Posting #2 - Preparation For Camping

We are shedding off the house and all the amenities of the conventional home and going camping next weekend! My family has made it safely back to Colorado and we have been preparing all weekend for our first, as a family at least, real camping experience. We plan on doing everything from telling ghost stories by the campfire, fishing, a little bit of geocaching perhaps, and just teaching my kids to enjoy being in nature.

As I have mentioned before, my company has sent me to some absolutely beautiful areas of the world, but I can’t begin to describe what being here in Colorado does to you. There is something about this state that makes you want to get out and be active. I love it, my wife loves it, my kids love it, and the fact that we can all enjoy it together just makes it indescribable!

Well, stay tuned for the details of our first camping trip! I will provide the write, my wife will provide the photos.

Posting #1 - The Gateway Arch

At this time, my kids are at home enjoying…well, their time and just having fun! Without going into great detail, I travel, you may say, quite extensively for my company. This has allowed me to see some absolutely spectacular areas of the world. This past year, my wife and I decided to start home schooling our kids so they too can have the opportunity to experience my travels, but, in their own way.

On our recent return trip home we stopped in St. Louis to visit the Gateway Arch as well as other parts of the Jefferson Expansion Memorial. On our trips to and from Colorado my kids have always been amazed with the Gateway Arch and often asked, “Can we go there? We really want to go there!!! Mommy and Daddy, can we go there, please?!?!” Well, on Sunday, April 25, 2010, we obliged their request. The excitement on their faces could not be described in words.

As we walked in, cleared the security gates, our oldest son, Devon, was insistent that he “was not scared” and was chomping at the bit to go up into the arch! Shelby, our daughter and middle child, was a little apprehensive, but soon showed great enthusiasm as we walked around before taking the North Tram to the top. Jackson, our youngest son, was…well, he was just doing what every tenacious 3-year old does – being a 3-year old! We soon make our way to the North Tram and begin our ascent to the top of the arch. Once there, all fear of heights soon diminished as all three of them found the closest window and pressed their faces to the glass to wonder in the amazement! To this day, Shelby can tell you precisely how far up we were!!! The day was overcast and rainy, but the visibility was made for them. They could see for miles!!! Well, what goes up must come down, and down we went. As we get down to the bottom, we find the gift store where Devon & Jackson find a Lewis & Clark spyglass that they absolutely refused to put down. Jackson would not stop coming up me and my wife telling us to look through the spyglass!

Jackson: “Mommy, Daddy…wook!!! Wike this…wook!”

Daddy: “Alright, let me se…..”

Jackson: “No Daddy, wike this!!!” (holding the larger end of the spyglass to his eye)

Daddy: “Like this?”

Jackson: “Yep, Daddy, wike that! Okay Daddy, no more okay! I’m ago show Mommy…okay Daddy? I’m ago show Mommy.” (and off he goes)

I could go on and on about this adventure, but I think I am going to close for now. In closing, we are getting ready to go back to the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota for a hike up to the top of the memorial as well as some good, old-fashioned camping.

More to follow…..