January days....

Spending time on the golf course, sitting around fire pits at night and many hours on the pickle ball courts is what makes up our days in sunny Arizona.  

And when we have a chance , we get to spend time with the cute grand dog.  Guinness is  one of the more aloof members of our family until the treats come out.  

This grandkid is not aloof and is auditioning for the lead in "Indiana Jones Meets the Dragon".    

Change of plans..........

It's not quite Arizona !!    But it's very pretty and cold and I think it's in my DNA to love snow.

The biggest hill in Cobble Creek is in our backyard on the 3rd green....it

 was fun to watch the happy kids. 

We had good intentions of heading to the southwest  but flights were full of all those pesky paying passengers.     But, United operates non-stops during ski season direct from the huge international Newark terminal to tiny Montrose  that doesn't even have a control tower.     So we jumped on board a half empty plane for an easy trip back home.  We'd figure out our next move south when we got there.        As we started our descent, the Capt with the nice voice said we were diverting to Denver.   Seems the snowplows in MTJ were having trouble clearing the runway to the wider width needed for our Airbus and we didn't have enough fuel to hold.    So we landed in the falling snow at the big busy DIA that can handle most any amount of the white stuff.   The passengers were told to go to Customer Service for rerouting ...... Instead, my smart companion checked for the next flights and there was one in 45 min..... he listed us on the flight and before we got to the gate , we had been assigned seats.    It was  a long long hike from our arrival gate to the regional jet gates but luckily, we're used to the altitude.       So we climbed on board the miniature jet and after deicing, we lofted into the snowy skies.    I stuck my earbuds in and turned up "Queen's Greatest Hits" and tried not to think about flying in the snow over those high mountains in a tiny tube.       We arrived uneventfully but our luggage didn't.      The next flight  in 2 hours with many of the passengers who needed to get to their ski vacations in Telluride, was cancelled.      We were amazed that we actually made it.   Our luggage showed up the next morning.   

So, here we are in beautiful Cobble Creek with about 6 inches or more of fresh fluffy snow.     We're leaning towards driving the new car down to AZ in a couple days.    Because everyone needs 2 cars and an RV for 3 months in AZ.   It's been really cold there as well so we aren't missing much.  

And this is what happens when you go to a Mexican restaurant with friends on your January 1st birthday.   A celebration of one handsome,  sexy 76 year old who charms everyone .....until skill and cunning takes over on the pickle ball courts and he shows his other competitive side.    

Christmas 2018

 This cotton field is next to our RV resort in AZ.   In previous years, we've arrived in January and the fields are just dirt.   It was a big surprise to find out what they grow.   I had no idea cotton was a big crop down here.   I wanted to walk over and pick a little boll but it was a busy road and I'd probably be arrested for thievery or trespassing.    I remember very well, in a classroom in North Dakota as a young child, holding a cotton boll that someone had brought in.....I was amazed .   To me, it was only something I had read in books and there was no reality to it.  


And then we came to Connecticut.   We awoke on Christmas Eve to beautiful snow ... just enough.

 We had to make cookies altho Santa only took one bite and I don't think any of the dozen or so were ever eaten.    But it is required.
 

On Christmas Eve, we usually go see the latest Star Wars movie and then go to our favorite Italian restaurant, Franco's .     Alas, there was no Star Wars so we saw Bumblebee.....about the cute yellow Beetle that becomes a Transformer.   Cute but not Star Wars.    But the veggie pizza, the grinders and the pasta dishes were perfection.  

 As usual, the Christmas gifts were perfect and generous and the food was a mix of tradition and favorites.      Mason was very patient when he got up at 5 am and waited and waited for the rest of us.    Finally, he took out his saxophone and played revelry to get us up and moving.    It worked.   He now plays 3 different instruments and is trying his best to figure out the piano.   He has quite a talent.  

 

Before dawn on the 26th, the house was up and moving furniture.    New family room  furniture had been ordered to arrive before Christmas but it was delayed.   So we got to be slothful and eat and drink on the old stuff on Christmas.   But no more.     Andy and I were moving out the  old ottoman and someone captured us.    Not sure where Andy is getting his height but having a strong, tall and helpful young man around is a good thing.  

 Caesar still lives altho the whole cricket thing is time consuming.    I bought 50 on Thurs eve and they were gone by Sat morning.   So I got 75 the next time.   They are 10 cents a piece and he gobbles them in a flash.....the crunching is a bit unnerving.   The alternative is to feed him some kind of roach (no thank you !! ) or some creepy worm.     He does come out and crawls around their arms and shoulders......but he's fast on the floor.    The cat seems to have no interest.   Nor do I.....unless we're separated by glass.  

And so we head back to cold AZ.    We'll stay put for awhile with no plans to wander..... Tis the season of Pickleball tournaments and working on the golf game.    

December shows up.....

I worry about this lone heron.     He's been a resident for a few years and some say he once had a mate.      He stands along the edge of the pond but now it is mostly frozen.    From what I've read, they can survive cold and snow but most go south.   I wish he would so I don't have to worry.  

 

Almost 3 years ago, our favorite Ford Explorer got smashed by a kid in an old heavy jeep.   Since then, we have pondered the need for another car.    

    We've adopted Aunt Romayne's Beetle but it  mostly goes to pickle ball.     The big Jeep is great for climbing mountains but not for comfort on the roads nor, in my opinion, safe on the busy interstates....it doesn't even have a back up camera.     We have driven many different brands and models and read all the reviews and pondered the need/desire for 2 cars .... ( I don't consider the Beetle a car for most purposes...but it is cute ).       Finally, we made a decision and now we have a German majority in the garage.  (45 years difference in their age)  There is still room for the mountain climbing Jeep and the golf cart.    

It's a beautiful car with all the bells and whistles and will probably be our last car......after all, we keep cars about 10 years  and will we still be driving at 85 ??   Aunt Romayne drove until she was about 93 so maybe we will...... !    But then  we'll get a driverless model......

We had to drive over to Glenwood Springs for the nearest dealer.    The 2.5 hr drive was quite beautiful this time of year with the fresh snow and clouds.     Coming home was a different story.    I -70was closed for hours and we had to navigate the back roads in order to keep moving.  It took us 4 hours and one of us drove in comfort and the other drove the Jeep.   

We're delaying our departure to AZ by a few days but beginning the process of list making and organizing.    

I'll miss our morning sunrise.......

Home again.....

We left at sunrise yesterday..... beautiful view of Manhattan in the center and LaGuardia on the lower left where we had just taken off from.     I took a long snooze later in the day.

  

Had a great Thanksgiving day, celebrating Mason's 13th birthday as well.    He made a trip to the pet store the next day to pick up his bearded dragon.   The store had sold 13 in the past few weeks.

He/she  has multiple names but is Caesar for short......he eats live crickets......available on Amazon if you need any. 

We saw 2 movies at the theater with heated reclining seats ( !! ).    Loved "Bohemian Rhapsody" despite it's lukewarm reviews..... still humming..     Did not understand a bit of "The Crimes of Grindelwald" and the boys weren't sure about it either.   Johnny Depp was dark and Jude Law was easy to look at.     

Looking forward to a couple weeks at home before we migrate south.....

It welcomed us once again.........

Connecticut is white and cold and we are back to enjoy it !!

Back on the western slope....

We're home again...... it's always a bit longer to fly west and this trip just seemed rather endless.    We didn't get home until after 8 and since it was Halloween, we managed to avoid the hordes (or not) and having all that left over chocolate.  

    

This was the color from the front door of their house.....there was an occasional maple that showed it's fall colors but otherwise, it was disappointing.   

We made a search for the perfect pumpkins.   I  lobbied for 'smaller is better' but their choices were reasonable .   Mason wielded the sharp knife but left me with cleaning out the slimy innards.   Andy was all in.   

The trumpet and sax player  had their usual 3 hour band practice that night so didn't get to do the neighborhood thing.    They did have 'trunk or treat' after practice and I think that's a clever and convenient option.... and safer than in their dark  and sprawling neighborhood.  ( yes, I realize that's just an old person's opinion and carries no weight).

In the big regional competition on Saturday they came in 2nd (in their division ) for the 1st time this year.    Actually, as disappointed as they were, I think it will make them sharper and more determined for the Nationals  on the 10th at Met Life stadium in NJ.   I wish we could be there for it.

Otherwise, it's good to be home for a bit ..... I'll wander back in a couple weeks as Jon continues his training.

Connecticut...

I had hoped that our trip to New England would be highlighted by brilliant color.    So far, there is little color anywhere.    This is the nearby pond that we drive by most days.    Pretty but it needs to put on a show.

So, we drove to the NW corner of Connecticut where the tourists flock to see the colonial history and the fall extravaganza.    But not here either. 

 This weekend, the NY Sheep and Wool festival was in full swing.     I think it is probably the biggest in the country or even Europe.    They come to show their sheep, compete in dog sheep herding , sell their exotic and varied fleeces and offer the most prized yarns from independent breeders and the hoards line up to look and buy.          And of course, there is the food !!

I have read enough about it to understand that on Saturday, it is wall to wall and lines for everything are forever.    It was cold and even rained.    It is tradition to make a sweater, hat, scarf, mittens ....for wearing proudly at Rhinebeck.

After some debate and procrastination, we finally decided to drive over later on Sunday.   It's about 80 min to get there....over the river and thru the woods.  Very pretty back road  country drive.  There was some hint of color which gave me hope that Mother Nature will come thru eventually.     The crowds were diminished and no lines for the favored falafels, which we shared and  were delicious in the homemade pitas.    We enjoyed the sheep and llamas and after while, the yarns all began to look alike.    We chatted with one lady who raises sheep in eastern Colorado and brought her lovely yarns to sell.    I think we covered about 1/4 of the huge halls/tents  selling all things wool and accessories.   And it took us 2 hours to do that. It was cold and breezy and altho I had brought a poncho that  I knit, I choose a down jacket instead.   I did wear my hand knit hat tho !!

I'm glad we went and I don't have to do it again.    And the only thing we bought was lunch.  

Meanwhile, the boys continue to wow the crowds and judges in their Newtown High School Marching band competitions.    We went to see a 19 band event on Saturday.    It was cold and breezy, and we  bundled up and only stayed for 3 other groups.    Again, they took 1st in their division.    They are not a huge band, about 80, but they are very talented.   But they also work very hard in long after school sessions and all day on Saturdays.   

  https://youtu.be/ifzpG_snM4E      If you have the interest to watch the video, it is not the best.  The  parent/videographer seemed to be biased towards the percussion (who are very good) and often missed the action on the rest of the field.   But you can get an idea and I like the music.

Winding down....

We had our last 

League play last week....We got rained out but lunch followed and many came in costume.    This is a retired Hooter's Girl.....!!!!      Not her real hair or body parts...........!!

 With the changing season, the colors around us are often breathtaking.  

We have needed rain and now we are getting it every day.   The mountains are getting snow.    The sky is gray and low and the winds

are often fierce.    The patio has been tidied up for winter.       Under the table are the golf balls we have rescued from the narrow strip of grass.   The tee boxes are on the left and occasionally, a few cross the creek and land there or in our yard.   If I'm outside, I throw them back to the embarrassed golfer....if not, I do a regular search and rescue before the mowers chew them up.    

 Note the white caps on the pond.     This is the 4th....the tee boxes are on the left and require about an 80 yd carry (from the forward tees )over the Creek.....easy peasy except, it is water and intimidating.   After you get over, you continue on to the RT, between the two ponds and then make a dog leg left to the green by that red tree.    Or you can just go diagonal over the pond.....not my route but I did par this one....once.  

Meanwhile, the fireplace is taking the chill off the days and the astromeria last forever.  

Changing seasons.......

 We headed out in two different directions this week  to try and capture the amazing color show.  

On Thursday, I had my old and trusty Canon T31.   It has served me well on treks near and far.  along with my favorite lens, a Tamron 18-270.    But it is bulky, heavy and big.     For the past 6 months or more, I have researched and studied alternatives.   I settled on the mirrorless Canon EOS M50.    It is compact, very very light and all of my lens will work with an adaptor.    It came with a 15-45 which seems to do all that I want for now.   It has all the latest technology..bluetooth and wifi and a big touchscreen.   I think it is perfect.

Had to sneak in one of my roses in the evening light.....





 Near Kebler Pass, Crested Butte area..... leaves were at or past peak in many places.    But lunch was good at an Asian bistro and a nice walk down the streets of the this "last great Colorado ski town" which was voted #1 ski town in the US by a ski magazine.   It's western, victorian theme is well preserved.  

And then yesterday, we headed south to Last Dollar Trail.    It is about 25 mi from here and is the alternate road to Telluride.   It is only 20 miles long but definitely not the speedy way to go.  And you do need 4 wheel drive (we did see an occasional regular car but it is a rough ride) and it is impassable in rain/snow.    It meanders along Ralph Lauren's massive ranch and other cattle ranches along the way.           No color at the lower levels.   Aspen only thrive above 8000 ft.   We have a few in our yard but they say they only last about 8 years or so down here.   Ours , at about 10 years, still look healthy.   I would miss them dearly if they go before me.  

Around 10,000 ft the trail begins  the gradual descent into the valley.   At about 9,5000 you start to see the homes that have cropped up.   Massive (ie $$$$$$$) homes with equally costly views are homes to the rich and famous.     I'm not sure how they tolerate the altitude when they fly in for their brief stays.   This is the view from the airport road looking towards Telluride...(the highest commercial airport in North America).    Lots of private jets hanging out on this day.  

 Of course, when you get to the valley, it's hard to resist the gondola ride up and down the mountain.   This day was very busy in town.    We heard there were several weddings and it was an absolutely perfect day.