July 30 – Home at Last

We left Colorado on Monday, July 28. It was a bit hard to say goodbye to Boulder.

The drive through Colorado was beautiful. Here is a classic Colorado mountain scene. I noticed lots of pines that are reddish. I believe it is the pine beetle blight that has hit the forests hard.

We drove through Steamboat Springs, which has grown a lot since I last saw it. It is still a pretty town in a beautiful basin. Then we headed on to Dinosaur National Monument and the Green River.

Then on to the Flaming Gorge Recreation area. We stayed in a little cabin overnight. It was the nicest campground we had encountered all summer – complete with playmate for Theo.

 We headed through the southwestern corner of Wyoming, which appeared to all belong to several chemical companies. There were small storage tanks literally everywhere. I havn’t figured it out yet, but will be checking to find out what the heck it all was. Natural gas? Anyone know?

Back into Utah, we passed Bear Lake a huge, blue body of water,

then into the mountains outside Logan, UT  which were beautiful,

and finally across Idaho. No pictures from Idaho. I was getting very antsy about that time, so called my sister-in-law, Caitlin, (Hi Caitlin!) to catch up on the summer. 

Finally…..into Oregon. We drove through gorgeous Eastern Oregon

and spent our last night in Pendleton (this picture was taken just before Pendleton)

Yesterday morning we drove our last several hundred miles through the Columbia Gorge. It felt like home. The trees were huge, the sky bright and blue, a strong wind was blowing, the temperature was in the mid 60’s …. ah, Oregon! 

Have you ever seen Mt. Hood look prettier or more welcoming?

We arrived home happy to be back and grateful for our adventure. The dog was glad to see us, and we encountered both my mom (Hi Harriette!) and our friends and neighbors Suzie and Sam (Hi Lewises!) who both were leaving welcome home signs and food for us. Boy, are we lucky!

Today (July 31) I am feeling the let down. A piece of me is very happy to be here. We have our wonderful home, friends and family all around. And, I have a list of things-to-be-tended-to. 

There is something to be said for traveling light. Stepping outside the mundane gives one the room to let things settle. I feel like the spider webs that have been crowding my brain are gone. I didn’t even get two books read during our trip – I just was in present time, observing the world around me. That is truly a gift as I head into my 51st year. I hope I keep this “travelers mind” for a long time. If I forget, you all can remind me, OK?

I will wrap up with a few remaining posts – one by Theo, one of things-that-I-learned-on-the trip, and a post on Arkansas that I never finished.

As they say, there is no place like home.

July 28 – Heading home

Well folks, you read it here first. We are heading home. Yes, we are going to skip Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. We will certainly go to see them on another trip. However, we are just ready to head home. It has been wonderful, and we have been wandering for 40 days (with lots of others who have wandered 40 days to campare with…).

We don’t have to be gone the full 50 – we just allowed ourselves that time. Theo and I are both “done”. 

So, we will drive through the middle of Colorado, past Steamboat Springs and Dinosaur National Monument and then Flaming Gorge in Utah. We will pick up 84 right outside Idaho, and take that right to Portland.

We should be back on Wednesday. See you then!

I will post a few posts that have been published yet and some additional observations from the road.

It has been a grand ride!

Colorado, once again – July 24, 25, 26, 27

(pictures added to this post soon)

We are back in south Boulder, tucked up against the Flatirons and Devils Thumb. It is beautiful and sunny here. In fact, it is always beautiful and sunny here. You can rely on it being beautiful and sunny. That is one of the things I’d forgotten about Colorado. It has been nice being here and remembering the things that informed me about the world when I was in my early 20’s. Boulder is an idilic community in  many ways. I had been told that it is very crowded, traffic was bad, it had lost is good sense. What I see is that it has grown and become more dense (like virtually any other town that has experienced growth in the past several decades) and it is still a great community.

We have had a really nice few days. After arriving from NYC, Theo was able to attend a YMCA day camp for a couple of days and he got in some much needed time playing with other kids (and getting a break from me). He was a happy camper! He went swimming at the Eldorado Springs pool, and hiking in the foothills among a lot of other playing.

I spent a couple of much needed days on my own. Susan and I went down to Denver and looked around at the new development in the railroad station area, had a nice lunch out and just poodled around. Then I spent a day on my own in Boulder and ran errand and saw a friend form Portland (hi Peggy!).

It has been a relaxed few days. We shared some great meals (Susan is my favorite person in the world to cook with) with lots of veggies from Susan and Michele’s garden, made fresh corn tamales, went swimming, saw “Space Chimps,” got to see Susan’s sons, Isaac and Cyrus (and their girlfriends), went to the farmers market (and got some peaches form the west Slope of Colorado – best peaches in the world), and had breakfast at a beautiful tea house.

Ah, Boulder. The land of plenty….

NYC- July 21, 22, 23

We are waiting in Laguardia for a few hours before we leave New York. Truth be told, I am sorry to be leaving already. I was just getting the hang of  being a New Yorker again.

(Pictures for this post will be added soon)

Here are some of the things we did while here:

As soon as we checked into our hotel (Hotel Cosmopolitan – great little place, friendly staff, excellent location with a red line subway stop right outside the door) We headed down to Battery park and the Staten Island Ferry. I will get on a ferry when ever possible, (in another life I will be a ferry captain) so it was a great first stop. The world always looks great from the water, and we got the added bonus of seeing the waterfall installation, Lady liberty and Ellis Island. It is the best free experience in New York.

 

Then we walked through the financial district. Unfortunately they don’t give public tours of the NYSE anymore, so we just looked around. We did manage to find a great pizza joint and so had a great piece of NY pizza. We looked around South Street Seaport and the Fulton Market area. Next, it was over to find Ground Zero (just a few blocks from our hotel). It is impressive to be in New York and see how narrow the streets are and imagine how truly terrifying it must have been to see the building dust billowing out in every direction, and people running in terror.

 

Then headed back to the hotel to cool down since it was a hot, hot day. In the late afternoon we took the subway up to Chinatown where we had dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant the Nina and Jim recommended. (I had the crispy squid with garlic sauce –delicious!) Then Theo and I want down Canal Street to W. Broadway. He got to see all the little open shops on the way and we picked up a few trinkets. We weren’t able to get any tickets to a show (Monday night is the night they take off) so we stayed in.

 

Tuesday morning we started out having breakfast in the nice little café next to the hotel. It is both a hotel and neighborhood crowd. Then we went down the street to check out several local toy stores. After that we headed uptown to Times Square. We didn’t get far before Theo spotted the Ripley Believe it or not Museum, which he was very enthusiastic about seeing. So we toured the bizarre and unusual – believe it or not. It was more fun then I thought it would be! Then we walked down Broadway for lunch at the Carnegie Deli. It is such a classic NY place! Theo had his first real, garlic half-sour pickle and loved it. (definitely my child) we also tried egg creams. Our sandwiches were beyond obscene. I got corned beef and tongue, neither of which I have had for years. Excellent meat – but it literally had about 2-3 pounds of meat in the sandwich. Theo’s cheese sandwich had about pound to pound and a half of swiss cheese on it. Once we ate what little we could, we packed up the rest and left. Next stop, Toys R Us at Times Square – a 3 story store complete with ferris wheel, 20-foot techno-dinosaur and Lego replicas of the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Chrysler building and more. Next we found a policeman and explained our dilemma of  having huge amount of leftovers from the Carnegie Deli. He told us where some homeless folks hang out, so off we went down 42^nd street in search of some people to give our food to. In Bryant Park we found both a beautiful small carousel, which Theo rode, and a man in need of some food. We gave him our leftovers and headed home. Once again, after we cooled down and I did a bit of work, we headed out for dinner. We had a good, simple meal and discussion with the man who owned the café next door. He was impressed with Theo’s description of Ripleys. We headed a few blocks over the Hudson River and Battery Park where we found some great play structures, and nearby a really long slide. We returned home just as it was getting dark.

 

It was a great couple of days in NYC. Of course, we could have done much more, and I would have loved a few more days there. It was a good introduction for Theo. I am reminded that it is an intense and crowded and wonderful place. I’d like to return soon to do more exploration of the things adults are interested in. Now back to Colorado.

 

Theo in Southampton and NYC

Southhampton is a very nice place. It has a bay, a beach, and a lot of other cool things, too. My aunt had a lot of cucumbers! It is one of the only things we ate at dinner. (HH note: Nina made a LOT of other food) The bay had a current, so me and Jim liked to ride it.

We are in New York City now. It is very hot and humid. There are a lot of tall buildings and shops. Unfortunately they don’t give tours of the stock market anymore. We went on the Staten Island ferry and saw the Statue of Liberty (Did you know that most people from other countries coming to America first came to New York?). I didn’t know the Statue of Liberty was so green! New York is very nice. I’ll blog more soon. Bye!

Southhampton, NY – July 18,19,20

We are wrapping up our stay in the Hamptons. Theo and I came to meet Nina, Michael’s sister, and her husband Jim. It has been a great few days.

We went to the bay side of Long Island and did some fishing (caught some great micro-snappers, which we threw back), some rock and shell collecting, and Theo learned how to do some current-drifting. (This is when you get in the incoming tide current and float along letting the current carry you).  

We also went to the ocean side of Long Island where the beach and strong ocean waves are.

 

Theo and I played a round of mini-golf and went to the batting cages.

But mostly, we shared some good meals (i.e. Nina cooked), we talked, hung out together, played cards and just visited. You would never know that it was our first meeting. Here are some pictures of Theo, Nina and Jim.

We have loved being here. 

Tomorrow we will take the Hampton Jitney into Manhattan where we will do such varied things as visit Wall Street (Theo’s choice), ride the Staten Island Ferry (Hillary’s choice) and hopefully see a Broadway play. We’ll be staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. How very New York.

July 14,15,16 – more of Colorado

So on Tuesday we headed out of Ft. Collins and drove up the Big Thompson Canyon, through Estes Park, skirted Rocky Mt. National Park, and headed down through Boulder and Golden to Evergreen and a visit with my Aunt Caroline. The trip helped me adjust to all the changes (read development) that have taken place on the front range since I left in 1987.

The Big Thompson is beautiful, as are the mountains up in Rocky Mountain Park. For me that drive took me back to why I left Ohio and moved out West. In the summer after my junior year of high school, I was fortunate to participate in a month long field trip that involved studying biology and geology from Ohio to Yellowstone park and back. We had two vans full of teenagers and several great teacher/leaders. When we arrived in Colorado we drove up the Big Thompson Canyon and it opened up into Estes park – with views of Longs peak and a beautiful mountain valley. It was at that point that I decided had to live in Colorado. I ended up going to college  in Ft. Collins, and spending 5 years after college in Boulder. This drive felt like it was digging up old pieces of who I am and giving those parts back to me.

We stayed in evergreen at Aunt Carolines summer home. It is a marvelous mountain lodge style home that was built in  the 30’s by here mother. Caroline told me that she had been coming there for 70 years (she first came to the house when she was 3). I have been to the home (named Rock Cliff) several times, but it has been more than 20 years. It still has  the marvelous old  upholstery and curtains and furniture from the 30s and 40s. The lodge has huge timbers and a 2 story stone fireplace. The air there always smells like warm pine. ( I forgot to bring my camera in to take pictures. Sorry. That was a real oversight!) Aunt Caroline and I talked and talked – pretty much boring Theo  - but she and I had a good visit. 

Then it was on to Boulder.

Boulder is no longer the relaxed hippy haven it was in the 70’s and 80’s. It is built up -which means many older buildings are now 2-3 story brick buildings – there are lots of parking garages and more traffic. However, it still feels like Boulder – just pricier, more condensed and cleaned up. More memories are popping up down every street. I am writing this from the Trident coffeshop/bookstore. (pictures to come) I used to spend so much time here that I would call this my office. It is a buddhist run spot that is timeless. The tables chairs, coffee, paintings, and fixtures are all unchanged. Even the same manager is here.

Theo and I had dinner at the Chataqua Dining Hall when we arrived. That fed our bodies and souls- it is really getting to the heart of the area. It has been hot here – in the mid to high 90s – but the dry heat is tolerable and it cools off quickly at night.

We are staying with our friends, Susan and Michelle, in Table Mesa. Susan is my favorite person in the world to cook with, so I presume we spend some time in her kitchen. They are good enough friends that they are accommodating us and all our stuff in their garage – while we go to NY. We will stay with them for a few more days when we return. So, tomorrow the 17th we fly to NY to meet Nina, Michael’s sister, who lives out in Southampton. After visiting for a few days we will head into Manhattan. Stay tuned for more posts – our hotel in Manhattan has wireless.

July 13 – A Perfect Summer Day in Ft. Collins

This morning we left our little cabin at 8 am and didn’t return until 11:30 at night. It was a great day – one that exemplifies summer to me. Blue sky – not a cloud all day until late evening – it was Colorado all the way. We started out by having breakfast at Vern’s in LaPorte and had breakfast including splitting one of their Paul Bunyon sized cinnamon rolls. ( I used to bike ride out to Vern’s when I was in college.)

Then we rode around Ft. Collins. I found all my old college haunts, including my old houses and those of my friends. Then we took a walk around the old and very beautiful sections of CSU. Then off to City Park. Theo and I played netless badmiton and waited for a family we knew from Portland. The Jones’ moved back to Colorado last year after many years in Portland. Norah was in Theo’s class at school. ( A big hello to all you Odyssey families from the Joneses.)

We met up at the City Park pool – a great family pool. It included some awesome slides, a current “river” to float in tubes. Lot so fountains and contraptions that spray water and ample water shallow enough that we could swim or stand or sit or play.  We spent a very happy four hours playing in the pool.  Then off for more badmiton and wiffle ball.

We went to the Jones’ house so the could tend their animals,

then headed to Avogadro’s Number (another old college haunt) for dinner. To wrap up this perfect summer day we then headed to the drive-in (yes, there are a few left) where we saw Hancock. It is a shame there are only a few drive-ins left because it was a great summer family event.

 

Theo and I had a great day. I got to dig up old memories of people and places that had been long dormant. Best of all we got to spend some time with a great family who is getting settled into their lives here in Ft. Fun. Some kid and adult company was much needed and it was wonderful.

The day was sunny and warm. It was the best of summer – friends, food, time goes by quickly because you are so absorbed in the moment, laughter, and hanging out into the night with a bit of a rosy glow from the sunshine of the day. A perfect, endless summer day. Thanks Loren, Tracy, Mika and Norah!

July 12 – Ft. Fun

We are about to head out of Goodland, KA to Fort Collins, CO, affectionately called Ft. Fun. Ft. Collins is where I went to college, so it will be nice to go see what it looks like now. Of course, like many other places around the country, the population there has doubled since the early 80’s. Rumor has it that Ft. Collins is now the way Boulder was 20 years ago. We are off to go find out.

I’ll fill this in later with more info and pictures…

July 11 – Heading West

Confusing headline, eh? Weren’t we just heading East? 

Well, I guess this is where whim comes in. Theo and I just spent several days in Arkansas. It is a truly beautiful state. While in Arkansas we visited two of my step-cousins, whom I haven’t seen in way-too-many years. It was a delight to see both of them and their families. It reminded me that we have to see each other again much sooner. I really like these folks! We spent the afternoon yesterday in Fayetteville, AR where my mom, dad, aunt, uncle and step-mom all attended college. It is lush and gorgeous. 

The thing I had somehow forgotten was that from Arkansas eastward it is also terribly humid (duh!). When Theo and I were at Crater of Diamonds State Park it was in the 80’s and 90’s with about 80% humidity. Theo was red and felt ill within about 30 minutes. I lasted all of two hours before I was beet red and overheated. It was my big aha moment where I realized I did not want to spend the next two plus weeks feeling miserable. (As a kid I would get heat stroke and heat sick from the heat/humidity. I tried to get used to the heat/humidity in Miami for 7 years. It never worked.)

So, since this is my party, I decided (with Theo’s agreement) to head back West and spend more time exploring there. The down side is that there are some friends in Asheville and Ohio that I was really looking forward to seeing. I think I will just need to do some travel to those spots in the fall or over spring break – certainly during the lower heat seasons. Part of me feels sheepish and foolish. The other part is now thoroughly convinced that I am more of a Westerner than I realized. I started to breathe easier as we got back to the big, open spaces of Oklahoma. Go figure!

I am looking forward to some additional time in Colorado. The change in plans will also afford us a trip to see our friends in Mt. Shasta, CA and Ashland, OR on our way home. 

Theo and I will still go to New York to meet Nina, Michael’s sister, who lives out on Long Island in Southampton. We will just fly there from Denver. So we will be in NY the 17-23 and then come back to Colorado and on with our road trip.

So we are headed to Colorado, and are currently just about to head across the great expanse called Kansas. Happy trails from your western friends…