Amazing and Talented

M and I put together this little number on our daddy-daughter date this past weekend.

Music is by Portland's Pink Martini.

Owls

The kids have been having fun watching a Great Horned Owl's nest from Gramma and Grampa's deck.

Can't you see it right there in that big tree?
Helps to look through the spotting scope:

Here's a little fuzzy baby owl:

And a camouflaged adult:

Last one. From two days later when the baby moved to the next tree over:

Skiing No Name Peak

This is No Name - the striking mountain closest to Highway 14 on the south side of the road just over the pass. The "Z Couloir" is the somewhat obvious line right from the top (looks rather more like an "S" to me, but whatever). We set out for the top with a crew of 4 on a beautiful, but windy, April Sunday.


The appeal for me of spring skiing is the longer, warmer days and the solidifying snow pack allowing more casual excursions and safer conditions for those steep lines that have been calling to you all winter.

It's hard to guess at conditions when we've been playing soccer and riding bikes in shorts in town. But we were happy to see winter snow consistency above tree line.

The climb was straightforward and only really steepened for the last bit. Upon reaching the ridge we stepped into the full brunt of the wind (steady 50 mph?), but thankfully only for a short last stretch to the top.
The skiing was aesthetic and fun. Conditions varied widely with aspect, but where the snow was good it was superb.
All in all a great day in a breathtaking little corner of the world. Scratched the itch for the time being...

Click here for more pictures.

Rite of Passage

Zach was invited by his friend Luke to spend the night (Saturday) and climb the iconic local landmark, Horsetooth Rock (Sunday) to celebrate Luke's eighth birthday. Cool. Lucky me, I got to come along, too.

The boys take flight:

The top:

Gets a little steep for the final stretch:

And a Dusky Grouse we saw on the way down.By the way: this hike is a 5-mile round trip with a 1,500 vertical foot gain. A solid day for a couple of 8-year-olds (and not too shabby for their old men, too). :)

If you just can't get enough of my pictures, click here.

Horsetooth Half

I rode the bike up to the high point of the annual masochistic running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon on Sunday morning, camera in tow.

The thirteen mile race has a brutal first 2-miles and then "it's all downhill from there." (Except that it really isn't)

What this sign doesn't mention is that you have 11 more bone-jarring miles to go.

Speed:
The view:

Monkeyin' Around

I've been promising M that I'd make this movie for a while.

Music is by Katie Herzig - uber-talented daughter of my boss.

April Showers...

...bring powder days.

We met my cousin and co. from Michigan for a nice day of spring skiing.





Z teaser video:

Goofy pictures

If you ask my kids to pose for a portrait all you'll get is groans. But if they get to help make a fun picture they're all over it. Exhibits A & B: