No Fun in Colorado

It's been a busy couple weeks. Wakeboarding, kayaking, camping, caving, hiking. It's rough living out here.

We got back from our fun July 4th trip back to VA. Had a fun long weekend where we went kayaking on Lake Dillon then spent the rest of the weekend doing some house chores, including "the big dig." We're removing the deck next to the hot tub and moving the hot tub to this location to gain more 360 access in case it's in need of repair.

Last week, Tracy went wakeboarding at Green Mountain Reservoir about 30 minutes from Dillon with a couplf friends. It was sunny and the water was warm & glassy.

Our house was rented out this weekend (supposed to be on a camping trip which was postponed for a couple weeks) so we packed up the car. Saturday morning while Tracy worked in her real estate office, Stan helped out a friend's company, Colorado Bike and Ski Tours, with a bike/hike program in Vail. After that we headed to Fulford, CO, about an hour and a half west. We met up with Erica, Anne & Khristian, set up camp, then set off into Fulford Cave. It felt like we were in the movie Goonies or Tom Sawyer. Pretty amazing and very dirty.

Sunday we woke up late, broke camp, then headed to Fulford for a 6 mile round trip hike up a mountain to Nolan Lake. Tough hike. We were all exhausted. Frisco slept for a day and a half. All in all it's been a fun couple of weeks.

The Big Dig.


Brian & Khristian chat while Tracy prepares to wakeboard on glass.

The entrance to Fulford Cave.

Frisco, a little tired and excited that we finally got to the top to find Lake Nolan.

Lake Nolan.

July 4th Extravaganza

Tracy's family had their annual July 4th party week at Lake Gaston.

Kel flew in from SF; Allie & Davis flew in from KY; Tracy & Frisco drove in from CO; Marcy, Stuart & Lily traveled down from Silver Spring; Stan cruised down on Thursday; and Alex hitched a ride with Aunt Gail & Uncle Tom & Ivan to join in for a week of non-stop water-skiing, wakeboarding, matrixing, hotdogging, kneeboarding, seadooing, eating and fireworks.

Kel giving her niece, Frisco, a good butt scratching.
The 2007 Xmas photo shoot.
Lily driving Grandpa Tom around the lake. "look, no hands"
Stan showing off his tail grab
Even Grandma Gail got on a ski, though she did manage to keep her hair dry.
Tracy tearing it up on the wakeboard
Allie stuffing her face with Independance cake

Davis, Kel & Allie enjoying a peaceful ride on the "purple thing"
family portrait
Allie, Tracy & Alex holding on for dear life

Grandpa Tom & Lily trying to relax

Max arrives

Congratulations to Dave & Lisa who welcomed their 3rd child (our first nephew) on June 30th. He weighed in at 6 lbs, 5 ozs.

Uncle Stan.
Aunt Tracy.
Baby Max...1 day old.

Back to the Beach

We made it back to the beach after a year without it.

Tracy & Frisco jumped into the Burb and drove 2 days to VA. Got into town just in time for Marcy & Stuart's settlemet on Thursday.

Friday morning Stan, Tracy & Frisco drove down to the Outer Banks for the weekend. We got there just in time for a nice big thunderstorm. Luckily Stan's high school friend, Justin and his wife Kim and son Justin were down from Chesapeake, VA so we got to wait out the storm at their place. At 10 p.m. the weather started to clear and we were able to head to the Oregon Inlet campground and set up the tent. We got some sunshine Saturday morning so we were able to drive out onto Oregon inlet and hit the waves. Another storm hit that afternoon, but finished in time for us to sleep in our tent (which stayed dry, yay!). During the storm we got the call from Lisa telling us we had a new nephew, so we headed out early Sunday for Richmond.

The Burb's first visit to the beach.
Frisco couldn't get enough of the surf & sand.
Our tent was a little damp on the outside, but stayed dry on the inside.
Stan waiting out the storm in his rainsuit.

Someone moves to Silver Spring, MD

Congratulations to Marcy & Stuart who settled on their new home and sold their townhouse June 27 & June 28. Their new home is in Silver Spring and was built some time in the 1940's.

Goodbye to the old Crofton Townhouse...

Hello new home!!

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.