It's a house………

I took a deep breath and opened the door…….I had NO confidence in any of my decisions…except maybe the appliances.                               But no need to worry…it's all good !    

In order to keep the costs down, we opted for a semi-custom house.    We were able to tweak some things, pick certain colors and upgrade appliances.   But the basics were chosen by the developer ( he is very hands on ).     So, most of the patio homes have a similar look……just like The Villages !   

 We're still waiting for the backsplash and the cabinet pulls.

View from kitchen towards entry on left…you can barely see the tall door.   The study is straight ahead and the guest bath and bedroom are to the right.

The study….it really is bigger than it looks in this view.   It has hardwood floors.   And there is always the option of using the outdoor privy.

Your room when you come to visit.   Nice view of the golf course.

From the entry, this window looks thru the house…. There will be landscaping or something in that little nook.  

F

Large window in great room with good view of the golfers on the Par 3.    The course looks to be in beautiful shape….very lush.

View from the great room towards the kitchen and the entry on the right.

Love the fireplace and the stone.   It's a bit warmer stone than this pic shows.    The surround isn't in place yet , nor is the TV .  We opted out of a mantel and like the simplicity.

We headed to Grand Junction yesterday and managed to choose bedroom and some great room furniture.    I see many trips back there  ( 60 miles ).     But, if you decide to visit, you'll have to sleep on the floor….no guest  accommodations yet.

I'm stumped about window treatments ( read $$$$$ no matter what we do ) and may call a neighbor's decorator altho the "Budget Blind" guy has already dropped off his propaganda.

Had dinner with neighbors last night.     Barb and Art were the first people we met here.   Paul plays PB with Art and when we were looking around this beautiful part of Colorado, Art suggested we look at   Cobble Creek and the rest is history.         She actually grew up in Newtown Ct and lived in a large colonial at the end of Main Street .This landmark  is also home to a Civil War soldier…..he's reported to be nice but quiet.   She confirmed this.
   
OK, time to get moving and go pick out drawer pulls…………….

The wait is almost over……..

  We decided to stay in the Denver area a couple more days.   Not that we needed to do more shopping….we have NO more room for anything.    We've filled every nook and cranny of the Jeep with Costco trips and the MH has the larger boxes cluttering about.    We've looked at furniture until I"m totally confused.    Grand Junction has the same stores we wandered thru so we will go there on Wednesday to make some final decisions.    GJ is about 60 mi from Montrose.     We had a minor problem when we made the decision to stay put…. the CG was full.    We had dinner with friends Cyndi and Scott….Paul played PB with her and we saw them in Albuquerque and they stopped by to see us in Florida.   They were going to a Tiffin rally this weekend in Chatfield St Park and happened to have an extra spot open up.      So, not only did we get a place to hang our hat but we are now official members of the Rocky Mountain Allegro Club (made up of people who own Tiffin Motorhomes).   

  

 The group sites at Chatfield are very nice.    Sort of like circling the wagons …. around a center fire pit with large tables and a nice gravel / concrete surface.    I took this pic as the sun was setting and P was getting the fire set.    We met many very nice people from Colorado.    It was a fun gathering.

We finally pulled up stakes and headed out early this morning for our trip West.   As you climb out of the Denver plains, you crest a long hill and are greeted with your first stunning view of the Rockies.

 And also, the buffalo herd that's been there for years…….

It was an uneventful but beautiful  ride over the passes…..one ski area is still open due to all the recent snow they have had.    Hopefully, this will replenish the lack of moisture in previous years.

We are camped about 5 miles from the house. …...haven't been over to the house yet.    

I'll share our first thoughts in the next day or so…….It's so good to be out in the West again……..

Winter Wonderland…….

We arrived at Cherry Creek State Park on a sunny warm day…….We like this park and have stayed here many times while in Denver.     Despite the pouring cold rain the next day, we met for a Mother's Day breakfast at a favorite eatery.    Then, with the forecast in mind, we hibernated for the rest of the day.    Snow started in the afternoon and continued off and on, alternating with sleet.    It was still snowing this morning.  

  

 Probably 5 inches of heavy wet snow and 30 degrees greeted us when we headed out.

 There are many many deer up here and despite the snow, they were out and about.  

Tonight it is supposed to dip to 23 degrees…..We've had to search to find some of our cold weather clothes that we packed away, not thinking we would need it til the fall.    Later tomorrow, it will start the warm up and by Wednesday, it will be in the 70's.  

It looks like we will head to Montrose this weekend and the closing is currently planned for the 23rd.   That will give us time to look at the house and then order furniture and such.    Today, Jenna and I wandered thru IKEA.   Interesting stuff….not all of it appealing but their prices are certainly attractive.  

Denver

Our brief respite in SE Colorado was just what we needed after our galloping thru all of those southern states.    And meeting up with Dean and Diane was the best.   Old friends are like old shoes….only better looking.    We caught up with the 2 years in between our last gathering.     Alas, the wind kept our camp fire to a brief moment but our moving houses are comfy and cozy and so was the food and drink.    Hopefully, our paths will cross again later in the summer.     Safe Travels  DD.  

So, we are in the mile high beauty that is Colorado and Denver.    A bit chilly but it is only early May and the sun still shines brightly.     Tomorrow is to bring winter back for a bit.    The mountains will get a couple of feet of the white stuff and we are forecast for a covering as well.   Luckily, we have no place to go and if we do, we have the hardy Jeep.        Hopefully, I'll get back to picture taking……..

Rolling along…….

Leaving the  Witchita Falls campground, we spied this colorful area…..assume it was the dog park !!

We're moving right along, heading North now towards our rendezvous today with the DD's.    Nothing scenic to report unless you consider the people you see at WalMart.  (  I know that isn't very nice to say but I keep thinking of that video every time I go there )  Yes, we had to do it….it made one stop shopping a bit easier and going later in the evening probably helped.    We are in Amarillo, a dusty western colored  place that doesn't beckon me.    But , the Amarillo Ranch RV Park is worthy of an overnight if you pass by.   

Reports from the scouts ahead tell us that there is no WiFi at the State Park where we will spend 2 nights.   But there is a freshly tarred and sanded road leading to the  area that we will try our best to avoid.        See you in Denver ………….!

Westward Ho

Yes, we have no pictures……..  This internet is way too slow….. plus, I didn't take any !!     We started the loading process on Friday.    Despite the fact that it was a torrential downpour for most of the day, we managed to get a fair share done.    On Saturday, with a departure time of 9 ,10, 11   noon, we finally said Good Bye and headed out at 12:40……  and still raining !!      The Jeep was loaded and the  MH was packed as full as we've ever tried.    Hopefully, most of the 'stuff' will stay in Montrose when we leave in the fall.

The first day we made it all the way to Milton Florida. Next to Pensalcola and the  Famous birthplace of Jeffrey P Miller some 48 years ago.   It's changed a bit since then.    The sun was out but we didn't care as we were worn out.    We slept very well.         After the historic rains earlier in the week, the park had been totally flooded.    Several motorhomes and cars had to be totaled.   Others had their possessions out in the drying process.    Watermarks on buildings and RV's indicated it came up at least 2 feet, if not 3 in some spots.   They had been hard at work in the week and the office was shiny clean and the park was open.    The pool had overflowed as well.

The next day we drove over 500 miles to a lovely RV park in Shrevesport.    The southern plan (we normally take the northern, tornado alley road to Co ) has been a very nice driving route.    It's flat and being a weekend, traffic is moderate and trucks are apparently enjoying a weekend off.     Weather has been flawless and we're hoping our luck will not change.

Today, we will head towards Witchita Falls, Tx, bypassing Dallas, Fort Worth but still a hassle with traffic.     Not sure how far we'll go but I'm hoping we can relax a bit.    It helps that we both drive.

In a couple of days, we will meet up with duo of Dean and Diane.   Remember them from our Canada trip of two years ago ?    Fortunately, they are headed north from their winter in Texas and our paths will collide somewhere in SE Colorado.   We are really looking forward to a reunion and hope they have plenty of firewood for our nightly campfires….we have none.   But we do have wine to bring to the party.

And then it's on to Denver for some serious shopping for the house and to enjoy the kids once again.

So, that's the synopsis of our trip so far.    It's really good to be back on the road again in the moving house…..and headed WEST.

PS…..  We got a later start this morning and decided to take it easier than our other days.     With that in mind, I visualized a nice happy hour overlooking the Texas landscape and watching the sun go down.       But not to be…..We are in Wichita Falls and this is what greeted us when we stepped out…….It's a dry heat tho….as if that matters.  

EPCOT and sponges

Connecticut left and then Colorado arrived….how lucky are we !!    4/7 th of our grandkids in two weeks.        Becca gets passes to the Disney world so we took advantage and had a great day at Epcot.   Weather was pleasant altho the sun was intense.  

The Flower Show is in it's final days …..   I've seen it before and noted that there was a lack of color this year….  most of the characters were green and brown.   Still worthy of a walk about to see them and probably a lot easier to maintain.

I waited at this colorful Kodak point hoping the monorail would pass thru but no luck….. still pretty.   Those are impatients in the water.

 About the only color we saw.

 Peter Pan and Captain Hook and Lizzie and Becca…..the Captain was NOT a flower frocked statue…he moved.    The characters are only in place for about 15 min due to the heat and heaviness of the costumes….and they always have a handler with them to control the little fans.  

 We walked and walked, had lunch in Italy and decided not to wait in line for 75 minutes to enjoy "Soaring".    It's a great experience but not worthy of that long line.


Later in the week we wandered over to the Gulf Coast and stopped in Tarpon Springs.   This is home to over a hundred years of sponge harvesting.    They offer boat rides out to watch the divers go down and retrieve the sponges.    Started by the Greeks, the community is still a colorful testament to their culture.    The pelicans were hoping for a handout.   This was Rufus and he's known to accept handouts.

 Bins of sponges of all types were available along the main street.    I resisted.   The one store said they are antibacterial and won't mold or mildew.

The house is now quiet and we're gearing up for our trip west.    There is a lot to do.    The MH will become a moving van altho we aren't taking any furniture or large items.  

The builder sent us new pictures yesterday.    The stonework is looking good.

And the granite is in……it's pretty basic granite but is the opposite of the lighter color we have in the Florida house so I went for the change.   I was watching HGTV last night and a guy was looking at a kitchen and said that granite was "dated"…..oh dear… the last thing I want my house to be is dated….that's what I am !!    

See you on the road…………..and happy to be leaving record breaking high temps ( 93 today ), humidity and the approaching  love bugs……..

One way to be younger every day…...

….spend it with younger people !!   Or maybe not….. but it was a good time with Andy and Mason this week.    The parents went back to work and we continued playing.
Mostly, this was my view of them ……...

Later in the week, we went to Legoland.     We got cheap (relatively speaking) tickets  in advance and I felt bad about parents who paid serious money to take little ones here because for the most part, it is NOT Disney.    It is a new park but seems old and kind of dingy.    The rides are aimed at the young and Andy wasn't too impressed altho Mason enjoyed driving.    He was very good and obeyed all the traffic signs but other kids just drove with abandon and there were many collisions.   Luckily they don't go fast.   

The best part were all of the Lego built displays.    The Star Wars was excellent….

As were the various cities and landmarks….

Too bad we bought our Ford from the dealer, we could have had the boys build us one…..they have enough Legos….And now they have even more after we visited the large store on the way out.    

On Friday, Jon had a trip to Tampa so we dropped the boys off so they could ride home with their dad.    

 And now the house is much too quiet and the old people are back to their recliners.  

Meanwhile, out in the West…..the floors are in !!  

Spring break…….

Boys are spending their spring break in Tulum Mexico.  Near Cancun.    We took our kids there many, many years ago….thee was nothing there except ruins and thatched huts that sold trinkets and Coke.    Jon was about 7 I think so that makes it about 35 years ago.    The beaches at Tulum are stunning as is the park at Xel Ha.     The boys snorkeled with large fish, like barracudas and sting rays….I was reluctant about the whole thing and kept vigilance on the rocks above .   I'm assuming it's all built up now with hotels and such.      Yesterday Andy and Mason went to the Park. 

 

 Maybe we'll have to go back again……This time they can pay their own way.!!

The house moves along and I am getting stressed about all the decisions that will be required…..Like furniture and dishes and everything …..

As we were driving back from SC, somewhere in the state, I saw a billboard ….. I didn't get a picture but it roughly said………" Sign in online for the ER (at some hospital) and do your waiting at home."   Now, I always thought the emergency room was for EMERGENCIES…..seems to me if you were having a stroke or heart attack, you really should not wait at home.  

Enjoying The Masters and convinced if I watch every minute it will improve my golf game….by osmosis.

Catching up……...

 It's good to be home………….or didn't I tell you we were gone?     It wasn't a very exciting trip but the moving house needed it's annual checkup and P prefers to go to the source.    So, we drove 500+ miles up and back (divided into 2 reasonable days each way) and visited the Freightliner factory in Gaffney SC.   Everything went well and despite the torrential rains the entire time there, we had a good outing.    Spring is popping out up there and everything was in bloom, including the climbing wisteria which was common along highways.   It seems very invasive as it's vines climb the trees.    We saw one tree that was completely covered.    It has such beautiful flower.    Other trees were blooming and I was especially nostalgic for the dogwood that we had in Ct.   ( I really intended to take pics but didn't want to get wet. )

While we were there, the builder sent us some photos of the progress.    This is the master bath

 and obviously this is the kitchen with cabinetry being put in.  It will look much better with the doors and drawers, granite and flooring.    Tile was to start on Monday.   It's getting exciting.   Except, I now have to quit procrastinating and start ordering the lighting fixtures.   If I was out there, I think it would be easier.    I'm saving the mini pendants for later as well as the dining light.   But I've almost decided on bathrooms and ceiling fans (4).  

I'm a gadget person….I admit it.       I have had a FitBit One for awhile.    It clips very securely onto clothes and counts  all of your steps.   I sync it with Loseit.com and it gives me all sorts of non-vital info.    If you spend more money, you can sync it to Runkeeper and also a BP monitor and also a glucose monitor, if you have those concerns.    It's kind of fun and keeps me motivated.   Altho, this week, between the serious rains and  days of driving, my stats were pretty ugly.  

We came home to beautiful weather……only in the 70's with bright sun.   But in a day or two it will become more heated.    Guests will be arriving soon from the North so no one will complain about the heat.   Especially 2 boys who love to swim.