Rose Rocks

I recently received a couple of rose rocks as a thank-you gift.....never knew they existed.....

Oklahoma designated rose rock (barite rose) as the official state rock in 1968. These rocks were formed by barite rock crystals during the Permian Age and resemble blooming roses. They are found in only a few rare places around the globe. Barite Rose Rocks can be found in clusters with only two roses to as many as hundreds of roses (some clusters weigh hundreds of pounds).
In Oklahoma, the distinctive red soil colors them in hues ranging from reddish brown to cinnamon - rose rocks are sought after and prized worldwide. An old Cherokee legend says the rocks represent the blood of the braves and the tears of the maidens who made the devastating "Trail of Tears" journey in the 1800's to Oklahoma.

Hiking the Crags!

Bristlecone Pine

Good views of the Waldo Canyon Fire burn area

Charlie dug a little hole in the creek and  made a cool spot for himself.



Need to ID this bird!



On Sunday after the Woodchopper Golf Tournament (the guys won) we took Mike on the Crag's Hike with Tyler, Lauren, and Charlie.  It was a beautiful day and the hike was wonderful.  We stopped at Amanda Fonda for a birthday lunch (Mike's). Charlie did great on the hike (so did Mike).

Woodchoppers.....2012

This past week was the Woodchopper's Golf Tournament.  Mike came out from Ohio to play with Arn.  They played lots of golf and had a great time and came  in 1st place in their flight.  The trophy looks similar to the British Open trophy.  Watch for pics......we ordered a DVD of the weeks activities.

Kissing Camels!

Last Monday I was able to golf at Kissing Camels Country Club.  It is absolutely beautiful.  Our opponents were great, the food was delicious, and the pro shop is well stocked.  I shot 105 (47 on the front).  It is much easier than our course which really helps my score since I'm frequently out of bounds, in water, etc. The Waldo Canyon Fire came very close to Kissing Camels and the burn area was extensive very close to the area.

Dawson's Butte

My usual hiking trails are closed right now due to the fire danger so this past week I headed north to try out Dawson's Butte.  It was an easy 5 mile loop which would make a great snowshoe or cross country ski trail. It would also be great for kids.  I started out a little late and it was hot so next time I'll go in the early morn or later evening.  I was dissapointed that the trail didn't go up on the top of the butte.  Also for about 2 miles of the trail I could see and hear an occasional car.  The views were pretty and the length was good so I'd probably do it again sometime.


Dawson Butte sometimes known as Dawson Mountain was named for an early homesteader on West Plum Creek named Thomas Dawson. Mr. Dawson came to the area in the early 1860's and staked out squatters rights below the butte. He was the first postmaster at Bear Canyon. Dawson Butte is a 7,476 foot landmark for both East and West Plum Creek. The 1820 Stephen Long expedition climbed the butte to determine their location. This was one of the early expeditions through Plum Creek and this mountain is documented in field notes. Because of the unusual washes on the side and the way the sun would shadow on those washes the turn of the century settlers could always tell what time it was. The Dawson arkose geological formation which extends over much of Douglas County derived its name from Thomas Dawson and Dawson Butte. - Larkspur Historical Society

More Rodeo Pics!

What a View!

Yipee ki yi yo get along little Dogie

Yesterday I was invited to attend the Pikes Peak Rodeo.....it was my first time seeing a rodeo!  It was like another world.  (I need to keep an eye out at Goodwill for a 'snap' cowboy shirt and a big belt buckle).  Teri, John, Terri, and I met, had dinner and hobnobbed with the 'sponsors'.  It was really fun and entertaining.  We saw some performing pigs before going in to the rodeo.  I didn't see anybody 'sagging' or 'low-riding', just lots and lots of tight jeans, snap shirts, and cowboy hats.  Some of the events were calf roping, bull riding, buckin' broncos, barrel racing, a parade, and tributes ot the armed forces.  The cutest one was 'mutton bustin' in which an 8-9 yr. old kid is place on a small sheep and tries to see how long they can stay on him.  I got some pics from the Gazette and will add some of my own later.

Another thing I learned about are the 'Girls of the West'.   It's a very prestigous group of beautiful girls with very good horsemanship skills.  One girl earnes the award each year and it follows you for your lifetime.

I Can Grow Something! Sambucus Nigra

Our Black Lace Elderberry that I planted a couple of years ago is thriving.  It must like acidic soil.  I really like elderberries (a memory from my childhood) but Arn really dislikes them.  When I bought this plant @ Tagawa (a wonderful nursery north of Parker) the specialist didn't even know you could eat the berries.

The bush has yet to produce berries.  Ususally with the monsoons (now here), it will get destroyed by the hail (had some last night) and I'm not sure if that is why it has never produced fruit.  We'll see this year......if not, Meredith knows some secret places (not really secret, people just don't know or like the berries) in Boulder.  Right now I have two bottles of Elderberry Syrup which I'm using to sweeten tea and use on pancakes. 

Charlie's Vacation

Charlie and friend, Dumbo



Chewing fun



Getting a drink after a walk around Palmer Lake



Drinking from the hose.





Good Come........

 Charlie's spending his vacation in Monument this year.  He's had lots of excitement with the forest fire and got to meet Uncle Stan and Aunt Bea while they were evacuated.  He's learning to 'Come', and listens most of the time.  He spends his days exploring the yard , playing with ants and an occasional beetle, trying to eat plants, chewing sticks, and sleeping.  He sleeps all night and does well in the laundry room during the day if we leave him for a little while. I think he really likes his Gma and Gpa!

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! These are pics of flags in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood.  The fire is 80 % contained and last evening the temp was in the 60's with an evening of rain.  It was beautiful. Most of the festivities have been postponed. I think we'll just eat out and watch the fundraising concert televised from the World Arena.

Fulgerites......love them!

Most people know I'm afraid of lightning and avoid being outside with any of it nearby.  With the recent fires I've been thinking of random lightning strikes (even tho these fires weren't caused by it).  These random formed 'rocks' are caused by lightning and I am drawn to them for some reason. Maybe it's their random earthy shape and what caused them......who knows. I try to bring a couple of them home from the beach whenever we go to add to my collection.

'The name fulgerite is taken from the latin word for lightning (fulgur). Fulgerite is formed when lightning strikes moist sand. As the lightning hits the earth it superheats the sand. This causes the sand to melt and fuse together, very similar to what happens when glass is made. After cooling by the lower temperature of the surrounding air or ocean water, a rough and lumpy object is formed.

Fulgerite is very commonly found on the Corolla beaches. It ranges in size from several inches to a foot or more in diameter. Frequently seashells and other objects are embedded in the fulgerite. Low tide is the optimum time to search, as well as after a storm. Don't overlook this uncommon treasure of the area when strolling the beach.'  Courtesy of Google

WCF - Update

Stan and Bea returned to their home Friday night.  They found nothing out of the ordinary.  The freezers were still frozen, no signs of breakins (another neighborhood had 22 burglaries), and no smoke in the house.  The fire is 45 % contained and the preevacuation for Monument and Palmer Lake is lifted.  Time for more organization around our house to be prepared for any future evacuations.  We did have some rain without lightning yesterday afternoon but sure could use a bunch more.  We spent last eve weed eating our tall 'grasses' since the HOA requires us to 'mow' two times a summer. We still smell plenty of smoke though and hear lots of planes going over.