Summer Tennis

 Joanna had a nice summer tennis season. She won the WA State Open 45 singles and got 2nd in doubles with Susie. She went 3-0 in sectionals with 2 really high quality wins, although the team did not advance. Next week are One Doubles playoffs. I'm working on my serve, in particular. 

Summer Soccer

 Julia's summer got off to a rough start. Her team lost a few good players. And then she had a severe ankle injury early in the first game of the Norco GA showcase in June. That kept her out of soccer (and somewhat swimming) through July and even made our Europe trip challenging. She stayed positive and kept at her conditioning. She was able to return for the SoCal Cup in Oceanside the 2nd week in August where her team won first place in their division. She played a great game and Judd called her a "warrior out there today". Way to go Red!

Four Pass Loop, Maroon Bells, CO

 Joanna, Julia, Kelly, and Chase did a 2-night backpacking trip to Four Pass Loop in CO. It was stunning!

We started at West Maroon TH. Hiked 8 miles, 3000 ft over Buckskin pass to Snowmass Lake. On day 2, we hiked a long 8 miles and 2000 feet over Trailrider Pass. Then on the last day we hiked 11 miles, 2000 ft over Frigidaire and West Maroon Pass. I was surprised how much the elevation (11-12.5k ft) impacted us. It was really hard to hike up those steep passes with full packs! The scenery was varied and stunning. The flowers were in full bloom. It was truly a magical trip, albeit a little short. Julia showed how tough she is, hiking that long distance with a heavy pack and limited oxygen. We were hoping to see a bear or moose but no such luck. 

Somerset Stingrays 2024

 Julia again swam for the Stingrays this summer. She's been swimming since she was a sharkie at age 5. At B champs, her medley relay team got 1st place. And at A champs she got 14th place and a PB in breast stroke. She had a good time playing ratball and pickleball with the SRC kids.

Her best time for 50 yard breast: 38.92 (39.57 last year). Not sure the other PBs since there's no place to look it up. I know she did 1:20.01 in 100 yard free and 43.85 in 50 yard back, but I don't think those are PBs.

Link to all swim videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBV9cg2rkZE&list=PLiqAZ31MSKngeU9KhR5sx2N8fUJttwjPe&pp=iAQB

Italy!

Jun 26 - Jul 6 we went to Italy! We visited Rome for 2 days, did a Backroads bike tour in Tuscany for 6 days, and visited Florence for 1 day. The cycling was everyone's favorite. But the colosseum tour in Rome was also very special. We ate well, of course, enjoying the pecorino cheese, fresh pasta, and gelato.

Our bike tour had 3 guides: Miguel, Catarina, and Lucia. And 2 other families (the Traum's from LA and the Chan's from NH) whose kids were exactly our kids ages. Here's our itinerary:

• Jun 30: we met in Arezzo, bussed to a tavern overlooking Val d'Orcia, had lunch and an overview, and then biked 12 miles, 300 ft to our hotel Albergo le Terme in Bagno Vignoni. Hung out in the hot springs pools.
• Jul 1: 34 mile loop, 2500 ft. Stopped in Pienza and Montepulciano. More hot springs.
• Jul 2: 42 miles, 4000 ft. Montalcino. Amazing lunch at Agriturismo San Valentino. Tried to swim but pool was freezing. Wine tasting at a private home.
• Jul 3: 36 miles, 2600 ft to Villa Curina resort. Fun lunch stop with foosball. We had dinner in Siena. We were hoping the palio would run when we were there but again rain/mud. 
• Jul 4: 40 miles, 3600 ft. Radda for lunch. Dinner on town square.
• July 5: 13 miles, 1200 ft. Quick loop near our hotel. Then bus to Florence.

Of course John and sometimes the kids did slightly longer loops sometimes. The terrain was typically rolling with a few long uphills and downhills. Alex did an e-bike, John an high performance road bike, Joanna on a hybrid, and Julia started on a hybrid but switched to high performance road bike. Total mileage for Joanna was about 176 and 14,200 feet elevation gain. Amazing trip!

While we were gone, Maeby was well taken care of by Ella.