Wagons West!

Eastward I go only by force; but westward I go free....  that way the nation is moving, and I may say that mankind progresses from east to west.  -Henry David Thoreau

I live in Colorado and grew up in Missouri. So pioneers moving west have fascinated me for years. The pioneers inspire courage, determination and simple skills of survival.  All skills one needs to pack up and leave behind family and employment to move out west with a new husband and start a new adventure -- just like Shane and I did in 1993.

Today we stopped at the National Historic Trails Center in Casper Wyoming.  The Trails Center let us experience firsthand the hardships - and tenacious spirit - of America's expansion.  Plus it was a lot of fun!

Nearly 400,000 people came west...most of them on foot.  Certainly makes me wonder what I can accomplish that I (and the naysayers)  think is impossible. 

The next time you travel west make this wonderful museum a stop on your list.  Admission is free if you have an Annual National Park Pass; admission is minimal if you do not.

P.S.  Casper Wyoming also has a historic Fort, a minor league baseball team and an aquatics center with water slides.

It's a love hate thing.

Here we go.  A first video. I hope to improve on this. I really love all these new gadgets that allow us to do amazing things.  I hate that i am up at 11 pm trying to figure it out.  Anyway enjoy a little upload. Tomorrow we are heading to a museum about pioneers and the Oregon trail.   (Please forgive typos and errors this is killer doing this on a phone.)

Go N Mobile

I am trying a post on my phone.  Does it work? Boy this world is amazing.

We are packing the camper and heading out tomorrow afternoon.  We have a plan and we're nearly ready to hit the road to Yellowstone.

We had a crazy notion to head to Oregon but the gas was as much as our budget for a week in Yellowstone.  We have 10 days and an Oregon roadtrip from CO really needed 14 days.  I promise we'll show you a Yellowstone different from most so join us.

I will use my phone and send photos and video whenever we have a 3G signal. Check in often and see what we're up to!  

The Game of Life

In August, we removed the TV from our living room.  So, we have spent a lot of time playing with toys and games the last few months.  It has been fun and very rewarding to our family.  I have particularly enjoyed the laughter and my boys ability to get along a little better because of all our playtime together.

Because of this change, Santa brought us loads of classic games.  We started with the game of Life.  Boy, there is a game that could have been named more honestly... Life -- YOU WISH!  I ended the game with nearly 2 million dollars.  My 8 year old was a hairstylist with a modest salary and a 600,000 house.  He still ended the game with $500,000.  Even though we didn't really learn anything about real life I do think we managed to add laughter and fellowship to our real family life just sitting around the table together!

Happy New Year!  Enjoy your game of Life this year! 

Work with me Mother Nature

Ok so my family in Missouri has goaded and teased me all week with their glorious snow stories while we here in Fort Collins Colorado are riding our bikes.  So, I am really being positive and enjoying our sweet weather.  Actually I was very excited to attend First Night Fort Collins, maybe even ride our bikes for the first time this year. Usually it is so cold it is just to much for my young children and my patience.  Today I was ready, heading to the local King Soopers to buy my "buttons" for the event.  Then, about 6 different people including the Channel 7 weather remind me that a "front" or something is bringing in cold-cold weather on Thursday.  Not just cold but cold-cold.  REALLY!  I mean come on.  I joyfully embraced my spring like Christmas. I am waiting with great anticipation for an unseasonally warm New Year.  Mother Nature can't you hold out for just another 30 hours?  It's such a small request.

I always tell my children -- "suck it up camper." when they get whinny about the cold when we are camping and out on an adventure.  So I guess I better follow my own advice.  We'll break out the long johns and get out there and enjoy that fun family festival anyway. Maybe you should too!  I mean come on, the event has singing pigs!  We can't miss that! 

First Night Fort Collins

Over the river...

Over the river and thru the woods to Oklahoma we go! 

When I was a kid we would drive, less than 60 minutes, to my Grandmothers' houses for Thanksgiving. Now,  it only takes 6 seconds smelling certain foods to transport me back in time to both of my Grandmothers' tables. 

10 Gifts That Won't Clutter or Trip!

Here it is again.  It always sneaks up on us.  Why are we always surprised that it is time for the holidays again.  For me it is the shopping.  I am not a shopper.  I love a great bargain but I am not one to roam a shopping center for entertainment.  I'd much rather be reading a good book, playing with my children or at the park doing a whole lot of nothin'.  So what am I going to do this year?