Up into Thin Air

We're back from the family reunion in Colorado. Michelle’s mother’s side of family gathered in Estes Park Colorado last week. The attendance was perfect. Michelle’s grandma, all of her children and there spouses, all of the grand children and their spouses, and all of the great grand children made it to the family gathering for photo’s and a few BBQ’s the week of June 15th through the 21st. (Not everyone was there every day but they were all there at some time or another and everyone was there for photos on Tuesday the 17th).

We drove from Michigan; we left home around 9a.m. on Saturday the 14th. Since there was a 10+ month child in the car we attempted to not set any big goals for making good time on the road. Which worked out well since interstate 80 was closed due to flooding near Cedar Rapids Iowa. We decided to take the Iowa Department of Transportation recommended 120 mile detour rather than risk the outcome of trying to find our own way through the country-side. Needless to say this was a set back, but we still made it to Des Moines Iowa around 8 p.m. Saturday. We felt that was pretty good considering we had to stop for gas, diaper changes, a couple meals, and time let the tot get out and about.

Sunday Morning Addison woke up bright and early (as always) and we packed the car back up, had breakfast and were on the rode again at 7 a.m. local time. We stopped a few times in Nebraska that after noon, had a 2+ hour stop at a Ruby Tuesday’s (service was horrible – maybe because it was fathers day, I don’t know) but from there we put on the push and made it to Boulder around 8 p.m.

I got up early Monday morning and found a car wash to wash the bugs off the car. When I got back we had breakfast then loaded Addison into the chariot and towed her behind our bikes around Boulder. We Went to Performance Bike , REI , Boulder Running Company , Playfair Toys , and then we went to Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli for some lunch. After lunch went next door to Farfel's Farm and then we wandered over to University Bikes to see what they had. Once we were all packed up and ready to head out of town we found a few more minutes to go to Folsom Street Coffee and acquire a couple beverages for the road. It was right about then that Michelle’s parents and sister Emily came into Boulder from California and we followed them into Estes Park to the Condo.

We unpacked Monday night Tuesday was family photos and a cook out.

Not much happened on Wednesday, then on Thursday I hit the road early on my bike and rode into Rocky Mountain National Park. I rode up Trail Ridge road for a little over an hour then turned and headed back to the condo, the ride back only took about 25 minutes since it was all down hill, and I had time to stop and take a couple photos like this, this,and this. I was back in time for Breakfast (French toast). Then we all packed in the cars and headed back into the park for some hiking (click here for another photo of the girls hiking) and a little picnic. Then Michelle’s dad, brother-in-law and nephew did some fishing. After that Michelle, her sister Emily, and their dad hopped onto their bikes and rode back to the condo while the rest of us drove back in the cars.

Friday morning Michelle’s parents wanted some time with their grand daughter, so we took advantage of the opportunity to take on a little adventure ourselves. We had Michelle's sister Emily drop us off at the bottom of Old Fall River Road Old Fall River Road. We rode our bikes to the Alpine Visitior’s center and then rode Trail ridge Road back to the Condo in Estes Park . I’ve completed several 35-40 mile bike rides before but this one was definitely the toughest to date. We got a few good photos though. Bighorn Sheep view from about 1/3 the way up At the visitors center Michelle in the snow.

Saturday and Sunday we traveled home. Addison was a good little traveler, she had some fussy phases. I think she was running low on patience the last few hours. She was essentially hysterical the last 20 minutes of the trip, but a big smile appeared on her face when we pulled into the driveway. I was surprised she could recognize that we were home.

Oh, and for the record, Addison is not walking yet. I think she can walk, but she doesn’t know that she can. She always wants the stability of holding onto something. It will just happen when she’s not expecting it.