Day9 Photos - Pike's Peak

It was COLD. It snowed on top. Mike played the adventurer and went climbing around on the rocks. He was looking for a spot his father had mentioned and wanted to explore further. Every man needs a bit of adventure. We had a good chuckle at all the folks who got off the cog train and went directly to the gift shop. They didn’t even stop to enjoy the view or take a souvenir photo first. The ones who drove to the top were all over the viewing stations etc checking it all out. They say you can see Kansas from the top – I thought of all my Kansas friends as I looked in the general direction of Kansas – I wouldn’t know for sure where one state stops and another begins. It certainly wasn’t a clear day anyway – but it was a nice thought. ::snort::

This is the spot that inspired the well-loved song "America the Beautiful" and so you'll see a photo of the monument.

There is a mandatory brake check on the way down the mountain. Your breaks are supposed to be at 300*, our’s were at 550*. They conveniently place a gift shop next to the brake inspection spot. The kids enjoyed exploring the sluice boxes. I tried to find a souvenir. I thought t-shirts at $15 were an o.k. deal, then realized to buy for 10 of us would be $150. Hats would be $120…then I hit on magnets and CARDS. These cards have various tourist spots on them. The children have loved playing games this vacation. This will work. Mike teased me about “gambling across America” and took this photo.

With this post I've discovered "bulk uploader". I've tried to load these photos 3 times...I've decided not to worry about order and simply get them published. I'll HATE that - but I'll hate it more if I spend any more time trying to get this right. LOL

Deer - not sure where the better photos went.



A sense of the road!


We love confusing the GPS


My Adventurer




Remember the exhibitionist in the park? I take it back. I haven't a clue how to explain these photos..."manly things"? ::snort:: Adventure? Just because.

Warning at the start of the hwy

Glimpse of the road




Me and My Ford



More roads





Whole family at 14,100 ft

Again - I don't know...




Mike again



Gambling across America?


I have no idea why some photos are BIG and some small...and I'm sorry they are out of order...but this is as good as it gets today. Now it's off to the shower house and time to make pancakes....get a brisket in the crock pot and go EXPLORING!

©2008 D.R.G.

Day 9 Photos - An Evening with PRECIOUS Friend

I like the above title much better than "old friends". ::snort:: We first met Ken, then an USAF Chaplain, and Lynn at Elmendorf AFB six years ago. Thanks for the dinner OUT of the trailer....and dinner music too. I will never see "the Hamburger Helper Man" again without thinkng of the Nacho Men and Michael Jackson. ::snort::


No photo of Matt, I forgot to ask if it would be o.k. to post a photo of him. It's hard to believe that "little Matt" is now a Sophomore and quite a skater too.

2008 D.R.G.

Day 10 – Last Days ~ Heavenly Hugs

Today is a Last Day. I dislike Last Days. They are filled with far too many expectations. I try hard to relax and go with the day….enjoy being together and not put too much pressure on the day being “perfect”. I don’t always succeed.

Today is the last day before the girls head back to WA and we finish the remainder of our vacation with the six children who still live in our home on a daily basis. You KNOW the older 3 live in our HEARTS constantly.

I found it hard to sleep last night (as verified by late night posts with PHOTOS). ::snort::

Early this a.m. I headed to my “chair” outside the trailer for my tryst with a Father who is sure to understand. I asked for stability in my emotions. I prayed for simply knowing in a real way that He’s watching, that He understands, and that He loves me today. OF COURSE, I KNOW all this….but I suppose I wanted a Heavenly Hug to carry through the day.

I heard a humming sound. I opened my eyes and there hovering RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES!!!! was a Humming Bird. I’ve been enjoying the antics of these little birds all vacation and never dreamed I’d get such a wonderful close up view….I’m counting it as a Heavenly Hug from a Father who knew I needed a bit of unexpected joy in the day. What makes this more amazing is that I had my glasses on as I'd been reading the Word and so I could see DETAILS on the little fellow. ::snort::

I’d love to hear of Heavenly Hugs you’ve known.

PS - I had started a LOT of Pike's Peak photos loading to Photo Bucket before I head for my tryst....Norton decided to update something or other and they are gone. ARGH.

©2008 D.R.G.

Day 9 Photos - Manitou Springs

Lunch in the City Park

Aren't Cell Phones Wonderful?

This exhibitionist WANTED noticed...

Playing in the Park


Anything is possible with some help from big brothers...


"Zander, want a drink from the spring?"



Why DID I fill my water bottle before tasting?

What's wrong Bre?

©2008 D.R.G.

Day 9 – Manitou Springs, Pike’s Peak, and Old Friends

*late breaking note...it's late and I'm not staying up waiting for photos to load any longer....maybe in the a.m.

We managed to pack every minute of this day with activity.

Lunchtime found us picnicking at a city park in Manitou Springs. There are some strange folks in Manitou Springs. I did not take lots of photos – but THIS man wanted his photo taken.

Here’s one of Mike on the phone in the park – I liked his expression.
PHOTOS
Playing in the Park
PHOTOS

Anything is possible with some help from your brothers
PHOTOS

We marched everyone over for a taste of the Spring….mineral water.

PHOTOS


After lunch we headed to the top of Pike’s Peak. In the 24 years that I’ve been coming here with Mike we have never done this. WOW! It was worth the drive….here are SOME photos….. I've decided it's too late to pick through the over 100 photos of the view etc....so here are some of the family and I'll post other photos "later". ::snort::

BTW it SNOWED at the top of the Peak - it was COLD!

PHOTOS

We headed down from the Peak and to Castle Rock for dinner with “old friends” from AK.
PHOTO
After dinner we went to their neighborhood park to hear a concert by the “Nacho Men”. ::snort:: They played 70’s and 80’s hits. I had to laugh when one of the kids asked us if we really listened to music like that when we were kids. ::snort::

©2008 D.R.G.

Day 8 – Cy Leaves & We Move to a New Camp Site

The time seemed to fly and this morning Josiah left to go back to TX. It was a joy to have the whole “family unit” together, if only for a week.

We broke camp at Grape Creek RV Park and headed for the USAF Academy Fam Camp in Colorado Springs.

It’s amazing that our campsite is in a “secluded, wooded area” and yet a few curves give us a rather amazing view of the congested city. LOL I think I’ll hunker down at the campsite and pretend that we’re still up on the mountain.

We set up camp, played games, bought groceries and cooked meals. Talked with Lynn tonight; so excited to see them again. Yes, Darshia….LR from AK/EAFB…I’m going to make sure she gets your message. That’s about it for the day.

We do have wifi here in the campground so I may be able to get a fast enough connection to load some photos {I did}.

Everyone has a job when it’s time to set up and break down camp. Our site has nothing but trees and a ravine behind us.

Nolan and Zander are going to try the tent again. Zander drenched all with a spilled water bottle last time. On the way out he said, “Jared, don’t bring a water bottle.”

©2008 D.R.G.