Off to UW

Kellie is continuing her education at the University of Wyoming. In her own words:

"I am attending the University of Wyoming in Laramie Wyoming and  am studying Biology with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries. I am very glad I attended CMC though. Going to a big university and already having so much of a learning basis from there has helped tremendously! I would have to say it was one of the best decisions I have made to attend CMC first." - Kellie

Best of luck to Kellie from all of us at CMC!

4th of July

After work on the 4th of July, I went to Steamboat to see a few friends at the Rodeo. One was in the rodeo which was neat. Steamboat was really busy on the 4th because there is so much to do. The rodeo was a pretty good rodeo to watch so it was fun. In the middle of the rodeo, we left for the baseball fields just across the way from the rodeo arena to watch the fireworks on Howelsen Hill. Howelsen hill is a ski jumping hill right by downtown. There is a huge tower there where they shoot the fireworks off of which is really neat. During the day, they even had skiers going off the jump on special plastic skis. After sleeping in the next day after a long night, I went to the Yampa River access by the golf course in Craig. The water is still pretty high and kind of chilly but it felt good on a hot day. I can’t wait to get a group together to go float!

Summer Days

Friday night I went to a bonfire at a friend’s house for her birthday. It was great to see friends back from college who have been working since they got back. Summer jobs really do take up a lot of time, more than I think people realize. It was really nice to be by the fire that night because it hit the national cold record of 26 degrees! Crazy Colorado Weather! The next day was the Whittle of the Woods Rendezvous. It is a carving competition in the city park where chainsaw carvers carve designs in old dried out trees. This year for example, there was a bronc rider, a vase of roses, and a little boy playing sheriff on a stick horse. It is really neat what they can do with a chainsaw. They have a lot of vendors there too that sell really good food. They also always have a concert that plays and this year it was Restless Heart. After the Whittle of the Woods, I helped brand and vaccinate cows which was a lot of fun. It is funny when the calves start kicking and bucking. After that, I went to a dinner at my boyfriend’s families’ house in Steamboat for his birthday. We had really good food from the Steamboat Smokehouse in town and ice cream from Coldstone! I love that Steamboat now has a Coldstone! Today was just a lazy day though. I went out and tanned for like 2 hours which might have been a bad idea because I burnt a little but oh well. I got a lot of stuff done though and ready for the work week ahead. Tomorrow I get to go float the Yampa River with the State Parks in the afternoon which I am really excited for. I think the river is still pretty cold but it will be nice if it is a warm day!

Camping and snow?!?!?!

This weekend I went camping near Vaughn Lake by Hayden Colorado which was really fun. There are still patches of snow up there and a lot of melt off but we did eventually find a dry spot. It was neat that there was a beaver pond there with a beaver. No one was up there either so it was really nice! On Saturday we went to brand cows. I have never actually done that before so it was interesting. I had only went to watch when I was little. I had the job of helping give vaccines to the calves which was neat. It was really entertaining to watch the guys try and throw down the bigger calves. One of the calves gave one of the guys a ride around the arena which was really funny. Then we went to dinner at the Ore House in Steamboat Springs. It is a steak house that has really good steaks. It is a really neat place to go too because it is an old barn that has been restored.

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is over for me but it was a good weekend. Where I live, there is a carnival and other activities for Memorial Day weekend. I went to a Collin Raye concert Saturday night which was fun to hear my favorite songs live. I would have loved to get up and dance too but it was good just to hear him sing. Sunday, I went to Aspen with my parents and my brother’s girlfriend. We drove through Aspen and then headed to a ghost town called Ashcroft thirteen miles south of Aspen. There was still snow in spots which was shocking. The town was neat to see. It is hard to imagine people lived in the houses. They are so tiny compared to today. It was a pretty area to have a town though. The town was established during the silver boom by Aspen. After that we drove through Glenwood to see if the Caverns were still giving tours but we were too late. Oh well maybe next time. We did stop at Sonic though which was amazing!

New Job!

Friday I started at my new job at the Yampa River State Park. It should be a lot of fun. It is really neat to work outside by the river. Just Friday I saw, beavers, geese, snakes, and lots of other animals. We went from snow last week to eighty degrees today which is a quick adjustment but a nice change. Yesterday, I spent the day working with cows which was fun. I saw a baby calf that was born just an hour before. I also got to work with older calves that were pretty funny because they are full of spunk and energy. I sure did get quite the sunburn though! Today I will probably go out to the golf course and hit some balls. I haven’t done that for a long time so it should be interesting.

Denver

My first week home was spent cleaning and trying to get my life back at home organized. I think that was the same for everyone getting back from college. Over the weekend, I did go to Denver though with my brother, his girlfriend, and my parents. We got into Denver on Friday night and ate at this really neat restaurant called the Aquarium. The restaurant has a huge aquarium next to the tables so when you are eating; you can watch sharks and tropical fish swim by. It is really neat. After eating, we toured the Aquarium attraction. There were lots of sea creatures including sharks, sting rays you get to touch, and lots of different tropical fish. My favorite were the turtles though, they are so cute! I only wish the otters wouldn’t have been sleeping so I could have seen them. The next day we went shopping at the mall. After the mall, we went to Dave and Busters. It is a huge arcade with a lot of virtual games and normal arcade games too. It was really fun. I beat my brother at basketball and my dad at hunting. I would say all in all a good day! After Dave and Busters, we went to the amazing Cheesecake Factory on the 16th street mall! It was really good to get a piece of Cheesecake! It was neat to see downtown too because the high schools were having their proms. There were a lot of horse drawn carriages, limos and other fancy cars. On Sunday we left Denver and went back home. It was a fun weekend.

Home

I left Glenwood and went home for the summer. The week was a busy one taking finals and packing getting ready to go home. On Friday, I went to the CLETA (Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy) Graduation. After the ceremony, there was a slideshow showing what the students have done all semester. It was really neat to see all the training and hard work they go through to be police officers. It makes a person very thankful that people are strong enough to go through the training to protect their communities. After that, it was time to go home. I will miss the college and the experiences I had there. I don’t think a person can get those experiences at any other college. I will always remember the rock climbing class, the rafting trip on the Colorado River, and the times hanging out with friends in Glenwood. Now getting ready to start my summer job at the State Parks near my hometown, I am very glad to have the experiences of Colorado Mountain College with me.

Vapor Caves

Taking a break from studying for finals is very important! That is why a group of us went to the vapor caves in Glenwood to unwind. It is really neat in there. I have never seen anything like it. It is the only natural vapor caves in the United States. It is like a sauna except a lot nicer and more relaxing. The heat is from the hot springs running through the caves. After sitting in the caves relaxing for an hour, we sat in the solar room which was really nice too! There is a huge sky light with lounge chairs and cucumber flavored water which is really good. It was really nice to get a break from studying and go do something fun like that. I have never seen anything like that in my life and think it was an awesome experience.

Finals Week

One final down, two to go! Everyone is in study mode at the college looking tired and pulling all nighters. Thankfully, there is a final breakfasts tonight! The teachers and staff cook the students’ breakfast. Last time, they served chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries and much more. I am looking forward to that. It is sad though; friends are already saying goodbye, some for good and some just for the summer. I have met so many amazing people while here. I am very glad I went to this college. It is like a family here; everyone knows you and helps you out when you need it. It is like leaving a family.

Hollywood Springs!

Last night was the Spring Formal. It was a Hollywood theme which was really neat. You walked into the Hotel Colorado and the “paparazzi” welcomed you in. After sitting down, we were given dinner and then they had a DJ and dance floor. It was really neat. It was nice to be able to dress up and go out for dinner and dance. So I did end up riding the bull on Carnival day which was really fun. I had never done that before and it was really fun and challenging. Today ends student appreciation week with meat fest. There are cooked steaks for all the students. All in all, this week was amazing. Now back to studying for finals!

Mud Wrestling!

Hello!
Student Appreciation week is finally here! Monday a hammock went up on the quad along with a free hot springs night! It was really relaxing and nice. I have still yet to sit in the hammock though. Tuesday there was a banquet held for students and the cafeteria made really amazing Italian food and raspberry cheesecake! In the afternoon was mud wrestling which I was very excited for. I originally was just going to watch and run the event but, ended up participating too! It was a lot of fun! I have never done anything like that. I think everyone who participated had fun even the spectators! It was really funny watching some of the people try and wrestle while sliding all over. After taking one of the longest showers of my life, there was free bowling at the El Jebowl. There was a lot of food there which was really good and much needed after wrestling! It was a lot of fun! This time surprisingly no one threw the ball backwards. Today, there are sumo wrestling suits, mechanical bull riding, and a bunch of other carnival type rides on campus. I caught a glimpse of what was going on and I am going to join in on the carnival!

Spring! Finally it's here!

Waking up this morning was really nice. I looked outside and it was beautiful and sunny! I decided to go for a run outside since it was so nice. I love running outside when it is nice. All I could see was Mount Sopris all snow covered. It is really nice to run along with. Today was fairly quiet on campus. Most are studying for finals and tests all coming up this next week. Tomorrow SAC, student activities committee, is putting on a relaxing day for student appreciation week. There will be a free hot springs night for students and a slushy machine. I am very excited for the dance this Thursday too! I have my dress all ready and set to go. It is nice to be able to go to dinner and dance in a nice dress again like homecoming or prom. It will be at the Hotel Colorado which is really neat! The hotel Colorado is where the "Teddy Bear" originated from. The story goes that, President Teddy Roosevelt went bear hunting while staying at the hotel and didn't come back with anything. The housekeeping staff then made a "Teddy Bear" for him to replace his unsuccessful hunt. It is really neat the history of Glenwood. There is so much to see and do here there isn't nearly enough time. A lot of the students have gone hiking different places to Rifle Falls and Hanging Lake and other places to see the run off. It is still pretty snowy and slick but I guess gorgeous!

CMC's Got Talent!

Hello!
Finally Colorado is sunny again, unfortunately with wildfires, but sunny! Last night the RA's put on a talent show which was really entertaining to watch. There was break dancing, singing and guitar playing, improvisation, and rapping. It was really neat to see what people you see everyday can do. RHA is tonight, we are planning the Mud Wrestling tonight and kind of finalizing everything which is very exciting! The pudding got changed to mud but it should still be just as fun! I am really excited for this weekend though to hopefully go hiking to Hanging Lake! There have already been some students who went up there so it must not be snowy anymore. Everyone on campus is also very excited about the next week being student appreciation week. There are a lot of things planned and fun things. Hopefully there will be enough time for studying too!

April Snow brings May....?

Got to love Colorado weather! Spring brings snow to Colorado and most skiers and snowboarders love it! Spring time for me means thinking about finals and summer jobs. Today, I interviewed for a job at a State Park. I am really excited and hope I get the job. My experiences at CMC really have seemed to help me with these types of situations. Not just the general education classes, but the classes and trips to go rafting, rock climbing and all other things as well. Before I can think about summer though, I have to get through the rest of the semester. Finals are creeping around the corner. Gradually, the teachers are preparing us for the final tests, which is really nice. There are a lot of exciting things coming up though besides the finals. The spring formal is on the 24th which I am really excited for. The theme is old Hollywood which will be fun. There is a costume contest with entries like James Bond and Bond girls and young Hugh Hefner! It should be a fun night! I do hope the snow somewhat clears out though so I can maybe get some hiking and fishing in before heading back home for the summer. Especially to be able to hike to Hanging Lake. It is a moderate hike, but well worth the effort!

Hello Again!
Back from spring break and ready to finish out the last leg of school before summer. Everyone was welcomed back by a dumping of snow. The skiers and snowboarders are sure thrilled though. Except they wish it was during spring break not right after. On Sunday I got the chance to see how rancher’s PAP (pulmonary artery pressure) test cows which was really interesting. An assistant professor at Colorado State University's veterinary teaching hospital was the one performing the tests and I learned a lot! The PAP test tells ranchers how healthy the cows will be living at higher elevations. It was really neat to learn about the whole process. After all the bulls were PAP tested, I went to go to see more baby calves that were just born. They were so cute but looked cold because of the snow. Poor things! Today is April fool’s day, which should be a busy day but fun! We will see if anything happens.

Spring Break continued...

Hello!
Back at the college for a couple days during spring break. It is pretty quiet here but it is really nice. It has been really nice weather for the past two days too. Almost nice enough to get a tan. I can't wait to hike to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon. Just waiting for the snow to melt off. Also I can't wait to try out my new Fly pole in the river! It is a little too cold right now but soon enough, it should be ok. It is hard to believe the semester is flying right by. It seems like it just started. I guess time flies when you are having fun. :)

Spring Break

It's that time of year, Spring Break is finally here! I couldn't be more excited. For spring break I went back home. Luckily, a friend going to college in Montana is on the same spring break. Since she lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, that is where we met up. We decided it would be really relaxing to go to the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. It was really beautiful there! I really like how natural it looks and how it is in the woods. It is even cooler to go when it is snowing out. After the hot springs, we went to the Tap House which in my opinion has the best hot wings. It was a very good day after all said and done.

RHA

Tonight, there was a RHA (Residence Hall Association) meeting. RHA is an organization in the dorms that plans programs for the residence of the dorms, helps purchase luxury items for the dorms, and helps out the RA's when they do programs. Last semester we purchased a pool table for the J3 room (main commons area) and these huge bean bag chairs to put in all the commons areas of the dorm. I am very excited about one of our activities we are planning. The week before finals week, we are planning to have pudding wrestling! It should be really fun! That week also is student appreciation week. I am very excited for all the activities then. Last semester, there was a special breakfast, free massages, and a lot of other things too! This semester is supposed to be even better!

Hello Again!

Last night was homework night! I had Trigonometry homework and luckily, had many people willing to help me with it! It is great to know people in the dorms from my class that can help me. Even the RA's are wonderful about helping you with homework. People are so nice here! I am really excited, RHA, The residence hall association, is holding a pet drive for items for the animals at the C.A.R.E. Shelter. Hopefully we will get a lot of items for the animals so they can keep warm and healthy. It is really nice to have the C.A.R.E. Shelter nearby. During the day if you don’t have classes, you can get a dog to go walk around. They are always happy to see you and so cute! It is great for the Vet Tech students too because they get most of their hands on experience with these animals. It also puts them in a real career like situation! Maybe I will go walk a dog now… Later!

Cows!

Hello Once Again!
This weekend was very interesting. I went home for the weekend to go to Laramie, Wyoming to a Bull Sale. I have never been to a Bull Sale before, so it was a new learning experience. I had no idea there was so much to know about Bulls. It was a lot of fun! After coming back home from the sale, I also went to see a heifer calf that had just been born. It was so cute and little! This weekend was definitely an experience with cows. I never knew there was so much to learn about cows. Today, I am going to spend the day in Grand Junction with my parents since it is close to Glenwood and my home. It is really nice to be able to meet my parents at places close to Glenwood and home to go do fun things. There is so much around and in Glenwood, I won’t ever be able to do it all.

El Jebowl and Climbing

Hello Again!
Yesterday was a great day! After finishing a Biology Lab Practical, I had the chance to unwind at the rock wall. I took a Rock Climbing class last semester and it has been a while since I have been climbing. I decided to try my skills again after lifting weights at the gym for the last month or two. I figured it would help to hang on to the holds better, and it did! It was so much fun! I forgot how challenging and exciting it is! My fingers and hands are a little sore today but, it was totally worth it. After climbing, I met some friends at the El Jebowl. CMC sponsors a free bowling night at a really neat place with glow in the dark lights and music. It is really funny. The great part about it, everyone got at least one strike! Even though I dropped the bowling ball backwards not once, no but twice (oooppps!), it was still really fun!

Baby Goats!

Hello!
I am so glad to be able to share my CMC experience with you! This week was really exciting and busy. To release the stresses of a busy week, a friend who is in the Vet Tech Program took me to see baby goats. I have never seen baby goats before and didn’t think they could be so cute! There are two little orphan goats that run up to anyone who comes near them. They are so tiny they can crawl through the gates which is really funny. We definitely had to take pictures of the very photogenic twins. It is really nice to be able to be around animals at the college. It makes up for not being around my pets at home since I am such an animal lover!