Nebraska Sunrise

One great thing about working on a drilling rig all night in Nebraska is the fantastic sunsrises you get to see in the morning!

A Visit to Glenwood Springs

The national caver convention is in Colorado every 20 years, and this year it is being held at Glenwood Springs.

The kickoff party was being held at Glenwood Caverns on Monday night, so I took off Monday and Tuesday to visit with old friends I have made being a caver and through developing Glenwood Caverns.

Monday morning I drove over to Glenwood Springs, took the tram up to the cave, and walked down hill to visit our neighbors to our cave and my good friends, JAC and Celina.

JAC and Celina have the adjacent property down slope from Glenwood Caverns.   They have one of the most unique homes in the U.S.   Their home is built inside a cave in a cliff about 600' above Glenwood Springs and the Colorado River.

The building to the left of their pickup is an elevator that JAC bought in a government auction from a hydroelectric dam in South Dakota.   Their truck and the elevator are sitting on the edge of the cliff their home is in.

Prior to the recent addition by JAC of an elevator shaft and elevator, one would have to take the stairs down to their home.

After walking down about 150 stairs along the side of the cliff, you turn the corner and you are at their home.

Once your in their home, you quickly forget that it has been built inside a cave on a cliff.  Until you look out the picture window and see hawks soaring by, or when you walk on the deck and look down 600' to the river.

JAC and Celina are some of the hardest workers I have ever met!  

Whenever I am feeling over whelmed with one of my projects, I think of building a home in a cliff!   Now that is a project!!!

Mt Gailbrath Hike

Joanne wanted to stay close to home, so we chose a hike we could do from the house.  Mt. Gailbrath.  About 9 to 10 miles round trip from our house.

Looking back toward home at the start of the trail. 

The trailhead is about a 2 mile walk from our house.

All of the rain we have enjoyed has made it a late flower season.  We both gave the hike two thumbs up!

Joanne even spotted a small rattlesnake that we could poke with a stick to add to the excitement and adventure!

Great Day!

Monday Lookout Mountain Sunrise Ride

Up at 4 am, back by 6am. 

Hard to beat!

Start of Arbor Entry

Most of my material has arrived and it is time to start the arbor entry into the back yard.  

The pergolla top will have an arched top to it.

The pergolla will eventually be stained to match the gate.
We are going to cement in 4"by4" steel tube for posts to attach the pergolla and gates to.

Then build a box around each column and put stone on the box.

Then we'll start the fence and tie it into the arbor.

My friend Derek who has done other projects for us is doing most of the work.  I was going to be the helper, but have been demoted to a one arm helper.  Which means I will slow Derek down even more than usual.  :)

Four Weeks

It has been four weeks since I broke my collar bone, and I took a spin up Lookout Mountain this morning.

It was so nice to be able to enjoy a summer day on the bike!

My pain is pretty minor as long as I don't raise my arms above  shoulder level.

Riding was almost pain free, however getting my sweaty jersey off makes me whimper like a little baby.

I rode my mountain bike today for the cushy ride and more upright position.   I am going to take the road bike up tomorrow and push the heart rate a little more!  :~)

Hopefully, I am about 5 weeks away from mountain bikeing again!

I would really like to go with Joey to visit Kevin Ferris for some riding before the weather turns!!!!