Holiday hike

It's been unusually mild this winter, which has allowed John and I to enjoy the outdoors even longer. Christmas Eve turned out to be the perfect day to explore more of the hiking trails throughout the Colorado National Monument. We're in Colorado, we might as well enjoy it!

What's different?

Can you see the difference between these two pictures? (not counting cleanliness)




That's right ... We put new pulls on our kitchen cabinets! I know it seems like small potatoes, but there will be no more nails breaking, splitting or pulled back painfully while opening cabinets. The extra benefit is it adds panache!

Ridgway to Ouray

Swimming is a very important part of any trip with Levi, so we went to Ridgway State Park. We had heard it was a fun, beautiful place, and they were right. We had a picnic first.


And then Levi froze his tush off in the reservoir.


We then went on to Ouray, Colo., which is known for its springs. It's a beautiful town surrounded by the mountains.

I started to drive the Million Dollar Highway for this view, and had to turn around after a few miles. There is no guard rail and we were driving next to a cliff. My nerves couldn't take it, and I won't do it again!

I had such a great time with Mom and Levi. It was sad to see them go.

Grand Mesa

The third day we made the trek up the Grand Mesa, which was about 30 degrees cooler than in the valley of Grand Junction. Levi and I are posing near the Powderhorn Ski Resort that overlooks the valley. You can see the Bookcliffs in the background.



It was so green on top of the Grand Mesa, and there are a number of lakes scattered about. Absolutely gorgeous!

This is another gorgeous lake. I really like the picture since it looks like Mom and Levi are standing in front of a back drop. It also makes you want to go camping ...

Fun in the Sun

The second day Mom and Levi were here, Levi and I went to the gym, we all went shopping, went to the pool and Levi got a ride in the convertible. Here he is looking too cool for school.




John had a good time taking him for a ride.


While the boys were gone, mom and I got out the mower to attack our little grass patch. I barely started when the boys showed up. Levi wanted to try the rotary mower out...

Then mom ...

And John finished up. There's nothing better than making your chores look fun and having someone else finish them up for you! I'm sure there's a bit of Tom Sawyer in all of us.

Glenwood Springs, Colo.

It was great having Mom and Levi out his past week for a visit. We had so much fun! Our first adventure was Glenwood Springs and the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. We took a ride up Iron Mountain on a tram, which is always an experience trying to get on and off a moving, swaying pod, but we got some great views on the way up.



Our first stop was the cave, which is was quite beautiful. One of the "rooms" is the second largest in the state. I have to say I was surprised since there are much larger caves in Missouri. I thought Colorado would have larger caves, but I guess not.



We took time to step outside the cave and take a look at the view of the Colorado River down below, and this thrill ride that swings you out over the canyon. I couldn't wait to try it out!

And then I got on it, and the butterflies started. We flew out over the canyon, looking at the river and highway approximately 4,000 feet below. I couldn't wait to do it again, but Levi sure could.

Levi rode the bull and laughed the entire time before getting thrown off.

I rode the bull and told them to stop BEFORE I got thrown off. By looking at the picture, I think I could have just stood up ...

We had lunch overlooking the city of Glenwood Springs.

And we rode the Alpine Coaster, which goes incredibly fast the more weight you have on the sled. This was our first go, and they assured me that the sled wouldn't fly off the coaster rails. It was so much fun, we did it again, but we did it on our own.

We sluiced for gems.

And we flew over the canyon once more before we made the trek back home. Levi is such a brave guy!

Fam Trip

This past weekend, John's brother's family came for a visit. Kevin, Kim and Kate made the trek from East Texas by car, stopping to see the sights along the way. We had a wonderful time! Thursday night we went to the Downtown Farmer's Market and the next day we went through the Colorado National Monument. Aren't they cute!

Kate and I went off on a trail and spotted this lizard. At first it looked like a toy since it was so brightly colored, but then it scampered off into the shade where John shot this picture. Definitely real.


After our hike, which was longer than we expected, Kate was bushed.


Both of us were ready to stop the hiking in the crazy heat. We ended up taking a short cut off the trail on the main road. We're such rule breakers!


Then we drove through the monument, close to the cliff's edge. This is how I felt about Kevin's driving ... Kim went to her "happy place". (Just kidding, Kevin! You did great!)


Glamor shots of me and John. You know it's mandatory. I'll be sure to post more pix of our grand adventure with the Matthews. Stay tuned.

Cocker's Concert

Last night John and I made the trek to Hotchkiss, Colo., a town around 500 people to see Joe Cocker. He's still got it and he put on a great show. His band was incredible and the fans were definitely into the concert.

Since Joe has a ranch and makes his home in Crawford, he puts on a benefit concert every year for the Cocker Kids Foundation. CKF benefits local kids with scholarships, camps, etc.

John and I skewed to the older side, but it's not to say that there wasn't tomfoolery happening in the audience, including a bit of the "medical" marijuana. Maybe those folks were reliving the Joe Cocker concert from Woodstock.

John and I before the concert.

Joe Cocker rockin' out.

We were able to go to a meet and greet, so I took John's picture with Joe. Yeah, we're on a first name basis ...

Telluride, Colo

Spring is here, and John and I are back at it; traveling the state and taking in the vacation spots others plan for all year. There are pros and cons to every place you live, but this is definitely a pro.

Last weekend John and I traveled to Telluride, which is about a two and a half hour drive from Grand Junction. Driving that small distance, I felt like I was definitely on vacation because the scenery changed so drastically, from the red rocks of the desert to the green trees and mountainous landscape of this cute little Colorado mining town.

The week prior it had been incredibly hot, but the day we left for Telluride, we had all kinds of rain and hail. You can see that the picture of main street is cloudy. Usually there's a huge mountain you can see towering over the valley community.



Telluride is definitely an exclusive community. There are no chain stores or restaurants to be found. If you're in Telluride, you meant to go to Telluride. This is not a community you drive through to get somewhere else since it's so tucked away. I'm sure this is what makes it the perfect getaway for stars like Oprah and Tom Cruise.

At the end of town you can see Bridal Falls. On Saturday, this is the view we had. Even though we couldn't see the top of the mountains, it was absolutely gorgeous.

We stayed in Mountain Village, just outside Telluride, on Saturday night. The hotel was very nice and the staff was incredibly accommodating at the Inn at Lost Creek. When we got up the next morning, the skies had cleared and we saw the true majesty of the surrounding Rockies.

To get from Mountain Village down to Telluride, we took the free Gondola. It's a perfect piece of transportation and incredibly convenient; take the Gondola up to get to the grocery store and down to get to Telluride. They also had a free shuttle. John and I think we could've been the perfect trust fund kids. :)

Concert with Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker, think old blues/rock guy and the "Wonder Years" theme song, lives about an hour from Grand Junction. He established the Cocker Kids Foundation to help local children that are less fortunate. In July Joe, we're on a first name basis now, is throwing a concert to benefit the foundation. My sweet hubby got us tickets. Should be fun!

Bloomin' Deals

Since I'm a member of the Botanical Garden board, I decided to go in with my friend Val on a booth for Bloomin' Deals. Bloomin' Deals is where folks can come to buy plants and handmade goods. I had my bags and jewelry and Val and her husband sold their woodworking creations. We didn't have near the turn out as expected, but we had a nice time.

Lunch with Ben Stein

Today I had lunch with Ben Stein. OK, I had lunch with Ben Stein and several other guests in the gymnasium at Mesa State College. Once I got past the thought of him saying, "Bueller, Bueller," I could truly listen.

He had a lot of good, and very insightful, things to say about our economy and how government is working today. Nothing really jumped out at me, but it was nevertheless exciting to have the opportunity to listen to a noted economist, author, and television personality.

An Artist in my Home

That artist happens to be John. After our trip to Canyonlands National Park, we decided that this picture was frame worthy. In my opinion, this photo is as good or better than some of the photos selling in galleries of the same view. John had the picture blown up and put on canvas.

The photo up close and personal on a white wall.

And the photo hung where we think it will stay. (sorry for the bad lighting)

Hanging Flume Event

I know you've stayed up late at night wondering about Hanging Flume's. Well, you've come to the right place! We had the DVD premiere event last weekend for "Hanging Flume: The Best Kept Secret of the Wild West" last weekend at Gateway Canyons Resort, and you, too, may know more than you ever thought possible about the Hanging Flume.

The Hanging Flume precariously perched above the Delores River near Gateway, Colo.

In all seriousness, it is quite the marvel, and you can learn more about this piece of Colorado gold mining history at www.hangingflume.org. And you can even by the DVD while you're there.

The center for all the action: Palisade Event Center, Gateway Canyons Resort

We had the premiere event for those involved in helping preserve this little-known piece of Colorado history, and they had a wonderful time.

A mountain man from the late 19th century stopped
by to tell us about the building of the Flume.

Valerie, Cat and I waiting for folks to finish watching the video. A long, yet successful, day!