A Happy Christmas

 We left the cold Arizona desert for the warmer side of the US.   Connecticut was slightly white and mostly dry during our annual Christmas trip.    It's always  a wonderful time filled with family.   But  we miss having ALL of our family together.   We are   thankful that all are living full and blessed  lives.

We continued the holiday tradition of going to see the latest Star Wars movie on Christmas Eve afternoon.    We arrived early for good seats ( heated and reclining).  The story line is finally making sense to me and I no longer need a detailed diagram to figure out the character connections.   I enjoyed it a lot.       Note that most are deep into their devices......except the avid reader of books, Mason.       

On another day, we headed into Manhattan for the Cirque Du Soleil Christmas show.    We had never been to Madison Square Garden and it is as huge as I'd expected, as was the theatre.    The show was quite tame by Cirque standards but lots of lively music and leaping and tumbling and swinging and 

glitter.   It was fun.  

 

It was near 50 degrees and no wind so we wandered over to the High Line ( a 1.5 mi linear park on an old elevated train bed ) and walked one of the loops with beautiful views of the river, the Empire State building, World Trade Center and ended at Hudson Yards.   This sculptural structure is called "Vessel" and is basically 154 connected stairs.  It is free but requires tickets in advance.     We walked almost 6 miles and Mason wasn't thrilled with the crowds but they were mostly tourists in good moods.    I watched a delivery person with a hand drawn cart filled with Amazon packages, navigate the narrow crowded streets.   I forget that not everyone gets the UPS truck outside their house.    It's hard to imagine all the service people and goods needed to keep this behemoth place going....there are just so many many people.    And they keep building more and more high rises to meet the demand.  

 We managed to keep the Scrabble challenges going and Mason outdid himself, and won the game, with 'quarry', on a triple word space no less.

 We're back home and the desert did not warm up one bit.   Frost warnings most nights so the bike is staying parked and golf will be with down vests.  

See you in the New Year !!

December already ?

It's been cold and rainy and windy down here in the desert.   I'm ready for the sun.   

We spent Thanksgiving with as many family friends as we could find.    We gathered at Jeff and Jennifer's golf club for way too much food.   Her dad from Washington joined us as well as Alex, grandchild #4, who is exploring a golf career nearby.    And no, we didn't all shrink....Alex is well over 6'4" and towers over us all.    He is just the finest young man...very proud of him.    

We're slowly finding our way around the area.     Our golf community is in a beautiful desert setting with paved trails and these more dog friendly gravel trails.   There is a beautiful dog park, named Charlie's Park after Merv Griffin's dog.    He had a large ranch in this area.     We see mostly larger dogs living here vs the tiny white things in Florida.   And no one walks them in a stroller.    Yesterday, I had a friendly conversation with a dogue du bordeaux, named Bruno.   He was apply named and was huge.   You might remember this breed in "Turner and Hooch".   Anyhow, somedays I want a dog.... but not a 'Bruno'.

I'm playing in the Ladie's 9 hole group.    No more 'aces' but I'll keep hoping.   And it's nice to have fun and not be out there for over 4 hours.     I also need to ride my bike more but I'm a fair weather rider...... maybe today if the sun keeps shining.   

A change of pace.......

 Early one morning, we left our favorite mountains and came to the desert.      We opted to leave the motorhome behind and are renting a brand new house in Wickenburg Ranch AZ.  


We are familiar with this golf course community, visited in it's early stages and have friends who moved here from Cobble Creek.     It is about an hour from Jeff and Jen and all that Phoenix/Scottsdale offer.

 It's a nicely furnished  house and has a golf cart.   This is a very scenic desert area; distant and nearby mountains, my favorite saguaro and good roads to shopping.    The town of Wickenburg is small and authentically western.   It is the "Team Roping Capitol of the World" and the season is beginning.   There is limited shopping, no Walmart or Target but several farm supply stores.   No one raves about the restaurants but the Club gets good reviews.   Major shopping is at least 45 min away.

There are 2 golf courses.    Big Wick is a highly rated Troon managed course with prices to match its rating.     It will eventually become a private course,  well beyond our price and level of play.   But now, we get 12 discounted rounds ... about $95.      And then there is Lil' Wick.   A Par 3 nine hole very fun and pretty course.    This is the view from one of the first tees.    It looks down on the Watering Hole, a place for casual dining.    This course is free and no dress code and not limited to 4 players....group ahead had 7 guys playing.     No tee times either, just show up.   I'll play in the Ladie's group 2 times a week (when it's not raining).     I almost forgot...music plays from speakers on each tee box, mostly country western.  
 

On Sunday, we tried out the course and I managed to get a Hole in One on #3..... 90 yds from the mid tee.   My first one !!  
A nice way to begin our stay.

It's sweater season....

This was then....... a beautiful but chilly day for golf.....That's our house above his head.   And my ball was at the bottom of the pond.....it was a good shot, until it wasn't.....

 And this was yesterday...... about 3 inches, enough to shovel the north facing driveway.   It's cold and  wintery and good days for knitting and fireplaces.

So, I made  a go-to favorite.   We are meat and dairy free but occasionally, we add a non-meat substitute to change things up a bit.    This is quartered petite Yukon gold potatoes, chunks of peppers, red onion and sometimes sweet potatoes or squash.   I toss it in dried onion soup, cook for about 15 min at 425 and then add sliced Beyond Beef Italian sausages.    They are greasy so a quick saute and I drain them on paper towels and then add to the oven mix.     After another 20 min or so, I toss in asparagus for about 5 min.   Quick and easy and good as lunch the next day.    And the house smells like I can actually cook.         The only other "meats" that we use now and then are Gardein Italian meatballs for spaghetti and pizza and tempeh bacon.     I haven't tried the "Impossible burger" altho I applaud its success.    Aside from cholesterol, it is still loaded with fat and chemicals.





So, I'm still riding but my bike is in for it's 100 mi check.   It's been there for several days so I hope he hasn't found something serious.    Not sure how I'll manage the cold weather and biking.....

I just finished reading "Elderhood".    It's a long book but I'm a fast reader and skimmed over many parts.  "The author takes a look at a vital but often disparaged stage of life".....One of her quotes was that if you have " good genes, good luck, good finances, and one good kid,  you probably won't end up in a nursing home"..... also not likely if you have 3 daughters or 3 daughters-in-law.  I was talking to a friend in Oregon yesterday whose mother had a stroke and altho up and about, she requires 24 hour care at home.    It's costing over $14000 a month.      I'm going to recommend that at least ONE of our kids read this book.          And I learned that I was a senior, now I'm elderly and I have a few years before I am old.....All I know is that it wasn't very long ago that I was a teenager.

October days....

 This was today's  Bing picture, which is my home page on my computer...... everyday the picture changes and is always a welcome beginning to my day.     This particular view is very familiar. Altho we usually don't see it from  this angle,  it is a distinctive landmark just down the road .    This is Chimney Rock and Courthouse Peak.    Yesterday, a fire started near these familiar sites and today it has exploded in size.    Fortunately, the winds blow the massive smoke plumes away from us but it leaves a sobering impression.     Early today, there was snow and rain in the area so we're hoping for the best altho it is 0% contained.   There are many beautiful jeeping trails, hiking trails and ranches in this area.  

And some great news.    Hank the Heron has returned.    We have not seen him for at least 2 months and I feared for the worst.    And then, yesterday he swooped in on his huge wings and went fishing in the pond.      I am happy and relieved that he is OK.    He's been a regular since we've lived here and others say he has been here for a long time, dividing his days between the numerous ponds around the golf course.          And then, I spied this otter on the bank.    I have never seen one around here altho there is a subdivision in town called Otter Pond so they must have walked over to check out the neighborhood.     There were two of them swimming around.    Not a good picture but I just used the phone and didn't get too close.

We're starting to think about our winter plans.     We have several options, including returning to Palm Creek in the motorhome.     We could also stay home and be cozy in front of the fireplace.    This place does get a bit quiet with many going south and west.     The golf course is open except for January but I am a fair-weather golfer.

And yes, because you want to know.....I still love my bike !    I try and ride every day.   I was getting quite comfortable and confident and then managed to take a very ungraceful dive into the dirt, gravel and dry weeds while turning around.    I was on the bike path and crossed over to the gravel frontage road.     When I went to get back on the path, I missed seeing a good sized depression and slowly went over on my side.    Now, this bike is heavy and it landed on my left leg, forcing it deeper into the dirt and gravel.    So here I am, an old lady, trapped under her bike and watching the cars go by on  HWY 550, partially obscured by high grasses.    I was more embarrassed than hurt and just hoped no one would pull over to see if I was dead.     I managed to get upright altho my bare knees got a fair share of gravel rash.       I'm still riding but my confidence was shaken a bit and I"m staying a little closer to home for awhile.

I ride like the wind.......or a gentle breeze.

Have I mentioned how much I like my new bike ??   I love to ride.    I've ridden every day (well, not today ... )    and am increasing my distance and speed. ....... and confidence.    I stick to the roads in Cobble Creek and the bike path that is accessible after crossing the golf course and following the river.    I have a sturdy helmet, flashing lights on the front and back, a bell and a holder for my phone.   I capture my ride on the Strava app.....( you can follow me if you have a boring life) and Paul can follow me in real time so he knows where I am when I need rescuing.     I ride for at least an hour+ and now that I have padded bike shorts, I can ride more comfortably even longer.     I hope to work up to about 2 hours but will have to retrace my route a few times since I'm not ready for the roads in town.     According to studies, bike riding for seniors  is wonderful for balance, muscle strength, improved brain function and slowing of the aging process......providing you don't get hit by a truck. 

People think that an e-bike is wimpy but they are wrong.   I don't use the assist around the neighborhood or on the flat parts of the path.   I use a high gear ( the bike has 8 gears and 4 assist levels) for more resistance and when I get tired or the hill seems steeper, I add the 1st level assist.   My legs let me know that I'm getting a good workout.   Because the bike is so heavy and I have my chubby body to propel, I burn a few calories.     Yesterday it was windy and I managed to ride for an hour with pedal assist despite 20-30 mph winds and stronger gusts.    If I had been on a lighter bike, I would have managed about 3 feet or been blown over.  

In other news..... fall has come to the San Juan mountains.    We headed out on a Jeep trail on Sunday.    We thought the leaves would be past peak but there was still a lot of color.    We took the bumpy high road to Telluride but our favorite restaurant was closed .....     

And then today, winter arrived......

It didn't last long but the mountains are snow covered once again and the wind and temperature made for a cold day.....and no bike ride.   We had reservations in Bryce Canyon NP this week but  the long range forecast was very cold so the motorhome got winterized instead.       It's to be near 70 next week so golf is still on the calendar.  

Age is not a factor.......

Ruth Bader Ginsberg is 86 and is a Supreme Court Justice.....

Nancy Pelosi is 81 and is the Speaker of the House......

Elizabeth Warren is 70 and is a Presidential Candidate.....

Susan Miller is 76 and bought a brand new bicycle...... !!!

After trying an electric bike when we were in CT at a local bike shop, I did some serious research and decided this was the way to go.      This is an Electra Townie Go!8i , a division of Trek bikes.     The black rectangle on the bar is the battery.    It is not a scooter type....it requires pedaling but has 4 pedal assist speeds that allow for easier hill climbing or faster speeds on the flat.    I'm too chicken to go fast but I will look forward to the help on hills.    Plus, this is in the style of the bike you rode as a kid.   It's very very comfortable, solid, stable and heavy. (54 #)   Fat tires make for a smooth ride.   The tires are lined with Kevlar to help avoid punctures.   This brand is the most popular e-bike as well as a regular bike.   They come in fun colors...(The jury is still out on the white tires ).....and the local bike shop is very friendly and helpful.       Montrose has several miles of bike paths and  is currently building many more with access to the Rec Center and scenic rides along the white water Uncompaghre River.  
Life is good on a bike !!

Dark skies and distant views.....

Utah is our neighbor and the heat index is getting safer so we spent a few days wandering about.    We "camped" at Dead Horse St Park, about 40 min from Moab.    I enjoy watching the families in their small campers and tents and remember when we did the same.   Now, I need my shower and my comfy bed.  

  This is a designated very "Dark Sky" part of the country and our first night around the campfire was  rewarded with the ISS zipping across overhead.   Always an awe inspiring moment.   Some had their cameras and tripods out to capture the Milky Way and movement of the stars.   I have a great app on my phone and I'm slowly

learning more about the constellations and main attractions up there.

  

 Arches NP was a short drive and we did the 2 mi walk to Landscape Arch.    We did this one several years ago.     Part of the arch collapsed 15 years ago and they no longer allow closer views.  

Dead Horse SP has a trail that goes from the Visitors Center , out to the point and back.    It's about 4+ miles total.    We thought it would be well marked but found that cairns were our only guide.   It crossed slick rock (no footprints to follow) and scrubby desert.    We weren't far from the road on one side or the canyon on the other side so there was no real danger of wandering in the desert for days. It was a challenge sometimes to find the cairns and the right direction.    This is one lookout over the Colorado.     The park gets it's name from a time when wild horses were herded out to the point, the best were taken and the rest left to die without water.    It's a rugged, beautiful area with a sad history.   

 Various ancient people left their marks over the centuries before us.  

 Another day, we took a shortcut from Canyonlands NP to Moab.    About a 2+ hour Jeep ride along Shafer Trail.    We've done this in the past and the views of the Colorado are breathtaking.  Thelma and Louise sailed off a precipice like this.    The ride is rough but not particularly a nail biter.   In the pic above, you can pick out a large raft with several people and supplies near the large sandbar.    Biking, jeeping, long rafting trips and climbing are popular Moab attractions.  

We hope to head back to Utah in a couple weeks for more wandering....

Meanwhile, the Newtown HS Marching Band is gathering up awards once again.    Parents are the workforce behind this  talented organization.    Jon is the unofficial photographer and captures the on and off-field moments.     He submits some of the pics to The Bee, Newtown's weekly paper.   Last week, it was Mason's turn to shine.    Various Miller children have been in the pages of the paper going back to when Michael was in 4th grade and was featured as a budding inventor.....(over 40 years ago !!  )  

Quick trip.......

Way back in the early 70's, my dad complained to the local power company about the pile of telephone poles that they left near his front yard, along the road.    After a year or two, he gave up and moved them to his workshop area and started carving them up.   They mostly became totem poles, patterned after the native art of the various  tribes in Canada and Alaska.

He shipped one to me from California to Connecticut and it stayed in our house for about 30 years.    It moved to Jon's when we moved to Florida.   He kept it outside where it slowly deteriorated. 

  

And then it came to life again.  

 

 And now, it is totally restored by Dad's great grandsons and I'm sure he is  just beaming.    Well done !!

Labor Day found us once again in Newtown, CT for the annual Labor Day parade.   The biggest and probably one of the oldest continuous parades in the state,  we marched and were actively involved for many many years.    Last year was the first time we had returned for it since we moved and altho it was hot and humid, we loved every minute.   Especially since our favorite band members were marching.    This year, the weather was threatening but they managed to just squeak it all in before the rain drops fell.  

This is the oldest house on Main Street, built in 1750 and now maintained by the Historical society.  

 My favorite fife and drum band.

 My favorite parade watcher....

One of the local assisted living communities was in the parade.   A nice lady brought over a freshly baked pie, neatly  boxed and gave it to us.   I declined and said someone else might appreciate it and she said, " we have 300 to give out !"..... I noticed more seniors holding pies walking to our cars..... It's going to take more than a pie to entice me to move in but it was a grand gesture.  

The day before, we traveled over to West Point for the annual Labor Day concert at Trophy Point.   As I mentioned last year, we used to drive over for their Sunday night concerts and the LD extravaganza for many years.     Returning once again is just the best thing ever.    In a natural amphitheater, the setting is perfect.     It requires that an early arrival insures decent seating.    We took a picnic and a deck of cards for cut- throat games of Hearts.   Plus walks around the historic buildings, statues and cannons.   

The rousing 1812 Overture with cannons is the moving finale followed by the best fireworks right over our head.  We agree every year that it's the best show ever.     P captured the final part of the Overture and all of the fireworks if you are so inclined.   Here
    Since this is with an iPhone, the sound is just OK, not of the heart stirring magnificence of a live concert....but you get the idea.   The artillery cannons are located behind and below the band.

It was a great weekend.......!!

Family time.........

 We headed east to the Front Range on Friday.      We decided to spend a day in Boulder.   Over the years, we have spent a good amount of time in that unique place......3 of the family are alums of CU.   We stayed at a B&B within walking distance to Pearl Street.     Boulder Bookstore is a mainstay (1973) and a wonderful quiet  from the street mimes and musicians.    It's liberal offerings probably reflect the community and they were giving out free "Resist" stickers at the counter.   As usual, I indulged in some books .    I also learned about  1.20.21 and should have gotten a sticker but superstition got in the way.

 But the best thing of all was this wonderful little girl.    Ashlee is 3 months already.   Nicholas and Kelsey brought her up from OK to let us cuddle and delight in her smiles.   How fortunate we all are to have this sweet, cuddly, bright eyed baby in our family.  

 
    We ate, we laughed and all of us girls (minus Ashlee who went out for sushi with her dad and 6'5" uncle Alex ) went to see "Anastasia" at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.   We usually try and go once a year and it's always a wonderful girls day out.    Live theatre lingers nicely in the mind.

And then we came home to our hummingbirds, the mountain views and a few signs of fall.

Into the mountains...

 We had plans to head to  western Canada this week.   Our goal was Kootenay National Park with time near Glacier NP in Montana and stops in Idaho.     As the time got closer to load up the RV and head out, we started questioning our plan to leave the mountains and drive 1000 miles to go see the mountains.     We live in a beautiful amazing part of the world and there is so much here that is just waiting for our hiking shoes and Jeep.      So, we are staying home.



We found our hiking shoes and poles and headed into the mountains.    We opted to go easy on our joints and lungs and do a lovely stroll around Crystal Lake.    At 9600 ft,  it is a comfortable elevation.    It's a popular place for plein-air artists and fisherman.      It was 50 degrees and we managed to walk less than a mile when we saw this remnant of an avalanche.    If we had been in our 20's , we might have been able to climb 1000 ft and go around it but we are not in our 20's, 30's .........

 We headed back and came to the trailhead for Mt Hayden.     It was obviously a vertical trail but we were warmed up so decided to see how our 75+ yr old lungs were working.    We did well..... it was a deep pine forest, soft underfoot with needles and quiet.     We climbed for 30 min or so and then came the rock slides and downed trees.    We managed to maneuver around for a bit and then gave up.     But it was a nice workout and we could easily have gone further.

 On Sunday, we headed south to Silverton for a late breakfast.    The train (Durango-Silverton) is running again this year.   Last year, the cinders from the coal were blamed for a massive fire in the Durango area.     The train rides stopped and I was surprised to see them again this year.     The private company is being sued by everyone but it is a big tourist attraction and gives Silverton a vitality and big financial support.

It's one of the few places that you can ride your ATV on the main streets.

And again, we headed out ..... this time, we had 3 Jeeps and we headed up  Corkscrew Gulch trail.   The damage from all the snow/avalanches is massive this year and some trails are still closed.    We are at the height of tourist season and the mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton and Telluride depend on a steady flow of hikers and jeepers.   

 

 Our group portrait at the top of the trail..... about 12000 ft.     From the right, Paul, Sue Ellen, Matt, Gisela (holding Beau), Randy and yours truly......I see it's a little blurry enlarged....But maybe at this time in our lives, a bit of a blur is kinder...........not my camera.

 Always a favorite view of Red Mountain....

We were not alone on the top.....

 We had planned on heading over to Velocity Basin ( that snow covered basin slightly right of center in the picture ) but it was obvious that it would not be a prime picnic spot this year. ..... there is a lovely lake and lots of wildflowers underneath all that snow.       So we found a less traveled trail and had our picnic with this as our view.