Father's Day
The SchneeWorld Corporate Retreat was a terrific success. All
SchneeWorld employees returned from the Retreat refreshed and ready to
face the hot Austin July. The overnight backpacking trip became a
highlight for those who participated.
n.b. all photos are clickable to larger
views. all photos are likewise reproducible; either take the higher
resolution image and print it yourself OR request a repro from the SchneeWorld Chief
Photographer. You will likely get better photos if you take the 2nd option.
The day before Father's day. All of the
fathers and sons are lined up before boarding the Durango to Silverton
Narrow Gauge Railroad. Backrow: Danny, Steve and Brent. Front Row:
Jason, Alex, Sean, Aiden and Jack. We were eventually joined by Uncles
John and Tim, but they were...especially tired...that
morning.
Jason, Jack and Alex have secured key window
seats on the train. Notice Jack and Alex's critical use of protective
eyewear - we were all cautioned about cinders and ashes that can blow
into the eye and really ruin a day (or three).
And here is what was viewable throught the
windows as the train navigated the tight canyon formed by the Animus
River. It was a three-hour ride (at about 18mph) upto where we
disembarked from the train and embark onto the backpacking
adventure.
Three views of the tracks near our
campsite. Notice the smoke and the train in the last two photos. Our
tents were within 50 metres of where these photos were taken, but we
did not have any soot or ashes land in our campsite (that we noticed).
We did learn, however, that coal really does not burn in campfire all
that well.
A picture of Aiden and Jack on the rockslide
that provided hours of entertainment both days. As I was scrambling
over the granite fall, I could not help but think "hey, that would make
a nice countertop".
The bridge provided other sources of
entertainments as Fathers and Sons alike took turns throwing rocks.
Steve and Danny won the "biggest splash award". I chalk that up to
their experience from last year when they did the same trip. Watch out
for next year, however.
A picture of Jack as he and I hiked back from a
brief excursion up the side of a mountain. It was a nice short hike. We
turned back before the rest of the party did, but we still had a great
time.
At night, the boys (L-to-R: Sean, Aiden, Alex,
Jack and Jason) played Batman Uno to whittle away some time, but
eventually, the campfire called. 
All but three of the Lyons men are in this
photo (Jack, Uncle Tim (sitting), Uncle Dan, Jason Sean and Uncle
John). Missing are Uncle Tom and Cousin Donald, and Jack's little bro
Ben. I'm via marriage, so sometimes I count myself, sometimes I don't.
They are sitting near the campfire, which explains the squinty eyes and
the odd orange coloring of John's right foot.
The next morning (Father's Day!) after a very
cold night in the boonies.
A rare look at SchneeWorld's Chief
Documentarian, me. But really, this is a picture of a father and son on
Father's Day, 2006.
All the sons shivering around the fire. I do
have to say that I moved up to a professional fire starter that day - I
got the fire going without using matches (the embers were still hot
from the night before and just required a little stoking and strategic
use of kindling, but still, the kids were
impressed).
Breakfast in the woods, with Jack, Tim, Jason
and Sean.
Starting the hike back to the train pickup
point. That's Jack in the tracks, and Uncle Dan adjusting Jason's pack.
Off in the distance are the rest of the campers (minus Tim and John who
when their own way).
A look back at the campsite, which is right
between the river and the tracks, just
left-of-center.
The metaphorical photo - a father and son,
hiking together. Doesn't matter who they are - they stand in for all of
us.
A simple, scenic look at Uncle Dan and his boys
off in the distance.
"Which way to I go". Jack is pondering the
switchtracks, likely extending the simple choice they represent into an
allegory for his young life.
Jack has decided - take the main, not the
siding. Someday, he'll start taking sidetracks, but not on this
day.
The combination train ride / backpack / camping
trip was very fun. Spending quality time with the cousins and uncles is
always a kick. I learned a few things about relating to my son, and I
learned a few things about relating to myself. We're going to be doing
this sort of trip next year, but before then, Jack and I will be
shaking the Pillars of Heaven once again on a canoe
trip.
Posted at 12:00AM Jun 28, 2006 by schnee in Life |