Flashbacks.....

Our 3rd Anniversary

I love that Jim and I got married in October. It is always such a beautiful time of the year here. To celebrate this year, we drove up to Silverton for a camping trip. Some people commented that it might be too cold for sleeping in a tent - I reminded them that it was our anniversary. (wink wink)
With our packs loaded up we set off up the mountain to the original site of our wedding. We didn't have far to go (see the plateau in the top right corner of the pic), so we brought a few extra luxuries. Big packs filled with indulgent foods, wine, tequila, comfy chairs... the list goes on.

Half way there with the encouragement of Doug and Aspen.
Note Aspen's pack: she carries the dog food and water.

Jim relaxing by the fire - Yes ... In Flip Flops!!

Sipping wine in the kitchen.

Happy Anniversary Baby!!

(see the snow flake to the right? - not a camera glitch)

Sunrise the next morning and SNOW!!

What a glorious way to start the day.

After coffee, pancakes with real maple syrup and bacon we packed up for the descent.
The snow had melted off by time we left and we were thankful not to have to desend in such slippery conditions.

Along the road on the drive out we found bear tracks. Mama and Baby. See how the Mama holds a straight line of travel while the Baby wanders back and forth?

We also had an AMAZING visitor in the morning. A certain something came to join us for breakfast but was kept at bay by the dogs. We are sure that if they had not been with us the visitor would have come right into our camp.

What was it you ask?

Well, stay tuned for the next post and find out...

Flashbacks.....

All BEFORE a Day's Work

I had to be to work at 1pm that afternoon, but I had a ton of tomatoes and Serrano peppers that just wouldn't wait another day. So I made quick work in the kitchen and managed to get most everything canned or froze before I had to leave for my real job.

3 Qts. Tomato Soup Base (freezer)

1Qt. + 4Pts. Stewed Tomatoes (canned)

2 Different Batches of Salsa =

4Pts. + 8 1/2 Pts. (canned)

1Pt. in fridge for snacking (not pictured)

(Not pictured = 1 loaf of bread & 1 scalloped potato casserole for dinner)

Yummy chunks of fresh herbs and veggies!

Leftovers
The peppers got dried and the 'maters found their home in a fresh pot of pasta sauce.

I love getting so much done in the morning. It makes the rest of the day seem relaxed.

Flashbacks.....

Sam

Sam came to visit a few weeks back. She once lived here and worked at the Post Office with me but then received an amazing promotion and is now the Post Master in Creede. (I miss her dearly.) She brought her dogs and we went for a hike in the beautiful fall colors.

While we hiked we failed to take many pictures. Oh well. We had fun and so did all the dogs.

Congrats on the move Sam!!

1st Day of School - In Durango!!

Cheshire Cat?

Nope, it's Stown!!

Today was Stown's first day of school here in Durango and it was also the school's Halloween celebration. Students were encouraged to wear costumes. How cool to be able to dress up for your first day at a new school.
Stown created the costume himself. Black pants, a black shirt and loads of pink and purple duct tape (I didn't know it came in such colors) and the Cheshire cat was born. On Halloween he will be painting his face but for school it was not allowed.

Dinah's rear end, Jim & Stown

Jim drove him to town this morning. He was to be at school early to receive a tour of the location of his classes. We toured the campus yesterday but with out his schedule it was only a general information tour. Yeah, my big freshman!!

Due to a strange series of events last week, Stown showed up on our doorstep at 11pm on Thursday night in the rain. Earlier that afternoon Patty (mom) and Gary (step dad) also arrived in town. The past seven days have been non-stop hustle and bustle with family visits, sightseeing, eating out (I think I gained a few pounds!) and pursuing school options for Stown. After the parents left to head home to California, we had our final school interview. Stown is now attending Durango High School as a freshman. We all have many adjustments to make in the days to come. Jim and I are extremely happy to have Stown here with us and Stown is happy to be here. We can't wait to see what the future holds!!

Love to all....

Remember, good things DO come to those who wait!!!

June California Trip: Part VIII

PART: VIII

The Home Stretch

After a quick butt-kickin' contest I won the shotgun position of the front seat.
Too many hours, days, weeks on the road and the natives were getting restless!

We Love Our Chauffeur!!

Thankfully, we DID actually make it home that night. The old cat was (and still is) alive. What a crazy trip!! So much to see and do and people to visit and miles to drive. We had a great time but it was nice to be back in our own beds.

Hope you enjoyed the journey - Thanks for reading!!

June California Trip: Part VII

PART: VII

Williams, Az & the Horvath Family Campsite

Me, Erin, Gigi, Stown, Eric & Tanner

What a campsite!! On our way home from Bullhead City, we pass right through Williams AZ and just a few miles out of town my dearest and longest running friends (25 years!) were camping. So, of course we had to head down the dirt road for a quick visit. Erin tried to talk us into staying the night. Since we already had all our camping equipment and Stown could crash inside their trailer it was not easy to say no. However, Jim really wanted to get home - we had left the old cat alone for almost two weeks, he wanted to make sure she was still alive and we were only 6 1/2 hours from home. (We did have a house/cat sitter, but she was instructed not to call us if the cat died, for there was nothing we could do from another state.) After a few beers and lots of stories between all of us the decision was made - We were staying the night!!

YEAH!!

Eric & the trap, Me ( background), Tanner, Corbin & Erin

With the decision to stay finalized, we set up our tent and we all headed to the lake to set the crayfish traps.

Party Mascot!!
Did you know crayfish liked chips & beer?


Tanner, Erin, Corbin & Eric
What a Great Lookin' Family!!

Aspen

The next morning the boys disappeared over the hill and Aspen pointed the way for us.

Tanner, Stown, Corbin & Sandy

Leave it to boys to search out and discover a cave in the rocks.

Well, after a day and night of catching up on stories, beers and campfires it was time to once again pack up the truck and hit the road. Thanks E&E for letting us crash your campsite!!

This time we really were heading home to sleep in our own beds...

June California Trip: Part VI

PART: VI

Bullhead City, AZ

Jim, Brayden, Stown, Paula (mom) & Myself

So, we stopped for a quick overnight visit at my mom's place in Bullhead City AZ. Why only one night you ask? Well, if you've ever been to Bullhead in June you would understand - it's HOT!
Not just hot, but 100+ degrees hot - the kind of hot where your sweat evaporates before it can bead on your skin. Sizzle, Sizzle.

We spent a lot of time in the pool, needless to say. We had a nice visit with my mom, my brother, Wes (see Sept 22 post) and my niece, Brayden.

Then it was on the road home to the cooler mountains of Colorado...