Paletas de Nuevo!

I know you were worried. I was worried too. What if, in moving out of Aurora, we had to say goodbye to our magical little Mexican popsicle place?

This magic

But I am here to assuage your fears: not only are there paletas in Southwest Denver, they are in walking distance from the new house (and you can catch Pokemon on the way).

The paletas (popsicles) are delicious. I got to practice my Spanish. And most adventurously, I tried pepino con chile: the cucumber popsicle with spicy chile pepper in it. I don't have pictures because I ate it too fast. Sorry!

Also, there's a guy in our neighborhood who sells paletas out of a cart that he pushes down the street. A cart with bells on it. Kind of like a popsicle truck, but cuter. So far I've tried the rompope flavor, which is sort of like...eggnog?

Further paleta adventures await!

WHOSE diary?!?

Girlfriend's brother and cousin are traveling through South America in this thing:

and they've asked me to write their blog! It's titled "The Diary of Van Frank" (I know. I much preferred Girlfriend's brother's suggestion of "Two Mans in a Van"), and they've asked me to write it for them.......from the perspective of the van.

Should be a blast!

And generally makes me wish I were joining them on the adventure rather than sitting at home in Denver trying to write about it...

Check it out here.

Aurora Eats: Tacos Selene

We've moved out of Aurora, but one of my favorite taco places is still a hole-in-the-wall spot in that much-maligned city.

I refer here to Tacos Selene.

'Nuf said.

Garden Explosion

New house with a big yard means an opportunity for a big-ass garden! It took some effort (mostly by Girlfriend, though I helped), but we now have grass, trees, and hand-built raised beds.

Before

After compost, grass seed, and a sprinkler system

Before

After compost, grass seed, tree planting, sprinkler system, 40+ hours of dandelion picking, weed barrier, mulch, and planter boxes

Baby planties, May 11

Crazy Hulk mutant plants, July 8: 3 tomatoes, 2 basils, chive, rosemary, parsley

More baby planties, plus Girlfriend's new drip irrigation system: June 16

Same plants have now exploded into this: July 8, zucchini, summer squash, cucumber, 2 more tomatoes

Come September I may need help getting rid of some zucchini...

The 5 People You Meet While Canvassing

When we first arrived in Colorado, I got three part-time jobs in quick succession: selling stuff at a large retail store, tutoring elementary school kids in reading and math, and canvassing for a city council candidate. The canvassing ended in early November with election day, of course, but as we approach the final stretch of the seemingly-decades-long 2016 presidential election, I thought I'd take this time to share my experience with anyone who's considering a career in politics.

Beware the dreaded Apartment Complex: the numbering system is incomprehensible and the residents will swear it's the "law" that political canvassers aren't allowed entry.

Parks and Recreation Nation: Maxwell Falls

I haven't posted in a while, so I'm going through the back catalog and putting up some unpublished junk from a while ago. 

We're going camping next weekend, so in honor of that: here is beautiful Maxwell Falls, a hike we took last October.

Since "Falls" is right there in the title, you're probably wondering where the waterfalls are. I have plenty of gorgeous pictures of trees...

And rocks...

So where are the eponymous falls? They're actually probably the least interesting thing about the hike. Especially in a photo, they are rather small and unassuming.

But the hike is definitely worth it for the rest of the scenery!

Maxwell Falls
Distance from Denver: about 45 minutes
Know before you go: the Cliff Trail Loop is a good route to choose
Things to do: hike, picnic, take pictures
Creature feature: mostly dogs, as these trails allow leashed pups. Pets are an excellent conversation starter if you're looking to chat with other hikers.
Plant highlights: trees and trees and more trees. Did you see the photos?

Go ahead. Your path through the trees is waiting!

Like Butta

Yeah, we made butter.

Homemade butter and some tasty beer bread