Mt. Bierstat

My brother is visiting and he and I summited Mt. Bierstat yesterday (14,056ft). It was my first 14er. It was an amazing hike!

I made it to top!!!  Whoo Hoo!!! 14, 056 Ft!!

Chad at the Summit!!  14,056 Feet

My Brother and I at the Summit

Some pretty flowers on the way up. 

The ridge between Mr. Bierstat and Mt. Evans... maybe next time I'll have the energy to climb it too. 

View off the back of the Summit. 

Another pretty flower... they were everywhere... They are so cool looking. 

Another Trip to the Zoo

Alex, Matthew, my brother Chad and I all went to the Denver Zoo yesterday.  Their new African pavilion area.  It was a nice cool day and we all had a great time!

Matthew and Chad check out the Elephants. 

Of course Matthew's favorite activity a the zoo is still chasing the geese with a stick. 

"I'm so proud of my self that I chased off those baby geese!"

"hmmm... what is this weird stuff that Uncle Chad bought me?"

"YUMM!!! whatever it is... it sure is yummy!!!"

High Park Fire

The terribly destructive High Park Fire started 15 miles northwest of our home town of Fort Collins.  Dry conditions, 90 degree weather and crazy winds resulted in rapid spread of the fire.  At the time of this post it has burned over 40,000 acres.   The ash and smoke in town is terrible.   Many of my patients have been evacuated from their homes and it is really just horrible.   The one positive thing about the fire is that all the smoke makes for beautiful sunsets.

The smoke on the first day of the fire. 

On sunday we went down town for a festival and at the end as we were leaving I snapped this picture from the parking garage. 

View of the smoke over the hill in the park behind our house

The smoke behind our house

Blackhawk flying through the smoke

The smoke is coming from the mountains on the left and moving off to the right. 

Buster, my friend's dog that I am watching, ran off with her leash while I was taking pictures. 

Sunset

Beautiful clouds

The setting sun was burnt red

Reminds me a lot of the smokey's in North Carolina.  

Petunia

Petunia is by far the most challenging puppy I have raised thus far.  She is 14 months old and still acts like she is 4 months old.  Just when I think she is starting to mature she back tracks and gets worse.  I haven't given up yet though.  I keep hoping that when she eventually goes into heat it will help.  I took her hiking with Matthew and I the other day and took a few cute pictures of her.  She may be one of the most difficult puppies I've raised but she is also one of the cutest!

What a pretty girl!

Posing for pictures is tough work. 

Petunia in front of Mt. Evans

 A muddy and wet petunia on our attempt at a 14er together