High Altitude Boating

It's been a busy Colorado week.

Wednesday Tracy went sailing on a friend's boat on Lake Dillon. Thursday Tracy did an unofficial outdoor triathlon...she woke in the morning and took the newly acquired kayak out on Lake Dillon, then went on a beautiful hike in Frisco, then met up with fellow Summit County chicas, for an MSO "Diva Ride," a mountain bike club that hits different trails throughout the Summer. This past week we met in Keystone. Friday was the Breckenridge Town Party.

Frisco, on the other hand, had a rough week. She got a rash around her neck so the vet had to shave her neck:( She is healing nicely.

Saturday, Stan, Tracy & Mark attended a CPR/First Aid class all day at Colorado Mountain College. Saturday night we all went to our friend Chandler's house for a Jimmy Buffett party. Sunday, we met up with Brian, Mike & Scott at Green Mountain Reservoir to take out Brian's new/old boat and Mike's boat. We got to wakeboard (in 55 degree water) and fish (Tracy finally caught one!!).

Enjoy the pix.

Poor Frisco.

Frisco enjoying the wildflowers in Frisco.

Stan & Brian showing off Brian's new boat.

Tracy shredding Green Mt Reservoir.


Stan tearing up the wake.

Tracy finally caught a fish...yay!

Lois Visits

Lois came into town with Stan on Thursday night. They brought the sunshine!!

We visited Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge, where we walked 1000 ft into an old mine, then panned for gold and slid down the "gold" shoot. Ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Played a little tennis...where I must mention...Tracy won both Friday and Saturday!! Stan did win at foosball all weekend.

Sunday we rented a pontoon boat on Lake Dillon for a 3 hour tour. Even Frisco got to ride. After a little rest at home, we headed back to the Lake to fish. Stan even caught a trout. We went to Snake River Saloon to celebrate Lois' birthday with dinner and of course, dessert!!

They both left Monday afternoon. Enjoy the pix.

Lois & Stan in the Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge.

Panning for gold...we's rich!!!

Stan following the gold down the shoot.

Frisco basking in the sun on Lake Dillon.

Rented a pontoon boat on Lake Dillon.

Lois...captain of the boat.

Stan caught a trout in Lake Dillon.

Coca Cola 600

Tracy flew to VA Thursday to accompany Stan for the drive down to Charlotte for the Nascar Nextel Cup, Coca Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. Friday we met up with Brian & Bryce at the Food Lion Speed Street in Charlotte where Better Than Ezra and LoverBoy played. Saturday night was the Busch Race after a full day of tailgating. Sunday we started tailgating even earlier, then headed to the track to watch Casey Mears win the Coke 600. It was a beautiful weekend and good times!!

On the way back up to NoVa we stopped off in Blacksburg to meet Sweets & MA's little girl Ellie and then another stop in Roanoke to visit Stan's mom and our nieces Ashlynne & Morganne.

@ the Busch Race Sat night

Stan telling Ellie about his weekend.

Zion National Park

Just got back from Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. We left Friday morning and 8 hours later arrived at Watchman Campground in Zion and met up with Ben and Susie.

We hiked 8 hours Saturday from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the canyon to Observatory Point. Sunday we hiked Riverside Walk then continued the hike into the Virgin River. We actually hiked through the river. It was mostly ankle deep, but at time it came past the knees. Ben and Stan even dove completely in the river on the way back. The water level is low this year. This hike usually consists of water up to the waist and sometimes chest deep. The weather was so incredibly nice all weekend, in the mid to upper 80's.

Where was Frisco while we hiked? She got to go to a doggie dude ranch, where she got to play with other dogs in the river and pools and 10 acres of ranch. She was exhausted when we picked her up each night.

Here are some pix.

Frisco assisting Stan with tent setup.

Breakfast at the campground.
Hiking up the Zion Canyon to Observatory Point.

At the top of the Canyon.

Ben, Susie, Stan & Tracy.

Could be the Last...

We hit Loveland for some Springtime shredding last Sunday, which could be our last day of riding. The snow was deep and slushy, the sun was out and there was no one on the mountain. We were wearing longsleeved t-shirts and we were burning up!

Here is a picture from the top of Loveland, overlooking Keystone & Breckenridge.

San Fran

We're back from San Francisco. Marcy, Lily, Tom, Gail and Tracy flew into SF Wednesday to visit Kel for a week. Stan arrived Friday for the weekend.

Wednesday night we drove to Tahoe to see Kel's seasonal ski cabin and hit the slopes. We hit Squaw Valley Thursday for some powder and poor visability. Tom hadn't been in over 10 years, but was a natural after a few warm up runs. After our day on the mountain, we headed back to the cabin for some much needed hot tub therapy.

Friday we took a leisurly drive back to SF by way of Emerald Bay (in Tahoe). That night we met up with Kel's roommate Joanna and Stan, who flew in and took the BART (metro) into the city. After parking a bit far from the restaurant, hiking a bit, then a quick cab ride, we enjoyed a funky little meal in the Mission.

Saturday was spent crusing the city...Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, Lands End, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square. Sunday we headed to Monteray to visit the Aquarium. That night we met up with Stan's fantasy baseball friend Mike who lives in SF. Monday, Stan headed back to VA while the rest of us jumped on a ferry boat to Tiburon for lunch then back to Golden Gate Park for Lily to play on the playground. Dinner was at a little diner near Kel's house.

We left early Tuesday morning...Tracy had no problems, however, the rest of the crew got diverted to Tulsa (was supposed to go to Dallas), then to the Tulsa airport basement because of tornado warning, then a new flight through Chicago which finally got them to DC real late! No luggage of course.

All in all, San Fran was good to us again...great weather, great food, good times.

Tracy & Dad on the Gondola at Squaw Valley.

Tracy & Stan hiding out in the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park.

Stan helping Lily play in the sand.

Lily & Tracy hangin' in Golden Gate Park.

Tracy & Stan in the oyster shell at the Monterey Aquarium.

On the ferry to Tiburon for lunch.

Grandma Gail pointing out the sea lions to Lily at Fisherman's Wharf.

Spring Snow

It's Spring in Colorado. Sunny one minute, snowing the next minute.

A couple Saturday's ago we went to ABasin to celebrate Kristi's birthday at the "beach." It snowed the whole day. Luckily Tracy wore her french fry outfit which kept her pretty dry. Unfortunately Big Mac did not make it to the slopes. Stan was running a little late that morning from a cancelled flight Friday night (first cancelled flight in a year and a half...not bad). But he did make it for a couple runs. Even Frisco got to enjoy the "beach" a little...running around with all the other dogs. If you're ever out in Colorado...you definitely need to experience ABasin and it's beach front.

Sunday we hit Keystone for all the powder from the day before. Mark & Brian joined us as we hiked the Outback. About a 30 minute hike to enjoy fresh tracks. We took the CAT for a second run (a 5 min ride for $5).

This past weekend we rode again at Keystone and then enjoyed Keystone's Blues & BBQ fest before heading over to Copper Mountain for the first week of their Sunsation series. De La Soul played a shortened show while the snow came down. Ran into a bunch a people, including Geoff and Sarah and their new baby girl, Kaelin; Chris and Kim and their baby, Grady; Mary and Noah up from Durango; Kristi was up from Denver; and even Erica was feeling good enough to make it out (had sinus surgery a couple weeks ago).

Sunday, we hit up Breckenridge for a nice groomer day. Monday was racquetball where Tracy finally won a game. Monumental!!

Now that Tracy is done with snowboard instructing...she is a full time Realtor with Coldwell Banker. Ready to help you buy a beautiful mountain home in the Rockies!!

Enjoy the pix from our day at Keystone.

Hiking up Keystone for fresh tracks.

We made...that's Breckenridge in the background.

Brian & Stan at the top.

Stan strapping in.

Mark...posing or shredding?

Tracy glancing down at the fresh pow!!

Annual Ski/Ride Trip

Kelly & Colley arrived in Colorado on Friday, March 2nd for the annual ski/ride trip. Unfortunately, Ron & Karen had a bit of a delay, but ended up arriving Saturday.

A quick recap:

Saturday: ABasin with Kel & Colley. Met up with Kristi from Denver & Colley's friends from Breck, Tyler, Jared & Darren. Saturday night Stan's big birthday bash.

Sunday: Keystone...day 1 with the ski trip crew.

Monday: Breckenridge. Met up with Ben. Took with a hike up Peak 7 bowl. Monday night Foodapoo tourney at our house...Team Stan & Colley defeated Team Tron (Tracy/Ron) later in the week for the champ title. Better luck next time Team Kelly & Ben and Team Karen & Craig.

Tuesday: Vail. After trying the back bowls which hadn't gotten snow for a week...we stayed on the groomers and ended up finding some great runs. Met up with Harriett & Susie at Apres Ski in Vail Village.

Wednesday: Shopping Break...hit the Outlets, lunch at Rasta Pasta in Breck...quick meeting with Erica.

Thursday: Last day of riding and probably the best of the week...Copper Mountain, wild weather, snow, sun, snow, sun all day long. Hit the half pipe & the park. Thursday night was Ladies Night at the Dillon Dam Brewery...joined by some fellow locals, Ben, Brian, Khristian, Billy & Tyler, Jared and Darren from earlier this week.

Lots of warm & sunny weather. Hot tubbing & apres skiing every night. All in all...a great week which flew by. Here are some pix...will try and get some video from Ron later.

Colley, Stan, Kel & Tracy at ABasin on Saturday...view of Keystone & Breckenridge in the background.

Kel, Stan, Tracy, Karen & Ron on the way to the slopes at Keystone on Sunday.

What is that growth on Ron's eye? It's the new HD video camera in it's waterproof casing. Don't we look like pros...ski & ride like pros too.

Stan & Kel shreddin at Keystone.

Karen, Stan, Tracy, Colley Ron & Kel at the top of the highest lift in the States...Imperial Express at Breckenridge. We then shredded the ridge and the Peak 7 bowl behind the sign.

Stan shreddin the ridge...great view of Copper on the right and the Peak 7 bowl on the left. And that's Karen just finishing her cruise on the ridge...

Kel & Colley, getting prepared to shrow the steep Peak 7 bowl.

The crew stopped to pose with Rocky Mt Chocolate bear at the outlets.

Kel & Tracy at the top of Vail's Blue Sky Basin.

Lunch break at Vail.

Stan & Tracy at the bottom of Copper...snowing right now, but sunny in about 10 minutes.

Kel, Stan & Tracy enjoying Apres Ski at Copper.

MIA

So we've been a bit mia lately. Here's what's been going on.

Tracy worked at Loveland teaching kids and adults to snowboard over President's Day Weekend. Well almost all weekend. It snowed like crazy Friday & Saturday so I-70 was closed Saturday morning which meant Tracy couldn't make it to work that day. Brian was in town from MD for the week, so we headed to ABasin to shrow the pow...without Stan who was still recovering from a minor back ache.

Last week, Tracy spent her days painting the master bedroom a light brown...turned out looking great!!

This weekend Stan's back was well enough to hit the slopes again. More snow hit this weekend so riding at Keystone was great...especially Monday morning...snowed all morning. Tracy went to her first Coldwell Banker Real Estate meeting on Tuesday...very exciting. Jumping into the Summit County market!! Who needs a home? Wed was another snowboard instructor day at Loveland...1 adult student made it an enjoyable day.

Tracy is off to the Denver airport Friday to pick up Stan, Kel, Colley, Ron & Karen for a week of shredding. It's been snowing every day...including all day Wednesday, so the slopes should be ready for them.

For now...enjoy the pix of our new room color.

Chewey & Frisco rolling around in the snow.

The Master Bedroom's new paint color...

Who is this masked man?

Ice & Shreddin'

Dave & Teri came up from Denver for the day to take me to breakfast at Arapahoe Cafe and to check out the Ice Sculptures in Breckenridge.

Also, enjoy the videos of Stan & Tracy shredding up Keystone's Spring Dipper run. We'll try and get better videos this weekend.

Ice Sculpture of the CME shuttle that takes Stan to and from the airport.

Oregon's snow sculpture of "Old Man Winter."

Elephants from the rear.

Tracy

Stan