More Colorado

I have no clue if anyone even reads this blog but I do know that I worked on this a couple of weeks ago and when it was time to post I screwed something up and didn't have time to go back in and correct -- so here I am today!

I'm still enjoying looking at my pictures from Colorado. As always, I want to share them with whomever may be taking the time to read this.

After spending Saturday night 'star gazing' we headed out for some hiking on Sunday. First stop was Alluvial Fan. I love waterfalls, mountains and lakes (but I'm a terrible hiker) but enjoyed the short hike to the Fan and we took lots of pictures while we were there. The top two are at the Fan. That's our group, minus the picture taker (Glee). That's Barb, Rob, Mary, me, Ron, Diane & Jim with the fan behind us all. As you can see it was a beautiful day for a hike.

After our stop at the Fan we continued onto Old Falls River Road. It's a beautiful drive up the mountain on a gravel road (one-way). We made some stops for pictures and took a short hike at Chasm Falls Trail. Our destination for the day was the Alpine Center and the hike??? up to the top. As you can see Barb and I made it to the top. It took some doing but we did get there. Glee, Ron, Barb and I were the adventurers for the day! Glee got the shot of Barb and I just as we got to the top of the stairs. It's a bit of a stretch from there to the sign that Barb and I are at but I'm so glad that Barb prodded me into doing the walk. Barb experienced a stomach ache just about the time we got to the top, but we sat for a few minutes on a couple of rocks and she felt better. It was a beautiful view from up there!!! The rest of the day was spent in dodging rain! And road work. When we came into the park there was a sign explaining work was being done on Ridge Road but we didn't pay much attention. Well we found out where and what. It took us hours to get down off the mountain and it was icky! Rainy!!

We had two birthdays while we were in Colorado. Rob's was on Sunday and his wife, Mary, celebrated on Friday. We decided to go out for supper on Sunday night so made reservations at GrubSteak for 7:30 and off we went, minus one. Ron wasn't feeling real good and decided to stay home and rest. The meal was great. We talked the waitress into giving Rob a free beer and singing Happy Birthday to him! They had just brought the beer and were getting assembled to sing when Rob & Mary's phone rang. It was Ron and he wanted someone home as soon as possible. He was extremely ill. Barb, Glee, Rob & I took off in her car and got back to the cabin as quickly as possible. Ron didn't look very good when we got there. He had tried to get a hold of Barb but her phone had died as we left the yard for supper, and was finally able to get through to Rob & Mary. Rob and Glee got him into Rob's car and Barb & I took point to find the hospital. I had the phone book in my hand (lot of good it did me, I'm not very steady in a crisis) but with a little luck saw the hospital sign and Barb got everyone there okay. Estes Park has a very small hospital, but they did a great job on Ron. He had High Altitude Sickness. Jim, Diane and Mary found us and waited for the results. We headed home while Glee and Rob waited for IV's to help Ron through the crisis. Haven't heard yet what the bill was but the personnel at the hospital were very nice and we were all thankful they were there. Ron was restricted to no hiking for 48 hours, no intoxicating beverages for that same amount of time and lots of rest!

Monday morning saw Jim, Diane and Rob heading out for Cheyenne to check on daughter Erin's house. Glee, Mary, Glee and myself took off for Lily Lake. It's a very easy hike around the lake and a great way to start the day. And we got some beautiful reflection shots!

We took our hike and then headed back into town to pick up Ron for breakfast. We ate at the Egg & I. The food was great! If you're ever in Estes Park, Colorado, stop in.

We spent a lot of our afternoons and early evenings playing baggo or cornhole, or tailgate party games. Jim made a number of the games for Christmas presents last year and we put Barb's to work. That's Rob and Barb working out their game plan. We had a great time with that game.

Hopefully all the pictures I posted will be there. I loose some every once in a while! Guess I'll have to have Mandy give me some more lessons in Blogging 101!

It's time to get something done around here for the day. The weather is beautiful (September 9th) and I need to push some dust around. Wedding plans are about complete. I've bought another dress for the wedding. I think I like it! I'm looking forward to the day and all the excitment a wedding brings to a family. I'm sure I'll have many pictures to share with all of you. Probably more Colorado too. I do enjoy writing this blog even though it frustrates me at times! Senior Moment!!!

Go out and enjoy the day! Soon we'll be complaining of snow, sleet and ice. That I am not looking forward to!

Have a good week.

More Vacation!

COLORADO!

Vacations! Aren't they great? I got back from Estes Park, Colorado on Sunday, August 19th. We had a great time. Estes Park is one of my very favorite places to visit. The biggest problem is getting there. You have to drive all the way across the state of Iowa and then you get to be in Nebraska!!! There's not a lot to see in Nebraska, but we made it without too much mishap.

Barbie and I met up with the rest of our bunch in Kearny on Friday evening. We actually made pretty good time and got into the hotel around 9:30 p.m. We were up and off the next morning by 8:00 a.m. Here's the Rockies!! They are so awsome!! Majectic! Beautiful! If you haven't figured it out already I dearly love the Rockie Mountains. I'm in awe of their 'biggness' and the wonderful of nature when walking in them or just standing there and looking at them. The first picture was taken as we were coming into Loveland, CO and our first sight of the Rockies!!

There were 8 of us this year at our 'home away from home' in Estes Park. My daughter and myself, my sister Glee and her husband Ron, Rob & Mary Sass and Jim & Diane Sass. Rob and Jim are 2 of Ron's brothers. We celebrated 2 birthdays while we were out there and did a lot of walking, talking, eating and drinking!!! Oh, and picture taking!!!

We got into Estes around 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday. Diane and Jim were already there as they flew into Denver that morning. They had some business to attend to in Cheyenne during the week and had to leave early for another vacation planned in northern Minnesota. Shopping was the first thing on the list. Diane, Glee and Mary headed for Safeway while the rest of us put beds together and clothes away!

Saturday night the chefs (Ron, Jim & Rob) decided chicken on the grill sounded good. As you can see they worked real hard at that meal. It tasted great! We did a lot of grilling when we ate at the cabin.

Another of our favorite pasttimes in Colorado was playing Baggo! Son Jim made a number of sets of these games for Christmas. Barb's was an ISU set and we used it practically every day during our stay in Estes. Barb and Diane played against Mary and I in this game. Notice Barb's form -- beer bottle in hand she threw her big and probably put in it the hole! We had a great time playing with this game.

Notice the garbage can tipped over in the background? We found bear claw marks on the top of the can. In the journel left at the cabin it was mentioned that a black bear when through the yard 2 weeks before we got there. We didn't see one (thank you very much) but the fact that they're around does make a person think. We left the garbage can in the garage when we left!! Thought it was safer that way!

Saturday night the decision was made to watch the metor showers. After fooling around in the cabin yard (we were trying to put the yard light out) for some time we decided to head into the park and find a nice quiet, dark spot to watch the show. We piled everyone into one car (that's 8 of us) and off we went. It was a spectular sight! Some of us saw more than the others but we all saw some of the show. Thanks Jim for telling us about this awesome sight!!! The majority of us woke up with a slight stiffness in our neck from all our gawking but it was worth it!!

Did a lot of hiking (both short and long hikes). I even did some this year. Like I said I love it out there!

It's 7:00 a.m. and I need to get ready for work. More pictures and more comments later in the week. We have a lot going on in our lives right now. Baby and Bridal showers this weekend, then a holiday weekend (yea 3 days off!) and a wedding the end of the month. I'm not sure this old lady can keep up!!!

Talk to you soon. Have a good day!

Vacation time

Vacation time will soon be here! My daughter, my sister and her husband, and 2 of her brothers-in-law are heading to Estes Park, Colorado for a week. I'm really looking forward to it. Jim & Diane are flying out and will meet us there. My sister and her husband along with Rob & Mary are driving out and will meet Barbie and I in Kearney, Nebraska Friday night or Saturday morning, depending on what time of night we get in. The Sass bunch is leaving Friday a.m., while Barbie and are leaving sometime Friday afternoon. Both Barb and I are working part of Friday. I can't wait to see the beautiful mountains of Colorado again.

I've been busy. Went to a family reunion July 29th in Rochester. Our numbers are dwindling but we still manage a few people every year. Next year it will be back in Iowa. Maybe the Iowa kids will all make that one!

This past weekend we congregated at my sister's to spend some time with my brother and his wife. I was lucky and both of my kids were able to be with us. Unfortunately Mandy, Jim's bride-to-be, was unable to be with us. I was so hoping she would get to meet Jim's godfather before the wedding. Jim came home on Friday night to go to a surprise party for one of his friend's and Mandy had plans to have a yard sale. Rain delayed the yard sale but Jim was already here so he joined the rest of us. We had a nice meal together and catch up on what everyone's been doing lately.

My brother's son is getting married one of these days. He's in the Navy and everytime they plan something orders come in for Nick to leave. They're going to continue to try and hope to be married before the 1st of the year.

We have a new baby coming in the family. My neice, Beth (and my godchild) is expecting her first baby the same weekend Jim and Mandy are getting married. We have baby and bridal showers planned when we get back from vacation. Keeps us all busy!!

Jim and Mandy will be getting married September 22nd. We're still making plans for some of the wedding but the majority of the plans are finished. I'm excited about the whole thing. It'll be a long weekend and a short one. It'll all be over before we know it. I'm hoping for lots of pictures from everyone so I can do a book for them for Christmas (2008). I'm a little slow in finishing that type of project, but they usually turn out real well.

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over. I worked the Dubuque County Fair, helping park cars. The weather wasn't too bad for standing out in a field and telling people where to put their car! I said this was my last year, but last Saturday I had breakfast with Bill and some of the other guys and they're talking about doing it again next year. I still think a 60-year old woman doesn't belong standing out in the field with the sun beating down upon her! We'll see!! I only worked the week evenings this past year. Gave up the weekends because it's just too long hours.

Time to get at some other stuff around here. I've been doing some packing for the trip. Want to pack the majority of my stuff on Thursday evening so that I can take off from work. It should be a fun trip! I'll post pictures!

Have a great week.