Phyllis and Boala make a poster for the 4th of July Parade
Helen adds up a receipt
Joao washes out a tie dye shirt
Thursday, June 28
Craft Shop
Phyllis and Boala make a poster for the 4th of July Parade
Helen adds up a receipt
Joao washes out a tie dye shirt
Fire Damage
You can see in the photo how close the fire came to the buildings.
These are the Reunion Cabins where families plan to stay for months and sometimes years.
Plans were dashed by the fire, Click on the picture for a close up look.
Tuesday, June 26
Fire update
The firefighters did a fantastic job of containing the blaze. It was heartwarming to see the Y camp kids thanking them when they came to the Commons for breakfast. Six fire departments were johnny-on-the-spot. A fire (Colorado) here becomes everybody's problem. The Y staff also did a commendable job of evacuating the kids. They train for this and it showed.
Everyone forgot to call the night auditor however! He was sleeping and safe from harm but he didn't find out about it until they called him to come to work early at 10:15 PM. Whoops!!
Many of the diseased trees had been cleared because of fire danger and those folks who are unhappy about the tree removal can perhaps now see the need.
So today we are in traumatic event recovery. Or perhaps I should say one of us is. Butch went golfing on the course that yesterday was in peril.
Everyone forgot to call the night auditor however! He was sleeping and safe from harm but he didn't find out about it until they called him to come to work early at 10:15 PM. Whoops!!
Many of the diseased trees had been cleared because of fire danger and those folks who are unhappy about the tree removal can perhaps now see the need.
So today we are in traumatic event recovery. Or perhaps I should say one of us is. Butch went golfing on the course that yesterday was in peril.
Monday, June 25
Forest Fire
Butch and I had a meeting this afternoon and when we came back to the truck..after the meeting...at 3:15pm we noticed a fire. Butch had the radio on and we soon started hearing lots of chatter. A young man who was near the fire said he saw a gasoline can. You could hear the panic in his voice.
It spread quickly and we decided to get ready to evacuate. It took us 45 minutes to get ready. We watched the progress closely and you can see the pictures I took after we were ready to take flight. The fire was less than a half mile from us as the crow flies. Very nervous afternoon...
Forest Fire Album
It spread quickly and we decided to get ready to evacuate. It took us 45 minutes to get ready. We watched the progress closely and you can see the pictures I took after we were ready to take flight. The fire was less than a half mile from us as the crow flies. Very nervous afternoon...
Forest Fire Album
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| Forest Fire |
Saturday, June 23
Busy Week
It has been a busy week at SMR. We worked Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Wednesday I worked in the craft shop and the pop top belts were a big hit. I also got 4 International students and the Craft Shop Director started on a Swedish Weaving project.
Wednesday evening we took part in a skit honoring the alumni who had returned for a reunion. This world is filled with talented people!
On Thursday we went to a Rockies game at Coor's Stadium in Denver. They played the Yankees and Roger Clemons pitched. There were 5 of us "Seniors" and 3 of the International students on the trip. We had a very good time. Butch and I also decided that when we leave SMR we will be going north to Laramie WY...the same way we came here.
Friday we rested and we needed to! I did meet up with some Swedish Weavers I had met online. Pam and Randa live in Granby and came out for a visit Friday afternoon. We had a very enjoyable visit.
Today we went to the Rowley Homestead which is on SMR property. It was a ranch that was here when the property was sold to the YMCA. It has been maintained as it was found with some donated items added to enhance the place. The Just Ranch is also on the property but those buildings are not being maintained.
We are slowly feeling at home here. I have come to the conclusion that once I feel at home I take better pictures.
So most of the pictures are on the Webshots site so look to your right on this page and you will find the link to Webshots.
Wednesday evening we took part in a skit honoring the alumni who had returned for a reunion. This world is filled with talented people!
On Thursday we went to a Rockies game at Coor's Stadium in Denver. They played the Yankees and Roger Clemons pitched. There were 5 of us "Seniors" and 3 of the International students on the trip. We had a very good time. Butch and I also decided that when we leave SMR we will be going north to Laramie WY...the same way we came here.
Friday we rested and we needed to! I did meet up with some Swedish Weavers I had met online. Pam and Randa live in Granby and came out for a visit Friday afternoon. We had a very enjoyable visit.
Today we went to the Rowley Homestead which is on SMR property. It was a ranch that was here when the property was sold to the YMCA. It has been maintained as it was found with some donated items added to enhance the place. The Just Ranch is also on the property but those buildings are not being maintained.
We are slowly feeling at home here. I have come to the conclusion that once I feel at home I take better pictures.
So most of the pictures are on the Webshots site so look to your right on this page and you will find the link to Webshots.
Friday, June 22
Thursday, June 21
Hot Air
Yesterday morning I spotted a hot air balloon over the mountains.
It was hazy at the time. Summer has reached the Rockies.
Sunday, June 17
Latest
We have a day off today. Butch is immersed in the US Open. I am doing laundry. I hung some sheets on the line and then the wind came up so I went out to take them down and they were dry! A full five minutes had elapsed.
There are 30 departures today from the campground so the hosts working today (not us) will be busy. The work days are getting easier and more enjoyable. It doesn't pay to take 3 years off from the work force. It seems one has a work fitness as well as a mental and physical fitness. It has been good for us to be back!
The weather in the mountains is a very different experience from anywhere else we have ever been. The mountains seem to knock those clouds around like pinballs making it impossible to predict where they may go. We can see the clouds hung up on the divide and we can tell it is precipitating to beat the band and we will remain in sunshine.
People who have been here before are in "Tree Shock" when they come here now. The pine beetles have devastated the area and the effects will be decades in the healing. But the bottom line is that it is still and will remain a beautiful place.
There are 30 departures today from the campground so the hosts working today (not us) will be busy. The work days are getting easier and more enjoyable. It doesn't pay to take 3 years off from the work force. It seems one has a work fitness as well as a mental and physical fitness. It has been good for us to be back!
The weather in the mountains is a very different experience from anywhere else we have ever been. The mountains seem to knock those clouds around like pinballs making it impossible to predict where they may go. We can see the clouds hung up on the divide and we can tell it is precipitating to beat the band and we will remain in sunshine.
People who have been here before are in "Tree Shock" when they come here now. The pine beetles have devastated the area and the effects will be decades in the healing. But the bottom line is that it is still and will remain a beautiful place.
Thursday, June 14
Ruminations
I have less than an hour before our shift today. We work from 10 to 2:30 with a half hour for lunch. At first I was a little overwhelmed by the duties of our position but now it seems very doable and will soon seem routine.
Yesterday Butch played golf for the first time since arriving. He did not play well, he says. He also said that the altitude makes about one club length difference on distance.
My laptop was running hot and automatically shutting down. It usually took about an hour before this would happen. I was distressed to say the least. So I googled "Toshiba laptop overheating + shut down" and found out that Intel had used some defective processors and the two companies were doing the run around on whose responsibility it was to fix it. This also distressed me. But in the reading of possible solutions a suggestion was made to blow out the openings on the computer with computer-safe compressed air. It sounded like a sensible first measure to take so I did. And the problem was solved!! I pass this along as advice to always do the simple things first and research your problems to find out if someone else is experiencing the same difficulties.
My job will be changing a bit next week. I will be spending one day a week at the craft shop. They would like classes in Swedish weaving, paper bead necklaces and pop tab belts and I am happy to oblige. One thing that is missing here is basket weaving. They would like someone to teach it and that is not in my area of expertise. In South Texas last winter there were people making pine needle baskets that were stunning. I may find out how to do that next winter.
We haven't seen any bears, mountain lions or moose yet but that is one of the most commonly asked questions at the campground. There are warning posters on the bulletin board and I am sure that prompts the questions. I think the animals avoid us because of all the people around...at least I hope so.
Yesterday Butch played golf for the first time since arriving. He did not play well, he says. He also said that the altitude makes about one club length difference on distance.
My laptop was running hot and automatically shutting down. It usually took about an hour before this would happen. I was distressed to say the least. So I googled "Toshiba laptop overheating + shut down" and found out that Intel had used some defective processors and the two companies were doing the run around on whose responsibility it was to fix it. This also distressed me. But in the reading of possible solutions a suggestion was made to blow out the openings on the computer with computer-safe compressed air. It sounded like a sensible first measure to take so I did. And the problem was solved!! I pass this along as advice to always do the simple things first and research your problems to find out if someone else is experiencing the same difficulties.
My job will be changing a bit next week. I will be spending one day a week at the craft shop. They would like classes in Swedish weaving, paper bead necklaces and pop tab belts and I am happy to oblige. One thing that is missing here is basket weaving. They would like someone to teach it and that is not in my area of expertise. In South Texas last winter there were people making pine needle baskets that were stunning. I may find out how to do that next winter.
We haven't seen any bears, mountain lions or moose yet but that is one of the most commonly asked questions at the campground. There are warning posters on the bulletin board and I am sure that prompts the questions. I think the animals avoid us because of all the people around...at least I hope so.
Tuesday, June 12
Saturday, June 9
High Altitude needs
A list of things needed if you are headed to a high altitude location.
1. Cold weather clothing
2. Lots of water
3. Unscented body lotion
4. Sunscreen
5. Chapstick
6. Lubricating eyedrops
7. Saline nasal spray
Not only is there a lack of oxygen there is also a lack of moisture. Everything drys out very quickly. I can dry blue jeans outside in less time than in the dryer
1. Cold weather clothing
2. Lots of water
3. Unscented body lotion
4. Sunscreen
5. Chapstick
6. Lubricating eyedrops
7. Saline nasal spray
Not only is there a lack of oxygen there is also a lack of moisture. Everything drys out very quickly. I can dry blue jeans outside in less time than in the dryer
Friday, June 8
An Update
We went through our day and a half orientation meeting and learned what we needed to know and work here at Snow Mountain Ranch. We learned a bunch including how to deal with encounters with mountain lions, bears, deer, elk and moose. With moose being the worst because of their unpredictability. All of these animals do not want encounters with us any more than we with them...or so they say.;-)
We learned about the pine beetle infestation and how this area and other areas of Colorado will lose ALL their pine trees over the next 3 years. Luckily they still have their aspens but these areas will look very different for the next 25 years.
We worked today for a 4 hour shift. I found some time to take more mountain pictures and will post them as soon as I finish this section. Do remember that you can click on the individual pictures to see them in larger format seeing far more detail.
We learned about the pine beetle infestation and how this area and other areas of Colorado will lose ALL their pine trees over the next 3 years. Luckily they still have their aspens but these areas will look very different for the next 25 years.
We worked today for a 4 hour shift. I found some time to take more mountain pictures and will post them as soon as I finish this section. Do remember that you can click on the individual pictures to see them in larger format seeing far more detail.
Wednesday, June 6
Snow at Snow Mountain
We have experienced snow on more than one day upon arriving in the Rockies.
And this is one of them. See the buildup on the birdfeeder?
We had a full day of orientation today and another half day tomorrow.
Sunday, June 3
What's Up?
I have been very busy as you might suspect. Still getting used to the altitude. It does seem to be getting better until I have to climb the hill to the commons where we eat. Then I get reminded real quick that I am in a high location. It is beautiful despite the pine beetle infestation which has destroyed most of the pines. The views of the mountains are spectacular and unrestricted.
Our job is Campground Host which covers a multitude of duties but after doing it for 3 days this week the bulk of it is cleaning the restroom/showers. That part of the job is done daily and thoroughly and more than resembles WORK. ;-) On the other hand who can complain with all the bennies we enjoy. I need to clean out the fridge because most everything in there needs tossed. I have yet to cook a meal since we have been here. The food is healthy, plentiful, varied and delicious. The senior volunteers usually eat together in the Commons and we have already made many new friends.
We haven't been able to establish a routine as yet but I have hopes it will happen soon.
Our job is Campground Host which covers a multitude of duties but after doing it for 3 days this week the bulk of it is cleaning the restroom/showers. That part of the job is done daily and thoroughly and more than resembles WORK. ;-) On the other hand who can complain with all the bennies we enjoy. I need to clean out the fridge because most everything in there needs tossed. I have yet to cook a meal since we have been here. The food is healthy, plentiful, varied and delicious. The senior volunteers usually eat together in the Commons and we have already made many new friends.
We haven't been able to establish a routine as yet but I have hopes it will happen soon.
More SMR Pics
These flowers are waiting to be planted at the Hopi Campground
where we are hosts. But we must wait for the night time temps to be higher than 30 degrees!
Our Mountain Home
A hummer at Hopi
SMR pics
The hummers are everywhere!!
The restroom/showers in Hopi Campground.
I planted the flower containers yesterday
but they will still need to be covered at night.
The snow covered part is known as "The Hand of God"
And the 'stripes' below that are ski runs of Winter Park.
You can click on any of the pictures to see a larger view.
Friday, June 1
Thursday, May 31
Sunset
The sun was setting behind the mountains to the right of this picture
and the sun was finding its way through and highlighting the trees.
Remember you can click on any of the pictures for a larger view.
SMR Arrival
This was the way it looked upon arrival at Snow Mountain Ranch
The next morning we have a dusting of snow
Butch is brushing off the tow car shield
Jason gifted us with a hummingbird feeder before we left.
It took an hour and a half for them to find it.
Wednesday, May 30
Latest Location
Snow Mountain Ranch
We're here! I will get some pictures on when I have a bit more time.
I am looking at a blanket of snow this morning, albeit a thin one but snow none the less.
Yesterday it rained for at least half our trip and whenever we were above 7000 feet elevation it turned to snow.
We are in the Geronimo Campground at site #14.
I am having a bit of trouble adjusting to the altitude. Headachy, sinus's acting up, shortness of breath upon exertion and more tired than normal.
Hopefully it will go away as my body adjusts. They have instructions on how to handle it so I have been drinking tons of water. Peeing excessively!
I think we will like it once we get acclimated, adjusted and acquainted. And that has all started.
We're here! I will get some pictures on when I have a bit more time.
I am looking at a blanket of snow this morning, albeit a thin one but snow none the less.
Yesterday it rained for at least half our trip and whenever we were above 7000 feet elevation it turned to snow.
We are in the Geronimo Campground at site #14.
I am having a bit of trouble adjusting to the altitude. Headachy, sinus's acting up, shortness of breath upon exertion and more tired than normal.
Hopefully it will go away as my body adjusts. They have instructions on how to handle it so I have been drinking tons of water. Peeing excessively!
I think we will like it once we get acclimated, adjusted and acquainted. And that has all started.
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