Saturday, August 22, 2009

Crystal Reservoir


Mike was doing some never-ending Colorado research and found that we have two reservoirs about 20 minutes from us that we didn't know about and they were suppose to be pretty good fishing. We haven't gotten any fishing in this summer, with Raeann, so we haven't even bothered to buy fishing licenses, but we wanted to go check it out and see if it was worth fishing at next summer. Crystal Reservoir is formed between Morrow Point Dam and Blue Mesa Dam and looks more like a river than a reservoir. The water level is constantly rising and dropping and you either walk your boat down or walk down and shore fish, which means not very many people take advantange of the fishing here. You can see Morrow Point Dam in this picture. I thought the coolest thing about the dam is that the power plant is actually built inside the mountain on the right.
Raeann LOVES the Snugli now that she can actually be turned around in it and see everything.
The reservoir is actually joined by Cimarron Creek. I saw at least two fish jump here at the seam.

Cimarron Creek
After crossing the bridge there was an even longer trail along the reservoir.

I finally got Mike to wear the Snugli. I think he actually enjoyed it.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

A Movin' and a Shakin'


I just love her smiles and giggles! It's really hard to get a giggle captured on the camera because you never know what she's going to laugh at. Something she laughs at one minute suddenly isn't all that funny to her the next.

I was hoping to catch Raeann's "headplow" where she puts her head down and her butt up and tries to push herself, but this is a cute capture anyway.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Early Bird

Whoa birds! This scene in our backyard yesterday morning reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock's movie "Birds." These birds emptied both feeders that I had filled the morning before in just a couple of hours.

Silvershield Trail, Ouray

After seeing the falls, we decided to try this new trail we'd seen driving in. It was pretty steep at some parts, but we only went to the first overlook, which was about 0.3 miles.
A beautiful view of Ouray about halfway up the trail.
At the first overlook, called Memorial Overlook. The bench and rock memorial was built in memory of a woman. What a great place to leave your name!
The northern view...
Across the road were three mining buildings still intact. I've put orange squares around them to help you locate them better. It's amazing how the men even got to work every week!

Cascade Falls, Ouray

On the second "practice" day that our babysitter for the school year took Raeann we decided to take advantage of a baby-less day and do some hiking, which I haven't been able to do all summer. I always wanted to go to the Cascade Falls in Ouray. I always see the sign everytime we are there, but we never went. It was actually only about a quarter mile hike two blocks from the main street in Ouray. I thought it was totally worth it.
The falls in the distance. I am actually standing in the streambed, but it was really low as it is the end of the summer. You can see all the rocks and uprooted trees in the bed, as the falls have flooded many times. Much of the town, we learned, is actually a flood zone because of these falls.
From top to bottom. Actually, this is only the lower Cascade Falls. It is actually comprised of 7 falls altogether.
A little closer, looking up. Quite beautiful!


Mike decided to be adventurous and climb up to a ledge that ran through under the falls. He said it was fun; I'm not sure I'd want to be that wet.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Cereal encounter

I've begun trying to feed Raeann cereal each morning. These pictures are very deceiving because most of the time she's throwing a huge ol' fit about it and trying to get out of the Bumbo chair. Needless to say, as you can see, not much actually gets into her mouth or down her throat.

Sleep Tight

These are a little blurry because I had to turn the flash off so I wouldn't wake Raeann when I took them. Raeann will now sleep in all kinds of positions if left long enough, she's become so mobile. I don't mind, because that means I don't have to worry about her getting into a spot where she can't fall asleep. I get more sleep now too!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Day at the Beach

We spent a few hours at Ridgway Reservoir yesterday. It was a very bright and sunny day. We had made a stop at Target to get Raeann a sun bonnet, but unfortunately, they were all out, so with the exception of taking this picture, Raeann and I spent most of the time in the shade. I think she is thinking, "It's way too bright out here! I can't even open my eyes!" in this picture.
Raeann in her great little sun tent.
A little smile for the camera.
And, of course, she couldn't be in there too long without rolling over.