What a day. A wonderful day. We started out at 6:30 am rising and then breakfast on the motel, Armed with directions from the night clerk, GPS and State highway markers we took off for Cog Railway for a trip up to Pikes Peak. We got to the station without a bit of problems and early enough to get a great FREE parking place and good seats on the train.
The trip up took over an hour to the top but the train moved slow enough so we were able to enjoy the view out the large windows along with the conductor's narrative pointing out places of interest on the way.
What a surprise when we reached the top and stepped out of our nice warm train car. It was cooold and winnnddy we made it to the gift shop/restaurant and bought a couple things. Time up there was limited to about 20 minutes so we headed outside to check out the view and take some pictures, We took our M&M coats and they worked perfect and I took gloves which I used as ear muffs cauce we forgot that. Pictures will have to come later. On the trip down the conductor informed us the temperature at the top was 15 degrees with winds at 80 MPH so, yes it was cold up there. Saw more interesting things on the way down. It was a great trip and I'm so glad my friend Pat M mentioned it when I was talking to her.
The rest of the day was anticlimactic but we did stop at the Cliff Dwellings and Garden of the Gods. Back to the motel and a walk to Village Inn for dinner and pie.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Day 2 Going East
Another beautiful day traveling. I drove for awhile and it happened to be the leg of the journey where we crossed from New Mexico into Colorado. They tell me it's a beautiful sight but I was deeply concentrating on the hills, mountains, construction and curves. I did manage to see a herd of young deer of some kind but only because it was straight in front of me for an instant before the road curved but I did manage to yell at and point so Ron got to see them, too. After we got out into the open area we got our first look at the Rocky Mountains and their snow capped peaks. Unfortunately, neither of us has a camera that takes good distance pictures.
We're in Colorado Springs, CO for the night. Depending on the weather in the morning, we may stay another day and go to Pike's Peak in the morning and some other of the tempting attractions in the area afterwards.
We had some pretty high wind gusts but still made pretty good mileage, 25 + mpg. New van is doing good. We did see several historical markers marking the Santa Fe Trail and The Little Sisters of the Poor.
We're in Colorado Springs, CO for the night. Depending on the weather in the morning, we may stay another day and go to Pike's Peak in the morning and some other of the tempting attractions in the area afterwards.
We had some pretty high wind gusts but still made pretty good mileage, 25 + mpg. New van is doing good. We did see several historical markers marking the Santa Fe Trail and The Little Sisters of the Poor.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Heading to IL
Day started out good, up early and finishing packing the car. The people who were left stopped by to say farewell for the season. We got a 10 am start and made good time. Stopped at a rest area just between Lordsberg and Deming, NM for a lunch of fried egg sandwiches with bacon. Not far down the road, almost to Deming we spotted black smoke ahead of us. We took a few pictures as we were approaching but ended up stopping about a quarter mile before the fire. It seemed like it took forever before the fire department and police to arrived. An hour and a half later as we passed the semi trailer 3/4 gone and still smoldering, I could tell it had been carrying mattresses. The trip north to Socorro, NM where we're spending the night, went without a hitch.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dentist Update
Ron kept his dentist's appointment this morning. Don't know why. Maybe he wanted to get away from me for awhile? Who knows? He hasn't had any trouble with his new teeth and he says they're perfect (for false teeth).
To celebrate the end of the dentist detail I took him out to eat, Montgomery's was the place, to try out those new choppers. He managed to devour a Ruben sandwich and fries and wash it down with a XX.
They still weren't as good as they used to be, it's still lunch meat corned beef but it was warm and had some kraut on it. We're really disappointed in the quality of the potato salad too but the waitress warned us that there had been three different changes in the recipe in the past year.
Tomorrow is the day we'll be finishing up the packing. This afternoon we cut and placed the rest of the aluminum over the windows to keep out the sun and some of the heat. After Ron talked to Dan, the manager, this morning we'll have less work to do before we leave. Since we're in the front row he wants it to look like someone lives here. We will unplug the electricity and water but the rest will stay attached.
To celebrate the end of the dentist detail I took him out to eat, Montgomery's was the place, to try out those new choppers. He managed to devour a Ruben sandwich and fries and wash it down with a XX.
They still weren't as good as they used to be, it's still lunch meat corned beef but it was warm and had some kraut on it. We're really disappointed in the quality of the potato salad too but the waitress warned us that there had been three different changes in the recipe in the past year.
Tomorrow is the day we'll be finishing up the packing. This afternoon we cut and placed the rest of the aluminum over the windows to keep out the sun and some of the heat. After Ron talked to Dan, the manager, this morning we'll have less work to do before we leave. Since we're in the front row he wants it to look like someone lives here. We will unplug the electricity and water but the rest will stay attached.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Dentist Day
Well today is the day Ron's been waiting for for over 3 weeks. At 3 pm this afternoon he'll be setting in the chair, waiting for that pretty smile to just pop into his mouth. We all wish him luck.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Oh well
I'm trying this again. I had this almost done when I hit a key and it all disappeared. So here we go again. Had two pieces of chocolate so I'm ready to type non stop.
Since there is nothing going on at the park and we're just waiting for the dentist we decided to do some sight seeing.
Yesterday started out around 11 am after Ron dropped off his library books at the bookmobile. First it was south to Tubac, 60 km north of Mexico. I know that cause that's what's on the road sign. That's how the road signs are marked down there.
Ron got his AZ red dirt dyed tee shirts and I picked up a bracelet. If you've never been there it's a very nice artist colony with different levels of artisans on display. Then on south to the spice store south of Tumacacori but, not being a spice authority I didn't know what to buy but they did have a hot sauce Ron likes but he figured we could get it cheaper in Tucson.
Then to Bon Wit women's dress store in Green Valley. They had some beautiful tops and peddle pushers that would have been perfect BUT they didn't have a shirt the correct size for me. Plenty of bottoms but no tops. What a bummer, I was prepared to let Ron buy. Oh Well, There will be another time. On to WalMart to pick up some things we need to summerize the RV and then to Manuels for a nice Mexican meal. We hadn't been there in quite awhile. Our last trip wasn't up to their usual standards. This time was better.
Today was a late start because I woke up not feeling well but it did pass and off we went to the Mission San Xavier del bac for the only time this season. In spite of the heavy winds and dust clouds the Mission was still beautiful. The inside of the church has had more restoration work done since last year and the colors on the ceiling are gorgeous, we can't imagine the time and work put into such beauty originally.
After a quick trip to the gift shop and sales tax free purchases off we went for more adventures.
A stop at Fry's on Irvington for Ron's special hot sauce was without fruitation. We couldn't believe there wasn't any so now we have to decide if we're going back to the spice store. Thanks to our GPS we ventured farther north to Park Place Mall and a stop at Coach for a new summer purse, a coke and french fries at the food court plus a stop at Verizon for a quick lesson on how to make the time appear on the front of our phones. Next stop north to the Catalina Mtns and Williams Sonoma. After a quick purchase of an omelet pan we saw on email this morning a nice slow relaxing walk around the rest of the mall. It's a beautiful outdoor mall with grass and trees in the center court. Even saw an orange tree. Walked by Tiffany's, Brooks Bros, Coach, Coldwater Creek and a number of other stores that didn't make an impression on old me.
Came back home and tried out the omelet pan for supper. It works just like it's supposed to and made excellent omelets for us both.
Looking forward to cooler weather, rain and maybe snow in the mountains tonight and tomorrow. Stay tuned to see if we're snowed in.
Since there is nothing going on at the park and we're just waiting for the dentist we decided to do some sight seeing.
Yesterday started out around 11 am after Ron dropped off his library books at the bookmobile. First it was south to Tubac, 60 km north of Mexico. I know that cause that's what's on the road sign. That's how the road signs are marked down there.
Ron got his AZ red dirt dyed tee shirts and I picked up a bracelet. If you've never been there it's a very nice artist colony with different levels of artisans on display. Then on south to the spice store south of Tumacacori but, not being a spice authority I didn't know what to buy but they did have a hot sauce Ron likes but he figured we could get it cheaper in Tucson.
Then to Bon Wit women's dress store in Green Valley. They had some beautiful tops and peddle pushers that would have been perfect BUT they didn't have a shirt the correct size for me. Plenty of bottoms but no tops. What a bummer, I was prepared to let Ron buy. Oh Well, There will be another time. On to WalMart to pick up some things we need to summerize the RV and then to Manuels for a nice Mexican meal. We hadn't been there in quite awhile. Our last trip wasn't up to their usual standards. This time was better.
Today was a late start because I woke up not feeling well but it did pass and off we went to the Mission San Xavier del bac for the only time this season. In spite of the heavy winds and dust clouds the Mission was still beautiful. The inside of the church has had more restoration work done since last year and the colors on the ceiling are gorgeous, we can't imagine the time and work put into such beauty originally.
After a quick trip to the gift shop and sales tax free purchases off we went for more adventures.
A stop at Fry's on Irvington for Ron's special hot sauce was without fruitation. We couldn't believe there wasn't any so now we have to decide if we're going back to the spice store. Thanks to our GPS we ventured farther north to Park Place Mall and a stop at Coach for a new summer purse, a coke and french fries at the food court plus a stop at Verizon for a quick lesson on how to make the time appear on the front of our phones. Next stop north to the Catalina Mtns and Williams Sonoma. After a quick purchase of an omelet pan we saw on email this morning a nice slow relaxing walk around the rest of the mall. It's a beautiful outdoor mall with grass and trees in the center court. Even saw an orange tree. Walked by Tiffany's, Brooks Bros, Coach, Coldwater Creek and a number of other stores that didn't make an impression on old me.
Came back home and tried out the omelet pan for supper. It works just like it's supposed to and made excellent omelets for us both.
Looking forward to cooler weather, rain and maybe snow in the mountains tonight and tomorrow. Stay tuned to see if we're snowed in.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Still Counting
It's an unusual day here. Nice breeze but cloudy. Feels like rain but the chance is slim. 11:30 am and 79 degrees outside. We have a fan going inside so it's not to bad.
More and more people are leaving so the park is pretty quiet except for the maintenance staff going about their everyday chores. This morning they are driving around turning on the water under the trees.
As we progress towards heading back to the Midwest, today is my "final" day at the dentist's office. I'm due to pick up my new partial at 3 pm . Hoping the tech at the lab is as good as he appears to be and that the two hours I sat in the chair and bite down pays off with a perfect fit.
Still need to fulfill some dinners with people still here but it's going to be close. It's been difficult to do with Ron not able to bite, just cut with a knife and fork and chew.
More and more people are leaving so the park is pretty quiet except for the maintenance staff going about their everyday chores. This morning they are driving around turning on the water under the trees.
As we progress towards heading back to the Midwest, today is my "final" day at the dentist's office. I'm due to pick up my new partial at 3 pm . Hoping the tech at the lab is as good as he appears to be and that the two hours I sat in the chair and bite down pays off with a perfect fit.
Still need to fulfill some dinners with people still here but it's going to be close. It's been difficult to do with Ron not able to bite, just cut with a knife and fork and chew.
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