US Pro Cycyling Challenge Last Stage starts in Golden

It has been over 20 years since there has been an international cycling team stage race in the US.

Luckily, our home town - Golden, Colorado was selected for the start of the last stage that was held on Sunday.

Part of the course went up Lookout Mtn, one of the most popular rides in Colorado, and just West of our home.

So, Joanne, Jeffrey, and I got up at 5 am, and hiked up Lookout Mtn to get a choice view of the race as it would come by.  Since we have ridden "Lookout" hundreds of times, we had a choice spot in mind if we could get there before it was taken.

Joanne is my A to point B girl, with no messing around or dallying in between, and took off on a forced march.

Jeffrey and I drank our morning coffee and chatted while trying to keep up.  It was very warm with a stiff morning breeze, and

a stunning sunrise!

Our view down the mountain was excellent!  We could see them fighting their way up for miles from Golden nestled below.

When they got to our spot the racers would go through steep switch backs, slowing them down and spreading them out.

There were thousands of cycling fans lining miles of roadway by the time the race started.

Some in crazy costumes, and many who would sprint along with the racers for 50 yards on the steep sections.

We got to stand within a foot of them as they passed by!

Here is Joanne cheering for Ivan Basso, who she has proclaimed as "Hot" and "very good looking"!

A very exciting day for our little home town and for all the many cycling fans who live here!

Accumulating the Right Parts

It took a while to find everything we would need for the arbor entry way.   The internet is an amazing tool when it comes to finding out what is available.

Curved Lam-beams

Gates

Steel beams

Tools, tools, and more tools!

Knowledge......I don't think I would take something like this on if I didn't have my friend, Derek to work with. 

I met Derek working on Glenwood Caverns, he was one of the cavers that came up to volunteer in the underground construction.  When we saw what a bust-ass worker he was, we hired him to build all the hand rails on the underground pathway in the lower section of the cave.

Derek is incredibly knowledgeable on how to make things, and I love working on a project with him.   For me, working with Derek is more rewarding than the final results.  

As our friend, Jeffrey would say..."it is all about the process".

It First starts with an Idea

When I started the changes to the back yard and the rear parking lot expansion, I had an idea on an arbor entry way to the back yard and garden area.

Joanne thinks I have a wierd passion for digging a hole, moving the dirt to one side of the yard and then moving it back to fill in the hole.  Which is true, but my passion has a purpose
and it first starts with an idea.

Before

After

Arbor Entry Way Site

Idea

Now all is left is to make it happen........

Marla, Kev, and Jordy

Marla, Kev, and Jordy came to visit us in Golden for a long weekend.  The last time they were here was for our wedding celebration before Jordy was born, so we started the visit showing 8 years of remodeling projects.

Relaxing on the back deck!

Front yard bonfire with the neighbors!

Train ride to Glenwood Springs.

Which after a 7 hour start delay and a 5 hour trip is a pretty good test of an 8 year old's patience.   Mine as well!

Sunday morning tram ride to Glenwood Caverns.

Riding the new rides, before the lines got long.

Followed by a cave tour.

Ending the trip with brownies and shooting pool with our friends JAC and Celina who have built a home in a cave.

Excellent visit and hopeing they will come back before Jordy graduates from H.S.   ;)