Wipe Out

Today was "date day" where Laurie and I got to go out on an adventure while the kids stayed with Papa Scott and Gigi. Our plan was to downhill mountain bike at Deer Valley Resort for 3 or 4 hours. Neither of us really had any real downhill mountain biking experience, and this place's easiest trail "starts right out at intermediate" according to the chair lift operators.

We rented our bikes and helmets, got our lift tickets and headed up the mountain. It took about 10 or 15 minutes to get to the top.

Before - On the chair lift

View from the chair lift

The first run down had us a little freaked out at the first few steep drops. Steep, fast, loose rock, tree roots, and sharp turns. But we made it. Laurie had a few detours off the path into the bushes, but nothing major. We had a blast and decided to go again on the same trail. A little too cocky this time...Laurie cruised right into the second steep, sharp turn and wiped out hard. I didn't see the fall since I was in front of her, but I heard it and saw the aftermath.

She bailed pretty hard on her right side destroying her helmet, bashing her head, scraping her arm, and messing up her shoulder. We walked back up the hill to the top of the chair lift and got some first aid attention.

After - Happy she made it.

Forearm Scrape and Hydrogen Peroxide Fun

The first aid guy said she might have a mild concussion. Then he looked at her helmet and saw how destroyed it was and said "you definitely have a mild concussion". They wouldn't let us ride the chair lift back down, so we called Papa Scott and Gigi to come pick us up (luckily at the top of this lift was a resort that had a windy road leading up to it). The worst of it seemed to be her shoulder. It took some pretty good slamming and she couldn't raise her arm. The first aid tent got her all setup with a sling and sent us directly to the emergency clinic in town.

Emergency clinic waiting room

The clinic got her fitted with ice and a real sling. Took some x-rays, cleaned and treated all her wounds, and gave her some mental acuity tests. Laurie's got some scrapes and a good lump on her head, but the x-ray was clean and the worst of it was diagnosed as major bruising in the shoulder and some possible rotator cuff strain. OTC pain killers seemed to be pretty effective and after a short rest she was ready for me to take her shopping and out to dinner. Laurie's not gonna let a little wipe out get in the way of shopping and a dinner date!

Slide Burn

We took an afternoon to check out Park City Resort. They have a lot to offer in the summer. It is like an outdoor wilderness amusement park. We had passes for the Alpine Slide so we decided to check it out.

You get to take the chairlift to the top of the slide. Papa Scott, Skyann, Scott, and Kate went up first.
This is a picture of the bottom of the slide. It curves high up the mountain and starts at the top of the lift. You can see Papa Scott and Skyann in the third slide from the left and Scott with Kate in the last slide on the right.

Here is Papa Scott and Skyann whipping to a stop at the end. The girls has a blast! They wanted to go again so this time Scott rode with Skyann, Gigi rode with Kate, and I went solo. Scott and Skyann derailed and toppled a bit at the top of the slide. Scott with his ninja reflexes burrito wrapped Skyann with his body to protect her. She came away scratch free (but with a bonk on the lip). Scottie however....

He got some pretty gross burns on his leg and arm. They were even more disgusting the next day when he took the gauze off. Two days later it looks like he might have sprained his ankle as well. All in the name of fun and protection.

A little more Park City

These are dresses that Skyann bought for the girls at an auction. They enjoyed the ties at the top. Leia looked like a watermelon =)

Today was a fun filled day. We hit the park and did some climbing and swinging.
Kate loved running across the bridges.

Then we hit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some ice cream. Kate choose Superman flavor, it's like eating a sugary rainbow.
Leia practiced standing. She is going through Jumperoo withdrawl.

Diane and I snuck out to do some shopping during nap time. We had a great lunch and the afternoon flew by. We headed down the mountain in the late afternoon to have dinner with a family Diane knows. They made us a fantastic BBQ and we enjoyed the company. They had horses that Skyann and Kate got to ride after dinner. Skyann rode by herself and then took Kate for a spin.
They had a blast. Kate wanted to go again and again.
Leia: " Really mom? Another picture?" At least Gigi was in for a smile.
Scott and Kate got in some swing time, we may have to get one of these at home.

Only one more full day and then we head home. We are heading back to Park City Resort for more fun and hopefully no more injuries.

Park City

We are currently in Park City, Utah with the Florida Bradleys. Our first full day was lazy. We took naps and a couple leisurely walks but that was about it. Today we went to Deer Valley Resort to ride the chairlift and do some hiking. We took on a bit bigger hike than intended but it was worth the challenge. We rode one chairlift halfway up the mountain and then hiked 1.8 miles with a 14ooft elevation gain to the top of the mountain. Skyann hiked the whole way on her own. Scott carried Leia up in the Bjorn and I carried Kate up in a backpack. My legs are smoked! Once at the top we rode a chairlift back to the middle, had lunch, and rode another chairlift back to the bottom. Then we drove into Salt Lake City to visit the beloved Apple store and pick up Diane from the airport.

I'm on vacation!

Leia working on her rolling. She has mastered back-to-front now.

Checking out flowers on our leisurely walk.

Enjoying the enchantment of water and sticks.

On the trail!
Almost at the top. Kate and Leia both napped in their carriers on the way up.

Doing a little rock climbing to reach the absolute top.

Leia sleeping arrangement. She loves it.

Cle Elum- the videos

There were many great moments and we caught lots of them on film. Here are some of my favorites.

Ring Around the Rosy was popular the whole trip!



These girls did a TON of running.



Kate got a little mixed up with her ABC's and it really confused Hadley.

Seabrook

We are on vacation in Seabrook on the Washington Coast. It is pretty chilly, windy, rainy, sunny. A little bit of everything. That isn't stopping our adventuring. We have been on excursions to the beach, playing with rocks in the yard, biking around the neighborhood, and playing at the park. Lets not forget curling up by the fire with a warm book and relaxing in the hot tub. There was birthday cake too! What more can you want from vacation? (and it's only day 2!)