Pulled the camper out there which was a first for me.  Having to concentrate on driving for that long is something you never get used to.

The trip started in Fort Collins at the Bud Brewery.  Saw the clydesdales and had a few free beers.  Then off to Loveland.  We stayed for 2 days at Boyd Lake State Park.  IT is a nice lake with what seems to be good fishing, but I never got the chance to put a pole in the water, next time for sure.  We hiked around the area and spent some time at Rebecca’s house with Amanda’s new baby.

On Tuesday, we headed up to Estes Park and camped at Elk Meadows, which is right at the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.  Took the girls on a wildlife hunt and hiked around a few areas – We went to Sprague Lake after the rain and took some good pictures

On Wednesday – we rode to the top

On Thursday – we ventured on a 2 mile hike to Alberta Falls and around Bear Lake.  It was a tough hike for April and Avery, but they pulled it off with flying colors.  By the way, Alberta Falls is a great hike to it, but uphill all the way back……

Headed back down on Friday and stayed at a Marriott so Robin could have a nice comfy bed before the trip home on Saturday.

Had a major tire blowout on the interstate on the way home.  The camper got a little squirrelly but I managed to hold it together and pulled off.  Changed the tire on the left side of the interstate, which was interesting considering trucks flying by at 80 mph + and rocking the camper towards me and the ditch I was working in…..not fun.

Next time, we either tent it or lodge it, but we will be going back.  I actually got the girls to agree that it was a better place than Disney World….broke their Mom’s heart.

Lots more pictures here

Been working on the kitchen all weekend and finally wrapped it up. 4 hrs Fri, 10 hrs Sat, 3 hrs Sun – it is over.

The basis for the project was to install flooring after we took a wall out 2 years ago. Avery was confused that day the wall came out. She just wanting to know why we were “breaking her house”.

When I finally emptied the room and took the carpet out, there was a large step in the floor between the kitchen and the old dining room. Once I realized this would not do, I had to add a subfloor to the dining room and make them even, not fun.

After that, the floor starting to go in. We mounted new cabinets that Robin worked hard on finishing and staining. We order a new counter top, not installed yet for the computer desk, we bought a new dining set with a darker color to be delivered on the 10th.

Here are some shots of the finished product.

Those transitions to carpet had me worried, but then I realized I am an expert carpenter with skills that never end. There is nothing that some touch up silicone can’t fix.

Also – we bought a new van in June and a pop-up camper last summer. Here are some pictures from camping this summer so far

I posted some pictures from all my trips to Europe (Pictures – Bama Family – Europe Trips album to the left). The majority of them are from Germany, but there are a few from Ireland. Places visited include the following:

Black Forest – Stayed in Hotel Engel in Todtnauburg. The Black Forest is a cool place. Lots of ski lifts and the forest is everywhere. Takes you back to Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood for sure.

Freiburg

Treiburg

Frankfurt Area

Rhein River valley

Traveled from Mainz to Cologne (Koln) . The castles and vineyards along the river are amazing. Made an attempt to try wine at each stop, didn’t work out, we started buzzing and realized it was not a good idea.- Toured the St. Peter & Mary Gothic Cathedral in Cologne. It took 600 years to build it 1200-1800. They continue to rebuild it everyday and use the same methods as they did 200 years to keep the look. Impressive place. Climbed to the top on spiral stairs all 960 of them.

East Coast of Ireland – South of Dublin

Downtown Dublin- Went to Temple Bar and many other establishments that night. During the next day after recovering from an American trying to be Irish, we walked the city and saw great places like St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Looks like my trips have slowed down at work, but I enjoyed the visits and would love to go back and see more one day.

Robin went to Vegas for Marie’s wedding and of course since I was stuck here, I had to call her to put something down on the games.

3 team parlay – $30 bet – wins $210 on the first round games
Tenn -5

Texas -7 1/2

USC -2

Needless to say, it was the only winnings she came home with.  Got agressive the next 2 days and gave $60 of it back.

I think the wedding was a hit.  Some pictures are posted on the Family pictures link.  Here are a couple of good ones.

Next up – Louis wedding in the Big Easy….