Lake City, Colorado

Yesterday, which would be Wednesday, we went to Lake City.  We left early after we all ate breakfast.   I slaved to put cereal on the table.  Two choices, Raisin Bran Crunch or Honey Nut Chex.  Like it or lump it! 

It takes us a little over an hour to get there.  The first thing that we do is find the restrooms.  This is a must as most of you that travel with children know.  After that, it was off to all of the shops.  The kids had money burning a hole in their pockets.  They first time through they shop and browse.  They don't spend much the first time.  So we make the rounds again a second time, because they have carefully decided what they are going to buy.  And those of you that know Parker, it took even a third time to reconsider his purchases.  The first thing he ended up buying was a package of Silly Bands.  He found the real ones here in Colorado.  They had a pack that was called a Cowboy Pack.  He thought about this for awhile and then gathered up two packs and headed to the register.  I said "Son, you don't need to buy two of the same type."  And to that he responded, "Yes I do Mom, I have to buy one for Nate and Jake, because they didn't get to come to town today."  :) (A proud moment for his mom) He is such a sweet and thoughtful boy.  He was only given so much money and he used part of it to buy his new friends some Silly Bands.  (I think he gets this quality from his mother, shhhh, don't tell Chris!)  His second purchase was for a Billion Dollar Bill.  It of course is fake money.  But he thought that this was an incredible bargain for a dollar. The change he had left over from that he put in a jar at the restaurant where we had lunch.  They were taking up a donation for the local pet shelter.  He then had $10 dollars left over, which he decided to save for another time.  I love this kid!  I love Madi too, but she shops non-stop.  She doesn't make such a big deal out of spending.  I told Chris to look out for when she is a teen!  We may be in trouble. 

As we were leaving the restaurant, it started another down pour.  It only rained for 30 min. or so and then the sun came back out.  While we were driving around, I stopped to take a few pictures of the local churches.   The First Baptist Church had an article in the local newspaper about its age. It was established in 1891.  The original building is still intact and maintained.  They have church there every Sunday. We went by and went in to take it all in.

  

The stained glass windows were beautiful.  It was such a serene moment.  It was so peaceful and quiet.  The next church was a Presbyterian Church. 

 

After buying a few groceries,  (Only the necessities; bread, milk, and ice) we headed back to the cabin.  As we approached the Rio Grand Reservoir Dam we started getting rained on.  It was a cloudy evening.  We stopped at the cabin just long enough to eat a snack for dinner and let the horses out before we drove up to Brewster Park in Jerry's truck.  We headed out and made it a ways down the road and another rainstorm moved in.  Jerry decided we had better turn back.  Getting to Brewster Park we have to cross two small streams and if it rains too much we wouldn't be able to cross back over.   We will have to try it another evening.   Turns out that it was a good thing that we headed back because it rained most of the evening and into night.  When we headed to bed it was still raining.

We woke up this morning to rain also.  The guys had big plans to leave out earlier this morning than usual because of theie chosen destination of Squaw Lake.  It takes about 3 hrs on a horse just to get there.  They were hoping to get in some trout fishing. 

We finished up breakfast and it started raining again.  They decided to put off leaving today for awhile.  The rain finally stopped and they headed out at about 11.  The sun was out and it looked liked a sunny day ahead.  Since they didn't get an early start, they changed their plans and decided to go to Slide Lake.  It doesn't take as long to get there.

I sit here at the computer at 1:49 pm.   It has been raining here at the cabin now off and on now for more than two hours.  I hope that the guys are staying dry. 

After a long hard day

It seems that elevation has an effect on a lot of us.  It sure does make it hard to breath.  And then, maybe from the lack of oxygen it seems to make us more sleepy.  It seems that most days we see quite a bit of this.

And this..

Again, disregard the look I have going here.  Not the best picture.  I wasn't expecting this photo op!  It was a hard morning for me. Cooking and reading sure does take it's toll on you! 

Horseback Riding

After the guys got back their from ride from Twin Lakes, Chris decided to take Madison and I for a ride.  We rode north of the Lost Trail Ranch up in the mountain ridge to an area that Chris had seen the day before on another trail ride.  The area is a rock ledge.  It looks similar to rock formations I have seen before in caves.  The rocks have formed sort of a line and then some have pillars.  It is a very neat site.  We rode the horses up the mountain as far as we could.  And then we had to tie up and hike the rest of the way in order to get some good pictures.   Chris and Madison think that the rock formation looks like the top of a castle.  The first picture is from a distance.  The area we went to see is on the left of this picture. 

We took this picture after we got up closer to the ridge.  Don't look at this too close.  No electricity means no blow dryer or flat iron.  This is the roughing it look!  HAHA  We started hiking up to the ridge at the base of this tree line.  It didn't look to steep but after we got halfway up, I wasn't sure if I could go any further.  Neither up or down was too appealing. 

When we finally made it up to it, (Hallelujah!) the rocks almost look like someone had concreted all of this together.  It was really interesting.  Hope I'm not boring you all to death with this!  The color was also something rather different.  It looked green in color.  And when you touched it, it was almost the consistency of ash.  As you can see off in the distance of this next picture, we were very high here.  I could really tell from the lack of oxygen.  Madi kept asking why is it so hard to breath.  We tried explaining that the air is thinner.  And mostly because we are so out of shape.  Chris told her "yes, round is a shape but it doesn't help up here in the mountains. "  I laughed so hard after he said this and then I really couldn't breath.  

 

Not sure what the elevation is but let's just say high enough for this girl.  I was so thankful that I had a horse waiting on me at the bottom of the ridge if I can just make it back that far.

We stayed long enough to take several good pictures.  And the main thing was to stay long enough that I felt as if I wasn't going to die.  I don't think I would make it through the night and the thoughts of a rescue helicopter did cross my mind.  But how in the world would they find me up here?  

When I turned around to head down this is what I had to look at!  I really am not sure at this point if I am ready but a rain cloud was moving in on us, so rather that become all wet and soggy we headed back down.  Reluctantly, but I did it anyway.

We returned to our horses, thank the Lord they were where we left them.  My new trusty best friend, providing me a ride back down the mountain. 

As we headed back, I couldn't resist these last few shots.  Providing my horse would stop long enough to take them.  Dusty realized that we were headed down and he knows he gets fed and rests at the bottom of the mountain.  It was a wonderful afternoon ride with Madison and Chris.  This is a Kodak moment. 

Thanks be to God.  He has been so good to me!

Rainy Day in Colorado

Madi is singing Rain, Rain, Go Away today.  Yes, that means it rained here again today.  She is mad because it is more rainy here this year than last year.  This morning when we got up there was rainbow to the west.  It seems that about the same time every day it comes a really big rain shower.  The morning was a bit cloudy.  Definitely cool.  We have been keeping the wood burning stove busy in the mornings.  I love to sit and hear the crackling of the fire.  I love it here.  The weather to me is perfect.  Cool, not cold, and in the afternoon the sun falling in the west warms the cabin for the evening.  I have to stop adding wood about mid afternoon to the stove because if I continue it is too warm for the guys when they return from the mountain trails.  They are continuing to have a good time.  They fished yesterday at Heart (Hart?) Lake.  They promised to bring home dinner. But just as Tina and I expected....none.   Jerry says never fear he will provide.  But we all just laugh knowing that we may starve to death if we waited on him.  

The horses are acting a bit crazed.  Jerry's word of the week is Jughead.  At least it's not old Chinese Proverbs.  Last year he was full of them.  Tina continues to work on her quilt.  She is doing the edge and called it handwork.  Those of you who quilt know what I'm talking about.  Madi and her have taken time today to play Yatzee.  Madi worked on her math skills.  Hopefully she does well once school starts.  She has finished one book and started a second.  It is so nice and quite when we are all three reading and listening to the fire crackle.  We haven't done any hiking do to all the rain.  It seems to really come down at times.  The boys just made it back and my quite time today will come to an abrupt halt.  I will leave today with a cute picture of Jerry and his horse Dusty.  I can't help but look at this picture and not laugh. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Highground Hideaway

After 14 hours of traveling and being cooped up in the car, the kids were so glad to reach our destination Saturday evening.  We arrived here at the Ranch about 5:30 CST.  They quickly went to exploring the area.  Not much had changed other than our location on the ranch.  As they were exploring they found a tree house.  You would think they had found a buried treasure.  They were so excited.  (please for those of you reading, don't mention to my father or Nanny that they are climbing this tree, they will freak)  The kids love it.  They both are getting really good at climbing for the short time we have been here so far.  Their only complaint is all the sap!  They have started a collection of pine cones and decided that the tree house was a good place to store them and keep them safe!

Did I say I didn't have much to share in my first webpost?  What was I thinking anyway?!!

 

Madi has spent some time taking pictures and she wanted you to be able to see the view from the tree house. 

 

The view over our the top of our cabin. 

The pine cones.

Parker found all of these nails in the tree house and decided to nail them all in the wood so no one would step on them.  As if many people would climb the tree and step on the nails.  

Hummingbird Haven

As most of you know the hummingbirds are very plentiful here.  We spend a lot of time watching them, counting them, and trying to distinguish the varieties.  There are several types that are landing on our feeder but not sure exactly how many different ones there are!  They move way to fast.  This morning, while we sat drinking coffee, (yes, even I drank coffee,  aren't you all proud of me) I counted eight hummingbirds.  After the guys all left, Madison decided to go out and sit on the deck to watch the birds.

 

 

Out this front window, we have several feeders.  This deck wraps around the whole cabin.  This picture is the view from the living area looking out to the deck.  (just trying to give you a brief glimpse of the beautiful setting we have here at Lost Trail.)

Anyway, on with the story.  Madison decided to sit out on the deck this morning and watch all of them fly around.  While she was sitting out there one of the little hummingbirds ran straight into the glass and knocked himself silly (it may should read herself, not sure, LOL).  Tina and I ran out there as quickly as possible, as quick as we both could move, not to fast I'm sure , to see if the bird was still alive. It was just seemed a little dazed and confused.  Madi picked it up and held it until he got his bearings back and flew off.  It was such a cute little bird, I'm glad he made it through such a traumatic event.  Madi was thankful for the opportunity to be up close and personal with such a unique little bird. 

Relaxing Days

As I sit here in the cabin, watching it rain again, I am thankful that I packed my winter pjs!  I know that may seem funny to all of you that are experiencing the heat wave back in Oklahoma, but here there is no sign of heat.  I say that with exclamation.  I don't have a lot to share other than we are having a wonderful time.  Most of all it is relaxation at its finest.  Tina, Madi, and I enjoyed having a nice quiet day at the cabin yesterday.  We watched the humming birds, did a puzzle, read our books, watched it rain, and took naps!!!  Yes, I said it took naps and oh how marvelous it was.  The bed here in the new cabin this year is hard.  It seems that I can sleep better on the couch in the afternoons instead.  We have had some wonderful moments and hope to have some more.  It is still raining but now the sun is coming out from the clouds. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you where Parker was didn't I!  You were probably wondering.  No, I didn't leave him in South Fork.  Even though we considered it several times on the drive up here!  (Spilled pop, candy, etc....)  Laverne, Jerry's friend that meets us up here has his two grandsons with him and Parker and Nate are just one yr. apart in age.  They have hit it off really well, so Laverne offered for Parker to ride double with Nate on Jack!  Yep, what a great name, Huh, Jack!  So, they  rode yesterday and seemed to get along really well, except for just up the hill from camp they got bucked off.  One horse with two masters doesn't work to well.  Once they got all of the details worked out the three made it just fine to Brewster Park and back with no injuries. 

I tried several times yesterday to connect to the Internet and couldn't.  I talked to Forrest who lives here and he told me I could only get Internet if I sat in the back room here in the cabin.  Low and behold he was right.  I came to the back room, held my mouth just right and my computer found the Internet signal!!  Just shows you how modern technology is selective to area I guess.  Who knows?  LOL

I said I didn't have alot to share but it turns out I did I guess. Sorry!   I guess the lack of people to talk to really has had an effect on me.  My fingers are just typing so fast with excitement to tell you of all the happenings.

 

 

The view from where I am typing.  If you look really close you can see the rain dripping from the edge of the roof.