Colorado: on the Arkansas River

On Tuesday, we loaded up and left the campsite at dawn to make the trek down to Canon City.  It was going to be a full day with a train trip at the bottom of the Royal Gorge and a float trip in Bighorn Sheep Canyon.

I chose Echo Canyon River Expeditions - we were not disappointed.  These guys made every part of the trip seem effortless and polished.  The transportation and gear was all arranged and all we had to do was make sure we had sunscreen, water, and the right shoes.  The train trip was first, in the cool of the canyon.  This is definitely a tourist trap.  Let me explain: You take the train from Canon City for a nice 45 minute ride through the canyon...then the train stops and goes in reverse back to the station.  Don't get me wrong, there's no better way to see this amazing sight.  It's beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking, etc.  The train has been restored and it's completely top-notch.  We didn't pay the premium to ride in the glass-domed cars.  We had seats in a standard car but spent most of the time in the open-air car just above the concession car.  If you do reserve a spot in the glass-domed cars you will have access to the restaurant car.  We made due with drinks and sandwiches from the concession car.  We got to see rafters making their run in the Gorge, we saw bighorn sheep, and of course the bridge from below.

But the rafting the Arkansas River was the most amazing part.  Moderate skill level (because, tiny humans) but it was still exhilarating.  We had the best time.

But man, was it hot.  We chose to stop under the bridge in Canon City for a dip in a popular swimming hole.  It was clearly the place to be that day with temperatures well over a hundred degrees.  The water was cold and refreshing, the current was strong, and Chase and the kids rode the river a million times above and below the bridge.  It was only slightly scary.  What a blast they had...

Finalized and Posted May 16 2018 - only 6 years later.

At the fire's edge

Driving toward Manitou Springs Sunday

We drove into Colorado Springs last Saturday just hours after the Waldo canyon fire began to burn. The vista was unexpected: a mountain range clouded with haze and smoke. Flames were distinctly visible on the side of the mountain that night. We were completely astounded. We heard the news that this fire started at noon that day.  The trip looked to be over before it even began.
We had a great view from the hotel room window.  It burned all night and we didn't get much sleep watching the flames grow and move.
The next morning, we made some calls. The campground at Mueller was open and not having any adverse effect from the fire. According to the Park Ranger, the air was clear. Her home was in Woodland Park and she was not too concerned.  We decided to make the trip across the range. Soon after breakfast, highway 24 was closed. This was our direct route - but, it's not the only way across.  We made the 3 hour drive toward Denver and down through Decker on 67. It was a beautiful drive. There was some scary dirt roads on the mountainside to add to the adventure.
We made it safely to the campground. The smoke was always visible over the ridge.
Driving that drive we saw the devastation from the previous forest fire, the Hammond fire. That fire was 10 years ago. The scorched trees still stand. The green of undergrowth is beginning to take hold. So sad. It will be a lifetime before that forest returns.


Evidence of Hammond Fire North of Woodland Park on 67

Boys in a Tree

Summer is finally here! Bikerides, tree climbing, all things wonderful! Yahoo!

Gingerbread Awesomeness

Our first Gingerbread house. It was a real challenge, but it's finished! Yum.

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Sent from my Helio Ocean

I Love Fish

I'm too disturbed to sit still and not talk about this anymore. It's a real problem in my household and I won't act like I don't know about it anymore. Fish consumption. More specifically - over-consumption. I Love Fish. I really do love fish - we have fish in our diets weekly. And most often, it's the stuff from the warehouse club that I can buy a ton of & keep in the freezer. Recently, it's been Tilapia. Now, Tilapia is Eco-OK list. There are three catagories...

Eco-Best

Eco-OK

Eco-Worst

We received our seafood selector pocket card at the sea lion exhibit at the zoo. They're easy to come by, and there are places you can print your own. Please do.

Back to the rant.

Our over-consumption of fish is a real thing. The orange roughy is a fish that matures after 30 years and lives to be 120! It's like clear-cutting an old-wood forest. They don't just grow back! It's a great example of the problem, but there are hundreds more like them.

And be aware of the 'new' fish that are showing up in the freezer section. These names are just to make the Slimehead Fish (Orange Roughy's original name) more appealing.

To this day, I know people that think that the ocean is an un-depletable cornucopia of sea life. And the trouble is, it was...until the 80s. And the way we fish now - very accurate, but not surgical, is exactly like clear-cutting forests. It kills everything in it's path. You've gone from jungle to plowed field in one pass of a boat. The nets are capable of fishing MILES below the surface. Does this sound in any way romantic? Not a man and a boat anymore.

So.

We have to - as consumers- make smarter choices. Enjoy your Alaskan Sablefish, relish your U.S. Farmed Tilapia - but be aware - and tell your loved ones.

At the zoo

This photo is just too cool not to share. Sydney and this large lioness had a moment on their class field trip. The weather was crisp, but most of the animals loved it. Gorgeous.

The 60th Birthday Ta Da

Wow!

A surprise party for my mom? Are you crazy? She cannot be surprised, she knows too much about too much. Well, we tried anyway. The surprise was that tons and tons of mom's friends and relatives came to party with us. I had 7 of them staying at our place! It was intensely lovely. I had so much fun seeing everyone & being steeped in family for the weekend.

Maggie in da house!

Margaret Adele is sharing her time with us in kansas city. Even though the weather has been dreary. It's fun!

Soccer Star

Logan is playing on the new fields at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. It's very nice and Logan's loving it.

Timberlake - Day 4

Last night was cook-out night at Camp Timberlake. It is a night that we go to our cabin and fire ring and we are there all night building the fire, cooking dinner and s'mores, and playing games. I think the s'mores part was the favorite.

And that was the last night. I'm grateful to have been able to get to know this fun group of girls. It's not often that I get to duck out of my life for a week to be with my daughter. Sydney loved it, too.

Camp Timberlake: Day 2

Troop 2B has been very busy at Camp Timberlake. Everyday they learn new, useful things. Yesterday, they erected their own emergency shelter using 2 trees, a rope, a tarp, and some rocks. Behold:

The shelter could hold almost the entire unit. Way to go, girl scouts!

Three Monkeys in a Tree

We had a lovely Saturday evening at the park. We needed to burn off a little more energy at the end of the day - and the weather was perfect - why not?

And these guys decided to all find a high perch in this tree. I think this may be the start of their love of tree-climbing.

Charlie's 4th Birthday

Charlie's 4. I just can't believe it.
We had a family dinner together last night (pancakes, that's what the birthday boy chose), then we went to see the movie UP.
It's a great movie, I can recommend it for any age. But curiously, Charlie would have rather been home watching the movie on our TV. And it's not a super-huge TV with crazy blow-you-hair-out audio sound. It's just a 'regular' TV. But if you compare the picture I watched in my living room when I was a kid to the picture that our children today get to enjoy...they're worlds apart.
It does make you wonder if going to the movies may be losing it's charm. For me, certainly not. It's always an event to go OUT to see a movie. But for my four year old, he can't quite see the draw, yet.
Interesting.
So, now the joy of the movies must be taught?

Charlie's bike ride

This is Charlie's mother's day present to me! Thanks, Charlie!

Bursting with Spring

April was wet, windy, cold and altogether unpleasant - but it's done it's job and now we're headed straight on to summer. The garden is started. I had help from these guys, believe it or not. Seriously. I was lucky to catch this image. They concentrated on digging and making dirt structures mostly, but it was helpful and fun.

In this picture - Charlie, Alec, and Owen. Logan was away with dad all day at a chili cookoff at the union hall or he would have been there, too.

There's much more progress to show, but that will have to wait. Thank you May for all the flowers!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Tonight is Sydney's first Daddy Daughter Dance. What a nice looking pair!

Kristi's non-bachelorette party

Girls night! We're taking the bride to be out for a little pottery action! Yep, pottery! Then later, we'll be back at the house for some fun...

Ha Ha Tonka

Silly name. Seriously awesome state park. We further tested the kids' hiking abilities. They did really well. The day started out gloomy and rainy, but luckily the afternoon was mostly clear. We had to see the beautiful 'castle' ruins and then we did the Spring trail. There were some strenuous parts, but we made it. Even Charlie and his little legs. He might have had a couple of piggy back rides... Great fun, we'll do some real camping this summer, fo' sho'!

Bridal Cave

We're at the lake of the Ozarks for the weekend. It's Spring Break back up in the city...so we're off for some fun. We went to Bridal Cave today, the kids' first cave adventure. I had the most fun, I think, but we all survived. Great cave, too! We went for a hike afterwards above and discovered Bear Rock Beach. Well, that's an unofficial name. We saw bear scat and lots of freshly eaten freshwater mussels. It really looked like a place the bears would rock. We're back in the comfy condo for the weekend, just taking it easy. We'll go see Ha Ha Tonka tomorrow.

Time in New Ulm

It really isn't easy to talk about, but the time in New Ulm was really something special. The boys and I travelled the long distance alone to be with the people we care about in their time of need. We weren't the only ones to make the pilgrimage, so many special people were there for us. Everyone, really. It was tough. It was lovely. I don't regret a thing.