Monday 4/23/2018 to BOULDER and back

Christa informed me this morning that she thought going to Boulder (even though she hates Boulder)would be a good idea and I agreed.  Nik prepared  full breakfast, scrambled eggs with cheese, home fries, bacon and juice.  I also had a half of a grapefruit.  It was delicious!!!!

Christa packed sandwiches and we headed out around twelve thirty, I think.  Our first stop was at CELESTIAL SEASONINGS for a tour of their factory. We went into the Tour

Center and  were given tickets for the two p.m. tour and offered the opportunity to sample several hot and cold teas, which we did. Here are a few pictures from inside the Tour Center:

  We had extra time before two p.m. so we went to the gift shop.

I bought a few small inexpensive items and we returned to the Tour Center.  We saw a short film and then each person was given a hairnet

 I was disappointed because we were not allowed to take pictures inside during the tour  I thought it was very interesting and well organized.

After the tour we returned to the gift shop.  Christa and Nik bought several boxes of teas, kinds they cannot get in the supermarkets they go to.

Leaving Celestial Seasonings, we decided to go to Settler's Park Trailhead.  We had a picnic lunch and then headed up the trail that I think is called Red Rocks Trail.  I thought I had read that it was an easy trail but it wasn't.  I only went a little way up and then told Christa and Nik that they should go on ahead and I would go back down and explore down there.

I walked around and took some pictures, noticing that there were several other trails we could have chosen.  Here are a few pictures I took:

Then we went to the Pearl Street Mall  which is an outdoor pedestrian walkway between two rows of shops and eateries.  Even though I am not a shopper, I enjoyed this experience.  We stopped in  few shops.  I particularly liked NATURE'S OWN, where I purchased  a birthday present for Tyler and one for Megan, as well as an onyx candle holder for Christa. 

We decided to head back home after this. I think I failed to mention that the weather was just perfect today!!!! We had leftover baked ziti, garlic toast and broccoli for supper.  I tried a cup of vanilla sleepy time tea with some vanilla ice cream in it................and while it tasted great, I am not sure it enhanced my sleep.

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GARDEN OF THE GODS Adventure with Christa and Nik: April 22, 2018

We set out late morning, with a picnic lunch, to go to Colorado Springs for THE GARDEN OF THE GODS.  I had been there twice before, very briefly, but it was Christa and Nik's first time.  Along the way we saw CASTLE ROCK.  We were driving and I took several pictures, but they did not turn out well, so I found this one online.............I DID take a pic from the exact same angle!

Once we got to Colorado Springs, we located the GARDEN OF THE GODS and went to the Visitor Center.

It is very nice, very clean and there are lots of workers available to answer questions and hand out maps.  I picked one up.  The best part was the view from a walk out platform:

Then we headed into the park, which was pretty crowded.  It was a while before we found a parking spot.  Once we did, we walked the Ridge Trail.  We came to a spot that looked difficult so I backed out.  Christa forged onward and Nik and I backtracked..............we met up not too far from where we started.   I think I took this picture as she was finishing up the trail. 

Then we walked through the Central Garden Trail, which is "at the heart of the park at the base of the highest rock formations" At one point, Christa and Nik took off to explore a side trail, while I waited.  When they returned, they gave me a bracelet which they found.  It is exactly the kind of bracelet I would have chosen.  We finished the Garden Trail and I took a LOT of pictures:

Christa and Nik like to take selfies!

There are spots where you can easily walk right up to some of the rocks and touch them, and we saw a couple of rock climbers

Then we decided it was time to head towards the exit, but stop to see Balanced Rock on the way:

and  Steamboat Rock is right across from Balanced Rock:

We only saw Toad and Toadstool Rock from a distance, but I found a picture online:

We had kind of planned to do something else in Colorado Springs but Christa said "I think we should eat and then go home" and I agreed.  We decided on the Airplane Restaurant.

It was a neat experience and the food was good.  Christa and I both had salmon (different menu items( and Nik had a HUGE salad with chicken fingers on it, and he could not finish it.    Here is my supper

The food was pretty good, but probably not excellent.  

It was a great day!   When we got back, I uploaded pictures, had a piece of pie and took a shower and was in bed by 9:30 p.m.

Saturday April 21, 2018 in Colorado

When I got up this morning, Christa told me that she thought Nik needed a more relaxing day today....and I said that was fine.  It was snowing out, anyways!!!!!!   So, we did not go anywhere.............just stayed home and relaxed.

Christa decided she wanted to go to Michigan for Cassy's  graduation and Nik spent a long time looking for the best deal online.  He found one and booked it.

Christa prepared baked ziti, caesar salad and garlic knots for supper and everything was good.  We played a card game.   Nik went to Perkins and purchased a cherry pie and brought it back.  It was good!

We made plans to go to Colorado Springs tomorrow.

ESTES PARK ADVENTURE: Friday April 20th, 2018

We headed out to Estes Park late morning.  Unfortunately, the sky was overcast so the views of the Flatirons were not as spectacular as they always are.

We drove through Boulder and I saw where Christa and Nik lived and where Christa worked when they lived there.  Beyond Boulder we drove for quite a while on a highway that went through some gorgeous scenic area with rocky hills on both sides of the road.

Upon arriving in Estes Park we stopped at the Visitors Center.

we got printed info. and recommendations for a spot for lunch.  

We located the Stanley Hotel and then looked around.  We stopped at a shop where they make and sell colored glass

and went into a thrift shop.

Our lunch at 

was good.  Christa had the elk burger and I had the Notchtop's Favorite Burger 

We found the Estes Park Museum closed even though the parking lot was full and the front door was unlocked.   I suggested we find this gallery:

The photographs here are spectacular

While driving around killing time before our tour we saw some elk

and finally it was time to go to the STANLEY for our tour.  We arrived early and walked around and looked at the exhibits in the basement. These old iceboxes are now used to display items. 

Shortly before five we signed in for our tour and met our guide.  We watched a brief slide show before the tour started.  There were about l8 people on the tour.  Our guide was very good.  We went to two smaller buildings and then returned to the main hotel.  I took a lot of pictures.

After the tour, we headed back to Westminster.   When we arrived around eight fifteen I told Christa and Nik that I did not need any supper.  I was exhausted and after uploading pictures, I went to bed around nine thirty p.m.

Thursday, April 19, 2019 FIRST FULL DAY IN COLORADO.................YIPPEE!!!!!!!

Christa and I took Riley and Oliver for a walk.  There was a beautiful view of the Flatirons.  When we returned, Nik was preparing breakfast: toast, eggs and bacon.  While eating, we decided to go to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. I suggested to Christa that we take snack foods and drinks but she decided to pack sandwiches.  We finally started out around noon.

We enjoyed the Visitors Center as well as the wildlife drive.  We saw muledeer,

bison

and prairie dogs.

Then we drove to a nearby park and had lunch.

Then we headed to Roggen, a ghost town in Weld County that I saw on ghosttowns.com      It is really a semi ghost town.  We went inside an abandoned motel

and saw this abandoned gas station.

Christa seemed to be having a particularly good time and wanted to go to more ghost towns.  We looked at our info and decided that the others in Weld County were too far away and it was pretty late in the afternoon, so we decided to head back to Westminster.   

I took a nap and then watched DESIGNATED SURVIVOR.  Christa prepared a delicious dinner of chicken with peppers and onions, corn on the cob and garlic bread.      We made reservations to take a tour of the Stanley Hotel tomorrow!!!!

Day One: Trip to Colorado: April 18, 2018

OK..............today is the day.  Christa and I have been in contact making plans for what to do and where to go while I am with her and Nic.  I suspect she is somewhat stressed out, and I don't understand why.

Anyways, I started the day pretty much already packed up. I went to Carrie's program to have lunch with her.  It went well!   Then back home, I completed packing and tried to take a nap, but of course I couldn't..............I was just too excited.

Mary Ann called me a few minutes after three and asked if I might be ready at 3:20 instead of 3:30 and I said I thought so.  She arrived and helped me get my stuff into her car.

  Once at the airport, I  got through the initial processes pretty quickly BECAUSE I had pre-registered online before getting there.  I even was able to get into a security check line that was shorter and faster.  This meant that I had plenty of time at my terminal to wait.  I took out my book and settled in.

   After a while they announced that they hoped two people would voluntarily give up their seats because they overbooked.  They kept offering more money!   I think one person did volunteer but in the end they called Passenger Humphrey up and I think she lost her seat.

It seemed that we boarded a bit late.   My seat was great, I guess I chose it when I booked my flight. Second row in, with lots of leg room. I did not know that Frontier does not pass out drinks and snacks....and it was a four to five hour flight.  At least I did not have to use the teensy bathroom!

The Denver airport is kind of big and I finally got to baggage claim, there were still some folks from my flight waiting for their suitcases.  Turns out I was on the wrong level, but I called Christa and she figured that out and I took an elevator down to the fourth level where they were waiting.  

I was SO tired!!!!!   

Once back at their new house (which is gorgeous), they showed me around and I got settled in.   It was a long day and I was glad it was over.  I am so happy to be here with Christa and Nik!!!!!

IMAGINE COMMUNITY GARDENS Volunteer Orientation April 14, 2018

Pam and I went to the Volunteer Orientation this morning at THE WELL in Getzville.  The meeting was boring but I am glad we went, since most of the people who are involved in this outreach did not come.  Here are a few pictures.