Izabel enjoying some league play.

 These pictures are mostly from a hike we did just as the leaves were turning.  We have been so busy with everything going on that I did not have a chance to post them earlier.  It is a hike we did with fellow COVA kids in Castlewood Canyon State Park.  We had volunteer interpreters on habitats and the ecosystem.  We found a salamander and lots of other school kids - it was a busy day for them.  Our interpreter pointed  out the place where their local mountain lion hangs out in a tree some days perched over the park watching.  They gave the kids each an animal card around their necks and when we came upon their habitat they were called out and explained.  Izabel was the skunk, Seamus a porcupine.  We had just watched the Nature program on skunks.  It was very interesting and better that we could not smell it.  And for my bird watching friends we saw the usual including a blue bird and a meadow lark.
The park had a damn built there in the 30's when it failed, 8 hours later downtown Denver was flooded.

Semaus got some help from all the parents. That is one of our fellow COVA kids with her mom. 

Seamus and our interpreter.

The hike lasted 2 miles.  Yes, both the kids did the entire thing and are easy to pick out in the pics since they both have camel backs.

Izabel the skunk

Exploring the cave.

Izabel chats with her friend she met last year on this hike.

The kids on the farther rock, waiting to cross Cherry Creek are other COVA kids.  Our groups went in opposite directions and met here.

Snack break.

Seamus gave up his pack but was still enjoying the fall colors.