Posted in Colorado fun

... to our minivan. She served us well for seven years. She "died" in the mountains of Colorado on a gold prospecting trip with my brother and my two oldest children. Thankfully she was paid for. Below is what "she," the minivan saw before pronounced no longer useable. (See the Big Horn Sheep? There are two in the middle of the picture and on to the right.)

Her demise was a rock that punctured the oil filter from the back. It must have ricocheted as I was driving. She had well over 164,500 miles and was on her last leg anyway. What a better place to get stranded for a day than in the mountains.  Thanks goes out to Joe (name protected) and C-Dot (Colorado Department of Transportation) for helping.

That explains me not posting anything for the past few days being stranded in the mountains for a day on Friday. The weekend was spent resting and yesterday we (hubby and I) were back in the mountains selling the van to a salvage yard.

Posted in Colorado fun

We were in Winter Park this weekend with some friends. The colors were breathtaking... so were some of the short hikes up steep hills on the search for treasures! (Geocaching)

Below: The view from the top of the steep hill. (I like to think I lost two pounds on this hill since two pounds were missing this morning!)

Below: "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12 [KJV]

 Below: The view from the cabin.

Below: My hubby took this one. He takes great pictures! He inspires me.

Below: I took this one for my daughter who LOVES horses. This was one of my shots that I took while my hubby drove over 50 mph! (I think the speed limit was 65 mph)

Posted in Colorado fun

We woke up early and I packed what I could from the camper that we needed at home into the van.

On the way home as we passed through Lake George, Colorado  where the traffic was stopped. I could tell that an accident had just happend as I was the 10th car back and the sheriff wasn't there. After a few minutes the sirens from the sheriff's cars could be heard. After about 20 minutes they let a few cars go. Then we came to a stop again. Then they let about 10 more cars go by which included me and the two cars behind me. We had to drive by the accident and I was praying that whatever had happened that it wouldn't be to bloody for my children to see. It was a bright yellow jeep that was upside down. As we drove by the paramedic was getting the board down to put the man on. Shortly after we passed we saw the "Flight for life" helicopter fly in.

My mother and her husband where about 3 or 4 cars behind me, so they got stuck back behind me. They had to wait while they lifted the man into the helicopter. My mother had talked to the man who witnessed the accident. The man in the jeep (with the top off) swirved to miss a badger that was crossing the road. He was not able to get the Jeep under control and ended up flipping about five times. The man that witnessed it was coming from the opposite direction. He was able to help the man and keep him from losing consciousness. If it weren't for the roll bar the guy in the jeep probably wouldn't of made it. The man that saw it and helped said that the guy was pretty beat up and could barely make out the mans face.

It would have been better for the guy to hit the badger rather than avoiding it.

As we passed the children and I all prayed.

When we reached town it was awfully hot! The kids and I wanted to turn back around and go back to the mountains where it was MUCH cooler!

Posted in Colorado fun

The last full day to enjoy so we did it in the best way we know how. Gold Prospecting!! We went to one of the Gold Prospector's of Colorado's claims (The club my grandfather founded.) We found gold, of course. I found a few flakes and a bunch of flour gold. I still have a lot of concentrates (black sand) to go through and finish. My step dad also found a nice little clunker (nugget). We did fairly well since all we had was our gold pans and a shovel.

Below: Leaving the claim. Somehow driving on dirt roads with drop-off's make me feel right at home. You'd be amazed where I can take a mini-van. 4WD? Nah, who needs one? (Seriously, I do... oh the fun I could have and the more places I could go!) I grew up with my parents 4 wheeling all the time. I love it!

Below: After panning we drove along the old railroad tracks. The kids loved going through all the tunnels.

After panning and the neat scenic drive we had Mexican again. The Nacho Mama that I ordered was yummy!!! I'd be happy to drive 2 1/2 hours to that mexican restaurant again!

Posted in Colorado fun

Day 6

Today we drove over to the Chalk Cliffs and then to St. Elmo, CO. St. Elmo is a cute little town... almost a ghost town. We drove through and turned back around. It was Saturday and the roads were quite busy with folks bringing their ATV's.

We stopped at a wildlife viewing area. (meadow) I just happened to snap a shot of a group of Big Horn Sheep running through. Looks like mama's and baby's. (Below)

Below: Some of the Chalk Cliffs.

Below: Cascade Falls

We then drove back to Clear Creek Reservoir, but it was all drained. So we headed on up to Winfield, Colorado which is an old mining ghost town. The traffic on this normally secluded mountain road was awful! I've never seen so many people on this road before. We used to own mine claims in this area and lead many field trips up here. Turns out that we ended up driving amounst 600 people who were running in the Leadville Trail 100 Race "The Race Across the Sky".  We heard later that Lance Armstrong was in the race. If I knew, I would have looked for him. The race is 50 miles with the lowest point being 9,200 ft and the highest being 12,600 ft along forest trails and some mountain roads. It was a public road so they couldn't stop me from driving on it.

After all that fun we went out to a great Mexican restaurant. They even had John Denver's motercycle in the bar... but I wasn't at all compelled to go look at it. I could care less about the guy. I drove on the interstate that they named after him days before... who cares. I was amazed that they named the road after him. Oh well.

When we got back to the camper we were blessed with another rainbow. We saw a lot of rainbows on our advantures.

Posted in Colorado fun

Day 5

Today we took another round trip drive.

We started in Leadville, Colorado then went to Redcliff, then over Battle Mountain (us locals call the pass Battle Mountain.)  on to Midturn. From Midturn my mother took me to Edwards, CO to show me where I grew up. Then from there we went to Vail, CO to see where I lived there too. We ate lunch at the Vail McDonalds. I was later reminded why I don't like to eat at that place.

Then from Vail we drove to Climax, Co on back to Leadville. After a quick stop at  the Safeway in Leadville to get some diapers and some Pepsi we then drove over to Turquoise Lake. We drove on Hagerman Pass, which is a dirt road. We ended up at my great-grandfathers old Marble mine. He passed it down to my mother when he passed away. She no longer owns it, but we all still wish she did. The state has since closed down the mine. At the mine the I found some beautiful pieces of basalt that show the lava flow. I also found some small pieces of marble as a special keepsake. It was neat being in a place with family history. It tends to make a place even more beautiful when you know the history.

Below: Going under the bridge before entering Redcliff. I could so totally handle living in Redcliff. It has changed a bit since I've been there last. It is a really small town tucked in between the rock cliffs. A few of the houses had picket fences, but the pickets were ski's rather than wood. Perfect! If I made a fence like that here I'm sure I'd have problems with the city. LOL I loved the look of them!  In case your wondering, yes, I did drive over that bridge and followed the road.

When at the top of "Battle Mountain" with cliff on one side. When you look down at the train in the valley it does look like an ant. Many people have died on this road in the winter time.

 Below: Climax Molybdenum Mine near Leadville, Co.

Below: The entrance to my great-grandfather's and then my mother's old marble mine.

Below: Leaving the marble mine. I took this picture from the car... yup, straight down from a narrow dirt road.

Posted in Colorado fun

Day 4

Today we all slept in. We also used this day to do much needed laundry and take showers. The laundry room at the campsite charged $1.75 per load and $1.50 to dry. Ikes! There was also NO soap, so the lady who owned the place offered us to use some of hers... she then charged us $4.00 to use enough soap for 4 loads. Outragous!

Just as our laundry was finishing drying the rain clouds were coming. My son and I carried the basket to the van and then, BOOM, total heavy rain hit. We both got drenched from the few steps it took to get to the trailer from the van.

My mom decided to take a nap. The kids and I sat at the table and read a bible story then we filled in Mad Libs to pass the time while it rained cats and dogs outside.

We survived the flash flood that the storm produced. The stream above us on the hill overflowed, but ended up flooding down the hill from us, so thankfully it didn't effect us to much. Down the way you could see the water coming down the hill into one of the other campers. The storm flooded the campsite's office with a foot and a half of mud as well as flooding their laundry room and two shower rooms. (The price for over charging, eh?)

The water totally filled up the street and our campsite as well. When we'd look outside it looked as if we lived on a river. Towards the end of the storm I went out to see how the underneath of the trailer was. We feared washout, but praise be to the Lord that the two rugs we had out there had caused the water to go around. I'm afraid that if we didn't have the rugs our campsite would have been totally washed out like the three next to us. (Pictured Below)

Dinner that night was old fashioned egg noodles, fried and crumbled bacon, alfredo sauce, mushrooms and shrimp all mixed together. It was quite tasty! Everything tastes better in the mountains!

Glory to God for His providence!

Posted in Colorado fun

The plan was to drive from Buena Vista and make a round trip starting with Independence Pass, then through Aspen, over to I-70 East then back over Battle Mountain to Leadville and back. Plans changed though when the time was 7:00 pm in Basalt. We turned around to go back over Independence Pass. The Pass is gorgeous at sunset!! I'm thankful we turned around.

Below: The top of Independence Pass on the first drive over. There are now paved walkways since I've last been up there. People cannot drive on the old jeep trail that is up there that leads to an old ghost town.

Below: Looking up from our picnic spot on the Aspen side of the pass.

Below: As I was getting back in the van to drive to Aspen I noticed this large mushroom. I love this picture!

Below: Still not quite to Aspen yet. We all had to stop for a potty break. After everyone was done we took a short hike.

Below: While hiking I noticed these mushrooms up on a hill. These ones are not edible! There was a man, I figure a chef from Aspen who was picking some of the other wild mushrooms (Not the orange ones). I noticed them in his basket as he was getting into his car and said a nice, "Oooooh, got some yummy mushrooms there." He smiled said, "Oh, yes." and looked thrilled that I knew my mushrooms.

My mother and I were shocked to see how big Aspen has grown. My aunt and uncle used to live up there and I'd spend weeks at a time with them. The whole valley to I-70 has really grown. Amazing. I never thought I'd run into rush our traffic in Aspen!

Below: On the way back up Independence Pass just before sunset. When we got to the top we were blessed with seeing a rainbow.

Below: See the rainbow? It was breath taking.... literally, as I tried running at 12,000+ feet altitude to snap a better picture of the rainbow before the sun went down.

Below: Sunset at the top of Independence Pass. It was stunning! It had also snowed up there while we were down the valley in Aspen.

Just as I drove to the bottom of the pass it was dark. I will never forget being up there at sunset. What a glorious show the Lord gave us that night!

Posted in Colorado fun

We spent seven glorious, wonderful days camping near Buena Vista, Colorado. My mother, my children and I all camped together. We had a great time! I enjoyed listening to my moms stories about when we lived in some of the different parts of the mountains.

Day 1

The first day camping consisted of setting up the camper. We really "roughed it" in the 5th wheel! It only served more like a base camp while we spent our days exploring and going back to some of our favorite places. Our campsite had a small but deep stream up the hill behind us. The kids enjoyed climbing the trees and making dirt roads for their hot wheel cars.

Day 2

We drove up Cottonwood pass. It was beautiful! The last time my mother had been up this pass was way back when it was only accessible with a 4WD vehicle. Back then it was really rough. Now it is all paved to the top only if you are traveling it from the East side. The west side of the pass, going down is all dirt. The summit is 12,000 + feet.

Below: (Next 2 pictures) At the Summit looking west right before the rain storm. If I had my backpack and more hiking gear I would of hiked over to some old mine tailings that we saw.

Below: Looking east. The way we drove up

Below: (next 3 pictures) On the way down we stopped for a short break so the dog could run around. There was a peaceful stream flowing. Oh, how I could stay here where the ground is covered in moss and other foliage. It had started to rain a bit and the blue flowers (3 down) would close up while it rained.

Once we got back down the pass we headed over to Cottonwood lake to look around. We found some wonderful camping spots that I'd like to go to in the, hopefully near, future!

Below: Road leaving Cottonwood lake. The aspen trees were gorgeous! We'll definatly go back when the aspens start turning in a few weeks from now. (I can't wait to go back!).

Posted in Colorado fun

Posted in Colorado fun

The days go by fast when your having fun!

Last week I led a rockhounding field trip. The kids found some nice pieces of Quartz. The children also found a lizzard. As quick as some of the kids were, the lizzard was quicker! He excaped some petting. Can you see the lizzard?

Over the weekend we helped the Gold Prospector's of Colorado by teaching gold panning at the 59th annual Burro Days in Fairplay, Colorado. When I help out, by nature I am drawn to helping the children learn how to pan. Gold is in them thar trough's... but so are sharks teeth, amethysts, topaz, turquoise, copper and other goodies. It was fun seeing the kids fill up their vials with other goodies besides the gold.

Posted in Colorado fun

This past week I had the pleasure of leading some local homeschoolers on a gold prospecting field trip. It was fun to see a bunch of children and their moms playing in the dirt. I taught a brief history of the area where we were prospecting, a bit about the Colorado Gold rush as well as how to find gold and how to pan for gold. One of the boys found a gold flake which then led on our own little "gold rush." Once the children found out where he was digging the others rushed with their shovels, buckets and pans to see if they too could find some color. Unfortunatly, in all our fun I forgot to take pictures! I even had the camera with me! I guess we'll all have to go again so I can get pictures.

Afterwards on our way to where my children and I were going to camp I did snap a few pictures of some Columbines (Colorado State Flower) and some buffalo.

Playing in the Reseviour: Squirt, ME, Boo, Peanut & Princess.

Posted in Colorado fun

I love the outdoors! Better yet, I love the Colorado mountains! (Gee, you've probably already figured that out by looking at all my previous posts.) I was born here, I grew up here. Lived in a few small mountain towns... my mother hiked mountains when she was pregnant with me. It's in my blood! If I get a chance to go gold prospecting, hiking, camping or just able to enjoy the greatness that is here in Colorado, I am there! It is amazing to see what you can find while hiking. I found some purple and yellow fluorite, some old bullets and some coins. One bullet has been petrified. It is the coolest!

Then I found....

Oh wait... I didn't find those kids.... they're mine! Later as we were walking we saw some sort of large animal in the distance. I *think* it was a deer because it *seemed* tall and it moved rather quickly. Although, it also looked like it had a long tail... Mountain Lion perhaps? It was quite a ways off in the distance so, we'll probably never know what it really was. By then it was getting late and we had to get back to the van so we turned around.

Below: The drive back home

Posted in Colorado fun

I hope you have enjoyed looking at all the pictures from our CO Adventures. I love summers in the Rockies. For the next month and a half we'll be in the mountains for various trips. 'Tis the life and more picture taking! Yeee Haw!

Below: On our way to Turquoise Lake near Leadville, Colorado. This was taken on Highway 24 between Deckers and Lake George. You can't quite see it in this picture, but there is a frog on a rock... its a rock that looks like a frog sitting on a rock. I've always called it "Frog Rock" since I was a child. The countless times I have driven by this, I never knew there was water down there. Camera's capture amazing things! (This was one of my drive-by photos... 50 mphs!)

Below: Turquoise Lake looking north-west. We drove around the lake which took us a few hours. We also looked for some turquoise. We didn't find any, but we did find some nice pieces of quartz and some pieces that looked like iron ore or gold ore. My hubby took this picture while I drove.

Below: Turquoise Lake looking East. Hubby took this picture.

Below: Ah, times of refreshing. This stream runs into the Lake. My hubby took this picture too. He takes great pictures!

 Below: I snapped this while the kids were throwing rocks in the lake. THank goodness there weren't any fisherman near us!

Below: On our way home at around 7:00 pm. This was a "drive-by" photo taken by me. It is of Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. I just love how the camera picked up the sun rays.

Below: Potty Break!! We decided to stop by Twin Lakes (Oh, the many times I have camped here) on the way home... drinking a lot of water and being around a lot water and a mini-van full of children... whew! I love how the rays showed up in the picture... I was hoping the camera would pick them up. On the other side of them mountains there is Aspen, Colorado... but first you have to go over Independence Pass.

Below: Dinner and sunset. We stopped off the side of the road to eat a late dinner. (8:00pm) The sunset was lovely in the heart of South Park! It was a Praise the Lord we stopped for dinner because when we started driving again it had hailed real hard in Hartsel. We would of been in the middle of it if we didn't stop. When we drove through Hartsel it looked like it had snowed.

Posted in Colorado fun

Eleven Mile Reservoir.

Below: left to right-  Princess, Hubby, Squirt, Peanut and Boo. The baby and myself not pictured.

 Below two pictures: A whooping crane and some ducks. The whooping crane ended up flying away after eating some fish... oh what a site it was too! His wing span was huge! He had black on the tips of his wings.

 Below: As we were leaving Eleven Mile there were wild flower patches all along the road. It was so nice to see the Indian Paint Brushes (orange) again. Since we've been in drought the last 5 years the Indian Paint Brushes had dissapeared in some places. The purple flowers are Snap Dragons. My hubby took this picture for me. I just love it! I also have it on my computer wall paper.

 After playing around at Eleven Mile we went over to Terryall to play there. We didn't want to go home. I have a new hobby, taking pictures while the car is going 30mph. It is so much fun and it is so neat to see how they come out. My pictures come out better than the ones I take standing still. Below, is one I took from the car. This is one of my hubbies favorite pictures. It looks like I spent hours waiting for the right light.

 Below: I want to live there! Such a peaceful valley. Think the owners would trade homes with me?

Still more fun coming...(even more pictures)

Posted in Colorado fun

It was a lovely morning. I didn't sleep as well as I hoped to in the cabin. I was either awakened to nurse the baby, a son having to potty, or coyotes howling. My mother later told me that during the night there was a child that screamed. It was one of those blood curdling screams and then after that the coyotes started howling. I didn't hear the scream, but I heard the howling. We figure the child could of been on the way to the potty and saw a pack of coyotes. Sounded more like the kid scared the creatures with his scream.

Below: Mount Harvard. This was taken near our cabins. 

 Below: Mount Yale. (Just to the right of the picture is a bit of Mount Harvard) I shot this on our way to breakfast. (Mount Yale is between Mt. Princeton and Mt. Harvard).

 Below: Mount Princeton. Just behind Mt. Princeton to the left (not in picture here) is Mt. White which is one of the mountains my mother hiked to the top while pregnant with me. No wonder I feel at home in the mountains!  Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale and Mt. Harvard are also known as "the Colegiate Peaks."

 Below: Cache Creek near Granite, Co. (pronounced Cash Creek) Cache Creek is in "The Lost Canyon". It is also a public place to go for gold panning. Years ago you could follow the road all the way down to pan, but since then the BLM bought the place and is trying to preserve the land there. The kids and I walked down to do some panning. (Where the trees are). However, when we got down there I looked up to see storm clouds so we had to hike back to the car. As we got to the car it started raining. (Yes, there is gold in them hills!)

 Below: Rocky Mountain Blue Bells and some other flower I do not know the name of. If you know, let me know!

 Below: At Cache Creek, hiking back up to the car. Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado.

After Cache Creek we decided to head over to Clear Creek, Vicksburg and Winfield, Co. (Ghost towns) 

Below: Belford Falls on Mount Belford near Clear Creek.

Below: Aspen trees. This picture didn't come out as nice as I would of liked, but at least you get the idea. Oh how peaceful.

After our day here we came home. However that was not the last of our adventures. The following Sunday the kids and I took my hubby up into the mountains for more fun family time. More pictures to come! Yeee Haw!

Posted in Colorado fun

The beginning's of our adventures. It all started last week. While my hubby was in California for a work related conference my mother took the kids and I for a two day, one night trip into the mountains. I had some gold claims that I wanted to check out for some future gold prospecting field trips that I am leading. All the places that we have gone over the past week and a half are places that I love. I grew up traveling around these parts with my parents as they taught rock hounding and gold prospecting... looks like I'm walking in their shoes.

Our drive started out along the Arkansas River heading west. Our destination was Buena Vista, Colorado.

1st three pictures: Arkansas River Valley between Canon City and Salida.

The Arkansas River. It was higher than normal due to the Forest Service draining Clear Creek Reservoir.

Below: One of the cabins we stayed in at the base of Mt. Harvard. My mother and my two oldest slept in one cabin. My 3 younger ones and myself slept in another cabin. (looks the same as in picture). The cabins were only one room with a bunk bed and a twin bed. No bathrooms. We had to walk to those... or 'go' behind the cabin.

I'm inside my cabin nursing my 10 month old, where I just happened to look at the wall next to the door to see... I admit that it gave me a good laugh!

More pictures to come for Day 2. Please leave a comment.

Posted in Colorado fun

Dear Nancy, On our way back from Breckenridge this weekend we had to stop for a potty break at Wilkerson pass rest area. While I was waiting for my daugher, I saw this...

I instantly thought of you. LOL. Different feeder than in your picture. It was around 6:00pm and it had just rained, so all sorts of critters were out! We also saw....

The "Real" South Park. The "land of many uses".

Posted in Colorado fun

It has been a slow, relaxing week thus far.  I've been doing some "spring" cleaning that has HAD to be done.

I am ready for summer. I am not ready for the heat though. I want to get out and do more hiking this summer, add in some camping trips and my life will be complete bliss! I'm itchin to get out and do some gold prospecting, rock hounding and yes, hug some trees. The bark on the Ponderosa Pine trees smell like vanilla. (The link should take you to a Wildflowers of Ponderosa Pine Forests coloring book.) 

Posted in Colorado fun

It snowed all day on Easter which I consider perfect weather.

Snow/Ice on sticking to the side of some bricks.

Snow/Ice on my aspen tree.