Our bike rides on the weekend and random thoughts

Nancy and I went biking yesterday with our group up the South Platte and had a great time. Today, we rode out the front of our house and up to Waterton Canyon a few miles away. We enjoyed looking at our friend, this small, big horn sheep. Notice the cell phone around his neck. Since it's hard to text while he's walking, we assumed he just hangs it around his neck "hoof free," so he can voice text his friends. I suppose it's "chewed tooth" technology. Amazing what they can do now!

Of course, that made me think about teeth. Why do they call it blue tooth? Oh, and then I wondered, is a bicuspid a gay dentist? What's our world coming to?

Fires

Here's a little update on the fires in Colorado, especially Pagosa and Wolf Creek.  The one below was taken from Pagosa Springs. At the time of this photo two weeks ago, it had burned about 4,000 acres. Now it has consumed over 90,000 acres and is threatening the town of South Fork.  This fire has joined forces with two others. I was also told that heroic efforts were made to save the Wolf Creek ski area.

One side benefit is that the sunsets and sunrises are really nice. It just doesn't smell very good. Denver is now "smoke free," but Southwest Colorado is not.  Will continue to try to keep you updated.

Kayaking again

Nancy and I went Kayaking yesterday at the South Chatfield Lake. We got up in the morning, packed up everything, along with coffee and cinnamon cookies. When we arrived, we set up the chairs and watched the red winged black birds fly around, listened to the bugs buzz around, enjoyed our coffee together.

It was a beautiful morning. And yes, the boat seats two, but only one of us can take a picture. Besides it's fun to go solo as well as tandem. Words of wisdom:  Never tell someone you think that a kayak is so stable you can stand on your head in it. They may insist you prove this.

Mesa Trail

Nancy and I went hiking today up Mesa Trail. When we reached Shadow Canyon Trail we hiked another half mile or so and then took a short but steep spur trail back up to Mesa Trail. It was a great little three hour hike this morning.

We enjoyed the wildflowers all along the trails and stopped for a short snack to take in all the beauty.

It was a little hot as the day went on, so when we were done, we decided to drive into Boulder and eat at Cantina Laredo!  Oh boy! Our favorite thing.

Father's Day message from my grandkids, sent by my daughter

My Grandad 2013

1. My Grandad is funny because:

Eli:  "His ears come up like this." (point to both ears and raises his eyebrows really high)
Daisy:  "because of his Donald Duck voice."
Andy:  "When we pull hard on his hands, and then we fall."

2. My Grandad thinks I am funny when:

Eli:  "Grandad is funny to say Grandma!" (laughing)
Daisy:  "when I say four fluffy feathers and a fiffer feffer feff"
Andy: "When we pull hard on his hands, and then we fall."

3. My Grandad is ____ years old.

Eli:  5
Daisy:  6
Andy:  16

4. His favorite thing to do is:

Eli:  pink
Daisy:  hug
Andy:  be funny

5.  His favorite color is:

Eli:  pink
Daisy:  yellow
Andy:  purple

6. My Grandad's job is:

Eli:  "his ears come like this"
Daisy:  "to work"
Andy:  "he writes emails"

7.  He loves to eat:

Eli:  "Grandma"
Daisy:  "ice cream"
Andy:  "carrots and broccoli"

8.  He is really good at:

Eli:  "Grandma"
Daisy:  "his Donald Duck voice"
Andy:  "Work"

9.  My Grandad loves when I:

Eli:  "eat croutons"
Daisy:  "twirl"
Andy:  "do good things... like run around with Daisy"

10.  My Grandad always says:

Eli: "Grandma"
Daisy:  "we're having ice cream!"
Andy:  "Dad"

11.  My favorite thing about Grandad is:

Eli: "When I say goodnight about Grandad."  (big smile)
Daisy:  "he's nice"
Andy:  "he's funny"

Piedra River

Nancy was heavily involved in a garage sale today, so I decided to go for a great hike. I left early and walked down the Piedra River to the junction of Williams River. What a beautiful place!

This area is one of my favorites. I personally thinks it's one of the most beautiful spots outside of a national park! I met a couple of fisherman, but no one else. Please don't make this a national park, it will be literally loved to death and ruined.

Fires

Everyone is talking about the fires on the front range, but the Colorado media ignores the big fires near Pagosa Springs. This one, as seen from my Sister-in-laws place, is raging up West Fork, near Wolf Creek Pass. Each night it's been getting worse and worse.. Evidently, they ignore them if they're in a wilderness area. I've hiked this beautiful canyon. If you follow Rainbow Trail up this canyon, you'll eventually find some natural hot springs and the headwaters of the San Juan River.

FIRES!

More fires are raging South of our house near Colorado Springs in the Black Forest area. Many homes have been destroyed in the fires. Nancy and I went out on the back porch this evening and the wind was blowing up from the South. It smells like a campfire here, some 60 miles North!. We're so sorry for the residents and people living in this area.

Rockies game

We went to the Rockies game tonight. It was Military Appreciation day at Coors Field. They pulled a flag out that nearly covered the entire outfield! We enjoyed the show and the fire works that went along with it.

Jeff Francis was pitching, and well, he didn't exactly have a stellar night. The Padres jumped on him in the first inning and our bats were cold.

After four innings of play, there were lots and lots of meetings and discussions, like "what do we do now?" And, "Can you throw a little harder?" And, "This could be a long night." Thankfully, Coach Wright mercifully pulled Jeff out of the game, but the damage had been done. We lost 4-2.

Kayaking

Nancy and I went kayaking at Chatfield's South lake on Sunday afternoon. We bought this inflatable from Costco and it works pretty well. We had to learn how to coordinate our paddles. And of course, we had to learn which end went first. Once we got that straightened out, it went well. Helps if you read the directions!

It was really nice. The lake is just a couple of minutes from our house and there are some nice areas for picnics nearby. Water sports are great, aren't they! I have friends who won't even drink water. They know what fish do in it!

I couldn't resist

Driving in St John USVI

In Denver, when I go out driving my wife says, "hurry home so you don't kill anybody!" That's why I didn't do any driving in St. John. When you look at these signs you can see I'd probably just get 20 miles to the fender. Although, it's only 12.8 miles across the island. The problem is staying on the left and watching out for boats! Did I read those right?