On Top of the World

Currently, Shrine Ridge Trail is our favorite hike. There are others in the running to knock it off the top spot, but for now Shrine Ridge reigns. Above is Black Lake which is on the way to the trailhead. Steve caught two rainbow trout in this lake last year.

This is the view of the Gore Range on the ascent up the trail.

About three quarters of the way to the top we come upon snow. For Texans this is a rare sight anytime, let alone in July!

The wildflowers are spectacular this year. The mountains have received ample rain and they were plentiful all along the trail.

This is one of the rock formations at the top of the trail with the Gore Range in the background.

Here are Steve and I at the top of the world! We had a fantastic 360 degree view from the top. We hope to repeat this hike before we leave Colorado.

Vail Pass to Frisco Bike Ride

On Monday we took a 14 mile bike ride from Vail Pass to Frisco. It was a cool morning, maybe about 60 degrees when we started. It was perfect sunshine and cool, crisp air.Below: Taken at a quick stop along the way. We followed Ten Mile Creek all the way to Frisco.

After the stop we are off again.....

Onya chicks, Tina, Lanie and Jana.

Our dudes, Mike, DeWayne and Steve.

We stopped at Copper Mountain at Starbucks.

Then rode the chair lift up Copper Mountain.

The photo below is from the chair lift coming back down into Copper Mountain.

They offer lots of activities for adults and kids at the ski area. Anything from bungee jumping, mini-golf, bumper boats to go-carts. We scouted the area for fun as next week Kylie and Andrew, two of our grandchildren are coming for the week. Can't wait! I think a hike is in order for tomorrow.

First Day in Colorado

First order of business in Colorado was a day hike in the area around Montgomery Reservoir just over Hoosier Pass. The Taylors had scouted and hiked the area the week before the Crouses and the Terrals had arrived, and thought we would enjoy the hike. Below if you look very carefully just beyond the stream you will see some of our hiking group on the path. There is a beautiful waterfall flowing into the reservoir and Mike Terral and Lanie Taylor were the first to arrive on the rock and posed for a photo.

Here is Steve near the falls. The air was cool and dry, the sky the bluest blue and the sun warmed our skin.

The photo below was taken down the trail just a short way past the falls and an old mine. I guess this was a mixer that was used somehow at the abandoned mine.

And finally the view from above the main part of the falls, with just a small part of the mine building on the left, looking back toward Montgomery Reservoir.

After our hike, the ladies found a shady spot by the falls and the lake to take in the cool air while the guys grabbed their fishing poles and tried their luck in the reservoir. They did not catch anything today but had a great time trying.

Kansas Crouses

Steve and I are on our yearly vacation to Summit County Colorado via the Sam Crouse farm in Kansas. Steve's brother Sam owns about a million acres (or at least several thousand) planted mostly in wheat in far northwest Kansas. On Friday morning before we left for Colorado, Steve rode in the "buddy" seat in Sam's humongous sprayer as they sprayed for weeds in about 160 acres all before 9:00am. Here is Steve and Sam in front of the sprayer. Uncle Steve seems to be a favorite of his niece and nephews, or at least they make him feel special. They always warmly welcome him (and me) and seem to just enjoy spending time with him. Maybe it's his grandfatherly nature. Below are Amy, Uncle Steve and Will Crouse.

This is Ben. He has the most beautiful green eyes. He will be a lady-killer someday.

And this is Peter, better known to Uncle Steve as Pistol Pete. He is a very busy three year old. He tries his best to keep up with his older brothers and sister. Just make sure you know where your car keys are (or combine keys for that matter), they have been known to disappear around this little guy!

Sam, Jan and kids were preparing to go camping at a lake this weekend in their nearly new camper. They have a fishing spot there where they have caught numerous catfish, one as large as about 11 pounds. Jan and some friends were also entered in a sand sculpture contest up in Nebraska in conjunction with their camping trip. Sand sculptures in Nebraska?!

And lastly, this photo below is one view from their house. Lots of wide open spaces where you can see sunrise to sunset. It has a beauty all it's own.

Steve is already planning his yearly return in November for pheasant hunting and they might try their luck with wild turkeys this year. Thanks Kansas Crouses for your hospitality.

Photo Shoot

I am still very early in the learning process of mastering my new camera. I have been reading lots of tips for photography, but it can be confusing and just too much information for me to take in. I took advantage of another learning opportunity and photographed Andrew and Kylie while we were downtown Bryan over the weekend. Below are a few of my favorites of Kylie. She was very cooperative.

This is not something that Andrew really enjoyed, but I was so proud of him and the way he indulged my photography bug. He did his best to pose for me.

The photo below on first glance really shows Andrew's resemblance to his dad.

Below are a couple of the kids together.

Black and white is always an option.

I still need to work on exposure, focus and white balance.....wait, that's about the whole photographic process.....I have a long way to go.

100+ Degrees

Kylie and Andrew stayed with us for a few days and with the weather at 100+ degrees we made our way to the water every day. Below are the five grandkids at the pool. I caught Austin taking a break in the action.

We also went to the splash pad at Tanglewood park. We had it nearly to ourselves at 10 am.

Kylie spent the night with Austin and Ty spent the night with Andrew. Here are Andrew and Ty enjoying our small yard pool. We cool off any way we can!

Kylie was all smiles at the splash pad.

Austin and Kylie spent most of their time diving for water toys in the deep end of the pool.

Nathan, Ty and Andrew hung out together in the shallow end.

Nathan nearly lost his swim trunks!

Summer is fantastic....even if it is 100+ degrees!

Elm Creek Cafe

We must have passed the Elm Creek Cafe near Manheim on Hwy 21 a hundred times in the past 10 years but had never stopped. We were bringing Kylie and Andrew from Austin to College Station around lunch time and decided to give it a try. I grew up eating fried green tomatoes made with garden fresh tomatoes but this was the first time for Steve and Kylie. The concensus was....delicious......especially dipped in ranch.

Kylie popping a piece in her mouth. Mmmm.

Steve ordered the small order of chicken fried steak. Needless to say, he took half of his lunch home.

We topped off our meal by sharing a scrumptious piece of dewberry custard pie.

We really liked our lunch and will be timing our trips to stop at the cafe again soon!

Where Are We?

This post is especially for Heather, Shauna and Melissa. From only looking at the following photos....where would you be? I think you would be able to guess by seeing far fewer than the posted photos.

Sometimes it is comforting to have a few things in your life that are unchanging. Since moving to this farm 50 years ago and into their new home 40 years ago, most things around the Crouse homestead and farm remain unchanged. For the most part the items and scenes depicted in the collages are the same as they have been as long as any of our family can remember.....and we like it that way.

Summer Water Play

While Andrew was visiting Nanie and Papa a couple of weeks ago, I got out the wading pool for some water play. He thoroughly enjoyed the water and it was just what we needed to cool off.

Not as good as the splash pad or swimming pool, but an adequate substitute. We are looking forward for a return visit soon for Andrew and Kylie. Hopefully we will go to the splash pad or swimming pool, but if not....we'll enjoy the wading pool in our yard.