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Things I Had Forgotten But Remembered While On Vacation - Altitude not Attitude
I'm vacationing with my children in Frisco, Colorado this week. Frisco is a small community sandwiched between Dillon and Breckenridge in a valley surrounded by mountains. It took me a few days to relax and get into my vacation mode and it was amazing the things I had once forgotten that came back to me:How much I enjoy sleeping inHow much I love to readHow addictive Japanese game shows can beHow repetitive CNN isHow much more I love Colorado in the summer as opposed to the winterThe smell of wildflowers after a thunderstormMy children, who are adults now, are wonderfully fun to travel withWater boils faster at high altitudesRedheads burn more easily at high altitudesI tire more quickly at high altitudesI eat like a horse at high altitudesBrownie mixes need three tablespoons of flour added to them at high altitudesI don't look good in a swimsuit - any altitudeRiding a bike is NOT any easier at a high altitudeHorseback riding is delightful at any altitude - the horse may disagree on thisI hate getting my face wet at any altitudeWhat do you remember that you had forgotten all about once you go on vacation?
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8 August 2008
at 6:22 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
hehehe. Yes, I love a short sunbathe at high altitudes. The quick light burn moves into a tan for me beautifully. Of course, this was 25 years ago. Somewhere I have a map of remote mountain areas I used to go for solitude with the sungod.PS How could you assault my barely awake hour with the thought of us young folks in swim suits? I have a feeling food will taste bad all day from this.(jk) ;)
8 August 2008
at 7:06 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
multi, yeah I know what you mean about assaulting the mind with the thought of us in a swim suit - glad you are one who tans though. I am envious of those who can look anything other than a pasty shade of white!Tell my friends in the backyard hello for me, eh!! :)
8 August 2008
at 7:28 p.m.
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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…
“What do you remember that you had forgotten all about once you go on vacation?”Myself, outside of myself.You're in my favorite place in the world.I used to return there every summer.I've missed some summers, more recently.I'm clearing the path back there, as I type.
8 August 2008
at 8:26 p.m.
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camper (Anonymous) says…
RM I think I stayed there before. I say “think” because I'm not sure if it was technically Dillon or Friscoe. I do know it was very close to Lake Dillon, and there was a great diner where we loaded up on eggs and bacon and sausage before heading out to the ski slopes.Always wondered how neat it would be to see the area in the summer.
8 August 2008
at 10:01 p.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
tange made me think of my only vacation in years.I very long time friend I hadn't seen in about 30 yrs, took me to the pacific NW.For 4 days I was away from all my many responsibilities..truly free, and found myself being me.The me that had not surfaced since 30 yrs ago.Such a shock.So revealing. Also so sad. I got home and pretty much suffered from severe depression for a couple of weeks.The loss of my true self and the knowledge of how my life might have/should have been was just too hard to bear.
9 August 2008
at 8:57 a.m.
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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
Multi - I know exactly what you mean by “loss of my true self.” I decided to chuck my job after 20+ years and re-discover “me.” It's been two months and I'm just now coming down from the ingrained routine of a stressful job.
9 August 2008
at 10:09 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
Good luck with George,I hope you can find a path that lets you be you again.
9 August 2008
at 12:53 p.m.
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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
Same to you Multi.
9 August 2008
at 5:52 p.m.
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Aisling (Anonymous) says…
What do you remember that you had forgotten all about once you go on vacation?”I forget how much I'm NOT a morning person until I spend a week or so getting up at the crack of noon when on vacation and then have to suddenly get out of bed and be coherent at 6am when I go back to work.I just recently went back to Iowa to spend a few days with my Dad. He still lives in the house I grew up in and it's so easy to slip back into my childhood when I go home. My Mom passed away a few years ago but when I go back there it's still as if she's there, hopefully looking on with approval at the adult I've almost become. Although, at a guess, I'd say she wouldn't have been so thrilled with seeing me sneak back in the house after an evening of imbibing in more pina coladas than is strictly necessary. Then to top it off, I was awake and semi-coherent when Dad got back from church the next morning,and thinking I got away with it. Nope, he walked in and asked me how the pina coladas were! Ah small towns……lord I could never live there again but it's fun going back.
9 August 2008
at 9:27 p.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
lol
9 August 2008
at 9:55 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
tang, I had one morning for a couple of hours by myself and I had meant to go out onto a trail close by where we were staying and view the mountains, bury my face in the soil next to some wildflowers and just meditate. Instead I read a bit from a good book and took a nap. Still all was not lost as I did catch some glimpses of me as a child. The one with wild eyed dreams and it felt so good. It was inspirational shall we say. :)george, I also wish you well and hope you will let us know how things are going for you over the next few weeks and months. Lucky you! And for the rest of you reading this, it is not too late for you to return the person you want to be. Sometimes experiencing what you don't want to be ends up getting you on the right track - if you don't kill yourself from stress first. Obviously the key is being able to step back long enough to recognize what changes you must make and then having the courage to do it. I admire you and wish you all the best.multi, if you had any idea how much the pain you have endured in your life helps the rest of us in our lives you might just be very surprised. I always appreciate how much of your life and yourself you share with us.aisling, wish you'd mention the name of the town where you grew up and drank the pina coladas so we could go there and find out more about you - do you think the whole little town is still talking about you? :) It sounds as though your relationship with your Dad is a good one. It is fun to go back for a little while sometimes - helps us remember often why we are the person we are.camper, Lake Dillon is very close to Frisco. I think just crossing I-70 takes you from one town into another. Breckenridge is about ten miles away. What a perfect little town it is with the view of the mountains. The temperature ranged from 70 during the day and into the 50's at night. The air was incredibly pure and clean and smelled of sage, and every day we had a brief rain. Flowers bloomed everywhere. In other words, if you haven't been there in the summer I highly recommend it!
9 August 2008
at 10:01 p.m.
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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
Moms (and Dads) really do have eyes in the back of their heads! I slip back into the same comfort zone when I go back to an equally small town where I grew up. Don't want to live there either but when I am there, sleeping in my old bed, hearing the water run as my mom takes her shower, then puttering in kitchen as she's making coffee – ahhhh – at that moment all is right in the world and I'm back in grade school again.
9 August 2008
at 10:23 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
I lost my mom and dad many years ago, but I have an aunt and uncle in small town USA (otherwise known as Bird City, Kansas) and I agree. I take the room downstairs where it is always cool and dark and I can sleep forever - no cares in the world, taken care of again. I wish that would last forever, but there is no going back for too long is there? At some point the tables turn and we will be the ones making them feel safe, secure and young again. Ouch, maybe that is already happening.
9 August 2008
at 11:18 p.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
I consider being at my farm a vacation from the world..it is so quiet here. I may leave but I always yearn to be back on the hamock or working in the barn. When I would travel in the past I always thought how nice it would be to live at the places I visited. But I am always going placesmore rural that were I already am and I can't figure out how I would pay the bills…LOLI do seem to forget how beautiful the rest of the world is until I venture back out to see it. And I always wish my son was with me, he can't always go off with me and I miss his company.I don't think I really have regrets about how my life has run…perhaps a job opprtunity that was lost…but that's about all.
10 August 2008
at 9:42 a.m.
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Aisling (Anonymous) says…
wish you'd mention the name of the town where you grew up and drank the pina coladas so we could go there and find out more about you hehehe why do you think that I don't mention the name of the town? Nah, I'm sure they've moved on to something else. I hear that the local dive bar was robbed and they caught the person so I'm sure that's a huge topic at the local coffee shop, which much to my dismay, seems to be McDonalds. Oh don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the #12 but I still want the coffee shop to be The Green Mill and the book shop to be Pat's. (which my parents owned and my Mom ran for….gosh forever it seems.
10 August 2008
at 10:09 a.m.
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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…
I am beginning to be convinced…that there is nothing beyond where we go.
10 August 2008
at 10:20 a.m.
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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…
JJE007: “I am beginning to be convinced:that there is nothing beyond where we go.”all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be” - pink floyd
10 August 2008
at 12:56 p.m.
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jystevens (Joyce Stevens) says…
Ronda's post is so timely and took an interesting turn from vacation talk to talking about finding one's true self. I, too, am on vacation. My 11-year-old son, Michael, and I are on Coronado Island in San Diego. I love California and often when I visit here I am near tears when it is time to return to Kansas. My brother lives here so part of my sadness is leaving family but part of it is just that I enjoy being here. Things are different this time though. I am also in the midst of finding myself again. This time, two weeks after I return to Kansas, I will be closing on a house that I am purchasing in Lawrence. This is the first time in my 48 years that I have ever purchased a house. The house hunting was fun! My agent and I looked at about 20 properties. The negotiating back and forth on the price was fun too. I am purchasing a house now because I am in the midst of a divorce after 23 years of marriage. House hunting taught me a lot about myself. I wasn't really sure what kind of house I was looking for, didn't know anything about getting pre-approved for a loan, didn't know what area of Lawrence would appeal to me or where I would best fit in. My buyer's agent was very helpful in educating me on all of that. Michael and I will return to Kansas on Tuesday, August 12th. That day I have two inspections scheduled on my new house. Our plane is scheduled to land at 9:10 a.m. The inspections are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. We will drive straight from the airport to our new home. I cannot wait! I am so excited to be returning to what, for me, is the start of a new life. I am enjoying my vacation but this time I am looking forward to coming home!
10 August 2008
at 1:04 p.m.
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davidsmom (Anonymous) says…
I'm a little confused by the water boiling comment…when we were in Albuquerque, it took me a long time to figure out why it took so long to re-heat a bowl of soup. I thought it would never get hot! What I remembered when on vacation was…actually, I forgot a lot of things when on vacation. That's what a vacation is supposed to be! I never gave a thought to my job or the clutter on my dining room table or the bills to be paid or the house that needs painting…
10 August 2008
at 3:39 p.m.
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justmesis (Anonymous) says…
Ronda, I sure hope that this goes through. I have been trying and trying to get back on. Hope to see this on the page.
10 August 2008
at 3:41 p.m.
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justmesis (Anonymous) says…
I see that it has made it. I can now start blogging agian. I really did enjoy your blog on your vacation and so wish that I could have enjoyed it with you and the rest of the family.
10 August 2008
at 5:14 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
Hey! justmesis is back on - hey sis! I have missed seeing your comments about my blogs. Yeah, Colorado would have been more fun with you along - I remember when your little Angel came through those parts about 36 years ago! Wow, has it been that long? You would have been fishing though. ;)davidsmom - am I wrong that water boils faster at a higher altitude? I have been wrong before although it would take a bigger man than myself to make me admit it. We were at a much higher altitude than New Mexico. We were at around 10,000 to 11.000 ft. - I agree that I put a lot of things that are part of my daily life out of my mind also; that is the nice thing about taking a vacation, but it does wait for you doesn't it.jstevens! Congrats on your new home and new lease on life and being a single mom. If you want to get together and laugh or cry just send me an email. I find my house a much better mate for me than any of the men I chose. (No offense to men reading this - I am just a loner) Once you get settled in lets have a fun little writer's group house warming party! :) It sounds like you will be less sad coming back to Kansas this trip.JJ and tange - all you ever need in this world can be found in your own backyard and if you don't believe this you need to be hanging in my backyard fence blog more often. Here is the question of the day: which great thinker and writer that we read in college was the one who said we are happier in our own backyard?Susie, may I come and spend a long weekend on your farm and ride your horse? I will spray your hammock down as I leave. You do have a very peaceful place. I love my house and yard also but with working at home I tend to want to go away for a true vacation feeling. I am always happy to return home though. I agree that there are so many beautiful places in our world to still want to see. The travel channel just doesn't do it justice. Too little time and even less money. :)justmesis - I expect to see your head popping up in the backyard now!
10 August 2008
at 6:56 p.m.
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KansasPerson (Anonymous) says…
What a great thread, and so very timely. Really hit a nerve with me. We just got back from vacation and I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who gets depressed when having to leave the place you've visited. It isn't that I don't like it here — it's a great place to come home to. I just feel depressed. It was such a wonderful time with family, and the environment was so beautiful — not to mention the climate was ideal for me. Very cool nights, almost cold; hardly any humidity, in the 70s during the day. And beauty everywhere I looked.I am also glad to see I'm not the only one who does some soul-searching when on vacation. I wish the best of luck to the people who are returning to the area with some new changes to incorporate into their lives. I will be making some big decisions here in a little bit… please wish me luck also!
10 August 2008
at 9:14 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
We do wish you luck, KansasPerson! Please let us know what you end up changing in your life so we can incorporate it into our own if doable. It sounds as though you went some place like Colorado since your description of temperature, etc. sound just like where we were. Do you mind sharing where it is you went?I agree that it sometimes takes our getting away to really get to the place we need to be in our heads and in our hearts. We are lucky if we have choice in our lives - a lot of people don't, or at least feel as though they don't and I know just believing you have some choice in what you do makes a huge difference in attitude.
10 August 2008
at 11:46 p.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
You are welcome at the farm anytime Ronda. I never got to the fair because of the rain..Oh well. I will be taking “Cute Mary” to Benny Smith for training the mid of September, weaning “Miss Kansas” at the same time. Hope to do some riding then.I stoped to see Kristen on the way to town…she says she never leaves her farm…LOL
11 August 2008
at 10:16 a.m.
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aeroscout17 (Anonymous) says…
About water boiling…I think it does boil faster at higher altitudes, because it boils at a lower temperature (I know). If you ever read anything about Everest expeditions, there is often a mention of how at that altitude boiling water for tea only makes it warm.If anyone else is out in that area, try the pizza at Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs, not too far from Frisco and Dillon. Probably the best pizza I have ever had, although it was after 4 days of backpacking and many years ago. I know they have some places in Denver now but I think the Idaho Springs location was the frist. Good trout fishing around there too!
11 August 2008
at 12:35 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
Thanks for the info about the boiling water (yeah, that science all comes back to me now) and about the pizza place. We stopped at Georgetown on our way to Frisco and had some Mexican at a rest. called, “Nochas Mama” and it was very, very good!Idaho Springs is close by - noticed it coming and going, but I don't believe I have ever been there.Good luck with Miss Kansas and Cute Mary, Susie! Hey, could you move your farm closer to town so I can come more often? :)
11 August 2008
at 1 p.m.
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toe (Anonymous) says…
Many people cannot afford a vacation. Nice to know others can.
11 August 2008
at 2:26 p.m.
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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…
toe - Anyone can afford a vacation Mr. Grumpy. It doesn't mean that you have to jet to Switzerland or spend four weeks on the beach in Brazil. It's about how you spend your time and not about how (or if) you spend any cash.
11 August 2008
at 2:42 p.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
aeroscout17,if you like reading about Everst expeditions and such, may I recommend reading Kon-Tiki?If you don't know about it, it's the story of Thor Heyerdahl (I even met him once) and the men who decided to see if they could prove ancient islanders came from there to here and how. Amazing and enjoyable.
11 August 2008
at 7:48 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
toe, I agree with George. We made our meals for the week with the exception of once or twice, we split costs with another person, it was a friend of ours condo that we stayed in. I think the vacation thing is in our heads - a vacation can be a weekend retreat or a full blown summer in Alaska - it is what you want it to be and make of it, but I sure hope you are able to fit something in.Maybe I should do a blog about cheap ways to vacation and have all of you give imput as to where you go, how much it cost, etc. Now if I could fish the way Linda does I'd have it better yet!Thanks, multi, sounds quite interesting. When and how did you meet?
11 August 2008
at 8:23 p.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
He came to talk at West Jr High long ago.Later, in my continued search for antique books, I ran across a first edition in a small Ks town junk/antique/thrift store's basement.
11 August 2008
at 8:36 p.m.
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tonythetiger (Anonymous) says…
I went on vacation to Dodge City and saw a museum of history: Quick Draw McGraw and Long Dong Southard.It was great. There were all these artifacts like a map of Angor Wat and a synopsis of a future Sci-Fi thriller that some prospective artist/author was working on while he saved up for his guitar and horsie ride.
11 August 2008
at 9:27 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
My children and I went to Dodge City one summer (about ten or twelve years ago) and really enjoyed our time there. We did the Chuck Wagon dinner and they got to be sheriff deputies for the day. My daughter learned to do the Can Can and I was picked from the audience to play Ruby, the owner of a competitive saloon up the street. It was very fun and I enjoyed making an a— of myself (even more than usual!).thanks, multi for the additional info - I never did get a chance to go through your cool collection of antique books. Maybe someday still? said in a whiny yet hopeful voice.
12 August 2008
at 5:45 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
gnome takes a vacationhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2543264/Telegraph-solves-the-mystery-of-the-travelling-Gnome.html
12 August 2008
at 9:50 a.m.
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aeroscout17 (Anonymous) says…
Off topic alert!Multi, I have read Kon-tiki although many years ago. I always think it is great to meet authors/adventurers/warriors. I am pleased to tell that I have many autographed copies of first editions, including two from COL David Hackworth and my most recent, “In the Company of Heroes” by Michael Durant, the pilot shot down in Somalia (the incident that “Blackhawk Down” was based on).
12 August 2008
at 10:30 a.m.
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KansasPerson (Anonymous) says…
justbegin, we weren't at the same place you were, but we were in mountains — the Adirondacks in upstate NY — very interesting geologically, and very beautiful. It is so peaceful up there. I enjoyed the complete lack of TV and no cell phone coverage except in very rarely. I'm glad you enjoyed the temperatures on your vacation.I'll keep you posted on the life-changes.Toe, I agree — some years a traveling-vacation is just not in the cards. If you get time off work, you can have a hometown vacation — if you're in Lawrence, I know there are plenty of things to do around town, and it's pretty fun to just hang out. As for finances, we did it on the cheap as much as we could, staying at family's, not eating out, and not buying stuff. There was plenty to enjoy without spending any more than what it cost to get there. Speaking of which, I was pleased to see that gas had come down a bit in Lawrence by the time we got back. In the mountains, it was $4.12 and up — we even saw a $4.25 — probably because it costs them so much to truck it up there. Fortunately we didn't drive around much up there — just did a lot of hiking!
12 August 2008
at 11:24 a.m.
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Bassetlover (Anonymous) says…
Ronda - You CAN ride a bike easily at high altitude, especially in Frisco. There is a great bicycle rental place there, right down the sidewalk from the WalMart. They will take groups of 4+ people in a big van up to the top of Vail Pass. They drop you, your gang, and all your bikes off, and then you can take a leisurely bike ride back down, all the way back to the bike shop in Frisco. It's downhill all the way. You don't even have to pedal! The bike paths are fabulous and most of them run alongside wonderful babbling brooks. It is very exhilarating and an experience you will never forget. And quite affordable too. You will love every minute of it and you don't have to be in good shape to participate.
12 August 2008
at 12:06 p.m.
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SusieCreamcheeze (Anonymous) says…
Ronda…The farm is just in the right place…and Toe I understand how you feel ..everyone I know is going to Alaska…I have wanted to go for the last 10 years..but never found anyone to go with…now that I can't afford to go…and everyone is going….pfffffffffffffffffff
29 August 2008
at 10:13 p.m.
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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…
kansasperson, I missed checking back at this post. Sorry! I have never been to upstate New York. It sounds beautiful. Bassetlover, we did rent bikes while we were there, but didn't do the downhill trip. We did hear about one person who freaked out coming down the Vail Pass ride (apparently a bug flew in her face) and she was injured rather seriously when she flipped her bike. There were people who were obvious bike lovers all over the place. They are easy to spot with their tiny little bodies, pumped up calf muscles, and sports attire. Great place to be for any type of sports enthusiast. My being in shape isn't as bad as my lack of coordination skills. I am truly one of those rare individuals who can not chew gum and walk at the same time. I didn't learn to ride a bike or swim until I was in my mid - twenties. We didn't have water or bike paths on the farm I grew up on in western Kansas. :( We did have horses though and a little trail to run on and a creek to play around - a dry creek. :)susie, you have a vacation spot to live at year around - you need to run a bed and breakfast out of it! :)