Dead Man's Point

"Well, the last thing I remember, Doc,
I started to swerve
And then I saw the Jag slide into the curve
I know I'll never forget that horrible sight,
I guess I found out for myself that everyone was right
You won't come back from Dead Man's Curve..."a

So, can you come back from Dead Man's Curve?

I couldn't sleep so I decided what the hey, get up and go do something. So I got dress and headed out to Dead Man's Point to shoot some rock and boulder shots.

Back in the day our #1 used to go out there to rock climb with his buddies and the other kids in the family. They climbed all over those silly things and once in a while I would go out and try to get cool angles of them hanging from their ropes high above the desert floor.

Some of the rocks had access to the top via an easy foot trail so I would hike up there and get shots from the top down on them, those were nice also, plus folks would always ask if I took them, "yes" I'd reply, leaving out the fact that I didn't have to climb the face of a boulder to get there. ; )

Any way I got there a bit before the sun was able to get up over the mountains and so some of the shots are darker than I'd hoped for. I had to wait about an hour before I got in a good sun shot. Note to self: "You can stay in bed longer than you think and still get a clean shot!"

The desert was pretty hazy this morning. I noticed as I was driving away and northwest out of town that it was time for the local high school to start and all kinds of (kids I presume?) cars and trucks were just four wheelin' it (hard I might add) through the desert towards the high school. No roads, just across the desert at a full run kicking up a cloud of dust that reached far and high across the whole of the valley sky, bummer actually. But fun for them I guess. I can't remember being that anxious to get to class.

See that one picture of the boulders with the "hole" and the wires running through the shot? I always think that looks like a face, the hole being the eye. (that guy's got a bad case of "cauliflower ear".)

I guess I won't answer the question of the day as I wasn't any where near Dead Man's Curve, but as far as Dead Man's Point is concerned, yup, you can "come back" just fine.

a - Jan and Dean's Dead Man's Curve

Got any good ideas for S'mee?

While I wait for some unsalted butter to thaw I am blogging!

In a few weeks I will have charge of my two little boys for a few days, what to do? Well, I am gearing up for "Gramma Camp!"

Mommy and daddy will be attending a wedding with their brand new baby sister (crossing fingers she arrives on time!) so we'll have sleep overs and other fun. Gramma has been busy preparing all sorts of fun. But I need more! This is where you come in! The following are some ideas I already have, but I need more, HELP! Please read through and then in the comments give me some of your successful ideas for fun with toddlers!

There are new "Gramma Camp" outfits (post is coming on this project -soon!).

First day at camp we'll be planting some flower seeds. Some to stay at Gramma's and some to take home! Also, starting some sprouts to put in salads and sammiches!

I want to have some cookie dough ready made and in the freezer so the little guys can bake their favourite -raisin oatmeal cookies. (making dough this afternoon!)

We'll be taking a few field trips, the trout farm, the rescue zoo, perhaps a museum or two.

Scissors! We're going to make a few crafts! A wind sock, a wind chime, and maybe a kite. (can you tell it will be windy while they are here?)

We're going to play with plastic straws and learn some fun science tricks! We'll see how blowing through a straw can make things move, make cool bubbles, and how you can lift a piece of paper with a straw and your mouth, and then when we're all done experimenting we can cut the straw and make a necklace.

We're going to make magnet cars and have a race!

One day will be spent under a tent in the living room where we'll build a fort with blankets. Picnic time and fun games, reading books and singing camp songs!

Fruit Loops and Cheerios will help us count, give us wheels for a cookie car, and help us with our aim as we line them up on marks, string them, drop them into holes and and match them by colour! When we're done with them we'll add some M&Ms and raisins and have a snack!

Gramma is finding cool family photos to make finger puppets with; and also a 'concentration' type of matching game.

Gramma will also prep "magic paintings" for the boys. I'll take a wax candle and draw a 'secret' picture on paper and when they paint over it the wax will resist the paint and show the surprise!

We'll 'paint' the porch and sidewalk with water. If the weather is warm enough I plan on a water balloon toss and other water games.

I have some wood blocks for making simple cube puzzles, and photo puzzles.

This is about all I have planned so far. If anyone has cool games or activities for little boys ages 2 and 4, PLEASE put in a comment! I will thank you ahead of time! Thanks!!!