Another warm day in July; another perfect day to dream about football. One way or another, I’ll eventually get to four different Week One college football games. In the sort of way the name suggests, we may saunter or wander along the way. Feel free to remain at the trailhead if you wish. I think this will all tie in a bit.

Cue mysterious V. O. Bright headlights pierce the early morning darkness on a winding road through a freshly paved mountainous maze. 37 degrees on the dashboard lime-lit digital thermometer. The first car to the trailhead two hours before the first light of day. Dark–endless dark in this mountain basin parking lot 8200 ft above sea level. With my better half leading the charge, the simple saunter began. Flashlights ablaze and properly outfitted we began the pitch-black walk through the woods.

The only sounds echoing across the forest were those of two sea-level acclimated humans gasping for air and two hearts that sounded like rapidly played bass drums reverbing off the ancient trees. Purpose driven and, on a mission, we suffered the grueling first mile, which is an 1100-foot climb.

After the first mile, it was a yard sale at the trail junction. The relentless climb eventually gave way and the more, simple saunter could begin. The yard sale being my backpack’s contents and most of my clothes. It was a chilly morning on a snow lined trail through a dense conifer forest, yet it felt about 90 in that moment. Anyone might know the feeling.

It was at this juncture that we may have curtly questioned our plan.

“What are we doing suffocating in the forest before sunrise on vacation?”

A fair question, but one that could be simply answered–we wanted to see a moose.

Our goal was to be at Two Rivers Lake by sunrise. My estimation was that it would take us 90 minutes or so to get there and the steep first mile would be the majority of the time. Two Rivers Lake had seen a bull moose quite regularly the first half hour of sunrise and we were committed to getting an intimate moment with one.

Several times on past trips, we had set out to do the same thing. Get somewhere moosey and wait for the perfect sunrise encounter, but so far, no moose. Well, not a bull moose that is. Nearly every other creature of the air or forest, including a couple of cow moose, in nearly every climate had been witnessed, but the Bull Moose eluded us.

Not this time. Determined with a plan and operating with knowledge shared by a kind local, we would see our gentle giant this day.

Two Rivers Lake serenely nestles against the granite peaks at 10,620 ft. Bordered with dense conifers, laced with streams, and more nearby lakes, this is a moose haven.

After recovering from the steep hike, we began the simple saunter on the stone and root cluttered path that slightly grades upwards. With the heart rates calm, the stillness of the forest could be heard. So much life growing at one time in a dense forest. My better half snapped some early morning light photos of Mountain Blue Violets growing in the shadows amongst lush green grasses. Silence so deafening one could hear them grow.

On towards Two Rivers, but first, we had to cross a frozen solid field of snow. Early fall in an alpine snowfield–now that’s the place to be. Eyes never shined so bright as the ones looking back at me. For two kids from sea-level, it couldn’t get much cooler than standing on 2 feet of frozen snow in early fall. Except, it certainly would end up being–‘cooler.’

We were closing in on our destination and it was getting brighter by the second. Onwards and slightly upwards through the alpine forest, my pace quickened as I knew we were close. The local’s direction had been perfect and quite specific, and I could see the twin boulders on the side of the trail where I had been instructed to turn.

The boulders mark a faint trail that leads to the back side of the lake. There is a more obvious trail 100 yards past this point.

Upon seeing the final landmark, I increased my pace to get to them. Getting a seat on a shoreline boulder with the sun at our back was only a few more minutes away as was the sunrise. In fact, the sun was beginning to break.

Still positioned on the main trail with the subtle trail to my left. Streams of orange piercing the darkness of dawn and spotlighting sporadic elements throughout the forest. An unidentifiable dark blob turns into a freshly uprooted tree. The Shadowy moose-like creature up ahead turns into an odd, shaped granite bould–

Just before we stepped off the main trail and down towards the lake, a shadow caught my eye. A boulder most likely but I entertained the thought. To both of our amazement, the burst of sun was highlighting a bull moose that was loafing down the more obvious trail just 100 yards from us towards the lake. Loafing meaning, he stepped about every 10 seconds or so as he nibbled nearly every leaf in head’s reach.

This was perfect. We could let him ease down to the lake and shadow him from our trail without disturbing him. There was no reason to rush anything. This moose was solely ours at that moment. I communicated the plan to my bright faced bride, and she began to get a few pictures from a distance. Our early morning plan had worked!

One thing about this particular morning–it was so still, so silent, so serene. Not a bunny’s breath of wind the entire morning. When we would stop to catch our breath on the steep portions, the steam would accumulate like a cloud trapped in the low hanging forest canopy.

We enjoyed the serenity of the setting for nearly 30 seconds, when I suddenly felt a pleasant breeze cooling the back of my damp neck. Growing up as a Whitetail Deer hunter, I knew this could be troubling for us. I didn’t say it, but I thought it and anyone that has ever hunted would have thought it. Please don’t smell us.

My eyes were sharpened on his head that was glowing chocolate brown and sporting a set of freshly grown antlers, hoping he would remain casual, but as the sun brightened, the breeze increased.

Only 15 seconds or so after I felt the breeze, his ancient looking head lifted up slightly, his left ear craned in our direction, and his energy visibly changed. No longer slumping, loafing, and looking like an innocent giant without a care in the world, he straightened his frame, lengthened his legs, and held his once lumbering head up confident and sturdy.

He was spooked but not running away. I’d describe him as agitated or annoyed. Kind of like how I would be if someone interrupted my private morning stroll to the lake. Or annoyed like someone could be if they were waiting for the college football portion to eventually come along. I promise, we will get there.

Now a smidge grumpy, the moose began to briskly walk towards the subtle trail that we were just above. Gallantly and majestically, he trotted into the sunshine. My bride and I, still on the main trail at the ‘subtle trail’ junction, witnessed him cover the 100 yards in a surprisingly short amount of time while snapping video footage and a few still shots.

He settled in a small, idyllic opening in the trees with the sun bursting over his right shoulder. My bride snapped the perfect shot. She has said to me in the past, “one of my best photos.” The gentle giant only paused for a moment, but a moment is all it takes.

The moose unfortunately never fully settled and was certainly nervous to our presence. We were letting him go where he wanted and just pivoting from our slightly raised position. My guess was–he would settle for a bit and take the trail towards the backside of the lake.

I was peeved at alarming him and wanted to let him settle, so wherever he went, we weren’t following at that point. I think he sensed exactly that.

In a way I’ll describe as playfully aggressive this gentle giant moved with some pace up from the “idyllic opening” directly towards us at the trail’s junction. We backed off the trail and shielded behind a boulder that was slightly above our previous position. The moose snorted and grunted as he came to an abrupt halt at the trail junction. Steam visible from his snout. The gentle giant stood no more than 10 yards from us for exactly one second before casually taking the main trail back down the way we had just hiked.

As he walked away, he returned to the gentle, loafing creature. Head bobbing like he had a deep track ballad stuck in his head and entire beast of a body moving slow and methodically with confidence as he disappeared down the trail.

Eyes never shined so bright as the ones looking back at me. Truly one of our favorite moments. A moment we are still beyond grateful for.

The rest of the hike was a private simple saunter through the lush alpine basin to the rock canyon gorge that leads down to another beyond striking alpine lake. Streams of water poured sporadically from the rock facing across the gorge forming mini waterfalls all the way down to the Crystal stream below that eventually flows to the ‘striking’ alpine lake.

We were back at the car by 10:45. The relatively large parking lot was completely overflowing with vehicles. The 10 or so bathrooms had lines at every door. Stern faced, yellow vested people directed the parking lot madness. Park Rangers explained with enthusiasm the ‘do’s and don’ts on the trail’ to a group of 20 kids in front of the encased, oversized map of the park at the trailhead. The benches all taken by an assortment of the elderly, the rebellious teen, and the flip flop wearing adult regretting the decision to hike without proper footwear.

A far different scene from over 6 hours earlier when the entire lot was empty except for our rented SUV. We loaded and left in a timely manner and the simple saunter to see the gentle giant had been completed.

Three days before and three days after this encounter, we were 36 miles southwest, where one could find Boulder, the Colorado Buffaloes and Folsom Field.

That’s right Georgia Tech fans. A simple 1-hour cruise northwest out of Boulder will land you at the mouth of Rocky Mountain National Park where all of this adventure awaits.

8/29 6:00 Pm MST on ESPN. Georgia Tech travels to Colorado.

Friday Night at Folsom Field is the main event.

A moment is all it takes–to capture the perfect shot of a bull moose at sunrise or to win a late-night opening weekend football game, a moment is all it takes. Will the Buffalo or will the Yellow Jacket respond to the moment?

3rd year Colorado Head Coach Sanders and 4th year Georgia Tech Head Coach Key will have their teams primed and keyed in for such moments.

Georgia Tech returns more than 75pct of the offensive production from last year led by QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes and return 7 starters on defense, including four out five leading tacklers from last season.

Colorado only has 3 O-lineman returning to the offense and lose their top 3 tacklers from last year. Not to mention losing top receiver, team leader in interceptions, 7th leading tackler, and Heisman winner Travis Hunter to the NFL. The top playmakers from last season are gone from this team, but there is a chance for a more consistent style of play with more depth at each position.

The last time I visited Folsom Field was three days after the aforementioned moose encounter; it was during a rough stretch for the Buffaloes. They were 2-point favorites at home and lost by exactly 30 points. As a longtime pseudo-Buffs fan, it was difficult to stomach.

According to stats, rosters, and general logic, this Yellow Jacket team could do the exact same thing to the Folsom Faithful 7 Fridays from now.

Will they? Not if Colorado can help it.

This is a game played on the gridiron, not on paper. This is a game won as a team, not by any one individual. This is a game that rewards the brave and bold–those that respond the moments. A moment is all it takes.

Despite a heroic road performance by Georgia Tech, the Buffs win in surprising fashion.

Colorado +3.5 and +140 ML

This little trip down memory lane to Colorado and quick preview of game one of four is complete. What began as a simple saunter through the forest deep in the Colorado wilderness, now takes us 1,595 Southeast. From the lush abundant life of the Alpine Forest to the northwest corner of the Palmetto state where folks ‘breathe and hope.’ Dum spiro spero.

The Battle of the Tigers. The Battle of Death Valleys.

LSU @ Clemson 8/30 7:30PM Est ABC

• Both teams are strong on both sides of the ball and return most of their starters from last season.

• Both teams have elite QB’s who have preseason Heisman hype.

• Both teams have elite individuals on defense who will find their way to the NFL soon.

Unfortunately, one team will have to lose this game.

I’ll take the Clemson Tigers to cover the 3. The LSU offense will struggle against the Tiger D

Clemson -3

Now, moving 2,292 miles west along the 34th parallel, we head into the Rose Bowl and Pasadena, CA for a near midnight EST kickoff between Utah and UCLA.

Utah @ UCLA 8/30 11Pm EST FOX

This will be a game that will watch me fall asleep for certain as it is too late for my blood. I’ll look for a tie game at the half and UCLA to be the victor by 12 by the end.

UCLA +4.5 and +150 ML

The saunter towards the football picks has turned into a scurry to the finish. Very similar to my behavior on hikes. Let’s do one more cross-country trip.

From the Rose Bowl, it’s 2,522 Miles to Kenan Stadium.

9/1 in Chapel Hill

TCU @ UNC 8Pm EST on ESPN

In what looks like it’ll be an instant classic, TCU will get the win over the Tarheels. The Horned Frogs are 3-point road favorites, but I’d rather not lay them.

TCU ML -146

Similar to the Bull Moose encounter half a decade ago, this game will be an instant classic.

Speaking of a bull moose–I saw one just 3 days ago. He was a mature 5×5 marinating in a river basin munching endlessly on the surrounding vegetation. Eyes never shined so bright as the ones looking back at me. Perched on a bluff 275 yards above the gentle giant, we savored the private moment with such a magnificent creature.

What used to be something I dreamed of experiencing, I now have at my fingertips anytime I feel like driving 10 minutes and doing some leg work. Similar to hiking mountains, the college football season can be a rewarding challenge. It’s a challenge to all, but it can be a rewarding challenge if the proper response is rendered for the moments that present themselves. Dreams can be made reality if the effort and belief are present. A moment is all it takes.

Five- and one-half weeks from the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin. Less than one day from The Open Championship which is just 3 hours north of Aviva Stadium. The world is smaller than it looks.

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.