Iowa Flood -Boone Area 2008

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Benefits

Some of you have wondered what we get out of volunteering at Snow Mountain Ranch. Trust me, the reasons are abundant but here are a few things we like about it.

For quite some time winter senior volunteers have enjoyed the benefit of Grand passes for skiing but now summer volunteers have the benefit for golf. This is a big deal for golfers who can now play free golf at the courses in the area on their days off. Come on golfers, volunteer at Snow Mountain Ranch and enjoy a Grand golf benefit!!

Summer Grand Pass Use Benefits/Rules
Summer 2008 Season

I.Grand Passes - For a complete list of Grand Pass benefits, please come to the HR office. A Grand Pass Benefits book is posted on the bulletin board immediately to the left of the HR entrance for your perusal. Examples of some of the Grand Pass benefits include:

Free Golf at Pole Creek, Headwaters, Grand Lake and Grand Elk Golf Courses
Free entrance to base activities at WP Resort (mini golf, alpine slide, lift ticket for downhill mountain biking and more!)
Free entrance to High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser and Flying Heels Rodeo Series in Granby
Free skiing at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Sol Vista and Steamboat
Cross Country Skiing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Discounts at local restaurants and retailers

Snow Mountain Ranch Volunteers

We have been here long enough to get in the groove. We work mainly weekends and that is okay with us. Next week finds us in charge as our supervisor is going back to Oklahoma for doctor appts. Not crazy about being in charge but we will manage.
Today was Butch's birthday. He had a good time...played golf for free!...had birthday cake and a song.
We had snow yesterday morning. Yes, snow in June...about 2 inches. Last night we didn't get snow but it was 27 degrees this morning. It has been interesting and a challenge to figure out which coat to wear.
I have been working on the SMR blog and you can find it at www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com.
I haven't heard from hardly anyone lately but I can understand that. Especially in Iowa where they are dodging tornadoes and bailing water.

From Laura & Jason

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First Day of work

Butch and I finished our first day of work today. We are both tired tonight. Not used to putting in 8 hours of honest work. We will get used to it soon. Some things have changed and it is all about getting the routine down again. Once we do that it will be smooth sailing.
Yesterday we walked up to the waterfall...at least we intended to. It was muddy, snowy and slick in spots. We had been told you couldn't go all the way up because of a snow melt filled stream and beaver ponds. We did plan to go as far as we could but gave up short of that goal. We did walk far enough to give both of us sore calf muscles. We saw moose, deer and "large kitty" prints in the mud. None were fresh.
I am doing much better with the altitude this year.
I will be doing more posting on the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com so may want to check in on that one too.

Leo and Keri's Big Rain

Leo sent me these flood pictures. He said they have never had this kind of flooding, even in 1993!

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Our Trip to Snow Mountain Ranch

I took photos through the windshield as we made our way to SMR taking the northern route through Laramie WY and Walden CO. Below is a slide show of my windshield shots. The trip was smooth with great weather. Windy in Wyoming but then it always is. The first hour or two after arrival is spent greeting all the friends we made last year as first time volunteers. So good to see everyone again. Once we get acclimated to the altitude we will begin our duties as campground attendants. The acclimation process seems to be easier this year. I didn't huff and puff nearly so hard walking up the hill to the Commons for meals.
Be sure to check out the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com site as well as this one because if I get short of time that will most likely be the one that gets attention since it will be part of my volunteer duties.
This one will always get the straight skinny though so if I need to vent it will show up here. Nahhh...Ain't gonna happen...right?

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Memorial Day 2008

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Hometown Tree

We have driven by this tree hundreds of times and never took note of it. Today we did! It's a doozy!! Located on hwy 4 south side of Jefferson IA on the west side of the highway. White rail fence helps in locating it.

Cat Themed

The black one is Kiki owned by Nicole Morlan and the other is on the Brooker Complex where are currently residing.

News...maybe not!

We are still in Jefferson and will be until early next week. Butch and I were able to get one bike ride in on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. We only rode about six miles total. Roger Conant, a cousin by marriage, lives close to the trail so we stopped for a visit.
Yesterday, we had our annual girls day out. This started a few years ago where we would all meet, usually in Jefferson for a family gathering...just the girls. So yesterday we met here. My sisters Teri and Myrla, Cousin Phyllis and her niece Joanna, and our niece
Karla and her son Devon. We had a fine visit and we always find out a few things we didn't know or perhaps had forgotten.
I am on the final lap of the Swedish weaving afghan I am doing for a wedding in August. It turned out great and I did it in record time. I started it May 1st and will be putting the finishing touches on it today or tomorrow.

Oh and yes, Butch has been golfing.

Gratitude

The Gratitude Sign

Ever wonder how to say thank you when you see a military person in uniform?

See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing by.
Please click on the 'The Gratitude Sign'
Let's do it!

The Morning Bath

Springtime on Lake Anita

I apologize to those with slow connections...

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Up to date

Butch and I are at his brother Leo's place in Jefferson Iowa the old hometown. Yesterday we drove to Boone IA and spent the day with son Jason and family. Laura prepared a scrumptious BBQ rib dinner for all of us. Super Tasty!
I went for my walk this morning while Butch mows. It is a never ending chore here but Butch does love it. It seems he can hardly wait to get on the machine when we get here. This isn't new. I teased him years ago about his unnatural relationship with his lawnmower.
I am still working away on the wedding afghan and it is coming along nicely. I am off to Pamida this morning to purchase exactly the right color yarn to continue. Jefferson may only have one grocery store but they have two places to buy yarn so if I cannot find what I am looking for at Pamida I can go on in to Ben Franklin as they have a humongous yarn selection.
Leo rebooted his Wifi system so now I have a speedier connection to get some blogging done. How easily we get spoiled!
Till next time...

Above Average

Every now and then I get a photo I consider above average and this is one of them. The bird is an Baltimore Oriole.

What we do

We are at Lake Anita for another week. Doctor appt. on Monday- Haircut on Tuesday. Angel loves it here. Spends all her time looking out the windshield. The Pelicans are still here. The DNR guys say they have been here for 3 weeks and it is time for them to move on. They are getting all the fish!!
Today Butch went to Jefferson to do some electrical for his brother Leo. We will be up there next week.
I haven't posted much for a couple of reasons. I have had a cranky Internet connection. Sometimes it works great and sometimes not. Also I am working on a Swedish weaving project that will be a wedding present. I started it concerned for the amount of time it may take to finish it. That is no longer the concern as it is going along quite well and I am having fun with it. I will be more content to have it done and ready for giving however.

Pelicans

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April Photos

For those with high speed connections:

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Tuna Cakes

Tuna Cakes 4/28/2008

Author: Sherri Clark

2 Cans (6oz. ea.) light tuna in water, drained, flaked.
1 pkg. (6oz.) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 C. shredded carrots
1/3 C. mayonnaise
2 Tbl. Sweet pickle relish
3/4 C. water
(I added 6 green onions)


Mix tuna, stuffing mix, cheese, carrots, dressing, relish and water in a bowl.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 10 min.
Heat a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Scoop tuna
mixture, using about 1/3 C. for each cake, into the skillet in batches. An ice cream
scoop works well. Gently flatten cakes using a spatula. Cook 3-5 minutes on each
side or until golden brown on both sides, turning carefully.