Springtime In The Rockies ~ Good Golfing, Hiking, Fishing, & Skiing Mar25

Golf... One hopes it'll always be like this. The fam got together at City Park GC in Denver to enjoy lunch and a round with Kala & Matt; Letha even came for outing and drove the cart.

Hike... Sure we have snowy and colder days but between those... yeah. Kala & I are prepping for our trip to Big Bend and have been hiking around some together. We're both coming off of illnesses so we're working up to the longer, steeper hikes. Around Blodgett Pk and the open space there, right behind our house, is always fun.

Fish... March sees the beginning of the cutthroat & rainbow simultaneous spawn... that's why we get big cutbows. The tailwaters of the South Platte, Arkansas and Blue Rivers near us are strong fisheries where that dynamic plays out annually and I partake... not in the spawn but the more ready availability of the biggest fish as they turn red, gain hookjaws, and get randy. We don't fish the spawning beds (redds) but nearby is game.

Ski... Spring skiing on the sunny 45° days is awesome, and there are plenty in March. We alternate these with dumpers in Summit Co; so fun. Plus, being able to aprés at one of the best breweries in the country sucks not, especially when the boyz can break away from duties.

Dark Golf; Last Vestiges Of Color; Loud Alert, Tiny Fish ~ Fall In Summit 28Sep24-05Oct24

I was fortunate to catch a quick nine at Kennedy with MLC, though it was black at the end (we stood in headlights to get the pic) ~ we didn't find balls easily those last couple holes. Still, a blast, and then dining on good Indian food before heading out to Silverthorne.

I have to be in Summit for some wrap up duties on the summer season (sails down, spa repair, etc) but LPC was able to grab Kala after her return flight from Raleigh/Savannah. Yeah, she rode out the hurricane in the southeast. All safe but for a nasty cold. I was pleased to catch the last vestiges of aspen color in the 'hood while here though.

While the next attempt to fully fix the spa did not work, I did get a future appointment to try again. I did complete a keen DAC comparison, and all the returns of "losers," for the Nest Desk (full story HERE). Is it wrong to receive "loud environment" alerts from your watch ~ nah, a guy has gotta complete the "tests." While I'll focus on funk for the October MA, I really enjoyed Sierra Hull's full show at Baygrass, and Sarah Jaroz's new LP, Polaroid Lovers. Golly these Nashville ladies on vocals & mandolin (or variants thereof) are awesome.

Between the "duties" I did get on the Blue north of town (I modded plans after discovering Jurassic Pk is flowing 1100cfs to empty Green Mtn rez), fishing was meh with just some tiny fish, but it was a gorgeous afternoon below Rt 9. I'm just glad more cars didn't fly off the road at me.

I liked them so much that I'm gonna build another pair of NanoOnkens... drivers & parts are in the mail but I have prepared all the 15mm Baltic birch parts needed for the fab... kindof of a "duty."

The end of the sailing season is marked when there's dust on the peaks, the colors are gone, the snow stakes have been set, and the sails are down.

Fixing Stuff ~ PEX, Specs, & Golf Game 20Sep24-22Sep24

Learning PEX Plumbing To Repair BC20X ~ While fire suppression @ Blodgett was my prime concern recently I did learn PEX plumbing on the repair of a leaky valve in the camper. I replaced the value to the loo in the BC20X... but 1st I needed the right tool to remove and install crimp hose bands (kind of an improved version of worm gear hose clamps). I chose the iCrimp tool which can be configured to cut out or crimp down and can be used 3/8" - 3/4" tubing. My toilet has 1/2" PEX plumbing and the new style hose clamps/bands were use to secure tubing to fixtures; it came with a PEX pipe cutter. My 1st step was to cut out the leaking section (one has to cut out the PEX piping from fixtures, not much reuse).  I then built a new section with a new brass valve and new PEX pipes sized righ. Finally I installed the section in the water closet of the BC20X. New stuff works like a charm but the toilet still fills up so there's another issue earlier in the line. Work to do, but I own the tools now and have some experience.

Chasing New Sunglasses... after a bushwhack on the Gunny with Tim took a toll on my gear I need to get some new fishing and driving specs (polarized brown). I have a narrow head and only small glasses fit; unfortunately the Costa Mantas I lost are now out of production. I went to the Costa del Mar site and "virtually" tried on the three narrowest pairs currently made. Brine seemed the best fit there but I still ordered Brine, Harpoon, and Fathom from AMZ's "Try Before You Buy" system. I returned them all today but the Brine are the best for me for now. Once verifying physically I went to eBay and bought a couple pairs of the frames, one tortoise, one matte black, each new open box kind of condition for one third the price of AMZ. I will reload cool prescription lenses in the new frames once I have them. It was a decent scheme for resolving the loss, but still a bonehead move to lose them in the first place.

Fixing My Golf Game... OK, that's impossible obviously but I did get to play Yoho's keen Flying Horse course with the kid, Wilks, and Yoho. It's a thing. We played in the PM on an increasingly cooling day, and made it back to the clubhouse before the skies unleashed at 6:30pm. It was cool watching Jim and Matt rip 350yd drives while I tried to stay out of the waste areas. Wilks was pretty steady as always. We enjoyed Torchy's afterward as well as the keen game of Buffs over Baylor.

Dad's Day & Tamayo 16Jun24 & 18Jun24

It was dang hot on dad's day in COS but we got up early to catch a round at Kings Deer. It was good to play with the kid and Kala but my early errant play left me with high scores on the early holes... oh yeah, the others did not fare better. Still, it was a good time... right up until we were thrown off the course. Story: through 9 we were waiting to hit, right on the heels of the 4-some ahead. They left at the turn and we were 1 or 1.5 holes back. We did not close on them over 4 holes and were asked on #13 to skip ahead a hole or leave. We left with a rain check in our pockets ~ but it was an odd ask from course management, especially on dad's day with the kid. Loyalties will be reconsidered... not for being thrown out, but for allowing my ball to land in a seriously unplayable vole hole, on dad's day; unconscionable.

We convened again at The Brass Tap for lunch and a pop. Decent ~ Kala drove. We moved back on up to Pike's to meet up with Eline and another brew. It was fairly hopping. We got a generous offer to dine at Eline's house and Kala & I offered to cook. We bought and marinated chix and sliced up some scallions, chills, and asparagus for the grill. She had a great house and we even got to meet her wonderful mom, Marianne. Great finish to dad's day except I did close the grill on top of some Pyrex and broke it, then served glass with the meal. No pics there, obviously.

On Tue we headed up to Denver for a "thank you" party with Schwab. It was held right on Larimer, a keen part of downtown, @ Tamayo, a special Mexican food spot featuring Oaxacan cuisine. The rooftop spot and outside dining was awesome and Schwab was very lucky to have scored a 20° drop since Monday's heat. It was gorgeous, the food was good, the margs were decent, and we met a cool CO couple there, the Henthorns. Jim's a volleyball ref & coach and endurance athlete and Jana is a noted non-profit exec and ballet enthusiast. We clicked, and I especially liked Jim's haircut. We also met Chef Sandoval and some guns from Schwab.

Memorial Day WE And Before ~ Sat/Sun Lax Quarterfinals; Tue Golf @ PJ; Fri Drive & Dine; Sat F1 Qual & Bluegrass 24May24-25May24

Before Memorial Day kickoff to summer Kala and I caught the NCAA D1 men's lacrosse quarterfinal games and a nine @ Patty Jewitt. Kala's in the lead for the vaunted LaxBuddy '24 trophy but my bracket is busted as I took Lehigh but I can attest the M-43 is excellent and I haven't gotten rid of my short game error-ladden holes... we had fun.

Kala & I stole out to Summit Co on Fri AM early before the traffic ~ our newsfeeds suggested rental cars sales @ DIA were stronger than ever on Friday. We saw the weather forecast but what the heck... there would be a free bluegrass festival in Vail all weekend and Kala accepted the challenge. After a good southwest burger, onion soup, and "The Hazy" at Dillon Dam day 1 we caught up on "our shows" on the NestMT... Kala liked the updated system.

Saturday wasn't supposed to be a bluebird... but it was on our deck. After breakfast and some chores we jumped Vail Pass to Eagle Co for our first SpringFree Bluegrass Fest. Holy crap, we parked in the structure free!

While "I" came for the final 2 headliners on Saturday: Sierra Hull & The Infamous Stringdusters, there were to be four acts today and 1st and 2nd up were Colorado bands ~ awesome. We arrived just as Danger Mtn began. They are absolutely excellent and  hail from Eagle itself. There were a number of locals in the crowd and they matched the lead's garb. Tie dye was everywhere, including on my bod'. Too, Kala & I matched today, and matched the dobro player in green plaid flannel ~ ColoRADo.

The weather was awesome through the first act but as they closed a fierce wind and rain ripped through Vail Village. We high-tailed it to VBC for a hazy beer. We met a cool retiring to Green Bay couple there (the pic didn't render well) and had a fine talk inside as the storm passed.

We headed back out to hear 10th Mtn as the weather waned. Funk/blues/pop vibe and 115dB at the soundman. Weather was fine but we did not prefer 10th Mtn's full electric and indistinguishable vocals. They were fine individually on sound check but were not preferred during their set. We left for lunch after 2 songs and hit the good El Segundo Mex spot on the Gore. Tasty tacos and margs and an oddly ebullient waiter.

Back to our spot near the soundman for Sierra Hull, though separated initially (no friends on powder days); decent weather returned. And, very good music returned. Sierra Hull was awesome and as strong and in control of her band as I have ever seen her. Her set was excellent in all ways... we saw, we heard, we liked. She's a TN songwriter & strings artist whose been performing forever and signed since 13 yrs old! She's strong and her band of musicians of Nashville were great... including her friend on guitar whose 1st show with the band was this... he was excellent (expected, though noted, as she can hire whomever she wants).

Kala & I got together through the crowd (yep, to my spot) and absorbed the full Sierra Hull & band set... completely spectacular IMO... 3 awesome covers & many, even better, originals. The musicality was forward during every step and song. See though how the guitbox guy had an iPad throughout... I mentioned I thought he was new and Kala duble-taked on the announcement of same. Still, he was spectacular. And the sound tweaked by the guy with the band, was excellent.

Sierra Hull & band were absolutely great.  Kala rested her back while I reserved our spot for Infamous Stringdusters after her set. We reconnoitered @ 6pm for IS ~ as sleet and complete crushing wind & rain fell. Our mates in the 'hood said "I'm in" and we said "we're out" ~ as I read the Doppler ~ nothing good will happen hence. We missed 'em, if they played but NP, a great day in Vail Valley.

There are more concerts & festivals of which all should partake... go live when you can.