Life on the High Plains

For Irv's 60th birthday this year I wanted to give him something special so I surprised him with premium tickets to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.  Jillian and Brian were kind enough to let us join them for the three day event. You may have heard about recent flooding in Texas.  We had heard about it before we left, but didn't bother to take notice of where it was flooding.  We just assumed the coastline.  But no, it was Central Texas and it had been raining for days and days.  On the first day we couldn't enter our assigned parking lot because it was flooded and was apparently a big mud pot.  Luckily for us they diverted us over to the main parking lot which is paved. I tried to get Irv to take a trip up this tower that overlooks the track, but if you know Irv and heights then you know that this wasn't about to happen. With the premium seat package we got seats in three different locations for the three day...

It has been a month since I left Yellowstone for the season.  After leaving the Park through the south entrance we were treated to the beautiful colors of the Teton National Park. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this. Happy Skywatch Friday!

America's biggest bounce house was in Chandler a couple weekends ago while we were there.   Miss G's mom hinted to us that G is a huge bounce house fan so guess where we went. The place was huge and I really like how they had it set up.  The time slots were broken down by age group starting with toddlers in the morning and progressing to adults at night time.  I was very thankful that G did't have to be in there with the "big" kids. We arrived a little before G's time slot.   They had an alley for the kids to wait in with small bounce houses and a pit of balls. Before long it was time for Pappy and G to enter.  Everyone under 4 has to have a paying adult go in with them so guess who volunteered (besides socks are required and I wore sandals that day). Irv took the camera with him and took a few shots.  I waited outside in the tent where the grandparents hang out.  It was nice to get out of the sun....

The glorious sunrises are one of the best things about living on the high plains of Eastern Colorado.  They almost make up for the high winds, rattlesnakes, coyotes, prairie dogs, badgers, and dirt/dust that we live with. Have a great Skywatch Friday !

Last week I said goodbye to Yellowstone and my fellow rangers and headed home. This summer has been an absolute dream come true.  I can't believe I had the opportunity to wear the green and gray of the National Park Service and serve as a ranger in my beloved Yellowstone.  I hope that I've taught my daughters and grand kids that you're never too old to follow your dreams. My co-workers made me a going away card.  It has a lot of inside jokes that I won't bother to explain.  I'll treasure it always. After I finished my last shift Irv and I went out for celebratory dinner at Bullwinkle's in West Yellowstone.  It's one of the nicer restaurants in town and they have a delicious huckleberry margarita. I chose their signature dish--the elk ravioli.  It was fantastic! Irv chose the chicken fried steak.  It was also very tender and delicious. The next morning we got up early and prepared to move.  It takes a little while ...