Rube Goldberg and Mars Rovers

Nana, Papa, Matteo, and AJ ventured to the Space Foundation's Discovery Center this morning. They were having a special "Build a Rube Goldberg Machine" workshop for kids of all ages. So what the heck... And, bonus, they had Lego Mars rovers to drive remotely across their mock-up Mars terrain.

Number the Stars

Serafina got her first role in Colorado! She'll be playing Ellen in Number the Stars, a play version of the historical fiction by American author Lois Lowry, about the escape of a Jewish family (the Rosens) from Copenhagen during World War II. The first "rehearsal" was really a get together of the family members to play games, eat goodies, and get to know each other. Tracy made those star cookies.

The production company is First Company Theater in Colorado Springs. It's a facet of the First United Methodist Church with its own 203-seat theater facility (separate from the sanctuary, etc.). This production is a premier of this playwright's version of the book.

Colorado Fall Color Speeder Excursion

It's amazing how things come together some times. Having just moved to Colorado Springs, Jamie was able to join the Motorcar Operators West and the Rocky Mountain Division associates of NARCOA on a joint excursion over a number of railroads in Colorado.

We spent the first two days running on the Leadville Colorado and Southern.
All the way up to the Climax Mine. All the pics are here.

Our next trip was out of Alamosa to Antonito on the San Luis & Rio Grande.
Antonito is the northern terminus for the Combres and Toltec.
All the pics are here.

Alamosa to La Veta on the SL&RG.
All the pics are here.

Alamosa to Center via the SL&RG and the San Luis Central.
Then on to Monte Vista and return to Alamosa.
All the pics are here.

The Creede branch of the Denver & Rio Grande runs
from South Fork to the Wason wye just short of the Creede city limits.
All the pics are here.

Garden of the Gods

And "Uncle" Jon happened to be in town, too! Someone took some great pics (Jamie wasn't there, that's another story that will appear soon). Probably just as well he wasn't there as he'd be having a safety conniption. This activity was followed up with bowling at the lanes next to Bass Pro near us and an evening movie in the theatre room.

Labor Day Weekend in Creede

This trip was an All Play. All the Compound dwellers headed to Creede, CO for the Labor Day Weekend. Rebecca joined us, too! Below are some representative photos. All 400 photos are here.

Zach whipped up a feast and a half at his campsite.

Creede Balloon Festival (we went two mornings for launch).

This model is in the Creede Chamber of Commerce office
where we got our Creede Salsa Festival tickets/ballots.

Just across the street from the Underground Mining Museum.

The fire department, active and historical, was in the hillside.

At Kip's Grill, the "Septembers End" was playing and
included a rousing rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus."

Rebecca got recruited by Tommyknocker Tavern to work their Salsa booth.

The  Creede Hotel is for sale. Hmmmmm.

Our morning #2 at the Creede Balloon Festival.

Ready for the Creede Gravity Derby.

What?! Fina's being drafted to participate
in the 11-17-year-old category. As a Pusher.
They're watching a video from the top of the course.

When carts got just too slow, folks would jump up off the curb
and lend assistance. Including Matt.

And AJ.

On your mark, get set...

That's Fina giving the far cart its start.

Zach pushed for his Mom.

Second place!

After burgers at Freemon's General Store (you gotta
experience it), we fished a nearby pond. And the group
of older gents we found there welcomed us in, kids and all.

We closed the weekend with songs around the campfire.

Papa's Office

Check out the new office. And the total commute is a set of stairs, 30-60 seconds depending on whether I'm carrying coffee or not. Thanks to Nana for doing 99% of the unboxing and setting up.

Smaller clock (PRR) is California time.

My Dad got the red Lionel train on the left for his 1st birthday.

Note that all the doors have locomotive builders' plates on them.

N-scale collection, plus some HO trolleys.
The lower left car is a Z-scale Beda's Biergarten boxcar from their
Guiness World Record event.

The HO collection includes equipment from the Alvin All-Star Railroad and
the Zenith train (at top) my Mom got when she worked for them, and others.

Oh yeah, and don't forget the mineral collection.