-----------------------------------2011----------------------------------------

Well, the party's over, I guess! George from Birco RV Service in Walsenburg will be here tomorrow to pick up my camper, pull it back to Walsenburg, winterize and store it thru the winter. I'm happy to be going home to my house, family, friends, cat, etc. (not necessarily in that order :)), but a little sad to be leaving this place I have enjoyed so much - the people I've gotten acquainted with too, although they're all leaving too, quite a few have already gone. I definitely plan to do it again next year! Thinking maybe I'll come a little sooner - around the 1st of June, and go home right after Labor Day.  Don't have to decide that now.

After I get the camper all taken care of, I may follow it back to Walsenburg so I can see where he puts it - then on down to Trinidad where I have motel reservations. Will spend the night there and pick up Colleen and Tracey when they arrive on the Amtrak train around 10-11, then head towards home. Probably will spend tomorrow night in Dodge City. By Sun. night, I'll be back in my own bed in Hutchinson, Kansas!

I took a lot of pictures this summer, hopefully will get some of them posted on here one of these days.

Decided today I would 1. Go to Walsenburg and talk to George Birrer the owner/operator of Birco RV Maintenance & Repair about picking up my camper and storing it for the winter, and 2. Drive down to Trinidad and see if I can locate the Amtrak Depot - so if Tracey comes on the train to drive back with me, I'll know where it is.  -  George was busy with another customer when I went by there, and I had one heck of a time finding the depot - AGAIN!  You just can't drive right up to it, only nearby and there is still construction in the area. When I got back to town I went by Birco again and George was gone, so I called his cell and he agreed to come and get it next friday, and pull it over to his campground, winterize it, and store it. I'm still not real comfortable with the situation, but don't know what else to do, so I guess I'll leave it as is.

I counted 14 RVs in the park today - out of a total of 41 sites - besides that, it was cool and rainy! It's starting to feel like fall, and I guess it's almost time. I spent most of the day working on the Sweet Adelines show program, after I went to the post office and picked up my mail. I mentioned to the very nice young lady behind the counter at the P.O. that I had canceled the mail forwarding, as I would be leaving before long. She said "When you make the last pickup, leave us your home address, and if anything else comes for you, we'll just send it on to you there." Wow! A little different from the post office in Hutch (and most other places) where you would have to fill out a form.

The bears seem to have left and the deer are back - saw a small group here in the park today. One lady told me it's because it's Bow & Arrow season, so they hang around town. Mmmmmm - I wonder - How do they know it's hunting season? Maybe they saw a friend get shot! How sad!

I'm ba-a-a-ack!  Went home to Hutch Labor Day weekend and spent the week there - took a break from vacationing. :) Checked on my house and yard (in good shape!), took in the fair - photography and art exhibits w/Kerry (fun!), had lunch with my Sweet Adeline friends, attended "Silver Sneakers" exercise class at the Y with my YMCA friends, went to the movie "The Help" with Pretty Prairie friend, Florene, and saw all my daughters - no sons :(  Drove to Dodge City yesterday (Sunday) after church and spent the night. Visited the casino for a little while, but it was taking my money, so didn't stay long! Got up this morning early and headed for Colorado. Was driving along thinking I should have had the oil changed while in Hutch, when I spotted the Walmart store in Lamar, CO. - zipped in there & got it changed, and was back on the road within an hour! I'm back in my camper now - tired, but happy I had a successful trip home and no trouble getting back. Arrived about 4:30 (KS time)

This is the most exciting thing happening here this evening! And that's not all bad!

The bears are becoming commonplace around here! The 2 cubs wander thru the campground daily, sometimes several times a day, and the mama bear can usually be seen a short distance away. There was an incident a couple of days ago where a mother bear upset a big dumpster on top of one of her cubs, killing it! That happened at Lucy's Campground on the other side of town, and when the news spread to the folks here, everyone was worried that it might have been one of "our" cubs - not the case though as they were seen here yesterday.  I went to Walsenburg today and did a little grocery shopping, then came home and spent most of the rest of the day reading a book. Went later to say good bye to Maryanne & Bob, leaving in the morning, took Katy along - she really likes their little pooch - who, by the way, is allowed outside all the time and just stays near their camper! :)

This morning I was invited to go with campground friends, Agnes & Don to see the Stations of the Cross at San Luis:   

A short forty-five minute drive southeast of Alamosa will lead you to the town of San Luis, where The Stations of the Cross are beautifully depicted in a series of life sized bronze sculptures placed along a comfortable three-quarter mile trail that climbs a short distance up a small mesa.(Ha! at 9000 ft. altitude it seems like a pretty long distance!)

We succeeded in hiking to the top where there is a small chapel. The bronze sculptures, the chapel, and the scene from the top, looking down on San Luis Valley were all very beautiful! Here is a picture of one of the sculptures.  On the way back, we stopped in Ft. Garland and ate (again) at the All Gon Cafe, and it was (again) very good! Spent a quiet afternoon - small shower, Happy Hour (actually Happy 30 minutes, because of another shower), and prepared to spend a quiet evening reading my book.  

About 6:30, I was sitting outside right beside the camper reading and Katy was tied close by.  I heard a small rustling sound and glanced up, thinking someone was walking thru the area between my camper and the next and whadaya think it was? Two small bears - not more than about 10 feet away! They were just strolling by, heading towards Katy, and she was so excited to have someone to play with, she was running towards them! I don't think they were anything but curious, but it scared the c___ out of me and I jumped up and probably yelled. That scared the bears and they started to run, but one decided to take refuge in the tree a few feet away. The other one then came back to get his/her brother/sister and evidently "talked him down", because after a few minutes the tree climber came down and they both left - at least they left my front yard! I happened to have my phone/camera in my pocket, so got some good pictures! 

                     

                                                                    

Big excitement here this afternoon, and again this eve.  The mother bear and cubs in this article were wandering around right here in the RV park! They don't seem very threatening - the cubs continue to play while the people gather to watch a few yards away. Mama bear usually backs off into the trees, but stays nearby.  

Went to lunch today at Ft Garland, CO at the All Gon cafe. It was decided by some of the (high seniority  ) people here in the park, that it would be nice if - in lieu of a covered dish supper (too much work for a few people) - everyone went out to eat together as a kind of a going away party. It's that time of year when the summer RV'ers start leaving, going to their winter camping places, or in some cases, going home, so a lot of friendships are put on hold until they meet here again next year.  Approx. 40 of us trekked to Ft. Garland (pop. 300+) - on Hwy. 160, about 45 min. away in the direction of Alamosa, and the All Gon Cafe (yes, it really is spelled like that!) there has a reputation in this area as a really good eating place. I had an enchillada plate and it was delicious!
Went to Happy Hour at 4:00, then to Mass at 6. It was raining when I came out of church at about 7, and is still raining now at almost 9:00 - the most rain since I've been here!

Swedish Embroidery and Bead work being done by two of my new friends: Ann and Carolyn. They and a few others are out there under the trees most mornings working on craft or needlework projects - the same area where the group gathers in the afternoon. (You can tell how nice it is there.) With their help, I'm working on a Swedish Embroidery project.  Maybe I'll put a picture of it on here - one of these days - maybe  :)  I joined them this morning, then thought I'd run over to Walsenburg to pick up a few things at Dollar General, but when I got to Hwy. 164, I changed my mind, turned left instead and went to Alamosa to the Walmart, and to eat at the Mexican Buffet we at at before.

Yet another quiet day! I did go to "Happy Hour" - One topic of conversation was the earthquake down by Trinidad (50-60 miles away), the the biggest shock was, according to internet news, around midnight, and although it could be felt as far north as Denver (and some people here said they felt it), I was sound asleep and didn't feel a thing.  Another topic was the bears which were wandering around here in the park a couple of days ago - one lady had pictures her husband had taken pretty darned close up - I didn't see them either! New neighbors on both sides, one couple from Chanute, KS traveling with a cat and a parrot. The cat had a collar and leash on, the parrot was just sitting on the picnic table quietly - until it was put inside, then it screamed and hollered for awhile. Don't think I want one of those!

Cool, calm & peaceful day. Took Katy for a walk this morning and visited with some of the neighbors that were sitting outside........It showered a couple of times, but not for long............drove over to Walsenburg to meet the gal that had given the weaving workshop, and pick up my loom, quick stop at Dollar General, then home......a couple of phone calls - one from Tracey, and the other from friend, Kathy.........that's about it!

A lot of campers moved out today. They had all arrived the first of the week - A Good Sams Club, somebody said - so I woke up to the sound of big motors, and tires on the gravel. Decided to get over to the laundry room early and snag a couple of washers. I have put off changing the sheets as long as I decently can! Putting sheets on the bed is one of the few things I really dislike about living in such small quarters! You pretty much have to climb up on the bed to do it, and it's real hard to put a fitted sheet on when you're lying across the bed! Anyway - about the time I got that all taken care of, my friend and mentor, RG came by to return my dish, and we got into a conversation about the water in the battery, which it seems I have been putting way too much water in - long story short - I got a lesson in "RV battery care", and now my battery terminals are squeaky clean, because they have been properly cleaned with baking soda solution, and I am a battery terminal cleaning expert! :) I think I've been adopted as an "elder in need of care" by an even older elder!

To 6:00 Mass at the church here in La Veta.

I started working on the Sweet Adelines show program this morning early - sending letters to my advertisers that I normally would go see. Around 9:30, RG showed up (RV park rule/custom: If you're available to people, you leave your outside door open and they can just holler at you inside - if your door is closed, they may or may not knock  -  they may just figure you're busy taking a nap, or whatever and go on). He hollered in my open door and told me he reckoned it would be a good day for him to finish the repairs on the under side of my camper where the water had weighted the sheeting stuff down and forced it's way out onto the ground, thereby leaving an opening that needed to be closed up. I can't describe the problem or the solution here, but he got it fixed, (with a little bit of help from me) then proceeded to instruct me on how to adjust the awning so it would go up and down easier, and we did that, and it does!  He has told me, in no uncertain terms, that he will not accept any pay for his work, but I had cooked a roast with potatoes and carrots yesterday and had far more left over than I could eat, so when I fixed a dish of that for him to take home, he accepted it. He's a nice old man - 82 years old, and takes a lot of pride in being able to fix things for people. I walked down to his camper to help carry his tools home, and met his wife. She told me she had talked to my Grandaughter - Yep! Sydney was here! :)

Went to Happy Hour over under the trees from 4-5, then was invited to share in some home made  ice cream at the neighbors - 3rd camper down, after that.  Mary Ann came by and invited me around 6:00 -   a very enjoyable evening - a small group of 9 people sitting under their awning, eating ice cream and talking. I patted myself on the back for remembering to take my lawn chair - another RV park custom/rule: If you're invited to someone's "house", you always take a lawn chair, because (a) no one has any extra seating and (b) you will always be sitting outside. It was a beautiful evening - temp about 72 with light breeze.

Another nice day...........

Today I attended the second day of the Spinning & Weaving Workshop at the library in Walsenburg. Didn't do any spinning - could have - there was a full size spinning wheel available - but I did do some weaving on an "Inkle Loom". Anybody know what that is? I bet you don't! Here's a picture - Complicated looking, isn't it!  Weaving on it isn't so hard, but I haven't tried putting the thread on it yet! I actually bought one, along with an instruction book. Like I needed another hobby! I'm also working on a Swedish Embroidery project. A couple of the gals here at the RV park got me started doing that, and are helping me.

One lady I sat beside at the Spinning & Weaving Workshop was telling all about her hobby - She belongs to the "Society for Creative Anachronism ", and was working on some trim for her costume! What's that, you say? Well I came home and Googled it, and here's what it said:

The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our "Known World" consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Participants, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. Our "royalty" hold courts at which they recognize and honor members for their contributions to the group.

Think I'll pass on that one! 

After my nap, I took my chair and joined the group over by the creek, under the trees. Nice day!

About my flooded camper - It's still wet, but getting dryer. I soaked up as much water as I could with towels, etc., then borrowed a shop vac. and sucked water out of the carpet. Didn't have much on the floor to get wet, but had a big pile of throw rugs, towels, chair throws, etc., which I took to the laundromat. Keeping a fan running all the time, and everything opened up to let the air thru as much as possible. Yesterday, Harris & Kit - neighbors on the south side and the ones that had noticed the water running out and had shut it off - came over. He had been looking underneath, and saw some bulges in the undercover sheeting (not the right name, but I don't know what it's called) where water had apparently gathered on top of it and was pushing it down. He had several ideas about what to do about it, but no time to help me, as they were pulling out this morning - SO - this morning, by about 9:00am, I was under the camper, punching holes to drain the water. I had some success, but had no idea what to do next, when another "old guy" came along and saw my feet sticking out :) and offered to help! He showed up at exactly the right time - right when I was about to the end of my rope, trying to figure out what to do. After 2-3 hours of effort - R.G.(I have no idea what his name is. He told me a big long story about it - says it stands for "Real Good") & I poked more holes and put some braces to push up on the bulges. Tom (the park owner) came by and offered to loan me a shop vac, which we fixed so it blows air into the space where the water is, and I have been keeping it going most of the afternoon. The inside of the camper is getting pretty well dried out, and I hope after a couple of days of letting it drain, and blowing it out with the shop vac, the underneath will be OK. It's a very good thing this didn't happen while I had company, as there would have been MUCH more stuff on the floor to get wet!

 I have signed up for a spinning/weaving workshop at the library in Walsenburg that is tomorrow and wednesday from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm, so I will be doing that for the next 2 days.

 The cause of all this was a small hose that supplies water to the toilet stool came "unconnected"! I put it back on myself and tightened the clamp holding it, but will be keeping an eye on it for quite awhile - that's for sure!

The "Big Flood"!



Bear tracks!



Oh my goodness, what a day! We got John & Sydney's stuff all packed in the car and were ready to leave for Raton, NM when the guy next door stopped us very excitedly to tell us about the bear incident over at "Sammies" Motel last night. The bear (or bear-s) got into the grease barrel beside the restaurant and had a feast on grease, and there were tracks everywhere. Of course J & S wanted to go see about that so we did and here's the proof - in case you can't tell, those are bear tracks! We arrived in Raton about Noon, found the McDonalds and ate, then located the Depot and picked up their tickets. Hmmmmm - Now what? - the train doesn't leave till 5:00! So we "whiled away" the afternoon at the park....the library.....back to McDonalds.....back to the park......back to the Depot...found out the train was late, so sat around there until - Finally! - it arrived - 1hr and 30 min. late! We shared the depot and the wait with about a hundred boy scouts just returned from 10 days of camping and backpacking in the wilds of New Mexico. Got the kids (and the boyscouts) on the train headed for Kansas and me headed for La Veta at about 6:30 pm. I had planned to stop at the Walmart in Trinidad, missed the exit, stopped at the rest stop, backtracked to Walmart, got a few things, and headed for home.  Shouldna' stopped, because by the time I got to Walsenburg, it was getting very dark, and that meant I had to navigate 11 miles of curvy road (plus 5 miles of VERY curvy road) to get home in the VERY DARK DARK!  Poor planning on my part, but I made it and was giving myself a pat on the back as I carried my groceries in, when I saw the note on my door! It said "Your water is turned off because there is a major water leak. I suggest you leave it off." It didn't take long to figure out what the problem was, the hose supplying water to the stool had come lose and flooded my camper! I spent the next couple of hours pulling sopping wet throw rugs outside and soaking up water with towels. Got it partly cleaned up, carpet is soaking wet, but I'll tackle that problem tomorrow! I'm going to bed!





We went to Cuchara today so John & Sydney could eat one last time at the Dog Bar and tomorrow we will head down I-25 to Raton, New Mexico where they will board the Amtrak train and be on their way to Hutchinson, Kansas!  The train doesn't leave until around 5:00 pm, but we will go early enough to get something to eat in Raton, and be at the Depot plenty early.  I think they're kind of excited about the train ride - I would be! :)  Needless to say, I'm a little sad to see them go. Guess I'll have some quiet time now - maybe will get to some of the painting and other projects I had planned for this summer!

Rode the Library bicycles this morning - Sydney & I did!  It's probably been about 10 years since the last time I rode one, & I was a little shaky at first, but it must be true that riding a bike is a skill you never lose, because I was able to do it! J & S washed their clothes, in preparation for packing to ride the train home. Tomorrow, they would like to go to the Dog Bar in Cuchara for lunch one last time so we'll probably do that! I signed up for a weaving class in Walsenburg next week - 2 full days! I'm looking forward to it!

Today we visited "Bishop's Castle" - a very strange rambling structure up in the mountains SW of Pueblo. Here's what was written by one person about it:

 You owe it to yourself to see this castle first-hand in your lifetime! Bishop's Castle was built by one man over the course of 42 years and he is still working on building more! It has 3 tall towers (all of which you can climb stairs to the top and look out), a magnificently huge glass ballroom, a fire-breathing dragon, a bell that you can ring, flying buttresses, stained glass windows and a mind-blowing amount of iron and stonework. As I said, do yourself a favor and go out of your way to see one of the last truly free, hand-built wonders of America.

He is there most days visiting with the visitors! He is somewhat of a political radical, and loves an audience, so I was told to be careful about talking to him! There is much, much more to the structure than you can see in these pictures.

Went out to Jim & Peggy Hoobler's place today, to check it out, in case I decide to take him up on the offer to park my camper there, then picked up my mail at the Post Office, and paid my rent  -  to Sept. 7.  Afterwards, John & Syd went bicycle riding. The library has 4 bicycles that may be checked out to ride - just like checking out books! They are not, however, classy 10 speeds or anything like that. They are big old fashioned bikes - no hand brakes, or fancy handlebars or seats - not like anything J or S had ever seen, let alone been on. They rode them around town for an hour or so, though, and afterwards, said it was "kinda fun"!\ This eve we went & ate spaghetti at Sammie's (benefit dinner), but didn't stay for the auction - too crowded and noisy to be fun! Tomorrow - The Castle! Talked to Kerry - guess I'll be sending J & S home on Amtrak, Sat. afternoon, from Raton, New Mexico - about an hour from here. They will get into Hutch. around 2:00 AM. :(

The sign says "His Ranch" - makes you wonder, doesn't it!

 Up and on our way to Alamosa by 9:00 am - beautiful drive over La Veta Pass and to Mass at Sacred Heart Church by 10:30 (on time!). Pretty much everything in this part of Colorado shows the Spanish/Mexican influence - buildings, names of towns and the streets in them, colors, etc - and this church is no exeception, right down to the congregation! Mostly brown skinned people with beautiful black haired children. To eat at Cavillo's Mexican Food Buffet afterwards, then grocery shopping at Walmart and back home by 3:00. There is a town picnic here in La Veta starting at 4:00, and I have promised we'll go check it out...........and we did.....6:00 now, just got home from the picnic. It wasn't a big affair - just a bunch of people gathered in the La Veta City Park, milling around and sitting at picnic tables under the shelter`, live music by a small local group, and someone cooking hotdogs on a grill. For $2, you got a hotdog, chips and a chocolate chip cookie, so now we've had supper!  We sat at a table with Dick & Thelma, a retired minister and his wife, whom we quickly got acquainted with, and were joined by Jim & Peggy Hoobler. Peggy is the local theatre person who directed and organized the melodrama at the Francisco Center for the Performing Arts a couple of weeks ago where Ashley, Ally & I spent a very enjoyable evening. Jim played the "fill in" character "Goober Hoobler", who had everyone laughing so hard!  They live just outside of town and offered to rent me space to park my camper there during the coming winter.

Not much to write about except the weather - It got hot today! Here! Well, not 103 degrees hot like it did in Hutchinson, KS and some other places, but acording to the weather app on my phone, it was 89, and to me, that's hot! So didn't do much but stay inside with the AC on.  J & S walked down to Charlie's to get ice cream. One good thing about this town - you can walk to anyplace in it. Planning a trip to Alamosa tomorrow, to Mass and to a Mexican Buffet Restaurant that I'm very sure John & Syd are going to like! Teresa & Kelly, you know what I'm talkin' about!

Not much going on here today. John & Sydney may be thinking they should have stayed in Kansas! We did drive over to Walsenburg and do a little shopping for paper plates, and other exciting things, The campground is completely full tonight, and I counted 4 extras - campers parked in places that aren't really places, waiting for some one to vacate tomorrow morning. The people on the north side of me are leaving  - going back to Garden City, so that means we'll have new neighbors on that side. The couple on the other side are "fulltimers" - spending the summer in one place (here in La Veta for the last 4-5 years), then moving to a warmer climate for the winter. A lot of the campers in the park are retirees - 60+ - but many are younger folks on vacation. There is one choice area along the river which is almost entirely populated by retirees who have come to spend the whole summer here, and will be back to do the same next year.

A beautiful rainbow over eastern Colorado!

Today mostly spent driving. After spending the night in the Super 8 in Dodge City (and yes, doing a little gambling!), John, Sydney, and I headed for Colorado about 10 a.m.  Stopped several times - once at "Jack & Wanda's Tasty House" cafe in Holly, Colorado to eat lunch.  Had a nice visit with Jack, the owner/waiter, a sweet and friendly little man - kinda reminescent of Dad/Grandpa,  Wanda was going around picking up stuff. (Sydney says). It was a long day, and we're all 3 tired but John drove part of the way, and that helped me a lot!

Made it to Pueblo, found a Jiffy Lube and got the oil changed, then got on Hwy 50 and headed east! Now waiting for Kerry, Tracey, John & Sydney at the Super 8 in Dodge City.


The view today - Western Kansas!

For all you who think Katy is sweet, but not very smart (I hate to admit it, but I include myself in this group) - listen to this! She was begging at the door, so I opened it and went down the steps.  I turned around to take her out and just at that moment, she literally leaped out of the camper and landed on the ground (splat!), picked herself up and took out running toward the dog run area of the campground. I quickly got my shoes on, grabbed the treats, and ran after her, and - guess what - by the time I got there, she was busy doing her business! Maybe she's "seen the light"!! :o

Quite a rain/storm this afternoon, and I saw it coming as we came down Hwy 12 on the way back from Walsenburg. There were some very black clouds hanging over La Veta!

Ate at Sammies this eve - their BLT is really good! Realized my car is badly in need of an oil change - located a couple of places in Pueblo where I can get it done - my plan is to leave by 7:30 or so, and get the oil changed there, then on to Dodge City to meet Kerry & Tracey and bring John & Sydney back with me.





The view from here (actually from over by the office)

  Went to pick up my mail at the Post Office shortly after noon, then to "Charlie's Groceries and Ice Cream" store to get milk. Just couldn't make it past the ice cream counter without stopping to buy a "single dip of praline-pecan ice cream in a waffle cone" - Mmmmmmm!  Later went to what I call "Happy Hour" - a gathering under the trees by the creek (well, it would be a creek if it had any water in it - right now it's just a "slough" full of rocks!). This happens every afternoon at 4:00 - everyone takes lawn chairs and drinks and the women form one large circle with their chairs, the men form their own circle, and a whole lotta visitin' goes on! A good way for everyone to get acquainted, & I have met most of the women in the park this way - don't remember very many of their names, but I've met them! :)  I walked over by the office to take this picture - near sundown.

Katie's Adventure on Hwy 12

The day started off slowly - slept late (7:30!) :) messed around till about 1:00 and decided to run into Walsenburg (15 miles) and pick up a few things at the Dollar General Store. It was raining when I left, and on the way back, the cloud formations over the mountains were so spectacular that even though it was still spitting rain, I stopped at a "pullover" a couple of miles outside of town to take some pictures. I jumped out and was snapping away, when it started raining harder, so I quickly got back in the car and drove "home".  I parked and turned around to get Katy out of the back seat and she wasn't there! - or anyplace else in the car! I quickly drove back out to where I had stopped, half expecting to find her dead or badly hurt on the road, but she was nowhere to be seen. The speed limit out there is 65, and most cars are going at least that fast - lots of curves too, so would be hard to see a little dog until it was too late. After driving up and down that stretch of highway several times I gave up and came home, convinced I had seen the last of my little dog, and very upset! About 15 minutes later, I got a phone call! Two young ladies - sisters, maybe 15 and 17 - had found her and picked her up - and - long story short - it wasn't long before I had my puppy dog back!  Sometime later, I glanced out the door of my camper to see a deer stroll past - maybe 3 - 4 ft from the door! I grabbed my phone/camera and went out to see not one, but two deer strolling around the RV park eating grass.

I've never seen a town with so much wildlife in it!

Very quiet day! Kelly and Teresa said goodbye last night, as they had to get on the road early this morning to drive first to Colorado Springs to pick up Teresa's Mom, Mary, then to Lawrence - Total of 644 miles, Kelly said later! I spent the day doing some "maintenance chores" and taking it easy. Clouded up and rained (again) this afternoon - has been doing that about every day since I've been here. Nice rain, off & on for about 30 minutes, then cleared off about the time I went to Mass - 6:00 - at Christ the King, here in La Veta.  The priest is from Uganda and a little hard to understand - also has long sermons, about 30 minutes! The church is small and looks to be quite old. A little bit reminiscent of St Peters at Willowdale, but not as well kept.

Train ride

Another busy day! Rode the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad out to the top of La Veta Pass where some very enjoyable music and entertainment was presented in a natural ampitheatre run by solar and wind power.  Kelly, Teresa & I boarded the train at about 9:45, and returned around 5:00.  One highlight of the trip was the 7 or 8 bears sighted alongside the track in one area.  Later, K & T came over & we had one last evening of visiting - they will leave early in the morning to go to Colorado Springs & pick up Teresa's Mom, then return to Kansas.  They will be driving to Lawrence first to help Kristen & Leah move, then on home to Wichita on Sunday.  I will have a few days of solitude before driving to Dodge City next week to meet Kerry & Tracey and pick up John & Sydney.  I will miss my company, no doubt about it, but if I'm going to pursue this lifestyle, I'd better expect to be alone quite a bit of the time!

Catching up on posting

Thursday, July 28, 2011 - Today we drove up to Cripple Creek - looked around a little bit, did some gambling, and drove home. Teresa came home with a profit of about $90, Kelly & I didn't do so well! Were all very tired by the time we got back - about 7:00p, so went home & to bed early.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - Drove to Alamosa, by way of the Sand Dunes National Park - http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm . Nice drive, and nice day - the Dunes were spectacular, as usual! Didn't do much in Alamosa, but a little Walmart shopping (a $29 printer for me), and eat at a very good Mexican Buffet. Back "home" in time to take a nap, then K&T brought dinner over (Chef Salad) and Kelly played his guitar for awhile.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - K & T spent the day in and around Colorado Springs visiting Teresa's Mom & Aunt. I stayed home (for a change) and "played catchup" - later joined them at the La Veta Inn where they ate dinner after they returned. Had my first "Camper Emergency" in the form of a power outage. Had called the Camper Repair & Svc. place in Walsenburg, but Circle the Wagons - owner came & reset the main breaker and saved the day!

Monday, July 25, 2011 - Drove down to Trinidad by way of the Scenic Highway of Legends - http://www.highwayoflegends.com/index.php?showimage=7 - viewing many historical places along the way and stopping at some. A little shopping at Walmart while in Trinidad. Located the Amtrak "depot" - could be described as a very small shed. Back home for a nap, then later we drove down to Cuchara where we ate dinner at the "Dog Bar".

Sunday, July 24, 2011 - K & T drove me to Walsenburg to church, after church we drove to Pueblo where looked around some, went on a short riverboat tour - http://www.puebloharp.com/ - and ate at an Italian Restaurant recomended by the young man at the Riverwalk Boat tour place.Back later to my "house" for hamburgers and Guitar music by Kelly!

Sunday, July 24 - Ally, Ashley and Austin headed for home this morning after meeting Kelly & Teresa for breakfast.

Saturday, July 23 - Today we stayed around here - out to the Lathrop State Park for awhile - Ally & Ashley walked aways and stuck their feet in the water. Austin liked that part! Kelly & Teresa got into town about 5:15 and after eating with them at the restaurant at Sammies where they are staying, (and leaving Austin with them) Ashley, Ally & I went to the Melodrama at the La Veta Center for the Performing Arts. - a converted church/theatre! a unique, interesting, and very entertaining evening topped off by a "bear viewing" in the motel parking lot! It ran across the lot just as we were driving in, then hung around awhile to peer from behind a tree at the humans who had come outside to peer at it!

Friday, July 22 - we traveled in the direction of Colorado Springs, did several of the Royal Gorge activities - across then down into the Gorge. It got pretty hot there, especially standing in line for the incline rail. Austin was a trooper - most of the time riding on his mother's back (or front)! To Garden of the Gods after that before returning to La Veta.

Thurs., July 21 - We went to Cuchara for lunch at the "Dog Bar", then on to Trinidad and the Super Walmart store VIA the "Highway of Legends".


Wed., July 20 - Ally & Ashle (& Austin) had a few problems getting here, but finally arrived about 1:00 am. First was the heavy rain (Lamar, I think), then after leaving La Juanta on that long lonely stretch of road called Hwy 10, they (mistakenly) took a detour which added about an hour to their trip - did arrive safely though and I was very glad to see them!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Monday morning we headed for Cripple Creek about 10:00. We would have gone sooner, but had to wait until "Charlie's" opened to get ice cream before leaving! Charlie's is a small local grocery store and ice cream parlor.  There are benches outside and they are usually occupied by ice cream eating people. We also planned to visit the "Bishop's Castle" - a strange and unusual castle built by a strange and unusual man named Bishop. After several hours of wandering and not finding the castle, we gave up and went on to Cripple Creek.  Had reserved a room at the "Cripple Creek Motel" - the only motel in town that accepts dogs - and as Sydney expressed it in a Facebook entry: it was a "piece of poop motel"! Stayed overnight and (of course) enjoyed an evening of gambling. Back to La Veta on Tues., and a quiet evening at "home" - except for a short picture taking trip into the country, both directions from town.  Wednesday, Kerry, Tracey, John & Sydney started the trip home about 8:30.  Very quiet after they all left, and I spent the day doing laundry and getting ready for my next visitors - Ally, Ashley, and Austin.  They are on the way - called from Holly, Colo., where they had stopped to wait for a rain storm to pass, and should be here sometime after midnight. Hopefully not too much after!

La Veta is a very unique and interesting little town. Among the unique features are the deer which wander around town. They are obviously accustomed to people and not at all afraid - will stand and watch as people and cars pass by.  Bears are also common in the area - Sydney saw two yesterday while on the train ride to La Veta Pass.

Another long day of painting! Kerry & I went at 9:00 am to our painting class at the La Veta School of the Arts and with a short lunch break, painted all day until 4:00. Tracey took John & Sydney on a day trip up to Alamosa and the Sand Dunes, and did a little shopping for camper supplies.  The painting class was really great - we both felt like we learned a lot - plus had a lot of fun! Tomorrow will probably head for Cripple Creek and maybe spend the night near there.

Kerry, Tracey, John & Sydney arrived Wednesday eve., about 5.

Thurs. we all drove to the "Lazy S" otherwise known as Dennis & Marilyn's Colorado place near Antonito, where Denise, Michael, and 3 of Michaels friends are spending a few days. Said Hi to Denise and borrowed a couple of painting books, then drove down to Taos, N.M. where we ate Dinner and looked around a little. Stopped on the way at the Rio Grande Gorge, near Taos, also stopped at a place where they are building things out of tires, cans and cement. Very strange. 

Fri.. we drove to Cuchara, then on down to Trinidad and Raton, NM. Tried to find the depot in Trinidad, but never did locate it, so went on to Raton and found the one there.  In case we need to send John & Sydney on the train, I'll know where to go to put them on. Tri

Saturday, Kerry & I went to our watercolor painting lesson/workshop. Tracey and kids went rode on the train out to Fir where there was a live concert, then back on the train.

Long day - tired - going to sleep now - maybe write some tomorrow night.

.............the rest of the story about the awning. About 30 minutes after I got it up and took the picture (and sat under it - smiling) the wind came up and started blowing pretty hard. I was struggling to get it down and having trouble when a neighbor showed up to help me. I'm finding out that the wind blows in Colorado too - maybe not quite as hard as at home, but I'll probably just leave the darned awning down from now on!  Later yesterday I drove to Walsenburg (15 mi.) to Dollar General and a hardware store. Also noticed a Safeway there, so a little more shopping there than in La Veta.

Today I decided I needed to start getting out more, so was walking Katy over by the river (really more like a creek) and talked to a lady whose trailer is parked nearby. She invited me to come to "Happy Hour" at 4:00. Everyone brings their lawn chair and whatever they want to drink and they put the chairs in a big circle there by the river under the trees and have a "gabfest". I went, met a bunch of women and enjoyed it. There are actually two circles of chairs - one for the women and another for the men - a great way to get acquainted!



I just finished putting up the awning -
ALL BY MYSELF!!!!





Now Livin' in La Veta!

It's Monday morning, July 11 - I'm sitting here in my camper in La Veta, Colorado - just realized I haven't written anything since before we left Hutch and I really intended to! Here's a rundown of the time since then:

Wed., July 6th - Steve & Kathy took off work about 4:00 and we left town at 5:15. Drove to Dodge City, parked the camper in an RV park, and went to the Casino for a couple of hours. 

Thurs., 7/7 - Next morning we headed out about 8:30 and got to La Veta around 2:00 with several stops along the way. Got the camper all set up and ate at __????_________  An uneventful trip (Thank God!) but of course a little tiring and stressful.  Later drove down to Trinidad to the Walmart store to get some groceries and other stuff.

Fri., 7/8 - Spent part of the day getting stuff into the camper and unloading. Steve worked on getting the awning down. It was stuck with the "pull cord" in the wrong place - hadn't rolled up with the awning. He got it down and "fixed". Drove down to Cuchara - spent a couple of hours there,   checked out the local grocery store.

Sat., 7/9 - Ate lunch at the little diner (Italian sausage sandwich - huge!), Drove out to the Lake and looked around, Later had ice cream at Charlies. I went to Mass at 6:00

Sun., 7/10 -  Kathy & Steve left about 9 am - I worked on my curtains and getting the rest of the stuff in out of the car and washed some clothes. First night by myself in Colorado!

All of these days, Kathy cooked at least 2 meals a day, sometimes 3! After the first couple of days when we were traveling, then getting settled, we ate out very little.  She's a wonderful cook, & I probably gained some pounds!  Steve worked at getting the camper level, fixing the awning and getting it easier to put up & down, taking the hitch off his truck, and other stuff. Also did his best to educate me about "camper maintenance".   Don't know how I would have managed without them.

Almost travelin' time!

Sarah's headin' back to Texas - as I "speak", Ally has returned to Kansas City, the Sheahans gathered at The Farm one more time, and July 4th, 2011 is history! The fireworks seemed more numerous and louder than ever this year. I wonder if it's a sign of improvement in the economy - people spending more money on fireworks? Today Katie gets a haircut, I tie down as many loose ends as I can get hold of, and try to remember everything I may need in the next 2 months - and - tomorrow we head for Colorado!

July 1st, only 5 more days!

Gettin' stuff together to leave - freakin' out a little bit at the thoughts of being gone from my home and my family (and my hometown, and my friends, and my church, etc., etc., etc.) for 2 months!  I'm going ahead with my plan though........no turning back now!!!

It's a start!

Whoee!!  My camper is on it's way! Well, kinda. We (Steve, Kathy, Tracey & I) went out to Spring Lake yesterday and got it ready to go - put everything away, disconnected water, electric, etc., and put the slide in.  Steve went out today, got it and pulled it to a friend's property where he will pick it up tomorrow and take it to the Camper supply place in South Hutch where the "load leveler hitch" will be put on.  It will stay there until we're ready to leave next Wed. after 5:00.  The plan is: drive to Dodge City and spend the night, then go on the next day and arrive in La Veta by early afternoon.  Oh my gosh! I'm actually doing this!! One week from today - July 6 - we'll be on out way to Colorado!

Countdown Time!

Three weeks from yesterday - Wed., July 6th - we will head for Colorado.  I met Steve (Zahn) - the guy half of the couple that is going to pull my camper to La Veta - at "Discount RV" in South Hutch and we talked to the guy there about a hitch and made plans to have it put on the car. Have been working on the camper - replaced all the curtains - with a lot of help from Kerry & Tracey.  Whoee!! Am I excited?!!!!

"Casa De Mama" has arrived!

They delivered my camper last friday, Mar. 25, 2011!!!!!! It is now sitting out at Spring Lake RV Resort on lot 75 (?)! Tracey and I went over to Flint Hills RV fri. morning and did the "walk thru" and learned everything there is to know (I wish!) about it. I used my Digital Voice Recorder, and Tracey took notes and hopefully we have a record of all the important information.  Sat afternoon, John & Sydney & I went out & spent the night.  Went pretty well, but so COLD!! Probably won't do that again until it warms up!

Preview trip

I left at 7:00 am, and met Florene in Arlington where we ate breakfast.  Left there about 8:30, and arrived in La Veta about 5:00. We had a great time - the mountains are just as beautiful as I remembered, and the trip reinforced my lifetime dream of spending the summer in Colorado!