Colorado Trip Day 8 (25 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 8

Great group and a great view!

Taking in the views before heading back to the Midwest

We're on our way home from Hat Camp!

"I'll take the holy water, bless you."

Sweet tooth?

Thanks parents, for allowing me to be a tour guide this past week and offer outdoor experiences in one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. One way to preserve the beauty is to expose the next generation to hikes like Quandary and Chihuahua Gulch and develop lasting memories. An appreciation of the experience and the surroundings will hopefully shape their value for nature in a positive way and they can continue to be the ambassadors for the outdoors by "spreading the word." It also makes me smile that I snuck in 20 miles of hiking (half of that up hill) & 3.1 running, and it didn't even seem like exercise!
Melissa Dunbar continues to step up and help out. This was her third year with me and she's beginning to repeat some hikes and has a bittersweet spot in her heart for the Granby Gutbuster. It was special to have Amber Bryant along as well. She attended the 1st trip as a 6th grader in 1998 and her enthusiasm hasn't subsided since. Know that this trip would not exist without competent chaperones. They take care of all the "little things" behind the scenes that need to be done. Thanks again.
The most rewarding part of this week is getting to know these kids on a more personal level. Through their conversations, we can get a better understanding of what "makes them tick." I'm happy to be a part of their growth and look forward to continuing our friendships. Parenting is not an easy job, but it's evident that these students are on a path to becoming great contributors to our community. They're flexible, respectful, funny, naive, helpful, ambitious, talented, and did I mention funny?
The future of the Cool Runners status is "one year at a time." Based on this past week, I'll get some rest and begin planning for 2010-11. Consider the Wolf Lake Trail Run on Sunday, September 26. It's a 3.8 mile trail run at the Bong State Recreation Area. Thank you all again!

Keep moving,

Scott Hollmaier

Colorado Trip Day 7 (200 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 7

Gorillas in the mist.

Mike "leave a little trace" Danos

Quandary Summit

Everyone say "CHEESE," it's 40 degrees!

How many days left?

Getting ready for the Breckenridge Hat Parade!

Today we awoke at 3:45. We went hiking on Quandary Peak, it was approximately 14,265 ft. above ground level with about 3,000 ft. of elevation. It was 5.4 miles in all-it took us 8 hours. We saw lots of cute little animals on this strenuous hike, including dogs, mountain goats, and mostly pikas (cute furry hamster looking things). This was one of our toughest hikes and some people had trouble breathing, but everyone made it to the top! After hiking we all piled into the vans and went to a sick-nasty hat store. Everyone got a crazy hat. While walking through Breckenridge, people on the street thought we were crazy when they saw 17 kids walking with wild hats. Then, when we got back to the house, some girls made cookies, everyone started packing, we're getting ready to possibly watch Alice in Wonderland, and go out to the Dillon Dam Brewery for dinner. We'll be on our way home tomorrow. This was an awesome trip. We will all remember it forever. We all became a closer Cool Runner family. Our 2010 Colorado trip was 'beastly' and an amazing experience, mostly because Mr. Hollmaier, Ms. Dunbar, and Ms. Bryant. Thanks chaperones! We had a great week and you guys made it memorable.

Thanks again chaperones, see you tomorrow families!

Charlie (the one whose last name starts with an N) ©h@®liΩ

Jamie and Brooke

Colorado Trip Day 6 (97 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 6

So easy, a child could do it.

Scotty's Angels

Don't look behind you!

Hungry Boys vs. Gigantor Pizza

The only thing missing was sombreros...

Finally, a free day SLEEPING IN, well until 7. Shannon, Nikki, Mikayla, and Brooke started their day off with an 80 foot climb. It was a really successful trip and one of Mr. Hollmaier's favorites in a long time! After the amazing climbing experience the four girls, Hollmaier and Ms. Bryant went to Frisco for a breakfast treat. Then, the same group went grocery shopping (the last grocery trip for the week)! The rest of the group stayed home, hung out and relaxed. Once the four girls and chaperones came home they had a surprise for Ms. Dunbar, she got flowers for watching the boys. Soon after the climbers came back from grocery shopping, everyone went to lunch. We went to a pizza place, the boys ordered a 36 inch pizza and finished the whole thing in about 8 minutes. Then we shopped for awhile in Breckenridge. Mikayla bought some incense to help cover the up the toots that have been occurring more often recently. Nick lost 40 dollars, but when he got home the 40 dollars reappeared on his bed--this remains a mystery. When we got home, some of the boys prepared a Mexican fiesta. Charlie H. was in charge of fajitas, Nate, Adrian, and Bradley made tacos, and Mike and Nick made quesadillas. It was delicious! Mr. Hollmaier talked to us about preparing for our 14er tomorrow. We are leaving at 4:50 am for our longest hike of the week. When we get to the top, if it is clear, we may be able to see up to 100 miles away! Today was a really great day! Bradley and Adrian would like to say "hi!".

Signed, Mikayla Schultz, Rachel Ceckowski, and Nikki Kile

Colorado Trip Day 5 (157 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 5

You turn 13 and get your hands on a Fat Boy!

"Can we get back in the car if we promise not to listen to

Red Beans and Rice"

Ready to run!

Shannon smells the finish line, not her toots.

According to the girls, this lifeguard is a

"well-made child" with "good genetics".

Brooke, aka George/20 questions/Curious/Directions became a teenager today! The boys surprised her at midnight with a Batman balloon and an Ariel card meant for a 2-year-old. Ironically, Brooke was the only one who did not wake up for this surprise. Today was a fun day for the birthday girl.

Today we ran a 5K, it was mostly up hill; it was in Granby, Colorado. The drive was about an hour and thirty minutes. About an hour into the ride we got out of the car for a group photo. When we got there we played at the Kindergarten park for about thirty minutes, it was amazing! Then we went back and in about fifteen minutes the race started. We went through three neighborhoods and a couple of intersections. At the end of the race there were many refreshments (there were cookies, mini muffins, Gatorade, water, and fruit). About thirty minutes after everyone finished the race they gave out prizes (the Cool Runner's won the majority of the prizes). A lot of the prizes were gift certificates for local establishments, therefore we wheeled and dealed to get prizes that we could take home or redeem that day. Nikki won a $100 savings bond and Ms. Bryant won a $150 grill (she had to give that away to a local family). Then about twenty minutes after that the results were posted, a few of our Cool Runners took home 1st-3rd in their age group. Brooke, took home first in her 13-19 age group, what a birthday treat! Everyone at the race also sang happy birthday to her at the beginning! After the race we split up to go to Mad Munchies and Pearl Dragon. After our glorious lunch we went to the Recreation Center, some started with basketball, and all of us ended up in the pool. We played volleyball and basketball in the water, it was fun. They had a drop slide, a big slide and a hot tub. Then after two and a half hours we left. When we arrived at the house the chaperones made dinner (we had peanut butter pasta, fruit, and salads). After that, we had some "fat boys" over for Brooke's birthday to sing to her (see the pictures). Then, Nate Campbell and Bradley Alcantar wrote this blog. Right now we're playing games and getting ready to start a campfire for some s'mores.

Colorado Trip Day 4 (184 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 4

Keystone Fashion Show took an interesting turn...

Rock Stars!

Hi ho, hi ho, up the hill we go.

Our fearless and witty leader, Mr. H-dog.

"Hey, I caught a Ruben!"

You've heard of Nudelman...these are noodlewomen.

Today we hiked Chihuahua Gulch. At the beginning of the hike, we saw pikas and marmots. On our way up the mountain, we crossed multiple rivers that crossed the trail. The hike gradually got steeper and steeper, eventually, we were almost climbing the rock trail. When we reached the top, we saw Chihuahua Lake, surrounded by mountains on all sides. A few of us went down to the lake and even skipped some rocks. Not only was there a great echo, the view was amazing. After spending our time at the summit we began walking back to the car, worn out from one of our longest hikes yet. On the way down, it was so funny, Brooke lost a sandal down the river and unfortunately she did not get it back. Thanks to Mr. Hollmaier's good planning, we made it back to the mini vans as the rain started to fall. When we got home, we spent some time hot tubing, playing games, and some went grocery shopping. Bradley even snuck in a Hot Wheels car, all the boys were very excited. For dinner, the boys cooked spaghetti and homemade meatballs. The girls were nice and cleaned up, while playing with some extra noodles (see the pictures). Now we're taking it easy and are carbo-loaded for our 5k in Granby tomorrow morning.

Adrian, Charlie H., Blair, & Dustin

Colorado Trip Day 3 (176 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 3

Brooke needs dark glasses for all the bright students around her.

Hollmaier signs up only 10 for summer ski trip.

It's snow use, you can't get rid of the snow.

LOOK OUT, A BEAR!

Hollmaier starts first middle school fraternity.

Today we had to be in the vans by 7 to go to our second hike. We climbed to Mohawk Lake and on the way got to see the Continental Falls. The whole hike was 5 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation. The boys were way ahead, but the girls took their time to see the scenery. When we got to the top, the boys slid down a mound of snow. There were some injuries, but Dustin got the worst of it. Thankfully, he is fine. After our bumpy ride down in our fabulous 4-wheelers (mini-vans), some of us went grocery shopping and the others went home to rest for a while. Then, when everyone was home, the girls + 2 boys, and some chaperones went secretly geocaching in the neighborhood without telling the boys who were focused on an intense game of Risk. The boys wondered where we went. While Mikayla was searching for cache, she got barbed wire stuck in her leg. She was tough and we kept on searching. She is fine. The girls cooked dinner (salad, fruit salad, brats, burgers, hot dogs) and the boys did dishes. Now everyone is relaxing in the hot tub, taking showers, playing games, and getting ready for our fashion show! Pictures from this will be on the website tomorrow.

We miss everyone!

Love,

Jamie, Charlie (Hi Jack and Mikey), Nick, and Blair

Colorado Trip Day 2 (135 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 2

Peak of Mayflower Gulch! The whole crew made it!

Jamie defying gravity!

Nikki & Rachael gettin' fruity!

Day 2 in Colorado! Didn't have to wake up too early this morning just 6:00. Started off geocaching found one cache. Then we went to Mayflower Gulch and conquered our first mountain. This afternoon we continued to geocache and some boys went shopping. Brooke, Katlyn, Jamie, Mikayla, Dustin, and Blair went climbing on White Cliff. Jamie and Dustin made it to the top, Brooke on the other hand took a little spill, but is fine. We all chilled around in the hot tub when we returned. Getting ready for dinner now--shish kabobs and sloppy joes! Possible graveyard geocache tonight!

Miss you all and love you!

Brooke, Shannon, Jamie, Katlyn, Mikayla, Nikki, and Rachael

Colorado Trip Day 1 (49 photos), by Amber Bryant

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Colorado Trip Day 1

Get us out of the heat! Let's go already!

Today after our tiring plane ride from Milwaukee to Denver we settled into our house. The boys claimed the loft on the top floor while the girls took the second floor. Then we headed to the grocery store. We had a very fancy dinner (frozen pizza) and discussed the ground rules. After clean-up we settled down, hung out and listened to music until bed time. Nate also dropped the gallon bag of trail mix which was hilarious.

Signed Cool Runners,

Mike Danos, Charlie Nudelman (hi jack!), and Ruben Torres

Check out more pictures from Day 1 on the Snapfish blog link! All is well here at the house. Kids have packed lunches and are winding down for the night. Heading out on our first hike tomorrow :)