Big Meadow Lake

Up early and out to Big Meadow Lake for some fishing and hiking. When we first arrived it was quite a sight. The clear blue sky reflected the hills surrounding the lake on the mirror surface.

One of those mornings when you didn't care if you caught fish or not but just soak up the beauty,--which was good because we didn't catch any.

A family of Merganser Ducks floating thru the reflected light.

By the time we left the clouds rolled in and waves on the water 

It's usually a nice 4 mile hike around the lake. Today was a bit more challenging as a foot bridge on the trail was completely washed out. Bit  of a scramble to get across the stream but we made it. Obviously very high water at some point since we were here last year.

More Evening Grossbeaks. Can't find these guys in Tucson.

On the road again--to Colorado

On our way to Colorado!

4 hour drive --first sight of Colorado 

Had to stop at this Amish Bakery to pick up supplies--fried pies, fresh baked bread, fresh made frozen dinner--and free coffee and donuts just for shopping here. This is a must stop on our way to Creed.

View from deck of our cabin overlooking South Fork of Rio Grande River.

With a hot tub literally steps from our cabin!! Aaaaahhh!!!

Evening Grossbeaks at the feeder 

Rufous hummingbird guarding "his" feeder.

  It's my Birthday and it was a wonderful one. Texts and phone calls from grand girls and kids, emails and messages from family and friends certainly made me feel loved. Thanks everyone--and especially Will.

Onto Santa Fe

Short 70 mile last day from Taos to Santa Fe. Stopped at famous St Francis of Asi historic church. Real adobe structure dates back to Spanish settlement and each year local parisheners put new coat of Adobe to preserve outside walls. Oldest preserved standing church in Taos area. Also made famous by paintings/photographs by likes of Ansel Adams, Georgia O'Keefe.

Stopped at a fruit stand for a taste of fresh peaches and "plucots." Got to talking to owner who told us this orchard/land had been in her family for 17 generations, since 1567!! Since Conquistadors first claimed this area.

Lia and I enjoyed the Georgia O'Keefe museum in Santa Fe. Fun to introduce Lia to Georgia.

And then it was time to drop Lia off for her 10 days at National Youth Opera Academy. About 70 young people between 13 and 18 will sharpen their musical/voice/performance skills and actually stage an opera written especially for this week and performed on last day of camp. We will be in the audience to see her!!

Leaving Nebraska -- 2 days on the road

We kidnapped Lia and took her with us as we headed West. Corn fields turned into wheat fields, then grasslands and endless hiway. Two long days driving and introducing the Heartland to Lia.

She had to try a Midwest staple--Country Fried Steak in Fort Morgan Colorado the first night. She said she liked it--but I wonder if she will order it again.

Lunch along the highway second day

Finally a view of the Rocky Mountains 

Second night Taos, New Mexico at El Pueblo Lodge. Best accomodations ever.

Time for a peek at a Taos art museum, a walk around the Taos Plaza, and dinner.

A short 70 mile drive tomorrow to Sante Fe, our destination where we will drop Lia off for a 10 day adventure at the National Youth Opera Academy!!

She is so excited to go. And so fun for us have her along with us as we traveled across the country to get her here. Hey, it's on our way home!!

Enjoying Lincoln

We took a guided tour of Nebraska's Capitol in Lincoln. Amazing building--so unlike other state's. The tower is visible for miles. Filled with gorgeous stonework, mosaics, paintings--an architectural wonder. 

The Highschool Championship Rodeo Finals are in Lincoln this week and we just had to go. Definitely a new experience for Lia--and Doug! Was really fun to watch it thru their eyes. We all had a great time. To think these rodeo participants were high school kids!!

Ever had a "fried peach"? On a stick?Had to try it, was surprisingly good.

Unfortunately it was a blisteringly hot day couple of days. With the high humidity it was pretty bad.

 The final event of Lia's Archery Tournament -- the team competition --was cancelled. 100+ degrees was deemed just too dangerous for the hundreds of kids that would be out there.

Day 2

All ready to start second day of Competition. Rain quickly began to make the day less perfect. But drizzling rain didn't slow anything down. Lia's target competition finished by noon. 

For lunch we did a iconic "Nebraska" fast food. A Runza!! It's a meat/cabbage/onion mixture tucked inside a dough and baked. We had to try it and decided it was pretty tasty. Probable not going to replace a good burger, but glad we tried it.

First day of Competition

Can you see Lia?

Just to show how big this event actually is. This is a line up of competition for "women under 18 - Recurve Bow". There are all ages up to 21--men, women, various distance -30 meters, 60, 70. . all kinds of bows--which I don't understand--Lia's is Recurve, that's all I know! 

 Second day cleared up and weather actually was kinda perfect. Competition rounds today and tomorrow.

JOAD Target Nationals

It's all about Archery for next 5 days. First day was unofficial practice sessions on the field. Nice day but windy

Today was official practice rounds. Check-In and Equipment Check. Unfortunately it rained so was not a pleasant day. But it's a rain or shine sport so Lia is out there in the drizzling, cold rain.

We are under a canopy enjoying the activities and trying to stay dry. We brought the canopy from home thinking we could have some shade from hot sun. Glad we have it!

Westside Iowa

We picked up Doug and Lia at the Omaha airport and drove immediately to my Iowa hometown, Westside. Doug was anxious to show his daughter his rural Iowa roots--well his mother's Iowa roots actually, but he had lots of memories to share from when he was little and visits to his grandparents on the farm.

And his uncle Larry and Jean.  Larry took us on a nostalgic drive out in the countryside to visit old haunts. But it's nothing like we remember growing up!

Lunch with the whole bunch.

Visited Westside cemetery to find my parents gravestone.

The church in Arcadia where I grew up in and Will and I were married in 59 years ago!

We drove past where the farm was that I grew up on but sadly it shows no sign of ever being a farmstead. All the buildings are gone, even the old driveway is just a strip across the fields that completely engulf the old farm.

When a farm stays in one family for at least 100 years the state of Iowa designates it a Century Farm. This one was my dad's brother's farm.

Just driving the old roads and witnessing the vast, lush, green fields was quite a sight.

Then it was time to head to our next destination --Lincoln, Nebraska

Passing through Omaha on interstate 80 I spied an iconic roadside attraction that I remembered from my childhood. The "big coffeepot" advertising Sups Coffee. I'm pretty sure the brand no longer exists but the giant coffee pot remains!

Here is the reason we are going to be in Lincoln for next week. Lia is competing