Climbing the Peak

Jon has had all kinds of hard work to do while here. Even the fun is hard. He and Steve climbed Pikes Peak. It's a 13 mile hike one-way and has a 7,000 foot elevation increase. Steve said Jon did a wonderful job--even for a flat lander. The kids and I did, however, drive the highway to the top and pick them up at the top. Originally, they were going to hike back down but we had lightning strikes and a tornado touchdown not too far from the hiking trail. Safety is of first importance although it is arguable that the safest route is to just stay home and look at the top.

I do get asked why people climb a mountain if there is a highway to the top. The only answer I have to that valid and well-reasoned question is that there is a stigma about climbing all 54 mountains that are 14,000 feet or higher. I've climbed several myself and have dreams of climbing more in the future. It's just what we do here. And that's all I can say.

Nephew Jon is Here--

First, let me say that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are incredibly wonderful and brave for sending their son out to visit us for 4 weeks. We've been begging family to come out for ages and FINALLY someone comes. And Jon is actually here to work. Yup, a 16-year-old who wants some experience working in the pastry chef field, came to our humble abode to work with my hubby. And, for the record, I'd feel sorry for Jon that he's working with Steve except that he lives with Steve's brother whom Steve quite takes after.

As far as I can tell so far, his only fault is that he's a reformed baptist. Maybe we can fix him....

Okay, so this isn't the most flattering photo of Jon but you can see Steve's due diligence in putting the boy to work!

Again, not flattering, but this time washing the now oil changed vehicle. Nothing like a bit of slave labor! And I will get better photos but these candids have to do for now.

There's Bug shooting from the hip! Boys and their power washers are a happy pair indeed.

And here is my precious little Peanut cleaning the driveway. Honestly, we're not that clean. I'm wondering if she wouldn't mind moving to the kitchen floor....

Lizard, lizard, lizard...

We found this cute little lizard happily sunbathing on the trim around our garage door and we watched him for a very long time. I touched his tail and he squirmed a bit but didn't run. The only bummer is that Bug is at a friend's house playing and didn't get to see him.