04.13.11

Outdoor Education - Final Day

During our time at High Trails, I have been working with the students in the Trapper group. During our time in the forest, students had the opportunity to build their own lean-to structures. I came across a number of very cool fallen logs. I've enjoyed my time with the kids, but I'm anxious to get back home. I will say that being out in the mountains makes me anxious to go camping this summer.

04.11.11

Outdoor Education

Today was the first of three days at High Trails just outside of Florrisant, Colorado. This is a camp for the 6th graders - I went as a chaperone. We had great weather for our first day. This is a photo of an aspen tree...I loved the texture.

01.02.10

Christmas Tree

I realized that I hadn't taken any photos of the Christmas tree this year. I figured that since I'll be taking it down tomorrow, I should probably include at least one photo.

03.31.09

Another snow.

We awoke Monday to some wonderfully large snowflakes. I captured the tree in our front yard. Well, it's pretty sad when I take a picture and forget that I've taken it! I was taking a photo of the new pair of bluebirds today and while I was checking out the photos I came across this picture that I had actually taken before going to school yesterday.

Maybe it had something to do with the "smell" at school.  We all noticed an odor in the air - something like a nail salon.  Not too long after school got going we had to move all the students to the gym and cafeteria.  Yes, all 600 of them.  District and building folks assessed the situation.  There was some work done on the floors during break and the epoxy was emitting a non-toxic odor...it was just very strong.  We ended up doing an early dismissal.  Within two hours we had the majority of students home.  Our leadership team did an amazing job.  It was an interesting day back from spring break!

Anyway, I liked the photo so I decided to go ahead and use it today.

03.10.09

Wishing tree.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was having to do a little rule breaking. I didn't take this photo today, but if you check out yesterday's post you'll see why I just had to save it.

Just west of Castle Rock there is a highway that I consider the "scenic route." It consists mainly of equestrian properties and rolling hills...it's beautiful anytime of the year. Whenever possible, I try taking this route if I'm headed home from the northwest. And yesterday I had that chance.

There is a small park that I have passed for years, but have never stopped and visited...until yesterday. The brightly colored ribbons blowing in the breeze caught my attention. This "Sanctuary" is actually a park funded by the Colorado Lottery. There are several small paths, benches, meditation areas, bells hanging in the trees, nesting boxes, and of course - the Wishing Trees - there's three of them. It's a very peaceful place.

There is a box of ribbons on which people can write their wishes and tie them on to the trees. I began taking photos of the trees just straight on, but then decided to change my angle. I began shooting up, into the tree from the ground and was much happier with how those pictures turned out.

I didn't add any wishes of my own...if you visited the Wishing Tree, what would you wish for?