Vacation: Part One

We are in the midst of our first "real" vacation in two years. (Trips to see family do not count.) While there is plenty of family time on this trip, it seems different when you're in a place like Leadville, CO.

Our trip began on Friday with a short trip from Dubuque to Des Moines to see Grandpa Bernie and Grandma Fran. This was followed by another short trip from Des Moines to Omaha to see Grandpa Cooper's (aka "Pop's") family at a cookout in a beautiful house on a golf course. While there Claire got her first taste of freedom by "driving" the golf cart. From there we made the scenic drive across Nebraska and eastern Colorado to Sterling, CO, where Claire enjoyed playing in a bug-filled pool at a Super 8. Monday brought us to Leadville, finally, where we stayed in a house with the Cooper clan - Brian, Ann, Andy, Josie, Ellen, and Greg. Brian and Ann had rented a house for a week with a great view! Thanks!!!!!

Claire, driving the golf cart.

Claire, with mom, grandpa and great grandpa

The view from the deck of our house in Leadville

In Leadville Claire got to go on her first "mountain" hike to Turquoise Lake where she got to play one of her favorite games. She also watched the finish of the "First Annual Cooper Boom Days Classic 5K Vacation From Your Problems Pro Am Race For the Cure Fun Run for a Better Tomorrow." Uncle Greg won in a sprint finish.

Claire enjoys "hiking" when someone else does the work

Claire demonstrates the finer points of Rock Toss to mom

Claire contemplates the number of rocks it would take to fill up Turquoise Lake

The Cooper clan pre-race. Almost everyone was providing free advertising for High Mountain Pies (best pizza in all the land!)

Claire's mom outkicks Claire's dad up the finishing hill*

*To be fair, Claire's dad had run 9 miles 2 hours earlier in the day.

The rest of the week holds an assault on a 14,000 foot peak in the area, eating more pizza, and hanging out at Boom Days in Leadville.