Chicken Corner

On Friday, we were anxious to try out our new 4x4 wheels.   We have an excellent guide book to the trails and chose one rated 'moderate' but....with a name like Chicken Corner, I just knew it wasn't going to be a Sunday drive in the country.      Eleven miles from downtown Moab, we came to a canyon and were quickly surrounded by the red towering sandstone.   Can you see the climber in the center...?    

 The road turned to gravel and we headed into open country.   We followed a stream and campers were scattered about in this harsh landscape.   Seeing them in their tents and few supplies that they probably carried in on their backs, makes me think that maybe we went a bit "over the top" in wanting to get back to Nature in our 40' "tent" with 3 TV's and a fireplace !!   But then I remember that we are OLD and have earned that comfortable queen sized bed.

 As we approached the walls of the canyon, the road became a red powder and in no time, the exterior was very very dusty.    We had the front portion of the top off (called the bikini top) and the dust and sun and heat were unrelenting.   But we had A/C, a GPS and enough supplies to last a week. I even brought the iPAD....because if we were going to be lost, at least I could read a good book !!
  Once we left the stream, we saw no one the entire trip out and felt like we could really disappear out there and never be found.......and I soon realized that the iPad would only be good as a photo album.

 After 11 miles, we reached  Hurrah Pass.    Would like to know the story behind the name.

 The road got rougher  and required more maneuvering over rock and up and down staircase-type paths.   It was bouncy.    Most would have air-downed the tires ( I think I made up that word but you know what I mean )  but we opted to keep the pressure up for this trip so that made it even rougher.

The vistas were amazing.   The Colorado River flowed below us and we saw an occasional boat.   We twisted and turned on shelf roads with sheer drop offs.   I just don't look or take pictures and I have the white knuckles to prove it.   The driver asked me not to gasp or cry out but just watch for on coming vehicles.......as if there were other's wanting to do this !!

Finally, after crawling up and around and down and squeezing along on very narrow and blind corners, we reached our destination.     Chicken Corners is named this becasue of a very treacherous trail that winds around the canyon wall and if the cowboy got off his horse

 to walk, he was called a chicken.    That trail goes around that large wall.....Paul walked out part of it but I just couldn't.   Call me Chicken !

Somewhere, across the river, was the point at which Thelma and Louise made their flying leap.   We could never figure out from which point it was filmed.  Now I wonder how they did that....Photoshop ??
    And then along came 3 couples on ATV's .   They were from Salt Lake City and also brought a golf club and some balls and tried their best to get a ball far enough out to reach the river.    One made it.   I thought they were too close to the edge and nervously hung back hoping they didn't lose their balance and join their golf ball in flight.     I was very glad when they stopped.  

 The return trip seemed more relaxing but no less jarring and challenging.

 We stopped to smell the roses..... of the prickly pear cactus.

 On the directional sign, that yellow thing is actually a stuffed chicken......!

 The trip took over 6 hours and we were in need of some shade and lunch about this time.    We gave in to dust and heat and put the top back on....

 This collared lizared posed nicely.    We saw little quick ground squirrels and more small lizards and some type of yellow daisy.   I was convinced I'd see some venomous creature as I tiptoed thru the dirt to the flowers.    

When we got back to civilization and phone service, we got the news that our new graduate, Alex, had broken a bone near his ankle and is out of commission for at least a month.    This kid has broken more bones ....we thought that taking up golf might be a gentler sport but he did it playing basketball with friends.    I should  teach him to knit and be lazy but knowing his intensity, he'd just sprain his fingers.    

In the morning, we plan on doing some short hikes before the heat becomes intolerable.  The books say to tell someone where you are going... so write this down...........The Windows Trail and Double Arch Trail.     

Up and over.........

Finally, we have decent internet.    If it holds, I will try and update most days with our journeys in the Wild West.      

 We left Denver on Tuesday and headed west on I-70....as we climbed out of the plains, the mountains were obscured by haze and clouds but it's always breathtaking to see them for the first time.   We climbed up to 11,013 ft

to Eisenhower Tunnel without much difficulty.    We even passed some trucks.   At times, the weather on the other side can be the complete opposite.....today it was nice and clear and the steep descent was much more intense then going up.     I've always liked this view 

coming into Copper Mountain Ski Area and Village, just around the corner.   

 Next stop was Vail Pass at 10,662 ft.    It was chilly with snow in the shadows but the bikers were out in force.    There is a bike trail from Vail to Breckenridge.....we've done the part from Breckenridge to Copper Mtn and it is very pretty, following a stream.    But at 9,000 ft, we didn't always go very fast.

 After Vail, it levels out and starts looking western and brown.    And then there is the amazing

 Glenwood Canyon.   An engineering marvel,the highway  winds thru the Canyon, making as small a footprint as possible.    On the river there were rafters and it looked very rough.

We made it to a State Park outside of Grand Junction and met up with Rae (Andy and Mason's other favorite grandmother) and she took us to the beautiful Colorado National Monument.   Spectacular canyons cut into the sandstone and carve out beautiful rock formations.     We thoroughly enjoyed the drive and the wildlife and flowers.

 We saw many of these lizards scampering about....some in different shades of green.

 This is the beautiful Scarlet Globemallow.

 These rock formations are the Kissing Couple on the left and Praying hands in the middle.

 The pinion pines bend with the wind and form lovely striations on their trunks.

AND, as we were about to leave the area, this stunning mother Big Horn Sheep

 appeared on the rocks above.   She did not seem disturbed by our presence and I have many many pictures of her.     Off to the side was her little kid....almost hidden.

Here's Paul and Rae on an overlook in the bright sunny day.   

We had a great dinner and NO pictures that evening with Andy and Mason's great grandmother and their Uncle Chris and Aunt Susan and grandmother Rae at a favorite Mexican restaurant.  

And so, the next morning, we headed West again.....stay tuned.

Use your imagination......

For days, I have been taking pictures with only you in mind...........distant vistas, snow capped peaks, the flora and fauna of the gorgeous West.     Alas, a vvveeerrryyy  slow or non-existent  internet at most places has prevented me from posting.   I am crushed
 as my National Geographic photography skills need to be shared !!

Anyway, enough of the whining.....I'll work it out.      We arrived yesterday at the beautiful Portal RV Park in Moab, Utah.   We are surrounded by the towering redstone cliffs  as we sit on a beautiful landscaped site next to a koi pond.....no sighting of fish but lots of noisy bull frogs.    The small but busy main street surprised me with it's abundance of restaurants and shopping.   We went to the Farmer's Market, hoping to get some fresh produce but it is a bit early in the season I think and nothing looked tempting.   This is a hub for adventurous activity.....rafting on the Colorado, mountain biking on the slick rock, jeeping on the daunting trails and climbing the sheer cliffs.    We have all sorts of books and guides to help us plan our "gentle" activities.     We're off this morning to explore ..... weather is HOT altho with no humidity and a breeze it is OK.We were walking around in 97 degrees late yesterday and it was comfortable.    There is a triathalon this weekend and not sure how they can do that in those temps.   It is to be well over 100 in the next few days.      We are very close to Arches and Canyonlands NP's .  

I completed my 3 day class at the Botanic Gardens and after discussion with the Program Director, I am going to try and take 3 more classes in July and August.   It will mean changing our  plans of heading into Canada this year but P can get back to his Parker's Picklers pickleball group and we will be near family again.  
So, stay tuned.....I see a Starbucks in my future in order to get some pictures posted.    

Poppies and Pickleball

We're still in Denver and finding it a bit hard to pull up stakes and mosey on down the road in the next couple of days.       It's been a slow spring warm-up out here but the change has been refreshing.   Any plans to head to the mountains have had to be put aside for a bit as it is still snowing up there.    And A Basin is still open if you need one more run down the ski slope.    We've thoroughly enjoyed catching up with the grands, eating good Mexican food, taking advantage of the wealth of shopping and just being in one place for awhile.   

Paul managed to find a pickleball group nearby......Parker's Picklers.   He said he hadn't even noticed the altitude and looks forward to the play moving to the outside courts this week.      

Meanwhile, I've spent the last few days at the Denver Botanical Garden.   They have a wonderful Botanical Illustration program and I was able to slip into a class.   The facilities are outstanding and the instructor is top notch.      My old brain is pretty tired at the end of the day but I'm finding that my younger classmates are feeling the same.    Now, we're trying to figure out if I can fit in a few more classes this summer.    Registration is in a couple of weeks and it would require a severe change in plans thru August........ decisions, decisions. 

Meanwhile, I wandered the gardens during lunch break.....it was very windy, the curse of flower photography but you get an idea of what was in bloom.  

 A waterfall and small orchid in the rainforest area.  

The poppies were resplendent.....and overflowing .....and brilliant.    

Good days........

We are camped among the birds here at Cherry Creek State Park.   This is a lovely park, a high prairie setting with views of the magnificent mountains to the west and downtown Denver nearby.    The cottonwood trees are home to assorted birds, none of which I can identify.   I need to get the bird book over at the registration office so I sound intelligent.    The cottonwoods bring back strong memories of growing up in ND.   They have a very distinctive smell and it just propels me back to wandering the hills and wading in the streams.   Looking back, as young kids, we let our imaginations run wild in the hills, found arrowheads near the streams and came home dirty and worn out.   I don't remember my mother ever wondering where we were......it was just the playtime of kids back then and no one thought to worry unless we fell out of the high trees we nimbly climbed.   I never wore shoes (still prefer not to) and would often come back home to have my mother pick the glass out of my soles.    How I hated that and would wail and try and get her to stop.    The neighbors never questioned the sounds of trauma as they were doing the same to their kids.     But enough of the tales of old......

 I do know that this is the raucous and noisy magpie.   They seem to be the dominant bird around here and are very distinctive with the black and white markings....more prominent when they fly....but despite being patient, I could only get this non-impressive picture.  

 This bird was fleeting and pretty ....whatever it is.    

 On Saturday, we met Mike and group and the tricked out Rubicon.   After  wandering a farmer's market and choosing our breakfast from too many choices, we headed for the hills.  

 We didn't spend any time in Golden, but it is my favorite small town anywhere.    We lived there briefly in the '90's and I would go back in a minute.  

 Clear Creek Canyon is spectacular but photos thru the windshield don't do it justice.

We followed Peak to Peak highway to Boulder and Pearl Street.    We've spent many good times there and altho the stores change a bit, the flavor doesn't.   We highly recommend Boulder Book Store.
We are enjoying the Jeep.    With the top partially off, it's as close to a convertible as I'll ever have.   It sits high above traffic and is a comfortable ride.   We plan to test it's back road capabilities the end of July when we join up with the Mile High Jeep Club's rally up in Leadville where they find trails to conquer and vendors will gladly modify you and the Jeep.  

A BIG DAY......

What a difference 1800 + miles makes.     We made it back to beautiful Colorado.   And just in time to proudly celebrate Alexander Lee Miller's graduation from Mountain Vista HS.    As with his siblings, the ceremony was held at the Red Rocks Amphitheater.   This amazing rock setting is not visible from the roads and just looks like a massive pile of tumbled and uplifted rock......but once you walk to the entrance, the stunning views in all directions is unforgettable .   It was built as a WPA project and someone had an amazing vision.   Everyone from the Beatles to Lady Gaga has performed here.    

It was a perfect day, clear skies, temps in the low 70's and a light breeze.  

We arrived early to get good parking and close up seating.   Becca and Lizzie came slathered in sunscreen but umbrellas and large hats  made it comfortable.   After all, we were 6200 feet closer to the sun !!  

Kelsey, Lizzie, Becca , the old people and Nicholas.   Nicholas and Kelsey are in the midst of planning their wedding in November and the details are exciting.   

Mike capturing the parade of almost 500 grads as they enter ..... you get the idea of the size of this place looking up from the stage.

The cheers were mighty from the crowd as our favorite grad received his diploma.

Nicholas, Alex, Becca and Lizzie.......

Meredith and Alex.....watch for her in the Miss Arizona pageant in June.   She is so talented and lovely and spirited and has been a special part of the family since they were in their early teens.    Alex will join her at Arizona State in the fall.

Denver rises out on the plains.  

It is so good to be back ............

Neither rain nor.........

.........Anxiety will keep us from our appointed journey.    The weather forecast for this weekend has been anything but encouraging for travel thru the heartlands.    All week prior to departure, the warnings were dire and I hung on every word with dread.    I researched alternate routes despite the fact that we had actually made reservations for our stays along the way.    I was willing to give up $$$ for peace of mind.    So far, we have been able to dodge the yellow and red blobs on the weather maps and we have made it to Topeka.......and one of us is finally relaxing.    We stayed here last year,  Deer Creek RV park, and I commented on the abundance of concrete covering the acreage as the owner has a concrete plant......we recommend it, very nice.    

May is Lovebug season in Florida.    It also happens in September.   Apparently they are only on this earth as bird feed and as a paint destroyer and as a great annoyance on the golf course when they fly up Jennifer's skirt !!!     Anyhow, after a short trip down the road , this is what the front of the coach looked like.    It sounds like hard rain is hitting the roof and windshield.    Cars and trucks that have driven awhile, are literally covered .... and don't even think about using your wipers ....eeeeewww.   The rest stops have washing stations for quick cleaning.   

When we hit the Georgia border , they disappeared.   

 We spent our day in Nashville wandering the "Honky Tonk" district with its open bars and non-stop CW music played by young hopefuls.    It's not as tacky as I'd expected and the downtown area is clean with interesting architecture.   Lots of cowboy boots and hats as well.  
Having recently stayed at the Gaylord Hotel in Orlando, we went to view the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It is at least 3 times bigger than it's Orlando sibling.    It is huge and very lovely and very peaceful with all the waterfalls and tropical settings.    This is a boat ride that goes around INSIDE the atrium.

 That evening, we were fortunate to get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry show.   It is a live radio show with outstanding music.    We had high high seats but it really didn't matter with the large screens showing close-up and personal shots.     We thoroughly enjoyed the foot stomping,  hand clapping entertainers.    Ricky Skaggs and LeeAnn Rimes were the only two names I recognized but others were more impressive.  
And thanks to Becca, we have grown to enjoy Country music and are thinking we need to come back when there is a BIG star performing and stay at the Hotel..............Who wants to join us ???

And so, we left Nashville (and the swarms of miserable mosquitos at the CG) and headed West.   We made it to a lovely CG in St Peters, MO,  St Peters Lakeside RV Park, near St Louis right off I-70.   It is very new but convenient and spacious and right on the lake.    

After too much of TWC's dire warnings and too much discussion on what to do,   we pulled up stakes and headed west in our 'not so friendly to high winds and damaging hail' vehicle .    We could keep attentive to radar by using the mini propped up on the dash and watching the little blue ball which marked our progress across the prairie.   We did see some ominous clouds and did have rain but that was about it.    Much ado about nothing I guess but at least we were well informed.    Hopefully, it will be well east by the time we hitch up the wagon for another day.    

 And, one last reason we might need to go back to Nashville.......with a few friends.    This is the Pedal Tavern and yes, you have to pedal it like a bike, each person has their own.   It comes with a cute bartender and meanders the streets with its boisterous passengers.    Wonder if it makes pit stops !!

It's a rainy day.....

....in Nashville.     It's pouring and looks like plans to stroll around may have to be reconsidered.  

AND, I can't post pics ....   We're  sitting in a Panera's enjoying their breakfast sandwiches and WiFi. But the iPad is not cooperating so this will be short and dull.  

For all of you wanderers, we are camped at Seven Points CG, a beautiful Corps of Engineers project from the '60's.   heavily treed, we have no satellite but do get local channels.   No Internet, but electric and water and LARGE concrete pads with a small wooden table for cleaning your fish.     Also, nice picnic tables, ample room and excellent spacing from the neighbors.    The lake is huge and a site with a view would be perfect.......and the sun would be especially welcome.    Mosquitos are fierce.

We need to rethink our routing based on TWC's prediction of very severe weather in the middle if the country this weekend.    One of us isn't too concerned and the other is.  

Loading up and heading west........

The wagon is filling up and last minute at home obligations are almost done .   We have a few more horses on our wagon and hope to be in Colorado in about 10 days or so.   

Optimism reigns and the golf clubs are going along despite some concerns that I'll be able to use them in the near future.      He's trying to figure out where the Pickleball courts are along the way.  

Looking forward to leaving the love bugs and the Florida heat behind to enjoy the high country and the grandkids.      We'll take you along and I promise to start using the camera once again.