Multi tasking is for the birds

I am good at what I do, but I can only do one thing at a time. I must concentrate on one job. It is hard for me to actually plan a trip much past the next stop. I wish I were actually a multi tasking guy but really I am not. If I drop one job to do another, I may just forget where I was or what I was doing. The other day we had finished supper and it was my turn to wash dishes. I put some stuff in the sink and started the water to let them soak. Fortunately we sit only three feet from the sink, and Sherry looks over and says ‘JACK!’ I looked and the whole kitchen sink was about ten seconds from running over!

To get on and off the military base I have to show my ID. Coming back from the Pike’s Peak run we came on base and I showed my ID and instead of putting it back in my wallet, it went into my jacket pocket. The weather has been jacket weather for the past couple days, but this day was not. So I took off without my jacket, needed the ID and could not find it. Yep, a trip back to the motor home to find the ID card.

I admire folks who can concentrate on more than one job. Sherry can. She can have a discussion and play a game at the same time. She, like most women can prepare a three-four course meal and have it all come out at the right time. I really admire you ladies, or any cook, who can do that.

I read a book by Ken Follett I thoroughly enjoyed, called ‘Pillars of the Earth’. In it was a man who could sculpt angels. That was his one goal in life and he did it to perfection. I am a one track guy, but most of the time I will not hang on until I perfect whatever skill I am using at the time.
When I see or hear of someone who practices to perfection, I am sorta envious. I love to paint, but it is mediocre, I draw and it impresses kids, but it is not great. I sing and I am the only one who thinks it is good. Ha! I also give great advice, (I think), but it too must be mediocre because it is seldom heeded.

I marvel at a gymnast, at a musician who has perfected the talent. I know I would never be that dedicated (Many hours’ even years of practice). But like the rest of the world I live in my skin, I have chosen, so, though not perfect I am gonna be me. It is too late to change, therefore I am gonna be happy doing one thing at a time! What about you?

NIte Shipslog

PS:
Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

Above is what the trip to Pike's Peak looked like the first time I went up. We passed thru 20' drifts, and that was in May.


Below is a picture of the output of Manitou Springs this year.

Another street scene from Manitou Springs

Out next stop the Garden of the gods. An area of water, wind and rain erosion that produces interesting shapes. Fred mentioned this in his comments, we wanted to see it.

The entrance to the Garden is this Balanced Rock. Nature does this in many places. We got to see many of them in Arizona and there is one called the Jefferson rock at Harper's Ferry.

This is the Garden's tourist trap. 'Garden of the Gods Trading post, circa 1900.They all have them and not really bad, we love to window shop but seldom buy. There were coffee cups for $8-15. We skipped them

I don't remember but two names of the nature sculps.

This one was called the 'Three Graces'.

You could see birds snuggled, or flying in and out of the many holes in the rock. There were many species of birds. Here are two loving pigeons.

Plaque on one of the large outcropings, Stating that the gift was fromt he Perkins family and it would ever be FREE to the public.

Colorado means 'red' in an indian language. This white outcropping seems nearly our of place among allthe red ones.

The highest formation is called 'Kissing Camels' As we drove in I mentioned it should be called kissing rocks.

In this one you can see some of the many holes for birds and animals to find a home and shelter.

Of course I did not show all the formations. They were all interesting. It was a good walk and well worth the price, FREE. It always amazes one like me who is used to obeying rules and laws, to see folks walk right past a sign that says 'KEEP OUT, area in process of restoration'.

Oh well, sometimes I wish I would do that, but alas, something stops me.

Thanks for going with us to the Garden of the Gods. This is just a sampling of natures sculpting. Arizona has great areas as will as Utah. Soon we will visit Moab in Utah.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Pike's Peak, Manitou Springs, CO.

Today we make it to Pike's Peak. When we arrived we were told that all seats for today was sold out. We parked and were pleasantly surprised that the teller had two tickes for the 2:40 afternoon departure. With tickets in hand we headed to the little tourist village of Manitou Springs for breakfast. We found a nice spot with good coffee (Sherry's main requirement) at the Nile Restaurant. Good food also.
BAck at the depot in plenty of time to get ready for the climb. There are three ways to get to the Peak. Hike (7-8 hours), Drive an 18 mile road for $12 an adult and $5 per child. or $40 a car (up to 5 persons), or our choice the Cog train $33 a person, we considered pricey, but we won't be back so up we go ont he cog train.

Notice the cog track in the middle of the RR tracks. A gear or two under the train hooks these gears and pulls itself and passengers up the incline, in places is steep, 25% grade.

The trains are nice, two facing two on one side and three facing three on the other side. We sat in front of two folks who were Swedish but from Italy. Nice young couple. Below is our first lake.

We passed several lakes. Also passed one train on the doward run. Everyone waves like they know each other. The rock building is called Windy Point. Used years ago for workers.

Another lake. I believe the left side of the train as you go up is the better all round view, but there are advantages to both sides. YOur ticket specifies the seat you ride up and back, it is the same.

Here is a View of Colorado Springs.

At the Top. Sherry in front of Rock Rubble. I love the rocks There are three perfect ridges behind Sherry going down the mt. about a quarter mile.

A nice lady shot our picture. We are over 14,000 ft. We left 75 degrees, it is 39 degrees here at the peak.

Another view of the valley below.

One brave soul out on the edge.

View on the opposite side from Colorado Springs.

We took over 70 pictures, but his is my favorite. The valley below showing the rock rubble and cloud shadows on the valley and the lower mountains.

More rock rubble. We saw a lot of the on the East Coast also while we walked the Appalachian trail. I always wonder what process God used to break these rodk up. They are from 50 to 500 lbs each. man sure did not arrange them.

I know I shoot a lot of rocks. This is to show the angle of repose of the rocks. We are going down the mt.

Another good view....

More rock, but notice the angle of the trees in the back ground.

We made it back down. We were both tired. I am more tired now becasue I got to this point a while ago and lost every thing. So I am not going back to correct mistakes.

Some have been here others have heard of Pike's Peak. This is known as America's Mountain because of its popularity.

Thanks for going up and back. Tomorrow, as Fred mentioned, there is aplace here called the Garden of the gods. We will talk about that.

Nite Shipslog

I also forget I am in the Mountain time zone and most of you guys are in the bed back on Eastern time.

USAF ACADEMY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

The Cadet's chapel at the Academy. It stands 150' into the air.

It is a striking structure. This came as a surprise to me. This is the most visited man-made structure in Colorado.

We shot this from an overlook.

These two views were great. These pictures are taken on base. Part of this base is on the mountains. Most folks are familiar with the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and the Army Academy at West Point in New York.


A good overlook af Colorado Springs from the mountain on base.

Of course we went to the Visitors Center on base. This is the entrance of the Barry Goldwater AFA Visitors center. Very interesting inside.

I only took one shot inside, and that was of the Chapel Model.

And of course a picture of the small senator who was tall on actions. Some of you will remember when he ran for president. I remember someone came out with canned water in a gold can, called 'Gold Water'. 1964 I think, Lyndon Baines beat him in a landslide. West Point was born in 1802, Annapolis was born later in 1845. The USAF Academy graduated its first class in 1959. Of course we didn't have a USAF until about 1948, until then it was part of the Army. SO THIS ACADEMY IS RELATIVELY YOUNG.

The chapel you see in the distance was built in 1963 (A year after I was discharged from the AF, they were celebrating!)

I walked out of the RV and took some wild flower pictures.

This is a pod with yellow flowers poping out.

Shucks I know these Sherry introduced me to them on the trail in Virginia while we were hiking. These are Brown eyed susans. I thought they were yellow daisies.

We have a gtreat camp site here with plenty of room.

Thanks for visiting the Academy with us. We will do better from Pike's Peak maybe tomorrow.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

From Wayne age 7:

If you are surrounded by sea you are an Island. If you don't have sea all round you, you are in continent.

From Kansas to the Air Force Academy

Above my elevator block head

Out of Russel Kansas, Just wanted to show one sunset of many coming up. The West across this vast flat land creates some beautiful sunsets.
The evening was spent in Seibert, Colorado I don't have some pictures in seq for some reason. This is one of my best pictures, I love old cars, even if someone would consider them junk..

This is the grain elevators of Seibert It that doesn't look like a giant block head, I don't know what was. I added a little to a photo to make one.

WE try to get out and walk, the wind was up but I was surprised at the size of the wheels on this grain hauler.

This is the back side of the grain elevators. I wondered how they moved the train cars, I never see an engine except when they are pulling away. They use a Farm tractor to position the train car for loading.

I Just wanted to back up and show this six lane highway into Russel. We walked strait across and back for breakfast. He had to stop for one car. Not much traffic.

Just before coming to the Colorado Border we got one shot of an oil well.

There is something else interesting about the plain states. The openness allows you to see an entire train, no matter how long it is. Also something unique, when you see a town coming up you notice it starts as a town immediately, it doesn'g fade in. When you drive out of town it doesn't fade out, it is behind you no urban sprawl.

In the middle of these vast farms, you can see a farm house in the distance. Most of the time it is surrounded by some trees.

Now we are back on track, here we are welcomed to Colorado.

The night is spent in Shady Acres or Grove RV Park. Here I tried to wash the bugs off the windshields. To be ready for out trip into Colorado Springs.

In Colorado slowly you notice the ground starts to swell more, giving rolling hills and now cattle take preference to crops.

I loved this lonely ranch house. In a Copse of cottonwoods.

I cannot tell, but I think this is cows and Sorgum grain.

WE have been seeing Pikes Peak for some time, but this is a shot of the Mountain with Colorado Springs in the fore ground. Our goal is the USAF Academy here.

At the Academy they welcomed us with open arms, well not open arms but they did welcome us.

Now we are home again, this time aboard the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Sherry's cousin Ralph Hawes called, he is prior AF, I told Sherry to tell him we will be graduating in a week since we are Navy! It shouldn't take long.LOL

Thanks for following us to the Academy. Wish us luck on the finals, hahahahahah!

NIte Shipslog

PS:

The irony of life is that, by the time
You're old enough to know your way
Around, you're not going anywhere.