We conquored the mountain in epic fashion.

Via Michael Curry.....we did conquor the mountain and have 159 more to go in order to catch up with the 60+ year old man that PASSED US on the way up to his 160th summit of a 14er. So, as we huffed and puffed, moaned and groaned, labored and perspirated to the top, ye old man had summited Gray's Peak and was on the 40min uphill battle to Torres Peak. We waved and wished him good luck, one was enough for us at the time.

We camped at the trailhead Sat night in order to get a head start on the crowd of people that would accompany us on the way up (and down I suppose). By the time 6:30am rolled around we were half asleep working our way up. I love my Eagle's Nest hammock and I haven't had the chance to use it in a long time. I used this camping opportunity to bust it out and enjoy its lovely company.

Obviously, Michael has missed its company as well. Who can resist a hammock, really? The dogs were all about climbing a mountain and at first were a pain to settle down as they knew something very exciting was up. We had to keep them on a leash for fear that they would chase the mountain goats or bighorn sheep and get demolished. The mountain animals here aren't as docile as the deer in KY and WV. Chaco did manage to slip from my hand a couple of times in order to chase a Pica (we learned this from a veteran 14er), a rodent/rabbit type animal that lives in the crooks and crannies of this terrain. We were way past the vegetation line and the fact that anything lived this high up was amazing.

After many rest breaks and the use of most of our water (2L for each of us) we reached the top. Exhausted, but relieved, the summit was more than generous in its view as we made the last step onto the top. Another huge section of the Rocky Mountains appeard out of nowhere and made me feel quite small. The dogs were curious, as usual, to what was on the other side of the mountain but other people/dogs kept them busy for a while. We saw several kids summit this mountain as well....one, in fact, had to pee real bad. His mom kept saying, "Just point it that way!!!" As we passed, the father mentioned something like "Someone has already threatened to call Social Services on us!" And to this we all kind of scuffed and scrowled. He continued, "I would be harming my child if I let him sit on the couch all day!" I guess one hiker decided he would pass judgement on this family saying that they were harming their child by bringing them on such an extensive hike. Mike and I agreed that if the child was healthy, happy, and well hydrated that there would be no reason NOT to bring him on the hike. But, to each his own.

Anyway....here's the family photo of the summit of Gray's Peak:


August 23rd, 2009
14,270 ft.
9th highest peak in Colorado

"You know, Lynsey," Mike said, "Mt. Everest is twice this size. It's at 29,000ft." Holy cow! I thought I had to be on top of the world, but, I guess Mt. Everest would laugh in my face. After some snacks and more water, we started the hike down. My knees are still not happy with the downhill climb, but we made it down in 1 hr and 15 min faster than the way up. That should tell you something about the elevation gain. About 3100ft in 4 miles.

Here we are, happy to be back at the Jeep!

After showing the light of day to our feet, we threw everything in the back and climbed in the Jeep for the hour trip home. Mike came up with GREAT idea that we should stop at a brewery in Idaho Springs called Tommyknocker Brewery and eat some real food (and try a beer, of course). I agreed in full and we scarfed down the dinner and headed home. A 2hr nap was in store when we arrived home and a sore body joined me in the morning when I rolled out of bed.

Overall, it was an amazing trip and we are ready to attempt our next 14er. I must say I was a little nervous at first, but now that we have one under our belt, the best is yet to come! We want to live it up while we're here and experience Colorado to the fullest. Ski season is right around the corner, ya'll. Love wins. Love you!

God is good. Beer is great. People are Crazy.

I could eat an entire box of Vanilla Wafers. Anyone with me on that one?

Oh! Long time no see friends. I have such good intentions of updating my blog more than once a week, but I just can't seem to get it together. Well, I have had some great visitors recently that have kept me busy:


My best friend from back home KY came to visit. We toured the Coors Brewery (yay free beer!):

And I cut my hair (finally)! It was driving me crazy so I told the salon to chop it off. I'm dealing with it okay, not having a ponytail is disturbing, but it's a good sacrifice. Anyway. We went hiking up to Mt. Evergreen and toured downtown Denver for a night as well. It was a fabulous weekend and I've had to savor the visit as our next visitors don't arrive until the middle of September when Mr. Michael Curry will be (gasp!) the big 3-0!!!! Ken and Becki are coming up to celebrate! "Celebrate we will, 'cause life is short but sweet for certain" -DMB

Until Ken and Becki arrive we are going to keep busy, I hope. This weekend, for example, we are going camping! It'll be interesting as we have to take the dogs.....but I think we'll car camp to see how they do and then maybe do some backpacking before the fall shows up. We are also planning on hiking a "14er" - a.k.a. a mountain higher than 14,000 feet in elevation. Pretty stoked about that too. The weather here has been absolutely fantastic! The no humidity thing is the one single reason everyone living in KY should move to Colorado. Everyone here says it's been such a mild and wet summer, no one is complaining! We've been on and off with the running and my lungs and legs kick me every time I wait a week to run. I think I've mentioned before how running improve my discipline with other areas so if I get that in check, everything else seems to roll easier. Don't know whats going to happen when winter arrives. Going to have to suck it up and pay for a gym somewhere around here.
Creepsters huh? That's what we thought, too!

Work is getting easier (kind of) and life outside of work is improving as I am more relaxed and confident. My first 3 month evaluation for my CFY is on September 9th. I cannot believe I've been there 3 months. That is absolutely ridiculous. I continue to be blessed as Mike and I have a place to live, food to eat, and a loving Savior who loves regardless of the mess I've made of my life. That's it up till now. We'll keep ya updated about the first camping trip in Colorado. I know for a fact that I'll pack the warm sleeping bag, it's getting down in the 40s at night here!!! I love you my dear friends. Love wins!

Welcome to Elliott County, Kentucky. Welcome to the Skaggs Family Reunion.....it happened exactly how I had imagined. The deep, deep roots of this family reside in this small, Eastern Kentucky town. I have never been more proud and thankful for a close knit family as I was this past weekend. AND I feel doubly blessed as my in-laws share the same values with regard to the beauty & dynamic nature of a family. It works together almost so seamlessly that I forget not every family is this blessed. So, today, if you are reading this, give a little shout out to the Lord and thank Him for the family in you life. You don't know what you have, truly, until you're gone (or move to Colorado). The creek (or, crick, if you prefer) seen in this picture is where my sister Nancy was baptized by our Uncle Roger. I mean really people, who can say that? I'm so proud, you have no idea.





I've quit playing my guitar for the most part, but busted it out for the family reunion and baby did I play those G, C & D chords perfectly! Ok, so maybe I threw in an F or A minor, but bluegrass music is so forgiving. And I really just sat in the background and marveled at my cousins and Aunt Tricia. I think I take after her:




I just can't stop thinking about how much support Mike & I have been given to make this transition. Although I think dad is the first to say once we have those "red headed grandkids" it is necessary to head on back home. And I'm okay with that. And speaking of my dad, I have seen an incredible change in him in the past few years, espically since Nancy had Josie. Okay, so maybe it's more me, but nevertheless, his heart melts for those kids and I can just imagine he was the same way with me and my sisters. For years I struggled with his Love Language, as it was much, much different than mine. An for years I never appreciated him as a dad, yes, he was the provider, the guardian, the rock that held the family together; but I never REALLY took the time to see the inside. The guts, if you will. And my folks, does this man have some guts. At 65 he still works with his animals, why? Because he loves it. Why? Because he understands what it's like to hurt, when to let go, when to give a little love tap, and when to be quiet. The beauty of an animal is that it can't express wants/needs and you have to observe its actions to determine the problem. For example, here are two greyhounds, one, Gracie is 15 (the oldest greyhound dad has ever seen) and the other is Tika who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer (I saw the xray, not good). Both dogs need extra TLC and dad does what he can to make their life comfortable. He understands, but he can separate the emotions from the logical and when its time to put them down, he will do so with grace and peace. Reason # 551000000 I love my dad.




Mike is on his annual Baseball and Brews Tour. Pray that he returns safely. Spending time with the boys makes me miss my Huntington girls! But alas! Sarah is coming to vist in like a week from tomorrow. Have I mentioned I love visitors? Have I mentioned I love my family? Oh, and I miss my non-working husband. Anyone have any connections to the Park and Recreation field in Denver? Anyway. I'm continuing to eat it up here, loving it as usual. Really hard to leave home though, I cried....but it's just goodbye for now, not goodbye forever. I can just picture our house now at my favorite spot on the farm :) Ahhhhh the future holds endless possibilities. I truly enjoy blogging, and I hope that you enjoy reading about life in the Curry (Denver Curry) household.

Love wins. Love you.