7-31-12

Martin: Adrian; let's play ball.

Me: Another relaxing day in Aspen/Snowmass. Breakfast and lunch at the condo plus jacuzzi time. This afternoon we took our bikes into Aspen & cruised the town. Found a bike trail that took us along this gorgeous stream. Waded in and gave our legs some cold water therapy!

We biked by so many beautiful gardens and wild flowers. 

Now we're back in Snowmass and our friend, Kimo will be arriving soon. We'll grab dinner with him and watch the Olympics. Tomorrow we're going to the Maroon Bells!

7-30-12

Martin: Younger Adrian with his big catch.

Me: This photo was from yesterday on our drive to Aspen.

Colorado is spectacular!

 Independence Pass.
(also from yesterday's drive)

 Snowmass Village.
Our friend's condo is on the mountain in this ski resort. We had a relaxing day here; slept in, did laundry, hot tubbed, caught up on e-mails, watched the Olympics, had breakfast and lunch at the condo and just enjoyed peace and quiet with time off the bike.

 Around 3pm we drove into Aspen.

 We walked around the quaint town.

We shopped and ate dinner.

Then returned to our condo in Snowmass to relax some more.
Nice day!

7-29-12

Martin: Baby Adrian.

 Me: I may be thumbs up in this photo but this was one of the worst days in the car and on the bike ever! On the drive from Ft. Collins to Leadville this morning I was car sick and dry heaving on the side of the road. :-( We arrived on main street Leadville, got out of the car and I laid on the sidewalk in the fresh air for a 1/2 hour before I started to feel better.

Our bike ride started out GREAT with sunny blue skies! We intended to pre-ride part of the Leadville race course. Dean (who drove up from Telluride to meet us) and Bob parked a car at one end of our route so we'd be able to drive back to Leadville with our bikes.

We had no problem biking up the 1st climb, St. Kevin's, but took a wrong turn at the top. We went 3 miles down hill out of the way when I was nearly killed by a car. Not kidding, it was the closest near miss head on collision possible (not sure how I didn't go down, over the cliff or into the windshield). :-( All of us were shaken up and thanked our guardian angel for my protection. We then gathered ourselves and kept biking (further out of the way) when the rain, sleet, and hail began. We put on our wind breakers (which aren't water proof) and at this time realized we were way off course.

We turned around and biked up hill to the correct route. We biked the 2nd climb up Sugar Loaf (not a bad climb and beautiful views)! Then it was down Pipeline which is a very tough decent. At this point we were still smiling. After Pipeline though, we took one wrong turn after another and the inadequate map we had was no help. 

6 hours into our ride and another thunderstorm came, this time with bolts of lightning. We were exhausted, out of water, hungry and having doubts about finding our car. Soaking wet and scared I flagged down a van and they offered us a ride. Those good Samaritans found our car with their phone GPS! So grateful!

Above photo was before the major storm hit (see it lurking in the background)

 

 3 muddy bikers got in our car and drove in the pouring rain back to Leadville.

After dropping off Dean, Bob and I drove another hour & 1/2 to Aspen. This is where we'll stay for a week. Recuperating is on the schedule here!

Aren't the Aspen trees gorgeous!

7-28-12

Martin: Ruth with Adrian on his 1st birthday and now he just turned 18. Time flies.

 Me: Bob is so happy to be riding with his buddy, Scott! We miss having Scott and Shelly in Phoenix (they moved to Fort Collins, CO 1 year ago).

 Scott took us on a beautiful 60 mile ride today. Rolling hills, lots of green and one real tough mountain climb up Rist Canyon.

Our route took us past parts of the mountain that were burned in the recent High Park fire. Sad to see so much land charred.

We're soon heading out to dinner at the Pourhouse in Loveland and then playing a few games of dominoes before bed. We'll be up early to drive to Leadville tomorrow.

7-27-12

Martin: My little fishermen! Daniel and Adrian.

This morning we drove to Ft. Collins to visit our friends Scott, Shelly and Raeleigh where we'll stay for two nights. This afternoon Bob and I did a short spin on the bikes to loosen up our legs. All this car time and our legs are feeling tired and heavy. Our short ride took us by Horsetooth Lake.

Tonight we picked up yummy fish tacos and watched the London Olympic Opening Ceremonies!
Scott, Raeleigh, Shelly

Thinking of our nephew, Jerome who gets married to Ashley Trail in Albert Lea, Minnesota tonight. Welcome to the Hoegh family Ashley and congratulations to you both!

7-26-12

Martin: Adrian & Daniel: little artists.

 Me: We made it to our niece and nephew's home (Danielle & Mike) in Highland Ranch, CO. Had a great lunch in downtown Littleton and then found a lemonade stand.

Bob with great-nieces, Brooke and Ashley and great-nephew, Tyler.

 Ashley

 Tyler

Brooke, Ashley, Me, Tyler

Danielle showed us their amazing organic garden! It's located right across the street from their house and it's part of the school curriculum. Danielle and a friend started the program 2 years ago and Danielle is one of the teachers. They have the 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders involved in planting, growing, and harvesting. Danielle and her kids even have their own worm farm in the garage. Each night Danielle and the kids walk over to spend time tending to the garden. It's really awesome!

Danielle, Brooke's friend, Brooke and Dana (our niece, Danielle's sister) who lives in Denver and came over for dinner tonight.

Finished the night with the kids and their friends running through the sprinklers. It was a wonderful day with family!

7-25-12

Martin: Old photo: Little Adrian and Little Daniel.

 Me: Dean took us on an amazing mountain bike ride in Telluride today!

 Bob riding up Prospect Trail. The aspens were amazing!

Highly, Dean and Bob climbing up Last Dollar Road.

Um, they told me to pose this way. :)

 Finished our ride in downtown Telluride and enjoyed a smoothie on main street.

We rested this afternoon and then walked to a free concert in the park (that's Highly and Sally's dog, Charlie - now we miss Harley!).

Followed up the concert with $1 fish tacos at the Peaks Resort with a sunset view. Thanks for an awesome day, Dean!

7-24-12

Martin: Adrian.

Me: On our way to Colorado! 

 Arriving in Telluride. Staying with a friend here tonight.

The elk greeting us. Oh, they are majestic!

7-23-12

Martin: Adrian helping out when he was a bit younger.

 

Me: Cool sky tonight!

7-22-12

Martin: Late afternoon after a nice winter's day - great day for anyone doing the bridge climb as the air was clear.

 

Me: Evening at the hot tub. Felt good on sore muscles.

7-21-12

Martin: That was a good chocolate cake.

Me: Nine of us woke at 3am, left the house at 4am and drove to Bartlett Lake Road turnoff. From here we biked down to Bartlett Lake and back out, to Seven Springs and back to the cars (refueled with food, ice and water) and then one last time to Bartlett Lake and back. Wowzer! 7 hours of riding, 84 miles, 8400 feet of climbing and 108 degrees. It was a fun group and a pretty ride. I'm glad we did it despite being miserably hot the last 2 hours. This was our last really long training ride before Leadville. From now until the race we'll be easing back on the miles. Yeah!