Summer is Here

Well, we reached record temperatures yesterday and I do believe that summner has set in.  Amazingly, even though it was at least 98 degrees I did not feel like it was unbearable . . . K says this is because I am used to the MS humidity-heat and HE was unbearable because he was SO HOT!  We're in for a long couple months with no AC in that house. 

Let's see... Memorial Day we did a cookout at the park up the street with our friend AB and the doggies.  It was a nice day and we did pretty well on our first official "picnic".  It is so nice being within walking distance of the parks.  I have a few pics but don't have them on my computer yet. 

This past weekend K worked and I did a volunteer thing for National Trails Day at Green Mountain, which is just into the foothills by Red Rocks.  Man was it work!  I had gotten up and done a run (which is a completely miserable experience for me these days) and then got to the location for the event only to hike it for another half mile at least to the trail we were working on, all the while carrying our McClouds (some tool I learned the name of) and buckets and some other heavy tool that was a cross between and axe and a pick.  Anyway, it was a great experience.  It was hot but not too bad and we had some cloud cover and breezes.  There were probably 55-60 volunteers total and we worked in groups of 10 or so.  My group was really friendly and we all chatted while we worked.  We haven't hiked that area yet (it is right across from our dog park) but you can bet we'll be checking out the trail that I helped build!  I had just bought a pair of hiking boots at REIs sale and broke them in for sure.  I would have been even more out of place without them because we were full-on hiking in uncharted trails and rocky terrain.  Thank goodness we didn't see a rattlesnake.  There's been lots of reports of them lately, as they're coming out to chill in the sun.  K even walked upon one on his way to his office building the other day! 

A side note, and I don't know why we haven't already thought about this but while we worked on the trail I was asked if I'd hiked a fourteener yet.  Colorado has several fourteen thousand level peaks that most people hike.  The girls said you still need to wait until July to ensure the snow has cleared, so I decided to have at least hiked one by the end of July.  I'll be of course buying a guide book here shortly to read more on these peaks.  There are several really close to us and I can't wait! 

Tonight we have tickets for Red Rocks first Film on the Rocks which just happens to be The Hangover.  I hope to get some good pics and will post more soon.

Oh and I just remembered this one bit of conversation from the trail building.  I was working next to a young guy (who was doing his service hours for an upcoming 100 mile run in Utah) and then another girl and we were on our second section of the trail.  Both times my particular section had huge rocks that had to be removed to clear the surface... anyway, long store short (the first one I and the leader were able to get) the second one was much larger and more embedded.  I was working all around the rock and putting it off, but then the guy next to me starting in on trying to unlodge it.  Well then the girl on the other side, clearly more experienced at building and/or working with these tools jumped in and starting providing some leverage to move the rock...  all the while I kind of observed.  I stated that I had not meant to leave it for them to handle (though I would have clearly had to have help anyway) and that "I was sorry" they had to deal with it... just making a polite jesture more because I was now just trying to stay out of their way.  (I'm dragging this out.)   To which the girl replied, "oh we know you're not sorry, that's just your training"  implying my Southern background.  Haha.   It was funnier on the trail, I suppose.  At first I kind of took a little offense, but I don't think any was intended.  To be clear everyone was helping everyone and afterall this was volunteer work so it wasn't rigid or anything like that, if my story didn't come across in the light-hearted way it was intended.