A Week in the Rockies

We started off our 2010 trip to the Rockies with a journey to Leadville, CO and a historic train ride through one of Colorado's famous mining towns. The trip was really for Liam and his affinity for trains, just like all 2 1/2 yr old boys that have been exposed to the children's blue drug called....Thomas. But, the true source of joy came from Brooke, pictured below in her pink jail ensemble, who clung to the railing on the train car and watched with baby bouncing anticipation as every pine tree riddled with disease by pine beetles wooshed by her little doe eyes.

Liam tries Thomas on the tracks since his parents have held out on providing him with a Thomas train set.

Up to McCulloch Gulch to view a cascading waterfall, we hiked with the kiddos strapped to our backs through a mild shower sprinkled on us by the ever changing cloud formations of white and gray clouds. We saw ponds, single log bridges, burnt out forests, an alpine lake, and the ever looming presence of a large animal that we could smell and hear behind us, but could not see!

If you would like to try it yourself...

http://www.summitcountyexplorer.com/HIKES/McCullough%20Gulch%20-%20Hiking%20Trail.htm

Looking at Brooke makes me want to drink some Swiss Miss Cocoa

Pictured behind me is one of Colorado's 14er's - Quandary Peak. I summited it 2 months before in June with snow still on it's pointed top...picture below.

End of the hike 3 miles later with Brooke asleep and Liam falling asleep minutes after this picture was taken.

Further north we entered Grand Lake on Colorado's west side and stayed at a cabin nestled in the trees complete with a trail leading to its very own fire ring and logs carved to sit on.

We met a friendly sasquatch and he took this picture of us at our remote cabin. I think the pungent smell of "used" diapers took away all of his natural human devouring instincts.

At the suggestion of Liam, we took off hiking one afternoon in Coyote Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park's more unvisted west side. We found beautiful meadows that literally looked golden in color and usually are the best places to spot the elusive moose of RMNP.

Guess what I got for last Christmas...yup, my two front teeth!

A final back breaking 7 mile hike at the end of our trip (Liam weighs over 30 lbs, more than my backpack when I go backpacking) we enjoyed the solitude of one of the most beatiful trails in RMNP we have ever been on in our years of visiting the park...Cascade Falls trail. Again, in the early morning hours, moose had been spotted each day in the golden meadows, however, it was not our day and instead we viewed some rather large horses on some private property that backed up to the beginning of the trail.

The "lake" of Grand Lake. Brooke is making a fashion statement with her bib.

Our last evening at our cabin we roasted ballpark franks, toasted some marshmallows and built the ever coveted s'more. But, before a fire could be made, I had to pose....er, umm chop a few trees down with the axe provided to build my bonfire...er, umm I mean split logs for a campfire. You get the picture...well, yes you do actually!

Beautiful Answer

My wife has been so thankful to sing at her friend's weddings through the years. For an upcoming wedding of her friend Mollie (pictured below with her fiance Matt) she was inspired to write a personal song for them that we are going to perform at their wedding.....and just thought we would share it with y'all.

Matt & Mollie

We recorded this in our in-home studio with our friend Kristen LaBoon singing background vocals, Jill playing a bit of guitar, and yours truly playing guitar and mixing the loops!

Recycle PSA - Environdent

Thought of the day

Just a reminder to always keep in mind how you can set yourself apart in your business. With the metroplex becoming more and more desireable for businesses and dentisits to move to, it is only healthy to watch a video like this and think "how did his yellow sport coat NOT come off?" Actually, it reminds me of a quote by the Cowboys Roger Staubach, "There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." Go the extra mile. Enjoy...keep an eye on the drummer starting at about 1 min.

A suggestion for a fun family weekend

This 1st pic of Brooke is at Granbury's new City Beach complete with white sandy beaches, Tiki huts, and children water features. Check it out at: http://www.granburytx.com/Entertainment.aspx

Then eat at "Grumps" off of 377 for some great burgers that have won numerous awards! I suggest the queso burger, here is their website with a full menu:

http://www.grumpstexas.com/

It is rare to get a family photo all together. Brooke is 8 months and Liam is just over 2 yrs old.

Kerr Off-Road Racing Team

7:00 A.M. Singletrack at Northshore in Grapevine = Mud, sweat, and the nasty taste of Camelback's flavored water.

Kerr Off-Road Racing Team

Eric Swarvar (left) - Dr. Joshua Smith - Scott Boldt (right)

At trails end. Swallowed swarms of gnats and a few cobwebs, built across the trail, in the early morning hours, were then built across our faces. We came across another dentist riding the trail and he thought our Kerr jerseys were so kickin that he swapped out for 25 bucks Dr Smith's jersey for his.

Hey Dentsply! Come challenge us... or where is our Dentsply jersey to throw some back tire mud on!

(Here's some intimidation)

Urban Epic - The Trinity Snow Kayak Run

One way to spend a snow day, that only comes around once a generation in the metroplex, is to seat yourself in a kayak and dump yourself in the Trinity river in Ft. Worth. With last Fridays 8-12 inches of snow, there was not a better time to take advantage of a swollen, swift moving river...it was, as John put it, "Urban Epic." Well, I literally dumped myself into the river about 30 minutes into navigating down it and discovered the added weight of water inside your waders. I have been on other adventures with the two other gentlemen pictured, Tres and John, and found myself in good hands when it came time to rescue my sorry frozen self from the river when my kayak got a mind of its own and scooted me out of my safe place. (yup, blame it on the kayak.)

John and I anticipating our frozen paddling fingers

Wet Clothes. Snow. River. Snow melt. Yup, constant shivering.

(we are standing on the Ridglea Country Club golf course)

Since the Trinity and I already knew each other in the most intimate way, I am looking for an easy place to launch back in and resume paddling.

This footage is of my friend and fellow adventurer, Tres. He is not only a mountain man, but a pack mule, a good man to have with you when you are in a wilderness jam, and definitely a boy at heart!