Christmas

I would like to put a photo of ourselves and our Christmas tree here and tell you so much, since we have been slacking in the posting department. First of all this would require a few things to fall into place. Let's make a list and check things off when they are done. Hold on everyone here we gooooooooo!

Find the perfect tree. About 3 feet tall, slightly full and in need of our love. Check! Courtesy of Bird and Dan's property.

Build a stand for the tree...hmmm....plywood+nail+flower pot+plastic cup for water=tree stand. Big Check!

Decorate said tree.
this is a multi step process.
Buy ornaments, 18 assorted balls should do...check.
Buy lights, no more than 50 white lights, more and we would topple the tree or burn it down....check.
Find ornaments parents have given us.................check.
And finally plug in tree, marvel and....check.

Dress in festive clothes....
Set up camera...
Take picture...
Post it...

Tubing, Or Not Tubing

I would like to share with the millions of people that read this blog a new found love, passion and joy of the Schramm family. Tubing down Clear Creek through Golden, Colorado home of Coors Brewing Company has become our new obsession. It is a man made whitewater park that we spend hours wacking our tailbones, surfing holes and laughing at other's misfortune. We love it more than any two people should love anything that is not another person. So come, tube, laugh, get thrashed, walk away with injuries that hurt so good they don't feel bad and live life the way it should be lived.

The Birds and the Weeds

BEFORE

AFTER


This post will be relatively boring and unamusing, for it illustrates a form of stability in the Schramm's life. We have a garden. We have responsibility outside of ourselves, we must care for and nourish these living organisms so that they may grow to their fullest potential and fill our bellies. Our responsibility is somewhat selfish, but we hope that this is a stepping stone to a dog or maybe a goat, which we won't eat...on purpose.

Update: The tomato is reddish, the cilantro perished...may it rest in peace and nourish those around it.

P.S. Nate wanted me to make everyone aware that he is growing pumpkins (far middle left in photo). Come Oct.31 you are all invited over to our pumpkin patch, there will be hot cider for all and maybe a hay ride, if you are lucky and pay $5.

Love in the Strangest of Places

So, we have these friends. Thier names are Mike and Megan. They are hilarious. In fact, Mike is the one typing this. Well, Mike and Megan have two pets: Mister Horse and Senor Dino.

They each have their own personalities; the horse and the dinosaur, not Mike and Megan. Mister horse talks in a really manly female voice, and is the leader of the duo. Senor Dino is lighthearted, loves Salsa music, and only talks in spanish.

The moral of the story, as told by our photo, Senor Dino is actually Senora Dino.

Mike and Megan are still coping with the news.

More later...

A Tent Haiku

Grand home made of cloth
Branches plummet downward, why?
Life's answer, duct tape

Good Times, Fun People

This was of my most fun boats of the year! Great people that just loved life and loved rafting! I'm sad that it is over but ready to move on to the next step in life. Colorado and all that encompasses you, we're coming home!!!!!!!

500 cfs

So the last river trip ended on a whopping 500 cfs, which is huge for some but for the mighty Kings is more like a trickle. That is the season, 2007 on the Kings is done, now maybe we'll patch some boats and get loopy on Methel Ethel Ketone and Hypolon glue. Deeeelishus!

For a comprehensive view of CFS (cubic feet per second) check out dreamflows.com and look for the flow chart of the Kings river at Rodgers crossing. This should give you all a great view of "500."

Back to CO in a little while.

n

tan

It has been a long while since we updated the blog, but we are doing just fine. We've been soaking up the sun on our almost float trips these days. Today is an off day and then it is on for seven days off one and then on for four, then it is the end of the season! The Schramms are tan.

A normal day on the river, first trip of the year for Mary thinking to herself..." So what if I haven't seen this rapid in a year..... I've run it at least 100 times... no big deal....just run it like normal............."


No one told me that Rooster Tail was different, the rocks had changed and it was now a guide launcher! Yeah the red above the boat is not usually that high above the boat. It was a good flight and a glorious landing in the water! Thanks fellow river guides, I love you too!

Rafting

Rafting on the Kings River stop Rafting is fun stop Livng in a technology black hole stop Computer broken stop Ipod broken stop Technology sucks stop Life is grand stop Water is great stop Baby Roy is in the world stop Rejoice rejoice stop
End telegraph

Arrival

Quick update...
Slept under the full moon in Joshua Tree NP, May 1
Drove to Redlands, saw Kara Kiesz, coffee at Stells...hmmmm May 2
Drove to Lancaster, visited the cousins, aunt, uncles and grandmas May 2
Drove to Fresno May 3
Saw the families, exchanged fireworks May 3
Off to lunch at Marthas then the River for the weekend May 4

We are safe and sound, call us(leave us voicemail), pray for us, check back here for updates every now and again.

This has been a Mojo (nate and mary) production. Thanks for reading along...more to come later. But for now this chapter is done and another begins.

Foam Kitty Cats

Flagstaff, AZ is an awesome town it truly appeals to the hippie in me;) Nate received his Vanilla Latte today with a little foam kitty on the top. He used his inhaler a few times today..... foam kitties, real kitties...who knew?

P.S. Mom, knew you would like this one;)

Grand Arizona

Another great camping experience along the road. This time about 100 miles into Arizona. The Homolovi ruins(sounds kinda sketchy to me) where it seems geologists and naturalists of the over 50 club seem to camp. We might have spotted Jane Goodall searching for ruins of chimps but failed to stop and question the long gray haired, boots, shorts and kahki tone shirt wearing woman. We'll never know...

We passed through New Mexico and decided that they have the best sign so far, the chillies are a great touch. (on a side note Arizona might have the largest sign). Sadly we have come to the realization that our Armadillo count ends at 34 as Armadillo counrty ends somewhere near New Mexico.
Todays adventure began with a shower, as to rid us of the disguise that we are actually european travelers visiting the Grand Canyon. The Grand, as I call it, is pretty cool. As a first time visitor I (nate) thought that well it is(emphasis) a grand canyon. We did heed the signs and did not hike to the bottom of the canyon with only lead bricks, a rolling suitcase, and a mini bottle of water to aid us back to the top. No we just stayed there at the top taking pictures of the canyon and the many oddly dressed tourists.
As we left the Grand many signs told us of elk and with much resistance Nate did not jump headlong from the truck to search far and wide for antlers. Although he did stare intensely out the window for hours hoping to catch a glimpse of a horn. Alas such is his luck, the search only produced a large leg bone, and we kept driving.
So now we find ourselves in Williams, full from the down home Pine Country diner and its "world renowned" pie, we had blueberry. Now it's the Java Cycle and internet, complete with all the drama of friendships going awry in a small town(sorry I ease drop every now and then). {To those in the shop} I hope all turns out well with the boyfriend and the new friend that is disliked by some other citizen of Williams.
Okay back to road and it looks like Joshua Tree this evening. By the way time in AZ is a little off, no daylight savings here, so I have no clue as to what time it really is....
In the words of Willie "On the road again...." but with less, much less weed.

OK alright OK

Up this mornin with the sun fix me some coffee and a honey bun jumped in my pick up gaver the gas Im goin out to catch a five pound bass? On our way to NM, passing through TX, boy do they ever blend names, Texola, Texico, Texlahoma, and Texarkana. Proud. You bet your boots. Curently sitting at a rest stop with wireless, but photos take forever to upload so more later on. On our way to Carhenge in Amarillo then to New Mexico or maybe Arizona.

PS for being such a big state the entry sign was a bit small..."Texas state line"...not even a welcome ahh well...big gulps huh? Well catch you later.

Leaving AR

Left Arkansas, saw lots of dead Armadillos 34 and counting...
Oklahoma, flatter than Kansas... We found our camping spot a mere "2 miles" from the interstate at Foss state park, it turns out that 2miles in Oklahoman are nearly 8miles in Toyota Odometer. Our spot was great right on the lakeshore, red dirt everywhere, tons of wildlife, well at least signs of em, coon tracks, deer tracks, fish tracks, tick tracks(that story comming up), mosquito tracks and even some people tracks. Settled in for the night, watched a warm midwest sunset from the dock while eating dinner, back to the tent, layed down, Nate rubs his side and viola a TICK! Yep thus ensued a thorough inspection for other ticks, none were found. Off to sleep.

Southern

Well we have been learning much 'bout the south, mainly how to speak.

Remember when speaking southern speak slowly and draw vouwels waay aout. So far we have learned "That ther isa Bayou" "Boy howdy" "She's meaner 'n a bear with a tooth ache" "shooot" and the learning continues on a minute by minute basis.
Shoot we better git back teh the greenery and warm temperatures of North Little Rock, Arkansas.
PS the weddin went great and when southerners like you they give you steak when they love you they give you catfish. We had catfish last night.

Kansas as Big as you think 4.26

Yesterday, quite arguably one of the longest days in our road trip history. Alas a journey of 2500 miles starts with a step.
7am Step 1. Doorbell ditching Step 2. Drive to Arkansas!






Now we bring you observations from the road.
New sunglasses really help the drive. Eastern CO, although flat and desolate, tops Nevada, Eastern California(Baker, Boron, Barstow. Kansas is a name blender, Kanorado, Texlahoma. Kansas might have little man syndrome, "We may not have any natural bigness so we'll make some" Examples; "Worlds largest Prairie Dog" (made of 8000lbs of concrete), 2x life statue of Buffalo Bill, a 100' flag pole(oooo ahhhh), the largest barn in Kansas right off the interstate, worlds largest VanGough painting on an easel(I can see it from here)sunflowers of course. I guess everything just seems bigger in Kansas.
Cowboy tradition has it that when you wear out a pair of boots you put them on fence posts, maybe I'll start doing that.
Kansas isn't as flat as thought. If Colorado is a DD then Kansas maybe an A cup. "Flat can still be cool." -M
Arrived in Missouri, never thought we'd make it out of Kansas. It is bigger than you think.
Kansas City's most requested song...."I will survive" (seriously, the DJ told me)
"Driving long hours makes me slightly greasy"-N
Missouri might have the worst placed welcome sign...on an over pass...in tons of traffic, and no turnout. Hence no photo.
Arkansas, home of Wal-Mart, we drove through Bentonville, the Wal-Marts seem classy out here.
AM Radio in Denver travels all the way to Arkansas. 850KOA baby!
Arrived at our destination The Dennis residence in Lakewood, AR 12:30am.
Long day, slept good, scared Grandma Dennis in the morning, she had no idea we were here. Suprise, two people you don't know emerging from the basement!
Look out Arkansas, the Schramms are in town.

Numero Uno

The first, the beginning, a genesis, new, fresh, virgin, untracked, untried, primero, number one, a start, greenhorn, a rookie. Here it is we know you have all been waiting patiently for words to flow across the page and describe to you what we have been up to. Now is the time. Nomadic Ponderings has arrived. You need only wait as long as it takes for us to write something then you may feast on our journey. So go ahead, listen to our stories, see what we are up to, look around leave a comment or don't (then it feels more like snooping). Enjoy. Bon Voyage!