Where Are The Fu@%ing Night Crawallers?

Gear is packed for Backbon

Steve packs the same way

Phones in the plastic bags

The Devils Backbone

And away we go

White Horse Leap

Time to fish

Crappie 

Bass

Hike

Fish

Eat, Drink 

and be Merry

Colorado Springs Class of 2016

 Beau  graduated from the Colorado Springs Police Academy this past week.
Hired from a pool of more than 1,700 applicants, the recruits, aged 23-48, completed six months of training at the police academy. The training regimen included being pepper sprayed in the face, a string of physical challenges and experiencing the effects of a stun gun.

 We are both so proud he has chosen a career in law enforcement and has sworn to protect all people, those that respect him & those that hate him.

 Beau and Malory

 Kimberly, Beau and Susie

 Greg and Missouri River Sue 

Below is a gift Brother Greg and Shawna  worked to give Beau. Top is my father Jim Becker who was with the Iowa DNR for 37 years. Next Greg with 37 years of service. Shawna and Ken included, all adds up over 120 total years of service. With a Colorado Springs police patch and soon added photo of Beau to complete our law enforcement family tree.

 We are all so proud of his desire to serve. 

43 officers graduate from Colorado Springs police training academy | FOX21News.com

Update

on the beat

The INCLINE

 From our room we can see the Manitou Incline which has been hailed as the holy grail of cardio for locals and athletes.  The once railroad track now consists of approximately 2,744 steps made entirely of railroad ties! Although it’s only one mile in length, the ascension averages a 41% incline (68% at its highest) and a 2,000 foot climb in elevation! Phew! That’s a lot of stairs! That’s even more than the Empire State Building! Needless to say, this hike isn’t for the faint of heart, or heights. The Manitou Incline is considered one of the highest sets of stairs in the world! This trail is rated Extreme. 

 Completed in 1907 the Manitou Incline was a 1 mile cable tram built to support the construction of a hydroelectric plant and it's waterline. After performing this service the railway was then purchased by Dr. Brumbach and turned into a tourist attraction. 

 The Manitou Incline Trail gains about 2,000 feet in 0.9 miles.  Returning via the Barr Trail creates a hike of about 3.8 miles and guess who wanted to run it back down.  

 This was my typical view.  Following Beau and Kimberly

Or Barb or Susie????

Time for a break and a chance for me to catch up to these two

And another break a little closer to the top

Who said this would be fun?

 Just a few more steps to the
top!

 Guess who wants to run the trail going down?

They say a good goal is to have your ascent rate equil your age.  This is a tough goal for the younger kids but they did wait for me, a little bit.   45 minutes to the top, not bad for 54. Wait I'm  dyslexic was it 54 min and I'm only 45.  Whatever  it was a great hike with Beau and Kimber.  

Red Rock Canyon

 Kimberly and I went back out to the Red Rocks open space.

 Not that I enjoy running but I gave it a shot.

 Great formations

In the 1800s, a quarry was established in Red Rocks, the remains of which are still quite evident and rather interesting to hike through. It is a fun place to hike 

 The rocks are among the largest formations in the park, and the quarry work left behind enormous geometric cuts in the rock face.

 More trail running

 Reflections

 Rock climbing 

Now to get down.

Up On Cripple Creek!

 After celebrating the 4th in the Springs we took a leisurely drive up to Cripple Creek.

 I had some great views out the car window as we drove up.

 The winding road didn't work so well for Susie and this is what her view was like for most of the drive up.

We stopped for a pic. with the town celebrities.  the current heard of donkeys are believed to be made  up of several direct descendants of the donkeys that worked the mines in the Cripple Creek gold mining camp.

 Ready to hike

Danger hike?

 Mountain rescue.  We carried this gal down the trail after she rolled her ankle when she was returning from a moss gathering hike. 

 We met up with Beau in Manitou Springs on a beautiful morning.  After a cup of joe and a tart we were ready for adventure.

We deciced to hit the Red Rock Canyon Trails it's a 3.4 mile and with all the resent rains the  wild flowers were just beautiful even the cactus were in bloom.

We were glad we brought the sun screen.

Looks like rain up in the mountians

We were all so happy to be together after a 7 month break.

Heading down to the lake and check out those clouds.

Throw on another layer

Nice little mountain sprinkle. 

Looks like someone threw a few gold fish in the lake

Here it comes

What would Johnny Cash say!

Fun and games until the hail starts.

Safe and sound

Smile