WINTER HIGHLIGHTS

 

I ~LOVE~ winter!!  And this one has been an amazing one!!  Lots of backcountry skiing with the McQuade's and others.....It was great to get out there and explore, learn more about the CO snowpack, and ski amazing powder!! (For more photos and trip details check out Chuck's amazing blog http://www.legaladdictions-photography.com/)

 

 We had awesome trips with Eric & Alison, Nadine & Michael...and lots of days skiing with friends -- Sarah, Jen, Paula, Leezl -- Just to name a few!!!!  And can't wait to ski with these amazing people next year!!!

 

The Dunne's came out for a visit, and we had a great time skiing with them!  It was super cool to see the kiddo's ski there first black diamond!  And to celebrate Luke's birthday!!!

I couldn't have asked for a better winter and can't wait till next year!!!!!  Thank you all for making it super special!!! 

Think Powder!!

 



always be swooping!!

MARBLE, CO

AMAZING Backcountry Skiing

 

 

Yahoooooo!!!  I'm not sure I need to say much than that!!  A group of us made our way out to Marble, CO (and yes there is marble in Marble!) for some backcountry skiing.  Marble is basically located on the backside of Aspen & Crested Butte.....Above cool pic of folks getting ready for the day!! 

 

 

We spent three days touring around the valley.  The larger peak in the back is Raspberry....we didn't make it back that far....but I'm guessing we will come back for it at some point!

 

 

 The group not looking boring!

 

 

 All I got to say is it sure is beautiful out there!  Thanks guys for an AMAZING trips!!!

 

 

always be swooping!

MT. BIERSTADT

Guanella Pass - Georgetown

Round-trip Distance:  6 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,391

Highest Elevation: 14,060

 

 

Angela's first 14'er!!!  And it couldn't have been a nicer day!

 

 

Blue skies, cool temps, and no wind!  Doesn't get much better than that!!

 

 

Top-out shot!!  Beautiful up there!!! 

 

 

I'm still trying to figure out the Sawtooth Ridge that I've heard so much about.....!??! 

 

 

And I'm still loving the aspen this year!!!!

Angela, thanks for making your way out to Colorado!  Soooo good to see you!! 

Hope your next visit includes your man, and brussel sprouts!! 

XOXO

 

 

always be swooping!!

 

CHICAGO LAKES

Mt. Evans Wilderness

Round-trip Distance:  9.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,224

Highest Elevation: 11,733

 

This was one of those where all I could say was, "I can't believe I live in Colorado!"

On my way out I ran into a couple of guys with Boulder pads, who suggested there was tons of boulders out there! 

I ran across this one that looked like fun!

 

This was my end point, the upper lake. Great views of Mt. Spalding and Mt. Evans. 

Beautiful fall colors and just an amazing place to spend an afternoon!

This is a shot of the lower lake and looking back into the valley I just came up. 

The trail is well marked and lots of info on-line so I'll keep it short. 

But I will say this one is totally worth doing!!



always be swooping

CHIEF MOUNTAIN

Squaw Pass Road

Round Trip Distance: 2.9 miles

Summit Elevation: 11,709 ft

 

I've posted this hike before, but I can't get enough of the aspen this year, and wanted to share!

 

And the views from the top were just amazing!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying fall!!!

always be swooping



WITCH & BITCH

Autumn Fire Workshop

Silver Plume, CO

 

 

This was an AWESOME day!!!!

And I can't wait for the next one!!!

 

We learned to make fire cider, smudge sticks. 

We learned about smoke meats and crystals! 

We had an amazing lunch with amazing people! 

 

A day totally worthy of a jump shot!!! 

Leezl and Katana showing off their cheerleading moves!!!

Thank you Dram Apothecary for hosting! 

And thank you Leezl for having a birthday so we could all get together to celebrate!! 

I still owe you a cake!!!

 

 

always be swooping

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Andrew Long

Friends:  Ambi & Brendan from DC

 

 

The weekend started out with a Smith Island Cake from Andrew's mom!! 

Thank you for sending!!!!  It was DELCIOUS!!!!

 

Then Ambi and Brendan arrived from DC! 

We had a great time in Boulder watching the street performers and a great meal at Oak!

 

Of course there were some jump shots involved!  I'm still impressed how high Ambi can jump!!  We had a great hike up Chief Mountain, till the sky turned black and it looked like it was going to pour!! 

 

Perhaps, the highlight of the weekend was the Oddball Comedy Festival at Red Rocks which had an AMAZING line up -- Aziz, Whitney Cummings, Marc Maron, Louis C.K. etc!. 

Lots of laughs that's for sure!!! 

 

Ambi & Brendan, thank you for making the trip out west for Andrew's birthday!  It was so great to see you!!!  And Andrew, happy birthday to one of the most amazing people I know! 

May all of your birthday wishes come true!!

 

 

always be swooping!

MAXWELL FALLS

Evergreen, CO

Roundtrip Distance: ~1 mile

Ladies day out!!!  And I couldn't have asked for a better pair of ladies to get out with!  It was a beautiful day out at Maxwell Falls...and it is starting to look like fall!!  Mia & Luca, love you guys and thank you for being such a big part of my life!!!

XOXO

always be swooping!

CLEAR CREEK PACK RAFTING - WITH MOM!

Time ~30 min

Lots of fun, laughing, wooting and hollering!

Mom came for a quick visit before she took off to Wyoming and we made the most of it!  I have been talking about pack rafting for years, and how I thought she would love it!!!  So when given the choice between a hike or pack rafting, without hesitation, her choice was pack rafting!!

The river was a bit lower than the last time, but it still was tons of fun!!!  Mom paddled like a pro, and gave me pointers along the way!!  Lots of laughs and good times!!!

 

always be swooping

CRESTED BUTTE

Central Colorado

one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

 

The last time I was in Crested Butte was probably close to 20 years ago.  It was the trip that I made the decision to move to Alaska........Which pretty much changed my life for ever.......thanks mom for being there!! 

The town has grown, but it was just as beautiful as I remembered it!!

This trip I had the privilege to spend the weekend with the McQuade's.  A huge thank you for letting me, yet again, tag along, including grandmom McQuade!  Thanks for introducing me to new restaurants, hikes, and cocktails!  Can't wait to do it again!!!!! And maybe next time I'll even rent a bike!

 

always be swooping