LSU, An Amazing Experience

U.S. News & World Report ranked LSU as the 16th most popular university in the nation.  LSU is featured in the 2011 edition of Princeton Review's "Best Colleges" guide.

Even the kids are dressed in LSU colors.

It is one of those "see it to believe it" situations.  Fans set up tents with big flat screen TVs, and bring generators to power them and giant size coolers.  They cook and watch the game and celebrate from early in the day. 

It is a truly colorful sight.

• For 7 years straight LSU has averaged 92,000 Fans attending the LSU games.

Waiting for the Tiger band to march to the stadium.

These ladies even brought their centerpiece for the tables.

I didn't get a shot of the RV park which was full and they have a waiting list for people who want to reserve a space.  People reserve their space (not cheap) for years.  This is one of the few streets for driving (entry to RV parking), most of the 2,000 acre campus does not allow driving.

A little time for rest before the pre-game practice.

The pre-game practice is a full two hours of practice until perfect.  Exactly 8 steps to 5 yards and every foot must be on the line at the same time.  Look at those feet - on the line.

The practice takes place in an air conditioned indoor football stadium. Above, Zach on the 35 yard line - 2nd on the left, playing trumpet.

I am very proud of Zach, it is quite an accomplishment to make it into
LSU Tiger marching band. He is working for a chemical engineer degree.

Since I didn't have a purple or gold shirt, I
could have colored my hair!

My daughter-in-law, Alison, and I took a little rest from all the walking around campus and 95* heat. I am surrounded by a sea of purple and gold but Alison couldn't lose me in the pink.

Thousands of fans line up on game day to see the Golden Band
From Tiger Land march from band hall to Tiger Stadium, stopping
along the way at Victory Hill to play.  The band begins to run in
tempo down the hill playing on the way to the stadium. 

We needed the shade.

 

LSU is known for it's 1,200 live oak trees that shade the beautiful campus.  There is also an abundance of azaleas, crepe myrtles, camellias and magnolias. I wish I had more photos of the campus.

Really pretty girls!

The Golden Girls perform with a full blown show.

80% of the 352 member band are comprised of non-music majors.The band is treated like rock stars, the crowd goes wild!!

Zach is 2nd to the left, back row.

The Tiger Band performs and is a big part of Mardi Gras festivities.

Such precision is an amazing thing to see.

Although Tiger Stadium was originally nicknamed "Deaf Valley" for its excruciating levels of sound, "Death Valley" caught on instead.  It is legendary for the crowd noise generated by fans.

You can see the Baton Rouge skyline in the background.

The Tiger Land Band takes their seating early, it is a long day for them.

"Fight For LSU"is LSU's offical fight song. It is played when the team runs onto the field, after the field goal or extra point is attempted/scored and at the end of each half. It is a staple at pep rallies and is often sung by fans before games and after wins.  This song was adapted from the Broadway show tune "Hey Look Me Over", written for the musical "Wildcat".  LSU gained permission to adapt the music and lyrics. 

It gave me goose bumps when the announcer started with " It is Saturday night in Death Valley and here come your fighting tigers of LSU".  Poll after poll has proclaimed Tiger Stadium as one of the greatest anywhere for a college football game, an intimidating venue known as the most dreaded playing sites in college football.

LSU athletics are represented by it's mascot, a Bengal  tiger.  The
latest in the line of Mike tigers is Mike V1, a 3 year old, 300 pound,
Bengal-Siberian mix introduced to the fans at a home game 2007.
Mike decides to go or not go to the game.  If he doesn't walk into
his crate that means he wants to stay home in his very comfortable
and beautiful habitat.  He gets very excited when he hears the band.

It was a beautiful, warm Louisiana night. 

During a nationally televised game in 2003, ESPN recorded a noise level of 117 decibels at certain points in the game. In 2007 when the No. 1 ranked tigers played Florida Gators, the noise level registered 122 decibels when the Tigers made a come-from-behind win in the final minutes of the game.  In the legendary "Earthquake Game", LSU won against Auburn 7-6 when quarterback, Tommy Hodson completed a game-winning touchdown pass to running back Eddie Fuller shaking the ground as much as an earthquake of 4.7 magnitude. 

Last but not least, I also got to see Nick perform with the St. Amant High School marching band, which the third largest in Louisiana after LSU and Layfayette.    He plays saxophone and has 33 sets memorized,  The Gator's game in the Pit was fun with all the enthusiasm of homecoming. 

Not the best photo of Nick marching on to the field.
I am very proud of  Nick, a good student and great
on the saxophone.

Nick is 3rd behind two girls, standing on the line.

Nick is a high school sophomore and considering LSU. 

It was a fun packed trip and wonderful to spend time with my grandsons, the best!

A LOOK BACK AT SUMMER

The Grand Lake Art's council has an annual home tour,
 a wonderful way to spend the afternoon with a friend.

 Grand Lake has a lot to offer.  It is not just a pretty face but has all the charm and activities of life in a mountain village.

I like the Granby Farmer's market every Friday afternoon.
Wonderful things from bread to vegetables, but not cheap!

We start the summer with some cool temperatures.

A chilly swim on Grand Lake, a
fundraiser for the local hospice. Phil is
there to cheer on Jill and a Rotary friend. 

Everyone wants to be outside, lunch with my friend, Sandy
and her friend Marilyn on the Fraser River.  I am the only one
with a jacket.

Devil's Thumb Ranch, magnificent and
breathtaking beauty.

We enjoy happy hour at the scenic Devil's Thumb
Ranch with our friends and neighbors, Ed and Kathleen

One of our first neighborhood gatherings in Mountain Shadows
 after returning for the summer, we have only a few year around
residents.

The 4th July Rotary Club Pancake breakfast is
a favorite event everyone gathers to enjoy.
More Photos below.

The Memorial Day parade brings everyone
out after a long winter.

We enjoyed a Rotary Club wine tasting
at Granby Ranch. 

An 80th birthday party for Phil's
 CU fraternity brother.

A fun (but rainy) evening in Vail at Dick's annual jazz party.

Shades of Manzanillo, in Vail at Leever's beautiful horse
farm, with Sharon Leever and Joanne Kobetsky. We enjoyed
a wonderful brunch on the deck with an incredible view
with our Manzanillo friends.

Phil is spending a lot of time at High Country Conservatives Republican
headquarters. The grand opening
with rancher,Randy Baumgardner,
running for Colorado senate.

We enjoy 'Top of the Rockies', beautiful table tops auctioned
to benefit the Grand Lake library.  A very social evening with
wine tasting at the splendid Grand Lake Yacht Club.

I love the afternoons of Mahjong with my
friend Jane and a stunning view of
Grand Lake just outside the window.

Unusual for the high country.  We had some
gorgeous days this summer.

Paul Scott and I served link sausages on the 4th, I didn't want to see
another sausage after serving over 1,000 people in 3 hours.

Frank, aka Mr. Pancake, flips pancakes for 3 hours without
stopping.  The Rotary Club recipe is a closely guarded secret.

Lake Granby fills fast in May.

Vegetable and fruit markets start to appear
along the road in June, freshly harvested.

It is so wonderful to connect with friends of 35 years. 
We try to do this once each year when Margo is here 
from Phoenix. Margo, Connie and her beautiful mother 
(91). At Ocean Prime, one of my favorite lunch places
 on Larimer St. with some of my favorite people.

A visit with my friend, Roxanne, in her incredible store,
Crybaby Ranch, on Larimer street.  Two Texas girls with
a love for Mexico.  We go way back.

Kathleen and I spend a day in Winter
 Park for lunch and shopping.  We try to
 do this at least once in the summer.

Our annual tennis group potluck, good food, good people
at Glenna and Dave Cook's incredibly scenic ranch.

Rotary Club annual steak cook out at
 Winding River Ranch, a working/dude
ranch that families love.

Rotary night at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater in Grand Lake.
The production of 'The Marvelous Wonderettes' with music of the
1950's and 1960's.

We love it when the weather allows us to
entertain on the deck.

Our neighbors meet for breakfast every Friday
 at Betty's Bakery with visiting grand kids.

Some things become a tradition, we look forward to Ed and 
Kathleen's daughters' summer visit.  We enjoyed a delicious
polish meal of Perogi and Keilbasa sausage.  Joe and Sue 

make the Keilbasa and bring it frozen from Florida.


I think we just took the family photo for the Christmas card

Signs that summer is over, Lake Granby is going down rapidly and the Aspen trees are turning.

We have said 'goodbye' to Summer.

.

Summer passes fast in the mountains.  It is truly small town life in Grand Lake.

A Step Back in Colorado's Glorious History

The Peck House is located in the small town of Empire, named for the great state of New York.  This small town expected to be as great an empire someday. James Peck, a wealthy and adventuresome merchant built a four room 'mansion' for his family.  In 1872 he expanded and converted the home to The Peck House to accommodate visiting mining investors.   The Peck House was located at the eastern foot of the wagon road's steep accent up Berthoud Pass, it served as a stage coach stop in the 1880's. After Mr. Peck's death in 1980, Mrs. Peck with her oldest son, Frank, expanded the hotel to include more bedrooms, a bar, a billiard room, a ladies parlor, and a gambling room. The Peck House became the social center of Clear Creek County. The Peck House stayed in the Peck family for ninety years.  The current owners, Gary and Sally St. Clair, bought The Peck House in 1980 while there on their honeymoon.  Gary is usually slaving away in the kitchen to produce the creative cuisine and Sally works in the front of the house and the extensive gardens.    

Eureka Mountain, behind the Peck House is a beautiful grazing ground for
elk, deer and big horn sheep.

The old windows framed in lace, with waves in the glass,
and antique bottles are a lovely look.

The wrap around front porch offers seating for morning coffee,
afternoon cocktails, bird watching or afternoon reading.

The bar and dining room are well known for the stunning view
of the Empire Valley and Union Pass.  The owner-chef is famous
for his food through-out Colorado.  He won the coveted Governor's
 award  for his Colorado cuisine.  The extensive menu includes a
selection of beef, chicken, seafood and game with historic dishes.
 Chef specials are offered every night.  We enjoyed a truly delicious
dinner and well priced wine. The generous breakfast of fruit and home-
made bread is included. 

Full of Victorian antiques, much of the furniture dates back
to the time of the original owners.

Many pieces of furniture were brought by wagon train from
Chicago by Mary Peck for the mountain home her husband built. 

The Peck house was finalist for Uncle Ben's 10 best
Country Inns of the year Award.  Ten antique filled
guest rooms are available ranging in price from $65.
for a small room with twin beds to $135. for a family
suite. Rooms 2 and 3 are favorites at $115.,
parlor style with mountain views.

In 1860, James Peck fled the turmoil of the East
with three teenage sons to stake a claim in the
many gold and silver mines of Clear Creek County.

In the summer-time hummingbirds and wild finches are
drawn by the extensive gardens and hanging baskets of
flowers.

Stunning views from Empire Valley and Union Pass.

These delightful young ladies just graduated college and
were spending the summer working at a rehabilitation
camp for disabled people.  They were enjoying a day off,
 and walked two miles to the Peck House from the camp.
We always meet the most interesting people in B & B's like
a couple from New York over breakfast, she is now a FB friend.  

Hummingbirds feed at the many feeders along the wrap
around front porch.

Colorado orange mountain poppy, gorgeous bloom with
ruffled edges. 

This is the original and dates from 1934, named
for the hard rock miners that were it's early customers.
It predates and is not affiliated  with the chain of
restaurants that call themselves The Hard Rock Cafe.
It is one of our favorites for lunch on the way home.

U.S. 40 passes through the town of Empire as it ascends towards Berthoud Pass and the ski area Winter Park.  Empire is just a wide spot in the road with a population of 355 and an elevation of 8,615.  There are many treasures to stop and explore, such as The General Store, The Sweet Shop with Mom and Pop food, Antique shops and The Hard Rock Cafe. We all need to take the time to enjoy those special places that we pass by everyday.