Air Care - Crop Dusting

Growing up in rural Colorado, crop dusters have been a part of every summer.  Watching and hearing them as a boy is where the spark and love of aviation was birthed in me.  Check out the cool smoke puff coming from the engine exhaust in the photo above.  Oil is introduced into the exhaust pipe to make smoke and tell the pilot which way the wind is blowing.

You can't be a crop duster for long without good stick and rudder skills.  The effortless ability that they display making 180 turns back and forth over the field makes me strive to continue to be a better stick and rudder pilot.

I might have gotten a little bit of fungicide on me as this aircraft passed over me.  But it was worth it, and the potatoes liked it too.

Estes Park

A few days before we left for OSHKOSH at the end of July, we spent a few days at my brother-in-law's family cabin.  It was a great time hanging out with family and enjoying the scenery right on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park.

I climbed a fire/weather tower while we were there and I was treated to a wonderful view of nearby Longs Peak, over 14,000 feet high!

As I wondered through the forest, no matter how quite I tried to be, the squirrels always gave away my position.  Cute and alert little guys they are.

One evening, we were treated to this 5 point bull elk walking in front of the cabin.  They are such majestic animals.

Manasa 5K

At the end of July I ran my first 5K race.  It was just a small town race but I had a lot of fun running with all of the people.

I really tried hard to run the 5K faster than I ever have to better my chances at placing and taking home a "prize." Above, my girls were all at the finish line to cheer me across.

Lo and behold, I did win a medal...4th place.  I didn't know that races give out 1st through 5th place (usually it's 1-3), but I'll take it any day.  What's a good picture without Madison making her funny face?!

Canola Fields

As we drove home from Cottonwood Pass, (see previous post), we happened upon some beautiful canola fields in bloom.  It was hard to get a clear picture because the honey bees were in the THOUSANDS, buzzing everywhere.  No doubt that it's a honey bees paradise in a canola field.

Cottonwood Pass

While driving home from a church speaking engagement in July we decided to take the back roads home.  It proved to be a very enjoyable experience.  We took a trip over Cottonwood pass and we weren't disappointed with the scenery!

At the summit of the pass, we briefly got out of the car to stretch our legs and take a few pictures.  It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful Colorado can be!

Even Mo, our traveling family mascot, was able to get in on a family picture.  Before long, that little sock monkey will have been all over the world with us.