Simple

today was one of our last summer day outings.  school starts one week from today.  early but then we're out early in return.  so, we headed out to the rock ledge ranch historic site set in the shadows of garden of the gods.  an amazing place and an amazing day together.

rock ledge ranch is a 200-acre city park actually that was built by the chambers' family, a wealthy farming family that migrated here from pennsylvania.  it was later purchased by palmer, the man who founded colorado springs.  in his will, he donated the garden of the gods

 to colorado springs, stating that it shall always remain a free city park.

the docents and interpreters are all in period clothing and are going about their day as the early inhabitants would have.  you really feel like you've gone back in time and are experiencing life in the 1880's.  actually, there is an american indian site from the 1770's, a homestead cabin from 1860 (marcus and my favorite), a working farm and restored original chambers' home from 1880, a restored 1907 home that palmer lived in, a blacksmith shop, a store with .15 old fashioned candy sticks flavored with sassafrass, a barn, ponds, gardens.

                   

the kids were mesmerized by the way things were done then, what the kids had and what they didn't have.  the animals were all quite friendly, including an amazing cow named patches.  she actually leaned into you wanting a good scratch on her head.  the docents were baking in each of the various homes using only real ingredients that could have been acquired at the time:  corn bread, cream puffs, stew, pork roast, gingerbread.  it smelled heavenly!  

the weather was unusually cool and rainy, just adding to the mystique.  walking into a dim building with just candlelight or no light at all.  makes me thankful but a little disappointed we have light switches.  i was struck by the need to do and have only that which is necessary.  not lots of extras or distractions.  just the basics.  how refreshing that is in a world filled with so much that seems like such a complicated waste.

all in all it was a great outing.  audrey kind of lost it inside the orchard house, way past nap time.  so, she and i headed out while the others finished the tour to sit on the front porch, stare at garden of the gods right in front of us and listen to coyotes howl.  other than the coyotes, it was so quiet that we heard the wings of a hummingbird and the soft rain hitting the porch roof. we both almost fell asleep.  it costs $20 for a family for a year's membership.  needless to say, we'll be joining and heading back.  back to enjoy a taste of the simple life.