Kit Carson County Fairgrounds Carousel at Burlington, CO

Several times in our treks across Kansas and Colorado, we have stopped at Burlington, CO at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds to ride the Carousel. It was built for Elitches in Denver in 1905 and moved to Burlington in 1928, when Denver got a carousel where the animals move up and down. These animals are stationary, and the carousel spins at 12 mph, which seems very fast. The carousel was completely restored in 1976. (Be sure and click on both links to get all the information!) We stopped here on Monday on our way home from Joplin, especially so that Jeffrey could experience it again. Last time we were there, Jeffrey was not with us. It's about 3 hours from journey's end for us, and a nice time to have a break from the car.

Our children on their mounts. I believe the carousel was in motion for this picture.

The "Monster" organ plays 255 pipes, all with air bellows, and paper rolls like a player piano.
Click on the sentence above to hear "Stars and Stripes Forever" played by the monster organ.

This is the "ceiling" of the carousel.

This is the center shaft on which the entire carousel hangs and rotates from a single point.

The artwork of the animals and the inside walls is amazing and beautiful.

Emily on her mount.

Beth. The largest animals are on the outside ring, and smaller ones on the inside.

Four of the inside, smaller animals were stolen in 1981. They were recovered and each have a sign like the one below:

More examples of the artwork:

Two pictures of Jason with other creatures:

The magi's camel, complete with a portrait of the magi.

None of us will ride on this giraffe because of the snake!

If you are ever traveling through eastern Colorado on I-70 during the summer months, you must stop and ride the carousel. It is only 25 cents/person. The guide/operator loves to share the history and let you look inside the innards!

Jeffrey's 18th birthday

It seems like we travel a lot around Jeffrey's birthday time of year. He turned 18 on July 14! We were in Joplin, MO for his birthday this year. Grandpa Scoles made him a birthday cake. We had already given him his gifts at home, and he had a Cold Stone ice cream (personal) cake from his orthodontist before we left home.

After VBS on his birthday, we took all of our family and Joy's two sisters to the ice cream place in Joplin, where we all had frozen custard. It was late at night and kind of windy.

Emily holding Micah at the ice cream place.

Jason and Jeffrey. They look kindof alike, I think.

We sure appreciate our grown-up 18 year old son, Jeffrey. He has a sweet spirit and a heart for God. He is a blessing in our home. We are praying for a job for Jeffrey, as he is not working for the lawn company anymore and he needs to have money for his bills and his future. Pray with us for the right job and God's leading in Jeffrey's life.

Family pictures from Joplin trip

These are pictures of our family at Joplin last week. Starting out I want to apologize for not getting a good picture of my wonderful mother. I started to take her picture once and she said, "Wait until Sunday. My hair is messed up." Sunday turned out too busy and I forgot. This picture is representative of the love and nurture my parents put into our visit. They were always in the kitchen making us good things to eat.

Quil and Grandma Janet

Grandma Janet and Micah

Grandma Janet and Micah

Grandpa Rowen and Micah

Grandpa Rowen and Micah

Randy

Quil helping with the mowing.

Quil in Uncle Tim's hat

Micah in Uncle Tim's hat

Micah in his carseat

Joy and Quil

Jeffrey visiting with Josh Anderson about their work trips. Josh went to Dominican Republic last summer and Jeffrey went to Haiti this summer. Josh is living with Tim and Brenda this year, working for ABE Painting, and helping with the kids' stuff.

Tim and Micah. The picture on the wall is Mother and Daddy.

Tim and Brenda

Tim and Brenda

Brenda actually had a moment to relax!

Jeffrey holding Micah at the program

Jason holding Micah

Emily with her hands full of nephews!

Beth and Micah

Beth, Micah, and Quil

Jason, Emily and Quil, Micah

My daddy, Rex Scoles

My sister, Brenda Owens and Quil

My niece, Rebekah, and Quil

My nephew, Andrew and Micah

30th High School Reunion

One reason for going to Joplin in July was my high school reunion. I can't believe it's already been 30 years! That's how all old people talk, I suppose. :)
On July 18, some of our class met at Shifferdecker Park. It was a bring your own picnic, or just show up and visit casual type of affair. It was very interesting to visit with these 'old' friends! :) When we thought everybody who was coming had arrived, we took this group picture. Of course, right after that two more of the class showed up!
Pictured below from left to right:
Duane Farmer, James Severin, Sally Jamison, Martha Walker, Gay Cragin, Debbie Wolf, Carlyss Bybee, Debbie Johnson, Gary Brewer, Marie Conlin, me, Kent Thelen, Marci Mueller, Ann Haughawout, Jimmy Mitchell

Marci, Debbie, Sally, Marie, Gay

Gay, Sally, Marie, Debbie, me, Ann, Debbie

In the evening, we went to Butcher Block Banquet Center for the evening meal. It was sure yummy! The following pictures were taken there. There were a lot more of my classmates there, as well as from Parkwood (our rival school when I was growing up), but I was too busy talking to get many pictures...
Christi Lowe and her husband, Jody Wells

Wes Dodson and his wife, Tracey

Marci, Ann, Gay, me, and Cyndi Watts

Ann and Kent Thelen, Paul and Cyndi Smith

Laura Doner and Marci Everson

Marci came all the way from Alaska for the event. It was so good to see her again. At the 20 year reunion, we had a table with the Thelens, Smiths, and Marci; we managed to do that again, adding in Laura, who was so fun to visit with after so many years!
Here is the professional picture of all of our class that was there.