Day 7

I can't believe we are on Day 7. We weren't quite sure what to expect on this trip, I'm so glad we did it and more importantly, did it without a set schedule... well, except for the games. We've been able to see, experience, and appreciate so many new and exciting things, beautiful and varied scenery, and such nice people.

Today began with the second game of the tournament. While it's being called 'pool play', which usually means it determines your positioning for elimination play, in this tournament it actually means 'exhibition' games. While they won yesterday, today's game wasn't quite as successful. Since it doesn't count, it's okay but still, it's always nice to win.

After the game, there was some free time (so I worked) and the girls swam. I had made arrangements for the team to experience something they never had ~ a trip to a ranch. We visited the Terry Bison Ranch, a 27,500 acre ranch with bison, camels, horses, etc. It spans both Wyoming and Colorado and has a train ride that takes you out to see the animals. Seeing a bison (buffalo) is amazing. What enormous creatures! The train stopped in one location for quite a while and really let us get a good look at these animals. On the other side of the train, 4 camels came up and the kids were able to feed and pet them. Even the teenagers, who are of course 'too cool', got into it and enjoyed it.

After the train ride, we went up to the ranch for dinner ~ beef or buffalo burgers. We tried the buffalo burgers and I have to say, they were really good. Very low fat and very flavorful. Being a weakling when it comes to trying new things, I'm really pushing myself to experience all that I can. The team, siblings and parents all had a great time and it made me happy to have arranged it.

Tomorrow will, hopefully, be a very long day at the fields. We know we have two games tomorrow and are hoping to have three. If so, that would put us at the fields from about 8:00 a.m. to about 9:00 p.m. with breaks between the games. Hopefully enough time to go check out the Capital Building and Governors Mansion. There is also a botanical garden here that I am really anxious to go and check out. If so, I'll have some beautiful pictures to post.