Family Fun

I've heard "If you build it, they will come." But I say "If you brag enough, they will come." All my ranting and raving about how fun Colorado is convinced my parents to spend the first month-long leg of their summer RV trip in CO. It also convinced my aunt and uncle to come for the weekend (though to be honest my uncle was already in CO on business). They all stayed in Longmont last weekend and we had the best time. We suckered Drew into making us shrimp tacos on Friday night, which is always a treat. Then on Saturday we all went to Lily Lake for some hiking, climbing, and amazing mountain views.

That day we finally had the chance to get my parents to try climbing. Ever since I started climbing this spring I've been thinking how much my parents would like to try it. Drew led a moderate slab route and even though it wasn't the best climb for beginners, my parents did great.

We didn't get to climb much that day because the typical afternoon storm rolled in (lightning is much scarier at 9,000+ ft than at sea-level). So instead we napped, walked around the neighborhood, and went to Oskar Blues.

My aunt and uncle left early Sunday morning so Drew and I took Mom and Dad climbing again in St. Vrain Canyon where Drew and I usually climb after work. Drew set up an easier slab route and Mom and Dad were both able to top out. They also both tried a tougher crack climb and really impressed us with their beginner-50+-aged abilities. Now I know where I get my eagerness to try new things and my tendency to climb with my knees instead of my feet. It's so fun to have parents that like to do fun, adventurous things!

That day we also met up with a friend from college, Josh. He is spending the next 6 weeks in Colorado Springs training for his upcoming move to Uganda. He was staying the weekend in Boulder with friends so they came and found us at our climbing spot. It was so great to catch up with an old friend and meet new friends to climb with.

Last night Drew and I and a couple of friends from Drew's work went back to St. Vrain Canyon (instead of staying home and packing for our Alaska trip like we were supposed to). Drew and I bought a new camera this week for our Alaska trip and I was so excited to take it out and take some climbing pictures, but of course we were half there when I realized I left it at home. Crap! Then, I ended up leading my first climb (clipping into bolts on the rock rather than top-roping, more scary and risky) and had no camera to document. I am going to make up for it though by taking a thousand pictures on our Alaska trip that we leave for tomorrow! Speaking of which, maybe I should go pack...

Drew's fun fact: Your feet can produce a pint of sweat per day.

Two Celebrations

Last week Drew and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. The past two years we had gone on a trip to the Keys to celebrate. But this year our anniversary fell on a Tuesday, and since we've been taking so many weekend trips together lately, we decided to keep it low-key. We went to dinner at Oskar Blues and saw Transformers 3-D. We don't usually give each other gifts for our anniversary (or birthdays or Christmas), but this year we used it as an excuse to get something we've each been wanting. I got new Chacos and Drew got an altimeter watch.

Drew also surprised me with some beautiful Sunflowers when I got home from work. Sunflowers are actually the traditional flower given for the third anniversary. I'd like to give Drew credit for following the tradition, but let's be honest, we all know it was coincidence :)

To celebrate 4th of July weekend we met up with my parents who were camping on Lake Granby on the northwest side of RMNP. We drove up Friday night after work and had the most beautiful sunset drive through the park. We saw Elk, Moose, lots of tourists, and tons and tons of snow. Here's a picture of me standing next to the snowdrift on the side of the road... I'm beginning to think all this snow will never melt.

Saturday we woke up at the crack of dawn to hike Mt. Watanga in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It was supposed to be a 10 mile round trip hike with a summit at 12,375 ft. We only made it a couple miles up the trail because the 'creeks' that are usually easy to cross had turned into raging rivers from all the snowmelt. We also lost track of the trail because it was buried in snow. We were all pretty disappointed, but we still enjoyed our shortened hike.

That afternoon we went over to our family friends' house on Shadow Mountain Lake. We played games, kayaked on the lake, and enjoyed the beautiful mountain views. Later that night we grilled burgers at our campsite, and Mom and I shared our traditional bottle of anniversary champagne. When Drew and I got engaged my parents had gotten us a bottle of champagne to celebrate. But Drew doesn't really like champagne so my mom drank it with me. Since then it's become a tradition for my mom and I to share a bottle to celebrate my wedding anniversary; she is so kind to make sure I never have to drink champagne alone.

The next day my Dad inflated his Bubba tub so that Drew and I could float the headwaters of the Colorado river. I only agreed to do this because my Mom had a wetsuit for me to wear. We only floated for about a mile, but it was very beautiful and very relaxing. I reclined on the bow while Drew paddled and serenaded me in fake Italian.

After that Drew and Mom spent some time practicing their Mother/Son-in-Law act.

We left later that afternoon because Drew had to work on the 4th of July (I think his boss is a Commie). On the drive home back through the park we saw Mountain goats, and again, lots and lots of tourists. Next weekend we will hopefully be meeting up with my parents again on the Cache La Poudre river where there are less crowds and more fun to be had.

Drew's fun fact: The world’s biggest hot dog was 1,996 feet long.

P.S. My parents gave Drew and I matching T-shirts for our anniversary. Luckily now I can celebrate our anniversary and the 4th of July simultaneously with one outfit. Now if I could only get Drew to wear his at the same as me...