Thursday, December 4, 2008
More Pictures
Reunion Pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3381&l=c4cce&id=1626836064
Our trip through Rocky Mountain National Park: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3382&l=548d0&id=1626836064
They are facebook albums, but my understanding is that you can look at them even if you are not a facebook member.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Autumn Fun

I hope all is well with you guys. Do a post and let us know what's been going on!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
"The Space Between", "I Can See Clearly Now" and More...

Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Big Jer's Company goes LIVE
We started this week and have had our 1st paying customer.
If you happen to have lots of shredding needs in So Cal, don't hesitate to call us!
Hope all is well.
JR
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Woo Hoos
Since the video does not come through in the email that goes out, you will actually have to go the blog location: http://blog.trashfund.com
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Trashy Picture
Here is a picture of everyone on top of Berthoud Pass.
I hope you all had fun (I cannot bring myself to say y'all like Tracy does whenever she corresponds to you people).
By the way, please feel free to post things up here on the blog as you see fit. For those of you who never responded to the original invitation, Tracy can always add you as bloggers.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Greetings from Colorado
Major Meltage
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Directions For Sunday
US 285 South to
CO-470 West to
I70 West
Exit 240 turn right (
Right on
Tommy Knocker Brew Pub is on the right. You can follow signs to town parking.
From Idaho Springs to
I70 West to Exit 232 for US-40 toward Empire
Take US-40 over Berthoud pass and through
About 12 miles past Winter Park, the entrance to Snow Mountain Ranch is on the left.
I am not sure what to do from here, because

Monday, June 16, 2008
We have made it most of the way.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
SAFE TRIP
Thanks to all of you for calling Dad today on Father's Day. You made his day extra special. We are looking forward to seeing all of you very soon! I looked at the extended forecast for Winter Park and the highs are in the mid 60's, so pack accordingly. Don't forget............Talent Show................ parents as well as kids should participate........remember the fun we had when you were all kids!!!! Good memories! We love you all and want everyone to have a very safe trip!!!
Love, Grammy & Papa Lou
Friday, June 13, 2008
TNT's Colorado Vacation Definitions
Altitude Sickness: perfect excuse to lounge around
High Altitude: standing by my lawn chair rather than sitting in it
Sunscreen: the umbrella over my lawn chair
Hydration: lots of Coors Lite (it's a pretty watery beverage, right?)
Hiking: the walk to the cooler for Coors Lite, and also to the bathroom
Group Hike: Jon and I walking to the cooler for Coors Lite (Budweiser)
Whitewater Rafting: my kids thrashing in the pool while I lay on a blow up raft
Rain Gear: the roof on the cabin
Walkie-Talkie: my children
Dressing in layers: if I decide to wear shorts AND underwear that day
Eating Foods and High in Potassium: Beer nuts
Horseback Riding: when my kids crawl on my back while lounging on the floor
Swimsuit: two words: Banana Hammock!
Looking forward to it!
TNT
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Horsey Ride
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Packing
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hats -- both caps for sun and hats for cold, especially for the kids (hope the ones for cold won't be necessary, but you never know in the mountains)
- Layers...since mountain weather is unpredictable -- jacket/sweatshirt/pants
- Comfortable shoes -- you don't need hiking shoes to go hiking, but you won't want 3 inch heels! Might want to bring an extra pair in case they get muddy or wet.
- Backpack -- to take hiking, etc.
- Swimsuits
- Rain gear
- Walkie-talkies
- Collapsible cooler (lunch bag to bring lunch on hike)
- And of course, a CAMERA!!
We'll bring some bug spray so you don't have to deal with that on the plane. I'll let you know if I think of anything else.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Whitewater Rafting Info
Kremmling has Class I-III rapids, so kids age 4 and up can raft. However, Kremmling is about an hour drive from Winter Park. Not sure if anyone wants to make that trek.
I'll assume we'll pass on the whitewater rafting, unless I hear otherwise from some of you.
Feel free to come back and visit us any time when you might have more time to raft!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Horseback Riding, Anyone?
They have 1-hour rides for $32/person and 2-hour rides for $45/person. They also have breakfast and dinner rides, but I thought we may not want to do this since the cost is quite a bit more and I know at least our kids wouldn't eat enough to make the cost worth it. Let me know if there's interest in that, though.
Kids age 1-4 can ride with a parent, and kids 5 and up can ride their own horse.
Will y'all please respond and let me know if you're still interested after learning the price? If we have a group that wants to do this, I'll block a time for us.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Glimpse of Colorado
A couple of weekends ago, we stayed in Winter Park (which is very close to snow mountain ranch where we will be staying for a few days when you guys are all here)
This first photo is us on top of Berthoud pass. There is still back-country skiing going on up in that area. We were just driving through. When you T.R.A.S.H. people are here, we will most likely go over this pass either on our way to or back from the YMCA of the Rockies. It will be interesting to see if there is still considerable snow.
This shot is from a trail in Grand Lake, about half an hour North of Winter Park. Grand Lake is the town closest to the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park on the West side of the Continental Divide.
As you can see from this picture, we had to hike through some snow to get close to the lake.
For our Memorial Day Weekend Camping trip. We went up to Rocky Mountain National Park. We were on the other side of the Continental Divide for our camping trip.
This is Tyler and Connor in front of Long's Peak. Unfortunately, Long's peak gets lost in the clouds in this picture. This was a much nicer view in person than comes across in the photo.
This is a view above Cub Lake. We got to this lake by hiking about 2 1/2 miles into the mountains.
This is a picture of the valley through which the Cub Lake trail leads. The snow-covered mountains in the back are part of the continental divide. Some of them are accessible via Trail-Ridge-Road. Tracy is considering leading the group up this route on our way to Tabernash.
We had lunch on this rock on the way up to Cub Lake.
Here is the family up at Cub Lake. It is quite a hike for a six-year old. Connor got to ride in a pack, so it is not nearly as impressive that he made it as it was that Tyler did. Connor called the mountains in the background "Rocky Mountain Pie". I am not sure how he came up with that name, but it works fine for me.
And of course, what is Colorado camping without guitar and singing by the campfire? If you are all nice you might be able to convince the artist to perform for you while you are here.
Monday, May 26, 2008
TRASH '08 Calendar
Saturday, May 24, 2008
One Month Away
Well, it's one month from FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! We are really looking forward to everyone being together. I don't know about the rest of you, but we are especially afraid of the Tyler/Connor tooth tigers that we are about the come in contact with.
Eric, you should write a book, you are a talented writer! Hope everyone is having fun this Memorial Day weekend. Papa Lou and I are enjoying the cooler weather, doing some yardwork and possibly taking in some movies, or whatever else comes up. Love you all. Let the TRASH talk begin!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Colorado Tips
High Altitude
To us, Denver is in the low-lands at 5,200' (1 Mile) high. While you are here, you will be spending a significant amount of time at 8,000 - 9,000 feet and probably go as high as 12,000 feet during your visit. Higher altitude means much thinner air. This, of course, gives Ted a built in excuse should he fail while "taking on all challengers", but it also can be unpleasant if you are not careful. Altitude sickness is a nasty thing.
So, while here:
- Take it easy. Especially the first day or so, try not to do anything too strenuous. If you get tired, take a rest. Luckily, most of you will have a nice amount of time to acclimate in the Denver area a day or two before we head up to Snow Mountain Ranch. Use that time to relax and learn to breath the thin air.
- Drink lots of water. Lots and lots of water. Drink water. Especially if you are active at all, you need to make sure you are hydrated. There is very little humidity in Colorado and high altitude gets you dehydrated quicker.
- At higher altitude, the sun is much more intense. Wear sunscreen. Wear a hat and make sure you wear sunglasses.
- Try to eat things high in potassium
- Check out http://www.highaltitudetips.com/ . I think I got the main things, but it does not hurt to be prepared.
Denver gets almost 300 days of sun. This means chances are, every day will be warm and sunny.... at least to start out with. Weather during spring time in Colorado is unpredictable (actually this is true year - round). It is very common to get thunderstorms late in the afternoon, so make sure you bring rain gear. At high altitudes, when the sun goes down, it can get cool fast, so make sure you bring sweat shirts. It probably is not likely, but it is also possible to get snow in June.
Basically just plan to dress in layers. While out and about, bring a backpack and plan on wanting to add or remove clothing as appropriate.
Wildlife
I have been seeing Coyotes wandering around our neighborhood the past couple of days in the evenings and early mornings. There are possibilities of close-encounters with black - bears and (very rarely) mountain lions. We are such a big group, that I seriously doubt these sorts of creatures will want anything to do with us, but do keep in mind to keep an eye on the little ones especially in the early mornings and evenings. It really is not a big deal, because it is true that wild animals are generally more afraid of you than you are of them. Just be aware of it.
You will probably see lots of deer and elk. We have spotted Moose close to where we will be staying up in the mountains. You may see big-horn sheep or maybe even some mountain goats on your way up to Tabernash.
Basically, just keep your eyes open. Wildlife spotting is exciting and fun.
Perhaps the most vicious, and scary wildlife are the TylerandConnor-Tooth-Tigers. Perhaps the most nefarious of all predictors, the scariest thing about them is that they look so innocent... even cute. But if you spot one, be afraid. Be very very afraid. Eventually, they will viciously attack. And, I have spotted them all over the place. They have even been know to be bold enough to wander into suburban houses and attack innocent, helpless fathers.
Pine Beetles
It sucks, but Grand County Colorado (where Snow Mountain Ranch) has a huge pine beetle infestation. You will see lots of dead and dying pines.
http://www.ymcarockies.org/home/our-locations/snow-mountain-ranch/pinebeetle
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05528.html
Monday, May 19, 2008
Feast at the Shepards
Grammy and I have started talking about activities...if you haven't sent me info on what you're interested in doing yet, please do so to get your opinions added! More to come soon...
Friday, January 25, 2008
Um, yeat that guitar hero thing?
We are bringing the BBQ and have an Aerobed if we end up short on kid spots to sleep.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Things We Need?
Jon
Monday, January 7, 2008
Talking TRASH
Since we'll be rolling in a little later than everyone else, I suggest you boys use the time wisely to practice your (questionable) skills on darts, pool, horeshoes, bocce ball, or any other game you can find.....I'm taking on all challengers....................