Fall and Winter 2005 and Spring 2006

It's been a while since we last posted new pictures to this site. By way of amends
here's a selection of pictures that we've accumulated over the past few months.

This is a panaromic view of the continental divide taken from the summit of Bear Peak in February 2006. Bear Peak
is on the outskirts of Boulder; the summit is a 20 minute drive and an hour's brisk hike from our home
(a bit more than an hour when the trail is covered with fresh snow).

Alex and Fran relaxing below the new quilt that Fran made for the living room. Martin helped with the design, but the handiwork is all Fran's.	Alex and Fran on the summit of South Boulder Peak , October 2005. The panorama above shows almost the same view a few months later.	Martin, Alex and Rick on Christmas Day, about to tear into their presents.	The same scene a couple of minutes later.
Alex and some of her friends at her 9th birthday party, January 2006	Alex playing the piano, February 2006	Alex at the summit of Mary Jane ski area, February 2006	Rick and Alex at Mary Jane base, February 2006
This and the next few pictures were taken at Silverton, a ski area in south-west Colorado that Rick and Martin visited in March 2006	Here's Rick at the top of Silverton. Most of the runs require some hiking because there's only one lift. But it's some of the best snow we've ever skiied.	The bustling town of Silverton (elevation 9,318', year-round population 500).	Looking down one of the runs at Silverton. You're required to ski in groups and go with a guide because the runs are unmarked and sometimes avalanche-prone.
Rick (with the orange snowboard) hiking to one of the other runs at Silverton, with the San Juan mountains in the background.	Looking down another run at Silverton. Every run we skied we were making fresh tracks through deep powder.	Just two weeks after the Silverton trip Rick and I were out climbing in warm sunshine in Eldorado Canyon. This is Rick on a popular climb called "Calypso" (5.6).	In April 2006 Alex performed at a piano recital and got to play on a Steinway grand – a bit of a change from the electronic piano at home.
Fran and Martin at a local restaurant, April 2006	Alex helping to plant a tree at the local park, Arbor Day, April 2006	Alex and the poster she painted for Arbor Day (she won a prize from the local municipality).	Down on the plains April might be springtime, but up in the mountains it's still winter. This is a gully on James Peak called "Shooting Star" that Martin climbed with John Christie.
Martin and John Christie on the summit of James Peak, with Winter Prak and Mary Jane ski areas in the background.	In May 2006 Martin and Gordon Laurens climbed "Dreamweaver", a snow and ice climb in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here's Martin on the approach.	Gordon Laurens topping out on the last steep section of "Dreamweaver".	This is Rick near the top of "Swanson's Arete", a 5.5 climb in Eldorado Canyon.