Idaho Springs: White Water Rafting

Last weekend was my first experience white water rafting in the mountains, on Class IV rapids.  It was definitely a thrill ride and to top it off, the water temperature was 37 degrees Fahrenheit!

I had no idea that the water stayed at such low temperatures, while rafting in the mountains during the summer months.  The snow caps on the mountains melt slowly all summer and the water only has about 30 minutes to warm up, prior to hitting the base of the mountain where the rapids are located.   No wonder it's still a frigid 37 degrees!

After seeing this photograph above, I was so thankful that the boys (Duane & Ryan) took the front seat and I got to hang out in the back of the raft! And hallelujah for our wet suits, because we were drenched head-to-toe by the end of it.

I've heard that the Royal Gorge in Southern Colorado on the Arkansas river is one of the most amazing rapids to experience. It's class V: Advanced & sure to be a thrill ride.  Definitely next on our list!

Colorado Rockies: MLB Stadium #14

Summertime. Baseball. Hotdogs. Beer. Does it get more American than that? I look forward to baseball season every year.  One of my 'fun bucket list goals' is to visit all the MLB stadiums.  We just attended a Rockies game, which checks off Stadium #14!  I'm almost half-way there :)

Being from Ohio, makes me super excited to get back to my home state this summer & hopefully I can attend a Reds game.  If not, watching a game with my Dad in our living room, will be the next-best-thing to being there. 

Alberta Falls: Puppy in a backpack!

While my parents were visiting me in Colorado, we decided to hike Alberta Falls in Rocky Mt. National Park.  It was a stunning hike, but the biggest surprise to all of us, was that the trail was covered in snow in sections.  We had a good laugh to one another, as we were in tennis shoes and shorts, taking photographs in a snow covered trail. 

 Duncan enjoyed the view from his backpack which was strapped to the front of Duane for most of the hike.  At the end of the hike, I gazed down at Duncan, only to find him completely asleep, snoozing like a little baby, while being in the backpack. 

Bear Lake, which was completely still covered with ice.  

 Photographs from Alberta Falls.

 A few fun photographs of a May hike, in 75 degree weather, in shorts, on a snow covered trail. I guess like they say, there's a first time for everything!

Terry Bison Ranch: Cheyenne, Wyoming

My parents, Duncan & I, received a warm welcome into the state of Wyoming, as we visited last week the city of Cheyenne.  During our time in Cheyenne, we ventured to the countryside to visit the nations 2nd largest Bison ranch, the "Terry Bison Ranch".  

The Terry Bison ranch allows you to hop aboard a private train and venture to the middle of a Bison herd. To top it off, they even allow you to feed the bison!  They have over 2,500 free-grazing bison located on 27,000 acres of land. 

There's a plethora of activities, from horseback riding, a kid-carnival with rides, to an old-fashioned photo studio, fishing, to shopping/eating at the local businesses located on the ranch.  They also have an RV park & cabins for those individuals that want to stay more than just a few hours on the ranch. 

Feeding the bison was by-far the most unique experience of the trip.  They have extremely long slimy black tongues, and you basically had to let them lick your hand prior to tossing the pellet in their mouth.  It gave me goosebumps down my spine with the whole licking part, but it was definitely an experience I'll never forget. 

I've always heard that Bison are much larger than cows, but it's not until you actually see one in person that you realize just how massive these animals truly are. 

Surprisingly, Duncan handled himself like a little gentleman on the train ride and while in the middle of the herd.  I was so nervous he was going to start barking and scare away all the bison, but it didn't seem to be an issue at all.  Thankfully!

The next time you're in Cheyenne, WY, definitely stop by the Terry Bison Ranch.  Duane & I will be visiting Wyoming again late July to go to the Frontier Days; the nation's largest rodeo.  It'll be a weekend full of festivities & lots of bull-riding.  I'll be sure to share my next Cheyenne experience :)

Wilson Creek Winery: Temecula, CA

The day after the wedding we attended in California, the bride & groom decided to visit their favorite winery in Temecula & invite as many friends that were able to attend.  We had a group of about 20 of us (sadly, I didn't take enough photographs), but we had a great time socializing while relaxing, wine tasting, and eating lunch outside with a view of the vineyards in the distance.

First date flash back!

Over four years ago, Duane & I had our 'second' first date at the San Diego Zoo, upon my visit over Valentines weekend from Chicago.  It was so fun to visit the zoo again during this visit & to realize just how far our relationship has come since four years ago.  The San Diego Zoo will always remain my favorite zoo in the USA, if only for sentimental personal reasons, but I love the consistent warm weather with no humidity, sunshine, and proximity of closeness to the animals visitors are able to experience.  Plus, I'm a huge fan of Pandas & this zoo is one of the only 13 in the USA that has them.  Lucky for us Ohioans, 3 of the 13 zoos with Pandas, are in Ohio.