STORRS ALL HIGH PHOTO SHOW at the Kenan Center

I was thinking about calling Pam to see if she wanted to go for a walk, but she called me first.  She suggested we go for a walk and I suggested we also go to the Kenan Center for the photography exhibit.  So we set a time and agreed to park our cars at the Kenan Center and take a walk around that neighborhood.

We met up at ll:15 and walked around and saw many mansions including the  Granchelli mansion at the end of Berkley Street.  We arrived back at the Kenan Center a couple of minutes before noon and went inside for the exhibit:

We thoroughly enjoyed it.  After that we went to Wendy's and I redeemed one of the bogo coupons that I got for doing an online survey.  We lingered a bit and we ran into Dee and Jim there and talked a bit.  I told Dee about the exhibit and she decided to take Jim there after finishing lunch.  

I went to WalMart afterwards and purchased a few items. 

OUR FATHER'S WORLD at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Middleport, NY (April 29, 2018)

Last night, Cindy called me and asked if I wanted to go to OUR FATHER'S WORLD at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Middleport.  She said the Middleport Community Choir would be performing and our friend Marlene is in that choir.  I agreed.  When we saw each other at church this morning, we agreed that I would meet her at her house a little before three thirty p.m. today.

I arrived at 3:20 and met Cindy's neighbor, Dee, who was accompanying us.   A few minutes later, Pam arrived and we headed out to Middleport.  Here is a pic of the church.

the inside, which I took and the outside, I found this picture online.  

The parking lot was full and I think we took the last available parking spot.  

The concert was wonderful.  First the Middleport Bell Tones performed.

and then the Middleport Community Choir

 above are Paula and Marlene.  And then both groups performed together.

The concert was really good.  It lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes, but I wish it had been longer. 

They offered great refreshments downstairs after the concert.  We stayed for that and then headed back to Lockport.  

CareNet Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon (4/28/18)

I got an invitation to this event a few weeks ago, but forgot to RSVP, probably because of my two trips earlier this month (Kentucky and Colorado).  Last night, while having supper with Peg and our friend Betty, Peg asked me if I was planning on going.  I told her I had completely forgotten about it. No matter, she messaged Cindra Enzinna, Director of Lockport CareNet Pregnancy Center,  and told her I would like to attend and Cindra said it was fine.

The banquet was held at Grace Chapel Church which used to be Mike Wing's church but is now Tim Dembroski's church.

Peg was here at my place this morning to work on clearing out the old storage shed in the back yard, so she asked me if I wanted to ride to Grace Chapel with her and I agreed.

The luncheon was very nice. Don Enzinna insisted on taking head shots of each volunteer.  I hope my pic turned out OK and even if it did, I hope they do NOT put it in the newsletter.   They offered wraps, salad, various savory "bites" and great deserts.  Each volunteer was given a small gift.  

Going Home!!!!!!

Of course I did not sleep well, but no matter!!!!  Nik and I left their house a couple minutes before six.  I did not have any problems checking my bag or going through security. (much faster with TSA Pre-Check which I was able to do because Nik printed my  boarding pass out for me yesterday) After going through security, I got on a tram to go to Terminal A.  I was a bit confused about where to get off, but I got off at the right spot!  No problems getting to my terminal A36, where I saw that my flight would be ON TIME!!!!!!

It was the weirdest thing, meeting up with these two guys at my terminal.  

Pastor Craig and Pastor Ben.   I was able to arrange a ride to Lockport with them!  I also saw Paula Jones again since she and her husband were on the same flight, after visiting their kids in Denver.  

Last Day in Colorado April 24, 2018

Nik returned to work today.  Yesterday, Christa and I talked about the possibility of going to
a movie.

We decided on CHAPPAQUIDDICK..  On the way there, we stopped to get donuts at Winchell's.

I bought two small donuts and Christa got a bear claw and a breakfast sandwich.  Then we headed to the AMC Westminster Promenade.  When we purchased our tickets, Christa chose our seats!

I love this theatre................the large soft vinyl reclining seats are so comfortable. The movie was good but not outstanding.

Both Christa and I rested for a while in the afternoon and then watched the movie John Q which I had never seen.  We ordered take out from Hong Fu.  It was a dinner for two (we chose the two entrees Orange Chicken and Curry) but there was some left over after the three of us shared it.  It was good.

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.

.

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.