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Robbie exploring the Big Thompson River. Believe it or not, this is downtown Estes Park.
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What does a sled dog do on a warm Colorado day? Lie down in the cool water and take it easy.
We went on a perfect walk today, 6 miles around part of Lake Estes then continuing along the river into the town of Estes Park. Here is the route off the Plus3 network uploaded from my Garmin Forerunner. We had sunny weather and I have to put in a plug for this Aveeno sunblock. I was in the sun all day and by the time we got back to camp I was so certain I had gotten sunburned that I swear I could even feel it. Then I checked the mirror… nothing. WOW, This stuff is that good. Rob was in the water every time he saw a spot with a sandy approach. We were glad that he was able to cool off so frequently. Glad and a little envious!
We are in Breckenridge, Colorado and the scenery and weather are just beautiful. We camped in Idaho, Utah and Colorado along the way and when we arrived in Breckenridge, we were supposed to move into the family house. But we were still having so much fun with our camper that we weren’t ready to quit so we are sleeping in the camper in the driveway! Rob was great in the truck the whole way and he so enjoys meeting new people everywhere we go. Scott is posting the first installment of our trip pictures for you!
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Having arrived after dark, we found this delightful view out our camper door in the morning
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Our Toyota / Coleman rig – we call our camper the Taj Mahal
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The super cool 1998 Toyota Tacoma TRD SR5!
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The Gunnison River — a beautiful bit of green in the arid Western Rocky Mountains
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Tonight’s entertainment in Gunnison, Colorado — a delightful bordeaux from EB Foote served in a cup I brought home from Denali on my motorcycle and a tasty Famous Smoke 70th Anniversary Rocky Patel. And Robbie has a chewy dog treat. */:-)
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Robbie exploring the Gunnison River, a lovely band of green and blue in the arid Western Rocky Mountains
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The sled dog discovers the joy of water!
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A magical place in Pleasant Valley between Montrose and Gunnison complete with a rough hewn wood bridge and a river Elemental (troll) beneath it.
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The rig ready for towing in Gunnison, CO
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Inga and Robbie in Monarch Pass on the Continental Pass in Colorado
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Camping at 10,000 ft. in Breckenridge, CO — got air??
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Inga spinning wool at my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Breckenridge
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Participating in a work conference call in Idaho Springs, CO at 7,500 ft with Robbie in the shade on a very lovely Summer day
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Summit Lake at 12,830 ft on Mount Evans in the Rocky Mtns
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Robbie wading in Summit Lake
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Robbie going to investigate movement on the slope below
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Robbie watching for chipmunks above the Chicago Lakes at Mt. Evans
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The ruins of the Crest House on the top of Mt. Evans which burned down in 1979
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Summit Lake Park
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Way above the tree line in the Rocky Mtns.
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The summit of Mt. Evans at 14,264 ft
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Our 5th Continental Divide crossing of the trip and one of three in one day!
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A view of the Rocky Mtns from the west side of the Rocky Mtn National Park at 10,000+ feet and a mere preview of what we would see higher up
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The Lumpy Range in Rocky Mtn National Park as seen from the shore of Lake Estes
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Robbie taking a drink from Lake Estes
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Lunch alongside the river in Estes Park
On August 22nd, the Sun enters the portion of the sky belonging to the Zodiacal sign Virgo (Aug 22 to Sep 22). Virgo is a feminine, Earth sign. She is cautious, discerning and honest and rules all activities related to health and analysis. Virgo is ruled by Mercury and, according to tradition, lapis lazuli, sodalite, jade and emerald are all stones that are in tune with its energy. Wear any of these during Virgo’s time or to support any of Virgo’s activities which include:
- volunteering or serving others
- gardening (for produce, ornamentals are ruled by Libra)
- organizing
- working with pets
- studying
If you’d like to know what sign the Moon is in, you can check out my new widget on the right or click here for The Farmers Almanac. The pictures below are examples of Virgo stones. The jade and copper pendant and earrings are still available in my Etsy Store. I do have some nice jade and lapis cabachons and beads that I can wrap for you or make into earrings, a necklace or bracelet. Just ask!
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sodalite dangles
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jade and silver pendant
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jade and copper pendant
I have mentioned Grandview Park to several dog-owners lately and I was surprised that none had heard of it. Grandview is a 37 acre off-leash dog park at 3600 S. 228th St in SeaTac, WA. This is Rob’s favorite place, even rating slightly above The Natural Pet Pantry and Horizon Pet Supply. It has grassy fields, gravel trails and in Winter, a wet muddy area that just begs dogs to stomp through it. On the weekend or a warm evening the park gets crowded and it is wonderful to see so many dogs playing together. It is fun to see how the little dogs pair off and Rob usually find one or two dogs his size to wrestle. This morning there were only about ten dogs and Rob played with every single one. His favorite was a lab-mix who engaged with him at a level I’ve never seen before. They were growling, snarling and doing wolf- jitsu moves on each other, grabbing neck and flipping each other over and then breaking apart, play-bowing and then starting over. The other dog’s escort looked as startled as I was. He said his dog almost never plays with other dogs. I can’t believe they can mock-battle like that without anyone getting hurt. It is like watching stuntmen executing a tightly choreographed sequence without any rehearsal or even having met one another before. One couple I greeted said they don’t even have a dog but love to come to the park to walk and watch the dogs run. The view of Mt. Rainier on a clear day is a real bonus.
Link to a map of Grandview Park.
Click for Dog Park Usa’s website.
Click for SODA’s website.
