Seth has taken the boys fishing twice this summer. So far they have nothing to show for their efforts but that hasn't seemed to spoil the fun. I think Ryan and James are more interested in spending time with their father in the mountains than they are in the actual fishing itself. Probably they wouldn't know what to do with a fish if they caught one--they certainly wouldn't want to eat it!
I have not been tempted to accompany them on these outings. It's been nearly two decades since I've gone fishing and that's fine by me. I don't like fishing. I haven't liked it since the summer of 1990 when I was working at the second dude ranch.
Lake
Mancos Ranch had a small, stocked fishing pond.
Every Wednesday we would ride down to the fishing hole and the guests would get off and fish. The fish would be driven back to the ranch and served as dinner on Friday.
I do not remember why it started, but I quickly developed a bad attitude about the weekly fishing ride. Each week I would try to convince my group that they didn't really want to fish. It never worked. I always ended up at the fishing hole.
Everyone else seemed to enjoy fishing,
but I managed to go through the entire summer without catching or
cleaning a fish.
I didn't eat them, either!
In these pictures: Tracy (pink shirt), Theresa (grey Colorado sweatshirt), Andy (cleaning fish) and various guests. The horses are Popcorn, Mike and Amigo.
James wastes no time wading into the heart of the fountains.
Ryan is more deliberate.
He always starts out by making a couple of laps around the perimeter.
Now he's getting into it!
Armed and dangerous.
Of course, there is more to Great Plains park than just a nice water feature. After a good soaking the kids were off and running to the playground.
Monkey boys.
Maybe if he does this long enough he will achieve his 48" goal.
Hanging out.
Of course you can't go to the park without packing a picnic lunch.
What's in this sandwich?
Hooray for green peppers!
And this is how I most enjoy my park time--under a tree, on a blanket, with a book!
June 2009
This park has it all--two playgrounds, a petting zoo, lots of grass, a nice wading stream and a little red train.
We went to Belleview Park yesterday with our friends, Kristin and Nathan. Everyone headed straight for the water.
Looks like it's a hit!
Ryan and Nate spent a lot of time building dams and castles.
Mud hands!
Exploring.
Ryan made friends with a goat...
while Kristin and Nate cozied up to a calf.
This little goat is named Amelia. I think James wanted to take her home with us.
Gobble, gobble!
Tiger in the moat.
This Canadian goose joined us for lunch.
and this sea turtle!
