A visit to 'The Little Green House on the Corner"

We just got back from a road trip to see Val and Eric. We went thru Custer, SD, Custer State Park, and Spearfish, SD but will post on that later. The visit was fun and it was great to see all of the beautiful renovations. We golfed, ate, drank, went pheasant spotting, worked in the garden and yard, dismantled the green house, cooked out, walked to Dairy Barn, played with Chops (Mister Baby) , tracked the area storm and tornado, and generally had a good time with Val and Eric. It was fun to dig potatoes, pick lettuce, make fresh pesto from the garden basil, and savor the taste of the first ripening tomatoes. The new bathroom is absolutely gorgeous. Love the hicory cabinets and the concrete countertops! Watch for pics on Val's blog. We can't wait to see the progress on the kitchen. Enjoy and pics and watch for future posts! See more posts about the house progress on the right link to the blog. (Sorry Eric, didn't get any pics of you or Chops)

DenBot!

Last Sunday AM I met Meredith at the Denver Botanical Gardens to check it out. We don't know why we haven't been there before. It is beautiful. Good thing we got there early since it was pretty hot by the time we left. Mere knows alot about plants so it made it even more interesting. Enjoy the pics.

Loveland Pass too!

On our way home from Frisco we drove over Loveland Pass. The last time we did it was during ski season and I had forgotten my camera. Enjoy the view!

Got to get out of the House

Last weekend we had to get out of the house while our floors were refinished. Frisco,Co was the destination. It's a cute little mountain town up in Summit county. We drove up Friday afternoon after I got home from work. The Frisco lodge (B&B) was nice and had wine and cheese on arrival. Saturday morn we met Chris and Maren and went to the Minturn Market, the Betty Ford Gardens, and Moe's BBQ in Vail for lunch. Sunday morn we did a 6 mi. hike in Ten Mile Canyon before heading home. It was and out and back hike and was along a stream. The trail went up the canyon into the wilderness area and ended (for us) at the turns to either head left to Copper or right towards Breckinridge. Maybe next time we'll do a loop but I think that would be and all day deal. The area was very pretty but the pine beetle kill did take away from the scenery in that area. Frisco has even started having a 'Beetle Fest'!

So long....thanks for the memories...we'll miss you, Maggie.

We'll cherish the memories...she had a good life and was a great dog. Thanks Maggie, you were always happy to see us and always ready for some fun and adventure. You loved going for walks, hiking, swimming, chasing balls, and sliding down snowy hills. We'll always remember you! Shee, ma, dog, Maggie Mae, Magster, Magaroonie, Mag.....you answered to them all. The saying 'Aquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.' is certainly true.

Maggie.....

Our best friend is getting old and is not doing well.....It's hard.....we'll keep you posted....

More fun for the 4th!

The day after the 4th was a busy one....we took off to an Art's Fest at America the Beautiful park in the Springs, checked out the art, and the great fountain. At certain positions (it rotates)Pikes Peak is perfectly in the circle. It's a nice spot for cooling off, especially for little kids). Mere bought a great piece of art (a planter with succulents).
Later in the day, Meredith and I took off for a quick trip up to the Reservoirs. She wanted to show me where to drop down into Limbaugh Canyon so we went on past the 2nd Res. and up Rampart Range Rd. We decided to go ahead and just go down into the Canyon. It is really pretty, all along a stream, and we hardly saw any people. We need to figure out where the actual exit is and maybe leave a second car there. We came out in a neighborhood by a national forest cabin (really cute), and walked back to the car at the trailhead. We happened upon an amazing and beautiful tribute to a family's son that I will post later. I took a couple of pics but the light was getting dim and I want to research the building later. I really want to get Arn up there soon. We saw another trail (HZ) that I want to check out too. I think it comes out over by Monument Rock and we could leave a car there.

We love the Red, White, and Blue!!

Another cool 4th of July! The day started out at 59 degrees with a chance of thunderstorms. Maggie will be in her 'cave' due to the possible lightning and the fireworks. Tyler and Miranda are here with Meredith on her way. We're grilling ribs and smoking brisket. Last night Arn and I went over to WPGCC and joined into the luau fun while Tyler and Miranda went to the Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. Ask Arn to show you the 'cork trick' sometime. We're off to Palmer Lake this evening for the 'Best Small Town fireworks ever'. More to come.....