Once we got through the day, we moved to the deck for grilling steaks and just hanging out.
The kids gave Audra a Spa Package.
From me, it was new flatware.
Friday, July 24, 2009
1968 to 2009.....Audra's 41st Birthday!!!!
Today, Audra turned the big 41. We started the day out with John making a quick dash to the bakery for Éclairs. Once getting home, it was pastries and Mimosa’s for breakfast.
Once we got through the day, we moved to the deck for grilling steaks and just hanging out.
The kids gave Audra a Spa Package.
From me, it was new flatware.
Once we got through the day, we moved to the deck for grilling steaks and just hanging out.The kids gave Audra a Spa Package.From me, it was new flatware.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Ouray Adventure Day #3
Click on the Map for a Full View of the Trip.
Day three in Ouray found us lazy, tired....not wanting to get in a hurry. I headed back out to main street for fresh coffee and a Rocky Mountain Breakfast Sandwich, which I brought back to Audra for breakfast in bed.
Finally, we packed up the bike and headed out of Ouray, riding up HWY 50, the Million Dollar Highway.
Ouray
The American Alps
One of the old mines in the area
Red Mountain Pass
The Famous Million Dollar Highway
Big Horn Sheep
The San Juans to the South
Black Canyon
Hay fields in the Paonia area
A rest and a coffee in Aspen
Independence Pass
Enjoying Mexican in Buena Vista
Wilkerson Pass
Rolled the bike over 20k miles on this trip
All said, it was an outstanding trip. In three days we totaled 915 miles on the bike and experienced some amazing sights. The highlights were Ouray, the Uncompahgre Wilderness and Black Canyon.
Day three in Ouray found us lazy, tired....not wanting to get in a hurry. I headed back out to main street for fresh coffee and a Rocky Mountain Breakfast Sandwich, which I brought back to Audra for breakfast in bed.
Finally, we packed up the bike and headed out of Ouray, riding up HWY 50, the Million Dollar Highway.
Ouray
The American Alps
One of the old mines in the area
Red Mountain Pass
The Famous Million Dollar Highway
Big Horn Sheep
The San Juans to the South
Black Canyon
Hay fields in the Paonia area
A rest and a coffee in Aspen
Independence Pass
Enjoying Mexican in Buena Vista
Wilkerson Pass
Rolled the bike over 20k miles on this trip
All said, it was an outstanding trip. In three days we totaled 915 miles on the bike and experienced some amazing sights. The highlights were Ouray, the Uncompahgre Wilderness and Black Canyon.
Ouray Adventure Day #2
After some delivery some hot coffee and fresh baked Croissants to Audra for breakfast in bed, Saturday morning found Mike and I riding up the Million Dollar Highway at 8am, hanging a left at Cork Screw Gulch.
Before hitting the rough stuff we stopped to look at the map and lower our air pressure.
Heading out
Heading far above 10k feet
This is why they call it Cork Screw
Stunning views and thin air!
Hurricane Pass
Cinnamon Pass
California Pass
Tundra
An Old Mine
Shelf Road
Lunch at Poker Alice's
Riding north toward Blue Mesa
Uncompahgre
High Mesa
Chimney Rock
Back toward Ouray
We finished the day off with Prime Rib, a draft and live mountain music. All told, I rode 130 miles, that took just over 10 hours. The San Juans are amazing and we will continue to go back for more.
Audra stayed in Ouray all day... shopping, eating, relaxing, etc. She hiked up to Cascade Falls and she spent the day, hearing stories from passers-by who had been 4-wheeling in the area with the FJ's. (Ouray hosted the National FJ Gathering)
Before hitting the rough stuff we stopped to look at the map and lower our air pressure.
Heading out
Heading far above 10k feet
This is why they call it Cork Screw
Stunning views and thin air!
Hurricane Pass
Cinnamon Pass
California Pass
Tundra
An Old Mine
Shelf Road
Lunch at Poker Alice's
Riding north toward Blue Mesa
Uncompahgre
High Mesa
Chimney Rock
Back toward Ouray
We finished the day off with Prime Rib, a draft and live mountain music. All told, I rode 130 miles, that took just over 10 hours. The San Juans are amazing and we will continue to go back for more.
Audra stayed in Ouray all day... shopping, eating, relaxing, etc. She hiked up to Cascade Falls and she spent the day, hearing stories from passers-by who had been 4-wheeling in the area with the FJ's. (Ouray hosted the National FJ Gathering)
Ouray Adventure Day #1
For the past several months, Audra and I have been planning a Motorcyle Adventure Ride to Ouray, CO. On day #1 we rode from Colorado Springs to Ouray. Day #2 found me and a riding friend, tooling around the San Juans, while Audra took in all that Ouray had to offer. And Day #3 was the long loop home through Aspen.
For the scenic part of our ride on Day #1, we rode south from HWY 50 on Big Cinnamon Road, up over Owl Creek Pass and down into Ridgeway. It was about a 40 mile detour of nothing but dirt and moutain roads. This ride/drive is one of the prettiest in Colorado.
Benson's in Salida...Good Stuff!
Sweet Potato Fries!
Gas and a rest in Gunnison
Resting on the Big Cimmaron Road
Uncompahgre Wilderness
High Mesa
Owl Creek, 2-Up
Chimney Rock
And finally, we ride into Ouray for a steak dinner and a very cozy hotel room. By the end of the day we had riden 290 miles, with about 50 miles of Forest Roads.
For the scenic part of our ride on Day #1, we rode south from HWY 50 on Big Cinnamon Road, up over Owl Creek Pass and down into Ridgeway. It was about a 40 mile detour of nothing but dirt and moutain roads. This ride/drive is one of the prettiest in Colorado.
Benson's in Salida...Good Stuff!
Sweet Potato Fries!
Gas and a rest in Gunnison
Resting on the Big Cimmaron Road
Uncompahgre Wilderness
High Mesa
Owl Creek, 2-Up
Chimney Rock
And finally, we ride into Ouray for a steak dinner and a very cozy hotel room. By the end of the day we had riden 290 miles, with about 50 miles of Forest Roads.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rafting the Upper Arkasas River, Brown's Canyon
In lieu of a big family vacation this year, we have decided to stay in the state of Colorado, enjoying all the state has to offer. Our first adventure was 'lived out' today with a rafting trip on the Arkansas River. We rafted Brown's Canyon, which is a half day float on class 2, 3 and 4 rapids.
Once we arrived in Salida on Monday evening, we promptly headed over to our favorite dive..... Amica's. They have award winning micro-brews and wood-fired pizza!
Then we headed down to the city park and the river.
And of course.... the boys feasted on the hotel breakfast..... Waffles, Donuts and 5 or 6 bowls of Captain Crunch the next morning!!!
Getting outfitted and 'learning the ropes' with a lecture on safety.
Arrival at the launch location.
At the bottom of this pic: Katie, Tyler and Bryce are sliding down the 'raft rail'.
It didn't take long for the white water to begin.
Right after this stretch, the Guide let Tyler, Bryce and I bail out in the river to 'swim the river' for about a 1/4 mile. Feet forward, floating through the rapids was a blast!
At one point, the Guides pulled us over for some rock jumping. Audra snapped this pic of me jumping into the FRIGID water. Cassi already jumped and is in the water below me.
Once we arrived in Salida on Monday evening, we promptly headed over to our favorite dive..... Amica's. They have award winning micro-brews and wood-fired pizza!
Then we headed down to the city park and the river.
And of course.... the boys feasted on the hotel breakfast..... Waffles, Donuts and 5 or 6 bowls of Captain Crunch the next morning!!!
Getting outfitted and 'learning the ropes' with a lecture on safety.
Arrival at the launch location.
At the bottom of this pic: Katie, Tyler and Bryce are sliding down the 'raft rail'.
It didn't take long for the white water to begin.
Right after this stretch, the Guide let Tyler, Bryce and I bail out in the river to 'swim the river' for about a 1/4 mile. Feet forward, floating through the rapids was a blast!
At one point, the Guides pulled us over for some rock jumping. Audra snapped this pic of me jumping into the FRIGID water. Cassi already jumped and is in the water below me.
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