Beach Bum

It's always nice to find a deserted beach, even if it's on Grand Lake. In the summer this beach area is teeming with tourists, kids and dogs. Today there's not a soul around, not even Barky's friends, the geese. The weather here has been gorgeous and there's no better time to go down to the lake and just sit in the sun and kick back. The only thing missing was a Pina Colada and a few bikini clad sun bathers. I have a feeling the next beach I'm on will include those necessary items a beach bum requires.

Refer Maddness

I don't know how many people use their refrigerator door as collage of photos, news clippings, etc. Even the refrigerator magnets themselves can be from travels to football schedules to a singing frog. I've got a leaf from Tobago, a beer label from Panama and even a 'GO SLOW' bumper sticker from Belize. I think it all started in college. Steve and Jan Scott had their 'ice box' covered with pictures and postcards and I would spend time to check out their collection, after getting a beer from inside first, of course. Mine is mostly photos of friends, some of which are no longer with us but seeing them everyday there on the 'fridge' always makes me smile.

This might be a good chance for you bloggers to chime in and share some of what's on your refrigerator door. Maybe you have a collection of sorts also or just a dirty kitchen towel and the name of your appliance(so to speak). Leave a comment!

GO RAYS!!

The world series starts tonight. We all remember last year and how the Red Sox swept our Rockies in their first ever world series bid. This year the Tampa Bay Rays are in for the first time vs. the Phillies and I'm throwing my hopes in for the Rays. Our 'little buddy', D.W. is a Rays fan and even got a Ray-Mohawk haircut and dyed it blue...that's a fan! I have nothing against the Phillies but it's good to see new blood in America's great past time. I've snorkled in waters with mantas and even sting-rays but can't quite get a handle on what the Philly Fanatic green thing is all about. GO RAYS!!! (Dubs, I hope you get to shave your head!)

Have A Nice Day

It's a pretty nice morning here at 8369. The sun is peaking out through the clouds and temp is above freezing. The weather forecast is for snow tonight but it doesn't look like it right now. We had a little rain yesterday so scenes like this one are still just a short hike away. There's not much going on this time of year and that's quite alright with me. Guess I'll just enjoy the day and hope you all do the same.

Good Morning

Howdy there blog readers. This is Jax from Grassy Key, FL where the sun is up and the weather is fine and good for a morning swim. In Grand Lake, CO it's dark and 32f and Corm is wondering why he is up this early. Not for an early morning swim in the lake, that's for sure. So I guess I'll go find some fish to eat and let him finish his Cherrios and go back to bed. GO BRONCOS!!
I am awake now and the Broncos suck!!...GO DOLPHINS!!!!

Holding On To The Sun

Winter's just around the corner. We had the third snow up high a couple days back and even had snow on the ground here at 8,369. That means the snow and cold will be around now until next May or June. There are times when the snow is welcome and, of course we always have a white Christmas. The skiing and snowmobiling are great winter activities and good for our local economy. The thing I never seem to get used to about this time of year, however, is the lack of sunshine. The days are growing shorter and won't start getting longer again until December 21st. At least daylight savings time is a couple weeks longer this year and there's always the option of heading south. So I'm just gonna hang on to the sun as long as I can. Viva la Sol!

Helping Friends Through Music

I play for quite a few fundraisers over the course of a year and I'm always happy to help whenever I can. This last Saturday I got together with fellow musicians, Peggy Mann, Brad Pregeant, Larry Bishop, Larry Bacon and Ken Lund. We held a concert in the community house in Grand Lake to raise money to help our friends, the Peterson-Maki family whose son was paralysed from a car crash earlier this summer. I think it raised around $10,000 from the generous folks here in Grand County to help the family. Every one had a great time, especially the musicians as we all did a set at the end together. It was a real treat and sounded terrific. Thanks to everybody who donated their time and money to help Zack, Jim and Suzi

Achieving A Goal

I gave another check to the Grand County Library District for their Breast Cancer Resources today. This made the goal I had set months ago to try and raise $3,000.00 to buy books, DVDs and other resources related to breast cancer. I'd like to thank everyone who bought a CD or T-shirt to help this worthy cause. It's probably fitting that it took until now to reach the goal because October is breast cancer awareness month. Pictured above with myself is librarian Marlene Leiser and cutting the ribbon is the mayor of Granby, Jynnifer Piero. There are many books already on the shelves of all the libraries in the district and more on the way. I'd like to personally thank Penny Hamilton, Stephanie Ralph, Jeanine Elsener, Toni Harless, Bob Rinker and Kathy Whitman for all their help with the Ribbons Of Hope Campaign. Mission Accomplished!!

Foot Loose on the Fancy Free

I got my first sailing experience on Lake Granby today thanks to Pat Gill and his lovely lady Deaire. Jeanine, Michelle Kennedy and I were invited to an afternoon on the water before the snow flies and the deer turn to elk. I've had the pleasure of sailing Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir before on an E-Scow with the likes of Dan 'Sluggo' Schneller, Paul Harrington, Jason Sutherland and some other great skippers of the high lakes but this was not a race atmosphere, just a wonderful day sailing with friends on the unpredictable winds of Lake Granby. Our hosts treated us like stars and the weather was sunny and windy and perfect for an afternoon without motors and gasoline fumes. Just the cool autumn breeze and a gust now and then to wake you up from the warmth of the sun on your smiling face. We were truly 'Dancing with the Wind', as the songs goes, and I might have the urge to write another song about the joy of friends sharing a memorable time on the waters 6'000 ft. above sea level. I wonder what Jimmy Buffett would say...Hey, Hey, Gardner McKay!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks to all the hard work put in by these wonderful ladies, Team Grand Lake's contributions to the Denver-Komen Race for the Cure was a great success! There were more people who registered(over 440) and with the auction and the Saturday Crawl there should be even more money raised than last year. Estimates say maybe $24,000 all together. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this year the best ever!!

Auctioneer Extrodinare

Ed Peterson and his lovely wife Sharon have been helping out with community events here in Grand Lake for a long time. Whenever there's a fundraiser, they are always there to help out. Some years back, Ed got talked into being the auctioneer at some event(probably the Christmas project) and although he'd never done it before, he's turned into the regular auctioneer for every fundraiser that comes along.
After the race, they hold an auction to raise even more money to be donated to the Komen- Denver race fund. Ed and Sharon will be on hand to run the auction and help keep the spirit of the morning going on into the afternoon. I wonder what I'll buy this year?

Come One, Come All

Quite a few folks bring their dogs, kids and even strollers to the race. Pictured here is Dave Messinger who did a great video on the race last year. You can click on Grand County Dave under related sites here and check out last years race and other Grand Lake events.

Race Info

Don't forget, the race is Sunday at 10 am and the start and finish are at Pancho & Lefty's. You can still register the morning of the race starting at 9:00 at Pancho's. If you're already registered, you can pick up your packet there Sunday morning or before then at Century 21 located at the Waconda.

Looking Forward To The Invasion

One of the best things about this coming weekend is seeing the annual visit of friends who journey from far and near to catch the spirit and excitement that comes from being a part of this race for the cure. Some will be staying with us in the house as well as the tipi and we can't wait for the chance to enjoy each others company again. I wish we could do this kind of thing more than just once a year but we all know about that sort of thing. The same can be said for holidays and family reunions or any reunion for that matter. I don't get to go to many because of work and the logistics and all, and everyone goes through the same frustration at times.
But this has become a reunion for sure, and definitely one I look forward to every year. We are making certain the 'cosmic' tipi is ready for visitors!
Beam me up Scotty!