Day 61 9.17
The sun hits camp here about 30 minutes before it did in CB…around 7:30 & it wasn’t near as cold as it’s been in Crested Butte—I’m sure I’m at a lot lower elevation, but last night wasn’t cold at all.
A faint rainbow as I drove out of camp this morning.
Tracy used to be a river guide over here years ago & told me about a trail that skirts the river in Browns Canyon National Monument. I think a lot of the commercial trips launch from this area. So, I drove south a ways & found the trail.
It was a pretty hike & really gentle; only a couple of fisherman were out this morning.
After the hike, I headed back into BV—did laundry, bought ice, got rid of my trash, downloaded an audio book then went to House Rock for lunch…which was good but not great. I walked around the town popping in & out of shops for a bit, then headed back to camp.
Wow…the leaves seem to change overnight up high on the Collegiate Peaks.
Really interesting terrain around camp. I drove past my campground & up the road to see what’s up there. Some nice dispersed sites maybe for another time.
While last night’s temps as well as during my hike were good, this afternoon the temps are dropping & it’s chilly & damp in camp. Raining for a bit off & on, but the chill is sticking around. I worked on my website for awhile then read.
Watched the full moon rise over my last campfire for this trip.
After the fire was out & it was dark, I tucked inside Camper & finished up my website.
Day 62 9.18
Since the sun hadn’t shined too much yesterday afternoon, my clothes were still damp this morning (I never dry my clothes at a laundromat), so when the sun popped out, up went the clothesline & out went all my laundry to dry. I wasn’t in any hurry to get going…my main objective today is to work my way closer to Denver & find a nice place to camp tonight…
& see some new places along the way. I’ve driven through Fairplay on 285 a gazillion times…I have only stopped once at a store along the highway for something mundane & there seems like there’s been road construction going on at the main intersection for years. But this time, I drove through the town..wow…its cute & I had no idea they have a South Park City on the next block over which has several really cool places. I stopped at Casa Sanchez (the same owners as the one in BV) & had lunch…it was really good. Then I went over a block to find the Snitching Lady Distillery. What a fun stop. I was the only one there besides the bartender who was talkative & informative. I ordered a bourbon drink made with the famous & delicious Palisade peaches…so freakin good! I will definitely be stopping back by here again…really a place not to miss.
Drove up a rough road off 285N to try to find camping. It looked pretty full & those campers seemed mostly to be huge groups of hunters. The trees were pretty though, but not the place I want to camp tonight.
Found a really pretty & quiet (no one else here) dispersed campsite behind the paid NF campground on the east side of Kenosha Pass.
Camping under golden trees.
Danny & I are both trying to send each other pics of this moon…bad cell service is making it difficult.
My phone camera & the lighting don’t do this patch of orange leaves justice.
With barely any service, I just read long into the night. What a nice quiet campsite!
Day 63 9.19
I left camp at 7am & drove into Denver. I stopped at Rosies Diner for breakfast…it’s cute & nostalgic & if I could drink malts I would have tried one. But their biscuits & gravy were just so so…disappointing for sure.
Loved the old jukebox…the yummy ice cream pictured though was fake, but I’d bet that’s what’s good here.
I was back in the city with it’s big traffic, noise & heat. I drove to Discount Tire in Aurora to have mine rotated & while I waited I cleaned out the back. After the appointment, I made stops for wrapping paper, etc for the next very important part of my trip! Aurora seemed like a giant Overland Park (a busy suburban city near where I used to live in Kansas)…I couldn’t even spot any mountains from there.
I’ve never been to Cherry Creek State Park, but I knew they had a lake & I’d made a reservation there a couple of weeks ago. It was very underwhelming….I can’t help compare it to all the beautiful places I’ve stayed over the past two months. The campground is no where near the lake & you’re just on top of each other…way to close. I was in the no-hook ups part of the campground, but it was still loud compared to where I’ve been. But I’m here because tomorrow morning I’ll park camper at an off site parking garage & then get dropped off at the Denver airport. I don’t love hotels, & I wanted someplace I could spread out all my stuff & get ready for the next adventure, clean out camper, repack my bags & just slightly hang on to still practically living outdoors.
I spent part of the day showering, scrubbing, plucking, shaving, & giving myself a mani & pedi…trying to get ready for civilization. As the evening got later, there was less traffic in the campground…most of the big rigs had driven in before dark. It finally got quiet & I was surprised to find only a couple of other people sitting outside enjoying the evening. I’m always surprised at how much people in RV’s stay inside; it’s just another thing about car camping that I love-- it forces you to be outside & there’s where I want to be anyway.
Day 64 9.20
At 8am, I was ready to head out into traffic & to the long term parking lot. DIA was packed & the lines were long, including the TSA line, but thankfully it went fairly fast.
This weekend, Jordan (Luke’s fiancé) was hosting a baby shower for Leia. Leia’s Mom & sister were also working hard to make this shower spectacular!
I was flying United but this time I was in First Class…thanks to Jordan & Luke buying my ticket on points. Wow…I was spoiled & it was nice. My row…which had only one seat in it was big & my chair was wide & comfy. They served us all before anyone else got on. This flight, which I’ve been on several times before, is on a small jet that directly flies into Arcata/Eureka…so sweet & easy.
I not only got a cocktail, I got food….really nice. Thank you Jordan & Luke!
I landed around noon & just as I did, the sun popped out through the fog & clouds. Luke picked me up & I hung out at Luke & Jordans for awhile. When Pete was off work, we headed to his house for a big dinner….yum yum yum. I had met Leia’s super fun & cool sister Brenda before, but this would be the first time I was meeting her Mom & others in the family. OMG! So awesome to see Leia & the baby…what a miracle this sweet child is & it’s great to see everyone so excited for it’s birth.
From front left: Theresa (Audrey’s Mom), Aleli (Leia’s Mom), Brenda (Leia’s sister) across from her is Luke, Peter, Leia & Audrey (Leia’s other sister)….boy are these women all fun! And super sweet…I see where Leia gets her sense of humor, fun & kindness.
From front left: Jordan (my future daughter in law), Matt (one of Luke’s best friends) & Mary (Matt’s Mom & I think Luke’s 2nd Mom…they are very close!)
Pete & Leia are still remodeling their house & this is the first time I’ve gotten to see their big kitchen remodel…SO FANTASTIC! They did an amazing job of redesigning the whole area!
Day 65 9.21
Today’s the day for the big shower. We’re expecting about 30 people & Jordans & Luke’s house is the perfect place for a fun, big & laid back get together.
Jordans cat “Bear"
So many gorgeous flowers here in Northern California!
This was a Taco-themed shower! We all love love love tacos in this family.
Jordans friend made this baby carriage fruit salad….so cute.
Love these two so much! Super excited for their upcoming wedding this June in Lake Tahoe! So thrilled these two found love in each other & Danny & I are over the moon happy for them & our whole family!
We’re getting ready for the big party!
Like Mother like Daughter….two beautiful women. I had only texted with Aleli a couple of times before the shower, but I knew we’d hit it off. I’m sad I’m going to be so far from this little one, but grateful Leia’s mom is only about 4 hours away. Such lovelies!
Jordan & Luke have the perfect home for big gatherings. Their backyard is huge & beautiful. Jordan loves to work in the garden which includes a ton of Dahlias. It was the perfect weather for being outside & lots of tables & places people could hang out & just visit.
Pete & Leia have three goats…Peanut Butter, Jelly & Nutella. Emma & Claire always love to see photos & videos of their goats. So, this was Claire & Emma’s gift to the baby…a tiny soft cuddly goat. Claire thinks it should be named Chocolate Chip! They are super excited for this baby cousin to arrive!
Leia has three good friends who all quilt…this was one of two quilts she received as well as a beautiful hand made bag to use…such talented women. These gifts were beautiful!
Pete & Leia are huge Pickle ball players (which is why you don’t see Pete in any of these photos. Five months earlier Pete had signed up for a tournament, Mens’ doubles, in Chico, CA about 4 hours away. Then the shower date was decided & he was obligated to go to the tournament…that’s his excuse anyway.) I have watched them play PB here a lot & met most of the friends they play with. It was fun seeing all of them today at the shower. One of their husbands that also plays, made the baby a mobile out of all PB stuff..Leia loved it!
My donation to the games & activities for the shower was onesie & diaper decorating. I had 30 onesies in different sizes & 80 paint pens to design them with. A box full of diapers & permanent markers for jokes & fun stuff to be written on the diaper for future laughs when changing those stinky ones in the middle of the night! While Leia opened gifts…there was a ton of them, everyone took something to decorate.
This was made by one of the PB women! Love it!
Two of Pete’s co workers designing onesies!
The three Grandmas & Leia…I can’t wait till this baby is born!
Jordan & Leia…I am so fortunate to have these women in my life & so are my sons! They are sweet, kind, funny, loving & I can’t wait to spend more time with them.
Later that evening we all met up at the Casino.
All the ladies playing poker; Matt is giving advice. I’m the one not playing who got in trouble for taking this photo from the House Manager. They watched as I deleted it off my phone, but didn’t come into the bathroom with me 15 minutes later to watch me hit the “recover” button. But these women had so much fun playing!! I liked hanging out with Luke as he gave me all the scoop on this game.
Day 66 9.22
I was here for such a short time, but Pete had asked me if there was anything or place I wanted to go…my answer is always the same. To the Pacific & to the Redwoods. Pete & Leia drove me to park we’ve been to before, but I’m always amazed at these trees…just incredible.
My last night here. Luke BBQ’d for us all & had some other friends over to watch the Chiefs game. Love my people!
Day 67 9.23
These are my sons…they’d told me the night before they’d be up early, before Pete went to work, to take me to the beach. They not only know me, they go out of their way to make my wishes come true. So, the three of us took a walk on the beach…the best ‘nature’ bookend to my trip this summer. I am driven to inner peace & gratefulness when I’m in these places…it’s the thing in life that takes me to a higher level & also goes deep into my soul. I really appreciated they took the time to spend with me in this magnificent place.
Just breathtaking on this early morning.
Luke & Jordan & I went out to breakfast after the walk, as Pete had to get to work. Then it was time to drive to the small easy airport & say good bye.
The coast as the little jet flies high above. Sending all my love & hugs to my kids, their lovely women & the one tiny baby still growing... below.
The flight was easy & quiet as I just continued to stare out the windows looking below. It’s great to fly over the western mountains…some had a bit of snow on the very tops. And once over Colorado, you could see the changing of the colors of trees; but fall is about over there.
I landed in Denver & got dropped off at my car around 5:30pm. I jumped on to I-70 driving east the way I have done so many many times before. But this time I wasn’t going home, I was just going to visit & looking forward to that.
Day 68 9.24
I’d pulled over at a rest stop about 1am & slept for a bit, finally making it in to Kansas City at 7am. I was looking so forward to seeing my sister-in-law Janice….this is probably the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other for most of my life.
We chatted & caught up at her adorable house …she’d made homemade biscuits & gravy & warm cookies. It was a slow morning which was great after several busy mornings. And, she also gave me a haircut!
Every year on Jan’s birthday, in November, we’ve gone to Scheels to ride the ferris wheel. This year we knew I wouldn’t be here then, so we rode it today.
We shopped a little, me coming close to buying a dress for the wedding. Jan knows this is going to be quite a task for me since I’m not either a shopper or fancy dresser. I really wish the dress would have worked…it was almost perfect. We just spent the day mostly visiting, laughing & then went out for margaritas & Mexican. Then we turned in for the night…it had been a really nice day together!
Day 69 9.25
I packed up my things this morning…we both had other places to be. So with several hugs & knowing we’d see each other again, I left. I was meeting with Sandy…& so looking forward to it! Sandy is such a wonderful friend…we met when I worked at the college & she was the best thing to come out of my time there. We’ve met a lot over the years….enjoying 3-4 hour lunches at the same place everytime. We’ve been through a lot together & I truly treasure this woman & feel so grateful she is my friend (however we did not get a photo this time). The lunch took all day, which was fantastic. After we hugged goodbye (I really hope she’ll come to Florida soon!) I had just enough time to go back to try on that dress again. I got three other random people & workers at the store opinions….something just wasn’t right with zipper…otherwise it was great! But, in the end it was a no. I couldn’t walk around with my backside looking like there was a tail sticking out.
Then I pulled over in a random parking lot & cleaned out my front seat & floorboard…I was about ready to pick up a very special passenger & one I couldn’t wait to see!
Danny was flying in this evening….I haven’t seen him since Denver in early August. His flight was good without issues & I zoomed in & retrieved him right after he landed.
We’d be staying at Mike & Pats (my brother & his wife) for the rest of our time in Kansas City. Mike had a good dinner waiting for us & it was good to see him & Pat & just catch up.
