Thoughts on a Saturday........

A touch of the white stuff last night and now a crispy 22 degrees.    The sky is Colorado blue and the mountains have a fresh cover of snow.     

But last week, it was in the 60's and I actually played some golf. ... twice .     

There was an enthusiastic crowd on the 11th fairway.     The views from the back 9 are always inspiring.  

Newtown HS Marching Band accomplished a 1st in the school history.    They captured FIRST PLACE in their division in the National competition at Met Life stadium in NJ.   There were 55 bands total and 16 in their division.    They came in 4th overall.     We really wanted to be there but we settled  for frequent updates from the support team.    Can you tell it was really cold that night.?

I wonder if the school trophy case is big enough.    The kids worked incredibly hard and we are so proud of Andy.    Can't wait to see what they accomplish next year.



Speaking of accomplishments....... this kinda sums up the Bronco's year!

So many books....... I have such a long list of books I can't wait to read.   But, I also like to knit a lot so I finally gave in and got Audible.com once again.   In the past, I have listened to a couple books while I walk.    It really makes the time pass quickly.    It's not cheap, $14+ /month with one book included.   But it really is an addictive way to get involved in a book.   

I've wanted to read this one for awhile.   Reviews are very mixed but it has garnered several major awards and the critics loved it.    I think the audio version works really well  for this book as there are  so many voices and they add a real richness to the dialogue that would be lost in print.    I recognize some of the voices as well known actors.    It's not an easy listen and I could use a guide but it is one I will not soon forget.  

   

 At the same time, I'm reading all about this amazing Renaissance Man ( I had to ask Siri how to spell that...I'm so easily wowed by technology)...   Anyhow, this is a read to be savored.    I was hesitant to put it on the Kindle, afraid I would lose something in the included illustrations.    But, just the opposite as I can enlarge to get a better view of his drawings and paintings and sculptures.  

 Did you know that he wrote everything in mirror image, from right to left ?   Both Jenna and I can do that as well.....I've been doing it since grade school and can write about as fast backwards as I can the normal way .   I can only do cursive, not print.     Jenna may be descended from daVinci, considering her many creative talents, but I certainly am not.!

We're really looking forward to being with family this Thanksgiving.    Living in Florida, we never made the trip on  that busy holiday.    So we will head East, over the mountains and thru the woods to be with favorite people once again.      And then head back home to see some more favorite people.....stay tuned .

No news is good when you're this old........

I enjoy the morning sunrise....it's still a surprise that it comes so late and I find that the day is getting on before I realize it.    I am highly synced to sunrise and sunset.     The leaves are gone, there is fresh snow on the mountains and we are thoroughly enjoying the fall weather.   This is the latest we have ever been here and I'm liking the wearing of the jeans and sweaters.    It's still quite warm in the afternoons.   

Speaking of sweaters......this has been a project for about 10 months.   But it mostly sat in its basket as I pondered some of the harder aspects.    But, I'm wanting to look at new projects so trying to finish up those floundering along the way.    This is made of Lopi wool  which is what Icelandic sweaters are made out of.   It is quite coarse and I"m hoping it will soften after a nice soak and take on a finished look.   I made this in the round and then actually cut it down the middle.    This is a very intimidating thing for knitters but so far, it is behaving as the youtube knitters said it would. 

   

The other day, a friend and I went" shopping in Delta"......that sounds like an oxymoron I realize.   Delta is about 30 min north and is reminiscent of towns from the '50's.   We pass thru regularly coming and going to Grand Junction.    Many stores are empty but those that are open seem prosperous.   There is a nice shop that many go to for good brands of clothing and accessories.   We also had a great lunch at one of two Mexican restaurants on Main.   Note that Colorado blue sky !  

Montrose has some very nice shopping on Main as well.    And surprisingly, a very high end boutique.....cashmere and beautiful boots and leather wearables.   Altho it looks like just a stoplight on the way to somewhere else (Telluride), there are some impressive homes and ranches out there in the hills.  

And I've been remiss in tooting my horn !!    While we were away in CT, the last luncheon of the Ladie's Golf League was held.    And guess who won Most Improved Golfer for 9 Holes ????   I was stunned.    On League days I usually play 9 holes but not always so guess they thought that's where I fit in for this award.    I didn't get a big check or $$$ to spend in the Pro Shop but I'll take my name on a plaque anytime.    Now I just have to prove that I deserve it.    

And on a happier note.........  This book seems to be the rage of late on the many blogs that I read.

I think we've been doing this for awhile now.....

Day 1 Hiking in Utah

Our Cobble Creek Hiking Club is large and active.   I'm in awe of these seniors that trek around the outdoors with unabashed enthusiasm.   Wearing sturdy shoes, ugly hats and backpacks with granola and water systems, they conquer the highs and lows of this beautiful country.    We have been lax this year in joining them on the Wednesday and Saturday hikes and I always feel guilty when I head to the golf course instead.      But this week, we joined in and headed with about 15 couples over to Utah.    Above is the view as we drove through Capitol Reef NP.    We were there about 3 years ago so just passed by.    

We took the MH and camped at a SP in Escalante.   A small town supported by tourism, it is in the heart of the Grand Staircase.    ( A huge geological area that I do not understand fully but our government apparently feels that it should be plundered and assaulted.....and that's all I'll say about that for now......)

The next morning, we headed out to hike Lower Calf Creek Falls.     Considered 'easy' in some guide descriptions, it follows the creek for 3+ miles.     

The trail is rocky and requires careful footfalls and hiking poles to maneuver the serious ups and downs.   On the levels, it is sandy, much like a fluffy beach without the ocean.   It was hard work.   Some turned back, concerned about the return trip.  

  

 Across the canyon were these pictographs.....a bit below center and above the shadow are 3 figures.   I tried to zoom in closer but then it got blurry.   The Fremont culture lived in this canyon 900 years ago.     I can understand why with it's water, open space for crops and safe from invaders.

Our destination was the beautiful falls.   It was very cool and peaceful and a good place to contemplate our lunch and our tired feet.

It took us 5 hours for the 6+ mile walk and altho we probably wouldn't do it again, we highly recommend it.     And I would rate it 'easy/moderate'.
I've divided this trip into 3 blog posts in order to get the pictures in the right place....so keep reading.

Day 2.... Willis Creek Trail

We did not know what to expect when the recommended hike for the day was a slot canyon.   I had an idea and also a nagging feeling that I wasn't sure I wanted to hike in one.    I had heard the horrific stories of flash floods and saw the warnings that being hit by a flash flood in a canyon is comparable to 2 elephants slamming into you.     I felt somewhat comforted by the blue skies and dry forecast.     We drove to the trailhead on a 5 mi dirt road occasionally encountering deep deep sand....not passable in a regular car.  

 We did about 4 miles on the trail.   It was breathtaking.

Note the warning on the sign.....

I have a touch of claustrophobia but felt fairly comfortable.    The group mentioned another slot canyon they wanted to try where you have to walk sideways without your pack to get thru.   However, the visitors center said there was chest high stagnant water in it that smelled like "dead rats"......!!!

This was a treat of a lifetime..... I hope we will go back.

Day 3 Bryce Canyon

Another day, another walk unspoiled.    We headed about 49 miles south to Bryce Canyon NP.    We'd been there about 3 years ago, in June.     This day it was a bit cooler and a lot more crowded.   Utah takes a break from school in Oct and this Thursday was the first day.    I was happy to see so many kids and parents out seeking nature at it's finest.    But it meant for crowded trails so we opted to just do a few miles of the Rim Trail.    Bryce is all about looking down from the top.   To see it up close, you must walk  down into the canyon among the hoodoos.   It is very unique and fun.   

Since we already knew what was down there, we strolled for awhile and then ran into part of our group and opted for lunch at Ruby's Restaurant....... I ordered a portobello burger (the best I've ever had) and then justified the 4 berry pie by the prior 2 mi walk.    They are known for their pies!    

  

The next morning we packed up and headed back home.   We were a bit delayed by a slow moving traffic jam....

A long day's journey.........

Before we flew west again and right on schedule, the leaves started to turn.   With memories of our 30+ years witnessing this stunning show, I was thrilled that we got to enjoy it one more time.   

 And late one afternoon, Jon took us for a scenic boat ride on Lake Zoar.    We had a boat on Lake Lillinonah, separated from Zoar by a dam, so this was reminiscent of our many many years of boating.    Jon keeps his in a town boat slip but we had to trailer ours in and out.    I never ever learned to back up with a boat trailer.

 This is the time of year when the pool boy gets a good workout.   As I was looking from an upper deck I noticed two rambunctious chipmunks chasing each other in circles.    Suddenly, they both circled themselves into the pool!   Fortunately, they can swim.   Unfortunately, they can't climb out.    I raced down,  grabbed the net and eventually caught the tiny exhausted things.   One dashed off but the other just sat there..... I left him alone and after about 30 min, he was gone.   They have had creatures in there before but I doubt I would have been so heroic had it been a snake.

It was so good to get back to be with the boys and to be in familiar places once again.     Andy and the Newtown HS Marching Band took top honors in NJ over 19 other bands.   Their next big event will be in Nov at the Met Life stadium.   I would love to cheer them on !!    And, in other big news, Mason, the 7th grader, was selected to be in the Jazz Band.   He plays sax and is very good.......guess he got my sax playing genes as well as my blue eyes.   ( I suddenly lost interest in band in my junior  year when I concentrated on a certain cute quarterback).    

We headed back to Colorado on the 6:30 am flight out of LGA.    (That means getting up really early).   We stopped briefly in Denver to have bagels with Jenna and Alex and Becca and then kept going.   Normally, it is 5+ hour drive with just brief stops.    This day there was an accident and then a long wait as they closed lanes in Glenwood canyon for rock slide remediation.    Glenwood Canyon is one of the most beautiful rides.    But, it was always a bottleneck with just a two lane road on a major cross country route ( I-70 ).    In an engineering feat, they managed to preserve the beauty and majesty despite weaving an interstate highway thru the canyon.   The Colorado River carved out the path and the railroad also shares this route.     They also put in a bike path and rest areas and kept the access to the challenging Hanging Lake trail (We did it about 20+ years ago and I THINK I could do it again but much slower ).    The colors were brilliant but its just very hard to capture in a car.  

Entering the canyon....note the color reflections on the hood. 

Views of the bike path and the river.  

And then it was time for a long cat nap..........

Grandkids are the best.............

It was a rainy morning when we made the trek from West to East.     The aspen really haven't turned in our part of the world but we did see some color around Vail.    Uneventful drive altho the backs do not appreciate that many hours in the Jeep.  

    

Nicholas and Kelsey came home for a few days from Oklahoma.    How good to see them and hear  of their busy lives.    Becca and Alex were home as well......we missed Lizzie and even tho she's nearby at UNC, her schedule was too busy to join us.   The memories are so fresh of their younger days and even their births....where does the time go ???

We hoped a plane the next day and got reintroduced to NYC traffic.   Jon picked us up at LGA and the usual  75 min drive took 3 hours !    

On Sunday we headed south through  the boroughs of NYC, across the George Washington bridge, down the NJ Turnpike, past Wilmington and Baltimore and into Washington DC.  

  We came to say a formal good by to our friend and Paul's colleague  Dean.   Air Force, Eastern and North American pilots were well represented on a beautiful fall morning at Arlington National Cemetery.    It's hard to describe the majesty of this hallowed ground.    If you haven't been there, please go and take in the reverence and solemnity and beauty. 

And then we headed north once again and managed to avoid the dreaded rush hour traffic.   

Andy, at 14, is now a member of the Newtown HS Marching Band.   It is an award-winning group with a long history of success.    He plays the trumpet.    On Saturday night, they hosted a competition of area bands.    How impressive and complex the routines have become.   I do not understand how they manage to play and maneuver the intricate patterns.    Andy said that the first year they don't have to play unless they are comfortable but should  concentrate on their feet first.   

I was in band, oh so many years ago, but still remember just trying to march in a parade and on the football field......nothing like what these talented kids do.     This weekend he goes on a 3 day trip to NJ and Philadelphia for competition.

New England in the fall is stunning but we are too early.      Wandering the back country scenic roads in NW Connecticut was still a trip down memory lane.    The colonial homes and estates are kept quite pristine and the history of Colonial days is everywhere.    We stopped at Kent Falls to climb the trail to the top.    Now there are granite stairs where there used to be just a steep path.    And signs warn of no climbing on the rocks or swimming in the pools.....that was always the fun part.    Water levels were pretty low and in two weeks, the leaves should be brilliant.