Septober in the Rockies

Well we reluctantly head out from the greatest B&B in Redmond, sneak through Idaho, Utah and half of Wyoming and end up with the Hatches in Estes Park, Colorado.  Nice timing and weather all the way. Hardly a cloud in the perfect blue skies and almost no wind. 

 

The John Day National Monument had some interesting variety in terrain.

Wyoming, while not offering the most exciting scenery, was untypically calm and mild.  The wind farm had a good day for maintenance.

 Our camp site along side the Hatches in the Elk Meadow RV park in Estes Park, CO

 The Site of the Long Lake flood of 1982.  A miners earthen dam broke up near the tree line (up in the upper left of the bottom photo) and the wall of water scoured out a path to the meadow in the top photo.  It went on to cause great destruction down stream and a few deaths before it reached the plains below.

 The view from the tree line shows the alluvial plain below the last gorge on the left then the meadow which is just above Estes Park.  Teri and I were still new to Colorado when it happened and I remember many comparisons to the Big Thompson flood a few years earlier.

 Got a few more days here and then off to the badlands.  Might even harass some fish tomorrow. 

Be careful out there.

Central Oregon Paradise

Let’s see.  According to the account below, we were damning the torpedoes and heading over the mountain to meet up with a bunch of Teagues, both the not so and really old branches of the family.
You’ll have to take my word for it; that went really well and we arrived at the Redmond Ranch residence of Sara and Emil’s after smooth sailing up and down Mt Hood.  No photographic proof, but it was a beautiful trip.

Been eating, biking, walking, eating, fishing and shopping.  With the caloric intake definitely out pacing the exercise; but I’m not complaining.  It is a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

Auto bridge over the Dry Wash bike trail

rides were best started before 9:00 AM as it got over 80 most days

Emil and I fished a nearby spot on the Deschutes.  Larry accompanied as official photographer/historian/recorder.  I still had to take my own pictures as he was nowhere to be found when the action got "heavy".

Note:  no fish were harmed in the filming of this account

The Redmond estate afforded the usual outstanding views while the grounds offered interesting exploring.  The owner has some interesting home grown art, both inside and out.

Sunset from the back porch.

The back porch.


More photos of the grounds below.

Left over pieces of granite counter tops.  He used these and small river rock to form mosaic counter tops and flooring

Some, but not all of the collection of counter top pieces.

The front garden fence

The hearth and scene over the mantel are done with counter top pieces

All counter top pieces and river rock

Entry way counter top from pieces & river rock

No More Stalling!

If it isn't ready it'll have to wait or get fixed along the way.  The more we do this the more it resembles living on a boat.  First you throw a couple thou at it, then you take her out for a little test ride so you can plan on where you will be spending the next couple thou.  Then you finally get to the point where you figure, what the hell, it's time to get moving and improvise along the way.

So tomorrow we meet up with the "really old Teagues" and head over to the "really almost middle aged Teagues" and see how much of a burden we can be for the rest of the week. 

the baby room

preparing for the vertical ascent

The grocery store; complete with scanning check out registers

Never too soon to develop good oral hygiene habits

Since we are basically wusses, we cancelled the bike ride yesterday due to drizzle.  Ryan and I took Nina to the children's museum while Teri and Judy hit the farmers market and did some big box shopping.

Gotta go for now.  Stay dry.

Just About Ready

We've been in Portland a while, soaking up 90+ degrees and lots of food and family.  Finally tried a few recumbent bikes.  Didn't really feel as good as I had expected.  After checking out lots of used bikes on Craigslist, I gave up on getting the performance bike I had in mind and decided to try a comfort bike for a change.

I got a Sedona by Giant.  I don't know if I'll ever get used to the ride.  I'm just not used to this floating feeling as I flow down the street.  It does seem to alleviate the arm and hand pain and numbness from my conventional bikes.  More on that after I get a few miles on it, maybe even a picture.

Local fire fighters put out flags for anyone to carry on 9/11/11

Nina loves bike rides; she talks, Ryan pedals.

Ryan w/Nina, Teri and I rode along the river down town to test out their new bike and kid seat.  A great ride with lots of scenery, if a bit congested along the west bank due to a beautiful Sunday.

We made it to Travis and Kim's for more another horse fix.

Judy's hat has a hole for the pony tail

Nina's mini Timber scarf and hat, just like Papa's

Teri's been busy knitting.

We are in the fifth wheel getting it ready for the launch.  Scheduled for the 19th, we plan to descend on Emil and Sara at the same time as the really old Teagues who are arriving from Eagle River on the red eye that morning.  Looking forward to a lot of catching up.

One more weekend (and a friday night Timbers game) and it's on the road again!

Stay cool, I hear it's been warm lately.