Here is the story of our Summer 2018.
As tends to happen we spent many hours in the car and logged several thousand miles--mostly in the first 3 weeks. We drove from Colorado to Michigan, Indiana and St. Louis, then back to Colorado. The girls were incredible troopers for most of it. Suggested improvement for next time: Figure out a way to not have Maya break down on the trip from STL to Michigan--that was horrible.
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| This picture was taken June 14 for our 9th Anniversary. One of the best sunsets I've seen. |
In Michigan we spent the week at the Woods on the Lake with Grammy, Dave, and all the cousins. It was a very special time and fun had by all. We played on the beach, rode bikes, took walks and runs, had a private concert, ate s'mores, watched the ferry head on its journey and even got to tour the USS Silversides, the third most successful submarine during WW2.
The kids ate up their time with Grammy and the cousins and thoroughly enjoyed playing outdoors. We were right on Lake Michigan and although slightly cold, we (the kids) were undeterred. They swam, built castles (and pyramids), buried each other in the sand and made merry all day long. Grammy even got some fireworks to celebrate the end on Annie's Chemo.
Family Portrait day. At Turkey Run State Park in Indiana we had another family reunion for Grandma and Grandpa Manker's 90th birthdays. All the cousins were there except for Josh. We had paella, sang songs, played games and had a great time.
The hiking in the park was spectacular and although it rained a bit through the week we were able to get out on the trails a bit.
Naila was our guide on this trip to the Punch Bowl. The rocks, although they seem like they should be slick, gripped our feet perfectly and we had great traction. We walked directly up the streams to their sources and indeed these were the intended hiking trails.
From above these marvelous gorges looked like a normal old growth forest and largely went unnoticed until viewed more directly.
There were two pools, one of which was outdoors. Naila was showing off her goofiness and creativity.
Another major highlight of the summer (mostly for me) was the World Cup. Here we are watching the Argentina game--they probably lost.
While at Turkey Run we took a day to prep all the Paella ingredients at Grandma and Grandpa's house where we had the added benefit of being able to watch the World Cup.
Other highlights of our time in Indiana--great times with cousins, canoeing the sugar creek, biking around the park, playing capture the flag, eating s'mores, Courtney's Old Fashioneds and the love and generosity of Dad and Gma.
Back in St. Louis for a week, Laura and I took a moment to have a date night and left the kids with Nini and Ranger. We took the bikes to the Katy trail and rode for a while through forests and fields until we came upon a restaurant and brewery. It was a delightful getaway and we rode 20 plus miles of the trail. We had planned to ride again in the morning but abandoned due to rain.
Maya took her first big ride--all the way to Grant's Farm and back to the house. It was a little long in the end and at one point Maya got off her bike and refused to press on. We couldn't blame her too much, it was about a 12 mile journey.
She was a trooper though and hopped back on the bike and made it home where she promptly announced that she would not be doing that again any time soon.
One of our highlights any time we are in St. Louis is spending some time at Aunt Barbara's pool. For some reason it is the perfect place to experiment and push the limits of their swimming ability. Thank you Aunt Barbie!
Here is Maya preparing her dive.
Naila is a little more cautious but wants to keep up with big sis.
We made it to Colorado and the first thing we did was hit the trail. The kids found a massive boulder and had to get to the top of it.
We loved going to the concert in the park series that Winter Park hosted. It is such a fund community event.
This year there were such strict fire bans due to the dryness that we were the only ones grilling. We even had a policeman come up to us to verify that we didn't have any flames and Burke defended our grilling with some story about a flame cone attachment on the grill that safeguarded the world. I didn't know if he was serious but the copper seemed to buy it. We were able to finish grilling before another team of police came and formally put a stop to our merriment.
M'lady in front of Nini and Ranger's condo.
I'm not sure who was happier for this reunion. Both Ranger and Guapa picked up right where they left off and loved being together.
A definite highlight of our time in Colorado and indeed the summer on the whole was the addition of mountain biking in our lives. Laura and I bought bikes at the beginning of the summer and took them everywhere with us but it wasn't until we returned to Colorado that they truly were maximized. We explored a small portion of the extensive Winter Park Trail system but were excited and amazed at every moment.
Evening dinner hosted by Nini and Ranger. They got the better sunsets so we took a picture.
The smile says it all. Good summer.
Lots of creative play this summer. The girls too.
I had to take a picture of the condo as we lived in it. Sterile most of the year, July is our time to shine. We usually had 4-6 bikes parked out front, the hammock, 6-8 chairs, the dog, games in the yard, piles of bike accessories, and of course the people to go along with it all. This condo was maximized for July.
"Just when you thought you couldn't get any higher." -Laura
Lest we forget, we rocked out Rocky Mountain National Park also! The girls are now officially Junior Rangers and work to preserve Mother Nature, we saw 6 moose, drove through a huge cloud that was cascading down a mountain, hit massive rain and hail storms and even took a hike.
It was a great summer!
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| Nini and her girls. What a great summer! |
