The One of Crestone & the Great Sand Dunes

It's been a wild week or so in the lives of the Wards. We got back from VA, had a weekend at home and a few days to clean up the house again for more renters arriving on July 22nd and staying until July 29th. With this in the plans, we decided to take our friend Kristi up on a camping trip in Crestone, CO.

Stan flew into town a day early, arriving Thursday night. We left Friday for Crestone, located about 3 hours south of Summit County. Arrived at Crestone Campground and found ourselves a campsite, outside a campground located at the bottom of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and outside the very small town of Crestone. No toilets, water or showers, so we were really roughing it. There were 10 of us total coming from all over...Denver, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Durango and Dillon.

Friday night we set up camp, ate brisket tacos at the local bar, then chilled around the campfire.

Saturday morning after Mary served a delicious breakfast of french toast, we went on a 10 mile round trip hike into the mountains. Our destination was South Crestone lake...3500 vertical feet from where we started. Unfortunately, we missed the mark by about a mile because of a lightening/thunderstorm that hit. A little scary, but we all survived!!

Saturday night Kristi made buffalo burritos for everyone and then we again hung around the campfire...not as late as the night before. Everyone was a little exhausted from the trip.

Sunday morning Stan & Tracy were in charge of breakfast...eggs, bagels & cream cheese, bananas, yogurt and oj (the sausages got water logged in the cooler:(). We broke down camp then, Stan, Tracy & Frisco drove an hour to the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado. After tromping around the Dunes, we started our trip back North. We stopped in Fairplay that night and stayed at the Hands Hotel.

Monday morning we decided to head towards Denver stopping at several State Parks, Red Rocks, driving through the city, then finally arriving at the airport where Tracy & Frisco dropped Stan off and picked up Kelly's friend Colley, who got stranded in Denver on her way back to DC from Laguna Beach. Tracy, Colley and Frisco went to dinner at Bennigans near the airport. We then dropped Colley off at a hotel and headed to Breckenridge to stay with our friend Erica for Monday and Tuesday night. Wednesday Tracy dropped Frisco off at Mark's then headed to the airport for her flight to San Fran to visit Kel.

All in all, it's been a crazy homeless week, but fun. Thanks to Erica for her hospitality!!

Enjoy the pix.

Tracy chowing down on Mary's French Toast breakfast.

Stan & Sadie (the yellow lab) enjoying the waterfall in the Sangre De Cristo Mts.

from front to back: Makis, Kristi, Mark, Tracy, Kenny, Kate...almost to the lake...

Tracy reading Trivial Pursuit questions while the dogs rest after the long hike.

The sunset from our campsite.

The group...from left: Frisco, Tracy, Kate, Stan, Mark, Harper (black lab), Noah, Kristi, Sadie (yellow lab), Mary, Taj (black lab), Kenny, Stacy.

Stan showing off the Great Sand Dunes sign...

Tracy laying out on the bottom of the dunes...can you see me?

Stan in front of our hotel in Fairplay.

Frisco drying off/scratching her back at Chatfield State Park in Denver.

The One of the 14er

What is a 14er? Good question. Tracy & Stan found out on Saturday. Gray's Peak, 14,270 ft, the highest peak on the Continental Divide. We hiked all the way to the top!!

We met our friend Erica, her black lab, Sage, and a bunch of other unknowns in a parking lot off I-70 at exit 221 Bakerville. We drove up a winding, dirt road up to 11,xxx ft to the Steven's Gulch trailhead. We started the trek around 10:00 a.m. After a bunch of stops, a full camelback of water, a cliff bar and some jolly ranchers, we made it to the top. What an amazing view. We could see Lake Dillon, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Keystone Ski Resort and so much more. After eating our lunch (PB&J sandwich) and taking lots of pix, we headed back down. Seemed to take a lot longer going down...never ending...and did a number on Tracy's runner knees, but we made it in one piece. Got down around 2:00-2:30 p.m. Drove home for some major hot tub rehab and while Stan prepared dinner, Tracy passed out on the living room floor in her bathing suit and robe. Out cold!! Tough day.

That evening, Phillip, Mark & Colin came over for some grilling and foodapoo.

Sunday was a relaxing day. Bought some hiking shoes (realized after the 14er, that we both needed some), took Frisco to the lake and watched the Nascar Race. Stan left Sunday afternoon for the airport. He'll be coming back Thursday for a weekend of camping & hiking in Crestone, CO...Southwest from us.

Enjoy the pix of Gray's Peak...

Half-way up & smiling (could be delerious). I believe the start of the trail is behind us.

Stan, Tracy & Erica made it the top. Still smiling!!

Woohoo...we made it!

My point is a little off, but if you look above the peak I am pointing at, you can see Lake Dillon & Keystone is the green peak to the left of my point. Breck is way in the background behind Keystone.

View of where we came from...and Stan's new do...

That's Torrey's Peak behind me. Half our group hiked over there after we made it up Gray's Peak. It's about an hours hike from peak to peak. Torrey's Peak is 14,267 ft. We decided against 2 14ers in one day after returning from sea level the day before. Delerium had set in already. Next time.

The One of Blacksburg & Roanoke

After July 4th...we all headed back up to Northern VA. Stan went back to work, Tracy spent her time visiting.

Friday we drove down to Blacksburg to see Sweets & MA's new crib. Looking forward to some Apres Football Game Tailgating at Hotel Bonadeo.

Saturday after a breakfast of Starbucks, we took the dogs for a nice long walk around their new neighborhood. Went to lunch at Cabo Fish Tacos, which was South Main Cafe when I was in school, for some delicious BBQ Mahi tacos! Hit the Tech Bookstore, of course, and got lots of new goodies. Toured a model home on the way home. For dinner we picked Lois up and went to a new restaurant in downtown Roanoke, Metro. We all shared a huge plate of sushi. Even though we were all stuffed, we felt the need to order a couple entrees and dessert. Great restaurant if you're ever in Roanoke... Sweets and MA drove back to Blacksburg and we went to Lois' house for the rest of the weekend.

After church & breakfast at The Roanoker with Aunt Donnie, we spent Sunday afternoon mulching Lois' flower beds, well really Stan did most of the work. We took Frisco for a long walk in the heat, in which she about died. Spent the rest of the evening watching Jeff Gordon (Lois' fav Nascar driver) win. Monday was a lazy day in Roanoke. More time visiting then headed back to NOVA after lunch.

Tuesday Tracy settled on Dyani's condo in DC. So cute!! That evening SML (Stan, Matt, Lars) played open mic night at South Austin in Old Town. Big crowd came out to support. Great to see everyone. Wed Tracy went to Charles Town, WV to visit Jessica & Hunter (who's almost 2 years old) and check out all the updates on her house. Unfortunately Jessica, who is 8 months prego with her 2nd boy, had a bad Tuesday night in Reston Hospital and was put on bed rest. She later found out she is on bed rest of another 3 weeks.

Thursday Tracy & Frisco piled back into the Suburban and headed West, back to CO. An uneventful drive, always good, with a stop in Missouri to sleep. We made it safely and met Stan at the house Friday night.

Enjoy the few pix...

Stan, Mary Ann & Sweets showing off the new and improved Hotel Bonadeo.

A close up...hmmm Frisco never misses an opportunity to jump into a picture...remind you of anyone??

Stan earning his keep...

Lois & Frisco supervising Stan's mulching...

The One With Fireworks

Tracy & Frisco jumped into the Suburban and headed East for July 4th. Kel flew in from San Fran and the whole family met down at Lake Gaston. Uncle Mike, Aunt Jeanne & cousins Alli, Davis drove in from KY and cousin Alex caught a ride with Aunt Gail.

The weekend consisted of lots of wakeboarding, tubing, hot dogging, skiing and eating!! The weather was beautiful, except for July 4th, when a huge thunderstorm rolled in. Luckily we had caught the big Lake Gaston fireworks display on Saturday night and set off our own, that Alex brought, on Monday.

Stan perfected the backside & frontside 180's over the wakes. Tracy perfected the frontside 180 and landed the backside 180 on her last day. Kel became an expert at the surface 180 to fakie outside the wake and into a 180 back to normal while going over the wake. Alli figured out the surface 180 on Tracy & Kel's last day. Jeanne, Mike & Davis all got up on the wakeboard for the first time...quite the pros. Everyone enjoyed the new toy...the deadly hot dog and the circle of death.

Enjoy the pix...

Kel & Marcy slalom skiing.

Davis watching Alli shred on the wakeboard.

Kel shredding the wa wa.

Lily putting her face in the water to blow bubbles.

Cousins Alex & Alli.

Lily, watering Uncle Stan's foot.

Siblings Mike, Tom & Jenny in the middle, hot dogging.

Tracy, Kel & Jeanne hot dogging.

Cousins Alli, Lily, Kel (in her fav shirt) & Davis on the screened in porch.

Lily & Grandma.

Stuart keeping watch over the pontoon boat.

Ivan enjoying a pontoon ride.

Frisco resting on Aunt Kel's foot on the pontoon boat.

Lily helping Grandpa drive the pontoon boat.

The One of Five Years

Five years ago from this June 23, 2006, Stan & Tracy got married! We celebrated in our hometown Summit County!

Saturday we road our bikes to Frisco for the Annual Frisco BBQ Festival. Tracy sampled the BBQ nachos...Stan tasted a spoonful of pulled pork. After returning, we got ready for a pre-concert pah-tay at our house before the first 2006 Dillon Ampitheater Concert. Mark, Colin, Chris & Erica came over to grill burgers and chicken, then we all walked over to the Ampitheater where "Something Underground" played. The most exciting part was the arrest of 2 hippies who were entertaining us with their crazy dance moves on stage, when we first go there. After the concert, we headed back to our house for some big time FooDaPoo (fooseball, darts, pool) competition. Byron and Stoy rode their bikes from Frisco for the end of the concert and decided to join in on some friendly competition.

Sunday, we went to see the progress of Mark, Steve & Colin's renovation project in Summit Cove, about 5 minutes from us. They gutted the basement and spent this weekend putting up new drywall up and having a hole cut in the floor for the new staircase. The rest of the Sunday was spent doing house chores, including draining the hot tub for the first time. No problems!

Tracy leaves Wed to head to Lake Gaston in VA for the 4th of July...in the meantime, she gets to get the house organized for a group who will be renting the house while we're gone.

Sorry not too many pix...we'll be sure to take plenty over the 4th.

Frisco swimming in Lake Dillon.

At the Frisco BBQ Festival.

da pigs...lining up for the Frisco BBQ Fest Pig Race...pig #4 won.

The Dredge, in Breckenridge. We have taken Frisco hiking here a couple times. You can pick up the Colorado Trail here. The trail we take goes straight back and goes all the way to Keystone, though we have not walked the 6 miles yet. This week, Tracy & Frisco went hiking with Erica & her black lab, Sage. Sage ran off and started barking off in the distance...after we heard a yelp and then no more barking...about 5 minutes later, Sage comes running back after being quilled by a porcipine...she had quills all along her lower lip, in her lower gums and one right below her eye. Not to worry, she's okay, had to be sedated the next morning to have the quills removed.

The One where the Summer Season Begins

This weekend was the start of the "Summer Season" in Summit County. After a month and a half of what is called, "Mud Season," where the County is abandoned, restaurants & shops close down and the towns start to do their Spring cleaning, we were ready for the Summer Season to start.

Friday night Tracy met up with Erika and some other locals at RiverWalk in Breck, for an outdoor concert, featuring the Young Dubliners. OJ Simpson was in attendance...however, I did not bring the camera, so was not lucky enough to capture/prove the event. He was in town a couple days and was featured in our daily paper, The Summit Daily (you may be able to go online to read the article from Friday, www.summitdaily.com). Stan arrived later that night and met Tracy and crew at Burke & Riley's, an Irish Pub in Breck.

Saturday, we first hit up Keystone's River Run for their World Music Festival to sample the Carribbean lunch affair. Let's just say that a World Fest in Keystone is nothing like a DC event...I guess it's not as ethnically diverse here in Summit County. We left Keystone and headed to Copper for their 1st of 3 qualifying Rodeo's. We arrived early, so we challenged each other in a go-cart race, not quite sure who ended up winning. The rodeo consisted of Bareback Bronco riding, Authentic Bronco Buck Riding & Bull Riding. Pretty fun! The finals are held at Copper in Sept!!

Saturday night we met some friends at the Tiki Bar, located at Dillon Marina...on the Lake. Once sunset hits, the Bar closed and we headed to our house for some FooDaPoo Competition (foosball, darts, pool). Mark & Tracy prevailed in Foo, while Jeff & Stan were the Da & Poo champs (yes I said Poo).

Sunday we met up with Erika, her dog Sage and her friend Harriet for a long hike on the Burro Trail, off Peak 9 in Breck. Sunday night we relaxed.

Monday we got to spend 3 hours at the DMV getting our CO licenses and registering our cars. They are not even close to being as organized as Northern VA.

Enjoy the pix...

Stan at Copper after a ride on the Go-Carts.

The Cowboy National Anthem.

Bareback Bronco Bucking.

Bull Bucking.

Hiking in Breck, on the Burro Trail...the black lab is Erika's dog, Sage.

Frisco & Sage frolicking.

The One of the Road Trip with Mom

Wednesday, May 31st, Tracy, Tracy's mom, Gail, and Frisco packed up the Suburban, hooked up the Jeep and headed West to Colorado. We were to arrive in Colorado Friday night and Gail was staying to visit until Wednesday. Because of the extent of our trip, I have put our days in a timeline to keep it a bit more brief...

Wednesday - Arrived in Brandenburg, KY around 7:00. Wes (Tracy's cousin/Gail's nephew) & his wife Tricia just built a new house...beautiful. Wes grilled us chicken for dinner and we got to visit with their 2 year old son, Collin.

Thursday - Left KY early and after a little mishap with the Jeep not starting (we got it jumped at a gas station and all was well for the rest of the trip) we arrived in Abilene, KS around 6:00 p.m. Checked into the Holiday Inn Express then went to visit President Dwight D. Eisenhowers childhood home, buriel site & memorial...this was the highlight of Gail's trip.

Friday - Left KS early and arrived at Dave & Teri Butz's house in Denver around 3:00 p.m. for another home-cooked meal. We visited with the Butz's, as well as, Dave's daughter, Andra, her husband John & their baby, Ali, then we were off to Dillon. Stan flew in that night and we all arrived at the house at the same time.

Saturday - Breakfast at Arapahoe Cafe, a short walk from the house. Visited Keystone Mountain...although the lifts weren't operating yet, we found plenty of photo ops. Lunch at Kickapoo at River Run in Keystone. Dropped Stan off at home to do some chores, while Tracy & Gail went to the Outlets...Gail needed more critter flops.

Sunday - Tracy & Mom went to ABasin, for their last day of the season. People of all kind were there dressed in summer outfits, as well as, winter garb. After the Basin, we picked up Stan and headed to Breckenridge for the day. After lunch at Rasta Pasta, the rest of the afternoon was spent window shopping and visiting the mountain, oh and yes, the outlets again. When we got home, it was time to take Frisco for a nice long walk/swim by the lake.

Monday - A morning walk/swim for Frisco by the lake, then off to Keystone and lunch at the Dillon Dam Brewery. Dave & Teri arrive around 2:00 p.m. Stan departed for the airport, as Tracy, Gail, Dave & Teri visited Frisco (it's a town about 10 min from Dillon), Copper Mountain & then had dinner in Silverthorne at the Old Dillon Inn. Another lake walk with Frisco. Dave & Teri stayed the night.

Tuesday - Breakfast at Arapahoe Cafe, a walk around the lake, then we were off to tour Summit County. We visited Raven Golf course (no local discount, boo), Keystone's Golf Courses, The River Course and The Ranch Course (they offer a big discount for locals...yay), then lunch at the Tiki Bar at Dillon Marina. Dave & Teri took Gail back to Denver with them that evening. Tracy relaxed on the couch all night!!

Mom, thank you for keeping me company on my road trip and I hope you enjoyed your visit. Enjoy the pix.

The Jeep hooked up to the Suburban...ready for the 3 day trip to CO.

Wes, Tricia & Collin outside their new house...the yard will be grass one day...we hope.

A close up of Collin.

Gail in front of Pres. Eisenhower's childhood home...he had 5 brothers.

Dave, Teri & Ali.

Who are those crazy cowboys...

It's going so fast...

The Gondola at Keystone.

The bike path, overlooking Dillon Marina & Lake Dillon.

Gail standing in front of Buffalo Mt. with her new shirt..."I'm Just One Big Freakin Ray of Sunshine!"

Gail at the bottom of Breckenridge Mountain, Peak 8.

Tracy, Teri & Gail shrunk at Copper Mt.