July 7, 2014

What the Hail!

Well, I guess it was our turn..all the bad hail storms have passed by us this season...until tonight. When we got the emergency phone calls that the storm was on its way, our skies were not dark at all so we poopooed it- that was a mistake. The storm came sideways with pea to big marble sized hail. The flowers that I took the time to fertilize today are gone. On the positive side, our trees are OK and our roses were protected and some planters were tucked in enough. Also, we just lost decorations. We didn't lose a whole field of crops like some local farmers have this summer. Once again we are reminded to not underestimate the power of a mother....Mother Nature!

July 6, 2014

The Long Way Home

We made a new Ostwald record this morning. We were packed up, hitched and on the road by 7:35am! We had two choices: leave late and not get home until after dark or leave early and try to hit the I70 traffic before it got really bad. It was smooth sailing until the Eisenhower tunnel and then it was slow traffic but always moving. Living in Los Angeles after we were first married, Don and I learned to be patient in traffic and that it is bearable if you keep moving and it's not a dead stop. The plus side is that we were able to finish our mystery audio book! There is nothing worse than getting home before you learn who dunnit!

It was so nice to be with the kids on this trip. Of course I had a pity party after they left but I will just have to plan more trips! 

Going "bye bye" again!

Until next time.....

July 5, 2014

Exploring Colorado

Today we made our way over to Paonia in search of the Cherry Festival. On our way we encountered Eckert, Hotchkiss, and Orchard City. There were some beautiful valleys to admire and many orchards and vineyards. Paonia is a combination of Fort Morgan mixed with the free spirit of Boulder. We finally found the city park where the Cherry Festival was but there was not a cherry in sight! We got to talking with a local man and he explained that the cherry harvest was slim this year due to an early frost. But I think this festival is similiar to the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival (no carnations) and the Arvada Harvest Festival (how many Arvadans harvest?) It is just a great chance for the town and vendors to get together and create a shopping experience for me! Yes, I did find some baubles! 

We stopped at the Black Bridge Winery on the way back and Don fell in love with the place. It was on the North Fork of the Gunnison (great fishing) with a vineyard that grew Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Reisling grapes. The only thing missing in Don's opinion was a For Sale sign! I told him that we were too old to run a vineyard and he disagreed...uh oh! Promise me friends that you will visit me if we move to the middle of nowhere and would be willing to pick a grape or two!

Another "had to" stop for Don was the confluence of where the North Fork of the Gunninson and the Gunnison come together...stunning!?....

I have lived in Colorado for all but six years of my life and I am still amazed that there are so many places that I haven't seen. I guess that is why we bought the Tajma-haul!

Don found some cherries...and wine...at the winery!

Enjoying the North Fork of the Gunnison after wine tasting...except for Paige....being only 20 she had to dog sit!

July 4, 2014

Happy 4th of July!

We celebrated the 4th by visiting Pioneer Town in Cedaredge. Pioneer Town is an outdoor museum made up of 23 buildings from the 1800's arranged to look like a town of that era. All the buildings were restored by volunteers of 

the Surface Creek Valley Historical Society. Volunteers still oversee the museum and the maintenance. It was fun to walk through the "town" and see the schoolhouse, saloon, barber shop, etc. - as well as many artifacts of the time. The dogs were allowed to go with us too! To cool off a bit, we drove up into Grand Mesa National Park and hiked around one of its many lakes. Of course we had a 4th of July BBQ tonight along with our traditional American Flag cookie dessert. Later, Don and I went over for the tail end of the RV Park social. Paige thinks I am driven to social functions because I suffer from FOMO syndrome - Fear of Missing Out. I just think we were being neighborly! Anyway, we had a nice visit with the RV Park owners and some long time residents. We now know much more about Cedaredge and its residents than we ever would have learned from a brochure!

The school library - very manageable!

Hikers

July 3, 2014

Welcome to Cedaredge!

Alex and Paige worked out their schedules so that they could go Glamping with us this weekend! Alex hasn't experienced life in the Tajma-haul yet and by the way he is sprawled on the couch, I think he approves! 

Cedaredge is a small little town at the base of Grand Mesa. We got here later in the evening so we haven't been able to explore yet. The RV park is small and most of the occupants are here for the summer. The owner is super friendly and everyone gets together every night to visit. We missed the social hour tonight since we were busy setting up

and making dinner. I can't say my kids were disappointed since they are by far the youngest people around!

It is wonderful to have the whole family together again. However even in their twenties   we had some back seat squabbling and heard the infamous "are we there yet? I'm hungry!" Just like old times!

July 2, 2014

Keurig Coffee and Crafting!

My sister brought me this necklace that she bought at a market near her home in Italy. 

Look closely... The flower and round decorations are made out of squashed Keurig type cups! Some people are so creative! Coffee and crafting- they go together! I have never made jewelry but this might be fun to try. Can you tell I'm on vacation? One day I'm going to make a quilt, the next I'm a jeweler! Extra time is a wonderful thing!

July 1, 2014

Partial to Pinochle

My parents and older siblings played the Pinochle card game growing up. They frequently played with my Grandma Murt, who I guess was quite the card shark and was known to cheat once in awhile! Unfortunately, there were so many kids by the time I came around, they switched to playing Dummy Rummy. Dummy Rummy always starts out friendly enough but usually ends ugly with some swear words. The last two nights my sisters and mom have taught me how to play Pinochle. This card game is way more civilized than Dummy Rummy and did not cause any name calling or a bad case of stink eye. It even sounds classier! Coincidentally, I had previously downloaded a Pinochle app (just in case I might need it sometime and it was free!) so now I can even practice! At our upcoming camping trip with my kids and husband I am definitely introducing them to this game in the name of fun and family harmony.