Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Bicycling Day

Today we decided to rent bikes and ride (or glide) from Vail Pass to Frisco.  This is a 14 mile trek down the mountain.  I was little a bit worried about finding the proper bicycle but the staff at Rebel Sports in downtown Frisco found me the perfect bike.  It was short enough that my toes could touch the ground without leaning to one side.  They explained how to use the brakes and I was ready.  I could tell I would do a better job than when James and I rode bikes in Key West.  Rebel loaded our bikes into a trailer and then delivered us to the pass.  Thank goodness we didn't have to ride up to the pass.  I would still be on my way.

On our way down to Frisco

Checking the water temperature.

Zeke and Mary ready to roll.

We decided to make a stop at Copper Mountain to enjoy a few of the activities that we had missed earlier in the week.  After trying out go-carts, bumper boats, zip line, and more bungee jumping, we headed on into Frisco.  I did discover on the 2nd half of the bike ride, that my gel seat didn't seem as comfortable as the 1st half.  The top half was all brakes and gliding.  The bottom half I had to peddle some.

The crew at Copper Ski Resort.

Seth and Zeke & Jim and Eloise go-carting.

 Mo and Ash go-carting

Seth and Zeke versus Maureen and Mary in bumper boats.

Ash and Jim on the zip line.

Mo and Seth on the zip line.

We had another great day.  I cannot believe how nice the weather has been.  We did have some rain in the late afternoon but that certainly did not hamper the day.  We ended with a great meal which was prepared by the Cole Jr. and Davids.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Georgetown Loop Railroad

Today the crew decided to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.  We have all ridden this train before but this year we decided to tour the Evertt Silver Mine and pan for gold.  You tour the mine about halfway through the train trip.  It was great.  Although this was a silver mine, they did provide a place to pan for gold.  Yes, we all found some.  We felt rich.  My sister and husband chose to tour the Lebanon Extension Mine.  There's was a little advanced the for the little ones.  In fact, Mary was too young to go to any mine.  She and her mother just rode the train.

The Evertt Mine has only been open for a couple of weeks.  We only went in 200 feet so not a long trip down the mine but we all had a feel of what it would be like to be a miner.  We entered via an elevator which we rode down into the mine.  We were inside about 30 minutes.  We had a great tour guide and I believe we all learned much.  To our surprise, we were treated to a hot dog meal before we entered the mine.  After we toured the mine, we panned for gold.

The next 4 snapshots are on the train.

Hot dog meal before entering the mine.

Entrance to the mine

We had to wear hardhats.

Ice cream treat in Georgetown after the train ride.

Last meal of the day at our rental home in Frisco.

I do apologize for so many photos today but I just couldn't help myself.  We all thought it was a great day.  I think everybody had fun.  Children and grandchildren are currently off playing at a terrific playground.  We are going to make a smores treat upon their return.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Copper Mountain

We have been to this area so many times we almost have an itinerary that we do everytime.  That's not to say we don't do new things as well.  Yesterday we went over to Copper mountain to ride the lift to the top of the mountain.  When we arrived, the lift was not running.  Hmmmm.  I guess it was needing a part.   Also, it was extremely muddy and snowy at the top of the mountain.  Oh well.  We did find a few things to do at the bottom of the lift.  Seth and Zeke played around of miniature golf. The David girls did a bungee jumping ride.  Not sure if that is what you call it but they sure enjoyed it.  Eloise was a bit nervous and Ash is just excited.

Eloise

Ash

Husband and son relaxing.

After these activities we headed back to Frisco.  Hooked up with my sister and husband.  They had picniced on their way to Frisco but went with us to Backcountry Brewery.  This is where son and daughter devoured the biggest bison burgers I have ever seen.

These can't be my children.

Wandered around town for a bit before heading back to the house.  The walk from our house to town exhausted the entire family.  The kids played for awhile.  Hannah and Jim headed out on bicycles. There were quite a few who enjoyed the hot tub.  Penny brought a delicious meal for all of us.  It was nice to not have to worry about what we were eating.  That's two nights in a row I haven't had to worry about food.  I am guessing I will be more involved with decisions this evening.  

Seth must work even when on vacation.

Ages 2, 6, 6, and 9.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Credit card learning day

We have all safely arrive in Frisco.  The Davids were the first to arrive around 2.  We were last at close to 5.  That worked great for us.  The fellows hit the liquor store and the gals took care of the groceries.  Anyway, the grocery store was the last of the credit card issues.  These started on Wednesday.

Son went to fill up his vehicle and the card wouldn't work.  Come to find out, I gave him and his sister the cards that they used the last year we when we were in Oklahoma.  That number had been compromised and those cards have been replaced.  When the new ones arrived, I threw away instead of the old ones. My bad.  Anyway, immediately called and company very kindly sent new ones for the children.  Because it was after 2 pm would would not get the cards until after they left. Loaned them our cards.  We would just use those on our trip out. They did arrive on time and all was good.

That is until daughter and family tried to fill up at 2 different stations in Goodland.  The card was declined. After calling, we learned that the credit card company wasn't the one declining but probably the gasoline companies.  I guess if you fill up too many times at he same company, they have a network to stop your card.  Just keep learning.  I had told our company that we would be filling up numerous times on several different days.

The last credit card issue was when the girls were purchasing our groceries.  Naturally, the fellas had both the credit cards.  Daughter was going to just use her card to pay.  Well, there was a stop on it as they hadn't told the credit card company they were on vacation.  Thank goodness we were just entering Frisco.  We stopped by the Safeway and gave them a card before coming on to the house.

We then headed on to our vacation rental.  WOW!  I must admit that once again I found a good place for us.  I do try to find a home with lots of bedrooms and bathrooms.  We just seem to get along better than way.  I found this one on Trip Advisor.  We've only been here one night but I would certainly recommend.  Here's the link.

Frisco vacation rental

Here are a few photos from the first day.

Relaxing at the front door.

Working on supper in the upstairs kitchen.

Kids enjoying our first meal.  Kids prepared a great meal of grilled hamburgers and roasted homegrown potatoes from son's garden.  Yummy!

Frisco, Colorado, 2015--Here we come

Soon we will be heading to Frisco for our bi-annual Cole family vacation.  We are all very excited. The children and their families are so excited they are leaving a day early.  Probably not a bad idea as the night in Denver will allow them to adjust to the altitude.  We will be driving the distance all in one day.  We are going to miss our oldest grandson Dominic who is off doing an internship with BRB Contractors in Oklahoma.  I imagine he would love to be cooling off with us in Frisco as it is usually hot and humid in Oklahoma.  I think the humidity may be worse than the heat.

Dominic in school in Pittsburg

Here our the kids in 2013.  Watch for posts to see how much we have changed in 2 years.

Phoenix - FInal Thoughts

I am very slow about getting this written.  Upon returning home, life was just a whirlwind and I didn't get caught up until last Friday.  I almost jumped for joy.

There were good and bad things about Phoenix.  One of the bad was being gone from my husband way too long. We are so silly about that but that's the way we are.  I am certain this is not a bad thing. If I ever do another girlfriend trip, I think probably the maximum time to be gone would be 5 nights. That would be perfect.  The other bad thing is that I believe that this will be the last time the four bridge groupies (my children's term) will get together.  At the same time, it has been a great 38 years of playing bridge but more importantly having them as my friends.  I hope to see all of them in the future and would love to have them drop by or meet for coffee or ice cream on their travels between their homes and Kansas City.

Phoenix is a big, big city.  I guess I didn't realize the size of the city.  There was travel time getting from one location to another.  I just hadn't given that thought in advance.  Would I give up any of those trips. No.  I saw some very wonderful things.  I loved Sedona and want to go back with my husband.  In its way it reminded me of Breckenridge, Colorado.  Also, Sedona is just a couple of hours from the Grand Canyon.  One of those places I would love to check off my bucket list.  Guess I need to start planning a trip to that location.

I also enjoyed seeing all the flowering cacti and trees. Who knew the desert was going to be so bright. The cacti on the mountainsides were huge.  Just beyond my imagination even though I had seen them in photos.  Just not the same as when you see them with your own eyes.  Another highlight was the MIM, Musical Instrument Museum.  I didn't even know that such a place existed.  It was so well done.  Not only did I enjoy the instruments, the videos to accompany the exhibits were outstanding.

We ate at some great places.  I have two favorite meals.  Rene's Bistro in Sedona and the meal that was made by our friend in her home.  I did not know she was such a good cook.  Those chicken thighs were wonderful.

This trip had lots of good memories.  I am glad that I have them.

Phoenix - Bridge and Shopping

Today we headed out around 9:45 to go to our Kansas friend's house.  She had invited us to come over to her place to play bridge and she would fix our lunch.  Her kitchen is open to the family room so it was a very nice set up.  She cooked and we played cards.  I think that meal was the best one I had while in the Phoenix area.  Then she finished it off with a delicious dessert.  I was stuffed.  So stuffed that I didn't eat anything else the rest of the day.

After lunch we played a little more bridge then head to the Tangiers Outlet in the Phoenix area.  It was arranged that there was lots of shade which made it pleasant going from store to store.  I must admit, it was a successful shopping trip.  Then it was back to the house where we began to get ready to leave in the morning.

I will be posting my final thoughts in a few days upon my return home.