One long weekend we drove over the Rocky Mountains to visit with some family and friends in Colorado. We were always on the go, exploring the next fun place.

Sledding with the kids!

This was the infamous 5K, from chapter 52, when I unexpectedly walked a mile on a foot I'd only received the day before. And the day Michael and Isaac accidentally ran their first 5k races.

The kids and I headed out to the Salt Flats one day, to watch the Salt Lake rocket clubs shoot off their rockets. It was very hot, very dry, and very interesting to see miles and miles and miles of nothing but salt.

Sometimes you just have to crawl down those rocks by the creek and help the four year old get his shoes back on.

In October of 2005, a year and a half after my surgery, we drove to California. We discovered Las Vegas along the way, then spent Sam's fifth birthday at Legoland. For the week we spent in California we hit just about every tourist spot that could be found. I rarely thought about my leg.  

Although sand is not my favorite thing, the day we spent at some very large sand dunes in western Utah was a lot of fun. The kids sledded down sandy slopes and dug holes to bury each other in. I headed back to Joe's office the next week, to get the sand bits blown out of my metal foot.

My first float trip on my new leg. We traveled to the Flaming Gorge in Wyoming and had a fun filled day on the river. This was the trip where the kids' stomachs didn't agree with campfire food and when the crisis hit in the middle of the chilly night, I quickly learned that it was sometimes a good thing to be able to say, "Honey, you'll have to handle this...I have my leg off." (story in chapter 59)

Having way too much fun sleddng with my kids at Grandma's house.

Deep inside a cave in Branson, visiting the very same 'Chris' who introduced me and Jeff so many years ago in a dorm hallway.

One of the many times we visited New York City. On this day Sam not only got a bunch of signatures on his 'Sam I Am' sign, but Al Roker talked to him on the air. There's a lot of walking involved when you visit The City.

Hiking with my brother and sister, and their children, when they came from Dallas to visit us in New York.

Floating on a river in Vermont. The leg got hot so it came off. As we'd pass people, and they'd notice my lack of two legs, Jeff would call out, "Yeah, those were some pretty rough rapids up stream!"

Michael pretending to take a drink out of my leg. We passed it around as we floated down the river.

My view of the river, before the leg came off.

Artificial legs make nice oars. Who knew?

Resting on a rock in Central Park, after a long day of bike riding in New York City.

On our drive back to New York, from Missouri, we took a new path.

It was great to be able to take a challenging trail into the woods so I could watch my boys learning how to rapell with their Dad, Uncle Kurt and Aunt Terry.

Occasionally there are spots that I do need help getting out of. This was one of those spots.

Trying the road less travelled.

Every time we'd take our bikes down to New York City we'd ride the greenway that ran next to the construction site of the new Freedom Tower. The towers are rising, just to our left.

Exploring some back roads one day we stumbled upon a public Polo match. As we were stomping divots during the break I snuck in a kiss on my surprised teenager.

Central Park, New York City. One of our favorite places to ride.

Roaming around an outdoor art exhibit that covered many acres. We got our exercise that day!

Hiking one of my all time favorite trails - Indian Ladder - in Upstate New York.

Berna. Judy Berna. (shaken not stirred)

Sam and his mama, on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls.

Mountain biking with my boys in our new home state of Colorado.

After years of watching it on TV, we finally got to attend the X Games in person. Words can't describe how inspiring it is to watch those events up close.

Trying out our skills at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I was pleased to see the Paralympics were well represented there.

In a remote area outside of Colorado Springs. The boys were convinced that I could do the crazy trail they'd found and I believed them. It was a rough climb but well worth it for the views. 

Yes, we had to do the tourist-y shot, trying to push the balanced rock over at Garden of the Gods.

Reality moment. When you live with an artificial leg, you have to stop throughout the day to wipe out the sweat, so your gait can return to normal.

Hiking in New York with my niece from Texas and a few of my boys.

These four have practically grown up with a mom who has a bionic leg. It's their version of normal.

At the end of another trail.