Naps and Horses

The girls found the box that contained their daddy's horses. Mike loved his horses when he was a little guy. Now the girls get to play with them.



Michael decided to take a nap. What better place than on mom?

Where I Live

I live in Saint Charles, Missouri, a community often cited for its' lack of sophistication. Maybe that's why I'm so comfortable to reside here. After all, there are innumerable ways to evaluate a place which are more important.

Here are eleven reasons I like this place:

1. This is where I lived as a kid.

2. This is where I attended grade school.

3. This is where I went to high school.

4. This is where I first dated my wife.

5. This is where I was married.

7. This is where my sons were born.

8. This is where I live.

9. This is where son #1 attended high school.

10. This is where sons #2/#3 attended high school.

11. This is where I work.

Stink Eye

On my last trip to LA, Aunt Jena and I took Olivia for a few hours one day. We walked her around the Marina and spent some time playing. Aunt Jena says when Olivia looks at us like this, she is giving us the stink eye! Maybe we were pushing the stroller too slow and she didn't like it!

Observations from Debate

After watching the second Republican debate Tursday night, I offer a collection of unrelated observations:

Fox's format was much less annoying than CNN's. Time was managed via a simple clock (as opposed to the CNN moderator's constant interruptions and over-talking the response of the candidates.

The audience was enthusiatic bur respectful. It was a full house which was completely engaged.

Newt Gingrich gained the most ground, displaying intelligence and passion in his answers. He set the tone fpor straight-talking, a tone soon adopted by the others.

Mitt Romney continued to hold the high spot. His answers in all areas were practical and clear, except perhaps his history on health care.

Michelle Bachmann continued to exhibit a principled and clear-headed viewpoint on all topics. In a tussle with Pawlenty, she came out ahead.

Compared to Barack Obama, every single candidate displayed positions and an attitude of leadership which was superior. Saying that, Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman are my least favorite.

Several potential candidates were not there: Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan. The entry of any of these would change the chemistry, and possibly narrow the field.

Liberalism continues to mystify me. The liberal viewpoint was present in the form of the media hosts. They continued to harp on tax increases in any and all economic conditions. They advocate abortion rights, but exhibit overt sexism toward female candidates. When I was a kid, liberalism stood for the rights of the individual; now it seems to stand for centralized statism and collectivism. It's so 1917 ...

Lyla

Jena came home Sunday. Lyla was very excited. She hasn't left her side since.

Maroon Bells Photos #3 (of 3)

Hey, I actually posted these in the correct order, so viewing from the top down is the correct approach this time.

On the way to the last pass, an event which I alternately anticipated and loathed. So far, so good ...


Greg on a log bridge. A marmot followed us over a few minutes later.

A beaver dam ...

Continually climbing to higher country ...

On the top of Buckskin Pass - all downhill from here!

An aspen grove on the way down:

Back to Maroon Lake!

Stats: Four days, four passes over 12,500 feet, 25-30 miles, and innumerable views!

Maroon Bells Photos #2

Again these are in reverse chronological order. For example, here is where we ended up on the final night. There was a nice babbling creek full of ice-cold mountain water ten feet to the left.


The view from Trail Rider pass looking back.

Greg on the trail above Snowmass Lake.

Mike and Greg on the top of Trail Rider Pass looking ahead to the next valley.

A marmot watches us from his rocky perch. No bears ... just marmots and beavers.

Some of the trail was better suited for goats than humans ...

In Fravert Basin, a valley full of creeks, waterfalls, cascades, meadows, and wildflowers. And a long way from other people. My favorite stretch ...

More ...

Fimal photos tomorrow.