Friday after being fed a delicious steak at the camp, Allan and I decided to drive up on the mesa to see how much snow was left. We found the lakes unfrozen and quite a few people out fishing. The Visitor's Center still had quite a bit of snow around it and there was snow in the shady areas. We saw a marmot and several deer on our drive up and down the mountain.
It was a beautiful warm day with lots of interesting scenery on the drive to Telluride on Saturday. It was originally a mining town nestled in a box canyon. We saw both falls and also took the gondola to Mountain Village. This place is for the rich and famous. We were entertained by mostly kids on the bungee ride. Some of the kids got very high and did flips. The town is very animal friendly. We rode up with two wet dogs who had been swimming in the river. There were many young people with their mountain bikes riding up on the gondola and riding the bikes down.
Sunday I had lots of things planned for us to do, but none of them got checked off our list. Instead I found myself in the ER at the hospital in Delta. I had been uncomfortable and vomiting all night. I figured it was the gall bladder. No stones found, but may have to have more tests and surgery. Hopefully, it will hold until we get back home in November.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
BLACK CANYON OF GUNNISON
As I sit here writing this blog, I look out our big window watching the snow fall. Well, it is really not snow, but it is white stuff coming from the cottonwood trees. It is getting pretty thick on the ground. I had to drive one of the golf carts today which had no windshield. I figured out pretty quick to keep my mouth closed.
We spent Saturday in Grand Junction doing some shopping. I bought two much needed pair of shoes, one of which have to be special ordered. It is an ordeal for me to buy shoes since I have such narrow feet.
They had a fountain in downtown that we drove by where small children were keeping cool on a warm day. We went out to eat at Olive Garden for an early celebration for Father's Day.
Sunday we went to church in Delta which is on the way to the Black Canyon. Delta has several murals painted on the sides of buildings by different artist.
It was a beautiful drive as we climbed in elevation heading for Black Canyon National Park although the day was overcast and not really a good day for taking pictures. The western part of Colorado is generally dry and arid with very little green vegetation except where there is irrigation. There is more natural trees from 5000-8000 feet on the high plateaus and mountains. As we entered the national park we followed the road that took us along the rim of the canyon. There is no bridge across the canyon. We followed one side in hopes that there will be time before we leave western Colorado to visit the opposite side. The Gunnison River flows through the canyon. The river drops considerably in this section of the narrow canyon causing the river to gradually cut the granite walls. The sides are so steep that it receives very little direct sunlight. We are constantly amazed at God's creativity.
As the rain started on our return trip through Montrose, Co. we saw 3 bikers. We pulled up to a stop light along side of them. One biker had a little terrier-type dog in its own leather basket behind him with his leather harness, all strapped in. What else do you think he was wearing? He had his own goggles. How appropriate. It was a funny sight. I tried to get a picture, but the dog was not turned around so I could catch it on camera.
We spent Saturday in Grand Junction doing some shopping. I bought two much needed pair of shoes, one of which have to be special ordered. It is an ordeal for me to buy shoes since I have such narrow feet.
They had a fountain in downtown that we drove by where small children were keeping cool on a warm day. We went out to eat at Olive Garden for an early celebration for Father's Day.
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
Sunday we went to church in Delta which is on the way to the Black Canyon. Delta has several murals painted on the sides of buildings by different artist.
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
It was a beautiful drive as we climbed in elevation heading for Black Canyon National Park although the day was overcast and not really a good day for taking pictures. The western part of Colorado is generally dry and arid with very little green vegetation except where there is irrigation. There is more natural trees from 5000-8000 feet on the high plateaus and mountains. As we entered the national park we followed the road that took us along the rim of the canyon. There is no bridge across the canyon. We followed one side in hopes that there will be time before we leave western Colorado to visit the opposite side. The Gunnison River flows through the canyon. The river drops considerably in this section of the narrow canyon causing the river to gradually cut the granite walls. The sides are so steep that it receives very little direct sunlight. We are constantly amazed at God's creativity.
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
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| From 2011-06-21 |
As the rain started on our return trip through Montrose, Co. we saw 3 bikers. We pulled up to a stop light along side of them. One biker had a little terrier-type dog in its own leather basket behind him with his leather harness, all strapped in. What else do you think he was wearing? He had his own goggles. How appropriate. It was a funny sight. I tried to get a picture, but the dog was not turned around so I could catch it on camera.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
DRIVE IN MOVIES
Sunday we went to church and in the afternoon we took a long nap. This nap was in anticipation of staying out late and still having to work Monday morning. Allan and I found a drive in theater nearby which had a double feature. The movie we wanted to see was the 2nd one.(Pirates of the Caribbean). The drive in had a pretty good crowd and the majority of the crowd seemed to be family groups. The weather was perfect ( no rain and just slightly cool). A railroad track ran beside the drive in and one rather long train appeared just between the two shows. We enjoyed ourselves and got home about 1 A.M.
Getting up time came pretty quickly, but we managed to get our work done without a problem. Allan is working on a gas fire pit. This requires a lot of lifting and bending over so his back is stiff. The old man is feeling it, but he is still able to go to the workout room to work off unwanted pounds. I have a daily job of watering all the trees and flowers that have recently been planted. Monday night supper was pizza for the near 400 kids. I have never sliced so many pizzas in all my life.
Tuesday I worked on the deposits for the camp and stopped by the bank on my way to Delta for a much needed hair cut. It still has some length but is layered. I like it and hopefully will be able to keep it out of my face while I work. I also worked in the kitchen before leaving for Delta baking cookies and bacon. What a combination! By the way they were not being served at the same time.
Getting up time came pretty quickly, but we managed to get our work done without a problem. Allan is working on a gas fire pit. This requires a lot of lifting and bending over so his back is stiff. The old man is feeling it, but he is still able to go to the workout room to work off unwanted pounds. I have a daily job of watering all the trees and flowers that have recently been planted. Monday night supper was pizza for the near 400 kids. I have never sliced so many pizzas in all my life.
Tuesday I worked on the deposits for the camp and stopped by the bank on my way to Delta for a much needed hair cut. It still has some length but is layered. I like it and hopefully will be able to keep it out of my face while I work. I also worked in the kitchen before leaving for Delta baking cookies and bacon. What a combination! By the way they were not being served at the same time.
Monday, June 13, 2011
OURAY, COLORADO
Saturday Dick and Artis took us to Ouray, Co. We had a wonderful day with them taking in the sights and stopping for lunch and an ice cream on the way back. Ouray was an old mining town which is now a tourist town called "America's Switzerland". The town is located in a box canyon with snow covered mountains and waterfalls surrounding it.
Check out the rainbow.
Check out the rainbow.
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| From 2011-06-12 |
Thursday, June 9, 2011
KIDS CAMP
This week is the first Kid's Camp. They number close to 200.
Allan has been doing miscellaneous repairs and serving food at meal time. I have been working in the kitchen. Artis and I made brownies which took 35 pounds of brownie mix. That is a lot of brownies. I don't cook well for 2 people so this is a challenge for me. I have really enjoyed it though. It is tiring. The kids will have breakfast in the morning and then leave before noon so our work should be a little easier. BUT the next 3 weeks is youth camp which the number of kids should double.
We are not exactly sure how long we will be here, but they have definitely needed our help. Makes us feel good.
Allan has been doing miscellaneous repairs and serving food at meal time. I have been working in the kitchen. Artis and I made brownies which took 35 pounds of brownie mix. That is a lot of brownies. I don't cook well for 2 people so this is a challenge for me. I have really enjoyed it though. It is tiring. The kids will have breakfast in the morning and then leave before noon so our work should be a little easier. BUT the next 3 weeks is youth camp which the number of kids should double.
We are not exactly sure how long we will be here, but they have definitely needed our help. Makes us feel good.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
FIRST WEEK AT CAMP CEDAREDGE
The weather has been perfect. It is cool at night and is beginning to warm up in the day. It is averaging 80/50. The snow is melting in the mountains and is causing some flooding in some areas. We have not had a problem yet. The creek behind our RV gives us such a restful sleep each night. The camp manager told us they learned that this creek has overflowed so we will be keeping a watch on it. The mountains have had 200% snow fall this year.
We drove to the Grand Mesa which is about 15 miles from here, but at 11,000 feet elevation. This is the largest flat top mountain (mesa) in the world. It has over 300 lakes which at the present time are frozen. Most of the roads on top were closed due to snow, but the main road was cleared and we visited the Visitors Center.
The Visitors Center and rest rooms were located in different buildings, but were connected by a covered, wooden walkway. There is a sign pointing to a trail heading out at where this picture was taken. As you can see it was a wall of snow and ice.
We are the only MAPS Volunteers staying at the camp, but there is one other couple who live in Cedaredge who commute each day. They are Dick and Artis Miller. There is no new construction at this time, but we are doing maintenance and preparing the camp for upcoming youth camps starting June 7. Allan has been doing some plumbing work, repairing leaks behind the showers, running new drain lines and doing some drywall repairs. Jeanne has been cleaning, helping decorate the new Sweet Shoppe, painting, and baking. Tomorrow we will be assisting in preparation of meals and serving at meal times.
When you first drive through the gates, you are greeted by a large dead tree with arms. Use your imagination.
We took a drive around the countryside near Cedaredge.
Here is a picture of the Cedaredge Historical Museum.
I got a picture of this pheasant. The cows were sharing their pasture with him.
There are many barren hills which is a great playground for bikers and ATV's.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
We drove to the Grand Mesa which is about 15 miles from here, but at 11,000 feet elevation. This is the largest flat top mountain (mesa) in the world. It has over 300 lakes which at the present time are frozen. Most of the roads on top were closed due to snow, but the main road was cleared and we visited the Visitors Center.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |
The Visitors Center and rest rooms were located in different buildings, but were connected by a covered, wooden walkway. There is a sign pointing to a trail heading out at where this picture was taken. As you can see it was a wall of snow and ice.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |
We are the only MAPS Volunteers staying at the camp, but there is one other couple who live in Cedaredge who commute each day. They are Dick and Artis Miller. There is no new construction at this time, but we are doing maintenance and preparing the camp for upcoming youth camps starting June 7. Allan has been doing some plumbing work, repairing leaks behind the showers, running new drain lines and doing some drywall repairs. Jeanne has been cleaning, helping decorate the new Sweet Shoppe, painting, and baking. Tomorrow we will be assisting in preparation of meals and serving at meal times.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |
When you first drive through the gates, you are greeted by a large dead tree with arms. Use your imagination.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |
We took a drive around the countryside near Cedaredge.
Here is a picture of the Cedaredge Historical Museum.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
I got a picture of this pheasant. The cows were sharing their pasture with him.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
There are many barren hills which is a great playground for bikers and ATV's.
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| From 2011-06-06 |
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| From 2011-06-06 |