Crested Butte to Aspen (and back)

This past weekend my friends Bryan and Tsunami came to town for some camping. I had never been to Aspen or Crested Butte so decided to do West Maroon Trail that goes between the two.  We ended up getting a crew of 9 together and headed out Friday morning...however this did not include fellow barnmates Alicia and Schmidty. Instead those 2 decided to party Thursday night. I picked up the boys at the airport well after midnight and came home to Dah Barn only to find Schmidty and Alicia in another world.  Alicia was offering sleeping blankets with "creature features" and Schmidty was walking around aimlessly outside trying to cool down after a confrontation with random girls on the lightrail.

Bryan, Tsunami and I at 12,500 ft on West Maroon Pass

The whole crew about to head down the pass to the Aspen side where we would setup camp

Maroon Bells are the two 14ers in the background. Maroon lake in the foreground.

Bryan getting the first use out of his rod.  9 trout between the 3 of us fishing

On the way back, happy to get to the pass and have downhill remaining

We had some beers in Crested Butte...everyone was so hungry/dehydrated that it made for a comical few hours 

Best pizza I have ever had- The Secret Stash. Bryan and Jaron up to no good

The trip was amazing and if you have never gone to Maroon Bells or Crested Butte, this is a must-do hike. For all the photos, click HERE

This weekend is the Keystone Bluegrass & Brews Festival and the blog is going to feature a day-in-the-life of Christopher Schmidt; so stay tuned!

Schmidty + Cash = Sled

This past Saturday all the Barnmates plus Matt hopped in Schmidty's Titan and headed West to make both smart and stupid decisions.

Stupid Decisions:

Giving Schmidty way too much cash

Falling on the grainy snow at Copper

Looks like Alicia is just showing off her butt, but there is a solid bruiser down there

Allowing Wade and his bum ankle to stand in front of Schmidty with a running sled

Not eating all day, going to the Crawfish Boil party, drinking hurricanes, and then trying to skate home

Smart Decisions:

Schmidty buying a snowmobile (this could go both ways...we will find out soon enough)

Skiing at Copper in the middle of summer

Dane & Alicia giving out free lessons

Deciding to live life more like this 90 year old dude who has skied 96 months straight

Ty's Farewell Weekend

With Ty moving to Texas for a year, it was only right to send him out with a bang.  Friday night we had the Wash Park Progressive Dinner III- Summer Vacation, then we participated in the RAC Olympics during the day Saturday, and then ended it on Pearl St. where Ty hosted a party in his front lawn since the Pearl Jam music festival was also happening. I think everyone would agree that we sent off Ty in typical Wash Park Crew fashion- great friends, fun activities, and lots of partying. The weekend went something like this....

FRIDAY

6:30pm - Cocktail Hour: Crew arrives at The 711 Lounge hosted by European tourists Ty and Jayna

7:45pm - Appetizer: Show up at The Green to find Jaron and Suzi dancing to Kid Rock- All Summer Long while enjoying the lake life in Northern Michigan.

9:00pm - Salad: We enter the Catalina Spring Mixer scene of Step Brothers at Mold is Gold hosted by Wade and Lindsey

9:38pm - Suzi experiences the best 3 minutes of her life. Motorcycle Driveby solo

10:30pm - Entree: Dah Barn hosts a Northwoods cabin experience with fish and beer straight from Wisco

11:20pm - Dessert: Everyone's worst nightmare of middle school fat kid camp becomes a reality thanks to Claire and Megan at The Club

12:34am - Ty and Jayne manage to lose their mattresses instead of weight...fat kids announced incurable

SATURDAY

10:00am - RAC Olympics begins in downtown Denver. Entering 2 teams this year, the crew was focused to take home the Gold.

10:08am - Superdrinkers are stunned by a comeback win by Beat the Heat Not the Meat (AKA the good guys)

11:27am - Street dance party breaks out. Wearing down Superdrinkers just as planned

2:32pm - Beat the Heat Not the Meat becomes the 1st ever team to sweep the Olympics. Booya!

3:00pm - Party continues at The 711 Lounge

6:34pm - Lindsey experience the best 3 minutes of her life. Waking up to Motorcycle Driveby solo

9:14pm - Schmidty and I get the best stage view of them all

9:16pm - Schmidty and I get kicked off roof; fail at becoming friends with building owner

11:15pm - Schmidty is found passed out in the backyard. Alicia saves him by offering cover via blanket

12:45am - Wade distributes his 13th wet willy for the night. Stargazing comes to an end

12:58am - Alicia went to brush her teeth, and came across a little surprise named Schmidty!

1:13am - Wade's chain falls off while trying to get Jaron home safely. Wade then pukes out the 2 sausages that he demolished at the Pearl Jam music festival

Thanks to everyone for making awesome food, costumes and drinks! Ty- you will be missed by the entire Wash Park Crew; you are our Commander-in-Chief. And since we all know Schmidty can't take over that responsibility in your absence, the position will be waiting upon your return.

Click HERE for all the photos.