We are all enjoying the monument about America the Beautiful. Katharine Lee Bates, an English Teacher from Wellesley College in Mass, came out to Colorado to lecture at Colorado College the summer of 1893. She and other teacher made the trip to Pikes Peak by wagon. She was so inspired by the view that she wrote the poem, America the Beautiful. The views from the peak were indeed inspiring.

Dad and I at the Summit House at the top. They had a small gift shop and some quick foods. We had to try the doughnuts which we had heard a lot about. Actually, they weren't that great, but I did enjoy my hot chocolate. That is snow in September.

Here's pic of one car. The conductor is waiting to switch rails so the other car can pass us. We are above tree line(Alpine Zone)

I think Rich is enjoying the view, but Joyce is a little concerned. The scenery was beautiful. The conductor pointed out points of interest on the way up. Dad (Lorin) and I loved the views. On the way down, the conductor just let us visit and he roamed the cars and answered questions. It took a little over an hour each way.

Pikes Peak

We are on our way to Pikes Peak via the Cog Rail. Joyce and Rich just bought their tickets at Manitou Springs and have lots of water for the high altitude. I'm not sure how high Manitou Springs is, but Pikes Peak is 14,115. This is the highest cog rail in the world.

Caden

OK, Dad (Lorin) sneaked this one in...and we are not in Nebraska, but at a park in Utah. Caden is thinking hard trying to figure out what Grandpa is doing. Dad always enjoys stopping by to see family when he can.

Maddy's Nebraska dress

Maddy modeling her new Nebraska dress, made to match the bedding on Pryce's bed. She also had to have a ribbon to match. She helped me sew some of it and was so impressed with my sewing machine, and so eager to help. Hopefully this dress will bring good luck to Nebraska's football team.

Go Huskers......more of Pryce's room

PRYCE'S NEBRASKA ROOM

My hair's pretty messy, but Pryce was sure cute. He was such a good baby, just slept and ate. Maddy had to help with every diaper change...and she was very particular about the colors on the diaper front. She didn't like light green and wouldn't let Cherisa use those. Cherisa had to use those diapers at night while Maddy was asleep.

Nebraska

Here's a pic of Maddy sitting outside her home. Does she look like a beauty queen?

Here is a bearskin from a bear Brandon killed. Note the green ruffles around it. They match the John Deere decor that Holly has through out the house. While in Virden,we had a Dutch Oven dinner, visited, ate lots of cookies and fresh vegetables and had a great time. Dad (Lorin) and I even went to a Western Dance at the Fairgrounds as part of the School Reunion.

We had a Duncan School reunion in August, and also a Jones family reunion. We are all sitting in Brandon's front yard in Virden.

Duncan