More vacation pictures from Winter Park

8-9-11 working brain

I'm back at work today, but still thinking about the great time Greg and I had in Winter Park.

One of my favorite activities was doing to Alpine slide- twice! The ride is the longest Alpine slide in Colorado. You ride on this type of sled, which you have control over the speed. Just the ride up to the top was fun too!

At the top getting ready to go.

Me coming down.

The flowers in Winter Park Resort as well as in the town of Winter Park were so beautiful!

Can you spot the hummingbird in this picture?

It's about 4:00 from the red flower.

The weather in Winter Park was great most of the time, but also with a few interesting moments. In the afternoon, it often would have some rain clouds pass by and in one part of the sky the sun would be shinning and the other part of the sky it would be raining.

This picture shows both and the contrast was striking.

Since we did so much driving in Colorado in the days prior to our time in Winter Park, we only ended up going on one Mini Copper drive. This was an ice cream run which ended up at a pretty lake.

Sunday morning was the last of the Mini Copper activities with a wonderful brunch up at the mountain top lodge. Here we were at our highest, about 11,000 ft.

I had so much fun on this Colorado trip and the Mini in the Mountains Rally, that I believe I will return next year. I'm thinking of taking the train from Osceola Iowa out to Fraser CO, which is only 3 miles from Winter Park. I'll let Greg drive the car out, so I don't get so tired of riding in the car.

More on Colorado vacation

8-8-11 vacation brain

Oh my! Colorado is my new favorite place on earth, after spending a week here. I believe my  blog friend "California Gal" and myself would  be the type of gals to fit in perfect with the Colorado vibe!

 Our drive between Grand Junction to Winter Park on Thursday, along I-70, brought new and different terrain. I lost track on the number of times Greg and I both said "WOW".... as we were driving now eastward. The red canyon of the west, turned into the green mountains in central Colorado.


We are now at about 10,000 feet, which is making me a bit short of breath. So I think I prefer the Grand Junction area which is only about 4,500 to 5,000 ft.

Here are some pictures from Winter Park and the Mini Cooper Rally which was Thursday to Sunday.

Thursday evening we spent time with Carolyn's cousins from Iowa who have a home in Winter Park (Susan and Phil); we had a fun visit sitting out by their fire pit. Susan also owns a Mini!

Vacation Grand Junction pictures

8-5-11 wow-za brain
I love Grand Junction Colorado! So glad we came here to explore the Colorado National Monument, it blew my mind on Wednesday. I couldn't get enough of these red rocks. I took so many pictures...... I just couldn't stop myself.

Here are a few:

Thursday GUEST Blog

8-4-11 freaked out brain
My friend Ann sure has a passion for politics!
Judy

Road to the White House ‘12


My oh my, are things heating up in Iowa or what? And I don’t mean the temperature.

As an informed voter, I’m doing my very best to keep track of the many events related to the 2012 Presidential election. Specifically, who’s running and who’s not. I’ll make no bones about this, I am a Republican and I don’t get my daily talking points from Rush, O’Riely or Glen Beck. In fact, my opinions are formed by watching the candidates. To my surprise, most of my friends are dem’s.

2011 stared with a few front runners like Romeny, Huckabee, Gingrich, Trump and the Mayor himself. Then comes Pawlenty, Cain, Paul. Santrioum, Bachman and a few others. Today, I hear that Governor Rick Perry might throw his hat in the race. Wowser, so many and what about Sarah Palin? Here’s what I’ve seen and observed.

To get noticed, you have to be out and about and a book tour really gets you recognized. In January, Gov Huckabee came through Iowa for a book signing. The media was all over him and he had his big bus. Now that alone gets you noticed.

Then in February, Gov Pawlently came through for a book singing. While he did not have a bus, he drew a lot of media. “Gov are you running for President?” Sad to say, he’s just not polling and getting the traction that he should have.

If not a book, why not a mini-debate minus the debate. The event was sponsored by Iowa Family Policy (something like that) and wow, Newt, Cain, Santrioum, Pawlenty and a few others were there. I’ll tell you that I was disappointed at Newt as soon as he said “I was so busy with work … that led him astray … he asked God for forgiveness”. Sorry, poor excuse.

So who’s the front runner? Gosh, it’s so up in the air. I feel for the candidates who have been pressing the flesh only to be polled behind some who are not even running. The first big test will be on August 13th at the Iowa Straw Poll. I’ve been to two of these and it’s a huge event and one that can either make you or break you. Yes, I will be going.

One last item, of the many candidates running, I’ve only seen 1 campaign bus, that of Michele Bachman. She’s a very interesting candidate. Today on NPR the headline was “does she fire you up or does she freak you out”? All I can say is move over Sarah, Michele is the new sheriff in town.

So where is Romeny? He’s skipping Iowa for now. Big mistake Mitt, big mistake.

Chat Later,
That Girl, Ann Maire

Vacation part 2

8-3-11 amazed brain
Wow, the scenery keeps changing on every bend of the road here in Colorado, and it is amazing. The colors, the sky, the sun reflecting and the cloud's shadows make for an ever entertaining delight.

Tuesday we drove from Durgano to Mesa Verde in the morning and spent time at the cliff dwellings. More on that later as I get my better pictures off my camera next week. (I forgot my camera cord to download into computer) Here are a few off my iPhone.

Then we drove up to Grand Junction CO, by way of Tulluride. Wow this was some real beautiful scenery. This mountain top lake was gorgeous, along with other views.

Then we ran into an area of wonderful red rocks!

We are staying in Grand Junction two nights, in part, to give us a break from driving. We are right down town and in this new Marriott. Our room reminded me of one we stayed in Europe.

Today we will do some hiking!

Vacation part 1

8-2-11 vacationing brain
One of the nicest things about vacationing in Colorado this time of year is the delicious juicy peaches!

Other thing nice about spending Monday night in the mountains (Durango), is that we finally escaped the heat. Here there is no humidity and temperatures are in the 70's by day and 60's at night. Wow, it feels great!

And another nice thing about Colorado is dipping my feet into a cool mountain stream.

Three days driving so far, and Saturday and Sunday were very hot days in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. The first part of our vacation  was following the Santa Fe train line from KC out to La Junta and seeing some of the old depots. Those pictures will have to wait until I download my camera.

The other part of our trip is a scouting trip. We are doing some exploring, taking our time and stopping to see anything that looks interesting. We saw grooves out on the prairie made by all the wagon trails moving out west on the Santa Fe trail. This was a hot day, 105, but no humidity as in Iowa, so it was tolerable.

So far the most interesting unplanned thing we came upon was Bents Fort Colorado. It was first build as a trading post for the Indians and the Mountain man who were fur traders. This was in the early 1800's. This fort was rebuild in the exact replica in 1975.

More later as I have the engergy to blog, and a good Internet connection along the way.

Monday GUEST Blog

8-1-11 vacation brain

Go Team USA n’ Collegiate Athletes!

Some things you either love, don’t care for, or despise. When it comes to sports, I’m on the side of love for most sports, much like my dad. Great job Team USA at the FIFA World Cup. Your run was amazing, and your country is proud of you. Congratulations Japan!

My love for sports has waxed and waned over the years but I do love to watch a good football/basketball game. I love … love my hometown team, Washington Redskins and old-timers: Billy Kilmer, Joe Theisman, Sonny Jurgesen, Pat Fischer, Keith Riggins, Chris Hamburger and company. I’ve added NCAA basketball, outdoor track and all sports of the Winter and Summer Olympics.

Of the many things on my to-do list, I have not attended a Drake Relays event. Yes, I live in Des Moines, follow track n’ field, but somehow have never made it to the track. That changed June 2011.

Three years ago, Drake University landed the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championship for 2011 and 2012. The event attracts 30,000 plus fans from all over the country and it’s the “superbowl” of track events. While I had not planned to attend, my niece Catie had a classmate that was running the 100 meter dash otherwise known as “the fastest man alive” race and that was reason enough to attend. Next tickets, now I figure out why I had not attended one of these events, tickets were $20/$30 per day for a four day event. Here’s where an Iowa girl meets three East Coast seasoned citizens and a nice friendship developed.

While I was in line to buy my ticket, a man approached me saying “finish line ticket for $20”. What was the incentive to buy from him vs the counter? Answer = guaranteed finish line tickets. The weather was beautifully HOT and yes, finish line tickets/row 5 was a deal. The meet was fantastic, so many great athletes in one venue. Sad to say, my East Coast VA Tech runner did not make the finals for the 100 meter. I believe the heat winners times were around 10.15 sec and he was near 10.4 sec. However, all athletes making the meet are winners!

Of the many events I watched, I was fascinated by the steeplechase, I’d love to know the back-story of this event, and watched many of the races: 100, 200, 400 and 8000 meter races, both individual and relay. The runners were fantastic. I could write more about the race, but I won’t. All I can say, the athletes performed superior and I know I watched an Olympiad to-be and/or a World Record holder.

Here’s the rest of the story …. The three seasoned citizens I met turned out to be fascinating. Like many of the spectators (and I met a lot of them), these guys were life-long track fans and on their bucket list, they wanted to attend a Championship event. Bill and Mike are bothers and Paul is a mutual friend, from Eastern PA/Western NJ. After chatting with them on the first day of the meet, I met up with them on Thursday for lunch and took them to Mr. Filet. They loved the diner food. On Friday, we met up at “Peggy’s” (classic pub near the stadium) while waiting out the rain delay. There we met up with several fans from all over the country, all touting Des Moines and Drake University.

On Saturday before the final race, I gave them a tour of the Des Moines Farmer’s market. Not sure what got into me, as usual my chattiness got the best of me. My East Coast friends had a great time, loved Des Moines and the meet met their expectations. I got to pass it forward, one more time. Yes, yes … I know Marine Dude John was a runner back in the day, and he too is a Drake Relay Alumi. “Track shoes” hello to John!

Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie