Children’s Water Fountain — Downtown Ft. Collins (7 of 7 Entries)
Back in Ft. Collins just in time for dinner. So, we headed to the Stonehouse in Old Town Ft. Collins. Nearing the end of my trip, it seemed fitting that while downtown we also stop by water fountains, which we did the first night in Ft. Collins. This time I had my camera, so my last Flickr posting for the trip contains photos of Nick getting a little wet, as three year old’s will do. (He will be three , September 13th.)
kenne
Rocky Mountain National Park (6 of 7 Entries)
There are two roads into the park. The Old Fall River Road winds along the river. We took the Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest continuous paved highway in America, topping out at 12,183 feet above sea level.
Our first stop was Bear Lake, which is at the end of Trail Ridge Road. Here we took an easy walk around this sub-alpine lake as we continually watched storm clouds building up over some of the distant mountains.
Next, we started the approximately mile (one way) trail hike up to Alberta Falls. Nickolas did great, hiking all the way to the end of the trail. But, not surprisingly, he was a little tired as we headed back down, opting to ride on moms shoulders. 
During the hike, we could see lightening and hear thunder around us, but we escaped with only a few raindrops. Driving back through the Big Thomson Canyon from Estes Park to Loveland was another thing — heavy rains slowed the normally slow traffic down the twisting canyon road. All-in-all, it was a great day in the mountains.
kenne
Estes Park & Prospect Mountain (5 of 7 Entries)
I knew when I took the senic route to Ft. Collins that it would be nice to spend some time at Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. So, on Sunday, we packed a picnic lunch and headed into the mountains. Like a lot of the mountain communities, the downtown area of Estes Park has plenty of shops, as well as an attractive park through which the Big Thomson River flows.
But, before taking in the shops and park, we purchased tickets for the tram ride up to the top of Prospect Mountain. The view was great, looking down on the valley where Estes Park is located. It was also fun watching all the chipmunks scampering over the boulders.
Returning to Estes Park, we located a table near the river for lunch, while soaking up the sun and watching the mountain water flow rapidly down the twisting river. My head is full of many beautiful images, of which only a few are captured here. (See Photo Set.)
kenne
3rd Annual Northern Colorado Greek Festival (4 of 7 Entries)
After spending part of the morning at the CSU Trial Gardens, we headed back to the apartment before going to the Plaza area in downtown Ft. Collins to take in the Greek Festival. 
This event was not unlike the many festivals Joy and I annually attend in Houston during the fall. The big difference, however, was having another opportunity to drink the local Ft. Collins beer/ale, especially Odell and New Belgium. Maybe our next visit can be next June for the 21st Annual Colorado Brewers’ Festival in Downtown Fort Collins, where over 50 Colorado beers and 400 kegs will be enjoyed along with great live music.
kenne
Morning Bike Ride (3 of 7 Entries)
Yet another beautiful morning in the foothills of the great Rocty Mountains. Since arriving in Ft. Collins, on several occasions, we had driven past the CSU Trial Gardens. So, this morning (Saturday) we decided to take a bike ride to see Colorado State University’s Annual Flower Trial Garden. 
As you can see in the photo set, the flowers are beautiful. Located in front of the old Ft. Collins High School, the Trial Garden provides an opportunity to learn about growing plants in the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region.
After arriving at the Garden, I was a little taken back by how tired I was. Granted, I had Nicholas on my bike, but I do regularly ride a stationary bike at the YMCA. 
So, again I found myself commenting on how getting old can be a real bitch. Katie was kind to point out that it probably wasn’t so much my age as it was the 5,000 foot altitude, which I was quick to accept.
Running parallel to College Avenue, the main street though Ft. Collins, are railroad tracks. Since the Trial Garden is located on College Avenue, when a train started passing by, just one block away, Nicholas quickly lost all interest in the flowers and headed for the sidewalk to watch the train go by. Nick is truly mesmerized by trains.
kenne
We Head North to Spend Part of the Day in Cheyenne (2 of 7 Entries)
Having never been to Cheyenne, and since it is about one hour’s drive north, we headed north. On the south side of Cheyenne, located near the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo grounds is the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. 
Encompassing nine acres, the Gardens are a favorite place for wedding, celebration, relaxation and creative inspiration.
After an enjoyable time at the gardens, we drove to downtown Cheyenne and had lunch at the old train station. Until my visit, I was not aware of how much Nicholas loves trains. So, since the Gardens had an old locomotive and our having lunch at an old train station helped make his day.
After returning to Ft. Collins, we went over to one of Nicholas’ favorite parks.
kenne
Day One of My Trip To See Katie and Nicholas (Ft. Collins Trip, 1 of 7 Entries)
Can you believe it, I was flying to Denver and wasn’t going to attend the DNC Convention. Even so, I still had to deal with many others doing so at the car rental. I was in the car rental line for more than an hour.
Since it was a beautiful day, I decided not to take I-25 to Ft. Collins, but rather head west to Hwy 36, then north to Estes Park, then going east to Loveland through the Big Thomson Canyon. Since Joy was not with me, I didn’t have to drive the winding road at a snails pace. Of course, I stopped occasionally to take a few photos. (See photo set.)
kenne
CONGRATULATIONS!
Welcome to our world, Audrey Taylor Morris!
We are so pleased that baby and mother are well. These are moments that will remain with you both throughout life. Although we would like to have been there, this is your time to build a new family bond. Our time will come later.
Just remember, whether near or far, you always maintain a very special place in our hearts.
Grandparents, Joy and Kenne
Right-Brain Girl Receives Left-Brain Degree — Say, What??!!
You have heard or read about all this left-brain/right-brain dichotomy stuff; how left-brain people are more into information, numbers and facts; while right brain people are more into creativity and ideas. Well, leave it to Katie to demonstrate that as with all dichotomies, it’s not a case of “either/or,” but rather “and.” Human activity requires cooperation from both sides of the brain, which Katie does well. She is very creative and loves designing things, making use of high-level imagery and spatial skills. If you totally buy in to the dichotomy, you would conclude that such skills are not useful when it comes to math/accounting reasoning. Wrong!
Today, Katie sent an email to family and friends announcing that she has completed her MBA in Accounting. So, is she an “idea” person, or a “numbers” person? Or, does it really matter? Katie is Katie, and by completing her MBA she continues to demonstrate how a network of people and organizations can bring human minds together to share ideas and experiences.
By making use of today’s computer/telecommunication technology, much learning is taking place in what we currently like to call “virtual reality.” Even her graduation will take pace in virtual reality. Of course, there is something to be said to having a “virtual graduation,” which implies your control over the experience. Sounds like potentially a more real experience than most I have been a part of in higher education. But then . . .
All reality
involves the active control
of our point of view,
which we designate as reality.
Thus,
if reality is what we think is actual
can we truly comprehend reality?
Is not all reality virtual?
kenne
When asked to pick their lucky number, most people would not choose the number eight unless you are Chinese, of course. In the math world, it’s not even considered a “prime” number or a “perfect” number. But, on the night of the triple-eights (888), there was plenty of magic at Conroe’s The Corner Pub. Some might say it was even spiritual, as in a new beginning. Mean Gene Kelton showcased his many talents helping to make August 8, 2008, not just another day. Only time will tell the significance of this day, but I can’t help but feel that something was coming to completion and a new cycle was beginning.
I have seen Gene perform many times over the years. Whether doing Elvis covers or his own songs, Gene always pours himself into the music. This Friday evening was no exception. However, on this evening, there was something more that seemed to signal a harmonious breakthrough to a new level. Call it well balanced; pleasant; congruous; agreeable; or friendly, it was the harmonious result of fusing electric with acoustic together, resulting in a “perfect figure eight.”
As I have often done, I spent the evening taking photos of Gene and the band. (Joy claims that I have more photos of Gene than I do of our grandchildren.) But, on this evening, I was also using my new video camera, which means that I’m now trying to cram into a few weeks what has taken many years of photography skill development. I’m using Final Cut Express to edit the video and sound, but much is lost when compressed for the web. Regardless, I have provided a link to “Mean Gene Kelton at The Corner Pub.” Although shot in color, I desaturated the color because I like the effect of the Pub venue.
Your comments are most welcomed.
— Kenne
P.S. I want to thank Kathy and Bob for being our guests. It’s always a pleasure to introduce friends to Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards.
Summer is a great time of year, offering opportunities to take vacations, long weekends for hobbies and just catching up on special projects — in general a break from the routine. As with all good things, they have a downside and for the summertime the break from the routine means we often don’t have time for our friends.
So, I was delighted to see a friendly face on the cover of this week’s The Villager, Kuyk Logan. Kuyk has had a long career in communications, teaching and newspaper business, which included fourteen years with the Houston Post. However, I was not aware of his interest in printing until he and wife Dianne hosted a Montgomery County Literary Arts Council event in my honor. Kuyk printed up special napkins for the occasion.
Kuyk’s interest in letterpress printing has been a part of who he is since a child. Some people are fortunate to gain valuable life skills by experiencing their hands working with the ordinary. Over time we learn what it is to be real. Congratulations Kuyk on being one of those people.
kenne
After a busy early morning on the 7th, we finally got on the road for twelve days of planned vacation around Janie and Kenne’s (David) wedding in Las Vegas. The drive through west Texas was hot and sunny, but picked up some rain as we drove into the Davis Mountains. The rain moved on as we drove into Alpine and Ft Davis. Having made reservation ahead of time, we arrived at the Indian Lodge an hour before sunset. Not surprisingly, we were ready to relax with drink and food.
The next morning we went into Ft Davis for breakfast before heading up to the McDonald Observatory. Then it was on to the Inn of the Mountain Gods in southern New Mexico. This was our second stay at the resort, having spent a snowy Christmas Eve in there in 1986. Since then the resort has also become a casino with a completely new architectural design. Click here to see a photo set of our first two days.
There’s more to come.
kenne
Stopping for Lunch Along the Trail
So much to see, so little time in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Before leaving the Mammoth Lakes area, Rosalie and Jerry were kind enough to hike with us to the Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. There are many beautiful sights to see from the trail, many of which were first seen from the many Ansel Adams photos taken here. We stopped for a trail lunch at the base of the falls.
kenne
A Birthday Chant
Texas 
land south of the Red River
Temperature
one hundred and one
Happiness
in the return
Sadness
in miles left behind
Ft. Worth
on my mind
Exit
one more Hampton Inn
Flowers
for someone special
Birthday
coming tomorrow
Virginia recalls
her birthing-day
In historic
Gruene, Texas
Bed and Breakfast
above the river
Family
planned to celebrate
Arranged
on false expectations
Tears
not to be witnessed
By those
who play games
Be aware
things will be right
And still
we celebrate the moment
Walking
down the street
Window shopping
each passing shore-front
Rain returns
from Dolly’s outer bands
Finding sanctuary
in Gruene Hall
Our pours
open to the past
Sensing
ghosts of yesterday’s lovers
Dancing
the night away
Cords
of blues stringers
Vibrating
the old hall walls
Echoing
through the chicken wire
Leaving
one more for the road
Dinnertime
at the old Grist Mill
Waitress
forgets the birthday cake
Next
after music at the hall
Gifts
focus the remembrance
Opening each
holding back tears
Till sisters
pierce the porcelain face
As only
sisters can do
Always remembering
whether near or far
kenne
As Reasonable Minds Differ, People Die
What is it to be human? Is it a state of being defined by characteristics not shared by other animals or by machines? But, at what point do we turn into a machine and cease to be human? Or, is it rather the products of our humanist, i.e., institutions that cease to possess the essence of human existence?
It may be that I ask these questions because I’m confusing “human” with “person.” As a person, I am a moral agent possessing an intelligent energy matrix able to generate mental states capable of introspection. Therefore, when the acts of human persons become non-human, I can only conclude that they are “primitive”. Such is the state of immigration enforcement today – primitive. As an example, I share this NY Times editorial, titled, “Mr. Ng’s Death”.
kenne
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