Taken on the Junction Creek Trail. It was such a great hike and I'm loving all of the colors.

Kate and little snow friend on the road up to Silverton. Beautiful! ~ We met a young lady at the Avalanche coffee shop who has been on a "mission" with Engineers Without Borders through Fort Lewis College. It might be a good avenue for Kate to try some day. Apparently people from a variety of degree plans go on these trips. Too cool!

Junction Creek Trail Hike

Here are some photos from our hike up Junction Creek Trail today with Papa Tony and Guapo.  It was so beautiful and the perfect distance for getting out and seeing the mountains.  We met up with tons of trail runners and a few mountain bikers and we were all in awe of their stamina and rock solid calves.  Once we got to the top the view was amazing and we had a nice lunch of tuna fish, apples, plums, goldfish, and a few chocolate chip oatmeal cookies that we made last night.  We were all commenting on how we wish yall were here (vise-versa would have worked as well).  Mom and I just finished eating the yummiest pizza that we made and playing some Gin-Rummy, and now we are settling in for the evening.  

Starting out on our hike.

"It's gonna crush me!!!"

Crossing Junction Creek about to start the long climb up.

The view from our little bench.

About to start the hike back.

Love yall buckets!!!
-Kate

Snowy Drive To Silverton

Mom and I had a very nice drive up to Silverton this morning/afternoon.  We marveled at the bright fall colors but what was really cool was all of the snow.  I had no idea that there would be so much snow this early in the season but apparently this is normal.  We even got to drive in a light sprinkling of snow which was very exciting.  Eleanor had some trouble keeping up to speed on the steep grades but we made it and 3rd gear did wonders for the trip back.

 Just past Purgatory

Mom and I acting like giddy tourists

Ah, fresh snow under my boots...

 Mom posing by the toilets

It looked just like a Christmas card.

Sitting on the coldest rock in Colorado at Big Molus.

We had a great time walking the main drag in Silverton and we had a yummy lunch at the Avalanche Cafe before heading back home.  We are now both pleasantly exhausted and about to make oatmeal cookies for Papa Tony.  Wish yall (D and Na) were here with us to enjoy the colors, views, eats, and cold.

Love yall!!!

-Kate

Greetings From the Dwelling

Hi sweet family,

I just looked through all of the posts from the last month and officially feel part of the family again. And Kate/Mom, nice work on the comments on one of the photos in particular. YOU know what I mean.

Hugs to everyone! More to come, sometime. My last classes are on December 3. Finals are as follows: 12/8 (9-12; 2-5), 12/10 (9-12), 12/13 (9-12), 12/14 (2-5). My last final is the second to last final time block for the entire university. Empty campus...

12/14- 5:01 Selina speeding toward Marble Falls screaming in glee and drinking serial venti non-fat iced caramel macchiatos.

1/18-Selina excitedly racing back to school to do it all over again!

Selina

Carol's new standup desk...that she is probably just too proud of. I think I get more accomplished and it feels like I have more energy. Three beers for standing!

Adair is saying, "I see that arm around that cute guy." Selina's trying to be discreet. Kevin's saying, "Mmm.. I like that hand on my back!"

This is the Peace Garden at Holy Communion Church Shepherd Hills. Several of us got together to weed and just play. In the second picture, Lori is kneeling by the dove and Jeanie is probably searching for the next space to attack.

CASA Run day. Fun, humid, fun, humid. Susan RAN the last bit through the finish line! Yee Haw!