San Francisco Here We Are!

Well - here we are on a new adventure.  This time the MA in MARJI are in San Francisco - the city by the bay - the city on the hills - the city with soul, snap, savvy, savoir faire...

We'll put all our pictures in one place.  With links to the first one of the day on each blog entry.
And we'll put each days videos (taken with a Flip Mino) each in their own folders.
Here's the videos for the Saturday April 9th.

M joined A at the airport and we took the BART from SFO into Powell Street station.  We had prepaid for round-trip vouchers online - so just had to pick up two round trip BART tickets at the SFO information desk.  We went to the wrong place and had to withstand a rude BART employee tell us (twice) that we were in the wrong place to pick up the tickets.  Sheesh...excuuuuuse me!

We were amazed that the BART was grungier, louder and in most sections under ground.  It is also electric - so we didn't clomp around in our big carbon footprint boots...ha!

We disembarked the BART and immediately went to the San Francisco Visitor Center (just off the Powell Street station).  We got advice on how to get to 750 Sutter Street with our luggage.  We have a City Pass which gives us...(http://www.citypass.com/san-francisco)
- 7 day Municipal unlimited transportation (busses, san fran trains and cablecars)
- Admittance to 4 museums, 1 aquarium and 1 boat ride on the bay

So - they recommended catching the bus - or just walking it.  It's about 5 1/2 blocks...uphill (it turns out a relatively mild uphill compared to others around here...).  We arrive too early to check in (our room was still being cleaned) so they checked our luggage into the bellhop and recommended places within three blocks for lunch. 

We lunched at Lori's Diner - which had relics from an earlier time than either of us really remember.  They had a nice tribute to Liz Taylor with a bunch of memorabilia too (sorry - didn't photo that stuff).  We had a terrific lunch and used our 20% off coupon.  Had a Chocolate Coke.  Check the photos for the scoop on that.

Wyndham called and let us know our room was ready.

We headed back and unpacked.  Check out the pics and video of the room - it's a 1 bedroom (the smallest on the floor because of the stairwell cut into it - but it's verrrry nice.  There are only 12 rooms on this floor (there are 10 floors) - so everything is compact and nice and close.  Laundry at the end of the hall.  We got room 702 so we're on the 7th floor.  No great view from the rooms but no matter.  Super spiffy digs.

We decided just to explore and ended up on a grand adventure that took us...
...up some gradual hills into Nob Hill neighborhood
...to see the Powell-Hyde cable car stop in the middle of an intersection (turns out that that IS the stop for the cable car)
...to see 90-degree parking lots
...to the top of Russian Hill and the beautiful plants, gardens and smells it has.
...down, down, down to Fisherman's Wharf and the Powell-Mason cable car terminus (where they turn the cable cars around by pushing them on a roundabout).
...To a great little clothing store (one of hundreds) that had some nice comfy San Francisco windbreaker jackets (the wind really really needs breaking...) for 13.49 each.  His and Hers matching - how cuuuute.

...To the waterfrontpiers, Boudin's Bakery (home of sourdough bread to the world) and finally Pier 39.
...Bought a shamrock shake at mcdonalds so we could legimitately use their bathroom.  (The public bathrooms were closed and lots of people and kids were "dancing in the streets"...
...Headed out to the ends of piers to get great - but chilly - views.
...Ate at the Pier Market on Pier 39.  Mmm - fantastic seafood and yummy beer.
...Took our first "Muni" ride on the 8x bus from the wharf(-ish) to Sutter street (actually Union Square because the driver didn't let us get out at Sutter).

We stopped at Walgreens and picked up some highly overpriced groceries.  (ok - maybe just moderately overpriced - but when they know they've got you - they know they've got you). 

8:30 pm - finally got back to the condo and got the pictures and videos off the camera.

Tomorrow - plans are to go to the Marin Headlands on the 76 bus (which runs right in front of the condo - out over the Golden Gate bridge and into a nature and preserved area north of San Francisco).  This bus only runs on Sundays so we've got to take advantage when we can!

Vacation Oh Wonderful Vacation

Pictures are here.

Up until now we've been a little silent on this Pagosa Springs vacation. We've just been too darn busy having fun! :-) We've hiked familiar trails like the one to Treasure Falls - Ice Cave Ridge and Piedra falls - and four brave souls ventured out on a new one to see what lay at the of trail to Four Mile Falls. On the way you notice Isaac had to hold up a tree so that everyone could get past. Way to go big guy! On this vacation we were joined by Eric and Deanna Martens and their children, Dave and Stacy Lentz and their children (all first timers to the Pagosa Springs area) and Ben , Zach and Joe were back to have some more fun before heading off to the navy and college. We were very happy that they could all share this special place and time with us - and we hope they all had fun.

This week in Pagosa Springs we stayed in Eagle's lofts and in Teal landings - met for a couple of meals - and everybody enjoyed doing some things together - but mostly did their own thing. (We hardly saw the older boys at all - which is how it was supposed to be on their senior trip LOL). The blue grass festival was just kicking off as we all were packin' up. A few took in the free concert.

One family went to Mesa Verde - I hear they had a wonderful time. If they blog as a group - I will have them link their blog to here.

Of the Hikes - Nicole still hasn't told me which one she liked best - I think she'll get back to me on that, but not the one that just went Up - up - up (ice cave ridge).

I didn't go on as many hikes as usual - but hopefully next time I will be fit as a fiddle and ready to go on them all. Of the ones I did this year - I liked the Ice Cave Ridge. I always seem to find something new up there on the ridge to see. Although this year I did not do any crazy dances on the edge. I stayed well back.

The kids also had a lot of fun at the rec center. I heard that some even tried out the racket ball court.

Our deck had a great view of the lake and a great mix of shade and sun so we were able to use it a good part of the day. A wonderful place to relax and read. I'm finished with all of the books that I brought along!


Until the next vacation - I don't know where that will be!

Amy & Matt

Chunks of Pagosa

If you zoom out a bit on this map - you'll see that Pagosa Springs is a city that spreads out along highway 160 - and it's basically in two big "chunks".
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.0004868e632274ca4f160&z=15

When you're coming into town from the east - you hit the downtown area first.  This is where most of the touristy stuff is (souvenier shops, visitor center [a great place to get lots of info], the hot springs and spa, theater, river walk, and the resevoir hill hiking trails [featuring the beautiful San Juan Mountains overlook].

Then you keep heading down (and up) 160 for about 4 miles and you'll get to the resort area.  Golf courses, condos, restaurants, grocery store, etc.  That - of course - is where our condos are.  Give us a call when you're getting into town and we'll guide your way in! 

Where ya' hikin'?

Link to info about the area - http://www.visitpagosasprings.com/

We are big fans of hiking trails that can be as easy or vigorous as you want it to be.
We especially like the ones with a reward at the end – a beautiful view or waterfall!
We’ll plan and lead a hike every day for those who want to come along!

http://visitpagosasprings.com/colorado/activities/colorado-summer-vacation/hiking

Thoughts for hikes and days (depending on the weather and our whims!)
- Sunday - Resevoir Hill (if everyone hasn't arrived yet) OR Treasure Falls/Pagosa Overlook (if everyone has arrived)
- Monday - Reservoir Hill or Treasure Falls/Pagosa Overlook
- Tuesday - Piedra River - a "short version" and "long version" (for those wanting a challenge)
- Wednesday - Piedra Falls - our "longest drive for the shortest hike" that is worth every mile
- Thursday - Lobo Overlook/Continental Divide - this is the "challenging one"
- Friday - Ice Cave Ridge - ice and snow in June - yes indeed.  And one mighty fine vista up on the cliff.

If there is any interest - we can do a little geocaching...
http://www.geocaching.com/
Pagosa area caches...
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=37.26945&lng=-107.0097617&dist=25

An alternative route...

For those who'd like to avoid driving in Denver metro area and the mountains (except for a little bit over Wolf Creek Pass - you can't avoid that)...I offer this Google map.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.000486d5207717b523701&z=6

Basically it takes a left from Interstate 76 onto a very lonely highway 71 (fill with gas before you hit it because there's nothing for almost 100 miles) and it gets back on Interstate 25 on the south end of Colorado Springs.

There's even a tiny little burg at the intersection of Highway 71 and 36 called "Last Chance...".

Pagosa Vacation 2010 - random info

Weather and Clothes - Main advice is dress in layers and be prepared to layer on or peel off.  When the sun is out it's plenty warm (especially if you are hiking hard).  But when it's not it can be downright chilly (and always is first thing in the morning and after the sun goes down).  Our hikes aren't too crazy - so a supportive pair of tennis shoes (that you don't mind getting dirty) will do.  If you have hiking boots - of course - they will make your feet happier...

Sun and Bugs - bring sunscreen and bug lotion/spray.  You'll need both.

Cell phone coverage - it's pretty good around the main roads - but once we get off the beaten path - it's very iffy (few cell towers and lots of mountains to get in the way)

Altitude change - Pagosa is around 8000-9000 feet (and one hike takes us up to 10800).  Watertown is about 1700 feet high.  So you will notice that a couple of things...

1) Any toiletries that are in bottles or tubes (shampoo, sunscreen, etc.) will swell up with the change in altitude.  make sure you have them all in plastic bags or you just may have a nice mess on your hands (and clothes and stuff).  They seem to do it both going up and coming down.  

2) You will get winded faster - keep hydrated and take breaks when you need them.  Don't push so hard you hyperventilate or pass out.  We don't want to be carrying anyone!

Condo goodies

- Washers and Dryers - bring less clothes because you can easily wash/dry with the over & under units in the condo.  Wash every day if you like - we typically do a small load every day!

- Dishwasher - they all have a dishwasher and give you enough detergent capsules to run a load a day.

- Flat screen TVs and DVD players - also a CD player/radio

- Toasters/blenders/crock pots/ice makers - These are all in the condo or available to us.  If you don't see it - we can ask the front desk - they are verrry accomodating.  Bring your favorite recipes (or hook into recipes.com...)

- Linens and pillows and stuff - Linens, Pillows, Towels, Washcloths are provided.  If you have a favorite pillow - bring it.

- Swimming pools and hot tubs - bring your suits and if you have swim towels you like - bring them - they're nicer than the ones they provide, typically.

Around town

- There is a Wells Fargo bank in town - and several others with ATMs.
- Golfer?  Bring your clubs because there are three 18 hole courses right on and around the resort.

- Grocery store, gas stations and restaurants are nearby.  You can get a free Kroger customer card at the grocery store which will save you money in the store and at their affiliated gas station.

- Choke Cherry Tree - awesome little shop where they make a bunch of delicious stuff that make great gifts.  Free samples abound...especially their home-made caramels...

- Pagosa Springs hot springs and spa - Pagosa's original claim to fame is the hot springs (one definition of "Pagosa" means "stinky waters") and they have a neat setup - with 12 different pools of different temperatures (from one down by the river [brrr] to one called the Lobster Pot).  It's very relaxing and would be a treat for moms and dads...

Sunday Night

- Sunday evening at 6 they have an event by the registration desk where various area people/vendors show and tell about their wares and they give away free stuff.  Attendance is totally optional - but it's fun if you've never done it before and want a chance to win some free swag.  (examples of past stuff we've won - bag of caramels, ticket to Pagosa Springs Hot Springs, horse-drawn wagon ride and cowboy supper, gift certificate)

Check out this posting and more at...

http://weseloh-vacation.blogspot.com

Summer 2010 Colorado Plans

Information for Family and Friends!

Google Map for the Resort and Area
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.0004868e632274ca4f160&ll=37.263884,-107.077571&spn=0.012876,0.019248&t=h&z=16

We'll be staying in the Teal Landing and Eagle's Loft condos.
The condo's have wi-fi in each unit - so we'll be updating this blog with vacation info as it happens!

Google Map for travel and highlighted attractions
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.00044b64c26e223ea2e9e&t=h&z=6

Notes from Austin Preview Trip

Notes from Austin Preview Trip

Matt and Amy Weseloh

January 2010

 

We took a preview trip to Austin, Texas from January 16th to January 20th 2010.

Why? Matt's employer is centralizing to Austin and has offered a relocation option.

 

The Situation

Matt and Amy Weseloh (and family) live in Watertown, South Dakota.

Their oldest son attends college in Watertown.

Their middle son is a Senior at a local church-based private high school.

Their youngest son is a freshman at a local church-based private high school.

 

They have previously lived in the Dallas Texas area from 1998 to 2005.

 

The Trip Goals

1) Experience Austin firsthand

2) Learn about real estate in the area

3) Learn about the high schools in the area

4) Learn about churches in the area

5) Learn about the employer site

Results

1) Experience Austin Firsthand

We timed our trip so that it included a holiday and would give us one more day to explore the area.  We had both time and budget constraints for this preview trip so our choices (free and cheap) reflect that.

 

There's a lot of free and cheap available in Austin - by the way!

 

First of all - look at our Google Map for highlighted places we experienced.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108777437559785341342.0004791125f54b6309d41&ll=30.33851,-97.698669&spn=0.490089,0.480652&z=11

 

Second of all - review our pictures and their captions

First set - http://picasaweb.google.com/marji.weseloh/Austin_explore_Day1#

Second set - http://picasaweb.google.com/marji.weseloh/Austin_explore_days_3_and_4#

 

Third - get an Austin Visitor's kit from the Austin Visitor's Center

http://www.austintexas.org/ 

We also recommend getting the GoLocal Austin card which entitles you to discounts at many area merchants and restaurants.

You can either get a card online through the Visitor's Center "Deluxe Visitor's Package" (that's what we did) or pick one up at almost any merchant that lets you use one.

An excellent map for visitors is this one (which we picked up at the Visitor's Center on 6th Street)
http://www.mapamerica.com/Austin

 

As you can see

- we dined (at a lot of unique, neat and not too expensive places - and we just scratched the surface)

- we drove (all around the Austin area in all kinds of traffic - it's all there depending on where and when you're going)

- we hiked (a tiny bit around Mount Bonnell and downtown - and found there are miles and miles of opportunity in and around Austin)

- we listened (we caught free live music at the airport, at Hickory Street Bar and Grill and Flipnotics Coffeespace)

- we watched (a movie at Alamo Drafhouse, people in general - Austin is a melting pot)

- we worshipped (at Holy Word Lutheran in Austin)

We got re-aquainted with both Texas drivers (fast - turn signals optional) and Texas roads (Texas exits/entrances and the unique u-turns under overpasses).

FYI - Our GPS was an invaluable tool to find all of our destinations.

There's a lot of being in the right (or left) lane at the right time...

There are some toll roads - so have some spare change along just in case it's on your way somewhere.

We managed to avoid all of them.

 

One of Austin's slogans is "Keep Austin Wierd".  That's about right - the uniqueness (or wierdness) shows up in all sorts of places.

2) Learn about real estate in the area

We had two realtors recommended to us before our trip and we had both of them "show us around" both the area and a few selected homes that were for sale - just so we could get a feel for things.  We had too many unknowns to get really specific - but it was a very useful few hours spent with each.

 

Here is their contact info:

Jay Ferguson (recommended by company people who moved to Austin last year from Oregon)

Relocation Specialist, CNE

Keller Williams Realty

ph. 512 844 4065

email: jay@nwaustinhomes.com

www.nwaustinhomes.com  

 

Mary Patterson (recommended by local people in the church)

Realtor, GRI, ABR, ASP

Keller Williams Realty

ph. 512 689 4264

Email: mpatterson@kw.com

 

We were impressed by both and would be happy leveraging either one as we pursue things further.

Because of her affiliation with our church (Mary is the pastor's wife) we will probably continue with her.

We found each to have their own approach and opinions (of course). 

 

We received some PDFs of pertinent area information from Jay and I've put them in the Google docs folder.  

- Austin Area Map

- ActivitiesAndFamilyFun

- 100ThingsToDoInAustin

- Parks and Nature Preserves

 

3) Learn about the high schools in the area

We gathered lots of opinions about the schools in the area and combined it with the information online about the schools.

 

We wanted to get real information from real parents of students in the schools - so we tapped into both corporate employees and parents with high school age kids at the area churches.  This is just the beginning of this information gathering process.  It's a little more intensive for us because we're coming out of a small and private school situation - and are looking at the large and public schools.

 

We understand - so far -

- Your public school is directly connected to your homes location

- Since the population (and tax base) is growing - they are bulding/expanding the schools on the north/west sides constantly

- Different schools have specialties - medical, engineering, fine arts, science, etc. - and of course sports

- A new high school typically is filled by taking the new students and building it one grade at a time (instead of forcing kids to move from existing schools)

- There are LOTS of extracurricular opportunities

 

Here are some more PDFs of school information as well

- School District Links

- SchoolDistrictsMap

- Private schools List 2008-09 Suzzane

 

4) Learn about churches in the area

Our church family is very important to us and we learned in advance that we have several congregations (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)  in the Austin area.

 

We attended one on the Sunday morning (Holy Word) after we arrived and visited others.  The Google map shows where they are located.

Contact me to find out more about the WELS churches or look them up on www.wels.net.

 

We found that the church family is a terrific way to learn about the area in advance of your visit.  People are very willing to offer their honest and real-world opinions and suggestions.

 

5) Learn about the employer site

I was able to tap into some employees who have recently gone through the relocation process to Austin (moving from Corvallis, Oregon in 2009)

 

These two people responded to my request for information and were very helpful.

- Slezak, Lee J

- Johnson, Michael A (Java Guru)

 

The employer site is an old Tandem computers corporate facility and hasn't entirely undergone the transition to the corporate standards trumpeted by our real estate folks.  It's a comparatively small site (compared to Plano's building) and has a wide variety of office and cube styles.  On the first floor I saw the IT executives offices (very nice), a bunch of inside corridor offices (very reminiscent of the old EDS Education building offices in plano), cubes with half-high community walls (like you'd see in a call center) and full-height cubes.  There were also some first-come, first-served mini-rooms where an employee or leader can go to have a private conference call with network access.  There is an employee cafeteria (very small with limited hours) and an on-site exercise room and outdoor pool.  Neither of my contacts have used them or seen anyone using them.

 

The road to the site is in pretty poor shape and the signs are pretty run-down.  Perhaps we're trying to keep a low-key presence since we have a high-tech datacenter next to the office buildling (and behind all the guards and big fences).

feeding the troops

Hey all -
sounds like we are totally coming up with a feeding frenzy plan for our vacation.

I didn't mean to sound like I can never feed the guys staying in our condo. Hope it didn't sound that way. Tom, and Aaron can come with Joe as well - they'll be like part of the family.

Just wanted all to feel like if they want to take off with their family to go do something other than at the condo - they didn't have to worry about what was for lunch or dinner - or the time of lunch and dinner. It's vacation - who wants to be on a schedule?

That being said - we'll let you know about the waffles. Glad everyone loves them (I can work on fruit or something to go with them).

love, amy

Are you Jellin' for some Dellin'?

Weseloh's and Schackenbergs and Lueckes converge on the Wisconsin Dells at the end of July.
Are you ready...?

Thursday - Piedra River Trail Matt & Amy's adventure

This is the lost blog of Matt and Amy Presume - who went hiking one day along the Piedra River near Pagosa Springs, CO.

It all started innocently enough. "we will have Ross drop us at the trail end at First Fork Bridge and he and Isaac can hike Ice Cave Ridge at the Trail head and we will meet them there" said Mr. Presume. "they will have to wait a little bit for us - but it will be ok."

They are not sure what went wrong. (Other than forgetting to tell N & P that theychanged their hiking plans - sorry).
They were dropped off at the trail's end at the First Fork bridge as planned at 10:30 am. They presumed it was a 5 mile hike to the William's Creek Bridge (according to word of mouth sources and you know how reliable those are) - and then a 3.5 mile hike to the Piedra Trail head from there (again distance given from the same w.o.m. source)

Matt and Amy P. are climbing a lot and keeping the river on the right to try and keep from getting lost. It is a beautiful trail. They don't remember 5 miles ever taking this long before - but they are not in the flat lands of South Dakota so they can't use their regular walking time as a guide.

The flowers are pretty. They grow out of the driest lands. But - they aren't taking much time to stop and smell them.

They knew we needed to cross 3 creeks before they'd get to William's Creek. The first was a puddle jumper - no sweat - great cuz the legs and lungs were getting pretty tired from climbing and climbing. Matt and Amy presume the others will be similar. The second was an adventure - it was running pretty fast and they had to cross it on a fallen tree.

Matt be nimble! Matt be quick - oops - Amy almost fell into the ragin' crick! (It's funny now, when they look back at it) :-) No photo op here - they were too busy trying to stay dry - lol.

Climbing again - up up up. The land is beautiful, peaceful. They finally see some horseback riders - who just say - "ya doing the whole trail?" And Mrs. Presume came across a man taking photos who commented - "you do know that you are doing this hike the hard way don't ya?"She'd started to get that idea.

At one point they came across an interesting stone marker. Was someone lost at some point? Wandering in the woods? Or does it have some other sort of significance? Is Jimmy Hoffa buried here?

The couple kept plugging away. The trail has to end soon. Mr. Presume was getting a little worried that they were on the wrong trail - even though they'd met up with a few people - but that seemed like hours ago.
"Mrs. Presume just kept thinking - as long as the river is on the right - we're ok. "
They still had another creek to go. His GPS battery had died and there was no cell signal to be had. They were truly alone out there.
At one point Matt suggested they turn back and try to get ahold of Ross to pick them up. Amy didn't think that was a good idea for a variety of reasons.

1. That seemed like giving up.
2. She didn't think we'd have a phone there either.
3.She'll stand on the edge of many a cliff - but I didn't want Ross driving that curvy windy road twice.

Finally creek numero tres - (I think Spanish when I'm tired ha ha). It had a bridge - hurray. Followed by a switch back that went up, up, up, up, up, up, up (you get the picture). Mr. Presume at this point is getting a second wind. Amy is on her diabetic end and know that they have pretty far to go yet.

Mr. Presume is waiting for Mrs. Presume at the top of the switch-back. She tried using a walking stick to go up that. She must have picked the heaviest stick in the forest - (which BTW - some of the trees looked like Fanghorn Forest for any LOTR fans - maybe it was just the low BS. )

The view at the top - and the breeze - almost/ok helped her recover a bit.

Matt is getting farther and farther ahead now. They are still remembering the mantra - keep the river on the right. The two see another bridge that is pretty low down - that can't be the WC bridge - I don't remember that much of a climb last year. Nope that bridge is over the actual river. They keep walking.

They see someone fishing. Good news - it isn't far at all now! Strange news - from where they began hiking - they will have covered 8.5 miles (mostly climbing) to the WC bridge. They information they received was wrong last year. The whole trail is not 8.5 miles - it is closer to 11. It is taking us longer - because of all the climbing and Amy having to slow down because of low BS. They still have no clue about what time it is.

Mr. Presume reached the meadow.That means the bridge is near. At the bridge there is a celebration of splashing with creek water and gearing up for what they think is another 3.5 miles. Matt takes off before Amy so that if Ross is waiting he can go to the trading post and get her something for her blood sugar.

When you are on the last part of the trail - there is a couple points where you can see Piedra Road. Amy presumed she saw the NaPa van going in the wrong direction. "NOOOOOOOO!" she shouted in her head. She picked up the pace as much as shecould.

Turns out Ross and Papa were looking for cell signal. Matt presumably found it at the trading post (a couple of great hikers gave him a ride down there. )

Ross and Papa picked us up at the Trail Head weary but in one piece! The trail head is 500 feet higher than the ending where Matt and Amy Presume started. No wonder they climbed so much.

When they made it to the van - there were many different exclamations - all repeatable btw - and some might have sounded like "I'll never hike that again! But now, as they sit here - having finished it and not quite as sore - maybe they will do it again someday.

Maybe - but with some changes - the biggest being - WE START AT THE TRAIL HEAD!

That's all for now -

Wednesday - Colorado High

Today Papa got to take a watercolor painting class and came home with a great work created in a new style.

The hikers (M, A, R, I) pushed it to the limit today - starting out their hike at the highest road point along highway 160 - Wolf Creek Pass. At the summit of the pass there are two continental divide trails (one running south and one running north).

First we tried to the south trail - only to find immediately upon entering the woods that it went from trail to snowdrift (with trail underneath). We tried this for a while - but decided to try our hand at the other side (which was more of a known quantity for us because we tried it last year, too).

On the north side of the highway there is a road (Lobo Overlook 3 mi.) that leads to an observation area and microwave transmitters. The road is closed to vehicles (when covered by snow at any point) but open to hikers.

It's uphill all the way to an elevation of 11,720 - starting at 10,800. All of us reached our personal high points and lived to tell about it. We've even got photographic evidence.

It was exhausting and exhilarating!

Wednesday's pics are here...

Tuesday - Piedra Falls Hike

If you are ever in the Pagosa Springs area this is one hike that is totally worth the effort. It takes driving, a shortish hike/walk that at the end gives you an awesome reward - a double falls.

Our trip today started with a stop at the Lunch date geocache that was about half-way to our hike. While the cacher's were searching for their prize - the more adventurous ones were searching for photo ops on the cliff-side. We were rewarded with beautiful scenery. Amy discovered that while she she is not afraid at all of heights - she does have a little fear of her children being close to the cliff-side edge. She eventually had to send Isaac away from the edge because she just couldn't watch him any more. She however stayed there(how's that for a double standard). Ross was able to get some awesome photos, Amy was running our video camera while Matt was gazing at the awesome mountain vistas on the other side of the road.

When we were ready to move on from there i.e. - the sane were able to get the risk takers from the edge - we continued our drive on to Piedra Falls. All 6 of us traversed the path to the falls and stayed for quite a while - some climbing up rocks and down - some just staying down closer to the waters edge.

The afternoon and evening were just spent relaxing. This vacation spot has always been made for and filled with just that. Fun and relaxation.

Tuesday pics here

Tuesday - Ballooning high over the San Juans

Woosh! My heart jumped as the balloon slowly began to ascend into the air, leaving the ground below. Woosh! My heart stayed in place this time, but my anticipation rose! What will we see on this glorious adventure in the sky? Woosh! We are soaring over the Village Lake now - I can see our condo - Eagle's loft 7007 - it looks so small from up here. Woosh! I need to get a picture before we get any higher. I reach for my camera - sigh - I'm in a dream blog. Someday I will be in that balloon over the San Juan Mountains.

Monday - Reservoir Hill Hike

Monday morning we were greeted by another beautiful day and set off for our hike - one that only 3/6ths of us had ever attempted before. This one had many different trails amid the trees - so two of our photographers took pictures of the trail map in case we split up (on purpose or not) while hiking.

On the reservoir hill trail we spotted colorful flowers, long-eared squirrels and some deer eating in the distance, as we tried to find our way from one trail marker to the next. Our goal was a scenic over-look. Some of us took a rugged red-trail to the top and some took an "easy" green (not-always) trail, but we all made it. The geo-cacher's found their box and the one other of us just stood on the edge and went "ahhh".

We again took separate trails to the bottom and enjoyed the different things we found on this hike.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying the warm sun - temps have been mid 70's in the lower elevations in the sun - higher elevations are a little cooler.

Monday's pics here

Sunday - Treasures galore

We started off Sunday with a devotion and Trinity Sunday sermon from Shepherd of the Valley in West Fargo. Then on to grocery shopping.

Finally - some fun stuff - an always rewarding hike to Treasure Falls. It's about 15 miles out of Pagosa Springs and it's a perfect hike. Nice workout for a wonderful reward (the beautiful Treasure Falls). The parking lot is situated so that you get to see the falls from afar - and then at the end of the hike you get to see, hear, and feel the falls up close and personal. If you go up to the Misty Deck you will get wet!

Today we were treated to a brief hailstorm on the hike - which passed by so quickly that even the rain that fell was dry in 10 minutes.

Then back to Pagosa for some chillin' and grillin'. The "Higher Grounds" coffee shop and Pagosa Brewery were stops on the way back to the condo. We're quaffing a growler of Eagle ESB (whatever that means) from the brewery. It's pretty tasty!

Sunday pics here...

Saturday - On to Pagosa

We continued our trek Pagosa Springs-ward with a scenic run down the "Top of the Rockies" highway (Colorado Highway 91) from Copper Mountain to Fremont Pass to Leadville. That's "Led-vill" because the miner's considered the earth they were excavating to be "as heavy as lead".

We stopped at the top of Fremont Pass and the former town of Climax. Climax was relocated to Leadville when the mining companies realized the town was sitting on rich deposits of minerals. All that remains today is a small molybdenum mining operation - but there was a wonderful little outdoor museum detailing the rich history. If you're ever in the area there - take the time to stop and enjoy it!

We picnic lunched at windy Poncha Springs at a little mom-and-pop welcome center. Swung through Saguache to see Ramie's Drug Dealer...(see last year's pictures for that...) and stopped at the scenic overlook while entering Pagosa Country. Saw a surprising pile of Diet Pepsi trash which we found was a soda truck that took a spill on one of the hairpin switchbacks coming down from Wolf Creek Pass.

Checked into our Eagles Loft condo at about 3:30 PM and settled in for our weeks stay here. The geese are still prevalent and leaving their little presents all about (advice - don't go barefoot outside...).

Saturday pics here...

Friday - Up, up and away

We continued our journey on Friday with a trek from Grand Island, NE (elevation - 1,853 feet) to Dillon, CO (elevation - 8,390 feet).

We picnicked at the Colorado Welcome center in Julesberg, CO and ended the day with the "Old Dillon Reservoir" hike. Wow - what a finish!

Two geocaches found - Kiddies Kache and Old Dillon Reservoir.

Friday Pictures at Picasaweb...

Thursday - A musical journey

We started our trek with a stop at the National Music Museum at Vermillion, SD.

Wow - what a wonderful journey into the world of making music. They have a multi-media tour (you get a Dell Axim PDA and a pair of headphones) where you get to hear, see and learn much more about exhibits in all the galleries and hallways.

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Among the many wonders - we all saw our first Stradivarius violin, cello AND guitar! A crutch that's also a guitar. Hardanger fiddles. A piano with 7 pedals. And a complete gamelan ensemble from Java (commissioned and built for the museum). We even were treated to a gamelan rehearsal while we were there.

We finished our trek for the day in Grand Island, NE at the Travelodge motel. We were very pleasantly surprised at the very nice accomodations. We used our Wyndham Reward Points to pay for the room - so it was "free"...so to speak.

We dined at chez Pizza Hut. Pzone's all around...

Today's pics at Picasaweb

Back to Pagosa - in 2 weeks!

We're preparing for a return to Pagosa Springs, Colorado in June. Join us for the journey...