Jan - Mar 2004

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JANUARY 2004

The trip is over and its nice to be home.  I missed Mike, and it was great to see him waiting with open arms at the airport when we arrived.  Now its back to the real world and back to work tomorrow…

Leave Saturday and pick up Chelsie, then Asia and Zoie, and then head toward Ponca and Buffalo Outdoor Center.  Sunday morning, breakfast at the girl’s cabin then off to meet Tim Ernst, wilderness photographer and more, at the Lost Valley parking area.  Hit the trail… lots of water running.  There is even a waterfall that Tim says he has never seen before.  Now that is something.  Eden Falls, has a lot of water and the scenery is just beautiful.  Chelsie's doing a lot better.  She is walking a lot better and not having as much trouble with balance and dealing with those stumbling boulders…

Off the beaten path and over a low water bridge, we found the trail… wasn’t sure exactly which way to go but we guessed and we guessed right.  Down an old logging road, we set off, and not far from the trailhead, we find the falls that were just gorgeous.  Lots of water flowing.  There was so much water, that we could not cross to find the other falls that are in the area.  That one will have to wait for another day! 

We pick Tommy up and take him to breakfast at Golden Corral, apparently his favorite breakfast spot.  Then off to REI, to get some stuff for the upcoming Colorado trip.  Of course they didn't have everything we needed or wanted.  I guess that's typical.  Tommy got to climb the wall there.  I was a little worried that Tommy would chicken out, but he just scooted right up to the top and rang that bell.  Then it was off to Joe's Crab Shack in Plano.   Good fun and great food… good margaritas too! 

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FEBRUARY 2004

Well its another fun night at Flying Fish and Willy D's.  This time we bring Wendy along and a couple of friends of mine.  Everybody seems to really enjoy themselves, and Danny (check out his band "The Old School") and Pam said that they have found a new favorite place to go at Willy D's.  The guys at the pianos were in rare form and the guest player, Tommy Smith, made the show a lot more interesting then the norm… if that is possible.

A little worse for wear after the previous night’s outings…  We eat a bite at Cotham's and then head to Morris Antiques, where Mike had purchased the antiques in the house.  This is the first time that I have really ever looked at antiques.  We will be doing some trading there when Mike gets back into the house.

Later we head to Lonoke and pick up Chelsie for the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce fund raiser.  I have a couple of pieces of Jewelry in the silent auction part that Mike’s business donated.  The pieces didn't bring a lot, but I think the people that purchased them were quite happy with their items.

Nice hike… a little ice and snow still on the ground from a small snowfall a few nights before.  Not any on the actual trail.

For me it seemed it was all uphill.  The feet really kicked in on this hike…

The next stop was Brown Creek Cascade.  From the campsite… we had to cross a little stream, well that was interesting.  Just knew some shoes were going to get wet.  Once across the stream, we made our way down a forest road to the cascade.  It looked just like a postcard, the water was flowing and we didn't even bring a camera, last time for that mistake.  At least we hope so! 

With Mike at the wheel, and I in the passenger seat, Wendy in the back and Asia thinking about sleep in the very back seat, we leave Little Rock, around 5:00.  Driving through Oklahoma and Kansas watching the temperature gauge on the Suburban continuously changing.  We cross the border into Colorado at 5:33AM MST, that's 6:33 Arkansas time.  Watch the temp change it hits 0deg at 5:54AM and somewhere between then and Limon Colorado it dropped to -4deg.  The lowest we would see this trip.  Get into Boulder at 9:30, waited about 30 minutes to get into the REI store there, for some last minute equipment shopping.  Mike buys some shovels and one-turns out to be purple.  I wonder who will get that one to use.  J

Then back on the road to Estes Park.  Heading into Estes Park, the sites were incredible.  It was my first time to ever see the mountains.  The scenery was breathtaking with lots of snow on the ground and on the mountains.  There are Elk everywhere… herds of them, on the side of the road, on the road, in peoples yards, and even on the Golf Course.  Going through town we stopped at a little spot to grab some lunch.  "Locals" is a little restaurant/bar that serves everything from sandwiches to pizza.  Our accommodations for this trip were at Castle Mountain Lodge.  The lodge was nice and very well furnished and comfortable, however the lady behind the counter must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something.  It was not a good experience dealing with her.  We would not recommend staying unless she is replaced.

Once checked in and get the car unloaded, its time to catch a few "Z's".  Then we are up and going again.  Head out to do some sightseeing.  Head to Longs Peak Ranger station to try and catch a Ranger, Mike being curious about the conditions on the mountain.  At the station of course no one was there, but Wendy and I got to see the trailhead and strap on some snowshoes for the first time.  Not as bad as I thought, a little clumsy but not too bad!  Then it was back to town to find some dinner at a little quaint restaurant in an old church that was converted into a small shopping mall.  Most of the businesses, due to the time of the year, had either closed down for the winter or closed early for winter hours, so the dinning options were not too great, but the food was good and so was the company.  Then it was off to buy groceries!  Oh boy, what an exciting time…  Back to the lodge for some rest for the upcoming day!

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It was breakfast at the lodge.  I cooked griping about the electric stove, then it was off to Longs Peak Ranger Station, after a stop at Starbuck's for Asia and Zoie’s morning fix.  At the Ranger station we geared up and hit the trail by 9:45AM.  It doesn't take long for Asia and Zoie, the younger folk, to run off and leave us.  Once they were gone Mike wishes he had given them one of the walkie talkies instead of giving it to me.  Oh well…  We decide to take a short cut.  What seems straight up to me, going through the woods, cutting off some of the switchbacks.  Once we make it back to the trail, we realize that we had gotten ahead of Asia and Zoie, much to their surprise! The walkie-talkie was transferred to Asia at that point, which ended up being a good thing, because we were off again and like that, they were gone!  The way up the mountain was beautiful, having to stop to catch our breath, especially Wendy and I.  Me more then Wendy, the feet thing had kicked in, but I kept on going, anxious to see the beauty that was ahead of us.  Once above timberline we realized that we had not eaten yet, so we decided to stop and take a break for some much needed rest and energy.  At this point the wind was blowing pretty good and the cold started setting in.  The goal was to make it to Chasm Lake, which is an alpine lake below the boulder field of Longs Peak.  However it was getting late and my feet were hurting so bad, that I was afraid that I wouldn't make it back.  Disappointed, we turned around, less then a mile away from our goal, and headed back down the mountain.  Tired and in need of food and showers, we arrive back at the Longs peak Ranger Station at 5:00PM.

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It was breakfast at the lodge again, then off to Bear Lake access, one of the most popular parts of Rocky Mountain National park.  A Starbuck's run had been run prior to our group departure for Bear Lake.  We take off from the parking area around 10:00AM, where there are a bunch of other groups getting ready to hit the trail.  First it’s to Bear Lake, which is only about 200 yards from the parking area, then down the trail.  No snowshoes yet, but they are attached to our packs.  It was a bit tricky walking through the thick snow, even with packed trails and without the snow shoes, but we adjust and go on.  The trail is very pretty, snow covered, of course, to Nymph Lake.  We took a little break at a bench so I could shed some unnecessary layers of clothing at that time.  Then it was back on the trail, well at least we thought it was…  Mike took a wrong turn on the trail and somehow we end up having to climb up this steep bank to get back on the main trail.  Now before you start saying, "You dummies how could you get off the trail?"…  There were so many different paths that there were a lot of times you really did not know what was the right trail.  Short cuts, are not always a good thing… they may be short for you, but trouble for others.  Those extra paths did cost a little from time to time.  Back on the right trail, we start an ascent around a portion of a hill, where small waterfalls became pretty ice formations.  Photo ops…  Now back to business and on the trail.  Along the trail was a nice little overhang that looked over one of the lakes, I think it was Nymph, and a great view of Longs Peak was in the background… another good photo op.  PS:  there are a lot of good photo ops.  Down the trail a ways we get to Dream Lake, which is one of the most photographed lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park.  The wind really got to us crossing the frozen lake, wide open with nothing to block it.  Once off that lake we are off to Emerald Lake, with a stop for lunch where it’s not so windy, and a little avalanche beacon search and rescue education.  With impatient young folk… we headed for Emerald Lake, the end of the trail basically.  The only regret was that we didn't go to the other side of that lake.  Well that will just have to wait for the next trip.  Back on the trail, this time with snowshoes on feet, turn around and back toward the trailhead.  Once back at the trail head… we realize there is an emergency situation going on, and a Ranger/Medical personnel is required.  Not able to get a signal on Mike’s cell phone, we load our gear quickly and head down the mountain to find a spot where we can get a call into the rangers.  About 5 miles down the road or so, Asia is able to get enough signal to make the call, and tries to explain that a women was either sliding or tubing and hit a tree and was in need of medical attention at Bear Lake.  She could not understand much of what the person on the other end of the phone was saying, so we just hope that he got the message.  Minutes later there were Ranger vehicles heading up the mountain with sirens on, so we were sure that they got the message.

Back into Estes Park we went to Estes Park Mountain Sports, think that was the name, anyway spent way too much money, but it was all stuff that will be used on future trips.  This place was great a lot of really good deals on name brand merchandise, especially women's stuff.  Then it was back to the lodge to change for dinner.  Wanting pizza, we went to this place downtown that Mike had eaten at before.  Well because of the slow season, they were closed and ended up at another pizza place, you know the kind that all the locals go to.  Wish I could tell you guys the name of it, but I don't remember, but it is worth going back the next time we are there.  Well its back to the lodge again to pack up for the trip home.  How come it is always so easy to pack to leave for a trip but always so hard to pack to come home…  I guess that means we had a good time huh?

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We picked up Tommy and took him to his favorite breakfast spot, Golden Corral.  Then it was off to Pro-cuts to get him a haircut, and then to Best Buy to spend the money that his Gramps, Granny (92 year old Great Grandmother) and Mike gave him for his birthday.  With (2) Gameboy games in Tommy's hand, a Kenny Chesney CD in my hand, and a Power inverter and Cheryl Crow CD in Mike's hand, we check out and head back to Tommy's dad's house to get ready for the birthday party.

Tom, Tommy's dad, had rented one of those blow up bouncing houses, once it was setup, of course Tommy had to jump right in, literally.  Once in, it wasn't long till he had begged Mommy, me, to come in with him.  After about 15 minutes of jumping, I had had enough and called it quits.  The kids showed up, and all heck broke loose, now I know why I only had one child.  The kids had a great time, jumping in that bouncing house, with only one minor accident with one kid's teeth meeting another ones forehead.  When the party's over… and all but one other kid gone, we pile in the truck, Mike and I, Tom and his wife Wendy, Tommy, and his friend Brian, and are off to Joe's Crab Shack.  The kids get alien balloon hats, and the gang at Joe's sing Happy Birthday to Tommy.  Once dinner is over, we head back to Tom's house to watch a movie.  Then we go back to our hotel, to crash after a very very busy day.

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We parked at the Campground area at the Cossatot Falls and walk down the trail and across a couple of pretty hefty bridges that will be there for a long time.  We continued on to the falls.  Over boulders and slick steps.  The water was flowing, but not really high.  When you see it this way, I can't imagine people actually float these falls.  It was an incredible site to say the least.

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The feet get fixed, we hope… and its several days off work for me, and a lot of work for Mike to take care of me.  It will take about 2 months to know if the surgery worked, and I have to limit my activity for 6 weeks.  Well at least I’m supposed to.  We'll see what I do…

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MARCH 2004

After 3 ½ weeks of goofy looking shoes…  Stitches and all bandages are off the feet and I am VERY happy to get "real" shoes on.  The Doc says to take it easy, because the feet are not 100% yet, but gives the okay to start doing some exercising.  Yippee!!!!  That night we load up the suburban with mats in the back and camp out at Mt. Nebo, well if you can call it camping…  NOT!  We really just took the back seat out of the Suburban and put the sleeping bags in the back.  With portable DVD player along, we curl up in the back and watch a few episodes of "Sex and the City".  I think Mike is hooked!

Well before we head toward Paris AR we take a little look see around the top of Mt. Nebo, check out some of the future consideration.  From there we head toward Paris and Mt. Magazine… on the way, we stop by briefly to view the grounds at Subiaco, a Catholic Boarding School, which once was monastery.

At the entrance to the State Park, there is a really nice visitor's center with a lot of information about the area, the mountain, hiking trails around the state park, and other state parks.  Mt. Magazine has the highest natural point in the state of Arkansas, 2,753 feet above sea level.  However, you can not drive to this point; this is a short hike up "Signal Hill Trail, 1.5 miles, one way, to the top.  There is a register at the top that can be signed, to show that you were there.  We did not make it to the top that day, due to rain, burn off, and the uncertainty of my feet.  This will have to wait for another time.

We decide to head to Hot Springs from here and travel down the scenic highway 7, and do a little window shopping downtown on Bath House Row.  Afterwards it's a nice steak dinner at Coy's Steak House, and back home.

Mike enjoys a nice ride on the Little Rock bike trail with his new bicycle.  It makes a big difference having a good bike!

It’s another night of Shrimp and piano playing…  This time Robert & Laurie meet us at Willy D's.  However it’s not the best show we have ever seen.  One of the regular guys is not there, the guy I think of as Phil Collins, and the guest player, though his piano skills were awesome, just could not hold a candle to what we are use to.  I believe Robert had a great time, but I don't think Laurie appreciated them picking on her when she wouldn't sing along.  She was definitely made an example of.

This is my first trip to Center Ridge, but I have heard a lot about it.  It is a small catholic community that puts on a Spaghetti Supper twice a year.  Once in March, and a big one in June.  All the food is homemade from the smoked sausages to the spaghetti noodles and sauces.  Though I was feeling a little under the weather, I was able to eventually enjoy the food.

This section of the trail has some interesting terrain.  Makes for a great hike!  Flowers were starting to bloom out so there was a little bit of color to be seen.  This is the first real hike since my surgery, and the feet do pretty good, even though they are still not 100%.  Going downhill still is a little touchy.  But at least there is some hope for normality… if there is such a thing.

This morning we are in TX, and once up and running… we head over to the Soccer Complex in the McKinney area, to watch Tommy play soccer.  Today he is playing his best friends team, and he has several family members there to watch him.  Tom’s wife’s family is here for a wedding, so all are here to cheer Tommy on.  The final score is 1 to 1.  I guess that is a good thing, that way he and Brian can't fight about who won and who lost.  After the game Mike and I head to Dallas to do some shopping at the REI store.  After several hours looking at everything, we head down the street a bit to Belt Line and a little Glass Art Gallery that I found about a year ago.  They have several glass jewelry artists that sell their work there, and I always like to see what other artists have created.  Afterwards it's to the "Blue Goose", a Mexican restaurant in Addison.  We are to meet some of my friends from Pathways, a lifestyle management program started by Dr. Phil.

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Its breakfast at Golden Coral and then to "Towne Lake" park, for some bike riding.  Nice little park with concrete bike/running trail, and then off to the side and over a low water bridge, there was some small dirt trails that were really fun to pedal on.

After that we make a stop at the Outlet Mall in Allen TX.  Now there is a place that you could spend days at!

Well its getting late into the afternoon, so its time to start thinking about heading back to AR.  So we drop Tommy off back at home, and then its 5 hours to Little Rock.

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