Riding At the Cat House

On a more personal note, my daughter and I decided to do some riding at a place we've never been before, known as the Cat House. It is a little place north of Dighton, KS and just north-east of Shields, KS [3 miles east and 3 north], which is basically the middle of nowhere near the Smokey Hills.

I have never ridden there mainly because I didn't know much about it, and it costs $20 per day per person. That is a big turn off factor, but the membership fee is even more amazing. I won't bother to tell you. Now to be fair, the membership fee is probably fair if you camp a lot. However, since I just want to ride a couple of days a year, I just can't see spending that much money.

Well, today, I spent the $20 and went with my daughter (he didn't charge for her today). Now I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It truly is a little hidden oasis for dirt bike riders. Now there were several campers there. So if you like camping in a desert looking place with no trees, I guess this would be your place as well. Plenty of fishing too!

Here is a picture of Rachel.

Now the negative, which may be a positive, was that there were not really any motorcycle trails per se. I basically rode anywhere I wanted. The draw back was that I had to be very cautious where I went. At one point I climbed a very steep hill only to stop as my tire hit the peak. You see, there was no top. It was literally a peak with a sheer cliff on the other side. So I had to do the skiing thing to get back down. Therefore, I needed to spend much of the day scouting what I could really ride.

However, this was also an advantage. I could literally climb all kinds of slopes, (yes, I said slopes in Western KS!) some of which had been cimbed many times,while others maybe not so much?

Now I don't want to make myself sound like a pro-rider. I am not by any means. But if you want a good work out and you live in western Kansas, and you don't mind losing $20 to ride one day, you may just enjoy yourself.

Ellen Leverett

There are some people that you meet in this life that you consider a good friend. You may not know the person overly well, and yet you feel as though you do. You may not see that person very often, but when you do, you speak as though no time has passed by. You laugh and tell stories and catch up without the feeling that you're catching up. You feel as close to this person as you would your own brother or sister.

Ellen Leverett was one of those friends. Today is a day where we mourn the loss of that friend. At the age of 52, she lost her battle with cancer and in the Providence of Jesus, He decided to take her this past Wednesday. She has now entered her rest and is most certainly present with our Lord.

This morning's funeral/memorial service was a fantastic testimony to Ellen's faith in her Lord. Her husband and also another one of those "friends" stood up and gave a testimony about her faith in the resurrection of Christ and His people. He then turned and used the opportunity to remind those who had gathered that all must come to repentance and faith in Christ. In Gerald's deepest time of grief, he was still able to remember His Lord and turn to Him for comfort. As in the words of Peter in return to Jesus' question, "Do you want to go away as well?"

Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

To the family of Gerald and Ellen Leverett I want to say publicly how encouraged I am in you perseverance during a time of most difficult struggle. May the Lord our God grant you all an abundance of grace during your time of loss.

New Ice Skating Arena In Dodge City

On a personal note, today I took my two older kids to the brand new Unite Wireless Arena's open house. They both skated for about 4 hours. Here are a couple of videos. I must say, their skating has improved quite a bit. Here is the new complex.



And here are the kids skating.

I met the former New York Ranger, and currently USA Hockey Representative, Jim Johnson. He is attempting to form an actual hockey program in western Kansas. You may read about the the story here in The Dodge City Daily Globe.

I just have to say my family is quite excited to potentially be involved with hockey in western Kansas. It really is the best sport ever.

It's Fair-Time

Steven launched his rocket, and I was lucky enough to catch it the second time.

Jacob Sings John Williams Medley

My 3-year-old wanted to watch some of the vacation videos. I had forgotten about these two. Apparently, he had been watching this video and decided to sing it while leaving the Mount Rushmore site.



Here is Jacob's version.

A New Hockey Move

I have been watching hockey all of my life. I have played in my youth and as an adult, and I have never seen this. I am wondering if there is even a rule in the rule book about this.

Motorcycling In Western Kansas

Steven takes a break from riding.


Rachel's pictures were out of focus except for the KDX. I wonder if Kawasaki would like this for advertising.


Steven took some fun pics. They look much cooler than the reality they depict.


If you notice, there is plenty of 2-cycle smoke coming out the exhaust. I just love burning oil. Hopefully it won't become illegal anytime soon. Until then, I'll just keep driving the Leftys crazy.

Personal Note

Just on a personal note, my wife and I have been watching a concert with David Gilmour, Live In Gdansk. For years I have been thoroughly impressed with his music. Somehow I noticed a new channel on my Dish Network that I never noticed before, and there was a listing for David Gilmour. So I recorded it on that great machine called a DVR.

The talent that existed on that stage was simply amazing. He is able to play with a live orchestra. See website here. If you see it listed on your TV, watch it and enjoy.

Lightning

As one friend pointed out, there are plenty of red dots in the background. They have proved quite difficult to rid. With a little online help, I fixed one picture. I must admit I am no artist. Real photographers know how to take something like this and make it great.

Lightning Storm

Tonight we had a thunder storm miss us to the west and then slid south east of us. My daughter talked me in to taking some pictures. I am sure glad she did. Here are a few of them.









This week is the Scott County Free Fair. I usually try to enter something into the photography open class. Any suggestions would be great.

Jacob Reads

Jacob has taught himself to read.



Well, ok...we have been reading more. He loves reading Stop That Ball! and Green Eggs and Ham.