Por el suelo

So we're sitting here, this Monday night...dinner finished and dishes still in the sink. I'm starting to get into this blogging thing, and Brent's reading up on Mexican travels and dreaming up new adventures. Three months ago, Brent and I took a hike through the snow and early afternoon light. So much has been stirring inside of me since we've moved. I feel torn in between two worlds: the one I left behind in Seattle; the one I am building con mi amor. I am trying to reconcile the "me" I found under the grey and green drizzle- the one who found herself and came alive, with the "me" that is present- fresh and free in the snow and blue expanse yet longing for friendships, purpose, a sense of belonging. Out of desperation I vowed that I would give it my all here in this new place as long as we made a pact: We would take a surf trip for 6 weeks down the coast of Mexico this summer. Maybe I just needed something to look forward to. Something that would remind me of who I am and the travel I want to build my life around. Something to hang on to.

From pact to plan....True to his word, Brent is busy making this dream happen. He is pouring over maps, travel guides, narratives, searching for surf boards, making a budget. It looks like we will be packing our bags and heading west, California, Seattle, Baja and Central Pacific Mexico at our fingertips. Vaya sin pensamientos.

We're Parents!

We'd like to introduce you all to the newest addition to our family, Pecos Maiolo.

This is Cara writing by the way. And if you all know me, then you know that little animals are not my thing. Especially when they make loud noises between 7:00-10:00am. However, Brent convinced me last year to adopt with him our first "children"; Peek and Boo Maiolo. It was a rocky start between us, needless to say. While they would lovingly sit on Brent's shoulders and chirp in his ear, they would dive bomb my head and wait until Brent left in the morning to yell and drive me crazy. However, these birds were survivors and made it clinging to the sides of their cage on the long drive out to Colorado. Unfortunately, Boo passed away (we think due to old age) shortly after we settled into our Aspen home. Brent has been searching for a new playmate for Peek ever since. Slowly, my counselor tendencies began to come out, and I felt so sorry for Peek having to be all alone that I gave my consent. We found a playmate for Peek. Pecos was adopted from the Parakeet Rescue, and after a couple of days of checking each other out, they have happly begun sharing a cage together. (Peek on right, Pecos on left)

Waves

This is a new painting that I've almost finished. The curling wave still needs a little work. Thanks to Nancy Wills for giving me this nice piece of wood to use as a canvas.

Chica Sleeping

I laid down some of my cloths on her while she was sleeping and snapped a shot.

Frying Pan Fishing

Frying Pan River, Goldmedal Water

When I first arrived there was a nice little hatch going on. Probably size 22 midges floating gently across the surface. Every once in a while a football sized trout would lunge out of the water for one of the little midges. It was an amazing sight since it was 25degrees, snowy, and quite wintery.

On Broadway...

For Xmas I bought Cara tickets to see Mamamia. It was a Broadway musical based on the music of Abba. It was well done, funny, and filled with great tunes. I never knew I could recognize so many Abba songs.

For Dinner that night my parents treated us to an amazing meal at a new restaurant called Plate. It was all international cuisine, an appetiser from Mexico, salad from Italy, and entree from France.

Highlands Skiing

Oh, I forgot to mention it was about ZERO degrees!

Highlands Skiing

This was from a few weeks back when we had a nice little storm drop about a foot a snow.

Winterskol 2007, The Celebration of Winter

Winterskol has been celebrated the last 50+ years in Aspen. It is a great time for locals and tourists to come together to celebrate the cold nights, powder days, and small town community of Aspen.. Cara and I marched in the parade as members of the Aspen State Teachers College. She played the tambourine and I played the cow bell.

Cedar Wax wings eating cold berries

Old man playing a wood fire, steam powered, pipe organ, pulled by a 1945 Willies Jeep

If gas were not $2.50 a gallon, this would be my commuter car...

Two snow bunnies

Fritz, a member of the Aspen State Teachers College (a club started in the late 70's by local ski bums, which Cara and I are both members of, is now having a revival in the town) plays with the Air Force Academy's marching band.

One of the many snow sculptures around town. This one of a man who ate his fill.

January 2007 Year of the Sun

Greetings from West Sopris Creek. The begining of the new year brought old friends to new houses, stuck trucks on snowbound trails, late night drinks, and midafternoon sulfur spring soaks. Friends and Family are welcome to hoot and holler in the hills of Aspen and enjoy the fun with us....

Trying to drive snowmoblie paths....bad idea

Three chavalos from the college days: Dave W. Brent M. Abe B.

Penny Hotsprings

Aspen Stampede

The Chica Buey