Adventures in Colorado

First stop on our way to Southwestern Colorado was an overnight say in Denver. We made a quick trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Interesting and fun!

 Day 1: Montrose and Ouray

Great early morning hike before it go to hot! We traveled to Eagle Valley trail accessed in Peach Valley area just a little southeast of Olathe, Colorado.  This is one big place!! 

 Eagle Valley is in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, hard up against the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park wilderness area. It was a beautiful hike  with some easy paths but you had to watch your step. Lots of slick rocks, rugged terrain and a little climbing involved.  I found a rock that was shaped like Nebraska and one formation on the side of the canyon that looked like a buffalo head. Can you see it? 

Lots of lizards in the canyon scurrying across our path!   

Some of the landscape made me think of the time when Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days…I was imagining it may have been a tiny bit like this place: Beautiful, but dangerous, with an unforgiving landscape. It had to have taken a tremendous amount of faith, courage and fortitude to travel to an area like this alone, so far from civilization.  I was thankful for those thoughts.

Later that morning we traveled to Ouray and had lunch. I always like visiting here; the majestic peaks, hot springs and waterfalls always make the trip well worth the time. Shops are a little expensive….but who needs to shop with such great views to enjoy!!

Finally back to camp at the end of the day…this small tent was my home for 5 nights. It is my smallest tent which suited me find for this trip. I didn't want too much baggage to tote around.  Comfy and cozy!!

Day 2: Woods lake Trail and The Black Canyon

Amy, the kids and traveled to Woods lake Trail  near Telluride in the Uncompahgre National Forest. We took a trail around what I think was Navajo Lake basin. It lead us through dense aspen trees on one side and came out to a wide meadow. We didn’t travel to the other side of the lake this day as Amy wasn’t sure if she was on the trail that took us around the lake. The other side of the lake was filled with huge dense conifers.  But it was a beautiful hike with magnificent views of three San Juan mountain peaks.

Lots of beautiful wildflowers and some interesting mushrooms.

A couple of selfies for the day! 

After the hike, we headed to Telluride to scout out the scene there. The highlight of our visit there was the Gondola ride, the only free and public transportation of it’s kind in the United States. It gave us a eagle’s eye view of the jagged mountaintops surrounding the city and took us up to Telluride Mountain village.

After heading back to Montrose and dropping off my crew at Dan and Pams, I decided to take a quick trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge. Like most of my visits here this week, I had been here before, but you can never get tired of beauty like this. 

I did only one short hike, it was getting too late in the day to go too far:  Sunset is a wonderful time to drive this magnificent area.

I enjoyed the steep but scenic drive from the top of the canyon rims near the painted walls:

...to the bottom of the gorge....

Back to my campsite for a late dinner….I grilled hot dogs because they were quick and easy…I accompanied them with some world famous Oathe Sweet Corn grilled alongside my hotdogs and washed it down with a cold Summer Shandy…ahhhhh, this is living!!

Getting comfortable for a good nights rest. all the comfort I need right here! 

Day Three

The rest of my trip I was solo.  Dan had taken off the rest of the week to spend time with Amy and the grand kids.  I was excited to take a few lone adventures! I went back to Woods Lake trail. I wanted to go deeper into the area and try to find the bridge that crossed to the other side into the conifer forest.   I embrace it whole heartedly and cherish that time, even though it was so short. For me, it is a time to appreciate the beauty of this world. I always feel closer to my Creator when I am here, I feel more at home in the quiet beauty away from the hustle and bustle of life in the city.  I love my walk in silence and solitude. I get a taste of my right and humble place on this planet and  feel an incredible out pouring of gratitude for life at it’s most uncomplicated. 

I have a stronger sense of belonging and I am better able to trust God’s will and way for my life outside this wonderful place. I envision what it was like for the Native Utes living here so many years ago and envision how close they were to the land. Their profound sense of the Creator found here, and why they found places like this sacred.  I picture what it might have been like for Prophets of old like Moses or Elijah to spend time in the mountains, away from civilization and get a glimpse of why God leads people to places like this to speak to them.  God is praised in our practice of stillness and silence. I wish I could do this more often. Maybe this is why I love places like this so much.

It’s hard to describe the wonderful solitude found in the mountains.

As I traveled further, the path became less obvious and I had to be sure I didn't get distracted!

The wildflower and plants were breathtaking! Just wish I had a better camera!!

I took some time to have a bite of lunch beside the San Miguel River traveling back to Telluride.  I stretched out beneath the shade of the willow and watched the river rush by for at least an hour….don’t think I could ever get tired of this! 

In telluride, I again skipped shopping and the busy downtown area and opted to try to get up to the top of Bridal Veil falls. You can drive up the rugged one lane road…but I decided to try my skills at hiking up the road. I wanted to enjoy the view, not stress about the steep drop-offs, switchbacks and rugged terrain!  The views were stunning, but it was slow going up the steep switchbacks. I am not sure how many miles this trail is. I read it is four miles, but it didn’t seem like that much. It’s hard to estimate with all the switchbacks. I made it to the top! I was wishing I had time to go further above the house that is now empty, but it was getting close to dusk and I needed to make the trek back down. Next time I am here, I will start out earlier to get above the falls to hike the area above the house. The start: 

The middle of my hike. (Notice the water fall going over the road!! Glad I hiked!

The first Falls a photo and a short video:

 

The second falls was the sight of an old mining operation. I took a peek inside the old mine shaft:

I wanted to spend a little more time in town before heading home, but I was bushed!! I headed back to camp!

Day 4
 Today Amy, Dan and Alexis took a hike up to Blue Lakes. It is a challenging climb and they didn't want to bring Hayden, so I got to spend the day with my number one grand son! We had so much fun I forgot to take any pictures!! My bad! But we started the day with a trip to McDonalds for breakfast; Haydens favorite spot! We ate breakfast and he played in their indoor playground fo!)r a while. Then we took in some of the Montrose local shops. A wood carvers shop, the Ute museum and then sat by the river and threw rocks into the rushing water. (Hayden loved throwing sticks in and watching them rush down the tide!) Then it was back to McDonalds for some lunch and more indoor playground! (not my choice, but hey, it was his day so I let him call the shots!) After lunch and play we spent a few hours at the pool before I brought him back to the Dan and Pam Cadwallader ranch! On a side note, of our  museum visit, I found the history of the Utes in the area interesting but sad. To think of the natives who called this beautiful place home for centuries only to have to be forced out by the white settlers. Here is a link to some history on the Utes and the amazing Chief Ouray and his wife Chepita who are buried in this area.)
Chief Ouray was Chief of the Uncompahgre band of the Ute Tribe. Because of his great leadership and negoicating abilities, he was also acknowledged as Chief of the Ute by the United States Government. Take some time to visit this site. I think  you will agree he was a remarkable man.


http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-ouray.html 

 I think it wise we all take time to study the history of areas in our great country and learn of the terrible injustices Natives suffered at the hands of the early white settlers. I think it equally wise that we acknowledge these mistakes and work towards reconciliation with our Native American brothers and sisters. Their ancestors suffered so much, and the trauma from this suffering still haunts many tribes to this day.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Day Five:
Just picture an idyllic alpine sky blue lake surrounded by wildflowers and rocky peaks. That was my hope this day to attempt to climb 6 miles around Mount Senffels to get a glimpse of one of famous glacial basin Blue Lakes. Dan has led all our kids up the trail to this breathtaking lake at various times through the years. Here are some photos they have shared from their respective hikes there (note the beautiful blue skies):

  

And here is my virgin journey to Blue Lake: 

You guessed it!! It was pouring rain!! I got about a mile or so into the trek just before the switchbacks and made the tough decision to turn around! Yes I whimped out. Not only would the lakes not be as blue today with all the cloud cover, but I would be one soaked mama when I got there soooooo: Blue Lake will have to wait until my next visit to Western Colorado! I did manage to snap a few shots of the view though. Even on a rainy day it's beautiful!

Admitting defeat but determined to make it a great day I decided to take a trip to Silverton; An old mining town high in the San Juan Mountains halfway between Ouray and Durango. It's an amazing drive over the Red Mountains and a place rich in history.  So many interesting historic buildings 

What this building was I guess I'll never know: 

 I found a street with my namesake!! 

On the drive back I stopped at a deserted mining town to read some of the history of the Red Mountain mining era. One mine here called Yankee Girl held one of the richest silver veins ever to be discovered in the United States. 

I stopped by the river for a while to snap some photos of the unique colors that run through the water here. Red minerals from the mountain tops give this water some interesting hues: 

You can see why the river runs red from the mountains above: 

 By the time I got back to Montrose it was time to get ready for a Sawyer Brown Concert! Pam and Dan had an extra ticket for me so I tagged along and enjoyed the music! By the time the concert started the skies had cleared and it made for a wonderful evening! Everyone had so much fun! My family is far from perfect, we have had our moments,  but I wouldn't trade any of them for all the money in the world! I love them all so very much!

Saturday morning and it was time to leave. We were a little sad to be going, so to lift our spirits we took the scenic route home. We stayed the night in Sterling, Colorado with my beautiful Daughter-in-law's family! Erika and Bella even met us there and we enjoyed the gracious charms of her wonderful family! Ann made a wonderful meal and we enjoyed a few games of cards. Again, I was enjoying myself so much I forgot to snap some photos! but that's ok, we have a standing invite back anytime, and you can be sure I will be taking them up on that offer in the future! I said it once but I am saying it again...family is the greatest gift God can ever bestow upon  us! Thanks Nickel family for a wonderful time!
Morning drive back to Nebraska and one last shot of the beautiful Sandhills of the Nebraska Panhandle:

Until next time!! Thanks for visiting my blog! I have some photos of my trip to Lake City, Minnesota I will post next time!!

 

God Bless America!!

I love the Independence Day for so many reasons. But they have little to do with food or fireworks or even fun!! (Although what would the 4th be without them!) I love this holiday because it reminds me that we live in one of the greatest nations in the world; built on courage, perseverance and vision. I think of the remarkable people of our shared past; George Washington, Thomas Paine, Chief Standing Bear, Martin Luther King Junior, Harriet Tubman, to name just a few. I think of all the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for this country, and of those who continue to defend. 

True, this country has had it’s share of dark days and ignorance, and we have some intense issues to discuss in these trying times. But that is not what defines us to the rest of the world, and it shouldn’t define us to ourselves. Men and women from all races, cultures and religions have called this country home and helped to make it one that stands out among other nations as a place for opportunity and liberty. I think of my ancestors, and the reasons they came to this land: We are a nation of many “citizen-immigrants”; it is what defines us as a nation. I know countless immigrants, from many countries, and the stories of why they are here and from where they came are nothing short of amazing. What some have had to live through to get to the United States of America just to have a chance at the American Dream astounding! We often take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. We forget it is freedom, capitalism, and democracy that bring thousands to our shores. The cost of liberty should never be taken for granted. God Bless America and all who live here!!! Bless all who who protect and defend this Republic and her Constitution!!!  May God grant tranquil rest to all those who have given the last full measure of devotion in that service! ‪#‎CelebratingtheUSA‬

Emptying My Closet

I am in the gay-tolerance closet and I guess it might be time for me to come out. I don’t care if you are gay—sorry, I really don’t. I have a hard enough time thinking about my own sex life let alone someone else’s.

 I sin just like the rest of you, gay or straight. I struggle enough each day to fight off the evil that creeps into my own thoughts and actions to worry too much about the demons any gay (or straight) person may or may not be battling.  But I do care about people, and that is the reason for my writing this piece.

If anyone cares enough for my opinion or wants my  input on the gay marriage issue, they usually ask me personally; in person, over a cup of coffee or lunch and I explain—and if we disagree on a topic,  we have what was once known in the old days as a good old-fashioned debate. Then we part as friends with new thoughts for contemplation. My views are far too complex to try to explain any other way. But I can give you a glimpse of  a few of my thoughts here, if you are so inclined, read on.

Like most everyone else I have gay friends and acquaintances. I don't know about yours, but mine are kind, hard working, talented individuals who have a lot to offer the world. I am glad to see some of them who were once hesitant to speak of their personal lives before contribute in an intelligent and insightful way to the conversation. But frankly, I care more about their hearts and the good things they do rather than who they choose to spend their  most intimate moments.  Many of them openly say they are Christians and know about Jesus. Many grew up in Christian families: so if they know about Jesus, I leave it up to them to make peace with Him and not worry about what I think.

 I do however care about all people’s rights, and everyone’s right to live their life as they see fit.  I do not think the issue of gay marriage is as black and white as many like to pretend. I am concerned for the rights of others too as we navigate the new Supreme Court decision. I worry about the fallout for others outside the gay community in the coming years.  Some claim this is a slippery slope we are now on in regards to religious freedoms. Many Christian leaders believe the ruling will create a restricted role for people of faith in American society.  I am inclined to believe that. There are many religious organizations currently facing legal consequences for their moral convictions. How is this ruling fair for them?

Will religious communities lose rights once guaranteed them by The Constitution? What about religious schools that forbid same sex marriage in their teachings?  I guess we shall see in the coming months and years. 

Often, Christians are judged based on a few misguided and zealous followers who at times are carried away in the heat of the moment just like their opposition. We are after all, human, with flaws.  But make no mistake. This is not a joke to me and I hold fast to certain beliefs.  Please, feel free to get married if you want, whoever you are and pay no mind to me. I am still here for you with love as I hope you are for me. Civil unions are a right now in the eyes of the government and have no impact on my personal views of the sanctity of the unique union of a man and a woman in traditional religious marriage ceremonies.  I believe that when the Lord said that man was to fall in love and cleave to his wife, that’s what he meant. But that is me, I am not attracted people of the same sex so that's an easy one for me to follow. I do not mean to disrespect you if you are gay by referring to that verse. Please understand there are other topics Jesus spoke of that are far more difficult for me to follow and that I struggle with every day. I sin, sadly for me and according to the Bible any sin, great or small is sufficient to keep us from God. So, like you, I struggle to live as Jesus commanded us.  To be honest, I am much more fearful about what Jesus said about judgement and forgiveness than I am of what he said about a man or a woman's intimate relationships.   
So this is where Grace comes in, and I think if people really understood the concept of Grace, they would think differently.  By accepting it is impossible for me not to sin and knowing the only way to Heaven is through God's mercy, I am like my gay friends; I am a sinner, in need of a Savior. We are no better than the least among us.  

But as a dear friend pointed out to me the other day, Grace is not a word to be thrown around lightly, before you use it, learn what it really means. It is a concept difficult to grasp at first, and many throw it around without a real understanding of Gods word and his plan for us. God loves freely, God loves abundantly, God loves us all. But remember this, God has little tolerance for those of us-- gay or straight who refuse to love their fellow man with understanding and compassion and who will not forgive freely.

In my view with the current ruling, government is government, and is separate from my faith even if the government is oppressive to me or anyone else. Jesus once said: (Mark 12:17) “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.” So as long as my faith and my church are not affected; as long as my church and other people of differing views are equally free to practice their beliefs in the best way they see fit: as long as churches are not sued, persecuted, discriminated against or forced to fundamentally change to fit someone’s agenda, by all means, carry on my friends.  

In praying for guidance on my feelings regarding same-sex marriage or the gay lifestyle, I have come to the conclusion that we should all take heart, and know that God is in control. God has already taken in to account the wrong turns and mistakes we make in our lives. This is why he gave his Only Son. We simply  kneel humbly before him, understand we are all sinners, give thanks for His immense love and compassion for us and accept his mercy as demonstrated by Jesus, who died for us on the cross.

Jesus loves us all, in spite of our sins, so what would he be saying right now? I don’t know for sure, but I imagine it’s what I feel he says to me often. Something like this:

·      I love you, not the better person you are trying to be, but you, right now. I know you are a sinner     and  I want what is best for you, follow me, I will give you rest.

·      I understand rejection and know how it feels to be a social outcast. Let me wrap my arms around you; please do not reject me.

·      I know how it feels to be tempted; don’t forget I lived on the earth for a time too.  Read about my time on earth, [How many of us actually read and study the Bible on a daily basis? Most who are the most critical know little of it's contents] pray, talk to others who know me, and understand my life was not an easy one. But if you walk with me, I promise you greater rewards than you could ever imagine.

·      I want more for you. Trust me, I have good things beyond what you could ever envision. Ignore all the protesting, yelling, and unrest right now, just because something is popular, does not mean it is right…listen to me…hear my voice; in your heart of hearts, you will hear me.…trust me, and learn what I have to offer you, learn of my Grace and forgiveness. Come to me, I am calling you.