Family fun! We made it to Boulder, Colorado to do the Bolder Boulder. No buses this year but Keri bought some parking.
We walked close to 2 miles to get to the start line. The good thing was when the Memorial Ceremony was over our parking was nice and close. I would rather walk the distance before than after the race.
Oh, joy! We got to see runners finishing on our way to the start line.
We weren't the only ones walking to the start line. There was a steady flow of people headed the same way we were.
The before picture.
The start line ready!
I took this picture from the Bolder Boulder pictures.
It's go time. Click the link below to hear the start gun go off and the trumpet playing.
The first event we came to after we started was the trampoline. The line was long so Easton and Ryland opted out.
I had just done Bloomsday a few weeks earlier. Bloomsday is 7.46 miles with some pretty decent hills. I was a bit puzzled why this seemed difficult. Then I remembered the elevation. Things made sense!
Memorial Day and flags were everywhere. God Bless America!
There were some very unique costumes that is for sure.
And here we go. Keri had the great idea for Katie's birthday. Katie was turning 40 the day after this race. Wouldn't it be great if we could get 40 people to say Happy Birthday Katie during this race. Keri put it all together in a video for Katie. These ladies were all for it.
This is a party for sure. Every block had something unique.
Slip and slide number #1 was pretty muddy.
Keri included the bacon guy in Katie's birthday gift.
Great views were everywhere!
Band everywhere too.
Roller skating to music.
Listen to the music and watch the skaters. Click the link below.
A mini obstacle course. First hurdles.
Then hopping down a block.
I pondered whether or not I could even hop any distance.
Now the official slip and slide. Again a long line.
How much fun is this!
Unicorns and llamas. We didn't see the llamas but they were there. Real ones, not blow up llamas.
Keri recruiting for the Katie birthday greeting.
I would think these get ups would be hot.
This is a first, at least for me. Curlers!
We were waiting for Elvis. Unfortunately he was in the middle of a song so no birthday greeting.
I took this picture off the Bolder Boulder site.
The new me! Thoughts?
We know what's coming up soon. The highest elevation we would reach.
No one is turning around. Too late for that.
This was the energy eagle supposedly. Touch it for extra energy.
We made it! It's all downhill now, except it wasn't.
Through the city streets and onward to the cupcakes.
We made it and the cupcake trays were full.
Every party needs confetti!
We are on the home stretch.
You would think this would be the last climb. We are headed into the University of Colorado stadium. It was the last climb of the race but one more small climb to get to the after race goodies.
Here we go, the best part of the whole experience.
One lap around the track to the finish.
The finishers before us are in the stands.
And it is here! The finish!
We are done and have our goodies. Now we get to watch other runners finish!
Each and every time the crowd saw the United States Flag there was a big increase in the cheering.
HMMMM, that would be uncomfortable for 6.2 miles.
It's been a rough day!
Another person carrying the flag!
And the crowd cheers!
The elite runners have started.
This pizza isn't exactly what Mark expected. It was a bit toasty.
Bananas, lots of bananas!
The winner of the women's elite race was from the United States. It was quite a race. So exciting and lots of cheering!
The elite runners are done, very quickly I might add. It is time for the Memorial Day Ceremony. It is so special. So emotional.
Click on the link below to hear the 21 gun salute. Speechless.
This is Stewart Boone. He had been playing the National Anthem on his trumpet since 2010 at this ceremony. He passed away in early May at 98 years old. He wasn't there in person of course but for the last time he played the National Anthem at the ceremony. A video recording of him.
These young men and women were enlisted into the service.
At the end of the ceremony the announcer says to look to the skies. When we do we see airplanes and parachuters! Each parachuter was holding a flag from a branch of the military and they landed in the stadium one at a time. Cheers and more cheers.
Now the grand finale! We look up and spot the flag of the United States of America. Proud to be an America is playing throughout the stadium.
As the landing gets closer and closer the cheers get louder and louder.
This is not my photo, again it is a Bolder Boulder photo. It's a good one. Better than my cell phone could take. This is a tear up moment for me every time I see it. Such a great Memorial Day Ceremony.
Now it's time to head back to the car. It was a short walk and we all felt great about the experience. I look forward to doing this again. It is a grand celebration of Memorial Day.
Back at the Dolittle's! Pretty nice view!
Ryland is very talented. Stacking things on a corncob is one he just revealed.
Family!
Monday is over and it was such a great visit. So relaxing. So good to see the Doolittes. We ended the trip with a challenge. I did my first escape room. Frustrating and fun at the same time. We got about 5 extra minutes to escape since we were so close. When we completed all the tasks the music started playing and the colors were swirling around the room. We were having a dance party. We were unaware that behind us was the code to open the last door. We figured it out but got some great dancing in first.
Thanks for having me Doolittle family! It was a great trip. Love you all!!!
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