Flooding at Glen Eyrie

 

We are visiting with our children in Colorado Springs this weekend.  Record-setting rainfall in Colorado resulted in localized flash flooding in the overnight hours of September 12-13. 

Camp Creek, the creek that runs through Glen Eyrie overflowed its banks in spots, flooding some areas near the main entrance.

 
Because the flooding jeopardized the normal flow of vehicle traffic, guests and volunteer staff were evacuated by an alternate route.  No guest or employee was ever in any physical danger. The evacuations were completed because normal traffic patterns were blocked. At its peak, water overflowed the bridge just past the main gate.

Flooding conditions surrounding Glen Eyrie were aggravated by soil damage created by wildfires in the area in the summer of 2012. Since those fires, Glen Eyrie engaged in serious flood control measures, including the installation of two debris catching fences, widening and reinforcing of creek banks near the castle.
 See my April 26 (Spring 2) post about these projects.  

An alternate route that enabled the safe evacuation of guests and staff was used. The debris nets located in Queen’s Canyon, kept trees and boulders from moving onto the property while allowing water to continue flowing. Structural damage would have been much greater without these mitigating measures. The debris nets are holding back much of the debris from flowing through Camp Creek.  We hope to return to the Glen on Monday, September 16.

Back at Glen Eyrie

The week after my birthday we celebrated the birthday of my spouse. She is one week younger than I.  Believe it or not, it has been that way our entire life.  The next day we left for Colorado Springs, to attend a Marriage Get-Away at Glen Eyrie.  Our Marriage Get-Away was very good, breakfast in bed on Friday morning; lots of one on one time for each couple in the afternoons.  We were warned that we were not allowed to do any work, or anything that even looked like work, while attending the MGA. (I guess they know us here) Our sessions were excellent and focused on relationships, particularly couple interaction and understanding each others' love language. All our meals were spectacular!  The cooks outdid themselves. 

On Sunday (8-18) we moved into the lower apartment in the Châlet from the Castle Room, where we had been staying for the MGA.

It is warm here during the day, the nights are cool - mid 60s  but afternoon temperatures hit upper 80s and even  a few low 90s. But fortunately we don't have the humidity, which is so prevalent in the Heartland, so it is OK to be, and even work outside. 

We went for a walk (small hike) last Sunday (8-25) during the early afternoon and we appreciated the shade, when we could find it.

The work has been sporadic the first week, but we are really busy this week.  Right now there are but a few guests.  We have had some senior (High School) retreats, so lots of activity and energy.  Corrie has been doing dining room attendant work, and Joh is working for Facilities.  Some other tasks are in the works.  We still love working here!!  Surrounded by the rocks which hide this valley form the business of the city, we get to enjoy the peaceful quiet of Glen Eyrie.  Even in the midst of work, we can greet the turkeys, the big horn sheep, and chase the squirrels.

Happy Birthday to me

Because nearly two weeks have past since my last update and because I celebrate my 68th birthday today (Aug 5), I thought I would do a quick update.

We have had absolutely fabulous weather during the past two weeks and have gone out on both our motorcycle and on our bicycles.  

The previous week we pointed our motorcycle west and visited the Löss Hills in western Iowa.  After stopping off to see a Danish windmill and a picture with (a replica) of the statue to “The Little Mermaid.”  The original is in Kopenhagen, Denmark.


This statue is to commemorate the fairy tale by Hans Christiaan Anderson, who was of Danish descent, and whose story was brought to fame by Walt Disney. 
We went on to Bronson, in NW Iowa.  
There we spent the night with dear friends.  The next day we went back to our home in Johnston, but we had to stop at the (non-continental but none-the-less important) Missouri - Mississippi divide in central Iowa.  

Then last week we rode around the central Des Moines area.  The trip took us around Gray’s Lake and into waterworks park.  Waterworks park reminds my of my home area in the Netherlands.  Flat, rustic, and lots of water!  Just a few pictures to feast your eyes.

Mediterranean cruise, continued.

October 12,  2012 – Katakolon, gateway to Olympia; the sight of the old games. 

We opted out of the optional tour to the ruins of Olympia and decided to explore the small harbor town of Katakolon.  – After visiting the ruins of  Ephesus, many other ruins of antiquity were bit much for us.  Ours was the only cruise ship in the harbor there, so the town was not crowded at all.  Like all ports of call, there were a plethora of souvenir shops.  We were able to browse at our hearts content and enjoyed some local coffee as well.  We visited a small museum of ancient musical instruments and also a kind of science museum showing the use of ancient inventions for leverage and moving heavy items.  The Greeks claim a lot of scientific inventions to be their own.  I guess the Romans used many of these inventions and may even have improved on them to advance their empire.

During our exploration we chatted with one of the local shop owners.  His English was very articulate.  He had been a merchant to American soldiers who came to the area for missile training during the cold war; he had been cleared to go onto US bases.  Also, he told us, he had run in the Olympics in 1984.  He then went into a back room and re appeared with the torch, which he had carried at that time.  He let Corrie hold it for a priceless picture.  This was as close as we came to Olympia, or the games for that matter.  We had seen the grand stadium in Athens, and Corrie got to hold the torch., near old Olympia.  Not too bad at all.

Memorial Day and beyond

My last blog was written at the start of the Memorial Day weekend, but on the 27th of May, the actual Memorial Day we went for a hike.  
We revisited “the scar” and went to an overlook of Queen’s Canyon.  On the way and at our destination we could really see some of the fire damage reslting from last year’s Waldo Canyon fire.  
A lot of mitigation work to prevent severe flash flooding and debris flow has been done in the area.  Monique and Rick were with us and they went right up to the edge of this overlook.

This was scary to me, because I don’t like to get close to any edge, even more so, if it is very high.  With proper encouragement, however, I did make it to the edge as well.  The Monique only picture shows Palmer’s dam in Camp Creek, which runs through Queen’s Canyon.  At this dam the water is diverted to a collection and pipe transportation system, which replenishes some of the reservoirs, now in Colorado Springs.  Also this picture shows the fire damage on the other side of Queen’s Canyon. 
 In a previous blog I published a picture in this area where a flood mitigation fence was built. 

 This time I included a picture of the new castle lawn as seen from this overlook area; it is beautifully green.  We all pray that there won’t be any flash flooding in the area.  Not only to preserve the beauty of Glen Eyrie, but also the area in the city where Camp Creek is canalized.

Meanwhile there is a large fire in the NE area of Colorado Springs, known as Black Forest.  Again the resources of those who fight fires are being stretched.  Many people have lost their homes and possessions.  Today, June 14, there is some rain in the area. 

 In Iowa the drought is over.  There is actually some minor flooding and the rivers run at flood-stage. We took a long motorcycle trip on June 13.  The weather was beautiful; no wind to speak of, sun-shine, and about 80 degrees.

Memorial Day 2013

On April 26 I blogged about the flood mitigation work ongoing at Glen Eyrie.  The work was hampered some by snow and rain, but I am happy to share some new pictures of the green green grass of (this) home.

We are starting Memorial Day weekend, and the weather is just gorgeous.
There are weddings, graduations, and memories of those who have gone before us.  It is good to be in this place of quiet memory of a man with a vision, namely William Jackson Palmer, who built this place for his home.  
For the protection of the Almighty, to preserve this place for its current function.  
For the insight of the Navigators, who share this place with the public; for retreats, contemplation, rest, and restoration.   

A quiet place in a busy world.  Even the animals know this and some come here to graze and rest. 

 



Our tenure here will end on June 2, after which we shall return to our home in Johnston, Iowa for most of the summer.  

 
On our past day off, we went to Pueblo.  Here we enjoyed great day of relaxing as well.  

Walking the river walk, enjoying the down town area and relaxing for a cup of coffee. The river walk also commemorated Medal of Honor recipients, as well as service members of all branches of the military.  
 A nice prelude to this Memorial Day weekend.

EPHESUS

 Although we are still at Glen Eyrie, in Colorado Springs, and although we still experience many
adventures here, I would like to write something Ephesus, Turkey, at this time.
 
On October 10 we visited this ancient city.   
Our first stop was at the shrine of the house of Mary, mother of Jesus, who is thought to have lived and died here after the crucifiction of her Son. This is based on the command of Jesus to the apostle John to take of His mother as recorded in the gospel of St. John 19: 26,27.
This was a very busy place with only on bathroom facility for women and there was usually a waiting line, hence the humorous picture.

 
 This is in contrast to one of the ancient bathroom facilities in Ephesus, where you could sit cheek to cheek. No privacy, though!  The local guides refer to this affectionately as “the chat room.” 

While we were there, we happened to catch a re-enactment performance of Roman times, with a dance and a mock gladiator fight. 
 
 This city has a great history, which is know to most of us because of the record in the book of Acts, when the apostle Paul visited this city.  Most of this can be read in Acts 18 & 19.  Also there is an interesting quote by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:38.  Many of the now ruins of Ephesus must have been seen by him as well.  Most obviously the large amphitheater, where the riot was quelled (Acts 19: 23+) and where he might have fought the wild beasts, mentioned in 1 Corinthian 15.









I included an (obligatory) picture of the remains of the great library.  The whole experience begs the question, “What will be remaining of our civilization?  What will be remembered about us?”