked to her for a couple seconds… I still managed to leave the room and go to the garage. What my Dad didn’t know – is I was setting him up for his final 3 songs in a new listening environment.
I listened to him watch a video… and engage in the music you just listened to. Came back upstairs and asked – “did you like that?” To which the reply was an obvious “yes.” So I led him to the garage and started playing this, which I knew he would love even more.
Track 6 – Song – Baby I’m Amazed
It was fun… shooting the shit with him, as he had no idea what the intro to the song was all about or what song was coming up. But as soon as the keyboardist drops into the beginning riff … he belted out “Paul McCartney – Baby I’m Amazed!” and sat on the couch. I knew he would know exactly what song it was – This was fun. I sat on the couch across from him… It’s orange – we call it Bronco… and we listened to music. Loud music – The way he would make me sit and listen when I was a kid.
We get to the part where Amanda Capper starts singing… he sits up and points to his arm, looks up at me and energizes, “You know those hairs on your arm that stand up?? Those goose bumps? — Yah!!” To which I simply reply … “You just got CAPPER’d” and we sit and listen to the rest of the song.
When Baby I’m Amazed finished – he wanted to know when this show was… and why he missed it. I lightly explained that he missed a lot of things. One of them was an unbelievable experience after hours in a Utah bar. So I played this one…
Track 7 – Song – Drift Away
— Emotional Acoustic Version
— Denver Day of Rock Live Version
As I explain the jam session video we shot in Utah singing drift away to a very special BMX crowd revolving around an injured rider – Stephen Murray… I transitioned into the Craig Hospital video I had just completed. I explained about bringing Amanda Capper into the mix and how we accomplished what we did. I commented aggressively about him having not seen the video… since this was something I hold dear to my heart and means a lot to me. But since he didn’t have time to watch the 9 minute masterpiece … I explained enough to him so he would understand where this next song comes from. It was an Amanda Capper original, her own creation from watching the video I created. She was inspired to write a song about life from the perspective of a little girl … only this girl had a name – Briley Alberi, the daughter of one of the most amazing families I had ever met. The Alberi’s were the subject of a Montana creation for the 2012 push dinner video. I told my dad how I had video of Amanda playing the first idea of this next song sitting upstairs in my living room in early February… and that this was the first time she ever played it live. I told him about how it is the ultimate complement when your work inspires the work of others… and this is where his final song on my dads final playlist came from.
Track 8 – Song – Time To Try
We sat listening on my couches… across from one another. Not a word was said. My father loved music, and he loved the music I was playing for him. I knew this… because I could feel it. In the next couple days I would learn more about my dad and his true musical background than I previously knew about anything thing else about him. He was a known unknown in this world of rock and roll music growing up and he has proof of it. I would meet one of his best buds from his growth years… his real fast and free years of growing up without a care. I would learn that although my dad couldn’t or didn’t play an instrument, he would still instruct others how to play. He could belt out guitar riffs with his voice… he could hit the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and although he didn’t complete his pursuit of rock-stardom. His friends did.
We stood up… hugged – said our I love yous… walked out to his bike, listened as he revved his engine one last time, down my street and around the corner. I stared him off into the distance… stood barefoot, shirtless on my driveway – had an unnerving feeling, said a mental goodbye, paused. and walked inside. No more than 30 seconds after this moment, my father was tragically involved in a motorcycle accident he would not wake from. A vehicle would carelessly turn left directly in front of him before leaving my neighborhood… and I would never get to share another hug with this man I called dad.
I’m sorry it had to happen this way dad… and I know you are looking down and saying the same. As I expressed to you on our airport run in October, 2010 – “You really fucked things up here, and it will be interesting to see how you react to this situation.” And it was. But this wasn’t expected by anyone. You should never have had to spend the emotional energy on the feelings you were going through – it makes you “check out from real life.” I also told you this, but you didn’t listen and it sucks you had to go through this alone. Yes – I know enough to look into your emotions more… but I also know enough to let it go and move on. You are back where you belong… loved by your true family, who actually care about you.
Now it’s time for the next chapter. My dad’s latest project was reliving his past and rejuvenating elementary school stories back into the skull of one of his best friends growing up – trust me on this one, this is already one hell of a story. People go their own ways in life… some remember things – and some don’t. My dad remembered everything, which is the perfect match for someone who forgot it all. I’m a storyteller, just like you dad … but I possess some talents you didn’t have, and I’ve been inspired. May you and your brother Craig turn some SOIGDH in the heavens. Turn it up loud, so all those old dudes can hear you party. But keep it quiet enough so you can still chime in on what is happening down here. Doc and Capper might have something to say. True story by me, you mother HAWKer!
In the history of HYDLE.com… this ridiculous “TSOIGDH” entry marks my 999th public blog post since May of 2009 – When I started this crazy world of blogging ideas, thoughts and Genius vs. Not Genius intermanents and social media successes or failures.
So for the sake of getting google credit for it…
“TSOIGDH” = TURNING SHIT ON IT’S GOD DAMN HEAD
Turning shit on it’s god damn head is going to be my 1 single inspiration for the next 999 blogpost entries. I can’t wait to open up my connection layer for all my loyal readers… so I can start finding out who you actually are.
While playing in Winter Park with Mom for Leap Year – I came across a nice little email from Seth Godin while relaxing by the fire.
“Leap year meditation
Once in four years, just once, perhaps we could:
Forgive, forget, relax, care, stand out, speak up, contribute, embrace, create, make a ruckus, give credit, skip, smile, speak truth and refuse to compromise–more than we usually do. Pick just one or two and start there.
Hey, it’s just one day.
Careful, though, it might become a habit.”
Thank you for the inspiration you provided us throughout the rest of the day Seth. We had already accomplished most of your meditation techniques… just needed to focus on a little skipping!
We had an amazing time at the Brad Paisley concert in Denver last night. I don’t know what this country music thing is all about, but after meeting Brad and getting the opportunity to see such a “large performance” show like this with such good company — my cowboy hat continues to come out.
As my country inspiration from Montana – Jesse Alberi states via the Facebook…
“Just keep wearin the hat and boots and the country will find you. I Just watched on youtube what you saw live last night… jealous bro.”
It was an incredibly entertaining show with Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry and even Tim Tebow. Watch this as the Band Perry drops for the most epic Tebowing of all time while Brad Paisley and Tebow sang “I’m Still a Guy.” Saying it got loud… is an understatement.
[YouTubeUlar] <— 0
Surprisingly, The Band Perry did NOT sing "Walk Me Down the Middle". Katherine was the proud winner of a Brad Paisley guitar pick. I learned about dog-tags of fallen soldiers. Brad's dad Doug is a story teller. It was a sold out show.
Katie + Ryan + Trista... thank you for such a fun night. Here are some highlights.
After getting back to the internets to research some of this country music thing, I found a direct explanation from Brad Paisley’s 3.6 million strong Facebook page. This is Country Music. Pretty cool.
There is a BMX rider named Stephen Murray who had a traumatic injury in a Baltimore 2007 BMX Dirt event. He was throwing a double back on a bicycle and broke his neck. It was my first day announcing for DEW tour as G-Man and this was by far one of the worst accidents I have ever seen. During Stephens rehabilitation at Craig Hospital from a C3 broken neck… he eventually weaned from a ventilator which was amazing – since he could now breathe on his own. But at such a high level quad he is completely confined to a sip and puff wheelchair.
Friends and supporters started a brand “Murray Strong” over the last couple years and from what we heard in Utah… Stephen’s own spirits have been relatively low right now. As you can understand… being confined to a wheelchair can definitely take it’s mental toll on you… which it has on Stephen. When you lose your own zest for life it is time for friends and family to help keep you motivated to live the best life you can. Keep your head up high Stephen – this is a movie from your friends.
Stay Strong.
As a gift from Amanda Capper to everyone who takes the time to watch and understand the “real life” moment we had here in Utah – you get a surprise gift for your iPods.
I’m not going to guarantee this link will exist very long as this is a direct track from Amanda Capper’s upcoming album “Cocoon” … but I think Amanda will oblige. Recorded at Akashic Recording Studio with Prasanna Bishop on the Saxophone, this was simply an amazing experience.
Celebration of “Colorado Day” on August 1st resulted in a double dip down Numbers on a raft and post beer sampling at the Eddyline Brewery. Got to love the growing mountain town of Buena Vista. Thanks for the fun day sister Jess.
[YouTubeUlar] <— 0
On a scale from one to 10... I give this moment an 11. In 2011.
McCormick's Lake LBJ Lake House is Legit.
I miss being here.
Song: Deer Tick – Long Time
