Tuckaway's Just Dandy

Born on April 19, 1985, Tuckaway's Just Dandy aka Dandy, was a great Miniature Horse stallion. He measured 30.5" and was black tobiano (homozygous). Dandy was AMHA 1991 AMATEUR HALTER OBSTACLE RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION.

Dandy would have been 30 today. Our family owned Dandy since April 7, 2005.  Sadly he passed away in 2010. He was one of the kindest stallions I have ever been around. He acted more like a gelding and was just a beautiful soul.

Happy Birthday Dandy - I hope you are galloping free in the Great Pasture. 

Skin Cancer

**PLEASE NOTE - Images may be disturbing to some - View at your own risk! **

In March of 2011 I went to my doctor about a spot on my forehead that was like a zit that would not heal. He sent me to a dermatologist who took one look and said THAT'S COMING OFF NOW. Immediate injection and a scalpel removed it. They tested it and it was positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). 

In April of 2011, I went in for surgery to have the rest of it and the strand of runners it had produced removed. Thirty-two stitches later, it was all gone!

My face was swollen and bruised for several days and when asked what happened people were like WOW skin cancer did that - Yes and I had the "MILD" version. 

Now you can't even see the scar unless I point it out to people, but I can see it. I know it's there and it's my constant reminder. WEAR SUNSCREEN!

So every April I go get checked out and this April was no different. It was concerning because of a spot on my shoulder. With much review, I am happy to say the spot is just a mole and nothing more. I am skin cancer free!!

PLEASE PLEASE - no matter your skin color - wear sunscreen 50 or better, preferably with Zinc Oxide & Nanoparticles in it. Get moles that just appear and zits that won't seem to heal LOOKED AT IMMEDIATELY - as some forms of skin cancer are deadly! And wear sunscreen ALL YEAR AROUND! Reflective sun off snow can cause skin cancer just like being in the direct sun itself!

Gem Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

Gem Lake is a beautiful trail that starts at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead - I do have to argue the 3.3 miles round trip as my MAPMYHIKE brought me in at 4.79 but that was from my truck in the parking lot to the lake and back to my truck.

Round-Trip Length:	3.3 miles
Start-End Elevation:	7,882' - 8,830'
Elevation Change:	+948' net elevation gain (+971' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level:	Moderate-Strenuous
Dogs Allowed:	No
Bikes Allowed:	No
Horses Allowed:	Yes
Related Trails:	Bridal Veil Falls North Boundary Trail Twin Owls Loop

Here is what the park says about Gem Lake: 

Gem Lake is located 1.65 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead on the northeast side of Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a shallow depression near the top of Lumpy Ridge, a massive granite rock complex home to numerous raptor species and world class climbing.

Gem Lake is unusual in that there's no true inlet or outlet stream - surrounding rock traps, collects, and steers water into the small basin. The lake faces south at a modest elevation, meaning less snow and faster melt that make it one of Rocky Mountain's most accessible 4 season hikes.

In May 2007 the Twin Owls Trailhead was relocated approximately .5 miles to the east and re-named Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. The new trailhead - which accesses Gem Lake, the Twin Owls Loop and all Lumpy Ridge climbing destinations - holds more parking and updated park information.

Some maps do not illustrate the recent move. Signs at Lumpy Ridge Trailhead clearly depict new routing and distances affected by the relocation:

The trail climbs steeply through mature ponderosa and aspen all the way to Gem Lake. Sculpted granite boulders line the trail and lend to the area's unique aesthetic. Autumn visitors will enjoy brilliant colors and a gold carpet of fallen leaves.

Openings in the forest yield rangy panoramas that include Longs Peak (14,259'), Estes Cone (11,011'), Taylor Peak (13,163'), Powell Peak (13,208'), McHenrys Peak (13,327'), and the Estes Park area.

The moderately-strenuous grade levels out only upon reaching Gem Lake. The lake's west shore is beach-like, while the north and east shores are encased by vertical granite walls that can be reached from their flat base just above waterline.

The trail continues past Gem Lake on longer routes to Bridal Veil Falls and the Twin Owls Loop.

That was taken directly from the ProTrails page on Gem Lake.  http://www.protrails.com/trail/20/rocky-mountain-national-park-gem-lake 

Here is what I have to say - in just pictures - it was a great hike - only 1 other person on the trail this morning until I was most of the way down then ran into 30 people. 

Starstruck Uptown Girl

Born on April 10, 1985, Starstruck Uptown Girl aka Dancer, was a beautiful Miniature Horse mare. She measured 34" and was misregistered as a chestnut - she was actually silver dun. Her sire - William's Rusty was a red dun misregistered as a chestnut and her dam Tarnished Trinket was a beautiful silver dapple.  Her pedigree traced no further.

My mom and I purchased her in 1987 from her breeder. She spent several years with us, was sold, bought back and sadly in 2004 sold again. I do not know of her whereabouts now or if she is still living. If she is, today is her 30th birthday. She was the start of our Miniature Horse breeding program and produced some lovely foals for us. I know that she had foals other years but we did not own her then and I never kept track of them.

1992: Starstruck Western Fantasy by Shel-Lee's Barnaby
1995: Prancealot's Braveheart by Del's Silver Bullet
1999: Highland Hill's Thunder Dance by Daisy Meadow's Thundercloud
2000: Highland Hill's Storm Dancer by Daisy Meadow's Thundercloud

Dancer at around 5-6

Dancer at 13 with her son Prancealot's Braveheart "William"

Dancer at around 10

Dancer with Starstruck Western Fantasy "Katie" in 1992

Happy Birthday Dear One. I miss you so much. 

The Classic Classic Live Show

Teresa Buzzell held The Classic Classic Live Show on Saturday April 4, 2015 in Boulder, CO. It was for classic scale models only (1:12 for those that don't know).

It was a small, intimate group of about 12 or so showers but it was heavy in competition.

I did OK overall.

ESR Georgie Girl - CM Johar by Me, proxy showed for owner Anna Bentley

Ravondale Ransome ROM - 2nd in Morgan breed and Morgan Workmanship

AR Kulfi Resin by Laura Behning owned by me

L to R: Miss Sea Command - 1st TB breed and 1st TB workmanship - CM Terrang by Sophie Nordstrom - owned by me

Ocean Flower- 2nd TB breed and 2nd TB workmanship - CM Terrang by Sophie Nordstrom - owned by me

Gone with the Money - 3rd TB breed and 3rd TB workmanship - CM Safari by me and owned by me

Sgoil Dubh - my Unicorn winning first in Collectibiliy

AMB Strawberry Delight - CM Keen to TWH by Anna Bentley - owned by me - 2nd in TWH breed and 2nd in TWH Workmanship

Stars N Stripes ROM - Breyer Classic Mustang mare to brindle grade pony by Janice Williford - owned by me and winning 3rd in breed and 1st in Workmanship Grade/Other Pony

Stars N Stripes ROM - Breyer Classic Mustang mare to brindle grade pony by Janice Williford - owned by me winning Reserve Pony Workmanship

It was a fun show - thank you to Teresa for holding it and for Teresa, Yashka Hallien, Jennifer Buxton and Jenn Scott for judging!!

First Big Hike of 2015

Done today - March 15, 2015

Hiked from my cabin, into Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, out through the YMCA of the Rockies and home.

Here is my MapMyWalk of the route - 6.79 Miles in 2 hours 8 Minutes and 2 seconds. Calories Burned 1173!

And Here are pictures from the hike, It was a BEAUTIFUL day!! 

This Beautiful place that I live

I just thought I would share some images of beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. These were taken Mach 4, 2015.