tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443605503228131702012-02-01T21:02:37.994-08:00daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.comBlogger3921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-63500365244601206042012-01-29T13:04:00.000-08:002012-01-29T13:12:36.306-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEvQ9bbW230/TyW0luUepgI/AAAAAAAAIdo/pJzPK-XBjtU/s1600/IMG_1994-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEvQ9bbW230/TyW0luUepgI/AAAAAAAAIdo/pJzPK-XBjtU/s320/IMG_1994-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703163063316686338" border="0" /></a>One place that is fun to go to is Walden Ponds. We went there a little while back to look for some water birds. The one we went after evaded us but we enjoyed the show of some other birds. This first photo shows an American Widgeon with a couple of Coots.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LWDyNTDDyc/TyW0lXLJYaI/AAAAAAAAIdU/1y91PXfwNco/s1600/IMG_1999-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9LWDyNTDDyc/TyW0lXLJYaI/AAAAAAAAIdU/1y91PXfwNco/s320/IMG_1999-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703163057103528354" border="0" /></a>The second photo is a nice one of a Coot chewing on a veggie he pulled from the bottom of the pond.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Jp0RSDo9yw/TyW0lcNglVI/AAAAAAAAIdM/rp6WHSbzp38/s1600/IMG_2001-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Jp0RSDo9yw/TyW0lcNglVI/AAAAAAAAIdM/rp6WHSbzp38/s320/IMG_2001-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703163058455614802" border="0" /></a>Nothing as funny as dabbling. That is, a duck or goose turning bottom up to find some goodies on the bottom. So, this photo is of a silly Canada Goose and a American Widgeon. Nice.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-riMJ9hu5o_U/TyW0mGnEIiI/AAAAAAAAIdw/JVMNGEO59bA/s1600/IMG_2018-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-riMJ9hu5o_U/TyW0mGnEIiI/AAAAAAAAIdw/JVMNGEO59bA/s320/IMG_2018-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703163069837091362" border="0" /></a>And the bonus bird. This bird is from California over Thanksgiving. A Juniper Titmouse. Just a nice bird to look at.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6350036524460120604?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-56843964067747782292012-01-29T12:56:00.000-08:002012-01-29T13:03:59.615-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu197AngEhY/TyWyz43R3qI/AAAAAAAAIcY/-lyK_SdF4kA/s1600/IMG_2222-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu197AngEhY/TyWyz43R3qI/AAAAAAAAIcY/-lyK_SdF4kA/s320/IMG_2222-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703161107641917090" border="0" /></a>A few additional backyard bird shots. Highlighted are photos of "Curly Bill". He's a Flicker who visits and has an out-of-alignment bill. Because of this, the bill grow in an improper fashion, and they grow long. We've not seen him in the last week and are hoping he's doing well.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK6MxuztnAg/TyWyz69a_BI/AAAAAAAAIco/9VoKLAK5jZc/s1600/IMG_2159-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK6MxuztnAg/TyWyz69a_BI/AAAAAAAAIco/9VoKLAK5jZc/s320/IMG_2159-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703161108204551186" border="0" /></a>We recently had a Cooper's Hawk in the backyard. We watched him for 30 minutes or so as he eyed our "pet" rats that live below our lower deck. The rats have been there since the deck was remodeled.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gcLszojBPk/TyWy0EVT5fI/AAAAAAAAIc0/hz21WhpFpz0/s1600/IMG_1961-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gcLszojBPk/TyWy0EVT5fI/AAAAAAAAIc0/hz21WhpFpz0/s320/IMG_1961-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703161110720669170" border="0" /></a>As we thought may happened, the hawk in the flash of an eye, swooped down and pulled one of the rats from a tiny squeeze spot and dined. We've not seen the other rat since (though he was there that day). Not sure if he moved on or the hawk returned later for a snack.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAkPG_5VS18/TyWyzgr6UkI/AAAAAAAAIcQ/pF8Zh5CzFfQ/s1600/IMG_2225-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kAkPG_5VS18/TyWyzgr6UkI/AAAAAAAAIcQ/pF8Zh5CzFfQ/s320/IMG_2225-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703161101151785538" border="0" /></a>The next bird is just a big fluffy Eurasian Collared Dove. They are standard backyard visitors. Quiet and pretty. They are starting to call more signaling the return of Spring.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwJ3SgEOJs8/TyWy0ZgEftI/AAAAAAAAIc8/H9kTTDhUi9Q/s1600/IMG_1793-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwJ3SgEOJs8/TyWy0ZgEftI/AAAAAAAAIc8/H9kTTDhUi9Q/s320/IMG_1793-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703161116402941650" border="0" /></a>And finally, a pretty Kestrel that was hanging around out back recently. These birds have always reminded me of parakeets on steroids.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5684396406774778229?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-90915745710888938412012-01-29T12:50:00.000-08:002012-01-29T12:55:57.890-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ5FyRq0XfU/TyWxtr-b9cI/AAAAAAAAIbw/Fq_zHoAPyi0/s1600/IMG_2543-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ5FyRq0XfU/TyWxtr-b9cI/AAAAAAAAIbw/Fq_zHoAPyi0/s320/IMG_2543-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159901591434690" border="0" /></a>It's an irruption year for Snowy Owls. That is, they are far further south than they generally go. There are two that have been seen repeatedly in Brighton, about 30 miles east of here near Barr Lake.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tWRhnbrg3I/TyWxtYoB0JI/AAAAAAAAIbo/Urf3XmKlBwA/s1600/IMG_2552-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tWRhnbrg3I/TyWxtYoB0JI/AAAAAAAAIbo/Urf3XmKlBwA/s320/IMG_2552-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159896397172882" border="0" /></a>We headed on on the 21st (and again on the 28th) in search of these birds. We were thwarted both times. And yesterday we learned that one had been hit by a car. Totally rural place and some speeder took out a huge snowy owl in the middle of the day. Jerk.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYiPwFI_p8/TyWxtsjhi9I/AAAAAAAAIb4/nFht03eMEDw/s1600/IMG_2525-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYiPwFI_p8/TyWxtsjhi9I/AAAAAAAAIb4/nFht03eMEDw/s320/IMG_2525-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159901746990034" border="0" /></a>While we didn't see the Owls, we did see other nice birds. Many Bald Eagles. Dave got a nice series of photos of one Bald Eagle with a fish in his talons. Also saw immature Bald Eagles, Kestrals, Geese and other assorted birds. Though the weather was less than ideal, it was nice to get out.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOpViPz4cuM/TyWxWNkdncI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/vttftglagPQ/s1600/IMG_2580-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOpViPz4cuM/TyWxWNkdncI/AAAAAAAAIbQ/vttftglagPQ/s320/IMG_2580-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159498292436418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3DFx2ijSVs/TyWxVz2OmzI/AAAAAAAAIbA/vcb65c1-7pk/s1600/IMG_2609-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3DFx2ijSVs/TyWxVz2OmzI/AAAAAAAAIbA/vcb65c1-7pk/s320/IMG_2609-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159491387628338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2OqmOusck/TyWxV64Er1I/AAAAAAAAIa0/JX9X0sgbY5o/s1600/IMG_2610-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2OqmOusck/TyWxV64Er1I/AAAAAAAAIa0/JX9X0sgbY5o/s320/IMG_2610-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159493274414930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zazJH_4MpM/TyWxVpz-S2I/AAAAAAAAIas/9Sh3jFz0CTU/s1600/IMG_2641-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zazJH_4MpM/TyWxVpz-S2I/AAAAAAAAIas/9Sh3jFz0CTU/s320/IMG_2641-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159488693816162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xaeEh72KlUQ/TyWxWa292zI/AAAAAAAAIbY/cpZWHxAh8yw/s1600/IMG_2578-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xaeEh72KlUQ/TyWxWa292zI/AAAAAAAAIbY/cpZWHxAh8yw/s320/IMG_2578-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703159501859707698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-9091574571088893841?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-36973106067189218722012-01-29T12:39:00.001-08:002012-01-29T12:49:51.959-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3MOvmej2Nw/TyWvjShzOUI/AAAAAAAAIac/D1XGiePgT7Y/s1600/IMG_0214-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3MOvmej2Nw/TyWvjShzOUI/AAAAAAAAIac/D1XGiePgT7Y/s320/IMG_0214-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157523938490690" border="0" /></a>Some small excursions we thought we'd share. This one is very very small. As in walking across the street to the duck pond small. Seems we have a population of ducks and Canada Geese hanging out for the winter.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_DFLSNs224/TyWu6HI71dI/AAAAAAAAIYc/eVA1lw9Mp9k/s1600/IMG_0246-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_DFLSNs224/TyWu6HI71dI/AAAAAAAAIYc/eVA1lw9Mp9k/s320/IMG_0246-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703156816506770898" border="0" /></a>We head over with some bread and before even settling in, here they come. Many catch tossed bread (wheat) in their mouths. Others are not shy to just climb aboard to get (steal) bread.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xULM8QSoCYw/TyWu7fKWJwI/AAAAAAAAIZM/1ev1OQGJO4k/s1600/IMG_2426-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xULM8QSoCYw/TyWu7fKWJwI/AAAAAAAAIZM/1ev1OQGJO4k/s320/IMG_2426-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703156840135010050" border="0" /></a>They are not mean, but they do have a bite. And clearly flesh looks a bit like wheat bread. This particular day, Dave left the pond with a bleeding ear. A Mallard got excited by what he thought was a piece of bread on the side of Dave's head.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRgEe86gs1k/TyWvjKKC8cI/AAAAAAAAIaU/QMeoUfKZ3-0/s1600/IMG_0227-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRgEe86gs1k/TyWvjKKC8cI/AAAAAAAAIaU/QMeoUfKZ3-0/s320/IMG_0227-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157521691374018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0MsTtzJsGU/TyWvTMyomqI/AAAAAAAAIZ4/JQepuK5sQLw/s1600/IMG_2252-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0MsTtzJsGU/TyWvTMyomqI/AAAAAAAAIZ4/JQepuK5sQLw/s320/IMG_2252-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157247520578210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TytLGJKJrc/TyWvSz9m2kI/AAAAAAAAIZs/o-mriQPEnqA/s1600/IMG_2299-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TytLGJKJrc/TyWvSz9m2kI/AAAAAAAAIZs/o-mriQPEnqA/s320/IMG_2299-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157240855714370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WN8YmSX9E9E/TyWvS0yravI/AAAAAAAAIZg/UQcXfgx1bEg/s1600/IMG_2324-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WN8YmSX9E9E/TyWvS0yravI/AAAAAAAAIZg/UQcXfgx1bEg/s320/IMG_2324-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157241078311666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NW5J5BBjjB4/TyWvSiiIYVI/AAAAAAAAIZY/ygXLhnnZLu0/s1600/IMG_2410-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NW5J5BBjjB4/TyWvSiiIYVI/AAAAAAAAIZY/ygXLhnnZLu0/s320/IMG_2410-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157236177068370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewObeNrVXQw/TyWvTaOMxYI/AAAAAAAAIaE/7BYF2pc4pG8/s1600/IMG_0289-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewObeNrVXQw/TyWvTaOMxYI/AAAAAAAAIaE/7BYF2pc4pG8/s320/IMG_0289-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703157251125855618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JYXeAkFsSI/TyWu6_-i8EI/AAAAAAAAIZA/A-h-UVr85a4/s1600/IMG_2451-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JYXeAkFsSI/TyWu6_-i8EI/AAAAAAAAIZA/A-h-UVr85a4/s320/IMG_2451-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703156831764017218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmXQ5QdCjWU/TyWu68Sx3VI/AAAAAAAAIY0/sYj3tFnT0Lo/s1600/IMG_0200.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmXQ5QdCjWU/TyWu68Sx3VI/AAAAAAAAIY0/sYj3tFnT0Lo/s320/IMG_0200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703156830775139666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqbp6fOsVsw/TyWu6QGZkSI/AAAAAAAAIYo/r9XWRx_6Cjo/s1600/IMG_0220-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqbp6fOsVsw/TyWu6QGZkSI/AAAAAAAAIYo/r9XWRx_6Cjo/s320/IMG_0220-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703156818912055586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3697310606718921872?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-28097399904542982212012-01-14T07:44:00.000-08:002012-01-14T08:28:44.296-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH6eku1xB68/TxGkWxyLtwI/AAAAAAAAIX4/YZHf05cYkvg/s1600/11%2Bdays%2Bold.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH6eku1xB68/TxGkWxyLtwI/AAAAAAAAIX4/YZHf05cYkvg/s320/11%2Bdays%2Bold.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697515714828285698" border="0"></a>My last post is so not reflective of how things have been here. I noted Ferne's passing but what wasn't clear was the heart break it's caused me. He was my baby.<br /><br />The first time I saw him was in his egg. Through a technique called candling (a candle is not involved) I could see him developing in his egg. It was right them I started loving him.<br /><br />His parents were first time parents, and like many first-time moms, Lilac stopped caring for Ferne when he was only days old. So I took him out of the nest and raised him myself. This was before his eyes were open. Before he could hold himself up. Before his ears opened. Before his bill had formed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I53Jpe5yxr8/TxGkXJQvPVI/AAAAAAAAIYE/FsVVZQnMi0A/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2B12_11_2011%2BParrot%2BPortraits%2B%252814%2529.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I53Jpe5yxr8/TxGkXJQvPVI/AAAAAAAAIYE/FsVVZQnMi0A/s320/Copy%2Bof%2B12_11_2011%2BParrot%2BPortraits%2B%252814%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697515721130458450" border="0"></a><br /><br />I was there when his eyes first opened. (And I was with him when they last closed). The first photos is of Ferne at 11 days old. His bright happy eyes and smile were already apparent - even before he grew any feathers. Here he was learning to stand and walk. He'd toddle around. Beautiful.<br /><br />He was the most polite, gentle, happy and loving bird. Each parrot is completely different. They can be rascals and test patience. Or be loud. Or destructive. But Ferne was just a gentle, quiet loving boy. He was a delicate eater and so thoughtful (except when it came to warm tea - he wasn't as sharing about that). He never deviated from this sweet self.<br /><br />This period has shown me that we are really no different than apes or other animals. It's because the words we have to express our feelings are so blunt and flat and unable to *really* express our feelings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odhWQ37gHcc/TxGkXk9RS2I/AAAAAAAAIYQ/60dIT1noi50/s1600/IMG_4392.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-odhWQ37gHcc/TxGkXk9RS2I/AAAAAAAAIYQ/60dIT1noi50/s320/IMG_4392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697515728564996962" border="0"></a>Ferne was cremated on January 3rd and came home on January 5th. I am so happy to have his remains home. I want very much to believe his soul is here too. Not knowing where *he* is has been a terribly hard part of this.<br /><br />The other birds are confused. Clover is stunned. Gabbie is angry. He has been searching for Ferne and is just angry he can't find him. Grace is her normal quiet little self. And Henri - well it's breeding season here so all he wants is to do mating dances for me. He's very Henri.<br /><br />Thanks to all our friends who sent cards and flowers and emails and donations to humane societies. They really do mean a lot. And they make me realize that I had no idea in the past how to deal with folks suffering losses like this. I'm sorry if I've ever appeared uncaring before. I wasn't, I just didn't know how to handle it.<br /><br />Some additional thoughts.<br /><br />1. Don't stop mentioning Ferne's name or talking about him. A great fear his death reveals is forgetting about him. I don't want to forget his sounds, his smells, his actions - nothing. I love hearing his name and I want the stories and photos and thoughts. They are priceless to me, and while you might see tears, there is great happiness in them. And it shows he's remembered.<br /><br />2. Take photos. I immediately gathered up all my photos of Ferne and have them in one place. Yeah, I cry when I look at them, but I also smile and have joy seeing him. I have a lot of photos, but I wish I had more. Taking photos is so easy now - don't forget to do it. <br /><br />3. AND take photos of you with your loved ones. I am shocked that I have only a handful of me with Ferne. I was always taking photos of him, not us. I regret not doing it more. <br /><br />4. AND take videos. I have only two from 17.5 years. Two. One is on Dave's camera (I'll get it posted soon). The other is of him as an infant on a VHS tape and I'm waiting for Dave to convert it. I'm too afraid to put it in the VHS machine for fear it'll eat the tape and it'll be lost forever. Having only two videos in all that time is inexcusable and another regret.<br /><br />I am still trying to find the photo album of Ferne as an infant. It is also where his egg shell is (yes, like his first feathers, and the last feathers he molted, I have these things). I want to put his shell and feathers with his remains. I'll post more photos later.<br /><br />I'll try to get back on track posting some blogs. It's been hard finding energy to do that (or much) though. Thank goodness Dave has been here for this. He did all the heavy lifting during this time. I've not been able to much.<br /><br />I'm so thankful I've been sick and grounded since July. It's been frustrating, but think about it - if I'd been well, I would have been gone on the bike, climbing and playing. Instead, I've spent so much more time with the birds here at the house. To have this time with Ferne (and the others) during the last 5-6 months of his life is a great gift. <br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-2809739990454298221?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-29164966442969497752011-12-31T18:03:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:06:34.111-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y3ViQsbto4/Tv-_aJIFi-I/AAAAAAAAIXs/zTZINehVfpk/s1600/IMG_9992.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y3ViQsbto4/Tv-_aJIFi-I/AAAAAAAAIXs/zTZINehVfpk/s320/IMG_9992.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692478909866937314" /></a><br />Ferne (5/18/1994 to 12/31/2011) died this morning at 10:45am. We were home with him and I was able to hold him as he died. It was very fast - like under a minute - and he was gone. <br /><br />Later I'll post a bunch of his baby photos. For now, I offer this one - taken about two weeks ago. He was a gentle jolly bird. We'll miss him terribly.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-2916496644296949775?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-44091158890697901102011-12-25T12:31:00.000-08:002011-12-25T12:35:14.022-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0pRobo9PbY/TveIgms4LpI/AAAAAAAAIXU/ZOMcG5NPRDw/s1600/IMG_7696.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0pRobo9PbY/TveIgms4LpI/AAAAAAAAIXU/ZOMcG5NPRDw/s320/IMG_7696.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690166747931881106" /></a>Cats are like heat seeking missiles. One ray of sunshine and they are on it! Here are some nice photos of Pente in that one ray of sunshine, near the fireplace, following the gift opening. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZPPa6_6_UU/TveIgdeGqrI/AAAAAAAAIXI/cJfGVd4HHOo/s1600/IMG_7694.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZPPa6_6_UU/TveIgdeGqrI/AAAAAAAAIXI/cJfGVd4HHOo/s320/IMG_7694.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690166745453996722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiEasPV1odI/TveIg-IuAOI/AAAAAAAAIXc/Uvq8K53bfj0/s1600/IMG_7698.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiEasPV1odI/TveIg-IuAOI/AAAAAAAAIXc/Uvq8K53bfj0/s320/IMG_7698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690166754222670050" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-4409115889069790110?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-66395208005956636082011-12-25T12:01:00.001-08:002011-12-25T12:28:55.272-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WShcq2d6Qmw/TveE9aT4idI/AAAAAAAAIWg/ee1hCnCu38k/s1600/IMG_7688.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WShcq2d6Qmw/TveE9aT4idI/AAAAAAAAIWg/ee1hCnCu38k/s320/IMG_7688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690162844775516626" border="0" /></a>Christmas morning here started as most mornings. Up. Tea. Feeding and watering the birds (plus the new twice daily serving of warm oatmeal. Still trying to fatten - without cholesterol - Ferne). Then we settled in to open the gifts. Lots of nice items exchanged and received.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFXuNk-9NaI/TveEunoEqyI/AAAAAAAAIWA/ecL_m8OWpZ8/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uFXuNk-9NaI/TveEunoEqyI/AAAAAAAAIWA/ecL_m8OWpZ8/s320/IMG_7685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690162590651820834" border="0" /></a>Dave received a 70m Mammut Infinity rope. I couldn't find bipattern, but it'll do just the same. It's already coiled and waiting for it's first use. If all this snow would melt, he'll be out I'm sure. I received what I asked for from Santa - my Christmas facial gift certificate and a heart rate monitor that goes with my super duper bike computer. Just like my computer downloads all data about my rides, it will now download heart rate during it. Right now, I only ride on the trainer, but in no time the weather will be nice and safe enough to get back on the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bmHjRIg9CU/TveEuOv7YrI/AAAAAAAAIV4/WYGd-h_ZTrg/s1600/IMG_7684.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bmHjRIg9CU/TveEuOv7YrI/AAAAAAAAIV4/WYGd-h_ZTrg/s320/IMG_7684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690162583973880498" border="0" /></a>Lots of other goodies included some tools from my parents. And Dave's mom sent a cat toy. It is supposed to go on a door knob. I couldn't help but try...I learned Pente's head is bigger than a doorknob. She makes great faces!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ISWU6uwYes/TveEt2bDgoI/AAAAAAAAIVs/Hp5Ytd-FCsY/s1600/IMG_7683.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ISWU6uwYes/TveEt2bDgoI/AAAAAAAAIVs/Hp5Ytd-FCsY/s320/IMG_7683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690162577443881602" border="0" /></a>As always, Pente loved it all. Lots of new surfaces to sit on. Things to swat at. Boxes to scratch. We received a drinking bird that had a short but happy life. She was interested in it before it met its tragic end. I took it to the kitchen, got it a glass with water, gave it a drink, the liquid filled body swung back, tapped the glass, and shattered sending green liquid all over in an instant. Glad I wasn't on the carpet still!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6o6OSLoCng/TveEt-Bn1LI/AAAAAAAAIVk/fxVMe4B2_GQ/s1600/IMG_7675.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6o6OSLoCng/TveEt-Bn1LI/AAAAAAAAIVk/fxVMe4B2_GQ/s320/IMG_7675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690162579484693682" border="0" /></a><br />Dave ended up withe three new shirts. An FBI shirt, fleece and a Prana shirt I got. Only the Prana needs to be returned as it's too small.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtKk6G88SRM/TveHBVSTPiI/AAAAAAAAIW8/LVPcsX1eXho/s1600/IMG_7687.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtKk6G88SRM/TveHBVSTPiI/AAAAAAAAIW8/LVPcsX1eXho/s320/IMG_7687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690165111169433122" border="0" /></a>Lots of other nice goodies, including a Keurig coffee maker and coffees, the full set of JackAss (movies), coasters, ornaments, a scarf, very neat Brighton charms (frog and two sparklies) and a nice critter hat. I wear it as I type this blog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7KvLbVlFH8/TveDvZQrbkI/AAAAAAAAIVM/uq4rFQwWK8M/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F7KvLbVlFH8/TveDvZQrbkI/AAAAAAAAIVM/uq4rFQwWK8M/s320/IMG_7668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690161504463842882" border="0" /></a>Nice morning. Now things are cleaned up, and we are both fading. Dave wants to go for a walk. I want to take a nap. Hopefully it stays a nice, relaxing day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOWCGdkwaq4/TveDvLztuiI/AAAAAAAAIVA/mg5EsIkR-yM/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOWCGdkwaq4/TveDvLztuiI/AAAAAAAAIVA/mg5EsIkR-yM/s320/IMG_7666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690161500852697634" border="0" /></a>Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-488YnmjHPio/TveDugm64jI/AAAAAAAAIU0/h8YkpkL3fXs/s1600/IMG_7664.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-488YnmjHPio/TveDugm64jI/AAAAAAAAIU0/h8YkpkL3fXs/s320/IMG_7664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690161489256309298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ASsk5bU-_I/TveDuaheBKI/AAAAAAAAIUo/vUKPhE5zaWs/s1600/IMG_7663.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ASsk5bU-_I/TveDuaheBKI/AAAAAAAAIUo/vUKPhE5zaWs/s320/IMG_7663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690161487622833314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oX8Fe0pArXQ/TveDvh8uRSI/AAAAAAAAIVY/e02Jwx8cIgk/s1600/IMG_7670.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oX8Fe0pArXQ/TveDvh8uRSI/AAAAAAAAIVY/e02Jwx8cIgk/s320/IMG_7670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690161506796061986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8z0VE2fMPw/TveCtmUjKbI/AAAAAAAAIUE/FoLuGCoN03M/s1600/IMG_7661.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8z0VE2fMPw/TveCtmUjKbI/AAAAAAAAIUE/FoLuGCoN03M/s320/IMG_7661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690160374098373042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rg5I4MWEIxQ/TveCtfkKx6I/AAAAAAAAIT8/VW-kcyMJj-s/s1600/IMG_7657.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rg5I4MWEIxQ/TveCtfkKx6I/AAAAAAAAIT8/VW-kcyMJj-s/s320/IMG_7657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690160372284835746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwKEsK58Hrs/TveCtNrmGFI/AAAAAAAAITw/C4cywwK61vY/s1600/IMG_7654.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lwKEsK58Hrs/TveCtNrmGFI/AAAAAAAAITw/C4cywwK61vY/s320/IMG_7654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690160367484147794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76qA9hBxOrA/TveCs9YLnSI/AAAAAAAAITo/ATxlbVG5nfg/s1600/IMG_7653.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76qA9hBxOrA/TveCs9YLnSI/AAAAAAAAITo/ATxlbVG5nfg/s320/IMG_7653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690160363107753250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9oHTBB0_pa8/TveCt8VmH3I/AAAAAAAAIUM/3tnzSg_puzw/s1600/IMG_7662.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9oHTBB0_pa8/TveCt8VmH3I/AAAAAAAAIUM/3tnzSg_puzw/s320/IMG_7662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690160380008341362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4On4KZszqdE/TveB5MmoplI/AAAAAAAAITM/AU30jBZfg6M/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4On4KZszqdE/TveB5MmoplI/AAAAAAAAITM/AU30jBZfg6M/s320/IMG_7648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690159473841710674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lioLEyoFS3A/TveB4jHKM-I/AAAAAAAAITE/m-XBuapN9a0/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lioLEyoFS3A/TveB4jHKM-I/AAAAAAAAITE/m-XBuapN9a0/s320/IMG_7647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690159462703838178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSe2fMXyhdA/TveB4TECFyI/AAAAAAAAIS4/VJD-F4QQl0M/s1600/IMG_7646.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSe2fMXyhdA/TveB4TECFyI/AAAAAAAAIS4/VJD-F4QQl0M/s320/IMG_7646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690159458395756322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnIw3B2tYQ/TveB4A6EpAI/AAAAAAAAISs/P4d5-NaOBnA/s1600/IMG_7642.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjnIw3B2tYQ/TveB4A6EpAI/AAAAAAAAISs/P4d5-NaOBnA/s320/IMG_7642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690159453522142210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GX889GFbts/TveB5VtRZRI/AAAAAAAAITc/-Q_N0BviYec/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GX889GFbts/TveB5VtRZRI/AAAAAAAAITc/-Q_N0BviYec/s320/IMG_7652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690159476285465874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6639520800595663608?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-15506179349049670522011-12-25T11:55:00.000-08:002011-12-25T12:01:39.887-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80IYqiyk2tE/TveAy-QbSxI/AAAAAAAAISU/ynGVHmd0NPs/s1600/IMG_7619.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80IYqiyk2tE/TveAy-QbSxI/AAAAAAAAISU/ynGVHmd0NPs/s320/IMG_7619.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690158267399621394" /></a>We had some friends over for dinner on Christmas Eve. I cooked a nice turkey breast (that turned out really yummy!), mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cookies. Guests brought pasta salad, wine, amazing desserts and other great stuff. It was a feast!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPhWULSsJyQ/TveAy7v-X6I/AAAAAAAAISg/G-M4_VXre2o/s1600/IMG_7621.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPhWULSsJyQ/TveAy7v-X6I/AAAAAAAAISg/G-M4_VXre2o/s320/IMG_7621.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690158266726637474" /></a> Great time having Bob, Mary Jo, Mary Ann and Steve over. Thanks for a great time!<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocn1l-b-Kkg/TveAVkUez6I/AAAAAAAAIR8/anJj_Kw2omg/s1600/IMG_7628.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocn1l-b-Kkg/TveAVkUez6I/AAAAAAAAIR8/anJj_Kw2omg/s320/IMG_7628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690157762221100962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp9aEeLTF9c/TveAU1YkVkI/AAAAAAAAIRw/7XXA2rz6szA/s1600/IMG_7629.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp9aEeLTF9c/TveAU1YkVkI/AAAAAAAAIRw/7XXA2rz6szA/s320/IMG_7629.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690157749621773890" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtBp1me-ozA/TveAUjXle_I/AAAAAAAAIRg/PHuiusg0E6w/s1600/IMG_7630.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtBp1me-ozA/TveAUjXle_I/AAAAAAAAIRg/PHuiusg0E6w/s320/IMG_7630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690157744785816562" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzKXPNgusiU/TveAUTnbNZI/AAAAAAAAIRY/2Hcj9MPeIQs/s1600/IMG_7633.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzKXPNgusiU/TveAUTnbNZI/AAAAAAAAIRY/2Hcj9MPeIQs/s320/IMG_7633.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690157740557284754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvOvyiyVeTk/TveAVkTS9UI/AAAAAAAAISE/tFqn8s2Vg1E/s1600/IMG_7627.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvOvyiyVeTk/TveAVkTS9UI/AAAAAAAAISE/tFqn8s2Vg1E/s320/IMG_7627.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690157762216129858" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1550617934904967052?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-62957227292909394892011-12-25T11:47:00.001-08:002011-12-25T11:54:58.833-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6QBhqFHXAIc/Tvd_HsQu_CI/AAAAAAAAIQ0/ktnTdtGtIF0/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6QBhqFHXAIc/Tvd_HsQu_CI/AAAAAAAAIQ0/ktnTdtGtIF0/s320/IMG_0097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690156424323071010" /></a>Slow at blogging - again. So much going on. :/ Well, we took some time out to get the parrots in the living room to take some nice portraits. While I have hundreds, I picked only three to share here. <br /><br />The first is Henri. He's 32 (he'll be 33 in the Spring). He enjoyed being the center of attention and was entertaining for the entire photo shoot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7SDteXtS4U/Tvd_H3qCV9I/AAAAAAAAIRE/jbpngoGLruU/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7SDteXtS4U/Tvd_H3qCV9I/AAAAAAAAIRE/jbpngoGLruU/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690156427381987282" /></a><br />The next photo is of Grace (front) and Gabbie (both 13). They did well though they didn't want to sit on the plant next to each other. This made it difficult (impossible?) to get them both in focus. Gabbie isn't a fan of new places and new things so hopefully the horror on his face isn't too apparent. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pz1ttpwB8PI/Tvd_Ic_1qcI/AAAAAAAAIRM/E_yPFiNN1kc/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pz1ttpwB8PI/Tvd_Ic_1qcI/AAAAAAAAIRM/E_yPFiNN1kc/s320/IMG_9988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690156437405542850" /></a><br /><br />And finally, a photo of Ferne (left) and Clover (right). Ferne has been pretty sick lately and still is not out of the woods. We go back to the vet in about two weeks and I hope we learn things are turning around for him. He's only 17 and his cholesterol is through the roof (486). He's on two medications now and I'm trying to get him eating some high grain foods. He's doing it, but it seems he can't eat enough. He definitely seems to feel a little bit better. Hope it keeps that way.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6295722729290939489?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-31024468869835468912011-11-30T19:01:00.001-08:002011-11-30T19:10:55.756-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0kjcA1S6bI/Ttbvq7k8eDI/AAAAAAAAIQY/zxcDJ4fft_E/s1600/IMG_9500-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0kjcA1S6bI/Ttbvq7k8eDI/AAAAAAAAIQY/zxcDJ4fft_E/s320/IMG_9500-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991500800653362" /></a>Fall came and went. Winter is here and we've been too busy. We've been up to a lot, but haven't posted much. Hopefully in the next few weeks that will change.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tPwVpI7nPY/Ttbvq0ixrAI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/opsQAepfjRA/s1600/IMG_9547-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tPwVpI7nPY/Ttbvq0ixrAI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/opsQAepfjRA/s320/IMG_9547-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991498912508930" /></a> Until then, Dave offers these photos of the season. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_9VPEkOrWc/TtbvrGVGVBI/AAAAAAAAIQs/1-dLlU5fKqA/s1600/IMG_9493-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_9VPEkOrWc/TtbvrGVGVBI/AAAAAAAAIQs/1-dLlU5fKqA/s320/IMG_9493-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991503686980626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0PJMK-Vhz8/TtbvP8ZWUdI/AAAAAAAAIP4/lqQx7qHONLQ/s1600/IMG_9575-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0PJMK-Vhz8/TtbvP8ZWUdI/AAAAAAAAIP4/lqQx7qHONLQ/s320/IMG_9575-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991037163983314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8svE3Zi3PUA/TtbvPQv9yxI/AAAAAAAAIPw/X2oko-2b5PQ/s1600/IMG_9638-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8svE3Zi3PUA/TtbvPQv9yxI/AAAAAAAAIPw/X2oko-2b5PQ/s320/IMG_9638-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991025447684882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMHs-YPR1Ko/TtbvPDzCkMI/AAAAAAAAIPg/rs93tf_egvs/s1600/IMG_9640-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMHs-YPR1Ko/TtbvPDzCkMI/AAAAAAAAIPg/rs93tf_egvs/s320/IMG_9640-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991021970919618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkZor_87wdc/TtbvO_sL_xI/AAAAAAAAIPU/yxwm-v5o2G8/s1600/IMG_9669-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkZor_87wdc/TtbvO_sL_xI/AAAAAAAAIPU/yxwm-v5o2G8/s320/IMG_9669-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991020868435730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeXs2BNneSA/TtbvQHckxYI/AAAAAAAAIQA/VdbcN_EhQLE/s1600/IMG_9559-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XeXs2BNneSA/TtbvQHckxYI/AAAAAAAAIQA/VdbcN_EhQLE/s320/IMG_9559-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680991040130303362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_R8SDDWl1JU/Ttbu2n9MG-I/AAAAAAAAIO4/JoAqrwMjTWc/s1600/IMG_9721-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_R8SDDWl1JU/Ttbu2n9MG-I/AAAAAAAAIO4/JoAqrwMjTWc/s320/IMG_9721-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990602180434914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMJgibqoq1Y/Ttbu2SCgHFI/AAAAAAAAIOs/3BKAe6hc7h8/s1600/IMG_9734-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FMJgibqoq1Y/Ttbu2SCgHFI/AAAAAAAAIOs/3BKAe6hc7h8/s320/IMG_9734-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990596297137234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFIf05LFzN8/Ttbu2EMO0YI/AAAAAAAAIOg/fkLZpdjOXvA/s1600/IMG_9736-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KFIf05LFzN8/Ttbu2EMO0YI/AAAAAAAAIOg/fkLZpdjOXvA/s320/IMG_9736-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990592579850626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFi9hyGB2iw/Ttbu2CYcTKI/AAAAAAAAIOU/uJlt8Kty96g/s1600/IMG_9741-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFi9hyGB2iw/Ttbu2CYcTKI/AAAAAAAAIOU/uJlt8Kty96g/s320/IMG_9741-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990592094194850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRVY8o3ajMg/Ttbu27Vh1iI/AAAAAAAAIPE/yLkSjP05HkQ/s1600/IMG_9679-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRVY8o3ajMg/Ttbu27Vh1iI/AAAAAAAAIPE/yLkSjP05HkQ/s320/IMG_9679-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990607382795810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNkwTFrVz0M/TtbuXCeFwGI/AAAAAAAAIN4/DJbwfIdukfk/s1600/IMG_9755-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNkwTFrVz0M/TtbuXCeFwGI/AAAAAAAAIN4/DJbwfIdukfk/s320/IMG_9755-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990059541938274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7B0ZtssJ_o/TtbuXCAvNuI/AAAAAAAAINw/SHN9xmV_L8w/s1600/IMG_9769-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7B0ZtssJ_o/TtbuXCAvNuI/AAAAAAAAINw/SHN9xmV_L8w/s320/IMG_9769-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990059418826466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2oTMSDCNOg/TtbuV274GxI/AAAAAAAAINk/raMZ2oUSrMc/s1600/IMG_9780-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2oTMSDCNOg/TtbuV274GxI/AAAAAAAAINk/raMZ2oUSrMc/s320/IMG_9780-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990039265778450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_ZwKvoiY5I/TtbuV-E7hXI/AAAAAAAAINY/fiYEDRPf_gg/s1600/IMG_9784-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9_ZwKvoiY5I/TtbuV-E7hXI/AAAAAAAAINY/fiYEDRPf_gg/s320/IMG_9784-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990041182799218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDol8glSAYM/TtbuXDnY7dI/AAAAAAAAIOI/5Z9Pdq6nERc/s1600/IMG_9751-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDol8glSAYM/TtbuXDnY7dI/AAAAAAAAIOI/5Z9Pdq6nERc/s320/IMG_9751-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680990059849379282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3102446886983546891?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-34701443318050862872011-10-31T06:10:00.000-07:002011-10-31T06:35:26.971-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK8IsRo4UDo/Tq6fIrrmX7I/AAAAAAAAIIg/uX1dHawx-Cc/s1600/IMG_7125-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK8IsRo4UDo/Tq6fIrrmX7I/AAAAAAAAIIg/uX1dHawx-Cc/s320/IMG_7125-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669643952419397554" /></a><br />The story of the 56 year old desert VIRGIN begins over a cold one at Old Chicago's in Louisville, CO... I'm sitting next to Rick A., a very long time climber from a galaxy far far away (e.g. Yosemite/Josh/Tahquitz etc. in the 1970's) and we chat a bit about upcoming adventures. Rick says "yeah, I'm thinking about heading out to Moab next weekend" - with my new full time life in the land of corporate cubes I'm totally jonesin' for any adventure I can squeak in, so I ask him, "you got a partner??". He says no and that actually, he has NEVER been climbing in the desert (e.g. the Colorado plateau). I say WHAT?? NEVER been to the desert?? Dude, let's go do some TOWERS! You'll love it! Rick says yes and the next thing you know, he's waking up in the dirt, with the first day's objective looking right at him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFdoIJpTjz4/Tq6fItBiluI/AAAAAAAAIIo/LC-28S621dQ/s1600/IMG_7130-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFdoIJpTjz4/Tq6fItBiluI/AAAAAAAAIIo/LC-28S621dQ/s320/IMG_7130-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669643952779859682" /></a>On the drive out after work on Friday, I throw out a few options for packing in a bunch of fun over a very quick 2 day trip to the dez. I suggest warming up on the North Chimney on Castleton, then head over and climb Fine Jade for our first day. Rick says that sounds good, so we load up the packs and start up the talus cone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTDg5TVM8qw/Tq6fI3J83QI/AAAAAAAAII0/SQ-HJiIQ8vM/s1600/IMG_7139-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTDg5TVM8qw/Tq6fI3J83QI/AAAAAAAAII0/SQ-HJiIQ8vM/s320/IMG_7139-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669643955499490562" /></a>I can see he is enjoying the morning 'warm up' hike up the talus as we take in the killer views all around. We gain the ridge along the base of the towers, then head over to Castleton to see if anybody is on the North Chimney.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swloyaMLOl8/Tq6fJKmIZPI/AAAAAAAAIJE/eFtZy0WnYt0/s1600/IMG_7150-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swloyaMLOl8/Tq6fJKmIZPI/AAAAAAAAIJE/eFtZy0WnYt0/s320/IMG_7150-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669643960717960434" /></a>We get close and unfortunately, the North Chimney is already packed with 3 parties (it's about 9:30am). The Kor Ingalls route is also busy, so we decide to head over and start the day with Fine Jade, one of the best routes in the desert (IMO anyway)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3ZNYT7m-V0/Tq6fJeNk_yI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/8E4y5QyOCj8/s1600/IMG_7151-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3ZNYT7m-V0/Tq6fJeNk_yI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/8E4y5QyOCj8/s320/IMG_7151-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669643965983686434" /></a>Now, while the North Chimney on Castleton is a good warm up tower route, Fine Jade packs a bit more of a punch, especially first thing in the morning. The first pitch is pretty physical and gets the blood flowing. Here is Rick coming up P1 (5.10d/11a), just past the very steep crux section which is out of the pic due to the angle of the dangle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo3UjmsnT5M/Tq6f6GBqvnI/AAAAAAAAIKM/VSzW6-HxAd8/s1600/IMG_7153-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo3UjmsnT5M/Tq6f6GBqvnI/AAAAAAAAIKM/VSzW6-HxAd8/s320/IMG_7153-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669644801304870514" /></a>We did the route in 4 pitches, but it can certainly be done in 3, or stretched out to 5 short ones. We were in no hurry, so I opted for the nice stations and kept the drag on the sharp end to a minimum since I was packing a few corporate pounds that made the climbing a bit more challenging. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnNfDQ8QTr8/Tq6f5rqbo3I/AAAAAAAAIJ8/8NpgC38VOnA/s1600/IMG_7159-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jnNfDQ8QTr8/Tq6f5rqbo3I/AAAAAAAAIJ8/8NpgC38VOnA/s320/IMG_7159-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669644794228089714" /></a>The next pitch involves some strenuous finger locks over a bulge (5.11a) followed by cool thin cracks and a small roof. Sorry, no pics on that one, hard to get good shots from above. I combined a short section of the next pitch with the 11a/b bolted headwall finish to get us to the top in 4. I've done this route a number of times, but I'd only done the bolted face finish once and I remember it being pretty hard and reachy for me, as it proved so again. I even had to employ the "multi colored rest" at one point, how shameful! Rick found it a bit much as well, but gave it an excellent try. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJadRn-Hu8/Tq6f5OS5iyI/AAAAAAAAIJ0/6RDe7wCwSbM/s1600/IMG_7163-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJadRn-Hu8/Tq6f5OS5iyI/AAAAAAAAIJ0/6RDe7wCwSbM/s320/IMG_7163-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669644786344758050" /></a>As many of you know, the summit is very cool, with great views in all directions. We cruised around a bit and took the obligatory summit photos. Rick enjoyed his first desert tower summit - a desert virgin no more!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooHphL8dVdY/Tq6f4p47OJI/AAAAAAAAIJo/o0nmbexRmfw/s1600/IMG_7166-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooHphL8dVdY/Tq6f4p47OJI/AAAAAAAAIJo/o0nmbexRmfw/s320/IMG_7166-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669644776572139666" /></a>The temps were pretty warm, so we rapped off and enjoyed some water and snacks at the base. We contemplated heading over to Castleton for round 2 for the day, but the draw of a cold one down at the car won the coin toss, so down the choss cone we went... We ended up going into Moab for dinner and the town was a zoo! Apparently, there was a marathon scheduled for the morning that would close off the road back into Castle Valley, so we opted to go cush and stay in town for the night. We decided day 2 of the adventure would be in Arches National Park. Our first climb of the day was the Right Chimney on the 3 Penguins. What a heinous start to the approach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gDrL59Z64w/Tq6f4Ep06iI/AAAAAAAAIJc/va5mzgFFmQw/s1600/IMG_7170-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gDrL59Z64w/Tq6f4Ep06iI/AAAAAAAAIJc/va5mzgFFmQw/s320/IMG_7170-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669644766576699938" /></a>Racking up at the base of the route, right above the road. You could drop a cam into an RV if you had a steady hand! The Right Chimney consists of 2 short 5.10d pitches. The first is a steep corner that goes from fingers to fists just below the belay. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_IPwM0G6aM/Tq6gj1u2LhI/AAAAAAAAILI/5KQpoSnRC9w/s1600/IMG_7178-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_IPwM0G6aM/Tq6gj1u2LhI/AAAAAAAAILI/5KQpoSnRC9w/s320/IMG_7178-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645518485466642" /></a>The 2nd pitch starts out with some steep hands to fists, then goes to OW. Not my favorite, but I'm thinking it shouldn't be tooo bad, right? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKpfBpBqxDY/Tq6gjlz1HkI/AAAAAAAAIK0/7kN0x8v_lYM/s1600/IMG_7182-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKpfBpBqxDY/Tq6gjlz1HkI/AAAAAAAAIK0/7kN0x8v_lYM/s320/IMG_7182-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645514211401282" /></a>After about 25 minutes of thrashing around and scraping various body parts, I emerge at the top of the wide stuff and top out on the very cool summit. I am sad to report however, that a couple of rests on the rope were required - I'm not so good at rounded 6" cracks me thinks! A bit degrading, but what the hell, it beats cube land! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA_8ih02C_c/Tq6gjlq4mMI/AAAAAAAAIKs/iIwcRFBeLnM/s1600/IMG_7186-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SA_8ih02C_c/Tq6gjlq4mMI/AAAAAAAAIKs/iIwcRFBeLnM/s320/IMG_7186-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645514173880514" /></a>Rick came up second and demonstrated his arm flexibility by styling the wide section with a series of quality "chicken wings" and soon he joined me on top where we were quite the hit with the tourons below!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3-82A1wEB0/Tq6gjUvSr7I/AAAAAAAAIKk/sMbYM2dJUU4/s1600/IMG_7188-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3-82A1wEB0/Tq6gjUvSr7I/AAAAAAAAIKk/sMbYM2dJUU4/s320/IMG_7188-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645509628964786" /></a>After descending, we decided to do one more short route before heading home. We drove over to the Park Avenue area and hiked to a one pitch Indian Creek style crack called Heart of the Desert. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ujQqaLhNk8/Tq6gjGb3zfI/AAAAAAAAIKY/-kH6WLtNGsk/s1600/IMG_7191-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ujQqaLhNk8/Tq6gjGb3zfI/AAAAAAAAIKY/-kH6WLtNGsk/s320/IMG_7191-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645505789414898" /></a>This was a pretty fun and somewhat strenuous hand to fist crack in a corner, about 90' to a fixed belay. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-MjhrUXHjo/Tq6g5qKSe0I/AAAAAAAAIME/3XdcTWpcg3E/s1600/IMG_7196-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-MjhrUXHjo/Tq6g5qKSe0I/AAAAAAAAIME/3XdcTWpcg3E/s320/IMG_7196-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645893336464194" /></a>Well, after that it was time to pack up the car and head home for another exciting week in cubeland. However, we had a great time in the desert and Rick was no longer a 56 year old desert virgin. We'll be back...........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68Y56jK0ygo/Tq6g5FM8fjI/AAAAAAAAIL8/40UYSb_057M/s1600/IMG_7198-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68Y56jK0ygo/Tq6g5FM8fjI/AAAAAAAAIL8/40UYSb_057M/s320/IMG_7198-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645883415494194" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNPNXFI1yDs/Tq6g4kW1_eI/AAAAAAAAILw/UtBSCG3Ni5Q/s1600/IMG_7205-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNPNXFI1yDs/Tq6g4kW1_eI/AAAAAAAAILw/UtBSCG3Ni5Q/s320/IMG_7205-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645874598641122" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wOd-tuxqnE/Tq6g3_2HvZI/AAAAAAAAILk/r_MaBiMtEHA/s1600/IMG_7209-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wOd-tuxqnE/Tq6g3_2HvZI/AAAAAAAAILk/r_MaBiMtEHA/s320/IMG_7209-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645864797715858" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-221zx7uFnec/Tq6g3YBtxmI/AAAAAAAAILY/YDfsZXdtX5o/s1600/IMG_7212-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-221zx7uFnec/Tq6g3YBtxmI/AAAAAAAAILY/YDfsZXdtX5o/s320/IMG_7212-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669645854108927586" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78aZRzwOVEE/Tq6hcEjdsnI/AAAAAAAAINE/0zoXHsFUEwY/s1600/IMG_7216-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78aZRzwOVEE/Tq6hcEjdsnI/AAAAAAAAINE/0zoXHsFUEwY/s320/IMG_7216-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669646484536930930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6w-bqcpAYE/Tq6hbe9yQOI/AAAAAAAAIM8/U3jLJOPuc88/s1600/IMG_7224-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R6w-bqcpAYE/Tq6hbe9yQOI/AAAAAAAAIM8/U3jLJOPuc88/s320/IMG_7224-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669646474446782690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ZYQm2TkwM/Tq6hbBrDVwI/AAAAAAAAIMo/tpiNGP137Is/s1600/IMG_7229-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ZYQm2TkwM/Tq6hbBrDVwI/AAAAAAAAIMo/tpiNGP137Is/s320/IMG_7229-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669646466583582466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-algasfLNzJQ/Tq6haxLn1hI/AAAAAAAAIMg/Ci5LoGo71no/s1600/IMG_7235-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-algasfLNzJQ/Tq6haxLn1hI/AAAAAAAAIMg/Ci5LoGo71no/s320/IMG_7235-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669646462156789266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_AszqsgOIg/Tq6ha4avDMI/AAAAAAAAIMU/JqUsV00oZqY/s1600/IMG_7236-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_AszqsgOIg/Tq6ha4avDMI/AAAAAAAAIMU/JqUsV00oZqY/s320/IMG_7236-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669646464099224770" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3470144331805086287?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-82780853207995120762011-10-26T08:03:00.001-07:002011-10-31T06:35:03.179-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISZJibrCxNw/TqghrMz13HI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/AtkXBv72Rbk/s1600/IMG_7076-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ISZJibrCxNw/TqghrMz13HI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/AtkXBv72Rbk/s320/IMG_7076-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817157102525554" /></a>We are behind on blogging! I've been waiting for Dave - since he's doing all the fun stuff - to get me photos. Here they come!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvcf-J3gFcU/TqghrGokzVI/AAAAAAAAIGg/5Q729tWcuos/s1600/IMG_7080-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvcf-J3gFcU/TqghrGokzVI/AAAAAAAAIGg/5Q729tWcuos/s320/IMG_7080-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817155444657490" /></a>My friend John and I decided to head out for a mountain bike ride at Twin Lakes, on the east side of Independence Pass, south of Buena Vista and east of Aspen. The fall colors were peaked and the temperatures were great. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcOjvleqJaU/Tqghr1kdfaI/AAAAAAAAIGo/Z59X3eGnPq8/s1600/IMG_7085-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcOjvleqJaU/Tqghr1kdfaI/AAAAAAAAIGo/Z59X3eGnPq8/s320/IMG_7085-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817168043867554" /></a>Beautiful early fall weather in the mountains! The ride started with a partial loop around the twin lakes, with a bonus spur ride up to and along part of the Colorado trail. After that we continued around the lake for a while on fairly easy rolling terrain until we came to a creek, where we headed sharply uphill on some very steep and technical terrain for about 800' of vertical gain. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIiXK2LzYu8/Tqghr52sENI/AAAAAAAAIG0/MSbfIvowqhU/s1600/IMG_7086-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIiXK2LzYu8/Tqghr52sENI/AAAAAAAAIG0/MSbfIvowqhU/s320/IMG_7086-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817169194062034" /></a>Note the complete lack of pictures during this gnarly portion of the ride... What comes up must come down, so after traversing at the top of the drainage for a bit, the trail drops down some pretty darn steep terrain back down to the lower valley. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNF681PYEG4/TqghsZ7K-HI/AAAAAAAAIHA/XqGM8OB8vq4/s1600/IMG_7089-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNF681PYEG4/TqghsZ7K-HI/AAAAAAAAIHA/XqGM8OB8vq4/s320/IMG_7089-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817177802799218" /></a> Again, note the lack of pictures during this sometimes hair raising section... Back to John's truck along some rolling terrain and then it was time to head home. A really fun ride with fantastic fall colors!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A8UAWxjoSI/TqgiWjEeJxI/AAAAAAAAIHM/iNX8uoGUXME/s1600/IMG_7091-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--A8UAWxjoSI/TqgiWjEeJxI/AAAAAAAAIHM/iNX8uoGUXME/s320/IMG_7091-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817901812229906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vkob0-0sQzs/TqgiW9XvXHI/AAAAAAAAIHU/m-s6k7uJgHo/s1600/IMG_7094-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vkob0-0sQzs/TqgiW9XvXHI/AAAAAAAAIHU/m-s6k7uJgHo/s320/IMG_7094-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817908872371314" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZzClwKcY78/TqgjKtkb4DI/AAAAAAAAIIY/hAt19cfwhOA/s1600/IMG_7106-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZzClwKcY78/TqgjKtkb4DI/AAAAAAAAIIY/hAt19cfwhOA/s320/IMG_7106-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667818797983850546" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULVQYhlxzmA/TqgjKaPZU2I/AAAAAAAAIII/0LKHEvpiq8U/s1600/IMG_7110-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULVQYhlxzmA/TqgjKaPZU2I/AAAAAAAAIII/0LKHEvpiq8U/s320/IMG_7110-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667818792795329378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFAxMEyPIDk/TqgiXOlbH0I/AAAAAAAAIHk/fEWRgqoKQec/s1600/IMG_7112-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFAxMEyPIDk/TqgiXOlbH0I/AAAAAAAAIHk/fEWRgqoKQec/s320/IMG_7112-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817913493167938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrCgEGpj9uQ/TqgiXjdj5rI/AAAAAAAAIH0/Ivfps0oABH4/s1600/IMG_7113-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrCgEGpj9uQ/TqgiXjdj5rI/AAAAAAAAIH0/Ivfps0oABH4/s320/IMG_7113-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817919097333426" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfGKNPMaGw/TqgiYOYeKKI/AAAAAAAAIH8/ZJ2NOSN4eN0/s1600/IMG_7120-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfGKNPMaGw/TqgiYOYeKKI/AAAAAAAAIH8/ZJ2NOSN4eN0/s320/IMG_7120-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667817930618710178" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-8278085320799512076?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-63752742403672773932011-09-25T19:08:00.000-07:002011-09-25T19:41:13.770-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSlxYaUSI2U/Tn_hkZLcfUI/AAAAAAAAIFM/Ks8Q4-YiYFU/s1600/IMG_7021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSlxYaUSI2U/Tn_hkZLcfUI/AAAAAAAAIFM/Ks8Q4-YiYFU/s320/IMG_7021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487672351063362" border="0" /></a>Dad's last full day in the Boulder area was lots of fun. We started with breakfast at the house, then headed east on Arapahoe to see the fifth wheel. It was fun visiting it and just sitting in it. We need to get it out soon!<br /><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQsS5v8kZ9o/Tn_hkAcyr9I/AAAAAAAAIFE/EmoLhTsEHeE/s1600/IMG_7029.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQsS5v8kZ9o/Tn_hkAcyr9I/AAAAAAAAIFE/EmoLhTsEHeE/s320/IMG_7029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487665712934866" border="0" /></a>Next up was headed to the bird store to pick up some bird feeder supplies. I am actually sad that this store doesn't have a single item that I don't already have. It's fun to take home new bird paraphernalia.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NST3SYO7b54/Tn_hj-siHfI/AAAAAAAAIE8/2CtJu0-MGsc/s1600/IMG_7030.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NST3SYO7b54/Tn_hj-siHfI/AAAAAAAAIE8/2CtJu0-MGsc/s320/IMG_7030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487665242086898" border="0" /></a>Then we headed to Estes Park by way of Left Hand Canyon, Ward, Peak-to-Peak Highway, and Allenstown. It was a madhouse in Estes. The Aspen are changing and the Elk are out in droves. Everyone is out to see both of these cook events.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TksyNQvLbX0/Tn_garbTdoI/AAAAAAAAIEU/Txnsy6GVrwg/s1600/IMG_7035.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TksyNQvLbX0/Tn_garbTdoI/AAAAAAAAIEU/Txnsy6GVrwg/s320/IMG_7035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656486405939099266" border="0" /></a>It is easy to find most Elk - just look for the crowds of people. We saw several groups. None bugled - seems this is more likely in the evening twilight. We weren't there that late.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NjGEKO-qCM/Tn_ga-ast2I/AAAAAAAAIEc/dvnRswcSjrs/s1600/IMG_7036.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NjGEKO-qCM/Tn_ga-ast2I/AAAAAAAAIEc/dvnRswcSjrs/s320/IMG_7036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656486411036833634" border="0" /></a>After enjoying the elk, we headed to bear lake to see it. It is almost at 10k foot elevation. Quite beautiful with the clear alpine late water and the aspen turning gold in the background. Nice time there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNAVs-Ow_Nw/Tn_gbGAvY3I/AAAAAAAAIEk/FK-qeYv8mTk/s1600/IMG_7044.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNAVs-Ow_Nw/Tn_gbGAvY3I/AAAAAAAAIEk/FK-qeYv8mTk/s320/IMG_7044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656486413075440498" border="0" /></a>By then, it was getting late so we headed back to Boulder for some Vaughan margaritas. There are none better than those served here. We also chowed on some delicious chicken quesadillas. As dinner was being cooked, dad and Pente made friends. Pente dressed up for her date. Dad fed her chicken. It was a match. Following dinner, I took dad back to the hotel. His flight is sort of early so he'll be on the 6:42am bus. Early! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2O6lM4lt9o/Tn_gbXcBOJI/AAAAAAAAIEs/pXGJh-MP86U/s1600/IMG_7049.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2O6lM4lt9o/Tn_gbXcBOJI/AAAAAAAAIEs/pXGJh-MP86U/s320/IMG_7049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656486417753258130" border="0" /></a>Hoping he had a good time. I think he did. I certainly enjoyed all the places we went - most of which I'd never been to before. I also posted a few pictures from a few nights ago. My birthday is sneaking up so I got to open a gift from TX early - some owl pajamas. These will absolutely get used. Thanks!</p> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-do05VyM9veY/Tn_gbmlLzSI/AAAAAAAAIE0/pkYDVomm3t4/s1600/IMG_7057.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-do05VyM9veY/Tn_gbmlLzSI/AAAAAAAAIE0/pkYDVomm3t4/s320/IMG_7057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656486421818232098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-799EkkwsSog/Tn_fmMf1C7I/AAAAAAAAIDs/Bze3yS7pDe0/s1600/IMG_7058.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-799EkkwsSog/Tn_fmMf1C7I/AAAAAAAAIDs/Bze3yS7pDe0/s320/IMG_7058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656485504283380658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4P456uth-c/Tn_fmeBhPRI/AAAAAAAAID0/9fJmDW7WrQk/s1600/IMG_7063.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4P456uth-c/Tn_fmeBhPRI/AAAAAAAAID0/9fJmDW7WrQk/s320/IMG_7063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656485508988091666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kheCk3wRw9I/Tn_fmpH0x1I/AAAAAAAAID8/FmLZ2c9aLNc/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kheCk3wRw9I/Tn_fmpH0x1I/AAAAAAAAID8/FmLZ2c9aLNc/s320/IMG_7069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656485511967328082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZF7Qr3tA68/Tn_fm0XcRzI/AAAAAAAAIEE/6amZK48Fc-o/s1600/IMG_7071.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZF7Qr3tA68/Tn_fm0XcRzI/AAAAAAAAIEE/6amZK48Fc-o/s320/IMG_7071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656485514985621298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTzL4FdaG9Y/Tn_fnOemdxI/AAAAAAAAIEM/MKTAeQpaUkc/s1600/IMG_7074.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTzL4FdaG9Y/Tn_fnOemdxI/AAAAAAAAIEM/MKTAeQpaUkc/s320/IMG_7074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656485521994970898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhA5KjbmPfg/Tn_ifjY_aoI/AAAAAAAAIGE/uC7RPH9YEag/s1600/IMG_4075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhA5KjbmPfg/Tn_ifjY_aoI/AAAAAAAAIGE/uC7RPH9YEag/s320/IMG_4075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656488688704514690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AboEHMU4-kI/Tn_ifZBBYiI/AAAAAAAAIF8/DVdzCUbGnMI/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AboEHMU4-kI/Tn_ifZBBYiI/AAAAAAAAIF8/DVdzCUbGnMI/s320/IMG_4077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656488685919625762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBukZZlnpM8/Tn_ifFOUNhI/AAAAAAAAIF0/-udOjFwURPg/s1600/IMG_4080.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JBukZZlnpM8/Tn_ifFOUNhI/AAAAAAAAIF0/-udOjFwURPg/s320/IMG_4080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656488680606676498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMj3lssconI/Tn_ie_moVFI/AAAAAAAAIFs/802rzgM-AFY/s1600/IMG_4084.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMj3lssconI/Tn_ie_moVFI/AAAAAAAAIFs/802rzgM-AFY/s320/IMG_4084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656488679098045522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xt300cu1BLI/Tn_iejG3c4I/AAAAAAAAIFk/WOpuvxULo9I/s1600/IMG_4085.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xt300cu1BLI/Tn_iejG3c4I/AAAAAAAAIFk/WOpuvxULo9I/s320/IMG_4085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656488671448626050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htTkJ4WT4Tk/Tn_hkhGwZaI/AAAAAAAAIFc/VjFhN_ToIsM/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htTkJ4WT4Tk/Tn_hkhGwZaI/AAAAAAAAIFc/VjFhN_ToIsM/s320/IMG_7018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487674478880162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--m-tRBLouKQ/Tn_hkUeb3BI/AAAAAAAAIFU/4QwWm722L9w/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--m-tRBLouKQ/Tn_hkUeb3BI/AAAAAAAAIFU/4QwWm722L9w/s320/IMG_7020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487671088536594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6375274240367277393?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-59507856194783924712011-09-24T13:13:00.001-07:002011-09-24T18:35:15.407-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnoMocd9-6A/Tn5ANyRZFzI/AAAAAAAAIDE/SJKjxMOR25M/s1600/IMG_4019.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnoMocd9-6A/Tn5ANyRZFzI/AAAAAAAAIDE/SJKjxMOR25M/s320/IMG_4019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656028787601119026" border="0" /></a>Picked up dad this morning and headed up Four Mile Canyon to have coffee and a muffin at the Gold Hill Store. This ride would offer nice views of Boulder and the Rockies, but also a a view of a tiny bit of burned area from the Four Mile fire that was a little more than a year ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HruxYqj9xSg/Tn4_H6aJ0VI/AAAAAAAAICc/yN9mEt9s2lo/s1600/IMG_4021.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HruxYqj9xSg/Tn4_H6aJ0VI/AAAAAAAAICc/yN9mEt9s2lo/s320/IMG_4021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656027587194507602" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, the Inn wasn't open yet though we got a chance to see the tiny town. And we got to watch some silly Black-Billed Magpies. They are like black and white and shimmering blue macaws. When they fly, their tails flow behind them like long streamers - just like Macaws do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxSvDib3Stw/Tn4_IJrFBsI/AAAAAAAAICk/Bc80Rhn0AtE/s1600/IMG_4023.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxSvDib3Stw/Tn4_IJrFBsI/AAAAAAAAICk/Bc80Rhn0AtE/s320/IMG_4023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656027591292028610" border="0" /></a>It was a clear day so the view of Longs Peak and other mountains in the Rockies was nice. Just a little outside of Gold Hill, I spied a marker that had a Masonic emblem so we stopped.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBCUrRhXF2E/Tn4_IXPTv4I/AAAAAAAAICs/4HKuMgfBzqs/s1600/IMG_4025.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VBCUrRhXF2E/Tn4_IXPTv4I/AAAAAAAAICs/4HKuMgfBzqs/s320/IMG_4025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656027594933649282" border="0" /></a>Turns out it is a marker for the site of the Rocky Mountain Lodge and it discussed Chivington who was the First Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Colorado. Later in the day we'd learn more about Chivington and his leading at the Sandy Creek Massacre. Not a bright day in the history of Colorado or man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miNGa0Mp9iM/Tn4_Iqdko8I/AAAAAAAAIC0/IW525j-o6Yw/s1600/IMG_4029.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-miNGa0Mp9iM/Tn4_Iqdko8I/AAAAAAAAIC0/IW525j-o6Yw/s320/IMG_4029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656027600093750210" border="0" /></a>We headed to our next stop - a tour of the history of Boulder. En route, we stumbled on the aftermath of an armed robbery at the US Bank on North Broadway. Officers were still scrambling around with weapons drawn. We saw many others in the crowds in downtown looking for the suspect - male, business clothes, in his 30-40s. Second robbery in two days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EP_YEKktdU/Tn4_I70PJKI/AAAAAAAAIC8/JBmsXdcNO04/s1600/IMG_4030.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EP_YEKktdU/Tn4_I70PJKI/AAAAAAAAIC8/JBmsXdcNO04/s320/IMG_4030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656027604752213154" border="0" /></a>The one yesterday happened two little shops over from where dad and I grabbed lunch at the Pharmaca on South Boulder. That guy just wanted drugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKwbhKw__us/Tn49_qJpQPI/AAAAAAAAIB0/6o9D7amTQM8/s1600/IMG_4034.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKwbhKw__us/Tn49_qJpQPI/AAAAAAAAIB0/6o9D7amTQM8/s320/IMG_4034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656026345879716082" border="0" /></a>We next went to the Boulderado to wait for our tour bus. The Boulderado is a beautiful old hotel in downtown and was opened 102 years ago. It was here that our tour vehicle arrived from Banjo Billy's. I think dad approved.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DW_HuPvHXA/Tn49_youaHI/AAAAAAAAIB8/jkZBR_K9tlQ/s1600/IMG_4036.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DW_HuPvHXA/Tn49_youaHI/AAAAAAAAIB8/jkZBR_K9tlQ/s320/IMG_4036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656026348157560946" border="0" /></a>The photos are cool, but what I couldn't capture was the bus' horn that could do a wolf whistle, a horse whinnying, and a dog barking. These were used frequently as we drove through Boulder. When a pedestrian yelled at the bus, all the riders yelled "YEEEE HAWWW!!" Good times!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUqmh4MfBw/Tn4-AEPef2I/AAAAAAAAICE/Z3eGlujrmcA/s1600/IMG_4037.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUqmh4MfBw/Tn4-AEPef2I/AAAAAAAAICE/Z3eGlujrmcA/s320/IMG_4037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656026352883498850" border="0" /></a>The inside of the bus had all sorts of crazy music, the seating was upholstered chairs, and the decor whimsical. Our drive, Glen, was excellent. We made numerous stops to learn about different parts of Boulder's history. Some I knew from Silvia Pettem's books, some I didn't.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pSdtg2t9zc/Tn4-AUrTMzI/AAAAAAAAICM/oraWgZkoy5o/s1600/IMG_4039.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pSdtg2t9zc/Tn4-AUrTMzI/AAAAAAAAICM/oraWgZkoy5o/s320/IMG_4039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656026357295166258" border="0" /></a>One of the first stops we made was the first house in Boulder with an indoor toilet, hot and cold running water inside and a ghost. Seems there are a lot of ghosts in town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnQBT4MvUws/Tn4-Ao08JcI/AAAAAAAAICU/MZ4B_xE8tD4/s1600/IMG_4046.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VnQBT4MvUws/Tn4-Ao08JcI/AAAAAAAAICU/MZ4B_xE8tD4/s320/IMG_4046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656026362704307650" border="0" /></a>We passed what was recently Tom's Tavern (now Salt) and the driver informed everyone this was the cities morgue for decades. Now a restaurant. :/<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx_7Jd0HgBg/Tn48vTZps9I/AAAAAAAAIBM/2Mc0P0eFoRI/s1600/IMG_4047.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jx_7Jd0HgBg/Tn48vTZps9I/AAAAAAAAIBM/2Mc0P0eFoRI/s320/IMG_4047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656024965383304146" border="0" /></a>The other places we stopped were generally haunted and the driver shared stories about it (including the Boulderado). Everyone had a great time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G85Bh_ilZv8/Tn48vrksDdI/AAAAAAAAIBU/e0fU_x25C7c/s1600/IMG_4048.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G85Bh_ilZv8/Tn48vrksDdI/AAAAAAAAIBU/e0fU_x25C7c/s320/IMG_4048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656024971872046546" border="0" /></a>They do a similar tour in Denver - going to have to hop on that bus when I get a couple of free hours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OlUuymhOvqw/Tn48wPU7yWI/AAAAAAAAIBc/vSIHSQvyz2s/s1600/IMG_4049.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OlUuymhOvqw/Tn48wPU7yWI/AAAAAAAAIBc/vSIHSQvyz2s/s320/IMG_4049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656024981469645154" border="0" /></a><br />After the tour, we headed into Eldorado Canyon so dad could watch some climbing. It was a perfect day so there was a fair amount of activity. Dave was out there, but on the West Ridge out of our view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9viZm-H2000/Tn48wQ_AWnI/AAAAAAAAIBk/y0mFqLnj2kc/s1600/IMG_4052.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9viZm-H2000/Tn48wQ_AWnI/AAAAAAAAIBk/y0mFqLnj2kc/s320/IMG_4052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656024981914540658" border="0" /></a>By then, it was time to make the drive to Casa Bonita in Denver. Dad was last there in 1974. Yes, 1974 - the year it opened. We had dinner then listened to Mariachis sing spanglish Happy Birthday several dozen times as some actors screamed and repeatedly dove off the cliff into the water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuqNWlPu8qk/Tn48wq80tcI/AAAAAAAAIBs/rb1FWJodCi0/s1600/IMG_4053.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fuqNWlPu8qk/Tn48wq80tcI/AAAAAAAAIBs/rb1FWJodCi0/s320/IMG_4053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656024988884710850" border="0" /></a>There was excellent people watching to be had. By the time the last sopapilla was devoured we were both tired so we came back and dad checked his email at the house. With Dave out of the house, and a guest in the house, Pente did what Pente does....she hopped on the dining room table to beg for some loving. It never fails to work for her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGgiiNNrEvE/Tn47tF2F6nI/AAAAAAAAIAg/u24ntBcjmR4/s1600/IMG_4055.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGgiiNNrEvE/Tn47tF2F6nI/AAAAAAAAIAg/u24ntBcjmR4/s320/IMG_4055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656023827873131122" border="0" /></a>Tomorrow is Estes Park and perhaps heading up Trail Ridge Road (weather permitting). Maybe we'll see some critters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ue92NjEASc/Tn47tYf6RWI/AAAAAAAAIAo/FAaPgEj2FYc/s1600/IMG_4058.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ue92NjEASc/Tn47tYf6RWI/AAAAAAAAIAo/FAaPgEj2FYc/s320/IMG_4058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656023832880366946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7bN3ZlDCV8/Tn47th0DS_I/AAAAAAAAIAw/Y7TNrTpOoc8/s1600/IMG_4059.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7bN3ZlDCV8/Tn47th0DS_I/AAAAAAAAIAw/Y7TNrTpOoc8/s320/IMG_4059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656023835380763634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNskblSQfDw/Tn47t4q4xDI/AAAAAAAAIA4/r-sPcfDDoQA/s1600/IMG_4060.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNskblSQfDw/Tn47t4q4xDI/AAAAAAAAIA4/r-sPcfDDoQA/s320/IMG_4060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656023841516340274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naFDceiCqGA/Tn47uZNosVI/AAAAAAAAIBA/X7anbPEtuPY/s1600/IMG_4061.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naFDceiCqGA/Tn47uZNosVI/AAAAAAAAIBA/X7anbPEtuPY/s320/IMG_4061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656023850252022098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMBU4DdB43E/Tn6Exgg1wmI/AAAAAAAAIDk/bVj6ZGg4axQ/s1600/IMG_4063.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMBU4DdB43E/Tn6Exgg1wmI/AAAAAAAAIDk/bVj6ZGg4axQ/s320/IMG_4063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656104168100053602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyyEiLfGS3s/Tn6Ew0_mOLI/AAAAAAAAIDM/52_FSJAL7kk/s1600/IMG_4065.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CyyEiLfGS3s/Tn6Ew0_mOLI/AAAAAAAAIDM/52_FSJAL7kk/s320/IMG_4065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656104156417898674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIMFEs5U2-M/Tn6ExJhgPOI/AAAAAAAAIDU/gv-8X16VSvE/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIMFEs5U2-M/Tn6ExJhgPOI/AAAAAAAAIDU/gv-8X16VSvE/s320/IMG_4068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656104161928821986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiPZaEg9600/Tn6ExQMTXrI/AAAAAAAAIDc/GNj4gC6oXH8/s1600/IMG_4069.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiPZaEg9600/Tn6ExQMTXrI/AAAAAAAAIDc/GNj4gC6oXH8/s320/IMG_4069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656104163718946482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5950785619478392471?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-60815251246579256962011-09-23T17:38:00.001-07:002011-09-23T19:57:49.312-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qp6rR1_Mys/Tn0ewh9WpfI/AAAAAAAAH84/sgNZyP68YBo/s1600/IMG_6979b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qp6rR1_Mys/Tn0ewh9WpfI/AAAAAAAAH84/sgNZyP68YBo/s320/IMG_6979b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655710526145471986" border="0" /></a>Today's big adventure started in Louisville at a restaurant called Karen's Country Kitchen. It was an exercise in flexibility in that it appears Karen's closed eight (yes, eight) years ago! A new restaurant (it's 7.5 years old) is now there - Huckleberry. It was nice. Good French Toast to prep us for today's adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UeWHbWGop8/Tn0dfieWq9I/AAAAAAAAH7Y/p6EvshptSig/s1600/IMG_6973b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UeWHbWGop8/Tn0dfieWq9I/AAAAAAAAH7Y/p6EvshptSig/s320/IMG_6973b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709134714481618" border="0" /></a>We headed to the Wildlife Sanctuary. I'd been wanting to go for some time, but had saved it up to see if dad also wanted to go. We made the drive and it was worth it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9in6rb18_s/Tn0dfQ3xYFI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/tZZVWGaYljI/s1600/IMG_6975b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9in6rb18_s/Tn0dfQ3xYFI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/tZZVWGaYljI/s320/IMG_6975b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709129989251154" border="0" /></a>The place is full of carnivores that people thought would make good pets. Epic Fail People! Carnivores never make good pets as all these owners discovered. Most animals, when growing up, were then abused or neglected. Authorities often stepped in though in some cases, the owners relinquished the animals to the sanctuary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_CPv07cJWI/Tn0ewNTUyNI/AAAAAAAAH8w/HKB0BwwuFco/s1600/IMG_6983b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_CPv07cJWI/Tn0ewNTUyNI/AAAAAAAAH8w/HKB0BwwuFco/s320/IMG_6983b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655710520600479954" border="0" /></a>All of the animals there were born in captivity so there is no chance they can be released to the wild. Many spent their entire lives in pens so small they couldn't turn around. This includes bears, lions, tigers, cougars, wolves and lots of other exotic animals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxfnz9XlwYQ/Tn0fURnhziI/AAAAAAAAH9g/nrNj-TTwrp0/s1600/IMG_6984c.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxfnz9XlwYQ/Tn0fURnhziI/AAAAAAAAH9g/nrNj-TTwrp0/s320/IMG_6984c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655711140234251810" border="0" /></a>We learned there are now more tigers living in Texas - outside of a zoo - than exist in the wild in the world! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXn0tZpRfYY/Tn0fUBM-NMI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/0mjrjLsJTd0/s1600/IMG_6985b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXn0tZpRfYY/Tn0fUBM-NMI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/0mjrjLsJTd0/s320/IMG_6985b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655711135827899586" border="0" /></a>The place is about 340 acres and the animals are brought back to health, socialized with others of their kind then slowly released into larger pens as they can psychologically handle it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOGISoZuEs/Tn0dz6GFZgI/AAAAAAAAH7o/r2YwUqFzPjM/s1600/IMG_6991b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WWOGISoZuEs/Tn0dz6GFZgI/AAAAAAAAH7o/r2YwUqFzPjM/s320/IMG_6991b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709484652520962" border="0" /></a>This was no zoo. There is no whistling, yelling or trying to get the animal's attention. No running or screaming. Pure calmness to keep the animals happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqqz2Y-jM1A/Tn0ePKBYV6I/AAAAAAAAH8o/scQw1i0-BFM/s1600/IMG_6995b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqqz2Y-jM1A/Tn0ePKBYV6I/AAAAAAAAH8o/scQw1i0-BFM/s320/IMG_6995b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709952784226210" border="0" /></a>I worried we'd feel bad seeing a bunch of animals in cages, but it was nothing like that. These were some happy animals!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du2eXxGY_-g/Tn0eOxBtu9I/AAAAAAAAH8g/M0XvwjDRLRg/s1600/IMG_6997b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du2eXxGY_-g/Tn0eOxBtu9I/AAAAAAAAH8g/M0XvwjDRLRg/s320/IMG_6997b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709946074741714" border="0" /></a>Do you know what the largest cat that purrs is? A cougar! It's a neat place to learn lots of fun things. They ask a 10$ donation to come in and it's well worth it. The entire place runs on donations. Their annual feeding bill is two million dollars. Wow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmLxJFr1Qx4/Tn0eO5tQxMI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/bYdeqQRfo90/s1600/IMG_7001b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmLxJFr1Qx4/Tn0eO5tQxMI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/bYdeqQRfo90/s320/IMG_7001b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709948404876482" border="0" /></a>There was even a German Shepherd riding in a four wheeler. Nothing new to my family as Bud does the same at my parent's home. Thought he'd enjoy seeing a blurry photo of his relative doing the same in Colorado. Totally recommended!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSjsofuOgPs/Tn0eOrKVrXI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/ayv5eiERlaU/s1600/IMG_7005b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSjsofuOgPs/Tn0eOrKVrXI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/ayv5eiERlaU/s320/IMG_7005b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709944500301170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-n4VvU73iI/Tn0dfMuIf-I/AAAAAAAAH7I/w6gkCiCunhk/s1600/IMG_7006b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-n4VvU73iI/Tn0dfMuIf-I/AAAAAAAAH7I/w6gkCiCunhk/s320/IMG_7006b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709128875081698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6Xpn36KkIY/Tn0eOVhXREI/AAAAAAAAH8I/KVFh9RDLzKw/s1600/IMG_7008b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p6Xpn36KkIY/Tn0eOVhXREI/AAAAAAAAH8I/KVFh9RDLzKw/s320/IMG_7008b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709938691294274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz8lv-JAFA4/Tn0dfLFKbGI/AAAAAAAAH7A/lB1nWDwy_88/s1600/IMG_7009b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz8lv-JAFA4/Tn0dfLFKbGI/AAAAAAAAH7A/lB1nWDwy_88/s320/IMG_7009b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709128434805858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mG3jRJCHHA8/Tn0exPiu0jI/AAAAAAAAH9I/0y1D_SjK4vw/s1600/IMG_7010b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mG3jRJCHHA8/Tn0exPiu0jI/AAAAAAAAH9I/0y1D_SjK4vw/s320/IMG_7010b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655710538381840946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjr4ER5u9A/Tn0de2RwFWI/AAAAAAAAH64/-2KglFTZL1Y/s1600/IMG_7012b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjr4ER5u9A/Tn0de2RwFWI/AAAAAAAAH64/-2KglFTZL1Y/s320/IMG_7012b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709122850461026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmFvraWu740/Tn0d0S0sLbI/AAAAAAAAH8A/0bMwl4X8UVg/s1600/IMG_7014b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmFvraWu740/Tn0d0S0sLbI/AAAAAAAAH8A/0bMwl4X8UVg/s320/IMG_7014b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709491290451378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRLUrmyer3Y/Tn0ew8IeQ6I/AAAAAAAAH9A/1Fexny5hH_8/s1600/IMG_7015b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRLUrmyer3Y/Tn0ew8IeQ6I/AAAAAAAAH9A/1Fexny5hH_8/s320/IMG_7015b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655710533171430306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6d31RPgUE-c/Tn0d0a6mBmI/AAAAAAAAH74/gXSSa7Erclo/s1600/IMG_7016b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6d31RPgUE-c/Tn0d0a6mBmI/AAAAAAAAH74/gXSSa7Erclo/s320/IMG_7016b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655709493462697570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6081525124657925696?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-84330979732529668892011-09-23T16:58:00.000-07:002011-09-23T19:49:03.317-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXBHnhIIuok/Tn0heb-OTgI/AAAAAAAAH9w/dP_Rc-5lR6o/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXBHnhIIuok/Tn0heb-OTgI/AAAAAAAAH9w/dP_Rc-5lR6o/s320/IMG_6953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655713513835744770" border="0" /></a>My dad decided to come to Boulder for a long weekend visit. I picked him up at the airport at 8 am and headed back to town. We stopped at the Walnut Cafe for what is also a good breakfast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ET1nTDe8lzE/Tn0heggzvAI/AAAAAAAAH94/x2zGndIWYKE/s1600/IMG_6955.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ET1nTDe8lzE/Tn0heggzvAI/AAAAAAAAH94/x2zGndIWYKE/s320/IMG_6955.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655713515054545922" border="0" /></a> We then went an checked him into a hotel. He can't stay at the house given a serious allergy to cats. Then following a nap, we headed up to NCAR for a tour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjAkI1fIMs/Tn0hf6wFbmI/AAAAAAAAH-A/fHs4dgOxFwo/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWjAkI1fIMs/Tn0hf6wFbmI/AAAAAAAAH-A/fHs4dgOxFwo/s320/IMG_6956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655713539277811298" border="0" /></a>I'd been wanting to do the NCAR since since moving here, but had never gotten around to it. Wow, was that a mistake. The place is awesome!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPeFnGlYZkE/Tn0hgOx81kI/AAAAAAAAH-I/tpVKEidjucE/s1600/IMG_6957.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tPeFnGlYZkE/Tn0hgOx81kI/AAAAAAAAH-I/tpVKEidjucE/s320/IMG_6957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655713544654345794" border="0" /></a>First thing learned was that IM Pei designed the place. Amazing architect. He took into account the environment to design something that really works.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VItlqroO_k/Tn0hgVNBXrI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/KRpYWfZY9j0/s1600/IMG_6958.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VItlqroO_k/Tn0hgVNBXrI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/KRpYWfZY9j0/s320/IMG_6958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655713546378501810" border="0" /></a>Also learned that it is nonprofit. Most think it is a governmental agency (self included) but it is not. It's funding tends to come from governmental agencies (e.g., NSF), but it is run by a board of directors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9-kalC1YEU/Tn0iOLVW_XI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/YCAC5nRL1NQ/s1600/IMG_6959.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9-kalC1YEU/Tn0iOLVW_XI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/YCAC5nRL1NQ/s320/IMG_6959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655714334003101042" border="0" /></a>Lots of very cool exhibits. We had an hour tour and that just pretty much introduced us to a lot of very cool exhibits. Saw films on the beetle kill, warming earth and just what NCAR does.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5uUCSFkKLk/Tn0iOTbC9rI/AAAAAAAAH-g/XA93WWv364w/s1600/IMG_6961.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x5uUCSFkKLk/Tn0iOTbC9rI/AAAAAAAAH-g/XA93WWv364w/s320/IMG_6961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655714336174438066" border="0" /></a>I didn't realize that NASA was so involved in climate change research. So much learned there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eCh9ZaOPQ0/Tn0iOiTb0jI/AAAAAAAAH-o/ZFxGmrf7cEE/s1600/IMG_6962.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eCh9ZaOPQ0/Tn0iOiTb0jI/AAAAAAAAH-o/ZFxGmrf7cEE/s320/IMG_6962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655714340169044530" border="0" /></a>Think dad had a good time. Not sure what he liked best, but it's clear he liked the supercomputing room. The supercomputers are being phased out of the NCAR site - they cannot get enough electricity or water there to run and cool them. They will be housed in Wyoming in a building already built.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82Ig1Ptg9Gc/Tn0iO6KeU7I/AAAAAAAAH-w/Cnx2j3K8Y_Q/s1600/IMG_6963.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82Ig1Ptg9Gc/Tn0iO6KeU7I/AAAAAAAAH-w/Cnx2j3K8Y_Q/s320/IMG_6963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655714346573910962" border="0" /></a>Also, the tour asked a long standing question of mine - how were they able to build a building there? It clearly is outside the limits of where building can happen in Boulder. Answer - it went to a vote in the city. The population voted 3.5:1 to allow it. It was a good decision as it has brought a lot of cool jobs, cool people and prestige to Boulder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrSowjQbXg8/Tn0iPNRZKaI/AAAAAAAAH-4/tFEYUeFoEPk/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrSowjQbXg8/Tn0iPNRZKaI/AAAAAAAAH-4/tFEYUeFoEPk/s320/IMG_6964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655714351703206306" border="0" /></a>I will head back there again and spend more time. Awesome place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ad9O-Nojii8/Tn0jAMSv1oI/AAAAAAAAH_A/ZrZ6dKro7Fk/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ad9O-Nojii8/Tn0jAMSv1oI/AAAAAAAAH_A/ZrZ6dKro7Fk/s320/IMG_6965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715193254041218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpiSySLV4bo/Tn0jAaS_EFI/AAAAAAAAH_I/X7lpqEzM8AI/s1600/IMG_6966.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpiSySLV4bo/Tn0jAaS_EFI/AAAAAAAAH_I/X7lpqEzM8AI/s320/IMG_6966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715197013135442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kAZJYW99Zg/Tn0jAg3hSKI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/1Gr4BYrJowg/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kAZJYW99Zg/Tn0jAg3hSKI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/1Gr4BYrJowg/s320/IMG_6967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715198776985762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20IaGg8mGPQ/Tn0jAym3ufI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/p3aYmU5SI7o/s1600/IMG_6968.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20IaGg8mGPQ/Tn0jAym3ufI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/p3aYmU5SI7o/s320/IMG_6968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715203538991602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no7tKwY3yYs/Tn0jBNLPriI/AAAAAAAAH_g/VOFqpC0j-dQ/s1600/IMG_6969.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no7tKwY3yYs/Tn0jBNLPriI/AAAAAAAAH_g/VOFqpC0j-dQ/s320/IMG_6969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715210670878242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltDHKIPx-%20lc/Tn0jcAcfDGI/AAAAAAAAH_o/eh7LbAyqftc/s1600/IMG_6970.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltDHKIPx-lc/Tn0jcAcfDGI/AAAAAAAAH_o/eh7LbAyqftc/s320/IMG_6970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715671109995618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vznIxmL_xmo/Tn0jcUSXGJI/AAAAAAAAH_w/6JRrFMnYIx8/s1600/IMG_6971.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vznIxmL_xmo/Tn0jcUSXGJI/AAAAAAAAH_w/6JRrFMnYIx8/s320/IMG_6971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655715676436240530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-8433097973252966889?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-6986353336909157132011-09-20T06:55:00.000-07:002011-09-20T07:09:47.468-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0YMI2g_gGk/Tnib6egbv0I/AAAAAAAAH5M/1pAc_diHMuc/s1600/IMG_3986-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0YMI2g_gGk/Tnib6egbv0I/AAAAAAAAH5M/1pAc_diHMuc/s320/IMG_3986-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654440761087475522" /></a>Dave and a bunch of his friends headed out Sunday to ride one of his favorite mountain bike rides - the Monarch Crest. They picked a perfect weather day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqxTxIgyJx4/Tnib5m-Za2I/AAAAAAAAH5E/JjUIlcsuPZ8/s1600/IMG_3988-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqxTxIgyJx4/Tnib5m-Za2I/AAAAAAAAH5E/JjUIlcsuPZ8/s320/IMG_3988-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654440746180766562" /></a>I can't add much since I wasn't there, but I do know it sounds like everyone had a great time. Hopefully this perfect Fall weather keeps up so there is a lot more time to get outside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E3YBaqnrTQ/Tnib4pCQohI/AAAAAAAAH48/MbHVt2Z5Mhg/s1600/IMG_3989-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E3YBaqnrTQ/Tnib4pCQohI/AAAAAAAAH48/MbHVt2Z5Mhg/s320/IMG_3989-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654440729553969682" /></a>Since I can't speak about this ride, I thought I'd include a description from the web. From Singletrack.com: This is one of the premier shuttle rides in the state and with good reason. With over 30 miles of mostly single track trails and all of the best scenery Colorado has to offer, this trail is a must ride. As a shuttle ride you'll climb about 2,300 feet (much of it above 11,000 feet) and you'll descent about 6,000 feet total. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hx7nbHd61Vc/Tnib4MgkDVI/AAAAAAAAH40/lA_nSnQCsGg/s1600/IMG_3991-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hx7nbHd61Vc/Tnib4MgkDVI/AAAAAAAAH40/lA_nSnQCsGg/s320/IMG_3991-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654440721896443218" /></a>The first part of the ride is above treeline and is not technical in any way. You'll top out at about 11,960 feet and then begin the first major descent down an old fire road to Marshall Pass (this is about the 10 mile mark). From here you can choose to descend down more fire road to the bottom or you can climb up the Rainbow Trail (recommended). Here you'll find some dense forest sections and some steeper climbs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ-w9z_cM00/Tnib3bKFUZI/AAAAAAAAH4s/5bRdnwSp29o/s1600/IMG_3993-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ-w9z_cM00/Tnib3bKFUZI/AAAAAAAAH4s/5bRdnwSp29o/s320/IMG_3993-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654440708648817042" /></a>Finally, head left onto the Silver Creek trail and follow this baby all the way down to a forest service road. The Silver Creek trail is pretty technical with some large scree fields, switchbacks, and some rough sections of trail. At the end of the singletrack you'll ride through a large stream bed and out to the forest road. Go down a bit here until you see a sign for the Rainbow Trail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICLhN4gO4Co/Tnid3KtdbZI/AAAAAAAAH6k/R_mDb0ErCo0/s1600/IMG_3995-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICLhN4gO4Co/Tnid3KtdbZI/AAAAAAAAH6k/R_mDb0ErCo0/s320/IMG_3995-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442903257050514" /></a> Here you can take the Rainbow Trail back to US 285 or stay on the road for a quicker descent. An awesome ride, do it if you get the chance but watch for thunderstorms and be prepared for a long day. Shuttle services are available, check the internet for more information. Trail is usually open (read: clear of snow) from July to August.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-150SSGfEgDw/TnidWFtsZPI/AAAAAAAAH6c/ypug5YYWpmo/s1600/IMG_3996-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-150SSGfEgDw/TnidWFtsZPI/AAAAAAAAH6c/ypug5YYWpmo/s320/IMG_3996-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442334980170994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAr3g9J5UQQ/TnidVQbFsJI/AAAAAAAAH6U/Ct1m7-NvrWo/s1600/IMG_3997-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAr3g9J5UQQ/TnidVQbFsJI/AAAAAAAAH6U/Ct1m7-NvrWo/s320/IMG_3997-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442320675057810" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlE_vlBTSp0/TnidUhaDKOI/AAAAAAAAH6M/cDM3wMWcNJs/s1600/IMG_4001-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlE_vlBTSp0/TnidUhaDKOI/AAAAAAAAH6M/cDM3wMWcNJs/s320/IMG_4001-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442308054231266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yugekfADYM/TnidUMsbfII/AAAAAAAAH6E/cZN6lohNJNQ/s1600/IMG_4005-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yugekfADYM/TnidUMsbfII/AAAAAAAAH6E/cZN6lohNJNQ/s320/IMG_4005-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442302494178434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7ij48FI6SA/TnidTpN_QkI/AAAAAAAAH58/n_4yMLJQqNw/s1600/IMG_4007-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7ij48FI6SA/TnidTpN_QkI/AAAAAAAAH58/n_4yMLJQqNw/s320/IMG_4007-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654442292971258434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5p4Um0yhjI/TnicsHbeTCI/AAAAAAAAH50/juFIIS_dbgM/s1600/IMG_4008-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5p4Um0yhjI/TnicsHbeTCI/AAAAAAAAH50/juFIIS_dbgM/s320/IMG_4008-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654441613886114850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CO9zEMLc7CE/TnicrrmUqFI/AAAAAAAAH5s/7Ni5WHFvqxo/s1600/IMG_4010-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CO9zEMLc7CE/TnicrrmUqFI/AAAAAAAAH5s/7Ni5WHFvqxo/s320/IMG_4010-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654441606415427666" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SLhyLYizAE/TnicrB0fJiI/AAAAAAAAH5k/ejxSwBjP_0U/s1600/IMG_4013-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SLhyLYizAE/TnicrB0fJiI/AAAAAAAAH5k/ejxSwBjP_0U/s320/IMG_4013-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654441595200546338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwGjYY_aFwc/TnicqSas6sI/AAAAAAAAH5c/FEaqWJ8D2yA/s1600/IMG_4015-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwGjYY_aFwc/TnicqSas6sI/AAAAAAAAH5c/FEaqWJ8D2yA/s320/IMG_4015-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654441582475930306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ko3qX1Vqig/Tnicpr9XG3I/AAAAAAAAH5U/1vc70p-yci0/s1600/IMG_4017-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ko3qX1Vqig/Tnicpr9XG3I/AAAAAAAAH5U/1vc70p-yci0/s320/IMG_4017-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654441572152318834" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-698635333690915713?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-74958482008559135212011-09-17T14:56:00.000-07:002011-09-17T15:27:02.220-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9CozAFVaqw/TnUZOeVVElI/AAAAAAAAH4c/yVy9p6eXHcI/s1600/IMG_3908.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9CozAFVaqw/TnUZOeVVElI/AAAAAAAAH4c/yVy9p6eXHcI/s320/IMG_3908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653452643684913746" border="0" /></a>Headed to Washington DC to do some work with the Department of Justice on rape data and research. Excellent get together with some old friends and new ones. Some great projects will hopefully grow out of this get-together. (The photo to the left is not DOJ, but instead the Lincoln Memorial. Didn't get a shot of DOJ).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbZrv4fPunA/TnUZNcL-eVI/AAAAAAAAH4M/LRLv832T3Nw/s1600/IMG_3922.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbZrv4fPunA/TnUZNcL-eVI/AAAAAAAAH4M/LRLv832T3Nw/s320/IMG_3922.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653452625928943954" border="0" /></a>Being in DC is really fun for me. It's a beautiful place with such history all around. Plus, I get the added bonus of seeing where I used to live, hang out, work, etc. Most of my photos here are marginal - took most from a zooming vehicle. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCSh0nSiLk/TnUZN54RUzI/AAAAAAAAH4U/OYMB2H_28B0/s1600/IMG_3919.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCSh0nSiLk/TnUZN54RUzI/AAAAAAAAH4U/OYMB2H_28B0/s320/IMG_3919.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653452633899356978" border="0" /></a> Upon completion of that, I worked with Lynn Addington of American University on some other research we are going to be presenting (Gack!) at the American Society of Criminology conference (also in DC this year) in November. Nice to get the work moving along, and as always, it's nice to hang out with Lynn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn4epLmsWGw/TnUYSLOHTPI/AAAAAAAAH30/_xQ81KSFXTE/s1600/IMG_3927.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn4epLmsWGw/TnUYSLOHTPI/AAAAAAAAH30/_xQ81KSFXTE/s320/IMG_3927.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653451607762226418" border="0" /></a>On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Lynn and I headed out for a bird walk in Rock Creek Park. Great fun! So happy she thought of it as it wouldn't have occurred to me. We saw some excellent birds including Pileated Woodpeckers, many Wood Thrush, Grey Catbirds, etc. Really quite an assortment though the consensus was that it was a slow bird day. Didn't matter to me as many of these birds are not found in Boulder. They are a treat to see at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7N-jLDKIqtw/TnUZMu-1U4I/AAAAAAAAH4E/CwuNCi0P3MQ/s1600/IMG_3924.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7N-jLDKIqtw/TnUZMu-1U4I/AAAAAAAAH4E/CwuNCi0P3MQ/s320/IMG_3924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653452613794222978" border="0" /></a>Driving around the DC area never fails to offer a beautiful view. One of my favorite structures is the National Cathedral. Though whizzing by, I managed to grab a photo of the spires. You can see the damage from the recent 5.9 earthquake in DC. Hopefully it can be repaired to it's previous glory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WTpDtJ3h3M/TnUYS_3hUVI/AAAAAAAAH38/nIeg8zc4gCE/s1600/IMG_3925.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WTpDtJ3h3M/TnUYS_3hUVI/AAAAAAAAH38/nIeg8zc4gCE/s320/IMG_3925.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653451621894541650" border="0" /></a>And here's a real helpful driving tip for DC. When it is the the tenth anniversary of 9/11, don't rent a U-Haul van to drive in town! It will get you more attention than you want. Lynn was horrified that I was hanging out the window trying to get photos of this police action. :) Seriously, who would rent a U-Haul on that day????<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJuxBha4jO4/TnUYR6gcSfI/AAAAAAAAH3s/405ACVoJdr8/s1600/IMG_3929.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJuxBha4jO4/TnUYR6gcSfI/AAAAAAAAH3s/405ACVoJdr8/s320/IMG_3929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653451603275696626" border="0" /></a><br />Another real treat of this trip was spending time with Alan, Lynn's husband and hearing his interesting discussions about politics and philosophy (he's a professor at American as well). Really fascinating. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkNd2UhUQ8Q/TnUYRayIWlI/AAAAAAAAH3k/WPKEMZ2fZbo/s1600/IMG_3930.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mkNd2UhUQ8Q/TnUYRayIWlI/AAAAAAAAH3k/WPKEMZ2fZbo/s320/IMG_3930.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653451594759952978" border="0" /></a>And even more fun (Hey, Alan's not reading this is he??? :) haha) was spending some time with Sam, Lynn's geriatric cat. Sam and Lynn have been a pair for 15 years. I am happy to say that Sam liked me as much as I liked him. He meowed for me, wanted scratching, allowed me to punk-rock his hair. I was honored. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7LkYsz7qpA/TnUZO11JZvI/AAAAAAAAH4k/2EIVo_jn6QA/s1600/IMG_3913.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7LkYsz7qpA/TnUZO11JZvI/AAAAAAAAH4k/2EIVo_jn6QA/s320/IMG_3913.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653452649992382194" border="0" /></a>Finally Sunday evening, Lynn navigating some ridiculous road closures managed to get me to National Airport for the flight back to Colorado. It was a terrific and productive trip. <br /><br />On a very sad note, the next morning, I received the news from Lynn that Sam had passed away. He'd suffered a stroke during the night and she held him while he was put to sleep. I couldn't believe it. How lucky I was to get to meet and play with him. How astonishing that he was just the night before a vibrant kitty. RIP Sam. You will forever be in our hearts. :(<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7495848200855913521?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-33198576778048455492011-09-05T19:47:00.000-07:002011-09-05T19:59:54.083-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W4PjLGPhv88/TmWLaxl9tPI/AAAAAAAAH3M/W4_54e1u-Ms/s1600/IMG_3843.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W4PjLGPhv88/TmWLaxl9tPI/AAAAAAAAH3M/W4_54e1u-Ms/s320/IMG_3843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649074599711585522" border="0" /></a>Just for the heck of it, Dave and I went to Flagstaff Mountain, where we were married, to have a picnic. The menu was excellent: mojitos, sushi, spring rolls, pasta and some chocolate mousse. Yum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c119BaY3FYo/TmWLZ-GaUSI/AAAAAAAAH28/I4s_B1ta-mE/s1600/IMG_3848.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c119BaY3FYo/TmWLZ-GaUSI/AAAAAAAAH28/I4s_B1ta-mE/s320/IMG_3848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649074585889034530" border="0" /></a>For a while, it wasn't clear we'd get to go - the weather was dark, there was lightning and thunder. Top of Flagstaff is no place to be with that lightning (which in fact started three fires in Boulder that were extinguished quickly).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhWr6oPE2OU/TmWKxBwlr1I/AAAAAAAAH2o/c4kyumxzIj8/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhWr6oPE2OU/TmWKxBwlr1I/AAAAAAAAH2o/c4kyumxzIj8/s320/IMG_3858.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649073882496610130" border="0" /></a>By the time we got there, we were able to enjoy some sunshine, an amazing double rainbow (btw, I've never seen so many double rainbows than we have here), and some pretty skies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xrw39SKfk0/TmWKwvHMXTI/AAAAAAAAH2g/XjqgWmsYFBI/s1600/IMG_3863.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xrw39SKfk0/TmWKwvHMXTI/AAAAAAAAH2g/XjqgWmsYFBI/s320/IMG_3863.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649073877491146034" border="0" /></a>Great time. We'll have to do it again soon. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdmjptkUtI/TmWKwaYHUOI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/_X-c1_I50qI/s1600/IMG_3873.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdmjptkUtI/TmWKwaYHUOI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/_X-c1_I50qI/s320/IMG_3873.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649073871924973794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OS_AS7VERBc/TmWKxmgnmII/AAAAAAAAH2w/v7xRHUumRGc/s1600/IMG_3854.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OS_AS7VERBc/TmWKxmgnmII/AAAAAAAAH2w/v7xRHUumRGc/s320/IMG_3854.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649073892361738370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3319857677804845549?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-81324188376118142932011-09-05T19:44:00.001-07:002011-09-05T19:47:09.645-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GACQtZV4znE/TmWJKc9twWI/AAAAAAAAH2I/wDdgGj3Xmhs/s1600/rudy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GACQtZV4znE/TmWJKc9twWI/AAAAAAAAH2I/wDdgGj3Xmhs/s320/rudy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649072120272896354" border="0" /></a>So, I've been riding by this store in Boulder. Out front is this chicken. A metal chicken. A BIG red metal chicken. I am enamored by it. Finally the other day I couldn't take it anymore and I stopped. And bought it. Rudy is mine. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04zwD4nXggk/TmWJKnMtY6I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/kQptx9PUC6U/s1600/rudy%2B1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-04zwD4nXggk/TmWJKnMtY6I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/kQptx9PUC6U/s320/rudy%2B1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649072123020141474" border="0" /></a>I brought Rudy home and perched him in the entry way to greet Dave when he got home from work. I am happy to report that Rudy brought a smile to Dave's face. :) I'm not sure if it was a "gee I love that big, metal, red chicken smile" or a "my wife has gone mad" smile. Who cares, a smile is a smile. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-8132418837611814293?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-71406620638075210642011-09-05T19:26:00.000-07:002011-09-05T19:42:50.218-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMPU7bI9-dk/TmWHIv1W6_I/AAAAAAAAH2A/k99EchbZJ14/s1600/IMG_6900.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMPU7bI9-dk/TmWHIv1W6_I/AAAAAAAAH2A/k99EchbZJ14/s320/IMG_6900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069891955125234" border="0" /></a>This was to be a weekend of a bike tour for Dave and me. The same bike tour we had planned two years ago that my feet but the stop to. And now, other body parts have rebelled and forced a cancellation. So instead of a fun tour, we headed for a long weekend in Crested Butte.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5ft_HZfSaQ/TmWG0rp8w-I/AAAAAAAAH1w/jCyTWHZ7t3o/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5ft_HZfSaQ/TmWG0rp8w-I/AAAAAAAAH1w/jCyTWHZ7t3o/s320/IMG_6914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069547236148194" border="0" /></a>We found a nice camping spot with a great view and an amazing bonus rainbow (photo doesn't do it justice of course). From the camping site, we were able to get on our mountain bikes and head out. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82xKD_eCeIY/TmWG0LtcjaI/AAAAAAAAH1o/rTYEvWgK0dU/s1600/IMG_6917.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82xKD_eCeIY/TmWG0LtcjaI/AAAAAAAAH1o/rTYEvWgK0dU/s320/IMG_6917.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069538660879778" border="0" /></a>Since I'm still grounded and not supposed to 'exert myself', I did some easy riding including heading into South Crested Butte and to the main Crested Butte. Dave took off and did his normal super difficult double-black-diamond rides.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht5ZzfhXU7I/TmWGyiPrwEI/AAAAAAAAH1g/lXFtHYhLhoE/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ht5ZzfhXU7I/TmWGyiPrwEI/AAAAAAAAH1g/lXFtHYhLhoE/s320/IMG_6921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069510350323778" border="0" /></a>The cat loved our campsite. She has never taken off during walks like she did here. She had places to go and she wanted to get there fast. She walked and walked until we finally took her back to the trailer. We later tried to tire her out with some feline pull-ups. That did the trick. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7TQZc50yeg/TmWGybMJFxI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/sBaM0TSMWhs/s1600/IMG_6924.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7TQZc50yeg/TmWGybMJFxI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/sBaM0TSMWhs/s320/IMG_6924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069508456421138" border="0" /></a>On our final day, we did some easy riding out of Crested Butte. I did fine, but seriously, I'm the worst mountain biker there is. I also got stung by a bee that flew down my top (bastard). I was able to get him out while riding before he did more damage. He paid the ultimate price for that fool move.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lMudnm8edg/TmWG00FcfyI/AAAAAAAAH14/y30Ug0CYEEA/s1600/IMG_6904.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lMudnm8edg/TmWG00FcfyI/AAAAAAAAH14/y30Ug0CYEEA/s320/IMG_6904.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649069549498957602" border="0" /></a>It was a good time all around. While it wasn't the awesome bike tour we had planned, it was great fun. Maybe next year we can get the tour done!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYQ71uf5flU/TmWF0S0WmsI/AAAAAAAAH1I/hPH8bD2hGFg/s1600/IMG_6930.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYQ71uf5flU/TmWF0S0WmsI/AAAAAAAAH1I/hPH8bD2hGFg/s320/IMG_6930.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068441057270466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_KeiVlwv08/TmWFz3lnf6I/AAAAAAAAH1A/IILisHhJ3aQ/s1600/IMG_6932.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_KeiVlwv08/TmWFz3lnf6I/AAAAAAAAH1A/IILisHhJ3aQ/s320/IMG_6932.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068433747705762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSSuHdNNYsg/TmWFzksW98I/AAAAAAAAH04/q37lLKlW-Fw/s1600/IMG_6935.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSSuHdNNYsg/TmWFzksW98I/AAAAAAAAH04/q37lLKlW-Fw/s320/IMG_6935.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068428675708866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj5LRE9GiRg/TmWFzPURSwI/AAAAAAAAH0w/t-tIC4uuV9U/s1600/IMG_6937.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj5LRE9GiRg/TmWFzPURSwI/AAAAAAAAH0w/t-tIC4uuV9U/s320/IMG_6937.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068422937529090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iafRwhgiTbs/TmWF0yZNwUI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/QM1D1pqcPeo/s1600/IMG_6929.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iafRwhgiTbs/TmWF0yZNwUI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/QM1D1pqcPeo/s320/IMG_6929.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068449533378882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7140662063807521064?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-45164127283327758432011-09-05T19:16:00.001-07:002011-09-05T19:26:38.203-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qwWDxLYPZw/TmWDFumaixI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/GAChpoLWxt0/s1600/IMG_6873.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qwWDxLYPZw/TmWDFumaixI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/GAChpoLWxt0/s320/IMG_6873.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065442037893906" border="0"></a>Thought a general blog was in order. First, we have one lazy sun-seeking cat. Not much else to say - those with cats know what I'm talking about.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6y1vbF23cs/TmWDFJsTADI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/zvrYEPj-ydc/s1600/IMG_6875.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6y1vbF23cs/TmWDFJsTADI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/zvrYEPj-ydc/s320/IMG_6875.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065432130453554" border="0"></a>What a life cat's have. At least this one. Thought I'd throw in a few photos of Pente being the lazy cat she is. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pUZ_InUNc8/TmWDE5utTEI/AAAAAAAAH0I/pu2bU1PxRtI/s1600/IMG_6877.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pUZ_InUNc8/TmWDE5utTEI/AAAAAAAAH0I/pu2bU1PxRtI/s320/IMG_6877.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065427845598274" border="0"></a>Speaking of pets, we have a couple in the back yard. Yeah, I am probably not supposed to like them, but I find them adorable. Two rats took up residence after guy finished the back deck. They are living the rat dream!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftzc-Z5Oqec/TmWDErSP0kI/AAAAAAAAH0A/M_hAEjb-_9c/s1600/IMG_6883.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftzc-Z5Oqec/TmWDErSP0kI/AAAAAAAAH0A/M_hAEjb-_9c/s320/IMG_6883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065423968129602" border="0"></a>Lots of fun things to run in, around, and under. Plus, they have a lot of food from the dropsies from the bird feeders on the top deck. I really can't believe they've not been picked off. More than once I've seen the neighborhood outdoor cat giving them the stink-eye. So far the rats are faster than the cat. We should probably name them. Any ideas?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL0cYfWIqZc/TmWDF_VtPfI/AAAAAAAAH0g/4Te5Rsm71MQ/s1600/IMG_3712.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL0cYfWIqZc/TmWDF_VtPfI/AAAAAAAAH0g/4Te5Rsm71MQ/s320/IMG_3712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065446531218930" border="0"></a>And finally, we got the house re-roofed on August 1. The roof went well, but the company backed their trailer into the side of the garage leaving a huge gouge. They did it as I and the owner were standing there. Smooth move.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcgb-mlmXJg/TmWDXP5fWxI/AAAAAAAAH0o/tzTH3Zq9jdw/s1600/IMG_3713.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qcgb-mlmXJg/TmWDXP5fWxI/AAAAAAAAH0o/tzTH3Zq9jdw/s320/IMG_3713.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065743034047250" border="0"></a>Well, accidents do happen. What is shameful though is this happened <span style="font-weight:bold;">over a month ago</span>. Think Mountaintop Roofing has fixed it yet? Hahahaha if you think so. Not at all. I wonder how long it'll take them. And I wonder if they really think I'm not going to tell every neighbor who asks how the roofing job went about their lack of attention to things like damaging client's homes. <br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-4516412728332775843?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-10383372624142068542011-09-05T18:50:00.000-07:002011-09-05T19:16:29.163-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGstHx_Z4dw/TmWBUri9tzI/AAAAAAAAHzw/Z_3LyuhudD8/s1600/IMG_6899.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGstHx_Z4dw/TmWBUri9tzI/AAAAAAAAHzw/Z_3LyuhudD8/s320/IMG_6899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063499892897586" border="0" /></a>It took a few months, but we finally coordinated schedules and got the Peru crew plus family and some friends over for a slide show. It was also the birthday of several attendees so a birthday cake was called for (isn't it always?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NcKnzvsOEY/TmWBUSnFSSI/AAAAAAAAHzo/0RRNLpv7SeQ/s1600/IMG_6891.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NcKnzvsOEY/TmWBUSnFSSI/AAAAAAAAHzo/0RRNLpv7SeQ/s320/IMG_6891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063493199284514" border="0" /></a>Each member of the mountaineering team extended invitations to several of their friends so the resulting group at the house was a blast. Everyone got to meet new people. Dave even got reacquainted with a woman who was a friend of his then-girlfriend some 20 years ago. Pretty funny!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xmfwc5vYYQs/TmWBVIT7ENI/AAAAAAAAHz4/8FZtDrkBH30/s1600/IMG_6895.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xmfwc5vYYQs/TmWBVIT7ENI/AAAAAAAAHz4/8FZtDrkBH30/s320/IMG_6895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063507614437586" border="0" /></a>The food was awesome and slides were great fun. Plus it was nice to meet Alex and Andy's wives and all the other new people who came. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-weXWf7GODt4/TmWA4x2MqwI/AAAAAAAAHzY/iuy4vkWFf8o/s1600/IMG_6887.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-weXWf7GODt4/TmWA4x2MqwI/AAAAAAAAHzY/iuy4vkWFf8o/s320/IMG_6887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063020547844866" border="0" /></a>I know some of the members are itching to get back out to Peru next year. I hope they can work it out and I hope we can get another party as a result! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WmoJb3qEzU/TmWA4r3CSvI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/YKnH0ywXwIw/s1600/IMG_6888.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WmoJb3qEzU/TmWA4r3CSvI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/YKnH0ywXwIw/s320/IMG_6888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063018940746482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL4GBh9i0Cg/TmWA4U1LOKI/AAAAAAAAHzI/bpTUmMx8Qi8/s1600/IMG_6890.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xL4GBh9i0Cg/TmWA4U1LOKI/AAAAAAAAHzI/bpTUmMx8Qi8/s320/IMG_6890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063012758927522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGgfUzHQqYk/TmWA5X0BoQI/AAAAAAAAHzg/SdHpxMjYNSg/s1600/IMG_6886.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TGgfUzHQqYk/TmWA5X0BoQI/AAAAAAAAHzg/SdHpxMjYNSg/s320/IMG_6886.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649063030739280130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1038337262414206854?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-18552957916278820812011-09-05T18:42:00.000-07:002011-09-05T18:48:27.391-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38jPqjBOXyo/TmV62S2OoKI/AAAAAAAAHyw/hdBz_W9DToU/s1600/IMG_1651-3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38jPqjBOXyo/TmV62S2OoKI/AAAAAAAAHyw/hdBz_W9DToU/s320/IMG_1651-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649056380796969122" border="0" /></a>I learned recently that some Red-Headed Woodpeckers were in the Boulder area. They generally are not. So off we went one morning to try and find them. I didn't have high hopes as the directions I got were "Go to the burned area near Eldorado Spring." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMgVm0AaMhk/TmV62hBxnQI/AAAAAAAAHy4/VjaGHhoX1Ac/s1600/IMG_1663-3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMgVm0AaMhk/TmV62hBxnQI/AAAAAAAAHy4/VjaGHhoX1Ac/s320/IMG_1663-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649056384603495682" border="0" /></a>Not too specific. Still, we figured we'd give it a try. Off we went. We saw a few birds here and there. One stood out - a Golden Eagle on a snag in the distance. As I watched this bird (who never moved in the hours we were there), clear as day, a Red-Headed Woodpecker flew directly through my line of sight!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDSzxdzhEuA/TmV62IHBy4I/AAAAAAAAHyo/Y68TL05OFHQ/s1600/IMG_1647-3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDSzxdzhEuA/TmV62IHBy4I/AAAAAAAAHyo/Y68TL05OFHQ/s320/IMG_1647-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649056377914641282" border="0" /></a>That was amazingly giving of him. :) So we hiked a bit more and pretty soon we saw several. Several adults...several youngsters (brown heads). We saw multiple nest holes. And a lot of feeding.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmbwhXogrGM/TmV6292HbSI/AAAAAAAAHzA/JoaSZ6gCTHk/s1600/IMG_1665-3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmbwhXogrGM/TmV6292HbSI/AAAAAAAAHzA/JoaSZ6gCTHk/s320/IMG_1665-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649056392339221794" border="0" /></a>It was a real treat. The birds didn't let Dave get too close, but he still managed to get several really nice photos. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1855295791627882081?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-74617943896435034302011-08-21T13:19:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:31:21.470-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHM4eKjZRpM/TlFpftIU8iI/AAAAAAAAHyY/aq9Am0JuUn0/s1600/IMG_0610-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHM4eKjZRpM/TlFpftIU8iI/AAAAAAAAHyY/aq9Am0JuUn0/s320/IMG_0610-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407801483325986" border="0" /></a>Given Dave and I are both grounded now (me with my unknown source of angry heart; Dave with significant tendonitis), we have been trying to get out and see birds more often. In fact, while Dave has been out climbing and riding recently, I've been going on some formal bird walks. They are always fun. So, today, we offer some of his awesome bird photos. The first bird shown here is ADORABLE! A baby Violet-Green Swallow peeking out of his nest hole watching for dinner! <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kku9MPuEFIo/TlFpgFCHEOI/AAAAAAAAHyg/O5VFJUZ0HHw/s1600/IMG_0589-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kku9MPuEFIo/TlFpgFCHEOI/AAAAAAAAHyg/O5VFJUZ0HHw/s320/IMG_0589-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407807899701474" border="0" /></a>We managed to find a small group of Pygmy Nuthatches. Once we found these, it seems I'm seeing them everywhere. <br /> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0CNmCn-8zI/TlFpAImTFcI/AAAAAAAAHxE/S2_EO7dct38/s1600/IMG_8800-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0CNmCn-8zI/TlFpAImTFcI/AAAAAAAAHxE/S2_EO7dct38/s320/IMG_8800-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407259100976578" border="0" /></a>White-Breasted Nuthatch. These silly birds never get old in terms of watching them. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDYjUXXX1uU/TlFpXpHCdMI/AAAAAAAAHyA/WslaOcZ40Vc/s1600/IMG_0887-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jDYjUXXX1uU/TlFpXpHCdMI/AAAAAAAAHyA/WslaOcZ40Vc/s320/IMG_0887-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407662965224642" border="0" /></a>And out buddy the Burrowing Owl. There is an area in town where a pair are raising two young. As we drove by, we were lucky enough to enjoy a show with them all. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miGc7KV5sVE/TlFpXSPBwwI/AAAAAAAAHx4/cEj8dkSW5Fo/s1600/IMG_0924-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miGc7KV5sVE/TlFpXSPBwwI/AAAAAAAAHx4/cEj8dkSW5Fo/s320/IMG_0924-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407656824718082" border="0" /></a>Cedar Waxwings! We spent a lot of time and many evenings going to a spot we knew Cedar Waxwings and their fledglings were hawking for hours. They did not disappoint. So many beautiful birds to watch that it was hard to know where to look. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtDxfFEE7zY/TlFpW92jWRI/AAAAAAAAHxw/TjYHrdTdniA/s1600/IMG_0987-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtDxfFEE7zY/TlFpW92jWRI/AAAAAAAAHxw/TjYHrdTdniA/s320/IMG_0987-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407651353352466" border="0" /></a>More Cedar Waxwings. Can you tell the males from the females? Smaller crest=female. <br /> <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbt-PehWY54/TlFpYG4kP4I/AAAAAAAAHyI/4crAw-qNByI/s1600/IMG_0752-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbt-PehWY54/TlFpYG4kP4I/AAAAAAAAHyI/4crAw-qNByI/s320/IMG_0752-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407670957588354" border="0" /></a>We had one Cedar Waxwing that was especially cooperative. There are so many good photos of the Cedars that it's hard to chose a few to post. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtYEs7V_3UE/TlFpYhmiZFI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/rNgDSJRN8zc/s1600/IMG_0734-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtYEs7V_3UE/TlFpYhmiZFI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/rNgDSJRN8zc/s320/IMG_0734-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407678129726546" border="0" /></a>Enjoy! <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydRYbloF3bk/TlFpBOIy9iI/AAAAAAAAHxc/XJqBW-RsEFI/s1600/IMG_1121-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydRYbloF3bk/TlFpBOIy9iI/AAAAAAAAHxc/XJqBW-RsEFI/s320/IMG_1121-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407277767718434" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EvZEXUfs6ug/TlFpA5rcJcI/AAAAAAAAHxU/KR5J4XzmzIw/s1600/IMG_1306-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EvZEXUfs6ug/TlFpA5rcJcI/AAAAAAAAHxU/KR5J4XzmzIw/s320/IMG_1306-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407272275879362" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swE_QbObYf4/TlFpAcaSW_I/AAAAAAAAHxM/HTP3C7inH1s/s1600/IMG_1352-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-swE_QbObYf4/TlFpAcaSW_I/AAAAAAAAHxM/HTP3C7inH1s/s320/IMG_1352-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407264419306482" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n50ed5BYIy4/TlFpBcV_cbI/AAAAAAAAHxk/uO1aCIzvej0/s1600/IMG_1101-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n50ed5BYIy4/TlFpBcV_cbI/AAAAAAAAHxk/uO1aCIzvej0/s320/IMG_1101-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643407281581158834" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript> <br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7461794389643503430?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-53601471859625566762011-08-21T13:06:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:19:32.680-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPYPbtdV5Q/TlFnLXZwiRI/AAAAAAAAHw8/KqNfrm3Qr9k/s1600/IMG_3801.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPYPbtdV5Q/TlFnLXZwiRI/AAAAAAAAHw8/KqNfrm3Qr9k/s320/IMG_3801.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643405253030218002" border="0" /></a>Larry was back in town for work and pleasure and we were able to spend a good deal of time with him. For those who are wondering, yes, Larry Hamilton - the Stata guy. First, he came to a supertopo happy hour. Then Dave and he spent an afternoon climbing in Boulder Canyon. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mygOLIRFQrg/TlFmlo-BhiI/AAAAAAAAHw0/5cyT3LpPN3E/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mygOLIRFQrg/TlFmlo-BhiI/AAAAAAAAHw0/5cyT3LpPN3E/s320/IMG_3803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404604910700066" border="0" /></a>All the years here and he'd not been to Avalon. So off they went. Sounds like they had fun and of course, they climbed like heroes. :) <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtDFJSate4U/TlFmlWjmZHI/AAAAAAAAHws/-tJoch_QWjQ/s1600/IMG_3805.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtDFJSate4U/TlFmlWjmZHI/AAAAAAAAHws/-tJoch_QWjQ/s320/IMG_3805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404599968031858" border="0" /></a>After that, I met them in downtown and we had dinner at Sherpas. Sherpas is always good and always variable on the service. I think we were all hungry enough we didn't even notice the service. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9MiR91rcVA/TlFmk3zi9AI/AAAAAAAAHwk/dcF7qc4ncZc/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9MiR91rcVA/TlFmk3zi9AI/AAAAAAAAHwk/dcF7qc4ncZc/s320/IMG_3809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404591713416194" border="0" /></a>The following evening, Dave and Larry headed into Eldo to grab some fun after work. They had a great time on Blind Faith I heard. :) <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-MUml4zgjw/TlFmkGsZxHI/AAAAAAAAHwc/arsyiFVX3rg/s1600/IMG_3810.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-MUml4zgjw/TlFmkGsZxHI/AAAAAAAAHwc/arsyiFVX3rg/s320/IMG_3810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404578530116722" border="0" /></a>Then they came home where I had some gourmet Nick and Willies pizza I'd slaved over. Yes, I drove to Nick and Willies and purchased them. I was exhausted. :) <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCcmXvjJz4o/TlFmjj98iiI/AAAAAAAAHwU/O3Kgvq6bNGQ/s1600/IMG_3811.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCcmXvjJz4o/TlFmjj98iiI/AAAAAAAAHwU/O3Kgvq6bNGQ/s320/IMG_3811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404569208457762" border="0" /></a> Once bellies were happy, the silly stuff started happening. What a great time! Looking forward to his next visit. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MToK03LRo20/TlFl6K_5qzI/AAAAAAAAHwM/XWqXaMkmaJc/s1600/IMG_3813.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MToK03LRo20/TlFl6K_5qzI/AAAAAAAAHwM/XWqXaMkmaJc/s320/IMG_3813.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643403858131135282" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpxm9eRXVrg/TlFl5os-pNI/AAAAAAAAHwE/n3F5RmMy1IM/s1600/IMG_3814.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpxm9eRXVrg/TlFl5os-pNI/AAAAAAAAHwE/n3F5RmMy1IM/s320/IMG_3814.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643403848924964050" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eC6oXyynEtQ/TlFl5EjowAI/AAAAAAAAHv8/LVeRm8coJ-s/s1600/IMG_3817.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eC6oXyynEtQ/TlFl5EjowAI/AAAAAAAAHv8/LVeRm8coJ-s/s320/IMG_3817.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643403839222104066" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0co3bbJEpo/TlFl4x8sXkI/AAAAAAAAHv0/CaNdJRM33_M/s1600/IMG_3820.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0co3bbJEpo/TlFl4x8sXkI/AAAAAAAAHv0/CaNdJRM33_M/s320/IMG_3820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643403834226925122" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwim1LRnnk8/TlFl4TTHe_I/AAAAAAAAHvs/mqVeP-QHtcA/s1600/IMG_3823.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwim1LRnnk8/TlFl4TTHe_I/AAAAAAAAHvs/mqVeP-QHtcA/s320/IMG_3823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643403825999477746" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript> <br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5360147185962556676?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-5528195437588568922011-08-21T12:42:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:06:26.552-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPGl_-MgWd4/TlFgc_he-5I/AAAAAAAAHuU/-R8N47Pd0t8/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPGl_-MgWd4/TlFgc_he-5I/AAAAAAAAHuU/-R8N47Pd0t8/s320/IMG_3745.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643397859276422034" border="0" /></a>August is a big birthday month around here. It seems many of our friends - especially the climbers - have birthdays in August. <br /> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uaxYyntDYmQ/TlFjVa9JhII/AAAAAAAAHvc/4H0KmAD0hX8/s1600/IMG_3796.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uaxYyntDYmQ/TlFjVa9JhII/AAAAAAAAHvc/4H0KmAD0hX8/s320/IMG_3796.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643401027736142978" border="0" /></a> So, not only did Dave turn 51 on the 10th, but his best friend Quinn turned 50 on the 14th. To celebrate that, they went out and climbed the Naked Edge. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIR3OwukuUo/TlFgcaGTA9I/AAAAAAAAHuM/qp8rMAjJsck/s1600/IMG_3746.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIR3OwukuUo/TlFgcaGTA9I/AAAAAAAAHuM/qp8rMAjJsck/s320/IMG_3746.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643397849230279634" border="0" /></a>This is Dave's 116th time up the Edge, and second time he'd climbed it that week. :) Quinn and Dave also realized that the first time they climbed it together was 25 years before. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn9T6axS8rM/TlFgbx458YI/AAAAAAAAHuE/anOuK0SSC_w/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tn9T6axS8rM/TlFgbx458YI/AAAAAAAAHuE/anOuK0SSC_w/s320/IMG_3747.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643397838436692354" border="0" /></a>Given I wasn't there, I can't add much except putting up photos for everyone to enjoy. Dave and Quinn styled the Edge which doesn't surprise me. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMAA6aThOrk/TlFgbRS2fjI/AAAAAAAAHt8/_s5fWtfU1u0/s1600/IMG_3749.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMAA6aThOrk/TlFgbRS2fjI/AAAAAAAAHt8/_s5fWtfU1u0/s320/IMG_3749.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643397829687148082" border="0" /></a>Maybe this will become an August birthday traditional with them? <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21EAeHOElYw/TlFga-xJceI/AAAAAAAAHt0/f7f4X6-eAxI/s1600/IMG_3750.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-21EAeHOElYw/TlFga-xJceI/AAAAAAAAHt0/f7f4X6-eAxI/s320/IMG_3750.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643397824713945570" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyRdiRdVDNo/TlFiN5V7y7I/AAAAAAAAHuc/0amjjsxePug/s1600/IMG_3753.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyRdiRdVDNo/TlFiN5V7y7I/AAAAAAAAHuc/0amjjsxePug/s320/IMG_3753.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399798942583730" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obdVKwTi-O8/TlFiOI1vcaI/AAAAAAAAHuk/7prKUWvugQo/s1600/IMG_3756.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obdVKwTi-O8/TlFiOI1vcaI/AAAAAAAAHuk/7prKUWvugQo/s320/IMG_3756.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399803102523810" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyOeplQqp9w/TlFiOwFCXYI/AAAAAAAAHus/Lc58dfPaVb0/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyOeplQqp9w/TlFiOwFCXYI/AAAAAAAAHus/Lc58dfPaVb0/s320/IMG_3758.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399813635661186" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGFDwTVjJ9o/TlFiPU6sXuI/AAAAAAAAHu0/7aZRzdMWMG0/s1600/IMG_3766.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGFDwTVjJ9o/TlFiPU6sXuI/AAAAAAAAHu0/7aZRzdMWMG0/s320/IMG_3766.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399823524388578" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nf5Qh2aBPVM/TlFiQB3oAPI/AAAAAAAAHu8/0-8KfnzxiFc/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nf5Qh2aBPVM/TlFiQB3oAPI/AAAAAAAAHu8/0-8KfnzxiFc/s320/IMG_3768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643399835591114994" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrwpTYVp9f4/TlFjTiTH4qI/AAAAAAAAHvE/OdjRe43LUK8/s1600/IMG_3775.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wrwpTYVp9f4/TlFjTiTH4qI/AAAAAAAAHvE/OdjRe43LUK8/s320/IMG_3775.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643400995347620514" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUX7IwS5cRA/TlFjUHZs-SI/AAAAAAAAHvM/O64RhGCgwac/s1600/IMG_3785.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUX7IwS5cRA/TlFjUHZs-SI/AAAAAAAAHvM/O64RhGCgwac/s320/IMG_3785.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643401005307328802" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xD5cFTXKzKc/TlFjUqZWDUI/AAAAAAAAHvU/a1uuGjNWo40/s1600/IMG_3794.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xD5cFTXKzKc/TlFjUqZWDUI/AAAAAAAAHvU/a1uuGjNWo40/s320/IMG_3794.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643401014701067586" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_d_6aCcWGf0/TlFjV7fxhmI/AAAAAAAAHvk/gvM2LBSHK_8/s1600/IMG_3797.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_d_6aCcWGf0/TlFjV7fxhmI/AAAAAAAAHvk/gvM2LBSHK_8/s320/IMG_3797.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643401036471305826" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript> <br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-552819543758856892?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-63081693231748909802011-08-17T18:42:00.000-07:002011-08-21T12:42:21.107-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix-SAHgaMWs/TlFeRy2kyjI/AAAAAAAAHts/alX8lwC-DQA/s1600/IMG_3730.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix-SAHgaMWs/TlFeRy2kyjI/AAAAAAAAHts/alX8lwC-DQA/s320/IMG_3730.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643395467873405490" border="0" /></a>Dave here...I decided to get up high for a mountain bike ride I'd not done before. Starting in Nederland, I headed up to the tiny town of Eldora and from there followed Forest Service "Road" 505 for about 10 miles to the Caribou area NW of Nederland. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQUs7q3nwcs/TlFdk6xIWMI/AAAAAAAAHtc/kqfEZm5cKzY/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQUs7q3nwcs/TlFdk6xIWMI/AAAAAAAAHtc/kqfEZm5cKzY/s320/IMG_3734.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643394696903940290" border="0" /></a>This ride covers some pretty challenging rocky 4-WD terrain and gets as high as 10,300 feet in elevation. There are some very nice views and a fair number of flowers. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-axD5o1bCIu0/TlFdkNwiMDI/AAAAAAAAHtU/f0b_lZOAQRY/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-axD5o1bCIu0/TlFdkNwiMDI/AAAAAAAAHtU/f0b_lZOAQRY/s320/IMG_3737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643394684821844018" border="0" /></a>It was good to do a new ride, but much of the riding was somewhat abusive. Large rock obstacle kind of stuff. Still, it beats a day in the cube farm! :) <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxRqVT-kvI4/TlFdjbnPsgI/AAAAAAAAHtM/4tjPQi5KLa8/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxRqVT-kvI4/TlFdjbnPsgI/AAAAAAAAHtM/4tjPQi5KLa8/s320/IMG_3739.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643394671361110530" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4Gpve6Zyy0/TlFdiyAvrtI/AAAAAAAAHtE/L4KlGig1As4/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4Gpve6Zyy0/TlFdiyAvrtI/AAAAAAAAHtE/L4KlGig1As4/s320/IMG_3742.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643394660193775314" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn_g-jglqBA/TlFdlWMVjLI/AAAAAAAAHtk/ImItuOj0MXI/s1600/IMG_3731.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn_g-jglqBA/TlFdlWMVjLI/AAAAAAAAHtk/ImItuOj0MXI/s320/IMG_3731.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643394704265809074" border="0" /></a> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript> <br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6308169323174890980?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-78105258663071027232011-08-05T18:41:00.000-07:002011-08-05T18:51:18.227-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_cgYJ1oK9M/Tjydlfd7IsI/AAAAAAAAHsQ/I9Fn2HSHXdg/s1600/IMG_9381-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_cgYJ1oK9M/Tjydlfd7IsI/AAAAAAAAHsQ/I9Fn2HSHXdg/s320/IMG_9381-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554100988748482" border="0" /></a>Dave pulled a few photos from Crested Butte off of his good camera so I wanted to share them here. Really beautiful place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYUestyTMhw/TjycxewudKI/AAAAAAAAHsA/EhmCCSxmghs/s1600/IMG_9412-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bYUestyTMhw/TjycxewudKI/AAAAAAAAHsA/EhmCCSxmghs/s320/IMG_9412-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637553207445976226" border="0" /></a>There were flowers of every color. Not sure what these are, but I like them. Purple + yellow= you can't go wrong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhohI8p8FJI/Tjycx7dilbI/AAAAAAAAHsI/xS1xiJT-WNU/s1600/IMG_9423-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhohI8p8FJI/Tjycx7dilbI/AAAAAAAAHsI/xS1xiJT-WNU/s320/IMG_9423-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637553215150134706" border="0" /></a>Here is a photo of Lance Armstrong in the Leadville 100 Qualifier (he's #1 of course). He won the qualifier though won't compete in the Leadville 100. He said he's retired! The guy behind his is a Crested Butte local and clearly favorite. Lance gained 20 second on him in the upcoming uphill section. You can't see it here, but one minute in front of Lance at this point is #147 who Lance caught up with and passed in a difficult uphill section. He is something else!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0j8ASzZ-lc/TjyciSl-_ZI/AAAAAAAAHrw/d0ctHJm78Ws/s1600/IMG_9405-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0j8ASzZ-lc/TjyciSl-_ZI/AAAAAAAAHrw/d0ctHJm78Ws/s320/IMG_9405-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637552946481659282" border="0" /></a>These beautiful yellow flowers were everywhere in the one valley near Gothic, Colorado. Gorgeous!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NH0tI4IJUBI/Tjych9Sq-3I/AAAAAAAAHro/kgiXOGlnwdk/s1600/IMG_9401-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NH0tI4IJUBI/Tjych9Sq-3I/AAAAAAAAHro/kgiXOGlnwdk/s320/IMG_9401-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637552940763511666" border="0" /></a>This creek was next to where we camped. The rock is all slate, hence it's name "Slate Creek". More gorgeousness. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMPp7DQH6vQ/TjycgqyuAmI/AAAAAAAAHrY/mU0K6Ih2oYE/s1600/IMG_9378-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMPp7DQH6vQ/TjycgqyuAmI/AAAAAAAAHrY/mU0K6Ih2oYE/s320/IMG_9378-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637552918617784930" border="0" /></a>More beautiful scenes! Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a_fODjf4Lk/Tjyci4qSqZI/AAAAAAAAHr4/ZJzKzlotoss/s1600/IMG_9408-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a_fODjf4Lk/Tjyci4qSqZI/AAAAAAAAHr4/ZJzKzlotoss/s320/IMG_9408-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637552956700273042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7810525866307102723?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-38049632530288996582011-08-05T15:30:00.000-07:002011-08-05T16:16:54.430-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8er0IlMb5w/Tjx2WY_4TII/AAAAAAAAHrA/7QC8zkMe7sI/s1600/IMG_6806.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8er0IlMb5w/Tjx2WY_4TII/AAAAAAAAHrA/7QC8zkMe7sI/s320/IMG_6806.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637510960600599682" border="0" /></a>Kathy and Ron Lenz, our neighbors, invited me to go to the Denver Botanical Garden. I was psyched to get out of the house. Off we went. It was my first time there. Quite nice. :) Lots of beautiful things blooming. Lovely fragrances. Cool plants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8trYhPmHodY/Tjx2V074fwI/AAAAAAAAHq4/PdnXWIrAFxw/s1600/IMG_6811.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8trYhPmHodY/Tjx2V074fwI/AAAAAAAAHq4/PdnXWIrAFxw/s320/IMG_6811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637510950920158978" border="0" /></a>I took my binoculars hoping to see lots of birds. There were hardly ANY birds there! I heard some House Finch, saw a few House Sparrows, one Chickadee and one Spotted Towhee. I would have thought the place was crawling with birds. Wrong!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrA-ksa1npY/Tjx2X_gxtYI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/mY0sL57Oue0/s1600/IMG_6804.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrA-ksa1npY/Tjx2X_gxtYI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/mY0sL57Oue0/s320/IMG_6804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637510988118996354" border="0" /></a><br />There isn't really much narrative to go with this activity. The photos speak for themselves. Glad I got out and enjoyed this - thanks Ron &amp; Kathy! Enjoy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nFYvPddYqTk/Tjx0fVKq9HI/AAAAAAAAHqo/Wx19mipd7So/s1600/IMG_6839.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nFYvPddYqTk/Tjx0fVKq9HI/AAAAAAAAHqo/Wx19mipd7So/s320/IMG_6839.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637508915167687794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZe3OOCaFm4/Tjx0el6jfGI/AAAAAAAAHqg/U6xxaDoQPSk/s1600/IMG_6840.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZe3OOCaFm4/Tjx0el6jfGI/AAAAAAAAHqg/U6xxaDoQPSk/s320/IMG_6840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637508902483623010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MJ971lZ2Q8/Tjx0dHekk-I/AAAAAAAAHqQ/GIQMo-kUarY/s1600/IMG_6845.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--MJ971lZ2Q8/Tjx0dHekk-I/AAAAAAAAHqQ/GIQMo-kUarY/s320/IMG_6845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637508877133321186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfGcToNdpyQ/Tjx2W2KdLtI/AAAAAAAAHrI/SNKAWs4_q08/s1600/IMG_6805.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfGcToNdpyQ/Tjx2W2KdLtI/AAAAAAAAHrI/SNKAWs4_q08/s320/IMG_6805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637510968429588178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_qoTOA_IUg/Tjx0fpUS4aI/AAAAAAAAHqw/cnmAK7wCqXI/s1600/IMG_6837.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_qoTOA_IUg/Tjx0fpUS4aI/AAAAAAAAHqw/cnmAK7wCqXI/s320/IMG_6837.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637508920576762274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZuxKnITJI8/TjxyuAMy3WI/AAAAAAAAHqA/793OcJ5vu6Y/s1600/IMG_6848.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZuxKnITJI8/TjxyuAMy3WI/AAAAAAAAHqA/793OcJ5vu6Y/s320/IMG_6848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637506968214232418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjQ7U6X5tEI/Tjxyts60KXI/AAAAAAAAHp4/xfYp2pEa1VM/s1600/IMG_6851.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjQ7U6X5tEI/Tjxyts60KXI/AAAAAAAAHp4/xfYp2pEa1VM/s320/IMG_6851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637506963038546290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiPmI7BNTWc/Tjxys0-Pl5I/AAAAAAAAHpw/IPOIPSWiCbE/s1600/IMG_6853.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiPmI7BNTWc/Tjxys0-Pl5I/AAAAAAAAHpw/IPOIPSWiCbE/s320/IMG_6853.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637506948020541330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dEQj2Q1xM4/Tjxysg7i8LI/AAAAAAAAHpo/ah6CMq8EzCA/s1600/IMG_6858.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dEQj2Q1xM4/Tjxysg7i8LI/AAAAAAAAHpo/ah6CMq8EzCA/s320/IMG_6858.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637506942640517298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjuEwidh1A8/TjxyuvdIMwI/AAAAAAAAHqI/MpZ9RJoIZ0o/s1600/IMG_6846.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjuEwidh1A8/TjxyuvdIMwI/AAAAAAAAHqI/MpZ9RJoIZ0o/s320/IMG_6846.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637506980899205890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XHpngXfZcI/TjxxBGWIRaI/AAAAAAAAHpU/A9Sxn3EgpnE/s1600/IMG_6861.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XHpngXfZcI/TjxxBGWIRaI/AAAAAAAAHpU/A9Sxn3EgpnE/s320/IMG_6861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637505097258255778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cPcPJyUY1k/TjxxAuKoaTI/AAAAAAAAHpM/9U8Ln6dpo0Y/s1600/IMG_6866.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cPcPJyUY1k/TjxxAuKoaTI/AAAAAAAAHpM/9U8Ln6dpo0Y/s320/IMG_6866.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637505090767579442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UQzBmaLEb0/TjxxAS3sbdI/AAAAAAAAHpE/Cz-7Y8RgMNc/s1600/IMG_6867.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UQzBmaLEb0/TjxxAS3sbdI/AAAAAAAAHpE/Cz-7Y8RgMNc/s320/IMG_6867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637505083440393682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TLe4JaokTSE/Tjxw_0C2HLI/AAAAAAAAHo8/iymcKOhUmGg/s1600/IMG_6868.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TLe4JaokTSE/Tjxw_0C2HLI/AAAAAAAAHo8/iymcKOhUmGg/s320/IMG_6868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637505075165666482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8v1QY1F0Qs/TjxxBiL2sGI/AAAAAAAAHpc/SsnuEetSs10/s1600/IMG_6860.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8v1QY1F0Qs/TjxxBiL2sGI/AAAAAAAAHpc/SsnuEetSs10/s320/IMG_6860.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637505104731353186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3804963253028899658?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-51264382078420522262011-08-05T15:17:00.000-07:002011-08-05T15:30:15.540-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3m9L6ZfsL8/TjxtitaeIjI/AAAAAAAAHoc/9ivpgPcs3mU/s1600/IMG_6768.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V3m9L6ZfsL8/TjxtitaeIjI/AAAAAAAAHoc/9ivpgPcs3mU/s320/IMG_6768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637501276634620466" border="0" /></a>With Dave on a 'normal' working schedule, he's been getting up early to play. This particular morning he got up EARLY, hiked in and soloed the Third Flatiron to watch the sunrise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-vTRjrV5iU/TjxtiArImzI/AAAAAAAAHoU/LP9Zcm4gn_A/s1600/IMG_6771.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-vTRjrV5iU/TjxtiArImzI/AAAAAAAAHoU/LP9Zcm4gn_A/s320/IMG_6771.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637501264624917298" border="0" /></a>He got many really beautiful photos thought you would enjoy. He rapped off, hiked out, and got home in time to get ready and be at work at 7:30am. Pretty darn impressive!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-srrIhfZ2gyY/TjxthnM6waI/AAAAAAAAHoM/TRiHwHoPhHQ/s1600/IMG_6775.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-srrIhfZ2gyY/TjxthnM6waI/AAAAAAAAHoM/TRiHwHoPhHQ/s320/IMG_6775.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637501257787294114" border="0" /></a>Enjoy the beautiful photos!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-5yhcppGJ8/TjxthL4iDCI/AAAAAAAAHoE/Ek6Uxmv5U04/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-5yhcppGJ8/TjxthL4iDCI/AAAAAAAAHoE/Ek6Uxmv5U04/s320/IMG_6778.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637501250454031394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNhPf8J7RsY/TjxuThNPRMI/AAAAAAAAHo0/zNm1pTHbBgw/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VNhPf8J7RsY/TjxuThNPRMI/AAAAAAAAHo0/zNm1pTHbBgw/s320/IMG_6781.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637502115171484866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKmbtmy0C8U/TjxuTLLHasI/AAAAAAAAHos/i34Lp-pMURA/s1600/IMG_6782.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKmbtmy0C8U/TjxuTLLHasI/AAAAAAAAHos/i34Lp-pMURA/s320/IMG_6782.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637502109257001666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0g5hHzVDf8/TjxuShqzK7I/AAAAAAAAHok/ms3vbjOvPME/s1600/IMG_6783.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0g5hHzVDf8/TjxuShqzK7I/AAAAAAAAHok/ms3vbjOvPME/s320/IMG_6783.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637502098115603378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5126438207842052226?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-10868722270797575152011-08-05T14:46:00.001-07:002011-08-05T15:17:31.902-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJzVGmCAnQo/TjxpUalijII/AAAAAAAAHnE/Y8kEo5eeivg/s1600/IMG_3726.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJzVGmCAnQo/TjxpUalijII/AAAAAAAAHnE/Y8kEo5eeivg/s320/IMG_3726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637496633016093826" border="0" /></a><br />You may have noticed me being lazy in Crested Butte. There was a reason for this. Long story short, I'd been feeling bad and had gone to the doctor before we went on this trip. My breathing was awful. My lungs felt constricted and hurt all the time - especially during exercise. Riding was getting way harder, not easier. And on a recent easy ride, I'd started to panic because I couldn't breath. I figured I was entering the world of exercise induced asthma.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY0CdrZn5-4/TjxpVQB9KZI/AAAAAAAAHnU/fUP2VmB96TM/s1600/IMG_3716.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY0CdrZn5-4/TjxpVQB9KZI/AAAAAAAAHnU/fUP2VmB96TM/s320/IMG_3716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637496647362357650" border="0" /></a><br />I went to the doctor who listened to my story, hooked me up to an EKG machine, and then told me I was to DO NOTHING but walk (and not fast) until I got to the cardiologist. My EKG was awful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrihJjkFlyA/TjxpVzMdpXI/AAAAAAAAHnc/-M2ECHHdInE/s1600/IMG_3723.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrihJjkFlyA/TjxpVzMdpXI/AAAAAAAAHnc/-M2ECHHdInE/s320/IMG_3723.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637496656801670514" border="0" /></a>I guess the asthma wasn't asthma after all. Doh. And I guess that tightness and hurting wasn't my lungs - it was my heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cszff9K80Qw/TjxpWa2ta9I/AAAAAAAAHnk/tWkTiATJsjY/s1600/IMG_6794.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cszff9K80Qw/TjxpWa2ta9I/AAAAAAAAHnk/tWkTiATJsjY/s320/IMG_6794.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637496667447847890" border="0" /></a>I went to the cardiologist's office who hooked up the EKG, did an echocardiogram, and sent us directly to the hospital. It was scary and surprising. Me? I have low/normal blood pressure. I have low cholesterol. I exercise. I eat well. I have never smoked. I'm fit. I'm thin. But, I do have genetics that point to "Cardiac Shitus" (I made that term up, don't google it).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbQNFiG1jUM/TjxqZDH05FI/AAAAAAAAHn0/7prQsOZ3ahk/s1600/IMG_6792.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbQNFiG1jUM/TjxqZDH05FI/AAAAAAAAHn0/7prQsOZ3ahk/s320/IMG_6792.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637497812128425042" border="0" /></a>Among the problems suggested on the EKG was a high likelihood of clogged arteries and a big fat heart attack at any moment. Yikes. I got admitted, and spent the night. The angiogram was scheduled first thing in the morning. I would likely get a stent or stents, or possibly bypass surgery. Me???<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuDIiCaNCws/TjxqYluReyI/AAAAAAAAHns/kz3j_XIkpC8/s1600/IMG_6793.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuDIiCaNCws/TjxqYluReyI/AAAAAAAAHns/kz3j_XIkpC8/s320/IMG_6793.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637497804236618530" border="0" /></a>I went in the next morning for the procedure. I was only in for about 30 minutes and out at 9am. It was clear that I had nice clean arteries. Yay. Recovery was tough though. I was in the recovery room about six hours. And I looked pretty crudy the entire time. I don't remember much, but I do recall I said something about how Dave should have taken a photo of me when I passed out. The nurse said I didn't want to see that. I must have looked grim. Grimmer than these photos even. :/<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TUhuwTOeD5g/TjxqZrZ_SqI/AAAAAAAAHn8/n18Ksnjqm9k/s1600/IMG_6787.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TUhuwTOeD5g/TjxqZrZ_SqI/AAAAAAAAHn8/n18Ksnjqm9k/s320/IMG_6787.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637497822942022306" border="0" /></a>So the question remains why blood is being cut off to my heart and causing nasty problems. And how can this be me? I am young and healthy (okay, healthy. Haha). Hopefully we will find out soon. I have to wait until the femoral vein puncture heals to go back for more tests (this Tuesday). Until then, I am an official couch potato - a very tired couch potato. Boo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1086872227079757515?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-92134116923122378862011-08-05T14:10:00.000-07:002011-08-05T14:45:59.598-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIxiQ-Ee_rU/TjxjBMdlVwI/AAAAAAAAHmg/vXAqU5-CVDA/s1600/IMG_6652.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIxiQ-Ee_rU/TjxjBMdlVwI/AAAAAAAAHmg/vXAqU5-CVDA/s320/IMG_6652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637489705737344770" border="0" /></a>Time to head out for some more fun. This destination is Crested Butte where we will enjoy the wildflowers and Dave will get in some fun mountain bike riding. It was a nice drive out of town and we found a decent camp spot with quite a view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmIFeHLGr4w/TjxjAoL3SrI/AAAAAAAAHmY/0KjnKSjl_tI/s1600/IMG_6640.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmIFeHLGr4w/TjxjAoL3SrI/AAAAAAAAHmY/0KjnKSjl_tI/s320/IMG_6640.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637489695999347378" border="0" /></a>Sadly, not many flowers were around. We thought we'd struck out. Dave took his bike out for a spin and shot some nice photos of the area we camped in. Then it was dinner time and off to bed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz-uFA_6tK0/TjxjAOm-IEI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/M7JDYTUeGeU/s1600/IMG_6636.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz-uFA_6tK0/TjxjAOm-IEI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/M7JDYTUeGeU/s320/IMG_6636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637489689133719618" border="0" /></a>The next morning, he was up early taking photos and headed out on a big mountain bike ride. At some point during it, he ran into a local who directed him over a couple of valleys - that is where the wild flower were he said. And he was right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ShfpY28Nmg/Tjxi_vilu9I/AAAAAAAAHmI/5zia2c16Zhk/s1600/IMG_6628.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ShfpY28Nmg/Tjxi_vilu9I/AAAAAAAAHmI/5zia2c16Zhk/s320/IMG_6628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637489680793844690" border="0" /></a>The photos Dave brought back were beautiful! Enough that we planned to get photos with the good camera the next morning. Dave got back from his ride tired - it was long and hard. At some points, the grade was 23% making it challenging to keep the front wheel on the ground. Sounded like he had some fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPOIub3P7Wc/TjxjBjKOZzI/AAAAAAAAHmo/MP44GV8hNRY/s1600/IMG_6683.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hPOIub3P7Wc/TjxjBjKOZzI/AAAAAAAAHmo/MP44GV8hNRY/s320/IMG_6683.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637489711830165298" border="0" /></a>While riding, Dave noticed some unusual activity. Turned out we'd found yet another bike race! The Leadville 100 qualifiers were happening the next day (Sunday). A cool aspect of it was that Lance Armstrong was in it. Cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVohPAy8vXo/TjxhGFeM-zI/AAAAAAAAHl4/w2fE-Ew5UWg/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVohPAy8vXo/TjxhGFeM-zI/AAAAAAAAHl4/w2fE-Ew5UWg/s320/IMG_6703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637487590736984882" border="0" /></a>The next morning, we went and got some photos, though roads were blocked for the race. We parked to grab some breakfast and as luck would have it, it was where the racers were coming by. So, we managed to get some pretty cool photos of Lance and the others. Nice bonus, no?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eI_U_55FoYs/TjxhFiFC8dI/AAAAAAAAHlw/MkgwzJCXyaM/s1600/IMG_6704.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eI_U_55FoYs/TjxhFiFC8dI/AAAAAAAAHlw/MkgwzJCXyaM/s320/IMG_6704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637487581236228562" border="0" /></a>Dave took off then and road some more fun trails, then we met up in town and enjoyed lunch. Then drove home. It was a fun weekend - relaxing for me, and exhausting (by choice) for Dave. And of course, Pente got in a lot of dirt rolling. She loves that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hndQgs29fIE/TjxhFDjt0iI/AAAAAAAAHlo/xhmA_xyYL6s/s1600/IMG_6716.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hndQgs29fIE/TjxhFDjt0iI/AAAAAAAAHlo/xhmA_xyYL6s/s320/IMG_6716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637487573043368482" border="0" /></a>There are honestly so many good photos of this trip (and these are just from the point and shoot!) it was difficult to chose some to post. The final one is Lance in the race. The rest are just a few of the gorgeous sites we saw in Crested Butte. Enjoy the photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9RnWNoWySA/TjxhEobe3eI/AAAAAAAAHlg/_x9alWG99Lg/s1600/IMG_6717.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9RnWNoWySA/TjxhEobe3eI/AAAAAAAAHlg/_x9alWG99Lg/s320/IMG_6717.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637487565761076706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtoXZ91CRYo/TjxhGiwBH8I/AAAAAAAAHmA/MnPYswAAL5A/s1600/IMG_6702.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtoXZ91CRYo/TjxhGiwBH8I/AAAAAAAAHmA/MnPYswAAL5A/s320/IMG_6702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637487598596333506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzWG6QD1LNY/TjxfPaZpX3I/AAAAAAAAHlQ/mN1v0Vf-kEM/s1600/IMG_6741.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzWG6QD1LNY/TjxfPaZpX3I/AAAAAAAAHlQ/mN1v0Vf-kEM/s320/IMG_6741.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637485551950585714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqS1kwg0fk4/TjxfO1OdDNI/AAAAAAAAHlI/pjtbAxfX3Lk/s1600/IMG_6759.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bqS1kwg0fk4/TjxfO1OdDNI/AAAAAAAAHlI/pjtbAxfX3Lk/s320/IMG_6759.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637485541971528914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwwiby9RZB8/TjxfOLNngRI/AAAAAAAAHlA/0_-a-aJWmN4/s1600/IMG_6762.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwwiby9RZB8/TjxfOLNngRI/AAAAAAAAHlA/0_-a-aJWmN4/s320/IMG_6762.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637485530693730578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4wlZPO8RAA/TjxfNzc3l3I/AAAAAAAAHk4/4hkaqCPctSw/s1600/IMG_6753.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4wlZPO8RAA/TjxfNzc3l3I/AAAAAAAAHk4/4hkaqCPctSw/s320/IMG_6753.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637485524315248498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-saIv6kVQ/TjxfRXGvFvI/AAAAAAAAHlY/Ng36mircHJY/s1600/IMG_6747.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-saIv6kVQ/TjxfRXGvFvI/AAAAAAAAHlY/Ng36mircHJY/s320/IMG_6747.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637485585425700594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wI1ELgMuLUM/Tjxj14kVLkI/AAAAAAAAHmw/AinG2eFV8VU/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wI1ELgMuLUM/Tjxj14kVLkI/AAAAAAAAHmw/AinG2eFV8VU/s320/IMG_6727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637490610930003522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-9213411692312237886?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-65732922637966860792011-07-26T15:13:00.001-07:002011-07-26T15:26:34.957-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nq8gtANzTM/Ti88ZjBuO9I/AAAAAAAAHkw/7P31hPgB75o/s1600/IMG_3669a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nq8gtANzTM/Ti88ZjBuO9I/AAAAAAAAHkw/7P31hPgB75o/s320/IMG_3669a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633788068460641234" border="0" /></a>We woke up this morning to a gorgeous sunrise. Happily Dave took this photo (with the point and shoot!) so I actually had a chance to see it. I took the rest of the photos in the blog so you'll understand the abrupt change in quality. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r51GvOUr2s/Ti88MlNCQ4I/AAAAAAAAHjo/TpWiKOqoln8/s1600/IMG_3668a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_r51GvOUr2s/Ti88MlNCQ4I/AAAAAAAAHjo/TpWiKOqoln8/s320/IMG_3668a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633787845706662786" border="0" /></a>The backyard has been a blast because all the adult birds are bringing their youngsters to show them the ways of the world. Some of those lessons include 'how to eat from a bird feeder,' 'how to land on a bird feeder,' (clearly young birds initially believe they are to land ON any other bird there), and they are getting schooled in the harsh reality of weaning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWpK5vl8tOI/Ti88NhwpURI/AAAAAAAAHkI/EFhxmQBzphw/s1600/IMG_3676a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWpK5vl8tOI/Ti88NhwpURI/AAAAAAAAHkI/EFhxmQBzphw/s320/IMG_3676a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633787861962150162" border="0" /></a>The most noticeable of birds getting weaning lessons are the Flickers. For the past week, we've had this family of dad, daughter and son coming by several times a day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JvJJYFVKgk/Ti88NPeODUI/AAAAAAAAHj4/0Kyd2GxEw9M/s1600/IMG_3678a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 131px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0JvJJYFVKgk/Ti88NPeODUI/AAAAAAAAHj4/0Kyd2GxEw9M/s320/IMG_3678a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633787857053027650" border="0" /></a>Dad keeps showing them how to get food from the suet feeder (advanced bird feeding it seems), but the babies still insist on being fed. And dad is feeding them. But then he turns a bit nasty on the youngsters. I'm looking forward to seeing the little ones finally get some suet on their own so they don't have to take the verbal and bill beat-down dad is starting to dish out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSGMxmtF_Q/Ti88MzV0ImI/AAAAAAAAHjw/h5Hm_XxDLjU/s1600/IMG_3679a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSGMxmtF_Q/Ti88MzV0ImI/AAAAAAAAHjw/h5Hm_XxDLjU/s320/IMG_3679a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633787849501581922" border="0" /></a>Today seems like it was "Bathe a bird day". Lots of bathing and better yet, lots of little ones learning how to bath. One bird hops in the bath, and many youngsters sit and watch. Then they step forward to try it themselves with mixed success. Pretty cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDQF_XU-iCc/Ti88ZBpIskI/AAAAAAAAHkg/vJsKnABD_PE/s1600/IMG_3673a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDQF_XU-iCc/Ti88ZBpIskI/AAAAAAAAHkg/vJsKnABD_PE/s320/IMG_3673a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633788059499147842" border="0" /></a>It's been hot - really hot - here lately (and before you whine it's always hot where you are recall that we don't have an a/c. 100 degrees with no a/c is not that pleasant even for a lizard like me).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEs-UcjybM/Ti88Y_lHUcI/AAAAAAAAHkY/nA4Ovp6nbh4/s1600/IMG_3674a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oEs-UcjybM/Ti88Y_lHUcI/AAAAAAAAHkY/nA4Ovp6nbh4/s320/IMG_3674a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633788058945409474" border="0" /></a>Good times. And a great view for doing work!The heat is slowing down all of the animals. I like the way the squirrels have been lounging. One in the photos watched a young Grackle get the hang of bathing. <br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6573292263796686079?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-45661074614013642402011-07-24T20:41:00.000-07:002011-07-24T21:04:54.982-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04C35sWDC2g/Tizq0LlOGPI/AAAAAAAAHjg/0VL1bgSQikM/s1600/IMG_3602.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04C35sWDC2g/Tizq0LlOGPI/AAAAAAAAHjg/0VL1bgSQikM/s320/IMG_3602.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135416116648178" /></a>Dave and I got up too darn early (in the 5am hour...ugh) to drive to Idaho Springs. Our goal - riding Mt. Evans. He's done it many times, it was to have been my first. Though up early, I really looked forward to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOvoJv8kjnM/TizqksHvpNI/AAAAAAAAHjU/w0o0Si_R2Ek/s1600/IMG_3609.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jOvoJv8kjnM/TizqksHvpNI/AAAAAAAAHjU/w0o0Si_R2Ek/s320/IMG_3609.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135149973480658" /></a>Fate had different plans in store for us though. You see, one day a year there is a race up Mt. Evans. And on this day, the road it closed to cars and non-participants. We could have gone part the way up with 15,000 other cyclists. Mad house! So the 1/365 chance we hit - no riding Mt Evans for us. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgI6wLdAvrI/Tizqkfe9xfI/AAAAAAAAHjM/N93nVUHFTYI/s1600/IMG_3610.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgI6wLdAvrI/Tizqkfe9xfI/AAAAAAAAHjM/N93nVUHFTYI/s320/IMG_3610.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135146581214706" /></a>Instead, we drove to Granby and decided to ride Trail Ridge Road to the top in Rocky Mountain National Park (elevation 12,183). The reverse of this ride was what we were going to do on the Bike Tour, but we got wintered off of it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtyVKSdMHj4/Tizqj9kVNyI/AAAAAAAAHjE/BFolyQvRGfk/s1600/IMG_3628.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtyVKSdMHj4/Tizqj9kVNyI/AAAAAAAAHjE/BFolyQvRGfk/s320/IMG_3628.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135137476917026" /></a>It turned out to be great fun. Good weather, and we saw all sorts of critters. We saw moose, elk (very close!), birds - including a Red-Tailed Hawk that was so close we could have touched it, squirrels, etc. Many up close. The ride was 80 round trip with almost 6,000' in total elevation gain (this counts the rollers). <br />Bummer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geyT65q0RyA/Tizqjif3IqI/AAAAAAAAHi8/O4uwgi9n6lc/s1600/IMG_3632.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geyT65q0RyA/Tizqjif3IqI/AAAAAAAAHi8/O4uwgi9n6lc/s320/IMG_3632.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135130210411170" /></a>The top was a madhouse! So many cars, tons of people. It was absolutely crazy. And both on the way up and back down, there was a complete traffic jam in the road. Why? A moose. Admittedly, it was a big pretty moose but what a gaggle of people! Pretty funny we saw him on both the to and fro part of our ride. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41kseMhTP6Q/TizqjPMoZnI/AAAAAAAAHi0/AaE0V2w2Js8/s1600/IMG_3635.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41kseMhTP6Q/TizqjPMoZnI/AAAAAAAAHi0/AaE0V2w2Js8/s320/IMG_3635.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633135125029480050" /></a>We grabbed a fair number of photos of the good time. Fun ride...maybe Mt. Evans next time? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7MBzpF1boV8/Tizo_4RgrSI/AAAAAAAAHis/WLjokLrRZW0/s1600/IMG_3637.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7MBzpF1boV8/Tizo_4RgrSI/AAAAAAAAHis/WLjokLrRZW0/s320/IMG_3637.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133418068880674" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7bY9XiQzCo/Tizo_ZGirbI/AAAAAAAAHik/S80diFqJQ5k/s1600/IMG_3638.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7bY9XiQzCo/Tizo_ZGirbI/AAAAAAAAHik/S80diFqJQ5k/s320/IMG_3638.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133409701375410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owlQRy4TAoI/Tizo-0KeQfI/AAAAAAAAHic/fVHqJHY2Mis/s1600/IMG_3644.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owlQRy4TAoI/Tizo-0KeQfI/AAAAAAAAHic/fVHqJHY2Mis/s320/IMG_3644.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133399785751026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaE-QxTJ2AI/Tizo-e4K5jI/AAAAAAAAHiU/8i6-CcV72nE/s1600/IMG_3645.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaE-QxTJ2AI/Tizo-e4K5jI/AAAAAAAAHiU/8i6-CcV72nE/s320/IMG_3645.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133394071840306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hwWkpraX0M/Tizo94gX2TI/AAAAAAAAHiM/hJea4YMv_gw/s1600/IMG_3646.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hwWkpraX0M/Tizo94gX2TI/AAAAAAAAHiM/hJea4YMv_gw/s320/IMG_3646.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133383771478322" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYzjcBpBphU/Tiznmy2j6ZI/AAAAAAAAHiE/tCTt0zO7tNw/s1600/IMG_3648.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYzjcBpBphU/Tiznmy2j6ZI/AAAAAAAAHiE/tCTt0zO7tNw/s320/IMG_3648.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131887605311890" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIrFdNZIZbI/TiznmVo2AsI/AAAAAAAAHh8/4UhueInIQDQ/s1600/IMG_3654.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIrFdNZIZbI/TiznmVo2AsI/AAAAAAAAHh8/4UhueInIQDQ/s320/IMG_3654.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131879763149506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah-yeFtDbnQ/Tiznl3nnNSI/AAAAAAAAHh0/lgrAq69pz8k/s1600/IMG_3658.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ah-yeFtDbnQ/Tiznl3nnNSI/AAAAAAAAHh0/lgrAq69pz8k/s320/IMG_3658.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131871704921378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7S0lsjqWdc/TiznlXeRkjI/AAAAAAAAHhs/9132TDjgfHo/s1600/IMG_3659.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7S0lsjqWdc/TiznlXeRkjI/AAAAAAAAHhs/9132TDjgfHo/s320/IMG_3659.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131863075820082" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds_JG91nbSg/Tiznk5prumI/AAAAAAAAHhk/NMv4biMfHsQ/s1600/IMG_3666.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds_JG91nbSg/Tiznk5prumI/AAAAAAAAHhk/NMv4biMfHsQ/s320/IMG_3666.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131855070607970" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-4566107461401364240?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-71056807387104161812011-07-24T20:16:00.000-07:002011-07-24T20:41:25.702-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5esO6Nd41w/Tizkxr-lRqI/AAAAAAAAHhc/nhmEnNvyKU8/s1600/honey%2Bbadgers%2B2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U5esO6Nd41w/Tizkxr-lRqI/AAAAAAAAHhc/nhmEnNvyKU8/s320/honey%2Bbadgers%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633128776203585186" /></a>I've been involved in DCLF (Denver Community Leadership Forum) for the last year. It is a group of about 38 of the Denver area business leaders. People come from all over - political offices, non-profits, for profits, etc. A really diverse group of alpha independents. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUOTVj7ykKs/TizkxfFzC9I/AAAAAAAAHhU/b-5V0nANDz0/s1600/IMG_3441.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUOTVj7ykKs/TizkxfFzC9I/AAAAAAAAHhU/b-5V0nANDz0/s320/IMG_3441.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633128772744186834" /></a>For the year, we've been tossed into situations were we learn to be better leaders. That's what they tell us anyway. I think it is all about learning to work as a team member better - something that most we can use some improvement in. :) And listening. That seems to be something they are trying to emphasize. It's surprising how little people listen to others. It's the biggest source of frustration I deal with...period. Nothing goes well when everyone wants to lead and fails to listen. Humans seem slow to catch on to this concept. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjgbbxWIQmE/Tizkw5t09KI/AAAAAAAAHhM/KkTUBxpHmso/s1600/IMG_3473.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjgbbxWIQmE/Tizkw5t09KI/AAAAAAAAHhM/KkTUBxpHmso/s320/IMG_3473.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633128762711536802" /></a>The highlight of the year and this work happened July 11-16 in Leadville as we all took the week off to attend Outward Bound. I went in with a bad attitude - after all, I had (have) a ton of work, lots of deadlines, and besides, I can challenge myself all I want at home. Further, having Dave as a husband means I'm pretty much married to getting up early and being pushed. Why do I need to go for a week with some *strangers* to do so?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNVszcIC2LQ/TizkwisvkQI/AAAAAAAAHhE/4eI1BuW7Bw0/s1600/IMG_3486.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNVszcIC2LQ/TizkwisvkQI/AAAAAAAAHhE/4eI1BuW7Bw0/s320/IMG_3486.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633128756532973826" /></a>Grumble.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze_qC_eCFtA/TizjV7LZHKI/AAAAAAAAHg8/rzYfCnZlpvI/s1600/IMG_3495.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze_qC_eCFtA/TizjV7LZHKI/AAAAAAAAHg8/rzYfCnZlpvI/s320/IMG_3495.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633127199735880866" /></a><br />I went though. And of course, it turned out to be a great experience. We did some climbing, hiking, mountaineering (Mt. Galena), orienteering (a favorite), team building, etc. My favorite was something that totally surprised me - jumping into a freezing creek at 6am. How could this be fun? Not sure but it was. Clearly there was something in our kool aid and I drank a bunch of it. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziN-TWFohCs/TizjVvjNRpI/AAAAAAAAHg0/_DAocsQFLfo/s1600/IMG_3520.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziN-TWFohCs/TizjVvjNRpI/AAAAAAAAHg0/_DAocsQFLfo/s320/IMG_3520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633127196614542994" /></a>Physically, it was not challenging for me. But for others, it was quite challenging. And it was awesome seeming them succeed. Emotionally and psychologically it was *very* challenging. I think this was especially the case for us introverts. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIKtmrKIq6w/TizjVCahOvI/AAAAAAAAHgs/INqSMCz4L_8/s1600/IMG_3532.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIKtmrKIq6w/TizjVCahOvI/AAAAAAAAHgs/INqSMCz4L_8/s320/IMG_3532.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633127184498506482" /></a>It is designed obviously to push everyone's buttons no matter their buttons. There was some big friction, but we worked it out and in the end everything was better than ever. It was simply a fantastic experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1xQ6N0KsIM/TizjUscw5FI/AAAAAAAAHgk/wFRgGMdABDg/s1600/IMG_3535.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1xQ6N0KsIM/TizjUscw5FI/AAAAAAAAHgk/wFRgGMdABDg/s320/IMG_3535.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633127178602341458" /></a>A lot of that is due to the people I was there with, but especially the Outward Bound folks that were there. I spent most time with Karen Immerso and Jason Anderson. Also Paul Duba. Fantastic people - all of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rm1VEGqXlM/TizjUAzT0kI/AAAAAAAAHgc/SY97cbslbs8/s1600/IMG_3541.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rm1VEGqXlM/TizjUAzT0kI/AAAAAAAAHgc/SY97cbslbs8/s320/IMG_3541.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633127166885745218" /></a><br />Enjoy the photos!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI8PL4KQO4E/Tizhi4kuc4I/AAAAAAAAHgU/nJMgP6id_qA/s1600/IMG_3546.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI8PL4KQO4E/Tizhi4kuc4I/AAAAAAAAHgU/nJMgP6id_qA/s320/IMG_3546.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633125223351874434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GthVGNHbJIM/TizhiQ2BshI/AAAAAAAAHgM/M9z5Sfo49jc/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GthVGNHbJIM/TizhiQ2BshI/AAAAAAAAHgM/M9z5Sfo49jc/s320/IMG_3568.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633125212687020562" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1qbpvG-RjU/TizhiI3iE-I/AAAAAAAAHgE/fC6ODCpvyDE/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1qbpvG-RjU/TizhiI3iE-I/AAAAAAAAHgE/fC6ODCpvyDE/s320/IMG_3571.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633125210545853410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziYrJmKBdiU/Tizhhqo67JI/AAAAAAAAHf8/IDfhRH7UkkA/s1600/IMG_3588.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziYrJmKBdiU/Tizhhqo67JI/AAAAAAAAHf8/IDfhRH7UkkA/s320/IMG_3588.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633125202431503506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfPnuQDcWi0/TizhhCiI8TI/AAAAAAAAHf0/A-fMDIWEcQc/s1600/IMG_3596.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bfPnuQDcWi0/TizhhCiI8TI/AAAAAAAAHf0/A-fMDIWEcQc/s320/IMG_3596.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633125191665643826" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7105680738710416181?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-26450228421831421062011-07-24T13:36:00.000-07:002011-07-24T15:22:03.421-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oH-YC3uikGo/TiyFJwLql9I/AAAAAAAAHfs/8VvPlWiPy4k/s1600/IMG_6014-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oH-YC3uikGo/TiyFJwLql9I/AAAAAAAAHfs/8VvPlWiPy4k/s320/IMG_6014-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023636532795346" /></a>We spent a nice rest day in Huaraz after descending from the Ishinca valley. I was feeling a bit better being at a lower elevation and I think the antibiotics were helping. Quinn started feeling a little sketchy, so we went to the emergency clinic to get him some antibiotics just in case. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luq5RfJOuow/TiyFJjjCmvI/AAAAAAAAHfk/TaG4fDe7EXc/s1600/IMG_6019-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luq5RfJOuow/TiyFJjjCmvI/AAAAAAAAHfk/TaG4fDe7EXc/s320/IMG_6019-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023633141177074" /></a>We had about 6 days left in the trip, so we sat down and discussed options along with considering conditions on various mountains in the range. Since the previous weeks had dropped considerable snow on the range, the face routes on most of the mountains were not safe due to extensive avalanches. Instead we decided to head to a peak named Chopicalqui. This beautiful mountain boasts an aesthetic and long ridge climb to its 6,345 meter / 20,817’ summit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wTttUI2DV4/TiyFJFbvYeI/AAAAAAAAHfc/q6CcWPwDbXE/s1600/IMG_6033-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wTttUI2DV4/TiyFJFbvYeI/AAAAAAAAHfc/q6CcWPwDbXE/s320/IMG_6033-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023625057493474" /></a>The next day we sorted out our gear and packed as light as possible for a 4-5 day adventure. This time there were no burros or camp cooks, just the 4 of us going as light as possible. We took an incredibly scenic 3 hour bumpy cab ride to the “trail head”, which is just a small trail that heads off from a hairpin turn on the dirt road that seems to go on forever… <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWSYQag4NQY/TiyFI_RiOMI/AAAAAAAAHfU/uBLOZzBGx4c/s1600/IMG_6044-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWSYQag4NQY/TiyFI_RiOMI/AAAAAAAAHfU/uBLOZzBGx4c/s320/IMG_6044-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023623404075202" /></a>When the cab left we felt pretty isolated as we headed up into the valley to our first camp – a fairly easy hike of about an hour from the road. On the way to our first camp we passed another group’s base camp that has literally been destroyed by aggressive cows grazing in the area. We decided to camp a few hundred feet higher in a tiny meadow as high as we can find running water. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwE_bG77s6E/TiyFIXP4bCI/AAAAAAAAHfM/0udsOCVYaPY/s1600/IMG_6065-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwE_bG77s6E/TiyFIXP4bCI/AAAAAAAAHfM/0udsOCVYaPY/s320/IMG_6065-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023612659723298" /></a>The weather was great, the views of the surrounding high peaks were amazing and our spirits were high. Being in a quiet valley all to ourselves with amazing peaks all around – this is what we came for! We looked up at the summit of Chopicalqui, about 6,000’ above us and realized we’ve got some major effort ahead of us. We all slept pretty well now that we are pretty used to camping at 14,000+’, but we have to take turns in the night and early am to chase the crazy cows from our campsite. They are surprisingly aggressive, but no real damage was done before we left the camp the next morning…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxQmgHYLoZM/TiyEoephqCI/AAAAAAAAHe8/A7HOVFkZV7Y/s1600/IMG_6066-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxQmgHYLoZM/TiyEoephqCI/AAAAAAAAHe8/A7HOVFkZV7Y/s320/IMG_6066-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023064890517538" /></a>We woke up to fantastic views and had a relatively leisurely morning as the frost melted from our tents. We contemplated the roughly 4 hour hike up to moraine camp at just over 16,000’. The hike up was steep and exposed in parts and our 40+ pound packs created a lot of heavy breathing. As I started to lag behind the others part way up, I realized I was nowhere near over my illness. I coughed and hacked my way to camp. Our camp spot was in an incredible location with amazing views of several high peaks in the area. We could hear and sometimes see avalanches on several of the peaks, reminding us that our selection of a ridge route was the way to go at this point in the season.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBTzhelIVw0/TiyEoFsDzTI/AAAAAAAAHe0/BYw9j-pp85E/s1600/IMG_6068-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBTzhelIVw0/TiyEoFsDzTI/AAAAAAAAHe0/BYw9j-pp85E/s320/IMG_6068-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023058190257458" /></a>Our plan was to get up at 10:30pm after whatever sleep we managed and head up. By climbing through the night we hoped to be traveling on consolidated snow and ice to allow faster progress. If all went well, we hoped to summit at about 8am in the morning. We knew this would be quite challenging, but overall it seemed to be less work than establishing yet another camp at about 18,000’ and going from there. So, we had a basic mountaineering kind of dinner, took in the view and headed to our tents for a few hours of rest/sleep.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_OmKSsTHgc/TiyEnlmQQ0I/AAAAAAAAHes/oLP56DKj7C4/s1600/IMG_6075-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_OmKSsTHgc/TiyEnlmQQ0I/AAAAAAAAHes/oLP56DKj7C4/s320/IMG_6075-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023049575973698" /></a>We got up at 10:30pm to a nice bright moon, packed up and headed out. The lack of sleep was felt by all, but we made pretty good progress through the night. We traveled as a team of 4 on a single rope. I was in the #2 position and I was able to keep up the pace fairly well, but required a major effort. We stopped for a snack and some water about every hour. The terrain included steep sections up to about 50 degrees and the snow was only partly consolidated, so we had to take care to ensure our footing and ice axe placements were relatively secure as we moved upward in the darkness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aR0w13MP0Vg/TiyEnc7u7QI/AAAAAAAAHek/86C-Abbwxu4/s1600/IMG_6082-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aR0w13MP0Vg/TiyEnc7u7QI/AAAAAAAAHek/86C-Abbwxu4/s320/IMG_6082-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023047250144514" /></a>Just after dawn and some amazing lighting, we arrived at the base of a fairly steep section. We were at about 19,700’ at this point (about 6:45am). We all met up at a stance at the base of the steep section and assessed the situation. I realized that at this point, I was running near empty and my infected lungs were struggling for oxygen. Quinn was unfortunately feeling the effects of altitude and looked a bit weathered as well. Andy and Alex were doing ok, so they decided to press on, Quinn and I decided it would be best if we headed down. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEQhEtRVCBg/TiyEnHI6puI/AAAAAAAAHec/D6N7LwNbxnw/s1600/IMG_6090-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEQhEtRVCBg/TiyEnHI6puI/AAAAAAAAHec/D6N7LwNbxnw/s320/IMG_6090-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633023041399858914" /></a>So, disappointed, but not for lack of trying, Quinn and I started down the slopes we just climbed. We turned back from time to time and see Andy and Alex continuing up. We took a few hours to reach moraine camp, where we tried to rest and eat. We were both coughing a bunch and feeling marginal. A few hours later we saw Andy and Alex coming down to camp. We hoped they had successfully reached the summit, but they tell us they turned back when their progress became too slow and snow conditions were a bit sketchy…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7hcL_A9sW0/TiyD0UIiaAI/AAAAAAAAHeU/NVZw-0nhNy8/s1600/IMG_6107-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a7hcL_A9sW0/TiyD0UIiaAI/AAAAAAAAHeU/NVZw-0nhNy8/s320/IMG_6107-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633022168714602498" /></a>All of us had lost our appetite due to altitude to some extent, but we basically forced down a dinner and crashed hard in our tents just after sunset. It had been a very long day/night/day for sure. In the morning, Quinn and I still felt pretty darn rough, so we decided to descend and head back to town. Andy and Alex re grouped and decided to try again, this time using a higher camp as well. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXx1QoHBWp4/TiyDz9nPJjI/AAAAAAAAHeM/upANGqWLFzM/s1600/IMG_6110-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXx1QoHBWp4/TiyDz9nPJjI/AAAAAAAAHeM/upANGqWLFzM/s320/IMG_6110-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633022162669348402" /></a>We gave them a bunch of food and headed down the valley where we hitched a series of rides back to Huaraz. The next day Quinn and I knocked around Huaraz trying to feel better. We had a good time checking out new areas of town then headed for dinner. After dinner, we ran into Andy and Alex who had successfully summitted very early that morning and made it all the way back to town the same day – excellent job!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOys6yf_1I0/TiyDznMWpRI/AAAAAAAAHeE/SyRJWE16a2k/s1600/IMG_6127-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOys6yf_1I0/TiyDznMWpRI/AAAAAAAAHeE/SyRJWE16a2k/s320/IMG_6127-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633022156651013394" /></a> On our last day, Quinn and I went for a day hike in another beautiful valley and Andy and Alex rested and hung out. In the morning, we headed to the bus station and take the long bus ride back to the very 3rd world city of Lima. We headed right to the airport, had a few celebratory beers and the 3 of them headed to their gate and flight. My flight was in the very early morning, so I enjoyed a “bivy” on the floor of the Lima airport. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJDexT_CiSU/TiyDzR7r1pI/AAAAAAAAHd8/fqG5LC88YhI/s1600/IMG_6140-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJDexT_CiSU/TiyDzR7r1pI/AAAAAAAAHd8/fqG5LC88YhI/s320/IMG_6140-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633022150943954578" /></a>Everybody’s flights went fine and before we knew it, we were all back to “reality” in Boulder. I was home 3 days before starting a new full time job. Overall, it was a great trip to an amazing and beautiful mountain range. The locals were wonderful and we all have many fond memories. Who knows, perhaps I will return someday and hopefully have a healthier trip to the Cordillera Blanca… I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the stories from our adventure. Cheers – Dave.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE716BmWwx0/TiyDzB1BeTI/AAAAAAAAHd0/rl3vTiv2xas/s1600/IMG_6143-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nE716BmWwx0/TiyDzB1BeTI/AAAAAAAAHd0/rl3vTiv2xas/s320/IMG_6143-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633022146621045042" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6u8Bz_vSVLU/TiyDYMlhRLI/AAAAAAAAHds/ejNlpRNDbgI/s1600/IMG_6145-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6u8Bz_vSVLU/TiyDYMlhRLI/AAAAAAAAHds/ejNlpRNDbgI/s320/IMG_6145-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021685652341938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUYO3JWKNDk/TiyDX1xwiqI/AAAAAAAAHdk/R7UuLBxeJNE/s1600/IMG_6149-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUYO3JWKNDk/TiyDX1xwiqI/AAAAAAAAHdk/R7UuLBxeJNE/s320/IMG_6149-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021679529659042" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pALYlOe8V-s/TiyDXrryICI/AAAAAAAAHdc/Qb3Y_HN-4Cc/s1600/IMG_6154-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pALYlOe8V-s/TiyDXrryICI/AAAAAAAAHdc/Qb3Y_HN-4Cc/s320/IMG_6154-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021676820242466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5pM_QVFcwiE/TiyDXdP6tUI/AAAAAAAAHdU/D9YPoUt9dBk/s1600/IMG_6194-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5pM_QVFcwiE/TiyDXdP6tUI/AAAAAAAAHdU/D9YPoUt9dBk/s320/IMG_6194-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021672945268034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DamcN5hUAec/TiyDXBBFL1I/AAAAAAAAHdM/1EIWctwET7A/s1600/IMG_6199-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DamcN5hUAec/TiyDXBBFL1I/AAAAAAAAHdM/1EIWctwET7A/s320/IMG_6199-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021665366847314" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64P0PHaE2YE/TiyCzrTsHAI/AAAAAAAAHdE/vkwcHOosD2w/s1600/IMG_6246-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64P0PHaE2YE/TiyCzrTsHAI/AAAAAAAAHdE/vkwcHOosD2w/s320/IMG_6246-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021058243894274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWFmAONPvHo/TiyCza0sqBI/AAAAAAAAHc8/ztSR4xHzCIU/s1600/IMG_6258-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWFmAONPvHo/TiyCza0sqBI/AAAAAAAAHc8/ztSR4xHzCIU/s320/IMG_6258-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021053818939410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZG4ilhUF-w/TiyCzAsNpAI/AAAAAAAAHc0/WQZeLJLSqNA/s1600/IMG_6308-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZG4ilhUF-w/TiyCzAsNpAI/AAAAAAAAHc0/WQZeLJLSqNA/s320/IMG_6308-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021046804030466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1h6WN4Q5IY/TiyCy03reYI/AAAAAAAAHcs/vmkEmKYEN5o/s1600/IMG_6329-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1h6WN4Q5IY/TiyCy03reYI/AAAAAAAAHcs/vmkEmKYEN5o/s320/IMG_6329-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021043630897538" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIpq53dtNh4/TiyCyp_mRpI/AAAAAAAAHck/QQ81mr_0Sg0/s1600/IMG_6361-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lIpq53dtNh4/TiyCyp_mRpI/AAAAAAAAHck/QQ81mr_0Sg0/s320/IMG_6361-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633021040711321234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-2645022842183142106?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-86822711504924281912011-07-24T13:24:00.001-07:002011-07-24T14:29:49.973-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DrNsn3ctMzc/TiyBlLuD9bI/AAAAAAAAHcc/HQJ7_xMnK70/s1600/IMG_5785-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DrNsn3ctMzc/TiyBlLuD9bI/AAAAAAAAHcc/HQJ7_xMnK70/s320/IMG_5785-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633019709734778290" border="0" /></a>We got up at 4:30am to frost covered tents and a starry night. Joel made us a quick and basic breakfast and we were off to climb Ishinca at about 5:30am. To climb Ishinca (5530 meters / 18,143’) we headed up a series of valleys until we reached the rope up point at the foot of the glacier. It took us a little over 2 hours to get to this point. We donned our crampons, ice axes, harnesses and roped up. Although the terrain ahead was not very technical, the slopes get up to 50 degrees of snow and ice – an unroped slip would be pretty ugly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9QSinBfHRg/TiyBkr3ymCI/AAAAAAAAHcU/e5CtZDE4bhc/s1600/IMG_5798-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9QSinBfHRg/TiyBkr3ymCI/AAAAAAAAHcU/e5CtZDE4bhc/s320/IMG_5798-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633019701185648674" border="0" /></a>We traveled in two roped teams and watched carefully for crevasse danger along the route. By this time, my sickness had really invaded my lungs and I was a hurting unit. The climb was a struggle for me as my lung capacity was way down and my body taxed in general due to the illness. Add that to climbing an 18,143’ peak just 4 days after arriving in Huaraz and it is an understatement to say that I was working hard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzvoJ20rabc/TiyBkVKA3HI/AAAAAAAAHcM/RIqYibSsj3A/s1600/IMG_5803-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzvoJ20rabc/TiyBkVKA3HI/AAAAAAAAHcM/RIqYibSsj3A/s320/IMG_5803-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633019695088065650" border="0" /></a>The rest of the gang was doing well and I was definitely the slowest member of the team this day. Regardless, we made steady progress up the route, taking in the fantastic views along the way. The weather was stable and the snow conditions were good, only getting a little sloppy the last 500’ or so of the route. We arrived at the small summit just before noon, had some calories and enjoyed the vista. Pretty amazing place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcMVpq0Uqlo/TiyBkGXGECI/AAAAAAAAHcE/jJLXfwU67fo/s1600/IMG_5806-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcMVpq0Uqlo/TiyBkGXGECI/AAAAAAAAHcE/jJLXfwU67fo/s320/IMG_5806-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633019691116400674" border="0" /></a>We decided to descend the peak via the sister route down the other side of the mountain. Except for one tricky section near the summit, this route was easy and we made good progress on the descent across the glaciers, with the huge mass of Ranrapalca (20,217’) in front of us. We finally finished crossing the descent glacier, took off our crampons and ropes and continued the descent on scrappy scree and talus for quite a while until we picked up a good trail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcurCOImpTQ/TiyAhT1pnpI/AAAAAAAAHb8/dGEax9LFeLY/s1600/IMG_5810-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcurCOImpTQ/TiyAhT1pnpI/AAAAAAAAHb8/dGEax9LFeLY/s320/IMG_5810-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018543682985618" border="0" /></a>At that point, I was pretty wobbly from exertion at altitude with a cold, so I was the last to arrive in base camp, just about 4pm. It was a nice afternoon in camp despite my condition and Joel’s fine appetizers and meal put a smile on everybody’s face. I decided to self administer a run of antibiotics as my illness had definitely gotten deeper into my lungs. We all enjoyed our dinner and headed off for some good and much needed sleep after a long day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoQOOPZkG74/TiyAhIUUqCI/AAAAAAAAHb0/054MnB6v3Ao/s1600/IMG_5816-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoQOOPZkG74/TiyAhIUUqCI/AAAAAAAAHb0/054MnB6v3Ao/s320/IMG_5816-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018540590409762" border="0" /></a>The next day we rested and hung around base camp. We enjoyed plenty of calories, read, played cards and planned the next stage of the adventure. By afternoon it’s clear and disappointing that I was not going to be up for starting up another peak the next day, so the rest of the group started organizing gear for an ascent of Tocllaraju.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqrma5bK-g/TiyAg0gGG7I/AAAAAAAAHbs/sc4MylSVQEg/s1600/IMG_5819-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqrma5bK-g/TiyAg0gGG7I/AAAAAAAAHbs/sc4MylSVQEg/s320/IMG_5819-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018535271078834" border="0" /></a>In the morning, we all had a good breakfast, then the rest of the gang packed up for a two day ascent of Tocllaraju (6,036 meters, 19,803’). Their plan was to camp at moraine camp that night, about 16,700’, then tp get up early the next day to climb to the summit and return to base camp. They took off and I remained in camp in an attempt to feel better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqhF-Sy01gM/TiyAgiQodxI/AAAAAAAAHbk/x7tkfs-3LUk/s1600/IMG_5822-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqhF-Sy01gM/TiyAgiQodxI/AAAAAAAAHbk/x7tkfs-3LUk/s320/IMG_5822-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018530374383378" border="0" /></a>I was very disappointed, but I took advantage of the views, wandered about taking pictures and reading a book that I’d been trying to finish for quite some time… Camp was quiet that night and I went to bed early hoping to feel better the next day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKtqALHK46Y/TiyAgadq_wI/AAAAAAAAHbc/CnqWvPAIzys/s1600/IMG_5832-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKtqALHK46Y/TiyAgadq_wI/AAAAAAAAHbc/CnqWvPAIzys/s320/IMG_5832-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018528281591554" border="0" /></a>The next day dawned with some funky clouds. I milled around camp for a while, then decided to take a slow sickly hike up towards the team’s high camp. I spent more time sitting and coughing than hiking, but I eventually reached a place with some nice views and ate some snacks for lunch. I looked up at the beautiful pyramid of Tocllaraju and wondered where the guys were – hopefully they were already on their way down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQyDx8uFvQ/TiyARJWZTRI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/iqvCxAECnVE/s1600/IMG_5834-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQyDx8uFvQ/TiyARJWZTRI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/iqvCxAECnVE/s320/IMG_5834-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018265989631250" border="0" /></a>I headed back to camp and the gang showed up about 3:30pm after a successful ascent of the peak! They were psyched and tired. An excellent job! I checked out their pictures and heard their tales. Good stuff. We then enjoyed another fine meal by Joel and headed for bed. In the morning, we broke camp and hiked back out of the valley to be picked up and transported back to Casa de Zarela in Huaraz.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhxZ0BM5zmA/TiyARIRVDNI/AAAAAAAAHbI/GdNwQoW5MjE/s1600/IMG_5845-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhxZ0BM5zmA/TiyARIRVDNI/AAAAAAAAHbI/GdNwQoW5MjE/s320/IMG_5845-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018265699945682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPDqQfKcjc/TiyAQyT6bhI/AAAAAAAAHbA/GKcMstpp7as/s1600/IMG_5853-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMPDqQfKcjc/TiyAQyT6bhI/AAAAAAAAHbA/GKcMstpp7as/s320/IMG_5853-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018259805203986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVcpp60PFME/TiyAQgrOM2I/AAAAAAAAHa4/rewfSxd8jic/s1600/IMG_5873-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVcpp60PFME/TiyAQgrOM2I/AAAAAAAAHa4/rewfSxd8jic/s320/IMG_5873-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018255071130466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfzrrBL7HCQ/TiyAQMbwEOI/AAAAAAAAHaw/9aQTLR0pWN4/s1600/IMG_5906-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfzrrBL7HCQ/TiyAQMbwEOI/AAAAAAAAHaw/9aQTLR0pWN4/s320/IMG_5906-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633018249637531874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gabWZT2EQsI/Tix_51kxW3I/AAAAAAAAHao/-bCm31tgPds/s1600/IMG_5920-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gabWZT2EQsI/Tix_51kxW3I/AAAAAAAAHao/-bCm31tgPds/s320/IMG_5920-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017865544227698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iud1y5ySDMw/Tix_5iC6NVI/AAAAAAAAHag/gcvL1O7-5tM/s1600/IMG_5922-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iud1y5ySDMw/Tix_5iC6NVI/AAAAAAAAHag/gcvL1O7-5tM/s320/IMG_5922-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017860301927762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MhAv89kR-M/Tix_5UDYJuI/AAAAAAAAHaY/TvT7Ry1HfMU/s1600/IMG_5950-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MhAv89kR-M/Tix_5UDYJuI/AAAAAAAAHaY/TvT7Ry1HfMU/s320/IMG_5950-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017856545793762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUIe1fN8E9M/Tix_5CduVvI/AAAAAAAAHaQ/XXfIX_OJbQI/s1600/IMG_5965-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUIe1fN8E9M/Tix_5CduVvI/AAAAAAAAHaQ/XXfIX_OJbQI/s320/IMG_5965-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017851824461554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuXoZldwMPw/Tix_4nfaLsI/AAAAAAAAHaI/2fZfCV38-oY/s1600/IMG_5966-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuXoZldwMPw/Tix_4nfaLsI/AAAAAAAAHaI/2fZfCV38-oY/s320/IMG_5966-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017844583771842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-8682271150492428191?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-72963474209526645932011-07-24T13:11:00.001-07:002011-07-24T14:19:52.526-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk8VClkVEcI/Tix_QVa79xI/AAAAAAAAHaA/R8sMzfELGMo/s1600/IMG_5660-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk8VClkVEcI/Tix_QVa79xI/AAAAAAAAHaA/R8sMzfELGMo/s320/IMG_5660-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017152538408722" border="0" /></a>For the next portion of the show, we loaded up the four of us, a camp cook, gear, food and supplies for 5-6 days into a Toyota diesel mini van. Toyota dominates the motor vehicle population in Huaraz and these diesel vans perform great with heavy loads in the mountains. Why don’t they sell them here in the U.S.?? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gT6edxCwApk/Tix_KYt7DMI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/J6TJL2A0lYU/s1600/IMG_5679-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gT6edxCwApk/Tix_KYt7DMI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/J6TJL2A0lYU/s320/IMG_5679-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017050344131778" border="0" /></a>After about a 1.5 hour drive up the usual bumpy and scenic dirt roads, we arrived at the trail head which was bustling with loading and unloading activity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OemitRBmGKI/Tix_KLpJhNI/AAAAAAAAHZw/hrZWo2unO7Y/s1600/IMG_5680-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OemitRBmGKI/Tix_KLpJhNI/AAAAAAAAHZw/hrZWo2unO7Y/s320/IMG_5680-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017046834447570" border="0" /></a>The Ishinca valley is perhaps the most popular high peak destination in the Cordillera Blanca for several reasons; relatively easy logistics, 5 major peaks to climb and beautiful views! We loaded up 7 burros with all of our stuff. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztFt-iFjcaw/Tix_KBUzN0I/AAAAAAAAHZo/Oqpa6bdstpw/s1600/IMG_5688-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztFt-iFjcaw/Tix_KBUzN0I/AAAAAAAAHZo/Oqpa6bdstpw/s320/IMG_5688-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017044064745282" border="0" /></a>Our cook, Joel, along with two “arieros” or burro drivers began the 9 mile hike with us to Ishinca base camp. The hike in was fairly mellow with about 2500’ feet of gain over the 9 miles of beautiful scenery. As we got further up the valley we were treated to our first views of the high peaks in the valley – a pretty awesome sight! The burros worked hard and we were very thankful for their help – it’s really a treat to hike up to camp at 14,300’ with only day packs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gsio6V40A4/Tix_JxCJxfI/AAAAAAAAHZg/ZUGRKE-hJSc/s1600/IMG_5713-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gsio6V40A4/Tix_JxCJxfI/AAAAAAAAHZg/ZUGRKE-hJSc/s320/IMG_5713-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017039691564530" border="0" /></a>Once we arrived in the valley, the burro drivers and our cook quickly chose a camp area on the right margin of the valley. There were several other parties camped in the valley as well as a “refugio” or mountain hut. The views were great, the weather good and before we knew it we were enjoying beautiful late day light on the peaks as well as our first excellent meal cooked by Joel. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvB6zvrz4n8/Tix_JseKoAI/AAAAAAAAHZY/btwVZkfiix4/s1600/IMG_5719-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvB6zvrz4n8/Tix_JseKoAI/AAAAAAAAHZY/btwVZkfiix4/s320/IMG_5719-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633017038466883586" border="0" /></a>Joel works as a chef in a nice restaurant in Huaraz and also serves as an expedition cook. We were very impressed and surprised as he brought out several courses of food over the course of 45 minutes or so to our little table in the dedicated mess tent; appetizers, soup, chicken and rice and some flan for desert. We found it amazing what he could whip up in the cook tent with a two burner propane stove, a collection of well used pots along with the food purchased at the local market the day before. We all agreed that it was a great treat to have a dedicated cook for our 5 days in the valley. A most excellent choice! At a bargain price too...<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAjb4EC5bWQ/Tix-dImj5wI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/mB_JznkekbA/s1600/IMG_5726-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dAjb4EC5bWQ/Tix-dImj5wI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/mB_JznkekbA/s320/IMG_5726-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633016272924174082" border="0" /></a>Since we were on a pretty tight timeline in general for the trip, we decided to get up early in the morning and climb our first peak, Ishinca. At 5530 meters or 18,143’ this was a relatively low peak for the Cordillera Blanca, but it seemed to be a reasonable first target as we were all in pretty good shape. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJcp92XByf8/Tix-dOBVneI/AAAAAAAAHZI/BoSPlz6hd3g/s1600/IMG_5745-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJcp92XByf8/Tix-dOBVneI/AAAAAAAAHZI/BoSPlz6hd3g/s320/IMG_5745-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633016274378661346" border="0" /></a>I was moderately sick with my cold, but I went to bed hoping for the best in the morning – I hoped to be able to climb the peak and not be a burden to the rest of the team. We arranged for breakfast at 5:00am with Joel, then headed to our tents to sleep. It was our first night sleeping this high, so breathing and sleeping well was a bit of a challenge…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shEgKemrB3o/Tix-cmx2s6I/AAAAAAAAHZA/AKZvjNwUEKw/s1600/IMG_5749-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shEgKemrB3o/Tix-cmx2s6I/AAAAAAAAHZA/AKZvjNwUEKw/s320/IMG_5749-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633016263844737954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IsiB5xcTMs/Tix-cPgzKiI/AAAAAAAAHY4/wBzjnA1IR5w/s1600/IMG_5761-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IsiB5xcTMs/Tix-cPgzKiI/AAAAAAAAHY4/wBzjnA1IR5w/s320/IMG_5761-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633016257599187490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRu827gSV34/Tix-b5HMpZI/AAAAAAAAHYw/7k4kaGzB2AY/s1600/IMG_5771-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRu827gSV34/Tix-b5HMpZI/AAAAAAAAHYw/7k4kaGzB2AY/s320/IMG_5771-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633016251586225554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JNDn2lnlL3E/Tix81-NdlLI/AAAAAAAAHYg/avgW00F4lh8/s1600/IMG_5772-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JNDn2lnlL3E/Tix81-NdlLI/AAAAAAAAHYg/avgW00F4lh8/s320/IMG_5772-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633014500608021682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2l2qTGhkI6E/Tix81u1yW5I/AAAAAAAAHYY/FCoClaRjm6c/s1600/IMG_5892-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2l2qTGhkI6E/Tix81u1yW5I/AAAAAAAAHYY/FCoClaRjm6c/s320/IMG_5892-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633014496482188178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwmNxa38QP0/Tix81OaELAI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/6iuCYIzs9UA/s1600/IMG_5897-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwmNxa38QP0/Tix81OaELAI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/6iuCYIzs9UA/s320/IMG_5897-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633014487775980546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5pbi0etVLo/Tix80ztGeaI/AAAAAAAAHYI/FVcL8Watzno/s1600/IMG_5905-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5pbi0etVLo/Tix80ztGeaI/AAAAAAAAHYI/FVcL8Watzno/s320/IMG_5905-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633014480608065954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htGYA-FKwIs/Tix80ru1HLI/AAAAAAAAHYA/CqdaZaBVlM0/s1600/IMG_5935-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-htGYA-FKwIs/Tix80ru1HLI/AAAAAAAAHYA/CqdaZaBVlM0/s320/IMG_5935-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633014478467833010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7296347420952664593?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-14587799461434635292011-07-24T12:53:00.000-07:002011-07-24T13:58:59.949-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywQ2hv7SOlI/Tix7LccZzHI/AAAAAAAAHXs/2AM6lksMxKE/s1600/IMG_5503-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywQ2hv7SOlI/Tix7LccZzHI/AAAAAAAAHXs/2AM6lksMxKE/s320/IMG_5503-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633012670477749362" border="0" /></a>The journey to the Cordillera Blanca mountains of Peru begins with a 3 legged flight from Denver to Dallas to Miami to Lima. I was able to book all my flights first class with frequent flier miles, so that was a nice (and inexpensive!) treat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn6ypSA_P_Y/Tix7K3CZphI/AAAAAAAAHXk/Bf3Xt7qzFhs/s1600/IMG_5506-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gn6ypSA_P_Y/Tix7K3CZphI/AAAAAAAAHXk/Bf3Xt7qzFhs/s320/IMG_5506-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633012660436575762" border="0" /></a>I could get used to first class flying very easily… After landing at about 4:30am I took a cab to the hostel where Alex, Andy and Quinn had arrived late the night before. It was a nice, basic place to stay. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSDbrUwLzKU/Tix7KpO6ziI/AAAAAAAAHXc/6Zff340ypgs/s1600/IMG_5510-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSDbrUwLzKU/Tix7KpO6ziI/AAAAAAAAHXc/6Zff340ypgs/s320/IMG_5510-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633012656730983970" border="0" /></a>We gathered our 8 big bags and 4 day packs and took a cab to the bus station. As was to be the case pretty much every time we took a cab, we overloaded the vehicle with people and gear and usually ended up lashing equipment to the roof. Next step was a very interesting 8 hour bus ride from Lima to Huaraz. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSg12X76Dqk/Tix7KayDZMI/AAAAAAAAHXU/DV9heF_94yA/s1600/IMG_5514-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSg12X76Dqk/Tix7KayDZMI/AAAAAAAAHXU/DV9heF_94yA/s320/IMG_5514-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633012652851815618" border="0" /></a>Heading north from Lima, one first goes through areas of considerable poverty where adobe and tin shacks are the norm. The landscape is barren and incredibly arid despite its location next to the Pacific Ocean. After about 100 miles of pretty bleak terrain and “neighborhoods”, the road begins climbing into the mountains.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1oMV_rY_C4/Tix7Kfewe2I/AAAAAAAAHXM/G2R_OG3Oywo/s1600/IMG_5520-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1oMV_rY_C4/Tix7Kfewe2I/AAAAAAAAHXM/G2R_OG3Oywo/s320/IMG_5520-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633012654113061730" border="0" /></a>After getting to maybe 3000’, the air gets cleaner and the sky becomes blue. Locals along the way live in very basic dwellings and apparently live off subsistence level farming. The road continues to wind its way sharply up into the Andes. The monster double decker bus we were on was quite an amazing vehicle. With two sets of wheels steering in the front and two drive axles in the back, it was surprisingly nimble considering it’s load of 70+ passengers + luggage and the mountain grades. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtL-ljYkKc/Tix8Mi1LyaI/AAAAAAAAHX4/j26yM7jV-Bc/s1600/IMG_5534-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cAtL-ljYkKc/Tix8Mi1LyaI/AAAAAAAAHX4/j26yM7jV-Bc/s320/IMG_5534-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633013788883798434" border="0" /></a>We enjoyed reclining bucket seats with footrests along with a decent meal by sitting in the first class section. The ride tops out at over 13,000’ before dropping into Huaraz at about 10,200’ that night. We got a quick cab to our Hostel – “Casa de Zarela”, checked in with all of our monster bags and had a beer before going to bed. It had been a fairly long journey to Huaraz, but we were excited to see the mountains in the morning!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lC3lBxi910/Tix5t_OaPKI/AAAAAAAAHXE/moEYqva3wMI/s1600/IMG_5546-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lC3lBxi910/Tix5t_OaPKI/AAAAAAAAHXE/moEYqva3wMI/s320/IMG_5546-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633011064906595490" border="0" /></a>In the morning we got up and started exploring town along with trying to secure information on climbing conditions on various peaks. It seems it had been snowing up high quite frequently over the previous two weeks, but for our first day we were greeted with beautiful blue skies! We wandered around town, had a nice lunch and decided that the next day we would do an acclimatization hike up to 15’000’ in the mountains just north of Huaraz. Unfortunately, I came down with a significant cold on this first day and I ended up spending a bunch of time in bed trying to sleep it off, but it was not to be…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuuvY-0-kLk/Tix5tQ77poI/AAAAAAAAHW8/Z4-z8kiR0eE/s1600/IMG_5552-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuuvY-0-kLk/Tix5tQ77poI/AAAAAAAAHW8/Z4-z8kiR0eE/s320/IMG_5552-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633011052481062530" border="0" /></a>The next day we got up and took a cab to the Lago Cherup trail head. This trail head is at about 12,500’ or so. The drive up was very interesting as well as very bumpy. Back roads in Peru are not exactly well maintained… We drove by many tiny settlements with locals out tending to their crops and livestock. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_SNb9MSRF0/Tix5tF0KamI/AAAAAAAAHW0/HQdnahDbc5I/s1600/IMG_5562-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_SNb9MSRF0/Tix5tF0KamI/AAAAAAAAHW0/HQdnahDbc5I/s320/IMG_5562-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633011049495685730" border="0" /></a>The local women dress in very bright colors and large hats and contrast sharply with the adobe and tin shacks they call home. The men dress in fairly dull outfits. It is interesting to note that virtually no locals wear sunglasses of any sort, despite the altitude and generally sunny conditions. The hike was very pretty and a good way to check in with the altitude. I moved more slowly than normal and it was clear that my cold had a pretty good hold on my system – yuk. Our goal was to hike into Inshinca valley the next day so we also attended to extensive gear and food sorting that evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxKzQ8MKbXo/Tix5sipLalI/AAAAAAAAHWs/8pZ_4Ib2xBo/s1600/IMG_5563-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxKzQ8MKbXo/Tix5sipLalI/AAAAAAAAHWs/8pZ_4Ib2xBo/s320/IMG_5563-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633011040054372946" border="0" /></a>(Parts II, III, and IV to come...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgTcFobsYuM/Tix4_8K9wQI/AAAAAAAAHWE/ZefBhl6XCDc/s1600/IMG_5565-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgTcFobsYuM/Tix4_8K9wQI/AAAAAAAAHWE/ZefBhl6XCDc/s320/IMG_5565-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633010273812857090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvWWdVLK0HU/Tix5AYCxt2I/AAAAAAAAHWM/tFrUBaMFr8s/s1600/IMG_5571-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvWWdVLK0HU/Tix5AYCxt2I/AAAAAAAAHWM/tFrUBaMFr8s/s320/IMG_5571-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633010281294706530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxMGTs6AOis/Tix5AgDr5kI/AAAAAAAAHWU/4AwmetGC6JU/s1600/IMG_5602-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxMGTs6AOis/Tix5AgDr5kI/AAAAAAAAHWU/4AwmetGC6JU/s320/IMG_5602-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633010283446003266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLYz8hVaUY/Tix5BOmpKtI/AAAAAAAAHWc/w4b9qyE4k6I/s1600/IMG_5645-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLYz8hVaUY/Tix5BOmpKtI/AAAAAAAAHWc/w4b9qyE4k6I/s320/IMG_5645-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633010295940655826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZMA_Qvka30/Tix4_pbQGCI/AAAAAAAAHV8/Rj5EbAqhna0/s1600/IMG_5652-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZMA_Qvka30/Tix4_pbQGCI/AAAAAAAAHV8/Rj5EbAqhna0/s320/IMG_5652-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633010268780894242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1458779946143463529?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-41733896427453091562011-07-05T21:19:00.000-07:002011-07-10T19:42:30.869-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnYHuNS0F1w/ThRjtGQGABI/AAAAAAAAHTM/rceG8wD8KF0/s1600/IMG_6556.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnYHuNS0F1w/ThRjtGQGABI/AAAAAAAAHTM/rceG8wD8KF0/s320/IMG_6556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626231460915970066" border="0" /></a>After a nice night of quiet sleep with the sound of the rushing creek/river, we headed to the Valhalla area. Unlike the day before, it was crowded. No surprise given it was a holiday weekend and a climber's festival was going on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd6kJvI3R_k/ThRoSOrtS3I/AAAAAAAAHVU/IO_d7cOIPZ4/s1600/IMG_6532.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd6kJvI3R_k/ThRoSOrtS3I/AAAAAAAAHVU/IO_d7cOIPZ4/s320/IMG_6532.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626236496880946034" border="0" /></a>The hike up to the wall was spectacular. Just when we thought we'd seen the most spectacular display of wildflowers on the drive in, we saw this stuff. Really gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Io2hoyiT9cQ/ThRoRXOHazI/AAAAAAAAHVM/SPNOdl5DsZ0/s1600/IMG_6534.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Io2hoyiT9cQ/ThRoRXOHazI/AAAAAAAAHVM/SPNOdl5DsZ0/s320/IMG_6534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626236481992878898" border="0" /></a>I didn't climb much. Seems everything we can to was all about smearing and stemming and my feet are not all about that. So belay duty for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qftsSgy08rU/ThRoRFiYy4I/AAAAAAAAHVE/se6whIB1lFo/s1600/IMG_6540.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qftsSgy08rU/ThRoRFiYy4I/AAAAAAAAHVE/se6whIB1lFo/s320/IMG_6540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626236477246065538" border="0" /></a>Everyone else enjoyed a fair amount of climbing however. I heard some swearing and whimpering from the sharpness of the rock on some worked tips. Funny, I never felt that. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZWroU4JNlI/ThRoQrYTbcI/AAAAAAAAHU8/EvjeeSSvosA/s1600/IMG_6541.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZWroU4JNlI/ThRoQrYTbcI/AAAAAAAAHU8/EvjeeSSvosA/s320/IMG_6541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626236470224448962" border="0" /></a>As is usually the case, we ended up running into tons of folks from Boulder. Steve, Mia and Julia Mestdagh were there for a week (the later part to be spent in the Black Hills).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcMEhqrgRDU/ThRjtz0bFiI/AAAAAAAAHTk/_Zoei_Vo77g/s1600/IMG_6542.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcMEhqrgRDU/ThRjtz0bFiI/AAAAAAAAHTk/_Zoei_Vo77g/s320/IMG_6542.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626231473147942434" border="0" /></a>After everyone had enough climbing, we hiked the beautiful trail back to the cars and headed to the DeerHaven Inn for some BBQ. This was quite fun interacting with the locals (not all of whom were that friendly to climbers). We sat on the porch, had an adult beverage and watched a Junco sit on her nest of young. She would periodically take off and return with a mouth full of tiny grubs to feed them. The babies were so tiny, we never got a chance to see them well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nThiOzRE3hw/ThRjtgvryRI/AAAAAAAAHTc/8jQp14AcV18/s1600/IMG_6545.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nThiOzRE3hw/ThRjtgvryRI/AAAAAAAAHTc/8jQp14AcV18/s320/IMG_6545.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626231468027791634" border="0" /></a>We eventually headed back to camp where Dave entertained Milo the Cat for a while. Milo really does like Dave though in general he isn't the most outgoing kitty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVyCNc9Cl8g/ThRjtZ3U1II/AAAAAAAAHTU/8b3kAq0UN9I/s1600/IMG_6551.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVyCNc9Cl8g/ThRjtZ3U1II/AAAAAAAAHTU/8b3kAq0UN9I/s320/IMG_6551.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626231466180793474" border="0" /></a>The next morning while goofing in camps drinking tea and coffee, a young moose wandered up. Pretty cool as I don't recall ever seeing one in the wild. He was aware of us, but not worried a bit. Even a small/medium one is pretty darn big!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwrV2-wPst4/ThRoSj7xjQI/AAAAAAAAHVc/SKQf1shfdTI/s1600/IMG_6523.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwrV2-wPst4/ThRoSj7xjQI/AAAAAAAAHVc/SKQf1shfdTI/s320/IMG_6523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626236502585478402" border="0" /></a>Then it was back up to the Valhalla/French Cattle Ranch area for some more climbing. I did climb a bit more that day, though not every pitch. This place has the most undulating limestone ever. Where are the flat face climbs? Well, where are they that are rated under 5.14??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9sZXc_eopU/ThRjs9c3X7I/AAAAAAAAHTE/oKbvWsQgMZ0/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9sZXc_eopU/ThRjs9c3X7I/AAAAAAAAHTE/oKbvWsQgMZ0/s320/IMG_6558.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626231458553618354" border="0" /></a>Again we ran into a fair number of Boulderites. And we climbed until everyone was tired. One more hike out, back to DeerHaven, then to camp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqzdTrE9ovY/ThRhrVGVu1I/AAAAAAAAHS8/f8H6ao37Cas/s1600/IMG_6562.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqzdTrE9ovY/ThRhrVGVu1I/AAAAAAAAHS8/f8H6ao37Cas/s320/IMG_6562.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229231518595922" border="0" /></a>The next morning, Bodhi was in playful form protecting a stick bigger than she is. She's a very cute and smart dog. She entertained us with her circus show (relax, sit, roll over, crawl, etc.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpTf0KcXi9o/ThRhrBusc_I/AAAAAAAAHS0/aUoCKW2pf_U/s1600/IMG_6575.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lpTf0KcXi9o/ThRhrBusc_I/AAAAAAAAHS0/aUoCKW2pf_U/s320/IMG_6575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229226319148018" border="0" /></a>Dave and I packed up and headed back to Boulder. We stopped in Buffalo at the Busy Bee Cafe for some breakfast (it was partially fully of Boulderites too. Is there any getting away from them?). Then headed home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY8pPCgYsmk/ThRhrOnP_NI/AAAAAAAAHSs/8ecBbM-sqXs/s1600/IMG_6576.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY8pPCgYsmk/ThRhrOnP_NI/AAAAAAAAHSs/8ecBbM-sqXs/s320/IMG_6576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229229777583314" border="0" /></a>As always, it's fun to get away, but great fun to get home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psC0r0BYjfY/ThRhqmtmXEI/AAAAAAAAHSk/fAxk-FfNa-g/s1600/IMG_6581.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psC0r0BYjfY/ThRhqmtmXEI/AAAAAAAAHSk/fAxk-FfNa-g/s320/IMG_6581.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229219066797122" border="0" /></a>Happy Fourth of July!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0fqQhKG8Cg/ThRhqfxjCEI/AAAAAAAAHSc/LCF9d9FnPh4/s1600/IMG_6582.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e0fqQhKG8Cg/ThRhqfxjCEI/AAAAAAAAHSc/LCF9d9FnPh4/s320/IMG_6582.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229217204308034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0WvMVidOIw/ThRgOwiWqdI/AAAAAAAAHR0/DiAxlXFOobI/s1600/IMG_6586.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0WvMVidOIw/ThRgOwiWqdI/AAAAAAAAHR0/DiAxlXFOobI/s320/IMG_6586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227641156020690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCdSYYCWeo/ThRgQDxtFMI/AAAAAAAAHSU/I8BVFzqpb64/s1600/IMG_6587.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OUCdSYYCWeo/ThRgQDxtFMI/AAAAAAAAHSU/I8BVFzqpb64/s320/IMG_6587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227663500547266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhKJUbSdlLY/ThRgPHLizsI/AAAAAAAAHR8/KJv09HRxyDQ/s1600/IMG_6593.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhKJUbSdlLY/ThRgPHLizsI/AAAAAAAAHR8/KJv09HRxyDQ/s320/IMG_6593.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227647234363074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HQ1AY071qw/ThRgPXlkKxI/AAAAAAAAHSE/frz2BgzT5NQ/s1600/IMG_6598.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HQ1AY071qw/ThRgPXlkKxI/AAAAAAAAHSE/frz2BgzT5NQ/s320/IMG_6598.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227651638471442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiCteJ6HotQ/ThRgP7SgUuI/AAAAAAAAHSM/ZP1bd0mJqow/s1600/IMG_6604.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QiCteJ6HotQ/ThRgP7SgUuI/AAAAAAAAHSM/ZP1bd0mJqow/s320/IMG_6604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626227661222204130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQvPGgzOMgU/ThRe1sIaM4I/AAAAAAAAHRM/SKtgVqcgdH8/s1600/IMG_6608.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQvPGgzOMgU/ThRe1sIaM4I/AAAAAAAAHRM/SKtgVqcgdH8/s320/IMG_6608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626226110965101442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--C3XyXetjKM/ThRe2MjJP_I/AAAAAAAAHRU/rA2YLB6pE-4/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--C3XyXetjKM/ThRe2MjJP_I/AAAAAAAAHRU/rA2YLB6pE-4/s320/IMG_6609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626226119667171314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adi8q6e7ZKw/ThRe2Wai1YI/AAAAAAAAHRc/jF94Ct-Uy1I/s1600/IMG_6611.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adi8q6e7ZKw/ThRe2Wai1YI/AAAAAAAAHRc/jF94Ct-Uy1I/s320/IMG_6611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626226122315453826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtOmbqhxlOE/ThRe28sILgI/AAAAAAAAHRk/v__AEiol5UI/s1600/IMG_6613.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vtOmbqhxlOE/ThRe28sILgI/AAAAAAAAHRk/v__AEiol5UI/s320/IMG_6613.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626226132589751810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2x5UixCluGA/ThRe3GzCyVI/AAAAAAAAHRs/GVa_y6kvjBo/s1600/IMG_6615.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2x5UixCluGA/ThRe3GzCyVI/AAAAAAAAHRs/GVa_y6kvjBo/s320/IMG_6615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626226135303113042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-4173389642745309156?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-38613479427957078292011-07-05T20:08:00.000-07:002011-07-10T19:41:48.010-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N40tzSd87Hs/ThPUlJabXBI/AAAAAAAAHNE/G8P7uxBt59w/s1600/IMG_6431.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N40tzSd87Hs/ThPUlJabXBI/AAAAAAAAHNE/G8P7uxBt59w/s320/IMG_6431.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626074094162893842" border="0" /></a>For the fourth of July, Dave and I hit the road and went to Tensleep WY to meet Ron and Kathy for some climbing and R&amp;Ring. What an amazing drive! We saw the most beautiful and dense stands of wildflowers EVER. So beautiful were the purple and yellow carpets of flowers that we stopped to take it in and take photos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBro-2SUOpU/ThPUlgpcVVI/AAAAAAAAHNM/cxelMoUp2JY/s1600/IMG_6433.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBro-2SUOpU/ThPUlgpcVVI/AAAAAAAAHNM/cxelMoUp2JY/s320/IMG_6433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626074100399887698" border="0" /></a>As is always the case, photographs just don't do justice compared to what we saw there. Just simply spectacular. In addition to the beautiful scenery including snow covered Big Horn Mountains, we really admired the gorgeous shoulder on the highway and road riding this place offered. There is a 66 mile ride from Buffalo WY to Tensleep WY that includes about 5700 feet in elevation gain, beautiful scenery and wide shoulders. The route tops out at the Powder River Pass. COOL!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udjvi4B1n_g/ThPUmFNcZ5I/AAAAAAAAHNU/VitVq6PG3Ew/s1600/IMG_6435.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udjvi4B1n_g/ThPUmFNcZ5I/AAAAAAAAHNU/VitVq6PG3Ew/s320/IMG_6435.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626074110214563730" border="0" /></a>When we entered Tensleep Canyon, we weren't disappointed. There is endless limestone walls, a beautiful canyon and a raging river from the late snow run off. Gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fui9sreGjUI/ThPUmyCueqI/AAAAAAAAHNc/Lhf_fVNanb4/s1600/IMG_6438.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fui9sreGjUI/ThPUmyCueqI/AAAAAAAAHNc/Lhf_fVNanb4/s320/IMG_6438.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626074122249206434" border="0" /></a>We went to the Ice Plant wall to meet Ron and Kathy for some climbing. They and their dog Bodhi were already there. We did 4 or 6 climbs in the area. Only two other climbers were around making a really nice environment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XB7DloSU-k/ThPTQBvk97I/AAAAAAAAHMU/FgzZwZCqHK4/s1600/IMG_6440.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XB7DloSU-k/ThPTQBvk97I/AAAAAAAAHMU/FgzZwZCqHK4/s320/IMG_6440.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626072631815239602" border="0" /></a>My feet did well on some routes, not so well on other routes. I have come to the conclusion that limestone is just a very foot-unfriendly rock. Still, I had a great time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4Mm1CNzaZU/ThPTQdLVePI/AAAAAAAAHMc/ctGpampN714/s1600/IMG_6442.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4Mm1CNzaZU/ThPTQdLVePI/AAAAAAAAHMc/ctGpampN714/s320/IMG_6442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626072639179421938" border="0" /></a>After the climbing, we all hiked back to the car. We had to go past/through an area that experienced massive rock fall late last year. Apparently the area didn't even look fractured. Sort of creepy when looking at giant vehicle sized white boulders that made up a portion of the fallen section. Didn't want to dally in that part of the trail. Ugh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hbE5upYR5k/ThPTQ240DAI/AAAAAAAAHMk/2uQSmGfR27M/s1600/IMG_6443.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hbE5upYR5k/ThPTQ240DAI/AAAAAAAAHMk/2uQSmGfR27M/s320/IMG_6443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626072646081055746" border="0" /></a>We headed to our campsite in the Boulder Campground (funny, eh?) and set up our tent. We made some dinner, started a small fire, fought off the (happily) incompetent mosquitoes and hung out. It was a nice time with nice people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q4VVIDB9go/ThPTR7BaF4I/AAAAAAAAHM0/OAX0EYxZDt4/s1600/IMG_6451.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q4VVIDB9go/ThPTR7BaF4I/AAAAAAAAHM0/OAX0EYxZDt4/s320/IMG_6451.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626072664370714498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AL8J_K6J_Ew/ThPckbIffII/AAAAAAAAHO0/wQMJzqAWUTQ/s1600/IMG_6465.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AL8J_K6J_Ew/ThPckbIffII/AAAAAAAAHO0/wQMJzqAWUTQ/s320/IMG_6465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626082877832658050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md5dG9sax6A/ThPcmgTl0JI/AAAAAAAAHO8/rDUK69nckyc/s1600/IMG_6466.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-md5dG9sax6A/ThPcmgTl0JI/AAAAAAAAHO8/rDUK69nckyc/s320/IMG_6466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626082913581125778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miRIiHuTn6c/ThPcq4uRziI/AAAAAAAAHPM/cplp8ur4fl4/s1600/IMG_6469.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-miRIiHuTn6c/ThPcq4uRziI/AAAAAAAAHPM/cplp8ur4fl4/s320/IMG_6469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626082988854988322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwImkI6aZwk/ThPcriqvsTI/AAAAAAAAHPU/Rs8ExnWeEk4/s1600/IMG_6471.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwImkI6aZwk/ThPcriqvsTI/AAAAAAAAHPU/Rs8ExnWeEk4/s320/IMG_6471.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626083000114458930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yy7b4aP1vak/ThPeEIxlAUI/AAAAAAAAHPc/Xgyn95JKhtM/s1600/IMG_6480.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yy7b4aP1vak/ThPeEIxlAUI/AAAAAAAAHPc/Xgyn95JKhtM/s320/IMG_6480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626084522172154178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMp5O5zA3Hs/ThPeGMLojxI/AAAAAAAAHPk/kQMSaKj_Nyg/s1600/IMG_6485.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMp5O5zA3Hs/ThPeGMLojxI/AAAAAAAAHPk/kQMSaKj_Nyg/s320/IMG_6485.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626084557446483730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDOkV_6LTWk/ThPeHoazHCI/AAAAAAAAHPs/T1kOYQBA7XA/s1600/IMG_6488.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDOkV_6LTWk/ThPeHoazHCI/AAAAAAAAHPs/T1kOYQBA7XA/s320/IMG_6488.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626084582206151714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm0pL11Mpao/ThPeIILEQNI/AAAAAAAAHP0/wBXc9-idgWM/s1600/IMG_6489.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm0pL11Mpao/ThPeIILEQNI/AAAAAAAAHP0/wBXc9-idgWM/s320/IMG_6489.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626084590730100946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wfn5vOxIo/ThPfrZtXKbI/AAAAAAAAHQU/RAhMpKDhxcE/s1600/IMG_6491.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wfn5vOxIo/ThPfrZtXKbI/AAAAAAAAHQU/RAhMpKDhxcE/s320/IMG_6491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626086296244398514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTR7dS37YGs/ThPfrhhNAvI/AAAAAAAAHQc/C9wvnS4rZTc/s1600/IMG_6492.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTR7dS37YGs/ThPfrhhNAvI/AAAAAAAAHQc/C9wvnS4rZTc/s320/IMG_6492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626086298340885234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho-WfLl7LsM/ThPhG_xUNtI/AAAAAAAAHQk/6DwU1Msuv0U/s1600/IMG_6496.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ho-WfLl7LsM/ThPhG_xUNtI/AAAAAAAAHQk/6DwU1Msuv0U/s320/IMG_6496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626087869829625554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QUimK-kVMM/ThPhHQ4rveI/AAAAAAAAHQs/o0DyHPrEX50/s1600/IMG_6505.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QUimK-kVMM/ThPhHQ4rveI/AAAAAAAAHQs/o0DyHPrEX50/s320/IMG_6505.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626087874423930338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_L6GS6p8qM/ThPhIKLL4UI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/56Zr0Z9qIfo/s1600/IMG_6508.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_L6GS6p8qM/ThPhIKLL4UI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/56Zr0Z9qIfo/s320/IMG_6508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626087889802355010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTv2VkKpBo4/ThPhIbNxDCI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/eTN3pitUEKw/s1600/IMG_6509.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTv2VkKpBo4/ThPhIbNxDCI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/eTN3pitUEKw/s320/IMG_6509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626087894376582178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdaIYXviyPM/ThPhI3f91pI/AAAAAAAAHRE/dui7OTNqIuI/s1600/IMG_6510.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdaIYXviyPM/ThPhI3f91pI/AAAAAAAAHRE/dui7OTNqIuI/s320/IMG_6510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626087901969110674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3861347942795707829?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-30389310297994705782011-07-05T20:06:00.000-07:002011-07-05T20:08:33.003-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO3CZLRXwzo/ThPRfFwG77I/AAAAAAAAHMM/FDu65-6cwms/s1600/IMG_6423.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO3CZLRXwzo/ThPRfFwG77I/AAAAAAAAHMM/FDu65-6cwms/s320/IMG_6423.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626070691565989810" /></a>Really not many that words can add to this. Just wanted to capture one of the many moments when Henri is helping me out with work. And yes, I do actually work this way on occasion. He's a very helpful parrot!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3038931029799470578?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-50128467999692118802011-06-29T14:57:00.000-07:002011-06-29T15:02:22.244-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GOszD2G1Qw/TgugPPlhHQI/AAAAAAAAHL8/SNSC6KtuNfY/s1600/before.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GOszD2G1Qw/TgugPPlhHQI/AAAAAAAAHL8/SNSC6KtuNfY/s320/before.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623764743444569346" border="0" /></a>I have a crushing deadline on a paper. Usually papers seem to write themselves, but this one is fighting me - kicking and screaming at every turn. I so cannot wait to be rid of it!<br /><br />So while I've sequestered myself to force this thing get finished, I am finding myself engaged in a lot of interesting work avoidance. I've haven't done as much of that since I was writing my dissertation (I was a pro back then). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bhycxkYWp0/TgugPoFQ9JI/AAAAAAAAHME/PYwIGDvvajg/s1600/IMG_3427.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bhycxkYWp0/TgugPoFQ9JI/AAAAAAAAHME/PYwIGDvvajg/s320/IMG_3427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623764750020179090" border="0" /></a>One way I've accomplished this work avoidance is staring at my feet. Really. I find myself thinking they are kind of starting to look like my feet. And I find myself thinking I really need to get a pedicure. Still, this led me to look at a photo of my old feet. <br /><br />I found the photo from December of 2010 and wow! Those are looking less like my feet than the feet attached to me do. And wow! I needed a pedicure then too. Okay, enough goofing off. Back to work...I wonder if the cat wants to put on a dress.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5012846799969211880?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-55820561877442354632011-06-26T08:49:00.000-07:002011-06-29T11:18:51.789-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuEFbGlbFc4/TgdcZ-Fa_pI/AAAAAAAAHL0/l2eRkN1qHfQ/s1600/IMG_3341.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EuEFbGlbFc4/TgdcZ-Fa_pI/AAAAAAAAHL0/l2eRkN1qHfQ/s320/IMG_3341.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622564261027577490" border="0" /></a>The 2011 Bicycle Tour of Colorado check in was the 18th. It was scheduled for six days of riding, about 463 miles, and just under 50k' in gain. We began in Central City, next to Estes Park, to Granby, to Steamboat Springs, to Glenwood Springs, to Frisco and back to Central City.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avAGqxZaW90/TgdcZABqKSI/AAAAAAAAHLs/Lm7Lrz-QzZU/s1600/IMG_6418.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avAGqxZaW90/TgdcZABqKSI/AAAAAAAAHLs/Lm7Lrz-QzZU/s320/IMG_6418.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622564244368795938" border="0" /></a>Happily the beginning and ending destination was about an hour from the house. So, Dave and I packed up the pop-up to get me checked in. The weather forecast did not look promising. :/<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y1UwGAtkIvM/TgdcYq6q-6I/AAAAAAAAHLk/EwPyKSbn-6c/s1600/IMG_6420.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y1UwGAtkIvM/TgdcYq6q-6I/AAAAAAAAHLk/EwPyKSbn-6c/s320/IMG_6420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622564238702345122" border="0" /></a>We found an awesome place to put the pop-up to spend the night after checking in. We got up, had breakfast, and I took of into the threatening weather. Me and 1500 other riders!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtdnWXCxpu8/TgdcYLlaS1I/AAAAAAAAHLc/xy6aEN9mihw/s1600/IMG_3344.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtdnWXCxpu8/TgdcYLlaS1I/AAAAAAAAHLc/xy6aEN9mihw/s320/IMG_3344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622564230291671890" border="0" /></a>The aid stations were always a scene. Lots of people, bike everywhere, lines of porta potties, food and drink. As the picture shows of the first aid station on Peak to Peak (en route to Estes Park) I generally stayed back. I was not aggressive enough often to elbow the big male grazers parking their carcasses right in front of the food!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sG-K2Yuv7NU/TgdcXoZkxgI/AAAAAAAAHLU/o85RQgT6mJc/s1600/IMG_3349.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sG-K2Yuv7NU/TgdcXoZkxgI/AAAAAAAAHLU/o85RQgT6mJc/s320/IMG_3349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622564220846786050" border="0" /></a>The ride days was mellow, but the skies opened up the last ten miles (the down hill portion into Estes). I didn't get too wet though those coming in later were a bit spooked by thunder, hard rain, lightning and hail. Due to a tent set up snafu, I ended up with a less-than-desirable tent location with a beautiful view of the porta potties. :) They were seriously well-maintained and didn't smell at all - thank goodness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4h7DaOtmCw/TgdahDPFSdI/AAAAAAAAHLM/8KZaA_G67lg/s1600/IMG_3350.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4h7DaOtmCw/TgdahDPFSdI/AAAAAAAAHLM/8KZaA_G67lg/s320/IMG_3350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622562183646104018" border="0" /></a>The first night, Dave came up to have dinner with me. It was fun having a tent guest given it was cold and rainy outside. We found ourselves in town when the major deluge hit - lots of hail, torrential rain, and big wind. Happily my tent survived that. Some others did not. Bummer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2liEux_sNKw/TgdagkTNe3I/AAAAAAAAHLE/YIOGDqbNA6U/s1600/IMG_3353.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2liEux_sNKw/TgdagkTNe3I/AAAAAAAAHLE/YIOGDqbNA6U/s320/IMG_3353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622562175341919090" border="0" /></a>In town was this funny car full of ducks. It begged for a photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDs33aJp6BQ/TgdagPNNyRI/AAAAAAAAHK8/EBjtmjeA9kQ/s1600/IMG_3355.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDs33aJp6BQ/TgdagPNNyRI/AAAAAAAAHK8/EBjtmjeA9kQ/s320/IMG_3355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622562169679628562" border="0" /></a>An ubiquitous sight at each town where we stayed was the tangle of charging smart phones. In some locations finding an outlet was quite rare. Pretty funny, and I don't think any fires started (which was surprising given some of the tangles I saw).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cTCDtkVw-0/TgdafYfBLYI/AAAAAAAAHK0/QoL48wBSr6A/s1600/IMG_3356.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cTCDtkVw-0/TgdafYfBLYI/AAAAAAAAHK0/QoL48wBSr6A/s320/IMG_3356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622562154990349698" border="0" /></a>Several folks on the tour rode tandem bikes. I've not been on one, but I have heard that they "take a relationship to where it is going much more quickly." Often that means divorce. Hence the big laugh everyone got at this 'for sale' sign we saw in Estes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs3AEMLZlAY/Tgdae9-DA1I/AAAAAAAAHKs/LS3qJfLYTfo/s1600/IMG_3360.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs3AEMLZlAY/Tgdae9-DA1I/AAAAAAAAHKs/LS3qJfLYTfo/s320/IMG_3360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622562147872736082" border="0" /></a>It rained all night long in Estes and we knew this wasn't good news for the next leg of the trip which was about 90 miles up and over trail ridge road. Rain in Estes = snow up high. And that is exactly what happened. There was 9" of snow up top and it was still falling plus huge winds, and some rain mixed in. We were all trapped on the school property in Estes waiting on word from the Park Service as to whether Trail Ridge Road would open or not. Finally at about 8:30, they let us go. The top wasn't yet open, but the thought it may open by the time everyone got there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEmFoWt4gG8/TgdZrYZ0aeI/AAAAAAAAHKk/DVp3jVh0xT4/s1600/IMG_3364.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEmFoWt4gG8/TgdZrYZ0aeI/AAAAAAAAHKk/DVp3jVh0xT4/s320/IMG_3364.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622561261615344098" border="0" /></a>It looked grim going as we headed out. While I'm happy we got the chance to go, it may not have been the best decision. In short some unfortunate folks did get over Trail Ridge Road - and they got to experience hypothermia and spend some time in ambulances trying to raise their body temperatures from the low 80s. It rained/snowed the entire distance to Granby. These poor people were wrecked.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQoyG7ozg0k/TgdZrEZPpkI/AAAAAAAAHKc/pC-VaDY-vj8/s1600/IMG_3369.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQoyG7ozg0k/TgdZrEZPpkI/AAAAAAAAHKc/pC-VaDY-vj8/s320/IMG_3369.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622561256244225602" border="0" /></a>Others of us were stopped at the aid stations given the major cluster going on up higher. We waited perhaps two hours as the weather worsened. The wind got bigger, rain got harder, everyone grew very cold. Finally, I made the decision to go back down as it appeared unlikely that the top would open (it had closed after the few people got over). I headed back to the school while others waited to see if they could get higher. It was the correct decision and eventually everyone was directed back to the school. Those at the very top had to be plucked off it by buses since descending became too dangerous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2u5eU0BsFs/TgdZqf4-TyI/AAAAAAAAHKU/R-82hpKLS1o/s1600/IMG_3371.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2u5eU0BsFs/TgdZqf4-TyI/AAAAAAAAHKU/R-82hpKLS1o/s320/IMG_3371.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622561246445195042" border="0" /></a>At the school, the tour organizers scrambled to figure out how to get 1450 people and 1450 bicycles to Granby. (About 50 went over the top). For those who are not into cycling, keep in mind that inexpensive bikes on this tour were about $4,000. We saw some that were worth about 13k. And they needed to be shipped. Lots of worried bike owners (self included). A moving company came in and filled truck after truck with bicycles using moving blankets to protect them. Happily not one bike sustained even a scratch to our collective relief.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whK9VISFLSk/TgdZp3u9zBI/AAAAAAAAHKM/Po4knPI5bUU/s1600/IMG_3374.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whK9VISFLSk/TgdZp3u9zBI/AAAAAAAAHKM/Po4knPI5bUU/s320/IMG_3374.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622561235665800210" border="0" /></a>I cracked up as we bused to Granby. I grabbed a quick photo of the exit off of 36 to the house. Only a short walk away were the birds and cat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1b82Q3HlRI/TgdZpXp0q7I/AAAAAAAAHKE/-SjToYn6hhU/s1600/IMG_3375.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1b82Q3HlRI/TgdZpXp0q7I/AAAAAAAAHKE/-SjToYn6hhU/s320/IMG_3375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622561227054295986" border="0" /></a>The ride to Granby was sketchy including some white out conditions up high. Lots of snow. We did eventually get there were it rained quite a bit. The forecast was supposed to improve for the remainder of the trip. Happily that was the case.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtKqdBsm9YI/TgdYrrXpq-I/AAAAAAAAHJ8/PUq7CqraRRo/s1600/IMG_3376.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtKqdBsm9YI/TgdYrrXpq-I/AAAAAAAAHJ8/PUq7CqraRRo/s320/IMG_3376.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622560167194897378" border="0" /></a>I set up my wet tent for another wet night in the tent ghetto. One can't help but get up very early on these because there was always some noisy contingent of people getting up at 4am to head. Whack jobs! I got up to a sunny, but sadly windy day and headed out. We had about 80 miles to go over a couple of mountain passes - all of it into relentless head winds about about 25-35 mph. What should have been a pretty mellow day was hard as a result. I did stop in Kremmling (where Dave and I started a bike tour last year) and enjoyed a latte with many others.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyiZ4XrCYF4/TgdYrP1nczI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/avQ77qeIZlc/s1600/IMG_3377.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyiZ4XrCYF4/TgdYrP1nczI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/avQ77qeIZlc/s320/IMG_3377.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622560159804388146" border="0" /></a>We rode for a ways with Rabbit Ears Pass in the distance. We all cursed the big wind the entire way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhcxl8whkOg/TgdYqj5op5I/AAAAAAAAHJs/QElCSRiowcw/s1600/IMG_3382.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yhcxl8whkOg/TgdYqj5op5I/AAAAAAAAHJs/QElCSRiowcw/s320/IMG_3382.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622560148010084242" border="0" /></a>I enjoyed a break on the top of the pass. My face already hurt from the wind. And I didn't realize how trashed my lower lip was from this. It is still thrashed as I write this many days later. Thank goodness for over-the-counter numbing agents!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Te3xPHJ4EIA/TgdYqNjJ0ZI/AAAAAAAAHJk/D44HM25VgoE/s1600/IMG_3386.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Te3xPHJ4EIA/TgdYqNjJ0ZI/AAAAAAAAHJk/D44HM25VgoE/s320/IMG_3386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622560142010208658" border="0" /></a>There was a lot of snow on top of the pass. It's been a crazy year and that was not changing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRX_rvrIHKs/TgdYpgd8UdI/AAAAAAAAHJc/mW58U7X_USo/s1600/IMG_3387.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRX_rvrIHKs/TgdYpgd8UdI/AAAAAAAAHJc/mW58U7X_USo/s320/IMG_3387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622560129908756946" border="0" /></a>The entire tour provided many breath-taking vistas. Living here, I admit to being a bit more immune to them. It's fun watching other from other places being blown away by them. After a radically fun descent into Steamboat, I set up the tent and grabbed a quick massage. For whatever reason, the only thing that hurts when I ride longer distances is something in left scapular region. I am certain there is not a knife in my back, but it sure feels that way. Nice to get it worked on if even for 30 minutes.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcNazqs0mXc/TgdXmOY1bdI/AAAAAAAAHI0/uDHitqfgu2o/s1600/IMG_3396.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QcNazqs0mXc/TgdXmOY1bdI/AAAAAAAAHI0/uDHitqfgu2o/s320/IMG_3396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622558974004260306" border="0" /></a>After a good night of sleep, it was up early again to pack up a very wet and cold tent and hit the road. The next destination is Glenwood Springs. Sadly, the big runoff from the late snow melt took out the bike path (still submerged in some RAGING waters) so our ride was being detoured to include a bonus mountain pass. People were calling it King Pass and while I don't think it is an 'official' pass, it felt like a pass. Average grade of 7% for 9 miles is what is is called. In some places, it got up to 11%. It was hot too. 90+miles later, we got to our destination where our bikes had to be stored in tennis courts! What a site that was. Then we were bused to Glenwood where we would enjoy a rest day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09wZjzr3Abk/TgdXoNVJq9I/AAAAAAAAHJU/zwC7DVmfXSo/s1600/IMG_3389.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09wZjzr3Abk/TgdXoNVJq9I/AAAAAAAAHJU/zwC7DVmfXSo/s320/IMG_3389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622559008080112594" border="0" /></a>Tent ghetto was alive and well at Glenwood Springs. There is a big incentive to get to the destination early to get a prime spot. This means one not next to the all-night-long banging doors of the porta potties. This means not under some strong light. This means in a location that someone isn't likely to pitch their tent 4" from yours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK6Lpk_IqcU/TgdXngCX_lI/AAAAAAAAHJM/hqb6vPl6g-4/s1600/IMG_3391.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rK6Lpk_IqcU/TgdXngCX_lI/AAAAAAAAHJM/hqb6vPl6g-4/s320/IMG_3391.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622558995921763922" border="0" /></a>I managed to snag an awesome and isolated tent spot at Glenwood High School. No one anywhere near me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWN7Jb10C3U/TgdXnHmv0sI/AAAAAAAAHJE/ZVPyrxjPffw/s1600/IMG_3392.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AWN7Jb10C3U/TgdXnHmv0sI/AAAAAAAAHJE/ZVPyrxjPffw/s320/IMG_3392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622558989363434178" border="0" /></a>And being the 7 year old boy I am, I had to take a photo of a sign on the school property. Well played kids! Haha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tA6ynuYLstI/TgdXmvPZu6I/AAAAAAAAHI8/IQHECMUnaZc/s1600/IMG_3395.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tA6ynuYLstI/TgdXmvPZu6I/AAAAAAAAHI8/IQHECMUnaZc/s320/IMG_3395.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622558982823066530" border="0" /></a>After getting set up, I walked over to the hot springs. An excellent way to spend a day off. It was a broiling hot day. Hard to believe we were suffering in the freezing weather days before. Later that evening, to escape the heat some of us headed up the tram to the park up high. I forgot the camera for this which was a bummer. I rode the big swing (that puts one face down out over the canyon!!) and the rock climbing wall (on a dare). Then five of us headed back to town for some Italian food. It ended up being a late night (to bed at about 11pm).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-08vikNptI/TgdWgb8sV-I/AAAAAAAAHIs/78fXm1FmG-o/s1600/IMG_3397.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i-08vikNptI/TgdWgb8sV-I/AAAAAAAAHIs/78fXm1FmG-o/s320/IMG_3397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622557775053477858" border="0" /></a>The usual insomniacs were up early the next morning. The first I heard dragging out (literally dragging their luggage across the pavement regardless how noisy that was) at 4am. What is wrong with these people?? I finally got up and headed out as sleep was futile. I needed to get on the bus back to the bike, clean it, and hit the road. It was going to be a scorcher again too. Dang. This ride to Frisco includes Vail Pass. As you can imagine it included lots of beautiful sights such as waterfalls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4328oU3Xfk/TgdWfnvW2dI/AAAAAAAAHIk/Cn-q_DdL_-s/s1600/IMG_3399.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4328oU3Xfk/TgdWfnvW2dI/AAAAAAAAHIk/Cn-q_DdL_-s/s320/IMG_3399.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622557761038899666" border="0" /></a>Even prior to the pass, there were some beautiful spots to stop and grab a photo. I failed to grab a photo on top of the Vail Pass though it was gorgeous. I think I was looking forward to the fun descent. This was I think the best day of the tour in terms of riding - though everyday was great.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbnSLRbMpg4/TgdWe6ebuqI/AAAAAAAAHIc/S4S6JwTIWOQ/s1600/IMG_3401.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbnSLRbMpg4/TgdWe6ebuqI/AAAAAAAAHIc/S4S6JwTIWOQ/s320/IMG_3401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622557748888320674" border="0" /></a>I was becoming expert at grabbing good tent sites. In Frisco, I had no neighbors on three sides of me, plus a fence to keep my bike nearby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ump97dBtc0E/TgdWeHhot-I/AAAAAAAAHIU/w9iMlqfVB5s/s1600/IMG_3402.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ump97dBtc0E/TgdWeHhot-I/AAAAAAAAHIU/w9iMlqfVB5s/s320/IMG_3402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622557735211546594" border="0" /></a>The lack of sleep the night before caught up with me here and I ended up in bed at 7:30pm. :) It was terrific! I also managed an 11 hour night of sleep which was super awesome! I got up for the last day of the tour. This day took up back to Central City via Loveland Pass and the Central City Highway (which is steep and savage). The pass was fun and I even stopped a few minutes to grab a photo of skiers at A-Basin. Mid June and they can still ski which is crazy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxoORZcC3CQ/TgdWdZfUBGI/AAAAAAAAHIM/Dad9KlYHt_E/s1600/IMG_3403.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxoORZcC3CQ/TgdWdZfUBGI/AAAAAAAAHIM/Dad9KlYHt_E/s320/IMG_3403.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622557722853770338" border="0" /></a>I did stop and get some photos at the top of Loveland Pass (included the required bike-conquering-photo...happily it weighs 11 lbs only. :))<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzigE96NLFc/TgdVnWn-DII/AAAAAAAAHHs/Ok_sh1QRLuk/s1600/IMG_3406.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzigE96NLFc/TgdVnWn-DII/AAAAAAAAHHs/Ok_sh1QRLuk/s320/IMG_3406.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622556794371837058" border="0" /></a>Next was an exciting part of the ride - on I-70. Yes, on the freeway. Yowza! We did about 15 or 20 miles on the freeway (happily downhill) which was intense. I clocked my fastest descent time ever the whole way thinking "please don't flat, please don't flat" and "if you crash here, you are gonna die!!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDd5b9xpKOs/TgdVn2C2nmI/AAAAAAAAHH0/wQqq_iyevGI/s1600/IMG_3408.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDd5b9xpKOs/TgdVn2C2nmI/AAAAAAAAHH0/wQqq_iyevGI/s320/IMG_3408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622556802806095458" border="0" /></a>The last 8 miles were rough going up the Central City Parkway. I'm not sure the grade, but I'd guess it is 8 or 9% and pretty steady. And it was super hot with lots of glass on the side of the road. Lots of folks having to stop and fix flats. Happily I was not one of them for which I'm so grateful!<br /><br />I rolled to the finish line in Central City where the main street was blocked off for the party. It was quite fun. Dave arrived and we headed home. Totally a blast and I'd do it again in a heart beat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mky_4KmzqGE/TgdVow75J3I/AAAAAAAAHIE/9zD7YU5rD2c/s1600/IMG_3411.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mky_4KmzqGE/TgdVow75J3I/AAAAAAAAHIE/9zD7YU5rD2c/s320/IMG_3411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622556818614593394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5582056187744235463?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-68027549547226694152011-06-26T08:40:00.000-07:002011-06-26T08:49:04.894-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65VE_7wkNJQ/TgdUKEtBxfI/AAAAAAAAHHE/U6RiOU3k81I/s1600/IMG_6392.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65VE_7wkNJQ/TgdUKEtBxfI/AAAAAAAAHHE/U6RiOU3k81I/s320/IMG_6392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622555191833380338" border="0" /></a>Dave was in Peru on our second anniversary so when he returned, we headed up to Flagstaff to celebrate a few days later. We enjoyed some nice weather, sushi, strawberries and champagne.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDLQvs_XHjE/TgdUKr7oO-I/AAAAAAAAHHM/K0ooGtQBpVM/s1600/IMG_6401.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDLQvs_XHjE/TgdUKr7oO-I/AAAAAAAAHHM/K0ooGtQBpVM/s320/IMG_6401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622555202363603938" border="0" /></a>The two years have flown by with lots happening including several broken bones, ruptured muscles, changes in jobs, and travels.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0f3Pb0batE/TgdULa4D0MI/AAAAAAAAHHU/rjjK28ty4lk/s1600/IMG_6402.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0f3Pb0batE/TgdULa4D0MI/AAAAAAAAHHU/rjjK28ty4lk/s320/IMG_6402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622555214965100738" border="0" /></a>Not much to say except it's been two most excellent years!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZddP2xBTzo/TgdUMY6_rwI/AAAAAAAAHHk/ATRD4bYp8MQ/s1600/IMG_6387.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZddP2xBTzo/TgdUMY6_rwI/AAAAAAAAHHk/ATRD4bYp8MQ/s320/IMG_6387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622555231620411138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLiniL37sGQ/TgdUL69NGmI/AAAAAAAAHHc/5A3sWBTAWhg/s1600/IMG_6394.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLiniL37sGQ/TgdUL69NGmI/AAAAAAAAHHc/5A3sWBTAWhg/s320/IMG_6394.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622555223576615522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6802754954722669415?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-15489557751921178402011-06-26T08:31:00.000-07:002011-06-26T08:40:09.342-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BulO2uEKjQ/TgdSFetpoKI/AAAAAAAAHG0/Rc4zyOZp7UE/s1600/IMG_6409.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BulO2uEKjQ/TgdSFetpoKI/AAAAAAAAHG0/Rc4zyOZp7UE/s320/IMG_6409.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622552913892712610" /></a>Thought I would put up a dedicated blog for the recent bear visit. This year, they stayed off our back porch (as far as we know anyway), but instead showed up across the street.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JomwnwQMXwk/TgdSEsY_6tI/AAAAAAAAHGs/CZ0by2qUlzs/s1600/IMG_6407.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JomwnwQMXwk/TgdSEsY_6tI/AAAAAAAAHGs/CZ0by2qUlzs/s320/IMG_6407.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622552900384320210" /></a>And this year, instead of it being one bear - it was four! One mama bear and three cubs. They stayed in the tree across the street all day. News trucks and people came from all over to get a look. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSsisUavy2Y/TgdSF93bgAI/AAAAAAAAHG8/gtrhS3POmPk/s1600/IMG_6404.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSsisUavy2Y/TgdSF93bgAI/AAAAAAAAHG8/gtrhS3POmPk/s320/IMG_6404.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622552922255228930" /></a>The bears couldn't have cared less. It was difficult to make out all three cubs since most of the day two of them lounged on the mama bear's back. Pretty cool!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-1548955775192117840?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-80626666884230264822011-06-25T19:26:00.000-07:002011-06-26T08:28:58.954-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jyM9ylQOv8/TgdNzDsRgwI/AAAAAAAAHGc/T9lE5LnYQLk/s1600/IMG_0006-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jyM9ylQOv8/TgdNzDsRgwI/AAAAAAAAHGc/T9lE5LnYQLk/s320/IMG_0006-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548199355024130" border="0" /></a>Yes, we are behind in blogging. But it's because we've been out doing stuff. Hopefully in the next few days we'll get caught up. This will (hopefully) include Dave's Peru Mountaineering trip, our anniversary, and my ride on the Bicycle Tour of Colorado.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caugT_8blfQ/TgdNz3zwPsI/AAAAAAAAHGk/KODHQYM7Ujk/s1600/IMG_0010-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caugT_8blfQ/TgdNz3zwPsI/AAAAAAAAHGk/KODHQYM7Ujk/s320/IMG_0010-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548213345042114" border="0" /></a><br />Until then, enjoy these gorgeous photos that Dave took before any of these other events too place. Mostly, they are photos of birds. In addition though, there are some cool photos of our newest neighborhood visitor: mama bear and three cubs. Happily they were NOT on the back porch this year - instead, they were across the street. Pretty cool when they are not on the back porch!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W62dkdSUDoY/TgdNyqSuvsI/AAAAAAAAHGU/eRkQDu-r6Ws/s1600/IMG_0015-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W62dkdSUDoY/TgdNyqSuvsI/AAAAAAAAHGU/eRkQDu-r6Ws/s320/IMG_0015-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548192537001666" border="0" /></a>For those who ask, I wanted to identify the birds shown here. Most of the bird photos you see came from Walden Ponds in Eastern Boulder. The first three photos show are of an Osprey fishing. Watching this is always a treat - the birds never miss! It was especially cool as Dave had never seen them fish before. It's amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik8f-Z2OmWQ/TgdNyeu2moI/AAAAAAAAHGM/u2hrjaViJMI/s1600/IMG_0064-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik8f-Z2OmWQ/TgdNyeu2moI/AAAAAAAAHGM/u2hrjaViJMI/s320/IMG_0064-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548189433731714" border="0" /></a>The second bird shown is the elegant Eastern Kingbird. These are really pretty flycatchers and when we were out walking, there were many of them providing lots of fun watching.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc7n_Vm2U4c/TgdNpG5GWXI/AAAAAAAAHGE/XB3j71Du9II/s1600/IMG_0146-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc7n_Vm2U4c/TgdNpG5GWXI/AAAAAAAAHGE/XB3j71Du9II/s320/IMG_0146-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548028415433074" border="0" /></a>Up next is a Tree Swallow. The babies of these birds appeared to have just fledged as many parents were working with young. Great fun to watch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgM1-vWNyuA/TgdNovli8cI/AAAAAAAAHF8/5X2_oLm3-K0/s1600/IMG_0219-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgM1-vWNyuA/TgdNovli8cI/AAAAAAAAHF8/5X2_oLm3-K0/s320/IMG_0219-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548022159405506" border="0" /></a>The next photo shown is actually from the backyard. I was watching all the Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch and Pine Siskins that day. For whatever reason, they decided it was bath time and territoriality took hold. This is a fun photo in a series in which this Lesser Goldfinch was not about to give up his prime spot on the bubbling bird bath. The American Goldfinch didn't test the little guy to see if he meant business. It seemed clear he did. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR9vOcTWa-c/TgdNn14ki6I/AAAAAAAAHF0/6LeWW92e5kU/s1600/IMG_0386-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR9vOcTWa-c/TgdNn14ki6I/AAAAAAAAHF0/6LeWW92e5kU/s320/IMG_0386-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622548006669945762" border="0" /></a>Dave has been chasing Yellow Warblers for some time. They are pretty common here, but getting a photo is extra challenging. The day we were at Walden Ponds, he got several fun shots. This one is cute - the bird is taking advantage of the bark to get a good head scratch.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3IiBI0aVf4I/TgdNnJeMnjI/AAAAAAAAHFs/cmduCxS9pQ8/s1600/IMG_0413-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3IiBI0aVf4I/TgdNnJeMnjI/AAAAAAAAHFs/cmduCxS9pQ8/s320/IMG_0413-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547994748165682" border="0" /></a>We've found a pair of Great Horned Owls out at Walden Ponds. Like clock work, they were in the tree where we thought we'd find them. Beautiful birds!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgTFVBNfGTw/TgdNmjWP71I/AAAAAAAAHFk/VAmWnxsh8cg/s1600/IMG_0454-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgTFVBNfGTw/TgdNmjWP71I/AAAAAAAAHFk/VAmWnxsh8cg/s320/IMG_0454-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547984514281298" border="0" /></a>They may be plain, but their song is gorgeous. Here is a photo of House Wren we watched feeding some young in a snag.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RjDddINOVs/TgdNcRsYc0I/AAAAAAAAHFc/76-oasOQJtw/s1600/IMG_0471-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RjDddINOVs/TgdNcRsYc0I/AAAAAAAAHFc/76-oasOQJtw/s320/IMG_0471-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547807976584002" border="0" /></a>We were also treated to the hunting of a Great Blue Heron. While they may not have a 100% hit rate, they are really worth watching. We watched this guy catch and gobble up multiple unfortunate fish.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gB5UBkg6JEI/TgdNb-pYiAI/AAAAAAAAHFU/4GW-vPbUJrQ/s1600/IMG_0531-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gB5UBkg6JEI/TgdNb-pYiAI/AAAAAAAAHFU/4GW-vPbUJrQ/s320/IMG_0531-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547802863732738" border="0" /></a>Here are the stars of last week in the neighborhood - mama bear and three cubs in the tree across the street. We had news trucks on the street out front and many folks came to check them out. Not sure what became of them. Hopefully they don't come back - if so, the officials have to euthanize them.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in5uHsNh3rQ/TgdNbDt7uTI/AAAAAAAAHFM/JKJk5l0-gv4/s1600/IMG_9892-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in5uHsNh3rQ/TgdNbDt7uTI/AAAAAAAAHFM/JKJk5l0-gv4/s320/IMG_9892-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547787045124402" border="0" /></a>Walden Ponds has a lot of White Pelicans. For some big and awkward looking birds, they fly with such grace. We watched the fly, land, fish, play, etc. A real treat.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ7zl833BbM/TgdNatDo-WI/AAAAAAAAHFE/txdD90bOODg/s1600/IMG_9911-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ7zl833BbM/TgdNatDo-WI/AAAAAAAAHFE/txdD90bOODg/s320/IMG_9911-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547780962154850" border="0" /></a>It's that time of year - Gosling time! Baby Canada Geese were out and about. Seriously, they are so adorable!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rh7ayVCcEQ/TgdNacpQQJI/AAAAAAAAHE8/Rs5JlmRxn-c/s1600/IMG_9959-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rh7ayVCcEQ/TgdNacpQQJI/AAAAAAAAHE8/Rs5JlmRxn-c/s320/IMG_9959-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622547776556515474" border="0" /></a>And finally, a nice shot of a Yellow Warbler. It's no surprise this bird is on the cover of Kaufman's guide. What a difficult task it is to get a nice photo of one of these...yet here one is! :) Enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-8062666688423026482?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-72211391637750757282011-06-11T20:25:00.001-07:002011-06-11T20:32:55.284-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3DgDGbvaxw/TfQycHvhC0I/AAAAAAAAHCM/MXew3NlcZtI/s1600/IMG_3332.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3DgDGbvaxw/TfQycHvhC0I/AAAAAAAAHCM/MXew3NlcZtI/s320/IMG_3332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170093933923138" border="0" /></a>My final night in the Houston area involved going to a new mexican restaurant (Las Brisas) and meeting with Jennifer, Tim and his girlfriend Kerri. Mom and Dad came along as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7qDZxK1Y48/TfQzDT4_EgI/AAAAAAAAHCk/dBTiBZcE994/s1600/IMG_3327.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f7qDZxK1Y48/TfQzDT4_EgI/AAAAAAAAHCk/dBTiBZcE994/s320/IMG_3327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170767209763330" border="0" /></a>We had a great time chatting about lots of things. Tim and Jennifer will be coming to campus on Oct 6th to give a presentation about her case. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, you can read about it here: http://www.justiceforjennifer.com/.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVTmQOgkaDM/TfQzDpI-cwI/AAAAAAAAHCs/cWV3nZWDk7k/s1600/IMG_3326.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVTmQOgkaDM/TfQzDpI-cwI/AAAAAAAAHCs/cWV3nZWDk7k/s320/IMG_3326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170772913976066" border="0" /></a>We're gonna have a great time. I think this night was just a sneak preview of the fun we'll have in Denver! Thanks for a good time everyone...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nD21wmXaMg/TfQycjNJHsI/AAAAAAAAHCU/McOSaindYEE/s1600/IMG_3330.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nD21wmXaMg/TfQycjNJHsI/AAAAAAAAHCU/McOSaindYEE/s320/IMG_3330.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170101305941698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obfu2ScewSU/TfQyblzDVAI/AAAAAAAAHCE/2mqM-EkQcmQ/s1600/IMG_3333.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obfu2ScewSU/TfQyblzDVAI/AAAAAAAAHCE/2mqM-EkQcmQ/s320/IMG_3333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170084821947394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAwKPraoCCM/TfQybWTGhPI/AAAAAAAAHB8/sfVcjFlA1qs/s1600/IMG_3336.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAwKPraoCCM/TfQybWTGhPI/AAAAAAAAHB8/sfVcjFlA1qs/s320/IMG_3336.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170080661406962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mogUSxOh2JM/TfQydPAv_-I/AAAAAAAAHCc/dpdUt0wOFvw/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mogUSxOh2JM/TfQydPAv_-I/AAAAAAAAHCc/dpdUt0wOFvw/s320/IMG_3328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617170113065123810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-7221139163775075728?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-6481754270918558002011-06-07T18:30:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:33:20.629-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h5fv3uzmlTw/Te7cgbyNLAI/AAAAAAAAHBk/hA15HyMyfjs/s1600/IMG_3321-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h5fv3uzmlTw/Te7cgbyNLAI/AAAAAAAAHBk/hA15HyMyfjs/s320/IMG_3321-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615668235149847554" border="0" /></a>Peacocks are great fun. There are several adults around, one hen on eggs in the barn and many juveniles running around. They do so many fun things. The adult males are walking around displaying to everything. As I mentioned in the last Houston entry, they prefer displaying to the side of the house. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXzzCvDfoL0/Te7cgL45l5I/AAAAAAAAHBc/xa7pn5F78AQ/s1600/IMG_3322-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXzzCvDfoL0/Te7cgL45l5I/AAAAAAAAHBc/xa7pn5F78AQ/s320/IMG_3322-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615668230882957202" border="0" /></a>The white one displays to the back of the house, while the blue one prefers displaying to the side of the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhtKkw983qQ/Te7cginQD_I/AAAAAAAAHBs/5xsxYKVq98U/s1600/IMG_3319-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhtKkw983qQ/Te7cginQD_I/AAAAAAAAHBs/5xsxYKVq98U/s320/IMG_3319-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615668236982947826" border="0" /></a>Equally fun is watching the juvenile males. They do not have their long tails but that does not stop them from practicing their displays. They practice for random chicken, tires, dandelions, and each other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMYgI3gJhM/Te7cg1Qg2_I/AAAAAAAAHB0/rrdz7jKh8mw/s1600/IMG_3318-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMYgI3gJhM/Te7cg1Qg2_I/AAAAAAAAHB0/rrdz7jKh8mw/s320/IMG_3318-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615668241987853298" border="0" /></a>I've offered a series of photos of two young males practicing. Here are our fronts, here are our sides, here are are backsides. I especially like how the adult white male took up a seat to observe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-8xWs6VPyw/Te7b4gja8TI/AAAAAAAAHBM/iWmX9zy8Co0/s1600/HPIM3956-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-8xWs6VPyw/Te7b4gja8TI/AAAAAAAAHBM/iWmX9zy8Co0/s320/HPIM3956-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615667549235245362" border="0" /></a>This morning mom, Rachel and I went for a pedicure at the House of Masochism Nail Salon. Then off to do some shopping, and ultimately to the pool to hang out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gY8pjiHzQ3k/Te7b4L0zsNI/AAAAAAAAHA8/GJwKO9nIqRg/s1600/HPIM3961-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gY8pjiHzQ3k/Te7b4L0zsNI/AAAAAAAAHA8/GJwKO9nIqRg/s320/HPIM3961-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615667543671025874" border="0" /></a>Good times!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdIAg35UeJw/Te7b5NGP-uI/AAAAAAAAHBU/y333kbfUU3A/s1600/HPIM3955-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdIAg35UeJw/Te7b5NGP-uI/AAAAAAAAHBU/y333kbfUU3A/s320/HPIM3955-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615667561192487650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFBuEWgkaDs/Te7b39GtNII/AAAAAAAAHA0/q-7xpQh0pJQ/s1600/IMG_3325.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFBuEWgkaDs/Te7b39GtNII/AAAAAAAAHA0/q-7xpQh0pJQ/s320/IMG_3325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615667539719566466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-648175427091855800?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-43392035330425872702011-06-07T16:19:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:33:34.663-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmWYlsHQ4Q4/Te6yOzoU_II/AAAAAAAAHAU/sFxk5SF-l1I/s1600/ishinca.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmWYlsHQ4Q4/Te6yOzoU_II/AAAAAAAAHAU/sFxk5SF-l1I/s320/ishinca.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615621752824855682" /></a>Briefly heard from Dave so I have a short update. They (Andy, Alex, Quinn and Dave) spent the last five days or so in a valley where two peaks were summitted. The first was Ishinca which all four successfully accomplished (See photos 1 and 2 - lifted from the internet since I don't have access to their photos yet).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuIBF8hA2M0/Te6yOkXxWiI/AAAAAAAAHAM/Wz91E63XLa4/s1600/climbing_ishinca_montain_peru-9.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuIBF8hA2M0/Te6yOkXxWiI/AAAAAAAAHAM/Wz91E63XLa4/s320/climbing_ishinca_montain_peru-9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615621748728879650" /></a>Dave had been feeling sick since he arrived so he opted to stay at high camp to try and get better while the other three summitted peak #2 (see photo 3)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GeewvYxyoW8/Te6yPmcsGCI/AAAAAAAAHAc/KKOy17RZD04/s1600/Tocllaraju%2B6032m.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GeewvYxyoW8/Te6yPmcsGCI/AAAAAAAAHAc/KKOy17RZD04/s320/Tocllaraju%2B6032m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615621766466246690" /></a>Peak #2 - Tocllara - was summitted by Quinn, Andy and Alex. After that, they all four descended back into Huaraz for a couple of days. Dave is feeling better - though not 100%. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1l6vjO41IU/Te6yQFu4eeI/AAAAAAAAHAs/rZ9csnp-fRc/s1600/Cho2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1l6vjO41IU/Te6yQFu4eeI/AAAAAAAAHAs/rZ9csnp-fRc/s320/Cho2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615621774864054754" /></a>Tomorrow the four will head back up into a valley to attempt the third peak of the trip - Chopicalqui. This ascent will be 'light and fast.'<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbVXQ6q7qnQ/Te6yPwVMTYI/AAAAAAAAHAk/J72HZBSEW6U/s1600/chopicalqui.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbVXQ6q7qnQ/Te6yPwVMTYI/AAAAAAAAHAk/J72HZBSEW6U/s320/chopicalqui.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615621769119157634" /></a>They will be out of contact for another 4 or 5 days once they leave in the morning. It is funny to think that he is up at an elevation that is at minimum of 10,000' (and up to 22,000') and I'm at 9' in elevation and 100 degrees. Life is funny.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-4339203533042587270?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-68022182661359897112011-06-06T20:51:00.000-07:002011-06-06T21:14:22.830-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNC8sg3QfNw/Te2iK09fFiI/AAAAAAAAG-4/_NB2_3Cb8bg/s1600/IMG_3244.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNC8sg3QfNw/Te2iK09fFiI/AAAAAAAAG-4/_NB2_3Cb8bg/s320/IMG_3244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615322617299801634" border="0" /></a>In Houston for a short visit. Doing the usual things - hanging at the parents house and playing with birds of all sorts...Guineas, Ducks, Geese, Chicken, Chickies, Peafowl, Parrots... they are all here. And for those of you who think you are busy - meet the Chicken Octomom! Eight cute chickies and LOTS more eggs. Yikes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZsUaH_aBYk/Te2iKVhy2FI/AAAAAAAAG-w/n5zXfaExURc/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZsUaH_aBYk/Te2iKVhy2FI/AAAAAAAAG-w/n5zXfaExURc/s320/IMG_3251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615322608862156882" border="0" /></a>Plus, all the Purple Martin are raising their young and a Barn Swallow has built a nest and is incubating eggs on the front porch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTjHW6eMeDY/Te2iL6gO3bI/AAAAAAAAG_I/ZTIMade5Jag/s1600/IMG_3259.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTjHW6eMeDY/Te2iL6gO3bI/AAAAAAAAG_I/ZTIMade5Jag/s320/IMG_3259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615322635967585714" border="0" /></a>Did the usual trip to Brazos Bend State Park. The heat index there was 103 so I didn't expect to see much. Still, saw a fair number of birds - Anhinga, Common Moorhen, Green Herons, Great Heron, Black-Bellied Whistling Duck, Roseate Spoonbill, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, and many others.<br /><br />And it's that time - time for the Peacocks to display for...anything. They seem especially enamored with the side of the house. Ever see the backside of a Peacock? Pretty cool, eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aquJU9za22c/Te2iLKGL7QI/AAAAAAAAG_A/drQCkuJemLg/s1600/IMG_3263.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aquJU9za22c/Te2iLKGL7QI/AAAAAAAAG_A/drQCkuJemLg/s320/IMG_3263.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615322622973439234" border="0" /></a>Saw only one gator... I think he was the same Dave and I saw last year. He was hanging out at a fishing pier and seemed to be waiting to be fed. It's the only gator I've ever seen that does that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFCkafF0bf4/Te2iMabjm8I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/HM-cqGA63NY/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFCkafF0bf4/Te2iMabjm8I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/HM-cqGA63NY/s320/IMG_3272.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615322644537908162" border="0" /></a>After Brazos Bend, we headed to a pool to chill out, then to dinner on the coast. Watching the flocks of Brown Pelicans was entertaining.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PtRknlJ5t5A/Te2jcGJYmuI/AAAAAAAAG_c/48g8YkZ8N8M/s1600/IMG_3274.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PtRknlJ5t5A/Te2jcGJYmuI/AAAAAAAAG_c/48g8YkZ8N8M/s320/IMG_3274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324013482515170" border="0" /></a>I did hear from Dave tonight. He's been sick but is still having a good time in Peru. Hard to believe we were able to (barely) communicate as internet in both locales is slow and difficult. About 1.5 weeks and he'll be home. I'm looking forward to that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yezEX7bsSPw/Te2jcvR2jgI/AAAAAAAAG_k/yOToegzKSl4/s1600/IMG_3278.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yezEX7bsSPw/Te2jcvR2jgI/AAAAAAAAG_k/yOToegzKSl4/s320/IMG_3278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324024523886082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGlPLl75_R8/Te2jc29kA3I/AAAAAAAAG_s/R-lqMgev5W0/s1600/IMG_3283.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGlPLl75_R8/Te2jc29kA3I/AAAAAAAAG_s/R-lqMgev5W0/s320/IMG_3283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324026586268530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynmVkeUKPVI/Te2jdEtNz5I/AAAAAAAAG_0/gJQE8Adlo-U/s1600/IMG_3287.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynmVkeUKPVI/Te2jdEtNz5I/AAAAAAAAG_0/gJQE8Adlo-U/s320/IMG_3287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324030275800978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14bzUMd9ycQ/Te2jd2EVlcI/AAAAAAAAG_8/lAmXur9xrnQ/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14bzUMd9ycQ/Te2jd2EVlcI/AAAAAAAAG_8/lAmXur9xrnQ/s320/IMG_3288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324043526116802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PI0Gi6h6x4w/Te2j75nwx3I/AAAAAAAAHAE/1HlFGf1_d4Y/s1600/IMG_3302.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PI0Gi6h6x4w/Te2j75nwx3I/AAAAAAAAHAE/1HlFGf1_d4Y/s320/IMG_3302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615324559876081522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-6802218266135989711?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-36093870849423044612011-06-04T21:48:00.000-07:002011-06-04T21:50:33.993-07:00Yep. They are here. The lonelies arrived a few days ago and they've been hard to shake. I'd post a photo of them but they are impossible to photograph.<br /><br />It's really quiet around the house, though I'm getting lots of little tasks taken care of. <br /><br />About two weeks and Dave will be home. I hope he's having fun and I wonder if the lonelies are there too. <br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-3609387084942304461?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-52818938424379610092011-06-04T15:42:00.001-07:002011-06-04T21:48:38.428-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UDRiav0eTU/Teq1Hcm2xQI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/s8yRvL2rqlI/s1600/IMG_3222.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UDRiav0eTU/Teq1Hcm2xQI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/s8yRvL2rqlI/s320/IMG_3222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614499025013622018" /></a>Again this year, some Black-Capped Chickadees took up residence in the decorative nest next to the front door. Lots of 'real' bird house all over our property, but these guys like this nest. That's okay with us. Last year they fledged four chicks.<br /><br />We were happy to see the Chickadees moved in again. Pretty soon we saw nest building, then egg sitting, and finally little grubs and bugs being delivered. We knew there were three in the nest - and finally today, I was able to count four. <br /><br />I even managed to snap a photo of one of them as he was peeking out. They look like little Chickadees now with their eyes open and feathers coming in. They are preening furiously in their nest. They should be leaving within the next few days. Good luck little guys!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/" id="bclink" title="Blog counter"><span id="bccount" style="font-size:8px;">Free Blog Counter</span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blogcounter.com/js.php?user=rennisonc&amp;style=1"></script><noscript><p><a href="http://blogcounter.com/"><img style="border: 0px;" alt="Blog counter" src="http://blogcounter.com/log.php?id=rennisonc&amp;=st=img&amp;showme=y" /></a></p></noscript><br /><!-- BlogCounter Code END --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/144360550322813170-5281893842437961009?l=daveandcallie.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>daveandcalliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019444966181481966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-144360550322813170.post-50658130151445164122011-05-28T18:45:00.000-07:002011-05-28T19:15:24.822-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrmjH5EPyrk/TeGmgkghZfI/AAAAAAAAG9k/DYZPBeE_4vc/s1600/IMG_3214.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrmjH5EPyrk