Life on the High Plains

We took the new camper for a quick weekend trip last week. Beautiful skies here in Southern Colorado. A view of Pikes Peak from one of the trails. This beautiful wildflower is apparently a Blazing Star or Liatris Punctata. We were able to get out and enjoy the trails. Our dog, Aspen, is the world's happiest rock climber.  Any boulder we come across she has to jump on. iNat Classic tells me this is a Great Mullein.  Can't wait to see what it's bloom looks like. Maisy, the little dog, got a little tired at the end of our two mile adventure. Me in the midst of a scrub oak tunnel.  Any shade was appreciated. I told you Maisy was exhausted after our hike. This beauty was the only wildlife we encountered. There's nothing better than a campfire at night to go along with some star gazing. There's no better way to recharge than spending a couple days in nature. Linking with Skywatch Friday.  

Last weekend we went camping at Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado because it's a great place to kayak. The first day we launched the kayaks, but there was a little wind which was generating some white caps so we didn't stay too long.  The next day, however, was calm and smooth.  We got to explore some of our favorite coves. Linking with Skywatch Friday

The nature centers that I volunteer for do an excellent job of training for their volunteers.  This month the volunteer coordinator offered to lead some field trips into the parks to learn some of the wildflowers. First I have to tell you about this guy.  I was sitting at the front desk at Bear Creek with a saw a big ball of black fur coming off the nature trail.  My first thought was that a guest had taken their dog on an off limits trail.  It didn't take me long to realize that it was a bear!  I called the supervisor and she went out and followed to see where the bear was going while I stayed inside and kept the kids and senior citizens from running out after it.  It was a cool experience! The next day Irv and I joined a group of volunteers for the wildflower walk at Bear Creek.  I don't know much about flowers so I was glad to have a learning opportunity. I already can't remember the name of this one.  Maybe a Western Spiderwort? Of course ther...

 Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Wind is picking up as you can see by the whitecaps. Skies are getting darker and darker. Peaceful, unoccupied trail.  Then... ...it was time to get back to shelter! Linking with Skywatch Friday

We've lived in Colorado for 27 years and this year we finally made it to "Donkey Derby Days" in Cripple Creek. Cripple Creek and Victor saw their hay day during the gold rush years.  There's still an active gold mine in Victor.  These little donkeys could haul heavy loads up steep, narrow trails, or they could be used underground because of their petite size. When technology changed the donkey were just turned loose in the 1920s.  They roam the streets of Cripple Creek during the summer and in the winter they have a winter pasture. A non-profit was formed in 1931 (the Two Mile High Club) to provide for their care.  The donkeys are showcased in a couple festivals during the year.  One of them is Donkey Derby Days and this year we finally got to see the little cuties. We dressed for summer, but we wished we had worn long pants and jackets.  It was a little chilly at that altitude. Teams of two are assigned a donkey and they run from one end of the main street...