2011 XTERRA….Mountain Triathlon in Beaver Creek, Colorado

I had the opportunity to shoot the 2011 XTERRA Mountain Championships for Vail Resorts in Avon & Beaver Creek, Colorado. The race featured a kids race, as well as, a sport and pro class race. The course began with a swim in Nottingham Lake followed by a mountain bike leg up to Beaver Creek and finished with a trail run on the trails of the Beaver Creek ski area. The weather was perfect and the course proved to be a challenge for all. The Beaver Creek stop is part of the XTERRA American Tour which hosts races all over the US. Many of the Pro athletes that competed here will travel to Ogden, Utah on September 24th for the XTERRA USA Championships, part of the XTERRA World Tour.

I am testing a new feature on the blog that gives the opportunity to create a gallery of images, as opposed to posting them individually. The jury is still out as to whether I like this feature.

 

Beaver Creek Rodeo….Avon, Colorado

Last Thursday we went to check out the Beaver Creek Rodeo in Avon, Colorado. What a show! There is face painting, pony rides, bouncy house and a mechanical bull for the kids and good food and drink for the adults. The show put on by the local cowgirls and cowboys was awesome. What a great way to spend a Thursday evening.

Eagle County BMX….Race Night

What a place and what a turnout. Eagle County BMX, located in Eagle, Colorado is home to an awesome ABA certified BMX track. The track is run by Jay Lucas and hosts weekly gate training and races. Last night there were 12 motos ranging from 5 yrs & under to 40 yr+ “dinosaur” class. They even host a Strider, kick-bike class for the aspiring young racers. Last night was a special night. Good riders, colors, clouds and fun.

And my big winner bringing home her first, “First Place” medal…. couldn’t make a father more proud!!

Chef Christian Apetz….New Executive Chef at Beaver Creek’s 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill

8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill, located in the Park Hyatt at Beaver Creek, has a new Executive Chef. Chef Christian Apetz brings his vast culinary experience to one of the premier venues in the Vail Valley. Most recently from Boston’s Hyatt Harborside, Chef Apetz will utilize his expertise to create fantastic dishes with a focus on locally grown organic ingredients. I had the opportunity to shoot Chef Christian upon his recent arrival to the Valley. We created  great combination of both traditional and some not so traditional head-shots, highlighting the Hyatt’s new herb garden and terrace patio.

 

Piney in Pink…..Finalist for Pink Colorado photo contest

I am very pleased to have had one of my images, “Piney in Pink”, chosen to represent Pink Colorado, a multi-faceted effort to raise awareness of pre-menopausal Breast Cancer through photography. NRC Broadcasting, the Town of Eagle, Colorado and The Shaw Regional Cancer Center have come together to create this fantastic exposition that will be on display in Eagle from June 24-August 16. The 26 image finalists were chosen by a panel of Colorado judges out of 300 entries from around the state.

It will be very exciting to see these images blown up to huge dimensions and displayed on rooftops and walls around town. The criteria for the submitted images were to capture the beauty of Colorado and creatively include the “Pink” theme. The contest will not only raise awareness but will also raise money for support programs and research facilities throughout Colorado.

It is very much an honor to be included in such a positive endeavor.

Tanya & Joe…. Four Seasons Resort, Vail

A project like this makes me love being a photographer. This last weekend I had the opportunity to shoot the wedding of some great friends in a beautiful setting. Tanya & Joe celebrated their wedding with family and friends at Four Seasons Resort in Vail and Angie & I not only helped make it possible but were able to be guests as well. Tanya shot our wedding seven years ago in Mexico so it really meant a lot to be able to shoot her wedding. The day was great, the venue is awesome and fun was had by all. Thanks for including us!

2011 Teva Mountain Games…..The action continues

Day two & three of the tenth annual Teva Mountain Games in Vail have given spectators some awesome performances by some unbelievable athletes. Friday featured the bicycle freeriders in the Teva Slopestyle sponsored by Chipotle. The riders showed their stuff on a track that included gaps, berms and spines some of which were taken from the winter freeride park of Vail Mountain. Saturday the  kayakers took on a very swollen Gore Creek at the Vail Whitewater Park in the Freestyle Competition sponsored by Bud Light Lime. The hole was big and provided a great spot for some fantasctic boaters to show their stuff.

Day One…..10th Annual Teva Games in Vail, Colorado

Today is the first day of the 10th annual Teva Games in Vail, Colorado. Over the weekend athletes will run, bike, paddle, climb and jump all over the Vail Valley. The event kicked off with some awesome kayaking in the Steep Creek Championship presented by Thule on Homestake Creek in Red Cliff. With all of the great snow that we had this winter and the warm temperatures the creek was raging. Men and women had the opportunity to race against the clock for two-run combined times down class-five rapids. They put on a great show and all competitors did a great job in challenging conditions.

 

PEACE….Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment

While recently on a typical photo-stroll through the village of Punta Mita, Mexico, I happened upon this hand-painted wall that I thought made an interesting image. Later, upon returning home and doing some editing, I came across the image again. Aside from being graphically interesting, I also found the message interesting and decided to look into what this meaning of PEACE may be. What I found was  that PEACE stands for Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment. They are a community and environment centered non-profit that works along the coastal region of  the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit surrounding the Bahia de Banderas. Their Mission, Vision and Values are as follows:

Mission:

PEACE works hand in hand with communities in Mexico to provide holistic education combined with community action programs that enable people to improve their quality of life as well as their financial stability.

Vision:

We envision a peaceful co-existence between human beings and natural treasures, between foreigners and locals, between those who can give and those who need assistance, between progress and preservation.

Values:

  • We believe in providing hands-on learning that results in empowerment, increased ownership and social responsibility.
  • We believe that one of our greatest responsibilities as beings on this earth is to protect the natural resources that surround us.
  • We believe it is of utmost importance to preserve and celebrate the richness and beauty of Mexican culture.

PEACE began in 2003 when one veterinarian with six volunteers formed Ayuda los Animales (Help the Animals) to help spay and neuter local animals. Since then they have continued to increase their scope of programs to help local communities.

For an example of what PEACE can do visit livepuntamita.

To learn more about PEACE, the programs and the wonderful people who make things happen go to www.peacemexico.org

Pueblo…..Punta Mita, Mexico

The Pueblo of Punta Mita, also know as Corral del Risco, has had a dramatic transformation from a quite fishing village to a host of high-end resorts like Four Seasons and St. Regis. The village is located outside of the gated community that encircles both resorts. There are a couple of great restaurants like Si Senior and Margaritas as well as a couple of cool surf breaks located there. A great place to visit.