Seven Falls

Mom and I had another mini-adventure day that began with Seven Falls in Colorado Springs and ended with Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, plus an outlet center so we could avoid rush hour traffic.  I will post about the Garden of the Gods later.

 Entering into the Falls were the Pillars of Hercules.  Two tall rocks that were close together that start the "canyon."  We also saw some unique signs.

 

Upon entering and parking the car you could take the elevator or the stairs to this "Eagle Nest."  I figured I'd take the stairs incase I could get some good pictures.  Um, very steep stairs that scared the life out of me (no backs) and so I just climbed as quick as I could while clinging to the railing.  I took the elevator back down.  

 Yeah, this is what the steps look like going down.  I was not a fan but gathered my courage so that I could do the stairs that actually followed the falls up as well as providing access to the hiking trails.

 Yup, certain death if you panic.  I guess the part that was most difficult was that there were not very many "landings" where there was a break in the steps so it was visually challenging.

 View of the falls from the Eagle Nest above and below is mom as we begin our journey up the steps.

 Almost at the top for Mom and me at the top because I was so freaked out stopping on the steps for photos.  Mom is brave and I am proud of her for climbing the stairs and Mount Sanitas.  Of course I am proud of her for other things.

National Geographic claims it is on of the best waterfalls... while it was in a beautiful setting I guess I am spoiled by Niagara Falls so close by and the beauty and power of that this seemed a little less than I was anticipating.  At night though they do light it up in colors and I suppose that would be pretty amazing, although I'd really be scared of the stairs then.

Pack Burrow Races?!? What the...

I am not making this stuff up.  Pack Burrow Racing exists and it is one of the most fun things that I have seen in Colorado...so much so we are going to see another race on Sunday.

 Oh yes, those are real Burrows being paraded down the street to the race start... all 60 of them.  How did we stumble upon this you may be wandering.  Well, we decided to exit the expressway on our way to an outlet center for the visitor information center and saw a bunch of burrows and people gathering.  I kind of knew what it was right away since I'd read a small thing about it a while back.

 And they were off for a 5ish mile race through the mountains on a trail before finishing in town.  You can apparently be a great runner but if your burrow doesn't want to go you aren't going anywhere.

 There were racers and burrows in all shapes and sizes.  We were talking to a burrow owner/trainer and learned quite a lot about the series of events held each summer in Colorado. This was a small race and many are tied to "history" days in the mountain towns.  While the racing was underway we watched some mining competitions where they had to drive spikes and drill holes in rock.  Interesting indeed but we loved the small town charm the whole event had.

 As you can see, if the burrow doesn't want to go, you aren't going.  We were treated to beautiful scenery driving and mom ended up with 2 pairs of crocs at the outlet center.  After that we headed to Blackhawk.

 Blackhawk is a small town that has small casinos that kinds of look like an old west town.  It was very cute and of course my mom was a big winner and I was a loser.

 We got home late but that didn't stop my momma from reading to Michael.

Pearl Street Mall

Well Saturday my mom and I headed into Boulder for Pearl Street Mall wandering.  They had all sorts of art vendors there as well with some neat stuff.  First thing we saw were these giant metal sculptures.  They were really neat and their heads moved as well.

 Flying pig family.  They also had a cow, moose and long horn plus a book of his other sculptures and work.

 We wandered for a bit and then ate "breakfast" at 1:00 at Snooze... all they serve is breakfast.  I had some of the most delicious French Toast that I have ever had.  Delicious and delightful.  We are going to have lunch with Jen there before my first day of "running camp."

 After our day wandering we came home and mom read Michael a story... which has has continued to do every night since.  She is quite animated when she reads and adds her own little details to the story.

 She gave him the story for Christmas after she found out Jen and Bob were expecting.   It is called "You are Loved."  It's cute because that is what she tells us all the time.

mini-photo shoot

So on July 16th Jen and Bob had a newborn photo session (a very nice gift from some of Jen's friends for her shower).  Mom and I took the doggies out for a long walk so they would stay out of the way.  Before the photographer came over they were instructed to keep little Michael awake for 2 hours and feed him just before she arrived so he'd be nice and sleepy and easy to pose.

 We did a good job keeping him awake for quite a while, but then he got very sleepy.

 And he was like, save some of my good faces for the real deal photo lady.  Enough already.

 After the photo session was done we had lunch.  Jen let Michael sniff bacon.  We had mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese and grilled cheese with bacon for lunch.  Jen had cheez-it's and watermelon with hers.

 That evening Jen insisted on doing a mini-photo shoot at this abandoned house nearby.  There were beautiful mountain views behind them.  Sorry this post is kind of boring and they all have been lately but I just figured you all wanted to check out pictures of the little dude.

He's whimpering.  

10 Days Old... and just photos part 2

This is a post for you Papa Bear... lots of photos of little dude for you.  Mom and I have been doing little day trips around town... visiting Bass Pro shops, checking out quirky hardware stores and Ikea plus about a dozen different Targets (no joke).  We want to let Jen and Bob get in their bonding time with little Michael.  Here are some more "just photos" of the little guy at 10 days old.

And here are some from Monday (11 days old).  Such a cutie patootie!

 Practicing his "P" for pirate face and showing off his muscles.

One Week Old...and Bike Rally

Hard to believe that the little dude was 7 days old a few days ago.  Jen went out in her garden to pick some veggies and Bob and Michael supervised.

 Jen had some really bigger than Michael zuchini.  Michael even helped by carrying some of the tomatoes.  A good helper already.

On Saturday, July 13 I was supposed to do a big wheel bike rally in Boulder.  It was post-poned until August (and I won't be here).  We found out it was cancelled after we ran into this lady with a ton of energy that also showed up... she didn't check her e-mail to find out it was cancelled.  I was doing day of registration so I had no clue.  (Jen getting her snuggles while we were gone).

She insisted that we ride our trikes for a bit and I ended up walking mine down Pearl Street... good choice because she got pulled over by the police who informed her you cannot ride your bike on the mall.  Then she also walked her bike.  Too bad it was cancelled cause it really would have been fun.
We went back to Jen and Bob's for pizza and then there was a beautiful rainbow outside.

Just photos

After Michaels first night home Jen brought him in to my mom and I to say good morning.  He also got a little sponge bath and of course lots of snuggles.  Jen held him while she worked on her blog so be patient with her since it takes longer to type and such while lovin' on her little man.

 And I finally "woman-ed up" and held the little dude.  He's pretty cute.