June Photo Dump

 It's JULY!!  Our busy birthday month with 4 birthdays and an anniversary to celebrate!  But first let's wrap up June!

If it's summer, it's construction time in Colorado!  For a couple of weeks if you wanted to get to Co. Springs, you had 3 different construction zones to get through!!  Road work down to one lane between Divide and Florissant for rail guard work - complete standstill on the picture below due to installing a longer turn lane in Divide for traffic going to Cripple Creek so the usual turn lane was shut down (this was an absolute nightmare as the people turning couldn't turn because oncoming traffic was coming from Florissant to Divide so sometimes only 4 or 5 cars could get through the light going straight) - OMG - I sat for over 20 minutes trying to get through!!! And the last construction site was on the pass to Co. Springs as they had one side completely shut down as they were doing rock mitigation!!  Thankfully we're down to only 1 construction now!

Yes, that's a tornado in Teller County - my friend Beth sent me this as we were driving home from Denver!!  She lives in Divide in the Sherwood Forest subdivision - luckily no major damage, just a lot of downed trees!

The POA held its' annual Dumpster Days one weekend - Glenn always works the first morning (to get all the cool free stuff - ha!!) and we actually ordered 3 dumpsters this year instead of 2!  But as fate would have it, we didn't have many people stop by with trash so we only filled 2 of the dumpsters!

We did have a nice turnout at the BBQ that day but SO many leftovers!!  This is basically 1/3 of the leftovers we had!!

We were thrilled to have Glenn's sister Sherry along with her daughter and family join us for a late afternoon dinner and evening - they were playing tourists in Colorado along with a Red Rocks concert!  We had a fun evening with the 2 kids who are so cute and fun to be around!  They are all definitely welcome to come again when they're back in Colorado!

The latter part of June means it's time to get the POA homeowners' bills ready to mail in July!  It's always a big job to do but this year I did it with a smile on my face as it's my LAST year to be treasurer - so this was my LAST billing!  My treasurer duties will be done at the end of August which is the close of our fiscal year!  

And that's a wrap for June!

Camping - First Trip of the Season

 FINALLY!!  It's hard to believe that our first camping trip of the season was the LAST week of June!!  Whoever said retired life is NOT busy?

I let Glenn pick where we were going to go and he picked Taylor Reservoir, which is over Cottonwood Pass!  The toy hauler was all cleaned and packed and we headed out on Wednesday morning!  It's always a pretty drive to go that way and we usually see moose on the way over - and I did see one but it was a long ways away!

Usually we park the toyhauler right off the main dusty road and unload the razor to go look for a place - but Glenn decided he wanted the same place we had the last time we were here so we just headed down that EXTREMELY ROCKY BUMPY road, only to find that the spot was taken - dang!  We had to continue a little ways further in order to turn around and luckily the large place to turn around was NOT taken and we ended up just parking there!

Since it was getting towards lunchtime, we opted to just eat a bite and Glenn rested a while - it was dark and cloudy and we got some rain!  But as soon as Glenn was up, we headed out in the razor!  Our first stop was by the bridge that I like and as we were looking at this large tree that had a huge borough on it, I noticed this little guy sitting there!!

It's a very peaceful spot there and I love the stream that runs through it!

We both enjoyed the campfire that evening after dinner!  Looks like we're in the middle of nowhere doesn't it?

But this was actually our view from the campsite - gorgeous!

The next day we headed out early with our packed lunch and my coffee in hand (which is extremely hard to drink when you're bumping along in the razor!!)  And check out the columbines we noticed along the side of the road - so pretty!

Once we get high enough, the views are fantastic!

And even higher, you can see Taylor Reservoir!

Back at camp later, we put the shade out so I could read while Glenn napped!  And I just had to take a picture of THIS - wow - isn't he something!!!!!!

We had both showered after our ride that day as the trails were SO DARN DUSTY!  We were just heading out to the campfire when an older gentleman stopped by on his ATV and said there was a bull moose just over the hill at the pond!  I grabbed my phone and we drove up there and OMG - what a beautiful sight to sit and watch this magnificent moose!!  You could hear him putting his nose in the water and grabbing grass to eat!  MADE MY DAY!

All in all, a successful first trip of the season - I actually didn't forget anything which was a plus - AND we discovered we probably need to put a new water pump as we had some issues with it - always a good thing to know before you head out again!

This 'n That

 Odds and ends - whatever you want to call it!!

June 6th was National Donut Day!  I happened to be in town that day so picked up some very reasonable donuts and invited the neighbors over!

The lilacs FINALLY bloomed in Woodland Park - there is a special tree where no one lives any more and it's right down by the Safeway so I swung in there and picked some lilacs - the smell was heavenly!

My friend Carrie from Pueblo met me in Cripple Creek and we saw the melodrama together - it wasn't as great as they sometimes are but we were delighted with the "olio" where the crew sang and danced to 50's songs - it was excellent!

Before we went to the melodrama, we walked up the street to almost the end - they were having a Mustang Rally - I have NEVER seen so many mustangs in one spot - oh my gosh!!!  Had an excellent lunch at Creations Everlasting!  

We've had beautiful rhubarb growing for the last 3 years and this year was no exception!  I absolutely love the strawberry/rhubarb dessert I make but Glenn asked if I could make a crunchy top one this time - so I found a recipe and it turned out fantastic!!  I WILL make it again!

Glenn turned 73 on May 22nd - the kids got him a new pair of clogs that are more meant to wear outside so he was happy!

OKC FUN!

 Since we were on the way home from Bricktown, we decided to stop at the large ferris wheel that we had seen a few times driving on the interstate - it looked like a really cool one AND there was a large OKC sign which would be perfect for a photo op!

We pulled into this cute park and walked over for some photos!

The ferris wheel was a super nice one but no one wanted to ride it so we just took pictures!  There were also hammocks you could use and food trucks there and pop up shops - what a cute place!

And then we decided to get ice cream - another coupon in that pamphlet was for a free scoop of ice cream so what the heck - let's go!  Took a little ways to get there and what a strange part of town this place was at, but it was quite the ice cream place - they had the WEIRDEST flavors you could imagine!  I don't remember the name of the one I had but it was some kind of dark purple fruit (with seeds) and it was delicious!!  A few girls playing on the local OKC team at the World Series walked in and we visited with them for a couple of minutes!

Back at the hotel, it was DEFINITELY time to get a new hotel room - we were hoping to get one on the same floor and lucky enough, the maid had just cleaned next door (which had a connecting door to ours) and we ended up getting it!  The GREAT news was the fan worked in the bathroom and there was NO heavy feeling of the air when we checked it out - the bad news was the people before had smoked in it and there was still a lingering smoke smell so we sprayed a LOT of vanilla to try and mask the smell!  It was a breeze moving everything into the next room - the frig had an actual door on the freezer which helped with our ice packs - and after spending 3 nights in the other room, it was nice to know that we had a CLEAN room for the next 2 nights!

It was FINALLY time for softball games - by this time we were almost feeling like we were ready to go home we'd done so much!!  BUT instead of playing late afternoon, the games were changed to later for us because of wet fields - so now Aleah played at 8:00 and 9:30!!  WOW - that will be WAY past my bedtime by the time we get home since it was a 45 minute drive to the field!!

We relaxed a little bit and then packed our ice chest to eat at the game and headed out!  The fields there were FANTSTIC!!  They were turf and the surrouding area was so pretty!  I snapped a picture at sundown!

We had a nice covered place to sit and it was an enjoyable evening watching the girls play although they lost both games.  Driving back to the hotel in the dark with all the crazy construction was a challenge but Jill did great!

No sleeping in either from the late night as the girls played the next morning at 8:30 and 10:00!!  This time we went the opposite direction and it was only 1/2 hour away!  We dropped Aleah off and then headed back into town a little ways to get gas and stop and get coffee!  Coffee was at the Press & Plow - we went inside to order as it was a restaurant too and it was gorgeous inside - one of the classiest breakfast places I've ever seen!  I peeked at a menu on one of the tables and the prices were very decent - too bad we couldn't have eaten breakfast there but we got our coffee and then headed back to the game!

This field was not great at all - we wished we were back at the really nice one last night!!  There was a covered place to sit but the roof was metal and every time a foul ball came on it, the noise was deafening!!  Aleah had a nice hit this game but they did lose!  It was a back to back game for them and the next game didn't go any better either - darn!  But I did forget to mention that to get to this field, the drive took you through the University of Oklahoma - a beautiful campus with gorgeous brick buildings!

We relaxed in the afternoon - played some cards - rested and read!  Aleah chose Chile's to eat at that night and it was fine!  A few parents and most of the softball team all headed to an escape room for the evening - we didn't have to go since Aleah was riding with a friend so we had an evening to relax!  UNTIL we got the text that bad weather was coming in the next afternoon so all the games were being pushed up early with an hour time limit! Since the girls' played at 9:00, we would have to have all of our stuff packed and to the car to check out as we did not have another night booked at this hotel! So packing up was part of our evening!

If the girls won, they would play at 11:00 which meant there was no way we could make it home so would stop along the way and stay at a hotel!  If the girls lost, we would be ready to hit the road and make it all the way home!

Aleah had a great time at the escape room!

Tuesday morning came early and we ate quickly, packed up our remaining stuff and got the car loaded in record time!!  But first, a quick picture of Aleah in her uniform - I LOVE the stripes!

The team played at the same field as last night - darn - 1/2 hour down there in the WRONG direction from home!  Unfortunately they lost this game also!

But a loss did mean we could get home that night so we headed north on the interstate as soon as the coach was done talking to them!  It was a nice interstate up to I70 but of course there was construction - isn't there ALWAYS in the summertime!

It was a LONG drive home (and didn't I just drive this 2 weeks before????) but we finally made it to Limon where Glenn had volunteered to meet us so Jill could get home sooner!  We met at Arby's and Glenn and I ate a quick bite but Jill and Aleah headed on to Ft. Collins!

Unfortunately we hit rain outside of Colorado Springs so it was a miserable drive up the pass in the rain as it was dark!!!  And then we hit fog at Woodland Park - my it was NICE to finally get home!

All in all one fantastic trip with Jill and Aleah and I'm so glad I was invited!!

Bricktown

 Today we actually once again had the entire day to ourselves as the girls didn't play till late afternoon - or so we thought!  We decided to head to Bricktown with Aleah - Bricktown is a different part of "downtown" which has been revitalized with a canal with boat rides and walking paths beside it (think Riverwalk in San Antonio) and lots of restaurants!

We found it easily enough but just didn't know where to park for sure - and since we all like to walk, we ended up parking at Bass Pro way to the one side and actually walking to Bricktown which was only a couple of blocks - because we're earlier risers, it wasn't busy yet at all!  All along the sides of the buildings there were murals painted so a perfect spot for a photo!

Most of the buildings in this area are BRICK - hence the name - it's a neat place to look around and we immediately decided to do the boat ride - I had found coupons in a pamphlet so we got our tickets with free bottles of water to go on the ride!

The boat ride was slow and enjoyable with lots of information given about the area which is always interesting!

So many beautiful trees here in OKC!

I loved the Oklahoma Land Run Monument!! The Centennial Land Run Monument commemorates the opening of the Unassigned Land in Oklahoma Territory with the Land Run of 1889.  It is one of the world’s largest bronze sculptures featuring 45 heroic figures of land run participants, frozen in motion as they race to claim new homesteads.

This is the bronze sculpture of a "sooner" - a guy who didn't abide by the rules of the unassigned land day and went ahead of the others to tag his land!

A little further I saw the sign for Toby Keiths' bar and grill and we decided we WOULD eat there!

After our boat ride, we walked on the river walk and took many pics of Aleah - walked over some bridges and then ended up at the restaurant!

We only had to wait a few minutes to get a table at "I Love This Bar" restaurant and I was thrilled to be there!  Toby Keith has been my longtime favorite single country artist for years and years!  And yes, I did get to see him in person in Denver!

Jill and I split some BBQ which was great and we just enjoyed eating and listening to the music!

And one more stop after our lunch.....

Girls' Day Cont'd

 Jill and I had ordered tickets to go through the Henry Overholser Mansion so we headed there and ate a bite of lunch in the car before heading in - it was a WONDERFUL tour!

The tour leader showed us the main level and talked abut the gentleman who had it built for his wife and daughter - she had lots of interesting stories to tell us and we sure enjoyed walking through and exploring!  Afterwards, we were on our own to explore the top 2 floors ourselves - what a mansion and what a history behind it!  I'm so glad we went!

Next on the list was the Memorial and Museum from the 1995 OKC Bombing - the grounds were beautiful with plaques to describe what you were looking at - and these granite memorials at each end marked the time of the bombing and the time to start healing!

On 4/19/1995, a bomb exploded in the federal building of OKC, killing 168 people, 19 of those were children!  168 chairs represent those killed, with 19 of the chairs smaller for the kids that were in the daycare.  It was very emotional to see all of this and it definitely reminded me of the 9/11 Memorial.

We didn't take any pictures inside but spent at least 2 hours in the museum - what a tribute to those who died.  It's one of the best museums I have been to and you could have easily spent hours watching every video and reading everything.  WELL DONE OKC!

Jill and I were emotionally drained when we finally left and decided we would go for a walk and have a drink at a lounge - this was OKC DOWNTOWN at 4:00 on a Saturday!!  Do you love all that traffic?

We found a "lounge" that was quite empty and each ordered a drink while we watched the World Series on the tv, knowing Aleah was there watching it - but we didn't see her on screen!

The bartender brought us over a shot apiece of a "Slippery Nipple" - then the owner came owner and we drank our shots together - well, I sipped mine!!  HA!  Funny enough I had just watched either a show or a movie where 3 people go into a bar and that's what they ordered!!  Anyway, it was good and one I could defnitely sip again!

We headed back to the hotel and Aleah arrived not too long after - she had sent these shots that her friends had taken at the game!

We decided on Italian that night and our directions took us into the middle of a retirement village - WHAT?  But sure enough, there was an Italian place there!  The food was just OK so we were a little disappointed........

Back at the hotel, we drove in and there was an ambulance and an EMT truck - come to find out later, there was an actual overdose at the hotel and the person died!  GEESH!  Didn't make us feel very comfortable!  

By this time, the humidity and smell of the room was NOT good - I went down and asked if we could get another room but of course it was booked solid as it was Saturday night but the gal was nice and said probably by tomorrow we could switch - let's HOPE so!

Oklahoma City Bound

 I  believe we were still in Mexico when Jill asked me about going to Oklahoma City (OKC) with her and Aleah for a softball tournament - I only needed to think about it for a couple of days as I decided that would be a fun trip with a daughter and a granddaughter!  

So on an early Thursday morning Jill headed out with Aleah and was to meet me outside of Colorado Springs at an exit since Glenn was headed to fish at Pueblo!  What would we do without cell phones and trackers?  Jill texted that there was a bad accident on I25 and they were being detoured off - I checked out the news and sure enough there was an overturned semi with debris ALL over the interstate!  So it set them back over an hour meeting us - but we had all day to get there so no worries!

We made the exchange at the exit and headed on into Pueblo to get gas AND coffee - always a must for a trip!  The first place was closed (bummer) but the other place was only about a mile away so we headed there - as we went to get out of the car, Jill's face went white and said that she left her purse at home!!  OH NO!!!!!  I had a credit card and some cash along so money wasn't the problem, but she didn't even have her drivers' license - so after ordering coffee, she called Robby and he was going to overnight it to the hotel - WHEW!

The drive was LONG!  Maps had told us the way we went was the least miles and the fastest time but that certainly wasn't the case!  The route was through many small towns with lights and zig zags to get on the right highways so we really had to pay attention - and we decided after the drive that we would NOT be going home that way!  We went through New Mexico AND Texas to finally reach OKC!

The hotel didn't look bad at all from the outside (although the parking lot wasn't clean) and the inside was fine!  We got checked into our hotel room which had 2 queen beds and immediately left again to go eat dinner - our room wasn't far from the steps (we were on the 3rd floor - yay - no noise above us) so we used them quite a bit as there was only ONE elevator but the steps were unclean and a little creepy!

Aleah picked Freddie's for dinner and it was great, especially the turtle sundae I had!  Back to the room we all unpacked and got situated - and of course realized the fan did NOT work in the bathroom - bummer!  SO we asked the front desk to have the maintenance man check it while we were gone the next day!

Friday morning I checked out the breakfast and was NOT impressed - oh well - I had brought yogurt and Jill had made egg and meat bites to microwave - yes, we did have a frig with a tiny freezer and a microwave that smelled like burnt popcorn - and along with the muffins from downstairs, we made do!

There was nothing going on in the morning but by noon the girls were all to meet at a couple of events that were going on!  We headed to the first one, only to realize the coach had mixed up the addresses of the two events but everyone else went there too so the girls walked around, as did we!  It was pretty warm out so we ended up sitting in the car till Aleah was ready to go and then headed to the other event!  This one was at a field where the girls could compete in running and other softball fun things!  Jill and I pitched our chairs and umbrella right outside the field so we could watch as it was HOT out by then!

We all headed to Texas Roadhouse after the events  - except we FIRST stopped back at the hotel to see if the package for Jill had arrived and sure enough it was there - HOORAY!!!

Tx. Roadhouse is always good!  I limited myself to only 2 rolls so I could actually eat some of my dinner - HA!  And we were impressed and pleased that the coach and the assistant coach paid for all of our meals that night!

Back to the room, and of course the fan wasn't working (per the front desk it needed a part) and the air felt SO HEAVY in that room due to the humidity having nowhere to go after showers!  And somehow the evening got late before we even headed to bed!

Saturday after breakfast we headed to Dutch Bros for coffee!  Always enjoyable!

Aleah headed to the College Girls World Series and Jill and I took off for our "girls day" fun!  First on the list was the Botanical Gardens - and our GPS took us right to it with a parking garage that would comp your ticket if you went inside the conservatory!

The gardens were very pretty and we enjoyed walking around!

The outside wasn't real large so we headed into the huge tunnel - WOW - it was amazing!

The flowers and plants were gorgeous - this was one of my favorites!

There were 3 levels you could access and we did all 3 of them!

I loved this round window so had Jill take my picture!

To be cont'd......