Colorado July 6 - 18
We head back to Shelly's moms cabin in Granby and just after 3 weeks time most of the snow is melted and there is so much more growth and greenery.
We ride the ATVs back to the spot up Elk Moutain where we were stopped last time due to snow drifts and are able to drive all the way up.
PJ is experiencing terrible allergies and the mosquitoes and horseflies are thicker. Hunter snaps at and runs away from the bugs as he doesn't like them either.
We all go on an all day rafting trip on the Colorado river. The weather was beautiful but we are told that it only takes 3 minutes in the water for the body to start to go in hypothermia. Everyone but Shelly and her step dad jump into the water at least once and get back into the boat in a hurry.
The canyons we drift through are stunning with rock outcroppings, an Eagle sighting, trees, and red rock.
We hike to dinosaur prints in a rock wall.
From reading the free local newspaper that we pick up in town, Shelly sees that the Kremmling Airport is offering free experimental airplane rides for kids on Saturday from 8 - 11 am. We go as Kremmling is only 20 miles away and Shelly's nephews get to ride in a two seater plane that pilot Rod built. They get to fly the plane and they fly over the cabin. They are very excited after their flights and it was a great experience for them. There were only 5 kids that showed up for this great, free event - go figure.
Shelly's mom allows free range cows to feed in her meadow every summer. The cows make their way over and wake us with their bawlings. Hunter is wary of them but makes his way to the meadow to roll in several cow patties. He is covered in it.
On the road to the cabin you pass a pond where a paddle and row boat sit. For several weeks Shelly's nephews have been trying to talk her into going there to joy ride the boats on the pond. Now with Hunter covered in cow poop, she gives in so that Hunter can get a bath. We ride the ATVs to the pond with Hunter following, we hoist the paddle boat into the water, the boys get in, and Shelly pushes them off (not even knowing if the boat will float). It floats but doesn't have any steering. We get Hunter into the water swimming and eventually get back to shore to soap him up. There are private cows here and one of the bulls charges PJ and Hunter on the shore and Hunter chases it away. Shelly's brother has been keeping watch this whole time on the road in case we are going to get caught and can make a quick getaway. We get back to the ATVs and make our way home with both goals accomplished.
On the way back, Hunter begins to roam the hills like he always does but this time he doesn't get past all the downed barbed wire fencing. He yelps and we see that he has a 2" gash on his front leg that has gone to the bone. PJ rides the ATV to the cabin to exchange it for the truck while Shelly waits with Hunter and we get him to a vet in town. He gets sedated, stitches, and antibiotics within an hour and we take him back to the cabin (with Shelly carrying him in and out of the truck). This was the first vet that Hunter has not growled at - good boy! He is very groggy, shaking from coming out of the sedative, but is overall doing very good.
We ride the ATVs back to the spot up Elk Moutain where we were stopped last time due to snow drifts and are able to drive all the way up.
PJ is experiencing terrible allergies and the mosquitoes and horseflies are thicker. Hunter snaps at and runs away from the bugs as he doesn't like them either.
We all go on an all day rafting trip on the Colorado river. The weather was beautiful but we are told that it only takes 3 minutes in the water for the body to start to go in hypothermia. Everyone but Shelly and her step dad jump into the water at least once and get back into the boat in a hurry.
The canyons we drift through are stunning with rock outcroppings, an Eagle sighting, trees, and red rock.
We hike to dinosaur prints in a rock wall. 
From reading the free local newspaper that we pick up in town, Shelly sees that the Kremmling Airport is offering free experimental airplane rides for kids on Saturday from 8 - 11 am. We go as Kremmling is only 20 miles away and Shelly's nephews get to ride in a two seater plane that pilot Rod built. They get to fly the plane and they fly over the cabin. They are very excited after their flights and it was a great experience for them. There were only 5 kids that showed up for this great, free event - go figure.
Shelly's mom allows free range cows to feed in her meadow every summer. The cows make their way over and wake us with their bawlings. Hunter is wary of them but makes his way to the meadow to roll in several cow patties. He is covered in it. 
On the road to the cabin you pass a pond where a paddle and row boat sit. For several weeks Shelly's nephews have been trying to talk her into going there to joy ride the boats on the pond. Now with Hunter covered in cow poop, she gives in so that Hunter can get a bath. We ride the ATVs to the pond with Hunter following, we hoist the paddle boat into the water, the boys get in, and Shelly pushes them off (not even knowing if the boat will float). It floats but doesn't have any steering. We get Hunter into the water swimming and eventually get back to shore to soap him up. There are private cows here and one of the bulls charges PJ and Hunter on the shore and Hunter chases it away. Shelly's brother has been keeping watch this whole time on the road in case we are going to get caught and can make a quick getaway. We get back to the ATVs and make our way home with both goals accomplished. 
On the way back, Hunter begins to roam the hills like he always does but this time he doesn't get past all the downed barbed wire fencing. He yelps and we see that he has a 2" gash on his front leg that has gone to the bone. PJ rides the ATV to the cabin to exchange it for the truck while Shelly waits with Hunter and we get him to a vet in town. He gets sedated, stitches, and antibiotics within an hour and we take him back to the cabin (with Shelly carrying him in and out of the truck). This was the first vet that Hunter has not growled at - good boy! He is very groggy, shaking from coming out of the sedative, but is overall doing very good.
We decide to head to Shelly's moms house in Golden so that Hunter can rest and recouperate. We take him on walks and he is doing just fine; a little stiff and sore but he is not chewing on his bandage and that is good. He has to keep the bandage on for two weeks, is on antibiotics for 5 days, and then have the stitches removed on the 28th. It is hot here but it is good to be back in civilization.
dear Hunter,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your having fun.
I hope you get better soon.
I miss you so much.
great wishes
!casey!
P.S
chase a cow for me. :)