Colorado Adventure

Friends and family that check this site regularly will be anxious to hear more about our Colorado Adventure. We just returned Friday from our trip to Colorado to distribute Kent's ashes over the beautiful lakes and mountains he loved. WE had a wonderful time as a family, healing from the loss, remembering favorite times . . . tears were shed, but just as much laughter . . . . being there without him makes the loss so much more painful, we are all realizing that it doesn't get easier to be without him, but know he would expect us to go on . . . . I know he would be so proud of our sense of adventure in accomplishing this part of the memorial. Rebecca will distribute ashes down the Arkansas River at Sidell Suckhole, one of his favorite rapids. She took her siblings on a wild ride down the river while Fiona and I hiked down the stream to watch. They all loved the adventure! WE left ashes at Bear Lake in Rocky Mt. National Park and also camped at one of our favorite campgrounds in the Park . . . I think we found the tall pine tree (30' now) that Drew climbed to the top when he was about 10 and scared his mom! We then headed to Blue Lake up the Poudre Canyon and camped at a small campground just below the Blue Lake trailhead. We saw several moose, one just a few feet from our RV. On Wednesday, June 9 we all headed up the Blue Lake trail early in the a.m. It was a 5.7 mile hike of 1500 ' elevation change for you mountaineers. Katie, Fiona and I headed back at the first big roaring stream over the path with the baby, the siblings forged ahead, making great time without us :) They encountered snow fields of 4-6' deep snow, but were able to find the path made by previous hikers and after hours in the snow, Rebecca was able to make it all the way to the lake and distribute Kent's ashes on the ice that will become a beautiful lake in another month. She remarked that she certainly understood why her Dad wanted his ashes left there, it was incredibly beautiful. I told them I have decided that's where I want mine left as well---this will become a familiar trail to the Britten's. Drew interviewed in Denver for a job, but decided to take the offer in Seattle, so they will be moving in mid July. the rest of us may follow soon . . . Many changes for all of us . . . its great to know that God is in control! We will never forget the memories of this trip . . . the only thing that would have made it better is if Kent had been with us . . .
The Relay for LIfe event on June 11 in Indianola was dedicated to Kent's memory, another wonderful tribute to an amazing man. We walked the track with the Britten's banking buddies team, and had a great time with his friends and colleagues. I was so happy that his brother, Jerry and his wife Lee, could join us for the day, as well as my sister Margie and her son JEff.
They raised $56.000 this year , exceeding their goal of $45, ooo . . . Kent would be so proud!