Back from completing her soccer referee course

Anna has completed the work needed to become a certified soccer referee. She did an online course that took probably eight hours or more and then had a four-hour in-person training this afternoon. She enjoyed it. There were a few other girls there and most people had never refereed before, so Anna had more experience on the field.

Jude had tryouts for high school soccer this week and it looks like he will be on JV again this year which he is not unhappy about. He didn’t play his best during tryouts, if he had done so he said he probably would have made varsity.

Anna has applied to a local modeling agency as she would like to try to get work there after doing the acting and modeling course during covid. We went to the park to do a photoshoot so she could submit some new photos.

Doing a photoshoot in the park

The five kids plus Olive wandering around River Run, Keystone

Our annual trip to Keystone with the Dahlens was a little different this year. On Monday morning, I took a covid test and was positive. Jude and I both had a head cold on our Canada trip, and it turns out it was covid. So, we laid low at home for the first part of the week.

I was the only one in our family to test positive (we each took a test every morning), so on Wednesday, Marcy and Anna drove to Keystone, and Jude and I drove up first thing Thursday morning. It worked out well for him as he could attend soccer practice Monday to Wednesday.

The traditional photo under the kitchen bench

Nathan and I played golf Thursday while the ladies and Jude went shopping (Jude and Ella didn’t last that long). We rode our bikes to the farmers market on Friday and out to our favorite Mexican restaurant that evening. Then Saturday, it was time for the Dahlens to return home.

At Chihuahua Lake on a gorgeous day for hiking

Saturday, we went for a hike on the Chihuahua Gulch trail, one of our favorites. Anna decided she didn’t want to go to the top, so Marcy went back with Anna, and they walked almost the entire way home. Jude and I made it to the lake (which happens to be the place I proposed to Marcy way back in 2003).

Marcy and Anna on their hike back from Chihuahua Gulch

After we got back from our hike, we had a couple of visitors. Two huge moose came right up by the side of our place, one was right on our property within 6-8 feet of our back door.

A friendly moose comes for a visit

Last night Jude and I played nine holes at the River Course, finishing just before dark. It was the first time Jude had swung a club since last summer, and he played well. He scored his first ever par from the white tees on hole number three.

Enjoying an evening round of golf

Today, Marcy and Anna drove to Breckenridge and then it was one last meal at Chimayo for Jude and I before heading home.

Wandering around the streets of Québec City

This past week we spent in Québec on our annual RV trip. We flew into Montreal very late Sunday night (actually it was early Monday morning), thankfully we had a booked our first night at the Airport Marriott. We picked up our RV around noon on Monday and we were off. Our first stop was Québec City where we wandered around the old town for a couple of hours. Then it was on to our first night in Saguenay Fjord where we would be spending the week.

At the Notre Dame du Saguenay Statue overlooking the fjord

Our first full day was spent hiking to the Notre Dame statue in Saguenay Fjord National Park. It was a bit longer than we expected and it rained quite a bit but it was a beautiful hike with spectacular views of the fjord.

Our one night of fine dining at Auberge La Fjordelaise

That night we booked a fine dining establishment in L’Anse St Jean called Auberge La Fjordelaise which was fantastic, our best meal of the trip. It was a B&B run by an elderly French couple who spoke no English but we communicated ok with Jude practicing his French, and Marcy for that matter.

Jumping off the pier at Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux

The next day we moved camp to the other side of the fjord, staying in a more rustic setting at an RV Park called Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux. As the name suggests, this was an adventure park as well as a campground and was everyone’s favorite place on the trip. They had a pier for jumping off, sea kayaking, a ropes course, volleyball and more.

Sea kayaking on the fjord

We spent more of our time on the beach. The water was cold (well under 70 degrees) but the kids didn’t seem to mind. Marcy joined in as well but I wasn’t feeling that great so I stayed out of the water. Although we all went seak kayaking one afternoon, which was a blast.

At the Beluga whale viewing area

The next day we had lunch in the cute town of St Rose Du Nord, and then we stopped at Baie Sainte Marguerite to see if we could spot some beluga whales. There was a 4-mile out and back hike to a viewing area, and sure enough we saw a flew spouts from blowholes in the distance that were undoubtedly whales.

Outside our RV, a converted ambulance

Our last day was spent mainly driving back to Montreal although we did manage a quick stop at Montmorency Falls near Québec City. Then it was to our hotel in Montreal for our last night. We just wandered around the city and grabbed some dinner.

On a hike to the top of Mount Royal (where Montreal gets its name)

Montreal is one of the few cities in the world that has a mountain, really a large hill (740 feet elevation), on the very outskirts of downtown. It took less than an hour, this morning, for us to walk from our hotel to its summit. That was our last adventure before heading home this afternoon.

I should also mention that Jude and I were in England the previous week. Jude was at his International soccer camp north of London and I was on a work trip to London. Jude loved his camp, particularly meeting kids from all over Europe. The counselors/coaches were great and he said he got a lot out of it. But we were both really tired with less than 24 hours at home between trips. The lack of sleep didn’t help fend off a cold that we both experienced during the first part of the Canada trip.

One reason we were happy to return to Denver was to see Olive and Pickles, who stayed home with our housesitter. Both animals seem happy to have us home.

Jude about to board his flight to London

Saturday night was always going to be interesting. We had Anna returning from her camp in Pennsylvania, Jude was flying to London, and so was I, but on a different plane. We were arriving or leaving within an hour of each other. Or so we thought.

We found out Jude’s flight was delayed first. Then Anna’s flight was delayed by an incoming storm. My flight was on time, so I said goodbye to Jude and Marcy. Luckily Jude’s and Anna’s flights were on the same course within 100 yards of each other. Jude finally made it onto the plane and then Anna was the last person off the plane on her flight as she was the unaccompanied minor. Then they were both able to watch Jude’s plane leave.

Happy to see each other after a week away

Not only was Jude late leaving Denver, but his plane also took the long way to London and ended up being almost three hours late. I went to Terminal 5 and called the camp a couple of times to make sure this was all going to be ok. They assured me it was. So, I left the airport ready to return if there was a problem. After a little mix-up once Jude got to the arrivals hall, everything worked out and he was on his way to camp at the Oundle School about two hours north of London. We can’t wait to find out how it goes.

Anna and her campmates right after throwing chalk at each other

On to Anna’s week in Pennsylvania. This is a camp she chose herself, back when she was still doing gymnastics. Even though she is more into cheer these days, she still said she loved the camp. And there is a huge crossover as all the floor gymnastics is very similar to cheer.

Anna practicing on beam

Anna said she loved her counselors and made some new friends among her campmates. But I could tell when I chatted with her this morning that she was pretty happy to be home. It was a big deal doing two flights by yourself, each way, and then being so far from home for a week.

Anna won the kindness award at her camp

Our crazy travel schedule continues with Jude and I returning on Saturday and then Sunday we leave for Montreal where we are spending next week in an RV.

In her seat on her first solo flight (Anna sent us this selfie)

Today was a big day for Anna. We left the house at 6am to head to the airport for Anna’s trip to Allentown, PA for her first gymnastics camp. Anna seemed pretty calm about the big day. She was flying to Atlanta first for a two-hour layover and then on to Allentown. I stayed at DIA until she took off, as I was instructed to do.

Leaving Denver for Atlanta

When you are 13 years old, you are officially an unaccompanied minor and so Delta representatives were with Anna the whole turn during her layover. They even gave her a free lunch coupon which she spent at Wendy’s. The trip all went smoothly except for a little hiccup at the end that was sorted out fairly quickly. Anyway, she is at camp now and we won’t hear from her again until Saturday.

Getting ready to go see Minions: The Rise of Gru

Of course, we began this week in Des Moines. The kids all went to see the new Minions movie and Jude dressed up like many teenage boys are doing, although he dropped the jacket given how hot it was outside. They also spent time bowling and more time in the pool.

The traditional photo by the pool with Olive taking part this year

On Wednesday we drove to Iowa for our annual summer trip. The kids have had a great time with their cousins and grandparents. They have had a lot of time by the pool, been bowling, watched movies, played games, went shopping and Jude even took a ride in the MG. And Grampsy let him drive, it was his first experience of a stick-shift and apparently he did ok.

Because we won’t be back for Christmas, the kids got their next birthday cake early

It has been really warm which has meant lots of time in the pool. I played golf with Nate On Saturday and Sunday but today, July 4, we all stayed home and just hung out. Games were played, we watched the movie Independence Day and we had a typical American dinner: burgers and hot dogs.

Opening their stash of goodies from the Easter Egg hunt

This afternoon the kids did a July 4 Easter Egg hunt. Baba had stuffed over 100 eggs with goodies and we hid them around the house. It was a nice break from the heat. This evening all the kids went to see the fireworks with Baba.

Waiting for the fireworks to start on July 4

On top of Searle Pass (12,034 feet) on the Colorado Trail Segment 8

Marcy and I left on our backpacking trip on Monday morning. We hiked 51 miles over four long days, completing Segments 8, 9 and 10 of the Colorado Trail. The first day was the toughest, gaining over 4,000 feet of vertical with full packs on. We didn’t find a campsite until after sunset so we were eating dinner in the dark that night.

Olive and I on the trail

Marcy did really well the whole trip. She is so strong and I slowed us down for the most part. Olive didn’t do that great, we have decided she is more of a day-hike dog. She loved being on the trail but whenever we stopped she was on high alert, never really relaxing. And she didn’t really eat, having only two meals (instead of a normal 8 meals) over the four days.

I am glad we did four days because by the fourth day I was starting to feel strong again. Except for one blister on my right big toe, my body held up really well. We are already planning next year’s trip, which will also likely be on the Colorado Trail.

Enjoying a celebratory beer after four days of hard work (Earned It IPA)

On Friday we picked up Jude from his camp. He didn’t really like it much this year, the people were not as fun and he thought the counselors were weak. The different sports were fun, though. They did rock climbing, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, kickball, tubing and more. He was ready to get home when I picked him up.

Anna’s cabin mates at Geneva Glen (Anna is middle front row)

Anna, on the other hand, loved her camp. At 13 years old, she is considered a “senior” camper and as such has a less structured camp and is able to pursue what is most interesting. She did a lot of archery, softball and ropes. Marcy picked her up on Saturday morning.

Jude on the driving range

I decided to get to the driving range this weekend as I haven’t swung a club all year. Jude joined me and actually hit the ball pretty well.

The Avalanche win the Stanley Cup!

Jude and I don’t watch much hockey during the regular season but come playoff time we take a keen interest in the Avalanche. Both of us missed games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup finals because he was at camp and I was backpacking but we watched the other four games and were ecstatic that the Avs won tonight. It was super fun watching the playoffs with Jude the last couple of months.

Jude goes off to camp

This week Anna was away at camp, and so it was just the three of us. Jude had soccer training three mornings this week and they made the kids work really hard. Lots of serious fitness was the order of the day.

On Tuesday, Marcy and I took the afternoon off work to go for a hike in the foothills. We did a six-mile hike on Green Mountain, a nice warmup for our big hike this coming week. Then suddenly it was Sunday and it was time to drop off Jude for his Avid camp. He is heading to Wyoming for five days.

After dropping off Jude Marcy and I got all our camping gear ready and then drove to our end-point at Mount Massive trailhead to drop off Marcy’s car. Then it was back to Keystone, where we are spending the night before heading out on our backpacking trip tomorrow. If all goes well, we will hike 51 miles from Copper Mountain. The weather looks good so we are excited to get on the trail.

Anna getting ready to head off to camp (after Cheer practice)

Anna had just over a week of summer break before her first camp. She loves Geneva Glen and has been looking forward to it for some time. She managed to get in a cheer class literally on her way to camp as she is bummed to miss any of her cheer trainings. Marcy took her to cheer and then to Panda Express and to get a boba tea, and then it was straight to camp where it was a full hour wait to check-in. And then it poured with rain so both Marcy and Anna got drenched along with many other campers. But Anna was still in good spirits as Marcy left.

On top of Mount Morrison with Mount Evans in the background

Jude and I decided to go for a hike this morning. We took Olive with us and did the closest really challenging hike to our place. Mt Morrison is just over 8,000 feet and you gain 2,000 feet in elevation in around two miles. It was a warm morning, so it was a hot and sweaty hike to the top. Olive took advantage of the shade every chance she got. We were back in the car in about two hours and forty minutes, a solid workout.

The other highlight of the weekend is all four of us went to a movie for the first time since before covid. We saw the new Top Gun movie, and it was surprisingly good.

Watching a Rockies game with my girl

Jude enjoyed his first week of summer break and Anna joined him on Thursday when Rick’s had their last day of the school year. Anna was one of two seventh-graders chosen to help with the eighth-grade graduation and Marcy organized the finances for putting on a great spread. Anna had become quite close with a couple of the girls in eighth grade and it was a bittersweet time for her. She is particularly going to miss Ella who was her best friend at school.

It ended up being quite a busy weekend. It started Friday night when Anna and I went to a Rockies game, our first since before the pandemic. We had a lovely evening although the baseball itself was not great.

Jude taking a left-footed shot on goal – it was a solid shot but the goalie saved it

This weekend Jude had a soccer tournament to close the season. His team played well and they beat the leading team in their last game. Jude played really well and almost scored a couple of times. It was great to see their improvement over the season as the boys passed well and played as a team this weekend.

On top of Green Mountain on a beautiful morning hike

This morning I decided to get in an early morning hike to test out my new hiking shoes. They are super comfortable. I missed Jude’s morning soccer game but did a beautiful hike on Green Mountain – six miles through lush green meadows.

Once I got back from my hike it was time to take Anna to cheer. She is on the Cool Cats elite team and it was their first practice. They also had a parent’s orientation so we found out what to expect for this year. It is going to be an intense year.