USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Minturn. Through the Lens Series, Entry 25.

There has been a ton of excitement in Colorado this last week with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge happening with 7 stages taking place in various parts of the state.  Last Wednesday was Stage 4.  A grueling leg of the journey that started in Aspen, went over Independence Pass and ended in Beaver Creek.  I was fortunate enough to be contracted out by the Minturn Community Fund to capture a small part of the big day.

There were plenty of spectators waiting at the finish line in Beaver Creek, but the best spot to see the action was definitely at the Sprint Line in Minturn.  The 200 meter sprint started at the southern end of town and went flying through Main Street.

I don't profess to know much about cycling, but it's obvious that spectators are there to party.  They spend the majority of their time waiting for the cyclists to arrive, so they might as well have a good time in the process. Once the cyclists arrive, they're gone again in a split second!

There was some amazing people watching at the Sprint Line.  The lady that was in charge of crowd control was fearless.  One spectator was daft enough to dangle his baby, Michael Jackson style, in front of the camera crews that were coming through on motorcycles.  Ms. Crowd Control saw what was happening and tackled the father to the ground in front of everyone!

Here are a few photos from the day, including some shots from the special Farmer's Market they held that day.

This is my favorite photo from the whole day.  I just love the spectators in the background.  

The Levy's 20th Wedding Anniversary in East Vail. Through the Lens Series - Entry 12

The Levy's had plenty to celebrate on their recent trip to Vail.  Stef and Jay were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and it was the 10th year that these 3 wonderful families have vacationed together.  Stef had coordinated everyone to perform a well rehearsed dance number to surprise Jay when he arrived home from a day on the slopes.  I had to hide in the pantry while everything was being set up, and as the music started I had to jump out of the pantry and capture everyone's slick dance moves as they came down the stairs. With tuxedo and bridesmaids t-shirts on, everyone made their grand entrance and then Jay was whisked away by the dancing crowd and onto the back patio where an elaborately made ice sculpture was waiting.

The 3 mother's met when their kids started going to daycare together in Texas.  Those 3 babies are 16 years old now!  Each set of parents have been married for approximately 20 years, so it was fun to take photos of all of them holding their wedding photos, outside in the snow.

This was such a fun event and the kids were unbelievably polite and sweet.  Here are a few photos from the day.  Happy Anniversary Stef and Jay!

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Vail Vignettes at Vail Mountain School. Through the Lens Series - Entry 8

The Vail Symposium and The Vail Valley Theater Company combined forces last Sunday to put together the inaugural presentation of 'Vail Vignettes'.  The vignettes were four short plays, celebrating and depicting the lives of 5 local icons here in the Vail Valley; Rod and Beth Slifer, Dr. Jack Eck, Elaine Kelton and Kelly Liken.  Each play was written in a different style, and all of them were performed with great humor.  Here are a few snaps from the night.

Wendy and Waldo

"Beth Slifer" learning to cope with new weather conditions in Vail.

Wendy and Waldo out for a Sunday drive.

Celebrating one of Dr. Eck's derby achievements.

The group that had been chosen to perform Dr. Eck's vignette had 41 moments from his life to choose from (see notes hanging in the background).  Audience members were encouraged to yell out numbers and they would perform that particular moment.  

Rocky Mountain High

'Kelly Liken' appears on the Today Show with Matt Lauer and Kathy Lee Gifford.

'Kelly Liken' talking about going into space.

Kathy and Matt weren't too fond of each other.

And Kelly just wanted to get on with the cooking.

'Elaine Kelton' convincing a reporter that Vail is an amazing town.

Musical accompaniment to help tell Elaine's story.

'Elaine Kelton'

Helping to tell Elaine's life story with a number of different songs.

What's there to question?

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