Pictures from last weekend

Last weekend we went to the Frisco Barbecue Challenge. We had some good barbecue, but I don't think the event is as good as Paducah's Barbecue on the River. Isaac did get to climb a rock wall, they ran through an obstacle course and Heather got to eat a funnel cake, so they had a little fun in the midst of the huge crowd and hot sun. After the barbecue we drove up to Berthoud Pass which is located on the northern boundary of the unit I can hunt sheep in this October. We didn't get to see any bighorns, but I am more familiar with some of the access now.

The lake pictures were taken from the north side of Turquoise Lake, which is just north of Leadville, looking across the lake.

2007 Hunting Prospects

I have gotten all results in on the 2007 Big Game Seasons. The following tags have been drawn or will be purchased over the counter:

DEER - Either Sex Unit 44 Archery (Aug. 25 - Sept. 23)
ELK - Over the Counter Either Sex Archery(Aug. 25 - Sept. 23)
BIGHORN SHEEP - Ewe Unit S32 Rifle (Oct. 2 - Oct. 11)
ANTELOPE - Doe Units 6, 16, 17, 161 Muzzleloader (Oct. 21 - Oct. 27)
ELK - Unit 35, 36 Late Season Cow Tag Rifle (Dec. 1 - Jan. 14)

I also plan to buy an archery Bear tag, but they are first come first serve with a cap and go on sale July 9 at 9 am. I have a sticky note on my computer at work, so I dont' forget to call at 9 on the dot. The season runs from Sept. 1 until the end of archery elk and deer, so it will be a "just in case" tag. Never know when an opportunity may present itself.

I'm unsure about getting to hunt with the antelope tag, due to the possibility of taking the PE in October, but I thought I would get it just in case and dad will be bringing me a muzzleloader when they visit in September. I will be hunting with my bow during the Bighorn Sheep Ewe hunt, but will cary a rifle for the late season cow elk hunt. If I dont' fill a freezer this year, I'm going to be disappointed. Eric says I must have a very understanding wife. He's right! How else would I have gotten to move to the mountains of Colorado.

If Mom and Dad come out during the deer and elk muzzleloader season, I hope to talk dad into letting me buy him a leftover deer or cow elk tag. I'm not sure what tags will be available, but I can find something for sure. I'll then have to find a waterhole or something for him to take a stand at that isn't too far from the trail/road.

The kids are almost done with school (June 15th). They had to go late this year due to starting late at the Charter School. They will change schools next year and attend a couple blocks from our house in Leadville, so getting them to school will be much easier. I got the cabinets all in on Monday and now need to install the countertop and kitchen sink. The bathroom work will be soon to follow along with new baseboards.

We may go to the "Frisco Barbecue Challenge" on Friday night and see how CO barbecue events compare to Paducah's "Barbecue On The River". It's unlikely there will be better barbecue there, but I've never met a rack of pork ribs I couldn't make close friends with. So if we go, I plan to be good and sticky by the time we leave.

Summer in the mountains

Heather just called and it is snowing in Leadville. Probably not sticking, but snowing. Other than the snow today, the weather has been nice. We have to run the heat at night but it hasn't been kicking on during the day. The house is still a wreck, but we are gaining ground on it. I started hanging new kitchen wall cabinets last night and will continue tonight. I

may drive to the Lowes in Glenwood Springs this evening to pick up a new gas range. We pulled the old range out and set it in the back yard to haul off. I have as much to haul off as we hauled in. I hope to have the inside mostly in order by the end of this weekend, so I can start making a few outside improvements to the yard, fence and house exterior. There is a lot of work to do.

The first two photos were taken from our front yard looking over the top of the neighbor houses at Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive. They are both hiding in the clouds. Both are over 14,000 ft elevation, with Elbert being the tallest. Mt. Massive however, has the largest area above 14,000 ft of any 14er in the state. The last photo was taken Monday from HWY 24 just before reaching Leadville. The two previous mountains would have been to our right. The picture does not do the rainbow justice.

We went to the Edwards skate park on Sunday, while Heather had a church meeting. The third and fourth photos were snapped at the park. The kids love the skate park, and I believe Isaac will eventually be a really good boarder. Boyd will likely be right behind him. Olivia may be a little timid for it, but she may suprise us all.

David and Gretel will be flying out to visit on July 6 and staying about a week. Heather and the kids along with David and Gretel will then drive back to IL for a couple week visit. After her visit, David and Gretel will drive back with her then fly back home.

Now onto more important information. I have drawn several tags for next season. The following are what I've drawn so far:

Late Season Rifle Cow Tag - Dec. 1-Jan. 14

Archery Deer Tag - Aug. 25 - Sept. 23

Bighorn Ewe Tag - Oct. 2 - 11

I will also buy an archery elk tag that runs concurrently with the Archery Deer. I am also waiting to see if I drew a Muzzleloader Antelope tag for late October. I have yet to shoot my knew bow since I brought it home and I have a lot of scouting I need to do. I may need to quit my job.

Moved to Leadville

We made the final move to Leadville yesteday in the snow. It was raining in Avon, but we ran into snow on the way up. We have all the furninture moved into the garage w/some in the house. The refinished floors weren't quite ready. The floors have turned out real well. I actually should have sanded with a screen and added another coat, but we don't have time right now. I still need to get new baseboards and doors installed. I'm using the existing frames on the interior doors, so we'll see how hinge installation goes on the new door slabs.

We removed the old cabinets last night and were pretty grossed out by the amount of filth under them. I found an old package of rolling papers stuck between cabinets. I knew the previous owners had to be high when they painted the house. I plan to install new cabinets this weekend and maybe purchase a new stove. The gas stove that came with the house is shot, along with the dishwasher and refrigerator. However, we can make due with the fridge for a while and live without the dishwasher if we have to. I'm also going to replace several light fixtures and maybe try to add one to the living room.

After I get done w/the inside it will be on to the outside. We will start with repainting and garage door installation. Then I'll move into replacing the back yard fence and building a deck and patio. Lots of work this summer!

Snow

Although not that unusual for the mountains, we have had snow off and on since yesterday morning. I had about an inch on the cars this morning and the grass and trees all had snow on them. I'm sure the snow pounded the higher elevations. The golf course down the road is covered in snow with bright green putting surfaces showing through. The greens must be warmer than the rest of the fairways because they are cut so close to the ground, either way it's pretty cool looking. I'll bet Sean never mowed a green in the snow.

We planned to pave today on the Town's roundabout project, but the weather and the site conditions were not suitable for pavement. So, maybe it will dry up enough today to pave tomorrow. I've never stopped work on a construction site in late May due to snow.

New/Old House

We closed on the house last week 5/15 and have been working on it daily. So far we have removed all baseboards and interior doors, leaving the door frames. The ceiling and walls had to be washed down because they were filthy. I think the previous owneres must have smoked. I rented a paint sprayer from Home Depot and sprayed all the ceilings, so that was an easy job.

I have also touched up all the nail holes in the sheet rock and we have painted the three bedrooms and all the door frames and windows. Tonight we will put a second coat on the bedrooms and start on the living and dining rooms. I want to have all the floors refinished before we move in next week, so I'll be renting a drum sander starting Wednesday.

The kids are loving being able to run around in the house and basement and the small back yard. It all needs a lot of updating, but I think I can get it done this summer. I'll just be glad to get moved in.

I forgot to mention

I drew a sheep tag. Since I didn't have any preference points I applied for a ewe tag which isn't too terribly difficult to draw as a 1st choice. No one w/ preference points will apply as a first choice because they will lose them all if they draw their fist choice. Since everyone wants a ram, they keep trying for a ram tag and apply for ewe as second choice. Ram tags require a min. of 3 preference points. Some guys will draw a tag in as few as 6 years and I know of some who have applied for nearly 20 years for a ram without drawing. Hopefully I can get lucky and fill the ewe tag then start the long wait of applying for a ram tag.

My season will be Oct. 2-11, which is actually a rifle season. I will be hunting with my bow and will take a few vacation days along with a weekend. I plan to scout all summer and I've met a guy from Loveland that has killed a ram and a ewe in the unit I drew that has offered to help. I've also met a guy from north of Colorado Springs that has done the same.

I'm really exited about it. Sheep are at the top of my list for animals I wanted to hunt with my bow. I've included some pics I found on the web. I did not take either photo, but included them to show the difference between the ewe and ram.

This is what I'll be after in October and scouting for all summer.

This is what I'll be passing up and hoping to hunt some day.