I've been home several days now, but I haven't found the time to post anything about my trip. My Virginia sister surprised us with another visit, so we've been working on our father's house, scraping, painting, wallpapering, etc. And my house, garden and yard needed attention. Of course, I had to play golf in the mornings.

The "vacation" to the Medicine Bow Mountains and upper Platte River area was quite successful. I enjoyed the three day drive out (from IN), stopping at various places along the way, i.e., Carl Sandburg's birth place (Galesburg IL), Fort Madison (IA), Eldon, IA, home of "American Gothic", the house featured in Grant Wood's famous painting (farmer w/ pitchfork and wife). I also spent a couple of hours at "Dancing Leaf Earth Lodge and Cultural Center" south of North Platte (NE), and hiked to Pawnee Buttes in Colorado's Pawnee Nat. Grasslands.

I slept in the back of my truck one night, motel another (because of T-storms), and MyBloggers's own "The Troutbends", Laura and Gary near Estes Park (CO). What a pleasant stay I had-- great food and conversation.

The camping area for our Wilderness Volunteers group (12 of us) was fairly remote. We slept in tents, had running water and pit toilets. Primitive, but comfortable. I had my own private campsite overlooking the Platte River valley.
We drove about 10 miles to our work-site each day-- a trailhead along a trout stream, where we did bridge repair, made a turnpike, and cleared brush and fallen pine trees (killed by the pine beetle). We worked in and around the same site four days (MTThF). The weather was always nice, not too hot (but frosty in the early mornings!). A job completed gives the group a "feel good" sense of accomplishment.

Right in the middle of the week, we got a "free day". Seven of us (in two groups)hiked up to Medicine Bow Peak, 12,000+ feet high. It was cold and windy--even snow fields to cross. It took us about 4 hours to hike the 7 mile trail. But oh, the views and sceneries (sp?) were spectacular! And a hot springs and shower awaited us at nearby Saratoga.

On my way home, I drove clear out of my way, and went up into northern Nebraska to see the Agate Fossils Beds (Nat. Mon.). Then over to Valentine and the Niobrara Nat. Wildlife Reserve where I got my fix on a herd of buffalo (I love 'em). One of the highlights of my trip was a stop at Ashfalls Fossil Beds St. Historical Park in east central Neb. This is where ancient rhinoceros and other animals were buried in a mammoth volcanic ash fallout 12 million yrs ago. They were working on uncovering them as I watched.

Despite constipation and cramps (a normal occurance for me on such trips), I really enjoyed the whole adventure and would do it again next year if the trip was offered. Sometimes they are, sometimes it's one and done.

It's nice to be back. Hope I didn't bore you.