tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54434123437712937082024-02-20T03:43:34.312-07:00Pilgrims' JourneyThy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. Ps. 119:54Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-18609766359165721082023-10-08T10:09:00.000-06:002023-10-08T10:09:30.078-06:00Lincoln Rock State Park<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Blog,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sorry I have neglected you for so long. Now that my traveling days are over, at least in my RV, it seems I have fallen silent. But the world holds so much beauty and excitement just here in my beautiful valley. I will try to capture some of that!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjl0n1tKrbn2GqiJate4as5yKgbVg2QN2jUZxTuciya2v2b0vp3d8PeU2nTdK0QDi2QbZ_MhorXyFjz9pxDJokP0dFrIuiK2UtakBbtrOyEKKRR4bHSPLkazxTu-zniBYBbzxjsvqiKzLgTsLmwhJd7t7I18bMfFgIes_1cGLA4mBmO1yLCfVW9uaZFbk/s4032/IMG_3191.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjl0n1tKrbn2GqiJate4as5yKgbVg2QN2jUZxTuciya2v2b0vp3d8PeU2nTdK0QDi2QbZ_MhorXyFjz9pxDJokP0dFrIuiK2UtakBbtrOyEKKRR4bHSPLkazxTu-zniBYBbzxjsvqiKzLgTsLmwhJd7t7I18bMfFgIes_1cGLA4mBmO1yLCfVW9uaZFbk/w400-h251/IMG_3191.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It is now two years since I left the Missoula Montana area. While there I learned a lot about the great Missoula Flood eons ago and saw much of the evidence for it's happening. Now back in the Wenatchee Valley I saw this sign telling me about the Missoula Flood! It seems the great flood is responsible for much of what I am seeing today, 366 miles from where it began. This view is looking north up the Columbia River at the boat launch on Lake Entiat.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbJxd9MEyUwIsP8qD1053cI82BHPTb1lgHX3C0RtITzVMrpBcojiqkxZy8loxGae_FfDix-Yv0d6EEu2zEEaRPet-0KhdYqyKaG1URvTWz6Ly1FPkx52wecNr8irZJfUVPFROm2-33ogEUvomdWFPLYcevSdaHk5FYyqMzDh4rFxkriqGYGilL-sCofXD/s3232/IMG_3190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="3232" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbJxd9MEyUwIsP8qD1053cI82BHPTb1lgHX3C0RtITzVMrpBcojiqkxZy8loxGae_FfDix-Yv0d6EEu2zEEaRPet-0KhdYqyKaG1URvTWz6Ly1FPkx52wecNr8irZJfUVPFROm2-33ogEUvomdWFPLYcevSdaHk5FYyqMzDh4rFxkriqGYGilL-sCofXD/w400-h293/IMG_3190.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hopefully you can read this sign telling about the Missoula Flood. Wenatchee is up in the top center of the circle right on the edge of the northern most part of the flood.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bd7M_aMFdMshZGhpo6oFU8noVPOzXxV0atadOCF3gT7bgdjMUROtE5kWJCF33yJ8eQLAR6-X6n-FI3me3tS7OPxiGP1Otg1hz6U91bLOKIDGoRH3bdndJ752j0ivsossVRs3DbZ6cfFUAwbW-BAhjr5pAkVi3S7xznqysfPzNB5YHbeU2TsD8ysujWPX/s4032/IMG_3196.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bd7M_aMFdMshZGhpo6oFU8noVPOzXxV0atadOCF3gT7bgdjMUROtE5kWJCF33yJ8eQLAR6-X6n-FI3me3tS7OPxiGP1Otg1hz6U91bLOKIDGoRH3bdndJ752j0ivsossVRs3DbZ6cfFUAwbW-BAhjr5pAkVi3S7xznqysfPzNB5YHbeU2TsD8ysujWPX/w400-h247/IMG_3196.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To see Lincoln Rock you sort of need to know how to look for it. Lincoln's profile can be seen on the edge of the large rock formation in the center of the picture. This is best angle I could find. Lincoln is looking upriver to the north. The park has a large and quite lovely area for camping right on the river for both RVs and tents. As I walked through I reminisced about my husband's and my many years working in RV parks and even talked with a couple of campers who were walking their large and fluffy German Shepard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSDMD3QA11QpCYK6W03ET9_m9tY8bW-k_bK3HSImbmwMqReJBk5NahnJygTAPDFeM3KEr5R0eMLla6jMjVIP7kboIBnJlClFK4JeAGo6xsLU8uOCh5XqFBBRpvOHiIgPIogc_t_tVcstc0ErUguwZ1_AifE8-LFbFiQMG3xgcfmDaF1I0ET6OPcvi8DQq/s4032/IMG_3199.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSDMD3QA11QpCYK6W03ET9_m9tY8bW-k_bK3HSImbmwMqReJBk5NahnJygTAPDFeM3KEr5R0eMLla6jMjVIP7kboIBnJlClFK4JeAGo6xsLU8uOCh5XqFBBRpvOHiIgPIogc_t_tVcstc0ErUguwZ1_AifE8-LFbFiQMG3xgcfmDaF1I0ET6OPcvi8DQq/w300-h400/IMG_3199.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am fond of looking for and photographing large and beautiful trees that I find when out walking or driving. This one struck me because it had bark around the bottom part but changed to naked branches higher up. It was a lovely rust color. So...opening up my plant identifier I discovered this tree is a sycamore! I was excited, because I haven't seen a sycamore since our time in New Mexico about 15 years ago. The leaves are much like large maple leaves. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_dp46rY8v7VIMOpohra84mdY3t8PI7cUdhq8f9DAVTIAtCpzUYtI2qzD3l_Gm8HhFbFNJC9tSJjigSaJm-HmLMaNi7q7R-hJAH_-RAHeawct6qH7SuRBHDO8zwW7Ztp00VTpZvp9xpPPscBaQt5XuKf4GqpDvpwA7stmuPOlHKS_1pJWImWhqu023U0K/s4032/IMG_3198.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_dp46rY8v7VIMOpohra84mdY3t8PI7cUdhq8f9DAVTIAtCpzUYtI2qzD3l_Gm8HhFbFNJC9tSJjigSaJm-HmLMaNi7q7R-hJAH_-RAHeawct6qH7SuRBHDO8zwW7Ztp00VTpZvp9xpPPscBaQt5XuKf4GqpDvpwA7stmuPOlHKS_1pJWImWhqu023U0K/w300-h400/IMG_3198.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While I had my plant identifier open I snapped these pretty mushrooms. They have only a scientific name, Paxillaceae, and are considered dangerous to eat. Not that I had planned to snack on them!</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, after my walk I sat on bench under the brilliant yellow fall branches above me and watched these folks launching their boats. At first I thought, "why does someone need a boat that big and fancy?", and then I thought "It's no different from we RVers with our big rigs!"</div></span></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1ixxj72GaOyrOQIFLbnarfDq4aiL68ixAvzhNCrPDlvgbvLuDFcfq_lJR3mGnhgAbVbQ5zgLvzag5TvqZofT8c-7OnHsUoARwuuADHxUdPPIrz-r0BCAVTeU5bZ7l0BoPiU7fra2Gs9VPzqTkflEY2FjJK35kYl9A7_MvlkvWH_jM2HO8LWRhq-s9YoM/s4032/IMG_3202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1ixxj72GaOyrOQIFLbnarfDq4aiL68ixAvzhNCrPDlvgbvLuDFcfq_lJR3mGnhgAbVbQ5zgLvzag5TvqZofT8c-7OnHsUoARwuuADHxUdPPIrz-r0BCAVTeU5bZ7l0BoPiU7fra2Gs9VPzqTkflEY2FjJK35kYl9A7_MvlkvWH_jM2HO8LWRhq-s9YoM/w400-h300/IMG_3202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As I headed home I chanced upon a busy fruit stand and had to stop to see their offerings. They still had peaches! So down the road I went satisfied with my day at Lincoln Rock Park and pleased to still find my favorite orchard fruit!</span></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2YIq6JawgL4KnWNK5FS-PyjGxGDEwIYSrRVPqRtiOy0Cn-3em1tLyoYLYzLyKIkdWwXE5btIZiU4tHY3f2IBB-ScTbAYA6AbjZqrFhlGQW4mANrG2HJIpPXoZxbrqL-BobqJwb9qEvdJ4UC7c7afSXhzK_zHQEMdrQqVwo-dJShf0vknnB4mpiv1_wkm/s4032/IMG_3202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-14113644848745937142022-03-29T15:44:00.001-06:002022-03-29T15:46:46.856-06:00A New Trail!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kS5YAnb1Z2_-EjTlx2nkp-OwWXW8D_G8tq6tQdn5vStnpkR7usocFaK4YFgi7qzYQPtkzjs__6rxl2jOcluckQqgDtCFvdVSqSv-FL3WmTLbxT_-iNSrphikKR83kLDqVqiO0FyWpJg9zUKfDMMAC4racLORga7OSGM6--cErUlQfA6tUvY-Zn3v_w/s4032/IMG_2119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kS5YAnb1Z2_-EjTlx2nkp-OwWXW8D_G8tq6tQdn5vStnpkR7usocFaK4YFgi7qzYQPtkzjs__6rxl2jOcluckQqgDtCFvdVSqSv-FL3WmTLbxT_-iNSrphikKR83kLDqVqiO0FyWpJg9zUKfDMMAC4racLORga7OSGM6--cErUlQfA6tUvY-Zn3v_w/w300-h400/IMG_2119.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Since I am new in the Leavenworth area I am anxious to find the local, not too strenuous trails. My boss recommended the nature trails behind the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. I was not disappointed, but couldn't go the whole way quite yet because of snow on parts of the trail.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYGBEVZ61tdTjd_o7wIQtX80T6Au9JESXYXI7Y_GBQzZ2rdxlVIVDfDgycKeRd9cK1MuUWzSBJLvBpP9N9QVoFjaNhjklR3sF6Gc2lZ8Zp4Z3peSFH5a6_YK3ysIvKnrhgpbMQZzQLkz6YM9MIu9A5vmg0RSVy-DIFxDi2L0JtxqzxjaU23u-EKwgrg/s4032/IMG_2107.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYGBEVZ61tdTjd_o7wIQtX80T6Au9JESXYXI7Y_GBQzZ2rdxlVIVDfDgycKeRd9cK1MuUWzSBJLvBpP9N9QVoFjaNhjklR3sF6Gc2lZ8Zp4Z3peSFH5a6_YK3ysIvKnrhgpbMQZzQLkz6YM9MIu9A5vmg0RSVy-DIFxDi2L0JtxqzxjaU23u-EKwgrg/w400-h300/IMG_2107.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I needed to walk all the way through the Fish Hatchery, shown in the blue rectangle, to get to the trail, shown in red. I crossed a bridge over Icicle Creek and found myself in a beautiful, partially forested area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk_8XApqpWlMuKC2RlxxdmgV5YUr0fUYv2NVL7YmNcVjWAvLcNzDX2FPNURBkGeAmxFR3MxEIMj3XgStT2i_XerHAUTEAGSP_EdrxMdTmhY6jQrCMRSur-__1T_h_C5xjPJvRheCMqj2rFJPmznqfIcZbTPskTXKj206c_Z2cujKbqn2I1LzsD21LtQ/s4032/IMG_2117.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk_8XApqpWlMuKC2RlxxdmgV5YUr0fUYv2NVL7YmNcVjWAvLcNzDX2FPNURBkGeAmxFR3MxEIMj3XgStT2i_XerHAUTEAGSP_EdrxMdTmhY6jQrCMRSur-__1T_h_C5xjPJvRheCMqj2rFJPmznqfIcZbTPskTXKj206c_Z2cujKbqn2I1LzsD21LtQ/w400-h300/IMG_2117.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The open meadow near the trail gave me this lovely view of the snow covered mountains surrounding Leavenworth. I have yet to learn the names of each peak, all part of the Cascade Range dividing eastern Washington from western Washington.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKEJ-OMolDdJmZviko2dFd42ZGgQM-cLX5D5H07U7XmMQOT4iu7DXoW2IDd5uvuLV-AIFO14Lqs9GG2Q2oH16GniiRsBWvD8i3OnjE7pAqgn_7cwSfM0-G5fM-3JCb-cehisGuQ1npGdeB_LAslFfKmvChIWEoDicEygSPSPUyDk_ezN70MmAMa-ZxA/s4032/IMG_2118.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKEJ-OMolDdJmZviko2dFd42ZGgQM-cLX5D5H07U7XmMQOT4iu7DXoW2IDd5uvuLV-AIFO14Lqs9GG2Q2oH16GniiRsBWvD8i3OnjE7pAqgn_7cwSfM0-G5fM-3JCb-cehisGuQ1npGdeB_LAslFfKmvChIWEoDicEygSPSPUyDk_ezN70MmAMa-ZxA/w300-h400/IMG_2118.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">To my delight I found these sign posts along the trail. Each one had an amusing painting of a bear, the name of each one along with a brief description. This one said:</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> "I could be a black bear asleep in the shade, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">with a belly full of berries in a rain forest glade." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The sign on the left was presented as a riddle "Who Am I?" with paw prints and clues as to what animal it could be. The answer was to be given on the next sign up the trail a ways. The sign on the right revealed the animal described on the last sign. So intriguing! I guessed them all correctly and wished I could have proceeded further on through the snow to see them all. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The little poem for the bear cubs on the sign below said:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">"If I were a bear cub, I'd take naps beneath a willow</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> on a blanket of tundra with a wildflower pillow."<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4wqFr8uMHl8rDmTyh7vZ_tixjOkg9azL4sNXOO90cXfROXrmll1GxaGNVEvGZCHvcoNkpmYUWZC1pUf-u1yfzPXGzOkaPED8NxOCFR6odcU4prfQfFJyMbJDee_zpk_NXEEW-IE0SZ8sK5_k_qGs13K83szRTYq1JbcLMbDZkqV3mssucndutq9tpw/s4032/IMG_2114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4wqFr8uMHl8rDmTyh7vZ_tixjOkg9azL4sNXOO90cXfROXrmll1GxaGNVEvGZCHvcoNkpmYUWZC1pUf-u1yfzPXGzOkaPED8NxOCFR6odcU4prfQfFJyMbJDee_zpk_NXEEW-IE0SZ8sK5_k_qGs13K83szRTYq1JbcLMbDZkqV3mssucndutq9tpw/w300-h400/IMG_2114.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-WW_TQU5txidaHs9mMQ8pcK-5eL9bXcttgCghWnyhQAFrPaHiXy3nK8ZQNooa95RzORD_-sgJxlChOu4Vb04XCesv98mt1f-pR5iqdZoNJ_-BBYCh0OWPUnC-Jw2sAEYY_zsl64uyv8_3vLDGvZLAvjLuaFSSkRcyFY4c99Xks_by9ic7A1FK67LiQ/s4032/IMG_2120.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-WW_TQU5txidaHs9mMQ8pcK-5eL9bXcttgCghWnyhQAFrPaHiXy3nK8ZQNooa95RzORD_-sgJxlChOu4Vb04XCesv98mt1f-pR5iqdZoNJ_-BBYCh0OWPUnC-Jw2sAEYY_zsl64uyv8_3vLDGvZLAvjLuaFSSkRcyFY4c99Xks_by9ic7A1FK67LiQ/w300-h400/IMG_2120.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">These two wooden structures on the bank of Icicle Creek looked like the very old fishing platforms constructed by the Native Americans. They would stand on them and cast out for fish. I can't imagine that these are authentic platforms because of all the construction and rock moving done in the area, but maybe someone put them up as a reminder of how the local salmon were caught in the 'old days'.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Hatchery is still closed right now, but as soon as it opens in the spring and one can see the salmon, I intend to take the tour. I will be doing another blog about that!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mRPe1grnSTPX41JEpR2BT-DfzIUv6GGsDMd505Lta2nf7D9KuoLAXKh0F05MIDLTjsymnwOtM9rSopo0QVUZsHGmJ3N8OqjHlnh-z6sNPJ0OC2dHMP8TBfDkQ3m0OJj9iN3ZnANrEUPiD5ca_xM4Xy0nHSAZeOO-Wc3zzMeccsPRnJbBOZm0V6cUhA/s4032/IMG_2125.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mRPe1grnSTPX41JEpR2BT-DfzIUv6GGsDMd505Lta2nf7D9KuoLAXKh0F05MIDLTjsymnwOtM9rSopo0QVUZsHGmJ3N8OqjHlnh-z6sNPJ0OC2dHMP8TBfDkQ3m0OJj9iN3ZnANrEUPiD5ca_xM4Xy0nHSAZeOO-Wc3zzMeccsPRnJbBOZm0V6cUhA/w400-h300/IMG_2125.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I found this beautiful stained glass mosaic on the wall of one of the buildings. It commemorates the yearly Salmon Festival in Leavenworth.<span> So...I am waiting for the rest of the trail to be revealed perhaps in a couple of weeks, as the snow continues to melt, so I can traverse the entire area. What fun I have to look forward to!</span></span></div></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-81871191001871028662021-09-11T16:59:00.000-06:002021-09-11T16:59:56.702-06:00Tiny Libraries and Fairy Rings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz0MoiKJRHLtRqC2h5L3rO1xY9KcPDJWB7G3Jl64yI-MQxnpVoImecdcSGaJgUceCvxGfxfJJ5trtA2hXD4KlW4XQFK3JE3yZVyyAr876H7CCLnIFpduycmj2pZAnP93QlS9B5asLEM5K/s2048/IMG_1518.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz0MoiKJRHLtRqC2h5L3rO1xY9KcPDJWB7G3Jl64yI-MQxnpVoImecdcSGaJgUceCvxGfxfJJ5trtA2hXD4KlW4XQFK3JE3yZVyyAr876H7CCLnIFpduycmj2pZAnP93QlS9B5asLEM5K/w300-h400/IMG_1518.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I discovered a new trail last week and today I decided to try it again. It's only 1/2 mile long, right along Rattlesnake Creek and in the middle of a neighborhood though well hidden and private. It's called the Tom Green Trail. I so appreciate the work that has gone into the many trails around Missoula. There are trails for just about any skill level and mine has become much simplified in my old age and with my sore knees! At the beginning of the trail I discovered this tiny library stocked with several books, some dog treats, 2 jars of sidewalk chalk to go with the blackboard on the side of the library, some hand sanitizer, and a notebook and pen for recording anything the visitor might like to write. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPN86XRnPKhyphenhyphenka7p8gq2Zg-NR7GV397G0d4ELmsc2eITSyGAe5O8QVXzOaE34Iq51wanFUoaFoNenifvWlDBUNzPWHP7U24vA6paaNq5g0aQ9As1_UJz5LSrMKi3NUpFtwF4Ro2jPq9YD/s2048/IMG_1450.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPN86XRnPKhyphenhyphenka7p8gq2Zg-NR7GV397G0d4ELmsc2eITSyGAe5O8QVXzOaE34Iq51wanFUoaFoNenifvWlDBUNzPWHP7U24vA6paaNq5g0aQ9As1_UJz5LSrMKi3NUpFtwF4Ro2jPq9YD/w480-h640/IMG_1450.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Tom Green Trail is an easy walk with lots of shade, a wide trail for hikers and bicyclers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNoJ0cnGGCwSgJqTXGtlehRJwrmWJJbGJv_-mkTjE1mAwNsXkooDnZ4kG5i3MHvrn_vOCC9rqcNzctna-LTiqMBWsxlYZZ7KNI4nmdRmKRU7Zs9YHED7Jik5rXD2gKsgIgsks_FfQOA4Z/s2048/IMG_1449.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNoJ0cnGGCwSgJqTXGtlehRJwrmWJJbGJv_-mkTjE1mAwNsXkooDnZ4kG5i3MHvrn_vOCC9rqcNzctna-LTiqMBWsxlYZZ7KNI4nmdRmKRU7Zs9YHED7Jik5rXD2gKsgIgsks_FfQOA4Z/w300-h400/IMG_1449.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the many beautiful trees I see on most of my walks, mostly ponderosas and cottonwoods that have attained a good height. I saw a deer this time, and, in spite of warnings about bears in the area, I did not encounter any. I never remember to carry my bear spray anyway!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrwC2iVwQvYUqnIEOXhDnGCtRjwbL6_TtAWwpVn0i4CGJkKGqniaBFv9s0Jl59Nvz2DtqT9pcKQop1gm7fB_iAJg_wnMs4egH6WzDzioBHg-b79fWx4SAOXVOB_r3lsa5sBQhX9wKETL0/s2048/IMG_1511.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrwC2iVwQvYUqnIEOXhDnGCtRjwbL6_TtAWwpVn0i4CGJkKGqniaBFv9s0Jl59Nvz2DtqT9pcKQop1gm7fB_iAJg_wnMs4egH6WzDzioBHg-b79fWx4SAOXVOB_r3lsa5sBQhX9wKETL0/w480-h640/IMG_1511.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love surprises in nature and here I saw something I've never seen before! Crossing my path and meandering off several hundred feet into the brush was this line of mushrooms, each one 4-6 inches across. I followed it quite a ways until the brush got in my way and wondered how much farther it went. When I posted my photo on Facebook I got a suggestion that it was a "fairy ring", something I've never encountered, though I've heard of it. This didn't appear to be a ring, unless the ring was really, really large. Is there such a thing as a fairy line?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From Wikipedia:</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #202122;">A </span><b style="color: #202122;">fairy ring</b><span style="color: #202122;">, also known as </span><b style="color: #202122;">fairy circle</b><span style="color: #202122;">, </span><b style="color: #202122;">elf circle</b><span style="color: #202122;">, </span><b style="color: #202122;">elf ring </b><span style="color: #202122;">or </span><b style="color: #202122;">pixie ring</b><span style="color: #202122;">, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Mushroom"><span style="color: black;">mushrooms</span></a>.</span><span style="color: #202122;"> They are found mainly in</span> <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Forest"><span style="color: black;">forested</span></a> </span><span style="color: #202122;">areas, but also appear in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grassland" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Grassland"><span style="color: black;">grasslands</span></a><span style="color: #202122;"> or rangelands. Fairy rings are detectable by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporocarp_(fungi)" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Sporocarp (fungi)"><span style="color: black;">sporocarps</span></a><span style="color: #202122;"> (fungal spore pods) in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass), or a ring of dark green grass. Fungus </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycelium" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Mycelium"><span style="color: black;">mycelium</span></a><span style="color: #202122;"> is present in the ring or arc underneath. The rings may grow to over 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground.</span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #202122;">Fairy rings are the subject of much </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Folklore"><span style="color: black;">folklore</span></a><span style="color: #202122;"> and myth worldwide—particularly in Western Europe. They are often seen as hazardous or dangerous places, and linked with witches or the Devil in folklore. Conversely, they can sometimes be linked with good fortune.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p style="color: #18191a; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #18191a; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMnW6vN3LsFaXr1sxd5DSqPX5fYuk0WOsfGLO4biL1783ZBZpsBo037U-qfZ4pB56tX-w6bMEphBpcv6-35vDqtUijAlu0LudvMTxHEQ_Ru9Z5vUmgnGBOx9jUpK1yUSODjOcfMRLOYpd/s2048/IMG_1514.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMnW6vN3LsFaXr1sxd5DSqPX5fYuk0WOsfGLO4biL1783ZBZpsBo037U-qfZ4pB56tX-w6bMEphBpcv6-35vDqtUijAlu0LudvMTxHEQ_Ru9Z5vUmgnGBOx9jUpK1yUSODjOcfMRLOYpd/w284-h379/IMG_1514.jpeg" width="284" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="color: #18191a; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: white;">He wha tills the fairies' green</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Nae luck again shall hae :</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">And he wha spills the fairies' ring</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Betide him want and wae.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">For weirdless days and weary nights</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Are his till his deein' day.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">But he wha gaes by the fairy ring,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Nae dule nor pine shall see,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">And he wha cleans the fairy ring</span></p>
<p style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">An easy death shall dee.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently fairy rings can be made up of a variety of different types of mushrooms. I couldn't find a name for these particular ones.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla5dnE9ST5EfY4Db_lCfTpbiPM9v-12V4WLv2dR59OA_Oo_X8XTY7PGdoBD1skOco3iIgAhNKuwo5M2_L01OUppKj1DTlsaiDe2GuQ5lz5NWDl1WK7woUuEZ7vKWWXaUEOYLJcrjTZ_zU/s2048/IMG_1519.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla5dnE9ST5EfY4Db_lCfTpbiPM9v-12V4WLv2dR59OA_Oo_X8XTY7PGdoBD1skOco3iIgAhNKuwo5M2_L01OUppKj1DTlsaiDe2GuQ5lz5NWDl1WK7woUuEZ7vKWWXaUEOYLJcrjTZ_zU/w300-h400/IMG_1519.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> So, after my exciting discovery, here I am on my way back out, stopping at the tiny library again. This time I selected a small book called "Me" by Katharine Hepburn, and I signed the notebook with thanks for the library and my first name and my age, just for fun. Here's to the joy of finding new trails and new learning experiences!</span></div><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-74021490945400143332021-01-11T15:54:00.001-07:002021-01-11T15:57:06.323-07:00The Beginning: Choosing our RV<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA2UB6mOYnIwSDNd2wV5pw8HE5EWqAXKGDZ5FvOzya10gIJZy909t_cG8dTEYDrC-uZ3J2aqNT0_BN9J5MCuBdCb4m2qd5ZUGo26mBgNYKGuR2z5UPF4ZeSOO0k-fg6r8aRj6j6YHyq6N/s2048/HPIM0736.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA2UB6mOYnIwSDNd2wV5pw8HE5EWqAXKGDZ5FvOzya10gIJZy909t_cG8dTEYDrC-uZ3J2aqNT0_BN9J5MCuBdCb4m2qd5ZUGo26mBgNYKGuR2z5UPF4ZeSOO0k-fg6r8aRj6j6YHyq6N/w400-h300/HPIM0736.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2004 our lives took a dramatic turn. Mr. Keith had decided to retire from his years working in homeless shelters, his latest as Director of the Hospitality House in Wenatchee, where we met. By co-incidence, or was it God-cidence, I had been making a hobby out of studying RVs and workamping, something I never thought would happen but that was fun to dream about. Upon his retirement, he said "Let's go for it!" By that time I had narrowed my web searches to 5th wheels and was looking at rigs that came with a truck to haul the 5th wheel. Strangely, the one that looked the best was located in the very town where I had attended 12 years of school, a 5 hour drive away in Mossyrock. We contacted the sellers, they said come on over, and we did. Our route took us across White Pass and the beautiful Mt. Ranier.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaplo-X-8xK-2DIwEkcEzc0nJpbYqgzdMdiFmu8cmLP16Ewq9r5jqtgMmSJBboK-Tai0_po0t3CZeVRLTcEzqN960kphkRKH1RUVTOoCKiZ1-n2aYHz7HF2tqlO-zEWU4RbBxKM2RHl8wA/s2048/HPIM0741.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaplo-X-8xK-2DIwEkcEzc0nJpbYqgzdMdiFmu8cmLP16Ewq9r5jqtgMmSJBboK-Tai0_po0t3CZeVRLTcEzqN960kphkRKH1RUVTOoCKiZ1-n2aYHz7HF2tqlO-zEWU4RbBxKM2RHl8wA/w400-h300/HPIM0741.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We met Joette and Harley and our potential new home. They had used the rig in Harley's job, which took him back and forth between the bigger Washington cities. They were ready for a change and no longer needed such a big RV.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53545MckD1n3NdmfPf-YAbd8HUO8Hb27mPFVDpTA1o1b_-IGgJMdyHnvUkLJ96vNOJitD1vRB3xOp7lHdqcodrKdo5Q_RUh0OS9UpOuHzZrX483OFHwTPa54R1THTtWfm7mn6cpxa4MLa/s2048/HPIM0742.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53545MckD1n3NdmfPf-YAbd8HUO8Hb27mPFVDpTA1o1b_-IGgJMdyHnvUkLJ96vNOJitD1vRB3xOp7lHdqcodrKdo5Q_RUh0OS9UpOuHzZrX483OFHwTPa54R1THTtWfm7mn6cpxa4MLa/s320/HPIM0742.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoyed the view right behind their property, Lake Mayfield. I had spent my high school years riding the bus to school and watching the clearing of land and the destruction of small towns along the Cowlitz River and the eventual filling of the lake behind the Mayfield Dam, named for the tiny town of Mayfield a few hundred yards down river, now lake.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfUm6I0yXmZmmjCZ0zLCnYMo0mnFiZTZgHrsIz_bqWYEItchlEFshLAru4fUgQGJeSPvI1Dk-qQ9aycaWVK_XLn5wJbcuTQkM6BvEDRGplHwVy6bOKsKW7dH7Gmhx2s5OyRvhzz2stEZV/s2048/HPIM0744.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfUm6I0yXmZmmjCZ0zLCnYMo0mnFiZTZgHrsIz_bqWYEItchlEFshLAru4fUgQGJeSPvI1Dk-qQ9aycaWVK_XLn5wJbcuTQkM6BvEDRGplHwVy6bOKsKW7dH7Gmhx2s5OyRvhzz2stEZV/w400-h300/HPIM0744.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here it is! a 38 foot Alfa 5th wheel. It looks huge!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLohuk-ax-BPC4yMcWiN_KvHTHeRD9rqvboLWjaz-RQmDWwfhZj_3SS0R02xtQxiBFYlLtXlFreKsDElZBkMjwrV3RMhNXfKRQdq_sFQEQaOBofrBWUP5CYG-vwRrvePQ4yYB6Q-g87SZx/s1024/IMG_2678.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLohuk-ax-BPC4yMcWiN_KvHTHeRD9rqvboLWjaz-RQmDWwfhZj_3SS0R02xtQxiBFYlLtXlFreKsDElZBkMjwrV3RMhNXfKRQdq_sFQEQaOBofrBWUP5CYG-vwRrvePQ4yYB6Q-g87SZx/w400-h300/IMG_2678.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Harley and Joette invited us to spend the night in the rig to get a feel for what it would be like. We loved the inside, the arrangement of kitchen cupboards, desk, everything. It was however a little daunting to think about moving from a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house with 40 years worth of stuff. Downsizing would be a major undertaking. We loved it, however. It was so fun "camping" in our first RV for that one night. We had neither one of us ever ridden or hardly been inside an RV. But we were sold!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChfujT8v-qvnCCuDL8DeTv0gyW2pXUbue6uzZkWqVF384jYxEM_xnqkwWWUohFrCnYJhKd1A0fA_NlhVOQ7iQ28N4uzVeV1dNM55HkuHs3rKf7di0cRDr9s2trIvi9m8TjFi3F-HYtRw6/s1024/IMG_2770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChfujT8v-qvnCCuDL8DeTv0gyW2pXUbue6uzZkWqVF384jYxEM_xnqkwWWUohFrCnYJhKd1A0fA_NlhVOQ7iQ28N4uzVeV1dNM55HkuHs3rKf7di0cRDr9s2trIvi9m8TjFi3F-HYtRw6/w400-h300/IMG_2770.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> This is BigTruk, so named by Harley and Joette, a 1 1/2 ton F-450 Ford. We loved the personalized license plate. We went for a drive with the rig, Keith driving while Harley guided and explained everything. We were amazed, and have since found out with experience, that they had done everything right in outfitting BigTruk with after-market add ons to make the pulling and traveling the best it could be. In 16 years BigTruk has never let us down!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We returned home to get ready to sell our house, and by January 1, 2005, we were headed over the mountains with check in hand to bring our new home back to Wenatchee, where we had an RV spot, and where we would live for about 5 months until I could wrap up my piano teaching job and find our first workamping job. The adventure had begun!</span></div><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-17655454924066353522021-01-05T17:50:00.000-07:002021-01-05T17:50:56.439-07:00Memories of Leaving Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKIcqU_uZDeXvJ7qj05BMqtwKATRSZ9WELYaYgAv7wK9dbC5cevpAyPwIc5YRh54yQ5Jn6vXDo8nIl0C-sCl7X3I6wsYBo0QH83e_1fIzr6xIc-GQfYC0U2V3iHyxCbshv7rSRvadsNOb/s1600/DSC08760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKIcqU_uZDeXvJ7qj05BMqtwKATRSZ9WELYaYgAv7wK9dbC5cevpAyPwIc5YRh54yQ5Jn6vXDo8nIl0C-sCl7X3I6wsYBo0QH83e_1fIzr6xIc-GQfYC0U2V3iHyxCbshv7rSRvadsNOb/s400/DSC08760.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These photos have lain idly waiting for some narration for a long time. Even though this event was in 2016 I can still remember the details. We had a winter job at the La Junta Colorado KOA 2015-2016. It was our last job together before Mr. Keith passed away in 2020 so it holds special memories. In this photo the snow is gone, it's April, and we are getting ready to leave for </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Montana and my summer j</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ob at the Missoula KOA as a single workamper.</span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A great photo of these 2 old coots, as they liked to describe themselves. Kenny lived alone in his motorhome at the KOA. He walked daily to try to stave off his COPD and to keep healthy. He had led a rugged life in southern Colorado before becoming disabled. He looks like a mountain man! Kenny had recently turned to faith in God and frequently picked Mr. Keith's brain for spiritual help and advice. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">They helped each other. His parting gift to us was a beautiful jeweled cross wall hanging. I have it still.</span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back on the road again, heading north through Colorado and Nebraska on highway 70 and then to Rapid City where we needed to renew our driver's licenses, as South Dakota is our state of residence. I remember thinking how beautiful the prairies are in spring, though seeming desolate sometimes. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I also knew this would probably be our last trip in our home on wheels as I knew Mr. Keith wouldn't be able to work any longer as he fought cancer, let alone maneuver the 5th wheel. So we enjoyed every mile. I am following behind in my little Focus (and taking pictures) as Keith hauls our house down the highway.</span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course we had to visit Bear Country USA, our very first workamping job in 2005, and where we returned in the summers of 2006 and 2008. Even though it had been 8 years since our last summer there, some of the current employees recognized us! We saw bears, bears, and more bears as well as the myriad of other animals residing there! What memories it brought back as we drove through where the big animals are and then parked to walk through Babyland, for small animals and everyone's favorite, the bear cubs.</span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The foxes were always some of my special critters when we worked there, and now we saw the descendants of those we'd enjoyed feeding back then.</span></div><br />
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A trip to the Black Hills is not complete without a drive through the winding, narrow roads leading to "The Eye of the Needle". The tunnels and roads here are amazing and beautiful.</span></div><br />
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, Mt. Rushmore! We always enjoyed this sneak peak of President Washington.</span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A favorite stop of ours has always been the Buffalo, Wyoming KOA. We always thought we'd have loved to have worked there. It's early enough in the spring for the trees to still be bare.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdat-K11TPLK3UEeb-wI4-8tt2zP21OiLRiIBbLTmQfEUbhqzg-K2pblY_X1I46ImutBak0vpiwKfKS217xm10Z-KBCzXysrGmvg5kWozdA0-Ln9GzbxR0Yn7z5v6MxMrZyPcbv_7rSTYl/s1600/DSC08890.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdat-K11TPLK3UEeb-wI4-8tt2zP21OiLRiIBbLTmQfEUbhqzg-K2pblY_X1I46ImutBak0vpiwKfKS217xm10Z-KBCzXysrGmvg5kWozdA0-Ln9GzbxR0Yn7z5v6MxMrZyPcbv_7rSTYl/s400/DSC08890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;">Downtown Buffalo. I couldn't help but think of the TV show we loved "Longmire", which is supposed to take place here. It's filmed elsewhere but the town capitalizes on the fame with headquarters for fans.</div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, these are the only photos I found languishing waiting for me to describe our memories. I hope to go back to some of our thousands of photos and make some more writings about our adventures prior to 2008 when I began my blog. Mr. Keith's passing has left a huge hole in my life, but what incomparable times we had in our RVing and workamping years. I wouldn't have traded it for anything! Thank you, Mr. Keith!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-87481594174867493822020-03-27T16:45:00.001-06:002020-03-27T16:45:40.661-06:00Greenough Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is a short one mile walk not too far from the downtown Missoula that we love to take. It runs around Rattlesnake Creek and is heavily wooded with ponderosas, cottonwoods and other kinds of trees, some very big ones. This was my choice when our Respite Volunteer came to sit with Mr. Keith for a couple of hours so that I could get out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are those scratches from a bear? There were several marks, some higher up, the size of a large human hand. This a huge ponderosa that leans over to the side for a long way until it straightens up near the top. We always stop here to take pictures. I'd never noticed the scratches before, unless they are new. The park is in a populated neighborhood which makes one wonder about bears being there, too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Here I am by the same ponderosa. Not one for taking selfies, I'm experimenting here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have a friend who is always finding hearts in nature. This is for her!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZtNTfE-IB45arvbKdY4Txn-fa1NHUviOsKsdZ2uHTnrD5nRx6CushdLtQhtsN_1d2OvfIalV2vZrNxGeKFkxQrzbtz1f-qfYsc6B-fNzLiKSqNkyDd1lvcA7rcZGfacx_Od1mryoIK28/s1600/IMG_0484.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZtNTfE-IB45arvbKdY4Txn-fa1NHUviOsKsdZ2uHTnrD5nRx6CushdLtQhtsN_1d2OvfIalV2vZrNxGeKFkxQrzbtz1f-qfYsc6B-fNzLiKSqNkyDd1lvcA7rcZGfacx_Od1mryoIK28/s400/IMG_0484.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hills around Missoula are beautiful any time of year. We had a snowfall yesterday and here are the leftovers. There is a big "L" up there and also a hiking trail leading to it. It's not quite as well used as the trail to the "M" above the University. I haven't taken the "L" trail because it looks too steep. I'll leave that to the youngsters!</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-6016427667421547212020-03-20T05:50:00.000-06:002020-03-20T05:50:57.948-06:00First Spring Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOsDY_ydxBrhzlrhLU9JY1eTEgjKHdY6cJGjINfTaedPXxYBB_JWIuV9Vk0y6pB468Do1C9MfznU88RHpwac0mE_8NodGq0XR4qK18gO7hDNNirFPYFAc_3A0Bea25AicA4mYVP5uTI0w/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOsDY_ydxBrhzlrhLU9JY1eTEgjKHdY6cJGjINfTaedPXxYBB_JWIuV9Vk0y6pB468Do1C9MfznU88RHpwac0mE_8NodGq0XR4qK18gO7hDNNirFPYFAc_3A0Bea25AicA4mYVP5uTI0w/s640/IMG_1224.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was rarin' to go on my first Spring walk today. Mr. Keith had a Hospice volunteer ready to sit with him for 2-3 hours so I could get out by myself, an unheard of treat. Our favorite thing to do is take hikes around Missoula, but his cancer has taken its toll and he can no longer do the brisk walks we formerly loved. I chose McClay Flats, one of our most favored trails. I've always loved this ponderosa. It's difficult to tell whether one tree has four trunks, or whether it is four trees vying for the same piece of ground.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> How many times have I taken this picture, I wonder? It's always beautiful in any season. The Bitterroot River is especially low this time of year.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d9VyASsbYiCFVNdrYQuxxHXl1xWIUw1IiOi9oJrqmATU8f_fnWgd08rBl00B9H1aC3BHBvQ64TdpzwffNW5UCV5cHqc70EYZ6joueKgBxTm3OAA8TQZ93aiNaaSYzKsp1zXiPeidZSpu/s1600/IMG_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_d9VyASsbYiCFVNdrYQuxxHXl1xWIUw1IiOi9oJrqmATU8f_fnWgd08rBl00B9H1aC3BHBvQ64TdpzwffNW5UCV5cHqc70EYZ6joueKgBxTm3OAA8TQZ93aiNaaSYzKsp1zXiPeidZSpu/s640/IMG_0462.jpg" width="585" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This is a first! I saw lots of dogs walking their owners today, but from a slight distance these "dogs" appeared to have horns! The young couple agreed to let me take their picture. The gal said they are training their pets to be pack goats. They indeed walked very nicely on their leashes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The buttercup is always the first Spring flower. I wasn't disappointed to spot several of these beauties nestled in the dry grass.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvxbmV9Jw9XhMYQWBCJXVrws0FicPsXWBu_AnSF_TLtNX4bD4jH03Dzko9hG9qRYSZQ0PQYBG1_FvKHGH_nO6ta4Hp862KMhzocOhx2nKjgHkDtlHjNlYT3s8dJxh7oCIQWIR5bvV2B-9/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvxbmV9Jw9XhMYQWBCJXVrws0FicPsXWBu_AnSF_TLtNX4bD4jH03Dzko9hG9qRYSZQ0PQYBG1_FvKHGH_nO6ta4Hp862KMhzocOhx2nKjgHkDtlHjNlYT3s8dJxh7oCIQWIR5bvV2B-9/s640/IMG_0468.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last Spring we had a terrific flood in the Bitterroot Valley and beyond. You can see in the photo how high the water came and how it washed away quite a bit of ground. This lone ponderosa almost succumbed to the chilling, raging torrent and seems to still be holding on for dear life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am happy to once again be able to contribute to my neglected blog. I hope I have many more opportunities to share my photos and experiences.</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-6499174461364908982019-07-02T08:14:00.002-06:002019-07-02T08:14:22.091-06:00Scultures in the Wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS1-N1t7dHbJnw0JSaSoJLLPRJbu4w5Q2HUTAYaE53IcIumMJlzWi-tgUDK2-8dGIb_pL8TVkuSX4zKjg0VkFHAOqztOyst4mMKOrdT3-QWXcNbPOmWQRpCsP-qU2Jn0E-ZJsi3XPY3vq/s1600/DSC01029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS1-N1t7dHbJnw0JSaSoJLLPRJbu4w5Q2HUTAYaE53IcIumMJlzWi-tgUDK2-8dGIb_pL8TVkuSX4zKjg0VkFHAOqztOyst4mMKOrdT3-QWXcNbPOmWQRpCsP-qU2Jn0E-ZJsi3XPY3vq/s400/DSC01029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our goal for this day off was to journey to a place we'd not seen before since our time in Montana. This site was recommended by fellow workampers so we made the 80 mile trip to Lincoln to see it. The welcoming sign says, "Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture in the Wild hosts some of the most innovative land and environmental art in Montana. Our mission is to provide an environment for the creation of significant artworks, both permanent and temporary. inspired by the rich and diverse cultural, environmental and industrial heritage of the Blackfoot Valley while fostering an awareness and appreciation of the arts through community engagement and education as well as our artist-in-residency program." This project began in 2014 as an International Sculpture Symposium when several artists worked with Lincoln community members to create this beautiful, unusual park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> With excitement we headed for the first "sculpture", a transplanted teepee burner, a remnant of the once thriving timber industry in Montana. Inside were large photo displays of the former days of logging. We learned that concerts are held inside the burner. What a unique venue!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Entitled "Gateway of Change", two trees growing apart, reunited again at the top, symbolize a gateway to new experiences. This design was imagined and constructed by Danish </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">artist Jorn Ronnau.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAzwsnTZZ7856mGHNMtz3M-eU4X1Bhz3raG2OM_XbdndM82yNJEISbxCkDhgrHSyR23degj7R8lRdb-PrXugbTQ-duAhUuhhTl5esMfbP49O9CDl13OBwXHbc1JkaNVqdiUgHkVoXObi-/s1600/DSC01051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAzwsnTZZ7856mGHNMtz3M-eU4X1Bhz3raG2OM_XbdndM82yNJEISbxCkDhgrHSyR23degj7R8lRdb-PrXugbTQ-duAhUuhhTl5esMfbP49O9CDl13OBwXHbc1JkaNVqdiUgHkVoXObi-/s400/DSC01051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps our favorite display was "Tree Circus" a fascinating work by a USA artist Patrick Dougherty. This edifice had inside chambers, doorways and windows looking out at the lovely forest of Ponderosa pines. We could easily imagine building a fire in the center, open to the sky, and throwing our sleeping bags into the inner "rooms".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> Part of God's artistry here, tiny baby chipmunks playing in the grass. They were the size of our thumbs and oblivious to our snapping camera.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Ponderosa Whirlpool" really did make us feel slightly dizzy. A quote from Chris Drury of the UK, "I wanted something which was in contrast to the verticality of the trees but which in some way seemed to draw down the sky into the earth." I think he succeeded!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entitled "Stringer", the USA artist Casey Schachner wanted to "reflect on the balance between industry and environment, and the mutually beneficial relationship between human and nature." I could see this easily as I looked at the growing, thriving Ponderosas next to the cut and peeled poles used in human construction. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrozcM8coyWvDOjvOl8x_IVcYwAyTnQBb_B3alFKksraB-O2vSsfIADLAkiYueBuClSLaKBQRXwnF2a6TE6G9qPZqGQKrRyO5fnm55PN1BbG3nyAoIFSSsscHb-8tENa07scEQDFehYff/s1600/DSC01082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrozcM8coyWvDOjvOl8x_IVcYwAyTnQBb_B3alFKksraB-O2vSsfIADLAkiYueBuClSLaKBQRXwnF2a6TE6G9qPZqGQKrRyO5fnm55PN1BbG3nyAoIFSSsscHb-8tENa07scEQDFehYff/s400/DSC01082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This amazing and imaginative sculpture was constructed of nothing but stacked up newspapers wound around poles. What an idea! The structure is composed of 28 lodge poles, 400 pounds of nails and 30,000 pounds of newspaper. The artist, Steven Siegel, worked with volunteers from Lincoln, Helena, Missoula and beyond over a 3 week period. It was indeed a community project.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our last sculpture could not be seen from the trail, since it's all below ground! We had fun winding our way through it. It's called "East West Passage" the creation of Sam Clayton and Mark Jacobs of the UK. They said, "We built a sculpture that had to be experienced, navigated, a sculpture that spoke the local visual language and used the built corners we so admired, a sculpture born out of its place where the continent divides, lines zig-zag, and new routes of passage become possible." I'm not sure I understand all that, but I admired the creativity and the work that went into building it. As a bonus, at this display we met a fellow tourist who had lived in England, as Mr. Keith had, and we had quite a discussion about the differences between our culture and the culture of the UK. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a fitting end to our quite fascinating and educational day in Lincoln, we ate lunch in the tiny town of Ovando, claiming 50 residents and 100 dogs, at a little restaurant called </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Stray Bullet.</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-14747311190922956132017-12-29T19:09:00.001-07:002017-12-29T19:18:37.146-07:00A Snowy Day at the Missoula KOA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetdNlKCdyuIWna3U6uD-UPHhoBN56yLEKAA2BuK0r9n4vg0CIPWCIbLM7BSZlKNO7pV4E-0Ko0JGxyteFUAwWSdeVGV3E3wTFrnCHUtZFFUbUSp9koTyqGquw-hOU9JgCNbz-iEcpG8zd/s1600/DSC00626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetdNlKCdyuIWna3U6uD-UPHhoBN56yLEKAA2BuK0r9n4vg0CIPWCIbLM7BSZlKNO7pV4E-0Ko0JGxyteFUAwWSdeVGV3E3wTFrnCHUtZFFUbUSp9koTyqGquw-hOU9JgCNbz-iEcpG8zd/s400/DSC00626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'd been waiting for a day with lots of snow and good photographic conditions. This was the day! It looked like about eight inches of lovely snow. Mr. Keith and I strapped on our high boots, put on warm coats, grabbed our trekking poles and set out. And, oh yes, the camera! We started slogging through the tenting area of the KOA. I love this old cabin, part of the original homestead on these grounds before Elmer and Marge Frame purchased the land and established the campground back in the early 1960s. The story is that there was a large, white farmhouse which they decided to tear down. Imagine their surprise when they found that this small cabin was enclosed within the larger house. They wisely decided to leave it as it was. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The tenting area is strangely empty. Where are the brave souls with their arctic tents?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> No children were playing on Elmer's Playground today. This area once had a pond and a petting zoo, taken out when the neighborhood began growing and streets were put in to accommodate the increasing population. Very soon the KOA was no longer out in the country!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This willow tree must stand alone. I can't imagine its age, but it is an awesome tree, especially with its beautiful coating of snow. The willow invites a climber, so much so that there needs to be a sign at the bottom prohibiting climbing, in order to keep it safe from damage. At the base there is a large, stone fire ring and picnic tables for group use.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the KOA there are nineteen camping cabins. These four are particularly picturesque in the snow. Many characteristics of this campground make it an especially inviting place to stay, none more so than the large number of old, tall trees of many varieties. That's not surprising in a campground over fifty years old.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our rig is shadowed by another striking willow tree. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our feet were getting cold, but we trekked down another row in the open section of the park. There are usually one or two rigs camping overnight even in the winter. They have full service except for water at the site, which is closed off to prevent freezing. This keeps the crew busy plowing and cleaning to give the campers a pleasant experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Home again! We are snug in our little home for the winter.</span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-73088867328864054512017-07-17T20:52:00.000-06:002017-07-17T20:52:58.056-06:00A Day Trip to Painted Rocks State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEMrP4rresRzTH6X9WpxaEXTPZAlz1dJIFG7xSdgVN17EOaQmvGi6N2pSNwgsl2c54ICwWWI0nfA6A4TRLASPgMvLOQoVmHoSGd4vyYx-yo6pMMxmr_Hsgc0VO7nw0tHxmbW1oK8IhoD7/s1600/DSC00328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEMrP4rresRzTH6X9WpxaEXTPZAlz1dJIFG7xSdgVN17EOaQmvGi6N2pSNwgsl2c54ICwWWI0nfA6A4TRLASPgMvLOQoVmHoSGd4vyYx-yo6pMMxmr_Hsgc0VO7nw0tHxmbW1oK8IhoD7/s400/DSC00328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been quite awhile since Mr. Keith and I have had a day trip away from the KOA and away from chemo. We've seen most of the sights around Missoula, but I discovered a spot on the map where we had not been, the Painted Rocks State Park, south of Darby, Montana. We packed a lunch and set out early to beat the heat. Driving down the Bitterroot is always awe-inspiring, always different in each season. In mid-July the snow is almost entirely gone from the mountain tops and the grasses in the valley are tall and lush. Just south of Darby we saw this small herd of buffalo munching grass and protecting their 2 or 3 little calves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We were anticipating what the "painted rocks" would look like. This is it! The State Park is along this man-made lake on the west fork of the Bitterroot River, way out from civilization.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The park itself was just a few camping spots at the lake-side, populated by a couple of RVs and one or two tents.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XikF53M42IVpA0UkR5YSVJI3JIc_T439jqdbBd8b4BYS6gI-_gWVKMY1IOclWTi_0hdDAIjMA2yhrLmeWoMGLMV9jmZqmAEmAle0LG1DuXdJGiRyBBReIDc_WA-n2BPlkipbMdcA1ilU/s1600/DSC00347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XikF53M42IVpA0UkR5YSVJI3JIc_T439jqdbBd8b4BYS6gI-_gWVKMY1IOclWTi_0hdDAIjMA2yhrLmeWoMGLMV9jmZqmAEmAle0LG1DuXdJGiRyBBReIDc_WA-n2BPlkipbMdcA1ilU/s400/DSC00347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We saw this fellow from a distance and hoped he would still be close enough for a photo. I should say he was! He appeared to have no fear of our car pulling right up beside him, in fact, he looked as though he were hoping for a hand-out! We've seen other mountain goats in our travels who were not skittish at all, either. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79WTDlEk9X6TnOjNRtcPXIi-W7m8eT2-ehyfjiupp5zcxSVaIDl44x55Ifpda7hOrBiV3KUhmwXrj1a30-9QyMc_DwYBjvZrJz3wv8d-5mvhNcL6yqf2t-LtAx4nvs7YivsUyFA1c7X2/s1600/DSC00355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79WTDlEk9X6TnOjNRtcPXIi-W7m8eT2-ehyfjiupp5zcxSVaIDl44x55Ifpda7hOrBiV3KUhmwXrj1a30-9QyMc_DwYBjvZrJz3wv8d-5mvhNcL6yqf2t-LtAx4nvs7YivsUyFA1c7X2/s400/DSC00355.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am always trying to identify the mountain peaks in the Bitterroot but have only managed to name a few. This one, Trapper Peak, is most unusual because it has pointy tops in contrast to the rounded crests of the other peaks along the way. The State of Montana was most kind in putting up a sign at a roadside pull-out giving the history of area. Trapper Peak is the very highest of all the mountains in the Bitterroot at 10,157 feet. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-t3_gj72wQw2mYIqRTRCKRSdctn7JdUQ_W9YmmS98RxQU94AF4GiUw_x09Rzxg7evvAi65THXrd6TGibTOM1x0yOvWqoRHchHZ0d5QO2YDGxM1i7Fm9MB1RVcXHJ1Er7Ec0in6JWotu6/s1600/DSC00356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-t3_gj72wQw2mYIqRTRCKRSdctn7JdUQ_W9YmmS98RxQU94AF4GiUw_x09Rzxg7evvAi65THXrd6TGibTOM1x0yOvWqoRHchHZ0d5QO2YDGxM1i7Fm9MB1RVcXHJ1Er7Ec0in6JWotu6/s400/DSC00356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From the sign: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Trapper Peak has witnessed human activity in the Bitterroot valley for at least 8,000 years. earliest Valley occupants were prehistoric hunters and gatherers. The Bitterroot Salish Native Americans thrived in the Valley until 1891, when they were moved to the Flathead Indian Reservation. In 1805, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed here; followed by traders, trappers, and missionaries. In an attempt to flee from the U.S. Army in 1877, the non-treaty Nez Perce Native Americans passed peacefully through the Valley on their way east. Mining, agriculture, and logging brought settlers, and in 1876 the mountain was named by Granville Lee Shook, a surveyor for the Anaconda Mining Company, for its trapping success. Trapper Peak’s timeless and sturdy form represents history; from the historic travelers of the past, to the modern-day traveler of tomorrow. </span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-89071504530102344112016-11-05T21:20:00.001-06:002017-07-17T21:01:44.009-06:00Moon-Randolph Homestead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN-__TeRUSBh6b-LfMmRrhdt74lSqGQQpMlnLqF8CUJMEbjxxWYSjhbc7DwSwGZ2x-shAv4WhKQgzIhe0_BS79chRA074UdxlyiLjFbeLNhyphenhyphenWJvxkHCu_-6Cs4FQvIq1Twn_ap18fmNVm/s1600/DSC09707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN-__TeRUSBh6b-LfMmRrhdt74lSqGQQpMlnLqF8CUJMEbjxxWYSjhbc7DwSwGZ2x-shAv4WhKQgzIhe0_BS79chRA074UdxlyiLjFbeLNhyphenhyphenWJvxkHCu_-6Cs4FQvIq1Twn_ap18fmNVm/s400/DSC09707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Less than two miles from downtown Missoula, history and culture
intertwine at an old ranch in the Rattlesnake foothills. The City of
Missoula purchased the 470-acre Randolph property in 1996 to preserve
open space for animals, plants and people. We'd wanted to visit this ranch for some time, but knew it could only be reached by a trail crossing the side-hill above the city. Finally the day arrived and we began the climb. The view of Missoula was outstanding. We could see Lolo Peak in the far distance, and enjoyed picking out familiar buildings in the downtown.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-hNGvP8-FqKovvOsWHE3q1Kg-93sUy841vZm44W5Qt75UIj9cj2yWLX87IxgJbyoPXufp5jT_3QkjdscIKHU_2J7kFonSRMDfR7SLIkHAQT6w3iBRAvr3eVK3eub6yu-vQRl_GPbz8C/s1600/DSC09716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-hNGvP8-FqKovvOsWHE3q1Kg-93sUy841vZm44W5Qt75UIj9cj2yWLX87IxgJbyoPXufp5jT_3QkjdscIKHU_2J7kFonSRMDfR7SLIkHAQT6w3iBRAvr3eVK3eub6yu-vQRl_GPbz8C/s400/DSC09716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just about at the point of saying, "Should we go back? Are we ever going to get there?" we came over a rise and saw the ranch below, in that first group of trees. We got our second wind and made it down to the group of buildings known as Moon-Randolph Homestead. The ranch is on the National Register of Historic Places. Ray and Luella Moon filed a 160 acre homestead in 1889 and were soon producing fruits and vegetables and even a bit of coal, which they carried to the city of Missoula by wagon.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cWsANKPtyR70wwYISQZB43-BzAKQme_rU_0xwNnAwvJlcurW5boTrsYJ8ojwW6CM9-A1_hkLTxuzFrBX48plNwOxrjbzVF_PLsnImKCiYRiiH8W1pVVFvO6ZE3_kI-3kwsS7wU63K35E/s1600/DSC09725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cWsANKPtyR70wwYISQZB43-BzAKQme_rU_0xwNnAwvJlcurW5boTrsYJ8ojwW6CM9-A1_hkLTxuzFrBX48plNwOxrjbzVF_PLsnImKCiYRiiH8W1pVVFvO6ZE3_kI-3kwsS7wU63K35E/s400/DSC09725.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
largest building on the property, and the most noticable, is the old
barn, seemingly put together hodge-podge with a variety of materials.
There were parts of railroad cars and old bedsteads holding the thing
up. The Moons worked with what they had!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k-ZEqXJIOtPL2rjm_W_4aLZrSY4mGa11rrSuXJNt9GJ_Sbozqn1F-dDSDutnRptJyrXohsKIFfMKmUX98ZNFHGqu4mkNYvDffcRd4t7neAKQt71YHfU_iq-rK1AXmLnlNzbHvtoy7wLq/s1600/DSC09724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k-ZEqXJIOtPL2rjm_W_4aLZrSY4mGa11rrSuXJNt9GJ_Sbozqn1F-dDSDutnRptJyrXohsKIFfMKmUX98ZNFHGqu4mkNYvDffcRd4t7neAKQt71YHfU_iq-rK1AXmLnlNzbHvtoy7wLq/s400/DSC09724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I admired the ancient, worn and colorful wood throughout.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg_nyCq1HVNxNoASd1w2zQqSLgP6l2DpAwslERW51xlgbbNqU3EDg1j6w3k0BXDVAt0DNXauPbPwwNT3iUUR3_BAdWig2xo9gVQUlqK7yeMHKKKTvIAnZK3JDX96NrmR3DgfnkMcVQ14n/s1600/DSC09737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg_nyCq1HVNxNoASd1w2zQqSLgP6l2DpAwslERW51xlgbbNqU3EDg1j6w3k0BXDVAt0DNXauPbPwwNT3iUUR3_BAdWig2xo9gVQUlqK7yeMHKKKTvIAnZK3JDX96NrmR3DgfnkMcVQ14n/s400/DSC09737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1894 the Moons sold the ranch to Ray's parents, William and Emma Randolph. This tiny house was where the Moons raised several children. There was a larger home up the hillside, built later. The ranch continued to supply much in the way of produce to the citizens of the town below.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnBjwM4Wt00ITPNHJQSMPgBKGrS1Dfzv7EeTZeD7XWIRYHPdoPSBsTSGjDh-ylrQGtQu7cIYPgV7sa1tIPqI1IckTI5w_5_f8Sc-rko-ojBX9SOdnnbXwyQoHCYhaKlJM6XPC3hbE72WZ/s1600/DSC09727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnBjwM4Wt00ITPNHJQSMPgBKGrS1Dfzv7EeTZeD7XWIRYHPdoPSBsTSGjDh-ylrQGtQu7cIYPgV7sa1tIPqI1IckTI5w_5_f8Sc-rko-ojBX9SOdnnbXwyQoHCYhaKlJM6XPC3hbE72WZ/s400/DSC09727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a root cellar, used of course for the root crops and apples and such, and also canned goods. In 1996 the city purchased the property, and since then there have been people who have been hired to live there in a more modern cabin, keeping up the gardens and orchards, maintaining the water wells, and showing interested folks around. When we were there a man and his little daughter were gathering apples and making cider in an old fashioned cider press found on the property.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVMLSixphlQ7DLt7Z0KS4CGzj0Y9f3bdw-Rgj8s05jFeHpzHhSV1evemI0wauTidy5QCQQ-Au0HZqpqbAZQfy62pgL0iNUd1DVBpzIpzDID5SIAngBQaYDD4v22bfIs5k1IX9KlyQQRj5/s1600/DSC09733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVMLSixphlQ7DLt7Z0KS4CGzj0Y9f3bdw-Rgj8s05jFeHpzHhSV1evemI0wauTidy5QCQQ-Au0HZqpqbAZQfy62pgL0iNUd1DVBpzIpzDID5SIAngBQaYDD4v22bfIs5k1IX9KlyQQRj5/s400/DSC09733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is Caroline, the current caretaker of the Homestead. She has a college degree enabling her to do exactly what she does here. On a very special note, she saw how exhausted we were after our long climb up the hillside, and also noticing our gray heads, so she volunteered to take us back to where our car was parked. Now, that's service! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks, Caroline!</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-13672336681582512002016-04-03T17:05:00.001-06:002016-04-03T17:05:47.426-06:00Highway of Legends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURkN3r02u2faC8BGcD3-H-UQcfJreSCaGo36zLAqZUMJ0mNaEG9Z1yj2Yp-EYbROaTFczWwS-x-1ah5fQUyO8c93ctDeBalXNQ_x6LZsoptkwbVMqTwoNCWEYkH6Hn8hsQ0WiNHzMbiQN/s1600/DSC08660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURkN3r02u2faC8BGcD3-H-UQcfJreSCaGo36zLAqZUMJ0mNaEG9Z1yj2Yp-EYbROaTFczWwS-x-1ah5fQUyO8c93ctDeBalXNQ_x6LZsoptkwbVMqTwoNCWEYkH6Hn8hsQ0WiNHzMbiQN/s400/DSC08660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I picked up a pamphlet about the Highway of Legends when we visited Walsenburg a few weeks ago. I knew it was a drive we must take before leaving southern Colorado. From La Junta, driving southwest on highway 10 across the prairie, we got to watch parts of the Rockies growing bigger and bigger. This peak is called Greenhorn Mountain. It is 12,352 feet in elevation.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoAkxKvlYhTLeGLMr3-cPQ9JGp1Y9HJt460uiJPMXjeoFBHO7j69Ks01_zrvi9bIhk7CQ6-scmb6aAj2nbahCui5BN5tYRtFvEa2shjst6rW_vj6Uynyf9zB8FiPPqiVTGwT9yVP-A9If/s1600/DSC08661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoAkxKvlYhTLeGLMr3-cPQ9JGp1Y9HJt460uiJPMXjeoFBHO7j69Ks01_zrvi9bIhk7CQ6-scmb6aAj2nbahCui5BN5tYRtFvEa2shjst6rW_vj6Uynyf9zB8FiPPqiVTGwT9yVP-A9If/s400/DSC08661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was able to identify several of the majestic peaks we saw, but our destination featured the glorious Spanish Peaks, towering over Walsenburg and Trinidad, just off the interstate I-25 freeway. These two peaks sit out from the main line of the Rockies, like Pikes Peak does. The east mountain, on the left, is 12,688 feet and the west peak rises to 13,631 feet. As I watched them growing closer and closer, it was fun to think that we would be driving on a road that runs around behind these peaks and next to the ridge of mountains just beyond. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkCehFUxH2ZeAdy8M3HL9_Y72EXO5DhpEo6a0D0MfvjPNM4Ct4OvHTl_BpXT4qF8ESSNApECF1jgj9LzqxEU88lppscKdIFQM5nbBOjMAZupA9jxcnXX_-0v8Lr7APBZYVdnn5cGyXNt_/s1600/DSC08667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkCehFUxH2ZeAdy8M3HL9_Y72EXO5DhpEo6a0D0MfvjPNM4Ct4OvHTl_BpXT4qF8ESSNApECF1jgj9LzqxEU88lppscKdIFQM5nbBOjMAZupA9jxcnXX_-0v8Lr7APBZYVdnn5cGyXNt_/s400/DSC08667.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr. Keith needed a snack when we reached Walsenburg so we stopped at a fast food restaurant. I was delighted to see this mural right across the street telling about the Highway of Legends. We were excited to begin our journey on the highway! We learned that this area of southern Colorado has been home to many different people from indigenous native tribes and Spanish explorers to Mexican, French, English and American trappers and traders. In the 19th and 20th centuries, waves of immigrants came from Europe to work and mines or farm and ranch the fertile plains and valleys. All have left their marks, leading to the name given the area, Highway of Legends.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP1yg2MaDWPU8tcSkauefILMvSW2v4ZuPR_eMrJHNCiNiyL3x7YKiLgq1hMP70Gkd4mXi1rMdrt7RPdFahnqFWePylmNWWOxK5eTQALlrVsyqX-bQCgQ_-yWNa1iv64s48BMi20Agp3em/s1600/DSC08675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP1yg2MaDWPU8tcSkauefILMvSW2v4ZuPR_eMrJHNCiNiyL3x7YKiLgq1hMP70Gkd4mXi1rMdrt7RPdFahnqFWePylmNWWOxK5eTQALlrVsyqX-bQCgQ_-yWNa1iv64s48BMi20Agp3em/s400/DSC08675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I snapped this photo along the beginning of the road. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spanish Peaks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(American Name)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Huajatolla</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Spanish Name)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wahatoya</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Indian Name) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Right along the highway we spied this native American shrine. There were several crosses, various items of unknown meaning, along with a fence filled up with prayer ribbons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
lore of this area is vivid, swirling in the spiritual myths of
the American Indians and the history of their clashes with Spanish
explorers. Like much of Colorado, where the promises of fortune led,
trouble followed and tales of outlaws “settling their differences” are
common. - See more at:
http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-highway-legends#sthash.wBJM3bOv.dpuf</span></span></div>
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The
lore of this area is vivid, swirling in the spiritual myths of
the American Indians and the history of their clashes with Spanish
explorers. Like much of Colorado, where the promises of fortune led,
trouble followed and tales of outlaws “settling their differences” are
common. - See more at:
http://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-highway-legends#sthash.wBJM3bOv.dpuf</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After we passed through Cuchara, which seemed mostly to be a place of resorts for tourists, we made it to the top of Chuchara Pass, elevation 9995 feet. When I added in my own height I could say I was at over 10,000 feet!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I didn't get a very good photo of this rock wall, which was similar to many such rock walls we saw on our drive. It's called the Dakota formation. All the walls we passed by were tall and not very wide, quite striking. This one is in the tiny town of Stonewall, named so appropriately.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just a few miles from Trinidad we drove through the tiny town of Cokedale. These puzzling structures snaking across the valley vaguely resemble ancient Roman ruins but are actually coke ovens that transformed coal into coke for use in smelting iron. It seems coal mining was the main industry in this area. We could see old piles of black powder-like earth with vegetation growing in it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The peak in the distance, part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, towers over the city of Trinidad. It's called Fishers Peak. There is a large lake formed by a dam across the Purgatoire River. We knew we were nearing the end of one of the most scenic drives we've taken. Beyond Trinidad we'd be once again crossing the prairie back to La Junta.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After a late lunch in Trinidad we drove around the town a bit. I looked up the city, population 9,000, on my iPad and discovered an astonishing fact. Trinidad was known as The Sex Change Capital of the World! I could hardly fathom it. Why Trinidad? It is a fascinating city, filled with Victorian style mansions and brick buildings in the old part of town. We'd have spent more time had it not been getting late in the afternoon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church was right in the heart of town, on Church Street. Beautiful! We enjoyed our lovely drive through the Rockies and said our good-byes to the Highway of Legends as we headed up highway 350 towards home. This road's claim to fame is that it was the part of the Santa Fe Trail from La Junta to Trinidad. Other than that fact, this highway is 80 miles of fairly boring flat land. We wondered how long it took the wagons in the mid 1800s to traverse this trail. There are a couple of road-side signs pointing to parts of the trail where folks stopped for water and rest. We were happy to be home after a day logging on 250 miles!</span></span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-84729665873444321492016-02-23T12:21:00.002-07:002016-02-23T12:21:37.893-07:00The Garden of the Gods in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just
up the road from the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are some fantastic red
rock formations jutting up from the hillside, named The Garden <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of the Gods</span>. We'd visited this <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">park</span>
when we worked at the Strasburg KOA in 201<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">0</span>, but we wanted to see it
again. I noticed that coming up the freeway from the south the glorious red <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">monoliths</span> stood out above Colorado Springs proclaiming their presence <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">over even the man-made buildings</span>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, though, lunch was in order. We stopped at the Garden of
the Gods Trading Post at the south entrance to the Gardens and feasted
on burgers. I liked the salt and pepper holders made from forks and
spoons. </span></span>Mr. Keith looks unique in his own right, too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was Saturday, a very busy day for touristing. The park was full of people, cars, bikes, and hikers. We stopped to get this shot of Pikes Peak and were rewarded with some horse-back riders who waved hello at us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is perhaps the largest of the rocks, showing only about a quarter of itself in this photo. You can see the tiny people at the bottom of the picture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another portion of the same rock shows a formation on the top called the "Kissing Camels". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We saw some climbers trying their skills up the sheer side of the cliffs. Many people climb here, but are required to have a permit showing that they have the proper equipment and skills. It was rather nerve-wracking to watch!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love this cliff side. To me, the middle part looks like a giant mummy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another awesome viewpoint along the trail. The best part of visiting this park is that there is no charge to get in. The original owner of the land deeded it over to the city in 1909 with the stipulation that it would always be open to the public for free. The city of Colorado Springs does do an excellent job of keeping up the grounds and taking care of the new Visitor Center, trails, and restrooms. Rangers are in attendance keeping a watch on the visitors and answering questions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One last shot as we walked along the road on our way back to our car. I appreciate that the roads are mostly one-way, with a safe, wide lane alongside for hikers and bikers. </span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-47563968228974441532016-02-23T11:22:00.002-07:002016-02-23T11:22:59.055-07:00Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Visiting the Manitou Cliff Dwellings was on our list of things to do while in southeast Colorado. Manitou Springs is directly west of Colorado Springs, actually the oldest part of the metropolitan area<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and right below Pikes Peak.</span> I was surprised to find that these cliff dwellings weren't originally in this rock formation, but were reassembled in 1907 from Anasazi ruins near the Four Corners area of Colorado. The Anasazi culture existed from about 1100 A.D. to 1300 A.D. No one knows for sure why the cliff dwellings, like those in Colorado (Mesa Verde) and New Mexico (Gila Cliff Dwellings), were abandoned. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mr. Keith likes his new little house!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These apartments are very small and housed several families each. It looks like the natives used them mostly for shelter and for sleeping. There were no fireplaces inside, but we did see some areas used for grinding grains. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way the dwellings were reconstructed makes them easy to explore and peek into.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This natural cliff overhang is the perfect place to preserve and display the ancient dwellings. I have to admire the people who had the vision to do this way back in 1907, keeping it open for tourists all that time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next to the Cliff Dwellings is a three-story Pueblo-style building in the style of the descendants of the Anasazi. The first six rooms of this Pueblo were built in 1898. Until 1984 local Native Americans actually lived in these rooms. Since then the building has been expanded and now houses a large gift shop and museum. Mr. Keith and I tend not to spend too much time in museums where everything is inside glass cases. The Gift Shop was much more interesting, and of course I bought a t-shirt!</span></span></div>
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-29399017117159475272016-02-17T14:47:00.001-07:002016-02-17T14:47:55.163-07:00Exploring Small Towns in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned that a former pastor of ours from Wenatchee WA had lived in the small town of Wiley CO, some 50 miles from us, so we decided to make a day of exploring the area. Right near Wiley and on the same road we came across McClave, a tiny town with maybe 200 or so people. Typical of many very small prairie towns, this one also had abandoned buildings and evidence of more prosperous times. The main street of McClave consists of one short block. These buildings are, or were, the grocery and the gas station. There was, however, a very large school, serving, we guessed, the many ranches and farms around the area.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out on the highway again we spotted a long row of what looked like cattle barns. We investigated and found many yards full of young beeves, probably awaiting being made into hamburger and steaks. It was kind of sad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It looks like this is where the aforementioned sad deeds take place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On down the road we saw several of these complicated grain elevators. This one was just at the entrance to our destination, Wiley. All along Highway 50 in southeast Colorado one sees almost nothing but vast grain fields and a few huge cattle yards and meat processing plants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Across
the street we noticed a pile of something golden. At first I thought it
looked like sawdust, then realized that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">since the only trees out on the prairie are mostly ancient cottonwoods <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">surround<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing</span></span> the houses and along the roads</span>, that couldn't be it. Closer inspection showed that
the pile was corn. I'm sure this is what the unfortunate cattle we saw
earlier <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">were fattened up on</span>!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The town of Wiley has a population of about 450 and is slightly larger and more well kept than many of the old, worn out villages through which we've passed. Even so, Main Street is not very impressive! Several of these buildings seemed deserted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the church where our former pastor <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">had</span> served and where he married his wife. I did not find out when and how long he was the minister here. The church in his day was a Church of the Brethren, but now is simply called Wiley Community Church. It is one of three churches in town<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">most attractive.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'd planned on having lunch in Wiley, if there was a restaurant. We were in luck. The Cornerstone Cafe´ was open for business! We found out that the cafe´ was actually owned by the church in the picture above, and we were pleased to see a "prayer wall" inside along with invitations to Bible study advertised on the placemats. They also invited diners to donate $5.00 to feed any hungry or homeless folks who might wander in. Our donation coupon was tacked up on another wall till needed by someone. We noticed there were quite a number of these coupons up there. Oh, and the food was excellent, too!</span></span><br />
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Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-15186580184930550822016-02-10T08:50:00.001-07:002016-02-10T08:50:32.151-07:00Las Animas, Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWaK5-jY3Pnq5eTRcS9Xt2NqGaTXBo83zkeMbtvuCSBjcZNnlCPf6ou1xgGbusZD80_zbn97lpW5kywLlWcZuNcHetyB8lWwdk9I6mhRPJluz0bhtO3mXCpXsugzG25FXBVJvV9rLYxpc/s1600/DSC08492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWaK5-jY3Pnq5eTRcS9Xt2NqGaTXBo83zkeMbtvuCSBjcZNnlCPf6ou1xgGbusZD80_zbn97lpW5kywLlWcZuNcHetyB8lWwdk9I6mhRPJluz0bhtO3mXCpXsugzG25FXBVJvV9rLYxpc/s400/DSC08492.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Believe it or not, we wanted a Dairy Queen Blizzard! The closest one to our town of La Junta is in Las Animas, 20 miles away. The town has quite a history. Las Animas is a Spanish name, meaning “City of Lost Souls.” The town takes its name from the Picketwire River which is located east of the city and flows into the Arkansas River. The Picketwire was originally called Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio ( the river of lost souls in purgatory.) Las Animas, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">population about 2,500,</span> is the only incorporated town in Bent's County. Its an old one, a little shabby and worn out. However, it has one of the most outstanding and attractive Courthouses I've ever seen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right next to the Courthouse is this impressive building. Upon research I discovered it was the Bent County Jail, built of brick and
sandstone in 1902 at a cost of $8,478. It served as the county jail
until 2000. The downstairs contained the residential quarters for the
sheriff and family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We decided to drive around (while eating our Blizzards) to see what interesting buildings we could find. This is St. Mary's Catholic Church.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This huge building looked like it might have been a church, but it was obviously abandoned and had no signs telling what it had been used for. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I couldn't resist taking a picture of this house which was painted all different colors. It was purple in the front, yellow on the side, and had a hodgepodge of colors all around.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We finished our tour of the town with this bit of humor on Super Bowl Sunday! The First Baptist Church was an ordinary building, but we loved their sign!</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-59492743750550371552016-02-07T09:16:00.000-07:002016-02-07T09:16:29.995-07:00Pueblo, Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is a beautiful reservoir just to the west of Pueblo formed by a dam on the Arkansas River. It is mostly an earth, or rock, dam with the concrete part right on the river. We were able to drive around almost the entire lake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the other side of the dam we saw this lovely view of Pikes Peak along with a marina and picnic area. There were also many campgrounds for RVs and tents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Heading on into town — we wanted to visit the old train station and found this statue of Diana the Huntress gracing the front of the building. No modesty there!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Pueblo Union Depot, constructed in 1889, is a gorgeous, old building mostly used now for offices and a couple of restaurants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The street across from the Depot, with cafe´s and boutiques. We had a delicious lunch in one called "The B Street Cafe´".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another view across the street—a great mural. Pueblo has many more interesting places to visit. The reservoir and the old downtown comprised our tour for the day.</span></span></div>
<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-42459834716396343642016-01-17T12:19:00.000-07:002016-01-17T12:19:11.936-07:00Walsenburg & Spanish Peaks in Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsoeTlL02hPAs0Mq9ngp9K8iDsBO8x3RaoR4eYooiGKWbrXUikeRHOTo0nYVetuIgx8lG2yVOoEiG1luRvP5imd1nmf8ICRitszraTplPSj712wErJldzRuKU5sogn81f_71Uh606I0Hf/s1600/DSC08406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsoeTlL02hPAs0Mq9ngp9K8iDsBO8x3RaoR4eYooiGKWbrXUikeRHOTo0nYVetuIgx8lG2yVOoEiG1luRvP5imd1nmf8ICRitszraTplPSj712wErJldzRuKU5sogn81f_71Uh606I0Hf/s400/DSC08406.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> There are few places to go around La Junta without driving for an hour or more. Today we chose Walsenburg, about 75 miles southwest of us. On the way out of town I noticed a field with easily a thousand or more large white birds, some circling, most resting amidst the old cornstalks. We braked and turned around so we could go up a side road closer to the birds, hoping to identify them. When we got there, going very slowly, the birds suddenly rose up in the air and we heard gunshots and saw hunters right by the edge of the field. Several birds hit the ground. We quickly turned around and got out of there, very upset. Later I saw a poster talking about licenses for hunting snow geese, so I googled them and, sure enough, that's what we were seeing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Traveling anywhere out on the eastern prairie can be a little boring, but going west one begins to see the Rocky Mountains in the distance. I did not figure out the name of these far away peaks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado stand out, much like Pikes Peak does farther north. One is called East Spanish Peak and the other is named, appropriately, West Spanish Peak. I could hardly wait till we got to Walsenburg to be able to see the Peaks close up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Walsenburg, its Courthouse to the left, was established about 150 years ago, back when southern Colorado was still part of Mexico. It was called La Plaza de los Leones. In 1870, years after the War of 1846, Fred Walsen settled there and opened up a large merchantile which attracted many German emigrants. He opened the areas first coal mine, which supported the town for 100 years. The population today is around 3,000. We enjoyed a good lunch at The Alpine Cafe´, a local downtown restaurant that served Keith the best biscuits and gravy he's ever had! I loved my cheeseburger, too. <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ford_%28outlaw%29" title="Robert Ford (outlaw)">Robert Ford</a></span>, the assassin of outlaw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James" title="Jesse James">Jesse James</a>, operated a combination saloon and gambling house in Walsenburg. Of course, we had to look that up. The house is now a boring insurance office.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because of buildings and power lines we had to drive a little out of town to really see the Spanish Peaks. They are awesome! The sun was in the wrong place to get a really good picture. This photo we took from the Lathrop State Park, a couple of miles west of town.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These mountains are Rough Peak and Silver Peak. There are 50 some mountains within the Rockies that that are over 14,000 feet high! These two are nicely framing the snowy pasture with grazing cows. I snapped this picture as we were heading for La Veta, a tiny town higher up in the hills that was more geared to tourists than Walsenburg.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> On our way back home once more on the dry prairie we passed this old cemetery way out in the middle of nowhere. We wondered if it once serviced the folks from the ranches spread few and far between around the area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One last backward look to see the Spanish Peaks fading into the distance. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We learned that the <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huerfano_River_Wind_Farm" title="Huerfano River Wind Farm">Huerfano River Wind Farm</a></span>, Colorado's largest producer of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_generation" title="Distributed generation">distributed generation (DG)</a> power, is located ten miles north of Walsenburg, just off of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_25" title="Interstate 25">Interstate 25</a>. I always love seeing these windmills marching across the land. One of the pamphlets we picked up at the State Park stated that the nearby <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Peaks" title="Spanish Peaks">Spanish Peaks</a> are a national landmark and named one of <a class="new" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colorado%27s_Seven_Wonders&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Colorado's Seven Wonders (page does not exist)">Colorado's Seven Wonders</a> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Denver_Post" title="The Denver Post">the Denver Post</a>. The Highway of The Legends, connecting Walsenburg with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Veta,_Colorado" title="La Veta, Colorado">La Veta</a>, other historic mining towns, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad,_Colorado" title="Trinidad, Colorado">Trinidad</a>, is a <a class="new" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Scenic_and_Historic_Byway&action=edit&redlink=1" title="National Scenic and Historic Byway (page does not exist)">National Scenic and Historic Byway</a>. We hope to take that trip someday, hopefully in the spring before we leave Colorado.</span></span><br />
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-3791213934015698572015-12-06T14:56:00.002-07:002015-12-06T15:14:41.633-07:00Christmas at Bent's Old Fort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciBftU3Cb3jEZpOGZ-wU1oOjrMlUTYEKfXvTs_zb47_PPhXBRbGt7vADHgMLlQxRdiDuqJSLL_s21_lz6BgVd2l8U1liKgqwKsW34thggS7gOMnXH6fEfL4Jnggl2285hsYWmqJGLSWRl/s1600/DSC07959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciBftU3Cb3jEZpOGZ-wU1oOjrMlUTYEKfXvTs_zb47_PPhXBRbGt7vADHgMLlQxRdiDuqJSLL_s21_lz6BgVd2l8U1liKgqwKsW34thggS7gOMnXH6fEfL4Jnggl2285hsYWmqJGLSWRl/s400/DSC07959.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, here's a picture taken several weeks ago at our first visit to Bent's Old Fort, operating from about 1833 to 1850<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> along the Santa <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fe <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trail, near present day La Junta, Colorado.</span> </span></span>We heard that there was a candlelight tour at the Fort in December so we made our reservations and waited with anticipation, hoping it wouldn't be a snowy night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We
arrived early on a cold, frosty, clear night and joined groups of folks
standing around outside the Fort waiting for their turn to go inside.
This roaring fire kept us warm and we were treated to several booms from
the old cannon nearby. Men and women dressed in period costumes kept us
entertained with chats as though it were really 1846 and we had just
arrived to do business with the Fort.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally we were ushered inside by our tour guide. Each room in the Fort is furnished as it would have been during the days of travel and commerce on the Santa Fe Trail. The room closest to the big entrance gate was used to do bargaining with Indians and Hispanics. Here the Fort employee and interpreter used words and sign language to seal the trade for rifles, blankets, beads, and necessities.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Blacksmith's shop was of vital importance to the Fort. This feisty old smithy told us he earned $125.00 per year while his helper earned $47.00. They also received board and room and all the food they needed. The ring of the blacksmith hammer, and the noise from the wagoner's shop were incessant to the ears of the Fort residents. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is the Fort doctor. He showed us his medical supplies, which included instruments for drawing blood, leaches for the same function, his bone saw for amputations, plus whiskey and laudanum for pain. He said that most illnesses could be cured by bleeding, puking or purging! He was quite proud that he had graduated from a two year course in medicine at a Pennsylvania medical school. Each room we entered was warmed by a cozy fire. My camera flash made the rooms seem brighter than they actually were. Most were quite dim, lit only by the fireplaces and candlelight. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The man in the center said he was with a large group of migrating Mormons who had run out of supplies and he needed the Fort to help him and his families out with food, blankets, guns and some lumber for building shelters. The superintendent in charge of goods was glad to help and assigned his men to gather the supplies and load them onto wagons. We toured many other rooms in the Fort — the dining room and kitchen, the carpenters' shop and the trade room, plus a couple of private rooms housing employees, all with folks dressed in the period costumes and full of conversation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, we were directed to hot cider and cookies where we warmed up and were greeted by one of the resident cats, all cozy on his trade blanket up on a shelf. We felt this evening back in history was one of the most interesting and fun times we've had recently. I know that if we lived in La Junta permanently I would love to be a volunteer at Bent's Old Fort!</span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-91402315229307838022015-11-07T15:54:00.000-07:002015-11-07T15:54:19.831-07:00 Royal Gorge & Canon City <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9g7A3ZyBLEKtHSyFLPFFTUGP_gXGpWOazREuTelMoUMLELQTEB2SzboJ1dWkk-jrOU3LIVsnC9kTwZRsA_qDd_zJpx7zLx5Y0TNjfhQ97yQrx_Yq-vJiIvK0ZcFiJR25O6daWB7yvmKn/s1600/DSC08154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9g7A3ZyBLEKtHSyFLPFFTUGP_gXGpWOazREuTelMoUMLELQTEB2SzboJ1dWkk-jrOU3LIVsnC9kTwZRsA_qDd_zJpx7zLx5Y0TNjfhQ97yQrx_Yq-vJiIvK0ZcFiJR25O6daWB7yvmKn/s400/DSC08154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With temperatures dropping almost to freezing in La Junta lately, we knew we needed to get up into the Rockies to see the Royal Gorge Bridge before the snow came. We chose a bright and sunny day, but it was still very cold and quite windy up there. We were a little shocked to learn we had to pay $14.00 each, even with our discount, but there were lots of activities and displays to go along with the the main attraction, the bridge and the deep, deep canyon it spans as the highest suspension bridge in the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I was quite disappointed that I couldn't get many good photos. The sun was so bright and right in our eyes, and the canyon was so far down and very narrow. That is the Arkansas River below, as well as a railroad track. It is difficult to imagine how they built it. You can get an idea how far down the river is if you try to picture a train down there on the track.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Park furnishes vehicles one can ride in to cross the bridge as well as Gondolas swinging out over the abyss. We chose to walk across, but by the time we reached the other side we were so cold we decided to chance the scary, swaying Gondolas on the way back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every state was represented along the Bridge. Washington was at the far end, of course! Right about here I was really wishing I'd worn something warmer! The winds howled up furiously through the gorge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another vantage point with the Rockies in the background.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love the colors along the Front Range of the Rockies. This was snapped just outside Canon (pronounced Canyon) City. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> After
our tour of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park we ventured down into Canon
City for lunch and for some sight-seeing. We noticed on the way to the
city that there were at least 3 huge prisons built into the side hills,
and then there was another large and older one just at the edge of the
city! I liked this old building outside the walls of the prison. It looked unused. The prison walls to the left and behind were heavily lined with barbed wire. No escaping from this place!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> After lunch on historic Main Street we toured the town. I was especially intrigued with the many churches we found. A good antidote for all the prisons maybe? This magnificent edifice is the Presbyterian Church. And we were pleasantly surprised to see that we hadn't missed too much of the beautiful Colorado autumn colors!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And here is the Baptist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The United Methodist was especially exquisite. Main Street was being torn up for reconstruction so this was the best I could do for this church. Mr. Keith and I agreed that it would be worth the 110 mile drive from La Junta to Canon City once again to do some more in depth exploring here. Colorado has so many great old towns up in the Rockies! </span></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-79633164045611348462015-10-16T11:47:00.000-06:002015-10-16T11:47:36.617-06:00Bent's Old Fort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZteUD-7N-CYUsWr7YzQy3KSb0ixcmxKhOAGjp7_z7I-pYMSuEz0Rty3CaO3hji477HhsJNt4my_mVsXWcL_iF1_hupFRrwfGd-PnwJiXOWl4oElJsF8Qgqii9ijadvVW3hE57vQIKB-Z/s1600/DSC07959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZteUD-7N-CYUsWr7YzQy3KSb0ixcmxKhOAGjp7_z7I-pYMSuEz0Rty3CaO3hji477HhsJNt4my_mVsXWcL_iF1_hupFRrwfGd-PnwJiXOWl4oElJsF8Qgqii9ijadvVW3hE57vQIKB-Z/s400/DSC07959.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the first attractions we wanted to see when we came to La Junta was Bent's Old Fort, which we managed on our 3rd or 4th day here. It lived up to our expectations, and is a place we will want to return to many times. I'll touch briefly on the origins and use of the Old Fort. Charles Bent and Ceran St. Vrain, both seasoned traders and trappers, entered the famous Santa Fe trade in 1829. It soon became evident that a headquarters for the lucrative Mexican and Indian trading should be situated near the border with Mexico, then along the Arkansas River, and in the midst of the southern tribes of Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Sioux, Comanches, Kiowas, and even Blackfeet and Gros Ventres Indians. Actual building began in 1833.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main items for trade were buffalo hides, horses and mules, and whiskey. We enjoyed seeing this restored merchantile, complete with sleeping cat!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is the inside of the fort, a large courtyard in the midst of the two story walls. Though it was a hot day when we visited, we felt a deep coolness inside each room because of the very thick adobe walls.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is one of the upstairs rooms. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fort did a brisk business until the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846, and the fort became headquarters for awhile for the army. Charles Bent was appointed governor of the new province which included New Mexico, but was killed in the revolt of the Mexican people. This spelled the end of the era and of the company.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each of the thick walled rooms inside the Fort had its own fireplace. Very cozy!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Within a few years of Bent's and St. Vrain's deaths, the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, and other tribes that had frequented their adobe trading post would all be confined to reservations, and the buffalo herds driven to virtual extinction on the southern plains.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here we see the restored Doctor's office, on the second floor. You can see the huge logs used for the ceiling. These same big logs were above the bottom floor, supporting the second story. The fort had various uses for the next few years, including as a stage station, a post office, and a cattle ranching headquarters. By the early 1900s the fort had fallen into ruin. The site was transferred to the State Historical Society of Colorado in 1954, and complete restoration was begun in 1975. Because of the volumes written by various traders and occupants of the fort over the years, and the artifacts that were dug up, the restoration is quite accurate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being a cat lover, I had to revisit the merchantile to see if the cat was still sleeping there. He raised his head to thank me for the pets, very content in his old fort. He was not the only animal we saw there. The Fort had a corral in the back with chickens and a few cows and at least one horse. The adobe walls had cactus planted all around the top, thus discouraging thieves from breaking in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before we headed back to La Junta we went a little further east to the small town of Las Animas, and there we found this gorgeous Bent County Courthouse in the middle of the dusty, sleepy town. I believe this town is also along the old Santa Fe Trail, which runs through La Junta, too. There is so much history in this area, and we intend to explore it wherever we can! I hope to go into more detail about Bent's Old Fort on future visits.</span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-20555522710829302752015-10-13T10:08:00.001-06:002015-10-13T10:08:56.629-06:00Missoula MT to La Junta CO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a year and a half in one place, our longest stay since our workamping years, we are on the road again, heading east and south from Missoula MT to La Junta CO, 1,000 miles. This is super exciting for us! We wondered if our rig and our BigTruk would remember how to roll. They did! This scene is somewhere between Missoula and Bozeman.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr. Keith and I were anxious to stay at the Bozeman KOA, where we worked in 2013, and to see our former managers there. The park has been expanded and improved, which was fun for us to see.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's Robert, enjoying some coffee with us and catching up with our families' news. The best part of our RVing lifestyle is the people we meet and have met and stayed in touch with. We may not ever see some of them again, but some we do, and it's always a pleasure.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somewhere on the road to Hardin MT. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The Hardin KOA is a small, but pleasant park out in the middle of a farming area. We enjoyed our stay here. At this time of year, autumn, there are not many RVers staying. We thought about visiting the Monument to Custer's Last Stand, but have seen it several times, so we reluctantly passed it up this trip.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love this "fence" at the Hardin KOA. There were old bicycles circling the entire perimeter of the park, a unique and humorous idea for a fence. South of Hardin we passed through some very beautiful country, at least till we reached Buffalo WY and exited I-90 for I-25. Unfortunately, I couldn't snap pictures while traveling down the highway behind the 5th wheel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After Buffalo the scenery changed to dry, mostly flat and treeless, not so pretty. Douglas WY is a nice little town known for the famous "Jackalope". Their town center features this cute statue. We stayed at the Douglas KOA, a fairly large, very well kept park.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were excited about visiting the Denver East/Strasburg KOA where we worked for two winters. After battling some pretty tough traffic heading south towards Denver, we got off on a toll freeway skirting the metropolis, then onto I-70 going east. It was almost like home, getting to Strasburg, especially when we found we'd been assigned Space #68, the very spot we occupied both winters, a fact unknown to the gal who put us there. For dinner we ordered chicken wings, which we had cooked numerous times, along with pizza, at the KOA when we were employed here. Yum! The next morning we had a joyous reunion with our former boss Tracy, breakfast and a wonderful visit at her house. We were sad to leave, but we were ready for the final leg of our 1000 mile journey.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The last leg of our journey was the shortest, and also the hardest, south from Limon on Hwy 71. The road was bumpy and things inside the RV spilled all over! This was a desolate road, but we came out on Hwy 50 and on to La Junta, our winter abode. Here we are at the KOA, in our spot for the next several months. We toured the town, population about 7,000, and found it to be neat, clean, and very attractive. We will love it here!</span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-10424473990235956082015-09-09T09:51:00.000-06:002015-09-09T09:59:11.254-06:00Psalm 23 in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Upper Rattlesnake Greenway)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He makes me lie down in green pastures.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Packer Meadows, Lolo Pass)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He leads me beside still waters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Upper Rattlesnake Greenway, Williams Water Ditch)</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He restores my soul.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> (Power Park, Rattlesnake Creek)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He leads me in paths of righteousness..</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Nez Perce Loop. Pattee Canyon)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> for His Name's sake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Greenough Park Trail)</span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI7Qcv6NXvqQ2EhkamkB4DxbgkQ2Ah-vaeQvl3Aty3AE91ARpfVHc_tEZJVFP00p_GMN0TKuwRt9rOGht815hKkssWMzRitZkh38nmzP7isHW8M81ArvmA9w8Gml-sw9Ob8AGlbwAweNX/s1600/DSC06361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI7Qcv6NXvqQ2EhkamkB4DxbgkQ2Ah-vaeQvl3Aty3AE91ARpfVHc_tEZJVFP00p_GMN0TKuwRt9rOGht815hKkssWMzRitZkh38nmzP7isHW8M81ArvmA9w8Gml-sw9Ob8AGlbwAweNX/s400/DSC06361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I will fear no evil, for He is with me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Glade Creek Loop Trail, Lolo Pass)</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am comforted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> (9 Mile Ranger Station, Grand Menard Trail)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He anoints my head with oil. My cup </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">runs over. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Power Park, Upper Rattlesnake Greenway)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfK1CdDVfEXzSiUlqrR8p7ds7d805Zq2ePOR6Npnvke-U8xjulQGKrQMdAe3GkO7SycVSZOdlxAonVGOlSiRwXWaU9NuqnEQEPqBanQ42EPxRwhKZuYiNQhekkRhRz9AWeRjBa10EFxjv/s1600/DSCN1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfK1CdDVfEXzSiUlqrR8p7ds7d805Zq2ePOR6Npnvke-U8xjulQGKrQMdAe3GkO7SycVSZOdlxAonVGOlSiRwXWaU9NuqnEQEPqBanQ42EPxRwhKZuYiNQhekkRhRz9AWeRjBa10EFxjv/s400/DSCN1112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(St. Ignatius)</span> </span></span></div>
Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-73056137091204346052015-06-14T14:39:00.002-06:002015-06-14T14:39:45.237-06:00Camas Flowers at Lolo Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bbq2GjPXS_pWMumMhvlWrq19dHqnOORspc3Qt6B4fzhFXxDxbolMDzYJWqAIpYSavQLIDilP8GnO0ncFE9zTD7PGky5h9rXDLOoJq9pahpJBatKyAwCL7KFZsKQNKFuvqp02G2k1kd3t/s1600/DSC06361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bbq2GjPXS_pWMumMhvlWrq19dHqnOORspc3Qt6B4fzhFXxDxbolMDzYJWqAIpYSavQLIDilP8GnO0ncFE9zTD7PGky5h9rXDLOoJq9pahpJBatKyAwCL7KFZsKQNKFuvqp02G2k1kd3t/s400/DSC06361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We waited eagerly for news about the camas flowers this spring, a yearly event not to be missed if you are a wildflower aficionado as I am. There is a website that gives updates, and, finally, the time of blooming was announced, and I had a day off at the right time. We drove up to Lolo Pass, on the Montana - Idaho border and found lots of other fans of the camas flower already at the Visitor Center. We had planned to find a trail to hike on in the area, and did that before going out to Packer Meadows where the camas grows.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There were so many other kinds of wildflowers blooming all along the trail and everywhere. I was especially happy to find a Jacob's Ladder, one I've seen pictures of, but not ever found for myself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At last, a lake of blue! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The quamash, an Indian word, was a food<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food" title="Food"></a></span> source for many native peoples
in the western United States and Canada. After being harvested in the
autumn, once the flowers have withered, the bulbs were pit-roasted or boiled. A pit-cooked camas bulb looks and tastes something like baked sweet potato, but sweeter. When dried, the bulbs could be pounded into flour. Native American tribes who ate camas include the Nez Perce, Cree, Coast Salish, Lummi<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lummi" title="Lummi"></a>, and Blackfoot tribes, among many others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A close-up! I was reluctant to squash any of these gorgeous flowers, but I did carefully get on my knees to snap this photo.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq_uojRUN_pQW71FsLkkzdhwZxkxKMgRrOx7GLZrCrPGw7pyMRWxLZNJ5UMX5NNXf4lozM40vdRZ46yQrK55_R1oJx3oL8okDMyxnDXCO3hB5mMaftSMfCtBF9YeqigaC5ZEKUR4yAZhI/s1600/DSC06414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq_uojRUN_pQW71FsLkkzdhwZxkxKMgRrOx7GLZrCrPGw7pyMRWxLZNJ5UMX5NNXf4lozM40vdRZ46yQrK55_R1oJx3oL8okDMyxnDXCO3hB5mMaftSMfCtBF9YeqigaC5ZEKUR4yAZhI/s400/DSC06414.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lewis and Clark, we read, who followed the Lolo Pass trail along with the natives, also camped in Packer Meadows in 1806 and learned from their Native American friends to dig and eat the bulbs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think everyone else was also reluctant to make paths into the sea of blue, but there was this one well used path out into the middle of the meadow. It was like we all couldn't get enough of the beauty surrounding us!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am drowning in this stunning profusion of flowers, on my knees here. We were so happy that we got to see the blooming at its height. I read that a mere few days later the flowers had begun to fade. </span></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5443412343771293708.post-91069700080087711492015-05-21T17:46:00.000-06:002015-05-21T17:46:27.744-06:00Waterworks Hill Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWc6Qb8ClrVz5T48BRL11207jjE2Pw7U0pXY2vv5dwW8EsqITCMetJkZmu4W9Ntms94vKurJISJzI3zoZjXSmQ_efnEw3Z1knPT6axSoZ4caxI2y2GtLMS-soLucpo4TJL5tpGE_R4Owf/s1600/DSC06229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWc6Qb8ClrVz5T48BRL11207jjE2Pw7U0pXY2vv5dwW8EsqITCMetJkZmu4W9Ntms94vKurJISJzI3zoZjXSmQ_efnEw3Z1knPT6axSoZ4caxI2y2GtLMS-soLucpo4TJL5tpGE_R4Owf/s400/DSC06229.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have a wonderful book titled "Day Hikes Around Missoula Montana". Each hike is broken down with descriptions, directions, difficulty, mileage, maps, etc. Since we've seen about everything around here that we want to see, we are spending my days off trying out a variety of hikes. We're starting with the more gentle hikes, not too steep and not over 3 miles. This one was 2.5 miles. Waterworks Hill is right across I-90 from downtown Missoula and the literature boasted both millions of wildflowers and awesome views of the city. We concur! The name comes from a huge, silver water reservoir on the hillside. I hope you will enlarge each of these photos to get the best view.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpEdCZwPSzoZJYDkd_k_Z30WNtYTZKIwPjePGwOqGV6AxcaIYT9Gqx8SVPF0FOa3cz3RoF3tk8WX1g04VdD1GtS0vLkrQrPTI2AKjG9PNHw7DPDa_TrzyuZO1Z13LglpTTqg9WhN1FRHA/s1600/DSC06247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpEdCZwPSzoZJYDkd_k_Z30WNtYTZKIwPjePGwOqGV6AxcaIYT9Gqx8SVPF0FOa3cz3RoF3tk8WX1g04VdD1GtS0vLkrQrPTI2AKjG9PNHw7DPDa_TrzyuZO1Z13LglpTTqg9WhN1FRHA/s400/DSC06247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Always a favorite of mine, the shy and beautiful Bitterroot adorned the hills here and there. These delicate, leafless flowers seem to prefer dry, rocky terrain. They even have a mountain range named for them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I could not identify this daisy-like flower, but was intrigued by the unusual leaf structure and color.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBFTlJxlsM4CDNviPQeNu3AbrhGoZuhySwJMmqbXsEWm0i17Sn_ehbgHqzPq8pshnrMckirrxWOD6wO9GSq2Soj-Vo51pPcrFMQGY1qYdgKPqO4icH6jY-4dFkF0GuFv3Gh9xfEtvDbwk/s1600/DSC06244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBFTlJxlsM4CDNviPQeNu3AbrhGoZuhySwJMmqbXsEWm0i17Sn_ehbgHqzPq8pshnrMckirrxWOD6wO9GSq2Soj-Vo51pPcrFMQGY1qYdgKPqO4icH6jY-4dFkF0GuFv3Gh9xfEtvDbwk/s400/DSC06244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We climbed up and up quite a ways, then saw this scene ahead of us. Helpful hikers assured us there was a shortcut before the top of the hill which led to the return route we had planned. We decided that was the one for us!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomVW1HY3CZrk9mMNNdiTMQHB8oOUqJ5nDALtEv_qz_bksA-NBorhTXqwWduNZBSEK2XDUYPedc-IHGQwc61O4jjhrYtSMQgFnihV99k8gtbTwHGSkqGvtdEsj0waUEEz9VXtLPrImYJvp/s1600/DSC06250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomVW1HY3CZrk9mMNNdiTMQHB8oOUqJ5nDALtEv_qz_bksA-NBorhTXqwWduNZBSEK2XDUYPedc-IHGQwc61O4jjhrYtSMQgFnihV99k8gtbTwHGSkqGvtdEsj0waUEEz9VXtLPrImYJvp/s400/DSC06250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Looking back from the entrance to the shortcut we saw this gorgeous scene, Mt. Jumbo with the "L" and Mt. Sentinel with the famous "M". The valley between the two mountains is Hellgate Canyon where I-90 takes travelers east.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86-3XZ4z9IBkca37a65g2J5u90T2B6lQWoWrc8uPmfO4SPMPuB1qWlFoIat6_IwWOSDe4RrniXAN8nFT6z63MWaJgIfPY_f0mx3e2Epl7GZMlP_N64XxX652IMHvS0hFCMpeaMpJwslT7/s1600/DSC06259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86-3XZ4z9IBkca37a65g2J5u90T2B6lQWoWrc8uPmfO4SPMPuB1qWlFoIat6_IwWOSDe4RrniXAN8nFT6z63MWaJgIfPY_f0mx3e2Epl7GZMlP_N64XxX652IMHvS0hFCMpeaMpJwslT7/s400/DSC06259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Looking down from our high point we saw the trail below, heading back towards where we had left our car. It's called Cherry Gulch. I have always found it more difficult to go downhill rather than uphill, but what goes up must come down! These hills below are covered with a yellow flowering plant called Leafy Spurge, though it doesn't show too well in this photo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Coming down from the high, treeless and rocky hill above we came back into a young ponderosa pine forest with the leafy spurge thick all around.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One more photo along our trail, showing the spurge and other wildflowers, with majestic clouds shadowing Mt. Sentinel. The Waterworks Hill Hike was well worth exploring! We met lots of folks who were also out on this sunny, warm day.</span></span></div>
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<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10603340469440704977noreply@blogger.com0