Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Side view of the water wheel-- a local landmark.
My companion and I went for a walk one fine morning and decided to take along the camera to get a few rafting pictures to share with family and friends, luring them to Colorado to visit us. We did get some great rafting pictures, but our timing was just right and we got these shots of the Idaho Springs City crew greasing the axle of the huge water wheel on Clearwater Creek. When we saw that the pictures turned out pretty decently, we took them to the city newspaper and they printed one in the paper. I wanted the credit to say--"photo by Sister Marcia Black, find her and she will help you find true religion," but it just said, photo by Marcia Black. Hmmmm, just plain old Marcia Black.
Please pass the wrench (or I'll whack ya).
The city diverts a small stream coming in from above to water power the wheel.
We're Done!  Yes, they did enjoy an audience. . .
LeGrand becomes an honorary city crew worker after we promised to get the pictures to them.  We actually did run off quite a few great prints and gave them to the city manager to pass along to them.  Now we are trying to track them down to give them something better. . .

Mountain Lion in our Back Yard!

Elder Black and I were coming home late one night when a big cougar ran up from the creek and across the road right in front of us as we were turning into our driveway.  That was very exciting and a little un-nerving.  Our landlord had just warned us not to go into our backyard after the sun started going down to avoid the bears and now we have another animal to avoid in the dark. Isn't this just the coolest thing? I told my dear companion "No more sleeping out on the trampoline!" Actually, no one here lets their kids (at least the keepers) sleep out.



No, this was not the one we saw running across the street.  That night was too dark, the lion was too fast, and I was too shocked to get a picture.  I did take these photos, but this particular beast was stuffed--the only safe way to get this close to a cougar!

Kirsten Jill Black: Registered Nurse

Jill passed her NCLEX boards for the Registered Nurse exam.  She is now officially an RN! 
Congratulations Jilly.  She has been working on this since 8th grade, going to CEU/SJC during the summers and taking concurrent enrollment classes.  Now, at the ripe old age of 20, she has reached her educational goal.  After finding out today that she passed the big test she said, "I am so relieved, I could float to the moon!" When you come back to earth, lets celebrate!

Rafting on Clear Creek

Our little town of Idaho Springs is about 3 miles long and only a few hundred feet wide because we share the narrow valley with Clearwater Creek.  The creek is a collection of water from the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains and is running high, cold, white water rapids.  Clearwater Creek is actually fed by a river, making it unique in all the country. The rafting season has begun!  I took these pictures by our home.  Any takers?