After arriving in Denver at Aunt Sara's we ventured to Boulder, Co on Saturday. One of my favorite spots in the country. Forgetting that it was Memorial Day weekend, we squeezed through the crowds of folks there for the Boulder Boulder run. They had vendors with running gear and running clubs set up in the mall. It's sort of a runners dream come true and an arthritis sufferer's nightmare. Seriously, I just wanted to weep. If only I could run and buy all that neat gear....someday in heaven I am gonna run like the wind.

The painter above was letting folks try their hand a painting. Mieke got to make flowers on the canvas. These blue sunglasses made her eyes even bluer.

 Trying on head gear.

 And all the Flat Irons in their magnificent glory. We managed about a half hour hike before Mieke wiped out and skinned a knee. Running on the trails is generally not a good idea.

 Cousin Sean had an 8am soccer game. And boy was it windy and cold. We never seem to come prepared no matter how much we pack. Mieke, Jelena and Aunt Sara shivering.
Sean is #19 in the blue jersey.

 I have discovered that Blog Spot only wants to download my horizontal photos and not the verticals.
How to kill time at a soccer game: Cartwheels and backward rolls down the incline.

And pretend you are a fashion model. In the afternoon we headed to Garden of the Gods. Just amazing. The sky was so clear and blue. We could feel just about every UV ray coming down.

 Pike's Peak in the distance.

Next stop, Rapid City, South Dakota.

 It's a good idea, when you are behind on blogging, to start with a photo of cute kids! Weston, Will and baby Carsten came for a visit. We found those "Milk-fed" shirts at Moo-Roo our local dairy's, dairy store. See, the Huenink boys live on a dairy farm now. But they used to live down the street from us and boy, do we miss these boys and their parents.

After breakfast at the AMVETS downtown Hudson, we hit the road for Colorado. The girls and I made a looong road trip West. Matt stayed home with Papa Ulven, who was in the hospital. Papa is now back at the nursing home and doing marvelously well! He is sitting up and eating on his own.

Here are my traveling companions:

 We took off for Colorado (Parker) to see Aunt Sara and her family for Memorial Day weekend. Mieke brought along her grown up reading. She thinks it's cool to pick these books out at the library. I think it is because Jelena is an avid reader and well, we want to be just like her....

Sorry, I have trouble loading from iPhoto sometimes. We stopped at Grand Island, NE to gas up and fell prey to the tacky tourist stuff at the gas station. I am quite certain that real natives used fewer poles on their dwellings.

 Of course, I always miss the turn for the Mormon Island as it is hidden in the trees but totally visible from the interstate. Duh. It's a lovely spot to stop, if you can find it. Of course it has a BIG sign with an arrow, but fighting with you 5 1/2 year old about using the restroom usually distracts one from such obvious signage.

 We spent the night in Kearney, NE. Next morning we visited the Archway to the West or something like that.

 The museum is really not worth the $$ admission price but it gave us the $12 quick history of the American West. Complete with "wild" guys. He is for real, beard is real and yes, he poses for every shot that way. I hope he gets a hefty cut of the admission price.

 We determined that we probably would not have made it very far on the trail and our wagon discards would look a lot like this.

 I am pretty sure others have messed with this gal and she will surely dump the coffee coffee on her foot.

 The next stretch tomorrow......stay tuned.