Week 14: Money, Money, Money (July 11 - 17)

Coins to be exact. I have been trying for two summers to tour the Denver Mint and was finally successful. Last summer I had reservations, but ended up having something come up and missed them. So this summer I was all over it. I made reservations 2 months ago when July 15 came available to reserve and booked 6 tickets, so that I could bring any and all with me. I get there with ample time and end up waiting for a friend to arrive. We were 1 minute late checking in and our tickets we already gone:(. I thought I was going to cry when the lady said she had given our tickets to someone else and that we could come back in an hour to try and get standby spots.

So we come back and wait and wait as the tour guide lets in all the people with tickets, then the people with standyby tickets, followed by people that were in line in front of us. As we are waiting I must have looked pretty pitiful as I pleaded with him to let us in. Just as he told people around us that the tour was full, and my hopes were dashed, he told us to hurry up and get in line. WOO HOO!!!!

We made the tour through the mint and watched coins being made and I was fascinated by the process and the commentary of the tour guide. I highly recommend this tour for anyone.

A second experience for this week:
I realize that I should probably master hill biking before attempting mountain biking again. For the first time in my life I went mountain biking and it about killed me. I couldn't figure out how to shift when going uphill and just couldn't get enough momentum to make it to the top. Thus I kept having to get off the bike and walk, making everyone have to wait on me. I did enjoy the downhill ride back to the house we were staying at, but overall it was not a fun experience for me.

Week 13: Rocky Mountian High Colorado (July 4 - July 10)

This week was all about hanging out with my brother and nephew (my SIL was out of town for a memorial service).

Take me off the road...
On Thursday, my brother took my dad and I off roading on the mountain across the valley from Beaver Creek Resort. I had never been off-raoding and had a smashing time. We made it up to the treeline of aspens and there were a few patches of snow, even though it is the middle of July. I only needed to use the "ohh poop" handle a few times when we were coming done some rocks that were more than a little steep.

Pitch a tent and roast some s'mores...
A few days later, on Saturday, I went camping with the boys up past an area called Berry Creek in Edwards, CO. My nephew LOVES camping and well I LOVE my nephew so even though I detest camping, along I went. We had gorgeous views of the valley and endured a rain storm that forced us inside the truck for our dinner of hot dogs and corn on the cob. I slept less than well, but did manage to stay warm under TWO sleeping bags. Right before a bedtime story of Walter the Farting Dog we indulged in s'mores over the camp stove.

Week 12: Sunrise on the Arches (June 27-July 3)

On Thursday (July 1) my dad and I ventured to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah bright and early to hike and take in the sunrise. It was a beautiful day with 2 short hikes and 1 that challenged us. I was absolutely in awe at the size and stature of the arches and mesmerized by the colors of the jagged rocks.

Week 11: Black Bean Brownies(June 20-26)

Nothing like writing a little late (like 2 weeks late). I have been on the road going from NM to UT to now CO, where I will spend the next month. It is funny how before I left my little island, I thought 8 weeks, no big deal, but now that I am here: I miss my bed, I miss my friends, I miss my simple island life. 5.5 weeks left to visit and take in the states before I head back.

Week 11- I found a recipe in a recent Consumer Reports and thought hmmm... I should try that. They were interesting. I ended up adding a THICK layer of chocolate frosting that made them ohh so yummy!!

Black Bean Brownies

1 box brownie mix
1 can (15 oz) black beans

Open the can of black beans, rinse well. With beans back in the can, add enough water to cover beans. Put in blender or food processor and puree. Add puree to brownie mix, and then bake according to package directions.

You DO NOT add the eggs or oil that the recipe calls for, JUST the black bean puree!

One note, I baked for 50 minutes and they just never quite finished. I figured since there were no eggs, it didn't hurt to take them out even though the middle wasn't quite done. A night in the fridge helped to harden them up and make them very fudgy.