Sledding in Upstate NY!

wipe out, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Visiting the Allen's in Newark

santa brought me body parts in my stocking, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Visiting the Costa's in Poughkeepsie

The Costa's, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Thanksgiving!!

jamie carving the bird, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Today we cooked enough food to feed at least a house full of people- just for the two of us. The turkey turned out great, and so did everything else! Needless to say we'll be eating turkey and all the trimmings for another week or so.

Brining the Bird

Brining Bird, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

On the night before thanksgiving we began preparing our 9.4 lb. Free Range Organic Heritage Turkey by soaking it in a salt and sugar water solution.

Hallowienerz 2009

IMG_3775, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Pumpkin Carving Photos

IMGP3341, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leahallen/sets/72157622663435928/

Picking Pumpkins in the Snow!

Harvestival '09, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Today we traveled to the Grant Family Farms up in Wellington, CO for Harvestival 2009. The temperature outside was easily 20 degrees or colder.

First sticky snow in Boulder!

Snow friend, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

We had our first real snow sticking to the ground tonight! It's been quite cold and we had a little snow falling a few days before but today it actually accumulated enough for us to play in it a bit.

Tomorrow Jamie and I will be braving the cold weather and potentially more snow up in Fort Collins at the Grant Family Farms Harvestival. Stay tuned for more photos from our adventures on the farm!

Golden Gate Canyon Park Hike, Golden CO

IMG_3606, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Working the Farm!

catchin' a ride on the peace train, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Today we picked tomatoes and eggplants at our CSA, Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Colorado.

Photos from The Allen's Visit to Colorado!

Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Cherry Winters.

Check out a collection of photos from their visit, September 17 - 22, 2009.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leahallen/collections/72157622450091586/

MTB Ride - Sourdough

On Saturday, Tsvi and I headed out to Sourdough, about a 45 minute drive from Boulder up in the Roosevelt Forest. The trail starts at 9207 ft. and tops out at 10336 ft. with about 1200 ft. of climbing. About 90% of the ride was a climb. There was one tricky rock garden, but we got through it after the second try. Most of the trail was rocky with a few spots that were smooth and covered in pine needles. It was a gradual climb, but difficult due to the elevation and both of us recently living in the East didn't help. We did have a few flat tires which didn't help. When we got to the next trailhead, we were about to continue on, but Tsvi had another leak and we decided to call it a day. Luckily there were some other riders who were heading down to the southern lot and offered us a ride, we accepted. Next time we are bringing exta tubes so we can complete the out and back. Another fine day, really can't complain.

MTB Ride - Buffalo Creek

With the weather being perfect, Brad and I headed an hour and 20 southwest to Pine, CO to ride an IMBA Epic, Buffalo Creek. The ride was everything I hoped for. Some climbing with pure singletrack and scenery everywhere around you.

Back in 2000, a wildfire swept through the area and caused significant damage. Read more hereehttp://www.uppersouthplatte.net/resource/nrthfork/hmed2for.html

The ride was a total of 20 miles with an elevation gain of 1000 ft. The ride began, as does every ride here in Colorado with a climb. Tough at times, but always rewarded with an amazing descent. Fast, fast, fast. Although some parts of the trail were pretty washed out and sandy, there was plenty of hardpack and slickrock to play around on. Another great ride to check off the long list of rides I must do.

Brad starting the climb

Climbing

Entering the wildfire area. So surreal.

Some sections were sandy and a little tough to keep control

MTB Ride - Alderfer/Three Sisters Park

Today, Brad and I headed out to Evergreen to ride at Three Sisters Park. We got there at 10 and hit the dirt. The ride started with a 1000ft ascent to the summit. The trail was pretty smooth, not too rocky which made for a pretty easy easy climb. Once we got to the top we were rewarded with a great lookout of the surrounding peaks of the rockies in the short distance to the west. After catching our breath, we headed back down on a fast and pretty smooth descent with a few water bars to make it interesting. Oh, and there was once mishap, and luckily it wasn't too bad. Brad, came up on a rocky section and his front wheel got stuck in a rut and got thrown off his bike. It was a sight to behold. The bike went flying down into a ditch (see pics). Besides that the ride was sweet. We headed to the Dillon Dam Brewery for lunch afterwards. The weather once again was prime.

Scene of the accident. Bike in ditch.

Dillon Dam