Images of the school run

Outside our garage

The school run starts around 8 o’clock and takes between 10 and 20 minutes depending on how much stopping there is to: 1) push bikes uphill, 2) admire squirrels, mule deer or stellar’s jays, or 3) work out whose turn it is to go next at the stop signs.

Our driveway, opposite Fairview High School

Fairview High School is on the other side of our street.  It is notable for an ugly façade, a repetitive school band that plays outdoors a lot, and way too many student cars.  Apparently it is an excellent school.

Our neighbourhood, looking over to NCAR (Mat's work) on the hill and the Front Range of the Rockies

Daily reassurance of Boulder's political leanings

Some parts are a bit too steep to ride

Over the cross walk and into school

Run a mile, jump a stile or eat a country pancake?

4th grade boys starts, with Mrs T.

Dan and Morwenna’s school, Mesa Elementary, has an annual tradition that all children from 2^nd grade (age 7ish) upwards run a mile round the local high school track each September.  They train for a few weeks and set themselves personal goals (Morwenna’s were to pace herself and keep running).  Their times are taken and then they can compare year to year.  It’s not a race but a personal challenge.  The teachers wear silly wigs etc and run with them or spray them with water to keep them cool, and parents cheer them on. It’s typical Mesa, typical Boulder and I wish I’d had it at school (of course a few of the kids hate it!)

Very determined, with one lap to go.

Morwenna and friends after the run

The video is Danny, going steady with one lap to go, watched by Mat, Ed and Laura.

More bears!

The Flatirons, Boulder

We had a lovely walk on a local Boulder trail a few weekends ago, up between the Flatirons, impressive rocks just to the west of Boulder.

Click on the play button of this video to see how close we got to these two bears.  The scary thing is that, during the encounter, we had no idea where Dan and Morwenna were.

Real bear skin complete with scary claws

Rocky Mountain wacky weather

We are in a political maelstrom here in Colorado as apparently Obama and Romney both have it all to play for.  Meanwhile, we are discovering that violent temperature and weather condition swings can also occur.  On Wednesday it was too hot – mid 80s; Friday morning we woke up to snow.  Just a dusting but it has hardly got above freezing since, and today’s weather would be worth complaining about even for a Scot: cold, wet, sleety and gloomy.  Mid-July to mid-January in 48 hours.  We are a very long way from the sea here.

5 days later, same spot, with Nora on a school trip

Friday morning, 2 days since our last barbecue.