swimming with a bit of inspiration

We try to take our dog Bailey to the river (the colorado river) to run, play and swim, every weekend. I get to tan, ladd gets to drink beer (give him this treat, and he is more willing to participate in water activites :P ) and Bailey gets to have the time of her life!

There are usually rafters going by or exiting the river where we go to hang out. Its fun to see all these people enjoying each other and the outdoors. I really feel like a colorado girl when I'm out there. So much of the population here is so outdoors-y.

Bailey sometimes meets new dog friends and that is fun for me too. I play with as many of them as I can! :)






Everytime we've been there so far, we have seen latino families out enjoying the sun and watching all the rafters. I smile inside and out, everytime.

I love this.

I love to see their children so happy and having fun and enjoying their picnic and swimming.... (the children giggle with excitement at Bailey and shout, "un perro, un perro!!")

I am reminded of how so many of the population of latinos here are probably first or second or third generation americans. To think of what they or their parents went through to get here and start a life full of opportunity makes my heart skip a beat.

When I watched these young latino children play with each other in the water and speak such fluent english, while being fluent in spanish, it made me so proud of them. Happy for them. They (hopefully) have an amazing future ahead FULL of wonderful opportunities. They have hope, dreams, determination.... freedom.

I welcome them and their families here with big arms and support. And I commend and thank their parents or grandparents for their sacrifices to give this future to them.

So. Awesome.