Visitors a.k.a. The In-Laws

Sometimes people come to visit, too.

 

It's funny that we live in such an amazing place and get so few visitors.  Earlier this month Jim's parents came to visit.  This is the first summer visit we have had from them since we've been married.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get more than a day off of work.  Jim was able to spend the days mountain biking and traveling with them but apparently he didn't take any photos.  So, here's a peek at our one day together...

 

 Rock Solid after all those years together!

 

 A tired Stown on a stone.

 

 Trail side Skeletal Art...

 

Even better Trail side Art!

 

We went on a hike together and enjoyed a few dinners after work.  Maybe next time I can actually get some time off to go and play for more than just a day.

 

Thanks for visiting M&P!

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...

Happy Birthday Wes!!

Wes, Me & Mom (Paula)
So, today (22 Sept) is my little brother's birthday - 35 - WOW!
That makes me feel a bit old.

I didn't have any recent pictures of just him (I thought about scanning and posting one of his grade school photos!), but I found this one taken of all of us this June during a visit to Arizona.

Maybe next year I can compile a bunch of old and embarrassing photos to get him back for all the things he did to me as a kid, but then again let bygones be bygones.

I love ya, Wes! Now, stop getting older!

Norco Ranch Tour 2010

Welcome to Norco California - HorseTown USA!

Where horses rule the town and skate borders should move somewhere with real sidewalks!

Ok, not quite what the mayor once said but pretty close when she was interviewed in regards to the absence of sidewalks where dirt bridle paths line the sides of the roads. All the businesses have hitchin' posts or corrals for yer pony and you never have to drive again. However, on a side note, horses are NOT allowed on the freeway so I guess if you have to travel outside the city limits you probably do need a car.

Well, back in May, Patty (my mom) had the honors of having her ranch, White Farms, featured in the Norco Annual Ranch Tour. She needed some help so I took the opportunity to spend a long weekend in California to help her and visit Stown.

Like mother, like son. Look at that family resemblance. Donning our cowpoke hats, we helped escort visitors around the ranch like good Docents. (aka - Ranch Hand)


During the day we had a random visitor from a neighboring ranch. He didn't have a ticket and managed to sneak past the gate. After drinking his fill, he was escorted home.



Adam - Resident Horse Trainer
Don't call this cow poke a goat roper or he'll hog tie you!



Stown looks like he was born to ride. Ride what? I am not sure, but the hat looks good.

After watching Adam pull off some pretty cool rope tricks Stown had to try his hand. He managed to capture the loose lumber cow (in the background on the left). Keep practicing, boy!

Larry - Off Site Horse Trainer

Ok, so a big part of the Ranch Tour is to show off your products. Patty raises Peruvian Paso Horses. They are know for their gaited smoothness under the saddle. You can ride all day and not shake the beer in your saddlebags! Seriously though, they really are the Cadillac of horse. Sure footed on the trails and mild mannered, they can accommodate almost any rider.

(Just ask Jim - who doesn't horseback ride but rather "horse-sits". - more on that in a future post)

Last but not least - Meet Dodger
The sustainable, non-emissions, self composting lawn mower - Grass to compost in 1 hour! Actually, he lives at the ranch and is being trained to pull a riding cart and in his spare time he helps with the landscaping.

Happy Anniversary!

Sign @ Wildcat Canyon Liquors in Durango

October brought a visit from Patty (my biological mother) and her husband Gary. They celebrated their 11th anniversary on October 1st. They came up to visit us for a 4 day weekend to celebrate their anniversary, our anniversary (2yrs Oct. 3rd) and Jim's birthday (date and age with held). While they were here we wandered the shops in downtown Durango and I played tour guide.

Northside of Red Mountain Pass

I took them on a scenic drive up to Silverton, over Red Mountain Pass and into Ouray. We stopped for lots of pictures, played tourist in the shops and sampled food in the local cafes. On the night of our anniversary, the four of us went to a fine dining restaurant for a delicious four course meal. Good food, good wine and great company made for a very enjoyable evening. This was a rare treat for Jim and I since we don't eat out often and when we do it's never that extravagant. (Unfortunately, we found out that evening that the restaurant would be closing within two weeks due to the current economy.) The last day of their visit was spent watching football and playing Scrabble. I fixed a pile of ribs, a skillet of baked beans, cornbread sticks and a pear upside down cake that night. We sent them off with left overs for the road the next morning. It was sad to see them go, for I'm not sure when Jim and I will get out to California to see them. It's always nice to have company and I enjoy playing tour guide.

Open invitation to any and all that would like to see the mountains... Just please call first, so we can be dressed.