Meet EVE

And then we got our selves an EV.   This is the lineup at Mike's house, EVE is on the right.   Becca also has one and there are 2 more in CT....an Audi and a VW electric vehicle.    I guess we had to keep up.       

A couple months ago, Michael drove me around Denver area on some errands.   In the red car.   It's always been a comfortable quiet ride and it mostly seemed like just another car.      And as we were heading home, he took his hands off the wheel and told me the car had done all the driving our entire trip.    It was eye opening as I watched closely for the rest of the drive.   We drove on quiet streets, busy shopping areas and crazy fast I-25.    I could find no faults.  

And so, it got me thinking.     I am more cautious about driving in busy city areas..... intersections and multi lane roads cause me to slow a bit and analyze , especially in unknown areas.    And when he is driving, I'm another pair of eyes watching closely.    I don't knit, or read or use my phone when we are on the roads...... I watch.     We are both safe and capable drivers but we are also aging .....      I wondered if it could be a good assistant to keeping us safer in driving at times we might not be comfortable..... at night, in bad weather and unfamiliar roads.         We read all we could and looked at research and then.....we ordered one.   

This process is high tech.    Everything is done on the app on the phone.    Questions were asked and answered via text.     

We picked it up about 2 weeks later.   The closest dealer is in Gypsum, near Vail so about 2.5 hrs away.  We had a brief introductory tour and a few questions answered and off we went.    We dropped the Audi in Eagle airport for safe keeping and drove another 3 hours to Mike's for detailed instructions.  

 He says it's like driving a computer.    There is no key ( well, they give you a card that will work) but it's expected that you will use your phone or watch to open it and do most everything.     It has tons of cargo space and a trunk and a frunk (front trunk).    

BUT the very best part and the reason we have it....... is the Full Self Driving.    It requires that you keep your eyes on the road, via a camera watching you at all times or it shuts off.    It flawlessly drives ..... at 75 mph on I-70, at 25 mph in downtown Montrose and maneuvers in construction, closed lanes, passes smoothly and just puts a smile on your face at its uncanny ability to see all around and react.      I'm still not totally relaxed as I watch it every second but I'm becoming  comfortable.   It can't detect potholes yet so we take over if we see them.   But, it can detect an object in the road and will go around.  

I'm so looking forward to some trips and exploring.   

Otherwise, it's very very hot and dry and fires are a big threat in many areas.    We need rain !

Hello again !

I pondered whether I wanted to continue this blog.    I know that I have a few readers and I do appreciate that although I'm not sure why any of us follow the lives of others.     As I've said before, my main reason for this rambling is a diary of not- very -exciting -things.    And helpful when the memory blinks.  

Wildlife on the golf course and my morning walks.   

And then a worthy 2+ mile walk along the Uncompaghre in Ouray.    

Still enjoying the Bird Buddy but the female Bullock Oriole prefers the hummingbird feeder.  

My latest drawing.   I've slacked off a bit this summer but manage to add to this one when the mood strikes.    It's the same dog, puppy and aging.      I'm looking forward to finishing it up and maybe do a cat for a change.    I'd also like to do some birds.  

We have a beautiful great grand baby, Austin Paul.    No pics without Becca and Michael's permission but he looks just like a perfect month old baby ( as of today ! ). He carries a family name.      We hope to cuddle him in a few days.  

We are picking up a new car this week.    I'll share details later but there is a learning curve on this one.   The NYT this week had an article saying the new technology is very good for aging brains.... and not so great for young growing brains...... interesting article.  

Weather is typically hot and Colorado is burning so we have smoke and haze.   The Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP burned last month and it will be closed for quite awhile.   This is a significant economic loss for our community.   Fortunately, the Visitors Center was saved.  

And now we're into the season of fresh corn....seems especially sweet this year.....and large juicy tomatoes and my favorite BLT's...... I do eat bacon now and then but find that the meatless products are just as tasty in my sandwiches.    Palisade peaches are ready but since I'm the only one who would eat them, in any form, I pass them up.....sad.    

Enough rambling..........