Tyler's New Ride....

The deal was officially done and we have a new bike to replace the XL600. Tyler is in Hog Heaven with a bike that has electric start and a cowling to break the wind. This is a much better highway bike, but can still get to most places in the high mountains.

Ren and Kate....Hanging with the Lane's

About a month ago, we put a plan together with Heidi to keep the kiddos, while she and Drew enjoyed a free night....or should I say, a late morning. Ren and Kate are great kids and really easy. They occupy themselves, sleep all night and fully understand the mechanics of a toilet....yep, my kind of children.

We had a great time with little ones in the house.

Of course we were heros, offering ice cream and toys and numerous DVD's...... Bribery is awesome!!!

And the kids were totally glued to the TV on Saturday morning with all the cartoons running.

2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 2

Day two started off in the chill of the morning, where we had to scrape the frost off the motorcycle seat and bundle-up.

In the Redstone area, there were mines that provided the basics to Pueblo for steel production. These are the Coking Ovens.

A detour through Marble was a must. This box canyon is truly beautiful.

A beaver lodge in the middle of a high mountain pond.

McClure Pass.

This is the first of many pics of the scenery and the changing colors....


















Kebler Pass

Crested Butte


Taylor Reservoir was off in the background.

Cottonwood Pass and the fall colors that exist on Tundra above 12,000 feet.

Knight-Inler State Wildlife Area and also known as Badger Flats. Looking north toward Breckenridge.

Wilkerson Pass with Pikes Peak in the background.

Starbucks in Woodland Park, just before riding the final 30 minutes to the house.

The trip ended up totaling 565 miles over two days and we were treated to some amazing sights, colors and fragrances.

2009 Colorado Leaf Tour, Day 1

In the midst of two kiddos in College and two in High School, with all their activities and needed support, Audra and I found time to get away for some time in the Colorado Mountains. Our Annual Leaf Ride, is a time of 'Recreation', where we get to breathe 10k feet Oxygen and smell the fragrances of the mountains.

This year, we could only escape for two days. For the past four years, Audra had wished for a night at the Redstone Inn....so I based the trip around a stop in Redstone, CO.


Leaving Falcon, we rode up to Woodland Park, up to Hwy 285, over to Breckenridge, back south to Leadville, over to Aspen and loop around to Redstone.


Once leaving Falcon and getting up to the mountains, we rode up to Hwy 285 and over Kenosha Pass.

After riding west on 285, we turned north to go through the tiny Colorado community of Como and then up over Boreas Pass.

Dropping down the west side of Boreas Pass Road, we round a corner to get a full view of the Breckenridge slopes.

Lunch in Frisco was enjoyed at the Boat Yard. This little bar and restaurant is a favorite for wild game, pizza and brews.

After leaving Summit County, we bent back to the southwest toward Leadville. This required a ride over Freemont Pass.

After leaving Leadville, we continue to head west.

Twin Lakes is a beautiful area, just east of the Collegiate Range.


Independence Pass was a crispy chill, but supplied profound views of the high mountains.

Heading down to Aspen, the road narrows to a single lane in several locations.

Parking the bike in Aspen, we quickly found a Starbucks to fuel up on Caffine.

Riding up the Crystal River Canyon.

And finally, after nearly 300 miles, we arrive in Redstone and the Redstone Inn.