I'm Going To Miss Cave of the Winds!

I think I am most sad to be leaving behind a place that has helped me to grow so much as an individual. I think one simple fact sums up much. When I started working at the cave five years ago, I was afraid of the dark. I was scared. Now I love cave darkness. Somehow, and I am still trying to understand this process, (in fact I plan on spending the next few years trying to understand it) that somehow, I was able to feel safe in an environment. The people I worked with were very supportive as I grew more confident. Often before I was confident enough, my tasks and responsibilities increased, forcing me to grow with my responsibilities. As I made accomplishments, my confidence grew, and I could not have asked for a more nourishing and supportive environment in which to make these changes in myself. As always, I enjoyed the opportunity to lead educational programs, and found I could work with people of all ages. I learned how to trust people. I have made life long friends and found a source of never ending amazement for me, my obsession with caves and caving has just begun. As I will remain a trustee of the Williams Canyon Project until I reapply in September (which I plan to do) I hope to be back several times a year to visit my favorite canyon in Colorado!


You can find out more about Cave of the Winds, Colorado and Beautiful William's Canyon at the Official Cave of the Winds site.

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Norman Rockwell Cave of the Winds Poster

I found this poster a while ago and even though I'm not working at the Cave of the Winds anymore, I just love this! This is a Norman Rockwell poster, and I think it is for the Cave of the Winds in Colorado, although chances are it may be the Cave of the Winds at Niagra Falls that was visited by Rockwell. Maybe he never visited either cave. If you know more, please let me know, I love reading your messages and comments!

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Baby Bear

This is an update on the "little" baby bear that wandered lost and malnourished into the Cave of the Winds parking lot earlier this year. The cave employees kept him from running away and got him away from guests by luring the bear with hot dogs. Feeding an animal like that would normally not be a very good idea, in this guy's case, he had been separated from his momma bear for a few weeks, and was nearly starved. The wildlife department that picked him up reported he had gained weight and had successfully grown large enough to be rereleased into the wild, that's good news!
This photo was taken by Alexa Acord,
freelance journalist, and contributer to the Colorado Springs, Independent

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A New Caving Blog

After I cancelled my caving trip today I decided to go into the office and straighten up. I spent A few hours at the cave sorting papers and throwing out everything I could. Later, at home, I added to my new caving blog. I've noticed how cluttered my virtual studio has become, I guess that makes it more like my real studio... I think the caving is such a huge portion of my life that it deserves it's own Blog. So from here on besides the unavoidable occasional mention, I'll be keeping the cave & caving stuff at CavingColorado.

http://CavingColorado.BlogSpot.com

Check out this new Caving Blog, it should be of interest to anyone who likes caves, or just wonders about them, and the people who visit them.

...And here later this month:
ACRYLICS VS. OILS ~ Pros & Cons for beginners. Which will you choose? Do you have to pick?
A.C.E.O.'s ~Art Card Editions & Originals ~Have you heard of these hot *little* collectibles?
BRUSHES AS TOOLS ~ Which Ones are Most Useful?

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Sept `08 Williams Canyon Project Meeting

http://www.wcp.coloradocaves.org/

Made sure everything was set up right for the meeting tomorrow. Hauled out tables, chairs, & hexagons ("Octogons have EIGHT sides! Those have 6!") There are only 3 meetings of the Williams Canyon Project a year, and this will be my first time in the boardroom discussion. I was appointed to the board at the last meeting, but it was days before the birth of Simon, and I wasn't leaving the house at that point.

I'm pretty excited because I'll be gunning for the Conservation Chair. Felt a little overwhelmed at the hint I could run the meetings, came around to wanting to do it, but really only because I thought it was either Chairperson or Secretary, and ...I wasn't too keen on being the meeting notetaker.

The Conservation Chair for the project is a nifty job. Wouldn't have to run the meetings, and would get to be involved in some important decisions. I'm crossing my fingers, because it would mean getting to check out EVERY dig/development/discovery in the caves. I'm the Conservation Chairperson of our grotto, the Southern Colorado Mountain Grotto (http://www.socomogro.org/), and the job description when I was nominated was "you don't have to do anything!" LOL

This job would actually mean CAVES & CAVING! Send Good Vibes! I'll let you know tomorrow...

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underground today...

Today was a good day underground. Half the winter staff went on a training trip through Cave of the Winds with me and MY boss. We were underground for almost 4 hours of "did you know this was here..." & "go ahead, check that out..." A little exploring. A lot of minute historical and scientific trivia. A lot of "bat facts", and some funny stories...


In the picture: looking for bats sleeping in Majestic Hall. Only found one, and it was fake!


GEARING UP FOR TOMORROW: Dont miss my mini-tutorial Blog on How to Stretch a Canvas.

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Something Worth Stumbling Across

I had comments to "moderate" today when I logged on. Someone, somewhere, saw my blog! Not just saw, but actually commented. and I thought there was no one out there... well, since I may have to grow accustomed to the occasional (lost?) visitor, I will try to post something worth stumbling across. Here's what I'm thinking:

*I have lots of stretchers, a ton of canvas, and a bucket of gesso... so check back for my first educational blog
"HOW TO PREPARE A CANVAS LIKE AN ARTIST INSTEAD OF BUYING A PRESTRETCHED ONE LIKE A NERD"

I should have time to stretch (& document for the blog) on Wed. 9/24/08, so if you wanna learn BOOKMARK now, and I'll answer all questions after I post my "mini tutorial".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Also, I think I will include some more cave and caving pics. This Saturday is the fall William's Canyon Project meeting. I have been swamped with "last minute" trips for people trying to become trustees. For this last weekend, I had to tell folks, I'm genuinely sorry, but um... I also have three kids (5 , 1, & 5 mos.), and they kinda want to see me sometimes too. ..Oh, and a husband who *really* appreciates some help with the (gulp) THREE KIDS.

Most ppl have been pretty understanding, others seem to think that it is part of my job. IN FACT: everything i do for the Williams Canyon Project is strictly voluntary. If you are interested in the project see: http://www.wcp.coloradocaves.org/


Both of these Cave pics were taken at the Cave of the Winds. Perched about Manitou Springs, Colorado, the cave gives tours year round. I create and implement educational programs for "kindercave" through college age kids. All summer long the cave is swarming with tourists, but once school starts, field trips and those taking educational tours are our prime attendants. Find out about the Cave of the Winds and our various tours goto the official site:

http://www.caveofthewinds.com/

Words of advice: If you want to go on the Lantern Tour, BUY TICKETS ONLINE. Otherwise...personally, I wouldn't bother with the online ticket purchase. but,...like, thats just my opinion, and junk.

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