The Attraction of Mt. Rushmore

We ended up in South Dakota for the second time in a year, and I was able to visit Mt. Rushmore for the fourth time in my life.  I love Rushmore.  It was fun last year to see it on a clear fall day with my boys:

This time I was able to observe it in three different moods.  When we arrived it had just finished raining:

The sun came back out just in time for sunset:

And then, just like my first visit, we stayed for the lighting ceremony:

And as usual, I loved it.  I adore Mt. Rushmore, even when my age and education and nature should have jaded me.  Every time, though, that first view, whether from the road, or by the lane of state flags catches my breath.  The sheer audacity and vigorous hope and faith in America evidenced by blasting out statues of our heroes into a mountain amazes me--something that truly seems American.  I've been to London, full of statues, and Washington, D.C., equally awash in monuments.  But here in the west we did something arrogant, environmentally unfriendly, and wild.  And for me, it works.  Maybe next time I can see it in the winter.  Or on the 4th of July.

Christmas Countdown: Day 23

We had the activity suggestion that we learn the names of Santa's reindeer, but learning the names of the 15 other members of Mr. Cool's family is much more important! Here are a few scenes from our very merry Christmas with all Lincoln's beloved paternal family!

Rocky Mountain National Park: First Hiking Adventure

He was fearless and so much fun to hike with--more stamps for our National Park passports!

Estes Park Wool Market 2012

 A lovely escape to the mountains with my favorite travelling buddy--Lincoln!  He was able to feed peanuts to goats . . .

 compare his profile to a lamb's . . . .

 make weird faces at little sleeping goats . . .

and help mama acquire some sheepy goodies!

Arizona 2012: First Zoo--PHX Zoo

While in AZ, we took Lincoln to his first, but not last, zoo. We hung out with a lot of animals--here is the wee lad with mom near some zebras. (Note Lincoln is wearing an L for Lion shirt, and I am wearing Pamba Toto giraffe earrings. Why yes, I am a huge nerd.)

He tried to get as close as he could to the animals--including this gazelle, whose exact name I have forgotten. He would have climbed into enclosures, if we allowed him too. (Don't worry, we didn't.)

Giraffes were the first animals we saw--and they have a beautiful giraffe enclosure, with multiple animals in the same paddock, including ostriches and more.



We also loved all the turtles in the water--here Lincoln and Mr. Cool check out some sunning turtles.

Arizona 2012: Swim Sweater Forever!

Do you see that flotation device Lincoln is wearing while swimming happily toward the camera? It was mine. Yep--and it still inflated and worked great. Ah, the construction of items before planned obsolescence.

He also loved having Mr. Cool "fly" him up in the air. I'm not sure how Grandad and Grammie Cool felt about this, but they loved that Lincoln had a great time in the pool.

And, of course, lounging poolside in Grammie's glasses.

Arizona 2012: Travel Snapshots

The best thing about staying in hotel rooms--bouncing on the beds! Oh, and this cracked me up--one hotel we stayed in in New Mexico had a red theme, and another had a green theme. He called them New Mexico Red and New Mexico green, and he doesn't even know about chiles!

While we whiled away our car hours, we enjoyed a little Auto Bingo--a game destined to become more and more fun as he grows up.

The biggest winner for killing time in the car, though, was a Playmobil catalog. I think he spent about four hours reading this catalog.

Three Days at Grammie's Home: Things We Loved

Lincoln making and drinking "cherry" "coffee."

Lincoln coloring with Grandad's highlighters.

Lincoln climbing up high on the stools by the kitchen to play and color while we cleaned/baked/cooked.

Playmobil knights tackling each other on a quilting mat (protecting Grammie's table from scratches.)
Hugging our beautiful Grammie and making her laugh.

Eating Grammie's heart scones and drinking tea.

Two-fisting PBJ sandwiches while making a growly ogre face.

Coloring even more with crayons together.

Yellow.
Knitting my first Jaywalker sock in a fabulous spring-y yarn on antique knitting needles (gifted to me by my Grandma, probably used by my great-grandma.)

Lincoln and I were totally blessed to stay at Grammie's home for three whole days, four nights, and a very windy time. We introduced Grammie to Cars 2, played in her school, and had an amazing time together.

A Trip to Taos: See-Saw & Swim

Lincoln and I go to a lot of parks, but a piece of vanishing playground equipment is the see-saw--in Taos (in a fantastic playground right next to the Wool Festival) he was able to discover a see-saw. After he and Mr. Cool worked out their technique, he loved it. Where have all the see-saws gone?

He also discovered that classic of all road trips--fabulous pool lounging!

But most of all, he loved splashing in the pool. The first time, he was all about splashing mama--we were both in hysterical giggles.

The second time, it was all about splashing with his "new green tugboat!"

A Trip to Taos: Wool Festival Overview

The festival vendors were laid out in a lovely circle around this huge, gorgeous park. It was easy to wander and browse, and there were a ton of fantastic vendors. I'll get more into those later!

It was a beautiful day--clear and sunny, with enough of an early chill that I was able to wear a shawl comfortably, and declare myself one of the knitters!

Lincoln liked the brown sheep--and climbing gates!

A Trip to Taos: Taos Cow Blows Our Minds

When looking for recommendations on Taos, Taos Cow kept coming up. It's actually in Arroyo Seco, about 20 minutes from Taos, but if you are in the region--go. Just go.

Lincoln loved all the cows, and as soon as we walked in and he spotted the ice cream, he wanted ice cream. We told him he had to eat something else first and led by example.

Mr. Cool had "the best roast beef sandwich I've ever had" with insanely good Thai coleslaw,
while I had Thai coconut curry soup, loaded with yummy veggies and intense flavor, and accompanied by awesome rye toast.

Mr. Cool and Lincoln with the ice cream beauty shot--you can see that Lincoln is really into this ice cream. From left, clockwise: Chocolate Mexican Chocolate, Raspberry, and Lavender.

We asked Lincoln if he wanted raspberry or strawberry, and he answered, "Chocolate." So that's what he got. It was yummy--almonds, cinnamon, fudgyness.

He also deigned to try some raspberry--the best fruity ice cream we've ever had, and the lavender which seriously blew our minds. Definitely worth the trip!