Fruita 04/27-29, 2009

CIAOOO EVERYBODY!!!


We've just got back from the desert - again! :o)
Yeee-Haaawww!!!
We did quite a few good bike rides, both by the 18 Rd campground in Fruita and on the Kokopelli's Trail Loops system. Check out the pics.

Our campground

Hobbes, our new cute mascot
(ok-ok! it's Weber's!)

The guys of the camp

Hobbes washing up Chris
(he needed it after 2 mtb rides this day!)

Good campfire,

oh, yeah!!!

And just for Benji....
we found your PRARIE DOG!!!
Can you see it?

Here it is!

Biking-Ratz

Tom on the mtb, finally!

Weber, also finally REALLY USING his mtb!

The Guys

Tsunamy!

Tsunamy on tour

Can you see me???

Beautiful flowers - the desert is finally blooming!

Proof that Tom did with us today:
Rustler's loop, Mary's loop and Steve's loop.
Good job!
Just think that he "thought" he wouldn't be able
to do them.
The Ratzlaffs', as you can imagine...
didn't accept that as an excuse.
And he did more than he thought! :o)
I wonder, if Chris put him on the
"R.P." (a.k.a.: the "Ratzlaff's Program")
as he did with me 5 yrs ago...
and look what I've done since then!!!

Colorado river

Down there is part of the trail we just did

Moab April 21-23

So, finally:

#1) End of Season Parties ---> over!
As usual, we had great time up on top of the mountain,
as well as at MarkyMark's place.
Two good traditions to keep going!!!

#2) Drive to Denver for Tsunamy's
citizen interview/test --> done!
Yep, she'll be a yankee pretty soon & Ratz will have to buy her the Coloradian flag and...
the Redneck-Confederate flag...
You'll see from the pics how she keeps working on her Proud to Be a Redneck Skills.
Well, she needs to get ready for the MN Family Reunion, so the teen-nephews won't kick her buttttt!

#3) Moab, we're coming!!!

Getting ready for the desert
What are the most
important items for the Redneck couple?

Chris - motor-bike --> check!
Sarah - mtb & camera for the pics --> check!

Happy Camper
Finally away from the snow and low temperatures:
we had as high temps as 84 F !!!
Dooolceee!!! (a.k.a.: Sweeetttt!!!) :o)

Redneck lesson #1:
drinking beer by the fireplace

And just for you...
The across the oceans famous
Yankee Super Model Star:
The Ratzzz

Redneck lesson #2:
A.T.V.-ing on 2 and 4 wheels

Tsunamy on tour
(ehm... the pink helmet wasn't my idea!)

Tsunamy & Ratz at the Delicate Arch - again
We were here 4 years ago with our other Italians...
a.k.a.: Tsunamy's family :o)
(Missed you guys!)

Redneck lesson #3:
shooting beer cans & empty bottles
(in a pretty comfy pose too...
neither Clyde's Bonnie wasn't as good!)

Ratz posing for the camera...
but he still can't do what I can :o>

Chris keeps saying I should start motor-biking:
Well, Look how good I'm already!!!
He can't do T H I S ! ! !

Aaaahhh!!!
B I K I N G !!!

Chris riding his first love

Can you see the trail down there?
We were there last year with the Moyers!!!
100 miles of mtb-ing with
the happy baby (Steele!) amusing us every evening! :o)

Roby taking some Redneck lessons from the
Master Jeday Ratz
(look how brave the Master is!!!)

Ehmmm...

Ok-Ok!
This is the whole real pic
of my acrobatic skills
:o)

Closing Day Vail Mountain

What a crazy day. Last day of the ski season. Plenty of sunshine and a huge party at the end. April 19th.

Last day sledding this season ?

It could have been the last day of the season for sledding (hopefully). It was a late afternoon ride with Sarah, Roby (from Italia) and Chris. It was snowing pretty good, but not enough to make it deep powder. Put on another 30 miles or so. We started around 5:30pm and ended around 8:00pm with a sled down for the count. (Sludge's sled). We aren't sure what is up with it. Seems like it blew a piston, but we haven't had a chance to look at it. May/June project.

Chris e Roby

Roby e Sarah

Chris in the snow cave that we built weeks ago. It was still quite large.

Chris coming out of the snow cave

At Piney River Ranch, it is getting late (tardi)


Roby in the snow (nella neve)

Roby

Sarah's last ride back (l'ultimo giro)

In the woods (nel bosco)

Oh, oh, on the way back, Sludge's sled stopped running.
Don't tell Sludge
(We will just put it in the trailer until next November and see if he can start it)