Life Through 9 Year Old Eyes

We found this "Chore Chart" that our 9 year old daughter created. She calls it as she sees it! (Zoom in to read)

Fireworks

Well, not really... It is actually ornamental grass that is lit up, but I think it looks like fireworks :)

Vision Fulfilled

In January of 2005 (Over a year before I moved to Delta), I registered a URL for a vision I had had for years to help out Boy Scouts in the area of selecting and packing the right equipment for their various activities. I had been a Scoutmaster, and spent a good deal of time helping parents and coaching scouts in this area, and that is where I saw the issue.

On August 28, 2006, I posted a shot taken from one of my favorite places to backpack. I did not know it at the time, but it was to become a main element in the vision I had for the Scouts.

Last August, my brother Dan and I started work on the site, and we made quick progress. We pulled in Dick, another scouting friend in Virginia to help us with art work. Earlier this month, we had the idea to draw the banner for the site as opposed to having a photograph, and I immediately recalled the shot you see above. I sent it off to Dick, and he quickly took on the challenge of making a drawing of the photograph to match the other drawings he had been doing for the site. His take on the picture is shown above as well.

Well today all of that has come together, and we published www.ScoutLists.com

We have a large list of enhancements already planned, but with version 1.0, you are able to select an activity, a climate, and a season, and get a packing list that is tailored to that combination. I would be interested in your thoughts on the site, would appreciate you forwarding it to any Boy Scouts you might know, and if you want to link to that site that would be great, as we are working on our Google rankings now.

It has been a fun project, and there is more to come, fit in of course between my picture taking time for DDP :)

Early Signs of Spring

Snow is still winning the battle on the mesa, but signs of spring are starting to show up in the valley as farmers begin to prepare the soil for another growing season. The snow pack is around 150% of normal on the mesa, and over 200% in other parts of the state, so it looks like lack of water will not be an issue this year. Now too much water, that could be another story.......

Looking For Green

It is interesting to look at small streams during the middle of winter. We tend to think they are dead, but far from it. Life abounds at the waters edge!

Fort Uncompahgre

I have lived in Delta for almost 2 years now, and have seen Fort Uncompahgre near Confluence Park, but we have never stopped in. It was first established in 1826 as a fur trading post, and now is a museum. I see that it is rated as one of the top tours in "Best Places to Take Your Kids in Colorado", so I guess a visit is in order. Get ready kids!

Birds of Iron

As you enter Confluence park, the artwork hints at what you will find......

Making it Just So!

If you open a new restaurant, you want to make a good impression, and this person seems to be working hard to do just that.

Waiting

There is still too much snow up on Grand Mesa for the mosquitoes to feel at home, so they wait down in Delta for the right moment to strike.

E-85

E-85 gasoline has hit delta, and the price has definitely got my attention. In the past, I have tried E-85 when crossing Iowa or Nebraska, but found my mileage dropped about 10%, and I did not save 10% on the cost. If this price difference holds, I suspect they will sell some corn!

Little Guy

This little guy recently showed up in town, and was built primarily by the owners little guy when he was 12. I sense a family business in the making!

Snow Time

Delta received a rather heavy snowfall last night, and the effects are obvious this morning. Tree branches are sagging, neighbors are shoveling, and the clouds and fog hug the ground. Time for the sun to start it's work.

The Night Before Valentines Day

Twas the night before Valentines Day,
And all through the shop,
Not a Florist was leaving,
In spite of the clock!

The flowers were hung,
From the rafters with care,
In hopes that many husbands and wives
Would soon be there!

You get the drift :)

Hope you have a great Valentines Day,
Especially my PAL!

I Don't Know About You

But I am going right!

Now one of these is my daughter, and I bet you can probably figure which one is her :)

Run Run As Fast As You Can

Determination jumps to mind watching this player!

Keep Your Eye On The Ball

These girls are intent on keeping their eye on the ball as I am sure the coaches must have instructed!

Heading Home

It was a cold snowy day on the mesa, but it was fun to watch the action. I am not sure if the dogs or drivers had more fun.....Yes I am, it was the dogs for sure!

Feeling Blue

This was a two day event, and the driver can not swap out dogs on day two. Only dogs who run day one can run day two, so they are marked with spray paint, so the judges can verify who has run. The dogs don't seem to mind. (Zoom in on the shot to see the details.)

Sorry for the washed out shot. Somehow, using mittens with my SLR, I was able to set my exposure to +2 around the time of this shot. It was snowing hard, and the camera only came out for seconds at a time, and I did not realize it untill I got home.

Finish Line

Some 45 minutes later, this team of 8 dogs and driver completed the 8 mile course. The deep blowing snow made for some very slow conditions, and this driver commented that he lost the trail, but somehow the dogs knew where to go. Man's best friend to the rescue.

Get Set & Go!

When they were released, the dogs exploded on to the trail, and the owner was along for the ride. The year before these same teams ran here, but the course went left about 100’ down the trail. This year it went right……. The dogs of the second sled out remembered that, and decided left was the way to go. The owner realized too late, lost the battle, and got to do some snow time. Of course, everyone ran out to help, and comment :)

On Your Mark

Getting the sled & dogs into the chute is a rather interesting process. These dogs have one thing on their mind, and that is the trail. Each pair on the team must be held back until the buzzer sounds.

Crazy Eyes

The bond between the owners and the dogs was fun to watch. "Crazy Eyes" was sitting patiently as her owner had instructed, but basically she was saying put that thing down, and pet me!

Modes of Transportation

There are a few different modes of transportation available up on the Mesa this day.

Where the Dogs Run

In the middle of Grand Mesa, in a place known as the no-name parking lot, the dogs gathered, but not before the snow did. Warning, don't eat the yellow snow......

As I write this, the mesa is covered in clouds again today, and I expect that even more snow has fallen over night. But here in Delta, about 20 miles away, there is no snow on the ground at all. The mesa is truly a world on to it's self, and a treasure to this area.

Good Night

Each night our camp was washed by a nearly full moon that got so bright, you really did not need a light to get around. One evening I walked out of camp down into the canyon, and just stood. The pale light all around me on the canyon walls slowly gave way to blackness as the canyon stretched out, and the silence was incredible.

Alas, we soon had to leave this special place and get back to reality, but I hope you have enjoyed my attempt to give you a glimpse of what we saw.

It’s now time to run up on to Grand Mesa to watch dog sledding. Hopefully I will get some good shots.

When People Think of Delta....

Dominating the northern sky is Grand Mesa, a 10,000+ foot flattop mesa that is actually the largest flattop mountain in the world. It gives us a good weather buffer keeping the valley mild, it provides a great view, and is a wonderful place to play. Tomorrow, I am going up there to watch a dog sled race! Look for pics next week.

Today is a theme day (when people think of my city, they think of...) among the City Daily Photo community. This month 135 (it's growing every month!) are participating. Please pay them a visit but keep in mind that not everyone lives on the same time zone.
Portland (OR), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Memphis (Tennessee), USA - Manila, Philippines - San Diego (CA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - New York City (NY), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - San Francisco (CA), USA - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - Mainz, Germany - Weston (FL), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Turin, Italy - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Bicheno, Australia - Durban, South Africa - Joplin (MO), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Brussels, Belgium - Chicago (IL), USA - Montpellier, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mazatlan, Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Toulouse, France - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Susanville (CA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Helsinki, Finland - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Lisbon, Portugal - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Trujillo, Peru - Dunedin (FL), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USAPort Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - London, UK - Baziège, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mumbai, India - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Stayton (OR), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arradon, France - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Athens, Greece - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Jackson (MS), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Budapest, Hungary - Rotterdam, Netherlands - St Malo, FranceChandler (AZ), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Cleveland (OH), USA - Nottingham, UK - Kansas City (MO), USA - The Hague, Netherlands - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Wrocław, Poland - Chateaubriant, France - Cheltenham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Monrovia (CA), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Toruń, Poland - Grenoble, France - Lisbon, Portugal - New Orleans (LA), USA - Sydney, Australia - Boston (MA), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Wichita (KS), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Christchurch, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Wailea (HI), USA - Aliso Viejo (CA), USA - St Francis, South Africa - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Seattle (WA), USA - Pasadena (CA), USA - Vienna, Austria - Orlando (FL), USA - Torun, Poland - Delta (CO), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Paris, France - Stavanger, Norway - Niamey, Niger - Le Guilvinec, France - Bogor, Indonesia - Saarbrücken, Germany - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Juneau (AK), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Glasgow, Scotland - Chicago (IL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Sydney, Australia - Riga, Latvia - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Terrell (TX), USA - Terrell (TX), USA - -