Now You Invite Me

A trip last fall that included airports and planes, a rental car, interstate traffic, and night driving on country roads convinced some old people who reside in the home we own that they need to swear off of difficult trips. Then, last week, the Alumni director for the university where I taught invited Hubby and me to go on a Pioneers Adventure, the alumni association sponsored trip to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that group.

The temptation to be involved in a well-planned adventure with people I know is great. This Colorado trip (my favorite place) includes two nights at historic hotels; two breakfasts; two dinners, a vaudeville and melodrama show, a train ride on the Narrow Gage Railroad from Durango to Silverton and back, and time to sightsee and shop in both towns.

The problem? Durango is over 800 miles from our home – a two-day drive across Kansas plains and on mountain roads. This trip could only happen for us if we had young companions to take care of navigation and driving. So the reality is that we will not be going. Where was this group of the great plans when we were younger?

Clip Art: haslefreeclipart

More Traveling

This week will find us on the road again. This time we will be in Colorado. Of course, I’m always excited to go back to where I grew up. I enjoy the mountains and beautiful weather.

During our many travels, we have run across a lot of interesting things. Some of them are even quite unusual.

This 24' X 30' Van Gough reproduction is displayed on an 80' easel in Goodland, Kansas. It can be seen from Interstate 70.

The steeples of the beautiful Cathedral of the Plains can also be seen from Interstate 70. Going into the little town of Victoria, Kansas, to tour this cathedral is time well spent.

Arriving in Grand Junction, Colorado, where we had hotel reservations for the Palisade Peach Festival,  Hubby and I were surprised to see Air Force One parked at the airport. We saw the President’s motorcade headed back to the airport, but the peach festivities were cut short for us because of our car being confined to the hotel parking.

While shopping and sight-seeing in downtown Chicago, I spotted “American Gothic” in the form of two sculptures.


I love discovering unusual things. Even though I have resided for twenty-two years in Colorado, maybe this week will I will run across something I have not seen in the past. Hope so!

Moving

Colorado has been my home at two different times in my life for a total of twenty-two years. In a little over five weeks a moving truck will once again be at our door and I will move away from this place that I love.

I will miss the beautiful mountains, the wildlife in our condo complex, and the many fun activities including: the parades (Christmas, rodeo, and Veteran’s Day); the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo; the street breakfast; the Seven Falls at Christmastime; walks in the Garden of the Gods; the views of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from our decks; trips to Estes Park, Breckinridge, and Grand Junction; shopping in Denver; wonderful friends; and the cool, dry summers.

I have taken hundreds of pictures during the past eight years. I share just a few here (including Christmastime in our condo).

We will soon be in a new home in Olathe, Kansas, and I will remember:

A house is bricks and wooden beams,

A home is made of love and dreams.  © V4C