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Permalink After enjoying lunch in the dinning hall of Skylake Camp, it was time to hit the road. We had a long drive to Lake Tahoe. The girls settled into the back seat while we quizzed Emmy about camp. Finally, we let her watch her iTouch. I guess after two weeks of no electronics she was ready for some quiet time. It was an easy drive as both girls were tired from all the adventures in Yosemite. We made a “suppose to be quick” but was a long stop at Terri and Andy’s favorite dress shop in Gold Country. Terri and Andy drive this way in the autumn on their adventures. We didn’t arrive to the west shores of Lake Tahoe until around 8pm. We drove straight to our favorite pizza place, Pisano’s, in Homewood. It was gone…it looked like a fire! A signed read to drive down the road about 8 miles…that would take us back to Tahoma, which we just drove through and we didn’t see any new pizza place. We decided it was too late and everyone was too hungry so we drove to the pizza place we knew in Tahoma, Westside Pizza. We found that our favorite pizza place purchased this one after the fire…our pizza was found! And we were hungry!! After pizza, we drove to the house to unload, unpack and relax.
Day One:
The next day, we started our day slowly. We were biking the trail to the River Ranch. We have been biking to the River Ranch for the past 18 years. However, for the past five years, we have been driving to Tahoe City, parking and riding the short trail to the Ranch from the Park. This part of the bike path does not cross the main 89 Highway and follows the Truckee River all the way to Squaw Valley. Emmy began riding her own bike at 5, which marks the day we began the short rides. This year, Elle agreed to ride the tag-along with Jim, which means we could start at Homewood on Hwy 89. We drove to Homewood to rent a bike for Emmy and the tag-along for Elle. Not only did Elle have on her pink “It’s all about ME” t-shirt, she was given a pink tag-along! The ride is a 20-mile round trip. We ride 10 miles to the River Ranch for lunch and drinks on the deck. The hardest part is the 10 miles back!! The ride along the lake is beautiful. The only downside of the ride is the path crosses the main 89 Highway many times. There are many small hills, but one big, long hill at Sunnyside.
This is Emmy’s first time to do this long of a ride and the big hill!! We gave her a quick lesson on her gears and off we set on a beautiful sunny day in Tahoe. Oh, we did buy the girls Camelbacks at the bike shop…extra ready and geared-up for the ride.
Elle was more than pleased to be peddling her way by the Lake. She was peddling the whole way that I didn’t have the heart to tell her the bike would go with or without her help. Emmy did great until she hit the big hill…she didn’t make it to the top. As adults, we start peddling hard and fast at the bottom to get to the top. The elevation takes your wind since Lake Tahoe is at 6, 225 ft (1, 897 m). She walked to the top, caught her breath and was ready to ride!
When we arrived at the River Ranch, we were able to score a table on the river. Oh, we will be here awhile enjoying the view. The food at the Ranch is overpriced hamburgers, but you are paying for the view.
After filling our tummies and drinking a few margaritas/beers, it was time to ride home. It is always a tough first mile. We stopped to take a few photos along the Truckee River.
When we arrive home, Mimi and Papa had arrived. They are enjoying the Tahoe summer fun with us. Jim and the girls stayed home for a quiet dinner with Mimi and Papa. Terri, Andy and I went back to Westside Pizza for dinner. Terri loves her pizza!
Day Two:
Today’s adventure at Lake Tahoe is to raft down the Truckee River. There are two 4-man rafts in the garage. We drive both cars down to the Tahoe City Park. We leave one at the Park and the other is driven down river to the River Ranch. It takes about 30 minutes to get the cars in place for this adventure. We picked up two new bigger water guns for each boat at the PDQ in Tahoma along with sandwiches for lunch along the river.
We have our teams that were created when Kate and Mary visited us last summer. Team Fun-dough with Andy, Terri and Emmy. Team Sharkie with Jim, Brenda and Elle.
 Elle with the Duckie
 Team Fun-dough
As we were floated down the river, I noticed my bottom wasn’t hitting as many rocks this year. All the rain and snow fall from the year has made a difference in the water level in the river. We had fun with our water fights this year with bigger water guns. We still have the whimpy ones from last year that are funny as they squirt very little water.
 Elle with the Whimpy water gun
We pulled over for lunch along the river. Emersyn lost another tooth eating chocolate, number 14. Soon all those baby teeth will be gone! Another visit from the Tooth Fairy tonight.
At one point in our water fighting, another boat bumped into the Fun-dough boat knocking Terri into the water. The water is COLD. Elle being the fast thinker, threw Aunt Terri Sharkie to save her. She didn’t really need saving as we are in the still part of the river. Terri swims to the side with Sharkie. Sharkie does have the bold warning: this is not a safety device.
Now, the water fights really begin. Terri is wet so she is ready to engage. At one point, she jumped out of her boat and swam to our boat. She came to steal our new, big water gun because their new gun was broken. She thought she was fighting Jim for the gun, but she was trying to pull the oar out of his hand. Then, she realized Elle had the big water gun. When she went to pull it from her, Elle began screaming VERY loud in her high pitch girl scream. Terri quickly stopped and swam back to her boat…with no gun!
Everyone was having more fun this year since we were wet and past the point of trying to stay dry because the water is so cold. At one point, Emmy jumped into the river to swim. She decided to get in the Sharkie boat. Elle then went to the Fun-dough boat, but she took Sharkie with her. This switch all took place before the one and only big rapids that drop you to the River Ranch pullout point. Terri, Andy and Elle were the first boat to disappear around the bend. When we came around the bend, Andy was standing in the middle of the river holding Elle with Sharkie around her waist. They had capsized in the rapids. Terri was trying to rescue the boat. All the belongs in their boat was floating down the river. Luckily, Terri had given us her new iphone which was in the cooler. We tried to get over to Andy and Elle, but the rapids made the path for us which was not near them. The rapids were flowing harder this year from all the water. Terri was rescued by another boat as we came down the rapid. Andy and Elle were still standing in the middle as we turned the last bend to the pullout point. Andy said Elle was extremely calm about it all. He tired to put her on his back and walk across the river, but the rapids were moving too fast. Finally, a bigger boat came close enough for Andy to dump Elle into it and grabbed on.
Terri and Andy were a bit shaken up by the whole capsize since they floated down with the rocks and rapids. Everyone was so nice about bringing us bits and pieces from the boat. We were given water guns, one of Terri’s flip flops and other items. Andy’s knee was all bloody. People were bring us band-aids to help. We took our belongs to the truck and went to the River Ranch for a drink. On the way, I saw a pink flip flop that had to be Terri’s. I sent Emmy down to get it. Terri was pleased to have two shoes. Andy only had one! We lost a few items that someone else will find down stream – Andy’s other shoe and the girls’ hats. Well, that was a lesson in safety today. We have done this river many times with the girls wearing no life vest. When Elle was smaller, we made her wear water wings. It was a blessing Emmy changed boats because Andy would not have been able to grab and hold her. She would have been a bit scared from going down the rapids.
On the way home, Terri, Andy and the girls stopped at the lake to play before dinner. Jim and I promised Mimi we would come to a bbq and meet some of their friends. Terri and Andy had a nice, relaxing dinner at home with the girls.
Day Three:
Andy was scheduled to drive home since he needed to be at work for a meeting the next day. He woke up with his knee all swollen. He though it was best to see the doctor before driving home. Terri and Andy went to the clinic in Truckee. Jim and I took the girls to the beach to play. We stopped by the PDQ for sandwich fixings for a picnic on the beach.
The girls have fun playing in the sand and water. They don’t seem to notice the freezing cold water. The surface lake temperature in the summer is about 60f-65f (15c-18c). Below a depth of 600ft (183m), the water temperature remains a constant 39f (4c). The lake never freezes due to the size and depth, the average depth is 1, 300 ft (400 m). It is just COLD!
Elle really wanted to swim to the rafts. I kept saying after lunch so you won’t be too cold. It does take time for the body to warm-up after the swim. But, what does Mom know!! I passed on the before-lunch swim and took photos. Elle was working her toes into the lake, but not getting in. Emmy was very sweet to help her. In the end, Jim and Emmy swam to the raft.
Once they got back, Elle wanted to go and she did this time.
We went back to have lunch, but everyone needed time in the sun to warm up! After lunch, Terri and Andy came down to the beach when they returned from the clinic. The clinic is well prepared for these type of injuries…in the winter!! The doctor drained blood that had pooled in Andy’s knee, gave him a brace and said he could not drive home today. To put his leg up and rest…so he did…at the beach.
Day four:
Eleri wanted to ride bikes, again. This is the first year she has rode a bike. In the past, she was always in the bike trailer hanging out. We all love the ride so we did it again. Elle did a little more coasting this time. Lunch was back at the River Ranch, but we didn’t score the great table this time. We were lucky to get one at all. Andy arrived before we did and hung out to get a table. Andy is driving home today after calling in sick to work yesterday on doctors’ orders.
We all joke that we don’t know Aunt Terri. She avoids the sun and the damage the sun causes to the skin. Of course, she does have the best skin of everyone. She will be laughing at us in 10 years when she still looks the youngest.
Tonight, we have a family bbq at the Dorrs. The Dorr family are long time family friends of Mimi and Papa. They have a cabin near in Homewood, also. It was a nice evening sharing food and stories. Andy Dorr was in town from Florida with his son, Alex. The last time we saw Alex he was 6. Now, he is 20 and a sophomore in College.
Day Five:
We are driving home in the late afternoon. We have good friends visiting from Colorado coming tomorrow. I prefer the plan to play all day and then get on the road around 5pm. We were playing at the beach today. But first, we like to get the house cleaned and our gear packed so we can play longer. We loaded the car with our beach stuff. I remember the days before kids when we WALKED to the beach with a towel, a book/magazine and a cooler. Now, we have a beach chair for everyone, towels, coolers, beach toys and umbrellas…there is no walking because the back of the truck is full. It takes a couple trips to unload. We always set up camp on the children’s beach side. The beach has less rocks and is a small area.
The first thing the girls want to do is go crawdad fishing on the dock. Jim drives back to the house to get some bacon, sting and such to fish. The girls and Jim had fun catching crawdad all morning. I think Jim was doing more of the fishing and catching!
Terri is a non-sun person, but she is coming for the afternoon. She NEVER goes to the beach. She is talking smack about swimming in the lake. I don’t think she has ever swam in the lake…I don’t think she has even put her toes in the lake. I haven’t swam to the rafts in years as someone always needed to stay on the beach with Elle, which I gladly volunteered. With Terri talking smack, we were all going for it. No photos as I was swimming. The hardest part is getting past the toes. That cold just takes the blood out of them. We all swam together to the raft. Elle took Sharkie with her. Poor Sharkie got a big hole from a nail on the raft. We are hoping to patch him up as he is our team mascot for the River. Terri and Emmy were having fun playing in the water near the rafts. It is deep and no one can reach at the rafts. At one point, Elle jumped in to play with them. Terri was not prepared for Elle to grab on and we forgot to warn her.
After our swim, we packed up our gear and load it in the car. Then, we run to the heated swimming pool. This routine of swimming last is something I began when Emmy was little. It is a nice way to end the day and we leave all our sand at the pool. Terri had fun playing with the girls in the pool. It was keep away with Aunt Terri’s hat. Mimi and Papa joined us to watch the fun in the pool.
 Mimi & Papa
It was time to go back to the house to shower and do the final clean and pack. We wished we had more time as we never have enough. We always say next year!! A stop in Auburn at “in & Out” burgers for a quick dinner. Everyone settled into the drive home.
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Permalink After a fun day in Yosemite, we were all ready to go get our Girl! We needed to be at Skylake Camp at 10am. We followed the directions to the camp site. We were greeted by many counselors directing us to the parking lot. We were greeted WITH a huge hug from our Girl!
Emersyn gave us the tour of Camp. Emmy was in the Manzanita Cabin.
This is no princess camp. The sleeping cabins are small and simply. The bathrooms are located in another building. They are simply, but clean.
Everyone had their gear packed and ready. Even the counselors were required to pack their gear to clean before the next session arrived. Emmy slept on this top bunk which she enjoyed. She said she was generally the first one up each morning. She would lie in bed watching nature and the morning sunrise.
Emmy’s counselor, Emily, was from San Jose. She is a student at San Jose State University.
We went to the Skylake stage for awards and good-bye ceremony to the campers. All the counselors were introduced as the counselors have activity duties along with Cabin duties. It was interesting that 98% of the boy counselors were from abroad – England and Australia being the most popular. Not one of the boy’s counselors came from the Bay Area. For the girl counselors, about 98% were from California.
After the presentation, we went to the cafeteria for a bbq meal of hamburgers and hotdogs. It wasn’t bad considering how many people were being feed this afternoon.
Photos of camp from Emersyn:
 The Drying Tree next to her cabin
 The Cabin
 Top of Vernal Falls on the Mist Trial (The last round of stairs we didn’t make with Elle)
Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 167 user reviews.
Permalink It is time to go get Emersyn from camp. She has been gone for two weeks and we all miss her…probably more than she misses us. Skylake Camp is located about 45 minutes outside of Yosemite National Park. We haven’t been to Yosemite since Emersyn was 18 months old when we went for a Lyon family celebration of Mimi and Papa’s 50th anniversary.
Terri and Andy joined us on our road trip to “get Emmy”. The road trip plan is to drive to Yosemite today to play in the park. Then tonight, we will drive to Oakhurst, the closest town to Skylake Camp. Tomorrow, we will get Emmy at camp. Then, we will drive to Lake Tahoe. Games, entertainment and food was packed and ready to go.
We got a bit later start than planned. Eleri had gone to the farm with the girls across the street, Izzy & Sophie. They have an organic farm in the Santa Cruz mountains. Carla, their mom, called at 10pm to tell me they were stopped in traffic. She called again at 10:15pm to clarify her point…she didn’t want to give me the impression they were moving as they were not. Cars were parked, engines shut off and people out of their cars. She called again at midnight, they had not moved. A fatal car crash had occurred on the freeway. All cars were being backed down the freeway to the nearest exit which is not close on hwy 17 over the mountains. I stayed up waiting for Elle when she finally arrived home at 1:30am. Carla had said the girls were great and played in the car. Elle was asleep by the time they arrived.
On the way to Yosemite, we stopped in Merced, the last big town, before heading into the Park. We were hoping for some kind of fast food to fill our tummies and were pleasantly surprised to find an “In & Out” burger.
Next stop, the beauty of Yosemite. The park covers an area of 761, 268 acres (3, 080.74 km2) which is roughly the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island and contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1, 600 miles (2, 600 km) of streams, 800 miles (1, 300 km) of hiking trails, and 350 miles (560 km) of roads. It reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. The park has an elevation range from 2, 127 to 13, 114 feet (648 to 3, 997 m). Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness.
 Andy enjoying the Merced River
When we pulled into the park, we all comment that we forget how beautiful it is here. We should come more often since it is in our “backyard”. We did add we would come AFTER all the tourist went home as the park was busy.
 Bridalveil Falls
 Half Dome behind Elle & Brenda
We hiked the Mist Trail which leads to the top of Vernal Falls. Emersyn had hiked this same route with her cabin during her stay at Camp – we saw the photos on the web. The trial is paved and uphill all the way. Elle was dragging behind, but we just needed to get her to the lower bridge at .8 miles. Then, we could work on the next part to the top of Vernal Falls for a total hike of 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip from the Valley floor.
Vernal Fall Bridge over the Merced River has a spectacular view of Vernal Falls…but, we wanted to go to the top. We let Elle play around the river before we suggest seeing what was around the corner.
Just .3 miles to the top of Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail…
The fun part is the Mist Trial to the top of the falls and we just needed to get Elle there. The Mist Trail gets it’s name from the water coming down off the side of the mountain and hitting the granite walls. As it hits the granite rocks, the water bounces off and explodes into particles of water. This causes a mist to form around the falls. The Mist Trail 0.5 mile (0.8 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps with 1, 000 feet (366m) elevation gain. Once Elle hit the steps, she was ready to go. She loved climbing the granite steps and loved the wet mist falling on her.
We didn’t make it ALL the way to the top. Once the mist stopped, Elle was done and ready to go back down to play in the mist again. Good enough for an almost 6-year old! The way down is always fast!
At the bottom of the trail, we found these rocks – they had been in photos on the website of Emmy with her cabin mates on her Yosemite hike day.
It was getting late and was time to find some dinner. As we drove through the Valley floor, Jim got this photo of Half dome with the evening light.
Our first stop for food was Curry village, but the restaurants were CLOSED. We drove to Yosemite Lodge village in search of food for the hungry hikers. At the Lodge, there were a variety of food choices. We decide the food court would be the best and fastest. It wasn’t fast food, but we ate pizza and pasta before getting on the road to Oakhurst. Jim and I had comment how it was odd being on a family trip without Emersyn.
After we worked our way out of the Park south to the Wawona gate, we came to stopped traffic. Stopped engines, people out of their cars…not a good sign. We were beginning to think Elle was jinked. Andy walked up the long line of traffic to see what he could find. It was construction traffic for the new road. To turn around would require to go back through the park and the long way around through Merced to Oakhurst. We decided to wait it out. We finally moved after about 30 minutes. We arrived at the Best Western in Oakhurst around 11:00pm. Time for bed!
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Permalink With Emersyn off to camp for two weeks, Elle was an only child for the first time. After we dropped Emmy off, we did our Sunday routine of the Farmers Market, lunch and the candy store, Powells. Oh, and always a quick stop in the Apple store in town. The “we” during the summer always includes Terri and Andy.
For the first week, Eleri went to Princess Fairy camp at the town recreation department. She did this camp last year and loved it. Camp was from 8:45 to 11:45 each day. It gave her the opportunity to meet new friends and make fairy items. She made a wand, a fairy purse, fairy wings and a fairy apron. On the last day of camp on Friday, they had a fairy picnic. Elle wore the wings we bought for Emmy at Disneyland when she was 3. Elle had a fun week.
Elle spent the night at Aunt Terri’s every night. She loved that she got to watch HER tv programs. Elle played with Izzy many days after camp. Izzy is a 3rd grader. Since Elle plays with all of Emmy’s friends’ little sisters, she is well adjusted to the 8-year old. Izzy sister, Sophie, a 6th grader, was very lonely without Emmy for two weeks.
On the weekend, Aunt Nancy took Elle to lunch and a movie. They went to see the “Ramona and Beeza” movie from the books by Beverly Clearly. Emmy had said not to see the movie without her, but we can always go again. Elle was all smiles as she drove off with Aunt Nancy for her special date.
Mimi took Elle to the Children’s Discovery Museum. She loves this museum while Emmy has outgrown it. Going on a special date with Mimi was perfect. Mimi and Papa also took Elle to a children’s performance at a local school. She found a friend from fairy camp at the performance. Mimi, Papa and Aunty Kathy took Elle to see and hear the French singing choir. Elle really enjoyed this and loves to listen to the CD Mimi bought for her. Mimi and Papa enjoyed some quality time with Elle over dinners at our home.
In all, I think Elle missed her sister, but she also enjoyed being the “only child” for only two weeks.
Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 252 user reviews.
Permalink Emersyn is off to her first over-night sleep camp. This camp only offers 2-weeks as a minimum stay. The Greer children, Katy and Margaret, have gone for the past 3 years and love it. Emmy could not go to the same session (D) as Margaret because it was full and we needed to come back to Shanghai before it ended. For the first time, Katy was going for 4 weeks as a Counselor-In-Training since she is 15 years old. Emmy was original signed up for session B as the only open spot. I had her wait listed for Session C, as it worked better with our summer schedule. After I got her moved to Session C, I found out Katy would be at camp for Session C & D. That made me feel better as Emmy was not going to know anyone at camp. She could at least find Katy if she needed help or anything. Katy is a great kid.
Emmy and I packed her Rubbermaid bin, a recommendation from Elizabeth Greer (the Mom). Terri and Andy went with us to the bus pick-up in Palo Alto on Sunday morning. She was excited and we were nervous for her.
Camp has one-way communications. We can send cards and two care packages. We can also send emails, but they can not contact us as it only adds to the homesickness. Everyone sent Emmy cards – Grandma, Mimi, Terri, Dad and me. She did report back she had the most cards AND my care packages were the best. I put candy (for the whole cabin to share), little toys, card games, markers, a tote and other Target items I could find in the care packages.
Our first card we received from Emersyn was a postcard of camp. She wrote:
Dear Family,
I’m having a great time here but I miss you. Thanks for the package. I love it. I really love the postcard. Did you know there is a bear around camp. Miss you much!!
Love,
Emmy
Elle did not like that there was a bear at camp. She said to tell Emmy to NOT use the bathroom at night or the bear might get her. She thought maybe she should come home as we don’t have bears here.
My next card that arrived told the story that she was homesick. I had sent Emmy to camp with cards with postage and addresses ready to mail to the each of the family. Here is my card:
Dear Mom,
I’m homesick. I miss you guys soooo much. Some times I don’t eat and I’ve been crying at night a little. Please could you send me more cards so I can remember you. Here the food is okay…and the showers aren’t that great but anyway. We’re going on the mist trail this Thursday and I’ve been writing about my days in my journal. I have taken pictures too.
Can you send me letters that you write to me and can you send me plain letters so I can write you? Thanks!! Miss you and home sick. Camp is fun, but I don’t know if I can last 2 weeks.
Love Emmy
We sent her an email every day after receiving this. I sent her a card or two a day. In addition, I received a follow-up call from Camp about Emmy being homesick. They said she wasn’t the worst case of homesickness, but she was a bit sad. I asked them to go find Katy. Terri wanted to drive to Camp and get Emmy right away!
My third postcard read:
Dear Mom,
The picture on the front is what we saw when we hiked the mist trail. I am a little homesick but I’m having a great time.
Love Emmy
ps. I just got a secret sister note!! Excited!!
My fourth postcard read:
Mom,
Today was trading post day. I got a really cool thing there. Guess what I am not homesick. I haven’t been since the first Wednesday of the week. I made a lot of things: global piggy bank, lanyard for Elle, Halloween bowl for Terri and Andy.
Love Emmy
And we were all so worried about her. By the time we got her cards, she was done being homesick and having fun.
My last postcard read:
Dear Mom,
Did you know that you can send more than 1 package a week. As you know what I’m saying, could you send me another package even if it gets here on Thursday or Friday. I know what I want in it. Here is the list: stamps for cards and postcards, cards, post cards. A folder to hold everything and some more pencils. I want the package not only for camp but for friends too. Please don’t take this the wrong way.
Love Emmy
I received this on Thursday, the day before we were leaving to get her. I don’t think she understands the snail mail takes a few days to arrive. I had sent her with only one pre-addressed card for each of the family. I didn’t want her to feel she needed to spend her time writing us…to just have fun.
We all can’t wait to go see Camp and Emersyn!
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Permalink The girls had commented they would love to see “Wicked”, again. One night at dinner, Mimi comment she had not seen the musical. I decided I would treat Mimi to a performance before it left San Francisco. Terri wanted to join us, but Andy was “Wicked-out”. Terri and Andy have seen the muscial about six times. Andy agreed to be our driver. He would have dinner with his friend, Sam, that lives in the City.
On a beautiful Friday afternoon, we enjoyed an early pizza in Palo Alto at Paxti’s. Then, we meet Andy at “the spot” for him to leave his car instead of driving all the way home. The girls enjoyed the performance as they both love to see live performances. Terri, Andy and I took the girls last summer to see Wicked for the first time. Emmy already knew all the songs from last summer. Emmy wanted another Wicked shirt since her green one from a year ago is looking a bit worn. Elle didn’t want anything. I purchased a new Wicked shirt for me…they are great for Halloween Day at school.
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Permalink Another evening trip to the lake with Grandpa. This time Emersyn caught her FIRST fish. She was thrilled as Elle had been the lucky one in the past.
Oh, and lucky Elle caught another fish!
Of course, Grandpa is the one that takes the fish off the hook and throws it back in as all were too small to keep.
Average Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 173 user reviews.
Permalink When Terri goes to South Dakota with Andy and his family, we meet at Fort Robinson to pick her up. The Fort is about half way between Rapid City and Mitchell. In the past, we have had lunch and left. This year, we signed up for the horse trail rides. It is a 45 minute ride for $15. Riders are to be 6 years old, but the women said Elle was close enough which made her happy.
Andy, Terri, Emmy, Elle and I all went on the horse trail. Of course, I made the girls wear the optional helmets (it sure is tough having me for a Mom)!
 The Stables
 Eleri on Playboy
 Emmy on Smurf
 Andy on Freddy
 Terri on Brownie
On the trail, Emmy’s horse, Smurf, had to be last. Therefore, I was in between the girls on Pedro.
While we enjoyed the horse trail, Grandpa, Grandma and Ray (Andy’s Dad) went on the historical coach ride. It was a historic hay wagon ride, as the coach was at a local parade.
The older folks said it was very interesting and enjoyed it. They reported back that currently Ft. Robinson is the largest established fort in the States. Therefore, I was interested in learning more about this Fort we visit each summer. Here is what I found on the “great big book of the internet” or the “smart box” as Grandpa calls it.
In March 1873, the U.S. Government authorized the establishment of a military camp. Home to some 13, 000 Lakotas, some of them hostile, there was tension on the Great Plains.
The camp was named Camp Robinson in honor of Lt. Levi H. Robinson, who had been killed by Indians while on a wood detail in February. The camp was renamed Fort Robinson in January 1878. Fort Robinson played a major role in the Sioux Wars from 1876 to 1890. The Battle of Warbonnet Creek took place nearby in July 1876. Crazy Horse surrendered here with his band on May 6, 1877. Later that year, he was fatally wounded while resisting imprisonment on September 5. A historic plaque marks the site of his death.
In January 1879, Chief Morning Star (also known as Dull Knife) led the Northern Cheyenne in an outbreak from the agency. Because the Cheyenne had refused to return to Indian Territory, where they believed conditions were too adverse for them to survive, the army had been holding them without without adequate food, water or heat during the severe winter to try to force them into submission. Soldiers hunted down the escapees and killed most over the next several weeks. The event marked the end of the Sioux Wars in Nebraska.
In 1885, the U.S. 9th Cavalry Regiment, nicknamed the Buffalo Soldiers, was stationed at Fort Robinson. This was an all-black unit.
In 1919 at the end of World War I, Fort Robinson became the world’s largest quartermaster remount depot. It was used as a breeding and training center for horses and mules for the military. In addition, stallions owned by the military were used to breed with local stock to improve it. During World War II, the fort was the site of a K-9 corps training center. Later it was used to hold a German prisoner-of-war camp.
After 74 years of military use, Fort Robinson was transferred to the United States Department of Agriculture in 1948 for use as a beef cattle research station. The USDA closed its research station in 1971.
A new chapter of Fort Robinson’s history began in 1955. The US Army excessed a portion of the fort, which was acquired by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to be used as Fort Robinson State Park. The park encompasses 22, 000 acres.
An interesting history lesson from the internet on our local Fort Robinson.
After enjoying some ice cream Andy’s Dad bought for the crew, it was time to say good-bye to Ray and Andy.
 Elle with her ice cream
 Grandpa, Grandma, Brenda, Emmy, Elle, Terri and Ray
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Permalink Emersyn lost her 13th tooth in Nebraska. The tooth fairy left her this note:
My Dearest Emersyn,
You lost your 13th tooth in Nebraska. I was very excited to visit you tonight as this is your first tooth you lost in Nebraska. I have left you five dollars for this tooth. I always leave extra for the molar teeth. I left your special gold coin in Shanghai.
I look forward to my next visit…I will wait for my wings to tingle.
The Tooth Fairy
July 10, 2010
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Permalink Estes Park is a 3.5 hour drive from Mitchell. If Grandpa had his way, he would have us on the road at 5am “to beat the traffic”. Not sure what traffic Grandpa is referring to in Nebraska! We talked him into 7am. After being out late for the 4th of July, 7am was plenty early! Andy was joining us for our Estes Park adventure. The girls love Uncle Andy because he is a big kid. Two summers ago, Terri, Grandma, Grandpa, the girls and I went to Estes Park for my 25th class reunion. We had such a fun time everyone wanted to go again.
We stayed in a cabin at a place called “Idlewild on the River” – the location was perfect. Grandpa got his fishing box out the minute we arrived.
Elle was always available to help Grandpa. Many fish hooks were lost this day with the fast flowing Thomson river.
With a bit of team work, they got the line untangled from the log!
The girls had fun practicing their casting skills.
Elle started using a “crazy cast” of 360 degrees. We all stood WAY back from her.
Mom still has it!
A good day of fishing on the river – listening to the flow and feeling the sunshine while “napping” – Grandpa did make us leave early this morning!
The porch swing was a favorite place to hang by everyone.
We spent the day playing and fishing at the river because we only have one night at this cabin. During the summer, the minimum stay is 5 nights. We just called to squeeze in between reservations. We were only have 2 nights for our Estes Park adventure.
We bbq some buffalo burgers and had Poppy’s pizza for dinner. After dinner, we toasted mashmallows in a real fire pit! The next morning we had to pack our bags to move to another cabin. We enjoyed the morning at the river since our next cabin would not be on the river.
We had to hurry to lunch onced we learned there was a parade in town for the opening night of the rodeo. We watched a portion of the parade while we walked to lunch. We were having lunch at Poppy’s, the best pizza in town (or anywhere). Poppy’s is owed by my Mitchell High classmate, Rob. The wait is always very long to get into Poppy’s. Rob has a prime location on the river. His pizza has the such fresh ingredients that the pepperoni is not greasy.
We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the deck at Poppy’s.
The girls had fun playing with Andy at the river. They can’t go alone as the river is moving too fast if they should fall in.
 Pizza has arrived
After enjoying lunch on the river, we started our tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Our first stop was to hike the Allervue Fan trail. It is an easy trail the girls and grandparents could walk. It was paved up to the falls.
Once we reached the falls, Terri and Andy took the girls climbing on the rocks through the river. They loved it.
After we left the trail, we drove to the top of the summit. ALL the way up, Eleri was seeing the snow cap mountains. She kept asking when she could play in the snow. All the way to the top as we drove, the snow was on the other side of the canyon.
We finally found a snow patch off a hiking path. Elle couldn’t wait to get to the snow. Once she started playing, she yelled, “cold, cold” as she had on sandals. The girls had fun playing in the snow in July.
 
After playing in the snow, we drove to the top of the summit. The stop at the bathrooms at the top of the summit was funny. The bathrooms were a sort-of port-a-potty, but with air to suck everything down. We were laughing so hard trying to get the seat cover on for Elle before it got sucked down. The girls had fun shopping in the gift shop because Grandpa gave each girl $10 to spend.
It was a fun day in the Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove back down for dinner at Twin Owls Restaurant. It was a bit pricey, but a nice atmosphere. Terri didn’t eat her meal because she wanted Rob’s pizza. She got a take away to eat when we got home.
On our last day, we meet some Mitchell friends at Poppy’s. Another classmate, Brenda, lives here along with a Mitchell High teacher, Vern, and his wife, Kathy. It was fun to see old friends.
A fun video Andy put together on Terri’s new iphone 4. He is so creative!
[quicktime]http://lyonfamily.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_0750.mov[/quicktime]Estes Park
The drive home was easy as both girls slept most of the way from all the adventures.
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