Linda and Jim arrived in Denver about 10:00 in the morning. The children were still in school, and Ros and Greg were occupied with preparations. So, after a quick stop to pick up some grub we set out for one of our favorite places: Rocky Mountain NP. We ate our picnic lunch while checking out unfamiliar sparrows, always a challenge. Then we drove around without any particular purpose in mind. After a bit, we discovered that we hadn't packed enough to drink: out bottled water was all gone. That presented no problem; we simply drove to the nearest campground and searched for a suitable tap to refill the bottles. We stopped by a likely candidate. Jim got out and started toward the faucet, when Linda started waving excitedly. An adult Northern Goshawk was perched on a limb of a small tree about 15 feet away. The bird didn't seem at all concerned to find us in his area. He sat there and let us watch until we moved too close. Then he flew off.

On Saturday, Jim got another surprise when he was co-opted into the wedding party at the last minute to escort Rosalind down the aisle. The minister performing the service got a bit confused about the order of things and launched into a homily before asking "Who presents this woman..." Jim and Rosalind stood there feeling more awkward by the minute. Ros said later, "I started to wonder who I was marrying." Finally finding his place again, the good reverend gave Jim a chance to sit down. As a parting remark, Jim whispered to Ros, "Stand up straight." Unfortunately, it was one of those occasions when everyone got quiet at once and the admonition was heard by all. 

Oh, well. So it goes.