Road Trip

A couple of days ago, I awoke with a mild 'chills & body ache' combo that told me to take it easy and not breathe directly on Dennis. We had heard that this was the week to witness the magnificent fall colors at Lost Maples State Park. They say that the reds are brilliant, but they only stay on the trees for a few days. Reasoning that I could sit in the truck as comfortably as I could at home, I popped some Tylenol and we took off on a road trip to witness the splendor of nature.

The hour-long drive from Kerrville to Lost Maples follows the Guadalupe River through Hunt, TX and winds past some lovely homes, resorts and youth camps. We arrived at the state park entrance and joined the slow parade of vehicles to the parking lot. On our right, we saw this lovely bit of red and were hopeful.

We made our way down the trail and noticed quite a bit of color....

...already on the ground - Oh no!

We followed this 'stairway to who knows what' and kept our fingers crossed.

We hoped that this was not an omen....

When we came to a clearing on the stony path, I fell in love with this beautiful scene.

Now, this is my kind of rest stop!

Then we saw it; what we'd come for - the Lost Maples were found! =]
We weren't completely skunked after all; thanks, Mother Nature!

Continuing on our way, we left the park and drove south and west into Medina where we had a bit of lunch at the Patio Cafe. We learned that Medina has been the biggest supplier of Bigtooth (Lost) Maple trees since 1982.

Between Medina and Camp Verde, we came across these bison enjoying a lunch break. A few hundred yards north of this we saw a herd of longhorns also dining.

We drove into Camp Verde specifically to see the historical Post Office and General Store. The military camp was known for its "Camel Experiment" from 1856-1869; read about it at their website: http://campverdegeneralstore.com/History.html.

Here is Dennis in the Post Office portion of the building...yes, they are already decorated to the rafters for Christmas!

The woodwork is absolutely gorgeous. We loved the ancient creak of the floorboards as we explored every nook and cranny.

Between Comfort and Kerrville, there is a delightful road that meanders along at a slow, country pace. Farm Road 1341 winds around goat farms, through low water crossings, and past rock walls and a quaint little cemetery.

The road also took us past one particular residential entrance. We assumed that there must have been a mighty wind recently...

Yikes!

The day was delightful, I lived through my mini-flu bug, and all is well in our little world.

Until next time,
Blessings to you all!

The Colors are Coming!

Fall is in the air! Could it be that just a week or so ago we had the a/c running? Now with the temperatures dipping into the 40's in the wee hours of the morning, we've turned on the furnace a time or two. I love snuggling under the covers though, so I'm happy as a lark. =]

In addition to the temperature changes, we are blessed to be able to witness nature's chameleon act. Seemingly overnight, the lush greens are turning to earthtones - and in central Texas that can be quite spectacular.

This is a shot I took while we were on a walk in town about 2 weeks ago. There is just a hint of rust beginning to appear.

My daughter, Megan, took this picture at our campground yesterday. She is quite a good photographer; these cypress trees were really busting their buttons for her!

Megan and my mom came to visit for a couple of days and they stayed in this cute little cabin about 200 yards from our RV. We had a great time roasting marshmallows, taking walks, and just enjoying each others' company. [Oh, and during one of our walks yesterday...on the golf course...yours truly had her very first hole-in-one! Uh-HUH!!! It was pretty awesome; I think I am still in shock. Perhaps I should quit playing golf right now; I mean, can it get any better than this?!?! ...but I digress... back to the blog, Lori!]

In the next few days, Dennis and I plan to drive out to Lost Maples State Park to get some more pictures. The colors are supposed to be terrific this year and the weatherman says that we are approaching the peak time for the change this week.

Stay tuned!!

Small World

Last Saturday afternoon, I stopped into a local hair salon to get a trim. While waiting for my turn in the chair, I spotted a picture of a verrrrry short do. I must have been feeling a bit adventurous when my name was called, because I pointed to the picture and nodded.

Later, back at home, I heard the telephone ringing as I hung my head upside down in the kitchen sink rinsing out the many loose hairs. While I dried my head with the towel, Dennis handed me the phone. My daughter, Megan, was on the line announcing that she'd just returned from receiving the shortest cut she'd ever had. As she described her new 'do,' I got an eery chill. We sent each other camera-phone pictures... the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?!



I guess we won't be needing hair ribbons in our Christmas stockings this year! =]

At Home in the Hill Country

Denny and I certainly have found that we are adapting well to small town living. Since we've been 'full-timers' in our RV these past 5+ months, we find that we don't miss traffic jams one little bit! Zipping across town in 7 minutes flat appeals to Mr. Featherstone just fine, thank you.

We spent last Sunday, the 11th (Clergy Appreciation Day, according to our calendar) getting to know St. Peter's Episcopal Church. It is a beautiful place with wonderfully welcoming people. The exterior is lovely with a peaceful memorial garden and labyrinth enclosed in a pretty stone arbor. We felt right at home and have already joined their "Occasional Choir" - perfect for part-time residents!

The other day we decided to explore the area in and around our new winter home of Kerrville, Texas. We had committed to some deep cleaning of the abode beforehand, however, so we stuck to our rule of 'Chores Come First.' Fourteen minutes later we were in the truck and on our way (small living spaces have their advantages, you know!). We cruised up to Fredericksburg and through Johnson City, ending up in the town of Marble Falls. We marveled at the beautiful countryside. Those several months of severe drought must have wreaked havoc here in central Texas. Thankfully, all is green and lush now after the rains finally came to the area.

As we were leaving Marble Falls, we noticed that there was a fundraiser for the local EMS being held at the Blue Bonnet Cafe. We helped them out by sitting down to a wonderful catfish dinner...followed by a couple of pieces of the Cafe's famous pies. It is good to be civic-minded, don't you agree? Always makes one feel so good inside!

Last week, we were strolling downtown in Kerrville and we were stricken - positively stricken, I tell you - as we gazed upon the once-bustling Schreiner Department Store... now just an empty shell on the corner. [Actually, 'stricken' is a bit strong here - you must forgive me. I am currently reading a wicked little novel about a small town in the Deep South set in the late 1950's and the voice of Sissy, the main character, channels through me from time to time. We were 'sadly impacted' with the sight, however...]

Schreiner's had been conducting business at the corner of Earl Garrett and Water Streets for over 138 years. The inventory was of extremely high quality. It encompassed everything from hammocks to hats and footwear, from luggage to lead crystal, from clothing to clay pottery. We loved the creaky, old wooden floors and the helpful clerks we always found there. I, for one, could linger for hours!

The big, stone department store had filled half a city block. At Christmastime, shoppers would watch the movable displays in the 8-foot windows that lined the busy corner. The rest of the block had been inhabited by the old hospital (now empty except for a few doctors' offices which will be vacated upon the expiration of those leases), the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center and the Hill Country Museum (both of which are still operating). The Hill Country Museum is housed in what had been the home of Charles Schreiner and his family. We had taken the tour of the museum a few years ago and had learned the history of the town as well as the Schreiner family; they are quite intertwined. We encourage you to visit the museum if you are in the area; it is very interesting!

Unfortunately for all who loved the old store, the company that bought the long-standing family tradition back in 1991 was forced to file bankruptcy and the doors closed for the last time at the end of 2007. As we had lunch across the street from the site, we asked our waiter if he knew what was to happen with the grand old building. We were told that the city was exploring an idea of removing the department store building and the old hospital, and creating a little park. We hope that plan comes to fruition; we think Mr. Schreiner would approve.

We look forward to a few highlights on our calendar for the remainder of October. Tomorrow we'll try our hand at the Schreiner Golf Course (uh-huh...see? that name again!) and then we will attend the local high school football game (the Tivy Fighting Antlers will take on New Braunfels-Canyon at 7:30...go Antlers!) And, of course, on Saturday we'll be rooting for another central Texas football team as they face off against Oklahoma...HOOK 'EM, HORNS!!!!!!!

We are excited that Amy's terrific family will be coming the weekend of the 23rd. Hopefully, Denny Jr. will be able to join in the fun, as well! We may take in some Kerr County Fair events with them...who knows? There will be a lot to do and a wonderful time will be had by all. Surely the weather will cooperate...surely!

Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us - can you believe it?! This year is flying by, but it has held some amazing moments for Denny and I and we are thankful. We hope that you are fully engaged in your lives and are giving back in proportion to that which you are receiving!

God's peace -

de nada...

Sometimes, life is not a bowl of cherries...sometimes, life is not exciting...sometimes, life is not worth writing home about. Life just is! We've been back in Texas for almost a week now, and there just hasn't been much to report - hence, the lack of input on our part.

Oh, I'm not saying that there hasn't been much happening in our little corner of the world. Here in Kerrville, TX the humidity has been way up, the wind has been blowing like gangbusters, and the mold counts...forget about it! Basically,we've been staying inside to avoid the outside - but that's alright! We've been acquainting ourselves with the new fall TV lineup and thanking our lucky stars that nobody we know is the headliner on any of the reality shows.

Seriously, though - we haven't really been up to too much since we've moved our little house on wheels back into central Texas. We have just been getting set up in our new campground and have been getting acquainted with our new 'hometown.' We have noticed many differences between Ruidoso, New Mexico and Kerrville, Texas already, however: gold finches / grackles ... chipmunks / squirrels ... Sierra Blanca Mountains / Guadalupe River ... pine trees / cypress trees ... what humidity? / humidity? OH YEAH! ... county western music / oom pah pah music ... the list goes on and on. Vive la difference!!!!! We love both areas and the people and cultures within each - and they have both welcomed us with open arms. The weatherman promises that, after this coming weekend, we'll have cooler weather. Denny and I are excited about our 1st trek to Schreiner Golf Course when that happens (keep us in your prayers).

As we look over our calendar, we note that Lenny, Marlene, Pat and Lisa will have birthdays this month - we give thanks for having each of you in our lives, and we hope that your natal anniversaries are splendid!

We look forward to connecting with family and friends in the coming months as we spend our winter here in central Texas...if you are in the neighborhood, come on by!


Much love,
Denny and Lori

Varooooooooommm!

Late September brings the sound of 'Varooooooooommm!' to Ruidoso, NM as the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally comes to town!! We were thankful that the week-long rains we've been experiencing subsided briefly this morning as we went into town to witness the annual parade of bikers.




Harleys as far as the eye could see...and several other contraptions, as well.



The air was cool (mid-50's range) and the streets were still damp, but the colorful Rally'ers didn't seem to mind too much. I think they enjoyed putting on their show as much as we loved to watch! There were some characters, to be sure...


...but they are the nicest bunch of people you'd ever want to meet! One of the things we've been delighted to be reminded of this summer is that people are just people wherever you go. They may not all look, talk or act as you might, but give them a smile and dollars to donuts, they'll return the favor! ; ]

Whatever you are up to this fall, we hope that you are enjoying yourself. Get out among your neighbors and folks in town and be a part of something bigger than yourself. To borrow from that wonderful film, "Hello, Dolly!" - 'Don't let the parade pass you by!!'

September...

With September comes the realization that summertime is drawing to a close. Campground neighbors that we've come to know and love are packing up and heading out. Even the bird population is changing. The hummingbirds, or 'hummingpigs' as Denny calls them, are beginning to disappear. During August, they emptied our feeder daily as they prepared themselves for migration. 'Twas a feeding frenzy!

We are now visited by this woodpecker
who apparently doesn't mind eating the hummingbirds' leftovers!

Denny and I are adapting well to our new lifestyle. We marvel at the fact that we haven't given a thought to all the 'stuff' we got rid of when the house sold. Our hobbies have changed a bit this summer, however. I used to enjoy cooking for family get-togethers and such (Denny says I must have been an army cook in a past life). Since I don't have as many opportunities to exercise my creative muscle in the kitchen anymore, I've taken a few classes in jewelry making - and I love it!

I was approached to teach a class next summer at one of the bead stores in town. I might do it - who knows? Perhaps I'm a little cottage industrialist in the making?!?!?

Denny used to track sawdust into the house after spending time in his woodworking shop. He has now traded lumber for leather and is tooling some very nice pieces. I think we are both discovering muscle groups which have been lying dormant as we toil away!

We love to sit outside under our awning (in the space we fondly call 'the den') and work at our new crafts while watching the neighbors and wildlife come and go. Life is good and we are thoroughly enjoying every moment. We hope your September is blessed!

Be advised:
information found in this edition of our blog
may be a hint to this year's Christmas gifts!

Stepping back in time

My dad has been on my mind quite a bit these past 2 weeks. We went to the Lincoln County Fair in Capitan, NM on the 5th and spent several hours watching the horse show, reminiscent of so many summer days in Fargo when I was young. Dad used to compete in the cutting horse competition and Mom made the costumes for both Dad and his horse. The sights, sounds and smells of the fair - believe it or not - were like a breath of fresh air to me. This week marked the 10th anniversary of my Dad's death. I couldn't get my mind around it then and I still can't, though I do feel his presence from time to time and it brings a lovely peace to the moment.

There is a wonderful 'family feel' to a county fair. Lincoln County was fully represented by all generations in the painting/drawing, cooking/baking, stitching/quilting, and livestock competitions. We participated in the "People's Choice" voting of the painting/drawing portion for both children and adult entries, and we wandered through all the ribbons attached to cherry pies and banana breads galore. We thoroughly enjoyed wading through the livestock pens, and we saw quite a few really good looking animals and their handlers out there! Here are some of them:


This young girl, I believe her name was Jessica, won several ribbons that day - such a cutie and quite the little horsewoman!










These girls were enjoying the shade as they spiffed up 'Bessie' for her debut later.












This prize rooster was spectacular -
de colores!











These fine long-earred goats were amenable to posing for a photo...well, some of them were, anyway.










These little piggies were feeling no stress before their showing later in the evening!








This past weekend we spent some quality time with neighbors of ours from the campground. Roger and Dorothy are native Nebraskans that, upon retirement, moved to Georgetown, TX. They invited us to join them for the day on Saturday, August 8th to experience 'Fort Stanton Live!' ('twas a Union Cavalry fort in 1855) and Lincoln Days (celebrating all things surrounding Billy the Kid and the Lincoln War in Lincoln, NM). The day was lovely and we enjoyed reliving the past with the help of many colorful characters such as...


This wonderful Native American woman with her bright shining face...and her granddaughter (seated) that saw me zooming in for a shot and apparently did not appreciate my doing so.











These wonderful gentlemen who patiently waited for all the spectators to clear the area before shooting off their cannon.







The delightful 60's couple who drew almost as much attention as the country singers on the stage.












I loved this sign a smithy crafted with the buzzards perched above the greeting that reads 'GO AWAY' instead of the usual "Welcome!" The 2 handsome fellas beyond the sign are none other than my Denny and our neighbor, Roger.









How "Little House on the Prairie" is this?!?!














Everywhere in this great land of ours, there is always some sort of reinactment of history happening. It is a wonderful thing to visit the past and to learn from it - whether it be in how far we've progressed, or how much we have lost... your own perception determines that outcome. At any rate, I hope that you are living your moment gracefully. As wonderful as time travel can be, the present is, as they say, a gift....enjoy it!

Summertime

You may be wondering what we've been up to since the last installment of our blog. Well, suffice it to say it is summertime and we are lying low! Oh, we play the weekly round or two of golf, and take in the occasional movie at the 3-screen theater downtown, but mostly you can find us at the campground enjoying life.

Summertime in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico offers quite a mixed bag of weather conditions - each and every day. We arise to cool mornings in the 50's and read the morning paper with our coffee outside wearing our sweatshirts. The early afternoons are very pleasant (low- to mid-80's lately) with clear skies and light breezes. Between 4:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon, and I mean every afternoon, the clouds roll over the mountain behind us and we get a quick rain which cools us back down again for the evening, at which time we pull out the light sweaters. The last 2 days we've had pea-sized hail along with the rain shower. The rain has been quite heavy of late; the owner of the campground has come out twice this past week with his plow-attached tractor to level out the gravel roads up here...crazy!

We've enjoyed getting to know our fellow campers here at Pine Ridge; most folks come and stay the whole season, so there is quite a family atmosphere. Each week, we share a potluck meal. This type of get-together always reminds me of church suppers when I was growing up: plastic tablecloths, folding chairs, ladies fussing about and the fellas shooting the breeze, and chicken... always a wide variety of chicken dishes! Simple meals and easy conversation with much laughter - classic good times!

The folks here come from every walk of life and from many areas of the country, though most license plates read "Texas" [there is a saying in Ruidoso that if it weren't for Texas visitors, the village would shrivel up and die!] For all the diversity, there is something about camping that levels the field. There is a unique commonality and a cameraderie between campers. What I like most about camping is that people greet one another, and stop to visit if given the least bit of encouragement. There is a 'small town' feeling about a campground. Back when most homes had front porches, there were more opportunities to get to know your neighbors because you saw each other. Now most people enjoy their backyards behind privacy fences and never meet the guy next door.

One of my favorite places to be this summer is sitting under the awning on our 'porch' while visiting with the neighbors, reading or knitting. I also like learning more about my fine, feathered friends while enjoying the cool, dry air outside. Watching the hummingbirds, grosbeaks, finches, and chickadees as they flit about makes the time just fly (sorry about the play on words). They are so entertaining! Birds are quite the big eaters; if anyone compliments you by saying that you 'eat like a bird,' think about it - birds eat 7 times their body weight each day! (Here is a shot of the male grosbeak standing guard as the female eats her fill of sunflower seeds.)

This week we are looking forward to going to the Lincoln County Fair in Capitan, checking out the new Ruidoso River Museum in town, and golfing a bit. I'm also signed up for a bead jewelry class offered by my neighbor up the hill!

Life is what you make it - think positively, see the good and enjoy the blessings!!!

The Games People Play

Golf - you've probably heard about it. The object of the game is to hit a wee ball into a wee cup with a long, narrow stick. Dropping that sucker into that wee cup in the fewest number of tries is most desirable.

Lately, the only thing about my game that has dropped dramatically has been my confidence. I tell you what, after watching my performance deteriorate over the last few months... and tossing out my scorecard altogether after a particularly horrible round about 10 days ago, I decided I'd just give the whole thing up. I haven't been golfing...I've been flogging - and my attitude and behavior have been sad.

Well, a few days ago, I was in the public library and saw a little book called, Golfer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Golf by Doug Werner. I checked it out and was floored - the basic grip that was described and illustrated in the 1st few pages was TOTALLY foreign to me. Apparently, nobody had ever told me the correct way to hold a club! In spite of this, I had kind of made the wrong way work enough of the time in the past to think that I had this thing figured out. Uh-uh... Anyway, I tried this 'new-to-me' grip in the privacy of our little cabin on wheels, and it felt soooooo awkward. It was as though I'd never held a golf club before.

Much to Dennis's surprise, I agreed to his suggestion of proceeding to the golf course with my new grip. After 2 holes of absolute flailing about, something clicked and the angels began humming. [They were not actually singing, mind you, but I hope that will come in time!] I shot a 94 that day (hey, that's good for me!) and decided that maybe I'd postpone my exodus from the sport.

Realizing that it can all 'go south' again at any time, given the plethora of factors that affect each and every round, I'd best continue reading. Surely there will be a chapter or so on the mental game...keeping it fun. Besides, it is a game, after all, right?!

Now, go out there and have a great day!

...it's a box of chocolates!

Life is just full of surprises, isn't it? We've had many in the past several weeks; some good and some not so good. Everything from having a parking spot open up right when we need one, to being inundated with a sudden shower while playing our favorite golf course.

We had a big shock last Saturday when we heard about a motorcycle accident involving a dear friend. In critical condition, unresponsive and virtually unrecognizable for 4 days, Jerry lay bandaged and broken in the hospital. His family and a wide circle of friends breathed his name in constant prayer. Today we learned that he has regained consciousness - Praise God! We know that Jerry has a long way to go in his recovery, but he is one tough cookie and he'll be back up to speed in no time. We are blessed to have people such as Jerry in our midst; he is a character!

This episode reminds me, once again, to live in the moment... be present to the miracles... and love without reservation. Life is a fragile gift, and it's all about relationships.

We had a delightful surprise on Sunday evening. As Dennis was leaving the RV to take the garbage out, we heard someone exclaim, "Hi there!!" As I peeked out the door, I was stunned to find our wonderful friends, Debbie and Scott Sherrill (and their little dog, Tony Parker) standing there. They'd planned a surprise visit to see us in Ruidoso on their way to Santa Fe. We had the best time catching up with them until they had to move on Tuesday afternoon. They are lovely people and we are fortunate to call them 'friends.'

Telephone conversations and email messages are wonderful and do keep one in touch, but nothing compares to the physical presence of friends and loved ones. We are so looking forward to our 'winter' stay back in central Texas!

Here's hoping all is well with you and yours. Receive the blessings, and abide in love!

Closing out our time in Colorado and cruising into New Mexico

Our time in and around Durango, Colorado was so nice; the people were welcoming, the sights - beyond wonderful, and the food - mouthwatering!

We met a delightful bookstore owner, a tiny woman, who was quite a character; a waitress that was a breath of fresh air; the couple that had managed the campground for 17 years - and cheerfully delivered delicious made-to-order pizzas to our campsite; and the young railroad steward who seemed as thrilled as we to be riding the rails. The folks in this great country of ours are pretty hospitable, as a rule. Oh, sure, one can find a bad apple every now and again, but generally speaking, we are a good lot.

As we explored the Durango area, we enjoyed historical areas such as the awesome Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde. We were allowed to walk through the ancient structures. I kept wondering about the condition of the feet of those inhabitants. A pedicurist would have made a killing! The guides at the site invited us to climb down a ladder, through a 40-inch diameter hole, that went down into a very dark place called a 'Kiva,' a circular pit that was used for spiritual encounters, etc. I passed on that invitation; some sort of phobia shivered up my spine as I contemplated the scene...

The trip on the Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was amazing. The heights were breathtaking; the sheer drop-offs were, too! We saw bubbling mountain streams that suddenly became thunderous falls, and rapids complete with skilled kayakers enjoying their close encounter with nature.

On the way back from Silverton, all of us in the 10 or so railcars were treated to quite a scene of bare behinds - and some fronts - by several groups of young folks rafting and sunbathing on the shores of the Animas River. It is some kind of tradition, apparently - we have no pictures for evidence, however!

Of course, Dennis and I 'played at' golf one afternoon at the beautiful public course in Durango. Thank goodness God rained us off the course on the back nine, or we'd have felt compelled to record our scores for posterity... golf - what a wonderful, horrible sport.

One evening at the end of our time in Durango, Dennis treated me to a lovely dinner at the Mahogany Grill in the Strator Hotel. Afterward, we thoroughly enjoyed watching a local production of 'Dames at Sea' in the little community theater. The entire cast of 6 (college students - what energy and talent!) were exceptional - not a weak voice in the bunch!

Finally, we bid Durango and the surrounding area a fond farewell and drove back to a place that we dearly love - Ruidoso, New Mexico. We've been here almost a week now and are all settled. A few days ago, while I was off enjoying a respite at a day spa here (thanks to my dear 'sisters' back in Austin - a terrific idea for a BIG birthday I recently celebrated), Dennis kept himself busy by hosting a Dish Network satellite installer at our campsite. Don't boys and girls find unique ways of entertaining themselves?!?!

Anyway, we are planning to thoroughly enjoy ourselves in the lovely small-town pace of Ruidoso for the next 2 months. We'll no doubt come down off our mountain as Moses once did - with faces shining and peace & contentment exuding through our pores.

Until the next installment - love to all!

From Cody to Durango - just one week, but an eventful one!

Boy, have we had a wild ride since we pulled up stakes in Cody! After cruising through Thermopolis at midday (lovely town, awesome hot springs), we noticed a few rain drops hitting our front window. Denny accelerated a bit and we thought nothing of it as we left the raincloud in our dust. Later that evening as we settled in for the evening news in Casper, WY, we listened to the story of the tornado that touched down in Thermopolis....just at the time we'd passed through.

The next day we were bound for Cheyenne, WY. Halfway along, I noticed a sign that promised a sighting of ruts from the historic Oregon Trail if only we'd make a detour. Denny, sweet and accommodating man that he is, sensed that I must take in this wonder. We made the journey, and though it added one hour's delay in our progress, we were impressed by what we saw. Later, back on track for our day's destination,
we came over a crest in the road and saw before us, as far as the eye could see, a black and bruised sky. Turning on our weather radio, we heard that there was a tornado warning for Fort Collins, CO (50 miles beyond us and where we planned to stop for lunch the next day with my aunt and cousin!). I exclaimed that 'I don't believe we are in Kansas anymore!' Anywho...long story short: the tornadic activity produced only heavy rain and hail. It turned out that the little impromptu stop to see the Oregon Trail ruts actually saved us from setting up camp in a drenching rain - yea, me! Sometimes you must listen to your gut. : )

The next day, we went on to share a lovely lunch with my aunt Judie and cousin Cathy in Fort Collins before settling into Breckenridge for a few days. Judie is newly embedded in her home there and she played gracious hostess to our road-weariness. Cathy was a splendid surprise; always a delight!

When we arrived later that day in Breckenridge, CO, we were in awe of the campground we'd established as home-base for the next several days. Tiger Run RV Resort was paradise and, if we weren't actually in town for my big brother's wedding, we'd have reveled in the campground. As it was, we had an awesome time celebrating Mark and Patty's nuptuals for the next several days.

Patty came to Mark as a breath of fresh air. She brings out
the absolute best in him and we are so happy for them. They celebrated their love with a few friends and family over several days in Breckenridge playing golf, shopping, visiting a day-spa, and just enjoying the company of loved ones. The day after the wedding, most of us explored Vail together. Mark and Patty have wonderfully supportive
friends and family, and we know that they will be very happy!








Did I mention golf? Oh, well, in addition to playing, my mom (Sue) acquired some added instruction and my husband, Denny, channelled Ian Poulter while in Vail (see photos)!















After leaving the Breckenridge area, Denny and I were blessed with the sights of the village of Ouray, nestled in the Rockies, and the sometimes terrifying experience (to the passenger in the vehicle) of the extreme drop-offs as one careens the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton, CO. My oh my! Next time, I hope to be driving!! (no offense, dear husband!)




When we finally slowed to a stop at the campground just outside of Durango, we were met by the goofy creature known as the baby alpaca...recently shaved. I thought I'd arrived in "the land of Dr. Seuss!"









Over the next few days we'll be exploring Mesa Verde, enjoying a round of golf, and taking a ride on the steam train from Durango before dropping down into New Mexico for a few months. We'll keep you posted, so, until next time - God's peace!!