Trick or Treat!

Rattlesnake Gulch to Crags Hotel ruins

The Rattlesnake Gulch trail in Eldorado Canyon just outside Boulder, CO takes you to the ruins of what used to be the Crags Hotel. It was a luxury hotel but unfortunately, it burned down in 1912 after only four years of operation. All that remains are parts of the foundation, a fireplace, and the basin of a fountain. You’ll find an interpretive sign at the site, telling you about the history of the hotel back in the day.

Hessie Township to Lost Lake

Birds of Different Feather's

Still flock together.

Emerald the Indian Ringed Neck Parrot. Mango the Senegal Parrot.

Beetle Invasion

Could this be the Asian Longhorned Beetle? It sure looks similar but I'm still researching.




Colorado Exotic Insect Detection and Identification Fact Sheet Series
Asian Longhorned Beetle in Colorado -
The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, is a wood boring beetle of Asian origin that was first detected in Brooklyn in 1996. Two years later a separate infestation was found in the Chicago suburbs. The Asian longhorned beetle has the potential to be very damaging to certain types of hardwood trees, causing tree decline and even death. Many native trees are susceptible to this insect and there are concerns that it could seriously affect natural forest systems as well as shade trees.
Identification of the Asian Longhorned Beetle
The adult Asian longhorned beetle is a large and brightly patterned beetle that ranges from ¾ to 1 ¼ inches in length. Its body is glossy black with irregular white spots, an appearance that has sometimes led to the name “starry sky beetle”. The Asian longhorned beetle also has very conspicuous black and white banded antennae that range from 1 to 2 ½ times the length of the body.
The larvae of the Asian longhorned beetle are soft-bodied, creamy white in color, and have a hard brown head capsule. Mature larvae may reach 2 inches in length. The larvae would be found deeply tunneling the heartwood of hardwood trees. Larvae of the Asian longhorned beetle are not readily distinguishable from other longhorned beetle larvae (roundheaded borers) that occur in Colorado.




















Life Cycle
•The reproductive cycle of the ALB is averagely one year, with eggs commonly laid before winter, and the pupa hatching in the fall. The female chews holes in the bark of a tree, and lays from 35-90 eggs.
Undergo complete metamorphosis with four stages
–Egg - laid singly within the host tree's bark; hatch in 1-2 weeks.
Larvae - Newly hatched larvae tunnel into the vascular tissue of the tree. Migrate into the wood, causing extensive damage. Up to 5 cm long, feed for at least 3 months.
Pupa - At maturity, the larvae move near the surface of the tree (under the bark) to pupate. Adults emerge in about 18 days.
Adult - Actively mate and lay eggs throughout the summer and fall.

Challenge by CHOICE

CHOICE: Community Hands-On Integrated Cooperative Education http://schools.bvsd.org/Choice/about.asp
This is a learning environment most young people thrive in. We spent three days at 100 Elk http://www.100elk.org/programs.html for Outdoor Education. There were two goals of the numerous experiences:
1.) Put someone else first.
2.) Challenge by choice: Set a goal for each element throughout the day and step out of your comfort zone.
I saw both occur multiple times during our stay at 100 Elk. I'm continuously impressed by CHOICE; the amazing, dedicated faculty and staff; and the diverse learning experiences this program offers to these young people!

A helping hand on the "Stairway to Heaven".

All smiles after their day of "school".

Many of the 100 Elk staff have dogs happily roaming about the 1100 acres. They go everywhere together-even on the school bus!

Don't let this deceive you: It wasn't this peaceful and inviting with 150 middle school students hanging out!

Spectacular autumn colors at the top of Kenosha Pass.

The students start to gather for the day-filled activities as the sun rises.

Riding in the Rockies.