Visiting Thomas in Durango; Lisa & Sarah visiting on their way to Ole Miss.

Hanging in trees with friends, Jackson is enjoying his summer. There's library trips with Cyndi, and trips to the biological parks. I go swimming with them about once a week. Jack spent the week at vacation bible camp and loved it. Soon there will be tennis lessons for Jack and swim lessons for both of the boys.



What has become an annual tradition for Father's Day, we went to Durango, camped along the narrow gauge tracks, rode Thomas the Train, cooked out, tasted microbrews, drank coffee in the morning, a little wine at night, listened to the wind in the middle of the night, swam, and toured a little of the downtown.

Durango is a favorite place. Ride the Rockies, a bicycle tour, began from Durango while we were there. Bicyclers everywhere. We saw rafters on the Animas. The streets were filled with kids visiting Thomas, and there's an annual street fair for children over that weekend. I could live here.

The kids set up their chairs alongside the tracks in the morning and the evening. In the morning, and then in the evening, about 45 minutes apart, three train loads of tourists go through the campground on their way for a long and scenic ride and then return. The children wave and the passengers wave back. This part of the train trip may be the best, but the passengers don't know that yet. Jackson and cousin Nicholas race the trains and collect flattened pennies.

Rylee was excited. This was his first camping trip as a toddler. He'd get up early with me in the morning and I'd make hot chocolate for him. The mornings were cool. The first morning, I kept busy before anyone else was up by preparing breakfast of bacon and pancakes. When the sun came up over the east ridge, I'd sit in the sunlight, drink my coffee, and watch the other campers as they began their trek to the bathrooms and showers.

The boys played with their cousins, Nicholas and Lauren, in the grassy field and met the other children camping there with their families. A lot of running, some games, and even some movies. Cyndi enjoyed some peace while I took over the camping chores. She got a short run in, and a few walks with her sister.

On Monday, Lisa and Sarah visited us on their drive from their home in Salinas to Ole Miss. We had a pleasant dinner, pleasant wine, and pleasant talk about everything. The evening cooled off while I grilled salmon and we sat around the table for a few hours. Ariel called and got a chance to talk to Sarah before the signal died. (Ariel and Chris were on their way home after a weekend of salmon fishing.) There were a few hands of Uno. The boys loved playing with Lisa and Sarah. Rylee picked up the game quickly, calling out the numbers and matching the cards. Lisa and Sarah left to sleep before they would begin their third leg to OK City.