south park tree lighting

I accidentally stumbled into SOUTH PARK, CO just in time for their annual tree lighting! I couldn't make this up if I tried! The creators of the show based everything off this town – from characters, to buildings! It's hilarious!

snow alert : dumping !

Weather forecast: "chance" of flurries!! HA! It's DUMPING right now!! There's a chance I could get "snowed-in", to my camper! Haha Holy adventure!! So funny. All I can do is laugh :) Thank goodness I brought my Sorels back with me and THANK GOD my dad sent my parka to Montana for me. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

volunteering | salvation army | thanksgiving | colorado springs, co

I knew I wanted to help with the homeless this holiday, but I was so busy taking my NRA handgun safety class to do any real research. I made a last minute attempt to contact organizations in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, hopeful someone still wanted me. :)

If you've ever tried to volunteer on Thanksgiving you know that it's almost impossible! Everyone decides to do their penance on Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a wonderful, selfless act to give up your holiday with close family and friends to care for the less fortunate; however, homeless shelters are open all year so you don't have to wait for Thanksgiving! For example, you can volunteer at St. John the Divine (110 & Amsterdam in NYC) to feed the homeless every Sunday (breakfast and/or lunch). There are countless places in the city that need help every weekend. If you go to St. John the Divine, ask for Thomas! He knows me well.

Anyway, I rarely help on Thanksgiving day because there are just way too many volunteers. What I do, however, is volunteer on Thanksgiving EVE, when the most help is needed prepping and setting up for the grand feast. A great place to do this in NYC is St. Paul's Church right by Columbus Circle. Granted, it might be impossible to take off on Wednesday to volunteer, but if you are free it's extremely rewarding. 

I decided to email Alma, the Director of the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs to see if they needed help. I assumed they were "full" on Turkey Day, but asked if she needed help on Wednesday, prepping. She got back to me pretty quickly with a resounding YES. 

As we helped unload the pies from the freezer to thaw, I couldn't help but notice how few pies there were! They were expecting over 1,500 people for dinner and they only had 20 pies! They were dangerously low on bread as well. I was told this time last year the room was overflowing with donations. This awful economy has affected every sector of society. In a desperate move, Consuela (a fellow volunteer) and I started calling local stores pleading for donations. Unfortunately, most stores were unable to help; however, good ol' WALMART happily came to our aid!!! Thank you to Darryl (manager of Walmart on S. 8th Street) and Greg (manager of Walmart on 1575 Space Center Dr.). Consuela hit the jackpot as well when she reached Care-And-Share, a local organization that provides help to the less fortunate, including homeless shelters. 

Bad economy or not, the homelss shall feast this Thanksgiving!

Salvation Army • 908 Yuma Ave • Colorado Springs

i love you, but i hate you

Lulu is not a fan of the cold! Caught her on my cell trying to call ASPCA and report me for doggie abuse!

Lulu begrudgingly waiting under a mountain of blankets as I change the camper sheets! (30 degrees) There's a slight possibility she is "over" the road trip.

Blake's 21st Birthday Nov. 10, 2010 • Prohibition UWS NYC

Blake's birthday was doubly special this year. Not only can he (legally) drink, but he is now liberated from the NYC foster care system. I HAD to come back to celebrate! (and register him for college!)

My first call was to Prohibition on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to reserve space. As most of you know, Prohibition was the venue for Blake's "surprise" wheelchair fundraiser back in January, which could not have been more special. Prohibition is my favorite bar/restaurant in NYC. I had no question where Blake's birthday party would be.

Jermaine, one of the other incredible little loves from the nursing home, showed up to make the evening even more special. Jermaine was Blake's first roommate about three years ago. They're both paralyzed, but unstoppable. 

The night was full of laughter and love. Funny moments included Blake slugging back his celebratory shot (purchased for him by the girls at the next table) while Jermaine sat sipping his Pinot Grigio (priceless). You couldn't wipe the smile off my face if you tried!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU goes out to Prohibitoin, more specifically Ian Duke (one of the owner's of Prohibition) as well as Natalie and Quinn. When Quinn (the General Manager) handed me the check I couldn't believe my eyes. Ian could not be there in person, but left instructions for the boys' portion of the bill to be comped. He took care of their bill and then some!! Incredible! When I emailed him the next day to thank him, his response was "I think what you do for those kids is fantastic and I'm glad to be able to do my little part." I am forever blessed and humbled by the kindness and generosity of people like Ian, and so many of my friends.  THANK YOU!

Jenny, Blake & Jermaine! Jenny works at Mt. Sinai and is my right hand when it comes to helping the boys! She is ALWAYS there whenever we need her!! She's our guardian angel :) None of my efforts are even remotely possible without the help of Jenny, Ian and so many of my other friends!! 

Clearly I have no clue what I'm doing!!

I tried putting a password on my site and for those of you that tried, you know it doesn't work! Argh I thought I did it right. Sorry Mom & Jill (for having to calm my worried mother). Yes I'm OK. I love my web hosting company; however, every time you want to do something new they email you a 'manual' (no live people). That's fine for those with some technical prowess, but for the rest of us that are a bit more challenged, it stinks! Should be easy, right? I had to set up an "audience" then "members"and way too many check boxes. So confusing. Taking off the nonworking password for now.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

bishop castle | wetmore, colorado

Started in 1969, Bishop Castle, is one man's 40 year crusade to build and finish his very own castle before he dies. Located in the middle of nowhere, Jim Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set over 1000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress. He has no thought of slowing down. Although the castle is mostly a hollow shell of cemented rocks and ornamental ironwork, his future plans include a moat and a drawbridge, a roller coaster mounted on the castle's outer wall, a balcony big enough to hold an orchestra, and a second castle for Phoebe, his wife. 

Bishop spent years fighting the government over various issues, including his use of "rocks" taken from the protected San Isabel National Forest. Bishop felt that they were his for the taking, the government wanted to charge him per truckload. Bishop also had issues with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce for not listing him as an attraction in their tourism guide. Happily, the angry battles are in the past; however, their memory still lives on in the form of unfiltered, angry, hand painted signs placed all over the property.  

With its fancily decorated, ornate iron rails and balconies, and stunning stained glass windows, there is no debating the castle is an impressive piece of art in the most colossal form. Mr. Bishop is an extremely talented man.

I tried climbing the stairs to the top, but WAY too afraid of heights! This picture was taken halfway up – right before I turned around!!
The castle's dragon, made from recycled metal hospital trays, shoots fire with the aid of a burner from a hot air balloon.

great sand dune national park | colorado

TALLEST sand dunes in North America! Shaped and balanced by forces of wind and water, these sand dunes are a wonderland of textures and shadows! Breathtaking!

I wanted to snowboard or at least sled down the dunes, but the ranger said conditions are best right after it rains, and no rain in weeks! She said I wouldn't really move :(  I made sand angels instead :) 

hiking fish creek falls | steamboat springs, co

strawberry park hot springs | steamboat springs, co

Strawberry Park Hot Springs is the coolest spot ever! Only $10! Clothing optional after dark! You might want to bring a small flashlight in your bag because once the sun goes down there are no lights! Gets a little tricky trying to navigate your way out of there without tripping and if you're sans clothes, it's especially hard. 

AMAAZZZINNG!!!