So what's been happening...

So after we left Carbondale last summer we....

Drove to Sedona, AZ, put the RV in storage for the week, Chewie into a boarding hotel and spent a great week with Peggy and Scott at their time share. We went to the Grand Canyon (West) and stayed in a rustic cabin. Went to the glass walkway. Did a jeep tour of Sedona (after we endured our 90 minute presentation for time shares) but saved some bucks as a result. Did shopping in Sedona and had some great meals.

We left Sedona and dropped Peggy and Scott off at the airport in Phoenix and stayed in Tucson where we had a family reunion. It was great to see my sister and brother.

We worked our way back to Wilmington.

Nikki had Noah on 12/28. He's a great little guy! Bill and Meagan came for Christmas. It was great for them to be here when Nikki had Noah.

January brought snow.

February brought the Ice storm where we had several tall pines above us lose limbs and spear the roof on the RV.

The RV has been in the shop getting a new roof and slide toppers for the slide outs since 2/17. We are supposed to get it back tomorrow 2/27. The KOA provided a free lodge while it is getting repaired. Very nice of them.

Kathy and Nikki went on a daycare search and found a great place...oh but how expensive!!!
Noah starts Tue/Thu in April and will start full time 5/1. We leave 5/3 now. Getting to Carbondale a bit later than expected but the other couple that camp hosts with us for the summer are getting there 5/1.  We are still making it a short trip but originally thought we were doing it in 4 days.

I'll be better about updating the site from now on...

A few pics -

Uncle Bill

Bill, Nikki, Meagan, Travis

Grandma and Noah

Baby Noah

Super Bowl Time

January Snow

February Ice

Our 2014 Spring trip -

5/3 - Anniston, AL (Talladega)
5/4 - Shreveport, LA
5/5 - Arlington, TX
5/6 - Abilene, TX
5/7 - Midland, TX
5/8 - Van Horn, TX
5/9 - 5/12 Tucson, AZ
5/13 - Williams, AZ (Grand Canyon)
5/14 - Richfield, UT
5/15 - 10/1 - Carbondale, CO

A new year

I've obviously been delinquent in updating the blog...

Thought I would add these today to kick the new year off right in Wilmington, NC where it is warm and dry...most of the time!

It's cold outside! 22 in NC

Views from the front door. What state are we in?

I'll make sure I "catch-up" the missing time from leaving Colorado to arriving in North Carolina.

Time to leave....

We will be leaving Colorado next Wednesday and after the storms were over from yesterday and last night I think our timing is just right.

There was no snow on Mt Sopris Sunday morning

We had a few campers stay another night because all the passes were under a winter storm warning.

We leave Wednesday for Richfield, UT where we'll spend Wednesday night. Thursday on to Sedona, AZ and Thursday night we'll be staying near the Phoenix airport so we can pickup Peggy and Scott for a fun week at the Grand Canyon and Sedona in their time share. The 5th wheel goes to short term storage and Chewie goes to the pet hotel for a week!

Hope this is the last snow I see this year. Tonight we are under a freeze warning with lows in the mid 20's.

Snowmass Balloon Festival

Saturday morning we decided to go to the balloon launch. We got to Snowmass around 7:00 a.m to find few balloons ready. The weather has been unpredictable lately with rain almost every day. Saturday morning was no exception and between the rain and wind they called off the launch. One "rookie" went to the trouble to inflate but then deflated as soon as the rain started.

Saturday night the rain had stopped so we drove back to Snowmass to watch the "night glow". There were several balloons inflated along one of the ski runs but there were new storms coming in from the southwest which caused most to deflate. Unfortunately by 9 they were all down and put away.

It was a nice evening and we walked around Snowmass Mall and had beef stew and Chili. It was on the cool side at 44 degrees. The storm cell never made it to Snowmass.

We entered the event from the top of the hill and walked down to the live music and activities. Only problem with that is hiking back up to get out and to the parking lot!

It's a hike on the way back up!

Synchronized burning to the live band

Just in case....
Always need to know where the clinic is :)

New kitchen floor

I needed a project and was tired of looking at the linoleum floor in the kitchen. Amazing what a little Pergo can do!

PergoMax - Natural Oak

Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail

Today we decided to ride the bike trail through Glenwood Canyon. It runs parallel to I-70 east towards Denver from Glenwood Springs to Bair Ranch. Total trail is approximately 16 miles one-way. It's about a 4.5 to 5% grade uphill to Bair Ranch.

We took a modified version and started at the No Name trail head. Really, it is called No Name, Co!
Starting at No Name there is a long descent which is great till its time to come back. You ride along the Colorado River the entire trip and will see many white water rafters coming down. There are about 3 rest stops that have bathrooms and shade for breaks if needed. Our total trip was only about 12.5 miles but it was beautiful. Next year I'd like to make the full 32 mile round trip. Meagan and Bill came and Meagan smoked all of us on the ride back.

Its definitely worth the trip and you can make it as long or short as you want.

Meagan Bill and Kathy at one of the rest stops

Kathy and the Colorado River

Has it been that long?

Wow, guess I should update this more often!

Last weekend we hiked to Dinkle Lake. It is at the base of Mount Sopris and near the trail head to Sopris. Maybe next year when we are in better shape we'll try the 2 day trek to the top. Its about a 6,000' rise from the trail head to the top. Most people hike to Edwards lake (1/2 way) spend the night then hike the rest of the way the next day. I hear its beautiful at the top, 12,996 feet.

So being less energetic and realistic we did the relatively simple hike to Dinkle. It is a small lake with no over night camping. Cattle roam the mountain side and at times catch you off guard when you walk by and don't realize they are there. While at the lake we had a visit by a few getting a drink of water.

To get to Dinkle you drive south from Carbondale on 133 for about 6 miles to Prince Creek Rd. Turn left and go another 3 1/2 miles till the road turns to dirt. The road can get interesting in a few spots and there is not enough room for two vehicles to pass. Once at the top about another 3 1/2 miles, it is a short 1 to 1 1/2 mile hike to the lake.

Looking towards Carbondale at the trail head

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