Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Pups Across America! - Sleek Mitzy
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

(Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday
It was nice and quiet at the chilly State Forest State Park campground. The Pups were anxious to go out but maybe even more anxious to get back to the warm coach.

Soon the four of us were back in the car, driving along the same path that led us to observe the big male and the really big bull elk. Alas, not today. Back at camp we had breakfast, then the four of us took a different route on the Ranger Lakes trail. The chipmunks took great pleasure in teasing the Pups, knowing exactly how far the leashes would stretch until they become taut around their neck with a little gasp. Around the lake we saw many anglers, including several families attempting to lure and capture the abundant trout.

Back at BERT, I worked on an upcoming presentation while Janny readied us for the next leg of our trip.

By 10:45 we were off. Heading south on 14 over Cameron Pass, we slowly dropped over a 100 miles, from 9,100 feet down to 5,000. The three-dot scenic byway was, well, scenic, and we traveled parallel to mountains and fast-moving streams, glancing at anglers and rafters along this often curvy, narrow, and bumpy road. A seasoned veteran of Highway One in California, Jan took the driving challenges in stride, applying the engine brake, hugging the center line, slowing down for yahoos walking on the side of this very, very busy stretch of road. Like a flash, however, mountains turned to plains as we made it to the east side of the mountain ranges, complete with stores galore and malls for all.

By early PM we were set up at Boyd Lake State Park with a view of the lake on one side and the mountains on the other.

Monday: Quick Trip to Seattle
I took the Kids out pre-dawn so that I could let them run before the walkers and bicyclists dominated the paths. We watched the sunrise, took some really detailed sniffs, and got a very good run in before things got busy. After breakfast, packing, and preparing, Jan took me to the airport with the Kids as willing passengers. With no issues, I made it to Seattle.

Tuesday and Wednesday
I taught the services account management workshop sponsored by Service Strategies. Great group of folks who seemed to learn a lot. Just a pleasure to facilitate.

At the airport I boarded a flight to Chicago. All went well, but by the time I got to my room on the Magnificent Mile, it was 1:00 a.m.

Thursday
I had a two-hour session with the senior team of my Chicago client, and I was very pleased with the outcome; a fun group who is getting serious about services and I shared a few things I’ve learned over the years. From there it was back to O’Hare where I lucked out and was able to get back to Denver three hours earlier than planned. At DIA, Jan and the Kids picked me up and we went to Parker to visit our grandson, Austin, his dog HoneyPug, and his parents.

Friday
I took our Kids plus the Pug out for a morning run, then I spent the morning working on the computer. At 2:00 we picked up Austie from pre-school and we took him back to camp up at Boyd State Park. We spent a usual camping evening of playing at the playground, a few strolls and dog walks, and roasting weenies then ‘smores.

As you’ll see in the pics, Grandma showed Austie how to shoot a bow and arrow. Below you’ll see the coaching, then the results! Good thing it was a caricature of Mitzy and not the real girl.







Saturday
Busy morning! Dog walks, Austie walks, getting ready to go. Austie took his Bat Bike on the paths and down to the playground.





At 10:00 we headed for Rocky Mountain National Park, taking 34 east into the park. Gorgeous drive in a splendid park. We drove around, had a picnic, and then drove back to the coach.

We had two trips to playgrounds, a “swim” at dusk, and a campfire with Austie’s special ‘smores with bananas and peanut butter added.





Another great week roughing it smoothly.

Pups Across America

Headlights

August 28: Boyd Lake State Park
August 29-31: Parker, CO
September 1-15: Heading north and east
September 23-October 7: Markin Glen County Park, Kalamazoo, MI
October 8-15: ???
October 16 to 31: Visit Kentucky friends
November 1 to ???:
??? to ???:
???: Back on Pine Island

Have questions or comments--send them in.

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado