I'll start off with a few shots from leading hikes for Runge Nature Center. Here are a few shots from some of the hikes.
Teen hike to Clifty Creek Natural Area
Carol and I hiking at Clifty Creek
Linda and Bruce on a June pre-hike
Karen leading some hikers at Shaw Arboretum near St. Louis
In June we took a couple of days and went to Ben Branch Lake a state conservation lake not too far from home. I had just finished my trailer arrangement to carry my canoe on while pulling the camper so I wanted to try it out. We got in a little fishing but only caught a bunch of blue gill. Carol caught something much more serious though. While we were there she got a tick bite that was to turn into something called 'erlichiousis' which surfaced while we were out in Colorado and gave us quite a scare.
Dave and Linda at Ben Branch Lake
Camper and canoe set up at Ben Branch Lake
In early July we packed the camper, went through Kansas City to pick up Annabelle, and headed to Denver for the Eagleburger family reunion. The reunion was a success and all went well until Carol came down with a terrible headache that we thought at first was a migraine. We actually went to the emergency room in Denver and she got a bunch of drugs to get rid of it. The next day we headed for Rocky Mountain National Park to spend a few days camping with the kids. Unfortunately, since Carol didn't get any better we packed up our camper and headed straight home so we could get her taken care of. As it turned out it was the tick born disease called 'erlichiosis' and it was eventually cured with a lot of anti-biotics, but not until a lot of worry took place.
Annabelle napping in the back seat on the way to Denver
Sitting under the pergola at Shelby's
Carol when she was still feeling well
Rob, Becky, Annabelle, and Andrew in Shelby's backyard
Aaron, Carter, and Andrew playing at Shelby's
Here are a few photos from our brief stay at Rocky Mountain National Park with the kids.
Our camper and Shelby's teardrop at RMNP
Andrew climbing on the rocks at the campsite
The Lynch's and me on a horseback ride at Estes Park
That afternoon, after the horseback ride, I decided to head home and get Carol to St. Mary's because we both just felt more comfortable with that particular hospital. They also treated the headache as a bad migraine, but the day after that treatment she developed a fever and that cast a new light on things. She was admitted to the hospital and a week of tests and treatments followed. Finally they figured out it was 'erlichiosis' and it started to get better. The real scare came when she started vomiting straight blood. This as it turned out was due to perforated ulcer that was irritated by her throwing up due to the headache. Oh boy, what a scare that was. All finally turned out well though, thank goodness.
In the spring Carol and I had gone over to Pomme de Terre lake and looked for a place to put the fifth wheel for the summer. We didn't find a place but we did stop by the Pomme De Terre state park and got an application for campground hosting. They had an opening for the month of October which we thought was perfect, so we applied and got accepted. We went to some training at Montauk State Park in the spring and then camped at Pomme De Terre state park in September to check it out, and finally pulled the fifth wheel down the end of September to work camp during October.
Camping at Montauk state park during training
Camping at Pomme De Terre before our camp host job began
Fifthwheel at Pomme De Terre state park campground hosting
In September we also had Andrew for a week to even things out for Annabelle going out to Denver with us a week early. While Andrew was here we headed over to Hawn state park and meet up with the gang to explore the area around Ste. Genevieve. We got in a little hiking and some site seeing.
Camping at Hawn state park
Me, Andrew, Carol, and Dave enjoying some fried fish at Hawn
The gang at the Popeye statue
Andrew and I at Hawn SP
In September I also bought an old camper to restore. It is a 1959 Century and while Andrew was here he helped me start the project.
Andrew scrapping old caulk off the 59 Century
Poppa and Andrew working on the old camper together
Andrew starting down the hill in the Radio Flyer
In November I flew out to Denver and rented a car and Shelby and I went down to Santa Fe together. While we had a good time, mainly hiking, we both felt that Santa Fe had simply become a place that was just too rich for our blood. Money is of utmost importance when you visit Santa Fe.
Me in the slot canyon at Tent Rocks National Monument
Shelby at Tent Rocks NM
On the Plaza at Santa Fe
Shelby and a friend hiking in the mountains north of Santa Fe
Hiking in the Red Rocks area near Denver
Christmas this year was at our house. We had the whole family here. Even Mike, Teresa, Amy, and Dave and Linda all came over on Christmas Day to be with us.
The table at the Lodge is set for Christmas
Carol and I at Christmas
Don and Helen talking to Phil or Steve on Christmas Day
The Lynch's at Christmas 2012
Now it is on to 2012 and whatever surprises that holds for us.
