Life on the High Plains

We did a lot of hiking in Yellowstone this summer.  One of my favorites was the Natural Bridge Trail located near the Lake Village.  It was about 3 miles roundtrip.  Most of the trail is an old road--cars used to be allowed, but that was discontinued years ago to help preserve the area.  Hiking across the top of the bridge is also prohibited to help preserve the arch. Stunning! We did this hike at dusk and forgot the bug spray which helped to hasten our pace as we tried to out run the mosquitoes.  We only encountered a handful of people which made it very delightful. Happy Skywatch Friday!

It's been a rough couple of weeks around here and I've been neglecting my blog.  Life has to go back to "normal" though so I need to give my blog the attention it needs. We decided to have a quiet and restful weekend because we've been on the go for what seems like forever.  However, we had a bunch of yard work to take care of.  The weeds were overtaking us so we had to get to work.  We also had a pile of rocks that were leftover from the tons of rock we had delivered last summer.  After putting those rocks in all our flowerbeds, around the barn and everywhere else we could think of we still had a small pile left.  Because of all the rain this summer we've had some erosion in our driveway that was calling for some rocks. So we moved them. Wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow. Until they were dispersed to the end of our driveway and around the cement pad for our garage. It looks so much better now don't you think? Do you know what Irv said...

On a recent trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons we were lucky to see a variety of critters.                   Have you seen any magnificent critters lately?   Happy Skywatch Friday!  

Wow!  What a roller coaster we've been on the last few days.  Irv's dad had been ill for the last several months and about 2 1/2 weeks ago we were told he had cancer throughout his body.  We were told he had about 3 to 6 months to live.  Well, Irv had gone to Albuquerque right after our vacation to spend time with him.  Last Friday we flew to South Dakota to attend the Norgaard and Anderson family reunions with my dad and then we planned to come to Albuquerque to visit with Irv's dad for a couple days. Well, not long after landing in South Dakota we got the call that Irv's dad had passed away.  Although we knew the time was coming, it was still devastating news.  First we called our daughters to tell them personally before something showed up on Facebook, then we called the airlines and made arrangements to fly back to Denver so we could join the family in Albuquerque. I don't know what is worse, knowing that Irv's dad has left his earthly life or ...

We rented a 4-seat ATV a couple weeks ago in Jackson Hole, WY and took it out for a spin near the Gros Ventre wilderness. In 1925 an abundance of rain and melting snow brought 50,000,000 cubic feet of rocks, mud, and debris down the side of the mountain creating a natural dam on the Gros Ventre River.  That slide created the five mile long Lower Slide Lake (that's my future ranch on the opposite shore).   Mr. Beans is way too cool to admit this was a fun day. Don't tell anyone, but he actually got to do some of the driving. I just enjoyed the ride and took time to photograph the beautiful scenery, especially the abundance of wildflowers.     When I did get the chance to drive the boys yelled at me for going too fast and finding all the mud holes (see the mud on the windscreen and helmets).  Isn't that what you're supposed to do with an ATV?  Sissy boys! Away from the hustle and bustle of the high density tour...

I was cleaning out my email recently and came across a couple pictures that the "in-laws" had mailed to me.  They reminded me of some really good times. This is the crew at the Cooperage restaurant in Albuquerque a couple years ago.  We had all gathered to celebrate something...a few birthdays, anniversary, graduation, bar mitzvah, who knows?   With a family of this size there is almost always something to celebrate. When I look at this photo a couple thoughts come to mind. 1)  Look at all those boys.  Their house must have been chaos when they were growing up.  Even now it seems to be a contest as to who can talk the loudest and who can come up with the biggest stories. 2)  The poor ladies of that household--Leslie and Mom.  Leslie has five older brothers (I don't think I need to say anything else about that).  Mom, I don't know how you managed to keep your sanity.  One very active grandson was all I could handle.  Every ...

Summer is now 2/3rd over and I haven't posted anything about my veggie patch.  Well, what can I say?  It's August and we've yet to have any typical summer weather.  It's been cold, rainy, and overcast plus we've had a lot of hail.  Only a handful of "warm" days. My yard has loved this weather except for the willow on the far right.  It took a hard hit with a hail storm during the first part of summer and has never recovered.  We now look like we have this massive front yard with luscious green grass. Same for the backyard which goes all the way out to the barn.  Of course what I'm not showing you are the weeds that are about to overtake us.  They too have loved the cool, wet weather. One of my whiskey barrels has done quite well while the flowers in the other drowned because of too much water. These bushes by my driveway are thriving.  I wish I knew what they are because I love them!  Anyone know? All the lilie...

Yesterday I participated in a local "Run for Rwanda".  This run is put on by the International Anglican Church to support a hospital and school in the village of Kibali, Rwanda.  A great cause.  I didn't put a whole lot of effort into finding someone to go with me.  I asked Mary, but she wasn't interested, Jillian was judging a horse show in Durango, and Irv was working so I made the decision to go by myself. All of our races are documented with a group photo.  Since it was just me this time I took my first selfie.  I have to admit this made me feel a little silly.  Taking a picture of yourself just feels unnatural and well...kinda weird, but here it is. I always like to arrive at a race at least 30 minutes early.  Why?  To make sure I can find a parking spot and to make sure I know where the starting line is.  This is what the race area should look like 30 minutes before a race.  In Idaho Falls when we arrived at the ra...