Happy 4th Of July From Summit Co 30Jun23-03Jul23

We headed again to Summit Co for the 4th. I came a bit earlier to complete build-out of the Nest Theater center channel and Kala came up Friday after a visit with MLC in Denver. In a long anticipated reunion I was able to go out with Bro Brown for some pops and a concert in Keystone on Friday, while Kala was stuck in holiday traffic. We hit ORB for our July cans pickup and Steep for a walking beer while catching the Rocky Mtn Dead Revue on the River Run stage; their rendition of Shakedown Street was very good. Steve, while 6'5", met his cousin whose 11'6" in the crowd. The Salida Circus was there too doing juggling, silks, and rings acrobatics... pretty fun.

Kala and I enjoyed a Nest spa soak and her killer spicy peanut noodles and chix for dinner that night. The next day we headed out Mesa Cortina from the lower lot, into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, then between Red Pk and Buffalo Mtn following South Willow Creek, to South Willow Falls at 10Kft elevation. It was a good 9+ miler with 1500ft of vert. We did encounter mosquitos though ~ our decent snowpack and very wet June have definitely increased the bugs above recent memories. We found plenty of wildflowers and quite a few hikers but not too bad given the holidday.

Once almost down we got a nice invite from the Browns for cocktails on the deck and then even a tasty salmon dinner (no pics). It was a gorgeous day and evening with no rain, a smidge cooler temps, and party opportunities with our buddies Steve & Donna. Monday came and it was our turn to host... I had even laid a precursor of what I thought might be a fun event for James Lupo, S&D's grandson, who was with them doing activities in Colorado ~ slot car racing. As a kid I'd designed and built slot cars for big 8 lane competitive tracks and as a dad to Matt I exposed him to the notions as well. In fact we built many tracks of our own design in PHX and COS when MLC was young. I chose a smaller track of his design and built it out in the lower level of the Nest "for James." Kala knows it was and still is my "toy." The Ninco-based track is one of the best portables out there and I have plenty of cars from which to choose. I added a real power supply and more accurate controllers of course.

We had a blast and despite the stellar outdoors and grandparents in Colorado, James' highlight was "racing on Coffin's track." It was a hoot and while racing James was doing an excited dance the entire time. James appears below with full approval of the Lupos... who may now need to score a slot track. Nonna was a respectful and happy rival on track.

Once James was "tired" of slots, or met an unrelenting rival, we retired to listen to some music on the newly updated Nest Theater. I introduced him and the Browns to Watchhouse, The Lone Bellow and more ~ these are some sad songwriters but rare was the careful listener and the music and sound was awesome, and James-approved.

In an early crash for James, we said goodbye to him and the Browns ~ vowing for more this summer. In a surprise late arrival, we were joined by BK, a friend I'd not seen for a year or more (no pics). We had a great reunion discussing many issues, and Bruce got to audit the new NestT sound as well with some music listening. He brought ORB brews! Great to see you old friend.