The River Will Miss You!!

Well my trip to Riggins was a great one, a little emotional but I feel so much better after having been there and spending time with such an amazing family!! I hadn't really spoken to or seen the family since Tom's Accident and I wasn't quite sure I was going to be able to handle it. The river's were running a little to high to do much rafting but that will come later in the summer when I head back in August. I still got a great hike in with Larry and the dogs, and a nice long bike ride and a few very nice dinners with Martha, Larry and Sherry. Sherry was nice enough to let me stay with her, provide a bed and a couple of showers, all of the above I was much in need of.

Above is one of my favorite pictures of Tom from last years rafting trip, showing off his artwork on my PFD. The river's will miss one of the most knowledgeable guys I ever knew!!

Bison crossing in front of my car leaving Riggins,ID heading to Bend, OR

Entering into Bend and seeing the Cascade Mountain Range pop into view in front of me, I knew I had done enough driving for one day. I am that much closer to the coast...

Kelly Yurt Park Outside of Jackson Wyoming!!

Just over a year ago my brother and a couple of his close friends from CC bought the best home ever...It is located in the very small community of Kelly, WY. This has been the place where I have rested my head for the past few days, and not to mention it is home to one of my favorite mountain ranges, The Tetons. Out the front door of the Yurt is one of the best views of the unbelievable Tetons...

After enjoying bluegrass while consuming to many beverages and not getting enough exercise in Telluride, this area is home to some great biking and hiking trails and I have been taking full advantage of it. Aiden and Louise two of Erik's friends from college live here so I have been partaking in the local outings with them...sure is nice to have some familiar faces in so many different parts of the country.


Parting ways from the yurt and the Teton's will probably happen in the next day or two, then it is off to Idaho and the small rafting community of Riggin's to see the Stolberg family (aka extended Peabody Family) to raft and get some fly fishing in!!

Telluride Bluegrass Festival!!

Let me just start by saying Holy Festivus!!! Arrived in Telluride wednesday to meet up with Erik, Lucy, Tim and Meghan and set up camp at Lawson Hill Campground, a baseball field we would call home for the next 5 days. Since the festival didn't start until thursday we went to a great Nightgrass show at the Sheridan Ballroom on wednesday...Dirks Bentley was unbeilivably awesome, and we all may have had a little to much to drink the first night in town but it was great to be with family in friends!!

Day two in Telluride and day one of the festival was spent relaxing in the festival, taking a hike in the mountains and swimming in the river where the water was so cold you could only last about 30 seconds!!

Day 3 and 4 I lost all concept of the date and time and started to develop a dreadlock in my hair from to much dancing and drinking and not being able to stay in the river long enough to get clean, but I sure do love shutting off communication to the outside world and being outdoors camping and enjoying the natural beauty of the great state of Coloroado!




Sister Kate and Brother-In-Law John came over to join us for the final day in Telluride...it doesn't happen very often that the three of us siblings get a chance to all be together, a great way to end my time in Telluride!!
~The first of many, Telluride Bluegrass Festivals, under my belt, now off to Kelly and Jackson Hole Wyoming to stay in the Yurt!!

Colorado's Forgotten Photos!!

~Time sure does fly...the kiddos are getting so big and fun to take on adventures!!

~Miles, Eva, Mary and I Summit Lake, Mt. Evans National Park, CO

~Mary and I, Summit Lake, Mt. Evans National Park, CO

Colorado Sun!!!

So upon further investigation Golden needs a new upscale good restaurant....has me thinking, alot!!! After spending a great couple of days with my sister watching her soccer team play and The World Cup games I needed me some exercise...

My long lost second family always provides great food and even better entertainment, and they even let me in on a secret little place called Summit Lake in Mt. Evans National Park...You can't come to the great state of Colorado and not represent the Detroit Red Wings, I love being in public places and talking shit about the Avalance!!!

Headed to Telluride for great Bluegrass, with family and friends!!!

The West is the Best!!

After leaving Atlanta I could hear the West calling...Dallas was the first stop, it was short but so much fun, it was great to actually breath Texas air considering I have been to the airport numerous times but never outside. Mikey has really made a life for himself down here and I couldn't be happier for him, great girlfriend, great dog and a pretty amazing place in Las Colinas, Texas. A great Tex-Mex dinner downtown followed by some beers at the bar across the street from his place consumed my 12 hour stop in Dallas...
Next stop Santa Fe...The art work, jewelry and architecture are one for the books and I definitely could have spent days wandering around and not see it all. I got a great bike ride in and an even better dinner at a great little spot called Tomasita's. I payed a visit to an old friend who two years ago I had heard had died, so we had a lot to catch up on and reminisce about since parting ways after Culinary School!!
Home sweet home it is...When I reached the New Mexico/Colorado border it felt like all had come full circle and I had finally realized why I started this adventure...The next 6 weeks or so are going to be action packed with whatever comes my way. Upon arrival to Golden I found my Tattoo shop and finally payed tribute to the Women who helped make me the women I am today, and the best nurse I ever knew...RIP Wilma Kathryn Peabody

Southern Travels!!

My travel partner was running on no sleep after working a 12 hour shift so that left me to driving the first leg of the trip to the south...Nashville here we come! People in Nashville walk around with guitar cases instead of briefcases, and the glow of lights from Broadway remind me a little of the Vegas strip...live music pouring out of every bar, and the question of the night "do you listen to country...well then why the hell are you in Nashville?"

Loveless Cafe, look it up and put it on your must visit list...The best biscuits I have ever had and some pretty damn good jam I must say!!
Nashville to Atlanta to have some quality family time with my dad's side of the family that I don't get to see enough, and was nice enough to put Sarah and I up for a night and showed us a good time at the local watering hole...Pub 71, where my new cowboy boots got put to great use, and my knees are still hurting from my dance moves. The weekend continued with family festivities, baby showers and cookouts, before I parted ways and got to traveling by myself!!
Hotlanta to Dallas, Dallas to Santa Fe....

Leaving the Windy City!!

Although my visit in Chicago was short, it sure was interesting/fun and a little crazy all in one!!
Feeling a little under the weather Rodney and I walked The Lakeshore Trail and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and enjoyed dinner at a really cool little place that I would suggest checking out called the Reagle Beagle near the Magnificent Mile, super cool atmosphere and pretty great beer!!
Day two was spent planning the next leg of the trip south with Sarah and getting my biking legs ready by riding the streets of Chicago ALL DAY LONG!! May I say that my ass hurts a lot and I may need to invest in a new bike seat, maybe one with a little more gel!! The late night meeting with one of my oldest friends, for some German beer and much needed conversation, ended with a photo that will make you giggle and great memory to send me off to the South!!