Colorado

Due to a total lack of organization by the company I work for, I was given 5 weeks off. I am in no way complaining, it is a very special treat to be given a single weekend off during the summer, much less 5. So, naturally we jumped at the opportunity to take a rare summer vacation. We spent a week at home so Kyra could go to 'Space Camp' then headed to Colorado to visit Debbie, John and Ramona. We had plans to go to Costa Rica, San Clemente, Montana or drive down the northern California coast. None of those things happened for various reasons. The weather was so nice and we realized that there was tons of Colorado that we hadn't seen, so after a few days with the Misuraca's and a very fun Father's Day at Coors field, we headed up to Vail to visit our friend Sarah and stay at the Cordiellera Resort where her husband works. It was awesome, we were there a year ago and if you have a chance, please go there. Its the epitome of serene. While in Vail, we hiked, ate well and took the first of two white water rafting trips. It was Kyra's first time so we did the upper Colorado River. Class I and II rapids. Pretty calm actually, but we had a really fun guide, this crusty, highly sarcastic and leathery old dude who was full of lame jokes that were somehow endearing and honest.

Kyra and Ramona dancing to Bluegrass music at the Paddler in Fort Collins

After the Colorado Rockies game - they won, but who cares, we were rooting for the Cardinals. I think they played in Tampa Bay that night.

First Rafting trip. Family shot 1/2 way down the upper Colorado River. Below-We took a hike with Sarah and her trusty dog. Kyra and Rosco found this nice rock to rest upon.

After Vail we were off to explore areas we had never seen. Our general aim was to get to the small town of Ouray, but we somehow made a wrong turn and ended up going through Aspen and spending the night about 200 miles off course in the very "Footloose-esque" town of Buena Vista. The wrong turn turned out to be a real delight. Just past Aspen we took some really cool hikes along the river and went over the Independence Pass where the views were spectacular. Buena Vista was kind of strange, we wondered if they were allowed to play music there or if the town rebel snuck out to the local mill to dance his anger away, but alas our fears were not realized when we found a great brewery with excellent beer and pizza that was by far the second best pizza I've ever had.

The rewarding view of Weller Lake at the top of a 1.5 mile hike. Kyra hiked the whole way by herself and was in good spirits.

A little yoga lesson before the trek down the mountain. This is Kyra's version of the Warrior Pose I think. Sometimes wrong turns can provide unexpected and surprising views, like this one below - atop Independence Pass.

Driving from Buena Vista to Ouray was a full day. A very pretty drive through Gunnison and its nearby lakes to be followed by a few fun hikes in the Black Canyon National Forrest. We finally arrived in Ouray just in time for dinner. We planed on staying a day or two, but ended up loving it so much that we stayed for four days. We hiked, swam in the hot springs, took a day trip to Telluride, hiked some more, and just enjoyed the quaint little mining town. It was very calm and quiet, but still full of energy. Our riverside hotel was owned by the nicest guy who seemed to run the show all by himself. The grounds were like a botanical garden and gazing up at the mountains from the hot tub was a great way to end each day.

Lunch break at Morrow Point Reservoir just outside Gunnison.

Black Canyon National Park

Matt overlooking Black Canyon

Vic and Kyra on top of a 2000' cliff in the Black Canyon

Vic and Kyra by the waterfall just outside Ouray. You could actually hike up and walk behind this waterfall, and we did.

This Picture is not good, we didnt take many that day because we were too busy playing in the hot springs in Ouray. They pipe the water from nearby Box Canyon and there are 4 or 5 pools, each at different temperatures to suit everyone's needs. Kyra likes to swim - but only if the water is above 90 degrees.

Ouray

The Brewery in Ouray allowed sidewalk chalk. That was a good thing. It allowed me and Vic time to enjoy the scenery and kept Kyra quite busy. Apparently this is what Kyra thinks I look like. I think she's going through a Picasso phase.

We ate lots of Ice Cream. Kyra discovered Bubble Gum flavor. Awesome.

River's Edge Hotel in Ouray - Kyra and Vic really liked all the flowers. I did too. Below is Box Canyon - Ouray

Telluride is a quick 45 min drive from Ouray. We wanted to stay a night or two, but it was the weekend of the Bluegrass festival and the place was booked solid many months in advance. Seeing the festival was cool, lots of very happy people dancing around, but I was glad we were just there to visit for the day. We took a really long hike that Kyra seemed not to want to be on, but we had a good time at the waterfall at the end. Even though we only had a day in Telluride I was glad we went just to check it out. I think it would be an awesome place to be in the winter. But for the summer scene, Ouray was much more our pace and sans the wannabe hippies.

Matt and Kyra on the hike to Bear Creek Falls in Telluride. Below we rest on the big rock overlooking the waterfall at the end of Bear Creek Falls Trail

Ouray is about 7 hours from Denver so we broke up the drive back into two days. Spent one day passing through the Colorado National Monument and another day with a rafting trip, but this time on some class III rapids. Kyra said she wanted bigger waves, so we went back to Vail and scheduled a trip down the Shoshone section of the Colorado River. It was great. They fitted us with helmets, wet suits and dry shirts. At first I thought we were getting in over our heads, especially with Kyra, but it turned out to be just the right amount of excitement and adventure. We are not a family of Jedi so we crave these things. We got drenched a few times. It was exactly what you think of when you think of white water rafting. What a great experience!

Vicki gazing at Monument Valley - Colorado National Monument - she said it brought tears to her eyes, it was so quiet and peaceful.

Colorado National Monument

Monument Valley - Northwest side

White Water Rafting take 2. Matt and Kyra gear up.

Just survived 'Maneater' a Class III Rapid on the Shoshone section of the Colorado River.

Kyra the Space Monster in all her rafting gear

Our bus broke down so we had some forced down time along the river. Does wood float or sink daddy? this wood sunk and didn't make a good boat to race down river. We spent lots of time throwing non-floating wood in the Colorado.

Kyra playing with a full belly at Nottingham Lake. Below we enjoy a Pizza night in the park on our last evening in Colorado.

This trip was tons of fun, lots of family time, lots of hikes and lots of gazing at the mountains. The whole time we felt like we were in natures playground. A very enjoyable and rejuvenating trip. The majority of the people we met were truly genuine and nice fellow nature-lovers, as you would expect. In tourist towns like Vail and Telluride you're gonna get the occasional waiter that can't be bothered to take your order, but that is mostly from the people who aren't really FROM Colorado. After a few years it seems that they lose their edge and allow the natural beauty of the area to curb their tude. We definitely felt relaxed and in awe most of the two weeks we were there. A new Colorado has shown itself to us and we will be forever grateful for this wonderful family experience.

Ireland - October 2012

Vicki and I were lucky to get away for a week or so to visit Ireland. My parents offered to watch Kyra so it was very nice for us to spend some time together and experience a place we have both wanted to visit for some time. We mostly ate, drank, hiked and drove around; not necessarily in that order. The weather was quite good we were told, which meant we saw some sun everyday. It was actually quite pleasant and although it rained every day as well, the climate was very tolerable. We both found Ireland to be very rich in beauty, history and culture. The people were very welcoming and merry. The beer did not disappoint and to my surprise, the food was excellent. Please enjoy the following pictures, they speak for themselves but I'll add a little bit of commentary anyway. Enjoy!

Hope you can read fast, intersections like this one above are the norm. A few hours south of Shannon is the quaint little town of Kenmare. As it is widely knows as the culinary and artistic capital of the country, it had to be our first destination. View from the window of our B and B below.

There are more sheep in Ireland than people. Here is one of them.

To fight off jet lag, on our first day we took a little drive around part of the Beara Peninsula. We found a nice little coastal hike with this cool seaside cave.

We were rewarded with some great sunshine on our first day throughout our hike along these cliffs.

I felt compelled to share this one with all the "Soaring-Shu Shu" followers.

View of Kenmare River on our drive around the Ring of Kerry.

Stone pyramids in a random coastal town.

This fort was built in 400 AD and is still standing.

The beaches were actually quite nice. The water is relatively warm due to the gulf stream that brings warm currents all the way up from the Caribbean.

Vicki on her favorite beach

Cemetary on cliff overlooking beach. I'd not have a problem being buried here.

Vicki on Ring of Kerry road with farms in background.

Big cliffs, Ireland has lots of cliffs.

Ireland also has lots of beers. They are really good about matching the beer with the glass. Makes it hard to hide what you're drinking. We mostly only drank Irish beers, but we were surprised in the abundant availability of Budweiser and Coors. Found it a bit disappointing that they would allow such grog adjacent to great stouts like Guinness and Beamish.

We took many wrong turns and many "roads to nowhere". This one paid off with some cool lakes and nice views.

One of our favorite places in Ireland was here at The Gap of Dunloe. We almost didn't take the time to see it and that truly would have been a travesty.

Vicki really liked this valley. It was quiet and pretty.

Our B and B in Kenmare was awesome. The lady, Hanna, who ran the place was very welcoming and sweet. Her meals were outstanding and kept us going the whole day strong. Vic and her really hit it off and she is a great lady that we will always think of when we reflect upon our time in Kenmare.

View of Killarney National Park from a hike we took

It rains a lot so lots of stuff is green, like these trees.

Muckross House-the main estate in Killarney National Park

We spent some time in Kilkeney. They have a castle there. This is it.

They also have this tall thing, which we climbed.

In Dublin this prison housed all sorts of important Irish prisoners, but also petty theives. Many of them were fighting for a free and independent Ireland. The tour there was almost over informative. Mind blowing to hear such tales in their history. I cannot do it justice. If you are interested please research the Kilmainham Jail.

We had some good times soaking up Irish culture in many different pubs. This is one of them.

And this is one too.

We went to several drinking establishments. One of our favorites was The Long Hall.

Last Guinness in Ireland, things tend to get a bit blurry after that.