Week 2 with the chicks

Here's a video of the chickens from this past week. Hilarious creatures. Growing like weeds. :)

Still Exploring

Time is passing quickly these days! I cannot believe that July is almost over, and August is upon us. So much is happening that it's hard to stay afloat.

The front door is wide open. It rained slowly and steadily a fair amount in the last 24 hours, so it's clear and cool outside. 

Right now, Eu-mi is sleeping in her crate (exhausted from yesterday's hike), and Penny is chilling here in the living room with me. The baby chicks are in the back room, doing their chicken things. :) Don't worry, I'll post pictures soon. Jody is visiting a church member in the hospital. And I am home, enjoying the quiet. The house is mostly clean, the laundry is mostly done... dinner has not been done yet... but I am just resting. It's great. I am so grateful for time to just be.

Recently, I have been attempting to be better about posting pictures and updates from our world, so here are some pictures from a hike we took near Sedalia (south and west of us by about 30 minutes) two weeks ago. 

It was a lovely hike, full of greenery and wildflowers. For all of us - Jody, me and the pups - it was so refreshing to get out of the city feel and into the mountains. On this trip, all I could think of was how green everything was. How strong the smell of pines was, filling the air. How the aspens rustled in the breeze... and how quiet it was besides that sound. 

This was at the start of the hike. Usually Jody leads the way, and the pups follow him, stopping occasionally to sniff at something that catches their attention. I am last in our posse, making sure the dogs are okay, and that their leashes have not gotten stuck on any stump or in between some rocks. Plus, I like to snap pictures along the way. :) When I've gotten the picture I want, I usually have to race and catch up to Jody (aka Speedy Gonzales).

On this day, in particular, the sky was a beautiful blue and the sun was shining, and a light breeze had picked up. It really was the perfect day for a hike in the foothills. And for both of us, it was so enjoyable to visit an area that is new to us. We've never visited the small, quaint town of Sedalia before; neither had we explored the foothills behind it.

Our trail

This was our first good view of the surrounding area. It is a highly wooded area and trail, which kept the temperature down but also kept us from getting a good idea of the surrounding country. 

There were flowers everywhere. Beautiful, varied wildflowers of all colors. I tried to get pictures of several of them, as the areas that we have hiked don't usually show this much color. So lovely!

And then it was time to put up our hammocks. Our "portable Sabbaths," as Jody likes to call them, are our intentional retreat from a busy, fast-paced world. We take our hammocks up to the mountains, follow a trail until we see a good spot off the beaten path, and then we set them up, secure the dogs, and grab our books, snacks, water... and then we chill. We might read, eat, sleep, pray, or just listen to the sound of the wind moving through the trees. It's heavenly.

If you don't have a portable Sabbath, Jody and I would highly recommend that you invest in one. For us, it's our way of purposely choosing to living contrary to the world's value of speed, task and productivity. It's like choosing not to have a Smartphone. It's intentional. And it's wonderful. We can return to our busy lives of ministry with clear minds and hearts.

This is my view, as I lay in my hammock. Look at that beautiful Colorado sky. 

Or... this is my view. Just a wooded area in the foothills. Nothing special. But what's incredible is that Jody and I were laying in our hammocks as several groups passed us by in our hammocks as they were hiking on the trail. And, as far as we could tell, they had absolutely no idea we were there. I don't know about you, but I find that kind of crazy.

How many times do I pass people or situations, completely unaware of them or what's going on, because I'm so busy or absorbed in what I'm doing? So over-stimulated that I can't process another bit of information?

We set up the wienie dogs on a little blanket, with some water... Most of the time they're cool with the situation. Other times, they whine to be acknowledged or brought up onto our laps in the hammocks. Wienie dogs don't like to be left out, you understand. They're social critters.

I do love 'em, though! 

And I'm grateful for dogs that love a good adventure and are always game for another trail. And, bless their little hearts (and legs), they'll go as far as they physically can handle. Sometimes we have to pick 'em up and carry them, but they certainly try to hold their own. :)

An aspen

We are working our way through a book that has several hikes near the Denver metro area, and this hike was on it. So far, so good. We loved the trail and loved exploring an area new to us!

They're growing!

We have had the baby chickens for one week now. In that week we have learned that baby chicks largely do not need much. 

Food.

Water.

Heat.

We add the electrolyte mix to the water to help them. And the grit to aid in digestion. But largely, they are fine. They do chicken things.

Peck.

Scratch.

Dig.

Sleep.

Flap their fledgling wings.

Eat.

Drink.

And more pecking, scratching and digging. :) 

It's hilarious to watch them!

They are growing every day. And quickly. So quickly, in fact, that Jody and I have begun to chronicle their growth before it's too late.

We also wanted to catch a quick video of them eating out of Jody's hand. Enjoy!

Our chicks have arrived!

I have wanted to have my own chickens since I read this article at my favorite blog (Keeper of the Home) several years ago. Nonetheless, it always seemed like an adventure to embark upon when I had lots of land. You know, the farm you always dream of.

But then Jody and I realized we have a side yard that is good for nothing. It's shaded by a huge mulberry tree, so a garden and even a decent lawn is out of the question. It's really just good for dirt and weeds...

So we decided that chickens would be perfect!

We decided to get six chicks, three different breeds, from MyPetChicken.com. We got two Austrolorps, two Barred Plymouth Rocks, and two Golden Buff (Red Stars). Here is what they will look like when they "grow up." Ha!

Austrolorp

Barred Plymouth Rock

Golden Buff (Red Star)

We chose these three breeds based on a few key factors.

1. We wanted good egg layers. Some chickens breeds are good meat chickens. Some are good layers. Some are both. (And some are neither... just type in the word 'silkie' and you'll see a pet chicken that's pretty much just for looks. Ha!) We don't know what we'll do when they stop laying eggs consistently, but having access to fresh eggs is our primary purpose in getting them. 
2. We wanted docile temperaments. Some chicken breeds are known to be a bit more aggressive or domineering. We wanted chickens that could be somewhat like pets. We want them to be friendly with our dogs (if possible) and with any children they may come into contact with. 
3. We wanted chickens that are good in the wintertime. We did some research and found the breeds that fare the best during the cold months. These three were among them.

And then, there are just the reasons we wanted chickens at all.

1. Fresh eggs. Come on. Who doesn't want fresh food?
2. Entertainment value. Have you ever watched chickens? They're hilarious. Who needs a TV when you have this kind of entertainment?
3. A more holistic lifestyle. Since I found out about my auto-immune thyroid disease three years ago, Jody and I have begun to observe our lifestyles and make changes where we could. Baby steps here and there. Our diets have certainly changed. We've started caring more about what food we eat and where it comes from. By owning some chickens, it's nice to know that in a small way we're in control of where a key baking/cooking staple comes from.
4. Being neighborly. I have often wondered how I can "break in" to some of my neighbors. How can I reach out to them and extend a true hand of friendship? Chickens - and fresh eggs - have a way of drawing people out. They're a safe middle ground to talk about. So I've already decided that fresh eggs will be gifted to our neighbors in hopes of establishing some friendships!
5. Because we can. I know many areas do not allow chickens. Most suburbs have HOA rules and regulations that forbid people from having farm animals. In Englewood, however, there are no limits on the numbers of hens we can have. We could even have a rooster! 

So, this past weekend we bought everything we needed. They shipped yesterday all the way from Connecticut. And today, they arrived safe and sound! The Englewood Post Office called Jody, and he went and picked them up. Naturally, everyone in line at the post office was confused and marveling at the very noisy package he was there to pick up. Haha!

Here they all are in the brooder, which Jody constructed out of cardboard box. Pine shavings are on the bottom. We stuck a branch in there for a roost, if they want to get on it later. One water bottle contains medicated water (chicken gatorade, as it were, with electrolytes), and one is plain water. The chicken feed is in the middle.  

Bird's eye view

One of the Golden Buffs

One of the Austrolorps

Their food dispenser

The medicated water dispenser

Right now, the chickens are in their brooder in our back room. We anticipate them staying there for 4-5 weeks until they feather, at which point we will have set up the coop and the run in the side yard and will be able to transition them outside. 

This is only the beginning of the adventure, so stay tuned for further chicken updates! :)

The Grand American Vacation

When I was younger, my mom would tell me all about the trips she took throughout America with her family when she was a kid. The national parks she'd visited. The varied, gorgeous landscapes that America has to offer that she'd seen. My dad, as well. Both have traveled a fair amount in the States. And while my heart and mind have always gone overseas, I have grieved that I've seen more of the world than I have of my own country.

So, this June, my beloved Colorado was burning up - or so it felt like. There were eleven or twelve different fires going on throughout the state, and one of the places that was in serious danger of being destroyed was South Fork, in the southwestern part of Colorado. Just a few miles outside of South Fork is the beloved Fun Valley family resort, where Jody's family has vacationed for many years. 

The fire outside of South Fork, CO

Obviously, with the town under forced evacuation and Fun Valley closed due to the danger, we could not plan a family vacation there. Instead, we prayed for rain in that area. (Update: Fun Valley is fine and unscathed by the fires. Praise God!)

Nonetheless, we couldn't go to Fun Valley, so what were we to do?

Well, Pam decided we needed to go to the Black Hills of South Dakota and see Mt. Rushmore. 

I was thrilled! It was my chance to see another part of our great country - especially such a great tribute to America. Pam and Alan arrived on Friday, June 31st, and we hung out Friday and Saturday. Bright and early Sunday morning the four of us got in the car and headed out on our grand adventure. 

[Dear friends Jeremy and Seleste stayed at our place, keeping an eye on Eu-mi and Penny - as they have done several times this year already. I missed the pups, but I am so grateful for the Sault's loving care. They have been such a blessing to us!]

Our roadtrip took us north through the wide open, rolling hills and plains of Wyoming and then east into the gorgeous Black Hills of South Dakota. I confess I had absolutely no idea how beautiful the country would be, and all I was able to think of was, No wonder the Indians fought so hard for this land. It is beautiful, beautiful country here. Lush and green AND rocky, it felt as if it was the perfect blend between the greenery of the East Coast and the rocky terrain of the West. 

1. First Stop - Deadwood, SD

Our first stop was the town of Deadwood, SD, so named because the wood on the hills above the town does not grow. Strange, I know (seen in picture below).

Deadwood's claim to fame is a bit sad, actually. The land actually belonged to the Lakota, a Native American group, but the discovery of gold in the 1870s brought gold-hunters, gamblers and all sorts of memorable characters. One such memorable character was Wild Bill Hickok, who was murdered and then buried there. Calamity Jane is also buried there - right next to Wild Bill - in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. 

Having read so many Louis L'Amour westerns, it was thoroughly gratifying to visit Deadwood. Here are a few snapshots from the town. 

A statue honoring Wild Bill

The town of Deadwood - the view from our hotel

The town of Deadwood - the view from our hotel

Our hotel, Deadwood Dick's, is the building in the back

The kitchen/living area of our hotel suite. Jody looking up directions. :)

Our hotel had an old-school elevator! Complete with the two metal doors. It was pretty awesome. Jody had to get a picture of it. I think it was a new experience for all of us. Thankfully, it never had any problems, and we were transported up and down from the 3rd floor without any trouble. Woop woop!

The Franklin Hotel, where several famous individuals have stayed

The main street of downtown Deadwood

I just liked this sign. :)

Beautiful building in Deadwood

Is that a WIENIE DOG I see?!?!

Catching lunch after a long day of driving

:(

The view of the street from the other direction

Door handles. Ha!

So happy!

The men

We visited Mt. Moriah Cemetery, a beautiful and peaceful spot of land where graves from the mid 1800s were found. We found Wild Bill and Calamity Jane's graves and spent significant time walking through and reading the very many different tombstones.

Wild Bill's grave

Calamity Jane's grave right next to him

Calamity Jane's grave

We went into a museum near the cemetery and read through a bunch of information. It was so fascinating. One description caught Jody's eye... he had to take a picture of it.

Did you read how these people died? And the last one... where he was from? Andrew died, hit with a bottle, was last from Englewood. Englewood, CO. But only God knows how George Houston from Central City died. Hilarious!

2. Sturgis, SD

Our next stop was a short one. The town of Sturgis is just 14 miles - 20 minutes - from Deadwood, so we thought we should just stop by and see what all the motorcycle rally hullabaloo is about.

Basically, nothing. :) It's just a small town that probably gets overrun by lots of motorcyclists every summer. 

Nonetheless, we felt we needed to stop and take some token pictures. 

The token shot of the Sturgis Harley-Davidson store

Downtown Sturgis

And that was about it.  :) Hello, Sturgis. Goodbye, Sturgis. :)

3. Keystone, SD

Our trip continued. We left beautiful Deadwood and traveled an hour southeast to Keystone, a small town about 2 miles away from Mt. Rushmore. 

Before we visited Mt. Rushmore, we had to do some tourist-y things. :) Like get our pictures taken in these awesome big chairs. And with Mr. Abe Lincoln.

Then, we had to walk down to downtown Keystone, visit some shops and check out the times for the 1880s train for the next day.

Haha. Oh, Jody...

And then, it was time to see Mt. Rushmore. I got so many pictures that I don't want to overwhelm you all. Haha. So here are a few of the pictures we got from our trip to see Mt. Rushmore. 

My first view of Mt. Rushmore - zoomed in from just outside of Keystone

The man who headed up the Mt. Rushmore monument

Colorado, represent!

TEXAS!

And not to forget beautiful Virginia!

I confess I was not expecting Mt. Rushmore to be so amazing. But it really was. It was totally worth visiting. Even these pictures just do not do it justice. It was an incredible site to see. I loved going through the museum, reading all about it and the people who made it happen. I loved taking the walk around the area.

George Washington, carved 1st

Thomas Jefferson

Theodore Roosevelt

Abraham Lincoln

Pam & Alan in front of 'em

One evening we stayed for the evening lighting ceremony. It was truly beautiful. Very worth it. We sang the national anthem together, and all of those who have served in the armed forces went down to the front of the amphitheater, giving their name and the branch in which they served.

The next day we decided to go on the 1880s train. There were a lot of people on the train, but it was nonetheless so fun to see more of the beautiful black Hills. The train went from Keystone to Hill City.

We even saw a mountain goat!

4. The Badlands, SD

For some reason, I really wanted to see the Badlands. And we did! We saw a little of the over 240, 000 acres of very eroded buttes and spires and mixed prairie grasses. It was incredible. Scary. Beautiful. And very, very bad. 

All I could think of was living in 1850. Riding my horse. Losing my horse. And my canteen. 

It would have been very, very bad indeed.

We saw a bunch of bighorned sheep, too!

The park was so vast there was no other way to really see how huge it was other than to drive through it. We stopped at various points throughout the park to see some new aspect, but the vast majority of it was spent from the car window. It truly was a remarkable site. The colors were fantastic.

You could tell, however, that the rock was actually quite fragile. It was not solid at all. Quite crumbly. As if - should it rain - it would all become one big pile of mud. 

5. Wall Drug Store - Wall, SD

Every .5 mile on the highway we saw a sign for Wall Drug Store. We had to stop. It started as a small drug store but has since grown to be a big tourist stop. There were hordes of people, but it was nonetheless worth stopping at for lunch. We also had to get a few more tourist-y pictures.

Of course!

5. Custer State Park, SD

Our last stop was a drive through Custer State Park. It was incredibly beautiful, as well. It made me want to move to South Dakota immediately and pitch a tent. Anywhere. Truly, it was beautiful.

We drove over and under incredible bridges, through tunnels, around corners and up and down and around hills. It was windy and incredible. We didn't see any bison, but we did see deer and turkeys.

Me with my awesome in-laws. Love y'all!

6. (Sort of) Crazy Horse, SD

While we didn't stop and go in to check out the memorial, we did stop and snap a few pictures from the road. If it is ever finished, I'd love to go in and see so much more about it.

The trip was fantastic. I loved every bit of it. So very thankful for the chance to have seen another part of our incredible country. So thankful to Pam and Alan, who made it all happen. 

It was a perfect trip to take during the 4th of July week. It made me proud to be an American.