Countdown to Duck Race

The theme for the 2015 race is a Salute to 100 years of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Preparations for the May 2 Estes Park Duck Race are well underway. Yesterday afternoon our mayor purchased the first Duck Adoption for the 2015 race. Yesterday evening representatives from the 61 participating organizations picked up their sales packets at the library. The website is up and running (click here) and committee members are busy with hundreds of tasks leading up to the big day. As in past years, my main job is working with the "Quack Pack" at the Duck Race Office which will be open in late March through race day.

Mayor Bill Pinkham, Lucky Duck, and Ken TeSelle (Big Duck)
at Town Hall

Minute of Wonder

During this year long celebration of Rocky Mountain National Park's Centennial, the park posts video clips on YouTube and Facebook - a new Minute of Wonder every week. When I need some inspiration I watch one or two or ten. The clip below seems appropriate for today when we're expecting a big snowfall through the week-end.

We all have strategies for enjoying and coping with winter weather. My strategies for today include baking banana bread, making a pot of soup, reading a few chapters in my book, taking a winter walk with my camera, and a wee bit of quilting.

Perfect Valentine's Day

The highlight of our Valentine's Day was driving to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center this evening to see Nick Molle's historical documentary, The Living Dream - One Hundred Years of Rocky Mountain National Park. It's a beautifully done production with breathtaking photography. The following is taken from an article in the Estes Park Trail Gazette.

The ninety minute film documents the history of Rocky Mountain National from the Native American and Mountain Man eras through the pioneers. It continues through the 20th Century and into modern times.

The film reveals a unique relationship locking the people of Estes Park firmly into the story of Rocky Mountain National Park. "The inseparable ties between Estes Park and Rocky are unlike any other national park development in the country. There is no other park like this," said Molle.

As a historical documentary it explores the influence of people from the passionate naturalist Enos Mills, to the self-serving Lord Dunraven, and the benevolent F.O. Stanley on this national park. Gunfights and legal battles failed to stay the progress and process of protecting the park for future generations. 

Fires and floods have not deterred the determination of the communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake to live in harmony with Rocky," said Molle. "Our goal in making this is to recognize that the bond between the wilderness, its wildlife, and the people who preserve it has an inherent power greater than any artificial possession." One particular poignant quote from the movie is that of a park ranger Cynthia Langguth when she says, "What people bring to the park is as important as what we perceive the Park gives to them."

The story is told through interviews with historians including James Pickering PhD, Curt Buchholtz, Dave Lively, and Bob Brunswig PhD. National Park personnel and local citizens contribute their personal insights. In particular, Tom Hornbein of Mt. Everest fame and world class climber Tommy Caldwell share their feelings about the Park's centerpiece, Longs Peak.

Several years of filming and months of editing have gone into this production. Included in the work are numerous historical photos as well as archival films dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century.

Wayne and I have a strong emotional connection to this special place ... our favorite spot on earth. 

Fifty Years of Marriage

Wayne and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on Friday. We had a small celebration (just the two of us) because we have planned a family celebration for next summer when our children and grandchildren will be available for a week together in San Diego.

I got our wedding album off a high shelf, dusted it off, and took a wee trip down memory lane. The album is literally falling apart but our marriage is still going strong. When I look at those two young people in the photos and think of ourselves as we are now, I celebrate the love, friendship, and hard work we've shared during that half century. Together we raised two fine children, shared joys, sorrows, and adventures, and would do it all over again.

Winter Drive Through Rocky

This little lass took her sweet time crossing the road to
catch up with her mama.

Wayne and I made a quick decision this morning to go out for breakfast then drive into the park (Rocky Mountain National Park) to see the fresh snowy landscape. Before we even got to the entrance, we saw a small herd of deer on the highway and a flock of wild turkeys crossing the road. We didn't encounter much traffic even though the snow plows had been through since last night's snowfall. Covered with a fresh blanket of snow, the scenery was beautiful!

 Bull elk  relaxing in Horseshoe Park.

Sprague Lake is frozen over and topped with a layer of fresh snow.

Postcards From Italy

"Postcards From Italy"

Later this month I plan to attend Estes Valley Quilt Guild's annual retreat at YMCA of the Rockies just outside of Estes Park. It will be a four day affair in one of the beautiful, rustic lodges on the property. The activities include: a mystery quilt, classes, massages, games, good food, and demonstrations. Best of all, however, is uninterrupted time sewing! I haven't attended a retreat for a few years and I'm looking forward to spending time with some good friends who love to sew and quilt as much as I do. We encourage and inspire each other while having lots of fun.

I'm putting together some projects to work on while I'm there. The first is called "Postcards From Italy." I knew I wanted to make a quilt with memories from our trip to Italy and found the perfect pattern and fabrics at eQuilter.com shortly after the trip. I'll do some preliminary fabric cutting before the retreat so I can launch into sewing as soon as I arrive and get set up. It takes a lot of "stuff" to outfit a quilting station for four days - sewing machine, comfy chair, sewing supplies, light, etc. etc. I plan to alternate machine sewing with some hand work - appliqué, hand quilting, and embroidery. 

Fabrics for "Postcards From Italy"