Lowe and Behold!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

Asher (months later)

2010-09-06T20:23:00.001-07:00

Asher Update

2010-06-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

All is well and hectic with the Lowes . . . and Becky apologizes for the lack of posts.

Catching Up!

2010-03-18T19:51:00.001-07:00

Baby Asher at 3 months old!

Sam Eating a Nutritious Dinner!

Cousins Will & Jonah came for a visit from Colorado!

Sam Turned 3 Years Old and had an Octopus Cake! (and a cheesy smile).

Then, Sam went to visit his cousins Will & Jonah in Colorado!

And Now Back to Normal at Our House in Salt Lake City . . . waiting for Spring!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Lowe Family had a busy, tiresome, but great Christmas. We were still sleepless from Baby Asher's arrival last week by the time Christmas morning rolled around, but we toughed it out and had a great time. Especially Sam, as evidenced by the "Christmas Bomb" (pictured below) which exploded on Christmas morning.Sam spent most of Christmas morning in the tub swimming with his new sharks that Santa brought him.

And baby Asher slept straigh through his first Christmas morning (and most of the day for that matter).
Merry Christmas from the Lowes!

Asher Karl Lowe!

2009-12-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

Arrived on the evening of December 16 in Salt Lake City. . . 7 lbs 11 ounces . . . Caucasian (but jaundiced) . . . great athletic upside . . . and a supposed genius. Sam has been great with him so far.

Big News!

2009-11-11T03:55:00.001-08:00

Sam is potty trained! As you know, he is usually in a diaper or bare buns, but notice the underpants he is sporting. We are going on 1 month and counting! Sorry for the eyes closed shot, but you get the idea.

And the potty training couldn't come at a better time as we are on the countdown for our 2nd boy. 34 weeks and counting.

Happy HALLOWEEN!

2009-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

As seen, Sam was a skeleton in cowboy boots (boots not pictured here).

Smoothie

2009-10-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

We made smoothies (Sam calls them hoomies) the other night and he laughed so hard at himself making a mess while drinking it that he actually threw up. It was one of our messiest and apparently for Sam the funniest treat yet!

Arizona

2009-10-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sam and I had such a great time in AZ. It felt good to have one last taste of summer weather before coming back to the fall.

He loved Montana and Rocky. I think he thought he was one of them.

Halloween Excitement

2009-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

Sam and his cousin Steven are getting excited for Halloween! They both have great "cheese" smiles.

Fall Cookout

2009-09-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

We have been getting some good use of the Paella Pit. It is very versatile and worked well for hot dogs and s'mores this weekend. Sam only lost a few hot dogs to the flames.

And here is a familiar sight on our blog...naked Sam!

And another familiar sight, more produce from our garden...

When Matt is Out of Town

2009-09-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Garden 2009

2009-08-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

We've really loved having a garden this summer in our new backyard. With daily attention from Sam (see below), we have grown tomatoes, squash, watermelon, raspberries, strawberries, peppers, plums and apricots.

It all started out very humbly last spring:
But within a few weeks, just look at that squash and tomatoes:
We haven't tried a watermelon yet, but they are getting bigger daily:

Funny enough, the watermelon and squash plants have taken over the lawn, so I stopped mowing that part a few weeks ago:
And what started as four little tomato plants has turned into a giant tangle. A few weeks ago we had to buy reinforcement tomato cages in the form of a wire fence around the plants (barely visible below):
Now we have a ton of tomatoes just waiting to be picked:
"Gardening is the handiest excuse for being a philosopher. Nobody guesses, nobody accuses, nobody knows, but there you are, Plato in the peonies, Socrates force growing his own hemlock. A man toting a sack of manure across his lawn is akin to Atlas letting the world spin on his shoulder . . . dig in the earth, delve into the soul. Spin those mower blades, and walk in the spray of the Fountain of Youth. End of Lecture."

(-Ray Bradbury from Dandelion Wine, one of the all-time greatest novels about American Summers)

A Lollipop and YouTube

2009-08-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is how we wake up to each day . . . it's our version of coffee.

$0.45 Per Hour (Plus Tips)

2009-07-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

Snail & Rabbit Paella on the New Backyard Firepit

2009-07-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

I will spare you with the commentary, but if you want it, go to www.paellaprofessor.blogspot.com.

?

2009-07-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

Sam's Pig Imitation . . . I guess?

A Sunny Bowel Movement

2009-06-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sam now wears his sunglasses everywhere, even on the pot as he pretends to use the toilet (which he hasn't mastered yet). But at least he looks cool while trying.

The Beauty of Having Your OWN Backyard

2009-06-21T12:54:00.001-07:00

You know summer is here when you can cruise the backyard in the buff and not get cold. Our house is slowly turning into a nudist colony . . . and we are now taking reservations (but it is pricey).

Rain Rain and some more Rain

2009-06-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Because Salt Lake City has been rainy now for nearly 10 days, Sam just sits on the window sill in the nude and imagines that he is playing outside . . . hopefully summer will arrive soon.

Square Footage

2009-06-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

With some unforeseen problems arising in our new house, we have been relegated to the upstairs for the time-being. So, Sam is now sleeping in a garbage can in what was once our office. But he doesn't seem to mind.

This Old House . . .

2009-05-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

Due to some unforeseen complications with our new home (i.e. leakage, seapage, floodage, whatever you want to call it), we have been consumed in renovation-type projects.Although this is NOT our house, the transformation will be similar. So in the meantime, I apologize again for the lack of posts. If only Becky would participate in this blogging endeavor . . .

Photo of the Week

2009-04-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is Sam's "Tom Selleck" impression . . . we are all big Selleck fans.

La Santa Pascua . . .

2009-04-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

You Get The Picture

2009-03-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Enough Said . . .

Google' Tip Jar

2009-03-18T10:39:00.001-07:00

While we are in a whirlwind moving effort (boxes, painting, new shelves, moving trucks, etc.), please take a look at Google's Tip Jar . . . I really like it. And in a few days, check back for some updates as to the status of our interstate exodus. Godbless.

Journalistic Fame!

2009-03-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.sltrib.com/food/ci_11878884

Born in Californ-I-A

2009-03-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

LOOK AT THIS HAIR! Sam has NEVER had a haircut in his two plus years of life, and everytime I look at this hair, I think of our good friend in Los Angeles, Mark Van Slooten, King of Baja Mexico, Surfing Guru . . . below is Mark making quesadillas in Baja with his blowtorch. Good times. And don't Sam and Mark look alike (their hair at least?)? (Shout-out to the Van Slootens, if you are reading this . . . we honor you through Sam's hair)

Aspen - Salt Lake City - Phoenix

2009-02-24T19:02:00.000-08:00

Becky and Sam have launched an intermountain west travel campaign . . . from Aspen, to Salt Lake City, to Aspen, to Salt Lake City, to Phoenix, and back to Salt Lake City. In the truest sense of the word, they have become 'gypsies.'

So if you see them out on the road, give 'em a nod and point them toward home, wherever that is.

. . . On a Sled

2009-02-15T12:37:00.000-08:00

The authors of Lowe and Behold wish to extend a heartfelt apology for the lag of posts over the last few weeks. We have been in a whirlwind of job-searching, moving, new-job-beginning, and home-hunting. But we offer these recent sledding photos as gesture of reconciliation and hope for better blogging in the future . . . so stay tuned for updates so exciting that they'll melt your face . . .

Most of the sledding resulted in tears that day, as evidenced by this photo . . .

Living Large . . .

2009-02-08T13:10:00.001-08:00

Sam went through nearly a whole bag of Grandma's "Pirate Booty" on Saturday morning. It's good crap.

2 Years Old ?!

2009-02-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

New Blog - Paella Professor

2009-01-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

www.paellaprofessor.blogspot.com

In an attempt to be the foremost authority on paella in the United States, (and to have a bit of a creative outlet after reviewing contracts all day), I have created the PAELLA PROFESSOR. The blog will deal with all things "Paella," from its history, its cultural sway, its various recipes and techniques, its endless debates, and on and on. So go there often, and tell your food-savvy friends to do the same.

New Year - New City

2009-01-21T19:51:00.001-08:00

For those of you who haven't heard, the real estate market finally caught up to me in Aspen Colorado and I was "laid off," "terminated," "axed," or "flushed down the commercial toilet." So on a whim, we came to Salt Lake City and interviewed with Clearlink Technologies, an internet marketing company, and I got the job as in-house counsel for internet compliance issues.
So here we are: Salt Lake City, the Crossroads of the West. It all happened pretty quickly, and Yogi Berra's advice seemed as good as any at the time . . . "when you come to a fork in the road, take it." So we did.

Snowstorm Paella

2009-01-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

When Paella beckons, it beckons con fuerza! So in the middle of a winter storm warning in the Colorado mountains, we fired up the grill to make a late night paella.

(At the least the bears are hybernating in the winter).

Post-Holiday Highlights

2009-01-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

We went to the Crossroads of the West (i.e. "Salt Lake City") for Christmas. The following are a few highlights: Photo 1: Sam feeling studious on Christmas morning:
Photo 2: My Mom hits the Martinellis pretty hard during the holidays:

Sam and cousin Susannah:

Sam and his new police car from Gramps (which he ended up eating breakfast in):

Santa Sam after smoking a spliff:

Sledding fun:

Until you face plant in the snow:And finally we made it safely back home to Aspen . . .
Hope you all had stellar holidays!

Merry Christmas from the Lowes

2008-12-20T18:38:00.001-08:00

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/eVijfyFpUKvtXsEc7TTX

. . . A Lot Like Christmas

2008-12-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

We've received nearly 2 feet of snow thus far this weekend. This morning I skied for 4 hours in knee-deep powder at Highlands (opening day, mind you, so no tracks had been laid until today). Now I can't feel my legs. It shows that sitting in an office all day is great for physical conditioning.

And the tree is up and ready to go. I am just waiting for Sam to pull too hard on an ornament and have the tree topple on top of him. (We also took Sam to see Santa this evening, and you would have thought he had been shot when we put him on Santa's lap).

The Ski Season has Begun

2008-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

Sam helped me get the skis in order last weekend . . . and then up to the slopes.

And this was me that afternoon (but that's not really me)

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

To get into the Thanksgiving Spirit, Sam did his "Pajama Indian War Cry" . . .

. . . and then he scalped Elmo.

2008-11-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

GO UTES

It's Tough To Get Over Halloween

2008-11-21T18:34:00.001-08:00

We are well into November by now, but some of us are still stuck on October 31.

A dude with his hands in his pants

2008-11-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

A sight we see all too often around here.

Battle of the Beavers

2008-11-08T11:29:00.001-08:00

We kept waking up to find all kinds of trees around the house missing . . .

Sam was furious . . .
So we called in a beaver expert, who set this trap in the river, and the next morning, look at what we caught . . .
Now this beaver exists merely as a Davey Crockett hat on some rich NY person's gelled hair while he is in Aspen on vacation.

A Chicken and a Pumpkin

2008-11-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

Sam couldn't decide which to be for Halloween, so he decided to be both . . .

. . . until he decided to have the most severe emotional meltdown to date which landed him in bed at 6:20 PM on Halloween night.

A Chronological Progression of the Big Pumpkin

2008-10-26T18:28:00.001-07:00

We got the biggest pumpkin available . . .

. . . and then Sam guarded it so that no idiot kids would steal it . . .

. . . then we wrestled it . . .
. . . and finally carved it in our pajamas . . .

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Furniture Fight

2008-10-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

. . . and it looks like the furniture won.

NBA Ready

2008-10-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

With the NBA pre-season underway, we are gearing up for what is bound to be a glorious season for the Utah Jazz. Sam has already mastered the "triple threat," as evidenced above.

High Altitude Autumn Free Fall Training

2008-10-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Snowmass Hot Air Balloon Festival

2008-10-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Sam enjoyed the hot air balloons so much that he excitedly yelled "POP" the whole time . . . so we had to have a talk about not sending "bad vibes" or "negative energy" to others.

Vasque Golden Leaf Half Marathon

2008-09-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Becky and I, together with my sister Megan from Salt Lake City, ran the beautiful Golden Leaf Half Marathon yesterday. The course is a trail that runs through the mountains from Snowmass to Aspen. The trail was rough, but the leaves were AMAZING. Unfortunately though, I did NOT win.

So failure . . . I guess.

Autumn

2008-09-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

The time to hang from trees in the woods

College Football Saturday

2008-09-13T19:02:00.001-07:00

. . . much to Becky's chagrin.

gloves, headlamp, and a bear bell

2008-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Now that the cold autumn mornings have arrived, it is dark as night at 5:30 AM when we go out to train for the Vasque Golden Leaf Half Marathon. It's an interesting feeling; knowing there are bears lurking in the trees as you run. And then the sun comes up and along the trail you see fresh bear "shat" (rhymes with scat, and means the same thing). But with gloves, a headlamp, and a bear bell, all is well.

UPDATE: This morning (Friday 9/12/2008), I returned from a beautifully rainy early morning run, and at the bottom of the driveway was a bear with her cub. I clapped to shooo them away. The cub ran away, but the mother just stared at me. So I backed up while clapping at her. She just stared. Nothing like a "stare-down" from a black bear to wake you up in the morning.

Summer Slipping By

2008-09-03T19:48:00.001-07:00

In the last few weeks, summer has been a whirlwind of travel. We skipped over to Salt Lake City for Labor Day, where we had so much fun that we only took this one photo of Sam enjoying the yogurt. Before that, Sam and Becky spent a few days in Chicago with Little Lou. Now, the mornings are colder, and summer is slipping away. Autumn is on its way.

Another Kitchen Window Brown Trout

2008-08-25T18:57:00.001-07:00

I caught this nice 15 inch brown trout outside the kitchen window on a beat-up size 10 royal wulff . . . thus the name "Kitchen Window Brown Trout." Now, so as not to turn this into a fly-fishing blog, I promise that I won't post any more photos of Colorado's trout for the rest of the summer (unless I catch a real monster).

The hike from Aspen to Crested Butte

2008-08-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Becky and I began our "Credit-Card Fast Packing" trip Saturday morning, with the plan of hiking from Aspen, through the mountains, to Crested Butte. The drive alone takes 4 - 5 hours, but as the crow flies, Crested Butte is only 20(ish) miles from Aspen. It was dark and cold and rainy and ominous when we started. When we arrived at Crater Lake (below), the lightning and thunder was soooo bad that we decided to throw in the towel and head home.

We took cover in the pines as the hail pelted us (the lone figure is Matt) . . .

Notice the hail on the trail . . . but Becky is still smiling, although cold

The storm grew worse as we headed back down to Aspen. But it was all very "Alaska-like."

Finally the storm broke, and after losing several hours sitting under pines and hiking back to Aspen, we decided to carry on. Becky bravely made the first cold river crossing in 30 degree weather . . .

A few hours later, we were nearly to the top of West Maroon Pass. We were still freezing cold and soaked to the bone . . . (notice the trail cutting up to the ridge)

And finally on top of the pass . . . 12,500 feet . . . the view back toward Aspen.

The view over the pass toward the Crested Butte side . . .

And then the treacherous descent down the pass on slick rocks (that little speck on the trail is Becky) . . .

Down the mountain we went . . . past summertime glaciers . . .

And finally we descended into the high hills and alpine wild flowers at about 11,000 feet . . .

Close up of the wildflowers . . .

And then hours later we finally made into Crested Butte. We dried out, thawed out, and spent the evening on the town . . .

This has to be the greatest siding to a home that I have ever seen . . .

And then the next morning we were on the trail again back to Aspen, but this time under sunnier skies . . .

Becky preparing to go over the pass again . . . 12,500 feet . . .

And then, on top of the pass, the weather started rolling in again . . .

Becky heading back down the pass to the Aspen side . . .

The very cold wade through a glacier fed stream . . .

One last stop at Crater Lake high above Aspen, and one final "cleaning out of the shoes"

And look how thick the aspen forests are . . .

And two days later, we finally threw the bags back in the car and headed home . . . Aspen to Crested Butte, and then Crested Butte to Aspen!

We encourage all who can to someday do this hike, it was truly UNREAL!

The Bears of Maroon Creek - Round 2

2008-08-14T18:34:00.001-07:00

The bears are in full force here in Aspen. This is the latest from this afternoon (for Round 1, see the last post) . . . and Sam and Becky had a front row seat for over an hour while this bear had its way with our not-so-bear-proof "bear proof" garbage can.

Saturday Afternoon BEARS!

2008-08-11T18:42:00.001-07:00

Becky brought Sam home for his afternoon nap on Saturday. She came in the house, gave Sam a snack, and heard someone playing with the doorknob on the backdoor. Being as smart as she is, she peaked out the window before she opened the door. 3 BEARS! From Friday night to Sunday afternoon, we saw 5 bears around the house.

After the bears wander away, we go out to the driveway to check it out. Sam loves it. It is exhilerating . . . you never know when they are watching you from the trees!

Summertime Hair in the Mountains

2008-08-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

On any given day, Sam has river water, syrup, dirt, ketchup, honey and grass in his hair. If it is on his hands, it is in his hair too. After a day with no bath, his hair is as greasy as Travolta's.

But it is summer time . . . so no worries.

The Maroon Bells

2008-07-27T08:02:00.001-07:00

If you drive eight miles up the canyon from where we currently live, the road ends here, at the Maroon Bells (elevation 14,156) and Maroon Lake.

Post-work Brown Trout

2008-07-16T18:54:00.001-07:00

It is great to be able to come home from work, have dinner, and fly-fish in the backyard for ten minutes before bed . . .

Wrestling with a brown trout from Maroon Creek outside our kitchen window . . .

Fish LANDED!!

But I should have put on my waders, eh?

The Crashes of July . . .

2008-07-12T10:34:00.001-07:00

With the 2008 Tour de France underway, Sam and I have seen plenty of crashes this last week, so we decided to participate. I crashed my mountain bike on a wooden bridge on the Hunter Creek Trail, almost dismembering my "crotchal" area, and imbedding half of the bridge into my butt. Becky spent the afternoon picking splinters from my rear.Then, (see Sam's leg below) Sam had an accident on the slide at the park which warranted a trip to the Emergency Room, but we think he will live.

Now he limps around the house like Tiny Tim.

Happy American Indepedence Day!

2008-07-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

We celebrated with the quintessential American treat . . . ice cream!!

CAMPEONES!!!!

2008-06-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

Spain beats Germany in the European Cup Championship Sunday!

To the Euro Cup Finals

2008-06-27T07:41:00.001-07:00

GO SPAIN GO!

Spain smashed Russia yesterday in the Euro Cup Semifinals. Now on to the finals against Germany . . . a title Spain has not won since the 20's. May we all unite with a prayer in our hearts!

The bottle . . .

2008-06-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Sam already has a serious problem.

Babe Ruth & Hank Aaron

2008-06-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

While in SLC recently, Sam attended his cousin Michael's t-ball game. Evidently, this is how they celebrate a win . . . on all fours.

"Sam & Yogurt"

2008-06-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

These are two selections from my latest work, a series I call "Sam & Yogurt."

The Basque "Lauburu" In Our Floor

2008-05-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Here in Aspen, we live in a house with old barnwood floors from back east. The other day Becky noticed this design on one of the floorboards (look very closely):
This design is no other than the Basque symbol of Northern Spain, known as the Lauburu. "Lau" and "Buru" mean "four heads" or "four summits" in Euskera (the Basque language), representing the four regions of the Basque Country. The symbol is plastered all over the Basque country.
So we figure that it is a pretty wild coincidence that this so-called "reclaimed wood from back east" happens to have the Basque Lauburu in it. It makes us feel more at home.

To the City of the Great Salt Lake

2008-05-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

Sam and I (Matt) buzzed over to Salt Lake City for the weekend while Becky went to Denver for a wedding. Sam had a great time getting acquainted with the liquorice bowl (above), and getting re-acquainted with his cousins (below) . . .

"My Heart Cried Out for Moab" -Isaiah 15:5

2008-05-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

I went back to Moab this last weekend with Foley, Keir, and Brian. We rode the Porcupine Rim Trial one day, and then the famous Slickrock trail the next. It was a tall order for spring cycling. Some highlights:

When it was all said and done after miles and miles of hot desert riding, we weren't feeling very fresh, as evidenced by Foley's posture.

Mountain biking in Moab is definitely not for the faint of heart, but it is good fun!

Morning Rodeo . . .

2008-05-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Extra Extra!

2008-05-10T10:30:00.001-07:00

Sam made page 3 of The Aspen Times on Tuesday, in a brilliant editorial entitled, "Swingin' in the Sun." And granted, the extent of the story was "Aspenite Sam Lowe, 15 months, swings at the Yellow Brick playground Monday," but the newspaper piece has already brought him unprecedented fame and attention.

Hopefully it doesn't go to his head.

Flood Season

2008-05-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

After getting hammered with snow all winter here at 8,000 feet, and with a river running 15 feet from our back door, and with spring temparatures on the rise, we are preparing for flood season (along with every other resident of Aspen) . . . and thus the sandbags.

It's too bad I sold the kayak in California!

Moab

2008-04-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

Sam, Becky and I motored out of Aspen on Friday afternoon to meet Uncle Dave, Emmy, and Grandma in Moab for Sam's first full-blown camping trip. But by the time we got there, we couldn't find anywhere to camp, so we camped in Grandma's hotel room on Main Street. Here is a shot of Grandma and Sam sitting around the "fire."

But "camping" or not, we had a great time. Here is glam / hippy Becky at Delicate Arch:

Sam saw most of the Arches in extreme comfort . . .

. . . so comfortable that he missed half the Arches we saw.

But there was a lot of rock and sand to be played in . . .

. . . and photos to be taken by Becky Busath

Dave and I took the 4Runner out on "Fins n Things," and then up the Baby Lions Back . . .

. . . notice the rear wheel off the ground!

. . . but there were still plenty of Arches to see.

. . . and some amateur canyoneering for kicks

But with plenty of sun on the faces and several miles of desert wandering on the legs, Sam had had enough. So we motored back east into Colorado with an exhausted baby.

Fitness Buff

2008-04-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Sam's cardio routine is really important to him: 5 minutes normal pace, then 2 minutes sprint pace, 2 times a day.

Free at LAST . . . FREE AT LAST!

2008-04-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

Sam's preferred mode of self expression: NUDITY!

"Jo Jo was a man who thought he was a woman"

2008-04-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Getting in touch with his feminine side . . .

This is what happens when you leave him home all day alone with mom.

sangre española . . .

2008-04-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

This evening, Sam enjoyed half a bottle of stuffed manzanilla olives (product of spain) before bedtime. Perhaps he has "sangre española" in him afterall, which would be great . . . but Becky would have some serious explaining to do.

Adeu Subaru . . .

2008-03-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

I know many of you have pleasant memories of the Subaru, so I am posting this photo so you can share one final good-bye: After incessant overheating and head gasket problems, we finally put the Subaru down. I tried to sell her back to a Subaru dealer in Glenwood Springs, but after they took a look, they offered me a whopping $0. But Craigslist did the trick. This morning, the Subaru was towed away forever, and I was left standing in the snow with the proceeds: enough to cover the initial tow-job to Glenwood Springs and lunch at the "Village Smithy" in Carbondale on the way back to Aspen.

The whole sad episode reminded me of a scene from the film "Motorcycle Diaries," where Ernesto and Alberto's 1939 Norton 500 (below), which they named "The Mighty One" broke down for good and was tearfully loaded on the back of a truck to be shipped off for scrap.

But this morning, we shed no tears. And all in all, I am glad to be rid of the Subaru even if I couldn't get anything for it. Adeu Subaru . . .

Mom leaves for a few hours and . . .

2008-03-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Walking . . . Like a Drunken Sailor

2008-03-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

In a matter of hours, Sam went from having to walk while holding your hand . . .

. . . to stumbling along on his own like a drunken sailor, and he is fired up about it!

Becky skis the BOWL!

2008-03-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

We got hammered with 14 inches of new snow Friday evening, so on Saturday morning, I convinced Becky to climb the Highland Bowl up to an elevation of 12,392 feet. The exposed ridgeline was beautiful (on the photo above, you hike right up the right side shoulder, which Becky said she didn't like because of the steep plunges below). And then from the summit, we popped into our bindings and skied through deep, soft snow from 12,392 feet down to 8,100 feet.

Overheating in Overcold Weather

2008-03-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

I had to go to Grand Junction this last week, and on my way back to Aspen last night, the good 'ol Subaru overheated in 12 degree weather. So there I sat in the darkness on the side of Highway 82 wrapped up in my parka, reading a newspaper in the dark, while steam poured out from under the hood. Stupid stupid stupid car. 12 degrees? Give me a break! The fact that Colorado was cold was the deciding factor in our moving here, simply because the Subaru wouldn't overheat during winter. And now our reasoning has been flushed down the toilet. 12 degrees and the Subaru overheats. Stupid stupid car indeed.

Scandinavian Moose Hat

2008-03-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

This is Sam's new Scandinavian Moose Hat from his Aunt Emily in Salt Lake City who has a low-burning obsession with all things pertaining to "knitting." Sam loves it. It is the only hat he currently owns that he doesn't rip right off his head and throw on the ground. That is saying something!

The Long Thaw

2008-02-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

After a wicked winter here in Aspen, we might have begun the long long long thaw. I walk past this car on my way to work every morning, and a few weeks ago it was completely covered. But now, we have had some days of sun, and we can see asphault on the streets again for the first time since December. Here is to a muddy and "floody" spring.

Snowshoeing Under the Full Moon . . .

2008-02-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Becky and I went snowshoeing up Hunter Creek the other night to take advantage of the high altitude full moon (see uber-artistic photo of moon above). No headlamps were needed. We put Sam to sleep, motored up the mountain, parked the Subaru in a snowbank, and wandered off into the woods.Right after I took this photo of Becky, we even got attacked by a coyote (not really, but we did see one in the moonlight).

Arizona Sun!

2008-02-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Sam and I (Becky) travelled to the Big AZ to visit his grandparents, Aunt Ali, and Uncle J. We had a great time with everyone, and really enjoyed the warm break from the cold Colorado winter.

Sam even made his first appearance at the petting zoo, where he spent the afternoon kicking goats.

Snow snow snow snow snow!

2008-02-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

It is snowing as I write this, and as of today, we have 110 inches of snow here (9.15 feet). As I wait for the bus every morning to head into town, I can hear the ski patrol bombing down the avalanches over my shoulder. Every weekend has been uber-soft skiing, and luckily the snow keeps coming, and coming, and coming.

10 wins in a row . . .

2008-02-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

. . . and here is to 11 in a row on Friday night. GO JAZZ!!

High Altitude Birthday Baking

2008-02-03T13:40:00.001-08:00

Sam is now one year old! Tough to believe that one year ago he arrived on the scene on a smoggy night in Tarzana, California. To celebrate one year, Becky made this birthday cake at 8,000 feet.

But Sam didn't seem to mind that his first birthday cake fell victim to the thin air. He enjoyed it all the same.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SAM!

Skiing from 12,392 feet!

2008-01-26T17:58:00.000-08:00

Matt Foley and I skied the famous Highland Bowl this morning. You take the highest lift on the mountain to the top of Loge Peak, then throw your skis on your shoulder and hike up a ridgeline for 45 minutes to the dizzy altitude of 12,392. Standing atop the peak, you snap into your bindings, and down you go! There is a LOT of gravity at play.

A closer up view of the peak you stand atop of, and the mountain you ski down . . .

Mush Becky . . . MUUUSSSHHH!

2008-01-20T18:04:00.000-08:00

Sam's new wheels actually has no wheels. With Aspen's streets and sidewalks choked with snow, we strap him into the sled to stroll through town now-a-days. Sam loves it, despite the fact that we look like we are trying to emulate a J. Crew catalogue.

After a frigid stroll through town, he hits his personal hot tub for a steamy soak!

Trae contigo y comeras conmigo!

2008-01-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

Sam has been on a major "carb-loading" crusade. We think he might be about to attempt something extraordinary . . . like crawling (which is long overdue) or a Toddler Ironman.

Steep & Deep

2008-01-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

We've been experiencing great snowfall here in the high country of Colorado, which gives Sam time to butt-slide in the powder (above) and try out the new Christmas sled he shares with his cousin Will (below).

Holidays in the Crossroads of the West

2008-01-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

The little Lowe family flew from Aspen to Salt Lake City for the holidays. Sam had a blast with his cousins. He chased, wrestled, and laughed his way through Christmas.

We even recruited his cousin Stephen to teach Sam not to freak out when he has to take a bath. We partied hard . . . Cafe Rio, Jazz games, presents, movies, Crown Burger, and general family fun. The evening before returning to Aspen, we had a massive paella over the gas stove.

A great Holiday Season had by all! BON NADAL A TOTS!

An Aspen Christmas Card

2008-01-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Classy, eh?

Feliz Navidad i Bon Nadal

2007-12-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Greeting from Rebecca Lowe