Grand kick-off to Week 8

As I had promised, I want to give you a brief recap of the adventures of this last weekend here in Colorado. Most of the weekend was dedicated to playing and only peripherially equine-related. In fact, I may need to go back to school tomorrow to rest up from the weekend! :)

Yesterday, with Stefanie's encouragement and detective work, 8 of us from class (and accompanying companions) took in the Colorado Renaissance Festival. It was a hot and sunny day, so while the Festival went from 10-6:30, The Roomies and I only made it from 10:30-3. Of course, Jessica and I were dressed in our finest medieval garb, although we couldn't find good crown around Loveland. During both of the jousting events, we were "the people" of Sir Michael and Sir Aiden, who were the knights battling on behalf of the King. We didn't stay for the "Joust to the death", so we are not sure if we are now subjects of Roderick (who was an incredibly good jouster) or Tristan. Hopefully, there won't be any troubles at the border next week! This picture was Sir William (red and white) having a sword fight with Sir Roderick. It was a bit difficult to see how the horses moved under their costumes, but we were able to see yet another way that horses are partnered with humans to perform a task or job.
There were lots of different people, wearing lots of different clothes and costumes. This is one other world of interests and activities that I can only visit (e.g., rowing, horses, pottery, beach volleyball tournaments....) and imagine how people spend all of their leisure time and money. Heidi captured one of the fairies during the Festival parade....and there were so many more!

By the time we got home, we were hot, tired, dusty and in need of a refreshing "swim" in the pool. I qualify "swim" as Jessica and I invented a new game, using a Frisbee ring and a couple set of water wings: Wing Ring. It was inspired by the jousting skill of the knights! The goal of the game is to toss and catch the Frisbee, with ones hands and feet, respectively. (Jess would throw the Frisbee as I floated with my feet in front of me, aided by the water wings, then I would try to jab my toe/foot/leg through the Frisbee as the "catch".) This game went on for quite a while, until two little girls (ages 5 and 7) came into the pool area, and we thought they might want to use the wings! And, besides, it was about time for the pizza to be delivered, poolside, for dinner!

Today was another adventure day, which primarily consisted of whitewater rafting on the Poudre River. Kimi, Heidi, Cat, Karen, Jessica and I all donned the appropriate safety gear, and wedged feet in cracks and crevices on a large, yellow, rubber raft to take on 6 miles of Class II and III rapids. This was classified as a beginner/intermediate trip, and since the water was on the high side of medium, the water was moving pretty well! We all stayed in the boat, although got pretty wet and a bit cold (the water was approximately 42F), but warmed up pretty quickly (as long as you didn't stand in the river to get the boats in/out.) A proof of all of us safely returning to solid ground, we took a picture with the "Cool Bus" which transported to and from the raft ports. The guides were good, and the company seemed well-prepared for this trip. Maybe next time we'll be ready for the "Advanced" trip!

Following this adventure, a sit in the hot tub was useful to calm the muscles that haven't been used in this way before. This is on top of the sore leg muscles that Jess and I woke up with from our hearty game of Wing Ring (go figure!?). Tomorrow should be an interesting day for movement!

So, that is how Week 8 has started. One week from tonight, we will have had a graduation ceremony and be heading back home (finalizing packing to head out.) I expect that this week will have lots emotions attached: excitement at achieving closure; anxiety about having learned enough to be done; saddness at leaving this place and these people..... And, I will be trying to find my spaces of quiet, so that I can move to this step in the journey with the intention I started. And, will try to keep in mind that the journey IS the destination.