Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Another 14er

Pikes Peak is another 14er that you can drive to the top.  It is not far from Colorado Springs...just 30 minutes south of Castle Rock. 
It was a very steep 19 mile drive up the mountain. The only lakes around were a couple 3 reservoirs...and they were small in comparison to the ones we have seen when driving over Snoqualmie Pass.

It is still a trip to go above the tree line and see these massive rock sculptures and huge boulders all around. The very top made us think of the moon...a lot of big rocks laying around.
This is Sean...not much bigger than some of the rocks! But once his little feet hit the ground, he wanted to explore on his own!
Joel, Sadie and Sean LOVED climbing on the rocks and of course tried to jump from one rock to another. I so remember doing things like this at Mount Rainier National park. It was about 65 degrees F or so up there and there were some clouds in the sky, with the very common dark thunder-burst cloud creeping up to the south west of the summit.  Whenever anyone hikes tall mountains around here, you MUST be aware of the weather, lightening is very dangerous and it is not uncommon to have it strike the top of these giants.

Before we left, Kameron, Keno, Kaleb and Joel had to take a run around the  parking area.  It is such a crazy feeling, I guess...I opted out this time.  Kam said by the time you get half way around your legs have no energy.  I would have thought his lungs would have been burning, but no...there is no oxygen to go to the legs...so no energy.


                                                                                                                   


Here is the latest picture of Sean.  We still think he is the sweetest thing since cotton candy.  His new phrase, when he doesn't want someone or something to go away is, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"  We are certain he said Kameron's name the other night and his new favorite item is the dog or better heard as "gog". 

I thought the lichen on this rock was just beautiful against the red rock, complimented with sea-foam green and black.  Not that I'd decorate my house in these colors, but nature has a great eye for putting things together.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

It's a start...


The kids have been in school a week and a half now.  Our routine is beginning to settle in and homework is starting.  Sean and I have quiet-time during the day.  I say that because he doesn't make a lot of noise and the house seems really quiet. 


I have heard that moving is a great way to downsize and get rid of unwanted/needed things. I agree! This house has a lot of square feet, but there is something to be said about not having a ton of 'stuff'! I can get my house put back together each morning in very little time, and it usually stays that way. So nice! 

I have my very own art room...can hardly believe it myself.  Now I haven't actually done anything stupendous in it yet, but I have a place for MY stuff. I can leave something, unfinished, on my table and come back later and it has not been touched! Glorious! My art journal has several ideas put down on paper, I have bought some new colors of acrylic paint(thanks Lei...) and so I am slowly moving in that direction. 

Kameron and Kaleb have started XC and are finally adjusted to the elevation here. (6,224 ft).  Their first meets are on Thursday and Saturday.  Joel will be starting soccer and Sadie will be doing swim lessons.  

We hope to give everyone some time to voice their experiences and adventures here, so we'll see what this turns in to.