Lookout mountain, Colorado

 As snow on the plains this Christmas and new years has been scarce to say the least, we took a run to Lookout Mountain, about an hour from Denver, to get a view of some of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in Colorado and hike the trail.

This is a prominent foothill west of the city of Golden.  It's an official state Park loved by cyclist and hikers right beside the museum bb of the poplar folk hero Buffalo Bill Cody.

Although I don't take chances with Colorado weather so carried my thickest coat for surety, I certainly never needed it as we actually drove around with windows down and certainly didn't need it once we started hiking.

Section of city of Golden below

Picnic area

Herd of  elk feed on the hillside 

The area is a haven for cyclists

Buffalo Bill museum 

Well maintained hiking trails

Snow capped mountain in the distance 

Taking a rest?

The area is replete with cyclists. 

As a cyclist myself what stood out were the signs delaring that one full lane of the two-laned roads were reserved for cyclists!!

What a lovely right to have as a rider.

Educator of the year♥️🥳

Dr. Michele McBride was totally surprised this morning at not only being nominated Educator of the Year at her Village East Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado, but also because her neighbor Cheryl, Daughter Maddy and I were present after succeeding in keeping the event a secret for days.😁

Shock and disbelief🤣

 Especially since she has sworn for years that I cannot keep a secret!

The informal award was presented at the teacher's meeting at the the school at beginning of the new semester (4th January 2025). 

She never expected to see us till she returned home😊. (Neighbor Cheryl at right.)

The formal ceremony will be at a dinner in April 2026. 

What made this award even more unexpected for her is the fact that this is the second time that she has been the nominee.

Her colleagues gave her daughter Maddy the flowers to present.

I am extremely proud of her accomplishments as I had actively discouraged her from pursuing a career in teaching, due to the fact that they are so poorly paid.😡

However she reminded me that it was a family tradition and her accomplishments over the years have been phenomenal and well recognized, wherever she has served.

Well done mi pickney.

The principal making the announcement 

It was through her neighbor Cheryl that the information was filtered to us and she never suspected a thing😊.