Colorado Springs--Frisco, CO, June 5

Spent the morning at Rock Ledge Ranch, a historic ranch that, like many open air museums, uses costumed interpreters to explain the different buildings, time periods, etc. Today was special because it was sheep shearing day. In addition to sheep shearing and tonail trimming (the sheep just lie there and let the shearer do his thing), the were demos from a champion sheep dog, demos of all the steps that follow shearing, etc. Many other demos, too (making corn husk dolls, iron smithing, etc.). What was different was that there were kids and teenagers actively and enthusiastically involved in the demos, teaching other kids how to do the activity or otherwise encouraging active participation. It was even totally ok to try the pump organ, so I did. I've never played one before, and the pumping is a lot more work than I thought.

Then over the Hoosier Pass to Henry's cousin in Frisco. It's beautiful up here, but the altitude is a challenge--the pass is 11,542 feet and Frisco is about 9000 ft. A great rainstorm added to the excitement of driving over the pass.