Bear Peak...for the 5th time!

With our new member family in town - I wanted to show Daniel Bear Peak since he was looking for a good hike. With the beautiful early November weather, it was perfect timing! This was my fifth time, but had only summited once...would there be a second in my future today????

Bear Peak

About 3/4 of the way up....took a break. Daniel with his dog, Odin - who kicks but at everything the little guy tries!

Me and the pups!

Climbing toward the summit - we get a nice view of the Indian Peaks.

A glider was soaring above us

We're almost there!

Looking down on the Wind Technology Center, just south of Boulder

YES! My second summit of Bear Peak - with the dogs in tow again!

What a view!

Daniel on top

I know I've posted pics of this tree before, but I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

Until next time Bear Peak.......until next time :)

Fall Fest!

Fall Fest! It's an annual tradition started back in Hawaii when we missed the fall season that we try to do every year now, no matter where we are. Luckily Vanessa was in Colorado for a brief moment so we could have it together!

We started it with a hike with the dogs, while the guys went mountain biking. Here's Charmian, Vanessa with Zander on her back, and Kelly.

As Charmian calls them....a squishy face shot!

Zander having fun with the dogs

Charmian taking Z by the hand....too cute! (By the way, she was about 37 weeks here, and she's having her baby today!!!! 11/18!)

Zander reading himself a book - Love that kid

Charmian and Kelly rehydrating after our walk :)

Vanessa helping Zander with his book

Zander had a call :)

The whole gang! Well almost.

Ben and Daniel teaching Z how to play with dolls, Ben showed him how to body slam it right after this picture :)

Charmian....DON'T GO!!!! Ben REALLY tried hard not to let her leave :)

Pumpkin carving contest!

The results!

A Fall Fest wouldn't be complete without a few car bombs :)

Ken and Cheryl's short visit

At the end of September, Ben's parents came out to visit for a day, then take Ben's motorcycle he was riding this summer back to Tucson for the winter - it would be their 40th wedding anniversary trip! Crazy! But so sweet. We went out to dinner with my sister and her family as Cheryl LOVES to see any kids especially ones shes related to :)

We went to Nordy's BBQ - soooooooo good!

Amber with Wyatt

Sisterly hug with the standard brother-in-law rabbit ears in the background :)

Party Straws....who knew!!!

Ben and I found these great party straws in the store the other day while heading to a Bronco game party. They are really effective to drink in the car - when you are a PASSENGER of course!

Fun for all!!!!!! Haa haaaa!

More IMET dispatches - right at home!

In September....my first day back to work from our August Montana trip, the wind was just HOWLIN! Gusts around 40 mph were common, but there were a few up to 60 mph. Around 10:15am, we got a call from the Boulder Fire Department requesting a spot forecast for a fire in Boulder canyon. Weird I thought. Then I went to the roof of my work building and saw this!!!!

It was the beginning of the Fourmile Canyon Fire, the costliest fire in Colorado history! It was really strange to see such a big fire right outside my window - I usually have to fly great distances to see this. Well, after 2 days, the Incident Management team requested an Incident Meteorologist - and I WAS IT! This was my first fire certified (had just gotten certified at the Eagle Trail fire in Tok, Alaska earlier in the summer) and was a bit intimidated by the national media this fire was getting. But, like always, I had a great team to work with. After around 7 days, we were winding the incident down as the firefighters were doing a great job putting the Fourmile Canyon Fire to rest.....when the Reservoir Road fire near Loveland started. The team took command of this fire too, so I was producing two shift forecasts for two fires! It was a bit hectic, but again, had a GREAT team to work with. All in all, I was there for 11 days, what a great experience - just weird having it in practically my backyard and not being able to sleep in my awesome tempurpedic bed each night.....it was camping with everyone else for me!
A beautiful sunrise coming up over the crews tents one morning

The unfortunate destruction, but looking forward to new forrest growth and NO flooding issues hopefully!

Each night, little fun toads would come by the doors of the Incident Command Post. It was usually around a break time, so I would go out and just stare at them, get my mind off of the fire for a few minutes.

I had a great Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) to work for, learned and laughed a ton. Thanks Tyler!!!