Papi and Gigi's Great Adventure

Air Force WIngs!

2011-04-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Over the next 2 months we will attend 4 graduations....Andrea will get her Bachelors for U of Colorado , Pueblo on May 7th....Katelin will graduate from U of Colorado, Colorado Springs on May 20th and Matt from U of Phoenix on June 18th....and the first one we attended on April 8th....Charlie's graduation from Pilot School at the Air Force base in Columbus, MS.

This day was made for Charlie! A culmination of a childhood dream and years of academic focus to not only be selected to attend the Air force Academy in Colorado Springs, but to earn a spot to become an Air Force Aviator!

Katelin is super proud of her future husband!

Charlie receiving his WINGS!

Katelin pinning Charlie with HIS WINGS!

This is the jet Charlie trained in

This is the one he will fly....a C5 Galaxy....the military's largest aircraft.....

6 stories high and a football field long. It has 28 wheels!

Charlie and Katelin will be stationed at Travis AFB, in California....right next to Napa Valley and San Francisco! Can you say..."We are coming to visit!"

We are proud of both Charlie and Katelin!

Charlie made a us a wall sized plaque to show his appreciation for sponsoring him from the Academy....we were a part of his dream!

Christmas Dinner 2010

2011-02-13T19:39:00.000-08:00

All the Robinson family descended on Palmer Lake for Christmas 2010...with everyone dispersing throughout the country and potentially overseas (Charlie and Katelin)....we cherish the time celebrating Christmas!

Gigi and her Grand boys....Grayson, Kaden and Kaleb!

We invited the several couples from the neighborhood and filled the main dining room table!!

And the Kids....still sitting at the kids table!! Ha!

Gigi and her little girls!! These 3 are trouble...as you can see they are best friends....what a blessing!

" Lil' G" (Grayson)...taking a moment to accomodate the paparazzi!

Katelin giving Grandma some love!!

Little "k-Dawg" putting his Daddy to sleep!!!

The newest member of the Robinson family....Charlie!!! He is about to take my little girl away!!

Matt working the kitchen....

Charlie showing off the gift Katelin bought him...look like she is giving him his space!

Great Grandpa putting the squeeze on "Lil' G"!

The original recipe!!!

Uncle Eddie made it for the first few days but had to go back to Houston to work the emergency call shift....

Grandpa and his boys!

And his Granddaughters!

Grandma and Grandpa and their Great-Grand Boys....and great they are!!

My boys!!! Allot of beef here....don't mess with us!

The family tree....how blessed we are! Incredible, unbelievable, indescribable beyond words....

Papi having fun!

Gigi loving on her little man Kaleb...he is a special boy!

Kyle and his family....good looking boys....beautiful wife!

Grandpa took to wrestling with Grayson....and had him giggling beyond control....great time!!1

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS....STOCKINGS ARE READY!!

2010-12-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

KRISTEN, MATT, GRAYSON
KYLE, ANDREA, KALEB AND KADEN
KATELIN AND CHARLIE

GET READY FOR AN AWESOME CHRISTMAS
IT MAY BE AWHILE BEFORE WE ARE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN

FULL METAL CARNAGE

2010-11-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

If you recall, Matt and I made the run over Red Cone Pass and were heading up Radical Hill when we broke an axle....by the time we limped down the mountain, the damage had been done....not only had we broke the axle but we shredded the gears! Not good!

Matt's response...."glad I wasn't driving!"

Anyway....New Axles...Dana 44's with ARB Air Lockers and 4.88 gears!

If it breaks again...it won't be because of the axles!!!

Telluride...I tell you there is no other place like it!

2010-10-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

Every year for the past 5 we have spent out leaf peeping out in Western Colorado outside of Telluride at Trout Lake.

and every year we have missed the peak colors by 1 to 2 weeks....either too early or too late.

This year... we were on the money! Perfect!

The autumn colors of Colorado....God sure can paint!! Trout Lake canvas!

This is not the house we stayed in but the colors framed the house for a great shot!

Gigi is a goof off!

Good friends from our neighborhood. Rich, Bruce, Marti and Gigi!

Telluride!

Brilliant colors!

Part of the Palmer Lake Hiking Club!

The Gigi Sherpa...leading the pack!

Camera standoff with Rich....cameras at 30 paces!

See how I blend into nature....

Trout Lake through the trees....

Click on the picture....check out my droplets....

The house in the trees is where we stay!

Red Cone Pass and Broken Axles!

2010-09-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Labor Day in the Mountains! Kristen and Linda and Grayson are heading to Breckenridge....via I-70.
Matt and I are taking the Jeep over Red Cone Pass...that is it in the distance...

Once out of the trees we headed above treeline....

Looking back from whence we came....not even at the top yet.

We missed the initial turn to go over the pass and had to back track at least 30 minutes...but this is what Matt came for...

Heading to the top of Red Cone...there in the distance...so we had to drive back and come up the ridge...starting at the far right of the picture.

The road to to the top...

Riding the ridge...very steep....

12,800 feet at the summit

Spectacular....only a Jeep could get up here....maybe a mule!

So after Red Cone we attacked Radical Hill...big mistake....

Broke an axle on some severe rocks and incline....and limped back to the highway (stranded on the side of the road) where we completely shredded the gears....new axle, new gears...yikes!! Thank God for AAA and free 100 mile towing...could have been an additional $500 bill...but probably will get away with $100.

New upgraded axle, gears, drive shaft....these vacations are getting expensive!!

Au revoir France!!

2010-08-17T23:26:00.000-07:00

According to the standby load status on the web....I think we will have a seat today!!

Thank you again to Franck, Nadia, Sascha, Median, and Luka...for the use of your car, your house, the time at Cap Ferret!!! You guys are awesome...

To Ella and Gerald....you know how to make our time special in Marseilles and we love you!

To Max and Sylvie...you are special people that make our time in Troo interesting to say the least...thank you for your hospitality!

To Raymond and Cecile...thank you going out of your way to see us...hopefully we can spend more time together next time around.

To Francois, Christian, Odeil, Karin and Tomas....thank you for hosting a wonderful dinner!

Eric and Family...Marousia, Katherine...we hope to see you next time we are here.

Kristin, Matt, Kyle, Andrea, Katelin.....Kaleb, Kaden, and Grayson....Papi and Gigi are coming home!

St. Malo....and Mt. St. Michel....and Honfleur!

2010-08-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

As we wrap up our trip and head back to Paris...to hopefully catch a flight out on Monday... we headed to the northern coast of France and to the very cool destination of St. Malo....

St. Malo is a city that was heavily bombed in WWII and rebuilt. You can see the original walls of the city....but inside it is a place to eat and shop! the tide was out so, yes those are boats with no where to go!

Linda is somewhere in there....

I found her...tasting what she calls a "regional specialty"....always having to try something from the region...in a heavy French accent....she says, "it her duty"!

Ummm...you have a little specialty left in the region of your mouth!

A great shot of a post card....showing a great shot of St. Malo and the area....St. Malo in the distant.

One boat owner having fun...................................

The other sitting in a bar waiting for the tide.....but having fun!

This little guy is making me miss my grand boys... Gigi wants to buy scarves for all 3....Matt and Kyle will love that!

Gigi is going to teach the our Grandsons .... French!

The waters of the English Channel were as turquoise and blue as the Caribbean ....

When the tide is in, you can see how high it gets....or how low it goes....maritime way of looking at the "glass half empty"...

If you are into flowers....this place is like no other....

if you want to catch your dinner....you can do that too!

Gigi wants to live in France for 3-6 months .... I think St. Malo is at the top of her list. I wonder if there is a "craiglist" for St. Malo?

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After St. Malo we headed east along the coast....destination... Mt. St. Michel Abbey! The long history of Mount-Saint Michel dates back to 708...and was added to between the 10th and 14th century. In the Middle Ages people regarded the historic monument as a representation of the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, an image of paradise.

Didn't know there will be cows in heaven...

But Linda will be!!

So here is what is crazy about where they built the Abbey....right in the middle of the sea...see the cars at the bottom of the picture...

As the sign says below.... "Today the sea covers the carpark"...and they give you the time to be back to clear out...or it will be underwater when the tide comes in. All of these cars except on the causeway are exposed!

Taken from the web...

This replica of the statue that sits atop the belfry...has all the attributes of the archangel Michael found in the Book of Revelations....head of the heavenly militia....

Part of the cathedral dating back over 1000 years ago...

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Part of the pleasure is driving into little villages and towns in France. This is where you get to experience the back roads and lifestyles apart from the big cities...

Our last stop before heading to Paris...the little port town of Honfleur...

Another great place to walk around....and eat! and drink!

One of the differences between last years trip and this years is that instead of red wine...we drank allot of beer! Belgian, German...one place had over 300 beers.

Linda's favorite...Picon Beer!

This is kind of the same face she gave me when I told her it was time to go back to Paris and go home....

Cap Ferret...

2010-08-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

Cap Ferret .....is a cape at the end of a peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean....just outside of Bordeaux, France...a beach town that is very popular and the vacation destination of Linda's cousin Franck, his wife Nadia and 3 boys, who invited 4 other boys....

Cool place....know for "Huitres"or "Raw Oysters"....you can buy a dozen for 5 Euro's....in the city the restaurants serve them at 19 Euro's....

Which of course Linda's cousin Franck bought 5 or 6 dozen to feed all these boys...

When Franck grills....he grills Big! So much of the dinner time is reserved for family time....the boys would sit around the table and talk...with their parents! Such a novel idea! Franck says that "eating is a meeting"....so true!

Meet my new Friend....

Linda practicing her skills for her auditions for the "Price is Right"

Family....Nadia and Linda hitting the beach!

Summer beach houses....good food....family....and did I mention sand....

Here is Linda after we ran through the sand to catch the sunset out over the Atlantic....sending it off for you to enjoy in Colorado....starting to miss home....

No that is not any of us....but it made for a good picture....fabulous sunsets....haven't seen one of these this way for a long time....ummm....they do not have these is Colorado! The mountains block the view!

Just a few days here....tomorrow we begin our journey back to Paris...in a round about way....heading to the Northern Coast of France where we will report in from St. Malo...Mt. St. Michel...and Normandy...the D-Day Beaches! Check back tomorrow!

Most Expensive Cheapest Vacation....

2010-08-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Kyle and Andrea had a surprise when we went to the airport in Paris for them to fly home after a great week...but unbeknownst (is that how you spell that?) there was a travel embargo on anyone that wasn't a United employee...so...he would have to wait until August 15th to travel...there was no way he could have known...on the Skywest website it never mentioned it..

So...as we looked for airfare that was reasonable...(hard to do on a moments notice to fly out within 4 days and in the middle of the European Travel season)...we decided to fly out of Amsterdam via Iceland to Boston...

BUT....they got to stay an extra 4 days and see Brugge, Belgium!! What a place...check it out!
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Just hit town....getting our bearings and we are off...

City has the series of canals running through the city...

Tons of cafe's .... Belgium coffee, beer....boat rides.

Yes my kids wanted to go on a boat ride....so we went.

This is what your mouth will feel like when you leave your toothbrush....

Belgium Chocolates....only thing holding these 3 back is the glass....talk about a candy store!

Kyle trying not to look like a tourist.....not working my little American....

Every city in Europe has a cathedral...Brugge's was every bit as elaborate and reverent...amazing places to be in....

This Michelangelo Mary and Jesus piece is the only one of his works outside of Italy that exist....
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The house we stayed in (courtesy of some good travel clients) was a house built in 1174....and is one of the biggest houses I think I have stayed in...it had so many rooms...very cool!

Right near the center of town and on the water....it is the one in the middle....and yes that is a Texas state flag!....long story who owns it and what he does....but needless to say... a very unique opportunity for us.

The dining room was amazing...the owner one day was working on the back wall when a piece of plaster fell off exposing some lettering beneath....after 2 years of work....they uncovered murals dating back to the when the house was built...

This is where Linda and I slept...felt like it should have been our honeymoon night...that is actually mosquito netting...apparently they have them...

I can tell you this was a major pain in the butt, trying to get out of there in the middle of the night...can you say tangled?

Our lovely host for the 3 days we were there....Judy, Susan, Ellen, and Barbara....Fun people!

Upstairs attic with original beams....sleeping quarters for tourist!

The original spiral stair case went up 4 floors....with the attic and the room above the attic...

I think it had 6 levels

Aperitifs in the courtyard....and an amazing courtyard it was....

The reality of flying home and spending 24 hours in the air and in airports has dawned on Kyle!

The most AMAZING event to happen....

2010-08-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Take a good look at this picture because it will likely never happen again...

This is the car Linda's cousin Franck let us use for the month...this is the front door to the apartment in Monmarte'.... this is the parking space outside the front door of the apartment in Paris... about as rare as a lunar eclipse!

I am not moving/driving and giving up this spot unless someone is bleeding!

The Louvre' ..... say that 10 times fast...

2010-08-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

A real quick update as we are out the door heading to Brugge, Belgium for a few days....and to take Kyle and Andrea to the airport in Amsterdam....more on that situation tomorrow!

Picture of the infant Jesus....not exactly my mental image of my baby Jesus....he kind of looks like a middle age insurance salesman!

Andrea striking a pose...not bad!

Kyle striking a pose...bad! I told him he better not take off his pants!

I couldn't get close to the Mona Lisa....had to shoot this with a tele-photo lens and half way climbing up some guy's back....crowds were horrible.

Back Tomorrow with more from Brugge!

Kyle and Andrea meet more of the Family....

2010-08-04T02:49:00.000-07:00

In the morning I fell like a Gargoyle....until I get my cup of authentic French Cafe' (coffee)....

Nothing better than a Cafe Au'Lait....

Part of the experience for all of us is spending time with family....Linda has 34 family members living all over France...Kyle and Andrea will get a chance to meet ...Max and Sylvie! and to visit their house in Troo...the "City of Caves"...their house is half built into the hillside...in a cave!

A Champagne welcome....a very good bottle from 2003!

The kitchen in the cave part of the house....

Andrea setting the dinner table ....in a cave....

And along with Kyle....getting addicted to the "fromage" or cheese!

Kyle catching some of Sylvie's hospitality...they surely connected with their sense of humor!

Linda catching up with Max and Sylvie!

Max dug up a picture of Simone (Linda's mother) and her as a little girl....

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Here are some sights around the village of Troo...

Looking out Of Max's front window!

Scenes from walking through the village...home to writers, poets, artist....this is one of my favorite places.

One of the many cave homes....

Inside a neighbor's house....artwork from over 3 generations of family artist....

Kyle and Andrea...strolling through the village.

There are 2 churches in Troo....this one was closed but the scenes below are from a 12th century church in Troo and one nearby in the nearby town of Lava'rdin....where there was also a Medieval Castle ruin.

12th century frescoes still around telling Biblical stories....

Pretty incredible to witness and experience....

Castle ruins...

My little sunflowers!!

Sylvie packed us a wonderful lunch for a picnic....on our way back to Paris near some castle ruins at Vendome'....

Kyle does Paris!!

2010-08-01T23:39:00.000-07:00

Kyle first destination....the Moulin Rouge which is a short walking distance from the apartment where we are staying....if it wasn't for the $200 or so price tag...may have happened!

But being the purveyor of fine french art that he is....

Kyle and Andrea wasted no time in hitting the local galleries....

Speaking of wasted....I think the jet lag or the German Beer was taking a shot at him....Ha!
(actually I just snapped the shot at the wrong time....he did great for a lack of sleep)

A great picture of me taking a picture of Linda taking a picture!

Our mode of transportation for the day....actually a great way to see Paris quickly!

Linda catching some up with her boy! Never thought we would see him in Paris!

Kyle and Andrea becoming big fans of the french dining!

Andrea scouting out and actually buying a "wooden boy" for little man Kaden's room!!

Paris by night....

Gigi having a blast in Paris....as usual!

No that is not me!

Tomorrow we are off introduce Kyle and Andrea with Franck, Nadia and the boys!

Hanging out in Monmarte....very cool!

2010-07-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Kyle and Andrea are due in Paris in a few days...so Linda and I are setting up shop in one of the best places on the planet....

Thanks To Franck and Nadia for setting us up in the apartment of her sister Layla's for a couple of weeks ....

This is not just any apartment but one in Montmarte! Home of where all the artist hang out, fantastic neighborhood cafe's and restaurants, Sacre Coeur, the Moulin Rouge....

AND THE NEWEST BRANCH OFFICE OF INSURANCE CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL!

We get our hiking workout in everyday....stairs abound getting from one street to the other, and we climb 5 flights of stairs to get to the apartment...working the "glutes"....can you say "buns of steel"?

Paris is a place to fall in love....Linda and her new boy friend!! These Frenchman work these American women!

Cafe's....on every corner....

Fromage (Cheese)....incredible selections....

Fresh Seafood....

And of course....Linda's "Kryptonite"....pastries at the local patisserie....

Before we headed to the airport....we stopped and hit Paris for what it is known for....fashion!!!
This is Printemps! Big Bucks, latest trends....this is us!!!

Linda is really thinking of a way to ditch me so she can really shop....

Presentation is not just for food....these folks are masters at it....even I wanted to shop!

Might have to buy these for the Palmer Lake Hiking Club!

Chic!

Enough for now...got to go pick up Kyle and Andrea....coming off of a flight sitting in 1st Class...not sure what kind of attitude to expect but I am pretty sure they will be pumped for Paris!

DINNER ON THE MEDITERRANEAN!

2010-07-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

If it seems that our trip is centered around food...didn't take a brain child to figure that out. From what we have observed .... Food is a central part .... of the lifestyle here, the social time, and even entertainment ... and when we look at the prices what they pay....a large part of their budget! But the bread is fresh, the vegetables are perfectly ripe, and the presentation of how it is served....is very inviting and intentionally displayed!

Our last night in Marseilles we drove down the coast line....another shot of Notre Dame le Gard from east of the city....

Check out the building...can't imagine anything but a sheep herder could have lived there.

Numerous folks would walk down and strip to there skivvies and jump on the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean....

Place is gorgeous!!

Aperitif's before dinner along with some Irish Beer!

Little fishing village .... several restaurants.... a destination for the locals

An Extraordinary Evening!

This picture came out blurry but it was a fantastic atmosphere for a great meal!

The 3 musketeers of Marseille!

Linda loves her French Dinners!!!

And her French Wine!!!

DINNER AT FRANCOISE'S--AFTER ROMAN RUINS

2010-07-22T01:34:00.001-07:00

Afternoon in Arles...small city where Vincent Van Gogh painted over 150 canvases...Roman ruins...and some great cafe's...
I am getting my veggies in....
Salads are incredible....not sure why...maybe its because we are setting next to a 2500 year old Roman Coliseum...
The gardens inside the sanatorium where Van Gogh was committed after lopping off his ear lobe...

The city of Arles had numerous Roman ruins and influences...

The coliseum was hosting a bull fight later in the week...

A Roman amphitheater still be used for concerts, etc.

After sightseeing....on to the country house of Christian and Francoise's for dinner...

Outdoor dining...lasted easily 2-3 hours....definitely an event!

Outdoor cooking...perfect!

This is the real stuff....un-pasteurized, fresh,....full of cholesterol!

Pork Tenderloin fillets marinated in olive oil and a cajun seasoning...probably their version of Tony Cachere's!

Never saw a woman get so excited about cheese or as the French would call it "fromage"...

And last but not least....cake from the local chocolatier!!!

The Lady is in Heaven....Family and good food!

2nd Cousin --Tomas...now 6 years old!

1st Cousins Odeil and Karin

Aunts Francois and Ella

Uncles's Gerald and Christian

Not complete, but most of the South of France relatives all in one place....a Great Evening!

Marseille, Little Villages and TOPLESS BEACHES!!! Post#2

2010-07-20T11:58:00.001-07:00

One of the things Linda loves to do is to take a drive out to the neighboring villages...Gerald was our chauffeur....Linda got her convertible...off we go....

Linda is pretty uptight about this....

Didn't have my Nikon and zoom lens for this shot but up on the hillside is a typical village we enjoy visiting...shops, cafe's, cobblestone streets....

As you can see I am getting uptight too...

Quiet little town...narrow streets...perfect for strolling and little shops to stop in at...

Great picture of the Valley below....

Pictures don't do the views justice...

Linda and her Aunt Ella....summertime in France!!

Linda wanted this address marker for her mother....I told her she couldn't take it....

I wanted this little wiener dog door knocker for my neighbor's Christy and John....Linda told me I couldn't take it either...

Everything grows in the South of France....great climate for this sort of thing...

Saw these 2 little girls and kept chasing them for 1/2 block....they would never turn around...so I took the pic and left...didn't want to appear I was stalking...

This little town was pretty neat...had a stretch of nice shaded patio cafe's where we had lunch....

Back in Marseille, Linda wanted a picture next to this statue....I wonder why? She wanted me to take a picture of the front...but I flatly refused...

These people standing in front of the fountain....are us!

Snapped this pic a nano-second too soon...if I would have waited I could have gotten the hood of the car in the picture...

Thought about taking the ICI company yacht out for a spin...Linda reminded me of the Belize sailing incident...so we didn't...

On the way back home we hit the coast for cold drink and to check out the European beach scene...the Cote d'Azure on the French Riviera.

The waters of the Mediterranean are crystal blue...very inviting!
Beaches are crowded....allot of roasting flesh!

Okay we are now getting to the good part....

TOPLESS BEACHES!!! Linda told me they were here and I didn't have far to look....Yowsaaaa!!!

Here is a little something for everybody....unless your offended by nudity, if so you might want to skip this section....

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A Little "Eye Candy for the Men"!!!!

A little "eye candy for the ladies!"...didn't want you to feel left out....

Check back tomorrow....Heading to Avignon, Arles and to the countryside villa of Linda's Aunt Francois for dinner tonight!!

The French Connection---Part Deaux! Post#1

2010-07-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

We are heading back to France for a month....to get GIGI ready for her nanny duty in the fall...and she is going with only a carry-on...can you imagine! So throughout this blog if you see us in the same clothes, it doesn't mean that is necessarily the same day!! Learning to live in stinky clothes!!!
Thank you Kyle for all the hard work!!! Because Kyle is an employee at SkyWest...his parent have travel benefits, including flying business class to France....what a difference!!
White table cloths...6 choices of wine...a dinner menu....any mixed drink...they even warmed the cashews and almonds...gave you a travel kit of a blindfold/mask, socks...waited on you!!
So 1st class seats turn into a bed (top picture)...we had business class that reclined like a Lazy Boy...business class was better than a typical 1st class domestic flight. Everyone was passed out sleeping in both cabins...I looked back at the economy class...I admit it I looked down at their position in life!!
So after we landed in Paris, we jumped on the TGV (high speed train) to the the South of France in the city of Marseille...where Ella and Gerald live.,

This is Ella's and Gerald new place....they have the upstairs with a gorgeous view (see below) of the city of Marseille...and as you can see...fortified...have to get past the front door (heavy metal) or have a tall ladder to get inside!
Linda and her Aunt Ella (Simone's younger Sister) and Gerald...these are special people!!
Outdoor Dining Room....
Yes I am still working...have technology will travel....the office is in the patio garden...

Gerald opening an almond from his tree in the patio garden that I call my office!
What is left of a wine cellar left behind....2 bottle that date back 40 and 50 years old!! Not any good anymore but an interesting conversation piece.
The apartment is a mile from the Mediterranean....cool breezes...and the feel of a port city! This is the view from there deck! The island that you see is where they filmed the movie, The Count of Monte Christo...Chateau d'If of Marseille: the prison of the Count of Monte CristoHighest point in Marseille....spectacular landmark...can see from everywhere in the city.
Notre Dame le gard at night!!

More tomorrow....when we got in we slept 12 hours straight....more tomorrow!!

Kaden and His GIGI...

2010-05-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Little Man Kaden catching some quality time with his Gigi out by the fire pit last night...a little chilly, so he did some snuggling .... normally he is wanting to get down and crawl but last night he was pretty content!!

FOC MEN'S RETREAT 2010

2010-05-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

I took my boys to the Family of Christ Lutheran Men's Retreat ...where we had an awesome time. Over 122 men from our church, and around the country attended. We Jeeped, 4X4, rock climbed, rappeled, shot guns and grew in our spiritual walk as well.

One of the best places in the state to rappel is a rock cliff called My Place....this pic was taken looking straight up....200 ft...

Matt was a leader and instrumental in the Men's Retreat.

Kyle backing down the rappel they named "Freaking Awesome"...175 foot rock face...

Great shot of big air!

That is my boy! Check out the last video further down...

3 years ago I chickened out of doing the 200 ft rappel...this year I conquered my fear and volunteered to be the first one off.....

The rope was rated to hold over 2500 lbs...it was close...

What is neat about this rappel is that you have a 4 ft ledge then a cut-away leading to a 200 ft free rappel (no rock face to bounce off of)...kind of like rappeling off a helicopter...

Right underneath the ledge was an eagles nest....

Dangling by a rope...preyty cool.

We jeeped and jeeped....one of the best investments I have ever made...Matt and Kyle love it. Can't wait to get the grandboys involved.

I wish I had a better shot of this...Kyle ran it up on a rock...50 degree angle...

Here is the Men's Retreat Video that Kristen made for church....this will give you a feel for what we did...amazing work!

Kyle coming down off a rappel...

Sharing time with TimeShare Junkies

2010-04-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Gigi in Mexico for a well-deserved rest...tired of the snow and cold...needs a break from the amonia scent and loaded diapers...and to charge her batteries for what lies ahead!! Fall Semester here she comes...3 grandboys at the Insurance Consultants Int'l Daycare...maybe we take another vacation before then...make sure she is really ready!!

Puerto Vallarta is our favorite place...great beaches...great food...great people!! and allot of things to do...

We exchanged a week of our time share for the Villa del Palmar Flamingoes...swapped them a studio for a one bedroom lockoff...sweet deal...as you will see...sweet hotel.

Our room overlooked the pool...

We took this trip with our TimeShare Bandits...Bobby and Oxana...and you guessed it...went to a few timeshare presentations to get some nice excursions for free and discounts.

Oxana looking festive and fabulous...Bobby not so much!!

Mariachi Band...don't we see this in San Antonio?

The famous Tequila glow!

Next day we took a large catamaran out to a dinner on the beach and a show that night in the jungle called Rhythm of the Nights...

Didn't realize Kyle was here too...keep the dream Kyle...your vision has you in one of these someday!

Here is our host...greeting us for dinner.

Spectacular setting for a romantic dinner...there were about 300 tables...set on terraces built into the landscape...these are on the beach.

My beautiful "Leeenda" looking fantastic and well rested and ready for the evening...this kind replaces her need to get outdoors and go camping.

Bob Wiggins...a business man from the states we met...he and his wife Oxana joined us for dinner...looking a bit tight though cause he didn't have his cell phone to do a deal!

Here is the set of the show...(no cameras allowed during the show)...we fully expected the re-enactment of a Mayan sacrifice...we offered Oxana...she is the youngest and newest one here.

Some of the dancers...

We went to Sayulita and San Francisco...small fishing villages north of the hotel...in town there is what is called the Iguana tree...can you spot them perched on top of the tree?

Big ones....

Sayulita is the bomb...great little village that has turned into a tourist site...quaint and has allot of charm...

One of the things I am kicking myself over is not having a camera for the zip-lining. Last trip they didn't allow cameras so I didn't take mine...you will have to take my word...we did it.

Zip-Lining over the Veranos River at 600-700 ft...insanely fun...
this picture is off their website...we were much higher at times.
On the second to highest line...about 600 ft over the river...I went backwards with a guide and he encouraged me to dangle upside down as we zipped over the river...I am now ready for the

200 ft free rappell at the Mens Retreat next week...bring it on!!

Next trip...coming soon!

Skiing with your Daughter!!

2010-04-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Katelin and I hit the slopes on one of the most beautiful days a father could spend with his daughter...fresh snow, spring weather, and incredible sunshine. Now that she has another man in her life (yeah that Charlie fella) I want to try and get in as much as I can before she becomes Mrs Kennedy...

She is still my little girl and always will be!!!

Whale Watching with Linda! Can't do this in Colorado!

2010-03-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

My little Whale Watcher!!

There is a reason these guys are not going into the water!! Check out the video!

I was waiting for one of the Killer Whales to leap out of the water with a seal in its mouth and thrash around to horrify all the women and children...

Tried to trade our Timeshare...no cigar!

2010-03-20T17:15:00.002-07:00

Thought I might make a sweet trade on my Time Share for some time at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA...

Isn't my week (fall week...cheapest of all weeks) worth a swap here...My Linda deserves it!

Maybe the back entrance is where we need to be....

We did bring our suits but left them in the car....

As conessueirs of fine art...

These seals looked like drunken sailors...passed out everywhere.

Drove a good part of Hwy 1...in a cloud and in the fog....

Moving Rocks!

2010-03-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

Matt and I went with Pastor Dyer to build an obstacle course for the upcoming Men's Retreat...and yes that rock is that big!

We spent the day prying rocks loose from the mountain side...
and hauling them by any means we could...CHECK THIS OUT.

Pastor Dyer burned up his tires trying to get that rock up the hill..my guess it was sometime during this next video... ya think?

KATELIN IS ENGAGED!!! CONTRATULATIONS

2009-12-27T07:36:00.000-08:00

A little over 4 years ago we sponsored an Air Force Academy Cadet named Charlie Kennedy from Memphis, TN. Little did we know that he would fall in love with our baby girl!! Charlie proposed to Katelin in Memphis over Christmas...Linda, Kristen and Katelin now have the fun of planning the wedding!!!

Wedding to come in 2011!!!

Herding Cats...or Grandkids!!!

2009-11-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

Our Family is growiing!!! Grandpa and Grandma Robinson, Uncle Eddie, Kristen, Matt and Grayson, Kyle and Andrea, Kaleb and Kaden, Charlie and Katelin all celebrated Thanksgiving here in Colorado...don't know when we will all be together again...Everyone will be heading separate ways for Christmas...Linda and I will actually be by ourselves in Colorado...unless we find a beach destination to go to!!

We always talked about them...and now they are here!!! The 3 little guys...Kaleb, Kaden and Grayson. Linda will have her hands full...like herding cats, trying to keep them still!!!

Pray for Gigi!!! She is going to need it!!!!!

Frozen Papi and a Gigi on the Rocks!

2009-10-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

I told everyone it was going to snow! Our 5th snowstorm of the year...all before November 1st!

This snow is on the south side of the house...waist deep...what I have to walk through to knock the snow off the satellite dish...

Our Neighbors house...This drift up along side the house is over 5ft deep...they cannot get out of their front door...

Katelin's window is somewhere under there...her room is pretty dark inside...the window well is completely full...wih an extra 4 feet on top.After 2 days cooped up in the house, we decided to head out and see what kind of trouble we could get into...Linda insisted on leaving the Jeep...yeah you know the one with 4 wheel drive, high clearance wih 35 inch tires...pssst...she though it would slide!
Needless to say we got stuck at the bottom of Oakhill Drive and had to abandon the car...I only had a wind suit and T-Shirt underneath...really prepared for the elements.

The walk was 1/4 mile...the temp...19 degrees at the time...wouldn't want to guess the windchill with 25 mph sustained winds...hey we do this all the time in Colorado!

This could have been the last recording of our lives!

Linda sheilding herself from the Paparazzi! No no...let me go inside and freshen up!

Another neighbor...he will get out next week.

This should have been a clue not to go out...

If not the picture above...this one definitely!

Come to Colorado before winter and the snow really begins to fall!

MOAB...like no other!

2009-10-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

Moab, UT...a 4 wheeling, Jeeping playground...among some of the most beautiful geoloogic rock formations I had seen...

Canyons, plateaus, rock spires, towers and gravity defying balancing acts...God was showing off when he created Moab.

Incredible...

Linda loves Moab...definitely coming back with the kids!

Linda sitting under a huge arch...

Tourist....

This is a great way to see Moab...

The Rhino...kinda of like a dune buggy golf cart that acts like a Jeep...

So many different rock formations...

Bobby and his Bow-Legs...

Moab Women we found...

More rocks...more diversity...

A little Oasis in the middle of dry dirt...guess where the stream was.

This is one candidate for the ablum cover....

Linda...showing off...

Dinosaur Bones....

Linda studying up on her anthropology...

Bobby and Oxana bustin a move before the big accident...

While Linda and I were stopped at a creek bed full of water, Bobby took a curve and ran right up on us...instead of hitting us from behind, he swerved up on an embankment and both he and Oxana were thrown from the 4 wheeler...and then were subsequently pinned when the bike fell on top on top of them (fallng 4-5 ft)...

Linda and I watched it happen just feet from us...and ended up lifting the 4 wheeler freeing Oxana and Robert...

Both Bobby and Oxana were seriously banged up...and as usual, Bobby in his style...smiles for the picture. I really don't think he knew how much pain he would be in a few minutes later.

God was with us that day...the angels protected us...after an Emergency Room visit and x-rays...Bobby left with a sore sprained back and both had minor cuts and bruises.

OCTOBER in TELLURIDE!!

2009-10-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

For the past several years Linda and I have spent the fall in Telluride with family and friends...and sometimes just us! This is the cabin...the sanctuary of rest and peace! The house is pictured below...the house behind the big one...fairly remote...20 miles south of Telluride....on the east side of Trout Lake.

Here is what you wake up to...these are 13-eeners! Right outside the door...maybe 3 miles away...Majestic to say the least...this is where the angels hang out...till they are dispatched!!

Trout Lake...the cabin is between the lake and the mountains...on past trips you could hear the Elk bugeling at night time...unique sound!!

They say there are celebrities who live in Telluride...Tom Cruise, etc...I just saw...

these 2...

Tons of Jeep trails...and back country roads...around Telluride and Ouray...allot of mines to expore as well as scenic autumn colors!

Aspens galore!

High above Telluride, just short of Imogene Pass...an entire mining town in the late 1800's and early 1900's...as many as 800 people lived up here at 12,000 ft.

This is the site of what is left of the Tomboy Mine above Telluride...below is what it looked like in the early 1900's...

High in the Rockies!!! among the evergreens!

We concluded that the obliteration of these mining structures were due to avalanches, high winds, and people like Bobby who climb on things they shouldn't!

What is left of the Assayer's house...

I love Colorado!!!

more ruins...

Bobby the Tunnel Rat!

Happy is as Happy does....Lavergne and Shirley walking down the mountain!

These horses are happy to be where they are...

More mines...south of Ouray...

From the inside of an abandon mine....looking out...

If there hadn't been water in the mine...Bobby would have been in deep.

Mining Equipment....

Elk grazing on the country side...

Pelican Hill--WOW!

2009-09-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Every year for the past 10 years we have been invited to the MNUI/HCC Medical Insurance conference....of which we were only able to go on the last 2. This is definitely the best...resort we have ever been to...

the cost for a room was $700 a night...

We stayed in one of the bungalows...

Amazing....

The pool is huge...the biggest I have ever seen...

Gorgeous at Night....

Each room has a private balcony....

Matching set of robes....

Dinner on the Patio....the first night...

An absolute feast every night...

One of the best golf courses I have ever played on and butchered at the same time!!

Lost 3 balls on this hole...without even trying!

A par 3 right on the Pacific Ocean...complete with the fog rolling in.

The parking was loaded with Mercedes, Bentley's, Ferrari's....but this is what caught my eye!

Next year...Cabo San Lucas in Mexico....God willing!

Grayson say's HI! to everyone!

2009-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Grayson spent the day with us...and wants to say HI to everyone!

He is a Happy Little Guy!!

Mosquito Pass...13,125 feet!

2009-09-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Vail Valley we decided to take Mosquito Pass home...from Leadville over to Alma...this picture doesn't give the depth perception nor the size of the mountains before us...

Definitely a 4wd Babe...

This is the highest pass in Colorado...and will soon be closed due to the snow...today it was about 45 degrees at around 2 pm.

A shelf road...with precipitous declines...

This is actually the highest elevation point Linda has been...my second...

I love this...

Barren...almost like another planet up here...

Lunar feel....

Most mines in Colorado have been closed and barricaded...these look as if they haven't gotten to...If Robert were with me...he would be over there poking his head down the hole if not completely in it!

Crazy looking plant...looks like something out of "the Little Shop of Horrors"!

Actually allot of Jeep roads up here...could spend all day up here exploring...and if I had a metal detector...

Old Mining equipment....

Our version of what is old....

Another VRBO property for Robert...

All in all...a great trip...!!

LABOR DAY 2009 - VAIL VALLEY

2009-09-09T02:56:00.000-07:00

This year we exchanged our timeshare studio and traded up for a 1 bedroom in Vail Valley...all kind of things were going on from Farmers Markets, Oktoberfest, and Wine and Food tasting events.

Picture of the family...Linda looking away from the papparazzi...too late, we got your picture!

Many people...many....

Food, wine, beer...and a concert....

from a Neil Diamond cover-band called SUPER DIAMOND...guy thought he looked like Neil Diamond...some of the groupies (old ladies) up front were acting as if the real Neil were on stage.

Gourmet burgers...

Now this is a committment to the festival ....

Have to say...this might be next years destination....unbelievable food.

My grandman Grayson...working the festival, and in rare form....he likes hanging in Vail.

and he almost began to walk....

Great week to spend with Mrs. Robinson, Gigi, Lindalou, amongest other terms of endearment...that I won't embarass her by.

Matt and I hit the Jeep trails while the girls and Grayson were shopping....

Jeep 4 wheeling is definitely becoming the hobby of choice...can see things only in a Jeep!

This seemed a ripe opportunity for a coyote or mountain lion...these guys were on the mountian side by themselves...

Looking back from whence we came....

The aspen are just starting to turn...in 2 weeks this place will be lit up!

Matt almost nailing me...

Tex-Mex-Tex French...Chillin at Bobby's Place

2009-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

couscous...Nadia's specialty...with lamb!!

the feast took some preparation...with everyone in the kitchen...hours upon hours...

however...The meal was over in 15 minutes!

Remember the Alamo!

Riverwalk...TexMex....and 103 degrees!

Chillin at Bobby's...

Summer memories include the infamous rope swing!

GRAYSON'S 1ST BIRTHDAY

2009-08-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY GRAYSON

Our second grandson had his first birthday and Kristen threw him a fantastic party...

All his little friends showed up with their Mom's and Dad's...

Kristen had a carnival theme...we cooked hamburgers, hotdogs...sno-cones, popcorn...

Grayson's and his Papi...

Grayson's other Grandmother...Cindy got him this fancy cake...

Grayson had a great time opening presents...and playing with his toys.

Matt and Kristen love their little man...Grayson has awesome parents who love him very much!

Grayson sharing his new chair with his little friend Eden ...

After the party we took MeMe' on a Jeep ride...

Simone needing a leg up just to get in...she was laughing so hard...
we had to get a step ladder! ...

"PARIS" SLICKERS (ala City Slickers--the movie)

2009-08-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

Linda's Cousin Franck and his wife Nadia, and boys Sascha, Medianne, and Luka (I am sure I misspelled their names...sorry)...came in from France for a 6 week vacation of which they spent 1 week with us in Colorado. Many things that they have done were for the 1st time including 4 wheeling on ATV's up on the Continental Divide!
Jackets in the middle of summer!!! gotta love that! Linda loves 4 wheeling...I love to hear the her sound effects when we go over the bumps...during one loud burst of ugghhh's....I asked her if she was having a baby...she said she had twins!

introducing KADEN MICHAEL ROBINSON

2009-07-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

The world's population was added to this morning at around 6:00 am July 30th...Grandson #3 reporting for duty!!! Congratulations Kyle, Andrea and Kaleb!!!

Got his ski hat on...ready to "bust-a-move"!!

He is thinking...do I really want to be out here...or back in there!

Playing in the Rocks

2009-07-19T05:57:00.001-07:00

Saturday's Jeeping destination was Eagle Rock...off of Gold Camp Road...we heard there were some great Jeep Trails to be had...

My partner in crime...My son-in law Matt...he loves to play in the rocks!!

Along for the ride...Pastor Dyer, his son Cooper (what a trooper...fell alseep through parts of the trip) and Josh...,

We made this run....allot of fun!!

Pastor Dyer loves to climb his Jeep on stuff...balanced on 2 wheels....

Matt getting stuck...high centered for a moment....this is why you put in Rock Sliders!

Downhill ....

Pastor Dyer squeezing through!

Oooohhhh!

Matt' sTexas Ranger imitation...(from Talledega Nights)!

Airing up the tires for the ride home!

Colorado Camping and Jeeping---Gigi style!!

2009-07-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

We have been working non-stop during our busiest time of the year...so we decided to get away over to SnoMass Village (near Aspen)...Gigi's idea of camping!! Got a great deal on this campsite right in the middle of the village!!! Thank you Priceline!!

Many of our conversations were about our grandsons....Kaleb, Grayson and Kaden (soon to make his appearance)...Gigi will have her hands full!!!

One thing we like to do back home is go to the Farmer's market on weekends...Aspen was having one too...

Selling furs at Farmer's Market...really!

The Maroon Bells...the most photographed scene in Colorado...This is definitely where the angels hang out...till God deploys them.

Surrounding mountains almost made the area feel like a cathedral!

At Maroon Bells...we met some climbers who scaled the North Bell...amazing! No it wasn't us!

I broke my sun/fishing glasses...too cheap too buy the $100 Aspen specials....Linda lent me a pair of her Elton John signatures...

We took the Richmond Hill Jeep Trail on our way to traverse Taylor Pass...the snow was gone and the wildfowers were everywhere...even at 11,000 feet...

Check out the cabin/house toward the bottom of this picture...this is where God actually lives!

Gotta love these views...

Nothing like a jeep trail to the top...

What is left of the snow looks like sandtraps on a golf course...

On our way to 12,600 feet!

This is a picture of the Jeep Trail that Eddie and I had to turn back due to snow covering the road 3 weeks earlier...Richmond Hill Trail hugs the ridge up top...

High alpine mountain lakes....great spots for camping...who wants to go with me?

On the east side of the pass...that is where the fun began!!!

What I love about Gigi...is she is willing to do what I want to do...SHE MUST LOVE ME!

Our version of a Chriopractic adjustment......come to Colorado and will take care of you!

I have a 4WD Jeep Trail book...Richmond Hill Trail and Taylor Pass...checked them off the list!

Summer is almost over...but this place will look amazing in the fall...come to Colorado and see us!

COLORADO BEACH CLUB

2009-06-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

This is the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve outside of Alamosa, CO...this is a "one of a kind" place where their are mountains, desert (dunes), and a marsh/bog all in one place and all dependent on each other. Eddie and I took a day out to see what it was all about...

The dunes are surrounded by Medano Creek...which in turn creates a beach like atmoshere...Kids were playing in the creek, building sand castles...people were barbqing...throwing frisbee's...the creek was only 2 inches deep...no chance of drowning!!... great place to bring the family...and it was only 70 degrees!

Yeah that is right...Eddie wanted to go to the top...officially the highest sand dune in North America!

We checked this one off the list and added it to the resume'.

Dared Eddie to do a belly slide...he wimped out.

Sand filled my shoes to the point I had no other rooms for my toes...we soon left and jeeped our way out over Medano Pass to Westcliffe...and then to home...8 hours in a Jeep is tough!

DISAPPEARING IN COLORADO!

2009-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

My brother Eddie...works too much! So we put a week on the calendar and disappeared in the the wilds of the Colorado High Country...our destination...Grizzly Reservoir...off of Independence Pass...Hwy 82 on the way to Aspen, CO.

We packed the Jeep and busted a move!

My camera overexposed most of these pics...but you can see we had the choice spot and were practically the only ones in the campground ... elevation...10,500 feet.

Grizzly Reservoir is a high altitude fishing destination...

We camped about 20 yds from this stream...no box fan could match the sounds of a mountain stream!!! Slept in practically a coma...first night it was 32 degrees...in the tent!

The road to the Ruby Mine and Ghost Town was closed...so we set out for a 11 mile hike roundtrip...never got there...turned around after 4 miles when we saw dark clouds and heard thunder...not my idea of fun getting caught on a mountain at 11,000 feet...with lightening.

This is a time exposure we took of the reservoir at dusk. Stars were as abundant as what Abraham saw...incredible viewing at 10,500 ft.

Here is a general area of where we went...Jeep roads to get there!!! And I have a Jeep!

One of the mining ghost towns we went to...there are allot of them and a great destination to Jeep to.
On our way home we took a Jeep trail to get over Taylor Pass...

Stopped to take a picture...

Before we ran into snow covering the trail...this is almost July folks!

Eddie is 6'3"...behind this snow bank... it looked like clear sailing to the top... but we had to go back from where we came!!

I am on the road...a fair ways below...we had to back the Jeep up about 200 yards on a single, rocky trail...Eddie directed me down...that way only one of us dies if we go over the edge!!

Marmot's live above the tree-line...

Beaver dam...
Eddie inspecting how much damage on the guardrails...amazing they held with the pounding they take.
At Indepedence Pass...another over exposed picture...I need lessons!

We are official!

When we got back we took a trail near the house that I never been on...and found this waterfall!

A view from about half way up the cliff...

Lightening and rain again had us off the mountain in record time...

We are already planning next year...a longer, more daring, adventure trip...around the campfire we were talking about the day we can bring Kaleb, Grayson, Kaden and their Dads on a Mancation!!!

AIR FORCE OFFICER!!!

2009-06-06T04:14:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE!!!!

Introducing: AF Second Lieutenant Charles Bernard Kennedy

Four years ago at the suggestion of our good friends Rick and Joni Costa, we joined the "Sponsor a Cadet" program at the Air Force Academy. We picked up our freshmen cadet...Charlie...and now it is over...wow...did that go by fast.

Little did we know that Charlie would become a close friend of the family...so close he and Katelin started dating about 8 months ago...don't they look fabulous!!

Charlie showing off his new stripes at the commssioning ceremony!

Jarod, Charlie and Brandon were roomies at the AFAC...and will be also at Flight School in Columbus MS for the next 2 years...

Here we are at the Air Force commissiong ceremony...which was followed by the Air Force Ball later that night...pretty classy venue!

Charlie with his parents, sister and grandparents....all who flew in from Memphis!

Charlie and his roomate Brandon....right after the parade.

Katelin is very proud of Charlie...these two look great together don't they.....

It was a cloudy, cold and wet day for the parade....

On May 27, 2009 Charlie graduated from the Air Force Academy...

The ending to every graduation is when the graduates throw their hats up in the air and the Thunderbirds fly over...a very choreographed moment...of which I missed!!! I had know idea from where the Thunderbirds would approach...

These shots were taken from our family friend...Tim Skrastins of Image Factory Photo...
http://www.imagefactoryphoto.com/ ...he is an amazing photographer!

These pictures were taken by another family friend...Ken Cross...I used theirs because mine did not turn out so well.

Jeeps, Gigi's and Ice Cream!!!

2009-05-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Looking out from our deck you can see the Rock House Ice Cream store...during the summer the place is so crowded if you didn't know better you would think it is a bar/icehouse.

Tonight was the first time we got to use the Jeep for which it was purchased...to haul our Grandkids down to the Rock House for an ice cream cone...Linda had a hard time climbing in the back seat...but she eventually made it!

Here is the place to be in Palmer Lake in the summer!

Kaleb has the right idea...

Life is good in Palmer Lake!!

Playing at the Family of Christ Lutheran Men's Retreat

2009-05-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

On May 3-5...Matt and I atttended our church's (Family of Christ Lutheran in Monument, CO) Men's Retreat. This is the where we worshipped on Sunday...God's Living Breathing Catherdral...what a place to worship the Almighty Living God!!

A good part of Saturday we spent playing...HARD!!!

I am not fond of heights at all...especially hanging off a rope...but, I did conquer my fears and actually began to enjoy rappelling! (I was told that the rope could hold the weight of a small car...which I figured weighed much more than the 220lbs I am packing)

They say not to look down..."if i die...I want to know where it will be"...

Peice of cake...

Matt spent allot of time at the shooting range...this is the only picture I had a chance to take of him.

This is where we spent most of our time...4X4...4 WHEELIN!! When ever you (whoever is reading this) come to Colorado...this is what we will be doing!!

Matt and ME...doing what puts smiles on our faces!!!

When we were parking...Pastor Dyer told us to turn our wheels as far to the left as they would go...didn't know why until he ran his jeep up on my tire!!!

That is how it is done!

Have tires...will travel...this was fun!! Matt and I slapped "High Fives" after this...it is allot steeper than it looks!

A friend of mine tested the suspension...I am ready for any potholes that come my way!!!

COME TO COLORADO...A PLAYGROUND TO SAY THE LEAST!!!!!

B.A.T--Big Ass Tires

2009-04-27T16:50:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to hauling my grandsons Kaleb and Grayson and soon to be Kaden (due to make his arrival in August 2009) down to the Palmer Lake "RockHouse" Ice Cream parlor...just put these 35" tires on so they can bust-a-move to get some ice-cream in the summer!!

The jeep already had a 4 inch suspension lift and I just put on extra 1" body lift to accomodate the bigger tires...What I didn't figure on is getting back in to the garage with the extra height!!As you can see....just barely!!
These guys are ready to have some fun!!! Soon we are heading to jeep trails like the one's below...I hear their mothers are telling me to wait about 10 years...so in the meantime their Dad's will have to come out and play!!

This is a picture of Pastor Dyer (our Pastor)and Matt...he is giving Matt some spiritual counseling!

So if you are reading this...come to Colorado this summer and PLAY!!! and get some ice cream!!!

Back In Colorado...Snow Storm of April 18th,2009

2009-04-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well I am back in Colorado...they called for a spring snow storm...forcasted over 2 ft of snow where we live...our house is at 7300 ft.... Woke up this morning...it had been snowing for about 8 hours...and as I write this it has been snowing for over 16 hours...

Looking out over scenic Palmer Lake...with a good cup of coffee...listening to piano solo's by Jim Brickman...fireplace lit... and NO WOMAN!!!! Get your French derriere" home Linda!!!!

You can see the edge of the firepit (right of the picture)...it stands about 16 inches high. This snow drift extended out and was about 3-4 ft deep at one point.

Here was a brave snow plow soul solving and creating a problem all at once...(see below)

This is the most snow I have seen fall in my 3 years in Palmer Lake...it will all be gone soon...70 degrees forcasted for 70...what a snow melt mess it will be... I had to shovel...and shovel...and shovel...thanks to the MONSTER snow plow...the end of the drive way was easily 3 - 4 feet deep.
Here is the back side of the house where all the snow accumulates...

Linda...see what you are missing...

Viva la' FRANCE!!!

2009-04-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Pepe's Final Words:
"You know, sometimes I ask myself 'Ees eet worth eet?' and I answer myself 'YEEEEEES! EET EES WORTH EET!' VIVA L'AMOUR!!!!"
As the final blog of our "French Experience"...there is no way you can just call this a trip...Linda and I both want to express our gratitude to all of our family and friends that have made this such a memory! You made us feel special...and everyone of you are special to us!

Simone (Moulie)...you were right...I was going to love France...especially the family...

I am coming home to the USA to "dry out" after 25 days of consecutive alcohol (wine and beer!!)...detox my body to rid myself of the caffeine (coffee' was supercharged)...but I did eat a salad everyday for 25 straight days!!!

Thanks again to our missionary friends, Mike and Susan Morykon for allowing us to use their house as a base camp for many of our excursions...Blessings on your ministry there in Lattes!

Out trip got started smoothly as Linda's Aunt Ella and her husband Gerald took care of us...Thank you for the Veronique Sanson CD...we have French Music now in Colorado!!!...we will always remember our time in Italy!!! and to Maru...I thank you for the wonderful meals and letting us use your bed the first couple of nights...Good Luck in School...Hopefully someday we can host you in the USA!! Thank you Nadia for being such a wonderful host and putting us up for 3 days...the Kuskus was fantastic...Hopefully when we come back we can spend more time to together...maybe go dancing!!
Franck taught me the one phrase in French to say that covers all situations..."C'est pas grave"...which basically means "no big deal" in English...I used it over and over...and heard it being used everywhere I went. Franck...your hospitality knows no end...Merci Beau Coup!!!

Come to Colorado...we will have some fun...I will take you and your family here in the Jeep...

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=9
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=10
http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=50

Christian and Francois...thank you for putting together a marvelous weekend...from the family dinner to the weekend in Villadperdrix...Christian gave me an old "skeleton" key...he said it was the "key to the city"...it turns out to be over 300 years old...I am now claiming to have the oldest artifact in Palmer Lake, Colorado as of now!

Nicola, Odile, and Tomas...thank you for the case of wine!! It is all gone!!!

Katherine...Jean Paul...Good Luck in the upcoming buiness season...you both are allot of fun! Thank you for giving me my adopted French name"Jean Cleg"... he thanks you for making him feel like he belonged there!!!

Max and Sylive...what can I say that the video below won't...you guys loved us like you love life!!
Sylvie...I am saying this very...s l o w l y....so you...u n d e r s ta n d....!!!!! (inside joke!)

Raymond and Marceline...Mark and Cecile...thank you for hosting a great meal and introducing me to the rest of the family...in total I met 32 out 34 family members!

Eric, Dominique, Raphael, and Sandra...thank you for arranging O'bama and Sarkozy to be in Strasbourg the same day we were there...Eric you added to the level of excitement when we went out to watch a anti-NATO potential riot and you asked me if I had a scarf to fend off the "tear gas"...you are also an awesome chef!

Dominique...we are going to kidnap you if we ever make it to Greece (Dominique has the equivalent to a PhD in Greek History). You have a wonderful family...and your kids are amazing!
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Thank you for taking the time to share our experiences in reading this blog...we will update it often to share with you what is going on in our lives...

Another Great Weekend in Strausborg!!

2009-04-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

Pepe's Morning Outlook:

"She want to play in the lover's chase, it is the little girl in her."

I think this is about how much red wine we have had. If having a glass of red wine every evening prolongs your life span...I should live to about 200 years old...!
I had to take a picture of this Frenchman (I think he was 200 years old!) while standing in line while waiting to get into Chateau du Haut Koenigsbourg.

This weekend the Chateau had real life demonstrations of what life was like in the Middle Ages.

This had to hurt if you were on the wrong side of the person using it.

These little spikes were laid down outside hidden in the leaves in order to stop intruders (check out the picture)...I believe they were pretty effective...I think we could sell these on the Internet...looking for a supplier...

The presentation of the food was always a priority wherever we went...

Linda's neice Sandra...cute as can be...and smart...in the car she was doing math problems in German...at 12 years old!

These are shots from Ribeauville...they had a Spring Festival going on at the time.

This is Linda's Sunday afternoon way to enjoy...French cafe's, outside...people watching!!

Notice the castle on the hill in the background...an imposing structure to say the least.

Shopping at the festival...another of Linda's pastimes.

THIS IS STRASBOURG!!!

The Cathedral at Strasbourg was incredibly detailed with statues, ornamentation, etc...on the exterior...nothing else came close to the attention to the detail.

Life resumed to normal after the NATO meetings....

This is a neat place...

Linda with her cousin Eric, his wife Dominique, nephew Rahael, and neice Sandra...they treated us like royalty!!!

All of these swans were following me down the river....made me feel important, until they turned to where someone fed them.

Heading home in 3 days!!!

Stuck in Strausborg

2009-04-04T05:11:00.000-07:00

Pepe's Morning Outlook:

"Cherie, Je t'amie..La da, la da, ra dum… I want to tell you, I love you so. La da, la da… Do not say it's in vain…"

Here is Linda holding up a used tear-gas cannister that was discharged to break up a riotous crowd down the street from Eric's house. The fights started around 7 am.

Just a mile away there were more violent protest...we could see the smoke from the fires that were started. http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_12070183

This morning we were awaken by the melodious sounds of NATO helicopters...they sounded if they were about to land on our building.

A small demonstration of about 100 protesters of NATO were just down the street.

These guys looked like they were up to no good.

I had to prove I was there...they shut down all the streets so there was no way out of the neighborhood by car.

The French Police really never had to do anything but show they were there to put an end to anything that might happen. Throughout Strausborg however there were some more violent protest.

Linda showed up a little later...

More on actual pictures from Strausborg shortly...

Obama in Strausborg with the Robinson's....

2009-04-03T04:29:00.001-07:00

Pepe's Morning Outlook:

"Ah, this tempestous one. She is overcome by her emotions at seeing me again."
I heard the Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy...read the blog...that is why they decided to come to Strausborg the same days we are here...frankly they are cramping our style....

This is a picture of O'bama's Limo...filling up with gas just 20 yards from where we are staying...at Linda's cousin...Eric and Dominique's house...a caravan of black SUV's trail behind.

Security is very high...French and German Police and NATO are everywhere...Linda's Cousin Eric's house is just but a 10-15 minute walk into the "Red Zone" where Obama will be staying and the meetings will be held...come to think of it, this is the closest I probably will get to a "sitting US President"...and it happened in Strausborg, France.
I didn't want to take to many pictures of the police....
A show of force was evident everywhere...

They were expecting some protest and potential riots....

Security even put labels on anything you could open...if the seal was broken...security could be compromised.

Big Helicopters could be heard and seen all morning....

The streets were empty...eerie with no cars...Even in the Ill River...the police patroled...

This was interesting...they prepared for chemical attacks and set up decontamination sites...

In the white tent they had set up stretchers you could get on and pushed through the decontamination process via a conveyor belt/railway system....

NATO and the Police have thought through every situation....But I wonder if they thought about this though....Al Qaeda Kitty Cats!

More from Strausborg in the morning!!!