Meeker Park Lodge, Allenspark, CO

We stayed here for my daughters wedding over July 4th weekend 2011. They have a lodge and many cabins.  We had a cabin and our son and family stayed in the lodge.  

Allenspark is about 20 miles south of Estes Park on the east side of Meeker Peak and Long's Peak very close to the Wild Basin entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

After the wedding 5 of us went for a horseback ride through the forest. 

Looks like they used local wood for the building including these gnarled logs for the stair railings. Lots of chipmunks were scurrying around on the front porch. 

There is a rec hall where the wedding couple had a pre -wedding BBQ for everyone the night before the wedding.

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Our cabin "The Nest House" - isn't it adorable?!!

Real working fireplace with stacked wood outside.

It was a real log cabin with knotty pine furniture.

And over the fireplaces is this painting of the cabin.

Meeker Lodge is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is run by a family.  They are all wonderful and so friendly.  

We hope to return one day, just for a vacation and to stay away from the crowded, tourist mecca of Estes Park.

WOW Walk On Water Euro Bobbles / Bubbles

Matt Meister a weatherman in Colorado Springs broadcasting from inside a bubble during Colorado State Fair 2011.

  

At El Paso (Colorado) County Fair, July 2011

They unzip the bobble and the person steps in, and then they re-inflate it.  The idea is to walk inside the bubble in a pool of water.

Looks like fun !! Be careful though - be sure they are disinfected regularly.

Craft Shows We Will Be At - Fall 2011

 
It is that time of year again.  We will be writing names on rice and putting them into little bottles, capping them and making them into a necklace or key chain. eMail inquiries / orders always welcome. 

In addition we will have out clean gag gifts of Survival Kits with dozens of different titles, yarn string scarves and at a few  our *** long scarves, shoelaces, sun visors  and  cool scarfs *** that we sell on eBay.  

Sat.   10/15    Coronado High School     Colorado Springs      9 - 4 ***

Sun   10/16    Coronado High School     Colorado Springs      11 - 4 ***   

Sat    10/29    Horizon Middle School     Colorado Springs      9 - 3 ***

Sat    11/5     Smoky Hill High School      Aurora, CO                 9 - 4

Sat     11/12   Liberty High School           Colorado Springs       9 - 4   ***

Sat     11/19   Sand Creek High School  Colorado Springs      10 - 3   ***

Sat      12/5    Doherty High School          Colorado Springs      10 - 3

 

German Fruit Kuchen Can Use Peaches, Plums or Apples

Apple Kuchen

Recipe from the Franklin Square Historical Society Cookbook - actual recipe from Dorothy Itak.

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening (I have used all butter or half butter- half margarine and either work well)

1 egg, beaten

1/2 + cup milk

fruit -Apples - peeled, cored and sliced, plums pitted and sliced, peaches - peeled, pitted & sliced. 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

apple jelly melted (optional)

1- Sprinkle fruit with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, set aside

2- Place flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar into a large bowl.

3- Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. 

In use either a pastry blender or the Kitchen Aid mixer

4- Stir in egg and milk until mixture is moist. (I usually need more milk, a few drops at a time.  You need to achieve a batter that will spread in the pan).

5- Spread evenly in a greased (spray is OK ) 9x9x2 inch baking pan.

6- Arrange fruit on top usually in neat rows

7- Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes

 8. If desired - brush on the melted apple jelly to give the whole cake a finished glossy look.

 9- I serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

10 - ENJOY!!! 

Character Sightings at Colorado State Fair 2011

Matt Meister (one our best weather man) with a baby water buffalo.  Our booth is behind them!

Matt Meister in a Walk on Water - Euro Bobble / Bubble. He did the weather broadcast from in there.

Wendy and a Wendy's Frosty giving out coupons!

The Pirate show was right behind us next to the Euro Bubbles.

Capt. Jack Sparrow and boy was this guy good.  He even had the walk down right when he was strolling the fairgrounds 

Capt. Hook! It was nearly 100 most days and that costume is velvet!!

Applebee's Bee

Smokey the Bear

Bio Fuel Ear of Corn

 

 

And finally the procession of buses and vans bringing the in the buyers for the livestock auction.  Too bad they are bussed in and out and they never have a chance to walk the fairgrounds!!