2013 Rocky Mountain Village - We arrive!

2013 Easter Seals Camp!

So we’re back in Georgetown for Rocky Mountain Village. Michael is at camp; Grandpa and David and I are in a cabin rental.

We began prepping Michael about a month and a half ago, with a long checklist that included four statements, such as: “Is the plane here yet? NO. We wait quietly for the plane and the pilot.”

It has been an interesting journey getting here. First, Grandpa and I were in Eastern Europe for a volunteer activity we’ve participated in for – well, for him, 30 years and for me close to 25. The event was scheduled in St. Petersburg on July 3. We were supposed to have meetings on July 4, and our return was July 5. We got up at 1:30 a.m. St. Petersburg time (2:30 p.m. PDT on July 4) to catch at 3:00 a.m. shuttle to the airport (LED) so we could get our 6:00 a.m. flight. (Are you yawning yet?) Flew to Frankfurt, Germany. Five hour layover. Flew to Philadelphia, with just a little time to spare to catch our flight to LAX. Bottom line: We got into bed around 11:30 p.m. PDT on July 5.

We slept all night. We got up and started doing laundry (July 6) which continued until late in the evening; we switched suitcases and repacked (as clothes came out of the drier) for Georgetown. The boys came over around 6 p.m. for dinner, shaves, showers and the last minute packing we do for them. (Mom had packed all their clothes and toiletries; the camping stuff for Mikey – including the sleeping bag, sheets, towels, etc., is at our house.)

We got up early on July 7; we had ordered a shuttle to take us to LAX. He arrived around 8:30 and advised us that “LAX was packed because some of the overflow from the Asiana / SFO flight and related travel disruptions.” We gave Michael a chlonidine as we left.

Baggage check in and Security lines at United at LAX are *always* long; it’s only a question of HOW long. I have seen the lines so long that it wouldn’t matter if you show up early – they go through the line calling departure times and hustling you to the front – so if you are early, you wait ANYHOW. We were lucky – the lines were just “regular” long. So about ½ hour to check bags, and then security. We gave Michael another chlonidine in the airport, hoping that, between the drug and the prep, we could avoid last year’s near disaster of almost not getting allowed on the plane. I was really glad we went for two pills – the flight arrived in Denver and hour-and-a-half late.

We got our car, and opted to drive-through to get something to eat (I was really glad for all the snacks I’d packed), and got to camp – at dinner time! Spenser met us. We could not check in until the nurse was free – and she was doing the dinner-hour pill distribution. We opted to set Michael up in his room, and then go see if anyone wanted any dinner while we waited. Michael was anxious to go hiking!

Spenser has a helper this year - a young man named, "Michael," who told us he comes up one week a year to volunteer. He is a very skinny young man - I told him he was in trouble; that Spenser normally loses 10 lbs. chasing after Michael! At any rate I think the two of them are bunking in with Michael, so he is doubly protected.  

We had thunderstorms Sunday - great big, sky-lighting lightning etc. It threatened yesterday, but never actually happened. The last time I looked at weather, it showed little or no likelihood of rain the rest of the week. Today it is showing t-storms 30% on Wednesday and Friday. (The first year I was here, alone, with Michael, it rained EVERY day (not all day) and caused lots of flight delays on the way home.)

We are staying a bit farther (a couple of tenths of a mile) from Georgetown downtown (we are still in Georgetown proper). David was bemoaning the "fact" that we are too far from town for him to walk. Well, the DRIVING distance is farther than the WALKING distance. We drove downtown Monday, and Marc pointed out the walking path to David.

As usual, we separated in town; and David went off on his own. He was gone an unusually long time. We finally called him. He had, on his own, WALKED back to the house, then back to town. I think that is admirably independent of him.

We also drove up to a hiking area and hiked for about an hour. Then, after dinner, David and Marc took their evening stroll. I don't usually go with them on that; and, I have been especially tired - not sure why except that I'm getting older. And of course the long travel back from Russia, laundry, repacking, etc.

We plan to hike around Guanella Pass - the one that goes to 14K plus feet - tomorrow or Thursday. David asked to go (although Marc and I had already planned it). Interesting – because last year, he was actually afraid of the high climb in the car. This year, he is enjoying the views.

We did ask him if there were things he wanted to do here. He also wants to go back to the European Cafe - the one run by the Czech folks. We were there last year, and he didn't like it very much. When we expressed surprise at his request, he said, "Maybe my tastes have changed. I'd just like to try it again."

 

 

 

Little bits of this and that

I have been neglecting my blog. Lots of things have happened, including my taking a short consulting gig that took me out of town several weeks (not all in a row).

David has started going to a new school, New Vista, in south county. He is doing mostly very well. The school is private, and it focuses on high-functioning autistic kids. These are the ones who can do well academically; but, without social intervention, would not be able to hold a job. In addition to academics (the English teacher informed us on our pre-sign-up visit, that she teaches all twelve tenses; to which I responded, "Pluperfect, huh," just to let her know ... :-), they have a heavy focus on socialization. This summer, David will be going to summer school that is focused, with some local employers, on job experience. I am anxious to see how he will do.

Michael continues to be Michael. He has made some progress in school - speaking of tenses, he now occasionally uses past tense, and seems to understand it, at least a little - and he (drum roll, please!) won Student of the Year at his school. I sat in at his last IEP. Our biggest issue with Michael is his need for one-on-one supervision, for the safety of himself and others. If he cannot get past this - and it does not look promising, although we continue to work at it - he will always live a confined life.

Michael is going back to camp this year. He has been talking about camp for the last couple of months - since May I think. He writes about it frequently in his diary. We are working on the social story that goes with it, emphasizing the wait in the airport once we clear security. He does pretty well though security. But last year, we were almost not allowed on the plane, because he got so anxious he threw a temper tantrum when the place was not there. And he is 6'3" and almost 200 lbs. This year, in addition to the prep, I am planning on giving him chlonidine - one on the way, and one once we are there. It will make him very sleepy, but that is much better than risking not getting on the plane.

So ... those are the quick updates.

 Last year, Marc and David accompanied Michael and me on our trip - we rented a home in nearby Georgetown. David had a great time, hiking with us and getting out on his own in town. He even - according to him - advised the owner of the local bookstore on why he had out was effectively miscategorized, and should be "over there" with a different set of material. 

... that's the benefit of autism
you can have your own little world, without feeling lonely in it.
At least, that's what David told me today.

Shakespeare in the Hood

So, David and I started reading Hamlet today. We first each took two of the four characters (that speak; the Ghost does APPEAR), and read the parts. I stopped him periodically to discuss the meaning of words and phrases. I told him that he would be given an exercise wherein he would analyze a set of quotes, and "translate" them into modern English. He has decided, on his own, to translate them into "Ghetto." Bernardo is now Bernie, et.al. "Whaz Up" has replaced a more Shakespearean greeting.

I have created a monster, or the genius has created himself.

Stay tuned.

Poetic ...

I have taken over some more of David's education. In addition to his College Algebra (yes! the 16-year-old is working in College Algebra), I am working with him on Programming and English, and have found some decent online science courseware (although I am more monitoring than teaching).

I decided to include some poetry at this point. So we read some famous poems that include references to trees; and, after discussing them, He was surprisingly - at least to me - very receptive. I asked David to "compare and contrast" two of them. This is how his paper started:

Poetry, I must admit, is a great art. You can write about many things in many certain styles. 

Bright young man. Very bright.

"It's Michael"

That's what we say when he does something that *obviously* has a rationale - we just can't figure out what the rationale is.

To reach our house from our where the boys live, you can either take the freeways roughly West and South or other freeways South then West. (Think of it as a big rectangle, with no diagonal freeway.) Alternatively, you can "step" down the surface streets.

My daughter-in-law normally takes the freeways. Lately, Michael has been requesting that she take the 22 freeway as part of the trip.

"It's Michael."

Hello after a long hiatus!


Here's a little something that tickled me to bits:

So I was talking to David today and he informed me that he was making 320 mix tapes. 

"My goodness!" I said, "That's a lot of music. What are you going to do with all that?"

"Listen to it," David replied, matter-of-factly.

"Well, how many hours of music is it?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"Well, can you figure out an average?"

David thought for a moment and told me there were 60-70 minutes of music per tape. 

"Wow, " I said, "Assuming 8 hours / day, how many days of music is that?"

/ pause for math / 

"Forty," David said, then he continued, "Noah could have used it for his mix tape. "

Now, where did he hear that?

When David gets upset and acts out, Mikey gets aggitated. At a minimum, he starts saying things that, I think,  are his way of explaining/coping with David's behavior.

Yesterday, David got upset about something, and fussed - which upset Mikey. Mikey started muttering his usual coping things, "David is sad. David is a crier." Then he said, "David is On the Rag."  !!!!!!!!!

Mountains, Snow, Celtic Music

Last year – as in prior years – David asked to go to the mountains in the snow. (Mom thinks the minimum temperature should be about 75 degrees and she does not come with us.) He even made a special mix tape for the mountains!

When we found a suitable weekend, we booked a cabin for a night, got the extra clothes we needed, rented a car (my truck is the only viable vehicle for that weather and the boys don’t fit it the back anymore), packed it up, picked up the boys and off we went. We had to go in the “back” way because of construction.

We hit a “good” weekend – by good, I mean: there was plenty of snow but it had warmed up a bit and the wind was minimal and the roads were pretty much clear. Daytime temperatures were above freezing. We managed to find a cool place to slide down the hill away from the skiers (our GPS recognizes it as a “favorite” now) and had a pretty good day. We went out to dinner but all the places are crowded at Big Bear; we managed Mikey as best we could. Fortunately, we were in a corner were a) it was easier to contain him and b) he couldn’t reach anyone.

The next morning, however, Mikey was ready, after the briefest of times in the snow, to go home and David wanted to stay longer. We opted to pack up and stop at the local zoo. The zoo, like most zoos for no reason I have been able to determine, is on a hillside. Well. The previously-defined “good” weather had an adverse impact on us: the hilly walkways had patches of ice.

First, Mikey charged off in his fashion. I hollered, “Slow down, Mikey!” but it was too late – he slid and fell and started to cry. David, who went slower, still fell. Both boys, a couple of times.

Then at one point when I (I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and seem to be overall a bit more sure footed) was trying to keep up with Mikey while not losing David, there was this incredibly loud yell. Grandpa had slipped and was on his back. His vocalization drew a crowd, but he was more-or-less OK (bruises but no breaks).

We opted to leave at that point. The post-mortem was that the boys decided they did NOT want to go back to the mountains in the snow.

Well, like the faded memories of childbirth, those memories are far-enough faded that David is once again requesting a trip to the snow. However, Grandpa’s job is in flux and we don’t know yet what Life will look like after the holidays. So David has been talking with the assumption that this trip WILL happen.

The other day, I took him to karate. On the way, he started talking about this year’s mix tape for the mountains.

“David,” I said, “Grandpa may be getting a new job. I don’t know if we will be able to make the trip or not.”

“Then I have wasted the CD mix,” he wailed in his usual dramatic overstatement of the issue.

“David, we *might* be able to go; I just can’t promise it right now. And your mix is not a loss; at worst, you can use it another year.”

He went on a bit about it but eventually settled down.

This morning, I received this email. Please note: This was not prompted or requested in any way. Everything that follows is pure David. You will get a sense of how intelligent he is (and how single minded):

________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: These mixtapes are for travel use only. they are meant to be ambiance for the mountains.
Note that almost every mixtape starts off with a sample of Warez's "Salt For Wounds". it is normal to hear this track, and does not count as an official "track".

Also, if switching artist genres, a modified sample of Warez's "Sanctuary" will be played. It also does not count as an official track.

Do not worry about Audio Effects. sometimes, they are useful, like in "En Filant Ma Quenoullie", when there is a silence at one point, an echo will be played.

The main genre is Celtic, but sometimes, Country will be present. Occasionally, Techno will be presented from electronic music brand Moodgadget (2004-2009), Which might also have it's own discs.

Signed,
  David.

David / Math Status

Something wonderful is happening in the Algebra II / with Trig course - David is starting to get it much better than before.

As not only his teacher, but his accommodation, I have done more hand holding than ALEKS recommended. This was done deliberately - and with the knowledge that it would have to change. This year, as David is coming up on times when he will have to test independently for various things, I have been using some of the ALEKS features - mostly quizzes but also Worksheets - to get him to do the math without the "crutch" of either Grandma or the online ALEKS environment. And I told him he would have to do his Assessments all on his own - no Grandma to interrupt with comments like, "Watch the signs!" or "you remember, we did that kind of problem - here is an example" during it.

His first Assessment result was --- less than stellar. He "lost" most of the pie pieces he'd earned since the last assessment. (David tends to rush through things and either skips problems or makes careless errors.) His quizzes were a tad bit better; I also have started giving "timed" quizzes - 5-10 quick problems with a 10 minute limit. The first of those he panicked about and did not do well.

"David," I admonished, "the purpose of the timed quizzes is to get you used to doing them and NOT worrying about the time. Next time, please take the time you need to do the problems RIGHT, and don't worry if you don't finish them all. These are just there to help you learn to take the tests."

I like ALEKS but in my book it does not really "force" the kids to understand the topic - it lets them learn the "pattern" of how to do it - for those of you who have gone through calculus, think of learning how to differentiate a function mechanically without understanding what's going on - so I have been stopping the online lessons, moving to the white board, and taking the time to help him understand what's happening (at least, I hope that's what I'm doing ...).

Over the past month or so,  he has improved immensely. His last three timed quizzes (10 problems) he has gotten 90%, 100% and 90%; his last "recent knowledge" quiz he got an 88%. In the past he was averaging a "D."

But better yet - he did his last Assessment this morning. As of his prior assessment, he had 77 pie pieces. During the Assessment - I was sitting nearby - I heard him talking to the work, and occassionally saying, "No, no, no .. it's NEGATIVE" and equivalent remarks.

Right before the Assessment started, he had 97 pie pieces. After the Assessment? he had 97 pie pieces!!! When  I looked at the detail, he had "lost" one piece on a section he'd covered - and gained one piece of something we have not "had" yet!! This is the first time he hasn't lost at least 1/4 of the pieces he'd earned during the learning sessions.

Wow!

Autism and love

"Don’t push, Mikey – Grandma will fall down the stairs. Do you want Grandma to fall down the stairs?”

“Yes!” he responds.

I should not have asked the question. It put the idea of falling down the stairs into his head. I don’t think it was a desire to hurt me: It was more his insatiable curiosity about The World and wanting to know how things work. He was having Yet Another Tantrum at bath time. These started a few weeks ago, and now – curses! – they seem to be part of his “routine.” We are working on breaking the routine.

Mikey is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. He is autistic. He is *very* intelligent. He – as all children do – has learned what it behooves him to learn, at least as far as he is able. Autism is a neurological disorder. They even know some of the parts of the brain that are affected. They don’t know what causes it. They know that, if you have a child with autism, and have another child, that child is likely to be “on the spectrum.” So genetics do play a role. Mikey is one of a pair of identical twins – and his brother David is high functioning.

There is no blood or other chemical test for autism. It is diagnosed behaviorally – and that is why someone can be on the “autism spectrum.” It includes a lack of social interaction and a lack of the ability to “read” other people. Autistic people have to be taught to recognize things that neuro-typical (NT) people “pick up” – like emotions, irony, and those indirect, kind things people say that mean “bug off” or “don’t call me.”

Treatment is behavioral. That is, they use a reward and withhold-reward system, rigorously repetitive, designed to get them to the highest possible level of communication (many autistics never talk, read or write) and to get the behaviors to a more socially acceptable level. There are attempts to “teach” emotions and recognition of emotions and things of that ilk.

Does Mikey love us? I am not sure. He trusts us. He knows he is “safe” with us. If you read the blog about camp, you know that Mom and I were nearly hysterical worrying about his being in a strange new environment for the first time. Mikey was not. I think he would have stayed forever, or at least until something did not go enough his way. (His camp counselor, Spencer, told him he had to stay in bed until 7 am and he did.)

Mikey very seldom acknowledges anything you do for him. On those rare occasions when he says, “Thank you” or some equivalent, we are astounded and elated. But they are rare. While most relationships have a coinage, even if unspoken (I do this for you; you do this for me – if there were not some exchange of giving, the relationship would not exist), what we do for Mikey is done with almost no “return.” We feel for him. He does not feel for us.

What Am I?

My grandson, David, declared that I am "neutral good" most of the time; but when I am his math teacher, I am "lawful evil." Just thought you would want to know.

Hidden Mickeys

Those of you familiar with Disneyland (or other Disney theme parks) are already familiar with "hidden Mickeys" - three-circle mouse-face icons that can be found if you look for them at the parks.
A couple of weeks ago, I made chocolate chip cookies. After lunch, each of the boys got 4 cookies. Mikey ate one, then paused. He looked at the three remaining cookies on his plate, and arranged them in the iconic Mikey shape.
"Hidden Mikey," he announced, them proceeded to finish off his cookies.

Mikey at Camp: Redux

Well, if anyone was wondering: Did Mikey enjoy camp:

On Saturday, we had the boys over "as usual." The day went fine. At the end of the day, after Grandpa helped him shave and he was prepped for his shower, he had a total meltdown. "Camp." "Camp!"  "CAMP! CAMP! CAMP!"

He wanted, he demanded, to go back to camp. It took us 15 minutes to get him calm. We tried to equate camp with "birthday" and "Christmas" which he understands happens once a year. He did sleep the night; was fine Sunday; and went back to school this morning.

Mikey at Camp: Part VII - The Journey Home

This is it - Mikey and I travel home today. I'm trying to stay calm. Thunderstorms have delayed flights - "our" flight, yesterday, took off 3 hours late. There are continuing delays at DEN. Frontier cancelled flights due to hail damage. Today's forecast is for afternoon possible thunderstorms - mornings are much drier. Assuming we do camp next year, I am planning to schedule the 1 pm flight (if the flights stay the same). We'll miss the "awards" and slideshow, but we'll be more likely to get home. I have reserved a room at an airport hotel "just in case." It's sunny now - the pattern is AFTERNOON showers. Wish I'd found that out sooner. Stay tuned ....

Addendum #1 - We made it more or less on time. Will update blog early in the week with the details. Summary: Mikey did extraordinarily well, considering what all he had to deal with. Week at camp was a big success too!

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SO I drove to camp and parked - got there about 9:30 (a bit early) and started to walk up the hill. And there were Mikey and Spenser! Got a hug and Mikey said, "Can I go home, please?"

I said, "Not yet. We have to get luggage."

I had to repack a bit - the sleeping bag was not in a suitcase - and the laundry was wet as well. (I had sent plastic trash bags, in anticipation; but obviously wasn't clear in my instructions as to what I wanted.) I hooked up with Amy, who had the "stories" to go with the trip home and the *gasp* possible delay. They started some of the closing activity - it was loud, group activities - sing along kinds of things. Mikey wasn't having any - Spenser volunteered to take him for a walk. Long story short: Although I appreciate what they are doing, I don't think I'll stay for the "show" next year. For a number of reasons.

Spenser helped us get to the car, and put the luggage in, and we got Mikey loaded up. I gave him the Going-Home-Steps story. He barely glanced at it; I picked it up periodically and checked things off. I had researched the rental car return location and found a place to get gas. We stopped for gas; then he wanted KFC for lunch again. We did that. And he wanted "airport." It was so early!

I curb-checked the luggage, again; and got instructions on getting to security. Security took a little while, and (lucky me) I got dinged for the "random search of baggage." They wanted to pull me aside, and I said, "This child is autistic and he is coming with me." The guy sized up the situation and said, "How about if I just take your laptop?" He had it back before I had finished getting everything together.

Of course, Mikey wanted the airplane right away. I had to explain - again - "Airplane at 4:30." This was really hard for him. Fortunately DIA has wi-fi, and he occupied himself with YouTube - for about 20 minutes. THEN he wanted airplane again. I got him up and told him we would get ice cream - I got him some ice cream. That took another 10-15 minutes. I took him to the bathroom (family) - He started to scream. I was afraid someone would send security in - but they didn't. Got him calmed. Talked about 4:30 again. Gave him second clonodine.  Left bathroom.

We walked around. DIA has a couple of levels, connected with escalators. We went up; walked around; went down; then went down to the lower level, just past our gate. It was almost empty down there - I got him back on the computer. I also tried some of the toys I'd brought - coloring book & crayons - no; dinosaur book - a little. He didn't want to watch the DVD. BUT - the plastic dinosaur pieces did engage him. He played with them for a while (I got online; and, thank GOD - the weather improved! The expected thundershowers were now expected at 8 pm - long after we should be taking off.)

Mikey got "done" with the dinosaurs, and wanted the computer again. I gave it to him. I bit later, he wanted up again. We went up one level, and he plopped down, right across from the gate. He stayed on the computer for quite some time - I even got a family to watch him for a sec while I checked on the flight - it was going to be about 20 minutes late; when I checked, they said the craft was 5 minutes from landing.

I got Mikey, took him over to the Schlotzky's Deli stand, and ordered a sandwich for him We went back to the gate. We passed the window, and I said, "Mikey - there is our plane!"

He was going to stand; I said, "Mikey, see those people? They are coming off the plane. We can't get on until they get off. Would you like to sit down?" He did!

A short while later, we got on the plane (no upgrade this time). He got on and sat and ate half his sandwich. We had the usual anxious-to-get-going but nothing extraordinary. BUT - about half-way through the flight, he started to get antzy. Finally he asked for the bathroom - just as we got up, a woman with a small girl beat us to the one toilet. We went back - Mikey tried to get in the door and I had to stop him.

In the last row of the plane, there was a young girl (10-12) sitting alone; Mikey asked to sit. I said OK. Then he said, "Seat Belt."

"Ok, Mikey, but you'll have to take it off again in a second."

Then he said, "Grandma to seat," and he groped for the little girl - I had to grab him and hold his hands.

Finally, the woman finished; and Mikey went in. He stayed in a long time. I finally opened the door (Mikey doesn't know how to lock the airline lavatory door) and - OMG he was naked. I said in a heavy whisper, "Mikey, put your clothes on!" He did and we went back to our seats.

He was pretty good the rest of the flight, with the expected antzy-ness near the end.

However - I had asked Grandpa  to be there IN the luggage area, and he forgot. The luggage took a long time to get down. Mikey was getting harder and harder to handle. I finally spent the $5 on a luggage cart and had him push THAT around with me until the luggage came - it and Grandpa arrived at the same time.

"Where did you park?"
"I got a good spot, 2 rows back just across the street."
"Good. You take Mikey and load the car, and I'm going to the bathroom!!!!!!!"

Anyhow, it was smooth sailing from there.

Mikey at Camp: Part VI: Still good!

I slept the whole night - and no calls from camp. Wow. This is great.

I'm going to call up there today and ask them to go over the schedule with Mikey, and remind him that tomorrow is the day to go home. I'm also going to ask if I'm supposed to be there for the activity labeled, "Pack Up."

I am a tad apprehensive about tomorrow, because of the timing. The outbound flights that were available were at 1 pm and 4:20 pm, so I picked 4:20 pm. This will certainly allow us all the time we need to return the rental car, get lunch, etc.; however, it means we'll be flying late in the day. After some long, and not-very-much-fun, stuff. So today, I'll spend a little time putting together a suggested "story" and email it to camp, after I talk to them.

I'm also headed to Walmart today, to pick up some snacks and maybe find something "interesting" to occupy Mikey - maybe a new video or something like that. Also, I have a nose bleed and am going to pick up some Afrin and extra sudafed.

Wish us luck!

Addendum @ 9:13 a.m. - Spoke with Amy - Mikey has been sleeping just fine and is doing well...
Addendum @ 11:46 a.m. - Went to the nearest "full" shopping area (22 miles away) and got for the return trip: snacks, a DVD, some Things I Hope Will Engage Mikey. Will concentrate on packing up today - have to organize it all now for what gets checked and what goes on-board. 

Mikey at Camp: Part V - Two More Nights to Go!

Well, it's Wednesday. Mikey has been at camp since Sunday evening.

There was really loud thunder and lightening yesterday evening - but most of the late afternoon was dry after the earlier rain. I hope Mikey was able to go back outside.

I've written out a 2 page "checklist" of the steps to get home, and am hoping I can get it printed somewhere. If not, I'll write it out. It ends with a picture of "Mama's House" from Google Maps.

I did wake up once - but not from dreaming about a call. Hot flash. Went right back to sleep after.

There is a train and mine tour close by - If it's still quiet by mid-morning, I may go take it ....
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I called camp again this morning. Mikey is doing "Just Fine." I know he's swimming - with other kids - and I think he's ziplining as well. Not sure about the horses. I sure hope he wants to go home at the end of the week, and doesn't ask for camp again next week!

Well, I did go take the train. This is silver mining country. The train starts at 8600 feet and goes over a several-hundred-feet-high bridge, and gets you up to 9000+ feet to the other station. On the way back, I stopped for the mine tour - they actually take you back into the mine several hundred feet. The worst of it was getting back up to the train depot. A slightly steep, not too long hill - by my usual elevation is a couple of hundred feet ...

On the way back, I stopped at the tea room and had tea. Yummy meat pie with the flakiest crust I've ever seen; some deviled eggs; a scone with lemon curd and cream; and a cookie. And the best tea - I did buy some to bring home.

So Grandma got some really nice "me" time today, and I wasn't at all anxious. Tomorrow, the Hotel de Paris, built by a French chef (among other talents), and now a museum, is celebrating Bastille Day between 4-6 p.m. If all continues to go well, that's where I'll be.

And all quiet on the camp front! It's almost 5 p.m. Dark clouds are starting to roll in, but it's been pleasant and sunny, with high fluffy clouds, all day.

I can print the new checklist on the computer here at the hotel, for a quarter a page.

Everyone keep praying and/or crossing body parts - we're doing well here.

Mikey at Camp: Part IV - Doing Well!

I spoke to camp today. Mikey is doing fine. He has had a few melt-downs, but they were controlled in short order. His major one was at the pool yesterday - they got to the pool JUST as the thunder and lightning started, and they had to not let him in. (I told them to give him a note that says, "Rain means get out of pool.") At any rate, there seems to be nothing they can't handle. (I called Mom with the update.)

They have had to remind him to keep his hands to himself - actually, what they told me was, if he starts to touch someone - there are girls at camp too - all they have to do is say, "Mi-key!" and he pulls back his hands and says, "Keep your hands to yourself!"

I Feel Much Better Now.

Mikey at Camp: Part III - 12:41 a.m.

Well, I woke up again - and again thought I heard something buzz. Hm. Wonder if something *is* buzzing near here.

Today's update: No news is good news!  Although I wish camp would email *something.* Mikey is probably having a good time but Mom and I REALLY WANT TO KNOW.

Mikey at Camp: Part II - 12:14 a.m.

Three buzzes ... I jump out of bed and grab the phone. It's 12:14 a.m. There is NOTHING on the phone - no text, no missed call, no VM. I must've dreamed it ... it's happened before, when travelling for work. I'll "dream" the alarm went off and jump up and ... it's the middle of the night ...  I checked the alarm clock, too - nope; not set and not turned on.

Mikey must have made it through the night, perhaps better than I did. I had trouble getting to sleep; trouble falling asleep; and trouble staying asleep. I woke up at 5:43 a.m. today. (Hopefully, for Spenser's sake, Mikey stayed in bed a bit longer.) I had a bit of a headache last night - my guess is another one will return today from lack of sleep. I am going to email the camp director and request an update on Mikey and how he did. And drink lots of water, after my coffee.

As for myself, I am going to explore Historic Georgetown Colorado on foot later today. (I have a little bit of work to do on the computer this morning.)I'm staying at the edge of town, on 11th street, and town goes to (maybe) 1st street. I drove through yesterday, and it's filled with parks, small museums, gorgeous architecture, restaurants of all kind, antique stores and tchotchke shops.(Cell phone in hand, of course.) It's close enough to get back here quickly and the camp is 4 miles up the road. [Don't worry, Hubby, I don't have room to bring much of anything back.]

I had a terrific dinner, modestly priced, at an establishment known as the Euro Grill - for food think, German/Czech/Polish. I had Hungarian Goulash. They have duck on the menu. And red cabbage. Yum.