Trip to Colorado
We spent last week in Vail, Colorado. Aaron drove up to Colorado a week earlier for the U.S. Whitewater Slalom Team Trials. He and his partner, Bryant Grigsby, came in second overall in C-2 but came in first on the final day, beating 2 former Olympians. They were just a few seconds off of making the senior national team. Next up is Nationals in August.
Aurora, Martin Lemke (in the red pants) and I flew up to Denver on Saturday where we were picked up by Jesse Clarke and Leah Fortier. The five of us drove from Denver to Vail, enjoying the great scenery along the way.
In Vail we stayed at the Eagle Point resort. Vail was a lot more developed than I was expecting but our hotel was right next to Gore creek, which had a lot of rapids but not enough water for Aaron to run in his fiberglass boat.
Aurora made herself quite at home. The big hit of the condo for her was the living room cabinet - a great place for stretching and also for baby dancing.
After a couple of rainy days, we were ready for a hike on Monday. We headed over to Booth Creek trail. Here we are at the bottom, ready to start up.
The initial climb is fairly steep and there were some places where we had to scramble a bit or cross the creek.
On the way up we saw snow on the ground from the night before and at the top of our hike was a beautiful waterfall. In front of the waterfall was a huge snow bridge.
Aurora tries her hand at rock climbing (note the snow - in the middle of June!)
Martin, Jesse and Aaron check out the waterfall from a higher vantage point. Jesse and Martin continued further up the trial before being stopped by deeper snow.
Aaron, Aurora and I about to head back down the trail.
By the time we started down the trail almost all of the snow on the bottom two thirds of the trail was melted. You can see part of Vail ski resort in the background.
On Tuesday, Aaron, Jesse and Martin went for a 'slightly strenuous' bike ride. When we picked them up at the ranger station we became 'objects' in a local scavenger hunt (Jesse is wearing the "red shoes" and in the back is their "car with a bike on it".)
On Wednesday, Jesse, Leah and I took a hotel shuttle up the canyon and then enjoyed an 18-mile (almost all downhill) bike ride. I was very impressed by all of the people heading the other direction. A highly recommended activity!
As soon as the weather turned nice, we took full advantage of the grills.
Near the resort was a great park, complete with soccer field, playground (with its own working windmill and equipment large enough for the tallest adult to stand in at the top!) and basketball court.
Aurora loves soccer balls, plastic balls, beach balls, footballs...
GOOOOOAAAALLLL!
On Thursday (Happy 30th Birthday Jesse!) we went for a hike in Glenwood Canyon on the Hanging Lake/Spouting Rock trail. It was 'only' 1.2 miles each way but over 1000 feet of elevation gain. Aurora decided that her sun hat was no longer fashionable and traded it in for this very stylish yellow bandana loaned by Martin.
All along the trail was an amazing creek with waterfalls and pools around just about every turn. At the top was a series of large waterfalls and an incrediably clear lake. This picture hardly does the color of the water justice. Definitely worth the trip.
Above hanging lake is the spouting rock waterfall.
Aaron getting a little wet. The waterfall had a large cave behind it that you could walk in and look out through the waterfall.
Spouting rock is actually three waterfalls in one.
Jesse crossing the stream below spouting rock (yes, the water was VERY cold).
Here we all are, just below hanging lake, ready to head down.
The 'birthday boys' Aaron, Jesse and Martin.
While Aurora and I flew home Friday night (dropped off by Jesse and Leah on their way back to Chicago), Aaron and Martin drove home via Goblin Valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion national park. Aaron and Martin took a lot of great photos so look for them this weekend!
In the meantime, Aurora turns 1 year old tomorrow! Stay tuned for birthday photos and fun...
Aurora, Martin Lemke (in the red pants) and I flew up to Denver on Saturday where we were picked up by Jesse Clarke and Leah Fortier. The five of us drove from Denver to Vail, enjoying the great scenery along the way.
In Vail we stayed at the Eagle Point resort. Vail was a lot more developed than I was expecting but our hotel was right next to Gore creek, which had a lot of rapids but not enough water for Aaron to run in his fiberglass boat.
Aurora made herself quite at home. The big hit of the condo for her was the living room cabinet - a great place for stretching and also for baby dancing.
After a couple of rainy days, we were ready for a hike on Monday. We headed over to Booth Creek trail. Here we are at the bottom, ready to start up.
The initial climb is fairly steep and there were some places where we had to scramble a bit or cross the creek.
On the way up we saw snow on the ground from the night before and at the top of our hike was a beautiful waterfall. In front of the waterfall was a huge snow bridge.
Aurora tries her hand at rock climbing (note the snow - in the middle of June!)
Martin, Jesse and Aaron check out the waterfall from a higher vantage point. Jesse and Martin continued further up the trial before being stopped by deeper snow.
Aaron, Aurora and I about to head back down the trail.
By the time we started down the trail almost all of the snow on the bottom two thirds of the trail was melted. You can see part of Vail ski resort in the background.
On Tuesday, Aaron, Jesse and Martin went for a 'slightly strenuous' bike ride. When we picked them up at the ranger station we became 'objects' in a local scavenger hunt (Jesse is wearing the "red shoes" and in the back is their "car with a bike on it".)
On Wednesday, Jesse, Leah and I took a hotel shuttle up the canyon and then enjoyed an 18-mile (almost all downhill) bike ride. I was very impressed by all of the people heading the other direction. A highly recommended activity!
As soon as the weather turned nice, we took full advantage of the grills.
Near the resort was a great park, complete with soccer field, playground (with its own working windmill and equipment large enough for the tallest adult to stand in at the top!) and basketball court.
Aurora loves soccer balls, plastic balls, beach balls, footballs...
GOOOOOAAAALLLL!
On Thursday (Happy 30th Birthday Jesse!) we went for a hike in Glenwood Canyon on the Hanging Lake/Spouting Rock trail. It was 'only' 1.2 miles each way but over 1000 feet of elevation gain. Aurora decided that her sun hat was no longer fashionable and traded it in for this very stylish yellow bandana loaned by Martin.
All along the trail was an amazing creek with waterfalls and pools around just about every turn. At the top was a series of large waterfalls and an incrediably clear lake. This picture hardly does the color of the water justice. Definitely worth the trip.
Above hanging lake is the spouting rock waterfall.
Aaron getting a little wet. The waterfall had a large cave behind it that you could walk in and look out through the waterfall.
Spouting rock is actually three waterfalls in one.
Jesse crossing the stream below spouting rock (yes, the water was VERY cold).
Here we all are, just below hanging lake, ready to head down.
The 'birthday boys' Aaron, Jesse and Martin.
While Aurora and I flew home Friday night (dropped off by Jesse and Leah on their way back to Chicago), Aaron and Martin drove home via Goblin Valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion national park. Aaron and Martin took a lot of great photos so look for them this weekend!
In the meantime, Aurora turns 1 year old tomorrow! Stay tuned for birthday photos and fun...
posted by Anne Sarver at 12:38 AM
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