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Check out my daughter's post  about this amazing place that serves the children of Pune, India, where she traveled last summer to volunteer. Her beautiful pictures tell the story...

Please vote for AIC  to win $20,000 through the Chase Community Giving Challenge!

Summer 2010 Hikes--St. Mary's Falls

I've been wanting to take the girls on this hike since last summer. It begins on an aspen shaded trail that slopes gently upward next to Buffalo Canyon Creek. The last mile is rather steep, but a good trail, with awesome views of the city and the Broadmoor Hotel around almost every bend. Round trip is about 6 miles.

The trail marker is about 1.5 miles from the parking area

The girls sitting by the falls to their right.

I tried with shoes after this attempt!

Colorado Springs and the Broadmoor Hotel (pink roofs) from the falls.

A zoomed in picture of the Broadmoor Hotel

a greener summer

I did wonder whether I would truly use my bike this summer (and hopefully into the fall) for practical and close errands. So far, so good. The basket works perfectly for milk, coffee and a small bag of groceries. The trip to the store by bike is literally 5 minutes -- a welcome change from driving for 1-2 items.

Happy to say the bike works great for longer rides. We have a beautiful bike path, The Pikes Peak Greenway, that runs north south through the city. From my house, it's about a 6 mile ride to downtown. My daughter and I recently made the trip...under streets with cool graffiti, through one of our loveliest city parks, Monument Valley, and finally ending with smoothies and browsing at Poor Richards, a favorite downtown bookstore. 

Unhurried

So far our pace this summer has remained remarkably leisurely. These long slow days admit bike rides to the grocery for fresh salad greens and fruit or to the library for the books saved for hammock reading. And the best part is none of it feels hurried. Time even for a simple homemade dressing. The lemon garlic one below adds a light but savory touch to red leaf lettuce, spinach, carrots and cucumbers. Simple and perfect with bruchetta.

                                                          6 T. extra virgin olive oil

                                                          3 T. fresh lemon juice

                                                          1 clove garlic, minced

                                                          coarsely ground sea salt and pepper to taste

Mix well and allow to sit for 30 minutes before adding to greens.

...and the books--so far I would recommend them--along with the hammock of course.

my birthday

I wouldn't usually put a post up about my birthday, but it was just so lovely. Almost the perfect day (perfect would have been all of my children home!).  It began with a hammock finally hung (the one I found when I cleaned the garage)!


And then potting flowers on the front porch...a favorite reading space.









The girls and I went to see Babies, a beautiful movie that Laura had recommended (we missed you Laura!).

 After, I got to choose a bike for my present (still deciding on exactly what I want)...then a delicious dinner at a favorite downtown restaurant and home for rich cheesecake.

Add to that calls from my faraway children ...one who again won the lottery to see Wicked in NYC (her 4th time to win Broadway tickets by lottery!)...in my honor she said (she did win for us last August), a husband who took the day off and helped with flowers and gifts and dinner...and discovering the hammock works great for 2....(I'm listening right now to the girls laughing in it under the stars) and it was altogether a most beautiful day. I love June!