Today was our first training climb at the highest point in Alabama. Mt. Cheaha is around 2400’ high and they put a nice little state park all around it so flatlanders like us can experience some views and hiking. We are training to hike Pike’s Peak in June which will start around 6000’ and climb …
Travel
The weather is terrible this morning. Cold and rainy. Staying in and staying warm is on the agenda. One thing about going home is I can usually count on some of my favorite things. Seeing my Grandma and Grandpa are high on that list. What is it about the older I get, the more I …
After making the 3 hour trip to MS, we were greeted by my Momma stirring around in the kitchen, some great friends talking in the living room, and the sight of a pie on the counter. Sometimes, life is too good. She told me last week that she was inviting a couple from our home …
One of the most recognizable sounds around Christmas time is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. You’ve heard parts of their songs in commercials, movies, and stores/malls nationwide. I know I have but I did not know who they actually were until last Christmas when I heard one of their songs in a commercial. I found out more …
A few weeks ago, my favorite weather man, James Spann asked for volunteers to sign up to be part of an audience at a town hall meeting. We will be asked a variety of questions and our responses will be used in future research studies. The event is centered around April 27th tornadoes and those …
Times like this just speed by. A year ago, he couldn’t hold himself up in the chair. We had to prop him with blankets. Now he’s feeding himself and can tell his Mommy if he doesn’t appreciate her dietary efforts. A year ago, we propped him up on the pumpkin so I could get some …
It’s been almost 3 months since that horrible day in April. And in these past 3 months, a lot of good has been going on down here. People are still coming to The Slab of our church foundation to get meals and supplies, and we will be there until. Many people have used this tragedy …
Last day in Yellowstone Frozen lake in June Pools Grand Teton lake Old Faithful The one day I didn’t wear a hat The house we rented for a week. The balloon on the morning we all packed up and went in 3 different directions even though we all live within an hour of each …
When we decided to do a big family trip this year, my brother in law told me about 50 times “don’t forget your camera! I want to see a bear and you to get a picture for me”. I wasn’t going to tell him that if I was going out west, the camera bag would …
Look who joined us outside the house for breakfast. We saw this mother deer each morning and a couple of nights. She had twins the day we left. More bears! Bison Amazing canyon Dragon mouth pool. It sounded like a dragon roar. This geyser is in a cove and each time gasses came to the …
So when I found out the origin of the name Grand Teton, I embraced my inner middle school mentality and laughed and giggled. This is from wiki. The origin of the current name is controversial. The most common explanation is that “Grand Teton” means “large teat” in French Bahahahaahahahahahahaa. Leave it to the French to …
After a long day of traveling, all I have to show for it is this: Rainstorm Antelope, but it’s a girl and I guess girls are substandard since they don’t have horns. I thought she was pretty anyway. Cupcake from Breckenridge and hotel cappuccino. It’s hard to believe just a few hours earlier, I …
After we waived goodbye to Telluride, we travelled over the river, through the woods, a little carsickness from reading Kindle over 10,000ft passes, and quietly landed in Breckenridge. Whew! What a day. Cottonwood Pass The winds make these cool structures in the snow. That was pretty much the the whole day. Driving. Snow. Great …
On our first day, as we sat during lunch and looked at the views, Stephen saw this scene and casually said “I wonder how far that zig-zag trail goes”? THAT zig zag trail leading up to that waterfall and beyond. Well, we found out. Far. But oh so much fun getting there. Street view of …
Rico is a small town outside of Telluride. After our last trip, we decided to stay out from town and make use of the various lakes (fishing) and trails (hiking) that we did not try last time. Built in 1925 as a resting place for the employees of the Rico Argentine Mining Company, the Rico …
We knew from the day before, that we had about a 10 mile hike ahead of us. We packed enough supplies for a full day hike, filled our water bottles, grabbed the trekking poles, and set off for the top of Alta lakes in the San Juan Mountains. While enjoying this beautiful scenery and hiking …
There are a couple of legendary stories of the origin of Telluride. Ask any native to the town and you’ll usually get a combination of these two stories. 1. This is a town that got its beginning in the gold rush era. And it was actually more successful in silver mining. But due to it’s …
Sigh Due to some wildfires, the whole day was a hazy shade of yuk. This is what today looks like on top of my favorite mountain, Pike’s Peak. Fortunately, I have pictures from the previous two years at Pike’s. This is what it is supposed to look like (2010 picture) There is snow in …
This is the third year that I’ve sat in the HoJo in Colorado Springs looking at my favorite mountain and taking a great big sigh of contentment. I’m not sure how it’s planned this way, but it seems we always start out going to Pike’s Peak. It’s almost like a good luck charm from hundreds …
Colorado. In less than a few hours, I’ll be on a plane headed back to my favorite state (not counting my home and family states, of course). Since I can’t sleep, I’m going to do a quick don’t blink or you’ll miss it review of the past few days. It’s a big ol’ mixed up …