Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Happy 4th July Holiday

Bring on the Blue, Red and White and tons of fireworks. This symbolises one of the most famous public holidays in the USA. Yup, it’s July 4th Holiday.

Waving the Red, Blue and White Colours

We got to spend this amazing event in our beautiful Foothills park over the road from where we live. Celebrations started early, with tons of people arriving with their picnic baskets, blankets, chairs and family. The afternoon weather was warm and perfect for a party in the park. When we arrived, the place was already packed and a local band started playing. The last song the band sang was the American National Anthem. Everyone, and I mean everyone stood up, hand across their heart, and sang. Goosebumps.


Eventually the sun started setting and everyone was getting ready for the highly anticipated fireworks show. `A light drizzle started coming down, but no one seemed t care. The fireworks show was truly amazing. For a full 30min, the sky was lit up with amazing lights.
After the show, we headed home, and no sooner were we home, and the heavens opened up. Truly a wonderful evening and experience. Amazing sunset just below the foothills of the Rocky's

Pool Party in Highlands Ranch

A Canadian friend of mine, Melissa invited us to a Pool Party at her place the next day. The weather was HOT and perfect for a swim and a barbeque (yup, US version of a braai). The sangria was flowing, and after a few glasses, we were all very relaxed enjoying the sun, pool, good company and lots of laughs.
Melissa and I were challenged to a Beer Bong, sort of what we know as a Beer Funnel. You will all be proud to know that I stepped up to the challenge with a time of under 10 seconds. Not bad for a girl. I can now say that I’ve done the typical high school stunt.
What a great day!!


The Beer Bong Challange

I had to take a pic of the "Cosmos" growing in the garden - in Summer

Day Hike up to St Mary’s Alice

Our jam packed weekend was far from over. Melanie and Jenny invited us on a day hike to St Mary’s Alice. This is actually a Glacier, which has now been named an Alice (basically a junior glacier), out at Idaho Springs. The hike itself was not that far, but very steep over rocks. At the top of the hike, you reach a beautiful lake at the edge of the Alice. I decided to cool my feet of and dipped them in the icy water. I lasted all of 10 seconds, before it felt as if a knife was being driven through my foot. FREEZING!!! I suppose it’s mostly ice melt, what did I expect.


After some pics, we bravely or stupidly decided to hike to the top of the glacier. Well, halfway up, negotiating steep cliffs, big boulders and at some times loose gravel, I started rethinking this maybe not so clever move. Especially after seeing a plak half way up "dedicated to those who died here" Oh !@&^%$(*&!! Mel and Jen are experienced rock climbers and I think even they started wondering if this was a bright idea.

The plak dedicated to some men who died on the glacier - Scary

View half way up the Glacier to the lake below - stunning

As we were reaching the top, we could see a storm rolling in and so we had to start getting down before we got caught in the midst of it.
We decided that the quickest way down is on the snow. So there we were, skiing down on our hiking boots. It was great fun, until the snow turned to ice and became very steep. Chris managed to keep his balance, but I had a few falls which was rather funny. Mel and Jen did pretty well and after we reached the bottom, we were so happy that we did it, it was amazing. Definitely keen to do it again, and ready and so keen to try skiing.

Skiing down on our hiking boots - So much Fun!!

After all that exercise, we headed down to a local Idaho Springs pub, TommyKnockers. This is a pub as well as a micro brewery, with a wide variety of beers. The burgers are just as yummy. What a great afternoon. The mountain rain had settled in, and it was time for us to all pile into Mel’s Jeep and head back. Now we are planning our camping weekend for August. Can’t wait!

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