Colorado 2007 June 24 2007
Sunday: The drive from Boulder was roughly an hour through some mighty beautiful scenery. Beautiful, but a bit desolate. Living on the crowded east coast we sometimes forget that throughout most of this country, there's a whole lot of nothing. Heading toward The Park and the big mountains I ruminated on the the thoughts of our 19th century forebears. To them the flat plains they'd just traversed must have seemed like paradise compared to the snow capped peaks blocking their way ahead. Bereft of the conveniences of modern existence, the hills were a burden to be shouldered rather than an alpine playground. Kelly, as might be expected, was excited at the prospect of being at the Ranch. We'd told her there'd be a pool and other kids and for a young'un, that's happiness. "Are we there yet?" she'd ask. I think she'd heard that this is what kids inquire about when traveling and didn't want to disappoint. "Not yet," came Mommy's reply. "But we'll be there soon." "How far is it?" she'd ask, "How many blocks?" "Not blocks, honey," we chuckled, "they measure things in miles out here". "Ok, but I SAID, How Many Blocks Is It?". ***** After about 650 blocks, we arrived, checked in and headed for the pool. Lunch was poolside and included (as is practically everything, including alcohol) in the package. The pool's heated to a toasty 82 degrees (this and WiFi were a requirement for the trip). Kelly'd swim, climb out of the pool, shiver, take a bite of her sandwich and jump back in. She was happy. Later in the day we went on a gentle, guided hike around Lily Lake. A mile long, gravel path around the lake with some beautiful vistas and a short "ridge route" detour. Knuckleheads we are, forgot the camera, but hope to get some from another hike participant. Kelly was a zombie by dinner (salmon with a creamy dill sauce, roasted taters and a veg; all included) and was so tired she passed on her story and went straight to bed.
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Colorado 2007

June 24 2007

Sunday: The drive from Boulder was roughly an hour through some mighty beautiful scenery. Beautiful, but a bit desolate. Living on the crowded east coast we sometimes forget that throughout most of this country, there's a whole lot of nothing.

Heading toward The Park and the big mountains I ruminated on the the thoughts of our 19th century forebears. To them the flat plains they'd just traversed must have seemed like paradise compared to the snow capped peaks blocking their way ahead. Bereft of the conveniences of modern existence, the hills were a burden to be shouldered rather than an alpine playground.

Kelly, as might be expected, was excited at the prospect of being at the Ranch. We'd told her there'd be a pool and other kids and for a young'un, that's happiness.

"Are we there yet?" she'd ask. I think she'd heard that this is what kids inquire about when traveling and didn't want to disappoint.

"Not yet," came Mommy's reply. "But we'll be there soon."

"How far is it?" she'd ask, "How many blocks?"

"Not blocks, honey," we chuckled, "they measure things in miles out here".

"Ok, but I SAID, How Many Blocks Is It?".

*****

After about 650 blocks, we arrived, checked in and headed for the pool. Lunch was poolside and included (as is practically everything, including alcohol) in the package. The pool's heated to a toasty 82 degrees (this and WiFi were a requirement for the trip). Kelly'd swim, climb out of the pool, shiver, take a bite of her sandwich and jump back in. She was happy.

Later in the day we went on a gentle, guided hike around Lily Lake. A mile long, gravel path around the lake with some beautiful vistas and a short "ridge route" detour. Knuckleheads we are, forgot the camera, but hope to get some from another hike participant.

Kelly was a zombie by dinner (salmon with a creamy dill sauce, roasted taters and a veg; all included) and was so tired she passed on her story and went straight to bed.

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